My Self-Care Story: Four New Favorites I'm Obsessed With

Hey there! I have to tell you about the skin and body care routine that's completely transformed my mornings and nights lately. It all started when I felt my old routine was getting a little blah. My skin looked dull, my usual body wash felt drying, and I was so over deodorants that didn't last. Fast forward to now – I’ve got four superstar products in my arsenal: a French moisturizer that does it all, a Brazilian-inspired body care set that smells like heaven, a natural deodorant that actually works, and a clever body wash that keeps me fresh for 24 hours. Let me spill the tea on how I use each of them in my day, as if I were chatting with my best friend (that’s you!). Grab a coffee (or a caipirinha) and get comfy. Here’s my storytelling-style rundown of these gems and how they fit into my routine. 🌟

Morning: Starting with a Glow and a Scent

Mornings used to be a struggle for me – I’m definitely not a morning person. But ever since I added Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré to my AM routine, getting ready has felt like a mini spa moment. This French pharmacy favorite is literally a multitasking miracle in a tube. I slather on a pea-sized amount right after washing my face, and oh my goodness – instant hydration. The texture is rich and creamy, but it sinks in like a dream, leaving this silky, satiny finish on my skin. I adore the light, fresh scent (kinda like a clean floral, but super subtle) that makes me feel so pampered first thing in the morning. My skin drinks this up and suddenly I go from groggy to glowy. On days I wear makeup, Embryolisse doubles as a primer – my foundation glides on so smoothly over it, no dry patches in sight. And if I’m in a rush (or feeling lazy the night before), I even used this cream to gently remove leftover mascara or makeup smudges. Yup, it’s a moisturizer, primer, and makeup remover all in one, and my skin just looks plump and dewy after using it. Consider me officially obsessed! 💖

Next up in my morning is a shower that seriously transports me to Rio de Janeiro. I’ve been using the SOL DE JANEIRO Bom Dia Bright body care set – it’s called the “Jet Set” and it truly brings those vacation vibes to my bathroom. The set has a Bom Dia Bright Clarifying AHA BHA Body Wash, the Bom Dia Bright Cream, and a Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 40 Perfume Mist (all in adorable mini sizes perfect for travel or just testing out). I squeeze out a dollop of the body wash on my loofah and the moment I lather up, I’m hit with the most delicious warm floral scent – they call it Cheirosa 40, which has notes of black amber plum and vanilla woods. Let me tell you, it’s sultry and comforting at the same time; imagine a lush fruity sweetness blended with a cozy vanilla warmth. The body wash itself feels silky and produces a rich, cushiony foam. It’s got AHAs (fancy fruit acids) which I think is why my skin feels so smooth after – it’s like it gently buffs away dullness without any scrub needed. After rinsing, my bathroom smells incredible (like I lit a fancy candle or something). I honestly linger an extra minute just to inhale the steamy Brazilian paradise I've created.

Stepping out of the shower, I don’t even need to hesitate – I dive straight for the Bom Dia Bright Cream. It comes in this cute bright pink jar that makes me smile, and the cream itself is thick, buttery, and ultra-luxurious. I scoop some out and massage it into my skin while it’s still damp. Immediately, I feel like some glow goddess. The cream has Vitamin C and AHAs too, which is supposed to brighten and smooth skin over time. All I know is my arms and legs feel baby soft and have this subtle sheen after I apply it, but never greasy. And can we talk about the scent layering? The same yummy Cheirosa 40 fragrance is in the cream, so now I’ve got it on my skin and it lasts for hours. I catch whiffs of myself throughout the day (not in a weird way, in an OMG what is that amazing perfume? Oh, it’s me! way). For good measure – and okay, because I’m extra – I spritz a bit of the Cheirosa 40 Perfume Mist on my clothes and hair before I head out the door. Just a couple spritzes create this subtle scent aura around me. It’s not overpowering like some perfumes; it's light, playful, and makes me feel like I should be on a beach sipping passionfruit smoothies. At this point, I’m feeling awake, fragrant, and straight-up happy.

The final step of my morning get-ready ritual is something I never used to be excited about: deodorant. Enter my new fave, SALT & STONE Natural Deodorant in the Bergamot & Hinoki scent. Now, I’ve tried a lot of natural deodorants in the past, and let's just say many ended up in the bin – either they irritated my skin or, um, didn’t exactly keep me smelling fresh. This one is a total game-changer. First off, the scent is dreamy: Bergamot & Hinoki smells like a stroll through a high-end spa in the woods – think sparkling, slightly sweet citrus note—a cross between orange and lemon, but softer, with a touch of floral and Hinoki (a Japanese cypress) adds this calming, earthy woodiness with subtle hints of spice and smoky incense. Together, they balance perfectly: uplifting and crisp from the bergamot, grounded and zen-like from the hinoki. It’s fresh, clean, and sophisticated—like walking through a sunlit forest after a rain, with a soft breeze carrying hints of citrus and cedarwood. It’s soothing and gender-neutral, and it doesn’t clash with my body cream/mist because it’s more of a mellow, subtle fragrance. I swipe the SALT & STONE deodorant on (it’s a stick formula that glides on super smooth, no sticky residue at all). It feels almost like a light lotion going on – thanks to things like seaweed extracts and hyaluronic acid, it actually moisturizes my underarm skin while keeping odor at bay. No baking soda in it either, which means zero irritation or redness for me. I get dressed and guess what? No white marks on my black tee – hallelujah! With this deodorant on, I feel confident that I won’t be funky by lunch. It claims 48-hour protection, and while I haven’t gone that long without showering, I can vouch that I stay fresh through long busy days easily. By this point in the morning, I’ve cleansed, moisturized, perfumed, and swiped on my deo – and I genuinely feel excited to start the day. Who knew a morning routine could feel like such a treat?

That All-Day Confidence Boost

Armed with my glowy skin and delicious fragrance, I head out to whatever the day holds. And let me tell you, the confidence boost is real. There’s something about knowing your skin is soft, you smell amazing, and even your underarms are happy that just puts a spring in your step. The other day at work, a colleague gave me a hug and immediately exclaimed, “Wow, you smell so good! What is that?” I got a little giddy telling her about the Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright products I used – I basically turned into a one-woman fan club, raving about the plum and vanilla deliciousness. By lunchtime, I notice my face still looks dewy (normally by noon I’d see some dryness or my foundation separating, but the Embryolisse cream really helped my makeup stay put and kept my skin hydrated). I do a little happy dance in the restroom mirror when I see there’s no flaky foundation around my nose – a true win for my combination skin.

My fragrance from the morning routine subtly lingers in the background (it’s now like a soft whisper of warmth when I move). I love that it’s not an overpowering cloud, but just enough that if someone is in my personal space, they catch it. And as for the SALT & STONE deodorant – whew, it’s holding up like a champ. Even after a quick power-walk to grab coffee in the afternoon sun, I still feel fresh. No need for any awkward emergency reapplication (you know, those “excuse me while I hide in a corner and reapply deodorant” moments – I haven’t had those since switching to this).

By the end of the work day, I’m usually a bit tired, but I still feel and smell pretty darn good. Honestly, having these products do their job all day makes me feel more relaxed and confident, so I can focus on everything else. And knowing I have an evening routine I look forward to keeps my energy up through the last meeting. Which brings me to…

Nighttime Ritual: Unwinding and Staying Fresh

After a long day, my favorite way to unwind is with a nice warm shower – and here’s where my fourth secret weapon comes in. If it’s been a super active day (like I hit the gym or it was really hot out), I reach for Lume Acidified Body Wash during my evening shower. This one’s a bit of a secret trick I use especially when I want to make sure every bit of odor is gone. Lume’s body wash is not your ordinary soap – it’s formulated to be acidic (low pH) which sounds strange at first, but it’s actually genius. By creating a lower pH on your skin, it prevents those pesky odor-causing bacteria from partying on your body. Translation: it knocks out any existing odor and then keeps new odor from forming for up to 24 hours after you use it. 😲 I mean, talk about peace of mind! I have the Clean Tangerine scent which is this lovely burst of fresh citrus (they have Unscented and other scents like Peony Rose or Toasted Coconut too, but I’m a sucker for anything orange-y). The gel is clear and gently sudsy – not a huge lather, more like a mild cleanse that doesn’t strip my skin. I lather up with Lume especially on those critical areas (you know, underarms, feet, anywhere else that tends to get a bit smelly or sweaty). It feels silky-smooth and rinses easily. Immediately after, I notice that I smell like basically nothing – just clean. It’s not a strong scent left behind, actually quite subtle after rinsing (a hint of tangerine that fades), which is fine because I know the real magic is in the odor control.

Sometimes I’ll do a double-cleanse in the shower: first my Lume for the "heavy lifting" of odor elimination, then a quick second round with any fun body wash (like if I want to enjoy my Sol de Janeiro scent again). But if I’m being honest, most nights I keep it simple and just let Lume do its thing. It’s nice going to bed knowing I’m super fresh – my PJs and sheets appreciate it too! And fun fact: since using the Lume wash regularly, I’ve noticed even my workout clothes don’t develop that permanent musty smell as much. It’s like it truly neutralizes odors on my skin so nothing transfers. Consider me impressed.

After I towel off, I do a quick nighttime skincare routine. If I wore makeup, I might massage a bit of Embryolisse Lait-Crème onto my face again as a makeup remover – it literally melts my BB cream and mascara off when I wipe with a warm, damp washcloth. (I was skeptical about using a moisturizer as a cleanser, but this stuff is multi-talented!). Then I apply a smidge more as my night moisturizer to replenish my skin overnight. It feels so comforting – like my skin is getting a cozy drink of water and nutrients. There’s something satisfying about using the same beloved product to both cleanse and hydrate – minimal fuss, maximum benefit. My face feels supple and calm, ready for beauty sleep.

As a finishing touch before I hop into bed, I sometimes swipe a little more of the SALT & STONE deodorant because why not stay fresh through the night too? It’s gentle enough and I love falling asleep to that whisper of Bergamot & Hinoki. If I’m feeling extra indulgent, I might even spritz the tiniest bit of the Cheirosa 40 mist on my pillow – yes, I’m that person now, spritzing body mist on linens! But it’s so soothing and puts me in a happy mindset as I drift off. 🌙

Crawling into bed, I do a mental check: My skin is soft and moisturized, I can still smell a faint trace of that yummy plum/vanilla/luxe scent on my arms, my face is nurtured, and I know I won’t wake up to any unpleasant odors (morning breath not included, ha!). It’s amazing how these little self-care steps have become such a source of joy for me. I used to dread my routine because it felt like a chore, but now it’s my time – a series of small rituals that make me feel nurtured and excited.

In conclusion (or as I’d rather call it, a happy epilogue), weaving these four products into my daily life has not only upped my self-care game, but also my confidence and mood. From the moment I slather that Embryolisse cream on my face at dawn to the second I cap the night off with Lume’s freshness, I genuinely feel like I’m treating myself like a VIP. And you know what? I think we all deserve that! Each of these has a special place: Embryolisse is my skin’s BFF for moisture and that effortless French-girl glow; Sol de Janeiro’s Bom Dia Bright set turns hygiene into a joyful sensory vacation (and has me smelling like a snack, in the best way); SALT & STONE deodorant proves that clean, natural formulas can be sexy and effective; and Lume Acidified Body Wash is my undercover hero for staying super fresh no matter what.

If you’re looking to shake up your routine or just indulge in some new goodies, I highly recommend these. My storytelling here is 100% my real experience – complete with the little moments of delight each product brings me daily. Hopefully, you can feel how giddy I am about them. 😉 So go ahead, try them out, and let me know if you end up as excited as I am. Here’s to glowing skin, yummy scents, and feeling fabulous in our own skin, every single day! Cheers to self-care, my friend! 🎉💖