Beauty – Page 68

APRIL 2014 BEAUTY HAUL!!

April 21, 2014 & 4 Comments

Hi There! Happy Monday!

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend and a wonderful Easter for those who celebrate! Today I have a collective beauty haul from the past several weeks to share with you that is mostly drugstore with a few other random beauty related things tossed in. This haul is largely made up of concealers and lip products, but that’s really no surprise because those are two of my favorite beauty items to try and to shop for. I have created a Luvocracy collection with all of these items if you’d like more information or want to shop online, and once again all the titles below are also links! If you enjoy this haul, please subscribe to my blog by entering you email in the subscribe box on the right side of this page! Super easy! Okay, let’s get started…

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Brightener

I love the Maybelline Insant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in Fair and wanted to try the brightener. The brightener is a pinky salmon color that is the perfect shade to wear underneath your under eye concealer to help really counteract the dark circles underneath your eyes. This product twists and you hear a click sound as it pushes product to the sponge applicator. I dot the product on but then blend with a brush or sometimes with my fingers. I don’t tend to get puffiness under my eyes, but I do battle bad dark circles (hellooo mom two of toddlers!) and love anything that can help to hide them!

Revlon Colorstay Concealer in 01 Fair

I’ve heard great things about this concealer and heard that it compares to the Nars Creamy Concealer, so when I saw it on sale at my local grocery store, I decided to pick it up and give it a try. It comes out on a wand applicator, which I really like because I can dot it on and then use a makeup brush to blend it out. I love love love my Revlon Colorstay foundation, so I am hoping that I love this just as much.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer with Concealer Pencil in Ultra Light

This is supposed to be a very heavy duty concealer that can cover anything! It comes in a tube and I can tell that it’ll last a long time because you only need a tiny tiny dab because it is so thick. I haven’t tried it for the under eye area yet, but I do think it’s a product where you’ll want to prime the under eye first and then gently set it with a brightening power. It also comes with a pencil which it says is to outline birth marks or tattoos before covering them, but I’m going to try to find some other uses for that as well.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 805 Kissable Pink

I picked this up because I wanted another everyday pink color in my collection. It is a bit more sheer than expected, but a very pretty neutral pink color with just enough shine, but no glitter. I thought it would be a little more buildable, but I don’t mind so far because it’s a great color to just toss into your bag and not have to worry too much when you apply it. This doesn’t seem to have any taste or scent. It is very moisturizing, so the color doesn’t last too long, but it feels great on the lips.

L’Oreal Colour Riche’ Caresse in 176 Sunset Angora

This is a sheer, moisturizing lip color that is in the same family as the Revlon Lip Butters or the Maybelline Color Whisper lip products. The color is very pretty, a very wearable coral-y, muted orange.

Maybelline Color Sensational Color Elixir in 005 Breathtaking Apricot

The packaging almost makes this look like a lipstick, but it’s actually a lipgloss! It has a short applicator with a doe-foot applicator. The formula seems pretty thick, so we will see how the wear goes. I am really excited to try this lip gloss, and I think that the color will be great for summer.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in 885 Vibrant Mandarin

I love the Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks and really wanted to try out something in the orange color that is so on trend for spring and summer 2014. I wasn’t quite brave enough to try the Electric Orange color in the Vivids lineup, so I opted for this more coral-y orange color. It is very bright and I can’t wait to try it!

L’Oreal Limited Edition Collection Privee in 600 Doutzen’s Nude

I have been swooning over these lipsticks since I saw the pictures released online about a month ago. It is part of a collection of nude lipsticks and each lipstick shade is designed for one of their celebrity ambassadors. The matte black packaging with the pretty gold detailing looks very chic, and I love the touch of having the L’Oreal ambassadors signature printed on the lipstick tube. These do have the smell that some probably won’t like…it smells like an old-fashioned lipstick or very floral purfume you’d expect a grandmother to have in her handbag. This is a sheer, very light, cool toned baby pink with shimmer, and not like anything I have in my collection.

L’Oreal Limited Edition Collection Privee in 620 Julianne’s Nude

This is such a beautiful peachy toned neutral lipstick and it feels great on the lips! I have already worn this and know I’ll reach for it often.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

I always use these along with an eye make-up remover before cleansing my face at night (shown in a picture above).

Essential Tools 12 Rainbow Applicators

I picked these up to have to use for my nails as shown in my Nail Polish Tutorial-How to Avoid Brush Strokes with Frost Formula Polish post (shown in a picture above).

Pack of Plastic Mascara Spoolies

I bought these on ebay but you can also get them at Sally’s Beauty Supply or another store like that. I use these for my eyebrows and also for combing through my eyelashes before and after I apply mascara. They are super cheap and great to have on hand (shown in a picture above).

First Aid…Made Fun! Me4kidz.com

These little kits came in my kiddos Citrus Lane boxes a month or so ago, and we love them! We also already had the Diaper Bag Buddy (not shown) that I keep in a bag my husband uses when he has the kids. The pink box came with a little nail kit that my daughter loves and I like because the polish is water based. The green kit came with a little first aid kit that is perfect to keep in your car or diaper bag.

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo

This was a gift from my mom and I can’t wait to try it out! I love dry shampoos and I am looking forward to trying out a more high end dry shampoo.

O•P•I Drip Dry Drops

These were another gift, given to me by a friend, and I am excited to give them a try! I hate waiting for nail polish to dry!

Okay, that was a long one! Thank you SO much if you read all of that and for all of your support! It means so much to me! If you want to see more information or a review on any of the products mentioned above, let me know by commenting (click the link by the title of this post!) or fine me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Also be sure to let me know if there are any new products that you think I should try or products that you swear by! If you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe and share with your friends! Again, thanks and have a fantastic start to your week!

NAIL POLISH TUTORIAL-HOW TO AVOID BRUSH STROKES WITH FROST FORMULA POLISH

April 18, 2014 & 2 Comments

Hi There! Happy Friday!!! (Friday’s always deserve the most exclamation points!)

A few weeks ago I shared my Wet n’ Wild Spring 2014 Limited Edition Collections “And the Style Award Goes To…” post and mentioned that there is a technique I saw awhile ago to avoid the brush strokes that often happen when using a frost formula nail polish. I had a reader comment that they would love to see the technique, so today I am going to share a quick tutorial post with you on how you to do it by simply using a makeup sponge. I love hearing from you, so if YOU have anything you would like to see on here, comment (click the link by the title of this post) and let me know!

What you’ll need:

A small piece of a makeup sponge or a sponge eye shadow applicator (my preference is the eye shadow applicator)

A frost nail polish (a nail polish with a very fine, smooth shimmer)

A base coat nail polish and a top coat nail polish (optional, but highly recommended)

Products I used:

Revlon Colorstay base coat (005)

Wet n’ Wild Megalast in Sophisticated Lady (34359)

Out The Door top coat

Step 1:

Apply your base coat

Step 2:

Apply 1 or 2 coats of your frost nail polish with the brush your nail polish comes with.

Step 3:

Carefully dip your sponge tip eye shadow applicator into the nail polish or if using a makeup sponge pour a small amount of polish onto a paper plate or something else you can toss when you’re done. Then brush the sponge over your nails in one even motion. If you go over the nail with the sponge too much it can cause bumps which isn’t the look you want (I don’t think!). Try to sure that the sponge isn’t too soaked in the polish, getting it ever so slightly wet before dipping it into the polish can help with this.

Step 4:

Apply your top coat and allow the polish to dry!

My application isn’t perfect, and it takes a little practice, but it gives you a much cleaner look and you don’t see such obvious brush strokes. I like this method because it doesn’t take too many extra steps or too many coats of different nail products to get the desired effect.

I hope that you enjoyed this quick and easy nail polish tutorial! What is your favorite nail polish type? What is your favorite nail polish secret? I love crème nail polishes finishes and usually gravitate to those, but trying a frost is a fun change! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know by commenting (click the link by the title of this post!) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! If you liked this post please subscribe (it’ll only take a minute!) by entering your email into the subscription box on the right side on this page. Thank you so much for reading this! I hope that you have a wonderful Easter if you celebrate and a fab weekend!!! MUAH!

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX APRIL 2014!!

April 14, 2014 & 5 Comments

Hi There! Happy Monday!!

I hope you’re having a wonderful start to your week! If you want to make my day, be sure to follow me on social media! The pink button links are at the top of this page! It’s LeahTackles everywhere!

Today I am very excited to be reviewing the April 2014 PopSugar Must Have Box! I have been receiving this subscription service since December 2012 and it is like Christmas every month! I personally love being surprised by what’s in the box, so I steer clear of spoilers! If your April box hasn’t come yet and you want spoilers, keep reading! Here is a little bit about Pop Sugar: The box contains full size items in all different categories…food, beauty, fashion, home, and usually an extra goodie of some kind, too. The PopSugar box usually arrives between the 10^th-15^th of every month for me…it ships via FedEx Smart Post, which means it goes out FedEx but arrives to my P.O Box. Today I will quickly go over the March items so you know what I loved and what was maybe so-so for me. When I go over the May box in a post next month I will do a mini review of the items from this month and talk about what I used, didn’t use, liked, or maybe didn’t like as much.

Product titles are also links for more information or to buy online.

Okay, here we go…

MARCH 2014 POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX OVERVIEW:

Must Have Food:

Snapea Crisps from Harvest Snaps

$3 Value

Verdict:

I ate these up quickly and really liked them! I was happy to find them shortly after receiving them in my box at my local grocery store. The listed value is $3, but I found them for less than $2, so keep your eyes peeled!

Must Have Beauty:

Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum from Jurlique

$30

Verdict:

I really like this serum! It is a very thin consistency, but I find that only 1-2 pumps is enough to cover my face, neck and décolleté. I have only been using it every few days at night, but I think I am going to be brave and test it during the day on my combination/oily skin to see how it goes! The serum seems to absorb into the skin quickly, so maybe it would work on me for daytime as well.

Must Have Fashion:

Lucky Horseshoe Necklace from Dogeared (*Similar)

$28

Verdict:

I love it! Very cute! I need to remember to wear it more often.

Must Have Fashion:

IKAT Scarf from Brokedown

$72

Verdict:

This is such a fabulous scarf! I have been reaching for it a lot lately, and it’s a great transition piece for spring!

Must Have Fitness:

Mini Stability Exercise Ball from Fusion Pilates (*Similar)

$9.95

Verdict:

I used this only once, right before writing this post so that I could tell you all at least a little something about it. The workouts for this Mini Stability Ball were fairly basic, but as most workouts not quite as easy as they looked! Now that I know how to use it, I need to grab this and give it a try with my exercise routine! I tend to get in exercise slumps where I do the same type of work out over and over! Time to change it up!

Must Have Home:

Elephant Ring Tree Holder from Bauble Bar

$12

Verdict:

I love this still! It looks so cute sitting on top of my jewelry box, and I have two little rings sitting on it looking pretty.

Special Extra:

Whole Wheat Fig Bar from Nature’s Bakery

Verdict:

This was yummy and came in handy when I needed a snack on the go! Would I run out and hunt down this exact bar? No, but it was tasty and I would consider grabbing again if I saw it at the store.

Okay, now onto the good stuff!! This months box!!

APRIL 2014 POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BOX:

Must Have Food:

Pop Sugar Must Have Mix from Nature Box

$5 Value

I have been curious about Nature Box for quite awhile now and was really excited to see something in this PopSugar Must Have Box to try from them. The mix is dried cranberries, corn, soybeans and almonds in it, and it wasn’t something I would have reached for myself, but I really liked it! I almost always have a snack while watching our favorite TV shows with my husband after our kids go to bed, and having healthy snacks like this around keep me from wanting chocolate or other not-so-healthy treats! The fat content is pretty high, it is a trail mix/energy snack after all, but otherwise it’s definitely a healthy option. They also included a coupon for a $9.95 trail month of 5 items, and I am definitely tempted! If you subscribe to Nature Box, do you like it? I would love to hear your thoughts! Let me know by commenting (click the link on the title of this post! Super easy!) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Must Have Home:

Caldrea Rosewater Driftwood Liquid Hand Soap

$10.50 value

I love seeing things like this in the box! I would feel guilty spending too much on hand soap, it’s a spot where I can cut corners or at least get the deals at Bath and Body Works, but I LOVE the little luxury of using them! It is a very nice rose smell, not too overpowering and not at all a fake floral smell that some soaps have.

Must Have Beauty:

Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette

$36 Value

I was SO excited when I saw this in the box!! I love Too Faced bronzers, lip products, and mascara but I have never tried the eye shadows! Speaking of their eye shadows, I am currently lusting over the Chocolate Bar Palette and know that eventually that must be added to my collection! Has anyone tried either of these palettes? Let me know by leaving a comment (click the link by the title of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram ! Anyways, I love neutral eye shadows and was super excited until I noticed powder covering the box while I was opening it : ( One of the eye shadows broke! I know I could try to repair it, but I also sent PopSugar an email to see about sending it back and getting a replacement. It wasn’t wrapped at all sadly, which I was surprised about because I haven’t had that issue in the past. I have only had one other issue in the 17 different boxes I have had since December 2012, so as long as it’s replaced I am not concerned about it, and PopSugar has always had great customer service.

Must Have Fashion:

(XO) Eco Shopper Collapsible Tote Bag from Lauren Conrad for Blue Avocado

$24.99 value

I wasn’t thrilled initially with this bag because I figured it would just be another bag that wasn’t any different than others that I have. However, upon further inspection it’s simple to use and an adorable print! This bag makes me so excited for warmer weather and hopefully heading to some farmer’s markets with my family! So many bags advertise that they fold up “easily”, but this one really does fold up without a struggle. I think it will be functional for so many things, for day trips or barbeques I always have extra stuff I want to bring along and this is a great way to look stylish while doing it. The company Blue Avocado works with other companies and they upcycle by using plastic bottles to make the Blue Avocado products. The Lauren Conrad line from Blue Avocado also has lots of beauty and travel items that are just adorable! She can seriously do no wrong!

Must Have Home:

Pocket Notes from Graphic Image (*Similar)

$20 Value

I LOVE this so much! It says “Run The World” (how CUTE!) on a small periwinkle leather notebook with silver glit edged pages and a little ribbon bookmark. I am already using this, and it’s a perfect addition to toss into my bag or have displayed on my desk.

Must Have Home:

TOTALLY AWESOME: 80’s Sayings Tea Towel Set by Fresh Pastry Stand (an Etsy.com site)

$18 Value

These are cute, and I will definitely use them a lot this summer in the kitchen. They are big enough unfolded that they can be very multi-functional, which I love! I think they’re a fun way to liven up and lighten up the kitchen for spring.

All in all it is another great box from PopSugar! The total value was about $115 (each month $100 value or more is promised!) and for $39 it is well worth it since I will use the products. I am not as excited as I was about last months box (I LOVED last months box, so pretty stiff competition), but I still think I will enjoy and use all of the products in the box! I will keep you posted and put a note at the bottom of this post when I hear from PopSugar about my broken Too Faced palette. If you liked what you saw here, you can subscribe to PopSugar Must Have Box and join in the fun too! It’s the only subscription box I have tried so far, but I am *SOCLOSE* to trying more! Everybody loves fun mail, right?! If you subscribe to any subscription boxes that you love, tell me about it commenting (click the link next to the title of this post), or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! As always, thank you so much for reading this and please subscribe! It’s easy, just enter you email and receive emails only when I upload a new post, and it’ll make my day!

***UPDATE*** PopSugar has emailed me back and are replacing my Too Faced palette! I am SO happy with the customer service and once I have my palette in my hands I think this will bump up to being one of my top boxes so far!! Makeup? Eeek! Too Faced makeup? EEEEEEK!

***ANOTHER UPDATE*** PopSugar sent my replacement and it arrived carefully packaged this time! So excited : )

TOP 10 NAIL POLISH PICKS FOR SPRING 2014!

April 11, 2014 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Friday!!

I hope you had a wonderful week! Now that spring is here, I have been loving wearing all sorts of fun nail polish colors! I looked through my collection of polishes (I have a serious love for nail polish. Serious.) and picked out my top picks to share with you today. I created a Luvocracy Collection if you’d like more information on the polishes, want to add them to your own collections, or shop directly from the site.

Note: These are not listed in any kind of ranked order, they are just done in the order of a pretty spring-y rainbow! I also love my Megalast polishes dearly, and my spring picks I posted about previously: Wet N’ Wild Limited Edition Spring 2014 “And The Style Award Goes To…”.

1) Essie Madison Ave-Hue

This is a beautiful bright pink polish from the spring 2013 line from Essie. It has a beautiful pink and silver sparkle to it. It is very bright and has great color payoff. This shows 2 coats.

2) Lóreal Wishful Pinking

This is a very light pink polish that gives your nails a beautiful, clean look. It applies flawlessly and you really can’t mess it up. I love this when I’m in a rush but want something polished on my nails. This shows 3 coats.

3) Essie Mango Bango

This is a beautiful coral-y to orange cream polish. I don’t have many orange polishes, but I LOVE this one! Orange is so on trend for spring and summer, and it is a great way to get that pop of color if you aren’t ready to try an orange lip. This shows 3 coats, but you can easily do 2.

4) Revlon Colorstay Buttercup

Buttercup is a beautiful pale yellow cream polish. It is a unique color, as pale yellows can be hard to come by. I love it because it has good color payoff, especially for a yellow polish, and isn’t too streaky. I did apply 3 coats.

5) Revlon Zealous

When I first got this color last summer I remember being so surprised at how much I ended up loving it on my nails! It is a yellow with lots of gold shimmer that definitely gives off echoes of a chartreuse green. I love it! It’s sheer, but looks great with 3 coats.

6) Revlon Parfumerie Lime Basil

This is a deep minty green cream polish that smells just like a lemon lime soda! I was expecting it to smell more herbal, but all I get when I smell it is soda pop! But I like it. It is a beautiful color and it wore very well on my nails.

7) Zoya Blu

This is such a stunning, very light blue cream nail polish. It looks gorgeous on the nail, and I always receive compliments when I wear this color.

8) Essie Play Date

I love purple nail polish shades and this one isn’t like any others that I have in my collection. It is a bright purple cream polish and is very opaque on the nail.

9) Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Coin Flip

I love this for any season really, but I love the metallic look that this foil polish gives. It’s mostly gold, but in some lights looks silver as well. It reminds me a lot of Orly Rage. It’s more fun than a neutral (and I love a good nude manicure!) but I find that it really goes with so much.

10) Nicole by O•P•I Lips Are Dripping Honey

I love using this color from the limited edition Carrie Underwood line as an accent to other polishes. It is a beautiful glitter polish with tiny gold glitter and holographic larger pieces of gold glitter. The mix of holographic glitter and tiny specs of glitter gives the look in some light of a rose gold polish which makes me love it that much more! I LOVE rose gold! I don’t find that this is a pain to lay down on the nail, and it’s easier to work with than a lot of glitters.

Ta-da! That’s it! What are your favorite nail polishes to wear in the spring? I would LOVE to hear from you and try out some of your suggestions!! Let me know in the comments (click the link next to the title of this post) or find me on Facebook , Twitter, or Instagram! If you have enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe (enter your email in the box on the right of the page and you’ll just get emails when I post!). I hope you have a fantastic weekend!!

Collective Beauty and Lifestyle Favorites!

April 4, 2014 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Friday!!

Yay! It’s Friday!! I am so glad it’s the weekend! For those of you without weekends, I sympathize! Both my husband and myself had jobs post-college where weekends didn’t exist! No fun! But no matter what you do, I hope you’re having a lovely Friday afternoon! Because of my excitement for Friday, I want to do a fun favorites post where I share all of the stuff I’ve been loving lately! Eventually, I plan to do a monthly beauty favorites post, and also a “lifestyle” favorites post where I show you all the other random things I love that aren’t beauty related. But today, these favorites are all going to be packed into one post! I made Luvocracy collection with the items listed below if you want more information or want to shop online!

Let’s get started!

LEAH’S FAVORITES:

Beauty Favorites:

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey

These jumbo crayon lip products are everywhere right now, and this is a great basic to have. It is one of my favorite lip products of all time! I have been using it for about a year and half, I still find myself wearing it at least once a week! Sometimes I just don’t feel like fussing with a lipstick or gloss, and on those days this is an amazing thing to be able to reach for. I need to pick up a new one, mine has a crack in the cap and the writing it all rubbed off…and that’s because this has gone everywhere with me! It’s a beautiful “your lips but better” pink. I find that the color ends up getting a bit brighter after the “stain” part starts coming through, but it’s still just as beautiful. When I use this I only touch up a couple of times a day to keep the slightly glossy look. If you don’t have this yet, I really suggest picking it up if you’re in the market for an easy everyday lipcolor.

This next picture shows the Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and the next item I talk about, the Lóréal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black:

Lóréal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black

This is a felt tip black eyeliner that can create thin lines to very thick bold lines. I am no expert at winged eyeliner, but I definitely have success when I use this eyeliner. It is very black and stays all day. I haven’t had issues with the pen drying out too quickly. What is your favorite staple eyeliner? Do you prefer liquid eyeliner over pencil? Let me know by commenting (click the link next to the title of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion

I just hauled this in my March 2014 Collective Beauty Haul, so I won’t spend too much time on it but I had to include it! This color is BEAUTIFUL! It gives such a lovely flush to the cheeks and I don’t have to wear a highlight when I have this on (but let’s be real, I usually still do! I love a good glow!). This is gorgeous, and if you can get your booty to Sephora to swatch these for yourself, I highly recommend it!

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mint Sorbet

I really like the Xtreme Wear line from Sally Hansen because it is very inexpensive and usually wears well for several days without chips. My good friend and fellow nail polish lover (sorry for getting you hooked and enabling you!! You know who you are!) gave me this color and it is just the perfect mint polish! I love the color mint green anytime, but springtime is the perfect time to rock a mint mani.

Jewelry Favorite:

Bauble Bar Deco Strand in Mint Tortoise

I have loved tortoise since I was a really little kid. Once before we left for a vacation my mom and I went shopping and she ended up buying me a pair of tortoise sunglasses…I must have been 7 or 8 years old, and I’ve been loving tortoise ever since! So this necklace fulfills my love of tortoise, a pop of spring color with the mint, and a little bling thrown in for good measure. It looks cute with so many things: A basic tee, a dress, or a great collared shirt. I wore it this past weekend with a casual outfit shown above. It is a bit expensive, but I was able to use Bauble Bar Vault Points to get it for less. Keep you eyes peeled for discount codes and sign up for vault points

Food Favorite:

Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Nut Bar in Roasted Mixed Nut

I like to have granola or protein bars in my bag in case I get hungry or “something” happens! Maybe it’s the mom in me! These are a great mix of salty and sweet with lots of nuts and nutty butter on the bottom of the bar.

Exercise/ Wellness Favorite:

Life Factory 16 oz. Glass Bottle with Straw Cap and Silicone Sleeve in Peony

I got this while I was shopping in a small local children’s boutique for my kiddos. I drink lots of water and wanted a bottle that I can take everywhere without spilling. It’s a bit heavy, because it is made of glass but it is free of chemicals and easy to clean. I really like the silicone around the glass because it gives a great grip. It is pricy, but if you consider cost per use, it has stayed in perfect shape and I use it all day, everyday.

Website Favorite AND Book Favorite:

“Seriously…I’m Kidding” by Ellen Degeneres read by the author

My hubster has been using audible.com for about a year, but I just didn’t know if I would like it or when I would find the time. I finally decided to listen while I was doing random household chores one evening recently and I chose Ellen’s book for something lighthearted to begin my audio book journey. And I loved it! It didn’t hurt that I listened to this straight after Ellen rocked The Oscars, but she is just so charming. I felt warm and fuzzy after listening. I finished the about three hour long book in two days and it made my chores a lot more fun. We have an Amazon Prime account which makes it very affordable as well. I loved the book and I loved listening to it instead of finding the time to read it.

Girl Power Favorite:

NOTE: I thought this would be a fun way to share some props when I do a favorites post to any girl I think is doing great stuff and should be recognized. I am all about girl power, more than ever now that I have a daughter of my own! I think it should be encouraged and supported!

Carrie Rad has Youtube channel I found recently that I think is just lovely! She’s got whatever it is (okay, now I can’t stop singing that country song…), something about her is so fresh, and she is a joy to watch. I found her and then binge watched every single one of her videos. She has beauty, fashion, and more in her videos. I just want to grab a coffee with her and hang out. She has great ideas, shows such passion, and I just know she will do big things! Carrie Rad is rad!

Song Favorite:

All of Me by John Legend

This song is SO beautiful! I love it each time it comes on the radio and avoid talking too much until it’s over. LOVE!

Okay, I don’t want this to go on forever because I’m in a rambling mood today, and that could get dangerous! But I really hope that you’ve enjoyed this post! As always, if you have any comments or questions please comment (click the link next to the title of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! Please let me know what type of posts you would like to see on www.leahtackles.com. Let me know what your favorites items of the moment are! I would love to hear about them! And if you like what you’ve read, please share and subscribe by entering you email into the box on the right of this page! You will only get emails when a new post from me goes up! Super easy! Thank you to all of you who have already subscribed!! I hope you have a beautiful weekend!!

Wet n’ Wild Limited Edition Spring 2014 Collection “And The Style Award Goes to…”

March 28, 2014 & 8 Comments

Hi There! Happy Friday!!

Today I am going to be showing you the Wet n’ Wild Spring 2014 Limited Edition Collection “And The Style Award Goes To…” I FINALLY got my hands on the entire collection with the help of a dear friend. I want to share it with all of you while it is still available in stores if you are interested. If you enjoy seeing posts like this, please take a minute to subscribe (enter your email in the subscribe box on the right and you will get emails each time my posts go up! That’s it!).

COLLECTION BASICS:

What’s in the Collection:

6 New Limited Edition Megalast Nail Polishes

2 New Limited Edition Eight Pan Eye Shadow Palettes

Where to buy:

The Wet n’ Wild Spring Collection is not at every drugstore so it can be a little hard to track down, but I suggest trying CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens Pharmacy or Big Kmart.

TIP: If you frequent a certain drugstore, it never hurts to befriend an associate in the cosmetics section. It sounds silly but I always make small talk with my local Walgreens employees! It makes it a lot more likely that they’ll actually want to help you find something, or mention your interest in certain brands to upper management. It can’t hurt!

MEGALAST NAIL POLISH INFORMATION AND SWATCHES:

This is without a doubt one of my favorite lines of nail polish, and definitely my favorite drugstore line of nail polish. They have a large brush that makes application easy, and they stay on the nails really well. I was super excited when I saw these new spring colors because most of my Megalast colors are brighter or bold shades, so it will be nice to have some more neutral, pastel colors from the line. These polishes retail from $1.50-$2.00

Sophisticated Lady 34359

This is a very light pink pearly frost polish. At first I thought I might be disappointed in this color, but I don’t have any other pinks like this in my collection and I ended up really liking this color on the nail. Frost polish can be hard to apply without getting brush strokes showing on the nail, but you can use a sponge tip eye shadow applicator to avoid this. If you are interested in seeing the sponge nail polish technique let me know in the comments (comment by clicking on the link by the title of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. This color is shown with two coats of polish.

Candid Affair 34360

This is one of my favorites! It is a beauty with a cream base and lots of shimmer! I love lavender nails in the springtime. This color is shown with two coats of polish, but I will probably do three in the future.

Silver Lining 34358

This color looks really nice in the bottle, a blueish gray color with a hint of shimmer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come off that way on the nail. It is very sheer and required three coats to get any sort of real pigmentation. With three coats it still isn’t what I expect by looking at the bottle and still isn’t opaque. I will still wear this, but don’t let the bottle fool you! This is shown with three coats of polish.

Valet Tag 34361

I love this color! It’s a gorgeous taupe cream with just a hint the right amount of shimmer. It applied very easily and was opaque. This is shown with two coats of polish.

Champagne 34362

This is a beautiful champagne pearly frost. It is not opaque, but I don’t mind that at all. I think this is a great neutral color that would look great with lots of different looks.

Elegance 34357

This is a white frost that is very pearly looking on the nail. I am happy to have this color because usually when you see true whites they are pretty plain.

Overall, all six of these colors are either shimmery or a frost, so be aware of that. I think they are very different for the Megalast line and I can’t wait to wear them for spring!

8 PAN EYE SHADOW INFORMATION AND SWATCHES:

I love Wet n’ Wild eye shadows because the prices really can’t be beat, and they are very pigmented. These retail for about $5. All of my swatches are shown without an eye shadow primer to try to show exactly what you get, but I would highly suggest using one with these eye shadows.

Flirting at the Afterparty 34356

This is a purple palette that I think is very on trend with the Pantone Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid. I typically stick with neutrals, but I think that this will be a lot of fun to play around with.

Walking the Red Carpet 34355

This is such a stunning neutral palette! This is perfect for everyday wear. The glittery gold shades were a little more sheer swatched than they look in pan, but if you packed the color on the lid I think you could still really build it up.

Do you like limited edition makeup collections? They kind of drive me nuts because they can be so hard to find, but I also love having new options out all the time. Let me know your comments, questions, or thoughts in the comments (click the link by the title of this post to comment) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

March 2014 Collective Beauty Haul from Sephora, Estée Lauder, and CVS Pharmacy

March 26, 2014 & 1 Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Today I have a collective beauty haul for you! My birthday was a couple weeks ago, so there are a few birthday gifts, and I also did a little shopping this past weekend. This haul has stuff from: Sephora, Estée Lauder, and CVS Pharmacy. Links to all of the items mentioned are in pink as always and I have created a luvocracy collection for more information on the products or if you want to shop for them online.

SEPHORA:

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes:

I have been in love with the Hourglass Ambient Powders since late 2013. I received a limited edition Ambient Lighting Powder set for Christmas that has Dim Light, Incandescent Light (limited edition), and Radiant Light. This set it no longer available, but you can purchase Dim Light and Radiant Light individually, as well as the other Ambient Lighting Powders in the permanent collection. I was so excited when I heard about their blushes launching, and at first they were very hard to find, but now they are readily available at Sephora. Each blush is swirled with one of the Ambient Lighting Powders.

Diffused Heat:

This is described on Sephora.com as “vibrant poppy blushed combined with Diffused Light for a subtle halo effect”. This is a beautiful pinkish coral color that isn’t too orange.

Dim Infusion:

This is described on Sephora.com as “subdued coral blush fused with Dim Light to add warmth”. I have a hard time with coral blushes, and often reach for more blue toned pinks, but this is the perfect coral! It isn’t orange at all. These blushes have a beautiful shimmer, but it isn’t chunky or too much. This shade is very light, but I was surprised at how pigmented it really is! I think that it would be a nice highlight or layered over other blushes as well.

Overall I think these blushes are beautiful! They are a bit pricy at $35 a piece for .15 oz. I really did my research figuring out which of the shades I wanted by looking at swatches online and at Sephora. They seem to last all day on my combination skin, and remain true to color. I think I will have them for a long time time because they are very pigmented and you don’t need to apply very much product per wear.

Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray:

I am a big fan of makeup setting sprays! I first used one for my wedding almost 4 years ago and have been using them ever since. I have only used Urban Decay All Nighter and De-slick. De-slick is meant to be oil controlling, but I find that All Nighter controls my oily spots just about the same. I like to use this after I have put on my foundation and concealer, and then again after everything but mascara is done. Using a setting spray like this one helps my makeup to stay on longer. I also love that it helps to give a more fresh-faced look, by helping to prevent a cakey or powdery appearance after applying lots of powder products. The one I got is a 1oz. travel size for $14 but the regular is a better deal at $30 for 4 oz. Urban Decay made an “XL” 6 oz. version when they had the old packaging, but I haven’t seen it since they launched the new packaging.

Benefit The Porefessional:

I will buy this primer again & again! I have combination/oily skin with my largest pores on either side of my nose. I love that this is a pore minimizer and primer in one. It is $31 for .75 US fl. oz. and I find that one tube lasts me a long time even with daily use.

Benefit They’re Real Mascara:

I received this as part of my birthday gift from Sephora for being a beauty insider. I love this brush and can’t wait to try this out! I do not like using the mini mascara sample tubes in general because I find it’s harder to get the brush exactly where I want it, but it’s great for travel or to toss in your purse.

Benefit Watt’s Up Soft Focus Highlighter:

I am a big big fan of highlights and couldn’t wait to try this one! This little baby is what made me pick the benefit cosmetics set for my free birthday gift for being a beauty insider. It’s a beautiful champagne color that is very soft to the touch cream-to-powder formula that applies in stick form. I really like the stick form, it allows for precise application and it is hard to mess up. It seems to blend well with the fingers, but I haven’t tried it with a brush yet.

ESTÉE LAUDER:

I finally was at a Macy’s this past weekend and was able to go to Estée Lauder to be color matched.

Double Wear Foundation:

I’m really excited to try this foundation! I love my Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + and have heard that this is also a great choice for people with combination/oily skin. They were out of my shade (I believe it is 1C1 Cool Bone) and are shipping it to my house, so I do not have a picture yet.

Double Wear Brush-On Glow BB Highlighter:

This is a new product for the under eye area that conceals, brightens, and highlights. I have very dark circles and was amazed at how well this concealed them. While I was being color matched the makeup artist also used the product to highlight the brow area and it looked beautiful for that as well. I only had this on for a couple of hours, but didn’t notice any creasing under the eyes (a total pet peeve of mine with lots of under eye concealers!). My shade is 1N Extra Light.

Lily Pulitzer free gift with $35 purchase:

This gift is so fun for spring! I was especially excited about the Lily Pulitzer print! It’s completely up my alley and oh so adorable!

You could pick your eye shadow quad, lipstick, and moisturizer out of a couple different options. My mom ended up taking the lipstick since they had a color she really liked. They also threw in an extra mascara and lipgloss duo ended wand because they didn’t have the foundation in stock and had to ship it to my house. You can see more about the limited edition gift Estée Lauder gift here. The sales associate also told me that later this spring they will have a larger Lily Pulitzer tote for those who might be interested in that! Do you ever buy something at a makeup counter just to get the free gift? Let me know in the comments (comment by clicking the link next to the title of this post) or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! I didn’t know about this gift ahead of time, but this is one that I might actually do that for! Especially because I could use the exuse of stocking up on a staple item and getting some freebies out of it.

Lily Pulitzer Makeup Bag

Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black

Take It Away Makeup Remover Lotion

Advanced Night Repair Serum

Pure Color Eye Shadow quad with lily Pulitzer packaging (60 Sugar Biscuit, 47 Nude Fresco, 35 Hot Cinnamon, 45 Lavish Mink)

DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15

Shimmer Lipstick in Sugar Honey

CVS PHARMACY:

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 001 Black:

I love my Scandaleyes eyeliner in nude for an everyday brightening look for the waterline and wanted to try out the black.

Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink:

I have been hearing about these Milani blushes for months and just now got around to picking one up! It has a lot of shimmer and sparkle to it, so if that isn’t your thing you would probably want to pass. I think that the gold shimmer is enough to skip a highlighter when using this blush, and it applies and blends beautifully. It reminds me a lot of Nars Orgasm.

Out The Door America’s #1 Super Fast Drying Top Coat For Nails:

I love this top coat because it is fast drying, inexpensive, and I don’t get the annoying shrinkage that can happen after applying some top coats (shrinkage is where the polish looks like it pulled away from the tip of the nail or when it looks like you have tip wear but just applied the polish).

Phew! That was a long one! If you are reading this, thank you VERY much!! I can’t wait to really dig in to all these new goodies! If you would like a review or more information on any of these items, please let me know by commenting (click the link by the title of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Friday Favorite: Benjabelle Brush Tree Information and Review

March 21, 2014 & 1 Comment

Hi There! Happy Friday!!!

I have a Friday Favorite for you all today! I want to review a very handy and innovative product: The Benjabelle Brush Tree.

The Benjabelle Brush Tree is a product that allows you to dry your makeup brushes vertically so that no water gets into the ferrule of your brush. You should never dry your makeup brushes with the brush part up because water will run into the ferrule, causing it to eventually start to fall apart. Before receiving my Sunflower Benjabelle Brush Tree for Christmas, I would dry my brushes horizontally on a towel. That option works, but takes up a lot of space and can cause very large powder or kabuki brushes to become flat on one side.

One of the things I liked instantly when I went to the website www.benjabelle.com is how personable the creators, a husband and wife duo, seemed. The about us page is completely adorable and just warms my heart. The Benjabelle Brush tree comes with easy care and cleaning instructions. The brush tree also has a money back guarantee. Three pieces come that piece together: two for the trunk or the base, and one for the top. The Benjabelle Trees are made in America with American made materials. There are four different brush tree models: The Original, The Mini, The Daisy, and The Sunflower (they can be seen here and I have The Sunflower). They also sell two different brush cleaners, which I have not tried so I cannot speak to, and a brush tree base spinner that is not necessary, but I think it is really cool!

How It Works:

To use the brush tree you slide the two trunk pieces together and then I like to put the top piece onto my vanity before pressing the trunk into a slot at the top. It is really easy and very secure.

You then go ahead and wash you makeup brushes as usual (if you would like to see how I wash my brushes, let me know by leaving a comment at the top of this post) or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!) and then insert the brush handle from underneath the brush tree. When the brushes are dry, pull the brushes up through the top!

I think that the brush tree is an amazing, simple, and brilliant invention! I think any makeup lover or makeup artist would be happy to have it in their beauty arsenal. Also, this isn’t marketed this way that I know of, but I think that it would be awesome for artists out there as well! I am not really an artist (read: I draw stick people…) but my husband is, and I know that this would be something that he could use for his paint brushes, so thought I would throw that out there.

Obviously, I really love this product and can’t stop gushing about it! But that is because it is THAT good.

How do you dry your makeup brushes? Tell me in the comments (comment at the top of each post), or find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! If you have any thoughts, questions or if there is a product you would like to see me review, please feel free to let me know! If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe by entering your email in the subscribe box on the right hand side of the page. For those who have subscribed, thank you! I hope you all have an wonderful weekend!

PopSugar Must Have Box March 2014

March 14, 2014 & 2 Comments

Hi There! Happy Friday!

Today I am very excited to be reviewing the March 2014 PopSugar Must Have Box! I have been receiving this subscription service since December 2012 and it is like Christmas every month! Some people read spoilers (is that why you’re reading this?!) but I personally prefer the surprise! The box contains full size items in all different categories…food, beauty, fashion, home, and usually an extra goodie of some kind, too. PopSugar is one of my favorite websites and I also love their youtube channels for fun diy projects, style tips, cooking, interviews…all sorts of stuff. The PopSugar box usually arrives between the 10^th-15^th of every month for me…it ships via FedEx Smart Post, which means it goes out FedEx but arrives to my P.O Box. Sometimes I get my shipping notice on the day the box arrives…but I’m not complaining! I am always happy to see the box waiting for me!!

When I go over the April box in a post next month I will do a mini review of the items from this month and talk about what I used, didn’t use, liked, or maybe didn’t like as much if any of you are interested (comment at the top of this post!)

Product titles are also links for more information or to buy online.

Okay, here we go…

Must Have Food:

Snapea Crisps from Harvest Snaps

$3 Value

I saw these, and I won’t lie, I was thinking no way!! At first glance, they reminded me of one time back when my husband was my fiancé and we bought snack sized baggies of “veggie chips” and they sat unopened for months because after one bag was opened we never touched them again! But I tried these Snapea Crisps and they’re GOOD! Really good! If you close your eyes, they taste like a healthy, crunchy and nicely salty chip. They however did not pass my almost 3 year olds taste test…but I am betting that has more to do with the look than the taste.

Must Have Beauty:

Herbal Recovery Advanced Serum from Jurlique

$30

I tried this serum right away and it’s very floral/herbal smelling, but I am not bothered by that and actually enjoyed the perfume, but it is quite strong when you initially apply it. I am happy to give this a shot because it claims to help with the beginning signs of aging, improve dullness and give the skin more radiance, all things I can definitely get on board with! I will probably use this exclusively at nighttime.

Must Have Fashion:

Lucky Horseshoe Necklace from Dogeared (*Similar)

$28

I was very excited to see something from Dogeared in box because I have been interested in the brand for a while now. I am interested in their custom necklaces online, has anyone had experiences with those? Anyways, the idea of this necklace is that you wear it until the silk thread breaks and then whatever wish you made when you put the necklace on comes true. I think it’s a cute idea and fingers crossed my wish comes true.

Must Have Fashion:

IKAT Scarf from Brokedown

$72

I LOVE getting scarves in my PopSugar box because as much as I love them, they aren’t things I would usually pick up on my own. This is just so pretty and is definitely one of my favorite items in this months box!! This scarf is soft, lightweight, and beautiful for spring.

Must Have Fitness:

Mini Stability Exercise Ball from Fusion Pilates (*Similar)

$9.95

This looks like an itty-bitty exercise ball…and that’s basically what it is! There is a website with exercises that I still need to check out. It comes with a straw to inflate it easily without a pump and I put a pen next to it in the picture below for a size reference. This isn’t my favorite item right off the bat, but I want to try to use it! We have a treadmill at home, and that along with exercise videos has become my “gym” since having kids. Speaking of kids, I am sure they will try to “borrow” this! I like the fact that it is small and won’t be an eyesore or something I have to hide away. If anyone is interested, I will try it out and be sure to do a review on this! Just let me know.

Must Have Home:

Elephant Ring Tree Holder from Bauble Bar

$12

This is my favorite item without question! I just can’t help myself; I am powerless to the cuteness and pretty much anything from Bauble Bar, I love! It is just so adorable, plus it is functional. It has black velvet on the bottom so it won’t scratch your tabletop or vanity. I don’t wear a lot of rings besides my wedding bands and engagement ring, but it’s such a sweet way to display some of my other rings on my vanity. I think this would be an adorable gift for woman from 10-110 years old! This just makes me happy!

Special Extra:

Whole Wheat Fig Bar from Nature’s Bakery

This is a nice little extra that I’m going to toss into my bag for a snack in a pinch. I am hoping it tastes like a Fig Newton. I love having a healthy snack available at all times to try to cut down on junk food cravings.

I am very happy with this months box! The total retail value was over $150 and the items were all things I think I will use, so it was well worth the $39 monthly cost to me. Do you subscribe to PopSugar? If you don’t subscibe yet and are interested you can find out more from here. Do you subscribe to other monthly bags or boxes? So far I have only subscribed to PopSugar, but I’m itching to try ipsy or birchbox! Let me know your thoughts in the comments at the top of this post or find me on Facebook, Twitteror Instagram! If you enjoyed this post please subscribe!

Hello World! First Post and Shower Favorites-drugstore edition

March 12, 2014 & 2 Comments

Hi There! Happy Wednesday!

I thought that there was no better day to throw up my first blog post than on my birthday! Today I turn 27 (eeek!) years old!! I have been wanting to start a blog for a long time now, and after a lot of preparation…it’s finally time! This blog wouldn’t be possible without the amazing design talents of Aubrey from The Kinch Life Design, fabulous development by Chelsea from Olive & Ivy Design and the constant support from my wonderful hubster, Stephan.

I like consistency, so I want to make my blog as consistent as possible for my lovely readers! For now, the blog will be updated 2-3 times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and the occasional Monday.

For my first post, I figured I would start with the basics:

Shower Favorites-drugstore edition

Every title is also a link if you’re curious about the product or want to purchase online. I also have created a collection on my luvocracy page with all the items linked and avaliable for purchase.

So, let’s get started!

Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Total Care Nourishing Shampoo

I love this shampoo because it is very moisturizing , especially in the winter months, but doesn’t leave my hair feeling weighed down or greasy.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle

This is such great product! It is a rich, thick conditioner that feels like a little luxury every time you use it! The price point is fabulous and it smells divine. TIP: Store this so that the part where the product comes out is upwards and the writing is upside down…otherwise it tends to leak out a little bit

Summer’s Eve Cleansing Wash for sensitive skin (Island Splash)

I just found this product a few months ago but it became a favorite quickly! It is so important to use a gentle soap for your lady bits and this is made just for down there. If you’ve been using your regular soap or body wash this would be well worth a try! They have an unscented version but my favorite so far is Island Splash…it’s super yummy smelling and lasts forever because you only need the littlest dab.

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash (Burnt Brown Sugar and Karite Butter)

This body wash feels and smells like a high end product. I love the light exfoliating for every day use and the smell is such a treat to make every shower feel a little fancy.

Gillete Venus Breeze Razor

I have been using a Venus razor for at least 10 years! It is my absolute favorite for a close, smooth shave. I love the Breeze blade refills because they have a soap bar around the blade, sometimes I use it with shaving cream and other times I use it alone. I love having the option to skip shaving cream, especially when I’m just taking a quick shower or on a trip.

Skintimate Signature Scents Shave Gel Raspberry Rain

I have been using this since I began shaving my legs…it’s my absolute favorite & I always go back to this scent. I don’t use it every time I shave, but whenever I want the smoothest, softest shave, this is my go-to.

Clean & Clear Morning Burst Detoxifying Facial Cleanser With Oxygen-Infused Formula

I bounce around with face washes…I have one favorite high-end cleanser, but as far as drug store choices…I’m all over the board looking for the perfect one! Right now, my pick is this one by Clean & Clear because it leaves my face feeling very clean. It says it wakes you up…now I don’t know about that, but it is an invigorating, clean feeling that I love. It isn’t packed with the exfoliating beads, so I find that it is a light exfoliation. I use it sometimes on my Clarisonic, but typically I just use my hands because the exfoliating beads do the trick. TIP: I always wash my face LAST thing in the shower so that any body wash or shampoo or whatever isn’t leaving a yucky residue on my face!

Bath Sponge (*similar)

I always try to switch my bath sponge out frequently to keep things clean and I always opt for a bright, girly color! I love the feeling of a new bath sponge, just like a new toothbrush.

Reusable Shower Cap (*similar)

For a long time I was a “wash my hair every day” kinda girl…but it isn’t very good for your hair! So I slowly worked my way up to every other day and occasionally I’ll even skip 2 days of hair washing. Having a cute shower cap is essential for being able to shower without washing your hair, but also very helpful for hair treatments or for use with rollers.

What are your favorite showering essentials from the drugstore? Tweet me, Facebook me, find me on Instagam, or leave me a comment (by clicking by the title of this post) to let me know! And if you’ve enjoyed this post, please subscribe!

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