skincare – Page 8 – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: skincare

Oleavine Beauty 100% Natural French Green Tea Infused Beauty Sponge Review

Posted on January 12, 2015August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of a cool skincare product to share with all of you. Lately I’ve noticed sponges become increasingly popular in the beauty community when used as a facial cleansing tool. I got the chance to test out the Green Tea Infused Beauty Sponge from the brand Oleavine Beauty, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts! Let’s jump right into the product details and my experience.

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

Like with most skincare reviews, I like to include a direct product description from the brand so that you can read the claims associated with the product. When it comes to the 100% Natural Konjac Fiber Ultra Soft Beauty Sponge, Oleavine Beauty states:

“No other beauty sponge will work so hard for you! This luxuriously soft sponge gently exfoliates, cleanses, and is naturally pH balanced. The French Green Clay helps absorb excess oils, impurities and acne causing bacteria while leaving your face refreshed and radiant. Even preps skin to boost the absorption of your favorite serums and creams.”

Oleavine offers the sponge in a few different varieties. I chose the French Green Tea Infused Sponge, but you can also choose from Bamboo Charcoal Infused, French Red Clay Infused, or the Original Pure White. Because my skin has been struggling with clogging and breakouts after the holidays (too much junk food!), I thought the green tea would be great for me.

MY EXPERIENCE

The Beauty Sponge arrived shrink wrapped. It is about the size of my hand, and has a string attached so you can hang the sponge up to dry. I was surprised that the sponge did not grow much when I soaked it in water. However, it did get extremely soft! I cannot even begin to describe how soft and luxurious this sponge felt on my skin. It glided over easily, and felt so, so nice. My skin has been dry and flaky, and I couldn’t believe how soft and smooth it felt after using this sponge just one time! I really loved the process of cleansing with this sponge and can’t wait to continue using it!

While this Beauty Sponge can be used with cleanser, I chose to test it without any additional product. I was again happy to see that it removed my makeup and left my skin clear and soft. I have to say this product lives up to all of the brand’s claims! Plus, I love that Oleavine created a product that is 100% natural and vegan.

WHERE TO BUY

You can purchase the Oleavine Beauty Konjac Sponge with French Green Tea on Amazon HERE. The original retail price is $24.95 but as I write this post it is on sale for just $10.00! That is such an amazing deal! It can be reused over and over again, and is perfect for the most sensitive skin types. I truly can’t recommend it enough. I will definitely be using this as part of my regular cleansing routine. Please let me know if you would use this sponge or have used something similar in the comments!

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

My Most Successful Sephora Haul Ever | $100+ in Product for $33!

Posted on December 29, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! If you’ve been a follower of Adventure in Polishland for a while, you’ll know that I only shop at Sephora a few times per year. And when I do drop some cash on high end products, I make sure to get the most for my money. I’ve written two step-by-step guides on How to Get the Most for Your Money at Sephora in the past (see them HERE and HERE), and today I just have to share my latest haul! Let’s jump right into the products!

REGULAR PRICE ITEMS

As always, every Sephora haul starts out with the purchase of regularly priced products. I always spend as close to $50 as possible to get free shipping online. This time around I hit the $50 mark right on the nose! Here is what I purchased from left to right:

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray – $30 [BUY] – This product is the entire reason for this Sephora purchase! I absolutely love this setting spray, but it’s definitely a splurge item. One bottle lasts me nearly a year, so it’s definitely worth it when I can afford to spend the money.
Soap & Glory The Righteous Body Butter – $6 [BUY] – I added this body butter to my cart in order to make it to $50. I can always use a nice moisturizer, and I’ve loved the products from this line that I’ve tried in the past.
Lavanila Pure Vanilla Mini Deo Duo – $14 [BUY] – I’ve heard great things about this natural deodorant from several beauty gurus, but most recently Ingrid Nilsen (watch her on YouTube HERE). I love my Dove deodorant, but I’ve been wanting to try a natural option, so I figured now was the time. More thoughts on this product to come in a future blog post!

With these three items, I hit the $50 for free shipping, but I also lucked out big time! I used my $15 off of $50 coupon that all Beauty Insiders received in December and only spent $35 total. I was so excited that I still got to use free shipping! And, that means all of the products I show you in the rest of this post were completely free.

WEEKLY SPECIAL COUPON CODE

The reason I love to shop at Sephora online is because of the freebies available in the Weekly Specials section of the Sephora website, which you can find HERE. This page includes all of the bonus coupon codes that can be used. There is always a great perk for spending $25 in regular priced merchandise, but this time I surely hit it big! I grabbed the Pampered Party Prep makeup bag filled with all of these samples! Let me tell you all of the products inside and their retail values.

Living Proof Style Lab Satin Hair Serum – $3.29 [BUY] – I am so excited about this hair serum sample! I recently discovered the amazing product line that is Living Proof, and want to test out everything.
Nude Perfect Cleanse Omega Cleansing Jelly – $ n/a [BUY] – I can’t assess the value of this foil packet, but it’s definitely a nice bonus in the bag. I use foil packets when I travel, and facial cleansers are always great to have on hand.
GLAMGLOW Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – $9.74 [BUY] – I’ve been wanting to try the coveted GLAMGLOW line for so long! As you can tell from the sample’s retail value of nearly $10, this is a luxury skincare brand known for its masks. This one sounds awesome!
Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil – $5 [BUY] – This is the only goody in the bag I’m not too excited about. My skin does not like face oils, but I know Fresh is a great brand. It is definitely a good product to include, and has an awesome retail value!
Calming FX Calming Primer – $6.08 [BUY] – I’ve never heard of this brand before, but this primer sounds great! It’s formulated for sensitive skin, and is designed to reduce redness. I can’t wait to put it to the test!
Benefit Stay Flawless Primer Stick – $2.37 [BUY] – I’m surprised there was another primer included, but I’m not complaining! Primers are very expensive, so getting free samples is perfect.
Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish – $3.76 [BUY] – This is a face exfoliant that I’ve yet to try. I’m sure it will be great! Laura Mercier has a wonderful reputation in the skincare world.
Lancome Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate – $1.85 [BUY] – Wow, can you believe this foil packet is worth so much?! It’s because this serum is valued at over $100 for the full size bottle.

The grand total for the Pampered Party Prep makeup bag in terms of retail value is $32.09! How awesome that I get to try them all for free! In fact, that’s nearly how much I paid out of pocket for this order. I’ve almost doubled the value already!

3 FREE SAMPLES, BIRTHDAY GIFT, & POINT PERK

I know I sound like an infomercial when I say this…. but wait! There’s more! I still have more free products to show you! Each Sephora online order comes with three free samples. This time I got:

Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Gel Moisturizer – $1.63 [BUY] – I’ll definitely be using this moisturizer when I’m traveling this month! Foil packets come in handy!
Agave Oil Treatment – $1 [BUY] – Oil treatments for hair are always a plus during the cold winter months. I’m sure this will smell amazing and tame my frizz!
Anna Sui La Nuit de Boheme – $1.80 [BUY] – My last sample is perfume. I love getting perfume samples because it’s fun to try out new scents without having to walk into a perfume store and spray ten of them!

Next, I got my annual Birthday Gift, and I discovered a way to cheat the system! My birthday is actually in October, but I didn’t plan on purchasing anything. So, I logged into my Sephora account in October and added my Birthday Gift to my cart. There it sat all the way through to December. So, here is your trick – add the gift to your cart during your birthday month and it will be there when you want to make a purchase in the future! This year, Beauty Insiders received a Make Up For Ever mascara and lipstick duo worth $22.14! Amazing!

Finally, the last product I got was a Point Perk that I cashed in 100 rewards points to receive. I got a mini Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in F-Bomb that has a retail value of $8.56! I’ve heard so many great things about this lipstick range, but I didn’t want to drop $22 for just one. Now I get to test the formula!

My grand total retail value for all of the products I purchased in this Sephora haul is (drum roll please) $101.95! That’s right, I got over $100 worth of products and only spent $35. That’s nearly triple my spendings! Of course, I also shopped through Ebates and received $2.00 cash back on my purchase. That means I only spent $33. I think this is definitely my most successful Sephora haul ever! Now, it’s not every day that Sephora offers a coupon or such an amazing Weekly Special, but you can use all of the tricks I shared here to get an amazing Sephora haul as well. Please share your amazing Sephora goodies in the comments!

#PolishlandPresents | My Sephora Gift List

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

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

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

Formula X Paint the Town Set

$39.00 [BUY]

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

Urban Decay Naked on the Run Palette

$54.00 [BUY]

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

Tarte Bon Voyage Collector’s Set and Travel Bag

$59.00 [BUY]

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

Fresh Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio

$28.00 [BUY]

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

Sephora Favorites Perfume Sampler

$60.00 [BUY]

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

GlamGlow Glamtastic Facial Set

$59.00 [BUY]

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

Philosophy Holiday Spice Rack Trio

$27.00 [BUY]

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

Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer

$15.00 [BUY]

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

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

$16.00 [BUY]

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

Living Proof No Frizz Smoothing & Frizz Fighting Travel Kit

$29.00 [BUY]

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

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

#PolishlandPresents | My Birchbox Gift List

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

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

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

ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick Trio

$20.00 [BUY] [REVIEW]

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

Laura Geller Beauty for the Love of Baked Value Set

$39.00 [BUY]

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

POP Beauty POP Portfolio Eyeshadow Palette

$26.00 [BUY]

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

Color Club Gala’s Gems Collection

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

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

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush

Kikkerland Wooden Whale Nail Brush $12.00 [BUY]

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

Toca Crema Quintette Collection

Tocca Crema Quintette Collection $32.00 [BUY]

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

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves

Verloop Rothko Touchscreen Gloves $29.00 [BUY]

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

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug

Wild & Wolf Scrabble Tile Mug $11.50 [BUY]

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

Chambre de Sucre Macaron Limoge Trinket Boxes

$13.95 [BUY]

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

Birchbox Subscription

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

$30-110 [BUY]

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

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

Ageless Derma Oil Free Purifying Facial Cleanser Gel Review

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

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

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

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

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

Adovia Moisturizing Day Cream Review

Posted on September 10, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! A few months ago I tried my first Adovia product (see that review HERE), so I was excited when I got the opportunity to review the brand’s daily moisturizer! I just ran out of the moisturizer that I’d been using for years (literally), so I couldn’t wait to treat my skin to something new. Adovia’s products are dermatologist tested and suited for all skin types. I’ve been using this moisturizer for about a month now, so it’s time to share my opinion with you!

Adovia’s Moisturizing Day Cream contains Dead Sea Minerals, Aloe Vera, and Chamomile designed to keep a natural moisture balance and protect the skin at the same time. This cream is supposed to leave your skin hydrated, but not greasy. Adovia says the result is a natural glow that gives you that radiant look. Additionally, this Day Cream is hypoallergenic and thus does not have any fragrance to it, which I always appreciate.

I was a bit hesitant at first, because this cream is definitely quite heavy and thick in texture. I was afraid this would feel greasy on my face, and that I would look shiny all day. Surprisingly, despite the thick feel, this cream applies really well. It does feel heavy when first applied, but my skin drinks it up rather quickly and I didn’t notice any added appearance of oil throughout the day. The directions for this product say it can double as a makeup primer, so I used it as a base and found it works great for that use as well! The only drawback with the product is a very minor one, and that is the packaging. I don’t like jars because it feels gross to stick my fingers in to dig out the product. It’s not a big deal, but I definitely prefer pumps!

All in all, I’m so glad I got the chance to try the Moisturizing Day Cream from Adovia. It does retail for $46.00, but as I type this it’s on sale for $25.95 on Amazon HERE. For 1.7oz of product, I think that is a great value. It takes me a very long time to use up skincare products! If you’re looking for a new day cream that won’t irritate your skin, I highly recommend this one!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

5 Easy Ways to Prevent Acne | No Skincare Needed

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

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

1. Remove Your Makeup Every Night

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

2. Regularly Wash Your Makeup Brushes

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

3. Wash Your Face after Your Hair in the Shower

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

4. Change Your Pillowcases Often

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

5. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

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

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

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

Products I’ve Used Up #4

Posted on August 15, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! It’s time for another products I’ve used up post here at Adventures in Polishland. It always feels great to use up products that I purchase. Let’s get right into my empties, and I’ll share mini-reviews of each product.

HAIR CARE

I used up two dry shampoos recently. First is my all-time favorite, the Klorane Dry Shampoo [BUY]. I’ve repurchased this countless times now! Next up is the Aveeno Pure Renewal that I got at Duane Reade. I did like it, but it was a bit expensive (around $10) and I prefer to splurge on the Klorane, which works much better.

FACE PRODUCTS

I used up a lot of face and makeup products this time around! I’ll tell you about each one from left to right.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin – I really like this moisturizer from the drugstore. It works well, but it’s not the best moisturizer ever if you know what I mean. I highly recommend it for ultra sensitive skin, though. It’s light enough to wear all year long as well.
CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation – I LOVED this foundation. In fact, it’s my favorite that I’ve tried so far! I found that my skin loved it, too, and broke out less when I used this on a regular basis. If you’re looking for an affordable foundation, run to the drugstore and get this one!
Manna Kadar Lash Ware Mascara – I got this mascara in a Wantable box, and fell in love as well. It really does a great job at separating my lashes for a full look. You can purchase this online, but keep in mind it is a luxury brand.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder – I purchased this powder during a sale event, and I’m so glad I did. It’s amazing, and great at keeping face matte and getting rid of shine. I’ve heard this product is being discontinued, which is highly disappointing since I really love it!
Maybelline Baby Skin – I’ve raved about Baby Skin on Adventures in Polishland before (see that post HERE). It’s a really great drugstore primer, and I’ve already purchased another one!

MAKEUP REMOVER

I’ve gone through a lot of makeup remover recently! In the summer, I use a lot of wipes because they keep me feeling fresh and clean.

Every Beauty Makeup Remover Pads – I got these in a Beauty Army box, and to be honest I didn’t like them. It’s basically a cotton square that you wet with water and wipe over your face. It didn’t take off all of my makeup, especially mascara, and I felt like I had to do heavy cleansing afterwards.
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I really have grown to love the Simple Wipes in the past few months. I think my skin is either getting used to them, or they’ve somehow gotten better. Whatever the reason, I’m digging these!
Olay Fresh Effects S’Wipe Out – These were my all-time favorite wipes, and I’m glad I stocked up on them during sale events because they were discontinued by the brand. There is a new wipe in the Fresh Effects line, so I’ll have to see how I like them at some point.
Sephora Instant Eye Makeup Remover – I bought this eye makeup remover in hopes that it would take off my mascara with ease. It didn’t. I’ve found other makeup removers that work much better than this, so I’ll stick with those.

BODY PRODUCTS

Secret Outlast Deodorant – Here’s my secret: I hate Secret deodorants! I used to use this brand all the time, but now I remember why I stopped. For some reason, Secret does not prevent all the odor. But the fun doesn’t stop there. For some reason, this product locks in the odor, and no matter how much I shower and scrub my pits with soap, the scent lingers. It’s really horrible!! I know Secret is a very popular brand, but it just does not work with my body chemistry.
Jergens BB Body Cream – I really enjoyed trying this out! It did make my skin look nice and flawless, but I can’t bring myself to purchase the full size. Maybe I will if I get a good coupon!
Walgreens Hand Sanitizer with Aloe – I keep a pump of hand sanitizer on my desk at all times. You’ve probably seen a lot of these in my empties by now!
Bath & Body Works Vanilla Verbena Sugar Scrub – This is the first sugar scrub I’ve ever tried, and I did like it. I didn’t use it very often, but the scent was very calming. I did purchase two other Bath & Body Works scrubs during the latest sale, but couldn’t find this one again.

Well, that’s it for my products I’ve used up! In this edition I had a lot of great products, and only a few bad ones. I’m sad with the products that were discontinued, though! Make sure to let me know what products you’ve used up lately, and tell me a product that you loved but was later discontinued.

My Summer Skincare & Hair Care Essentials for Natural Beauty! #WalgreensBeauty

Posted on August 6, 2014August 8, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you some of my summer beauty essentials in both skincare and hair care. When the weather gets hot and the sun is baring down, I need to make a few changes in my every day routines to ensure that I’m protecting myself from UV rays, and feeling great, too. You all know I love a good drugstore haul, and I headed to Walgreens to pick up a few needed items. The Walgreens location by Union Square is definitely one of my personal favorites. It has an amazing food bar on the first floor where you can get snacks and more (there’s fro-yo available… #winning), and the second floor is home to a huge beauty department. Let me take you on a virtual shopping trip through Walgreens, and share my summer essentials!

LET’S GO SHOPPING!

Here’s my view from the top of the escalator in Walgreens! This is just a snippet of the amazing beauty department. I love this Walgreens because it has tons of limited edition displays and brands I can’t find anywhere else. During this particular shopping trip, I was on the hunt for sunscreen and hairspray.

My first stop was the suncare aisle to find the new Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30. I was beyond excited when I found a stack of $1.00 off coupons right in front of the product! Woo hoo!

Finally, I perused the hair care aisle, and grabbed the Mark Hill Fabulous Finish hairspray. I love the Mark Hill line, and it is exclusive to Walgreens!

MY SUMMER SKINCARE ESSENTIALS

Here are four of my favorite skincare products to use in the summer! I’ll tell you a bit about each item, and why I like it!

Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate SPF 30 – Sun protection is vital, especially in the summer! One reason I avoided sunscreen when I was younger is because it smelled, was greasy, and just a huge mess to put on. This new sunscreen from Banana Boat is anything but those things! It comes it an easy-to-apply spray-on bottle, and does not have that typical “sunscreen” scent. It also dries really fast, and leaves the skin soft and not greasy. In fact, this is a special 2 in 1 formula that includes a moisturizer! That way, you’re applying your aloe before the sun penetrates your skin. No need for a separate moisturizer!
Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched – Did you know your lips can get sunburned, too? Avoid that by using lip products with SPF! I’m addicted to Baby Lips, and my all-time favorite is Quenched, the clear lip balm. It has SPF 20 in it, and moisturizes my lips really well.
Simple Revitalizing Eye Roll-On – To stay refreshed, I love using this roll-on under my eyes. It has a cool, metal ball that instantly makes me feel more awake. Plus, it contains vitamins to keep your skin looking naturally beautiful. If you need some extra cooling, keep this in the fridge!
Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes – I love face wipes all year long, but in the summer nothing feels better than cleaning my face with a nice cool wipe! Whether it’s to remove makeup or simply refresh my skin, these Simple wipes are some of my absolute favorite!

MY SUMMER HAIR CARE ESSENTIALS

Now onto my hair care! I switch up my shampoos and conditioners all the time, but here are some things I always need!

Mark Hill Gorgeous! Fabulous Finish Hairspray – I’m not usually a hairspray girl, but I’m glad I tried out this one from Mark Hill! It’s amazing! It smells great, gives my hair volume, and tames all the fly-aways before the summer humidity takes control. It also doesn’t give my hair that stiff feeling that other hairsprays do. In fact, Mark Hill designed this so it can brush out with ease. Genius!
Goody Tangle Fix Brush – My go-to summer brush is this one from Goody. It is extremely gentle, and perfect whether your hair is wet from swimming or dry from the heat. If you have this hair like I do, this brush is wonderful. And yes, I got the children’s design because I like purple and leopard print!
Mark Hill MiracOILicious 2 Minute Intensive Treatment – This is my all-time holy grail hair product, so I had to include it! This treatment contains Moroccan Argan Oil, and makes my hair feel soft and hydrated no matter what time of year. I use it about 2-3 times per week in place of my regular conditioner. It’s better than some of those luxury hair masks at a fraction of the price!
Psssst! Instant Dry Shampoo – Dry shampoo is also a must. I use it every other day to keep my hair refreshed and grease-free. I recently picked up Psssst!, the original dry shampoo, because I wanted an affordable option. I’m loving it! Not only does it smell amazing, but it gets rid of any oil in a couple minutes.

These are all of my summer skincare and hair care essentials! I hope you found this helpful! Next time you go to Walgreens, be sure to bring THIS coupon. You can get a free gift with any $20 beauty purchase from now until August 30, 2014. Be sure to let me know in the comments what your summer essentials are. I hope you are having a wonderful summer! Stay cool!

Subscription Sunday | June Birchbox

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Subscription Sunday! Today I have my June Birchbox to share with all of you. When I received my box in the mail this month, I was super excited to open it because it was much heavier than it usually is. Let me go ahead and show you my June products!

This month, Birchbox’s theme is Away We Go! It seems like I’m not the only one with traveling on the brain this month – Birchbox does, too! In fact, the company teamed up with JetBlue to give away a round trip flight. I hope I win!

Here are the first set of products in my June Birchbox. I’ll tell you a bit about each one from left to right:

Coastal Scents Revealed Palette Sampler – $3.20 – This eyeshadow sampler contains four neutral shades from the new Coastal Scents palette. I really like this idea for a sampler, as it lets me test out more than one shadow from a brand, and will last me a long time.
Davines Love Shampoo – $7.50 – This is a great size shampoo sample, and it smells amazing! I can’t wait to try it, as it’s formulated for dry and frizzy hair like mine.
Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion – $3.00 – I like the idea of this body lotion as it is eco-friendly and spa-worthy, but the fragrance is a bit strong for me. This is still a great size sample!
Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator – $5.67 – It seems like I get a new cleanser every month. I wish there was a bit more variety, but this is a great one for travel because it is an exfoliating cleanser and a good size!

Davines Love Conditioner – $1.41 – I also got a conditioner that matches the shampoo sample I got. Normally I don’t like foil packets, but I think it’s great that I can test this along with the shampoo at least once or twice.
Davines Ol All in One Milk – $0.83 – I also got a sample of the hair treatment from the Davines line! I can’t wait to try out the entire hair care system!
Catherine Malandrino CM Perfume – $0.88 – Finally, I got a perfume sample that actually smells amazing! I’m excited to test it out!

TOTAL RETAIL VALUE: $22.49

RATING 1-5 (1 IS WORST, 5 IS BEST): 4

OVERALL OPINION: I love this month’s Birchbox! Not only did I get four amazing samples, but I got three smaller ones as well. Even though the retail value isn’t very high, it’s more than double what I paid for the box, and I’m sure to use every single one of these samples. I would definitely like more diversity in my Birchbox, but I can’t go wrong with anything here.

You can join Birchbox for just $10 per month HERE. I really love this subscription service, and highly recommend it! Do you subscribe already? Let me know what was inside your June box in the comments!