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Friday Finds

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Tee | Jeans | Shoes | Bag | Belt (code: MAREE20) | Sunglasses | Necklace (code: MAREE20)

1. One of my favorite makeup brands just launched a new fragrance and it’s absolutely perfect for summer! It’s light, airy and crisp – everything I want to wear during the warmer weather.

2. I ordered this striped tank dress for summer and it is one of the best fitting dresses I’ve tried in a long time. It’s fitted without being too tight and the material is nice and thick.

3. Nothing is more fun that quirky glassware and these seashell martini glasses are everything!

4. I love wearing turquoise jewelry and actually find it to be a neutral (in terms of jewelry) and these turquoise stud earrings from Amazon are so cute. And under $20!

5. I can never have too many striped tees (and won’t hear anything to the contrary LOL) and this one is perfect. And I love how they styled it with white jeans and neutral sandals.

6. There has been so much buzz surrounding these sleep gummies and honestly I was not believing it because I am a skeptic by nature. Ha! But then they generously sent me a bottle to try and I did so with a bit of Debbie Downer mindset because I was convinced they wouldn’t really do much. Spoiler alert – I had to admit I was wrong because I’m amazed at how well they do work. Ugh! I’ve been taking them for nearly two weeks and they really do put me right to sleep.

7. I have a few tees from Old Navy and have always loved them. I currently have one of these in my cart – and they are on major sale!

8. I love ear climbers and how unique they look on the ear. This pair gives the illusion of two earrings but it is only one.

9. These colorful pendant necklaces look so much more expensive than they are.

10. This bright printed set would be so good for a beach vacation. Wear the set together or break the pieces up and style them separately.

11. These strappy flat sandals look just like a designer pair but at a fraction of the price!

12. One of my favorite beauty websites is having their Friends & Family sale and everything is 20% off!!

A Gentle Yet Effective Vitamin C Serum: Educated Mess Golden Hour

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I’ve made a conscious effort over the past year to discover and try more small beauty brands – especially skincare brands. There are so many amazing formulas out there from brands not available in department stores or Sephora but deliver results that are better than some of the most popular products on the market. I’ve tried all different kinds of products from these brands but it’s the serums that I’ve discovered which have blown me away. Serums take a long time to test so I often don’t review a ton of new ones at a time because there is no way I could adequately judge their effectiveness or results when so much is changing in my routine. I will usually replace a current serum with something new and change nothing else in order to see how that product performs in my current routine. Serums are the products that will deliver the most dramatic results because their formulations are more powerful and contain higher concentrations of active ingredients. I first began seeing the brand Educated Mess on my Tiktok For You page and so many of the creators I followed loved their products. The brand is still new and only has 4 skus currently available but the products are quite remarkable. I began testing the Educated Mess Golden Hour serum many months ago before giving a full review and am finally ready to share all the details about it. Educated Mess was founded by two women that were in the beauty industry for many years before deciding to create their own formulations that were potent yet still grounded in science and chemistry. They wanted to create effective products with cutting edge ingredients that had unique delivery systems.

What Is the Educated Mess Golden Hour?

The Educated Mess Golden Hour serum is a gold-stabilized vitamin c serum designed to brighten the skin and contribute to a more radiant, even-toned complexion. The key ingredients in this formula are gold-stabilized vitamin C, glutathione, fermented extracts and enzymes which help to hydrate and brighten the skin.

What Is the Educated Mess Golden Hour Vitamin C For?

I personally use a vitamin c serum every morning in my skincare routine because it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from various types of free radicals and environmental damage. The Golden Hour Vitamin C serum is especially great for those with sensitive skin or if you experience any irritation from using vitamin C serums. This serum is for those looking to brighten any discoloration on the skin and will overall give you a radiant glow.

How Does the Golden Hour Gold Serum Work?

Utilizing Gold Stabilized Vitamin C

Using a gold stabilized vitamin c in their formula is what really sets Educated Mess apart from other brands. Vitamin C is a great anti-aging ingredient that helps to boost collagen, provide antioxidant protection and target hyperpigmentation. But Vitamin C is an unstable ingredient and can oxidize quickly making it less effective. The formulation of the Vitamin C in Golden Hour is more stable and does not break down as quickly once the product is opened. This allows the serum to be more effective for a longer period of time.

Price Point

The Golden Hour serum is priced at $85 for 30ml which is a bit on the pricey side but the science behind the formula really justifies the price. You can also use my discount code: MAREE10 which will get you 10% off.

Packaging

I personally love the packaging and pump dispenser which helps keep the serum protected from exposure to the environment which can easily contribute to the breakdown of vitamin c. Also the bright orange packaging is one of my favorite things about it! LOL

Provides Hydration

Most Vitamin C serums address hyperpigmentation and evening out the skin tone, but the Golden Hour serum also contains a marine bioferment which helps to intensely hydrate the skin and allow it to hold onto moisture longer.

Gives a Gentle Exfoliation

Exfoliation is so important for the skin but ensuring you don’t overdo it is important as well. The addition of fermented pomengranate enzyme to this serum promotes a gentle exfoliation without irritating the skin.

Texture and Scent

Some Vitamin C serums can feel tacky to the touch or have a strange scent to them but the Golden Hour serum has neither of these problems. The texture is so smooth, silky and incredibly hydrating while also leaving the skin looking radiant and glowy. And there is little to no scent to the formula which I really appreciate. If you are familiar with the Skinceuticals Vitamin C serum and it’s scent, this is a welcome change from that. LOL

Is the Golden Hour Gold-Stabilized Vitamin C Serum Worth It?

I have tried a ton of vitamin c serums over the years and this has been one of my favorite formulas ever. The texture is so smooth and silky and wears beautifully under makeup. The formula is incredibly gentle but still so effective. While it does target brightening and evens out the skin tone, I also find this Vitamin C serum to be one of the most hydrating formulas. Not all Vitamin C serums are hydrating and I will often need additional moisture after, but this surprisingly keeps my skin more hydrated than others I have tried. If you struggle with using Vitamin C serums because of a sensitivity to Vitamin C, this is a great option to try. This will definitely be a repurchase for me as soon as I finish!

Where to Buy the Educated Mess Vitamin C serum?

Past Posts

Everything I Wore – April 2025

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Cardigan – Majorelle | Tank – Express (similar) | Jeans – Grlfrnd | Shoes – Birdies | Bag – Naghedi | Sunglasses – Amazon | Belt –

12 Belts To Elevate Your Daily Looks

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If you scroll back to my earlier outfits on the blog, I hardly ever wore belts. Not quite sure why but I was never really into them

Everything I Read in April 2025 – part 2

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Everything I Read in April 2025 – Part 2 1. Weyward I tried with this one and did finish it but it was a struggle. I also

A Guide to Amika Dry Shampoos

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I’ve never been a fan of dry shampoo. I have tried so many and every single one always left my hair feeling dirtier, which is the opposite

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