Beauty – Page 6 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Beauty

October & November Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on November 30, 2016November 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have my October and November beauty empties to share with you. I didn’t have the opportunity to post October’s empties at the end of last month, so I’ve lumped them together with November’s. I haven’t used up too many products these past couple of months, which makes me a bit nervous about finishing my #365DaysofEmpties goal for this year. Let me share my mini reviews of the products I’ve finished, and share my plans on the #365DaysofEmpties project for the rest of the year.

SKINCARE

Avalon Organics Intense Defense Detoxifying Towelettes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Reivew: I found this pack of cleansing wipes at TJ Maxx and decided to pick them up because I love trying different varieties of makeup remover towelettes. These wipes were okay, but I was very happy to see the pack come to an end. I didn’t like the texture of the towelettes or the smell of the wipes. However, it’s great that they are biodegradable and vegan.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: I went back to one of my all-time favorite makeup wipes this month, and I’m so glad I did. The Yes to Cucumbers wipes are soothing, gentle, and remove all my makeup. I think these are going to be my go to brand for a while now.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: This exfoliator was a big disappointment for me. It smelled funny, and it didn’t remove my dead skin cells. However, I do feel like it helped keep my pores clean. Thus, if you are looking for a really gentle face scrub this might be a good option for you.

HAIR CARE

Batiste Dry Shampoo Original [BUY] – 1 can

Mini Review: It is safe to say that Batiste Dry Shampoo is the best option I’ve found from the drugstore. It leaves my hair feeling fresh and clean, and I like the scent of the Original variety. It can leave a bit of a powdery look to my brunette hair, but it blends out quite well.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Davines Love Conditioner [BUY] – 1 sample

Mini Review: I really enjoyed this sample of conditioner from the brand Davines. I got about 3-4 uses out of this one packet, and my hair looked so nice and shiny whenever I used it. The smell is a bit strong and fragranced, but I otherwise love the product.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes.

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I finished up this bottle of shower gel that I began last fall, and I’m glad I used it all. This product smells amazing, but it is quite drying. Bath and Body Works products have a lot of chemicals in them, and once I use up all of the items I have in my stash I won’t be shopping from them anymore.

Dove Powder 24h Invisible Solid [BUY] – 1 tube

Mini Review: Dove is the only brand of deodorant that works for me consistently. I purchased a nice supply of Dove deodorants and am still working my way through them. This one smells nice and fresh, and I do recommend it. That being said, I am going to try and find a more natural option to use once I run out of Dove.

BRUSH CLEANER

BeautyBlender BlenderCleanser Liquid [BUY] – 1 bottle

Mini Review: I’ve been trying to clean my BeautyBlender between each use, and my cleanser of choice is the liquid BlenderCleanser. I like this liquid form much more than the solid. It gets my BeautyBlender really clean, and it is easy to use with a pump top.
Would I Buy it Again? I already did!

ORAL CARE

GUM Comfort Slide Flossers [BUY] – 1 pack

Mini Review: If you are trying to get into the habit of flossing daily, I highly recommend starting with flossers. It makes flossing really easy, and it definitely helped me floss regularly. I finished up this pack, and now I’ve moved on to more traditional floss, which is cheaper.

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER EMPTIES: 9

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 84

Unfortunately, I am behind in my goal of reaching 100 empties this year. I will need to use up 16 products in the month of December if I want to be successful, and that is a lot! I realize I might not get to 100, but I am going to try to only use the products I currently have open, and if I need to start new ones, to grab sample sizes first. Nonetheless, I’m glad I’ve been keeping track of all my empties this year to see how many products I use up each month. It helps keep my shopping in check for sure!

What products did you use up recently? Let me know in a comment!

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

BH Cosmetics 75% Off Black Friday Sale | 2016 Gift Guide | #PolishlandPresents

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Black Friday is now just a couple days away, and many stores are beginning their sales early. BH Cosmetics is having a huge Black Friday sale starting tomorrow, November 24, 2016, running through Sunday, November 27. Products will be up to 75% off BH Cosmetics’s already fabulous and affordable prices. I’ve been eyeing up some of the brands goodies for quite a while, so I thought I would share my picks with all of you, as they all make perfect gifts this holiday season! BH Cosmetics is a 100% cruelty free brand, and many of the products are vegan as well. This gift guide will feature all of the vegan products I’m excited to try!

All of the images in this blog post are courtesy of BH Cosmetics. Affiliate links used. All opinions are my own.

Carli Bybel 14-Color Eyeshadow & Highlighter Palette [BUY]

The item at the top of my wish list is the Carli Bybel palette. I’ve followed Carli’s YouTube Channel for years, and I even got to meet her a couple years ago! My makeup collection is currently lacking big time in eyeshadows and highlighters, so this palette is perfect for me. I love that this palette includes all neutral tones and a mix of matte and shimmer formulas. This palette makes the perfect gift even if the person on your list doesn’t know who Carli is!

Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale: Beach Goddess 12-Color Eye & Cheek Collection [BUY]

BH Cosmetics also just launched a collection from Ashley Tisdale. I think the Beach Goddess palette is beyond gorgeous! If you love to look glowy, this is definitely the palette for you. It includes a blush, bronzer, highlighter, and eyeshadows to illuminate the entire face. I love the range of shades in the eyeshadows!

Glamorous Blush Palette [BUY]

The last palette on my radar is the Glamorous Blush palette. This contains ten blush shades in every shade you can imagine! My blush collection definitely needs to be replenished after I decluttered a lot of my non-vegan collection. This palette will give me the opportunity to test out which shades look best with my skin tone. Plus, it’s only $17 regular price!

11-Piece Pink-a-Dot Brush Set [BUY]

How cute is this brush set?! I love how this set comes in a polka dot holder, as it makes the set so easy to give as a gift. Any makeup lover could always do with new brushes, and this kit includes so many options. I’ve been wanting a fan brush, and it’s always nice to have extra eyeshadow brushes on hand. I’m very interested in trying out these brushes to see what the quality is like. They have a 5-star rating on the BH Cosmetics website, so I’m really excited to get them!

Metallic Liquid Lipstick [BUY]

Last but not least, I wanted to highlight an amazing stocking stuffer idea. Metallic Liquid Lipsticks are extremely on trend in the beauty community right now, so I think giving a few of these as a gift this year is the perfect idea! I know I might not buy these for myself, but it would be so fun to try these out and see what they look like on me. There are a variety of shades to pick from, ranging from wearable mauves to out-there purples and blues. Grab a few of these and wrap them in a bow for a great present!

That wraps up my gift guide for BH Cosmetics this holiday season! Make sure to shop the Black Friday sale, where these already affordable products will be up to 75% off! You can also save even more money by shopping through Ebates HERE. BH Cosmetics is 5% cash back every day, and we might see it double on Black Friday when many stores have special promotions. I’m so ready to pick up some of the products I’ve been eyeing from BH Cosmetics!

What are your favorite BH Cosmetics products? Let me know in the comments!

Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016November 19, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some beauty products that disappointed me this fall. While it’s fun to share my favorite things with you every month, I think it’s also really helpful to share the products that didn’t quite work for me. As always, it’s worth mentioning that while I don’t like these products, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you! We all have different skin types, hair textures, and product preferences, so I will do my best to point out when I think a product’s qualities will be effective for someone other than myself. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the disappointing beauty products!

HAIR

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter [BUY]

First up is a hair butter I purchased from The Body Shop. My hair type is really strange, and it’s difficult to find products that work for me. My scalp and hair are dry, but my hair also gets oily really easily. I thought the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter would help to keep my hair moisturized, but unfortunately it is way too heavy for my thin hair. I experimented with this product, sometimes leaving it on for two minutes and others leaving it on for the suggested five. No matter what, my hair was always left with a really weird feeling that I didn’t like. Unless you have really, really dry hair, I’m not sure this product is worth the hefty price tag.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

My hunt for the perfect drugstore dry shampoo continues. This one from Not Your Mother’s really baffles me! I used a travel size one during my trip to Los Angeles, and I really enjoyed it, so I bought the full size when I got home. For some reason, it doesn’t work for me at all anymore! Clean Freak is supposed to instantly absorb excess oils, leave no residue, and give fresh volume to the hair. What I do like is that there is no white residue left on my hair when I use this product. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing about it! It doesn’t absorb oils, and instead it weighs down my hair and makes it look worse than it did in the first place. Basically, I feel like this dry shampoo does absolutely nothing for me.

SKINCARE

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY]

Next up is a facial exfoliant that I also feel is quite ineffective. When I buy a face scrub, I want it to clean my pores and remove dead skin cells from my face. At first, I really liked this Seaweed exfoliator. It leaves my face feeling really clean and soft. However, I noticed that it does not remove the dead skin cells on my face at all! I still have a lot of dry patches when I use this product. Plus, it smells really weird. I’ll probably use up this bottle, but I will not be repurchasing it. I do recommend this if you want a really gentle scrub.

MAKEUP

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil [BUY]

I am always on the hunt for my perfect brow product, and unfortunately the Milani EasyBrow is not the one! I was drawn to purchase this because of the spoolie brush on the end (I’m a sucker for any brow product that includes a spoolie). While I do really enjoy the color match and staying power of this pencil, my issue is that I cannot get a precise line with it. The formula is very waxy and the pencil is soft, so getting a nicely shaped brow is difficult for me. My brows are very sparse, and I need to fill them in a lot to get my desired look. Thus, if you only need a bit of added definition, this product may work well for you.

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting [BUY]

I’ve had my ups and downs with this color-correcting concealer from ELF. This was my first foray into color-correcting, so at first I thought this product was amazing. However, the more I use this concealer, the more I see its flaws. I purchased it to help cover the redness in my skin, but I find my skin absorbs the green pigmentation and the redness still shows through my final foundation routine. I’m glad I tested out this product, but I’m not happy with the results.

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain’t That Sweet [BUY]

I got this cream eyeshadow as a free gift with my last ELF purchase. I knew this particular shadow wouldn’t be a favorite of mine because it is a pink glittery shade, but I was excited to see what the formula was like. I’m sad to report that the formula is not well done. Not only is the shadow extremely sheer, but it gathers and clumps when I attempt to apply it. The shadow also flakes off and contains some chunky glitter. This is just not a product I can recommend to anyone!

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black [BUY]

Last but not least is my biggest disappointment of the bunch. I has such high hopes for this mascara from ELF, but it let me down. This mascara is very thick and heavy, and leaves my lashes really crispy. The worst thing, though, is this mascara gives me the uni-lash! In other words, my lashes all stick together in one bunch. That is just not okay with me. I tried to make it through the three month time period for this mascara, but I can’t do it. I’m happy to toss this now!

That wraps up all of my beauty product disappointments for the fall 2016 season. I hope you found this helpful if you were curious about any of these products. As I mentioned at the beginning, just because I don’t like these products doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial for someone else. I still love shopping from all of these brands, but sometimes there are a few duds. Here’s to discovering the next awesome beauty product!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know how they worked for you!

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

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation Review

Posted on November 18, 2016November 17, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my thoughts on the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation. If you’ve been reading Adventures in Polishland for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am a drugstore beauty girl, and it is very rare that I splurge on high end makeup products. That being said, I decided to treat myself to the Lock-It Foundation during Sephora’s Friends & Family sale this fall. I love wearing liquid foundations in the winter months, and when I discovered this foundation is vegan, I knew I had to give it a try.

The Lock–It Foundation is a liquid foundation formulated to provide full coverage for a full 24-hour period. It dries to a matte finish, and is designed to stay in place without any transfer. This foundation is available in 33 shades, which is absolutely fabulous! I love it when a beauty brand creates products that can be enjoyed no matter what skin shade you are. I got the shade Light 44.

Kat Von D recently upgraded the Lock-It Foundation’s packaging, and I wanted to give it a quick shout out. I absolutely love the sleek bottle design. Here is a look at the bottle from the top. You can see the cool ‘KVD’ that is the foundation’s pump. According the the brand’s website, the bottle now features an airless chamber design that prevents contamination and maintains the foundation’s consistency. I love how the packaging is functional in addition to being gorgeous!

I’ve been using the Lock–It Foundation for a few weeks now, and I have to say I am really pleased with it. I apply it using a damp BeautyBlender, and one pump provides coverage for my entire face. I will say that I do think one layer of the foundation is a medium coverage, and not the advertised full coverage, as I can still see freckles and other imperfections showing through the makeup. However, the Lock-It Foundation is definitely buildable, so I typically add another layer to the parts of my face I really want the full coverage look.

The formula itself is really nice. It does tend to cling to my dry patches, so I recommend exfoliating well before use, and perhaps avoiding this product if you have really dry skin. However, it dries to a beautiful matte finish, and maintains its integrity throughout the day. The wear is extremely comfortable as well. I also wanted to mention that you can definitely tell you are wearing foundation when you look in the mirror, but it’s not a “cake face” scenario at all. I’ll definitely be wearing this on the daily this winter!

All in all, I’m so glad I splurged on the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation! While I do have a few small critiques of the product, I think it is worth the money for sure. I’m excited to continue using this product, and explore more of Kat Von D’s line in the future! You can purchase the Lock-It Foundation for $35 on Sephora’s website HERE. Make sure to shop with Ebates to earn cash back on your purchase!

Have you tried products from Kat Von D? Let me know what you recommend in the comments!

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

ELF Shadowlock Eyelid Primer in Sheer | Review + Swatches

Posted on November 7, 2016November 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the ELF Shadowlock Eyelid Primer in the shade Sheer. I received this primer as a free gift in my last ELF haul (see that unboxing HERE). I’ve now used this product periodically for a few months, and I’ve really grown to like it. I wanted to share my review and application tips on this product with all of you. If you can get a quality eye primer for just $2.00, who wouldn’t jump on it?!

The Shadowlock Eyelid Primer is designed to provide crease-proof and longer-lasting eyeshadow. The formula is a lightweight liquid that dries quickly. It comes with a doe-foot applicator, similar to a standard lip gloss. I have the shade Sheer, but it also comes in Pearl, which is more of a white shade.

My application tip with the Shadowlock Eyelid Primer is to use a very small amount and lightly blend it out with your fingertip. Less is definitely more with this primer, and I typically use two coats to help cover up my veiny eyelids. The Sheer shade is a cool-toned beige with salmon pink undertones. When I blend it in, the primer tends to match my fair skin tone perfectly. I do think this will work well under eyeshadow for any skin color, but if you are looking to wear this on its own, I’m not sure I would recommend it for those of you with darker skin. That being said, I do enjoy wearing this on its own to add a bit of brightness and evenness to my otherwise veiny eyelids.

I absolutely love how my eyelids look and feel after applying this primer. It dries very quickly to a soft satin finish. When I wear eyeshadow on top, it does not crease as all throughout the day. I am very impressed, as my eyeshadow typically creases rather easily, even when I’ve tried other primers in the past. The Shadowlock Eyelid Primer even helps my eyeshadow to glide on and blend easier. I am extremely impressed with how amazing the quality is!

All in all, I highly recommend the Shadowlock Eyelid Primer from ELF Cosmetics. It is the perfect primer for me, as I can wear it both alone and with eyeshadow to get the look I want. I have not tried any high end eyeshadow primers, but this ELF primer is much better than the drugstore primers I’ve tried in the past. You really cannot go wrong for the $2.00 price tag! You can buy this primer at your local drugstore, or online HERE.

What is your favorite eyeshadow primer? Let me know in the comments!

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

September Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Now that September is coming to a close, it is time for an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project. September went by so quickly for me, and part of that is because I did some traveling in the middle of the month. Thankfully, I still emptied out a good amount of products! I’ve really been concentrating on using up products, and haven’t purchased anything new in a while. I hope to continue doing that for the rest of the year! Let me show you the products I did empty out this month!

MAKEUP REMOVER

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes – 1 travel pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I purchased this pack of wipes for my vacation in Los Angeles. I loved having this on my trip because they helped refresh my skin during the day, and also made for a simpler cleansing process at night when I was exhausted. I had a few left after my trip, so I took the pack home to finish.
Would I Buy it Again? Maybe! I liked these, but I do prefer the Yes to Cucumbers wipes.

ELF Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: At first I really loved these wipes because they are super soft and do an amazing job at removing all of my makeup. However, I then read the directions and noticed that you are supposed to rinse your face with water after using them! I know that makeup wipes are not supposed to substitute for washing your face, but many times I want to use them without needing to rinse afterwards. That extra step basically means the wipe is pointless for me.
Would I Buy it Again? Probably not.

Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: These pads are excellent at removing that stubborn eye makeup like mascara. That being said, I used these very rarely, and would like to find a vegan cleanser that is safe to use on the eyes so I don’t need an extra step like this in the future.

MAKEUP

Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer – 1 sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I liked using this primer sample from Hourglass, but I’m not able to tell if I really like it based on one use. Perhaps I can try some more from my local Sephora at some point!
Would I Buy it Again? Not based on this one use.

Covergirl + Olay Concealer Balm – 1 tube [no longer available]

Mini Review: I did like this concealer, but it is definitely not the best quality. In fact, I think this is a discontinued product! I used up the entire tube because it did the job, but I wouldn’t buy it again even if it were vegan.

BODY CARE

When on vacation I used up two travel sized body washes from my collection. Unfortunately I don’t have the bottles to show you, but I still wanted to give you mini reviews!

Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is a good body wash that does not dry out the skin. I appreciate that it gives a nice clean without being harsh. This is also a good option if you do not like scented body washes!

Beauty Protector Beauty Wash Body Cleanser – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This body wash smells absolutely amazing! I would have liked a bit more foam while washing, but I still felt clean afterwards. However, I do think this is a bit too expensive for what you get. A full size bottle is $16.00!

SEPTEMBER EMPTIES: 7

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 75

As September comes to a close, I am exactly on track to complete my goal of 100 empties in 2016! I am so proud of myself for really focusing on using up the products in my collection this year. I know I can get really excited about new product releases, and it can be difficult to refrain from splurging. That being said, if you would like to save some money, I definitely recommend giving yourself an empties challenge. It’s fun and it gets you to use your collection!

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

August Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on September 2, 2016August 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’ll be sharing my August empties with all of you, and I’m excited to do so. July was a bit of a fail – I only used up three products (see that post HERE). Luckily, I used up a bunch of products in August, and I hope to be back on track for my goal of emptying 100 products this year. Let me share with you all of the beauty, skincare, and more that I used up in August!

I wanted to give you a quick reminder before I jump into the mini reviews that I won’t be repurchasing any of the non-vegan products shown in this post. Thus, I will only let you know if I will repurchase a product when it happens to be vegan.

HAIR CARE

Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild – 1 can [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve had mixed experiences with Batiste Dry Shampoo in the past, but I grabbed this one at my local T.J. Maxx on sale. I got the Wild scent, which smells amazing, but is a bit overpowering. I like this dry shampoo, but I don’t love it. That being said it is the best dry shampoo I’ve tried from the drugstore.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes. I’ve repurchased the standard clean scent, which I’m currently using.

L’Oreal Blow Dry It Quick Dry Primer Spray – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely loved this heat protectant. It made my hair look really smooth and shiny without weighing it down, and it smells really nice. I got this on super sale at CVS several months ago, and used up the bottle really quickly. I think it’s because I really enjoyed applying this product!

MAKEUP

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up my holy grail setting spray this month! This bottle lasted me 9 months (yes, I checked by using my blog!). I always see a difference in the longevity of my makeup on the days I forget to apply this spray. It’s worth the price tag for me!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I already did!

NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe – 1 pencil [BUY]

Mini Review: I did enjoy this eyebrow pencil, and think it is a great product for the price. However, I think my brows are much better suited to brow powders. I have wide brows, but they are quite sparse, so I need to do a lot of filling in each day. This pencil was good for days I was in a rush, but not for a really precise look.

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying in Shell – 1 packet [BUY]

Mini Review: I got one use out of this sample foundation, and I’m really impressed with it! This is a true liquid to powder foundation, and I think it works wonders if you have combination or oily skin. I think I might need a different shade, as Shell seemed a bit off, though still wearable. I might need to head to Sephora to do a color match.
Would I Buy it Again? I’m not sure. I loved this sample, but would like to try it more before I invest in a high end foundation.

NAIL CARE

Berkley Jensen 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I used up another pack of cotton rounds that I buy in bulk from BJ’s! I use these to take off my nail polish and, sometimes, to wash my face. These are a necessity for me!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat – 1 bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve used up as much of this base coat as I possibly can, but the bottle is not completely empty. I’ve used this product for several years, and think it is a great option for an affordable base coat. It is not a great top coat, however.

SKINCARE

Up & Up Refreshing Wet Cleansing Towelettes – 1 pack

Mini Review: I really liked these towelettes for removing my makeup. They are gentle on the skin and do a great job at getting off all the stubborn makeup. If you are looking for an affordable option, you can find these at Target for just over $3!

Derma-e Hydrating Night Creme – 1 tub [BUY]

Mini Review: I love this night cream! This ultra-hydrating moisturizer is somehow really light on the skin. I can also feel some firming properties in this cream. It also smells nice and smoothing, too.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

ORAL CARE

Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste – 1 tube [BUY]

Mini Review: I’ve used this toothpaste several times, and really like it because it leaves my mouth feeling really clean. Plus, the little breath strips are pretty invigorating. I’ve really enjoyed this toothpaste when I’ve used it!

AUGUST EMPTIES: 10

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 68

I am so excited to now be back on track with my goal of using up 100 products this year! It definitely helps to use sample products along the way. I recently decluttered all of my samples, so I hope to focus on using up the ones I kept. As always, if you’ve tried any of these products, please let me know your thoughts on them in the comments!

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.

5 Beauty Must-Haves for Your Los Angeles Vacation

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you my top must-have beauty products for when I travel to Los Angeles. I visit Los Angeles about 1-2 times per year because I have family there, and I’ve become quite the veteran at packing for the trip. Los Angeles has a very unique climate, especially for someone like me who lives on the East Coast of the United States. The dry heat of LA can really affect your skin and hair, so I’ve put together a list of the absolute necessities to help you fill your makeup bag. Let me share my beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation!

1. Face Wipes Travel Pack

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes [BUY]

I am a huge cleansing wipe junkie, and that doesn’t change when I travel! I like to pick up a travel pack at Target so that I can use the wipes while traveling, and toss them before coming home. The reason I recommend the Yes to Blueberries wipes for Los Angeles is because they not only help to cleanse the skin, but they help moisturize as well. Wipes are perfect for cooling off in the sun, and keeping the skin clean while out and about. Keep this pouch in your beach bag so you can freshen up on the go!

2. Mini Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

Next up is a travel size dry shampoo. My hair gets oily really easily, so I rely on dry shampoo to keep it looking fresh between washes. Whether you’re visiting the beach, spending the day at a theme park, or simply hoping to give your hair a boost before going out, dry shampoo is a must. I’ve never tried the Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo before, but I found it in Target’s travel section, so I decided to pick it up. Dry shampoo is one of those products you just can’t decant into a smaller bottle, so I spend a few extra dollars for a mini one.

3. Foundation Stick

ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick [BUY]

I absolutely love bringing stick foundation with me on vacation. Not only is it really simple to apply with just your fingers, but it doesn’t need to be packed in your 3-1-1 bag because it’s not liquid! I like the ELF Cosmetics stick foundation because it has a moisturizing formula. My skin gets very dry on the flight to Los Angeles, and in LA’s natural climate, so every bit of added moisturization helps. You can see a full review of this product HERE.

4. Facial Sunscreen

Tarte TarteGuard SPF 30 [BUY]

Next up is a facial sunscreen, which is an absolute necessity if you are spending a lot of your vacation outside. I normally use a foundation or primer with SPF in it, as I’m not in the sun enough for a dedicated sunscreen. However, in Los Angeles I’m often at an outdoor park, eating outside, etc., so it’s nice to have a stronger SPF for my face. I got this Tarte sunscreen in a subscription box, and I love the light consistency.

5. Translucent Powder

ELF Cosmetics Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

Last but not least is a translucent and mattifying powder. My skin gets really oily, even in a dry heat, so I like to set my face with powder every day. I recently got the ELF Cosmetics powder, and I love this compact for travel because it has a huge mirror that makes touching up easy. Plus, the packaging is slim and sleek to fit in my purse.

That wraps up my top beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation! I hope you found this post helpful as you pack for your trip. If you need more travel tips, make sure to check out my Jet Away June series HERE for packing advice, airplane travel, and more. I hope you have a fun and safe vacation to Los Angeles!

What are your beauty must-haves for vacation? Share in a comment!

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

Milani Power Lip Gloss Stain in Macaroon Review | $1.99 T.J. Maxx Find

Posted on August 26, 2016August 17, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I recently went to my local T.J. Maxx store to pick up a bottle of dry shampoo, and decided to browse through the beauty section to see if there were any other goodies worth purchasing. I did grab some cleansing wipes from the brand Avalon Organics to try, but on the way to the checkout I spotted some Milani products! I’ve never tried the Milani Power Lip line before, and the shade Macaroon looked really pretty. It was just $1.99, so I decided to buy it as well. Let me share my thoughts on this product with you, as well as some swatches.

Milani Power Lip is a really unique lip product that is part gloss and part stain. It is designed to have a non-drying formula that is also long-lasting. I was drawn in by the gorgeous color on the packaging, and thought it would be a nice shade to wear during the day.

Probably the most interesting aspect of this product is the applicator. This is a twist-up product with a brush at the end. I wasn’t really thrilled with this applicator at first, but I must admit the brush is really soft and the application is surprisingly user friendly. My tip in using this applicator is not cranking out too much product at once. Less is more with Power Lip!

Milani really nailed the description of gloss stain with this product! The Power Lip almost feels like a liquid lipstick, because it has an opaque yet super glossy appearance. While I did notice that the Power Lip sticks to any dry patches on the lips, the formula otherwise feels quite creamy and hydrating. If you do have dry lips, simply use a lip scrub before application.

The shade Macaroon is a true pink color. It is a bit brighter than I normally wear, and I was hoping for more of a peachy-nude undertone. However, I think the shade does look quite nice on me, and I hope to step outside my comfort zone and wear this often. I definitely appreciate how comfortable the product is during wear, and how the staining properties of the formula leave a nice tint to the lips as the actual gloss wears off throughout the day.

All in all, I’m really glad I found this Milani Power Lip Gloss Stain at T.J. Maxx! I think this is a fabulous and affordable lip product, and I am excited to wear it more. Unfortunately, the Power Lip appears to be discontinued since it is no longer listed on Milani’s website. Make sure to check out your local T.J. Maxx to see if you can score any at a discounted price! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve found anything exciting at your local T.J. Maxx or discount store!

MAKE Beauty Product Reviews | Face Primer + Molten Shadow in Bronze

Posted on August 19, 2016August 24, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review for you two products from the brand MAKE Beauty. I’ve tried a few products from MAKE in the past, and have really enjoyed them. I find that the beauty products offered are quite unique, but I also enjoy the company’s mission. MAKE is created in New York City, and donates 10% of sales to the We See Beauty Foundation, an organization supporting women-led and worker-owned cooperative businesses in the Americas. MAKE is also a cruelty free brand that offers a selection of vegan options. It’s always great to find a company that creates quality products, but is also focused on doing good in the world! Without further ado, let me share my thoughts on the Face Primer and the Molten Shadow in Bronze.

Face Primer

First up is the Face Primer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30. This primer is formulated to correct your skin’s imperfections while protecting against the sun. It can be worn alone, or used as a base before applying foundation, and dries to a velvet finish. I really like this primer for its sunscreen benefits. I noticed that the product does have a slight sunscreen scent, but it’s not too strong and I can’t smell it once I’ve completed my makeup. My skin does appear more even after applying the primer, but I do wish it smoothed out my skin a bit more. I have large pores, and typically use a pore-filling primer to smooth out the skin. With the MAKE Face Primer, my pores are still quite visible under my foundation. Thus, while I love using this product as an everyday face sunscreen, I do wish it aided with smoothing out my imperfections a bit more. I recommend this for those of you who are looking more for an SPF than a perfecting primer.

Molten Shadow in Bronze

Next up I have the Molten Shadow in the shade Bronze. This eyeshadow is really unique, because it is a cream gel formula that can be worn in a variety of ways. The Molten Shadow can be worn in a very defined manner, or it can be blended out for a more subtle look. The trick is in choosing the right tool. I find that when I use my finger I get a defined and pigmented application, but an eyeshadow brush helps to smooth out harsh lines and disperse the product a bit more. My biggest tip with the Molten Shadow is to use the tiniest bit, as this eyeshadow really packs a punch! Plus, Bronze is a stunning metallic shade with green, gold, and bronze shimmer. Whether you’re creating a look for day or night, you can make this eyeshadow work for any occasion!

All in all, I am really enjoying these products from MAKE Beauty. MAKE is a boutique brand, so the prices are a bit higher than I typically spend, but I love to support small businesses in the United States whenever I can. You can shop MAKE on the brand’s website HERE. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any products from MAKE, or if you plan on doing so in the future.

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