Winter

Indoor Cardio Workout (That Doesn’t Involve A Treadmill!)

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cardio

Yup, the dreaded cardio session. I guess I’m just a weirdo and actually enjoy cardio days. It gives me a chance to catch up on my podcasts or listen to music and just escape from the world for 30 minutes.

But during the winter, it is REALLY hard to get a cardio session in. Especially if you workout at home and don’t have a treadmill or elliptical to use, like myself. I live in a small duplex, and we just don’t have room for one, but it’s at the top of the list for when we buy a house in the next year or two. Most of my cardio sessions consist of me going for a run or walk around my neighborhood or park, but when the temperature hit -4 today, that obviously wasn’t going to happen! So I decided to create my own cardio workout that you can do in your living room! Just turn on your favorite music or Netflix show, set your timer for 30 minutes (15-20 if you’re a beginner), and follow my guide below!

indoor cardio workout

The guide is pretty straight forward, just start with the first workout and work your way down, complete each set, then repeat the whole thing again until the 30 minute timer goes off. I usually complete this workout about 2-3 times a week.

I’m sure most of you are thinking “why doesn’t she just get a gym membership?”. I used to have one, in fact I used to work at a gym when I first started college. Once I quit my job at the gym, I kept my membership but found myself never going to the gym. I was always coming up with an excuse to never go, and I was basically wasting $20 a month. We also only have one good gym where I live, and It’s small and always packed. So I decided to buy all the equipment I would need (dumbbells, kettle bell, cables that attach to the door frame, resistance bands, etc. I’ll share this in a blog post soon!) and just workout at home, that way I don’t have an excuse to not workout. I feel like this for sure helped me with my weightloss goals.

What type of cardio is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to subscribe!

Valerie

 

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How To Style A Chambray Dress Year Round

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Chambray Dress (similar style for $30 HERE!) //  Blanket Scarf (under $10!)  //  OTK Boots

Once I started losing weight, the first shirt that looked way too big on me was my chambray shirt. I wore this shirt ALL. THE. TIME. Chambray can easily be dressed up or down, and that’s why I love it so much! I decided to start shopping online for another one, but came across this dress instead! My favorite part? You can wear this year round. Yup, you heard that right. I have it styled in these photos for winter, with OTK boots and a thick blanket scarf. You can even wear tights or leggings under it instead of OTK boots. For a more fitted look, you can add a black belt around the waist. Here are a few other options:

Spring: wear it with a statement necklace or earrings and ankle booties. If it’s warm outside, you can roll up the sleeves and wear it with a cute pair of mules.

Summer: roll up the sleeves, wear a pair of wedges or sandals, and add a statement clutch with bright colors.

Fall: Ankle booties and a scarf. This is one of my favorite ways to wear it!

Casual: wear a pair of Converse (I have these and love them!) and a baseball cap (THIS ONE is super cute and has pearls on it!).

Do you have an outfit that you wear year round, but style differently for each season? Let me know in the comments!

If you have an outfit you would like styled, just let me know! Leave a comment or send me an email, I’m always looking for new post ideas.

Thanks for reading!

Valerie

The Best Fitness Planner For 2019

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When it comes to my planner, I’m totally old school. I love actually sitting down and writing things in my planner more than just scheduling things into a calendar on my phone or computer. I’m also really picky with planners. I start searching for one in November, because I know it will take awhile to find the perfect one. Last year I had the Fit Planner from Blogilates, but they changed the design and didn’t include space for your everyday activities (something that I need in a planner), so I had to go with a different one this year. I wanted one that would help me reach my fitness goals, while also having room for my appointments.

After a month of searching. I ended up with the Healthy Hero Happy Planner from Michael’s. When I bought it, they were having a sale for 40% off all planners and accessories, on top of 20% off your entire purchase including sale items. It was around Black Friday, so of course I had to jump on it before they were all gone.

When you first open the planner, it has space to put your name, like most do. The cover is kinda hard and laminated. I’m not a fan of the design, but it can easily be changed out with one from Etsy or Michael’s (even though they didn’t have very many in store). That is one thing I love about this planner, you can customize everything from the cover, the middle expander discs, and you can even add pages within the planner.

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My favorite thing about this planner is you can set goals at the beginning of each month, and not just fitness related ones. This section is located before the monthly and weekly calendar views.

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When you open to the weekly view, the first section is for everyday items like appointments or to do lists. The next section is called “Focus” but I changed it to be my Blog planning section. Then it goes into your fitness related sections starting with meal planning then exercises. On the left hand side, it has your goals for the week, an empty section for whatever you want to put (I use it to track my weekly steps, calories and active minutes), and then an area to track your water intake (I love this section!).

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The rest of the planner includes different sections for goal setting and reflecting on each month. I think I’m going to start this 30 day self-care challenge next month, who wants to join!? Just save the photo below!

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Since I decided to go with a Happy Planner this year, I had to get all the stickers to go with it. I bought the Healthy Hero sticker pack from Michael’s, and I also found stickers in the dollar section at Target, and received a few packs from family members around Christmas.

I planned on posting this at the beginning of January, but I ended up getting sick, and then of course I had computer issues and wasn’t able to edit my photos! So sorry this is a bit late. I plan on posting more this year, especially in the next week or two. As some of you know, I have a full time job working for the federal government. Unfortunately, I’m one of the workers that has been furloughed. It really sucks considering I already live paycheck to paycheck as it is, but it’s out of my hands at this point.

But I hope everyone had a great Holiday and New Years! I started to have a fitness challenge with a giveaway during December, but not very many people were participating, so I’m going to move it to February instead! That way everyone will keep going with their New Year’s Resolutions. I’ll have more details towards the end of January.

What type of planner are you using this year? Let me know in the comments!

Valerie

2018 Goals

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I’m baaaack! I’m sure most of you noticed I took a bit of a hiatus over the holiday season. Well, that hiatus was longer than expected. The flu unfortunately hit our household. I had it, and now my boyfriend has had it for over a week now. This meant I had to push off some of my 2018 blog goals. I was able to start my fitness goals right away, and I’m still going strong! Here are a few of my goals for the new year:

  1. Lose at least 50 pounds (give or take, because I want muscle as well!)
  2. Become a consistent blogger
  3. Pay off debt
  4. Have a savings account
  5. Travel

I know everyone’s goal is to lose weight. I say this every year (and last year I lost 15 pounds!). I’m just never consistent with it. Well, I’m going into my 4th week and I have been working out 6 days a week and eating healthy and enjoying 1 cheat meal a week! I can’t wait to see how I feel in a couple months.

I love blogging, but sometimes life gets in the way. I really want to be more consistent and post 3 times a week. I have so much content planned out for the rest of this month and most of next month, and I’m so excited to share! My favorite post coming up in a couple weeks is how to host the perfect Galentine’s Day party. So keep an eye out for that post!

Paying off debt and having a savings account are huge for me. I have a couple credit cards I want to get paid off as well as student loans. Once I get that taken care of, I really want to build up my savings account, something I haven’t had much of the past few years. Hello, working overtime!

It has been 3 years since I took a vacation. This includes traveling, and even taking a week off of work. This year I have at least 2 trips I want to go on! The first one is in April to the Style Collective blogger conference in Raleigh, North Carolina! I can’t wait to meet all my other blogger sisters. I also want to go to New York Fashion Week this year. I know it’s a huge goal, and a pretty expensive one, but a girl can dream, right?

So how do I plan on achieving my goals? Well, obviously with losing weight I plan on working out 6 days a week and eating healthy. I plan out all my meals and workouts a week in advance using my Blogilates 2018 planner (it’s sold out, unfortunately). It’s a fitness planner that also has an hourly appointment view so you can use it as a regular planner as well. It’s a 2 in 1! This will also help me plan out time for the blog. I plan on shooting photos on the weekends and trying to get posts completed ahead of time. That way there are no excuses for something not being posted. Sometimes I find myself getting lazy and not wanting to leave my house, and I really want to change that this year.

Quote I’m going to live by this year: “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally. It comes from what you do consistently.”

What are your 2018 goals? Let’s help keep each other accountable, and post them in the comments!

Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

Valerie

The Best Gifts For Everyone

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Only SIX DAYS until Christmas! Can anyone else believe that? If you are a last minute shopper (like myself), I’m rounding up some of my favorite gifts for everyone on your list. A lot of these can be delivered before Christmas, you just have to pay for expedited shipping! But, if you love something yourself, just use those gift cards you receive in your stockings ;). Also, make sure you enter for a chance to win a Soapbox bundle! (details are at the end of this post).

Soapbox Soaps:
I know I rave about this company all the time (they truly are the best, and the only products I have in my bathroom right now), but you really can’t pass up giving a gift that gives back. For each item you purchase, they donate a bar of soap to those in need. The bundles can get gifted to anyone on your list, including men! Use code bestgift17styledmuse to get 10% off your entire purchase!

Maria Shireen:
My favorite bracelet that hides your hair tie! There are so many designs and hair tie colors to choose from. Perfect for your mom, sister, or bestie. Use code FTW20 for 20% off your entire purchase!

Rachel’s Grove:
This is seriously the cutest boutique in St. Louis (but they also have a website)! I visited them for the first time at the beginning of this year, and found this wristlet that I use everytime I go out! They are sold out of it, but I’m in love with this velvet crossbody! 

Boho Betty:
I have a few of these wrap bracelets and I wear them all the time. This one is my favorite and is currently on my wish list! Use code STYLEDMUSE to get 20% off your entire purchase!

JustFab:
Lately, this is the only place I have been buying shoes from. Your first style is only $10 when you sign up!

Mala Prayer:
Mala Prayer has gorgeous handmade necklaces! You can see me wearing mine in this post HERE. Also, each purchase you make goes towards women entrepreneurs to help invest in their businesses! Use code VALERIEHELTON20 for 20% off your entire purchase!

WallsNeedLove:
For the person who loves decorating their home! WallsNeedLove is a company that makes removable wallpaper! I have the cutest banana leaf wallpaper by them, and I’m so excited to put it above my vanity!

Young Living Essential Oils:
I use essential oils for everything. Not only do they smell amazing, but they are free of harmful chemicals. You can use them for everything from stress and headaches to beauty and cleaning products! You can order your own essential oils by using the link above! I will have a lot of essential oil tutorials in the new year, so keep an eye out!

Ruth & Philomena:
The sweatshirt I’m wearing in the photos above are from this boutique! They have gifts for anyone on your christmas list! You can use code NEWFREE to get free shipping on your order!

Kohl’s & Ulta:
When I’m not sure what to get my sister or bestites, my fall back is always makeup gift sets you can find at Ulta and Kohl’s. This Lorac lipstick gift set is my favorite, and is currently on sale for under $22!

3GIVEAWAY! Win this Soapbox Coconut Oil bundle! To win:

  1. Comment on this post telling me what the best gift you have ever received for Christmas was.
  2. Sign up for the Styled Muse newsletters! Click HERE to subscribe to new posts and giveaway updates via email!

***CONGRATS TO REBECCA NILES! YOU ARE THE WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY! Please send an email to styledmuse@gmail.com with your shipping information!***

Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!

Valerie

The Best Black Friday Sales

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Black Friday

Like every Thanksgiving, I’m starting to plan out my Black Friday shopping list. There are SO many good deals this year! If you want tips on shopping Black Friday sales, check out my post from last year where I talk about everything I do to get ready! I like to get a lot of my Christmas shopping done on Black Friday, but you also can’t get away from treating yo-self. Why not pass up these good deals!?

According to my Insta-stories poll, most of you shop online, so I am going to include a lot of online sales! But there are a few who go in stores (like myself), so I will include those as well! I’m going to round up some of my favorite stores to shop at on Black Friday (and Gray Thursday?), along with links to their websites and my favorite deals they will have going on! I’m also sharing coupon codes to some of your favorite stores that you won’t find anywhere else! Everything starts now, unless otherwise noted. I will update this as more sales are released.

Kohls:
Deals start online now!
Stores open 5pm Thursday.
– $15 Kohls Cash for every $50 you spend
– Instax Mini 9 camera with 20 pack film ($69.99). On my Christmas list this year!
-Victrola Vintage Bluetooth Turntable ($39.99). I’ve always wanted one of these!
-LC Lauren Conrad jewelry organizers and gifts (under $10). She always designs the cutest stuff. These would be perfect stocking stuffers.
-Select luggage 60-75% off. Perfect if you have trips planned next year!
-All fragrances 20-25% off.
-Select beauty products (including Cargo eyeshadow palettes and LORAC mascara!) 50% off!
-CHI hair straightener with curling iron ($79.99)
-Croft & Barrow Woven Vests $12.99!

Target:
Doors open 6pm Thursday
-Instax Mini 9 Camera with 10ct film ($59.99)
-Women’s sweaters starting at $10
-Chi flat iron with bonus brush and mini dryer ($74.99)
-All beauty gift sets buy 1 get 1 50% off

Old Navy:
Sales start online Wednesday, and stores open 3pm Thursday
-50% your entire purchase

Nordstrom:
Online Thursday, in store Friday
-Deals not released yet, will update as soon as they are!

Macy’s:
Online Now.
In stores 5pm Thursday.
-Take 20% off with code HURRY
-If you have a Macy’s card, you get $10 off $25 or more, or $20 off $50 or more on select purchases.
-Luggage 60-75% off
-Select boots 40% off
-Select designer handbags 40-60% off
-Sequined graphic sweatshirt $39.99 (super cute!)
-Beauty gift sets under $25

Bath & Body Works:
Online now
-All 3 wick candles $12.50
-Body care buy 3 get 2 free
*deals might change, will update once Thursday gets here.

Ulta (my favorite sale!):
Online at 5pm Thursday, in store 6pm Thursday
-Free 9 piece beauty bag with any $50 online purchase.
-Urban Decay Nocturnal eyeshadow palette ($14.50)
-NYX Lippie Countdown Advent Calendar ($29.99)
-Chi straighteners and dryers ($69.99 each)
-Select mascaras $10 each.
-OPI select nail polish $5 each
-Urban Decay Vice liquid lipstick ($9)
-Anastasia Beverly Hills select glow kits 40% off
-20% off Clarisonic holiday gift sets
-Buy 1 get 1 free Batiste and Not Your Mother’s products

Sephora:
Great deals online already, but will update once more is released! Only preview is available.
-Too Faced Boss Lady Beauty Agenda (new palette!) $58

Charlotte Russe:
Online now (will update if any changes are made on Thursday)
-Everything $20 or less online
-Free shipping, no minimum

Nike:
-Take an extra 25% off sale styles with code EPIC25

Shopbob:
-Take up to 75% off sales items and 30% off full-priced styles with code MORE17

J. Crew:
-Take 40% off everything with code THANKU

Topshop:
-Get up to 50% off and free shipping

Urban Outfitters:
-Buy one get one 50% off everything

Boohoo:
-Take 30% off everything with code GOGOGO

Boho Betty:
-Take 60% off with code BLACK60

Mala Prayer:
-50% off with code PREVIEW

Express:
-50% off everything and free shipping on every order

Tarte Cosmetics:
-25% off almost everything with code PREVIEW

Baublebar:
-30% off gift sets and holiday collections with code YAY30

I will update as more sales are released. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Valerie

Wedge Fall Booties

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Booties: Payless // Scarf: Payless // Hat: Target // Top: Nordstrom // Jeans: Charlotte Russe // Bag: Kate Spade (similar)

It’s FINALLY the freakin’ weekend, you guys! I feel like this has been the longest week ever. Tomorrow, make sure you follow along for our Style Collective St. Louis meetup on my Insta-stories! It’s sure to be a fun time 🙂 .

I have been obsessing over ankle booties lately. I feel like everytime I go into a store, I end up leaving with a pair. I think my boyfriend is going to kill me if I buy another pair, baha! I saw these black wedge booties on display at Payless last week, and KNEW I had to buy them. Of course you can’t leave Payless without browsing the accessories, so I also left with this knit scarf and a pair of no show socks. Oh, and add a pair of tennis shoes to that as well, haha! These are the cutest, and I have gotten so many compliments! I will be sharing those with you soon, too! I got all of this for $58! I love sales and coupons. You can find the cutest items at a great price at Payless! And for any occasion!

I love wearing all black during the fall. There’s just something about it that looks so chic and put together. These jeans are also the most comfortable pair I own! They are currently on sale for $25! I got this bag last year at Kate Spade, and can no longer find it online. I tagged a very similar one, just in a different print!

Next week on the blog I will be sharing all of my favorite Black Friday sales, as well as the start of Gift Guides! I can’t believe it’s already that time of year!!! But stay tuned, I have a lot of fun posts planned for the holiday season :).

Have a great weekend, and thanks for reading!

Valerie

This post was in collaboration with Payless. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Styled Muse possible! 

My Updated Skincare Routine

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About a year ago, I posted about my skincare routine. Since then I have added and gotten rid of products I use, so I decided to do an updated one for you all! Just so you can get an idea of how my skin is (in case this is the first time you are reading my blog), I have very oily, acne prone skin. So most of these products are for those with the same type of skin as me.

Morning Routine: When I first wake up in the morning, I clean my face off with Micellar Cleansing Water using a round cotton pad. I never go too crazy in the mornings with washing my face, because I usually do a deep cleaning right before I go to bed. My face seems to get more oily when I wash my face a lot. If I’m having a bad break out, then I use the Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser and my Clarisonic Mia 1. This cleanser is mild and helps clean my face without being too strong and drying. I then finish by using alcohol free witch hazel on a round cotton pad and wiping it all over my face and neck. It seems to help keep my face from getting oily throughout the day.

Night Routine: I take my showers at night, so when I get in the shower the first thing I do is wash my face. I still use the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne face wash (mentioned in my skincare post). I have used this for a few years now, and it seems like the only face wash that can clear up my breakouts. I use my Clarisonic Mia 1 with my Neutrogena face wash to help clean my pores out (I will go into more detail below). After I’m done washing, I leave the face wash on my face like a mask while washing my hair and body. This is one thing I swear by! It lets the active ingredients really get to work on those pesky pimples. Once I’m out of the shower, I apply the Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Toner. This helps prevent breakouts and keeps your face from getting oily.

Face Mask: Every other night I use a face mask. If it’s a face mask night, then I will apply it to my face right after I get out of the shower. Once it has sat on my face for about 20 minutes, I will remove it and continue with the rest of my routine. Right now I’m loving the L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks. The green one I’m using helps with oily skin. I just recently purchased it and love it. I switch up my masks every couple weeks because I’m always finding new ones I love!

Cleansing Brush: I absolutely love my Clarisonic Mia 1! I have been using Clarisonic products for a few years now, and I think my skin clearing up has a lot to do with this! I used to break out really bad, now it’s just when my time of the month comes (I don’t think anything can really stop that, haha!).

But how does it work? The bristles of a Clarisonic cleansing brush head move back and forth, or “oscillate”, gently flexing the skin and flushing water and cleanser into pores. This sonic cleansing process removes the dirt, oil and debris that ages your skin and causes breakouts. Because Clarisonic facial cleansing devices don’t exfoliate – a common myth! – Clarisonic is gentle enough for twice-daily use, even on the most sensitive skin.

The brush head I prefer most, and really works with my skin, is the Deep Pore brush head. It really gets all the dirt and makeup out of my pores! I know the Clarisonic cleansing brushes can seem a bit out of your budget, but Right now Clarisonic is offering Styled Muse readers 15% off! Just head to this website and use code HERCAMPUS. They now also offer payment plans (with credit approval)! If you would like how read how to use one, just head to my previous skin care post HERE!

What products to you use in your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!

Valerie

This post was in collaboration with Clarisonic and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Styled Muse possible!

Affordable Workwear

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Shop The Look

Top: Similar & Similar (My Fav) // Pants: Nordstrom // Bag: Similar // Shoes // Ring: Charlotte Russe

Happy Wednesday! I think today is the first day it finally feels like fall in St. Louis. Unfortunately, it won’t last long. It’s going to be 88 degrees again on Saturday, gross! This weekend we are heading up to the campground where my parents have their camper. They are throwing a huge Halloween festival with pumpkin carving contests, chili cook off, trick or treating and a haunted hayride! I’m excited to put my costume together and share with you all! Make sure to follow along on my Insta stories this weekend to see the full look! What do you plan on dressing up as for Halloween? Let me know in the comments!

I realized that I have never done a post about workwear, and decided that it was time! I luckily have a very casual job where we can wear yoga and sweatpants to work. That is one of the huge perks of my job! If I’m feeling extremely tired and don’t feel like dressing up, I can throw on a pair of workout pants and a sweatshirt and run out the door (after grabbing my coffee of course 😉 ). But I know a lot of you don’t have that option and are required to wear something a bit more business casual, so this post is for you!

I absolutely love this top for work! This exact one is sold out, but I tagged two similar ones! This one is my absolute favorite, and I have it in black! It’s on sale right now for $32! Of course if you want to hide your arms a bit more, you can throw a blazer over it.

I still love wearing white pants all year round (you can read my post about wearing white after Labor Day HERE). But of course you can always add black or gray ones to feel a bit more business casual!

This is the perfect bag for work! It holds so much, while looking the business part! This exact one is sold out, but I tagged a similar Kate Spade one! It even comes in black!

These shoes are perfect for warmer days, but once it starts getting cold you may want to wear a pair that covers your toes. I love these pumps!

What is your dress attire at work? Let me know in the comments! Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

Valerie

Body Care That Gives Back

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Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is having a great week. Tonight I am attending a Fashion Show in St. Louis called Romancing the Runway! I’m SO excited to be attending. If you live in the area, you can still buy tickets HERE!

With all the bad things happening in the world right now, I seem to find myself wanting to help out in some way. Whether it be donating money or old clothes. When SoapBox contacted me and wanted to collaborate, I knew I had to jump on board!

SoapBox is a one-for-one personal care company that sells shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap and liquid hand soap. Their soaps are vegan, cruelty free, and made with thoughtfully selected ingredients. For every product sold, they donate a bar of soap to someone in need either here in the US or abroad! Their motto: Soap = Hope. BUT if you use code SBXSTYLEDMUSE317 they will give you 10% off AND donate 2 bars of soap for every product sold instead of 1! They are trying to get to their 3 millionth donation, so let’s help them exceed that! Here are a few of my favorite products they have:

Bamboo Strength and Body Shampoo and Conditioner: I LOVE the conditioner. After using it, my hair had so much body, even more than my Pantene conditioner! Also, they both smell so amazing! I can’t wait to see how strong is makes my hair after using it for about a month (it’s pretty brittle at the moment)!

Sea Minerals & Blue Iris Body Wash: My hands and elbows always get dried out once the weather starts to get a bit cooler. This body wash helped fight that! It’s a gentle moisturizer, so it’s great for sensitive skin, smells amazing, and lathers really well!

Vanilla and Lily Blossom Liquid Hand Soap: The same goes for the hand soap. It moisturizes my hands, and also smells so good! I’m the type of person that washes my hands more often than I should, so a gentle hand soap is a must.

Bar soap: I’m not really a bar soap type of person (I love my liquid body wash and loofah!), but this one smells so amazing just like the rest of the products. If I did use bar soap, this would be my go to!

If you would like to try all the products, you can buy a bundle that has 1 of everything!

My favorite thing about these products? They are all so affordable! This month, try switching out one or more of your body products, and help give back to those in need. Let’s get to 3 million donations! Just use code SBXSTYLEDMUSE317 to get 10% AND donate 2 bars to soap to those in need!

Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

This post is in collaboration with SoapBox. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Styled Muse possible!