SPOTTED: Goody Spin Pin & Modern Up Do ($1 ea!)

I spotted an entire display of Goody brand Spin Pin and Modern Up Do hair accessories at my local Dollar Tree in both the light (for lighter hair shades) and dark (for darker hair shades).  Like everything that is sold at Dollar Tree these are selling there for $1 each.  I have recently seen these on sale at major retailers for the full retail price, so I was surprised to see these at Dollar Tree.  I received my first box of Spin Pins in my Voxbox and I instantly fell in love – so I made sure I picked up another box of these at Dollar Tree for a back-up.  I also picked up one of the modern up do’s to leave in my purse and/or car glove compartment.

In case you are not aware of how amazing these products are – the spin pins will give you a flawless looking bun in a matter of seconds.  All you do is spin these corkscrew looking pins into your hair (it doesn’t hurt – if you’d like you can see my full review here: http://shannonseyeonbeauty.blogspot.com/2012/11/review-goody-spin-pins.html ) whereas the modern up do will give you a flawless looking up do in a matter of seconds.

Swatches: Wet n Wild Shimmer the Night Away

This is Wet n Wild’s limited edition 8-pan palette Shimmer the Night Away.  This is one of the 3 new limited edition palettes (well, really 2 new since one is a re-release under a new name).  This is the purple palette.  I admit I was hesitant to purchase because purples aren’t really my favorite shadows – they usually contrast against my skin tone and make me look like I have a black eye.  I did pick it up because my Walgreen’s was having all Wet n Wild products on sale with a buy one get one 50% off deal.  So of course, I bought the first palette for $4.99 and got this one for $2.50.  I felt the price was justifiable to pick it up.

I will say I was not particularly wowed by the color payoff on this palette.  Sparkle ‘Til Morning is SO gorgeous, pigmented and wearable that this just fell flat for me on the love-o-meter. The darker shades pop more whereas the purple – even the blue tend to fall a little flat.  Sorry to say – but I’m not a terribly big fan of this palette.

Swatch: Wet n Wild Mocha-licious

This is the Wet n Wild lipstick in the shade Mocha-licious.  I picked this up at Walgreens on a rather impulsive buy.  These Wet n Wild lippies retail for $1.99 each but Walgreen’s tends to have Wet n Wild products on sale with a buy one get one 50% off sale – which is the deal I bought this particular lipstick with.

Mocha-licious is a stunning dark warm mocha brown shade.  With my skin tone I typically veer towards browns because they just compliment me so well and I’m comfortable wearing them.  My lips are pigmented on their own but this shade just gives my lips a nice deeper shade which is subtle (at least in my case).  I can’t say it would be subtle for all, but if you have medium-tan to dark skin I would say you’d enjoy this.  Then again for the price you can’t go wrong!

REVIEW: The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask

I picked up this Tea Tree Face Mask at The Body Shop kind of on the fly a number of months back.  I was talking to the girl that works in one of my local stores (she and I suffer from similar acne problems and have taken similar dermatologist prescribed medications).  So to say I trust her opinion is a pretty solid statement.  She’s even steered me away from purchasing certain things so that’s customer service to say the least.  I was looking for a couple different things and this mask was recommended to me by the girl in the store so I picked it up.  She did advise you can use it different ways, as a mask, as a cleanser, etc.  I even read a few different reviews on The Body Shop website with how people use it.  Some find they like to put it on then get in the shower and then wash it off.  I use it in a combination of ways and each has been pretty positive for me.

PACKAGING & PRICE

The product comes packaged in a round screw lid tub which contains 3.85 ounces of product.  This retails for $15 but The Body Shop is known for constantly running buy 2 get 2 free sales or buy 3 get 3 free sales.  Currently they are running a store and site-wide 50% off sale so this is selling for $7.50.  Groupon also pairs up with The Body Shop to offer $20 Groupons for the store – so you’d spend $10 and have $20 taken off your bill – further reducing your payout.

PRODUCT

The product itself is a bright green moderately thick cream.  It does have a distinct tea tree scent to it, which can tickle your sense of smell if you get close to it.  This is featured in the tea tree line which is geared towards individuals with problem skin (acne blemishes).  This is geared towards being a mask but it can be a multi-use product and everyone who uses it, uses it in different ways that they find works best for them.  The product is a cooling face mask with cleanses, soothes and refreshes the skin.  It aids in removing impurities and absorbing excess oil.  I will say it does all of these things and more.

PURCHASING

This can be purchased from any The Body Shop store location, The Body Shops online website and Beauty.com.  I have also seen The Body Shop products sold at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s locations – but it’s really hit or miss as it depends on what they receive in and how quickly they sell.

OVERALL

As I’ve stated this can be a multi-purpose face mask/cleanser.  According to the product you should “Smooth a thin layer onto pat-dried skin, clean face and neck with your fingertips. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes (mask will not dry). Then rinse off with clean water and pat skin dry. Use once or twice per week, after cleansing.”  I’ve used this as a mask and found the tingling sensation can become all too much for my skin – so I sometimes put this on my face before getting into the shower and I let the warm air mesh with the product and do it’s own thing.  I have also used this as a skin refresher after using an exfoliating face wash (whether by using a product or using a exfoliating face brush).  In this case I rub a small amount of product into my cleansed face, leave it on for a minute or two, and then rinse off.  It can leave my face a little tight feeling, but it’s nothing some moisturizer won’t ease up.

I do know if you use this product and you find it is not for you, or you’ve had a reaction to it the store will allow you to bring it back in to explain your situation and will aid in finding a new product for you that will not upset your skin/etc.

RATING

A-

Shannon’s Origins Black Friday Haul!

The week of Black Friday leading up to the day after Cyber Monday Origins was having a deal where you could get $10 off your order and get free shipping.  I tried a few samples of Origins products at Sephora and planned on picking up a bottle of a few things at Sephora but decided to get them straight from Origins because of the money off deal.  I also made this purchase using my Ebates account so I got 8 or 9% cash back on top of what I spent.

I did run into a little technical difficulty when trying to submit my order.  Origins website was still advertising the coupon code for the $10 off but when I went to submit my order (it had just turned midnight) the website had a technical difficulty and was not allowing the code – stating it had expired.  I e-mailed Origins and the next day they had sent out a mass e-mail to all letting them know that due to a technical glitch on their website they extended the code for an additional two days to make up for any inconvenience it ma have caused.  As soon as I read the e-mail I immediately threw the two items I wanted into my online cart and purchased.  Shipping was really fast – I received my order not even a week after placing it.

Here’s what I picked up:

-          Origins Zero Oil

-          Origins Clear Improvements

Swatches: Wet n Wild Sparkle ‘Til Morning

This is Wet n Wild’s limited edition 8-pan palette Sparkle ‘Til Morning.  I have to say out of the limited edition palettes that came out this year; this has to be my absolute FAVORITE!  It’s so gorgeous, pigmented and such fun sparkly colors that can be worn all year long.  These retail for $4.99 but are usually on sale buy one get one 50% off at Walgreens.  I BELIEVE these limited edition 8-pan palettes are only available at Walgreens – but don’t quote me on that because my CVS does not sell Wet n Wild (tear).   Do note these swatches are without a primer.

If you are not familiar, the palette includes two separate “instructional” shades but you can switch it up if you’re feeling fancy.  As with most Wet n Wild 8-pan palettes one side is more colorful while the other is more of a neutral look.  Personally I completely LOVE this palette it’s just perfection.

SWATCH: Wet n Wild Cherry Bomb Lipstick

This is the Wet n Wild lipstick in the shade Cherry Bomb.  I picked this up at Walgreen’s on an impulsive buy.  But I will say I’m glad I picked it up because it’s GORGEOUS!  I’m always so amazed by how pigmented and fabulous Wet n Wild lippies are.  For the price $1.99 you can’t go wrong.  Walgreen’s is also infamous for doing buy 1 get 1 50% off sales and they occasionally include coupons off items in store.

Cherry Bomb is a true deep, dark blood red shade.  This color is not for the faint of heart. I’m not particularly comfortable with bright reds on my lips BUT this is so deep it’s gorgeous. It’s dark enough that it looks nice against my skin tone without making me incredibly uncomfortable.  This is really a fabulous shade for the fall and winter months.