The Honest Co: Face and Body Lotion Review

A girlfriend of mine lent me Jessica Alba's book The Honest Life when I was beginning my search for some alternative products. I really have enjoyed reading it, I still have it as a matter of fact, and flip through it occasionally to recall something or another.  It is a book about how and why she decided to start The Honest Company (a company that makes clean, green products for baby care, body, and home) and how that intermingles with her lifestyle choices on food, products, parenting, etc. It is the kind of book that, if you read it cover to cover, you would enjoy it but not retain the vast majority of the information. At least I wouldn't. It just has too much to grasp in a setting. But on several occasions I have read through sections and learned a lot about what to avoid and why. Obviously she believes in her products and wants others too as well, but it isn't a book pushing how great her line is. It lists other companies and products that have products she likes, uses and recommends, as well as some DIY ways to accomplish your goal without purchasing any product at all. All in all, the book was a good find for me and a good read in general. 

I say all of that to say, it led me to give one of her products a try. For the most part, The honest Company can only be found online. I've seen a few products here and there in random stores, but not for any cheaper, and not a large selection. 

The most recent product replacement on my to-do list has been face lotion. I put lotion on my face pretty often. At least twice a day: after I wash my face, so once in the morning and once at night before bed. Also, anytime befor I put on makeup, or just feel my face getting dry. I don't have particularly dry or oily skin. It is pretty combination, and pretty low maintenance as far as what I can and can't use on it.  I don't typically react poorly to products in general. I use off brand supermarket face washes, etc. one thing I have found though, is that if it is not a lotion meant for your face (body lotions, body sunscreens) it tends to cake-up and clog my pores.

 That was the only stipulation I had for lotions, is that it should designed for faces. I'm not sure what the differences is, but I can feel how much longer the oily ness and heaviness lingers if it is a lotion not meant for faces. 

However, I recently (a couple months ago) tried to change my face lotion to the same brand but one with sunscreen. From a "sensitive skin, oil free" to a " oil free, SPF 15". It dd NOT go well. My face felt clogged and oily. Not refreshed and moisturizer.  So not only do I need face specific lotion, I need sensitive skin, face specific lotion. Annoying. But oh well. It is what it is. 

So, when I came across this sensitive skin, face and body lotion by The Honest Company, I decided I would try it out.  It has a citrusy, fresh scent, and a light feel to it. 

I used it for about 2 weeks, applying it twice a day, before I decide that it was not going to meet my needs. 

It, of course, met all the clean ingredient needs, but it was making my face oily and the more naturally oily parts of the face (around the nose, hair line) break out. Bummer

I think the lotion has the ability to be used on sensitive areas like the face, but still has something in it that my skin just doesn't like. I noticed that in the mornings my face would still feel oily from the lotion I had put on the night before. It wasn't absorbing into my skin enough, just sitting on it. 

So, after giving this product a decent trial period, I have decided it doesn't meet my needs as a face lotion.

I have since started using it as just a body lotion, and I like it a lot. My skin feels moisturized and clean. Not over oily or greasy. So I will continue using this lotion for now in that capacity, and continue searching for a face lotion. Once it runs out, however, I may look for a body lotion containing SPF. 

Steeple Chase 2014

For the second year in a row we were invited to attend the steeple chase in North Carolina with Simon's boss.  Last year we had a really great time, so we were both really excited to go.  Simon's boss and his girlfriend, and his coworkers, Alexa and Kayla, along with each of their families were all apart of our group. We saw several other friends throughout the day who stopped by our spot. 

Although the races are from about 1:30-4:00, the day starts early with mimosas and snacking while we watch the pre-chase activities. Those include events like the hat parade, the miniature horses, and the hounds. 

Here is Arne setting up the food table at our spot. We were in the same spot as last year: right at the start/finish line. 

Here are some of the hat wearers walking to the hat parade. 

Here are the hounds. They were demonstrating their response to fox hunting calls.  Pretty cute. 

There were 4 races in total.  Here are the horses, passing in front of us into their second of three laps 

Here they are again. It was such a pretty day! Lots of sun and an occasional breeze. Just as hot as last year, but I did remember to bring sun screen

 this time. 

Had to get a picture of us :) cheese! 

This was really the first outdoor excitement we have had this spring. It fell on a crazy weekend! Simon had just gotten back from a camping trip that morning, I had a baby shower to help decorate for that afternoon and then host the next day.  But it was so nice to spend a day in the sun. I love South Carolina weather and all of the things that lends itself too.  It is just the start of that time of year- filled with outdoor concerts, lake days and even a beach trip. I'm really thankful we live in a place where all of those things are at our fingertips!  Happy springtime everyone!  More updates to come, I finally have some time to catch up. 

3 years

It is funny to think back through these three years and remember how much we have done, how much we have accomplished and spend the day patting ourselves on the back for making it this far and not killing each other. 

And then I look closer

- you know, closer than you want anyone else to look at your life, let alone your marriage- 

and realize that in the grand scheme of marriage and life, we really haven't moved much. There have been days, a lot of days, where I think "How have I not figured this out yet; We had this same fight 3 years ago".  Those days usually come shortly after the days when I think "hey, we are starting to figure this marriage thing out".  

Pshh yeah right. 

It is amazing how I manage to still say the same stupid things I know will make Simon mad and vice-versa.  I react in the same hot headed ways that send him over the edge.  We waste effort taking for granted the big things and making a big deal over silly, insignificant things.  

I mean honestly, you would think that my marriage would be way easier than this since I am so uncomplicated and easy to live with. 

Especially since I married such an open book who is atuned to his emotions and has a firm grasp on my passive-aggressive subtleties.

I can officially say that after three years, we are miles past the sugar coated ooey-gooey stage. But there is something refreshing and humbling and, well, real about doing real life together.  

We have gotten to do some really fun and memorable things in these three years. We've been able to travel to Greece, Germany, Austria. We've lived in Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina.  We have even gotten to go on some exciting adventures in this past year alone: getting to spend Christmas and New Years in Germany, a mountain ski trip, moving to a new apartment and city, all moments that have been surrounded with good friends and family who have made these three years special in ways we couldn't have imagined. 

There are countless things about our life together that I couldn't have predicted or imagined. Some of the most beautiful and special moments I have been able to share with a husband whom I love more than I've ever loved anyone else. Those good moments have been coupled with the most difficult and frustrating times that have tested our patience and loyalty and character.  Through it all we have grown closer and been made stronger.  I can truly say that God blessed me with a husband who challenges my strengths and helps better my weaknesses.  A husband who works hard to be what and who I need, and expects that same commitment from me.  

He and I, amidst many similarities, are very very different. We knew before we started that our relationship would be a journey of learning how to communicate better, and commit to understanding this other person who does things, and thinks about things so differently.  

It is a challenge. 

It has been work. 

And at times we have both stepped back and asked what we have gotten ourselves into. 

But I can honestly say, that through every challenge, disappointment, accomplishment, and celebration, I have been changed into a stronger, more honest, more loving, and better woman than I ever would have, or could have been, without the man I married three years ago today.  God knows me better than I know myself, and he knew what he was doing when he led this beautiful, generous, loving and stubborn man to choose me.  I cannot imagine that Simon was prepared for the mess of a person I ended up being, but I hope that in three years from now, I can look back on today and be as proud of where we are and how much we have changed and learned and grown, as I am today, for better or for worse. 

Happy Anniversary Simon Reinhardt.

Thanks for being exactly who I need. 

Told ya we could do it :)