August Sayonara Products

 By the end of each month, I am astonished by how many products I finish up and it always seems that I run out of everything at once. On one hand, empty bottles assure me that I am actually using the products I spend my hard earned cash on; on the other, it can be a little overwhelming to need to replenish my stash of products all at once. I said sayonara to a whopping thirteen products this month!

 Yes to Tomatoes Daily Volumizing Conditioner

Of all of the natural conditioners I have tried, this one is by far my favorite (read my full review here). However, I wouldn't say it is a miracle product. In fact, I was seduced back to the dark side, at least temporarily, and picked up non-natural shampoo and conditioner (from the John Frieda Sheer Blonde line, which made my August favorites list). I am still on the hunt for a superior natural shampoo and conditioner- suggestions?

Macadamia Healing Oil Healing Oil Treatment

This small 1oz. bottle lasted me about 3 months- while I didn't use it daily at first, I really started to fall in love with this product just as it was getting low. It smells divine and keeps my hair hydrated and frizz-free. I am not sure I want to invest in the full sized, $25 bottle just yet, so I am on the hunt for a cheaper alternative. I am curious about VO5 Miracle Concentrate. Or should I bust out some cash and try out the classic Moroccan Oil? What do you all suggest?

 

 Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara

There are things I really like about this product: I can layer and layer and layer this mascara without it getting clumpy, it doesn't flake, and it offers nice length and respectable volume. However, it doesn't hold a curl very well and can leaves my lashes a bit heavy and stick like if I apply too many coats. I just opened a backup of this that I need to move through, but I don't think I will repurchase after that.

Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black

As of now, this is my HG mascara although I am still curious to try others. Voluminous Carbon Black offers incredible volume, but the formula is a bit finicky- one coat too many can leave you with clumpier lashes than the late Tammy Faye Baker. I wish this was a bit more lengthening as well, but I would still buy this again.

Sephora Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer

I have a full sized bottle of this and just wanted to get this little deluxe sample out of the way. On its own, this is a ho-hum tinted moisturizer- but then again, I prefer more coverage and oil control than a tinted moisturizer can typically provide. However, I mix this daily with matte finish full coverage foundation (either Revlon ColorStay or Estee Lauder Double Wear) to achieve a lighter, more natural finish. 

Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer

 I received this in my Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic kit. "That Gal" is a thick, creamy pink primer that initially made me very hesitant. I assumed a brightening face primer with thick, creamy formula would clash with my oily skin and exacerbate the appearance of shine. However, I really grew to love this primer. It gave me a non-shimmery, lit from within glow that made my matte foundations look more natural, and I never noticed a problem in terms of oil-control. I have a hard time dropping the cash for a full sized bottle of this, but I would consider it in the future.

Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil

By now we have all been informed enough times about the miraculous benefits of argan oil, so I figured this product would blow me out of the water. I received this in a Sephora kit in the winter, but couldn't imagine using it any other time of year except the summer. Since I couldn't imagine applying this to my  face, I rubbed this onto my legs when wearing skirts and shorts. It left a nice sheen but nothing that I couldn't achieve with a bit of my standby coconut oil (which smells way better anyway). Once rubbed in, the bronzing effect is not even visible. This one isn't worth the investment for me.

 AHAVA Purifying Mud Mask

As an oily skinned babe I love a good mud mask, but this one didn't wow me. I was really perplexed by the instructions, which insist you wash off the mask only 2 minutes after applying it. I liked that this has a slight exfoliating effect while rinsing it off, but I wouldn't seek this out in the future.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Hydrating Lotion

This is some good stuff. My partner and I have moved through several bottles of this natural facial lotion- it is gentle enough for his hypersensitive skin and light enough for my oily prone skin. It is incredibly hydrating, quick to soak into the skin, and has a lovely cucumber scent.

Pangea Organics Facial Toner

Love love love this product, but I don't love the price. I received this deluxe sample in a Birchbox and quickly used it all up. It is an amazing organic toner that helps remove any grime my cleanser left behind and preps my skin for my lotion. Also, a quick mist sets makeup and refreshes skin. However a full sized bottle is $28, which means I will be searching for a more affordable option.

fresh Citron de Vigne Eau de Parfum

I have complained here before on how difficult it is to find women's fragrances that are warm and earthy or aren't cloyingly fruity and flowery.  This one is different, and venture I say this may be my "signature scent." It is an alluring citrus scent with notes of wine- yum!

Korres Fig Shower Gel

My partner and I both love the earthy, dark, and slightly sweet scent of this shower gel, and the fact that it is all natural makes me even more excited. I cashed in my Birchbox points before I canceled by subscription and picked up a full sized bottle of this.

Sally Hansen Advanced Hard as Nails

 This got a bit thick towards the end, but overall I love this stuff. I apply it on clean nails underneath a base coat and it keeps my nails incredibly hard and strong. Try it out!

What did you use up in August?

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Posted in Ahava , Benefit , fresh , Josie Maran , Korres , Loreal , Macadamia Natural Oil , Pangea Organics , Revlon , Sally Hansen , Sayonara Products , Sephora , Yes to Cucumbers , Yes to Tomatoes

Summer Essentials

I know, I know...we are at the tail end of summer and fall is quickly approaching. I am eager for the crunchy leaves and fall collections, but you best believe that I'm squeezing every last drop of summer out of  August! It is still hotter than hellfire in my neck of the woods, so I have a feeling I have quite a bit of sunshine weather left. If you follow my blog regularly, you have probably seen these items in heavy rotation this summer! Here are the products that have been my essentials this summer and will carry me through the end of the season.

Nail Polish

L-R: Sally Hansen Insta Dry Snappy Sorbet, Zoya Gaia, Essie Topless & Barefoot, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Caribbean Coral

 This has been the summer of coral for me! Two favorites have been Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Snappy Sorbet and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Caribbean Coral. When I am not in the mood for a bright coral, I have been loving Essie Topless & Barefoot, my perfect nude, and Zoya Gai, a soft white with subtle golden shimmer, is divine against a summer tan!

Eyes

 After neglecting my beloved Urban Decay Naked Palette for far too long, I made it part of my daily summer routine. Being the versatile product it is, it has been perfect to create simple, natural looks for when it is too hot to bother much with the eyes, as well as golden eyes, my summer staple.  Regardless of my eye look, I have been using NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk as a base- it is super creamy and makes my shadows pop like no other. Also, e.l.f. cream eyeliner in black is easy to apply and doesn't budge, even in the heat.

Face

Depending on the coverage I need that day, I go back and forth between foundation and tinted moisturizer in the summer. But without fail, I always mix in a little of my Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum to control oil and add a natural glow to my skin. I set my face with e.l.f. HD Powder, which has been great at keeping my shiny forehead at bay. And it is not summer without a good bronzer, and I have been surprisingly loyal to the one that is in the Sephora Sculpting Disk- it is matte and a great shade for my skin tone.

Lips

 As much as I adore lipstick, the summer is when I get the most use out of my glosses and balms. When I know I will be in the sun I apply my Yes to Carrots Conditioning Lip Butter with SPF 15 in Pomegranate to protect my lips. It leaves a bit of a white cast, so if I am wearing it beyond the poolside I layer a gloss on top. I have been favoring the Sally Hansen Diamond 12 Hour Lip Treatment Glosses in the shades Baguette, a hot pink, and Flawless, a coral orange.

Cheeks

 My cheeks are naturally a little pink, especially in the summer, so my summer blushes can't be too overpowering and also need to be long lasting. Two of my go-to blushes are Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in the shades Tipsy, a matte coral for when I want a little pop of color, and Exposed, a lovely matte pinky nude. Both of these hold up to the summer heat and my oily prone skin incredibly well. When I want to channel my inner bronzed goddess, it is all about my Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten Blush in Honey Dipped.

Skin & Hair

For skin, I have been obsessed with my Pangea Organics Facial Toner. I spritz this on after I cleanse to balance my skin and maximize my moisturizer's effectiveness. After I apply my face makeup, I mist this on to eliminate the powdery look. Sunscreen is a must all year round, and this summer I have been using the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby SPF 60+ Sunscreen, which doesn't leave a greasy residue on my face. I have also been loving my Batiste Dry Shampoo to add volume and absorb any excess oil. Last but certainly not least, my Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment has kept my hair soft, manageable, shiny, and hydrated despite all of the time I have spent with my hair in the pool and in the sun!

So that's what I have been faithful to this summer.

What are your Summer must-haves?

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Posted in Batiste , E.L.F. , Essie , Laura Geller , Macadamia Natural Oil , Neutrogena , NYX , Pangea Organics , Sally Hansen , Sephora , Tarte , Urban Decay , Yes to Carrots , Zoya

June Favorites (no flunkies allowed!)

Here we are, fully in the throes of summer! As usual, this month came and went all too quickly. I only hauled an item or two this June (can we get a round of applause for my astounding self-restraint?), and I am elated to report that I don't have any flunkies to share with you today! I am getting a lot better at researching items and only buying those that fill a need in my collection. However, my birthday is coming up in July so expect some hauling that throws all that to the wind!

On to what has stolen my early summer heart....

All my followers! This is my third full month blogging, and I have had so much fun posting, reading other blogs, and interacting with all of you! Today I hit 80 followers! That means I need to put together a giveaway like I promised quick! I am continually surprised that people want to read my posts. You all are the fiercest of power femmes, and thank you for joining me on this adventure!

e.l.f. High Definition Powder- I bought this a few months ago when I was looking for an affordable HD powder, and somehow over time it fell to the bottom of by collection. I assumed that this product wouldn't hold up to the summer heat, but I was wrong! This is now my go to summer setting powder- whether I am wearing tinted moisturizer or full coverage foundation, this locks in my look and controls my oil and shine for a good portion of the day. And at $6, you can't beat it!

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer- When I reviewed this product, I initially stated that it wasn't the best to concealer under eye circles. Minor retraction! While I am still a bit disappointed with the limited shade selection, I have found a new appreciation for this concealer. I have been applying this all month with a damp Sonia Kashuk blending sponge and it has been doing a great job of concealing my under eye circles. I like this as a summer concealer because it is thin (yet crazy pigmented!) as opposed to thick and creamy so it won't cake up or slide off in the heat.

  
Zoya Creamy- Despite my trepidation, I took a shot at the yellow polish trend and I am so glad I did! Creamy's formula is not perfect, but I am willing to put up with it because the color is so divine. Usually I get bored with a mani after a few days, but I wore this one until it was chipping off!

 Revlon Super Lustrous in Primrose- This came out in a limited collection, but I still have seen a few of these lippies floating around my local shopping stops. Primsore is a pale, milky pink that leans lavender. It is a bit cool for me, but I can still barely pull it off. I have heard some describe this is a Victorian pink, but I think it can also be used to achieve that "Playboy Bunny" pale pink lip and smokey lip if you are feeling wild. I really adore the Super Lustrous lipsticks, and the formula on this one is no exception.

ecotools Retractable Kabuki-  This brush is oh-so-soft and convenient to throw into your purse. It is multipurpose powder brush, but my favorite use for it is to apply bronzer. It is small enough to contour my cheeks and temples and evenly distributes and buffs product.

Laura Geller Baked Blush n' Brighten in Honey Dipped- This gem came in my June Birchbox. This isn't a product that I would have picked out for myself, but I am more than happy to have it on my collection! Look at it- can you even handle it's beauty?!?! Despite the bronze color this is far too shimmer to use as a bronzer to contour with or dust all over the face. I use this like a blush, and it offers a healthy, golden glow to my skin. It is really pigmented, and the neutral shade goes with most all looks. I even use just a tiny dab of this on top of my other blushes to add a summery golden sheen to my cheeks.

Pangea Organics Italian Green Mandarin & Sweet Lime Facial Toner- This also came in my June Birchbox. Ever on the hunt for new natural skin care goodies, I think this one is a permanent keeper. This generous sample should last me a while longer, too. I mist this on my face morning and night after I cleanse, and let it dry before I put on my moisturizer. This hasn't performed miracles on my skin, but I can tell that my skin feels more balanced and hydrated since I started using it. It also feels really cooling and refreshing in the summer heat!

What are you adoring this month?

PS- I updated my Blog Sale! Prices and shipping costs have been slashed; I am also open to swaps and haggling. I move in two weeks so I am eager to find these goodies new homes!

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Posted in E.L.F. , Ecotools , Favorites and Flunkies , Hard Candy , Laura Geller , Pangea Organics , Revlon , Zoya

June Birchbox

The postman bought me my favorite monthly parcel today! I have been eagerly awaiting my June Birchbox after seeing what other bloggers received in theirs. As always, your Birchbox can feature different goodies than the next gal based on your Birchbox profile and sheer luck. After last's months dud, Birchbox is now back in my good graces. Here are the samples that I got:

• Kate Spade Twirl Perfume- Birchbox describes this as a "flirty" scent, which I immediately suspected would be floral. A quick spritz on the wrists verified that Twirl is an incredibly girly floral and slightly fruit scent. It is youthful fragrance, but seeing as I dislike floral scents for myself I will probably pass this off to a friend.
• Oscar Blandi Olio Di Jasmine Hair Serum- I am pretty hooked on my Macadamia Natural Oil Healing  Oil Treatment, so I doubt this will take its place especially since it includes non-natural ingredients. Nonetheless, I'll give this frizz fighting oil a shot.
• Pangea Organics Facial Toner- I was really excited to receive this generous sample in my Birchbox! I have been on the hunt for a great natural toner, and this organic one with Italian green mandarin and sweet lime might be just what I am looking for to balance and refresh my skin. I particularly love that it comes with a misting nozzle so I can spray it on my face. 
• Pangea Organics Facial Cream- I will probably get two uses out of this sample of facial cream, which is infused with Nigerian ginger, lavender, and thyme. I am excited to pair this with the toner and potential discover new additions to my skincare routine.
• Herban Essentials Orange Towelettes- These moistened towelettes are infused with orange oil and sound great for a quick clean up on the go. This doesn't seem like something I would purchase on my own, but I'm happy to throw these into my purse.
• Laura Geller Baked Blush n' Brighten in Honey Dipped- This is definitely the crowning jewel of this month's Birchbox! This full sized blush retails for $29.50, making this Birchbox a steal. Honey Dipped, a very shimmery golden tan with copper veining, looks more like a bronzer than a blush but it is lovely just the same!

What did you get in your June Birchbox?

PS- I just posted my first blog sale. I am looking to find some of my unloved goodies new homes, so go check it out!

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Posted in Birchbox , Herban Essentials , Kate Spade , Laura Geller , Natural Products , Oscar Blandi , Pangea Organics