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Puristry | Organic Skincare

If you have been reading my blog, you know that I love skincare.  I am always open to trying new products, especially as I have gotten older.  A few months ago, I saw that there was a new skincare line being carried exclusively at my favorite clothing store, Anthropologie.  I made a mental note to try a few of the products, but I was super excited when I was actually contacted by Puristry to review a few of their products.

A little background on the skincare brand.  Susie Wang (I like her name), the founder of 100% Pure collaborated with Anthropologie to create this 6 piece skincare line.  It is made with USDA-certified organic ingredients which include wild botanicals, hydrating oils and antioxident-rich berries.  I love the packaging.  The glass bottles are simple but luxurious – just like the products. The best part is that the products are cruelty free, have no artificial fragrances, sulfates, parabens, amongst a ton of other toxins.  Read on for my review on 2 products from the line.

Vine Therapy Serum | Anthropologie $65:  Grape seeds are used for anti-aging in this serum along with collagen-boosting algae. What I like about this serum is that it isn’t too heavy, especially for the hot summer nights.  It’s light but definitely hydrating. My favorite part is the smell. It reminds me of a luxurious day at the spa.  As soon as I put this on, I can see a nice glow on my face.  This has become one of my favorite things to put on at night before heading to bed.

Yerba Mate Eye Cream | Anthropologie $48: This eye cream is exactly what it says in the name, it’s creamy.  Put a pea size pump onto my ring fingers and dab away at my under eyes.  The yerba mate is caffeine-rich and will help with circulation around the eyes.  What you will get is a vibrant and awake under eye.  I tried other eye creams and I really like this one.  I could definitely see a difference after a few days of using this product.

Overall, I love how this line uses pure ingredients along with chemistry to give great results.  You can tell that a lot of thought and care went into these products to make sure that the best organic ingredients were used.  I will be getting a few more items to try and adding them to my regular skincare routine.  Definitely give the brand a try the next time you’re in Anthropologie.  Your skin will thank you!

*Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.*

Beauty Style

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2017 Favorites

It’s one of the most wonderful times of year!  Did you know that Nordstrom sells more during this event than during the holidays?  That’s insane!  This year I was a bit more wise about what I spent my money on.  It could be because I’m older, wiser, and have other bills to pay for.  I was really looking for some trendy items that I didn’t want to spend full price on.  Ready to see what I bought?  Let’s get started….

  1. Asics Gel-Nimbus 19 Running Shoe | Nordstrom $119.90/after sale $159.95:  Since I have been doing Orangetheory Fitness a few times a week, I have been having to replace my shoes every year or so.  My current shoes are starting to loose the cushion so I figured this was a great time to buy some new ones.  I love the color and Asics are great shoes. I have flat feet so I need a bit more support and these seem to do that.  Can’t wait to try these on the treadmill!
  2. PUMA Leadcat Logo Slide Sandal | Nordstrom $25.90/after sale $39.95: I have been eyeing shoes like these for awhile.  It’s been a huge trend.  I would LOVE to get the GUCCI ones but adulting means making difficult choices.  I do not NEED the Gucci ones.  These black slides fit the bill and will get me to Soulcycle classes and back (which is exactly what I will be using them for).  They run big – I am usually a 9/9.5 and got these in 8.5.  FYI – they only run in half sizes.
  3. HALOGEN Button Back Ruffle Hem Dress | Nordstrom $64.90/after sale $99.00: Floral is such a huge trend right now.  I have been looking for floral dress to possibly wear to a wedding in September.  This might be it!  The back button detail is adorable and I like the print.  Pair this with some nude heels and I will be good to go!  This runs tts.
  4. Current/Elliot The Stiletto High Waist Skinny Jeans | Nordstrom $131.90/after sale $218.00:  I love high waisted jeans and I love ‘The Stiletto‘ style from Current/Elliot so this was almost a no brainer.  The bottom has the step hem which is a trend I have been wanting to try.  Can’t wait to wear these the rest of summer!
  5. Tory Burch Claire Ballerina Flat | Nordstrom $164.90/after sale $258.00-268.00:  I’m always on the lookout for some good work flats.  Gold is one of my favorite colors and TB flats are usually pretty good for my feet.  Staple!
  6. Clarisonic Sensitive Brush Head Set | Nordstrom $74.00/after sale $81.00:  If you don’t own a Clarisonic, where have you been?  It’ll break your skin out like a mofo in the beginning but after that, it’ll be smooth and clear.  These brush head refills are expensive, so why not get them on sale?
  7. Jo Malone London Cologne Collection | Nordstrom $115.00/beauty exclusive (brought in for the event): I love using a fragrance but I never finish them.  The bottles are just way too big and I don’t spray enough.  These little bottles are perfect and I get to try a few new scents that I haven’t tried before.  This brand’s cologne’s are one of the only ones that don’t smell musky on me.  A lot of the higher end fragrances have so many notes in them that they clash on me.  These smell sweet and fresh!

Hope you enjoyed my list of purchases.  Did you find anything at the Anniversary Sale that I need?  TELL ME!!!  Sale ends in a few weeks.  Get shopping (with a Nordstrom card, of course!)!

 

 

Beauty

Tartelette in Bloom

I have a confession to make.  I have an obsession with palettes…eyeshadow palettes to be specific.  I must have at least 6 of these by now.  What do I need 6 palettes for?  How many eyes do I have?  Confessions of a cosmetics junkie.  Makeup palettes are just so darn pretty – it’s hard to pass up.  I have the first 3 Urban Decay Naked Palettes (I LOVE the Naked2 Palette.  If you’re ever going to try one, this is the one to get hands down), 2 Charlotte Tilbury ones, 1 Bobbi Brown one and now….this wonderful, beautiful tarte one.  In my defense, I travel a lot for work.  Wouldn’t these be great for travel?

First of all, look at the swatches.  They’re gorgeous!  I am very into neutral tones in case you couldn’t tell.  I like how this has a blend of matte and luster finishes.  These eyeshadows are pretty pigmented and easily blend-able.  As I was using my finger to swatch the colors, it was like touching butter! When I went to Sephora to purchase this palette, the associate ringing me up said “This is my current FAVORITE palette.  The colors are beautiful.”  Thank you Sephora employee for verifying my absolute NEED for this.  ha!

In conclusion, if you’re looking for an eyeshadow palette that you will reach for every day, this is it.  The price point isn’t too terrible either.  Luckily, I had a $50 gift card that I received for my birthday back in May so all I had to pay was 3 pennies.  Yes, $0.03. What a steal!

tarte Tartlette in Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette | Sephora $46

Beauty

June Birchbox Review

It’s been awhile blog friends.  Hope there are still a few of you out there.  I just started my 2 week staycation and I have to say…I’M BACK!!!  So far on this staycation I have, worked out almost every single day (I’m going to lose some pounds damn it!), I went to the Born Free Motorcycle Show with my boyfriend (and now I know what’s it like to go to a festival in the desert – it was 100 degrees), and I helped save a kitten and find it a forever home (I have done my good deed for the month and I think I want to foster kittens now….).  So that’s what I have been up to on the other side of the computer screen.

Now, on to the blog – I have so many new reviews and I am so excited to share them with all of you.  Now, let’s get back to business.  First up…

This month’s Birchbox had a mix of really great products and some that were not so great.  Let’s begin with the good…

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray | Birchbox $46:  If you get Birchbox, you know that each month – you get to pick one of your samples.  This is the one I picked.  It is one of my holy grail products that I use on my hair every single day.  I am a “messy hair don’t care” type of gal and this stuff gives it just the right amount of texture and grit.  Plus, it has a lovely smell.  Well worth the money.  I must be on my 5th bottle!

Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 | Birchbox $39:  When BB cream was all the range a few years back, Dr. Jart+ was one of the first BB creams I used.  This was actually the same exact one.  I loved it, except I realized after awhile that it was clogging my pores.  That’s just me though.  If you’re looking for a premium BB cream, this is it and it comes in 2 different shades.  I’m Shade #1 if you are curious.

Vasanti BrightenUp! New Skin Amplifying Moisturizer | Birchbox $34: I love the Vasanti brand.  In one of my first Birchbox’s, I got a sample of the Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and it was life changing.  I love this exfoliator. So when I got a sample of this moisturizer, I was super excited.  It’s lightweight which is good for a day time moisturizer (make sure you put on your SPF too!) and for the hot summer months.  Great if you have oily skin and need a light moisturizer.

Now let’s get to the not so good products…

Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil | Birchbox $24:  I feel like I’m always saying this with these types of reviews but…I had high hopes for this.  I was so excited to see that it was coming in my box.  However, the sample was the SMALLEST SAMPLE EVER!  When I tried it on my eyebrows, I couldn’t get a good grip on it.  I can’t even give you an honest opinion on this because the sample was so small.  No Benefit Cosmetics…NO!  How could you do this?  Very poor marketing on your part….

Manna Kadar Cosmetics Eye Candy Priming Shadow Stick | Birchbox $24:  This thing came to me broken.  I didn’t even want to open the cap and deal with the stick falling out and making a mess.  So I just took a picture of it and threw it in the trash.  Amazing that it is of such low quality, it broke going through the mail.  I didn’t even get this during the heat wave… so I can’t say that it melted in the Southern California heat.  NOPE.

3 out of 5 were winners.  YAY!

If you want to get your own Birchbox, click here!  Until next time!

 

 

 

 

Beauty

May Birchbox Review

May has been a super busy month for me so far.  I had a few work trips that have been keeping me busy and the oh so important –  my birthday!  After you turn 30, you’re like your parents where you don’t remember your age/you don’t want to tell anyone your real age. HA!  I hate getting a year older but I love celebrating my birthday with friends!  I had to work on my birthday but I have made it a tradition to go to Ruth’s Chris with my colleagues and it’s worked out great!  Who can say no to steak and sizzling butter?  Absolutely no one.

I know I skipped out on April’s Birchbox review and I thought I wouldn’t even notice.  Well, my desk sure noticed.  After May’s Birchbox came – I saw that I was starting to accumulate samples and had no plan to ever try them.  BAD!  So here I go, continuing with my monthly Birchbox reviews.

OUAI Wave Spray | Birchbox $26:  I have been wanting to try out OUAI brand products for so long.  I am a closet Kardashian fan and have been following Jen Atkin for awhile since she does their hair.  Also, SoulCycle now carries her products in their restrooms, so it must be good right?  Well, maybe I need to try a different product from her line.  This stuff smells great but gives hair a crunchy feel.  I will be sticking to my LUSH Sea Spray.


Whish Firming Body Cream | Birchbox $36:  This stuff is supposed to target the appearance of stretch marks and blemishes.  Do I believe this?  No.  Did I like using it as a normal body cream?  Yes.  It has a nice, light, floral scent and isn’t too thick.  Would I purchase this?  Nope.  For body lotion, I like to stay with the middle of the road ones.  Typically because they smell nice but I don’t usually spend too much money on body lotion.

MAC Cosmetics Strobe Cream | Birchbox $33:  I am on highlighter overload right now.  However, I do like that you can dab dab dab on the parts of your face that you want to highlight and it will blend perfectly.  It’s not too shimmery and won’t make your face look like a disco ball (unless you want it to, then you can keep on adding!). I actually really like MAC’s skin products and think this is a great buy if you want a glow from within (add it to your foundation or lotion) or if you are looking into a liquid highlighter.

The Beauty Crop Fabulous Flocking Lashes | Birchbox $22:  I wish I could tell Birchbox to stop sending me mascaras.  I always hope that a mascara will work for my eyelashes, but they never do.  The only one I can use is Cover Girl Lash Blast Very Black Waterproof.  The Beauty Crop Fabulous Flocking Lashes looked promising.  I loved the packaging, it’s waterproof and contains argan oil to help moisturize your lashes.  However, immediately after curling my lashes and applying this stuff – my lashes went straight. The good news is that they were looked really long.  If you have stubborn straight Asian eyelashes like me, skip this.

COOLA SPF 30 Organic Makeup Setting Spray | Birchbox $36: I like the idea of this.  I sprayed it on and immediately thought to myself – “this stuff smells weird.”  Now all day I have the smell on my face and I get whiffs of it as I sit at my desk. It’s supposed to give a matte finish, but after about 1 hour – my face was back to being a bit oily.  The best thing about this stuff is that it has SPF.  I like the other SPF products from COOLA that I have, but I don’t think I will be recommending this one.

Unfortunately this Birchbox was a bust for me this month.  However, I still love trying out new products and maybe I would have bought the full size version of any of these and then figured out I didn’t like them.  This is so much more fun!  haha

If you want to get your own Birchbox, click here!  Until next time!