Disclosure: Post sponsored by Mirum but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.

Before you know it, summer will be here. I mean, it’s just about Memorial Day weekend, which is the official kick off of the season so get that BBQ started! And I don’t know about you but I like to simplify things as soon as it starts to get hot, like I move the family from one night to two nights of not turning on the stove, laundry is done every Monday eve instead of Saturday afternoon, and the cool basement TV room opens up for the kids and their friends to hang out in.

Also part of this paring down is the streamlining my sensitive skincare routine by incorporating products from the Simple brand I pick up at Walgreens. I love that they put their money ingredients where their mouth is, as in, Simple keeps it … simple! If you are an ingredient reader like I am, you’ll see that what they put inside the products is just as important as what they’re leaving out, like annoying artificial perfumes, harsh chemicals, or dyes. Summer is simple, so shouldn’t your skin care routine be too?

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Disclosure: Post sponsored by Mirum but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.

It seems like winter has really lasted a long time this year. Then again, it feels like that every year! To say I am really ready for spring is an understatement but I know it’s on the way because Daylight Savings is coming up on March 11^th.

A new season means a new skincare routine and this one has refresh and revitalize all over it! Temps will be warming up and I want hydrated and glowing skin this season so I’m using the following to get me there and I pick them up @ cvs.com. #SimpleSkincareRefresh

• Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash
• Simple Water Boost Hydrating Booster

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This post is sponsored by Mirum, but opinions expressed are my own.

New year, new resolutions, right? With the few that you make each year, have you ever done a skin care resolution? Like, “I will remove all my makeup at the end of each day,” or “I will exfoliate my skin 2 times per week,” or, “I will just take better care of my skin this year.” I’m not a big fan of resolutions; rather, I like to make ones that are not going to be hard to stick to. I mean, you have to clean your skin anyway, so why not get yourself into a new makeup removal routine and start the year off right? And it couldn’t be easier as you can pick up all you need at your local CVS and cvs.com. They carry all the major brands like POND’S®, St. Ives, Noxzema and Simple® and have big, easy to browse beauty aisles.

If there is one thing that is so important, it’s removing your makeup at the end of each day. Believe me, there is not shortcut around it! So make sure you use something like Simple Cleansing Micellar Water to get it all off. It effectively cleanses the skin of makeup and oil while unclogging pores. Did you know that this formula is made with triple purified water, hexylene glycol and is infused with vitamins B3 and C? Yet, it’s good on all skin types, including sensitive. Yup, not your average micellar water and I’m such a fan of this one that if I’m going makeup-free on the weekend, I swipe this one across my skin a few times a day.

Then, after removing makeup, time to clean with something like POND’S Cold Cream Cleanser. I’ve been using this one for years and was introduced to it in our family bathroom as a child. It removes stubborn makeup, even waterproof mascara, and since it’s actually 50% moisturizer, I don’t really need to apply a face lotion after using this one, which I like.

Another I like to use sometimes in place of POND’s is Noxzema Classic Clean Original Deep Cleansing Cream. It too removes dirt, makeup and oil and cleans pores and this one is made with eucalyptus so my skin has a slight tingle to it afterwards.

Lastly, I recommend incorporating a facial exfoliator into your weekly routine. St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub has achieved somewhat of a cult status among beauty lovers. It uses corn kernel meal and walnut shell powder to exfoliate the skin and is also ok to use on sensitive skin. I like that after I use it my skin is soft and not tight from over-cleaning it.

And because we are hitting a new year, CVS wants to help you celebrate so check out the deals available 1/1 to 1/6:

• Buy 1, get 1 50% off all POND’S, St. Ives, Noxzema and Simple skin care products
• Get $5 ExtraBucks when you spend $15 on participating POND’S, St. Ives, Noxzema and Simple skin care products

And don’t forget to bring your CVS Reusable Bags with you shopping. They are durable, collapsible, made of cotton and are eco-friendly. How about the New Year’s resolution of remembering to bring your CVS Reusable Bag? That would be a good one too.

My first ever micellar water was Bioderma Solution Micellar and it achieved cult status rather quickly and it seems like it was some time before another one came along like this one and this one. So what exactly is micellar water and why should I care? It's tiny balls of cleansing molecules called micelles suspended in soft water. It won't dry or strip the skin and they clean beautifully. Now they won't remove waterproof mascara but they do a nice job otherwise. 

Here are some I recommend from L to R:

EMBRYOLISSE Micellar Lotion $26/8.5oz @ target.com

YES TO Cucumber Micellar Water $8.99/7.77oz @ ulta.com, walgreens.com

L'OREAL Micellar Cleansing Water $9.99/13.5oz @ target.com, ulta.com

SEPHORA Triple Action Cleansing Water - $12/6.76oz @ sephora.com

And it also comes in wipes now with SIMPLE Kind to Skin Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes $5.99/25 wipes @ target.com, and a super remove-it-all-even-liquid-lipstick VICHY Micellar Oil $18/4.2oz @ dermstore.com, target.com

Disclosure: Post sponsored by Mirum Shopper but all opinions are my own.

I keep a running list of products I want to check out in the note section of my phone. I mean, how hard is it to remember what you came to the store for in the first place let alone remember items you wanted to investigate in person? Believe me, it’s hard and it doesn’t get any better with age.

Like if I read something on a blog about a new eyeliner or in a magazine about a new face mask and it looks interesting, I’ll put it on my list. And then each list is filed by store name that I know carries it. Even better if it’s off to the grocery store and I have a coupon for the item!

So how often do you try new products? I tend to be more chancy when it comes to food rather than what I put on my face but I know I shouldn’t be. I mean, there are a lot of brands that carry products for your face and body that would be great but you just have to be open to trying them instead of zoning in on what you’re used to using.

Walmart has a great selection of the latest and greatest products at low prices in the beauty aisles and now they carry the Simple’s new formulas – the Hydrating Cleansing Oil and Dual Effect Eye-Makeup Remover. Be sure to check them out too @ walmart.com. 

You know I’m a makeup remover connoisseur and surprised whenever I come across one that stings the eyes but know that neither of these do.

The best way to use the Cleansing Oil is to squeeze 3 or so drops on hands and then massage it onto the face in circular motions to clean and remove the day’s makeup and dirt.

I find the best way to remove makeup using the Dual Effect Eye Make-up Remover is to saturate a cotton ball/pad and gently press it onto your closed eye for about 15 seconds. The formula will break down mascara, eye shadow, liner, all of it, so that you’re not rubbing and tugging to get it off. This would be a big no-no when it comes to taking off makeup.

What do you need to make sure you have on hand this summer to look great at all times? Here are some suggestions. From L to R clockwise:

A Quick Way to Clean Your Skin - SIMPLE Soothing Facial Toner - $6.99/6.7oz @ walgreens.com – Witch Hazel, Pro-Vitamin B5 and chamomile help calm and rebalance the skin.

An Anti-Aging Sunscreen – AMWAY Artistry Time Defiance Day Protect Lotion SPF 15 - $64.10/1.7oz @ amway.com -  protects skin with their own Artistry Defense Complex 4 anti-aging ingredients while protecting from  UVA and UVB rays.

A Summery Scent To Tie It All Together – ESCADA Especially Escada EDP Spray - $62/2.5oz @ kohls.com, ice.com – a fruity flowery mix of pear, rose, Ambrette Seeds, Ylang Ylang and musk.

A Bronzer to Boost My “It’s Summertime!” Look – PHYSICIANS FORMULA Bronze Booster - $14.95 @ target.com, ulta.com – a little here and a little there help brighten and accentuate the face.

A Won’t Budge Eye Shadow Primer - MAKE UP FOR EVER Eye Prime - $19 @ sephora.com – I used this one to test out yesterday’s shadows and it really made a difference.

To Keep the Eye Area Hydrated – BASQ Cucumber Tea Soothing Eye Gel - $24/.5oz @ amazon.com – cucumber and green tea soothe the area around eyes.

Yes, it’s hot everywhere this week. Yes, everything just sticks to the skin and ugh, makeup, now, really? Nah, taking a small break from all things beauty right now, except from one product. While it’s really not makeup, it’s a beauty product so it does fall into the category. So what is it? SIMPLE SKINCARE’s Revitalizing Eye Roll-On. It uses a metal roller ball to dispense the product for under the eyes and it is sooooo cooling and nice!

It’s made for depuffing and waking up eyes and contains good-for-skin ingredients like Pro-Vitamin B5, cucumber extract and glycerin. And like the name states, they keep it simple with no perfumes or dyes that can irritate so close to the eye area. Nicely priced @ $10.99/.5oz @ amazon.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided for review purposes.

I’ve gotten a few emails lately about products for sensitive skin. Since I can put just about anything on mine, I don’t usually seek them out but since I’ve been asked, I’ve been looking. SIMPLE Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99 @ amazon.com) is one I think will fit the bill when it comes to cleaning the face. It takes out the ingredients that can irritate the skin like perfumes and dyes but each 7”x7” wipe is still able to do away with dirt and makeup. It even claims at being able to remove waterproof mascara but since I never wear the stuff, I can’t report back to you on that. The best part about these wipes besides being able to take them with you on the go? They are 100% alcohol-free!