Thursday, July 25, 2013

Klout Perk: Eclos Skincare

I was awarded a Klout perk which featured the Eclos skincare regimen.  I was excited to receive my perk and it arrived about a 4-weeks after I was received my initial e-mail.  The skincare is aimed towards anti-aging, which is a form of skincare I’ve been looking into adding into my skincare regimen since, well, I am aging (even though I still think I’m 25 – hah).  Once I get my acne skincare regimen set into motion and my face begins to clear and be relatively normal for a bit – I plan on trying to incorporate this line into my regimen but right now I need to focus on my problem area – acne.

The Eclos line is said to get your skin flawless, dewy and refreshed that you wouldn’t mind sharing your bare face with the world.

The items I received are as follows:

Eclos Daily HydraPrimer SPF 30.  This product is said to hydrate and prime, even skin tone and minimize fine lines and wrinkles while protecting with an SPF 30.

Eclos AM + PM Skin Prep Cleanser. This product is said to lift makeup and debri, purifies the skin without over drying and also calms, soothes and reconditions the skin.

Eclos AM + PM Moisture Therapy Regenerative Cream. This product claims to hydrate and brighten, help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and promotes a smoother and more even texture skin.

QUESTION:
Have you tried anything from the Eclos line?

Monday, July 22, 2013

Nordstrom Haul: Tom’s!

I have been fawning over Tom’s for months. Searching websites for sales (which I found were pretty much slim to none) and looking at the different styles available.  I knew I wanted the classic version, but I was also oogling over the crochet and a few patterns.  I kept saying to myself, I didn’t need them, so I’d wait.
Then the persistent want came back.  So my search for my Tom’s began … but this time I was focusing on sizing. Now I know I have wide feet and I know Tom’s brand suggests going down a size – so if you’re a 7 ½ you should get a 7 because the shoes stretch to your foot.  But I couldn’t find any information on wide feet. None. It’s like a nonexistent internet search (whodathunkit!).

After searching the Nordstrom website I stumbled upon a sale on Tom’s (not on the classics though).  So I ordered a pair of black classic and a pair of navy blue circle pattern Tom’s – in two different sizes.  When they arrived I found the 11 fit JUST right, but were tight and the 12 fit perfectly and were very comfortable just a bit long.  After talking to Nordstrom customer service I decided to re-order the Navy circle pair in a 11 to try out since Nordstrom has a perfect return policy.

Now the sizing trial begins … will my Tom’s stretch and fit my big ole wide feet?  Time will tell!

QUESTION:
Do you own a pair of Tom’s?

Saturday, July 20, 2013

CVS Beauty Club Rimmel Twitter Giveaway



I entered a Twitter giveaway through CVS Beauty Club.  In order to be entered to win, all I had to do was re-tweet CVS Beauty tweet about the giveaway. After the giveaway ended, I was sent a direct message from CVS Beauty Club and I’ll be honest I was completely surprised!

I was advised I would receive my prize within 4-6 weeks.  That timeframe had actually passed by a few weeks, so I sent a direct message back asking if perhaps it was sent out and got delivered to the incorrect address.  A few days later, I received a next-day air package from CVS Beauty Club containing my goodies.

Here’s what I received:

-          Rimmel BB Cream 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup w/ SPF25 in Medium
-          Rimmel Stay Glossy in 160 Stay My Rose
-          Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in 004 Guilty Grey
-          Rimmel Scandaleyes Sow Off Mascara in Extreme Black

QUESTION:
Have you tried any of these Rimmel products?

Friday, July 12, 2013

Review: Olay Fresh Effects {BB Cream!} Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer with SPF15



I received a tube of Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream for reviewing purposes from Influenster.  I admit I was quite excited because I have been eyeing the new Olay Fresh Effects line at Target for weeks upon weeks, but kept telling myself I didn’t need anything right now.  Upon opening my box and realizing I received the Light to Medium shade I was a little hesitant.  Typically I purchase medium to deep BB creams since my skin is really no where near light, but I decided I’d give it a go.  Worst case scenario I’d have to wash my face after application if it didn’t match..

PACKAGING & PRICE
Product is packaged in a long, sleek 2.5 fl ounce tube.  It has a twist off cap which allows for easy control of how much product you dispense onto your hand.  I do enjoy how thin the tube is, which makes storing a lot easier because nobody truly enjoys big bulky packaging.  Price wise, it of course varies depending on where you shop.  Typically prices range anywhere between $10.97 up to $13.99.

PRODUCT
After looking into the product, low and behold, it is only sold in two color combinations: Fair to Light and Light to Medium.  The Light to Medium was suitable for my skin tone. I have not gotten much sun this spring and summer so I’m on the lighter side of the spectrum but if I were to catch any sun this product would be too light for my face – but I could potentially make it work with a good amount of bronzer.  The BB cream itself does have a very pleasant sent to it.  I was expecting a chemically smell that sometimes comes with foundations/BB creams, but this one was a very clean scent almost florally.  It kind of reminded me of mountain rain scented laundry detergent (I love that scent, so that’s a good thing!).  The scent certainly doesn’t linger, as you begin to massage the product into your face, the scent dissipates, or at least becomes far less apparent.

PURCHASING
This is available for purchase at all retail pharmacy locations – CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, while it’s also available at supercenters such as Target, Walmart and Kmart.  It can also be purchased from select online retailers such as Drugstore.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon.

OVERALL
Overall, I find the BB Cream is okay but nothing to brag about.  I prefer a medium coverage BB Cream but this particular BB cream is very light coverage.  It did cover a tiny bit of redness on my face (around my nose) but it didn’t cover my acne scars or even any of my current acne flare ups.  I realize BB creams are not designed to conceal blemishes, but I find with my Garnier BB cream, it has more coverage and will conceal my acne far more than the Olay Fresh Effects did.  It does leave my face feeling moisturized although it is very unforgiving for oily skinned individuals (which is me to a T).  This is undoubtedly a product I need to wear a powder with to reduce the sheen that shines through almost instantly after application.  This is a give or take product for me … it’s not something I love, but it’s not something I hate neither.

RATING
C




Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Bath & Body Works Semi-Annual Clearance Haul (#2)



So this is my second and final Bath and Body Works Semi-Annual Clearance haul!  Every time these sales come around I tell myself I don’t need anything … but alas, I find myself on the website “window shopping” and I then find myself in the store, buying things.  Happens every time without fail!  I have no self control … and certainly no self control when it comes to a really good sale.

I combined my $10 off $30 coupon to get even bigger bang for my buck with this haul.  The great thing with those coupons is you get them one very single Bath and Body Works receipt AND they never expire!  I think they do this on purpose to trigger my mind (and yours too) into thinking “you’re saving more the more you spend”.

So here’s what I picked up:

  • Wild Peach Poppies body spray
  • Arbua Coconut body wash
  • Seaside Escape wall flowers, double pack
  • Bahama Fizz wall flowers, double pack
  • Twilight Woods wall flowers, double pack
  • Fresh Linen wall flowers, double pack

I’m all stocked up now … I’ve still got a few body washes and sprays from the last semi annual clearance haul (around Christmas) and I’ve certainly got enough wall flowers to last me for a while.

QUESTION:
Did you pick up anything from Bath and Body Works during their clearance sale?

Monday, July 8, 2013

Maybelline Electro Baby Lips Haul



I was browsing through the blogs that I follow and stumbled upon a blog post by EmilyNoel83 featuring the new Maybelline Electro Baby Lips and it immediately sent me into motion.  I wasn’t even aware this new collection dropped but seeing the gorgeous pigmentation, I knew I needed to have them.  Emily only had purchased 3 shades so I looked up other blog posts to see swatches of all 6 shades available.  After online browsing for a few days, I decided I was going to stick with the 3 most pigmented shades and leave the other 3 behind even though they’re gorgeous in the packaging.

I do want to point out that these are placed right alongside the Baby Lips, not on a new display or anything.  I have only been able to spot them at Walmart locations – but Targets website states they are sold in stores, but my store did not carry them.

First of all the packaging is super adorable.  It’s a black casing with a clear cover which has bold neon print on the tube.  I like a sleek looking packaging and I have to admit, I like this packaging more than the original packaging for the baby lips.

The 3 shades I picked up are:

Pink Shock
Oh! Orange!
Strike a Rose

QUESTION:
Have you picked up any of the new Baby Lips?

Friday, July 5, 2013

Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons



I received a pack of Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons from Influenster for review purposes.  I admit when I received these, I was intrigued because I have heard so many great things about hair ribbons. Since I tend to wear my hair back in a ponytail, bun, etc. I felt I’d get some good use out of these.

Because I always have my hair tied back I am constantly purchasing hair elastics.  Goody makes some of the best particularly their Ouchless line.  I remember growing up and having hair elastics with the metal connector and it’d get tangled in my hair and rip portions of my hair out.  Trying to avoid that as much as possibly, I only purchase smooth edged hair elastics.

Firstly, these hair ribbons are adorable.  They fit perfectly over the wrist and give your arm some décor and I find they fit a lot nicer over the wrist and don’t “cut” into the wrist as regular elastics tend to do. The hair ribbons act as regular hair elastics do – you simply tie your hair back angling the end of the ribbon wherever you wish.  I find the ribbons do keep my hair back and they don't stretch out as easily as regular hair elastics

These are good for any age, at least in my opinion and come in a wide variety of colors to go with any outfit. Or if you’re into that sort of thing you can just wear them as “arm candy”.

QUESTION:
Have you tried any of the Goody Ouchless Hair Ribbons?

Trader Joe’s Beauty Haul



I love shopping for grocery items at Trader Joe’s but I also enjoy trying out their selection of beauty products.  Many of their products are hidden jewels and I have grown to enjoy quite a number of the items I’ve tried.  You may consider them pricey but if you compare the price to drug store brands they’re really quite comparable.  On this trip I picked up 3 items I have not tried before and wanted to try out.  Here’s what I got:

Trader Joe’s Spa Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil
Trader Joe’s Refresh Citrus Body Wash with Vitamin C
Trader Joe’s Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer

QUESTION:
Have you tried any of these Trader Joe’s items?