Adventures in Polishland

Dare to Compare | Makeup Remover Wipes!

Posted on November 19, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I have been searching for the perfect makeup wipes for quite some time now, and I thought it would be fun if I shared some of my findings with all of you! The drugstore contains so many different brands, that I know it can be difficult to find the perfect wipes at an affordable price. Let me share with you four different brands that I’ve tested out the past few months!

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial TowelettesPrice: $6.49 for 30 wipes; 22 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: These smell great! Just like real cucumbers (not the fake cucumber smell!).

Texture: Very soft to the touch, and contained a lot of moisture.

My Experience: I really liked these wipes! Overall they did a good job of removing my face makeup, but not so great at removing mascara.

Formula 10.0.6 Keep Me Clean Clarifying Facial Wipes

Price: $5.99 for 25 wipes; 24 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: These smelled a bit like baby wipes (I wasn’t a fan).

Texture: Rather soft, and held a lot of moisture.

My Experience: These did an excellent job of removing all my makeup, but the smell really did me in.

Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out Refreshing Make-up Removal Cloths

Price: $5.99 for 20 wipes; 30 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: Very light scent that just smelled clean and fresh!

Texture: Very soft to the touch, and held a lot of moisture.

My Experience: I loved these wipes! They did an excellent job of removing all of my makeup, and leaving my face very clean. For a bit of added savings, use a coupon! These clarify as a cleanser on Olay Fresh Effects coupons.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Price: $6.49 for 25 wipes; 26 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: Interesting – not bad, but it was a bit citrusy!

Texture: The wipe itself is a bit tough, but feels gentle thanks to the moisture.

My Experience: After hearing tons of beauty gurus (and my own followers!) rave about these, I’ll admit they are pretty darn good! I typically had to use two wipes to remove all my makeup, though, and they left my face sticky.

The Verdict

Out of these four brands, my favorite is definitely Olay Fresh Effects! Unfortunately, that is the most expensive, but keep an eye out for coupons and sales at the drugstore. The Simple and Yes to Cucumbers wipes are definitely a close second. I’m not sure I would repurchase the Keep Me Clean wipes, mostly due to the smell. Keep in mind that prices of these wipes vary from store to store, and geographically. Let me know in the comments if you would like to see more posts like this in the future, and what makeup wipes are your personal favorite!

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

Subscription Sunday | November Birchbox

Posted on November 17, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! I am excited to be showing you what was inside my November Birchbox today! I haven’t added up what the retail value is yet, but I’m guessing it is one of the best I’ve ever received! Let me go ahead and show you what was inside my box, and we can discover the retail value together.

This month, Birchbox’s theme is More Good. Going hand in hand with the Thanksgiving season, Birchbox is donating a portion of its proceeds to No Kid Hungry, an organization that works to end childhood hunger. I think that is a great cause! You can also use hashtag #MoreGood all month to share how you are doing good for others this season.

Here is the first set of products in my November Birchbox! I’ll tell you a bit more about each product from left to right, including the retail value of each sample.

theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen – $2.27 – This is a lip and cheek stain that has a unique gel formula. Unlike other stains, it feels a bit glossy, and not as drying. I really like that the color is not a bright red, but a more wearable berry shade. I may give it a go!
DDF Amplifying Elixir – $20.59 – Wow! Talk about a deluxe sample! This skin serum is designed to help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier. With the full size product at $70, I love that I can try this product with Birchbox. Plus, the sample size will last me a long time!
Folle de Joie Eau de Parfum – $1.73 – I’m not quite sure why I’m receiving a perfume sample, since I opted out with my Birchbox profile. Nonetheless, this one smells amazing and is so long-lasting! I love it!
Color Club in Baldwin Blues – $2.00 – I love receiving polishes in subscription boxes! This mini is from the Harlem Lights collection, and I’m loving the color. Stay tuned for a full review on Adventures in Polishland very soon!

Still two more items to go! Wow!

Mighty Leaf Tea – $1.99 – Birchbox included three bags of Mighty Leaf tea this month! I love trying out new teas, so I’m quite excited about these. I got the flavors Vanilla Bean, Green Tea Tropical, and Organic African Nectar. This is perfect for the winter months!
Mox Botanicals Bath Milk in Jasmine Petal – $1.68 – Last but not least is a single-used packet of bath milk. I’ve never tried this kind of product before, but it’s supposed to make your bath smell wonderful. Interesting!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $30.26

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

OVERALL OPINION: While the retail value wasn’t as high as I expected, I am still very happy with my Birchbox this month! I got six sample products, and a great variety at that. I got skincare, makeup, nail polish, perfume, and even tea! I’m very excited to use all of these samples!

As always, you can join Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. I highly recommend this program, especially if you love getting a good mix of products. Stay tuned for more Subscription Sunday posts in the future!

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

Sally Hansen Gold Roses from the Rodarte Collection

Posted on November 15, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! If you’ve been following Adventures in Polishland for a while, you’ll know that I love Sally Hansen nail polish. The brand recently released a Limited Edition collection for fall called the Rodarte Collection. At first I wasn’t too interested in any of the shades, but after hearing both MissGlamorazzi and FleurdeForce praise Gold Roses, I knew I had to pick it up. Luckily, I spotted the last bottle at Duane Reade, and put it on immediately!

Gold Roses is a metallic, rose gold nail polish. The formula is good, but due to its metallic quality it will show streaks. Gold Roses is actually opaque in one coat, but I layered on two to even out the streaking a bit. While I’m not usually one for metallic polishes, this one is just beautiful! I love rose gold jewelry, and rose gold nails are just as awesome. Plus, I think this is a fabulous color for the holidays.

All in all, I’m so glad I was able to find Gold Roses! It’s a gorgeous shade, and I have nothing else like it in my entire collection. Unfortunately this pretty number has been labeled the scary “hard to find” in the nail polish world. Make sure you check out your local drugstore to see if you can grab one. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polishes retail for around $7.99 each.

Stay Moisturized this Winter with NIVEA and Duane Reade! #DRNIVEA

Posted on November 13, 2013November 16, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

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While it’s technically still autumn, we experienced our first snowfall of the season here in New York City just yesterday! As the temperatures drop outside and the heat is turned up indoors, my skin sure takes a beating (and I’m sure yours does, too!). I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect moisturizer to ensure that my hands and cuticles are not only in shape for blogging about nail polish, but feeling soft in general. With the holidays just around the corner, dry skin should not be an added something to worry about. I headed to my local Duane Reade store and picked up a couple products from NIVEA to combat my already appearing winter skin!

On my shopping trip, I grabbed the NIVEA Extended Moisture Body Lotion and NIVEA Lip Butter in Smooth Kiss. Both were easy to spot in the Health & Beauty sections of my Duane Reade store – the blue and white logo really stands out!

I couldn’t wait to give the NIVEA Extended Moisture Body Lotion a try. My poor hands needed some TLC! So far, I’m loving how this lotion works. It leaves my skin very smooth, yet not greasy. Plus, it is not fragranced, so it just has a fresh, regular lotion smell that won’t wrinkle your nose (perfect for those that can’t do scents!). Just as the bottle advertises, the NIVEA Extended Moisture Body Lotion is very long lasting. I’ll be sure to use this during the hectic holiday season to cut down on how often I need to apply moisturizer!

I was also really excited to try the NIVEA Lip Butter in Smooth Kiss. I’ve heard so many great things about these lip balms in the beauty community that I was wondering what I was missing. Normally I’m not a fan of lip balms that come in a pot (and not a tube), but this one is large enough in circumference that I’m not worried about getting the product under my fingernails. As you can see, it fits snugly in the palm of my hand.

As for my thoughts on the NIVEA Lip Butter, I’m loving it! Smooth Kiss is fragrance free, but if you prefer a flavored lip balm there are others from which to choose. I also find that it truly does have a buttery texture! It feels so nice and creamy on the lips. If I have any product left on my finger after application, I just rub it into my hands. I’m sure the extra moisture doesn’t hurt, right?!

All in all, I’m really impressed with these products from NIVEA. As we head into winter here in NYC, I know I will get great use out of them. Not only will they keep my skin looking fabulous during the holiday season, but the prices are affordable as well! The NIVEA Extended Moisture Body Lotion is just $9.99 for a 16.9 fluid ounce bottle, and the NIVEA Lip Butter is just $4.29. Make sure to stop by your local Duane Reade store to pick up these products today, and enter the Duane Reade and NIVEA contest on Facebook to win a trip to Time’s Square on New Year’s Eve! All details can be found HERE.

LVX Vegan Nail Lacquer: Fall 2013 Collection

Posted on November 11, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you three polishes from the LVX fall collection. I first reviewed LVX polish back in May (see that review HERE), and I’ve been obsessed ever since! It has definitely become one of the brands I reach for in my nail polish collection, because I know the polish will always look flawless. Let me show you the gorgeous shades for fall!

First up is Dahlia, a deep burgundy polish that has a “crelly” finish (not quite creme, not quite jelly). The formula is fantastic! It applies well, and is opaque in two coats. If you’re looking for a great off-black polish this season, definitely pick up Dahlia. I love the hint of red color, and this shade is super trendy right now!

Next up is Cashmere, a gray creme polish. Cashmere has a good formula that is opaque in two coats. Because of its light shade, I suggest careful application to ensure you are not left with streaks. I just love the addition to Cashmere in the fall collection, as it is perfect for sweater weather, and will look good with any outfit. It’s such a unique shade!

Last but not least is Azzurrum, a navy creme polish. Azzurrum is absolutely perfect! It is opaque in two coats and applies with ease. I’ve already worn this shade twice since I’ve received it, and I can’t get enough. The formula is long-lasting, and the color will never go out of style. Azzurrum is definitely my favorite of the bunch!

All in all, I am once again quite impressed with these nail polishes from LVX. These three shades are half of the six-piece fall collection, which can be purchased on the brand’s website HERE for $16 each. While LVX is definitely a high end nail lacquer, I highly recommend them. They make perfect holiday gifts as well. Also be sure to like LVX on Facebook HERE.

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

Dare to Compare | BeautyBlender vs Rickycare Original 3D Blender

Posted on November 9, 2013December 5, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Adventures in Polishland is dedicated to everything fabulous and affordable, but I’m also for splurging on products that are great quality. When I first heard about the BeautyBlender, also known as the $20 makeup sponge, I didn’t understand the hype. Instead of dropping some serious cash, I went to my local Ricky’s NYC store and picked up what I thought was a BeautyBlender dupe. To my surprise, I received the real deal in a PopSugar MustHave Box, and after months of testing (seriously!) I’m ready to answer the question: is the BeautyBlender worth the money?

What: BeautyBlender

How Much: $19.95 [BUY]

Attributes: The BeautyBlender is as soft as can be. It can be used wet or dry, and applies liquid foundation with ease. Oh, and it’s hot pink!

What: Rickycare Original 3D Blender

How Much: $8.00 [BUY]

Attributes: The Rickycare sponge is dense and firm. It’s texture is nice for evenly distributing makeup, however it absorbs product and is difficult to clean.

SIDE BY SIDE

Dry

Wet

Similarities:

Size/Shape – When dry, the BeautyBlender and Rickycare Blender are identical in size and shape.
Durability – Both the BeautyBlender and Rickycare Blender are long-lasting products that have not yet shown signs of wear (besides discoloration).

Differences:

Size/Shape – When wet, the BeautyBlender absorbs more water, and is slightly larger than the Rickycare Blender.
Texture – The BeautyBlender is very soft to the touch while the Rickycare Blender is much more firm.
Application – The BeautyBlender applies makeup very well by distributing it evenly and transferring product onto the face. The Rickycare Blender applies makeup very well, but a lot more product is needed since it absorbs makeup.
Cleanliness – The BeautyBlender does not stain as much as the Rickycare Blender.
Experience – I personally prefer the feel of the BeautyBlender on my skin rather than the Rickycare Blender, as it is much softer.

THE VERDICT

You may have guessed it, but the BeautyBlender is absolutely worth the money! The Rickycare Original 3D Blender is still a good product, and if $19.95 is out of the question for you, definitely spend the $8.00. However, I would highly recommend investing in a BeautyBlender. It will last you a very long time (I see no signs of wear in mine), and it makes all the difference in my daily makeup routine. I know it sounds silly that this is a $20 sponge, but once you’ve tried it you will understand the hype! I also recommend the BlenderCleanser to clean your BeautyBlender. Both products can be purchased at Sephora HERE.

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

Sephora X Pyrotechnic with Gold Nail Stickers

Posted on November 7, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a quick review of the new Sephora X polish that I got as a Beauty Insider Perk the last time I shopped at Sephora (see that haul HERE). I haven’t tried any of the Sephora X polishes yet, so I was really happy to be able to try out one of them without making an actual purchase. Let me show you the manicure I created with Pyrotechnic!

Pyrotechnic is a bright red creme polish. It is opaque in two coats, and has an amazing formula! Pyrotechnic dries to a glossy finish, so I didn’t even apply top coat. If you are looking for a true red polish, I highly recommend it. In fact, Sephora even places Pyrotechnic in its New Classics collection since it is such a staple color!

To add a bit of flair to my manicure, I reached for some 3D Gold Stickers from Born Pretty Store. The bright red of Pyrotechnic reminded me of a king, so I had to add a crown and another golden accent. I love the way it turned out! To see a complete review of these stickers, see THIS blog post.

All in all, I’m impressed with Pyrotechnic. It’s a great polish, and I definitely want to try out more from the Sephora X line. You can purchase this polish for $10.50 on Sephora’s website HERE. While it’s a bit out of my normal price range, I may splurge on a few in the future. Let me know if you’ve tried any Sephora X polishes 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.

October 2013 Favorites!

Posted on November 5, 2013November 4, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I am so excited to bring you my first ever Monthly Favorites post. One of my favorite bloggers, Love for Lacquer, inspired me to start sharing my favorite products with you every month. It’s a great way to share some of the items I use on a daily basis that might not make it onto the blog for a full review, or simply highlight my current obsessions. Let me share my favorites for the month of October!

NAIL POLISH

I received Julep Char in my October PopSugar MustHave Box [review HERE] and I am blown away by its beauty! The dark blue color is stunning, and the formula is flawless. I wore it for nearly a week in October, which is a long time for me. I highly recommend it!

HAIR

I’m also obsessed with The Wet Brush that I got in my October PopSugar Box! It is a miracle for my fine, tangly hair. I even tried switching back to a regular brush after using this, and I could definitely tell the difference. It might sound weird to have a holy grail hair brush, but this is definitely mine!

BLUSH

A splurge product that I’ve been loving is Benefit Hervana, a gorgeous boxed blush that looks really natural. Plus, it has an amazing smell! If I’m reaching for a blush, it’s been Hervana. I definitely want to try out more Benefit blushes, too!

EYESHADOW

You’ve heard me say a million times that I rarely wear eyeshadow. Well, I recently picked up the Physician’s Formula Canyon Classics palette and I can’t get enough! The shadows are great quality for an affordable price, plus they are really natural looking. The colors are swatched above in a clockwise rotation beginning with the top left corner. I’ve never actually worn the grey shade, but the rest are amazing!

MASCARA

I love my drugstore mascaras, but the Manna Kadar Extreme Curl Mascara has been my go to this month! I got it in my October Wantable Box [review HERE] and I can’t get enough of it! The formula is just perfect for my lashes, and I’ve worn it nearly every day in October.

FOOD

I’ve been on a huge peanut butter kick this month! In fact, I devoured over half of this jar in October! You can grab 365 Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter at your local Whole Foods. It’s affordable, and tastes amazing! Plus, if you’re a vegetarian like me, this is a great way to get some protein.

SONG

Maybe it’s the native New Englander in me, but Ylvis’ new song Massachusetts is amazing! The tune is catchy, the lyrics are hilarious, and I just can’t get enough. I’ve had it on repeat since it came out!

EXPERIENCE

One of the most exciting moments of the month was getting to meet one of my favorite YouTubers, Meghan of Strawburry17. She and fellow YouTuber Arden Rose had a meet-up at the Nintendo World store here in NYC, and I just had to go! It was so great getting to talk with them, and both were so nice. If you haven’t checked out their YouTube channels, be sure to do so. I know you’ll love their videos!

And that concludes my October Favorites! Before I go, I wanted to share a new social media site that I joined! It’s called Luvocracy, and is a Pinterest-inspired website that you can shop from! I’ve curated my October Favorites into a collection, making it easy for you to purchase anything you see above. Plus, you’ll get a $10 credit when you sign up! Visit my profile HERE.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Keep a lookout for one of these at the end of every month, and make sure to let me know what your favorites were this October!

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

Subscription Sunday | November Julep Maven Box

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s been a couple months since I shared my Julep Maven Box with all of you, and I’m excited to show what was inside my November box. I decided to go with the Boho Glam style this time around, and I’m pretty happy with what I got. Here’s a sneak peek of everything inside my November box.

As you can see, I got two nail polishes, a lip gloss, and a sample of Julep’s Luxe Repair Skin Serum. I will say, I am disappointed that the serum sample is the extra this month. Julep used to include really great extras, but the past few months they just haven’t been as good. I hope that turns around!

The first nail polish in my box this month is Alexandra, an off-white creme polish. Alexandra’s formula was a bit thick, and prone to streaks. WIth carefully application, I got a smooth finish in two coats. Alexandra is not my personal favorite polish, but if you love neutrals I think it is a good choice!

The other polish in my box is Aisha, a deep, berry creme polish. Aisha has a perfect formula that applies well and is opaque in two coats. The color is just stunning, and right on trend for this fall. Aisha is definitely one of my new go-to colors this season! I highly recommend it!

Last but not least, Julep included a lip gloss this month in the color Charming. I wasn’t too excited to receive this, but I was so surprised to discover how much I love it! First, the gloss smells amazing – just like vanilla cupcakes! But that’s not all! The color is a gorgeous “my lips but better” shade, and it feels so nice and creamy. I can’t get enough of it!

All in all, I really like my November Julep Maven Box! While I’m not too excited about Alexandra, I’m loving the other products, and plan to use them again and again! Not only do I recommend this Julep Maven subscription program (which is just $19.95 per month), but if you shop right now you can get everything on the Julep website for 50% off during the company’s Friends & Family sale! Use code GOCRAZY through tomorrow, November 4, 2013, and you will save 50% off your order! If you shop the sale, be sure to let me know what you get!

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

Pinspiration | Scratch Art Nails

Posted on November 2, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today’s post goes back to the roots of Adventures in Polishland. I created this blog after discovering a ton of amazing nail art designs on Pinterest, and wanted to try them out and share the result with all of you. While I’ve mainly rerouted into product reviews, my new goal is to add in more nail art tips and tricks. After all, my adventures would be incomplete without some fun DIY manicures! First up, I’m conquering scratch art nails!

To create a scratch art manicure, inspired by THIS Pin, grab the following materials:

3 Colored Polishes – I chose Essie Butler Please [review], Urban Outfitters Freakin Pink [review], and Zoya Charisma [review]
Striping Tape – grab a pack of 10 on Amazon HERE for just $0.90
Black Nail Polish – I’m using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Tarred

First, use your three colored polishes to paint some abstract designs on your nails. Anything will do, and you don’t have to be perfect. This will be mainly covered up with black nail polish, so don’t worry about clean lines. They most important part is making sure your polish dries thoroughly before continuing.

Once your polish is completely dry, take the striping tape and apply it to your nails in any design you want. I made four stripes on each nail, but you can change it up. After applying the tape, paint over it with your black nail polish and carefully peel off the striping tape while the polish is still wet. Repeat on each nail.

Here is my completed manicure! I absolutely love the final result! Finish up with a glossy top coat to even out the layers, and you are good to go. Not only is this manicure so easy to create, but it looks really cool. Your friends will be really impressed with your nails! Plus, the look can easily be customized using your personal favorite colors and any designs you choose. The possibilities are endless!

All in all, I hope you liked my scratch art manicure! I plan on creating more Pinspiration posts on Adventures in Polishland. Have a request? Leave it in the comments or email it to me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com.

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