Product Review: Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Tarte Maracuja C-Brighter Eye Treatment. This product retails for $38 at Sephora, ULTA, and tarte.com.

I was so excited to try this eye cream ever since Leesha, aka xsparkage, had mentioned that she loved it. I had seen her video right around the time I was shopping around for a new eye cream and trusted her judgement since I've been enjoying her honest reviews for years. The price point is honestly not too crazy for a good quality eye cream, so I went ahead and ordered it.

I started using it as soon as it arrived in the mail. I like the consistency, it feels similar to the touch as many other eye creams. I noticed it had a slight shimmer in it, probably to help with distracting from dark circles. 

In the end, I liked how it felt on my skin. It was moisturizing but not too heavy. However, I ended up not being a fan of the overall product since after using it for a solid month, I saw no real results. Therefore, I ended up returning it - thankfully, Sephora is GREAT about returns and exchanges!

Image provided by Sephora.com

Let me know if you guys have had better experiences with this eye treatment or have a favorite eye cream you swear by - I'm still on the never ending hunt for my holy grail! ;)

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub + Mask

Hey there!

Today I'm going to reviewing the St. Ives Oatmeal Scrub + Mask courtesy of the recent St. Ives VoxBox I received from Influenster.

I've always been a big fan of the St. Ives scrubs. The apricot scrub is a tried and true favorite for many people - although I like to use it on my entire body every now and then for a spa-like experience. I wouldn't recommend that scrub in particular for your face, as it's too rough but thankfully this oatmeal scrub is the perfect formula for a face scrub.

This scrub/mask comes in two sizes - 6 oz. for $3.89 and 9 oz. for $4.99 at Target. Other drugstores may vary slightly in price. I received the 6 oz. size in my voxbox, which is honestly plenty since I like to use scrubs and masks only 1-2 times a week, so it doesn't dry out my skin or make my face have a negative reaction.

I'm going to be honest and say I've only used this as a scrub, not a mask. The texture is very creamy and milky and seems like a great scrub to me, not so much a mask. They claim you can use it as both by applying it and massaging off for a scrub effect, while you apply to your face and leave it for 5-7 minutes before rinsing off for a mask effect.

I can safely say I love this as a scrub, though. It has hands down turned into one of my favorites, for sure. I enjoy using it 1-2 times a week while I'm in the shower after a long day of work or wearing makeup. It refreshed my skin, moisturizes like no other (probably the oatmeal formula) and makes my skin look and feel softer and more radiant. It's just so good.

It claims to soften skin and smooth away dryness and I can say that there's no way it doesn't live up to those claims. It has a gentle exfoliation, so it's a great first scrub to try, especially good for sensitive skin types. It's also formulated without paragons, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and non-comedogenic. Talk about the good stuff.

I feel like you just can't go wrong with this scrub. It doesn't have terrible ingredients. It's easily accessible and affordable. It makes your skin look and feel super smooth and clean. It's just all around awesome.

Screenshot of product from Target.com

I hope this review was helpful to you whether you're a long time St. Ives lover or here to discover a new product fave! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer in "Monoi Oil"

Hey guys!

A few months ago, I received my TENTH Influenster VoxBox! I KNOW - can you believe it?! I'm seriously so flattered.

You can find this specific product here - at $7 for a 10 oz lotion at Target, it's a bit of a steep price (compared to my typical 20oz lotions for $5 at the drugstore) but well worth it since you don't have to use much product to get super soft legs, or wherever you choose to soften up.

This product took a little getting used to for me. The consistency is more watery than a traditional lotion and you have to remember to apply directly after the shower on your wet legs. I have such a  tendency to quickly dry off my entire body since I hate being cold after the shower, but I've had to get into the routine of drying off half of my body, applying the moisturizer to my wet legs, then patting my legs dry. Patting is very important to remember - you want to feel mostly dry without wiping the lotion off entirely.

After I pat my legs off, I find the moisturizer leaves a bit of a residue for a good hour or two - you know, that feeling that something is applied to your legs. It's not super smooth, it's not super sticky...just there. Don't get me wrong, this moisturizer definitely makes my legs look and feel smoother almost instantly. It's just an odd texture to feel when it's wet and once it's dried.

As far as scent goes, it's a light, fresh, floral scent. I'm more of a heavy, sticky sweet scent kind of gal, but it's not a terrible scent for someone who prefers the complete opposite. I appreciate the "fluffy" light scent every once in a while. However, they do have coconut oil scent which I'm sure if amazing, although I haven't tried it yet.

I am not a person to apply lotion everyday. I wish I was, but I can't seem to get into the habit. However, I need to apply something moisturizing after shaving my legs or else they start to get red and itchy. That only started happening a few years ago, but it's a weird reaction that's stuck with me it seems. That's when using this comes into play. I used to always have to use hair conditioner while in the shower, as well as apply a thick layer of any lotion to my legs after they dried after getting out of the shower. With this innovation, I'm able to only use this and not get that weird reaction. Thumbs up for me!!

Screenshot from Target.com

I hope this review was helpful for those of you on the hunt for fun, new products to try! I've had fun working with this moisturizer over the traditional lotions lately.

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Dessange Oleo Miracle Collection

Hey guys!

Today I'll be reviewing the Dessange hair care system I was lucky enough to receive in my latest VoxBox thanks to Influenster!

I received 3 different items in this box:

• Dessange Replenishing Shampoo
• Dessange Replenishing Conditioner
• Dessange Replenishing Oil

Here's a breakdown of the pros & cons, as usual:

PROS

• After using consistently, my hair feels and looks noticeably smoother, softer, and shinier.
• Feels clean after each use.
• I can go longer than usual in between washes, which I found interesting.
• Doesn't weigh down hair from moisture.
• Hair feels moisturized after using.

CONS

• Has a noticeable "mature" smell - meaning, I think of my Great Aunt when I smell these products.
• Higher price tag for being a product found at the drugstore. (I'll break this down below)

The shampoo and conditioner retail for $9.99 while the oil retails for $11.99. These prices are based on target.com. Like I said, the prices for these individual products are a bit steeper compared to other drugstore shampoos, conditioners, and oils. However, I believe it's justified since these are much better quality than said brands.

One thing I wanted to mention was the shampoo is 8.5oz while the conditioner is 6.7oz. I tend to use more shampoo than conditioner in an attempt to clean my hair thoroughly and avoid weighing it down from too much conditioner. Although the conditioner doesn't weigh my hair down in this system, I still like to wash my hair the same way. Therefore, I feel the products will run out at the same time which is convenient.

Another thing I wanted to mention is the colors of the actual products. The shampoo is an oily feeling orange while the conditioner is a moisturizing feeling off-white color. The oil however, is clear. I just found it interesting that the shampoo and oil have the same type of feel but completely different colors.

In a typical week, I wash my hair every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Sundays are my day to deep condition my hair as well. On the days I don't wash my hair in the shower, I keep it up and in a hair cap to keep dry then follow the shower by using dry shampoo to keep oil from building up. I find this system helps my hair maintain moisture, softness, and smoothness longer. I use the shampoo and conditioner once in the shower, then follow by using 1-2 pumps of the oil all throughout my hair after the shower.

Overall, I really enjoy these products. I'm really considering buying them again, despite the steeper price tag because of the great benefits they give to my hair. I haven't had as good of hair days as I have using this system in a long time! It's truly is a miracle when I can say this system alone has single-handedly dramatically improved my frizzy hair.

I hope you guys enjoyed this review and found it helpful! Make sure to watch the video below to check out my unboxing of the collection!

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

*Products featured in this review were sent to me for review purposes from Influenster*

Product Review: LUSH Golden Egg Bath Bomb

Hey guys!

I just finished enjoying a relaxing spa night complete with a LUSH Mask of Magnaminty Face Mask, L'oreal Total Repair 5 Damage Erasing Balm (hair masque), the Yankee Candle Marshmallow Chicks candle lit while reading the amazing #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso.

Oh...and let's not forget the LUSH Golden Egg Bath Bomb.

LUSH Golden Egg Bath Bomb

So after using this bath bomb for the first time, I wanted to review it as I had some pros and cons that I wanted to share with you guys interested in making this purchase before they disappear after Easter.

Their website calls this scent a "creamy honey-toffee luxury", which definitely fits the sweet scent description accurately. Here's the rest of the description off of the official LUSH website:

"You can stop hunting for eggs, because the hunt ends here! This spectacular invention has combined a Bath Bomb and a Luxury Bath Melt to create (drumroll please…) the Bath Bomb Melt! Its creamy, moisturizing cocoa butter exterior encases a fizzy Bath Bomb center, and the whole egg is dusted in a delicate golden luster. Even better? It has the classic honey-toffee fragrance of our best-selling Honey I Washed The Kids soap."

Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:

PROS:

• Smells great (classic LUSH smell - if you like this, you'll love the smell this leaves!)
• Leaves a beautiful golden shimmer on your body, even after washing with body wash afterwards.
• Leaves your body feeling SUPER moisturized and soft.
• Nice moisturizing foam coating - this foam coating on the top of the bath water ensured that my skin would lock in the moisturizing effect from using this bath bomb, as all LUSH bath bombs are known for.
• Beautiful shimmer distributed throughout the bath water.
• Leaves a lingering scent on your body, even after using body wash and body lotion.

CONS:

• Doesn't break up easily like other bath bombs - after the overlay of gold shimmer soaked into the bath water, I had to physically sit under the faucet and break up the bath bomb under the running, hot water to have it distribute into the rest of the bathtub.
• Yellow bath water - maybe it's just a con to me, but sitting in yellow bath water isn't the most pleasant of sights.

I hope this quick review gave you a better look into how this specific bath bomb works and if it's the right purchase for you.

Keep in mind you can purchase this at LUSH stores or on their website for $8.95 for a 3.8oz one time use bath bomb.

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Influenster Frosty VoxBox Review

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to be sharing my thoughts of the items I received recently in the Frosty VoxBox from Influenster! Let's take a closer look at what I received:

• Red Vines Fruit Vines Bites in flavor "Strawberry": I'm not big on chewy candies like these, so I ended up giving these to my family to enjoy.
• McCormick Gormet All Natural Thyme Seasoning: I have yet to find a recipe I wanted to make that included Thyme in it, but I'm working on it since I love trying new recipes and flavors!
• EcoTools Styler & Smoother Hair Brush: This hair brush couldn't have come at a better time. I was just saying how I needed a new brush since mine had been on it's way out. I love how this one doesn't pull at tangled hair and glides smoothly through, leaving my hair feel soft and smooth.
• Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Green Tea: I actually ended up giving this to a friend of mine since I'm not big on mint flavors.
• Rimmel Just Let It Go Gentle Eye Makeup Remover: This makeup remover is a good one for being from the drugstore.
• NYC Expert Last Lip Color in "Sugar Plum": I love how this red/plum lip color looks on me. It's not too intense for my pale complexion and I'm a fan of the "shiny" look it gives. However, this lipstick has the most awful "cheap" taste to it that makes it a big turn-off for me. Knowing me, I'll probably suck it up now and then just because I love how it looks!
• Rimmel Scandleyes Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in "Black": This eyeliner is as great as I had hoped it would be! Super smooth and super black and it stays on all day!
• No. 7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Serum: The tricky thing with serums and skincare products that come with a one time use sample are that you get to see what it feels like on your skin, but not much else happens since most skincare products need to be used for a good month to see a difference. So all I got out of this sample was that it felt slimy like any other serum.

I hope you guys found these little on-the-spot reviews helpful and if you're interested in seeing what everything looks like and my first impressions, be sure to check out my unboxing video below! :)

Check out the video above for an unboxing of this box!

Pssst: If you'd like to see some other blog posts about my previous Influenster VoxBoxes or thoughts about their website in general, take a peek at all the beautiful links below:

• Influenster Dean's List VoxBox Review!
• Influenster Jolly VoxBox Review!
• Makeup Review: NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss
• Product Review: Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics
• First Impression: Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream
• Influenster Review

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

*Items were sent to me for review purposes courtesy of Influenster*

Influenster Dean's List VoxBox Review!

Hey guys!

Today I have a different post for you guys - it's all about what I've been enjoying from the Dean's List VoxBox that I received from Influenster! This is my FIFTH box I've received from the company and I couldn't be happier! I feel it was a good assortment of cosmetics, stationary, feminine products, and a little something to snack on - perfect for the everyday college student!

Here's a quick breakdown of what I received in the box and my thoughts on each item:

• CoverGirl Ready, Set, GORGEOUS Foundation in #110: This foundation is just a little bit orange for me, but with proper blending and highlighting, I can make it work!
• Sinful Colors Nail Lacquer in "NO TEXT RED": This is a BRIGHT red nail polish that's perfect for the upcoming holiday season! Also love, love, LOVE the campaign idea! Please remember the people that love you and PUT THE PHONE DOWN WHILE DRIVING!
• Pilot Frixon Clicker Pens in Black & Blue: These pens rule! These pens don't smear easily, erase when you want them to, and write nicely.
• Playtex Sport Tampons, 16 pack: They do what a tampon is supposed to do! Haha
• Softlips Cube Lip Balm in "Pomegranate Blueberry":  I actually learned to really love this product, even though I originally would have preferred the sweeter scent. It has a slight minty tingle to it, but it doesn't burn - it's more refreshing than anything. Love how it looks and love how it works!
• KISS Look So Natural False Eyelashes: These looked BEAUTIFUL on one of my bridal clients!
• Airheads Bites Fruit Flavored Candy: These are essentially a waste for anyone to give to me since I don't enjoy fruit flavored candy or Airheads in general, but my family and friends enjoy these so at least they don't go to waste!

Overall, I was very pleased with this box. I have had boxes in the past that I didn't enjoy as much, and the fact that I received so many beauty items in one box was definitely a huge plus!

Thanks so much for stopping by to read about my Influenster Dean's List VoxBox - make sure you check out my other Influenster related blog posts before you go:

• Influenster Jolly VoxBox Review!
• Makeup Review: NYC Big Bold Lip Gloss
• Product Review: Goody Ouchless Ribbon Elastics
• First Impression: Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream
• Influenster Review

Click above to watch my UNBOXING video!

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

*This box was sent to me for free by Influenster for review purposes*

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: Nourish Organic Face Lotion

Hey guys!

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Nourish Organic Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion. I received a 0.5oz sample in my January 2014 Ipsy Glam Bag. This product retails for $21.99 for a 1.7oz bottle, which can be found on their website HERE.

I was excited to try this moisturizer since I was running low on my favorite moisturizer by Skintelligence and wasn't re-ordering it until the end of the month. However, my excitement quickly started to end upon the first use.

Not only is it a greasy feeling, extremely light moisturizer, it smells horrible (like a really weird carrot/orange scent) and the smell lingers after application. The name holds true to it being a lightweight moisturizer, I'll give it that. But it has a greasy texture to it, which leaves the skin looking and feeling shiny and slippery. But honestly, even if it didn't perform that way, the smell is still enough for me not to want to use it.

I also disliked that the moisturizer made my breakout after just a couple days of using it. I continued to try using it to see if my skin would get used to it and it didn't. The breakouts kept coming, even with using my acne lotion, which to me means that this moisturizer is just not right for me.

In the end, I gave it a go with high hopes and it just didn't work out for me. Results obviously will vary from person to person, but I personally can't wait to get my favorite moisturizer refilled in a couple weeks. It's also just about the same price as the one I already love, so why switch?

Image courtesy of ipsy.com

Good luck if you're going to try it and thanks so much for reading this review! 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: Nivea Smooth Sensation Body Lotion

Hey guys!

I hope everyone had a fulfilling week. It's time for another product review and this time it's on the Nivea Smooth Sensation Body Lotion.

This lotion retails for about $6 at Target for a 16.9oz bottle, which is a pretty good price for a drugstore lotion.

It's marketed towards people who suffer from dry skin and is infused with shea butter and hydra IQ, which provides for "deep & long lasting moisture".

I always prefer applying body lotion after I take a shower and shave to ensure maximum moisturizing. I shower in the evening, so the lotion has a good chance to soak in overnight. I also tend to get pretty dry knuckles and elbows during the harsh New England winters and find that this does the trick to combat any dryness! It's also not too sticky in my opinion. It's light feeling but moisturizes well.

The only downside, at least for me, is that this lotion doesn't have much of a scent. It smells nice, but doesn't really have a certain scent, so don't let the "shea butter" fool you into thinking it's super sweet when it's not. It's just not the lotion I reach for when I'm in the mood for a super sweet or strong scent.

I hope you guys found this review helpful and keep moisturized!

*Image courtesy of Target.com*

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

Product Review: Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal (Nourishing Styling Treatment)

Hey guys!

I've been super sick all week long. I missed all four days of school and have barely been able to function.

To make up for lost time and the possibility of only one pre-recorded video going up next week, I figured I'd do a quick blog post review of a product that has been changing my hair's life lately!

The product I'm talking about is the Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Nourishing Styling Treatment. This product is infused with Argan Oil with Avec from Morocco. This is the good stuff, guys! This ingredient makes such a huge difference in the texture of your hair!

Before I explain how to use the product, let me take you through my hair care routine. I wash my hair in the shower every other night. On the nights I don't wash my hair, I use a hair cap to protect my hair from getting wet and spray a decent amount of dry shampoo all over to absorb excess oils. On the nights I wash my hair, I shampoo and condition while in the shower, then apply a bit of leave-in conditioner and this treatment right when I get out of the shower.

This product can be applied to wet or dry hair. I personally prefer applying it to the ends of my hair, while wet, about half way up the total length of my hair. After this step of my hair routine, I usually just let my hair air dry. Occasionally I'll apply it to my dry hair to reduce frizz before running out the door.

 The big reason this product has changed my hair's life lately is because when applying it wet, it not only smells nice, but gives my hair an added shine and feels super soft while drying. Once completely dry, my hair is softer on the days I use this treatment than on the days I don't.

In the end, if you're looking for a hair product that will make your hair smoother, softer, and more moisturized, I definitely recommend this one. The only thing you might regret is the price tag at $21.95 per 4.2oz bottle at ULTA. I was lucky enough to get this .85oz bottle as a sample in my April 2013 Ipsy Glam Bag.

I hope this review was helpful and thanks so much for stopping by to check out my blog! Love you guys! XOXO

*Image courtesy of minaslater.com*

Check out my "Pretty In Pink" Ipsy Glam Bag Unboxing video where I received this sample!

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

Hey everyone!

I haven't been able to post on here much lately, so I knew I definitely wanted to review this product on my blog instead of my YouTube channel. I enjoy sitting down and doing written reviews every now and then. I also prefer reviewing the things I receive in things like Birchbox or Ipsy Glam Bag here. :)

So today I decided to review the Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub that I received in my Ipsy Glam Bag a couple months ago.

Photo Courtesy: Instagram

 Here's a quick run down of the pros & cons:

PROS

• Leaves skin feeling smooth
• Removes toxins
• Gentle exfoliation, but effective
• 70% organic
• Helps with mild acne

CONS

• Leaves dark residue on skin
• Slightly funny smell

I overall really enjoy this product. I like to gently exfoliate my skin for about 1-2 minutes. Then I rinse off my face so most of the product is washed off and I pat my face dry with a towel. I really do think this exfoliant is very good at removing toxins because charcoal is known to do just that. I've even taken charcoal capsules before to help clean out toxins in my digestive tract - easy, affordable natural remedy!

This is one of those exfoliaters where you can feel some abrasiveness, but not too much. It doesn't feel uncomfortable while working it's magic, but you can feel the work being done. It's just the right amount, in my opinion. I also noticed when I'm breaking out, it helps get rid of the acne a bit quicker than if I hadn't used it. I have mild acne, though, so keep that in mind. Too much exfoliating can be irritating, especially to acne prone skin. It's also a plus that this product is 70% organic! I always enjoy using more natural alternatives when I can.

The only have two little qualms. I've noticed that it's difficult to rinse off every speck of the black residue this leaves. Therefore, some product ends up getting patted onto my towel. It washes out just fine, but can be a temporary bother to some. My other issue is the smell. It's not a heavy scent and I actually like that it isn't "scented". However, it almost smells like, to me, a funky mint scent. It's the most bizarre thing and is more noticeable while exfoliating rather than smelling from the tube. But it's definitely not strong enough to deter me from using and enjoying the product.

I received a sample size of 1 fl oz and this product sells at a size of 3.4 fl oz for $18.00. So this is a more high-end skincare product in my opinion, but if you don't use it too often, it will last you. I like to exfoliate no more than twice a week. (Remember your skin naturally has a sloughing off process, so don't overdo it!)

Overall, I really enjoy this product. It does the job I'm expecting from it and I get good results. So if you are in the market for a new exfoliater, who knows, maybe you found the one! Either way, I hope you enjoyed this review!

Thanks for stopping by. xoxo

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

Product Review: Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover

Ever have those days when your best makeup remover wipes just don't do the job?

Yeah, we've all been there.

Today I felt the strong urge to write a review on the Lancome Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (woo, that's a mouthful!) because I've been using it a lot lately.

I enjoy using the Olay Daily Facial Cloths - you know, the ones that you need to run under water and rub together to activate. I've been loving those for so many years, I've lost count. I think I've been using them since middle school! (I'm in college now, so that's saying a lot!)

Anyways, I've been wearing more heavy duty makeup lately - the works. Waterproof mascara, "bulletproof" eyeliner - as Mally Roncal likes to put it, and everything else you can think of that isn't supposed to budge until you actually want to remove it.

Lately, even though I still love those Olay Daily Facial Cloths, they don't seem to be doing the complete job. The waterproof mascara will come off and my face looks clean, but it seems the eyeliner is still smudged on my lower lash line some, as well as a little smudged look on my eyelid. So basically, I look like a raccoon of sorts.

So when I get out of the shower, I shake the bottle of eye makeup remover so it mixes the two layers. It looks like one of those chemistry experiments where oil and water don't mix, but I'm sure it's more complex than that. Then I take a cotton pad or q-tip, depending on the amount of space that needs to be cleaned and dip it in the solution and bye-bye makeup! It comes off super easily and it's gentle. The only qualm I have about it is I'm not sure if this product is making my lower lash line burn - it may be an eye cream I'm testing out as well, because I don't see why it would only make that area burn and not the rest of my eye. But overall, I really like how this product performs. It takes barely any product to get the makeup off.

Just a tip - I like to rub a damp tissue over my eye when I'm done and then pat my eyes dry because this does tend to leave a greasy feel.

Lastly, how much does this wonderful product cost? According to Sephora, $28 for a 4.2 oz. It's on the pricey side, but even I would consider repurchasing it - and that's saying a lot.

I only have a deluxe sample size of 1.7 fl oz, but it's lasting quite some time!

Overall, I'm in love with this product. I'm not one to go out and buy higher end products when I know there's bound to be great drugstore alternatives, but when this bad boy finally runs out, I might just go do that. ;)

Remember to have a positive day! :)

Hugs,
Lauren

P.S. I received the deluxe sample size pictured above in a birchbox sampler box that I paid $10 a month for. You can sign up here.