I’ve tried quite a few new products lately for skin, hair, and body, and today I wanted to share a few favorites that I am currently loving. While the change of seasons is coming soon, the weather is still warm where I live, so these products help when the humidity and hot weather wreak havoc on your hair and skin. I even included a tinted lip balm with sunscreen protection for good measure!
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Olaplex No 7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is from the Olaplex brand of haircare which I absolutely love. It has truly been a game-changer for my hair and I have written about it previously in this post: Frizz and Damage Repair for Your Hair: Olaplex Review.
The active ingredient in Olaplex is bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate which helps to reconnect hair’s broken disulfide sulfur bonds, strengthening hair and supporting anti-breakage.
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is a new product in their haircare line that is a true multi-tasker. It comes in a small one-ounce bottle, but a few drops goes a long way. The oil provides heat protection up to 450 degrees, and adds shine, minimizes flyaways and frizz. It also helps to repair damaged hair and protects hair from future damage.
Some other key benefits of No.7 include
- UV protection,
- shortened drying time
- extended color and renewed vibrancy
- softening and detangling
- vegan,
- alcohol-free
- cruelty-free
It contains Fermented Green Tea Oil which is a humectant that improves absorption for a less greasy feel. It also contains grapeseed oil, which contains the antioxidant beta-carotene, vitamins, D, C, E, and essential fatty acids and polyphenols to enrich the hair.
I’ve noticed such a difference in my hair since using Olaplex products. This oil is light and effective at taming flyaways and tamping down frizz all while helping to repair damage.
Belei Retinol Refining Moisturizer
Belei Retinol Refining Moisturizer comes to us from Amazon. During Prime Day I couldn’t resist purchasing their Belei Beauty Solutions Skin Care Set which includes smaller versions of this moisturizer, Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Ferulic Acid + Vitamins C and E Serum and Triple-Peptide Eye Cream. I will be writing about all four products in an upcoming post, but spoiler alert, I really like this moisturizer. I will gladly discuss any retinol cream that does not irritate my skin and this retinol moisturizer does not irritate my skin!
The retinol formula is slow release throughout the day or night depending on when it is applied. It also contains squalane for added moisture and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the skin. Looking at the list of ingredients, retinol is not near the top of the list, so I’m not sure how much retinol is included in this moisturizer (and maybe that is why my skin can tolerate it), but I am very pleased with the results. When applied in the evening, the morning after my skin always appears brighter and smoother. I really like the hydration the cream provides since most retinol treatments are very drying.
It is recommended that you wear sunscreen while using this product and when you use any retinol it’s a good idea to continue to wear sunscreen for a week after. The full-size jar is 1.7 oz and can be purchased at Amazon.
Related: A Guide to Drugstore Retinol
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF 15 – Nude
Fresh Sugar Lip Balms have been around for years, but this is the first time I get to write about them! I don’t know if I’ve tried a better brand of lip balms. From the packaging to the balm itself, this lip balm has always stood out from the crowd.
I have always enjoyed the clear color and have purchased the minis in a variety of colors, but I recently purchased the Fresh Sugar Nude Lip Balm, which is a sheer peachy beige shimmer tint. I do not normally wear peach in color cosmetics since I love pink, but this is such a beautiful universal color. It almost appears like a sheer metallic with its shimmer finish and really enhances the natural color of lips.
The lip balm contains meadowfoam and black currant seed oils for moisture and grapeseed oil for antioxidant protection. 2% Avobenzone and 7.49% Octinoxate provide SPF protection. I don’t love the chemical sunscreen, but this type of sunscreen doesn’t bother my lips like it bothers my face. Also, my lips are one of the first places on my face to burn, so I prefer sunscreen protection to none at all.
Primal Elements Bar Soap
Years ago I owned a bath and body boutique, and I sold Primal Elements Bar Soaps by the slice (from log form) at my store. Customers loved them and I continue to use these soaps today. The brand keeps adding cool new designs and fragrances, especially around the holidays. I was lucky enough to find a few bars at my local Wegmans. My favorite of the bunch is the cute llama soap.
Scent descriptions are as follows:
- The Dragonfly bar is a blend of floral notes, leafy greens, tangerine, exotic woods, and soft musk.
- The Seashells & Starfish bar has notes of geranium, lemon, bergamot, and mandarin.
- The Lemongrass & Cranberry Seeds bar is all about the lemongrass with actually cranberry seeds infused in the soap.
The bestseller from my shop was always the Birthday Cake with a cake batter scent! It’s really cute and smells delicious too.
Another seasonal best seller was the Football bar with notes of exotic sandalwood, musk, moss and patchouli.
One more seasonal best seller: Jack O Lantern, with notes of pumpkin and autumn spice. Yum!
These are glycerin soap bars (containing over 25% vegetable glycerin) with added fragrance oils and natural mineral pigments. Each bar is approx 5.8 oz. They are made in the USA and vegan.
Beauty Pie Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment
I was intrigued ever since I first heard about Beauty Pie. Beauty Pie is a members-only luxury beauty buyers club, similar to Costco or Sams Club, but for luxury beauty products! For a monthly (or annual) membership fee, you can purchase an allotted amount of product at rock bottom completely transparent prices without the typical retailer markup. They offer makeup, skincare, haircare, body care, and fragrance. I recently joined the $10/month membership tier and I am thrilled with the products that I’ve tried so far.
Their Super Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Treatment was at the top of my wishlist. We all know that hands are one of the first places to show age, and this cream is here to help. This Swiss formula slow-release retinol hand cream helps to reduce the appearance of lines and pigmentation, age spots and helps to exfoliate skin cells and brighten the skin. Bio-Technical Pseudo-Collagen softens and smooths the skin and 5% Bio-Sugar Moisture Agents provide hydration, along with Shea Butter for additional moisture and nourishment.
The hand treatment is unscented and leaves your hands so very smooth! So far I love it and I love the brand. To read more about Beauty Pie skincare, check out this post – Beauty Pie Review: Luxury Skincare at Drugstore Prices.
Well, these are my latest loves and some products that I’ve really been enjoying. I try new products all the time, so I will provide an update when I compile the next round of favorites. It may be monthly or a little less often.
Thanks for reading!