Month in Review: March 2025
Here's a round up of things you might have missed me share on Instagram in March. You can find these stories saved in my Recent Stories story highlight on IG.
Here's a round up of things you might have missed me share on Instagram in March. You can find all my IG stories for the month in this story highlight on my page.
Skincare
I shared a (long overdue) brand review of Jordan Samuel Skin products and did a surprise giveaway for the folks that commented on the post.
I shared how I use the Kate McLeod lotion bars as my “lazy lotion” routine in this IG reel. My favorite scent is Grounding, followed by the Daily Stone and Sleep stone.
Great News! After Kate McLeod saw my reel they offered me a discount code to share with folks (one-time purchase, sets excluded) that will get you 15% off through May 1st. The code is GETGLOWING15. (Otherwise, you can get it on sale during the Sephora sale).
I shared a post on TikTok with my review of the Shark CryoGlow LED Mask and I updated my LED blog with my review as well.
I added the Maysama LED Mask to my LED blog (there is a table of contents to help you navigate to the review).
I had a giveaway for a Sisley Paris Supremÿa At Night Supreme Anti-Aging Skin Care Lotion (a product I sort of accidentally bought while shopping in NYC with my niece…. I shared the story in my IG Channel. Bottom line, it is a beautiful product that I love using, but the price is INSANE and it forced me to go on a no-buy for awhile!)
I shared that my favorite vitamin C serum by Poems from the Lab updated their packaging so that the tube is easier to squeeze (but you are still able to precisely squeeze out the number of drops you need). Here is my full review of the serum.
CODE: GOALSTOGETGLOWING saves 10%
I shared that the Mother Science Molecular Hero Serum that I love (and that I have written a long review on) got an upgrade to its bottle cap. Now it is matte black instead of silver (one of the only complaints I tended to hear about the serum was that people were annoyed that the silver flaked off the cap when it got scratched and ended up leaving silver flecks on people’s faces).
I also talked about how I have been using the new(ish) Mother Science Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer. I really love the texture of it and how it contains their signature Malassezin ingredient along with growth factors. It has a natural finish and a buttery texture that doesn’t make me greasy if I don’t apply too much.
I shared some masks that have come in handy for when I need to have my skin looking my best.
For when I REALLY need to look my best, this is my Special Occasion mask duo:
The night before, I put on this mask an hour before bed, wear it until I wake up and randomly rip it off in the middle of the night.
The next morning, I set my alarm for 10 min before I need to actually wake up, and I get up and put on this mask (putting the cut outs over my eyes and mouth) and then I go back to bed for 10 min. Then I get up, shower, and finish the rest of my skincare routine.
For when I only have up to an hour before I need to get ready, I like these:
Wear for 10-15 minutes:
I lay these toner pads over my nasolabial folds to help plump them up.
These sheet masks that I got in PR from Florasis have been in my “event prep” kit for a couple months now, and I was reminded how much I loved them on my Cabo girls trip in Jan. They give my skin a glass-skin glow that I love.
This peel-off mask is great because if I only have 10 min to spare, I can put this on, do my hair or get dressed, and then peel this off and my skin has a little extra oomph to it.
When I have 20-45 min to spare:
This peel-off mask takes longer to full absorb and be ready to peel off (~45min), but it does slightly give better results than the peel off mask below (which can be peeled off after 10 min)
This wash-off mask by Natura Bisse, is good for reducing redness in my cheeks and making my skin look bright and even.
This wipe-off mask by Sisley gives an immediate glow (thanks to mica in the formula), so I like to wipe this one off with a wet washcloth rather than wash it off. It leaves my skin moisturized and smooth and seems to help a bit with reducing excess oil production on humid days.
Home & Other Random Stuff
I complained about the Carepod One that I bought back in November. After asking you all for recommendations on a better humidifier and reading up on my options, I wrote up this review of the Carepod One and summarized all of the recs I received. Here is the roundup and review. I ended up buying one by Blueair that Wired rated “Best for cleanliness & sanitation (Smart + UV)” and later in the month I shared in my stories how it has done a MUCH better job at increasing the humidity in our bedroom. Here is the link to the one I bought and love.
Cann Roadies - I have truly become obsessed with these. The main reason is (1) they are actually delicious (not just palatable or “fine”), (2) they are faster acting than gummies, (3) they are micro-doses so I can have just a little bit of thc (2.5mg), or I can have more than one and still feel like myself, but calmer and less on edge (a lot of THC pre-mixed drinks available are 10mg THC or sometimes 5mg, and with those I don’t want to have as many). If I want a stand in for a cocktail, I will mix them in with Topo Chico sparkling water. But most of the time, when I start to feel my irritation or anxiety rising, I just quickly cut one open and drink it straight from the package. Skip their canned version (unless you can find them in person at Total Wine). I LOVE the flavor blood orange and cardamon. I recently tried their new, limited edition Yuzu and Elderflower flavor and loved that so much I immediately placed an order for more. I’d say Yuzu is my 2nd fave, following by Lemon Lavender. I only like the Grapefruit Rosemary mixed in sparkling water (I am not a huge fan of rosemary so that’s why it is last in my list of faves).
Discount Code: VANESSASHIPS = free shipping
Love this print from Lisa Congdon that I bought to hang in my office.
Maple + Lark Bliss Bins - I went on a bit of a shopping spree this month because apparently when there is a ton of uncertainty and stress in my life, I like to organize things like my dog’s treats and medicine, old cards from my parents and more (plus, they had a sale on “not so perfect” bins where I got some major savings). If you shop on their website it is $10 shipping, but I have a discount code to help offset that a little because if takes 10% off (VANESSA10). They also sell via Amazon as well (and right now there is a 20% off coupon that is available). Here’s how I use the different sizes:
Medium: (20% off coupon available). I have multiple Size Medium, and I use them lots of different ways. (I have noticed that parents really like this size or size large for board games, puzzles, etc).
I keep a “first aid + meds” bin that holds all of my meds and first aid necessities, so that when I go on trips, I just grab this bin and I’m good to go. I bought these tiny little containers to hold different meds in a small container than the prescription bottle they came in. Then I got these mesh bags to hold meds that come in blister packs as well as bandaids and hair ties. I use one to hold letters and cards from Quin and my parents. I use one to hold Loddie’s harnesses and collars.
I bought 8 of the small so that I could put them in these baskets that they sell. In on basket, I use the small bins to hold Loddie’s medicine, her toothbrush and toothpaste, and treats.
Extra Small: I Love these for organizing stuff in my purse.
These hold my Cann Roadies perfectly :) I have one bin just for lip glosses and lip products, another for bandaids, eyedrops, and a few key meds.
Makeup
I shared how much I truly LOATHED the L’Oreal Infallible 3-second setting mist, which I only bought because a had a handful of followers tell me that a big beauty influencer claimed it was a “dupe” for the One Size On ‘Til Dawn setting mist. Let me just say….. I have never hated a product more than the L’Oreal Setting spray. I sprayed the L’oreal on one side of my face and the One Size on the other and the side of my face that had the L’Oreal felt DISGUSTING all day. It truly felt like I have oversprayed my hair spray on my face and it just felt tight, and sticky and gross ALL DAY. By comparison, the One Size is weightless and I can never even feel it on my face and it truly stops or greatly reduces how much my make up transfers on my clothes or headphones and how it lasts throughout the day. My niece uses it to keep her dance competition makeup looking good for 14 hours. Needless to say, I tossed the L’Oreal and will be buying another One Size during Sephora sale.
I raved about the Kosas blush in shade Butterflies that I keep reaching for everyday so cheeky that have a luminous glow to them.
I shared my love of the Ami Cole Lip Treatment Oils. I have the clear (which was sent in PR) and I bought the color “Bliss” - which is the perfect “your lips but better” shade.
Loving these brushes I got in a set from Nordstrom to do my brows and eyeliner.
I bought two new shades of the Victoria Beckham beauty. I now have Cinnamon, bronze, and smokey quartz. I love how you have some working time after you apply them to blend them out (and the pencil is SO smooth and never tugs) but once it sets, it really is quite long lasting! You can see swatches of these in this Substack post.
Jewelry & Clothing
I linked the necklaces that I wear in rotation.
I shared that I am fully obsessed with the Silk Pajamas that Lunya sent me and my mom in PR. I got the jumpsuit (I went with my true size, M, and it was perfect). Love the pockets, love the wide legs and I can take Loddie (my dog) outside to go the bathroom in them and they don’t look like pajamas. My mom got the jogger set and loves them as well.
Discount Code: VANESSA15 saves 15%
Thanks Vanessa! I am really enjoying your emails. Especially the monthly round up. I will be saving them for future reference!