New Blog: Beauty Woo

Please follow me on my new blog: Beauty Woo

I have a special announcement for all my blog followers, I've moved to a brand new blog! I wanted a fresh start and a blog title with my name in it so I've started a new beauty, fashion & lifestyle blog called Beauty Woo. All new posts will now be on the new blog so please follow me over there as well as on my new social media accounts, which are individually listed in my signature below.
Thanks & see you on Beauty Woo!

♥

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Review: Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser

I was recently contacted by a natural skin care company called Sibu Beauty to test and review one of their products. I was given a choice between their Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser or Repair & Protect Daytime Facial Cream. Since I have combination skin I opted for the Balancing Facial Cleanser.

I had never heard of Sibu Beauty prior to their contacting me but before I would agree to test and review one of their products, I did some digging on the brand to make sure it was one that myself and my readers (you!) would be interested in. Sibu Beauty is a cruelty free brand whose key ingredient in all their skin care products is the sea buckthorn berry. This magical berry can be found in the Tibetan Himalayas and contains elusive omega-7 fatty acids. The omega-7 fatty acid along with more common omega-3, 6, and 9 are critical in providing cellular support for healthy hair, skin and nails.

The Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser claims to:

• Leave skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed
• Remove excess oil and impurities
• Contain micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation
• Great for removing makeup
• Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types

I've been using the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser morning and night for a little under a month now and can agree with a majority of the above claims. The cleanser is a gel formula with micro-beads that work well with my combination skin. I wouldn't rely solely on this facial cleanser for exfoliation as the micro-beads are incredibly gentle.

After cleansing, my naturally dry areas, like my cheeks and temples do not feel dry or tight and my naturally oily areas, such as my forehead and chin feel cleansed and fresh. I wouldn't agree that the Balancing Facial Cleanser is great for removing makeup, as I still see some residue on my cotton pad after I apply my toner post-cleanse.

I think the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser is great for those with normal skin who don't suffer from acne or clogged pores. I personally have combination skin and have been suffering from breakouts and clogged pores lately, so while I noticed the healthy areas of my skin have been staying healthy, I haven't noticed much of a difference in my breakouts or pores. So if you are at a good place with your skin and are looking for an all natural and cruelty free way of maintaining its good health, then I would highly recommend the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser to you.

September Wish List (YSL, Fresh, Bioderma & More!)

As I mentioned in my July Wish List 2014 post, I like to make these mini shopping lists for myself at the beginning of every month to prevent from spending money on products that I don't really want/need. I think it's a pretty good habit to get into as it keeps me focused on purchasing only the items on my list.

September Monthly Wish List

1. YSL Fusion Ink Foundation SPF18 ($60) - I have no idea where I was when this foundation was first released but I saw it recently on Sephora and was totally intrigued by the name. At first the sound of "fusion ink" sounds incredibly scary and not appealing at all but the more I read about the product the more interested I became. It's supposed to offer lightweight 24-hr buildable coverage. If you're interested, check out Jaclyn Hill's first impression review of the YSL Fusion Ink Foundation on YouTube.

2. Fresh Sugar Lip Polish ($22.50) - I used to use the Lush lip scrubs but since the Lush closed down near me I haven't purchased a lip scrub since. Now that the weather is getting colder in the city I'm starting to prepare for dry chapped lips from the wind. I've heard a lot of great things about the Fresh Sugar Lip Polish and it's much easier to get than a Lush lip scrub, even though it's more than twice the price!

3. Davines Alchemic Conditioner Silver ($38.99) - I recently dyed my hair blonde and noticed that the color has been getting dull. My boss at work recommended this purple conditioner to me in order to keep it a healthy blonde. I've heard of processed blondes using purple shampoo and conditioner to keep their hair blonder longer so I figured I'd give it a shot! Let me know if any of you have a cheaper alternative to recommend.

4. Bioderma Crealine Solution Micellaire ($30.33) - I picked this up on a whim at Mitsuwa marketplace many months ago and I've been totally converted into a Bioderma lover. It's hands down the best makeup remover I've ever used since it's gentle but powerful. My current bottle is about to run out so I definitely need to order some more!

5. Steve Madden Troopa ($99.95) - These were my favorite pair of boots last year and I wore them so much that the sole eventually wore out to the point where there was a hole and I had to throw them out. Now that Fall is quickly approaching I figured now is the time to restock because it literally works with almost every outfit and is such an easy go-to boot.

What's on your wish list for the month of September? Let me know with a comment below!

Unboxing: August Ipsy Glam Bag (UD, GlamGlow & more!)

I realize it's already September, but since this month's Ipsy Glam bag has yet to arrive, I figured it's still appropriate for me to share my opinions of the August Ipsy Glam bag.

The bag itself is back to the cheap plastic material of past Ipsy Glam bags, unlike the ones I received in May and June, and the design is rather simplistic. I wasn't pleased at all with the bag itself but what was inside made it an acceptable bag for the month:

1. Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion ($29) - I have no need for another liquid luminizer, since I already own the Benefit High Beam ($26), so this product is sitting on my shelf collecting dust. However, I did give it a shot and I wasn't too impressed. I think if you're going to purchase a liquid luminizer that you might as well buy the Benefit High Beam since it's not only cheaper but also of better quality.

2. Lord & Berry Black Silk Kajal Kohl Liner ($15) - Honestly, I don't use kohl eyeliners all too often because they're too soft and creamy for my oily lids so I will not claim that I am an expert in kohl eyeliner quality. I have owned a few kohl liners in the past and will admit that this one is more or less on par with them. In terms of quality and price of a full-size version of this Lord & Berry Black Silk Kajal Kohl Liner that you're probably better off finding one from the drugstore.

3. Urban Decay Perversion Mascara ($22) - I'm always looking to try new mascaras because I feel like there's always newer and better formulas. I previously owned the Urban Decay Cannonball Mascara and while it held a curl nicely, it didn't impress me in terms of volume and length. However, this newest UD Perversion Mascara did impress me with both hold, volume and length! Apparently, it's sold with a primer as well so it may perform even better as a full package rather than alone.

4. GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment ($69) - This isn't my first sample of this product and I already knew I didn't really like it because for a $69 mask I feel like it doesn't do enough. If I'm going to pay that kind of money for a face mask I expect it to work wonders and this product just doesn't cut it. I'll definitely use it up since it's probably the priciest sample in the Glam bag but I will definitely not be purchasing it on my own.

5. Absolute New York You're The Balm ($5.99) - I've never heard of this company before but apparently it's a subdivision of Nicka K, which I recall being the manufacturer of another product I received in a past Ipsy bag. I was in desperate need of a new lip balm to replace my Rosebud Perfume Co. Strawberry Lip Balm ($7) and thought this might have been a sign. Unfortunately, it's nowhere near as moisturizing as my Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm but I figured I might as well use it up since I have it.

While the August Ipsy Glam bag was mostly a disappointment for me I still have an overall positive review of Ipsy as a whole. I feel you really can't go wrong for $10/month since other beauty subscription services are much more expensive with just as disappointing products. If you're interested in trying out Ipsy be sure to use my referral link: http://Ipsy.com/r/52v0.

See you soon!

August Favorites 2014 (YSL, Dolly Wink & more!)

I'm going to be very cliché here and mention how I can't believe it's already September! Now with that out of the way, I can begin sharing with you beauties my August Monthly Favorites.

August Monthly Favorites

1. Yves Saint Laurent Glossy Stain in Rose Vinyl ($35) - I'd been dying to get my hands on this lip stain when it first came out over a year ago but it always seemed to escape my grasp. I finally purchased it in the shade Rose Vinyl from Barneys last month and have been using it as my go-to lip color since then. With its high pigmentation and long lasting power I'm definitely going to be picking up more shades.

2. NYC Smooth Skin Face Powder in Sunny ($9.59) - I've had this bronzer for years now and no matter how much I use it I can't seem to make a dent. I didn't touch it for quite some time but I recently dug it back out from my makeup stash and fell in love with it all over again. I'm fairly certain you can find it for cheaper at the drugstore (I'm thinking $2.99?). It's affordable, pigmented and doesn't give you an orange bronze!

3. Bobbi Brown EXTRA Eye Repair Cream ($70) - I know I mentioned it numerous times in past posts that my eczema came back with a vengeance in the outer corner of my left eye. This intensely hydrating but quickly absorbing eye cream is exactly what I needed to help soothe my eczema and prevent it from coming back. I have a more in depth review of the Bobbi Brown EXTRA Eye Repair Cream on my blog if you want to know more.

4. Dolly Wink Eyebrow Pencil ($13.90) - It recently dawned on me that I really needed an eyebrow pencil since it's more travel-friendly. I just so happened to be standing in the makeup aisle at Mitsuwa marketplace at that exact time so I picked up this Dolly Wink Eyebrow Pencil in the shade Dark Chocolate. The shade is a bit light for me but it works since it's still technically summer right now.

Hope you enjoyed!

Unboxing: Popsugar August Monthly Must Haves

I honestly can't believe it's been over a month since I last wrote a post. As usual, life got in the way of things and time got away from me. However, I do intend on blogging on a regular schedule once again and I already have a bunch of fun posts ready to go. I figured I'd start my comeback with an extra fun unboxing of the Popsugar August Must Have box.

I was fortunate enough to be able to participate once again in the Popsugar Must Have box partnership and this month's box was even more exciting than the one I received back in May. As I mentioned back in my unboxing of the Popsugar May Must Have box, this subscription service costs $39/month and comes with full-size hand-picked beauty, fashion, home, fitness and food products. Although pricier than your typical subscription service, it comes with full-size products so you're getting a much bigger bang for your buck.

Inside this month's box along with my first impressions:

• Mason Jar Cookie Company Festive Celebrate! Cookie Mix (Sugg. Retail: $12) - I'm a horrible cook but I love to bake so I was super excited when I saw this pre-made cookie mix sitting at the top of the box. All you need to do is add butter and an egg and you're good to go on making delicious treats for you and your friends.

• Paddywax Ocean Tide + Sea Salt Mini Jar Candle (Sugg. Retail: $10) - I enjoy having candles but since the Bath & Body Works shut down near my apartment I haven't had the chance to buy any good ones in a long time. That's why when I saw this candle I instantly opened it up to take a whiff and boy did it smell good. It reminds me of an ocean breeze and instantly calms me down, I seriously can't wait to light this baby up and channel the beach into my room.

• Kendra Scott Elisa necklace in Black Cat's Eye (Sugg. Retail: $50) - For a person who works in the fashion industry I am surprisingly slim on accessories. This black oval stone necklace will make a great addition to my collection as it's unlike anything else I have. Plus, this necklace alone pays back for the box!

• Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip (Sugg. Retail: $22) - You probably already know this but beauty is where my true passion lies so I was incredibly overjoyed to see this lip gloss from Bite Beauty. It's a new hot pink shade specifically created to celebrate Popsugar Must Have's second birthday and it smells absolutely delicious. Bite Beauty is known for having products that are practically edible and this lip gloss is no exception with strawberry, coconut and avocado oils.

• Lollia At Last Perfumed Shower Gel (Sugg. Retail: $22) - Unfortunately some of this shower gel spilled out of the tube on its way to me so when I opened it up it was a giant sticky mess. After the clean up I immediately put it to use in the shower and completely fell in love. Infused with shea butter and jojoba oil this shower gel left my skin feeling hydrated and smooth, plus it leaves a relaxing floral scent.

• Goodbyn Purple Meal and Dipper Set (Sugg. Retail: $8) - I'll be honest, I felt a little guilty when I saw this sitting in my box because it reminded me how much money I spend on lunch every day. I've been meaning to begin bringing my own lunch to work but the last thing I want to do at night is pack my lunch for the next day. Not sure if I'll be getting much use out of this container set but hopefully the fact that I have it will eventually guilt me into using it and bringing my own lunch.

• thinkThin Brownie Crunch High Protein Bar - I'm definitely bringing this yummy treat to work as it has 20 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar. It should satisfy my hunger and give me a good energy boost as I start to feel sluggish toward the end of the work day. Let's hope it's as delicious as it sounds.

If you total up the suggested retail prices for all the products included in this box it comes out to be a value of $124; a very good value for a $39.95 subscription service. I was much more pleased with this month's box than the one I received back in May since it had many more products I'd actually use. If you're interested in signing up to receive the Popsugar Must Have box you can get $10 off a 3-month subscription by using the code AUG14SELECT until 9/10/14.

See you all real soon!

Disclosure: POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Review: Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

I mentioned in my monthly wish list for July that I planned on purchasing this Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream ($70) to help with the incredibly dry skin around my eyes. Immediately after I wrote that post I placed an order for the eye cream through Barneys New York. It arrived a few days later in the mail and I immediately put it to use.

I had used the Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream in the past but refrained from buying it due to the high price tag. However, since I hadn't found anything better since then and my skin was getting worse, I figured it was time to go back to what's tried and true.

July Wish List 2014 (Bobbi Brown, The Face Shop & More!)

Have you ever walked into a store not planning on buying anything, only to walk out an hour later having spent over $100? This would happen to me all too often and I realized my lack of purpose was mainly to blame.

I'm sure you've all seen those articles telling you to write down your grocery lists so that you spend less time and money at the supermarket and my monthly wish lists work on the same principle. I like to make a note at the beginning of every month of what products I'm set on buying so that I don't overspend and so far it's been working.

Independence Day Nails

To all my readers who live in the states: Happy Independence Day! Our beautiful country gained its independence on this day back in 1776. Whether you're barbecuing outside or staying in and eating apple pie like me, it's a great day to be celebrating. To get into the festive spirit I decided last night to try my hand at a 4th of July inspired nail design.

June Favorites 2014

It certainly has been quite some time since my last post and per usual I have my reasons. I graduated from college at the end of May and jumped straight into the workforce, so things have been nothing short of hectic. However, it did occur to me that this is the beginning of July and that means its time for June's monthly favorites.

June Favorites 2014

Unboxing: June Ipsy Glam Bag

I was excited to find my June Ipsy Glam Bag waiting for me at home after I returned from vacationing in Florida. This month's theme was "Pretty in Paradise" and it included a beautiful Rebecca Minkoff bag and 5 products perfect for the upcoming summer months.
The makeup bag was designed by Rebecca Minkoff and as you can see from the photo below it had a tropical floral design on the outside. The bag felt sturdy and seemed to be made of a much nicer material than past bags that I've received. Looks like Ipsy heard my plea to stick with higher quality  makeup bags!

Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

Between job hunting, finals and graduation, I haven't had the time to try out many new products. But today I come to you with a (fairly) new product in hand, the L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara ($7.97+). It's advertised in magazines, has its own TV commercial and is talked about all over YouTube so naturally I had to try it.

Manicure Monday: Easy Floral Nails by Janelle

In my last Manicure Monday post I shared with you all a Marimekko inspired nail design by Janelle. This week I decided to try my hand at another one of Janelle's designs, an Easy Floral Nails look that I thought would compliment my graduation dress rather nicely. It was a bit of a rush job so please excuse any imperfections.

Overall, I think it came out very well and I'm sure if I had taken some more time it would've been amazing. If you want to try out this design for yourself head on over to Janelle's Easy Floral Nails tutorial on YouTube, you don't need a lot of skill to do this look nor do you need any professional tools. I actually prefer the Marimekko inspired design over this one, but that's my personal preference. Which one do you like better?
See you all next time!
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Unboxing: Popsugar May Must Have Box

Earlier this week I had a wonderful surprise waiting in my mailbox and it was the May Popsugar Must Have Box! As a Popsugar Select Blogger I received a complimentary box to try out. I've heard a lot about the Popsugar Must Have Boxes and I have had the chance to review the special edition NatureBox a couple weeks back so I was excited to open it up and see what was inside.

Popsugar Must Have Boxes are $39.95/month and come with full-size hand-selected beauty, fashion, home, fitness and food products. It's much pricier than your typical subscription box service but if you consider the fact that you're getting full-sized products that are hand-picked by the Popsugar team it doesn't seem as unreasonable anymore. Plus, if you keep reading I'll be sharing how to get $10 off a 3 month subscription!

Unboxing: May Ipsy Glam Bag

Toward the middle of the month most people get a little worn-out. It's not quite as exciting as the beginning of a new month, nor is it as satisfying as making it through to the end. However, what the middle of the month means to me is a new Ipsy Glam Bag full of surprise goodies to keep me going.
If you remember my bag from last month you'll know that it had a rocker chic vibe and was full of products that I was super excited to try. This month's bag is a little tamer with cosmetics in lighter colors and skincare products tailored for the summer.

Manicure Monday: Marimekko Inspired Nail Art by Janelle

I haven't done my nails in months! I've been alternating between au naturale and OPI Nail Envy in order to keep my nails healthy during the brutal winter we experienced in NYC. However, now that warmer weather is here (and hopefully here to stay), I've gotten bit by the nail art bug and decided to try out a nail design by Janelle of Elle & ish.

Inspired by Finnish designer Marimekko's signature floral prints, this nail design just screamed Spring. I used my own combination of nail polishes but kept the shades true to Janelle's original color palette. It wasn't as hard as it looked and I was incredibly satisfied with my handiwork once I saw the final product. I received tons of compliments on my nails from coworkers and friends over the past two weeks that I've been sporting this design. Seriously though, check out Janelle's tutorial on YouTube as well as her other designs because she is hands down my favorite nail art blogger!

POPSUGAR Must Have Snacks by NatureBox

As I sit here chowing down on my Seaweed Rice Pops I'm excited to tell you about a limited-edition POPSUGAR Must Have box of five handpicked snacks by POPSUGAR Editor in Chief Lisa Sugar. As a serial snacker, the opportunity to try these healthy treats was one I couldn't pass up.

April Ipsy Glam Bag

I know it's been a while since I last wrote a post and I sincerely apologize. Life got in the way as usual and I couldn't find the time to blog. I can't guarantee that I'll be back on a regular schedule since I'm graduating soon and finals are just around the corner, but I will try my best. Now let's get on to what this post is actually about. My April Ipsy Glam Bag arrived while I was away in Spain and I couldn't have been more excited to see it waiting for me in my mailbox when I got back. I opened it right away and was instantly intrigued when I saw that it had a rock star theme. I thought smokey eyes and glitter, but what I found inside was all that and more.

DEDICATED: Warby Parker's Spectrum Sun Collection

I'm super excited to have been contacted by a representative at Warby Parker to help announce the new Warby Parker Spectrum Sun Collection which launched today Tuesday, March 18th at 9AM EST on their website and in stores! Here's some of my favs:

Downing Striped Sassafras 

 Hall Whiskey Tortoise

Minnie Striped Sassafras I'm a sucker for sunglasses, which is evidenced by my rather large collection and I'm thinking about dropping by the Warby Parker store to try these on in person. I'm leaning toward the Downing frame at the moment since they kind of remind me of the Ray-Ban club masters with a bit more of a cat-eye flair.

February Favorites (Beauty, Home Goods & Gaming!)

It's been rather gloomy these days but there was finally enough sunlight for me to film my February Favorites. This favorites video is a little different from my prior ones in that I'll be sharing some non-beauty favorites as well!