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
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I’m a total boss at skincare when it comes to my face. Below the neck I’m not nearly as disciplined. (Hey, no one’s perfect.) It’s hard with my hands and feet because doing aerial silks, I need them to have traction, but at the same time, a girl wants to be able to wear strappy heels and sandals without feeling self-conscious, and no one actually wants their hands to feel like sandpaper.
I can pumice my feet into submission, but hands are a little more delicate. That’s where this miracle worker comes in:
Limited-Edition Blissful Pomegranate Satin Hands Pampering Set
This set was an unexpected gift from my mom when she and my dad came to visit recently. 🙂 I used to use the original Satin Hands set a lot in high school. It smelled like roses, and it left my hands feeling ridiculously soft. The fresh, subtle pomegranate scent of this set smells really good, too. It’s a 3-step process that’s super easy.
Step 1: Protect
The unscented Satin Hands Protecting Softener is pretty self explanatory–it protects the skin and seals in moisture to prepare it for Step 2. Make sure you get every square inch, including between your fingers, and don’t wash it off before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Exfoliate
I’m obsessed with exfoliating, so here’s where things get really good! The Satin Smoothie Refining Shea Scrub gently exfoliates your hands, while the Shea Butter in it helps to soften them even more. After a thorough scrubbing (I’d recommend about 30 seconds), rinse it off and pat your hands dry.
Step 3: Soothe
Now that you’ve gotten all the dead skin, dirt, and nastiness off your hands, it’s time to moisturize so you can keep your hands feeling soft. The Satin Hands Nourishing Shea Cream has more Shea Butter to up the moisture factor even more. It claims to moisturize your hands for 24 hours, but I wash my hands a LOT, so I’m skeptical about that part. I like the fact that it doesn’t leave your hands feeling greasy, just soft and smooth.
You can also use the Shea Cream by itself as a hand cream, but I’m terrible about remembering to use hand cream, and it would make it harder to do silks.
I’ll usually use this about once a week so that it doesn’t interfere with silks.
What’s your favorite hand product? Leave a comment so I can check it out!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
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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!
This perfume has a complex scent, and I can’t decide if I like it. At first it comes across as a pretty strong floral, but then the amber and sandalwood balance it out. It’s definitely strong, and I’ve got to say this sample sprays really well (the nozzles on some of these little bottles are crap.) I’m not a huge Michael Kors fan anyway (overrated), so the chances of me buying this are slim regardless.
Ah, one of my favorite K-Beauty brands! This moisturizer is meant for sensitive skin that doesn’t handle AHAs and BHAs well. Having sensitive skin doesn’t mean you can’t glow! As an alternative, this moisturizer uses polyhydroxy acids to soften skin and clear away dead skin cells. In addition, there’s Coconut Fruit Extract and Niacinamide to moisturize and balance skin. I don’t have super sensitive skin, but I’m still looking forward to trying this out!
Mamonde is a South Korean skincare brand that focuses on natural ingredients. I love rose scented things, and this mask is actually made with real Damask rose petals. I can’t wait to give this and the green tea mask a try for future Spoil Me Sundays!
This was also a beauty steal on September 19th, so it was half price.
What was your favorite item from 21 Days of Beauty? Can’t pick just one? Tell me why in the comments!
Love,
Sarah xoxo
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Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614Â (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!
Part 3 of this travel-prepping series: skincare and makeup. I work too hard on my skin to slack off on my regimen just because I’m on vacation. We’ll be taking lots of photos, after all! When you have to worry about luggage weight, liquid limits, and just plain efficiency, how do you pack for a trip? Read on to find out my plan!
PS: any items marked with an asterisk (*) were part of my September Ulta Beauty Haul.
In My Carry-on
When I’m planning on checking a bag, I pack my beauty/personal items with the mentality that if my bag is lost when I arrive at my destination, what do I need with me to comfortably get through a night (or two) without it? I also factor in any items that I don’t want to subject to air pressure changes, as well as my pricier products that I want to make sure are handled with care.
The Liquids
I’m able to fit A LOT into this quart-size bag from the Container Store:
I’ll also be adding the hand cream and rollerball perfume that I keep in my purse, plus my travel size hydrating mist from Juice Beauty. I’m choosing to keep my makeup look on the more natural side, so I’m not planning on bringing any liquid lipsticks, just tinted lip balm.
The Non-Liquids
This cute bag was a nifty bridesmaid gift from a wedding I was in this year. In it I’ll be packing all the non-liquid items that I don’t want to leave my side:
A little mesh carrying case for my makeup sponges so they have a chance to dry between uses
My dome ZPalette that has my blushes, highlighters, pressed powder foundation (if I want to use it instead), and medium-sized Z Palette Travel Jars for my CC Cream so I don’t have to bring the whole tube
The Z Palette Travel Jars will be easy to pop out of the Z Palette and into my liquids bag to go through airport security. I’ll also be packing my epilator and its charger in my non-liquids bag before I leave.
Makeup Brushes
I’m certainly not bringing every brush I own, but it’s a decent collection of everyday essentials:
Spoolie
Angled brow brush
Small powder brush for setting my eyeshadow primer
I reserve the folding toiletry bag for the items I’m not super worried about getting lost or damaged. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc. are all items you can expect to find in most hotel rooms. Do I prefer my own? Of course, but I can’t fit my entire bathroom into a quart-sized bag. 🙂
I’m sure there are things I’ll remember at the last minute and toss in, but I’d say my beauty regimen is all set for a belated honeymoon in Ireland! Any recommendations for things to see and do while we’re there?
Love,
Sarah xoxo
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Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)
Twitter: @SarahLiz614Â (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!
July flew by and with it came a new job offer (that I accepted) and new beauty finds! I’m so ready for fall, but in the meantime, check out my July haul!
When I first started using skincare products in middle school and high school, I used Clinique’s 3-step system a lot because it helped keep my acne at bay. I eventually drifted away from Clinique, but this moisturizer felt really nice.
Key Ingredients:
Caffeine–encourages skin’s natural rehydration system
Hyaluronic Acid–helps skin retain moisture
Activated Aloe Water–plumps skin
Humectants and Polymers–seal in moisture to reduce water loss
I’ve never purchased any products from Jack Black before. You can use this particular product as a cleanser or as a mask. I gave this sample to my husband, so we’ll see what he thinks of it.
Key Ingredients:
Glycolic Acid–removes dead skin cell buildup
Volcanic Ash–gentle physical exfoliant to help smooth skin
Kaolin Clay–draws out skin impurities, oil and dirt, plus helps control oiliness
The skincare angels heard my prayer and granted me a sample of Green Apple Peel Full Strength! (I had to buy $50 of Juice Beauty products, but whatever, it’s stuff I needed.) I tried it out last week for Spoil Me Sunday.
The full-size bottle is adorable and almost makes me want to buy it! This light and feminine eau de toilette has a combination of fruity and floral notes:
Top note: nashi pear
Middle note: pink lily of the valley
Bottom note: white amber
Skincare
Coconut & Hibiscus 2-in-1 Foaming Milk & Body Wash
Another great brand with a reasonable price point. Tomato extract, salicylic acid and micellar water gently cleanse, treat, and moisturize, so your skin isn’t left feeling dry. I had been using the Micellar Water from Formula 10.0.6 first thing in the morning, but honestly the bottle annoys me. Either I don’t get enough on my cotton ball, or I accidentally soak it. This dispenser method seems a lot better.
I’m a little confused about this product, though, because I bought it from Ulta for $2.25, but now I can’t find it anywhere on the website, even though it’s still listed on Yes to’s website. You can’t buy directly from their website at this time, so who knows? Anyway, you can still get the Charcoal one for $8.99 at Ulta.
I’m trying to find the perfect cleanser that gets my skin clean without drying it out. This one just might be a contender. Most of the ingredients are organic, and it’s cruelty-free.
When I got my birthday facial, the aesthetician recommended that I start incorporating Retinol into my skincare regimen, since I’m approaching my 30s. When I ran out of serum, I decided to try this out.
Key Ingredients:
Encapsulated Retinol–Retinol reduces signs of aging, but it’s a pretty unstable molecule. By encapsulating the molecules with lipids, it lengthen’s the Retinol’s shelf life. The capsules break when applied to the skin and helps facilitate better absorption of the Retinol into the skin.
Ceramides–protect against moisture loss and keep skin firm
This mineral sunscreen protects against UVA/UVB rays, plus it has a (supposedly) universal tint to it helps perfect your skin’s appearance. It’s oil-free, and I’ve had no issues with it underneath my makeup. Not sure I’d repurchase because of the price point (I had a gift card this time). Any mineral face sunscreens out there that you recommend?
I was waiting for a friend while she went through the checkout line at Ulta and she showed this to me because the name and the specificity of its use made her giggle. I was like, “Oh my goodness, they make something specifically for this? I need this in my life!” I’m probably about an F or G cup, and when you work out 6 days a week and live in Florida, the boob sweat struggle is REAL. I was hoping this was a spray that dried with a powdery finish, but it’s just a true powder that sprays out, so it’s a little messy. It smells great, though, and it’s cruelty-free and talc-free. It’s not an antiperspirant by any means, but it helps keep things a little drier and fresher until I can get home to shower.
Key Ingredients:
Aloe–soothes skin
Lavender Oil–natural antiseptic that inhibits bacteria growth
Chamomile Oil–source of antioxidants and essential oils to reduce skin irritation
Corn starch–absorbs moisture
I’m curious to try out a couple of their other products, as well: Thigh Rescue and Rosy Pits.
I was running low on my CC+ Cream from IT Cosmetics, and I think it was contributing to my breakouts, anyway. I thought I’d give this a try because it’s got 20% zinc oxide for sun protection, plus it’s free of synthetic fragrances. There are only 5 shades, but their website claims that since they don’t use artificial dyes, the colors work for skin tones from very light to dark as the colors blend and adapt.
It does seem to blend pretty well, but it’s thick, so I’m still trying to find that sweet spot of how much to squeeze onto my mixing palette for one use. I find it works best if I apply it with my stippling brush, blend a little more with the flat side of a beauty sponge, and then let it sit a couple of minutes before moving on to contouring and blush. I tried baking it, but my face came out looking really cakey, so I recommend doing the above and then finishing off with a setting spray and/or light layer of translucent powder.
I tried this a few months ago and loved it, but I wanted to see if a drugstore brand could do the same thing for a lower price. So I bought one, and it didn’t even come close. This one is waterproof (the other one wasn’t) and it keeps my brow powder in place, even when I’m sweating at the gym. I love the applicator, too! The long bristles on one side are great for the main part of my brows, the shorter bristles on the other side help tame the really unruly hairs, and the bristles at the tip get the tails of my brows just right. If you’ve got a drug store brand that you think can top this, I want to know about it!
I only bought this because I couldn’t find my usual 30 oz. Japonesque refill bottle on the Ulta website or on Japonesque’s. It’s back on Ulta’s now, so I exchanged it, since Japonesque’s is a better buy ($30 for 16 fl. oz.) What do you think? Have you used either one before?
Whew, what a month! Let’s go, August! How many of these products have you tried?
Love,
Sarah xoxo
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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!
Summer isn’t over yet, and this month’s super cute shimmery aqua bag is perfect for taking to the pool. The theme around this month’s products was all about keeping your skin and hair healthy and happy, in spite of all the sun, sand, salt, and chlorine. I loved that there were so many waterproof products you could get in your bag. Look at what I got!
It’s waterproof, hydrating, cruelty-free, oil-free, and has a matte finish. What’s not to love? It does a great job of staying put all day, even through a sweaty gym session. Not to mention, hooray for getting a full-size item! My only complaint is that it doesn’t have full enough coverage to completely conceal the dark circles under my eyes, so I’m still using my Shape Tape for that.
I’ve gotten City Color Cosmetics eyeshadows from ipsy before, and I love them! The formula has a smooth application with no fallout, plus there’s the great pigmentation, huge pan size, and really affordable price point. This color caught me by surprise because I thought it would be a shimmery light taupe that I could use as an all-over color when I’m low on time. It ended up coming out a LOT lighter and WAY more shimmery than I anticipated. I can basically only use it as a highlighting shade without looking like I just walked out of an early 2000s music video. Lesson learned.
I got this cleanser in my glam bag a few months ago and liked it. It’s got antioxidants to protect my skin, it’s fragrance-free, and it’s pH balanced to maintain skin’s natural acidity. Most importantly, it doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight and dry after I use it. This is perfect to have in my travel bag!
This water-gel cream moisturizer feels sooooo nice–I wish the sample was bigger! It has water lily extract to condition my skin and illuminating pigments to give it a subtle glow. I can feel a difference in my skin’s moisture level after using this. I love this product, but I probably won’t spring for a full-size jar.
This is a brand I’d never heard of before, so I was interested to try this gel eyeliner out. It’s waterproof, made with Vitamin E, and cruelty-free! The fact that it’s retractable makes it convenient, but it also means you can’t get a super tight, defined line. The formula is fine for sensitive skin, if that’s a concern, and this shade is a lovely warm brown with a subtle shimmer. It’s nice to be able to change it up from black to something else that I can still wear to work. 🙂
My Rating: 4/5
This month’s bag had an average rating of 4.2–the highest one of 2018 so far! How many of these products have you tried?
Any new favs in your July beauty subscription(s)? Tell me all about ’em!
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: @SarahLiz614Â (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!
This month’s theme was “Summer in the Desert,” and I got 5 full-size products. I don’t know about where you live, but here in Florida it’s more like a rainforest than a desert–super humid and hot, hot, hot. Anyway, these products totally scream summer. Let’s jump in!
*Note: prices listed as photo captions are what I found on the respective product websites. Retail values listed below my descriptions are what was listed by Yes, Oh Yas!
I’m not typically a bullet lipstick kind of gal. I tend to prefer matte liquid, so I’m not sure if I’m going to keep and use this (so far I’ve only swatched it). The color was much sheerer than I expected, but I don’t really like shimmery lipsticks. It’s infused with Vitamin E to moisturize and protect your lips, but I’m dubious about its staying power.
IBY stands for “Inspired By You” (in case you were wondering). This 12-shade palette, inspired by California desert sunsets, is an absolutely gorgeous mix of matte and shimmer shades. They apply very smoothly with no fallout, and they blend effortlessly. They’re infused with Rosehip Seed Oil to protect your skin, and with the intense pigmentation, the looks you can create are endless! The arrangement of the colors within the palette from light to dark make it easier to create smooth transitions, and it’s cruelty-free. Gotta love that!
Retail Value: $25*
*A noticeable difference from the website–not sure why…
Perse Professional Smearproof Lip Liner in “Nudist P21”
I had never heard of this brand before, but they seem to hold themselves to some pretty high standards, which is impressive. This is from their website:
All of our products are:
Edible and 100% natural
Safe and non-toxic
Tear-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced
Non-comedogenic
Made without petrochemicals, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes…you get the point
Cruelty-free, and made without animal products
Gluten-free
Free of synthetic preservatives. We use vitamin E and rosemary along with our German-engineered airless bottles to give our products a 12-month shelf life
Designed and manufactured in Apex, NC
Pretty cool. This face wash caught me off-guard when I first used it because it’s an exfoliating face wash, but there’s no grittiness to it. It turns out the exfoliation comes from the pineapple and papaya enzymes that remove dead skin cells. The smell was a little weird at first, but I got used to it. It’s better than having perfumes in it! I probably would have liked the Eucalyptus Mint better, but oh well. I like that this leaves my face feeling clean but not totally dried out and stripped. I’m not used to being able to pronounce and identify every single ingredient in a face wash (or most beauty products, for that matter), so that was refreshing. 🙂 I’m definitely curious to check out some of their other products!
Retail Value: $18*
*This is a noticeable difference from the $12 value listed on the website. There’s no indication that it’s currently on sale or anything, so I don’t really know what to make of that.
I got this eyeliner in “Jet Black” in one of my first ipsy bags, and I remember liking it. I was glad to get it in “Plum” this time because it’s a nice subtle alternative to black, and I’ve been meaning to get one. The color is nice and intense, and the felt tip applicator comes to a nice fine point, so you can draw your line as thin or thick as your little heart desires. I encounter a little bit of skipping, but I’ll fully admit that that could just be user error. 🙂 Waterproof, smudge-proof, cruelty-free, and a decent price point. What’s not to love?
Retail Value: $19*
*Again with the price differences. What’s going on this month?
Total Package Value: $107*
*If you go off of the website prices, it’s $86 (assuming the lip liner price is accurate since I can’t find anything to suggest otherwise), but for $14.99, I’ll take it!
I’ve been seeing spoilers on Instagram for next month’s box, and I’m already getting excited! My July box came later in the month than usual, but at least it came! Hopefully things go back to normal in August.
What goodies did you get in your beauty subscription(s) this month? Anything you recommend?
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: @SarahLiz614Â (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!
