Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Jordana Cosmetics Limited Edition Playful Pastels Collection

Posted on September 13, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I received a surprise package from Jordana Cosmetics that contained a beautiful nail polish collection. I’ve only used one Jordana polish before, so I was really excited to test out some more. These polishes are extremely fabulous and affordable, and because the Playful Pastels is a limited edition line, I knew I had to share them with you as soon as possible. Let’s get started!

First up is Baby Blue, a polish that stays quite true to its name color wise! Baby Blue has a very sheer formula, and I needed four coats to achieve opacity. It was also very streaky, so this formula was a bit disappointing for me. The finished product is beautiful, though.

Next up is Pink Petunia, a gorgeous true pink polish. Pink Petunia has a good formula that is opaque in three coats. I’m loving this shade of polish, and think it makes me look a bit tan for some reason. I think it’s due to it being a bit coral!

The next Playful Pastel is Lively Lilac, a nice purple shade. Lively Lilac has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m a big fan of lilac shades in the spring, so I’ll be sure to pull this one out again during that time of year. Of course, you can wear pastels all year long if you like!

Whimsical White is definitely a must have in this line. It’s the perfect white that is opaque in two coats. I’m super impressed with Whimsical White, since white polishes are difficult to get just right. If you’re looking for an affordable white, go grab this one!

One of my favorites in this collection is Merry Mint, a pastel green that leans towards seafoam. Merry Mint has an awesome formula that is opaque in two coats. I love the flawless finish with this one! Plus, this color is great for fall.

Last but not least is Sunsational, a bright canary yellow polish. Sunsational is an awesome yellow that is opaque in two coats. I was really impressed with the formula, and loved the bright color right away. I don’t wear yellow polishes often, but I’ll remember this next time I want one!

All in all, the Jordana Cosmetics Playful Pastels Collection is a fun line, and a bit unexpected for fall. I definitely recommend this collection, though wish the formula on Baby Blue was better. My favorites are definitely Pink Petunia and Merry Mint. You can purchase the Playful Pastels Collection on Jordana’s website HERE for just $1.99 each! Will you be grabbing any of these limited edition shades? 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.

Skintimate Moisturizing Shave Gel in Mandarin Burst Review #SkintimateHappyLegs

Posted on September 11, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have something a little bit different to share with all of you, and it’s a review of the new Skintimate Shave Gel in the scent Mandarin Burst! I got the opportunity to test out this product through the website Crowdtap, so I wanted to let you know about my experience. I am not usually a shave gel or shaving cream user at all. In fact, I remember using Skintimate way back in the day during the “Skintimate…. or not” advertising campaign in the early 2000s and not enjoying it. But now that years have gone by, I was excited to give this a try and see how I like it!

Crowdtap sent me a full size bottle of the Skintimate SignatureScents Moisturizing Shave Gel in Mandarin Burst (phew, that’s a mmouthful). This product is designed not only to replenish your skin with six moisturizers including Vitamin E and Olive Butter, but to smell refreshing as well! The scent is a combination of fresh mandarin, lemon and lime. Of course, Skintimate is supposed to give you a close shave without irritation.

Before I review the product, I think it’s helpful for you to know my own personal shave gel story. I know, that might sound weird, but I really dislike shaving creams! I find that they are pointless – why buy a separate product for shaving when I can just use the soap or shower gel I’m already using? I don’t have problems with razor irritation, and I also find that sometimes shave gel prevents me from getting a close shave. Lastly, it adds time to my shower. Taking all of these factors into consideration, I decided to test out this gel with an open mind. I used it on my right leg for about a week and a half, and stuck to my regular system on my left leg as a control.

Here is what the shave gel looks like out of the can. It first looks like a pink gel, but once you begin lathering it up it becomes a white foam. The scent is quite nice – I like the citrus smell and don’t find it overpowering at all. I actually wish the scent was stronger, because it doesn’t linger at all! I think the only time I smell it is while I’m using it. If you don’t like lingering fragrances, though, that’s definitely a plus for you!

While I did enjoy the shaving experience, I found that using the shave gel did not make much a difference in my skin. Right out of the shower, my right leg was a bit more moisturized, but in the long term I can’t tell the difference. I do think the shave is close with this product, and I didn’t find it sticky to the touch like some other shaving creams. Finally, I enjoyed a specific fringe benefit with this product! Because I wear glasses, it’s often easy for me to miss a spot while shaving. However, with the shave gel it is clear which parts I have or have not shaved yet. Definitely a bonus for me and any of my other glasses wearers out there!

All in all, I’m definitely glad I gave this Skintimate Shave Gel a try. It is a great product, but to be honest I don’t see it fitting in with my lifestyle all that well. It adds time to my shower routine, and there are no significant changes in my skin. That said, if you are looking for an affordable shave gel that smells great, I would recommend this to you. It all depends on your personal shaving routine! Please let me know in the comments if you use a shave gel, and what you think of it! Use the hashtag #SkintimateHappyLegs on social media to see what others think of this shave gel as well.

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

Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream Review

Posted on September 10, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! A few months ago I tried my first Adovia product (see that review HERE), so I was excited when I got the opportunity to review the brand’s daily moisturizer! I just ran out of the moisturizer that I’d been using for years (literally), so I couldn’t wait to treat my skin to something new. Adovia’s products are dermatologist tested and suited for all skin types. I’ve been using this moisturizer for about a month now, so it’s time to share my opinion with you!

Adovia’s Moisturizing Day Cream contains Dead Sea Minerals, Aloe Vera, and Chamomile designed to keep a natural moisture balance and protect the skin at the same time. This cream is supposed to leave your skin hydrated, but not greasy. Adovia says the result is a natural glow that gives you that radiant look. Additionally, this Day Cream is hypoallergenic and thus does not have any fragrance to it, which I always appreciate.

I was a bit hesitant at first, because this cream is definitely quite heavy and thick in texture. I was afraid this would feel greasy on my face, and that I would look shiny all day. Surprisingly, despite the thick feel, this cream applies really well. It does feel heavy when first applied, but my skin drinks it up rather quickly and I didn’t notice any added appearance of oil throughout the day. The directions for this product say it can double as a makeup primer, so I used it as a base and found it works great for that use as well! The only drawback with the product is a very minor one, and that is the packaging. I don’t like jars because it feels gross to stick my fingers in to dig out the product. It’s not a big deal, but I definitely prefer pumps!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the chance to try the Moisturizing Day Cream from Adovia. It does retail for $46.00, but as I type this it’s on sale for $25.95 on Amazon HERE. For 1.7oz of product, I think that is a great value. It takes me a very long time to use up skincare products! If you’re looking for a new day cream that won’t irritate your skin, I highly recommend this one!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Simple Fall Manicure featuring Born Pretty Store Studs!

Posted on September 8, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a simple nail art look to share with all of you! I recently got some new products from Born Pretty Store to review, one of which was a wheel containing both square and rounded studs in a variety of colors. I wanted to test them out right away, so I layered them over my manicure. Let me show you the result!

Here is the complete set of studs. I’m using a stock photo courtesy of Born Pretty Store in this post, because my wheel arrived all out of sorts due to the mail. I wanted you to be able to see the different colors and shapes easily! This wheel retails for just $5.15, which is an awesome bargain considering the number of times you can use the studs! HERE is the direct link to the product.

Here is my complete manicure! I was already wearing Zoya Ryan (see full review HERE) and didn’t want to change polish colors, so I simply added a fresh coat and dunked my rink finger into the rounded studs for a caviar look. I love that the studs have a flat bottom so they stick onto the nail easily! Then, I placed a square stud at the base of each nail. I decided to go for all green, as it looks great with the dark blue polish. I finished up with a top coat and I was good to go!

All in all, this nail art look is so simple to create, yet looks fun! I think the colors are perfect for fall as well. The studs in this kit can be used for a variety of different designs, so I’ll be sure to get creative with them again in the future. If you pick up a set, be sure to use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off your entire order!

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

Summer 2014 Favorites | Beauty, Lifestyle, & More!

Posted on September 6, 2014August 31, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! You may have noticed that this summer I didn’t post my usual monthly favorites. By the end of June and then July, I realized that I was reusing the same products over and over, and thought a combined summer favorites would be the best way to share my new favorite products with you. Plus, it’s a great way to reflect over the past few months! This was probably the last summer vacation I’ll ever have, since I’ve just embarked on my final year of school. Let me show you everything I loved the past few months!

NAIL POLISH

L’Oreal Jean & Tonic [REVIEW]

I wore this textured shade from L’Oreal a ton this summer! In fact, I made a dent in the bottle because I loved it so much! Make sure to check out my review for more details. If you like this polish, make sure to check the limited edition displays at your local drugstore ASAP.

MASCARA

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Black [BUY]

I finally tried the famous Clump Crusher and I’m so glad I did! It really separates my lashes for a full look. I do wish it had a bit more “va va voom,” but I can always layer a thicker mascara on top for a more dramatic look. If you’re looking for a great mascara to use on the daily, I recommend this one.

EYEBROWS

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light [BUY]

I rediscovered this brow product over the summer, and pulled it out from the depths of my makeup collection! I’ve used it a ton, and I’ve found that the powder looks really natural and is easy to apply. I still use my eyebrow pencils sometimes, but in the hot summer sun, powder was the best option. Plus, this stuff lasts forever!

BLUSH

NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY]

I finally reached for cream blush this summer, and I’m happy I got over my cream blush fear! It’s lightweight and extremely blendable, so I don’t look cakey. I definitely need to pick up more cream blushes for my collection, so let me know your favorites in the comments!

PRIMER

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner [BUY]

I brought this sample size primer with me when I was traveling and fell in love! It’s just like my beloved Too Faced Primed & Poreless, but even better. Unfortunately, the full size is $45 (yikes), so I’ve been making this sample last as long as possible. If your budget allows for Pores No More, I say get it!

FRAGRANCE

Coconut Lime Breeze Body Spray [BUY]

I love lighter scents in the summer, and reach for body sprays more than perfumes. I got this one during the Bath & Bodyworks semi-annual sale for just $1.50, and I love it! It’s sweet, but not sickening. I pretty much love anything with a coconut scent, though!

TV SHOW

Big Love

I watched a lot of shows on Amazon Prime this summer, one of them being the complete series of Big Love. I don’t get HBO, so it was great to be able to watch some HBO shows for free this summer with my Prime subscription. Big Love was so addicting! It’s about a polygamist family in Utah. There is serious family drama, and it always kept me at the edge of my seat. I highly recommend it, but ask your parents if you’re under 18 since it has a lot of violence and some adult content.

BOOK

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [BUY]

I also read a lot this summer, and one of my favorites was the Blood of Eden trilogy by Julie Kagawa. I’m always hesitant when it comes to vampires because of the whole Twilight thing, but gave this series a try, and I’m so glad I did! Kagawa does an amazing job of combining vampires into the dystopian genre. The trilogy follows teenager Allison as she decides to become a vampire, and the new life she must lead. The first book in the series is called The Immortal Rules (liked above). I highly recommend it!

EXPERIENCES

West Coast Adventures – Los Angeles & Las Vegas

I had the amazing opportunity this summer to visit both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. My brother and sister-in-law live in LA, so I made sure to visit them and meet my new nephew for the first time! It was wonderful to see them! I also met up with my grandma and cousin out there, and we took a road trip to Vegas. I’ve never been to Vegas before and it was an unbelievable experience. I thought NYC was big! If you ever get the change to visit Las Vegas, go! There is something for everyone!

All in all, I had a great summer even though it went by super quickly! Please let me know in the comments some of the products you loved these past few months. Also let me know what your favorite moment of the summer was. Feel free to tag me on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandFaves so I can see your photos!

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

Zoya Ignite Collection for Fall 2014

Posted on September 4, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Earlier this week I reviewed the Zoya Entice Collection (full review HERE), which contains six creme polishes for fall. In addition to Entice, Zoya released a collection called Ignite. The Ignite Collection has six liquid metal polishes that are packed with shimmer and sparkle. If you love to rock a bit of glitz on your fingertips, the Ignite Collection is for you! Let me show you the six fiery polishes!

First up is Autumn, a copper shade with undertones of orange and gold. Autumn’s formula is great, and is opaque in two coats. I found that all of the Ignite polishes show a beautiful color payoff in one coat, but two coats were needed for opacity. Staying true to its name, I think Autumn is just perfect for this time of year!

Next up is India, a deep red with golden shimmer mixed throughout the base. India also has a great formula, and I found that it’s super pigmented. I think this polish is a great transitional shade from fall to winter as well.

Teigen is a beautiful cranberry shade with a copper shimmer, and is such a feminine polish. It looks flawless in two coats, too. I’d love to see this in a geometric manicure with it’s complimenting shade Veronica. Maybe I’ll do that in the future!

Sansa is the purple in this collection, and is what Zoya dubs “eggplant” with a gold shimmer. Sansa appears almost black, but the purple shade certainly shines through in the light. I think this polish would look great with one coat layered over a white base!

Next up is Remy, my favorite in the Ignite Collection! Remy is an indigo polish with gold and copper shimmer, but I love how blue-toned it is! The formula is flawless, and in two coats the finish is just stunning. I’m a bit obsessed with this one!

Last but not least is Yuna, a grey polish copper and gold shimmer. Yuna is so sparkly that my camera had trouble focusing on it! Nonetheless, it’s a very rockstar polish, and is perfect to pair with your leather jacket this fall.

All in all, the Zoya Ignite Collection has six sparkly shades for fall! While cremes are much more my style, you can’t go wrong with any of these polishes! I’ll definitely be testing these out as accent nails and in nail art this fall. I can’t wait to put Remy back on very soon, in fact! You can purchase these polishes on the Zoya website HERE for $9 each. Which shades will you be purchasing?! 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.

Zoya Entice Collection for Fall 2014

Posted on September 2, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I am super excited to share the first of the Zoya Nail Polish Fall collections with you today! I absolutely love creme nail polishes, and the Entice Collection contains six beautiful fall shades. Whether you prefer neutrals or darks, the Entice Collection has a shade that is perfect for you. Let me show you these stunning polishes!

First up is Nyssa, a brown polish that reminds me of a cappuccino! Nyssa has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. In fact, I’m super impressed with all of the formulas in this collection! Nyssa in particular is perfect for a fall day, and can work great in nail art as well. If you’re not comfortable wearing brown alone, try it in an ombré with purple or red!

Next up is Claire, a deep burgundy polish that has brown undertones in it. Claire is quite vampy, but applies easily with it’s awesome formula. It reminds me of the oxblood shade that is always popular in the fall, but even darker. For some reason Claire screams “high fashion” to me!

Veronica is a lighter burgundy shade that Zoya describes as “red wine.” Veronica’s formula is spot on and opaque in two coats as well. I can definitely see this is an every day shade, and is appropriate for the office. Veronica is great for those of us who don’t rock deep and dark polishes, but still want a burgundy!

If you love purple, check out Margo! This is a beautiful plum shade with a wonderful formula. Margo is unlike any other purple polish in my collection. I love the rich pigmentation, and I think it works well for any skin tone!

Next up is Ryan, a stunning indigo polish and my favorite in the collection! I reached for Ryan as soon as I opened my box from Zoya. The formula is a dream, and I’m truly obsessed with any deep blue shades. I know Ryan will be on my fingers a lot this season!

Last but not least is Genevieve, a titanium grey polish. Genevieve looks like I dipped my nails in liquid metal! There is just the slightest shimmer in this polish that makes the finished look multidimensional. Genevieve is my second favorite in this line, and I put it right back on as soon as I was finished swatching! In fact, I’m wearing it as I type up this blog post!

All in all, I am loving everything about the Zoya Entice Collection! This is definitely one of my favorite nail polish collections of all time! I can see myself wearing each and every shade, and the creme formulas are just perfection. I highly recommend each and every polish! You can purchase the Entice Collection directly from the Zoya website HERE for $9 each. It’s worth the price tag 100%! Let me know in the comments which of the Entice Collection is your personal favorite!

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

Subscription Sunday | My First NatureBox!

Posted on August 31, 2014August 30, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have a new-to-me subscription box to share with all of you. I’ve heard so many people talking about NatureBox lately, that I just decided to give it a try. NatureBox is a subscription service that sends you a box filled with anywhere from 3-20 snacks per month. I decided to go with 5 snacks at $19.95 per month. It sounds expensive, but each snack bag is multiple servings, and they are guaranteed to be super healthy! NatureBox also provides healthier options with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. I decided that with Back to School, these snacks would be perfect to take with me to munch on throughout the day. Let me show you what was inside my first box!

Look at all of the goodies inside my box! As you can see, these are over 4oz each, and contain a lot of food in each pouch. I love that these pouches are resealable, as I popped one in my locker at school and can take it out whenever I’m hungry. I’ll tell you about about each snack, too.

Chocolate Quinoa Granola

I love chocolate and quinoa, so the two together were pretty tasty! These almost looked like small cookies, but were of course very crunchy. I really enjoyed these in the morning with my coffee!

Cinnamon Spiced Almonds

These were so good! Plain almonds can be a bit boring to snack on, in my opinion, but these were delicious. I would have liked them to be cinnamon-sugar instead of spiced, but I still loved them and ate up the entire bag.

Harvest Nut Mix

This mix is a spin on your typical party mix, and I really like it. This snack is the one currently living in my locker at school. The protein from the nuts is filling and tasty!

Açai Berry Crunch

This is another type of granola that included some sweetness from the berries. You can put this on top of yogurt or eat it as cereal, but I just ate it dry as a snack. It tasted great!

Honey Dijon Pretzels

I’ve saved the best for last! I’m not typically a huge fan of mustard, but these pretzels were AMAZING. I ate them right up! I would definitely purchase these directly from the NatureBox shop (which is another great option this service has). I highly recommend these!

All in all, I’m so glad I tried NatureBox! I loved each and every one of my snacks, but especially those pretzels. I decided to go with the surprise option, but if you want you can pick out the snacks that NatureBox sends you each month to make sure you’ll like them. You can also mark off if you have a dietary restriction, such as a gluten-free or vegan lifestyle, on the site. Sign up now and you’ll get $10 off your first box when you use my referral link HERE. I can’t wait to taste more NatureBox goodies! Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried NatureBox and what you think of it!

5 Easy Ways to Prevent Acne | No Skincare Needed

Posted on August 29, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I thought I’d do a little something different and share some tips with you about how I avoid getting acne. Let’s face it (no pun intended), we are all bound to break out every once in a while. Whether it’s from trying new products, it being that time of the month, or simply your body chemistry, acne is a pain! I’ve discovered a few, simple tricks along the way that can help prevent those pimples, so I thought I would share them with you.

1. Remove Your Makeup Every Night

Taking off your makeup before you go to bed is really important, and something many of us are guilty of not doing (including me!). Not only will leaving your makeup on accelerate aging, but it clogs your pores and can lead to acne. If you don’t have time to wash your face after a long day, use a cleansing towelette to at least get rid of the makeup. I love the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, but the drugstore offers many affordable brands.

2. Regularly Wash Your Makeup Brushes

It’s also important to wash your makeup brushes on a regular basis. How often you need to wash them depends on how often you use them. I try to wash my brushes once per week. That way, all of the excess oils and product remnants are removed. I am currently using the e.lf. Brush Shampoo, which retails for just $3.00 per bottle. It sanitizes my brushes so I know they’re clean!

3. Wash Your Face after Your Hair in the Shower

I learned this tip from MissGlamorazzi on YouTube! If you wash your face after you shampoo and condition your hair, you’ll get rid of any residue left over from those products that can stay in your pores. You can also do a little cleanse over the back of your neck as well to make sure all of the shampoo and conditioner is gone.

4. Change Your Pillowcases Often

Just like your makeup brushes, excess oils from your skin and hair can accumulate on your pillowcases. I have extra pillowcases in addition to my regular sheet sets so that I can change them often. I like to change them once per week, or more often if I’m sick. That way I’m not breathing in any germs, and my skin isn’t rubbing in them either!

5. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

This last tip is very straightforward, but something we often forget! Touching your face can not only get you sick, but it can cause acne as well. Your hands touch all sorts of things throughout the day, including germs and oils that can irritate your skin. Thus, make sure your hands are clean whenever you need to touch your face, such as during your skincare routine or putting on makeup.

All in all, these are some easy tips to follow if you want to help prevent acne. I saw changes in my skin after implementing some of theses tips, so I wanted to share them all with you! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these tips, and share what you do to prevent acne as well.

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

Dare to Compare | Neon Yellow Nail Polish

Posted on August 27, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! After tackling the orange nail polish in my collection, I moved onto the yellows and decided which ones I should keep. It turns out I owned three polishes in the neon yellow shade, so I tested each one to see if I could get rid of any as part of The Great Polish Destash. Let me show you the three neon yellows I had, and which I decided to keep.

First up is Spoiled in Did I Dye It Too Blonde? This is the first neon yellow I’ve ever purchased, and is also the most affordable. Spoiled sells for just $1.99 retail price at CVS stores, and even goes on sale for $0.99! Did I Dye It Too Blonde? is a good polish, but very sheer. I’m wearing three coats in the photo above, and as you can see it is not opaque. I always wear a white base under a neon yellow to brighten the shade anyway, so a sheer formula isn’t a big factor in this round of Dare to Compare.

Next up is Milani Neon in Totally 80’s. I purchased this polish at the Street Fair Cosmetics booth here in NYC for just $1.00, but never wore it. I was happily surprised to find that Totally 80’s has a great formula, and decent coverage in two coats. This polish is actually retired now, so it would be difficult to find it in stores.

Last up is Julep in Nikki. I remember disliking Nikki when I first tested it out, but for some reason I liked it much better this time around! Nikki is definitely a more green-toned yellow, but the formula is great and nearly opaque in two coats. So far all of the polishes are seemingly great, so it’s going to come down to the side-by-side comparison!

Once I tested out all three polishes it was clear that each shade is a little bit different. From left to right, I’m wearing the Spoiled, the Milani, and the Julep. I first decided to keep Spoiled Did I Dye It Too Blonde? because I’ve used up a significant part of that bottle, and I’ve had it since I started this blog. Then, I decided which of the two remaining polishes to destash. Because I’ve made a dent in the Julep polish, I decided to keep it as well. Milani’s Totally 80’s is a great polish to rehome, and because it is a retired shade, people might be looking for it. Thus, I decided to keep two out of three. Not too shabby!

All in all, I was surprised to have three neon yellow polishes in my collection, and even more shocked when each shade turned out to be a bit different. I’m glad I was able to get rid of one polish, and make my collection at least a little more manageable. Make sure to stay tuned for more Dare to Compare posts as The Great Polish Destash continues, and let me know what your favorite neon yellow polish is in the comments!