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Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — August 2019

Hey all! It’s time for my August Ipsy Glam Bag Plus review! This is a subscription box that will always include 5 full-sized items. And the items included are mostly luxe or higher end items. This is such a great value for the high quality items included.

I have pretty much enjoyed this subscription. I usually only use a couple of the items I receive each month, and so I’ve been debating keeping it. Unless I get tired of it, I think I’ll keep it until at least the end of the year.

Here’s what I received for August:

I realize this is a lot of products for an Ipsy Glam Bag Plus — I got three add-ons this month. Those are the top three products and I’ll talk about them later. Here’s what I received in my basic box:

Total — $204.50 — Wow! That’s an amazing value for a $25 box.

They usually have a little booklet, but this month it was a fold out card. It does give details of all of the products I received.

The product of these three I’m most excited about is the Purlisse Blue Lotus Moisturizer. I am almost out of my current SPF moisturizer, so this came at a great time!

I have quite a few peel off masks I’m not using, so I will probably gift this one away. I do want to try other products from Hey Honey. It looks like a great brand.

I have been wanting to try the foundation. The shade is Light which might be a little dark one me normally, but it might be a good summer shade.

These brushes are gorgeous! I’m excited to use them. From top to bottom is 10F Concealer, 65EM Mini Shading, 105E Pencil, 15E Angled Brow and 35EM Mini Tapered.

I LOVE the handles! It’s like a mermaid icicle! LOL!

I am so glad I received this gorgeous palette! I’ve used it a couple of times already and love it. I’ve never tried a palette from TheBalm, I’ve only had a small sample of the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter. I was going to swatch it, but forgot, so I’ll do a palette review for it.

These are my three add-ons this month! I usually don’t do add-ons, but these were $3 each and I have been wanting to try the Coco Cabana Cream and the Thrive Causemetics Mascara. So far, I am LOVING the mascara. It’s a fiber mascara so it doesn’t smudge.

I might try the gorgeous Pixi blush or I might save it for a giveaway…we’ll see!

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I’m really happy with this month! Last month’s box was also good, so I’m on a roll!

I’ll use the palette, the brushes and the moisturizer. I might try out the foundation and will probably give the mask away. I am also happy with my add-ons.

Do you get Ipsy Glam Bag Plus? What did you get in your box this month?

Morgan Taylor’s Illusions Nail Polish Collection

Hi all! I hope your Sunday is off to a great start!

I’m back with a nail polish collection review. I was sent this for my honest review:

This is the Morgan Taylor Illusions 2019 collection, adding to the brand’s luxurious Platinum range! All six shades have a reflective color shift to them.

“We are so excited to be bringing out the newest installment in the Platinum line!” say namesakes Morgan Haile and Taylor Daniel. “The Illusions collection has a fun and unique duo-chrome finish offering shades that can be worn in the Summer and even into the Fall and Winter!”

Here’s a more close-up photo of the shades. They are so pretty! Morgan Taylor Lacquers apply smoothly and last a few days without chipping.

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Illusions 2019 includes:

Can You See My Aura? – White Duo-chrome
Don’t Jump to Illusions – Silver Duo-chrome
Seeing Double – Purple Duo-chrome
Oh So Shifty – Green Duo-chrome
Morph with Me – Bronze Duo-chrome
Vanished Before My Eyes – Amber Duo-chrome

The Illusions 2019 Platinum Collection is available for a limited time at Ulta.com and SaltEarthSpa.com. Retail price is $11.99 per bottle and $17.50 for the mini 4-pack. All Morgan Taylor Lacquers are fast-drying, 5-free, easy to apply, and are loved by top nail techs who cater to celebrities such as Rihanna, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Biel.

What do you think about these polishes? Have you tried Morgan Taylor?

Beauty & The Box Launches The Traveler Deluxe

Hi all! I hope you’re having a great weekend! It is hot is Kansas City! I hope you are staying cool wherever you are.

Today I’m reviewing a travel makeup organizer. It is the Traveler Deluxe ($85) by Beauty & the Box. It was sent to me for my honest review.

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The Traveler’s unique, innovative design includes 3 POP-UP cosmetic boxes that travel flat for convenience and pop-up intuitively at your destination.

Each box is cleverly stair-stepped to hold mascaras, pencils, brushes, lipsticks. The boxes fit securely into the sturdy, go-anywhere tray base, so makeup won’t wobble around or fall over. The Traveler frees you up, sets you up and gets you ready for makeup in an instant.

The Traveler Deluxe Includes:

3 POP-UP cosmetic boxes
Lift-out, go-anywhere tray with handles
Stand-alone, foldable mirror
See-through durable cosmetic pouch (can be purchased separately)
All in a stylish black soft mesh case with comfy carry handle and zipper closing lined in silky blue protective padding.

You can fold up the containers and store them in on of the blue bags. The mirror (which is very nice and can stand up) goes in the other blue bag. The black bag in the front has a clear top and you can put your makeup in it. The large black bag in the back holds all of the components so you can travel with it.

Another cool thing about this set is the black base of the containers hook into the holes in the tray so it won’t budge. This is helpful if you are moving when you are storing your makeup — in cars, RV’s etc!

I am really enjoying this set and think it’s also great for home storage. And you can easily move it from one room to another!

To purchase visit beautyandthebox.com

What do you think of this organizer? What are your favorite travel makeup organizers?

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review — August 2019

Hey all! I recently received my August BoxyCharm! I always watch for the spoilers so I basically knew what I am getting. There were a couple of different variations this month. Read on to find out what I got (and if I got the variation I wanted)!

I’ve been subscribed to BoxyCharm for almost two years now and really enjoy it. BoxyCharm is just $21 a month for 4-5 beauty items, most of them full-sized. It is a nice way to try new makeup and beauty tools.

My version is 2. This month I received:

Wander Beauty Glow Ahead Illuminating Face Oil ($42)
Ace Beauty Glimmer Eye Shadow Set ($25)
Tarte Big Ego Mascara ($23)
Becca Cosmetics Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder ($39)
Steve Laurent Lip Liner in Chic ($15)

The total of this box is $144. Not bad for only paying $21!

I have been wanting to try this since it came out! It’s a powder that contains water. A lot of people say that it feels wet when you apply it. To me it just feels really cooling. I have tired it. I find that it’s not great for under the eyes, it cakes up. But a light layer can set the rest of my makeup and it looks really natural. I’m going to continue testing it out, it’s so much fun to use!

This oil and the powder were two items I think everyone will get this month. I already have a few oils I’m not using, so I will probably give this away. Plus, I think it has shimmer or glitter in it and I don’t enjoy that in my skincare.

So the big variation this month was either this mascara or the Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum (which is what I wanted). I did get a deluxe size of this mascara with the tarte Unleashed palette I recently purchased. It’s okay. It gives a lot of volume, but it smeared badly under my eyes. So I will be giving this away and I am envious of those who received the serum!

The top photo is the nude lip liner and the bottom are shimmery shadows. I’ve used the lip liner a couple of times. It’s pretty hard, so I hope it will soften up. I do like the shade.

The shadows I received are in the shades Iced Latte and Cotton Candy. They remind me of Colourpop Super Shock Shadows. The texture is the same. Here are swatches of these products:

The shades of these eye shadows are so pretty! My only issue is that there is a lot of glitter in them. I don’t know if you can see that, but here are specks of glitter in each one. While I love metallic eye shadows, I’m not the biggest fan of glitter in my shadows. I’ve worn the pink one (Cotton Candy) and it is gorgeous on. My only issue is that I have glitter all over my face. Next time I wear them, I’ll put on a glitter glue first and see if that helps. If not, I’ll pass them along to my daughter.

This was an okay box for me. Not as good as the last few BoxyCharm’s I received. But I will use the powder — it kinds of makes the box for me. I also will use the lipliner and hope it gets softer and I might continue to use the eye shadows. The face oil and mascara will be given away.

What did you get in your BoxyCharm this month. If you got the serum — lucky dog!!!

I’m really looking forward to my BoxyLuxe in September. I hope it’s as good as the June one.

New Pixi Beauty Skintreats — Retinol Collection and Zero Zit

Hi all! I hope you are having an amazing week!

I’m back with some amazing skincare! I was sent new fab Pixi Beauty for my honest review.

Pixi just released a new Retinol Collection which contains a unique time-released retinol. This allows the products to be used by even those with sensitive skin. That is perfect for me. I would love to use more retinol, but I have sensitive skin.

They have also released Zero Zit which is Pixi’s first ever blemish solution to launch in the U.S.

Here’s more about the products:

Retinol Eye Cream ($22 USD) — Formulated to improve elasticity, smooth & protect the delicate skin around the eye area.

Retinol Jasmine Lotion ($24 USD) — Lightweight yet deeply moisturizing, this antioxidant-rich milky-lotion is the perfect daily moisturizer for a youth enhancing effect. Formulated with vitamin A, jasmine oil and peptides to renew, smooth and deeply nourish.

Retinol Jasmine Cleanser ($18 USD) — Creamy moisturizing cleanser enriched with vitamin A (retinol), antioxidants and ceramides removes all impurities for smoother, firmer and more radiant looking skin.

Zero Zit ($24 USD) — A lightweight gel-formula spot treatment with sulfur & salicylic acid to control oil & treat the blemish … but it also has aloe vera which makes it super soothing and moisturizing on the skin.

Overnight Retinol Oil ($24 USD) — This exquisite oil blend helps to restore skin plumpness and improve the appearance of fine lines and pores.

Retinol Tonic ($15 3.4 oz) — This potent youth preserving tonic features a unique time-release Retinol to help rejuvenate the skin for a natural glow. Powerful antioxidants and botanicals replenish the skin for a smoother, softer appearance while soothing sensitive skin.

What I think: I am excited most about the retinol products. I want to start using it more in my skincare routine, but my skin is very sensitive. These products are amazing for sensitive skin!

I have tried the retinol tonic before and it’s gentle, but leaves a really pretty glow. The night oil absorbs quickly and a little goes a long way. The cleanser is very creamy and is so hydrating. It’s a good evening cleanser.

My favorites are the eye cream and moisturizer. They are both really hydrating without being greasy. I have noticed that the eye cream smooths and firms the eye area. I only wish the products had a jasmine scent the them, since a lot of them have jasmine oil in them. I love the scent of Jasmine! But these all are very lightly scented if they have a scent at all, and that’s nice for those who can’t tolerate scented products.

I also have tried the Zero Zit on a breakout. I just applied it to the affected area for a couple of days and it did seem to work. Plus, it didn’t dry out or irritate my skin.

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Have you tried Pixi Beauty Skintreats? What are your favorites?

Beautyblender Essentials for Summer

Hi all! How’s your summer going? Mine is going well. It has cooled down a bit in Kansas City, which is so nice!

I was recently sent some amazing summer beauty products from Beautyblender for my honest review. I love this brand and the original Beautyblender is one of my favorite beauty tools!

RE-DEW Set & Refresh Spray ($30 USD) — This do-it-all mist refreshes makeup, extends versatility to existing formulas and easily adds a boost of hydration whenever needed. This has a very fine mist nozzle, and it doesn’t disturb makeup. I like how it blends my powders into my makeup so I look really natural.

The Original Beautblender ($20 USD) — Get a flawless blend with the award-winning, premier edgeless, reusable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator, in classic pink. The exclusive aqua-activated™ material provides an airbrushed application and absorbs minimal product, so your favorite formula lands on your complexion, not your sponge.

Selfie Shield™ Broad Spectrum SPF 38, Dry Oil Primer ($32 USD) — This totally invisible, quick-absorbing dry oil helps both protect and prep skin with no residue or cast–no matter your skin tone. The feel-good formula offers multi-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB and HEV (high energy visible) light to help fend off damage from both the sun and your tech devices. I love how quickly this absorbs in, but it also gives an extra layer of hydration when that helps when I wear a more matte foundation. It’s really nice under the BOUNCE foundation.

BOUNCE Liquid Whip Longwear Foundation ($40 USD) — Available in 40 blends. The shade above is what I’m wearing since I have a bit of a tan (I’m pretty fair normally) is 2.50. My normal shade is 1.50. This is full coverage. It’s not supposed to look heavy on, but I need to make sure I am well hydrated before I use it. I have combination skin. It does look very natural on when I am moisturized and use a light layer. It has a pretty soft matte finish.

Have you tried any of these Beautyblender products? What do you think?

Shop My Stash — August 2019

Hi all! It’s August! It’s time for a new month and a new Shop My Stash! I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) products that I either haven’t used in a while or haven’t used much at all! My goal is to get more use out of the products I have and to see if they are something I want to keep.

Here are the palettes opened:

I chose eyeshadow palettes that are very summery and shimmery! I have a little bit of a tan now and love bronzes, corals and golds! Plus, I think my skin tone is tanned enough for deeper bronzer!

BH Cosmetics Desert Oasis – 19 Color Shadow & Highlighter Palette is so beautiful for summer! I bought it last fall and need to use it more. It’s mostly shimmers, but I like how two of the mattes are larger sized, since those are shade that are used a lot. On the right hand side are highlighters. They also make gorgeous eye shadow shades!

Huda Beauty Coral Obsessions palette. I received this in March from Ipsy Glam Bag Plus and I think I’ve used it once. So, it’s time to give it a go! The shades are gorgeous and I’m excited to try it out.

Both of these are from Benefit, the Galifornia blush and Hoola bronzer. These are both perfect summer products. I’m usually too fair for the bronzer, but I think it will work now that I have a tan. The blush is really summery, too!

Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Cloud in French Nude. I recently reviewed these. I really like this shade. I don’t wear matte lipsticks that much, so I though I would give this more use.

I’m excited for this August Shop My Stash! I can hardly wait to get going on creating some new looks!

Shop My Stash July 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! I’m back with my July Shop My Stash results! I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

My rule with this is if I don’t like the item after the month, I will move it out of my collection to make some room and let someone else enjoy it! You can check out my first Shop My Stash post for July.

One product is already gone. The Colourpop Super Shock Cheek in Spoon was waaay to glittery for me. I tried it once and gave it away.

On the other hand, I used the heck out of the Buxom Lip Creams! I wore one with a lip liner almost every day! I still have a ways to go to use them up, but I want to use them up by the end of the year. I will be keeping these!

Here’s photos with the palettes open:

The Maybelline Lemonade Craze palette was my most used palette this month. I forgot how good it is! My favorite shade is Strawberry Lemonade because it is so shimmery dry, but very metallic wet! My least favorite is Main Squeeze because it’s so glittery. I wore it once and had glitter fall out all over my face. I guess you can use a glitter glue with it, but I don’t like to bother with it.

I am definitely keeping this palette because you can make so many different looks with it!

This is the Alamar Cosmetics Reina Del Caribe Vol.1 Eyeshadow Palette.

I got this last summer. I haven’t used it a lot before this. I used it a few times this months and I like it. The top four shades seem very summery and the bottom four are very fall-ish. The shades I used the most are Coco-taxi and La Costa. When I did use this I paired it with the Lemonade Craze palette.

Since I didn’t reach for it a lot, I don’t know if I will keep it. I might try using it in the fall and see if I use it more.

On to my July Empties:

I think this is the most empties I’ve had for one month! I’m pretty proud that I have used all of these up!

My favorite products here that I will repurchase when needed are the Mamonde rose toner, the Beauty Bakerie powder, the MAC fix+, the Urban Decay All Nighter spray and the L’Oreal Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara. They are all amazing products!

I won’t repurchase the Andalou face wipes or the Colourpop mascara. Neither of these products impressed me. The wipes didn’t really remove all of my makeup and the Colourpop mascara was so thick and goopy. And it made such a mess when I removed it.

The other products were all very good and I may repurchase if I run out of skincare. I have a lot now I am using and testing out, so I shouldn’t have to purchase new skincare for the rest of the year! LOL! I’m getting more in for review, too.

This was a really successful month for my Shop my Stash and for empties. I really used most of the products a bunch and I had a lot of empties.

Do you do a Shop my Stash? How’s it going?

July 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all! It’s almost August, which means it’s time for my July favorites!

Below are my beauty faves for July. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

Like last month, I don’t have a lot of color cosmetic favorites. I’ve been really into trying out new skincare.

In my last month’s faves, four of the products were from my June BoxyLuxe. It was such an amazing box! None of these products are from my July subscription boxes. I did like some of my Ipsy Glam Bag Plus this month and couple of Boxycharm products. I am still testing them out, so maybe we’ll see them in my next month’s favorites.

These have been my favorite skincare this month. Two are from Skin&Co Roma. I reviewed them here. The Whipped Cleansing Cream is amazing! My skin instantly looks smoother after washing. I’ve never had a cleanser improve the appearance of my skin before. I also love the serum. It’s creamy and sinks right into the skin. It also instantly hydrates and I love it!

You can purchase Skin&Co Roma items here, and by using my code LORENA20, you’ll get 20% off your purchase! It is an affiliate code, so I will get something if you do buy!

I also reviewed the DHC Urumai Cream this month. It’s a beautiful hydrating cream that I love to use at night. It hydrates all night and when I wake up my skin is soft and glowing.

I purchased some The Ordinary skincare from Ulta a few weeks ago. This is my first time trying products from this brand and I am enjoying them! I’m especially loving the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. At first I thought it might be breaking me out, but it wasn’t. It’s very hydrating, but a little sticky, so I apply it after toner and layer on other serums (like the Skin&Co Roma one above) so I don’t have sticky skin when I go to bed. It really helps in hydrating and plumping up my skin.

These products are a bit more makeup-y. I purchased the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ in Creamy Coconut during the Ulta 21 Days of beauty spring sale this year. I love purchasing staples like sprays. primers and powders during the sale. This was half off! I started using it when I ran out of my regular Fix+. It works the same, it just has a soft coconut scent.

I got the NYX Pore Filler primer last year. I just used up my Cover FX pore filling primer so I’m giving this a go. It works pretty well to fill in my pores. I use a more hydrating primer, then this one in my t-zone.

My favorite recent purchase is the PÜR 4-In-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer. I haven’t reviewed this yet, but I might do a review soon. Would you like to see that? I can say that this foundation works so well for me. It is full coverage, but melts into the skin and looks so natural on. The shade I have is LP4. It’s a little light for me now, because I have a bit of a tan, but will work will for fall and winter.

My Buxom Lip Creams are in my Shop My Stash for July. This is the shade Hot Toddy. I have been wearing them a lot, especially this shade. They are so shiny and just a little bit tingley.

Last but not least is a fun new palette. My friend Angie gave me a gift card to Ulta for my birthday, and I picked this up! It’s the Tarte Unleashed Eyeshadow Palette. I love the shades in these — the names are so fun! And it smells amazing!

Have you tried any of these? What products have you been loving in July?

Take Care Of And Have Fun With Your Hair This Summer!

Hi all! Happy Monday! I hope you’re week has started off well. I’m on vacation this week and my daughter is is town, so I’m doing great!

I thought I’d feature some newer to me hair care I’ve been testing out lately. I have a fun array — shampoo and conditioner, hair masks and temporary hair color spray:

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Derma E Therapeutic Shampoo & Conditioner. It is the Scalp Relief line. ($22.50 for the set) — This doctor-developed, clinically tested formula works in four ways to gently cleanse, de-flake, soothe and nourish the scalp and hair. Using proprietary Therapeutic Psorzema® Herbal Blend plus healthful vitamins and botanicals, this shampoo calms a dandruff-prone, itchy, irritated scalp and refreshes the hair, from root to tip.

Both Shampoo and conditioner enriched with:

Therapeutic Psorzema® Herbal Blend (Neem, Burdock and Bearberry): replenishes a dry, irritated, scaling scalp, helping to promote optimum scalp and hair health.

Tea Tree and Menthol: help calm and cool itch on contact and help maintain scalp purity over time.

Salicylic Acid: penetrates to lift away excess flakes and surface buildup.

I love how these products calms my itchy scalp, but also really hydrate the hair. These products are nice for every day use, or once a week for a treatment.

John Frieda Wonder Drops Hair Masks ($3.49 at Walmart and select Grocery Outlets) — Four targeted hair masks that transform hair in a matter of minutes. Designed to treat hair suffering from frizz, fading, damage or dullness, each mask revives hair with a single in-shower application. Simply shampoo, squeeze out excess moisture and massage the Wonder Drops throughout wet hair.

Available in: Frizz Smoothing, Blonde Brightening, Damage Repairing and Vibrancy Enhancing

These are so affordable. My favorites are the Frizz Smoothing and Damage Repairing. They leave my hair very smooth and shiny.

KMS HAIR Style Color Stone Wash Denim

KMS HAIR Style Color Smoky Lilac

The new KMS Style Color Collection offers 9 tones of color from purple to blue to grey. The products are waterproof, pillow-friendly, and work perfectly with hot tools. Expect a flexible, ultra-thin film for a movable finish & even results on all hair colors that removes easily with shampoo, so you can rock pink highlights to a concert and have them washed out before Monday’s conference meeting. Available at KMS salons.

These are so gorgeous! My daughters have commandeered them, but they are beautiful for people of all ages who want a fun pop of color or dimension in their hair. They stay in all day and wash out easily!

What hair products are you using this summer? Let me know!