Tag: vegan

Beauty Empties | Spring 2017

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you mini reviews of all the beauty products I used up this spring. For the past year or so, I’ve focused on using a smaller beauty collection, and only opening one product of each type at a time. I do have a numerical goal of emptying 120 products this year, but so long as I reduce my spending and focus on simplifying my beauty stash I will consider that a success! Let me show you all of the products I used up in April, May, and June of 2017.

Want to see what I used up this winter? Check out THIS blog post!

MAKEUP SAMPLES

One thing I’ve been doing to use up my beauty stash is to always use a sample first. I used to save samples for travel or for another special occasion, and they would pile up and expire before I could use them. Focusing on them as soon as I get them ensures I put them to use!

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I liked this primer, and it seemed to work well for me. I got a couple uses out of this sample packet, but I would be open to trying it more in the future. I do like how light it is on the skin!
  • Would I Buy it Again? I would like to try more before I buy the full size.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got four samples of this foundation with a Too Faced order, and I enjoyed trying them even though they are all different shades. I ended up deciding the shade Snow is closest to my natural skin tone, but it’s not a perfect match. That being said, I loved this foundation! It reminds me of Kat Von D’s Lock-it, but a bit lighter in coverage.
  • Would I Buy it Again? I would if Too Faced released a better shade for me.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I‘ve loved Smashbox primers for years now, and recently discovered they are vegan! You can check out the full list of vegan Smashbox products HERE if you’re interested. This is a great primer, but I do prefer the Light version, which is more mattifying. Nonetheless, I love this primer as it smooths out my skin and helps conceal enlarged pores.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! However, I would buy the Light version over this one.

MAKEUP

e.l.f. 3-in-1 Mascara [BUY]

  • Mini Review: This is the second e.l.f. mascara I’ve tried, and it is the second to disappoint me. When I opened this mascara, I knew right away it was going to be bad – barely any product came off the brush! I would describe this as better than wearing no mascara, but that’s about it. Plus, this mascara dried up extremely quickly. It may only be a few dollars, but it was a wasted few dollars.
  • Would I Buy it Again? No!

Physician’s Formula Organic Wear CC Cream [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I absolutely loved this CC Cream! It has amazing coverage, lasts throughout the day, and provides moisturization to the skin without being too oily. Unfortunately, this product is not vegan, so I won’t be purchasing it again. I am now on the hunt for another BB or CC cream.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I made sure to use up my travel size of setting spray before it expired. This is a holy grail product for me! I will also keep this container so I can wash it out and reuse it for future travel. It is much more cost effective to decant the bigger size than to repurchase a travel size.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using a full size bottle.

e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I got this setting powder to replace my Rimmel Stay Matte, and while it isn’t as good as that powder, it still gets the job done. I love how cost effective this powder is, but I do wish there was less packaging involved. I am going to reuse this compact because it has a nice size mirror inside!
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another compact.

SKINCARE

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Wipes [BUY]

  • Mini Review: You all know by now that I love these makeup remover wipes! I repurchase them because the price point is great, and I love how they work. I am going to try to cut down on how I often I use these wipes, since I’m cutting down on disposable products in general. However, these are great for removing makeup and cooling the skin.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost [BUY]

  • Mini Review: It took me forever to use up this product! I originally purchase it because I thought it was a serum, but this is more of a primer that you use after moisturizer and before makeup. I did like this product, but I was very glad to empty it because it had been in my collection a bit too long.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Maybe.

Acure Brightening Facial Scrub [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I found this scrub at Target, and I really like it! The texture almost reminds me of sand, but it does a nice job at exfoliating the skin without being too harsh. I was ready to try out a new product as I finished this tube, but I’m still happy with how it performed.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Maybe, but I do enjoy trying new scrubs.

Dollar Shave Club Daily Face Moisturizer (not pictured) [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I used up a small sample of moisturizer that I got with a Dollar Shave Club subscription. I apologize that it didn’t get pictured for some reason! I liked this moisturizer a lot, as it has SPF25 and smells amazing. It was a bit too heavy for my skin, but if you like deep hydration, this is a great option.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Perhaps in the winter months.

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I finally finished up my non-vegan deodorant stash! I had purchased a pack of Dove deodorant at a box store because this was my go-to for years. This was the only deodorant from the drugstore that I really loved, but I’m now on the hunt for a good vegan option. Stay tuned to find out what my new holy grail will be!

HAIR CARE

CVS Therapeutic Dandruff Shampoo [BUY]

  • Mini Review: The one non-vegan product I continue to purchase is this medicated shampoo. I thankfully don’t need to use it as often in the summer months, but it gets the job done when I need it. No one likes an itchy and uncomfortable scalp!

ORAL CARE

Tom’s of Maine Wicked Fresh Flouride Toothpaste [BUY]

  • Mini Review: I really liked using this toothpaste! I thought the spearmint flavor would be a bit stronger based on the name, but there’s nothing I really dislike about the toothpaste.
  • Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m already using another tube.

SPRING EMPTIES: 18

TOTAL 2017 EMPTIES: 35

All in all, I am very happy with how many products I’ve used up even though I’m way behind on my goal of 120 empties. I’ve done a great job at using up samples, minimizing my collection, and not overbuying products. Plus, I’m at the point where I only have a few non-vegan products left to use up! Once they are all gone I plan on sharing a makeup and skincare collection so you can know what I’m currently using.

What products have you used up lately? Let me know in the comments!

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

 

Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! After being a huge fan of Amy’s Rice Mac & Cheeze (see full review HERE), I decided to try out the Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada. I was really in the mood for some enchiladas, so when I saw this option at the grocery store I picked it up! Unfortunately, this meal was not a hit for me. Let me tell you why I won’t buy it again.

As with the Rice Mac & Cheeze, the Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada is vegan and gluten free. It contains two enchiladas, with a combined 10 grams of protein. The enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, black beans, tofu, and vegetables. As with all Amy’s products, I appreciate the clear labeling on the box so I know it is certified vegan. It’s always nice when I don’t have to read any ingredients!

Unfortunately, the enchiladas were a bit of a disappointment for me. The main reason is because they did not heat up well in the microwave. Even though I followed the heating instructions, the tortillas were hard as a rock after cooking – I couldn’t even cut through them easily with a steak knife! I also found that the filling was not evenly distributed in the enchiladas. More importantly, the enchiladas didn’t taste all that great to me. They were okay, but they were not as flavorful or filling as I would like. When I pair the lackluster taste with the poor cooking result, I would not buy these enchiladas again, especially considering the price tag of $3.69.

All in all, I’m glad I tried out the Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada so I could share my thoughts on this product with you! I am still a big fan of the Amy’s brand, and will continue to purchase and enjoy other products. These enchiladas just did not work for me. After this fail, I decided to make my own enchiladas, and found THIS amazing recipe from the blog Full of Beans. It was 100% worth my time and effort, and now I have a new recipe to add to my repertoire.

Have you tried the Amy’s Black Bean Vegetable Enchilada? Let me know in the comments!

Does Natural Deodorant Work?! | Tom’s of Maine Natural Long Lasting Deodorant Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I’m excited to share my thoughts on the Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant with all of you. I’ve wanted to switch to a natural deodorant for some time now, and even tried doing so a couple times in the past few years without any success. However, now that I’m vegan, I’ve noticed that the majority of vegan deodorants happen to be natural as well. I figured I would finally commit to going natural, as there are some concerns that the chemicals used traditional deodorants and antiperspirants can lead to cancer (more information on that HERE). I decided to give Tom’s of Maine a try, since this is a brand readily available at drugstores. Does this natural deodorant work? I’ll let you know what I experienced!

Tom’s of Maine has a variety of deodorants from which to choose, and I went with the Long Lasting Deodorant in Unscented. This deodorant claims to have 24-hour odor protection, and I love that it is cruelty free and doesn’t contain any animal ingredients. This product also does not contain artificial colors, flavors, fragrance, or preservatives. There is no aluminum in this deodorant either, which is the controversial ingredient in the majority of deodorants on the market today.

I’ve used this deodorant for about two months now, and overall I’m really enjoying it. This is not an antiperspirant, so it does not prevent you from sweating. However, I haven’t had any issues with sweating more than I did with chemical deodorants, nor have I noticed any sweat stains on my clothing. That definitely makes me wonder how well the chemical antiperspirants worked in the first place!

Of course, the more important factor when it comes to natural deodorants is how well it prevents odor. I will tell you right away that this does not live up to the 24-hour protection claim. I would say the deodorant provides about 10-12 hours of odor protection, as I apply the deodorant in the morning, and when I sniff my armpits at night I can tell the deodorant has worn off. That being said, this deodorant is amazing at neutralizing odor. If my armpits are smelly, I can reapply the deodorant and the smell immediately disappears. Thus, even though the deodorant is not as long-lasting as it claims to be, I love that I can reapply it throughout the day for odor protection.

All in all, I am very happy with the Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant. I do wish it would last the full 24-hour period, but I have no problem applying it twice per day if needed. I have repurchased this deodorant, but I do plan to try out other natural deodorants to see how they compare. I love the Tom’s of Maine brand, as it is widely available and on the affordable side. This deodorant retails for about $4.79, but is often on sale. I even got $1.00 cash back using the app Ibotta recently. You can purchase it online HERE from Target, or at your local drugstore or department store.

Do you have a favorite natural deodorant? Let me know in the comments!

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

How to Get FREE Makeup at CVS!

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I’m excited to share with you how I get makeup for free at CVS. I know a lot of people, like myself, are on a tight budget, and the thought of transitioning to a vegan lifestyle can be a daunting one financially. There are many options for fabulous and affordable vegan makeup at the drugstore, and I even get some of mine for absolutely free. The tips I’m going to share with you today can be applied whether or not you are buying vegan makeup, but I wanted to share with you how budget-friendly vegan makeup can be. Let’s jump right into my savings tips!

This post is not sponsored. I am in no way affiliated with CVS Pharmacy. I simply want to share my savings tips with all of you!

The first step to getting free makeup at CVS is to sign up for the drugstore’s rewards program. The ExtraCare program is free to join, and it gives you access to sale prices, coupons, and ExtraBucks rewards, which is essentially free money to shop at CVS. Once you are signed up for the ExtraCare program, make sure you opt-in to the CVS emails and snail mail. You can see your account settings or sign up for the ExtraCare program on the CVS website HERE. It’s important to opt-in to the CVS emails at the very least, as that is where I get the majority of coupons.

The next step is to check your CVS email for coupons that can be applied to beauty purchases. Here is a screenshot from an email I received a few weeks ago in May. As you can see, I got a coupon for $2.00 off my in-store beauty purchase. All you need to do is click where it says ‘Get coupon’ and you can either print out the coupon or save it to your ExtraCare card. I always save the coupon to my card so I don’t need to use printer paper or ink. When the cashier scans my card at checkout, I tell him or her I want to use the coupons saved to my card!

Now that you have your coupon, head to CVS for some shopping! My favorite makeup brands at CVS include e.l.f., Wet ‘n Wild, and Milani. Not only are these brands extremely affordable, but they all offer vegan makeup selections that are very good quality. On this shopping trip in particular, I decided to grab the e.l.f. Clear Brow and Lash Mascara. This is one of my all-time favorite products, and I use it daily. It retails for $2.00, so I got it completely free with my coupon! Thus, to get free makeup at CVS, simply use the coupons emailed to you to buy products!

You are also going to want to sign up for the CVS Beauty Club. This is another free rewards program specifically for beauty products. In addition to earning $5.00 in ExtraBucks for every $50.00 you spend on beauty, you also get $3.00 in ExtraBucks on your birthday! New members also get a 10% off shopping pass after signing up for the club. I really love the CVS Beauty Club, because I am essentially getting free money to spend at CVS just by purchasing products I would buy anyway. You can sign up for the Beauty Club on the CVS website HERE.

Now that you’ve scored some free makeup at CVS, would you like to make a little money, too? Of course you would! I recently signed up for the cash back app called Ibotta after hearing about it for years. Ibotta is really easy to use – you simply select the store you shopped at, pick the items you bought, and take a picture of your receipt. You then earn cash back on your purchases! You often get $0.25 back just for scanning any receipt, but if you also purchase a qualifying item on the app, you will get more cash back, too. If you are not yet a member, please sign up with my referral link HERE and you will get a $10.00 cash bonus when you redeem your first rebate!

That wraps up my tips for scoring free makeup at CVS! This week I got a $1.00 off coupon, and used it to get an eyeliner from e.l.f. for free. If you would like to see my couponing hauls regularly, make sure to follow me on Instagram HERE where I post sale alerts and my purchases, mainly on the Instagram Story feature. I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments.

What are your favorite beauty products at CVS? Let me know in the comments!

Campbell’s Well Yes! Italian Vegetables with Farro Soup Review

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I’m reviewing another vegan food product for all of you, and this time I have some soup! I’m always on the hunt for a good soup to have on hand in the pantry, and I discovered that one of the new Well Yes! soups from the brand Campbell’s is vegan. I thought the Italian Vegetables with Farro sounded delicious, so I grabbed a can and got to eating. Let me share my thoughts on this soup with all of you!

Well Yes! is a line of soups from Campbell’s that are created with nutrition in mind. I absolutely love the clear labeling on these cans, which states whether the soup is vegan or vegetarian, and also shares that the can is BPA free and the soup is made without preservatives. The Italian Vegetables with Farro is the only variety of Well Yes! I found that is vegan, but I’m excited that Campbell’s has at least one soup directly catering to vegans. This soup in particular features tomatoes, white beans, carrots, red peppers, and zucchini. Each serving has 4 grams of protein, which could definitely be better.

The first thing I noticed about the soup is how amazing it smells upon opening the can! The soup has a really nice flavor, and I like the ratio of vegetables to beans to grains. On its own, the soup is not very filling. The broth is definitely on the thin side, and that was the main drawback for me. I felt like the soup was not a complete meal on its own, partly because the broth is so light, but also because I would like a more nutritious meal. Thus, I repurchased the soup and added it to some whole wheat pasta as a sauce. That was an okay idea, but it still wasn’t great. Overall, although I think the soup is tasty, it’s not something I would have on a regular basis. Instead, I would keep it on hand for sick days, or days when I’m really in a pinch for a meal.

I hope this review of Campbell’s Well Yes! Italian Vegetables with Farro Soup was helpful to you! I purchased this can for $2.49, which is more than I would like to spend for prepared soup. As I mentioned, this is a nice item to have on hand in the pantry, but I would not eat it regularly. I am very glad that Campbell’s made this vegan option, and I hope the brand will release more vegan soups in the future!

What is your favorite kind of soup? Let me know in the comments! 

My 3 Makeup Routines | No Makeup, Some Makeup, & Full Face Days

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I thought it would be fun to share with you the three makeup routines that I do on a regular basis. I recently realized that I pretty much use the same products on a daily basis, but they do change depending on the makeup look I’m going for each day. I have three looks that I rotate depending on my mood, and those are No Makeup, Some Makeup, and Full Face Makeup. I’m going to share with you the products I wear for each of these occasions, and also share how I can easily change things up to fit whatever mood I’m in at the moment.

NO MAKEUP 

If someone asked me if I ever left the house without makeup, I would have to give an answer of yes and no. That’s because even when I’m not wearing any makeup, there are still two products I put on my face. The first is a mattifying powder. My skin gets very oily throughout the day, and a setting powder helps to ensure I don’t turn into a greasy mess. Plus, even a translucent powder can help blur enlarged pores and decrease redness. I am currently using the e.l.f. Translucent Mattifying Powder, and it’s a great drugstore option. If I’m going to be out all day, or if the weather is especially humid, I will also use the Urban Decay De-Slick to help control oil as well. Thus, even on No Makeup days, I’m always wearing at least one makeup product.

SOME MAKEUP

Next up there are days when I want to wear some makeup, but I don’t want to put on a whole face for one reason or another. This makeup routine expands to include a face primer, stick foundation, and my eyebrow routine. I’m currently really enjoying the MAKE Face Primer with SPF 30, as it creates a nice base with sun protection. I think the e.l.f. Moisturizing Foundation Stick is perfect for this makeup look, as it is a no-fuss product that is easy to apply, yet provides a nice light to medium coverage for my skin. Sometimes I replace this with a BB Cream, as that is also a lighter coverage. Additionally, I like to fill in my brows as mine are quite sparse, and brows frame the face. Once I fill in my brows I immediately look much more polished, even if I’m not wearing any other makeup products. My routine at the moment includes the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Taupe and the e.l.f. Clear Lift Brow and Lash Mascara.

FULL FACE DAYS

Finally, I have my Full Face makeup days. I will be the first to point out that what is a full face of makeup for me is likely going to be different for you. I don’t wear eyeshadow, eyeliner, or contouring products on a regular basis, but they will sneak into my routine on rare occasions. My typical full face of makeup begins with a medium to full coverage liquid foundation. I’m currently loving the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation, which I think is worth the splurge. I also use a blush and highlighter product to liven up my face. The Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush shades are my go to at the moment, as they blend beautifully. I also love the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in the shade Blush Gems, which I apply with a damp BeautyBlender. The only added product for my eyes is mascara, and I’m currently using Too Faced Better Than Sex, which I’m not loving. The last step in my routine is adding a lip color, and I’m obsessed with the Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss. This gloss adjusts to be the perfect shade for you, and I get a pretty pink!

That wraps up the three makeup routines I do on a regular basis. Whether I’m going makeup free, putting on a full face, or doing something in between, I hope this helped give you a good idea of the products I use on the daily. If you are interested in a full review of any of the products I mentioned today, let me know in the comments! I would also love to know if you have different makeup routines that you change up as well!

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

The Best Skincare Products for Summer

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

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

Derma e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub [LINK]

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

Evian Facial Spray [LINK]

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

MAKE Face Primer SPF 30 [LINK]

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

Derma e Hydrating Serum [LINK]

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

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray [LINK]

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

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

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

Marshalls Haul | Vegan Food & Beauty

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Food Friday! Today I have a haul to share with you. I recently went to Marshalls for the first time in quite a while, and I couldn’t believe my luck. I discovered a plethora of vegan food products, and some vegan beauty products, too! While I knew Marshalls sold some food, I had no idea my local store had expanded to include a few isles of goodies, many of which are vegan. There were so many tasty treats available that I had to limit myself to a few things. I’m so excited to share with you my vegan haul from Marshalls!

FOOD

Cybele’s Free To Eat Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies – $3.99

This box of cookies started the haul for me. When I saw vegan Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookies on the shelf I just knew I had to try them. These cookies are from the brand Cybele’s, which specializes in products that are free of the top eight allergens. I’ve already tried all of the food products in this blog post, and I’m happy to report I really enjoyed these cookies. They were such a nice treat, and I think the price was good for a box of 12 cookies considering this is a boutique brand. I stopped by the brand’s website and there are coupons available HERE if you would like to try them for a discounted price!

The GFB Gluten Free Bites in Dark Chocolate Coconut – $3.99

Next I grabbed this bag of Gluten Free Bites in the flavor Dark Chocolate Coconut. I’m sure you will notice that many of the vegan products I feature on the blog also happen to be gluten free, but I do not eat a gluten free diet. It just so happens these two dietary restrictions overlap in many specialized foods! I thought these bites sounded delicious, and I was right. It felt like eating cookie dough, and I loved the coconut outside with a gooey inside. Plus, two bites have 4 grams of protein, which is pretty good in a mini snack. I also saved a dollar buying this product at Marshalls, as a bag retails for $5.00 on the brand’s website HERE.

Pereg Quinoa with Spinach – $2.99

The last food item I purchased was a Quinoa with Spinach packet from Pereg Natural Foods. I needed to get at least one meal option instead of snack food, right?! This quinoa was really tasty, and very easy to make as it comes with all the spices pre-mixed into the packet. I am surprised to learn that this product sells for $4.80 on the brand’s website HERE, meaning I saved nearly $2.00 by shopping at Marshalls! I also got two meals out of this, stretching my dollar even further. First, I made the quinoa for dinner and sautéed some broccoli and garlic to make complete the meal. I then finished the leftovers for lunch the next day by adding the quinoa to a salad for added protein! I would definitely buy this product again, perhaps try the other flavors as well.

BEAUTY

Eco Tools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths – $2.99

Last but not least, I stopped by the beauty section to see if there were any products I needed to try. I found a lot of great vegan options, but limited myself to one new-to-me product. I purchased a pack of the Eco Tools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths because I thought they were an amazing price at $2.99. As it turns out, I got a great steal! These clothes retail for $6.99 on the brand’s website HERE. I saved $4.00 by shopping at Marshalls. I think this is because Eco Tools has new packaging for this product, so the products with the old packaging are now discounted. I’m so excited to use these cleansing cloths whenever I travel, or perhaps on days where I really need a clean brush but don’t have the time for a complete cleansing session. I’ll be sure to report back once I’ve tested these!

That wraps up my latest Marshalls Haul! I still cannot believe I found all of these vegan products for such great prices. I know some people are wary about buying food at stores like Marshalls, but so long as you check the expiration dates and ensure the packaging is in good shape you shouldn’t have any problems. All of the food I purchased was well within the expiration dates, and they tasted fresh! If you are struggling to find some treats that meet your dietary restrictions, I highly recommend seeing what your local Marshalls has to offer. I know I will be going back whenever I’m in the mood to try a new product, especially a yummy treat like cookies!

What unexpected finds have you discovered at Marshalls? Let me know in the comments!

Zoya Charming Collection for Spring 2017 | Nail Polish & Lipstick Swatches

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! Today I am excited to share with you the Zoya Charming Collection for Spring 2017. This collection contains six new nail polishes with fresh cream and dewy micro-sparkle formulas. Zoya also released a brand new Perfect Lipstick in the collection called Violette. This post will include swatches and a full review of the entire Charming Collection.

All of the swatches in this blog post were photographed in natural sunlight. I am wearing a base coat under each polish, but no top coat in any of the photos.

The Charming Collection begins with Jordan, a pastel pink polish with a cream formula. Jordan has a good formula, but as with many pastel polishes I did need three coats for full opacity. I am absolutely loving this pink shade! It looks great with my fair skin tone, but I think it will look beautiful with deeper complexions as well.

The next cream formula is Abby, a pastel purple shade. Abby has an excellent formula that applies smoothly and is opaque in two coats. This lavender purple shade has been a go-to of mine for many years now, and I’m excited to add Abby to my stash after getting rid of my old and non-vegan shades. I’m also loving how glossy this polish is with no top coat needed!

The last cream shade is Tina, what Zoya calls an amethyst purple. Tina also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. While this is not a unique nail polish shade, it is definitely a nice polish for any time of year. If Abby was a bit too light for you, Tina is a darker option for sure.

Next up we have the three micro-sparkle polishes in the collection, starting with Millie, a violet shade. Millie also has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. I’m not a big fan of shimmery polishes, but I think the micro-sparkle options are just gorgeous! Millie has a lot of sparkle and dimension that shine bright in the sunlight.

Lacey is a light green micro-sparkle that reminds me of mermaids! This polish has a sheerer formula, and I applied three coats to get a full coverage look. Lacey is not my personal cup of tea, but the polish is still excellent quality and I definitely recommend it if you love the shade!

The last nail polish in the line is Amira, a light blue micro-sparkle. As with Lacey, Amira is on the sheer side and needs three coats for opacity. I think this blue polish is just gorgeous, and I like the green and purple accents with the sparkles in the polish. Amira would also work well in the winter, as the polish shade reminds me of the sparkling snow!

Finally, Zoya released a brand new Perfect Lipstick with the Charming Collection. Violette is an amethyst purple and has a cream finish. When I first saw Violette, I thought it would be too bright and look terrible on me. Imagine my surprise when this shade not only looked great with my complexion, but turned out to be quite wearable! Violette is still outside of my lipstick comfort zone, but I hope to wear it again very soon.

All in all, I’m really loving the Zoya Nail Polish Charming Collection for Spring 2017! I apologize for the delay in sharing my review, but I hope you enjoyed my post nonetheless. My favorites in the collection are Jordan and Abby, but all of the polishes and the lipstick are excellent quality. The Charming Collection is currently available for purchase on Zoya’s website HERE. Polishes are $10 each and lipsticks are $12 each, but keep an eye on Zoya’s social media for sales and coupons.

Which Zoya Charming shade is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

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

Beauty Favorites | Spring 2017

Posted on 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.