beauty – Page 12 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: beauty

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Review | #AirbrushPerfectLegs

Posted on August 17, 2015August 14, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup. I’ve never used any type of body makeup before, so I was very curious about this product. I was lucky to receive a sample from Influenster in the shade Light, and got to testing it right away. Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on this product with you!

Airbrush Legs is a leg makeup, so it is more like a liquid foundation that a fake tan product. It is designed to work just like a foundation to cover imperfections, and be lightweight and long-wearing. Airbrush Legs is oil free, and has a slight pigmentation available in six shades.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Review | #AirbrushPerfectLegs

I was sent the shade Light, which is the lightest shade available. I was very nervous when I first tested Airbrush Legs – the color is WAY too dark when it comes out of the bottle, and has that “orange fake tan” appearance. Luckily, it does blend out quite a bit to be a more wearable color, but it is still too dark for my liking. Here is a side-by-side before and after a few minutes after I applied the makeup.

As you can see, Airbrush Legs definitely added some color to my legs. However, I don’t feel like it covered any imperfections whatsoever! My legs have a lot of imperfections, which is very noticeable with my fair skin. I was hoping Airbrush Legs would really cover up my pores and redness, but all that happened was that my legs got darker in color. I also noticed that the product clings to dry patches, leaving a dark brown appearance (not cute!). It’s also difficult to blend on feet and knees, and I had a bit of streakiness going on. I think that with more practice I could get a better application of Airbrush Legs, but because the shade was still too dark for my tastes, I don’t think I’ll be using it again.

That being said, there was a lot I did really like about Airbrush Legs. First, it is odorless, unlike fake tanners, which can have a really terrible smell. In addition, Airbrush Legs dries really quickly and does not rub off on clothing or furniture. It does wash off really easily with soap and water, though. I also used a makeup wipe to touch up areas that were streaky, and that worked really well. Finally, my legs felt really soft to the touch after using this product. I really liked that there was no residue at all left behind on my legs.

All in all, I do recommend Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs for those of you who are looking to darken your skin tone without grabbing a fake tanner. This is perfect for an event where you want to show off your legs! However, I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have fair skin, dry skin, and skin with a lot of imperfections. Airbrush Legs is not a cover-all product, so just keep that in mind. You can purchase Airbrush Legs at your local drugstore or department store for around $12.00.

Have you ever used a leg makeup? Share your experience 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.

OZ Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum Review

Posted on August 12, 2015August 17, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a skincare review for you on the Hyaluronic Acid Serum from the brand OZ Naturals. I was excited to receive this product for review, as I have had great luck with these types of serums in the past, and I had just run out of the serum I had been using. Talk about perfect timing! I’ve been using this serum for a few weeks now, and am ready to share my thoughts with all of you.

First, let’s talk a bit about the product and its claims. The OZ Naturals Hyaluronic Acid serum is 72% organic and made in the USA. It contains both Vitamin C and Vitamin E to moisturize the skin and fight aging at the same time. The brand claims the serum will give you a dewy, moisture boost and reduce lines and wrinkles. The serum itself is clear in color and it doesn’t have a scent at all, which I really like. I think it will work for all skin types from sensitive to normal.

My experience with the serum has been great so far! I’ve really enjoyed using serums in the past with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, and this one is my favorite that I’ve tried. I love that the serum is very light on the skin, and dries in seconds. In addition, the moisturizing quality really works. I rarely use a separate moisturizer now, because this serum does the trick. While I haven’t seen any huge changes in my skin since beginning use, I’ve noticed that overall my skin feels happy! There are no breakouts, and I haven’t experienced any sort of irritation. Plus, I appreciate that OZ Naturals focuses on natural and organic ingredients so that I can feel confident about what I’m putting on my face.

All in all, I’m really happy with the OZ Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum and will continue using it right down to the last drop! You can purchase a full size 1oz bottle on Amazon HERE. The retail price is $16.45, but as I write this post it is on sale for $15.79. In addition, OZ Naturals provides coupon codes if you purchase multiple products from its brand. Make sure to read the “Special Offers and Product Promotions” on the Amazon page to find the savings opportunities!

Do you use serum as part of your daily skincare routine? Let me know 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.

Adventures in Polishland 2.0 is Coming!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you some big news for Adventures in Polishland! I first began this blog back in April of 2012, and back then it was purely a nail polish blog. I was inspired by the fun nail art looks on Pinterest (a website I had just joined!), and when my friend casually mentioned in conversation that she “read the nail blogs,” I knew I had to be one of them! About eight months into my blogging journey, I decided I wanted to blog about more than just nails. I opened up the world of Polishland to include beauty products, too. It felt natural to include things like makeup, skincare, and hair care with nail polish, but I didn’t want to go too far beyond that.

Throughout my three years here, I’ve done a few lifestyle posts here and there – fashion, technology, housewares, you name it! I’ve tossed in some random posts and hoped you would all enjoy them. However, I didn’t want to lose my nail polish and beauty audience, and blog about things outside the Polishland realm. Well, the truth is, I am a person with a lot of different hobbies and interests. I love to read, go to Broadway shows, go antiquing, and the list goes on and on. I would love to share these hobbies with all of you! For a long time, I kept a separate blog to write about these things. But that blog never got a chance to grow or shine. I loved Adventures in Polishland way too much to focus my energies on another, separate blog.

Thus, today I officially launch Adventures in Polishland 2.0! While Polishland was originally just a land of polish, it is now a place that represents me, Christina, online. I love nail polish and beauty, and will continue to blog about it three times a week. On the days where you don’t see a beauty post, there may be something else for you! Here is what the Adventures in Polishland posting schedule will look moving forward:

Monday / Wednesday / Friday: Nail Polish or Beauty Post

Tuesday / Thursday: Lifestyle Post (when I have one to share)

Saturday: #PlanWithPolishland (2-4 times per month)

Sunday: off

You will always get my nail polish and beauty posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and in addition you will get something else when I have it to share. I think this is a great way to incorporate more into Adventures in Polishland without changing my focus. All of my beauty-lovers will still get the same great content every week, and bonus content, too! I like calling the upgraded Adventures in Polishland a lifestyle blog with a beauty focus.

I hope you are all excited for this change! It will allow me to create an even better Adventures in Polishland because all of my blogging energy will be focused right here. In the coming weeks, I will be working behind the scenes to update the way this blog works. I want the categories to be user-friendly, and the layout to look great. I know it will take a lot of hard work, but I am very excited for this upgrade. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask in a comment or email me at adventuresinpolishland@gmail.com.

Welcome to Adventures in Polishland 2.0! I hope you’ll continue on the adventure!

ELF Studio Blush Palette in Light | Review & Swatches

Posted on July 20, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! We are taking a detour from Manicure Monday this week so I can show you the gorgeous blush palette I picked up at the ELF Studio here in NYC (see my haul post HERE). I’ve been loving this palette, and wanted to rave about the gorgeous pigmentation in each blush. I am still amazed that this palette of four blushes only cost me $6.00! Let’s jump right in and look at these fabulous and affordable blushes!

First and foremost, I want to take a quick look at the packaging. I love the sleek black packaging, and how sturdy it is. The palette closes well and, at the same time, is easy to open. Plus, the inside contains a huge mirror that is very useful, especially if you are traveling. You can definitely pay upwards of $6 just for the mirror alone! Here are swatches of the four blushes inside. I did label them in the photos because I, of course, had to swatch them out of order (whoops!). I will take a second and describe each blush below, but I do want to mention that each blush has an amazing formula. They are extremely pigmented, but you can easily control the application. They blend out beautifully as well. I like to use the ELF Blush Brush to apply them, but any blush brush you already own will be just fine! Now, let’s talk about these colors.

This is my favorite shade in the quad! It is a matte rosy pink, and it goes really well with my fair complexion. This blush can easily be worn any time of year, and I’m loving it at the moment for sure.
If you love pink, this is the blush for you! It may seem scary in the swatch above, but trust me, it blends out really well. This is a great blush for spring and summer, and will work with a multitude of skin tones. I would pair this with a nude lip color, as it’s definitely quite bright!
This is the one shimmer blush in the quad, and is a red-orange shade with gold shimmer. It’s definitely the more intimidating blush for me, but I’ve worn it once or twice and really liked it. I suggest a light hand with this one! I can’t wait to wear it during the holiday season!
Finally, we have a brownish-orange matte blush. I thought I could use this as a bronzer at first, but it is really too orange-toned for that. However, with a light hand it makes a beautiful blush. It adds warmth to my face without being overdone. I’m going to experiment more with it for sure!

All in all, I’m very impressed with this blush palette from ELF. I highly recommend picking it up if you are looking for some blushes that won’t break the bank, but are still great quality. I purchased the palette in Light, but there is also a quad with darker shades if you’re looking for that as well. You can buy this palette on ELF’s website HERE. I will continue to check out more of ELF’s products in the future, so please leave me your recommendations in the comments!

Maybelline Brow Precise in Blonde | Drugstore Fail?!

Posted on July 16, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I have a review of a new drugstore brow product from Maybelline called the Brow Precise. I was on the hunt for a new brow product, and decided to grab this one at my local Rite Aid about a month ago. I couldn’t wait to test out this product – it looked fancy with a spoolie brush on one end and the brow pencil on the other. Sometimes, looks are deceiving! Let me go ahead and share my thoughts on the Brow Precise with you.

I purchased the Brow Precise in the lightest shade, which is 250 Blonde. This product only comes in four shades, and I have to say I’m disappointed that this is the lightest shade. I have light brown hair, but even this blonde was too dark for me. I made it work by applying this shade with a light hand and using the spoolie to blend out the color, but I definitely need a shade lighter. If you have very light hair, this product will not work for you!

The Brow Precise is also a very soft pencil, which makes it apply easily, but that also means the pencil is prone to breaking, and that it runs out very quickly. I wore this off and on for about a month, and I’m nearly out of product already. I need to sharpen it at least twice each time I use it as well. That being said, I think this is just the wrong product for me. I have very sparse eyebrows that need a lot of filling in, so I used a lot of product with each use. I also found that this product does not look the most natural for me – it was pretty obvious I penciled in my brows (not cute!). Alas, as much as I loved that spoolie being on the end, that doesn’t justify a repurchase in my book.

All in all, the Maybelline Brow Precise was a bit of a fail for me. I wore it on days where I wanted to be out the door in a matter of minutes, and where I didn’t care too much about having perfect brows. I think this product will work really well for those of you that only need small touch-ups with your brows, and not a big overhaul like I do. You can find the Maybelline Brow Precise at your local drugstore for about $7.99. I will be sticking with my beloved Milani Brow Kit for now!

What is your favorite brow product?! Let me know in the comments!

3 Product Face | Bare Necessities Makeup

Posted on July 4, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I thought I would share with you the makeup look I’ve been wearing most often this summer. Most days I am stuck inside studying, but may run to Starbucks or the grocery store quickly. While there is no need to put on a full face of makeup, I want to cover up just a little bit so I can feel confident when I walk out the door. There are three products that I reach for on a regular basis no matter what.

First and foremost is a brow product. It’s amazing how filling in your brows can really make you look more put together! Brows frame the face, and if they look lackluster it will be noticeable. Right now I am using the Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Precise in the shade Blonde. While this is definitely not my favorite brow product, it’s quick and easy to apply. I love that it comes with a spoolie brush attached.

Next, I grab a pressed powder to control the oil on my face. A pressed powder provides just a hint of coverage to reduce redness, but my main goal is to ensure I don’t turn into a grease ball in the summer sun (something my skin just loves to do!). Right now I’m using Wet ‘n Wild Coverall in the shade light, which I scored for 40% off at Rite Aid last week.

Last but not least, I set the look with my beloved Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray. As you can tell, I really want to control oil. It’s very humid this time of year! This setting spray is the best I’ve tried and 100% worth the expensive price tag. This full size bottle will last me just under a year, and I use it down to the last drop. Whether I’m applying a full face of makeup, or simply the bare necessities, setting spray is a must.

So whether you are stuck inside all summer like I am, or hitting the beach on a regular basis, the bare necessities are perfect to keep you feeling confident while still rocking a no-fuss look. I can be out the door in under five minutes with this makeup routine, as I’m really only spending time on my brows. I’m loving these three products, and it’s great that I can simply add a product or two if I feel like I want a bit more on any given day. Be sure to let me know in the comments what three makeup products you always grab even on ‘no makeup’ days!

Huge Makeup Destash! | How to Clean Out Your Beauty Collection

Posted on June 6, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I recently went through my entire makeup collection and decided to get rid of a lot of products. My main focus was throwing away things that were expired, but I also tossed products that I never use and couldn’t be given away to a friend. I’m moving in about two months, so the less I have to pack the better. I thought it would be fun to quickly show you all of the products I destashed, and share some tips on how I choose to get rid of things!

Here you can see the big box of products I decided to let go. I’ll show you the products by type so you can get a better idea of what I threw away, but I won’t mention each product specifically (that would take a long time!). Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments about a specific product!

EYE PRODUCTS

The easiest place to start with any beauty destash is with your eye products. Mascaras should be thrown away after three to four months of use. I regularly toss the mascaras I use on a daily basis, but colored mascaras tend to stay in my collection longer because I don’t use them often. It was time to get rid of this Maybelline Great Lash! Similarly, eyeliners tend to dry out even if they aren’t necessarily expired. This occurs most often with gel eyeliners, such as the ones here from Cailyn. I also tossed some pencils that were old and unusable.

It’s a bit more difficult to get rid of eyeshadows. I first destashed what was broken. Here, a NYX shadow was missing a lid, and my NYC palette was broken resulting in a messy compact that I didn’t think was salvageable. Then, I got rid of old eyeshadows, such as the Sephora single. Finally, I took out products I never use. I got the JCat and bhCosmetics palettes in subscription boxes, and they need to go!

LIP PRODUCTS

Lip products also tend to have a long shelf life, especially if they do not contain ingredients like SPF that expire quickly. First, I took out any lip stains and lip glosses because they were clearly expired and separating in the tube (yuck!). Then, I tossed the Cailyn lip products that were dried out. Finally, I simply reached for products that do not suit my skintone. I own more lip products than anything else, so I was really happy to get rid of a bunch!

FACE PRODUCTS AND TOOLS

Last but not least, I threw out a face product that was expired, and some broken beauty tools. This was easy! If they don’t work, throw them away! There is no use to keep products that are taking up space and serve no utilitarian function. Make room for better things!

All in all, I hope you liked seeing what makeup I destashed. The products in this post were not bad products, but they simply needed to be thrown out because they were expired, old, or not in use. I felt so good after getting rid of all these products! It allowed me to see all of the useable products I own better, and gave me a better idea of what products, if any, I need to buy. I highly recommend going through your stash at least 1-2 times per year.

Do you have any tips for destashing your makeup collection? Share them in the comments!

Madam Glam Nail Polish Review | 4 Shades

Posted on June 4, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I am excited to share with you four nail polishes from the online store Madam Glam. This online boutique reached out to me and asked if I would like to review some of its products for all of you. When I took a look at what the store had to offer, I had to say yes! Madam Glam sells nail polish in addition to other makeup products. All nail polishes are 5-free and vegan, which is really awesome. Let me go ahead and show you the four shades I tested!

First up is So Nude, a peach-based nude with orange and gold shimmer. So Nude has a watery formula, so I recommend three thin coats for the best results. I thought So Nude was going to be a creme based off the Madam Glam website, but I’m pleasantly surprised with the shimmer. It adds a little something extra to an otherwise neutral polish.

Next up is Lucky Bamboo, a bright pistachio green polish. I unfortunately had a lot of trouble with Lucky Bamboo. It was thick, streaky, and on the goopy side. I layered about 2-3 coats on each nail until I got a clean look. I absolutely love the color of this polish, but I’m disappointed with the formula. I wouldn’t recommend this one unless you really, really wanted this color of nail polish.

Ibiza is the next polish I tried, and it is a blue-green polish with a holographic shimmer. Ibiza has a flawless formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m absolutely loving this one! It’s so beautiful for summer, and is just a stunning color. I can’t wait to put this on again!

Last but not least is Midnight, a deep purple creme polish. Midnight also has an amazing formula that is opaque in two coats. It is richly pigmented, and I’m loving this tone of purple. I think this is a perfect fall color, but can of course be worn any time of year. Midnight is also super shiny without a top coat!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the chance to test out some Madam Glam polishes! While one wasn’t so great, three were awesome! I would definitely try out more in the future, and I’d like to try out some of the other products they offer in the future as well. Madam Glam is a higher end brand, with each polish retailing for $10.95 each on its website HERE. If you purchase 4 or more products, use the code 40OFF at checkout to receive 40% off your order! Talk about great savings!

Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried anything from Madam Glam! If not, what is at the top of your wish list?!

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

Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner Review

Posted on May 23, 2015August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m excited to share with you a review of the Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner. I’ve been looking to try out an invisible lip liner for the longest time, so it was perfect when I got the opportunity to test this one out for all of you. Let me go ahead and jump right into the review!

The Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner is just what it sounds like – it’s a colorless lip liner that is designed to go with any lip product no matter the formula or color. The pencil is designed to prevent bleeding or feathering, and it even enhances the color of your lip product. Plus, it is long-lasting and free of any mineral oil, paraffin, preservatives, and animal-derived ingredients.

Here is a closer look at the Invisible Lip Liner. As you can see, the pencil itself appears white, but goes on clear. It has a light feeling that makes my lips feel a little waxy, but that truly locks in your lip color. I’m happy to report that I love this lip liner! It works with all sorts of lip products – glosses, balms, lipsticks, etc. I’ve used it so much that I’ve had to resharpen it for this blog post! I’m also impressed with its long-wearing formula, and I’m glad that it does not dry out my lips. It even makes it easier for me to apply my lip color because the product has something to stick to, if that makes any sense. I’m definitely reaching for this on a daily basis now!

All in all, I’m loving the Luv2Kiss Invisible Lip Liner and highly recommend it! It’s a fabulous and affordable price of $9.99 on the brand’s website HERE. I think this is a must in any makeup collection, and will be repurchasing it in the future for sure. Please let me know if you’re going to snag one 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.

Beautiful NYC | ELF Studio Haul

Posted on May 21, 2015May 17, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! It’s been quite a while since my last Beautiful NYC post. I haven’t been buying much makeup at all since I’m on a tight budget (and also because I already have so many beauty products!). That being said, I stopped by the ELF Studio store on Broadway in Manhattan this past weekend with a couple friends and just had to grab a few things. ELF is definitely my definition of fabulous and affordable! Let me show you what I picked up while at the store.

ELF Studio – Located at 741 Broadway in Manhattan

The ELF Studio is quite small inside, but sells all of the ELF products you could want! In addition, the store offers makeup classes and there are professional makeup artists on hand to do your makeup as well. All of the products were organized well, and I had no problem finding anything. I do wish there were more price labels near the products, however. Luckily, everything at ELF is super affordable, so I wasn’t worried about breaking the bank!

I was also excited when I got a reusable tote with my purchase! You can never have enough tote bags, right?! Look how cute this one is, too!Now, onto the haul! I kept it pretty small, but got some goodies for sure. First up, I got two makeup brushes. I’ve heard great things about ELF brushes even though they are crazy affordable at just $3 each. I decided to go with the Eyeshadow “C” Brush and the Angled Blush Brush. I’ve definitely been on the hunt for eyeshadow brushes, and I decided to press my luck with this one. I also thought the angled brush would work well for both blush and bronzer. Next, I got the Blush Palette in Light, which retails for $6 and comes with four blushes! I own one ELF blush now, and absolutely love it. I can’t wait to test out more! Finally, I picked up the HD Lifting Concealer for $3 as well. I’ve been wanting to try a green concealer, as they are designed to counteract redness. I think it will be great for my skin!

All in all, I’m so excited about my new ELF products! I only spend about $16.00 tax included, and got four new goodies to try. Please let me know if you would like a full review of any of these products. I would be happy to let you know what I think once I’ve tested out these products! Also, please let me know which ELF products are your favorite in the comments. I’d love to check them out as well!