empties & re-fills

It is time for the changing of the guard in my beauty cabinet & I wanted to share the products that I have recently used up & those that I just re-filled. 9 of these products are ones that I LOVE & #10 is one that I'm dying to try. Check out my go-to products, and let everyone know in the comments what you have been loving in your beauty routine now that Spring is here (for most of us!)

Empties:
1. Jergens Natural Glow (+firming) lotion - I use this lotion every few days to keep my Summer glow going without having to fry my skin, & have actually been using it since February, so that when it was time to bare my legs, I wouldn't blind strangers with my ghostly white stems! I recently ran out of my current stock & will definitely be re-ordering! Pros: light scent (not the usual self-tanner smell), builds over time, also a really great lotion.

2. Murad time release Acne Cleanser - really the whole "Anti-Aging Acne" line from Murad is amazing, & after using it consistently for the past year, I really can't remember the last time I had a pimple + my skin has never felt healthier! I was a little surprised that it has zero lather, but I use it with my Clarisonic & it feels very refreshing.

3. Davines Hair refresher "dry cleansing mist" - Ok, I use a LOT of dry shampoo (anything for those extra 15 minutes of sleep!) & actually have different products for different days of my non-hair washing routine. This is my light dry shampoo (see #4 below for the big guns). It really is what the name implies - a nice refresher for your hair after a day or so of going dirty. As a brunette, I have to be weary of dry shampoo turning my hair grey, & this one goes on with very little color, and absorbs immediately. The scent is pretty incredible too. 

4. Klorane dry shampoo - this is my heavy-duty dry shampoo, for days when I have some serious grease to contend with! It is much thicker than the Davines product above, & as such soaks up any grime that I'm dealing with (my hair gets pretty oily by day 2). This is also a great product for giving my hair "hold" if I'm trying to rock an up-do or bun. 

5. Essie "madmoiselle" - I don't know if I have ever used a nail polish bottle all the way to the bottom, but I have been applying this shade to my nails weekly for many months now, & it has finally run dry! I love this color (the perfect light pink), but am actually looking for a new light pink - any suggestions??

Re-fills:
6. Vaseline Lip Therapy "rose lip" lip balm tin - I actually can't remember who gave me the tip (if it's you, holler at me so you can get your much deserved credit), but several years ago I was dealing with some scary chapped Winter lips, & they suggested slathering on Vaseline every night before bed. I now have a huge tub beside my bed, & smaller tins in every bag/desk that I frequent! After seeing these adorable tins, I just couldn't help but add to my collection. The "rosy lips" has a great smell & gives a nice pink tint!

7. It Cosmetics "Vitality Brightening Anti-Aging Face Disk" - I fell in LOVE with It Cosmetics last year at the Southern Blog Society conference & have been almost exclusively using their products in my daily-routine. My favorites include the Bye-Bye under eye concealer &
Bye-Bye pores pressed finishing powder, but the top dog in my make-up bag (like, stranded on a deserted island can only have 1 product item) is the "Vitality Brightening Disk". It is a bronzer/blush/highligher all contained in 1 slim compact, & the colors are so flattering! I totally re-ordered this before I ran all the way out because I couldn't stand the thought of going without it, for even 1 day!

8. Murad active radiance serum -  from the Murad "Environmental Shield" line, this serum is my go-to during Summer months, but I have actually been using it all year. Along with the eye lift firming treatment and hydro-dynamic moisturizer, Murad calls this trio their "model off duty look" - & I agree that these three products make me look rested, dewey & fresh!

9. St. Ives Nourish & Soothe - I love & trust the St. Ives brand to make products that not only fit my needs, but also fit into my lifestyle. This lotion is divine - super moisturizing, without being too thick, absorbs quickly, & smells great! I use their spray lotion during Summer months, but as I am trying to get rid of my Winter alligator skin, this is the perfect formulation for right now!

10. A want to try: The Pixi "GLOW" tonic has been getting rave reviews & with packaging that cute, I don't think my will power will last much longer! Have you tried it?

Shop all the products mentioned in this post here:

Giveaway: Massage Envy

As many of you know, I am a Murad "ambassador" & enjoy reviewing their products & sharing my experiences with you. Recently, Murad reached out to me about trying their line of facials at my local Massage Envy Spa & because of my dedication to reviewing products for you, I obliged.

I had actually never been to a Massage Envy before, in fact my only experience with massages & facials has been on my honeymoon, and those packages were super expensive, hundreds of dollars that seemed reckless to be spending as newlyweds. So walking into the Massage Envy was very refreshing (literally), especially seeing their clearly marked prices (I hate when someone tries to sell me something & I don't know if it cost $20 or $200!), that definitely fit into my teacher salary budget. Massage Envy touts that they are the "leading provider of affordable, therapeutic massage and skincare services in the United States" & I believe it to be true. After all, getting a massage or facial shouldn't exactly be stressful! 

Because Murad is the exclusive skincare provider to all Massage Envy Spas nationwide, during the month of July, the Spas are celebrating the Summer Glow Event! During July 5 to August 2, Massage Envy members* and guests receive $10 off a Massage Envy facial. AND if you pre-book an August facial in July you will also receive a special Murad skincare kit!

*Massage Envy membership: I learned about this on my recent visit & was super impressed with their membership model. Pay a reasonable $59.99 monthly fee and get 1 facial or massage per month, plus major discounts off any other services you want to also enjoy each month!

During my Massage Envy Murad facial, I knew exactly what I was supposed to be doing (nothing like first time anxiety, although their guide for first-timers is also super helpful) & was relaxed to the max! I might have even *momentarily* fallen asleep on the massage table! I was blown away by the attention to detail my Esthetician paid to my skin and its care. She was super knowledgeable and helped me work through ways that I could keep my freshly polished skin in tip top shape. The best news? The pockets of blackheads around my nose and chin are greatly diminished, & I haven't had even a blip of a breakout since!

If you think that facials are only for celebs, think again! This is certainly going to become my every-other month treat to me, myself & I! You can even use the super simple scheduler on the Massage Envy website & totally feel like a rockstar.

And today, I am super excited to be teaming up with Murad to giveaway an exclusive Environmental Shield Healthy Skin Regimen Kit sold only at Massage Envy Spas! Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below, & a random winner will be chosen next Saturday (7/25).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

where are they now?

As a blogger I have certainly enjoyed the perk of receiving free beauty products to review. I can honestly say that of all the products I have happily welcomed into my home, none have been hated, but there are a select few that have firmly planted themselves in my daily routine. Many I have gone on to purchase with my own money after my sample ran out, & the rest, I will if I need to (shameless plug to receive more samples if anyone is listening!)

You can check out all my beauty product review posts, I especially love this one when I finally embraced moisturizers after year of distain & disgust (AKA where I had to eat my words because these moisturizers are amazing), and shop my forever go-tos below: 

{1} Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Creme - I am not the biggest fan of using heat on my hair (1 part lazy, 1 part protective of my locks) - so if I style my hair, I want it to last for DAYS! With this product, my curls last at least 2 (over my usual half the night)!

{2} Murad Daily Cleansing Foam - this is the product that made me enjoy washing my face. Super refreshing, without leaving my skin feeling tight (as evidenced on Instagram).

{3} Dermalogica After Sun Repair  -  my husband burns like a piece of toast (is that a saying?) & this has come to our rescue many times. A quick application when we get inside from the pool is a miracle worker.

{4} By Terry Rose Lip Balm  - a splurge for sure, but this super smooth & amazing smelling balm makes my lipstick stay put & properly moisturized for hours. I tend to get super self conscious when I wear lipstick (Is it on my teeth? Did it smudge? Has it all cracked off?), so the price tag is worth it to me.

{5} Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme - life long nail & cuticle biter here. Still working on my recovery, but a quick swipe of this while we watch TV at night is certainly helping keep things less scary around my nail beds. 

{6} Murad "Invisiblur" Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 - a fairly recent addition to the family, but it is here to stay. The Invisiblur is a daily SPF & primer/perfecter all in 1. One of the things that I appreciate most about Murad is their thought process not only in the product itself, but also in the packaging, & the experience that you have when using it. This product is very easy to use, & I LOVE that with 1 pump it delivers the perfect amount - not too much, not too little. 

{7} Murad Acne Clearing Solution - I'm still waiting on my teenage acne to go away TOTALLY, but for now, a nightly application of the Acne Clearing Solution keeps most of it at bay.

{8} Jergens Natural Glow Daily Firming Moisturizer - I enjoy going to the pool, but slathered in SPF 50. So to add color (+ a little firming action too!), I try to apply this Jergens gradual self-tanning lotion every 3 days after my shower.

{9} C.O. Bigelow Lemon Sugar Body Scrub - The only way I will shave my legs now! The smooth skin I get from using the sugar scrub & then razoring the fuzz away is leagues above!

{10} Murad Skin Smoothing Polish - the more I read about exfoliation, the more I want to do it on every inch of my skin! I really appreciate that this Skin Smoothing Polish is a gentle enough scrub that I can do it every couple of days, & it feels so good!

I am also super excited about the new Living Proof "No Frizz" Line that landed on my stoop this week - still in the testing process, and I can't wait to share it all with you soon!

What are the beauty products you buy again & again?

Ice Coffee Wrinkles

Murad Products: (L to R) Rapid Collagen Infusion // Soothing Skin and Lip Care // Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips // Invisiblur Perfecting Shield

I am so excited to share with you some new products from Murad! I have been working with Murad for the past year (see some of my posts here), & it truly is a company that I 100% support & adore!

AND - these are some of my favorite products yet.

I might not have lip wrinkles yet, but with my daily ice coffee habit (via a straw), I'm sure that this will be something that I face in the not so near future. The Rapid Collagen Infusion for Lips goes on when I get up & when I go to bed & the Soothing Skin and Lip Care has been my constant companion during the past month (screw you Winter).

As I am on the end of my 20s, closer to 30 than 21, protecting against future wrinkles has become one of my top priorities. With Murad I have a One-Two-Punch. Removing any traces of wrinkles/aging skin with the Rapid Collagen Infusion & then preventing any future signs of age with the SPF. I have had a love-hate relationship with sun screen my entire life - I love the benefits, but I hate how greasy it makes my skin feel, not to mention the break outs!

Understand that when I first got the Invisiblur Perfecting Shield (Broad Spectrum SPF 30) I was skeptical. More SPF that makes me break out (yay <-- insert sarcasm font here).

But I wanted to try. So try I did, & I will be the first person to admit it - I. WAS. WRONG!

This is my favorite Murad product to date. This is much much more than a SPF. This is a make-up primer, that leaves my skin looking matte all day (my work day runs 5 am - 5 pm). It is a perfecting base for anything else that you put on your skin. And it just feels amazing!

The bottle says it all: Treats. Blurs. Protects.

{ What I Wore: J.Crew star print top + Winnie knit pants // ShoeMint heels // Kendra Scott cuff // Michael Kors watch }

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

What new skin products have you been discovering lately?

Top Ten: Moisturize

When I was in college, I had an irrational fear of putting moisturizers of any kind on my face. I was convinced that lotions/creams were THE reason I had chronic breakouts. With age/experience, I have learned that my combination skin CRAVES moisture, & when it doesn't get the moisture it needs, it creates its own (aka grease… ewwww). So now that I am in the latter half of my 20's, I have a pretty extensive collection of moisturizing agents. Below are the 10 that I use on a daily basis… these are all tried & true cures to Winter dryness, & especially for people with combination skin, they hydrate without leaving your skin feeling clogged down.

What have you found to be the best weapon for warding off icky Winter skin?

Listed in the order that I use them each day:

{1} Bigelow & Co Almond body scrub - This is the best way to energize your shower routine. The scent is awesome, & the scrubbing bits wake up my skin, while also leaving behind moisture.

{2} Before I start doing my make-up, I slather on a healthy dose of the By Terry rose balm. This is one of the more expensive items on my daily list, but it really does earn its price tag!

{3} A new duo in my beauty cabinet is this recently released product from Murad. The Youth Builder white clay body cleanser is the perfect everyday body wash, specifically formulated to hydrate & protect the youthfulness of your skin. The AHA hand cream is stashed in my desk at work. The formula hydrates better than anything else I have used, sinking deeply & quickly into my hands.

{4} The base of my face routine is the Murad age-diffusion serum. Soft scent, perfect texture, primes my skin for makeup.

{5} After serum, I apply my daily SPF. I appreciate that this Murad SPF 30 formula soaks in quickly, & there is nothing greasy/oily about it.

{6} I can't be the only one that gets depressed by the translucent color of my skin during Winter months. Adding a little color to my skin boosts my spirits, & I love the light scent + added firming benefits of the Jergens Natural Glow lotion. I apply after my shower, & let it "air dry" while I am putting on my makeup. This gradual tanner has been voted as best scent several years in a row - no nasty fake tan smell!

{7} Burt's Bees Lemon Button Cuticle Cream - This is a product that I apply RELIGIOUSLY! On a recent family trip to Disney World, I was about to run out & an emergency Target run was in order. I have long struggled with picking at my cuticles. It drives me crazy to see them scraggly, & this is the only thing I have found that works to cure my cuticle obsession, while not leaving my hands a greasy mess. I apply this product throughout the day, probably 2-3 times from the mid-morning until I leave work.

{8} After removing my make-up after work, I apply the Murad hydro-dynamic face cream. This is a thicker moisturizer, to provide 8 hours of hydration to protect my skin through the night. I like to also apply it to my neck & chest.

{9} Right before bed, my hands get the Rituals Miracle Scrub treatment. This sugar scrub is seriously a miracle - it helps with the icky cuticle situation (see #7), & also leaves my hands feeling soft + moisturized all night. You will become addicted!

{10} Once in bed, I SLATHER my lips with classic Vaseline. If my nose is feeling irritated, that skin also gets a thick layer. This is the biggest thing I have done to keep my lips from cracking during the Winter months. I wake up each morning with a little bit still on my lips, & the hubby says I have the softest lips (although I'm not sure who's he is comparing them…)

So that is my moisturizing routine. What's yours?

Murad #BetterEveryDay

Excited to be sharing an update on my Murad skin care journey. I have been religiously using these products for 2 months, & have to say that my roller coaster skin issues are finally evening out!

By "roller coaster" I mean that I often did enjoy clear skin (yay!), but then I would get lazy, & my skin would turn into a grease pit of pimples (that I would shamefully attack with not many other resources at my disposal). I couldn't find anything that was easy to consistently use while giving me the flexible I needed for my lifestyle. Until now.

All Photos | Kate Davis Photo

1. Skin Smoothing Polish 2. Acne Clearing Solution 3. Anti-Aging Moisturizer 4. Daily Cleansing Foam (not pictured, I forgot to take it out of the shower during photoshoot time, I have to always have it close by!)

{Everyday products} This is my go to line up, the products I use in my morning & evening routine. I use the daily cleansing foam everyday (didn't see that one coming did you!?), & mix it up with the skin smoothing polish every couple of days (about 2 times a week). I love how these products leave my skin feeling balanced. My skin trends towards greasier than not, so I am always looking for a grease eliminating, non-drying solution. This is it!

1. Blackhead Remover 2. Pore Refining Sealer (sold as a duo)

{Extra Time on a Week Night} If I have extra time at night after washing my face, I add in these two steps. I would say that my biggest skin complaint is blackheads (the worst decision I ever made was looking in a magnifying mirror! #yuck), & these two products are helping me eliminate the frustrating black dots around my nose & chin. I typically apply these products 2 times a week (during the week & as a Friday night treat). I love how the Step 1 product feels on my skin! (*I dropped the container and cracked the lid, so that crack on the lid is a result of my clumsiness, not the usual state of the product).

1. Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum 2. Transforming Powder 3. Clarifying Mask 4. Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex

{Specialty Products} These are my weekend pampering session products. The things I reach for when I want to address a more specific skin issue. I was a SUPER horrible pimple picker during my teenage years, so thankfully those acne scar discolorations are starting to fade with the Age Spot Serum. 

I usually go make-up free on the weekends, & like to take this opportunity to get some exfoliation & what I call "skin breathing" time… letting everything return to its natural state! The Transforming Powder is a magical exfoliator that renews my skin to a baby soft state!

And my weekly (usually Saturday afternoon) treat - the Clarifying Mask. Again back to my oil-prone skin, this mask resets everything, setting my skin up for a clear & bright week!

Overall, I love the Murad family of products because of the thoughtfulness they work into everything they put out & the idea that their skin care solutions are 1 part of an overall heathy lifestyle, including clean eating, lots of water & sleep!

Looking to change up your skin care routine?

Find the Murad products that are right for you with their Personalized Skin Care Evaluation.

Better Everyday

I am excited to announce that I am an ambassador for Murad. I have long struggled with taking care of my skin, with consistency being my biggest issue. However, I am in good hands now! The Murad team has set me up with a great selection of products, aimed at clearing up my blackheads, preventing breakouts, & starting on some preventative wrinkle treatments.

Below is the line-up I am currently using & I can't wait to share my progress along the way!

Products: 1. Daily Cleansing Foam | 2. Blackhead remover & pore sealer | 3. Anti-aging moisturizer | 4. Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex | 5. Acne Clearing Solution

For blackheads, get started with the Murad Pore Reforming System
Suffering from acne, try the Murad Acne Treatment Regimen

Updates on my skin progress soon!