Tag: skincare

December 2013 Favorites!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s officially 2014 now, and that means I need to share my December 2013 favorites with all of you. December was an interesting month – it started quite stressful with finals, and then ended with the holidays and spending time with family. I even spent half of December without any nail polish on at all (okay, to be honest I’m STILL not wearing any, but that will change soon!). Despite my nontraditional month, I managed to love some certain things. Here are my December 2013 favorites!

HAND SOAP

Bath & Bodyworks Fresh Sparkling SnowBath & Bodyworks Fresh Sparkling Snow Foaming Soap [BUY]

I don’t typically buy foaming soap, but my mom gave this to me when I visited for the holidays, and I’m obsessed with it! The scent of Fresh Sparkling Snow is so yummy! Bath & Bodyworks describes it as snow-covered pine, musk, and moss, and I think it’s the perfect combination. I’m thinking of stocking up during the clearance sale to make sure I’ll have enough to last me the year!

LIP BALM

eos lip balm in summer fruiteos Lip Balm in Summer Fruit [BUY]

Every night before bed I’ve been applying this lip balm, which I recently discovered is pronounced ee-ohs (that blew my mind!). While this isn’t my favorite lip balm of all time, I’m definitely a sucker for the unique packaging and application. Plus, I really like the Summer Fruit flavor!

CONCEALER

Manna Kadar Concealer WarmManna Kadar Concealer Trio in Warm Front [BUY] [FULL REVIEW]

I’ve been loving this concealer trio since I first tried it! The light shade is just perfect for my skin tone, and it applies flawlessly. I’ve even worn it alone without foundation on days when I’m not wearing much makeup at all. It’s a bit expensive, but 100% worth it!

BODY LOTION

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing LotionGold Bond Ultimate Skin Therapy Cream [BUY]

My mom gave me this mini size Gold Bond, and I’ve already used up the entire thing! It is so amazing – no scent, very moisturizing, and not greasy. I definitely still love my Nivea lotion, but this one is fantastic as well. It is very healing and perfect for the winter months. I highly recommend it (and yes, it would be great for swatching!).

BAR SOAP

Wisalya Apple Jack SoapWisalya Soap [BUY]

Last year my brother and sister-in-law gave me a trio of Wisalya soaps for Christmas, and I knew I wanted more this year! I got a variety of scents as gifts, and this month I’ve been loving Black Raspberry Vanilla (but took a picture of Apple Jack since the other is half used in my shower!). I really love Wisalya soaps – they’re handmade with natural ingredients and smell wonderful. Plus, you support a small business with your purchase! Definitely check out the shop!

EXPERIENCE

JulieGBeauty and Adventures in Polishland

Julie G NYC Meet Up [FULL DETAILS]

One of the highlights of December was meeting Julie G of YouTube. I wrote a full blog post about the experience, but I definitely wanted to include it in my favorites post. It was truly a wonderful time, and it brightened up the middle of my final exams.

What were your favorites in December? Share them with me in the comments or use hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media!

Some of 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. 

Products I’ve Used Up #1

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have my first ever “empties” post, where I talk about products I’ve completely used up. I love watching these types of YouTube videos, and thought I could share my empties with you in blog form! This is a great way to learn about a lot of products in a short amount of time! Let me share my empties with you, and let you know if I would repurchase them!

HAIR CAREIMG_3636

  • L’Oreal EverSleek Intense Smoothing Shampoo – I’ve used this shampoo and conditioner set from L’Oreal many times! I love that it is sulfate free, and really leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy. It retails for around $6 at the drugstore, and is a shampoo I return to every once in a while. I definitely recommend it! [BUY]
  • Klorane Dry Shampoo – After getting a sample in a Birchbox, I just had to get the full size version of this dry shampoo. It is amazing! It zaps the oil right out of my hair and makes it feel clean. It’s the best dry shampoo, and worth the $18 price tag. The only drawback is it does run out rather quickly. I plan on getting another one soon, though! [BUY]
  • Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment – This is a new holy grail product! It has changed my hair for the better! My hair is much healthier now that I apply this oil, and I just love it. This travel size lasted me about six months, and it is worth it. I’ve already repurchased it! [BUY]

SKIN & BODY CARE

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  • Sukí Face Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser – I got this sample in a Birchbox, and I loved it! This is a two-in-one cleanser and exfoliant, and it smells like lemons. It was pretty gentle as a scrub, and my face always felt great afterwards. The only reason I am not going to repurchase this is because the full size is $32.95. Otherwise, I love it! [BUY]
  • Lulah Body Wash in Magnolia Fig – I am just using up my subscription box products! I got this body wash in a PopSugar box, and it was so nice and luxurious. I loved the rich scent, and even the packaging is cute. At $11.25 I’m not sure I would repurchase this for myself, but it would make a great gift! [BUY]
  • Whish Exfoliating Body Wash – This is a body wash I wasn’t too thrilled about. While it had a pleasant scent, I didn’t like using a body cleanser with an exfoliant added in. I just prefer to do that separately. Plus, I had to use a lot of product to feel clean. I’m going to pass on this one! [BUY]
  • Burt’s Bees Hand Salve – This little tin contained a medicinal hand cream. I really enjoyed it for days where my hands really needed some extra help. It is quite greasy, but works well. It’s not my favorite hand cream, but definitely a good product. [BUY]

NAIL CARE

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  • Rite Aid Renewal 100% Pure Acetone – For some reason I’ve never used pure acetone to remove my nail polish before. Now, I’m hooked! This is the best nail polish remover I’ve ever used, and it didn’t damage my nails or cuticles. Plus, this bottle lasted me a long time because I didn’t have to use as much remover. I am definitely going to be buying this again! [BUY at Rite Aid]
  • Sephora Collection Base Coat – This is hands down the best base coat I’ve ever tried as well! It dries really quickly, and I love the large, flat brush. The only downside is that it can only be purchased on Sephora’s website, but I’ve already gone ahead and repurchased another bottle. At $6, I think it’s a steal! [BUY]

MAKEUP

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  • CoverGirl Natural Lash – I use this clear mascara to keep my eyebrows in place! Now I don’t have crazy hairs anymore! Unfortunately I dropped this, and it dried out rather quickly. I did repurchase, though, and I love this product! It’s around $5 at drugstores. [BUY]
  • CoverGirl NatureLuxe Mascara – I also used up a black mascara from CoverGirl. I absolutely loved this one because it gave me natural and clump-free lashes. Unfortunately this line has been discontinued, but you can still purchase it on Amazon. I highly recommend it! [BUY]
  • Buxom Sculpted Lash Mascara – Last but not least is another mascara! This is a high end one that I got in a PopSugar box. I absolutely loved it, and I was amazed how well it curled my lashes. I was so sad when it dried up because I’m not going to repurchase it at $19. It’s worth it if you can afford it, though! [BUY]

Those are all of the empty products I have to share with you today! I hope you enjoyed learning more about these products. Please let me know if you would like to see more Products I’ve Used Up posts in the future!

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

November 2013 Favorites!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! I can’t believe it is already December, and November has come to a close. Time flies by this time of year, and I try to enjoy it as much as possible. Let me share with you the products I loved during the month of November!

NAIL POLISH

IMG_3296Michael Marcus Once You Go Matte – $15 [BUY]

I’ve been obsessed with this black matte nail polish! I’ve already worn it twice! I definitely suggest following up with a matte top coat to ensure it is long-lasting.

CLEANSER

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Murad Clarifying Cleanser – $26 full size [BUY]

I received this cleanser in a swap, and I am loving it! It’s gentle, clears my skin of impurities, and smells like lemon-lime soda. I’ll be sad when I finish this travel size!

MOISTURIZER

IMG_3673Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer – $65 [BUY]

I received this moisturizer in a PopSugar box, and it’s amazing! It smells like lemons, and is perfect as a day moisturizer since it is not greasy and quickly absorbs into the skin. I’ve been combatting my winter skin this month, and this moisturizer has really helped!

EYESHADOW

IMG_3676 Maybelline Color Tattoo in Just Beige – $8 [Drugstore!]

For a long time I’ve wanted a MAC Paint Pot just to cover up all of the veins on my eyelids. I didn’t want to splurge, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this Limited Edition Color Tattoo from Maybelline. It matches my skin tone well, and covers up the imperfections on my eyelids. Check your local drugstore to find it!

LIP PRODUCT

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Baby Lips in Peach Kiss – $4 [BUY]

I am a self-diagnosed Baby Lips addict! I love all Baby Lips, but in November I wore Peach Kiss a lot. It is a gorgeous nude shade with a hint of sparkle. It moisturizes my lips while adding a little bit of color. I love it!

PERFUME

IMG_3685Taylor Swift Enchanted Wonderstruck – $49.50 full size [BUY]

I’m not a Taylor Swift fan, but I tried out this perfume sample and I’m hooked! It smells amazing, and I made this sample last as long as possible. Enchanted Wonderstruck is a great scent for the fall, and I even added the full size to my Wish List!

FASHION

IMG_3690Guess Pumps – $29.99 [BUY SIMILAR]

I was invited to my school’s annual gala, and I desperately needed some simple, black pumps. I found these ones from Guess at Burlington Coat Factory for just $29.99 with the original retail value of $60! I was so surprised at how comfortable these heels were, and how easy they were to walk in. I meandered the streets of Manhattan with ease!

BOOK

allegiant-book-cover-high-res

Allegiant by Veronica Roth – $6.99 [BUY]

I made time in my schedule this month to read Allegiant, the last book in the Divergent series. It is amazing! I won’t say too much, because I don’t want to spoil the story, but I did love it. I ordered the Kindle edition of the book so I could read it on my iPad and not wait for it to arrive in the mail. I highly recommend this book!

That’s it for my November favorites! I hope enjoyed this post, and be sure to let me know what your November favorites were in the comments!

Some of 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. 

Winter Wonderland Week | Gift Guide – Beauty & Skincare!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I wanted to share some gift ideas with all of you. Whether you’re shopping for someone special, or simply looking for items to put on your own wish list, here are some ideas that I have! This post will be all about beauty and skincare products, but later on this week I’ll have even more ideas to share. Let’s get into the goodies!

L’OCCITANE Hand Indulgences

What:

Trio of 3 shea butter hand creams in the scents Fleur D’or, Cherry Blossom, and Shea Butter.

Price:

 $28 (Retail Value: $36) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

These luxurious hand creams are perfect for the winter season (especially if you have a nail polish aficionado for whom to shop!). Give the entire set to one person, or split them up for stocking stuffers.

Sigma Essential Kit

CK001-2T

What:

A set of 12 professional makeup brushes, including face and eye brushes.

Price:

 $139 – save 10% with code NOV2013 [BUY]

Why I recommend it: 

All makeup lovers need great brushes! Sigma offers amazing brushes that are more affordable than other high end companies. Spoil your loved one with a set of these brushes, and she will appreciate it for sure.

bhCosmetics Eyes on the ’60s Palette 

What: 

An eyeshadow palette complete with 30 shades in all colors of the rainbow.

Price:

$9.95 (Retail Value: $19.95) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

bhCosmetics is a favorite of YouTube Beauty Guru Carli Bybel. She uses the shadows so often, it prompted me to purchase a palette from the brand, and I highly recommend it! Plus, the prices are perfect for everyone’s budget.

Sephora X The Twenty-Two

s1550003-main-hero

What:

Set of 22 mini nail polishes from Sephora’s new Sephora X collection. Contains creams, neons, chromes, and glitters!

Price: 

$55 (Retail Value: $103) [BUY]

Why I recommend it:  

Sephora X polishes have an amazing formula, and are great for any nail polish lover. This is another set that can be given as a large gift, or opened up and split up into many gifts. Plus, it’s a fabulous value!

Sephora Favorites Fragrance Sampler For Her

s1562115-main-hero

 What:

A set of 14 perfume samples, a clutch, and a voucher for a free full-sized fragrance.

 Price:

$70 (Retail Value: $140) [BUY]

 Why I recommend it: 

Picking out the perfect fragrance can be difficult. Sephora makes your job as gift-giver easier with this sampler by providing an array of perfumes.

Wantable Makeup Box 

Wantable

 

 What:

A box filled with 4 to 5 full-sized makeup products. What’s inside is a surprise!

Price: 

$40 [BUY]

Why I recommend it:

If you really have no clue what to buy the makeup lover on your list, get her a mystery box! Wantable offers amazing high end products that she is sure to love.

These are all of my top gift picks for beauty and skincare this holiday season! There are, of course, many more great brands and options to choose from, but I hope you can draw inspiration from this Gift Guide as you head to the stores. Happy Shopping!

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

Dare to Compare | Makeup Remover Wipes!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I have been searching for the perfect makeup wipes for quite some time now, and I thought it would be fun if I shared some of my findings with all of you! The drugstore contains so many different brands, that I know it can be difficult to find the perfect wipes at an affordable price. Let me share with you four different brands that I’ve tested out the past few months!

Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial TowelettesIMG_3562Price: $6.49 for 30 wipes; 22 cents per wipe [BUY]

 

Scent: These smell great! Just like real cucumbers (not the fake cucumber smell!).

Texture: Very soft to the touch, and contained a lot of moisture.

My Experience: I really liked these wipes! Overall they did a good job of removing my face makeup, but not so great at removing mascara.

Formula 10.0.6 Keep Me Clean Clarifying Facial Wipes

IMG_3564

Price: $5.99 for 25 wipes; 24 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: These smelled a bit like baby wipes (I wasn’t a fan).

Texture: Rather soft, and held a lot of moisture.

My Experience: These did an excellent job of removing all my makeup, but the smell really did me in.

Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out Refreshing Make-up Removal Cloths

IMG_3566Price: $5.99 for 20 wipes; 30 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: Very light scent that just smelled clean and fresh!

Texture: Very soft to the touch, and held a lot of moisture.

My Experience: I loved these wipes! They did an excellent job of removing all of my makeup, and leaving my face very clean. For a bit of added savings, use a coupon! These clarify as a cleanser on Olay Fresh Effects coupons.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

IMG_3567Price: $6.49 for 25 wipes; 26 cents per wipe [BUY]

Scent: Interesting – not bad, but it was a bit citrusy!

Texture: The wipe itself is a bit tough, but feels gentle thanks to the moisture.

My Experience: After hearing tons of beauty gurus (and my own followers!) rave about these, I’ll admit they are pretty darn good! I typically had to use two wipes to remove all my makeup, though, and they left my face sticky.

The Verdict

Out of these four brands, my favorite is definitely Olay Fresh Effects! Unfortunately, that is the most expensive, but keep an eye out for coupons and sales at the drugstore. The Simple and Yes to Cucumbers wipes are definitely a close second. I’m not sure I would repurchase the Keep Me Clean wipes, mostly due to the smell. Keep in mind that prices of these wipes vary from store to store, and geographically. Let me know in the comments if you would like to see more posts like this in the future, and what makeup wipes are your personal favorite!

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

Subscription Sunday | October Birchbox

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! It’s my first time reviewing just Birchbox, but as you know I cancelled my subscription to Ipsy last month (for more on why, see THAT post). While I did miss receiving some extra goodies in the mail, I think sticking with Birchbox is the best choice for me. Let me show you what I got in my October box!

IMG_3402This month Birchbox’s theme is Beauty Buzz. It’s designed to help explain the newest trends and buzzing products in the beauty world!

IMG_3403Moving on to the goodies inside! Here are my first three items.

  • POP Beauty Aqua Lacquer in Flowering Fuchsia – $14.00 – This lip gloss is a surprisingly wearable pink shade that gives your lips just a hint of color. It has a minty smell, and a bit of lip plumper in it. Overall, a great product!
  • ChapStick Hydration Lock – $3.29 – With winter on the way, you can never go wrong with some lip balm! Plus, Birchbox threw in a $1 off coupon for my next Chapstick purchase. I’m sure this will get lots of use!
  • Alison Raffaele Reality Base Foundation – $0.38 – Okay, so my retail value for this foundation sample is approximate since there was no indication of how much product is in there. But this tiny tester will be enough for just one or two uses. I will say that this is a perfect match for my skin, though. I will keep you updated!

IMG_3406My last two products came in this fancy, Tiffany blue box!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $27.19

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

OVERALL OPINION: This definitely wasn’t my favorite Birchbox, but the good news is I got five products that I know I will use. I would have liked a larger foundation sample, and another product to make up for the Liz Earle duo counting as two. Otherwise, I’m happy with the samples, and will use them up!

What did you get in your October Birchbox?! Let me know in the comments! If you’re not a Birchbox member, sign up HERE. It costs just $10 per month, and has an amazing rewards program. I highly recommend it!

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

Ipsy v. Birchbox: Round Two! April 2013

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! I am back with round two of my battle of the beauty subscriptions now that I finally received my Birchbox in the mail! Unfortunately the post office held onto my box without delivering it for almost a week. Luckily it arrived safe and sound, and I am so excited to share this comparison post with you! Last month I reviewed both Ipsy and Birchbox for the first time, and Birchbox won the first round (all details HERE). Let me share with you what I got for April for each of these $10 subscription programs. Which one do you think will win this matchup?!

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First up is Ipsy! This month’s theme was Pretty in Pink, and came in a cute white and pink cosmetics bag. My bag had a few small stains on it, so I emailed the company and they are going to send me a replacement. I’m definitely happy about that great customer service! I really do like this cosmetics bag, and I think this will be going in my school bag since it won’t take up a lot of room and can hold some lip balm, hand lotion, etc.

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Now onto the products in my Ipsy Glam Bag! Last month I got five products, but this month I got four. I’ll describe everything in detail for you from left to right!

  • Be a Bombshell Blush in Sweet Cheeks – $16.00 – This blush is a beautiful and very pigmented pink! I think it will work well with many skin tones, but it does pack a lot of color so a little bit will do the trick. The packaging is adorable, but feels a bit flimsy. I am definitely excited to use this for a more polished look!
  • Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment – $4.44 – At first I was excited to try what is marked a “healthy” hair treatment, and is even called soy renewal. However, after reviewing the ingredients on this product it seems to be full of chemicals, and has hardly any soy extract at all. I am definitely going to give it a try, and see if it manages my frizzy hair, but I wish it was actually as healthy as the packaging makes it sound!
  • Sation Nail Lacquer in Love At First Byte – $5.00 – I was thrilled to find a full size nail polish in my Ipsy bag! I’ve never tried Sation polishes before, so I can’t wait to use this gorgeous peach color. It does appear to be a sheer finish, but I won’t know for sure until I try it. Let me know if you’d like to see a review of this polish on my blog!
  • Mica Shimmer Powder in Earth – $11.96 – This is the only product in my bag that I don’t plan on using this month. While this is a gorgeous and shimmery eyeshadow, it is just not for me. I don’t wear eyeshadow very often, and the glitter in this is just too much for me. If you love eye makeup this would be perfect for you, though!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $37.40

OVERALL OPINION: I am definitely loving this month over last month! I plan on using everything but the Mica Shimmer Powder, and I love having full size products. I do wish that the Healthy Sexy Hair lived up to its name, but that’s not really an Ipsy problem. This month’s cosmetics pouch is quite cute as well!

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

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Now onto my April Birchbox! This month they teamed up with Women’s Health for the theme of Tiny Tweaks, Big Results. I had a feeling when I saw this cute packaging that there would be lots of good things inside. I cannot wait to share the contents!

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Look at all of these goodies! I will get right into describing all of the contents from left to right.

  • One-Year Subscription to Women’s Health Magazine – $9.99 –  This card was hiding at the bottom of my box, but I almost fell on the floor when I read it closely. Not only does this give me a one-year subscription to Women’s Health, but there is also an option to decline the subscription and get a $9.99 refund. That’s right — if I don’t want the magazine I can send this card in and get back $9.99! That is the price of my entire box! I haven’t decided if I want the magazine or the money yet, but this is an amazing value right off the bat!
  • Atelier Cologne in Ambre Nue – $2.80 – I love perfume samples, so even though they are not high in value, I like getting one in my monthly box! I like to change up my perfume, so samples are the perfect way to do that. This will be used up for sure!
  • Lierac Paris Concentré Mésolift Serum – $10 – I am excited to try this serum that is supposed to help hydrate skin, shrink pores, and fight off wrinkles. I just finished using a deluxe sample of another skin serum, so I’m happy to replace it with this one in my skin care routine! These serum samples last for weeks, and allow me to use luxury products that I would never be able to afford otherwise.
  • Number 4 Blow Dry Lotion – $10.67 – While I don’t blow dry my hair that often, this lotion is supposed to protect my hair from the heat and make sure it is smooth. I haven’t tried this yet, but it smells amazing and it looks like I can get a lot of use out of this sample. I will have to give this a try!
  • Ruby Wing Color Changing Nail Polish in Peony – $4.67 – I love that I have another nail polish! This time it is a mini size, but still a great value. I’ve never tried color changing nail polish before, but I cannot wait to use this one! I love the pink color. I think this will be great for summer!
  • Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – $10.99 – This month I got this product as a Birchbox Find! As someone who has trouble getting up in the morning, and has very puffy eyes, this product is amazing! I already gave it a try and I am loving it so far. It feels amazing and is made for someone who has sensitive skin like me. As an added bonus, Birchbox added in a coupon for $1 off any Simple product. I love coupons and I will definitely use this one!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $49.12 + $1 Simple coupon

OVERALL OPINION: I could not be more thrilled with this month’s Birchbox. Not only is the value just under $50 for a box I paid $10 for, but I love all of the products and will make sure to use them all. Even though it arrived a bit late this month, I am so happy to have this Birchbox! Plus, I love that this website has a fabulous rewards system. For each product you review you get 10 points! Every 100 points is $10 to spend in their shop.

RATING: 5

There you have it! My winner for the month of April is Birchbox! Not only was the retail value for my Birchbox significantly higher than Ipsy, but I enjoy the Birchbox products more. Ipsy is definitely more focused on makeup, while Birchbox has a focus on skincare. Since I don’t wear too much makeup, Birchbox is more tailored to my lifestyle. I am going to give both of these subscriptions one more battle round, and if I am not impressed with Ipsy I will cancel. At this time, Birchbox is an amazing value! You can join Ipsy HERE and Birchbox HERE.

Let me know what you think of these subscription programs in the comments!