beauty – Page 14 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: beauty

#PolishlandPresents | My Sephora Gift List

Posted on December 1, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Sephora. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! I took a Thanksgiving blog break, but I’m back to continue on with my #PolishlandPresents series! Plus, I have some awesome reviews and nail art coming at you soon, so make sure to FOLLOW Adventures in Polishland to be notified of new posts. Today I’m sharing with you my top ten gift ideas at Sephora. Usually Sephora is a bit outside of my price range, but I think it has some amazing gift items for everyone on your list. Plus, you can use Ebates to earn cash back on Sephora’s website (today it’s DOUBLE cash back)! Let me show you all of the items on my Sephora gift list.

Formula X Paint the Town Set

$39.00 [BUY]

Calling all nail polish junkies! The Formula X polishes are amazing, so this set of 22 minis is the perfect gift set. This set comes in a ready-to-gift paint can, and features six shades that can only be purchased through the set. I can’t believe how affordable this set is. I highly recommend snagging it before it’s gone!

Urban Decay Naked on the Run Palette

$54.00 [BUY]

If you’re looking to give an all-inclusive palette that anyone can use, the brand new Naked on the Run Palette is a great choice! It contains shadows, blush, bronzer, lip gloss, and mascara. Urban Decay is known for its high quality products, so this is a definite treat. Grab one for a friend and one for yourself!

Tarte Bon Voyage Collector’s Set and Travel Bag

$59.00 [BUY]

Another great gift set is this one from Tarte that is valued at over $400! I kid you not – the set includes a huge eyshadow palette, plus six other makeup and skincare essentials. The travel bag is the perfect addition to the set, making it a great present for your jet-setting friends. If you’re in a rush this holiday season, you don’t even need to wrap up the set because of the cute bag!

Fresh Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio

$28.00 [BUY]

Some of my favorite lip products ever are the Fresh lip balms. However, they are very pricey so I don’t treat myself to them. This trio is a great stocking stuffer for the lippy lover in your life. Either gift the entire set, or break up the trio for different friends. Either way, these lip balms are a wonderful present, especially in the cold winter months when lip hydration is a must!

Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler

$60.00 [BUY]

Sephora really kills it with the gift sets every year! I think the perfume sampler is just genius. The set includes 14 of the most popular women’s fragrances so you don’t have to guess which scent your friend will enjoy. But that’s not all – the set includes a coupon for a full-sized perfume so the receiver can stock up on the scent she loves most. How awesome is that?!

GlamGlow Glamtastic Facial Set

$59.00 [BUY]

GlamGlow is one of the most sought after skincare brands, so I highly recommend this set if you’re looking to pamper the one you love! This set includes four different treatments that will really come in handy this winter. The price tag may seem like a lot for the set, but trust me, it’s a steal!

Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio

$27.00 [BUY]

I am all about Philosophy products around the holidays. My favorite product in the line is the luxurious bath and shower gel, and this set of three is perfect to either gift all together or separately. I’d personally love to keep the Cinnamon Stick for myself, but Vanilla Bean Nutmeg and Creamy Cardamom sound amazing as well!

Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

$15.00 [BUY]

I speak from experience when I say this hand cream is a great present for the men in your life! My dad absolutely loves this product, and even asked for it last year after I gave it to him the Christmas before. It works really well for the toughest dry hands, and smells quite nice. If your man has rough hands, get him this for sure!

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

$16.00 [BUY]

I hand to include my holy grail moisturizer on this gift guide! This cream sounds too good to be true, but it really works so well to soothe dry skin in the winter. If you don’t know what to get someone, I highly recommend this product. Pair it with some cute socks or some hot chocolate for a wintery care pack!

Living Proof No Frizz Smoothing & Frizz Fighting Travel Kit

$29.00 [BUY]

Finally, I wanted to include some hair products in this post because Sephora, of course, sells some amazing ones. My friend recently gave me this line of hair products to try and it has worked wonders on my hair! I’ve seriously seen a big difference when using these products, so I highly recommend them. If you’ve got a friend who’s looking to fight frizz this season, she’ll love you forever if you get her this set.

That brings us to the end of my Sephora Gift List! This is just a small sampling of the amazing goodies Sephora has to offer, but they are some of my favorites. Make sure to let me know in the comments if you’ll be picking up any of these this season. Stay tuned for more in my #PolishlandPresents series as well!

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

Posted on November 24, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

All images used in this blog post are courtesy of Birchbox. Please visit the direct product links to see the original source.

Happy Monday! Welcome to the next installment of #PolishlandPresents! As you can guess by the title of this post, today I’ll be sharing with you the ten items on Birchbox’s website that I think are the perfect gift items this holiday season. I’ve gone through the website from top to bottom so you don’t have to spend time searching through all of the products. I absolutely love shopping on the Birchbox website because of the Birchbox Points program. With every purchase, you earn points that you can redeem for money off. For every 100 points, you get $10 off and there is no limit for how many points you can earn and redeem. Birchbox also has great coupons and add-ons, so you are always getting the most for your money. Let me go ahead and show you my ten present picks!

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I absolutely love this lipstick range from ModelCo, and Birchbox offers two exclusive trios for an amazing price. If you have a lipstick aficionado to shop for, I highly recommend one of these sets. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Either give all three to the same person, or break up the trio for different people. Pair the lipstick with a gloss or liner that you think matches, or even match it up with a complimenting nail polish. Plus, if you’re love one of the lipsticks, keep it for yourself!

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

I couldn’t believe the amazing price tag on this Laura Geller set that is also a Birchbox exclusive! Six products for under $40? Talk about a steal! I own the Retractable Baked Powder Brush that comes with this kit and I really love it. I would highly recommend it for beauty lovers. This set comes in four shades, and will make any makeup junkie super happy!

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

$26.00 [BUY]

Buying eyeshadow for the makeup lover in your life can be difficult, but this palette offers a full range of colors so you know some are sure to please! I’ve heard great things about POP Beauty eyeshadows, and they are really affordable. To get a full palette for under $30 is amazing!

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

Color Club Gala's Gems Collection $13.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

I really love the Gala’s Gems Collection from Color Club, and I think it makes a great gift set for nail polish aficionados. The colors are perfect for the winter, and they have great formulas. Plus, this box is small enough to be a stocking stuffer or you can pair it with other manicure essentials for a larger gift.

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush $12.00 [BUY]

How cute is this nail brush?! Talk about the perfect stocking stuffer! This is such a fun item for those who love to do at home manicures. I can almost guarantee your friends won’t already own something like this either! Kikkerland is such a quirky brand, but they’ve definitely created something practical at the same time.

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection $32.00 [BUY]

Hand creams are a gift item I reach for every year. I love buying boxed value sets like this one to split up and give to my friends and family. Plus, you can keep one for yourself! This luxurious lotion smells divine and would be a great pair with the Whale Nail Brush or Gala’s Gems set! Of course, you can gift the entire box set to one person if they love hand creams.

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves $29.00 [BUY]

In the modern day technology society we live in, touchscreen gloves are a MUST for all of us in cold weather climates! I wear mine all the time! Birchbox offers these nice Verloop gloves in six different colors. Get a pair for everyone on your list and wrap an iTunes gift card up with it. They’ll think of you every time they use their phone!

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug $11.50 [BUY]

I adore this Scrabble mug! It’s perfect for board game buffs, and it’s very hipster. If you have a friend who loves coffee or tea, wrap these items up together and you’ve got an awesome present. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make some Scrabble Coasters to match!

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

How cute is this macaron box?! I think it is so adorable, and would look nice on a vanity or desk. Place a pair of earrings inside, or even some cash, and you’ve got a sweet gift. These boxes come in four pastel shades, so buy one or more for a holiday treat.

Birchbox Subscription

with-100-000-subscribers-birchbox-launches-grooming-kit-subscriptions-for-men-dd550876dc — Image Courtesy of Mashable

$30-110 [BUY]

Of course, the gift of the Birchbox subscription is also a great way to go. Choose from 3, 6, or 12 month options. You can even get a Birchbox Man subscription for the guys in your life! This is a great option if you’re not sure what to get someone, but you don’t think a gift card is a good idea. I personally would love this gift!

That’s it for today’s #PolishlandPresents post! I hope you found my Birchbox Gift List helpful! Birchbox offers so many amazing deals all year round, and the site is constantly expanding to offer more goodies. Be sure to check it out, and stay tuned for more gift guides in my #PolishlandPresents series!

Subscription Sunday | November 2014 Birchbox

Posted on November 16, 2014November 15, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s been a few months since I’ve showed you my Birchbox, but I definitely want to get back into the habit of sharing the goodies I get each month because they’ve been totally awesome lately. If you’re new to Birchbox, it is a $10 per month subscription box in which you get sample sized products from the world of beauty and skincare, and now lifestyle items as well. Products can be any size from foil packets to full sized products, but Birchbox has a personal style profile form that gets to know you pretty well. Let me show you my November box!

Each month, Birchbox features a different theme. November is fittingly all about giving, with Birchbox teaming up with RED to help raise money in the fight against AIDS. I think that it’s really great that Birchbox is giving back this month!

Now onto the goodies in my box! I’ll tell you what each item is and it’s retail value. Plus, you can click on the name of each product to purchase it on Birchbox’s website.

TOCCA Eau de Parfum in Florence – $2.00 – I do like receiving perfume samples in my Birchbox every once in a while, but this one is a strong floral that I unfortunately cannot use due to my allergies to flowers. I’ll have to pass it on to someone else.
Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream in Fair to Light – $2.04 – I’ve received a lot of Supergoop samples from subscription boxes and I’m never thrilled with them. I am happy that Birchbox did send me the right shade to try, but I’ll be lucky to get 1-2 uses out of this tiny tube.
Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Satin Taupe – $5.00 – I am really excited about this product! This jumbo eye pencil can be used as an eyeliner, eyeshadow base, or shadow. The shade is a stunning taupe with just a hint of shimmer. I’ve already tried it and love it!
Perlier Revitalizing Body Butter in White Almond – $2.55 – With winter basically here, it’s time to stock up on moisturizers! This luxurious cream is made in Italy, and the perfect item to get in my November box.
Fekkai PrX Reparatives Intense Fortifying Masque – $6.04 – I’m most excited about this hair mask! I’m almost out of the mask I’ve been using, and this one seems awesome. Plus, it smells divine. I can’t wait to use it!
Justin’s Chocolate Almond Butter Squeeze Pack – $1.99 – I’ve been wanting to try Justin’s for a long time, but this stuff is super expensive ($12.99 for a jar at the grocery store!). I’m glad I got this sample because I already ate it right after this picture was taken. It was yummy, but not so yummy that I’d buy it over Nutella.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $19.62

RATING 1–5 (1 IS WORST, 5 IS BEST): 3.5

OVERALL OPINOIN: I’m giving this box a 3.5 this month because I really love three of these products, was happy about the almond butter, and could leave the perfume and CC cream for someone else. It was a great month, but there is definitely room for improvement. I also wish the retail value was a bit higher. What do you think?

As always, you can join Birchbox HERE if you have not already. Please let me know in the comments what you got this month!

Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel Review

Posted on November 14, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I am excited to be back today with a review for all of you. I’ve been so busy lately, as well as battling a cold. I’ve got some fun posts in store for the holiday season, but today it’s all about skincare! I got the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel from Ageless Derma to review, so let me tell you about this product.

The Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Cleanser Gel is an energizing cleanser designed for everyday use. It is made with certified organic aloe vera and chamomile extracts, and has an advanced formula to deeply cleanse pores. This cleanser can remove makeup and surface oils without stripping the skin of hydration. Plus, this product does not contain paraben and is not tested on animals.

This cleanser’s unique gel formula looks a bit like shampoo when it comes out of the bottle. It has a slight fresh scent to it, but I don’t find it irritating at all. I did use makeup wipes to get off the majority of my makeup, but I love how this cleanser leaves my face feeling fresh and clean. My skin is clear and soft after use, and I can feel the aloe vera working to retain moisture and help calm my skin. I really enjoy using this cleanser in the colder months when my skin is already sensitive and dry.

All in all, I am really liking this cleanser from Ageless Derma! It’s great for those with dry skin, but I think it will also work well for other skin types. You can get this 4oz bottle of the Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel on the brand’s website HERE for $25. Though that is a bit more expensive than the drugstore, I think it’s very reasonable for the size of the cleanser and the organic ingredients. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried the Ageless Derma brand and your thoughts!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

October 2014 Favorites!

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! November is now in full swing, so it’s time for me to show you the products that I loved all October long. I didn’t test out too many new things this month, but I did find some great products to share with you. Let’s jump right into my October favorites!

NAIL POLISH

NYC New York Color – Black Elixir [REVIEW]

I’m really impressed with this black creme polish from NYC New York Color! At $1.99, it’s an awesome staple to have in my nail polish collection. I plan on using it for nail art looks in the future for sure! Make sure to run to your nearest drugstore to pick it up since it is part of the limited edition Midnight Beauty collection and won’t be on the shelves perpetually.

MAKEUP BRUSH

Real Techniques – Setting Brush Real Techniques Setting Brush [BUY]

I got a set of Real Techniques brushes for my birthday, and I am particularly loving the Setting Brush. It is absolutely perfect to apply highlighter to the tops of my cheekbones, but can be used to set concealer as well. It’s light and fluffy, and easy to use. Plus, I appreciate how affordable Real Techniques is!

HAIR

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray [BUY]

I’ve loved Macadamia products for a while now, and was super excited when I got this deluxe sample in a Birchbox. This spray is perfect for adding shine and reducing frizz without making my hair greasy. If oil weighs your hair down too much, definitely test out this spray. It also smells amazing!

FRAGRANCE

Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck [BUY]

I think I’ve featured this perfume in a favorites post before, but I’ve rediscovered my love for Taylor Swift’s Enchanted Wonderstruck this month! The scent is rich and perfect for the colder months. I’ve used about half of my bottle now!

SONG

Classic by MKTO [BUY]

I am a sucker for catchy pop tunes, and this one is no exception! I love the fun beat and lyrics, and have had it playing on repeat this month. I definitely want to check out more songs from MKTO. Let me know if you love this artist and what songs you recommend!

EXPERIENCE

One of the most exciting parts of my month was meeting Grace Helbig at her NYC book signing! She just released her first book called Grace’s Guide (buy it HERE), and I made sure to head on over to Housing Works Bookstore Cafe to meet her. She signed my book and took selfies. It was awesome! Make sure you check out her YouTube Channel HERE if you haven’t subscribed yet (she’s at nearly 2 million!).

That’s all I have to share with you this month! I hope you enjoyed hearing about the things that made my October a memorable one. Please let me know your favorites in the comments, or use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts. Here’s to a great November!

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

ModelCo Party Proof Matte Lipstick Review | Get Naked & Kitty

Posted on October 16, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! Today I wanted to tell you about a line of lipsticks that I’ve been loving! Thanks to Birchbox, I’ve received two of the ModelCo Party Proof Matte Lipsticks in the past few months (one as a bonus with an order and the other in my monthly box). I’m not usually a big lipstick wearer, as I much prefer tinted lip balms, but I’m happily surprised with how awesome this lipstick range is. I thought I would go ahead and review the two I own for all of you!

First up is the shade Get Naked, the perfect peachy nude lipstick. One of the reasons I love these lipsticks is the formula. I love matte lips, but matte products tend to be very drying. The Party Proof line, however, feels very moisturizing and creamy on the lips. It does have a matte finish, but is glossier than other matte lipsticks I’ve tried. I really like that! Get Naked is also the perfect nude shade for my fair skin tone. It’s definitely a must have!

The other Party Proof lipstick I own is Kitty, a rosy mauve shade that is truly a “my lips but better” color. Kitty also has a creamy formula that stays in place all day. I feel much more polished and put together with this lipstick, but at the same time I still have a natural look. It’s a great every day shade, and the matte finish is perfection.

All in all, I’m so glad I discovered the ModelCo Party Proof Matte Lipstick line through Birchbox! These lipsticks are available for purchase on the Birchbox website HERE in sets of three for $24 each. I think that is a decent price for three lipsticks! Both Get Naked and Kitty come in the Neutrals trio along with Dusk Till Dawn. There is also a Classics trio available for purchase. I think at some point in the future I’ll be snagging more of these lipsticks for my collection now that I know how much I love the formula! The sleek white packaging is a pure bonus! Please let me know if you’ve tried any ModelCo products in the comments!

September 2014 Favorites!

Posted on October 3, 2014September 28, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! September has come to a close and that means it’s time for my monthly favorites. I’ve been loving a lot of products this month, but I narrowed it down to a few that I want to recommend to all of you. Let me go ahead and show you my September favorites!

NAIL POLISH

Zoya Entice Collection | Adventures in Polishland Zoya Entice Collection [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve worn the Zoya Entice Collection so much this past month that I decided to include all of the polishes in my favorites! Margo, Ryan, and Genevieve have been living on my nails, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

PRIMER

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Primer [BUY]

I pulled this primer sample out of my collection and haven’t been able to stop using it! It is so light, and really makes my foundation look amazing. Plus, the oil-free formula is perfect for preventing acne. This is an expensive product, but I highly recommend it!

LIP PRODUCT

Alima Pure Lip Tint in Holly Berry [BUY]

I got this lip tint in a Birchbox a while back, and I’ve been loving it this fall. The main ingredient is organic cocoa bean, so it smells just like chocolate! Plus, it’s so hydrating!

BLUSH

Pür Minerals Hot Rocks Blush Pür Minerals Hot Rocks [BUY]

My cousin gave me this blush as a gift, and I’ve worn it a lot recently! The shade is a gorgeous dusty rose. The cover of the product does get quite dirty-looking, as that’s where I dust off the excess product. If you’re looking for a beautiful blush, I definitely recommend this one!

MAKEUP REMOVER

No7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes [BUY]

I decided to try a new brand of makeup remover wipes, and I’m loving these ones! They really do take off all makeup, including waterproof mascara, and they are so refreshing. Plus, there are 30 wipes in a pack and they are very affordable.

That’s it for my monthly favorites! I hope I introduced you to some new products! I noticed many of these products are high end this month, so it’s a bit of a change from my normal drugstore go-tos. It’s always good to change it up every now and then! Please let me know in the comments what you loved this September. Feel free to use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can see your photos!

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

Summer 2014 Favorites | Beauty, Lifestyle, & More!

Posted on September 6, 2014August 31, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! You may have noticed that this summer I didn’t post my usual monthly favorites. By the end of June and then July, I realized that I was reusing the same products over and over, and thought a combined summer favorites would be the best way to share my new favorite products with you. Plus, it’s a great way to reflect over the past few months! This was probably the last summer vacation I’ll ever have, since I’ve just embarked on my final year of school. Let me show you everything I loved the past few months!

NAIL POLISH

L’Oreal Jean & Tonic [REVIEW]

I wore this textured shade from L’Oreal a ton this summer! In fact, I made a dent in the bottle because I loved it so much! Make sure to check out my review for more details. If you like this polish, make sure to check the limited edition displays at your local drugstore ASAP.

MASCARA

CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara in Black [BUY]

I finally tried the famous Clump Crusher and I’m so glad I did! It really separates my lashes for a full look. I do wish it had a bit more “va va voom,” but I can always layer a thicker mascara on top for a more dramatic look. If you’re looking for a great mascara to use on the daily, I recommend this one.

EYEBROWS

Milani Brow Fix Brow Kit in Light [BUY]

I rediscovered this brow product over the summer, and pulled it out from the depths of my makeup collection! I’ve used it a ton, and I’ve found that the powder looks really natural and is easy to apply. I still use my eyebrow pencils sometimes, but in the hot summer sun, powder was the best option. Plus, this stuff lasts forever!

BLUSH

NYX Cream Blush in Natural [BUY]

I finally reached for cream blush this summer, and I’m happy I got over my cream blush fear! It’s lightweight and extremely blendable, so I don’t look cakey. I definitely need to pick up more cream blushes for my collection, so let me know your favorites in the comments!

PRIMER

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner [BUY]

I brought this sample size primer with me when I was traveling and fell in love! It’s just like my beloved Too Faced Primed & Poreless, but even better. Unfortunately, the full size is $45 (yikes), so I’ve been making this sample last as long as possible. If your budget allows for Pores No More, I say get it!

FRAGRANCE

Coconut Lime Breeze Body Spray [BUY]

I love lighter scents in the summer, and reach for body sprays more than perfumes. I got this one during the Bath & Bodyworks semi-annual sale for just $1.50, and I love it! It’s sweet, but not sickening. I pretty much love anything with a coconut scent, though!

TV SHOW

Big Love

I watched a lot of shows on Amazon Prime this summer, one of them being the complete series of Big Love. I don’t get HBO, so it was great to be able to watch some HBO shows for free this summer with my Prime subscription. Big Love was so addicting! It’s about a polygamist family in Utah. There is serious family drama, and it always kept me at the edge of my seat. I highly recommend it, but ask your parents if you’re under 18 since it has a lot of violence and some adult content.

BOOK

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa [BUY]

I also read a lot this summer, and one of my favorites was the Blood of Eden trilogy by Julie Kagawa. I’m always hesitant when it comes to vampires because of the whole Twilight thing, but gave this series a try, and I’m so glad I did! Kagawa does an amazing job of combining vampires into the dystopian genre. The trilogy follows teenager Allison as she decides to become a vampire, and the new life she must lead. The first book in the series is called The Immortal Rules (liked above). I highly recommend it!

EXPERIENCES

West Coast Adventures – Los Angeles & Las Vegas

I had the amazing opportunity this summer to visit both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. My brother and sister-in-law live in LA, so I made sure to visit them and meet my new nephew for the first time! It was wonderful to see them! I also met up with my grandma and cousin out there, and we took a road trip to Vegas. I’ve never been to Vegas before and it was an unbelievable experience. I thought NYC was big! If you ever get the change to visit Las Vegas, go! There is something for everyone!

All in all, I had a great summer even though it went by super quickly! Please let me know in the comments some of the products you loved these past few months. Also let me know what your favorite moment of the summer was. Feel free to tag me on social media using the hashtag #PolishlandFaves so I can see your photos!

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

5 Easy Ways to Prevent Acne | No Skincare Needed

Posted on August 29, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I thought I’d do a little something different and share some tips with you about how I avoid getting acne. Let’s face it (no pun intended), we are all bound to break out every once in a while. Whether it’s from trying new products, it being that time of the month, or simply your body chemistry, acne is a pain! I’ve discovered a few, simple tricks along the way that can help prevent those pimples, so I thought I would share them with you.

1. Remove Your Makeup Every Night

Taking off your makeup before you go to bed is really important, and something many of us are guilty of not doing (including me!). Not only will leaving your makeup on accelerate aging, but it clogs your pores and can lead to acne. If you don’t have time to wash your face after a long day, use a cleansing towelette to at least get rid of the makeup. I love the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, but the drugstore offers many affordable brands.

2. Regularly Wash Your Makeup Brushes

It’s also important to wash your makeup brushes on a regular basis. How often you need to wash them depends on how often you use them. I try to wash my brushes once per week. That way, all of the excess oils and product remnants are removed. I am currently using the e.lf. Brush Shampoo, which retails for just $3.00 per bottle. It sanitizes my brushes so I know they’re clean!

3. Wash Your Face after Your Hair in the Shower

I learned this tip from MissGlamorazzi on YouTube! If you wash your face after you shampoo and condition your hair, you’ll get rid of any residue left over from those products that can stay in your pores. You can also do a little cleanse over the back of your neck as well to make sure all of the shampoo and conditioner is gone.

4. Change Your Pillowcases Often

Just like your makeup brushes, excess oils from your skin and hair can accumulate on your pillowcases. I have extra pillowcases in addition to my regular sheet sets so that I can change them often. I like to change them once per week, or more often if I’m sick. That way I’m not breathing in any germs, and my skin isn’t rubbing in them either!

5. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

This last tip is very straightforward, but something we often forget! Touching your face can not only get you sick, but it can cause acne as well. Your hands touch all sorts of things throughout the day, including germs and oils that can irritate your skin. Thus, make sure your hands are clean whenever you need to touch your face, such as during your skincare routine or putting on makeup.

All in all, these are some easy tips to follow if you want to help prevent acne. I saw changes in my skin after implementing some of theses tips, so I wanted to share them all with you! Please let me know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these tips, and share what you do to prevent acne as well.

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

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.