Review: Avalon Organics Lavender Bath & Shower Gel

This product was purchased using personal funds

This shower gel is one of my faves ever.  Read to see why!

 

Initial Thoughts: I love the smell.  It is more herby than floral.  It smells like the entire lavender plant, not just the flowers.  The scent is different and not overpowering.  It is low lather, but this is common with natural products.  This works well as a body wash and as a shave gel. 

Overall Thoughts:  I love the scent.  The floral note fades after a bit and you are left with a fresh herby scent.  It also doesn't make the bathroom smell like a florist shop exploded which is always appreciated by the boyfriend. My skin feels clean and soft after using this.  It is not extra moisturizing, but I find this common with clear body washes that don't have things like oils added for moisture.  The lather is minimal, but it just enough that you feel like you are clean and it can also be used for shaving.

ALSO!!! I have used the mint wash from this same line. It is the BEST for after a workout or on a hot summer day.  The mint makes your skin feel cool and it is super refreshing. 

This product was purchased using personal funds 

Swatch: Sinful Colors in Aroise

So it was suppose to rain today and it was super sunny and warm. So to protest the sun (I'm totally a winter person) I wanted stormy grey nails. This is a great polish. It is a two coater (awesome for a three coater type girl) and love the stormy color. Much better than the super sunny weather lol.

Quick Review: Clinique Moisture Surge Intense

This sample was received from the brand. Please see end of post for full disclosure.

Oh how I love Clinique samples.  They are always such a nice size! This one even came in a glass pot!

Initial Thoughts: This is a very rich moisturizer.  I cannot wear this during the day under makeup as my skin is too oily.  But as a night creme this works great for me.  It does not make me break out and my skin is very soft the next morning.  The only thing I don't like is the container.  I am never a fan of jars as I hate dealing with getting product out if my nails are longer than nubbins.  If this came in a tube I would consider this as a night creme, but because of the container I will not purchase this one.   

 The sample of this product was sent directly by the brand.  This is my honest review and not influenced by receipt of the sample.

Manicure Monday

Still loving using hole reinforcement labels for tape manis. Today I used them to do an accent on the tip of my nail. I used Sinful Colors Leap Flog, my fave dusty green. And Sinful Colors Ardoise which is a great deep gray.

I like this mani, just need to try it again when I'm not about to pass out in bed lol

Review: Scentsations Mango Mandarin Body Lotion

So one of my besties felt she had too many lotions (is this possible???) so I was a super good friend and offered to take this one off her hands =P Apparently you can get this brand at Kohl's.

Initial Thoughts: OMG THIS SMELLS SO GOOD. It smells super yummy and sweet.  This reminds me of orange sherbert and I love it.  It absorbs pretty quickly and the scent lingers for a bit, but not so long you can't follow up with a perfume and clash. 

Overall Thoughts: I really like this lotion! It smells super yummy and moisturizes well.  It is a lighter lotion, some days my elbows (the driest part of my body) get a bit dry by the end of the day, but the rest of my body feels moisturized all day.  This would be a perfect summer lotion as it feels light and the yummy scent screams summer to me. 

::NOTE:: This product was given to me as a gift by a friend with no affiliation with the company that produces it.  I have provided my honest review.

Swatch: Sinful Colors in Mint Apple

This product was purchased with my own funds

In an attempt to be springy I went for this awesome mint green today.  Only downside is now I REALLY want a shamrock shake! mmmm mint.  Minty milkshake...mmmmmmmm. want. now...

Moving on! 

Please forgive the icky cuticles and bubbles, I really do need to start doing my nails earlier in the evening when I have a better chance of staying awake long enough to do a good job! This color is awesome.  It is a mint green creme with shimmer.  As with many of Sinful's shimmery cremes, this dries to an almost suede finish.  I prefer a shiny nail, so after this pic I topped it with a top coat. 

 

And I still really want that shake...

 

This product was purchased with my own funds

Quick Review: The Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Day Cream

Samples! Oh still love em! This one is a day cream from The Body Shop.

 

Initial Thoughts: If this is a day cream, shouldn't it have SPF? That's just my opinion. As for the actual product, I could feel this under my makeup. It did not make my skin oily, but did not like the feeling my face has stuff caked on. Thought maybe it just wasn't playing nicely with my foundation so I tried on day I was home without makeup and it still felt like I has something on my skin and even felt a bit sticky. This just didn't work for me and I will not be trying this one again.

Manicure Monday

With all the news of Google Reader going away, wanted to let you all know that I am easily followed on Bloglovin. Follow my blog with Bloglovin. I really like Bloglovin, and really like their app. Makes catching up on blogs on the go super easy

I wasn't quiet ready to stop the St. Patties Day manis, so here is yet another green mani! When I used the mini Sally Girl nail polish last week, I noticed it was a jelly. WOOHOO! We all know that this means...jelly sandwich time!I did two layers of green, then two layers of Green Ocean, followed by another layer of green.  I really like this! The shine from Green Ocean is very subtle until seen in sunlight then it is amazing. I really need more jellys in my life! lol

Review: Petal Fresh Botanicals Aloe and Pomegranate Facial Scrub

So here is a product from a brand I have never heard from before.  I was out of face scrub and happened across this at my local Grocery Outlet, Bargain Market.  I figured for a few bucks it was worth a shot and saved me a trip to CVS.

 

Initial Thoughts: It is a nice thick consistency with visible scrubbie bits (very technical term I know) It reminds me of my beloved St. Ives apricot scrub at first glance. The scrubbies are smaller than I expected and at first I was disappointed since I like to feel the scrubbies working on my skin. 

Overall Thoughts: I ended up liking the smaller scrubbies.  I tend to be a bit heavy handed with my exfoliators, and the smaller scrubbies helped me not abuse my skin as much as I usually do. My skin is nice and soft.  I do get breakouts...but really...when do I not? I am just lucky that way I guess.  Overall I really like this and would get it again.  It is a great basic face scrub.

NOTD: Shamrock Nail Art for St. Patties Day

So I wanted to try out some dot shamrocks for St. Patties Day. They didn't come out half bad! (Ok so my right hand is a different story....those look more like broccoli)

Started out with a base of Sally Hansen Instadri in Jumpin Jade then did the dots in Julep Leah.

NOTD: St. Patties Green

With St. Patties day coming up of course I had to go with a green mani. I stated with a base of an unnamed green Sally Girl mini nail polish. I then used a hole reinforcer to mask off the bottom of my nail and did the tips in Sally Hansen Instadri in Jumpin Jade. I then did a top coat of Spoiled in Pirates Booty. (Love this color! It's not just a gold glitter, it also had copper glitter which makes it more interesting. Unfortunately I didn't wait long enough for the base colors to dry and the glitter caused the colors to run. *shakes fist at my impatience*

Quick Review: Pureology Hydrate Light Conditioner

Oh Pureology...I wish I didn't love your products so much! I totally can't afford you! This conditioner is no exception.

 

Initial Thoughts: Mild scent and not as thick as I usually like.  Wasn't sure how this one would work out for me.  Once my hair was dried I was shocked! This is the softest my hair has EVER been. Oh how I wish the price on this conditioner didn't make me cry!! I'm super cheap and was totally tempted to buy it, its that good! But alas...I will just have to keep my eyes open for more samples to spoil myself. 

Review: Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar

I originally bought this for the boyfriend in a failed attempt to get him to wash his face.  Since I was out of face wash and still had this sitting around, I decided to give it a try.

See? Its clear!

Initial Thoughts: I was wary as it is a bar of soap and I had no faith it would be good for my skin.  It doesn't lather at all, which also made me skeptical.  I used it to take off my makeup and was amazed when I looked in the mirror and every bit of makeup was gone! It is a bit more drying than most face washes I used, but if I put on a light moisturizer on after it is perfect. 

Overall Thoughts: I am quite impressed! I have been using this for about three weeks now.  I did get some breakouts, but they were mild and cleared up really quickly.  After the initial flare up, my skin has settled down.  I do sometimes break out when I use new face washes, but this seems to also be helping my skin bring up icky stuff and then clearing it out. (if that makes ANY sense) I really like this, I love how affordable it is (about $3 for the bar) and how I don't have to worry about it leaking in my gym bag.  I can totally see why this facial bar has been around for so long and has such a strong following.  They also have an acne bar I am dying to try, but with the rate I am going through this bar, that will be in like 6 months. =P

NOTD: Green Ocean!

So I went to 4 Walgreens yesterday. I think we all know why. (all on the same major road...all on the same side of the street. The random things I discover while searching for polish!) I was getting really bummed and at the last one on my way home...I saw it. Two bottles of Green Ocean! (I may have done a happy dance in the aisle.  I may have also looked kinda crazed as I rushed up to the display and grabbed em)

The pretties in my hands!

So of course I had to do my nails last night. I also picked up Sinful Colors Calypso which is a gorg deep dark teal. PERFECT as undies for Green Ocean!

Only bad part about this polish is....it is impossible to take good pictures of! This is the best I could come up with at home. Which is pitiful as it is MUCH more shimmery in real life and I keep looking at my nails. (So much so the boyfriend may be questioning my sanity....)

Tried again at work with my lovely lack of lighting at my desk and oddly you can see more! Oh well, lets not question logic when we can look at pretty nail polish.

 

So yes, Green Ocean does exist. I was starting to wonder. These two bottles took me two years to find! So don't give up hope! 

Quick Review: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner

After my love affair with Pureology hair oil, I was super excited to try a shampoo and conditioner.

 

Initial Thoughts: Shampoo is really thick, it is one of the thickest shampoos I have ever used. It makes a nice lather and has a fresh scent and nice tingle. The conditioner is also very thick. It also has an awesome menthol scent.  I love menthol scent anyday, but especially when I was getting over a head cold! Not only did it make my hair super soft, it also cleared my sinuses. Total bonus! I only used this for two days, and in that time I saw a big difference in how soft my hair became.  Totally tempted to buy this, only being held back by my cheapness, but oh so tempted!

Manicure Monday

Today is a crackle mani day. I know I know, crackle. But I still love it when I'm in the right mood! I started out with a base of wet n wild megalast in I Need a Refresh-Mint (which is an awesome color on its own) and topped it with LaRosa white crackle. 

For some reason this makes me think of the Hamptons. Can't you just imagine some awesome wood lounge chair on a deck overlooking the ocean.  And this chair is sat in by the fabulously rich.  Well that is the mental image I get LOL

Review: Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation in Light/Medium

This is such a fun foundation! It is the first time I have used a self-adjusting formula and it is really awesome.

You can't really tell from the pictures, but it comes in a deep brown glass bottle with a pump top.

Out of the bottle it is an off white color with these little "grains"

Once you rub it into the skin, the "grains" change the color of the foundation and make it an almost perfect match for your skin tone.  Below you can see a part of my hand that is a bit more yellow toned than the rest, that is where the foundation is.

Bare skinned (dark circles, acne scars and all. Eek!)

With foundation applied with fingertips

Initial Thoughts: This does a pretty good job of matching my skin tone.  It is a bit more yellow than my skin tone, but using a translucent powder to set the foundation makes it a pretty close match.  It is not so yellow that it makes my face look off.  It does a good job of covering most of my flaws, I would rate this as a medium to full coverage foundation.  It doesn't cover all  of my dark circles, but really...nothing much does so that is to be expected.  It does have a strong scent that takes a few minutes to fully fade away.  The first time I used this foundation I was shocked by the scent.  I have never used an argan oil product before, so maybe the scent is just what argan oil smells like.  

Overall Thoughts: Without primer I can wear this foundation (with setting powder) until about noon before I need to blot.  This is pretty normal for my oily skin so I am very happy with that.  I have tried it with a few different powders and it plays nice with all of them.  I tried applying this foundation with a brush and found it comes out much better when I use my fingers to apply.  It also gunked up my brush after just one use, not sure if this is from the argan oil.  The one thing I wish this foundation had was SPF.  My skin is oily and I prefer to use foundation with SPF in it so I don't have to wear a separate sun screen.  This is also a perfect foundation if your skin changes slightly in color through the seasons.  I am NOT an outdoor person, so this works well for my pale summer skin as it turns into super pale during winter.  Not sure if this would work year round for those of you who have a more drastic color change. Overall, I would repurchase if it had SPF, but since it doesn't I will be looking around for a better option with SPF.