Thumbs Up Thursday!

Hey there!

Today is another Thumbs Up Thursday, I've got a few products to highlight and a few other things I am just enjoying at the moment. 

This is the Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle leave in conditioning spray. It's AMAZING. I originally received a sample size in a birchbox and instantly fell in love with it. My hair is so soft, silky and smooth. It does not weigh down my hair and does not turn greasy. It says to leave in and use before styling to protect against heat damage. I usually only blow dry my hair but with this, people are always telling me my hair looks so soft. I can't stop running my fingers through it. It's got a pleasant scent too! I've tried to find the product outside of the birchbox website but no luck so I just purchased the full size from them. 

Lately I have been loving plain nonfat Greek yogurt (no particular brand) and find that when mixed with honey, peanut butter, and cinnamon makes an awesome fruit dip, especially with apples. I'm sure it's relatively healthy and has lots of protein and fiber from the fruit. It keeps me full if I eat it for breakfast and tastes more like a dessert. I also like to top mixed fruit (berries, pineapple, papaya, grapes) with the yogurt, drizzle with honey and sprinkle pecans on top. Soo good!

This candle is from Nest Fragrances, it's the Burchwood Pine Luxury Scented Candle. I got it in a Popsugar Must Have box and it is delicious. The candle infuses the whole room with the most pleasant wintery scent even when it's not burning. This photo does not do justice for the beauty of the glass itself. It has a gold leaf pattern design and I cannot wait to use the candle up and have the pretty jar to store makeup brushes or eyeliners atop my vanity. The Popsugar Must Have boxes are really great and I really enjoy the items they send.

This body cream From TokyoMilk (also received in a Popsugar box) smells fantastic. It makes my skin so soft, it applys smooth and absorbs nicely. When I wear this I do not need a perfume because it leaves me with a faint pleasant smell throughout the day. It keeps my skin supple and I like to apply it right from the shower. The jar itself is huge and cleverly designed. A really great find!

When I'm not feeling in the mood for coffee (which is rare) but still need a caffeine jolt I reach for a sugar-free energy drink. I've tried most varieties and granted they all taste a bit like the candy Smarties on crack. It's a toss up if this taste is pleasant or not. Either way a friend from work introduced to me the Monster Energy Ultra Zero. This DOES NOT taste like doped up sugary candy. It's mellow, slightly sweet, slightly tart. It reminds me of Squirt soda. It definitely has a hint of grapefruit to it and it seems like although it is still carbonated it isn't extreme fizz like most other energy drinks. This stuff could be dangerous because it doesn't feel like I'm drinking an energy drink, just seems like a refreshing beverage so I've got to be careful not to reach for one right before bed! Overall I love this and it's my go to boost of energy when coffee just won't cut it.

Moving on to the one Thumbs Down for this week.

 I was really kind of bummed out because when I got the BH Cosmetics Contour and Blush Palette it seemed like it was going to be really awesome. I loved the color and when I first applied it everything seemed great. 

Then by the end of the FIRST day wearing it, right above my jaw line a huge pimple surfaced. I don't usually have acne issues and never in that area. I did not wear foundation this day and the only thing I applied there was the brown contour color. I decided to try it a few more days and the breakouts just got worse! I stopped using it and they are starting to go away. I REALLY wanted to love this. I will continue to try the blushes to see if they will still work out but I mainly got the palette for the contour color. BOO. I'm sure not everyone will have this reaction but something in the formula causes me to breakout.

And in the spirit of tradition here's a #TBT for ya!

My dad and I, circa 1989.

:)

Thanks for reading!

Til next time,

Trish 

Thumbs Up Thursday!

Hey guys!

Today is all about what I'm giving a big thumbs up to this week. Each week I'll pick a few products that I just can't get enough of and tell about my experience with them. I'll even throw in a thumbs down or 2! 

My first thumbs up is this mascara by Tarte. It's called Lights, Camera, Flashes. I got this in a Glossybox and was stoked that it was full size (I am always looking for a good mascara). The brush is peculiar and has 2 different sides. One is supposed to deposit the formula and add volume to lashes and the other side is supposed to distribute the product and lengthen lashes. I'm not going to lie I poked myself a few times in the eye trying to figure out the correct process and almost gave this product a total THUMBS DOWN! Luckily I practiced a bit and figured out the correct way to apply and let me tell you it makes my lashes full, long, curled and glamorous!

I will definitely purchase this mascara again once it runs out.

The next thing I'm loving right now is BCBG Maxazria Bon Genre. I also received a sample of this in a glossy box and love the scent, this is the full size that I purchased from the birchbox store. Its my go to everyday scent. It's not too strong, just slightly feminine and has great staying power. It makes me feel fresh not flowery when I wear it. The bottle is a little cheesy but I wear the scent not the packaging! 

This microderm face scrub from Goldfaden MD is FANTASTIC. It makes my skin so soft, smooth, and supple. I received a full size in a Popsugar Must Have box and have since purchased a replacement from theskinstore.com for 20% off. This scrub is pricey but does wonders for my skin. Even Ryan has started using it and I've noticed his face is soft and free of dryness and peeling that he used to have all the time. I use it once a day and finish my routine with the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve face cream.

I also received the face cream as a sample in Birchbox and have bought the full size from sephora. There is a dramatic improvement in my skins clarity, smoothness, tone, and its helping fill in some of my wrinkles across my forehead (runs in my family). 

At night I use the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser system to remove my makeup. It also makes my skin super soft and my face feels so refreshed after using this, it's a pretty quick cleanse and easy to use with the muslin cloth. The only thing that is a thumbs down here is it does not remove the Tarte Lights Camera Flashes mascara very well. I usually have to use a quick, concentrated eye makeup remover first and then clean my face with the Liz Earle.

Thumbs Down!

I thought I'd have another great thumbs up and it's possible that it could be next week but let me introduce you to my THUMBS DOWN for this week.

This is the Urban Decay face case in Shattered. 

LITERALLY.

Ba dum tss!

I ordered it last week and was super excited when it arrived yesterday. Much to my disappointment it was not packaged properly and was a total mess when I opened the box. The clip that holds it closed is broken, the blush is "shattered" all over the case, and if you look closely at the highlight there is a fingerprint!(not my own) EW, WTF. Absolutely going to go exchange this first thing tomorrow morning. I'm sure I will love the actual product but this unboxing was a total thumbs down!

The last thumbs down for today is a halfway thumbs down.

Ryan so lovingly picked up some spray adhesive for an upcoming DIY project I'm going to work on. Unfortunately it's formulated for more serious heavy duty adhering. The project I'm working on is a little more delicate and I won't be able to use this formula for it. 

See how the spray foams and creates a thick adhesive on this newspaper? I definitely need a finer mist without a noticeable layer inbetween. Kudos and thumbs up to Ryan for being so sweet, for my project though this spray's a thumbs down. 

Here's a quick #TBT for ya,

I think we would make the most adorable tiny persons! 

Thanks for reading!

Til next time,

Trish