Beauty – Page 17 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Beauty

Reach Your Health Goals in New York City with Walgreens Balance Rewards!

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BalanceRewards #CollectiveBias

Happy Monday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I’m always sharing ways to stay fabulous and affordable. If you’re a Walgreens shopper like I am, you are probably signed up for the free Balance Rewards program to earn extra savings throughout the store. Today I’m here to let you know about the Walgreens app that allows you to earn points for tracking the healthy choices you make on a daily basis. That’s right – you can save money and work on your health goals at the same time! Let me show you how I began using the app to stay fit in New York City!

ABOUT THE APP

The free Walgreens app can be downloaded directly from the app store on whatever device you have (I use an iPhone 5). When you first open the app, you get the welcome screen shown to the left, and then the home screen on the right. In addition to prescription reminders, coupons, and a store locater, you can see a walking man on the bottom left. That’s the icon you need to click on to start making healthy choices!

Once tapping on the healthy choices icon, you’ll see this screen. Here is where you can log your health and activity – your steps, weight loss, heart rate, sleep, etc. This screenshot is my “before” screen – as you can see, I have 940 Balance Rewards points from shopping in Walgreens, but I haven’t yet logged any activity. Now that you’ve seen the basics of the app, let’s get walking!

STAYING FIT IN NEW YORK CITY

When I found out that I could earn Balance Rewards points by tracking the healthy choices I’m already making, I was so excited! The easiest way to stay fit in NYC is to walk everywhere. In fact, I rarely use the subway anymore. Not only do I save money by not taking public transportation, but I get to enjoy Downtown Manhattan as I walk to school each day and keep in shape. I walk at least three miles every day, and now I can earn Balance Rewards as well. Here’s how I log my walking on the Walgreens app.

First, I click on the steps icon that you see on the healthy choices home page and choose “Add Activity.” Then, I simply enter the date, how much I walked, and can even put in things like intensity and mood. The screenshot on the right shows that 60 points were added to my Balance Rewards account to reward me for staying fit! This is such a great incentive for not only walking every day, but remembering to pull out my app and use it. Of course, if you run or do other sorts of activity, feel free to log it as well.

Now that you’ve seen how the app works, I want to show you some of my favorite views from my NYC walks. The city is so beautiful, and there’s always something going on to see.

All in all, I’m so glad I discovered that I can earn Balance Rewards and stay fit at the same time with the Walgreens app. Not only can I remember to make healthy choices, but I can save up for more beauty products as well. How awesome is that?! For more information on all of the ways you can earn points, visit the Walgreens website HERE. Whether you live in NYC or not, you can download the app for free and start racking up points today. Make sure to let me know in the comments how you plan on making healthy choices with Walgreens!

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.

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.

My Makeup Collection & Storage!

Posted on August 23, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! A few months ago, I asked if you were interested in seeing a makeup collection tour, and I got some comments saying yes! I decided to film a video of my collection that shows you how I organize everything, and along the way I share some of the products with you as well. Please note that many of these products were gifted from friends or family, or provided from the brand for review. Plus, as a beauty blogger I’m always on the hunt for new products! Right now I’m really happy with the size of my collection, and want to get a lot of use out of it before I add anything else. Now, onto the tour!

WHAT I USE TO ORGANIZE

InterDesign Acrylic Drawers – $10-15 on Amazon HERE

I’m currently using four sets, and they are easily stackable. Plus, I love that I can see the products clearly and that the drawers are easy to clean. The price fluctuates on Amazon, but they are definitely affordable, and always under $15 each.

Target Room Essentials Small Cups – $2 at Target HERE

Target always has cute cups in the Home department, so I grabbed a few last year. The design is seasonal, but right now they offer the cute floral design shown. Of course, any cups will do, but I find that Target offers really affordable yet great quality stuff. I use these for my brushes and mascaras/eyeliners/etc.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

I mentioned a lot of products in my video, so I wanted to link you to some of the reviews I’ve done over the past couple years here at Adventures in Polishland! Of course, if there was a product I mentioned that you want to learn more about, just let me know in the comments.

Makeup Reviews

NYC New York Color Red Lip Products – LINK

Studio Gear Hydrating CC Cream – LINK

Wet ‘n Wild Walking the Red Carpet Palette Review – LINK

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation – LINK

Maybelline Baby Skin vs Too Faced Primed & Poreless – LINK

Manna Kadar Cosmetics | Multi-Product Review – LINK

Whiplash Eyelash Curler – LINK

Skincare Reviews

RoC Brand Eye Care – LINK

Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum – LINK

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – LINK

That’s it for my makeup collection & storage post! I hope you enjoyed it! I would love to see your makeup collection, so please post a photo on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandMakeup so I can see it!

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.

My Everyday Hair & Makeup Routine! | All Drugstore Products

Posted on August 19, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Back to school time is right around the corner, so I thought I would share with you my everyday hair and makeup routines. I stick to the very basics on a daily basis, and I typically use all drugstore products. What else would you expect from this fabulous and affordable girl?! If you’re in a rush in the morning, this look is perfect for you. Plus, I keep everything quite natural, so if you’re new to makeup this is a great routine for you to adopt as well. Let me show you all the products I use, and then the before and after!

WHAT YOU NEED

Here are the eight products I use everyday! While sometimes the brands may change (i.e. a CoverGirl mascara or a Baby Lips lip balm), these are the basics that I always reach for to make up my face.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser [REVIEW] [BUY] – This primer is amazing, and you all know I love it by now! It evens out my skin and makes it feel smooth and soft.
CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in L2 [BUY] – I recently purchased this foundation, as it was around $10 at the drugstore and I’ve loved the other CoverGirl foundation I tried in the past. The TruBlend is definitely a light to medium coverage, and applies really easily with a sponge like the BeautyBlender.
Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer in Light [BUY] – I finally found my holy grail under eye concealer! Revlon nailed it with this ColorStay line. It blends out perfectly and really brightens my under eye area. It’s a bit on the “expensive” side at the drugstore at around $12, but the twist-up packaging ensures you use each and every bit of product. I think it’s 100% worth the price!
Milani Brow Fix Kit in Light [BUY] – Brows are the most important part of my makeup routine! My natural brows are uneven, with the left one being far sparser than the right. Luckily, this little kit comes with everything I need to define my face! I use both the light and dark shades to create the perfect brow color.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream [BUY] – Powder is also a must for me, as my skin gets quite oily throughout the day. My recent favorite is the Maybelline Dream Matte, but I’m also a fan of the Rimmel Stay Matte. I dust this stuff all over my face, and it looks flawless!
NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY] – I was afraid to try cream blush for the longest time, but now I love it! Just a few taps of this product and I can easily bring some color to my face. It blends out easily with my fingers as well!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black [REVIEW] [BUY] – If there’s one part of my makeup routine that I like to be a bit “dramatic,” it’s my lashes. I’m truly obsessed with this mascara from L’Oreal, and I highly recommend it. It gives my lashes length, volume, and a great curl without any clumps.
Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in Honey [BUY] – I love this jumbo lip crayon! It’s so easy to apply, and because it is a stain it will stay on all day even through eating and drinking. Honey is a great “my lips but better” color that is polished yet still not over the top.

My hair routine is so simple it only requires two products! I have naturally wavy and frizzy hair, so I like to let it air dry before I flat iron it. If I have second-day hair, I will use a dry shampoo before styling.

Göt2b Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Flat Iron Balm [BUY] – Heat protectant is a necessity, especially because I use a flat iron so much! I love this one because it really gives my hair a shiny yet non-greasy look. The bottle also lasts for a very long time!
Conair Ceramic 2″ Straightener [BUY] – The upside to having thin hair is that I don’t have to spend a lot of money on a fancy flat iron. This one from the drugstore works amazingly well, and costs around $20! I’ve had this model for about three years now.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Ta da! As you can see, I think my everyday makeup and hair routine polishes up my natural self just a bit. I still look like me, and I don’t look like I’m wearing too much makeup. I’m ready to show my face in the city of New York and feel great about it!

All in all, I hope seeing my everyday hair and makeup routine helped inspire you! Whether you’ve discovered some great drugstore products, or simply liked my before and after transformation, please let me know in the comments if you’d like to see more makeup posts like this one! Also, let me know what your everyday hair and makeup routines consist of because I want to know! If you’re feeling brave, post a before and after on Instagram and tag me in it! Best of luck if you’re heading back to school like I am!

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

Products I’ve Used Up #4

Posted on August 15, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s time for another products I’ve used up post here at Adventures in Polishland. It always feels great to use up products that I purchase. Let’s get right into my empties, and I’ll share mini-reviews of each product.

HAIR CARE

I used up two dry shampoos recently. First is my all-time favorite, the Klorane Dry Shampoo [BUY]. I’ve repurchased this countless times now! Next up is the Aveeno Pure Renewal that I got at Duane Reade. I did like it, but it was a bit expensive (around $10) and I prefer to splurge on the Klorane, which works much better.

FACE PRODUCTS

I used up a lot of face and makeup products this time around! I’ll tell you about each one from left to right.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin – I really like this moisturizer from the drugstore. It works well, but it’s not the best moisturizer ever if you know what I mean. I highly recommend it for ultra sensitive skin, though. It’s light enough to wear all year long as well.
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation – I LOVED this foundation. In fact, it’s my favorite that I’ve tried so far! I found that my skin loved it, too, and broke out less when I used this on a regular basis. If you’re looking for an affordable foundation, run to the drugstore and get this one!
Manna Kadar Lash Ware Mascara – I got this mascara in a Wantable box, and fell in love as well. It really does a great job at separating my lashes for a full look. You can purchase this online, but keep in mind it is a luxury brand.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – I purchased this powder during a sale event, and I’m so glad I did. It’s amazing, and great at keeping face matte and getting rid of shine. I’ve heard this product is being discontinued, which is highly disappointing since I really love it!
Maybelline Baby Skin – I’ve raved about Baby Skin on Adventures in Polishland before (see that post HERE). It’s a really great drugstore primer, and I’ve already purchased another one!

MAKEUP REMOVER

I’ve gone through a lot of makeup remover recently! In the summer, I use a lot of wipes because they keep me feeling fresh and clean.

Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads – I got these in a Beauty Army box, and to be honest I didn’t like them. It’s basically a cotton square that you wet with water and wipe over your face. It didn’t take off all of my makeup, especially mascara, and I felt like I had to do heavy cleansing afterwards.
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really have grown to love the Simple Wipes in the past few months. I think my skin is either getting used to them, or they’ve somehow gotten better. Whatever the reason, I’m digging these!
Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – These were my all-time favorite wipes, and I’m glad I stocked up on them during sale events because they were discontinued by the brand. There is a new wipe in the Fresh Effects line, so I’ll have to see how I like them at some point.
Sephora Instant Eye Makeup Remover – I bought this eye makeup remover in hopes that it would take off my mascara with ease. It didn’t. I’ve found other makeup removers that work much better than this, so I’ll stick with those.

BODY PRODUCTS

Secret Outlast Deodorant – Here’s my secret: I hate Secret deodorants! I used to use this brand all the time, but now I remember why I stopped. For some reason, Secret does not prevent all the odor. But the fun doesn’t stop there. For some reason, this product locks in the odor, and no matter how much I shower and scrub my pits with soap, the scent lingers. It’s really horrible!! I know Secret is a very popular brand, but it just does not work with my body chemistry.
Jergens BB Body Cream – I really enjoyed trying this out! It did make my skin look nice and flawless, but I can’t bring myself to purchase the full size. Maybe I will if I get a good coupon!
Walgreens Hand Sanitizer with Aloe – I keep a pump of hand sanitizer on my desk at all times. You’ve probably seen a lot of these in my empties by now!
Bath & Body Works Vanilla Verbena Sugar Scrub – This is the first sugar scrub I’ve ever tried, and I did like it. I didn’t use it very often, but the scent was very calming. I did purchase two other Bath & Body Works scrubs during the latest sale, but couldn’t find this one again.

Well, that’s it for my products I’ve used up! In this edition I had a lot of great products, and only a few bad ones. I’m sad with the products that were discontinued, though! Make sure to let me know what products you’ve used up lately, and tell me a product that you loved but was later discontinued.

Makeup by One Direction | Up All Night Review

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

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you one of the limited edition tins from the Makeup by One Direction line! A couple weeks ago, I told you all about the three Looks Collections HERE. Make sure to check out that post for detailed information about all of the tins, and for the US release dates. I was sent the Up All Night palette, which is definitely geared for concert-goers! If you’re headed to a One Direction concert anytime soon, you’ll want to snag this tin!

Here’s what the tin itself looks like. I really love the packaging! It’s very sturdy and organized. Plus, I think it’s a great idea to have some tips on how to use the products right on the inside of the tin. Now, let me show you each of the products!

First up is the Stand Out Eye and Body Crayon in a dark denim shade. This is basically a jumbo crayon that you can use as eyeliner, or for anything else. I tested it as an eyeshadow base, and it worked really well for that. The formula is smooth and creamy, and blends out easily. If you’re using this purely as a liner, I suggest setting it with a powder product to avoid smearing.

Next up is the 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette. I really like how the names of the eyeshadows are right on the back of the palette. It’s so helpful! I swatched each of the shadows above over a primer so that my camera would capture them well. You can go with or without primer in real life, as I find these shadows are nicely pigmented and quite buttery. From left to right, the shades are: Up All Night, Another World, Save You Tonight, Gotta Be You, and More Than This. I do love that there are two neutral shades in this palette, as those are perfect for everyday looks. The blues are beautiful, but definitely more for “going out.” This is a great little palette to stick in your purse if you’re heading straight to the One Direction show after school or work!

To complete your eye makeup, this kit includes the Little Black Dress Volumizing Mascara in Perfect Black. To be honest, this mascara left me a bit underwhelmed. It gives much more of a natural look, which is nice, but it’s not too volumizing as the name suggests.

The Up All Night collection also includes two lip products, with the first being the I Should Have Kissed You lipstick. This is a super bright pink lipstick with a matte finish. The formula is extremely opaque in one coat, and will stay on all night. In fact, I Should Have Kissed You will stain your lips, so you may want to wear a lip liner or primer. The color is so vibrant that I felt a bit silly wearing it, but if you love bright lips this one is perfect for you!

The other lip product is the Taken Liquilights Lip Gloss. This is a bright pink lip gloss that glows to orange under a UV light. Unfortunately I don’t have a UV light so I couldn’t test the color change, but I did give the lip gloss a try. Because it is packed with glitter, it is a little uncomfortable to wear – I can feel the glitter granules on my lips as I wear it. Other than that, the formula is nice, and applies very easily. You can either wear Taken alone, or layered over I Should Have Kissed You to enhance your pink pucker!

My favorite product in the Up All Night tin is, of course, the Na Na Na nail polish! Na Na Na is a gorgeous metallic blue shade with hints of green and gold. The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. I am really impressed with this polish! In fact, I would love to see more polishes come out from this line!

Last but not least we have the Decorator Stencil Set. These stencils are included as a little bonus, and can be used to decorate your limited edition tin, or for whatever your heart desires! There are a bunch of different designs, but I thought I’d share the cute diamonds.

All in all, the Up All Night tin from the new Makeup by One Direction line is a fun collection for any One Direction fan. The quality of the products is pretty good overall, with the nail polish being the stand out product for me. Whether you’re heading out for the night, or simply looking for some bright makeup shades, the Up All Night tin might be perfect for you! Make sure to like the Makeup by One Direction Facebook Page HERE for updates, and let me know what product you would most like to try from the Up All Night tin in the comments!

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

My Summer Skincare & Hair Care Essentials for Natural Beauty! #WalgreensBeauty

Posted on August 6, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you some of my summer beauty essentials in both skincare and hair care. When the weather gets hot and the sun is baring down, I need to make a few changes in my every day routines to ensure that I’m protecting myself from UV rays, and feeling great, too. You all know I love a good drugstore haul, and I headed to Walgreens to pick up a few needed items. The Walgreens location by Union Square is definitely one of my personal favorites. It has an amazing food bar on the first floor where you can get snacks and more (there’s fro-yo available… #winning), and the second floor is home to a huge beauty department. Let me take you on a virtual shopping trip through Walgreens, and share my summer essentials!

LET’S GO SHOPPING!

Here’s my view from the top of the escalator in Walgreens! This is just a snippet of the amazing beauty department. I love this Walgreens because it has tons of limited edition displays and brands I can’t find anywhere else. During this particular shopping trip, I was on the hunt for sunscreen and hairspray.

My first stop was the suncare aisle to find the new Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30. I was beyond excited when I found a stack of $1.00 off coupons right in front of the product! Woo hoo!

Finally, I perused the hair care aisle, and grabbed the Mark Hill Fabulous Finish hairspray. I love the Mark Hill line, and it is exclusive to Walgreens!

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

Here are four of my favorite skincare products to use in the summer! I’ll tell you a bit about each item, and why I like it!

Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30 – Sun protection is vital, especially in the summer! One reason I avoided sunscreen when I was younger is because it smelled, was greasy, and just a huge mess to put on. This new sunscreen from Banana Boat is anything but those things! It comes it an easy-to-apply spray-on bottle, and does not have that typical “sunscreen” scent. It also dries really fast, and leaves the skin soft and not greasy. In fact, this is a special 2 in 1 formula that includes a moisturizer! That way, you’re applying your aloe before the sun penetrates your skin. No need for a separate moisturizer!
Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched – Did you know your lips can get sunburned, too? Avoid that by using lip products with SPF! I’m addicted to Baby Lips, and my all-time favorite is Quenched, the clear lip balm. It has SPF 20 in it, and moisturizes my lips really well.
Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – To stay refreshed, I love using this roll-on under my eyes. It has a cool, metal ball that instantly makes me feel more awake. Plus, it contains vitamins to keep your skin looking naturally beautiful. If you need some extra cooling, keep this in the fridge!
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I love face wipes all year long, but in the summer nothing feels better than cleaning my face with a nice cool wipe! Whether it’s to remove makeup or simply refresh my skin, these Simple wipes are some of my absolute favorite!

MY SUMMER HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS

Now onto my hair care! I switch up my shampoos and conditioners all the time, but here are some things I always need!

Mark Hill Gorgeous! Fabulous Finish Hairspray – I’m not usually a hairspray girl, but I’m glad I tried out this one from Mark Hill! It’s amazing! It smells great, gives my hair volume, and tames all the fly-aways before the summer humidity takes control. It also doesn’t give my hair that stiff feeling that other hairsprays do. In fact, Mark Hill designed this so it can brush out with ease. Genius!
Goody Tangle Fix Brush – My go-to summer brush is this one from Goody. It is extremely gentle, and perfect whether your hair is wet from swimming or dry from the heat. If you have this hair like I do, this brush is wonderful. And yes, I got the children’s design because I like purple and leopard print!
Mark Hill MiracOILicious 2 Minute Intensive Treatment – This is my all-time holy grail hair product, so I had to include it! This treatment contains Moroccan Argan Oil, and makes my hair feel soft and hydrated no matter what time of year. I use it about 2-3 times per week in place of my regular conditioner. It’s better than some of those luxury hair masks at a fraction of the price!
Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo is also a must. I use it every other day to keep my hair refreshed and grease-free. I recently picked up Psssst!, the original dry shampoo, because I wanted an affordable option. I’m loving it! Not only does it smell amazing, but it gets rid of any oil in a couple minutes.

These are all of my summer skincare and hair care essentials! I hope you found this helpful! Next time you go to Walgreens, be sure to bring THIS coupon. You can get a free gift with any $20 beauty purchase from now until August 30, 2014. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your summer essentials are. I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Stay cool!

Milani Limited Edition Bella Blue Collection | Nails, Eyes, & Lips!

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

Happy Saturday! Today I’m excited to bring you a post featuring the limited edition Bella Blue Collection from Milani Cosmetics. I usually keep my makeup simple and natural, but I stepped outside of my comfort zone to test out some blue mascaras and even (gasp!) a blue lipstick! Let me go ahead and show you the Bella Blue Collection!

Milani Bella Blue Collection

NAIL POLISH

Let’s begin with the nail polish in this collection! Bella Blue is a blackened-blue polish that is packed with crystal-like blue glitters. It has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, and looks super rock ‘n roll! I wouldn’t think of this as a standard summer polish, but I love the edgy look it has. I also got compliments while wearing it! Bella Blue is definitely a hit for me in the nail polish department.

MASCARA

There are also three blue-toned mascaras in this collection! Each is a bit different, so let’s take a closer look.

Bella Blue is the first mascara, and it is a metallic, ocean blue with hints of blue and purple glitters. The formula is good, but does tend to clump up due to its metallic nature. I also found that the curl on this one is not strong on its own, so you may want to curl your lashes in advance of applying Bella Blue. As you can see, the color is definitely pigmented! I also think this shade looks amazing with my skin tone!

Next up is my favorite of the mascaras, Mediterranean Blue. This mascara is more of a teal shade, and does not contain any glitter whatsoever. The formula is great, and very pigmented. Feel free to layer Mediterranean Blue over a black mascara if you don’t want the color to be as vivid.

Last but not least is Azure, a light blue packed with opalescent sparkle. I like that the formula on Azure still applies well, and that the glitter isn’t too “disco ball.” Instead, you get a nice glimmer when the sun hits your lashes, but it’s not too noticeable otherwise. The color payoff of Azure is similar to Mediterranean Blue, but is definitely more cool-toned.

LIPS

The final product in the Bella Blue Collection is a blue lipstick of the same name. I really like the clear packaging of this lipstick, and I was amazed when I discovered that it smells just like cinnamon rolls! Seriously, it smells amazing! I was a bit nervous to try Bella Blue, but found that I actually liked the color. It is a metallic lipstick, and looks like a bluish-purple on my lips. The formula is light and creamy, but I find that it’s not opaque and I struggled to get a clean edge. I tried Bella Blue over lip primer and with a lip liner, but it actually looks best on its own. I just wish it was opaque! What do you think?!

All in all, I think the Bella Blue Collection from Milani is super fun for summer! I, of course, love the nail polish, and the mascaras are great for a pop of color in any makeup look. You can find the Bella Blue Collection at select Walgreens, Kmart, and Fred Meyer stores this summer. Make sure to look for the limited edition displays before these products sell out!

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