Beauty Product Raves!

Yes, you read that right...

Awhile back I realized I didn't have enough house projects to "sustain" this blog. So I've blogged about some recipes and some organization projects I've started, which are all well and good, but I decided it was time for a fun, out-of-the-ordinary post too.

I recently came across a makeup blog Makeup by TiffanyD. I originally found her YouTube channel when I was searching for tips to putting on eyeliner (one of my many makeup struggles) and then saw a link to her blog. She has some amazing tutorials for all things makeup related and will often post a video "haul" of different products she's recently purchased or of her "monthly favorites." I like the fact that she reviews drugstore products that she actually uses not just what she thinks is the best drugstore cleanser, body wash, makeup, etc. And I'm not a huge department store product user - I get most of my stuff at Target, sometimes CVS if there isn't a Target around - so I found her reviews/info to be extremely helpful.

Most of the products (excluding the Orgnanix Argan oil) I'm raving about today are ones that I learned about from her recommendations on her blog. However, one of the products in my list (St. Ives) I actually picked up on a whim at Target, used it, loved it and then read her review about it!

Ok, so here's what I'm raving about today:

(Oh, and I literally just realized there was a new posting/editing format for Blogger - yay!!! No more teeny tiny pictures!)

Ok, first up, Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil.

I've used the regular Moroccanoil before and had great results:

But I haven't been able to find it anymore in CVS (where I originally bought it)

What I did find in CVS was this cute little bottle:

I've used some of the Organix products before and really liked them, so I thought I'd give this one a try too. I have to say I am really impressed with the results - my hair is super soft and shiny and I feel like I can go without washing it for at least 2 days, which for me is great, because I have thick hair and I hate blow drying it! 

The fact that it's a fraction of the cost of the regular Moroccanoil makes me happy too. Moroccanoil can retail about $38 for a 3.4 oz bottle, while the Organix oil is around $8 for a 3.3 oz bottle. I also like the dispenser on the Organix bottle better than the Moroccanoil - I always found myself dripping a little bit of the oil on the edge of the opening of the Moroccanoil bottle that I would have to wipe up again and again. And at $38 a pop, you don't want to be wasting any of that stuff! The Organix bottle has a little opening and you can just squeeze out a few drops (which is all you need!) So glad I found this product!

Next on the list are these:

Tiffany raved about the Neutrogena brand of these cloths.  When I went to CVS they only had the store brand, which is fine with me, because I saved a little $$. (I got them for $5, the Neutrogena ones are about $8 - when not on sale apparently!) Now, I usually use the Target brand of the Biore wipes (they come in a pink package) and I honestly like these ones better. My skin feels amazingly soft, the scent is great, and the cloth itself is significantly bigger than the other cloths I was using, so I feel like I'm getting more for my money, which is never a bad thing! My next task will be scoping out Target to see if they make a store brand too.

And now for another skin care product:

This was from a recent Target trip with my Mom. (gee, can you tell what store I'm obsessed with??) I love browsing through the travel/trial size section. I don't know why, it's a weird thing about me I guess. I just love all the little miniature packaging and bottles. I usually will stock up on travel sized stuff throughout the year so I'm not running around like a crazy lady right before we leave on a vacation! I aso like to keep some travel sized stuff in our glove box - aspirin, tums, those Colgate wisp things. So I was looking for something completely unrelated to skin care when I found this cute St. Ives scrub.

I've used their infamous Apricot scrub before and liked it, but was never head-over-heels in love. This one, however, caught my eye a) because it was in such a cute bottle and b) because it was oil-free and had such a lovely scent. The color/texture are a bit funky, but I guess if it has green tea in it, then it's going to be green!

I tried it immediately that night and was hooked. It has really fine granules (or whatever they're called) so it's a super gentle scrub and you don't feel like you're using a brillo pad on your face (you know what I'm talking about!) My face felt so good afterwards and I will definitely be buying the larger bottle when this trial-sized one runs out!

Onto some nail products:

This is the Trim Nail Buffing Block (CVS for about $3-4)

Another great recommendation by Tiffany! She said it will make your nailpolish last a lot longer, and it's also great for in between polish changes when you just want your nails to look shiny.  It really helped to smooth out the ridges I have in my nails and after applying a base coat I was convinced that this little block is a miracle worker!

After using the block, I applied some Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Plus Base and Top coat (got it a few Christmases ago from my mother-in-law) which is my go-to base coat. I also like wearing it alone when I don't feel like doing a full manicure.

I love Essie nail polishes and found this one at, you guessed it, Target, for under $8. It's called Merino Cool and it's a fun greige-y color, but sometimes looks like a dark eggplant depending on the light/time of day. I applied 2 coats and then used Tiffany's recommendation of Sally Hansen's Mega Shine Top Coat. The great thing about this product is that you can use it on wet or dry nails. So you can literally apply your last coat or polish then immediately apply the top coat. And it dries in 60 seconds!!

Here's the final result:

I painted my nails at night and the next morning they looked just as lovely as the night before! Usually when I do that (paint my nails and then go to bed), even if I wait say, 2 hours, before hitting the sheets, I will almost always wake up with funny little lines/marks on my nails. Not this time!

I'm a big fan of the Shellac manicures since they last so long, but the $25 price tag is a little hefty for me to get one every 2 weeks or even every month. (I usually get one every 3-4 months) Using Mega Shine is a wonderful, budget-friendly alternative and I can't wait to pick up some more Essie colors!

Wow, that was a super long post, and if you read all the way to end, I applaud you! Have you used any of these products before? Which ones do you like the best? What are some of you other must-have beauty products?