Impulse Buy Monday! Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over

It's Monday yet again. Although the weekend may be over (is it Friday yet?), I love posting about my latest impulse buy! Today's product that I couldn't resist trying out is actually the first skincare product featured on my blog, the Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer. Although I received this product as part of a free gift at Ulta, I am considering it an impulse buy because I didn't intend to spend enough to get the gift. When I got close to the minimum I just couldn't resist going all out to get the gift with purchase! Ulta was having a deal where if you spent enough on Cover Girl or Olay products, you got an adorable makeup bag filled with a full size mascara and a deluxe sample of Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over Hydrating Gel Moisturizer (0.5 oz jar).

I am not a huge fan of gel moisturizers, as they tend to be very drying for my skin. As a Retinol user for my acne, I have to diligently moisturize my skin to avoid the extreme dryness that can accompany Retinol. Gel moisturizers usually don't hydrate enough to counteract the Retinol, and somehow even make my skin dryer than it would normally be if I didn't moisturize at all after my medication. However, I love Olay products and trust the brand, so I was eager to give this gel a try.

This moisturizer promises an "instant burst of cooling hydration," with 24 hours of moisturizing. It's oil-free and non-comedogenic, and includes ingredients such as honeysuckle and white tea. At Ulta the full size retails for $13.99.

Let me start by shedding some light on my evening routine. I first wash my face with a gentle cleanser, followed by a five minute sulfur mask, and after that is rinsed off I use my Retinol acne medication. I let the medication settle and absorb into my skin for at least ten minutes, and then put on my moisturizer.

As I mentioned, gel moisturizers are mostly terrible for my skin, but this one I actually like. I've used the Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over several times and it has yet to dry me out like others. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky at all (another beef I usually have with gel moisturizers). During the heat of the summer, I enjoy that this is a lighter moisturizer than my usual cream lotions that can feel heavy after application.

The greenish goop smells divine, it reminds me of a Cucumber Melon scent. Scented lotions are usually a no-no for my face, but luckily I didn't have an adverse reaction to it. A little bit goes a long way, and a small dollop is able to moisturize my whole face.

My only complaint is that it doesn't have any SPF in it, so I can't use it in the morning without an additional sunblock. Retinol use makes your skin extremely sensitive to the sun (even without the Retinol, my fair skin tends to burn very easily), so I need a moisturizer with some SPF to protect my skin from sun damage. I enjoy using this moisturizer so much at night, I think it would do great during the day also but unfortunately I can't use it without the SPF protection.

As the cold weather starts to creep in, I may save this moisturizer for more warmer times. Cold wreaks havoc on my skin, so I usually stick with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream to keep it from getting too dry, but the Olay Fresh Effects Dew Over is a nice alternative when I don't need such a heavy duty cream.

Impulse Buy Verdict: So far so good!

Impulse Buy Monday- Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara

We all have those moments in a store, where you see that item that you heard about in the blogosphere, or something marked "Brand New!", or maybe it's just something in pretty packaging that's calling your name. It's that thing you had no intention of purchasing when you walked into the store, but it beckons you over to the display and gnaws at you until you ultimately put it right into your basket. It's in honor of these great finds (and huge mistakes) that I'm starting a new segment on my blog: Impulse Buy Monday! Each Monday I will be reviewing a new product that I've purchased solely on an impulse, since I usually can't resist!

Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara gets the privilege of my first Impulse Buy Monday review. Ulta was having a buy one, get one 50% off sale on Maybelline, and I had already chosen one item and couldn't pass up a 50% off sale. I scoured the display for anything that caught my fancy for the second item. Although I already have way too many mascaras on deck and waiting to be opened, Maybelline has such an impressive selection of different mascaras that I was mesmerized by all the choices. One of my favorite YouTube vloggers, LearningToBeFearless, has often mentioned her love for the Falsies mascaras, and she is a great resource for beauty advice, so I decided to give it a try. Despite the many, many, many, (did I mention many?) mascaras I have, for the price I figured if I hated it, it wouldn't be any great loss, and if I loved it, I could use it as an everyday mascara and save my higher-end ones for when I need extra oomph.

I bought it in the shade "Black Drama," and I only chose that shade because I liked the black lace design on the packaging (lame, I know). This mascara features a curved brush to hug your lash line "without gaps", plus a flexible joint on the wand for what purpose I'm still not sure.

I'm still getting the hang of taking photos of my eyes, and even needed help taking these! Anyway, this is my eye before and after curling my lashes and applying one coat of the Volum' Express The Falsies mascara. I honestly think one coat is all I need for an every day look, and am impressed with how great my lashes look with this mascara.

I don't really notice any clumping at all, and my lashes feel thicker and longer. The formula is perfect, not too wet and not too dry, and it sets quickly so it doesn't make a mess once I blink. The brush is a perfect size to really get down to the base of the lashes easily, and is versatile enough to maneuver into the hard to reach spots like the inner eye and lower lash line.

I've never worn false eyelashes, and although I don't get a false eyelash vibe while wearing this mascara, I do think that it provides a beautiful color, plus volume and length to my lashes (both top and bottom). It holds a curl decently, but not any more than any of my other drugstore mascaras. Perhaps the waterproof version holds a curl better.

I wear mascara pretty much daily, and most people don't notice when I'm wearing it, but the very first day I wore this mascara three separate people commented on how my eyes looked amazing. Consider me convinced!

Impulse Buy verdict: Totally worth it.

Anyone else try this mascara?

IT's All About You! IT Cosmetics Review

I have been dying to try IT Cosmetics for a while now, seeing the beautiful Jamie Kern Lima on QVC so many times creating a flawless complexion on herself and the models. I would see blemishes, rosacea, birthmarks, anything covered up with ease and with a natural finish. Plus, Jamie's enthusiasm was infectious. The price tag was the only thing standing in my way. IT is not cheap.

A few months ago, however, I got my chance with a Today's Special Value of a five piece IT Cosmetics set for a very (incredibly) reasonable price. It included a Celebration Foundation (I have the shade Fair), Bye Bye Undereye Waterproof Anti-Aging Concealer, Brow Power Universal Eyeshadow Pencil, CC+ Radiance Palette, and the Heavenly Luxe Dual-Ended Complexion Perfection Brush.

I debated whether to go for it or not, as I am quite happy with my current foundation routine, but in the end I ordered.

When I tried it at first, I was really unsure how I felt about it. There is a definite learning curve with most of the products except the foundation. The foundation was a no-brainer, and melted beautifully into my skin. I love the texture of it, and the shade is an absolute perfect match for my extremely pale skin (I know the photo looks like just a reflection in the compact, but no, it's actually just that light!).

I had heard such rave reviews about the Bye Bye Undereye Concealer, I was very excited to try it. The first time I used it, however, I used WAY too much. When I applied it, it was sticky, cakey and awful. Less is more with this one, no exaggeration. A pinhead sized amount is perfect. Let it warm up on the back of your hand, and then with a light touch, use the concealer brush to dab the tiniest bit onto the end of the brush and apply to the face. I find dabbing works better than swiping with this concealer. The tiniest amount goes a long way, and although you may think a pinhead size amount won't cover everything, it really does. Once I got this routine down, I fell in love with this concealer. It lasts all day, doesn't crease, and covers everything really well. I've had a recent recurrence of acne (see my plight here) and the Bye Bye Undereye has covered it up better than my HG bareMinerals concealer (I can't believe I just admitted that!).

My education into IT continued with the CC+ Radiance Palette. This generously-sized palette includes a blush stain, a matte bronzer, and a CC+ Brightening Finishing Powder that according to the packaging promises to "color correct your complexion and give the look of healthy, glowing, younger-looking skin."

The bronzer is a universal shade that I think could help contour all skin tones. It's very easy to use, and is subtle yet buildable. It definitely gives the look of being out in the sun, but without overdoing it. The trouble with this palette, however, started with the blush stain. I was already unsure of this shade because it is super bright and has a lot of orange tones. Being so pale, shades like this can make me look like a clown if I am not careful, as my usual blushes are more pink.

I had to learn my lesson the hard way that less is more with this product as well. I made the grave mistake of swirling my Heavenly Luxe brush (which is awesome) in the blush stain. It was so much blush on my cheeks I could have been mistaken for Bozo the Clown! I panicked, my cheeks super bright, and tried to wipe some of it off, but as it's a stain, nothing was coming off! I tried to hide it a bit by putting some foundation over it, but that was the best I could do since I was already late for work and couldn't start over. I was so embarrassed (which didn't help the redness of my cheeks). So now, I only dab my brush in the product a few times and I get the perfect amount! Swirlers be warned: tap, tap, tap! Now that I know the proper application, I actually love the shade. It's a great summer color.

The only part of the palette I'm still not sure of is the CC+ Brightening Finishing Powder. It is a great setting powder, and does a fantastic job of the ever-important final blend. I would equate it to bareMinerals Mineral Veil, where it gives an airbrushed look to your makeup. However, I have noticed no brightening or color correction of my skin at all.

I have no use for the Brow Power Universal Eyeshadow Pencil, as my eyebrows don't really need filling in. The concept of this pencil is very cool, though, where the color of the pencil depends on the amount of pressure you apply when shaping your brows. The lighter you press, the lighter the shade. You can expect this item to be included in a future giveaway.

I am so happy I got the opportunity to try IT Cosmetics via this Today's Special Value. I wouldn't say I like it better than bareMinerals, but these are all products I would definitely consider repurchasing. Especially the Bye Bye Undereye. It's a really great concealer not only for those pesky dark circles, but it works great on covering acne and discolorations.

Have you tried IT Cosmetics? Any favorite products?

Bloggers Day Out

This weekend I treated myself to a day romping around my beloved NYC. I haven't had a chance to wander its streets in such a long time, I was excited to have the opportunity yesterday. I had to give my favorite Broadway show, Newsies, a proper sendoff before it closes later this month, so I bought my ticket and decided to make a fun little outing for myself.

I started out at Schnipper's Quality Kitchen on 8th Ave and 41st, very close to the Nederlander Theatre where Newsies is housed. This is an awesome burger joint. Serving traditional fare such as hot dogs, fries, and shakes, it even has Sloppy Joes and mac-and-cheese. I splurged and went with the Bacon Cheeseburger and fries.

Oh my, it was tasty. The bacon was so crisp (I hate soggy bacon!!), and the burger was perfect. The fries were shoestring style, crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. McDonald's wishes they could make fries that good! I also had a lovely conversation with the woman at the next table about the beauty that is a Vera Bradley bag. I was sporting my Plum Crazy patterned purse, and she had a soft pastel pattern. Her timing could not have been more perfect, as she asked me about my purse at the very moment I sent a text to my mother commenting on the high number of women in the restaurant with Vera Bradley bags! And don't let my photo fool you, I finished every morsel of that delicious meal.

After lunch it was off to the theater to pick up my ticket from Will Call. I am absolutely heartbroken that Newsies is closing. This was my third time seeing the show, and each time is better than the last. I had always been a giant fan of the original Disney movie, starring Christian Bale as newsboy strike leader Jack Kelly. For years I waited patiently through all the rumors of the movie coming to the Great White Way, and finally in 2012 my prayers were answered. Although different from the movie, Newsies the Musical is a few hours of pure joy that captures the heart of every member of the audience. The music is wonderful, the story is inspiring, and the dancing is both athletic and magical. Although I take solace in the fact that it is not closing forever and instead going on a national tour, I am going to miss this show so much. I was on the verge of tears during the curtain call, but I held it together.

I even stayed at the end with the other fangirls and got autographs from the cast! At the top is Ben Fankhauser, aka Davey, who I think would make the original movie actor, David Moscow, very proud. Below him is Corey Cott, aka Jack Kelly, who truly makes the part his own. And at the bottom is Liana Hunt, aka Katherine, who is as beautiful and graceful as she is talented. I was so starstruck, and so impressed how patient and gracious each member of the cast was as they went down the line of waiting people. They each made sure that they autographed the program of every person there. I have been at stage door autograph sessions many times, and rarely do the actors show that much consideration and appreciation for their fans.

My mission was to say goodbye to Newsies, and I think in my heart I did...... but if someone wants to give me some tickets so I can go again before it closes, I wouldn't turn them down!

And no adventure through Manhattan would be complete without some beauty stops! Birchbox, the monthly beauty subscription box service, recently opened their first physical store in SoHo, and although I've been disappointed in the boxes I've been getting as of late, I had to visit the shop and see what's what.

It's a gorgeous shop, with beautiful displays categorized into such areas as makeup, haircare, fragrance, men's, etc. Like their website, the store sells the full-sized versions of products they feature in their sample boxes, plus offers hair and makeup services. I had to avert my eyes when I walked past the display featuring the samples from the August box, since I haven't gotten mine yet and I like to be surprised. I also like that they have a section reserved for their top selling items. I will say that, like many other cosmetic stores, the try-me items were in a sorry state. For example, I opened one of the cheek and lip color palettes from theBalm, and it was sticky and disgusting, as if someone had taken their fingers and just smushed it haphazardly from one pot to the next. Gross.

I was most excited about the BYOB section: Build Your Own Box. For $15 you can purchase the same size box as the subscription service, but fill it with the samples you want. First, Birchbox should probably replace some of the bulbs in the sign (see above; didn't the store just open?). Second, no one was there to assist me (in fact I was pretty much ignored by the 99% of the staff the entire time I was in the store), so I'm not even really sure how it worked. And third, they had a few paltry samples in the display case, were they the only samples you could choose from for the BYOB (oh wait, I wouldn't know because no one was there to help me)? If so, the samples were not exciting enough to spend the money on.

So the Birchbox store was, like their boxes recently, underwhelming. But then I noticed this gem across the street:

A real Benefit boutique!! Like the elusive Sasquatch, I had only seen such shops in photos, never in person. In my area, the closest thing I have is the display at Sephora. Nothing like the perfectly pink playground of these boutiques. I think I made the staff uncomfortable when I walked in grinning from ear to ear! They asked if I was looking for anything in particular, and me being the creeper I am, replied that I just wanted to see how pretty and pink everything was in person. They backed away from me slowly... just kidding, they laughed and treated me very nicely! PS The sign, in case you can't read it in the photo, says "If you like it then you better put a wing on it," which I thought was adorable.

By this time it was getting pretty late and I was exhausted, so I headed home. My day-cation was so enjoyable. I really needed it, as this past week was completely awful (among other things, I got into a car accident!), and this escapade through the city was the perfect medicine.

Might Not Be My Mother's Shampoo, But She Still Likes It

If you happened to see my latest ULTA Haul post, you know that I purchased Not Your Mother's Beach Babe shampoo and conditioner. According to the packages, they promise "Wavy Volume" and "Tousled Waves," along with hydration and gentle cleansing. I've been using it for about two weeks now, whenever I wash my hair.

What struck me first was the strong coconut scent. This smell will stay with you for days, so be sure you like it before you buy it. All of a sudden, I'll toss my hair back and I'll get a whiff, even though I washed my hair two days before. I'm not much of a coconut fan, but this smell reminds me of suntan lotion and summer afternoons, so I actually really enjoy this particular scent.

It's a rich formula, but usually for me sulfate free shampoo does not lather well on the first round, and this is no exception. I know that the sulfates are what make the lather but can be bad for hair, but my hair is so thick that if the shampoo doesn't lather, it doesn't get distributed throughout. It kind of just sits there, like someone broke an egg on the top of my head. And so it goes with this shampoo, until I rinse and repeat and then I am able to get a good sudsing out of it.

The conditioner is wonderful, and very rich. I find, however, that the conditioner needs a good shaking before I flip open the cap, or else it tends to be a bit runny.

As for it's promises of waves and volume? Volume, yes, waves, maybe. As I mentioned, my hair is quite thick, but this shampoo does perk up the roots a bit, making my hair look fuller. If I let my hair dry naturally, it is normally neither straight or wavy, but instead it just exists, not knowing in what direction to go. This shampoo and conditioner definitely add to the waves, but not in any attractive fashion as it still looks crazy! If I want to get more organized (probably not the right word for it) waves, I bet I would have to invest in one of the texturizing sprays that can hold waves better.

I haven't tried these products with a blowout or a flat iron yet, but I've read that texturizing shampoos do better with styling tools because they help hold the style. We shall see.

And yes, my mom does like Not Your Mother's Beach Babe shampoo and conditioner. She really likes the coconut scent.

My Travel Essentials

Last weekend I had the opportunity to get away for the weekend. My dear friend had an extra ticket to the Dave Matthews Band concert in Connecticut and asked me along. As I was packing for the trip, I thought it might be fun to do a travel essentials post.

It is tough whittling down a giant makeup collection to just the bare bones! I like to travel very light, so I have to figure out exactly what makeup I'm going to actually use, and leave all the rest of my little friends behind. Nothing extraneous, just the few items I am going to need most often. So basically four categories: skincare, tools, foundation, and frosting (eyeshadow, mascara, lip gloss, etc).

In my search for the perfect makeup storage system to replace my current one (a giant tupperware bucket just doesn't cut it anymore!), I purchased Joy Mangano's Better Beauty Case Deluxe Set from HSN. It comes with an extra large roll-up case that I think will be perfect for storing my makeup, but also comes with a medium size case that fits perfectly in my duffel bag, and even fits in a large purse. I was excited that I would be able to use it for the weekend, and the four sections of the case fit my organization needs.

Each little triangle section is a different category. From right to left, I have my skincare, then tools, then foundation, then frosting. The bonus is that each little triangle is actually removable, so I could have stuck any particular section in my purse at a moment's notice. I loved this little case and was so glad I decided to pick it up off HSN.

So what's inside it, what did I deem worthy enough to travel with me? Quite a bit actually!

Skincare:

-bareMinerals Purifying Facial Cleanser (travel size): I don't like it as much as the Foaming Cleanser, but I love that it's a travel size

-bareMinerals Purely Nourishing Moisturizer for Combination Skin (travel size): smells delicious and does a great job

-Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Hydrating (travel size): not my favorite primer ever, but the small size is excellent for travel and it does a decent job

-Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: the only eyeshadow primer that actually works for me, I would not leave home without it

Tools:

-bareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush: perfect for applying bareMinerals Mineral Veil, Warmth and Rose Radiance

-bareMinerals Full Flawless Face Brush: for bareMinerals Original Foundation

-bareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush: for bareMinerals SPF 20 Concealer

-e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush: good for blending

-e.l.f. Studio Eyeshadow "C" Brush: great basic eyeshadow brush

-e.l.f. Essential Smudge Brush: haven't used this one much since I just got it, but it's a great brush for bringing eyeshadow under the eye

-e.l.f. Essential Blending Eye Brush: this is a fantastic brush for smoothing out harsh lines and contouring in the crease

Foundation:

-bareMinerals Original Foundation in Fairly Light: my favorite everyday foundation

-bareMinerals SPF 20 Concealer in Bisque: fantastic concealer, covers everything

-bareMinerals Warmth All-Over Face Color: a subtle bronzer that adds a hint of color

-bareMinerals Rose Radiance All-Over Face Color: I use this as my everyday blush

Frosting:

-Benefit They're Real Mascara (travel size): not usually my everyday mascara, but definitely one of my favorites. Love the travel size option.

-L'Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in Blackest Black: got this in my last ULTA haul and I absolutely love it. It came with a great applicator brush, and it glides on the lid effortlessly. This is a definite staple.

-NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Midtown Mauve: this is a little palette that has four really wearable colors. Including a primer and highlighter, this palette can be worn so many different ways, making it the perfect travel companion (I did not use the primer as I had my Urban Decay primer)

-NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Eclair: another standout from my last ULTA haul, I am so glad I took the advice of other bloggers and tried this. It is a fantastic lip gloss and I love this color

Wow, looking back that is a long list of "essentials"! Everything I brought easily transferred from day to night looks, was easily transportable, and allowed me to keep with my beauty routine even on the road. The case was perfect for travel and I look forward to using it again in the future.

PS The Dave Matthews Band concert was awesome! I had never seen them live before, and I am so grateful to my friend for letting me tag along! We had such an amazing time. Thanks, Jen!

Treated Myself to an Ulta Haul

It has been a rough couple months blog-wise. As you can see, I've only updated the blog a few times recently. My busy time at work is from May through July, so as we enter into the hotter months I am going to have a bit more time to dedicate to you, my readers! So why not start out with my favorite of things: a new haul!!

There is something fantastic about a haul. The thrill of browsing through the store, the wonderful feeling when you feel the heft of your purchases in the shopping bag, the potential that comes with opening each item, and the ultimate buyer's remorse being repressed. It's just the best.

This month's haul is from Ulta, my favorite beauty destination as it holds every brand I love all under one roof. What a brilliant idea it is to have the prestige brands, plus traditional drugstore brands all in the same place. It's a one-stop shop, and I go there so much the manager knows me well.

Ulta was having a special this week on NYX and L'Oreal Paris, among other brands. After winning a L'Oreal prize pack during a Twitter chat, I fell in love with the brand. The quality is outstanding for a drugstore brand, all at reasonable prices. I especially love the haircare line. And, NYX is always a temptation for me. So at 40% off, I was incredibly excited to get to the store, I even made a shopping list!

-NYX Dream Catcher Palette: This eyeshadow palette reminds me of Urban Decay's Naked palettes. At over $50, I cannot justify buying any of those palettes (yet), even though I want Naked3 SO badly. But in the meantime, I'm very happy to buy this little gem and not spend over $10. With 10 great colors, I'm excited to experiment! I bought it in the collection "Stormy Skies."

-L'Oreal Paris Infallible Lacquer Liner: Saw this gel liner when scrolling through the sale items on the Ulta app and it caught my fancy. I have never tried gel liner before, but all the reviews for this product made it seem like this is a great introduction. I got it in the shade Blackest Black.

-NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: I had never heard of this until I saw the L'Oreal Infallible Gel Liner Review/Demo by LearningToBeFearless where she mentions it (check out her videos, she is wonderful). Apparently this eyeshadow stick can be used as an eyeshadow (fancy that), an eyeshadow base, a brightener for the waterline, etc. It's like the Jack of all trades of the eyeshadow world. I'm just worried about having to sharpen it!

-NYX Butter Gloss: I have to admit, I was trying to resist these. I have SO MUCH lip gloss, I could use a different lip gloss each day for the rest of my life and I feel like I'd still have some leftover that I didn't use. But as I make the rounds of beauty bloggers and vloggers, these glosses keep following me! Everyone raves about these, about how they're not sticky and how wonderfully pigmented they are. But as they are usually around $5+, I was able to pass on them. But at 40% off? No way, they were indeed going to be mine. My original intent was to get just one, but of course at the low price I bought two. I got the shades Creme Brûlée and Eclair. I've been wearing Eclair and I have to admit, it is great so far.

-Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Shampoo and Conditioner: I waited for these to go on sale. I read somewhere that texturizing shampoos were great if you want to curl your hair or even to hold a better pony tail. Plus I'd like to imagine my hair would look great with beachy waves. So I'm going to check this shampoo and conditioner out and see what happens. Either way, at least it smells good!

-NYX Suede Collection: This was my impulse buy! I happened to see it at the end of an aisle, on the bottom shelf. I hadn't even seen this palette online, I didn't know the price, I just went for it. The colors are gorgeous! I need to be more adventurous in my eyeshadows (nudes are not the only shades!), and this, combined with the Dream Catcher palette, should fit the bill.

I haven't had this big of a haul in a long time. I'm so excited to try all of it, it took all of my willpower to not open everything before I had the chance to photograph it!

PS Does anyone know if NYX is pronounced like "Nicks" or like separate letters like "N.Y.X." Comment below with the answer because I want to know!!