Quantcast
Channel: The Budget Beauty Blog
Viewing all 1741 articles
Browse latest View live

NYC Cosmetics Beautyifying Blushable BB Cream Stick Review and Swatches

$
0
0
A few days ago, I posted about the new Limited Edition Spring 2015 collection from NYC Cosmetics and reviewed a new shade of the Twistable Intense Lip Color (see that post here) and today, I wanted to share some swatches of the new Beautifying Blushable BB Cream Sticks.  So let's take a look...

These technically aren't new...they were actually discontinued a while ago (why?? I'll never understand) and I'm so glad they're back because they're amazing. They've been renamed too...they used to be called Blushable Cream Sticks and now they've added in the word "Beautifying", making it BB (Beautifying Blushable Cream Stick). 
These two shades were in the Limited Edition display at Kmart, so I'm not sure how long they'll stick around.  The first one is called Soho Pink (001) and it's a beautiful mauve-y rose shade.  The second shade is called Never Sleeping Pink (002) and it's a bright coral pink. 

They come in a twistable stick form and they glide on so soft and easily with a ridiculous amount of pigment! Check these swatches out...
Left: Soho Pink 001/ Right: Never Sleeping Pink 002
They blend out easily for a sheer pop of color, so don't worry that you'll end up with clown cheeks. These are hands-down my favorite blush sticks at the drugstore...maybe anywhere for that matter. They last a long time, come with a lot of product in the tube, are super easy to use, and are highly pigmented. I like them way better than Maybelline's Master Glaze blushes because these aren't as dewy...they dry down to a velvety matte finish and they also last longer.
Unfortunately, I don't remember how much I paid for them, but I believe it was around $3 each...they're a steal!
Run to your local Kmart to grab these before they're gone. If you've seen this display anywhere other than Kmart, please post a comment below.  I know that not all readers live near a Kmart, so it would be awesome to know about any other stores that might be carrying this display right now!


Earn money just for shopping online:



NEW BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Aqua Gloss

$
0
0
BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Aqua Gloss ($9.95, Currently $4.95) is a brand new nude gloss collection that naturally hydrates and nourishes your lips.  Let's take a look!

 Forever Nude Aqua Gloss comes in 8 shades and Kalperiane (brown algae), jojoba, and Vitamin E, and is supposed to be high shine, pigment-rich, non-sticky and long wearing.  It's also supposed to flatter all skin tones.

Let's take a closer look at the shades:
Honeysuckle

Scone
Chai Latte

Glazed Pecan
Praline

Cinnamon Stick

Nutmeg
You can purchase BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Aqua Gloss for only $4.50 right now (it's 50% off) but it's regular price is $9.95 so if you're interested, definitely get it soon!

Also, if you're an Ebates member, you'll get 7.5% cash back on everything you buy at BH Cosmetics. Just make sure to visit the Ebates site first and follow the link to the BH Cosmetics website to earn the cash in your Paypal account.

What do you think of these new shades?  I admit I'm very curious to see what they're like...and I love nude lip glosses!
icon
icon

Create Your Perfect Foundation With Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

$
0
0
Have you ever wished you could create your own foundation that had the perfect texture, finish, and amount of coverage?  I think about it all the time! I have really dry skin and foundations tend to cling to dry patches, settle into lines, and make my skin look older.  I used to wish that my primers could act as foundation because they fill in my pores and lines and give my skin an airbrushed look, but they don't have coverage.  Well, that wish is now a reality!
                                        
Cover FX has just introduced Custom Cover Drops ($44, Sephora). This is pure pigment in a bottle that can be mixed with absolutely any face product! You can mix it with your favorite moisturizer, primer, face serum, tinted moisturizer, beauty oils, or foundation. You can even mix it with body lotion (hello, perfect legs!). It's totally genius and easy to use. Use 1 drop for sheer coverage, 2 drops for medium coverage, and 3 drops for full coverage.  It comes in 24 shades for all undertones so there's a really broad range.  I'm ready to go down to Sephora and pick this up today!

Here's a short 2 minute video that talks about how it works: 


         
To purchase, or see reviews, please visit Sephora.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadow Review and Swatches

$
0
0
I was so happy with my last Colourpop Super Shock Shadows ($5), I decided to order more! I originally ordered four matte shades and posted a review and swatches (see them here) so this time, I ordered some shimmery metallic shades (and a few mattes), while still sticking to neutral colors that I would wear. 

One of the really nice things about Colourpop (and there are many) is that they always include a handwritten note with your order.  This one was particularly cute so I had to share it.  It's a little hard to read the handwriting, but it says, "How to speak Irish: Whale, Oil, Bee, Look, Hay (say it fast)" Well I'll be lucky!  Haha.  So cute.


Last time, I posted a more in-depth review of the formula so I don't want to be redundant for those who have read my other review.  But in a nutshell, these are cream-to-powder formulas that have a bouncy, playdough like texture and they're super soft, easy to blend, and incredibly long lasting! They don't crease or fade all day...they're just amazing.
Top Row: On the Rocks, Amaze, Hustle
Bottom Row: I Heart This, To-a-T, So Quiche
I Heart This- Cool-toned silvery taupe with multi-colored glitter (metallic).
So Quiche- A soft olive with a highly reflective gold and pink violet glittery duo chrome metallic finish (metallic).
Hustle- A burgundy violet with a satin finish (satin).
Amaze- Metallic Rose Gold with Multi-Colored, Multi-Dimensional Glitter (metallic).
On the Rocks- A vibrant true bronze with gold and violet glitter.
To-a-T-  A mid-tone warm brown in a matte finish (matte).
so quiche, i heart this, hustle, amaze, on the rocks, to-a-t

Overall I'm loving the metallic shades just as much as the mattes! What are your favorite Colourpop Super Shock shadow colors? To order, please visit Colourpop.com

Beauty Bargain: Essence Lip Liners Review and Swatches

$
0
0
I rarely get to go to Ulta since the closest store is a 45 minute drive for me, but the other day I decided to make the trip. I needed some lip liners and spotted these Essence ones for only $1.49, so I picked up a few. I admit I wasn't expecting too much from such an inexpensive lip liner, but these are actually quite awesome...take a look!
essence lip liner swatches
These liners are the wooden pencil kind that have to be sharpened. I usually stay away from this type because they're usually dry and tug on my lips when I go to apply them. But these are surprisingly creamy and soft! I lined and filled in my lips and just wore these as lipstick with a dab of lip balm on top. If your lips aren't super dry like mine, you may not even need the lip balm.
The colors I got are Cute Pink and Satin Mauve. I like them both but Satin Mauve is my favorite. Lately I've been really drawn to mauve-y type shades...I find that they're still natural looking but don't wash me out like nudes do.
Cute Pink, Satin Mauve
Here they are on my lips.  They have great wear time since they're liners, but I did have to reapply my lip balm once during the day.
essence lip liner satin mauve

essence lip liner cute pink

Overall, these are a great budget find!  I really want to pick up some more shades now...but I'll have to wait until my next Ulta trip (or online haul).

You can purchase these for $1.49 at Ulta.com


It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Bronzing Cream for Summer 2015

$
0
0
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Bronzing Cream ($38, Ulta) is brand new for Summer 2015 and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  As a huge fan of the original CC+ Cream, I was super excited to try the new CC+ Illumination last week (see my post here) and now there's a bronzing version! Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited? 

This gives full, flawless bronzing coverage, protects the skin with a physical only SPF 50+ sunblock, and is clinically proven to improve the skin's texture and hydration.  It's packed with anti-aging ingredients: peptides, niacin, Vitamins A, C, B, and E, Hyaluronic Acid, and hydrolyzed collagen.

I think I'll definitely switch over to this version when the warmer weather hits...I love the idea of a bronzer/foundation combo because powder bronzers tend to look muddy on me and I try to stay away from powders in general because I have dry skin.

What about you? Do you want to try the new CC+ Bronzing? You can purchase it at Ulta.com


Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain Metallic Review & Swatches

$
0
0
Hard Candy All Glossed Up Hydrating Lip Stain ($5, Walmart) has been around a while, but they introduced four metallic shades this past fall and somehow I missed them! Metallic lips are definitely a trend this Spring with Too Faced releasing the new Melted Metal Lipsticks and Milani coming out with their Fierce Foils so I really wanted to try this one to see if it could be a good budget option for you guys. Let's take a look...
These look extremely similar to the original All Glossed Up pencils except this one has a cap that's the same color as the rest of the packaging and the original has a clear cap.  Also, these have a shiny chromed finish to them...they're really very pretty and eye-catching.  They come in four shades and I chose Zappy to try first, although I was torn between that, Mystic and Perky!


I admit that I definitely have a weakness for chubby pencils...for some reason I always have to buy them when I see them.  These are twist-up and don't have to be sharpened, which is always nice! They have no scent or flavor whatsoever which is great for those who are sensitive to fragrances.  I believe the original All Glossed Up pencils have a minty flavor so I was surprised that these don't have it.
Zappy

Zappy is a beautiful blue-based fuchsia pink with a good amount of shimmer in it. I thought it would feel really gritty but it actually doesn't! There's just the very slightest hint of grittiness when you rub your lips together but it's almost not even noticeable. This formula glides on so easily, like a cushiony balm with tons of shine like a gloss.
Zappy
The formula claims to hydrate and stain your lips at the same time, which is almost unheard of since stains are notoriously drying. This does indeed stain your lips but it's not as intense or as long lasting as a true lip stain. Once the gloss wears off after an hour or two this leaves color behind for another several hours. Around hour 6, I noticed that it had faded in the center of my lips so at that point it was time to reapply. I don't know if all the shades are that long lasting since lighter shades don't typically have a lot of staying power but this is a pretty bold shade and is very pigmented.
Look how bright this is on my lips...woah!
Zappy
Here you can see it in a full face shot. It's definitely bright but somehow wearable at the same time. I'm not a fan of glittery or bold makeup but I'm digging this, especially for Spring and Summer.

Overall, I'm impressed with this formula...while it doesn't stain your lips all day, I got several hours of wear out of it and my lips stayed comfortable and hydrated. I actually prefer that to a long-lasting but dryer formula any day! Now I want to try some more shades, both metallic and the original ones.
Have you tried these yet?

My Top 10 Favorite Beauty Products For March

$
0
0
March brought us some really great products and my total number of reviews for the month was 35! So I wanted to round up my 10 favorites (although it's really hard to choose because there were a lot of great things on the list)!

It Cosmetics CC+ Illumination, EvoDerma Noome, Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 2, Colourpop Super Shock Cheeks

First, It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Illumination was an improvement on a formula I was already obsessed with (and I didn't think it could get any better).  I love the new glowy finish!

Next, the EvoDerma Noome  is an anti-aging device that's non-invasive and feels amazing.  I look forward to my facial massage each night, while I smooth wrinkles and firm my skin at the same time!

The Makeup Revolution Iconic Pro 2 palette proved to be an exact dupe for Lorac's Pro 2 palette at a fraction of the price!

This month, I tried a lot of Colourpop products and loved them all! But my favorite had to be these three Super Shock Cheek blushes...they're just gorgeous.  I also reviewed the BB Blush Sticks from NYC and the Ombre Baked Blush from Hard Candy which I also loved, so it was hard to choose. But these edged those out just a little bit.

L'oreal La Palette Nude 2, Makeup Revolution Radiant Lights Palette, Hard Candy Glamoflauge Foundation, Hard Candy Fierce Effects Argan Lip Gloss
I was so excited that the L'oreal La Palette Nudes finally came out.  I reviewed both La Palette Nude 1 and La Palette Nude 2, but I liked 2 a little bit more due to the matte finishes and cooler toned shades. 

Makeup Revolution's Radiant Lights palette was an almost spot-on dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Lights palette at a way more affordable price.  I use this every day...I'm in love! 

Hard Candy's Glamoflauge Foundation was a surprise for me...I expected it to be heavy like the concealer but it's super lightweight yet delivers amazing coverage. 

Hard Candy's Fierce Effects Argan Lip Glosses were beautiful and had an amazingly hydrating formula.  I fell in love with both the intense shades and the sheers, especially the sheer Black Rose which looked black in the tube but surprised me by being a beautiful dark raspberry shade. 


Elf Elsa Snow and Ice Eyeshadow Palette, Skinfood Black Sugar Mask.
Another surprise this month was the Elf Elsa Snow and Ice Eyeshadow palette.  I saw this at Walgreens and didn't think too much of it at first...until I swatched it.  It had incredible pigmentation and was buttery soft.  Plus there are some unique and beautiful shades in there.

Last, but definitely not least is Skinfood's Black Sugar Wash Mask.  This is literally the best face scrub I've ever used and is a dupe for Fresh's brown sugar face scrub! My skin has improved so much since using this.

So those are my top picks for this month! I can't wait to see what products I'll discover in April. Did you end up purchasing any of these products, and if so what did you think of them?

It Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Primer Review and Swatches

$
0
0
It Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Length 3-in-1 Eyeliner, Primer, and Mascara ($24) is a mascara I've been dying to try ever since I saw it demo'd on QVC. If you're a klutz at drawing on eyeliner like I am, or just want to save yourself some time in the morning, you're definitely going to want to read this review! Let's take a closer look...
I purchased this on a recent trip to Ulta and I actually bought the mini size ($10) to try it out before I went for the full size (I love when companies make mini's!). Tightline is different than other mascaras because it's your eyeliner, black lash primer, and mascara in one! It also contains peptides, proteins, biotin, jojoba, and green tea to nourish and protect your lashes.  It's also paraben-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free and phthalate-free so it's perfect for even the most sensitive eyes.

So you're probably wondering how the heck a mascara can double as an eyeliner? The secret is in the super skinny spoolie brush.  It gets right down to the base of your lashes and deposits pigment between your lashes and right at the lash line, giving the effect of eyeliner! It also coats each lash from root to tip...most mascaras can't get all the way into the roots because the brushes are too big.
All you have to do is press the brush right into your lash line and wiggle it back and forth as you sweep it up through your lashes from root to tip.
Keep reading to see my before and afters!


Tightline Brush
Here, I compared Tightline to Benefit's They're Real so you can see the difference in the brush size. The Benefit brush looks huge next to Tightline.
Left: It Cosmetics Tightline, Right: Benefit They're Real
Here are my before and afters...in this first photo, I'm not wearing any eye makeup at all.
Before
And here, the only thing I have on is It Cosmetics Tightline mascara on my top and bottom lashes. See how it gives the effect of black eyeliner?  Pretty cool, huh?

Here's a full face shot so you can see the effect from further away.  As a busy Mom of a toddler, this mascara is genius because I'm often applying my makeup in a hurry and even if I don't wear eyeshadow, I feel more put together if I have eyeliner and mascara.  This mascara makes that possible in one step! 

Overall, this is one of those holy grail products I can't live without now that I've discovered it.  Not only is it a timesaver, but it's also perfect for me because I rarely draw my eyeliner on straight...this does the work for me and makes it look flawless too.  I should also mention that this didn't flake on me at all, and lasted all day.
You can purchase Tightline Full Lash Length 3-in-1 Eyeliner, Primer, and Mascara at Ulta.com. It also comes in Waterproof!

Are Colourpop Highlighters Coming Soon?

$
0
0
Today Colourpop posted this photo to their Instagram page with the caption, "Highlighters...April Fools or Nah? #teehee"

I will be so happy if this is true! I'm thinking it is because these don't look like anything they have out right now. What do you think? Are you freaking out right now like I am?

My April Wishlist

$
0
0
April has just begun but I already have a few things on my wishlist! Here they are in no particular order...

  • First, Too Faced has just released an all-matte version of their Natural Eyes palette. I don't have the original but I would prefer this one anyway!
  • The other day, I posted about It Cosmetics new CC+ Bronzer...getting a sunny glow and full coverage in one step is something I'm looking forward to this summer.
  • The new Cover FX Custom Cover Drops are a genius way to turn your favorite moisturizer, primer, or serum into your perfect foundation. You can customize the coverage too! 
  • John Frieda 7 Day Volume is an in-shower rinse-out treatment that is supposed to give you voluminous, bouncy hair that lasts through a few shampoos (and gets you through non-shampoo days). 
  • I've been lusting after Too Faced's Melted Metal Lipsticks after seeing swatches online. They look absolutely gorgeous! 
  • I've been using Sunday Riley's Luna Night Sleeping Oil for the past week and I'm already seeing a huge difference in my skin.  Their products are super expensive, but skincare is one area I don't mind splurging on if they work.  The Good Genes Treatment is the next product I want to try...I've heard great things about it! 

  • So that's my wishlist for April so far... what's on your wishlist?  I'd love to hear about it! 

    Simple Skincare Cleansing Wipes Review

    $
    0
    0
    Image 1

    I was recently given the opportunity to try Simple Skincare's Cleansing Wipes in two different varieties...Radiance and Exfoliating ($4.96 at Walmart). Now, I'm usually pretty good about doing my double cleanse at night, but I'm not gonna lie...when my toddler has me running all over the place all day, sometimes I'm just too tired and reach for a cleansing wipe instead.  In the past, I haven't been too crazy about removing makeup this way because even though it's quick and easy, most wipes I've used felt like they left a film on my face and sometimes they even burn my eye area (and I don't have sensitive skin).  Well these Simple wipes have changed all that for me...let's take a look! 
    Before I get into the details of each type, I want to point out that neither of these have a scent at all, and they both leave my skin feeling clean with no film or residue. They also don't burn or sting my eyes when removing eye makeup, so they have effectively solved the issues I had with wipes in general!


    The Exfoliating Cleansing Wipes are textured on one side and smooth on the other so you can remove makeup and exfoliate your skin at the same time.  The textured side is just rough enough to feel like it's removing dead skin cells, but not so much that it makes my skin red or irritated.  If you have sensitive skin, these likely won't bother you.  They're free of dyes, perfumes, alcohol and oils and contain skin-loving and soothing ingredients like Vitamin B5, Vitamin E and Aloe. They do a great job at removing my makeup and making my skin feel smooth and exfoliated!
    Simple Exfoliating Wipes
    The Radiance Cleansing Wipes feature a super soft, almost pillowy texture that feels great on my skin.  They're not overly "wet"  feeling so they don't leave anything behind and are also unscented, and don't contain oils or alcohol. They contain mango extract which is full of antioxidants like Vitamin A to make your skin glow, glycerin which draws water into your skin from the air, and Bisabolol which is derived from Chamomile and has anti-inflammatory properties. They remove makeup really well and leave my skin feeling refreshed, not sticky or irritated.
    Simple Radiance Cleansing Wipes
    Overall, I'm crazy about Simple's Cleansing wipes...I'm so happy I got the chance to try them, because I admit that I usually just pick up the same ones I've been using for years when I'm at the store because I felt like all wipes are the same. Now I know there's something better out there!

    To see all of the varieties of Cleansing Wipes that Simple offers, please visit Walmart.com. 


    **Disclosure- This post is sponsored by Lunchbox.  All opinions are my own.**

    Stila Flash Sale on Haute Look Today plus More!

    $
    0
    0
    Today at 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific Stila Cosmetics will be featured on HauteLook! You can expect to save up to 50, 60, even 70% off! 
    Also launching on HauteLook today...

    Pink Sugar Fragrances
    Selfie Tan

    PLUS...on Hautelook right now, but ending soon-

    Laura Geller
    Crown Brushes
    MedPeel Skincare
    Trina Cosmetic Bags
    ...and more.

    Joining Hautelook is completely free...I save big bucks on my favorite high-end brands this way, but you have to be fast...in demand items sell out quickly!

    To join, please visit Hautelook.com

    ELF Studio Prism Palette Naked Review and Swatches

    $
    0
    0
    The other day, I was in Target and I spotted a bunch of new Elf products that they were putting out (I posted a picture of some new Beauty Book palettes on my Instagram page if you're interested to see what they look like).  They were also putting out some products that have been around for a while on the Elf website, but I haven't seen at Target yet, like the Prism Palette ($10) in Naked. I've been dying to try this for a while now since a lot of beauty bloggers are comparing it to Makeup Geek's foiled shadows. Let's take a look!
    icon
    ELF Studio Prism Palette in Naked $10
    The description on the back of the box reads: 

    These ultra-silky and lustrous eyeshadows look like a powder but feel like a cream, allowing for a smooth and flawless application. Use to contour, line, and highlight for a radiant finish. The luminous, shimmery formula creates a gorgeous range of looks for both day and night.


    It comes in a slim black case with a full mirror inside and six nude shadows ranging from white to brown. The shadows have a pretty sheen to them, but they're not glittery at all...they just look shiny like foil, if that makes sense.
    elf studio prism palette naked
    I haven't tried Makeup Geek's foiled shadows yet, so unfortunately, I can't compare them to this.  But I will say that these are definitely the best eyeshadows I've tried from Elf yet! They feel soft and buttery and have very little fallout when using a brush, and none when using my finger.
    Without primer, the majority of the shades are very pigmented...but the first two lightest shades are a little streaky and not as pigmented as the other four.
    elf prism palette naked
    No Primer
    With primer, all of the shades are really intense and beautiful! They also apply and blend like a dream.
    Over Too Faced Shadow Insurance
    Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by the Prism Palette! At $10, it's more on the expensive side for Elf, but it's totally worth it for the quality of shadows you're getting. It comes in 2 other color combos but I didn't see those at Target, so you may only be able to find them on the Elf Website.

    Here are the links to all three in case you're interested:

    Elf Prism Palette in Naked $10
    Prism Palette in Smoke $10

    Prism Palette in Sunset $10

    Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette- New at Ulta

    $
    0
    0
    The new Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette $38 has just launched at Ulta!
                               

    Description:
    Six never-before-seen shadows, a full size blush and a highlighter/bronzer duo perfect for creating that camera-ready contour faster than you can say Lights, Camera, Lashes! Powered by Tarte's iconic Amazonian clay, each fade-free, blend-worthy formula is inspired by the glitz and glam of Hollywood for an effortless finish that's sure to make a showstopping statement.


    Includes:
    • 6 Amazonian clay eye shadows in Showstopper Copper (bronze copper), Go For The Gold (gold), You're A Natural (nude), Steel The Scene (steel taupe), Rose To The Top (rose gold) and Dim The Lights (black brown)
    • Amazonian Clay Blush in Fame (warm peach)
    • Amazonian Clay Matte Waterproof Bronzer in Park Ave Princess
    • Amazonian Clay Highlighter in Champagne Pink
    This is such a pretty palette! I need another one like a hole in the head, but it's hard to resist...these shades are perfect for Spring and Summer and it's portable for travel! 
    What do you think? Will you be picking up the new Tarte Showstopper? 


    You May Also Like: 


    Skinfood Steam Milk Mask Cream Review

    $
    0
    0
    I discovered Skinfood about a year ago when I started getting into Korean skincare products and the multi-step routine (see my post about that here). Korean women are known for their beautiful skin and take great care of it, so that's something I've been trying to do after years of neglecting it.  I've seen so much improvement in the clarity, pores, and lines and wrinkles. It's still far from perfect but I like to think I'm looking younger than 37 these days! 
    Out of all the Korean skincare brands, Skinfood is probably my favorite. Every product is made with real food ingredients, the packaging is adorable, it's affordable, and best of all...it works! 
    I recently purchased the Steam Milk Mask Cream ($22) from Urban Outfitters because it sounded heavenly for my dry skin.  Let's take a look! 

    skin food  steam milk mask cream
    The Steam Milk Mask Cream comes in an adorable little cow-printed carton with a little hang-tag on top that looks like a milk jug.  I don't know why, but I always want to keep boxes that are cute like this...even though I'm not sure what the heck I would do with it.  My husband would call me a hoarder and he's probably right, haha.
    Even though this has the word "mask" in the name, it's not really a mask, it's a moisturizing cream that has a mask-like texture.


    Here's the description:
    skin food steam milk mask cream

    According to Skinfood, they use steamed milk because when it's steamed, milk turns into a mound of microfine bubbles that have all the benefits of milk, yet feel silkier and softer to the touch. It comes in a large jar that's identical to their scrubs, including the Black Sugar Scrub Mask I reviewed a while back (see that here), so this will last a really long time since you only need a little bit.
    skin food steam milk mask cream

    The texture of this cream is heavenly. If you have oily skin, you'll probably find it too heavy, but if you're normal to dry, you'll love it! It's thick and rich with a silky, mousse or whipped cream feel. This Winter, I wore this every night and my parched skin instantly felt comfortable and soothed.

    Milk proteins are amazing for the skin...they restore elasticity and provide a vitamin boost. I only use this cream at night, like a sleeping mask, because it's too rich to wear under foundation.  I wake up with soft, hydrated and supple skin in the morning and I haven't experienced any breakouts or irritation from this at all.  I should mention though, that it does have a mild fragrance.  It's a bit powdery and reminds me of the baby lotions I use on my son...I actually find it soothing and comforting but if you're sensitive to scents, I wanted to mention it.
    Overall, I'm really happy with the Skinfood Steam Milk Mask Cream and I'm not surprised, given the fact that I've loved every Skinfood product I've tried so far! Have you tried Skinfood yet? I'd love to hear about your favorite products!
    You can purchase this cream at Urban Outfitters.

    You May Also Like: 

    Scentbird Review- New Pink Atomizer!

    $
    0
    0
    Last month, I posted about Scentbird, a perfume sampling subscription service that's $14.95 a month for a 30 day supply of the fragrance of your choice. I had such a great time trying it out last month and choosing a fragrance, so when they asked me to try another scent, this time in their about-to-be-released hot pink atomizer case, of course I said yes! 
    Just a quick recap in case you didn't see my original post about how Scentbird works: 
    It's $14.95 a month (cancel anytime) or they have 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions.
    -A 3 month subscription works out to $14.50/month
    -A 6 month subscription is $14/month
    -A 12 month subscription is $13.50/month.

    When you sign up, you take a short quiz and Scentbird will recommend fragrances that you would probably like based on your answers.  But you don't have to go with one of those...you can choose any fragrance you want from their extensive inventory.
    They also have a fragrance of the month, so if you don't choose a fragrance and would rather be surprised, you'll receive that instead.
    Your 30-day sample comes in a twist-up metal atomizer case, which is reusable.  So the following month, you'll get a glass vial of perfume rather than another atomizer.  Simply pop out last month's fragrance and slip the new one in!

    The case I received last month was black, but they're introducing hot pink starting this month, so you'll have your choice.  They'll also be adding new colors down the line and every 6 months, you'll have the opportunity to get a different atomizer case for free.
    This month, I chose the Michael Kors fragrance, and I'm loving it!  I always love the scent in the air when I walk into the Michael Kors store but I never wanted to spring for the entire bottle in case it didn't smell good on me.  Now I have a month's supply to try out and make sure it works with my body chemistry.
    I love the idea of trying a new fragrance each month without committing to an entire bottle.  If you'd like to try Scentbird, please visit Scentbird.com.

    **Disclosure- The product featured in this review was provided to me by Scentbird, but all opinions are my own.  I was not paid to write this review.**

    Suave Luxe Style Infusion Volume Collection Review

    $
    0
    0
    Image 1

    I recently got the opportunity to try the new Suave Luxe Style Infusion Volumizing line and I was really excited because I've really been impressed with Suave the past few years...I use their Professionals Keratin Infusion shampoo and conditioner and it's absolutely amazing for my dry, color treated hair.  Now, all I need is volume! 
    Ever since I had a baby last year, my hair has thinned out considerably.  I'm starting to grow it back, but right now I have a million little 1" long baby hairs that aren't helping to give me any thickness just yet.  
    The Suave Luxe Style Infusion Volume line is salon proven to volumize as well as Kerastase volumizing products! Let's take a look...
    Suave Luxe Style Infusion Volume Collection


    The first product I tried is the Weightless Blow Dry Spray ($4.98, Walmart). This spray is actually heat activated to create volume and body that lasts for up to 24 hours. Even though this spray claims to be weightless, I haven't sprayed it on my roots, because my hair is so fine, anything I spray on my roots tends to weigh it down.  So I use this mid-shaft to ends and I really did notice that my hair was a bit thicker-looking and it felt soft, not crunchy or like there was product in it.
    Next is the Souffle Mousse ($4.98, Walmart) which claims to add structure and fullness from root to tip without making hair stiff, for 24 hour body and bounce.  I actually used this on my roots, since it's so light and airy, then used the Blow Dry Spray on the middle to ends of my hair.  This combination gave me the body and bounce I was looking for! This mousse is so light and airy and you can't feel it in your hair at all.
    Finally, the Plump Hold Hairspray ($4.98, Walmart) has an ultra-fine mist with long-lasting hold and a brushable finish.  This hairspray is amazing...it really gets those baby hairs I mentioned under control.  The top of my head and around my part tends to look fuzzy because of all those shorter hairs sticking up everywhere, but I just spray a little of this on my brush and smooth them down.  This doesn't make my hair stiff or sticky at all...I can't even tell it's there, and yet it has such great hold. I love it!
    Once again, Suave has done it and created a wonderful volumizing line. I'm so glad to have luxury-quality haircare available at truly affordable prices. I can't wait to try more from Suave in the future! You can purchase the Suave Luxe Style Infusion collection at Walmart.


    **Disclaimer- This post is sponsored by Lunchbox and the products featured were sent to me for review. All opinions are my own.**

    Hairdo 20" Wavy Hair Extension Review

    $
    0
    0
    Do you have short hair and wish it could be longer right now?  Or are you wondering how to make your fine, thin hair look thicker instantly? If so, you're definitely going to want to read this post! I recently purchased a Hairdo 20" Wavy Extension on Hautelook for $39 (regularly $99). I've tried clip-in hair extensions in the past, but they never worked for me because my hair is so fine, I could only put 2 rows of clips or they would start to show through. So when I saw this one piece extension, I was excited to try it because it seemed like it would be not only faster and easier to use, but also easier to hide! Let's take a look...
    Hairdo 20" Wavy Extension in Ginger Brown
    Unlike other clip-in extensions, this is so easy you don't even need practice...just put up half your hair, clip it in, then let your hair down and you're done! You don't have to deal with multiple wefts.


    It has a netted cap section that's stretchy and I found that it's a little too large for my head.  So I wear it up a little higher and that solves the problem.  It means that the hair falls a little bit shorter length-wise but that's ok with me because it's still quite a bit longer than my natural hair. It has 6 pressure-sensitive clips that are super easy to use...just pop them open, then tease your own hair to add some grip, slide the clips onto your own hair and press them against your head.  They lock into place all day without moving- I never worry that it's going to fall out.

    Here's a close-up of one of the clips. I find that the easiest way to wear this is to part my hair about an inch above my ears and pin my hair up.  Then I place the top of the extension along the horizontal part I just created and stretch the cap around my head from ear to ear, clipping the top 2 clips into place on either side of my head.  Then I clip the sides behind my ears, and then finally, the bottom clip at the nape of my neck.

    Here's my before and after...my natural hair is in a long bob, but my hair is very thin, especially if I don't add some curl.  This extension not only adds fullness, but a few inches of length as well! I chose the shade Ginger Brown and it matches perfectly! I was actually surprised at how well it matched because I was just going by the photo online (which are almost never accurate!).
    Before
    After

    After

    Here's what the back looks like...(I don't know why my hair looks so red and light in the close-up here...it's really not that color at all!)
    This extension is made with the Tru2Life Synthetic Hair which can be heat styled up to 350 degrees. So I can straighten or curl this however I want to, which is an added bonus! It feels really soft and just like real hair.  It's a little shinier than my natural hair, which is pretty dry and damaged, but I love that because it disguises all of my split ends and makes my hair look super healthy!
    Overall, I'm loving this Hairdo extension! It takes 2 minutes to put in and hides easily under my fine hair.  It also contains multiple layers in itself so it blends really well with my shorter hair...that's something I had trouble with when using other extensions...there was an obvious line where my hair ended and they began.  That doesn't happen with this...it's seamless.
    Even though the Hautelook sale is over, Groupon currently has this extension for only $34.99! The offer is only good for the next 9 days, or until they sell out, so if you're looking for extensions, I definitely recommend this one!

    Secret Extensions by Daisy Fuentes are now at Walgreens.

    $
    0
    0
    I was in Walgreens today and was surprised to see Secret Extensions ($39.99)! I caved in to the infomercial when I saw it last summer and ordered one...then a few months later, I ordered a second one when I found out they can be doubled up for more thickness. 
    I absolutely love these for adding volume and a little length to my fine, thin hair. Its as easy as putting on a headband and it's totally undetectable! You can read my full review here.
    I'm so excited to see these hit the stores because now that my hair is darker, I'd like to buy a brown shade and being able to see it in person is awesome!
    Have you tried Secret Extensions yet? Or are you planning to? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
    Viewing all 1741 articles
    Browse latest View live