Beauty

Doctor appointments with kids are the worst. Keeping them entertained and out of everything while you wait is exhausting, I always forget to ask questions, and I end up catching maybe half of what the doctor says because I’m so distracted.

So when I found YoDerm, I had to try it. YoDerm is a web service that connects you with U.S. board-certified dermatologists so you can have a dermatology visit from home. You send photos and information, and the doctor creates a personalized treatment plan online. It’s fast, convenient, and affordable.

Here’s how my experience went. Setting up my account was quick and simple. They asked for:
– Prescription insurance and preferred pharmacy
– Medical history (allergies, current meds, pregnancy or nursing)
– What skin issues I was having
– Photos of my skin (front and both sides of my face and any other concern areas)

After I submitted everything, they told me the doctor would review my info and create a treatment plan. I was surprised to get an email back in under an hour. When I logged into my YoDerm account, I already had a diagnosis and treatment plan, and my prescriptions had been sent to my pharmacy with refills. The plan was clear, the diagnosis was explained well, and it was easy to message the doctor with questions. He even addressed my breastfeeding concerns (though I still double-check with my pharmacist). I can also schedule future consults on my own time from home.

Each consultation costs $59, which is similar to many co-pays for specialists. If you want to try YoDerm, you can use my referral link below to save $10 on your first consultation (I’ll get a $10 bonus too).
CLICK HERE TO SAVE $10

Overall, I was impressed by how easy and thorough the service was. I liked how simple it was to communicate with the doctor and submit information. For very serious issues like an infection I’d still go in person, but for acne, wrinkles, and dermatitis (my concerns), this was a perfect, convenient solution.

Disclaimer: I was offered a free consultation for this review. All opinions are my own.

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This post is sponsored by Burt’s Bees. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cold temps, strong winds, and nonstop heat are a recipe for dry skin and chapped lips. As the weather cools, protecting your skin—especially your lips—should be a priority to avoid dryness, cracking, and pain. Lip skin is very thin and has far fewer oil glands than the rest of your face, so it’s extra prone to drying out. Add cold air, indoor heating that strips moisture, and blustery winds, and you’ve got the perfect setup for sore, chapped lips.

Cold Weather Lip Care Tips to Prevent Dry, Chapped Lips

Use a natural lip butter often
Choose lip products with rich, moisturizing ingredients. A lip butter helps lock in moisture, shields your lips from cold, dry air, and keeps them hydrated throughout the day. I love Burt’s Bees Lip Butters—they’re made with 100% responsibly sourced shea and cocoa butter plus other natural ingredients. They’re ultra-creamy, all-natural, and create a protective barrier while keeping lips soft. The botanical blends (Vanilla Clove, Lavender & Honey, Orange & Pistachio, Rosemary & Lemon) go on smooth with a light sheen, so they’re great for everyday wear and work well under or over lipstick.

I stock several so I can reach for one all day long—one in my purse, one in the car, one at my desk, and one by my bed. Natural ingredients matter to me; I don’t want to worry about using—or accidentally ingesting—anything questionable.

You can find Burt’s Bees Lip Butters at Ulta Beauty or Ulta.com.

Drink more water
Hydrate from the inside out. Drinking water throughout the day helps keep your lips and skin hydrated.

Stop lip licking
If you catch yourself licking your lips, try to stop. Licking dries them out even more. Keep a lip butter handy and apply it when the urge to lick hits.

Keep skin covered
Protect your lips and face from the elements. Zip up your coat and use a scarf over your mouth when you’re outside to block cold, drying air.

Use a humidifier
Heaters pull moisture from the air. A humidifier adds humidity back into your home and helps prevent dry skin. If you have young children, use cool-mist humidifiers for safety.

Check ingredients in your products
I prefer natural products and avoid ingredients that can irritate. Look for lip balms with hydrating butters—Burt’s Bees Lip Butters use shea and cocoa butter to help lock in moisture, heal dry lips, and protect them. Some people react to sunscreens, so that’s worth noting (Burt’s Bees Lip Butters are sunscreen-free). The small win: the jars are easy to open and fully recyclable.

Scrub away dead skin (but don’t pick)
Avoid picking at flaky lips—picking makes things worse and can cause cracks or scabs. For gentle maintenance, use a sugar scrub to exfoliate. Mix sugar, coconut oil, and honey into a paste, rub gently on your lips to remove dead skin, then rinse. Follow up with Burt’s Bees Lip Butter to seal in moisture.

Give your lips TLC every night
Make applying lip butter part of your nighttime routine. Using it before bed gives lips extra moisture while you sleep—especially helpful if you breathe through your mouth. The Lavender & Honey flavor is especially calming at night. Apply before bed and wake up to softer, more hydrated lips.

Which botanical flavor of Burt’s Bees Lip Butter would you pick?
– Limited Edition Vanilla Clove
– Lavender & Honey
– Orange & Pistachio
– Rosemary & Lemon

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This post is sponsored by NOW®. All opinions are my own.
Are frequent hand-washes leaving your hands, nails, and cuticles dry or cracked? I’m sharing some of my favorite creams and lotions, plus an easy DIY cuticle oil to help nourish, moisturize, and protect your hands. This nail and cuticle oil blends oils and extracts for a deeply moisturizing treatment.
Can we all take a collective deep breath? Phew.
These past few weeks have been stressful and overwhelming. With this pandemic upending our routines, we’ve been doing our best at home to stay healthy: social distancing, eating well, supporting our immune systems (see my post: 6 Natural Ways to Optimize Your Immune System), staying active, getting fresh air, and most importantly—washing our hands constantly.
All that hand-washing (and singing the ABCs to hit 20 seconds) can leave skin dry or even cracked. Frequent washing strips the skin of its natural oils, causing dryness, itchiness, and irritation on hands, cuticles, and nails. Besides being uncomfortable, hangnails and cracked skin can become openings for bacteria and infection—something we definitely want to avoid.
Because hand-washing removes natural oils, it’s important to moisturize often. The best time is right after washing your hands. Keep a soothing, oil-based cream or lotion by the sink so you can apply immediately (it’s best to leave hands slightly damp). I like NOW® Solutions Shea Butter Lotion for intense moisture, or NOW® Solutions Vitamin E Cream to help restore the skin’s natural moisture. The shea butter lotion contains 10% shea butter for rich hydration, and soy lecithin’s phospholipids help reduce moisture loss and boost shea butter’s effects.
I tend to get split nails and ragged cuticles—add stress and a bad hangnail-picking habit, and my nails were a wreck. Adding this moisturizing cuticle and nail oil to my routine made a big difference, giving intense relief and hydration to my dry, damaged hands. Below is one of my favorite DIY cuticle oil recipes that soothes and restores dry, cracked cuticles and nails. It’s packed with nourishing oils that help keep skin, nails, and cuticles soft and healthy.
This nail and cuticle oil uses several skin-loving oils to keep hands looking healthy, moisturized, and smooth. While each oil works alone, I like combining them for the best results.
Argan Oil
Rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, argan oil boosts moisturization. It absorbs quickly without feeling greasy, helps maintain healthy skin pH, and soothes and protects skin. Bonus: a few drops rubbed into palms also add shine and tame flyaways in hair.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is moisturizing and helps healing. I like adding a few drops of Natural E-Oil to my skincare products to keep skin looking healthy.
Rose Hip Seed Oil
Pure rose hip seed oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and supports skin renewal. A few drops worked into your cuticles can help restore and nourish the nail bed.
Choice of carrier oils: Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Coconut, or Avocado
Any of these make a great base—deeply restorative for dry, irritated skin and brittle nails.
You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oils* for added benefits and a pleasant natural scent. Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like jojoba, coconut, grapeseed, olive, avocado, or almond oil before applying. My favorite essential oils for nail and cuticle treatments are:
Frankincense
Lavender
Lemon
Eucalyptus
Tea Tree
NOW® essential oils are the only brand I use. They’re high quality, rigorously tested, and very affordable. You can find them at nowfoods.com, on Amazon, and at some local stores.
*Caution: NOW® Essential Oils are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin. Avoid direct contact with undiluted oils and always dilute before topical use. Stop use if a rash appears. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.
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This post is sponsored by Burt’s Bees; the views and opinions are my own.

Spring always lifts my mood and inspires me to clean, organize, and refresh different parts of my life. My favorite refresh is updating my makeup. I love swapping out old items for fresh spring hues and lighter formulas.

On my last Walmart run I grabbed a few new Burt’s Bees makeup pieces. I’ve long liked Burt’s Bees (I’ve shared other favorites before) because they focus on natural-origin, skin-nourishing ingredients. Their products are free of phthalates, parabens, petrolatum, and SLS, and they’re Leaping Bunny certified—no animal testing.

They’ve launched a new line I’m really into—the formulas are creamy and hydrating, and the shades are so pretty. I prefer a natural, less-is-more look, and these colors are perfect for enhancing your natural features. I’ve been playing with a few items and put together a quick five-minute natural look that’s ideal for spring: dewy, lightly highlighted, and great for everyday wear.

Burt’s Bees products I tried are packed with skin-loving ingredients to nourish and hydrate. My skin has changed over the years (hello, fine lines) and I tend toward dryness, so I was excited about the new Color Nurture cream eye shadow and cream blush. Creams work well on mature or dry skin because they blend smoothly, don’t cake, and don’t emphasize lines. They also have a pleasant, light, sweet scent.

Burt’s Bees Color Nurture Cream Blush
The cream blush in Guava Meringue (comes in two other shades) is fabulous. It’s easy to use, blendable, and buildable for a seamless pop of color. The cream sets nicely and feels very moisturizing. I like to tap it on the apples of my cheeks with my fingers, then blend in small upward circles. You can also buff it in with a domed brush.

Burt’s Bees Color Nurture Cream Eye Shadow
This nourishing cream eye shadow comes in three shimmery nude shades and applies easily with your fingertips. It’s great for all-over lid color and is buildable for more intensity. I’ve also used the Caramel Buttercream shade to highlight my cupid’s bow for a little extra definition.

Burt’s Bees Squeezy Tinted Balm
One of my favorites! The Squeezy Sweet Peach smells and tastes lovely, and the color gives a flattering glossy pop that suits many skin tones. It contains responsibly sourced beeswax and hydrating cocoa butter to keep lips nourished and shiny. I’ll definitely try the other colors and flavors.

Burt’s Bees All Aflutter Volumizing Mascara
This mascara is a good pick for sensitive eyes. The lightweight, gentle formula applies smoothly without clumping—even with two or three coats—and wears well throughout the day without much flaking.

You can find these new Burt’s Bees products at Walmart and on Walmart.com. They’re a great way to refresh your beauty routine for a natural, fresh-faced warm-weather look.

Do you switch up your makeup when the seasons change? Spread the love

This post is sponsored by Burt’s Bees, but the content and opinions are my own.

It’s hard to believe 2020 is almost over and Christmas is right around the corner. I’m finishing up my shopping and the last things I need are stocking stuffers. Every year I finish the big gifts and then panic a few days before Christmas when I realize I forgot the stockings. This year I’m determined to get everything done early so I can actually enjoy the holidays.

For stocking stuffers I like small, affordable, fun items that fit in a stocking. I often choose self-care, beauty, and health items because they’re compact, useful, and a nice way to introduce someone to a new product. Who doesn’t love a little extra TLC?

Our family has been switching to more natural products, so grabbing Burt’s Bees holiday favorites was an easy choice. I’ve loved Burt’s Bees for years and enjoy giving their products to friends and family. Their products use ingredients from nature, aren’t tested on animals, are responsibly sourced, and come in recyclable packaging. I feel good gifting skincare and lip care that’s gentle on skin, kind to the planet, and thoughtfully made. With so many great options, gift-giving becomes easy and fun.

I picked up a bunch of Burt’s Bees stocking stuffers at Walmart on my last grocery run. You can buy them in store or online (Walmart.com offers free shipping on orders of $35 or more). There were lots of options under $15, which makes gifting affordable this year. Holiday packs include lip care favorites in festive flavors, skincare sets with lotion and lip balm (I love the strawberry), hand cream trios, and kissable color lip shimmer packs. There’s something for everyone—women, men, kids, grandparents—at a great price and super convenient to buy at Walmart or Walmart.com.

I grabbed a pack for everyone on my list and I know they’ll be used and loved. The kids always get excited about lip balms (and they need them in cooler weather), and I’m treating my husband to the ultra-hydrating hand cream trio. I may have snuck a little something for myself too—I’m obsessed with the kissable color products.

Here are some other inexpensive stocking stuffer ideas I love:
– Favorite candy
– Salty snacks: nuts, jerky, trail mix
– Bath loofahs
– Manicure items
– Fun pens and pencils
– Portable phone power bank
– Gum and breath mints
– Fun face masks
– Card games
– Mini toys for kids (Play-Doh, silly putty, building blocks, slime)
– Magazines
– Phone cases and mounts
– Socks
– Wallets
– Jewelry
– Scrunchies and hair ties
– Reusable makeup pads or wipes

Remember to pick up Burt’s Bees at Walmart or Walmart.com.

What are your favorite stocking stuffers? Which Burt’s Bees holiday pack would you want in your stocking?

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This post is sponsored by Burt’s Bees, but the thoughts and opinions here are my own.

I’m pretty particular about lip care — dry, chapped lips bother me so much that I keep lip balm everywhere: my desk, car, bathroom, purse, and next to the bed. Soft, kissable lips are worth the effort.

I’m sharing a few simple tips to keep your lips super soft, plus one of my winter go-tos: Burt’s Bees Lip Butters. They’ve been a lifesaver for me this year. Made with 100% natural ingredients and responsibly sourced shea butter, they hydrate lips and give a soft sheen. They’re great for all-day moisture and work well under or over lipstick. I also love the different botanical flavors:

– Limited-Edition Vanilla Clove: comforting vanilla with a hint of clove.
– Lavender & Honey: my favorite for nighttime — calming and soothing.
– Orange & Pistachio: bright and summery — my most-used flavor.
– Rosemary & Lemon: energizing, perfect for a midday pick-me-up.

The tins are easy to open and recyclable, which I appreciate. You can find them at Ulta stores or online at ulta.com.

Here are my favorite tips for smooth, soft, pucker-ready lips:

4 Tips for Ultra-Soft Lips

1. Lip Scrub
Once or twice a week I use a lip scrub to exfoliate and remove dry skin. You can buy one or make your own. A few simple DIY scrubs:
– Sugar and honey
– Sugar and coconut oil
– Honey, brown sugar, and coconut oil
Mix sugar with the other ingredient in about a 1:1 ratio, gently rub onto lips, and rinse. You can also use a soft toothbrush to exfoliate. Finish with Burt’s Bees Lip Butter for light, creamy moisture.

2. Keep Moisturized
Moisturize often. Winter weather, wind, and indoor heat dry out lips quickly. Apply balm before going outside, at bedtime, and even under lipstick. Burt’s Bees Lip Butters go on light and never feel greasy or sticky, so they’re great under or over color.

3. Drink Water
Staying hydrated helps your skin, including your lips. Many of us don’t drink enough water — swapping a coffee for a glass of water now and then can make a difference.

4. Lip Masks
Don’t forget your lips when you do skincare masks. Lip masks give a big boost of moisture and help restore softness.

Are you always fighting dry, chapped lips? Which Burt’s Bees Lip Butter flavor would you like to try?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by iHerb.com. All opinions are my own.

There’s more to self-care than a spa day, but an evening of pampering is a simple, lovely way to relax and treat yourself. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I love putting together a calming, at-home spa night. I’m a bit of a beauty and skincare enthusiast, so I pulled together my favorite spa-style products to make planning a luxe, low-effort night in easy.

Quick secret: iHerb.com is one of my go-to places for natural, high-quality beauty and skincare. They carry over 30,000 natural products and ship to more than 150 countries. Along with a wide selection of great brands, iHerb offers competitive prices, friendly customer service, and climate-controlled storage to keep products in top shape. I’ve included some nice promos near the end, so don’t miss them—save money and treat yourself with some of my tried-and-true picks.

I’ve rounded up must-have beauty and skincare items for a cozy, indulgent spa night at home. Set the mood: light soothing candles, dim the lights, pour a glass of wine or lemon water, play your favorite music, and get ready to relax.

14 Lush Products for an Amazing At-Home Spa Night (All Under $25!)

EcoTools Dry Brush
Before you hop in the tub, try dry brushing to exfoliate, boost circulation, aid lymphatic drainage, and give skin a smoother feel. Brush in long strokes toward your heart with gentle pressure. I like EcoTools’ brush—the bristles are just right and the handle is easy to hold. Don’t scrub too hard, and follow up with a rich body butter after your bath.

Deep Steep Bubble Bath — Grapefruit Bergamot
Pour a generous amount of Deep Steep bubble bath into the tub for a calming soak. This vegan, cruelty-free formula is rich in nourishing oils like argan and coconut, plus shea butter to leave skin feeling soft and hydrated.

EO Bath Salt & Soak — French Lavender
If you prefer a salt soak to bubbles, try EO’s blend of Himalayan pink salt, California sea salt, and lavender essential oil. It’s a favorite for relaxing tired, sore muscles.

Smith & Vandiver Stress Relief Bath Bombs — Lavender
These bath bombs are full of skin-conditioning ingredients and calming essential oils. They fizz into a cloud of bubbles and leave skin soft and conditioned—made with natural ingredients.

Andalou Naturals Conditioning Hair Masks
A deep hair treatment is one of my spa-night musts. I wash my hair and leave a mask on while I soak. Andalou has great masks for different hair types. The Exotic Marula Oil Deep Conditioning Mask hydrates and smooths with marula oil and fruit stem cells, while the 1000 Roses Complex Deep Conditioning Mask is ideal for color-treated hair—helping protect color, tame frizz, and smooth split ends.

Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Body Sponge
Use this sponge to buff away dry skin and create rich, foamy suds for a luxurious scrub and smoother skin.

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub — Passion Fruit & Guava
I love a sugar scrub, and this one smells heavenly. After soaking, gently massage it over your skin for a lasting scent and silky smoothness. It also contains shea butter to keep skin moisturized.

Pacifica Facial Masks
A cooling face mask while you soak is such a treat. Pacifica’s vegan, cruelty-free masks are favorites—try the Disobey Time mask for hydration with chamomile, peptides, rosehip seed oil, and hyaluronic acid, or the Stress Rehab mask with coconut, green tea, and caffeine to calm, tone, and reduce redness and puffiness.

Tree Hut 24-Hour Intense Hydrating Shea Body Butter — Moroccan Rose
After your bath, slip into a cozy robe and smooth this rich body butter over your skin. Made with argan oil, rose, and organic shea butter, it’s thick, luxurious, and great for reviving very dry skin.

Pixi Beauty Glow Peel Pads
These gentle exfoliating pads help reveal brighter, more radiant skin. Glycolic acid sloughs off dry cells, rosehip hydrates, and retinyl palmitate supports collagen production. They’re worth adding to your routine for ongoing results.

Petitfee Gold Hydrogel Eye Patch
For puffy, tired under-eyes, try these gold and ginseng-infused hydrogel patches. Use them after cleansing and toning to hydrate and brighten the delicate eye area. For extra relief, chill them in the fridge before use.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
End your spa night with this revitalizing gel mask. It’s designed to be worn overnight and rinsed in the morning for deep hydration and radiance. I love the calming scent—ylang ylang, rose, sandalwood, and orange blossom—perfect for winding down.

Now that you’re dreaming of a spa night, stock up on these affordable favorites!

New customers can get 10% off their first iHerb order with no minimum purchase.

iHerb also offers trial pricing, so you can try samples and new products at a discount—a great way to test items without spending much.

What’s your favorite bath or beauty product?

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As a mom of two little ones, baby products have become a big part of my life—and they take up a lot of space in my home and closets. When I open our bathroom cabinets, I see shelves full of things we’ve used over the years. The great thing is these products are safe, gentle, and mild for the whole family. What many people don’t realize is how many surprising uses those well-loved baby items can have around the house.

In partnership with JOHNSON’S baby, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to repurpose a few of their most popular products. I love that comforting baby scent and enjoy working it into my own beauty routine. Here are some mom hacks to help you use every last drop of your kids’ Johnson’s products.

The best baby-product beauty hacks

Uses for baby shampoo
Gentle and tear-free, baby shampoo is useful for more than just hair and sticky hands.

Cleaning makeup brushes
Baby shampoo removes old makeup, oil, and bacteria from brushes. It’s an affordable and effective alternative to pricier brush cleaners. Mix 1 tablespoon of shampoo with 1 cup of water in a bowl or glass. Swirl your brushes in the solution, rinse, and let them dry.

Cleaning delicates
For lingerie or other delicate items, add 1 teaspoon of baby shampoo to a sink of warm water and hand-wash. Rinse and hang to dry.

Uses for Bedtime Baby Wash
This gentle wash has a soothing scent everyone in the family can enjoy.

Exfoliating body scrub
Combine relaxation and soft skin with this simple DIY scrub. Mix 1 teaspoon of Bedtime Baby Bath, 1/4 cup of sugar, and enough water to make a thick paste. Rub gently over your body for light exfoliation—great for glowing skin and better circulation.

Uses for baby oil
DIY makeup remover pads
The gentle, tear-free formula makes baby oil a great base for homemade remover pads.

You’ll need:
– Wide-mouth mason jar
– 1 1/2 cups water
– 2 tablespoons JOHNSON’S Baby Shampoo
– 1/2 tablespoon JOHNSON’S Baby Oil
– Large cotton rounds
– Optional: a few drops of essential oil (lavender or rosehip) or vitamin E

Mix the liquids in a separate bowl. Place the cotton rounds in the jar and slowly pour the mixture over them (hold the rounds down while pouring). Use to wipe off makeup easily.

Super moisture lock
After a shower or bath, rub baby oil over damp skin to lock in moisture. It helps soothe dry, winter-stressed skin and leaves it soft and hydrated.

Uses for baby lotion
Foot cream
Apply a generous layer of baby lotion with a little baby oil to your feet before bed, put on cotton socks, and wake up to softer feet. This works well for cracked heels and rough calluses.

Make the most of JOHNSON’S baby products beyond just your little ones—and save a bit of money in the process.

Do you have any unusual ways you use baby products?

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