Lifestyle & Family Resource site for everyday women and moms
When it comes to travel-friendly products, you want to stand out in a good way. You want your product to be useful without taking up too much space. But you also want it to be memorable. Have a found the hairbrush that checks off all of these boxes? I think so! Check out our review of the Milk + Sass Macaron Hairbrush ($12.99), which is a detangle brush and compact mirror.
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I’ll be the first to admit that I love when makeup products come in sets. It’s a great way to get multiple items at an excellent deal, and you’re getting the opportunity to try out a brand. So, of course, I jumped at the change to test out a lipstick duo that looked like the perfect pair for a day to night look.
Swedish Jealousy is a new-to-me brand that created makeup for all skin tones. The duo who founded the company wanted to “bridge the gap usually found in makeup,” because they couldn’t share a tube of lipstick. They worked hard to create and test out dozens of lipstick formulas until they found the two perfect shades that looked incredible on both of them.
The brand is Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free, and Gluten-Free. Let’s take a look at the lipstick duo!
Not going to lie, I just about squealed when I opened this package and saw both of the lipstick shades. They’re wearable for both day and night looks and works well on all skin tones, which was important to the founders.
The Week/Weekend Duo Lip Set ($23.50) features Week, a nude rose pink, that you can apply to the lips without a mirror, and weekend, is a bold, yet wearable watermelon red. Both lipsticks are creamy and apply to the lips evenly. They’re highly moisturizing and will last throughout the day. However, if you do a lot of snacking and drink a lot of coffee or water throughout the day, you will need to re-apply, which is normal with lipsticks.
I wear Week a lot, and I have even received several compliments from people, even asking me where I got it. The price for these two lipsticks is reasonable and worth checking out if you’re shopping around for a new lipstick brand to test out.
It’s 2020, and many brands are still not cruelty-free. If this is a big deal to you, there’s one cruelty-free brand that should be on your radar, and that’s Double Down Cosmetics! This affordable, award-winning cosmetics brand offers a variety of bold and neutral cosmetics that every makeup enthusiast and makeup pro will enjoy.
Since going cruelty-free, I had the opportunity to test out a few products from Double Down Cosmetics. I chose three shadows: MEDEAIJ, BabsGlo, and Control ($10 each). All three of these shadows would also work when mixed with a base to use as a liner.
The shadows are nicely pigmented and blend beautifully. They’re easy to work with, and, when used with a primer, do last a few hours. The BabsGlo makes a beautiful liner, and I can’t wait to use it more that way this summer.
The Punk/The Future Bundle ($18.99) and Spearmint tinted lip balms are wondrous. They give a subtle tint to the lips while moisturizing them. I have been grabbing these lip balms more often than some of my higher end ones.
If you do a lot of traveling or go into the city for school, their Starts With Foundation & Contour Ain’t About Geometry Bundle Bags ($10) is a great product). There is plenty of room to fit everything that I need in there.
I’ve enjoyed the products that I’ve tried so far! What’s even better is that they are super affordable, cruelty-free, and organic. If you are in the market for new makeup and want to try a new brand, I can’t say enough great things about products from Double Down Cosmetics. If you enjoy bold colors, get yourself the BabsGlos!
I love trying out new beauty products released in the beauty community. But nothing beats exploring a new beauty brand and testing out a few products. I had the opportunity to try a few products from the brand, Cleure.
This brand stands out because its products are for people with sensitive skin. The skincare products are on the verified lists for being free of common allergens: American Contact Dermatitis Society, Skin Safe (developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic), Duke Dermatology, and recommended by dermatologists across the USA. This review is just makeup products, but I’m definitely interested in trying their skincare products.
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When it comes to skincare tools, many people often wonder if they’re worth purchasing. Not because they’re expensive, but it’s whether or not they work. We’re all a little tighter with our money, and the products we’re buying must be worth it. I’ve never been one for using body brushes, so of course, I had to test out some of the brushes from Rengora to see if the hype is real.
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While I love being able to try new beauty products, I often hesitate when it comes to testing out new skincare products. Whether it’s a new or new-to-me brand, I’m wary about how my skin may react. When I find something that works, I remain loyal for a long time – or until something else comes along that works better. With that said, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance to test out some top products from the brand VOLITION.
The Best of VOLITION Kit is “nature’s gift for dewy, bright skin.” In the past, I ran like Forest Gump any time I saw the word dewy because my skin can get a little oily. Inside the kit are three full-size products:
What’s helpful, the back of the box has information about the products, the ingredients, and how to use them. This comes helpful for people not familiar with the brand, products, or what’s in them. You should always be informed about the products you’re using.
I enjoyed using these products. The packaging is excellent, and I would place it on my vanity. The products do have a scent, but since it’s not the synthetic fragrance that I’m allergic to, I didn’t have any issues. If you’re like me and sensitive to scents, you should be okay with these.
Both the serum and cream are a thinner consistency that absorbs into the skin beautifully. After several uses, I noticed a little shine to my skin, we’re in winter so it’s a little on the dry side. The polish is your typical skin polish, except it’s not rough on the skin. I’ve used it a few times and not once did my skin get irritated because the grains were too harsh. I may have finally found a face and body polish that’s gentle to use on my ultra-sensitive skin!
I haven’t been using these a long time, but I do like how my skin’s reacting to them. Please note that no matter what brand I use, my skin doesn’t react as quickly to skincare products as others. It usually takes more than a month before I notice a difference.
If you’re in the market for new skincare to try, I do recommend this kit. It’s a great way to try the top-selling products at a discounted price. This kit retails for $70 ($100 value), and you can pick it up online or in stores at your local SEPHORA. If you sign up for e-mails on the brand’s website, you can get 15 percent off your first order, making this an even better deal!
Many people love buying and trying new beauty products, but storing and organizing beauty products can be a bit tricky. Does Cherry Blooms have the answer to your prayers with the ultimate beauty organizer? Let’s find out!
This 2-piece beauty organizer ($69.99) is a sleek travel-friendly case that includes one toiletry bag and a small bag organizer that features 16 compartments that can hold more than 80 products while keeping your beauty products safe, secure, and organized while traveling. This product was exclusively made by Cherry Blooms Founder Jellaine Dee in Australia. You have four color options available: Quilted Matte Leather, Quilted Shiny Leather, Black & Gold, and Chevron. While the Black & Gold was gorgeous – and will be a favorite – I chose the Quilted Shiny Leather to test out and review.
Is this the Ultimate Beauty Organizer?
If this was the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, the beauty organizer was just right. It’s not too large that you’re wasting space or too small where you have to carry around two organizers – it’s a perfect size. Not to mention, it’s a quality product that was made to last. I’ve had multiple makeup bags that barely lasted six months before it started falling apart. I haven’t tried washing this, not sure if it’s machine washable, but it’s easy to wipe down with a kleenex.
I recently moved and haven’t had a chance to get a proper organization unit for my makeup and skincare products, and this has been working great! It doesn’t hold everything I have, but it’s enough to put my day-to-day products in.
I can understand that some shoppers may feel $70 is a lot for a beauty organizer/makeup case, but the quality is amazing. It includes a mini organize that you can take in and out when you’re traveling, which is so convenient. If you’re able, I highly recommend this beauty organizer if you’re looking for a nice size toiletry bag that can handle all of your travels. Is it the “ultimate” organizer, no, but it’s so good that I haven’t even started looking at how I want to store and organize my makeup products.
Do you want a beauty tool that makes your routine better? I’m always on the lookout for beauty tools that makes my beauty routine easier. If it can help knock off 15 minutes off my time – even better! While I work from home, I don’t want to spend lots of time doing my skincare and makeup in the morning. I had the opportunity to test out interesting beauty tools and organizers from La Dama to see if they’ll make things better.
If you are a fan of supporting small businesses, check out La Dama, which was first established in 2011 by makeup artist and licensed Esthetician Illiana La Dama, a TNT Agency certified in professional techniques, corrective and dramatic makeup. Her goal is to help teens discover methods that uncover one’s true radiance. Her beauty tool will have everyone talking!
The lash pro mirror looks like a vintage beauty tool mixed with something the dentist would use. The La Dama Girl Lash Pro Mirror retails for $25 and is designed for the lash artist. What makes this an ideal product is its size because it allows you to see the complete lash to ensure there are no gaps. You can also check for uniform or texture depending on what your lashing style is.
I’ve owned and lost multiple pairs of tweezers, and they are not cheap, which is why I want a product to keep them organized. The LD Lash Pro Tweezer Stand ($25) is the ideal organizer! If you don’t have your makeup storage all set up currently, this stand is worth getting.
I didn’t get to try this doing lashes since I recently found out that I am allergic to lash glue. However, this works great at doing my liner and mascara. While I wouldn’t do my brows using this, it’s a great tool for quick checkups. With that said, I can see this product being helpful when it comes to doing lashes. There may be a learning curve with the mirror, but it’s well worth it!
The vintage-style lash mirror is an excellent product for lash pros, and the tweezer stand is perfect for anyone looking for affordable ways to store their beauty tools. If you want to try something new, then I highly recommend them. But if I had to choose between the two, I’m enjoying the stand! It’s a product that I would purchase.
Let us know which of these two La Dama products you’d be interested in trying!
*Image credit: La Dama
Finding skincare that’s both travel-friendly and inexpensive is quite the challenge. However, it’s a challenge I’m ready for. While I’m not traveling anytime soon, I am moving. I have to pack everything up and can only use certain products, so it’s the perfect time to test out some travel-size products from My ALCHEMY Skincare.
My ALCHEMY Skincare is a cruelty-free and clean skincare brand that wants you to stay as young as you feel using products with healthy aging ingredients. They learned firsthand “the impact of self-care and nutrition on our bodies, both inside and out.” Inspired by cancer, the mother-daughter team had one goal in mind – “to offer every [BODY] knowledge to empower healthy choices as we strive to help you live your best life toxic-free.”
I was sent and able to test the Travel Mini [$65] kit. Perfect for traveling or when you’re in the middle of a move, and you don’t have a ton of space or everything readily available.
What’s inside the kit:
The website also shows you how to use each product, which I think comes in handy.
Each product is:
I recently decided to go solely cruelty-free and clean. I don’t believe in animal testing, there’s no need for it, and I will not use brands that still do this. This kit is nice. It truly is. I have crazy sensitive skin, so of course, I was a bit nervous to try everything. My skin reacted nicely. They don’t take up a lot of space on my bathroom skink, you don’t need to use a ton of products, and there are no horrible scents.
This kit is an excellent option if you’re looking to try a new brand, you want to go cruelty-free, or you are doing some traveling soon and want travel-friendly products. While I do like these products and didn’t have any issues, I’d recommend testing them out before you travel. It’s always best to know a product works for you before heading out on vacation.
The price might seem high for a travel kit, but the quality is marvelous and well worth it. I’m always looking for great deals and ways to save money, but when it comes to skincare, I’ll spend the money if it’s amazing. And it is.
We tried the Visual Artist Makeup Crayon set and excited to share what we think. Did you know this set can be found at Target!?
When it comes to makeup, I always tell people to do what makes them happy. If you want to go neutral, do it. If you want to wear the boldest shadows, rock it out! Makeup lets us explore who we are and our creativity. However, many people don’t always have the money to expand their collection, especially if they’re unsure whether or not the bold colors will work out. This is where brands like C’est Moi come into play.
This clean beauty brand offers a wide variety of products from skincare to color cosmetics. I’ve been called “basic” many times because I always go for the neutral shadows, so when I was given the opportunity to step outside my typical comfort zone, I couldn’t say no. The brand was kind enough to send their Visual Artist Makeup Crayon (set of 6) to try out, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on these and try something different. The six shades in the set include:
There are many benefits to using these products, which include:
The shadow pencils glide on nicely and fairly easy to work with. Everyone is different, but sometimes you have to work quickly with cream products to avoid any creasing. My eyelids crease like you wouldn’t believe, so I have to work quickly – other people may not. The colors are fun, bright, and can be used with any bold eye look you’re going for. At the price point $25 for the Visual Artist Makeup Crayon set of 6, it’s worth stepping outside your normal looks to try something new.
The white makes a great base to help eye shadows pop more, and the black works as a liner, as long as you set it with a black shadow. If you’re really good and working with cream products and shadows, the Visual Artist Makeup Crayon can also be used to darken up your look a little bit.
While $25 can be a little bit more than what some people may want to spend, but you are getting six shadow sticks in the Visual Artist Makeup Crayon set to work with. That’s less than $5 a pencil. I’m enjoying these shadow pencils, and it works out great that they’re a clean brand since I’m moving to only use clean and cruelty-free brands.
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