Browsing Category

beauty

beauty, empties

Empties

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser

I use this every morning to clean my face and I absolutely love it. It is my holy grail face cleanser. I switch up what I use in the evenings to remove makeup, but I always have a bottle of this on hand for the morning. Chris uses it too. I love how creamy it is, and it gives just the slightest cool tingle when you wash, never stripping you of moisture. My face has never looked better since using it.

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense

Another holy grail. I think this is my third bottle? I use this in the mornings and evenings and absolutely love it! It is the perfect moisturizer before make up and it leaves the skin so soft and a little dewy. I have combination skin, and this is the perfect amount of moisturizer for me.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water

I use this stuff in the evenings to remove my makeup. It does a decent job, but sometimes the cotton pads leave a little cotton behind and that gets on my nerves. I ended up getting an oil this time around. I would purchase this again, but I am not loyal to it.

Foreo Play

I received this in an Allure Beauty Box last year and was really excited. It was fun to use, but then it died and you cant replace the batteries in the play. If you were going to get one of these, I would recommend one that is rechargeable or one you can replace the batteries in. I know they cost more, but in the long run it is worth it. I haven’t run out to get one yet, don’t know if I will. I think this lasted a few months….but I didn’t use it every day.

Olay 7 Total Effects Eye Cream

This eye cream was alright. I am sort of meh with it. As I am with just about every eye cream that I try. I am still in search of the holy grail, let me know what yours is! For the price, this one does alright but it doesn’t blow me away and I still have fine lines and dark circles.

The Healthy Deodorant in Lavanilla

When I was pregnant, and a few months before….I was on a quest to find the perfect natural deodorant. Well folks, it doesn’t exist. I have tried so many brands and they all quit on me after a month or so. It’s really frustrating. This one smells amazing, I like the application and it isn’t too ridiculous of a price. I might try again in the future, but I am disappointed that none continue to last. I know many people who have this same issue.

Have you used any of these? What are you loving lately?

August 24, 2017 by Nadine

beauty, empties

Empties

Loreal Voluminous Mascara

This is hands down my favorite drugstore mascara. I have tried so many and I always seem to come back to this one. It holds up to most of the higher end brands to be honest.

Bottom Line: I have and will repurchase

Garnier Whole Blends Cranberry Color Care Conditioner

You guys, this stuff smells AMAZING!!!! It has argan oil and cranberry in it and it is paraben free. For the price, you simply can’t beat it. I have a few shampoo and conditioners going in my shower at any one time and you will almost always see a bottle of this stuff. Love love love. My hair is soft, it is safe on color and the smell is the best thing ever. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find good hair care options.

Bottom Line: I have and will repurchase

OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Body Wash

I have been on an OGX kick lately. I had the coconut one before this and I liked that one, but I like this one even better!!! I felt like this one was more hydrating and left my skin feeling softer. I really love the scent of this stuff too, just clean and neutral. It wasn’t trying to compete with my lotion or perfume which I appreciate.

Bottom Line: I will repurchase

TARTE MARACUJA CREASELESS CONCEALER

The fact that this has the word creaseless in the name of it makes me laugh and laugh. Creaseless this stuff is NOT. In fact, this has to be one of the worst creasing concealers I have ever used under my eyes. I wanted to like this stuff, I really did. I love Tarte but this was a huge dud for me. I have had it in my make up collection for at least two or three years and I am just throwing it out because my makeup looks better with no concealer than the cakey creasy of a mess this stuff makes.

Bottom Line: Never again. Love Tarte, but this was a huge dud.

FOREO Day Cleanser

I really loved this stuff. It smells amazing and it always left my face feeling soft and clean. Almost even a little glowy. I don’t really have anything bad to say about this product. I like to use it along with my Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser.

Bottom Line: I would repurchase this. The price isn’t too bad for a higher end brand for what you get.

Belli Skin Care

I had the hardest time with my skin when I was pregnant. Pregnancy glow is a joke. I was a mess. I had high hopes for the Belli brand that is made specifically for pregnant women. You didn’t have to worry about ingredients and it was tailored for your hormonal skin changes. There were so many good reviews I thought for sure this was a winner. Big dud for me. In fact, the face wash in the picture is not even close to being empty. It did nothing for me and I couldn’t stand the smell of it when I was pregnant. I opened it before I tossed it and the smell is alright, but that first and second trimester, I wasn’t having it.

Bottom Line: I would never try this stuff again, but I am not saying don’t get it if you are pregnant. It did have really good reviews and my skin is super finicky. It might work for you.

Avon Footworks Arthritis Achy Foot and Muscle Cream

I cannot tell you how old the bottle I had was? Probably years since the new one looks nothing like it, but I was cleaning out our drawers and found this and it only had enough left for maybe one time and the bottle was leaking. I loved this stuff. It actually worked well for my calf muscles that get super sore for no reason from time to time. I think Chris has used this stuff a few times too and liked it. It smells very very strong like Bengay. So if you aren’t ok with that smell, don’t get this! The smell lasts forever.

Bottom Line: Good, inexpensive option if you have sore feet and calves.

Have you tried any of these??

June 7, 2017 by Nadine

beauty, favorites

April Favorites – Add it to Your List

Linking up with Lauren and Bre today with some of my April favorites I think you should add to your list!

Van’s Foods The Perfect 10 Crackers

These crackers are so good!!! I love to pair them with a little Laughing Cow wedge for the perfect afternoon snack. And wine. They go great with wine. Doesn’t everything? They have whole grains and seeds in them so I tell myself they are healthy. Ish.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

I have tried ~~a million~~ many lipsticks and glosses over the years. Rarely is there one that really stands out as absolutely amazing. This stuff you guys? This is my holy grail!!! My mom got the Lovesick color for me off my Christmas list, and it is my absolute all time favorite lip product. This stuff has some amazing staying power. Even though it is matte, it doesn’t look or feel dry on my very dry lips.I can’t say enough good things about this stuff. If you are looking for a new lipstick, give this a try! I want to pick up this duo from Sephora!

I am wearing lovesick in this picture…

Murad Time Release Acne Cleanser

I have been using this cleanser for about a month now and I love it!!! It’s a real bitch when you have to worry about breakouts and wrinkles, am I right??? This cleanser covers both problems!!! The thing with most acne cleansers is they tend to dry my skin out and make the problem worse. Not this stuff!!! It is more of a cream cleanser than a gel. It goes on smooth, has a cooling effect and leaves my skin super soft and looking awesome!!! Chris is even using this stuff too.

Big Little Lies

I know I am late to watching the show, but we were trying to catch up on our other stuff first. I read the book two years ago and really loved it and I have to say that this show has been done very well!!! We have two episodes left and I am trying to savor them. If you were on the fence, give it a try. Chris is watching it with me and enjoying it as well. I will say that some of the twists in the book are easier to figure out on the show.

Grocery IQ

I used to write all my shopping lists on paper, all the way up until about a year ago. I decided to finally try a few apps to see if it made it easier and it does!!! I got tired of leaving my list at home. Or sometimes we were out and decided to go ahead and pick up a few things. Grocery IQ makes everything so easy! It is free to download and you can share your lists with multiple people. Chris has it on his phone and it was a HUGE help the first few weeks after we had Zoe when he was going to the store himself. I also shared a shopping list with one of my coworkers last year who did Whole 30 with me so he could see everything he needed to pick up from the meal plans that I set up for us. You can check off things as you find them in the store and have several lists going at once.

What are some things you are loving right now?

April 25, 2017 by Nadine

beauty, favorites

Empties

I am back today with some more empties!!! Perfect day to review a few of these since a few of these will be included in the Sephora 15% off sale is starting!!! I am reviewing them differently today, and giving you the good and the bad. Tell me if you like this format better than just spilling it all in one paragraph.

**some affiliate links because if you are going to click anyways, then why not earn a little penny?**

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense

The Good– I am obsessed with this stuff you guys!!! I think I have mentioned it on my blog quite a few times. This is one of the best moisturizers I have ever used for my combination skin. It makes my skin feel so soft and smooth. My makeup applies so well over it that I really don’t use primers anymore. I am repurchasing this during the Sephora sale!

The Bad– The only bad thing I can say is that it comes in a jar instead of a tube. I always wash my hands before washing my face and using this product so it isn’t a big deal for me. And honestly, being in a jar ensures that you can use every last drop of it.

Repurchase: YES!!!

Spongelle in Freesia Pear scent

The Good– Let’s start with scent. This scent is amazing!!! I like that this is an all in one. The soap is built in to the sponge so you just scrub all over your body with it. It leaves my skin soft and exfoliated, without stripping it of moisture. It was fun to use and it lasted a lot longer than I thought it would! I cant even remember when I got it??

The Bad- Other than being a little on the pricey side, the only negative thing I have to say is depending on your shower set up…it might be odd to store it between uses. We didn’t really have a good place to lay it in our shower stall without it getting hit by water constantly, so I kept it by my sink and had to take it in to the shower each use.

Repurchase: This isn’t something I would purchase on the regular, but I would certainly pick one up if I want something different and fun to pamper myself with from time to time. I would 100% purchase it as a gift for someone else too.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

The Good – Decent primer, keeps my oily skin in check.

The Bad – Pretty pricey and gets used up quickly.

Repurchase: I have purchased this many times in the past, but with my current face routine and moisturizer…I find myself not really needed a primer.

Younique Moodstruck Natural Fibers Mascara and Transplanting Gel

The Good: I liked the length that this mascara provides. My eye lashes looked pretty fantastic when I used it!

The Bad: You have to purchase it through a Younique distributer. I don’t know if it is just me, but the mascara flakes off and bothers my eyes. It is a little pricey.

Repurchase: No. There are mascaras from both the drug stores and Sephora that don’t bother my eyes the way this did and are easier to purchase.

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

The Good– Safe to use while pregnant. Super moisturizing. I found that my belly itched less when I used this.

The Bad – I couldn’t stand the smell of this stuff for half of my pregnancy. I used it the second half of my pregnancy and still have stretch marks from hell so it wont prevent stretch marks if they are in your genes. I think you are either lucky and wont have stretch marks because your mom/grandma didn’t get them….or no matter what you rub on your belly the stretch marks are going to appear because that is your fate.

If I can only recommend one thing, it would be the Clinique Moisture Surge Intense! And honestly, it isn’t near as pricey as some of the other moisturizers out there. This jar lasted me several months too! What are you going to purchase during the Sephora sale? I am getting the moisturizer and I was thinking about ordering another Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (my favorite!!!!) or this set.

April 19, 2017 by Nadine

beauty, best of

Add These to Your List!

Linking up with Lauren and Bre again to talk about some more things I think you should check out! I have had so much fun saving things for this link up every month, and seeing what everyone else is loving. I still keep my book reccomendations for the Show Us Your Books link up though, so you wont see any of that here.

Food:

Have you tried the Chobani Flips? I have gushed about the Key Lime Crumbles one for at least a year or two now. But Target started carrying a ton more flavors. My new favorites are Smores and Coffee Brownie Bliss!!! SO GOOD!

Beauty:

This Revlon Juice Peach Kiss Balm is so fun. First of all, it is under $5. It smells amazing!!!!!! And it gives the slightest sheer color and makes my lips feel super soft. It doesn’t last all day or anything, but I wasn’t expecting it to. If I am wearing this and my Too Faced Peach palette shadows, I smell peaches all day and I love it.

This coconut oil OGX shower gel smells sooooooo good and has me dreaming of the beach! I don’t like to pay a lot of shower gels, so I grab fun stuff I see at Target. I am still loving my Soap and Glory one I shared last month too. I just like to switch it up with a few options because I get bored.

TV:

Have you heard of Riverdale? It is based on the characters from the Archie comics. I never really read the comics growing up, but I knew the characters names and stuff. The first episode or two I was like ehhhh I dont know. But now? I am hooked. It freaking sucks you right on in to their messed up world.

Also, Season 3 of Grace and Frankie is here!!!! YAY!!!! I love this show. And this picture pretty much sums up the season so far…

App:

Think Dirty is an app where you can scan beauty and body products in your home and see how natural or harmful they are to you. Which is what led me to pull the trigger on the baby items below. I have been scanning allllll the things in our house and when I am out at the store. It’s not 100% because some products (like the Aveeno baby lotion) weren’t on it. But when something isn’t on there, you can take a picture of the front and back of the item and get them to add it.

Baby:

–I know that Johnson and Johnson isn’t known for the best ingredients in their products. My mom used that stuff on Tracy and I growing up and we turned out ok. And the smell!! Straight up baby. It’s what the hospital used on Zoe when she was there, and what I had on hand when I brought her home. Truth is? Zoe’s skin is still pretty dry. It’s so soft, but I have to lotion her up quite often. I picked up Shea Moisture Honey Lavender Soothing Shampoo/Body Wash and Honest Lavender Face and Body Lotion this past week and YES!!!! I can actually see a difference already. And she still smells amazing and scrumptious, as babies do. I feel so much better using these products on her instead.

Think Dirty says Johnson and Johnson is a 9 (10 is the worst) and this particular Shea Moisture and Honest product are both a 3.

So have you tried any of this? What do you suggest I add to my list?

March 28, 2017 by Nadine

Older Posts

Newer Posts