Rodan + Fields

You might have seen my posts recently if you follow me on Instagram about my new adventure with Rodan + Fields and how much I am loving this skincare line! Have you heard of Rodan + Fields before?

Rodan + Fields was founded in 2002 by Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields (the dermatologists and creators of Proactive) and is redefining the future of anti-aging skincare. A premium skincare brand creating life-changing results!

Skeptic? Sure, I was too when I was first introduced to R+F, but now that I have been using the products and got to see the results first hand.. I'm not a skeptic anymore! When I was first told about the skincare line I was interested, but I didn't think it was something I really wanted to try. I did some research online and quickly came to find it had great reviews! 

I thought to myself, "Well, I really only use a cheap face wash and lotion right now. Maybe it would be good to invest in something that would be GOOD for my skin." I'll be honest, I did a lot of damage to my skin in the last 26 years. I worked at a tanning salon during high school and tanned everyday after school. I soaked up the sun while lathered in baby oil at the beach with my girlfriends and seriously was a sun worshiper. Gosh how I wish I could go back and tell my young self it's just not worth it!! So here I am, 26 years old trying everything possible to keep my skin looking younger, trying multiple products to get rid of my wrinkles and fix my sun damaged skin..

I HAVE FOUND IT! THIS IS IT!

Rodan + Fields has 4 regimens. Each regimen focuses on different concerns for your skin.

REDEFINE

For the appearance of lines, pores and loss of firmness

REVERSE

For the appearance of brown spots, dullness and discoloration  

UNBLEMISH

For acne

SOOTHE

For sensitive skin

I am truly excited to have found this skincare line and that is why I have taken it to the next level becoming a Rodan + Fields consultant so I can share these amazing products with others!! I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't stand behind these products 100% and really passionate about them! 

*No filters. Taken in direct sunlight.

My skin is clearer, softer and brighter. My dark spots have definitely been reduced and my wrinkles have been lifted. I will have to take another photo soon to track my progress! I have been using R+F for about 7 months now.

I am currently using the Redefine Regimen. I love the products in this regimen! The daily cleansing mask, pore minimizing toner, triple defense treatment with SPF 30 (morning lotion) and the overnight restorative cream (night lotion) ALL feel and smell amazing! Being a busy mom of a 1 year old I don't always get a lot of time to myself, but when I wash my face in the morning and at night it's MY time. It's my mini facial time. My face feels so clean and so fresh each morning and night! 

So other than the products in the Redefine Regimen, I use a couple other R+F products that I am completely obsessed with!

#1. Micro-Dermabrasion Paste

I have NEVER used an exfoliator like this before! You're skin will feel like brand new skin after each use and will be so soft and glowing!

#2. Night Renewing Serum + #3. Micro-Exfoliating Roller

AMP MD SYSTEM

Amp up your results with these two!! The noninvasive micro-needle roller is rolled all over your face right before applying the night renewing serum to get the night renewing serum even deeper into your skin. The serum is like SILK. The anti-aging serum works all night long to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores giving you improved skin texture and visibly brighter skin! It's amazing!!

#3. Redefine Must-Function Eye Cream

As a new mom with lack of sleep, I could use all the help I could get! This eye cream is used to minimize the appearance of crow's feet, puffiness and dark under eye circles and will noticeably brighten the eye area. After being up all night with a newborn...YES PLEASE!

If you are looking for a new skincare routine and wanting to see a change in your skin whether it be to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, get rid of brown spots, gain firmness, get rid of acne or to get an over all brighter softer looking skin.. THIS IS IT!

PLUS, R+F offers a 60 day full refund if you are not 100% satisfied with your order! WOW! So what do you have to lose?! They also offer for you to sign up (a one time small fee) and become a Preferred Customer and receive 10% off and free shipping! 

Stop thinking WHAT IF and start changing your skin TODAY!! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

xo Ashley

grace.co.ashleykae@hotmail.com

Canada: www.ashleykae.myrandf.com/ca

USA: www.rodanandfields.com 

Breastfeeding: A Love Hate Relationship

I knew while I was pregnant that I wanted to at least try to breastfeed. I knew it wasn't for everyone or  even some moms weren't capable of breastfeeding, but I at least told myself to give it a shot. Even reading on HOW to breastfeed and how the whole thing works I found it confusing. I felt like I read SO many different opinions on this and that! Can someone please just write out an exact HOW TO step by step!? Well little did I know, it's just not that easy.

Love: I've said this in a past post, but the moment I fell in love with breastfeeding was minutes after Harbor was born and when she latched for the first feed. Something inside of me felt at ease. I felt like my body knew what to do, my sweet baby girl knew what to do and in that very moment nothing else mattered.

Hate: Just hours after Harbor was born my nipples KILLED. This whole cluster feeding thing was confusing and oh so painful! I started to bleed and that was my first moment of, "I don't think I can do this." A nurse told me to try using a nipple shield to help with the pain and it made a huge difference! I definitely would recommend using one to new moms who are in a lot of pain while nursing, but make sure you start to feed without the nipple shield here and there to try and get back to eventually nursing without one. 

Love: To be home with a newborn, taking in all of the snuggles and knowing you're giving your baby the nutrition he/she needs is simply amazing. 

Hate: I absolutely loved taking the time out of everyday to nurse, but wow I had no idea just how much time would be spent doing it! Breastfeeding is time consuming and a commitment. A newborn feeds A LOT. I remember at some points I just felt like I couldn't get anything done! I admit it made me feel overwhelmed. I was nursing my newborn on demand, but at the same time was surviving off no sleep, needed to shower and felt like all I was doing was sitting with my breasts out nursing! I didn't read anything about this part.

Love: While nursing it is just such a rewarding feeling. One of my favorite things during it (besides the snuggles) is when Harbor would look up at me with her big blue eyes. It was our bonding moment and I felt grateful.

Hate: Pumping. Not a fan. The first time I got all hooked up to pump I just felt like a big cow. I pumped obviously when I needed to, but it's really not my thing. I give mad props to the ladies that exclusively pump! I don't think I would be able to do it.

THE WORST!

Love: Do you know how many calories breastfeeding burns?! On average 300-500 calories a day. I'll take all the help I can get!

Hate: Mastitis. A horrible horrible thing. I ended up getting mastitis 4 times and it was so painful! Listen to your body and make sure you go in to see your doctor.

We did supplement with formula (to help Harbor gain weight), but I am so glad I stuck with it and kept breastfeeding through the ups and downs. I did set a "goal" for myself to nurse Harbor until her first birthday. I do feel like setting this "goal" helped me push through it. The last time I got mastitis was when she was about 9 months old and I had to tell myself, "3 more months. You can do this!"

When Harbor was 11 months old we needed to buy more bottles so we purchased a new fast flow type and of course Harbor loved them! Well, to my surprise she loved her bottles so much that she did NOT want to breastfeed. It turned into me pretty much forcing her and it was awful.

One day instead of latching Harbor bit me and she bit me hard! Soon each feed turned into just biting and I absolutely couldn't handle that. Just like that, Harbor was done breastfeeding. I was kind of shocked! I had to pump a couple times to relieve my boobs a bit, but then about 3 days later I wasn't in pain anymore and that was that!

It's funny because I admit I had so many moments of being like, "Okay, this is it. I think I'm ready to stop breastfeeding," but once I went a full 24 hours of not nursing it was weird! I was kind of sad. That was the last time I would ever nurse my baby Harbor. It's just kind of funny how you go through different emotions!

Even though I nursed Harbor for 11 months and was just shy of reaching my 12 month "goal" I felt proud of myself. I am so glad I gave breastfeeding a chance, for sticking through it after multiple times of getting mastitis, for sometimes feeling like I had no clue if I was doing it all right and for remembering I was blessed to be able to breastfeed and to enjoy it. It was an amazing journey!