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Anna Mae Groves

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Skincare I’m Taking with Me into 2022

January 11, 2022 By Anna Groves No Comments

Thank you Sephora for partnering with me on this post! January brings the opportunity to stop and reflect on the things we own. It’s a time to take a look at the items that have not served us well, and purge them.

We do that in many areas – household items, books, and clothing. I like to do it with my skincare. Here is the skincare I’m taking with me into 2022. Everything’s from one of my favorite places- Sephora!

These are three of the items that made the cut- and I believe they changed the look of my skin over this last year. We know that sunscreen goes without saying, so I won’t be mentioning that here, but these are steps that I believe round out a great skincare routine.

Vitamin C.  

Vitamin C is a powerhouse for the daytime. Not only does it provide protection from free radicals, it may help protect against sun damage, even the look of discoloration, promote the appearance of firm, smooth skin, and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What I’m taking with me

I love the Paula’s Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster. It’s versatile, potent and helped visible improve my skin’s uneven tone. When I use this product, my skin appears more plump and healthy. Versatility is key with this- it has a very light and watery texture so it does not interfere with the other products I layer over it. You can even mix it with your serums or moisturizers to save a step! It’s staying with me!

Why it works:

Paula’s Choice C15 Vitamin C Super Booster’s straightforward ingredients make it easy to incorporate into any daytime skincare regimen. It is 15% stabilized vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) and has vitamin E, ferulic acid, and skin-smoothing peptides. It’s the radiance for me!

How I use it: 

During the day, I cleanse my skin, press a few drops all over my face, neck and chest, follow with any serums or oils, and seal it with moisturizer if needed. And always, always, ALWAYS sunscreen to finish!

Retinol.

Retinol is a must have for anyone concerned with a plethora of issues: breakouts, uneven skin tone, texture, fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness. It’s is what I credit with having great looking skin at my age. I started using it over 12 years ago and I will never stop.

What I’m taking with me

Enter Shani Darden Retinol Reform. Late in 2020, I received a bottle of this stuff and I didn’t expect much. I had been using retinol for years and had great results. I was not loyal to any brand, really. I tried many, and most of them were awesome. Whenever I tried a new one, I didn’t notice a huge difference, probably because my skin was in good shape and used to retinol. I honestly didn’t think I had much room for improvement and thought whatever I was doing was for maintenance.

But just wow. You should see my before and afters from using this retinol for 21 days. I had stopped all other skincare at night and just used Shani Darden Retinol Reform so I could really judge its effectiveness, and I could not believe my eyes.

Immediately, my skin seemed to glow overnight. Over 21 days, this product diminished the look of fine lines, made my skin look more even, and smoothed the texture. Just incredible.

Why it works:

The incapsulated retinol allows it to release onto the skin potently, while delivering the benefits in a gentler form/manner. But the big secret is lactic acid, which gently exfoliates overnight, giving immediate glow and allowing the retinol to penetrate optimally.

How I use it:

At night, I cleanse my skin.  After serum, I massage one to two pumps into my skin- including my face, neck and chest.  

Exfoliants. 

Exfoliants are important, because while retinol goes deep to speak to collagen and elastin, exfoliants are more for dissolving that dead, dull surface layer on top of the skin. Alpha Hydroxy and Beta Hydroxy Acids are both key for different types of exfoliation.

What I’m taking with me

In 2021 I used the Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution once a week. It exfoliated my skin, helped to fight blemishes, and improved the look of fine lines. I thought it made my skin look brighter and more even.

Why it works:

Strength in numbers, here. A combination of glycolic and lactic acid at 30% is so effective, and it works quickly- in 10 minutes or less.

And there’s 2% BHA which is known to help promote clear skin and help fight blemishes.

This is very strong and not for everyone, but it does have Hyaluronic Acid for moisture, Tasmanian Pepperberry to help reduce irritation, and black carrot, which serves as an antioxidant. Exfoliating with this dissolves dead skin quickly and makes your other products so much more effective.

How I use it:

Here is how I use it: Every Sunday, I do “Self Care Sunday” where I exfoliate, steam and hydrate. I cleanse, smooth a thick, even layer over my skin, let it sit for up to ten minutes, and rinse. Then I follow with steam for 5-8 minutes. I do some kind of hydrating and soothing mask after, and top it with a moisturizer.

These products that I used in 2021 are why my skin looks more even, firm, plump and smooth than ever before- I’m not leaving them behind in 2022!

You can shop everything at Sephora- the destination for updating (or restocking!) your 2022 skincare regimen!

Thanks for stopping by! Follow me on instagram so you never miss a thing, and check out my reel here to see these skincare products in action.


Filed Under: Beauty, Lifestyle Tagged With: aha, best skincare 2021, best skincare 2022, bha, exfoliator, retinol, retinol reform, Sephora, shani darden, skin, skincare, the ordinary, vitamin c

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A vessel sharing positivity through beauty, wellness, and personal style.
23 years ago, I remember looking at Rob and whispe 23 years ago, I remember looking at Rob and whispering, “I want a noisy house.”  
 
I was pregnant with my oldest of four, and visiting my friend’s house.  She was pregnant with her youngest of four.  Her house was filled with joy… and noise.  
 
Welp, here we are- four grown boys later. That whisper became reality.  I got that noisy house, and sometimes when I start to complain, I remember- this was my desire, and God really did deliver.  
 
Thankful for my crew and 23 years of yelling, wrestling, “look at the camera!”, bickering, tears, holes in walls, super hero comparisons (still), “did you brush your teeth?!”, music versus battles, “STOP touching me!”, video games, one word answers, “MOMMMM!!”, boy hugs, and all of my most cringy mom moments. 
 
I hope you had an amazing weekend, and if it wasn’t very amazing, please know that I thought of you on Mother’s Day, and I hold space for you in my heart.
Rob and I are in a very strange season. What we be Rob and I are in a very strange season. What we believed was “next” is no longer. Many people around us are either trying to solve it like it’s a problem to be figured out, or asking us, “So…what’s next?”   
  
I get it. We also want to know.  But the truth is, we don’t know.  We are waiting to hear from God. It’s hard. It’s uncomfortable. It certainly hasn’t been fun. We feel discouraged at times. That’s where we find ourselves.   
  
But I am thankful. For friends who are fine to sit and wait WITH us. And a God whose greatest desire is to just BE with us in every moment- especially the ones that aren’t epic. The ones when life looks plain. When it seems there is no movement, no vision, no plan, no seemingly huge accomplishment, or mountaintop moment.   
  
What a miracle it is that Peace Himself sits down beside us, scoots in close, and whispers contentment, joy and that He is proud of us into our ears. Proud of us in the mundane. Proud of us in this stillness.   
  
I receive it. I hold onto it. Let me grasp it so tightly and fully that I don’t CARE what’s next, and instead savor who is next to me.   
  
Let right now be our next, and let us find the utmost peace right here.  
  
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”  
‭‭  
Psalms‬ ‭62:5‬
#3MinuteMakeupChallenge You guys this was SO hard #3MinuteMakeupChallenge You guys this was SO hard 😂😂 you gotta try this and tell me how it went!  #makeup #quickmakeup #quickmakeuplook #FearlessFriday on a Wednesday
💇🏽‍♀️Did I leave you hanging???! I had 💇🏽‍♀️Did I leave you hanging???! I had an epic April fools day hair reveal to share but then decided maybe it’s too soon in the decade for more jokes 😂 Here’s the actual new hair :) 
 
I was using black box dye, and as my grays were coming in, they were very obvious, with a line of demarcation showing the grow out.  
 
As a solution, Brittany gave me “lived in color” to camouflage my gray -instead of covering it- by subtly and strategically lightening my hair so the gray “blends.” 
 
She said that camouflage instead of covering is the more modern way of coloring and I’m here for all of the dimension!  
 
First and last slides are day 3 hair, and I kid you not, I hadn’t done anything to it since Brittany styled it on Friday!! I wish I could curl my hair like she does!  
 
Also I like seeing the different tones in varying lights- at sundown (day 1 slide 2) morning light (day 2 slide 3) and golden hour (day 3 slides 1 and 4)  
 
The goal will be less and less red and more warm browns as we progress and slowly go lighter over the coming months!  
 
Love it!
Just found out it’s husband appreciation day so Just found out it’s husband appreciation day so here’s my appreciation post for Rob Groves! Best father, friend, leader and overall person I know! Dances with me in an empty party bus before the party ever starts, puts up with my “dancing”which is saying a lot, puts God, me and our family first, makes me laugh, is always striving to grow for the better, sings Tender Roni with me (which is all I ever wanted ever since 8th grade and needless to say it was worth the wait!) I appreciate him for waiting patiently until I’m done with my try ons, that he loves good food, does a good Daniel Russo, is the finest dookie picker upper, and that I finally broke the “can’t be pranked” door down (last slide). I Love you and I like you Rob Groves!
Rob finally got it together and wrote down his bla Rob finally got it together and wrote down his black bean chili recipe! #ad #ALDILove I don’t know about you but a little of this and a little of that doesn’t cut it. I made Rob figure out exact measurements and share his secrets! All you need is a quick run to ALDI to get everything you need.   
 
SAVE this post and SWIPE for the @aldiusa ingredient list. Everything is affordable, high quality and delicious. Recipe is below!  
 
Rob’s step by step is in stories - and he even got a personal Sous chef! 🙋🏽‍♀️ 
 
ROB’S BLACK BEAN CHILI 
 
Serving size: 1 CUP 
Prep time: 10 MIN 
Cook time 45 MIN 
 
INGREDIENTS 
Meat seasoning:  
2 tsp Simply Nature Organic Paprika  
2.5 tsp salt  
1 tsp black pepper  
1 tsp Simply Nature Organic Cayenne (adjust to taste) 
2 tsp Simply Nature Organic Garlic Powder  
 
CHILI INGREDIENTS: 
2 TBS avocado oil  
2 lbs of Simply Nature Grass Fed Ground Beef  
6 cans Simply Nature Organic Black Beans, drained and rinsed  
2 cans diced Happy Harvest Fire Roasted Tomatoes 
1 can Happy Harvest Tomato Paste  
4 TBS Simply Nature Organic Chili Powder  
3 TBS Simply Nature Organic Cumin  
1 TBS ground black pepper  
2 TBS Baker’s Corner Baking Cocoa powder  
1 TBS salt  
1 TBS Simply Nature Dried Oregano  
5 cloves garlic, minced  
1 large onion, diced  
2 yellow or orange bell peppers, diced  
1/2 cup Bear Bros. Cabernet Sauvignon 
1 cup water  
 
DIRECTIONS:  
1. Heat dutch oven to medium. Add avocado oil and cook onion and garlic until translucent.  
2. Mix meat seasoning into ground beef. Turn up heat to medium high and add to dutch oven. Cook until browned.  
3. Turn heat down to medium low. Stir in black beans and chili spices. Mix well.  
4. Stir in peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, and wine and water.   
5. Simmer on low 45 minutes.  
 
Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Me and my best friend. I never want to go anywhere Me and my best friend. I never want to go anywhere without him. 🖤. My extroverted human shield perfect for an awkwardvert like me!  And thank you for picking my dress last night, friends. Perfect choice. Love it!
These @athleta Brooklyn joggers are ready for it a These @athleta Brooklyn joggers are ready for it all! I paired them with items for both now and later- so versatile! Perfect for work, getting outside for a walk, and even dressed up. They’re super flattering and wait until you feel how lightweight and smooth they are! See more looks in stories!
#ad As a child, my skin was not celebrated. In fac #ad As a child, my skin was not celebrated. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I could tell many stories of the words that were spoken over me, and the shame that it caused me to carry.  
  
It took years to shed the negative impact those words had on how I saw myself.  Not only am I proud of who I am, and where I came from, but I’m proud to be one of many Black women who are doing great things despite the challenges we may have experienced as children.   
  
This Black History Month, I’m celebrating with items from the @Target BHM Capsule Collection! And don’t sleep on the Lip Bar- one of my favorite Black and woman- owned cosmetics companies carried at Target.  
 
Celebrate with me by checking out all of the incredible Black creators and business owners at Target - this month and always.  
 
#Target #IChooseToCelebrate
My 4 favorite sunscreens! Everything linked in st My 4 favorite sunscreens!  Everything linked in stories and LTK.  All can be used as a moisturizer alone if you feel like you don’t need additional moisture!  All work well under makeup.   
  
ELTA MD UV FULL BODY SPF 30  
(HACK: use it for the face-this exact formula- I haven’t tested the other body products on my face- it won’t clog pores and it is SO much more cost effective!)  
*$37  for 7 oz  
*Spf 30 UVA UVB Broad spectrum   
*Goes on white but blends into skin   
*Moisturizing   
*Paraben & fragrance free, sensitivity free, *non comedogenic  
*Transparent zinc oxide  
*Hyaluronic  acid  
*Vitamin e for free radial protection  
*Evens skin tone   
*great under makeup   
  
SUPERGOOP GLOW SCREEN   
*$36 1.7 oz  
*CLEAN  
*Spf 40 UVA UVB broad spectrum   
*hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B5 for moisture  
*NIacinamide   
*Hydrating Antioxidant Sea lavender   
*Evens and gives a glow  
*beautiful under makeup   
*blurs imperfections   
  
SUPERGOOP UNSEEN SCREEN   
*$34 1.7 oz  
*SPF 40 UVA UVB broad spectrum  
*CLEAN  
*OIL free  
*feels like a primer  
*has a slip  
*Frankincense for soothing,   
*Meadow foam seed for hydration  
*Completely clear  
  
BLACK GIRL SUNSCREEN FACE & BODY  
*$18.99 3 oz  
*Goes on completely clear for all skin tones   
*SPF 30  
*Cruelty free and vegan  
*Avocado and jojoba for moisture  
*Non comedogenic  
*Cocao, carrot juice for antioxidants and even skin  
*Sunflower oil is anti-inflammatory   
*lightweight hydration   
*great under makeup   
  
Music: Moonglow
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