*This post is part of a collaboration with Saranghae.  As always all opinions are 100% my own.

I have never had perfect skin.  It’s always been oily and prone to acne.  My biggest concern when it comes to skincare has always been keeping a clear face.  I never really gave much thought to using anti-aging products until after I turned 30.  I’ve always heard that it’s never too early to start using anti-aging skincare products.  That’s why I’ve had more interest in trying out different skincare products in recent years.

When Saranghae contacted me to collaborate with them on a post, I knew very little about what they were all about, but I was very interested in learning more about them.  Saranghae is an award-winning Korean 5 step anti-aging skincare system.  I had heard of Korean skin care products through social media and other bloggers, but this was my first time trying it out for myself.

I was very impressed by Saranghae at first sight.  Everything came beautifully packaged, which I’m a huge fan of presentation.  I felt like they really nailed it on this one.  All the products have a nice clean smell to them without being too strong.  The 5 step routine includes…

Nourishing + Moisturizing Cleanser
Deep Radiance Essence + Serum
Firm & Lift Cellular Regeneration Cream
Focus Renewal Eye Cream
Elemental Essence Mask

The first 4 products are used daily and the Elemental Essence Mask is recommended to be used weekly.  I’ve been doing the 5 step system once a day for almost a month now (for best results it is recommended to use the system twice a day).  So far,  I’ve been really happy with my results.  I get a little nervous when I try new skincare products, because I’m always worried that it will leave my face feeling greasy, but that was not the case at all with Saranghae.  I absolutely loved the cleanser, because I had never tried anything like it.  It goes on dry as an oil, then it foams up as you slowly wash it away with water.  I also really love the regeneration cream.  It’s like a mini facelift in a jar.  All the products were very absorbent and left my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed.  I usually dread washing my face at the end of the night, but lately, it’s been my favorite part of my bedtime routine.

In Korean, Saranghae means “I love you”.  I completely understand why they chose that name for this product.  I am truly enjoying using Saranghae and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new skincare product.

For more information on Saranghae, click HERE!

Today I’m talking all about LipSense.  Have you heard of it?  If you are on any form of social media, I’m sure you have at least heard the name or know someone who sells it.  LipSense is the long-lasting lip color that will stay on your lips all day long. 

I normally don’t wear a lot of lipstick.  I like a little color once in a while, but I try to stick to very neutral colors.  I love the idea of lipstick, but I’ve always had bad luck with it.  Every time I wear lipstick, it always comes off my lips within an hour of applying it. 

I’ve been hearing a lot of great things about LipSense, so I was very excited when I was asked to collaborate on a product review of LipSense.  I’ve been working with Kristin, who is a distributor of LipSense.  She’s extremely knowledgeable about the product.  When I told her that I preferred neutral lip colors, she gave me a few options to choose from and helped me pick out the perfect color for me.  I ended up going with the color Pink Champaign.  Kristin sent me the complete starter kit that includes the long-lasting liquid lip color, moisturizing gloss, and the Oops remover.  The complete starter kit is valued at $55.

Once I received my starter kit, I started wearing it every day to work.  I really wanted to get a feel for the lipstick before I wrote about it.  What I found out, was that these girls aren’t lying when they say it lasts all day.  Being a preschool teacher, my makeup takes a beating throughout the day.  With LipSense, my lip color never moved. 

My starter kit came with detailed instructions on how to apply it.  You start off with clean dry lips, then you apply the lip color.  You are supposed to start at the corners of your lips and run the wand across, then you wait for it to dry and apply 2 more coats.  At first, I was a little worried that the lipstick was going to dry out my lips, but once you apply the lip gloss, it adds so much moisture to your lips that it was no longer a concern.  You can leave your lipstick at home and just bring the lip gloss with you when you leave the house.

As you know, I’m the thrifty wife and I’m not one to spend a lot of money on makeup.  Most of my makeup products are from the drugstore, but I do have the occasional makeup splurge.  LipSense is defiantly a splurge for me.  As I mentioned before, the starter kit is $55, however, once you have the starter kit, you can purchase the lipstick Al La Cart for $25.  One good thing about LipSense is that one tube equals 4 regular lipsticks, plus it lasts all day.  If you add that all up, it makes it worth the purchase.  You also have to remember that you are paying for a quality product.  I have never had a lip color like this one.

If you’re ready to make the splurge, I would say go for it!  You can go to Kristin’s facebook group Confessions of a Lipstick Addict or DM her on Instagram @confessions_of_lipstick_addict to place an order.  She is also offering a special promo code for my readers.  Use the code ThriftyWifeHappyLife10 and receive 10% off your purchase.

*A big thank to Kristin who gifted me this product! 

My smile has always been very important to me.  There is nothing like a healthy smile to give you the confidence that you need.  I always feel like your smile is your best accessory.

Smile Brilliant sent the kit to my house with everything I needed.  The teeth whitening kit came with the whitening gel applicators, desensitizing gel applicators,  impression trays, catalyst paste and base paste to make the impressions.  It also came with an envelope with shipping to send the impressions back to the lab.

The first thing I did was make my impressions.  I can remember having to make impressions so many times when I was at the orthodontist as a kid, so I felt like this processes was pretty easy for me.  I followed the directions that came with the kit very closely so I didn’t mess anything up.  When I was done, I filled out the card that came with the kit.  I placed the impressions and the card in the envelope and dropped it in the mail box.  I was surprised how quickly they were able to send back my custom-fitted trays to me.

Once I received my custom-fitted trays, I was ready to go.  The instructions are very easy to follow, you just need to set aside time to do the treatments.  I found it easy to do my whitening in the evening, which is what is recommended.  I wore the whitening trays for an hour or so before bed, while I cleaned up around the house and got some blogging done.  After you are done with the teeth whitening gel, you brush your teeth, wash and dry the trays, then you use the desensitizing gel for 20 minutes.  Some people experience some gum irritation or teeth sensitivity, but I didn’t have many problems with that.  I think that the desensitizing gel really helped any of the teeth sensitivity that I may have experienced.

Home Teeth Whitening

I love makeup and I love trying out different products.  As I’m sure you already know, I’m a huge fan of affordable makeup.  I buy mostly drug store makeup products, with the exception of the occasional splurge or gift of higher-end makeup.  Right now, my make up bag is full of mostly Maybelline makeup.  I don’t get a chance to get over to my favorite makeup store, Ulta as much as I use to, because it’s hard to make a special trip with a baby.  That’s why most of my current makeup supply comes from the grocery store.  Today I thought that I’d go through and share the affordable makeup products that are currently in my makeup bag.

1.) Ulta Mineral Powder Foundation- I used to use Bare Mineral Foundation all the time when I was in college and I loved it, but it got too expensive for me to continue buying after college when I had lots of student loan bills to pay, that’s why I started experimenting with other foundations.  My skin has been very dry and sensitive right now, so a few weeks ago I switched over to my Ulta brand mineral makeup and ever since then, my skin seems to be improving.  I really love mineral makeup, because it’s so light and gentle on your skin.  If you’re looking for a good brand that is very comparable, but less expensive than Bare Minerals, I’d recommend Ulta’s line.

 2.) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer- This is by far my favorite concealer!  I’ve been testing out a lot of different drug store brands and this is the best one I’ve found.  As a new mom, I don’t get the beauty rest that I used to, so this concealer is perfect for making me look fresh in the morning.  It hides the dark circles under my eyes and brightens up my face. 

3.) Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour- I just started using this kit and I love it!  I really like the bronzer and blush colors.  I just love how it’s all in one set, I don’t need to pull out a separate blush, bronzer or highlighter.   

4.) Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette- There is not a color in this palette that I don’t like, however, the thing I always hate about big eyeshadow palettes like this is that you always run out of the colors you use the most.  That’s why I like to buy a separate eyeshadow of the color champagne fizz.  It’s the color I use the most of every day. 

5.) Maybelline Define-A-Line Eyeliner- This has been my favorite eyeliner for a while now.  I always buy the eyeliner that rolls out, instead of the kind that you have to sharpen.  I’m also afraid of liquid eyeliner because I never have any luck with it, so this is always my go-to eyeliner for any look.

6.) L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara- I always come back to this mascara, because it’s the best one that I’ve tried.  I always get sucked into trying a new mascara, and I never like it as much as this brand.  I just love the full lash look that it gives you. 

7.) L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour- Carmel Latte- I’m not big on lipstick, but I had a coupon for this lipstick and I ended up picking out the perfect color for me.  I love the Carmel latte color, it’s the perfect color for winter.  It just gives my lips the perfect tint of color and it also doesn’t dry out my lips. 

8.) e.l.f Eyebrow kit- I am not big on the whole eyebrow craze.  Personally, I don’t like my eyebrows, so I just use the eyebrow kit to help fill in my brows and make them look semi-normal.  I really love this eyebrow kit for that, because it’s cheap and it gets the job done.

So that’s what’s in my makeup bag at the moment.  What’s in yours?