Leah Tackles

The Better Skin Co. Product Reviews

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic week so far : ) I had an AMAZING time at the Justin Timberlake Man of the Woods concert and got home just in time for a huge snow (yes, snow in April!) storm. How is the weather where you are? Let us know in the comments!

I love trying out new skincare, and when The Better Skin Co. sent me a few products to try out I was excited to see what the brand co-founded by Natalya Rachkova, an aesthetician who has been making her “magic” cream for years and beauty industry alum Murphy D. Bishop, II, had to offer.

Mirakle Cream

This claims to be “genius in a jar” and a one-stop, skin-loving, problem-solving, all-purpose cream. The recipe is imported from the Republic of Uzbekistan, and is handcrafted in the USA. Some of the ingredients are coconut oil, sea buckthorn, shea butter, cocoa butter, aloe, and algae to help moisturize the skin. Peptides and hyaluronic acid help skin appear smoother and youthful.

My Thoughts

I really have enjoyed this, but because I have been working hard to find the perfect balance for myself, I have been using this in my rotation but not as the standalone moisturizer in my skincare lineup. I have LOVED this for my neck, decolletage, and the tops of my hands. This does absorb quickly into the skin, which I really appreciate.

Lava Magik

 

 

A daily cleanser, exfoliating scrub and revitalizing mask. Skin cleansing volcanic lava from France enriched with ingredients including calendula, sweet orange and grapeseed oils, cucumber, parsley, and chamomile which claim to give healthy and more youthful skin.

My Thoughts

If you follow my social media such as my LeahTacklesBeauty Instagram you have probably seen me in many face masks, and I tend to mask at least two or three times each week. As soon as I opened this I tried it out as a mask, and love that I can scrub for some extra exfoliation after wearing the mask for about 10 minutes. I did notice my face looked as if it was stained red after using it, but as soon as I washed it off with a cleanser that went away. I love this and will continue to use it.

Zit No More

This product contains salicylic acid wrapped in three soothing essential oils.  The formula is boosted with PhytoVie® pollution defense to assist the skin with its battle against pollutants.

My Thoughts

The verdict is still out for me on this one. I really love the idea of it because it’s perfect to toss into your bag and the roller ball makes it a breeze to use with no mess, but it also smells very strongly of tea tree oil and I’m not sure if it works for me. To be fair, I haven’t used it very much yet, but when I did use it on blemishes though I felt that initial slight sting as if it would work, I don’t know if it made my blemishes any smaller after use. I don’t think this made anything worse, but I am still not sure if it made it better, either.

Have you tried any of The Better Skin Co. range? I am excited that they are now being stocked nationwide at Ulta Beauty stores and look forward to trying out more of the line. Thank you, as always, for reading! xx

 

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Baby Bum Product Review | Spread The Love

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Thank you, as always, for being here and reading! I received a complementary set of the new Baby Bum line from Sun Bum from Influenster for review, and was very excited to try it out because I have loved Sun Bum products for years. As always, all opinions are my own and I will never accept money in exchange for a positive review. This post is not sponsored.

 

 

 

About Baby Bum

The Baby Bum line is plant based, hypoallergenic, pediatrician tested, and boasts being both dye free and paraben free. The Baby Bum line from Sun Bum is formulated for children and those with sensitive skin.

First Impressions

I absolutely love the packaging, it is similar to the Sun Bum line in it’s simplicity and I love the soft, neutral colors. I love the light coconut smell from the natural fragrance in the Shampoo & Wash and the Everyday Lotion.

My Thoughts

My middle child, Connor, has very sensitive skin and suffers with eczema that varies in intensity but it always present. I was excited to try Shampoo & Wash for him because he can only use very gentle shampoo and soap. I liked the foaming for cleansing his body, but found that I had to use more on the hair to get the lather I wanted. Connor had no reactions to the Shampoo & Wash, and I am also glad to have the Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen sample on hand in my purse for his sensitive skin in the summer. My oldest, Hailey, enjoys the Everyday Lotion, and has proudly used it after her showers to “test it for mom”. Hailey reported that the lotion, “felt like lotion” but rubbed in well and quickly absorbed into the skin. My favorite product of the Baby Bum line is the Coconut Balm which is a coconut oil infused with Tiare flower petals to keep the skin moisturized. I have been using the coconut balm on the backs of my hands and focused on areas where I need a little moisture.

Worth It?

The price for most of these products in full size is about $10, and is comparable to other nicer baby and kid lines like Honest Company, Aveeno, and Burts Bees.

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Baby Bum Shampoo & Wash

Baby Bum Spectrum SPF 50

Baby Bum Everyday Lotion

Baby Bum Coconut Balm

 

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend! xx

 

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YES TO TOMATOES FACIAL HYDRATING LOTION REVIEW

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday! And Happy NOVEMBER?! I am not quite sure how that is possible, but we took the Little Loves Trick-or-Treating last night, so I  know it’s true ; )

 

Sometimes when picking items to share with you or review I am looking at newly released items, hyped items, or “shiny” items that seem special or fun. Yes To Tomatoes is part of the Yes To line and an item that I always have on hand, use regularly, and yet somehow haven’t dedicated a post to is the Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion.

 

 

What It Claims

This facial moisturizer in antioxidants and powerful sebum (oil that causes Monday, check out Monday’s post for more on that) absorbers. The Yes To Tomatoes Facial Hydrating Lotion moisturizes and balances your skin.

Why I Love It

I have oily/combo skin and get occasional breakouts, but I also deal with some dryness and fine lines, so having a lotion that isn’t specifically targeted as an acne product but helps combat that AND help my dryness is amazing! I have been using this product for at least four years and will continue to do so.  I also love that this is about $10 at the drugstore, so it is a product I can repurchase when I need to without waiting for a sale or having anxiety. My only complaint is that it does not have SPF, so do keep that in mind.

 My Routine

I use this on my face and neck after cleansing and toning my face. I sometimes follow up with the First Aid Beauty Oil-Free Mattifying Gel 

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Do you have a favorite moisturizer? Let me know in the comments! Have a great day! xx

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DO PORE STRIPS REALLY WORK?

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

Did you have a good weekend? Did you celebrate Halloween? Carve a pumpkin? Let me know!

 

 

 

I remember being fascinating when pore strips first released but always being disappointed because they didn’t seem to work for me (if you’re thinking it is because I had perfect skin, think again). However, after the pore strip wizards had more time to perfect the strips (or so it seemed), I started using them on a semi-regular basis because peeling them off is just oh-so-satisfying.

How Do Pore Strips Work?

The strip paper almost fabric like strip is made of a non-soluble woven substrate  On the side that you put against your wet nose there is a polymer that is supposed to attach to the oil plugs in your pores. The water actives the oil-grabbing polymers and while drying the polymers work to attach to the outer most layer of the skin.

Do Pore Strips Really Remove Blackheads?

I am sorry to have to burst your blackhead, but unfortunately, that glorious, disgusting gunk you’re peeling off is not what you think it is. The name for the little dots on your nose you’re trying to get rid of is keritotic plugs. Keritotic plugs are dead skin cells, dirt, hair, and oil. Blackheads are a type of keratotic plug that is oxidized sebum blocked in your pores, but they live deep down on your skin. Have you ever done a pore strip and seen a ton of gunk on the strip, but also seen a lot of blackheads remaining on your nose? Yeah, me too.  Pore strips can remove the upper portions of dirt and oil, but they’re not going deep enough to de-clog blackheads a.k.a oxidized sebum.

But Will It Hurt To Continue Using Them?

If you do these occasionally because they make your skin feel smoother or you love the satisfying feeling that is fine. Should you do them often? Probably not because your skin actually NEEDS oil to maintain a healthy lipid barrier (that is why I love face oils like this one) and block out external influences that can lead to breakouts, wrinkles, and other skin issues.

What Should I Use Instead?

Getting microdermabrasion done at a medical spa, or at home using a PMD (my personal FAVORITE!) can help to keep your pores clear and can also help minimize your pores. I also like using an exfoliator (I mentioned the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion exfoliator here) to help keep my pores clear of gunk and to stop new blackheads from forming. You can also get a professional extraction done, but please don’t do that yourself!

Final Thoughts

So, will you quit using these? I, possibly surprisingly, will not stop buying them, but I will limit the use and be sure to continue to use my favorite facial oils to keep my skin at a healthy oil balance.

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Are you surprised by this? Did I ruin your skin ritual? If you found it helpful, please use one of the social media sharing buttons on the bottom of this post! xx

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DR. BRANDT MICRODERMABRASION VS. POREDERMABRASION- WHICH IS BETTER?

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! Saying we are having an “unseasonably warm” September is an understatement and that combined with the day-to-day stressors means that my skin hasn’t been very happy with me. Last week I did a post about Dr. Brand Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator, and today I decided to share my thoughts on how Dr. Brand PoreDermabrasion compares.

 

 

What It Claims

Dr. Brandt Poredermabrasion is suitable for normal, combo, or oily skin. The PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator works to help with dullness, uneven skin, oily skin, and large pores. .This exfoliator works to cleanse pores while it strengthens and tightens the look of pores. This exfoliator is formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

My Thoughts

The physical exfoliator contains the same pharmaceutical grade aluminum crystal and feels very similar in consistency as the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion. The lime extract and salicylic acid make the exfoliator feel a bit more rough on the skin, and I did notice that my skin tingled but it wasn’t uncomfortable. I find the PoreDermabrasion to be very comparable to the Microdermabrasion, but would suggest the PoreDermabrasion for those with very oily skin. If you have normal skin, sensitive skin, or dry skin I would go with the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion.

My Routine

After removing my makeup I lightly dampen my skin with warm water and then use this exfoliating scrub in circular motions all over my face. *Note: I focus on my nose, chin, and cheeks and try to not get too close to the delicate eye area.

 

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Have you tried either of these Dr. Brandt products? Have you tried any Dr. Brandt Skincare? Please let me know in the comments! : )

 

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AFFORDABLE EYE CREAM THAT WORKS | FEATURING RoC

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you’re as excited as I am to be halfway through the week already!

I have been getting more into skincare lately, and truly believe that it is never too early to start a good skincare routine. If you’re like me and you love makeup, you may find it easy to spend $50+ at Ulta on eye shadow, but harder to spend on skincare because it isn’t as “fun” but I have now started really investing in quality skincare. Think of your skin as your canvas for makeup, makeup which will look a lot better if you have nice skin. This process of renewal is exfoliation or skin shedding of the epidermis. But the deeper layers of skin, called the dermis, do NOT go through this cellular turnover and so do not replace themselves…so treat your skin well because you’re going to have it, or parts of it, forever ; )

Skincare can be pricy, and I have fallen in love with some higher-end skincare that is now part of my regular routine, but I found that my favorite eye cream is effective and very affordable, so I want to share that with you today.

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

Claims

ROC RETINOL CORREXION Eye Cream helps moisturize the delicate eye area and helps reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and even puffiness. This eye cream contains pure RoC RETINOL and a mineral blend to visibly reduce the signs of aging around the eyes. This eye cream is shown to even out the appearance of dark circles and reduce puffiness in four weeks. Additionally, this eye cream is shown to help visibly reduce wrinkles around the eyes and crow’s feet in 12 weeks. The cream is noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic.

My Skin

I have combo/oily skin that still battles oil and the occasional breakout, but also the beginning signs of aging such as fine lines.

My Thoughts

I suffer from dark circles (hellooo motherhood!) and use Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream in the morning to combat my dark circles, but love that this adds even more dark circle diminishing to my routine. I love retinol for anti-aging, and don’t find this to be drying or irritating to my eye area. I am starting to get some fine lines, and think that this is a great way to help combat them. I love that this comes in a squeeze tube, because I only use a small amount and can every last bit out of the tube, but it does sometimes nearly crack on the edges so do be careful that it doesn’t puncture which would cause you to waste product. I will continue to use this eye cream as part of my skincare routine.

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Have a wonderful day! Please make my day and subscribe ; ) Have you seen my latest video? I have a giveaway going on!

 

 

 

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STRETCH MARK CREAM REVIEW | NAVAN SKINCARE

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! Today I wanted to share my thoughts on the Stretch Mark Reducing Cream from Navan Skincare. If you follow me on Snapchat (@LeahTackles) you may have seen me speak about this when I was gifted it from Navan Skincare for my consideration for review.

Stretch Mark Reducing Cream from Navan Skincare

 

 

This cream claims to work to reduce the appearance of stretch marks by combining three scientifically back ingredients (Collaxyl™, Elastonyl®, Retinyl) and six natural oils (Jojoba Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Rosemary leaf oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lavender Oil), that work to diminish the appearance of stretch marks caused by pregnancy or extreme weight gain or loss on the belly, hips, bum, thighs, breasts and arms.

My Initial Thoughts

I was a little unsure of this product because stretch marks aren’t a huge problem area for me and I have tried other creams in the past. I do have three children, so I had one stretch mark on my stomach that I really wanted to fade, as well as on my inner thigh. During all of my pregnancies and in the first few postpartum months I drank a ton of water, and also slathered myself in body oils and lotions to hopefully reduce my chances for stretch marks. I decided to try using the Navan Stretch Mark Reducing Cream twice daily and see if I noticed a difference.

Why I Love It

I really like that this cream has a refreshing and not overpowering smell, sinks into the skin quickly which is important because you are not supposed to get dressed until it has absorbed into the skin, and also comes in a container where I can (and did!) scrape out every last bit. It is a thick, creamy consistency so that it feel substantial not watery or oily, which I enjoy. I definitely noticed a significant difference in the appearance of my stretch marks. I like this because it wasn’t oily, sticky, or a pain to use.

Would I Purchase This Product and Will I Continue Using It?

I really loved this product, and it has peaked my interest in the rest of the Navan Skincare line because I found this to work better than other brands products with similar claims and price points. I do think that this product helps to reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and is worth a try.

Discount Code

Navan Skincare has kindly given me a discount code to share with you. Use the code Leah15 to save 15% off of your order. *Note: I am not paid if you purchase using this code, it is just a discount for you to try the product if you’d like.

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Stretch Mark Reducing Cream

 

Thank you, as always, for reading! Have a beautiful week! xx

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MICRODERMABRASION AT HOME? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far! Last week I talked about how shaving your face can have anti-aging benefits and is a regular part of my skincare routine (you can read about that here). Today I thought that I would share another skincare post because it is so essential to take care of your skin and it makes a huge difference in makeup application, too.

 

 

 

What Is a PMD?

A PMD is a microdermabrasion tool that you can use in the comfort of your own home to get the same results that you get in a dermatologists office or a skin spa.

Why I Love It

Microdermabrasion is a great way to safely but effectively remove a layer of skin to reveal younger looking skin by getting rid of dead skin, increasing blood flow, and boosting the bodies production of collagen and elastin. Microdermabrasion can also help fade the look of sun spots or discoloration, acne scars, enlarged pores, and fine lines. I have had microdermabrasion treatment done at a skin spa, but the PMD pays for itself after a couple of uses! The PMD uses a patented spinning disc technology along with calibrated vacuum suction. I love the PMD because it also helps for my skincare products to absorb more into the skin, and we all know that skincare products cost a pretty penny, so to me this is a *huge* plus!

My Routine

I use the PMD weekly, usually on Sunday when I have a bit more time to dedicate to my skincare routine. I start by shaving my face (again, read about that here) and then immediately use the PMD. I hold the skin tight and in upward strokes use the PMD on my neck and face. I avoid the eye area for the most part but do ever so lightly do it near where fine lines and crows feet appear. I also love to use the PMD to exfoliate my lips! Another great spot to use the PMD is your hands because both your neck and hands are telltale areas that show aging. *Note: The PMD comes with a very helpful instructional DVD as well as several different discs for both the face and body. You can see more tips from the PMD website here.

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Have you ever tried mircodermabrasion? Let me know your favorite skincare tools in the comments! And please don’t forget to subscribe!

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SHOULD WOMEN SHAVE THEIR FACE?

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you’re part of “Bachelor Nation” and watch shows such as the ABC network hit The Bachelor, then you probably know Michelle Money. I am a huge fan of Michelle’s, and have learned a lot by watching her different YouTube channels. Several years ago I saw a video where Michelle showed how she shaves her face (watch it here) and after seeing that I did a little more research and today I want to share with you WHY and HOW I shave my face.

 

 

Why I Do It

I have very fine, blond peach fuzz on my face but after seeing the video tutorial Michelle showed I was intrigued. One thing I found both in Michelle’s video as well as other articles I found on the topic, was how men typically look younger because shaving their face regularly is a form of exfoliating their face on a very regular basis! Regularly exfoliating is a great way to really amp up the function of the skincare that you’re already using, too, because it allows products to really be absorbed into the skin.  I love that my skin looks beautiful and smooth, plus this makes makeup apply flawlessly. Essentially you are removing a layer of dead skin cells, so dermaplaning like they do at skin spas, but for only a couple of dollars and in the comfort of your own home. And just like shaving your legs will *NOT* make the hair come back thicker or darker, the same is true for shaving your face this way… that is a myth! Your hair on your face will come back in exactly how it was when you started!

How I Do It

I don’t have a set schedule doing this, but typically try to do this about every week or every other week. I use the Tinkle (yes, “tinkle”) brand eye brow razors to do this, but most “eye brow razors” will work for this. *Note: I NEVER use these “eye brow” razors to shave my eye brows and think that you should keep razors FAR away from your brows! Pluck, wax, or thread of your brows please! I begin with clean and dry skin, use a single-blade, single-edge razor, hold my skin taut with one hand, and then shave in upward motions holding the razor at a 45 degree angle. I avoid around my eye area, my eye brows, and anything too close to my hair line, focusing on my cheeks and by my ears. I also love to do this before I do microdermabrasion which I do at home using my PMD. After I shave I skip toner and I make sure to use a lot of moisturizer so that you skin isn’t dried out.

Final Thoughts

I don’t think this is a “must” by any means. Please only do what you are comfortable with. I suggest starting with just a little bit, perhaps the peach fuzz on your jaw line, and then see how it goes for you. If you’re under 18 years old please ask your parents before you begin incorporating this into your skincare routine. If you do decide to try this, always be careful and make sure to clean the blade after and don’t use a dull blade on your face because just like your legs a dull blade will make you more likely to nick yourself.

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Thank you for reading and please leave any requests or questions in the comments below! I want to talk about what YOU want to hear! xx

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YOU NEED TO TRY THIS BODY WASH! UNDER $5

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Today I want to share one of my “holy grail” drugstore items that I always repurchase and always have on hand. Be sure to let me know your favorite products in the comments section because I love finding new amazing things.

 

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Body Wash

caressevenlygorgoeusbodywash-leahtackles.jpeg

I prefer this over other higher end body scrubs and body washes that I have tried and I always repurchase this. This is an exfoliating body wash which makes it great for sunless tanning prep or just a good deep clean, but it’s also gentle enough that it can be used daily. I like all of the scents, but my favorite is the Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter. I love this because it leaves my skin feeling smooth, clean, and it’s super affordable!

Thank you for reading! Have a wonderful rest of your week and HAPPY NEW YEAR! I cannot wait for 2017! Cheers love!  xx

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