December 2015 Ipsy Bag

Hello everyone! It's time for me to share my last Ipsy bag of the year with you guys, and this one is pretty darn good. 

The style of the bag isn't my favorite honestly. I like that it's red, but that's it. I do actually appreciate though that the zipper of the bag is on the very top. Most Ipsy bag zippers aren't like that, and it can be annoying. The products are what impressed me most!

First up is a Pacifica Power of Love Natural Lipstick in the shade Nudie Red. I don't see much red in this though, more of a nude/mauve color. I've never been really happy with the Pacifica products I've tried, but I'm pretty excited to try this. I've gotten more into lipsticks lately, so I'm in the mood to try them all.

Next up is the Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer. I love me a good eye shadow primer, and I've never tried this brand's before. I've been fairly impressed with other products I've tried from this line before. 

Then we have a ModelCo Lip Enhancer Illusion Lip Liner in a universal shade. Despite the packaging making me think it was going to be hot pink, it's a very natural looking nude/pink. I'm also delving into the lip liner world, so this is a good start for me!

I'm all about taking care of my super dry hair lately, so the Marc Anthony Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Deep Conditioning Treatment will get love from me. Ever since trying out the Keranique that I had reviewed previously, my hair is taking quite a bit to get back to normal.

I received a deluxe sample of the Clark's Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask. I'm so excited to use this because I love using moisturizing masks after a detoxifying mask in the Winter time, to help combat dry skin. I'm trying to use the GlamGlow hydrating mask sparingly because of how expensive it is, and I can get a good 2-3 uses out of this little jar. 

I'm not sure if everyone got this in their bag, but I also ended up receiving an Em Cosmetics Shade Play Artistic Eye Color Palette called Casablanca Neutrals. This is right up my alley color wise, and I've wanted to try this line for quite a while now, but it's pretty darn expensive. This was a nice little extra to see in my bag!

I'm sure it's obvious, but I'm so happy with the products this month! I was on the verge of cancelling, but now I'm going to keep my subscription going and see what the new year brings. If you're not already subscribed to Ipsy, you can do so here! It's only $10 a month, plus shipping for some, and you get typically 5 deluxe sized samples, sometimes full sized products, sent to you in a little makeup bag every month.  

If you're already subscribed to Ipsy, what did you get in your bag?

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Holiday 2015 Beauty Gift Guide

*Disclosure* I received some of the products mentioned for consideration. This post is NOT sponsored. Some links below are affiliate links

Hello everyone! Today I'm bringing you my holiday gift guide for 2015. All of these are still in stock online (minus one, but that will be mentioned!), and if you order soon, they'll arrive before Christmas!

The first product I have to share is the e.l.f. Lip Kiss Set. This set includes a Lip Defining Brush, a Lip Balm Tint in Grapefruit, and a Super Glossy Lip Shine in Pink Kiss. The brush isn't actually pointed like it's represented in the picture, but it's good for applying the lip balm tint if you don't feel like sticking your fingers in the pot. I expected the lip balm tint to smell like grapefruit, but it smells like vanilla, which I actually prefer. The lip shine smells incredible! It's very fruity, and while I do love the color, it's a bit light for my fair complexion. Otherwise, this is a great, inexpensive gift that you can purchase on the e.l.f. site here for just $5. You also only have two more days to place your order for it to arrive in time for Christmas!

My next gift suggestion is a skincare kit that's good for most skin types. This is actually a kit from First Aid Beauty that I had purchased last year, but there is a very similar one here, on the Sephora site, that's not as expensive as this, but it doesn't include as much. Either way, First Aid Beauty is one of those brands that is good for so many skin types. Even though I typically have oily skin, all of the products I've tried that have to do with hydration, my skin has loved immensely! It always feels softer, more hydrated, and less sensitive after I use their products. To make sure your order arrives before Christmas, you have until the 20th for standard shipping, and today if you're purchasing fragrance or other restricted items. 

The next products I have to share are from a brand called Vapour Organic Beauty. I had never heard of this brand before, but was definitely intrigued to learn more. The top set shown is called the Kiss Duo, and includes the Siren Lipstick in the shade Plush and the Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss in the shade Mystery. Both shades are gorgeous, and the lip gloss isn't sticky at all! The lip gloss smells slightly fruity and the lipstick is unscented. This set retails for $40, online only at Target.

The second set is called the Party Girl, which includes an Aura Multi-Use in the shade Instinct and a Mesmerize Eye Color in the shade Chill. The Aura Multi-Use can be used on your lips or cheeks and the Eye Color is just a cream shadow that can be easily blended out as a base or used on its own. This set retails for $50, and it's again only available online at Target. You have until the 21st to order online for Christmas arrival!

Next up is the Algenist Kiss and Wink Collection. Algenist is one of those brands that is so expensive, but everything I've tried personally has been amazing. I've only tried samples, but hey, they're pretty awesome samples! This set includes a 0.23 ounce Lip Renewal Balm with SPF 15 and a 0.23 ounce Complete Eye Renewal Balm, for just $25. You can find this product at Sephora, Ulta, Sephora inside JC Penney and online at Sephora. 

My last holiday recommendation is Body Butters from The Body Shop. I express my love for these body butters so much, and it's well deserved! These are so hydrating, smell amazing, and one container lasts me ages. The scents shown are Vanilla from last year, and Honeymania. I also am a huge fan of the Shea, Coconut, and Satsuma scents. These are normally $21 each, but online they have a sale for 50% off, and you have to order by the 21st to receive your order by Christmas.

What are you hoping to receive for Christmas?

Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Eyeshadow Palette

Hello everyone! I have so many reviews that I need to catch up on, and today I'll finally be sharing my thoughts on the Anastasia Self-Made Palette. I purchased this a couple months ago, and I was excited to get my hands on it. It's gorgeous!

Here is some info on the palette from the Ulta site:

This limited edition, fashion-forward eye shadow kit is the ultimate makeup artist's palette. Fourteen shades - ranging from a neutral taupe to obsidian black - deliver intense color, so you can create an endless array of custom looks.

The packaging is your standard cardboard with a textured fabric piece that encases it. On the palette I picked up, the little piece that says the name is crooked which makes my OCD go insane, but I'm just weird. It might not bother most people. 

You get a nice sized mirror on the inside and, like the description says, 14 different shades that are really gorgeous. I'm not a fan of brushes that come in palettes, but this one is decent enough. 

Shade names and their description:


- Pink Champagne (rose gold with a titanium finish)
- Metallic Plum (dark plum with a metallic finish)
- Self-Made (deep bronze with a satin finish)
- Witchy (khaki gray with a sparkle finish)
- Blush (light beige with a duo chrome pink finish)
- Blossom (lilac pink with a metallic finish)
- Buttery (buildable beige with an ultra-matte finish)
- Deep Purple (amethyst purple with a titanium finish)
- Treasure (ultra-light Champagne with a metallic finish)
- Hot & Cold (rum brown with a metallic finish)
- Sherbert (ultra-light peach with a velvet finish)
- Isla (sea foam green with a duo chrome gold finish)
- Spirit Rock (galaxy black with a sparkle finish)
- Hot Chocolate (rich, cocoa brown with an ultra-matte finish)

As you can tell, there is a good shade range along with different finishes for many different looks. I apologize that some shades don't show up well due to my super pale skin, but I only really had a little trouble swatching the shades Blush, Treasure, and Isla. They all swatched a little patchy but blended out nicely. I'm obsessed with the shade Pink Champagne, and if there is a single of that shade available, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It looks so metallic and foiled on the lids, and it's really pigmented. The only shade I can use as a transition is Sherbert, even though it's a little warm for my liking, but Hot Chocolate can be used to deepen things up a bit. Since I am pretty pale, I have to be careful with the darker shades in this palette. My only real concern is the lasting power of these. I always prime my eyes and set that with a translucent powder before going in with eyeshadow, because I've noticed that helps tremendously with creasing on my oily lids. Within about 4 hours, I notice that these shadows crease on me slightly. That's a bummer too because I also have the Tamanna Palette and don't have that issue with it. Besides the slight creasing, this palette is so versatile and beautiful! 

It also only costs $35, which is a steal if you ask me. When I purchased this, I had a 20% off coupon for Ulta that was good on high-end brands, so I got a pretty amazing deal on this! It is still available on the Ulta site if you're interested in buying it!

What do you think of this palette?

Review: Keranique Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner

*Disclosure* I was given these products to review thanks to iFabbo. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always

Hey everyone! I feel like I've been getting a ton of shampoos and conditioners to try out lately. It's kinda cool because I've been trying to take really good care of my hair more since it's a bit more dry than usual. Today's review is going to be of the Keranique Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner duo. 

The shampoo is said to: 

- Promote microcirculation
- Strengthen and thicken hair
- Reduce buildup and blockage

The conditioner is said to:

- Decrease breakage
- Seal split ends
- Control frizz
- Light, volumizing formula

The shampoo tingles as you massage it onto your head, and it also foams up quite a bit. The directions say to leave it on for 1-2 minutes before rinsing, then apply the conditioner. The conditioner is very lightweight and rinses out easily. Both products have a nice minty scent to them. 

That being said, I can't say at all that this is a good product. After one use, my hair was so dry and brittle, it was hard to even run my Tangle Teezer through my hair. I air dry my hair, and once it was completely dried, it was awfully frizzy. The tingly sensation from the shampoo, I quite like, but the conditioner needs more moisture to it to actually do something. Since I don't like wasting product, I will use this duo up, but I'll use it sparingly, so it'll take me probably a year to get through it all. Even though I was sent this product for free, I can't lie to you guys by saying it's amazing, because it really isn't. 

If you want to learn more about these products, you can do so here, but I'd be wary about purchasing. 

What shampoo and conditioner do you like?

Review: Divas never Age Hyaluronic Acid Serum + Vitamin C

*Disclosure* I received this product complimentary for review purposes thanks to Tomoson. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always

Hey everyone! I have another skincare review today of the Divas Never Age Hyaluronic Acid Serum. You all know I've been loving hyaluronic acid for my skin for a while now, and love trying out different serums with it to see what my skin likes. 

Here is some info of the product:

Our DIVAS NEVER AGE® Hyaluronic Serum is the best of the market simply because we used the purest ingredients and put together a formula that gives you the best of everything that you can hope for: HYALURONIC SERUM + VITAMIN C + VITAMIN E + POMEGRANATE + GREEN TEA. This combination of exclusive ingredients and Natural Antioxidants will PLUMP & HIDRATE your SKIN, REDUCE & PREVENT WRINKLES, MINIMIZE DARK SPOTS, and RENEW & TIGHTEN SKIN.

Divas Never Age began with a vision of beauty products that would not only improve women's skin, but that would offer the sensual experience of the divine feminine using sublime layers of natural ingredients known for their specific qualities.

We wanted to create spirit-warming products that make women feel good about themselves without compromising quality and effectiveness. We have a deep respect for our beloved planet and Mother Nature.

Our promise to you is simple: We will only use ingredients that are pure and of the best quality for you in the spirit of Divus - the Divine Woman - fulfilling that vision while respecting the Earth that we all inhabit together.

The Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin C Serum is your basic clear serum. The very first thing I noticed about this serum is the scent. Man, is it perfume-y! I have no idea which ingredient is in this that makes it smell like that, but it's very overpowering. I muddled through it, and started using it every morning, underneath moisturizer. While I can say that this does help to hydrate my skin and make it look brighter, I feel like this is breaking me out. Since I started using this, I'm noticing more and more eruptions on my face everyday. Nothing else in my skincare routine is different (other than testing out eye cream currently), but I'm going to continue using this and see if anything changes. If it doesn't within the next week or so, I may just throw it away. I also notice after using this that my face gets really itchy in my lower jaw area, it's kinda strange. 

Other than the itchiness and the possibility of this breaking me out, It's not bad if you can tolerate the scent. It can be a bit much for my sensitive nose, but some people may like it. You can find it here on Amazon for $36.95. 

What serums do you like using?

The Body Shop Black Friday HAUL!

Hi everyone! I was on the fence about Black Friday shopping this year, because the last 6 holiday's I always had to work at my retail job, and it was always a nightmare. After I left my job, I vowed to never step foot in a store on Thanksgiving or Black Friday, but I did end up doing some online shopping at The Body Shop. Nothing else really interested me beauty wise, so I'm happy that I didn't spend too much!

The Body Shop had a deal where if you spent $36, you could get a tote bag filled with products for just $35. Looking at the products that came in the tote bag, I thought it was completely worth it. Here is the list of products that came in the bag:

- Honeymania Soap
- Mango Lip Butter
- Satsuma Shower Gel
- Shea Shower Cream
- Drops of Youth Concentrate
- Shea Body Butter
- Mini Wild Argan Oil Rough Scrub
- Satsuma Body Polish
- Hemp Hand Protector

All of that, for $35! I couldn't believe it! The Hemp Hand Protector and Body Butter alone is $40 combined, so to have all these products for such a great price was fantastic. Also, aside from the Argan Oil scrub, every product in the tote bag is full sized. 

They also had a sale where certain products were 3 for $36, so the products I chose to buy were a Coconut Body Butter, an Aloe Calming Toner, and the Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil. I can never have enough of their body butters in my collection, you all know how much I rave about the Aloe Toner, and I had never tried the Vitamin E Serum, but figured it would be good at night when I like the extra hydration. 

I'm so happy with everything here! I don't normally use bar soap products, so I'm probably going to give the Honeymania soap to my husband, but everything else will be put to good use by me eventually!

Did you do any Black Friday Shopping?

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Review: Vivant Skin Care Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream

*Disclosure* I was given this product to review thanks to Tomoson. All opinions are 100% honest and my own, like always

Hey guys! Today's review is going to be of the Vivant Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream. I had never heard of the brand before, but apparently it's been featured in several magazine publications such as Cosmpolitan, Teen People, Allure, Redbook, among others. I was then really excited to give this a try, since I'm always on the hunt for a good eye cream. 

Here is some info on the product:

A high-performance formulation of antioxidant and free radical-fighting ingredients, Wink combines Vitamin A with Oligopeptides, caffeine and grape seed oil to soften fine lines, lighten dark circles, and reduce puffiness. This concentrated, age-defying formulation also leaves skin looking brighter, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.

Ingredients to note:

- Vitamin A: diminishes the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and crow's feet and protects against further photo aging and free radical damage
- Oligopeptides: stimulate the production of naturally-occurring collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin
- Kojic Acid: lightens the skin and prevents pigmentation
- Caffeine: brightens dark circles and eliminates puffiness around the eyes
- Aloe: an anti-inflammatory agent that leaves the delicate eye area soothed
- Oat extracts: soothe the skin, locking in moisture and further protecting the skin
- Grape Seed Oil: helps tighten the skin and is a potent antioxidant and hydrator with anti-inflammatory properties

The Eye Rejuvenation Cream is light pink in color and it's lightweight, but hydrating. It's a tad bit difficult to blend in at times, but I just try to be patient and keeping tapping it into my skin, since you never want to rub the delicate eye area. Once it's applied, I can immediately feel the skin around my eyes becoming more hydrated, and when worn overnight, I wake up to skin that just feels good and looks brighter. I'm not necessarily sure how this does with wrinkles since I don't have any, but I do still have to deal with my dark circles, which for me are hereditary and very hard to get rid of.

Overall, this eye cream is very nice. It has a price tag of $57.50, here on Amazon, which is a bit high, but I always say spend a little more on skincare than makeup. I've been using this religiously at night, and am happy with how the skin around my eyes feels. Would I purchase this myself? Maybe. I do have a bunch of eye creams to use up, as well as some I still have yet to test out and review, so we'll see what happens once those are all gone.

Does this Vivant Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream sound like something you would like?