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The Body Shop Haul | Trying New-to-Me Skincare Products

Posted on July 17, 2017July 15, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you my most recent haul from The Body Shop. I keep a running list of all the beauty products I want to buy so that when I see a sale going on, I can grab everything at a discount. There is always some sort of promotion happening at The Body Shop, but I recently saw a 40% off flash sale on the website, so I picked up everything on my shopping list! Everything I purchased this time around is new-to-me and vegan. As I show you what I got, please let me know in the comments if you would like a full review once I’ve tested the product.

Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream [BUY]

I recently used up the only CC cream in my beauty stash, so I really wanted to get a replacement for it. I love wearing a light base in the summer months, and the Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream sounds perfect for my skin type. This BB Cream is designed to provide lightweight and non-sticky coverage, all while drying to a matte finish. My skin gets very oily throughout the day, so I’m really glad this product is designed to stay matte. I got the shade Light, and I think it will be a great match for me.

Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover [BUY]

I also really needed a makeup remover, as I’ve had a difficult time removing my mascara lately. The Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover should do the trick! I love that it is unscented and suitable for sensitive skin. Plus, it was carefully packaged in a plastic bag during shipping so it wouldn’t spill. I hope this makeup remover will get that mascara off with ease!

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask [BUY]

The next product is one I also really wanted to buy, and that is the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask. With the summer heat and humidity, my pores definitely get clogged more easily than in the winter. I wanted a skin treatment that would help to clean out my skin without drying it, and this product seems like it will do just that. The mask itself is bright green, so this will be a lot of fun to use!

Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash [BUY]

Since the sale promotion was so good, I decided to pick up a face cleanser as well. The cleanser I keep in the shower is almost empty, so I’ll be glad to have this on hand. I like using gel cleanser with my FOREO, so that’s the first reason I went with the Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash. I also like that this product is soap free and oil free, simply providing a gentle cleanse.

Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream [BUY]

Last but not least, I decided to purchase an eye cream. While I’ve tried a handful of eye creams in the past, I’ve never found one that actually works for me. The Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream seemed like a good fit for me, since it helps fight the first signs of aging. I’m in my late twenties, so I think this will be a nice addition to my skincare routine. In addition, I love that this does not contain harsh chemicals, so I can use this eye cream both in the morning and evening.

That wraps up this haul from The Body Shop! With the 40% off coupon code, I spent $56.10 total, making each item just over $11.00. I think that is a great price point for vegan skincare products that will last me a long time. I’ve had really great luck with products from The Body Shop in the past, and that is why I continue to shop from this store. Plus, I love shopping online so I can earn cash back with Ebates! You can sign up for Ebates for free with my referral link HERE.

What are your favorite products from The Body Shop? Let me know in the comments!

Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream Review

Posted on July 22, 2016July 14, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to review for you a CC cream that I picked up at the drugstore a couple months back. In the summer months, I love to wear a BB or CC cream instead of my usual liquid foundation. Not only is it lighter on the skin, but CC cream contains moisturizing properties and sunscreen that can take the place of other products in my skincare routine. I decided to grab the new Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream during a sale at CVS, and I’m so glad I did! This is a great option from the drugstore, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

First, let me share a bit more about the product and its claims. The Organic wear CC Cream is of 100% natural origin and is 70% organic. I am definitely becoming more aware of the ingredients in my makeup, so it is always nice to know that I’m not putting harsh chemicals on my face when I use this product. As with any CC cream, this one has a few claims including color correction, instant hydration, and “naturally perfect skin.” This CC Cream also includes SPF 20, which is great.

The CC Cream comes in a silver metallic squeeze tube. I purchased the shade Light, and am very disappointed that in only comes in one other shade – Light/Medium. I really don’t know why Physicians Formula didn’t include, at the very least, a Medium/Dark and Dark shades. While CC cream does adjust to your skin tone a bit, it would be nice if more shades were made available so that all consumers may use this product.

Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream Review

The CC Cream itself is quite thick in consistency, almost like a mousse texture. I like to wear it over a mattifying face primer, as I tend to get oily skin. If you have dry skin, you can probably go without a primer. I use a BeautyBlender to apply the CC Cream, and find that it does a great job at getting an even application. I am very impressed with the coverage in this CC Cream. As you can see in the photos above, it cancels out redness and blurs any imperfections. CC Creams are not designed to be full coverage, and I would describe this one as medium coverage. That being said, it is buildable! I go over some areas with a bit more product to get the coverage I want.

Moreover, the reason I really enjoy the Organic wear CC Cream is because it wears well throughout the day, even in hot summer weather. My oil is controlled, with the help of my primer and a setting powder. While you can tell I am wearing makeup, my face does not look cakey at all. In fact, the CC Cream dries to a nice satin finish that is not tacky to the touch. This is by far one of the best, and most affordable, CC creams I’ve tried!

All in all, I highly recommend the Physicians Formula Organic wear CC Cream. You can find it at your local drugstore for $14.95, or online HERE. Keep an eye out for sale events to score this product at a discount! Please let me know if you’ve tried this product from Physicians Formula, or if you recommend any products from this brand. I know I tend to look over Physicians Formula at the drugstore, as it can be more on the expensive side. I’ll be paying more attention from now on!

This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Disappointing Beauty Products!

Posted on July 18, 2016June 8, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today’s blog post is going to feature a bunch of products that I’ve tried in the past few months, but unfortunately didn’t love. I share my favorites with you every month, so it makes sense to spend some time discussing the products that left me underwhelmed. The products I’m sharing today are not bad products, but they simply didn’t work for me. In fact, I have a couple cult favorites to share that disappointed me! Without further ado, let me share the beauty products that didn’t make the cut for me these past few months.

MAKEUP

L’oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara [LINK]

My biggest shock in this post is L’Oreal’s Miss Manga mascara. L’oreal is one of my all-time favorite mascara brands. My holy grail is the Voluminous Million Lashes, and I also love the Butterfly mascara. I heard good things about Miss Manga from other beauty bloggers, so I figured I would love it. Unfortunately, this mascara didn’t work for me at all! My lashes turned into one big clump, always resulting in me trying to solve a makeup disaster. I used this mascara for about two weeks before giving up on it.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Xtreme Mascara [LINK]

This next mascara is one that doesn’t work for me personally, but I know a lot of you will enjoy. Rimmel Scandaleyes Xtreme reminds me a lot of Benefit They’re Real mascara. It is thick and very black, and gives a dramatic look to the lashes. I prefer to use dry mascara formulas because heavier ones weigh down my lashes and tend to clump them. Thus, this mascara isn’t my cup of tea, but I know it’s a great product for others.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer [LINK]

I tried the cult favorite Instant Age Rewind Concealer from Maybelline and can’t believe how disappointed I am! This concealer only made the lines under my eyes look more pronounced. I tried it with primer and without primer, before foundation and after foundation, and nothing seemed to work. After going through about a quarter of the bottle, I gave up. This concealer is just not for me!

Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream [LINK]

The last product in my makeup category is this BB Cream from Dr. Jart+. I’ve tried other BB creams from this brand in the past and really enjoyed the, but the Water Fuse did nothing for me! I felt like I had to apply a ton of this product to get any payoff whatsoever. Plus, this cream leaves the skin looking really dewy, which is a no-no for people like me with oily skin. After one use I said goodbye to this product! It’s a sample, so I don’t feel too bad about it.

SKINCARE

DDF Amplifying Elixir [LINK]

Another surprise for me was this serum from the brand DDF. I used an acne treatment from DDF in the past and really enjoyed it, so I thought this serum would work well, too. However, about thirty minutes after I applied the serum, my skin felt like it was burning. Sure enough when I looked in the mirror my cheeks were turning a bright red color. Needless to say I immediately washed my face and stopped using this product.

HAIR CARE

Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder [LINK]

Last but not least is a hair care product from high end brand Bumble and Bumble. This is supposed to work as both a dry shampoo and volumizer, but unfortunately it was a loss for me. I used it as directed, but the powder would not blend into my roots no matter what I tried. I even used the powder in my hands and then applied it to my hair and that didn’t work either. Putting the blending issue aside, I didn’t think this was very effective as a dry shampoo anyway. I might recommend it for blondes, but definitely not brunettes!

That wraps up this disappointing beauty products post! I hope you found it helpful if you and I have similar skin types and beauty preferences. The products in this post were all disappointing because I’ve tried other products from these brands and really enjoyed them, but that’s just how life works! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think of them. You can also share your disappointing products with me!

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

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder Review

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a review of two new products from NYC New York Color’s Smooth Skin BB line. I was really excited to test out the BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder because each retails for a fabulous and affordable $3.99 at the drugstore. The Smooth Skin line is designed to give you perfect skin in an instant. Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on these new products with you!

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme and BB Radiance Perfecting Powder Review

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme 5 in 1 Skin Perfector

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Créme 5 in 1 Skin Perfector First up, I tested the BB Créme, which is a lightweight and liquid product just like any traditional BB créme. This 5 in 1 product is designed to protect skin, minimize pores, erase imperfections, smooth the skin, and brighten the skin. I am the shade 01 Light, which is the lightest shade available. I tried it both with a face primer and without. I much prefer to use it with a primer, because I found that the product disappears into my skin without that extra barrier. In order to get any coverage at all, I have to use a lot of this product – way more than I would ever use my normal BB crémes. I also found that the product has a scent that was off-putting. While I didn’t smell anything while it was on my face, I definitely smelled something during application. It made me not want to use the product at all! I did find that the BB Créme wore nicely throughout the day, and I liked the appearance of my skin overall. If you’re looking for a really affordable BB créme option, you might try this one for yourself. I, however, wouldn’t repurchase it for my skin.

NYC New York Color BB Radiance Perfecting Powder

NYC New York Color Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder

Next up I have the BB Radiance Perfecting Powder. This little compact comes with a mirror and sponge, and I love the sleek packaging. This product is designed to improve the appearance of the skin and even skin tone by smoothing fine lines and minimizing the appearance of pores. BB Radiance also provides a matte finish. My first impression of this product was that it is necessary to use a sponge for application – even a light hand with a brush crumbles the powder into a big mess. Despite using the lightest shade in the line, which is 01 Naturally Beige, the shade is too dark for my skin. I attempted to try it despite it not matching my skin, but the powder actually enhanced my pores and looked terrible on my skin. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend it at all due to my experience.

All in all, I am a bit underwhelmed with the NYC New York Color Smooth Skin line. While the BB Créme is just okay for me, the BB Radiance did not work for my skin at all. As with any makeup products, my experience may vary from yours, because we all have different skin types. If you try out this line, please share your thoughts in the comments! I would love to know your experiences, as always.

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

Studio Gear Hydrating CC Cream | Review & Coupon Code

Posted on April 2, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! It’s time for another makeup review here at Adventures in Polishland. I got the opportunity to test out Studio Gear Cosmetics’s new Hydrating CC Cream, and can’t wait to share my experience with all of you. As you may know, I love keeping things more natural when it comes to my makeup, so CC creams are the perfect choice for light coverage. Let me tell you more about this product, and share my experience with you!

The Studio Gear CC Cream is designed to fight aging, retain moisture, and cover and treat blemishes all in one non-oily formula. It is also SPF 20, and is infused with Hydra-Extend technology that provides up to 72 hours of continuos hydration. With all of these amazing qualities, it almost sounds too good to be true! Plus, this CC Cream has a unique formula that you have to see to believe.

I experimented with this CC Cream, and found that my favorite way to wear it is over a primer and applied with my fingers. Because I tend to get oily throughout the day, I set the cream with some pressed powder. The result is an almost airbrushed look that lasts all day! I am really impressed with this CC Cream! It is lightweight and I definitely don’t feel like I’m wearing a full face of foundation, but I still get the benefits of a fine-tuned complexion. The only drawback with this product is that it only comes in three shades (I am using Linen, the lightest shade). Luckily, it does adjust to my skin tone quite well, but I think in the winter months I would need just a shade lighter.

Other than that, I am loving this product! It truly is hydrating, and does not cling to dry patches. If you suffer from dry skin, this is definitely a great CC Cream for you! It also does a great job of giving my skin a glowy quality while not looking shiny. I am definitely making this my go-to foundation in the summer months!

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase the Studio Gear Cosmetics Hydrating CC Cream on the brand’s website HERE. The 1oz tube retails for $34, but you can save 10% off of your entire order with coupon code bloggercc at checkout. I really like this CC Cream, and think you will, too! Please let me know if you’ve tried any products from Studio Gear Cosmetics in the comments!

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

BB, CC, & DD — How Do They Compare? | Featuring Olay Fresh Effects, Juice Beauty, and Julep

Posted on July 5, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have a new beauty comparison post to share with all of you. I often get questions about what the difference between BB and CC cream is, and now that Julep has released the first ever DD cream, I thought it would be fun to see how they compare. While these creams will vary from brand to brand, the ones I am reviewing are ones that I have used several times before, and are widely available to purchase. First I will give a general overview of each product, and then I’ll show them side by side.

BB Cream = Beauty Balm

Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

This BB cream is a “skin perfecting tinted moisturizer with sunscreen” that offers six skincare benefits in one step. It smells just like sunscreen, which I happen to like very much (though I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea). I find that this cream is very lightweight, and helps to control the oily skin I get in the summertime. It provides light coverage, so it may not be good if you prefer a thicker foundation. I find the only drawback for me is that this BB cream only has SPF 15, so it needs to be reapplied quite frequently throughout the day if it is your main sunscreen for the face.

Buy Olay Fresh Effects for $12.99: Olay Fresh Effects | Amazon | Drugstores

CC Cream = Color Correcting

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream

This CC cream is “the ultimate color correcting 12 in 1 multi-tasker” with SPF 30. Juice Beauty is certified organic, and is a great option if you are looking for natural beauty products. My feelings on this CC cream are mixed. On the one hand, it makes my skin look flawless when I wear it, and it it lasts all day looking great. The downside is, I cannot stand the smell, and it also is not blendable with other makeup. If you are looking to use this as a foundation substitute with a full face of makeup, I would not suggest it. However, if you are looking for simply natural and beautiful skin, I think you would love this cream.

Buy Juice Beauty CC Cream for $39.00: Juice Beauty | Amazon | Birchbox

DD Cream = Dynamic Do-all

Julep DD Creme

Julep came out with the first DD cream a few months ago. It is designed to diminish skin damage and give the skin a dewy finish. It also has SPF 25 to help with sun protection. This cream definitely stands out from the others — it has golden undertones to give the skin a bronzed, sunkissed look. The benefits of this product is that it is extremely blendable, and can truly be worn as a foundation. I really like this DD creme for the summer months. I love that it is odor free, and transforms the skin to a perfect canvas. While I am not a fan of the dewy look, this is the perfect solution for those that do.

Buy Julep DD Creme for $36: Julep | Amazon

Side-by-Side Swatches

From left to right: Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream in Fair to Light, Juicy Beauty CC Cream in Natural Glow, and Julep DD Creme in Light. It is very clear that the Julep DD Creme is the most golden and bronzed of the bunch!

Each cream has a similar texture, but the Julep DD Creme is definitely the most liquidy, and the Juice Beauty CC Cream is the thickest.

After each cream has been blended, I can only see that the Julep DD Creme has left a golden look to my skin. Both the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream and the Juice Beauty CC Cream have completely blended into my skin for a light and beautiful coverage.

The Final Verdict

When it comes down to which cream I prefer and would recommend to all of you, it has to be the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream! It has a stunning finish, it smells great, and it is super affordable. It is definitely the product that I have been reaching for all summer long, and I’m sure it will be perfect during the colder months when I just want to have light coverage. While Juice Beauty and Julep have great products as well, I think BB cream is the original and the best. Let me know which product you love the most, BB, CC, or DD, and what brand is your favorite.

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

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round One! March 2013

Posted on March 18, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a fun comparison post pairing two of the most popular beauty subscription programs against one another. Both Ipsy and Birchbox are monthly subscription programs that send you samples of beauty products for $10 per month. After doing some research on both programs, I discovered that there is really no consensus on which program is better overall. The only way I would find out which program was best for me was to try them both for myself. Let me show you what I got from both Ipsy and Birchbox for the month of March, and let you know which one wins Round One!

First I will show you my Ipsy Glam Bag! Each month you will get a cute cosmetics bag with all of your products inside. As you can see, March’s theme is The Great Escape! Whether you are traveling on spring break, or simply getting ready for the summer months, all of the products in this bag are perfect for warm weather. I also love the nautical print on the cosmetic bag! The pattern is just adorable, and the bag is rather good quality. It’s also made with a waterproof material so you can throw this in your beach bag without worrying about your products getting wet.

Now onto the products in my Ipsy Glam Bag! Each month you get five items, and they will typically be deluxe samples, with some full size products thrown in. Here is what I got for March. To purchase each product, click on it’s name. I will also list the retail price!

GlamRX Mini Freestyle Palette – $16.50 – This palette is perfect for keeping your eyeshadows with you on the go! The magnetic base holds everything in place, and the palette is definitely great quality. This can easily fit in your purse, and will carry enough eyeshadows for at least one or two looks. I don’t wear a lot of eyeshadow, so this is not great for my life, but it is a good product for the average person.
Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist – $3.26 – This mist is designed to refresh your skin after being out in the sun, or otherwise feeling dry. A spritz will leave you feeling great! Unfortunately for me, rose oil is a main ingredient, and the floral smell bothered my allergies. I would love to use this product, but I can’t. I’m really bummed out about this one!
La Fresh Makeup Remover Wipes – $1.99 – This packet of eight makeup remover wipes is perfect for traveling and sticking in your purse for everyday use! I use wipes like these every day, and I have been searching for the perfect brand. I can’t wait to give these a try, and I will definitely use the entire pack!
Yaby Eyeshadows – $3.15 each – I got these eyeshadows in the shades Azalea Petal and Seashell. They are super tiny and perfect for travel! I gave these a try, and while they are not super pigmented, they are perfect for a natural, beachy look. I appreciate that they are complimentary colors that can be worn together. As you can see, I’ve put them in my GlamRX palette already!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $28.05

OVERALL OPINION: I think this month’s Ipsy is great for the average person, but the products don’t fit my lifestyle especially well. I cannot use the Juice Beauty mist, and I don’t wear too much eyeshadow. I’m very excited for the La Fresh wipes, however! Plus, I think putting all these items together in a themed cosmetic bag is a great idea!

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

Next up is my March Birchbox! With this program you will also get around five samples for $10. I love the box it comes in! Not only are these perfect for mailing, but they are great for organizing, too. The hot pink tissue paper is a fabulous touch. This month’s theme is March Madness, but my products seem to be a mix of all different things.

Before I talk about each product, I want to take a moment to mention that Birchbox has a great reward program that earns you points for every purchase made on their website. You earn one point for every dollar spent, plus, you get 10 points for each item in your box that you review on the Birchbox website! For every 100 points, you get $10 to spend on the Birchbox website. By buying this box and reviewing each product, I already have 60 points! I love that they reward their members for being active. Okay, now it’s time for the product breakdown!

Juice Beauty Skin Cellular Repair CC Cream – $3.90 – I couldn’t believe I got another Juice Beauty product in my Birchbox! Luckily, this CC cream is something I can use. I’ve been wanting to try a BB cream, and this is a step better than that! I’ve already used this sample twice, and I am just blown away. I am so glad I got this sample!
Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo – $11.11 – I was also super excited to get a dry shampoo sample, and a good size one at that! I have fine hair that gets oily if I sleep on it even once. I’ve been wanting to try a dry shampoo, but I didn’t want to spend the money if I wasn’t going to like it. I have to tell you, this Serge Normant one is amazing! My hair looks great after I spray this on, and it even smells good. I might purchase the full size when the sample runs out!
Whish Shave Cream – $2.93 – This shave cream is in the Birchbox Exclusive scent of blueberry, and smells amazing in the tube but is quite overwhelming in the shower! I don’t typically use shave cream, but I will definitely give this one a try. After one use, my legs did feel more moisturized than usual, but the smell definitely did me in.
Juicy Couture, Couture La La – $1.32 – I know many people are disappointed when receiving perfume samples in subscriptions like these because you can get them free at stores like Sephora. I personally use perfume samples all the time, and love trying new scents! Because this is the smallest sample in my box this month, I don’t mind getting one perfume sample. I will definitely use the whole thing up!
Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board – $5 – As a nail polish aficionado, I don’t think you can go wrong with an emery board! I love the cute, floral pattern, and I will definitely use this! Although a $5 retail value is a bit much, it is still a great product to get in the Birchbox

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $24.26

OVERALL OPINION: I am loving my first Birchbox! The sample sizes were decent overall, and I got a few items that I have been wanting to try for a long time. I plan on using each and every item in this box! My only woe is that I don’t enjoy the scent of the Whish Shave Cream.

RATING: 4

There you have it! My winner for the month of March is Birchbox! While Ipsy did have a slightly higher retail value, the products in my Birchbox are all things I will use. At this time, I will continue on with both programs until one is the clear standout for me. At just $10 each, I don’t think I can go wrong with either at this point! You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Before I close out this post, I have a favor to ask of you! Please vote for me in a contest I entered on Facebook! Rita Hazan is searching for your favorite beauty blog. To vote, simply click HERE and hit the “Like” button! Your support is always appreciated!