MORE EMPTIES!!! REGRETS AND REPURCHASES

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theBalm "Vanilla Oil Absorbing" Face Moisturizer Review

Hey Folks! Maybe you recall a few months ago I did a post about a haul from a few brands on HauteLook; one of said brands being theBalm Cosmetics. I have several rave reviews for many products I have tried from theBalm, but I haven't really ventured into their skin care line. Actually to be honest, I didn't even know they had a skin care line! Most YouTubers that I watch that use theBalm mention how wonderful their blushes and their eyeshadow palettes are, but I've never heard anything about their skin care line.

Well, today I was getting ready and I hit that dreaded point in my daily moisturizer where I have to pump to top several times just to get the tinniest bit of product to come out. "Oh No" I think, "I'm getting close to running out!" It is at that moment that I know that the product I am using is Holy Grail product. Sometimes it gets exciting getting to the end of a product, especially if you have your eye on something else or if you really didn't like the product much to begin with. I really hadn't even given my daily moisturizer much thought, until this morning when I was frazzled at the fact that I am almost going to be throwing this bottle into my "empties" collection. 

theBalm White Tea Vanilla Oil-Absorbing Face Moisturizer is honestly AMAZING and highly underrated. Also, quick point off topic, when I tweeted to the company today that I think this product is amazing, they favorited my tweet! I absolutely love when a company is actually interactive with their social media community, I find it makes me want to keep purchasing their products and communicating with them. Anyway, I have in the past used Bobbi Brown Oil Control Lotion and I found it to be nice, but never repurchased. I like the scent of it although it irritated my skin in the slightest way because of the Seaweed Extract; I think it was the scent caused my sensitive skin to turn bright red. With this Oil-Absorbing lotion from theBalm, I find that I do not need to blot or touch up my face with powder all day. My skin is combination to Oily, but can have extreme dry patches, very acne prone, and extremely sensitive. I don't find that this lotion is too drying on my skin when it is drier and I find that it has held up in even the hottest weather conditions I've been in--Reno, Anaheim, Canyon Lake, Sacramento, you name it. The scent on this is absolutely lovely. It is very natural and subtle. I hate when things are labeled "unscented" and it smells like a scent of "unscented" (does that even make sense? is it just me?). This smells like the ingredients in it without added perfumes. I also like that it isn't a "matte" formula, it makes the skin look so much more natural and radiant. It also has not caused me to break out and it is paraben free, cruelty free, phthalate free, and synthetic dye free. 

Another great thing about this product is, and I kid you not, but there are some days where I put this on with my Tarte Maracuja C-brightner eye treatment and feel totally comfortable and beautiful walking out the door without a trace of make up on. It makes the skin look so fresh, clean, and bright. 

The packaging is gorgeous glass and looks very high end if you ask me, and the pump detail is nice too. The best part? This product is only $20! Which is a steal if you ask me as you could easily go to Target and find an Aveeno moisturizer that isn't half as lovely for $15 or more dollars! 

All in all, it is easy to see that I really love this product, even if it wasn't so obvious to me before I nearly ran out, I now see that I am going to need to order this stuff in mass quantities because I never want to be with out it. If theBalm was ever to stop making this, I honestly do not know what I'd do. I find it to be a really unique product that is highly underrated. 

As I always recommend with theBalm products, keep your eye out for them on Hautelook, I think I got this moisturizer for only $10 when it came around! 

Michael Todd Antioxidant Toner

Hey guys!! I wanted to give a review on the third Michael Todd Toner that I've tried. Michael Todd true organics has 3 toners and now that I've tried all 3 Ivan confidently say that the Cranberry Antioxidant Toner is my favorite! It is supposed to be hydrating and have anti-aging benefits. I like using anti aging products when possible just as preventative measures for wrinkles an dark spots. This toner really is hydrating too; I find that my skin look more radiant and plumper when I use this toner. I think that this toner in comparison to the Algae toner and Lemon toner has more benefits and has the same benefits that the other two offer. It is more hydrating than the Algae toner and is quite brightening, very comparable to the Lemon toner. It smells fresh and clean and makes your skin feel extremely clean. 

In conclusion, this toner is AMAZING. As a self proclaimed toner snob, I think this one is the greatest daily toners that I have tried. I highly recommend all 3 of the Michael Todd toners, but this one is my absolute favorite. 

Organic Skin Solutions

Just like it is important to nourish your body with fresh, healthy food, it is also important to be sure that what you feed your skin is also clean and not harmful. 

I will admit that I'm not the best at making sure my cosmetics, skin, and body care product are paraben free or organic, but when I find something that is advertised as "organic" or "natural", I naturally gravitate more to purchasing that product. I've tried to become better and more aware of what I put onto my skin, especially if it is like a face mask or lotion, anything that is really going to absorb into the skin. 

Recently, I found a lot of people were talking about the Michael Todd True Organics skin care line. After doing some research (also known as, online shopping) I decided to purchase some of the items. After all, who could resist these exquisite-sounding products. 

This is my small, but growing, collection. I thought I would give you guys a mini review on each of the items. Also, how precious is their pretty purple packaging??

Organic Lemon DMAE AHA Toner- this is one of my favorites. I use this as my morning toner to brighten my skin and to wake up my senses with the delicious lemon scent. It just smells like morning in the summer time. It has DMAE and AHA that help clear out excess oil, fight future infection, and promote clear, healthy, radiant skin. I find that it evens out my skin tone and texture really well. 

Blue Green Algae Toner- many, many people rave about this toner. I really like using it at night after cleansing my face. It smells like a spa and like the ocean, all mixed into one. It is an antibacterial toner that contains aloe Vera, vital nutrients, trace elements, and amino acids to remove toxins and promote cell renewal. Black Willow Tree is also found in this toner for healing and fighting infection. The aloe Vera in this works wonders for pulling moisture into the skin. I love when a toner is moisturizing because often times they can feel quite drying. 

Pumpkin Mask- this mask is full of nutrients; it literally feels like food for your face, and smells like it too! It contains glycolic acid and pumpkin enzymes that dissolve impurities and add brightness to the skin. My only warning with this is that it may sting a little bit. I have extremely sensitive skin and it does not bother me too much. Also, be sure to thoroughly wash it off or else it will leave an orange residue on your face that you'll notice on your cotton pad after using your toner. 

Eye O Sonic System- I got this for a steal on Living Social. It's really a wonderful product. The eye cream is quite hydrating and not greasy at all. It absorbs really well, especially when using the eye o sonic device. I love my eye o sonic, it feels like an at home eye treatment. I find that it really helps penetrate the product deep into my skin which helps with keeping my under eye concealer from creasing and my under eyes hydrated all day. You could use the device with any eye cream, sometimes I'll use it with my de-puffing eye cream if my eyes need a more intense treatment. I bought one of these for my mom too and she also really enjoys it. Eye cream is really important for people of all ages so be sure not to skip it! 

Over all I've been extremely pleased with Michael Todd True Organics. I cannot wait to try more of their products to review for you guys and love the fact that they are full of natural ingredients that are not harming my skin. 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this brand, all items were purchased by me and as always are reviewed with a 100% unbiased and honest opinion 

Visit their website to find products perfect for your skin: www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

 *for reference, my skin in combination/oily, sensitive, and acne prone with lots of acne scars and redness. 

Enjoy feeding your face!