Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Products I’ve Used Up #1

Posted on December 6, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have my first ever “empties” post, where I talk about products I’ve completely used up. I love watching these types of YouTube videos, and thought I could share my empties with you in blog form! This is a great way to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time! Let me share my empties with you, and let you know if I would repurchase them!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo – I’ve used this shampoo and conditioner set from L’Oreal many times! I love that it is sulfate free, and really leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy. It retails for around $6 at the drugstore, and is a shampoo I return to every once in a while. I definitely recommend it! [BUY]
Klorane Dry Shampoo – After getting a sample in a Birchbox, I just had to get the full size version of this dry shampoo. It is amazing! It zaps the oil right out of my hair and makes it feel clean. It’s the best dry shampoo, and worth the $18 price tag. The only drawback is it does run out rather quickly. I plan on getting another one soon, though! [BUY]
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – This is a new holy grail product! It has changed my hair for the better! My hair is much healthier now that I apply this oil, and I just love it. This travel size lasted me about six months, and it is worth it. I’ve already repurchased it! [BUY]

SKIN & BODY CARE

Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – I got this sample in a Birchbox, and I loved it! This is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliant, and it smells like lemons. It was pretty gentle as a scrub, and my face always felt great afterwards. The only reason I am not going to repurchase this is because the full size is $32.95. Otherwise, I love it! [BUY]
Lulah Body Wash in Magnolia Fig – I am just using up my subscription box products! I got this body wash in a PopSugar box, and it was so nice and luxurious. I loved the rich scent, and even the packaging is cute. At $11.25 I’m not sure I would repurchase this for myself, but it would make a great gift! [BUY]
Whish Exfoliating Body Wash – This is a body wash I wasn’t too thrilled about. While it had a pleasant scent, I didn’t like using a body cleanser with an exfoliant added in. I just prefer to do that separately. Plus, I had to use a lot of product to feel clean. I’m going to pass on this one! [BUY]
Burt’s Bees Hand Salve – This little tin contained a medicinal hand cream. I really enjoyed it for days where my hands really needed some extra help. It is quite greasy, but works well. It’s not my favorite hand cream, but definitely a good product. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

Rite Aid Renewal 100% Pure Acetone – For some reason I’ve never used pure acetone to remove my nail polish before. Now, I’m hooked! This is the best nail polish remover I’ve ever used, and it didn’t damage my nails or cuticles. Plus, this bottle lasted me a long time because I didn’t have to use as much remover. I am definitely going to be buying this again! [BUY at Rite Aid]
Sephora Collection Base Coat – This is hands down the best base coat I’ve ever tried as well! It dries really quickly, and I love the large, flat brush. The only downside is that it can only be purchased on Sephora’s website, but I’ve already gone ahead and repurchased another bottle. At $6, I think it’s a steal! [BUY]

MAKEUP

CoverGirl Natural Lash – I use this clear mascara to keep my eyebrows in place! Now I don’t have crazy hairs anymore! Unfortunately I dropped this, and it dried out rather quickly. I did repurchase, though, and I love this product! It’s around $5 at drugstores. [BUY]
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara – I also used up a black mascara from CoverGirl. I absolutely loved this one because it gave me natural and clump-free lashes. Unfortunately this line has been discontinued, but you can still purchase it on Amazon. I highly recommend it! [BUY]
Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara – Last but not least is another mascara! This is a high end one that I got in a PopSugar box. I absolutely loved it, and I was amazed how well it curled my lashes. I was so sad when it dried up because I’m not going to repurchase it at $19. It’s worth it if you can afford it, though! [BUY]

Those are all of the empty products I have to share with you today! I hope you enjoyed learning more about these products. Please let me know if you would like to see more Products I’ve Used Up posts in the future!

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

Indie Spotlight | Daphine Polish’s Holiday Collection 2013

Posted on December 4, 2013December 1, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you three beautiful polishes from the indie brand Daphine Polish. While I first tried this brand just a few months ago, it has quickly become one of my favorite indies! I was thrilled to review some of the holiday polishes for all of you. Let me show you these gorgeous polishes!

First, I wanted to show you how nice the packaging from Daphine Polish is. I love when brands put in that extra effort. It really makes getting a package even more exciting!

The first polish I have to show you is Poinsettia, a Christmas red polish with holographic shimmer throughout. Poinsettia is the perfect holiday polish! The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. Plus, it dries quickly. I recommend sealing Poinsettia with a top coat shortly after application to ensure the holographic quality really stands out.

Next up is Rudolph’s Nose, a glitter topcoat with a variety of red glitters and a sprinkling of green and gold granules. I layered one coat of Rudolph’s Nose over Poinsettia, and I’m loving the result! There is no fishing for glitters in this polish, and I love how beautiful these two look together. Of course, you can layer Rudolph’s Nose over many other polishes as well!

Last but not least is Frosty, a glitter top coat with a mix of white and iridescent glitters. I layered one coat over Zoya Hunter (see review HERE), and I’m so amazed with the result! Not only does Frosty have an amazing formula, but the iridescent glitters transform on the nail. As you can see in the photos above, shades of blue and purple magically appeared on my nails! I bet you will get a different result depending on the layering combo. I will have to experiment with Frosty more in the future for sure.

All in all, these holiday polishes from Daphine Polish are wonderful! I highly recommend them! Make sure you check out the full holiday collection on Etsy HERE. Full size polishes are $10 each, but keep an eye out for holiday sales by liking Daphine Polish on Facebook HERE. Let me know which of these three is your favorite 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.

Ho-Ho-Holiday Giveaway!

Posted on December 3, 2013December 3, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! It really is the season of giving, and I am celebrating with you by participating in another mega giveaway hosted by fellow blogger Beauty Pop Stop. First up, let me show you the eleven prizes you have a chance at winning. Then stay tuned for the entry form!

ADVENTURES IN POLISHLAND

BEAUTY POP STOP

Enkore Makeup Pro Ultra Brush Soap, Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Crash, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Mini Body Butter, Make Up Forever Aqua Shadow 28E, LUSH Ickle Baby Bot Bath Bomb

BEYOND BEAUTY LOUNGE

COSMETIC SANCTUARY

Colors by Llarowe – Behead the Drama Queen, Zoya London Pixie Dust, 2oz Zoya Remove+

THE LACQUEROLOGIST

WORK / PLAY / POLISH

Zoya Matte Velvet Jewels LE Gift Set Trio

ENTER HERE

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Thank you as always for following Adventures in Polishland! It really means a lot to me, and I hope this giveaway is a special way to give back for the support I’ve received over this past year and a half. Please make sure to visit all of the other amazing bloggers who are participating in this giveaway as well! Have a wonderful holiday season!

November 2013 Favorites!

Posted on December 2, 2013December 2, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I can’t believe it is already December, and November has come to a close. Time flies by this time of year, and I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Let me share with you the products I loved during the month of November!

NAIL POLISH

Michael Marcus Once You Go Matte – $15 [BUY]

I’ve been obsessed with this black matte nail polish! I’ve already worn it twice! I definitely suggest following up with a matte top coat to ensure it is long-lasting.

CLEANSER

Murad Clarifying Cleanser – $26 full size [BUY]

I received this cleanser in a swap, and I am loving it! It’s gentle, clears my skin of impurities, and smells like lemon-lime soda. I’ll be sad when I finish this travel size!

MOISTURIZER

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer – $65 [BUY]

I received this moisturizer in a PopSugar box, and it’s amazing! It smells like lemons, and is perfect as a day moisturizer since it is not greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. I’ve been combatting my winter skin this month, and this moisturizer has really helped!

EYESHADOW

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Just Beige – $8 [Drugstore!]

For a long time I’ve wanted a MAC Paint Pot just to cover up all of the veins on my eyelids. I didn’t want to splurge, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this Limited Edition Color Tattoo from Maybelline. It matches my skin tone well, and covers up the imperfections on my eyelids. Check your local drugstore to find it!

LIP PRODUCT

Baby Lips in Peach Kiss – $4 [BUY]

I am a self-diagnosed Baby Lips addict! I love all Baby Lips, but in November I wore Peach Kiss a lot. It is a gorgeous nude shade with a hint of sparkle. It moisturizes my lips while adding a little bit of color. I love it!

PERFUME

Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck – $49.50 full size [BUY]

I’m not a Taylor Swift fan, but I tried out this perfume sample and I’m hooked! It smells amazing, and I made this sample last as long as possible. Enchanted Wonderstruck is a great scent for the fall, and I even added the full size to my Wish List!

FASHION

Guess Pumps – $29.99 [BUY SIMILAR]

I was invited to my school’s annual gala, and I desperately needed some simple, black pumps. I found these ones from Guess at Burlington Coat Factory for just $29.99 with the original retail value of $60! I was so surprised at how comfortable these heels were, and how easy they were to walk in. I meandered the streets of Manhattan with ease!

BOOK

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – $6.99 [BUY]

I made time in my schedule this month to read Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. It is amazing! I won’t say too much, because I don’t want to spoil the story, but I did love it. I ordered the Kindle edition of the book so I could read it on my iPad and not wait for it to arrive in the mail. I highly recommend this book!

That’s it for my November favorites! I hope enjoyed this post, and be sure to let me know what your November favorites were in the comments!

Some of 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.

Winter Wonderland Week Roundup

Posted on November 30, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I just wanted to share a quick roundup of all my Winter Wonderland Week posts just in case you may have missed one of them. If you have any other holiday nail art or beauty posts that you would like to see, let me know in the comments, and I will try to get them up before the season comes to a close!

Candy Cane Nails

Glam Holiday Makeup

Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare

Snow-Capped Nails

Gift Guide – Fashion, Home, & More

Holiday Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

I hope you found Winter Wonderland Week to be enjoyable and inspirational! As always, thank you for following my Adventures in Polishland!

Winter Wonderland Week | Holiday Water Decals from Born Pretty Store

Posted on November 29, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s the last day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland. To close things out I have another holiday manicure! This time I’m using water decals from Born Pretty Store. As you know, I am not a nail art expert, so I love using stickers and other accessories for my nails to dress them up a bit. Let me share with you the designs Born Pretty has to offer this holiday season!

Here is the sheet of holiday decals from Born Pretty Store! As you can see, there are four different themes, and many designs to choose from. I personally like this sheet because even though it is called “Christmas Theme,” there are lots of other choices, such as snowmen and gingerbread houses, to ensure this can be used all winter long!

I decided to make a snowman the center of my manicure! First, I began with Sally Hansen Mint Sorbet as a complimentary base. Once that had dried completely, I began applying the water decals. These decals work just like temporary tattoos. Simply cut out the design of your choice and remove the plastic film covering the design. Then, dip the design into water for 10-20 seconds, and carefully slide the design off the paper and onto your nail. Let the decals dry, and follow up with a top coat to complete the look!

All in all, I love these water decals from Born Pretty Store! They are really simple to apply, and make a great holiday manicure. You can get this sheet of decals for just $1.99 on Born Pretty’s website HERE. As always, use code FZL91 for an additional 10% off! Let me know what you think of my festive phalanges in the comments!

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.

Happy HAUL-idays Giveaway!

Posted on November 29, 2013November 27, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m excited to announce the first giveaway I’m participating in this holiday season. Send a big THANK YOU over to The Lacquerologist for putting this all together, and please take a moment to visit all of the amazing bloggers who have chipped in to make this giveaway possible. Good luck!

ENTER HERE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHOW THESE BLOGGERS SOME LOVE!

Adventures in Polishland

Nail A College Drop Out
Pointless Cafe

Polished Cousins
Possibly Polished

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Fashion, Home, & More

Posted on November 28, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday, and Happy Thanksgiving! Today I have the second part of my Gift Guide to share with all of you. If you’re looking for something other than beauty products to give this season, this post is for you!

Delias Cable Heart Sweater

What:

A warm, cuddly sweater with a heart print.

Price:

$34.50 – save 20% with code DFT20 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Printed sweaters are in this season! Keep your loved one warm this winter with an adorable heart design. Delias is one of my favorite stores!

BaubleBar Rose Dandelion Bib

What:

Bib necklace with mainly rose-colored stones from Miss Glamorazzi’s BaubleBar line.

Price:

$38 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

BaubleBar jewelry is affordable yet great quality! This necklace in particular is fashionable, and will go with a lot of outfits.

Whose Woods Are These Handmade Soy Candles

What:

Handmade candles and other relics of whimsy!

Price:

$12 to $30 on average [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you love vintage finds and candles, this is the shop for you! Everything is made with care, and make perfect gifts.

Divergent Series Complete Box Set

What:

The complete Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth.

Price:

$33.58 (Retail Value: $55.97) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

I read the Divergent series this year, and it is amazing! Any reader on your list will absolutely fly through these books. I highly recommend them!

Chery’s Sweet Holiday Cheer Gift Tin

What:

Snowman tin with 16 individually wrapped buttercream cookies.

Price:

$38.99

Why I recommend it:

My mom got me some of Cheryl’s cookies for my birthday, and they were divine! If you don’t have time to bake during the holidays, let Cheryl’s do the work for you. These cookies are so delicious!

And that completes my Gift Guide! I hope you found this post helpful! Let me know if you end up giving any of these gifts to your loved ones this season.

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

Winter Wonderland Week | Snow-Capped Nails

Posted on November 27, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Winter Wonderland Week continues today with another holiday manicure. If you’re looking for a festive look that is a bit more abstract, then stay tuned! I created a sparkly look that can be worn all winter long!

To create a snow-capped manicure, I began with one of my favorite blue polishes, CoverGirl Out of the Blue [see review HERE]. You can use any blue nail polish that you have in your collection, but I think it will look best with one that is bright! Once my base had dried, I took Shimmer Polish in Cassandra, a white and silver glitter polish, and tapped that all over the tops of my nails. No need to be precise here – just a few dabs and your nails will easily look as though you dipped them in snow! To customize your look, use any white or holographic glitter in your stash. The chunkier the better, since it looks like real snow! Seal your manicure with a top coat, and you’re ready for the next flurries!

All in all, I’m loving my snow-capped nails! The look is simple to create, yet looks stunning! Not only is this a wintery manicure, but it works perfectly for Hanukkah as well. Of course, you can customize the manicure using any colors you wish and rock the technique all year long. The possibilities are endless! As always, if you create my snow-capped manicure, feel free to share a photograph on my Facebook page HERE. Winter Wonderland Week continues tomorrow!

Some of 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.

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare!

Posted on November 26, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I wanted to share some gift ideas with all of you. Whether you’re shopping for someone special, or simply looking for items to put on your own wish list, here are some ideas that I have! This post will be all about beauty and skincare products, but later on this week I’ll have even more ideas to share. Let’s get into the goodies!

L’OCCITANE Hand Indulgences

What:

Trio of 3 shea butter hand creams in the scents Fleur D’or, Cherry Blossom, and Shea Butter.

Price:

$28 (Retail Value: $36) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

These luxurious hand creams are perfect for the winter season (especially if you have a nail polish aficionado for whom to shop!). Give the entire set to one person, or split them up for stocking stuffers.

Sigma Essential Kit

What:

A set of 12 professional makeup brushes, including face and eye brushes.

Price:

$139 – save 10% with code NOV2013 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

All makeup lovers need great brushes! Sigma offers amazing brushes that are more affordable than other high end companies. Spoil your loved one with a set of these brushes, and she will appreciate it for sure.

bhCosmetics Eyes on the ’60s Palette

What:

An eyeshadow palette complete with 30 shades in all colors of the rainbow.

Price:

$9.95 (Retail Value: $19.95) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

bhCosmetics is a favorite of YouTube Beauty Guru Carli Bybel. She uses the shadows so often, it prompted me to purchase a palette from the brand, and I highly recommend it! Plus, the prices are perfect for everyone’s budget.

Sephora X The Twenty-Two

What:

Set of 22 mini nail polishes from Sephora’s new Sephora X collection. Contains creams, neons, chromes, and glitters!

Price:

$55 (Retail Value: $103) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Sephora X polishes have an amazing formula, and are great for any nail polish lover. This is another set that can be given as a large gift, or opened up and split up into many gifts. Plus, it’s a fabulous value!

Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her

What:

A set of 14 perfume samples, a clutch, and a voucher for a free full-sized fragrance.

Price:

$70 (Retail Value: $140) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Picking out the perfect fragrance can be difficult. Sephora makes your job as gift-giver easier with this sampler by providing an array of perfumes.

Wantable Makeup Box

What:

A box filled with 4 to 5 full-sized makeup products. What’s inside is a surprise!

Price:

$40 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you really have no clue what to buy the makeup lover on your list, get her a mystery box! Wantable offers amazing high end products that she is sure to love.

These are all of my top gift picks for beauty and skincare this holiday season! There are, of course, many more great brands and options to choose from, but I hope you can draw inspiration from this Gift Guide as you head to the stores. Happy Shopping!

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