Shop My Stash March 2020 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! I hope you are all doing well and staying safe. I’m back with my February 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 March.

IMG-2966

These are the gorgeous products I used this month.  And I did so well in using all of these, even though I was mostly at home and was not going out!  I love applying makeup almost everyday.  It makes me feel put together and like myself.

Before I go into how my month went, I wanted to say I’m switching it up just for April.  Since I’ll be at home all month, I’ve decided to do a different Shop My Stash.  I am going to use a different eyeshadow palette every day.  I’ll be posting the palettes I’ve used every few days with swatches of the shades I used.  I think this will be fun and a great way to use some of my palettes I’ve been neglecting.

So back to March.  I used the Steve Laurant liner a few times.  I kept forgetting about it, LOL!  I do really like it.  I did use both the Urban Decay Vice Lip Chemistry shades a lot and enjoy that product.  It’s so different.  It goes on almost matte and light, then it turns a bit deeper and glossier.  I have the two lightest shades.

Here are the palettes I used:

IMG-2970 I kind of forgot about this palette, too.  I used it a few times, but kept reaching for other blushes and highlighters.  I think I’ll keep it through the summer and if I don’t reach for it I’ll pass it on.

IMG-3244

You can probably tell from how messy this Sigma Enchanted palette is, that I used it a lot in March!  I really like this one, especially the shimmers and metallics.  My favorite shimmers are Budding, Moonglade and Plume.  The pinks and roses are so gorgeous! I am absolutely keeping this palette!

IMG-3245 Here’s another keeper, the bareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow Palette in Neutral.  Such a gorgeous everyday palette.  I can create a full look with this, either all mattes or with one of the shimmers on the lid.

So I am keeping all of these products for now.

On to my empties:

IMG-3230

I had ten empties this month.  I’m pretty proud of that.  Staying at home, I’ve really been digging into my products.  I have been consistent with my skincare, too! IMG-3231

I received the Kate Somerville Kx Active Concentrates Bio-Mimicking Peptides Serum in my February Boxycharm.  I used it only on my neck and chin in the morning and evening.  I really noticed firming in that area.  I would purchase this again but it is $98!  So…not right now.

I used up two toners — the Pixi Milky Tonic and the Skinfood Peach Sake Toner. I liked both of these.  The Skinfood primer was probably my favorite, because it’s so refreshing.  The Pixi Milky Tonic is hydrating.  I would purchase these again.

I also used two mists.  The Derma E UPLIFT Skin Beneficial Mist Mood Enhancing and the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea. I enjoyed both of them and would repurchase.

IMG-3232

I used up the Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm.  I like it, but I just started using the Farmacy Green Clean and I like that one more.  It’s a smoother texture.  I wouldn’t purchase this one again.

My last skincare items were a deluxe sample of the Amazing Grace lotion.  Amazing Grace is my signature scent and I love it!  And the DHC Urumai Cream is very thick and hydrating.  It’s perfect for the winter, but since we are heading into warmer weather, I’ll be using a lighter lotion.

My two makeup items are the Urban Decay Brush Of Loose Powder and my favorite Mascara, the Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara.  I would repurchase both, but I am good on powder and mascara right now.  I’m really trying to use up what I have right now.


So, although I was at home most of the month, March was pretty good beauty-wise.  I hope you stick around for my fun palette-a-day April (or whatever I decide to name it)!

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:

img-1219.jpg

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.

IMG-1220

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.

IMG-1221 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.

IMG-1222IMG-1223

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?

 

Skincare Sunday — DHC Urumai Review

Hi all!  Happy Sunday!  I hope you are having a great weekend!  I’m back with another Skincare Sunday.  I’m trying to do skincare related posts on at least a couple of Sundays a month.

I have recently received new DHC products for my honest review.  I haven’t tried anything from this Japanese brand before, but I’ve heard good things!

I received the Urumai line, which is brand new and has just launched on July 1st. This collection contains a proprietary rice peptide complex comprised of two hydrolyzed rice proteins that work together to condition and deeply hydrate skin, plus enhance firmness. Yes, please!  Here’s what I received:

IMG_1038.JPG

Tapping the power of rice, this plant-based trio beautifully brings together urumi (moisture) + mai (rice) to promote a soft, smooth and supple complexion.

That sounds amazing, and isn’t the packaging elegant, even the shape of the soap is so gorgeous!

DHC Urumai Soap ($14 USD) — A botanical beauty bar created with a rich blend of natural ingredients. Lathers up into a creamy mousse to gently eliminate dirt and debris, dead skin and excess sebum. Deeply cleans to gently prepare skin for the next steps in your skincare routine.

What I think:   I haven’t used a beauty bar in years to clean my face, so this was interesting!  It lathers up to a nice foam and is unscented (all of these products are), but it does have a faint soap scent. It does clean nicely, but it took a bit of work to rinse off.

DHC Urumai Lotion ($25 USD) — An alcohol-free facial toning lotion that promotes vibrant, soft and beautiful skin. Created with rice peptides and sake, this pre-moisturizing toner combats damage from dryness and environmental stresses to revitalize the skin.

What I think:  I love that this doesn’t contain alcohol or irritate my sensitive skin. It feels nice on the skin and is lightly hydrating.  It does give a glow, which is nice under makeup.

DHC Urumai Cream ($29 USD) — A lightweight facial cream that promotes a beautiful complexion for all skin types. Formulated with DHC exclusive rice peptide complex, this hydrating cream unlocks the power of rice to help promote turnover and minimize the appearance of fine lines.

What I think: This is a very hydrating cream! I like this as a night cream, because it is pretty thick and moisturizing.  It’s not greasy, but it does take a little bit of time to sink in.  When I use this at night, in the morning my skin is glowing! I have notices that my fine lines have been reduced and that my skin is smoother.
I am really enjoying these products!
Purchase at DHCCare.com. And right now, they are having a deal that you receive free shipping if you purchase a full size Urumai collection products with the code URUMAI.
—————————————————————————————————
Have you tried DHC skincare?  What do you think of these products?