| Review | Bali Body Instant Tan Cream 

Have you ever had an event, date, or meeting spring up on you at the last minute? Maybe you totally forgot about it or maybe you were invited at the last minute but you haven't had the time to do your tanning routine! Yeah, it happens to all of us and it's one of the worst case scenarios. Especially, when its an event you need to dress to impress, a healthy tan can make all the difference in your confidence and in your pictures. So, what do you need to reach for? An instant tan! Not one that needs time to develop, I mean a literal instant tan! This review is sponsored by Bali Body but all thoughts written are my own, honest thoughts.

PRICE & PACKAGING 

The Bali Body Instant Tan Cream retails for $22.95 and is available at Bali Body. This instant tan cream comes in a large soft tube that allows you to easily squeeze the product out on to the skin for application. It is also a very travel-friendly tube, since it is very sleek for a large tube. I highly recommend also purchasing the Body Blending Brush, which retails for $21.95 to go along with this tan, because it will make a huge difference in the application.  

FORMULA 

The Instant Tan Cream is exactly what you'd expect in a product with such a name. The cream appears thick when you first squeeze it out from the tube but the texture is actually very lightweight and has very spreadable lotion-like texture. A little goes a very long way so, I recommend squeezing out a small dollop and working in sections. For example, I squeezed out about a small coin-sized amount of product onto my forearm and was able to cover pretty much my entire forearm in one application. The cream spreads out very easily and evenly especially, when applied with the Body Blending Brush. I use large sweeping motions with the brush with a very light and even pressure. Due to the dense, even, and flat shape of the brush; it applies this cream flawlessly without a single streak! Plus, it helps prevent your hands from getting messy. 

Straight from tube

Bali Body Instant Tan Cream Heavily Swatched

I highly recommend purchasing and using the Body Blending Brush because the formula dries quite quickly and while you can just wash your hands, it isn't ideal because you would want the tan on the tops of your hands but not on the palms. It's very hard to wash just the palms of your hands without disrupting the tan on the top of your hands. When you use the brush, you can easily apply the tan to tricky and smaller areas like the hands without getting the cream where you don't want it. Like I stated, the formula dries quickly, within a minute of application, which is so nice because you don't have to worry about dry time, bumping into things, or putting on clothing immediately after. Since this is a product I would reach for when I don't have time to get a long-lasting tan developed, I want it to set immediately so, I can head out to my event. This is why I LOVE having a product like this on stand-by in my beauty routine because you never know when an important dinner or event may pop up and you need it. 

Use large sweeping motions

Blending with Body Blending Brush

The color of the tan is absolutely beautiful and so incredibly natural! I tend to tan very easily in the warmer months and this Instant Tan Cream mimics the same color I develop to in the summer time! It really looks like my skin but warmer, tanner, and healthier! Using one coat of the Instant Tan Cream will take you to about one to two shades deeper than your current skin tone (depending on your current skin coloring) but the color can always be deepened with more coats of product. The cream has a nice sheerness to it that allows it to blend seamlessly into the skin, making it look very natural but it also still offers a light coverage to conceal faint discoloration and imperfections in the skin. Obviously, the more you apply, the more coverage you will get but I would not rely on this product as a body foundation or concealer. It's main purpose is to deliver and instant healthy looking tan and it certainly delivers! 

BEFORE Bali Body Instant Tan Cream

AFTER Bali Body Instant Tan Cream

The beauty of a product like this is that it works so quickly for when you're in a pinch and it really does last throughout the day or night without transfer. Now, I wouldn't recommend it for an event where you are getting extremely sweaty or there is potential for getting wet, like going to the gym or the beach. However, I find it just absolutely amazing for a last minute birthday dinner, girls night, date night, or virtually any nice event where I'm going to be showing more skin. At the end of the day or night, this tan just washes off easily with some soap and water! You don't even need to scrub, just gently massage some body wash on and it will clean right off! Unlike using other tanning products, where you may have to scrub the skin or deal with uneven wear as the tan fades, this formula washes off as quickly as it took to apply it! Which reminds me that another great use for this product may be for when you are in between tans and you haven't had the chance to fully scrub off your old tan but you may have an event where you need to look presentable, you can use this cream to even out your tan and look fresh again. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

While it isn't a product I would use every day, the Bali Body Instant Tan Cream will always have a permanent spot in my beauty routine. Too often I find myself in a predicament of a last minute event where I want to look beyond presentable or maybe even glamorous but I haven't had the time or an early notification to get my tan in. This Instant Tan Cream delivers a healthy, natural, and glowy tan in minutes, flawlessly. I absolutely love the airbrushed finish that this cream delivers yet, it also looks like my natural skin texture. It's really the most natural tan you can get in a few minutes! Plus, it's transfer resistant and has a long lasting wear time. The best part is removing it is so quick and easy. I am so thankful for easy and effortless product like this because sometimes I just want to be lazy and can't be bothered with my tanning routine but I want to look fresh and presentable when I'm out and about. I urge you to stock up on a tube or two for your next last minute event and I promise you, you will be thankful you did! 

| Review | Bali Body Ceramide Cream

Bali Body is not a stranger to developing amazing skincare. Just check out my review of their BBskin range here. The brand has continuously impressed me with their body care and skincare launches and I couldn't be more excited to see a new addition to the range. While this review is sponsored by Bali Body, all opinions written here are my own and honest thoughts. This new Ceramide Cream is a great addition to their skincare lineup by targeting the health of your skin barrier. 

PRICE & PACKAGING

The Bali Body Ceramide Cream retails for $35.00 and is available at Bali Body. This cream is housed in their iconic rich burgundy pump packaging. The lightweight plastic bottle makes it easy to travel with and the pump dispenses the perfect amount of cream for your face and it keeps the cream sanitary. 

FORMULA 

The cream has a very lightweight and slightly balmy texture that melts into the skin providing both hydration and moisture to the skin. It is instantly soothing and moisturizing on my dry skin type but it doesn't feel greasy or heavy at all. This is a truly universal formula that will work for all skin types. There is no noticeable fragrance, which makes it very gentle and sensitive skin friendly. The light texture makes it beautiful for day time and as a prep for makeup but the hydrating and moisturizing nature of the formula makes it one of my favorite creams for the evening as well! 

The cream really just glides onto the skin and you really need the smallest dollop, about one pump to cover the face. It creates a very nice protective veil over the skin that nourishes and treats the skin. This cream is particularly wonderful during the colder months because it helps prevent the environment from drying your skin out and prevents damage from harsh winds and weather. 

After a month of testing, I notice my skin feeling more supple and elastic. It also makes my skin look and feel healthier with a noticeable healthy glow. It really helps preserve the youthfulness of my skin and helps seal in my other skincare products, making them work more efficiently. This is a cream that when I wake up, even if it's the crack of dawn, gives me an appearance of healthy, well-rested, and youthful skin. I typically have issues with eczema flare ups in the winter time but since I started incorporating this cream into my routine, I have not experienced any dry patches on my skin! 

INGREDIENTS 

Some key ingredients in this formula I'd like to highlight are: 

Ceramide Complex - If you haven't heard much about ceramides, they are essentially the "glue" that keeps our skin barrier strong, healthy, and intact. This prevents environmental toxins, bacteria, and other bad things from penetrating our skin and damaging it. Ceramides make up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer so, it is so important for maintaining your skin's health. 

Diaminoproplonoyl Tripeptide-33 - This peptide solution prevents damage cuased from UV rays, prevents photo aging, and other environmental hazards. Peptides are the building blocks of the skin. These proteins create the structure of your skin and supplementing peptides into your routine will help keep your skin youthful, strong, and supple. 

Green Tea Extract - Packed with antioxidants, green tea is known for its powerful anti-aging benefits. It helps diminish signs of aging, soothes irritation, and evens out discoloration. It has also been known to help repair the skin and provide a healthy, vibrant appearance to the skin. 

Niacinamide - Also known as, Vitamin B3, this ingredient is known to minimize the appearance of pores, improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dullness, and strengthen the skin. This is a real powerhouse ingredient that I often rely on my routine to improve and maintain my skin.

Hyaluronic Acid - Hydrates and improves skin’s elasticity thanks to its ability to aid the regulation of epidermal cells and retain 1000 times its own weight in water to boosts skin’s moisture content and plump the look of skin.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

When it comes to skincare, my aim is to improve the health of my skin because in the end, that's what really matters! Healthy skin, is beautiful skin. The skin barrier is often a very neglected and overlooked aspect of a healthy skincare routine because it may not be as glamorous as anti-aging creams but it is ESSENTIAL! It is also essential in anti-aging because it is our first line of defense against environmental factors. This cream contains all the ingredients to not only help protect your skin barrier but strengthening it, which in turn will deliver healthy, strong, happy, and beautiful skin. This makes this cream a winner in my book and a must-have in my routine! While I have tried many brands out there, Bali Body has continued to be one of my go-to brands for skincare for a very good reason. Their formulations stand strong next to some of the most expensive brands out there yet, their prices are so reasonable. I urge to you to check out this cream and the other products in their skincare range. They have become strong staples in my personal routine for years now. 

 

| Review | Bali Body Hydrating Body Serum

Bali Body is a brand I have been using and working with for years now. From their incredible tanning products to their luxurious skincare products, there are very few brands that compare in quality. I'm very excited to be working with the brand again to review this new body serum, which is their latest addition to the luxury body line. As always, I only write my true and honest thoughts about the products I review. 

PRICE & PACKAGING 

The Bali Body Hydrating Body Serum retails for $30.95 and is available at Bali Body. The body serum is housed in a chic minimalistic cream colored bottle with a pump dispenser. The bottle is quite large so, you do get a lot of product for the price. I love the pump packaging because it not only dispenses the product beautifully but it keeps the product sanitary. 

FORMULA 

The serum has a very lightweight texture that glides onto the skin and feels a bit gel-like but it melts into the skin like it is made of water! It's a gorgeous texture that instant hydrates and soothes dry skin. I have quite naturally dry and dehydrated skin, which is only worsened by cold and dry weather. The winter time often leaves my skin with incredibly dry, flaking, and chapped skin. This serum arrived at to me just in time to help me combat my eczema flare ups at cracked skin! It instantly soothes the irritation from dryness and it feels incredibly hydrating. It's like a big drink of water for the skin but what I love most about it is that it doesn't feel sticky at all. It just sinks into the skin leaving your skin feeling extra hydrated and soft! 

The serum has a gel-like texture and you really don't need much of it at all. A pump is more than enough to cover your arm and then some. I tested this product without applying any other body care, no lotions or creams, and the next morning my skin felt baby-soft and it felts very hydrated. It really helps repair any flakiness and cracked skin. For a more intense body treatment, this body serum works beautifully applied under your favorite body lotion or cream. I recommend the Bali Body Antioxidant Body Whip (full review here). When layered under a body cream, it draws in even more moisture and and locks in the hydration for hours! I rely on this routine during the winter! You wouldn't believe what my hands and legs would look like if I didn't use this treatment method. It really has become a lifesaver! I know I am touting about it's amazing powers during the winter time but due to its very lightweight texture, it is an incredible treatment during the hotter months as well. Since it is so light and instantly absorbs into the skin, you don't have to worry about applying heavy creams when you're feeling hot an sweaty but you can still treat your skin after spending time in the sun. 

INGREDIENTS 

Some ingredients to highlight in this formula is the: 

Hyaluronic Acid - As all skincare fans know, hyaluronic acid is the holy grail of skin hydrators and helps retain water in the skin better than any other ingredient out there. When it comes to a hydrating serum this is a key essential ingredient in creating an active formula that actually treats the skin. 

Niacinamide - Helps brighten dull skin, even out skin tone, minimize pores, improve skin barrier function, and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Aloe Vera Juice - Known for its soothing and healing properties, aloe vera juice helps calms inflammation all around but it also helps hydrate the skin deeply. It is also known to help repair the skin, which is why it is so often used when you burn yourself. This makes this serum so ideal for winter or summer for all your inflammation treatment needs. 

Ceramide Complex - These fats or lipids make up 30% to 40% of your outer skin layer, which is why it is so important to replenish these oils on the skin. This unique blend of ceramides ensures the skin is nourished and supports skin barrier function. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Many people will question if a body serum is really necessary and while it may not seem like a necessity, you must keep in mind that the skin is the largest organ of our body. Shouldn't we care for all of it as we do with our faces? We really should! The skin on your body need just the same love, attention, and care as with the skin on your face. I have found out from years of experimenting with a body routine that the best routine is one that you would also use on your face. Therefore, a hydrating body serum really is a body care essential along with a good exfoliant, body wash, and moisturizer. You can read more about Bali Body Body Essentials in my review here. This body serum not only nourishes, repairs, hydrates, and care for the skin but it is also an excellent pre and post-tan treatment, ensuring your tans will last long and wear beautifully. This formula is so well thought out and is such a great addition to my daily skincare routine. If you want healthy, happy, and youthful skin all over your body, this serum is an essential! 

| Review | Bali Body Antioxidant Body Whip

There’s nothing love more for my self care routine than a good body treatment. I am always excited to see a body treatment that goes beyond the duty of moisturizing and hydrating the skin. When it comes to aging well, skincare is number one on the list and that goes for your entire body! I couldn’t be more excited to see Bali Body release a body treatment that incorporates antioxidants! This review is sponsored but as always, everything written here are my honest unfiltered thoughts. You can also read about their body essentials collection in my review here. 

The Bali Body Antioxidant Body Whip retails for $26.95 and is  available at Bali Body. This luscious body cream is housed in a large white plastic jar with a twist-off lid that has a larger circumference than the jar itself. This is a popular packaging style and it looks very chic. When it comes to body products, I'm usually looking for something more practical than pretty and this kind of packaging makes sense to me. 

FORMULA 

While this cream looks very thick and and heavy in the container, when you apply it to the skin it melts into the skin with a very creamy texture. It actually feels instantly hydrating and refreshing for the skin, which is such a surprising sensation for something that looks so rich and emollient. Although it doesn't have that extra rich or emollient texture, it still feels SO HYDRATING on the skin. I find that, especially in winter, my skin is very dehydrated and lacking moisture. I tend to have very visibly dry and flaky skin that has a tendency to be highly sensitive to even nourishing and soothing lotions. This formula instantly felt so soothing and refreshing on my skin and it didn't cause my dry, sensitive skin to sting or react, like it does with other formulas. 

I was actually very shocked to see that after a few minutes my dry-as-a-desert hands suddenly didn't have any dry flakes, cracks, or redness on my hands, which were usual skin issues I have been suffering with lately. Also, my skin felt incredibly soft and supple. Not just my hands, but my whole body! It didn't feel like I just used a body cream but it felt like I had done a whole skincare routine for my whole body! It is honestly really miraculous! I have tried some very nice body creams but this one really tops the chart in its efficacy and sensational formula! 

It is hard to describe but the formula goes beyond nourishing into the realm of an actual skin treatment. It almost feels like it should prescribed because the formula is so healing! I have tried many things, including prescription creams to help ease my dry skin and eczema, but this cream is surpassing those treatments! It is a very impressive formula that really helps the skin heal and repair. Plus, it helps firm and improve the condition of the skin. I noticed over a prolonged use, that this formula really helps my skin look and feel more toned and firm. I love that feeling! I mean, who doesn't? As we age, we can all use a little extra help in the firmness department and this cream is exceptional! 

The cream has a very light and subtly citrusy fragrance to it that will work for everyone. I like that it smells clean and fresh but it isn't an overpowering fragrance. I can still happily layer any one of my fragrances on top and it doesn't interfere with my fragrances. The long you wear this body cream, the better your skin feels! The way it maintains and retains both hydration and moisture in the skin is incredible and it makes it such a powerful treatment for the skin. If you truly want skincare for your body, this is it! This goes so far beyond the duties of a body cream that it really should be just considered a treatment. 

INGREDIENTS 

Here is the full list of ingredients: 

Water (Aqua), Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Tocopherol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Limonene, Linalool.

As you can see, the formula is exceptionally clean and includes some very nourishing ingredients to really treat and care for the skin. Here are some key ingredients that ae this formula so phenomenal:

Niacinamide - Helps brighten dull skin, even out skin tone, minimize pores, improve skin barrier function, and soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Shea Butter - Helps boost skin moisture. Helps fight inflammation and soothe irritated skin.

Aloe Vera - Helps increase collagen levels and repair scar tissue

Jojoba oil - Rich in Vitamin E, Zinc and Iodine, retaining skin moisture

FINAL THOUGHTS 

What I have always loved about Bali Body is their ability to develop such an incredible formula but still keep the price affordable. The brand's movement into skincare is the best move they could have ever made! I have not once been disappointed with any of their product and I would say, this may be there best body creation yet! Everyone can use a good body moisturizer but don't think of this product as just a body cream, it is a treatment! An incredible one at that! It feels luxurious, nourishing, soothing, and repairing from the minute it touches the skin until hours later! I think the brand needs to start producing a travel size already because I don't want to be without this body cream! It needs to go everywhere with me! I have truly run the gambit with body treatments and there are very few I will rave about like I rave about this one! It is worth every penny and it is one that I know I will be stocking up on in my home because it is incredible! Try it now and thank me later when you have beautiful skin from head to toe! 

| Loves | January 2023 Beauty Favorites 

I’m kind of treating this January favorites as a 2022 favorites as well because a lot of my favorites have carried on into this year. With January being kind of a crazy start to the year, I found myself reaching for my go-to favorites from the past year. They’re reliable and amazing products that I know will continue to be a part of my everyday routine. 

1. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Concealer - I found that on my laziest days or when I’m in a hurry, which is most days, just using my two concealers all over my face is the fastest way to get a perfected complexion. I have a lighter shade for under my eyes and a deeper for mothers rest of my face. I just spot conceal but with how intensely pigmented this formula is, I just need a bit to cover everything. These got a lot of love last year and they have continued to serve me so well! Check out my full review of them here. 

2. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Universal Volumizing Mascara - This is the ONLY mascara I use! This formula is not waterproof but it doesn’t smudge, flake, or smear on me at all! I previously was on a hunt for a heavy-duty waterproof mascara because I had such a huge issue with my mascaras transferring on me! This one isn’t event waterproof but it lasts incredibly and it makes my lashes look full, long, and curled! It’s a totally dream and I have gone through many tubes of this mascara! 

3. Laura Mercier Long Wear Lip Liner in Naked - If I could only use one lip liner forever, it would be this one! There’s something about the color that flatters my skin tone and pretty much all my nude lip colors I own! It’s subtle yet, impactful enough to create a full and pouty look. The pencil is hard but not too waxy and not too hard, which I appreciate because it stays where I place it. I don’t love a super soft lip pencil, I feel like it doesn’t last long and has a tendency to move around on my lips. This one is perfect in every way for me and I just use it pretty much every single day! 

4. Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto Tinted Balm - The formula I currently own seems to be discontinued but they have a new formula that is available, it just looks a bit different and the shades have changed a touch. I imagine it is quite similar and it is just a very creamy liquid balm with a nice sheer color to it. I’ve really loving this nude glossy balm because it isn’t sticky, it’s hydrating, and it smooths my lip lines and texture. It also lasts a surprisingly long time if you’re not eating with it on. I’m a big fan and I might grab the new formula just to have a backup of this beautiful lip formula. 

5. Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Powder Pearls in 02 Medium - This has been a staple in my collection for years! I’ve actually finished a tub of these powder pearls and I missed it so much that I had to bring it back into my routine again! I have no regrets! These multi-colored pearls may look like a fun gimmick but they actually provide a beautiful, soft luminous effect all over the complexion. If perfects, smooths, and illuminates yeh skin perfectly without giving that powdery look! I’ve never been a fan of powders but this one I just keep coming back to because it just makes your skin look better but still very much like skin! If you haven’t tried this or you’ve forgotten about it, I urge you to get one again! You won’t regret it! 

6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze - I put off purchasing this product for a while because I thought it might be just an Instagram trend or hype but when  no it went on sale recently, I thought it was about time I tried it for myself and I have no regrets! This unique gel formula turns into a wax that gives your eyebrows that trendy “soap brow” fluffy look without all the hassle! I will say, I’ve always struggled with my brows and after using this product, I can’t use anything else! There’s nothing quite like this product and the way it creates texture in the brows. It just looks so beautiful, clean, and defined! It’s hard to explain but you just have to try it for yourself! 

7. Bali Body BBSkin - Wow! I have to say, I haven’t been THIS stunned my a skincare range in a very long time! I was gifted these products to review but after trying them, I have not been able to stop using them! I literally use these products every day and I think they’re incredible! Plus, they are very affordable! I’m not sure how they were able to create such a premium skincare line and sell it for such a reasonable price but I am thankful because I will definitely be needing refills soon! Read my full review on the range here. 

8. Ouai Matte Pomade - I’ve always been a fan of Ouai haircare and this product has been on my list for a while. I never thought about myself as a pomade-person but after attempting to perfect a perfectly snatched ponytail and realizing I have way too many uncontrollable baby hairs, this product changed my life! I have NEVER been able to control my baby hairs to have a perfectly slicked ponytail until I started using this pomade! What I love about it is, that it doesn’t make my hair look or feel hard or crunchy, like gel does. It just smooths down the hairs without looking greasy, crunchy, or hard. It’s also amazing for adding texture to the hair or smoothing down baby hairs and flyways for other hairstyles, as well! 

9.  Kerastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment - After receiving a sample of this product and after one night of use, I was hooked! I bought it immediately! Here’s a little POV for you - I haven’t cut my hair in about 5 months, I heat styled it fairly regularly, and I have noticeable split ends everywhere. So, I applied my generous sample all over my hair and the next morning, I awoke with the SMOOTHEST, SOFTEST, SILKIEST hair! Plus, you couldn’t tell I had split ends! How? I don’t know, maybe sorcery?! I don’t really care because this magical formula worked and it will forever be a part of my hair routine! 

10. Kilian Angel’s Share - You know, when I first bought this fragrance, I wasn’t 100% sold on it. I thought it was a little overrated but as I began wearing it more, it really grew on me and I can really understand the hype. This is one of the few fragrances that I get compliments on. I literally had a coworker stop me to ask what I was wearing that made me smell “so amazing”! This gourmand scent is sweet, decadent, and luxurious. Apparently, it is also contagiously intoxicating. It’s a pricey investment but you don’t need much of it to turn heads! 

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