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:

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?

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!

Daisy Power

It's nearing Summer time which means that I want to wear less make-up, but my skin isn't quite ready for it's naked debut. Humidity + make-up isn't a pretty sight, so I'm always looking for ways to lighten my routine and freshen up my complexion.

I can't wait to share with you what I have found - the power of the daisy, Nature's Retoucher! I've been using the daisy extract powered Burt's Bees brightening treatment for 4 weeks & (if I do say so myself), my face is luminous!

Your Summer brightening toolkit: 1. Brightening Daily Cleanser // 2. Brightening Refining Tonic // 3. Brightening Eye Treatment // 4. Dark Spot Corrector // 5. Even-Tone Moisturizing Cream. 

Make this your brightest Summer yet! The line of brightening products from Burt's Bees is "clinically proven to help improve the appearance of surface dullness", harnessing the power of the daisy! Daisy extract helps reveal a more even skin tone in as few as 4 weeks & a multi fruit complex effectively removes dirt oil and makeup. Make it part of your daily regimen for a brighter and more even complexion, naturally. 

Check out my Instagram feed to see my brightening results after 4 weeks of use & read more about these great products at Burtsbees.com & find out more on the Daisy, Nature's Retoucher. 

Find Burt's Bees on social media: Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Burt's Bees via Burst Media. The opinions and text are all mine.