Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum Review

Posted on August 17, 2016August 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I want to share my review of the Intensive Skin Repair Serum from the brand Yes to Blueberries. I’ve tried a handful of products from the Yes to brand in the past, and I’ve always really loved the results. After testing some of the new Yes to Coconut products earlier this year (see that blog post HERE), I decided to purchase some other skincare products I needed during a sale event at Target. I’ve now used the Intensive Skin Repair Serum for a couple months, and thought I would share my interesting experience with you.

The Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum is formulated to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The serum includes 99% natural ingredients, such as organic cotton thistle, blueberries, and black current, to nourish and soften the skin. While I am in my mid-twenties, I purchased this serum because my skin can be quite dull and I do get fine lines due to dryness in certain ares of my combination skin. I also really like that I found an anti-aging product that doesn’t contain a lot of harsh chemicals.

While the Intensive Repair Serum can be used both day and night, I typically use it in the mornings only. I love that there is a pump top on this product, and I find that I only need about half a pump to get enough product to cover my entire face and neck area. The first thing I noticed about the serum is that it is a bit on the thick side. Less is definitely more with this serum, and I recommend giving it a few minutes to dry on your face before applying a moisturizer.

The first time I used this serum I ended up having a bad reaction. My skin broke out, and was extremely oily. I decided to discontinue use, and waited until my skin cleared up before testing it out again. I’m not sure what went wrong, but the next time I introduced the product into my skincare routine I didn’t have any issues whatsoever. I now use this serum about 3-4 days per week, and I love how hydrating it feels. I often don’t apply a moisturizer after this serum because my skin feels so smooth with just this product. I can’t say that any wrinkles or fine lines have been reduced by this product, but I can tell that my skin is glowing more and feels plumper. Thus, if you have dry or dull skin I think this is a good serum for you.

All in all, I am enjoying the Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum. It is not the best serum I’ve ever used, but it a nice option from the drugstore. The full size 1oz bottle retails for just $13.59 at Target HERE, but keep an eye out for extra discounts via the Cartwheel app. I notice that Yes to shows up on Cartwheel quite frequently! I really like that Yes to provides not only affordable skincare, but skincare that is more natural as well. I know I will continue to try out more Yes to products in the future, so please share your favorites from this brand with me in the comments!

This post contains an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter

Posted on August 16, 2016August 16, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter

Published by Philomel Books on March 15, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 352

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★★★

Cassie O’Malley has been trying to keep her head above water—literally and metaphorically—since birth. It’s been two and a half years since Cassie’s mother dumped her in a mental institution against her will, and now, at eighteen, Cassie is finally able to reclaim her life and enter the world on her own terms.

But freedom is a poor match against a lifetime of psychological damage. As Cassie plumbs the depths of her new surroundings, the startling truths she uncovers about her own family narrative make it impossible to cut the tethers of a tumultuous past. And when the unhealthy mother-daughter relationship that defined Cassie’s childhood and adolescence threatens to pull her under once again, Cassie must decide: whose version of history is real? And more important, whose life must she save?

A bold, literary story about the fragile complexities of mothers and daughters and learning to love oneself, The First Time She Drowned reminds us that we must dive deep into our pasts if we are ever to move forward.

REVIEW

The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter is one of those rare books that I think everyone should read. It follows eighteen-year-old Cassie as she checks herself out of the mental hospital where she’s lived for the past two-and-a-half years, and embarks on what she hopes will be a normal college life. Not only was I extremely intrigued with this premise, but I was immediately sucked in upon discovering that Cassie claims she doesn’t belong in the hospital. Instead, Cassie says, her mother put her there against her will for no reason.

I was absolutely sucked into this book from page one because of this gripping story. Part of me thought Cassie was hiding something, for what kind of parent puts her child in a mental hospital if there is nothing wrong? The other part, however, wondered if Cassie’s mother was truly the one with mental health issues. I flew through this book trying to piece together the truth.

In addition to the story, I fell in love with Kletter’s writing style. The First Time She Drowned is carefully crafted, and written both in the present and in flashbacks. The author paid very close attention to the role of water in this novel. Many of the metaphors have to do with water, and I am amazed with how well she used this tool to her advantage. The writing is quite lyrical, and at times very haunting. It created the perfect atmosphere for the story.

Moreover, The First Time She Drowned is a true family tragedy. Readers get to know Cassie and both her immediate and extended family as the story evolves. While there are many characters that I didn’t like, I empathized with them. I won’t go into detail about the family history, as I think it is better discovered through reading the book, but what I will say is that every character is suffering in his own way. My heart broke not only for Cassie, but for her mother as well.

Finally, the ending of the book took a different turn than I was expecting. However, that is not a bad thing. While The First Time She Drowned isn’t wrapped up in a pretty bow at the end, it left me hanging in a way that made me think. This is a very rereadable book, as the next time I pick it up I will have an entirely different mindset from the start. I truly appreciate how The First Time She Drowned discusses mental health in a raw way, and demonstrates how important it is to care for those around you while also taking care of yourself.

As you may be able to guess, I highly recommend picking up The First Time She Drowned. It is one of the best young adult contemporary novels I’ve read this year, and one of my few five-star ratings. If you love emotional books with unreliable narrators, then you will absolutely love this book. I know I will be reading whatever Kletter writes in the future.

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ELF Cosmetics Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Pink Lemonade | Review & Swatches

Posted on August 15, 2016August 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of a lip product I received as a free bonus item in my last ELF Cosmetics order (see everything I got HERE). I’ve never tried a lip product from ELF before, so I was really curious to see what the formula and quality of the Lucious Liquid Lipstick line is like. These lip products retail for the fabulous and affordable price of $1.00 each, so if the formula is good, I will definitely be purchasing some in the future. Let me share my thoughts and some swatches with all of you!

The Luscious Liquid Lipstick line is formulated to provide a rich pigmentation along with lip hydration. Each shade comes in twist up packaging with a sponge-like applicator. I’m not the biggest fan of the applicator on this lip product. While it makes applying the lip color quite easy, it also traps a lot of product. I need to twist up the bottom several times to get a good amount of product out of the tube. It’s not too much of a hassle, but something I thought is worth mentioning.

I received the shade Pink Lemonade, which is a berry mauve shade with red and gold shimmer. While this is called a liquid lipstick, it is definitely more of a lip gloss. The product provides a nice pigmentation, but is definitely on the sheer side, and not opaque like a liquid lipstick. It also has a shiny formula that feels like a gloss. I really enjoy the feel of this product on the lips, but it is very helpful to know it is more of a gloss than a liquid lipstick. I also want to point out that the swatch of Pink Lemonade on ELF’s website is very different from the product in person. I recommend going to check out the products in-store before ordering online if you are looking for a particular shade.

Pink Lemonade definitely has a metallic sheen in person that was difficult to capture on camera. While I personally don’t like to wear shimmery lip colors, this is a really nice product. The texture is a bit sticky, but not in an uncomfortable way. Instead, it stays put on the lips and doesn’t slide around. The color is also quite long-lasting. I’m very impressed with the nice quality of this $1.00 lip product!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the opportunity to try Pink Lemonade from the ELF Cosmetics Lucious Liquid Lipstick line. I definitely think this is a great lip gloss to have in your stash if you are looking for something uber affordable. I will be checking out the other shades in the collection to see if there are any I enjoy. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of ELF’s Luscious Liquid Lipsticks and your thoughts on them in the comments!

Sephora Haul | Just the Basics

Posted on August 12, 2016August 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m excited to share with you what I ordered from Sephora this past week. If you’re like me, you sometimes put off those big purchases you need to make because you just don’t want to spend the money. I have desperately needed to replenish some of my basics from Sephora, and kept delaying the purchase for a couple months. Luckily, I got a surprise email from Ebates and decided it was time to shop! Let me show you what I picked up at Sephora, and how I got some extra shopping money!

I use Ebates to earn cash back on most of my online purchases, and every few months I get a check from the company with my earnings. However, every once in a while Ebates will let me trade in the cash back for a gift card to one of a few retailers, and even earn bonus cash back in the process. Ebates made this offer to me this past week, and when I saw I could get a Sephora gift card plus 10% added to my total, I decided it was time to finally make the Sephora purchases I’d been putting off. If you are new to Ebates, please sign up with my referral link HERE, and you’ll get a $10 bonus upon making your first purchase through the site!

The main reason I placed this order was for new BeautyBlenders. Mine desperately needed to be replaced after being used and washed so often! Luckily, Sephora currently offers a value set called Two.BB.Clean where you can get two BeautyBlender Original sponges plus a full size BlenderCleanser liquid for just $40. In essence you are getting the cleanser for free, since a BeautyBlender retails for $20! This is such a great deal, and it felt awesome to throw away my old BeautyBlenders once the new ones arrived.

I also wanted to repurchase the Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray because I can tell my bottle is getting low. This is definitely my setting spray of choice, as it is formulated to control oil. My face naturally gets greasy throughout the day, and I notice a huge difference whenever I use this product. It is a must have for me, and 100% worth the price tag because one bottle lasts me about 10 months.

Finally, it was also time for me to get a new pair of tweezers. I’ve been using a solid pair from the drugstore for years now, but it’s definitely time for an upgrade. I purchased the Tweezerman Pink Perfection Slant Tweezer because it is a highly rated product, and I know Tweezerman is a trusted brand. It always stinks to pay over $20 for a beauty tool, but I’m hoping this one will last me for a few years at the very least.

Of course, no Sephora haul is complete without some freebies! For my three free samples, I picked out some products from Hourglass: the Ambient Light Correcting Primer, and the Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in shades Shell and Nude. I was surprised when two packets of each sample arrived! I’ll be able to test them a bit better now. I also used a coupon code from the Weekly Specials page, and got the Cover FX Clear Cover Invisible Sunscreen. I’m always up for trying out a new sunscreen, so this is a great bonus product!

That’s all that I picked up at Sephora this time around! It was really nice to be able to buy the basics I needed without spending a lot of money. My total for the order was $93.00, but luckily I only paid about $20 of my own money thanks to my Ebates gift card! Of course, I even earned some cash back on my order, too. Make sure to let me know in the comments what basics you buy at Sephora. I would love to know what you are always repurchasing! As always, if you would like a full review of anything I shared in this haul, please let me know in the comments.

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Book Review | If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Posted on August 11, 2016August 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

Published by Flatiron Books on May 3, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 288

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school in Lambertville, Tennessee. Like any other girl, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret. There’s a reason why she transferred schools for her senior year, and why she’s determined not to get too close to anyone.

And then she meets Grant Everett. Grant is unlike anyone she’s ever met—open, honest, kind—and Amanda can’t help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself…including her past. But she’s terrified that once she tells Grant the truth, he won’t be able to see past it.

Because the secret that Amanda’s been keeping? It’s that she used to be Andrew.

REVIEW

If I Was Your Girl is a debut young adult novel following teenager Amanda as she moves in with the dad she hasn’t seen in years to start at a new school. She leaves her mom and everything familiar behind to escape the bullying she’s experienced throughout her childhood. Amanda hopes that she can stay undercover at her new school, because she doesn’t want anyone to know her secret – that she is a transgender girl. I picked up this book because I wanted to read an Own Voices novel, written by a transgender woman. While I really enjoyed the story and think it is a good debut, it did fall a bit flat for me in some places.

First, I want to talk about the writing style, which is the most important aspect of any book for me. I found Russo’s writing to be very strong and well done. I always appreciate when an author can write in a realistic and age appropriate voice without sacrificing quality. However, I did notice that the pacing of the novel seemed a bit off in some places. For example, one of the early scenes in the book features Amanda eating at a diner with her father. They leave the dinner with “half-eaten” plates, but the plates were just set down with no break in the dialogue. These rushed scenes occur in a few places throughout the novel, and need to be flushed out more to create better pacing for the story.

Moreover, I really loved the relationships we see in this book. Amanda builds and grows familial relationships, friendships, and a romantic relationship, too. I especially enjoyed seeing Amanda’s father learning to accept her, and provide support for her when she needs it most. Of course, it is also nice to see strong female friendships in young adult literature, and I really liked the scenes where Amanda is hanging out with her new group of friends. There are lot of interesting dynamics within this group, including some juicy secrets, that were fun to see played out.

In fact, secrets play a very important role in this novel. The entire plot of If I Was Your Girl revolves around Amanda keeping it a secret that she is transgender. As a reader, I was essentially waiting for this secret to be revealed for the entirety of the book. While I did wish that wasn’t the main point of the story, it did make me think about all of the secrets we each have in life, whether big or small, and how disclosing them is not always a simple thing do to.

I want to close out my review with what I hope will be a sensitive and respectful discussion of Amanda’s gender identity. I am so glad that this book is about a trans girl, and I picked it up to learn more about what someone like Amanda goes through in life. I know I cannot properly critique the choices Russo made while writing this book, as I am cisgender, but I am a bit uncomfortable with how If I Was Your Girl represents the trans community. Russo writes in her Author’s Note that she is a storyteller, and not an educator. However, I do think this book would be much stronger if it did include more educational aspects. For instance, there are some aspects with the trans experience that a cis reader may not understand, such as the role of hormones and dilation in a trans woman’s life. While Russo does not need to go into detail about these things, it would be helpful if she quickly explained what they are to the audience.

Moreover, I also think it is a bit damaging to write Amanda as the “perfect” and stereotypical trans girl on purpose. I can understand that Russo is trying to introduce cis readers to a trans girl that passes easily and is, in a way, easier to relate to, but I also think that readers cannot learn from this book if we are provided with the stereotypes we already see in pop culture. I think it would be better to provide readers with a true representation of a trans woman, and not one based on our false stereotypes. Of course, I know that all of us, whether trans or not, are extremely different, and there is not one “true” representation. Nonetheless, I wish Russo provided us with a character who she felt represents a more genuine trans story, and not the story cis people want to read. In the same way, trans readers might feel as if their experience isn’t being represented because Amanda is written in a stereotypical manner.

All in all, I did enjoy If I Was Your Girl, and I think it is a good debut for Russo. The book would be much stronger if it was longer, as more detail could be added to the story. Nonetheless, I do recommend it as an LGBTQIA+ read, and I look forward to what Russo writes next.

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ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick Review

Posted on August 10, 2016August 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of the ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick. I really enjoy using foundation sticks for an everyday makeup look. Not only are stick foundations easy to apply, but they provide a nice amount of coverage. I wanted to test out ELF’s stick since it is really affordable, so I picked it up in my most recent ELF haul (see all the goodies I purchased HERE). Let me share my full thoughts on this foundation with all of you now that I’ve been wearing it for a few weeks!

I purchased the Moisturizing Foundation Stick in the shade Ivory, which is the lightest shade available. There are six shades available, which is a decent color palette for a variety of skin tones. This foundation is designed to provide adjustable and natural looking coverage. The formula is enriched with a variety of natural ingredients, such as Shea and Vitamin E, to help nourish the skin during wear. ELF claims that the skin will look smoother and softer because of this foundation’s moisturizing properties.

Foundation sticks are really easy to apply, because all you do is swipe it on the skin and then blend out with your choice of tool. I typically use my dampened BeautyBlender, but your fingers or our favorite foundation brush will work as well. Foundation sticks are perfect for travel, since you don’t need to fit this into your liquids bag. I really love how convenient this foundation is!

ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick Review

I’ve been using the ELF Moisturizing Foundation Stick for a few weeks now, and am really enjoying it. I do wear this over primer, and I set it with a powder as I do tend to get shiny throughout the day. This foundation provides a light to medium coverage, and is extremely blendable and buildable. I usually do one layer on my entire face, and then cover up any imperfections with a second coat. I am very impressed with how well the foundation blends into the skin for a natural finish.

My one critique of this foundation is that it does stick to any dry patches on your skin. I recently had some dryness around my nose, and the foundation stuck to those dry spots and made them quite visible. Thus, I recommend this foundation for those of you with normal skin. I do find that this foundation helps to add moisture to my skin throughout the day. In fact, upon removal at nighttime I noticed my skin felt really soft. While I do switch up my foundation depending on my mood each day, I imagine that if I used this regularly I would notice a difference in my skin’s hydration.

All in all, I am really enjoying the ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick. It is a great option for an everyday foundation, and is super fabulous and affordable. You can also use this product as a cream concealer in conjunction with your liquid foundation. It’s just a great product to have in your beauty stash! You can purchase this product at your local drugstore or department store for just $6.00, or online HERE. Please let me know in the comments if you use foundation sticks, and what your favorite brand is!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu

Posted on August 9, 2016August 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu

Published by Roaring Book Press on September 20, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: eARC

Pages: 320

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

When Caroline’s little brother is kidnapped, his subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of Ethan, a teenager who has been living with the kidnapper since he was a young child himself. In the aftermath, Caroline can’t help but wonder what Ethan knows about everything that happened to her brother, who is not readjusting well to life at home. And although Ethan is desperate for a friend, he can’t see Caroline without experiencing a resurgence of traumatic memories. But after the media circus surrounding the kidnappings departs from their small Texas town, both Caroline and Ethan find that they need a friend–and their best option just might be each other.

REVIEW

After reading Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu earlier this year, I knew I had to read her new release Afterward, and was very excited to receive a review copy from the publisher. Afterward immediately gripped me with its story. We follow a dual perspective between two teenagers, Caroline and Ethan. Caroline’s younger brother was kidnapped, and when the police find him, another boy, Ethan, who had gone missing four years ago was discovered in the same home. Caroline desperately wants to find out what happened to Dylan, her brother, during the days he was gone. Dylan is autistic, and cannot communicate with words, but it is clear he suffered from something very traumatic. Thus, Caroline makes it her mission to befriend Ethan to see if she can help Dylan.

When you pair this fascinating story with Mathieu’s writing style, you are in for a real treat. I really love how Mathieu’s writing captivates me as a reader. There is something so easy about the writing – it is not overly flowery, but it’s also not too simplistic. The writing flows really well and keeps me turning pages quickly to find out what happens next in the story. Plus, I was sucked into the plot from page one because I, just like Caroline, wanted to know what Ethan and Dylan went through with their kidnapper.

Moreover, I really appreciate the research that I can tell went into this novel. I can feel how the story comes to life with the careful attention to detail, and the effort Mathieu puts in to create an authentic story. For example, it meant a lot to me that Dylan has low-functioning autism, and that it is represented very well. It is rare to see autistic characters in books, and I think it is important to create awareness and build empathy through the stories we read. Similarly, I think it was great that we got to see how Ethan and his family are rebuilding their lives with the help of therapists. Although what Ethan goes through is extremely rare, getting a glimpse into his therapy sessions normalizes it for others who may be afraid to seek help.

The only thing I did not enjoy so much about Afterward is the ending. I was a bit underwhelmed with it, as I expected the story to go one way, but instead it focuses on something else. While I won’t discuss this in detail due to spoilers, I do want to mention that I wish the book went a bit deeper into what Ethan went through during his four years in captivity.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it. If you are looking for a gripping young adult contemporary that is not focused on romance, Afterward is a great choice. I fell in love with the characters and cared so deeply for them from page one. I know I will continue to pick up the books that Mathieu writes in the future, as they are truly something different in the young adult section today.

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Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review

Posted on August 8, 2016August 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share a review of a fabulous and affordable mascara with all of you. I’m not quite sure why, but for some reason I typically walk by the Wet ‘n Wild display at the drugstore without giving it much thought. After discovering that many Wet ‘n Wild products are vegan (see the full list HERE), I decided it was a great place to start rebuilding my makeup stash since I’m on a tight budget. I began by grabbing the MegaVolume Mascara in the shade Very Black. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you, including some before and after photos!

The Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara is advertised to provide five times the volume to your lashes with a natural-looking, enhancing effect. I purchased the shade C138 Very Black at my local Target. The regular retail price is just $2.97!

The applicator is a traditional mascara brush. I’m not a big fan of this applicator type. I find my eyelashes react much better to the silicone wands with spiky ends. Nonetheless, for under $3.00 I knew it wouldn’t be a huge loss if I wasn’t in love with this mascara!

Wet 'n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review – BEFORE — *Before – no mascara*

Wet 'n Wild MegaVolume Mascara Review – AFTER — *After – two coats of Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume*

Here is a before and after look at my eyelashes with the MegaVolume Mascara. I like to layer two coats of this mascara on my lashes, as I find it gives them a fuller effect. As you can see from the photos, this definitely isn’t giving me a ton of volume in my lashes. Instead the MegaVolume is a nice everyday mascara if you want to add definition without going too big with your lashes. I find I get a good amount of length with this mascara, and not as much volume as I would like. Luckily, the mascara does not clump much at all, and I rarely have to pull out my lash comb. My only issue with the MegaVolume is that it does get a bit messy during application, and that requires a bit of clean-up with a cotton swab.

All in all, I think Wet ‘n Wild’s MegaVolume is a great option for those of you looking for a more natural mascara. I personally like to go for more dramatic lashes, so while I probably won’t repurchase the MegaVolume again, I highly recommend it. The mascara lasts all day and doesn’t flake off the lashes, and you really can’t beat the quality for the price. I think my next Wet ‘n Wild mascara test will be on the MegaPlump, as it might give my lashes that extra drama I like. You can purchase MegaVolume at your local drugstore or department store, or online HERE. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this mascara! I would love to know if you like it or not!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Huge ELF Cosmetics Haul! | Makeup + Brushes

Posted on August 5, 2016August 3, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share with you all of the goodies I recently purchased from ELF Cosmetics. I am currently in the process of transitioning my beauty collection to include all vegan products, and ELF has a ton of options that are extremely affordable, but still great quality. I made a purchase during a sale event, and I scored big time. Let me show you all of the makeup and brushes I got at an affordable price!

As always, I shopped using Ebates to earn cash back on my order. ELF is usually 3.5% cash back, but I shopped during a double cash back event and earned 8% cash back on my order. If you are not an Ebates member yet, make sure to join HERE using my referral link. It is a free service and a legitimate way to earn cash back on many of your online purchases. I spent exactly $30 on ELF’s website, so I got $2.40 cash back for this purchase.

WHAT I PURCHASED

Let’s start off the haul with the products I purchased for myself. ELF had a promotion going on at the time where if you spent $30.00, you got a free mystery gift. I made sure my cart was $30.00 so I could use that coupon! Plus, you get free shipping at $25.00, so that worked out really well! I’ll quickly mention the products I purchased from left to right, starting with the two products in the top row.

Translucent Mattifying Powder – $3.00 – I use a translucent powder every day even if I’m not wearing makeup otherwise. It helps to keep my skin from getting really greasy, but not adding any additional coverage. I’m excited to see if this one keeps my skin matte all day!
Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls – $4.00 – I’ve been wanting a new highlighter that isn’t overly sparkly, so I thought this one would be nice to try. Spoiler alert – I love it! The shade is really nice on my fair skin, and while this is a shimmery highlighter, it is not too glittery. I’m very impressed at this product, and I might get more in the future.
Makeup Remover Cloths – $3.00 – I had to try out the makeup remover wipes! I did try one already, and I’m loving how gentle they feel on my skin. I’m currently using up another pack, but I have a feeling I will be repurchasing these in the future.
Volumizing & Defining Mascara – $2.00 – I’m also on the hunt for a new mascara, so I figured I would pick one up while I was shopping. I went with this particular mascara because it has the silicone applicator I like instead of the standard brush.
Moisturizing Foundation Stick in Ivory – $6.00 – I wanted a replacement for the Maybelline Foundation Stick I’ve been enjoying, so I decided to try this one from ELF. Stick foundations are great for those days where you don’t want the high maintenance of a liquid foundation. I’m hoping this will provide nice coverage!
HD Powder in Sheer – $6.00 – I’ve been wanting to try a loose setting powder as well, and got this HD Powder after hearing good things about it. It is designed to blur lines, so I will be experimenting with this product. If you have brush recommendations for this powder, please let me know!
Clear Brow & Lash Mascara – $2.00 – Another staple item for me is a brow gel. You can’t go wrong with one that is only $2.00!
Beautifully Bare Stipple Brush – $4.00 – Finally, I picked up a stipple brush because I needed one for cream products like blush and highlighter. I’m excited to see how this one works!

WHAT I GOT FOR FREE

As I mentioned above, ELF had a promotion where if you spent $30.00 you could get a free mystery gift. Imagine my surprise when all of these products showed up in my package! ELF always has at least one promotion going on, so you’ll be sure to get added savings or freebies with your order, too.

Contouring Kabuki Brush – $6.00 – I’m not sure how I feel about this brush. It’s huge in size! I think I might use it for face powder and not just contouring, but I will try it out for sure.
Concealer Brush – $3.00 – The other free brush I got is a concealer brush. I’m really happy about this one! I can always use more brushes like this.
Pressed Mineral Bronzer in Tan Toffee – $5.00 – I’m so glad I got a bronzer because I almost purchased one! Bronzer is new to me, but it’s nice to experiment with them once in a while. I’ll get more confident with it in time.
Smudge Pot Cream Eyeshadow in Ain’t That Sweet – $3.00 – I don’t wear a lot of pink eyeshadow, but I’m glad to try out the ELF Smudge Pot formula. I know these are often available at Dollar Tree, so keep an eye out there!
Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer – $2.00 – I’m also really excited to try this eye primer! I wasn’t that happy with the one I was using, so hopefully this will work better for me.
Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Pink Lemonade – $1.00 – Last but not least, I received a lip gloss! I’m not a big fan of this particular shade, but I am happy to try out this formula. If I enjoy the wear of this gloss I will be sure to pick out some more wearable shades for me in the future.

That brings us to the end of this huge ELF Cosmetics haul! I can’t believe I only spent $30.00 and got so many amazing products. I’m in the process of testing all of these right now, and will be sharing reviews on some of the goodies in the future. If there is something in particular you would like more detail on, please let me know in a comment below! Please also share your favorite (and least favorite!) ELF products in the comments! I know I will be making more purchases from this fabulous and affordable brand in the future.

Book Review | Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Posted on August 4, 2016August 4, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Published by Delacorte Press on April 5, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: ARC

Pages: 336

Source: Giveaway

Goodreads: ★★★★

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

Julie Buxbaum mixes comedy and tragedy, love and loss, pain and elation, in her debut YA novel filled with characters who will come to feel like friends.

REVIEW

Young adult contemporary novels are definitely one of my favorite genres to read, especially in the summer months. I absolutely loved the synopsis of Tell Me Three Things, and was beyond excited when I won a giveaway for a copy of the book. The story follows teenager Jessie as she starts at a new school. Her father recently remarried, and Jessie has to deal with moving across the country all while she is still coping with the death of her mother. Jessie begins receiving anonymous emails from a Somebody Nobody (SN) with advice on how to navigate her new high school, and she needs to decide whether to trust this mysterious person.

I really enjoyed my read of Tell Me Three Things. The story idea is a lot of fun, especially Jessie’s emails with SN. Unfortunately, I found the story to be extremely predictable. I knew who SN was the first time we meet him in the book, but I was still glad for Jessie to discover who he is. I also felt like Jessie trusted SN much quicker than she should have. At first she is quite hesitant, but then she suddenly begins texting him personal information. I wish we saw SN gain Jessie’s trust a bit more.

Moreover, I think the author does an excellent job of writing the high school experience, as it was done in a very realistic way. Bullying does play a role in the book, and I think it was handled really well. In addition, we see Jessie struggling to keep the relationship with her best friend from home alive all while making friends at her new school. Overall, Buxbaum handles high school culture well, and I think any reader of this book will notice and appreciate that.

My favorite part of Tell Me Three Things is definitely the relationships Jessie has with the people in her life, and how they grow and change over time. Jessie’s familial relationships with her dad, stepmom, and stepbrother all evolve over the course of the novel, and so do Jessie’s friendships. Of course, Jessie gets herself in some romantic situations as well. I loved seeing how she related to all the other characters.

All in all, Tell Me Three Things is a quick and enjoyable read, and one that I recommend if you like contemporary stories. While I do wish it wasn’t as predictable, I think the story is so cute and heartwarming. I will definitely keep my eye on any books that Buxbaum publishes in the future!

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