Skincare – Page 8 – Adventures in Polishland

Category: Skincare

Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum Review

Posted on March 25, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to bring you another skincare review! I recently had the opportunity to test out a Vitamin C Serum from the brand Amara Organics. While I’ve tried serum samples in the past, this is the first serum that I’ve used on a regular basis. Let me tell you more about the product and share my experience with you!

Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum Review | Adventures in Polishland

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

This Vitamin C Serum from Amara Organics is 98% naturally derived and 72% organic. It has many uses, including anti-aging. Even though I’m in my early twenties, my skin is quite dehydrated and until the last year I hadn’t taken great care of it. It’s never too early to care for you skin!

Here are the product’s exact claims:

“Our Vitamin C Serum replenishes your skin’s vitamin C levels to give you these benefits:

Increases the production of collagen to bring back skin’s natural elasticity and counteract fine lines and wrinkles
Powerful antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals to reverse damage caused by the sun, pollutants, and cigarette smoke
Protects your skin from UV damage such as age spots, discoloration, and fine lines
Improves skin texture to give you a smoother, brighter complexion
Combined with Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid for extra powerful anti-aging effects”

MY EXPERIENCE

I’ve been using this serum on a daily basis for about two weeks now, and I can already see positive changes with my skin! The serum is clear and unscented, and I apply a few drops to clean, dry skin before moisturizing. The first change my skin experienced is actually not part of the product’s description – my breakouts cleared up! Right before trying this serum, I had acne all along my jawline, but now it’s almost completely gone!

My skin also appears to be less dehydrated since I started using this serum. I’ve never felt like I had “glowy” skin, but I find that my skin looks much healthier since I started using this serum. My moisturizer seems to sink in a lot faster as well. I can’t wait to continue using this serum, since the full effects are supposed to show at the 90 day mark. I will be sure to let you know of any long-term changes on my social media profiles!

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase this Vitamin C Serum from Amara Organics on Amazon HERE. As I write this post, a 1oz bottle is on sale for $21.95. I think it is worth every penny, especially since only a few drops are needed for each use. Plus, investing in great skincare is always worth in it my opinion. You can also visit the Amara Organics website HERE for more information.

Have you ever tested a Vitamin C serum? If so, let me know how you like it in the comments!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser Review

Posted on March 13, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I’m excited to bring you the first skincare review on Adventures in Polishland. I was contacted by Sibu Beauty, and asked if I wanted to test out the brand’s Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser. When I saw that Sibu is an all natural brand dedicated to ethical beauty, I knew I had to give it a try. Let me show you the cleanser I tried, and tell you a bit more about Sibu!

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

I decided to share with you the direct language from Sibu’s website so you can get the full idea of what the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser is all about. My own personal experience is more helpful when you know the product’s exact claims!

“Deep yet gentle cleansing is the foundation of effective facial care at every age. This all-natural balancing facial cleanser gently removes dirt, impurities and make-up while maintaining a healthy balance in your skin without compromising its natural protective nutrients. This lightly exfoliating facial cleanser will leave your face fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced. Your skin will look and feel radiant.

Leaves skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed
Removes excess oil and impurities
Contains micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation
Great for removing make-up
Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types

This all-natural balancing facial cleanser gently removes dirt, impurities and make-up while maintaining a healthy balance in your skin without compromising its natural protective nutrients.”

MY EXPERIENCE

I’ve been using this cleanser both morning and evening for a couple weeks now, and I am beyond happy with it! I typically use 1-2 pumps of the product, and apply as directed by working it into a lather in my moistened hands, and gently massaging it over my face. This product is definitely very gentle, and even with the exfoliating beads my skin does not feel tight or raw after I use it. My skin is usually left a bit red after cleansing, so it’s amazing that it just appears clear after using this cleanser.

I am also impressed with how well it removes my makeup at night. Even my stubborn mascara comes off with this cleanser! I don’t have any need for makeup remover wipes when I’m using this Sibu cleanser.

As for the scent, it is very light and a bit citrusy. I barely notice it, and I don’t think it is bothersome at all. My only complaint with the product is in the packaging – because the bottle is opaque, I won’t be able to see how much is left. Other than that, I’m loving this cleanser! My skin feels clear and balanced, and I noticed that my breakouts decreased when I began using it. I also love that it exfoliates and cleanses at the same time, as that cuts a step out of my skincare routine and saves money. I think it lives up to the hype, and I plan on making this my daily cleanser as soon as I finish up the others in my stash.

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser directly from the Sibu Beauty website HERE. It retails for $17.95 for a 4oz bottle. While that is a bit more than I typically spend on my skincare products, I think it is 100% worth it. Since the product is all natural, cruelty free, and GMO free, I don’t mind spending a bit more, especially since my skin loves it. I am also thinking about trying other products in this line, so please let me know if you’ve tried any Sibu Beauty products and what you think of them in the comments.

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

Products I’ve Used Up #2

Posted on February 17, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! It’s time for another “empties” post here at Adventures in Polishland. I think these posts are a great opportunity to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time. Plus, they serve as a personal reminder since I can always look back and see which products I would repurchase in the future. Let’s get right into all of the products I’ve used up!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal Paris Triple Resist Reinforcing Conditioner – I’ve been using this L’Oreal system for a while now, and I really like it. My hair seemed to strengthen a bit, and I have no complaints! Plus, this line is really affordable. With sales and coupons, I can find this for around $2-3! [BUY at the drugstore]
Not Your Mother’s Beat the Heat Thermal Styling Shield Spray – I picked up this heat protectant last year, and it lasted forever! This protectant was just okay. It worked to protect my hair, but it left my hair crunchy and has a weird smell. Despite it being an affordable $5.99, I don’t think I would repurchase it again. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

CVS Strengthening Polish Remover – This used to be my go to nail polish remover, and I snagged a couple bottles a few months back during a clearance event for just $0.55! After using pure acetone and the Julep remover, this just doesn’t cut it for me anymore. It’s good, but not the best. [BUY at CVS]
Julep Acetone Free Condition Nail Polish Remover – This is my all time favorite polish remover! It works really well, plus it leaves my nails feeling healthy and it doesn’t have a strong smell. Unfortunately, it is a tad expensive. I would totally buy this in large quantities if Julep had that option! I highly recommend this! [BUY]

SKINCARE

Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin – This is another product that lasted me a very long time. It’s a great cleanser for sensitive skin, and I used it whenever I wanted a gentle cleansing. I would repurchase it again in the future for sure. [BUY]
Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub – I got this scrub in an Ipsy bag a few months back, and I am in love. This is the best scrub I’ve ever used! My skin always felt so clear and healthy after I used it. Although it is a bit on the expensive side, I will definitely be repurchasing it after I run out of the scrub I’m using now. It is seriously worth it! [BUY]
Gold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Cream – I talked about this moisturizer in my December Favorites, and it made that list for a reason! This is a great lotion, and I would definitely repurchase it at some point. Read more about it HERE. [BUY]

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really do like these makeup wipes, and I am working my way through a few packs that my Mom got me for Christmas (thanks, Mom!). You can see all of my thoughts on these wipes HERE. Make sure to grab them during sale events, or shop on Amazon for a great price! [BUY]
Tatcha Aburatorigami Beauty Papers – I got these blotting papers in a PopSugar box, and was happy to try them out. Unfortunately, these were a flop for me. The blotting papers from the drugstore work much better than these high end ones for a much lower price. I wouldn’t repurchase them. [BUY]

MAKEUP

Too Faced Primed & Poreless – I’ve talked about this primer many times on Adventures in Polishland, so I won’t go on forever! This is my first bottle, and it lasted me several months so it is a good investment product. You can see my full review HERE. [BUY]
Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious in Blackened Brown – This mascara was good, but not my favorite. I did like it on days where I wanted natural looking lashes, and I applied it with short and fast strokes. This did clump up rather quickly, but I’ve heard others have really liked it. I’m not sure I would repurchase it, but it’s not a bad product! [BUY]
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Transluscent – I love this powder, and have repurchased it several times! With coupons and sale events at the drugstore, I get this powder for next to nothing. Plus, it’s a great quality product. I wish I was able to make use of the residual product still left in the container, but at such an affordable price, I don’t feel bad throwing it out as is. [BUY at drugstores]

SAMPLES

REN Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream – I got this as a free sample with a Sephora order, and loved it! It has a bit of an odor, but works so well to moisturize my skin. I considered purchasing the full size, but when I saw it was $45 I had to say no! If you have room for this in your budget, it’s a great product! [BUY]
Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck Perfume – I may not be a Taylor Swift fan, but I’m a huge supporter of this perfume! I loved this so much I asked for a full size for Christmas. I love the fruity yet musky scent. Plus, you can get a great price by purchasing this on Amazon instead of a department store! [BUY]
Versace Bright Crystal Perfume – I also loved this perfume sample by Versace. It smelled expensive! It also has a great mix of sweet and sultry scents together. I would consider getting the full size if it were more affordable. [BUY]
Benefit It’s Potent! Eye Cream – Finally, I got this eye cream in a Birchbox, and really liked it. It really is potent, so make sure to be careful when applying it so the cream doesn’t go in your eye. I’m using another eye cream now, but I would definitely consider purchasing the full size in the future. [BUY]

Phew! That is a lot of empties this time around! I hope you liked hearing more about these products. I always feel a bit accomplished when I finish up a product, since it makes me feel like I got my money’s worth. Do you agree? Let me know if you’ve tried out any of these products in the comments!

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

My New Year’s Beauty Resolutions for 2014!

Posted on January 1, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday, and Happy New Year! Today I’ll be sharing my New Year’s Beauty Resolutions with you, and encourage you to participate as well. Whether it’s budgeting money, taking better care of your skin, or simply trying out some new products, New Year’s is the perfect time to set some goals for the year ahead, even when it comes to beauty. Let’s celebrate the start of 2014 together with some beauty resolutions! Make sure to stay tuned to the end of this post to learn how you can get involved, and share your resolutions with the beauty community!

MY BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS

Always Remove Makeup Before Bed

I’m usually pretty good about removing any makeup I’m wearing before bed, but there are those nights when I find myself under the covers ready to catch some z’s and I’m not getting up again to wash my face. While I know it’s best to go through a complete nighttime skincare routine, I’m pledging to at the very least use makeup remover wipes to get makeup off my face before bed. Did you know that for every night you don’t remove makeup your skin ages 30 days? I’m combatting that with PONDS Evening Soothe Wet Cleansing Towelettes at the moment.

Take Better Care of My Hands and Cuticles

Despite being a nail polish blogger, my hands are far from perfect! My cuticles deserve some extra TLC, so I’m hoping to get moisturized this winter and stay that way throughout 2014. I received this Burt’s Bees Honey & Grapeseed Hand Cream as a gift, and it’s the perfect product to help me begin taking care of my hands. It smells great, and is 99% natural!

Use an Eye Cream in My Skincare Routine

I’ve received a few eye creams as samples in the past, but I recently purchased this full size tube of First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream. I may be a bit young to start an anti-aging skincare routine, but I’ve noticed that I do have a lot of wrinkles under my eyes, and that is most likely due to dryness. I’m hoping this cream will help take care of that sensitive area that I’ve been neglecting.

Floss Teeth Daily

A beautiful smile starts with healthy teeth! I think many of us are guilty of not flossing daily, and that is going to stop. I’m grabbing this floss that I already have, Reach Cleanburst, and starting a new daily flossing routine!

Reorganize My Nail Polish Collection and Try the Untrieds

Last but not least, I want to tackle my nail polish collection! I’ve let it get all jumbled and disorganized the past several months, and I hope to go through it, weed out the polishes I don’t want, and try all of my untrieds. Above is a photo of just a few untried polishes I have laying around. Keep an eye out on my blog – you’ll probably see them soon!

SHARE YOUR BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS!

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my New Year’s Beauty Resolutions for 2014! Now it’s your turn! Share your resolutions with me in the comments, or use hashtag #NewYearsBeautyResolutions on social media so I can see your posts. If you’re a blogger, you can add your link to the inlinkz widget below. Let’s start a movement of positivity in the beauty community as we ring in 2014! Happy New Year!

Products I’ve Used Up #1

Posted on December 6, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have my first ever “empties” post, where I talk about products I’ve completely used up. I love watching these types of YouTube videos, and thought I could share my empties with you in blog form! This is a great way to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time! Let me share my empties with you, and let you know if I would repurchase them!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo – I’ve used this shampoo and conditioner set from L’Oreal many times! I love that it is sulfate free, and really leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy. It retails for around $6 at the drugstore, and is a shampoo I return to every once in a while. I definitely recommend it! [BUY]
Klorane Dry Shampoo – After getting a sample in a Birchbox, I just had to get the full size version of this dry shampoo. It is amazing! It zaps the oil right out of my hair and makes it feel clean. It’s the best dry shampoo, and worth the $18 price tag. The only drawback is it does run out rather quickly. I plan on getting another one soon, though! [BUY]
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – This is a new holy grail product! It has changed my hair for the better! My hair is much healthier now that I apply this oil, and I just love it. This travel size lasted me about six months, and it is worth it. I’ve already repurchased it! [BUY]

SKIN & BODY CARE

Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – I got this sample in a Birchbox, and I loved it! This is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliant, and it smells like lemons. It was pretty gentle as a scrub, and my face always felt great afterwards. The only reason I am not going to repurchase this is because the full size is $32.95. Otherwise, I love it! [BUY]
Lulah Body Wash in Magnolia Fig – I am just using up my subscription box products! I got this body wash in a PopSugar box, and it was so nice and luxurious. I loved the rich scent, and even the packaging is cute. At $11.25 I’m not sure I would repurchase this for myself, but it would make a great gift! [BUY]
Whish Exfoliating Body Wash – This is a body wash I wasn’t too thrilled about. While it had a pleasant scent, I didn’t like using a body cleanser with an exfoliant added in. I just prefer to do that separately. Plus, I had to use a lot of product to feel clean. I’m going to pass on this one! [BUY]
Burt’s Bees Hand Salve – This little tin contained a medicinal hand cream. I really enjoyed it for days where my hands really needed some extra help. It is quite greasy, but works well. It’s not my favorite hand cream, but definitely a good product. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

Rite Aid Renewal 100% Pure Acetone – For some reason I’ve never used pure acetone to remove my nail polish before. Now, I’m hooked! This is the best nail polish remover I’ve ever used, and it didn’t damage my nails or cuticles. Plus, this bottle lasted me a long time because I didn’t have to use as much remover. I am definitely going to be buying this again! [BUY at Rite Aid]
Sephora Collection Base Coat – This is hands down the best base coat I’ve ever tried as well! It dries really quickly, and I love the large, flat brush. The only downside is that it can only be purchased on Sephora’s website, but I’ve already gone ahead and repurchased another bottle. At $6, I think it’s a steal! [BUY]

MAKEUP

CoverGirl Natural Lash – I use this clear mascara to keep my eyebrows in place! Now I don’t have crazy hairs anymore! Unfortunately I dropped this, and it dried out rather quickly. I did repurchase, though, and I love this product! It’s around $5 at drugstores. [BUY]
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara – I also used up a black mascara from CoverGirl. I absolutely loved this one because it gave me natural and clump-free lashes. Unfortunately this line has been discontinued, but you can still purchase it on Amazon. I highly recommend it! [BUY]
Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara – Last but not least is another mascara! This is a high end one that I got in a PopSugar box. I absolutely loved it, and I was amazed how well it curled my lashes. I was so sad when it dried up because I’m not going to repurchase it at $19. It’s worth it if you can afford it, though! [BUY]

Those are all of the empty products I have to share with you today! I hope you enjoyed learning more about these products. Please let me know if you would like to see more Products I’ve Used Up posts in the future!

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

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare!

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

Happy Tuesday! Today I wanted to share some gift ideas with all of you. Whether you’re shopping for someone special, or simply looking for items to put on your own wish list, here are some ideas that I have! This post will be all about beauty and skincare products, but later on this week I’ll have even more ideas to share. Let’s get into the goodies!

L’OCCITANE Hand Indulgences

What:

Trio of 3 shea butter hand creams in the scents Fleur D’or, Cherry Blossom, and Shea Butter.

Price:

$28 (Retail Value: $36) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

These luxurious hand creams are perfect for the winter season (especially if you have a nail polish aficionado for whom to shop!). Give the entire set to one person, or split them up for stocking stuffers.

Sigma Essential Kit

What:

A set of 12 professional makeup brushes, including face and eye brushes.

Price:

$139 – save 10% with code NOV2013 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

All makeup lovers need great brushes! Sigma offers amazing brushes that are more affordable than other high end companies. Spoil your loved one with a set of these brushes, and she will appreciate it for sure.

bhCosmetics Eyes on the ’60s Palette

What:

An eyeshadow palette complete with 30 shades in all colors of the rainbow.

Price:

$9.95 (Retail Value: $19.95) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

bhCosmetics is a favorite of YouTube Beauty Guru Carli Bybel. She uses the shadows so often, it prompted me to purchase a palette from the brand, and I highly recommend it! Plus, the prices are perfect for everyone’s budget.

Sephora X The Twenty-Two

What:

Set of 22 mini nail polishes from Sephora’s new Sephora X collection. Contains creams, neons, chromes, and glitters!

Price:

$55 (Retail Value: $103) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Sephora X polishes have an amazing formula, and are great for any nail polish lover. This is another set that can be given as a large gift, or opened up and split up into many gifts. Plus, it’s a fabulous value!

Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her

What:

A set of 14 perfume samples, a clutch, and a voucher for a free full-sized fragrance.

Price:

$70 (Retail Value: $140) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

Picking out the perfect fragrance can be difficult. Sephora makes your job as gift-giver easier with this sampler by providing an array of perfumes.

Wantable Makeup Box

What:

A box filled with 4 to 5 full-sized makeup products. What’s inside is a surprise!

Price:

$40 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you really have no clue what to buy the makeup lover on your list, get her a mystery box! Wantable offers amazing high end products that she is sure to love.

These are all of my top gift picks for beauty and skincare this holiday season! There are, of course, many more great brands and options to choose from, but I hope you can draw inspiration from this Gift Guide as you head to the stores. Happy Shopping!

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

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.

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

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

CB-sponsored-post-black-600

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?

Bimonthly Beauty Post: How to Get the Most for Your Money at Sephora!

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

Happy Monday! Today’s post is one that my Facebook followers highly requested after I posed a photo of my recent Sephora haul. Because Sephora’s prices are a bit out of my price range, I make sure to get as much as possible for my money every time I shop there. This post will include my latest Sephora haul, and explain the six simple steps I use when shopping at Sephora. Let me show you how I shop at Sephora and get as many products as possible!

I got all of these products in the photo above for $50! Sound too good to be true? It’s easy!

Shop online at sephora.com! While there are definitely perks of shopping at Sephora in person, I find that I can only get the most for my money if I shop online. This will make more sense when I share the rest of the tips I have with you.
Become a Beauty Insider member! Sephora has a free rewards program called Beauty Insider that earns you points on all of your purchases. Each dollar spent is one point toward a free perk! While it does take some time to earn enough points for perks, there is no reason not to join this program. Even if you spend zero dollars at Sephora, you will get a free birthday gift each year! I’ve loved all of the little gifts I’ve received along the way. You can sign up for this program online or in store!
Spend $50 to get free shipping! I always wait until I have $50 worth of products to buy on Sephora’s website before ordering so I can get free shipping. My trick is to place exactly $50 in my cart and not spend a penny more! For this haul, I knew I wanted the Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream, and that I needed a new base coat. I then added on the Instant Eye Makeup Remover, the Sephora Pro Lesson Palette, and a pencil sharpener. These are all items that I will use, and the grand total was exactly $50! Click on the name of each item to see it on Sephora’s website.
Enter a promo code at checkout from the Weekly Specials page! Sephora always has special promotional codes each week that get you free deluxe samples with any order over $25. Since you’ve already spent $50 to get free shipping, simply choose any code you like and enter it at checkout! To find the Weekly Specials page, click on “3 Free Samples” from Sephora’s homepage, and then on “Weekly Specials.” I got a deluxe sample of the Caudalíe Premier Cru Eye Cream with this order that retails for $24.50! I’ve been wanting to try an eye cream, and this was the perfect opportunity! You can only get these freebies online, and not when you shop in store.
Use your Beauty Insider points to get a free perk! For every 100 points earned, you can get a deluxe sample added to your order without having to use up your promo code. The perks offered change regularly, so keep an eye out for something that you really want. I snagged the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask with my 100 points. My pores desperately need help, and I think this mask will be perfect. You can also save up your points for the 500 point perks as well, but I prefer the 100 point products so I get goodies more often!
Enjoy 3 free samples with every order! Last but not least, every online order gets three free samples. While you may get some samples when shopping in the store, you are only guaranteed three when you shop online. A few times per year, Sephora even offers five samples! I like to get perfume samples because they typically come in mini spray bottles that I can use at least 3-4 times. If there is another product I’m interested in, I’ll pick that up as well. This time I got Juicy Couture perfume in Couture La La, Clinique perfume in Happy, and Murad Hydrator lotion.

All in all, if you follow these six steps you will be sure to get the most for your money at Sephora! For this particular order, I only spent $50, but got $85.56 worth of products! That’s an extra $35.56! The best part is, I only got products that I know I will use and it only took a bit of strategizing!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Let me know how you score great deals at Sephora!

Bimonthly Beauty Post: Welcome & Haul!

Posted on February 4, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

I am excited to announce a new feature here at Adventures in Polishland. Twice each month you will now be getting a post dedicated to beauty and skincare products. Called the Bimonthly Beauty Post (BBP), this series will showcase hauls, reviews, and more! I have recently taken strides in my life to take better care of myself and my skin. Join me on my journey to looking and feeling beautiful!

Today I have a beauty haul to share! It seems as if all my products are running out at the same time, and there are a few new items I’ve been wanting to try as well. I headed to the Union Square area of New York City to stop by Nordstrom Rack and Sephora. Let me show you all the goodies I got!

Top row: Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub, Burts Bees Facial Cleansing Towlettes, Soap & Glory Heel Genius.
Bottom row: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation, Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, Not Your Mother’s Beat the Heat

The first stop on my journey was Nordstrom Rack. Like Marshalls and TJMaxx, you never know what you are going to find there. I was hoping to get as many items as possible at a discounted price. Not only was the store extremely busy, but the beauty section seemed to be a bit picked over. I have to remember to go during the week from now on! Nonetheless I picked up two items. I’ve been needing a face exfoliant to help remove the dry skin I get, and I decided to go with the new Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub. Originally I had been contemplating the Clinique Exfoliator that retails for around $19, but I am happy I settled with this one for just $6.97! I try to use natural products whenever I can, and I think this one will be gentle. I can’t wait to try it out! I also got Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract. I love cleansing wipes like these because they take off makeup in a breeze and leave your skin feeling instantly clean. I often use them before bed, or when I get home from school. I’ve never tried any from Burt’s Bees before, but a 30-pack was only $5.97 so I couldn’t pass them up! That price and quantity is better than what I get from the drugstore.

Sephora was the next stop on my beauty haul journey! I rarely shop at Sephora because of the high prices, but I was in the mood to splurge on some great quality products. First up I grabbed Soap & Glory Heel Genius Amazing Foot Cream. I have been using Julep’s Best Pedi Creme Ever each night before bed, and I love it. The only problem is I go through it quickly and it’s sold out online! I grabbed this substantially larger bottle for $16. I’m hoping it lives up to its name!

The next item I splurged on is the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in the color 3. I’m still a bit shocked at myself that I bought foundation for $38, but this bottle is going to last me a very long time, and is of the best quality. I tried a sample of this stuff and fell in love. I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I do like to put my best face forward. This will keep my skin looking natural and non-oily all day! Finally, my last Sephora splurge was the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish. I have been desperately needing a lip exfoliant, and because I know that Fresh Sugar makes amazing products I went for it and paid $22.50 for this little tub. I tried this out as soon as I got home, and I am loving it already! My lips are completely smooth and free of dry skin. Plus, you only need the tiniest amount. This thing is going to last me a long time!

Last but not least, I stopped by Ricky’s NYC on the way back to my apartment. I am an avid flat iron user, so I make sure to use heat protectant to at least prevent some damage. I’ve been using a bottle of Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat for over a year now, and was about to buy a replacement bottle when I spotted a similar product called Not Your Mother’s Beat the Heat for an entire $6 cheaper. I decided to switch it up and try out this protectant instead. I hope it lasts me as long as the Frizz-Ease!

My grand total for this beauty haul was a whopping $103.90 with tax. Although this is way more than I usually spend, I’m glad I got some great products that will last me a very long time. If you would like to see a detailed review of any of these items, please let me know in the comments! Stay tuned to Adventures in Polishland for more Bimonthly Beauty Posts, and for your regularly scheduled nail polish!