Beauty Archives - LUXE LIFE // SMALL BUDGET

BEAUTY REVIEW: ONA Diamond Facial Cleansing Brush sold by TAO Clean

May 11, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

You know that feeling when you come home after a long day at the beach and you shower off, but you still feel like you have sunscreen on? Or maybe you try out a new moisturizer and it feels like it’s pasted on to your skin even after using your favorite face wash? That’s where this little device comes in!

The ONA Diamond Facial Cleansing Brush sold by TAO Clean claims that it “cleanses and exfoliates at a deeper level” and leaves you with “a clear, glowing complexion.”

BEAUTY REVIEW: Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner

March 26, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

If Trader Joe’s wasn’t always so overwhelmingly crowded and chaotic, I would visit more often as they always seem to have a fun rotation of affordable beauty products on their shelves.

My latest find: Trader Joe’s Rose Water Facial Toner.

Its cutesy light pink and white packaging caught my eye and convinced me to give it a try.

Product Review: BalanceFrom Foam Plyometric Box

February 24, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

After months of having the BalanceFrom 3-in-1 20″ 24″ 30″ Foam Plyometric Box in my mental shopping cart and obsessively reading reviews, I finally added it to my real shopping cart on Amazon and hit purchase.

I bought the plyo box with the goal of doing plyometrics to improve my speed as a runner. (A very brief Google search told me it would.) I was also looking for something that would shake up my usual workout routine, which largely included running or lifting dumbbells haphazardly. I was particularly drawn to the BalanceFrom jumping box as it’s made of a foam material. As a beginner to this, I find the wooden plyo boxes to be a bit intimidating! All I can picture is my shin sliding down the side…

BEAUTY REVIEW: My Journey of Finding a Daily Face Sunscreen

January 23, 2023 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

I’m a bit ashamed to say it because I know how important all the skincare and anti-aging experts say it is… but I haven’t been using a daily face sunscreen. Yes, I will absolutely wear sunscreen when I’m going to the beach or pool, but I’ve been skipping out on the daily wear.

But for 2023 and beyond, I want to change that.

To get started on this mission, I consulted my personal skincare guide, my mom, (Thanks Mom!) and started trying out daily face sunscreens.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Aldi’s Lacura Face Care H2O Advance Aqua Gel

October 16, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 55 comments

It seems like Aldi has been shaking things up lately.

One of my favorite cleansers, the Lacura Face Care Hydrating Facial Cleanser, has disappeared from the shelves (at least at the store near me) and new products are popping. That includes the Lacura Face Care H2O Advance Aqua Gel with Hyaluronic Acid, which I couldn’t resist giving a try.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Derma E Acne Oil-Control Matte Moisturizer

August 18, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

I don’t know if it’s stress or sweating a lot because it’s summer, but I have been having the worst breakouts lately. So, I did what anyone in my situation would do: I mindlessly wandered the aisles of Ulta Beauty in search of a solution.

I left with far more than what I came in for (read my post about splurging… ), but I also found a moisturizer I feel has been helping keep my breakouts in check. Enter Derma E Acne Oil-Control Matte Moisturizer.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Trader Joe’s Strawberry Lemon Sugar Scrub

June 20, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

With tomorrow marking the official start to summer, I’m loving all of the summer products hitting the shelves: Watermelon shaped pots for plants at the hardware store, super adorable cat kitchen towels at Kohl’s (you just have to see it…), and, of course, fun beauty products at Trader Joe’s!

I recently scooped up the Trader Joe’s Strawberry Lemon Sugar Scrub and the packaging brightens up my shower.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Trader Joe’s Nourish Microdermabrasion Scrub Exfoliating Cream

April 10, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 2 comments

My streak of trying out Trader Joe’s products continues!

This time it was the Trader Joe’s Nourish Microdermabrasion Scrub Exfoliating Cream that caught my eye. Something about the blue and white minimalistic packaging felt fancy and spa-like, while still coming in at a budget-friendly price of about $5.

BEAUTY REVIEW: BYBI Night Nutrition Protein Night Cream sold at Target

March 11, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 0 Comment

After trying (and loving!) the BYBI Strawberry Booster Facial Oil back in August, I was excited when my local Target put BYBI products on a major sale. I ended up picking up the BYBI Night Nutrition Protein Night Cream (among other things.. ) for nearly half the price! Now, that I’ve used the entire tube, I’m ready to share my thoughts. About the BYBI Night Nutrition Protein Night Cream Let’s start with the basics. According to the BYBI website, the…

BEAUTY REVIEW: Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer Sold on Amazon

January 13, 2022 luxelifesmallbudget Comments 1 comment

So, you know how dermatologists say you should NEVER pop your own pimples or pick at other bumps on your skin?

Yeah.. that’s easier said than not done.

But for 2022, I’m making it a goal to establish some healthier skincare habits, which includes trying to leave my skin alone (for the most part!). As part of that goal, I’ve been trying out the Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer available on Amazon. In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my experience using a facial steamer for the first time and my thoughts on whether it’s worth the $49.95 price tag.