Category: Lifestyle

Jet Away June | Prescription Sunglasses from Firmoo.com

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to another Jet Away June post! I was recently contacted by the online store Firmoo and asked if I would review a pair of glasses on my blog. As you may know, I do wear prescription glasses, so when I learned this website was all about fabulous and affordable glasses, I was really excited to try the site out and share my experience with all of you! Since it’s now summer, and because I didn’t own any already, I got a pair of prescription sunglasses for review. Let me show you the glasses I got, and share my Firmoo experience with all of you!

Firmoo Ordering Process

 photo Firmoo.jpgThe Firmoo ordering process was surprisingly very easy! I went directly to the RX Sunglasses page, and ended up picking the style #FS1004 (pictured above). I really like that you can preview the glasses on a model, or even upload a photo of yourself to the website to virtually try on the glasses. It makes choosing a frame easy and fun!

Once I chose the frame, I clicked “Add to Cart” and followed the instructions. I was prompted to enter my prescription and choose from some add-on options. I decided to stick with the basic style with dark brown lenses, but you can add polarized lenses, for example. I placed my order on Friday, May 16th, and the glasses arrived to me on Wednesday, May 28th. I was really impressed with how quickly the glasses arrived, considering they are obviously made-to-order, and they shipped from China!

The Sunglasses!

Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in Polishland Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in Polishland

Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in PolishlandFirmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in PolishlandWhen my sunglasses arrived in the mail, I was really impressed with all of the goodies that came with them! In addition to a good quality, hard case, I got a cleansing cloth, soft case, and a key chain with mini screwdrivers (in case the screws on the glasses come loose). I think it’s great that they give both a hard and soft case, and the extras are always helpful. I prefer to use the hard case, just so the glasses don’t get bumped around in my purse. Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in PolishlandThe glasses are also really high quality! They arrived in perfect condition, and look just like they did on the website. As with any new prescription glasses, it took me a few wears to get used to new lenses, but I’m now rocking these shades during my walks throughout the city. Are you ready for my selfies?!

Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in Polishland Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in PolishlandI am honestly loving my new shades! I think they look great on me, and go really well with my face shape. They are very comfortable to wear as well. Plus, I like the gold detailing on the sides. It adds some subtle bling!

Final Verdict

Firmoo.com Prescription Sunglasses Review | Adventures in PolishlandMy first Firmoo experience was a big thumps up! I am really impressed with the easy ordering process, quick shipping time, and high quality glasses. While I did receive this pair for review, I am definitely going to be ordering from Firmoo on my own in the future whenever I need new prescription sunglasses, or even for a spare pair of regular glasses. The sunglasses I got sell for $56.00, and with shipping my total order was $62.95. That is an amazing price for prescription sunglasses! I would definitely pay $200-300 if I got similar frames at my local optical shop (if not more).

All in all, I highly recommend Firmoo! Whether you’re looking for a new pair of sunglasses for your summer travels, or simply needing a new pair of regular glasses, this website is awesome. They offer styles for both men and women, and you can even get non-prescription glasses. Please shop HERE using my referral link if you plan to order from the site. If you’ve used Firmoo before, let me know in the comments! How was your experience? What frames did you get? I would love to know!

 

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

Jet Away June | What’s in My “Liquids” Bag? (3-1-1 Rule)

Happy Monday, and welcome to the first official day of Jet Away June here at Adventures in Polishland! If you missed my Jet Away June announcement, you can read it HERE. I decided to start off this themed month with a fun take on the “What’s in My Travel Makeup Bag?” series that many beauty gurus do. I’ll be sure to show you my makeup bag at some point during Jet Away June, but first we’re starting with the liquids bag that we’ll all have when getting on an airplane.

Jet Away June | What's in My "Liquids" Bag? (3-1-1 Rule)The Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) has what is known as the 3-1-1 rule. You can read the official rule on the TSA’s website HERE, but the basics of the rule is that all liquids in your carry-on luggage must be 3oz or less, put into 1 quart size plastic bag, and there is only 1 bag per person. You can put larger size liquids into your checked luggage, but if you’re like me and like to travel without checking a suitcase, you’ll need to follow the 3-1-1 rule carefully. Let me show you what I included in my liquids bag during my recent trip to Los Angeles!

HAIR CARE

Travel Size Hair Care

PRODUCTS:

  • Beauty Protector Protect & Shampoo [BUY]
  • Beauty Protector Protect & Condition [BUY]
  • Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle [BUY]

I’ve gotten the entire Beauty Protector line in my Birchboxes over the past several months, so I decided to take it along with me! I like to take the very basics with me when I travel, so all I needed was a shampoo, conditioner, and heat protectant.

Helpful TipPack products that are multi-use to cut down on the number of products you need to pack. For example, the Protect & Detangle product I used is a heat protectant, detangler, and frizz-fighter all in one. 

SKINCARE

Travel Skincare   PRODUCTS:

  • Paula’s Choice Resist Serum [BUY]
  • Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen [BUY]
  • Menza Daily Face Wash [BUY]
  • Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant [BUY]
  • Michael Todd Damascus Rose Moisturizer (not pictured – used a foil packet!) [BUY]

I used many of my travel size items from subscription boxes in my liquids bag! Many of these products are high end, so I was sure to pamper my skin when traveling. This is also a great opportunity to use up those darn foil packets!

Helpful Tip: Lotions are considered liquids! When in doubt, include the product in your liquids bag just to be safe. It will cut down on your time going through security. 

MAKEUP

Makeup Travel

PRODUCTS:

  • L’Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara [BUY]
  • Maybelline The Elixir Lipgloss in Nude Illusion [BUY]

I keep my makeup routine very basic when I’m traveling. I’ll show you all of the makeup products I took with me on this trip when I share my travel makeup bag, but these are the only liquid products I took.

Helpful Tip: To cut down on the number of liquid makeup products, bring a stick foundation, cream concealer, and lip crayons. They’ll get the job done, and won’t fill up your liquids bag!

BODY CARE

Travel Body Care

PRODUCTS:

  • Herbal Essences Body Wash in Hello Hydration [BUY]
  • Bath & Bodyworks PocketBac Antibacterial Hand Gel in Rainforest Sugarcane [BUY]
  • Bee Kind Body Lotion [BUY]
  • Crest Toothpaste (not pictured) [BUY]

I always like to bring my own body wash and body lotion with me even if I’m staying in a hotel. It’s better to be prepared ahead of time even if you don’t end up using the products you brought with you!

Helpful Tip: If you’re traveling for a long period of time, consider bringing two body washes, i.e. That way you won’t have to repurchase anything during your trip. 

These are all of the items I took with me in my liquids bag! Of course, you can customize your bag to bring all of the liquids that fit into your own skincare and bath and body routines, but I hope this post helped you plan for your next vacation. Don’t forget to skim the official TSA 3-1-1 rule to make sure you’re ready for airport security. I also recommend bringing an extra quart sized bag (or two) just in case yours rips during the trip. Stay tuned for more Jet Away June posts, and let me know what you have in your liquids bag in the comments or by using the hashtag #JetAwayJune on social media!

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

Jet Away June | Announcement & Welcome

Happy Sunday! Today is the first of June, and I’ve decided to make June a special month here at Adventures in Polishland. Summer is a time when many of us like to travel, and because I’m making a couple trips to Los Angeles this summer I was inspired to write a series of blog posts all about traveling. Thus, welcome to Jet Away June!

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during June I’ll be writing posts related to traveling, with, of course, an emphasis on beauty. Get ready for packing tips, fashion ideas, and even airport security 101 – I have a lot of fun and interesting things to share with you during Jet Away June! Plus, in addition to my Jet Away June posts, I will still be posting my regular beauty and nail polish reviews on the other days of the week when I have something else to share with you.

I hope you are as excited for Jet Away June as I am! This themed month will officially begin tomorrow with my first post. If you have any questions related to travel, or any blog posts that you would live to see during Jet Away June, please let me know in the comments! Plus, feel free to use the hashtag #JetAwayJune on social media to connect with me throughout the month.

 

May 2014 Favorites!

Happy Friday! May is coming to a close, and that means it’s time to share my monthly favorites with all of you! It’s been a busy month, and I’m so glad that it’s summer. Let me go ahead and share the products I’ve been loving!

NAIL POLISH

Zoya – WendyZoya Nail Polish in Wendy [REVIEW] [BUY]

I absolutely love Wendy from the new Zoya Tickled Collection! It’s a wearable pink shade, and I wore it for about a week this month. I think it would look great on absolutely everyone, so definitely pick it up!

LIP BALM

Noya Lip Balm in CherryNoya Lip Balm in Cherry [BUY]

I received this lip balm in a Birchbox a while back, and decided to bring it along with me on my recent trip to Los Angeles. I’m so glad I did! Not only is this 100% natural, but it smells amazing and does a great job at moisturizing my lips. I’m making this my go-to lip balm for sure.

SKINCARE 

Neutrogena Clear Skin SunscreenNeutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen [BUY]

After attending the Duane Reade event with Dr. Jaliman earlier this month, I decided that I really need to wear sunscreen on a daily basis. I decided to get this one from Neutrogena because it’s advertised to not cause breakouts. I’ve used it a few times now, and it’s true! This sunscreen has a semi-matte finish, and is a lot less greasy than other sunscreens. I definitely recommend it.

BODY CARE

Jergens BB Body Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream [BUY]

I got two samples of this BB cream so I decided to just give it a try! I won’t say that this is going to change the appearance of your skin drastically, but I’ve noticed that it does make my legs look a bit nicer and ready for summer. Plus, it smells really good! I do really like this stuff, and would recommend it if you want to even our your skin tone.

MUSIC

Love Never Felt so Good by Michael Jackson & Justin TImberlake [BUY]

My new favorite song is definitely the MJ & JT single! It’s so fun, and it’s awesome to hear two of my favorite artists together thanks to the power of technology. It’s definitely got a vintage, MJ vibe, which I personally love. Definitely check it out! 

That’s it for my favorites this month! I didn’t end up trying too many new products, but I hope to do that this summer when I don’t have as much work on my plate. As always, feel free to share your favorite products of May in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #PolishlandFaves. I hope you had a great May, and here’s to June!

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

April 2014 Favorites!

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we just started May! April flew by so quickly, and it was a crazy month for me. Not only did I attend some awesome blogger events, but I started a new job and my first nephew was born! Needless to say, I loved April, but I’m very happy it’s May so I can finish all of my finals and enjoy some downtime. Let me share with you my April favorites!

MANICURE

Yi Kao Nail Wraps | Adventures in PolishlandYi Kou Nail Wraps [REVIEW] [BUY]

My favorite manicure in April was definitely my nail wraps from Born Pretty Store! They were so bright and fun, and really easy to apply. I highly recommend them, and I’m considering purchasing some more.

LIP GLOSS

Maybelline The Elixer in Nude IllusionMaybelline Color Elixir Lip Gloss in Nude Illusion

I grabbed this lip gloss as part of a coupon deal, and never expected to love it as much as I do! It is extremely moisturizing, has a great color payoff, and smells delicious. Plus, I love the unique brush applicator. I want more shades of this gloss for sure!

SOAP

Puddle Duck Soapworks in Pumpkin LattePuddle Duck Soapworks Goat Milk Soap in Pumpkin Latte [BUY]

You all know I love my soaps! My mom got me this one for Christmas, and it smelled absolutely divine. It was also exfoliating, but not overly abrasive. I’m so sad it’s all gone! I saved the wrapper so I would remember the exact brand and scent. Pumpkin Latte is a seasonal scent, but I surely hope it’s around next fall!

MAKEUP COLLECTION

Makeup Collection Organization | Adventures in PolishlandInterDesign Acrylic Drawers [BUY]

In the spirit of Spring Cleaning, I went through my entire makeup collection and reorganized it. I ended up purchasing two more sets of acrylic drawers from Amazon, and I’m loving my new set-up. If you’d like an entire blog post dedicated to my makeup collection and how I organize it, please let me know in the comments!

HAIR

Haircut by Kate at Tackamichi NYCYes, I got a haircut for the first time in nearly a year! I love it! This was my first NYC haircut, and I got it done by Kate at Tackamichi Salon. I went on Sustainable Beauty Day, and got this amazing haircut for a donation to charity. It was a fabulous opportunity, and I’m loving my new ‘do! Major thanks to Kate (definitely ask for her if you go to Takamichi)!

That’s it for my April 2014 favorites! Thank you for being patient with my irregular blog schedule as I head into my final exams. Soon I’ll be on summer break, and working a regular schedule again. As always, share your monthly favorites with me in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #PolishlandFaves.

Adventures in Polishland Turns 2!

Happy Thursday! Today is my official, two year blogiversary! That’s right – two years ago today I began this blog on a whim. I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for supporting Adventures in Polishland. I have come to truly love the beauty industry, and I’ve learned so much from brands, fellow bloggers, and from all of you.

Adventures in Polishland Turns 2!

This past year was truly an adventure. I purchased my own domain name, and built a new website. You stuck with me through my move, and I am so grateful for that! In addition, I was lucky enough to attend a handful of blogger events throughout New York City. It is wonderful to meet fellow bloggers, and learn first-hand about products from the brands I love. I’ve also expanded my once polish-focused blog to include beauty and skincare posts. My Adventures in Polishland are ongoing of course, but it’s been exciting to try all sorts of products, and be the “guinea pig” for you.

So, what’s next? As I head into my third year as a beauty blogger, I hope to continue bringing you nail polish and beauty reviews, nail art, and more. You can always feel free to recommend products and blog post ideas, and to connect with me on social media – just hit the “Contact” tab above for all my links. As always, thank you for joining me on my Adventures in Polishland. i look forward to all of the adventures soon to come!

 

March 2014 Favorites!

Happy Friday! April is now upon us, and that means it’s time to share my March favorites with all of you. Let’s jump right into it!

NAIL POLISH

Zoya – Dot Zoya Dot [REVIEW] [BUY]

Dot is so beautiful! I just love the pastel pink shade. It’s subdued enough to be professional, but quite girly at the same time. I’ve been wearing it for over a week now!

CoverGirl – Sapphire FlareCoverGirl Sapphire Flare [REVIEW] [BUY]

Once upon a time, I avoided dark nails like the plague. Now, I’m obsessed with navy nails! I’ve worn Sapphire Flare several times since I got it, and twice in the month of March. Plus, the formula is flawless. You need this in your collection!

SKINCARE

Sibu Beauty | Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial CleanserSibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser [REVIEW] [BUY]

I know I said I wasn’t going to use this until I used up the other cleansers in my collection, but I can’t put it away! It’s the perfect all-in-one product, and makes my skin happy. I definitely see a second bottle in my future when this one is empty.

Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum Review | Adventures in PolishlandAmara Organics Vitamin C Serum [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’m also applying this serum religiously! I’m onto my third week of use now, and all signs of breakouts are gone. My skin is just drinking up this magical potion!

LIP COLORBaby Lips – Just Peachy

Baby Lips in Just Peachy [BUY]

Surprise! I added a new Baby Lips to my collection. By now I have too many, but this is my first in the Dr Rescue line, and I’m loving it. It has the same great application and hint of color as the other Baby Lips products, but it is medicated to help your dry lips out even more.

FOOD

Cadbury Mini Eggs Cadbury Mini Eggs

It is that magical time of year when the Cadbury Mini Eggs appear at the store. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this 18oz bag. Mini eggs are definitely my favorite candy of all time, and I have to get my fill this time of year. SO. GOOD.

BOOK

Something Real by Heather Demetrios Something Real by Heather Demetrios [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been making an effort in my life to make time for reading outside of school this month, and picked up Something Real at my local Barnes & Noble. It is an amazing story about a girl whose family is the subject of a reality TV show. You can read more by checking out my review on Goodreads (linked above).

That wraps up my favorites for the month of March! Please feel free to share what you’re loving in the comments, or use hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media.

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

Subscription Sunday | March Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s officially been one year since I joined Birchbox, and I’m so excited to show you what is in my March 2014 box. This series first began as Ipsy v. Birchbox, but Birchbox is the only box I’ve stuck with this long. Let me go ahead and share my products with you, and if you’d like to see my first ever Birchbox, just click HERE.

March Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandThis month’s theme is Spring Forward. Since we lost an hour of sleep this month, the products in our box are supposed to be time-savers and long-lasting. Anything to make up for the time change!

March Birchbox | Adventures in PolishlandHere are all the products I got this month. I’ll talk about them a bit more from left to right, and share each sample’s retail value.

  • Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle Leave in Conditioner – $4.66 – I’ve been able to try a lot of Beauty Protector products through Birchbox, and I don’t mind collecting them since I’ll be traveling later this year. This stuff smells amazing, and I can’t wait to try it!
  • Coola Face Mineral Sunscreen – $3.60 – I am so sick of getting Coola products in subscription boxes! The main reason is because the samples are barely enough to use even one time. Don’t let the tube size deceive you – they are never filled completely!
  • Air Repair Rescue Balm – $2.17 – This is a 100% natural healing balm that can be used anywhere, such as lips and hands. It’s designed to lock in moisture, and while I wish the sample size was a bit bigger, I’m excited to try it!
  • Jergens BB Body Cream – $1.73 – I am most excited about this sample! This product has been getting a lot of buzz lately, so I can’t wait to see if this will improve the look of my skin. It’s a decent size sample, and I got the right shade for my skin tone.
  • theBalm How ‘Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream in Pie – $5.33 – Last but not least is a red cheek and lip cream. I’m really excited about this! The shade blends out really nicely on my hand, so I bet it will look great on my face!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $17.49

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST, 5 BEING BEST): 3

OVERALL OPINION: This box is just okay for me. I really like the Jergens BB Cream and the product from theBalm, but I really wish I didn’t get anything from Coola. I don’t mind when the retail value is low so long as I can see myself using all of the products. With the exception of the Coola product, I’ll get use out of everything so I can’t complain too much. I would love to see samples from different brands in the future.

Do you subscribe to Birchbox? Join HERE and for $10 per month get a box of samples delivered to your door. For a limited time you will get 100 points when you sign up using code bb100. That’s equal to $10 in the Birchbox shop! If you already subscribe, let me know what you got this month!

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

Subscription Sunday | February Birchbox

Happy Subscription Sunday! March may have just begun, but unfortunately due to winter storms here in NYC my February Birchbox was a bit delayed. I was so happy when it finally arrived! Let me go ahead and show you what I got this month.

February BirchboxBirchbox teamed up with Us Weekly in February to prep us for awards season. Our items this month are inspired from celebrity makeup artists who have great tips for their clients.

February BirchboxNow onto the products! You know the drill by now!

  • Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner – $11.25 – This product reminds me of the Too Faced Primed & Poreless that I love so much! I think I’m going to save this perfect travel size for one of my next adventures.
  • Beauty Protector Protect & Oil – $2.00 – I had to estimate this price a bit because there is no size on this sample. Nonetheless, this is a great sample size for a hair oil, since a few drops will do the trick. It smells divine!
  • Ruby Wing in Mini Kitten Heels – $4.67 – While I’m always excited to get a nail polish in a beauty box, I’m hesitant with this one since the last Ruby Wing Color Changing polish I tried didn’t work (read about it HERE). I’ll see what happens, though!
  • Juicy Couture Couture La La in Malibu – $1.44 – Perfume samples can be a bit disappointing, but I love everything I’ve tried from the Couture La La line, so I’m sure I’ll like this one, too. I’ll be sure to use this up!

32 Oral Care Breath Crystals Last but not least, I got two packets of the 32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Crystals retailing for $0.98. These are pretty interesting. They remind me of pop rocks! I wonder what these will be like.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $20.34

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: While this month’s retail value isn’t as high as I’d like it to be, I’m still really happy with all of the products I got. I’ll be using everything in my box for sure. Plus, I know that the Pore Refiner, hair oil, and nail polish can each be used multiple times.

You can subscribe to Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. If you’re already a member, let me know what you got in your February box!

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

Subscription Sunday | February Beauty Army Kit!

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have another new-to-me subscription service to share with all of you. Beauty Army is a $12 per month kit of up to six beauty samples. Unlike other services where your goodies are a complete surprise, Beauty Army permits each user to take a survey, and then curates samples that match your own individual profile. Once you get your results, you can choose up to six samples that are then mailed to you. Let me show you the samples I got in my first kit!

February Beauty Army KitHere is the box when it arrived in the mail! I love the pink camouflage print box, and the packaging is really nice. Because of the crazy winter storms we’ve been getting in NYC, it actually took so long to get to me that I forgot what samples I had picked out.

Beauty Army KitLet me tell you more about these samples from left to right, and let you know the retail value of each one.

  • Menza Daily Face Wash – $11.76 – Wow, this 1oz sample is sure worth a lot! This face wash is supposed to be great for sensitive skin, so I can’t wait to try it.
  • Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads – $0.70 – I’m really excited to try these makeup remover pads! They are super affordable – a pack of 50 costs just $6.99! If I like them, I might buy a big pack since they are more affordable than the makeup remover wipes I’m currently using.
  • Phyto 5 Jojoba and Shea Butter Nourishing Cream – $7.99 – This stuff must be good – the full size is nearly $80! I can’t wait to test out this high end cream. So fancy!

Beauty Army Kit

 

  • Amala Hydrating Cream Cleanser, Face Cream, and Yogurt Mask – $4.49 – Onto the foil packets! I’ve never tried Amala before, and it’s definitely a luxury line. It will be interesting to give these a try.
  • Miracle Skin Transformer Tinted Acne Treatment Lotion – $0.64 – This looks like a primer that is specifically made for acne prone skin. I hope I can get at least one use out of this packet!
  • Michael Todd samples – $3.99 – I love the Michael Todd products that I’ve tried, so I’m glad to test out even more. I wish that I got one, deluxe sample instead of a variety of foil packets.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $29.57

RATING 1-5 (1 BEING WORST AND 5 BEING BEST): 3

OVERALL OPINION: While I am disappointed that half of my samples are foil packets, the deluxe samples are awesome! I am especially excited to try the Makeup Remover Pads. I also really like that I can pick out my samples each month, so I won’t get anything that I really don’t want. If my Beauty Army kit had more deluxe samples, I would love it!

You can join Beauty Army for $12 per month HERE. Are you already a member? Let me know what you think of this subscription 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.