Category: Makeup

15 Vegan Gifts at Tarte Cosmetics | 2017 Gift Guide

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you my 2017 Gift Guide for Tarte Cosmetics. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite beauty brands. I absolutely love that Tarte is a cruelty free brand with many vegan options. I recently combed through the brand’s website and found fifteen gift ideas to share with all of you ranging in price from $12.00-$60.00. Whether you are looking for a small stocking stuffer or big beauty set this holiday season, there is a product on this list for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All images in this blog post are courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I have not tried all of the products mentioned in this blog post. That being said, I love using many Tarte Cosmetics products on a regular basis and am comfortable sharing my picks with you!

1. Limited Edition Scrub Clean Cleansing Set – $12.00 [BUY]

This skincare set includes the Deep Dive Cleansing Gel, Travel Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser and a Scrublet. This set is budget-friendly and perfect for those on your list who love skincare. I absolutely love how cute the bright pink latex-free scrubber is!

 

 

2. Delightful Discoveries Skincare & Color Set – $15.00 [BUY]

This travel set includes the Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Twinkle Stick Highlighter in Spotlight, Fake Awake Eye Highlight, and a set of Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches. If you love the dewy, highlighted look, this set is for you! I love that this has a mix of skincare and makeup products that helps you hydrate and illuminate.

3. Limited Edition Sex Kitten Squad Lash & Line Set – $16.00 [BUY]

For those of you who love glam makeup, this set is perfect! It includes the Sex Kitten false lashes, Lash Adhesive in Black, and Sex Kitten Liquid Liner in Black. I love that you get everything you need for a more dramatic eye look in this one kit. Plus, it comes in a cute box that makes it ready for gifting!

 

 

4. Limited Edition Skin Win Hydrating Skincare Set – $18.00 [BUY]

This kit is perfect for a friend who loves to travel! It includes deluxe samples of the Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer, Maracuja Oil, Rainforest of the Sea 4-in-1 Setting Mist, and Quench Lip Rescue in Shell. I’ve been loving the Drink of H2O lately, and think this set is the perfect way to try it out!

5. Limited Edition Gym Bag Grabs Athleisure Essentials – $19.00 [BUY]

If you know someone who lives at the gym, this kit is a great gift! It includes a mix of skincare and makeup products: Lifted Sweatproof Mascara, Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Quench Lip Rescue, and Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes. Pair this kit with a cute gym bag or yoga mat!

6. Brightening Bundle Spray & Sponge Set – $19.00 [BUY]

This set is perfect for those on your list who you know love makeup, but also seem to own a lot of it already. The kit includes the Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist and the Quickie Blending Sponge. Both products can be enjoyed by anyone no matter the skin shade or type!

 

 

7. Limited Edition Pretty & Purrrfect Eye Set – $20.00 [BUY]

Calling cat eye lovers! This kit is made for you! It includes the Sex Kitten Eyeliner, Sex Kitten Liquid Liner, and Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara. I always have friends asking for liquid eyeliner recommendations, so I’m sure many makeup lovers would adore this gift.

 

 

 

 

8. Limited Edition No Shower Happy Hour Athleisure Essentials – $22.00 [BUY]

If you’re busy and constantly on the go, this is the kit for you! I purchased this myself a few months ago and am completely in love with it. The set includes the Clean Queen Deodorant, Hair Goals Dry Shampoo, Tarteguard 20 Tinted Moisturizer, Tartiest Glossy Lip Paint, and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. This kit is worth the money for the dry shampoo alone – it’s amazing!

 

 

 

9. Limited Edition Mermaid Kisses Lipstick Set – $23.00 [BUY]

It can be really difficult to pick out a lipstick shade for someone else, so kits are such a fun idea during the holidays! The Mermaid Kisses set includes four shades of 12-hour lipsticks in hydrating formulas. Plus, the packaging is absolutely adorable!

 

 

 

 

10. Limited Edition Goddess Glow Highlighter – $25.00 [BUY]

Sometimes it’s nice to give a more luxurious makeup product, and this special highlighter is a beautiful option. This is an extra large compact with a stunning Golden Champagne Highlighter. The unique packaging of this compact really makes it a statement piece. I can’t get over how gorgeous it is!

 

 

 

11.  Limited Edition Lip Luxuries Deluxe Lip Sculptor Set – $34.00 [BUY]

The next lip set on the list is a really unique and fun gift. The kit comes with five tubes that are each double sided. On one end is a satin lipstick, and on the other is a super pigmented lip gloss. Think of all the fun lip looks that can be created with just this one kit! Simply tie a bow around it and you are ready to gift.

 

 

 

12. Limited Edition Cheek Charmers Deluxe Blush Set – $35.00 [BUY]

This blush set is one of my favorite items on the list! I am so obsessed with Tarte blushes that I do not own any other brands now. I got last year’s blush set for Christmas, and I’ve loved it all year long. The shades can be worn alone or mixed together. If I didn’t already own a bunch of Tarte blushes I would be grabbing this for myself!

 

 

 

13. Limited Edition Pout Pleasure Lip Set – $42.00 [BUY]

The last lip set includes five full size Lippie Lingerie Matte Tints in a variety of new vegan shades. These are great if you like to add a little color to your lips without putting on a full lipstick. I think this would make a great gift for teenagers, or people just getting into makeup, as they are not as intimidating to apply. Of course, it can be enjoyed by anyone, and I know I would love it!

14. Limited Edition Treasured Tools Brush Set – $44.00 [BUY]

You can never go wrong by gifting a beautiful set of makeup brushes! Tarte offers a few great sets, but I personally love the art featured on the Treasured Tools kit. It also comes with a gorgeous mosaic brush holder!

 

 

 

 

15. Big Blush Book Volume III – $60.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is the Big Blush Book Volume III. If you want to give a huge makeup gift this year, look no further! This amazing palette contains seven full size Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes. I cannot get over how stunning this palette is! Go big or go home with the Big Blush Book!

 

 

 

That wraps up my 2017 Tarte Cosmetics Gift Guide! I hope this helped you out if you are looking for vegan makeup and skincare gifts to give this season. Tarte does an amazing job at labeling its products online, and there are many other vegan options available. I’m always excited to try out new vegan goodies from this brand!

Shop Tarte Cosmetics online through Ebates HERE to earn cash back on your order!

Zoya Summer 2017 Lipsticks | Wanderlust Collection

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you swatches and my review of the Zoya Lipsticks for summer 2017. Zoya released three lipstick shades to go along with the Wanderlust Collection, which celebrates summer adventures. If you would like to see my swatches of all twelve nail polishes in this line, visit THIS blog post. The three lipsticks are all in shades of pink, but the formulas are all different so there is most likely an option for you! Let me show you the vegan lipsticks from Zoya for summer 2017!

First up is Kitty, a shimmering pink lipstick with a frost formula. When I first saw Kitty, I was a bit disappointed, because I really do not like lipsticks with shimmer. I was completely surprised when I applied this shade and found that it looks great! Not only does Kitty’s pink shade look great with my skin tone, but the metallic effect doesn’t show up much on the lips. I’m really excited to add Kitty to my lipstick collection!

Next up is Kirby, a bright watermelon pink lipstick with a cream formula. Zoya describes Kirby as sheer, but I find it to be quite pigmented. This lipstick is brighter than I would choose to wear, but the formula is really nice, so if you like bold lipsticks Kirby is for you. It is so much fun for spring and summer!

Last but not least is Kay, a reddish pink lipstick with a sheer cream formula. Kay’s swatch looks quite bright, but when the lipstick is applied to the lips is balances out to a more wearable shade for me. I like that the sheer formula is a bit on the glossy side, which makes the lips look really hydrated. Of course, Zoya lipsticks have a very comfortable feel and wear nicely.

All in all, I think the three lipsticks Zoya released for the summer 2017 include a nice variety of pink shades. If you are looking for a fun shade for the warm weather, there is a Wanderlust Collection lipstick for you! Each Zoya lipstick retails for $12, and can be purchased on the brand’s website HERE. Be sure to let me know in the comments which Wanderlust lipstick is your favorite!

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

Dare to Compare | Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Royal vs. Insightful

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you a comparison post between two Tarte blushes. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite makeup brands. While the products are a bit more expensive than I would normally like, the quality is amazing and I appreciate that Tarte offers many vegan products. I recently purchased the No Shower Happy Hour kit at Sephora, and one of the items it came with is an Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in the shade Insightful. I realized this blush looks very similar to Royal, another Tarte blush that I already owned. I wanted to share these blushes side-by-side so you can decide if Insightful is a must-have in your collection.

The Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal was released in the limited edition Sculpted Cheeks set for the 2016 holiday season and is no longer available for purchase. Similarly, Insightful is only available in the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I thought this post would be helpful for those of you who own the Sculpted Cheeks set and may be interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit.

When I added Insightful to my beauty stash, I noticed the packaging color was exactly the same as Royal’s. I took a closer look at the blushes next to one another, and while I thought I could see a slight difference, I knew the shades were quite close.

Here are swatches of Royal and Insightful side-by-side. While it is clear they are not exact duplicates of one another, the shades are quite close. Royal is described by Tarte as a Nude Mauve, and Insightful is described as Peachy Pink. I definitely agree that Royal feels like more of a brown shade, while I can see orange undertones in Insightful. That being said, if you do own Royal, I don’t think it’s necessary to buy Insightful. However, if you are wanting to get the No Shower Happy Hour kit to try the other products, it is worth it for the value of the other items included. Plus, both of these blushes are amazing quality. I love how smoothly they apply to the cheeks.

All in all, I hope you found this comparison post helpful if you were interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I think it is an amazing value for the money, and am so glad I didn’t get a duplicate blush shade. Make sure you buy this limited edition kit HERE before it is discontinued!

What is your favorite Tarte product? Let me know in the comments!

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

Beauty Empties | Spring 2017

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you mini reviews of all the beauty products I used up this spring. For the past year or so, I’ve focused on using a smaller beauty collection, and only opening one product of each type at a time. I do have a numerical goal of emptying 120 products this year, but so long as I reduce my spending and focus on simplifying my beauty stash I will consider that a success! Let me show you all of the products I used up in April, May, and June of 2017.

Want to see what I used up this winter? Check out THIS blog post!

MAKEUP SAMPLES

One thing I’ve been doing to use up my beauty stash is to always use a sample first. I used to save samples for travel or for another special occasion, and they would pile up and expire before I could use them. Focusing on them as soon as I get them ensures I put them to use!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I liked this primer, and it seemed to work well for me. I got a couple uses out of this sample packet, but I would be open to trying it more in the future. I do like how light it is on the skin!
  • Would I Buy it Again? I would like to try more before I buy the full size.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got four samples of this foundation with a Too Faced order, and I enjoyed trying them even though they are all different shades. I ended up deciding the shade Snow is closest to my natural skin tone, but it’s not a perfect match. That being said, I loved this foundation! It reminds me of Kat Von D’s Lock-it, but a bit lighter in coverage.
  • Would I Buy it Again? I would if Too Faced released a better shade for me.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I‘ve loved Smashbox primers for years now, and recently discovered they are vegan! You can check out the full list of vegan Smashbox products HERE if you’re interested. This is a great primer, but I do prefer the Light version, which is more mattifying. Nonetheless, I love this primer as it smooths out my skin and helps conceal enlarged pores.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! However, I would buy the Light version over this one.

MAKEUP

e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara [BUY]

  • Mini Review: This is the second e.l.f. mascara I’ve tried, and it is the second to disappoint me. When I opened this mascara, I knew right away it was going to be bad – barely any product came off the brush! I would describe this as better than wearing no mascara, but that’s about it. Plus, this mascara dried up extremely quickly. It may only be a few dollars, but it was a wasted few dollars.
  • Would I Buy it Again? No!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear CC Cream [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I absolutely loved this CC Cream! It has amazing coverage, lasts throughout the day, and provides moisturization to the skin without being too oily. Unfortunately, this product is not vegan, so I won’t be purchasing it again. I am now on the hunt for another BB or CC cream.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I made sure to use up my travel size of setting spray before it expired. This is a holy grail product for me! I will also keep this container so I can wash it out and reuse it for future travel. It is much more cost effective to decant the bigger size than to repurchase a travel size.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using a full size bottle.

e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got this setting powder to replace my Rimmel Stay Matte, and while it isn’t as good as that powder, it still gets the job done. I love how cost effective this powder is, but I do wish there was less packaging involved. I am going to reuse this compact because it has a nice size mirror inside!
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another compact.

SKINCARE

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY]

  • Mini Review: You all know by now that I love these makeup remover wipes! I repurchase them because the price point is great, and I love how they work. I am going to try to cut down on how I often I use these wipes, since I’m cutting down on disposable products in general. However, these are great for removing makeup and cooling the skin.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost [BUY]

  • Mini Review: It took me forever to use up this product! I originally purchase it because I thought it was a serum, but this is more of a primer that you use after moisturizer and before makeup. I did like this product, but I was very glad to empty it because it had been in my collection a bit too long.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Maybe.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I found this scrub at Target, and I really like it! The texture almost reminds me of sand, but it does a nice job at exfoliating the skin without being too harsh. I was ready to try out a new product as I finished this tube, but I’m still happy with how it performed.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Maybe, but I do enjoy trying new scrubs.

Dollar Shave Club Daily Face Moisturizer (not pictured) [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I used up a small sample of moisturizer that I got with a Dollar Shave Club subscription. I apologize that it didn’t get pictured for some reason! I liked this moisturizer a lot, as it has SPF25 and smells amazing. It was a bit too heavy for my skin, but if you like deep hydration, this is a great option.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Perhaps in the winter months.

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I finally finished up my non-vegan deodorant stash! I had purchased a pack of Dove deodorant at a box store because this was my go-to for years. This was the only deodorant from the drugstore that I really loved, but I’m now on the hunt for a good vegan option. Stay tuned to find out what my new holy grail will be!

HAIR CARE

CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

  • Mini Review: The one non-vegan product I continue to purchase is this medicated shampoo. I thankfully don’t need to use it as often in the summer months, but it gets the job done when I need it. No one likes an itchy and uncomfortable scalp!

ORAL CARE

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Flouride Toothpaste [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I really liked using this toothpaste! I thought the spearmint flavor would be a bit stronger based on the name, but there’s nothing I really dislike about the toothpaste.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another tube.

SPRING EMPTIES: 18

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 35

All in all, I am very happy with how many products I’ve used up even though I’m way behind on my goal of 120 empties. I’ve done a great job at using up samples, minimizing my collection, and not overbuying products. Plus, I’m at the point where I only have a few non-vegan products left to use up! Once they are all gone I plan on sharing a makeup and skincare collection so you can know what I’m currently using.

What products have you used up lately? Let me know in the comments!

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

 

How to Get FREE Makeup at CVS!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you how I get makeup for free at CVS. I know a lot of people, like myself, are on a tight budget, and the thought of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be a daunting one financially. There are many options for fabulous and affordable vegan makeup at the drugstore, and I even get some of mine for absolutely free. The tips I’m going to share with you today can be applied whether or not you are buying vegan makeup, but I wanted to share with you how budget-friendly vegan makeup can be. Let’s jump right into my savings tips!

This post is not sponsored. I am in no way affiliated with CVS Pharmacy. I simply want to share my savings tips with all of you!

The first step to getting free makeup at CVS is to sign up for the drugstore’s rewards program. The ExtraCare program is free to join, and it gives you access to sale prices, coupons, and ExtraBucks rewards, which is essentially free money to shop at CVS. Once you are signed up for the ExtraCare program, make sure you opt-in to the CVS emails and snail mail. You can see your account settings or sign up for the ExtraCare program on the CVS website HERE. It’s important to opt-in to the CVS emails at the very least, as that is where I get the majority of coupons.

The next step is to check your CVS email for coupons that can be applied to beauty purchases. Here is a screenshot from an email I received a few weeks ago in May. As you can see, I got a coupon for $2.00 off my in-store beauty purchase. All you need to do is click where it says ‘Get coupon’ and you can either print out the coupon or save it to your ExtraCare card. I always save the coupon to my card so I don’t need to use printer paper or ink. When the cashier scans my card at checkout, I tell him or her I want to use the coupons saved to my card!

Now that you have your coupon, head to CVS for some shopping! My favorite makeup brands at CVS include e.l.f., Wet ‘n Wild, and Milani. Not only are these brands extremely affordable, but they all offer vegan makeup selections that are very good quality. On this shopping trip in particular, I decided to grab the e.l.f. Clear Brow and Lash Mascara. This is one of my all-time favorite products, and I use it daily. It retails for $2.00, so I got it completely free with my coupon! Thus, to get free makeup at CVS, simply use the coupons emailed to you to buy products!

You are also going to want to sign up for the CVS Beauty Club. This is another free rewards program specifically for beauty products. In addition to earning $5.00 in ExtraBucks for every $50.00 you spend on beauty, you also get $3.00 in ExtraBucks on your birthday! New members also get a 10% off shopping pass after signing up for the club. I really love the CVS Beauty Club, because I am essentially getting free money to spend at CVS just by purchasing products I would buy anyway. You can sign up for the Beauty Club on the CVS website HERE.

Now that you’ve scored some free makeup at CVS, would you like to make a little money, too? Of course you would! I recently signed up for the cash back app called Ibotta after hearing about it for years. Ibotta is really easy to use – you simply select the store you shopped at, pick the items you bought, and take a picture of your receipt. You then earn cash back on your purchases! You often get $0.25 back just for scanning any receipt, but if you also purchase a qualifying item on the app, you will get more cash back, too. If you are not yet a member, please sign up with my referral link HERE and you will get a $10.00 cash bonus when you redeem your first rebate!

That wraps up my tips for scoring free makeup at CVS! This week I got a $1.00 off coupon, and used it to get an eyeliner from e.l.f. for free. If you would like to see my couponing hauls regularly, make sure to follow me on Instagram HERE where I post sale alerts and my purchases, mainly on the Instagram Story feature. I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments.

What are your favorite beauty products at CVS? Let me know in the comments!

My 3 Makeup Routines | No Makeup, Some Makeup, & Full Face Days

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you the three makeup routines that I do on a regular basis. I recently realized that I pretty much use the same products on a daily basis, but they do change depending on the makeup look I’m going for each day. I have three looks that I rotate depending on my mood, and those are No Makeup, Some Makeup, and Full Face Makeup. I’m going to share with you the products I wear for each of these occasions, and also share how I can easily change things up to fit whatever mood I’m in at the moment.

NO MAKEUP 

If someone asked me if I ever left the house without makeup, I would have to give an answer of yes and no. That’s because even when I’m not wearing any makeup, there are still two products I put on my face. The first is a mattifying powder. My skin gets very oily throughout the day, and a setting powder helps to ensure I don’t turn into a greasy mess. Plus, even a translucent powder can help blur enlarged pores and decrease redness. I am currently using the e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder, and it’s a great drugstore option. If I’m going to be out all day, or if the weather is especially humid, I will also use the Urban Decay De-Slick to help control oil as well. Thus, even on No Makeup days, I’m always wearing at least one makeup product.

SOME MAKEUP

Next up there are days when I want to wear some makeup, but I don’t want to put on a whole face for one reason or another. This makeup routine expands to include a face primer, stick foundation, and my eyebrow routine. I’m currently really enjoying the MAKE Face Primer with SPF 30, as it creates a nice base with sun protection. I think the e.l.f. Moisturizing Foundation Stick is perfect for this makeup look, as it is a no-fuss product that is easy to apply, yet provides a nice light to medium coverage for my skin. Sometimes I replace this with a BB Cream, as that is also a lighter coverage. Additionally, I like to fill in my brows as mine are quite sparse, and brows frame the face. Once I fill in my brows I immediately look much more polished, even if I’m not wearing any other makeup products. My routine at the moment includes the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and the e.l.f. Clear Lift Brow and Lash Mascara.

FULL FACE DAYS

Finally, I have my Full Face makeup days. I will be the first to point out that what is a full face of makeup for me is likely going to be different for you. I don’t wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, or contouring products on a regular basis, but they will sneak into my routine on rare occasions. My typical full face of makeup begins with a medium to full coverage liquid foundation. I’m currently loving the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation, which I think is worth the splurge. I also use a blush and highlighter product to liven up my face. The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush shades are my go to at the moment, as they blend beautifully. I also love the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in the shade Blush Gems, which I apply with a damp BeautyBlender. The only added product for my eyes is mascara, and I’m currently using Too Faced Better Than Sex, which I’m not loving. The last step in my routine is adding a lip color, and I’m obsessed with the Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss. This gloss adjusts to be the perfect shade for you, and I get a pretty pink!

That wraps up the three makeup routines I do on a regular basis. Whether I’m going makeup free, putting on a full face, or doing something in between, I hope this helped give you a good idea of the products I use on the daily. If you are interested in a full review of any of the products I mentioned today, let me know in the comments! I would also love to know if you have different makeup routines that you change up as well!

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

Wet ‘n Wild Crease Brush Review | Dollar Tree Find

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I recently spotted a bunch of Wet ‘n Wild makeup brushes at Dollar Tree, and decided to pick one up to try. All of the brushes in this line are cruelty free, gluten free, and vegan. I figured even if I didn’t love the brush, it was worth it for just $1.00! I picked up the Crease Brush, as I tend to always need a clean crease brush whenever I’m doing an eyeshadow look. Let me share my thoughts on this Wet ‘n Wild Crease Brush, and let you know if it’s worth the dollar.

Here is a quick look at the Crease Brush in the packaging. It comes in a reusable plastic sleeve, and has a white handle with white and pink bristles. All of the makeup brushes in this line have the same coloring, so it’s easy to spot them in the store. My Dollar Tree had a display of these brushes on the end of the makeup aisle, but if you don’t find them right away definitely do a search of the full store. Sometimes items are placed randomly at dollar stores!

The first thing I noticed about the brush is that it has a bigger head than the other crease brushes in my collection. The bristles do feel very soft to the touch, and there are a good amount of bristles on this one brush. While the Wet ‘n Wild Crease Brush does not do a great job at picking up shadows, it does nicely blend them. This is definitely a great brush to have on hand purely for blending. If you are looking for a brush that will apply a lot of shadow, this is not the brush for you. However, I’m very glad I own this for blending purposes. It is a great find for just $1.00!

All in all, I’m happy I grabbed the Wet ‘n Wild Crease Brush. It is definitely worth the money, and I am interested in trying out the other brushes in the line. Next time I go to Dollar Tree I will be sure to purchase one of the eyeshadow brushes designed to apply shadow to the lid. I’m interested to see if they will pick up a lot of shadow. I recommend visiting your local Dollar Tree and seeing what makeup products you can find for $1.00!

Have you tried any Wet ‘n Wild makeup brushes? Let me know in the comments!

Zoya Naturel Lipsticks | Cameron, Paisley, & Maxwell

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I wanted to share a quick look at the three lipsticks that coordinate with Zoya’s newest Naturel Collection. This spring, Zoya released the Naturel 3 nail polish collection, which contains six neutral shades of polish (see my full review HERE). Along with the new nail polishes, Zoya is marketing three of its lipstick shades from the Perfect Lipstick line that coordinate well with the polishes. While I’ve already posted a full review of these lipsticks in THIS blog post, I thought it would be helpful to share a closer look at the three Naturel lipsticks in a dedicated post. Let me show you Cameron, Paisley, and Maxwell!

First up is Cameron, a light beige lipstick with a cream formula. Cameron has a great pigmentation for a lipstick that is so light in shade. It makes me look a bit washed out because of my very fair skin tone, but I otherwise really like how it wears. I can see this being an everyday color for many people! Plus, this lipstick shade is extremely trendy this spring.

My favorite of the three Naturel lipsticks is Paisley, a purple-toned mauve with a cream finish. Paisley does require about two coats for opacity on the lips, and it is a bit messier to apply. Otherwise, the shade is beyond gorgeous, and I can see myself reaching for this lipstick regularly.

Last but not least is Maxwell, a deep plum shade with fuchsia glitter that has a matte finish. Maxwell has a great formula, and it is surprisingly comfortable to wear despite containing glitter. However, it is one of my least favorite lipsticks in the collection simply because I don’t like wearing glittery lip colors. Maxwell is also a bit troublesome to remove, as the glitter gets all over the place without coming off my face. That being said, if glitter lipstick is your thing, Maxwell is a nice option.

I hope this quick roundup of the three Zoya Naturel Lipsticks was helpful if you are interested in purchasing them! All three have great formulas and are comfortable to wear. Plus, I love that they are vegan friendly! You can buy the Zoya Lipsticks on the brand’s website HERE for $12.00 each.

Which Zoya Naturel Lipstick do you like best? 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. 

e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I recently made a purchase from e.l.f.’s website to stock up on a bunch of makeup products, and I decided to purchase the new Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick in the shade Fair/Light. I really like using stick concealers for days when I’m not doing a full face of makeup, so I thought I would give this product a try since it retails for just $4.00. Let me share more information about this product with you, as well as my review.

The Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick is a cream concealer with a formula designed to be buildable and blendable. It is enriched with Vitamin E to help nourish and hydrate the skin, which I find it typical of many e.l.f. products. The directions on the product say to apply the concealer on top of foundation. I did try this method, but I much prefer to use the concealer on its own or under foundation.

I really like the packaging of the Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick. It is in jumbo pencil form, so it easily applies to the skin, and can definitely be used in contouring if you are looking for a precise application. The pencil is retractable as well, which I really like.

I purchased the concealer in the shade Fair/Light, and I find it matches my skin tone really well. When I first began using this concealer, I was really disappointed. I found that it highlighted my pores and it was very difficult to blend. However, once I used it a bit more, I found that the formula improved. Sometimes products, especially from the drugstore, have an outside coating that is a bit different from the true formula, so perhaps that is the case with this concealer. Nonetheless, I find that now the concealer blends out well and doesn’t look cakey.

I prefer to use this stick concealer on days when I am not doing a full face of makeup. I will apply the concealer to any blemishes or red patches, and blend it out with a damp BeautyBlender. Then I finish the look with a translucent setting powder. I really like how the concealer works in this way. It provides a natural coverage, and it is buildable as the brand claims. I do not typically use this concealer with foundation, but it works well under my foundation, and not on top as the directions recommend.

All in all, I am very happy with the e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Lightweight Concealer Stick! While this is not the best cream concealer I’ve ever tried, I think it is good quality for the money, and I will probably repurchase it again in the future. If you are looking for an affordable cream concealer, I recommend giving this product a try! You can shop for e.l.f. products at your local drugstore or department store, or directly on the brand’s website. If you would like $5.00 off your first e.l.f. online purchase, please use my referral link HERE. You can also earn cash back through Ebates – sign up HERE with my referral link.

What is your favorite cream concealer? Let me know in the comments!

 

Beauty Favorites | Winter 2017

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! As February comes to a close, I want to share the beauty products I’ve been loving all winter long. I’m slowly trying out new products again after working through a lot of the things I already had in my beauty stash. I’ve really enjoyed buying less products and focusing on what’s in my collection, but it’s always nice to try something new, too. Let me share the beauty products I’ve been favoriting the past few months!

MAKEUP

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal [BUY]

I received the Tarte Sculpted Cheeks set for Christmas, and I am in love with the blush Royal. I didn’t think this shade would work with my fair skin, as it is a mauve shade that looks almost brown. However, Royal turns out to be the perfect, natural-looking color for my skin. I wear it almost every day! It applies beautifully with the ELF Angled Blush Brush, and I love its smooth formula. I highly recommend purchasing this limited edition blush set before it’s sold out!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara [BUY]

Another product from Tarte that I’ve really enjoyed lately is the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. I don’t usually buy high end mascaras, but I was frustrated with the vegan mascara options from the drugstore, so I splurged during a Sephora sale. While Lights, Camera, Lashes is not the best mascara I’ve ever tried, it does do a great job at giving me full lashes. I love a lot of length and volume, but I also like a drier formula. Lights, Camera, Lashes, is a bit wetter and heavier than I would like, but it’s still a great option. I’m going to try out more drugstore options next, but if you can afford this higher end mascara, it is worth it!

ELF Beautifully Bare Satin Lipstick in Touch of Pink [BUY]

I recently purchased one of ELF’s new lipsticks from the Beautifully Bare line in the shade Touch of Pink, and I’m really loving it! This lipstick is extremely comfortable to wear, and is a “my lips but better” shade for me. It smells like vanilla cake as well, which is a bonus. I think I’m going to try other lipsticks from this line, because the formula is great. You can’t beat the $5.00 price tag, either!

SKINCARE

Derma E generously provided me with some of their new products, and so far I’ve tried the Hydrating Serum. This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which always works well with my skin type. I also have great luck with hydrating serums in general because my skin gets too oily if I put on too much moisturizer, so if I can get away with just a serum that is awesome. The Derma E serum is lightly fragranced, but that goes away once the product settled into the skin. I love how firmed and smooth my skin feels after each use.

HAIR CARE

Acure Hydrating Conditioner [BUY]

I was on the hunt for a new shampoo and conditioner system to have when guests were visiting during the holidays, and found the Acure line at Target. I am obsessing over the Hydrating Conditioner! It contains Moroccan argan stem cell oil and argan oil to provide moisture to dry and damaged hair. Not only does this conditioner smell absolutely amazing, but it is bringing my hair back to life. It is so soft and it looks shiny without being greasy. I highly recommend trying out the Acure brand at Target. It is an affordable price range, and I’m going to continue to try products from the line in the future.

That wraps up my beauty favorites for this winter! I would love to know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think of them. Also let me know what your current favorites are! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your winter, and that you have a great start to spring.

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