Author: Adventures in Polishland

5 Skincare Products I Want to Repurchase

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some skincare products that I’ve used in the past and hope to repurchase sometime soon. I was recently thinking about a cleanser I used a few years ago, and how I really wanted to try it again. This prompted me to go back and look through my blog to find other skincare products I used in the past. I came up with a few products I know I want to give another chance, and I thought it would be fun to share this list with you. Here are the five skincare products I want to repurchase!

1. Sibu Beauty Polishing Facial Cleanser [REVIEW] [BUY]

First up is the product that inspired this blog post, the Sibu Beauty Polishing Facial Cleanser. I received this cleanser for review back in 2014, and I absolutely loved it. Sibu doesn’t offer the exact same cleanser any longer, but it has been reformulated and I think I will still enjoy it. What I liked best about this product is that is cleansed and exfoliated at the same time. Plus, it left my skin feeling clear without drying it out. I definitely want to grab this one very soon!

2. Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum [REVIEW] [BUY]

Next up is a serum I also tried for the first time in 2014, and that is the Vitamin C Serum from Amara Organics. This was one of the first serums I ever used, and it is also one of my all-time favorites! My skin absolutely loves skincare products that contain Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, and this serum contains both of these ingredients. I would love to go back and see if this serum will still measure up to the positive memories I have of it!

3. Derma e Hydrating Night Crème [REVIEW] [BUY]

One of my favorite moisturizers of all time is the Hydrating Night Crème from Derma e. I’ve come to love many products from this brand, but the night crème really worked wonders for me. I really liked the consistency of this product – it is light enough that my skin doesn’t feel greasy, but it is heavy enough to really hydrate the skin. This moisturizer also has a relaxing scent that is perfect for bedtime. If you are looking for a lighter night crème, I think you should give this one a try!

4. Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser [REVIEW] [BUY]

Another exfoliating cleanser that I really enjoyed is the Face Exfoliate Foaming Clanser from Sukí. I got a small sample of this in a Birchbox back in 2013, but I still think about it to this day. This cleanser is quite unique because it applies like a scrub but foams up once mixed with water. It also has an invigorating lemon scent that I really enjoyed. I’ve thought about repurchasing this many times, but the high price tag always stops me. One day I will splurge on it when I have the extra funds!

5. Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub [REVIEW] [BUY]

Last but not least is the Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub from Michael Todd. For some reason I absolutely love trying new face scrubs. In fact, I’ve tried several new scrubs in a row without repurchasing any of them! However, I still think about this scrub often. I remember absolutely loving this product, mainly because the scrub itself was gentle, but the charcoal really helped to clear my skin. At some point I will return to this product, too!

That wraps up the five skincare products I want to repurchase! I’ve really enjoyed using all of these products in the past, but for one reason or another never returned to them. I love trying out new products, but I think it’s nice to have staples in your beauty routine as well. I would love to know if you stick to the same skincare products, or if you switch up the products you buy regularly. I would also like to know what skincare products you recommend!

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to review another vegan food product with all of you. I recently spotted some new Kashi bowls at my local grocery store, and decided to pick one up to have on hand. I don’t know about you, but I always keep what I call “emergency meals” stashed in my freezer. There are just some days where I’ll be too tired to cook, or maybe I’m in a rush and don’t have time to cook. That’s when freezer meals really come in handy! The Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl not only sounded delicious, but it looked quite hearty for a microwavable meal. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you!

I found the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl for $3.29 regular price. While that is a bit pricy for a frozen meal, it’s much more affordable than ordering takeout! This particular meal is inspired by Central American cuisine, and contains polenta mixed with plantains, black beans, sweet potato, and kale in an ancho chili sauce. I really appreciate that Kashi mentions it is vegan right on the front of the box so I don’t have to pay close attention to the ingredients list. It’s also great that this small bowl contains 7g of fiber and 9g of protein! I think that’s pretty good for one of my “emergency meals.”

Here is what the meal looks like after it is cooked in the microwave. I admit it doesn’t look too appetizing, but that’s mainly because of the stirring it goes through while cooking. I’m actually quite impressed with how delicious the Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl tastes! It is a bit spicy, so keep that in mind if you don’t like spicy food. The plantains are definitely the main part of the meal. The taste and texture almost remind me of the fried chicken I used to get at Chinese food restaurants! Overall, I think the mix of flavors is delicious. You get spice from the sauce, but the plantains and sweet potatoes add a nice sweetness to the dish as well. I’m quite happy with how yummy this quick and easy meal option is!

All in all, I definitely think you should give the Kashi Amaranth Polenta Plantain Bowl a try! I’ve repurchased this meal a few times now, and it is great to have on hand. Make sure to keep an eye out for sales and coupons as well – I scored these for 2 for $5.00 a while back! I hope you found this review helpful if you’ve been curious about this Kashi meal. I think it tastes great for a frozen dinner, and I’m going to continue to try more options from Kashi in the future.

Have you tried a Kashi bowl? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Maddieloos Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Vegan Facial Mask Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on a new-to-me skincare brand. Maddieloos is a naturally vegan skincare company run on Etsy. I received the Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Facial Mask in a package from The Pumpkin Batch, and couldn’t wait to try it! I’ve really been slacking with my face masks lately, so this was a perfect opportunity to treat my skin and let you know what I think of this product. Without further ado, here is my review of the Maddieloos Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Vegan Facial Mask!

Each Maddieloos face mask is designed to be used as both a mask or as a scrub. I decided to use this as a mask, since I’m currently using another scrub. The Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin mask is formulated to remove dead skin cells, fight acne, and promote new cell production. According to the brand, pumpkin contains natural enzymes that help to dissolve dry skin cells. The mask also contains vitamins A, C, E, and T, and is part of the brand’s acne-free skincare system.

The mask smells absolutely divine when I open the jar. It’s somewhere between a baked good and an intense candle! The texture of the mask is quite chunky, but it is easy to smooth out over the skin. I got a nice layer on for my face mask without using too much product! I allowed the mask to set for about 10 minutes (Maddieloos recommends 5-15), and then gently rinsed it off with warm water. I am absolutely in love with how my skin felt after use! Not only was my skin extremely soft, but it felt clean and firmed as well. This mask is definitely an all-in-one type product, as it’s rare my skin feels so moisturized after a mask that also exfoliates well. Of course, I will need to use this regularly to see a big change in both acne breakouts and pore size, but I am really loving the mask even upon its first use.

All in all, I am very impressed with the Maddieloos Cinnamon Ginger Pumpkin Vegan Facial Mask. If you are looking for a mask that will refresh your skin and provide lasting moisture, I think you should give this a try! You can buy a 4oz jar of this mask on the Maddieloos Etsy store HERE for $17.95. While this is more than I would typically spend for skincare, I think it is a great value for the money. I didn’t need a lot of product to get full coverage with the mask, and I also don’t mind spending a bit more when I’m supporting a small business. I know I will be checking out the other products Maddieloos has to offer in the future!

UPDATE: The owner of Maddieloos has graciously provided a coupon code! Use JUST4U at checkout to save 5% on your order.

What is your favorite face mask? Let me know in the comments!

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. 

Zoya Cuddle Season Duo Giveaway | Day 5 of #5YearsinPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today closes out my 5 Year Blogiversary celebration with the last of five giveaways. I’m ending the week with a giveaway of the Zoya Cuddle Season Duo. This duo contains the Zoya Perfect Lipstick in the shade Paisley, and a nail polish in the shade Rue. I purchased this product with the intention of giving it away here on the blog, as I love Zoya’s products and talk about them regularly here at Adventures in Polishland. Rue is one of my favorite Zoya nail polishes of all time, and I’m excited for one of you to be able to wear it, too.

You can find more information on #5YearsinPolishland and enter the Day 1 giveaway HERE.

Day 2 Giveaway: CLICK

Day 3 Giveaway: CLICK

Day 4 Giveaway: CLICK

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

This giveaway is open only to those with a United States shipping address. The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and contacted through email. Please read the full Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget before entering. If you have any questions, please email them to adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

e.l.f. Cosmetics Giveaway | Day 4 of #5YearsinPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! My 5 Year Blogiversary celebration continues today with another giveaway! Today I will be giving away a three products from one of my favorite brands, e.l.f. Cosmetics. One winner will receive the Illuminating Mist & Set, the Contour Palette, and the Cream Eyeliner in Coffee. These products were a free gift with purchase with my last order from e.l.f.’s website, and I thought they would make a nice giveaway prize pack since I wasn’t too interested in any of these products myself. I hope the winner will enjoy these e.l.f. goodies!

You can find more information on #5YearsinPolishland and enter the Day 1 giveaway HERE.

Day 2 Giveaway: CLICK

Day 3 Giveaway: CLICK

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

This giveaway is open only to those with a United States shipping address. The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and contacted through email. Please read the full Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget before entering. If you have any questions, please email them to adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com. Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Derma e Hydrating Serum Giveaway | Day 3 of #5YearsinPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s the third day of my 5 Year Blogiversary celebration, and it’s time for another giveaway. You can learn more about #5YearsinPolishland, as well as enter the first giveaway in THIS blog post. You can also enter yesterday’s giveaway HERE. Today I’m giving away one of my favorite skincare products at the moment, and that is the Derma e Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid. I was sent two of these serums to review, and I thought I would share one of them in a giveaway! You can learn more about this product and why I love it in THIS blog post. As always, the winner will receive a brand new serum.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

This giveaway is open only to those with a United States shipping address. The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and contacted through email. Please read the full Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget before entering. If you have any questions, please email them to adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Zoya Perfect Lipstick Giveaway | Day 2 of #5YearsinPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It is the second day of my 5 Year Blogiversary celebration, and I’m back with another giveaway. You can learn more about #5YearsinPolishland and enter yesterday’s giveaway HERE. Today I am giving away three lipsticks from Zoya’s Perfect Lipstick collection. I was sent extra tubes of Paisley, Maxwell, and Cameron, as these are the lipsticks that Zoya has paired with its Naturel 3 nail polish collection. You can find swatches and more information about these lipsticks in THIS blog post. Of course, the lipsticks the winner will receive are brand new.

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

This giveaway is open only to those with a United States shipping address. The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and contacted through email. Please read the full Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget before entering. If you have any questions, please email them to adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lauren B. Beauty Giveaway | Day 1 of #5YearsinPolishland

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today marks my 5 Year Blogiversary! Five years ago today I decided to start this blog on a whim after one of my friends casually mentioned she “read the nail blogs.” I’ve had quite the journey here in Polishland. The blog began solely as a place for me to share my love for nail polish, and soon expanded to discuss all sorts of beauty products. Within the past couple years, Polishland grew even more, and became a lifestyle blog where I talk about whatever I’m loving at the moment. I want to celebrate this accomplishment by giving back to all of you, my readers and supporters who have stuck around as this blog changed and evolved into something new each year. Thus, I will be holding a giveaway every day from now until Friday – one giveaway for each year I’ve blogged!

TODAY’S PRIZE

Today’s prize is for a set of the Lauren B. Beauty Polishing Hand Scrub and Nourishing Hand Crème. I was recently sent these products for review, and really enjoyed them. I was sent an extra Polishing Hand Scrub and Nourishing Hand Crème, so rest assured the winner will receive brand new products. You can read my full thoughts on these products in my review HERE if you would like more information before entering this giveaway!

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

This giveaway is open only to those with a United States shipping address. The giveaway will run for two weeks, and the winner will be announced via the Rafflecopter widget and contacted through email. Please read the full Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter widget before entering. If you have any questions, please email them to adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m excited to bring you a review of another new-to-me vegan product. I recently traveled on a quick road trip, and wanted to pick up a snack to bring with me just in case I found myself in a situation where vegan food wasn’t readily available. I found the Lärabar Peanut Butter Cookie bars at my local grocery store, and decided to pick up a box since they sounded delicious, but also seemed like they could tide me over between meals if necessary. Luckily, I didn’t need to eat any bars during my trip as it was easy to find vegan options, but I’ve certainly enjoyed them at home.

I picked out the Peanut Butter Cookie variety of Lärabar not only because it sounded delicious, but because each bar contains 7g of protein. I think that is a good amount for one small bar, and knew it would be a nice item to have on hand should I need it during my road trip. I’ve never tried any Lärabar products before, so I was really amazed when I looked at the ingredients list on this product and saw only three things: dates, peanuts, and sea salt. Talk about simple ingredients! I also love that the packaging is very clear for those who are looking for a food product for a specific diet. This bar is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, vegan, and kosher.

Here is a look at the bar itself. It doesn’t look amazing, but it really tastes delicious! I love dates and peanut butter, so I’m honestly not surprised that I like the bar. The texture is quite like a cookie, too. The bar is quite filling, but it is definitely a snack and not a meal replacement. I think this is a great bar to keep in your purse or at your desk in case you need a quick pick-me-up throughout the day. While it’s not as amazing as eating an actual cookie, of course, this Lärabar is quite yummy, and I love the simple ingredients.

All in all, I am a big fan of the Peanut Butter Cookie bars from Lärabar. They are a bit on the expensive side, so I do not plan to buy them regularly. However, I do see myself getting these for future trips, or for those times where I want to make sure I have food on me when there might be slim pickings on vegan options. I also look forward to trying other products from Lärabar! Please let me know in the comments if you have any favorites from this brand.

 

Beauty Empties | Winter 2017

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the products I used up in the first three months of 2017. Last year I began the #365DaysofEmpties project, and this year I am continuing to focus on using the products in my collection before purchasing anything new. While I do have a goal to empty 120 products in 2017, my true objective is to own less products and spend less money. I’ll be sharing mini reviews of each product I use up with you every season! Let’s jump into all of the beauty products I’ve emptied so far this year.

If you are new to my blog, I wanted to quickly share with you a bit more about me and how that relates to my beauty stash. I went vegan this past June, and although I immediately changed my diet, I decided to use up many of the non-vegan products I owned so as to not waste them. Thus, although my empties posts do contain non-vegan products, I only purchase vegan items now. I will share mini-reviews on the non-vegan products, but won’t mention if I will repurchase them, and instead mark each one with an asterisk.

MAKEUP

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

  • Mini Review: This makeup setting spray is one of my holy grail beauty products. It truly makes a huge difference in how my makeup wears throughout the day, and I continue to buy it despite the high price. I love that it controls my oily skin, and if I ever forget to wear it I can tell.
  • Repurchase? Yes!

*Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I finally finished up my last Rimmel Stay Matte powder. I am sad to see this go, as this was my favorite setting powder. However, I’m currently using an option from e.l.f. that is getting the job done.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I really liked using this sample of eyeliner from Kat Von D. I found it to be very pigmented, and it has a nice brush applicator. I don’t wear eyeliner often, so I can’t say if it is better than other brands.
  • Repurchase? Maybe. I would prefer to buy an affordable eyeliner to keep in my stash for the few times a year I do wear it.

SKINCARE

*Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got this eye cream in a subscription box, and I found it to be just okay. I’ve never found an eye cream that I really love, and this one falls into that same category of being fine but not bringing me any results.

*Fresh Soy Face Cleanser [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I really enjoyed the way this cleanser made my skin feel after use, which was soft and very clean. However, it smelled really weird. This was a nice cleanser to use up, but the smell definitely put me off a bit.

*Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I really loved this cleanser when I first started using it, but I definitely got sick of it towards the end. This cleanser feels really nice, but sometimes the texture was too thick and high maintenance for me. It smells amazing, though!

*The Body Shop Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer  

  • Mini Review: This moisturizer was great for my skin! It was definitely the perfect weight for my skin, which gets oily very easily. This product is not available for purchase any longer, but it was a nice option at the time.

Yes to Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I have very mixed thoughts about this serum. When I first used it, my skin broke out like crazy, so I stopped using it for a while. Once I picked it back up, my skin really enjoyed it! My only real issue is that my foundation didn’t cooperate well with this serum.
  • Repurchase? Probably not. I’m sure there are better options!

Yes to Cucumber Facial Wipes [BUY] 

  • Mini Review: These are now my go to makeup remover wipes! I regularly buy them, and look for them during sale events. I find they do a great job at removing all my makeup without being too harsh. The cucumber is also very refreshing.
  • Repurchase? Yes!

HAIR CARE

*Living Proof No Frizz Styling Spray [BUY]

  • Mini Review: A friend gave me this product a couple years ago, and I finally finished it! This is one of the best anti-frizz sprays I’ve ever used. My hair always came out nice and sleek when I used this product, but it also didn’t get weighed down or oily. The only drawback would be the chemically smell.

*CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

  • Mini Review: Unfortunately, this is the one non-vegan product I continue to buy because I need it for medical reasons. You’ve probably heard me talk about how I have a very sensitive scalp. This is especially true in the winter months when the atmosphere is much drier. This is the only shampoo I’ve tried that I can count on to clear up the itchiness and patchy scales. If I don’t use it, my scalp will feel irritated all day long. Not fun!

*Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I used this mask as my regular conditioner by only applying it from the ear down and letting it sit for about a minute. This was a nice product, but I used it every now and then because it is very heavy for my fine hair. If you have dry and thick hair, this might be a great choice!

BODY CARE

*Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Shower Gel

  • Mini Review: I got this shower gel for free during the Christmas 2015 season. I only used it in the winter, so that’s why it took me so long to use the whole bottle! I’m glad I’m all done with my Bath & Body Works stash now. These shower gels are just too drying!

*The Body Shop Aloe Body Butter [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got this lotion because it was the only unscented option from The Body Shop at the time. This was definitely a great body butter, and it is perfect for someone who is sensitive to smells. I am glad to use this up, though, because it is too thick to use in the upcoming summer months for me.

*Dove Advanced Care Deodorant [BUY]

  • Mini Review: This Dove deodorant has been my go to for a few years now, and I bought a pack at a box store to save money. I’m nearly through that pack, and will then be moving on to a natural option that is also vegan. I’ve heard that these mainstream deodorants are really bad for our bodies, but I haven’t done accurate research to know all the science behind this claim. It is a shame because this deodorant works really well!

ORAL CARE

*Colgate Total Advanced Fresh + Whitening [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I’m beyond excited that I’ve used up the last non-vegan oral care item in my beauty stash. This toothpaste was nice, but I don’t feel like it did anything to whiten my teeth. The only reason I bought this one in particular was because I had a coupon and it was on sale at the time.

WINTER EMPTIES: 17

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 17

All in all, while I am behind in my goal of reaching 120 empty products this year, I’m so happy to be using products in my stash and clearing out a lot of old products. I’m especially glad to be using many new skincare products, but it’s overall a great feeling to empty my cupboards and purchase just the vegan products I really need. Let me know if you are interested in a blog post about backup products and stock piles. My views have really changed in the past few years!

What products have you used up recently? Let me know in a comment!

Some of the products in this post were originally provided for my unbiased review. Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.