Ms. Healthy Face

My skin has been terrible, and when I get breakouts, they are scarring, painful cystic acne blowouts that I would get on my chin and on the sides of my nose. They generally occur with my monthly period, or just after. I am not one to pick them because when I did the scarring would be even worse. I was courageous enough to let my cystic acne take its course, but it made me never want to leave the house. If you have read my Adapalene post from a year ago, you will know that my first dermatologist prescribed me that one cream, gave me zero directions, and sent me on my way. Not surprising my face never cleared up. Instead, I still had acne, my skin got flaky, peely, dry, irritated, and just plain terrible. I really resent my first dermatologist for doing that to me. So, I stopped using Adapalene, and began trying a bunch of over-the-counter acne treatments, from Paula's Choice to natural, organic brands with salicylic acid and tea tree oils, and the whole gamb

I am so excited to do my first monthly favorites post! This month all my favorites are cruelty free! Generally, I like to do detailed and in-depth posts about products that I love, but I hope you enjoy these quick and to-the-point posts! As always, any comments or questions are highly appreciated. My first favorite is from Blissoma Solutions . A great brand with a great mission delivering RAW, holistic, and vegan beauty products. I got the Rejvenating Herbal Gel Cleanser and Makeup Remover from the September Petit Vour box, and I am so happy that I did!!! This foam free cleanser is amazing at cleansing, and removing waterproof makeup, even though it feels different than the soapy, drying cleansers I've used in the past.  I apply 3 pumps to my makeup'd face every evening in the shower, and all my makeup washes away without leaving my skin ultra tight -- thanks to it's sud-free formula. I also really appreciate how this brand offers paraben and pthalate free products!

About 3 months ago, I received the entire  Tula Probiotic Technology Skincare line as a PR sample. I am so impressed by the line that I have made them a part of my daily skincare routine. I  have been wanting to do an in-depth skincare routine post that discusses all my favorite products, but I've been flat out busy with both my boys and I starting school. This morning, I found out Dr. Raj, gastroenterologist and the creator of Tula Probiotic, would be live on QVC today talking about Tula, and so I wanted to share my favorite three pieces from the probiotic line that I use daily! My first love is the Illuminating Facial Serum. I love how nourishing and hydrating it is! It is perfect in the morning under makeup because it quickly dries matte, yet gives my skin some radiance. I've used all, but a 1/5 of the bottle! Highly recommended! Next up, the Purifying Facial Cleanser is my, and my husband's, current favorite face wash! Tula is completely unisex fr

My philosophy is tinted moisturizer/BB cream for daytime, and a medium to full coverage foundation sans SPF for nighttime and special occasions. Lately, I have been completely obsessed with trying every tinted moisturizer and BB cream I could get in my makeup addicted hands. I love how easily I can slather tinted moisturizers and BBs with my hands for a quick FOTD. The ease of going from light to medium coverage is also a perk. The Smashbox Camera Ready BB came as a sample in a recent Sephora haul. Smashbox's BB provides SPF 35, and is available in 8 different shades. Generally, for a no makeup makeup look, I only need about a pea-size for my entire face. I think the 1 oz. size would last me quite a while, probably 3 or 4 months. Sephora offers two shades in .5 oz travel sizes -- "Light" and "Light/Medium". Although, I was sent 'Light" instead of "Light/Medium", I was still able to make it work after bronzing and blush. *For reference

I discovered Los Angeles -based Skin Dressing through Instagram and fell in love with the brand's mission -- to deliver all natural, non-toxic skin care at an affordable price, while still remaining cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.  I asked, and Skin Dressing generously agreed to send me the REALLY GOOD™ Ulti mate Rose Skin Butter . This luxurious and silky heaven in a gold jar is made naturally fragrant with 100% USDA certified organic rose essential oil. NO TOXINS whatsoever.   The gaudy, and totally my style, gold jar obviously caught my attention, but the rose scent made me down-right obsessed.  You can smell the beautiful rose oil from the outside of the jar, which isn't too surprising because a ccording to Skin Dressing, "it takes TWENTY DOZEN organic roses to distill enough oil for just one jar."   The Skin Butter is the consistency of a thick clarified butter, but completely smooth, and not at all greasy.  The REALLY GOOD Ult imate Rose Butte

If you have been looking to purge yourself of chemical and preservative filled hair and skin care, then keep reading... Bogavia is a skin and hair care brand free of: parabens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate, artificial fragrance, and chemical preservatives! Oh yeah, and cruelty-free!! Everything in their ingredient list is easily pronounceable and all natural with a lot of organic plant and fruit extracts. They have a line for adults and babies -- so exciting! I contacted Bogavia after learning that they crafted a baby-friendly skincare line. My sons have grown a little fascination with creams and lotions after watching my AM & PM skincare routines. So, I had been looking for a baby-friendly lotion for them. I absolutely love Bogavia's Extra Gentle Healing Butter for my two angels' soft skin. The Healing Butter, infused with Calendula, is a thick unscented cream with a denseness like Desitin, but feels like a lotion. It can be used and applied all over the fac