Beauty Reviews

L’OREAL REVITALIFT CICACREAM | ANTI-AGING CREAM AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE

December 20, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a fabulous week! Over the past few years I have gotten more and more serious about my skincare routine, and I have been finding myself more willing to invest in quality skincare than a new eye shadow palette (what?! Is this 30?). However, I have found a gem that is super affordable which is fantastic because then it can be used regularly by nearly anyone who is interested in upping their skincare game. I am a member of Influenster and I recieved this L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream complimentary for review purposes, but as always all opinions are my own.

What It Claims

L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream helps repair the skin barrier which strengthens your skin and helps resist aging of the skin. This cream is fragrance freee, paraben free, colorant/dye free, allergy testing, and contains no alcohols that can strip the skin. Centella Asiatica is known as tiger grass, and is said to be something “new” to fight wrinkles. See visible results immediately as skin feels healthier, softer, smoother and more supple. Skin feels noticeably more hydrated. In two weeks fine lines appear visibly reduced. Firmness and elasticity look noticeably improved. In four weeks wrinkles appear less visible. Clarity and tone improves, skin is more luminous.

My Thoughts

The tube packaging is very sanitary which I like, and the fine tip makes it easy to only use a little bit out so that you don’t waste the product. The cream is white and thick, which makes it seem like a luxurious cream which I really enjoy. The L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream goes on smoothly and it absorbs into my skin quickly. It does have an almost primer like feel once it is applied, but I like that because I think it helps minimize my pores (*Note: I still use a separate makeup primer before applying my makeup). It also has amazing reviews on Amazon, so check those out to see what others have thought as well!

Why I Love It

I noticed an immediate difference with my under eye area and that blew me away! My fine lines and crepe like skin looked so much smoother, and I think it helped my under eye concealer to not settled into those areas. This doesn’t irritate my skin, and while my skin isn’t particularly sensitive my normal/oily combo skin that fights both blemishes and wrinkles can be hard pressed to find a product that works without irritating something. I LOVE that this is a price point that I know I can afford to purchase and keep purchasing so that I can continue to treat my skin with care and help combat the signs of aging.

My Routine

I apply this in the evenings after cleansing my skin. I am still using my Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil so I like to alternate between that and my L’Oreal Revitalift Cicacream which I am enjoying because it helps stretch my more expensive skincare longer. I use this occasionally in the mornings, focusing on my under eye and forehead.

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Have you tried this? Have you tried anything from the Revitalift Line from L’Oreal? What is your favorite anti-aging skincare product? Let me know! xx

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HOSTESS AND TEACHER GIFT IDEAS | AFFORDABLE

December 13, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Tomorrow my middle Little Love turns FIVE! I can’t believe it! I have been busy preparing for his special day, so I still have some shopping to do, but I am starting to finish up the last of my Christmas shopping.

I have been doing a lot of gift guides lately, and that is because during the months leading up to Christmas most of my Googling and Pinterest-ing is me searching for gift ideas for myself. If you have any last requests for ideas for the holiday shopping season, be sure to comment so I can try to do that for your while we are still in the “ships in time for Christmas” timeframe. *Note: Please check shipping times, but I tried to include items that should arrive before Christmas.

Today I want to share gifts that I like to have on hand for people such as teachers or hostesses who I want to thank for their hard-work and kindness, but I maybe do not know as well or have a big budget for. Most of these gifts are beauty related (of course!), but I threw in a few other options as well.

TonyMoly I’m Real Single Use Mask Set of 11

I love these masks, and if you added a bottle of nail polish small gift card it would be the perfect pampering gift for any lady one your list!

The Body Shop Mango Soft Hands Warm Kisses Set

Philosophy Holiday Hand Cream Set

Lush The Night Before Christmas Set

Christmas Spa Gift Set

Disney Brushed Stainless Steel Waffle Iron

I think this would be such a fun gift for a family with young kids (or honestly, a Disney lover of ANY age!) who hosts a holiday party.

Wine Glass Markers

Lenox 2017 Snowflake Candle

Thymes Fragrant Frasier Fir Votive Candle

I have included this candle in my Leah Tackles Amazon Favorites Store because it is SO GOOD! A new holiday must-have for me!

The Magnolia Journal 4 Issue Subscription

If you love the show Fixer Upper and/or Joanna Gains, you will absolutely adore this magazine! I look forward to getting mine in the mail, and devour it when it arrives!

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Have you been shopping only for others, or for yourself too? Let me know : ) I hope you have a wonderful weekend! xx

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LAURA MERCIER LOOSE SETTING POWDER DUPE? | COTY AIRSPUN POWDER

December 11, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend : )

I have spoken many times both here and on my YouTube channel about the Laura Mercier Loose Powder, but the steep price point made me want to find a more affordable option, and I think I have finally found a dupe that is less than a quarter of the price!

What It Claims

Coty Airspun Powder has powder particles are swirled and smoothed by air to give it a very soft feel on the skin. This powder is designed with tints that are spread finely through the powder lying evenly and flat on your skin for a flawless finish. Coty Airspun loose face powder claims it can be used to set makeup or as a foundation This translucent loose face powder will hide fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. Coty Airspun loose face powder is also dermatologically tested and long-lasting. It claims the packaging can be used at home on your vanity or in your purse on-the-go.

My Thoughts and How It Compares

This powder is very finely milled and mimics the feel of the Laura Mercier Powder that is my all-time favorite (or maybe Laura Mercier mimics it, as the Coty powder has been around since 1935!) and I love the way it sets my makeup, including my under eye area. This powder can be used to bake your concealer or contour, and it is so inexpensive that this would be a great option for that. The powder has a little bit of a smell that is definitely might make you nostalgic or remind you of your mother or grandmother’s makeup, but it didn’t bother me and doesn’t linger on the skin. I am blown away by how matte this makes my skin, and how well it sets my under eye and forehead area and keeps my makeup from settling into my fine lines. The packaging is definitely old-fashioned, and the powder puff is usable, but would be very messy, and I opt to use a brush. I like to use this brush for setting my under eye and this brush for setting the rest of my face. As far as travel, I would never put this in my purse, because it is messy enough to use on my vanity.

My Routine

I apply my primer, foundation, and then my concealer before using my Coty Airspun Powder. I like to set my under eye concealer and my forehead with a small tapered brush (mentioned above) and then my entire face using a large powder brush (also mentioned above). I then continue to do my entire face makeup before setting my t-zone with a *tiny* bit more powder with the same large powder brush. I don’t typically bake my makeup, but on days where I decide to I will also use this to bake my concealer and cream contour.

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Have you tried this powder? What is your favorite loose setting powder? Do you bake your makeup? Let me know in the comments and let’s chat makeup! xx

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EOS CRYSTAL LIP BALM REVIEW

November 13, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend!

The cold weather months are here and for many of us, that means dry lips. I am a huge fan of EOS lip balms, so when I saw the EOS Crystal Lip Balm I was excited to try it out.

What It Claims

EOS Crystal Lip Balm is described to feel like weightless hydration. EOS Crystal is formulated with a blend of five nourishing natural oils to hydrate lips without a waxy feel. This balm contains shea, coconut, avocado, and other natural oils. EOS Crystal Lip Balm is 100% wax free, vegan, and hypoallergenic. EOS Crystal Lip Balm is also paraben and petrolatum-free and not tested on animals.

My Thoughts

Right off the bat, I LOVE the packaging! It is a rounded triangle shape, but the same general ball shape as the original EOS Balms. The EOS Crystal balm is completely see-through and really cute! I happened to purchase this lip balm when my lips were very dry and dehydrated, so it was the perfect time to give it a true effectiveness test. At first, because my lips felt so quenched I didn’t like that the EOS Crystal didn’t have that waxy, thick feeling that I connected with moisture, and I didn’t like this. After using it for several days I decided that sure, it worked, but I didn’t like it nearly as much as the original EOS Lip Balm. The feel is pretty oily, the look on the lips is pretty like a clear oil or gloss. I do think that these smell very nice and don’t taste bad. I often use EOS Balm as a thin layer before applying lipsticks, but this one has so much oil which is great for moisturizing the lips but not great for keeping lipstick on the lips. I will continue to use this for moisture but will stick with purchasing regular good ole EOS Balms in the future.

My Routine

I have been using this in the evenings, or on days when I don’t want anything on my lips but a lip balm product.

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Have you tried this? Do you love it? Hate it? If you haven’t tried it, will you skip it? Try it? Let me know in the comments : ) xx

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HOW-TO PREVENT BLISTERS IN HEELS

August 28, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I love wearing a gorgeous pair of heels, but I have definitely been that girl hobbling by the end of the night because my feet her so much because of blisters. I also never found the band-aid “fix” to do much of anything to help, so I have tested out a lot of products and wanted to share my go-to with you.

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick

This provides lubrication which when applied to blister “hot spots” can reduce the friction, a.k.a stop the blisters from forming. If you don’t have the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick you can also use anti-chaffing products like BodyGlide or even a stick antiperspirant. This stuff lasts forever, I’ve had one stick for well over a year and it has a lot left to use. I love the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick because it is so tiny (it fits in the palm of my hand!) and I can always have it in my bag for heel-mergencies.

My Routine

I always do my best to buy shoes that fit, seriously don’t try to squeeze into shoes that don’t fit because you’ll regret it an hour into wearing them. I also try to break in my heels for a bit at home before wearing them out. I apply the Band-Aid Friction Block Stick to dry feet a few minutes before slipping on my heels (or any shoes I feel that are prone to rubbing).

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Have you tried this? What is your trick for wearing heels? Do you have a favorite store for buying shoes? Have you tried JustFab? Are you a heels or a flats girl? Let me know! xx

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SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR 30-SOMETHINGS | 2017

July 26, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

On Monday I shared Top Hair Product Picks For Long Hair and talked about Kit.com, my favorite new way to share my go-to products with you. Today I want to share my favorite skincare products that I use as a thirty year old woman with combo/oily skin that is beginning to show some fine lines.

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Have you tried out Kit.com yet? Please let me know if you would like to see any other beauty related shoppable kits from me : )

MY 7 MOST USED DRUGSTORE MAKEUP ITEMS | JANUARY-JUNE 2017

June 26, 2017 & 1 Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, most importantly, HAPPY SEVEN YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to my husband!

Why, oh why, do the weekends always fly by? We had a nice weekend getting odd jobs done around the house and spending time outside when the rain wasn’t coming down. I hope that you had a great weekend and that your week is off to a terrific start! Speaking of time flying, it is already almost July! I can’t believe how fast 2017 is going! I thought that a post sharing my seven (seven for 2017, get it?) most reached for drugstore makeup items for the year so far would be a good way to show what I truly love and use regularly.

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

This foundation lasts all day without feeling super heavy. I get medium to full coverage with this foundation, and apply it with stippling brush (my favorite is the Sigma F80).

Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze

These individual eye shadow pots can be applied with your finger and start as a cream feel, but go to a powder finish. I use these alone, and as an eye shadow base. When I went into labor with my youngest I was wearing a Maybelline Color Tattoo, and you can see it in pictures after he was born…so it works ; )

Rimmel Scandaleyes Water Proof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude

I did an entire blog post on this (read it here) because it is AMAZING! This is my quick-fix for tired eyes.

L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Primer Base

I also did a blog post featuring this (read it here) and it is now an almost every single day item for me! I love the ooomph this gives my lashes.

Hard Candy Brow Ink in Light Medium

This is a super tiny brush and works great for me for a natural day when I am not doing anything else to my brows, or as a finishing touch after using a brow pencil or pomade.

EOS Lip Balm

I love using this lip balm at night before bed and each day under my lipstick.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lip Color in Airy Fairy

This is a gorgeous pinky nude color that looks great with any makeup look.

Let’s share the love, tell everyone your favorite drugstore makeup essentials in the comments of this blog post! Thank you for reading! xx

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy Lip Gloss Review

June 12, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a fantastic weekend! It was a HOT weekend here in Michigan, and I got to enjoy some beach time with one of my very best friends, so it was pretty fantastic on my end ; ) I love lipstick, but sometimes in the summer I want very little makeup and today I want to sharea review of the Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy lip gloss.

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy Lip Gloss

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Let’s Flamingle

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Angel Kisses

Last summer Too Faced Cosmetics launched an updated version of their iconic Lip Injection Gloss, with juicy color plumping lip gloss. These glosses claim to give you color, volume, and softness. These glosses contain natural botanicals, avocado and jojoba oil, to smooth and moisturize your lips.

My Thoughts

I own two of the shades in the six shade range of these glosses.These lip glosses definitely plump the lips and give a very pretty, full look to the lips. When you apply these glosses you do notice a tingling sensation, and that sensation lasts for about thirty minutes for me, the tingling isn’t too bothersome though and not painful in my opinion. These glosses to give a soft wash of color to the lips, but they are definitely not an opaque color, and not as dark as the color on the product packaging. I do not find these glosses to be so tacky or sticky that I won’t wear them, but they definitely are a little sticky so I wouldn’t wear them on a very windy day when I wore my hair down ; ) I do find that the bit of stickiness helps the gloss to last for a long time on the lips, which is nice because you don’t have to reapply constantly. I do not find the stickiness to cause that awful, stringy gloss gunk (you know what I’m talking about, yes?!) when I open and close my mouth, which is of course a good thing. I enjoy these glosses, and think they give a gorgeous plump look that is the perfect finishing touch to a glowy, natural summer look.

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What is your favorite lip gloss for summer? Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading, and please subscribe if you haven’t already : ) xx

DON’T EVEN BOTHER WITH OTHER NAIL POLISH REMOVER! JUST BUY THIS…

February 15, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you felt extra loved yesterday for St. Valentine’s Day and that you’re having a great week : ) I recently shared how I get Salon Quality Nail Treatments at Home and I try a lot of nail care items because I do my own nails. I decided that although it may seem like a silly item to dedicate an entire blog post to, I truly think that I have a nail polish remover that you *NEED* to try!

Cutex Spa Formula Nail Polish Remover

Why I Love It

This 98% acetone nail polish remover takes off my nail polish, even glitters and hard to remove polish, so much faster than any other nail polish I’ve used before. I love that I don’t have to use tons of cotton rounds or really scrub to get my polish off. This nail polish remover also claims to remove gel nails but I don’t typically wear gel polishes. Cutex Spa Formula Nail Polish Remover is not only fast-acting but it contains conditioning oils which is a nice bonus, too.

My Routine

I use cotton rounds or cotton balls to remove the polish off of my nails. It has been so nice not having to avoid glitter polishes because I don’t want to struggle to get them off, because with this it doesn’t take long at all! If I am wearing hard to remove polishes, such as a glitter polish, I will hold the cotton round on my nail for 20 or 30 seconds and then lightly rub to get the polish completely off.

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If you like random “must try” product reviews like this, please tell me to keep them coming! If there is something else beauty related you’d like to see, please let me know that as well! Thank you for reading! xx

THE PERFECT TAUPE/GRAY NAIL POLISH

February 6, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend and that you had a fun Super Bowl Sunday if you’re in the United States! Today I want to share the nail polish that I’ve worn several times in a row because with the nail polish collection that I boast, that is pretty rare.

Essie “Miss Fancy Pants”

Why I Love It

Neutral nails are very popular right now, but finding the perfect color for your skin tone can be quite the challenge. I have tried so many neutral shades, and I’ve finally landed on one that seems to compliment my skin, and it’s a beautiful taupe-y gray that I think would compliment a lot of other skin tones as well.

My Routine

I apply a coat of Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat then apply two coats of the Essie “Miss Fancy Pants” polish and then my Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. I find that this nail polish lasts well without chipping on me for several days, but I can’t seem to make it last a week! I will say that I am pretty tough on nails (read: I wash a lot of dishes!) and that this does seem to last better on me than some of my other Essie polishes. I am a huge fan of Essie’s color selection, but the staying power is hit or miss for me, but this one I’ve been pleased with.

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What is your favorite nail polish brand? I absolutely love nail polish but haven’t bought anything new in awhile..enable me ; )

Thank you, as always, for reading! xo