Tarte – Adventures in Polishland

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SALE ALERT | Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit: 7 Full Size Products for $63.00 + FREE Shipping

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today Tarte Cosmetics is offering an amazing deal, and I wanted to share it with you. I made a purchase for myself, and am really excited to receive my order. This sale happens about twice per year, and it is the Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit where you choose 7 full size items for just $63.00 with free shipping included. This post will share with you the sale information, and how to score added savings. This is a limited time deal for today only, June 15, 2021, so make sure to shop now if you’re interested in scoring some cruelty free beauty products at a huge discount!

This post includes affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

Before you head over to the Tarte Cosmetics website, make sure to shop though Rakuten to earn cash back on your purchase! Today Rakuten is offering 5% cash back on Tarte’s website. That means you will get $3.15 back if you purchase a Custom Kit at $63.00 today. If you have not signed up for Rakuten yet, use my referral link HERE and we will both get a $30.00 cash back bonus with your first qualifying purchase.

Next, visit Tarte’s website HERE to build your Custom Kit. Tarte allows you to pick 7 full size items from a selection of products on their website. Tarte is a cruelty free company, and many of their products are vegan. I built a vegan kit for myself containing products from Tarte that I’ve wanted to try for quite some time. Here’s what I added to my kit:

babassu foundcealer™ skincare foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 – Retail: $39.00 [BUY]
hydrocealer™ concealer – Retail: $25.00 [BUY]
busy gal BROWS tinted brow gel – Retail: $18.00 [BUY]
big ego™ vegan mascara – Retail: $23.00 [BUY]
maracuja juicy lip in Orchid – Retail: $19.00 [BUY]
shape tape™ quickie blending sponge – Retail: $16.00 [BUY]
back to basics bag – Retail: $22.00 [BUY]

As you can see, the retail value of my Custom Kit is $162.00, so at the $63.00 price point I saved over 60%! I’ve had the Babassu Foundcealer and Busy Gal Brows Brow Gel on my wish list for over a year now, so I’m really excited to try them out at a discounted price. I can’t wait to get my kit in the mail and refresh my makeup collection!

Interested in buildng a Tarte Cosmetics Custom Kit? Shop today only, June 15, 2021 for just $63.00 HERE!

I Tried 8 Vegan Mascaras So You Don’t Have To | Vegan Mascara Mini Reviews

Posted on April 18, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Since going vegan in the summer of 2016, I’ve been on the hunt for my new Holy Grail mascara. While it’s been quite easy to find a vegan substitute for the majority of my makeup products, finding a vegan mascara has been a bit more challenging. Today I am going to share mini reviews of the eight different mascaras I’ve tried in the past couple of years. These mascaras range widely in both price and quality, and I will share my thoughts on them in the chronological order in which I tested them. Let’s go on a journey through all of the vegan mascaras I’ve tried!

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

Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

The first vegan mascara I tried is the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume. I decided to start out with a very affordable option, as I always hope to find a product that is extremely budget friendly. I posted a full review of this mascara on my blog HERE. Overall, I thought this mascara was okay, but it didn’t provide me with too much volume or length. If you are looking for a natural-looking mascara that will give you just a little definition, the MegaVolume is a good option.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara – $2.90 [BUY]

I then decided to try another drugstore brand to see how that mascara would compare. I bought the e.l.f. Cosmetics Volumizing & Defining Mascara because I really enjoy this type of plastic wand as opposed to natural bristle wands. Unfortunately, this mascara was a huge disappointment! As I outlined in THIS blog post, the formula was extremely thick and heavy. Worst of all, it gave me the dreaded uni-lash, meaning all of my lashes stuck together in one clump. This was strike one for e.l.f., a brand I usually love!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

After two frustrating rounds with drugstore mascaras, I tried my hand at a high end option from Tarte. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. It provided me with longer and fuller lashes, and was definitely the best option I tried thus far. However, I prefer a drier mascara formula, and this one is a bit on the wet side. That being said, I do recommend this mascara, and I can see myself going back to it at some point in the future. I don’t like spending a lot on high end mascaras, but this one is worth it if you like a wetter formula.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

I next decided to try a cult favorite mascara in the beauty community – the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. Unfortunately, this mascara did not work out for me at all! I found the formula to be extremely heavy, and it made a huge mess every time I tried to apply it. I think the natural bristle brush combined with the wet formula was just a big no for my lashes. Despite so many people loving this mascara, I would not recommend it! It was back to drugstore formulas (and prices!) at this point.

e.l.f. Cosmetics 3-in-1 Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I decided to give e.l.f. a second chance, and purchased the 3-in-1 Mascara. Again, I went with a plastic mascara wand, and chose a formula advertised to define, lengthen, and volumize. This time, it wasn’t the mascara formula that went wrong – it was the packaging! The opening of the mascara was so narrow that the brush could barely fit through it. That meant that almost zero product made it onto the wand and onto my lashes. I consistently felt like I was putting absolutely nothing on my lashes with this mascara. I do want to mention that this product has since been reformulated, but I have no desire to try it again. We’ll call this strike two for e.l.f.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Volume Plumping Mascara – $3.00 [BUY]

I gave e.l.f. its third and final chance with the Volume Pluming Mascara. I grabbed this at Target, hoping that the promised “New Formula” would be good. Well, this was strike three for e.l.f. mascaras for me. Once again, the formula did almost nothing for my lashes. Remember how I said the Wet ‘n Wild MegaVolume looked very natural? This Volume Plumping Mascara did even less than that. I’ve now come to the conclusion that e.l.f. mascaras are not for me. I absolutely love e.l.f. Cosmetics as a brand, but I do not plan on ever trying another mascara from the company.

Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength Mascara – $2.99 [BUY]

At this point in the game, I did some thinking. I wanted to stick with a drugstore mascara to save money, but I also needed to stay away from e.l.f. I decided to go back to Wet ‘n Wild and try a different mascara formula. This time I got the MegaLength, and I was pleasantly surprised! This is by far the best vegan mascara I’ve tested, and it’s only $2.99 regular price! I like this mascara because it does a great job at lengthening my lashes. It doesn’t provide much volume, but I would rather have long lashes than clumpy ones. While still not a Holy Grail product for me, this is a mascara I’ve repurchased a few times already.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Gifted Mascara – $23.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I got a mini size of the Tarte Gifted Mascara as a point perk from Sephora. I really liked this mascara, too. It can be a bit messy, but I like how my lashes looked really full and long after application. That being said, I wouldn’t buy this mascara at the full price. If it went on sale, I would consider getting this again, and I do recommend it if you’re looking for a weightless yet effective mascara.

Final Thoughts: I’ve learned a few important things during these past 18 months of testing vegan mascaras. First, e.l.f. Cosmetics mascaras are to be avoided (at least, for me). Second, spending a lot of money on a mascara isn’t worth it for me. I like to change out my mascaras every three to four months, so keeping the cost down is important. In the same way, more money doesn’t necessarily mean a better formula. In the end, I’m going to continue testing out vegan drugstore mascaras to see if I can find my new Holy Grail. Until then, I highly recommend the Wet ‘n Wild MegaLength!

What’s your favorite vegan mascara? Let me know in the comments!

All the Vegan Options During the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale | Spring 2018

Posted on March 14, 2018May 24, 2018 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! This year I’ve been doing a lot more of my makeup and beauty shopping at Ulta. I love that I can shop from drugstore, high end, and indie beauty brands all in one place. Plus, Ulta has amazing sales going on all the time. One of the store’s biggest events is the 21 Days of Beauty Sale, which is taking place this spring from March 18, 2018 through April 7, 2018. I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of all the vegan options available during Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty so you can easily plan ahead and fill those shopping carts!

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

Please note that I referenced THIS blog post from BeautyBudgetCollection while creating this list. Thank you to Ashley for the helpful information!

New to the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Sale? Here’s how it works! Each day during the sale there are a few products on a big discount. These sales only last for one day, so make sure to plan your shopping accordingly! At the end of this post will be the Hot Buys, which are available for the entire duration of the sale while supplies last.

March 18 | Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara – $10.00 [BUY]

March 19 | No Vegan Options

March 20 | Pür Cosmetics 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 15 – $14.75 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer – $35.00 [BUY]

March 21 | Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – $16.00 [BUY]

March 22 | No Vegan Options

March 23 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Singles (Vegan Shades: Bender, Blackout, Buck, Bust, Chase, Darkhorse, Deep End, Desperation, Easy Baked, Faint, Foxy, Haight, Half Baked, Hijack, Kush, Laced, Loaded, Lost, Maui Wowie, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Mildew, Mushroom, Naked, Peace, Roach, Smog, Tease, Twice Baked, Uncut, Virgin, Zephyr) – $10.00 [BUY]

March 24 | No Vegan Options

March 25 | It Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Smoothing Foundation Brush #102 – $11.00 [BUY]

March 26 | BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $19.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: First Aid Beauty Love Your FAB Skin – $22.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: DERMAdoctor Kakadu C Peel Pad – $39.00 [BUY]

March 27 | Online Only Deal: St. Tropez In-Shower Gradual Tanning Lotion – $12.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Kopari Coconut Melt – $14.00 [BUY]

March 28 | Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner – $12.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Skin Laundry Select Cleansers – $10.00 [BUY]

March 29 | No Vegan Options

March 30 | Online Only Deal: Lime Crime Hi-Lite Palettes – $19.00 [BUY]

March 31 | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – $10.50 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: OFRA Banana Powder – $6.00-$9.50 [BUY]

April 1 | No Vegan Options

April 2 | Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss – $12.00 [BUY]

April 3 | No Vegan Options

April 4 | No Vegan Options

April 5 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Vegan Varieties: Anti-Aging, Fix) – $10.00-$12.00 [BUY]

Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum – $40.00 [BUY]

Online Only Deal: Skyn Iceland Icelandic Relief Eye Cream – $22.50 [BUY]

April 6 | Tarte Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint (Vegan Shades: Adorbs, Bae, FOMO, Frenemy, Hangry, Lovespell, Manbun, Namaste, Selfish, So Fetch, TBT, Twerk, Yaassss) – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint – $10.00 [BUY]

Tarte Tarteist Lip Crayon – $10.00 [BUY]

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant – $28.50 [BUY]

April 7 | Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara – $11.50 [BUY]

HOT BUYS (As mentioned, these deals last for the duration of the event, or while supplies last)

DERMAdoctor Kakadu C High Potency Evening Oil – $44.40 [BUY]

Tarte Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist – $15.00 [BUY]

Pür Cosmetics Miracle Mist Hydrating Spray – $10.00 [BUY]

Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer – $22.00 [BUY]

The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Lava Magik – $19.20 [BUY]

Organic to Green Great Barrier Chap Guard – $10.80 [BUY]

Special Sale from Tarte: Buy any Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Foundation at $39.00 [BUY], and Get the Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer for $15.00 [BUY]. Only the Matte foundation (not the Hydrating foundation) is vegan. The concealer line is all vegan.

Special Sale on Minis: Buy 3, Get 1 Free [MORE INFO].

Vegan Mini Products are:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing [BUY]
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water [BUY]
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 [BUY]
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara [BUY]
Tarte Brazilliance PLUS+ Self-Tanner [BUY]

*Please Note: I have done my best to provide an accurate and complete list of all the vegan products available during the sale. If I could not confirm that a product is vegan, I did not put it on this list. If you have any questions or further information, kindly leave me a comment. Make sure to visit the Ulta website HERE for complete sale information closer to the event’s start.

Will you be picking up any products from the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty?

Let me know in the comments!

15 Vegan Gifts at Tarte Cosmetics | 2017 Gift Guide

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I am excited to share with you my 2017 Gift Guide for Tarte Cosmetics. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite beauty brands. I absolutely love that Tarte is a cruelty free brand with many vegan options. I recently combed through the brand’s website and found fifteen gift ideas to share with all of you ranging in price from $12.00-$60.00. Whether you are looking for a small stocking stuffer or big beauty set this holiday season, there is a product on this list for you!

This post includes affiliate links. All images in this blog post are courtesy of Tarte Cosmetics. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Please note that I have not tried all of the products mentioned in this blog post. That being said, I love using many Tarte Cosmetics products on a regular basis and am comfortable sharing my picks with you!

1. Limited Edition Scrub Clean Cleansing Set – $12.00 [BUY]

This skincare set includes the Deep Dive Cleansing Gel, Travel Frxxxtion Stick 3-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser and a Scrublet. This set is budget-friendly and perfect for those on your list who love skincare. I absolutely love how cute the bright pink latex-free scrubber is!

2. Delightful Discoveries Skincare & Color Set – $15.00 [BUY]

This travel set includes the Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Twinkle Stick Highlighter in Spotlight, Fake Awake Eye Highlight, and a set of Pack Your Bags Undereye Patches. If you love the dewy, highlighted look, this set is for you! I love that this has a mix of skincare and makeup products that helps you hydrate and illuminate.

3. Limited Edition Sex Kitten Squad Lash & Line Set – $16.00 [BUY]

For those of you who love glam makeup, this set is perfect! It includes the Sex Kitten false lashes, Lash Adhesive in Black, and Sex Kitten Liquid Liner in Black. I love that you get everything you need for a more dramatic eye look in this one kit. Plus, it comes in a cute box that makes it ready for gifting!

4. Limited Edition Skin Win Hydrating Skincare Set – $18.00 [BUY]

This kit is perfect for a friend who loves to travel! It includes deluxe samples of the Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer, Maracuja Oil, Rainforest of the Sea 4-in-1 Setting Mist, and Quench Lip Rescue in Shell. I’ve been loving the Drink of H2O lately, and think this set is the perfect way to try it out!

5. Limited Edition Gym Bag Grabs Athleisure Essentials – $19.00 [BUY]

If you know someone who lives at the gym, this kit is a great gift! It includes a mix of skincare and makeup products: Lifted Sweatproof Mascara, Brighter Days Highlighting Moisturizer, Quench Lip Rescue, and Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes. Pair this kit with a cute gym bag or yoga mat!

6. Brightening Bundle Spray & Sponge Set – $19.00 [BUY]

This set is perfect for those on your list who you know love makeup, but also seem to own a lot of it already. The kit includes the Ready, Set, Radiant Skin Mist and the Quickie Blending Sponge. Both products can be enjoyed by anyone no matter the skin shade or type!

7. Limited Edition Pretty & Purrrfect Eye Set – $20.00 [BUY]

Calling cat eye lovers! This kit is made for you! It includes the Sex Kitten Eyeliner, Sex Kitten Liquid Liner, and Tartiest Lash Paint Mascara. I always have friends asking for liquid eyeliner recommendations, so I’m sure many makeup lovers would adore this gift.

8. Limited Edition No Shower Happy Hour Athleisure Essentials – $22.00 [BUY]

If you’re busy and constantly on the go, this is the kit for you! I purchased this myself a few months ago and am completely in love with it. The set includes the Clean Queen Deodorant, Hair Goals Dry Shampoo, Tarteguard 20 Tinted Moisturizer, Tartiest Glossy Lip Paint, and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush. This kit is worth the money for the dry shampoo alone – it’s amazing!

9. Limited Edition Mermaid Kisses Lipstick Set – $23.00 [BUY]

It can be really difficult to pick out a lipstick shade for someone else, so kits are such a fun idea during the holidays! The Mermaid Kisses set includes four shades of 12-hour lipsticks in hydrating formulas. Plus, the packaging is absolutely adorable!

10. Limited Edition Goddess Glow Highlighter – $25.00 [BUY]

Sometimes it’s nice to give a more luxurious makeup product, and this special highlighter is a beautiful option. This is an extra large compact with a stunning Golden Champagne Highlighter. The unique packaging of this compact really makes it a statement piece. I can’t get over how gorgeous it is!

11. Limited Edition Lip Luxuries Deluxe Lip Sculptor Set – $34.00 [BUY]

The next lip set on the list is a really unique and fun gift. The kit comes with five tubes that are each double sided. On one end is a satin lipstick, and on the other is a super pigmented lip gloss. Think of all the fun lip looks that can be created with just this one kit! Simply tie a bow around it and you are ready to gift.

12. Limited Edition Cheek Charmers Deluxe Blush Set – $35.00 [BUY]

This blush set is one of my favorite items on the list! I am so obsessed with Tarte blushes that I do not own any other brands now. I got last year’s blush set for Christmas, and I’ve loved it all year long. The shades can be worn alone or mixed together. If I didn’t already own a bunch of Tarte blushes I would be grabbing this for myself!

13. Limited Edition Pout Pleasure Lip Set – $42.00 [BUY]

The last lip set includes five full size Lippie Lingerie Matte Tints in a variety of new vegan shades. These are great if you like to add a little color to your lips without putting on a full lipstick. I think this would make a great gift for teenagers, or people just getting into makeup, as they are not as intimidating to apply. Of course, it can be enjoyed by anyone, and I know I would love it!

14. Limited Edition Treasured Tools Brush Set – $44.00 [BUY]

You can never go wrong by gifting a beautiful set of makeup brushes! Tarte offers a few great sets, but I personally love the art featured on the Treasured Tools kit. It also comes with a gorgeous mosaic brush holder!

15. Big Blush Book Volume III – $60.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is the Big Blush Book Volume III. If you want to give a huge makeup gift this year, look no further! This amazing palette contains seven full size Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes. I cannot get over how stunning this palette is! Go big or go home with the Big Blush Book!

That wraps up my 2017 Tarte Cosmetics Gift Guide! I hope this helped you out if you are looking for vegan makeup and skincare gifts to give this season. Tarte does an amazing job at labeling its products online, and there are many other vegan options available. I’m always excited to try out new vegan goodies from this brand!

Shop Tarte Cosmetics online through Ebates HERE to earn cash back on your order!

Dare to Compare | Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush Royal vs. Insightful

Posted on July 19, 2017July 16, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you a comparison post between two Tarte blushes. Tarte has quickly become one of my favorite makeup brands. While the products are a bit more expensive than I would normally like, the quality is amazing and I appreciate that Tarte offers many vegan products. I recently purchased the No Shower Happy Hour kit at Sephora, and one of the items it came with is an Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in the shade Insightful. I realized this blush looks very similar to Royal, another Tarte blush that I already owned. I wanted to share these blushes side-by-side so you can decide if Insightful is a must-have in your collection.

The Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal was released in the limited edition Sculpted Cheeks set for the 2016 holiday season and is no longer available for purchase. Similarly, Insightful is only available in the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I thought this post would be helpful for those of you who own the Sculpted Cheeks set and may be interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit.

When I added Insightful to my beauty stash, I noticed the packaging color was exactly the same as Royal’s. I took a closer look at the blushes next to one another, and while I thought I could see a slight difference, I knew the shades were quite close.

Here are swatches of Royal and Insightful side-by-side. While it is clear they are not exact duplicates of one another, the shades are quite close. Royal is described by Tarte as a Nude Mauve, and Insightful is described as Peachy Pink. I definitely agree that Royal feels like more of a brown shade, while I can see orange undertones in Insightful. That being said, if you do own Royal, I don’t think it’s necessary to buy Insightful. However, if you are wanting to get the No Shower Happy Hour kit to try the other products, it is worth it for the value of the other items included. Plus, both of these blushes are amazing quality. I love how smoothly they apply to the cheeks.

All in all, I hope you found this comparison post helpful if you were interested in purchasing the No Shower Happy Hour kit. I think it is an amazing value for the money, and am so glad I didn’t get a duplicate blush shade. Make sure you buy this limited edition kit HERE before it is discontinued!

What is your favorite Tarte product? Let me know in the comments!

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

Beauty Favorites | Spring 2017

Posted on May 29, 2017May 27, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I am excited to share with you the beauty products I’ve been loving this spring. I’m slowly trying new-to-me products as I use up what I already own in my beauty stash, and it’s always nice to discover something great. While I’m still using many of the same makeup products, I’ve found some nice skincare and hair care goodies these past few months. Let’s jump right into my current beauty favorites!

MAKEUP

e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems [LINK]

The one makeup product in this post is the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in the shade Blush Gems. I tried and loved the shade Moonlit Pearls last summer, and I decided to purchase Blush Gems so I could have a pink-toned highlighter in my collection. These highlighters are great because they can be applied in two ways – with a dry brush for a light illumination, or a wet brush for a more intense highlight. I’ve been applying Blush Gems with a damp Beauty Blender and absolutely loving the result! Plus, I find the pink tone to be perfect for the spring season.

SKINCARE

Pacifica Kale Detox Deep Cleansing Face Wash [LINK]

My skincare favorite this season is a cleanser from the brand Pacifica. I keep the Kale Detox in my shower, and I really like using it with my FOREO Luna to get an even deeper clean. This cleanser has a calming scent that is quite fresh and earthy. I also feel like my skin is a lot softer after each use. This is the first skincare product I’ve tried from Pacifica, and it definitely won’t be my last!

BODY CARE

Sun Bum SPF 50 Original Spray Sunscreen [LINK]

I was on the hunt for a vegan sunscreen this year, and discovered the Sun Bum brand on a whim! What prompted me to purchase this sunscreen is that it is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and also dermatologist tested. I also love it when sunscreen comes in a spray variety, as it makes it much easier to apply and encourages me to take the time to use sunscreen. I’ve worn this product a few times so far, and it appears to be working as I haven’t been burnt! If you are looking to buy Sun Bum, I found mine at my local Target.

HAIR CARE

Tarte Hair Goals Dry Shampoo [LINK]

Tarte recently released some new vegan products, and I wanted to try the dry shampoo and deodorant in particular, but I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Luckily, Sephora has a value pack called the No Shower Happy Hour Kit (LINK) that included sample sizes of some of these products. I am so far really happy with the Hair Goals Dry Shampoo. Not only does it zap the oil out of my hair and not leave a white cast, but it smells amazing! I’m not sure what the fragrance is, but it lasts all day and really smells great. While the full size is $19, if you are looking to splurge this is a nice product to try.

IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm [LINK]

My last favorite is another hair care product, and that is a hair balm from the brand IGK. I got a deluxe a sample of Mistress in my last Sephora order using my Beauty Insider points, and I’m really enjoying it! This hair balm is designed to boost hydration, detangle, and smooth the hair. I’m really amazed that this product does not weigh down my fine hair, nor does it make it appear oily. My hair is always a bit shinier after using this product! I’m not sure that I would purchase the full size, as it is $27, but once I use up the sample I will report back in an empties post.

That wraps up my beauty favorites for this spring! I hope you enjoyed seeing the products I’m loving at the moment. As always, I would love to know your current favorites, and your thoughts on the products I showed today if you’ve used them in the past. I’m excited to see what new products I will discover now as summer begins!

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

Beauty Favorites | Winter 2017

Posted on February 28, 2017February 23, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! As February comes to a close, I want to share the beauty products I’ve been loving all winter long. I’m slowly trying out new products again after working through a lot of the things I already had in my beauty stash. I’ve really enjoyed buying less products and focusing on what’s in my collection, but it’s always nice to try something new, too. Let me share the beauty products I’ve been favoriting the past few months!

MAKEUP

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Royal [BUY]

I received the Tarte Sculpted Cheeks set for Christmas, and I am in love with the blush Royal. I didn’t think this shade would work with my fair skin, as it is a mauve shade that looks almost brown. However, Royal turns out to be the perfect, natural-looking color for my skin. I wear it almost every day! It applies beautifully with the ELF Angled Blush Brush, and I love its smooth formula. I highly recommend purchasing this limited edition blush set before it’s sold out!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara [BUY]

Another product from Tarte that I’ve really enjoyed lately is the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara. I don’t usually buy high end mascaras, but I was frustrated with the vegan mascara options from the drugstore, so I splurged during a Sephora sale. While Lights, Camera, Lashes is not the best mascara I’ve ever tried, it does do a great job at giving me full lashes. I love a lot of length and volume, but I also like a drier formula. Lights, Camera, Lashes, is a bit wetter and heavier than I would like, but it’s still a great option. I’m going to try out more drugstore options next, but if you can afford this higher end mascara, it is worth it!

ELF Beautifully Bare Satin Lipstick in Touch of Pink [BUY]

I recently purchased one of ELF’s new lipsticks from the Beautifully Bare line in the shade Touch of Pink, and I’m really loving it! This lipstick is extremely comfortable to wear, and is a “my lips but better” shade for me. It smells like vanilla cake as well, which is a bonus. I think I’m going to try other lipsticks from this line, because the formula is great. You can’t beat the $5.00 price tag, either!

SKINCARE

Derma E generously provided me with some of their new products, and so far I’ve tried the Hydrating Serum. This serum contains hyaluronic acid, which always works well with my skin type. I also have great luck with hydrating serums in general because my skin gets too oily if I put on too much moisturizer, so if I can get away with just a serum that is awesome. The Derma E serum is lightly fragranced, but that goes away once the product settled into the skin. I love how firmed and smooth my skin feels after each use.

HAIR CARE

Acure Hydrating Conditioner [BUY]

I was on the hunt for a new shampoo and conditioner system to have when guests were visiting during the holidays, and found the Acure line at Target. I am obsessing over the Hydrating Conditioner! It contains Moroccan argan stem cell oil and argan oil to provide moisture to dry and damaged hair. Not only does this conditioner smell absolutely amazing, but it is bringing my hair back to life. It is so soft and it looks shiny without being greasy. I highly recommend trying out the Acure brand at Target. It is an affordable price range, and I’m going to continue to try products from the line in the future.

That wraps up my beauty favorites for this winter! I would love to know in the comments if you’ve tried any of these products and what you think of them. Also let me know what your current favorites are! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your winter, and that you have a great start to spring.

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

Top 10 Beauty Products of 2016!

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I am excited to share my top ten favorite beauty products of 2016. The products I’m featuring were not necessarily new for 2016, but they are things I discovered and really loved this past year. I decided to group together nail polish, makeup, and skincare for this year’s post, as I focused more on using the products I already own than trying new things. I also transitioned to a vegan lifestyle in June, so I wanted to only feature the vegan products I’ve loved this year. Without further ado, let me share my 2016 favorites with all of you!

10. Tarte LipSurgence in Energy [BUY]

My favorite lip product of the year is this lip gloss from Tarte. The LipSurgence in Energy is really cool because it goes on clear and adjusts to your perfect lip shade. I love how I get a beautiful pink with this lip gloss, and it feels really comfortable on the lips, too. This is a bit expensive, but I highly recommend it because I wear it all the time.

9. LVX in Azzurrum [BUY]

I’ve really loved wearing dark nail polishes this year, especially in the fall months. I reached for an old favorite of LVX in Azzurrum on several occasions, as it is a stunning navy blue. It goes surprisingly well with my fair skin tone, and it matches nearly every outfit. I feel like it even looks nice when I wear a lot of black in the fall.

8. Zoya in Taylor [BUY]

At the other end of the nail polish color spectrum, I fell in love with Zoya in Taylor. This is a warm beige polish, and it is a go to neutral for me. I wore a lot of nail polish this fall, and Taylor was a staple in between all the dark shades.

7. ELF Clear Brow and Lash Mascara [BUY]

One of my daily staples is brow gel, and I’m so glad I found a super affordable option from ELF. For just $2.00, I can get six months worth of brow gel since this product is dual-ended. Plus, it works really well and keeps my brows in place without making them look really stiff. You need to try this if you haven’t yet!

6. ELF Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls [BUY]

Another ELF favorite is the Baked Highlighter in the shade Moonlight Pearls. I was so surprised with how beautiful this highlight is since it only costs $3.00! I wear it regularly, especially on days where I want a natural look. This adds the perfect amount of light to an otherwise one-dimensional makeup look.

5. Hurraw! Lip Balm in Coffee Bean [BUY]

This lip balm has really been a savior these past few months for me. When the winter weather comes along, my lips and skin really dry out quickly. I put this lip balm on at night before I go to bed, and when I wake up my lips feel brand new. Plus, the coffee bean flavor smells absolutely amazing!

4. Zoya in Mallory [BUY]

My last nail polish favorite for 2016 is Zoya in Mallory. I am always obsessed with bright blue polishes, and Mallory is no exception. Of course, this polish has an amazing formula as well, and that encourages me to reach for it from my collection.

3. Yes to Cucumber Soothing Hypoallergenic Face Wipes [BUY]

I also rediscovered the Yes to Cucumber Face Wipes, and I’ve been using them exclusively for the past few months. If you are looking for really gentle wipes that remove all of your makeup, I highly recommend trying out this brand. While it is a bit more on the pricer side at the drugstore, Target often has the Yes to brand on sale on the Cartwheel app.

2. Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe [BUY]

I was on the hunt for a new brow powder, and I splurged on the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe. I’m so glad I picked up this product! It fills in my brows beautifully, and it looks very natural as well. You also get a lot more for your money with brow powders because they last much longer than pencils.

1. Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation in Light 44 [BUY]

Last but not least, my absolute favorite beauty product of 2016 is the Kat Von D Lock-it Foundation! I purchased this foundation a few months ago, and I’ve quickly become obsessed with it. At first I was a bit underwhelmed, but the more I use it the more I love it. This is a liquid foundation with great coverage, and I personally love its mate finish. I’ve been reaching for it nearly every day I wear makeup!

That wraps up my top ten beauty products of 2016! I’m happy to see a mix of high end and drugstore products, as I feel like that really represents my beauty collection. Please share your 2016 beauty favorites with me in the comments! I would love to know what you are loving so I can try out even more new-to-me products. Happy New Year, everyone!

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.

5 Beauty Must-Haves for Your Los Angeles Vacation

Posted on August 31, 2016August 31, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share with you my top must-have beauty products for when I travel to Los Angeles. I visit Los Angeles about 1-2 times per year because I have family there, and I’ve become quite the veteran at packing for the trip. Los Angeles has a very unique climate, especially for someone like me who lives on the East Coast of the United States. The dry heat of LA can really affect your skin and hair, so I’ve put together a list of the absolute necessities to help you fill your makeup bag. Let me share my beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation!

1. Face Wipes Travel Pack

Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Cleansing Facial Wipes [BUY]

I am a huge cleansing wipe junkie, and that doesn’t change when I travel! I like to pick up a travel pack at Target so that I can use the wipes while traveling, and toss them before coming home. The reason I recommend the Yes to Blueberries wipes for Los Angeles is because they not only help to cleanse the skin, but they help moisturize as well. Wipes are perfect for cooling off in the sun, and keeping the skin clean while out and about. Keep this pouch in your beach bag so you can freshen up on the go!

2. Mini Dry Shampoo

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo [BUY]

Next up is a travel size dry shampoo. My hair gets oily really easily, so I rely on dry shampoo to keep it looking fresh between washes. Whether you’re visiting the beach, spending the day at a theme park, or simply hoping to give your hair a boost before going out, dry shampoo is a must. I’ve never tried the Not Your Mother’s Dry Shampoo before, but I found it in Target’s travel section, so I decided to pick it up. Dry shampoo is one of those products you just can’t decant into a smaller bottle, so I spend a few extra dollars for a mini one.

3. Foundation Stick

ELF Cosmetics Moisturizing Foundation Stick [BUY]

I absolutely love bringing stick foundation with me on vacation. Not only is it really simple to apply with just your fingers, but it doesn’t need to be packed in your 3-1-1 bag because it’s not liquid! I like the ELF Cosmetics stick foundation because it has a moisturizing formula. My skin gets very dry on the flight to Los Angeles, and in LA’s natural climate, so every bit of added moisturization helps. You can see a full review of this product HERE.

4. Facial Sunscreen

Tarte TarteGuard SPF 30 [BUY]

Next up is a facial sunscreen, which is an absolute necessity if you are spending a lot of your vacation outside. I normally use a foundation or primer with SPF in it, as I’m not in the sun enough for a dedicated sunscreen. However, in Los Angeles I’m often at an outdoor park, eating outside, etc., so it’s nice to have a stronger SPF for my face. I got this Tarte sunscreen in a subscription box, and I love the light consistency.

5. Translucent Powder

ELF Cosmetics Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

Last but not least is a translucent and mattifying powder. My skin gets really oily, even in a dry heat, so I like to set my face with powder every day. I recently got the ELF Cosmetics powder, and I love this compact for travel because it has a huge mirror that makes touching up easy. Plus, the packaging is slim and sleek to fit in my purse.

That wraps up my top beauty must-haves for any Los Angeles vacation! I hope you found this post helpful as you pack for your trip. If you need more travel tips, make sure to check out my Jet Away June series HERE for packing advice, airplane travel, and more. I hope you have a fun and safe vacation to Los Angeles!

What are your beauty must-haves for vacation? Share in a comment!

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

June Sephora PLAY! Unboxing | The Minimalists

Posted on June 24, 2016June 20, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I’m unboxing my June Sephora PLAY! box with all of you. It’s been a couple months since I shared this beauty subscription with you on the blog, and I’m excited to do so today. I did want to let you know that I’ve decided to cancel my PLAY! subscription, and this will be my last box. I am doing this for a plethora of reasons, but I first thought about cancelling simply because I haven’t been using the products. While the box is only $10 a month, and I’ve gotten the opportunity to try some great products, I’ve not used most of the products I’ve received over the past several months. Nonetheless, let me share the June box with all of you!

Here’s a quick look at my June Sephora PLAY! box. Last month Sephora changed up the packaging big time and replaced the box with a reusable bag. I love that Sephora created a more environmentally friendly packaging for its subscription. In the past, the products came in a box filled with paper shreds all packed in another box. Major thumbs up for providing us with reusable bags! I know these bags will come in handy during travel.

June’s theme is The Minimalists, and includes products to prove that sometimes less is more. Minimalism is very on trend right now, and it makes sense that Sephora is embracing it when it comes to beauty products!

bareMinerals BareSkin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer – $2.80 [BUY]

The first product in the June box is a serum bronzer from bareMinerals. This is a really unique product that can be worn alone or mixed in with your foundation. I’m glad this came in the subscription box, as I never would have tried this on my own!

Benefit They’re Real! Mascara – $8.00 [BUY]

Next up is the well-known mascara from Benefit called They’re Real! I think this is a great product to include in the box, because it is definitely a favorite in the beauty community. I’m one of the few people who don’t like this mascara, because it is very thick and weighs down my lashes. This sample is definitely a great value!

BECCA Backlight Priming Filter – $7.60 [BUY]

I am really excited to try the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter, as I know this is a favorite product of Jaclyn Hill. This primer is designed to blur imperfections and give the skin an illuminated look. I don’t typically go for the dewy look, but it will be a lot of fun to try it!

Tarte Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion – $4.33 [BUY]

I am also really excited to try this sunscreen from Tarte. I was actually looking into this product on my own, as I’m looking for a new sunscreen. Now I get to try before I buy, which is perfect because this is quite the expensive sunscreen. I am definitely up for writing a full review of this product in the future, so let me know if you’re interested in reading one!

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow it Hair Styler – $3.10 [BUY]

Next up is a product from Bumble and Bumble that is formulated give your hair style without the need for a blow dryer. I haven’t had good luck with this brand in the past, so I’m not sure if I will give this product a try. I do lot my hair air dry daily, and then usually flat iron it. We’ll see if I put this product to use!

TOCCA Eau de Parfum Florence – $2.00 [BUY]

Last but not least is a perfume sample from TOCCA. As always, I’m not a big fan of perfume samples included in subscription boxes because you can get them for free at any Sephora. This one in particular is quite floral scented, so I definitely won’t be wearing it because of my sensitivity to flowers.

All in all, the June Sephora PLAY! has a value of $27.83, which is more than double the cost, but definitely a low amount compared to months past. I will definitely be using three out of the six products, which is good. I would love to know in the comments your thoughts on the Sephora PLAY! subscription service. Do you subscribe? Have you cancelled? Are you on the wait list? I would love to know!

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