Tag: The Body Shop

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

It’s been quite some time since I shared an Empties post here on the blog (it appears the last one was in 2017 – oops!). While I’ve shared snippets on my Instagram regularly, I thought it would be fun to share mini reviews with you on all of the products I’ve used up recently. The skincare, hair care, and body care items in this post are some of my go to cruelty free and vegan products that I repurchase regularly. You’ll also notice that I am quite loyal to both The Body Shop and Derma E! I love both of these brands because they offer effective products at prices I can afford.

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

Products from Derma E provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links.

Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub

Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub | $15.50 | BUY

First up is the Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub with Activated Charcoal. I’ve used this scrub for many years. It’s gentle enough to use daily, but still effective at keeping the skin clear and free of dry flakes. I recently stopped using this on my face, as I was using a cleanser with a chemical exfoliant (more on that later). Instead, I’ve used this in my underarms about 1-2 times per week. This has really helped to get rid of any odors that I experience after working out in the humid summer months, all while using a natural deodorant.

Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser

Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser | $13.75 | BUY

The cleanser I used up is the Derma E Anti-Wrinkle Cleanser. This is a new-to-me product, but I absolutely loved it! As mentioned, this has glycolic acid in it to exfoliate the skin. I found that my face was much more even, hydrated, and clear when using this product. It was also nice to not have to use a physical exfoliant as an additional step in my skincare routine. I love testing out new cleansers, but I would definitely consider repurchasing this one.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate | $32.00 | BUY

Next up is my all-time favorite eye care product, The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Eye Concentrate. This is an eye serum, and comes with a rollerball applicator. This is the only eye care product that works for me! I find that it helps to minimize my fine lines when I use it regularly. I do wish the packaging was more environmentally friendly, but I continue to repurchase this because I like it so much.

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion | $24.00

Another favorite product of mine is The Body Shop Drops of Youth Youth Essence-Lotion. I use this morning and night before I apply serum. My skin loves this product, as it helps to keep my skin hydrated, clear, and smooth. It’s currently not available on The Body Shop’s website, and I’m seriously hoping it hasn’t been discontinued! If you do ever see this back in stock, I highly recommend it.

The Body Shop Juicy Pear Body Scrub

The Body Shop Juicy Pear Body Scrub | $24.00 | BUY SIMILAR

Moving onto body care, I used up the Juicy Pear Body Scrub from The Body Shop. This was a limited edition holiday scent, but I really enjoy the scrubs from The Body Shop. This one was a sugar-based scrub, but I enjoy all of the available formulas as long as they are vegan. I typically like to grab a few scrubs during the Black Friday sale to save money and stock up for the year. They smell great, and keep the skin really smooth.

The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray

The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $6.00 | BUY

A hidden gem product at The Body Shop is definitely the Make-Up Setting Spray. This is by far my favorite setting spray ever! Not only does it keep my makeup in place throughout the day, but it helps reduce any cakey appearance. This spray has aloe vera in it as well, so it helps to keep the skin hydrated. My only critique with this product is that the bottle is only 60 ml. I would buy this in jumbo size if I could!

Derma E Thickening Conditioner

Derma E Thickening Conditioner | $9.99 | BUY

Last but not last is the Derma E Thickening Conditioner. I first tried this product when I received it from the brand for review, and now I’ve purchased it twice myself. I like this conditioner because it is gentle on the scalp and hydrating for my hair without making it greasy. I pair this conditioner with the Scalp Relief Shampoo for my go to hair routine.

Empty Product Reviews | My Go To Cruelty Free Skincare, Hair Care, and Body Care

That wraps up this round of empty product reviews! I hope you’ve found this post helpful if you are also on the lookout for cruelty free and vegan products that are worth the money. Please let me know in the comments if you would like to see regular empties posts here on the blog. I love sharing mini reviews of all the beauty products I’ve used up completely!

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil Review | #EmptyProductReview

After a few bad experiences, I avoided using facial oils for quite a while. But as I got older and my skin got a bit drier, I decided to try The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil. This cruelty free and vegan facial oil is not only one of The Body Shop’s best selling skincare products, but it is formulated to deeply moisturize the skin and provide anti-aging benefits as well. I recently used up my bottle, and wanted to share my thoughts on this product with all of you.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil Review

This post includes affiliate links.

The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil is a unique blend of three precious nut seed oils: Black Cumin Seed Oil, Camellia Seed Oil, and Rosehip Oil. In the past I had used Argan oil based facial oils, and no matter which brand I tried, my skin would break out quite badly. I have combination skin that can overproduce oil while being dry and flaky at the same time. It can be tricky to find what products work best for me, but I’ve learned that moisturizing products can help to restore my skin’s hydration and reduce the added oils when used regularly. Thus, while I was hesitant to try the Oils of Life facial oil, I’m so glad I did! My skin never had a bad reaction, and instead loved this product’s hydrating properties.

I use this product after applying a facial serum. I take about 3-4 drops and gently massage the oil over my face and neck. Upon application, my skin does look greasy. However, once I go in with my moisturizer, the oil sinks deeper into my skin and the shininess goes away. I don’t use this product every day, especially in the summer months, but I know whenever I reach for this oil my skin will look and feel more hydrated. The Body Shop also claims this product can help with anti-aging and make the skin look firmer. I find that my skin does look firmer when using this oil, because any lines that appear due to dehydration are not as visible.

Overall, I absolutely love The Body Shop Oils of Life Intensely Revitalizing Facial Oil! Not only do I really enjoy the formula and product effectiveness, but I think the price point is fair. It took me about two years to completely use up a 1.7 fluid ounce bottle that retails for $55.00. While that is a large investment up front, comparable products from other high end brands begin at around $72.00! Plus, you can often get this product on sale. I recommend using Rakuten (formerly Ebates) to earn cash back on your purchase as well. I will absolutely be repurchasing this oil once I work through what I already have in my skincare stash!

You can purchase The Body Shop Oils of Life Facial Oil directly from the brand’s website.

If All My Makeup Disappeared | Rebuilding a Vegan and Cruelty Free Makeup Collection for $100

Happy Saturday! I recently saw a YouTube video from Jacks Lorraine where she built a makeup collection from scratch for $100. I really liked this idea, and wanted to share which products I would pick if all of my makeup disappeared, too. Some of the products I’m mentioning today are ones I’ve already tried and loved, and others are brand new to me. The idea is that if I only had $100 to spend, I could go out and purchase everything I needed to create the makeup looks I like. Of course, all of the products I am choosing are vegan. I hope this goes to show that being vegan can actually be extremely affordable!

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

You can use the widget below to view all of the products I’m mentioning today. Simply click on a product to purchase it online!

Primer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer | $4.99 [BUY]

While I haven’t yet tried this primer, I have a feeling it is very similar to the one I am currently enjoying from Milani, but at a smaller price point. I have large pores in my T-zone, and my skin gets oily throughout the day. I think this matte primer will tackle both of those concerns well!

Foundation | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Foundation | $5.99 [BUY]

I currently use this foundation from Wet ‘n Wild, and really enjoy it. I find this is a medium and buildable coverage, and I believe it will work well any time of year. I do find that it can enhance dry skin, but it should work well when paired with the primer I chose.

Concealer | Wet ‘n Wild Photo Focus Concealer | $3.99 [BUY]

I decided to complete my face base routine with the Wet ‘n Wild Concealer. I currently use this concealer, and I really enjoy the formula. The lightest shade matches my skin tone exactly, so while I can’t use this for highlighting, I want this in my makeup collection for covering blemishes. I also use this alone on days where I don’t want to use foundation, but have some redness to cover.

Brows | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo | $23.00 [BUY]

My one high end product in this list is my Holy Grail eyebrow product – the Brow Powder Duo from Anastasia. This is the only product I’ve used for my brows since I purchased it over a year ago. I find it is very natural looking, and does a great job at filling in my sparse but wide brows. While expensive, this product lasts forever! I’ve used the same one for nearly a year and a half now, and it still works beautifully with a lot of product remaining.

Brow Gel | e.l.f. Cosmetics Clear Brow and Lash Mascara | $2.00 [BUY]

The other half of my beloved eyebrow routine is the ultra-affordable brow gel from e.l.f. I use this clear mascara to set my powder in place, and it does a great job. I use each side of this product for about three months, which means this $2.00 eyebrow gel lasts me half a year!

Eyeshadow | ColourPop Double Entendre Pressed Powder Shadow Palette | $16.00 [BUY]

Believe it or not, but I have not tried any products from the cult favorite brand ColourPop! Now that it is  available at Ulta, that will probably change very soon. That being said, I would be very excited to add the Double Entendre Palette to my stash. This neutral eyeshadow palette contains twelve shades – cool tones, warm tones, mattes, metallics, and a satin, too! While I don’t wear eyeshadow all that often, this will be perfect for the days I wish to do so. Plus, I can easily use my concealer as an eyeshadow primer and save myself a few dollars.

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

I’ve tried seven different mascaras since I’ve gone vegan, and the best by far is the MegaLength from Wet ‘n Wild. This mascara lives up to its name, and makes my lashes very long. I find that I get fuller-looking lashes without any clumps. Even though this doesn’t add too much volume, it is my go-to mascara and I would absolutely buy it again (and again!).

Blush | e.l.f. Powder Blush Palette in Light | $6.00 [BUY]

I owned this blush palette a few years ago, and absolutely loved it. I ended up decluttering it because it was very old, but I would definitely recommend this product. The blushes from e.l.f. are extremely pigmented, and they blend really well. Plus, having a blush palette means I can wear a variety of shades, and also get a custom shade by mixing them.

Highlighter | bh Cosmetics Nude Rose Highlighter Palette | $11.99 [BUY]

I decided to go the same route with highlighters, and chose this palette from bh Cosmetics. I’ve never tried highlighters from this brand before, but the shades look absolutely gorgeous! The palette also has good reviews online, so I think this would make a great addition to my makeup stash. I’m especially loving the rosy pink shade!

Setting Powder | Pacifica Neutralizing Mattifer Soft Focus Translucent Powder | $12.00 [BUY]

To set my face I am grabbing a new favorite product from Pacifica. This powder applies easily and looks beautiful on the skin. I use a fluffy blush to set my face, and so far I think it does a great job at keeping my oil in check. I also love that this comes in a cardboard compact that can be recycled better than plastic.

Lips | Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint in Guava Berry | $5.00 [BUY]

When it comes to lip color, I typically wear a tinted lip balm or some other subtle product. I used to own a Color Quench Lip Tint from Pacifica, and used it until it expired. I would love to try another shade from this line and have it be my daily color. It’s an added bonus that this lip tint moisturizes the lips, too!

Setting Spray | The Body Shop Make-Up Setting Spray | $7.00 [BUY]

Last but not least, I will lock everything in place with this setting spray from The Body Shop. I recently started testing this, and I’m really loving it! Not only does it help keep my makeup in place, but it helps to soothe the skin with aloe vera. The mister also works very well when applying the product.

What’s not included? You may notice I don’t have an eyeliner, bronzer, or contour on this list. That’s because those are products I don’t use regularly, and could easily leave out of my daily makeup routine. I’ve made sure to pick out everything I need with my budget!

THE GRAND TOTAL: $100.95

If you’ve done the math with me, you’ll know I’m technically over my budget by $0.95. I am totally fine with that, though, because some of these products can almost always be purchased on sale or with a coupon.

Here is an example of how my prices would fall today, March 10, 2018:

  • Purchase Wet ‘n Wild Mascara in-store at Target – $2.99
  • Purchase bh Cosmetics Palette in-store at Urban Outfitters – $12.00
  • Purchase The Body Shop Setting Spray in-store – $7.00
  • Purchase everything else at Ulta online – $75.47 (using $3.50 off $15.00 coupon; free shipping at $50.00)

TOTAL: $97.46

Ta da! I’m now under budget! Today’s sales are not even that great either! Nonetheless, if all my makeup disappeared, I would be happy purchasing everything on this list for under $100.

I would love to know how you would rebuild your makeup collection!
Leave me a comment sharing your picks!

 

Support other Vegan and Cruelty Free YouTubers/Bloggers Who Have Done This Tag:

  • Jacks Lorraine: LINK
  • Unnatural Vegan: LINK
  • Too Much Tash: LINK

Shop This Blog Post with ShopStyle! Click the Photo to See all the Products Mentioned.

The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash Review | Soap Free Facial Cleanser?!

Happy Monday! Today I have a review of The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash to share with you. I’m not a brand loyalist when it comes to most skincare products, and I love trying new-to-me facial cleansers. The Body Shop is one of my favorite stores for skincare, as many of the brand’s products are vegan and suitable for sensitive skin. I was really intrigued by the Seaweed Gel Wash, as it is soap free but still designed to deep cleanse the skin. Let me share more about this product and my experience using it.

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

The Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash has an oil-free and soap-free formula that is designed to effectively remove impurities from the face. I thought this cleanser would work really well for me, as The Body Shop says it is suitable for combination/oily skin and gives a shine-free matte finish. I also like using gel cleansers with my FOREO LUNA

I’ve been using this cleanser for a couple months now, and I really like it! The cleanser does not have much of a scent, and if anything it just smells clean. My skin does feel really soft and clean after using this product, but I haven’t seen a big change in my skin at all. For instance, my skin still gets oily quite easily, so I don’t think the cleanser has helped to balance it. However, it is a nice and gentle cleanser that I enjoy using.

Overall, The Body Shop Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash is a good cleanser option if you are looking for a gentle face wash that will leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed. While I don’t think it’s a skincare game-changer, I do think it is above average, and I would consider purchasing it again in the future. This product retails for $16.50 HERE, but The Body Shop often has sales and coupons available. Make sure to shop using Ebates to earn cash back on your purchase!

What is your favorite face cleanser? Let me know in the comments!

The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover Review

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share a review of The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover with you. I purchased this product a few months ago when I was having a difficult time removing my mascara (see my full haul HERE). Since I’ve decided not to purchase makeup remover wipes for a while, a dedicated eye makeup remover was definitely needed. The Body Shop offers many vegan products, so it is one of my favorite places to buy skincare products at an affordable price. Let me share a bit more about this product with you, and let you know my experience with it.

The Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is formulated to remove all traces of makeup quickly and gently. This product is fragrance free and suitable for sensitive skin, which I really love. To use, shake the product thoroughly and apply to a cotton round. I use this regularly for removing eye makeup, but haven’t tested it much for removing lip products. Thus, my experience is based on eye makeup only.

Overall, I think this is a good eye makeup remover. I really appreciate that it is gentle and fragrance free. However, I do find that it doesn’t take off all of my mascara. Whenever I use this product, I can still see traces of mascara on my lashes. I do try to get it all off by gently massaging the cotton round on my lashes, but I avoid rubbing the eye area too vigorously. Nonetheless, I’m able to get off the majority of mascara with this product, and I also sweep the cotton round through my eyebrows quickly to dissolve my brow gel.

In the end, I do recommend The Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover if you have sensitive skin. It does a good job at removing the majority of my eye makeup, but it does not remove all traces of mascara. I would consider repurchasing this in the future, but I hope to try at least one other eye makeup remover to see how it compares. This product retails for $18.00 at The Body Shop, but make sure to shop during one of the store’s many coupon events for big savings. You can also buy this product at Ulta HERE for $15.00.

What is your favorite eye makeup remover? Let me know in the comments!

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

The Body Shop Haul | Trying New-to-Me Skincare Products

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you my most recent haul from The Body Shop. I keep a running list of all the beauty products I want to buy so that when I see a sale going on, I can grab everything at a discount. There is always some sort of promotion happening at The Body Shop, but I recently saw a 40% off flash sale on the website, so I picked up everything on my shopping list! Everything I purchased this time around is new-to-me and vegan. As I show you what I got, please let me know in the comments if you would like a full review once I’ve tested the product.

Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream [BUY]

I recently used up the only CC cream in my beauty stash, so I really wanted to get a replacement for it. I love wearing a light base in the summer months, and the Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream sounds perfect for my skin type. This BB Cream is designed to provide lightweight and non-sticky coverage, all while drying to a matte finish. My skin gets very oily throughout the day, so I’m really glad this product is designed to stay matte. I got the shade Light, and I think it will be a great match for me.

Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover [BUY]

I also really needed a makeup remover, as I’ve had a difficult time removing my mascara lately. The Camomile Waterproof Eye & Lip Makeup Remover should do the trick! I love that it is unscented and suitable for sensitive skin. Plus, it was carefully packaged in a plastic bag during shipping so it wouldn’t spill. I hope this makeup remover will get that mascara off with ease!

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask [BUY]

The next product is one I also really wanted to buy, and that is the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Clay Mask. With the summer heat and humidity, my pores definitely get clogged more easily than in the winter. I wanted a skin treatment that would help to clean out my skin without drying it, and this product seems like it will do just that. The mask itself is bright green, so this will be a lot of fun to use!

Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash [BUY]

Since the sale promotion was so good, I decided to pick up a face cleanser as well. The cleanser I keep in the shower is almost empty, so I’ll be glad to have this on hand. I like using gel cleanser with my FOREO, so that’s the first reason I went with the Seaweed Deep Cleansing Gel Wash. I also like that this product is soap free and oil free, simply providing a gentle cleanse.

Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream [BUY]

Last but not least, I decided to purchase an eye cream. While I’ve tried a handful of eye creams in the past, I’ve never found one that actually works for me. The Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream seemed like a good fit for me, since it helps fight the first signs of aging. I’m in my late twenties, so I think this will be a nice addition to my skincare routine. In addition, I love that this does not contain harsh chemicals, so I can use this eye cream both in the morning and evening.

That wraps up this haul from The Body Shop! With the 40% off coupon code, I spent $56.10 total, making each item just over $11.00. I think that is a great price point for vegan skincare products that will last me a long time. I’ve had really great luck with products from The Body Shop in the past, and that is why I continue to shop from this store. Plus, I love shopping online so I can earn cash back with Ebates! You can sign up for Ebates for free with my referral link HERE.

What are your favorite products from The Body Shop? Let me know in the comments!

Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

Happy Monday! Today I want to share with you some beauty products that disappointed me this fall. While it’s fun to share my favorite things with you every month, I think it’s also really helpful to share the products that didn’t quite work for me. As always, it’s worth mentioning that while I don’t like these products, that doesn’t mean they won’t work for you! We all have different skin types, hair textures, and product preferences, so I will do my best to point out when I think a product’s qualities will be effective for someone other than myself. Without further ado, let’s jump right into the disappointing beauty products!

Disappointing Beauty Products | Fall 2016

HAIR

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter

The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter [BUY]

First up is a hair butter I purchased from The Body Shop. My hair type is really strange, and it’s difficult to find products that work for me. My scalp and hair are dry, but my hair also gets oily really easily. I thought the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter would help to keep my hair moisturized, but unfortunately it is way too heavy for my thin hair. I experimented with this product, sometimes leaving it on for two minutes and others leaving it on for the suggested five. No matter what, my hair was always left with a really weird feeling that I didn’t like. Unless you have really, really dry hair, I’m not sure this product is worth the hefty price tag.

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

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

My hunt for the perfect drugstore dry shampoo continues. This one from Not Your Mother’s really baffles me! I used a travel size one during my trip to Los Angeles, and I really enjoyed it, so I bought the full size when I got home. For some reason, it doesn’t work for me at all anymore! Clean Freak is supposed to instantly absorb excess oils, leave no residue, and give fresh volume to the hair. What I do like is that there is no white residue left on my hair when I use this product. Unfortunately, that is the only good thing about it! It doesn’t absorb oils, and instead it weighs down my hair and makes it look worse than it did in the first place. Basically, I feel like this dry shampoo does absolutely nothing for me.

SKINCARE

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator

The Body Shop Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator [BUY]

Next up is a facial exfoliant that I also feel is quite ineffective. When I buy a face scrub, I want it to clean my pores and remove dead skin cells from my face. At first, I really liked this Seaweed exfoliator. It leaves my face feeling really clean and soft. However, I noticed that it does not remove the dead skin cells on my face at all! I still have a lot of dry patches when I use this product. Plus, it smells really weird. I’ll probably use up this bottle, but I will not be repurchasing it. I do recommend this if you want a really gentle scrub.

MAKEUP

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil

Milani EasyBrow Automatic Pencil [BUY]

I am always on the hunt for my perfect brow product, and unfortunately the Milani EasyBrow is not the one! I was drawn to purchase this because of the spoolie brush on the end (I’m a sucker for any brow product that includes a spoolie). While I do really enjoy the color match and staying power of this pencil, my issue is that I cannot get a precise line with it. The formula is very waxy and the pencil is soft, so getting a nicely shaped brow is difficult for me. My brows are very sparse, and I need to fill them in a lot to get my desired look. Thus, if you only need a bit of added definition, this product may work well for you.

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting

ELF HD Lifting Concealer in Adjusting [BUY]

I’ve had my ups and downs with this color-correcting concealer from ELF. This was my first foray into color-correcting, so at first I thought this product was amazing. However, the more I use this concealer, the more I see its flaws. I purchased it to help cover the redness in my skin, but I find my skin absorbs the green pigmentation and the redness still shows through my final foundation routine. I’m glad I tested out this product, but I’m not happy with the results.

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain't That Sweet

ELF Smudge Pot in Ain’t That Sweet [BUY]

I got this cream eyeshadow as a free gift with my last ELF purchase. I knew this particular shadow wouldn’t be a favorite of mine because it is a pink glittery shade, but I was excited to see what the formula was like. I’m sad to report that the formula is not well done. Not only is the shadow extremely sheer, but it gathers and clumps when I attempt to apply it. The shadow also flakes off and contains some chunky glitter. This is just not a product I can recommend to anyone!

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black

ELF Volumizing & Defining Mascara in Jet Black [BUY]

Last but not least is my biggest disappointment of the bunch. I has such high hopes for this mascara from ELF, but it let me down. This mascara is very thick and heavy, and leaves my lashes really crispy. The worst thing, though, is this mascara gives me the uni-lash! In other words, my lashes all stick together in one bunch. That is just not okay with me. I tried to make it through the three month time period for this mascara, but I can’t do it. I’m happy to toss this now!

That wraps up all of my beauty product disappointments for the fall 2016 season. I hope you found this helpful if you were curious about any of these products. As I mentioned at the beginning, just because I don’t like these products doesn’t mean they won’t be beneficial for someone else. I still love shopping from all of these brands, but sometimes there are a few duds. Here’s to discovering the next awesome beauty product!

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know how they worked for you!

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

July Lifestyle Favorites!

Happy Tuesday! I can’t believe August is here and it’s time to share with you everything I loved in the month of July. This year is just flying by for me! I feel like each month ends before I can register it is beginning. Nonetheless, I discovered some new-to-me products this month that I am really loving, and I also have an older product I want to share as well. It’s time to jump right into the favorites!

July Lifestyle Favorites!

NAIL POLISH

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics – Chlorophyll [BUY]

I love this green nail polish! It is perfect for any time of year, and goes well with my skin tone. Chlorophyll is not available for purchase any longer, but I linked OCC’s nail polish collection above if you would like to see what is currently available!

MAKEUP

elf Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls

elf Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls [BUY]

I also purchased some products from elf this month that I’ll be sharing in a haul post later this week. One of my favorites so far is a highlighter that is surprisingly high quality for just $4.00! I wanted a new highlighter that is almost a gold shade, but would fit my fair complexion well. Moonlight Pearls is just perfect! I would be happy to share a full review if you are interested.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub

The Body Shop Mango Body Scrub [BUY]

I’ve been using The Body Shop scrubs for about six months now, and my favorite of all the varieties I’ve tried is the Mango. Not only does it smell amazing, but the texture is really nice, too. I love when a scrub is abrasive enough that it removes dead skin cells, but doesn’t feel painful. That is exactly what you get with this one!

FOOD

Dates

Dates

I tried dates for the first time in July, and I’ve quickly become obsessed with them! I now understand why people refer to dates as “nature’s candy.” They are gooey and sweet, and remind me of caramel! I eat around 4-6 each day as snacks in between my meals, or as dessert. They are delicious and nutritious!

ETSY SHOP

Cricket Paper Co. [SHOP]

My new favorite Etsy Sticker Shop for planner stickers is Cricket Paper Co. This shop makes kits specifically for the planner I use, the Erin Condren Horizontal, but is also quite affordable. A two-page kit costs $6.00, which is a steal compared to competitor shops. Plus, the kits include the stickers that I actually use in each spread. I will definitely be back to this shop for more!

APP

Disney Emoji Blitz

I decided to get this new game from Disney after seeing it on Good Morning America and online. It’s basically a Bejeweled style game with Disney characters! It’s a ton of fun, and it’s free, so I recommend getting it if you like these types of games.

That wraps up my favorites for the month of July! As always please share what you are currently loving with me in the comments, or on social media with the hashtag #PolishlandFaves. Is there a new nail polish you recommend? A great book you just read? Be sure to let me know!

3 Ways to Save BIG at The Body Shop!

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m going to share some of my tips to saving money at The Body Shop. I really love shopping at The Body Shop because it not only has great quality products, but it is a company focused on morality as well. The Body Shop never tests on animals, and it has a Community Trade program to ensure its ingredients are fairly sourced. The prices at The Body Shop, however, are definitely more than I would like to spend. Thus, I’ve come up with some shopping strategies to ensure I can enjoy my favorite products at a fraction of the price. I’m going to share my tricks with you today, along with my most recent purchase from The Body Shop to illustrate my points. Let’s jump into the big savings!

3 Ways to Save BIG at The Body Shop!

Tip 1: Shop with Ebates and Wait for Double Cash Back

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Ebates is a website that allows you to earn cash back on most of your online purchases. I’ve been a member for a few years now, and absolutely love it! The website is legitimate and safe, and even helps you find coupon codes. The Body Shop is typically 4% cash back, but every so often it is a promoted store at  8% cash back! I’ve even seen it go as high as 10% for special holiday sales. I wait to shop until The Body Shop is double cash back. I earned $4.54 back from my latest purchase at The Body Shop. That is so awesome! You can sign up to Ebates for free and earn a $10 gift card by using my referral link HERE.

Tip 2: Wait for a Big Sale

One of the best ways to save money is to become familiar with a store’s sales. Whenever I find a product that I love I will pay very close attention to sales. Over time a pattern will emerge, and I know when to shop to get the highest discount. At The Body Shop, my favorite sale is Buy 3, Get 3 Free. There are always sales at The Body Shop, and you can visit the website’s Offers page HERE to see the current promotions. I highly recommend waiting for the Buy 3, Get 3 Free sale, though. Here is what I purchased most recently!

The Body Shop Haul | Body ScrubsI love the body scrubs at The Body Shop, so I purchased the Cocoa Butter and Pink Grapefruit scrubs to stock up. These retail for $21 each regular price. I also wanted to get a body butter, because my skin has been very dry lately. I decided to try the Aloe Body Butter because it is fragrance free and I am sensitive to smells. This body butter is also $21.

The Body Shop Haul | Hair CareNext I picked up some new-to-me hair care items. First I grabbed the Ginger Scalp Care shampoo because I do tend to get flakes and I hope this will work well for me. This shampoo retails for $10.00. I also purchased the Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter, which is a deep conditioner. I want to ensure I’m getting a lot of moisture into my hair, and will be using this once per week. This retails for $14.

The Body Shop Haul | SkincareFinally, I got the Seaweed Pore-Cleansing Facial Exfoliator. I’m running low on my face scrub, so I wanted to have one on backup. I’m all about pore cleansing scrubs, so I’m very excited to try this! This scrub retails for $18.

For this particular purchase, I purchased the three $21.00 items, and got the other three free. You would think my total would be $63.00, but not so! My last tip explains how to save even more.

Tip 3: Sign Up for Love Your Body Rewards

Lastly, I recommend signing up for the Love Your Body Rewards program. This program costs $10.00 per year, but it pays for itself because you get a $10 coupon on your birthday. Plus, you save 10% off every purchase. There are also ways to earn points and added rewards, so I highly recommend signing up if you are a regular customer. You can learn more on The Body Shop’s website HERE.

Now that I’ve shared my tricks to saving big at The Body Shop, let’s break down my most recent purchase!

RETAIL PRICE: 21 + 21 + 21 + 10 + 14 + 18 = 105

SALE PRICE: 21 + 21 + 21 = 63

LOVE YOUR BODY PRICE: 63 x 10% = 56.70

EBATES PRICE: 56.70 x 8% = $52.16 –> total savings of 50%!

As you can see, these three simple tips add up to huge savings at The Body Shop! I know other stores sell products from The Body Shop at discounted prices, but I can always save more buying directly from the store. Plus, I can earn rewards on my purchases with Love Your Body! It’s a win for my wallet and for me – I get to use my favorite products at a discounted price. I hope you all found this post helpful! If you have any tips for saving at The Body Shop that I didn’t mention here, please share in the comments! Happy shopping!

This post is not sponsored or affiliated with The Body Shop. My link to Ebates is a referral link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

February & March Favorites! | What I’m Loving in 2016

Happy Tuesday! I’m excited to share my favorites for the months of February and March. I didn’t get the opportunity to share what I loved in February during Manicure March, so I thought I’d lump the past two months together. It actually works out perfectly because I haven’t discovered many new things to share with you. I’ve been so busy working on the blog these past couple of months, but I’ve really been enjoying it. Without further ado, let me share my favorites with you!

February & March Favorites!

SKINCARE

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser

Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve been loving the Yes to Coconut Melting Cleanser! It smells amazing, and does a great job at cleansing my face without stripping it of moisture. I don’t use this daily, but when I want a deep clean. It truly melts away my makeup! I’m definitely going to be purchasing more products from the Yes To brand in the future.

BODY CARE

The Body Shop Aloe Body ButterThe Body Shop Aloe Body Butter [BUY]

I purchased this body butter because it is fragrance free. I don’t know about you, but I’m sensitive to smells, and sometimes it’s nice to put on lotion without perfume. This body butter truly is fragrance free, and I appreciate that so much. Plus, it does an amazing job at hydrating my skin. I’m seeing a big difference in just a couple weeks of using it! I do wish it was a bit more affordable, but I’m going to grab it during sales for sure.

TV SHOWS

Fuller House

Full House is my favorite TV show of all time, so you know I was ready for Fuller House! I marathoned the series as soon as it came out, and really loved it. I got a free Netflix month just so I could watch it. I’m so glad it got picked up for a second season. It’s so fun to see the cast back in action, and I love all the new characters. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it yet!

The Family

I’ve also been loving the new show on ABC called The Family! I’m not usually into creepy TV shows, but for some reason I just had to watch this after seeing the commercials. The show follows a family in Maine. Ten years ago, the youngest son went missing, and the man who lives across the street was convicted of his murder. Then, at present day, the son reappears. Now the family is trying to catch his kidnapper. It’s so intriguing! I am always excited for a new episode.

BOOK

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera [BUY]

My favorite book of the past couple months is More Happy Than Not, a young adult contemporary with a science fiction twist. I will have a full review up for you later this month, but I wanted to share it now so you can pick it up as soon as possible! The story follows Aaron Soto, a teenager living in the Bronx. He is struggling after his father committed suicide, and trying to find his way in life. The story is not only emotional, but it is very well written. I highly recommend it!

ETSY SHOP

Pretty on Paper Co. [SHOP]

I made my first purchase from Pretty on Paper Co. back in January, and I instantly fell in love. The planner stickers in her shop are amazing quality, and I love her design aesthetic. I’ve already made a second purchase, and I will definitely be back for more! She makes amazing weekly kits, which I love using in my planner. I recommend checking out her shop! She is located in Canada, but shipping to the United States is pretty affordable.

That wraps up my February and March favorites! I hope you enjoyed seeing what I’ve been enjoying these past couple of months. As always, please share your favorites with me in the comments! I love getting recommendations from all of you. You can also use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media to share your photos. Here’s to a great April!

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.