Winter Skin Essentials

Hey y'all!

I have shared skincare with y'all many, many times before on the blog-but this time I'm shaking things up and sharing my newest favorite products with you (plus one oldie favorite!)

This winter has been so harsh on my skin, and although I've found a couple of remedies that I love, you can never have too many ways to hydrate.

Hydrating Rose Masque
My first favorite are face masks, specifically the Rose masque from Sephora. This is a hydrating sheet mask and it's one of my favorite ones that I have ever tried (I also love this one by Exuviance!)
The scent is really light and fresh & I love the moisture that this left on my face. And at $6, you seriously can't beat it.

Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector
Just because it's winter, doesn't mean you don't need a sunscreen.
Exuviance is one of my favorite skincare lines, plus it's so accessible because it's available at Ulta!

You can also visit their website to purchase, but either way-you need to get your hands on this.
It's such a light formula that you can wear under your makeup, it doesn't leave your face white or greasy!
By wearing a daily sunscreen (especially this one because it's SPF 50) you can prevent premature aging. This light formula also smoothes imperfections and evens your natural skin-tone.
On Saturdays, I love to rock this and some mascara and call it a day!

Sally Hansen Healthy Cuticles Now!
Winter is terrible on my nails, it makes them dry and brittle. My cuticles get red and angry, it's just a bad thing. Thankfully when I was scouring the aisles in Target looking for something to take the pain away, I found this little orange gem.
It smells DELICIOUS, but it also is so soothing.
I put it on most nights before I go to sleep and by the morning my cuticles are softened and if I use it continually it makes my nails feel much stronger.

EOS Lip Balm in Coconut Milk
My mom is so sweet and puts a couple of EOS balms in my Christmas stocking every year.
This is the balm that I keep by my bathroom sink, but I secretly wish I had this one in my bag-on my desk-by my chair in the living room-in the truck...basically everywhere!
It's such a light flavor (is that what it's called?) and it's the most moisturizing EOS I have ever had.

Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer
I first got this in one of my Target Beauty Boxes and I also got the Nivea In-Shower body lotion as well...I finally got to try them both out and this is the one that I preferred most because you don't have to rinse it off.
It leaves my skin so moisturized and it lasts all day long.
I highly recommend picking this up!
Check your clearance sections in Target, I got a two-pack of full size product for almost half price.


Is winter as hard on y'all's skin as it has been on mine?
What products help you get over the dry-ness?!

I hope you found some products to try out and I hope you'll come back soon!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,

A big thank you to Exuviance via BrandBacker for providing me with product in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting brands who support The Southern Stylista.

Where There is Love, There is Life

Hey y'all!

I have taken an unexpected hiatus from blogging, but student teaching has kind of overtaken my life and left me feeling pretty exhausted. After spending all day in the classroom and then using my afternoons for gym-time and planning (and grading, etc.), by the evening I just want to relax with my hubby and take care of household chores!

I definitely respect teachers (even more than I did when I first started student teaching) now!

Today I want to share with y'all a couple of Valentine's Day date ideas that are more than your typical "dinner and a movie" type thing...enjoy!

Go for a Hike

My husband and I are blessed to not only own property that is ideal for exploring, but we also live close to Alabama's highest peak, Mount Cheaha.

I think that grabbing a backpack with some snacks and waters and taking a short hike (and maybe seeing some awesome views in the process) is a great way to spend Valentine's Day.

Even if you can only make it to your local park, spending time together and just talking while you walk could be fun!

Make Dinner at Home

There's no doubt that going out to dinner is fun; you can get all dolled up, you don't have to do the dishes, and you don't have to worry about running to the store for last minute ingredients. 

But if you both like to cook, then try out a new recipe and eat it by candlelight in your dining room.

You can even dress up if you want to!

Do a Service Project

There are so many people that don't have a Valentine on this day, especially those in nursing homes or widows in your neighborhood.

Get together with your significant other (or best friend!) and make cookies or handmade cards and bring them to your local nursing home or neighbors that might be alone on this little holiday.

Do a Gift Challenge

Let's face it, sometimes budgets are tight-you might still be reeling over Christmas spending!

But that doesn't mean you have to go gift-less on Valentine's Day.

Set a budget, say $20 or less, and then that's all that can be spent on the gift.

It's a fun, challenging way to think of something thoughtful but also sweet.

Suggestions for guys include a deck of cards (52 reasons why you love your guy) and maybe for the girl in your life, you could make her a photo book of your favorite memories. 

Shutterfly always has cheap deals on printing pictures (& so do Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens!)

Be Tourists in your Own City

This might be more difficult if you live in a small town, for my husband and I it would be really hard!

But we could go to Birmingham (the closest "Big" city to us) and go to all the sights like Vulcan, the Alabama Theater, or the Civil Rights Institute.

For supper, we could have something iconic to Birmingham like Saw's or Bottega. 

Choose something iconic in your city and check it out, just like tourists would do!

I hope this helped y'all out just a little bit, and I hope y'all find a way to celebrate this holiday of love.

Because it's not just about wives and husbands, it's about loving your best friend, your mom, your children, or your grandparents.

Find someone to love and show them!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,