Karuna Face Mask Review - Clarifying Face Mask

I am a sucker for giveaways. Every time I go somewhere and get a receipt? You better believe I fill out that survey at the bottom. Every time I get an email that I could win a vacation worth $4,000? I click on that link so fast I'm sure I leave flames in my wake. I enter A LOT of giveaways on Instagram, through emails, on Facebook, on Twitter, Youtube, etc. I've won a few different prizes in the last year, and recently I won a prize unlike any I  had won before: a free face mask from the skincare brand Karuna.

This brand might sound familiar to you because you can't walk into a Sephora without seeing the plethora of sheet masks they offer. They're a 99% vegan skincare line that offers: hand masks, eye masks, face masks, serums and more. When I was informed that I had won and I could chose a complimentary face mask, I saw on their FAQ page that they're vegan and quickly picked a mask.

Apparently I was so excited to choose my mask that I missed the little exert about the ONE product in the entire line that isn't vegan because it contains honey. Which mask was that you ask? Well, it happened to be the mask I was wearing, the Clarifying Face Mask. Of course, I discovered this when I was already 10 minutes in the 20 minute treatment letting it sink into my skin.

Now, honey is a grey area for many vegans. Some eat honey, some don't. I chose a little over a year ago to cut out honey from my life. However, already in the process of my magical mask makeover I decided that I was going to review this mask and keep going because gosh darnit, it was too late to turn back. 

Clarifying Face Mask Review 

The packaging it came in was very cute and it all tied together beautifully, from the sticker on the outside that matched the packaging of the mask on the inside.

This mask is meant for Problem/Acne Skin, which is my face right now unfortunately. It is supposed to:

* Clarify clogged pores by deep-cleaning

* Remove excess oil

* Provide oil-free hydration 

Some of the ingredients are:

* Chamomilla Flower Extract - This skincare powerhouse is known to "
helps fade spots, eliminate acne scars and fight breakouts"

* Arctium Lappa Root Extract - Since this was my first time seeing or hearing about this ingredient, I was pleased to find out that it helps with irritated or inflamed skin and also helps to stimulate collagen synthesis.

* Aloe Leaf Juice - While I knew this leaf helped with burns, I had no idea about the beneficial properties for the face since it "contains two hormones: Auxin and Gibberellins. These two hormones provide wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation."

The directions were very clear and I really liked that they had pictures of an actual person showing you what to do. I've used products before that have come with a one-sentence instruction and you're on your own after that. I've seen videos of sheet masks sometimes being very wet and messy, so I opened mine over the sink and carefully pulled it out. Thank goodness I took precaution because yes, it was very wet and drippy.  It had a very light, nice smell that was slightly botanical.

 (Please excuse my hair. It's been having a moment....every day since I was born.)

Putting the cloth part on my face was not the easiest because of the fact it was so wet parts kept sticking together before I could lay it on my face. When I finally got the mask positioned on my face, pulling off the white backing took a minute because it kept ripping. Instead of it coming off in one swift motion I would pull off a corner, a piece would tear off, then I'd have to start from where it tore, begin pulling, another piece would rip off, etc.

Once I finished pulling off the backing I sat back and set the timer for 20 minutes. It had a wonderful cooling sensation, and after about 10 minutes I noticed a very slight almost itchy sensation in one area of my face, but that went away after only a minute.

 

Immediately after taking it off I noticed how hydrated and plump my skin looked. Much of the redness in my t-zone area was reduced significantly, especially around my nose and mouth. My skin felt so incredibly soft and healthy and had a subtle glow. The directions didn't say to rinse off any excess product after removing the mask, but there was still a lot left, so I gently massaged it in and wiped off the rest with a clean wash cloth.

 I treated the leftover product that I massaged in like a serum and followed with my usual nightly skincare routine of my eye cream, my night cream and my lip treatment. 

Overall Thoughts

This mask retails for $8. That's not the most expensive mask I've seen on the internet by FAR, but for a single use product it isn't the least expensive either. I had a very positive experience and saw results immediately after taking the mask off. The next morning I woke up and my skin looked AMAZING.

However, while gathering facts for this post, I dawned on me that on their FAQ page there was no statement about being cruelty-free. I gulped and got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach as I emailed them asking the one question to rule them all. I went to bed mentally crossing my fingers and hoping for the best. Unfortunately the next morning I received a statement from them saying that while they don't test their products or any of the ingredients on animals, they sell to China which requires animal testing.

((For anyone who is new to the cruelty-free dilemma - while many companies do not test on animals to sell in the United States, they sell in countries that require them to pay an independent lab to test their products on animals. ))

Some people still consider this cruelty-free because we're purchasing here in the states and not in the country where it is required to test on animals. The belief with this argument is that we are not contributing to the problem. However, my personal belief is that when a company is willing to test on animals when it will help line their pockets, then all they truly care about is money, and that's not a company I wish to give my money to.

Therefore, despite my amazing experience, I will not be purchasing from this company. If they ever change their minds and decide to stop selling in China I will 100% support them, but until then I will look elsewhere for my face masks.

Juice Beauty Blemish Stick

Some of us are lucky enough to go through puberty with a small outbreak of acne, maybe a few dots here and there throughout high school, and then it's done. Off to adulthood with clear, smooth skin the majority march.

Lucky people.

I am not one of those people. While I had an outbreak every now and again in high school, my worst outbreaks have been by far in my later years in life. Adult acne is that stubborn racoon that won't leave my garbage cans alone. In an effort to curb the strange and continuous mountains forming on my face, I've been testing a variety of blemish sticks/treatments to see what actually works and what's just brand hype. What I've found is that while there are many different ways to administer  treatment, I absolutely love the convenience of blemish sticks. They're fast, you can take them with you anywhere easily, and you can spot treat very quickly and efficiently. The problem? Not all blemish sticks are created equal.

My beloved Burt's Bees blemish stick is readily available at almost every drugstore and grocery store with a beauty section and is found somewhere in the range of $7-$9. However, a few months ago while browsing around Whole Foods I encountered a stand with a few Juice Beauty blemish sticks half off. Instead of $15 they were $7.50. In my usual spirit of "Why not" I decided to pick one up.

Juice Beauty Blemish Stick Review

Juice Beauty "Blemish Be Gone": $15.00

Let me just start off by saying I love Juice Beauty. I've tried several of their skincare products in trial-size and they all worked beautifully for my skin type. Their makeup on the other hand hasn't always worked for me but I love what this brand does, which is why I was so excited to try this.

First thing I noticed? The roller ball was hit or miss. It either didn't distribute product no matter how many times I rolled it around, or on other days it wouldn't stop dispersing streams of product down my face from one momentary roll. Unpredictable is an understatement.

Second, and most importantly - the formula. My skin is combination, but it definitely gets drier in the winter. I started using this at the end of September and stopped using it at the beginning of December. Within those two months the redness in my faced tripled. My breakouts seemed far more sensitive to the touch and the redness became constant. I assumed it was due to moving and the related stresses, but when the minute I stopped using it and went back to Burt's Bees, the redness decreased more than 50% within the first day.

The ingredients sound wonderful and promising:
Organic Juices of Vitis Vinifera (Organic White Grape Juice) - Grapes contain tons of anti-oxidants which are supposed to help clear up skin and help it glow.

Pyrus Malus (Organic Apple Juice) - Apple juice's alkaline nature helps with inflammation
Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Juice) - Full of vitamins and anti-oxidants which are supposed to help with acne, psoriasis and redness.

 Salix Alba & Salix Nigra (Willow Bark Extract) - Contains salicylic acid which is used as a natural exfoliant and a common acne treatment because it helps shed dead skin cells and cleanse pores.

Citrus Medica Limonum (Organic Lemon Juice)​ - Naturally bacterial which is great for cleansing pores and treating acne



And the list goes on. With ingredients like these I had a lot of high hopes for this blemish stick, but if anyone has sensitive skin, you might want to set your sights elsewhere for blemish treatment.

Review: Mario Badusco Seaweed Night Cream

Does your skin change season to season? 

Mine does and it's been especially noticeable over the last few years as I've been getter older. A few months ago when the spring started slowly turning over to summer here in California I began to notice my night balm was unfortunately becoming too heavy to use. Night by night it ever so slowly started to create more pore clogging and an overall appearance of just being too heavy for the warming night time weather. 

One morning when I woke up and saw my face looking like a clogged and greasy mess, I decided that it was time to purchase a lighter night cream. That night I went online and began looking for a cruelty-free and hopefully more organic version that didn't make me have to chose between groceries or good skincare. Enter scene Mario Badusco's Seaweed Night Cream. After an hour and a half of searching products and doing research on each company and item, I decided to give this one a shot.

Mario Badusco Seaweed Night Cream: $22

 I was first attracted to the price due to the fact that it was over $15 less than what I've paid before for other creams. That $15 can pay for a month of my Petit Vour box. However, as I've learned from fast fashion stores and accidental knock-off purchases, a lower price doesn't almost mean it will be better. I was equally excited and nervous the day it came in the mail, and for some reason I had envisioned it looking like a gel. However, this is no gel, this is a beautiful cream. The color alone made me smile when I opened it - it has a shimmery quality to it that makes it look like a Makeup Geek eyeshadow I own.

Color aside though, it has no distinct smell and feels highly nourishing to the skin without being greasy or clogging. It's a night cream that's fast-absorbing and just feels good, even for the hot desert environment I live in.

One of the reasons it might feel so lightweight despite it being a night cream is because it's oil free and according to the company's website contains "Elastin, Collagen, and Hyaluronic Acid combine with the vitamins and minerals found in Bladderwrack Extract".

Elastin and collagen are ingredients commonly found in anti-aging products, so not only am I using a more organic, cruelty-free product that my skin drinks up and loves, but I'm also getting a head-start on preventative measures against signs of aging. This cream is now my favorite warm-weather night cream and once you try it I'm sure it will be too. 

MICA Beauty Cosmetics Review: Milky Cleanser + Rose Toner

From where I work everyday I can see the MICA Beauty Cosmetics kiosk and the two stunningly beautiful women that work there, armed with the power to lure makeup lovers in and have them walk away with their hands full and their wallets empty. Every time I have to walk in that direction (AKA - Whenever I have to go to the bathroom, which is often) I have to walk past that stand and those very good makeup artists/saleswomen. So of course it's no surprise that after only a few months I'm on a first-name basis with them and they've gotten more of my money than I'd like to admit.

 MICA Beauty cosmetics is 100% all-natural beauty line that I was introduced to through my previous Ipsy bag subscription. If the name sounds familiar, you might've seen products displayed in your local salon, at a kiosk in your local mall, or in one or a few of your subscription bags/boxes. MICA Beauty has been around since 2001 and has grown out of Los Angeles in into 15 different countries and only continues to expand into new territories and new products.

The two items I'm reviewing are the items that started the MICA Beauty obsession for me: the Milky Cleanser and Refreshing Toner. One day one of the girls had put some of the Milky Cleanser on the back of my hand and wiped it away to reveal, quite embarrassingly, how much dirt I didn't realize was there. I was floored, thinking it must be 10 times worse on my skin, and so I bought a bottle. The next month came the Refreshing Toner. I'm always on the hunt for a good toner, so it was only a matter of time before I had to try this one.

The Reviews

Milk Cleanser: There's something very luxurious-feeling about these products, and I suspect it is one part botanical ingredients and one part price. $59.95 gets you 8.33 oz and while many people like to say "A little bit goes a long way", I like to slather this on and thoroughly massage it into my skin, then take my damped washcloth to wipe it off. This cleanser has a thick, white consistency but with a lovely floral scent. Every time I open the bottle it's as if I was given a gorgeous bouquet with roses, forget-me-nots, lilacs, sunflowers and other assorted flowers. While it may sound like a sensitive-skin nightmare, it is actually perfectly gentle and formulated hypoallergenic. I have very sensitive skin and this doesn't strip my face or cause any irritation - on the contrary; it has helped give my skin less redness and a softer consistency after cleansing. One look at the ingredients list can help anyone understand why; ingredients such as: chamomile, ginseng, cucumber, sunflower and jojoba are all present in this magical cleansing cocktail.

 Refreshing Toner: While the cleanser does it's job beautifully, it's still always good to go after it with the toner just to catch any leftover dirt or makeup. This toner is honestly the most expensive toner I've ever bought retailing for $49.95 for 8.33oz, but while some products cost a lot and don't perform, this toner feels more like $100 rather than $50. Each time I use it my skin feels rejuvenated, hydrated, and smelling like roses. This product has a distinct scent of roses without being overpowering or irritating to my skin, which might have something to do with a few ingredients in this product being: ginseng, chamomile and aloe. For the first time in my life - yes, 28 years of existence, I have finally found scented skincare items that don't irritate my skin and actually work.

The Verdict

These two skincare items work together seamlessly, but they are an expensive pair. If you're on a budget and can splurge on only one item, get the cleanser. While I love the toner in a way that isn't normal, a great cleanser is one of the most important items in your skincare routine and should not be ignored. However, if you can afford both, get both. You won't be sorry.

30 Days of Lips + Looks: Day 26 "It takes a village"

Day 26 "It takes a village" - BWC/100% Pure/Burts Bees/Alba/Coconut Oil/Derma-e/Bio-Oil/Lush/Olive Oil/Boscia/Pur-lisse/Balance Me

I've done posts before showing the metric ton of samples I've amassed throughout the year from Sephora, random stores, Ipsy, friends, coworkers, etc. However, I've never shown what I actually use on a regular basis for my skin. The most challenging look for me ever is having completely 100% clear skin on a consistent basis, which is why I felt very motivated for one of my "looks" to show you what products I use on my skin before my cake face. I have a lot of acne as I'm sure you can see in the photos. My acne is hormonal/food-related, it is NOT caused by makeup, trust me. I get acne whether or not I wear makeup.

Due to my divorce and my imbalanced sleep schedule and on-off healthy eating, I'm on-off breaking out more than I ever have been before in my life. I can honestly say thought without a doubt that these products actually make my skin happy. Some people can eat pasta carbonara right before bed time and wake up fresh and dewy-faced without a pimple. I unfortunately eat anything sugar or dairy-related and I get instant acne/inflammation. I seem to keep accidentally eating foods that I think are dairy and sugar-free! These products help tremendously or I'd be complete pizza face right now. The little clear container with a yellow liquid is olive oil for my eyebrows, and the coconut oil is for eyemakeup removal/oil pulling. 

It definitely takes a village, as each product I use at specific times and on specific days in my routine. I'm regimented and treat my face well. I'm hoping adding more meditation to my routine will help with my inflammation as well.

30 Days of Lips + Looks: Day 23 "Natural Glow"

Day 23 "Natural Glow" - Paula Dorf

Paula Dorf Sheer Color Lip Tint SPF 15 "Tender": $22.00

 

This was my first time using this lip product, and even though it's a lip tint I thought it would be a bit more pigmented then it actually is. It's still really pretty though, plus it has SPF 15 which is awesome, but I wish it had a bit more of that orange tint that it has in the tube. I also went a little crazy with a highlighter I discovered in my makeup collection a few days ago. I've had this highlighter for over a year and never realized what it was until 2 days ago...and I kind of bathed in it today. I really love that natural, glowy look. Yaaaaaaaas.

June 2015 Favorites

Hey lovelies! It's been a while since I've done a favorites video, and I have a random list of favorites all with the links below. I hope you enjoy!

Favorites

Oxi Clean Maxi Force Gel Stick: $3.44

Estee Lauder Tea Biscuit & Amethyst Eyeshadow Duo - No longer available

Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray: $4.39

Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 35: $44.00

Z Palette: $20.00

Crystal Body Deodorant Stick: $5.99

Lipstick Queen "Frog Prince": $25.00

Calvin Klein "Kiss It" Lipstick: $16.00

Coochy Rashfree Shave Creme: $5.00

Andalou Naturals Full Volume Lavender & Biotin Shampoo: $9.95

Naked Skin Beauty Balm Broad Spectrum SPF 20: $34.00

N4 Super Comb Prep & Protect Spray: $32.00

Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick: $12.50

Rosewater & Glycerin: Review

About a month ago I was on a mission: I had ran out of my MAC Fix + and my skin was beginning to show it. MAC Fix + had been my holy grail: it made my eyeshadows look better, my skin look brighter AND more calm, but I didn't want to spend so much again on a product with so many chemicals. I started hunting after hearing through the grapevine about rosewater sprays, and at the top of every "Recommended List", I found Heritage Store's Rosewater & Glycerin Spray. It had great reviews and cost less than $5, so I decided to try it out.

Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin Spray: $4.39

The price came to $10 with shipping and handling, which is still less than half the cost of the MAC Fix +, and instead of having to drive somewhere it came right to my door. This product can't be used with putting on makeup, but what it can't do for my shimmery shadows, it more than makes up for with how it helps my skin. The bottle says "Use as a face and body lotion whenever the skin needs soothing and protection", which threw me off at first because it is definitely NOT a lotion. The spray isn't as thin as water though - it's a slightly thicker consistency. It feels amazing on the skin; it has an almost cooling sensation when first applied. My skin has been breaking out lately due to late nights, early mornings and a whole lot of divorce stress. Thank goodness for meditation and this rosewater spray! I've had some nights at work where I could feel my skin starting to freak out, but then a few spritzes of this and it instantly calms back down.

The ingredients are:

"Vor-mag water (Water that has been vortexed and magnetized to raise the energy to a higher vibration that we believe to e more beneficial), natural vegetable glycerin and Hydrosessential rose flower oil."

I've never experienced vor-mag water or flower oil before, and I was initially hesitant about putting oil on my face, but after using it for a few weeks I'm hooked. This product has the prettiest smell when sprayed, and on top of that it's been beneficial for more than just my face. Sometimes if I'm super stressed I break out in a stress rash. Lately nothing's been helping it go away, until I started using this spray on it and now it's almost completely gone after less than a week of using the spray on it.

On top of that, this product is eco-friendly and cruelty-free. If your skin is sensitive like mine, this product will help tremendously, and even if it's not, this is THE best face mist I've tried.

Why I canceled my Ipsy subscription

At the beginning of this year I made a resolution to be more conscious of what I purchase. As an Ipsy bag subscriber, $10 a month was my little happy outlet, my escape from the stress going on around me. I lit up like a Christmas tree every time I saw that pink metallic pouch in the mail each month. When I separated and moved into my friend's house about a month ago though, I packed up all my things and unpacked them in my new single girl bathroom. It was eye-opening and overwhelming as I kept pulling mini-bottle after mini-tube out of my cardboard boxes marked "Bathroom/Beauty".

After getting settled and having multiple friends over, each one uttered the same sentiment when they saw my bathroom set up and makeup stash. "You own a lot of products for someone who doesn't work in the beauty industry" they all said in a similar fashion. As a woman who will be on the move all this summer, I don't want to be tied down by beauty - I want to be freed by it. While I've given away many many products to my coworker's delight, I still have so many that I'm beginning to understand how Frodo felt when he looked at Moordoor. Despite trying my hardest, I realized about 2 weeks ago that I've become almost buried in beauty and it's overwhelming me. Beauty is supposed to bring happiness, but instead it's made me feel anxiety over wasted money and products.

At the beginning of the year I had a feeling this day would come, and so, with much sadness, I canceled my Ipsy subscription a little over a week ago. While having the extra $10 a month in my account isn't a big deal, I am happy that I am no longer adding to this:

 The products in the pictures above are only 1/6 of my beauty arsenal. True story. As someone who wears makeup at LEAST 5 days a week and still can't use up products fast enough, it's an overwhelming task to use all of this before it goes bad, but it's something I'm working on every day diligently. When I fly back to California, my goal is to own only enough to fit 2 large cosmetic bags. I know, laughable, but it's still a goal, right?

For anyone who read my post yesterday, yes I did buy a new beauty product. The Lipstick Queen shade in Frog Prince was purchased due to the fact that it's only ONE product vs. a bag that comes with 4-5 items at a time. Also, with the incoming of this ONE item, TWO items will be taken out of my collection and be given away.

Baby steps lovelies, baby steps.

Facial Face-Off

For anyone who likes all things beauty and facials, check out my facial face-off between Glamglow & Boscia!

Sample Sunday Pt. 2

Here's my second week of bringing you some of my favorite samples that I've received. I don't think I'm going to do this every Sunday. I might wait a few weeks for the next one so I don't get stuck in a rut.

Samples

Porefessional Pore Minimizer - $31.00

Boscia Cleansing Oil Gel - $28.00

Boscia Purifying Cleanser: $26.00

Pur-Delicate Cleanser - $36.00

Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer - $20.00

NARS Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base - $25.00

Benefit Watts Up - $30.00

NARS Illuminator - $30.00

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector - $41.00

Too Faced Primed & Poreless - $30.00

Sample Sunday

Samples

Jergens BB Body Skin Perfecting Cream - $9

Banana Boat Sport Performance - $5.94

Vasanti BrightenUp! Exfoliating Cleanser - $34

Number 4 Clarifying Shampoo - $32

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion - $26

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner - $44.95

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Anti-Aging Mattifying Lotion - $47.95

Jelly Pong Pong Glow Luminizer - $12.95

Natural Tech Replumping Hair Filler - $39.50

 Natural Tech Replumping Shampoo - $25.50

Natural Tech Replumping Conditioner - $25.50

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream - $38

COOLA Unscented Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 - $32

Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser  - $26

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle - $21.95

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Cream Lip Stain - $20

Ageless Liquid Loofah - $22

Strivectin-SD Instant Retexturizing Scrub - $29

 

Ipsy Unbagging - April

Hello lovelies! Normally I do my Ipsy unbaggings via video but I thought I would switch it up today for better product detail. It's been a while since I've made any videos due to a 2 month-long illness that at one point had me without a voice for 3 weeks straight. Luckily that ended just in time for me to throw some clothes in a suitcase and run down to Tampa to be a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding last week. I'll be starting up again with videos in the next week, and my fingers couldn't be happier.

Ipsy Unbagging - April

This month has me over the moon with the amazing products I received. Some months are better than others, as with any subscription service, and this month is one of my favorite ones that I've received to date.

 What I received:

Mally Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner in "Shimmering Black: $18.00
 You can't see it but there are silver flecks in this black eyeliner. I've tried Mally eyeliners before and I loved them, so I'm really happy this came in my bag.

Hikari Blush in Tango: $15.00

I'm starting to branch out and try new shades of blush. I was in a blush rut for many moons but this particular shade makes me ready for sunshine and beach days.

Theorie Argan Oil Ultimate Reform Hair Serum: $5.99
  I'm not overly excited to try this one since I already own a lot of hair serums but maybe this one will be the magical serum to rule them all.

The Balm Nude Dude Palette: $36.00
( I received a single eyeshadow sample from this palette - the eyeshadows aren't sold separately)
I keep hearing about The Balm products from the people I follow on youtube, so I squeaked when I saw this in my bag.

Mullein & Sparrow Lip & Cheek Tint: $22.00

I dove into this bad boy already and I'm in love. It feels sooooo good on the lips, and smells wonderfully organic. It adds the prettiest tint to your lips and cheeks. This may become one of my purse regulars.

Men's Skincare Spotlight: Evolution Man

I've talked a lot about skincare and makeup in the last few months, and while men and women can both wear makeup and look fabulous, I haven't really talked about men's skincare products.  If you're a guy or you know a guy who's skin needs some TLC, then keep reading.

I first discovered Evolution Man 3 1/2 years ago right before Christmas. My boyfriend at the time was an avid scuba diver (he's where I got my love of diving from) and he was constantly experiencing dry skin. He didn't know how to properly take care of his face, so with all the salt water and wind he was exposed to, his skin was dry, flaking, and red - it wasn't good to say the least. As a Christmas gift I picked him up two Evolution Man items because they had an 50% off code and the products sounded better than any other men's products I had seen.

After one week of my ex using the products, his skin had noticeably improved. After 3 weeks, his skin problems had completely cleared up. We were both floored at the results. When I met my husband I saw he had the same skin problems, except his problems are caused from eczema (and also lack of skincare). My husband has a hard time remembering to use his products every day, but even the few days a week that he remembers have made a huge difference in his skin's appearance. During our poor times, we've alternated with less expensive brands to see if we could find a great alternative, but the best results hands down have been when he uses Evolution Man.

The Dream Team

Evolution Man

Wash & Buff: $22.00

Moisture Protect w/SPF 20: $34.00

Not only have I see two guys use this stuff, I've tried it myself. It feels really good on the face and it's very light-weight yet moisturizing. If you or a guy you know has oily or combination skin, I feel like this product would work just as well due to the fact that it's oil-free and so light on the skin.

I call these two products "the dream team" because they really are. My husband used the Cleanse & Shave from them for a little while, and it works wonderfully, but he actually prefers another brand. A review of that brand will be coming in the future <.3

Ipsy Bag March 2015

Hey lovelies, here's my Ipsy unbagging for March! I hope you lovelies enjoy! <.3

Tattoo Goo Review

I've been getting tattoos since I first turned 18. I'm now 26, and I love every tattoo that's on my body. Each piece is it's own, a part of my skin, a story, a moment, and something I will love and never regret until the day I die. When I first started getting tattooed, I was recommended A&D ointment to use after cleaning my tattoos. I put it on faithfully each morning & night and my tattoos all turned out beautifully. However, about 3 years ago I read an article talking about how ointments are actually bad for tattoos because they don't allow them to breathe while healing. I thought it was strange that mine turned out so beautifully while using an ointment, but I decided to follow the advice and next time I got a tattoo, I would use an intense lotion instead. 

Flash forward to 3 weeks ago when my friend calls me up and says "They're having $20 tattoos at a place in town! You need to come with me and get one!". Having not gotten a tattoo in over 4 years, I was more than happy to go get one at an affordable price. I got an adorable little fishing cork because in truth, I actually really enjoy fishing. I just prefer fishing on a lake where there are trees and mountains vs. in the swamps and bayous. (I'm amazing at catching trees)

(Please excuse my scabs - the mosquitoes ate me alive right after getting my tattoo)

After I got my tattoo, I realized that I had given away my A&D ointment about 2 years ago to a friend who needed it and I had never replaced it. So, at 10pm at night I ran to Walmart and noticed a product that I had never seen before - a Tattoo Goo Kit. I had never heard of Tattoo Goo before, but it was only $15 for 4 full-sized products (And the packaging had Tye-dye on it + they're cruelty-free), so I decided to try it. I had also gotten my tragus re-pierced that same night, so I used the deep cleansing soap that came in my kit for my piercing too. 

This kit comes with:

- 1 Color Guard tattoo protection 30 SPF stick .45oz

- 1 Deep Cleansing Soap 2oz

-1 Tattoo Aftercare Lotion 2oz

- 1 Tattoo Goo original good .75oz

The ONLY bad thing about this kit is that the cleanser is very strong. I have very dry skin already, and as you can see from the picture above there's a bit of dry skin on the tattoo even though it's completely healed. All of the products are amazing, but even with constant application of the lotion, I experienced a great deal of dryness with my tattoo. I now use the tin of original tattoo goo since it's very thick and hydrating.

If you are someone that has or is easily prone to extremely dry skin, it would probably be better to use a very mild antibacterial soap. With every other tattoo I had I used a mild antibacterial soap and I didn't experience this much dryness, but we were out of mild soap at home and the kit came with it so I thought I would give it a shot. However, the cleanser is out of this world for healing a piercing. The first time I got my tragus pierced, it took a long time to heal. My piercing healed twice as fast this time, and I'm pretty sure it had to do with the cleanser.

 The After Care Lotion is fantastic. I would use that everywhere on my body, not only on my tattoos. It doesn't have a weird smell, it leaves your skin feeling soft and it's really affordable. It also comes in a handy little bottle that's really convenient to carry with you. I kept it with me for throughout the day and it didn't add any bulk to my purse. I would reach for this over Lubriderm 100%. The original Tattoo Goo in the tin is meant for intense moisture during healing and after. It looks like a green lip balm and has a very lovely, organic smell like an apothecary and it makes me want to tend a garden. I absolutely love it. It smells lovely in the tin and then the second you put it on the skin the smell disappears. This product felt a little intense to use while my tattoo was still fresh, so I waited about 2 weeks before switching from the lotion to the tin. I'm going to continue to use this from now on if my tattoos ever feel or look a little dry.

Lastly, but never least, the Color Guard Stick is out of this world. When I wear dresses or skirts or heels, I want to keep something with me to protect my tattoos from the sun, but I really can't stand traditional sunscreen. It's messy, it has a strong smell, and my hands and tats are greasy after application preventing me from touching anything. However, the Color Guard Stick is an easy, fast and non-messy application to any tattoo I want to protect from the sun. I keep it in my purse with me and rub it on whenever I might be going out in the sun. My hands and body don't get greasy, I can touch my clothing or purse without worry of leaving a sunscreen stain, and it's much faster to apply than rubbing in traditional sunscreen.

My verdict? Worth every penny. This will last you for dozens of tattoos, easily, and it's so affordable and sold through an easily accessible place: Walmart.

ProSonic Glow Review

 Valentine's Day happened not too long ago, and my overworked and super-stressed husband admitted to me 4 days before the holiday "I have no idea what to get you, and I haven't even had time to shop or think of something.". I wasn't mad, with him working 60+ hours a week, shopping is the last thing on his mind. So, I took it upon myself to find something I would love and use and purchase it giving the credit to him. 

This past Valentine's Day my husband "bought" me a ProSonic Glow. I had been wanting a Clarisonic from Sephora forever, but even with my discount that would make a serious dent in my savings. I'm also happen to be in love with Groupon. I've gotten a lot of amazing things and had great experiences at restaurants and events that I might have not been able to afford normally. So naturally, I was browsing the site really quickly 2 weeks before Valentine's Day, as I do about once every 2-3 weeks, and I noticed something called a ProSonic Glow. It looked similar to a Clarisonic, but instead of the $120 price tag at Sephora, this was selling on Groupon for $60. Half the price = me likey. I researched it and found that it retails (depending on the site) anywhere from $80-$120. I felt so excited about finding such a deal, and a week later my little beauty came in the mail.

 While it was still a deal going on on Groupon, it allowed me to choose my color, and I chose lavender. ((Any beauty tool in the color lavender just instantly seems more luxurious to me. I know, I'm weird.))

This kit came with:

1. 1 brush head with 3 speeds
2. 4 different brush heads
3. Botanical cleanser
4. Microdermabrasion cream
5. AC charger
6.  1 year warranty

The instructions are thorough and easy to follow, and I was left with no questions about any aspect of my new beauty tool. Since I received this gorgeous thing, I've used it 6 times. It's honestly a bit challenging for me to add anything new to my nighttime routine, but I'm slowly getting better at remembering. I can honestly say though, every single time I use it, I notice a HUGE difference in my skin the next morning. Even though I don't use it every single night, after 2 weeks there's been an overall improvement with my skin. The handle and brush heads are insanely easy to wash and then you just let them air dry. I've tried 2 of the 4 brush heads and the botanical cleanser, and everything has impressed me so far.

Overall Review:

I LOVE this product. It's so easy: it's easy to grip and hold, to charge, to clean, etc. For the price especially, this was absolutely worth it. This would be worth it even at full price. I'm a sale shopper 150%, but if this broke out of warranty and I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase. I've heard so many people rave about products like this before, and I can honestly see why. It makes such a huge difference. Of course, if you can find this at a discounted price on a site like Groupon, Gilt, Beyond The Rack, HSN, QVC, etc, then that's even better.

My recommendation? If you're someone like me who has been struggling with all-over-the-place skin and not having a lot of money laying around for a purchase at one time, put away a small amount at a time each paycheck. It'll add up quickly while waiting for it to pop up on a discount site, and it will make this purchase that much more special and meaningful. <.3