Shopping Report // Purchases & Things I’m Obsessed With

Josie Maran Argan Milk | $56 at Sephora
La Mer The Lifting Contour Serum | $290 at Neiman Marcus
Madewell “the erin” boot | $218 at Madewell
Free People strappy back bra | $20
Splendid tee dress | $138 at Splendid
Bengal Spice tea

Random, I know, but I can explain 🙂

I’m having sort of a “crisis of face” lately. Okay, maybe it’s not quite so dramatic, but I’ve been rather frustrated with my red spots and sagging chin, so I’ve made a zillion trips to Sephora and Nordstrom/Neiman Marcus to try and find some miracle product that’s going to fix everything. Not that I have a lot that needs fixing, but in the last month I have been through so much change and stress that I think my skin is starting to show it. The red spots on my face are so much more pronounced and it’s quite dry, even with my twice daily application of argan oil. I had been using the Hourglass illusion tinted moisturizer and I thought I liked it, but lately when I use it, all I see are my HUGE pores. So I’ve switched from that to using my ArmorePacific Color Control cushion more consistently, with the Hourglass primer underneath to neutralize some of the redness. Better.

Before we moved, I’d stopped using the Caudalie beauty elixir because it’s quite expensive, and I wanted to see if I noticed a difference without it and I definitely do. I didn’t connect the dots until I was thinking about my redness and recent skin issues and remembered that I haven’t been using it. So I’m using that again, along with a sample of the new Argan Milk by Josie Maran and I am so much more pleased at how “natural” my skin looks. I haven’t bought the argan milk yet, I’m just using a sample I got, but I’m sort of blown away by how hydrating it is. Seriously. Go to Sephora and put a dropper on the back of your hand and you will be obsessed. It’s also amazing on my face, and it helps to tone down the redness on my cheeks when I apply it after the beauty elixir.

It feels a little like we’re being duped, because the argan milk just the oil and water, but it’s combined in such a way that it stays together and produces amazing feeling skin. I didn’t think I’d need it because I thought the argan oil was good enough, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to buy it; my skin feels hydrated from within when I use it, and stays feeling that way all day and night. Josie says you’re supposed to use the oil after the milk, but I’ve been skipping that step.

To finish out my new skincare obsessions, let’s talk about La Mer, shall we? I have avoided going near the La Mer counter or trying anything La Mer for fear I would become addicted and honestly, I can’t believe all the hype. And the price. OMG, the price. But after reading something about the new Serum being specifically effective for the chin/neck area I decided to suck it up and go see if I could get a small sample to try. Never intending to actually purchase it, by the way, because I really didn’t expect anything from it. BUT, as I was having my color matched at Sephora a few days into using the serum (only at night), I was sort of taken aback looking in the mirror; I noticed that my chin seems to look more firm and contoured, and the skin at my neck is a little less saggy. Which really pissed me off, because how on EARTH am I going to buy that serum for $290. $290!!!! But $290 for serum is less expensive than surgery, right?

I’m going to try some other options first, like using some different Caudalie products (which are much more affordable) and see if I can notice results with those as well. It sounds like I’m trying to avoid getting older, and I’m really not, I just don’t want my face to show it too soon, and I am very concerned about taking the best care I can of my skin.

Now, onto the other stuff! I actually purchased those Madewell booties yesterday while I was in Austin for a friend’s birthday AND because I had a 20% off coupon that was expiring on February 1st. I am conflicted about them, because while I love them, I’m not sure how often I’ll wear them. Then again, I was trying to listen to that voice in my head that’s saying “GRECHEN, you’ve been SEARCHING for a pair of cute ankle boots that aren’t too high and are comfortable FOREVER. If you don’t get them I will HURT you.” Actually that was my friend’s voice, but I was thinking it too 😉 They’re super-cute, and very comfortable (you have to size down one full size), and I really loved the way they looked with my black leggings and long Inhabit charcoal sweater. We’ll see how many outfits I can make them work with – also they’re brown – before I decide if I’m going to keep them. But I think I’ll have to keep them, and then get the black ones as soon as they have a 25% off code…

The new Splendid dresses are REALLY good – as if that’s a surprise – but this striped one in particular is a favorite. I tried it on in the store the other day and nearly bought it, but decided to wait (I actually already have this v-neck striped version, without the side slit). The medium works well for me and I love that the lining serves both as a slip and to smooth out little bumps here and there. The only issue was that the side slit is a bit longer/higher than I generally like, but not high enough to show anything, so I can learn to live with that.

And the Free People bra is just awesome. I don’t wear a ton of low or open back tops/dresses, but this would be the perfect thing to wear with them when I do.

Finally, I cannot LIVE without my Bengal Spice tea after dinner. Well, honestly, I can, because it’s hard to find, so if I don’t buy out the stock whenever I find it, I tend to run out. I started drinking this when I was seeing the Qi Gong practitioner in Austin who recommended that I drink it DURING meals to aid with digestion. Now, I NEVER drink during my meals because it interferes with your stomach’s ability to digest food properly, so this was concerning. I still don’t drink it much during my meals, but I ALWAYS drink it immediately following – usually 2-3 cups. It’s perfectly spicy and wonderfully warming!

What are you obsessed with lately? Any amazing purchases recently?