If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’ve been fighting acne on-and-off throughout my life, but it came back in a big way a few years ago. Washing my face with my hands never seemed to make my skin feel very clean. I started to get frustrated that I wasn’t seeing a difference in my skin despite adapting to a 7-step skincare routine. Then, as a holiday gift, my mom bought me the FOREO Luna Mini 2 (AKA the device that celebs like Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, and Cindy Crawford have all gone on record praising), and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer.

After two months of using this cleansing brush twice a day, my skin finally started to clear. The breakouts almost completely stopped (aside from the occasional blemish here and there), my skin feels more elastic and it feels like my cleanser is actually getting rid of dirt, oil and dead skin cells.

RELATED: The Dark Spot Treatment That Faded My Spots & Scars Overnight Is Down to Just $20 Ahead of Black Friday

So, I’m obviously more than excited to say that this wondrous gadget is 40% off right now, as part of Amazon’s Black Friday sale. Here, you can shop hair and skincare essentials for huge discounts right before the holidays hit full swing.

As my family and friends can attest, it’s difficult for me to change my routine, but I religiously use this silicone brush twice a day—no matter how tired I am. To use it, I put my cleanser on my face, wet the cleanser and move it in a circular motion around my skin for one minute, then I rinse. I usually just use the basic setting and don’t play around with the other seven vibration levels. I’ve been using it since December and haven’t had to recharge it once.

Even though this brush is a little pricey, usually retailing at $139, it’s worth adding to your cart while its major discounted for Black Friday. The pearl pink cleansing brush is only $84 today, so you’ll be saving $55 on it. I don’t know how long it will last though, so you should shop it now.

Courtesy of FOREO.

Pearl Pink Foreo LUNA mini 2

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

While you’re not supposed to wash your hair everyday, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stock up on hair care products — think hair growth serums, sprays, and shampoos. For the next 24 hours (the clock is ticking), shoppers can stock up bottles of their favorite beauty products at stellar prices, like the Rene Furterer Forticea Energizing Shampoo during the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Made from guarana extract, this vegan shampoo is designed to energize the scalp and improve hair strength leaving you with visibly improved strands. Not only will it strengthen hair from root to tip, but also leave your hair soft and smooth so you can say goodbye to knotted and broken ends for easy drying and styling. It’s also formulated with essential oils of orange, lavender, and rosemary which help purify the scalp and promote microcirculation when massaged into the scalp. 

Amazon

For best results, apply to damp hair in the shower and leave in for one to three minutes and then thoroughly rinse out. Need more convincing? Reviewers rave about the product’s ability to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. One five-star reviewer said this paraben-free shampoo “really works” and is very “kind to the scalp.” While another fan of the product says it’s “great to give fullness and vitality to fine hair.” 

Normally, this dermatologist-tested shampoo is $34, but thanks to Amazon’s Black Friday sale, the price tag has dropped down to just $23.80 so you can stock up for months to come.  

(Remember, to participate in the Black Friday sale, you must currently have an Amazon Prime membership or sign up for a 30-day free trial to gain access. Trust us — you’ll be happy you signed up with the deals you’ll see during the next few days similar to this one. Oh, and let’s not forget about free two-day shipping on eligible items site-wide so you’ll get your purchases fast (yes, no long waits.) 

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

While you’re not supposed to wash your hair everyday, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stock up on hair care products — think hair growth serums, sprays, and shampoos. For the next 24 hours (the clock is ticking), shoppers can stock up bottles of their favorite beauty products at stellar prices, like the Rene Furterer Forticea Energizing Shampoo during the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Made from guarana extract, this vegan shampoo is designed to energize the scalp and improve hair strength leaving you with visibly improved strands. Not only will it strengthen hair from root to tip, but also leave your hair soft and smooth so you can say goodbye to knotted and broken ends for easy drying and styling. It’s also formulated with essential oils of orange, lavender, and rosemary which help purify the scalp and promote microcirculation when massaged into the scalp. 

Amazon

For best results, apply to damp hair in the shower and leave in for one to three minutes and then thoroughly rinse out. Need more convincing? Reviewers rave about the product’s ability to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. One five-star reviewer said this paraben-free shampoo “really works” and is very “kind to the scalp.” While another fan of the product says it’s “great to give fullness and vitality to fine hair.” 

Normally, this dermatologist-tested shampoo is $34, but thanks to Amazon’s Black Friday sale, the price tag has dropped down to just $23.80 so you can stock up for months to come.  

(Remember, to participate in the Black Friday sale, you must currently have an Amazon Prime membership or sign up for a 30-day free trial to gain access. Trust us — you’ll be happy you signed up with the deals you’ll see during the next few days similar to this one. Oh, and let’s not forget about free two-day shipping on eligible items site-wide so you’ll get your purchases fast (yes, no long waits.) 

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

While you’re not supposed to wash your hair everyday, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stock up on hair care products — think hair growth serums, sprays, and shampoos. For the next 24 hours (the clock is ticking), shoppers can stock up bottles of their favorite beauty products at stellar prices, like the Rene Furterer Forticea Energizing Shampoo during the Amazon Black Friday sale.

Made from guarana extract, this vegan shampoo is designed to energize the scalp and improve hair strength leaving you with visibly improved strands. Not only will it strengthen hair from root to tip, but also leave your hair soft and smooth so you can say goodbye to knotted and broken ends for easy drying and styling. It’s also formulated with essential oils of orange, lavender, and rosemary which help purify the scalp and promote microcirculation when massaged into the scalp. 

Amazon

For best results, apply to damp hair in the shower and leave in for one to three minutes and then thoroughly rinse out. Need more convincing? Reviewers rave about the product’s ability to stimulate hair growth and prevent hair loss. One five-star reviewer said this paraben-free shampoo “really works” and is very “kind to the scalp.” While another fan of the product says it’s “great to give fullness and vitality to fine hair.” 

Normally, this dermatologist-tested shampoo is $34, but thanks to Amazon’s Black Friday sale, the price tag has dropped down to just $23.80 so you can stock up for months to come.  

(Remember, to participate in the Black Friday sale, you must currently have an Amazon Prime membership or sign up for a 30-day free trial to gain access. Trust us — you’ll be happy you signed up with the deals you’ll see during the next few days similar to this one. Oh, and let’s not forget about free two-day shipping on eligible items site-wide so you’ll get your purchases fast (yes, no long waits.) 

This is the time of year when we are focused on giving. I put together my holiday gift list over a month ago. It is mostly the same as last year but with a few variations. Of course, my immediate family is always included plus a few “out-laws.”

With joy I added my partner and his family over the years. Then there are a few others such as my hairdresser and dear friends. I shop the entire year and put my finds in a special drawer. I love this part of the holidays but when I am asked to suggest gift ideas for myself, I am at a loss. I really don’t need anything! Does this sound like you?

It’s a Circle!

What I seem to forget is that giving and receiving are part of the same circle. If I give a gift, someone receives it. Right? So why am I so hesitant, even to the point of feeling guilty, when I receive? Part of the reason may be that I was brought up with the idea that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.”

But if you give, isn’t someone always receiving? If you receive, that means someone is giving. It’s an equal exchange of energy. Why should I deny a friend or family member the delight of picking out a gift especially for me? Should there not be equal joy in receiving?

The Joy in Giving

If we are with children on their birthday or over the holidays, you know what I mean when I say joy. The grins and laughter and pure delight in receiving is evident. Why do we change as adults? Perhaps part of the reason is our pocketbook. We want to make others happy but there is the realization that there is a financial cost to the gifts we give, and we may overextend ourselves.

I admit I love the process of picking out gifts, wrapping them, and watching the receiver open the package. I am also guilty of overextending myself at times. When I receive a nice gift, sometimes instead of feeling the joy of the other person, I think about the gift’s value and that I did not give as much in reciprocation.

How can we bring back the pure joy of giving and receiving? Perhaps expectations play a role. If we expect to receive, then we expect that we must also give. But is that true? My recently published Sixty and Me blog listed three ways I was going to give thanks and share my financial abundance with sometimes forgotten people – a caregiver, a friend estranged from a child, and a homeless person.

Putting my intent in writing solidified it and, I am happy to report, I completed all three of my goals. But not all required money. Gifts can be invitations, a kind word, a note, a baked good, or a raised hand to volunteer.

The Joy in Receiving

Now how can I just as happily receive? I can accept the appreciation of a friend who started crying when I related a story dear to her heart. She knew I understood. I can treasure the hugs and kisses of my partner as he shares his love.

I can acknowledge the effort of a sister who took the time to pick me up at the airport, even when my flight was 1.5 hours late! I also appreciate the birthday gifts I will soon receive and the effort that each giver made to pick something special for me.

The gifts we receive may be big, may be small, may cost nothing, or may cost a lot, but let us take time this holiday season to “see” the giver and their love.

For example, when you read one of my blogs or order my book, you acknowledge that I met a need or hit a cord and I am overjoyed. It is with a truly grateful and joy filled heart that I share my gifts with you! Receiving can be just as joyous for adults as for children if we take the time to truly appreciate the thought behind the gift.

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What gift that you received this year brought you the greatest joy? Why? What was the most thoughtful gift you gave this year? Why? How will you show appreciation for each gift you receive this holiday season?