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February Favorites

Even though February is the shortest month of the year, I feel like it just flew by. I stayed so busy that I didn’t realize how quickly the days went. That’s a good thing, though. I love staying busy and having something to focus on. My to-do lists are always insanely long! But with as busy as I’ve stayed, I still found time to test some new products and after seeing their benefits I couldn’t wait to share!
Target has the best pajamas! They’ve been switching up brands within the past few years and although it drives me crazy, the quality is always wonderful. They can be a little pricey, though, so I only really pick up new pieces when they’re on the clearance rack. I found this pair for $8 and I am so happy with them! They feel buttery soft and they have pockets!!
When joggers first came out, I was not into them at all. I thought they looked so weird, but now I totally get it. They’re perfect for people who are a little short and like to wear pants on the hips rather than the waist -- like me! Joggers prevent the bottom of the pants from getting torn up by dragging the ground. I picked up this pair from Aeropostale during the holiday sales. They are so comfortable and actually pretty flattering when compared to some other lounge pants. And again, pockets!!
This next favorite might look a little intimidating, but we’re getting into some real talk now y’all. When it gets to that time of the month, I have the worst cramps. Most of the time, they make me almost completely bedridden. I’ve tried all kinds of remedies, none of which have ever helped enough to allow me to live life as usual.

When scrolling through social media one day, I got an ad for a device called Livia. I had never heard of it before, but it caught my interest and I wanted to learn all about it. What I learned is that it is a way too expensive mini TENS unit. Livia costs around $200, but through my research I found an alternative on Amazon for $30!
TENS unit stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. It’s battery operated and basically sends electrical pulses through electrodes and into the skin, which travel along the nerve pathways to block the pain signals. What I liked about the Amazon option compared to Livia (aside from the price difference) were the amount of pulse and intensity options to choose from, and that it comes with eight electrode pads instead of just two.

As intimidating as this is to look at, I was willing to give it a chance in hopes that it would make a difference. I’ve been using it for almost six months now and have been very happy to have this available when the pain gets unbearable. My favorite setting is “Knead” and I change the intensity based on my pain level. It doesn’t completely take the pain away, but it does make it much easier to handle. I also like that it’s portable, so I can take it with me or wear it under my clothes.
This next product might also look very scary, mainly because it’s covered it a ton of needles. Derma rolling (also called micro needling) has been around for a while now, but it’s never something I thought I’d ever do because I’m seriously the biggest wimp ever. After doing more research and looking at photos of its results, I decided to give it a try.

I have a lot of texture on my cheeks and a few fine lines around my forehead, eyes, and mouth area. I just turned 27 and now is the time to stop these things before they get any worse. I’ve used retinol for a few years, but this looked even more promising. The needles on the roller create microscopic punctures in the skin, which will promote collagen production and plump up any uneven texture around the face.

The recommended size needle to use at home is .5 mm, but since it’s something I had never done before I wanted to start with the smaller .25 mm roller instead. I’ve been doing it a few times a week for about a month now and while I am starting to notice a difference, I definitely need to switch to the .5 mm needles to get the results I’m looking for. I am documenting the process and will share more details about my journey in another month or so.
It’s very important to be knowledgeable of what products are being applied to the skin after derma rolling. Due to the fresh punctures in the skin, it’s advised to stay away from anything with fragrance and harsh chemicals. Hyaluronic acid is one of the best choices to apply post derma rolling because it’s such a moisture magnet.

Immediately after derma rolling, I apply the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion. I haven’t used many CeraVe products in the past, but I chose this one because the brand is known for offering gentle products. I’ve actually been very surprised with how well this moisturizes the skin while also feeling incredibly lightweight.

I’ve also been getting a lot of use out of the Pixi Rose Flash Balm. This is usually what I reach for after using my clay face mask because it’s so nourishing. Sometimes I even use it as a primer underneath my makeup if my skin is feeling a little extra dry. This is an old favorite that will need to be repurchased soon!
A new skincare favorite I’ve been loving is this Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydrating Eye Gel. This has the most interesting jelly consistency that is so fun to use and I love how quickly it absorbs into the skin. The small jar is absolutely precious and although it is pricey, a very little bit goes a long way. I’ve been using this for 2-3 months now and it looks like I’ve barely even made a dent! It’s also the perfect choice to apply after derma rolling because it’s 50% hyaluronic acid.
One of the products from my February Boxycharm that I’ve really been enjoying is the Pür Cosmetics 4-in-1 Correcting Primer. It feels very lightweight on the skin and smells super refreshing. It’s not as much of a pore filling primer, but I have noticed it extend the wear of makeup and keep my face less oily throughout the day.
A blush and bronzer duo that I’ve loved for years is this Neutrogena combo. The bronzer is in the shade Sunkissed and the blush is called Vibrant. Neither of them include talc, which is super important for the clarity of my skin. These two get so much use in my makeup routine that I even just had to repurchase the bronzer because I had completely used up an entire pan!
When I wasn’t using those Neutrogena products, I reached for the Cover FX Perfector Face Palette. I specifically used the matte bronzer, blush, and the brightener shade. This was a favorite of mine last year that I used all the time, but I kinda forgot about it at some point. I specifically brought it back out again because it’s another product that doesn’t include talc. Talc is known for causing breakouts, so it’s something I always try to stay away from but I’ve been even more careful about it this month after beginning the derma rolling treatments.
To apply these bronzers and blushes, I’ve found two new brushes that I just cannot get enough of. This is the Alamar Cosmetics Complexion brush and Bronzer brush that were also included in my February Boxycharm. Based on the brush sizes and my face shape, I actually use the Complexion brush for bronzer and the Bronzer brush for blush. I love how dense the Bronzer brush because it really helps to push the blush into my cheeks, which helps it last longer throughout the day on my oily skin.
Looking at this month’s favorites, I am so surprised with myself! I was so scared to use that TENS unit, but now I grab it any time I start to feel any pain. It’s also great for the lower back area or any other sore/tense muscles. I’m a little nervous to go up in needle size with the derma roller, but I am so anxious to see the amazing results it will bring!

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to share it using one of the buttons below. If you have any questions, leave them for me in the comments! Have you used any of these products before? What were some of your February favorites?

XO ♥ Christina ♥

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