Ulta Beauty Haul: July 2018

August 12, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

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!

Samples

Moisture Surge™ 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

from Clinique

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

Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser

from Jack Black

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

Green Apple Peel Full Strength Exfoliating Mask

from Juice Beauty

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.

Mon Guerlain Eau de Parfum

from Guerlain

Inspired by Angelina Jolie, this sensual perfume has a complex combination of floral and spicy notes:

Top notes: bergamot and carla lavender
Middle notes: paradisone, sambac jasmine, and coumarin
Bottom notes: iris, tahitensis vanilla, and album sandalwood

Decadence Eau So Decadent Eau de Toilette

from Marc Jacobs

Photo of Marc Jacobs Decadence Eau de Toilette sample — *$87 for 1.7 fl. oz.; Marc Jacobs*

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

from SheaMoisture

I love this brand–quality ingredients, cruelty-free, and good price point.

Key Ingredients:

Coconut Oil–nourishes and firms skin thanks to Vitamins E and K, iron, and fatty acids
Hibiscus Flower–a natural emollient that treats dry skin and improves skin tone
Songyi Mushroom–brightens and evens skin tone

Yes to Tomatoes Acne Fighting Micellar Cleansing Water

from Yes to

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.

Blemish Clearing Cleanser

from Juice Beauty

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.

Key Ingredients:

Lemon Juice & Cherry Juice–cleanse
Aloe Juice–moisturizes

Skin Renewing Cream Serum

from CeraVe

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
Hyaluronic Acid–helps maintain moisture

Pep-Start™ Daily UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 50

from Clinique

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?

Bust Dust

from Megababe

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.

Makeup

Stem Cellular CC Cream in “Natural Glow”

from Juice Beauty

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.

Benefits according to the website:

Reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
Broad spectrum sun protection
Evens skin tone
Smoothes uneven texture
Creates a radiant, glowing complexion
Rich in antioxidants
Protects with mineral SPF 30
Ultimate moisturizer
Skin perfecting color
Mineral tinted coverage
No chemical sunscreen
Non-nano natural sunscreen

24-Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel

from Benefit Cosmetics

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!

Brush Bath Purifying Brush Cleaner

from IT Brushes for Ulta

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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ipsy Glam Bag Review: July 2018

August 1, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

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!

Studio Skin Concealer in “Light”

from Smashbox Cosmetics

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.

My Rating: 4/5

City Chic Eyeshadow in “Skinny Latte”

from City Color Cosmetics

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.

My Rating: 4/5

Pure Skin Face Cleanser

from First Aid Beauty

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!

My Rating: 4/5

Oasis Ultra Hydrating Cream

from H2O+ Beauty

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.

My Rating: 5/5

I-Line 24-7 Eyeliner in “Whiskey”

from Beauty For Real

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

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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!

Yes, Oh Yas! July 2018

July 28, 2018 sarah.elizabeth6142 Comments

Hey, y’all!

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!

Perfect Performance Lip Colour in “Bliss”

from Sormé Cosmetics

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.

Retail Value: $22*

*Sormé doesn’t sell directly from their own website. They have authorized online retailers as well as brick and mortar retailers. Maybe this retailer has better deals?

Desert Vibes Eyeshadow Palette

from IBY Beauty

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”

from Sormé Cosmetics (?)

This one frustrates me. I can’t for the life of me find this specific lip liner online in this color. It says Sormé Company on the back, but this color is nowhere on the Sormé website, or the authorized online retailers. Whatever it is and wherever it’s from, it applies smoothly and is a nice color. I’ll have to test out the longevity to let you know for sure, but I’ve been needing a nude lip liner, so this is perfect.

Retail Value: $23

Lemongrass Exfoliating Face Wash

from Jivi

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.

Insanely Intense Tattooed Eyeliner in “Plum”

from Skone Cosmetics

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

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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!

Spoil Me Sunday: So A-peel-ing!

July 15, 2018 sarah.elizabeth6141 Comment

Hey, y’all!

As you read from my June Ulta Beauty Haul post, I picked up the Daily Hydrating Solutions Kit from Juice Beauty. One of the items in the kit was this this peel, and I was eager to try it out. Keep reading to see how it went!

Green Apple Peel Sensitive Exfoliating Mask

from Juice Beauty

On one of my trips to Ulta, I got to talking with the Juice Beauty rep, and she was telling me about how she tried the full strength peel first and almost instantly regretted it because it was so intense. She recommended starting with the sensitive first, so I heeded her advice.

Key ingredients include:

Organic Apple Juice: the source of malic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates the skin
Organic Lemon Juice: additional source of fruit AHAs
Organic Aloe Juice: soothes and moisturizes skin
Glycolic Acid: another AHA
Lactic Acid: another AHA, milder than glycolic acid, that’s used to treat hyperpigmentation, age spots, etc.
Vitamins A&C: reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Vitamin E: moisturizes and nourishes skin

As soon as you squeeze it out of the tube, you can smell the apple, and it pretty much has the consistency of apple butter–no complaints here. I spread it all over my face, set a timer for 10 minutes, and braced myself for the tingling and flushing (totally normal side effects). …Not much happened. I felt some minor tingling around a couple of blemishes, but other than that, nada. Don’t get me wrong, after I rinsed it off, my skin felt clean, refreshed, and invigorated. I skipped toner afterwards, and just used my regular regimen of essence, serum, eye creams, and moisturizers.

Maybe I didn’t put on a thick enough layer? Maybe my skin isn’t as sensitive as I thought? I kind of want to try the full-strength to see if I get more noticeable results. I’d probably be less hesitant if I could get my hands on a sample size, rather than shelling out the $48 just to find out that my skin can’t handle it. Have you tried it before? How intense was it?

Well, I tried my first at-home facial peel, and I didn’t get any disastrous results. Whew! What’s your favorite at-home peel?

Have a great week!

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!

Spoil Me Sunday: Out with the Old

July 8, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

I’m slowly using up my sheet mask stash. Next up is…

Daily Wonders Breakup with Your Ex-Skin Cells Sheet Mask

from Leaders Cosmetics USA

Photo of Breakup with Your Ex-Skin Cells Sheet Mask from Leaders USA Cosmetics — *$5 ea. or $48 for a 10-pack; Leaders Cosmetics USA*

This cotton sheet mask has Witch Hazel and Alpine Willow Herb extracts to help get rid of dead skin cells, combat acne, and reduce redness. The fit was ok, but it tented on the sides of my nose. The nose area was a little wide, so I had to stretch the upper lip a bit to get it to lay flat. After I took it off, my skin looked brighter and felt plump and moisturized. (A full night’s sleep last night certainly didn’t hurt.) I’d buy more sheet masks if they were more environmentally-friendly. Here’s hoping for some new skincare innovations in the near future!

How often do you use sheet masks? What’s your preferred kind of skin treat?

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!

Spoil Me Sunday: Pretty in Pink

July 1, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

Do you ever have those weekends where you don’t feel like doing anything at all? That’s where I’m at this weekend. I’m down to just chill, but it doesn’t seem my skin is on the same page. I’ve been breaking out, which is unusual for me, other than right before my period. I haven’t been able to figure out the cause, but I picked up this new mask a few weeks ago and finally decided to try it out. It’s more than I’ve ever spent on a face mask before, but it was on sale (still is) and I considered it my birthday present for myself. I think I might end up in love. 🙂

Complete Skincare Pack

from Alya Skin

I had been seeing this Pink Perfect Australian Pink Clay Mask popping up on my Instagram feed over and over, and when I finally decided to check it out, it was 40% off and includes free worldwide shipping. (The site said the deal was ending that day, but weeks later it’s still going…sneaky.) Anyway, I spent the extra $10 to get the Complete Skincare Pack, so the 4.23oz mask came with a pink bamboo face wash towel, too. There were countless reviews about how it brightens skin, tightens pores, reduces redness, helps get rid of breakouts….sign me up!

So what are the active ingredients?

Kaolin (pink clay): detoxifies skin, helps remove pigmentation clusters from the surface, and stimulates skin cell regeneration
Aloe Vera + Pomegranate: reduce inflammation, assist in removing eczema and acne, tighten pores, smooth skin, and give you a nice little antioxidant boost
Witch Hazel: anti-aging, tones the skin, speeds up healing of pimples, and detoxifies skin

I love that this mask is safe for sensitive skin, plus it’s vegan and cruelty-free! It has a floral scent that was a little strong at first, but I got used to it. I just put the mask on for 10 minutes and then gently removed it with the bamboo cloth afterwards. Obviously nothing is going to fix all of my skin’s problems in 10 minutes, but my skin did look brighter, a lot of the redness I had was gone, and it felt so smooth. Because the mask is so gentle, you can use it up to 3 times a week, so I’m excited to see the results after regular use! It’s pricey compared to masks I usually buy, but if it works, it just might be worth it.

If you live in Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, there are tons of places you can buy this mask in person. There’s a store locator on their website; according to it, there’s a place in New Jersey, and that seems to be it for the US. It’s confusing because there are some other US pins on the map, but when you click on them, they show New Zealand addresses. *shrug* Take advantage of the 40% sale online and pick some up for yourself!

Have you tried this pink clay mask? How did you like it?

Have a great week!

Love,

Sarah xoxo

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Instagram: sarah.elizabeth614 (You can also click the icon at the top of this page.)

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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!

Yes, Oh Yas! June 2018

June 27, 2018 sarah.elizabeth614Leave a comment

Hey, y’all!

This month’s theme was “Glam Treasures,” and I got 4 full-size products. They feel so fancy, especially with that sparkly palette. 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!

Treasure Chest Eyeshadow Palette

from Mellow Cosmetics

Whenever I’m trying a new brand for the first time, I like to check out their “About” page to learn about their history and get a feel for their vibe and company culture. I loved that Mellow’s page says outright that their products are cruelty-free and vegan (I don’t feel as strongly about the vegan aspect). That makes me a lot more likely to look into other products, knowing that this holds true for everything they make. It can be frustrating when companies aren’t very forthcoming with their stance on animal testing.

Now, about this palette…it’s absolutely gorgeous! It’s mostly shimmer shades with a few mattes mixed in. The pigmentation isn’t very intense, but it’s buildable, so if you want a more subtle look for daywear, it’s easily achievable. Totally smooth application with zero fallout, and it’s so easy to blend. The glittery gold packaging is beautiful, too. I’m definitely interested in checking out some of their other products.

Retail Value: $27.99

Punk Volumizer Mascara

from Doucce Cosmetics

Full disclosure: I didn’t test this product out. I hardly ever wear mascara, and I didn’t want another tube to go to waste, so I gave it to my officemate. It’s the least I could do since she gave me a Doucce eyeshadow palette and a bunch of other cosmetics to try out. 🙂 Here’s the mascara’s description from the website:

“The jumbo brush fiber bristles are cut smaller and larger, in succession, to coat every lash, while distributing the formula evenly throughout. The lightweight and creamy formula pulls every lash upwards to create a long lasting curl without any clumping, flaking, or smudging.”

The packaging is very modern and sleek, and Doucce states on their FAQ page that they don’t do any animal testing. If I liked mascara, I’d probably be all about this one.

Retail Value: $26.99*

*A bit of a difference from the website, but not egregious.

Eyebrow Highlighter Pencil in “Ivory Lace”

from Chella Skin Care

Another cruelty-free brand that I’ve never tried before! This pencil seems very versatile. I’ve only used it as a brow highlighter; it seems you can also use it as a concealer, depending on your skin tone (and the pencil color). It comes in 4 shades, and the darker shades could be used as a bronzer, if you wanted. I don’t use it on my dark under eye circles because I prefer a liquid that’s easier to blend, but a brow bone application blended out with a smudger brush looks great! I love the fact that it’s totally matte with no shimmer at all. If the “Ivory Lace” is any indication, the color samples shown on the website are darker than real life, so keep that in mind.

Retail Value: $19.99

Pro Blush Brush

from Crown Brush

There’s literally zero description about this product on the Crown website, so I can’t tell you for sure what it’s made of, but the bristles feel synthetic to me. I like the ergonomic grooves in the handle that make it easier to hold. Other than that, there’s nothing really noteworthy about this brush. It’s denser than some of my other blush brushes. Might keep it, might give it away, haven’t decided.

Retail Value: $22.99*

*This is quite a 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.

Total Package Value: $97.96*

*If you go off of the website prices, it’s $84, but for $14.99, I’ll take it!

I think one of my favorite things about Yes, Oh Yas! so far is that they send so many products from brands that aren’t super mainstream. I love discovering new brands, and I’m super excited that all of them this month are cruelty-free! (Totally assuming about the Crown brush, here.)

What fun things did you get in your beauty subscription(s) this month? Any new favs? Sharing is caring! 🙂

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!