Review/Swatches L.A. Girl Nail Polishes

Prices? both $4.00, but on sale right now at Cherry Culture for $2.99

Where can I find it? L.A. Girl's Website & Cherry Culture

What's included? Just the polishes themselves.

Overall rating

(Out of 5)

Thanks L.A. Girl for sending me these products to review!

First I'll be reviewing the Glitter Addict Nail Polish in Nostalgic

As you can see it's a gorgeous blue-green with chunky blue glitter, and smaller, multicolored glitters. This is four coats.

It has a very thick consistency which helps the glitter stay on, the drying time is average. This lasted five days, FIVE days! A lot of nail polishes will chip on me after only one day. I'm very impressed! 

Rather than chipping this just came off in one big chunk (with a couple of glitters left behind) which was great because I didn't have to bother with nail polish remover or ugly chipping.

Next is the Color Addict Nail Color in Urge

Urge is a lime green with lots of fine, gold shimmer. This is sheer, I'd recommend 2-3 coats.

Again this lasted five days. It did chip on the fifth day unlike the glitter one which came off in one big chunk.

The only downside with this color is that it stained my nails. For the sake of this review I didn't use a base or top coat. If you use a base coat you should be okay.

Overall I recommend these, just use a base coat with the green!

Review/Swatches Ecco Bella

Prices? both are $15.95


Where can I find it? Ecco Bella's Website to see where to purchase Ecco Bella products at a store near you click here


What's included? Just the items themselves.


Overall rating

(Out of 5)

Thank you Ecco Bella for sending me these great products to review!

First I'll be reviewing the FlowerColor Lipstick in Pink Rose

I like this lipstick, I find it wears a good amount of time, and has great pigmentation.

That is only one swipe!

I don't find it to have much of a scent just that classic lipstick smell.

It's not moisturizing, but it's not particularly drying either. Of course you should wear a lip balm under most lipsticks anyway.

The packaging is nice, I like that it's slightly smaller than a lot of other lipsticks, but you still get a lot of product. I hate bulky packaging, it's such a waste!

Overall I really like this lipstick, and would recommend if you're looking for something long wearing, and pigmented. I didn't like this particular color with my skin tone, but I think it would look gorgeous on other skin tones.

Next I'll be reviewing the FlowerColor Coverup

This is extremely creamy, I love the consistency!

I find it covers my dark circles pretty well, it doesn't cover them completely, but most concealers don't as I have really bad dark circles. It lasts pretty well though it doesn't look quite as good by the end of the day.

I don't find it to crease unless I apply a thick layer.

This is in the shade Beige which is the lightest color available, it matches my skin well. For reference I'm an NW20 in MAC possibly NW25 at the moment as I do have a slight tan.

They currently have two shades available, Beige, and Medium Beige which I find a little disappointing because it wont suit very fair or very dark complexions, here's hoping they come out with more shades!

Overall I do recommend.

Something I found to be really cool is that all of their FlowerColor products contain flower color wax which is what gives the flower petals their delicate velvet feel! I've always loved the feel of flower petals, is it just me?

If you're interested in their products I suggest signing up here, you'll receive $10 off your order! Also I really recommend this brand if you're vegan because they have a lot of vegan products, and all of their products are free of water, gluten, dyes, preservatives, and absolutely NO animal testing.

I will definitely be trying more of their products in the future!

Review/Swatch Yes To Carrots Lip Butter

Price? Usually under $3.00, it depends on where you purchase it.


Where can I find it? Yes To Carrot's Website, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, Walmart 


What's included? Just the lip butter itself.


Rating






(Out of 5)

Swatch

As you can see it's colorless, but gives a glossy finish.

I absolutely love this lip balm! It feels so silky and moisturizing upon application. The scent is lovely, and the flavor correlates to the scent (though I don't recommend eating it!)

They have many different scents/flavors my favorite is Citrus. I'm reviewing Melon because I used all of my citrus one, sad times. They also have one with SPF.

This is perfect if you have very dry lips because it's extremely moisturizing.

If you're going to use it under a lipstick I recommend doing a thin layer because with a thick layer it tends to make the lipstick apply more sheer.

The only real con is that I find if I ingest too much it makes my throat burn, but this could be due to me applying too much, or something else. It could also be just me, others may not have this issue. I'll update if I have this problem again!

Advantages

95% organic

Inexpensive

Moisturizing

Not tested on animals

Variety of flavors

Disadvantages

Can be too moisturizing to apply before lipstick if applied heavily

Throat issue mentioned above 

Overall I totally recommend!

Swatched - Too Faced Lip Of Luxury in Cougar

Unfortunately this shade is too dark/brown for me, I can't wear it even sheered out without looking like I just ate chocolate, but not in a good way... however this would be gorgeous on darker skin tones!

Review Ocean Potion

See links for prices! All products mentioned retail for under $8.00


What's included? The items themselves.


Where can I find it? Drugstore.com, Walmart & drugstores


Lip balm rating






(Out of 5)


 Anti-Aging Face Potion with Retinol SPF 45 rating

(Out of 5)


Overall rating for the rest of the products






(Out of 5)

Moisturizing Lip Potion SPF 45

I love this lip balm!

This is available in one flavor, Orange Vanilla.

It smells just like a creamsicle. Once applied you can smell it on your lips, I adore the scent!

It leaves my lips nice, moisturized, and protected.

The only con is that it feels gritty, but this could just be due to the fact that it has such high SPF, I'm not quite sure.

Overall I do recommend, and would repurchase with my own money.

Clear Zinc Oxide Face Potion SPF 45

I'm not a fan of this.

I find it leaves a bit of a white cast on your skin and is quite thick. 

I noticed when wearing this on my legs in hot weather that mixed with sweat (yes gross, I know) it tends to feel quite goopy/greasy on your skin. 

It is unscented which I do like.

Overall I do not recommend unless you're a ghost that doesn't sweat.

Aloe Aftersun Lotion

I like this lotion.

I really like this lotion, and everything about it except for the scent. I'm not sure how to describe it, I suppose it smells like aloe? 

Someone told me it smells like sun tan lotion in the 70s, if that helps..

Overall the lotion itself is great, but I'm not digging the scent. I suggest smelling it before purchasing & if you like the scent then I totally recommend it. I would not repurchase with my own money unless they came out with a different scent because as stated above I don't like the scent.

Dab-On Sport Stick SPF 50

I think this is a cool product, but I'm not sure how well it actually works.

The directions say to "Apply generously before sun exposure." however doing so I still didn't feel it protected my skin. Maybe I'm just used to thicker products, but this is very thin, and transparent.

I also find it can be difficult to get product to dispense from the sponge, and unsanitary.

Scent wise it smells like rubbing alcohol.

Overall I don't recommend, and would not repurchase with my own money.

Sunblock Lotion Anti Aging SPF 50

I'm on the fence with this one.

The scent smells like Fruit Loops which I'm not too keen on, don't get me wrong, the cereal is awesome, but I don't want to smell like it..

However I do like the fact that this sunscreen is paraben free, and photo stable (so you wont look like Casper in photos)

This will make you look very dewy so if you don't like the dewy I suggest setting it with translucent powder or going over it with a matte foundation.

Overall I would not repurchase with my own money because I like my fruit loops in my bowl, with milk, and not all over my face & body, but if you love the scent go for it! It is a nice sunscreen.

Anti-Aging Face Potion with Retinol SPF 45

I LOVE this sunscreen!

It's unscented.

It rubs in easily, moisturizes well, and gives a really dewy look, it's too dewy for my taste so I like to set it with powder. I've started using this as my everyday moisturizer, and I just love it!

Overall I do recommend, and would repurchase with my own money.

Yes, I was sent these products by Ocean Potion for review, thanks OP!

Review/Swatch Dancing Dingo

See links for prices!

What's included? Face Scrub - just the scrub itself. Shampoo - just the shampoo itself. Perfume - lovely bottle, and velvet pouch (Sonia!) 

Where can I find it? Dancing Dingo's Website

Overall rating

(Out of 5)

First I'll be reviewing the Bamboo & Green Tea Botanical Facial Scrub

This scrub has lots of quite large granules, so it may be too harsh for very sensitive skin, however after I used it my skin didn't look irritated, and it was actually less dry than usual, but It didn't exfoliate quite as well as I would have hoped. I didn't find it to break me out which is always great.

It leaves behind a slight moisturizing layer, but I would still use a moisturizer afterwards. I think it would also work well as a body scrub, I'll have to try it!

Scent wise it smells a little bit nutty, but I really can't put my finger on the scent! Some people may not like it, but I don't find it bothersome.

Overall I'm on the fence with this, I'll have to keep using it, and update with my progress!

Next is the Shampoo By Nature Grapefruit Ylang

I really like this shampoo!

It cleaned my hair thoroughly, and made it very shiny. It lathers amazingly well.

If you smell it inside the bottle it smells bad, but once you lather your hair with it you get a citrus-y grapefruit scent which is much nicer. I think it's due to the essential oils.

I wouldn't use this everyday to wash my hair because I like to wash my hair twice just to remove any dirt/oil/sweat, but I think this would be great for removing product build up a few times a week.

Overall I recommend! The only downside is that since it's a somewhat thin, liquid-y consistency I think you would run out of it fast, but I do tend to use a lot of shampoo.

Last, (my favorite!) the Moroccan Rose Natural Perfume

I love this, it smells just like fresh roses!

The glass bottle is gorgeous, I love the emerald colored jewel on the lid,  and the silver filigree-esque print on the sides.

As you can see in the above photos, it's not your conventional spray bottle type fragrance. It has a little plastic stick which you can use to apply it. I like to apply it on my pulse points.

This is a very delicate scent, it's not one of those scents where someone walks past you and assumes you were attacked by a rose bush, no.

It wont cause you to have a major headache like a lot of perfumes tend to do (at least with me anyway.) It's also alcohol free, so it wont have that strong alcohol scent, and it wont dry out your skin. I do wish it was stronger, but I love it as is, the bottle as I've already said is gorgeous, and the scent is amazing,

Overall I definitely recommend! The full sized version is $23.00, but If you're unsure you'll like this scent they offer 4ml samples for $5.00 they have samples for just about every product.

I'd also like to mention that everything was wrapped up nicely in pink tissue paper (which of course I LOVED.)

Thank you Dancing Dingo/Kathy for providing these items for review! 

Review/Swatch The Nature's Co White Lily Body Scrub

Price $21.00 


Where can I find it? The Nature's Co Website


What's included? The product itself with a cardboard tag tied around the tube explaining the ingredients.


Rating






(Out of 5)

(Click to enlarge and read.)

I'll start off by saying I love this body scrub!

It has a lot of exfoliating grains, the grains are corn grits.

It has a gorgeous scent, and even once rinsed off it leaves behind a fresh, lily scent.

My skin feels amazing after using this! Since it's for dry skin it's not drying, and it actually leaves behind a layer of moisture, but you probably would still need to use a lotion/body butter afterwards. It  leave my skin feeling lovely, and very smooth.

Advantages

Lots of exfoliating granules

Makes skin feel amazing

Not tested on animals

Smells great

Tag (thought it was a nice touch, and liked that it was informative)

Disadvantages

A bit pricey

Can be difficult to rinse off

Overall I recommend, but I'm not sure if I would repurchase because I think I could find a cheaper dupe. Please let me know if you prefer long or short reviews.

I won this in Confessions Of A Beautyholic's a giveaway!

Review Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

Price? $22.50


Where can I find it? Fresh's Website, & Sephora


What's included? Just the lip balm itself.


Rating






(Out of 5)

This is the original clear version, they also have several tinted ones.

It gives a slightly glossy appearance to the lips.

It has a pleasant, light sweet lemon scent, and is flavorless.

Texture wise it's very smooth, like butter in 95 degree weather, you only need a thin layer because it is so moisturizing. I love that it has SPF because often times we forget we need to protect our lips as well as our skin!

Something else I really like about this where packaging is concerned is that it twists shut at the bottom, unlike other lip products. So you never have to worry about it opening, and getting all over your purse. I learned this the hard way, ahem lip gloss that shall remain nameless!

The only con for me besides the price is that you can get product build up around your lips if you apply too much because it is really moisturizing, but if you do a thin layer you're fine.

Overall I do really like this, but I would not repurchase with my own money because I think $22.50 is expensive for a lip balm, I think there are cheaper alternatives, however this is a good product. 

Advantages

Moisturizing

Packaging

Scent

Disadvantages

Price

This product was sent to me by Fresh to review, thank you Fresh Cosmetics.

If you have any additional questions regarding this product feel free to ask me in the comments!

Review/Swatch Badger SPF 30+ Unscented Face Stick

Price? $8.50


Where can I find it? Badger's Website, and LovelySkin


What's included? Just the sunscreen itself.


Rating






(Out of 5)

Texture wise this is very thick, and dry. I don't find it to be moisturizing, in fact I find it makes dry patches stand out, which disappointed me because I expected it to have some sort of moisturizing property.

A swatch, it looks shiny on camera because of the flash, but it wont make you look oily etc, it's matte.

I like to apply my sunscreen quite thick just so I'm less likely to get sun burnt, and this will give a bit of a white cast, but i think that applies to most sunscreens. If you have darker skin you may want to avoid this for that reason.

Scent wise it is "unscented," but of course it still smells of the ingredients which smell nutty, but I don't find it bothersome or strong.

It claims to retain SPF after 80 minutes of activity in water or perspiring. 

I can't attest to the waterproof capabilities, but I do find it lasts pretty well.

Overall for my skin type dry/combo I wouldn't recommend, but I have read some good reviews of this, if you have oily skin this could work for you.

If you're interested in purchasing this or other Badger products I recommend purchasing them from LovelySkin.com because they always have free shipping, free samples for every order & they usually have 20% off for holidays. I'm not sponsored by them or anything, I just like their website, and thought it may be helpful to some of you!

What's your favorite sunscreen?