May 2020: What I Loved, Finished, And Added to Cart

Feels like I was just writing about my April 2020 favorites, but I’m back with another round for May 2020. My May was pretty okay – global pandemic and staying home aside. I dedicated a lot more time to this blog (I hope you’ve enjoyed!), I stuck to my goal of working out at least 4x a week, and I stripped down my skincare routine to be simple and effective. What about you – obvious aside, did you have a good May?

Anyways, it wouldn’t be the end of a month without a roundup of my hits and misses. So may I present to you my new unofficial series for each month: “What I Loved, Finished, and Added to Cart in *insert month here*” I plan on doing this at the end of every month so you can see what I loved using that month, what I finished, and what I shopped! Hope you love it XOXO

Let’s get on with it –

WHAT I LOVED IN MAY 2020:

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 1970

Ok, so it’s more like I fell back in love with this product. I first bought this after my facial at Rescue Spa in September (oh how I would give anything to be there right now), and it broke me out. Buuuuut, I later came to found out this was purging because of the high level of acids in this product. So I stuck with it, and kept using it and liked it. Then winter came, and I started focusing on other things for my skin, like hydrating serums and thick moisturizers.

I decided to start using this again this month and wow, did I miss it. Within a week my skin is already looking glowy and clear again, and I see old spots beginning to fade into nothing. Sure it smells like rotting garbage mixed with throat numbing spray, but you get used to it. In fact, in some weird, Pavlovian way I almost look forward to the smell of this product because I know it means my skin is going to look bomb AF the next day.

Versed Guards Up Sunscreen

I am so MAD I waited until May to hop on the Versed train. This month, I bought three of their products as an introduction to the brand – their body oil, overnight peel, and this sunscreen. I really like the other two products, but I LOVE this sunscreen. It’s a mineral sunscreen that has a peachy tint and leaves no white cast whatsoever. I am so excited to make this a regular in my skincare routine, especially this summer.

Make sure you wear SPF EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

My “Strawberry Shortcake” smoothie

I got really into smoothies this month. It’s so easy to make a smoothie and even easier to drink it. This one in particular, that I’ve been making, is so good I had to share – inspired by Bailey Brown!

Strawberry Shortcake Smoothie

A handful of frozen strawberries (ends up being about 7-8 strawberries, or about ¾ cup)
1 cup of cauliflower rice (this is KEY to making your smoothie thick like a milkshake)
3-4 ice cubes
1 tbsp of cashew butter
1 tbsp of coconut flakes
1 tbsp of chia seeds
1 tbsp of hemp seeds
1 tsp of adaptogen powder (I use this one)
1 serving of vanilla protein powder (I use this plant-based one)
Almond milk (I don’t measure, just pour until it seems like enough and adjust as I see fit)

I throw them all in a blender then blend until it has the consistency of a THICK milkshake. Then I mix in some cacao nibs and enjoy it! I love this smoothie so much, I don’t see myself getting tired of it for a long time. It’s super healthy and such a great blend of healthy fats, carbs, and protein. Love!

WHAT I FINISHED IN MAY 2020:

Hada Labo Japan Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Bubble Foaming Cleanser

This cleanser is an enigma to me. How can a foaming cleanser be so hydrating? I don’t know, but this cleanser does. It’s super affordable, lasts a while (I’ve had this bottle since probably September or October), and cleanses without stripping.

Would I repurchase? YES! But I have so many other cleansers to finish first 🙁

ACWELL Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner

This was my introduction to the world of K-beauty toners. I liked it and I think it was a good prep step for the rest of my skincare routine.

Would I repurchase? Not right now – but maybe in the future.

Athena Club Creamy Body Wash

This body wash is super moisturizing and formulated with vitamins, omegas, antioxidants, and coconut oil so your skin feels nourished and smooth. It has a nice light scent (natural fragrance) and my skin always felt soft after using! Also, the bottle is made from sugarcane, which I appreciate.

Would I repurchase? Probably, but not right now, I have other body washes to finish.

Indie Lee Purifying Face Wash

I feel like I had this bottle forever – yes it’s the same one I got in my HelloAva package. I always used this when I felt like my skin was super dirty – maybe if I was outside all day with a ton of makeup on, or I did a sweaty workout. However, at times I felt like it could be a little too drying (especially in the winter) and it foamed a little too much for me.

Would I repurchase? No, I think overall it was a little too drying for me.

Benton Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream

I started using this when the Q started and I needed a new moisturizer, fast. It’s very affordable and has both snail mucin and bee venom – two ingredients that are supposedly great for the skin. I think it’s a super basic moisturizer – but that’s why I like it! It’s great for my combo/oily skin and I love it.

Would I repurchase? Yep, in fact, I already did! Lol.

Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart

Was anyone else super disappointed by this show? In the beginning, it had promise – but by the end, I was asking my sister for updates on who got kicked off. I do love a good reality show, but this one could have been a little more interesting.

An entire tray of brownies

My mom has been Betty F*cking Crocker-ing it up all of the Q (short for quarantine) and has I KID YOU NOT, made brownies almost every night. Happy to say I helped contribute to finishing every serving she made, even if I do suggest it made me break out.

WHAT I ADDED TO CART IN MAY 2020:

Ok, so after being totally heartbroken by my college graduation ceremony being canceled for real, I kinda went on a little retail therapy spree. But can ya blame me? If I can’t walk across the stage to accept my diploma I still deserve to treat myself to the cute shoes I would have worn, right?

If I can’t walk across the stage to accept my diploma I still deserve to treat myself to the cute shoes I would have worn, right?

Here’s what I shopped – you can click anywhere in the image to shop. Particularly obsessed with the round heel and square toe of those sandals – so 90s. And can we talk about that yellow bathing suit? Maybe I won’t be anywhere near the beach this summer, but a girl can dream, okay!