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This post is sponsored by Shop Strands + InstaNatural
Sunglasses: Subsidy Shades // Necklace: Nordstrom Rack //
Button Up: Nordstrom // Strands Aztec Poncho: gift from Shop Strands //
I now have a full-on love affair with Shop Strands’ online boutique. You may remember that I used their Double Arrow Pendant Necklace in this Mama Style post to lean out and counteract the bulk of my boyfriend jeans, and today I’m featuring another beauty from their shop – this amazing one size fits all Poncho. It arrived perfectly on time for a surprise birthday dinner we were throwing for my dad at a casual but hip little local restaurant and I knew I wanted to wear it that night. I added black skinnies and a goes-with-everything white button up and threw on a bold colored necklace to add a little color and was good to go. This particular look is a little more dressy, which just shows how versatile the poncho is!
The print is beautiful, and I love the cream and black coloring, as it goes with practically everything. While its not technically reversible, there are no raw edges or anything so I’ve actually worn it “backwards” which means you’re getting a two-fer! It’s well made, and the perfect weight for the random cool and Spring-like weather we were blessed with last weekend. This poncho is kind of my new obsession, and I can’t wait to pair it with shorts as it warms up.
If you’ve been keeping up with my goals for February, you’ll remember that I’m trying to be better about taking care of myself this month. That includes getting in more “me time”, and pampering myself when I can. Being a Stay At Home / Work From Home Mom, however, means I have to stick to a budget, so as much as I would love it, multiple trips to the salon and spa just aint happenin’. Insert InstaNatural. They sent me a huge 16oz jar of their Dead Sea Mud Mask to try out and give some feedback on, which means I’ve gotten to have a few at home (and on the road) spa days, and I haven’t had to hand over my credit card to indulge.
InstaNatural’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is an all-natural detoxifier and purifier that comes from the renowned and sacred Dead Sea. More than a million visitors each year flock to this extraordinary body of water in the Mediterranean, which contains many minerals beneficial to the skin, such as magnesium, sodium, bromine, potassium and calcium. You can use the mask on the face or the body, to reveal more vibrant, refined, and healthier skin. As I’m still breastfeeding and dealing with crazy hormones because of this, my poor acne-prone skin needs all the help it can get!
When the Mud Mask arrived, I opened the huge 16 oz jar up to check out the product and was pleasantly surprised that my nose wasn’t subjected to any unpleasant smells. The mud mask itself is a greenish grey color and has more of a gelatinous consistency than I was expecting, but it applied smoothly and easily (albeit a little messily) over my face and, even to my sensitive nose, was scentless. It may be the cool weather, but I was also surprised at how cool it felt when applied, as the one other mud mask I’ve tried did not have the same cooling feel.
InstaNatural’s Dead Sea Mud Mask is effective in absorbing excess oil, which is great for my skin type, and therefore my skin becomes less oily and breaks out less. InstaNatural does recommend only using the mask once a week, so that’s what I stick to. The last mud mask I tried dried my skin out so much, so I loved that this one has super hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil and shea butter plus aloe vera to help with any irritation that may occur. Once I applied it to my face, I could immediately feel the mask begin to tingle and tighten, so I know it’s going to work absorbing oils and bringing out the dirt and toxins from my pores.
After about 12 minutes, my mask had completely dried, so I rinsed it off with warm water and let my tingly face air dry. About two days after using the mask for the first time I did break out pretty badly, but after a little research I found out that’s really normal as the mask is drawing the impurities out of your skin. I have now used the mask four times and haven’t had any breakouts or skin reactions since, and my skin seems to get a little softer and my pores (especially around my nose) seem to get a little smaller each time. The huge jar will definitely last me a long time as I barely put a dent in it, and I can’t wait to see how much better my skin gets as I use it more and more!
Have you ever used a mud mask?
Love the outfit!!! I really like the Poncho… it looks super comfy!
Thank you, Tori! It is sooooooo comfortable!
I love Ponchos, now I must check out the shop.
It's the first one I've tried and I love how versatile it is!
Love this style! The necklece and poncho really go together. Looks so good!
Thank you so much, Magda!
Love that Poncho and the design on it is absolutely gorgeous you have rocked it. I am about to try the Insta natural mask so good to read about it before I try and know what to expect. Thanks for the honest review.
You are so welcome, thank you for stopping by 🙂
Always a pleasure visiting these parts 🙂
Your outfit is so cute! I love the shoes. That mask sounds pretty awesome too.
Thank you so much, Lisa! They are the comfiest boots from Seychelles!
What a beautiful print. I last owned a poncho in 1971!
You were a trendsetter before you even knew it 🙂
super cute.. love the poncho
Thank you so much, Yaitza!
I really love your poncho, so comfortable looking.
You look wonderful!