Product Review: Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask

Hey guys!

Time for another blog post review! This time I'll be talking about the Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask.

I received this product in my May 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag. I received the 60mL size in a squeeze tube, which can be found HERE for $12.

This product also comes in a bigger tub size at 500mL found HERE that retails for $40.

This is one of those products I would have never heard of or thought to try out if it wasn't for Ipsy. I've had some hit and miss bags with Ipsy but this was definitely one of those "hit" products for me!

I use this hair mask once a week, just as I've done with every other hair mask I've used in the past. I'm the person who LOVES Macadamia Deep Repair Masque, despite the high price. I have to say, I've found a new favorite and that's not easy to do! I've tried a couple other hair masks, including the L'oreal Advanced Hair Care Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm (can the name get any longer?). I saw that several beauty bloggers and vloggers suggested using this one because it's a $7 price tag for the same results that the $36 Macadamia Deep Repair Masque gives you. Nope. At least, not for me...but that's a whole other review.

So the point is - I've found a new favorite hair mask with this one by Eva NYC. Not only does my hair soak it up, it makes my hair feel incredibly soft the whole week. No lie. My hair feels amazing throughout blow drying, washing it, using dry shampoo, and more. I have yet to find that kind of result from any other hair mask. It also leaves your hair smelling amazing. The best way I can describe the scent is like a light, sweet, coconut kind of scent.

I would definitely look into purchasing the large tub size at $40. Yes, it's a bit of a price tag, but a little goes a long way and like I said, I haven't found a better hair mask yet. I really don't think you would regret trying it, even in the smaller size! If you also got this in your Ipsy Glam Bag a couple months ago, lucky you! We received a product that retails for $12 in a $10 bag, along with other goodies! If you're interested in signing up for Ipsy bags, you can do so HERE.

I also want to point out that I actually prefer putting this hair mask into dry hair and washing it out after a relaxing bath, or something along those lines. In the past, I usually always used hair masks in wet hair, then rinsed it back out. But I've found that doing it this way actually conditions the hair better and makes the effects more long lasting!

*Image courtesy of eva-nyc.com*

I hope this review was helpful for you guys! Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my blog! xoxo

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

Hey guys!

I noticed while getting ready to prepare this week's Motivational Monday that I haven't written a full-length blog post in a while. Well, it's time to change that!!

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant. I have a decent sample size at .25oz or 7.5g. The full size product retails for $78 for a 2oz or 60g bottle at the Dr. Brandt website. So the sample size offers 1/4 of the size that can be purchased.

I received this product in my April 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag. You can sign up for these sample bags that also occasionally offer full size products for $10 a month HERE. You will receive 4-5 deluxe samples each month.

My first impression was that I was glad to see a decent size sample of this product in the bag since although at the time I didn't know the specific price, I knew it had to be a high end product.

On their website, the product claims it "polishes away dead skin cells, leaving skin radiant". It was also a 2012 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner for Best Scrub.

I prefer using this product while I'm showering since my pores will be open from the steam. I use it once a week, two tops. Remember I have acne-prone, combination skin. I take only a little bit of product, since it's a pretty abrasive scrub and I have sensitive skin, and apply it all over my face in circular motions to massage the product over my face for a good couple minutes. It has a strong citrus scent, which isn't my favorite thing since I dislike citrus scents and tastes, but it's bearable. Once the scrub is rinsed off my face, there is an immediate cooling sensation that lasts only a couple of minutes. It can be refreshing to some or irritating to others, depending on your preference. I personally don't mind it. I also notice how soft my skin feels. Although, I have had similar results with smooth skin resulting after other scrubs, even from the drugstore.

Here are a couple other scrubs I like to use that offer similar results:

St. Ives Blemish & Blackhead Control Apricot Scrub: $3.79 at target.com

Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub: $18.50 at michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

If you'd like more on my opinion on the Michael Todd scrub, that blog post review can be found HERE.

In the end, I do enjoy using this product and I feel like it gives me good results for what it's claiming to do. However, I will not be repurchasing it because although you only need a little bit of product for each use, the price tag is just too steep for a 20 year old college student. I'm sure I will still enjoy my decent sized sample for a while to come.

 
*Image from drbrandtskincare.com*

I hope you guys enjoyed this review and found it helpful in your pursuit to find the perfect facial scrub for you! :)

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Briogeo "Don't Despair, Repair" Deep Conditioning Mask. I received this product in my January 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag. I'll link that video below if you want to see what else I received in that month's bag as well.

I received a 1oz sample size jar, while this product usually retails for $26 for a 5.25oz jar on the Briogeo website.

Although that is a bit of a steep price, I have to say that this product is quite nice. First of all, it's made with impressive natural ingredients such as sweet almond, avocado, rosehip oil, and even more. *reference quote below for the full list of natural ingredients and benefits*

"Fortified with ultra-hydrating avocado, sweet almond & argan oils, strengthening keratin protein, power-conditioning rosehip oil, soothing aloe, and super hair-essential vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin.  This unique complex of targeted ingredients helps increase hair elasticity and moisture to prevent breakage, promotes healthy shine and luster, and replenishes strength." - Briogeo

Second of all, it leaves your hair feeling soft while staying not greasy and heavy. I don't know about you, but sometimes my hair feels weighed down when I use the other two deep conditioning hair masks that I love - Macadamia & L'oreal Total Repair 5. I love how these two products work as well, but my hair tends to take a lot longer to dry after using these, and although it feels softer, it also feels heavier and tends to get greasier faster in between washes.

Third of all, this mask has a pleasant scent. Because it's infused with natural herbs, it smells almost like a kind of lavender aromatherapy. It's not an intense scent, either. So if that isn't your cup of tea, you'll still be able to enjoy this mask.

The product itself is a milky white color and has the consistency of a light lotion. I use about the length of my middle finger worth of product and spread it evenly throughout my hair and wait the 3-5 minutes it suggests. This would be a good time to shave, but hey, that's just my opinion.

In the end, my sample lasted about 6-8 uses I'd say. Not a bad sample, considering how pricey the full size is. That's one basically the only downside I can think of with this product. So it's up to you if you feel like splurging. I would personally consider purchasing this because I've purchased a 8.5oz Macadamia Deep Repair Masque before for around $32, so it's not much of a difference.

I hope you found this review helpful and hopefully I've helped you find a solution to softer, smoother hair, naturally.

Click the video above to check out what else I received in my January 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag!

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Get Ready With Me | November 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag Look

Hey, loves!

I'm back to bring you the details one of my latest videos, in which I get ready with the items I received in my November 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag!

Enjoy! xoxo

Products Used (in order):

Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin in "Buff"

Sigma F80 Brush

L'oreal True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer in "Fair/Light N1-2-3"

Maybelline FitMe Concealer in "Fair"

ELF Flawless Concealer Brush

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in "Light Plus"

Sigma F30 Brush

Tarte "Off The Cuff" Amazonian Clay Blush Palette - "Park Ave. Princess"

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Face Brush

Benefit Powderflage

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in "Subtly Suntouched"

Sigma F40 Brush

MAC Paint Pot in "Painterly"

Victoria's Secret Mineralized Eyeshadow in "Petal to the Metal"

Coastal Scents Eyeshadow Brush

Sephora Outrageous Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow in "Outrageous Metallic Purple"

Sigma E70 Brush

Sigma E40 Brush

Starlooks Gem Pencil in"Amethyst"

ELF Eyelash Curler

EM Michelle Phan Lash Gallery Mascara in "Brown"

Revlon Colorstay Brow Enhancer in "Blonde"

Mally Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner in "Dusky Plum"

EOS Lip Balm in "Strawberry Sorbet"

Be A Bombshell Lip Crayon in "Hot Damn"

Maybelline Color Elixir Lip Gloss in "Mauve Mystique"

I hope I've inspired you to put those sample bags to good use! It's surprising how just a few items can create an entire look. Have fun and good luck! xoxo

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren