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Testing New Beauty – Skincare Reviews

November 27, 2018

This post was sponsored in part by Neutrogena, Key West Aloe, Ecru New York, DP Hue, and NeoStrata, and contains affiliate links.. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So many new skincare products, so little time! I’ve been trying out lots of exciting beauty items, especially in the skincare realm, that I can’t wait to share with you all. I truly enjoy testing out new products and sharing how they worked for me, and I hope you all are getting some useful information from them! I know that everyone’s skin is different, and these products may work differently for you and yours. My skin is normal, with occasional dryness around the nose, and a breakout every now and then, just for reference. My main skin concerns are dullness, wrinkle prevention, and staving off those occasional breakouts.

Now for the good stuff!

Hair mask c/o DP Hue // Shampoo & Conditioner c/u Ecru New York

I was for sure in a hair product funk, and was really excited to test out a new shampoo and conditioner. I experience that product burnout with my locks sometimes, and it feels like it’s not clean or silky, even if I just washed it a couple hours prior, and volume is non-existent. The Sea Clean Shampoo from Ecru New York seemed to clean my hair without stripping it, and takes off that extra layer of junk that products can create. It smells delightful, like you’re showering in an Air BnB within walking distance to the ocean. A little bit of that salty sea air, that does stay with you. The Protective Silk Conditioner was kind of a toss up for me at first.. It’s one of those conditioners that seems like it’s not doing much at all when in the shower, not overly silky or slick, but when I rinsed it out, I could feel a noticeable shift in softness. I also noticed a lot more volume then in previous weeks. The only negative I’ve found is with the conditioner’s container.. I wish the cap was on the bottom, so the product came out easier, as it’s a little stubborn once you get down into it. Not a deal-breaker though! Both of these products, I would buy again and recommend.
I’ve been alternating using just the Ecru conditioner, and the DP HUE ACV conditioner from mid-to-end, (and Ecru from root-to-mid). When I use the DP Hue conditioner, I do notice that my hair feels silkier, bouncier, and less damaged. I also feel like there is a monstrous amount of product in the container, and overall is a great value. I’d buy this one again as well!

Cleanser c/o NeoStrata // Salt Scrub c/o Key West Aloe

I was sent four of the items from the NeoStrata Ultra Brightening line, and the Cleanser is one of my favorites. I use about a nickel-sized amount in the shower, to make sure it all gets removed, and truly have seen a change in the radiance of my complexion over the past couple weeks of continuous use. One thing to note is the scent.. The best I can break it down is peeling an orange in a tire shop. Weird, I know, and it goes away quickly, but thought I’d mention it. Will be purchasing again, if the good results continue! I also recommend the rest of the line (serum, moisturizer with SPF, and pigment controller) for evening and brightening.
Next up, from Key West Aloe, their Coconut Salt Scrub. I’m always looking for a good scrub, (and mask, and eye cream…), to slough off that dry skin, but this one honestly wasn’t my fave. The base is very oily, and definitely does leave a residue on the tub floor for the next couple showers if not cleaned right after. Also, the ratio of salt to oil is way off. It’s about 50/50, and there should be lots more salt so you actually get the benefit from the exfoliants. The redeeming quality was the smell, because I’m a sucker for anything tropically coconut. Their coconut lotion is a fave of mine, as is the mango, it’s SOOOO good. But at $30 for the scrub, it’s a pass from me.

I neglected to take a solo shot of the Neutrogena shower gel, but I definitely have some thoughts to share on that product as well. When I saw the bottle, my initial thought was “Please don’t let it smell like T-Gel.” Which, if you’ve smelled T-Gel, it’s quite a thing, and lingers until you wash again, although is completely effective. This bath & shower gel had just a touch of that herbal aroma, but it was not medicinal at all, and actually quite pleasant. It has a very high end spa-like scent, and I love that it comes in a pump container. My skin didn’t feel tight, but I do feel that I need more moisture during the winter, so I’ll probably be storing this until next year in warmer months. I still recommend it, especially if you’re in a place that doesn’t get that cold or your skin is fine with just after-shower lotion.

That’s a wrap, babes!

New Skincare Review

October 2, 2018

This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing items through them may provide me with a small commission. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Happy Tuesday, loves!
I hope everyone is having a great start to their week. With this new chapter of my life starting after moving to Chicago, I decided it was the perfect time to give my skincare routine an overhaul as well! I was sent all of these products to test out and wanted to share my thoughts on them after using them for several weeks. Side note, I’ve linked the least expensive version of the products I could find online! Keep scrolling to read my new skincare review! 😀

1) From Neostrata, I received three products to test out, and I’ll start with the Skin Active Retinol + NAG Complex. Quite a name and quite the price tag to match. At $78, it is definitely a higher end product, but I don’t mind paying that much when the product WORKS. I’ll admit, I have skipped a couple of nights using this product (you know those nights when you’re so tired that just getting your makeup off feels like the most you can do), but even with skipping a bit, I still have been able to notice a difference. I think continued use will yield even more reduced lines and wrinkles, because I’m already noticing them lessened on my face. I will caution though, because of the retinol ingredient, make sure you up the sunscreen use during the day.
2) Next up is their Oil Control Gel. This product is also on the more “luxurious” side price-wise at $42, but again, this stuff is saving my skin from looking dewy by noon. The Chicago humidity is more than I anticipated, and when I layer this product over my moisturizer and under my foundation, I notice my skin staying nice and matte until at least dinnertime. I took it with me to NYFW and I think it worked well in a pinch as a primer since I forgot mine at home!
3) On the moisturizer side of things, I was sent several of the items from the new Hydro Boost collection from Neutrogena, and haven’t found a bad one in the bunch. I wanted to especially highlight the Water Gel with Hyaluronic Acid ($20), which I truly look forward to applying every morning. I think it gives my combo skin the right amount of moisture and doesn’t feel heavy or tacky. I can’t stand those types of creams, especially when it’s warm or humid out. My trick with this type of tub is to shake the product with the lid on, so that some product distributes on to the lid when you open it, saving you from dipping a finger into the bulk of the product and getting it under your nails or contaminating it.

4) From a brand called D’OR 24K Cosmetics, I tested out their Regenerating Facial Cleanser, and I unfortunately don’t have the most favorable things to say about it. The scent is the first thing that struck me, like a very fake strawberry aroma. It gives me a little headache and seems very cheap. The cleanser is OK to use in the shower, but every time I used it with just rinsing off over the sink, I’d manage to discover the little pink beads near my hairline, ear or chin. I also didn’t feel the beads did much in terms of exfoliating, or regenerating as the name would suggest. Can we also talk about how underwhelming the packaging is… Their website was not in operation when I was writing this post, so I’m not sure exactly how much this retails for, but regardless of price, I’d pass!
5) Another gem from Neostrata (how had I not used this brand before?!), their Sheer Physical Protection SPF 50 ($37). I’ve actually switched to using this product as my face base instead of foundation on days when my skin is blemish-free. I love that it’s two steps in one.. A VERY sheer layer of coverage, along with a high number SPF. I actually wasn’t expecting the tint for some reason, but I do think it would work on 90% of skin tones. I think on very dark skin, it might leave a little ashy cast, but from very fair to medium-dark, it should just give a very faint evening of tone. I’m quite fair and this wasn’t yellow or orange on me. Definitely great to use when you’re in a time crunch to get ready, and this will definitely be my go-to product come next summer for the beach, pool, camping, etc.
6) In the mask realm, I’ve been testing out the Farmacy Bright On Massage-Activiated Vitamin C Mask. I’ll admit, the color-changing bit did seem slightly gimmicky, but the more I thought about it, I realized it’s actually helpful so you know you’ve massaged in the product enough. I leave it on for 10 minutes (recommended is 5-10). After each use, I’ve felt my skin tighten and there was a visible brightness to my skin’s tone. I think I need to up the frequency though, because I’ve been trying it once a week and I feel that the brightness/glow doesn’t last that long between uses. I also wouldn’t recommend this one for dry skin, because of the tightening element; I think it’s best for combo or oily skin. It’s $38, so not the cheapest, not the most expensive out there for this type of product.

That’s it for now, babes! I actually have a new crop of makeup to review as well, so I’ll be working on that post soon. Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!
xoxo

VIICode Eye Mask Review

April 23, 2018

This post was sponsored by VIICode. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Hello, loves!
So happy to announce that my time spent away from posting on here has been used very productively, planning content and events and reviewing all types of products to share with you all!
First up are these Oxygen Eye Masks from VIICode. They sent me a package to test out and I’ve been using them for the past couple weeks. The package comes with 6 treatments, and I would recommend wearing them twice a week for 3 weeks. The first time I tried them out was after I returned from Palm Springs to attend the Create & Cultivate event at the Ace Hotel. It was such a fun day, filled with such inspiring and empowering speeches from a plethora of boss babes, but my skin definitely felt the heat and dry climate of the desert when I came home.
The patches were a little bit confusing to me to apply at first because I thought I was supposed to peel off both of the white sheets. Upon a little research, I learned that you only need to remove one of the sides and affix the sticky side to your skin. I used a little mirror to apply them, but I didn’t try to make it took perfect. As long as they contour and wrap around the eye a bit, they’re going to do their job.
The masks are actually able to be worn two different ways, and for that I’m grateful. When I first signed on for this review, I did not yet have eyelash extensions. Wearing the masks overnight (recommended is 8 hours max), I knew would not be an option because the ingredients in them would break down the lash glue. Thankfully, they can also be worn for 2-4 hours during the day, making them the perfect after-work skin treat for my skin!
When I know I want to do a mask, I’ll remove my makeup and/or wash my face when I get home, give it a few minutes to dry, and then apply the gel-like patches to my face, then go about my evening… Making dinner, watching TV, etc. I take them off before I go to bed and wake up feeling refreshed, and the skin around my eyes feeling smooth, hydrated, and plump.
I don’t have a lot of lines to soften, so I can’t speak to that effect that the product claims, but I absolutely love it for the moisturizing and calming effect it has on my under-eye area.
The masks are just the tiniest bit annoying at times when I try to look out of the corner of my eye, but other than that, I can’t really feel when they’re on. A pack of 6 sets of masks will cost you $55 and last you up to 3 weeks. I hope you enjoyed my VIICode Eye Mask Review! I’d love to know, what types of masks have you tried that you loved? Have you tried masks specifically made just for the eyes?

Eye masks c/o ViiCode // PJ’s c/o Adore Me // Book / Beauty by Lauren Conrad

NYFW Day 3/4 Recap

March 2, 2018

My NYFW Day 3/4 Recap contains affiliate links and was created in partnership with Salon V, Joli Beauty Bar, and Bond 45.

Hey loves!
I’m so sad to say that my recap of all things New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2018 is coming to a close. I think I was delaying writing this post because I didn’t really want it to be true! All the more to look forward to next season, right?
Day 3 started with the typical visit to Jamba Juice for another round of oatmeal with brown sugar and bananas, followed by a subway ride to our first destination, Salon V. If you watched my Stories on Instagram, you might have caught our visit, and you still can because it’s saved to my “highlights” reel!
Instead of the curls I’d been requesting, I wanted to go for a more sleek look, because today would be the day that it rained A LOT and I knew there was no way they would have stayed intact. My blowout left me feeling smooth, sleek, and super chic!
Next up, we met with the uber talented Katie Stuart of K Stu Photography (also be sure to check out her stunning personal blog, WanderAbode), at Grand Central Terminal for literally one of my fave photo shoots ever! It’s crazy that in some of the shots, it looks like we have the place to ourselves…

(My outfit) Sweater / Moth from Anthropologie // Leggings / Nordstrom // Booties / Forever 21 (old) // Earrings / Forever 21 // Clutch / JustFab
Shot by KStuPhotography.
Sorry for the influx of pics, but like I said, this one of my fave shoots to date so you know I had to share my top selects!
Next up, we braved the torrential downpour and headed over to Joli Beauty Bar, where we were greeted by Charde and Zsuzsi, the proprietors of this glam studio. They offer one of the most inventive and necessary services I can think of in the city, the Zsuzs, which touches up both your hair AND makeup before a night out or event. They even have lockers in the back where you can store your workbag, a change of clothes, etc., that can be messengered over to you the next day! They also have a VIP primp area for clients that want a bit more privacy. Charde and Zsuzsi are both crazy talented, and had the three of us looking like NYFW bombshells in no time!

If you can’t tell, I was totally feelin’ myself! I asked Charde to throw in a couple curls to bring back some volume.

We then headed over to the Angela Mitchell Presentation, a display of the latest styles from Canadian sisters, Krystal and Marilyn Lavoie.

A couple of highlights from the show. My top picks were the pairs with crystal embellishments.

We then rushed over to the Show Collective featuring Seven Crash, Lavenda Coodly, and Halo Mimi at a BMW dealership. Unfortunately, as per usual, there was a mixup at check-in and even with my email confirmation and a PR contact’s name, it still took us over 10 minutes to proceed. We were told there were only two seats left by that time, and the other three girls in our group would have to watch from the balcony. As myself and Danielle headed over, we were told that the show was about to start, and we were going to have to watch with everyone else up the elevator. We hoped for the best, but by the time we made it up there, there was not one space left to actually be able to view the collections come down the runway. My feet were already not in a good way, so I found an empty desk, put my feet up, and watched the show from one of the girl’s live Instagram feeds. Better than nothing? The styles were a bit eclectic for my taste for the most part, but there were some gorgeous dresses that I did see walk down. No pics because, yeah, I didn’t see a bit of it firsthand.

A little frustrated, and a lot beat from the day, we headed back to the hotel for some R & R and to do a little packing prep, before getting ready for dinner. I have to say that our meal at Bond 45 was one of the top notes of our entire trip. From the service (ask for Jonathan, it’s a must!), to the atmosphere (upscale yet still relaxed), to most impressively the food, not one detail at Bond 45 has been overlooked. I may have actually been in a food daze after our experience, but I remember starting with the Cocktail for Two (with pineapple-infused tequila, habanero tincture, passion fruit and lime, and it is YUMMY), followed by the most delectable house-made burrata with heirloom tomatoes and ridiculously flavorful olive oil, fried artichokes with lemon aioli, two pizzas (including the “a lot of pepperoni”, which gave me the idea to start putting spicy honey on my slices), and then a slew of entrees.. We all helped ourselves to multiple servings of the chicken & truffle fettuccini, scallop scampi, chicken parm, spaghetti with short rib meatballs, and pastrami spaghetti carbonara. If it sounds like a lot of food, that’s because it was a massive amount of food! We were happy little porkers, as my grandfather likes to call it, and were sad to admit we could only manage a few bites of the chocolate blackout cake and strawberry cheesecake they presented to us for dessert. Are you hungry, yet? Because just the thought of this delicious meal still makes my mouth water. I will definitely be back next time I’m in the city.

I included this solo shot of Alyssa from Life and Style by AP because I thought it was so darn cute!
From L to R, here is my girl gang – Sydney from Sydney Bliss Photography, Lavenda from Lavenda’s Closet, Katie from K Stu Photography/Wander Abode, Alyssa from Life and Style by AP, Alison from All Things Alison, muah!, and Danielle from Danielle Alana Reyes. These ladies are so vibrant and inspiring, and I’m so lucky to call them friends, too!

We parted ways that night, and headed home to sleep off the stressful, yet crazy fun day.

Sydney and Danielle had to make an early flight, so Alyssa, Alison and myself checked out of our room at the DoubleTree Times Square West, and cabbed it to The Real Real. We were invited to check out their flagship location, as well as the opening of their in-store cafe that just opened on the bottom level. They are serving up coffee and tea, as well as gourmet snacks and bites, everything we needed for a little pick-me-up at the end of Fashion Week. It wasn’t difficult to get a bit lost in their sprawling and designer fashion-filled store, but we all had planes to catch, so we chatted a bit then headed to our respective airports.

Their little patio area is so cute! It was super chilly still, so I made good use of my earmuffs, found on Amazon after a recommendation from @rachmartino after I saw her rocking the same pair! The bag envy was in full effect at The Real Real, and the Valentino’s, Chloe’s, and Gucci’s (props if you caught the butterfly brooch-encrusted one I posted on my Insta Stories), had my heart racing and my wallet oh-so-nervous. Side note, they have a pop-up shop open now though April 15th at the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas! If you can’t make it to either location, visit The Real Real online and take $25 off your first purchase.

I’ll be honest, my trip to the airport was a rocky one. I couldn’t find the bus to take me to the airport because it was in a different spot than the drop-off. I had to depend on the kindness of the nicest man EVER who walked me through Port Authority, carrying my bag at times, to help me find my spot. Then the bus driver passed by my Terminal for SouthWest, causing me to drag my super heavy bag uphill a half mile in the other direction. Then we had tons of turbulence landing in Phoenix for my first layover and ended up circling the city for 20 minutes. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see Mark after my long flights. And wouldn’t you know it, I brought the rain home with me!!!

I truly can’t wait to start planning for September, because now that I have one season under my belt, I know what the expectations vs. reality are, and to plan accordingly for traffic, weather, and to ALWAYS print out my show confirmations. I had a blast, got to know some blogger friends a whole lot more, and make some new ones, I saw a different side of the city, and felt pretty damn glamorous while doing so.

I’d love to know, what are your thoughts on Fashion Week? Worth the trip, or watch from home (Insta)?