Friday, January 30, 2015

MAC Viva Glam Miley


Say hello to the newest Viva Glam release from MAC - Viva Glam Miley! Yes, Miley Cyrus has signed on to be 2015's Viva Glam representative. Love or hate her, it's a cause that's easy to get behind and the lipstick is to die for.

If you don't know already know, all the proceeds raised from the sales of MAC's Viva Glam products go directly towards helping men, women and families affected by or living with the HIV/AIDS virus. You can feel good about splurging at MAC on Viva Glam products because every penny goes to a good cause!



I do love me some Miley, and when I saw the shade months ago in a teaser for this line, I knew I'd be buying it the day it came out. And buy it I did. I think the packaging is adorable - it's adorned with Miley's signature on the inside, and I love the touch of pink on the lid and inside.



It was hard to capture what this lipstick really looks like on the lips. In the image above, it looks like it leans more magenta, but in all reality, it looks more like the lipstick pictures above. It is the perfect barbie pink. This is an Amplified Creme formula - known to have opaque coverage while still being slightly hydrating. It really is opaque, and needs just a once or twice-over on the lips before it looks perfect. I haven't worn this much yet, but I've heard it gets around 4-6 hours of wear and stains the lips nicely. 


Will you purchase Viva Glam Miley? What's your favorite MAC lipstick? Let me know!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Elizabeth & James | Nirvana Black & White


Oh lordy, girls. It's about time we talk about Elizabeth & James scents. They are my latest obsessions. Granted, I'm a tiny bit late to the game, but after Christmas, I finally have both in my possession and I couldn't wait a second longer to talk about them.

Elizabeth & James are a cool, unique duo in the perfume world. Crafted by the uber-popular Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen, these scents are polar opposites. As you might suspect, Nirvana White is the lighter, more floral option, while Nirvana Black smells darker, more of sandalwood and earth. 

For those of you who like floral feminine scents, Nirvana White is for you. The most notable scents are peony and musk. It's certainly not overly musky, if you're not in to that kind of thing. It's a very fresh scent, perfect for daytime. I have the rollerball, and it gives off the perfect amount of scent with just a few rolls across my wrists and neck. 

This is a great option for daytime wear in the office or even out and about on the town. It's fresh, and kind of preppy (think Abercrombie, but not in a bad way) and is the perfect spring/summer scent. 

Nirvana Black was the scent I wanted first (before white), and is what ultimately spurred me to lust after Nirvana White. I tend to lean towards scents like Nirvana Black. It's darker (obviously, hence the name), characterized by sandalwood, vanilla and violet. This is a really sexy scent, and is more night-time appropriate, but I've been known to wear it to work, too.  I read that Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen smelled something like hundreds of variations of sandalwood before picking the one they did for this perfume. I can tell, too - it's unique, and doesn't smell like every other classic sandalwood.



The cool thing about both of these perfumes is that they're meant to be worn separately, or layered together. I really like wearing them together. I put Nirvana White on my wrists, and walk through a spritz of Nirvana Black. They smell heavenly together. Despite their complete differences, they work like magic when combined.

Another cool thing - you can get either of these scents in a variety of different formats. Not only is there a spray version (3 oz. or 1 oz.), and rollerballs, but you can also get body oils, and a solid perfume has been released for a limited time. 

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black & White are exclusively sold at Sephora, ranging between $22-$75 depending on the format of perfume you prefer.


Have you given these perfumes a whiff? Which do you prefer? Let me know!

Monday, January 26, 2015

Ipsy Glam Bag | January 2015


If you like trying new beauty products, like I very much do, you have got to subsribe to Ipsy. It costs just $10 a month and you get lots of great products to try, and often times, a few full-sized things, too! Click here to sign up. (Disclaimer: If you sign up through this link, I get points credited to my Ipsy account)

Here's what came in January's Glam Bag:

  • La Fresh eco-beauty good day. day moisturizer - This is an interesting sample pack, but it looks like I'll get lots of uses out of it. This moisturizer is chock full of quality anti-aging ingredients and appears to be formulated with natural ingredients.
  • Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer - I was really excited to see this in my bag - Jouer is an awesome brand! This balm is meant to increase the fullness of the lips, decrease fine lines and hydrate.
  • Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eyeshadow in Ethereal - Pacifica is a good option for a natural brand, but I have to admit I'm not thrilled with this formula or color. It's SUPER light, but might work better as a highlighter! Glad I tried it before buying a full size.
  • BellaPierre Shimmer Powder in Whesek - I wasn't so sure about this mineral eyeshadow.... until I swatched it (see swatch below). It's the coolest silver color. I need an excuse to wear this ASAP! 
  • Elizabeth Mott All Over Shadow brush - I love this brush! It's really soft and works great for applying eyeshadow. Cute color, too! 


If you're not fully convincined that Ipsy is awesome - check out some previous bags here:


Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Friday, January 23, 2015

OPI - German-icure


Leave it to me to show you a nail polish that is majorly OLD NEWS. Like... came out in Fall 2012 kind of old news. But it's so pretty, and it's been complimented about a zillion times, so I just had to share it with you. Besides, you can still find this beauty on eBay and Amazon, so I don't feel bad that it's old news.

ANYWAY. This gorgeous nail polish is OPI's German-icure from their Fall 2012 Germany line. 



German-icure is the coolest brownish-red shimmery metallic color and it is completely unique in my collection. I own nothing like it, and I have never really seen anything quite like it. It's pretty in normal indoor light, but when this baby catches the sun it is simply stunning. It also has pretty good wearability, too. I got some tip-wear and chipping about 3 days in, but I touched it up and got a couple more days out of it, which is pretty shocking for a shimmery metallic polish which almost NEVER last on my nails.

What I'm trying to say is - you need this if you like deep, rich, shimmery unique colors. For reference, I'm wearing 2 coats topped off with Sally Hansen's InstaDri top coat.


What are you wearing on your nails this week? Let me know!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Empties #11


My bag of empties is spilling over and you know what that means - it's time to dig through my trash! Why do I do these posts? Because if I've used something up, you can bet I have a solid opinion on the product and it's the easiest way to do a whole bunch of reviews quickly! Ready? Here we go...



L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Volume Conditioner - This was just OK. I really love the moisturizing version of this conditioner (in the yellow bottle) but this version didn't wow me. I didn't care for the smell either. Would I repurchase? No. 

Dove Dry Shampoo - This is a really good dry shampoo. It soaks up oil and allows me to skip a wash or two. I'm not crazy about the scent, but I can ignore it because it works so well. It's also cheap, which adds to my love for the product. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo - This shampoo is expensive. Granted, I found it on clearance when I bought it. But with that said, I wouldn't pay full price for it because I don't think it did anything miraculous to my hair. It compares to any drugstore shampoo I've used. If I saw it on sale again, I'd probably repurchase it, but I wouldn't spend full price. Would I repurchase? No.

B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Shower Gel - I purchased this last fall, and oh my GOSH it smelled so good. The scent was seriously amazing. Despite being formulated with shea, it's quite drying so you'll need to use a lotion after your shower if you have drys skin. I really hope this scent is re-released next fall because I will stock up! Would I repurchase? Yes.



Argania Spinosa Organic Argan Oil Special Treatment Masque - I found this hair mask at TJ Maxx about a year ago and HAD to have it because the scent is unreal. It's easily the best smelling hair mask ever and it will make your hair soft and silky. It's made my favorites before for good reason! I loved every minute of this, and sadly I can't find it anywhere to repurchase! I hope I find it again at TJ Maxx because it's great! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - I keep seeing this stuff hyped in magazines, and honestly I'm not sure why. I used up this little sample size just for the heck of it, and I didn't feel like it did anything for my hair but make it smell good. I didn't notice my hair looking shinier or cleaner. It was just a novelty. Would I repurchase? No.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream - This was nice. It's a light moisturizer that didn't irritate my skin or break it out. I think this is a good option in the warmer months when you don't need intense hydration. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Cashmere Glow Body Lotion - I kept this little bottle of lotion on my night stand to use before bed because I'm not a fan of the smell (so I didn't want to use it in the daytime). I don't know why I bought this because I can't imagine I ever DID like the scent. The hydration level was just OK - I started adding argan oil or shea butter in with it since I like a heavier lotion at night. If you like the scent and don't like greasy lotions, this is for you! Would I repurchase? No.



Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - Yep, another one of these. Full review hereWould I repurchase? Obviously.

Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion - Unfortunately, this has been discontinued. I mixed this with another moisturizer in the morning for sun and wrinkle protection. It was fine, but I'm not mourning that it's discontinued.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - I really  really liked this. It broke down my makeup well, even waterproof mascara! It has a nice citrus scent and this little bottle lasted me forever and a day. I think I'll be purchasing a full size in the future! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray - I really like the Urban Decay setting sprays.  They do an excellent job of keeping my makeup lasting for hours. De-slick was nice, but I guess I never really noticed if it actually controlled oil on my face. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Landeva Organics Rose Nourishing Toner - I did a full review of this toner sample here. It was nice! Would I repurchase? Yes.



OPI Avojuices in Winter Huckleberry and Vanilla Snowflake - Both of these scents were nice! Winter Huckleberry is subtle, but Vanilla Snowflake is VERY sweet and smells a bit artificial. These provide quick relief from dry hands but they don't penetrate deeply enough so by the next hand wash you'll have dry skin once again. I like them anyway, especially to have in my purse. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - I really enjoyed using this! It did transfer a bit under my bottom lashes which I hated, but it made my top lashes look full and voluminous. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Antibac in Brown Sugar & Carrots - This smells exactly like it sounds. It was a nice fall scent. I like to use antibacterial gel before doing my makeup so I'm not transferring anything yucky on my face or in my eyes. I typically use the B&BW versions because they have so many fun scents. Would I repurchase? Yes.



Almay Oil-Free Makeup Removing Towelettes - I wasn't a big fan of these. They irritated my eyes which immediately turned me off. They were wet and got my makeup off, but I won't bother with them again. Would I repurchase? No.

Swisspers Cotton Rounds - I don't normally include these, but I've been experimenting with different options so I thought I'd throw 'em in. I got a huge pack of these at Costco since I like to use these to remove my eye makeup. These are nice. They have a textured side and a normal side, and I prefer to use the softer, normal side. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon - Unnghh, I LOVE Rose Jam. It smells simply amazing... a mix of rose, vanilla and lemon. I split this bubbleroon in two and it made both of my baths moisturizing, bubbly and heavenly scented! Would I repurchase? Yes.



Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I loooove this concealer. It works wonders for concealing dark circles. It's reasonably priced but performs like a high end option. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light - I've had this for ages, so long that they've actually changed the packaging. It's black now, if you want to look for it next time you're in Target. If you need some heavy duty concealer that's light and not cakey, this is the one. I only used the lightest color (which is still a bit too dark for me) but I absolutely love it. I only used this to conceal spots.... it'd be a bit too much for the undereyes methinks. I think the concealer is better in the quad than the ones you can buy individually... the formulation is different. Anyone else notice this? Would I repurchase? Yes.

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent - This is an amazing face powder. It costs under $5, but I think you could fool someone that it cost much much more. It's lightly milled and never makes me look cakey. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Givenchy Dahlia Noir perfume - Yuck yuck yuck yuck. I spritzed this on my wrist and regretted it instantly. This smells like an old lady. I would never in a million years buy this. Would I repurchase? No.

BCBGMAXAZRIA bon genre perfume - This perfume, on the other hand, smells absolutely amazing. It's fruity with a bit of spice. If I saw this on sale, I'd totally buy it. Crossing my fingers it shows up at TJ MaxxWould I repurchase? Yes.

fresh Rose Face Mask - Well you know I loved the scent of this. And to make things even better, it has rose petal pieces in the actual mask. I think this is a really great product. It makes my skin feel balanced and soft. If it wasn't expensive and I didn't have a million face masks, I'd buy it. Would I repurchase? Yes.



B&BW 'Tis the Season & Marshmallow Fireside candles - Can you read that it says Snowday 2013 on these two? I bought them last year.... and they sat around because I don't like to burn things out of season. (#candlehoarder) Of the two, Marshmallow Fireside was my favorite because I love "fireside" scents and I love "marshmallow" so duh. 'Tis the Season really does have a Christmasy scent, but it's not really my favorite. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Black Tie candle - This candle smells like a man's cologne. They bring this scent back around New Year's and it's really nice. I'm not in love with it, but if I got gifted it, I'd burn it. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

B&BW Holly Jolly Christmas candle - I absolutely loved this candle. It honestly smells like Christmas bottled up in candle form. It's sort of a pine-y fruity scent. My husband and I both really liked this one. I hope it gets brought back next year! Would I repurchase? Yes.



What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Skin Daily Skincare - Pure Rose Water | Review





Those who know me know I love pretty much anything rose-scented ... as long as it's not that weird old-lady type of rose scent. So do I even need to tell you that I really love using rose water as a toner?  Well, I do.

I used the Pure Rose Water by Skin Daily Skincare as a toner - applied on a cotton round after I washed my face in the morning and night. This product aims to calm irritated skin and hydrate in the process. It has the most lovely soft rose scent. It smells like you're rubbing a real rose petal all over your skin. It wasn't irritating, or too smelly, or drying. It was just a really nice addition to my skincare routine and made my skin feel nice and clean.

And well, you basically ARE rubbing a rose petal all over your skin. This rose water is created by distilling rose petals in spring water. There's NOTHING else added, no alcohol, no oils, nothing. It's uncompromised and it's fresh and natural. I don't like my skincare to be too complicated, so this is the perfect toner in my book. 

Skin Daily Skincare Rose Water can be purchased on Amazon for $14.99 (4.8 oz). Click here for more information or to purchase.


What's your ideal toner? Have you ever tried rose water? Let me know!

Friday, January 16, 2015

My favorite kind of haul - a LUSH HAUL!


Oh yeah, it's time for a Lush haul, ya'll! I love love love Lush, but I don't always want to spend the $$$ on all the beautiful Lush things (even though they're totally worth the money) as they are quite spendy. But once a year, on their day after Christmas sale, this girl splurges and doesn't feel bad about it for a second. And really, why feel bad about a BOGO sale? (I SO wish they'd do these a couple times a year! Do you hear me, Lush? It's me, Brianna!) Here's what I got:



I am head over heels in love with Lush's lip scrub, and since the one I have is about expired, I thought I'd try out the Santa's Lip Scrub version. This scrub is red with little heart shaped scrubbies mixed in, and it smells like cola. I don't drink soda, so I love "indulging" with a cola-scented scrub. While I really love the scent, I wish it wasn't red because I feel like I have to be really careful about using it, especially after I apply my makeup (for fear of looking like the Joker). Santa's Lip Scrub is limited edition for the holidays, but you can find other flavors available all year long for approximately $9. 

I also got two luxury bath bombs. The silver star on the left is Star Light, Star Bright. It's completely covered in silver glitter which might turn most people off, but I actually can't wait to bathe in it. (#GlitterFreak) It's formulated with organic shea butter and extra virgin coconut oil and scented with ginger, lavender and lime oil fragrance.

On the right is Snow Angel, which is also slightly glittery. This is actually part bath melt and part bath bomb. For those of you who may be new to Lush, their bath bombs are typically fizzy and bath melts are more luxurious and lotion-like. Snow Angel has a moisturizing cocoa butter base, and is scented with Lush's Marzipan fragrance (the same scent as their popular Snowcake soap).



I've heard nothing but good things about Lush's Hot Toddy shower gel, so I had to pick it up. It smells heavenly, very cinnamon-y with a hint of ginger. I love the beautiful bold red color, and (I'm sensing a trend here) there's glitter mixed through! This is red hots in a shower gel form - I love it. 

I absolutely couldn't pass up a deal on Rose Jam shower gel. Rose Jam is one of my favorite Lush scents. If you've used Ro's Argan Body Conditioner, or the Rose Jam bubbleroon (two of my faves!) this scent is the exact same... it's just in shower gel form. Ultra rosey with hints of vanilla and lemon - I wish I could smell like it all the time. 

I took a chance on the Celebrate Hand and Body Lotion and hit "buy" without ever smelling or trying it. I feel like that is a rather big risk when it comes to Lush products (for me), as I don't always love all their scents. But my risk paid off, and this is a really delightful lotion. It smells like oranges and it's ultra hydrating - and it's still available on sale on the Lush website .. so go grab it!!


Have you tried any of these Lush products? What's your favorite Lush scent?

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Evian Facial Spray | Review





As a beauty fanatic, I own many things I deem essential to my everyday makeup and skincare routines. But there's definitely some things that are totally nonessential.... but they're awfully enjoyable to have. The Evian Facial Spray is one of those things. You may not need to run out of the house with your hair on fire to get this product, but I can tell you you'll be happy to have it in your arsenal if you buy it.

So what is it? The Evian Facial Spray is a facial mist made up of natural spring water that is pH balanced, so it is compatible for all skin types from normal to extremely sensitive. It sprays out in micro droplets that make it very easy for the skin to absorb. This spray helps to hydrate, tone, and soothe the skin. You can use it as a setting spray to keep your makeup in place, as a toner to remove any traces of makeup or dirt, or as a spritz to add hydration to the skin throughout the day.

I really like this spray to add a little life to my skin, especially if I'm going out after a long day but don't want to completely redo my makeup. I think this product is really nice to have, but I certainly won't run for the door to purchase it when I run out like I would when I run out of eyeliner. If I saw it around, I'd pick up a bottle.

You can purchase Evian Facial Spray at Sephora. I typically see the smaller size near the counter, but you can also get this size online for $12. Click here to purchase.



Do you use a facial mist in your skincare routine? Have you tried the Evian facial spray? Let me know!


Monday, January 12, 2015

Face of the Day | Simple everyday look


My apologies if the picture above is completely blinding you with my whiteness! Pale is my middle name... hello - I'm a redhead living in the frozen tundra known as Minnesota. But let's be real - I simply blend in with everyone else in the frozen tundra... I'm still just as white come July. (Praise be to the spray tan gods!) 

It's been quite a while since I've done a "FOTD" post, so I thought I'd show you an easy everyday look that's totally appropriate for the office, or a night out with friends, and it won't take you very long either!



I decided to break out my Coastal Scents shadows to achieve this look. It uses just 4 colors, but could easily use less or more if you wish. From top to bottom, L to R, I used Kokomo Cafe, Southern Wood, and Deep Merlot - each are Coastal Scents hot pots. The three shades are starred on the photo below.



The eyes are simple. Prime them first to get the best staying power as well as color pop (I used MAC's Soft Ochre paint pot), and then take Kokomo Cafe on a fluffy blending brush and sweep it along the crease of your eye. You don't have to be super precise, this will just help the shadows blend in to each other and keep your eye look from having sharp lines. 

Next take Deep Merlot on an eyeshadow brush and put that in to the outer corner of your eye and blend it inwards towards your tear duct. Blend, blend, blend! Then grab Southern Wood, and dab that on the outer corner and blend it through, not taking it quite as far as you did Deep Merlot. This will deepen the look just slightly. Grab your clean, fluffy blending brush and blend all the colors together. No harsh lines is the goal!

I did pop a bit of Wet n Wild's Creme Brulee in the middle of my eyelid to make the browns pop, and then used Sigma's eye shadow base in Strike along my lower lash line as it matched the shirt I wore that day. I then lined my eyes with Wet n Wild's Mega Liner liquid eyeliner in black (and it didn't apply as nicely as I wanted to, so if it looks wonky to you... it looks wonky to me, too), and applied a couple coats of Calvin Klein CK One Color mascara in True Black. 



The rest of the look (and really ANY of it) can be modified to fit your skin type and preferences. I used my favorite Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation (review here) set with the Essence All About Matt powder and the Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch concealer under my eyes, set with the Tarte Smooth Operator powder.

I filled in my eyebrows with NYX's eyeshadow in True Taupe (can you tell I love it - I hit MAJOR pan on it!), touched up with the Wet n Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe, all set with Maybelline Great Lash in clear. 

On my cheeks I used Benefit's Rockateaur blush (not pictured - it's part of a big set), contoured with Pixi's Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched and Victoria's Secret Illuminating Face Powder in Impassioned as a highlight. I dabbed a touch of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve on my lips, and voila! Look complete!



You could totally up your game and throw some lipstick on to look extra glam, but I was keeping this look a bit played down. See what I mean - super easy! You don't have to have the exact colors I featured - use what you have that's similar. That's the fun and creative part of makeup application.



What is your go-to eye eyeshadow? What lip would you pair with this look? 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Insta Natural Argan Oil Hair Mask





Girls, you know I love my hair masks. I've talked about them a million times on Glazed Over. I just think they're so important in maintaining healthy, happy hair. I use a deep conditioning mask every 2 washes, which is once a week in my hair wash routine. I think it makes a HUGE difference in the overall health of my hair. I especially love deep conditioners formulated with argan oil, so I welcomed the chance to try out Insta Natural's Superior Hydration Argan Oil hair mask

The Insta Natural mask is made with a bunch of good ingredients for your hair: Argan Oil, Japanese Green Tea, Amino Acid Complex, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Avocado Oil & Vitamin B5. Together, these ingredients work to nourish and replenish damaged and dry hair. 



You'd expect that this mask has that typical argan oil scent, but it doesn't. I can't exactly put my finger on what this smells like - it reminds me of something, but I just can't place it and it's driving me crazy! It kind of smells like Juicy Fruit gum or something... it's odd, but I actually really like it. 

I left this product in my wet hair (after shampooing) for about 10 minutes, and then washed it out. I let my hair air dry and it felt so soft and smooth. My hair responds really well to argan oil deep conditioners and products, and this conditioner was no exception. My hair felt replenished and healthy, which actually kind of surprised me as this brand is not as well known. I should know better, as a beauty blogger, not to make that kind of judgement, but I can't help it!

Much to my surprise, I really like this mask and I'd recommend it! You can purchase it at InstaNatural.com for $17.95 (8 0z.).

To see other Insta Natural products I've reviewed, click here


What's your favorite hair mask? Have you tried anything by Insta Natural? 

Monday, January 5, 2015

MEMEBOX: Superbox #65 Korea's Most Wanted 2





No package excites me quite as much as when I see a pink-wrapped Memebox sitting on my doorstep. I love Memeboxes so much because they're always filled with products that are entirely new to me, and they quality is always spot-on. I've had such good luck - all of the Memeboxes I've received have been simply amazing! (see the other boxes here and here)

This month, I got the Superbox #65 - Korea's Most Wanted 2. This box is available globally on memebox.com. What's a superbox? Take it from Memebox directly:

"Superbox was inspired by our Memebox lovers, looking for full-sized products catered to specific needs. Each Superbox series comes with its own theme, designed to target particular concerns. Boxes in each Superbox series always contain the same products sourced directly from Korea, and we at Memebox select only the very best-loved items to bring to you at highly discounted prices."

Here's what you'll get in the Superbox #65:




elRoel Tone Up Sungel ($13 for ~1.7 oz) - This is a green cream, not really a gel as the name might suggest. It boasts high UV protection, and is meant to balance and smooth the tone of the skin. It claims to fill in lines and wrinkles and prep the skin so your makeup lasts all day long. 


The elRoel sungel feels really thick when applied to the skin, but it does sink in rather quickly. I had a moment of panic because my face was whitewashed, but it blends - do not worry! It feels slightly tacky in a good way, you can tell it will hold foundation well. Once I applied my foundation I felt my pores looked diminished and my skin appeared very even and smooth. I really like this product!

The Tang Tang Kissy Skin Therapy Peeling Wash ($23 for ~3.3 oz) -  This "peeling gel" is made for those of you with dry or sensitive skin. What you do is spread it over your clean face and let it sit for 40 seconds or so. Right before it begins to harden, massage the product all over your face and rinse it off. 



There's not really anything in the US market that I can relate this to. It's a rather odd product. When you start to massage it on your face, it sort of bunches up; the texture makes me think of frosting that's sat out for a while... know what I mean? I think this is supposed to make you believe that you're sloughing off dry skin and impurities, but it seems like you're just washing the product off? Not entirely sold on this, but I'll probably keep using it now and then. 

Kskin Emu Leg R-Free Massage Cream ($46 for ~3.3oz) - Don't be all grossed out when I say this, because this is an awesome lotion, but it's made with emu oil and snail mucus extracts.... as well as hyaluronic acid, peppermint oil and menthol complex. This is meant to soothe, moisturize, and de-stress tired legs.

When I applied this to my legs, the first thing I noticed was the strong menthol scent. If you've ever applied peppermint oil to your skin, you know how tingly and cold it feels... that's exactly what this feels like. This would be great for use in the summer when you want to cool down and soothe your legs after a long day. I definitely wouldn't wear this in the day time because the menthol scent is way too strong. If you don't want to shell out $46 for this lotion, you could probably just add peppermint oil to your most hydrating lotion and you'll have something similar. 


Hiello Blooming Multi Firming Cream ($50 for ~1.6 oz) - This is a very rich anti-wrinkle cream that's formulated with poppy extracts, vitamin peptide, collagen, green tea water, Damascus rose water, and centella siatica (not sure what this is?!) It is meant to be used once a week, applied to the face before bed to clean skin and washed off in the morning. 

I love this cream, as it has a really nice light floral scent. It's mega-hydrating and comes in quality glass packaging. If your skin doesn't take to rich products, you might want to avoid this. However, if you have dry skin, this just might be your new best friend. 

The Face Shop Calendula Eden Essential Moisture Essence ($9 for ~1.1 oz) - This face serum aims to moisturize and even out skin tone. It's formulated with hyaluronic acid and calendula extracts.


I found this serum to be perfect for the morning time, as it was hydrating enough to use as my sole moisturizer. It doesn't have a strong scent, it's just nice and calming on the skin.

LadyKin One Touch Bling Glow Lipstick in Fall Rose ($11 for 0.1 oz) - This lipstick is simply amazing. It's creamy and ultra-pigmented, and can we just talk about this shade?! It's gorgeous... a my lips but better color unlike any I have in my collection! It's an every day shade that's appropriate for any situation - work, date night, an interview, you name it!


Unfortunately, it looks like these lipsticks are no longer available on the Memebox website. Shame! I'm sure with enough poking around the interwebs you could probably find a spot to purchase this amazing lippie. 

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January discount codes have not yet been released for Memebox, but check back soon because they always have coupons that will save you money on any of your Memebox purchases! Once I receive them, I'll make sure to post them here! 


What do you think? Would you purchase a Memebox? 

Friday, January 2, 2015

Top 14 Products of 2014 | Year in Review


Happy New Year, lovelies!! It's time we say au revoir to 2014 and HELLO to 2015! While I'm not one for making resolutions or getting too starry-eyed about the new year, I do like the thought of a fresh start and all the possibilities that a new year holds. 

Long story short.... in 2014 I traveled around the country to Las Vegas and Orlando, I saw good friends and family members get married, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd year of marriage and one year in our home, and we got a brand new puppy that has really become our spoiled little baby. It was a fabulous year! I hope you all had a great one, too!

The end of a year marks a great time to look back at all the fabulous products that were staples in my beauty routine. I've picked out 14 of the things that I reached for more than all the others in 2014.



When my skin needed a detox, I couldn't help but reach for the Barefaced Mud Mask. It has a really nice herbal scent and makes my skin feel soft and clean. I think this is a nice option for those of you who like the GlamGlow mask but don't want to shell out the ridiculous amount of money for it. It's not an exact dupe, but it's close! Read my full review on the Barefaced Mud Mask here

After washing my hair, I typically need a little something to help combat frizz, and this year that product was Josie Maran's Argan Oil Hair Serum. This magical product tames frizz, makes my hair super soft, and never weighs it down. Plus, this little sample bottle has lasted me a long time. 

I always get asked how to make eye shadow last all day without creasing. The answer? A good primer. And nothing works like MAC paint pots. I have the shade Soft Ochre which is a yellow-toned nude. I can get 10+ hours of wear out of my eyeshadow without creasing. This has trumped last year's favorite - theBalm's Put a Lid on It.

Two eyeliners rocked my world in 2014. I still very much love the Wet n Wild Liquid Liner, but these two were pleasant additions to my top 5 favorite eyeliners mental list. The first is Essence's Liquid Eyeliner. I picked this up on a complete whim and I absolutely love it. It has great pigmentation and it's really easy to draw a perfect line with. The second is Wet n Wild's Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner in black. As you'd expect from the name, this eyeliner is really creamy and super easy to work with. It has good color payoff and lasts all day. It's not quite the same consistency as a gel liner, as it will smudge, but it doesn't claim to be waterproof or smudge-proof.



If you read this blog often, you surely aren't surprised that the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation made this year's list. I wear this pretty much every day and I rave about it to everyone I know (and constantly on this blog, too). This is a full coverage foundation that never looks cakey, and is super long-wearing. I fell in love with it when I had bad acne as it reduced the amount of concealer I needed, and even now, with a clear face, this foundation ranks as queen in my book. See a full review on this foundation here

2014 was the year of Jo Malone for me. I searched and searched in the beginning of the year for a Jo Malone scent I loved, and after months of sniffing, I ended up purchasing two scents towards the end of the year. Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir is a scent I could not resist purchasing and I have been wearing it nonstop throughout the winter months. It's a really sexy fragrance that's fruity yet musky and could be classified as unisex. I now know why everyone raves about this perfume. Go smell it if you haven't!

I feel bad even including this as was discontinued this year (fingers crossed for a comeback!), but Lush's Creme Anglaise hand and body lotion really was a highlight of the year. My husband calls it "that stuff that makes you smell like baby powder", but in all actuality it's a super luxurious body lotion with notes of vanilla, saffron (I read somewhere once that it takes around 150-170 handpicked saffron flowers to make just one gram of this lotion), almond and cocoa butter. I have never used a lotion quite like this - it makes my skin softer than any lotion I have ever used, and it's exceptionally amazing for just-shaved legs. If Lush ever re-releases this, you can bet I'll be stocking up - and you should, too!



For a girl who likes to go a few days between hair washes, Batiste dry shampoo is my savior! I've tried many many many different kinds of dry shampo, but I always come back around to Batiste. I especially love the Wild scent, which I can smell in my hair for most of the day after I spray it in my roots. It smells like a luxurious perfume and I absolutely love it. If you want to go 2-3 days between hair washes and are prone to oily hair, pick up a bottle of Batiste and your hair will look clean and oil-free! It's a wondrous thing. 

Another perfume that rocked my world in 2014 was Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black. This perfume is a Sephora exclusive and was created by Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen. This smells amazing - it's dark and sexy with notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla ... definitely a night time scent that's warm and alluring. The packaging also definitely deserves recognition as it's so unique and modern! 



Praise be to the amazing lipstick that is MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna. This was limited edition, too - sorry, don't hate me! I lusted after this after seeing it on a million blogs and my amazing bestie got it for me for my birthday! It's the perfect blue-toned red that has the slightest hint of shimmer, but isn't overwhelming. Take it from a girl who doesn't like shimmer on her lips, this is just right. It's extremely long wearing and it looks AMAZING on us pale girls. I never want this lipstick to end!

An oldie but a goodie, Benefit's Coralista blush is still absolutely amazing to me, and I reached for it over and over in 2014. See swatches of it here. This is a beautiful, shimmery coral blush that adds just the right amount of flush. It's perfect to grab if you're sporting dramatic eyeshadow and just need to look alive but not overdone. This will forever be a favorite of mine.

A completely underrated blush that I get compliments on nearly every time I wear it is the Covergirl Trublend Minerals blush in Shimmering Sands. This is more of a pinky-gold highlighter but I brush it all over my cheeks and then pop a brighter pink on the apples of my cheeks and BAM. It's the most beautiful flush to the face ever. Guaranteed. I have this fear Covergirl is going to discontinue this product, so I really should grab a back up of this when I get a chance. See it in action here and GO TRY IT! 

I did not expect at all that I would fall in love with NYC's Smooth Skin Pressed Powder. I had an old compact of this sitting in my stash, so I pulled it out to use and completely fell in love. I've now gone through 2 or 3 this year and I will definitely keep on buying it. This is a finely-milled powder that does an excellent job of setting foundation without making you look like a ghost, or cakey, or too dry, or all the bad things that can happen when you use a bad powder. The best part? This costs less than $5! Wooo! See it on my face here.




*BIG SIGH*.... wow! That's a wrap on my top 14 products of 2014! I'd love to know what YOU loved this year - let me know in the comments! Happy New Year!!!!
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