Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Upcoming Adventures | March Blog Chat & HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Posted on February 28, 2016February 18, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! February is nearly over now, and that means it’s time to share my Upcoming Adventures with all of you. I began my Upcoming Adventures series last month, and just in case you missed it I will link it HERE for you. At the end of every month I will be sharing what you can expect to see on my blog for the month ahead. I am so excited to share my March Blog Chat today, because I have something very exciting to share with you!

As you may know, Adventures in Polishland began as a nail polish blog back in April of 2012. Nail polish was a huge part of my life at the time, and slowly I’ve moved into the world of beauty as a whole. Now I blog about all sorts of things, and my nail polish blog posts have taken a back seat. I really want to make sure that I make nail polish a true staple on this blog again, and I’ve decided that March is the month to do just that. So, I am dubbing March to be Manicure March! What this means is that you will be getting a nail polish review for each and every day of the month. That’s right! I will have 31 blog posts this month, each one reviewing a nail polish from my collection.

I decided to do this because I am currently in the process of decluttering my nail polish stash and reorganizing it as well. I recently went through my entire collection and put aside about 30 polishes that I wanted to swatch and see if I wanted to keep them or declutter them. I thought it would be fun to share each one of those polishes with you! Some of these polishes have been reviewed on the blog in the past, others I’ve never shared with you. But for each polish you will be getting a full review.

I am so excited for Manicure March to begin! You will be seeing some very old and discontinued polishes, drugstore polishes, indie polishes, and everything in between. Along with each blog post I’ve asked you some questions. It’s really interesting to go back and look at old nail polish trends and collections, and also have a discussion about nail polish along the way. There is also an opportunity for you to get involved in addition to commenting on my blog! Just use the hashtag #ManicureMarch on social media! Whether you want to declutter your collection, or simply want to try out your polishes again, I’d love for you to join in the fun!

That wraps up this March blog chat! I hope you are as excited for Manicure March as I am. My regular blog content will resume in April, so if you’re looking for beauty posts, book reviews, and my other lifestyle content, have no fear – it will be back! Please don’t forget to check out my main Instagram account HERE, because I will be sharing nail polish swatches all month long there as well. Here’s to an awesome Manicure March!

Products I Buy High End!

Posted on February 26, 2016February 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I have always focused on living a fabulous and affordable life. However, there are a few products that I do save up for and splurge on because I think they are worth the money. I thought it would be fun to share with you the products that I tend to buy high end. Of course, I am always looking for affordable alternatives, but because these products work well for me, I don’t mind splurging on them. Let me go ahead and share with you the products I buy high end!

Dry Shampoo

I’ve tried what feels like a thousand dry shampoos from the drugstore, but I always come back to the Klorane Dry Shampoo, which unfortunately costs about $20 per can. This is the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used because it absorbs the oil and leaves my hair looking fresh and clean. Unlike other dry shampoos, it doesn’t add texture. It also brushes out well so that no white film is left in my brunette hair. I always buy this from Birchbox when there is a coupon code because I don’t like to go without it!

Face Primer

I’ve also tried a couple primers from the drugstore. While they’ve worked, they haven’t been as good as the high end primers I’ve used. My favorite primers are from Smashbox. The Photo Finish Light is oil free and great for sensitive skin or oily skin. I’m currently using the regular Photo Finish, and it’s great for combination or dry skin. I think it’s worth the price for sure!

BeautyBlender

I know, I’ve talked your ear off about the BeautyBlender, but it really is that good! Buying a sponge for $20 might seem ridiculous until you try it. The BeautyBlender is truly the best product for applying foundation and other cream products. It is worth the investment because it will last you a very long time so long as you wash it regularly. Trust me, you’ll love it! And don’t buy a cheap one – the ‘dupes’ are never as good.

Highlighter

My highlighter stash is composed of half high end products and half drugstore products, but I can definitely see a big difference in quality. I love my L’Oreal highlighters, but they tend to be a bit more glittery than I’d like. That’s why I think it’s great to invest in a few high end highlights. I absolutely love Cheeky from Ofra that is pictured here. It’s a bit more expensive than the drugstore, but lasts for such a long time.

Setting Spray

Last but not least is setting spray. This is the one product in this blog post that I’ve never tried from the drugstore! I purchased Urban Decay’s De-Slick for the first time about three or four years ago now, and I loved it so much I’ve never tried anything else! I did try Urban Decay’s All Nighter, but that’s the only other setting spray I’ve used. De-Slick is where it’s at for me!

All in all, while I love to bargain hunt and buy affordable products, it’s always nice to splurge on a high quality product every once in a while. I can’t justify buying mascara, blush, or other makeup products high end regularly because there are so many affordable options. That being said, I would love to know what products you buy high end, so please let me know in a comment!

Book Review | Confess by Colleen Hoover

Posted on February 25, 2016February 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Confess by Colleen Hoover

Published by Atria Books on March 10, 2015

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 306

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

REVIEW

I’ve been hearing so many good things about Colleen Hoover’s books for the past few years that I decided it was time to finally read one. I’ve been really into the New Adult genre lately, and after doing my research on Hoover’s bibliography, I thought Confess would be a good place to start. Well, I loved the idea behind Confess, but unfortunately the book fell flat for me. Let me tell you why.

First and foremost, Confess is the story of Auburn and Owen, and is told in a dual-perspective format. Auburn has moved to Dallas for some reason unbeknownst to the reader, and stumbles across an art studio one day named Confess. The studio is hiring, and because she needs the money she decides to take the job. It turns out Owen is the studio’s owner and artist. He somehow knows Auburn, but she doesn’t know him. This is another secret that Hoover keeps from the reader.

As I mentioned, I really liked the idea behind Confess. Owen’s artwork is based on anonymous confessions that he receives through a slot in his door (it’s very similar to the famous blog PostSecret). I loved the idea that Owen creates paintings based on these confessions. I also thought it was genius that the confessions in the book were real confessions that Hoover received from her readers.

In the same way, I did appreciate that Hoover attempted to weave the ‘confess’ theme into the characters. Auburn needs to confess why she’s in Dallas, and Owen needs to confess how he knows Auburn. Keeping secrets from the reader can add suspense and be a real page-turner, but there are way too many secrets in this book. As I was reading I took notes on all the questions I had. This list is 10 questions long, and while some of those were answered as the book continued, the beginning of the novel was full of holes, and I found it difficult to form a full picture of the story. What could have been a good mystery turned into a mess because there were just too many unanswered questions.

I also found that the character development was quite lacking in Confess. For example, Auburn tells the reader that she has one goal in mind, yet all of her actions go against that goal. She is a very passive person who does what everyone tells her to do, even when she doesn’t want to do those things. It was annoying to see how she makes all the wrong decisions, and repeats them time and time again. Similarly, Owen is written as a lying and manipulative character, yet readers are supposed to accept that Auburn “deserves” his love (a word that is far too often used in this book, by the way).

Moreover, I found that the writing style was quite jumbled throughout the novel. For instance, Owen tells the reader early in the book that a certain character is a bad guy. However, that character does not show himself to be bad until late in the book. I would have much preferred Hoover to demonstrate the bad character’s qualities, than to expect me to simply trust the words of Owen. I definitely prefer to read writing that shows rather than tells.

Finally, the ending of Confess really bothered me as well. The solution is unrealistic because characters act outside of how they were written early in the novel. It is also formed extremely quickly. Even more troubling is that the solution doesn’t truly fulfill Auburn’s main goal. Of course, I am being purposefully vague so as to not spoil the book, but suffice it to say that the ending would never happen in reality.

Overall, I’m glad I gave Colleen Hoover a try. She did come up with a really interesting storyline, and her writing style is very fast-paced. However, I thought the flow of the book was jumbled, and the characters were poorly developed. That being said, I do want to give another one of her books a try. Confess seems to be a love it or leave it book, and I am part of the latter. I don’t recommend this book unless you are a huge Colleen Hoover fan and attempting to read all her works. I will definitely let you know if I read anything else by her in the future!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Yes To Coconut Face Collection Review | #YesToBeautyRes

Posted on February 24, 2016February 13, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you three new products from the brand Yes To Carrots. I received a package with skincare products from the new Yes To Coconut line, and I couldn’t wait to test them. I’ve enjoyed the other Yes To products I’ve tried in the past, and I absolutely love coconuts so I had a feeling these products would be perfect for me. Today I’ll be sharing a first impressions review on the Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser, Ultra Hydrating Facial Mask, and Ultra Hydrating Overnight Eye Balm. What that means is I’ve tried all of these products, but haven’t been using them on my skin for an extended period of time. Let’s go ahead and start the reviews!

First things first, I have a few things I want to mention about this collection as a whole. Each product does have a coconut scent, and is 96-99% natural, so if you have an allergy to coconuts this line is not for you. I personally love the smell of coconuts, so I find these products very comforting. I also really appreciate that they are almost completely natural! I always feel better when I can put a natural product on my face! Finally, this line is designed to be hydrating. I have combination skin, and it’s been working well for me.

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser

The first product I have to share is the Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser. This cleanser is really unique. It is a thick, gel-like consistency, and can be used in two ways. You can either apply it dry to the face, or you can mix it with water to create a creamy emulsion. I’ve tried it both ways, and I prefer to just apply it dry to my face. It is less messy that way! I have to tell you, I am in love with this cleanser! It removes all my makeup, is very gentle, and is very moisturizing. I love it so much I want to buy the Yes to Coconut body wash, too. It’s so amazing, and I highly recommend it!

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Facial Mask

Next up is the Ultra Hydrating Facial Mask, which I’ve tried one time so far. This mask feels like a thick body butter, and has that same coconut smell that I love. I did really like how soft and clear my skin felt after using this mask, but the mask itself was really difficult to remove. I had to rinse my face for a very long time and use a lot of water to get it off my face. I wasn’t a huge fan of that, but because my skin loved the product I will be using up this tube for sure.

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Overnight Eye Balm

Last but not least is the Ultra Hydrating Overnight Eye Balm. While it does take an extended period of time to truly see the benefits of an eye cream, I can tell you that I really like how this eye balm feels after application. This cream is light, but still makes my undereye area feel very hydrated. This product also feels very soothing and gentle. My skin can be on the sensitive side, and I haven’t experienced any irritation whatsoever. I can’t wait to continue using this product!

All in all, I am really loving the new Yes to Coconut Face Collection! It’s one of my New Years Resolutions to focus on skincare, and I’m happy to include these in my daily routines. I will most definitely be grabbing other products from this line, especially the body wash. My skin is loving it, and I hope yours will, too! You can find these products at your local drugstore or department store for fabulous and affordable prices!

What is your favorite line from Yes To? Let me know in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Learn to Love Water | My Experience & the Tools You Need

Posted on February 23, 2016February 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today on the blog I’m talking about water. This might seem a little bit weird at first, but as I’m focusing on my health more than ever, I wanted to share my hydration story with you. Growing up, I hated the taste of water, as silly as that sounds. I would drink flavored water daily, and the only time I would drink regular water was after my dance classes or band rehearsals. As I got older, I slowly began to realize how important it is to stay hydrated. My life changed when I got a Brita pitcher, and this past summer I truly saw how water can transform your health. I wanted to share my experience with you, and also share some of my favorite products, in hopes that those who dislike water like I did can learn to love it!

First things first, I want to mention that I am not a doctor or nutritionist, and am only speaking about my own personal experiences. If you would like to learn more, please speak with your doctor. I also looked at THIS article from the Mayo Clinic for guidance in writing this post.

MY HYDRATION STORY

As I mentioned in this post’s introduction, I used to really dislike the taste of water. The first time I truly began to drink water regularly was my junior year in college. I had just received a Brita pitcher as a gift, and I was away for a semester-long internship in New York City. Since I was responsible for my own food, I decided to save money by not buying any drinks. Instead, I drank tap water. It was a struggle at first, but I kept pushing myself, and soon I got used to drinking water all the time. This was a real turning point in my hydration story, and it was the first time water became a part of my daily routine.

Fast forward to this past summer, when I was studying for the bar. I was sitting at my desk for 15+ hours everyday studying. I basically got up only to refill my water, get some food, or visit the restroom for that entire period of time. Because I was so focused on my studies, and had a routine-driven life, I suddenly began to notice a lot of changes with my health. Although I was seriously stressed, there were a lot of positives taking place, and I knew water was responsible for that.

Here is a quick list of the big changes I saw in my body:

Moisturized Skin – This was the first thing I noticed! My skin felt so hydrated and plush. I even stopped using a daily moisturizer because I didn’t need it. I applied a moisturizing serum daily, and that was enough.
More Energy – As much as I love my morning coffee, I always like to drink a big cup of water first thing when I get up. Not only does it help to restore my body’s hydration after resting overnight, but it gives me a natural boost of energy.
Positive Attitude – I also noticed that I had a better attitude when I was hydrated. I’m not as tired or sluggish, my body is functioning better, and that leads to me feeling good mentally as well. This became clear to me on the days when I wouldn’t drink enough water and felt grouchy. I definitely think there is a correlation between the two.
Stronger Nails and Hair – Of course, drinking a lot of water can also help to strengthen your nails and hair. I luckily have strong nails naturally, but my hair can be very brittle and prone to breaking. During bar study I noticed a lot of hair loss and dullness due to stress, but I think it would have been ten times worse if I wasn’t drinking enough water.

THE TOOLS YOU NEED

Learning to love water becomes a lot easier with the right tools! Here are three things that I use every single day that I think would really help you, too.

Brita Everyday Water Pitcher – 10 Cup

I think a Brita pitcher is essential! I only drink tap water, and although the tap water where I live is clean, I do like to take the extra step and filter it. I have a 10-cup pitcher, but they do make smaller sizes if you prefer to take up less space in your fridge. My water always tastes crisp and clean, and I do take care to change the filter regularly and clean the pitcher, too. Brita is an investment at first, but it will save you money in the long run, and is also much better for the environment.

Aladdin Insulated Cold To Go Tumbler – 16oz

I also recommend having a reusable water cup to keep in your house, or at your desk at work, at all times. I first purchased this tumbler because it is insulated and thus doesn’t sweat as much in the humidity. It soon transitioned into my everyday cup. I love that it is 16oz, because my goal is to drink four bottles per day to get in 8 cups of water. There is also something about drinking out of a straw – I drink a lot more than I otherwise would! This tumbler is also dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus.

Camelbak Eddy Water Bottle

If you’re on the go all the time, I recommend getting a Camelbak because it is spill proof and can easily be toted around in a backpack or handbag. I am not currently using a Camelbak, but I did in college, and it came with me to classes, the cafeteria, and everywhere else I went on campus. This really comes in handy while traveling, too.

Hydrate Planner Stickers

Last but not least, I recommend tracking your water intake daily. There are apps for this, but I prefer to tangibly put it in my Erin Condren Life Planner with a sticker from Oh, Hello Stationery Co. [use code POLISH15 to save 15% off your order!] Once you get into the habit of tracking your water, it becomes a normal part of your schedule!

All in all, I hope you found this post helpful if you struggle with drinking enough water. I am still not perfect when it comes to drinking at least eight cups of water daily, but I work towards that goal and try not to get discouraged if I don’t quite reach it. If you start to put more effort into the amount of water you’re drinking, it will become a regular part of your life. Take it from a former water-snubber – you’ll feel so much better when you learn to love water!

Do you have any tips for staying hydrated? Share them in the comments!

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

Manicure Monday | L’Oreal Paris in Paparazzi Pleaser

Posted on February 22, 2016February 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I’ll be honest – my nail polish declutter project took a big break after I went through the first box. I decided to slowly pick it back up again, and tried out one of the polishes I set aside to swatch. I first picked up L’Oreal Paris in Paparazzi Pleaser back in 2014 (see that post HERE), and I’m pretty sure I haven’t worn it since then. Let me share this purple polish with you, and let you know if I plan on keeping it!

Paparazzi Pleaser is a deep purple cream nail polish. The formula is good, but a bit on the thin side. I applied three coats to achieve opacity, and I didn’t have any application issues. Paparazzi Pleaser is definitely a beautiful color, but for some reason I’m not thrilled with it. I think the warm, blue-tone isn’t suited for my pale skin. Despite this being a great drugstore polish, I’m moving it into my box of polishes to destash.

All in all, I’m glad I put Paparazzi Pleaser to the test! As always, L’Oreal’s polish is excellent quality. I think it is a great drugstore brand, but this shade of polish isn’t for me. I still recommend it, especially if you have a deeper skin tone. It retails for around $5.00 at your local drugstore or online HERE. Let me know if you’re pleased by Paparazzi Pleaser in the comments!

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

Simple Glam Makeup Look featuring Rimmel London | All Drugstore Products

Posted on February 19, 2016February 11, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a makeup look to share with you featuring products from the drugstore brand Rimmel London. I was recently sent a package from Rimmel filled with products to create a glam makeup look. I couldn’t wait to test out all of the goodies and share them with you! In this post I’ll first be sharing each product individually and my first impressions of the product. Then I’ll share my completed makeup look at the end! Let’s go ahead and get started with this simple glam makeup look using all drugstore products!

THE PRODUCTS

Lasting Finishing Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation – $7.99

I was really intrigued with this foundation. It claims to be a long-wearing, 25-hour formula, and it also is formulated to be full coverage. I received the shade Classic Ivory, which is a bit too dark for me right now. The formula is definitely a medium coverage, and I recommend it for those with combination or oily skin, because it does stick to dry patches. That being said, it dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish. I love the feel of it on the skin, and it wears nicely throughout the day. I think this is a good pick for a drugstore foundation!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer Natural Bronzer – $5.99

I was a bit hesitant to try out this bronzer, but if you’re going for a glam look you might as well go all out! I’m really impressed with this bronzer. It applies so smoothly and blends out beautifully. It truly is a natural bronzer, and I highly recommend it for bronzer newbies like me. I received the shade Sun Bronze, which worked well with my fair complexion. I’m excited to continue using this product!

Rimmel Scandaleyes in Bulletproof Beige Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige – $4.59

I went for this shimmery gold eyeshadow stick for my entire eye look. I applied this cream shadow over the lid and into the crease. It’s a beautiful color, and because it’s shimmery it can stand on its own. I like that this is a no fuss product! Plus, because I was wearing a bold lip, I knew I could go lighter on the eyes.

Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara – $6.99

I’ve had mixed luck with Rimmel mascaras in the past, but I have to say I am really impressed with this one! The brush has the rubbery texture that I like, and it definitely gives me both volume and length. The formula is a bit on the wet side, but I’m sure once it dries out a bit I will love it even more. I got the shade Black, and I highly recommend this one!

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick Moisture Renew Lipstick – $7.99

Last but not least is the Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert. While this shade is outside of my comfort zone, I am loving the formula! It definitely feels very moisturizing on the lips, and it applies very smoothly. I often feel weird when wearing lipstick, but I found this one very comfortable to wear. The red color is a bit staining, but I used a makeup remover wipe and that worked well. I will be checking out the other shades in this line for sure!

THE MAKEUP LOOK

Here is my final look! I used all drugstore products in this look, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I would wear this for a special occasion or a night out, or I would wear a lighter lip color for a day look. All of the products I used will be listed for your convenience.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation in Classic Ivory http://amzn.to/23ZBxvN
Rimmel London Natural Bronzer in Sun Bronze http://amzn.to/1V6Q7LO
NYC New York Color Blush in Riverside Rose http://amzn.to/23ZCnbY
L’Oreal True Match Lumi in Rose http://amzn.to/23ZBNL9
Maybelline BROWdrama Pro Palette in Blonde http://amzn.to/1Q9Z4jc
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in Bulletproof Beige http://amzn.to/1V6QVQZ
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara in Black http://amzn.to/1Kei2cq
Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transparent http://amzn.to/1V6Rieg
Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert http://amzn.to/23ZD6d8

All in all, I’m so glad I received these products from Rimmel to test out for all of you. I’m quite impressed with the great quality, especially with the mascara and lipstick. Rimmel is often on sale at the drugstore, and coupons can sometimes be found in the Sunday newspaper. I highly recommend trying out these products! Also, please let me know if you’ll be recreating this simple glam look!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. Links to Amazon are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | Sweet (Contours of the Heart #3) by Tammara Webber

Posted on February 18, 2016February 18, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Sweet (Contours of the Heart #3) by Tammara Webber

Published by Tammara Webber (self-published) on April 27, 2015

Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 340

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

He’s the love of her life, but he doesn’t know it.
She’s his one moment of sacrifice in a lifetime of survival.

He was damaged and wild, but resilient.
She’s always been obedient. Now she’s restless.

Home for the summer between college and med school, Pearl Torres Frank knows two things: Boyce Wynn is the embodiment of everything she should run from, and everything she wants to run to. Rebellious and loud. Unconcerned with society’s opinion of him. Passionate. Strong. Dangerous.

And one more trait he hides from everyone but her:
Sweet.

REVIEW

I picked up Sweet, the third book in Tammara Webber’s Contours of the Heart series, directly after finishing the second book, Breakable. Sweet is a companion novel to Breakable, and features Lucas’s best friend Boyce and classmate Pearl. While Sweet can be read as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading the Contours of the Heart series in publishing order. Each book builds on the previous one, and in this third installment we follow characters we’ve already met, who live in a town with which we’re already familiar. Thus, I do think it’s best to read this series in order, and not skip over Breakable.

Sweet is written in a dual perspective, with Boyce and Pearl telling the story. Pearl has just returned to her hometown after graduating from college, and is deciding whether or not to go to medical school as she’s always planned. Boyce remained in town after high school, and recently inherited his father’s mechanic shop after he passed away. The reader knows from the start that the two protagonists have some history together, and the book explores their past and, perhaps, their future.

I really liked both Pearl and Boyce as the main characters. They are very relatable, and are going through issues that many young adults face. For example, I related to Pearl because I am also a recent graduate, and I know how difficult it can be to make that next step in life. I appreciate that Webber creates interesting stories with such rich characters.

In the same way, the writing in Sweet is very well done. I did have a few issues, mainly with the flow of the story. There are constant flashbacks that shed light on Boyce and Pearl growing up, and while I absolutely loved those scenes, they sometimes came out of nowhere. I had to really pay attention as a reader and think about if I was reading a flashback, or a current event. Once I got into the book, this wasn’t much of a chore, but I think it is helpful going into the story to know that it’s not written in a fully linear fashion.

My biggest issue with the story is that everything seems to work out perfectly for the characters. Webber does state in her author biography that she likes to write happy endings because there are so many sad endings in real life. While I can appreciate that, there is a difference to me between a happy ending, and an easy ending. As much as I liked the conclusion of this novel, I thought it was too cliché and ‘happily ever after’ for my liking.

Nonetheless, I still really enjoyed this book. Webber’s writing is quite addicting, and her characters feel so real that I know I will be picking up the next book in this series when it is published at some point this year. If you enjoyed the other books in the Contours of the Heart series, I definitely think you should continue on with Sweet. Pearl and Boyce are great characters, and their story was very touching. Keep in mind that this is a new adult novel, and contains some explicit content.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Makeup I (Almost) Never Use!

Posted on February 17, 2016February 10, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I thought it would be fun if I shared with all of you the makeup products that I almost never use. I review all sorts of beauty products here at Adventures in Polishland, and I really love trying new things. However, the reality of the situation is that in my regular routine I tend to reach for the same products all the time! I’m comfortable with my daily makeup routine, and it’s rare that I step outside the box. Let me share with you the five makeup products that I almost never use!

5. Lipstick

This might sound crazy because I love buying and trying new lip colors, but I rarely wear lipstick! If I’m wearing a lip product I will reach for a tinted lip balm nine times out of ten. I feel really comfortable with a sheer wash of color, but when it comes to lipsticks I shy away. Lipstick is more high maintenance to apply and touch up throughout the day, and I just feel so aware of lipstick when I’m wearing it. There are a few shades that I use regularly, but the rest of my stash sits unused!

4. Eyeshadow

Despite my efforts to wear eyeshadow more often, my palettes still sit unused most days. I’d say I wear eyeshadow perhaps 1-2 days per month, and even that might be a stretch! Part of my problem is that I’m still not good at application, which can only be improved with more practice. I need to go through my stash and get rid of the shadows I never use for sure!

3. Eyeliner

You can tell I keep the eye area pretty basic, because I never wear eyeliner either! I recently paired down my eyeliner collection to one liquid and one (unopened) pencil. I probably wear eyeliner 1-2 times per year – if that! I just feel that it looks so harsh and overdone with my fair complexion. I’ve tried other shades besides black, but it’s just not my cup of tea. I basically keep them for the odd occasion where I reach for the eyeliner!

2. Bronzer

Next up is bronzer, a product that I’ve only tried to use a few times. I just don’t get it! I’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials, but I can’t get the hang of bronzer. Plus, I don’t mind my nice pale skin. I embrace it!

1. Contour

Finally, a makeup product that I never wear is contour! I don’t even own a contour powder to show you, so I grabbed a stock photo of this Anastasia palette. I definitely think contouring is really cool, and I love seeing how makeup artists use it to transform the face. I think one day I will give it a try, but it’s not in the near future for me.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what makeup products I almost never use! Believe it or not, but I am still very new to makeup. Besides wearing it for dance performances my entire life, I didn’t use makeup regularly until my early twenties. I’m still leaning the ins and outs of beauty products every day, and I think it’s a lot of fun! Please share with me in the comments if there are any makeup products that you rarely use! I would love to know!

Some of the products pictured in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

How to Win an Instagram Challenge in 3 Easy Steps!

Posted on February 16, 2016February 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to let you all in on a few Instagram secrets. I love using Instagram, and I’ve attempted to complete a number of Instagram challenges over the past few years. Instagram challenges come in a few varieties, and today I’m going to focus on the monthly challenge. The monthly challenge is just what it sounds like – you have to post a picture every day for an entire month. I’ve tried book challenges, planner challenges, and I think even a beauty challenge at some point. It wasn’t until last month that I was finally successful. Let me share with you my three easy tips for winning an Instagram challenge!

1. Find the Right Challenge for You

This is the most important tip that I have to share with you today! The reason I was so unsuccessful in past challenges is because I wasn’t finding the right challenge for me. I would post a few pictures, but then I wouldn’t have a photo for a certain day’s prompt. That would lead me to give up completely. Thus, what you should do is search for a challenge using a hashtag like #[month]bookchallenge, #[month]plannerchallenge, etc. Here are the results I got when I searched for #Februarybookchallenge:

As you can see, there are four different challenges that pop up just in this part of my search. Take the time to read through each challenge. If you can think of a photo you’d take for each day, that’s the challenge for you! The moral of the story is to make sure you pick a challenge that fits you the best.

2. Plan Ahead

This second step might be considered cheating, but I find it essential. I recommend planning ahead by taking your photos in advance. Every Monday I would take my photos for the coming week and edit them that same day. That way I could easily upload every day without having to worry about taking the photo. If the challenge in which you are participating requires a time sensitive photo, such as your latest book purchase or that day’s coloring page, set a reminder in your phone so you don’t forget!

3. Make it Routine

Last but not least, make uploading your daily photo part of your routine. Pick a time every day to upload so you’ll remember to do so. For me it was first thing in the morning. I always browse my email and social media when I wake up, so I added my Instagram upload to that routine. Perhaps you want to upload on your lunch break or before you go to bed – it’s up to you and what fits your lifestyle! If you need a physical reminder, try planner stickers! Pictured above are stickers from Oh, Hello Stationery, Co. They are designed to track any habit, and uploading to Instagram can be one! Shop Oh, Hello HERE and use code POLISH15 to save 15% off your order!

That wraps up my three easy tips for winning an Instagram Challenge! I hope you found it helpful whether you are a challenge newbie or veteran. Instagram Challenges are great because you can easily find like-minded people through the challenge. I participated in the #BNRBookChallenge16 in January on my Bookstagram account HERE, and I got 45 new followers throughout the month! Plus, I was encouraged to practice my photography and think outside the box. I highly recommend trying an Instagram Challenge if you have not already!