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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DR. BRANDT MICRODERMABRASION AGE DEFYING EXFOLIATOR

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

 

I hope that you are having a great week so far, and thank you for taking time to read my blog!

 

 

I have used the Dr. Brandt Pores No More and so when I received a deluxe size sample of the Dr. Brandt Mirceodermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator I was excited to try it out.

 

What It Claims

The Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator works for all skin types. It is an exfoliating scrub that can help with dull skin and uneven skin. It can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles. The Sephora website also states that it can be a solution for blemishes.
The formula contains aluminum oxide crystals, lactic acid, and soothing botanicals to buff away dead skin, give you glowing skin, and a more even skin texture.

Ingredient Information
This product is free of both sulfates and phthalates.

 

My Thoughts

I use a PMD Personal Microdermabrasion System at home once a week, but I really like having an exfoliating scrub to rub over my face, especially my nose and chin, when I need a deep clean. I noticed that this scrub is very fine, and that felt really nice on the skin, and didn’t irritate but was still very effective in cleaning out my pores. My face felt so clean after using this and my skin was glowing! I immediately asked my husband to try some on his noses, and he noticed his pores looked and felt cleaner right away. This product is expensive, but it is definitely my favorite exfoliating scrub that I have tried.

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 this? Have you tried other Dr. Brandt Skincare products? What is your go-to product for exfoliating? I would love to hear in the comments! xx

 

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HOW-TO PREVENT BLISTERS IN HEELS

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I love wearing a gorgeous pair of heels, but I have definitely been that girl hobbling by the end of the night because my feet her so much because of blisters. I also never found the band-aid “fix” to do much of anything to help, so I have tested out a lot of products and wanted to share my go-to with you.

 

 

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick

This provides lubrication which when applied to blister “hot spots” can reduce the friction, a.k.a stop the blisters from forming. If you don’t have the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick you can also use anti-chaffing products like BodyGlide or even a stick antiperspirant. This stuff lasts forever, I’ve had one stick for well over a year and it has a lot left to use.  I love the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick because it is so tiny (it fits in the palm of my hand!) and I can always have it in my bag for heel-mergencies.

My Routine

I always do my best to buy shoes that fit, seriously don’t try to squeeze into shoes that don’t fit because you’ll regret it an hour into wearing them. I also try to break in my heels for a bit at home before wearing them out. I apply the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick to dry feet a few minutes before slipping on my heels (or any shoes I feel that are prone to rubbing).

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Have you tried this? What is your trick for wearing heels? Do you have a favorite store for buying shoes? Have you tried JustFab? Are you a heels or a flats girl? Let me know! xx

 

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SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR 30-SOMETHINGS | 2017

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

On Monday I shared Top Hair Product Picks For Long Hair and talked about Kit.com, my favorite new way to share my go-to products with you. Today I want to share my favorite skincare products that I use as a thirty year old woman with combo/oily skin that is beginning to show some fine lines.

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Have you tried out Kit.com yet? Please let me know if you would like to see any other beauty related shoppable kits from me : )

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LET’S GET PERSONAL: HOW-TO PREVENT “BOOB SWEAT” THIS SUMMER!

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fantastic week so far! Today the title really lays out there what I am going to be tackling today, so let’s get started!

The weather has been slowly warming up here, and I know that summer will (hopefully!) be here before I know it. I like to be outside as much as possible in the summer, and I also workout, so sweating between or under my breasts is something I deal with, even with my smaller frame and average sized chest. I think all women can relate to some kind of “boob sweat”, “under boob sweat”, or some kind of perspiration around the bra area.

 

 

What I Use:

I use Summer’s Eve Cleansing Wash in the shower a couple of times a week and when I saw Summer’s Eve Feminine Deordorant Spray I knew I wanted to give it a try. This product is meant for using around the external vaginal area, but it works wonderfully for the chest region as well. This product is talc free, mild clinically tested safe scents, and made to not disrupt natural pH. I love the feeling of spraying these because it is an instant dry feeling that is very refreshing. This spray absorbs moisture and also helps to neutralize odors.

My Routine:

You likely use dry shampoo to freshen up your hair, and I use this in a similar manner to freshen up after being outside, doing a light to moderate activity if showering isn’t an option immediately, and also before I go out if I know I will be out in the heat/possibly sweating for an extended period of time.

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Does this topic make you blush? Be honest, can you relate? Let me know in the comments ; ) Please don’t forget to subscribe! xx

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HAVE YOU BEEN CLEANSING YOUR FACE THE WRONG WAY ALL THIS TIME? | TUTORIAL: THE DOUBLE CLEANSE

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

A few weeks ago, I hit the big 3-0, and in anticipation of that milestone birthday I started researching a lot of skincare. I did two large skincare hauls (videos included at the bottom of this post) and since then have been testing out a lot of products. One of my favorite discoveries that I think everyone should know about is The Double Cleanse: The double cleanse is a Korean beauty technique that starts out with an oil based cleanser followed  by a foaming cleanser because you need two different formulas to completely and effectively cleanse your face.

What Does Oil Based Cleansing Do?

Gently draws out oil-based debris like makeup, S.P.F, and other pollutants.

Why Can’t I Just Use One Cleanser?

Water-based cleansers aren’t capable of removing oil-based debris because oil and water do not mix.
You are not doing any favors to your skin by not properly removing your makeup and oil-based debris on your skin, and this can cause breakouts. And when you only harsh cleansers they will strip your face of natural oils, and your skin will try to over compensate being dry (yes, even if you’re oily or combo skin and don’t seem dry!) by producing more oil.

My Routine

I use the Skin Fix Oil Based Cleanser and rub it onto my skin in gentle, circular motions before adding water. After I add the water I gentling rub it into my skin again to emulsify the product. Then I rinse the product off. The “oil” part of this made my combo/oily skin self nervous at first, but oil based cleansers are actually gentle and do wonderful things for oily or acne prone skin.

What Does Water Based Cleansing Do?

Gently draws out water-based debris such as sweat and dirt.

My Routine

After the oil cleanser is thoroughly rinsed off,  I use my Skinfood Egg White Pore Foam, with gentle upward circular motions and then rinse it off. I like to pat dry with a Kleenex Hand Towel or a clean washcloth (*Tip: Change out your washcloths daily to ensure that you keep your skin clear!)

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Have you tried any of the Korean beauty products? I would love to hear about them in the comments!

 

 

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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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DO YOU SUFFER FROM DARK CIRCLES? USE THIS!

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Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

As a mother of three little loves under the age of six I am tired (so.tired) and that combined with my hereditary under eye darkness (still love ya lots mom and dad…) I am constantly dealing with dark circles under my eyes. I have one product that I absolutely swear by for reducing my under eye darkness and have repurchased countless times and will continue to repurchase and today I want to share that with you.

 

Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream

 

 

This is an eye cream that is formulated with a peptide complex that is known to help bring back firmness and elasticity to the eye area. This product is a brightening eye cream that helps fade dark circles, reduce puffiness, and smooth fine lines. I notice a MAJOR difference when I use this in the appearance of my dark circles, and notice much brighter and more awake looking eyes.

My Routine

After cleaning my skin with Purity by Philosophy, I use my Sea Breeze Sensitive Astringent, and then apply my Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream before applying Say Yes To Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer followed by Benefit the Porefessional Matte Rescue.

Why I Love It

I love the Benefit It’s Potent Eye Cream because I notice drastic results with my dark circles! I personally prefer to use a more aggressive anti-aging eye cream at night to combat fine lines and wrinkles, but this has been my “Holy Grail” eye cream for my morning routine for years! I personally do not have much under eye puffiness, so I can’t speak to how it works for under eye puffiness as much, but if you’re looking for something to really help with under eye darkness, this is it! I also find I end up having a much easier time with my under eye concealer because I don’t have to use nearly as much when I use this eye cream regularly.

I have mentioned this product before in My Morning Skincare Routine, My Product Empties, My Sephora VIB Sale Suggestions, and My Under Eye Concealer Tips.

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Do you suffer from dark circles? What are your favorite products? Tell me your favorite eye creams in the comments! Have a wonderful weekend! xx

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ChapStick® Total Hydration Product Review with GIVEAWAY!

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Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! I love to wear liquid lipsticks, and liquid lipsticks can be very drying on the lips especially in the cold winter months so I have to be sure to take good care of my lips. I have shared before some of my favorite items from ChapStick® which you can read here, so I was thrilled when I was asked to review the ChapStick® Total Hydration products. This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and as always all opinions are my own. I would never exchange money in exchange for a positive review and share my honest opinions.

 

 

ChapStick® Total Hydration Moisture + Tint

These are formulated with a tint that enhances your natural lips and I love that because I can wear a chapstick but still have a little color, and that “your lips but better” look. These come out flat, not with a angle and point like most lipstick type products, so it was a little trickier to apply on the corners of my lips but because it is a tint of color as opposed to an opaque lipstick I didn’t find this to be much of an issue.  This tinted moisturizer features a formula with 100% naturally sourced ingredients that provide lasting moisture. These boast high-end ingredients like Rose Hip Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Butter and I love the way they smell.

Wearing ChapStick® Total Hydration Moisture + Tint  in Rose Petal 

Swatches (left to right) Coral Blush, Rose Petal, and Merlot 

ChapStick® Total Hydration 100% Natural

These feel AMAZING on the lips! This formula is so soft and feel like butter going on your lips. I love that these are formulated with 100% naturally sourced ingredients such as Argan Oil, Avocado Butter, and Omega 6 & 9 that are supposed to give you healthier, more youthful looking lips. This formula is available in Fresh Citrus, Soothing Vanilla, and Honey Blossom which was my favorite of the two I received. I have one of these in my car and have been very grateful for it for myself and the kids, especially my oldest who spends her Sunday afternoons on the slopes at ski club!

ChapStick® Total Hydration 3in1

I was intrigued to try this product when I read that it was a Korean inspired formula because I know that Korean beauty is a huge trend right now, and I have loved some of the Korean skincare that I have tried. This 3 in 1 formula claims to moisturize, renew, and transform the lips and features ingredients like Madecassoside and botanical oils. I have been using mine at night before bed and so far I am really enjoying it. This formula is available in Coconut Hydration, Soothing Oasis, Sweet Peach, Wild Acai Berry, and Cooling Peppermint which is the one that I tried. This formula is available exclusively at Target stores and I was so excited to be able to find it in Target and take a “shelfie” with it ; ) I live an hour away from a Target, but whenever I get the chance I am going to be scoping out ChapStick® because I love these exclusive items! I think these would be perfect for my favorite kind of gift to give (and receive) where you package a bunch of your favorite goodies together in a cute way with a really pretty gift basket.

My Target “Shelfie” 

ChapStick® Total Hydration with CoQ10

This product is designed to instantly transform and smooth your lips. This formula is lightweight that provides long-lasting moisture, helps the lips stay hydrated for a full eight hours, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.  I am really enjoy using this after using a lip scrub (mentioned below) before bedtime. I don’t know yet if I’ve seen any difference in the fine lines, but just knowing that it helps makes me feel good about using it for that, too ; ) This formula is comprised of advanced skincare ingredients such as Antioxidant CoQ10, Vitamin E which is a wonderful moisturizer, and ultra-hydrating Hyaluronic Spheres for super soft, supple lips. This is available in Vanilla Cream flavor and I think it smells like baked goods, but the scent isn’t overpowering.

ChapStick® Total Hydration Conditioning Lip Scrub

I have tried several lip scrubs, and I also make my own lip scrub quite often which you can see here, but I was very excited to have a new one to try out. This is the latest innovation from ChapStick® and it really is an awesome lip scrub! It’s an interesting texture compared to most scrubs, because it has the grit that you find in all lip scrubs, but the base of it is a creamier, softer consistency that I really love. This scrub is formulated with naturally sourced ingredients including Sugar Crystals, Maracuja and Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E and features a fresh peppermint flavor. This is super easy to use, and a little goes a very long way! I actually used way too much the first time, and have learned to just lightly scoop out a small amount onto my finger because the soft consistency doesn’t require you to dig it out like some lip scrubs I have used in the past. To use this I massage a small amount onto wet lips in circular motions and then wipe it off with a damp wash cloth. After using this I like using the ChapStick® Total Hydration with CoQ10.

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Find and Follow ChapStick®  Here:

GIVEAWAY

If you would like to win ChapStick® goodies and a $25 Target gift card (um, who wouldn’t?!) then please enter the giveaway!

GIVEAWAY Rules:

Giveaway ends on February 8th at 12:00p.m Eastern Standard Time! Giveaway winner will have 24 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be selected. All rules will be checked and enforced to ensure fairness to all those who enter.

 

If you have any questions or comments, as always please let me know! Thank you for reading! 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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