Beauty Products Haul & Review

Every year when the weather warms up it’s like my overall mood changes dramatically- I guess wearing 17 layers of your warmest clothing during the cold Michigan winter can do that to a person. So when springtime hits I generally tend to spend a little bit more on clothes and beauty products to make up for my winter slump. Sounds logical, right?

Over the last month or so I have accumulated quite a few new beauty products. I figured I would share some of the things I have picked up, as well as a quick review/thought on the product.

One of the first things I picked up is the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation. I am a big fan of Revlon in generally, especially their foundations. I have used Revlon Colorstay in the combination/oily skin formula for years. It is one of my go to foundations when I want my skin to look flawless. However, in the warmer months it can be a little to heavy to be an everyday foundation. Needless to say, I had very high expectations for the Nearly Naked foundation and it managed to live up to my expectations. Initially I was hesitant to purchase this because I tend to gravitate more towards full coverage and this is more light coverage; however, it is very buildable without looking cakey. The foundation also has pretty good lasting power throughout the day, even on my oily skin. I do set it with a powder, but then again I set every foundation with a powder. Another plus for the foundation, is it doesn’t really have a smell. Some foundations smell terrible but this one it practically odorless in my opinion. Overall, great A+ product!

I also picked up the NYX mineral “Set it & don’t fret it” matte finishing powder. NYX is another brand that I love. Some products tend to be hit or miss, but for the price you can’t go wrong. I have used other finishing powders, such as the Make Up For Ever Super Matte Loose Powder and the e.l.f High Definition Powder, but I actually prefer this. I find that the e.lf. one tends to settle into fine lines, and since it is a white powder it leaves my skin looking a little bit dull… if that makes sense. I find the NYX powder is a pretty close dupe for the Make Up For Ever powder, but at a third of the cost. I find the NYX powder does a great job controlling shine, has a nice silky finish, but doesn’t seem to settle into creases like the e.l.f. one does. Overall, for the cost this is a great product and something I will most likely repurchase over and over.

I also picked up a Skindinavia setting spray in the Bridal Makeup Finish. I have used the Skindinavia No More Shine Finish and Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray in the past, and they are both decent products. However, I like the Skindinavia Bridal Makeup Finish the best. While I doesn’t last 16 hours on my skin like it claims, but it does help to keep my makeup fresh for at least 8 hours or so. I like to spray a few pumps on my face after my moisturizer and once again after my makeup is done. This is a must have product for me in the summer to keep my makeup from sliding all over my face. While it is a bit on the pricier side, in my opinion, I think it lasts a while and is worth the price.

Recently I have been really into bright, fun lipsticks. I use to never venture out beyond the “my lips but better” shades but I have been on a bright lipstick binge lately. I think bright lipsticks are a great, easy way to spruce up simple makeup in the spring and summer. Some of the lipsticks I have really been loving are Revlon Love This Pink, Maybelline Coral Crush, and MAC Ravishing. All of them are pretty bright and definitely not a “my lips but better” shade. I just purchased my first Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Lip Tar and I am obsessed! The shade I got is Cha Cha, which is like a pale sherbet orange. Sounds scary, but I saw some swatches and I think it looks beautiful with light or tanned skin. As far as the Lip Tar formula, it is amazing- it is so pigmented and the tiniest amount goes a long way! Typically I would never spend $18 on a lip product but I think I could wear this everyday for the rest of my live and I would never use the whole thing. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit but you get my point- it will last a long time!

A non-makeup product I recently purchased is the Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Touchable Weightless Hairspray. I decided to pick this up because lately my hair has been feeling a little bit dry and my normal hairspray, Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play, seemed to be adding to that dryness. In addition, the Spray & Play tends to leave my hair a bit crunchy, which I cannot stand. The Healthy Sexy Hair hairspray is the answer to my prayers! The hairspray is extremely lightweight, has a decent hold, and leaves my hair feeling nourished instead of crunchy. I love that I can run my fingers through my hair without them getting stuck and without actually feeling the hairspray. I have tried dozens and dozens of hairsprays, but I think this is going to be my holy grail!

I decided to try out the Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner on a whim. I’ve been using the Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner for a few months and I am happy with it, so I don’t know why I decided to purchase this. I think my original thought was the felt tip pen on the Master Precise would allow you to apply a thinner, more precise line, hence the name. Well that was not the case at all. I hate to end this post on a bad note, but this was a really terrible product in my opinion. Maybe I just got a bad one? My biggest issue with this eyeliner is the top of the tip is so dry it doesn’t even distribute product. So I tried to use the side of it but I didn’t have much luck with that either; I found I didn’t have much control this way and the outcome was anything but precise. Let me know if you have tried this and how you like it because I cannot find one good thing about this product.

These are just a few of the products I have bought recently that I either really liked or disliked. If you have tried any awesome products recently, or even any terrible products I should stay far away from, let me know in the comments. I really love hearing about other people’s holy grails and holy fails (is that a saying or did I make it up?). 

10 Beauty Related Ways to Use Coconut Oil

I am always intrigued when I hear about how a household item can be used in a less conventional way. What’s even more appealing to me is when it is health or beauty related. I mean, lets face it I am a girly girl to the core. I love makeup, hair, clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry…. The list could go on for days.

A few months ago I was on Pinterest and came across something that is life changing. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic but it is definitely something I swear by! This little miracle product that I use, numerous times a day, goes by the name of (drumroll please)… Coconut oil. Chances are if you’re into anything beauty related and have Internet access, you’ve probably heard of how awesome coconut oil is.

So what is coconut oil? Simply put, it is an edible oil that is extracted from coconuts. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that provide a wide range of benefits. It is also rich in antioxidants and is said to boost your body’s immune system.

While there are hundreds of different ways to use coconut oil, below are 10 of my favorite ways to use it.

Overnight Hair Treatment: Once a week I like to pamper my hair with a coconut oil hair treatment because I dye it often and heat style it practically everyday. Simply heat up some coconut oil in the microwave and slather it on. I generally avoid my roots but if you have dry hair don’t be afraid to apply it there too (it is good for the scalp). I typically do this a night, throw a shower cap on, and wash it out in the morning. However if you’re pressed for time you can coat your hair with coconut oil, cover it with a shower cap, and heat up your hair with a blow dryer.

Decreasing Hair Static: My hair, especially in the winter, gets super staticy. I like to take a very small amount of the oil, rub it in my hands, and apply it to my dry hair. The result- nice, shiny, static-free hair!

Body Moisturizer: Coconut oil is extremely moisturizing but doesn’t leave you feeling oily and sticky like baby oil does. Scoop some out and apply it all over your body. It will take a few minutes to fully absorb into the skin but it will leave your body feeling moisturized all day long. This is especially good for elbows, knees, and feet, since those are often the driest areas of skin.

Face Moisturizer: Let me start off by saying the initial the idea of slathering any type of oil onto my face was terrifying. I have extremely oily skin. Why would anyone with oily skin want to put additional oil onto his or her face? After the initial fear wore off I decided to give it a try and let me tell you, it has drastically changed my skin. My skin produces significantly less oil and I swear it looks more radiant. I have only been using it a month or so, and even though my skin is nowhere near perfect, it has definitely improved. I have concluded that years of battling acne and oily skin led me to using products that would excessively dry out my skin. In order to combat that dryness, my skin would overproduce oil to replace those that had been stripped away. So after I do my nightly skin care routine I replace my regular moisturizer with coconut oil. In the morning I mix a very small amount of coconut oil into my regular moisturizer, just to give my skin a little extra hydration. I have found this to be the best regimen for my skin at the moment. It took a few days for my skin to adjust to the extra moisture and reduce the amount of oil it was producing, but I stuck with it and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Acne: As I mentioned above, I have battled acne for quite sometime now. I remember being in 6^th grade when I got my first huge pimple; I was mortified and didn’t want to go to school cause I was afraid of being picked on. Dramatic? Sure, but at that age children (girls especially) are most vulnerable about their appearance.  So my skin is something I’ve always been most insecure about. I have tried practically everything to get rid my acne- from prescription (topical and oral) medicines to over the counter treatments- and while some helped, nothing gave me the results I was looking for. A few months ago my skin started breaking out like crazy and that’s when I decided to start using coconut oil. I have notice a significant reduction of acne, especially cystic acne that I seem prone to getting. Since coconut oil is noncomedogenic it will not clog your pores, which means it shouldn’t cause you to breakout. It also contains lauric acid, which is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral, so it helps to fight the bacteria that causes acne.  Coconut oil may not be a solution for everyone, but it is definitely worth a try!

Eye Cream: I also use coconut oil as an eye cream. I have tried several eye creams but every single one stings my eyes. I have no stinging or burning with coconut oil.

Makeup Remover: Coconut oil is great for removing makeup, especially pesky mascara (even waterproof!). Just rub some in your hands or onto a cotton pad and massage it into your skin before cleansing your face. I like removing my makeup prior to cleansing my face to make sure the cleanser is actually cleansing my skin, not just removing my makeup.

Shaving Lotion: I like to use it as a shaving lotion rather than using a shaving cream. It acts as a 2-in-1 product by giving you a nice smooth shave and also leaves your skin hydrated.

Body Scrub: You can make a body scrub using just coconut oil and sugar. Just mix equal parts of both, and exfoliate while in the shower.

Hydrating Bath Water: This is a favorite of mine. I love taking a ¼ cup (or so) of coconut oil and adding it to bath water. It gives the water a slight coconut smell (which I love and find soothing) and it leaves your skin super soft.

These are just some of the less conventional ways I use coconut oil. If you are interested in learning about more ways to use it, I found two different websites that give hundreds of examples. Check them out here and here.

In case you’re interested the brand I use is called Spectrum Organic Unrefined Virgin Coconut Oil. I found it at The Vitamin Shoppe but I’m sure you can buy it (or something similar) at places like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.

Comment down below with ways you use coconut oil. I would love to hear some suggestions!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this product whatsoever. I just really love this stuff!