Category: Beauty

Allure Beauty Box September 2019

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Hi all!  I just received my September Allure Beauty Box.  The Allure Beauty Box is $15 a month.  And you receive deluxe and some full size products.  Not bad!

Here’s the September box:

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The Nutrafol Core For Women is a bonus item.

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These are the two makeup items I got in my box this month.  I’ve never tried a NARS lip product, so I’m excited to use this.  I really like the shade.

I’ve heard a lot about the Dewy Stick and it is really nice.  It gives a glow without shimmer and it doesn’t emphasize texture.

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Here’s a closeup of the skin and hair care.  The Nutrafol is a bonus.  I don’t take supplements so I will pass it along to someone.  I will keep the shampoo and conditioner for traveling.

I’m also going to try the Brightening Facial Scrub.  I don’t have a scrub right now and need one.  I’ll give the Eczema cream to my daughter.

This was a pretty good box.  I’ll use at least half of the products.  I liked getting two full sized makeup product, too! Do you get Allure Beauty Box?  What did you get this month?

 

Morgan Taylor’s Forever Marilyn Polish Collection

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I’m so excited to review the Morgan Taylor Lacquer Forever Marilyn fall collection.  I love the quality of Morgan Taylor polishes, and I think these are perfect for the season.

“There is no fashion or beauty icon that is more well-known than Marilyn Monroe,” says Danny Haile, CEO and Founder of Morgan Taylor Lacquer. “We are thrilled that we have the opportunity to release a brand new collection with six shades all inspired by Marilyn. Her timeless glamour and unapologetic attitude fit well with the energy of Morgan Taylor. Forever Marilyn includes:

  • Some Girls Prefer Pearls – White Shimmer
  • All American Beauty – Sheer Soft Nude
  • A Girl and Her Curls – Eggplant Shimmer
  • That’s So Monroe – Cool Brown Shimmer
  • Flirty and Fabulous – Teal Crème
  • Classic Red Lips – Tomato Red Crème

 

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I love these shades!  I especially need to wear Flirty and Fabulous! LOL!  It just needs a Forty and it would be me! I am wearing A Girl and Her Curls on my toes right now and it’s really rich and pretty.

The collection is available now for a limited time at Ulta.com ($9.50) and SallyBeauty.com ($9.50). Are you thinking of picking some of these up?

 

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — September 2019

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Hey all!  It’s time for my September 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 have been debating keeping it because a lot of times. 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 September:

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This is what I received in my main box:

Total — $138.  Pretty good for spending $25.  Last month my value was over $200, though…but I guess each month it varies.

I’m excited to try the Ciate powder.  I’m saving until I am out of my current powders.  I also am so happy about the Wander Beauty brow pencil because it’s in my shade!

I have tried the I Dew Care mask, but I don’t think I need a full sized one.

I also added on three products — the Too Faced Damn Girl Mascara mini, Ofra Cosmetics MADISON MILLER Smiley for Riley Lip Gloss, and a full sized Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara.  I added on a mini of the Thrive mascara last month and LOVE it!  So when I saw that the full size was available this month, I had to get it!

Here’s close ups of the palettes I received:

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I do follow You Tuber Madison Miller, and I’m happy to have received this from her collab with Ofra.  This is really pretty.  I love the blush, but wonder if the highlighters will be too dark for my fair skin tone.  I’m going to try it and see.  Here’s swatches:

IMG-1540.JPG     The highlighter on the left may work.  If not, they will make pretty eye shadows.

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This is a really cool palette, but I don’t know if I will keep it.  It’s mostly shimmers, and I like a few more mattes in my palettes.  I will either give this as a Christmas gift or a part of my next Instagram giveaway.

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I think this is a pretty good month. I’ll use the face palette, the powder and the eyebrow pencil.  I will probably give the mask and palette away.  I am really happy with my add-ons. Next month, I’ll be trying Ipsy’s new subscription, Glam Bag Ultimate instead of Glam Bag Plus, so stay tuned for that review!

Do you get Ipsy Glam Bag Plus?  What did you get in your box this month? Are you going to try the Ultimate next month?

 

 

BoxyCharm BoxyLuxe Subscription Box Review — September 2019

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Hi all! I received my September BoxyLuxe!  This is my fourth one. I’m so excited! I’ve been a subscriber of BoxyCharm for over two years. The regular BoxyCharm box is $21 a month. BoxyLuxe is a once-a-quarter upgrade option you can add to your existing $21-a-month Boxycharm subscription. So for an additional $28.99, you’ll get the Luxe items, and be paying a total of $49.99 for that quarterly box.

I saw the spoilers for this box, I just didn’t know what variations I would get.  I did get to pick some of the items I would receive, which I really liked.

The theme for this month is All Access. There’s a good mix of makeup, skincare and hair care this month.  Here’s what I received:

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Total — $317.95!  That’s so good for spending $49.99.

Here’s a closer look at the items I received:

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I’m not the biggest fan of sleeping masks because they can be heavy and sticky.  I’m not sure if I will keep this one or give it away.

The Pineapple-C Bright Serum was one of the items I chose.  I’m almost out of my current Vitamin C Serum so I’m excited to have a new one to try. I have tried this a couple of times already and it does give a nice glow.

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Everyone received the Mistress Hair Balm.  I’ve tried this and am enjoying it. It smooths my frizzies and leaves my hair soft and shiny.

I haven’t tried the curling iron yet.  This is an item I got to choose — it was between this and a brush set.  I’ve never tried a clipless curling iron before so I’m curious to see how it works.

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These two items were another variation I chose.  I have never tried an infuser water bottle before, so that will be interesting.  And, I love Spongelle products!

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Every charmer received the eyeliner in black and the lipstick in one of three shades.

I don’t wear liquid eyeliner, so I will pass this one along.  I love the lipstick shade. It will be pretty for fall.

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I know this palette has been around for a while.  It was a variation.  At first I wasn’t blown away by this, but I decided to keep it.  I’m recently starting to get into matte shadow looks and I like these shades a lot.  I think it will be perfect for fall.

I’m pretty happy with this box.  I will use almost every item.  The only products I probably won’t use is the eyeliner and the sleeping mask. As good as that is, I think the only item I am really thrilled about is the serum.  I really loved my June BoxyLuxe because I loved every item in the box.  I’m hoping I’m more excited about the December BoxyLuxe!

Do you get BoxyLuxe?  What did you get this month?

Shop My Stash — September 2019

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Hi all!  It’s  time for my September Shop My Stash! It’s a little late this month because I was away because of a family emergency.

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.

This month I have chosen products that will transition nicely from summer to fall. I took the eye shadows and powder/blush palette with me on my trip last week and I did a lot of looks with them.

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Urban Decay Naked Reloaded — I received this for review in April.  I used it in April and May, and then I purchased some new palettes in the summer and I haven’t used it in a while.  I really love the natural shades in the palette.  It’s so good for every day looks.

IMG_1399IMG_1401 Urban Decay On The Run Mini Palette in Shortcut — This is also a nice everyday palette, but is pinks and mauves, not neutral browns.  You can make a really pretty matte look, or I use a shimmer on the lids and darken the outer corner with Back Alley or Rendezvous for dimension. I have been using this a lot, too.

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IT Cosmetics Hello Cheekbones Contour Palette — I haven’t used this bronzey contour and highlighter palette a lot, so I’m happy to get some use out of it.  The shades are really nice on my skintone. It comes with a brush that sweeps across both products at once for an even application.

Jane Iredale Limited Edition Snap Happy Makeup Kit —  I’ve had this since last year.  I used it a bit when I received it, and really liked it. But it kind of got lost in my collection.  I used it all last week and found that I love the translucent powder and blush a lot.  It’s a really silky formula.  I used the shadows once and am going to use them more.

img_1396.jpgThe final two products are a lip gloss and lipstick.

Pur Cosmetics Light Up High Shine Lip Gloss in Focused — Unfortunately, I can’t find this on the website or Ulta.  It came out earlier in the year and must have sold out.  It’s a pretty shimmery gloss and it lights up and has a mirror! Fun!

MGS Accessories Matte Liquid Lipstick in Posh — I think fall is a great time for pigmented liquid lipsticks.  I don’t usually wear them, but I thought I’d give this a go since I love the shade and it looks amazing combined with the gloss.

I’m excited to use these products more this month.  Do you do a Shop your Stash?

 

 

 

Shop My Stash August 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

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Hi All!  I’m back with my August 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 August.

I am very happy with all of these products.  I used them all a fair bit, and really enjoyed them.

Here’s photos with the palettes open:

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I have decided to keep all of these products as I got good use out of them this month and I really like them all.

The Benefit Hoola bronzer worked for me when I had a tan.  I’m kind of letting it fade so it’s becoming too dark for me.  The Galifornia blush is so pretty, great for summer looks.  I’ll keep these and give them a try again in the future.

The Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Cloud in French Nude is so gorgeous.  I wore it on it’s own  and with a gloss over it and I like how it looks both ways.

Here are the palettes I focused on this month:

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I used this Huda Beauty Coral palette a few times this month and really enjoyed it.  The two shimmers are so gorgeous, and I enjoyed using them with the browns and coral mattes.  This is a very nice quality palette.

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The BH Cosmetics Desert Oasis palette was my most used one this month.  I really love this palette and tried to use most of the shimmers in it, because they are just so stunning.  I love how the mattes Canyon and Dune are larger pans because I did use them with almost every look. I also used the highlighters as highlighters and eye shadows.

I’m really happy with the products I used and had so much fun with my makeup this month.  Now on to my empties:

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Last month I had a ton of empties, but I still think I did pretty well this month.  It’s mostly skincare with one hair care and one makeup item.

I will definitely repurchase the Lancome Cils Booster and the Pixi Glow Tonic Cleansing Gel.  I really love both of those products.

I can also see myself repurchasing the Klairs Everyday Sun Protector SPF 50, the Laneige Bright Dew Original Essence and the L&I Apothecary Rose Facial Toner .

I also enjoyed the Briogeo Rosarco Milk.

I am not a fan of the heat, so I’m happy that summer is almost over.  I love fall!

What products do you love to use out of your stash?

 

August 2019 Beauty Favorites

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

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

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I have really been into skincare the last few months, and I have been continuing trying out new skincare and loving it!

I also have been loving a few makeup products, and some of them have been favorites before:

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These are the skincare products I’ve been enjoying this month.  I purchased the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Juice a few weeks ago. It’s so refreshing!  It’s a bit sticky, but works nicely under makeup.

The Skin & Co Truffle Therapy Face Toner is amazing!  It tones my skin and gives me a glow, but doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.  I’m almost out of it. You can purchase it and other amazing items from Skin & Co 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 am also loving the Pixi Beauty Retinol Eye Cream and the Emma Hardie Lift & Sculpt Firming Neck Treatment.  The eye cream smooths the area and really helps with fine lines, and the neck cream firms my neck!

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I believe I’ve had the beautyblender Bounce foundation in my favorites before this year.  I had a lighter shade. This is 2.5 and it’s my summer shade.  I have fallen in love with the foundation all over again! It’s so long wearing, even in the summer heat.

I have also had the Urban Decay Brow Blade and Brow Finish in past favorites, but have been using them again recently and love the look they give to my brows. I prefer more natural browns, but I can get a more dramatic look with the Brow Blade if I want.

The Em Cosmetics Infinate Lip Cloud in French Nude is in my August Shop My Stash   I don’t usually wear liquid lipsticks, but I really love the formula of this one.  It feels really light on, but it does dry down matte.  And luckily, it’s not drying on.  I really love the shade, too!

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I purchased the NARS Summer Lights Face Palette in June as a birthday gift to myself and have been enjoying using it. I have used all of the shades.  The bronzer is a little light, but it’s a gorgeous transition shade for the eyes.  The highlighter is very glowy and the eye shadows are very pretty.

That’s my August favorites.  Bring on September! What have you been loving this month?

Brand Review — Moon Oral Care

Hi all!  I hope you’re having a great weekend! I’m back with a new brand review.

I was sent products from Moon Oral Care for my honest review.

The claim for the brand is oral care reimagined with better design and only the best ingredients. Taking care of your teeth shouldn’t just be something you have to do – it should be something you want to do. Finally. A routine worthy of your countertop.

I do really love the packaging of this.  Below are the products I received:

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Clean Slide Flossers ($4.99) — Durable waxed material is strong but flexible to easily clean around teeth and gums. Comfortable, no slide grip and invigorating fresh mint flavor.

Graphite Gray Clean Slide Floss ($3.99) — Clean sliding, PFA-free waxed dental floss that cleans deep and doesn’t tear.  100% Vegan and not tested on animals

Stain Removal Fluoride-Free Whitening Toothepaste ($7.99) —A whitening toothpaste that works for a brighter smile and long-lasting fresh feeling. Multi-dimensional peppermint blend to deliver the ultimate flavor experience. An elevated look and velvety smooth feel you’ll love. 100% Vegan and not tested on animals. Made in the USA with globally-sourced ingredients.

Teeth Whitening Pen by Kendall Jenner ($19.99) The ultimate on-the-go whitener. Made with their proprietary Elixir III blend of antioxidants and essential oils for an elevated, powerful whitening experience.

Activated Charcoal Mouth Rinse ($8.99) The ideal balance of activated charcoal and antioxidants for the best alcohol-free mouth rinse.

Soft Bristle Toothbrush 2 Pack ($6.99) An adult toothbrush designed for simplicity, sophistication and visible results.

What I think: I really enjoy these products from Moon Oral Care. The flavor of these is a delicious mint.  It is refreshing but not too strong.

My favorite product is probably the teeth whitening pen.  I’ve only been using it for a few days, and I can already see a whitening effect.  The directions say to use it twice a day for two weeks.  I’m going to keep using it for a full two weeks and I hope to see great results.

I also love all of the other products!  I like the toothpaste and although this one doesn’t have fluoride, they do sell one that does. The mouth wash is amazing as well.  It tastes great and is so refreshing.  The floss and flossers work well and are very affordable.  And the toothbrushes are cute and really effective!

Probably my favorite part of using these products is that they don’t irritate my extremely sensitive gums and teeth.  Most teeth whitening products do irritate and I have to stop using them after a few days. I am using all of these together and my teeth and gums feel fine.

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I really recommend Moon Oral Care!  It’s affordable and very effective.  You can purchase these products on https://moonoralcare.com.

 

 

 

Skincare Sunday — Primera Brand Review

Hi all, Happy Sunday! I hope your weekend is amazing!

I was recently sent skincare products from Primera for my honest review.

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The brand Primera is a clean K-Beauty brand by AmorePacific.  They are sold at Sephora, so the products are readily available.

Primera’s skin-care products are formulated with some type of plant or fruit seeds. Seeds, and more specifically, the moment that a seed sprouts, are the inspiration behind the brand.

I love the packaging of these products. It is eco-friendly. In addition to using recycled paper boxes, plastic bottles, and glass jars, Primera prints all product information directly on the box in soy ink to reduce waste.

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Clean Berry Lip Mask ($20) — A rich leave-on lip mask that helps cushion, soothe, and protect with a natural mix of conditioning butters and extracts; lips are left hydrated, soft, and refreshed.

Alpine Berry Water Cream ($40) — A dewy cream that sinks in instantly while providing lasting hydration and nourishment.

Miracle Seed Essence ($58) — A concentrated essence that helps to visibly smooth texture, improve tone, increase hydration, and help protect from environmental stressors at the same time. This also comes with a pack of 70 very soft natural cotton pads.

What I think:  I’m enjoying all of these products! The lip mask and water cream are both extremely hydrating. The lip mask is a bit hard, and takes a little work to smooth it over the lips.  It does moisturize well overnight and my lips are smooth in the morning.

The water cream is very hydrating and does take a few minutes to sink in.  It does deeply hydrate and my skin looks very smooth and glowing in the morning.

My favorite product so far is the essence.  It is instantly hydrating and smoothing.  I apply it after cleansing with one of the soft cotton pads that come with it. It’s really good for stressed out skin or even just a day in the sun.  I also love the glass bottle, it’s so pretty!

These can all be purchased at Sephora.

Have you tried Primera? What K-Beauty brands do you love?

 

 

Allure Beauty Box August 2019

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Hi all!  I just received my August Allure Beauty Box.  The Allure Beauty Box is $15 a month.  And you receive deluxe and some full size products.  Not bad!

Here’s the August box:

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This is such an affordable box and it always introduces me to new brands, which I like!  This month, I received three full sized items.  I will use everything except fr the lip color, which is too bright for me. I may pass along the Laritzy liquid beam to my daughter.

I item I’m most excited about is the Nuria eye cream.  It looks really nice.

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Do you get Allure Beauty Box?  Did we get the same products this month?