Adventures in Polishland

Drugstore Beauty Haul! | Couponing Tips & Tricks

Posted on October 16, 2015October 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I am always focused on living a fabulous and affordable life. One of my favorite parts of each week is going through the Sunday paper and clipping coupons. I then match the coupons up with the weekly sales to score awesome deals at the drugstore. I like to buy beauty products regularly, not just for myself, but for blog reviews and giveaways. I’m able to purchase items at a fraction of the cost thanks to the time I spend planning out my purchases and using coupons. Today I want to share a quick drugstore haul and show you how I got over $35 worth of makeup for just $15. Let’s get started!

I went to my local CVS for this particular shopping trip. There were two deals that I wanted to check out, one from Maybelline and the other from L’Oreal. Each brand was having a sale where when you purchased two items, you got $5 in ExtraCare Bucks (“ECB”) back. CVS has an amazing rewards system called ExtraCare where you score tons of great coupons and can earn ECB, which work like free money. If you’re not a member yet, I highly recommend signing up HERE. Otherwise you won’t get exclusive sale prices and coupons! I’m going to break down the two deals I made during this purchase so you can see how I used my coupons.

MAYBELLINE DEAL – Buy 2 Products, Get $5.00 ECB

I really wanted to purchase the Maybelline Shine-Free Foundation from the Fit Me line because I used it in the past and really loved it. I always recommend you buy products that you either know you’ll use, or you really want to try. There is no use buying items just to use a coupon! I grabbed the mascara up for either a gift item or a future giveaway here.

Items Purchased:

Maybelline Great Lash Big in Blackest Black = $5.99

Maybelline Shine-Free Foundation in Classic Ivory = $9.79

Coupons Used:

$2.00 off Maybelline Mascara (manufacturer’s coupon)

$2.00 off Maybelline Fit Me Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

Money Spent: 5.99 + 9.79 = 15.78 – 4.00 = $11.78

ECB Earned: $5.00

L’OREAL DEAL – Buy 2 Products, Get $5.00 ECB

Next, I grabbed a couple items from L’Oreal. My favorite drugstore mascaras come from L’Oreal, so I figured I would try the Miss Manga because I’ve heard great things about it. Plus, I like to have mascara on back-up because it’s good to change up mascaras every three months. I was also on the hunt for a new blush for the fall, so I picked one up from the True Match line to try.

Items Purchased:

L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Blush in Baby Blossom = $11.49

L’Oreal Miss Manga Mascara in Black = $8.49

Coupons Used:

$3.00 off L’Oreal True Match Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

$1.00 off L’Oreal Eye Product (manufacturer’s coupon)

Money Spent: 11.49 + 8.49 = 19.98 – 4.00 = 15.98

ECB Earned: $5.00

I used one manufacturer’s coupon on each item, as I showed above in the deal breakdowns. CVS also allows you to use CVS coupons, too. For this particular purchase I had a $5.00 off any $15.00 purchase coupon that I received in my email. Sometimes I have specific coupons for beauty products, other times I will receive percentage off coupons, but it changes every week. What I can tell you is that CVS will always send me at least one CVS coupon that I can use on each purchase!

Money Spent: 11.78 (Maybelline) + 15.98 (L’Oreal) = 27.76 – 5.00 = $22.76

Now, $22.76 would be your total if all you had was the manufacturer’s coupons and CVS coupon. That is still an incredible savings! The retail price of all the items totals $35.76, so there is already a savings of $13.00, or 47%. But because I am a regular CVS shopper, I had $7.00 in ECB from my last purchase. That means I only spent $15.76! I saved $20 just by clipping some coupons and paying attention to sales. Plus, I earned a total of $10.00 in ECB to use on my next purchase! Every week I earn some ECB that I can use the next time. It makes saving so easy, and shopping really fun!

All in all, I hope you enjoyed this Drugstore Beauty Haul and found my couponing tips and tricks helpful. I go to the drugstore about once per week, so if you would like to see how I use coupons to save money on a regular basis, please let me know in the comments! I am not affiliated with nor am I sponsored by CVS, but it is definitely my drugstore of choice for beauty deals at the moment. Make sure you stop by for some new goodies, either for yourself, or for your friends – the holiday season is just around the corner!

What beauty products have you purchased from the drugstore lately? Let me know in the comments!

The Fall Favorites Tag! | #PolishlandFaves

Posted on October 15, 2015October 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! It’s no secret that fall is my favorite time of year. Perhaps it’s because I’m an October baby, but fall just makes me feel cozy. I’m always excited for everything that fall brings, and that’s why I’m so glad fellow blogger Carolyn from The Diary of a Tall Girl tagged me in the Fall Favorites Tag. This tag was created by YouTube Beauty Guru Jaclyn Hill. I am a huge fan of Jaclyn, and can’t wait to jump right in and share my fall favorites with all of you!

Favorite Candle

Okay, so I know I’m ‘cheating’ already, but I’m just not a candle person. Instead, I’ll share my favorite fall scent, which also happens to be a candle! I’ve been obsessed with the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin shower gel from Bath & Body Works. I love sweet smells, and I’m also a huge pumpkin lover, so this scent is perfect for me. Of course, if you like candles you can grab this at your local Bath & Body Works in candle form!

Favorite Lip Color

One of my go-to lip colors is definitely Berry Soft from the Baby Lips Dr. Rescue line. It gives my lips a sheer wash of a berry color, and also helps to moisturize and heal dry lips. Berry Soft is perfect to wear daily, and you don’t need a mirror to apply it so feel free to toss it in your purse! Even those it’s been three years since I first discovered Baby Lips I’m still a huge fan!

Favorite Drink

Like many, I am all about the pumpkin spice in the fall! My favorite pumpkin drink is the Pumpkin Spice coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. I love it both iced and hot, and it’s a must have for me because of its sweet taste. I usually buy a bag to brew at home, and Target often has it on sale each year. If you’ve never tried it before, definitely go for it!

FAVORITE BLUSH

When the weather gets cool, my blush gets warmer in tone. My cousin gifted me Pür Minerals Hot Rocks a couple years back, and I am obsessed with it! The color is stunning, the formula is super blendable, and it is 100% worth the high end price tag. I’m showing you a stock photo of this blush because mine is completely destroyed at this point. It still applies beautifully, but we all know what blush packaging turns into after a lot of use. It’s that good!

FAVORITE CLOTHING ITEM

While I love boots, scarves, and sweaters, this year I have been wearing my new Wren sneakers from Sole Society every single day! They go with every outfit, and are comfortable and stylish at the same time. I’m so glad slip-on sneakers are on trend right now. I used to wear them back in my high school days! If you’re not a Sole Society member yet, use my referral code HERE to snag 20% off your first purchase!

FAVORITE FALL MOVIE

Hocus Pocus is, of course, my favorite fall movie! I remember the first time I saw it back in second grade nearly 20 years ago now. I thought it was scary back then, and now it’s just a ton of fun. I watch it every time it’s on TV even though I own the DVD. I know I’m not alone in loving Hocus Pocus! Share your favorite quote from the movie in the comments!

FAVORITE FALL TV SHOW

One of my favorite TV shows of all time is The Big Bang Theory! It is so funny, and I love Sheldon Cooper’s character. I’ll admit that the new episodes this season haven’t been my favorite, but I hope they’ll get better soon! I also watch this show a lot in reruns, so there is always a funny episode to see. I can’t wait to find out what happens to the characters next!

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD

I don’t have a picture to share, but my favorite Thanksgiving food is stuffing! Thanksgiving is extremely ritualized in my family. We eat the same hors d’oeuvres, main dishes, and desserts every year. I used to love turkey, but as a vegetarian I, of course, don’t eat it anymore. That being said, I tried stuffing for the first time at my brother’s wedding five years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since! Thankfully, my family makes vegetarian stuffing because there are three of us who don’t eat meat. I don’t eat stuffing often, and that’s what makes it a fun Thanksgiving food!

FAVORITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME

I’ve also had a lot of great Halloween costumes over the years, and it’s difficult to pick one favorite to share! I’ve dressed up as Minnie Mouse, a 50s Sock-Hop Girl (complete with a handmade Poodle Skirt), Stephanie from Full House, Maureen from RENT, and the list goes on! The costume that I am the most proud of is one that my friend and I created in high school. We were both dancers our entire lives, so we decided to take pieces from all of our costumes over the years and layer them together in a crazy outfit. We called ourselves Confused Dancers, and it was a lot of fun!

That brings us to the end of the Fall Favorites tag! I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about me and my fall loves. I would love to see your answers to these questions! Either leave them in the comments, or create your own blog post! I will officially tag all of you who celebrate a birthday in October.

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

Keranique Clean & Condition Set Review | #KeraniqueHair

Posted on October 14, 2015October 13, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of a high end shampoo and conditioner set from the brand Keranique. I was so excited to receive the Clean & Condition set because I have very fine hair that is pretty dull and flat. I’m always looking to improve the health of my hair, and if I can give it some added volume in the process that is a win-win situation. At the same time, I’m on a budget, so it’s rare that I purchase high end products. I had very high hopes for the Keranique Clean & Condition Set! Let me share more information on these products and my experience with all of you.

The Keranique Clean & Condition Set comes with the Scalp Stimulating Shampoo and the Volumizing Keratin Conditioner. Together they are designed to gently clean and stimulate the scalp to nourish and rejuvenate hair follicles. The Scalp Stimulating Shampoo is formulated to help improve the volume, thickness, and strength of thinning hair, as well as the hair’s lustre. The Volumizing Conditioner contains Keratin, and is designed to help thicken and volumize thin hair without weighing it down. I used the system for about two and a half weeks, and was hoping for great results. I’m going to talk about the shampoo and conditioner separately, and then round out my thoughts.

I overall like the Scalp Stimulating Shampoo. It is clear in color, and doesn’t have a scent. I used it as directed and let it sit on my hair for one to two minutes before rinsing. I didn’t notice any tingling or feeling on the scalp, and my hair felt really clean after using this shampoo. Basically, this shampoo didn’t wow me, but it seemed to work just fine.

The Volumizing Keratin Conditioner is definitely a unique product! It contains peppermint and menthol, so there is a cooling sensation on the scalp when you let it sit for the suggested one to two minutes. This sensation was very strong the first time I used the conditioner, but either I got used to it, or the product didn’t activate as much as I continued use. If you have very sensitive skin, I would keep that in mind before purchasing this product.

Moreover, I wanted to talk about my experience with this system. I noticed that after about two weeks of use in which I used the products every other day, my hair became very dry and finicky. I had to pull out a detangling spray for the first time in several months, and I also grabbed hair oil to treat my hair. After experiencing this dryness, I decided to discontinue use and switched back to my normal haircare routine.

All in all, I am quite disappointed with the Keranique Clean & Condition Set. While I did feel my hair getting a bit thicker, I know that this formula was hurting my hair instead of helping it. As I mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, I do have thin hair that I would consider a bit sensitive. That being said, just because Keranique didn’t work for me doesn’t mean it’s a bad product. We all have different hair types, and mine just doesn’t mesh well with Keranique. If you would like to learn more about Keranique, please visit the brand’s site HERE. You can receive 25% off any Keranique purchase through 12/31/15 with the code THICKER25 at checkout.

What is your volumizing hair product of choice? Let me know in the comments!

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

Library Book Sale Haul | Book Shopping on a Budget!

Posted on October 13, 2015September 21, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you a mega awesome book haul! As you know, Adventures in Polishland is your guide to a fabulous and affordable life. I’ve often shared how to save on beauty products, but today we are changing gears to talk about books! I’ve been a reader my entire life, and as much as I love ebooks, I still prefer reading physical books. Books can be really expensive, though, so I’m always on the hunt for a good deal. I love to check out used book stores, but the best and most affordable shopping is a good old library book sale! My local library always has a sale going on, but once a year there is a huge book sale where you can fill a bag for just $1.00. I recently went to this sale and picked up seven books, and had to share them with you! Let me show you what I picked up, and give you some library book sale tips along the way.

I’ve gone to many library book sales in the past and often felt overwhelmed with the vast number of books. This is often because the books are not organized, and there is so much to look at, at once. Plus, these book sales can be swimming with lots of people all vying for the hot titles. This time I came prepared – I only bought books that I was looking to own. In other words, I didn’t pick up any books simply because they looked interesting. I bought books that were on my wish list. My main goal was to find books that completed series. I also brought my own reusable tote to the book sale. It allowed me to pick up more books because it was bigger than the grocery bags the library offered!

Here are the first four books I got at the sale. I was so excited to find these, because they helped to complete two series on my bookshelf! These books are all sequels that I’ve been wanting to read. Specials and Extras by Scott Westerfeld are the last two books in the Uglies series, and I already own the first two. Frostbite by Richelle Mead is the second book in the Vampire Academy series (I own the first one). Finally, Little Altars Everywhere by Rebecca Wells is the second book in the Ya-Yas trilogy. I own the first and third books already, but was missing this one. I seriously couldn’t believe my luck with these finds! I love to read all of the books in a series back-to-back, so now I can do that with the Uglies and Ya-Yas series!

I also picked up a couple Stephen King books. I’ve been wanting to read his books in publishing order for a while, so when I found this vintage copy of Carrie I decided to pick it up despite it’s disheveled state. I am super excited about this bind-up of The Bachman Books as well! It contains four novels that King wrote under a pseudonym at the beginning of his career, and is very difficult to find because one of the novels is not in print anymore. I’m ready for spooky Halloween reads for sure!

Last but not least, I found a copy of Deception Point by Dan Brown. I’ve read three of his Robert Langdon books, so I figured I would read more by him. I also own a copy of Angels & Demons in this same edition, which is from the UK! I couldn’t pass this up, especially for such a low price.

Those are all of the books I picked up at the library book sale for just $1.00 total! Besides the copy of Carrie, all of the books I got are in great quality and would sell for a few dollars each at used bookstores or online. Definitely make sure to check out your local library to see what books they have on sale. You never know what you’re going to find!

Do you shop at library book sales? Share your tips in the comments!

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How to Create a Period Confidence Kit featuring U by Kotex at CVS! | #ConfidenceUDeserve

Posted on October 12, 2015October 16, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ConfidenceUDeserve #CollectiveBias

Happy Monday! Today at Adventures in Polishland I am excited to be sharing with you how to put together a Period Confidence Kit so you can feel ready to tackle anything that comes your way during that time of the month. While it can be difficult to feel your best during your period, I like to treat myself to some extra pampering. You all know how much I love shopping at the drugstore! I’m all about the CVS Extrabucks program, and the store has tons of great products to boost my confidence whilst on my period as well. Let me show you how I put together a Period Confidence Kit using my favorite feminine care products from U by Kotex, and some extra goodies from CVS!

LET’S GO SHOPPING!

I don’t know about you, but retail therapy in and of itself is a fun way to boost my mood no matter what time of the month it is! I headed over to my local CVS store to pick up all the supplies I need to create my Period Confidence Kit. CVS has a ton of products from which to choose, but I stuck to the beauty aisle and the food aisle to gather supplies. Then I headed to the feminine care aisle for the most important supply – my U by Kotex pads!

My local store keeps the feminine products in the aisle straight back from the beauty products. That works out perfectly for me! I just shop for all my makeup and skincare, and then end up in the back anyway. I began using U by Kotex four years ago, and I’ve stuck with the brand ever since. I was first drawn in because of the packaging – the black boxes stand out on the shelf, and I love the bright wrappers on the products. I continued to purchase U by Kotex because of the quality! I always feel confident on my period when I wear U by Kotex. Sometimes I even forget I’m on my period because I’m so dry and comfortable. I highly recommend trying U by Kotex if you haven’t already!

ASSEMBLING MY PERIOD CONFIDENCE KIT!

I like to begin my Period Confidence Kit with some sweets! I have a huge sweet tooth, and it’s always nice to indulge. I first grabbed the Milk Chocolate Pretzel Balls from Gold Emblem because they are the perfect combination of salty and sweet, but I nearly squealed in the aisle when I saw Pumpkin Cookies! Both of these goodies were really delicious (let’s be real – I’ve already enjoyed them!). Satisfying my sweet tooth is an important part to my Period Confidence Kit because I feel great after having a tasty treat. Make sure to feed your personal cravings!

Next up comes my beauty and skincare regimen! I don’t always pamper myself, but I like to do some extra beautifying at least once per month. I was so surprised at the fabulous and affordable products CVS had to offer! Not only did I stock up on my favorite nail polish remover in the strengthening formula, but I got some amazing skincare products. The CVS brand Beauty 360 has tons of products from which to choose, but I grabbed the Detoxifying Purifying Facial Mask. This is an active charcoal mask that helps to clean out pores and reduce their appearance. I have amazing luck with a high end charcoal mask, so I was really excited to find this affordable option! I also grabbed some Deep Cleaning Pore Strips, which I try to use 1-2 times per month. Finally, my hands get really dry, especially during the colder months, so I grabbed some Dry Skin Therapy Smoothing Hand Cream. By using these skincare products, I feel really confident in how I look because I know my skin is at its best! Plus, it’s always nice to take some time out of our busy schedules for some needed TLC.

All in all, I know that when my period comes around for a visit every month I can still feel like the best version of myself. I grab my favorite U by Kotex pads, spend some time caring for my skin, and even eat some delicious treats. This Period Confidence Kit is great to have on hand, and also makes an amazing care package for one of your girlfriends! It’s also the perfect kit to have for a girls’ night in! My kit changes up a bit throughout the year depending on my current needs, but I always make sure to focus on my own needs during my period. It’s not easy to be confident all the time, but it certainly easier with this kit! Make sure to learn more about U by Kotex at CVS HERE!

How do you stay confident during your period? Let me know in the comments!

Madam Glam Fall 2015 Collection | Swatches & Review

Posted on October 9, 2015October 3, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to bring you swatches and a review of even more fall nail polishes! The boutique brand Madam Glam recently released a bunch of new nail polish shades for the fall season, and provided me with five to review for all of you. I decided to choose some dark polishes and some glitters. Now that fall is in full swing and the weather is getting much cooler, I’m all about darks! Let me show you the polishes I picked out!

First up is High Standards, a deep oxblood polish with a creme finish. High Standards has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. The polish is a bit on the goopy side, so I recommend thin layers that you let dry completely. High Standards is so chic! As I’m writing this post I’m looking at the swatches above and thinking I need to put this polish on again as soon as possible!

Next up is Another Glass, a deep berry wine polish packed with shimmer. This is by far my favorite polish of the bunch. The formula is perfection, and I applied two coats for opacity. I really love the dimension with Another Glass. It’s great for fall and for the holidays as well.

Endless Night is up next, and it is a deep indigo creme polish. Endless Night has a great formula that is opaque in two coats, but it is a stainer! I had on base coat and a few of my nails were blue upon removal. I recommend applying two healthy layers of base coat before using Endless Night, and make sure your base is completely dry. This polish is gorgeous, so I’m going to brave the stains for it!

Next is Holo Fever, a purple based polish packed with holographic microglitter. Holo Fever has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. It is on the thick side, so I recommend thin coats that you allow to dry completely before adding another layer. I added a glossy top coat to the manicure to even out the glitter, and I think it is super fun! Purple and holo glitter make a great combination.

Last but not least is More Diamonds Please, a silver polish with holographic microglitter. More Diamonds Please has a tricky formula that is very thick and goopy, but also sheer. I layered on two coats and did not achieve opacity, but because of the thickness of the polish, I couldn’t add a third coat. More Diamonds Please is beautiful, but I’d recommend using one thin coat as a topper on another manicure.

All in all, Madam Glam has a lot of fall nail polish options in a variety of shades and finishes. I’m really loving Another Glass, and High Standards is gorgeous, too. You can purchase these polishes directly from the Madam Glam website HERE. Polishes are $10.95 each, but if you buy 6 products you can get 50% off with the code GET3FREE, which is an amazing deal! The five polishes I’ve shared with you are just a few of the polishes Madam Glam has to offer, so be sure to check out the website for the full range.

Have you tried Madam Glam nail polish?! What shade is your favorite?

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

Book Review | Soundless by Richelle Mead

Posted on October 8, 2015August 30, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Published by Razorbill on November 10, 2015

Genres: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: ARC

Pages: 272

Source: BEA

Goodreads: ★★★★

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever…

REVIEW

I’ve been hearing amazing things about Richelle Mead’s books for years now, but haven’t picked one up until receiving Soundless at Book Expo America (“BEA”) this past May. Soundless is a stand alone fantasy novel following Fei, a young artist who lives in a Chinese village in which everyone is deaf. No one is entirely sure why the people in Fei’s village lost their hearing several generations ago, but now members of her community are losing their vision as well. This poses a danger for them, because they are stuck at the top of a mountain, and their only chance at survival comes by way of a zipline connecting the village with the township at the bottom. So long as Fei’s village sends down the precious metals they mine, they receive food in return, but the more they lose their vision, the less food they receive. Things are looking bleak until one day Fei’s hearing suddenly returns. She decides to use this new ability to make the dangerous trek down the mountain with her childhood friend Li Wei in hopes of saving her community.

What follows is a short but incredibly well-written account of what Fei and Li Wei discover at the bottom of the mountain, and what, if anything, they can do to save their people. I found Soundless a very unique and refreshing story, and I really liked that I never knew what was going to happen next. I was especially fond of all the characters in Soundless, and felt a bond with them throughout the story. Fei, in particular, is an incredible heroine. She is brave, self-sufficient, and always does what is best for her community over what may fulfill her own selfish needs. Richelle Mead does an excellent job creating a heroine who is realistic, yet still surprisingly strong.

My only critique of Soundless is with the ending. In order to keep this review spoiler-free, I will generally explain my disappointments. The ending for me was a bit of a cop out, because it turned an otherwise contemporary-feeling read into a fantasy one. While I still enjoyed the ending overall, I do wish it flowed better from the rest of the novel. Similarly, I found that everything in Soundless wrapped up a bit too easily. I recognize that this is a middle grade novel, though, so that is understandable.

Overall, Soundless is a great read, and I highly recommend it if you are looking for a unique and diverse story. I appreciate that Soundless is a stand-alone fantasy book, as I tend to avoid fantasy due to the long series that are often involved. That being said, I am definitely looking forward to picking up Richelle Mead’s other books now that I know I enjoy her writing.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Book Depository | Barnes & Noble

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Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion Pore Perfecting Exfoliator Review | #PoreDermabrasion

Posted on October 7, 2015October 1, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to review a high end skincare product from the brand Dr. Brandt. I had just run out of face exfoliator, and one of my blogger networks reached out with the opportunity to review Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion. I’ve had great luck with the Dr. Brandt samples I’ve tried in the past, so I was really happy to review this one as well. My skin has been a bit icky lately with the seasons changing, and I really needed to clean out my pores. Let me share more about PoreDermabrasion and my experience with the product!

The Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion is a targeted exfoliator featuring physical and chemical exfoliation to deep clean and refine pores. It is designed to be used by anyone no matter the age or skin type. The scrub can be used 1-2 times per week. Simply dampen the skin with water, massage the scrub on for one minute avoiding the eye area, and let set for 1-2 minutes so the product can activate. Then, rinse well and pat dry.

I’ve been using PoreDermabrasion for the past two weeks now, and am already loving the results. I could even see a change in my skin the first time I used the product! I took a good look at my pores using a magnifying mirror before using the scrub, and again afterwards. Many of my blackheads were gone after just one use! I find that the exfoliator is more abrasive than others I’ve used in the past, but it is not painful. I make sure to not press too hard on my skin during application and trust that the product will work on its own. I like that it doesn’t have an odor, and that there is no tingling whatsoever. My skin feels so fresh and clean when I rinse it off!

I’ve done three treatments so far, and my skin is overall much more even. I have a lot of enlarged pores, especially in my T-zone, but they look cleaner now than ever before. I’m excited to see how my skin will continue to improve in the weeks to come.

All in all, I highly recommend Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion. It is a high end product that retails for $58.00, but because you only need a pea size amount each application, this 2oz tube will last you a very long time! You can purchase this direct from Dr. Brandt’s website HERE. PoreDermabrasion ships free, and you can earn 2x Dr. Brandt loyalty points by purchasing it. In addition, if you share this product with two friends who come back to drbrandtskincare.com, you both save $10 on your next purchase!

Do you use an exfoliator as part of your skincare routine? Let me know in the comments!

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

September Favorites | Beauty + Lifestyle Loves!

Posted on October 6, 2015July 14, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe September is already over, and we’re nearly a full week into October. Fall is my favorite season, so I’m glad to be enjoying cooler temperatures, warmer clothing, and, of course, pumpkin mania! I don’t have too many beauty favorites, but I do have a bunch of other goodies to share. Let’s jump right into my September Favorites!

Lip Product

Chosungah 22 Flavlorful Lipstick – Chai Tea [BUY]

I got this really intriguing lip product in one of my last Birchboxes. It’s a Korean lipstick that has lip balm qualities. It doesn’t add any color to the lips, but does have a bit of a gloss to it. I haven’t been wearing any lip colors lately, so this product is perfect. It feels so moisturizing, and I just really love it! It’s a bit pricey at $18.00, but if you’re up for a splurge, I highly recommend it!

LIP CARE

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish [BUY]

I’ve loved the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish for a few years now, but I haven’t used it in such a long time. With the cooler weather, though, I’ve needed to exfoliate my dry lips. I got this small tub of Lip Polish at the Fresh store in Las Vegas for free when I signed up for the Rewards program. I’m so glad to be putting it to use! It’s truly an amazing scrub, and very luxurious.

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel – Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin [BUY]

Here is a huge savings tip – make sure you sign up for Bath & Body Works coupons! Every once in a while I get a coupon in the mail for free products with no purchase required. I recently got one for a full size product, and I picked up the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Shower Gel! I love the scent for fall – it is really fragranced and my bathroom smells great even after I’m out of the shower. While I don’t like all of the ingredients in the Bath & Body Works products, I definitely like to use them once in a while.

HAIR CARE

Irresistible Me Diamond Hair Styler [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been completely obsessed with the Diamond since I got it! Make sure you check out my full review with before and after photos if you haven’t already. I’ve stashed my old flat iron away now, and only reach for the Diamond. It’s definitely an investment product, but it’s 100% worth it. My hair has never felt so shiny and glossy, and my straightening time is cut in half. I’m so in love!

BOOK

The Accident Season by Moïra Fowley-Doyla [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been loving creepy books lately, and The Accident Season is an awesome one! This is a young adult book that follows a girl named Cara as she and her family try to survive the month of October. They always experience a lot of accidents in October, and this year seems to be the worst lot of accidents yet. I highly recommend this book if you love magical realism! Check out my full review by clicking the above link.

ETSY SHOP / STICKER SHOP

Oh, Hello Stationery Co. [ETSY] [WEBSITE]

One of my go-to shops for buying planner stickers is Oh, Hello Stationery Co. The brand recently opened up its own website in addition to its Etsy store, and the new site has much more to offer. My favorite thing is the new Poppy Points rewards system that allows you to earn points for every purchase and for referrals! So, if you’d like to get a $5.00 coupon, please sign up using my referral link HERE. This coupon is only for new Oh, Hello shoppers, so if you’ve bought from the store before keep that in mind. I’ve linked one of my recent hauls from Oh, Hello above so you can see the types of stickers I buy from the brand!

FOOD

Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Coffee

Last but not least, I have to shout out the pumpkin coffee from Dunkin Donuts! I absolute love it and have for years. Step aside Starbucks PSL – I much prefer this sweet concoction. Plus, I’m currently living in Patriots Nation, and every time they win I can get a free coffee. It’s been super successful so far this NFL season! If you haven’t tried pumpkin coffee yet, I highly recommend it.

What were some of you favorites in September? Let me know in the comments!

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.

KBShimmer Fall 2015 Collection | Breaking Blues & I Feel Gourd-geous

Posted on October 5, 2015September 25, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to review two of the polishes from the KBShimmer Fall 2015 Collection. This collection contains 12 nail polishes in rich, jewel tones. There are a variety of formulas, finishes, and shades available, and I have one cream and one full-coverage glitter to share. Let me go ahead and review Breaking Blues and I Feel Gourd-geous for you!

First up is Breaking Blues, a periwinkle blue with a cream finish. Breaking Blues has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish! The color is so stunning, and not what I would traditionally think of for fall. I think Breaking Blues will look good with any skin tone, and I’m definitely going to be wearing this polish a lot in the coming months.

I Feel Gourd-geous is the other polish I tried, and it is a copper shade of holographic glitter polish. I Feel Gourd-geous is a full-coverage glitter that can be worn alone (as I’ve done) in three coats. Of course, you can use this polish to layer over other shades, but I’m amazed with how stunning I Feel Gourd-geous is alone! I layered a glossy top coat over the manicure to smooth out the glitter, and I think it’s beautiful. If you’re a glitter lover, you need this one!

All in all, I’m really impressed with these two polishes from KBShimmer. Each has an excellent formula, and I can see myself reaching for these countless times. KBShimmer is an indie brand and retails from $7.50-8.75 each. What I love about KBShimmer is that it can be purchased direct from the brand’s website HERE or on Amazon HERE. That way you can use an Amazon gift card, or if you have an Amazon credit card like I do you earn 3x the points! No matter where you shop, I highly recommend these polishes! Let me know in the comments if you’ll be purchasing either of these!

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