Beauty – Page 69

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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