Beauty – Page 22 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Beauty

How to Get the Most for Your Money at Sephora – Part 2

Posted on October 31, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! After posting a spoiler of my recent Sephora haul on my Facebook page, I knew I had to share more about the products I purchased, and the great deals I got. Back in March, I shared with you six simple steps to get the most for your money at Sephora (you can see that post HERE). Today, I’m going to change those steps up just a bit for even more savings. Let’s get started!

1. Start at Ebates.com and shop online!

For a long time, I thought that Ebates was some sort of gimmick or spam website, but now I’ve been a member for a few months, and it is totally legitimate! Sign up, and you’ll earn cash back for almost all of your online purchases. I’ve already received my first check, so I know it’s safe to use. Sign up HERE. All Sephora purchases get 4% cash back!

2. Spend $50 to get free shipping!

I only shop at Sephora a few times per year, so I think it is fine to splurge and spend the big bucks! To get to the $50 limit for free shipping, I got the Sephora Collection Base Coat at $6, Philosophy Vanilla Birthday Cake Shower Gel at $16.50, and Too Faced Primed & Poreless at $30. I am running out of Primed & Poreless, and it is easily a holy grail product for me (see a full review HERE). I also love the Sephora base coat, and the Philosophy Shower Gel was my bonus product. It will last me a very long time, and I’ve been hearing so many beauty gurus talking about it lately that I needed it in my life!

3. Add on the bonus products!

The bonus round is definitely my favorite part of shopping on Sephora’s website! This is the key to getting the most for your money. There are three ways to get bonuses added to your order:

The annual birthday gift: Every Beauty Insider member gets a free birthday gift! This year is was the Benefit Real Birthday Turn-Ons duo with a mini They’re Real mascara and Watt’s Up highlighter. This set retails for $14.41!
Weekly Specials promo code: You can always add a promotional code to any order over $25 – a true bonus that you cannot claim in store! The specials change weekly, and feature amazing deluxe samples of high end products. I got the Clinique Acne Solution Cleansing Foam, which has a retail value at $7.89!
Claim a perk: Use your Beauty Insider points to grab a freebie! Perks start at 100 points, and feature great deluxe samples. I grabbed a mini Sephora X nail polish in the shade Pyrotechnic. Its retail value is $4.20! Don’t forget, the Beauty Insider program is free, so there is no reason not to join!

4. Grab your free samples!

Every Sephora order comes with three free samples! They rotate all the time, but here’s what I grabbed with this order: Flash by Jimmy Choo perfume, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, and REN Hydra-Calm Day Cream. These three samples together have a retail value of $8.29!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $87.29

TOTAL SPENT (including tax!): $57.16

SAVINGS: $30.13 + $2.29 cash back from Ebates

All in all, I am really happy with my latest Sephora haul! I got great savings and some amazing products. When you’re on a budget, it’s definitely difficult to shop at Sephora on a regular basis, but by using these steps you can make each haul worth it. I hope you find this post helpful. Let me know what deals you’ve gotten at Sephora lately!

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

Be Boo-tiful this Halloween with Duane Reade Hosiery!

Posted on October 13, 2013October 21, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

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Happy Sunday, and welcome to Halloween Week here at Adventures in Polishland! Every day this week I will be sharing Halloween nail art ideas, and I’m kicking things off with a fun costume. Being a full-time student is busy and stressful, so when it comes to picking out a costume I want the process to be as simple as possible. After hearing about the items available at Duane Reade, I headed to my local store to stock up. My first task was searching through my closet for costume ideas.

When I spotted three leopard print dresses in my closet, I knew I would use one as my starting point. Many women own at least something with leopard print, so whether you have shoes, a scarf, or even a leopard print purse, this is a great piece to build upon. After choosing this dress from Express, I headed to Duane Reade with a leopard agenda!

Check out this amazing hosiery section at my local Duane Reade! Whether you’re looking for something sheer or opaque, nude or black, patterned or plain, you’ll find it here for an affordable price. I actually had a difficult time deciding which tights I would purchase, but finally picked out two pairs.

First, I grabbed a pair of Sheer stockings in the shade nude just to play it safe. Then, I grabbed some black tights with a fancy pattern. These tights retailed for $6.99 and $7.99 respectively, and had a handy size chart on the back (which is actually accurate!).

Here is a close-up of the patterned tights. It reminded me a bit of animal print, so I thought it would go well with my leopard theme. The style number of this pair is 89138A in case you’re looking to grab the same ones!

To complete my outfit, I made a stop in the Halloween aisle and the beauty aisle. No leopard costume is complete without some cat ears! This headband was just $3.99, so I couldn’t pass it up. For an added touch of leopard, I grabbed some Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Kitty, Kitty. For $10.99 I couldn’t say no!

Here is my completed Halloween costume! To transform my leopard print dress, I added the patterned tights, black ballet flats, a black cardigan, and the ears! My finishing touches include the Sally Hansen strips and a bit of black eyeliner for a nose and some whiskers. I love the end result! It is so easy to put together this outfit, and I’m feeling Boo-tiful! Plus, I love that this dress has pockets so I don’t need to worry about carrying a purse – I can tuck my essentials easily inside! To recreate this look for Halloween, use any of the leopard print items in your closet. Make it your own with a scarf or belt – the possibilities are endless.

All in all, I’m so glad Duane Reade made putting together a Halloween costume so simple! My grand total for this outfit was just $31.29, a bargain compared to most Halloween costumes. The trick is to use what you have, and then buy the extras. I’m also glad to know that Duane Reade has a full hosiery line for when I need a pair of tights. They are great quality, and so fabulous and affordable!

Make sure you head on over to Duane Reade’s Facebook page and enter the Boo-tiful Legs Contest to share how you are incorporating Duane Reade hosiery into your Halloween costume. You could win a spa weekend in NYC!

Stay tuned for the rest of Halloween Week!

HeadBlade Razor | Made for Man, but Great for Woman!

Posted on September 25, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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Happy Wednesday! Today’s post is a first here at Adventures in Polishland – we’re talking about about something cool that is made for men! Now while most of us ladies shave our legs on a regular basis, we usually stick to the aisle at the drugstore with pink razors and floral scented shaving creams. Normal, right? Well, when I heard about an innovative product being sold at Duane Reade stores here in New York, I was definitely intrigued. HeadBlade is a razor that was created to make it easier for a guy to shave his head. I have no interest in getting rid of my long locks, but it turns out HeadBlade can also be used on legs. I stepped outside of my comfort zone and shopped in the men’s aisle at the store. Let me share my shopping experience with you!

#DRHeadBlade #cbias #shop I shopped for the HeadBlade at the Duane Reade location on Broadway and Houston Street in New York. As soon as I headed to the store’s lower level, I found the section I needed! Let me be honest – I was a bit embarrassed to be shopping for a men’s razor and shaving cream, but I got over that and picked up the items! You can read more about my shopping experience over on my Google+ Page!

As you can see, the HeadBlade Razor is so cool! It is basically a little, wheeled car. The razor itself contains four blades, and the head is interchangeable. I also grabbed the HeadSlick Shave Cream. I don’t typically use shave cream, but I was definitely up for testing these out together.

#DRHeadBlade #cbias #shop I’m happy to report that I had a great shaving experience using both the HeadBlade Razor and the HeadSlick Shave Cream. The razor is so easy to hold because of its rubber finger grips, and it glides easily along the leg thanks to the wheels. I love that the razor’s head is flexible as well, so it moves along the curves of the body to get all that hair. As for the shave cream, I found it had a very good consistency – not too thick, not too runny. It is more of an oily texture, and has no scent (which I really appreciated!). And, to be frank, it was a bit fun using a car to shave my legs!

All in all, I’m so glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried out the HeadBlade. I’m now wondering what other products are made for men, but great for women as well! If you’re on the hunt for a new razor, I would definitely check out HeadBlade. The razor retails for $13.99 and the shave cream is $6.99 here in New York. Not only will your legs be smooth and hair-free, but maybe the man in your life can use it, too! You can find more information on the HeadBlade website HERE, and feel free to follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Let me know what you think in the comments – would you ever buy the HeadBlade? Are there any “men” products that you like to use?

Beautiful NYC | Birchbox Local

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am very excited to launch a brand new series here at Adventures in Polishland called Beautiful NYC. I’ve been a New York City resident for just over a year now, and I sometimes find it difficult locating unique places to shop for nail polish and all things beauty. I thought it would be fun to highlight shops and events around the city and share them with all of you! To kick things off, I headed to the first ever Birchbox Local shop.

Birchbox Local is located at Chelsea Market, a super hip, indoor market with food, shopping, and more. I’ve never been there before, so I loved being able to visit a new part of the city on this Birchbox adventure! I planned on taking lots of photos of the shop once I got there, but it was so busy inside I couldn’t get any good pictures! Let’s just say this shop is super cool. In the front is the bar where you can build your own box (pictured below), and then the rest of the space is dedicated to more beauty products, and even a section for hair and makeup services. The Birchbox online shop literally came to life!

Of course, the main reason I wanted to head to Birchbox Local was to build my own Birchbox! For $15, you can customize your own box with a total of five samples. I couldn’t wait to pick out some goodies! There are literally 45 different samples to choose from!

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow – $22 – Gimme Brow is a brow-volumizing fiber gel to fill in eyebrows while keeping them groomed at the same time. I got the shade light/medium, and imagine my surprise when I discovered that this is the full size product! This one item alone is already worth more than I paid for the box!
Color Club in Savoy Nights – $2 – I couldn’t leave without putting a nail polish in my box! I grabbed this gorgeous silver glitter from the soon-to-be-released Winter 2013 collection from Color Club. Yes, this nail polish isn’t even released yet! I estimated the price compared to other Color Club minis.
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – $3.23 – This oil is now one of my go-to hair products! I am running low on the 1oz bottle I got in an Ipsy bag, so I grabbed this sample size to last me even longer. I know I’ll love this product! It’s amazing!
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in Light – $10 – I’ve heard so many great things about Smashbox primers that I knew I had to grab one! The shop had every variety, but I decided to get the oil free one because my skin gets oily throughout the day. I can’t wait to try it!
beautyblender – $19.95 – I almost fell on the floor when I saw that we could add beautyblenders to our box! Plus, when I checked out the sales girl gave me a sample size of the blendercleaser to go with it! I absolutely love my beautyblender, and I could not pass up the opportunity to grab another at such an amazing value.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $57.18

Wow! What an amazing value for just $15 + tax! Not only did I get some amazing products, but I had a great time, too. All of the sales girls at Birchbox Local were really nice, and I honestly wish this shop was open all the time! If you live in or are planning to visit New York City this weekend, I highly recommend stopping by Birchbox Local. All the information you need to know is located on the Birchbox website HERE. Keep in mind they only take cards (no cash).

I hope you enjoyed this post, and stay tuned for more Beautiful NYC reviews! Let me know in the comments if there is a specific place you would like me to visit and write about.

Review & Giveaway | Too Faced Primed & Poreless Face Primer and Smashbox It’s a Wrap! Waterproof Makeup Remover

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

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of some beauty products sold at the beauty retailer Planet Beauty. They graciously sent me these products for review, and are even giving them away to you, my readers. Be sure to read this entire post to find out how to be eligible for the giveaway!

First up is the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Face Primer. I’ve been wanting to try a primer for a long time, and this one is perfect for me because I have enlarged pores on my face, especially in the T zone. A primer is just what it sounds like — it is the product you put on your face before you put on any makeup. In essence, it primes your skin to prepare it! In addition to being worn under makeup, you can also wear Primed & Poreless on its own.

Above is a swatch on my hand of Primed & Poreless both before I massaged it in, and after. As you can see, the primer is lightly tinted, but it matches my skin tone perfectly when blended in. I am amazed at how smooth my skin feels after applying this primer! It literally changes the whole look and feel of my skin, and gives me the perfect matte face. There is a very subtle shimmer to this product, but it is barely noticeable, and just adds a bit of definition. Even without any additional makeup, Primed & Poreless makes my skin look even and flawless!

When applying makeup over this primer, I find that I need a lot less foundation than I usually put on. I also really blend my foundation in with a BeautyBlender to get an amazing finish. Really be careful not to put on too much foundation or you will end up looking cakey. I made that mistake the first time I used Primed & Poreless, but now I’m thrilled that I can conserve my foundation and use less with this primer! Overall, I’m absolutely loving Primed & Poreless! It has become a part of my every day routine.

Next up is the Smashbox It’s a Wrap! Waterproof Makeup Remover. I also desperately needed a good makeup remover to take off my waterproof mascara that seems to like living on my lashes. It’s a Wrap! is definitely what I was looking for! It’s very gentle, yet takes off my makeup flawlessly. Make sure to give the bottle a good shake, then apply a small amount to a cotton round and voila! No more makeup!

It’s a Wrap! works much better than the Sephora remover I was using before. It really takes off my mascara without leaving my eyes feeling dehydrated. You also only need to use the smallest amount, so this bottle will last you a long time! I highly recommend it if you are in the market for a new makeup remover.

All in all, I loved both of these products from Planet Beauty! They are definitely more on the high end side of the cosmetics counter, but since these are both daily staples in a makeup routine, I know I wouldn’t mind spending a bit more for them. You can buy the Too Faced Primed & Poreless primer for $30 HERE and Smashbox It’s a Wrap! for $25 HERE. Also, make sure to enter the giveaway that Planet Beauty is sponsoring! There will be two winners: one for each product reviewed here. Please read all of the Terms & Conditions listed in the Rafflecopter, and email me with any questions. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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.

Back to School Week | “No Makeup” Makeup

Posted on August 15, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today’s Back to School post is the perfect, easy makeup look for the classroom. To be honest with you, I didn’t wear much makeup at all when I was in high school, and even in college. Now I’ve mastered what DJ Tanner aimed for when she headed to Junior High. As Aunt Becky advised: “The trick to wearing makeup is to make it look like you aren’t wearing any.” I totally agree! Let me show you what I use to do my every day makeup!

BB Cream or Foundation: Having even and clear skin is the main reason I even put makeup on! I really like a light coverage foundation or BB cream, just to ensure I cover up any imperfections without looking like I have a ton of product on. [Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup & Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream]
Pressed Powder: If you’re prone to oily skin like I am, add a light dusting of pressed powder to your finished look. I am obsessed with the Rimmel Stay Matte that can be purchased at the drugstore, and have repurchased it several times. I get the shade transparent so I’m not adding more color to my face. [Rimmel Stay Matte]
Concealer: For days you have to cover up blemishes or dark circles, grab a concealer! I love the new Covergirl + Olay one that looks like a nude lipstick. It is so hydrating and covers my imperfections quite well. [Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm]
Brow Pencil/Powder: Eyebrows frame your face, so make sure yours are looking great. I have one eyebrow that is much thinner than the other, so I use powder to even everything out. It looks natural, but makes me look more put together. I love this kit from Milani because it includes powder, a highlighter, and even tweezers! [Milani Brow Fix]
Blush: I rarely wear blush, but a little bit can add some color to your face and make you look more alive and ready for the day. Blush is perfect when you want a little something extra, or on days when you’re feeling “blah.” [Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks]
Tinted Lip Balm: Wearing a tinted lip balm is the perfect way to add some color to your lips for school. Lipsticks are just a bit much in the classroom on a daily basis. With all of the amazing options out there, grab your favorite lip balm and you’re ready for the day! [Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Sugared Fig]
Mascara: My most-loved beauty product is definitely mascara. It brings focus to your eyes, and makes you look more awake. A great option for a more natural look, is to get mascara in the shade blackened brown. I’m loving this new one from Revlon! [Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion]

These are all of the products I need for my “no makeup” makeup look! As you can see, I stay away from eyeshadow, eyeliner, bronzer, and all of that fun stuff. While you can certainly play around with your own makeup look, I prefer to just look like me when I’m at school! Be sure to let me know what your makeup necessities are in the comments, and stay tuned for the last day of Back to School Week tomorrow!

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

Back to School Week | Makeup Bag Essentials for School

Posted on August 13, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Now that I’ve officially accepted the fact that I am heading back to school next week (ah!) it’s time to start putting together my book bag. While I don’t tote a ton of cosmetics to school, it’s important to carry the essentials just in case the unexpected happens. Let me share with you the goods I’ll have in my makeup bag this school year!

Here is the makeup bag I will be using! I got mine from Ipsy, and I just love the leopard and neon print. The reason I am choosing this bag in particular is because of its flat shape — it will easily fit into my book bag without taking up much space! I know this can’t be easily purchased, so I would definitely recommend these:

Forever 21 “Leopard Print” – CLICK
Sephora Collection “The Night is Young” – CLICK
Sonia Kashuk “Yarn Print” – CLICK

Now onto the essentials inside! I think these items are needed, and yes, they all fit in the bag!

Hand Lotion: You never know when your hands will be dry! Keep a travel size lotion on you at all times, especially in the winter. Plus, having lotion is a great way to meet people — I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been asked if I had lotion! Pick a brand and scent you’ll like, and one that won’t bother those around you. [Julep Age Defying Hand Brightener]

Powder Compact: Women historically go to powder their noses for a reason! Pressed powder is the perfect touch up, and keeps your skin looking great all day long. I like to have a compact with a mirror in it as well. This one from Covergirl also has a sponge inside so I don’t have to carry a brush! [Covergirl Fresh Complexion Pocket Powder]

Hair Ties: If it gets too hot or starts to rain, you’ll want to pull your hair up! While I love ribbon hair ties, it’s good to have a plain black one, too. It goes with every outfit! I find that Goody from the drugstore is the perfect go-to brand (and it’s affordable!). [Goody Ouchless Elastics]

Colgate Wisp Brushes: If you decide to have a garlic-filled lunch at the last minute, you’ll want to be able to freshen your breath before class resumes. No one wants to be embarrassed about her breath, that’s for sure! You can grab these Wisps at the drugstore and keep them for when you’re in a pinch. [Colgate Wisp Brushes]

Perfume / Body Spray: Everyone gets stinky once in a while, so I like to carry a perfume or body spray in my makeup bag. I get so many perfume samples from Sephora, so instead of purchasing a travel size product, I just stick a sample in my bag! If you prefer lighter scents, opt for a body spray instead. [Juicy Couture Couture La La]

Oil Absorbing Sheets: Heading back to school in August means the heat and humidity are sticking around for a while. To make sure I don’t look like a grease ball, oil absorbing sheets are necessary! These are great because they don’t mess up your makeup, but they leave your skin looking great. Any brand will do, but I suggest Clean & Clear and the CVS brand. [Clean & Clear Instant Oil Absorbing Sheets]

Mini Nail Files: We’ve all been there — that awful moment when (gasp!) you break a nail! I just love these mini nail files. They are cute and disposable, and save you in an emergency situation. These are also perfect to share with a girlfriend when she’s in nail trouble. [Tweezerman Matchbox Files]

Lip Balm: Every girl needs a good lip balm with her at all times! I like to have both a clear balm and a tinted lip color just to be sure I’m set for every occasion. Keep those lips soft and moisturized with your lip balms of choice. [C.O Bigelow Lemon Lip Cream & Baby Lips Cherry Me]

Antibacterial Lotion: My last must have is probably the most important, and that is antibacterial lotion. You never know when you’re going to touch something gross and won’t be able to wash your hands. I personally love the unscented lotions like Purell, but Bath & Bodyworks has tons of scents if that’s your thing! [Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer]

These are all of my makeup bag essentials for school! As you can see, I like to stick to the basics and ensure I’m ready for the unexpected. I hope you found this post helpful as you put together your backpack for the new school year. Be sure to let me know what items will be in your makeup bag in the comments!

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

BB, CC, & DD — How Do They Compare? | Featuring Olay Fresh Effects, Juice Beauty, and Julep

Posted on July 5, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a new beauty comparison post to share with all of you. I often get questions about what the difference between BB and CC cream is, and now that Julep has released the first ever DD cream, I thought it would be fun to see how they compare. While these creams will vary from brand to brand, the ones I am reviewing are ones that I have used several times before, and are widely available to purchase. First I will give a general overview of each product, and then I’ll show them side by side.

BB Cream = Beauty Balm

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

This BB cream is a “skin perfecting tinted moisturizer with sunscreen” that offers six skincare benefits in one step. It smells just like sunscreen, which I happen to like very much (though I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea). I find that this cream is very lightweight, and helps to control the oily skin I get in the summertime. It provides light coverage, so it may not be good if you prefer a thicker foundation. I find the only drawback for me is that this BB cream only has SPF 15, so it needs to be reapplied quite frequently throughout the day if it is your main sunscreen for the face.

Buy Olay Fresh Effects for $12.99: Olay Fresh Effects | Amazon | Drugstores

CC Cream = Color Correcting

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

This CC cream is “the ultimate color correcting 12 in 1 multi-tasker” with SPF 30. Juice Beauty is certified organic, and is a great option if you are looking for natural beauty products. My feelings on this CC cream are mixed. On the one hand, it makes my skin look flawless when I wear it, and it it lasts all day looking great. The downside is, I cannot stand the smell, and it also is not blendable with other makeup. If you are looking to use this as a foundation substitute with a full face of makeup, I would not suggest it. However, if you are looking for simply natural and beautiful skin, I think you would love this cream.

Buy Juice Beauty CC Cream for $39.00: Juice Beauty | Amazon | Birchbox

DD Cream = Dynamic Do-all

Julep DD Creme

Julep came out with the first DD cream a few months ago. It is designed to diminish skin damage and give the skin a dewy finish. It also has SPF 25 to help with sun protection. This cream definitely stands out from the others — it has golden undertones to give the skin a bronzed, sunkissed look. The benefits of this product is that it is extremely blendable, and can truly be worn as a foundation. I really like this DD creme for the summer months. I love that it is odor free, and transforms the skin to a perfect canvas. While I am not a fan of the dewy look, this is the perfect solution for those that do.

Buy Julep DD Creme for $36: Julep | Amazon

Side-by-Side Swatches

From left to right: Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Fair to Light, Juicy Beauty CC Cream in Natural Glow, and Julep DD Creme in Light. It is very clear that the Julep DD Creme is the most golden and bronzed of the bunch!

Each cream has a similar texture, but the Julep DD Creme is definitely the most liquidy, and the Juice Beauty CC Cream is the thickest.

After each cream has been blended, I can only see that the Julep DD Creme has left a golden look to my skin. Both the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream and the Juice Beauty CC Cream have completely blended into my skin for a light and beautiful coverage.

The Final Verdict

When it comes down to which cream I prefer and would recommend to all of you, it has to be the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream! It has a stunning finish, it smells great, and it is super affordable. It is definitely the product that I have been reaching for all summer long, and I’m sure it will be perfect during the colder months when I just want to have light coverage. While Juice Beauty and Julep have great products as well, I think BB cream is the original and the best. Let me know which product you love the most, BB, CC, or DD, and what brand is your favorite.

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

Bimonthly Beauty Post: New York Jazz Lipstick Trio by Julep

Posted on May 25, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! If you’re a regular follower of mine, you may have noticed that I am a bit behind on my Julep Maven posts. It’s not because I’m no longer subscribed, but just because I didn’t get the chance to review them. I will have the polishes on the blog soon, but today I have a review of the New York Jazz Lipstick Trio that came in my May box. I was so excited to receive a lipstick trio in my box, but was a little disappointed when it arrived. Let me show you the New York Jazz trio!

The trio arrived in adorable packaging. I love the black and gold designs, as it fit with the Roaring Twenties theme that Julep aimed for. As expected, the trio was three mini lipsticks. Although Julep marketed them as full size, my mom picked up that the item description noted they were “little” lip colors. It turns out she was right! These are definitely mini size, but they come in a great little cigar-style box.

The trio came with two sheer lip colors, and one statement red lipstick. From left to right, the shades are Tea for Two, Satin Doll, and Lady in Red. Tea for Two is a very sheer nude lipstick with shimmer. It is so sheer, in fact, that I can barely see any color payoff whatsoever. Since it is not very moisturizing, I don’t think Tea for Two will work as a tinted lip balm or a lip color. It is my least favorite of the trio. Satin Doll is a very pretty coral shade, and a flattering color for me. While still very sheer, it is pigmented just enough to provide a nice color that is perfect for daytime. Last but not least is Lady in Red, a bold red lipstick with a matte finish. Lady in Red is quite drying, but it is the perfect red shade. I won’t be wearing it often, but it is a great red to have in my makeup collection!

All in all, I am a bit disappointed that the New York Jazz Lipstick Trio was mini size, but I am absolutely loving Satin Doll. I wish Tea for Two was more pigmented, but other than that the lipsticks are decent quality. I was quite happy to receive this trio in my May Maven Box even if it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. You can join Julep today and get your first box for free with code FREEBOX HERE. Stay tuned for my nail polish review for the April and May shades!

Bimonthly Beauty Post: My Current Mascara Collection!

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

Happy Friday! Today I have another post in my beauty series, and I’m going to focus on my favorite makeup product — mascara! While I don’t wear a lot of eye makeup, I almost always put on some mascara before walking out the door. It is just enough to give me some extra “pop” without being over the top. I find that adding mascara can make me look more polished and ready for the day. I constantly find myself perusing the makeup aisle for new mascaras and great deals! Let me show you the mascaras I’m currently using, and the ones I will be trying out next!

Here are the four mascaras I currently have in my collection! I think four is more than enough to have for everyday use, so I am focusing on using these up before I open any more. Once you open a mascara and expose it to the air, it has a faster chance at drying up in the tube. That’s why I keep my mascaras wrapped up until I’m ready to use them! As you can see, I have a good mix of both drugstore and high end mascaras. I always get a bargain when I can, though!

Brand Name: L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Price: $7.00 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at drugstores

Best for: Lengthening! I can literally see my eyelashes growing when I apply this mascara. This mascara also gives you very full eyelashes, just as the name “Million Lashes” suggests. This is probably my favorite all-around mascara of all time!

Dislikes: I really have nothing bad to say about this mascara! I’ve been using it for a couple years!

Brand Name: Covergirl NatureLuxe Water Resistant Mousse

Price: $3.89 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at drugstores

Best for: A natural, everyday look! I find that this mascara is perfect for adding color to your lashes and for providing some definition without it being too noticeable. It also does a great job at separating your lashes.

Dislikes: My tube is already starting to dry up after just two and a half months of use. That means clumping! It’s not too noticeable yet, but I think I will have to toss this one in another month or so.

Brand Name: Buxom Sculpted Lash

Price: $18.50 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at Sephora

Best for: Shaping and curling! Just as the name suggests, this mascara is amazing at sculpting my lashes. It separates and curls my lashes with ease. I like to turn the wand to get a different angle with the applicator as I use it for added definition. This really helps with my left eyelashes, which seem to be a bit wonky — it makes them look full quite easily!

Dislikes: This mascara does not add much length to my eyelashes, but that’s because it is geared towards shaping them. I love everything else about it!

Because I’m a mascara hoarder, I already have a couple more ready to go for when I use up the ones in my current collection! On the left is Covergirl Clump Crusher, one that I’ve heard so many good things about! On the right is the brand new Revlon Lash Potion. I recently won the Revlon in a giveaway from the company, and can’t wait to try it!

I hope you enjoyed this post on my current mascara collection! Be sure to let me know what your favorite mascara is in the comments!

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