Giovanni purifying facial mask

Giovanni purifying facial mask
D:tox system

Hey! Long time no talk. Sorry I've been gone for some time. I just started college classes, picking up more shifts at work and other life odds and bits. I hope you had a fantastic end to 2013 and an even more wonderful start to 2014! How are you doing on those resolutions? ;)

So today I wanted to talk about Giovanni purifying facial mask (if that wasn't obvious, haha). What a great one to talk about for my first post of the new year? The word purifying, it makes me think of refreshing, clean and new. And it should make me think of that. Everyone (or almost everyone) starts the new year with intention of a clean slate, starting over and change. For some it's little things like, smile more and for some it's huge things like, over coming a fear. For me one of my resolutions is to love and take care of myself. I don't take a lot of time for myself, I don't know why. But in the past few months I've been learning how to "listen" to my body. Sounds a bit...hippy, right? Well whether it is or isn't shouldn't really matter. It's good to learn how to "listen" to your body. Learn what foods work for you, what make up and facial cleansers work, etc. For me I've learned many things my body does NOT appreciate. Many things I have been eating, drinking or using for many years but that is a topic for another day and another blog post. So onto what THIS post is about.

So if you have read any of my older posts you may know that I have sensitive skin. And it's beyond picky. What I mean is, I can't use many popular face washes (which I don't mind because many test on animals) I can't use liquid foundation or I will break out. And other things. So I am very weary of a lot of products. Also I like to use organic or close to natural as possible. And it has to be cruelty free.Well I have heard many wonderful things about Giovanni from bloggers and The Leaping Bunny. The thing that caught my eye was that they are cruelty free, that right there got all my attention. So for a few months I had been looking at reviews and posts about them, going on their website and such. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to try some of their products and lo and behold I couldn't find any of their things. That's not the companies fault, I could order online, but I'm far too impatient for that :) Anyways the stores I had gone to didn't have their things or if they carried it didn't have it in stock, which I have a few issues with stores not caring adequate amounts of cruelty free products. But I'm not upset by that, I understand. So a few days ago I went to TJMaxx (If you haven't been to TJMaxx before I suggest you go, it's also called TKMaxx in other countries, right?) Anyways I went to their hair and body section and they had many brands that I can't ever seem to find and I saw the Giovanni face mask and I thought: "well well well...I'm going to try this! It's here and I better get it before it's gone." So this was a few days ago. I love face mask, but my luck with them has been so so. It's my skin. Face masks will make my skin feel soft and smooth and clean and then I break out the next day. I don't know why. It's happened with LUSH face masks. So I thought I can't make a blog post the day after trying this to give a real review I need to wait a few days to see how my skin reacts. And the outcome was...

I did not break out! Not one bump and red spot, nothing, nada, zip! I think we can say that this product was blessed by the face gods. It's been 3 days since I used it and not a single zit. It's grey in color and there are no beads on scrubiness to it. I am indifferent on the smell, it's not bad but not amazing. It's the typical face mask smell. My favorite thing about it is that it contains acai and goji berry both very powerful antioxidant superfoods. It's a mask you put on for 20 minutes and gently wash off. When I washed it off my skin felt smooth but it did make it feel dry, I don't know if it was the product that caused it or just the fact that I live in Arizona. This product is certified by Leaping Bunny.

Oh just me looking like an alien with the mask on.

I hope you enjoyed this review! Leave a comment below if you have tried any Giovanni's other products, I would love to hear what you think! Bye! 

Hydroxatone BB cream review

Hydroxatone BB cream

Hello! So recently I had put in an order with Ulta. I had ordered a few things and they were doing a promotion of sorts. The promotion was: spend 'x' amount of money and get a free make up bag full of sample goodies! The samples ranged from make up to moisturizer to shampoo and so on. So it was definitely a deal I could not pass up. One of the sample was Hydroxatone BB cream. (as seen above)

I've never really tried BB cream before. 1) It's a bit on the expensive side 2) I try really hard not to put on layers of make up. My skin will break out if I do. And who wants that? So I thought you know what? It's a free sample I'll try it and see how my skin takes to it. So far no break outs! Hallelujah! It's very light on the skin and hardly noticeable once blended.

Please excuse my vainy hand! This is what the product looks like on my skin (top)
This is what the product looks like once blended (bottom)

It is in medium. I didn't get to pick the color for the products. It definitely suits my skin tone even though I'm never in the "medium" area.
On the back it says it is a multi-benefit formula. The benefits include:
1) Advance anti-aging technology
2) Protection
3) Immediate perfecting coverage

I can not say whether or not the first one is true. I mean I've only been using it for a week. And you know, aging is something that is noticeable over a few years...so.
Also, it has SPF 40 in it. Which is a big deal to me. I'm really into SPF and think more people need to become aware of how beneficial it is. Even if you live in a place that rains more than 365 days a year. You should still put on some SPF.

All in all, I love this product. It's definitely something I would recommend to someone with sensitive skin (or not) and to anyone who just wants coverage!

I hope you enjoyed this review.
Talk to you soon!
Bye

\

Crazy amounts of shopping

Okay. So I may have dropped a bit of money in the past week, but hey, great deals and sales! I got and H&M haul, Ulta haul and so Christmas gifts out of the way. So it was quite successful! But any who, when my stuff comes in I'll be making a post on it. Also, I'm working on how to make holiday cookies with coconut flour so stay tuned for that. Next week we are holiday baking! I'll take some picture and maybe post some recipes. See you soon!

Sweater weather tag

(Photo: Google)

I got this tag from Prettylittledoodahs and thought it would be a fun little thing! :)
Hope you enjoy.

1. Favourite candle scent?

This year I've been really into soy based candles. And my favorite for fall is one I had gotten at Hallmark and it's a woodstick candle. So it sounds like a mini fire in a fire place and it smells like cinnamon-y and warm. It's wonderful.

2. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? 

Tea. Though I do like the occasional coffee or a nice hot chocolate. Oh! Peppermint hot chocolate!

3. What's the best fall memory you have?

Nothing in particular stands out. But I do remember a lot of walks home from school during this time of the year. And seeing family. 

4. Which make up trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner?

Winged eyeliner all the way! 

5. Best Fragrance for fall?

Hmm...there is this one that I had found a few years ago and have yet to find it again. I think it may have been discontinued but it was sweet and pepperminty. Can you tell I enjoy peppermint?

6. Favourite Thanksgiving food?

All of it? Gravy. Potatoes. Stuffing (with no onions) Turkey. 

7. What is autumn weather like where you live?

At first it was unseasonably warm and dry. We didn't get rain ALL of October. Now it's upper 60's and starting to get rainy.

8. Most worn sweater?

My navy blue knit I got from American Eagle...3 years ago? Poor thing has seen better days. But I love it.

9. Must have nail polish this fall?

There is one by Julep Maven that I've been loving it's a slate gray color. It goes well with so many things.

10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles?

Can I jump in a pile of leaves while watching a football game? I love both. But I may have to pick football.

11. Skinny jeans or leggings?

Skinny jeans. On me, I don't like just leggings. If it is paired with a dress, skirt, shorts, etc then it's okay. But just alone, no.

12. Combat boots or Uggs?

Combat boots. Uggs just don't seem like they keep out the water and stuff.

13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype?

Kinda. There are so many holiday flavors. I actually like caramel brulee latee's. Shh!

14. Favourite fall TV show?

Okay. Let's start: Supernatural, How I Met Your Mother, Castle, Legend of Korra, Once Upon A Time...

Yay! So if any of you would like to do this go on ahead! If you do plan on doing it tell me, I want to see what you guys like during this time of the year. Hope you guys have a wonderful day. Bye!

Winter LUSH haul!

So I know a haul for some people means buying out an entire store of their merchandise. To me, a haul means you bought something, even if it is one thing. Yesterday I had finally made my way to LUSH. In the town I live in we don't have one but two towns over there is one in the mall. I was super excited to go because I knew they would have Cinders. One I had been wanting for awhile now because I have heard many good things about it. I already knew what I wanted and had a spending "limit". I picked up three bath bombs.

Of course I had gotten cinders. I personally have never tried it but like I had said I've heard many good things.

Look at this cutie. Bombardino! Let us just say he is winking. ;)

Ickle baby bot! This is one of my favorite ones at LUSH. I mean, look at him! Plus I love the smell, it's very relaxing to me.

They gave me a small soap sample when I was there. I don't know if it was a promotional or what. But it has a minty smell and to me it's invigorating. 

This is what it looks like. It's a very pretty blue.

Well that is it for my haul. I'm very excite to use these! Have you tried any of these or other holiday ones? 

A bit of a wedding planning update

I've gotten nowhere. Oops. Or more like I've made little no attempt at going forward with any of it. Skyler and I have come up with the basics. Like, color scheme, location, honeymoon, date. But beyond that, not much else. I have been obsessing with wedding shoes I have seen on The Knot. Oh man there are some amazing shoes! But I can't spend $900 or more dollars on just that. I'm not sure what I want to go for: heels or flats. I'm 5'8 so I think it can be either way for my height. Also, I have started working out and eating healthier in order to be down to my goal weight in time. It's going well. So I plan on making posts on different things I am liking, such as, dresses, shoes, hair styles, make up, etc!

Alba Botanica Shampoo review

Alba Botanica Shampoo

Hey! Have you ever struggled with shampoo before?  I have and I hate having to go through many brands looking for ones that work on my hair. Everyone's hair is different and therefore not every shampoo is effective. Which means you do have to be patient (something I am SO not good at) and look, look, look! Recently I have made the switch from typical brands, such as, L'Oreal, Maybelline, Covergirl, Garnier Fructis, etc. And have been looking for products that aren't tested on animals. Doing this is not easy. I have a hard time finding things that meet the criteria  So when I came across the brand Alba Botanica (Parent company Haen Celestial which also makes Avalon Organics) I was thrilled to find a shampoo that was cf! For anyone interested these shampoo/conditioner and other hair care products are cf:

• Giovanni
• Dessert Essence   

So the main questions are, does it work? Is it effective? And I'll tell you, the answer is yes! I love this shampoo! It doesn't have many of the harmful chemicals many shampoos have and it really gives my hair moisture and my hair just feels...clean. It doesn't suds up like a lot of shampoo's but that is due to sodium laural sulfate. Ick. I only use it on my roots because I want to target where it's oily, and condition the ends. The packaging is cute, very tropical to me. The only down fall (which it may not be for everyone) is that I find that I have to use a lot. I don't know if it's because I'm use to suds or what. It smells like coconut as well, which is a big plus! It's not a fake smell either. I would definitely recommend  this product to anyone.

Have you tried any new shampoo's, conditioners or other hair care things? If so tell me what you think or if you have made a post link me!