Is It Worth It? Peppermint Edition

  I am a peppermint person!  You know how some people get into their pumpkin lattes, candles and muffins- that is how I am about peppermint.  I love the smell, the taste and the feel of peppermint. Not all peppermint things are created equally though, so in this edition of "Is It Worth It?", I take a look at peppermint products.

Bath Petals Peppermint Twist Sea Salt Souffle

     In the store, this smelled amazing and looked so pretty with the shiny sea salt and bits of candy candy.  I am not a huge bath person, but since it was peppermint I wanted to try it. I was kinda of underwhelmed with the smell once it hit the hot water. It diffused and I ended up using the whole container and since didn't get much of a peppermint smell. I think I prefer bubble bath.

Chocolove Peppermint in Dark Chocolate

     This is a magical blending of dark chocolate and peppermint.  The peppermint flavor is infused in the chocolate (rather then there being chunks of mint). It is so smooth and rich. Just a lovely delicious perfect pairing.

Republic of Tea's Ginseng Peppermint Tea

     I've been on the look out for a loose-leaf mint tea and I have found a winner. This tea is light with a sweet mint after taste. It is perfect for curbing a craving for dessert.

Peppermint Twist Marshmallows

     I got these from Target. They were labelled gourmet. I like marshmallows, so I figured peppermint was just going to make it better.  They were actually really good. The peppermint was a nice flavor, not too spicy not too sweet.  I enjoyed snacking on them or adding them to hot cocoa. I will be going back to Target to get some more. Yum!

Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate

     I bought this to make peppermint mochas.   It took a few tries for me to like this. It is not the peppermints fault though.  It  is made with bittersweet chocolate, so it isn't very sweet, but after a couple of time in mochas or just as cocoa it grew on me. 

Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap

     This comes in bar and liquid form.  The main selling point is it is organic, rather than it being a peppermint product.  It does have a nice peppermint smell and tingles.  It does create a good amount of suds, I just don't feel "clean" and end up washing myself a couple of times?  I tried the bar soap, maybe the liquid is better?

Pinkberry Peppermint Swirl

 

     I am a huge Pinkberry fan, so I've been checking to see if peppermint was available since December 1.  It was worth the wait and I plan on enjoying this seasonal flavor for as long as it lasts!  It is like a candy cane, but ice cream.

 

     So do you like peppermint like I do?  If so, any recommendations?

Is It Worth It? Skin Care Edition

 
   In today's post, I am going to talk about some skin care products I have been using on my face.  With the cold weather approaching my skin has been in a full revolt.  My main problems are dark spots (as my summer color fades) and dryness, so I decided to try some new products this past month. Here is what worked and what didn't.

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

     This is a heavy duty exfoliate facial cleanser.  My skin is flaking off and this stuff definitely seems to help.  I notice a clearer and smoother complexion after using it.  I was told to only use this once a week, but I have been using it every other day. It is expensive ($36), but you only need a little bit, so it will last me through the winter months.  With my dry skin, I foresee using this product forever.

Clinque Even Better Clincial Dark Spot Corrector

     This is a serum you apply before moisturizer and it is suppose to lighten dark spots. I have a lot of freckles, but I also have dark pigmentation spots that "age" me.  Initially, I did notice some lightening of the dark spots, but that seems to have stopped. I guess it works until a point, so I won't be getting another one until next year.  It is a good start to repairing the summer sun damage.

Alba Facial Toner

     I have not used a toner before. I could never figure out what they actually do? "Prepare your face for moisturizing"- what does that mean? Still, I got one and gave it a try.  I am still not sure what it is doing? It does get off the last bits of makeup, which is nice.  I will continue to use it, but once I am out I am not sure I will repurchase.  I don't think this is a necessity.

Alba ccCream

     This is marketed to be a 6-in-1 color correcting marvel. It is suppose to be a foundation, sunscreen, moisturizer  and three more things that I don't really care about.  It gives a very nice light foundation coverage.  I hope it has a decent amount of sunscreen.  As for being a moisturizer, it is not enough for my skin. I do need to apply a moisturizer first, but overall I really like this product.  

Lush Lip Sugar Scrub

     My lips are following my skin and shedding- not attractive!  I have actually used this lip scrub before and love, love, love it!  It comes in several different "flavors."  My favorite is the mint which I use with their chocolate lip balm. Chocolate minty goodness and soft lips. A girl can ask for nothing more.

Cotton Rounds

     This is more of a skin care accessory- cosmetic grade cotton rounds. I use them with eye make up remover and toner. They are thicker and softer than the square ones I was using. Those square ones were like rubbing tree bark again my face.  I do like them better, but they tend to leave little cotton residue on my face.  When I run out, I will look to see if there is something even fancier.

     Before this, I had really let my skin care slack. Seriously, I was washing my face with bar soap, using coconut oil for moisturizer and going out in the sun without sun screen. For the past month, I have really been making time to take care of my skin and it is finally paying off. Of course, it got worse before it got better.  TLC for skin!