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Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle Med Skincare Review

November 8, 2019

Hello, my dears! I hope you’re doing well, and that you’re thoroughly enjoying these first days of winter (or I guess Autumn, if you’re still on the West Coast!)!
If you’ve been following me on Instagram for a while, you probably know that I LOVE testing out new skincare products. One thing I haven’t done in years though, is to test out a whole skincare LINE.
I was gifted 6 products from Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle (the in-house brand of a luxury med spa in Chicago), and I’ve been using them exclusively for 4.5 months! No cheating with any masks, serums, anything like that! I’ve continued to use the same makeup remover wipes that I have for the past 15 years, and moisturizing primer, and that’s it. I honestly do a little eye roll when people use skincare for 2 days and then make claims about it. It’s one thing to use a hydrating mask and substantiate that it helps with immediate moisture level.. It’s another to test out an anti-wrinkle or anti-acne product and claim your skin was transformed overnight! That’s why I wanted to do such an in-depth exploration of these products and their effects.

The products I received as recommended by my aesthetician Nikelle, are face wash, face polish, eye cream, moisturizer/sunscreen, neck cream, and a night cream. I had to wait a week after a chemical peel to start them, but after that, have used them every day since the beginning of June. Now, for a breakdown of all of the products:

Antioxidant Wash
This is a foaming wash, that you use a small amount of in your palms and work into a lather before lightly massaging in to skin and rinsing off. I didn’t find this to be an effective makeup remover, but my skin did feel very clean and not tight after using. The container is HUGE and wouldn’t be great for travel, but you could always pour some in to a travel-friendly container.
Scent (ratings on a scale 1-5): 4, pleasant and mild.
Cost: 3, it’s $47.50, which I find to be really steep for a cleanser, but you do get SO much product at 6.7 oz.
Packaging: 4, Easy to disperse, the label is very clinical-feeling (makes sense).
Would I repurchase: No, but only because I have other cleansers to use up first. This is a perfectly good face wash.
Overall rating: 4.

Brightening Polish
Very mixed feelings about this product. I use it in the shower, because I feel that’s the only way to get all the granules off (same with any face polish/physical exfoliator I use). The smell is… Off-putting. When in use, it smells like a mix of lemon cleaner and ammonia. I think the granules are really nice though, and kept my skin relatively blemish-free in the acne-prone summer months.
Scent: 1, not a fan.
Cost: 4, it’s a little higher than I normally spend for this type of product, but it’s also in the 6.7 oz. size, so not too bad.
Packaging: 4, same thoughts as above.
Would I repurchase: No, I think I can find similar products without that intense scent.
Overall rating: 3.

Total Eye Repair
I go through eye cream more consistently than any other product.. Although I’ll admit to never being loyal to any particular brand, because I generally feel like they all work pretty well for me! I look for hydration, line prevention, and some depuffing action. I feel like this one did a great job at all of the above, and I love the packaging. The pump dispenses the perfect amount of product every time. It is super pricey, but I’ve been using it for over 3.5 months, and I’m still not out of it.
Scent: 5, seems unscented to me, which I prefer for an eye cream.
Cost: 2, Wowza, at $97.50 for .5 oz.
Packaging: 5! Love the dispenser, although I wonder how “good to the last drop” it will be when I get to that point.
Would I repurchase: No, solely because of the price.
Overall rating: 4.

Antioxidant Moisturizing Sunscreen
I’ve had mixed results with 2 in 1 products like this, but I am LOVING this SPF/moisturizer combo. The moisturizer is so smooth and hydrating, and gives me a bit of that “glass skin” appearance. It isn’t heavy feeling or tacky, and just pleasantly sinks on in. One thing about the container is that the product does tend to gather and get a little crusty, so I will just unscrew the lid instead of popping the top. Doesn’t take any more time, and just as easy.
Scent: 5, I actually like the smell of sunscreen, and this one isn’t coconutty or too tropical.
Cost: 4, I think $45.50 for 4 oz. of product is quite reasonable.
Packaging: 3, for the aforementioned issue.
Would I repurchase: Yes! Would be happy to continue using this.
Overall rating: 4.

Phyto Repair PM
I was nervous that this rich cream would be too heavy on my skin, especially during the warmer summer months, but I was pleasantly surprised! I slept comfortably and didn’t wake up greasy, as sometimes happens. I will say that the packaging is great because it dispenses the perfect amount of product by pushing down on the top, and doesn’t expose the rest to air. I’ve noticed a small difference in the intensity of my laugh lines, which is my main trouble area.
Scent: 5, soft, pleasant and mild.
Cost: 4, I think $81.50 for the 2 oz. of product is reasonable, and I’m still on the same container after 3.5 months.
Packaging: 5, love the dispenser!
Would I repurchase: Yes, I think it’s a great product.

Firm RX Neck & Decolletage Repair
TBH, I don’t know if I can give this one a fair review. My weight has been fluctuating, so it’s difficult to judge the efficacy of something meant to tone the neck area. The packaging leaves something to be desired. When I picked it up a couple weeks into using it, the faux lid came off in my hand, and the rest of the product dropped to the floor, cracking the outside. Also, not a fan of having to stick something into the product to scoop it out. Will try to follow up on this product a couple months from now!

Overall, I think the standout from this line is the Moisturizing Sunscreen, I highly recommend it. These picks were selected just for me by Nikelle, and if you’re local, I’d recommend visiting her at Dr. Yates Med Spa for a 1 on 1 consultation and evaluation of your skin. Check out my progress over the last several months using these products! And side note, I think I look SO odd when I’m not smiling 😂 Hope you enjoyed my Dr. Yates, MD Lifestyle Med Skincare Review!

Don’t worry, I DID trim my brows after this 😆 I was growing them out to get them threaded!

Reviewing Luxury Scent Box

June 5, 2019

This post is sponsored by Luxury Scent Box. All thoughts and opinions are authentically my own.

Hello, loves!
I know I’m not the first one to say it, but I can’t believe it’s June already! Granted, it’s still raining here multiple times a week, but I am starting to get used to the spastic weather. Always dress in layers is the general rule of thumb!
Today, I’m reviewing Luxury Scent Box, a subscription service for fragrances. Y’all know I live for subscription boxes… Likely because I love the feeling of getting “presents” in the mail, but also because it allows me to always try new things. I’ve never used a service like this before, so I was excited to try it out.

A couple facts first about the brand. They’re based out of Orange County, CA. You can create a profile and have a certified fragrance specialist help you select your fragrances. Or you can do what I did and just pick the ones that sound interesting or pretty! They send out your fragrance in a reusable spray bottle and replace it monthly or quarterly, depending on your plan. Memberships are annual ($198) or month to month ($15-$18/month). With annual, you get a month free. No shipping charges and no tax. With each tube of fragrance, you’ll get about 30 days use. You can plan out which scents you get for the rest of the year if you like.

Now for the good stuff! So navigating their site is pretty easy. You can scroll through all available fragrances, or narrow down by brand or specific notes that you like. I’m a big fan of Bergamot, Tuberose, and Oud, but honestly jump around a lot too. I immediately gravitated towards the Jean Paul Gaultier Classique, something I’d tried multiple times in my teen years, but not at all since. Such a classic, as the name would suggest! Next, I wanted a couple more unique scents that I’d never tried. I loved that they carry some of my favorite brands like Lollia and ToykoMilk. I decided on the Chloe Roses de Chloe and Flora Gorgeous Gardenia from Gucci. I guess I was on a designer scent kick!

Note you will only receive one fragrance at a time, but for testing purposes, I received all three of my selections. I must say that I’m really impressed at the quality of the spray bottles. Each scent was in a different colored tube (black satin, black and metallic gold, black and metallic pink). It took me longer than I’d care to admit that you twist the top away from the bottom to get the spray nozzle to appear on top. I’m blonde, what can I say?! At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to tell which fragrance is which, but the tubes easily pull out and are labeled.

Why I like this service… I LOVE testing out perfumes to find new favorites, and also to revisit past obsessions. I can not, however, afford to spend $130+ on a new bottle every time I feel like it. I adore that these are travel-friendly, the packaging is super sleek and low profile, and super easy to just grab and go, unlike some of my fragrances.. I’m looking at YOU, Versace Bright Crystal ?

So, is it worth it? Yes, I believe so. I think you’d end up spending less with this service and get to try new, exciting fragrances without having to spend money on large bottles or worrying about not using it all before the scent turns. My only critique is that I wish they had a 3 or 6 month shipping plan. That way you could have a couple different scents to rotate, and could cut down that carbon footprint just a bit from less shipping so frequently.

Tell me in the comments.. What is your favorite subscription service? Have you ever tried one for fragrance?

November Adore Box

November 23, 2017

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on these links or purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission. Products in this post were provided to me for reviewing purposes.

Another month, another fun new subscription box to try out!
I recently received the November Adore Box and have had fun playing around with all of the goodies inside. To be completely honest, the knit headband isn’t totally my style but I know it will make a fantastic gift for one of my friends. That’s one of the things I’ve always loved about these subscription boxes… If there’s ever something in it that isn’t totally my style or I know that I won’t ever use it, I can store it aside for when someone’s birthday is almost forgotten, or I need a hostess gift on the fly.

I received in my box two skincare samples from Hippie Skin, and although they look small, the product is quite concentrated, so you really don’t need a whole lot. I’m always looking to try out innovative new skincare brands, and I’m excited to see what else this one has to offer. The little jars are also perfect for traveling!
I have not tried out the blister balm yet, because I tweaked my ankle and haven’t been able to wear heels recently, but I will definitely be utilizing it during these upcoming holiday months.

I would say that the most impressive item, and the one I will use the most often, is the cuticle oil pen from OPI. I have been doing the powder dip technique on my nails for the past couple months, and find that my cuticles do need a little extra love. This one is in a super convenient click-pen, with a brush that lets you disperse as much product as you want, where you want it. I can’t tell you how annoyed I get trying to squeeze out oil from a tube only to have it squirt out everywhere. Definitely a repurchase when I run out.

All in all, this box was worth the $15 it sells for and more, especially since I got to try out a new skincare brand, and have a gift for a friend in a pinch. If you’re interested in signing up for Adore Box, you can take 50% off your first month with code HALFOFF.

Spring Box of Style Review

April 12, 2017

Hello, loves!
Let me first say how excited I was to finally receive the Spring Box of Style from the Zoe Report! It’s almost worse when you get teasers of which items will be in a subscription box; I’m starting to think I’d rather just be surprised haha! I definitely was looking forward to the “hero” item, which did not let me down.

Before I get ahead of myself, I wanted to share that this exact box is currently $20 off when you use my link here and code “FRIENDS20” at checkout until midnight on Friday, April 14th! Now, without further ado, so you can know if it’s even worth it haha, here is my Spring Box of Style Review!

First up, the “hero” item, this versatile bag from Tribe Alive. Retail is $238, which I personally wouldn’t have paid for it, just because I wouldn’t spend that much on a bag right now. It is very well made, the leather and woven material look very high-end, and I love that it has some structure to it, and is quite roomy. It did take a while to relax and had the “folded” look for the first week I had it, so don’t expect to wear this one straight out of the box. The second time I wore it out, I had a woman try to find it online right then and there so she could buy it, she loved it so much! Thumbs up to this item!
Next up is the multi-way earrings from Adornmonde (retail $62). Subscribers were given the choice between gold and silver, but I didn’t really care because my ears aren’t pierced! I reached out to Team Zoe and was informed that there wasn’t another option to choose from, so these will be re-gifted. No value in these guys for me.
The Symbology scarf (retail $50) was also an item I wasn’t quite sure about… The color (a true red), doesn’t immediately speak to me as a spring item, and the shape isn’t something I reach for in my current scarf collection. I honestly haven’t worn it yet, and might wait until summer, when I’m breaking out my brighter colors. I love the idea of it artfully tied over the strap of a bag, but I’m not one to wrap a scarf around my arm or as a necktie. Others may find this item more worthwhile.
I’d been wanting to try the Tatcha skincare brand for some time, and am happy to have received the Polished Gentle Rice Enzyme Powder (retail $65). Again, a little pricier than I normally spend for an exfoliating product, but this one is pretty cool. The packaging is gorgeous, and this very gently foamed up and scrubbed away dead skin, leaving my skin feeling pretty fresh and clean. I didn’t notice any discernable scent, but I’m completely fine with that. Perhaps not a product I’d purchase again, but glad that I’m getting to test it out.
Another item I was stoked about was the glass water bottle from BKR. After seeing these babies all over the internet, I knew that I wanted one but didn’t want to invest the $35 they go for. It is, of course, heavier than regular plastic bottles, but you also aren’t going to risk anything leaching into your water. Plus, the color is SO pretty.
Lastly, as part of the box, the Butter London nail polish in Piece of Cake (retail $18). This one I was a bit disappointed in. I did three layers, because you could still see my nail with only two coats. It chipped very easily and looked uneven and slightly chalky. I haven’t used many polishes from this line before, but it doesn’t have me wanting to search out more shades.
I did also receive, as an annual subscription member, this adorable tassel keychain, which I adore. It’s been on my keychain since the day I got it, and I love the little bit of flair it gives to something usually pretty mundane.

One thing that was pretty cool about this season’s box is that everything in it came from female-founded brands. The only thing that didn’t was the item not pictured here, the Stella Artois chalice. I still have no idea why this was included, as it seemed so out of place. It does have a really pretty etched pattern on it, just not sure it’s relation to the other products.

All in all, I’m loving the bag, the water bottle and the keychain. I value the box at about $160, in terms of the use I will get out of the items, which is not a bad deal at all! If you’re interested in subscribing, for one season, or an annual membership, use my link here to sign up!

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items through these links may provide me with a small commission. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.