Review: Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System

I was sent this full size product by SheSpeaks for trying out and providing feedback on the website Style United. I actually received this back in early June, but was kind of afraid, I guess, to use it because I have never used anything like this before, but I'm glad that I used it.

The Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System is a specialty treatment that consists of a microdermabrasion treatment with derma-crystals and a peel activator serum, with lactic acid. The system is supposed to regenerate skins texture, activate surface cell renewal, visibly improve skins tone, leave skin feeling soft and

Halloween Manicure

Since it is almost Halloween I wanted my nails to reflect that, so I did my first 'tape manicure'. First I painted my nails with Sinful Colors Clementine, it took two coats to get it opaque. I let that dry completely, then I took regular household tape and cut 6 thin strips and place 3 on each nail of my ring finger in a criss cross type pattern. I then painted the nail with Black Out, by Pure Ice. I let that dry completely then I very carefully and slowly pulled the tape off to revel my cool looking nail look. I'm impressed with my Halloween manicure, mostly because it was, like I said, my first time using tape. I think I will be trying more 'tape manicures' in the future.

What do you think? Did you do a special nail look for Halloween?

Review: NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact

I received a NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact from Influenster to try out. It is an all-in-one compact, complete with a primer, illuminator and four shadows. The color I got was Dark Shadows which is a limited edition compact and features four colors, white, silver, gray and black. I have to say that the only thing that I liked from this compact was the highlighter shade.

The primer is very cream and applies very easily, however it is not the greatest. I used this primer with the shadows from this compact and with other shadows, I was able to make it through most of the day before my shadows began to crease and wear off. On most days, for me this would be okay, but if I had to be out and about all day I would feel the need to touch up my shadows. The primer is good for enhancing the colors of the shadows though.

The illuminator is also very creamy, but doesn't really do much for me. When I swatched it on my hand, I thought Wow, this looks really good, but the effect did not look the same on my eye.

The shadows had pretty good pigmentation, but to me were a bit to chalky. I was really surprised to find that the dark of the crease shades as also the least pigmented. The lighter shades were the most appealing to me, but that may also be because I don't wear dark shades of shadows. I felt like the dark two shades were hard to blend out.

Another thing that I do not like about this compact is that the 'dust' from the shadows tend to end up in the primer and the illuminator.

While I think the concept of the NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact is a great one, it was a fail for me. I would however like to try this in another shade and see if the shadows are chalky or not and see if they are easier to blend.

Have you tried a NYC Individual Eyes Custom Compact? What did you think about it?
For more information on NYC products visit their website: www.newyorkcolor.com
If you would like an invite to join Influenster email me and I'll get one sent out to you.

Swatches of the shadows with and without primer

Nail of the Week

I have been loving my Color Club polish in the color Status Update that I received in my September Birchbox. I have been paring it with different polishes, and this week I tried using Avon Mosaic Effects, which is their version of crackle polish, in the color Fiery Fuchsia. I really like the way it came out. Don't pay attention to the polish left on my fingers LOL didn't take the time to clean them up before I took the picture :)

Small Avon Haul

I have not been buying a lot of Avon recently, but I did make a small purchase and wanted to share it. I only picked up two items, one of the holiday hand creams in Vita Moist, my absolute favorite hand cream. There are four different hand creams and they are on sale for $.79! I also picked up one of their newest lip glosses, lip radiance mini swirl gloss, in the shade Nude Shimmer. So far I like this gloss pretty good, it does not feel stick at all to me and it has a nice color payoff. I like the way it's swirled to, makes it look cute. The swirl gloss comes in six different shades and is only $1.99.

If you are interested in either one of this products check out my Avon website.

Target Beauty Bag: Fall 2012

I was excited to see that my Fall Target beauty bag was in my mailbox, but when I opened it I wasn't so excited anymore. I love the bag! It feels kind of like plastic and rubber and is textured to look like fur. That's pretty much where the excitement stopped for me. Inside the bag were the following samples: Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer, Clear scalp and hair therapy shampoo and conditioner, Fekkai shea butter moisturizing shampoo and conditoner, Jergens Daily moisture lotion and Loreal EverCreme sulfate-free moisture system shampoo, conditioner and deep nourishing masque. There was also the coupon book that comes with all the beauty bags.

I heard that this would be the last Beauty Bag from Target, so I guess I thought they would go out with a bang, so to speak, and fill it with something better.

Did you get a Fall Target Beauty Bag? What did you think of it?

 Tired to get a close up shot to show the texture

Review: Mox Botanicals Lip Butter

I had never heard of Mox Botanicals until I received a sample of their lip butter in my Birchbox. The claim of this lip butter is that it revives lips with avocado oil and shea butter.

The sample that I received was Pomegranate and Fig. It has a very light ‘fragrance’, but I can’t quite really describe for you the scent I smell. Once you get I put it on my lips I can’t smell it anymore. A lot of things you put on your lips you can also taste, but that is not the case with the Mox lip butter. The consistency of it kind of reminds me of the Carmex that you get in a little jar. A little bit seems to go a long way and it’s not sticky.

I really like this product all the way down to the packaging, which is made out of 100% recyclable MIRON glass. The product feels very good on my lips and keeps them feeling moist and hydrated for quite sometime. Really makes them feel like they are being revived!

Some interesting information about the company; their products are produced using only the highest quality ingredients, which consist of jojoba oil, coconut oil, beeswax from Oregon, Vitamin E and meadowfoam seed oil. Products do not contain parabens, sulfates, chemical preservatives, synthetic fragrances, or dyes. Great alternative to synthetic alcohol-based products. And if you mail them your empty lip butter container, they will refill it and send it back to you for half price plus shipping costs!

To learn more or see what products they have to offer visit their website www.moxbotanicals.com

Nail of the Week

Since fall is here and the weather is turning cooler, I wanted to paint my nails to reflect that.

I used Wet n Wild Goldmine (lighter color) and Orly Chocolate Martini. These colors really remind me of the color of the leaves, and makes me think about Thanksgiving and just everything that I love about fall!

Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012

I am so excited to have been one out of 2500 chosen from Influenster to receive a Beauty Bloggers VoxBox! It is full of amazing goodies that I can't wait to try out!

Here is a run down of what was included in this box.
NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact: It's an all in one compact with a primer, illuminator, applicator and four eyeshadows. Retail Value $4.99

Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit: Complete with eyelashes, adhesive, and applicator. Retail Value $5.99

Bath & Body Works Mini Candle in Cider Lane. Also received a coupon to get one of the large 3 wick candles for $10! Retail Value $3.50

EBOOST: Says it will boost your mood, focus and immunity with natural ingredients and no crash. Available in powder or shot form. Retail Value $28 for a box of 20 powders, $39 for a box of 30 powders, $39 for a box of 12 shots.

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin: I have been wanting to try one of these for a really long time. Retail Value $7.29

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream: fights out of control hair and reduces styling time. Has coconut and silk extracts. Retail Value $6.00 for full sized 4-oz bottle.

I will be incorporating these products in to my daily routine over the next week and will be doing reviews on each of the products.

Are you a member of Influenster? If not click here to sign up. If you need an invite email me and I'll send you one. If you are did you get a Beauty Bloggers VoxBox?

Influenster Relaunch

So excited that Influenster is relaunching their website! The new website is 10 times better than the old one. I feel like it is more personable and a lot easier to navigate. If you don't know what Influenster is, it's a site that you can sign up on and get the opportunity to receive VoxBoxes filled with goodies to try out and review. You have to be active in order to be eligible to keep receiving the boxes, I really like that aspect of the site. On the new site you have an Influenster score, which is based on your activity on the site. Activity on the site includes badges, reviews, and social media.

If you have not checked out Influenster I highly recommend it. You can sign up at www.influenster.com

If you are already a member of Influenster, what do you think about it?

October Birchbox

The theme for Octobers box was Transformations!
This month I received a fragrance by Harvey Prince called Flirt. It has fresh citrus and jasmine notes. It's actually the only fragrance I've got in my boxes that I like. Next is a pomegranate and fig lip butter by Mox Botanicals. I also got some climate control heat and humidity gel from Ouidad. The item I'm most excited about is the Mary-Lou Manizer by theBalm cosmetics! I've heard a lot of good things about this brand so I'm excited to try out this product. The last item I got was my Lifestyle Extra which was some assorted teas by Might Leaf Tea.

Did you get a Birchbox this month? If so what did you get?

September Favorites

Can you believe it's already October! I love October though because it's when all the leaves start to change colors and the weather turns colder and my birthday is the 9th of October! I could do with a few more months of summer though LOL.

Today I wanted to share with you the products that I used the most during the month of September. I kept my make up look pretty much the same the whole month because it was a simple look. I have become a huge fan of the Cover Girl CG Smoothers, which is a tinted moisturizer  I love the way it looks on my skin and it is very moisturizing. I used the Wet n Wild comfort Zone Palette just about everyday this month. It provides you with a lot of options for your eye looks. I also switched back to my Maybelline Falsies mascara. I have also loved using the ELF bronzer in Golden. Every since I got they Eyeko Skinny eyeliner in my July Birchbox it has been my go to eyeliner. Last but not least is my Baby Lips in Quenched, this lip balm was a life saver on my beach trip last month.

What were some of your favorite products during September?