Leaning Into God in These Times

Man...every day it seems like things are going from bad to worse.

 Lately, I have felt paralyzed by anxiety, fear, and worry. I have been stuck in a rut, just hoping to wake up tomorrow and see that everything has gone back to "normal" life as I know it.  I've found that the stress of everything changing so rapidly has made me 'snappy' towards my children and husband.

And why? None of this is their fault. Instead of focusing on the things I should be, I'm constantly pouring over new information given to us to the point that my head feels like it could explode. In a way, all I've been trying to do is find someone or something to demonize in all of this. Who is the real enemy? What should I really be doing? What can I buy to best protect my family? Which politicians can I trust? Will this just usher in more freedoms being stripped away from Americans?

Let's just be real, it's a scary time right now! But God got a hold of my heart so gently last night and gave me such a peace that I've never quite known before.

I was watching a video posted from an end times guy that I like and he totally just hit the nail on the head of the whole situation. No, he wasn't saying this was caused by God or Satan. And no, he wasn't giving me tips on what to stock up on or what to do in an emergency. He simply said, "Christian,  it's time to lean in. Stop fighting what God is trying to accomplish through you in this situation and LEAN INTO IT."

This whole time I've been fighting it. I'll start to pray, but as soon as I get on social media, my quieted heart starts pacing again. I'll act like I've completely given over to God and then a conversation with someone brings all of the emotions right back to the surface. 

I've been in fight or flight mode and making hasty decisions. None of this is within my realm of control and I hate it. But guess what? It's not my job or your job to fix it.  It's not my job to be in control. It's not my job to figure out why or what's next.

My job is to be a mom, a wife, and a teacher right now. To take care of my home & family in the best way I know how. To let my faith shine before all men, so that they may see HIS good works. I should be praying for revival everyday in this. My quiet time with God, in His Word and praying, should have preeminence over everything else. 

Christian, God is going to use this time in your life and mine to prune us. To strengthen us. To discipline (not punish) us. To melt us into what HE wants us to be. Remember,  we were born for such a time as this! 

He knew we would endure this from the beginning of time! And it's comforting to me to know that so many others before me lived in trying times themselves...many of them, suffered war, persecution, disease and  famine. Yet, when they leaned into God and His work in this world, amazing things happened as a result.

God is using all of this to change my heart. To give me His desires. To let my kingdom die and further His. It's all a part of His plan and I hope I never lose sight of that. 🙏🙏🙏

XO

D

5 Skincare Tips to Get You Started in the Right Direction!

Ahh, Skincare.

It sounds like such a simple concept. Then you go to online shop or step into Sephora and you're immediately aware that there is no such thing as "simple" when it comes to the array of skincare products that are on the market.

If you're like me, you look at the shelves of products and you're in shell schock.

How do I know which products will work best for my skin?
How much am I willing to spend on products that I'm not positive will work for me?
What ingredients should I avoid in my skincare?
What time of day should I use what products?

These are all some of the questions I have asked in the past. And believe me, I've tried a lot of products on my skin. Ranging from high end, to low end. I finally feel like I am in a good rythym with my skincare regimine, and although I wouldn't say I've discovered a fool-proof formula that will help every. single. person. I would love to share with you just a few tips on how you can find the right skincare products for your own skin.

I'm going to keep this as basic, simple, and practical as I possibly can because I get how confusing it all can be!

First, in order to find which ingredients will target your specific skincare needs best, you will need to identify what type of skin you have.

  There are a few basic types. Normal, Oily, Dry, Acne prone, Sensitive, and Combination. Combination is basically just a fancy name for having characteristics of multiple skin types in one. Can you guess which type I have? Yup....that's right. COMBINATION!

I have always thought, since highschool, that I have had Normal to Oily, and that was mostly the case. However, having children and dealing with fluctuating hormones has left my skin with multiple issues. I do still deal with oiliness and acne, but I also have dry patches and some sensitivity.

If you're confused about which skin type you have, check out this video that may be a help to you.

Ok, now that you've determined which skin type you mostly likely have, no we can move onto which products you should be using. I'll be posting more in-depth advice on specific skin types later, but let's look at what's beneficial to almost everyone!

Because, don't forget, we are trying to keep this simple.

The types of products I will be mentioning in this post will usually work across the board. Now, dont't get me wrong, I am not naive enough to think that there's a "cure-all" product for every skin type, because there certainly is not. However, these products are good for almost anyone, like I mentioned before .

Notice the use of the word almost. There is always exceptions to every rule, and if you're skin is the exception, don't dismay. I'll be doing a post on super sensitive skin in the future.  :)

Now, what I will say before getting into them is that you should always skin test a product first. You can do this by applying some to the skin on your forearm. Once the product has passed that test, you can try a patch of skin on your low cheek and see how it works with the skin on your face.

Ok, without any further ado, let's get right into which types of products you should be using on your skin.

Photo by Retha Ferguson from Pexels

1. Products free of Parabens, Pthalates, and other toxic chemicals.

Listen, I probably sound like a broken record saying this to you, but just chalk this up as the last time you need to hear it. STOP using products that contain hormone disrupters in them. It's not good for your skin and it's not good for your body. Your body deserves more than that. I get it, these products are probably cheap. But, girl, you're not cheap, so don't skimp on this. If a product contains Parabens, Pthalates, or other harsh chemicals, let it be a deal-breaker for you. You're better than that.

2. Moisturizers that contain natural emollients.

Some examples of natural emollients are jojoba oil, avocado oil, squalane, shea butter and cocoa butter. There are MANY other different forms of an emollients, but it would take awhile to list them all. Basically an emollient is an ingredient in a moisturizer that softens the skin. Emollients work to "fill in the cracks" on our skin's barrier and give it a hydrated appearance and texture. Now, not every emollient is created equal, in my opinion and one that I steer clear of is Mineral oil.

Did you know there aren't actually any minerals in mineral oil? Interesting,  right? It's actually derived from crude oil (like where we get gasoline from) and to me, that just weirds me out.

 Is it safe to use? Yes. But is it probably the best for your skin? I doubt it. I feel like there are so many better options out there, like, emollients that contain anti-inflammatory & antioxidant benefits. Boabab oil is a great example of this! Rich in Omega 3s, antioxidants and vitamins....now why wouldn't I want that in my skincare?!

3. Hydrating Products that don't dry your skin out.

Beware of the products that make your skin feel tight, itchy or dry after using! And please, please don't over wash your face with soap and water. Too much of that can actually break down your skin's barrier.

And, if you have oilier skin, don't be afraid to add a moisturizer. Your skin could be even more oily because its trying to overcompensate for those drying products!

You want to use products that are filled full of ingredients that will help that skin barrier stay moisturized. Ingredients that are good to look for are hyaluronic acid, peptides, boabab oil (there it is again!), fatty acids, plant-derived oils and ceramides.

When in doubt, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Here is the Hydrating Cleanser that I use.

4. Spend the extra $$ on a good Serum & Essence!

Now, maybe you have no idea what these two things are and if you don't,  that's ok. Here's a quick explanation. A serum is a targeted treatment, especially beneficial for anti-aging and an essence or Hydrating mist basically preps your face to better absorb your moisturizer.

 Here's an example of that: Go get a dry sponge and squirt some lotion on it. Does it really absorb the lotion? Now go get a dry sponge, get it wet first,  then squirt some lotion on it. Different result,  right? That's the importance of a serum and essence before a moisturizer.

And a good-quality serum just can't be beat. This is where you'll really start to see those amazing results come in. Usually with these, a little goes a long way, so don't be afraid to spend the extra money here.

If you're concerned about spending a lot of money and something not working for you, try going with a brand that has a money back guarantee like this one.

5. Use your products Morning & Evening, if you can, but at LEAST in the evening.

Lathering up your skin before bed is a great idea because it allows all of those amazing ingredients to soak in overnight! Don't overcomplicate it, though. Use your skincare when you KNOW you'll use it!

And lastly, when you've found a good routine that you can work into your lifestyle,  stick with it.

Girl, I know how busy you are because I know how busy life can get! But skipping a skincare routine isn't worth it in the long run. Yes, we will all age, but isn't it worth it to try and age gracefully? I think so. (My husband may disagree 😏)

But find the products that work well for your skin type and stick with them. Consistency is key in order to see and feel results. I promise a year from when you start, you'll be pleased with what you see in the mirror. :)

Now, if you want to know exactly what I use on my combination skin,  stay tuned because another post will be coming with all the deets!

Thanks for reading and I HOPE this helped you!

XO
D

My Honest Review of "Bellame" Skincare!

Hey all!

Thanks for stopping by today to check out my brutally honest review of the Bellame skincare line.

If you haven't followed me on Instagram yet, be sure to do so! That way, you can stay up to date on all of my future beauty posts!

Let's jump right in with the review...

I was originally sent samples of the Bellame skincare line back in November. A friend recommended them, so I thought "Hey, why not?!" She promptly sent them to me with a Bellame bamboo washcloth, hair tie, and some opportunity brochures.

The samples included 4 of their main products. The Bellame Hydrating Cleanser, The hydrating Moisturizer, the eye cream, and the anti-aging serum....all from their Acqua Luimere line.

When I first opened the sample cleanser, I was pleasantly surprised by the smell. It has a beautiful,  floral, rose scent, as does the moisturizer. I honestly can't remember if the eye cream has a scent, but the serum had no distinct smell that I remember.

When I applied the cleanser, I instantly felt BURNING! Not just tingling, but burning! Yikes! I was pretty out off by that, so I removed the cleanser with a warm washcloth and all was well. I then tried the serum. Wow, that felt AMAZING! Soothing and lovely. Then I applied the eye cream and moisturizer. I did notice a bit of burning with the eye cream, as well, but not with the moisturizer.

After applying these products that night,  I truly could instantly feel a difference in my skin. I LOVED the way it felt...softer, more hydrated. And I have oilier skin, too, so I thought a moisturizer like this would only leave my skin feeling more oily.

Upon waking the next day, my skin still felt very soft and supple. I continued using these samples for about 4-5 days.

After the samples ran out, I was sad! I genuinely wanted to continue using these products- especially the moisturizer and serum. Again, I was still leery of the cleanser and eye cream because of the burning.

I asked my husband for the serum and moisturizer for Christmas, hoping he would oblige. Thankfully,  he did, but he bought the cleanser instead of the serum. :( A little disappointed, I was determined to return the cleanser and repurchase the serum. My husband encouraged me to try it and just see how I liked it, though. So, I did.

And for 3 weeks I questioned why I was using this cleanser, haha. I LOVED the smell and the feel of it AND the fact that it removed all of my makeup, but I still had some burning. Yet, after 4 weeks, I found myself reaching more for this cleanser than my usual cleansing balm because that sensation seemed to be dissipating.  And finally that feeling went away entirely!

During this time of using these two products consistently,  I kept in contact with a Bellame rep, who is also an esthetician. She encouraged me to keep using them and stop my other products (such as a retinoid oil) to avoid any unnecessary sensitivity.  She told me that the high-powered hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C together,  may be too much for skin all at once, but to skip a day here and there and see how it goes. I honestly wasn't sure what I thought of her advice, but I decided to stick it out.

And let me just say, I'm so glad I did! By week 5 I was noticing my skin texture had completely changed! It feels smoother, softer, more supple, less greasy, and weird dry patches! I haven't noticed any dramatic changes like my wrinkles disappearing,  but I do feel like my skin looks the best it can look right now.  All of my random breakouts have stopped, I can skip a day of my skincare regimen without seeing any side effects, and it's an easy 3 step routine that I look forward to doing each day!

Now, let's talk briefly about the packaging. It's absolutely beautiful! I love the look of it, and what's even better is that you're able to SEE the product being used up! No guessing how much is left and I appreciate the transparency,  too.

Because of my results, I decided to sign up and rep this company myself. Getting a discount on amazing, luxury skincare is a win, win!

I can't wait to see the difference in my skin by this time next year! And I also look forward to trying more of the Bellame line!


If you're interested in trying these products out for yourself, you can visit my website here or email me and I'd be happy to send you a sample! :)

XO
D