primer – Adventures in Polishland

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The Best Skincare Products for Summer

Posted on June 5, 2017May 27, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! With summer just around the corner, I’ve begun to change up my skincare routine in anticipation of the warmer weather. My skin and its needs change a lot throughout the year, and I thought it would be helpful to share my favorite products to use in the summer with all of you. If you also live in an area that gets hot and humid once June hits, these skincare products will keep your skin cool, calm, and collected!

Derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub [LINK]

The product that inspired this blog post is this scrub from Derma e, one of my all-time favorite skincare brands. I purchased this at CVS, and I’m so glad I did! This scrub is gentle enough for daily use, but abrasive enough to still remove impurities and leave the skin feeling smooth. Thus, not only is this scrub great for the summer since I don’t have as many dry patches to remove, but it is also quite cooling upon application. I’m guessing that the cooling sensation is because the main ingredient is aloe vera, but whatever it is I love how refreshing it feels. If you have a hot face in the summer, this scrub will help!

Evian Facial Spray [LINK]

Another product that really helps to cool me off in the heat is the Evian Facial Spray. I’ve mentioned this product on the blog a handful of times in the past, and I always describe it as water in a can because that’s just what it is! However, the reason I love this product is because the spray is an even mist, and the can is designed to keep out bacteria and be leakproof as well. If you are on a tight budget, you can easily put some water in a spray bottle you get at the drugstore’s travel section and get similar results! If you’re going to splurge on the Evian spray, definitely get the large size, and not the travel size, because the travel size runs out extremely quickly. I love applying this before bed so my face is nice and cool when it hits the pillow.

MAKE Face Primer SPF 30 [LINK]

Sunscreen is an important part of any skincare routine, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer. I always dread applying a thick facial sunscreen, so I much prefer to find other products that will give me some SPF coverage. One of my favorites is the face primer from MAKE. This primer can be worn alone or under makeup, and provides SPF 30. While this is not my favorite primer, as it doesn’t do much to conceal my pores, it is an absolute necessity in the summer whether or not I’m wearing makeup. It isn’t a heavy consistency, and it dries down quickly!

Derma e Hydrating Serum [LINK]

Another product I use to avoid heavier lotions in the summer is the Hydrating Serum from Derma e. I absolutely love hydrating serums, and I find I can avoid using a moisturizer in the warmer months because this gives my skin enough hydration. This serum also has firming properties, which is an added bonus for me. Plus, the hyaluronic acid helps to curb breakouts! I’ve mentioned this product a number of times on the blog before, but it’s so great I wanted to shout it out again!

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [LINK]

My last summer skincare necessity is one of my holy grail products – the Urban Decay De-Slick! I actually use this setting spray all year long because my skin gets really oily throughout the day, but I highly recommend giving this a try in the summer if you haven’t already. I’ve been asked if this product really works to help prevent oily skin, and I definitely think it does. This is not a miracle product (my skin still gets oily), but if I don’t use it I see a huge difference in my skin. This product is one I repurchase constantly and worth the money for sure!

That wraps up my picks for the best skincare products for summer. I hope these products will help keep you cool this summer as the heat and humidity arrive. Please let me know in the comments if you switch up your skincare routine in the summer, and share your must have products! As always, if you’ve used any of the products I mentioned today, let me know what you think of them as well.

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

ELF Shadowlock Eyelid Primer in Sheer | Review + Swatches

Posted on November 7, 2016November 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the ELF Shadowlock Eyelid Primer in the shade Sheer. I received this primer as a free gift in my last ELF haul (see that unboxing HERE). I’ve now used this product periodically for a few months, and I’ve really grown to like it. I wanted to share my review and application tips on this product with all of you. If you can get a quality eye primer for just $2.00, who wouldn’t jump on it?!

The Shadowlock Eyelid Primer is designed to provide crease-proof and longer-lasting eyeshadow. The formula is a lightweight liquid that dries quickly. It comes with a doe-foot applicator, similar to a standard lip gloss. I have the shade Sheer, but it also comes in Pearl, which is more of a white shade.

My application tip with the Shadowlock Eyelid Primer is to use a very small amount and lightly blend it out with your fingertip. Less is definitely more with this primer, and I typically use two coats to help cover up my veiny eyelids. The Sheer shade is a cool-toned beige with salmon pink undertones. When I blend it in, the primer tends to match my fair skin tone perfectly. I do think this will work well under eyeshadow for any skin color, but if you are looking to wear this on its own, I’m not sure I would recommend it for those of you with darker skin. That being said, I do enjoy wearing this on its own to add a bit of brightness and evenness to my otherwise veiny eyelids.

I absolutely love how my eyelids look and feel after applying this primer. It dries very quickly to a soft satin finish. When I wear eyeshadow on top, it does not crease as all throughout the day. I am very impressed, as my eyeshadow typically creases rather easily, even when I’ve tried other primers in the past. The Shadowlock Eyelid Primer even helps my eyeshadow to glide on and blend easier. I am extremely impressed with how amazing the quality is!

All in all, I highly recommend the Shadowlock Eyelid Primer from ELF Cosmetics. It is the perfect primer for me, as I can wear it both alone and with eyeshadow to get the look I want. I have not tried any high end eyeshadow primers, but this ELF primer is much better than the drugstore primers I’ve tried in the past. You really cannot go wrong for the $2.00 price tag! You can buy this primer at your local drugstore, or online HERE.

What is your favorite eyeshadow primer? Let me know in the comments!

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

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | ‘Skin Tone’

Posted on April 18, 2016March 21, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of the NYX Eye Shadow Base in the shade Skin Tone to share with you. During my most recent makeup declutter, I tossed the two bases I owned because they were expired. I was going to splurge on a MAC Paint Pot, but while at Target I saw that NYX had an affordable option. I purchased the shade Skin Tone to try. Before I jump into the review, I did want to note that I am quite unhappy with the shade name as Skin Tone. Not everyone has the same skin tone, of course, and it’s quite disappointing that a brand would use a name that is so excluding. I hope that in the future NYX will use other descriptors for skin toned products. Nonetheless, let me share my thoughts on the actual product with you.

NYX Eye Shadow Base Review | 'Skin Tone'

The NYX Eye Shadow Base comes in a pot, and I really liked that it was wrapped in clear plastic on the outside and had a safety seal on the inside so I know the product wasn’t opened or tested by another customer. This base is formulated to keep your eyeshadow in place, and maximize the color as well. I like to wear a base like this to cover the veins in my eyelids even if I’m not wearing eyeshadow. It just creates a cleaner and brighter look for me.

Here is a swatch of Skin Tone. It is a bit darker than I would have liked, but on the eyes it does a great job of evening out the discoloration while still looking very natural. The formula is good, and very creamy. I like to use a concealer brush to apply it so I’m not constantly dipping my fingers into the pot. I did notice some creasing on the lids at the end of the day, and this product does wear off throughout the day, too. My eyelids do tend to be on the oily side, so I think this product would work much better for someone who doesn’t have oily lids. I think this is a good product for the price, but I will be trying out another base next time around.

All in all, I have mixed feelings about the NYX Eye Shadow Base. I love the formula and that it is cruelty free, but I am still aggravated with the name choice and the fact that it creases with my eyelids. I will continue to use this base until I find a better option for me, and will be sure to check in with you when than happens! If you have a favorite eye base, please share with me in the comments!

Products I Buy High End!

Posted on February 26, 2016February 15, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Here at Adventures in Polishland I have always focused on living a fabulous and affordable life. However, there are a few products that I do save up for and splurge on because I think they are worth the money. I thought it would be fun to share with you the products that I tend to buy high end. Of course, I am always looking for affordable alternatives, but because these products work well for me, I don’t mind splurging on them. Let me go ahead and share with you the products I buy high end!

Dry Shampoo

I’ve tried what feels like a thousand dry shampoos from the drugstore, but I always come back to the Klorane Dry Shampoo, which unfortunately costs about $20 per can. This is the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used because it absorbs the oil and leaves my hair looking fresh and clean. Unlike other dry shampoos, it doesn’t add texture. It also brushes out well so that no white film is left in my brunette hair. I always buy this from Birchbox when there is a coupon code because I don’t like to go without it!

Face Primer

I’ve also tried a couple primers from the drugstore. While they’ve worked, they haven’t been as good as the high end primers I’ve used. My favorite primers are from Smashbox. The Photo Finish Light is oil free and great for sensitive skin or oily skin. I’m currently using the regular Photo Finish, and it’s great for combination or dry skin. I think it’s worth the price for sure!

BeautyBlender

I know, I’ve talked your ear off about the BeautyBlender, but it really is that good! Buying a sponge for $20 might seem ridiculous until you try it. The BeautyBlender is truly the best product for applying foundation and other cream products. It is worth the investment because it will last you a very long time so long as you wash it regularly. Trust me, you’ll love it! And don’t buy a cheap one – the ‘dupes’ are never as good.

Highlighter

My highlighter stash is composed of half high end products and half drugstore products, but I can definitely see a big difference in quality. I love my L’Oreal highlighters, but they tend to be a bit more glittery than I’d like. That’s why I think it’s great to invest in a few high end highlights. I absolutely love Cheeky from Ofra that is pictured here. It’s a bit more expensive than the drugstore, but lasts for such a long time.

Setting Spray

Last but not least is setting spray. This is the one product in this blog post that I’ve never tried from the drugstore! I purchased Urban Decay’s De-Slick for the first time about three or four years ago now, and I loved it so much I’ve never tried anything else! I did try Urban Decay’s All Nighter, but that’s the only other setting spray I’ve used. De-Slick is where it’s at for me!

All in all, while I love to bargain hunt and buy affordable products, it’s always nice to splurge on a high quality product every once in a while. I can’t justify buying mascara, blush, or other makeup products high end regularly because there are so many affordable options. That being said, I would love to know what products you buy high end, so please let me know in a comment!

Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare | Close Up Instant Wrinkle Reducer and Treatment Review

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

Happy Thursday! Today I have a review of a high end skincare product from Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare. I was excited when I got the opportunity to try this luxurious product, as I’ve been looking for a great eye cream that is anti-aging. Although I’m only in my mid-twenties, I can see fine lines forming under my eyes already. I’ll thank law school and hours of studying for that! The Close Up Instant Wrinkle Reducer and Treatment is designed to instantly reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles in two minutes, so I was eager to test out these results myself. Let me go ahead and share more about this product with you!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

The Close Up Instant Wrinkle Reducer and Treatment is designed to work as both an anti-aging product and a primer in one. I’m going to share the brand’s claims with you below, so you can read them word for word.

“Be camera ready in a flash! This instant treatment tightens the look of skin while firming and smoothing the appearance of crow’s feet & fine lines. Softens the look of under-eye puffiness. Use around eyes, mouth and on forehead to erase years from your appearance…. It also starts working on contact for immediately tighter and smoother skin, erasing fine lines and wrinkles, reducing under-eye puffiness and blurring imperfections all under two minutes. And the 30 minute and 4 hour results were proven to be even better. It’s one of my secret weapons; the results get better with time.” – Christie Brinkley Authentic Skincare

As for the directions on the product itself, Close Up is to be applied after moisturizer like any other primer. It requires two minutes to set before applying makeup.

MY EXPERIENCE

With such impressive claims, I think I was bound to be disappointed with Close Up. First, let me talk about what I do like about this product. After it is set, my skin feels very soft and smooth, and it makes a great base for applying foundation. Unfortunately, I did not find the product to reduce wrinkles at all. In fact, the fine lines under my eyes are more pronounced upon using this product. I was a bit shocked and disappointed with this result. While I love that Close Up is so smoothing, I find that the formula just doesn’t work for me. I think this is a product that would bring about good results over an extended period of time, but because my first few tests were so off-putting, there is no incentive for my to keep using Close Up.

FINAL THOUGHTS

All in all, I am going to have to recommend you pass on this product. The price tag is $79.99 on the brand’s website HERE. That steep amount is way too much for a product that only lives up to half of its claims. That being said, just because this product didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you – we all have different skin types! Nonetheless, I’m going to remain on the hunt for a better wrinkle-reducer, and I’ll report back when I find one!

This product was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Dare to Compare: Maybelline Baby Skin vs Too Faced Primed & Poreless

Posted on January 17, 2014March 5, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Too Faced Primed & Poreless vs Maybelline Baby Skin

Happy Friday! I was so excited when I saw that Maybelline released the new Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, and knew I just had to pick it up. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know that I just love Baby Lips, so my fingers were crossed that Baby Skin would be just as great. After trying it out, I couldn’t believe how much I liked it, and how similar it is to the Too Faced Primed & Poreless primer that I use every day. Today’s post is going to compare these two primers, and see which one is the best option.

MAYBELLINE BABY SKIN

Price: $6.99 (or $10.43 per oz) [BUY]

TOO FACED PRIMED & PORELESS

Price: $30 [BUY]

SIDE BY SIDE

As you can see from the swatches, the main difference between Baby Skin and Primed & Poreless is the formula. Baby Skin has a clear gel formula, and Primed & Poreless starts out as a nude tone with an almost lotion-like formula that becomes invisible once applied to the skin. Baby Skin is a bit thicker in consistency, but after application both are extremely similar. Are you ready for the results?

Voila! I seriously cannot tell the difference between these two primers! Once applied they both have the same exact smoothing effect on the skin, and both are amazing primers to wear under foundation. I find that both Baby Skin and Primed & Poreless last just as long throughout the day, and my foundation glides over each with ease during application. The only real difference in wear between the two is that Primed & Poreless is definitely better on its own than Baby Skin. Thus, if you’re looking for a primer that you can wear alone on no makeup days, I would recommend Primed & Poreless. Otherwise, Baby Skin is just as amazing as the high end primer I’ve spent a lot of money on!

All in all, I’m so glad I’ve discovered Baby Skin! I still love my Primed & Poreless, but will definitely be reaching for Baby Skin on days that I’m wearing makeup. Thanks to Maybelline for creating an affordable primer at the drugstore! I will be sure to stock up during sale events. Let me know in the comments what your favorite face primer is, and if you’ve tried Baby Skin yet!

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

Manna Kadar Cosmetics | Beauty Simplified

Posted on December 20, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! I recently had a great opportunity to join Birchbox and the brand Manna Kadar for a Google Hangout. We got to hear from Manna herself as she shared great information about her makeup line, and answered our beauty questions. As part of the experience, Birchbox sent me some of Manna’s products to try, and I wanted to review them for all of you! I’m completely obsessed with this line!

All of the products arrived in an adorable pink and white chevron pouch, along with a catalog to tell me a bit more about the brand. As I’ll explain more throughout this post, one of the reasons I love Manna Kadar products is because they are easy to use, labeled well, and really simplify my makeup routine. Plus, the products are amazing!

Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion

The Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion in Birchbox Love is a Birchbox Exclusive shade! This is an incandescent liquid that can be mixed with foundation or used alone to give the skin a glowy, illuminated look. I was a bit nervous to try this, but I’ve worn it a few times as a highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones, and I’m loving it! The product is a light pink shade, but blends right into the skin. What’s left is a beautiful glow that has a slight shimmer in the light! Perhaps soon I’ll be brave enough to mix it in with my own foundation!

Concealer Trio

Next up is the Concealer Trio in the shade Warm Front. These cream concealers have an amazing formula, and are extremely blendable. The lightest shade is almost invisible in the swatch photo above because that is how well in blends in with my skin tone! I love that this trio has different shades, so if my skin gets a bit darker in the summer I won’t have to purchase a brand new product. Manna really thinks of everything!

Eye and Lip Primer

If you’re looking for a great two-in-one product, the Eye and Lip Primer is for you! I have the shade Light Medium, and it is perfect for me! I haven’t tested this as a lip primer yet, but it is amazing as an eye primer. It goes on smoothly, and really makes eyeshadow pop. As with all Manna Kadar products, it is long lasting as well. I am really liking this so far!

Lip Gloss

I’ll be honest, I was very nervous to try this next product! The Lip Gloss in Hot Lips is a bright pink color packed with lots of shimmer. I absolutely loved the color, but was afraid of how it would look on me. Turns out I actually like it! The sparkle isn’t overboard, but the gloss is very pigmented. It is a bit sticky, but I don’t mind that. I also can’t help thinking what a gorgeous nail polish Hot Lips would be!

Mascara

Last but not least is the Curling & Volume Mascara in Black. I actually decided not to open this mascara yet because I already own a Manna Kadar mascara that I love (pictured to the right in the second photo). In fact, that mascara made my October Favorites post! I’m sure this new mascara will be just amazing as the one I’m wearing now, but if you would like a full review sometime in the future let me know in the comments!

Makeup Look

I am using all of the products mentioned in this post for this makeup look! I feel like my skin looks great with just a touch of the concealer, and my lips look nice even though I’m not used to such a bright color. I went a bit fancy with my makeup here because I was headed to an event that you will hear about soon, and I’m glad I got to see the eyeshadow primer at work. I’m really happy with everything!

All in all, I am truly enjoying all of the products I’ve tried from Manna Kadar Cosmetics. This is definitely more of a high end makeup brand, but if you are looking for really high quality products, I think these are worth the splurge. Everything reviewed in this post retails from $19-34, and can be purchased on Birchbox’s website HERE and Manna Kadar’s website HERE. Have you tried any Manna Kadar products? Let me know in the comments!

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

Review & Giveaway | Too Faced Primed & Poreless Face Primer and Smashbox It’s a Wrap! Waterproof Makeup Remover

Posted on August 28, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review of some beauty products sold at the beauty retailer Planet Beauty. They graciously sent me these products for review, and are even giving them away to you, my readers. Be sure to read this entire post to find out how to be eligible for the giveaway!

First up is the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Face Primer. I’ve been wanting to try a primer for a long time, and this one is perfect for me because I have enlarged pores on my face, especially in the T zone. A primer is just what it sounds like — it is the product you put on your face before you put on any makeup. In essence, it primes your skin to prepare it! In addition to being worn under makeup, you can also wear Primed & Poreless on its own.

Above is a swatch on my hand of Primed & Poreless both before I massaged it in, and after. As you can see, the primer is lightly tinted, but it matches my skin tone perfectly when blended in. I am amazed at how smooth my skin feels after applying this primer! It literally changes the whole look and feel of my skin, and gives me the perfect matte face. There is a very subtle shimmer to this product, but it is barely noticeable, and just adds a bit of definition. Even without any additional makeup, Primed & Poreless makes my skin look even and flawless!

When applying makeup over this primer, I find that I need a lot less foundation than I usually put on. I also really blend my foundation in with a BeautyBlender to get an amazing finish. Really be careful not to put on too much foundation or you will end up looking cakey. I made that mistake the first time I used Primed & Poreless, but now I’m thrilled that I can conserve my foundation and use less with this primer! Overall, I’m absolutely loving Primed & Poreless! It has become a part of my every day routine.

Next up is the Smashbox It’s a Wrap! Waterproof Makeup Remover. I also desperately needed a good makeup remover to take off my waterproof mascara that seems to like living on my lashes. It’s a Wrap! is definitely what I was looking for! It’s very gentle, yet takes off my makeup flawlessly. Make sure to give the bottle a good shake, then apply a small amount to a cotton round and voila! No more makeup!

It’s a Wrap! works much better than the Sephora remover I was using before. It really takes off my mascara without leaving my eyes feeling dehydrated. You also only need to use the smallest amount, so this bottle will last you a long time! I highly recommend it if you are in the market for a new makeup remover.

All in all, I loved both of these products from Planet Beauty! They are definitely more on the high end side of the cosmetics counter, but since these are both daily staples in a makeup routine, I know I wouldn’t mind spending a bit more for them. You can buy the Too Faced Primed & Poreless primer for $30 HERE and Smashbox It’s a Wrap! for $25 HERE. Also, make sure to enter the giveaway that Planet Beauty is sponsoring! There will be two winners: one for each product reviewed here. Please read all of the Terms & Conditions listed in the Rafflecopter, and email me with any questions. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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