Avon Ultra Luxury Brow Liner: A Great & Affordable Product To Define Your Eyebrows

photo source: AVON

Today's post will feature Avon ULTRA LUXURY Brow Liner. I've used this product for years off and on and just started to use it again recently. I have the shade Dark Brown but needed something lighter. Dark Brown was a little too dark...it still worked just fine but I've found over time that when I use a lighter shade (than my brows) it looks more natural. 

I really forgot how great this product was. Who doesn't love being reminded how good something is after not using it in so long? It glides on easily and doesn't tug at all. This is a huge plus because in the "brow pencil market" I find that most tug on the skin or are too stiff to work with. I was curious about the ingredients because of the texture of this product. There is fruit wax listed. This is a good thing because it helps not only with glide, but with staying power too! 

The color selection is pretty good even though there are only four colors. I find that Blonde works perfect for me and I think it would actually work for most people with blonde or light brunette hair. I haven't tried the other two shades, but Dark Brown could work for brunettes and possibly very dark hair. The shade Blonde itself isn't too warm OR ashy which is exactly what I want. I have a lot of redness in my skin and if I use a brow product with too warm/auburn undertones it actually brings out my redness even more. It sounds strange but it's true!

As some of you may know, I have a huge scar in my right eyebrow from when I was younger. I seriously look like Vanilla Ice when I don't fill it in, and before finding this product (and PerFekt Brow Perfection - my other favorite brow product that is a mascara-type) it was a nightmare trying to find something to fill in that gap! It was a pain because not many products I tried looked natural ("drawn on") or they wouldn't completely fill in the scar. This product fills it in and stays put!

I find that my brows stayed filled in all day and there are no smudges...I want to mention that I do use a wax pencil first...lightly over the brow and then heavier where my scar is. This is my everyday routine! NYX Eyebrow Shaper is a staple brow product for me! If you have a scar like me or have very fair eyebrow hair then you will probably love this product too! There will be more of my review when I feature this in an upcoming post. Here's the Ulta link to check it out in the meantime...HERE

Now are you ready for one the best reasons of why this Avon brow product is so great? It normally retails for $6 (which is super cheap at that price tag) but is now on sale for $1.89...no joke! I couldn't believe how affordable this was AND how great it performed. I was all ready to buy another high end brand's brow liner but nope...not anymore!

Here is the link to check it out! Such a steal!

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=31079

This really great product at a can't-beat-this price! It works well and I find it performs just as well as many of the expensive brands. I love finding a bargain and sharing it with you all! Check it out if you are in the market for a new brow liner...you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Givenchy Photo'Perfexion Fluid Foundation SPF 20 PA+++ : Photos & Detailed Review

Today's post will feature a foundation by Givenchy. It is called Photo'Perfexion and is sold exclusivey at Sephora stores. This is a product I never see on youtube or in the blogs...and I probably wouldn't know about it if it wasn't for the Sephora makeup artist. I was purchasing a different foundation and started up a chat with the girl at Sephora about foundations. I told her I am always looking to try out new ones and she mentioned this one. I was curious because I would have never strolled by the Givenchy makeup if it wasn't for this suggestion. I am so glad she passed along this recommendation...

What Givenchy says.."Givenchy Photo'Perfexion Fluid Foundation SPF 20 PA+++ works like a concealer to correct imperfections, smooth the skin's texture, and even out the complexion. With the expertise and speed of a digital retoucher, Photo'Perfexion conceals dark shadows and sallow complexions. It goes on smooth and velvety every time and delivers a flawless finish—minus the heavy, cakey feeling". SOURCE: Sephora

I do want to first point out that this is an expensive foundation. It retails for $48 for .8oz. I don't mind spending my money if I really think a product is worth it. With all beauty products, I always do my research first for reviews, photos & swatches. I didn't buy this product the first time I had it put on me...I wanted to get a sample and take it home for me to test out. I like to "test drive" foundations for a few days before deciding if I will/will not purchase. I have saved so much money & time (ie returns) from doing it this way!

Packaging: Let's first talk about the packaging...the foundation is housed in a nice glass bottle. It is not bulky and doesn't have that "I'm going to drop this and break it easily" feel to it. The bottle has a pump but if you really wanted you could take it off and pour it on your fingers. The pump is controllable and doesn't pump out way too much...a common issue with pumps! This wasn't a decision factor, but I do like the look of the Givenchy logo on the lid. It adds some luxury and beauty to the product. 

Color Selection: I have become really good at matching my own foundation and I typically prefer to always do it myself. However, the makeup artist at Sephora was kind enough to over to do a full face for me. I couldn't say no and let her match me. The color she picked was exactly what I would pick. It was a medium shade with yellow undertones (it does lean a smidge neutral when it dries down). I played with a few other shades but #106 Perfect Pecan was the winner. The color is a perfect match when I have on my sunless tan or when it's faded a few days. All of the shades are broken down in undertones which I think is great! It really does make finding a color so much easier (ie I won't bother to look at the pink undertone ones). There are 10 shades in the entire line and I am the second to darkest so darker skintones may have a hard time finding a shade that works for them. I also want to note that with this foundation make sure you see what the color looks like upon initial application and also after it's dried down. It does get a tad darker...not so much though that it makes a noticale different on your face. As always, I suggest getting color matched or trying out multiple shades to find your best match.

Coverage: The coverage is medium. You could easily sheer it out or do another layer to alter it though. Over the past few years I have preferred a medium foundation because I find they look more natural on my skin. I do have a lot of redness on my cheeks, nose and some discoloration on my chin. This foundation covers up all of those but sometimes I need a little more on my chin area. If you have minor to mild things to cover you will really like this! The foundation blends really well on the skin and is easily to work with and build up. This foundation is also oil free and has an spf of 20. 

Scent & Benefits: This foundation does have a scent and I actually like it. I typically don't like scented face products but this is a scent I actually like. Givenchy describes it as "white flowers" and I find that to be accurate. The scent is floral but not overbearing by any means. This foundation also has skincare benefits (hello $48 price tag). It contains a "skin plumper, firmer and maintains mositure levels". It also says that, "Photo'Perfexion is a foundation that recreates the perfect skin quality obtained with digital touch-ups, but without freezing the features". I completely agree with this claim..see more on this below.

Wear & Photograph: This wears extremely well. This will last a whole work day and more. I find that I don't ever need a touch up and I don't get shiny when I wear this. I do always wear a setting powder over my foundation and also use a makeup setting spray so I'm sure that those two things help with the wear as well. As you might have guessed from the name, this foundation photographs awesome! This is a key factor of Photo'Perfexion because it looks so flawless on my skin when I have my picture taken. I really like that it looks like my own skin and doesn't give me the "ghost white face" like a lot of other foundations do! I make sure to wear this foundation when I know I am going to have my picture taken a lot!

I really recommend giving this foundation a look. I know it's pricey but wouldn't you spend a little more if you knew that it would make your skin look flawless? I know I would! This is one of those luxury beauty items that I truly think is worth it! Please let me know if you end up checking it out!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

A Few Things I've Been Loving Lately...

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I started a new job so I've been pretty busy recently. I plan to do a detailed foundation review this weekend, but wanted to get something up for you all before then. I decided to do a post about a few products I have been diggin' lately. I think this will be a nice change up from my one product reviews. However I'll maybe end up doing individual reviews of these or combined reviews in the future. Most are new favorites of mine that I have been wearing a lot in the past few weeks...

St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse: I'm a huge fan of Xen Tan sunless tanning products, but I have been wanting to try out this much raved about mousse. I initially bought the "Dark" version but it was awful! I exchanged it out for the original version and have been loving it. It's not as dark as my Xen Tan Dark Lotion (my review) but it's so quick and easy to work with. That's pretty much the way it goes with self tanning mousse...the color usually isn't as dark but it's quick application and dries quicker than a lotion. I also like the way this smells too...it has that "clean" scent to it. The color payoff looks like a real tan on my skin and never telltale that it's fake bake. I really recommend giving this a try if you are interested in self tanning!

Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder: I've had this translucent setting powder for about a year now and have been neglecting it because I fell in love with the Cargo Blu_Ray Pressed Powder (my review). This is my favorite loose powder I have ever tried. Even though it's translucent -which can sometimes look chalky...this one never does. It blends well and keeps your face makeup in place. I've been wearing this a lot lately and it made me remember why I liked it so much!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: I'm a huge fan of the Real Techniques brush line. I've pretty much switched over from other lines and now use all RT ones. They don't shed, are soft, affordable and I really like the handle. I included this one because it's the newest addition to my collection and it's been blending out my foundation everyday!

Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush "Spring Flower": I bought this blush after seeing it on blogs and specifically on "ItsBl0ndie" youtube channel. I believe this shade was limited edition but i'm not positive. I saw it at Ulta when I was walking by and there was only one left. I knew I had to buy it. The best part was it was on sale for only $2.49! I'm a fan of brown/neutral blushes and this is just that. It comes off as neutral, pinkish brown. I love this shade and how it looks on my skin.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer "NC30": After trying a ton of different concealers to use under my eyes, I was recommened this by a MAC makeup artist. I went in to look at other concealers but was suggested to try & color matched for this product. The color NC30 works perfect on my skintone and this really does do a great job of hiding undereye cirlces. I should note that my dark circles are purple instead of blue. I will admit I don't like the packaging...the pump gives you too much product to work with, so I typically will use the remainder on my nose and cheeks where I have a lot of redness. You will also have to work a little quicker with this as the texture is thicker and it does dry down fast. Even still, this concealer works great for me and I don't mind putting in the extra work.

Have you tried any of these products? What was your experience good/bad?

Hope all is well!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Xen Tan Transform Luxe

Today's post will feature Xen Tan Transform Luxe. This is a gradual self tanning product that I have used a little over a year. I wanted to highlight this gradual tanner from Xen Tan because I think it's a great product that can work for all skills levels of self tan users. 

I do want to note that I prefer my self tan to be dark and my favorite product is the Xen Tan Dark Lotion. I did a full rave review on that product back in the summer. If you would like to see that, you can click HERE. Although I do prefer a deep bronze, I like to use this gradual tanner for maintenance. I typically self tan head to toe about twice a week. However, if you are a fake tan user you know that a self tan starts to fade a tad around day 3. When this happens I can use the Transform Luxe to help keep my tan looking fresh in the meantime.

I also wanted to share this product because I think this would be a great beginner sunless tanning product. I have only written about dark self tans on my blog so far, and I really wanted to start sharing some products for newbies!

The product itself comes in a big squeeze tube and you can easily control how much product comes out. There is a vanilla-cupcake scent to it and I like it a lot. It really does help mask the scent of fake tan. Transform Luxe is oil free and can be used on both the face & body. I have used it on my face and have not had any breakouts. I do prefer to use a separate face tanner and one of my all time favorite beauty products is the Xen Tan Face Tanner Luxe. I did a detailed review on it a few months back. Click HERE to read it!

Transform Luxe blends well and is easy to work into the skin. This product is a white lotion so you will not have the color guard many darker sunless tan products have. However, most gradual tanners that I know of don't have a color guard anyway. Don't worry, this gradual tanner is goof proof. I have never experienced streaking.

The lotion contains shea butter, vitamin E and is creamy. It's a thicker consistency but never heavy on the skin. Once you are done self tanning, I recommend waiting a least 10 minutes to get dressed. A trick I like to use is blowdrying my body to help speed up dry time. It sounds silly but it totally works!

When applying this you can use your hands or latex gloves. I have done both ways and have achieved the same results. If you are worried about orange palms I would try the gloves first. Or you can also use a mitt too. Another trick is to just wash your hands with soap & water right after you are done. Personally I use my hands and then just wash them when I am done. Do whatever is most comfortable for you!

As far as development time, I would do as the bottle suggests and wait the 3 hours before coming in contact with water or doing exercise. If you can wait longer than the 3 hours your tan will be darker. Remember this is a light to medium gradual tanner so you will not be very dark (like the Dark Lotion), rather this product will give you some color...a great option for women who want to give themselves a glow in the colder months or add some color to their legs!

If you are interested in buying this, you can find it at Nordstrom, Ulta or Xen Tan's website. It retails for $32 so it is pricey. However, the bottle is 8oz it is pretty big. If you use it everyday then yes it will run out faster, but if you use it a few times a week it will last quite awhile! 

Overall this a great product for those who are self tan pros who want to prolong their sunless tans OR for those who are new to self tanning and want to start out easy & slow. Transform Luxe smells good, blends well and is easy to work with. If you are looking for a light/medium tan then you might want to check out Transform Luxe. I have been very happy with the results!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Physician's Formula Bright Collection Shimmery Quad Eye Shadow in Metallic Canyon

Today's post will feature Physician's Formula Bright Collection Shimmery Quad Eye Shadow in Metallic Canyon. This appears to be the shimmery version of my favorite drugstore eyeshadow palette from the Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow in Canyon Classics. I did a review of several drugstore palettes awhile ago. If you would like to see that post or look for the comparison, you can click HERE.

This palette was an impulse buy when I was doing my Ulta Friends & Family shopping. It caught my  eye  because I thought it was my beloved matte palette. The shades looked very similar but in shimmer/metallic finishes. I was really curious to see the quality of this quad because the matte version was excellent. I convinced myself to purchase it, and I am really happy I did! This retails for $6.79 at Ulta

The shades are in the neutral family but do lean cool. I myself have warm skin and I think they work just fine and don't clash with my skintone at all! If you are a taupe fan then you will really like this quad. I love taupe because it works with all skintones and it is such a versatile shade in any eye look. In a way this reminds me a little bit of the Urban Decay Naked 2...of course this isn't the same but the color family is definitely very similar!

The pigmentation is excellent in this quad. The shades below are with only one finger swipe. The color comes to life even more when you use a primer underneath them. I have tried applying this a few ways and I find that stiff brushes and your fingers work best. They are smooth & buttery and blend fairly well.

The one downside of this quad is that there is a lot of fallout. This meaning that when you dust this shade on your brush, a lot of the powder kicks up. I just simply tap off the excess and I don't have an issue. Also, make sure to pat on this eyeshadow rather than just sweep it all over your lid. Another thing I do is keep a makeup wipe nearby to wipe any fallen shadow. Both of these tips will help keep fallout in check. The fallout is not glittery or shimmery at all like Urban Decay's glitter shades if you have tried those! This is just something I wanted to note that you will experience. 

Photos & Swatches

First & Second Photo L to R: top left shade, top right shade, bottom left shade, bottom right shade

Overall, I really recommend this eye quad. If I had this palette before I did my favorite drugstore eyeshadow palettes post I would have included this. This quad has great pigmentation and I love the shades in it. This is one of those eyeshadow quads where all the shades can work together or you can mix and match easily with other colors. This is a great affordable product that you can bring with on trips/overnights for a quick look...very functional! 

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Urban Decay All Nighter Long Lasting Makeup Spray

Today's post will feature Urban Decay All Night Long Lasting Makeup Spray. This has long been a makeup favorite of mine! It is truly a fantastic makeup addition that will make a huge difference in the wear of your cosmetics!

This was mentioned in my post about my favorite Urban Decay products. If you are curious to see what else I love from this brand then click here to read the aforementioned post.

What Urban Decay says...

In an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, we developed this groundbreaking, hypoallergenic setting spray that keeps your makeup on for 16 unbelievable hours. Legendary enough that it’s already inspired imitations, All Nighter boasts a patent pending Temperature Control Technology that makes this weightless mist so powerful and sets it far above the competition. Your makeup won’t melt when it's warm and humid or become dehydrated when it’s cold and windy. Yes, it actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to hold foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place. The sprayer, unlike others on the market, delivers a micro-fine mist that distributes product evenly over the skin. SOURCE: Urban Decay

Some may find primer & setting spray not be necessary, but I find that when I wear both my makeup not only lasts all day, but it sits better on my skin. I also notice the difference when I do and don't use this setting spray after my face makeup application (a true test!). I use this product on myself everyday, and will always use it for bridal/special event makeup on clients. This product really locks in your look! 

This worked excellent for the brutally hot summer we had were I live. This product held my makeup in 100 degree weather!! So if you live where it's humid & hot, you may love this even more! It also works for all skin types...I have drier skin in the fall/winter and combination in the hotter months. This has worked amazing for me year round!

It is so easy to apply. I will first finish my whole makeup look (eyes, face, lips, brows, etc) and then spritz this all over my face (keep your eyes closed so your can lock in your shadow too). It will temporary feel a bit dewy on your skin, but it will dry right away. Don't worry, this wetness won't change or alter your makeup at all! I usually will let it sink in for a few seconds...then i'm on my way! It really is that easy & simple to use. 

The price point is expensive, I won't lie.  The normal size is $29 for 4.o BUT keep reading for a deal! However, the bottle is large and it truly lasts a long time. I use this every single day and it still lasts me awhile. I even probably do a few too many spritz!. 

Do you need it? If you need your makeup to last all day, have an issue with your face makeup disappearing, want your eyeshadow to stay put, and want your makeup to look just like it did when you applied it....then yes!

I actually stocked up on Urban Decay's website because it looks like they are discontinuing the XL size (what I usually buy). It is normally $34 but on sale for $18!! This is a huge discount because the normal retail is $29 for 4.0z and this XL size is on clearance for $18 for 6.0z (normally $34). This is a HUGE deal!! If you are interested in trying this product, or are a fan of this like me, then you need to stock up now! You won't find this deal at Sephora or Ulta. I just got lucky after scooping out the Urban Decay website. I wanted to pay forward my good luck to you all!

Here is the link:

HERE!!

This is such a great product that I truly believe in! I have purchased this over and over again. I highly recommend this if you need your makeup to last all day!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

How To Whiten Stained Discolored Nails

Today's post will be a quick tip on How To Whiten Stained Discolored Nails From Nail my Polish. Since having my acrylic nails removed several months ago, I have been really into doing my own manicures. I have found a new love for nail polish and I enjoy the process of my painting my own nails. I plan to post about my whole routine in the near future. However, today I will be talking about how to fix stained yellow nails from nail polish. 

Why does it happen?

Nail staining can result from several reasons, but today's post will be discussing discoloration caused by nail polish. This can happen if you wear a lot of dark polishes, wear a shade for a long time, don't use a base coat or wear nail polish on your fingers all the time. I fall in the last category.

How can I whiten them?

I was in a panic the last few times I have taken my polish off for a change. I use a base coat everytime, but my nails were still staining a yellow tinge. I decided I needed to try something so I set off on google trying to find remedies  I didn't have much concrete luck so I went to my Instagram (PurpleShampoo) to ask my beauty buddies for their help! My girls over @ ABrunetteDuet suggested hydrogen peroxide as they saw it on a post. I figured why not and didn't waste anytime getting to work.

WHAT YOU NEED (Supplies): Hydrogen Peroxide, small glass bowl/dish, nail buffer

What is the process?

• Remove ALL nail polish from your nails. You want them bare!
• Pour the hydrogen peroxide in a small glass bowl/dish
• Soak one hand fingers in the bowl (I didn't time this but I would maybe say 30 seconds to a 1 minute)
• Buff your nails using the buffer. Use the rough side first then the smooth side
• Repeat above steps 2-3x (I did 3) with other hand
• Wash hands with soap & water
• Give your fingers a break and don't wear polish the rest of the day

The Results:

What should I do to prevent stained nails?

First thing I would recommend is getting a good base coat. I always use a base coat to protect my nails. A base coat acts as a primer between your nail and the polish. Some base coats on the market can help strengthen or provide other treatments. I use the Revlon Colorstay Base Coat. Second, I would keep doing this whitening method every few times you switch your polish. That is my plan! 

I hope this was helpful to you! Please let me know if you try it!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Thumbs Down: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer

Hi all! I hope you are having a great weekend so far. Today's post will be about Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer. Now before we go any farther, I want to let you know that this is a negative review. I debated writing this review because I know many ladies are huge fans of this. But, I am not a fan of this product and have given it multiple chances to work for me. Sadly it hasn't. This is a widely raved about product throughout the beauty world. I really wanted to love it, but I didn't. Thumbs down.

DISCLAIMER: I don't really like hating on products, but when I have a negative experience with a product repeatedly, I want to share it with others. I want to note that just because this didn't work for me, it doesn't mean it won't work for you. Remember that if you ARE a fan of this product that is fine too! These are my personal opinions.

What do I like?

• Packaging
• I do like the sponge applicator idea. In a way it does the blending for you. I know some have talked about the hygiene concern with this. 
• I also like that I can see exactly how much product is left
• No scent

What don't I like?

• Creases
• This product creases horribly on me. I have tried so many different ways of applying it and every time...creases! I have used different brushes, the sponge applicator and even my fingers...nothing worked!
• Treatment product? 
• Maybelline claims that this product contains ingredients that help with dark circles and puffiness. I didn't notice any difference over the period of testing it multiple times.
• Coverage
• I don't have awful dark circles, but I do need concealer. It's tough to find a color that is opaque enough to cover blue/purple under eye circles. This was a huge downside...I kept having to do more and more layers.
• Drying on the eye area
• This dried out the skin under my eyes which probably encouraged creasing

Overall, I just didn't dig it! I have heard so many great things about this so my expectations were super high. I was very disappointed and I have been lately with Maybelline. The extreme creasing and lack of coverage were the dealbreakers for me. 

I would not personally recommend this to family or friends. I will be doing an upcoming post on my favorite eye concealers that blow this one out the water. Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading,

Carly

Interview & Work Eye Makeup Idea

Hi all! Today's post will feature an Interview & Work Makeup Idea. As much as I love experimenting with makeup and beauty, I do prefer to keep my eye makeup defined but neutral at the same time at an office job. This meaning that I don't wear heavy or an overly smoky eye makeup to work. Of course, this really depends on where you work. When I worked at Ulta it was awesome because I could wear bright colors and go all out with my look. However, when you're in an office setting it can look a little overdone. Don't get me wrong, you can still show your creativity and talent! Here's an idea for work or interview eye makeup...

What I used

• Urban Decay Eden (eyeshadow base)
• Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in Birthday (cream eyeshadow for base)
• MAC All That Glitters (lid color - used on the inner half of lid)
• Urban Decay Naked (crease color - used to blend out above 2 steps and as a transition color...tip: this will help prep your crease for dark colors. Have you noticed how sometimes darker shades don't want to blend out for you? Try sweeping a  flesh/beige eyeshadow that is about the same shade as your skin in your crease. This trick works! I do it every single day!
• MAC Patina (crease color - blended through crease and concentrated heavier on the outer lid)
• MAC Expresso (outer V color - blended through the outer V to add dimension and depth. tip: If you find that this overall eye look is too dark for you then you can skip this step!)
• Wet n Wild Mega Liner in Black (eyeliner - I sometimes do wear a dark brown eyeliner in place of black but this is up to you. I really like this eyeliner but it is a liquid eyeliner so if you aren't comfortable using one, then I would try a pencil or cream - ELF makes a great one in brown!)
• BLEND BLEND BLEND (this is key to any eye look that I do! Take a clean fluffy eye brush to softy go over everything you did in the above steps. This is key!!
• CoverGirl LashBlast (mascara - I did 2 coats because I wanted the "lots of lashes" look for this eye makeup)
• Urban Decay Foxy (highlight - I prefer a matte yellow toned highlight for my brow. This is an optional step but I have noticed when I use this shade it really helps perk up my eyes and give the illusion of a lifted eye)

Swatches of the eyeshadows used

(L to R) 

MAC All That Glitters, Urban Decay Naked, MAC Patina & MAC Expresso

Completed Eye Look

As always, thanks for reading! I hope this eye makeup idea was helpful! Please let me know if you try it out or plan to. If you have any questions about anything I'd be happy to help. I can also suggest drugstore eyeshadows if you are looking for more affordable options!

Carly

Renpure Brazilian Keratin Straightening Conditioner

This blend of hydrating keratin is loaded with amino acids & protein that repair damage and restore strength. Our coconut oil has a tiny molecular structure that easily absorbs into the hair smoothing the cuticle layer adding softness & shine while shea butter conditions dry damaged areas and protects from heated styling products & UV rays. The result is beautiful, straight, silky-smooth hair.SOURCE: Renpure Website

Today's post will feature Renpure Brazilian Keratin Straightening Conditioner. I have become a huge fan of this conditioner in the past few months. I should mention that I'm really picky about my hair products and have only been loyal to a few certain products (you check out my favorite products in the navigation bar). However, this product really impressed me and I can see myself using it for a long time. 

How did I find it: Actually I didn't stumble across it, my sister did. She saw this at Bed Bath Beyond in a 2 pack (shampoo & conditioner) and bought it. I know not all BBB have a beauty department, but the one I shop at has a huge section. It is amazing. It has really become a favorite place for me to shop. Anyway, she got this in a set and she wasn't really into it. I am always willing to try new things and I really liked it the first time I tried it. Here are the reasons why...

• Scent: It definitely has a coconut smell but it's not overpowering by any means. It's a welcome scent when showering. If you don't dig the coconut scent you may be turned off though. I like it!
• Price: It really varies where you buy it. I used the store locator on their website and most sites said around $5.99. I don't think that's pricey at all considering some of the cash I've dropped on other hair products. 
• Long lasting: This bottle is a huge 16oz bottle! This will for sure last me a long time...that's always a plus.
• Easy to find: This product is sold at many different places. Here is a link to find a store that carries it by you. HERE
• Result: This conditioner makes my hair really soft AND manageable  My hair is really long and can tangle easily. Obviously conditioners are going to make your hair soft, but this one doesn't weigh down your hair or make your hair feel greasy. There is a huge difference...I'm sure you agree!
• Color Safe: I prefer to use hair products that are color safe. My hair is dyed blonde so I like to use something that protects the color and keeps it looking fresher longer.
• Helpful website: Check out the FAQS on the website to learn more about Renpure and how each line works. I found this very helpful HERE 
• I want to try more of their products: This is a true test to know I like something...especially if it's from a line I have never tried before. I want to try the 4 Day Straight Flat Iron Spray & 
  AUSTRALIAN 
  Wind & Water Beach Spray. If I end up getting these, I can write a review.
• Ingredients: I'm not super keen on hair products ingredients good vs bad, but I know that these ingredients are probably good for your hair. I do know that my hair feels better when I get out of the shower....does that make sense? It's hard to explain but it feels stronger, healthier and maintained. I have heard many people talk about wanting sulfate free products so that could be helping my hair too. Check out the ingredient list...(PS no animal testing!)
• Ingredients: Purified Water, Cetrimonium Chloride (Palm Oil*), Cetearyl Alcohol (Palm Oil*), Behentrimonium Chloride (Rapeseed Oil*), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea (Keratin) Protein, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Oil, Silicone Quaternium-17, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance. (* Derived Source)

Overall, I really recommend this drugstore conditioner. It smells good and makes my dry hair look & feel better. The price is right and you can find this conditioner at many different shops. The value you get for your money is well worth it!! I'm always on the hunt to try new hair products...have you tried any from Renpure?

Thanks for reading,

Carly

My Favorite Urban Decay Products

Today's post will feature My Favorite Urban Decay Products. I have been a long time Urban Decay makeup fan well before the "Naked" craze started. Years ago when I worked at Ulta (i'm talking 2002-2008) UD was more of a quiet brand with loud packaging. I'm not a glitter fan by any means, but I have long loved Urban Decay eyeshadows! This has lead me to explore many of their other products. I decided to narrow it down to 4 main products. Yes, I will be counting all of the eyeshadows under one! So here we go...

24.7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

$19 at Ulta, Sephora, UrbanDecay.com

• Super pigmented...they pack a ton of color and the payoff in just one swipe is outstanding!
• Creamy...these pencils are so creamy that they literally glide right on (just as the name suggests)
• Easy to work with & bendable ..these pencils are easy to build up (although you probably won't need to) and because of the texture they blend well
• Wide color selection...this line of pencils has colors for everyone. There are neutrals and funky colors. I typically don't wear colored eyeliner often, but if I do you can for sure know these are what I have on. I really like to wear a pop of color on my lower lash line every now and then to spice up my look!
• Long lasting...the color stays true after hours and hours of wear. No fuss!
• Offered in kits & collections...keep an eye out for sets with these in them. Most of my 24/7 pencils were bought in kits aka getting a deal!

Swatches (top to bottom)

Binge, Whiskey, Electric, Covet, Mildew

Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

$20 at Ulta, Sephora, UrbanDecay.com

I know this is a cult product for many beauty junkies like myself. However, I much prefer the Eden formula to any of the others (original, greed, sin). This primer is a creamy pale yellow that blends well over my entire lid area. The color is perfect and cancels out redness & veins easily. I do use MAC paint pots for eyeshadow bases very often, but if I had to pick between MAC Soft Ochre and UD Eden (both are pale yellow based)...I would pick Eden. The staying powder of this primer really helps keep my eyeshadow in place. I haven't experienced creasing when using this product. Also because of it's texture it makes it easy to work with (a huge plus when it comes to eye stuff). The price tag on this has gone up a few bucks since it first became popular, BUT I will tell you that this does last a really long time! I have the old packaging and the new packaging comes in a squeeze tube. I highly recommend this eyeshadow base!

All Nighter ~ Long lasting makeup spray

$29 at Ulta, Sephora, UrbanDecay.com

I plan to do a full review on this in the next few weeks so I won't go into much detail right now. This is my go to makeup setting spray. It seriously keeps all of my makeup (face AND eye) going strong through a full day. It doesn't feel heavy at all and doesn't have a scent. I swear by using a makeup setting spray if you need to keep your making looking fresh long hours!! Stay tuned for a follow up individual post!

Eyeshadow ~ Naked, Naked 2 and others

$18 individual, Naked $50, Naked 2 $50 at Ulta,Sephora, UrbanDecay.com

Urban Decay eyeshadows are probably mine (and many others!) favorite UD product. They are just a dream of any eyeshadow as they are: pigmented, blend well, come in a wide variety of finishes (ie shimmer, matte, glitter) and color selection. I use UD Naked eyeshadow pretty much every single day. I use this light beige shade as a transition or blending shade. It really helps prepare my crease for darker eyeshadows! Also, I have been using UD Foxy eyeshadow for my everyday brow highlight. This shade is excellent for my brow bone because it's yellow (pink shades don't always look great on me) and it is matte. I prefer a matte highlight over a shimmer...thus Foxy is my new favorite!

I highly recommend the Naked palette as a gift for birthdays, holidays, etc. The palette is excellent and offers a wide selection of wearable shades (you can find the funkier colors in different sets). For $50 you also get a mini eyeshadow primer (original) and a dual sided brush. So $50 might sound expensive, but you are really getting a lot! This is probably my most used eyeshadow palette if you don't count my personalized MAC palette. I highly recommend this as a gift for someone or a gift to yourself! 

Here are a few of my favorite & most used shades!

(Left Photo - L to R) Naked palette favorites: Darkhouse, Half Baked, Buck, Naked, Smog

(Right Photo - L to R) Individual shade favorites: Nylon, Baked, YDK

(Bottom photo - L to R) 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Delinquent, Zero, and Foxy Eyeshadow

Urban Decay is a great brand. I have loved many of their products throughout the years. It has been great to see UD grow into such a cult brand. They are excellent with social media and getting fans hyped about their products. I actually bought the UD Naked Skin Foundation just because of their facebook marketing. If you wanted to read that review, you can click HERE. It is my second most viewed post on my blog!

Thank you all again for reading, I appreciate and read every single one of your comments!

PS) Urban Decay is doing a Friends & Family event where you can receive 20% off your purchase! Enter the code: FFHOLIDAY12 when you checkout. I didn't even know this was going to be going on...talk about perfect timing :)

Carly

The Body Shop: Tea Tree Face Mask

Today's post will be featuring The Body Shop's Tea Tree Face Mask. This mask has become a favorite of mine over the past year and a half. 

What The Body Shop Says:

The Body Shop® difference: When the seasons change, so can your skin — and sometimes not for the better. Our new Tea Tree range with a triple blend of natural active ingredients — Community Trade tea tree oil, lemon tea tree, and tamanu oil — work together to keep skin clear by helping to prevent blemishes and blackheads, and controlling excess oil. No matter what kind of climate you live in, using our Tea Tree range as your daily skin care regime will help combat existing blemishes, prevent future breakouts, and control oil and shine all year long.

My Review

• I am a big fan of The Body Shop. I haven't shopped there in awhile, but really like the store. They are constantly running specials & sales on everything. TBS is also really sample friendly...which is actually how I found this mask. 
• Tea tree has been widely used and known as an anti-bacterial treatment. It is also known as a helper in treating acne. I have not used tea tree on it's own in years for acne but I do remember it helping.  I do find that if I have a blemish that this mask starts the healing process. It brings down the redness and will "clean" the area.
• I know that some people do not like the smell of tea tree, but I do. It's a very herbal smell but it kinda has that "it's working" smell if you know what I mean
• The mask has almost a minty/menthol feeling to it when you put it on. It won't burn or warm your skin, but you will feel and smell the herbal scent! 
• I typically spread a thick layer of this all over my face and will concentrate on the areas that need the most love (IE if I have a breakout)
• I will leave this mask on 10-15 minutes and I should note that it won't dry like other masks so you will have to keep track of time
• When I remove the mask I will use a wet washcloth as I find this the best method (instead of just washing your face)
• Overall, this mask is a really nice treatment mask that makes my skin feel great. My skin feels cleaner and clearer after use. It is a little pricey, but this jar lasts forever. I have have hardly made a dent in it and I use it a lot. Also, The Body Shop does always have some sale going on so you can play it right so that you get it cheap!

Here's the product link from The Body Shop's website

HERE

Hope you all have a great weekend! 

Thanks for reading,

Carly