Jan 5, 2016 | Beauty
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Burt’s Bees has just come out with a NEW line of luscious lipsticks available at Target – and I’m over the moon about them!
These lipsticks not only provide 8-hour hydration and moisturizing for dry lips, they also are 100% natural and thus: great for you. (Especially considering the average woman will likely consume a large amount of the lipstick she wears on her lips over a course of time…you can only imagine what tiny doses of methylparaben, colorants, and tocopheryl acetate can do when compounded in the body. Blech!) When it comes to something that’s on the lips and easily licked off or absorbed, it’s far safer to go with products that are safe to ingest and have no harmful effects.
These lipsticks are formulated with Moringa oil (full of essential fatty acids, and helps to soften and condition skin), and raspberry seed oil to improve skin elasticity, as well as vitamin E and of course, beeswax, a Burt’s Bees staple. Available at Target (or Target.com), each lipstick is $8.99 or less (look out for those Target coupons or Cartwheel offers!) and comes in 14 versatile shades that work great with a variety of skin tones.
I’m super-pale, so I chose to swatch and sample 3 colors that I felt would be ultra-useful for a number of different makeup looks: Nude (500), a warm beige with slightly blue undertones, Iced (510), a pretty pastel pink, and Magenta (511), a deep Winter berry color.
Here’s how they turned out:
Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Nude
I have very pigmented lips so I need to put on a layer of concealer over my lips so that lipsticks “read true.” Even so, Nude is a lovely, pigmented beige, that was surprisingly opaque even without the concealer (though that did help a bit for me). It makes a perfect 70’s-style lip…and could be dressed up for evening with a dab of gold gloss in the center of the lip.
Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Iced
I had to do the same concealer trick for Iced, but this time it was quite difficult to get the color to read. Unlike Nude, Iced seems to be more transparent, and would work well as a color for mixing or layering. It imparts a very soft pink sheen, very girly and sweet.
Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Magenta
For Magenta I didn’t even need to do the concealer trick – the formula was pigmented and went on beautifully. Such a pretty lip color for Winter (pair with flushed cheeks and dark, dark eyelashes!).
All of the colors were very slick and soft and extremely moisturizing. I’d even go so far as to say that Iced was more like a lip gloss! (Plus, no weird taste when you lick your lips because the formula is all-natural, yay!)
Since they’re available at Target (and less than $9 each, hello!) you can have your pick of color.
Check them out here:
Available at Target
Which Burt’s Bees lipstick color did you like best? (Help – I can’t choose!!)
xo
Carly
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Nov 25, 2015 | Beauty
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Burt’s Bees at Target for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Fall evokes for me leaves crunching beneath my feet, warm apple cider, and whiffs of fragrant spices on the air. Pumpkin, cinnamon, burning wood, nutmeg, cloves…all very Autumnal scents. (When I was a teenager I always switched my perfume out to a deep spicey scent during this time of year…until it ran out and I couldn’t find anything similar ever. again. *sad face*)
But I digress. With the changing of seasons comes the changing of clothing, makeup, scents, lotions…to more orangey and cranberry hues and more deep and spicy scents. I LOVE this change and I love every day of this season. Warmth, crisp air, fun, friends, family…this time of year is one of the most special, filled with great food and holiday traditions.
Burt’s Bees (one of my faves for all-natural, good-looking-on-you-and-healthy-for-you lip balm) has once again brought our their Pumpkin Spice this year, a delicious take on their 100% natural lip balm. It goes on soft and moisturizing, with sunflower seed oil, coconut, and beeswax, scented with creamy pumpkin scent and just a hint of spice. It’s free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS and any irritating substances. Plus it’s a handy size – and since it’s perfect for stashing in a pocket or a purse, it’s my new go-to balm when I’m on the go!
So much like my favorite spicey perfume scent from so long ago, Pumpkin Spice evokes Fall in every way – but is colorless, so doesn’t mess with anything else you may be wearing on your lips. (I like layering it underneath a dab of berry lip gloss for a delicious scented base to my color.) And, it’s ultra-moisturizing and keeps dry lips at bay during the sudden cold snap we’re experiencing here in the Pacific Northwest.
You can find Burt’s Bees Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Lip Balm in Target stores on an end cap or with the Burt’s Bees products – just look for the orange box decorated with bees and pumpkin illustrations. 😉 Or, you can purchase online here if you’ve got any other shopping to do from Target (and who doesn’t have extra shopping they can do at Target???)
The holidays are coming up fast – and I’m already stocking up on these little lip balms as stocking stuffers and Secret Santas for everyone in my life. (At around $3 a balm, these are definitely a chic steal!) They’re a great little addition to a homemade treat or a DIY ornament or thoughtful handmade trinket. Buying them in bulk is so easy online – and packaging them up with a ribbon and homemade gingerbread cookie and my gift-giving is done! My son’s teachers, check. My blogger buddy girlfriends, check. My coworkers, check. Mom, check. Done! (And, FYI: Burt’s Bees Pumpkin Spice is a Target EXCLUSIVE and you can’t get it anywhere else!)
Available Only at Target
Burt’s Bees has made this season that much more special with this great scent and sweet little balm.
So tell me: what are YOUR favorite Fall flavors or scents? Mine are most definitely pumpkin and apple. GO!
xo
Carly
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Jan 21, 2015 | Beauty
So yesterday I gave you a peek inside my $5 newly organized bathroom drawer. Today I wanted to share a roundup of my must-have beauty items to see Winter through to Spring. I’m super-pale and have strawberry blonde hair, so the color palette I use most days is very light creams and beiges, with a bit of baby pink thrown in. Subtle and understated, and isn’t too thick to cover up my freckles. Plus, I’m always on a budget and looking for a steal…so none of these items will break the bank. Here are 7 of my faves:
1. Sonia Kashuk Brow Definer
It took me forever to find the right-colored eyebrow pencil for my super-light eyebrows. They all looked harsh or weird. This one is warm-toned, but not overly so, and stays and stays.
Fair Skin/Light Hair: Taupe 09
2. Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Plumping Lip Gloss
I LOVE this lip gloss – it adds shine, sheen, and has enough light pink color to counteract even the darkest lips (like mine which are beetroot red). This gloss evens them out, plumps them, and is just my fave. I prefer the original, not the Xtreme version. It’s a little hard to find now. Look for it at Target or your local grocery store, or buy here
.
Fair Skin: Sheer Pink
3. Physicians Formula Nude Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow
The perfect nude eye shadows to do a very subtle gradient. When I’m in a rush, just a couple dabs of the lightest shimmer under the browbone pulls the whole look together and adds sophistication without any other work.
Fair skin: Natural Nude
4. YOUNIQUE Moonstruck 3D Fiberlashes
I wrote a review of this product earlier this year and I just love it. It adds so much length and gorgeousness…like Kim Kardashian except better.
5. L’Oreal Visible Lift CC Cream
Keeps my skin glowy and moisturized even through dry, harsh weather. And feels weightless when on.
Fair skin: Light/Medium formulation
6. Sephora Double Contouring Cream Blush
This color is great because it’s buildable (from sheer to intense), and bright – looks just like pinched cheeks on a cold, cold day. I adore it with silvery eye makeup for that ice queen look.
Fair skin: No 03 Poppy Pink
7. Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
For concealer you should make an investment: it needs to have staying power, be creamy, and have enough coverage to really cover those dark circles. This is the perfect hue for someone with super-light skin like myself, and it actually makes me look wide awake because of the orange undertones.
Fair skin: Color 1
All these colors aren’t to say people with darker coloring wouldn’t look good in them! I’m not trying to exclude anyone at all – these are just my favorite products for a sheer and natural Winter look.
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click and buy something through one of the links above. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
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May 31, 2014 | DIY
I received an inquiry from a company called YOUNIQUE earlier this month, who sent me a set of their Moonstruck 3D Fiber Lashes to try out. I have to admit: I was a bit skeptical at first, since I couldn’t exactly see how fiber lashes that were sprinkled on top of one’s already existing mascara could really make much difference. I mean, was this extra step in the beauty routine really necessary? But once I tried them out I became a believer – and you will too once you see these AMAZING before & after photos. (more…)
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Jan 8, 2014 | Beauty, Fashion
I was contacted by Beauty Box 5 to see if I could do a review of their monthly beauty subscription box service. I immediately agreed (after all, who doesn’t like free beauty items?!) and they sent me a customized box in December.
My BB5 box came with Coolway Cool Cleanse & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner, be a…bombshell Eyeshadow in Bora Bora, Spongeables Pedi Scrub Foot Buffer
, and NUBAR Nail Lacquer in Blondie. Here’s what I thought:
Coolway Cool Cleanse & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
I was glad that I received both the shampoo + conditioner in the box (sometimes you only get sent one or the other and it makes it tough to tell if it works). The duo smells spicy and minty, with a fairly light texture. Once my hair dried, I could tell it was shiny and there seemed to be fewer flyaways…but I love messy volume and texture so these weren’t my favorite.
be a…bombshell Eyeshadow in Bora Bora
This eyeshadow from be a…bombshell is a bright teal: a beautiful turquoise blue with a green shimmer to it. It’s very, VERY pigmented and bright. Normally I don’t go for a ton of bright eyeshadow, but this is a fun one even just used as a thin liner close to the eyes. I have to do a full face of makeup to feel even remotely comfortable wearing it, but it is quite a head-turner and long-lasting.
Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer
I think this was my favorite product in the box: this little workhorse of a foot scrubber from Spongeables. Besides it being so well-timed (my feet are definitely feeling ravaged by Winter lately!) it smells amAHzing: soapy and vaguely floral. It lathers up quickly and scrubs efficiently, all while releasing that lovely scent. My feet never felt so pampered! (I was sad that the trial size I received only lasts 5 uses…this full-sized versionlasts a good 15 uses before you have to dispose of it.
NUBAR Nail Lacquer in Blondie
This glitter polish from NUBAR is great – LOVE that it is vegan and cruelty-free. It has scattered glitter in large hexagons and small dots – that ranges from light gold to light turquoise depending on the angle. Two coats is what it took to get the coverage above – and I found it was quite easy to take off with a nail polish remover (no scrubbing or soaking like some glitters).[line]
So is Beauty Box 5 worth it?
Starting from $12, Beauty Box 5 subscription plans are one of the most affordable out there, and deliver 5 beauty samples and products each month from drugstore, vegan, and luxury brands. (For only $30 you receive a subscription for 3 months!) You specify your personality and beauty issues and you receive a personalized selection each month. Every month there is always 1 full-sized product in the box, so the monthly subscription pays for itself.
If you love trying new beauty products and especially like vegan or cruelty-free brands, I’d recommend trying our Beauty Box 5. Every single item in the box may not be a keeper, but it’s certainly fun to try new things – and is way less than a splurge at Sephora. Plus, you’re bound to come across a new product or favorite brand that you find you just can’t live without. 🙂
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a Beauty Box 5 with 5 products in it for review purposes. The above opinions are my own. I have not received compensation for this post. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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