Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream Review

Winter is coming and if you’ve been on the hunt for a new moisturizer to add to your winter skincare routine, I have found a new favorite from Laneige that you need to check out!

2021 Skincare Favorites

2020-2021 was a very introspective time for me and I felt like I was no longer excited about the green beauty community because of the continued lack of inclusion and diversity, and also the hypocrisy that a lot of brands demonstrated when it came to addressing certain social issues. I think a lot brands are now trying to be more inclusive, so I look forward to revisting them in the future.

I recently got back into Asian skincare products (mostly K-Beauty) and my skin and wallet have never been happier! I also realized that having a more minimal skincare routine works best for me and although I am still curious about trying out new skincare products, I no longer have FOMO over the latest releases because I already have a pretty solid line-up of reliable products that I know work for my skin. I also realized that buying a bunch of eco-friendly products was just as wasteful as buying regular products when it came to my overall consumption habits, so my current goal is to continue supporting eco-friendly and/or cruelty-free products whenever possible and to aim for progress not perfection.

I love that everything on this list is under $20, so it’s affordable but at the same time, you don’t feel like you’re missing out compared to other products at higher price points because the products are both effective and enjoyable to use.

KraveBeauty Great Barrier Relief and The Beet Shield Review (an empties post)

I’ve been a fan of Youtube beauty influencer Liah Yoo for years and her minimalist skincare brand, KraveBeauty, could not have come at a better time! I love that the line is fairly minimalist, not only in its product offerings, but also in its branding and design. The two products that I’ve tried and used up are the Great Barrier Relief (skin barrier repairing serum) and The Beet Shield (antioxidant day fluid). What’s great about these products are that they are not only effective, but they are also at an affordable price point! I love that beyond the brand’s Insta-worthy aesthetic, every product is thoughtfully formulated and designed to make skincare simple and easy again. These products are often sold out online and after finishing them up (yes, this is also an empties post!), I can see why.

Peace Out Acne Dots Review

I recently tried out the Peace Out Acne Dots that I had picked up from a past Sephora sale in 2019 and OMG. These dots REALLY do work! I know pimple patches have been around for some time, but for some reason I completely overlooked them and never paid much attention to them. Probably because they are hardly discussed in the green beauty world. So, what exactly are these Acne Dots? 

Tarte Knockout Tingling Skin Treatment Review

In an attempt to streamline my skincare routine, I’ve been trying to find my own “holy-grail” (HG) skincare items, which as a recovering skincare junkie, isn’t easy. One category I’ve really been getting into lately has been exfoliating acids.

Zue Beauty Exfoliating Facial Scrub and Daily Facial Moisturizer Review

If you’ve been following this blog for some time, you’ll know that I’ve been trying to reduce my overall skincare consumption this year. Resisting those tempting new skincare launches were hard at first, but I soon discovered that decluttering and using up the skincare products that I already own was more satisfying than buying new products that I didn’t really need. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when Zue Beauty reached out to me to try out some of their skincare products. As someone that takes pride in supporting ethical companies, I was excited to learn more about Zue Beauty and what stood out to me most was how Zue Beauty allows their customers to be directly involved in their Give Back program. For every Zue Beauty purchase, you get to have a say in where your hard-earned dollars go by entering the Give Back code that is on the back of every product. Their causes range from planting trees at the Mesenia Paramillo Natural Reserve to funding new school supplies and clothing for children in need.

Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS Perfecting Concealer Review

For anyone that prefers the “natural makeup” or “no makeup makeup” look, Juice Beauty is an amazing mid-range organic beauty brand to check out. While I’ve tried several of Juice Beauty’s skincare items, I haven’t really tried many of their makeup products. I was most curious about their HYTO-PIGMENTS Perfecting Concealer since I had heard it was similar to RMS Beauty’s Un Cover-Up and wanted to see how they compared. 

Blithe Vital Treatment Essence for Hydrating Review

I’ve been interested in trying Korean beauty products for awhile now, but I didn’t quite know where to begin. Thank goodness for Glow Recipe! They take out all the guesswork with their curation of the best natural, cruelty-free Korean skincare products. I love their informative reviews and when you read their skincare tips or watch their instructional YouTube videos, you get to learn more about how your skin functions and which products would best suit your specific skin type.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Wash Review

I picked up the Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Wash  (13 oz) on a whim when there was a BOGO Free sale at my local Sprouts store. While I’ve tried other scents, the Coconut & Papaya scent is my current favorite! I’ve already repurchased one as a back-up during the past Black Friday sale. If you prefer bar soaps instead, Nubian Heritage also offers their scents in bar form, which is even more affordable and uses less plastic packaging. The bar soaps are also great for no-fuss traveling.

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser Review and Replenishing Nutrient Complex Review

I initially subscribed to a green beauty box called Esthoria Box (which has since been rebranded to botanic and terre) just to be able to try out Tata Harper products at a more affordable price point. Tata Harper’s products did not disappoint. First of all, the bright green glass packaging with gold accents screams eco-luxury and is a nice bright contrast from my other black and white minimalist products. I used up these products down to the last drop (!) and have missed them ever since. I’m hoping to repurchase these and possibly other Tata Harper products when another sale opportunity arises.