Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss Sheer Color - Tease

Photo Credit: Beauty.com

I love the vibrant raspberry color this lip gloss produces. This non-sticky gloss provides long lasting color but minimal moisturizing benefit. I highly recommend putting on lip balm before applying this gloss otherwise your lips might feel a bit dry later. 

-Andrea

Tarina Tarantino - Disco Nap

I like this glossy lip gloss. It keeps your lips soft like a lip balm and provides a nice sheen like a lip gloss. Disco nap is a clear gloss with pink shimmer. It is the perfect shade for either day or night. The gloss surprisingly stays on for awhile and long after the color is gone your lips are still soft. The gloss also a taste which I can't really put my finger on, its neither sweet or bitter. The packaging in my opinion is lacking, it is only a drawn on bow. I was expecting a bit more from this brand. All in all, it's a nice fairly nice gloss but not really worth $19 dollars.

 

 

-Andrea

Kusmi Tea Paris: Be Cool and Sweet Love

Photo Credit: us.kusmitea.com

Teas have touted many health benefits and have long been treasured by people for centuries. They are packed with antioxidants, contain less caffeine than coffee, boost metabolism and nourish your body. Tea is such a powerful tool that it has even been incorporated into many beauty regime through beauty products.

Photo Credit: us.kusmitea.com

I  recently came across this brand in Dean and Deluca. The brand's exquisitely designed tins caught my attention. The muslin tea bags were quite a treat. The Be Cool had notes of licorice, rose hip, verbena and peppermint. It has a mild taste and smells of sweet mint.  The caffeine free blend is a perfect way to unwind after a long day of work.

Photo Credit: us.kusmitea.com

As Sappho once said "Love -- bittersweet, irrepressible -- loosens my limbs and I tremble". This tea has a spicy smell with a bittersweet taste like love itself. This black tea is blended with liquorice root, guarana seed, pink pepper and ginseng. While the website claim that "Ginseng and guarana bring you energy and vitality, spices aid digestion, and  liquorice delivers a smooth taste", but I don't really notice any difference. I just love this tea because it is a break from my regular black tea. One thing I love about Kuszmi tea bags is that they have vital information how to brew a perfect cup right on the tag itself. It displays the perfect temperature for the water and how long the tea needs to be brewed for, how convenient is that? So what are you waiting for, go get that bestseller brew yourself a nice cup of tea and get the destressing! -Andrea

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy: Sleep - Warm Milk and Honey Body Lotion

The Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy: Sleep - Warm Milk and Honey body lotion has a warm scent that lulls you to sleep. It has a nice creamy texture and moisturizes very well. It has a nice fragrant nutmeg scent. Pair it up with  Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy: Sleep - Warm Milk and Honey Body Wash and Foam Bath to get the most benefit from this product line.

P.S. It comes in a cute glass [or really hard plastic] bottle that can be reused or used as decoration piece!

-Andrea

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy: Sleep - Warm Milk and Honey Body Wash and Foam Bath

My favorite thing about outlet mall shopping is that you come across little beauty gem that sometimes would otherwise go unnoticed. I never knew that Bath and Body Works had an aromatherapy line until I came across this body wash. The scent of warm milk and honey is very faint, the scent remind me more of nutmeg. The scent lingers long after you finish your bath or shower. The body wash has cinnamon and clove essential oils which comforts and calms you for bedtime. I personally didn't notice any change in my sleeping habit or being able to sleep more easily, but I believe that if you follow this regime [body lotion + body wash] consistently with your bedtime routine you might notice some of the benefits.

-Andrea

Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste



Photo Credit: bigelowchemists.com



Tired of that bland old peppermint toothpaste day in day out? Well, spice up your morning routine with Italian imported Marvis Classic Mint Toothpaste. Not only does it have a nice vintage look, it actually has a nice minty taste which sweetens your breath all day! It has a strong minty taste that will sure to give that strong kick to wake you up. The toothpaste contains fluoride [so don't give it to babies] which helps keeps your pearly whites extra healthy and clean.  So say good bye to tarter buildup, gingivitis and morning breath and hello fresh minty breath.

-Andrea

Ahava Dermud Enriched Intensive Foot Cream

Photo Credit: ahavaus.com

The freezing cold takes a harsh toll on your skin. It leaves them dry, itching, cracked. Most of the time we take care of our face, hands and body but neglect to take care of our feet. 

Applying Ahava Dermud foot cream before you go to bed and wake up with softer and smoother feet. The mud is formulated with Dead Sea mud, minerals and plant derivatives. The formula is paraben free, dermatologist tested, approved for sensitive skin and allergy tested.

After thoroughly pampering your feet, it is time to slip on those sandals and hit the beach!

-Andrea

Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask

Photo Credit: moroccanoil.com

Summer is COMING! Which means time to suck in the fat and do something about this bed head hairstyle I somehow adapted as my go to hairstyle. Thankfully, this hydrating mask can help with winter hair [too bad it can't help with bikini problem]. Apply this hydrating mask to towel dry hair and leave on for about 5 minutes and then rinse off. I noticed my hair softer, shiny and more manageable.  Now, I have beach ready hair...and couch potato ready body...

-Andrea

Myfaceworks 'I Need to be Firm' Sheet Mask

Photo Credit:myfaceworks.com

These little masks are the perfect way to unwind after a long stressful week. I have tried the other varieties of sheet masks and I love them all. I love their cute names, for example: 'I need a quickie', it still cracks me up but it's a great name for the potent mask that revitalizes your skin within minutes.

The 'I need to be Firm' is no different from the other masks.  Each silk mask is packed with Sodium Hyaluronate, Witch Hazel extract, cucumber and algae extract with help aid in improving skins appearance and smoothing out wrinkles.  The mask left my face feeling smooth and soft. The mask was a bit big for me and so I have to fold pieces of the mask to match up the cutouts with my eyes and mouth. As with many other masks [mud masks! - scary!] I recommend using this mask when by yourself otherwise risk hearing comments like, 'Lets fight! [apparently, I look like a sumo wrestler], or what the hell is on your face. [Well jokes them, because when I take off this mask, my face will be twice as nice then their ugly face! -take that!-]

The mask should be applied to a clean face. Remove the mask from the plastic guard and line up the cutouts with your face. Have a tissue handy since the serum may get over all of your hands or drip while you apply the mask. Then relax and let the mask do its dirty work while you sip that dirty martini. Wait 10-15 minutes, remove the mask and clean up any excess serum.

If you become a fan, like me=] don't forget to sign up for their mailing list to get discounts. Even though 6 sheets for $55 [depending on which variety you get] are somewhat reasonably priced, it can get pricey quickly and who doens't love a discount?

-Andrea

Wysi Wipe

Photo credit: canawipe.com

I love these towelettes! You just add couple drops of water [or any type of liquid] and these little "tablets",  become 9" x 10" towelette. There is no struggling to open those stupid little aluminum packets that refuse to open! [ugh! damn you wipes, damn you!] Instead these great towelettes are soft, fragrance - free, no chemicals, and no alcohol added. These natural wipes are biodegradable and are made of cellulose. They are soft enough for the most sensitive skin but tough enough to remove dirt or anything other kind of debris.

Photo credit: canawipe.com

They are also perfect for travel.  Except you need a source of liquid to make the towelette expand. Other than that they are so GREAT! Like I said before they can be use for almost anything. You can use them to remove makeup from your face to cleaning your hands from a messy dinner [hmm..baby back ribs, snow crab legs...drool].

-Andrea

Pop Beauty Lip Smoothie - Pink

Photo Credit: popbeauty.co.uk

I love the vibrant orangey pink hue! The lip gloss it self provides almost no moisturizing benefit. Usually my lips feel dry after applying this gloss. Since I love the pigment I usually put on balm first or use a gloss over the color to keep my lips moist. Even though this gloss has a great pigmentation, I hate how this gloss has such a bad chemical  smell.

With flash

Without flash

 -Andrea

Stila Silk Shimmer Gloss - Scarlet

I bought this gloss in several colors. I love how vibrant the colors were and how moisturizing it felt on my lips. The gloss smell absolutely great from the tube. While I must agree with some of the other users that gloss did not stay on very long and it is somewhat pricey, I still believe it is a good buy for a splurge or if it is goes on sale.

Sorry, these color swatches look kinda..well do look gross..

 

-Andrea

Naturally Victoria's Secret Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Energizing Body Polish

Photo Credit: Shopstyle.com

On my recent trip to the outlet mall in Jersey Gardens, I came across this little coveted treasure. It left my skin feeling so soft and smooth, I can't wait to go back and get some more. I was sorely disappointed when, I realized Victoria Secret no longer carries it online [pouts!]. But let me tell you a little more about this gem. The foaming sugar based body polish is loaded with essential minerals, lime peel, grapefruit and mint. Don't forget to apply a moisturizer to keep your skin softer longer. The only downside to scrub in my opinion is that it really smells bad.

-Andrea

Comodynes Easy Peeling New Face Effect

This multi-tasking towelette exfoliates and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. As with any exfoliating product it removes dead skin which allows beauty products to be absorb more efficiently. One side of the towelette is textured to help to exfoliate and the other side is soft which encourages soft skin.

Texture side..[it is not dirty..those are my fingers]

I love how this product comes in a towelette form. It allows you to use it anywhere and anytime  with minimal cleanup. This is especially handy when you are traveling, you just swipe the towelette in the areas needed of exfoliation with no need to rinse. I typically use the towelettes twice a week to leave my skin glowing.

   

-Andrea

Befine Night Cream

Photo Credit: befine.com

I never used to apply night creams/serums before. I thought it was more important just to properly wash your face at night and apply sunscreen/moisturizers in the morning. Boy, was I wrong! When you sleep, your body doesn't stop working...heck it sometimes it goes into overtime [hence, why it is called beauty sleep!]. It restores your body's natural balance and repair damage cells, for example.

This potent night cream is packed with Rice Bran, Millet and Cocoa.   The caffeine in cocoa increases circulation and makes skin radiant. Iris Florentina extracts smooths fine lines. Rice bran improves skin's elasticity and support collagen growth. While the rice bran oil contains Vitamin E that nourishes your skin.

After using the night cream, I woke up to softer and smoother skin. My skin appeared more radiant  and fresh. People are constantly asking me, what is my secret to great skin. I simply say, "beauty rest", which is technically true, but no one needs to know I have one more secret ingredient.

-Andrea

Moroccanoil Oil Treatment

Photo Credit: moroccanoil.com

This oil treatment has a cult following all of its own. And it is no wonder! This fast absorbing oil leaves your hair silky smooth.It also help protect against the frizzes and detangles your hair.[Talk about multitasking!] Apply this oil treatment to freshly washed hair or few drops when necessary to revive your hair. You might think twice about applying oil to newly washed hair, but don't worry, it will not make your hair more oily. It will only make your hair feel and look more healthy. After trying this treatment, you will want to dedicate a bit of space to it.

Bookswim: Rent books Netflix Style

One day sitting in the train with my normal 2 hour commute to work still ahead of me, I wondered if there was such a thing as book rentals program, like how there was Netflix for DVDs. After a quick Google search, I came across this site, bookswim.com.

It seemed like a promising idea. And immediately signed up for an devout reader account. Under the devout reader account plan I am allowed to have out 11 books for roughly $60 a month [ a bit steep! - Click here for pricing for other plans ] I have to return 6 books in each package to get my next shipment. Free shipping is included both ways, along with no late fees or due dates like Netflix

The program itself is promising, but it had some big flaws that which I am debating  whether or not to cancel my subscription before the renewal date.  A bit more on the website, there is a database in which available to search for books. I personally, didn't like the layout on searching for books. It was messy and very hard to navigate. Even though, the company boasted thousands of books available,  it didn't seem like a big selection was available when I first skimmed through for my book selections. They might have more books available, but it could have been that terrible navigation which made it very difficult to find more books. 

Bookswim has this reccommendation feature very close to Netflix's "Movie you will love", but Bookswim's version is nowhere as good or accurate as Netflix's version. Their reccomendation feature kept reccommending books I already had in my pool [think of it as a queue], or books that I had no interest in. I mostly added new book releases since they didn't have that wide of a selection in classics. Instead of getting more new book releases, I kept getting recommendations for children's book, which I had none of in my queue nor did I read any of their summaries. 

Another negative, is that when I added the books to my pool I already put the books in the order in which I wanted to read them. When they shipped my first shipment, it sent my books in a complete fumbled order! I put the entire Sookie Stackhouse in numeric order and instead got book 1, 4, 6 and 10. I got an email couple of days later asking to pick the books I wanted for my next shipment for them to put aside, so when they got my return package they can mail those out [a nice feature, which guarantees the availability of the books in top of your pool]. And boy did they do the same crap again, this time I got every book in the collection except book 3. Keep in mind, under the plan I have, I must return at least 6 books to get my next shipment.  I reordered my pool and hopefully this time it stays that way!

If you wondering, they do ship out books in mediocre speed. I guess if you pay the expedited shipping option you would get your books more faster [which is total rip!] I took them a whole week for them to process my return shipment [and when I checked the tracking number for my shipment, it said no one was there to accept my package..how can no one bookswim accept my package??] and send out my new package. They do by the way, provide free shipping both ways and provide the shipping bag to send back the books. But the first mailer they sent me was to big for the books I sent back since it was mostly paperbacks I had ordered, but the second mailer [apparently the mailer does come in different sizes] is too small for all the hardcover books I ordered. I wonder how do they choose which size mailer to send to you with your shipment.

I believe do Bookswim, is a good program but it has many flaws that needs to be addressed. I think the book rental might be good for people who don't live near any bookstores or libraries. I might continue my subscription, but I believe the rental fee is a bit to high. Here in NYC, there is this awesome bookstore called Strand, where you can get second hand books as cheap as fifty cents and brand new books very deeply discounted. If you are wondering, most of the books are were very used and some seem to be recycle from libraries [with library seals still attached -- I wonder if it was stolen?]. If you really do like the book, you do have the option of buying the book as well at a discounted price.

My first shipment

PS: If you are interested in joining, get your first month under any plan for only $9.95. Enter code 'allplans995'

-Andrea

Clean and Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser

Photo Credit: Cleanandclear.com

A no-frills [and cheap!] cleanser that should be a staple in everyone's beauty regime. It lather fairly well and does not leave the skin feeling dry. This oil-free cleanser contains triclosan, which is known for bacteria killing properties. I usually rotate this cleanser every other day with my traditional anti-aging ingredients enrich cleanser, since it is gentle on the skin without any harsh additives.

Wei East Golden Root Renewal™ Revitalizing Mud

Photo Credit: weieast.com

I love how radiant this mud leaves my face! My skin feels smoother, softer and my skin tone. improved. It feels like I just went to the spa, without having to leave my home!  Use the included brush for smooth an even application.  I wished it was more easier to remove this mask. Even with a warmed cloth  it is still quite difficult to remove and boy was it messy! It is recommended to be applied once a week. The mask dries in roughly 10-15 minutes  and should be washed off. The formula is formulated with radiant golden root and other natural extracts.    It could be used as deep pore cleansing treatment.

-Andrea

Cake Beauty Strawberry Shortcake

Photo Credit: Cakebeauty.com

I cannot think of a more appropriate cherish childhood icon that Strawberry Shortcake to be apart of Cake Beauty's limited edition line [and most delish way of celebrating 30 years]. The name alone, Strawberry Shortcake, makes you think of abandoning that horrible diet, and indulging in that sweet tasty oh-so-soft pieces of cake...[Oops, I got a bit side-tracked!]..or reminisce about fond childhood memories.. [of cake most probably]

The limited edition line include hand cream, shower gel, body butter and very coveted lip butter all fabulously adorned with Strawberry Shortcake herself. The collection is smells like warm vanilla cake with a generous helping of cream and strawberries. What a guilt-free way to indulge!

P.S. Any order over $75 gets free shipping automatically!

Photo Credit: Cakebeauty.com - Hand Creme

Photo Credit: Cakebeauty.com - Bath and Shower Suds

Photo Credit: Cakebeauty.com - Lip Butter

Photo Credit: Cakebeauty.com - Body Butter

 -Andrea

2/19/2011 Updated:  Apparently, this limited edition is only available to Canadian customers. Bummer.