Morning Skincare Routine

When I turned 30, I vowed I would start taking better care of my skin, my face in particular.  Given the fact I wasn't going anything aside from the rare facewashing when I had a breakout, anything would be an improvement. It's a taken a bit of time, and even more money, but I've finally found my favorite products, so I thought I would share my morning skincare routine with you in case you're looking for a product to replace something that is no longer working for you, or maybe you're like me and just aren't sure where to start.  I'm not beauty expert -- I hear there are lots of those on YouTube these days, so maybe look there if you're looking for a guru.  In the next couple of years, I'm hoping to transition to more 'green' products, but this is what I'm loving {& more importantly what's working right now}

Face Wash | This was my one and only skin product at 30.  I've used it since high school and I LOVE it!  It's not all natural, but I love the tightness I get from the alcohol in it.

Morning Toner | To be honest, I like this toner, but I've also use the Up & Up brand from Target and I don't feel on is better than the other.  Any cheap toner works fine for me.  I'm going to try witch hazel next time, because it seems to be all the rage right now.  {linked so you know what I use, but it's way cheaper at Target!}

Acne Treatment | My most expensive and most valuable skincare item.  You have to get it from a rep, but it's been the only thing that consistently works for my face.  The older I got, the worse my skin was getting.  I was having multiple breakouts, consistently.  For a girl that never had acne growing up, it was killing me.  This stuff has allowed me to walk out of my house without a full face of makeup - something I never would have dreamt of a couple of years ago.

Day Cream | It's from Arbonne, so you have to get a girl for this too, but I love it.  It works well, but feels super light {very important for me!}. It also has SPF 20 which is great, especially in the summer.

Eye Cream | I had been using the one from Rodan & Fields, but this was sent to me to review {months ago -- this has nothing to do with the post!} and I actually find this one more effective, and less money!

//Evening Skincare Routine here\\

Skincare Regimen | 2015

Okay, I'll admit this isn't the most interesting post, I'm so not into beauty & fashion, but I've recently had to change my skincare regimen up a bit.  For some reason I never really dealt with acne as a teenager, or even in college, but since having children and working out more, I seem to be getting more and more acne.  I use the term acne loosely, because I know people have it much worse than me, but my chin tends to be a problem area -- largely because when I'm at work {thinking} I have a habit of putting my hand to my chin. Anyways...my favorite products in order of usage...

Clinique Acne Solutions Cleanser :: I purchased this a VonMaur, but I'm sure anywhere that carries Clinique {most department stores} would have it available.  This is a liquid that turns foam when it pumps.  I LOVE this.  If I used only one face product, it would be this.  It leaves my face feeling incredible! $20

Up & Up Eye Makeup Remover :: I totally forgot to picture this, but I'm not too picky about my eye makeup remover, so I use the cheap stuff from Target.  $2.50

 Arbonne Genius Nightly Resurfacing Solution :: This is a splurge!  I purchased it because I got my first age spot {!!-I'm not even 30 yet!} I only use it at night, but I noticed a difference after just one week.  I dab the little pad it comes with and start on my age spot {just left of my left eye} and then use the remainder of the pad under my eyes, between my eyes, and around my mouth.  $95

Burt's Bees' Acne Solution Toner :: Again, toner isn't a huge deal to me.  I bought this on my last walmart run.  I apply it in the mornings after I wash my face.  I squirt a bit on a makeup pad or piece of toilet paper and swipe it all over my face.  $10

Arbonne Corrective Eye Cream :: This was another splurge.  I've always had terrible dark spots under my eyes {thanks dad!}but having children has only intensified this {if I could only teach them that sleep is in fact a good thing!} :)  Again, maybe it's just my imagination, but I really think this has helped.  I apply it all around my eye {if I have any left on my hand, I rub it around my smile lines} after the toner.  $55

Arbonne Restorative Day Cream Moisturizer :: Clearly by now you know all of my Arbonne products are splurges.  In truth, I tried a sample of their entire RE9Advanced line that I loved, but just couldn't pull the trigger with that price tag, so I chose the most important to me.  So clearly this is a fantastic lotion considering I could buy a 'regular' lotion at the salon for under $20.  It leaves my face feeling moisturized but not heavy or greasy.  $50

Are there any products I'm missing?  

Something amazing that I must try?  Help a sister out!

Again, this is an unpaid product review.  I bought all of these items at full price & expressed only my own opinions. 

Evening Skincare Routine

When I turned 30, I vowed I would start taking better care of my skin, my face in particular.  Given the fact I wasn't going anything aside from the rare facewashing when I had a breakout, anything would be an improvement. It's a taken a bit of time, and even more money, but I've finally found my favorite products, so I thought I would share my evening skincare routine with you in case you're looking for a product to replace something that is no longer working for you, or maybe you're like me and just aren't sure where to start.  I'm not beauty expert -- I hear there are lots of those on YouTube these days, so maybe look there if you're looking for a guru.  In the next couple of years, I'm hoping to transition to more 'green' products, but this is what I'm loving {& more importantly what's working} right now.

Eye Makeup Remover | I can't believe I ever used eye makeup remover.  This stuff works so well.  I love the way it melts from solid to liquid when you grab it.  Notes...any coconut oil would work, this is a huge container so I put a chunk of it in a little glass jar with a lid, lastly, I little goes a long way! :)

Face Wash | This was my one and only skin product at 30.  I've used it since high school and I LOVE it!  It's not all natural, but I love the tightness I get from the alcohol in it.

Evening Toner | I just found this product when I was getting a makeover before Adam's Christmas party this year.  She used it and my skin felt so, so soft!  Amazing!

Night Moisturizer | I use one or the other usually.  Sometimes if my face feels super dry I'll mix them together and use both, but they're pretty similar.  I bought both to see which was better, but I like them both equally.  This and the eye makeup remover are my start to use more natural beauty products.

Eye Cream | I had been using the one from Rodan & Fields, but this was sent to me to review {months ago -- this has nothing to do with the post!} and I actually find this one more effective, and less money!

Skincare Routine

I had planned to post this yesterday, but Adam ended up being home last night {whoop whoop!} so we spent the evening playing Monopoly instead.  Which means I will post about our BVI trip next week. 

This was going to be broke into two posts, morning and evening, but I realized it isn't a whole lot different, so I'm putting it all together.  The last time I shared my skincare routine was in 2018.  I was dealing with frequent breakouts {thanks kids} for the first time in my life and had finally got it under control.  Last year I worked really hard to switch out products for cleaner versions, so this is where I'm at.  I'm sure it's not as green as it could be, but I know for certain that's better than it was and that makes me feel good.

In the mornings I use toner and then apply a few drops of Yorrow|Pom before applying my makeup for the day.  At night, I use just use cleanser and then add Yorrow|Pom.  If I still have a fair amount of makeup on {if I reapplied throughout the day, rare, but does happen occasionally -- a date night, wedding, etc.} I will use coconut oil to remove my makeup first and then the cleanser and moisturizer.

First off, even though I drink a ton of water, my skin is similar to a snake.  Ugh!  So, after I get out of the shower and each night before bed I apply this body butter.  It is pure magic!  It's not heavy and it actually moisturizes!  Before I get dressed for the day {if I didn't shower that morning} I spray myself with this hydrating body mist.  I love this stuff.  I also use it as leather hydration for my purses. :)

*The downside to many of the products I use is that they have to be ordered online though a doTERRA account, so you can just run to the store and get them.  However, I find the benefits to outweigh the hassle.  I am a doTERRA rep, however I'm only signed up for the discount and that was not the intent behind this post.  That being said, if you don't have access to doTERRA and would like products at cost, I'm happy to order something for you.

Skincare Update

Morning - toner, hyper serum, eye cream, and lotion. 

Evening - makeup eraser, facewash, scrub, eye cream, a couple of drops of tanning drops + retinal oil.  Then I put caster oil on my lashes.

Skincare in 2015 | 2018 AM & PM | 2020

Splurges & Saves

I can't be the only one that loves to see what certain people save vs. splurge on! 
I love a good deal!  Here are a few of mine...

          SAVE                                                SPLURGE

Sandals | Necklace | Leggings | Nails                    Sandals | Necklace | Leggings

5 things I SAVE on that many people don't...
1.  With the exception of special occasion clothing, my kids' clothes and many of my own come from Target or Old Navy.

2.  We rarely eat out.  If we do, we're using dining with another couple/family.

3.  I have exactly one designer handbag and it's over 10 years old.  99% of the time I don't even carry a purse.  

4.  I give Adam & Cullyn hair cuts at home, sometimes even Jordyn.

5.  I'm super frugal when it comes to the gas bill!  I keep the thermostat at 67* when we're home and 65* when we leave.  I also keep rooms closed off that we don't use during the winter {the office, the 4 seasons porch, etc.}

5 things I SPLURGE on...
1.  Snow gear.  We live in a climate that we need to embrace the weather.  Buying good, quality winter gear helps.  I do try to buy a color that can be use for both kids and buy off season when I can.  My favorite winter gear brands with good customer service and quality products are Patagonia, The North Face, and Sorel.

2.  Travel/experiences.  Aside from my faith and my family, traveling comes next.  Adam and I almost never turn down a trip if we can swing it.  The memories and time together are priceless in my opinion.  Taking the kids to 'do' something will ALWAYS win over buying the kids something.  Skiing, sledding, skating, swimming, etc. I am IN!

3.  Skincare.  The older I get, the more value I find in a good skincare regimen.  I was using DoTerra {& still do sometimes} but I found Colleen Rothschild this year and am loving it!  We only get one face! :)

4.  Swimsuits.  This might not make the list if I were 110 pounds, but as a full-figured mama I feel most comfortable in a good, quality {supportive!} swimsuit and I haven't been able to find that at Target.  That being said, I keep my swimsuits forever and we do live at a lake, so they actually get worn frequently!

5.  Family Photos.  Right behind travel {maybe tied with it?} comes family photos.  I make the entire family get dressed up for photos at least one time a year.  It's just my rule and I don't even feel guilty about it!

Now tell me...what's your favorite thing to save/splurge on?

This & That {w. 26}

Did this:
Watched Cullyn finish his last week of swimming lessons
Wished my parents a Happy 30th Anniversary
Hosted a friend and her daughter for dinner before they move to Florida
Rescheduled an engagement shoot because of bad weather
Took photos downtown for a 1 year old
Worked out 4 days {about dang time!}
Drove the kids to my parents for most of the weekend
Went to the park {3}, splashpad {2}, pool, parade, ice cream & Sturgis Falls
Spent yesterday back in Des Moines swimming as a family -- both kids learned to jump in by themselves {w/ lifejackets} and swim back to the side
Purchased the kids this clock for the kids {we're desperate!} :)

Instagrammed that:

Edited this:

Shot that:

Scheduled this:

M: This & That

T: Tropical Sno

W: My Kids 26/52

T: Skincare Regimen

F: A Photo {S Engagement}
S: Happy 4th!

This & That

Did this:
Finished a big project at work!
Watched Toy Story 4 & The Lion King
Celebrated the 100th day of school, Donuts with Dad, & a play put on by Jordyn's class
Basketball, taekwondo, piano, youth group, small group, etc.
Went to my great niece's 1st birthday!
Took the kids skiing

Instagrammed {@MurdocksMamaBlog} that:

Scheduled this:

M: This & That
T: An update on 'No Online Purchases' this month
W: My Morning Skincare Routine
T: BVI Vacation Recap
F: Friday Favorites

This & That -- Highlights from last week

 Enjoyed this:

• Watching my Alliums bloom
• Going to two baseball games for Cullyn
• Listening to the kids at their last piano practice for the summer
• Ordering new glasses for me
• Jordyn handling three more tooth pullings like a boss
• Watching the kids during track and field day at school
• Getting to bring the kids to the office with me for a bit.
• A 7.5 mile bike ride with the kids
• A friends 40th Birthday Party
• Watching Adam entertain the kids
  
  

Instagrammed that:

Scheduled this:

M: This & That

T: Skincare update
W: 

T: Day in the life - Friday
F: Friday Favorites