My honest review of Oliveda skincare and how it compares to the other clean skincare brands I’ve used. All $50+ Oliveda orders ship free! Get a FREE product when you take this skincare quiz and order +2 of the recommendations.

I love skincare. And as someone who’s passionate about safe, clean beauty, Oliveda quickly became one of my all-time favorites. And now after a couple of years of using their products, I’m still genuinely blown away by the results. I test new skincare constantly; I get dozens of products from high-end brands sent to me each month to test and potentially feature, and the fact that I still spend my own money on Oliveda should tell you a lot. Oliveda makes up the majority of my skincare routine, and I’m reviewing everything I’ve tried below.

In this blog post, I’ll share what makes Oliveda unique, and my favorite products (and the ones I’d skip).

My Oliveda Skincare review

As I alluded to in the intro of this post, I’ve been shocked by the results I’ve seen from using Oliveda. I think it has a lot to do with the potency of the formulations (remember, no water added = no dilution of active ingredients).

My Oliveda Before and Afters

When I first shared these photos, I was accused of lying. Someone claimed I had edited and filtered the photos to make the “after” shots look more impressive. But no, I did not. And yes, the results are seriously that good. (On a separate note, lying about results would be bad for my business since it’s all based on you trusting my recommendations. It wouldn’t get me far.)

I honestly can’t believe how good my skin looks since I started using it. I could see tangible differences after 3 uses, versus about 2 to 3 weeks to notice changes from other brands. Specifically, my skin has looked brighter and plumper, and my fine lines and wrinkles (particularly my smile lines and lines around my eyes) have improved.

The Best Oliveda Products

Oliveda has almost 90 products in its lineup, so deciding what to get can be overwhelming. And since the company is based in Europe, the names of its products are also a bit confusing. Their anti-aging line is called “corrective,” for example. When I first heard it, I thought the corrective line was for oily or breakout-prone skin.

To simplify things, I’m breaking down the best products in each category: cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc. I’ve also outlined which products work best for each skin type (you can find out how to layer them here). The great thing about Oliveda is that nothing is truly exclusive to one skin type — think of it as “good, better, best” regarding your goals. The most basic cleanser will still work for you if you have dry, mature skin, but you’ll benefit more from an anti-aging cleanser.

Oliveda Order Of Application

Okay, let’s break it down by product type so you can decide what to buy:

1. Choose a Cleanser
2. Choose a Toner
3. Choose a Serum
4. Choose an Elixir
5. Choose a Moisturizer
6. Choose an Eye Cream
7. Incorporate “Add-On” products

Oliveda Cleansers

Oliveda really encourages double-cleansing, which means washing your face with an oil to remove makeup and then following with a foaming, gel cleanser. If you only get one, get a gel cleanser.

009 Dope Your Glow Deep Cleanser – Sensitive, aging, normal skin – My Top Pick

Gentle yet thorough, this cleanser melts away dirt while calming skin. Hemp and hydroxytyrosol cleanse without stripping. I love it because it’s deep-cleansing yet soothing enough for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Corrective Cleansing Oil (F72) – Dry, aging skin

This is an oil-based cleanser made with olive fruit oil and lavender oil, so it’s nourishing and calming. Plus, it smells amazing.

If you’re looking for a true cleansing oil, I’d definitely choose this one. That said, I still reach for my Colleen Rothschild cleansing balm at night to take off my makeup because. But for a gentle, hydrating cleanse, this one’s a winner. (Full review of the Colleen Rothschild balm here.)

Arbequina Cleansing Oil (F78) – Normal or combination Skin

This is an oil-based cleanser for normal or combination skin that’s meant to nourish and hydrate while removing impurities. But honestly, I didn’t love it; the formula didn’t glide over my skin the way I want an oil cleanser to, so it’s not one I’d repurchase.

Corrective Cleansing Gel (F71) – Dry, aging skin

This cleanser is great for mature, aging skin.it’s super gentle, really hydrating, and it has the best light, natural scent (not strong at all, which I love since I’m sensitive to fragrance). I really like this one, but if I had to pick a favorite, I still love the LA Dope Cleanser best because it’s the most gentle and moisturizing.

Purifying Cleansing Gel (F38) – Normal or combination skin

I haven’t personally tried this one since it’s not really ideal for my skin type, but I also haven’t heard anything negative about it. It’s a foaming cleanser for normal or combination skin that gives a deeper cleanse while still delivering concentrated antioxidants to help prevent signs of aging. If you have oily or breakout-prone skin though, I’d personally recommend the Colleen Rothschild Gentle & Clear line instead.

Oliveda Toners

Oliveda calls their toners “Tonics” so when you see that, know that it’s the second step in your routine.

Corrective Facial Tonic (F67) – Dry, aging skin – My Top Pick

If you’re looking for a hydrating toner, this is the one. You use it right after cleansing to prep your skin for whatever serum/elixir you’re using next, and I use it daily because it seriously helps my skin hold onto moisture all day. I legit LOVE it. And for context, I was sent the $230 Vintner’s Daughter essence and I still prefer this. It’s more hydrating, and it smells a lot better.

Activating Facial Toner (F11) – Normal, combination skin

This one is meant to be non-drying and non-stripping — more of a balancing product that helps restore your skin’s natural balance. I haven’t personally tried it though.

Oliveda Serums

Corrective Serum Face (F59) – Dry, aging skin – My TOP pick

Oliveda F59 is what people call “botox in a bottle”, and it’s my favorite Oliveda product It’s made with concentrated hydroxytyrosol (the super powerful antioxidant we discussed above) combined with para cress extract, an ingredient that lifts and smooths your skin. It also builds collagen.

I’ve had botox, and I wouldn’t go as far as to say Oliveda’s Botox in a bottle is just like it. HOWEVER, I do think it’s wildly effective for fine lines. You can see before and after photos in my Botox in a Bottle blog post.

Cell Active Serum (F06) – Normal, combination skin

This serum helps smooth your skin and reduce pore size, but it mainly reduces dark spots and smoothes wrinkles. It’s an all around great serum for all skin types. While anyone can use the F59 Corrective Face Serum (aka Botox in a Bottle), you may not really need the anti-aging benefits yet, so this would be a great option. It’s similar but not as concentrated as F59, making it more affordable.

Oliveda Elixirs

Oliveda calls its retinol products Elixirs. They are similar to serums in terms of benefits, but they’re made to be mixed with serums. When used together, you will get better results than applying just one or the other or when layering them vs. mixing.

For mature or aging skin, these are your best options:

Corrective Midnight Elixir (F65) – Fish derived retinol

If you’ve already used retinol in the past and love the effects, then you will love this. It’s a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish. Since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it is metabolized into retinol.

It can only be used at night, and it’s Oliveda’s strongest retinol option. I bought this for one month and didn’t dislike it but I definitely didn’t like it as much as the Kahai Elixir, which is nourishing, smells amazing and makes my skin look and feel great.

Corrective Kahai Elixir (F87) – Nut-derived retinol (My Top Pick)

I absolutely love this product. It’s so hydrating and feels like the most luxurious product in their line-up. It’s never drying, smells great, and improves skin’s appearance without any peeling, which is more common with traditional retinols.

Green Retinol Face Elixir (F82) – Bakuchiol, a retinol alternative

This is Oliveda’s most gentle “retinol” option, and I think of it more as a retinol alternative. It’s a blend of bakuchiol (retinol alternative) + kahai oil (a natural source of vitamin A).

It’s meant to help with fine lines, pores, complexion, and pigmentation. It does have a very unique scent (kind of olive-oil-ish, which makes sense). However, I don’t recommend this one; I’ve seen it make a lot of people break out, so I’d skip it unless you know your skin does well with these ingredients.

Oliveda Moisturizers

Corrective Face Cream (F42) – AM for mature, aging skin

This day cream is marketed for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol (a really powerful antioxidant), and it’s supposed to be soothing, help with elasticity, and reduce fine lines. It even contains a sun protection factor, and a little goes a long way. That said, I personally didn’t find it hydrating enough for my dry skin, so I’d say it’s probably a better fit for normal skin types.

Anti Oxidant Face Cream (F05) – AM for normal or combination skin

This is a great everyday moisturizer for younger or normal skin types. I haven’t personally tried it since it’s not the best match for my skin type, but it looks like a solid option if you’re not super dry.

Regeneration Intense Face Cream (F74) – Night cream for all skin types

The texture is weird and it takes some getting used to how it’s applied and massaged in, but now I love it (check out my review of Oliveda F74 here). This is one of Oliveda’s more hydrating moisturizers. It reduces redness and helps balance the skin. Just use a very small amount of this – a little goes a long way. I’ve tried UBeauty’s Super Hydrator and Irene Forte’s Hibiscus Night Cream, both of which cost way more, and still prefer F74.

Oliveda Eye Cream

Oliveda F60 Corrective Eye Cream – Mature, aging skin

I bought this once and still went back to my favorite eye cream, the OneSkin Topical Eye Supplement. I didn’t dislike the F60 but it didn’t wow me in hydration, texture or results. This eye cream is designed to help boost your collagen and decrease under-eye shadows.

Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream (F09) – Normal or combination skin

This is a basic eye cream. I liked the texture and it’s completely non-irritating so it’s a good option for younger skin. It tightens and reduces fine lines around your eye area.

Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir – All skin types

Now this is a must-have in my eye area routine. It’s the Botox in a Bottle answer for your eyes. It has a triple-hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. You can apply this underneath your eye cream or use it alone. (I prefer to layer an eye cream on top for a little extra moisture.)

Add-on products for all skin types

Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum (F86)

I’m not too picky with hyaluronic acid serums since I feel like they’re all about the same once you get into the luxury skincare category, so I liked this one just as much as others I’ve used.

Hyaluronic serums are great for dry and aging skin because they deeply hydrate and plump the skin. This one also helps repair oxidative damage and supports elasticity, so skin looks smoother and feels more firm. I love layering it under my other serums when I need extra hydration.

Acne SOS Face Drops (F85)

These drops unclog pores, balance sebum production, and reduce acne-causing bacteria. They contain salicylic acid, which is ideal for fighting and preventing acne. I have heard great things about this, but haven’t personally tried it because I don’t have major problems with acne.

AHA + HT Serum Face (F81)

Use chemical exfoliator 1-2 times per week at night. It’s a true hero product. It reduces scarring, improves elasticity, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. It’s great for breakout-prone skin because it gently exfoliates and sloughs off dead skin, which can cause build-up and breakouts. If you used Beautycounter, this is very similar to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel – but I think it’s better since it doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry and tight the next morning. It’s a deep green color, which is fun.

HT + Vitamin C Serum (F83)

Oliveda’s Vitamin C serum is made with hydroxytyrosol, a superpowerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu. Because of the hydroxytyrosol, this has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion. It also has carrot extract in it, which makes it red, which is fun. My favorite vitamin C serum is Nature Biss, but this one is a fraction of the price, so it’s a much more affordable option to my pricey favorite. You can read a full F83 review here.)

Honey Enzyme Face Mask (F76)

This face mask removes dead skin cells so that the rest of your skincare products can absorb better. This is especially beneficial for dry and/or aging skin since you’re paying more for those types of products and you want to get the most out of them. (The women who give me my facials have been telling me for years that I need to use an enzyme mask regularly to see improvements in my fine lines and deeper wrinkles).

I also love that it has a warming sensation. I usually hate applying masks because they take a long time and are messy, but I actually look forward to using them since I enjoy the sensory experience. And the green color is fun! My skin feels incredibly soft and smooth after I use it too.

Olive Core Face Peeling (F10)

This is a physical face exfoliator. It’s a superfine facial scrub that helps remove dead skin cells and gives you a fresh, glowy complexion. It’s fine and definitely does the job, but I still prefer the Dual Enzyme Polish from Colleen Rothschild. However, Olive Core does use cleaner ingredients, so if that’s your top priority, know that this does work well. (I shared more about Colleen Rothschild products in this post.)

Olive Tree Therapy Lip Balm (F75)

This is the best daytime lip balm I’ve ever used. It’s super hydrating like any lip balm should be, but it also makes my lips look full, almost like I’ve had lip filler (I haven’t). I love it so much I have a full review of the lip balm here. I’ve also noticed that the redness around the outside of my lips improves when I apply this. If you want an overnight mask, go for the One Skin peptide lip mask. It’s a game change for improving the overall appearance of lips’ fullness and fine lines.

Oliveda Skin Quiz

If you’re unsure what to buy or want even more personalized recommendations, the Oliveda Skincare Quiz called OliveBrain will help. It uses AI technology to determine a custom regimen for products that will work for your skin. When you take the Oliveda Quiz and buy two of the recommended products, you get a free full-size product as a gift.  (Here are more ways to save money on Oliveda.)

However, the Oliveda quiz results can be confusing (some of my friends have run into this problem), so if you fill out my Skincare Survey, I will send you my recommendations and thoughts for your exact skin type.

Oliveda FAQs

What is Oliveda Skincare?

Oliveda is a German-based clean skincare brand that formulates products with olive tree extracts. It is known for its waterless skincare philosophy, which means its products are concentrated with active ingredients, avoiding the need for water and preservatives that can dilute potency and potentially irritate the skin (I’ll explain this in detail below). Oliveda’s formulations are also designed to be highly effective, free from harmful additives, and sustainable.

The brand was founded by Thomas Lommel after his own experience with the effects of using olive-based products internally. His first product was the I01 Elixir (a drinkable supplement), which spurred him to create skincare products because he was convinced that what was best for the inside must also be best for the outside (our skin).

What does Oliveda mean?

The name Oliveda comes from the Latin word for olive, olivae. Every Oliveda product is made with olive leaf extract (which is why they call their skincare waterless. More on this below).

Oliveda Ingredients

The main ingredient in their skincare products is part of what makes Oliveda unique: hydroxytyrosol. And what they don’t add is also what makes it unique: water.

Hydroxytyrosol (Olive Leaf Extract) is the main ingredient in all Oliveda products. It’s super high in antioxidants, which protects the skin from damaging environmental stressors (which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). It also helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts radiance. The other main benefit of hydroxytyrosal is that it’s anti-inflammatory. It’s actually been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (source)

Using hydroxytyrosol as the main base of their products means that every single ingredient is active. When people talk about the glow they see in their skin after using Oliveda, it’s largely due to the hydroxytyrosol.

They have other products that also use Olive Oil (like the Oliveda internals) and Mediterranean herbs (like the Olivemush, a coffee substitute), but their skincare is what keeps going viral.

What is waterless skincare?

While water isn’t bad (at all), it does require preservatives and emulsifiers to stabilize the rest of the formula. When water is removed as the main base of the product, the active ingredients aren’t diluted. You can read more about Oliveda’s waterless formulations here.

Instead of using water as a filler, Oliveda uses 100% organic olive leaf extract called hydroxytyrosol (explained above).

Is Oliveda really waterless?

While Oliveda is known for waterless skincare, you WILL see water on their ingredient list. This is because water is a byproduct of extracting ingredients from the olive leaf. However, Oliveda never adds water to its products. And you won’t ever see water as the #1 ingredient on the list, as is often the case with other brands (including ones I use and love).

To be clear, there’s no downside to including water in skincare products. However, Oliveda’s use of olive leaf cell extract is an alternative that makes the rest of the active ingredients in their products even more potent and effective. 95% of Oliveda’s products are bioactive because the extract used as the base is also active. Given that, you only need a very small amount of product when applying Oliveda products. It has been a bit of an adjustment not to use as much product as I was using with other brands (and it’s not like I used a ton prior).

Is Oliveda a clean beauty brand?

Yes. Since Oliveda is a German-based company, it must follow all EU beauty safety standards. The EU bans over 1700 ingredients while the US bans 11, so Oliveda is much cleaner than most US beauty brands. And considering I’m breastfeeding, safety is essential for me right now.

One thing to note: As you read through Oliveda’s ingredients, it can be a little confusing for a US consumer because things are labeled differently in Europe than in the US. Since Oliveda is an international brand, we just have to look at things with a different lens. I’ll break down some of the key things to know below.

What about fragrance in their products?

In the US, the term “fragrance” is a loophole that brands can use to include anything they want, including harmful endocrine disruptors and allergens. In the EU, every ingredient in a skincare product has to be tested for safety, but once it’s approved to be used as a fragrance, it doesn’t have to be disclosed. Oliveda uses the term fragrance on the back of its products, but everything it uses has to be tested by the EU first, so it’s not a loophole to be wary of like it is in the US.

What about Retinol?

In the US, we’re instructed not to use retinol while we are pregnant or breastfeeding, so we don’t usually consider it “safe”, so when you see the term retinol on Oliveda products, it’s a bit jarring. However, similar to fragrance, in the EU, safe alternatives to retinol (i.e. bakuchiol) are screened, deemed safe, and then labeled retinol. For context, bakuchiol was used in Beautycounter’s Countertime line (more details here). The Oliveda product called “Green Retinol” has bakuchiol on the ingredient list, not a derivative of Vitamin A.

Oliveda carries four hydroxytyrosol elixirs labeled with the term retinol:

• F65 Corrective Midnight Elixir: Fish-derived retinol
• F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir: Bakuchiol
• F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir: Nut-derived Kahai oil retinol from the Cacay tree
• 004 LA DOPE Your Wrinkles Face Oil Serum: This contains hemp, which is excellent for sensitive skin because it’s anti-inflammatory and calming. Its strength is somewhere between the Kahai and Midnight.

While three of these products do contain vitamin A, they are natural forms of Vitamin A. Of course, this is up to personal preference, and you may still decide to stay away from natural forms of retinol. Beautycounter included Bakuchiol in their products (and Beautycounter had more stringent standards than the EU), so I feel fine about using the F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir especially.

Is Oliveda Pregnancy Safe? Is it Breastfeeding Safe?

Yes, ALL of the Oliveda products are pregnancy-safe, but it’s fair to be extra cautious and avoid retinol – even natural retinol – when pregnant.

The midnight elixir may be one to avoid, but that’s a personal choice, and they don’t advise stopping anything. It uses a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish, and since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it does metabolize into a form of retinol. The other retinols are plant-based and do not metabolize into the type of retinol that is a concern.

Another note: the AHA + HT Serum contains salicylic acid, so you may want to avoid it or consult your doctor before using it.

As always, consult your doctor and go with your gut. As an aside, Gigi Hadid switched to Oliveda while pregnant because she was looking for clean skincare.

What are Oliveda Internals?

While this post is dedicated to my review of Oliveda’s skincare products, Oliveda also has really popular supplements called Internals. These are made with the same base as the skincare products: hydroxytyrosol. These not only help with skin issues and anti-aging but also help with inflammation and joint pain. Think of it as skincare from the inside out. I have a full review of Oliveda Internals linked here.

Does Oliveda have free shipping?

Oliveda has free shipping on all orders $50+. I especially appreciate this since a lot of things are out of stock lately (many products have gone viral and lots of Beautycounter consultants and clients are now using this brand), so when something comes back, I can buy it immediately without having to pay shipping, even if I just ordered two days ago (that’s exactly what happened this week; I ordered the F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Serum Face, and B15 Anti Aging Body Cream and then the F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum Face Serum was restocked an hour later so I just placed two orders back to back).

Does Oliveda have free returns?

While you can return an Oliveda product for any reason within 365 days, you do have to pay for return shipping. Read more about their return policy here.

Does Oliveda sell makeup?

Yes! Oliveda also has a makeup line called Olive Rose, which feels like an extension of their skincare since it’shydrating, and designed to enhance your natural glow. I tested the full collection and shared all my thoughts in my Olive Rose Makeup Review.

What other products does Oliveda sell?

In addition to skincare and makeup, Oliveda also sells body,hair care and Internals (think vitamins, or beauty products from the inside out) I sharesome of my favorite hair oil in this post You canread all about Oliveda Internals in this review.

Are Oliveda and LA Dope the same thing?

The best way to explain it is Oliveda is the “core” skincare line (dry, repair, anti-aging) and
LA Dope is the “hemp” line (more calming/clarifying, great for irritated or breakout-prone skin)
Both are under the Olive Tree People umbrella and both focus on waterless skincare + olive tree antioxidants like hydroxytyrosol.

Is Oliveda an MLM?

Oliveda does have a direct sales business model here in the US, which is similar to an MLM but different because this one can be sold at retail locations. You can join Oliveda as a consultant and receive a commission from any sales you generate, similar to an affiliate. If you’re interested in learning more about the business side, you can read more here.

Or drop your email in this consultant-interest form, and I’ll follow up with you. 

Is Oliveda all-natural?

Oliveda uses raw materials from its own organic olive trees, and its products are all bioactive (bioactive ingredients are nutrient-dense, and our body recognizes them, so our body knows how to break them down) and organic. However, it does use some synthetic ingredients in its products, so I won’t say it is 100% natural, although it does lean that way.

But keep in mind that natural doesn’t always mean safe. Lead is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. What’s important is the testing of ingredients, specifically for safety, and Oliveda (and the EU) has done that.

The Bottom line:

I absolutely love these products. I love the smell and feel of these and their efficacy. I also appreciate the small packaging (much easier to store), the price point, and free shipping with $50+ orders.

If you have questions, let me know! You can also join my Beauty Broadcast to get more information about how to care for your skin and hear what beauty products I’m trying and loving (or what I think is overrated).

Other Blog Posts You May Like

If you’re looking for the best non-toxic body lotions, read my post here. And if you’re looking for the best non-toxic deodorants, read my roundup on the blog.

The post Oliveda Skincare Review appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

My honest review of Oliveda skincare and how it compares to the other clean skincare brands I’ve used. All $50+ Oliveda orders ship free! Get a FREE product when you take this skincare quiz and order +2 of the recommendations.

I love skincare. And as someone who’s passionate about safe, clean beauty, Oliveda quickly became one of my all-time favorites. And now after a couple of years of using their products, I’m still genuinely blown away by the results. I test new skincare constantly; I get dozens of products from high-end brands sent to me each month to test and potentially feature, and the fact that I still spend my own money on Oliveda should tell you a lot. Oliveda makes up the majority of my skincare routine, and I’m reviewing everything I’ve tried below.

In this blog post, I’ll share what makes Oliveda unique, and my favorite products (and the ones I’d skip).

My Oliveda Skincare review

As I alluded to in the intro of this post, I’ve been shocked by the results I’ve seen from using Oliveda. I think it has a lot to do with the potency of the formulations (remember, no water added = no dilution of active ingredients).

My Oliveda Before and Afters

When I first shared these photos, I was accused of lying. Someone claimed I had edited and filtered the photos to make the “after” shots look more impressive. But no, I did not. And yes, the results are seriously that good. (On a separate note, lying about results would be bad for my business since it’s all based on you trusting my recommendations. It wouldn’t get me far.)

I honestly can’t believe how good my skin looks since I started using it. I could see tangible differences after 3 uses, versus about 2 to 3 weeks to notice changes from other brands. Specifically, my skin has looked brighter and plumper, and my fine lines and wrinkles (particularly my smile lines and lines around my eyes) have improved.

The Best Oliveda Products

Oliveda has almost 90 products in its lineup, so deciding what to get can be overwhelming. And since the company is based in Europe, the names of its products are also a bit confusing. Their anti-aging line is called “corrective,” for example. When I first heard it, I thought the corrective line was for oily or breakout-prone skin.

To simplify things, I’m breaking down the best products in each category: cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc. I’ve also outlined which products work best for each skin type (you can find out how to layer them here). The great thing about Oliveda is that nothing is truly exclusive to one skin type — think of it as “good, better, best” regarding your goals. The most basic cleanser will still work for you if you have dry, mature skin, but you’ll benefit more from an anti-aging cleanser.

Oliveda Order Of Application

Okay, let’s break it down by product type so you can decide what to buy:

1. Choose a Cleanser
2. Choose a Toner
3. Choose a Serum
4. Choose an Elixir
5. Choose a Moisturizer
6. Choose an Eye Cream
7. Incorporate “Add-On” products

Oliveda Cleansers

Oliveda really encourages double-cleansing, which means washing your face with an oil to remove makeup and then following with a foaming, gel cleanser. If you only get one, get a gel cleanser.

009 Dope Your Glow Deep Cleanser – Sensitive, aging, normal skin – My Top Pick

Gentle yet thorough, this cleanser melts away dirt while calming skin. Hemp and hydroxytyrosol cleanse without stripping. I love it because it’s deep-cleansing yet soothing enough for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Corrective Cleansing Oil (F72) – Dry, aging skin

This is an oil-based cleanser made with olive fruit oil and lavender oil, so it’s nourishing and calming. Plus, it smells amazing.

If you’re looking for a true cleansing oil, I’d definitely choose this one. That said, I still reach for my Colleen Rothschild cleansing balm at night to take off my makeup because. But for a gentle, hydrating cleanse, this one’s a winner. (Full review of the Colleen Rothschild balm here.)

Arbequina Cleansing Oil (F78) – Normal or combination Skin

This is an oil-based cleanser for normal or combination skin that’s meant to nourish and hydrate while removing impurities. But honestly, I didn’t love it; the formula didn’t glide over my skin the way I want an oil cleanser to, so it’s not one I’d repurchase.

Corrective Cleansing Gel (F71) – Dry, aging skin

This cleanser is great for mature, aging skin.it’s super gentle, really hydrating, and it has the best light, natural scent (not strong at all, which I love since I’m sensitive to fragrance). I really like this one, but if I had to pick a favorite, I still love the LA Dope Cleanser best because it’s the most gentle and moisturizing.

Purifying Cleansing Gel (F38) – Normal or combination skin

I haven’t personally tried this one since it’s not really ideal for my skin type, but I also haven’t heard anything negative about it. It’s a foaming cleanser for normal or combination skin that gives a deeper cleanse while still delivering concentrated antioxidants to help prevent signs of aging. If you have oily or breakout-prone skin though, I’d personally recommend the Colleen Rothschild Gentle & Clear line instead.

Oliveda Toners

Oliveda calls their toners “Tonics” so when you see that, know that it’s the second step in your routine.

Corrective Facial Tonic (F67) – Dry, aging skin – My Top Pick

If you’re looking for a hydrating toner, this is the one. You use it right after cleansing to prep your skin for whatever serum/elixir you’re using next, and I use it daily because it seriously helps my skin hold onto moisture all day. I legit LOVE it. And for context, I was sent the $230 Vintner’s Daughter essence and I still prefer this. It’s more hydrating, and it smells a lot better.

Activating Facial Toner (F11) – Normal, combination skin

This one is meant to be non-drying and non-stripping — more of a balancing product that helps restore your skin’s natural balance. I haven’t personally tried it though.

Oliveda Serums

Corrective Serum Face (F59) – Dry, aging skin – My TOP pick

Oliveda F59 is what people call “botox in a bottle”, and it’s my favorite Oliveda product It’s made with concentrated hydroxytyrosol (the super powerful antioxidant we discussed above) combined with para cress extract, an ingredient that lifts and smooths your skin. It also builds collagen.

I’ve had botox, and I wouldn’t go as far as to say Oliveda’s Botox in a bottle is just like it. HOWEVER, I do think it’s wildly effective for fine lines. You can see before and after photos in my Botox in a Bottle blog post.

Cell Active Serum (F06) – Normal, combination skin

This serum helps smooth your skin and reduce pore size, but it mainly reduces dark spots and smoothes wrinkles. It’s an all around great serum for all skin types. While anyone can use the F59 Corrective Face Serum (aka Botox in a Bottle), you may not really need the anti-aging benefits yet, so this would be a great option. It’s similar but not as concentrated as F59, making it more affordable.

Oliveda Elixirs

Oliveda calls its retinol products Elixirs. They are similar to serums in terms of benefits, but they’re made to be mixed with serums. When used together, you will get better results than applying just one or the other or when layering them vs. mixing.

For mature or aging skin, these are your best options:

Corrective Midnight Elixir (F65) – Fish derived retinol

If you’ve already used retinol in the past and love the effects, then you will love this. It’s a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish. Since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it is metabolized into retinol.

It can only be used at night, and it’s Oliveda’s strongest retinol option. I bought this for one month and didn’t dislike it but I definitely didn’t like it as much as the Kahai Elixir, which is nourishing, smells amazing and makes my skin look and feel great.

Corrective Kahai Elixir (F87) – Nut-derived retinol (My Top Pick)

I absolutely love this product. It’s so hydrating and feels like the most luxurious product in their line-up. It’s never drying, smells great, and improves skin’s appearance without any peeling, which is more common with traditional retinols.

Green Retinol Face Elixir (F82) – Bakuchiol, a retinol alternative

This is Oliveda’s most gentle “retinol” option, and I think of it more as a retinol alternative. It’s a blend of bakuchiol (retinol alternative) + kahai oil (a natural source of vitamin A).

It’s meant to help with fine lines, pores, complexion, and pigmentation. It does have a very unique scent (kind of olive-oil-ish, which makes sense). However, I don’t recommend this one; I’ve seen it make a lot of people break out, so I’d skip it unless you know your skin does well with these ingredients.

Oliveda Moisturizers

Corrective Face Cream (F42) – AM for mature, aging skin

This day cream is marketed for dry/aging skin because it has extra hydroxytyrosol (a really powerful antioxidant), and it’s supposed to be soothing, help with elasticity, and reduce fine lines. It even contains a sun protection factor, and a little goes a long way. That said, I personally didn’t find it hydrating enough for my dry skin, so I’d say it’s probably a better fit for normal skin types.

Anti Oxidant Face Cream (F05) – AM for normal or combination skin

This is a great everyday moisturizer for younger or normal skin types. I haven’t personally tried it since it’s not the best match for my skin type, but it looks like a solid option if you’re not super dry.

Regeneration Intense Face Cream (F74) – Night cream for all skin types

The texture is weird and it takes some getting used to how it’s applied and massaged in, but now I love it (check out my review of Oliveda F74 here). This is one of Oliveda’s more hydrating moisturizers. It reduces redness and helps balance the skin. Just use a very small amount of this – a little goes a long way. I’ve tried UBeauty’s Super Hydrator and Irene Forte’s Hibiscus Night Cream, both of which cost way more, and still prefer F74.

Oliveda Eye Cream

Oliveda F60 Corrective Eye Cream – Mature, aging skin

I bought this once and still went back to my favorite eye cream, the OneSkin Topical Eye Supplement. I didn’t dislike the F60 but it didn’t wow me in hydration, texture or results. This eye cream is designed to help boost your collagen and decrease under-eye shadows.

Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream (F09) – Normal or combination skin

This is a basic eye cream. I liked the texture and it’s completely non-irritating so it’s a good option for younger skin. It tightens and reduces fine lines around your eye area.

Oliveda F64 Corrective Eye Elixir – All skin types

Now this is a must-have in my eye area routine. It’s the Botox in a Bottle answer for your eyes. It has a triple-hyaluronic acid structure and a ton of antioxidants, so it hydrates and plumps while giving your eyes a more lifted, radiant look. You can apply this underneath your eye cream or use it alone. (I prefer to layer an eye cream on top for a little extra moisture.)

Add-on products for all skin types

Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Acid Serum (F86)

I’m not too picky with hyaluronic acid serums since I feel like they’re all about the same once you get into the luxury skincare category, so I liked this one just as much as others I’ve used.

Hyaluronic serums are great for dry and aging skin because they deeply hydrate and plump the skin. This one also helps repair oxidative damage and supports elasticity, so skin looks smoother and feels more firm. I love layering it under my other serums when I need extra hydration.

Acne SOS Face Drops (F85)

These drops unclog pores, balance sebum production, and reduce acne-causing bacteria. They contain salicylic acid, which is ideal for fighting and preventing acne. I have heard great things about this, but haven’t personally tried it because I don’t have major problems with acne.

AHA + HT Serum Face (F81)

Use chemical exfoliator 1-2 times per week at night. It’s a true hero product. It reduces scarring, improves elasticity, reduces and fights hyperpigmentation, and boosts collagen. It’s great for breakout-prone skin because it gently exfoliates and sloughs off dead skin, which can cause build-up and breakouts. If you used Beautycounter, this is very similar to the Overnight Resurfacing Peel – but I think it’s better since it doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry and tight the next morning. It’s a deep green color, which is fun.

HT + Vitamin C Serum (F83)

Oliveda’s Vitamin C serum is made with hydroxytyrosol, a superpowerful antioxidant, and it also contains camu camu. Because of the hydroxytyrosol, this has 1300% more power than vitamin C alone. It improves fine lines and wrinkles, neutralizes free radicals, and gives you a super radiant complexion. It also has carrot extract in it, which makes it red, which is fun. My favorite vitamin C serum is Nature Biss, but this one is a fraction of the price, so it’s a much more affordable option to my pricey favorite. You can read a full F83 review here.)

Honey Enzyme Face Mask (F76)

This face mask removes dead skin cells so that the rest of your skincare products can absorb better. This is especially beneficial for dry and/or aging skin since you’re paying more for those types of products and you want to get the most out of them. (The women who give me my facials have been telling me for years that I need to use an enzyme mask regularly to see improvements in my fine lines and deeper wrinkles).

I also love that it has a warming sensation. I usually hate applying masks because they take a long time and are messy, but I actually look forward to using them since I enjoy the sensory experience. And the green color is fun! My skin feels incredibly soft and smooth after I use it too.

Olive Core Face Peeling (F10)

This is a physical face exfoliator. It’s a superfine facial scrub that helps remove dead skin cells and gives you a fresh, glowy complexion. It’s fine and definitely does the job, but I still prefer the Dual Enzyme Polish from Colleen Rothschild. However, Olive Core does use cleaner ingredients, so if that’s your top priority, know that this does work well. (I shared more about Colleen Rothschild products in this post.)

Olive Tree Therapy Lip Balm (F75)

This is the best daytime lip balm I’ve ever used. It’s super hydrating like any lip balm should be, but it also makes my lips look full, almost like I’ve had lip filler (I haven’t). I love it so much I have a full review of the lip balm here. I’ve also noticed that the redness around the outside of my lips improves when I apply this. If you want an overnight mask, go for the One Skin peptide lip mask. It’s a game change for improving the overall appearance of lips’ fullness and fine lines.

Oliveda Skin Quiz

If you’re unsure what to buy or want even more personalized recommendations, the Oliveda Skincare Quiz called OliveBrain will help. It uses AI technology to determine a custom regimen for products that will work for your skin. When you take the Oliveda Quiz and buy two of the recommended products, you get a free full-size product as a gift.  (Here are more ways to save money on Oliveda.)

However, the Oliveda quiz results can be confusing (some of my friends have run into this problem), so if you fill out my Skincare Survey, I will send you my recommendations and thoughts for your exact skin type.

Oliveda FAQs

What is Oliveda Skincare?

Oliveda is a German-based clean skincare brand that formulates products with olive tree extracts. It is known for its waterless skincare philosophy, which means its products are concentrated with active ingredients, avoiding the need for water and preservatives that can dilute potency and potentially irritate the skin (I’ll explain this in detail below). Oliveda’s formulations are also designed to be highly effective, free from harmful additives, and sustainable.

The brand was founded by Thomas Lommel after his own experience with the effects of using olive-based products internally. His first product was the I01 Elixir (a drinkable supplement), which spurred him to create skincare products because he was convinced that what was best for the inside must also be best for the outside (our skin).

What does Oliveda mean?

The name Oliveda comes from the Latin word for olive, olivae. Every Oliveda product is made with olive leaf extract (which is why they call their skincare waterless. More on this below).

Oliveda Ingredients

The main ingredient in their skincare products is part of what makes Oliveda unique: hydroxytyrosol. And what they don’t add is also what makes it unique: water.

Hydroxytyrosol (Olive Leaf Extract) is the main ingredient in all Oliveda products. It’s super high in antioxidants, which protects the skin from damaging environmental stressors (which improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). It also helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and boosts radiance. The other main benefit of hydroxytyrosal is that it’s anti-inflammatory. It’s actually been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis (source)

Using hydroxytyrosol as the main base of their products means that every single ingredient is active. When people talk about the glow they see in their skin after using Oliveda, it’s largely due to the hydroxytyrosol.

They have other products that also use Olive Oil (like the Oliveda internals) and Mediterranean herbs (like the Olivemush, a coffee substitute), but their skincare is what keeps going viral.

What is waterless skincare?

While water isn’t bad (at all), it does require preservatives and emulsifiers to stabilize the rest of the formula. When water is removed as the main base of the product, the active ingredients aren’t diluted. You can read more about Oliveda’s waterless formulations here.

Instead of using water as a filler, Oliveda uses 100% organic olive leaf extract called hydroxytyrosol (explained above).

Is Oliveda really waterless?

While Oliveda is known for waterless skincare, you WILL see water on their ingredient list. This is because water is a byproduct of extracting ingredients from the olive leaf. However, Oliveda never adds water to its products. And you won’t ever see water as the #1 ingredient on the list, as is often the case with other brands (including ones I use and love).

To be clear, there’s no downside to including water in skincare products. However, Oliveda’s use of olive leaf cell extract is an alternative that makes the rest of the active ingredients in their products even more potent and effective. 95% of Oliveda’s products are bioactive because the extract used as the base is also active. Given that, you only need a very small amount of product when applying Oliveda products. It has been a bit of an adjustment not to use as much product as I was using with other brands (and it’s not like I used a ton prior).

Is Oliveda a clean beauty brand?

Yes. Since Oliveda is a German-based company, it must follow all EU beauty safety standards. The EU bans over 1700 ingredients while the US bans 11, so Oliveda is much cleaner than most US beauty brands. And considering I’m breastfeeding, safety is essential for me right now.

One thing to note: As you read through Oliveda’s ingredients, it can be a little confusing for a US consumer because things are labeled differently in Europe than in the US. Since Oliveda is an international brand, we just have to look at things with a different lens. I’ll break down some of the key things to know below.

What about fragrance in their products?

In the US, the term “fragrance” is a loophole that brands can use to include anything they want, including harmful endocrine disruptors and allergens. In the EU, every ingredient in a skincare product has to be tested for safety, but once it’s approved to be used as a fragrance, it doesn’t have to be disclosed. Oliveda uses the term fragrance on the back of its products, but everything it uses has to be tested by the EU first, so it’s not a loophole to be wary of like it is in the US.

What about Retinol?

In the US, we’re instructed not to use retinol while we are pregnant or breastfeeding, so we don’t usually consider it “safe”, so when you see the term retinol on Oliveda products, it’s a bit jarring. However, similar to fragrance, in the EU, safe alternatives to retinol (i.e. bakuchiol) are screened, deemed safe, and then labeled retinol. For context, bakuchiol was used in Beautycounter’s Countertime line (more details here). The Oliveda product called “Green Retinol” has bakuchiol on the ingredient list, not a derivative of Vitamin A.

Oliveda carries four hydroxytyrosol elixirs labeled with the term retinol:

• F65 Corrective Midnight Elixir: Fish-derived retinol
• F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir: Bakuchiol
• F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir: Nut-derived Kahai oil retinol from the Cacay tree
• 004 LA DOPE Your Wrinkles Face Oil Serum: This contains hemp, which is excellent for sensitive skin because it’s anti-inflammatory and calming. Its strength is somewhere between the Kahai and Midnight.

While three of these products do contain vitamin A, they are natural forms of Vitamin A. Of course, this is up to personal preference, and you may still decide to stay away from natural forms of retinol. Beautycounter included Bakuchiol in their products (and Beautycounter had more stringent standards than the EU), so I feel fine about using the F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir especially.

Is Oliveda Pregnancy Safe? Is it Breastfeeding Safe?

Yes, ALL of the Oliveda products are pregnancy-safe, but it’s fair to be extra cautious and avoid retinol – even natural retinol – when pregnant.

The midnight elixir may be one to avoid, but that’s a personal choice, and they don’t advise stopping anything. It uses a natural form of retinol that’s derived from fish, and since it is an animal-based form of vitamin A, it does metabolize into a form of retinol. The other retinols are plant-based and do not metabolize into the type of retinol that is a concern.

Another note: the AHA + HT Serum contains salicylic acid, so you may want to avoid it or consult your doctor before using it.

As always, consult your doctor and go with your gut. As an aside, Gigi Hadid switched to Oliveda while pregnant because she was looking for clean skincare.

What are Oliveda Internals?

While this post is dedicated to my review of Oliveda’s skincare products, Oliveda also has really popular supplements called Internals. These are made with the same base as the skincare products: hydroxytyrosol. These not only help with skin issues and anti-aging but also help with inflammation and joint pain. Think of it as skincare from the inside out. I have a full review of Oliveda Internals linked here.

Does Oliveda have free shipping?

Oliveda has free shipping on all orders $50+. I especially appreciate this since a lot of things are out of stock lately (many products have gone viral and lots of Beautycounter consultants and clients are now using this brand), so when something comes back, I can buy it immediately without having to pay shipping, even if I just ordered two days ago (that’s exactly what happened this week; I ordered the F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Serum Face, and B15 Anti Aging Body Cream and then the F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum Face Serum was restocked an hour later so I just placed two orders back to back).

Does Oliveda have free returns?

While you can return an Oliveda product for any reason within 365 days, you do have to pay for return shipping. Read more about their return policy here.

Does Oliveda sell makeup?

Yes! Oliveda also has a makeup line called Olive Rose, which feels like an extension of their skincare since it’shydrating, and designed to enhance your natural glow. I tested the full collection and shared all my thoughts in my Olive Rose Makeup Review.

What other products does Oliveda sell?

In addition to skincare and makeup, Oliveda also sells body,hair care and Internals (think vitamins, or beauty products from the inside out) I sharesome of my favorite hair oil in this post You canread all about Oliveda Internals in this review.

Are Oliveda and LA Dope the same thing?

The best way to explain it is Oliveda is the “core” skincare line (dry, repair, anti-aging) and
LA Dope is the “hemp” line (more calming/clarifying, great for irritated or breakout-prone skin)
Both are under the Olive Tree People umbrella and both focus on waterless skincare + olive tree antioxidants like hydroxytyrosol.

Is Oliveda an MLM?

Oliveda does have a direct sales business model here in the US, which is similar to an MLM but different because this one can be sold at retail locations. You can join Oliveda as a consultant and receive a commission from any sales you generate, similar to an affiliate. If you’re interested in learning more about the business side, you can read more here.

Or drop your email in this consultant-interest form, and I’ll follow up with you. 

Is Oliveda all-natural?

Oliveda uses raw materials from its own organic olive trees, and its products are all bioactive (bioactive ingredients are nutrient-dense, and our body recognizes them, so our body knows how to break them down) and organic. However, it does use some synthetic ingredients in its products, so I won’t say it is 100% natural, although it does lean that way.

But keep in mind that natural doesn’t always mean safe. Lead is natural, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. What’s important is the testing of ingredients, specifically for safety, and Oliveda (and the EU) has done that.

The Bottom line:

I absolutely love these products. I love the smell and feel of these and their efficacy. I also appreciate the small packaging (much easier to store), the price point, and free shipping with $50+ orders.

If you have questions, let me know! You can also join my Beauty Broadcast to get more information about how to care for your skin and hear what beauty products I’m trying and loving (or what I think is overrated).

Other Blog Posts You May Like

If you’re looking for the best non-toxic body lotions, read my post here. And if you’re looking for the best non-toxic deodorants, read my roundup on the blog.

The post Oliveda Skincare Review appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Light blue jeans are a timeless wardrobe staple that can be styled in endless ways, and they happen to go with a lot of the trends this year (see the 2026 fashion trends here). Whether you love a classic, laid-back look or want to dress them up, the versatility of light-wash denim makes them a closet essential. In this post, I’ll share my favorite ways to style light blue jeans, including outfit ideas, color pairings, and the best shoe choices. I’ll also include my favorite light blue jeans in case you want to refresh your closet a bit.

What to Wear with Light Wash Jeans

The beauty of light blue jeans is how easily they pair with different pieces. Here are some of my favorite ways to wear them:

Lightweight Knits

As the weather gets warmer (but we’re still not in the heat of summer), I’m reaching most often for lightweight knit sweaters and cardigans. Short-sleeved cardigans look great with light-wash jeans, especially in a neutral tone like beige, white, or gray. I also love wearing pastels with light-wash jeans—like this frosted olive crewneck knit tee from Abercrombie.

White T-Shirts & Button-Downs

A crisp white tee or a button-down shirt is a foolproof combo with light denim. It’s an easy way to look relaxed yet put-together. I love the Sold Out NYC Iconically Soft Perfect Tee and this cotton polin button-down from J.Crew.

Denim on Denim

Denim on denim was a big 2025 trend I saw everywhere, and it’s still sticking around this year, but the key to wearing it well is finding the right washes. You can pair the same washes together for blue jean on blue jean outfits (maybe with a denim jacket like this + white tee and light-wash jeans) or wear this Chambray Teagan Popover Top with a darker wash of jeans for a contrasting look.

Casual Sweatshirts & Baseball Caps

A comfy way to style light-wash jeans is with a relaxed sweatshirt and baseball cap. Opt for a cropped sweatshirt and coordinating hat to keep the look intentional and polished. I love the Sunday Mockneck Crew from Abercrombie for chilly spring mornings.

Feminine Blouses

A flowy blouse in soft hues or floral prints brings a feminine touch to light blue jeans, making them perfect for brunch or casual outings. I think a relaxed blouse like this would look amazing with light-wash jeans, and I love this Blue Stripe Sofia Shirt for a polished shape with a fun pattern.

Light Blue Jeans Outfit Ideas

Trench Coat with Ballet Flats and a White Tee

I’m pictured in:

• Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans
• My favorite basic white tee from Amazon
• Ralph Lauren trench coat
• Raffia ballet flats from Steve Madden
• Braided leather belt from Quince
• Demellier’s New York Tote (more designer work bags in this post).

White Shirt and Light Blue Jeans with a Cardigan and Boat Shoes

I’m pictured in:

• Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans
• Sold Out NYC Iconically Soft Perfect Tee (this was the winner in my best white tee blog post)
• Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan Sweater from Quince
• Sperry Slimboat Boat Shoes
• Amazon Ruffle Crew Socks
• Heidi Merrick Sunglasses

Lightweight Sweater with Barrel Light Blue Jeans and a Baseball Cap

I’m pictured in:

• LOFT Horseshoe Jeans in Haze Wash
• Abercrombie Rugby Polo Sweater
• Sperry Slimboat Boat Shoes
• Navy Baseball Cap
• A Mini Crossbody Tote similar to this one from Quince (more of my favorite seasonal Quince finds here).

What Colors Go with Light Blue Jeans?

Light blue denim is incredibly easy to pair with different colors. Here are some of the best shades to complement your jeans:

• Neutrals – White, beige, gray, and black all work effortlessly with light blue jeans for a classic, refined look.
• Pastels – Soft pinks, blues, and lavender add a fresh, feminine touch to your outfit.
• Navy & Dark Hues – Navy blue, deep green, and burgundy contrast beautifully with lighter denim.
• Earth Tones – Tan, camel, and rust bring warmth and richness to your outfit.
• Pops of Color – If you want to make a statement, bold reds, vibrant yellows, or jewel tones can make your jeans stand out.

My Favorite Light Wash Jeans

There are so many great styles of light-wash denim to choose from this year! Here are some of my favorites.

Straight-Leg Jeans

The ultimate versatile style. They work with everything from loafers to heels. The AYR Secret Sauce Jeans are the most comfortable pair of denim I own. They have a looser straight leg fit, and run TTS. They’re definitely an investment pair, but totally worth it.

I also love these High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans in the light wash as a simple straight-leg option. Read my full review of those jeans in this Abercrombie denim review.

Wide-Leg Jeans

These give a relaxed, fashion-forward look and pair beautifully with all kinds of tops. Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans is my top pick for this style. I’m petite (5’1″), and this pair is so flattering– I bought the petite length, but you can grab the Mia Jeans in the regular length as well. You can find my favorite wide-leg jeans in this post.

Finding the perfect fit is key—whether you prefer structured denim or something with a bit of stretch for comfort, there’s a light blue jean for every occasion.

The Best Shoes to Wear with Light Blue Jeans

The right pair of shoes can completely transform the vibe of your outfit. Here are some great footwear options:

• White Sneakers – A go-to for a laid-back, everyday look. I love this pair of velcro VEJA sneakers, and I’ve compiled a full list of fun sneakers in this trendy sneakers blog post roundup.
• Loafers – Perfect for a polished yet comfortable outfit. My favorite loafers are the Loraine Bit Loafer from Sam Edelman. They’re comfortable and easy to style with anything in my closet. (If it’s still chilly where you are, here’s how to style loafers with socks.)
• Booties – Ankle boots, especially in tan, black, or white, look great with light-wash denim. Since we’re almost to spring, I’m not wearing booties often. If you want a few great recommendations though, read this post on how to style booties with jeans.
• Heels – Nude or colored heels can instantly dress up your jeans. I’m currently eyeing this pair of block heels by Sam Edelman.
• Sandals – Strappy or slide sandals make light denim feel effortless in warmer months. I shared a full list of my favorite spring sandals in this blog post.

Final Thoughts

No matter your style, light blue jeans are an essential, versatile piece that can be dressed up or down. I hope this post helps you find a new way to style them!

Shop The Post

The post What to Wear with Light Blue Jeans (A Complete Styling Guide) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Light blue jeans are a timeless wardrobe staple that can be styled in endless ways, and they happen to go with a lot of the trends this year (see the 2026 fashion trends here). Whether you love a classic, laid-back look or want to dress them up, the versatility of light-wash denim makes them a closet essential. In this post, I’ll share my favorite ways to style light blue jeans, including outfit ideas, color pairings, and the best shoe choices. I’ll also include my favorite light blue jeans in case you want to refresh your closet a bit.

What to Wear with Light Wash Jeans

The beauty of light blue jeans is how easily they pair with different pieces. Here are some of my favorite ways to wear them:

Lightweight Knits

As the weather gets warmer (but we’re still not in the heat of summer), I’m reaching most often for lightweight knit sweaters and cardigans. Short-sleeved cardigans look great with light-wash jeans, especially in a neutral tone like beige, white, or gray. I also love wearing pastels with light-wash jeans—like this frosted olive crewneck knit tee from Abercrombie.

White T-Shirts & Button-Downs

A crisp white tee or a button-down shirt is a foolproof combo with light denim. It’s an easy way to look relaxed yet put-together. I love the Sold Out NYC Iconically Soft Perfect Tee and this cotton polin button-down from J.Crew.

Denim on Denim

Denim on denim was a big 2025 trend I saw everywhere, and it’s still sticking around this year, but the key to wearing it well is finding the right washes. You can pair the same washes together for blue jean on blue jean outfits (maybe with a denim jacket like this + white tee and light-wash jeans) or wear this Chambray Teagan Popover Top with a darker wash of jeans for a contrasting look.

Casual Sweatshirts & Baseball Caps

A comfy way to style light-wash jeans is with a relaxed sweatshirt and baseball cap. Opt for a cropped sweatshirt and coordinating hat to keep the look intentional and polished. I love the Sunday Mockneck Crew from Abercrombie for chilly spring mornings.

Feminine Blouses

A flowy blouse in soft hues or floral prints brings a feminine touch to light blue jeans, making them perfect for brunch or casual outings. I think a relaxed blouse like this would look amazing with light-wash jeans, and I love this Blue Stripe Sofia Shirt for a polished shape with a fun pattern.

Light Blue Jeans Outfit Ideas

Trench Coat with Ballet Flats and a White Tee

I’m pictured in:

• Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans
• My favorite basic white tee from Amazon
• Ralph Lauren trench coat
• Raffia ballet flats from Steve Madden
• Braided leather belt from Quince
• Demellier’s New York Tote (more designer work bags in this post).

White Shirt and Light Blue Jeans with a Cardigan and Boat Shoes

I’m pictured in:

• Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans
• Sold Out NYC Iconically Soft Perfect Tee (this was the winner in my best white tee blog post)
• Mongolian Cashmere Cardigan Sweater from Quince
• Sperry Slimboat Boat Shoes
• Amazon Ruffle Crew Socks
• Heidi Merrick Sunglasses

Lightweight Sweater with Barrel Light Blue Jeans and a Baseball Cap

I’m pictured in:

• LOFT Horseshoe Jeans in Haze Wash
• Abercrombie Rugby Polo Sweater
• Sperry Slimboat Boat Shoes
• Navy Baseball Cap
• A Mini Crossbody Tote similar to this one from Quince (more of my favorite seasonal Quince finds here).

What Colors Go with Light Blue Jeans?

Light blue denim is incredibly easy to pair with different colors. Here are some of the best shades to complement your jeans:

• Neutrals – White, beige, gray, and black all work effortlessly with light blue jeans for a classic, refined look.
• Pastels – Soft pinks, blues, and lavender add a fresh, feminine touch to your outfit.
• Navy & Dark Hues – Navy blue, deep green, and burgundy contrast beautifully with lighter denim.
• Earth Tones – Tan, camel, and rust bring warmth and richness to your outfit.
• Pops of Color – If you want to make a statement, bold reds, vibrant yellows, or jewel tones can make your jeans stand out.

My Favorite Light Wash Jeans

There are so many great styles of light-wash denim to choose from this year! Here are some of my favorites.

Straight-Leg Jeans

The ultimate versatile style. They work with everything from loafers to heels. The AYR Secret Sauce Jeans are the most comfortable pair of denim I own. They have a looser straight leg fit, and run TTS. They’re definitely an investment pair, but totally worth it.

I also love these High Rise 90s Relaxed Jeans in the light wash as a simple straight-leg option. Read my full review of those jeans in this Abercrombie denim review.

Wide-Leg Jeans

These give a relaxed, fashion-forward look and pair beautifully with all kinds of tops. Mia High Rise Wide Leg Jeans from Joe’s Jeans is my top pick for this style. I’m petite (5’1″), and this pair is so flattering– I bought the petite length, but you can grab the Mia Jeans in the regular length as well. You can find my favorite wide-leg jeans in this post.

Finding the perfect fit is key—whether you prefer structured denim or something with a bit of stretch for comfort, there’s a light blue jean for every occasion.

The Best Shoes to Wear with Light Blue Jeans

The right pair of shoes can completely transform the vibe of your outfit. Here are some great footwear options:

• White Sneakers – A go-to for a laid-back, everyday look. I love this pair of velcro VEJA sneakers, and I’ve compiled a full list of fun sneakers in this trendy sneakers blog post roundup.
• Loafers – Perfect for a polished yet comfortable outfit. My favorite loafers are the Loraine Bit Loafer from Sam Edelman. They’re comfortable and easy to style with anything in my closet. (If it’s still chilly where you are, here’s how to style loafers with socks.)
• Booties – Ankle boots, especially in tan, black, or white, look great with light-wash denim. Since we’re almost to spring, I’m not wearing booties often. If you want a few great recommendations though, read this post on how to style booties with jeans.
• Heels – Nude or colored heels can instantly dress up your jeans. I’m currently eyeing this pair of block heels by Sam Edelman.
• Sandals – Strappy or slide sandals make light denim feel effortless in warmer months. I shared a full list of my favorite spring sandals in this blog post.

Final Thoughts

No matter your style, light blue jeans are an essential, versatile piece that can be dressed up or down. I hope this post helps you find a new way to style them!

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The post What to Wear with Light Blue Jeans (A Complete Styling Guide) appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Recently on Instagram, I was asked, “If you could only shop in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?” The answer to that question has changed a LOT over the past decade as my style has evolved. When I was living in Utah (I’m from there!), I was not as partial to the preppy, feminine brands that I saw on women in the South, but in the last few years, that’s what I’ve started gravitating towards. I guess that’s what living in the South for almost two decades will do to you.

So, the answer to that question now? Hands down, Tuckernuck. I love almost every single thing they carry. It’s impressive to me that their clothes are great for both 20-somethings and the 41-year-old mom like me. It’s classic, American, and feminine – everything I want my style to be.

Tuckernuck has become my go-to for my closet and gifts, and I have a handful of roundups on the blog:

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Dresses
• Shoes I love from Tuckernuck
• Hostess Gifts from Tuckernuck

The brand was started by Jocelyn Moore Gailliot, Madeline Moore, and September Rinnier in 2012. It has grown into a huge online retailer since then. They source their women’s clothes from only the best designers, and I’ve been introduced to some of my favorite brands through them.

15 Best Tuckernuck Tops and Sweaters for Your Closet

I’m rounding up my favorite Tuckernuck tops and sweaters from their current selection (the Tuckernuck blouses are also really fun right now). Funny enough, I always struggle to buy tops. Dresses feel like more “practical” purchases since they’re an entire outfit on their own, and since nice blouses are expensive (and only 1/2 of an outfit), I usually need a push to make the purchase.

But as a busy mom who has strong feelings about the best jeans and the best white sneakers, I need to invest in some breathable, feminine tops and sweaters that I can wear during the warmer months. Here’s what I’m loving lately.

1. Long Sleeve Piqué Puff-Sleeve Peggy Polo

I got the Navy Long Sleeve Pique Holmes Boyfriend Polo back in the fall, and it has a boxy silhouette but still feels feminine. It gives that classic polo look that feels old school but still modern and polished, which is why I love it so much.

If you love this look, but want something a little more fitted, this puff sleeve polo is similar, just with a little more shoulder detail. Both are great options to add a little prep to your outfit (here are more preppy wardrobe staples) and work with jeans, skirts, or layered under sweaters. Throw on flats, loafers, or any of these cute white sneakers.

2. Pique Puff Sleeve Peggy Polo

This Puff Sleeve Peggy Polo is the short-sleeve version of the one I mentioned above. It’s the perfect spring and summer top that makes you feel cute with the puff sleeve, but can give you a professional edge through the collar detail if you need it. I paired this top with these wide-leg jeans and also included this look in my guide on how to style wide-leg jeans.

3. Pale Green Trellis Floral Ada Tank

The Pale Green Ada Tank is a fresh and feminine favorite. The soft trellis print screams spring and summer to me, and I love how it’s stunning paired with crisp white jeans or the matching Pale Green Floral Addy Pants. I’d personally wear it with any of these white jeans.

4. Black Cotton Adams Shirt

The Black Cotton Adams Shirt is the timeless classic piece every closet needs. It’s crisp, effortless, versatile, and a solid option for any business-casual dress code. This top can be dressed up or down, and it’s breezy enough to wear in the humid south.

I own the Sofia Shirt, which is pretty similar, just a little more cropped and structured. Every wardrobe benefits from a great black shirt, and this one is a gorgeous choice.

5. White Pique Sleeveless Ruffle Margaret Polo

I could wear a polo every day of my life, and this sleeveless ruffle polo is great for summer. If it’s chilly in my office, I throw a cardigan or blazer over it. The delicate ruffle placket is adorable, and the pique texture gives it a subtle, elevated feel. You could just as easily pair this with jean shorts as a tennis skirt.

6. Mocha Stripe Parker Classic Tee

The Parker Classic Tee is one of those Tuckernuck shirts that’s all about casual cool, especially in the mocha stripe. The warm mocha tones and subtle stripes give it a laid-back yet stylish look that’s perfect with jeans, skirts, or under a cozy cardigan. I like that this striped tee is in a different colorway than the standard black & white or navy & white, but it’s still totally timeless and works with everything!

7. Woodbine and Junebug Stripe Swiftie Rugby Polo

This is probably the trendiest top of the bunch, but I love rugby shirts, and I’ve loved this style for multiple years, so it makes the list! I’m not usually a rugby polo girl, but the Woodbine and Junebug Stripe Rugby Polo has totally won me over by combining three of my favorite things: Tuckernuck, stripes, and a collar.

Pair it with any of these wide-leg jeans, my favorite white jeans for a lunch date, half-tucked into a skirt for a casual athleisure outfit.

8. French Blue Stripe Nadine Button Down

A good button-down (or five) is a must in my closet, and the French Blue Stripe colorway of this button-down feels different from the rest I own. It’s giving coastal, but still everyday appropriate. It’s a classic relaxed button-down that makes it great for layering or wearing on its own.

9. Navy Cashmere Bodie Boyfriend Crewneck

The slightly relaxed, boyfriend fit of the Cashmere Bodie Crewneck feels elevated but never sloppy, and the cashmere is incredibly soft without being too precious. It’s the kind of classic you can throw on with jeans, trousers, or over a dress and feel instantly pulled together. It looks just as cute with tailored pants as it does half-tucked into your favorite denim – here’s mine.

10. Sandstone and Ivory Stripe Cotton William Crewneck

As you probably know, I’m a sucker for anything striped, and this striped cotton crewneck is no exception. It’s an everyday classic since it’s soft and breathable, but still just the right amount of traditional. This sweater would be beautiful with trousers (if you have a pair you like, let me know – I’ve been on the hunt for some), or you could easily throw it on with jeans and sneakers.

11. Navy Cashmere Cassie V-Neck Sweater

This Cassie V-Neck Sweater from Tuckernuck is one of the classiest sweaters I’ve seen, and the fact that it’s cashmere makes it that much better. The deep navy hue is timeless, and the cashmere is so luxurious. I’m a big fan of the V-neck shape, which gives it a chic, feminine edge. A sweater like this makes you feel confident no matter where you go, and can easily be layered over a white tee. I tried a ton of white tees for you – here’s the best one.

If you love cashmere but not the price, here are all of my favorite cashmere sweaters under $200.

12. Sandstone Cashmere Riley Cardigan

A cardigan is a wardrobe staple. The Cashmere Riley Cardigan is a really nice spring option because the cashmere lends a softness, but the sweater itself is super light. It layers beautifully over a tank or tee, or with dresses and skirts! The only thing I’ll note is that it runs a little longer than it looks, so if you’re shorter like me, you may want to consider sizing down (if length is a priority).

13. Mocha Cashmere Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck

A classic crewneck like the Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck will always have a spot in my closet. The weight of this one is great year-round, and the mocha color works for all seasons since it’s lovely styled to style with both light and rich tones. I particularly love this sweater with white jeans and loafers (these are the best loafers to wear with jeans). The relaxed fit is great for a front tuck or totally untucked.

14. Mocha Cashmere Knot Button Phoebe Cardigan

I’m a big fan of cardigans like the Knot Button Pheobe Cardigan, where the length hits just at the hip and the shape is both classic and cozy. The knot buttons are a standout detail and add a special, feminine component. I think this cardigan would honestly work with anything – jeans, trousers, over dresses, or jean shorts in the warmer months.

15. Cropped Beachwood Cotton Americana Sweater

If you’ve seen the Tuckernuck American flag sweater I’ve raved about for years, the Cropped Beachwood Cotton Americana Sweater has the same Americana vibe, but is a bit more cropped, and a little more versatile with the neutral colorway and classic fit. I own three different flag sweaters, but this one is my very favorite! I wear it year-round.

If you know me, you know the 4th of July is my favorite holiday (here’s some 4th of July outfit inspo), so I might just have to snag it myself.

That’s all I have today, but I’ll update this post when I spot other must-have Tuckernuck tops while I’m browsing.

If you love the Tuckernuck look, but don’t always love the price tag, check out Tuckernuck style on a budget here.

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The post 15 Best Tuckernuck Tops and Sweaters for Your Closet appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

Recently on Instagram, I was asked, “If you could only shop in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?” The answer to that question has changed a LOT over the past decade as my style has evolved. When I was living in Utah (I’m from there!), I was not as partial to the preppy, feminine brands that I saw on women in the South, but in the last few years, that’s what I’ve started gravitating towards. I guess that’s what living in the South for almost two decades will do to you.

So, the answer to that question now? Hands down, Tuckernuck. I love almost every single thing they carry. It’s impressive to me that their clothes are great for both 20-somethings and the 41-year-old mom like me. It’s classic, American, and feminine – everything I want my style to be.

Tuckernuck has become my go-to for my closet and gifts, and I have a handful of roundups on the blog:

• My Favorite Tuckernuck Dresses
• Shoes I love from Tuckernuck
• Hostess Gifts from Tuckernuck

The brand was started by Jocelyn Moore Gailliot, Madeline Moore, and September Rinnier in 2012. It has grown into a huge online retailer since then. They source their women’s clothes from only the best designers, and I’ve been introduced to some of my favorite brands through them.

15 Best Tuckernuck Tops and Sweaters for Your Closet

I’m rounding up my favorite Tuckernuck tops and sweaters from their current selection (the Tuckernuck blouses are also really fun right now). Funny enough, I always struggle to buy tops. Dresses feel like more “practical” purchases since they’re an entire outfit on their own, and since nice blouses are expensive (and only 1/2 of an outfit), I usually need a push to make the purchase.

But as a busy mom who has strong feelings about the best jeans and the best white sneakers, I need to invest in some breathable, feminine tops and sweaters that I can wear during the warmer months. Here’s what I’m loving lately.

1. Long Sleeve Piqué Puff-Sleeve Peggy Polo

I got the Navy Long Sleeve Pique Holmes Boyfriend Polo back in the fall, and it has a boxy silhouette but still feels feminine. It gives that classic polo look that feels old school but still modern and polished, which is why I love it so much.

If you love this look, but want something a little more fitted, this puff sleeve polo is similar, just with a little more shoulder detail. Both are great options to add a little prep to your outfit (here are more preppy wardrobe staples) and work with jeans, skirts, or layered under sweaters. Throw on flats, loafers, or any of these cute white sneakers.

2. Pique Puff Sleeve Peggy Polo

This Puff Sleeve Peggy Polo is the short-sleeve version of the one I mentioned above. It’s the perfect spring and summer top that makes you feel cute with the puff sleeve, but can give you a professional edge through the collar detail if you need it. I paired this top with these wide-leg jeans and also included this look in my guide on how to style wide-leg jeans.

3. Pale Green Trellis Floral Ada Tank

The Pale Green Ada Tank is a fresh and feminine favorite. The soft trellis print screams spring and summer to me, and I love how it’s stunning paired with crisp white jeans or the matching Pale Green Floral Addy Pants. I’d personally wear it with any of these white jeans.

4. Black Cotton Adams Shirt

The Black Cotton Adams Shirt is the timeless classic piece every closet needs. It’s crisp, effortless, versatile, and a solid option for any business-casual dress code. This top can be dressed up or down, and it’s breezy enough to wear in the humid south.

I own the Sofia Shirt, which is pretty similar, just a little more cropped and structured. Every wardrobe benefits from a great black shirt, and this one is a gorgeous choice.

5. White Pique Sleeveless Ruffle Margaret Polo

I could wear a polo every day of my life, and this sleeveless ruffle polo is great for summer. If it’s chilly in my office, I throw a cardigan or blazer over it. The delicate ruffle placket is adorable, and the pique texture gives it a subtle, elevated feel. You could just as easily pair this with jean shorts as a tennis skirt.

6. Mocha Stripe Parker Classic Tee

The Parker Classic Tee is one of those Tuckernuck shirts that’s all about casual cool, especially in the mocha stripe. The warm mocha tones and subtle stripes give it a laid-back yet stylish look that’s perfect with jeans, skirts, or under a cozy cardigan. I like that this striped tee is in a different colorway than the standard black & white or navy & white, but it’s still totally timeless and works with everything!

7. Woodbine and Junebug Stripe Swiftie Rugby Polo

This is probably the trendiest top of the bunch, but I love rugby shirts, and I’ve loved this style for multiple years, so it makes the list! I’m not usually a rugby polo girl, but the Woodbine and Junebug Stripe Rugby Polo has totally won me over by combining three of my favorite things: Tuckernuck, stripes, and a collar.

Pair it with any of these wide-leg jeans, my favorite white jeans for a lunch date, half-tucked into a skirt for a casual athleisure outfit.

8. French Blue Stripe Nadine Button Down

A good button-down (or five) is a must in my closet, and the French Blue Stripe colorway of this button-down feels different from the rest I own. It’s giving coastal, but still everyday appropriate. It’s a classic relaxed button-down that makes it great for layering or wearing on its own.

9. Navy Cashmere Bodie Boyfriend Crewneck

The slightly relaxed, boyfriend fit of the Cashmere Bodie Crewneck feels elevated but never sloppy, and the cashmere is incredibly soft without being too precious. It’s the kind of classic you can throw on with jeans, trousers, or over a dress and feel instantly pulled together. It looks just as cute with tailored pants as it does half-tucked into your favorite denim – here’s mine.

10. Sandstone and Ivory Stripe Cotton William Crewneck

As you probably know, I’m a sucker for anything striped, and this striped cotton crewneck is no exception. It’s an everyday classic since it’s soft and breathable, but still just the right amount of traditional. This sweater would be beautiful with trousers (if you have a pair you like, let me know – I’ve been on the hunt for some), or you could easily throw it on with jeans and sneakers.

11. Navy Cashmere Cassie V-Neck Sweater

This Cassie V-Neck Sweater from Tuckernuck is one of the classiest sweaters I’ve seen, and the fact that it’s cashmere makes it that much better. The deep navy hue is timeless, and the cashmere is so luxurious. I’m a big fan of the V-neck shape, which gives it a chic, feminine edge. A sweater like this makes you feel confident no matter where you go, and can easily be layered over a white tee. I tried a ton of white tees for you – here’s the best one.

If you love cashmere but not the price, here are all of my favorite cashmere sweaters under $200.

12. Sandstone Cashmere Riley Cardigan

A cardigan is a wardrobe staple. The Cashmere Riley Cardigan is a really nice spring option because the cashmere lends a softness, but the sweater itself is super light. It layers beautifully over a tank or tee, or with dresses and skirts! The only thing I’ll note is that it runs a little longer than it looks, so if you’re shorter like me, you may want to consider sizing down (if length is a priority).

13. Mocha Cashmere Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck

A classic crewneck like the Boyfriend Bodie Crewneck will always have a spot in my closet. The weight of this one is great year-round, and the mocha color works for all seasons since it’s lovely styled to style with both light and rich tones. I particularly love this sweater with white jeans and loafers (these are the best loafers to wear with jeans). The relaxed fit is great for a front tuck or totally untucked.

14. Mocha Cashmere Knot Button Phoebe Cardigan

I’m a big fan of cardigans like the Knot Button Pheobe Cardigan, where the length hits just at the hip and the shape is both classic and cozy. The knot buttons are a standout detail and add a special, feminine component. I think this cardigan would honestly work with anything – jeans, trousers, over dresses, or jean shorts in the warmer months.

15. Cropped Beachwood Cotton Americana Sweater

If you’ve seen the Tuckernuck American flag sweater I’ve raved about for years, the Cropped Beachwood Cotton Americana Sweater has the same Americana vibe, but is a bit more cropped, and a little more versatile with the neutral colorway and classic fit. I own three different flag sweaters, but this one is my very favorite! I wear it year-round.

If you know me, you know the 4th of July is my favorite holiday (here’s some 4th of July outfit inspo), so I might just have to snag it myself.

That’s all I have today, but I’ll update this post when I spot other must-have Tuckernuck tops while I’m browsing.

If you love the Tuckernuck look, but don’t always love the price tag, check out Tuckernuck style on a budget here.

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The post 15 Best Tuckernuck Tops and Sweaters for Your Closet appeared first on TeriLyn Adams.

We flew out of Greenville on a Friday morning to Dulles airport where we had a 5 hour layover before boarding our flight to Zurich. Fortunately we have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and have been learning more about perks, one of which is free lounge access. So the girls and I had our first airport lounge experience and it’s safe to say we are spoiled now. Comfy places to sit, free food and drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere; David and I basically had a mini date night before the trip even officially started!

Family Ski Trip to Grindelwald Switzerland

Day 1: Travel to Grindelwald

Our plane was delayed due to deicing and we didn’t take off until 2 hours past our scheduled departure. The flight was smooth, though none of us really slept well (expected). When we touched down in Zurich at 9:30 AM local time, we were a bit groggy, but excited. We headed straight to the train station where we were immediately confused. While the trains are certainly a well oiled system, it’s not intuitive when you’re from a different country and there are not many people to ask for help. TIP ALERT: Get the app. We didn’t figure this out until later in our trip and it would have saved us a lot of bumbling around.

It took one short train ride (30 minutes), a long train ride (2 hours 30 minutes), and one last short train ride (30 minutes) for us to get to Grindelwald and by the time we arrived we were all pretty much delirious.

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Our hotel was literally steps from the train station (perk!). We stayed at Hotel Kreuz and Post, a historic hotel with a lot of character and charm. We stayed in the hotel’s three bedroom apartment, which was wonderful. Whenever we can swing it, I prioritize everyone’s ability to get the best sleep on a trip and this set up knocked that goal out of the park. The girls had their own room, as did David and I. There were two bathrooms, a living area, and a kitchen. It wasn’t super updated (by typical American standards), but everything felt really clean and I loved the vintage and personalized feel of the decor and art.

We checked in late afternoon, went right next door to get ski rentals (which was the most efficient ski rental process ever), then went in search of dinner. We decided on Barry’s Restaurant Bar & Lounge, since they were about to squeeze us in without a reservation. TIP ALERT: You need to book meals and experiences ahead of time in Switzerland; it’s very hard to get into most places last-minute.

We all could barely keep our eyes open, but we made it through the meal, which was very tasty in a cozy atmosphere. We headed straight back to the hotel for showers and we all crashed hard into bed.

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Day 2: Ski Day at Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen

12. Hours. Later. We woke up. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet with a wide variety of offerings. On ski trips, this is always a perk worth prioritizing for us. The cappuccino machine only helped solidify our affections for this hotel perk.

After breakfast we donned our ski gear, fetched our equipment from the ski storage room behind the hotel, and walked over to the train station to print off our lift tickets. We took the bus across from the hotel to the base of the mountain (terminal) then rode a gondola to the top of the mountain.

Kaitlyn had woken up with a sore throat and was hanging in there the best she could by the time we finally started skiing. I’m not sure it it was that or figuring out a ski mountain and map that runs things differently than we’re used to, but it all felt pretty clunky on that first day. There were a lot of flat runs resulting in poling, uphill areas, and confusion over how to map showed certain runs.

By midday Kaitlyn was almost in tears so I opted to take her back to the hotel. The buses were tricky to figure out but the kindness of stranger helped us board the right one and soon enough we were back at the place, her in a hot bath and me running a load of laundry in the hotel’s laundry room (perk!). David and Hailey continued skiing and had a good time, except for the part where Hailey fell of a T-bar lift and had to take off her skis and hike her way up the mountain.

It wasn’t our shiniest vacation day. That evening we were turned away from a couple of restaurants (reservations needed) but ended up having an absolutely delicious dinner at Golden India who were able to get us in a save the day!

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Day 3: Grindelwald First & Top of Europe

The next day was forecasted to be a clear day and I knew I wanted us to have blue skies when we visited Jungfraujock, also known at the Top of Europe. We decided to start the day at Grindelwald First Top of Adventure. We walked to the gondola (free with our lift tickets) from our hotel and after a 10 minute ride arrived at an absolutely stunning view. The kids were excited and we wanted to do it all- the Cliff Walk (complimentary), the First Flyer, where you zipline over the Alps in a swing, and the First Glider, where you fly like an eagle over the Alps in a group of four, on your belly. We loved it all!

The views were stunning, there were no lines for the activities, and we were able to sip hot tea and stare at the view without a crowd. Highly recommend!

While sipping tea and admiring the clear skies we decided that it was also the right day to try and experience the Top of Europe, as clouds were supposed to roll in the next day. We took the gondola down and caught a bus to Terminal, where we rode the gondola up to the starting point of the tour, which begins with a train ride up the mountain to the highest railway station in Europe.

As part of the Top of Europe experience you get a phenomenal view of the longest glacier in the Alps… and then you get to walk through it! The ice palace was a definite highlight of our trip. We lucked out that it wasn’t crowded at all and sliding along the icy path felt truly magical. We got chocolates from the highest chocolate shop in Europe and enjoyed them on our train and gondola ride back down the mountain.

We picked up pizza from Take Away for the kids while David and I enjoyed a dinner date at the hotel’s restaurant. The atmosphere was cozy and the food was excellent. It has a menu that shifts seasonally and both of us figuratively licked our plates clean.

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Day 4: Skiing at Grindelwald First

Kaitlyn woke up this day unsure if she was up for skiing with her sore throat. After breakfast and a promise from me that I’d happily come back with her if she tried and was miserable, we got our gear and hopped the bus back to Grindelwald First gondola to head to the top.

The day started off quite snowy, but the runs were a much better fit for us. They were wide open with a little powder and the mountain felt very open and uncrowded. We started to hit our stride and at one pausing point Kaitlyn looked and me and declared: I’m so happy I didn’t miss out on this.

We skied happily all morning, laughing when we took a lovely run down the mountain, declaring it our favorite one yet, only to have it dead end at a bus stop. There was nothing to do but pop off our skis, wait on the bus, and head back to the gondola at the base of Grindelwald First.

At the top we went in for some lunch- spaghetti Bolognese, burgers, and fries, which we enjoyed while watching some Olympics. Once fed and warm we decided to head to the highest part of the mountain and… well, my goodness it turned out to be the ultimate highlight of our skiing.

The skies were clear, the snow park was empty, the views were out of this world, and we spent the afternoon skiing that area as many times as we possibly could. We went over the hills, skied the course, and took the lift back up on repeat until finally they closed the lift for the day and we had to accept it was time to head down. That afternoon will forever be concreted in my memory.

Back at the apartment we changed and headed to dinner. We popped into a few places, none that had space for us (reservations needed), so we returned to Barry’s where we enjoyed a traditional Switzerland cheese fondue! The girls were just so-so on the Raclette cheese, but the potatoes and bread were a hit for all.

The girls got cozy back at the apartment afterwards while David and I made us of the saunas in the spa area at the hotel. As a family we sure missed the hot tub experience (it definitely is not as prevalent in Europe as in the US), but the sauna was beautiful and provided a nice warm up before calling it a night.

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Day 5: Skiing at Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen

Our last ski day we decided to return to Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen via Grindelwald Terminal, taking the Eiger Express gondola up. We knew wet weather was supposed to be returning and while it was rain in the town, on the mountain it was ALL snow! It was beautiful and we enjoyed it until it really started pounding down so hard that it was hard to see.

We took the opportunity to stop at The Wall Bar on the mountain, order schnitzel, sip coffee and hot chocolate, and watch the Olympics. I also had a shot of Jägermeister, for warming up purposes of course.

Afterwards we headed back out and were thrilled at the 6+ inches of fresh powder the storm has delivered! The weather ebbed and flowed all afternoon from clear to quite snowy. The girls loved the powder. We attempted another T-bar and lost Hailey again. I jumped offf with her and we skied down under it to attempt another ride up, which was successful! Kaitlyn fell in a hill of deep powder and it took a solid 10 minutes to dig her skies out, which she laughed endlessly at. We enjoyed the day very much and closed down the mountain.

Hungry and tired we went in search for dinner that night, stumbling upon the restaurant at Hotel Spinne completely by happenstance. The views were beautiful from the dining room, the food was hearty and delicious, and it made for a wonderful last evening in Grindelwald.

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Day 6: Zurich & The Lindt Chocolate Factory

We woke up our last morning, packed up, grabbed breakfast, and walked across the street to the train station to be ready to leave Grindelwald by on the 9:15 train. Feeling much fresher and having finally downloaded the train app, the trip back to Zurich felt much smoother than the one there. We played cards and watched the rain hit the windows, which the girls were delighted at for the very authentic Harry Potter Hogwarts train feel.

It was pouring when we got to Zurich and we walked the quarter mile to our Marriott in it. We unloaded into our room and decided on lunch at the hotel bar, which was surprisingly good. At lunch we surprised the girls with the our rainy day activity- visiting the Lindt Chocolate Factory & Museum!

They both were excited at the prospect of seeing where their favorite chocolate truffles were made, so much so that Kaitlyn burst into happy tears. After lunch we went back to the train station and a 15 minute train followed by a 15 minute walk had us arriving at the grand site of the Lindt Chocolate Factory!

Let me tell you, like dinners in Switzerland, this needs to be booked weeks in advance. We learned that the hard way when we tried to book it a few days prior and it was all sold out. We scored the very last set of tickets to a chocolate bar making class which allowed this trip to happen.

The building itself is grand! Being greeted by the world’s tallest chocolate fountain sets the tone and every experience that follows matches up. Our chocolate bar making tickets didn’t grant us entry into the museum, but we were told there were a few available last minute in person (even though online it said sold out). We decided to go for the full experience to learn the history of chocolate and revel in the unlimited chocolate tastings.

Everything is very well done, from the museum experience to our chocolate bar making class. They dressed us in chef hats and aprons, walked us through the bar making process, educated us on the differences in chocolate types, and made the whole experience deeply enjoyable for us all. Highly recommend!

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We stayed approximately three hours at the museum, including the hour of our class, and took the train back to Zurich all hopped up on chocolate.

We went in search of dinner and a friend had told me about a place called Zeughauskeller, so we went in search of this historic and popular restaurant. We lucked out and they were able to fit us into the packed place without a reservation where we enjoyed beer, apple juice in mugs, and sausages. The vibe and food were both excellent, and we all enjoyed reading the history of this for armory built in 1487. A perfect last night!

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Back at the hotel we rotated through showers and watching the Olympics before calling it a night. At 6:15 AM we were up and catching an Uber to the airport to started our travel back home, which included a flight to Chicago, a long layover, and our flight back to Greenville. All in all, we ended up being awake for 23 hours by the time we were stepping into showers back in our own home.

Switzerland Ski Trip Conclusion and Takeaways

• The travel was a LOT for a weeklong trip. If I were to do it again, I’d spend a day or two in Zurich before heading to Grindelwald.
• The views of the Alps are absolutely stunning and I really don’t think you can find a more breathtaking mountain range on earth. (But if you have one you think could rival it, I’m all ears).
• Get the train app. It solves all your problems.
• Book dinners and tours a few weeks in advance.

Trip Questions from Instagram

What made you want to go to Switzerland? I enjoyed seeing your pictures- beautiful there.

You hit the nail on the head- the beauty! I’ve always heard about the Swiss Alps and their beauty. Being that we love skiing, we decided to go for it. The country is so stunning in winter, I can only imagine how jaw dropping it is in summer.

What’s the cost comparison to US ski destinations (like Big Sky)?

On the whole, we found it to be less expensive to go to Switzerland than out west in the US. Flights are about even in cost. Lodging is less expensive in Switzerland. Lift tickets are significantly less expensive in Switzerland. Eating out is more expensive in Switzerland.

Please share a blog post with your full itinerary! This trip is on our radar!

Done! In a mere 2,700 words- ha! While we had some definite highlights, I’d do a few things differently. I’d get lodging as close to the Grindelwald First gondola as possible so you’d be close to our favorite mountain and only have to take the bus if heading to the other mountain. I would extend the trip to make travel easier on both sides. I’d make dinner reservations each night (even though I do think that can be hard to plan for based on how the day on the mountain goes).

Did you take all your ski equipment with you?

We packed our ski clothes, helmets, goggles, and gloves. We rented (very convenient, right next to the hotel) boots, skis, and poles.

Did you have to rent a car to get to the Lindt Chocolate Factory?

No car rental needed the whole trip! From Zurich it’s a short train ride to Kilchberg Station, then a 10-15 minute walk.

No question, but thanks for bringing us along!

My pleasure! I love getting to share travel destinations because I so enjoy seeing where and how other families travel myself!

Loved your stories; what will you remember most from the trip?

Oh, great question! My personal highlights: ziplining over the snowy alps together, the afternoon we we spent skiing the snow park on top of Grindelwald First over and over again with the insane views, walking through Europe’s longest glacier (the ice palace), and our last dinner together with good views, plates of pasta, and laughing together about the trip’s triumphs and mishaps.

What made you choose Switzerland? I do Northern Italy so I’m biased.

We actually started off looking at both Switzerland and Italy, but prices in Italy were so much higher because of the Winter Olympics, so with the timing we needed, Switzerland won out. But I wouldn’t be against skiing Northern Italy to compare

How did you decide where to go in Switzerland? So many options!

We originally were looking at Zermatt, which had us research top family skiing destinations in Switzerland online. Grindelwald kept showing up in the top three wherever we looked and promised the stunning views of the Alps. That plus the fact we’re huge Harry Potter fans sealed the deal. David does not agree with that last statement

If you’re planning a trip and have any questions, please comment below and I’m happy to answer them. I think planning travel in Europe can feel intimidating and so I’m always happy to chat about our experiences if it’s helpful!

We flew out of Greenville on a Friday morning to Dulles airport where we had a 5 hour layover before boarding our flight to Zurich. Fortunately we have the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card and have been learning more about perks, one of which is free lounge access. So the girls and I had our first airport lounge experience and it’s safe to say we are spoiled now. Comfy places to sit, free food and drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere; David and I basically had a mini date night before the trip even officially started!

Family Ski Trip to Grindelwald Switzerland

Day 1: Travel to Grindelwald

Our plane was delayed due to deicing and we didn’t take off until 2 hours past our scheduled departure. The flight was smooth, though none of us really slept well (expected). When we touched down in Zurich at 9:30 AM local time, we were a bit groggy, but excited. We headed straight to the train station where we were immediately confused. While the trains are certainly a well oiled system, it’s not intuitive when you’re from a different country and there are not many people to ask for help. TIP ALERT: Get the app. We didn’t figure this out until later in our trip and it would have saved us a lot of bumbling around.

It took one short train ride (30 minutes), a long train ride (2 hours 30 minutes), and one last short train ride (30 minutes) for us to get to Grindelwald and by the time we arrived we were all pretty much delirious.

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Our hotel was literally steps from the train station (perk!). We stayed at Hotel Kreuz and Post, a historic hotel with a lot of character and charm. We stayed in the hotel’s three bedroom apartment, which was wonderful. Whenever we can swing it, I prioritize everyone’s ability to get the best sleep on a trip and this set up knocked that goal out of the park. The girls had their own room, as did David and I. There were two bathrooms, a living area, and a kitchen. It wasn’t super updated (by typical American standards), but everything felt really clean and I loved the vintage and personalized feel of the decor and art.

We checked in late afternoon, went right next door to get ski rentals (which was the most efficient ski rental process ever), then went in search of dinner. We decided on Barry’s Restaurant Bar & Lounge, since they were about to squeeze us in without a reservation. TIP ALERT: You need to book meals and experiences ahead of time in Switzerland; it’s very hard to get into most places last-minute.

We all could barely keep our eyes open, but we made it through the meal, which was very tasty in a cozy atmosphere. We headed straight back to the hotel for showers and we all crashed hard into bed.

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Day 2: Ski Day at Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen

12. Hours. Later. We woke up. The hotel offers a complimentary breakfast buffet with a wide variety of offerings. On ski trips, this is always a perk worth prioritizing for us. The cappuccino machine only helped solidify our affections for this hotel perk.

After breakfast we donned our ski gear, fetched our equipment from the ski storage room behind the hotel, and walked over to the train station to print off our lift tickets. We took the bus across from the hotel to the base of the mountain (terminal) then rode a gondola to the top of the mountain.

Kaitlyn had woken up with a sore throat and was hanging in there the best she could by the time we finally started skiing. I’m not sure it it was that or figuring out a ski mountain and map that runs things differently than we’re used to, but it all felt pretty clunky on that first day. There were a lot of flat runs resulting in poling, uphill areas, and confusion over how to map showed certain runs.

By midday Kaitlyn was almost in tears so I opted to take her back to the hotel. The buses were tricky to figure out but the kindness of stranger helped us board the right one and soon enough we were back at the place, her in a hot bath and me running a load of laundry in the hotel’s laundry room (perk!). David and Hailey continued skiing and had a good time, except for the part where Hailey fell of a T-bar lift and had to take off her skis and hike her way up the mountain.

It wasn’t our shiniest vacation day. That evening we were turned away from a couple of restaurants (reservations needed) but ended up having an absolutely delicious dinner at Golden India who were able to get us in a save the day!

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Day 3: Grindelwald First & Top of Europe

The next day was forecasted to be a clear day and I knew I wanted us to have blue skies when we visited Jungfraujock, also known at the Top of Europe. We decided to start the day at Grindelwald First Top of Adventure. We walked to the gondola (free with our lift tickets) from our hotel and after a 10 minute ride arrived at an absolutely stunning view. The kids were excited and we wanted to do it all- the Cliff Walk (complimentary), the First Flyer, where you zipline over the Alps in a swing, and the First Glider, where you fly like an eagle over the Alps in a group of four, on your belly. We loved it all!

The views were stunning, there were no lines for the activities, and we were able to sip hot tea and stare at the view without a crowd. Highly recommend!

While sipping tea and admiring the clear skies we decided that it was also the right day to try and experience the Top of Europe, as clouds were supposed to roll in the next day. We took the gondola down and caught a bus to Terminal, where we rode the gondola up to the starting point of the tour, which begins with a train ride up the mountain to the highest railway station in Europe.

As part of the Top of Europe experience you get a phenomenal view of the longest glacier in the Alps… and then you get to walk through it! The ice palace was a definite highlight of our trip. We lucked out that it wasn’t crowded at all and sliding along the icy path felt truly magical. We got chocolates from the highest chocolate shop in Europe and enjoyed them on our train and gondola ride back down the mountain.

We picked up pizza from Take Away for the kids while David and I enjoyed a dinner date at the hotel’s restaurant. The atmosphere was cozy and the food was excellent. It has a menu that shifts seasonally and both of us figuratively licked our plates clean.

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Day 4: Skiing at Grindelwald First

Kaitlyn woke up this day unsure if she was up for skiing with her sore throat. After breakfast and a promise from me that I’d happily come back with her if she tried and was miserable, we got our gear and hopped the bus back to Grindelwald First gondola to head to the top.

The day started off quite snowy, but the runs were a much better fit for us. They were wide open with a little powder and the mountain felt very open and uncrowded. We started to hit our stride and at one pausing point Kaitlyn looked and me and declared: I’m so happy I didn’t miss out on this.

We skied happily all morning, laughing when we took a lovely run down the mountain, declaring it our favorite one yet, only to have it dead end at a bus stop. There was nothing to do but pop off our skis, wait on the bus, and head back to the gondola at the base of Grindelwald First.

At the top we went in for some lunch- spaghetti Bolognese, burgers, and fries, which we enjoyed while watching some Olympics. Once fed and warm we decided to head to the highest part of the mountain and… well, my goodness it turned out to be the ultimate highlight of our skiing.

The skies were clear, the snow park was empty, the views were out of this world, and we spent the afternoon skiing that area as many times as we possibly could. We went over the hills, skied the course, and took the lift back up on repeat until finally they closed the lift for the day and we had to accept it was time to head down. That afternoon will forever be concreted in my memory.

Back at the apartment we changed and headed to dinner. We popped into a few places, none that had space for us (reservations needed), so we returned to Barry’s where we enjoyed a traditional Switzerland cheese fondue! The girls were just so-so on the Raclette cheese, but the potatoes and bread were a hit for all.

The girls got cozy back at the apartment afterwards while David and I made us of the saunas in the spa area at the hotel. As a family we sure missed the hot tub experience (it definitely is not as prevalent in Europe as in the US), but the sauna was beautiful and provided a nice warm up before calling it a night.

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Day 5: Skiing at Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen

Our last ski day we decided to return to Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen via Grindelwald Terminal, taking the Eiger Express gondola up. We knew wet weather was supposed to be returning and while it was rain in the town, on the mountain it was ALL snow! It was beautiful and we enjoyed it until it really started pounding down so hard that it was hard to see.

We took the opportunity to stop at The Wall Bar on the mountain, order schnitzel, sip coffee and hot chocolate, and watch the Olympics. I also had a shot of Jägermeister, for warming up purposes of course.

Afterwards we headed back out and were thrilled at the 6+ inches of fresh powder the storm has delivered! The weather ebbed and flowed all afternoon from clear to quite snowy. The girls loved the powder. We attempted another T-bar and lost Hailey again. I jumped offf with her and we skied down under it to attempt another ride up, which was successful! Kaitlyn fell in a hill of deep powder and it took a solid 10 minutes to dig her skies out, which she laughed endlessly at. We enjoyed the day very much and closed down the mountain.

Hungry and tired we went in search for dinner that night, stumbling upon the restaurant at Hotel Spinne completely by happenstance. The views were beautiful from the dining room, the food was hearty and delicious, and it made for a wonderful last evening in Grindelwald.

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Day 6: Zurich & The Lindt Chocolate Factory

We woke up our last morning, packed up, grabbed breakfast, and walked across the street to the train station to be ready to leave Grindelwald by on the 9:15 train. Feeling much fresher and having finally downloaded the train app, the trip back to Zurich felt much smoother than the one there. We played cards and watched the rain hit the windows, which the girls were delighted at for the very authentic Harry Potter Hogwarts train feel.

It was pouring when we got to Zurich and we walked the quarter mile to our Marriott in it. We unloaded into our room and decided on lunch at the hotel bar, which was surprisingly good. At lunch we surprised the girls with the our rainy day activity- visiting the Lindt Chocolate Factory & Museum!

They both were excited at the prospect of seeing where their favorite chocolate truffles were made, so much so that Kaitlyn burst into happy tears. After lunch we went back to the train station and a 15 minute train followed by a 15 minute walk had us arriving at the grand site of the Lindt Chocolate Factory!

Let me tell you, like dinners in Switzerland, this needs to be booked weeks in advance. We learned that the hard way when we tried to book it a few days prior and it was all sold out. We scored the very last set of tickets to a chocolate bar making class which allowed this trip to happen.

The building itself is grand! Being greeted by the world’s tallest chocolate fountain sets the tone and every experience that follows matches up. Our chocolate bar making tickets didn’t grant us entry into the museum, but we were told there were a few available last minute in person (even though online it said sold out). We decided to go for the full experience to learn the history of chocolate and revel in the unlimited chocolate tastings.

Everything is very well done, from the museum experience to our chocolate bar making class. They dressed us in chef hats and aprons, walked us through the bar making process, educated us on the differences in chocolate types, and made the whole experience deeply enjoyable for us all. Highly recommend!

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We stayed approximately three hours at the museum, including the hour of our class, and took the train back to Zurich all hopped up on chocolate.

We went in search of dinner and a friend had told me about a place called Zeughauskeller, so we went in search of this historic and popular restaurant. We lucked out and they were able to fit us into the packed place without a reservation where we enjoyed beer, apple juice in mugs, and sausages. The vibe and food were both excellent, and we all enjoyed reading the history of this for armory built in 1487. A perfect last night!

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Back at the hotel we rotated through showers and watching the Olympics before calling it a night. At 6:15 AM we were up and catching an Uber to the airport to started our travel back home, which included a flight to Chicago, a long layover, and our flight back to Greenville. All in all, we ended up being awake for 23 hours by the time we were stepping into showers back in our own home.

Switzerland Ski Trip Conclusion and Takeaways

• The travel was a LOT for a weeklong trip. If I were to do it again, I’d spend a day or two in Zurich before heading to Grindelwald.
• The views of the Alps are absolutely stunning and I really don’t think you can find a more breathtaking mountain range on earth. (But if you have one you think could rival it, I’m all ears).
• Get the train app. It solves all your problems.
• Book dinners and tours a few weeks in advance.

Trip Questions from Instagram

What made you want to go to Switzerland? I enjoyed seeing your pictures- beautiful there.

You hit the nail on the head- the beauty! I’ve always heard about the Swiss Alps and their beauty. Being that we love skiing, we decided to go for it. The country is so stunning in winter, I can only imagine how jaw dropping it is in summer.

What’s the cost comparison to US ski destinations (like Big Sky)?

On the whole, we found it to be less expensive to go to Switzerland than out west in the US. Flights are about even in cost. Lodging is less expensive in Switzerland. Lift tickets are significantly less expensive in Switzerland. Eating out is more expensive in Switzerland.

Please share a blog post with your full itinerary! This trip is on our radar!

Done! In a mere 2,700 words- ha! While we had some definite highlights, I’d do a few things differently. I’d get lodging as close to the Grindelwald First gondola as possible so you’d be close to our favorite mountain and only have to take the bus if heading to the other mountain. I would extend the trip to make travel easier on both sides. I’d make dinner reservations each night (even though I do think that can be hard to plan for based on how the day on the mountain goes).

Did you take all your ski equipment with you?

We packed our ski clothes, helmets, goggles, and gloves. We rented (very convenient, right next to the hotel) boots, skis, and poles.

Did you have to rent a car to get to the Lindt Chocolate Factory?

No car rental needed the whole trip! From Zurich it’s a short train ride to Kilchberg Station, then a 10-15 minute walk.

No question, but thanks for bringing us along!

My pleasure! I love getting to share travel destinations because I so enjoy seeing where and how other families travel myself!

Loved your stories; what will you remember most from the trip?

Oh, great question! My personal highlights: ziplining over the snowy alps together, the afternoon we we spent skiing the snow park on top of Grindelwald First over and over again with the insane views, walking through Europe’s longest glacier (the ice palace), and our last dinner together with good views, plates of pasta, and laughing together about the trip’s triumphs and mishaps.

What made you choose Switzerland? I do Northern Italy so I’m biased.

We actually started off looking at both Switzerland and Italy, but prices in Italy were so much higher because of the Winter Olympics, so with the timing we needed, Switzerland won out. But I wouldn’t be against skiing Northern Italy to compare

How did you decide where to go in Switzerland? So many options!

We originally were looking at Zermatt, which had us research top family skiing destinations in Switzerland online. Grindelwald kept showing up in the top three wherever we looked and promised the stunning views of the Alps. That plus the fact we’re huge Harry Potter fans sealed the deal. David does not agree with that last statement

If you’re planning a trip and have any questions, please comment below and I’m happy to answer them. I think planning travel in Europe can feel intimidating and so I’m always happy to chat about our experiences if it’s helpful!

Barnes and Noble Book of the Year: 2025

International book seller Barnes and Noble chose this book as its 2025 best seller, translated into 38 languages from the original by French art historian, Thomas Schlesser.   He is a professor of art history at the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, and this is his American debut with the work featured by Europa Editions in New York. He chose the image of a work of art by Johannes Vermeer from 1665 known as the Girl with the Pearl Earring which is in the Mauritshuis House in the Hague for his cover. The painting was donated there by Arnoldus Tombe in 1902 who had paid about 24 euros for same in 1881.

Girl with a Pearl Earring, oil on canvas, 1665, Mauritshuis House.

Professor Schlesser has taken on a very unusual task with this novel which highlights 52 works of art and the story of a young girl, age 11, who wakes up one morning and cannot see.  After medical exams and testing, her sight returns in a few days. Physicians cannot explain this blackout and insist that she see specialists in sight control and a psychiatrist to keep her calm and relaxed.  Instead of a tedious weekly session with the latter, her grandfather steps in and says he will manage the situation.  His plan is to take her each Wednesday to one of the three major museums in Paris for a detailed look and examination of a work of art.  Mona loves this idea, and the book goes into detail on each of the 52 visits.

What is such fun is that the author divided the book into three sections with works of art from the Louvre in part one, the Museé D’Orsay in part two, and the Pompidou from the Beaubourg suburb in part three.  These are very cleverly illustrated in the two-part cover of the book.

There is an expression in Spanish that reads: “Puede ver pero no puede mirar,” which translates that one can look but did not see enough. As museum statistics have claimed that the average visitor spends about 20 seconds in front of each work of art, I can relate that looking and seeing can be different experiences.  With the details on each work of art, the grandfather tells Mona about the artist, his or her country, and the medium of the artwork. They then together stand in front of same for at least 20 minutes and talk about the image, its content, its meaning, its details and how they each think it became a very special work of art.

In part one Schlesser chose the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci as one of 19 works from the Louvre, and the grandfather explains that this was a private commission by a wealthy Florentine businessman, Francesco del Giocondo, who wanted to capture the smile of his lovely wife Lisa.  In my art history classes, I learned that the Catholic church forbid women to be used in works of art in the 16^th century unless they were to look like the Virgin Mary or her helpers.  To engage also with the viewer in a direct pose was also considered sinful and most portraits were done in profile.  The Mona Lisa thus became famous for her engaging smile and simple repose.  Ironically Da Vinci never delivered the work of art and instead took it to France with him when he went to work for King Francis I who bought it from him in 1519. Subsequent kings had it in Versailles until it was moved to the Louvre where it is now under bullet proof glass where 80% of the visitors line up to see her.

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1519. Louvre Museum.

One more favorite in the second chapter of the book is the work of Paul Cezanne from 1890 called Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a view that he captured in oil from his studio window in Provence about 90 times. Cezanne’s father was a banker and not happy that his son chose to be an artist, but the famous French art dealer, Paul Durand Ruel, saved him by selling his work in his Paris gallery.  Cezanne was quoted as saying that the mountain had a raging thirst for sunshine which he tried to capture in the details of the foreground, mid-level, and background.  Mona said, “Grandpa I think Cezanne wanted to light up the world with his paintings.”  (p. 256)

Paul Cezanne, Montagne Sainte- Victoire, 1890. Museé D’Orsay.

In the third section Mona loves many of the works but identifies the work of Georgia O’Keeffe from 1924 as her favorite.  Entitled Red, Yellow and Black Streaks, the grandfather says that O’Keeffe painted this one when she was living near Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains.   He explained that her style became known as bio-morphism as she tried to turn nature into abstractions.   Mona said, “Grandpa she has created a heaven of colors here with vapors and clouds moving all over the sky!” (p.335).

Georgia O’Keeffe, Red, Yellow and Black Streaks, 1924. Centre Pompidou.

As the story ends Mona occasionally loses her sight again but when it returns, she relished the reminders of her 52 wonderful days with her grandfather looking at so many works of art. It is a complex ending to a wonderful book that captures the message that we need to both LOOK and SEE more in the wonderful world around us every day.  Enjoy!

 

Source:

Thomas Schlesser, Mona’s Eyes. New York, Europa Editions, 2025.

The post Mona’s Eyes: A Novel by Thomas Schlesser – Reviewed by Sharon Lorenzo appeared first on Sharp Eye.

Barnes and Noble Book of the Year: 2025

International book seller Barnes and Noble chose this book as its 2025 best seller, translated into 38 languages from the original by French art historian, Thomas Schlesser.   He is a professor of art history at the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris, and this is his American debut with the work featured by Europa Editions in New York. He chose the image of a work of art by Johannes Vermeer from 1665 known as the Girl with the Pearl Earring which is in the Mauritshuis House in the Hague for his cover. The painting was donated there by Arnoldus Tombe in 1902 who had paid about 24 euros for same in 1881.

Girl with a Pearl Earring, oil on canvas, 1665, Mauritshuis House.

Professor Schlesser has taken on a very unusual task with this novel which highlights 52 works of art and the story of a young girl, age 11, who wakes up one morning and cannot see.  After medical exams and testing, her sight returns in a few days. Physicians cannot explain this blackout and insist that she see specialists in sight control and a psychiatrist to keep her calm and relaxed.  Instead of a tedious weekly session with the latter, her grandfather steps in and says he will manage the situation.  His plan is to take her each Wednesday to one of the three major museums in Paris for a detailed look and examination of a work of art.  Mona loves this idea, and the book goes into detail on each of the 52 visits.

What is such fun is that the author divided the book into three sections with works of art from the Louvre in part one, the Museé D’Orsay in part two, and the Pompidou from the Beaubourg suburb in part three.  These are very cleverly illustrated in the two-part cover of the book.

There is an expression in Spanish that reads: “Puede ver pero no puede mirar,” which translates that one can look but did not see enough. As museum statistics have claimed that the average visitor spends about 20 seconds in front of each work of art, I can relate that looking and seeing can be different experiences.  With the details on each work of art, the grandfather tells Mona about the artist, his or her country, and the medium of the artwork. They then together stand in front of same for at least 20 minutes and talk about the image, its content, its meaning, its details and how they each think it became a very special work of art.

In part one Schlesser chose the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci as one of 19 works from the Louvre, and the grandfather explains that this was a private commission by a wealthy Florentine businessman, Francesco del Giocondo, who wanted to capture the smile of his lovely wife Lisa.  In my art history classes, I learned that the Catholic church forbid women to be used in works of art in the 16^th century unless they were to look like the Virgin Mary or her helpers.  To engage also with the viewer in a direct pose was also considered sinful and most portraits were done in profile.  The Mona Lisa thus became famous for her engaging smile and simple repose.  Ironically Da Vinci never delivered the work of art and instead took it to France with him when he went to work for King Francis I who bought it from him in 1519. Subsequent kings had it in Versailles until it was moved to the Louvre where it is now under bullet proof glass where 80% of the visitors line up to see her.

Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa, 1519. Louvre Museum.

One more favorite in the second chapter of the book is the work of Paul Cezanne from 1890 called Montagne Sainte-Victoire, a view that he captured in oil from his studio window in Provence about 90 times. Cezanne’s father was a banker and not happy that his son chose to be an artist, but the famous French art dealer, Paul Durand Ruel, saved him by selling his work in his Paris gallery.  Cezanne was quoted as saying that the mountain had a raging thirst for sunshine which he tried to capture in the details of the foreground, mid-level, and background.  Mona said, “Grandpa I think Cezanne wanted to light up the world with his paintings.”  (p. 256)

Paul Cezanne, Montagne Sainte- Victoire, 1890. Museé D’Orsay.

In the third section Mona loves many of the works but identifies the work of Georgia O’Keeffe from 1924 as her favorite.  Entitled Red, Yellow and Black Streaks, the grandfather says that O’Keeffe painted this one when she was living near Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains.   He explained that her style became known as bio-morphism as she tried to turn nature into abstractions.   Mona said, “Grandpa she has created a heaven of colors here with vapors and clouds moving all over the sky!” (p.335).

Georgia O’Keeffe, Red, Yellow and Black Streaks, 1924. Centre Pompidou.

As the story ends Mona occasionally loses her sight again but when it returns, she relished the reminders of her 52 wonderful days with her grandfather looking at so many works of art. It is a complex ending to a wonderful book that captures the message that we need to both LOOK and SEE more in the wonderful world around us every day.  Enjoy!

 

Source:

Thomas Schlesser, Mona’s Eyes. New York, Europa Editions, 2025.

The post Mona’s Eyes: A Novel by Thomas Schlesser – Reviewed by Sharon Lorenzo appeared first on Sharp Eye.