Essence Beauty Box: July 2016

I was on the fence about writing a post about this box mostly because... well, does anyone read blog posts that much anymore? It seems like most people prefer video reviews which I'm not about ready to do anytime soon. Anyhow, I have a love/hate relationship with beauty boxes lately -- they are great for trying out new products, but makeup boxes are notoriously difficult for getting makeup that matches or works well with my skin tone. Last year I subbed to Ipsy and Birchbox to build out my bridesmaids bags and while that worked out wonderfully for them, I would think to myself, "This would suck if this were just a box for me or just one of the girls, but it's great to split up amongst four of them." So when Essence offered a first box for $1, I figured that's a deal.

I'm slowly working my way through each of the samples, but this is seriously the first box I've ever gotten whereby I actually might use everything in it. I want to take a moment to appreciate the awesomeness of this. Yes, there is no "true" makeup inside, but come on, this is amazing. In this month's box I received:

• Ciaté London Mini Paint Pot in Pillow Talk
• Completely Bare Shave Serum
• Dickinson's Witch Hazel Towelettes
• Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Conditioner
• Pop Beauty Kajal Pen in Inky Purple
• Pur~Lisse Blue Lotus Essential Daily Moisturizer

The Nail Polish: At first I was a little bit sad that the colour I got was more of a "pebble gray." I tried it on anyway and got really annoyed at how gummy it got as I was painting my nails. After it dried though, it was wonderfully smooth and held up without any chips for quite a few days. The colour itself grew on me so I'm actually quite happy to have gotten this.

The Shaving Serum: Admittedly, I didn't realize it was a serum till I started using it. I figured that it was similar to Whish Shaving Cream that I got a few months ago. Not quite. My skin felt so moisturized during the shave and afterwards which is a great feeling for dry skin. I love this serum and I'm thrilled to now know that there are awesome things out there for shaving.

The Hair Conditioner: I saw "kinky" curls on the label and was a little bit afraid. My hair is curly (or swurly) so I knew either my hair would freak out and get all dry like it does after I use coconut oil or it would be happy. It chose to be happy! My hair was much curlier and felt bouncier after using it. Once again, I'm thrilled to have this in a box because ordinarily, I would shy away from a product like this.

I have yet to try the other products however I will say that I've liked how well Dickinson's and Pur~Lisse has worked for me in the past. So I definitely am glad they were in the box and look forward to using them next. I have heard of Pop Beauty before but I never used their products, so once again, I'm glad to be exposed to a line that I haven't used before.

Overall, this was a fantastic start to the Essence Beauty Box and I'm excited to see what comes through in next month's box. Although I was able to snag the first box with a code for $1, subsequent boxes cost $15 a month. 

Review: Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream

While on a quick trip out to see my parents, I didn't want to lug around too much weight (because, well, my parents would have a lot of things for me to bring back with me) so from my samples stash (this one was courtesy of Sephora when I purchased stuff from the Disney Reigning Beauties Jasmine collection) I grabbed the smallest container of facial moisturizer I could find. 

I admit, I of course did not know anything about this sample, I actually didn't even remember that I had it till I went looking for something to be sufficient for the trip. I knew that I would likely not wear any makeup the entire time I was in New York given the humidity so I wanted to make sure that I had a good moisturizer. Turns out that I had selected a great one. 

So here are my "uninformed" notations:

• Feels great in terms of texture.
• Light and airy and doesn't cause oiliness to my skin.
• Does not react well to the humidity so the rice papers are still necessary to take care of excess sheen. 
• Does work well on "regular" days (meaning that they weren't around 80° F [27° C]) and no oily sheen would appear.

Now I know that the last two points would do a lot of moisturizers in but let's keep in mind that my face is somewhat difficult. It takes a very specific blend in order to maintain the oiliness in my skin (as demonstrated by my trip to Hawaii last year) which is hard to establish within a week. However I'd like to move away from that point as that's not what this moisturizer is advertised for. Upon looking it up after my trip, I was a bit astounded that I was so naive about this moisturizer. This particular one is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, and triclosan. Basically it fits the criteria that I prefer to have for facial moisturizers.

The drawback though was just that it carries a hefty price -- full size at 2 ounces is $94. I'm quite glad that I even had this sample of it because it really put it into perspective for me. It's a firming and lifting cream (I know that that says that on the label, but I didn't pay attention) and it didn't quite do anything for me. Not that I expected it to, but not that I saw anything remarkable about it either. Perhaps it was the fact that I was jetlagged and then remained tired for the rest of the week that I had used it. But really there wasn't anything different so for that... Well, it was a bit disappointing. As a regular moisturizer, it's pricey but good and but for what it's supposed to do, it's not that great for me.

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Product: Algenist Firming & Lifting Cream
Price: $94 (for the full sized)
Stars: ★★★☆☆
Would Recommend? No.
Takeaway: Although the entire time I used it, I remained blissfully unaware of what it was actually supposed to to, as a moisturizer it was okay. As a lifting and firming cream, it fell short.

Review: Jess Bee's Natural Lip Balm & Shea Butter Lotion

Items were received by Kara's Way complimentary.

Maria of Kara's Way fame was kind enough to give me a few samples from Jess Bee's and the first thing that
registered when I got them was "shea butter." I love all things shea butter (or cocoa butter, for that matter) especially since I deal with dryness all the time. My boyfriend ended up taking the peppermint lip balm which he is happily keeping right by his keyboard whereas I keep my unscented lip balm in the nightstand.

Needless to say that these items were a hit with us. But let's do some quick comparisons since that's what this blog is about. On the surface the lip balms are great since they function as they should. However when compared to my tube of Wholly Hemp they don't quite stack up. I will admit that I like them better than say Burt's Bees for the moisturizing factor but they are as moisturizing as they could be. They do however still function well and overall I do like them, I just can't say that I'm in love with them. Still for an all natural lip balm (it is made of sweet almond oil, beeswax, soybean oil, organic shea butter and Vitamin E), it works well and feels great.

The shea butter lotion is a big hit with me as it's is a whipped moisturizer which means that it doesn't harden as shea butter would and that makes it easier to apply. The light tangerine scent makes it all the more amazing for me (since I love citrus scents) and it's actually kind of fun to apply. I have been using at night on my legs as I've been experiencing a bit more dryness there lately and it's been working out extremely well.

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Product: Jess Bee's Natural The Best Natural Lip Balm in Peppermint & Natural (Unscented)

Price: $3

Stars: ★★★★☆

Takeaway: Great product though not the most moisturizing that I've had. Nonetheless it works great and comes in great scents. 

Product: Jess Bee's Natural Shea Butter Lotion in Tangerine (Sample Size)

Price: $2
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: For anyone who is familiar with shea butter, this whipped lotion is amazing since it has all the benefits and none of the... solidity that shea butter. It also comes in wonderful scents that makes it fun to apply.

Review: Native Touch Warrior Bear Rub Mini

Since Kara's Way May 2012 box, Native Touch has become one of my favourite brands for moisturizers. I still have the Native Touch Rooting Bear Rub because I've been hoarding it and a while ago, Maria of Kara's Way gave me a sample of the Warrior Bear Rub Mini which was part of the December 2012 box.

Like the Rooting Bear Rub, this one is very moisturizing which has been great for me (especially at work) since I tend to wash my hands a lot. This blend uses a base of shea butter and has tea tree oil, lavender oil, and rosemary oil in it which gives it that extra moisturizing boost. If you find yourself frequently washing your hands or if you have dried cracked skin this would be an amazing addition to your line up of skincare.

It can be a bit greasy and as work I tend to find my fingerprints all over after I've used it, but it's nothing that isn't too bothersome. I've somewhat gotten used to it and I'm actually okay with my shiny keyboard. If greasiness is something that bothers you, I'd recommend switching to overnight use to pack the moisture back in and likely not using this as a hand lotion during the day.

If you've been following this blog, then you might already be familiar with my never ending quest to find and use several different hand lotions. I wash my hands frequently whether I'm at home or at work which means that my already dry skin needs to have moisture packed back in (even if I'm going to wash my hands 1-2 hours later). Like the Rooting Bear Rub, I love this one and while I try to use it sparingly due to my love, I end up using it a lot because it works so well. It's pretty comparable to others that I use frequently, if not better. It's definitely worth the greasiness in my opinion but that's something you'll have to contend with if you deal with dryness and/or don't like the greasiness. A little of this product goes a long way so the miniature version is most certainly worth it.

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This product was featured in the December Kara's Way box and was given to me complimentary for my evaluation.

Product: Native Touch Warrior Bear Rub Mini
Price: $2.99 (for the Mini Size)
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: I love this product though I will admit that it's a bit greasier than most that I've encountered -- it is way more moisturizing and great for dry skins (or even those that wash their hands frequently). The greasiness can be annoying if you aren't used to it but I still think it's great to have -- if even just the small version.

Review: Now Solutions Shea Butter

Shea butter and cocoa butter have long been staples around me, no matter where I am. It started with my very dry skin and my parents' attempt to make it better for me. Since they grew up with cocoa butter, when I'd experience tightness with my skin, we'd quickly rub some cocoa butter on it. Eventually shea butter rose in popularity which made it easier to find on shelves. So, to this day, no matter where I am, there's a tub of shea or cocoa butter around. 

If you've got dry skin or if you scratch your skin, shea butter (or cocoa butter) is pretty good to keep around. Yes, it's a bit greasy to start and it's hard to work it in well (more about that below), but that's what helps. I was prone to scratch quite a bit so having skin that was greasy thereafter meant that I couldn't actually scratch that well. (Also, if you use shea butter as a lotion thereafter and still need to do stuff like typing, you can wear gloves). Over time though, it will sink in and not be as greasy as cocoa butter.

Shea butter can be a little bit hard to work with the first time round, especially if you're in a cold area. It hardens up and will require either a bit of microwaving (not too much!) or suspension in hot liquid in order to melt it down. It softens with warmth so if you get a small chunk, your own body's warmth will be able to melt it down. 

Shea butter can be used for a multitude of things, none of which I've actually used it for. I do use it for massages here and there and once in a blue moon, I'll slather it on my feet to soften them back up again. When I was younger and my face was dry and I used to have acne scars, I'd use cocoa butter as an overnight cream which worked wonders for me. The reason why I mention this is that shea butter is actually much better to use for this (especially if you have acne problems) since shea butter is non-comedogenic and won't clog your pores like cocoa butter would. 

Choosing between shea butter and cocoa butter is tough, and I'll admit that I have a tub of each. Cocoa butter is what I'll use at night since it's a bit greasier and shea butter is my preference for the day. 

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Product: Now Solutions Shea Butter
Price: $6-$10
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: For dry skin, it's great as a moisturizer and night facial moisturizer. Since it absorbs a bit more quickly than cocoa butter, it's especially great throughout the day. 

Review: Wholly Hemp Moisturizing Cream & Lip Balm

So before I can begin my review about Wholly Hemp, I first need to state how wonderfully awesome their customer service is. Over on Reddit, the owner of Wholly Hemp visited /r/NaturalBeauty and offered to send some samples along. They sent over some to me but they ended up getting lost in the mail (even though it said it was delivered, it just never made it's way to me) so I contacted them and told them I really appreciated what they did and thanked them for the opportunity even though I didn't get the items. Turns out that they resent the package and I was ecstatic to see what was inside. 

As my story would imply, they are very focused on skin products and at that, making a good product that helps with skin issues such as "acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or sensitive skin in general."  In the package they sent a full sized bar of Geranium Rose Soothing Soap, Bodacious Bergamot Moisturizing Cream, and Raw Lip Balm.

Since I'm still working on that bottle of Pacifica body wash, it wouldn't be logical for me to start using the soap, so I'll likely be following up in a later post about it. I have been using the lip balm and the moisturizing cream for the last few weeks so here's what I can report on.

I love the lip balm -- and yes, I am a sucker for lip balms in the first place which makes this a bit difficult so let's compare to another staple: Burt's Bees. Tis an odd one to compare it to however it's a simple product that it's as mentholated as Burt's Bees. The ingredient list for Wholly Hemp is as follows: coconut oil, beeswax, sunflower oil, hemp seed oil, vitamin E, peppermint oil, rosemary extract -- which makes it a very simple formula without all the frills. And very simply, it works. No chapped feeling and no weird feeling of buildup thereafter either. I'm somewhat of a lip balm junkie and that's the one thing that annoys me about most lip balms: buildup. I haven't experienced that with this lip balm.

The Bergamot moisturizer is another favourite (and not just because it smells like one of my favourite teas). It is a bit greasy and that greasiness is much different than the type experienced with Native Touch Warrior Bear Rub Mini. The Warrior Bear Rub has a kind of greasiness that stays with you and doesn't ever really go away but that's due to the shea butter base. The Bergamot moisturizer does utilize a shea butter base, but seems to be more heavy on the oils which means that it absorbs much better. Sure, it starts of oily, but over time it absorbs quickly and even when I find myself typing or using my mouse, it eventually fades.

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Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary however all opinions are my (especially since they didn't know that I'd be writing a blog post about the products).

Product: Geranium Rose Soothing Soap
Price: $5

Product: Bodacious Bergamot Moisturizing Cream (1.5 oz)
Price: $5
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: Love this and not just because I'm a junkie for lotions, but for the fact that it's packed with moisture and while it make take a little bit for the oiliness to subside, eventually it is absorbed which makes it a great hand lotion or all over moisturizer.

Product: Raw Lip Balm
Price: $3
Stars: ★★★★★
Takeaway: So I'm kind of a lip balm addict and what sets this one apart is just the fact that it works and it's a simple formula. No thrills, no perfumes, no dyes, just a simple moisturizer that I love. This has been a happy addition to my lip balm lineup... so much so that I kind of don't want to use my other ones that have dyes and have a lot of fragrance.

The Difference of a Version

A little while ago, I was updating some of my staples blog post and I remembered that I had switched back to a foaming cleanser when I'm at my boyfriend's place. The thing is that I know exactly which one I did switch back to, but I wasn't sure what brand. Did I switch back to the CVS Ultra Calm Foaming Cleanser or Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser?

So here's the thing about the original versus the generic (or the store brand), they look the same and sometimes they act the same. The store brand is sometimes cheaper but that doesn't always necessarily mean it's better. It's kind of a gamble to be honest.

A few years ago, someone gifted the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser to me, which I normally wouldn't get on my own. I had been a pretty staunch user of Noxzema all of my life, but I noticed that the foam gets my makeup off way faster. As of now, it's still a toss up between the two. So why grab a CVS version rather than the original? Honestly, it was likely due to availability. Something I bemoan constantly about (on this blog) is that items fly off the shelf at my local CVS which has caused me to change up routine on more than one occasion.  So sometimes, I settle for the store brand version. Sometimes, it really did come down to the price.

Here's a short list of things I noticed in the bathroom that tend to be almost interchangeable with the store brand version, based on availability.

Original	Store Brand	Observations	Thoughts
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser ($5.99)	CVS Ultra Calm Foaming Cleanser ($4.49)	The CVS version is cheaper and the ingredients are almost exactly the same (the difference is that the CVS explicitly states that it does contain Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide and the original says that it may contain those items).	I have no issues using these interchangeably, especially if one isn't on the shelves. They work exactly the same for me.
Aveeno Active Naturals Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 ($12.74)	CVS Illuminating Moisturizer with SPF (No Longer Available).	I can't find an ingredient listing so I can't compare the initial observations.	So here's the thing, I never tried the original. I was looking for something that could travel better than my Alba Hawaiian facial moisturizer so I was specifically looking for a pump. I found this on the shelf and I'm okay with it.
Noxzema The Original Deep Cleansing Cream ($3.74)	CVS Cleansing Skin Cream Original ($2.99)	While the CVS version is certainly cheaper, there's a lot more variation in the ingredients. The drugstore version is missing these: Eucalyptus, Globulus Leaf Oil, Sodium Bicarbonate, Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Potassium Chloride. While the drugstore version does have Eucalyptus Oil, I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes.	While I could use them interchangeably, I really do have a preference for the Noxzema brand. Perhaps it's because of the extra oils, but it just seems more refreshing on my skin.
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque ($2.79 Walgreens)	CVS Purifying Mint Masque (No Longer Available).	These two were about the same price, but for some reason, the CVS' around here don't carry them. Walgreens does, but during the time I was looking to replace my last tube, I couldn't find it on the shelves. Instead I found the store brand version. The ingredients are the same.	Queen Helene, hands down. If only I could find it in steady supply. The CVS version burns like crazy at the beginning which is amazing for a product that is exactly the same ingredients as the original.
Vaseline Cocoa Butter Lotion ($5.49)	CVS Deep Conditioning Moisturizer, Cocoa Butter ($3.74)	Here's another instance where the drugstore version varies a bit. Between the two, the drugstore is missing the following: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil or Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Collagen Amino Acids, Lecithin, Mineral Water, Sodium PCA, Potassium Lactate, Lactic Acid.	I tend to slather lotion on quite a bit. I'd prefer the original, hands down, as it feels the best. The problem is that I do use a lot and fining the large size of the original tends to be hard which is why often, I don't really have much of a choice.

So, you might be wondering what the point is. The thing is, the cheaper version isn't always as bad. Sometimes, it doesn't lack quality. But it's kind of up to you to decide what's worth it. For me, availability does weigh heavily in the decision making process. Yes, I'd love to stick to all my staples at all times but sometimes, it just doesn't happen. 

Taking On the World of Disney

For my birthday, my boyfriend and I decided to take on Disney World which was an epic adventure and a lot of fun. It had been 13 years since I had been there and I was excited to experience it all again. I'm generally not big on celebrating my birthday but I figured that in the sea of people, it was easy to go unnoticed, even if you are wearing a large pin that says "Happy Birthday."

It was early but I was ready
for Magic Kingdom. 

Anyhow, let's talk about makeup since Florida is different both temperature wise and climate wise. It's wonderfully warm down there during December and humidity was around the high 50's. So what does this translate to? Well, first, let's consider what was in my makeup bag.

The things I brought along with me: My entire makeup bag which included included the CVS Illuminating Moisturizer with SPF and my Cover FX makeup (the pressed mineral powder and the setting powder). I also walked with all of my eyeliners, mascara, makeup brushes, and makeup sponges.

I did leave behind a lot of my eye shadows, but truth be told, I didn't have any intention of wearing them anyway. The Disney World parks are intense and the one thing you probably don't want to do is wear too much makeup if you have oily skin. I walked with copious amounts of blotting sheets in the event that my makeup would run.

As it turns out, the weather was quite amicable toward my makeup so I had no problem keeping it on. A word of caution though, as you might have noticed with my picture on the right, I went light with my makeup.

I have no news to really report about makeup, but as always, there was something new that I tried on my trip. This time it was a body lotion and a shampoo.

New Items: Dial NutriSkin Replenishing Body Lotion Sensitive Skin and Seventh Generation Baby Shampoo & Wash.

Dial NutriSkin isn't new to me -- a few months ago I tried out the Extra Dry Skin version (and conveniently forgot to write a review about it) and found that I liked it a lot. The only thing I wasn't thrilled with was that I just couldn't find it everywhere which is a problem when it comes time to buy a new bottle.

This time round during a trip to Publix to stock up, the Extra Dry Skin version wasn't anywhere to be found but the Sensitive Skin was. It was also the smallest bottle I could find that would be the best option for our vacation for the week.

I don't know if anyone else ever has this problem but the soaps that you get when vacation can be incredibly drying. When I was done washing my hands or taking a shower my skin would appear ashy white. Thankfully I had this lotion to revive my skin and every single time it made me so happy we sprang for it. They generally go for about ~$5 so at that price, it's not a huge risk to take either. It feels great on the skin, especially one that has been stripped of moisture so I would most definitely recommend this to anyone who has particularly dry skin.

Moving on to the shampoo, I've been keeping to shampoos that are free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, and dyes as best I can. After scouring the selection of normal shampoos without much luck, I headed on over to the infant's section and quickly found a close alternative for the trip. The Seventh Generation Baby Shampoo & Wash does have sulfates, but it doesn't contain parabens or silicones which was a trade I was willing to make fore a short amount of time. I kind of wish I had a loofah so that I could make use of the wash instead of suffering with the bar of soap. The bottle ranges from $6-$8 depending on the location.

My hair was wonderful during the trip which I attribute to the climate of Florida. It constantly appeared bouncy and wurly without ever seeming drab. I think the key item on this trip would have been the lotion because I didn't need the other products nearly as much. As for my hair, I noticed the difference after washing my hair the first day and upon our return to home, my hair return to it's lifeless state again. I think with the previous trips I learned that my skin and hair aren't always going to act the way I expect them to so it's best to be on your toes about visiting a new area that hasn't a different climate.

And now for some quick Disney tips! LeFou's Brew at Gaston's Tavern is an interesting blend and quite sugary. The souvenir cups are wonderfully cute too! For those of you with Disney World in your future, I will strongly recommend Undercover Tourist, not just for the discounted tickets (they are an authorized seller of discount tickets for Disney and Universal Studios, along with some other attractions in the Orlando area)  but also for their blog which is loaded with great tips. 

On Travelling: Lite Camping

I'm actually kind of surprised that I haven't broken down and done the ultimate "travel" post. Well, I'm not that surprised, truth be told I'm wordy and sometimes lazy about taking photographs (especially since I can't edit them and my camera is quite unrully). During my hiatus, I went on a short camping trip and thought to myself that I really ought to write about the experience (especially since it was a lite camping trip) but I wanted to go over some basics that I took with me.

Well, for starters, let me give you a quick run down of the "camping" trip -- it was actually for a Beer and BBQ Festival (I'm setting a tone here), and we camped out for two nights. The campsite came equipped with showers, bathrooms (well, portable toilets), and firewood. Basically this meant that we didn't have to do much heavy lifting -- but because we do share the space with a lot of other people, that did mean that there were certain things that we had to walk with, I'm not going to get into the long list of it, but the items that are worth taking a gander at are below.

Warning: I didn't wear any makeup on this trip because that just would have been silly on my behalf. I did walk with my usual stuff (like deodorant, a toothbrush, and toothpaste).

First things first is the nesting wine glass ($7.50). You can judge me all you want but if you're the only one on the campsite with one, then no one is going to try to take your drink. (This holds especially true when the other wine drinker has a GoVino glass ($3) so there's no confusing the two.)

Jokes aside though, soap, bug spray, and sunscreen are essentials. For the trip I grabbed a tube of the Banana Boat Natural Reflect with SPF 50 (~$10) that was oil and paraben free. I'm not a huge sunscreen fan in general but it's something you've got to do when you're exposed to the sun for a long period of time. I found that I had to reapply it twice (which I was supposed to do) and while I didn't quite like the feel of it, I did like the comfort of knowing it was doing it's job.

I didn't use the bug spray much since insects tend to flee from me but the other campers that I was with found the Cutter Skinsations Insect Repellent to be wonderfully helpful. I always walk with a bottle when I go camping for my friends and so far, no complaints about this one.

Soap is soap and generally I'd toss in a bar of Ivory and call it a day. I did figure though that I should walk with a bar that offered some type of exfoliation though. I grabbed this bar of Yardley of London Scrub & Smooth Bath Bar Sea Minerals which smells like bergamot and lime and is 100% vegetable soap. The bar of soap retails for ~$3 and if you've got several campers and a shower, this will come in handy.

Time to break down what's in that handy makeup bag though. That bag is my camping "makeup" bag and I use that term lightly because there's no actual makeup in there but it is a bag of necessary items. A lot of these items were actually samples, which makes it easy to pull them together and toss into another bag.

• Hand Sanitizer (while we did have a lot of water and wet wipes available, we also ended up doing a lot of cooking. This is great if you're handling meats or just any kind of food.) I grabbed a generic brand that cost about a dollar. 
• Floss and/or flossers. I keep a small spool of floss in the bag but in my other makeup bag (that's in my purse) I keep flossers. Flossers are great for on the go and keep a small spool as a backup (or to share) is just nifty and very useful. 
• Extra elastic hair bands -- I admit, that with short hair, I don't use these much and even last year when I had this bag with long hair, I ended up just putting my hair in a bun and keeping it steady with a pencil. Nonetheless, it's good to have them around.
• Small bottle of lotion. Now I did walk with my purse's makeup bag and in there I keep two other small bottles of lotion as well. I tossed in this one in as extra in case anyone needed it. You should definitely have on around especially if you suffer from dry skin (which is why I keep at least two bottles around).
• Shampoo and/or conditioner. You may not really need this but if you end up with a lot of haircare samples, it doesn't hurt to toss or two of them into a makeup bag especially since they don't take up much space.
• Toothpaste (not pictured is the travel toothbrush). Here's where my makeup bags combine to form a super hygienic pack. My everyday bag has a travel toothbrush (so as long as I have my purse, I can brush my teeth anywhere) but I tend to not carry toothpaste in that one since I'm usually at a friend's place where I'd have to use it. 
• Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital with SPF 30. Well, this was tossed in by my mother (yep, seriously) who is a huge fan of Lancome and demands that I travel with the face cream because it has SPF in it (and in that way, I don't have to slather sunscreen on my face). Admittedly, this is one thing I really love travelling with especially since the other face creams I have either don't have SPF or it's very low. 
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70. Another sample and I'm not sure that this is something I'd actively seek it (because I walk with two items that pretty much cover this area). 

I know I have a Lancome primer in the picture but that shouldn't have been in the bag. I've removed it so no need to put it on the list.

I'm prepping for another trip soon so there shall be more in the series to come!

Kara's Way: June Box

I actually didn't get a box this month however I did help pack some of this month's box and I got a chance to try out most of the products. Some of the reviews for the elements in the box have been posted already however I'll do a quick overview of what arrived in the June edition of this box.

You get 5 items and of which four of them are full size: the mascara, the eye shadow stick, the eye cream and the lip balm. I did not get the lip balm as I have a lot of those already, so from my review, that will be the only part that is missing. The final item is a sample of a cream and while some people got the day cream by Naturelle d'Argan and others got the Olivenol Skin Solutions Moisturizer. I got the Naturelle d'Argan day cream.

Source Defense Day Cream by Naturelle d'Argan
Product Pricing: Retail for a full size is $34.99, you get 2 small samples.
Thoughts: I've been using this one for a while now and overall I like the texture and feel of it. My skin tends to be either too oily or too dry depending on what it feels like doing and overall it has reacted well to this day cream. At times it feels a bit too greasy (if I'm applying just before I'm putting on makeup) but overall it keeps my skin at a happy medium. I do think it's a bit too oily for my face at times so I end up using it as a hand moisturizer from time to time and for that purpose, it works out very well.

Sante Naturkosmetik Mascara Endless Lashes № 03
Original Review: Feeling a bit Rosy
Product Price: You receive a full size which retails for $25.99.
Thoughts: If you've seen my original post then you know that this is one of my favourites. I really weirdly love the scent of mascara and something about wearing a natural mascara makes me feel better (especially considering how often I wear mascara). It's buildable, lasts for a whole day, doesn't flake, and overall is a strong performer in terms of a mascara.

Sante Naturkosmetik Eyeshadow Pencils in Olive № 05
Product Price: You receive a full size which retails for $16.99.
Thoughts: Well, I'm brown so I'm very happy I didn't get Coffee № 08 because that would not have shown up on me at all. Not saying that the green colour does either however it does add a bit of shimmer to my eyes and kind of brightens up the area a bit which leaves me pretty happy with it's overall performance.

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream
Product Price: You receive a sample size of .50 Oz and the full size is 1 Oz which retails for $19.
Thoughts: Weirdly enough (or maybe not so weirdly) I had been pining over the 8 Piece Fruit Pigmented Color Collection so maybe Kara's Way felt my distinct need to try something from this company.

Anyhow, I don't really use eye creams in the traditional way that you should be using eye creams. I use it to moisturize my eyes after I take off any eye makeup so I don't use it for the reduction of puffiness or dark circles (or for whatever other reason that you might use them). My eyes dry out after I put on makeup so if I don't put on moisturizer (at night) after taking off my makeup then my eyelids will be ashy and very white the next day. That being said, I can't attest to dark circles or puffiness, since I never really had a problem with that stuff before. I was still excited to try this though because I've been using Avon Anew Retroactive Repair Eye Serum for just about forever now (yes, it's still discontinued, I just happened to find a bottle in my stash hidden away).

Right off the bat, I love the scent and the texture. It's a creamy buttery coffee scented lotion that I love wearing. I even started wearing it in the morning now just because I love the scent. As I mentioned I don't notice much of a difference but that is because I never really had major issues in the first place. But I do love this and would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a moisturizing eye cream.

Review: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve

If you have dry skin and have been dealing with it for years then you are probably one of those people that is never without a some kind of lotion within an arms' reach. In addition to that, the terms "cocoa butter" or "shea butter" is no stranger to you and is more a necessity rather than a luxury. At my BF's place we keep a small container of shea butter and at my place I keep a small container of cocoa butter -- and yep, for years I've been keeping a small tin of C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve. 

The rose salve (like other salves on the market) are pretty versatile. They are positioned as a lip treatment but if you look at the container, you can pretty much use it anywhere. The scent of it is quite nice and light, it looks glossy and never seems to have much of a tint, and finally the texture. Well, that's a bit of a pain point. It's a bit on the sticky side -- or something like that. Think of Vaseline for a moment and consider slathering Vaseline on because that's what it feels like. The difference is the scent and the fact that isn't as greasy as Vaseline (but still kind of greasy) but the rose extracts help to soothe the skin and in conjunction with the lanolin oil, it moisturizes.

Will it ever replace the cocoa and shea butter containers I have strewn about? No. Rose salve in a way, stands in it's own category. It's great for cuticles and serves as a fantastic lip balm amongst other things. While cocoa and/or shea butter are great for my limbs, rose salve (especially since it comes in such small convenient tins) is great for spot treatments. Hands are dry and you don't have lotion? Slather on some of the salve and while you're at it you can use it as a lip balm. Sure cocoa and shea butter can do the same thing but sometimes they are a bit heavier.

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Product: C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve

Price: $4 - $5

Would Recommend? Yes

Takeaway: Convenient to go tin (which I've never had issues with but other people have mentioned that sometimes it gets stuck) which doubles as a moisturizer that you can use anywhere. Great lip balm and great for cuticles as well.

A Little Bit of L'Occitane

L'Occitane is like my personal black hole of abyss nowadays. Well, for my wallet. I go in there and it's the weird sensation of wanting everything. Of course, I can't really give into every single one of my desires in that store, but I can name them all. Today was a bit of a L'Occitane kind of day for me.

As I was getting ready, I treated myself to the very lavish Almond Milk Concentrate which I adore. The scent is amazing as it is light and refreshing but it is also so incredibly moisturizing. I have very dry skin and this was just superb as it moisturizes and keeps that up all day. Supposedly it helps to tone and firm, but I use this so sparingly that I can't really attest to that. I can say that if you have dry skin, it would be very good (though the price in another thing). The texture is a bit silky though not too watery -- it is definitely not the same as some of the other lotions that I've seen.

After putting on the lotion and fixing my makeup, I decided to put on perfume and sticking with the L'Occitane mood, I opted for the Plum Blossom. Now I know it's not fair to mention it as since it was a limited edition last year and while there is the Plum Blossom Intense Eau de Toilette Roll-on, it is only available in the UK, I had to mention it. The scent is just right up my alley with it's floral notes and that hint of plum sweetness. Which is actually kind of interesting considering that this type of scent isn't what I usually go for but I think that given it was light and simple, I actually ended up liking it. As a result, I'm kind of interested in this year's floral limited edition which is peony.

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Product: L'Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate

Price: $44

Would Recommend? Yes.

Takeaway: Great for dry skin and it is very moisturizing and is absorbed quickly. Feels great but the downfall is probably attributed to the price.

The Wonders of Kauai

Last week my boyfriend and I went to Kauai for a week -- it was a great week filled with a lot of sunshine, warm weather, and relaxation. Naturally during this vacation makeup was something that was kind of important to me, but not really. Especially since I forgot that what works here in San Francisco, does not work in the humid and warm climate of Kauai. While reminiscent of a New York City summer, it reminded me that my choice of makeup did not bode well. So here's the breakdown.

The things I brought along with me: My entire makeup bag which included my Alba Hawaiian Jasmine and Vitamin E moisturizer and new Cover FX makeup (the pressed mineral powder and the setting powder). I also tossed in a few of my e.l.f. Studio brushes.

The one thing left behind: Milk of Magnesia.

New Items: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean (Shampoo and Conditioner) and lots of generic rice paper (oil-blotting tissues).

We arrived early Sunday morning and since I wasn't particularly in the mood to worry about makeup when we checked in, I decided to go natural for the rest of the day. The next day however I did wear makeup and thus paid dearly for that. My face became quite the oil slick and I had to rely heavily on my e.l.f. Shine Erasers throughout the day. I was averaging about 3 sheets every hour between 11 AM to 3 PM so we had to stop into Longs Drugs to get me some more oil blotting sheets. 

Needless to say that the following day (Tuesday) and for the rest of the week I decided to go completely makeup free. I do suspect that the culprit was the moisturizing cream because as I mentioned, the weather and humidity was very similar to NYC during the summer. Which meant that I was supposed to switch moisturizers. The Jasmine and Vitamin E blend is fantastic for the winter however during the summer the Aloe and Green Tea Oil is actually much better and assists in controlling the oils. Since moving to SF I haven't had the need to switch moisturizers between the seasons so I didn't have the appropriate moisturizer for Hawaii. 

But to be honest, I actually did enjoy having the chance to go completely makeup free for my vacation. I did rely very heavily on the oil-blotting tissues but overall my skin held up well considering the factors. There was a point in time where I almost bought another bottle of Milk of Magnesia, but I figured that with the high temperatures, I didn't really want to be bothered with makeup. I bought two more packs of oil-blotting tissues instead and hoped for the best. Sure I grumbled a bit given the maximum shine that was added to my face but it was a nice change. It was kind of sad though that the makeup I bought specifically for this trip did not hold up. But I am happy to say that it does hold up well here in SF.

While I'm on topic about the Wonders of Kauai, let's touch upon hair care. I did walk with a small bottle of Argan Oil which I amazingly didn't have to use (not even once!). One of the first stops that we made was at Walmart so that we could pick up some essentials -- such as, but not limited to, hair care. We grabbed a bottle of the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo and the Fortifying Conditioner. I don't think I can properly convey how happy my curls were. This particular line (Pure Clean) has no parabens, no silicones, and no dyes, which meant that my hair was not weighed down. And given the climate, my hair was even curlier than normal and there wasn't a build up. At no point did my hair feel oily and/or greasy which is amazing for my hair. I have no idea what the change in climate will mean for how it holds up in the long-term but that is definitely something that I will touch upon in the future.

Makeup aside, do remember to get yourself
awesome souvenirs.

So if you're traveling, don't forget that weather and humidity are going to factor into your makeup and haircare. Be prepared for some sudden changes, especially if the destination you're going to doesn't have a Sephora or similar makeup store.

Review: Fresh Soy Face Cream

I've been wearing this moisturizer for just about a week and as much as I want to love it, I can't. So let's down down to the nitty gritty.

First impression is that I love the scent -- it's weird because it's soy and it's off-putting to a lot of people, but I actually like the scent. I'm weird like that though so be prepared to not enjoy the scent, especially if you're not used to it. The texture or rather, the feel of the moisturizer is that it's a bit watery, but still slightly greasy. It's not a hard texture to work with but it was interesting. Neither of these two items really count against it though if you're not a fan of the scent, you will be annoyed by the scent till it is finally absorbed by the skin.

A reminder is that I have combination skin -- very oily T-zone and very dry skin elsewhere. This moisturizer is a bit on the greasy side and my skin, neither the oily or dry parts enjoyed the moisturizer. It didn't absorb it quickly and it shone through my makeup. No matter how much powder I had on, an hour later the shine from the initial application was still there to be seen. My skin couldn't fully absorb it -- the dry parts could, but definitely not the T-zone. If you have oily skin, it's as though the natural oils just flat out refuse entry into the skin leaving it exactly where you applied it. 

For oily skin, this moisturizer could be better used as a night cream, rather than a day cream. I tried it out one night and loved how it felt. By morning there was no sheen and my skin felt good. When I attempt to wear it during the day though, I'm not as content with it's performance. I can definitely see those with dry skin being able to make use of this as well as people with combination skin that don't have extremes. 

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Product: Fresh Soy Face Cream
Price: $38
Would Recommend? No, if you have oily skin. Yes, if you have dry skin.
Takeaway: If you have oily skin, skip this or use it at night. This moisturizer is greasy and the oils on your skin will probably prevent it from really being absorbed into your skin so it sits there, shining ever so brightly through your makeup. If you have dry skin, it may just love this moisturizer since your skin might absorb it quickly. The scent can be bothersome though.