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Best Skincare Gifts for Normal to Dry Skin *Tested*
Shopping for skincare products is not easy for everyone as it may seem. Firstly, dozens of skincare products are on the market with promises to correct and address the same concerns. Additionally, our skin goes through routine changes! A change in skin type or texture can present challenges for shopping for the right skincare products to help identify skincare concerns. Tbh, it’s chaotic. There needs to be an effective method in place to navigate all those skincare products on the market! So, we’ve compiled a guide to a few of our favorite skincare products. These products will make the best skincare gifts for the skincare lover in your life!
(Whether that person is you or someone you may know.)
Why You Should Trust Us: Reasons Why They’re The Best Skincare Gifts
So if you’re asking for a friend, we want to tell you why you can trust us about these products. We got you! The reader should note that the skincare products in this guide work best for normal to dry skin types. This news is great for our readers and girlies who do not have many skincare concerns or goals. Secondly, we believe each item on this list is a great product to add to any beginner or expert skincare routine. Lastly, we’ve sorted through the best honest reviews from verified reviewers, we’ve tested these products ourselves, and we’re confident that skincare lovers will find them beneficial!
DISCLAIMER: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Let’s begin with the best skin care products that anyone can use daily. Cetaphil is a trusted brand by dermatologists and many consumers. Their body lotions and moisturizers provide hydration and nourishment that lasts all day. The Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion is perfect for the face and body of all skin types (normal, dry, and sensitive).
Price at the time of publishing: $12
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“My skin really likes Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I usually apply right after I bathe/shower and don’t have to worry about reapplying as I would with [some] other lotions/moisturizers, and I consider this [to be] a pretty ‘clean’ skincare product which is a plus. I trust enough to let my whole family use it for this reason, and I would purchase it again.” – Aspiring D, Influenster Reviewer
Chapstick Total Hydration with Sea Minerals
This 3-in-1 lip balm has a botanical-moisturizing complex to help keep lips moisturized for up to 8 hours. Reviewers found their lips feeling nongreasy, soft, and smooth after using this Chapstick with a triple-action formula. Everyone and anyone who has used Chapstick’s products before knows that their products renew and transform dry lips for a radiant and youthful look.
Price at the time of publishing: $7
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I absolutely love this Total Hydration Sea Minerals Moisturizing lip exfoliator, and I use it at night as a moisturizer for my lips. [This] tends to leave my lips soft and hydrated the next morning. I really enjoy this new product.” – Jamie U, Influencer
CosRx Niacinamide 15 Serum
Serums are the best gifts for addressing and treating skin care concerns. CosRx’s Niacinamide 15 Serum rapidly treats mild to severe acne breakouts and dark spots. The serum is light and absorbs fast into the skin, and reviewers noticed a change in appearance within 30 days!
Price at the time of publishing: $25
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I think this is a good everyday serum! I’m a huge fan of niacinamide in my routine and have been for years, as there are spots on my face that are an oil slick if left to their own devices, and I have massive pores in those areas as well. This serum is definitely in the top five niacinamide serums that I have used. I can really tell a difference in the oil production throughout the day on my skin.” – Shelby M, Skincare Enthusiast, Makeup Junkie
CosRx Vitamin C 23 Serum
We believe our readers will no longer be interested in searching for the fountain of youth after using this serum. CosRx’s Vitamin C 23 Serum targets aging, improve skin, and boosts skin radiance. What we love most about the Vitamin C 23 Serum is its 23% pure vitamin c, perfect for reducing wrinkles and enhancing elasticity.
Price at the time of publishing: $25
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I [honestly wasn’t too] sure what to think about this product at first. The consistency also [appears] like a lightweight oil at first, so I was nervous about it leaving my combination skin oily. All [of] my concerns were put to rest when I put the product on my face! While [it] has a strong smell in the bottle, once you put it on your face, you don’t notice a thing.
The formula absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving it looking greasy. After just a few days of using this product, I noticed a big improvement in my skin tone. I have quite a bit of sun damage from years of living in Florida by the beach, and this definitely helped reduce some of the discoloration and fine lines.” – Allyson C., Influenster Reviewer
Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub
We’re all for total body care, so the decision was easy to include this product in our gift guide. Dr. Teal’s brand has many scrubs, oils, and salts that people use to help relax and heal their bodies. Their brand is one of the popular go-tos for relaxation. Dr. Teal’s Shea Sugar Scrub has vitamins like A and E and essential oils to exfoliate and lock in moisture. Our readers should note that a sugar scrub’s recommended use is 1-2 times weekly to avoid over-exfoliating the skin.
Price at the time of publishing: $6
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I recently tried Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. [The combination of] shea butter and sugar crystals creates a gentle yet effective scrub that leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth. The added melatonin is a nice touch, and I appreciate the calming benefits it provides.” – Kira A., Influenster Reviewer
Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion
The third moisturizer to make our list is Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion. If you’re trying out Dr. Teal’s Melatonin Shea Sugar Scrub (the fourth-best skincare gift in this guide), we recommend pairing the sleep body lotion with it for maximum results. How to use: use the sugar scrub during bathtime. Then, follow up with the sleep body lotion after your bath for additional moisture. Many testers agree that its lightweight formula works to promote better sleeping.
Price at the time of publishing: $5
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I came across Dr. Teal’s Sleep Body Lotion at Wal-Mart. Let me tell you this [lotion] is part of my new nightly bath routine. The shea butter smell is not overpowering the essential oil in the lotion. To me, the best part is the melatonin in the lotion. It’s everything you need to relax your body at the end of the night.” – Leesha H., Blogger
Mele Plump It Up Nourishing Cream
So just like all of the other moisturizers on this list, this melanin-rich nourishing cream is designed for dry skin care. What we love most about the Mele brand is that they make skincare products for women of color. We know firsthand about the lack of skincare products on the market that are inclusive to all skin types and how that makes it even harder to find products that work. Mele’s Plump It Up Nourishing Cream is just one of their products that identifies specific needs such as dryness and uneven skin tone in melanin-rich skin.
Price at the time of publishing: $12
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I was excited to try this brand out since this is Black-owned skincare. It isn’t oily and doesn’t give any scent, and I’d definitely recommend it for those with dry skin.” – Fallon B., Influenster Reviewer
Philosophy Pore Minimizing Serum
The Purity Pore Minimizing Serum decreases the appearance of pores instantly. If you’re looking for products that show improvement results quickly, we feel you can’t go wrong with this serum + multitasking moisturizer (more on this soon). We noticed a difference in our skin’s appearance, noting fewer blackheads and clogged pores; within 24 hours of using this serum. We gotta love a product that boasts of purity being made simplistic!
Price at the time of publishing: $39
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I have been using Philosophy products for almost a decade now. Their products never let me down [and] this [one] has done wonders on my skin. As for pore minimizing, I do notice a slight difference when combining with other actives.” – Chelsea W., Content Creator
Philosophy Hope In A Jar Moisturizer
READ FULL REVIEW: Starting the New Year With Hope And A Radiant Glow
We raved about this moisturizer on It’s The Lewk all last year as one of our favorite new products. This product is definitely one of our go-to moisturizers and is used routinely in our skincare regimen. In addition to targeting dehydration, this multitasking moisturizer promotes skin surface cell renewal and boosts radiance. We’ve never experienced a glow like this with any other moisturizer!
Price at the time of publishing: $42
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I’m so pleasantly surprised by this product, mostly because I’m super picky when it comes to face creams, but especially when they promise to be the solution to several skin concerns like this one who says it can improve both fine lines and skin texture while also turning dull, dry skin into glowing well-hydrated skin. My expectations were high, and my skepticism even higher. I found myself cutting out several other products because this truly is a multitasking cream.” – Ine L., Influencer
Rimmel London Wonder Serum
READ FULL REVIEW: A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox
WATCH YOUTUBE REVIEW: Rimmel London Voxbox Unboxing
Enjoy longer, fuller, and revitalized lashes when you use Rimmel London’s serum for eyebrows and lashes. Its gentle, nutrient-rich conditioning formula supports lash and eyebrow growth. This serum is perfect for growing eyebrows and eyelashes for a fuller or thicker appearance.
Price at the time of publishing: $8
*What Our Reviewers Say:
“I was genuinely impressed by the results of this easy-to-use lash/brow serum! I had noticeable results with longer, fuller bare lashes and with mascara after just a few weeks of use. The formula is thicker than other lash serums I’ve tried, but I think that’s actually an advantage because it’s less likely to run into your eyes. This product is very affordable and is a great value compared with other popular lash serums on the market. It didn’t cause any irritation, redness, or discomfort to my eyes or the skin around my eyes.” – Gabriela S., Influenster Reviewer
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Ouai Hair Mask Is A Miracle For Damaged Hair
Are you someone who is struggling with dry, brittle hair? Have you noticed how difficult it is for your hair to retain moisture and oil in thick coils? Lastly, is your hair unhealthy because of its dryness, split ends, heat, chemical, or color damage? If you responded ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then; I have the perfect solution for you! The time is up for dry, damaged hair! Ouai hair mask is the best solution to repair and heal thick, dry and damaged hair.
DISCLAIMER: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. Above all, if you buy something through one of those links, you will not have to pay a penny more, but I receive a small commission. In other words, it helps keep the lights on. Thanks!
Before we explain how the Ouai hair mask is the best solution for hair damage and dryness (and why you need to use it), let’s discuss how THE LEWK discovered this haircare miracle. I received this product complimentary from Influenster; in exchange for my honest opinion. I have been an Influenster affiliate for a year now, and that means I get to test and review hundreds of products to help consumers make easier shopping decisions. Please check out the other beauty products I’ve reviewed for Influenster in previous blog reviews.
About Ouai Hair Mask
The Ouai (pronounced ‘way’) hair mask is a treatment product for hair that restores and revitalizes natural hair textures. It repairs hair damage, restores moisture and hydration, and prevents breakage. The brand offers two options for this treatment mask for different hair types:
- fine-to-medium textures
- thick hair textures
Each mask targets different hair concerns for all hair textures, but there’s one thing that they both have in common: building shiny, manageable, and healthy hair. You’ll want to use the thick hair treatment masque if your hair concerns and goals are:
- hair damage
- anti-breakage
- frizz control
- moisture retention
If thick hair maintenance isn’t your struggle, then; you’ll need to use the fine-to-medium treatment masque to address your haircare concerns. Ouai’s fine-to-medium treatment masque targets:
- repairing split ends
- hydration
- frizz control
- strengthening fine-to-medium strands
Ouai Hair Mask Ingredients
All of the products from Ouai are cruelty, gluten, paraben, and phthalate free. The fine-to-medium treatment mask contains:
- shea butter
- panthenol
- hydrolyzed keratin
Click the jump for a complete list of ingredients.
Additionally, the Ouai hair masque for thick hair contains:
- shea butter
- lillipe butter
- hydrolyzed keratin
- blend of almond, olive, and macadamia oils
Click the jump for a complete list of ingredients.
How to Use Ouai Hair Masks
Both mask products work best when applied to freshly cleansed hair. Next, starting from the ends and working into the roots, apply a quarter-size amount of the mask conditioner. Then, comb through with your fingers. Finally, let the mask sit for 5-10 minutes and then rinse with cool water. You can follow up with your favorite leave-in conditioner for added hydration.
Where to Buy These Hair Mask Products
Are you ready for your next hair miracle? It’s time to break up with split ends and do some damage control. Ouai hair masks are here to heal and repair everything your hair has been through in the name of maintenance. These hair treatments want to deliver smooth, shiny, healthy, manageable hair to your natural tresses! Visit your local Target, Ulta, or Sephora store to grab these haircare goodies!
Sign-Up for The LEWK Newsletter and Get 15% Off!
Do you feel that hair damage, breakage, and split ends aren’t your haircare goals or concerns? Check out the posts below for more hair-spiration and haircare products! Moreover, don’t forget to sign-up for our newsletter to stay in the loop about new haircare product reviews, be the first to know about new blog posts, and receive exclusive discount codes and shopping giveaways!
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Powerful Words of Affirmation For Success
Words of affirmation are short and powerful statements that people can use to promote positive thinking. They allow us to be in control of our thoughts and shape our realities. Individuals can repeat affirmation statements until they become new beliefs. I use affirmations to eliminate negative thinking and to help me navigate challenges that will make achieving goals easier, through the law of attraction. This blog post will provide insight into what affirmations are, what the laws of attraction mean, and how to incorporate these things together when motivating ourselves through self-care practices.
Every day, people are using affirmations to attract confidence, abundance, love, success, and happiness. Studies have shown that it is not uncommon for people to increase their happiness through a positive mindset. Plenty of people desire to be more successful in life and have found affirmations help combat negative self-talk and negative mindsets. After I started using affirmations, I found that I have a better outlook on what my purpose is and that I am worthy of attaining success. I’ve learned how to be gentle with myself by becoming more trusting and confident in my abilities to make decisions. Positive affirmations require regular practice to achieve long-term changes in your life.
Related: How Letting Go of Negative Thoughts Changed My Life
Words of Affirmation: The Laws of Attraction
The Law of Attraction is the belief that positive thoughts will yield positive results in your life, career, health, or relationships. There are 3 Laws of Attraction that detail this concept:
- Like Attracts Like
- Removal of Negative Energy
- The Present is Always Perfect
Like Attracts Like is the law that similar things are attracted to one another. Although opposites can often attract, it is the belief that it is more often that like attracts like. What we think about and choose to believe is what we tend to do. People will use affirmations to think and believe positive thoughts to do the work needed to attract positive results.
Removing negative thoughts makes space for positive thoughts! This law of attraction is identified as “nature abhors a vacuum” and is the belief that if we remove negative energy and replace it with positive, we will create a space to attract new things. Ex: Decluttering your closet will allow you to make room for the new clothes that you just purchased
The Present is Always Perfect if you’re looking to use this law to attract the things you want. Amid a challenge, it can be hard to see the good in bad things. It is never too late to change how you choose to respond to negative situations. Implement the use of affirmations whenever there is a desire to complain about something that isn’t going right for you. Look for ways to improve the present moment.
20 Powerful Words of Affirmation to Attract Abundance & Success
Related: Who Else Wants a Free 7-Day Gratitude Journal
Now that you know about affirmations and the 3 laws of attraction, here are 20 affirmation statements that you can use to help you attract abundance, confidence, and success into your life. This list of affirmations that I’ve compiled consists of action statements that I’ve repeated throughout the year. Try saying them in the morning, to start the day or at night, before going to bed. Repeat affirmations daily and regularly (at least 10 times a day). Listen to yourself say each word, focus on them as they are leaving your mouth, and believe them to be true.
I hope that this post helps anyone interested in learning how affirmations work, and how to use them to attract success and happiness in their life. I have always encouraged positive thinking as a form of self-care and I believe it motivates people to meet their goals. What are some positive affirmations that you may say to attract what you want?
Let me know in a comment!
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How To Reduce Stress and Self-Care Everyday
Whenever I neglect to practice personal care, it has an effect on my anxiety and general mood. We all know that stress is not the easiest to manage and it’s easier said than done. How many of you have started one thing that you’ve gotten motivated to do for yourself, but did not stay committed to the journey? Have you ever felt defeated because of stress? Discouraged?
How often is your mood affected by stress? It’s time to change your self-care habits! How to reduce stress? Certainly, you can manage stress. I’ve found that regular practice with these six self-care activities helps to improve how often I tend to personal care, how much I enjoy practicing self-care during each of these acts, and keep me motivated to meet my goals.
It’s almost like I’ve discovered a hidden message all within my mind, body, and soul, and I’m finally finding the courage to crack the codes. Yes, I am a full-time working wife and mother of one. Of course, my life is hectic! Most often, there’s too much on my plate (even though I’m passionate about EVERY thing on my plate). I’m sitting at the table trying to finish all of my food, but truth is, I am overwhelmed. Whenever I get like this, I have to remember to get up and relax. To lower my risks of burnout, anxiety, and depression, I engage in things that I enjoy to rekindle the balance in my life.
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8 Awesome Yoga Poses for Anxiety (Tested)
If you have been following me on social media, then you know that I have been practicing yoga. My practice method is 2-3 times a week, and sometimes I’ll post the transitions I’m practicing on IGTv (Check my Instagram for “Self-Care Sundays”). I’ve been enjoying getting to learning yoga poses to help improve my physical and mental health. Regular discipline and practice have increased my ability to find inner peace and salvation. Oh, and did I mention that I’m not an expert at this? Although I am not as trained as some, I’ve still gained a bit of knowledge about the art of yoga. We all don’t have to be Yogis!
Being at home for five/six months has taken a lot of adjustment for all of us, and it steadily affects my mind and body. Yoga has allowed me to escape to find release. I’ve learned eight poses or transitions that have helped me to relieve tension, stress, and anxiety. These eight yoga poses are great for beginners like me and are steps in the direction towards allowing yoga to heal your body.
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8 Guaranteed Best Aromatherapy Must-Haves
Essential oils are one of the ways that we combat stress and anxiety while allowing us to relax and take a load off. Each blend is unique in helping decrease chronic pain, tension, headaches, and even sinus pressure. People find ways to incorporate aromatherapy into their daily life to improve health and general wellbeing. Plenty of men and women have purchased electronic diffusers that can illuminate your home with your favorite scent for hours! Aromatherapy roll-ons are an easy application tool to try using on the body or a pillow before bed.
They are one of the best features of a relaxing and rejuvenating bath bomb. One of the questions that I receive a lot is, “how do I know that I am picking the right scent to help me relax and unwind?” and I am so happy that I can finally answer this question for you.
Essential oils have different aromas and all derive from a combination of different things such as fruit or plants. Depending on what tickles your fancy, you may not enjoy citrus or a pine fragrance. That’s okay!
Types of Aromatherapy Oils
I’ve come up with 8 essential oil blends that are must-haves for achieving relaxation and relief and I want to share them with you today.
I have options for anyone looking to find the aromatherapy fragrance for them.
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My First Amazon Haul (Everything You Need)!
While I have been sheltering in place, I have had so much free time. Idle time eventually led to scrolling through websites and apps on my phone. The next thing I knew, I have spent more money than I probably should have shopping on Amazon these last few weeks. Every single day for a solid three weeks to a month, I have found myself on Amazon or websites like them buying some essential and some non-essential things. As a result, I decided to do an Amazon haul.
Clothes, shoes, makeup, purses, and beauty products. I’m not even kidding! It doesn’t help that having things like Amazon Prime, which will guarantee your item’s arrival within 48 hours taunting you, either. So I’ve decided to share a few of my purchases.
Don’t worry, these are all products you benefit from! I know that you’ll be thrilled to be introduced to these products and probably can’t wait to put them in your cart. I hope you look forward to seeing posts like this once a month. Furthermore, Amazon has impressed me with the quality of the items I purchased.
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7 Lessons Learned in Life
There are so many lessons that have been taught to me over the course of my thirty-one years of existence on planet Earth. It’s hard to even recall all of the lessons that many people have taught me, or the self-taught ones that I’ve learned over the process of trial and error. What I’ve come to find out, is that the most recent lessons that I’ve learned are the ones that have shaped and molded my self-improvement journey. I decided to share them with readers, in no particular order. To clarify, these are seven valuable lessons learned in life (mine).
List of Lessons Learned in Life
- love
- trust
- self-care
- speak up
- passion
- education
- validation
Photo by Katerina Holmes on Pexels.com Life Lessons #1: LOVE YOURSELF
Although I said earlier that my list is in no particular order, perhaps this is the best way to start; with yourself. You are important, you are beautiful, you are talented, you are deserving of love. The most beautiful thing about loving yourself is that if you’ve mastered self love, you can then be able to pour that love into the ones around you that you love the most (ie. family, friends). Be proud of yourself and your accomplishments or your falls! Own it.
Life Lessons #2: TRUST GOD, NOT MAN
This one may go over a few heads, but it’s really quite simple. Yes, if you know that you will never let yourself down, please place trust within yourself. However, people can sometimes disappoint. That goes for everybody, no one person is exempt. Family, friends, spouses, business partners. At some point, you will find yourself in situations where you have to question “can I honestly trust this person?”, and you need to be prepared to know a few things. Not everyone is YOU. People will lie, mistreat, abuse their power in your life. When you place your faith in God and also yourself, you run a decreased risk of disappointment.
Life Lessons #3: TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
Your body is truly your temple. Your mental health is just as important as physical health. Do your research to find out the best practices for self-care, that work best for you. Everybody has a different vice but there are many different options. Exercise regularly, visit a therapist, meditate! Most important, pay attention to your triggers and know when you need to take that moment for yourself. A big gem that I learned here, is that deep breaths really do work.
Life Lessons #4: SILENCE IS NOT ALWAYS GOLDEN
You have a voice, use it. Especially during conflicts and conflict resolution. Learn to express yourself and your feelings in color. Learn how to communicate loudly and effectively, but without raising your voice or getting too angry. You should be able to convey your thoughts concisely, in healthy dialogue.
Life Lessons #5: PASSION DOES NOT EQUAL ANGER
You just care a whole, whole lot. That’s okay! You’re not an angry Black woman, contrary to what the masses say. You care about particular things and people way more than others sometimes, and that is what makes us all unique. No one person is the same. Passion will eventually help your creative process, with being able to figure out new way(s) to express your thoughts.
Life Lessons #6: OPINIONS ARE NOT FACTS
Why do people care so much about what others have to say? Stop seeking for others to validate you, and validate yourself. People will always talk and have solicited and unsolicited opinions, but why let it dictate your life? Tune out the naysayers and do you. It can start to add unnecessary anxiety and stress that you may not even realize exists until after you’ve listened to what others have to say. Just remember, if it’s not fact, it is fiction. If it doesn’t apply, then let it fly!
Life Lessons #7: EDUCATE YOURSELF
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.– Socrates
Educate yourself. Research, research, research! Read lots of books, browse the internet. Especially if you want to be an entrepreneur. Every thing is not always taught in school, we can learn in so many other ways!
See Related: 3 Powerful Books Recommended for Self-Help
I hope that by sharing what I’ve learned in life, helps any of you that’s been looking to change your thought process on how you view life. Hopefully we are all on a journey to improve ourselves and become happy humans, enjoying life. Who would have thought that these are things we have to learn? Some of you may have already learned these lessons, and that’s great. I hope that by paying it forward, it will reach someone that may be struggling with any of these lessons that affect our day-to-day operations.
See Related: How To Reduce Stress and Self-Care Everyday
What are some life lessons that you’ve learned? Leave a comment below. If you know of anyone who this may benefit, share/ reblog!