So you’re here because you want to know if Beautycounter products are worth the hype and the money. Well, I tested out a few of the best sellers so I can get an idea of what the products are like and how they work. So keep reading for my thoughts on if Beautycounter is really worth it.

Before I begin, I have to put it out there that I am not a Beautycounter rep. I do not work for Beautycounter nor do I ever plan on selling Beautycounter items. I have a few friends who sell the products that are super knowledgeable and honest. They tell me what works and what doesn’t and I love that. I’ll give you their top 5 products in a few.

BEAUTYCOUNTER WEBSITE

If you have not heard of Beautycounter before, they are a skincare and cosmetics company that focuses on “clean” beauty. Their products are marketed as safer and more responsibly sourced than other beauty products on the market. The majority of their products are sourced in the USA. They have a very large array of products and you can find just about anything you could be looking for from vitamin C serum to eyebrow gel. The only downside I can see is the cost. I’m not going to lie – some of these items are pricy.

So the million dollar question is…are Beautycounter products worth it?

My short answer to that question is yes and no. I really liked some of the products I tried and I didn’t care for some others. So basically I have mixed reviews. To be fair, I only tried these products for a few days but I will get into my thoughts on each product I tested below.

Also, if you are looking for my favorite dermatologist recommended products click this link ->

Dermatologist Recommended Skin Care

Ok, let’s get started!

The Winners!

Overnight Resurfacing Peel – $72

This was by far my favorite product I tested. This product is a leave on AHA/BHA peel that is supposed to improve skin texture without over drying. You put it on and leave it on for 10 minutes then put a moisturizer on top then sleep with it on and rinse it the morning. So easy and it eliminates one step at night when I’m the most lazy. 😂

I felt this working immediately. It tingles (in a good way) and did not dry out my skin at all. My skin looked refreshed and brighter in the morning even after one use. I’m a definite fan of this one. The price is $65 but you only use it a couple times a week at most so one bottle will last you a long time. I have to warn you – it does have a unpleasant smell to it. If you can get past the smell it’s a 10/10 for me.

All Bright C Serum – $90

I enjoyed using this vitamin c serums every morning. I only used it for a few days so it was not long enough to noticeable see a difference but I did love the way this one felt on my skin. This vitamin c serum goes on your face in neck in the morning. It has a yellow tint to it and the smell is pretty good. At $82 it is pretty pricy. With some research you may be able to find a similar “clean” vitamin c product for less money. Overall I liked this one and if you are in the market for a vitamin c serum that doesn’t irritate the skin, this is a really good option.

Lid Glow Cream Shadows – $27 each

I absolutely loved these cream eyeshadows! I have recently discovered cream shadows and have been loving them over the pressed powder ones I usually use. These are super easy to apply and blend. They also stay on all day long! I wore the three colors above together to create a natural look. I used the aura color all over, the sepia color just on my kid and then the ember color just near my lash line and the outer corners of my eye. A little bit goes a long way so these tubes will last for a while. Another definite win for me!

Charcoal Mask – $54

I really loved using this too small charcoal face mask. It wasn’t nearly as messy as I thought it would be. This masks is supposed to absorb excess oil and shrink your pores. You slather this mask on and leave it on for ten minutes before washing off. The crazy part is – you can actually see this one working. I had two ”undergrounder” zits and it pulled double the oil out of those than the rest of my skin. it was so awesome to watch. I have dry skin to begin with so this mask was extremely drying for me so it would not be part of my regular routine but for someone that is looking for a product to help with excess oil, this is a good one.

The Rest Of The Bunch…

Dew Skin Tinted Mosturizer + SPF 20 – $50

This was one of my least favorite products mainly because it really didn’t give me any coverage plus it only has SPF 20. My tried and true SPF tinted moisturizer (linked here) blows this one out of the water. They both have the same EWG cleanliness but my Elta MD has SPF 46 in it. Both are about the same cost (Elta MD is $6 cheaper). The Beautycounter one does have a dewier finish to it but I prefer the more coverage and more SOF that Elta MD provides. Another good option if you are looking for a dewy finish is the Supergoop glowscreen with SPF 40 – same clean concept but better than the Beautycounter version in my opinion and still cheaper.

Cheeky Clean Cream Blush – $42

I wanted to like this blush because blush is one of my most favorite makeup item, but I was a little disappointed. I didn’t feel like the pigment was enough for the cost of this one. I had to use quite a bit to get the blush look I wanted and for the cost it was not worth it for me. I do appreciate that these have a refill option that is cheaper once you purchase your first but still not enough to sell me on this one. I have friends who absolutely love this product and use it on their cheeks, eyes and lips. So if you are looking for a “all in one” kind of makeup product this would be a good purchase.

Think Big All In One Mascara – $30

This was just ok for me. My friend had told me that this would smudge on the bottom lid (which apparently is common for “clean” mascaras) but I still had to try it out. Sure enough I had raccoon eyes by noon. The next day I tried just my top lashes and it was ok. It still smudged on my bottom lid somehow but it did do a nice job while it was on. I think you can definitely find a better “clean” option here.

No. 1 Brightening Facial Oil – $76

Here is another product that I just didn’t love. For $76 I expected to love something about this oil but sadly I didn’t. I didn’t notice any difference nor did it moisturize my skin at all. i had to use a moisturizer on top of it and still feel like it didn’t do much. I think for $76 you can find a better ”clean” product that can do the same or better for cheaper.

These are the only products I have tested out. There are a ton more options on their website:

BEAUTYCOUNTER WEBSITE

If there is anything I am good at, it’s procrastination. I’m always scrambling at the last minute to find gift ideas for every occasion. And here we are again since Mother’s Day is a week away and I am giftless (as usual). So if you are like me and can’t think of anything or your mom already has everything, check out some of my last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas below! Also, all of these ideas are on the Ibotta app which means you can earn cash back for yourself while you shop for mom all at the same time!

*New to Ibotta? Check out my post HERE for more details on how to sign up and how to use the app!

*This is a sponsored post written by me in partnership with Ibotta. All opinions are my own.

Buy Mom Flowers and Chocolate!

Moms love flowers, and Mother’s Day is a great time to send all the moms a special bouquet of her favorite flowers. 1-800-FLOWERS has tons of options on their site to choose from. They have roses, orchids, lilies, and even succulent gardens! Their site also partners with Shari’s Berries and Cheryl’s cookies to send chocolate covered strawberries and cookies to all those moms with a sweet tooth. Most items have very quick delivery options which is perfect for us procrastinators! 1-800-FLOWERS even offers 2% cash back on purchases when you click through the Ibotta app.

Send Mom A Meal!

Unfortunately, moms are often stuck cooking dinner even on Mother’s Day. This year send mom a meal already cooked from her favorite restaurant through UberEats, GrubHub or DoorDash. All three meal delivery services are on Ibotta and offer cash back! If you don’t know what your mom would order, send her a gift card to one of these apps so she can choose herself. Add a bottle of wine and voila, you got yourself a great Mother’s Day gift!

Cook Mom A Meal!

If you are feeling adventurous, dive in and cook your mom her favorite meal. Don’t let her help! (You know she is going to try!) Find her favorite recipe and get to work in the kitchen. Bonus points if you find her favorite recipe that her mom used to make. Seriously, most moms have to do the cooking every night so to have someone else cook for her is such a treat. She will love the sentiment and thought you put in too. Don’t forget to check out the Ibotta app for any grocery items you may need and earn some cash back while making mom happy!

Take Mom Out to Eat!

When all else fails, take your mom out to eat to her favorite restaurant. If you aren’t ready to eat out at restaurants quite yet, buy her a gift card! Not everyone can cook and that’s ok! Mom will appreciate any time she gets to spend with her kids, especially when they are buying. There are numerous restaurants on Ibotta that you can purchase gift cards for and earn cash back for yourself. There are also offers for certain items at restaurants, such as cocktails, that earn some major cash back.

Don’t Forget the Card!

Whatever gift you choose, do NOT forget the card! Moms love to be sappy and read about how much they are loved and needed. Words can mean so much so take the extra time to find that special card and write a heartfelt message to mom this year. Don’t forget to use Ibotta and get $2.00 off any Hallmark card this Mother’s Day!

Hopefully these last minute Mother’s Day gift ideas were helpful. Most moms don’t ask for much on Mother’s Day, just spending time with loved ones and being pampered is more than any mom can ask for. Spoil those moms this year, the deserve it!

-Stacey

It’s getting warmer outside which means it’s cocktail season! I’ve partnered with Ibotta to bring you 5 easy cocktails to make at home! Using the Ibotta app you can earn some serious cash back on tons of spirits, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Make sure you download the app here and take a peek at the offers that are available in your area before you head to the store to restock your bar!

(This is a sponsored post written by me in partnership with Ibotta. All opinions are my own.)

One of the best offers I found on the Ibotta app was for Sky Vodka. I earned $2.50 off* any variety of Skyy, I chose pineapple and you will see why on #2 on the list! Both Malibu and Bacardi had offers on rum at the time of publishing which came in handy for #3 on my easy cocktails to make at home list! Another great way to earn some cash back is to check the bonus section on your Ibotta app to see if there are any bonuses available for your purchases. I earned a $7 bonus* on top of the cash back for purchasing 3 spirits on the list. Lots of ways to earn on the app, so be sure you have the app downloaded on your phone!

Download the app HERE!

I had the tough job of making and testing these cocktails out. I am not a bartender nor am I even close but I could easily make all five. The ingredient lists are short and the best part is, I earned cash back on almost all the ingredients I used!

5 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home!

1. Aperol Spritz

3 parts prosecco

2 parts Aperol

1 part club soda

Splash of St. Germain liqour

Serve over ice

This is one of my all time favorite cocktails! Mix all the ingredients together give it a stir and voila you are finished! Aperol is an Italian aperitif that has gained popularity over the past couple of years. The taste of Aperol start sweet but ends with a hint of bitterness making this cocktail a great choice for those of you who dislike super sweet cocktails. The orangey red color of this drink makes it so fun for the spring and summer but you can enjoy an Aperol Spritz any time of the year!

2. Hawaiian Mule

2 oz. pineapple vodka

Ginger Beer

Lime juice

Mix ingredients and serve in a copper mug with ice and a lime wedge.

I love a good Moscow Mule but this recipe looked like a fun variation to the classic drink. Basically you just substitute regular vodka for pineapple vodka and you’re done. This had a sweeter taste than a regular Moscow Mule and would be a great drink on a hot, summer day on the patio. I loved the flavor of the pineapple vodka, it added a little vacation to my otherwise boring Moscow Mule. 🙂

3. Malibu Bay Breeze

2 oz. Malibu Rum

2 oz. pineapple juice

2 oz. cranberry juice

Serve over ice.

Nothing says summer like a refreshing Malibu Bay Breeze! It really feels like you are on vacation when you are drinking this cocktail. At the time of publish, Malibu rum had a $3.00 cash back offer on Ibotta* plus it was on sale at my local Kroger store. Double win!

4. Skinny Jalapeno Margarita

Juice from 2 limes

1/4 jalapeno – deseeded and thinly sliced into rounds

2 oz. tequila

1 oz. Topo Chico (or more to your taste)

1-2 tbsp. honey (sweeten to your taste)

1 tbsp. sea salt (for rim of glass)

Muddle the jalapeno slices with the lime juice in the bottom of a glass or shaker. Add tequila and honey and combine thoroughly. Dip the glasses in water and then the sea salt and knock off the extra around the rim. Fill the glass with ice and margarita mix. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a wedge of lime or fresh jalapeno.

I’m not a huge fan of margarita’s but this spicy version does a great job cutting the sweetness with a little spice! I love how it is a “skinnier” choice than the original margarita’s that can be full of sugar and calories. Another warm weather cocktail win!

5. Salty Dog

1 1/2 oz. vodka

3 oz. grapefruit juice

Salted rim of glass

Wet the rim of a glass and dip into coarse salt. Next, fill glass with ice and add both vodka and grapefruit juice. I used unsweetened grapefruit juice but you can use ruby red or a sweetened version for more sweetness. Give it a stir and garnish with a grapefruit slice or lime!

If this isn’t the easiest drink ever created, I don’t know what is. I love any drink with grapefruit juice so this one is right up my alley. Love that it has two ingredients and is super simple to make. Another great warm weather cocktail to enjoy on the patio!

Hope you enjoyed these 5 cocktail recipes. Let me know if you try them at home and what you think! Also, don’t forget to download the Ibotta app and start earning cash back on all your cocktail purchases!

*All offers were valid upon publish date. Don’t forget to check your Ibotta app for details as offers change frequently and may not be available in all areas.

-Stacey

Spring break is right around the corner and some of us are ready to get out! Whether you are ready to travel now our prepping for a future trip – I have partnered with Ibotta to share 5 ways to save money on your spring break travel this year!

(This is a sponsored post written by me in partnership with Ibotta. All opinions are my own.)

We recently went on our first vacation in over a year in January. We were hesitant and cautious- ok, VERY cautious. I may have wiped down every surface from Ohio to Florida with Lysol wipes, but we survived. We traveled in an airplane with three kids, rented a car and stayed for a week in sunny Florida. Being away from dreary, cold Ohio was just what my kids needed and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Every place we visited we felt EXTREMELY safe, even the airplane.

Ok, now to the good part – 5 ways to save money on your spring break travel! I used the Ibotta app to earn some cash back on our trip and it was super easy! From hotels and rental houses to flights and rental cars – Ibotta has tons of way to earn cash back on all your travel purchases! Download the app and start earning cash back on all your travel needs + so much more!

Sign up for Ibotta here!

1. Earn Cash Back On Hotels & Rental Properties

There are a few websites on Ibotta that you can earn cash back on. The easiest one for us was Hotels.com. You can earn up to 7% cash back on any booking through the website if you click the link through Ibotta’s app. Thats a huge savings and more money to spend on extras during your trip! VRBO, AirBnB, Expedia and many others are also on Ibotta’s app to use for hotels or rental houses as well.

2. Earn Cash Back on Rental Cars

We used a Hertz rental car and earned 2.5% cash back on our rental car for the week. Again, you just open the Ibotta app and click on the Hertz link before booking. Super simple and again, extra cash in your pocket for your trip!

3. Earn Cash Back on Airline Tickets

If you are anything like us we research every site imaginable before booking flights. There are so many sites to choose from and it seems they all have different pricing. My tip is to find the cheapest site first then head to the Ibotta app and find that same website, click the link and purchase your tickets. That way you can earn cash back on your flights along with getting the cheapest fare! Some of the sites included on Ibotta are Expedia.com, Booking.com, Travelocity.com and a few others as well.

4. Join a Wholesale Club and Earn Cash Back on Membership

Another great way we save money on traveling is by being Costco members. Sometimes their travel site has cheaper deals than other travel sites. They have deals on rental cars, vacation packages, hotels and more. With Ibotta you can earn cash back on all your Costco in store purchases but you also get cash back for just joining!

5. Save Money and Earn Cash Back on Experiences with Groupon

For most of our trips we always try to save money by booking some of the “extras” on Groupon. Not only are you saving money just by getting the cheaper price on Groupon but you can also earn up to 14% cash back on all your Groupon purchases! We have bought restaurant gift cards, mini golf tickets, movie tickets, visited tourist attractions and so much more on Groupon and have never been disappointed!

So there you have it, my 5 ways to save money on your spring break travel. Whether you are planning a weekend excursion or a week long vacation I hope some of these will help save you and your family a little extra cash to spend on all the fun this year. We definitely all deserve a little break after the year we have had! Bon Voyage!

SHOP MY OUTFITS HERE!

(Click on any of the pictures to view the item)

Need more tips on saving with Ibotta? Click here to read about some of the other ways I earn cash back with Ibotta!

*All offers were valid as of publish date. Don’t forget to check your app for details as offers change frequently and may not be available in all areas.

-Stacey