Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Review

Fall is officially here (if you live in the northern United States, Canada, etc) and that means dry skin. I am always looking for something to combat not just the dry skin on my knees, elbows, and ankles, but also my face because wind and cold air makes my skin feel tight and dry even when using a moisturizing BB cream. This year my search for a great product is over! Burt Bees Intense Hydration products have be covered from body to face.
Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Bzz Agent

When i first opened these products i noticed a scent that was both familiar and different. Sage is an ingredient i cook with often but its scent is very calming. These products contain Clary Sage which not only helps the skin to retain moisture but adds the most beautiful smell. A very natural and herb like smell, in no way medicinal. I would recommend it to anyone that likes products with natural ingredients and natural scents.

The first product i tried was Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser which cleans makeup and dirt from the face hydrates the skin, and rises off without a residue. I wear a lot of water proof makeup such as eye liner, liner, primer, and concealer and this cleaned my face clear of these products. It did not leave my face feeling tight like some soaps do. This is great for dry to combination skin. Great for nightly use. Can be found at drugstores for $9.99

Next i tried Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Treatment Mask. I have to be honest, i know this product says to use on the face, but i used this on my dry body parts like my knees, ankles and elbows. I used it in the same way it is intended for the face and i have never had smoother ankles, knees, and elbows. I also did use it on my face, left it on for about two minuets. It remained wet the entire time, so even though it is a mask it is a wet, very hydrating mask. After two minuets i wiped away the mask with a wet wash cloth. My skin looked smoother and refreshed. This is great as a three times a week treatment. This product can be found at drugstores for about $17.99

Lastly i tried Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Night cream. I began to apply this nightly and after only one application i woke up with softer skin. I also noticed that the fine lines (very fine i am still young!) on my forehead, and under my eyes were reduced. This product did not feel greasy or oily and i felt it absorbed rather quickly. I would recommend this product for anyone who has concerns with winkles and dry skin. Using this product eliminates the a wrinkle reducer from your routine and will save you time before bed. Sleep, plus moisture, plus reduction and prevention of wrinkles, i will take that any day! You can find this product in drugstores for about $17.99.

 Aside from having soft, fresh smelling, hydrated skin, i feel good knowing that this company uses natural ingredients, is environmentally conscious, does not test on animals, and helps Bee populations. So i not only feel good on the outside with these products, but i feel good on the inside knowing i am choosing a company that cares.

Coastal Scents 42 Double Stack Matte Palette Review and Swatches

As you may have noticed i have been making a lot of posts about palettes lately. I have always been a fan of palettes since they allow you so many options in one convenient package. When i first began to explore makeup i purchased an 88 color palette on eBay direct from a small company in China. Little did i know how "in the know" i was because just 3 years later companies started popping up selling this same palette with their name placed on it and the makeup community was going wild for it. One company, Coastal Scents became pretty popular and now sells everything from makeup, to brushes, even how to's and material to make your own products!

Anyway, a few weeks back Coastal Scents was having a sale that i just could not pass up. 42 Double Stack Palettes for only 9.99$? Yes please? Two different types were offered shimmer or matte. I already own the 88 color shimmer palette so i decided to go with the matte. I adore bright colors, bold looks, and trying new and creative ways to wear makeup. This palette was perfect for me. The color range is deep, bold colors. Highly pigmented, easy to apply, and minimal fall out. Some shades can apply a little chalky but still easy to work with. There are 10 blushes which allow anyone of any skin tone to take a pick at the blush that works best for them, or try a new color with minimal commitment. I love the hot pinks, reddish pink, and the peach. All the blushes can be built up so if you want minimal or maximum color it is up to you. These blushes can be used as shadow if you are looking for a baby pink, or pastel pink. My one major complaint about these shadows is many of the colors look different in the palette but when applied appear as the same color (mainly the purples and the reds). This may only be an issue with my skin tone but it is worth knowing.

The brushes included are soft shadow brushes. There is one double ended eyeshadow brush, one brush which looks like a lip liner brush, but i guess this is for lining. I personally do not prefer this shape for eye use, and a long brush with a small tip for blush, which makes absolutely no sense. This palette is great on color but confusing on brushes. The shadow palette sits on top of the blush palette and is removable.


 Shadow swatches are all over primer using brushes included.
Horizontal rows left to right-

42 Double Stack Matte Palette over primer without flash

42 Double Stack Matte Palette over primer with flash

 Horizontal rows 3 and 4 left to right

42 Double Stack Matte Palette over primer without flash

42 Double Stack Matte Palette over primer with flash

Blush Swatches using brush included-
Horizontal row 1, left to right-

 Horizontal row 2, left to right

This palette will allow you to be creative with highly pigmented, bright matte colors. Great for those who can't afford a MAC collection or want to try on new colors. Great for those who like different types of blush. Not for those who don't like loud colors, those who don't like to work with brighter and bolder colors. Without a primer these shades are a little less bold but none the less still bold. Let your creative side loose and pick this palette up, even at its full price of $24.95 it is still worth it for all the product you receive. You can get it here!

Ipsy/Glam Bag October 2012 Review and Swatches

Ipsy/Glam Bag has come such a long way in just under a year of sending out bags. This month's bag is exceptional proof of this. Subscribers got over and beyond what they paid for this month and items that were both great in quality and value. The theme of this month was Bombshell and they embraced this it very well with black eye liner, voluminous mascara, and even a lip stain that will rival any other you have tried before!

For the past few months similar brands have been featured over and over and this month subscribers got to try some well known brands both domestic and internationally! This month's bag with jam packed with offers and coupons to allow you to buy the products from your bag at a discount!

I would like to start with the product i loved the most!

Mirenesse Lip Bomb #2-
This was one of the best lip lacquer stains i have ever tried. It rivals my Lancome products. Glides on creamy and glossy, feels like a liquid lipstick, opaque and full coverage, and tingles just a little bit since it is also a lip plumper. This product is so all in one that if it was a band it would be that guy who has every instrument strapped to a giant drum on his back! I got quite a few hours of coverage with this. Even when my sons hand brushed against my lips the shine still remained! This company is based in Australia, so i you haven't yet heard of them, that's why. I fell so deeply in love with this product (and with information from my friend Krys) decided to check out their other products and their VIP club. This company offers so much and i promise in the up coming months you will be hearing so much more about this company from me. I have about 4 packages coming in! This product is worth $35 dollars (the bag was only $10!!)

The Balm -Whats Your Type -Body Builder- Black Mascara-
This mascara really did add "body" to my eye lashes. It was a noticeable difference but did not look over done, overly dramatic, or like false lashes. It simply added some opmh to my normal lashes which is great for normal application. I usually like a lot of drama for my lashes, but am not that great at the false lashes, this is a good medium between natural and false. It wasn't clumpy or heavy.

Coastal Scents-
At any other time i probably would have thought this sample was awesome, however, right before i received my Ipsy bag i received an order from Coastal Scents which had one of these for free. This let me know that these were a free item from Coastal Scents, and while they have worth made me feel like it was just a cheap add in. None the less, i loved these colors because they aren't what i normally wear. I am daring when it comes to cosmetics but red is one of those colors i use sparingly. This quad goes well together a creamy shimmer white, a matte red, a shimmer brown gold, and a red copper shimmer. These colors make red work on a dramatic and just everyday way. These had great pigmentation and minimal fall out. If you like these shades i suggest you check out their 88 color palettes or their matte and shimmer palettes.

Be a Bombshell liner in Onyx-
This liner was so easy to use. The applicator is a thick and looks like a felt tip pen. Glides on easy, and is a little bit thicker when applied than shown in the picture. This is great for a dramatic wing tip, thin line, or thick line. You can also get creative with this liner. If you are new to liners this might be a good choice because of precision you can achieve using it verses a liquid liner with a brush.

Couture Color - Pequi Oil Treatment-
I have been using different hair oils for a while now such as Argan Oil, Macadamia Oil, and even Moroccan Oil, and i have loved what each product has done. This product is no different. It made my hair shiny and soft. My hair is prone to being greasy at the roots so i only put a little bit on my hands and rubbed through my hair as to not deposit too much in one area. It is great to sleek down frizz at the top of your head. and i like to apply it to my ends before bed to help my dry ends to feel soft by morning but not look greasy. I think this would be a great product for those with curly hair.

Do you want a makeup bag filled with makeup sent to your door every month? Well sign up for Ipsy and receive fantastic new makeup products and a makeup bag every month for only 10 dollars!

Hurricane Sandy Update and Set Back

I finally have internet, phone, and cable back, along with stable power, so i am able to give you some sort of update. Before i lost internet i was in the middle of doing some reviews, which thank goodness did not get lost so those will be up sometime tonight or tomorrow. Because of the storm however, many of my expected packages are on hold and will not be delivered until Friday or even next week. I was hopping to do a Galmordaze and MAC Holiday collection reviews along with Zoya Glity Pleasures Box and Mirenesse but those will have to wait as well. I do apologize.

Luxe Box Fall 2012 Review and Swatches

I recieved my first Loose Button Luxe Box for Fall 2012. I wasn't too sure i would be impressed since i didn't even do that much research on this one. I wanted something that i could have a completely un-bais opinion about. Apparently Loose Button, which is an international subscription box company has recently released boxes in the United States. Boxes started out as monthly but changed to seasonal. My first box came in a grey cardboard box that let me know it was members only and already had the allure of exclusiveness. In order to receive this box you must apply for an invite, once chosen you can choose how many seasons to buy, i started out with 2.

My son placing my box on the couch, such a helpful baby.

When i first looked at the slim rectangle box, i thought it looked pretty small, i was a little worried that this box wasn't going to be that good. I was beginning to rethink the $25 dollars i had just spent on it. One thing was for sure it looked elegant.

 The intro card looked more like a fancy invitation.

 Instead of being pack in tissue paper it was warped in a white cloth.

List of items that i received which included a break down of the category that each item is.

 There was a lot more items in here then i expected and the range was fantastic. 4 full sized items including makeup, nail polish, nail strips, and body care, along with face care, and hair care.

 Schick Hydro Silk Razor- These retail for about $6 or $7 dollars which makes it a great addition to this box. I do have to say though, i also got this in my Birchbox about 2 months ago, so that lessened the excitement. I did need a new one though. Its a great product since it has a hydration rim around the razor so you don't need any shave gel or cream on those hard to shave places. Leaves skin smooth and gives an even shave.

 Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner in Black- This felt tip eye liner pen (full size) allows you to have a precise line without any smudging. This item i also received in a past Birchbox (in purple). I like this product because it goes on smooth and there is no mess. Sometimes using a liner that is liquid with a brush can get messy if you are in a rush. This product allows you to get creative or just make a quick line.

 Vichy Refreshing Toner- I put just a little bit on my face right after cleansing but before anti-aging and it was the perfect mid step. It made my face feel refreshed. I never thought toners were that important but this really did wonders especially in the morning for an extra pick me up in the middle of my cosmetic retinue.  

 Bobos Remi- Even though this product is a liquid spray it is a leave in conditioner that is made with Macadamia, Panthenol, and Jojoba Oil which deeply hydrates the hair. My hair felt super soft not just on the surface. It felt moisturized deep down. My hair became manageable but not greasy. I applied mainly to my roots but also sprayed lightly on my roots to prevent frizz.

 Orlane Absolute Skin Recovery Polyactive and Super Moisturizing Concentrate-  Both of these products, applied after toner, made my face feel smooth and soft which lasted all day. I can't say it was more special than other items i have tried but it was a nice product.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips- These strips made painting my nails  super quick. I was able to get the layered, opaque glitter look with just a simple strip. This manicure took about 5 minutes to complete and there was no dry time. With a two year old running around this was probably the most flawless manicure i have had in a while.

 Essie Nail Polish in No Place Like Chrome- This polish is part of the Mirror Metallic's fall 2012 collection and i think it is one of the best colors of the collection. It is a very bright true silver, i experienced zero streaking and it was quick drying. This is one of those polishes that requires you to paint your nails a little quicker but the good news is you will only need one coat to have complete coverage.

Overall i really enjoyed the range of products. Most of them are well known brands and brands i can find in my local stores for repurchase. I liked that there were items i knew of and i liked being introduced to new products and brands as well. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of an elegant experience when it comes to subscription boxes.