I am pretty behind in sharing my monthly favorites. Sadly I actually filmed a video for August favorites, uploaded it to YouTube and never got around to sharing it… so I decided I would delete it. Honestly, do you know how many times that happens… I have so many videos I upload without release and realize 2 months or more later that the information I talked about or my thoughts on the subject are no longer accurate. lol Oh well, C’est la vie! You can consider this my September Favorites… but it’s really a combination of products that I’ve been liking lately. Without further adieu, let’s get busy. lol
Don’t you just love it when you were busy trying out new products in the month that you have a laundry load of items to discuss? Yup, that was me the last few months. Check out my video embedded below or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.
If you enjoyed my video – please subscribe 😀 The products mentioned in the video that are included in current favorites are:
Favorite Song -Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
Favorite Apps – Seahorse App and Trello
Favorite Food – Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Salted Caramel Latte, Nestle Crunch Limited Edition Girl Scout Cookie Candy Bars. (Check out the boys and I as we discuss our first impressions and taste tests of these goodies in this video.)
Favorite Makeup Palettes – Lorac Pro2 and Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
Favorite Face products – Olay Total Effects 7 in One CC Cream, Benefit Hoola Bronzer and Wet n Wild’s Fergie Centerstage Shimmer Palette in Photo Bomb.
Favorite Eyeshadow – MAC’s Blue Brown Pigment
Favorite Lip Products – Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Rapture, Jordana Easy Liner Lip Liner in Cabaret, NYX Matte Lip Creams in Instanbul and Monte Carlo, J.Cat Wonder Lip Paint in Queen of Hearts, L.A. Girls Glazed Lip Paints in Daring.
Favorite Mascara – Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing Mascara
Favorite Eye Shadow bases – Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather in Creamy Beige and Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Plum
Overall I think my current favorites include a combination of past loves and favorites and new ones. I can’t wait to see what October Favorites looks like. Hope you’re enjoying your Fall months.
Who doesn’t like a good cleansing facial oil? Well, prior to trying new brands, I had used my Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil “my holy grail, must-have, cure…
About 8 months ago I was introduced to my first Konjac Sponge and I’m not gonna lie… I took it out of the packaging without reading the directions on how to use it and stared at it for a good 5 minutes, trying to figure out how something so hard could be useful to cleansing my face. My husband stopped and looked at me oddly until he finally asked “What’s wrong babe?” I explained to him that I didn’t get what all the hype on this product was about… it seemed way too hard to be rubbing on my face. He chuckled and then said… “Um, I think you need to soak it in water and it softens and expands.” lol Needless to say, I laughed so hard after trying it out, I couldn’t breathe. Now months later and I have used several different sponges similar and it is now a part of my daily skin care regimen. To say I love them… would be an understatement.
So now I introduce you to the Japanese Konjac Sponge with Citrus Fruits. This is a 100% natural facial cleanser konjac sponge, eco friendly, vegan and made of natural vegetable fibers of konjac. This is the fourth konjac sponge I have tried over the last 8 months or so and definitely one of my favorites. Retailing for $11.65 on the Japanese Konjac Sponge website, the sponges are available in a variety of selections… bamboo charcoal, cherry blossom, green tea, mint, pure white and the citrus fruits which is what I am discussing today. I have not had the opportunity to try the other selections – but my goal is to try them all, but I’m very pleased with the Citrus Fruits puff. This is the first sponge I have tried from this particular brand and I think I may have found my favorite brand of Konjac sponge so far. While I do have very sensitive skin and there are some places on my face I must be very delicate when using this sponge on, this sponge helps my face to feel clean, soft and exfoliated without a harsh feeling like exfoliating scrubs can do.
The Japanese Konjac Sponge is made out of Konjac plant root grown in Japan. the Konjac sponge has been used as a cleansing sponge for babies and adults, first by the Japanese for more than 100 years. When the sponge is wet, it has a pleasantly soft texture that makes it safe and gentle for the skin. The unique alkaline layer of wet Konjac sponge neutralizes slightly acidic grime, which helps to break down dirt and oil, leaving the skin fresh and clean. It also contains positive ingredients that help to nourish and smooth the skin naturally.
How to use:
Using the sponge is easy… simply rinse and soak the dry sponge with warm water until it is fully softened and expanded. You will notice that the sponge almost doubles in size. You will then cleanse your face with the water soaked sponge. You can use this daily with your favorite cleanser to compliment and create a rich lather for an incredibly therapeutic experience. I like to massage my face with the sponge. You also do not want to rub the sponge harshly on any areas where you have acne, break outs or sensitive areas. Rinse the sponge well after use and then gently press the sponge between your two hands to drain the water out. Do not twist/squeeze too hard as you may damage or tear your sponge. Keep your sponge in a dry place when not in use and you can replace the sponge every 4-6 weeks.
I hang my sponge up in my shower with the attached string and keep it in an area in the shower that is dry.
This is the Japanese Konjac Sponge when it is dry.The sponge is made from 100% Konjac Glucomannan, Japanese Citrus Fruits Extract and Yellow Clay. Infused with Yuzu, a Japanese Citrus fruit extract, which helps to sooth and keep the skin hydrated, moist and soft. This product helps to remove blackheads, oil and dirt and softly exfoliates the skin. Thoroughly cleanses pores and hydrates and balances skin pH. This sponge helps to eliminate excess sebum, is 100% biodegradable and has no harmful chemicals. I also love that is is fragrance and preservative free.This is what the Konjac sponge looks like when it is soaked in water and wet.
As you can see from the photos above, the Konjac sponge increases in size when it is wet. It also becomes very soft and feels wonderful to the touch. Since I have super sensitive and eczema prone skin, while I do use this sponge all over my face, I must be very soft in places I am known to have flare ups, because even if the sponge is soft and feels wonderful on my face, any little thing can cause a flare up. Thankfully – my flare ups have been minimal and I have been able to keep them at bay.
Overall considering the price and the longevity you will get out of this sponge, I’m not only impressed but it is definitely a must-have in my skincare routine. I have noticed my skin feels softer and even looks brighter, but most importantly it feels really clean. Make sure you remove as much makeup from your eyes and face as possible prior to using your sponge so that you do not have the residue from your cosmetics left on the sponge so that it will last longer. I love that this sponge is suitable for dry skin, which is definitely a plus with my eczema and most importantly to me, it is made in the USA. At the price point it is being offered, I am very excited to try some of the other sponges they have available and I know this will be an essential part of my skincare regimen for years to come.
Have you ever tried a Konjac Sponge before? What are your thoughts on this product? I know that it has been around for some time, but it’s fairly new to me and I’m really enjoying this product.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Once again, the Beauty Council brings to you another fun post. This time around we are talking about some of our favorite beauty buys for Fall. Fall is…
I’m always looking for products that will help strengthen my hair and hydrate my skin and if it is something that requires little to no work and great results, I’m all for it. In the last month I have been taking the Phytoceramides Skin & Hair Renewal Formula as a part of my vitamin and supplement regimen. This product offers 30 capsules (a 30 day supply) for about $20 on sale ($36.00 retail price). One tablet a day as a part of your natural dietary supplement and it claims to erase fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate and restore your skin and strengthen your hair and nails. This is a veggie capsule that is easy to swallow and works best when you take it 20-30 minutes before a meal with an 8 ounce glass o water. Now, I’m no doctor but offer the information on this product per my use so I do suggest you consult with a physician prior to use.
These capsules are not as big as some on the market, and I am impressed with how easy they are to swallow. They are said to be a “Face lift in a bottle” and while I certainly do not look like I had a face lift, I do notice that my skin is soft and smooth and feels much more hydrated then when I used my regular moisturizer on its own. I do suggest your water intake increase when taking these capsules because I often felt like I was constantly thirsty, though I do take in quite a bit of water during the day (more than the suggested amount) and I’m constantly hydrating my body. I’m not sure if it is the ingredients in the product itself, but be sure to stay hydrated.
Ingredients
Vitamin A 5000 IU, Vitamin C 60 mg, Vitamin D 400 IU, Vitamin E 30 IU, Phytoceramides (From Rice) 40 mg. Other Ingredients: Vegetable Cellulose (Veggie Cap), Purified Water, Magnesium Stearate, Stearic Acid, Silicon Dioxide.
While I don’t think I’ve been taking these supplements long enough to see a large difference in my skin and hair I did notice a few things that stood out to me. My hair hasn’t had as much breakage as it used to – though there are many factors that I know can contribute to that and one of them is that it is starting to cool off where I live and therefore, my hair doesn’t shed or break as often. I can say that I did notice that my hair doesn’t seem as weak. I also noticed that my nails are not chipping on the ends like they often do. As many know, I take a daily vitamin supplement as well as Biotin from time to time and my chipping nails has always been a problem, but I noticed that it hasn’t been chipping as much. While my skin may not have necessarily changed dramatically, I definitely notice that if I have a small pimple or a little break out, it healed within a day without me treating it as I normally did and I also noticed that some of my fine lines and wrinkles under my eyes look small and less defined. While I can also contribute these to the use of great skincare items, I think that working together, they can all accomplish these things for me.
There is virtually no scent and no after taste – which I love and considering the cost, these capsules are a pretty reasonable addition to any skincare and hair care regimen. Remember, I’m not a doctor or a professional in this matter, so be sure to check with your physician before taking any supplements or vitamins. 🙂
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Can you tell it’s skincare week on my blog? (lol) I have been testing out a few products from Petunia over the course of the last month or so and I’m super impressed with what they offer as well as their price point. This time I’m talking to you about Petunia Skincare’s Revitalize Eye Serum (.51 fl oz / 15ml) retails on the site for $33.00 and addresses tired eyes and the signs of aging. I love eye serums and use them daily since I come from a long line of puffy-eyed people in my family, I have to prevent it as much as possible.
This serum is said to revitalize and waken the appearance and feeling of tired eyes and reduces dark circles, puffiness and swollen eyes. It plumps delicate skin around the areas of the eyes and helps to diminish and fill in wrinkles and fine lines and it is a moisturizer and anti-aging gel. Since this serum includes Sea Kelp (which is a great oil-free moisturizer) and Hyaluronic Acid (which moisturizes and leaves the skin plump and youthful), this serum is ideal for use with those who have dry skin – especially under the eyes and even better for those who use under eye makeup. Since the serum doesn’t feel oily or leave your skin feeling so, you don’t have to worry about your cosmetics creasing or moving due to this eye serum.
Directions:
Clean face. Follow your regular skincare regimen first. Apply a small amount and gently massage around the eye and eyelid area. Lastly, follow with moisturizer.
This serum is lightweight and clear. It doesn’t have a scent and it applies nicely and evenly. I like to say that it is gel like in texture, but it feels much more liquid-like than a gel, though it is not runny like a liquid can be. The pump type packaging makes it easy to use and you get the right amount of product for each pump. Applying this product to your eye area is simple – just apply using your ring finger in soft patting motions and you are good to go. I especially like that this product soaks into the skin quickly allowing me to get on with the rest of my day or heading my pillow for a good nights rest without waiting for the product to set.
Overall, I’m very impressed with this serum and have been enjoying using it the last month. While I try various serums from different brands, I think I’ll continue to keep Petunia’s Skincare line as a part of my regimen. This particular serum is not only affordable but it really has made a difference in the appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles I have under my eyes and my crows feet. Up to about 5 years ago, I didn’t really concentrate on my eyes and how sensitive the area around them was, so I had enhanced my minor wrinkles over the years and genetics is not great in that department. I have noticed that my fine lines and wrinkles are much less now that I’ve been using this product and I am noticing that my crows feet are not as bad as well. I definitely give this serum a star rating.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
PRESS SAMPLE Skin care products are very important in my skin care regimen and that goes for serums. I never personally paid much attention to my skin growing…
First off… I have a lesson for you before getting into the look. I am so excited to introduce you to The Beauty Council, a new group that consists of beauty and lifestyle bloggers that have come together to bring you beauty in all forms, shapes and sizes. I’m thankful to be a part of this elite bunch of lovelies that will bring to you a new series of looks and posts two times a month featuring an array of inspirations. You can expect us to cover beauty and makeup trends, inspired looks, collections of favorite products and everything else I haven’t mentioned. This time around, The Beauty Council takes on the VMA’s (Video Music Awards) from 2014 and looks that are speaking to our souls. Check out all the lovely ladies and their fabulous recreations (links below).
If you know anything about me… it’s that I’m a huge believer that every woman should have at least one red lipstick in her makeup arsenal. Red lips offer a huge statement and in my opinion say that you are “Confident, Sexy, Sultry, Daring and Showstopping”…. plus countless other things. lol Rita Ora really wowed me at this years VMA’s with her statement red lips and bold lashes and because of that I used her makeup that she wore on the red carpet as inspiration for my look.
Rita’s look screams “timeless” to me. While red lips can be a bit too daring for some, I think that it can be a bold statement for many and done up the right way – it’s glamorous and beautiful. Besides the bold red lips she wore on camera, she also had rich black winged liner and fabulous spike-like lashes. Check out my video tutorial for this look embedded below or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.
If you enjoyed my video – please don’t forget to subscribe. 😀
Products used on my eyes and how to get the look
Milani Bella Taupe Bella Eyes Gel Powder Shadow – this shadow was used to fill in my eye brows to make them look darker and more defined.
Milani Brow Wax was then applied on my brows to keep my brow hair in place.
Maybelline Color Tattoo Leather in Creamy Beige (80) was then applied to the lid from lash line to the crease and blended out well with my finger. This color is used as my base and primer.
Milani Bella Caffe Eye Shadow was then applied to my eye lids with a fluffy brush and blended into the crease so that there are no harsh lines. This shadow is used as a base lid shade and is similar to my natural skin tone.
Milani Brow & Eye Highlight Pencil 01 – I apply Matte Beige to my brow bone to highlight below the arch of my brow. I blend this creamy pencil well so that there are no harsh lines but making sure I still have a soft highlight. Then I take the opposite side of the pencil in High Glow in the inner corner of my eyes as a base for the shadow I’ll be laying down shortly.
Milani Bella Chiffon Eye Shadow was then applied with my finger to the inner corner of my eyes over High Glow (Milani Brow & Eye Highlight Pencil).
Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Felt Tip liner was then applied to the upper lash line. I created a small but defined wing and a thin liner on my lid.
Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Waterproof Liquid Pencil liner in Black Point was then applied to my inner rim (tight line) to give my lashes a thicker look. I would normally apply this before my liquid liner, but I forgot.
I then curl my lashes and apply two coats of L’Oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara. Once that’s done, I apply a set of lashes from ebay (sorry – I do not have a name for them, but they had the spike like look I was aiming to achieve).
Products used on my face / lips and how to get the look
Olay Total Effects 7-in-One CC Cream was applied to my face and neck area to help even out my skin tone, protect my skin with SPF as well as moisturize. I applied this product with my fingers.
I then applied NYX Matte Bronzer in Deep and used this product to contour my face, defining my cheek bones and applying to the temples of my forehead, along my hair line and on my jaw bone.
Milani Rose Powder blush in Romantic Rose was applied with a stippling brush to my cheeks and blended up towards the top of my cheek bones
Wet n Wild’s Centerstage Fergie Shimmer Palette in Photobomb was applied to the high points of my face and cheeks to give my face a soft golden glow.
Milani Color Statement Lip liner in True Red was applied to my lips – lining my lips on my natural lip line and then slightly filling in my lips. Then pursing my lips together to distribute the color.
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Ruby Valentine was then applied to my lips.
To finish the look, I applied Milani Brilliant Shine lip gloss in Red My Lips to add a nice shine.
The look is now complete!
I hope you all enjoyed my recreation of Rita Ora’s VMA’s 2014 Red Carpet look. Don’t forget to check out the other gorgeous recreations by my lovelies from The Beauty Council (links below). If you haven’t already – check out my tutorial for this look, which can be found here.
The products mentioned in the video that are included in current favorites are:
