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.

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

Do you exfoliate your skin? How often and what do you use? I’ve learned of the past 15 years of trying out products and reporting back to you that expensive doesn’t always = bueno. There are some areas I splurge in for sure, but in others, I tighten the reigns.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

So I thought I’d show you how I pamper my skin a few nights each during the busy work week:

• Eye mask – I like to put it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or the freezer for about 10, depending on how much around-the-eye-soothing I need.
• Since I’m very nose focused, what I’m smelling is so important, so after I put on the eye mask, I like to light a candle or spritz on a favorite perfume. Whichever I’m in the mood for.
• Washcloth – I keep two on hand, one for the next step and one to use later. I soak one in not-too-hot water that I lay on my face for about 1 ½ minutes to warm up my skin and open the pores.
• Next I apply St. Ives® Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub that I pick up at CVS when picking up prescriptions, and really work the formula around in small gentle circles on my face to really clean the day off my skin. Using just my fingers, I can feel the scubbers going to work. And speak of, with the recent stories about what happens to micro plastics inside some of our face exfoliators, it’s good to know that this Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub uses 100% natural exfoliants and moisturizers, including walnut shell powder, corn kernel meal and apricot extract, among others. 
• After I let it sit for a few minute, I use the same washcloth I used to warm up my skin and remove all the scrub off my face with lot s of water. Then pat dry with the dry washcloth, wipe a toner on my face to make sure all the scrub is removed, and lastly, apply moisturizer and eye cream.

My skin feels so refreshed; like I just took the day off my face in a big way, which I actually just did. The above is so simple and easy and just really makes a difference in making me feel good before bedtime. I truly do #RevitalizewithStIves.

And from 8/6/17-8/12/17 take advantage of the CVS’s BOGO – Buy One, Get One 50% Off of any St. Ives product plus save an additional $3 from coupons on your local paper. But hurry as this offer doesn’t last long!

Want to win a $50 gift card to CVS? Just comment below on this post on which St. Ives product you would like to try  and I will randomly select 5 winners!

Legal information, entry, rules and further details can be accessed here.

Cybel Says:

My nose seems to come out of hibernation this time of year when the seasons change and everything just smells so much richer right now. Here are some of my favorites I can’t get enough of! What are some of your favorites? 

CLEAN Blossom Eau de Parfum ($40/1oz, $72/2.14oz @ ulta.com, cleanperfume.com) – released early this year, this one seems to fit perfectly right now. This floral contains notes of neroli, lilac, orange blossom, lily and musk and sandalwood. Super feminine and a little heavier than a traditional floral.  

FRESH Rose Deep Hydration Cream ($40/1oz @ freshbeauty.com and sephora.com) – made for normal to dry skin, I almost like applying some of this each night just to smell the roses! This cream will increase the skin’s hydration by including hyaluronic acids in it as well as rosewater and vitamin E to nourish.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Emozione Dolce Fiore Eau de Toilette ($79/1.7oz, $99/3.1oz @ macys.com) – this floral releases top notes of bergamot, grapefruit and white peach, heart notes of rose buds and peony and a base of white musk, vanilla and suede. Really unique and calming.

ST. IVES Nourished & Smooth Oatmeal Body Scrub ($5.99/9oz @ target.com) – this gentle body scrub uses walnut shell powder to slough off the rough winter skin to reveal a softer side.

These pressurized can containers housing body products seem to be pretty hot these days. Is it for the sake of freshness? The only other time I’ve seen this packaging was recently here and I just thought it had something to do with the fact that it was a self-tanner. Anyway, here are two brands rocking the trend right now!

Netherlands’ brand RITUALS Foaming Shower Gel ($15/6.7oz only @ ulta.com) comes in five scents, two of whic are new ones - Happy Buddha (sweet mandarin orange and cedar) and shown here, Zensation (organic rice milk and cherry blossom). These come out in your hand as a gel and turn into a foam once water hits it. Be forewarned, the gel comes out rather quickly so go easy on the nozzle.

ST. IVES Fresh Hydration Lotion ($7.69/6.5oz @ target.com, amazon.com) comes in three scents: Citrus & Vitamin C, Oatmeal & Shea Butter and Coconut Milk & Orchid Extract. They are made with glycerin & Shea Butter and leaves a really light trail of moisturizer in its wake. Who wants to spend time applying lotion this season? These are quick, easy and sink in quickly. 

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

This one should have been filed under Heavenly Scents feature as the scent is just that, oh so nose pleasing. This oatmeal in ST. IVES Oatmeal & Shea Butter Moisturizing Body Wash ($4.55/18oz @ amazon.com) is known for soothing dry itchy skin and the Shea inside is to moisturize. Yes, this one contains the super lather agent, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, as most drugstore brands do, which I am not a big fan of but if you don’t care, this is nicely priced and does the job well.