Eczema is a bitch and she is my biggest problem. All the skin on my body, aside from my face, has been an itchy, scaly, horrible mess for months and nothing has been working. I've tried every cream, every oil, every tip, and trick... even medication lotion from my dermatologist and nothing works. Everything makes it worse!

Until now...

During the winter months, I got sent a beautiful PR package from Josie Maran that contained their new body butter. I've used Josie Maran products in the past and really loved them - her body butter is some of the best in the industry because of its rich, luxurious, thick texture along and the hydration is top-notch. 

All year round my skin is drier than a desert. It doesn't matter how much water I drink, or what products I use on my face or in my house, my skin is always thirsty for more. I suffer from eczema and have very sensitive skin so I'm wary of a lot of the items I put on my face, especially if it's going near my eye area because that is the most sensitive.

I've tried a lot of different products over the years and found that thick, fragrance-free moisturizers that are marketed toward sensitive skin and repairing the skin's natural barrier work really well for me. This stands all year round, not just in the winter months when the air is dry and my skin needs some extra TLC. 

That's why, when I saw Glossier was going to put out a new moisturizer called "After Baume" and it was marketed toward people like me, I was instantly sold. There was not a doubt in my mind that I was going to fall in love with this moisturizer and I was right.

Glossier has had its fair share of scandals over the years but I am still a loyal customer because there are a few products that I cannot be without and now After Baume is one of them.

My skin is dry all year round. It could be 90 degrees and I'm sweating my butt off by the pool and my skin still feels dry, scaly, and tight. I use two body lotions, daily, and my skin is still dry. However, nothing compares to the dryness I feel during the cold, winter months. 

The part of my body that is dry, day in and day out, are my hands. Add in cuticles and nail beds and you've got a true nightmare. My hands are just always parched... they have dry patches, scaliness, and just the overall uncomfortable tight feeling that dry skin gives you. 

Because of that, I've tried so many hand creams over the years and I finally feel like I'm in a good place with the items I use to keep my hands in good shape. I don't exclusively use these in the winter but some are too thick for the summer months and I figured most people experience bad dry skin in the cold! 

Dr. Barbara Sturm is a brand that is intriguing to me. She's a doctor who has a lot of experience with skin and skincare, so she's someone you would trust to buy beauty products from. I never thought about pulling the trigger on one of her products until I saw the Ski Cream pop up on the new arrivals page a few months ago. Maybe it was the packaging, maybe it was the name, but something about this product really drew me in.

I never thought I would purchase it because it well, it's expensive; it's $115 which is insane but sadly, it's one of the cheaper items in her line. However, I just couldn't stop thinking about it and every time I saw it, I would add it to my cart and then never press 'purchase'. One day, my wallet got the best of me and with the lovely website, Klarna (where you can split your payments into 4), I purchased it. 

It is the most money I have ever spent on one singular beauty product that wasn't a hair tool. I was dreaming of being on the ski slopes while wearing Ski Cream but no such luck... after a few uses I knew this product was not for me. Back to Sephora, it has gone but I wanted to do a review before I shipped it back, in case anyone else has been eyeing it and wants to see what $115 worth of moisturizer is. 

I go over everything in the video but this product was just not it. Unless you live in a freezing cold climate or do go skiing a lot, you won't be able to use this. For once, a product name and description was not a marketing ploy... this is actually a ski cream! 

xoxo
B

If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that I suffer from incredibly dry skin. This winter though, it's been really bad, probably the worse it has ever been. I'm constantly itching and my skin is bleeding from me itching and just the dry skin patches in general.

I don't remember my skin ever feeling this parched or having this many dry patches... I didn't change anything but something must have changed in the air or my skin is just becoming more sensitive.

I've bee suffering for a few months, ever since the Fall began but I think I finally cracked the code to help me this year. These are my must-have items for smooth, hydrated skin this winter.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

I notice the biggest difference between when I use this and when I don't. I always hated applying lotion when I got out of the shower and it was a step I always skipped. I hated how it made me feel and I didn't like being greasy. When Nivea released this a few years ago, I immediately bought it and my life was changed.

The in-shower body lotion is just that -- you apply it in the shower and then rinse off before you get out. I was wondering why my skin was acting up so badly and then remembered I hadn't been using this. I purchased a bottle, started using every day and voila, my dry skin was instantly better. I cannot rave about this or recommend it enough.

I use the Extra Dry skin/Cocoa Butter version and it's so rich and creamy, it makes all the difference.

Ouai Rose Body Oil

While I hate the feeling of a body lotion, I love body oil. I used to have a sample of the Caudalie Body Oil and after a shower, I'd slather it on and my skin felt so good. I figured that oil might work again for me! The only oil I had was Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil (as I'm writing this, I remembered I have a whole thing of argan oil) and after I put it on, my skin instantly felt better. That, combined with the Nivea In-Shower Lotion has been a real saving grace.

Lip Care

Aside from my body, my lips have been insanely dry and chapped this winter. I cannot even handle it and I've been experimenting with so many different balms. Usually, Vaseline and Aquafor are the best for me but sometimes even that isn't cutting it. I am testing out two items now that if they work, I'll let you know but two saving graces have been Glossier Balm Dot Com (which I have used in the past but now I have the original and it's to die for) and the Milk Kush Lip Balm. The Milk Makeup balm is infused with cannabis so it has anti-inflammatory properties which apparently does wonders for my lips!

Scalp Care

My scalp has also been a disaster but it's very rare that it ever behaves. I needed something new and tried the Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal Shampoo but it made my hair incredibly tough and greasy. I went out and got the Dove Dermacare Scalp Reviv Shampoo after seeing Teresa's post and have fallen in love. I thought I had used it once before and didn't like it but I'm not sure because it is really hydrating my scalp and keeping it itch-free. I also like to the use Briogeo Scalp Massager to give more of a deep clean and get the gunk out of my scalp.

Aside from products, there are a few other things you can do, like make sure you're drinking enough water, avoid hot showers (which is super hard for me because I like to boil) and use a humidifier in your room.

What are your favorite ways to treat dry skin?
xoxo
B

It's officially winter and my skin is acting up. I've been breaking out like crazy, there are dry patches on my skin, and I just feel like my skin has needed some TLC.

I always feel like winter is the time when you really pay attention to your skin; dry, cold air always makes people pack on the layers of moisturizers and face masks, and I almost feel like there's something truly glamorous about winter skin care.

My favorite beauty articles & blogs to read are always about transitioning from season to season. I love seeing how people switch up their routines to meet the weather conditions; I also love getting ideas of what is on trend & what I should be using.

I've done multiple skincare routine posts in the past, including my most recent post from September. Today, I want to strictly talk about the must haves for dry skin.

I don't use these products every single day, but they are my dry skin saviors.

For the record, I have normal to dry skin. In the past, it's been drier than normal but right now it's around normal to dry. I can feel when my skin is going through a dry patch and needs the extra hydration.

For reference, I use almost all of these items exclusively at night. I usually am too lazy/forget to moisturize during the day and when I do, I need something a little more lightweight. This moisturizer is still my go-to for daytime. 

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: I've been talking about this for two years and it's still my ride or die moisturizer. My mom started using it on her face and she loves it; I've exclusively been using it for my body, unless my skin is in freak out mode & I need some heavy duty stuff. If you haven't used this yet, please try it. You will not regret it. 

• Laura Mercier Nourishing Rose Oil: I was in search of a great oil to use and then I found this. I read some Sephora reviews and was sold. I have not looked back because it's an incredible product. It's a very luxurious product that comes in a gorgeous glass bottle & I feel super chic when I use it, but what's inside is what matters. It's a thin oil that packs a punch and really sinks into your skin. It's not greasy and makes your skin feel hydrated and really nice. I will for sure be repurchasing this every chance I get.

• Josie Maran Argan Oil: This product has won every award possible in the beauty industry, and really has been a game changer over the past few years. To me, I think it put oils on the map and disrupted the beauty industry. However, I have not used it until this summer and it is really good. I don't use it too much, mostly because I really love my Laura Mercier oil, but it is a heavy duty oil that gets the job done. I like to use it with the next product I'm going to talk about it, and I got them together in a QVC kit.

• Josie Maran Pure Argan Intensive Hydrating Milk: I'm kind of grossed out by beauty items with the word "milk" in the title but I'm also kind of not. This definitely takes the cake as the latter-- I am obsessed with this product and almost done with it. It's a mixture between a lotion, oil & serum, and feels really nice on the skin. My face always feels smooth & refreshed the next day, and it sinks into the skin really nicely. If my skin is acting up, I usually put this on first & finish it off with the Argan Oil. They work really great together.

• Estee Edit Pink Peony Overnight Water Pack: The moment I saw this product, I wanted to try it but it has a pretty price tag. I bought this Estee Edit kit and a mini size came in it and I'm in love. On days that I'm a little lazy and my skin doesn't feel as if I need an oil, this is my go-to. It's my must have nighttime moisturizer because it's light weight, gives a cooling effect, and absorbs right into the skin. 

Can you tell I really like creating titles for my blog posts? Winter Woes? Come on, Bri. But hey, my blog, my creativity. I get a kick out of myself sometimes.

Chapped, dry lips are my mortal enemy. I've always suffered from them and over the years, have tried to figure out what works. There have been some winners over the years but they eventually stop working. I feel like I go through a whole batch of new lip balms each winter but I think this winter has had the most winners.



I found SO many new lip balms that I'm obsessed with -- I keep a different one in every purse and makeup bag, so I am never without a trusty friend.

Most of these are "higher end" but still not that expensive.

I have been on a huge foundation kick lately. I'm just more attracted to foundations that I have been in a while and I want to try them all. Liquid, cream, powder, cushion -- give me them all, please!

It could also be owed to the fact that a lot of beauty brands have been releasing new foundations left and right.

Let's leave that there for a moment and move onto another related topic.

Two weeks ago I got a text from FedEx saying I had a package on the way. I had not ordered anything and did not receive an email. I was stumped on what this package was and then had a feeling it was something for the blog. I had a pretty good feeling what it was and when I woke up last Monday and ran to my door, I was proven right.

One of my new found favorite brands, Pur Cosmetics, released a BRAND NEW FOUNDATION. I saw them post it on Instagram and it intrigued me. Well, that little package that arrived on my doorstep was filled with every shade of the new HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation.



I am very intrigued by serum foundations and anything with the word "water" in it is something I need in my life. I have severely dry skin and it's been getting worst since the cold weather came in like a wrecking ball.



Before we get into the nitty gritty of the foundation, let me rattle off some of the benefits. It has an intense water complex that delivers you "Swiss Alps sourced glacier water" (WOW) to your skin for the deepest hydration. Because of this hydration, the foundation leaves your skin smooth and radiant. I love me a radiant finish!

It comes in 5 shades, which isn't ideal: Light, Medium, Tan, Dark, Deep. This will probably be amazing for darker skin tones because the foundation leans more to the deep side. I have pretty light skin and the light is a hair too dark but I make it work. I WILL make it work because this foundation is holy grail status.
Ok, by now you've figured out that I LOVE this foundation. It comes in a tube and has the oddest little applicator but it is so cool.




The foundation is definitely an intense liquid but it applies so beautifully. It blends out really quick and just leaves your skin looking so smooth and soft. It doesn't even look like I'm wearing foundation, it just looks like I have really great skin. I wore it everyday last week and it held up through the workday really nicely.

Foundation is usually something I can live without because my skin isn't that bad but I made a point to apply this every day because I just loved the way it felt and how it looked. I don't think I have ever loved a foundation this much.

Shade: Light

I gave my mom one of the darker shades and she has been loving it as well - she even took it away with her on the cruise she went on this week!

I HIGHLY recommend this foundation if you have really dry skin or even if you have normal-combo skin. It feels great, looks great, and is packed with those awesome skin loving ingredients.

The HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation is available NOW on PurCosmetics.com and launches on February 7th in Kohls and Ulta stores!

What is your holy grail foundation?

March was very long.

I know everyone always starts their favorite posts (myself included) saying that the month flew by but I think it went very slow. It feels like St. Patrick's Day was 100 years ago.

Honestly, I'm glad that the month went slow. I needed a breather, I needed some time. I hate feeling like time is flying by and I have nothing to show for it.

I can't believe it's April, and in another month I will have been out of school for a year. Now that my friends is a scary ass thought. It feels like just yesterday I was living in my off campus apartment, counting down the days till graduation and savoring every moment. I won't get too sappy because I'll save that for the one year post grad mark post. Just the thought of that sends shivers up my spine.

March was a good month. I don't know if anything truly significant happened but it feels like things are changing. It's a very odd feeling to feel like something is looming in the distance and not know what it is or when it's going to pop up. I'm sure I'll do a life update whenever that life altering moment occurs.

Anyways, I was a lot better about keeping track of my favorites this month. I need to create categories and pick my favorites according to them... let's see if I remember to do that next month!

Here we go...



//First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream: In another episode of "Briana's Dry Skin Woes"... It was getting really bad at the end of February and I couldn't take it anymore. Nothing was working and it was really starting to get on my nerves. My makeup looked weird, my skin was constantly tight and uncomfortable. I needed relief. After some research, I rushed out to Sephora and bought the travel size of the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. It's supposed to be for your body but it's safe for your face as well. Within a few days, it cleared up my dry skin and I've been totally okay since then. I apply it as my night cream since it's really thick and I wake up with super moisturized skin. First Aid Beauty is everything if you have sensitive skin.

ChapStick Dual Ended Hydration: Okay, on that same skincare note, my lips were also super dry and crusty (beautiful image) and nothing was working. I needed something moisturizing for the night so a night lip balm was what I was searching for. Fun fact: I haven't bought a ChapStick brand lip balm in probably 10 years. I'm always attracted to other brands at the drugstore but I remembered that ChapStick came out with a night lip balm. It's a dual ended lip balm with day and night on either end. Within two days of using this, my lips were back to their normal self. This proves that you should always stick with the originals!

Sephora iPhone App: This is really random but I downloaded the Sephora App in the middle of the month and I've been loving it. I don't usually like/download shopping apps because the website is easier but this is a gorgeous one. It's easy to navigate and access your account and you can find a lot more promo offers on the app than just on the website... and they're pretty great offers. Also, I bought a subscription to Sephora Flash Shipping that allows your free two day shipping, no matter the minimum amount. LIKE HELLO! THIS IS LIFE CHANGING. For $10 a year, it's totally worth it.

Dessange Haircare: I blogged about this earlier in the month as I received it free for review from Influenster. I was not expecting to love this as much as I did but I need to repurchase this immediately. My mom and sister adore it too and we have a lot of hair so we've gone through both bottles in record time. It leaves my hair smooth and shiny. I've never loved shampoo and conditioner so much.

Hangover RX Primer: I purchased this during the Too Faced Valentine's Day sale and it didn't come till a few weeks later. I've been lusting after this primer for months and I'm so happy I finally decided to buy them. It's a moisturizing primer and I can't really tell if it makes a difference in my makeup longevity but I love it anyway. It smells like coconuts and is a little tacky at first but it is a great hydrating primer (which I desperately needed). I also like how "gimicky" it is... how it's a hangover reliever for your skin. I just love it!

Yoga: I've been doing yoga like a feen this month. It's been my go-to work out a few times a week and I find that it really does center me. It calms me down and makes me feel refreshed and less anixious. I'm actually obsessed and will do it even if I am beyond exhausted. I can't miss a day, I'm that into it. We got a Smart TV for Christmas so I watch yoga videos on it in my living room, lay out my mat, and get to work! The video I've been living by is Tone It Up Love Your Body With Yoga. I've noticed a change in my body and how I'm able to do moves in the video that I wasn't able to do on the first day so it's pretty cool.

Honorable Mentions: My Acer Chromebook and Nerve Tonic Stress Relief, both which will reviewed on the blog next week!

Here's to a more sunny, beautiful, snow free April!

What were your favorites this month? Tell me in the comments below!