It’s love. :)

Katie

Here are some of the major drawbacks of this product (and for the record, I’m a fan of Benefit and have a huge collection of their products that I find invaluable, the Hello Flawless Liquid Foundation is just not one of them):

• Small color range (it comes in 9 shades – what?!)
• Yellow-ish pigmented formula (I tried 4 different shades and found that all of them have yellow undertones)
• No staying power (it slide off my face after about 4-5 hours – not my best look)
• Although oil-free it seemed to make my face appear oily (and I don’t have oily skin, quite the opposite actually)

Although this drawbacks are unforgivable, there are some things Benefit got right with this product: packaging, product names, and consistency. The packaging is quite user-friendly – I love the pump and shape of the bottle. Each name is cute! It makes me want to wear this foundation (petty, I know…). And finally, the consistency of this product is likable. It feels like a tinted moisturizer which is nice for the warmer weather.

I will either pass this product on to someone who might enjoy it more than me (ahem, my sister…) or just continue to wear it since it was $34.oo. Either way, the harsh truth is that I will not be re-purchasing it!

Katie

What is the allure with Ren?

• Renpure products are healthier for you and the earth.
• Ren is easy to use – pump the product out, massage it into your scalp, let it sit and rinse (does not require multiple steps like Wen and Hair One).
• You can use it as a leave-in conditioner or detangler in addition to using it as a shampoo/conditioner.
• Your hair is left amazingly soft, clean and shiny.
• Ren contains Keratin, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter.
• Ren comes in two scents: Rosemary Mint and Sweet Pomegranate. I have both in my shower and alternate between them.

Try Ren! Let me know what you think below. My experiences with Renpure as a brand have been awesome, and I’m excited to continue using their products.

-Katie

I challenge you to tally up the number today. Now, think about the ingredients label for each product. Can you read all of the ingredients? If not, are you comfortable with applying those chemicals to your body? Since there is very little legislation protecting consumer health, when it comes to cosmetics and beauty products, it’s up to you to choose healthier options. It’s easier than you think and even committing to make small changes to your routine will have a great impact.

Organic products are better for you and for the earth! Here is a guide for going green with your makeup:

1. Commit to buying healthier beauty products

2. Discard old makeup and beauty products (Seriously, the eyeshadow you wore to prom? Needs to go…)

3. Enjoy the products you have and once they run out, replace them with greener versions

4. Purchase new products. Some of my favorite brands are Zoya, Josie Maran, Eco Tools , Lavanilla, LUSH, SpaRitual, Tarte, and Renpure.

5. Enjoy your new products and spread the word. Consumers can shape the cosmetic industry and change the landscape of it with the demand for healthier, greener products.

Quick fixes to help you get started:

• Pick up a healthy shampoo/conditioner, I recommend trying Renpure Organics
• Use a greener deodorant, I recommend Lavanilla or Tom’s
• Swap out your nailpolish for a Big 3 Free version (meaning free of Formaldehyde, Toluene or DBP), check out Zoya or SpaRitual
• Read this article from the Cosmetic Databse, Top Tips for Safer Products.

If you still need some convincing:

• Making small changes to your beauty routine will make a huge difference! Start out by using Big 3 Free nail polishes and avoiding products with fragrance.
• Cosmetic products and ingredients are not subject to FDA premarket approval authority, with the exception of color additives. - Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Beauty products (makeup, fragrance, etc.) will make its way inside your body -whether it is by absorption through the skin (your largest organ) or inhalation.
• Chemicals found in beauty products have been linked to cancer, reproductive and respiratory concerns, and have been linked to other diseases.
• Visit the Cosmetic Database, type in the name of a product you use, and evaluate it. Your product will be given a rating on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the safest.

Happy Earth Day!

x0,

Katie

A B.B. Cream is a beauty balm that primes the skin for other products, but also act as a foundation, serum, sunscreen, and moisturizer. Sounds too good to be true, right?

The Boscia B.B. Cream was fun to try but I don’t think I will be repurchasing this particular product. I would however, give another B.B. Cream a try because I like the idea of this product. The Boscia B.B. Cream was supposed to create a “lustrous, flawless finish as it hydrates, firms and soothes the skin.” Honestly, I’m not sure that it accomplished any of those things. It dried too quickly, therefore it was difficult to get an even application. The color was a bit too dark for my skin and looked very unnatural. Finally, the product was difficult  to remove from my skin.

Have you tried any B.B. Creams? What was your experience with them?

There are different types of shadows: powder, gel, baked (wet/dry shadows), etc. All of these shadows require a primer before applying the actually shadow. A primer gives the shadow something to cling to on your eyelid, keeps the shadow from creasing, and can also cancel out discoloration on your lid (think veins, skin discoloration – redness, darkness, etc.).

So many primer options exist! Some favorites include MAC Painterly Paint Pot, Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and Benefit Stay Don’t Stray. I reach for MAC Painterly Paint Pot on a daily basis!

To use an eyeshadow base or primer, apply the product to your lid (a little bit goes a long way with these products). Sweep it over your whole eyelid from your upper lash line to the brow bone with your finger (you can use a brush instead but your finger works perfectly and is quicker). Follow up this procedure with your eyeshadow for a longer lasting effect. Also, since your shadow will likely be a bit more difficult to remove at the end of the day, make sure you are gentle with your eyelid and use makeup remover to get the product completely off.

I can’t imagine using an eyeshadow without a primer! :)

xo,

Katie

Brushes: 4 eye brushes, a powder brush, stipling brush, concealer brush, flat top kabuki, a contoured kabuki, and a blush brush.

The brush clutch is cute too – I will probably reserve this for traveling.

I purchased mine at Costco but here is the link if you want to check them out: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11707295

x0x0,

Katie

The range of colors that this gloss comes in is fabulous – nudes, brights, darks & shimmers. The names of the colors are fun and reminiscent of Zoya nail polishses (which are all girls names too).

The gloss can be worn alone or layered over a lip stain, lipstick or a neutral lip pencil. My favorite shades are Katie and Dolly. Dolly is probably more versatile but Katie is perfect with a smokey eye.

I get my lip polishes at Sephora, and they are $18.00/gloss. The quality of the product is awesome and I definitely recommend checking them out. :]

x0x0,
Katie

1 3/4 cup flour

1/4 cup oil (or 1/2 cup applesauce)

1/2 cup sugar (or 1/4 cup splenda)

3/4 cup fresh blueberries

1 egg

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 cup milk

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. Mix flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar.

2. In another bowl, beat the egg, add milk, vanilla and oil/applesauce. Add to flour mixture. Stir until it looks lumpy.

3. Fold in blueberries.

4. Spoon into baking cups in a mini muffing pan using a tablespoon.

5. Bake in oven (for approx.10-12 minutes) until the tops are golden brown and the center is cooked through (check with a toothpick/fork.)

If you use the Splenda and applesauce as substitutes for sugar and oil, each mini muffin is approximately 35 calories.

Hope you enjoy this,

xo Katie