Beauty – Page 2

The Best Item from the September POPSUGAR Must Have Box

September 30, 2016 by jessica 1 Comment

If I’m being honest, September’s POPSUGAR Must Have Box wasn’t my favorite. For the third month now, POPSUGAR sent me a Must Have Box to try. I was pretty excited about the previous two mystery boxes. I mean, how could I not be when one of the boxes included an inflatable swan drink holder?! This month’s box was a let down in comparison. Included inside:

Jack & Lucy Bicoastal Wide Brim Hat ($58): I’m just not a hat girl.
NCLA MANI-ER Tool Kit ($16): I would have enjoyed this more if I didn’t already have a couple of travel manicure sets. I’ll toss this in my desk at work.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask ($36): I have yet to try this, but I’m not excited about it. My hair is relatively healthy, split ends aside, without damage from over processing. I’ll give it to my mom to try since she dyes her hair.
Flint Lint Roller ($10): Okay, this retractable lint roller is pretty awesome and way easier to tote around than a traditional one that just becomes a mess.
Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer in “The Warning” ($22): LOVE.
The Gluten Free Bites in dark chocolate coconut ($5): These are vegan and gluten free. They’re okay, but I’d rather have the dairy!

What made it worth it? The Smith & Cult lip lacquer in “The Warning,” a gorgeous sheer red gloss. The Must Have Box comes in at $39.95 (you can take $5 off your first box with code SHOP5). Given that the gloss retails at $22, another $17.95 for the other items really isn’t that bad, especially when I’m going to get a ton of use out of the retractable lint roller and I’m going to attempt to be a hat girl for at least one day.

The Clutter Cleanse Challenge with NuFACE

August 15, 2016 by jessica 6 Comments

Lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we own. Going through our garage a few weeks ago and donating seven bags of unloved treasures was a great first step, but it doesn’t end there. We have the second half of the garage to weed through, unworn items hiding in our closet, unloved dust-collectors in our living space, and unused beauty products in the bathroom. It’s time to shed the clutter and keep only the items that are truly loved and actually used, which is why I’m embarking on the 28-Day Clutter Cleanse Challenge with NuFACE.

NuFACE launched the #LessStuffMoreMe challenge in an effort to help women live a true, authentic life free from clutter, starting with their cosmetic drawers. Did you know that 75% of cosmetic users don’t actually finish a container of product? I know I’m guilty of keeping partially used products sitting around, and don’t get me started on the sample-sized goodies I haven’t tried yet! The challenge extends to other areas as well, including putting a spotlight on overflowing closets and handbags, and a reminder to treat yourself with tech-free days and alone time.

The challenge actually started on July 25, so I’m jumping in late on day 22 with a much-needed overhaul of my handbag. Try it yourself later today and see how much you can toss after going through every nook and cranny of your purse and wallet, photograph it, and tag your challenge photo on Instagram with @MyNuFACE and #LessStuffMoreMe. Not only will you meet other women who are taking part in the 28-day challenge, you’ll also be entered to win $500 to celebrate your clutter-free life with friends. You can read more about the giveaway here.

If you’re like me and are joining the clutter-free fun late, I encourage you to start at the beginning in a few days. Use the calendar as a way to break down what could otherwise be an overwhelming task. The steps above will help guide you to a clutter-free life in a stress-free way. I’m anxious to streamline my beauty routine, especially with the addition of the NuFACE device. I’ve only used it once and it can take up to 60 days for visible results with use five days a week for five minutes a day. I’ll be sure to post again once I’ve tried the device for a few months with an update on its effectiveness — and hopefully an improvement in the fine lines I’m starting to spot!

DAY 22 CLUTTER-CLEANSE RESULTS

How does so much stuff accumulate in a purse? I’m fairly good at tossing old receipts and tissues, but the challenge made me realize that I could do a better job at that. It seems that once a coupon or gift card makes its way into my wallet, it’s never to be seen again. I threw away a few Victoria’s Secret coupons (including an expired $10 reward coupon earned with credit card points — that hurt), and discovered a couple of gift cards with balances remaining that have been in there for years ($5 to Starbucks and $15 to Barnes & Noble). I also went through my work tote and the cosmetic case I throw in it, which includes things like Band-Aids, lip balm, and floss.

Thanks to NuFACE for partnering on this post!

Never Travel Without Your Signature Fragrance Again + Win a Travalo Atomizer!

August 11, 2016 by jessica 3 Comments

I used to jet set with a new fragrance to transport me back to that destination whenever I spritzed it at home, but that’s changed now that I’ve found my signature scent. However, I won’t travel with a full bottle of perfume. It takes up a lot of space and a traveling with the breakable glass bottle is just asking for a suitcase full of “fragrant” clothing! Now, I’ll admit that I’m lucky to have my preferred scent available in a rollerball vial, which isn’t true of many perfumes. However, it’s not cost-effective at $30 for just 6ml compared to a full-size bottle at $125 for 100ml.

Enter Travalo.

Travalo is a brand of travel-friendly, refillable perfume atomizers that give you the flexibility to bring your signature scent on vacation. There are seven models that you can browse here. Each atomizer is leak-proof, free of glass, and fits well within airline restrictions for liquids. I was given the opportunity to try out the Milano style and I can’t tell you how delighted I am with the product. It has a nice heft to it, which makes it feel expensive, and the textured faux leather is an elegant addition to my travel bag. It seems expensive at $50, but when you consider the refillable aspect of it, it quickly pays for itself.

Filling the atomizer is simple: remove the spritzer cap from your perfume bottle by pulling straight up, position the bottom of your Travalo over the stem, and pump up and down to transfer the fragrance. It doesn’t take long to fill the 5ml case, giving you up to 65 spritzes on the go. You can check your progress by pulling the inner tube out of the Travalo case, which also gives you the flexibility to swap cases.

Want one of your own? Scroll down to enter to win either the Travalo Milano in the color of your choice! Open to readers in the U.S. and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can snag the cosmetic case in this post with a Tory Burch fragrance purchase. Details here.

Thanks to Travalo for partnering on this post!

The Binder Clip: A Beauty Bag Must Have?

July 20, 2016 by jessica 7 Comments

I’ve always been annoyed by the amount of product left in tube packaging. No matter how much twisting and cinching and squeezing I do, there’s always a sizeable amount left and it feels like such a waste to throw it away. In the case of Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer, an ounce typically lasts me between four and five months. It’s not terrible, but it’s still an expensive primer and I’d like to get my money’s worth before moving on to a replacement tube.

I finally had an “Why haven’t I been doing this for years?!” moment and snipped off the end of the package, which allowed me to scoop out enough product to last another three weeks. You could put the extra product in a little airtight jar, but I just fold over the edge of the tube and secure it with a binder clip to keep the product from drying out. (I should really up my game with these glam gold clips.) So, there you have it. A binder clip is your latest money-saving beauty hack. Who knew?

P.S. There’s still time to enter to win a piece of engraved gemstone jewelry from LovePendants!

5 Best Drugstore Beauty Buys

April 4, 2016 by jessica 6 Comments

As much as I love a good luxury beauty item like Stila’s “Stay All Day” liquid lipstick and YSL nail polish, nothing beats the satisfaction of finding a budget beauty item that does the job just as well as a pricey alternative. Here are five drugstore beauty finds that are mainstays in my beauty routine.

Cover Girl Lashblast Mascara
I’m sure there are luxe brands of mascara that give you full, doe-eyed lashes, but why spend the money when you can just opt for Cover Girl’s Lashblast mascara? This stuff gives you the best “Are they fake?” lashes for a fraction of the price. I find that it’s a bit clumpy when I open a new tube, but it subsides after a few days. Besides, it’s easy to comb away clumps.

Maybelline Expert Eyes Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
This is the first and only eye makeup remover I’ve ever used. My mom introduced me to it back in high school and I’ve been a devotee ever since. It removes nearly all traces of eye makeup, and the oil-free formula helps keep me break-out free. I usually use this after a cleansing cloth (below) and face wash to remove any lingering traces of mascara. (I dip a Q-Tip it in and run it along my upper and lower lids.) There’s a moisturizing (read: oily) version for waterproof mascara that I’m not particularly fond of.

Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer
This is actually a new addition to my beauty arsenal. I picked this up last week during my final drugstore run to stock up on essentials for our trip, so I’ve only worn it a handful of times. With that disclaimer out of the way, I’m happy to say that I’m pretty impressed with this. It has medium coverage that’s easy to build on. The small doe foot applicator makes for precise application and it lasts all day at work (longer when set with a powder). The only downside is that there are only six shades. Ladies with very light or dark complexions might not be able to find a good match.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
There was quite a bit of hullabaloo last year about how cleansing towelettes shouldn’t replace your traditional face wash. I’m in total agreement. I use the Neutrogena wipes to remove makeup — including waterproof mascara and long-wear lipstick — before using the Origins Checks and Balances face wash. (I really wish they’d change the name to “Cheeks and Balances.”)

Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse
I’ve been using this foundation since its debut nearly a decade ago. While I’ve tried other foundations, I always go back to the buildable coverage and light, whipped texture of Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse. A foundation brush or sponge will give you better coverage than using your fingers, but I’m usually lazy and just go with the latter. I use two different shades: one for my pale winter skin and one more my slightly less pale summer complexion.

What are your favorite drugstore beauty buys? I’d love to try ’em!