There was a definite color theme in this month’s YoY box: black, pink, and white. 🙂 Check out what was inside!
*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites at the time of posting. Yes, Oh Yas! only provided the total savings, based on the information they received from the individual partner companies.
This lip brush comes apart so that you can cap it, which makes it perfect for carrying in my purse for touch-ups. My other lip brushes are pointier and have a slicker feel, so I like that this one is wider and softer. I love it for applying lip stains.
This claims to refresh your body and soul…blah, blah, blah. You can either use it as a scrub in the shower or you can add it to a running bath. I did the latter, and all I could smell was the coffee. That’s great if you’re a coffee lover–I’m not. I didn’t smell any of the essential oils it talks about and getting all the coffee grounds out of my tub was a pain. I could make my own scrub for less and like it a lot more.
This palette has too much glitter for my taste. That plus some of the colors make it difficult to use for everyday work looks. There was major kick-up and fallout, especially with the glitter shades. I don’t see myself reaching for this palette very often.
I’ll cut straight to the chase: the color is gorgeous, but I absolutely hate the texture of lip gloss. The stickiness drives me insane. Into the giveaway bag!
This was a typical felt tip liner; nothing about it really stood out to me, other than the fact that it was tough to get completely off at the end of the day. It’s certainly got staying power!
Total Value: $81
For $14.99, that means I saved 81% on retail! What are you waiting for?
I’m already looking forward to my May box! How about you?
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
Oh man, the second I squeezed this onto my finger, it took me back to the 90s. It looks and smells like the filling from Fruit Gushers, but it’s not sticky. Anyway, it’s a nice light, hydrating moisturizer that you can use morning and evening, and it’s great for all skin types.
This color is perfect for spring. This polish doesn’t say anything about being quick-dry, but it does seem to dry really quickly. I remember the last time I got a nail polish from this brand, I wasn’t impressed with its staying power. We’ll see how this one holds up.
They call this a cream pigment, but it didn’t have a very creamy consistency, which I’m totally fine with. I don’t tend to like cream eyeshadows very much. The color is gorgeous, and the shimmer isn’t too over-the-top. I didn’t notice any fallout, and it blends really nicely. I seem to have been getting a lot of plum and purple eyeshadows in my beauty subscriptions lately. Since I have hazel eyes, it works out well, but it gets a little repetitive.
We’ve all tried Tarte’s infamous Shape Tape Concealer, but I’d never tried their primer before. Its consistency surprised me–it’s a lot thinner than I expected. It seems to do a good job of adding some moisture while keeping your makeup in place.
This mask isn’t like your typical wash-off mask in the sense that it goes on fairly thin. You leave it on for 10 minutes, rinse it off, and then let your skin breathe for a few minutes. You actually don’t want it to dry all the way. I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference in my skin afterwards, but it might be because I have combination skin, and this is mostly recommended for dry skin.
ipsy started a new thing this month where you get to choose the 5th item for your bag. This is the one I chose, so I guess I didn’t choose well for my skin. I honestly don’t think it’s a bad product; it just wasn’t intended for my skin type. I did notice on the Apto website that all of their products are between $5 and $25, so I’d be curious to check out some of their other products.
My Rating: 2/5
This month’s bag had an average rating of 3.8. I can’t wait to see what May has in store!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
This mask is massage-activated, so I used my fingers instead of my mask spatula. It starts out white, and as you massage it on, the capsules of Blue Algae Extract and pigments burst, turning it a lovely light blue. The scent reminds me of your quintessential “Ocean Mist” or “Sea Breeze,” which I find soothing. You only leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off. My skin felt so soft afterwards, and the mask rinsed off fairly easily with a washcloth.
It truly is a multi-action mask: it’s soothing, nourishing, moisturizing, reducing signs of aging, and clarifying skin! I tend to love StriVectin products, and this mask certainly didn’t disappoint. I’d consider purchasing the full-size in the future.
What’s one of your favorite calming masks? Let me know in the comments.
Have a great week!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
This is something I’ve been meaning to create for awhile, and I’ll continue to add to it as time goes on. Whenever I include a list of key ingredients in a post, I’ll link it back to this page to include the benefits of individual ingredients. It’s in alphabetical order for easy reference.
Aloe Vera:
Anti-inflammatory and cooling properties make it an excellent remedy for sunburn
Moisturizes without any greasy residue
Speeds up skin cell production, which accelerates wound healing
Rich source of Vitamins C & E, which gives it anti-aging properties
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-microbial
Reduces acne
Lightens blemishes
Promotes healthy hair growth when used on your scalp
Prevents dandruff
Nourishes and conditions hair and scalp
Blue Algae:
Soothes & nourishes skin
Reduces visibility of fine lines
Coconut:
Moisturizes skin
Repairs damaged skin
Detoxifies skin and builds up skin’s natural immune defenses
Heals dry, cracked hands
Prevents skin cancer by blocking 20% of UV rays
Anti-aging
Promotes circulation
Removes excess oil from skin
Natural alternative for eye makeup remover
Prevents scalp infections
Promotes healthy hair
Cucumber:
Hydrates skin (cucumbers are 96% water)
Cools skin
Anti-inflammatory properties
Full of Vitamins A, B1, B7, & C, as well as potassium
Grape Seed Extract:
Contain proanthocyanidins & resveratrol, which can help prevent sun damage (not a substitute for regular sunscreen, though–think of it as a supplement)
Reduces wrinkles and fine lines
Softens skin
Source of Vitamins C & E
Honey:
Antibacterial properties make it great for acne treatment and prevention
Antioxidants slow down aging
Moisturizes & soothes
Opens up pores, making them easier to unclog
Jojoba Oil:
Moisturizes skin
Treats skin conditions like eczema and rosacea
Anti-inflammatory properties
Balances oil production
Similar to sebum, so it can be used as a substitute for people who don’t produce enough.
Inversely, it can also be used to remove excess sebum and build-up from hair.
Anti-bacterial
Non-comedogenic
Reduces wrinkles and signs of aging
Effective in treating acne
Excellent cleanser and makeup remover
Prevents razor burn
Reduces under-eye circles
Reduces stretch marks
Cleans scalp
Adds shine to hair
Helps protect hair color
Probiotics:
Protect & nurture skin
Pumpkin:
Fruit enzymes + alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) increase cell turnover
Vitamin A & C soften, soothe, and increase collagen production
Zinc (found in the seeds) help with acne by controlling hormone levels and oil production, as well as helping skin to heal
Fatty acids and Vitamin E (also found in the seeds) help maintain skin’s natural barrier and regulate sebum
Seaweed:
Hydrates skin
Amino acids help to plump up skin, reducing fine lines
Omega, zinc, & magnesium help heal conditions like acne and rosacea while creating a barrier from harsh environmental conditions
Antioxidants include Vitamins B & C and help clear pigmentation issued caused by sun exposure
Shea Butter:
Source of fatty acids, antioxidants, and Vitamins A, D, E, & F
Moisturizes & soothes skin
Treats acne & blemishes
Reduces inflammation
Anti-aging
Anti-free radicals
Relieves itchy/peeling skin (including a dry, itchy scalp)
Restores elasticity
Reduces razor irritation
Reduces stretch marks
Unrefined shea butter is safe for use on babies and toddlers (excellent for use on diaper rash or eczema)
Great for lip care
Repairs damaged hair
Prevents hair loss
Treats split ends & breakage
Natural conditioner
Soothes muscle aches
Can alleviate Rheumatism
Can alleviate Arthritis
Can alleviate nasal inflammation & congestion
Lowers cholesterol
Treats diarrhea
Wound & insect bite healing
Natural UV protection
Cooking alternative to coconut oil, butter, or olive oil
Squalane Oil:
Naturally occurs in the human body but can also be found in olives, rice bran, and wheat germ
Moisturizes without being heavy or greasy
Doesn’t clog pores
Fights free radicals
Balances oil production
Anti-inflammatory properties help with acne and eczema
Anti-aging
Promotes circulation, which boosts collagen production
Turmeric:
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties reduce redness from blemishes and calm conditions like eczema and rosacea
Combats acne
Reduces dark circles
Improves fine lines & brown spots caused by sun damage, as well as preventing the loss of elasticity
Reduces appearance of stretch marks
Soothes dry skin
Vitamin A:
Protects against UV damage and slows signs of aging
Encourages skin cell production, which helps protect against infection
Smoothes wrinkles
Evens skin tone
Clears up acne
Vitamin B:
B1 (Thiamin) has antioxidant and anti-aging properties, increases circulation, and helps protect against free radicals
B2 (Riboflavin) helps with healthy cell turnover; helps maintain skin’s mucus secretion to prevent acne and dry skin
B3 (Niacin) helps treat skin conditions like rosacea, acne, eczema, dermatitis, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, aging, and dry skin; softens and smoothes skin to reduce fine lines and redness; helps with production of ceramides and fatty acids to maintain skin’s natural protective barrier
B5 (Pantothenic Acid) is a humectant, so it attracts and retains water to improve elasticity and keep your complexion hydrated; reduces inflammation and redness
B6 (Pyridoxine) is needed for red blood cell development, cell production, and protein metabolism, which aids in skin cell growth and repair; can help regulate some hormone irregularities that can cause acne
B7 (Biotin) is needed for healthy cell growth and repair and the synthesis of fatty acids & amino acids in the body; evens out complexion, fights effects of free radicals, and maintains skin’s fat production to keep your complexion plump and hydrated
B9 (Folic Acid) contributes to cell production and tissue growth; helps detox the body, which can reduce breakouts. Too much, however, can result in increased acne and dry, patchy skin.
B12 (Cobalamin) regulates pigment production, helping to prevent dark spots; helps with protein metabolism, which contributes to healthy skin cell growth and repair
Vitamin C:
Protects skin from free radicals
Enhances collagen production, which results in anti-aging benefits
Reduces dark spots
Vitamin C can be found in multiple forms in skincare products
Ascorbic Acid
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (MAP)
Ester-C (trademark form that’s been combined with Calcium Ascorbate)
Remember that Vitamin C destabilizes when it comes in contact with air, so keep an eye on expiration dates, and opt for opaque bottles with a pump
Vitamin E:
Anti-inflammatory
Supports the immune system, cell function, and skin health
Fights effects of free radicals
Reduces UV damage to skin
May be effective at reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis & fatty liver disease
May slow progression of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Used to widen blood vessels to reduce the risk of blood clots
Absorption is improved when combined with Vitamin C
Watermelon:
Rich in Vitamins A, B6, & C = anti-aging properties
Contains lycopene and amino acids
Promotes hair growth
Helps prevents hair loss
Moisturizes hair
Hydrates skin
Prevents oil production
White Clay:
Draws out impurities without stripping skin
White Tea:
Antiseptic properties
Rich in antioxidants
Fights effects of free radicals
Reduces redness and inflammation
Contains epigallocatechin gallate, which stimulates skin cell growth
Contains phenols, which can strengthen collagen and elastin
ipsy got on the “strong women” train, and all of the products they chose this month were female-founded brands and girl boss must-haves. I’ve got to say, this bag might be one of my favorites so far. The rose gold and the empowering message were spot-on, plus there were some pretty fabulous products inside!
I honestly can’t say if this worked any better than my regular primer, but I will say that it felt nice and light. The full-size comes with a little scooper, so you apply one scoop. The sample size didn’t come with one, but ipsy recommended a dime-size amount. I just eyeballed it. Illamasqua’s website suggests applying it with a foundation or highlighter brush. I just used my fingers, so I’ll have to give the brush method a try.
This product has Vitamins C and B3, which help maintain your skin’s moisture levels, while plant extracts calm and refresh.
Illamasqua is an English brand; I can’t tell you if a woman founded it, but their current Director of Artistry is a man named Pablo Rodriguez. They are very outspoken against animal cruelty, animal testing, prejudice, and intolerance, so they’re doing their part to make the world a better place. Definitely a brand worth checking out.
I was already familiar with this highlighter because I got “Afterglow” in my Yes, Oh Yas! box a few months back. “Pearl” is gorgeous, and I’m more likely to use it on a regular basis. It’s not glittery, and it’s nice and buildable, which is perfect for day-to-day wear.
I’m not sure what Estate Cosmetic’s history is, but they’re based out of Montreal, and they have no patience for animal cruelty. Even if they weren’t founded by a woman or aren’t run by mostly women, they understand the importance of valuing women. Their “About Us” section ends with, “Yes, you’re a Queen. You deserve to be treated like one.” Get it!
I am OBSESSED with this mask. Yes, it’s totally Insta-worthy, but more importantly, my skin looked and felt incredible after using it. It was a little tricky to use with my mask spatula (also from I Dew Care) because of how small this jar is and because the mask has the runny consistency of acrylic paint. I made it work. It took about 20 minutes for it to dry, but once I peeled it off (you know I LIVE for peel-off masks!) my skin felt so soft and was visibly more even. After I make some space in my beauty cabinet, I might have to purchase the full-size of this one!
So what’s the secret? Well, pearl powder exfoliates, diamond powder brightens, and oat extract soothes. Enjoy sparkling while you’re wearing it and glowing afterwards. 🙂
I Dew Care’s parent company is Memebox, which was founded by Hyungseok Dino Ha in 2012. His goal was to make Korean Beauty (K-Beauty) more accessible to the western world. I Dew Care’s products look cute and fun; I’m interested to try more of them.
What makes you feel more badass than a classic red lip? I applied it with a lip brush and had great results. It felt pretty light, and there was no caking, drying, cracking, or bleeding. Yeah, it faded around the center of my mouth after lunch, but a quick touch-up was all I needed. It’s not transfer-proof by any means, but I still really liked it.
This particular lipstick was created in collaboration with Misty Diaz, who is a self-described “adaptive athlete.” A portion of the proceeds from this collaboration are donated to the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).
REALHER was founded by Bill Xiang, who was inspired by the birth of his daughter. I’m not going to try paraphrasing REALHER’s mission statement; I’m going to let you read it for yourself:
“We are a high quality, CERTIFIED CRUELTY-FREE and PARABEN FREE makeup brand featuring empowering and inspiring affirmations on our product. Our Mission is to inspire and bring out the best in the modern woman, to know her worth, to feel proud of her individuality, to love each and every one of her flaws, and to not fear who she really is. Each of our products come with a self-affirmation to remind us everyday that we are enough.”
Can we have more of this in the world, please? This is absolutely a brand I can get behind and want to check out more.
My Rating: 4/5
SS62 Short Shader Brush
from SLMISSGLAM Beauty
As is usually the case with SLMISSGLAM, most of their brushes can’t be bought individually. I can’t find this exact brush in this color anywhere on their site, but you can get a silver glitter version as part of their Silver Glitter Eye Set. (At the time of posting, it’s currently on sale for $39!) This brush is perfect for adding a pop of color to your inner corner or helping you achieve that perfect smoky eye. As always, SLMISSGLAM’s brushes are 100% cruelty-free.
Stephanie Lewis founded SLMISSGLAM Beauty in 2014, and she’s all about creating beauty tools that are as pretty as the products they’re applying.
My Rating: 5/5
This month’s bag had an average rating of 4.6. I believe that might be my highest rated bag yet!
I’m curious to know what makes you feel empowered. Is it a bold red lip or a fierce cat eye? Maybe it’s your favorite pair of boss lady heels or being able to bench more than your body weight. I really want to know. Tell me in the comments!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
March is National Women’s History Month, so this month’s YoY theme was “Girl Power!”
*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites at the time of posting. Yes, Oh Yas! stopped listing the dollar value of the box and just provided the total savings, based on the information they received from the individual partner companies.
The packaging is different than on the website, which threw me a little, but I digress. I’m not a mascara girl. It was my least favorite part of doing stage makeup for ballet performances as a little girl, and I still avoid at all costs as an adult. I was going to put this mascara in my giveaway bag, but then I was getting ready for a wedding and needed some mascara to prep my lashes for putting on my falsies. I’m not really a mascara connoisseur, but this one doesn’t appear to be waterproof, so I probably wouldn’t have chosen it for myself. It came off fairly easily at the end of the night, so at least there’s that.
I love, love, love this liner for my waterline. It goes on so smoothly with great pigmentation, and because it’s waterproof, it lasts all day. Two thumbs up, for sure.
I’m not a fan of the smudgy eyeliner look (probably because I’m not good at it–or maybe I’m not good at it because I don’t like it…hm.) Anyway, this pencil is waterproof and works great on my waterline instead. It goes on smooth as butter and creates a bit of a softer look than black.
The palette is cute, and these shades will flatter any complexion. These blushes blend like a dream and pack some serious pigmentation–a little bit of product goes a loooooong way. The website describes “Jive” as a Coral Peach and “Cha-Cha” as an Orange Marmalade. There’s also a Rosy Blush palette, which is what I probably would have gravitated towards. It contains “West Coast Swing” (Burnt Hibiscus) and “Foxtrot” (Rose Taupe.) This peachy palette will be gorgeous for spring/summer.
PS: these blushes contain Rosehip Seed Oil, which is great for your skin, and this product is 100% vegan and cruelty-free. 🙂
I love trying new brands, and this was one I’d never even heard of before! I liked how well it set without being sticky or drying, and the color is a really flattering nude. My only complaint was that it started to break up over the course of the day, and it didn’t touch up well. At such a reasonable price point, though, you don’t have much to lose by trying it out. You’ve got 22 shades to choose from!
Total Value: $84.99
For $14.99 means I saved 82% on retail! What are you waiting for?
What made you feel empowered this month? Share in a comment!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
A dewy finish isn’t really my thing (I tend to go more matte), but I went ahead and gave this a whirl anyway. The sweet citrusy scent was a little strong, but I used a small enough amount that it wasn’t overwhelming. I used the moisturizer like I would a highlighter (mainly on my cheekbones and the tip of my chin) before I put on primer. Let’s call it a “pre-highlighter” for when I’m feeling a little extra. I definitely had to wash my hands afterwards. It comes in 2 other colors: “Pearl Glow” and “Sun Glow;” “Nude Glow” was pretty and seems like it’d be pretty universally flattering. Do I think I’d purchase the full-size, though? Probably not. It’s just not my cup of tea. *shrug*
I’m not as big a fan of felt tip liners because they sometimes skip a little, but this one goes on fairly smoothly. The only issue is the tip is so fine that I have to go over the same area multiple times. It’s waterproof and lasted all day without flaking or budging, but it still doesn’t top my $7.50 NYX Liquid Matte. What can I say? A higher price doesn’t always mean you’ll like it better.
This color is perfect for work when I’m short on time and just want a subtle wash of color on my lids. This mauve-pink shade is really flattering, and I can wear it alone, or use it to add a little depth to my eye look. The pan size is pretty generous, so this might become a workday staple. It went on velvety smooth and had no fallout and minimal kick-up.
My Rating: 5/5
Powder Brush 50F
from F.A.R.A.H. Brushes
It’s so fluffy! I find it odd that I can’t find this exact brush anywhere on the F.A.R.A.H. website, but you can get one from their rose gold collection for $15, so I assume this one would be roughly the same price. The bristles aren’t quite as dense as my IT Cosmetics Luxe LBD Powder Brush #307, so it doesn’t pick up quite as much product. (Sometimes that’s a good thing.) Not to mention, this one is about 1/3 of the price, plus it’s 100% vegan and cruelty-free. According to ipsy, it’s versatile enough that you can use it for setting powder, bronzer, or blush. You know I love multi-use tools and products. 🙂
I started out not loving this foundation, but I warmed up to it. I hated it when I used the sponge applicator because it left my skin feeling kind of cakey and dry. It also ended up breaking up over the course of the day, even with makeup refreshing spray. I gave it another shot using a foundation brush. That was more successful, but given how small the pan is, it was somewhat inefficient, and I was paranoid that I wasn’t getting even coverage. It did hold up better over the course of the day, though, and it seems that the coverage is buildable. Maybe with a larger pan I’d have an easier time, but I’m also still a fan of the color-correcting properties of my Laura Geller pressed powder foundation.
My Rating: 3/5
This month’s bag had an average rating of 3.8. How did your beauty subscriptions treat you in February? Tell me in the comments!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
If you’d like to be notified when new posts go up, please subscribe to Balanced Life Beauty.
Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614(You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Yes, Oh Yas!: Get 3-7 full-size beauty products worth $65+ delivered to you each month for $14.99 + shipping. Use coupon code SARAH614 at checkout for 10% off your first box!
ipsy: Get 5 personalized products + a cute cosmetic bag delivered each month for only $10! You also get to enjoy to the ipsy app and website, which give you access to tutorials, articles, and ipsy Shopper.
