Category: Hauls

Drugstore and Davines Haul!

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Hiya!

Today I thought I’d bring you a collective haul as I’ve recently been replacing several items I’ve run out of. Let’s get to it!

Milani Make it Last Setting Spray

I have had my eye out for this stuff literally FOREVER. David sweetly picked this up for me a couple of weeks ago when he ran to Freddie’s for dog food – what a guy! So far, I reallllly like it and it definitely makes my makeup last longer than my other tried-and-true from the drugstore, the Wet’n’Wild Photo Focus.

Earth Science Creamy Fruit Oil Cleanser

The lady who does my hair (and is also an aesthetician) recommended this brand to me. I got it at New Seasons (Portland’s local all-natural grocery store) and so far I love it. It REALLY breaks down makeup and leaves my skin feeling hydrated.

Essence Lash Princess Mascara

My sister recommended this mascara to me. I am nearly out of the L’Oreal Lash Paradise and Covergirl Full Bloom so I thought I’d give it a whirl. They have three formulas for this, with three different wand shapes. I went with the volume one and so far it’s not bad…

Essence Satin Touch Blush in Satin Coral

This color caught my eye REAL QUICK. I am totally in love with this line of blushes from Essence. They are pigmented, silky soft to the touch (as the name would imply) and blend out beautifully. PLUS, this brand is so so cheap.

Dr. Teals Epsom Salt Foaming Bath and Soaking Solution in Coconut Oil

These were buy one, get one at Freddie’s the other day and I decided to give the brand new formula a try. Also, because it is COCONUT. I just love epsom salt baths and the bubble bath is really nice too. Hoping this makes me smell like a beach.

And lastly, I splurged on these three items from Davines. I am so in love with this brand, their products and their color. My hair person recommended I try the Melu line this time and so far I have been absolutely loving it.

Davines Melu Shampoo and Conditioner

Melu Hair Shield

This is a heat protectant and I really like that it doesn’t weigh my hair down. I seem to have that problem with other heat protectants.

And that’s it! What have YOU been buying lately?

Drugstore Makeup Haul

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G’day chiclets!

Who remembers chiclets? I was all about the white and pink flaves. SO good. But today I am not here to talk about gum. Or even candy.

Today, let’s talk about some random crap I have purchased at various locations!

Ecotools Skin Perfecting Brush

Ok, who else has tried Ecotools brushes because all of the ones I’ve purchased have been amazing. They are soft, hold up well after multiple washings and are pretty inexpensive. I found the above model at Big Lots for $3. I think I’m going back for more.

Miniature Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara

How adorable is this tiny mascara? You don’t really ever see travel sized drugstore mascaras so when I saw this (again at Big Lots) for $1.50 I snatched it up REAL FAST. And a sidenote: why don’t more drugstore brands make travel-sized mascaras? They would KILL. I hope this ones still in good condish seeing as it was purchased at Big Lots.

Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

David actually bought me this at the store! He just came home with it one day and was like “I bought you makeup!” all proud. When he whipped out a mascara I was thinking “oh dear god it’s gonna be like a brown waterproof formula”, but he ended up getting a good one in exactly the right color. GO DAVID!

Dollar Store Nail Gems

A bit tacky? Sure. But why not spice up the nail game very once and a while. E helped me pick out these two suckers for my party nail the other night.

Lash Paradise Mascara in Mystic Black

I know. It has taken me FAR too long to review this already adored mascara. I plan to do a full review as I have been using it now for awhile. I do like it, but I also have some things to say about it.

L’Oreal Blend Artist Foundation Blender

Per Youtuber Casey Holmes, I purchased this sponge. It took me FOREVER to finally find one but I really needed it, seeing as I lost my Beauty Blender a month or two ago. So far, I realllllly like this and to me, it is better than the Real Techniques one! I also want to try to Flower Beauty one from Wal-Mart but they are out of stock errrrywhere.

Wet’n’Wild Color Blast Mascara in Cobalt Blue

I’ve been really wanting to try blue mascara as of late, so I picked this up the other day at Rite Aid. It was in a Halloween-type display with lots of other colors. It is a rather bright blue, which is awesome. The formula however, is not the best.

Wet’n’Wild Eyeliner in Navy

I realized my favorite Jordana liner was about 237 years old so I decided to not risk a sty and toss it. I do want to invest in a nicer, high-end blue liner but for now this’ll do.

What have YOU purchased from the drugstore recently?

Subscription Box Haul

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How does everyone feel about the whole beauty subscription box game lately?

I remember when BirchBox first came out, it seemed too good to be true! A bunch of HIGH-END beauty stuff for a measly $10 per month?! But then the box came in the mail, month after month with unwearable colors, packets containing .0003 ounces of product or brands I’d never heard of.

I did Ipsy for a hot minute and while the surprise each month was fun – the products became increasingly disappointing. I have to admit that much of that had to do with the fact that I was buying more of what I really wanted and building up a really nice collection, so the random sample of sparkly purple nail polish just became blase.

I also recently dipped my toe into the FabFitFun pool and if you read this post, you know how well that turned out for me.

And while I think they are a great option for a beauty newbie or someone looking to expand their collection or try new things, they are just not for me. SO. I am a beauty subscription box skeptic and really not into spending my hard-earned dollars on chance products I may or may not love. So when my pal Holly offered to send me a box of things she personally did not want or need from her subscription boxes of  course I was totally delighted!

Sidenote: If my grandmother taught me one thing, it was a ride or die appreciation for grab bags. You know the ones. They used to sell them at the drugstore by her house and the thrill of not knowing what was inside was just titillating (that’s right).

So here are the contents of the grab bag from sweet Holly.

First of all, I was SO excited she included this lipstick set from Realher because she got the “natural pinks” where I was given the “deep reds”. These are really pretty colors and something I will definitely wear on the regular.

Contents include (from top to bottom) liquid lipstick, lip gloss and a lip pencil. Also sidenote: I am totally feelin’ the names on the packaging especially after binge-watching The Handmaid’s Tale.

I should also note that this liquid lipstick is like freaking PAINT. I swatched these early Sunday morning and after sweating, swimming and washing my hands 82743 times this was the swatch at the end of the day:

Other products she sent included:

This peppermint + chammomile massage oil from WILL  which I used on David’s calves after basketball one day and it was glorious.

A mineral peel face mask from O.R.G which I am excited to try out.

This Eau Thermale Avène Sunscreen for face in SPF 50. I absolutely love this brand (it’s french so DUH) and have tried a couple other skincare items from them. I am delighted to own this product to protect my face from developing more sunspots!

The Flawless Skin Fluid from Doctor D. Schwab.

This Skin Laundry Restoring Night Serum which I have heard great things about!

The Juice Beauty Smoothing Eye Concentrate. I LOVE Juice Beauty so I am very excited about this product.

These samples from Rodan + Fields which I already LOVE!

A Korean facial sponge.

Keratin gloves and socks from Bodipure which I will be definitely using in conjunction with a face mask!

These loose pigments from Your Minerals.

Here is the white shade (winter):

A Manna Kadar Lipstain in Lucky which is gorgeous.

Lipgloss in Flower Child from Passport to Beauty

A scarf from Michael Stars (LOVE THESE COLORS!)

Fingerless grey knitted gloves (not sure of the brand) which I also love.

And lastly, some perfume samples from Tocca which all smell amazing.

So obviously a GIANT thank you to Holly for sending me all of these goodies! I will putting them to the test and reporting back of course. Have any of you tried these products? What did you think?

P.S Holly’s daughter included this lovely piece of art for me as well…heart = melted.

Origins GinZing Vox Box

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It’s time for another Vox Box!

This time I was sent a few items from the Origins GinZing line for testing from Influenster.

*And remember, Influenster is totally free to sign up for. All you do is link up your social media accounts and you’re in! Click here to register and hopefully start getting free stuff too!

Here we have the Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer, the  Refreshing Eye Cream and the Refreshing Scrub Cleanser.

The Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer

I have actually tried the regular (non-gel version) of this moisturizer before in a sample size and I do like it. Is it THE BEST moisturizer out there? No. Is it THE MOST moisturizing? No. I like this product however, for a few good reasons. First, it is priced well at around $30. Second, it does a good job at hydrating the skin and the product absorbs quickly. And lastly, (as with the eye cream) it adds a slight radiance to the skin. The brightening effect is not too noticeable with the gel cream but I do notice a nice subtle radiance!

The Refreshing Eye Cream

I have used this product before and I LOVE it. It has a slightly pearly finish after applying which is really nice and brightening under there. I like to wear it everyday, regardless of if I am wearing makeup or not. But it does beautifully under makeup as well.

The Refreshing Scrub Cleanser

I have never used this before but it is coming at a great time since my Soap & Glory cleanser is almost out! I am anxious to try this with the entire line to see how it performs.

And that’s it! Have YOU ever tried Origins skincare?

Mont Bleu Nail Care Review

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Hello left Twixes!

Also, have y’all tried these?

OMG they are to die. Just buy them, trust me ;).

But now for the reason you’re all here! Let’s dive into some nail curr !

My nails have never looked that stellar for a myriad of reasons.

  1. Due to probably not eating enough protein or leafy greens (yech) my nails are thin and brittle
  2. I pick at my hang nails and knuckle skin #selfmutilation
  3. I buy like one new nail file a year

SO! The lovely folks at Mont Bleu sent me some things to try out and review for you all but this post is not spons’d.

I was just tickled to peruse their website as lots of items are beautifully crystallized in a huge array of colors. Another thing I thought to be curious was that many of their nail care products are made of  glass! On top of that, they use SWAROVSKI (aka the super sparkly stones) to adorn their files with which is super bougie and fun.

Here are the items I chose: *cue the nature shots!

Set of 3 Glass Nail Files w/Swarovski Crystals in Fuchsia/Light Rose

These files are sturdy, beautiful works of art right!? And also they’re nail files! But srsly, I used the large one that night and it performed beautifully at shaping my nails. Also, you don’t really see the scratch marks on the file after using.

All-in-One Original Foot Scraper & Callus Remover  in Pink

This puppy is a work horse. I took the above picture for a size reference and as you can see, it is quite large. The cool glass feels really amazing on my tired feet and the file smooths my gross heels out very nicely. The file itself is quite heavy, but also very durable.

Cuticle Nippers 5 mm

I’ve never owned a pair of cuticle scissors and I can now so I don’t know how I went for so long without some. This pair is heavy, sturdy and also very precise and quite sharp. They worked like a charm on both my fingernails and toenails!

Dual-end glass cuticle pusher

You can’t really tell from this picture, but this glass cuticle stick is in a gorgeous shade of nude/baby pink. It is dual-ended and comes with a classic, flat cuticle-pusher as well as a pointed end. I used this again, on both my fingers and toes and it was a pleasure to use. I could do the majority of the work with the pusher side and I enjoyed getting into those tiny crevasses with the pointy side. It gets the job done and is super bougie at the same time!

Overall, I love these products. I like having nail care that is actually beautiful to display! I am so used to hiding files and things away in a drawer because they’re unsightly. These items are lovely, work well and make you feel like you’re at a swanky nail salon right in your own home! I think they’d make an excellent gift for anyone who loves their nails or enjoys at-home nail care.

You can also find Mont Bleu on Amazon!

For partnering opportunities, click here!

Use the code “BLOG” for 20% off anything on the site!

Ulta Haul

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Hello my little rays of sunshine!

It’s supposed to get into the 80’s this week in Portland and if it does, I will surely DIE of happiness. I am so ready guys.

Last weekend, David, E and I ventured out to a shopping plaza and wouldn’t you know it…there was an Ulta!? Surprisingly, Portland doesn’t really have too many Ulta stores and sometimes a girls just needs her fix. I shopped around for about 30 minutes before David and E joined in and we had to go (the temptation to touch EVERYTHING is just too real for a 6 year old).

I knew I was going to buy one of the Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow shades but couldn’t decide on one – they’re all gorgeous. I made up my mind and David stood in line with my ONE purchase while I walked E down to get some froyo. Later that day at home, he surprised me with a bunch of the stuff I had wanted at Ulta but didn’t buy. What a guy! So here’s the lineup!

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow in Smoldering Satin

You guys, this stuff is so freaking pretty. I might have to get every shade eventually. I wore it out to dinner that night (to the Olive Garden, what what!?) and absolutely could not stop staring at myself. haha

FYI – If you plan to try this product out, PLEASE BE ADVISED that it necessitates a glitter glue underneath. If you skip this step, you will have a hot mess of glitter all over yer mug. I used this one and it worked just great, which I found at Sally’s for $1.79

Now…back to the haul!

Eyelure Luxe Lashes in Baroque and Opulent

I have been eyeing (get it?) the “mink effect” style lashes for a while. Ardell has a couple styles out, but these ones from Eyelure are SO gorgeous. Look how wispy-soft they look! I cannot WAIT to don these puppies. Of course, I’ll take pics for you guys.

Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist

You guys know I wanted this 99% because of the packaging. I picture throwing this in mummer beach bag and spritzing myself before I run out to the beach. But like, in reality I will be using this to set my face after makeup during the hotter summer months.

Soap & Glory Pillow Plump XXL Lip Gloss in Nude in Town

This color is SO pretty you guys. Don’t let the shade in the tube fool you too much. It is THEE perfect nude ever. I have wanted one of these glosses forever but already owned the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams which also boast a plumping effect. Lemme tell ya, this stuff packs some SERIOUS tingle so you if you’re not a fan of the lip plumpers, steer clear of this. I happen to love the buzzing, tingling feeling – it’s like a little fairy is dancing on my lips saying “Get prettier! Come on! You can do it!” But like, pretty much it just eliminates the lines in my lips and makes them appear slightly more voluptuous.

Nivea Skin Firming & Toning Serum and Lotion

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Good day spring tulips!

As of late, I have been hyper aware of certain areas of m’bod. You know the ones…

zee gobbler…zee batwings. I’m not saying they’re huge problem areas for me, but like duh – they will be someday. And I decided it was time to ARMOR UP. After watching a few vids on the subject and doing a tiny bit of research, I decided on  the Nivea Skin Firming and Smoothing Serum. It contains a couple of ingredients meant to help tighten, tone and smooth and the box boasts results in just a couple of weeks. Maybe tonight I’ll take some BEFORE pics. Omg you guys. Am I really a before/after person?

I decided to also get the gel-cream, as I figured I could apply that to larger areas (ahem, BUTTOCKS) to see if I noticed a difference. The cellulite  struggle is real, girls. I found the serum at Rite Aid and the gel-cream at Targs, btw.

Leave me a comment below if you’d like a follow-up post in two weeks to see if the claims are legit because I am totally down.