Be honest, sometimes you just want to unplug. Especially as the stress of a new year ramps up, nothing would suit you or ease your mind more than some gentle, peaceful “me time.” These days, it can be difficult to truly unplug, or at least to do so without consequences. Whether it’s that report that you’re waiting for approval of, the email that you’re expecting from your professor or the text you’re fawning over from that cute Starbucks barista, we’re always ready to communicate and connect with others. While this is nice, because it’s a luxury that I know my grandparents didn’t experience, it’s also such a burden at times. Last night, however, I did just that; I disconnected from everyone and everything. I turned off my phone & all of my tech accoutrements, had a good bath and snuggled up with some good reading and fell asleep so happy and at peace. Everyone needs a night as such every once in a while, and I can tell you that I now feel rested, recuperated, rejuvenated & ready to face the rest of the week.
Anyway, what kind of blogger would I be if I didn’t show you what I used?! Thus, here’s a round-up of what products were used and my general thoughts on them, plus, some other funky things that I consider “essentials” for nights like these.
Sweet Spun Sugar Scented Soy Candle – This candle I got from Target…back when they were still an option (RIP Target Canada, it was nice knowing you!:()! It is lovely and it set the perfect, zen mood for me last night before I hopped in the bath. It’s inexpensive (hello $5 bargain!), it looks beautiful on my desk when not in use but most importantly, it smells positively divine, like a perfect combination of lightly burned sugar and cotton candy…mmmm. If you like sweet scents for the home, you need to check this one out!
Fresh Rose Face Mask -As we are in the dead of winter, I opted to use a mask that was going to help rehydrate my dry skin and soothe it. I received this sample from Sephora a couple of weeks ago and I nearly used it last night…but didn’t quite get there. However, everyone that I ask or talk to about this mask says it’s “amazing” because of its great rose scent and calming, hydrating effects, but for some reason, I have a feeling it’s going to break me out. How about this, I’ll let you know how I feel about it when I do give it try, okay!? 🙂
Maskeraide “Weather Warrior” Sheet Mask – Oh my, are the Maskeraide sheet masks great or are they great!? This was the mask I opted for over the Fresh one, by the way, as these little wonders always soothe my face and instantly transport me to the most luxurious, gratifying spa. As you can probably tell, I love all of the Maskeraide masks (as well as that truly kick-ass name), but I particularly love the Weather Warrior mask. Seriously, it (somehow!) only takes 15 minutes to take my skin from parched to soft, supple, cool, calm, moisturized and refreshed goodness. And with great, natural ingredients such as aloe, green tea and argan oil enriched throughout, you can rest easy knowing that your skin won’t look like a strawberry patch after. And for only $5.99 a pop?! They are truly a must-have in my eyes.
Life Brand Eye Cooling Pads – These things are the absolute coolest! I purchased these just before I flew to Europe and honestly, I’m really glad I stuffed these into my packed-to-the-brim beauty bag. These little blue miracle workers are actually filled with liquid, and they are really easy to use. See, you put them in the refrigerator a couple of hours before use (or, if you want maximum effects, put them in the fridge overnight…girl, you’ll be amazed!) and then when you are ready, place them on, under or near your eyes. Not only do you feel like you are Princess Mia Thermopolis from the Princess Diaries during her swanky makeover, but you have no idea the kind of relief these offer. I actually use them as a de-stressing tool now, they feel that good! I picked them up in a set of two for $4 at Shoppers Drug Mart, but I’m sure you could find these at any drugstore or even your local Sephora, if you wish to spend a bit more money on them. Oh, and don’t be worried about getting makeup or eye cream on them or anything, they’re plastic, so things just wipe right off! You need these in your life, friend!
Zoella Fizz Bar – While in England, I decided to purchase something from both Tanya Burr & Zoe Sugg’s beauty line, just because I like them and I want to support them. I managed to snag one of Tanya’s AH-MAZE-ING lip glosses (let me know if you want to see a review on it!) and from Zoe’s line…well, I struggled. Most of her ranges’ products were designed for the bath, aside from the super powerful and not-at-all up my alley perfume and the super cute but “Do I really need to add yet another bag to my already-stuffed drawer?” makeup bags. Now, I’m not a frequent bath-er by any means, which, sounds all kinds of wrong, so let me clarify…I shower daily, but I rarely bathe. I’ve just never been a bath kind of girl, especially because my bath is literally what I shower in (it’s not detached like my parents’). However, every now and again, it’s essential for stress-relieving or just an all-around pamper session. So, after much thought, I decided to pick up the fizz bar. Let me get straight to the point (ha! she says after she’s done nothing but barage you with pointless details); I expected this to fizzle and pop and, for all intents and purposes, light up (not literally) my special bath, and…fizzle it did. While the chocolate bar design delighted my inner 12 year old and the fantastic grapefruit-y floral scent smelled lovely…it barely fizzed! I guess I’m spoiled because, after using countless LUSH Cosmetics bath bombs which quite literally explode in my bath, I expected more. Don’t get me wrong, it did fizz, but a) it took FOREVER to completely melt/fizz away and b) it was super anti-climatic. I wouldn’t purchase this again, but, seeing as I paid £5 GBP for it (roughly $10 CAD at the time, but now with our weak dollar, probably translates into even more dolla dolla bills), I’ll be damned if I let this go to waste.
The Body Shop Atlas Mountain Rose Body Butter – In terms of my skincare after I got out of the bath and after I peeled off my face mask (which sounds so gross, but you know what I mean), I continued with my usual evening skincare routine (again, let me know if you want to see a separate post on that :D). However, I wanted to pick out something a bit more fancy than my usual Vaseline Intensive Care Dry Skin Repair body lotion, but rather, something a little bit more flashy, something with a bit more joie de vivre! So, naturally, I used one of my favourite things on the planet, one of the Body Shop body butters! You see, they aren’t moisturizing enough for me to use on a daily basis, especially with it being winter and all, or at least, without me going through it at warp speed, but, they sure are nice for a treat or when I want to smell amazing and feel extravagant! This scent, Atlas Mountain Rose is strong at first, but by the time you are done moisturizing your whole body, it sinks into your skin and fades into a really nice, soft, subtle rose scent. Furthermore, the body butters are made with shea & cocoa butter, so your skin is always left with that lovely silky smooth, soft and super hydrated feeling. Now, that sounds like a done deal to me!
Victoria’s Secret Pink Warm & Cozy Body Splash – My go-to fragrance mist for this time of year, this scent is remarkable. I’ve heard it described a couple of different ways but in my experience, it smells mostly like warm vanilla with a hint of peony. And, seeing as peonies are one of, if not, my favourite flower, it’s no surprise why I fell head over heels for it the moment I smelled it in store. This cute little travel size is perfect for, well, travel and I know that I will never leave the gym smelling like something foul. It was the perfect way to end my little beauty regimen after I stepped out of the bath last night, and I went to bed feeling and smelling just gorgeous, dahling. 😉
The Movies – On pamper evenings, it’s essential for me to fall into one of two categories, either the “reader” or the “watcher.” Yesterday, I happened to be in more of reading mood, but sometimes I don’t want to do anything but plonk myself down and watch some quality goods. If I am in the mood to watch something, I will either binge watch some TV (currently burning my way through New Girl, SOOOO GOOODDDD!!!!), or I’ll watch some movies! I’m a total media queen, thus, I own a fair share of DVDs, but these are some of my favourite and are usually the ones that I choose on fun, elegant nights like the one I had last night. Top 3 movies of all time? Two of them are Disney movies, which, don’t lie, you have at least ONE in your top ten, too, so no judgement, please. I’d have to say…3. Cinderella (it’s a classic!), 2. The Aristocats (musical about cats that are so freakin’ adorable AKA right up my alley!) and…1. She’s The Man (I literally know every single word. It’ll never get old!). That’s what I call some good quality entertainment! 😀
My Glasses – When I’m relaxing, typically the first things to go are my contacts. I’m sorry, I don’t care if you are the world’s best contact wearer, you can’t deny that your eyes feel so calm and refreshed without those stinkin’ lens in ’em! I got these a couple of months ago and they are the best decision I’ve made in a long time; they’re comfy, they’re bifocal (which, yes, is kind of bizarre at my age, but I have one eye that’s far-sighted and one eye that’s near-sighted, so the bifocal lenses allow me to get the best of both worlds with each eye), and they suit my face. Parfait!
My Sony e-Reader – Do I even have to explain this one? While it is nice to have a physical book in your hand at times, the plethora of options that an e-reader offers is just plain wonderful. You can have your entire library saved on there, but yet it’s super thin & light, meaning you can quite literally take it anywhere and everywhere with you. It’s a no-brainer in my eyes, so let’s leave the big, chunky books to the textbooks, shall we? Last night I read some more of Burning Blue by Paul Griffin, which, to say it’s a gripping story is an understatement. Love!
Seventeen magazine – I know, I know, I am not seventeen anymore (SAD), but, while I still enjoy reading the more “grown-up” magazines like Glamour and Cosmo, it’s nice to read this every so often just to keep up with the youngins, you know!? My monthly perusal of this magazine is the sole reason why I didn’t completely embarrass myself when someone at my school told me my eyebrows were “on fleek.” Do you think I would have known what the heck that means if it weren’t for keeping up with the jones’!? NO. So, thank you, Seventeen mag, for keeping me relatively hip. Wait, the kids don’t say that anymore, do they!? Cool. Fresh. Up-to-date. Oh, I give up! 😉
Roots Cabin Socks – My great friend, Caitlyn, gave these to me as sort of a Christmas gift this year, and I could not be more grateful. Warm, fluffy, cute and did I mention warm? Thank you so much, Caitlyn, you da best…and thanks to you and your awesome socks, my feet have yet to complain to me this winter, even in the -25 degree weather! 😀 *hugs*
Well, there you have it, those are the products that I generally turn to when I go to pamper myself. PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I had a lot to say, but man! That was long, I’m sorry, guys! I hope it was worth the read!
Please feel free to comment below with your own essentials, or even just to say hi! I’d love to connect with y’all!
Thank you so much for stopping by, I always appreciate it. I’ll be back soon with another fun post. Take care my lovelies!
Much love,
S♥
