Lusting over LUSH

After all this time and gifting multiple products by LUSH, I finally used LUSH myself for the first time, thanks to Michelle!  We met for brunch, which we often do, and she surprised me with an unbelievable gift!  I have to say the presentation wrapping was GORG!  What a fun way to wrap a gift!

The gift wrapped in a headwrap, in my favorite aqua color I might add, contained 4 LUSH products!
I always wanted to try the bath bombs & she had picked out two for me!

She even customized her choosing based on my fitness soreness from lifting, since one contains salts which help relieve muscle soreness.
Michelle chose White Sea Salt Bath Bomb and Honey Bee Bath Bomb.

I thought the bath bombs would be my most loved products, but the smell of the Karma Kream is delightful!  It is pathouli scented but it reminds me of an orange scent and it's so refreshing!  I keep it on my nightstand, which I never did keep lotion there before, but I love applying it before I go to sleep to put me in a happy calming place before I drift off to sleep for the night.  The Santa Belly jelly soap was enjoyable but nothing to repurchase, as it didn't lather all that much and I kept dropping little red jelly pieces all over the shower floor.  I also didn't know if it was true soap since I barely got any lather so I used normal soap after as well.  The smell was an apple like scent in my opinion.  Children may enjoy it more for the texture and fun gold stars within.   

LUSH also supplied a card with the many ways to use the tie the scarf.  

Such a thoughtful gift and I loved it!!

Pictured below is my first bath bomb experience with the White Sea Salt Bath Bomb, which turned pink!  (no tub staining occurred)

Read Michelle's detailed LUSH review HERE

I love all of the fresh, natural ingredients, and LUSH is highly recommend on my list, especially for gift giving. The aromas from the gift are even better than your favorite baked goods because they last.  They make your car smell amazing on the way home too!

Please note LUSH ingredients are recommended to be used quite soon after purchase, so stocking up for year later is not ideal for some of the products.  Fresh is best!

Visit your store for the smells and the latest rotation of bath bombs offered, as well as demonstrations, and choose a git set already made if you so desire.  LUSH can be purchased in your local store or at www.lushusa.com.

Let me know in the comments what your favorite LUSH products are!

~Erin

*Please note all products mentioned were purchased and not endorsed, and opinions belong to the blogger.

Too Faced Born This Way- Michelle's Review

I feel like the world has been talking about Too Faced's Born This Way foundation recently.  Erin even tried it and reviewed it which you can read about here.  I am always skeptical of foundation reviews because they normally don't apply to me, as I have freckles and can't use medium or full coverage foundation.  However, reviewers, Erin and other bloggers raved about it so much that I had to try it.

Here are my thoughts about it!  The bottle is beautiful and it cute enough to keep out to admire.  I tried it and as I feared, but tried to ignore, the coverage is too much for freckled skin.  However, it feels luxurious, blends easily with fingers or a makeup sponge and is gorgeous on.  My skin did look fresh even though the full coverage covered my freckles too much.  I did find that it settled into my fine lines after a few hours.  I would have to wear it with primer to help combat the whole wrinkles thing and reblend it around my eyes as the day goes on.  That's true for lots of makeup though.  I had hoped that this magical, raved about foundation would not require primer.  In my mind such a foundation exists and I will continue to search for it.  

In conclusion, Too Faced Born This Way foundation is worth the $39.00 price tag.  It's a great product even though it isn't for me.  I recommend it if you do not have freckled skin!

Subscribe and stay tuned for our January giveaway!

-Michelle

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*Photos courtesy of the blogger.  This was a non sponsored review.  Opinions belong to the blogger.

MAC vs Purlisse BB Cream

I have red hair and freckles so finding foundation is always a challenge.  Some formulas are too heavy and cover my freckles too much leaving a huge difference between the appearance of freckles on my face and the rest of my body.  I refer to this is "freckle muting."  Freckle muting is a no in my life.  Nothing looks more unnatural than muted freckles on my face and the freckles on the rest of me seem to stand out even more.  No thank you!
During the summer I accidentally discovered Ulta's BB cream.  It gave me just the right amount of coverage and looked specially nice in the summer when I generally don't need as much coverage or wear as much makeup.  When the weather turned colder and my tan faded the color I was wearing, medium, was too dark.  I tried the shade below, light, but it was too light!  Obviously I knew that I could blend my own shade but my mornings are crazy hectic and getting the shade right takes too much time on especially crazy mornings.  So what's a freckled girl to do?
Fate stepped in and Ipsy sent me Pur Lisse Tinted Moist BB Cream.  Holy Batman!  My life is forever changed.  I was hooked from the first application.  It feels like lotion and is as easy to apply and blend as moisturizer.  It gives my skin just enough coverage without being too much and feels wonderful on.  It fits perfectly into my hectic morning since I can apply it so quickly and easily with my fingers.  It's basically the best thing since sliced bread.  I ordered it ASAP...apparently every other Ipsy Glam Bag recipient did too because it was on back order.  I was so bummed!
A few days later I was on my way to LA and had some time to waste at the airport.  I wandered into MAC and decided to try their BB Cream while I waited for my Pur Lisse.  I sampled it in the store and immediately noted that it was not as creamy feeling as Pur Lisse.  It felt more like regular foundation but the light medium color matched my skin tone so I decided to purchase it.  It's ok.  It's good enough but definitely not as wonderful as Pur Lisse.  It doesn't last as long and is harder to apply.  I wouldn't likely purchase again and it isn't really a good value.  In my opinion, a drug store BB cream would probably be just as good.
Pur Lisse for the win!

Make sure you subscribe and follow us to be a part of our January giveaway!  Stay tuned!

-Michelle

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*Photos courtesy of the blogger.  This was a non sponsored review.  Opinions belong to the blogger.

Botox or Black Friday?

I was beside myself when I realized that my thoughts were deep into the idea of actually contemplating getting Botox.  I thought cosmetic surgery was never going to be something I desired until I was 'over the hill!'  In my mid thirties, my face has started showing more and more signs of aging.  More recently, my lips have even showed signs, with some feathering and lines appearing around the once definitive outer edges.  With age, the naturally occurring collagen lessens.

Until I mentioned it out loud, I never knew how many people I actually know have gotten either Botox or lip enhancers!  I thought only California actresses got any of that, but it's more common than one might think!  Even girls in their twenties are plumping their lips, but more so for a certain look than for avoidance of age-defiance.

I was set on Botox, or Xeomin which is similar, but the cost.  Oh the cost!  It isn't feasible for me right now.  

My YouTube friend Brianna works for a plastic surgeon in Atlanta.  (I never met her, but she did personally SnapChat me back, which totally made my day and made me feel like a 14 yr old when a boy from a boyband waves in her direction from on stage.  I assume.  I wouldn't know.  I went to school when grunge bands were in.  We wore oversized jeans or JNCOs, flannels over tees, and combat boots.  High fashion nor high pitch screaming girls were not cool.)  Anyway, I learned from Brianna that medical grade skincare is incomparable to over the counter skincare products due to the deeper level of penetration to change the cellular makeup & is not readily available, but the doctor she works for is the best of the best and it is available through him!  I never heard of medical grade skincare until now!

I watched some of her recommendations here https://www.youtube.com/user/BriannaStanko  And then I watched more, and more, and this went on for months.  The products were pricey, but injections were even more, and each day that I hesitated my skin was aging another day so the least I could do was try some of the products she was using herself.  I waited for Black Friday  and purchased 5 items, targeting my face and lips.  I went with the brands SkinMedica and Skinceuticals, although my wish list is already full of other products to try! I couldn't narrow down what I wanted but thought I'd start with a few for now and can rotate some in next time I order and depending upin the time of year if my skin reacts well.  I cannot wait to give these a good try and hope to see a difference, if not at least prevent further aging.  

For now, Black Friday beat out Botox for me, and I even got a free eye treatment and a surprise free sample with my purchase!

                   

Add me on SnapChat for both Beauty and Fitness chatter RoeFit or Erin R

Some things can't be mixed so I have to figure out the exact skin care routine I'll be using morning vs. night this winter but I now feel like I have the fountain of youth in my hands. Brianna's channel also detials her current morning and night time routines to give you an idea, & lists 20% codes sometimes as well.  Please let me know if you have tried or will try any!  They can be purchased here https://www.premierlook.com/ !

~Erin

Please note I have no skin care training and have no knowledge of the products sold on the above site. These were personally purchased and not sponsored, and all opinions are my own.

Falsies? Really?

I'm here to school you a little bit on falsies...as in fake eyelashes, not bra stuffing.  Yes I wear fake eyelashes.  Sometimes.  Because it's fun, that's why. 

Actually they aren't fun to put on, but once they are on, bah-bam, totally worth it! They open the eye and add depth to your makeup look, and a sparkle to your eye.  I do love the glam look, but for an al natural look, I'd go without them.

I have always worn Ardell brand fake lashes, all synthetic.  I wore them more so in my party days, but I still enjoy the added glamour for a nice dinner out.  I watch my virtual friends online speak of so many amazing brands, but I have never spent any more than $4 on a pair, and even then I stretched out the number of uses.  House of Lashes Iconic is one of the middle priced pairs that are very popular, and the reason I decided to try them is because so many people recommended their dark colored glue, let alone the lashes.  Ardell glue wasn't my favorite so I ordered the dark glue, a pair of Iconic lashes, and a pair of Bourdoir lashes.  These is the shape and lash style I prefer, although they make many shapes/styles.

Iconic


Bourdoir

I have yet to try the Bourdoir, but I tried The Iconic and my opinion is...drum roll...

They are huge and gorgeous all at the same time!  I wouldn't wear them on the daily because they are over the top for Saturday at Shop Rite of Home Depot, but out in night time restaurant lighting they are stunning!



Both can be purchased at www.HouseofLashes.com

-Erin

All products mentioned were personally purchased and not sponsored.  Photos found on www.HouseofLashes.com.