Self Date Sunday: A Recipe for Clear Skin

This weekend I treated myself and my face to some serious love. With the changing season’s my skin has gone from dry as a bone to confused about humidity within minutes, and it’s turned into a slight break-out city as a result.  This week I’m going to tell you all about my favorite products for smooth skin no matter the season!

After a Saturday night out, I started my Sunday morning a little slow. I cleaned my face with a Neutrogena Naturals face wipe (c/o Influenster), saving water and using their eco friendly product to remove last night’s make up and eye gunk. I know, I really should have done it last night but ya know, margaritas. I know you know. The best part about using facial wipes, besides their added moisturizers, is saving water. Did you know that everyday you wash your face with regular soap and water you’re letting nearly 5 gallons of water go down the train?? This Earth month I’ve partnered with Neutrogena in their #WipeForWater campaign, pledging to utilize their wipes over a face cloth and soap and water. I gotta say, it’s been a good feeling to save water and have a clean smooth face! I pledged to clean my face for 7 days, how many can you do!? Sign up and join the cause at http://www.WipeForWater.com

Next up, it’s facial time. And guys, let me tell you about my all time favorite at-home facial. The Origins’ Charcoal facial cleanser is the best. Something about putting on all that dark chalky charcoal, letting it sit until it gets hard, then cleaning it away to reveal blackheads gone is just. AH. It makes my little heart sing.

After my once a week facial  it’s time for my daily cleanser. I’ve written about Neutrogena’s Oil Free Acne cleanser before, literally years ago, and it’s still my go-to. Every morning I wash my face with this cleanser in the shower (better than using it over the sink, splashing water all over myself like a doof in cleanser commercials) and I gotta say I don’t want to know where I would be without this one.

So these are my go-to favorites for clear skin. How do you keep your skin clear during the changing seasons? Have you tried any of these products? What have you done to preserve water and the environment this month? Share how you’re doing your part with #WipeForWater on InstaGram and Twitter!

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Self Date Sunday: Chesapeake Beach Salon + Spa

It’s winter; the harsh cold and winds have our skin dry, lacking vitamins and moisture, our face’s whiplashed into flakes. While at-home spa treatments (and the thought of the low temperatures keeping you from wanting to leave your house) can be effective, there’s nothing quite like getting yourself out and getting the professional treatment. When I was approached by local CB Salon + Spa to come in for a relaxation day I was ecstatic. I took a day trip to the scenic beach side town (really, there’s nothing so heart-thumping as seeing the sea side, even in 25 degree temps) and indulged myself.

After changing out of my cold weather layers and into the quintessential fuzzy robe it was time to begin. I headed into a red lit chamber where I lay undressed in a shallow tub. I received what the CB Spa calls the “vichy scrub”; a full body exfoliating scrub and rinse which eliminates dry skin and soothes it with warm water and lavender soap and moisturizer. HELLO HEAVEN.

Next up it was time for my facial. I relaxed with soothing sounds, layers (and I mean layerS) of exfoliates, lotions, and warm towel wraps immersed in massaging shoulders. It was bliss. And all of a sudden it was three hours later; time flies by when you’re eyes are closed and your body is getting it’s highest form of self-date love.

Fresh faced and smooth bodied I reluctantly made my way to the beverage bar and on to the changing room to return to the real world, not ready to confront the freezing world outside. Thankfully, my body stayed smooth for days after, and my face literally glowed (as compliments at work let on).

More about the Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa: it’s one of the top wedding destinations on the Eastern Shore (meaning if you’re getting married and want a gorgeous white-sand beach without the trip to the Bahamas, you can head there) (not that I’m looking either but hey), and the salon gets pretttty crazy around wedding season, Mother’s Day, and other warm-weather holidays. With such generous and exceptional staff, it’s hard not to want to treat yourself and those you love to such luxury.

Have you ever had a spa day? If you’re a DC/MD/VA resident I highly suggest the day trip to Chesapeake Beach for the salon; it’s worth the trip and the exiting of the city for the relaxing sea side!

Be sure to follow the CB Salon and Spa on Twitter, on InstaGram and check out the website here!

this post is sponsored by the CB Salon and Spa

Self Date Sunday : Triangle Mani

I have been on the hunt for the perfect navy hued nail polish for months, nay years. So many I found were too blue, too gray, too pale… But alas, the God’s at Essie heard my telepathic plight and recently released just for me (or so I tell myself) “After School Boy Blazer”. Giddy ol’ me scooped that ish up SO FAST. But now, how to wear it? I could pull it off by itself but I wanted to go a bit further. I’m not one to be content with bare boned basics. I decided to play off the Navy as a New Neutral with some trending baby blue (Sally Hansen’s “Barracuda”). Together, a match made in a blue heaven.

I started with the all over navy nails. Using cut up scotch tape I created diamonds to paint the Barracuda in. Be sure the base coat is 100% dry before putting the tape on or it will pull off. Next up, slather on some of your top color. I love that the scotch tape allows me to be a little messy, because let’s be real nobody is good at painting with their non-dominant hand.

Next: let them dry. Or, do as I do and take the dog to the park *thinking* your nails are dry and then come home and start all over again. Your call. Then, take pictures and share them with the internet.

Now take some vino or mimosa and indulge yourself in a little #selfdatesunday. Enjoy!

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