Adventures in Polishland

My Everyday Hair & Makeup Routine! | All Drugstore Products

Posted on August 19, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Back to school time is right around the corner, so I thought I would share with you my everyday hair and makeup routines. I stick to the very basics on a daily basis, and I typically use all drugstore products. What else would you expect from this fabulous and affordable girl?! If you’re in a rush in the morning, this look is perfect for you. Plus, I keep everything quite natural, so if you’re new to makeup this is a great routine for you to adopt as well. Let me show you all the products I use, and then the before and after!

WHAT YOU NEED

Here are the eight products I use everyday! While sometimes the brands may change (i.e. a CoverGirl mascara or a Baby Lips lip balm), these are the basics that I always reach for to make up my face.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser [REVIEW] [BUY] – This primer is amazing, and you all know I love it by now! It evens out my skin and makes it feel smooth and soft.
CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup in L2 [BUY] – I recently purchased this foundation, as it was around $10 at the drugstore and I’ve loved the other CoverGirl foundation I tried in the past. The TruBlend is definitely a light to medium coverage, and applies really easily with a sponge like the BeautyBlender.
Revlon ColorStay Under Eye Concealer in Light [BUY] – I finally found my holy grail under eye concealer! Revlon nailed it with this ColorStay line. It blends out perfectly and really brightens my under eye area. It’s a bit on the “expensive” side at the drugstore at around $12, but the twist-up packaging ensures you use each and every bit of product. I think it’s 100% worth the price!
Milani Brow Fix Kit in Light [BUY] – Brows are the most important part of my makeup routine! My natural brows are uneven, with the left one being far sparser than the right. Luckily, this little kit comes with everything I need to define my face! I use both the light and dark shades to create the perfect brow color.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Cream [BUY] – Powder is also a must for me, as my skin gets quite oily throughout the day. My recent favorite is the Maybelline Dream Matte, but I’m also a fan of the Rimmel Stay Matte. I dust this stuff all over my face, and it looks flawless!
NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY] – I was afraid to try cream blush for the longest time, but now I love it! Just a few taps of this product and I can easily bring some color to my face. It blends out easily with my fingers as well!
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black [REVIEW] [BUY] – If there’s one part of my makeup routine that I like to be a bit “dramatic,” it’s my lashes. I’m truly obsessed with this mascara from L’Oreal, and I highly recommend it. It gives my lashes length, volume, and a great curl without any clumps.
Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in Honey [BUY] – I love this jumbo lip crayon! It’s so easy to apply, and because it is a stain it will stay on all day even through eating and drinking. Honey is a great “my lips but better” color that is polished yet still not over the top.

My hair routine is so simple it only requires two products! I have naturally wavy and frizzy hair, so I like to let it air dry before I flat iron it. If I have second-day hair, I will use a dry shampoo before styling.

Göt2b Guardian Angel Gloss Finish Flat Iron Balm [BUY] – Heat protectant is a necessity, especially because I use a flat iron so much! I love this one because it really gives my hair a shiny yet non-greasy look. The bottle also lasts for a very long time!
Conair Ceramic 2″ Straightener [BUY] – The upside to having thin hair is that I don’t have to spend a lot of money on a fancy flat iron. This one from the drugstore works amazingly well, and costs around $20! I’ve had this model for about three years now.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Ta da! As you can see, I think my everyday makeup and hair routine polishes up my natural self just a bit. I still look like me, and I don’t look like I’m wearing too much makeup. I’m ready to show my face in the city of New York and feel great about it!

All in all, I hope seeing my everyday hair and makeup routine helped inspire you! Whether you’ve discovered some great drugstore products, or simply liked my before and after transformation, please let me know in the comments if you’d like to see more makeup posts like this one! Also, let me know what your everyday hair and makeup routines consist of because I want to know! If you’re feeling brave, post a before and after on Instagram and tag me in it! Best of luck if you’re heading back to school like I am!

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

Subscription Sunday | August Julep Maven Box

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

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have an unboxing of my August Julep Maven Box for all of you. I’ve been very picky lately with my Julep box, since I have dozens of Julep polishes and am working to shrink my nail polish collection. When I saw the beautiful polishes being offered this month, I decided to go for it. Let me show you what I got!

Here is a peek inside my box. This month’s theme is The Wanderlust Collection, which is perfect since I’ll be traveling this month! I went with my signature style of Classic with a Twist, and got two nail polishes and the Gel Eye Glider in Black. To be honest, I can do without the eyeliner, but I really loved the two nail polish shades so I still got this box.

The first polish is Katie, a stunning, iridescent orchid polish. Katie is somewhere between a pink and purple, and I am just loving this polish. The formula is amazing, and the polish is opaque in two coats. I’ve worn this twice already, and can see myself reaching for Katie quite often.

Next is Anvi, a deep violet shade with a magenta shimmer. Anvi is also a gorgeous polish, and is opaque in two coats. The formula is great as well. I know I have similar deep purples in my collection, but this one just stands out to me!

All in all, I’m so glad I got my Julep Maven box this month! I don’t think I’ll even open the eyeliner, but the polishes are amazing! I’m loving both of them, and have already gotten a lot of use out of them. As always, if you’re not a Julep Maven yet, you can get your first month for free using code FREEBOX at checkout. Please sign up using my referral LINK so I can get rewards points! While Julep does have its problems (find out what I mean HERE), I’m still going to stand by this company because the polishes are awesome and work so well with my body chemistry. If you’re a Maven, let me know what you think of your August box in the comments!

Products I’ve Used Up #4

Posted on August 15, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s time for another products I’ve used up post here at Adventures in Polishland. It always feels great to use up products that I purchase. Let’s get right into my empties, and I’ll share mini-reviews of each product.

HAIR CARE

I used up two dry shampoos recently. First is my all-time favorite, the Klorane Dry Shampoo [BUY]. I’ve repurchased this countless times now! Next up is the Aveeno Pure Renewal that I got at Duane Reade. I did like it, but it was a bit expensive (around $10) and I prefer to splurge on the Klorane, which works much better.

FACE PRODUCTS

I used up a lot of face and makeup products this time around! I’ll tell you about each one from left to right.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin – I really like this moisturizer from the drugstore. It works well, but it’s not the best moisturizer ever if you know what I mean. I highly recommend it for ultra sensitive skin, though. It’s light enough to wear all year long as well.
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation – I LOVED this foundation. In fact, it’s my favorite that I’ve tried so far! I found that my skin loved it, too, and broke out less when I used this on a regular basis. If you’re looking for an affordable foundation, run to the drugstore and get this one!
Manna Kadar Lash Ware Mascara – I got this mascara in a Wantable box, and fell in love as well. It really does a great job at separating my lashes for a full look. You can purchase this online, but keep in mind it is a luxury brand.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – I purchased this powder during a sale event, and I’m so glad I did. It’s amazing, and great at keeping face matte and getting rid of shine. I’ve heard this product is being discontinued, which is highly disappointing since I really love it!
Maybelline Baby Skin – I’ve raved about Baby Skin on Adventures in Polishland before (see that post HERE). It’s a really great drugstore primer, and I’ve already purchased another one!

MAKEUP REMOVER

I’ve gone through a lot of makeup remover recently! In the summer, I use a lot of wipes because they keep me feeling fresh and clean.

Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads – I got these in a Beauty Army box, and to be honest I didn’t like them. It’s basically a cotton square that you wet with water and wipe over your face. It didn’t take off all of my makeup, especially mascara, and I felt like I had to do heavy cleansing afterwards.
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really have grown to love the Simple Wipes in the past few months. I think my skin is either getting used to them, or they’ve somehow gotten better. Whatever the reason, I’m digging these!
Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – These were my all-time favorite wipes, and I’m glad I stocked up on them during sale events because they were discontinued by the brand. There is a new wipe in the Fresh Effects line, so I’ll have to see how I like them at some point.
Sephora Instant Eye Makeup Remover – I bought this eye makeup remover in hopes that it would take off my mascara with ease. It didn’t. I’ve found other makeup removers that work much better than this, so I’ll stick with those.

BODY PRODUCTS

Secret Outlast Deodorant – Here’s my secret: I hate Secret deodorants! I used to use this brand all the time, but now I remember why I stopped. For some reason, Secret does not prevent all the odor. But the fun doesn’t stop there. For some reason, this product locks in the odor, and no matter how much I shower and scrub my pits with soap, the scent lingers. It’s really horrible!! I know Secret is a very popular brand, but it just does not work with my body chemistry.
Jergens BB Body Cream – I really enjoyed trying this out! It did make my skin look nice and flawless, but I can’t bring myself to purchase the full size. Maybe I will if I get a good coupon!
Walgreens Hand Sanitizer with Aloe – I keep a pump of hand sanitizer on my desk at all times. You’ve probably seen a lot of these in my empties by now!
Bath & Body Works Vanilla Verbena Sugar Scrub – This is the first sugar scrub I’ve ever tried, and I did like it. I didn’t use it very often, but the scent was very calming. I did purchase two other Bath & Body Works scrubs during the latest sale, but couldn’t find this one again.

Well, that’s it for my products I’ve used up! In this edition I had a lot of great products, and only a few bad ones. I’m sad with the products that were discontinued, though! Make sure to let me know what products you’ve used up lately, and tell me a product that you loved but was later discontinued.

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Favorites & Final Thoughts

Posted on August 13, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Well, friends, over the past couple weeks I’ve shared with you 37, brand new Milani polishes. I’ve thrown a lot of information at you, and if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the new Milani collection, I completely understand. That’s why I wanted to create this post for you. Here I will be sharing my own personal favorites in the Milani Color Statement line. These are the polishes that I most recommend, and plan on wearing often. I also wanted to give some of my final thoughts on the collection at the end of this post. Feel free to use the toolbar at the top of this page to see the entire range, but let’s get into my favorites!

FAVORITES

Doll Face [REVIEW]

Bombshell [REVIEW]

Hot Pink Rage [REVIEW]

Mauving Forward [REVIEW]

Tattle Teal [REVIEW]

Peri-Wink [REVIEW]

Blue Print [REVIEW]

Silhouette [REVIEW]

Rainbow Prism [REVIEW]

Gold Plated [REVIEW]

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the new Milani Color Statement line. Nearly every formula is spot on, and I had only a few minor issues as noted in my full reviews. I really appreciated that Milani added in some unique polishes, especially with the glitters and shimmers. I would love to see this line expand even further in the future, though. We are missing oranges, yellows, more greens, and a black polish. I would also like more glitters, too. Nonetheless, these 37 polishes are certainly fabulous and affordable. The $3.99 price tag is phenomenal, and I’m so honored that I got the chance to try these polishes out for all of you. I hope to see Milani expand this line in the near future!

What polishes in the Milani Color Statement line are your favorites? 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.

Makeup by One Direction | Up All Night Review

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

Happy Tuesday! Today I am excited to share with you one of the limited edition tins from the Makeup by One Direction line! A couple weeks ago, I told you all about the three Looks Collections HERE. Make sure to check out that post for detailed information about all of the tins, and for the US release dates. I was sent the Up All Night palette, which is definitely geared for concert-goers! If you’re headed to a One Direction concert anytime soon, you’ll want to snag this tin!

Here’s what the tin itself looks like. I really love the packaging! It’s very sturdy and organized. Plus, I think it’s a great idea to have some tips on how to use the products right on the inside of the tin. Now, let me show you each of the products!

First up is the Stand Out Eye and Body Crayon in a dark denim shade. This is basically a jumbo crayon that you can use as eyeliner, or for anything else. I tested it as an eyeshadow base, and it worked really well for that. The formula is smooth and creamy, and blends out easily. If you’re using this purely as a liner, I suggest setting it with a powder product to avoid smearing.

Next up is the 4+1 Eyeshadow Palette. I really like how the names of the eyeshadows are right on the back of the palette. It’s so helpful! I swatched each of the shadows above over a primer so that my camera would capture them well. You can go with or without primer in real life, as I find these shadows are nicely pigmented and quite buttery. From left to right, the shades are: Up All Night, Another World, Save You Tonight, Gotta Be You, and More Than This. I do love that there are two neutral shades in this palette, as those are perfect for everyday looks. The blues are beautiful, but definitely more for “going out.” This is a great little palette to stick in your purse if you’re heading straight to the One Direction show after school or work!

To complete your eye makeup, this kit includes the Little Black Dress Volumizing Mascara in Perfect Black. To be honest, this mascara left me a bit underwhelmed. It gives much more of a natural look, which is nice, but it’s not too volumizing as the name suggests.

The Up All Night collection also includes two lip products, with the first being the I Should Have Kissed You lipstick. This is a super bright pink lipstick with a matte finish. The formula is extremely opaque in one coat, and will stay on all night. In fact, I Should Have Kissed You will stain your lips, so you may want to wear a lip liner or primer. The color is so vibrant that I felt a bit silly wearing it, but if you love bright lips this one is perfect for you!

The other lip product is the Taken Liquilights Lip Gloss. This is a bright pink lip gloss that glows to orange under a UV light. Unfortunately I don’t have a UV light so I couldn’t test the color change, but I did give the lip gloss a try. Because it is packed with glitter, it is a little uncomfortable to wear – I can feel the glitter granules on my lips as I wear it. Other than that, the formula is nice, and applies very easily. You can either wear Taken alone, or layered over I Should Have Kissed You to enhance your pink pucker!

My favorite product in the Up All Night tin is, of course, the Na Na Na nail polish! Na Na Na is a gorgeous metallic blue shade with hints of green and gold. The formula is amazing, and is opaque in two coats. I am really impressed with this polish! In fact, I would love to see more polishes come out from this line!

Last but not least we have the Decorator Stencil Set. These stencils are included as a little bonus, and can be used to decorate your limited edition tin, or for whatever your heart desires! There are a bunch of different designs, but I thought I’d share the cute diamonds.

All in all, the Up All Night tin from the new Makeup by One Direction line is a fun collection for any One Direction fan. The quality of the products is pretty good overall, with the nail polish being the stand out product for me. Whether you’re heading out for the night, or simply looking for some bright makeup shades, the Up All Night tin might be perfect for you! Make sure to like the Makeup by One Direction Facebook Page HERE for updates, and let me know what product you would most like to try from the Up All Night tin in the comments!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Quick Dry Top Coat Review

Posted on August 11, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! You’ve now seen all of the new nail polish shades in the Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer line, but I saved the Quick Dry Top Coat for last. I’m always on the hunt for the perfect top coat, especially one that is fabulous and affordable. I made sure to thoroughly test out the Quick Dry Top Coat so I could let you know if it’s worth the buy, even at just $3.99. Let’s go ahead and take a look at the top coat!

The Quick Dry Top Coat stays true to its name – the formula is amazing, glides on with ease, and dries really quickly! I really love the high gloss finish, and appreciate how fast this top coat dries. I’m wearing it over Hot Pink Rage in the photos above, and I think it looks like I got a professional manicure done! You can also see the sizable dent I’ve made in this bottle already. I’ve been testing it a lot for all of you!

I wore this top coat for two manicures, one with a Milani polish and one with another brand, to see how it lasted. Unfortunately, with both manicures I got tip wear on the second day of wear, and chipping on the third day of wear. Once the polish starts chipping, it doesn’t stop either! So while the Quick Dry Top Coat is perfect if you’re rushing out the door and need your nails dry, it’s not a long-lasting top coat. In that sense, I would only recommend it if you are looking for that high gloss finish.

All in all, I’m a bit disappointed that the Quick Dry Top Coat does not preserve my manicure for longer than a few days. I do love how fast it dries and how the finish looks on my nails, though. In that way, it’s definitely up to you to decide if the Quick Dry Top Coat fits your needs. If you change your nail polish as often as I do, this might be a great option for you! You can purchase this top coat at your local CVS store, or directly from Milani’s website HERE. In the comments, let me know if you’d buy this top coat!

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Glitters

Posted on August 9, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have the last of the polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line to share with all of you. I will be doing a complete review of the top coat as well, but the glitters are the last of the swatches. I can’t believe it! Anyway, I’m so glad that Milani included some glitters in this collection, as every girl needs some sparkle in her life. Let’s go ahead and get glittery!

First up is Rainbow Prisms, a glitter top coat filled with silver and holographic glitters. I layered one coat over Tattle Teal, and I’m loving the result! There is absolutely no need to fish for glitters with this polish, as a ton comes out with each coat. Plus, it applies easily and smoothly. I am loving the rainbow effect with this glitter! It would look great over nearly any base color.

Next up is Gilded Rocks, a glitter polish with a yellow gold base and pink, rose gold glitters. I am wearing two coats of Gilded Rocks in the photos above, and it looks opaque to me! I love how fun and fancy this polish is, and anything with rose gold is a win in my book.

Club Lights is the pink version of Rainbow Prism. I’ve layered one coat over Modern Rouge, and as you can see one coat provides a ton of glitters! I tested this to see if it could be worn without a base color, and I couldn’t get it opaque in 2-3 coats. Nevertheless, Club Lights is great for layering!

Gold Plated is my favorite of the glitters! It is a liquid metal gold, that is super sparkly and opaque in two coats. The formula is phenomenal as well. Gold Plated is my new favorite gold polish of all time!

Last but not least is Crimson Jewel, a stunning red glitter polish that is opaque in two coats. I feel like I’m wearing the ruby slippers on my nails with this polish! The formula is fantastic, and it looks so beautiful. Crimson Jewel is certainly a gem (pun intended)!

All in all, Milani included some lovely glitter polishes in the new Color Statement line. I’m obsessed with Gold Plated, and Rainbow Prism is super fun as well. As always, you can purchase this line at your local CVS store or on Milani’s website HERE for the fabulous and affordable price of $3.99 each.

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

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Reds

Posted on August 7, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a full review of all of the red polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line. The reds get their own post, because there are seven of them! I rarely wear red nails, but I know it’s the staple shade for many women. Let’s get right into the reds!

First up is Corrupted Coral, the most pink-toned of the reds! Corrupted Coral is the perfect coral creme, and has an amazing formula. This is one of those polishes that looks great on everyone no matter your skin tone. I think you need a polish like this one in your collection!

Next up is Mango Tango, a bright red-orange shade. Mango Tango has a super fun name, and an amazing formula. This polish just looks perfect on the nails!

Red Label is a true red creme, and such a classic shade. It reminds me of Louboutin bottoms for sure. Red Label has a great formula and is opaque in two coats. If you are in search of the perfect red polish, Red Label is the one to get.

Next up is Modern Rouge, a fuchsia red polish with a crelly (creme and jelly) formula. It is quite sheer, and I needed three coats to achieve opacity. Modern Rouge is a bit lighter than Red Label, and perfect if you don’t want a drastic red.

Iconic Red is next, and it is a deep cherry shade. It also has some plum undertones, which makes it a unique polish. Iconic Red has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. It reminds me of autumn leaves and football games for some reason. What do you think?

Next up is Ruby Stone, a shimmering deep red that is absolute perfect for the holidays. Whether you use it in nail art, or on its own, Ruby Stone is beautiful. The formula is great as well, and is opaque in two coats. I highly recommend this one!

Last but not least is Enchanting, a very dark bordeaux red. Enchanting is nearly black, and has a bit of a patchy formula. Luckily it evens out in two coats, and looks very vampy and mysterious. I feel like a daring woman would wear this shade, and I’m not sure that is me!

All in all, there is a great range of red polishes in the new Milani Color Statement line. If you’re in need of a new red, I guarantee you can find the perfect one for your collection here. At just $3.99 each, you can’t go wrong with these polishes. They are available for purchase at your local CVS store and on Milani’s website HERE. I’m almost done showing you the Milani polishes, so make sure to stay tuned for the final posts!

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

My Summer Skincare & Hair Care Essentials for Natural Beauty! #WalgreensBeauty

Posted on August 6, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

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

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you some of my summer beauty essentials in both skincare and hair care. When the weather gets hot and the sun is baring down, I need to make a few changes in my every day routines to ensure that I’m protecting myself from UV rays, and feeling great, too. You all know I love a good drugstore haul, and I headed to Walgreens to pick up a few needed items. The Walgreens location by Union Square is definitely one of my personal favorites. It has an amazing food bar on the first floor where you can get snacks and more (there’s fro-yo available… #winning), and the second floor is home to a huge beauty department. Let me take you on a virtual shopping trip through Walgreens, and share my summer essentials!

LET’S GO SHOPPING!

Here’s my view from the top of the escalator in Walgreens! This is just a snippet of the amazing beauty department. I love this Walgreens because it has tons of limited edition displays and brands I can’t find anywhere else. During this particular shopping trip, I was on the hunt for sunscreen and hairspray.

My first stop was the suncare aisle to find the new Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30. I was beyond excited when I found a stack of $1.00 off coupons right in front of the product! Woo hoo!

Finally, I perused the hair care aisle, and grabbed the Mark Hill Fabulous Finish hairspray. I love the Mark Hill line, and it is exclusive to Walgreens!

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

Here are four of my favorite skincare products to use in the summer! I’ll tell you a bit about each item, and why I like it!

Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30 – Sun protection is vital, especially in the summer! One reason I avoided sunscreen when I was younger is because it smelled, was greasy, and just a huge mess to put on. This new sunscreen from Banana Boat is anything but those things! It comes it an easy-to-apply spray-on bottle, and does not have that typical “sunscreen” scent. It also dries really fast, and leaves the skin soft and not greasy. In fact, this is a special 2 in 1 formula that includes a moisturizer! That way, you’re applying your aloe before the sun penetrates your skin. No need for a separate moisturizer!
Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched – Did you know your lips can get sunburned, too? Avoid that by using lip products with SPF! I’m addicted to Baby Lips, and my all-time favorite is Quenched, the clear lip balm. It has SPF 20 in it, and moisturizes my lips really well.
Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – To stay refreshed, I love using this roll-on under my eyes. It has a cool, metal ball that instantly makes me feel more awake. Plus, it contains vitamins to keep your skin looking naturally beautiful. If you need some extra cooling, keep this in the fridge!
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I love face wipes all year long, but in the summer nothing feels better than cleaning my face with a nice cool wipe! Whether it’s to remove makeup or simply refresh my skin, these Simple wipes are some of my absolute favorite!

MY SUMMER HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS

Now onto my hair care! I switch up my shampoos and conditioners all the time, but here are some things I always need!

Mark Hill Gorgeous! Fabulous Finish Hairspray – I’m not usually a hairspray girl, but I’m glad I tried out this one from Mark Hill! It’s amazing! It smells great, gives my hair volume, and tames all the fly-aways before the summer humidity takes control. It also doesn’t give my hair that stiff feeling that other hairsprays do. In fact, Mark Hill designed this so it can brush out with ease. Genius!
Goody Tangle Fix Brush – My go-to summer brush is this one from Goody. It is extremely gentle, and perfect whether your hair is wet from swimming or dry from the heat. If you have this hair like I do, this brush is wonderful. And yes, I got the children’s design because I like purple and leopard print!
Mark Hill MiracOILicious 2 Minute Intensive Treatment – This is my all-time holy grail hair product, so I had to include it! This treatment contains Moroccan Argan Oil, and makes my hair feel soft and hydrated no matter what time of year. I use it about 2-3 times per week in place of my regular conditioner. It’s better than some of those luxury hair masks at a fraction of the price!
Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo is also a must. I use it every other day to keep my hair refreshed and grease-free. I recently picked up Psssst!, the original dry shampoo, because I wanted an affordable option. I’m loving it! Not only does it smell amazing, but it gets rid of any oil in a couple minutes.

These are all of my summer skincare and hair care essentials! I hope you found this helpful! Next time you go to Walgreens, be sure to bring THIS coupon. You can get a free gift with any $20 beauty purchase from now until August 30, 2014. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your summer essentials are. I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Stay cool!

Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer | Earth Tones

Posted on August 5, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’m here to share the next installment in my Milani Color Statement Nail Lacquer series with all of you. Today I’ve got what I’m calling the Earth Tones. They are all gorgeous neutrals, and perfect for the fall months. Without further ado, let’s get started!

First up is Spotlight White, the perfect white polish. Spotlight White has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. It’s difficult to get the formula of a white polish just right, and Milani’s done it! If you’re looking for an affordable white for your collection, I highly recommend Spotlight White.

Next up is Bronze, a metallic bronze polish with hints of pink and purple undertones. Bronze’s formula isn’t perfect, and as with most metallic polishes it tends to bunch up a bit. I recommend thin coats, and definitely let each coat dry thoroughly before adding your next one. Bronze is a unique polish, and it looks different depending on the light!

My favorite of the Earth Tones is Pink Beige, a dusty rose that almost has a peachy tint to it. Pink Beige has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. It is great for an every day look, especially if you work in a professional setting. I think it’s just beautiful!

Next up is Silhouette, a grey-green polish with a subtle green and brown shimmer. Silhouette is the perfect army green, and I can see it being used in camouflage nail art looks for sure. The formula is perfect, and is opaque in two coats. I’m surprised that I love Silhouette, but it’s an awesome polish!

Last but not least is Charcoal Charm, a beautiful charcoal metallic polish with green and purple shimmer. Charcoal Charm has a good formula, and is opaque in two coats. It looks so cool on the nails – almost like I dipped my nails in liquid metal. It reminds of a high fashion manicure, and it is just perfect to match with your leather jackets and fall boots.

All in all, I think these Earth Tones are a great addition to the Milani Color Statement line. I’m quite impressed with Spotlight White, and really love Pink Beige. I do wish there was a black creme polish in the collection as well, but maybe that is to come in the future! You can, of course, purchase the Color Statement line at your local CVS store for just $3.99, or shop online from Milani’s website HERE. I’ve still got more Milani polishes to show you, so make sure to follow my blog to see them!

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