makeup – Page 14 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: makeup

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 Four | June 2013

Posted on June 23, 2013July 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have the first post in my new series, where I feature a subscription service every Sunday. As June comes to a close, it is time for Round Four of my Ipsy v. Birchbox comparison posts. In Round One and Round Two, Birchbox was champion, but last month for Round Three, Ipsy was the clear winner. Let’s see how these two $10 beauty boxes stack up against one another this month!

First up, as always, is Ipsy! This month’s theme is “On the Wild Side,” and it comes with the cutest makeup bag ever! I am loving the leopard print pouch with a neon accent, and I’m impressed with it’s nice quality. This is definitely going into my school bag! On the bottom left, you can see a bonus item I got for referring two new Ipsy members. It is the O-Ring Stud Wrap bracelet from BaubleBar, and probably retails for around $20. It was a great bonus! Let me talk about the items inside in more detail, working from left to right.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Natural – $6.00 – I’ve never tried a cream blush before, but this one from NYX seems to be a great shade for my skin tone, and is quite blendable. I don’t wear blush often, but this is a nice product to have in my makeup collection for a day I want to dress up a little more.
J.Cat Beauty Sparkling Cream Palette in Volta – $4.49 – This is my least favorite item in the bag, and something that I won’t ever use! It is a palette of five glitter eyeshadows, and is basically loose glitter on top of a cream shadow. I feel like these shadows only work for the daring ladies who love to stand out, and don’t work for an everyday look at all. I guess maybe I’ll hold onto this for Halloween!
Starlooks Lip Pencil in Bare – $12.00 – This Starlooks lip liner is actually a very nice quality and applies really nicely. The problem is the color is not for me at all! Bare is a muddy mauve that makes my lips look brown. Even layered it just did not work for me at all. I would have loved a different shade of this product, as this one I can’t use unfortunately.
Cailyn Line-Fix Gel Eyeliner in Purple – $21.00 – This gel eyeliner is a gorgeous plum shade and comes with the perfect size brush. I was very surprised on how easy it is to apply, and the purple shade is great for a more subdued look. I don’t wear eyeliner very often, but this is a nice alternative to a harsh black color. I’m glad to have this product, even though I won’t be using it often.
Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter – $18.00 – Last but not least is my favorite item this month, an eye highlighter pencil! I was actually about to buy one at the drugstore, but am so happy I got this high end one instead. It helps brighten up my eyes and make me look more awake. Best of all, it is so natural looking, and extremely blendable. It is the only eye makeup in addition to mascara that I wear daily!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $61.49

OVERALL OPINION: While I’m very happy with the Chella Highlighter, that is the only product in this month’s bag that I will be using on a regular basis. The Cailyn Eyeliner and NYX Blush are great to have, but the J.Cat Palette and Starlooks lipliner are virtually worthless to me. Even though the retail value of my June Ipsy was amazing, it really comes down to how I will use the products. I would have liked some more skincare items instead of all makeup to be honest!

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

Now onto my June Birchbox! This month’s theme is Wanderlust, and is all about summer traveling. This month Birchbox also revamped its website and program to include a profile that really understands what products you are looking to receive. Be sure to edit yours! Let me show you the goodies I got this month.

Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – $2.05 – This tub is filled with an exfoliating cleanser that smells like delicious lemons! I’m excited to try it out, and I will probably get a week’s worth of uses out of this sample. The full size product is $32.95, so this is definitely a high end sample. I’m happy to try it out, but will not be repurchasing!
Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – $5.96 – I was a bit disappointed to get another dry shampoo from Birchbox, as I am still using the one I got back in March. I’m happy to have this for when the other runs out, but upon a first test it isn’t as nice. I am not enjoying the scent one bit! I’m a bit neutral on this sample.
Color Club nail polish in Mod in Manhattan – $2.00 – I love getting a nail polish sample! This mini size is a great value, and I absolutely love it. You can see my full review of this nail polish HERE.
Laqa & Co Lil’ Lip Color in Lambchop – $8.00 – This fat lip pencil is a super bright pink that is very daring! I love the formula and application, but the shade is quite “out there” to wear on a regular basis. I would love to try this product in a more wearable shade, but I do love having Lambchop on hand. I’ve been wanting to try this brand for a long time!
Twistband Hair Tie – $2.33 – I love yoga hair ties, and this one is so cute! The nautical design is great for summer. These hair ties are definitely on the expensive side, so I am glad to get one in my Birchbox. For girls with thin hair like mine, these hair ties are a necessity!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $20.34

OVERALL OPINION: Even though the retail value of this box isn’t very high, I will definitely use all of these products. I wish the Laqa & Co lip color was more wearable, but everything else fits in to my daily makeup and skincare routine. This is definitely a huge improvement over last month! I hope things continue to get better!

RATING: 4

There you have it! My winner for the month of June is Birchbox! Overall, I am disappointed that Ipsy sent me only makeup products this month. If I had received skincare in addition to the highlighter, blush, and eyeliner, that would have made Ipsy the winner. For now, I will continue on with both programs, but if Ipsy doesn’t step it up in terms of products that fit my lifestyle, I will have to let it go. Let me know which program you liked better this month. You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE. Stay tuned for more Subscription Sunday posts every week!

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Three! May 2013

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

Happy Sunday! It is round three of Ipsy v. Birchbox here at Adventures in Polishland. Even though Birchbox won the first two rounds (see Round One HERE and Round Two HERE), I felt that I needed at least three months of each subscription service to really test the waters for good. At $10 each, I am getting some great new products for an affordable price. I’ve already used up quite a few of the samples! This month I got some really nice products as well. Let me show you what was inside!

First up is my Ipsy Glam Bag! This month’s theme is Spring Fling, and I am just adoring the cosmetic bag we got this month. I love the bright chevron pattern, and it is a waterproof material that will be perfect for the summer months. I’m quite impressed with the quality of the bag as well — it feels nice and sturdy! Let me describe the products I got from left to right!

Juice Beauty Reflecting Lip Gloss in Champagne – $7.50 – Juice Beauty is a very popular brand in these subscriptions! This month I got a really pretty lip gloss in a nude color. I tried this out a few times, and I do like it. It is very sheer, and although it looks very glittery in the tube it doesn’t make my lips look like a disco ball. Instead, it has a nice shine. What I don’t like is the smell! It smells strange, but I think it is because it’s organic and has natural fragrances only. Also, though this is packaged like a full size lip gloss, it is exactly one half of the full size that Juice Beauty sells online. Nonetheless, this is a great sample with a great value!
Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – $13.50 – I have been wanting to try some of the hair cair products from Macadamia, so I am beyond excited for this product! It smells divine, and I already see a big difference in my hair since I started using it. I apply the tiniest amount from my ears down after I get out of the shower, and my hair is much softer and less frizzy than usual. This sample size retails for $13.50, and will last me a while since a little bit goes a long way. I am so happy with this sample!
Zoya in Julie – $8 – This month each Ipsy subscriber got a full size nail polish from the Zoya Lovely collection. I got Julie, but unfortunately I already own the entire Lovely collection. While I do think it is great to get a full size polish in these subscription services, the Lovely collection came out back in December, and many nail polish aficionados already own the colors they want. Similarly, my bottle came a bit damaged, and I noticed that many other subscribers received damaged bottles as well. Part of my thinks Zoya sent Ipsy all of the bottles they didn’t want to sell themselves! I love the idea behind this polish, but I wish we got something from a newer collection that wasn’t damaged.
St. Tropez Instant Glow Body Lotion – $6.27 – Next up is a self-tanner body lotion. I’ve tried the one from Jergens before, and loved the results yet hated the smell. This one is just the opposite! There is no smell, yet the color is way too dark for my pale skin, and I wasn’t able to achieve a natural look. I think this is a great sample size, but unfortunately it didn’t work for me. I’m going to try it again once I have more of a natural tan.
Yaby Concealer Refill in Buff – $4.85 – I am also very excited for this concealer from Yaby, another brand that Ipsy seems to like a lot as well! I’ve been needing a new concealer, and I’m glad Ipsy sent me one that seems like the perfect shade for me! I know some subscribers received incorrect colors in their glam bag, but make sure you go to the Ipsy website to edit your profile. I can’t wait to use this concealer, and it will fit in the Glam RX palette I got back in March.

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $40.12

OVERALL OPINION: I’m very happy with my Ipsy glam bag this month! The value is great, and I got three products I will definitely use. Unfortunately I already had the nail polish, and the St. Tropez lotion isn’t really my thing. Other than that, I will get a lot of use out of the other products. I am most excited about the Macadamia hair treatment!

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

Now onto my May Birchbox! This month there wasn’t really a theme, but each box came with a fun Mad Libs type activity. Fill in the Beauty Diaries phrase and tweet it to Birchbox, and you could win a full size product of everything in your box! See my Tweet HERE! Now I will tell you more about the products I got this month.

Amika Nourishing Mask – $1.60 – First up is a foil packet of a deep conditioner for hair. This mask is supposed to repair damaged hair with its special sea buckthorn berry ingredient. I will probably get 2-3 uses out of this packet, although it will be difficult to use in the shower. I would have liked different packaging to make this sample more user friendly. I also appreciate being able to try a high end hair product, but this packet just doesn’t excite me!
Runa Tea Bag Sample Box – $1.75 – My favorite product this month is a sampler box of four teas from Runa. I got four tea bags in these flavors: traditional, ginger-citrus, mint, and cinnamon-lemongrass. The tea bags smell amazing, and are supposed to have twice the antioxidants as green tea! It’s nice to get a little snack item in a beauty box. Even though the retail value isn’t high, I know I will be able to afford a box of the tea if I decide I like it and want more!
Sumita Color Contrast Eye Pencil in Suman – $5.25 – Each Birchbox subscriber got a mini Sumita eyeliner this month, and I luckily got it in a black color! I rarely wear eyeliner, but this one seems very nice. It is a very creamy consistency, and glides on easily. It is definitely smudge-proof as well. Even though I won’t use it often, this is a nice product to get in a box like this!
Coola Classic Sunscreen for Face – $4.32 – This tiny sunscreen sample from Coola was mostly empty when I got it, and exploded a bit when I opened it. Unfortunately there is not much for me to try! I admit it smells great, but I’m very disappointed with this sample. I cannot fathom spending $32 on the full size product. I understand that it is organic and high end, but that is quite a lot for sunscreen. I hope to get at least once use out of this tube.
Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste – $1.40 – I’m not sure how I feel about getting a “luxury” toothpaste in my Birchbox. I will definitely use it up, of course, but I typically spend $1.40 or less on my regular toothpaste when it is on sale! I do love that this is an Italian import, since I am part Italian, but this is another product that I won’t be buying the full size of. The tube is great for travel, though, and it smells minty fresh!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $14.32

OVERALL OPINION: I am so disappointed this month! This is the first time Birchbox provided me with samples that can really only be used 1-2 times each with the exception of the eyeliner, and perhaps the toothpaste. My box was considerably lighter this month, and the retail value of these items really stinks. It’s always nice to try high end products that I can’t afford to buy regularly, but I wish I could get more out of them. These products won’t even last until next month’s Birchbox.

RATING: 2

There you have it! My winner for the month of May is Ipsy by a landslide! After being beat out by Birchbox for two months, Ipsy finally provided me with some great products. At this point I am going to give each subscription another go. I sure hope that this was just a fluke with Birchbox, since my last two months were amazing. I am still an undecided girl when it comes to which program is better! Which one do you like more?! If you have yet to join, you can sign up for Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Some of the above links are affiliate links. Subscription boxes purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Bimonthly Beauty Post: My Current Mascara Collection!

Posted on April 26, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have another post in my beauty series, and I’m going to focus on my favorite makeup product — mascara! While I don’t wear a lot of eye makeup, I almost always put on some mascara before walking out the door. It is just enough to give me some extra “pop” without being over the top. I find that adding mascara can make me look more polished and ready for the day. I constantly find myself perusing the makeup aisle for new mascaras and great deals! Let me show you the mascaras I’m currently using, and the ones I will be trying out next!

Here are the four mascaras I currently have in my collection! I think four is more than enough to have for everyday use, so I am focusing on using these up before I open any more. Once you open a mascara and expose it to the air, it has a faster chance at drying up in the tube. That’s why I keep my mascaras wrapped up until I’m ready to use them! As you can see, I have a good mix of both drugstore and high end mascaras. I always get a bargain when I can, though!

Brand Name: L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes

Price: $7.00 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at drugstores

Best for: Lengthening! I can literally see my eyelashes growing when I apply this mascara. This mascara also gives you very full eyelashes, just as the name “Million Lashes” suggests. This is probably my favorite all-around mascara of all time!

Dislikes: I really have nothing bad to say about this mascara! I’ve been using it for a couple years!

Brand Name: Covergirl NatureLuxe Water Resistant Mousse

Price: $3.89 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at drugstores

Best for: A natural, everyday look! I find that this mascara is perfect for adding color to your lashes and for providing some definition without it being too noticeable. It also does a great job at separating your lashes.

Dislikes: My tube is already starting to dry up after just two and a half months of use. That means clumping! It’s not too noticeable yet, but I think I will have to toss this one in another month or so.

Brand Name: Buxom Sculpted Lash

Price: $18.50 on Amazon [Buy HERE]; also available at Sephora

Best for: Shaping and curling! Just as the name suggests, this mascara is amazing at sculpting my lashes. It separates and curls my lashes with ease. I like to turn the wand to get a different angle with the applicator as I use it for added definition. This really helps with my left eyelashes, which seem to be a bit wonky — it makes them look full quite easily!

Dislikes: This mascara does not add much length to my eyelashes, but that’s because it is geared towards shaping them. I love everything else about it!

Because I’m a mascara hoarder, I already have a couple more ready to go for when I use up the ones in my current collection! On the left is Covergirl Clump Crusher, one that I’ve heard so many good things about! On the right is the brand new Revlon Lash Potion. I recently won the Revlon in a giveaway from the company, and can’t wait to try it!

I hope you enjoyed this post on my current mascara collection! Be sure to let me know what your favorite mascara is in the comments!

Some of the links in this post are Amazon Affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Indie Spotlight: The Divine Collection by Cameo Colours Lacquers

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

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the new Divine Collection by the indie brand Cameo Colours Lacquers. This collection features six holographic polishes in the perfect shades for spring. I apologize in advance, for the photos in this post do not capture the holographic effect as well as I would like. Rest assured that in real life the holo truly does shine! Let me show you the polishes from the Divine Collection.

First up is Athena, a light purple holo that can be classified as a lilac shade. It is opaque in three coats, as the formula is sheer but easy to work with. I love the more subdued of look of Athena. This polish is so pretty and feminine! I was impressed with how quickly Athena dried.

The next Divine polish is Brighid, a pastel yellow holo. It was not quite opaque in two coats, so I added a third to ensure it was full coverage. Brighid has a great formula that is a bit on the sheer side. This polish reminds me a bit of Zoya Piaf, but with more of a holographic look instead of a shimmer. Brighid is so light and dainty! I personally don’t think it goes well with my skin tone, but it sure is pretty.

Next up is Hathor, a gorgeous light blue holo. Hathor is opaque in two coats. The formula was a bit patchy with the first layer, but evened right up on the second. Hathor has a very strong holographic effect. I love this one so much! It reminds me of the coveted Color Club Halo Hues. I think Hathor is my favorite from the Divine Collection.

Ishtar is the mint green of the Divine Collection! Opaque in three coats, Ishtar has a green formula that is on the sheer side. The holographic effect is very strong with this polish, and is quite stunning. Ishtar is absolutely perfect for spring, and could be work for a Saint Patrick’s Day look for sure!

Next up is Pele, a pastel orange holo that I would call a tangerine shade. Pele is opaque in two coats. The color is very subtle, but the holo stands out strong. This is the perfect color for summer, or an alternative to a nude nail polish shade. The pastel look is great for those who don’t like “loud” nails.

Last but not least is Venus, a pale pink holo. The formula on this polish was a little patchy, and was opaque in three coats. Venus leans towards a purple shade, and is very feminine. This is a great holographic for an every day look!

All in all, the Divine Collection by Cameo Colours Lacquers provides a great holographic collection with beautiful spring shades! I love the pastel colors that still have a holographic effect. It’s the perfect combination in my book! The Divine Collection is being released on March 15, 2013 on the Cameo Colours Etsy site HERE. Let me know what you think of these polishes!

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

My March PopSugar Must Have Box!

Posted on March 9, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I will be sharing with you a new monthly subscription program that I joined. The PopSugar Must Have Box is a lifestyle box filled with goodies from all different areas – beauty, home, fashion, and more! It is $35 each month, but the box is to have at least a $100 value. After doing some research, I decided to go for it and sign up! My goal was to use this box as an alternative to buying new products myself. I am loving my first box! Let me show you what was inside.

First I’ll show you what the box looks like when you get it. I love the bright pink tissue paper and the “Enjoy” sticker! It’s adds a personal touch. You can also see the little booklet that explains all of the items in the box. Look at all those goodies! So much to see here!

In your box you will also have items from different “Must Have” categories. Here are my two Must Have Fashion items. On the left is a Sweater Saverfrom Hollywood Fashion Secrets. It’s a small brick that your rub over sweaters and blankets to remove pills without damaging the items. I definitely have a couple sweaters that could use this! The Sweater Saver retails for $5.99. I also got a beautiful necklace from Heather Belle. It is a long gold chain with an octagon and tassel designs near the bottom. I’ve been wanting to buy more jewelry, so this is perfect! I was unable to find out the exact retail value of this necklace, but others on the Heather Belle website are selling for $75!

For the Must Have Home category, I got two more items. On the left is the Corkatoo Corkscrewfrom True Fabrications. This is such a cute corkscrew, and while I don’t drink wine, this will make a great gift item! It retails for $15.99. I also got this Denim Washfrom The Laundress. I am quite excited about this item! It not only retails at $19, but it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and allergen free. I can use this in my washing machine to make sure my denim isn’t fading! I will definitely use this entire bottle, and it will make my current bottle of laundry detergent last longer.

Now onto Must Have Beauty! I am so excited about these next two items. First is the Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara. This is a $19 mascara and I am so excited! I love buying mascaras because it is one of the few makeup items I wear every day. This one is a high end brand that I wouldn’t have bought otherwise, but now I get to try it. I can’t wait to see how it works! I am also super excited about the nail polish I got! This is a set from The New Black called Pardon My French. I got the color set called Havoc. I’ve been dying to try these nail polishes, but couldn’t bring myself to spend the money on them. This mini set retails for $10! I will admit that I squealed a little when I saw this in the box.

Last but not least are my Special Extras for the month! Holly Fashion Secrets also provided a Fashion Tape Assortment Pack. This is great for holding accessories in place or hemming pants quickly. Also included were some Peeps! I don’t like Peeps, so these will be getting sent out in some nail mail. These are special bonuses, so I didn’t find out how much they retailed for.

All in all, my items add up to about $70 not including the necklace and the Special Extras. If the necklace is worth around $75, my box is definitely over the $100 mark! I’m really happy with everything in my box. They are either items I will use myself or give as gifts. I am going to continue on in this program for sure!

If you would like to join, please click HERE! Enter code REFER5 at checkout to get $5 your first box.

Bimonthly Beauty Post: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup Review

Posted on March 4, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the new foundation I bought about a month ago. I posted about it during my beauty haul, and I had a request for a full review. Unlike many of the products I feature on Adventures in Polishland, this one is far from affordable! At $39, the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup is definitely an investment product. With my experience so far, I am happy to say I feel like I am getting my money’s worth!

I have been using UD Naked Skin as my daily foundation. I love that it is very light and evens out my skin tone without being caked on my face. This product is also very customizable — I wear one layer for a natural look, but you could add another layer for more coverage. UD Naked Skin is also very blendable. A little bit of this product really does go a long way! It’s also very helpful that the bottle comes with a pump, since many drugstore foundations do not.

Above you can see what the foundation looks like on my hand before and after I blend it in. Because I walk outside in the sun a lot, my face is actually a bit darker than my hands, so that is why the foundation looks a bit dark for my skin in the photos. As you can see, just a dab of the foundation evens out to provide light coverage. You can still see any freckles or imperfections (here, my veins), but the overall coloring is evened and improved.

Overall, I am quite happy with my splurge purchase. The only thing I don’t like about UD Naked Skin is that I have to seal it with a powder to reduce shine. Other than that, I’m very impressed. I have also been using this foundation almost every day for a month and there is no visible fill line at all! This is going to last me a very long time!

You can buy UD Naked Skin at Sephora HERE for $39. There are lots of shades to choose from to find the perfect look for you!

Be Ready in a Flash with Sally Hansen Insta-Dri!

Posted on February 24, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today I have a review of four polishes from the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri line. Before I started blogging, I had a couple of these polishes and they just weren’t for me. They were gunky, and seemed to dry up in the bottle. In recent months I’ve been getting a lot of suggestions from followers about the Insta-Dri polishes. I even heard that Sally Hansen changed the formula to battle the issues I was having. When I got the opportunity to review some Sally Hansen products, I knew I had to give the Insta-Dri line a second chance. I’m very glad I did! Let me show you these beautiful polishes!

First up is Pronto Purple, a gorgeous dark purple nail polish with magenta shimmer. Pronto Purple is opaque in two coats and has a great formula! These Insta-Dri polishes come with a very wide brush. At first it was hard to get used to, but now I love it! It helps to distribute polish quickly and easily. I actually owned Pronto Purple before I started blogging! I was happy to find out how much I love it! Not only did the polish dry quickly, but it has a flawless finish. I’m very glad I own Pronto Purple again!

Next up is Blue-Away, a stunning Tiffany blue creme. Blue-Away is also opaque in two coats, and while the formula is a bit streaky, it evens out well and dries perfectly. One tip to applying this Insta-Dri polish is to let it dry in between coats. Just wait an extra minute or two, and the polish will glide on much easier. I absolutely love Blue-Away, especially for spring. It’s so feminine and chic!

Night Flight is the next Insta-Dri polish I have to show you. It is the perfect navy nail polish, and appears black in some light. Opaque in two coats, Night Flight’s formula was a bit on the watery side. Luckily application was still smooth, and I didn’t have any problems when I applied thin coats. The first coat of Night Flight was very sheer, and that leads me to believe it would be great for a jelly sandwich manicure! I was happy that the polish was buildable, and that it really did dry instantly!

Last but not least is Peachy Breeze, an amazing bright peach polish! Peachy Breeze is my new favorite nail polish. It is opaque in two coats, has the perfect formula, and is just a stunning color! It is perfect for spring and summer, and definitely lives up to its name. I am just in awe of this polish. I feel like my nails even look photoshopped in the pictures (which, of course, they’re not)! I have a feeling this is my new go-to polish. It definitely has a “wow” factor!

Overall, I am so happy I had the chance to try out the Insta-Dri line from Sally Hansen a second time. I am very impressed with these polishes. They are perfect for nail art, too! In fact, make sure you take a look at my Valentine’s Day Skittle Manicure to see Fuchsia Flare in action! Sally Hansen Insta-Dri polishes can be purchased at your local drugstore or department store for around $4. Not only are they fabulous, but they are affordable, too! If you’re a girl who is always on the go, I recommend you have a few Insta-Dri polishes in your collection.

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

Bimonthly Beauty Post: Baby Lips Review and a Giveaway!

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

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of my latest beauty obsession — Maybelline Baby Lips! I am a sucker for a great lip balm, and after hearing a lot about Baby Lips, I just had to give them a try. I picked one up back in early January and soon found that I needed to have them all! Let me show you my Baby Lips collection, and tell you a little more about the product.

Above is my coveted Baby Lips collection! From left to right, the colors are Quenched, Cherry Me, Grape Vine, Pink Punch, Peach Kiss, and Yummy Plummy. All of them, with the exception of Quenched, are tinted lip balms that hydrate your lips while adding subtle color. Quenched is a just a clear balm, and was the first I tried. I was unsure about trying a tinted balm, but was absolutely blown away with the effect Quenched had on my lips! Baby Lips is advertised to protect and moisturize lips for up to eight hours, and I have found that claim to be true. Quenched is absolutely perfect for dry lips, as it includes SPF 20 to reduce extra drying from the sun. After trying it, I decided to go back to the drugstore and try the tinted shades.

But alas, I couldn’t find Baby Lips in any local drugstores! The displays were completely empty! Thankfully, my mom was able to find four of the shades for me and shipped them out as soon as she could. In the meantime, a friend from school found one for me as well! I also spotted another at the drugstore the other day and grabbed that off the display as soon as possible!

Above you can see all of the shades the Baby Lips come in. They are in the same order in all photos. I am very natural with my makeup, and stay away from lipsticks, so I love that the tinted Baby Lips are so wearable! They provide subtle coloring that looks perfect on any skin tone due to its sheer nature. I also find that the coloring of Baby Lips works like a lip stain. In other words, I can apply Baby Lips in the morning and the color is still visible on my lips when I get home from school. I can even add my regular lip balm on top to keep my lips hydrated during the day without losing the color from the Baby Lips. All in all, my lips feel healthier and more moisturized since using Baby Lips, and I love that the tinted shades look great and natural on my lips! Baby Lips sell for around $3-4 in drugstores. Check for coupons and sales before shopping!

Giveaway!

In order to share the Baby Lips love with all of you, I am having a small giveaway! I have an extra Pink Punch that will soon belong to one of my followers. Since these are so hard to find now due to the increased demand, I figured someone would love to win it! Pink Punch is my favorite color as well. Four people complimented me the first day I work it! Thanks for entering, and good luck!

Rules:

Giveaway is only open to participants with a USA shipping address.
You must be 18 or older to win, or have parental permission.
The giveaway will close at midnight EST on March 18, 2013.
All entries will be verified. False or repeat entries will result in all of that participant’s entries being deleted, and that participant disqualified.
The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. If she fails to respond, she forfeits the prize and a new winner will be chosen.
I have the right to add or change the rules at any time during the giveaway.

PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ENTER!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Indie Spotlight: Shimmer Polish Part III

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I have Part III of my Shimmer Polish review! In Part I and Part II, I wore each polish on its own. In this entry, you will see the polishes layered over another color. I used one very thin coat of each Shimmer to create the looks you see here. I love that these polishes are so versatile! Let me show you these gorgeous glitters.

First up is Jennifer, a mix of multi-colored pastel glitters with pops of orange and turquoise. I layered one coat over Zoya Blu. The pastel blue base really highlighted all of the glitters in Jennifer, and I think the two are a perfect combination. This manicure is perfect for springtime with an extra sparkle!

Up next is Karen, a mix of pink and purple glitters with flashes of holo hexagons. I layered one coat over Pronto Purple. Karen’s formula was a bit on the thick side, but I didn’t have problems with application. I thought a purple base color would be very complimenting. In the first two photos, you see my manicure with a regular, glossy top coat. On day two, I wanted to change things up a bit, and added my Butter London Matte Finish on top. I just love the matte result! It makes the glitters stand out even more.

Karina is a red and black glitter mix, with sprinkles of purple and holographic grains. I layered this polish over Julep Claudette, and it is the perfect combination! I think it looks like one complete polish. It’s a great manicure for Valentine’s Day, and for those of you who like darker colors. The black glitters really make this red color unique and edgy.

Last but not least is Linna, a gorgeous mix of green, red, blue, gold, and silver glitters. I layered Linna over Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Chlorophyll. The application was great! This is my favorite manicure from this post. I think these polishes are perfect together, and I have been loving green nails lately. I would definitely wear this look again in the future!

All in all, I love how versatile Shimmer Polish is! Each color can be worn alone as an opaque glitter in just 2-3 coats, or you can layer one coat over another polish for a unique look. Shimmer Polish sells on Etsy for $12 per bottle HERE. You can also like the brand on Facebook HERE.

Stay tuned for Part IV, the final post in the Shimmer Polish series!

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