Category: Beauty

Lauren B. Beauty Nail Care Reviews | Nourishing Hand Crème, Polishing Hand Scrub, & Cuticle Oil

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you my thoughts on some nail care products from the brand Lauren B. Beauty. This is my first time trying out products from this brand, which sells all vegan friendly products that are made in the USA. Lauren B. Beauty recently teamed up with Skyy Hadley, the owner of As U Wish Nail Salon, to share helpful nail care tips in time for the spring season. Thus, as I review the Nourishing Hand Crème, Polishing Hand Scrub, and Cuticle Oil, I will share Skyy’s tips with you as well!

Nourishing Hand Crème – $24 [BUY]

First up is the Nourishing Hand Crème with Orchid and Peony. This crème is formulated to provide long-lasting moisture to the hands with a non-greasy feel. It is heavily fragranced, so if you don’t like floral scents this is not the product for you. However, I am very impressed with this hand crème! It does sink into the skin within a couple minutes of application, and is not greasy at all. I could use my touchscreen devices without leaving behind any smears, and that doesn’t happen often! I love how soft and smooth my hands felt all day after applying this crème in the morning. Plus, the fragrance lasts all day as well, even after washing my hands several times! If you are looking for a hydrating hand crème that has a floral scent for the spring, this is a great option for you!

Polishing Hand Scrub – $20.00 [BUY]

Next up is the Polishing Hand Scrub. I’ve never used a dedicated hand scrub before, and I am absolutely loving this one! Skyy Hadley mentions that having dry, scraggly cuticles can lead to a bacterial infection, as we are more likely to pick at them. Thus, having a product like a scrub that can remove that dead skin is really helpful. The Polishing Hand Scrub is amazing because it is designed to exfoliate, fight aging, and hydrate the hands all in one. I am really surprised how moisturizing this scrub is. It is a scented product, but it smells a bit richer and deeper than the crème. This is definitely my go-to product now, as I love how the scrub is gentle enough to use daily, but strong enough to provide hydration.

Lauren B. Beauty Cuticle Oil – $20.00 [BUY]

The last product is the Cuticle Oil, which I think deserves high praise for its packaging alone. I absolutely love that the oil comes in a nail polish bottle so I can apply it with a brush. This makes it really easy to get the oil just on my cuticles, and my hands don’t turn into an oily mess. This Cuticle Oil contains a blend of 12 ultra-pure plant, nut, and flower oils to really nourish the cuticles. Skyy recommends an oil not only for hydration, but for locking in any manicure color. She even says adding an oil to an older manicure can revamp the color! I think the Lauren B. Beauty Cuticle Oil is a great option. It does have a slight fragrance, so if you are sensitive to smells keep that in mind.

All in all, I am really loving the Lauren B. Beauty Nail Care line. While the products are definitely higher end, they feel very luxurious and make a great gift for yourself or a loved one. My personal favorite is the Polishing Hand Scrub, as it truly is an all-in-one product that takes care of all my nail care needs. I highly recommend checking out the Lauren B. Beauty website HERE to learn more about the brand and the other products it offers. I definitely want to try the nail polishes at some point soon!

What are your nail care must haves? Let me know in the comments!

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. 

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. 

Zoya Perfect Lipstick | Swatches + Review of Full 12-Piece Collection

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to bring you swatches and a review of the complete Zoya Perfect Lipstick Collection. This line of 12 lipsticks is created with a hydrating formula designed to last 4-6 hours without drying or cracking. The Perfect Lipsticks are also vegan and environmentally friendly, and have a wide shade range to fit any skin tone. Let me share this lipstick collection and my thoughts on it with you!

The Perfect Lipstick Collection contains nine cream finishes, two mattes, and one frost. All of the lipsticks are unflavored and unscented.

First up is MatteVelvet Red, a cool-toned red with a matte finish. I am pleasantly surprised with how comfortable this lipstick is to wear. Even though it is matte, it feels very smooth and creamy on the lips. Plus, MatteVelvet Red is a classic red shade that I think is a staple in any lipstick collection. 

Next 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!

One of my favorite lipsticks in the line 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.

If you’re looking for a red lipstick with a cream finish, Frankie is the pick for you! Frankie is a bright, true red, and it feels really comfortable to wear. It reminds me of my days as a competitive dancer when we were required to sport red lips at our performances. Whether you’re hitting the stage or simply running errands, Frankie is a stunning red!

Next up is Georgia, a bright berry shade with purple undertones. Georgia is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but it is a beautiful lipstick. It has a cream formula, and I do recommend about two coats for an opaque look. Georgia is a great shade to take you from winter to spring!

The next matte shade in the line is Maxwell, a deep plum shade with fuchsia glitter. 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.

The other glittery shade in the collection is Brooke, a mauve shade with pearlized glitter. Brooke is more of a tinted lip balm than a lipstick. Unlike the other shades in the collection, this one is not pigmented at all, and it barely shows up on my lips. Brooke does have a cream formula, but I’m not a big fan of it because it just makes my lips look oddly glittery.

Wren is another favorite for me in the collection. This is a pinky-peach shade with a cream finish, and I think it’s another everyday shade. Wren is a lipstick that can be worn any season of the year, and it’s a great choice if you are just getting into makeup and hesitant to wear bright colors.

Next up is Candy, a blue-toned bright pink lipstick with a cream finish. Candy is a Barbie pink for sure. It is extremely pigmented, and I know this will be a spring and summer staple for many people. I’m usually hesitant to wear bright pink lipsticks, but I’m excited to have this in my collection for sure.

Mellie is a the next cream lipstick that is somewhere between a red and pink shade. I think Mellie is a very wearable color, and it also feels really hydrating and comfortable on the lips. Mellie is a great lipstick for any skin tone, and it is work appropriate as well. This is a must have for your lipstick stash!

The one frost formula in the collection is Belle, a blue-toned pink with a golden frost finish. I do not like frost lipsticks, so Belle is not the shade for me. However, Belle is nicely pigmented and is a pretty color for those of you who do enjoy frosts. It reminds me a bit of cotton candy!

Last but not least is Jasmine, a deep plum lipstick with a cream formula. Jasmine is absolutely beautiful and extremely pigmented. This shade is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I think this is one of the best lipsticks in the collection. Jasmine feels so creamy and hydrating on the lips!

All in all, I think Zoya’s Perfect Lipstick Collection contains a great variety of shades and formulas. The majority of the line is well pigmented, and they all feel very comfortable to wear. My personal favorites are Paisley, Wren, and Mellie, but I recommend all of the shades except for Brooke. You can purchase the Zoya Perfect Lipstick Collection on the brand’s website HERE for $12 each. Make sure to follow Zoya on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for sale information and discount codes.

Which Zoya Perfect Lipstick is your favorite? 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.

Dollar Shave Club Update | My December & January Boxes

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! A few months ago I signed up for Dollar Shave Club and shared my first box with all of you HERE. I wanted to check in and share what I received from this monthly subscription service in both December and January, as these mailings are quite different from my introductory box. If you missed my first blog post, I signed up for Dollar Shave Club because not only are the brand’s razors extremely affordable, but they are vegan as well. I subscribe to The Humble Twin plan, which costs me $3.00 per month, and I receive five razors per month. Let me show you what arrived in both December and January!

DECEMBER

JANUARY

My December and January subscriptions arrived in cardboard envelopes and contained my blade refills along with an issue of The Bathroom Minutes. I think it’s a lot of fun that Dollar Shave Club has its own newsletter each month. It gives me something new to look at each month instead of just getting my blade refills! Of course, I can edit my monthly box at any time by adding in other products from Dollar Shave Club, such as hair care, skincare, and more. At some point in the future I will be sure to test out other products when I run out of something I’m currently using.

All in all, I am really happy with my Dollar Shave Club subscription, and I highly recommend joining! There is no reason to be paying a lot of money for your razors when you can get a month’s worth for just $3.00. If you would like to sign up, I would appreciate it if you would use my referral link HERE. Please also let me know if you would like me to review any of the other products Dollar Shave Club offers!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Taupe Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in the shade Taupe. I’ve been in the market for a new eyebrow product for several months now, and decided to splurge on this powder during the Sephora Beauty Insider Sale in December. I’ve never tried a product from Anastasia before, but when I discovered that the brand has many vegan options (see the full list HERE), I knew it was time to see why the brand is so well-loved.

I decided to purchase the Brow Powder Duo instead of the hyped Brow Wiz for a few reasons. First, my eyebrows are naturally wide and sparse, so I need a lot of product to fill them in, and powder looks a lot more natural than pencil. Similarly, brow powder is a lot more affordable for me, because a powder will last a lot longer than a pencil. While it was tempting to try the Brow Wiz, I knew the Brow Powder Duo would suit my eyebrow type a lot more.

Here is a look at the Brow Powder Duo packaging. I love the sleek black palette with rose gold accents. It also snaps closed and is very secure, so I know it will travel well.

The Brow Powder Duo comes with two shades, a light and a dark, so that you can get a perfect color match and also add dimension to the brows. I only use the dark shade in this duo, as it matches my eyebrows perfectly. I apply the powder using the EcoTools Angled Eyeliner Brush, and it does an amazing job. I also set my eyebrows using the ELF Cosmetics Clear Brow Mascara, as my eyebrows tend to get wild throughout the day. This product is advertised to be smudge proof and long-wearing, and overall I do agree with that. I do experience a very small amount of smudging while finishing up my makeup application, but my brows otherwise stay in place all day. I love how I can get a really natural looking brow with this powder, but I can also create sharp lines using my angled brush.

All in all, I am really happy that I purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Taupe. This is the best brow powder that I’ve tried by far, and I think it is worth the $23.00 price tag even though I am only using one of the shades. I use this product every day that I wear makeup, and I’ve barely made a dent in the powder. I know the Brow Powder Duo will last me a very long time. Thus, if you are looking for a brow powder, I highly recommend trying out this one from Anastasia. You can purchase it on Sephora’s website HERE, and make sure to shop through Ebates to earn cash back. This product comes in 11 different shades, so there should be an option for you no matter your hair color!

Have you tried any Anastasia brow products? Let me know in the comments!

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

 

December Empties | #365DaysofEmpties | 2016 Conclusion + 2017 Goals

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am really excited to share my December empties with all of you, and to discuss how my #365DaysofEmpties project went for the year. I decided to challenge myself to complete 100 products in 2016, and at the end of November it was pretty clear to me that goal would not be possible. Let me show you the products I used up in December, and then I’ll share my thoughts on this project for 2016 and whether or not I plan to continue in 2017.

SKINCARE

Michael Todd Charcoal Detox Deep Pore Gel Cleanser [BUY] – 1 bottle

  • Mini Review: It took me over a year to use up this entire bottle of cleanser! I kept this in the shower, and I really like it. While this cleanser is gentle on the skin, it does an amazing job at cleaning my face and clearing it of dirt and impurities. I did get a bit sick of using it in the last few months, but it felt great to use this whole thing!
  • Would I Buy it Again? I can definitely see myself going back to this cleanser at some point in the future.

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes [BUY] – 1 pack

  • Mini Review: I used up another pack of my current favorite face wipes! I’m not going to go into too much detail here, as I mention how much I love these wipes in a ton of blog posts!
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I have a stock pile!

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment [BUY] – 1 sample

  • Mini Review: My skin was in a very bad place for a while, so I used this sample I got in a subscription box. Wow! Good Genes really brought my skin back to life! It helped clear my breakouts and balance out my skin tone. I did not like the pungent smell, and I do wish this product was vegan (though it is cruelty free!). Unfortunately, I would not be able to repurchase this even if it became vegan – it’s $105!

BODY CARE

Dr. Carver’s Easy Shave Butter [BUY] – 1 sample

  • Mini Review: I got this sample from Dollar Shave Club, and it did not work for me at all. In fact, my skin felt quite irritated after trying out this shave gel!
  • Would I Buy it Again? No!

The Body Shop Mango Sugar Body Scrub [BUY] – 1 jar

  • Mini Review: I really like this scrub from The Body Shop. I didn’t use it as often as I would like because mango wasn’t a seasonal scent. I love using seasonal scents, so I need to plan my purchases a bit better going forward. For example, the only scrub I have now is pink grapefruit, and I haven’t wanted to use it!
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes, but in the summer!

Seventh Generation Natural Hand Wash Free & Clean Unscented [BUY] – 1 bottle

  • Mini Review: This hand soap was a huge disappointment for me! First of all, it is not unscented. It has a chemically smell, which is ironic since this is supposed to be natural. Plus, I feel like my hands didn’t get 100% clean with this soap. Even if this soap was vegan, I would not buy it again.

DECEMBER EMPTIES: 6 

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 90

As you can see, I did not reach my goal of completing 100 products in 2016. I did come very close, and I am happy with my progress. I had no idea when I began this goal that I would be switching to a vegan lifestyle halfway through the year. This switch resulted in my decluttering many of my non-vegan products and repurchasing vegan items. This is especially true when it came to makeup. Of course, I still have a good amount of non-vegan products to use up, and you will see these in future empties posts until I decide I’m no longer comfortable using those products (or until they are all done!).

This was the first year I tracked all of the products I’ve used up, so it will be very interesting to see how I do in 2017. I will continue to document my empties with all of you on the blog, but I will do so seasonally instead of monthly. I felt like my empties posts seemed a bit repetitive sharing them every month.

My new goal for 2017 is to use up 120 empties, or an average of 10 empties per month. I do think this is an achievable goal, as I won’t be switching to a new lifestyle as I did in 2016, and thus can focus on my current stash. I’ve also become much better at only buying what I really need, and only using 1-2 products at a time. I also know that while it’s fun to give myself a specific goal to strive towards, my main focus in doing the #365DaysofEmpties project is to save money and not hoard excess products. I hope to be even better at this going forward!

Did you participate in the #365DaysofEmpties?! Please share how you did in the comments!

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. 

Top 10 Beauty Products of 2016!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my top ten favorite beauty products of 2016. The products I’m featuring were not necessarily new for 2016, but they are things I discovered and really loved this past year. I decided to group together nail polish, makeup, and skincare for this year’s post, as I focused more on using the products I already own than trying new things. I also transitioned to a vegan lifestyle in June, so I wanted to only feature the vegan products I’ve loved this year. Without further ado, let me share my 2016 favorites with all of you!

10. Tarte LipSurgence in Energy [BUY]

My favorite lip product of the year is this lip gloss from Tarte. The LipSurgence in Energy is really cool because it goes on clear and adjusts to your perfect lip shade. I love how I get a beautiful pink with this lip gloss, and it feels really comfortable on the lips, too. This is a bit expensive, but I highly recommend it because I wear it all the time.

9. LVX in Azzurrum [BUY]

I’ve really loved wearing dark nail polishes this year, especially in the fall months. I reached for an old favorite of LVX in Azzurrum on several occasions, as it is a stunning navy blue. It goes surprisingly well with my fair skin tone, and it matches nearly every outfit. I feel like it even looks nice when I wear a lot of black in the fall.

8. Zoya in Taylor [BUY]

At the other end of the nail polish color spectrum, I fell in love with Zoya in Taylor. This is a warm beige polish, and it is a go to neutral for me. I wore a lot of nail polish this fall, and Taylor was a staple in between all the dark shades.

7. ELF Clear Brow and Lash Mascara [BUY]

One of my daily staples is brow gel, and I’m so glad I found a super affordable option from ELF. For just $2.00, I can get six months worth of brow gel since this product is dual-ended. Plus, it works really well and keeps my brows in place without making them look really stiff. You need to try this if you haven’t yet!

6. ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls [BUY]

Another ELF favorite is the Baked Highlighter in the shade Moonlight Pearls. I was so surprised with how beautiful this highlight is since it only costs $3.00! I wear it regularly, especially on days where I want a natural look. This adds the perfect amount of light to an otherwise one-dimensional makeup look.

5. Hurraw! Lip Balm in Coffee Bean [BUY]

This lip balm has really been a savior these past few months for me. When the winter weather comes along, my lips and skin really dry out quickly. I put this lip balm on at night before I go to bed, and when I wake up my lips feel brand new. Plus, the coffee bean flavor smells absolutely amazing!

4. Zoya in Mallory [BUY]

My last nail polish favorite for 2016 is Zoya in Mallory. I am always obsessed with bright blue polishes, and Mallory is no exception. Of course, this polish has an amazing formula as well, and that encourages me to reach for it from my collection.

3. Yes to Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Face Wipes [BUY]

I also rediscovered the Yes to Cucumber Face Wipes, and I’ve been using them exclusively for the past few months. If you are looking for really gentle wipes that remove all of your makeup, I highly recommend trying out this brand. While it is a bit more on the pricer side at the drugstore, Target often has the Yes to brand on sale on the Cartwheel app.

2. Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe [BUY]

I was on the hunt for a new brow powder, and I splurged on the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe. I’m so glad I picked up this product! It fills in my brows beautifully, and it looks very natural as well. You also get a lot more for your money with brow powders because they last much longer than pencils.

1. Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation in Light 44 [BUY]

Last but not least, my absolute favorite beauty product of 2016 is the Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation! I purchased this foundation a few months ago, and I’ve quickly become obsessed with it. At first I was a bit underwhelmed, but the more I use it the more I love it. This is a liquid foundation with great coverage, and I personally love its mate finish. I’ve been reaching for it nearly every day I wear makeup!

That wraps up my top ten beauty products of 2016! I’m happy to see a mix of high end and drugstore products, as I feel like that really represents my beauty collection. Please share your 2016 beauty favorites with me in the comments! I would love to know what you are loving so I can try out even more new-to-me products. Happy New Year, everyone!

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. 

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble Twin

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I’m excited to share an unboxing and review of Dollar Shave Club. I decided to sign up for this subscription service a few weeks ago after hearing great things from friends and family members. Not only was I on the hunt for vegan razors, but I was sick of paying big bucks for razors at the drugstore. I also discovered that many brands charge more for women’s razors even though they are exactly the same as men’s, just with a different packaging design (some info on that HERE). How outrageous is that?! It was time to dump my old blades and go for something new.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble Twin

Dollar Shave Club is a monthly subscription service where you receive razors directly to your door for one low price. I’ve been interested in the service for a while, but decided to sign up once I saw that the brand is vegan with the exception of a few products disclosed on the brand’s website. In addition, you can try your first month for just $1.00, so now is a great time to try out the service! You can sign up using my referral link HERE.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble TwinThe first item in my welcome box is a helpful brochure. One thing I really appreciate about Dollar Shave Club is how user friendly the service is. When you sign up to the subscription you choose from one of three blades: The Humble Twin, The 4X, and The Executive. Then you can decide to add on other products such as shave creams, shampoos, and more. This brochure explains the entire process and includes graphics to make it even easier to understand!

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble TwinRight beneath the brochure is my blade handle and the pack of blades. I’ll show you a closer look at each in turn, and share my thoughts on the razor so far.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble TwinI decided to go with The Humble Twin, which is a basic razor with two stainless steel blades. I decided to start out with the cheapest and most basic razor to see how it works. I figured there was no reason to spend more money if this simple razor would work for me! The Humble Twin is $3.00 total per month ($1.00 + $2.00 shipping). Here is what the handle for The Humble Twin looks like. It is a simple blue with silver accents, and has a rubber grip.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble Twin

The Humble Twin comes with five blade refills every month so you can get a fresh shave every week. I love how simple this twin blade is, and I’m very happy to report that it works very well. I was using a razor with three blades prior to this one, and I can safely say The Humble Twin is more effective. It glides over the skin easily and removes all the hair close to the root. I haven’t had any issues with cuts or razor burn since using this razor. The only downfall is that the blade definitely wears out after one week’s use. Thus, you must change the blade every week – don’t try to make the blade last longer.

Dollar Shave Club Unboxing & Review | The Humble TwinThe last item in my welcome box is a sample of the Shave Butter. I used this product and I have to say I’m very unhappy with it. Normally I shave in the shower using my shower gel or soap as a shaving cream alternative and I never have any problems. When I used the Shave Butter, my razor did not glide well over the skin and it felt quite abrasive. I definitely do not recommend this product.

That being said, I am extremely happy with Dollar Shave Club’s service and The Humble Twin razor. I think this is a great way to save on razors and get an excellent shave without having to hunt for bargains at the drugstore. While Dollar Shave Club is primarily marketed towards men, there is absolutely no reason women can’t use these products as well. I’m so happy I finally signed up, and I’ll be sure to share what future boxes from the club look like! Don’t forget you can get your first month for just $1.00 by using my referral link HERE.

Are you signed up to Dollar Shave Club? Let me know in the comments!