A whole lotta soap

Between tidying up, playing with the dogs, and cooking, I wash my hands almost all day long. It’s obvious that I would repurchase Ghost In The Dark, the soap bar that screams refreshing. It’s loaded with lemongrass and bergamot, 2 of my favorite scents. Blood Orange is a new addition and caters to my love of all things citrus. It smells like true blood orange and the lingering scent is to die for. The last soap item I got was one of the new shower slimes. The Lush Halloween 2022 Halloween slime is Sparkly Pumpkin, another citrus explosion pared with juniper berry. It’s as you would expect, slimy and oh so fun to play with!

Pamper Time

I was trying to try out the newest face mask to the family, Mr. Pumpkin Face. While the other products are Halloween themed, this is the first of this haul that actually has pumpkin in it. It’s a wonderful exfoliating mask that almost feels like a cream cheese spread. I wanted to slater this on a slice of bread instead of my face! It’s got nice chunks of pumpkin seed which can be perfect for exfoliating. It also has several different types of oils packed so you feel it when you wash the mask off. My skin was soft and fresh afterwards and not feeling oily or greasy. It’s packed with ton of vitamins so that your face is Autumn ready!

Ready for the Holidays

The Christmas drop is live, as of me writing up this post, so if I’m lucky, I’ll be able to grab a few of the things I forgot to pick up. This includes Vampire Kisses, and the Bat Mates Knot Wrap. Vampire Kisses is a lip scrub flavored like sour grape! Sour grape is my favorite flavor! I forgot to look for it in store and realized my mistake on the car ride home. The Bat Mates Knot Wrap is a simple knot wrap, commonly used for wrapping gifts. But the art on this is so beautiful that I’d want to frame it. I didn’t see it in store so it’s possible it wasn’t in stock yet.

As for the Christmas collection, I already know I’ve love to try out Cinnamon Stick and at least smell Turmeric Latte. I hope I’ll get to visit my local Lush again soon!

The post Lush Halloween 2022 Haul appeared first on A Daily Lee.

Sex Bomb
We live in The Netherlands and that means we have a washroom, a single often tiny room for the toilet. And you know how toilet rooms can get at times, especially if they’re super tiny. It’s been months since I decided to invest in a Lush body spray as a bathroom spray… Let me tell you, I will never go back. Especially with Sex Bomb. It’s an exotic blend of jasmine, sage and ylang ylang oils. Imagine yourself on a spicy, floral journey into the unknown, that’s what this scent is all about. Honestly, if I didn’t use it for the bathroom, I’d use it on myself.

Orange Blossom
Before I left California I had one wish. I wanted to find a perfume that would remind me of home. Of springs spent in orange groves where the blossoms would fall like rain. It was a tall order though and I left without finding something. And here it is now. Orange blossom is that perfect delicate scent of those same orange groves I grew up with. It’s also got a woody flavor to it with rosewood and bergamot. It’s not strong but it lasts for ages. When I get a whiff of it, I’m right back in California. I’ve never been so happy about perfume! Well I do still love my Ectoplasm, but that’s also a citrus scent. I guess I just have a think for citrus?

Lord of Misrule
This was another scent that isn’t new to our house hold but it’s a limited edition one. Available only once a year, Lord of Misrule is another spicy trek into the unknown. It’s got black pepper and patchouli for that double attack of a scent so specific, you’d know it on first sniff. It’s something hard to describe with words, but trust me… Once you try it, you either love it or hate it. We love it so much we went for the biggest bottle this year.

Pumpkin Spice
And of course, no Lush haul would be complete without a bar of soap. Not included in this photo is also the bar of Pumpkin Spice I picked up. I wanted to keep it wrapped up and protected until I use it. And smells exactly as it is named. The cool think about it is it has pumpkin seeds baked in so you can use them to scrub your body and get rid of the tough grime from Trick or Treating! I can’t wait to open up this one but I’m still working on a Christmas Jelly from last year!

The post Early Autumn Lush Haul appeared first on A Daily Lee.

What is Function of Beauty?
A company that a couple major selling points. First off, it’s a cruelty free and vegan company. It also creates products that are sulfate and paraben free, sustainable and made in the USA. I’ve heard about the company from various social media accounts but wasn’t too tempted to buy. Recently I wanted to find a new hair care routine to tackle my drier hair. I had added in Lush’s R&B, and while it’s a great item, it didn’t solve my problems. So I decided to take the plunge and try out FoB.

My hair profile
Another big selling point of Function of Beauty, is that they customize the products to your needs. Users take a quiz when first signing up for a box. My hair profile is as follows: I have curly hair, with medium texture and normal oil production. My hair goals aim to attack anti-frizz, add curl definition, strengthen, lengthen and add shine. There’s also the option to add color and a scent to your products but I went dye and fragrance free.

The products
The shampoo and conditioner arrived 2 weeks later in a cute box with the bottles and 2 pumps. The bottles come with a screw on cap so that nothing spills during transportation. There’s also a sheet of waterproof stickers so that you can add some customization to the bottles. There’s also a small Function of lily written out on the bottles, personal touch I thought was super cute. The color of the shampoo and conditioner is a pleasing beige hue and I love it a lot.

First impressions
I don’t want to jump ahead and say it’s cured all my hair problems. But upon first washing, my hair was softer and less frizzy. I’ve used it 6 times since I’ve ordered it and my hair appears to be better with each wash. I’d love to come back after I use up the bottles and give a final impression. I went fragrance free but since they contain coconut, there’s the faint smell of that. Otherwise both items are true to no scent. Both have a slight lather which is great for me. There are also instructions on how the user can make the most of each product. I had no idea that it’s a good idea to use a wide tooth comb to help distribute the shampoo and conditioner!

Thoughts for the future
If I do order again, I’d like to change up what my profile is. Instead of lengthen, I’d like add hydration or something else. The 8oz bottles might last me a long time so that’s a good amount of time to test out a product. You can be sure I’ll be back with final thoughts.

If you’d like to give Function of Beauty a try, you can sign up here and get 25% off on your first hair care order.

This is a non sponsored post, I was authentically curious about the Function of Beauty line.

Update:

It’s been nearly half a year since I started using Function of Beauty! I’ve gotten roughly 60 washes from the 8 oz. bottles, which is pretty damn impressive. So here are my thoughts on the experience. While the first day after wash is great, my hair quickly falls flat and lifeless. Lucky for me, I tend to keep it tied up in warmer times, so there’s no issue. I also can’t say if it’s stress, but my hair has been shedding more than usual. I’m not going to say that it’s because of this shampoo but I’m not the only one who experienced some more shedding after using FoB. While it’s nice to have something catered to your personal needs, I don’t think that FoB impressed me that much after a few months of use. And now that the bottles are over, I’m actually glad to be moving on to something new.

The post Function of Beauty appeared first on A Daily Lee.

Eerie by Cadillacquer
This beautiful and deep eggplant purple entranced me… But what sold me was the stunning green color it changes into it’s warm. That’s right folks, this is a thermal nail polish. I’ve been hesitant to buy thermal polishes because they don’t last well over the 3 year mark. There’s something about this color that made me change my mind. And when I saw the picture that inspired it I caved 100%.

Can I Keep You by Lucky 13 Lacquer
This color was a complete surprise for me. I wasn’t expecting to buy it but once I saw it.. I had to. This color was inspired by Casper, the movie about a friendly little ghost that came out in 1995. I saw this movie in theaters with my mom and it’s had a place in my heart for years. I don’t watch it every Halloween and I want to change that… Back to the polish! It’s a beautiful white in unnatural light, a vibrant blue in UV light… and guys. It glows in the dark!

It’s unfortunate that these colors are a one time thing but I don’t regret buying them. The obsession is real! My nails have never been more festive than they are now.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween! It’s been a stressful year for us all but I hope that you’re able to have a few hours of fun and laughter. Please stay safe and stay smart!

The post My 2020 Halloween Nail Polish Colors appeared first on A Daily Lee.

I have Indian hair, meaning that it’s thick, dark, grows like a weed, and has a lot of texture. My hair is naturally wavy but can get heavy real fast. I got a haircut about a month ago that left with me with that late 1970’s vibe. Something like a short Farrah Fawcett cut. It’s got a ton of layers and I feel like I stepped out of an old yearbook when serial killers were all the rage.

The Product
R&B is a hair moisturizer that can be applied to either dry or wet hair. It’s a leave in conditioner that adds curl definition and protection for damaged hair. It’s got a ton of oils and butters that help to improve hair texture and strengthen hair as it grows.

Smell
The scent is hard to describe but to me it’s rich and creamy. It’s warm and comforting, like an old Jazz bar with laid back tunes and thousands of vinyls on the wall. There’s an aged leather chair in the corner with my name and a damn good book on the table next to me. I know it doesn’t make sense but that’s what I picture when I open the jar. If I had to go by the ingredient list on the website, I say the Oat Milk and the Coconut are most prominent in this product.

Texture
Think of a thick body butter that melts in your hands. It’s thick and well formulated to stay that way. Also a little goes a long way when it comes to application. There are no chunky bits in this product either. I know I’ve had Lush products in the past that had pieces of various things. My current shampoo, Wasabi Shan Kui, has chunks of sea salt in it. I know that sea salt can be drying for hair but I love the volume and the clean feeling it provides so I don’t want to give it up.

Application
A few months ago I picked up BreezyTee’s T-shirt Hair Towel Wrap because I wash my hair at night and go to bed with it wet. After I pat it try with a towel, I take a bit of R&B and warm it up in my hands. Then I flip my hair over and scrunch the product into my hair. I try and keep the wet locks intact because those turn into thick curls. When all of the product is on my hair, I wrap it night and tight in the T-shirt hair towel.

Since then, I’ve had nothing but amazing hair days. The day after I wash my hair is the best. What’s so nice is that if my hair gets wet then the scent of R&B is reactivated. My hair looks amazing and I’ve hardly made a dent in the pot. It’s worked wonders for me so far and I can’t wait to see what happens as my hair gets longer.

The post Lush’s R&B appeared first on A Daily Lee.

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
I’ve had redness on my skin that I thought I could heal with the Amino Acids + B5. While it helped reduce my breakouts, I still saw redness and decided to take a chance with the Alpha Arbutin. The description on the website states that it “reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation”. After using it for a month I noticed the redness healing and my skin tone is evening out. It may take a few months more before I get the results that I desire… But I have time to wait. I haven’t seen my skin glow so much before too so I’m happy to keep using this product.

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
First things first, this is an acid. Use it with caution and read the instructions well! I can’t use this if I have a break out because it’s acid. But let me say this. When I do use this, I wake up the next morning with amazing skin. Like skin from heaven. According to the item description, it provides “mild exfoliation for improved skin radiance and visible clarity”. Which I’ve seen in my skin. It’s smoother than I’ve ever seen it before! But this is a strong toning solution and should be used once a week to start with. I may use it up to 3 times a week but I’m not there yet.

Keeping my skin moisturized is the focus issue for me. My Autumn skincare routine has the same focus as my summer one. But the two new products I’ve added take it to the next level. Do keep in mind that my skincare journey is my own. Experiment to find what works best for you. And please always spot check because a tiny allergic reaction will always be better than a huge one.

The post My Updated Autumn Skincare Routine appeared first on A Daily Lee.

As I got older, I realized my body was trying to do its job and I had to help it along. My body works hard at what it does, but that doesn’t mean it does it well (according to my standards). For one thing I’ve learned that chocolate is terrible for my skin. Even a sliver of it can cause a breakout. So I’ve had to give that up. And I used to enjoy a chocolate dessert after dinner for over 20 years! But skincare is also a huge part of how I care for my skin, so let me share what products I’ve come to love.

I was browsing the Skincare subreddit and found that many users swore by the CeraVe line. I’d never heard of it before but I wanted to give it a try. With summer on the way, I wanted something with more SPF for those the one hour I spend outside with the dogs.

Cleanse
So I wash my face with cold water and the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It’s got a thick and creamy consistency and my face doesn’t feel stripped from oils after it. I had been using the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash but I wanted to dry something gentler. And then I dry my face on my towel. I read somewhere that drying your face after you wash it isn’t a good idea… That you should air dry it, but I haven’t been able to do that yet. The feel of a towel on my face is too good but I never rub. Dab your skin to dry it.

Moisturize
First I spray my face with the Tea Tree Water to give it some moisture and allow the following products to glide on. Next goes on a mix of CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion SPF 25, Amino Acids + B5, and Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. If I have a particularly bad dark spot or scar I need to fade, I spot treat that area with the 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. These guys paired together have given me some soft, smooth, and supple skin for the summer.

I would like to rebuy the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for a little extra moisture. I want to see if it can give me a little bit of a dewy look because my skin has been pretty matte lately. If I do want a little bit of a glow I can place a little of the Rose Hip Oil on my cheeks for that look. It’s also worth noting that the Rose Hip has reduced my dark circles. Be careful and never use it too close to your eyes. My dark circles are genetic and will never go away but at least I look less undead and more “cute tired.”

Nighttime Routine
At night I cleanse the same way, a double cleanse this time, but I don’t moisturize the same. Instead I apply either the Rose Hip Oil or Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane. I used the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil when I lived in California but I don’t have the money to drop on such luxurious items. So far I’ve enjoyed The Ordinary one, but since it causes UV sensitivity, I don’t use it every night. It’s used to lessen signs of aging. When it comes to good skin care practices, it’s better late than never!

Extra
Every Sunday night I apply a thick layer of The Body Shop’s Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask and follow it with the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. I like to put these on before a shower so I can wash the Peeling Solution off. It’s a bit scary to use! Take caution, as once I didn’t wash it all off and I ended up burning myself… Lesson learned!

Please Note
What works for my skin may not work for yours. Also do a patch test on your skin before using any product. Skin care is a personal process. Make sure you see a dermatologist if your problems persist. It’s took me almost 20 years to feel comfortable in my own skin. But now when I wake up in the morning and see my face be beautiful without makeup… It makes me happy. If I can do it, so can you.

The post Summer Skin Care Routine appeared first on A Daily Lee.

Rose Quartz Nail Set
I wrote about this set before in my Autumnal Nail Polish Picks and it’s still amazing today. I love nail art but I don’t have the patience for it. This set is so easy to use and the result is gorgeous. The process is simple. Two coats of Rose Jelly applied normally and topped off with gentle application of Chiffon. The great think about it is that you can apply Chiffon any way you want! You can also use both polishes alone for a different look. Ever since I allowed myself to love pink, I’ve search for a few ways to add it to my style. These two shades compliment so much of what I already own and it was a no brainer that I had to get them. No regrets so far!

Paradiso
I discovered vaporwave music early last year and have had a bit of an obsession over it. Geek.com describes vaporwave as “the muzak that plays in an elevator in a mall in a futuristic Japanese cyberpunk dystopia.” It’s chill, breezy, 80’s in sound and late night in feel. My favorite mix is on Youtube so you can get a feel for it! But back to the point, this polish screams vaporwave. It’s a soft mint-turquoise green nail polish with soft purple shimmer and holographic sparkle. Vaporwave color pallets typically feature neon cyan, magenta and purple and Paradiso captures those tones too well.

Beatnik
Oh boy I do love me a solid green shade! I’m adamant about my favorite color being chartreuse and that’s where Hustle comes into play. Right now Beatnik has been my go to green. It’s not as bright as Hustle and is perfect for those rainy spring days. It’s also been a great go to color when I’m not feeling as cheery. Hustle is a go get’em color and I get imposter syndrome if I try to wear a color to boost my mood. So for now I’m going to enjoy this creamy pickle green shade because Hustle feels like a true summer nail polish.

High Society
This beautiful neon green with copper shimmer was inspired by their 4/20 nail polish from last year. Now I’m not a 4/20 user but I couldn’t stop thinking about this beautiful shade of green. It’s loud, shiny, and a statement all in one. It took a few months for it to be stocked at Hypnotic Polish (where I get my polish). It’s a limited edition color and I didn’t expect to own it. This polish is also one of those where I have to be in the mood for it. I need to find the perfect time to wear it but it sits on my desk for now! Just looking at the color in the bottle makes me happy! I have a feeling this is going to be another great summer nail polish choice.

Succulent Garden
This shade is the only one I don’t own because it’s not available in The Netherlands yet. But you can bet that I will pounce when it is! It’s a gentle shade of khaki green with a fierce red shimmer. To top it off it’s also a bit holographic! Talk about shiny on top of shiny! It’s perfect for a sweet spring morning or a summer garden party. I saw this shade on Instagram and feel head over heels for it!

The post Spring/Summer Nail Polish Picks appeared first on A Daily Lee.

“Men love long hair, you should grow it out again and you’ll look so much better.”

“You look too young now! You looked more mature with long hair.”

“Sweetie, you aren’t going to find a man that appreciates short hair. You have such beautiful hair, you should grow it out!”

Uh, excuse me? I didn’t ask for advice on how to look attractive to other people. Is it wrong to look attractive for myself and if that includes having short hair, I’m going to cut it off!

I had long hair when I moved to The Netherlands. It wasn’t past my breasts but it was long enough to make me unhappy. I had let it grow because I was too concerned with finishing school. It was also a great way to cope with anxiety because it’s easy to hide behind long hair. But the longer I let it grow the unhappier I got. So off it went.

I’m thankful that my hair doesn’t give me a lot of drama. It’s super thick, grows quickly, and can be washed every three days. I’ve got Indian hair, so it can get oily pretty quickly after day 2. It also started to grey when I hit 25 and I haven’t bothered to cover it up. I like how the grey looks!

Let’s get into how I keep my hair looking primed and at its best. This may feel like a Lush campaign but none of this is sponsored. Lush products work well for me, and if it ain’t broken, why fix it? Here’s a look into my short hair care routine.

Shampoo
For a long time I used Big Shampoo in my hair care routine but it ended up being too drying for my hair. When Wasabi Shan Kui came out, I jumped on that bandwagon. It’s got a lot of the same things that Big offered  but Wasabi is less drying. The smell is fruity and a little strange but I love it. I’ve heard that it makes the scalp tingle but I haven’t experienced that. I use much more than is recommended because I like to lather up my hair and give it a good scrub. If my hair particular gross, like after along day in Amsterdam, I give it a double shampoo.

Conditioner
I was more than excited to see when Lush releashed a Big Conditioner. The important thing to know about this, is that it does not lather. The best way to use it, is to wet it and then slide it over the hair. I apply it all over the place, even at the roots. I know I’ve applied enough if I can slide my hands through my wet hair without it catching or tangling. It helps to keep my hair soft, sleek, and less frizzy.

Protection
I never cared about protecting my hair until I had to wash it under heavy water. In California the water was much softer so my hair was just as soft. In The Netherlands, the water feels heavier and I’m not too sure if that’s because it’s heavy water. Either way, I use #Gains to keep my hair strong. I spray it on right after I pat it dry with a towel. After that I wrap it in a towel wrap. I have a very cheap one right now and it doesn’t dry my hair all the way. But it allows me to have product sit in my hair without getting in my face. Eventually I’d like to invest in one like this one.

Styling
Depending on the time of the year I use two different types of hair styling product. For the summer I love the Sea Spray because of those beautiful beachy waves. My hair is naturally wavy so a spritz of this on my wet hair is amazing. It dries wonderfully and has a beautiful hold. Other times of the year I use Willow The Wisp because the scent is a bit strong. This one is supposed to help strengthen and volumize hair by adding in proteins. The scent is a bit strong for me so I don’t use it often but I would like to!

The post My short hair care routine appeared first on A Daily Lee.

Skincare
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil Facial Oil
I’ve had bad acne ever since I was 12 and I still get spots once in a while. I do my best to minimize the swelling but I’m always left with a scar. This helps to fade and heal what’s been left behind. I’ve also noticed that it’s helped to lighten my under eye area. My dark circles are hereditary so I figured I couldn’t do much about them. Don’t apply oil to your eye area though. The oil stings and it’s not fun! I know it’s time to wash my makeup off when my eyes start to sting… But either way, this has been a game changer for me.

Japanese Matcha Tea Pollution Clearing Mask
I’m so glad I allowed myself to splurge on this mask. It’s cooling, smells wonderful and helps me minimize those spots I was talking about. I can’t say this cleared up my skin but it’s helped me maintain a fresher appearance. I put this on once a week along with a few other face masks. It’s something for an evening of pampering for sure.

THE SAEM Iceland Aqua Moist Cream
I spoke about this cream a while ago and I’m still using it. It’s fantastic and light, for those days I don’t want too much cream on my face. It’s got a smooth and cooling texture too so it’s a dream putting it on. I’ve had this cream for a few months and I still haven’t hit the bottom because a little goes a long way.

Lush Tea Tree Water
This has been on my list for ages so it’s no surprise that it’s here. I use this twice a day after every face wash. It’s a breath of fresh air. My trick is to spritz my face a few times and apply cream before it dries. That way my face is a bit moist and the cream glides on. When everything dries, my skin looks baby smooth and ready for anything that comes next.

Lush Wasabi Shan Kui
This last one isn’t skincare but it’s in my beauty routine and I need to talk about it. It’s been on my 2019 favorites for months now and it’s high time I shared. This is my miracle shampoo. For the longest time I used Lush Big in shampoo and conditioner. But I found it left my hair a little too dry. When Wasabi came out I jumped on it. It’s changed everything about my hair. It still contains salt but it’s much less abrasive that Big is. It’s also got Wasabi and Mint crystals so do give it a smell before you buy. The sale associate warned me it was a strong and interesting scent but I love it. To me it’s fruity and minty at the same time.

Makeup

3 CONCEPT EYES in Daffodil
I’ve been enjoying the Korean beauty trend and I discovered this brand from a few Youtubers I watch. Both oh no nina and Hana Lee used this color at one point and I fell in love. My skin tone is close to theirs and I loved the color so much I had to get one. After one use, it had already made it to my 2019 favorites. It’s a beautiful matte finish and honestly, a few dabs give more than enough pay off. No need to apply to the whole lip!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Prim
I bought this years ago as part of a Christmas package from Sephora. And yes, I know I should have tossed this long ago but I love this color. For my skintone it gives me a beautiful sun kissed flush. I can put it anywhere the sun may touch my face and fake that beautiful glow.

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Full Coverage Foundation in Medium Olive
I’ve been able to clear up my skin pretty well. It’s to the point where I don’t need to wear a full face of foundation every day. When I do though, I reach for this one. The matte finish is smooth and never cakes on my skin. You can see my full review of it here.

NYX Dark Circle Concealer in Medium
This is my go to cover up for my under eye circles. It’s a great peach tone that helps coat the blue and purple areas that are tough to hide. What I love most is that I can blend it out enough so that it matches my skin tone and I don’t need to apply anything on top of it.

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Concealer in True Beige
For those days without a full face, I reach for this stick of concealer to cover those nasty spots. It’s a great way to add a little bit of coverage without going heavy on anything else. It’s been a savior in the past few months and I wear a full face once or twice a week.

2019 favorites

The post My 2019 Favorites appeared first on A Daily Lee.