Refresh Your Complexion & Master The Perfect Summer Glow

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.
All opinions are mine alone. #BlueLizardSummer #CollectiveBias

I recently shared a post about 10 things no one tells you about having a baby and one thing I mentioned is how much your skin changes and how I had to alter my skin care routine to help deal with all of those changes. With all the hormones raging through your body to help that little miracle grow, it's no wonder your skin goes on the fritz and starts doing some strange things - it's a bit like adolescence, except you're growing a perfect little tiny human instead of growing up yourself.

With that said, I found that during pregnancy and even now (8 months post-pregnancy), my skin care routine gives me the glow I always longed for. That's right, I'm fairly convinced I've mastered the routine to get the Perfect Summer Glow, even if you have sensitive skin... and lucky for you, I'm sharing it with you today!

1. Exfoliate - To start, you'll want to make sure you scrub your skin well in a bath with a body wash made for sensitive skin and use a poof to make sure you really are able to exfoliate and cleanse the skin.

6 Ways to Help You Get "Your Groove" Back!

Thanks to Olay for sponsoring today's discussion, they know what a mama needs! With that said, all opinions expressed below are completely my own.

Are you ready to get your groove back?

No, we aren't talking about anyone named Stella today... and getting your "groove back" is most definitely easier said than done as a new mom. It's hard enough to find the time to shower and put product in my hair, as I've shared recently, so talking about getting back to being the old you is basically like discussing how you'll be riding a unicorn to your next rainbow convention. The thing is when you give a child life, your life is forever changed and getting back to who you were pre-baby just isn't going to happen.

While you won't ever be the "old you", that doesn't mean you can't get back into the swing of things, you can totally still find your groove again. I'm easing back into "my groove" and well, some days I walk around with my hair in a top knot and peaches on my ear lobe, but as I'm getting used to life with a little wild child, the days that involve a little hair straightening and a dress seem to be happening more and more often and for that I'm thankful.

Okay, so I'll admit, I haven't entirely perfected "my groove" and I'm far from a "supermom", today I want to share a handful of ways to hopefully get you feeling a tiny bit more like a human and a little less like a meal on heels. Whether you're in the same, stay-at-home-mom, breastfeeding 24/7, teething like it's no bodies business boat, or you're sailing the treacherous seas of a sassy toddler, I hope you're able to find a little piece of you again and maybe a little peace of mind... and here's how I suggest you do that:


1. Make lists and schedules - I'm the queen of list making here on the blog, but believe it or not, I stink at staying organized in my daily life. That's changed since having D though and I'm working on prioritizing and I've even made a daily schedule and a meal plan as of late. Living spur of the moment is all fun and games, until you have kids... then it's seriously time to start making a plan so you can get stuff done and that's where lists and scheduling comes into play.

2. Find your people - Speaking of play, finding your people and getting some "play time" in is so important for mama mentality. Instead of always jabbering in baby talk, take a day off from mom duties every once in a blue moon, and treat yourself to a pedicure with your bestie or a walk around the block while playing pokemon with the neighbor kid, whatever suits your fancy - just find your people and spend time with them.

3. Freshen up with Olay - Speaking of finding things, once you have kids you will need to find skin care products that work for you. While life is full of rewarding moments as a parent, I will say having Delainey has aged me a little. Smile lines, a few wrinkles in my forehead... I'm starting to look 28. Instead of stressing (and possibly causing more wrinkles), I'm doing my best to prevent anymore signs of rapid aging by being proactive and that's why I participated in Olay's 28 Day Skin Study.

Instead of guessing which products I need, I used Olay's Skin Advisor Tool and found out my I'm in need of the Depuffing eye roller, because hellloooooooo dark circles... and the 7 in 1 Total Effects Anti-Aging Moisturizer is the perfect product for my freckled, sunkissed skin, it's light enough to feel comfortable but definitely gets the moisturizing job done! I grabbed both on a Walmart run and my life and skin care routine forever changed!

Adding these two products to my daily routine for the last 28 days has been life changing. I feel like a whole new woman, with a fresh face... and that means a lot for a tired mom.

Are you interested in finding out which Olay products would help your skin? Whether you're a "young mom" hoping to prevent more damage and those pesky under eye circles or your the Gigi of a precious little babe, it's time for you to meet your match. Check out the line and find out which products are best for you here.

4. Own your truth - Admit that you can't do everything - as much as you want to. We all want to be super mom, but honestly, some days we need a little help. If you're having a rough day, ask a friend to come over and get some baby snuggles. If you need a break from the chaos, step outside and lay down in the hammock for a little bit while dad wrangles the kids. It's okay to ask for help... and it's also totally okay if you are a planner and great at multi-tasking too, keep up the good work, just know it's good to take a break and breathe every once in a while as well.

5. Do your thing - While taking care of a baby is time consuming, finding time for your hobbies will help you feel more like you. So once baby goes down for the night, bust out some paints and canvas or pull out your violin and get to strummin'.

6. Move - I don't mean pick up and move to another city... unless that's something you want to do, then hey - go for it. I mean get out and wiggle around on the dance floor or take a class at Orange Theory, get your body on the move and your "groove" will be back in no time. There's just something about those workout endorphins!

With that said, it's time for me to be on the move... but I'd love to hear about where you stand with "your groove"? If you're in the swing of things and feeling fine, I'd love to hear how you got there and if you have any tips to share... and if you're in the same hot-mess-mom-in-transition situation as me, I'd love to hear about your struggle with your minion. Tell me all about it in the comments below.

The BIG SECRET to Keeping Your Skin Hydrated All Year Long!

Living in the Sunshine State has its perks, there's no doubt about that. One perk is the sun and all the gorgeous weather, but the downside of all this Vitamin D is it makes my skin super dry if I don't keep it hydrated. That's where Curél® Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer comes into the picture.

Whether you live by the sun or spend time in the cold, Curél® is the answer to your dry skin blues. Want proof? Lucky for you, Curél® and a bunch of bloggers (including myself) teamed up to apply Curél® Hydra Therapy daily and officially reveal to you how you can keep your skin hydrated... all year long!

Believe it or not, applying Curél® Hydra Therapy after my shower, once a day, really does make my skin softer and no joke: I noticed a difference after just one use. It’s a little different than my usual moisturizer. I applied this right after I got out of the bath, before toweling off. Why after the shower though? After showering, your pores are open, providing an easy pathway for moisture to absorb into your skin! There isn’t even a need to rub the moisturizer in, just towel off and go about your day. Curél® Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer with Advanced Ceramide Complex penetrates deeply into the skin's surface at this point bringing moisture to the source of dryness. It absorbs immediately and with daily use will end your dry skin! I’ve found that the dry, rough patches I had before now look much smoother, and my skin overall appears more hydrated and well nourished. I’m super happy with it!

Not only will Curél® Hydra Therapy hydrate your skin, this moisturizer is immediately absorbed - leaving no greasiness! Plus it's fragrance free and dermatologist recommended, so you don't have to worry about it irritating your skin, even if you’re like me and you have super sensitive skin!
With all of that said, I think I'm ready to reveal the big secret Curél®, 39 other bloggers and I have been working on together. Check out this "End of Dry Skin" graphic, it really will be the beginning of so much
more for you:

Speaking of the beginning of something much more, I think we need to talk about something important! I'm giving away $100 to ONE lucky commenter! So tell me, what's your favorite part of the "End of Dry Skin" graphic...? Will you start adding Curél® Hydra Therapy Wet Skin Moisturizer into your shower routine? I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!

Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 3/2-3/31
Be sure to visit the brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

How to Achieve The PERFECT Summertime Glow without The Sun!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyJergensGlow #CollectiveBias

I'll be real with you, every single year I aspire to achieve the perfect tan with a dreamy summertime glow. This year is a little different though, I'm expecting little Miss Delainey and that means my skin isn't the same anymore - I burn easily and I literally can't soak up the sun like I used to! If you've been pregnant during the summer, you know your skin gets a little crazy from all the hormones and you no longer absorb the UV rays like you did in the past... and if you're not one for the soaking up the sun in general, you know how difficult it can be to not look ghostly in photos once summertime rolls around. That was my dilemma, I still wanted to be tan & achieve my summertime glow for all the important events coming up... but I wasn't sure how I was going to do that.

With two baby showers, maternity photos, and a trip to visit our family on the agenda this summer, looking my best is important to me! That's why finding a way to get the perfect tan and my summertime glow was vital! Luckily, I found JERGENS® Natural Glow® +PROTECT Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 20 just in time, with just the right amount of sunscreen for incidental sun!

Paired with JERGENS® Natural Glow® FACE Daily Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 20 for my cheeks, I feel like my normal summertime self. 

Are you wondering how you can achieve the "glow" I've mastered with JERGENS? I'm happy to say, you don't even need the pregnancy hormones or the growing belly for this beautiful look, just grab the gradual glow moisturizer for your body & your face next time you're at Walmart and follow these steps:

You'll want to start by making sure your skin is super exfoliated and feeling soft! I use a gentle formula with beads to make sure it takes off the dry skin and of course, a loofah is absolutely necessary to buff the rough parts of your body like your elbows, your knees, etc.

After your skin is perfectly smooth, you'll apply the glow facial moisturizer to your beautiful face. Making sure to apply it evenly, up into your hairline and along your jawline to assure you have no funky "tan" lines!

Wash up your digits and then add some of the glow moisturizer with 20 SPF to your hands and apply all over you body. From your chest to your toes, apply an even layer. No worries about looking streaky though, that's why this glow moisturizer is perfection - it's a gradual formula so you can slowly adjust your color without looking like a zebra! Use it daily, until you achieve the glow you're looking for, then just re-apply once or twice a week to maintain your color.

Now that you're glowing, make sure to embrace your new shade and find the perfect outfit to match! I'm obsessed with neons once my skin is looking tan so I opted for a pair of neon green shorts! If you're looking for the perfect outfit to wear with your new tan, I highly suggest grabbing for a funky  pair of shorts like these or maybe a fun frock in the shade of coral, an all white outfit would be super flattering as well, if you dare, or even a great new peach dress to make your tan skin really pop! Just make sure you choose a fun, new color to show off your new look!

After your glowing & your outfit is "on fleek", you're ready to take on your day! After applying my new tan, I spent my morning strolling on the beach with my hubby! It was a beautiful morning and I felt absolutely beautiful as well. With the 20 SPF Natural Glow moisturizer on both my face and body, my skin was glowing while we strolled along the water!

While I supposedly should have a natural glow from pregnancy, I 100% am thankful to JERGENS® Natural Glow® that it's not because I'm ghostly white... Are you looking for a way to achieve a tan without damaging your skin? Do you want to get a summertime glow without having to lay out? I highly suggest you check out these new, amazing moisturizers this summer!

So tell me, what do you have on your agenda this summer? I'd love to hear all about it below... and don't forget: If you're planning an impromptu trip to the the coast or wanting to look fab for your besties wedding, then JERGENS® Natural Glow® is the perfect way to achieve the look you want!

Proactiv Review First Impressions

This post was sponsored by Proactiv as part of a Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

After a little battle with breakouts lately, I need to up my anti-acne game and start using something powerful (yet gentle) like Proactiv again. So when my box arrived in the mail a few weeks ago, I knew I had just invested in having beautiful skin again and luckily the process wouldn't take very long!

As I opened the box, I found a treasure chest of familiar goodies. I've been a fan of Proactiv for a while now, so it was no surprise that the kit included all the complexion perfecting items a gal (or guy) could need!

With exclusive microcrystal benzoyl peroxide, Proactiv gets down and dirty with acne and eliminates bacteria and other impurities like oil and dirt! I love that Proactiv gently cleanses my skin while completely clearing existing blemishes and even helping to prevent future blemishes from forming! The best part about Proactiv, other than how well it works, is the fact that the package makes the system completely user friendly! The entire package details how each item works and the bottles even perfectly outline each step so that even the most inexperienced skin care user can understand how to get clearer skin quickly.

While my skin is acne free now that I'm using Proactiv, I think I also should point out how healthy, hydrated, toned, and dare I even say how radiant it looks... without an ounce of makeup! I can now show off my freckles without having to worry about pimples and I have my new skin care routine to thank for that fact! It's nice to show my "real face" to the world and feel comfortable and confident doing so! I think anyone who has ever suffered from acne knows what an accomplishment it can be to go makeup-free, so kudos to Proactiv and I hope that my positive results will continue, I'll update you all on my Proactiv progress soon!

I had no idea about this little fact, but did you know Proactiv has actually been America's #1 solution for clear skin for the past 15 years? Don't miss your chance to clear your skin of blemishes and get the look you've been dreaming of - now is the time to find out how Proactiv can help improve your complexion today!

Simplify Your Skincare Routine & Get THE Glow You've Been Dreaming Of...

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. I received product samples as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Living in Florida in my late twenties means that I have to be really conscious of my skin, I need to make sure that I have a skin care routine that includes SPF while still using products that are gentle on my sensitive skin. Being in your 20's means that wrinkles can and will start appearing unless you treat your skin correctly and lately I've noticed that I really need to be moisturizing, exfoliating, and making sure that I'm protecting my face from super the harsh florida sun and all the stuff in my make up. I love my freckles but I don't need any more of them and I definitely want to avoid break outs, luckily I have the tools to do just that now...

It's serious business making sure your skin looks and feels nice. I'm so over dealing with an entourage of products to make sure my skin still holds it's youthful glow, though... I no longer will carry around a primer, a moisturizer, a deep cleanser, a spot treatment, an eye cream, etc. AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® has given me an alternative to using so many products, now I just grab my face wipes and my moisturizer and I'm ready to show off my fresh face.

I use a wipe every single morning and evening to make sure my face is clean and fresh and I use the moisturizer as a primer in the morning and as a night cream in the evening. What's the deal with my obsession with AVEENO®? I'll fill ya in...

As you probably already know AVEENO® harnesses the power of active natural ingredients but now they have a new line,  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT®. This line of products is specifically formulated to help even out tone and texture, transforming dull, tired looking skin into gorgeous, radiant skin with the power packed Total Soy Complex.

I bet you are wondering, what exactly is the Total Soy Complex? It helps to visibly transform the tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness, and brown spots of skin. The complex is included in both the wipes and moisturizer and I've noticed a huge difference in the way my skin looks lately.

The AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Makeup removing wipes combine the total soy complex with gentle cleansers to reveal brighter, smoother, healthier looking skin. The skin you've always dreamed of and I'm so excited to share they even help clear up some of my break outs - probably because they are oil-free and noncomedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores.

The other star of the show today is what I use to protect my skin, prep it for makeup application, and sometimes I just use it to freshen up my face -  AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Daily Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a life saver! Formulated to help even skin tone while reflecting light, to make tired skin look bright and more radiant - it's a beauty secret that the world needs to know about!

Replacing a complex skin care routine, with AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® products has been life changing - in a good way. If you want to start taking better care of your skin now, I suggest you check out what AVEENO® can do for you and your daily routine.

So tell me, what does your skincare routine look like currently? Do you want to simplify your routine? Tell me all about your skin care habits and what you hope to achieve with your routine in the comments below, I look forwards to hearing all about it!

Plus, don't miss your chance to win big - use the giveaway form below to enter for a full Aveeno set up!

AVEENO Positively Radiant AET

A Game Changer: My Proactiv+ Review

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Proacitv+. I received samples of Proactiv+ to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

So I'll admit I suffered from acne as a teen, it was horrible... I started using Proactiv when it first came out and loved the line because it actually helped. It cleared up my acne to the point that I actually stopped using it and I really didn't have much of a problem with pimples up until recently. I started getting these horrible deep pimples, resembling cystic acne. They were horrible and I knew I needed to do something about it, so when Proactiv+ wanted me to review their product I was all for it!

Although I don't have any pictures where my blemishes are prominent, because I'm the type of girl to avoid the camera like the plague whenever I have a volcano growing on my face. But here's a good idea of what my before and after with Proactiv+ looks like!

My No Make Up Selfie Before & After Using Proactiv+:

I'm so happy to report that my skin is blemish free now. I occasionally still get a pimple here and there but they aren't anything compared to the horrible, huge things I used to get. I really am a huge believer in the ability of Proactiv+. Their formula is unlike any other; every enhanced acne-­fighting benefit comes with an equally powerful skin-­care benefit - this means while Proactiv+ is fighting your blemishes, it's also nourishing the skin as well! You can check out my video testimonial about how much I love the product and check out how clear my skin is after using Proactiv+ here:

As I said in the video, Proactiv+ is a game changer. If you aren't comfortable with the way your skin looks now, Proactiv+ is the answer. The whole line is amazing and formed to treat break outs, the answer to my adult acne prayers!


I know several people think Proactiv+ is another "as seen on TV" item... and while it is advertised on television, that's only because the line actually works! The Proactiv+ system provides enhanced hydration, skin smoothing and mark reduction. It's also been known to show an overall improvement in texture, tone, pore appearance and brightness- all of this greatness in one simple system!

The Proactiv+ system is simple to use, three easy and quick steps:

Step 1‐ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator - The Head Honcho - This product is the main ingredient in your skin care routine, cleaning your pores, and allowing them to be open and ready for the next step.

Step 2­‐ Pore Targeting Treatment - The Star of The Show - This part of the system is the real game changer, it really helps with pimples and is by far my favorite product in the Proactiv+ line!

Step 3‐ Complexion perfecting Hydrator - The Smooth Operator - This product is the best moisturizer on the market. It helps my skin feel soft and fresh without making it feel heavy or too wet.

My results with the system were so amazing, they had to be shared. It's so easy to use, fits into my daily schedule, and the products work well - I highly recommend Proactiv+! If you want to try the Proactiv+ line for yourself, find out more here.

Be sure to stay connected with Proactiv+ on: Facebook   |   Twitter

My Clear Skin Secret: Clean & Clear products #CleanandClearWM

This is a sponsored giveaway with Mums the Word Network and Clean & Clear. All opinions are my own.

Today I want to share my clear skin secret -I, like many, am not blessed with a completely clear complexion. I am constantly fighting blemishes even at the age of 25; I have the skin of a teenager, apparently. While I am still mastering my skin care routine, I have found that Clean & Clear seems to make the best drugstore skincare products, they don't dry my face out but they DO help fight off the pimples that seem to creep up on occasion. Are you fighting break outs as well or in need of a new daily cleanser?  I'm excited to share my favorite products with you and leave you WITH a coupon in hand to try one of them out for yourself.