Tag Archives: LUSH

World’s Easiest DIY – Lip Scrub || Video

02 Tuesday May 2017

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Isn’t it funny how an activity started to beat the recession ten years ago turned into a global phenomenon? Now DIY is a point of pride because it showcases the maker’s prowess and ability. Because of this, it is not necessarily always cost-friendly.

I like to DIY beauty products. It lets me change what I don’t like about commercial products. Lush’s lip scrub is one. I really like the product actually, especially, the Mint Juleps one. It tastes exactly like mint chocolate! It is a very effective scrub, but too rough and granular for me. It has a handful of moisturizing ingredients but not enough to make it effective in that way.

Below I filmed my personal lip scrub recipe. It is literally the easiest DIY ever. Just pour and mix and voila!

Enjoy!

 

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

May Favorites

13 Friday Jun 2014

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Contains affiliate links

I do not really have new favorites this month, they are items I reached for more often during May!

 

Too Faced’s The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette

(USD $49.00 for 16 shadows) –> found at Sephora

I grabbed my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette (review linked here) more often than any other palette I own. Even though I consider my Urban Decay Naked I palette my holy grail, I only use four shades. With the Chocolate Bar palette, I use almost all the colors! Win!

 

 Caudalie’s “Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet”

(USD $39.00 for 1.3oz) –> found at Nordstrom or Sephora

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I use this occasionally when the evenings are too humid for my Chantecaille night cream. I bought this on a whim and loved it. Upon reading the description I was immediately curious. A gel moisturizer that breaks into water particles? Interesting! I never tried a gel lotion before but I figured it was a good alternative to a typical face cream, especially since I have an oily complexion in the summer. I decided to give it a try because so far, I have been loving the brand!

It is a very unique face lotion. It has a light airy consistency that when rubbed into the skin feels like a light serum. It absorbs relatively quickly and leaves the skin refreshed and hydrated. It does not look or feel like a typical gel but it does not really matter since it does not remain that initial texture. I really like it since I do not need a lot of product and it applies smoothly.

 

Lauren Ralph Lauren Woman’s Alexa Sandal

(USD $19.99 – 65.00) –> found at Amazon.com or DSW

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I have a lot of difficulty finding flats and sandals. I have absurdly flat and extremely thin feet. I either do not fill out the shoes properly or the over-the-foot detailing is not low enough to fit snugly. Because of this, I have to physically go shoe-shopping. It is generally always a miss when I shop online. Last summer was hot. It was humid and hot until November (no joke!). Sneakers were out of the question and so were ballet flats. I went to DSW and tried on sandal after sandal.

I was feeling pretty disheartened when along came the Lauren Ralph Lauren Alexa sandal. The one in my proper size was also the display and the ankle band was too stretched out. Thankfully, the next size up also fit.

I wear these sandals to death. I find them easy to walk in, the ankle band fits me snugly so my feet do not slip out. Don’t you hate it when that happens with sandals?? The separator thong does not rub in between my toes (a common problem I find with flip flops) and the over portion is comfortable. The best part is, even in very hot, humid and sweaty weather the sole does not become slippery! And last, but not least, they do not make my symptoms any worse! 

Since I love these shoes so much, I decided to purchase another set in my proper size. Amazon carries them and they come in A MYRIAD of colors! Last year, DSW only carried them in the black/white or brown detailing. Amazon sells them in yellows, blues, metallics and reds, amongst others!

However, proceed with caution. The company who sells them does not specify how new the shoes are. When I received my shoes, the ankle band on one was stretched out and the buckle holes on both were a bit worn. They may not be used but they had definitely been tried on. Bummer. Thankfully, Amazon & the company made the return easy.

I would definitely recommend. Some reviewers said the sandals were of poor quality and broke or wore down quickly. I have not had this problem. The ankle band stretched some, but no more than any other sandal I tried.

 

Lush’s “Vanilla Dee-Lite” Body Lotion

(USD $27.95 for 8.45oz) –> found at http://www.lushusa.com

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I bought this during the height of my curiosity of LUSH products. I am actually very unhappy with this product. For the price, I expected baby soft skin. Instead, I got mildly hydrated skin with visible lines and tackiness.

The fragrance is heavenly, though. It is true vanilla that is not overly sweet, but has the nutty aroma.

However, the reason why it is in my favorites this month is because it is perfect for blog pictures. It hydrates my hands enough so I feel comfortable photographing them and unlike other hand lotions, it does not leave a greasy or shiny cast. It has a special place in my nail art supply kit!

 

Jo Malone’s “Lime Basil & Mandarin” Cologne

(USD $60.00 for 1oz) –> found at Nordstrom 

I wanted a new Spring fragrance. I ran out of my Prada Infusion d’Iris so I thought this would be the perfect time to try something new. I loved the light, floral candles from Jo Malone and I heard raves of the brand’s fragrances so I visited the Jo Malone counter at my local Nordstrom. I spritzed four different scents on my arms before continuing to shop the half-yearly sale.

The Lime, Basil & Mandarin fragrance was the one I kept sniffing and sniffing again. It oxidized wonderfully on my skin. The first notes I detected were not what drew me in. It was the spicy basil grounding the fragrance that made me purchase it.

The initial citrus-y orange scent is strong but not over-powering. It reminds me of those orange-lemonade drinks with mint or basil garnishes.

It is a very unique scent, but as I realize most of the Jo Malone fragrances are! What really draws me to this, though, is it is very unisex. I think this would smell great on a guy, granted, I am not sure how many men would wear a cologne called “Lime, Basil & Mandarin”.

The only downside to this perfume is it is not very long lasting. I should have realized as it is not an Eau de Parfum but a Cologne, which is generally lighter and more dilute.

I wear this during the day when I know I will be inside, so it lasts longer. But I love that it is almost foolproof. It is extremely difficult to apply too much! If you do, just wait and most of it will diffuse.

 

Jo Malone’s “Black Cedarwood & Juniper” Cologne

(USD $120.00 for 3.4oz) –> found at Nordstrom

I did not plan on purchasing this perfume. I was in the market for one new one and I kept going back to the Lime, Basil & Mandarin scent even over this one. Regardless, there was always something that kept the Cedarwood fragrance at the back of my head. It was spicy but sweet and it was my second choice out of the four initial tests.

I returned to Nordstrom to get a sample, I decided against purchasing at the time. And, of course, out of all the samples I had, I reached for this the most.

I bit the bullet and returned to the store to purchase…but, since it was limited edition, it was sold out!! According to the sales assistant, most of the local Nordstroms were also sold out of this item (now, whether this is true or not I do not know but I was not about to drive all over the place for one bottle of perfume!).

I ran home and purchased the fragrance online. I could have forgotten about the cologne sooner or later but the purchase was mostly fueled by how popular it was and how much more difficult it was to get!

I cannot really say what this perfume smells like. Once the top notes evaporate it becomes more sweet than spicy, but it reminds me of sitting outside after a hard thunderstorm with the addition of juniper.

Even though this perfume was expensive, a 3.4-ounce bottle lasts a long time. For reference, a 1-ounce bottle of perfume lasts me about six or seven months with daily use.

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Well, that is it for my monthly favorites! Have you tried any of these? What do you think? Is there something I should try that is similar?

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

2014 Empties – #1 (Beauty/Skincare)

15 Tuesday Apr 2014

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It says a lot about a product if I use it up. I am a total flake when it comes to skincare and beauty, so when I stick with a product it means I must like it!

I always try to finish items because I spend my hard earned money on it, but if I really dislike something I will return it. No use keeping it around, right?

This post contains the beauty-related empties accumulated since the beginning of 2014. The next post will contain the non-beauty items. I hoarded way too many things to fit in one post!!

 

CHANEL’S LOTION DOUCEUR GENTLE HYDRATING TONER BALANCE + ANTI-POLLUTION

(retail: USD $45.00 for 6.8fl oz) –> http://www.chanel.com or most department stores

I will not go into a lot detail because I featured this toner in my February Favorites (full review linked here)!

The toner is clear and the scent is more refreshing than floral. It leaves a light residue so I think it may be to heavy for more humid months.

I think the “anti-pollutant” claim is gimmick-y but my skin feels smoother, more moisturized and dare I say, more balanced! I mentioned this before but this is such a huge deal for me I will say it again: I have not broken out since starting this product!!! Not one blemish. This is highly abnormal for me!

It is fair to say I am usually very impressed with Chanel products. If I feel like the splurge, I will probably try the Soothing or Mattifying Toner next.

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Re-purchase? Yes but not for spring/summer.

 

LUSH’S OCEAN SALT FACE AND BODY SCRUB

(USD $21.95 for 4.2oz) –> http://www.lushusa.com

This scrub contains avocado and coconut to hydrate skin, lime and vodka to even skin tone and sea salt to remove dead skin. The product comes separated in the tub so I had to mix it myself. (Quality of freshness is very truly a gimmick) The salt fills the tub to the brim and falls everywhere when mixing. Once mixed, the scrub turns a bright blue color.

The smell: It is strong. Everyone says it smells like margaritas and it does. The scent is so loud it gives me a headache, within minutes. The smell is so over-powering it outweighs the pros. I had to force myself to finish this product. I can no longer smell an actual margarita without feeling sick. (And it is one of my favorite drinks!).

Furthermore, this exfoliator is VERY abrasive. I only use a dime size amount (if that) and tons of water so it does not scrape away all my skin. Even with that, my skin feels raw after use.

BUT.

Give my skin a couple of healing days and it feels smoother and more even-toned. My minor hyper pigmentation heals well after using this.

However, I do not recommend this product. There are so many more scrubs that are fragrance-free, gentler and just as effective…and already come prepared!

 

Re-purchase? No.

Speaking of LUSH…

LUSH’s RETREAD HAIR CONDITIONER

(USD $29.95 for 8.4oz) –> http://www.lushusa.com

Everyone sings the praises of this conditioner:

“It hydrates dry, thirsty hair.”

“It smells like a fruit cup.”

“It is a great treatment.”

The formula is watery and does not sink in well. It drips down my neck and leaves greasy residue. It smells like melon, a plus but not the only thing I look for in a beauty product.

Maybe it is just not suited for my really thick, curly hair but this product did nothing for me. Sure, it leaves my hair de-tangled (any conditioner will do that) but it certainly does not hydrate or smooth it. I have to add more coconut oil in order to moisturize my hair. Retread is marketed as a deep conditioner for when “your hair is absolutely wrecked”. It does not make my hair any more manageable than it already is. It certainly does not save it on those dry, damaged days.

I am extremely disappointed with this product because I expected more from it. I have great results with the solid Jungle and it is more effective as a conditioner.

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Re-purchase? No.

 

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing with Aloe Skin Therapy Lotion

(USD $10.99 for 14 oz.) –> found at most drugstores

 This lotion keeps my skin hydrated, even-toned and bright. Any scratches or redness I have heal quickly and do not scar.

At first I was put off  by the thickness of this body product. It is very difficult to rub into the skin. I look past this because of how well it works. Initially, I thought it would not sink in because of it’s consistency but I found it absorbs quickly and does not leave any residue! When I use this during colder months I do not have to moisturize more than once a day (given the lousy winters, this is pretty impressive).

I re-purchased after trying other lotions because this was the best at moisturizing my skin. It is definitely way to heavy for warmer weather.

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Re-purchase? Not until next winter.

 

The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter

(USD $20.00 for 6.75oz.) –> http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com

Everyone raves about the Body Butters. If there is one thing from the Body Shop I should try, it is the body butter. I did. A long time ago. It was not right for me. The general consensus agrees these lotions absorb quickly and leave a subtle sheen that looks gorgeous on the limbs. I tried Body Shop products over 10 years ago, so I decided to give them another chance.

I changed my mind. I like this product. Maybe the formula changed, I know my skin did. While I am able to tolerate this product better, it is still greasy and does not absorb well so I have to wait a couple of minutes before dressing. When I wear shorts, this body butter leaves my skin looking extra dewy.

Can you tell I am sensitive to fragrance yet? Many of the scents are too fake and strong. The Moringa line, however, is light and floral. Whether it smells like true Moringa flower, I do not know, but I do like it.

I decided to give try this as a dry shaving cream. It works! I shave and moisturize all in one go. It clogs razors quickly and does not provide a close shave but it is fantastic in a pinch.

DSCF7921_fotorRe-purchase? Yes.

 

Chantecaille Flower Harmonizing Cream

(USD $102.00 for 1.7oz) –> http://www.chantecaille.com or select Nordstroms

I received a sample at a Nordstroms counter and it sat in my untrieds for over a year. I finally tested it and the sample lasted three days.

This face product is great. It is light, fluffy, absorbs quickly and applies smoothly. It keeps my skin hydrated through the night which is a difficult feat since I am tosser & turner! The light floral scent does not linger on my pillow, always a plus for me!

While I found it hydrating during the trial, I wonder if it is too light for winter? It would be great during Spring and Summer!

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Purchase? Yes but I am still on the fence because of the price tag. I may stick to my Nivea Soft.

 

The Body Shop Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil

(USD $12.00 for 0.06oz) –> http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com

The only other Body Shop fragrance I can stand comes from the Almond line. It does not smell like almonds but it is light enough that it is not offensive to me. I bought this product on a whim because I was looking for a moisture supplement for my cuticles. I liked the brush and the product twist up so I thought it would not be less messy.

This is a great product. It is thick and stays on my fingers even through typing and paining nails. It takes forever to sink in though since it is the consistency of petroleum jelly so I use it when I am Netflix chilling. I cannot use it before bed because it just rubs off. While it is very travel-friendly it is way to thick and greasy just to whip out and use.

Regarding the twist-up application, one full rotation expresses  a wastage of product. One twist leaves me with enough product for four hands. Maybe that is why it only lasted me three weeks which me only using it every 2 or 3 days. This is a great moisturizer but I do not see miracles. I just sealed the re-purchase deal. It definitely did not last a long enough time

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 Re-purchase? No.

 

 

Quick Review of things I continually use –>

 

CVS Brand Premium Cotton Rounds

I usually get these on sale for buy 2, get 1 free so I always stock up. I prefer these over Rite Aid brand cotton rounds because they do not fall apart. The CVS ones are strong and do not drag on the skin. I already exfoliate my face a couple of weeks and I am to sensitive to daily scrubbing so I need something smooth. I prefer these over the square cottons as well. The squares are rough and sometimes fall apart as well.

 

CVS Brand Triple Size Cotton Balls

These are also on sale for buy 2, get 1 free. I use the triple size with Zoya Remover + and I only need 2 cotton balls to fully remove nail polish. They absorb polish remover well and do not fall apart easily, though sometimes they do lose out against chunkier glitters.

 

Zoya Remove + Polish Remover

(USD $25.00 for 32 fl. oz)

So far the best polish remover I have used. It does not dry out my skin and it removes all traces of polishes from my cuticles. When used with the Pond’s towelettes any color residue disappears and my fingers stay moisturized. I have re-purchased several times.

 

 

Hi, my name is Monica and  I have RA.

January Favorites

02 Sunday Feb 2014

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I skipped the December favorites because nothing WOW’ed me.

I have a set skincare routine (linked to part one and two) that makes me look healthy so I rarely stray from it.

There are only two products that stood out to me in January but I will definitely keep them around.

 

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Trader Joe’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is so versatile! I initially purchased it from Trader Joe’s because I needed a good eye makeup remover. Manufactured removers are too harsh on my skin and baby oil messes with my eyesight. The coconut oil does not bleed into my eyes and it dissolves waterproof mascara, eyeshadow, everything! When heated, the solid melts within seconds and becomes so slick I cannot drag the delicate skin around the eye area.

Of course I purchased a pint of product but if I only removed makeup it would go bad long before I could use it up. It absorbs so quickly and is non-greasy. Unbelievable but true! I use it on my cuticles and hands for serious moisturizing. I also use it for shaving! Just WOW! It prevents razor burn and cuts. The razor slides smoothly and creates a close shave! And, unlike regular shaving creams, I can use coconut oil on dry skin!! Weee! I will never look back.

 

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Time lapse: 3 seconds

 

 

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub

I love LUSH’s solid shampoos and conditioners and I love mint chocolate EVERYTHING. The Pennsylvania brand Turkey Hill Mint Chocolate Chip is my favorite ice cream. So when I saw a mint chocolate flavored lip scrub at the LUSH store register I had to try it out!

Sure, I could use good old sugar to get the same results but this product is so yummy! It smells and tastes like mint chocolate and it is edible so I can just lick it off! (There is a bitter aftertaste if I ingest it – probably from the essential oils [vanilla, peppermint, jojoba, and tagetes]). When I use this before bed it removes the flakes from my lips and leaves them insanely smooth. I finish with thick lip balm and I wake up with incredibly soft lips.

 

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Have you tried these products? What other uses can you get from coconut oil?

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

You’re Ill? Part Two: Facial Regime (Caution: Very Word-Heavy)

19 Monday Aug 2013

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Read the first part of “You’re Ill?” here!

Nobody ever thinks I have dealt with any traumatic experiences. My eyes are bright and crinkle when I smile. My smile is wide and shows off my teeth. My hair is shiny and strong. When something upsets me I grin and bear it. 

Since I do not want people to know that I have an autoimmune the above come in handy. I do not sleep in my contact lenses. I wash my hands and face when I come in from outside. I never go to bed with my make-up on. I keep a schedule for when I exfoliate and use a mask. This might sound extreme but it pays off. In fact, I have been told I seem to be aging backwards. 

The last thing on their mind is that I am hiding an illness.

First off, I wash my face two to three times a day. My favorites: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Gel Cleanser and Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash. 

Purpose and Neutrogena

I have extremely oily skin so I use Neutrogena Power Gel in the morning and the evening. The other Acne Stress Control products are too drying for my skin. The Gel Cleanser is perfect for keeping my acne at bay all year round.

I use the Purpose Cleansing Gel for mid-day washes. I love this cleanser because there is no fragrance so it is great for sensitive skin and I can use to take of my eye makeup. I always take off all of my make-up after I come home. I live in a very polluted city and all that gunk gets stuck to and under my cosmetics. I never mind re-applying make-up.

Speaking of taking off make-up…

Johnson’s Baby Oil and Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes

At the end of the day I always use Johnson’s Baby Oil with Aloe & Vitamin E to remove my eye makeup. I have tried so many makeup removers and they always leave a nasty residue and dry out my skin. The baby oil dissolves waterproof cosmetics in seconds which means I do not have to use a lot of pressure to remove them. It moisturizes and when I wash my face most of the oily residue comes off. Just a note: I only use this to remove eye makeup.

Some evenings I am too tired or too lazy or too flared up to go through the motions so I use Pond’s Wet Cleansing Towelettes as a quick all-in-one. I always carry two or three in a ziploc baggie in my travel tote. The only thing I do not like is that they do not remove all my make-up even with constant rubbing.

And that insane schedule of yours?

Bobbi Brown, c.Booth and LUSH

Even though I use salicylic acid regularly I still get the occasional acne breakout. I find that if I keep to a schedule instead of treating after the fact, I can lessen the problem. Once a week I use c.Booth’s Deep Cleansing Volcanic Mud Mask. It is very fragrant and can be a little over-powering. I do not mind the smell and it has to be the best mask I have tried. Most mud masks are extremely drying and make my skin flake. This mask dries in about fifteen minutes and does not irritate my skin. This is kind of cool and gross but I can see the oil being drawn out of my skin. At least I know it is working! The only downside for me is that it takes a little muscle to take off. The product gets caught in my hair and I have to splash my face with water a couple of times to loosen it.

Every four days, I exfoliate with two different products. I love LUSH’s Ocean Salt Face and Body Scrub. It has a high fragrance that gives me a headache, but it is so yummy like margaritas! A lot of reviewers say it is a harsh face scrub but I do not agree with that. The salt granules quickly dissolve with the water. I continue to rub the product into my skin because of the oils and lemon. The lemon does an awesome job of brightening my skin because it absorbs immediately into the fresh layer of skin. I also love Bobbi Brown’s Buffing Grains for Face. This is a great exfoliator because I use it with my face wash. It is very easy to regulate how much product I use. The grains get caught in my eyebrows and my hairline but extra splashes of water fix that issue. 

I am not going to lie. When I first started this skincare regime I was pretty wishy-washy. I would not always wash my face or exfoliate on time and some weeks I skipped the mask all together because I did not want to sit for 15 minutes. I could tell the difference in my skin which was exacerbated by my general lethargy and pain level.

When I am in really bad state not even the best skincare regime can hide it but when I can manage a semi-normal state, everyone asks “you’re ill?”. 

 

Hi, I’m Monica and I have RA.