April Favorites

-St.Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub

This scrub has been an absolute staple in my skin care routine throughout the month of April, and I find myself using it before bed every other day. Full review!

-Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower Fragrance Mist

I love the smell of this so much, it SCREAMS Spring time! Its a little alcohol-y at first, but I've been spraying it in my hair and I get the best little floral whiffs throughout the day!

-Bath & Body Works Butterfly Flower Body Lotion

Pairing this with the fragrance mist has been my go-to smell for April! You'll smell like you just stepped out of a garden, perfect for Spring.

-Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

I have SATs next Saturday, not to mention AP tests are going on the first two weeks of May, so as you can imagine I've been lacking in the sleep department! I've been swiping this from my mom on mornings when I'd rather die than get out of bed (which seems like all of them lately!) and I love the little cooling roller ball, it really soothes the morning puffies!

-Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Mellow Wine"

I love to wear bright colors in the Spring, so I want my makeup to look pretty natural and I love this blush for doing so! It is very pigmented, but I find it hard to mess up on those half-awake mornings since it has more of a brown tone to it than your typical pink blushes.

-L'oreal HIP Jelly Balm in "Savory"

I love the whole coral lip trend, but I'm not brave enough to step out in full-on orange lips. So instead, I opt to go with my sheer Jelly Balm gloss; I can follow trends and still be in my comfort zone! Full Review!

-Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I was on the fence about how well this actually worked at the beginning of the month, but I've found the right amount that keeps my shadows from creasing all day and I think this is going to be a favorite of mine for a long, long time!

-Softlips Mint With A Hint Of Vanilla SPF 20

Everyone always raves about Softlips, and I'm beginning to know why! Although I'm not a fan of the packaging for this brand, I love the smell and how tingly it makes my lips! Softlips has been the only thing saving my lips from their normal cracked state lately!

-Mac Lipstick in "Creme D'Nude"

I didn't wear this much when I got it back in February, but I've been loving this lately to keep my look balanced when I want to play up my eyes! I'm sad the nude lips trend seems to be fading, but I'll be whipping this baby out come Fall!

-COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume in "Blackest Black"

Now I completely understand why people consider this a holy grail product! Up until I started using this, I thought all mascaras were just clumpy and would flake no matter what, but I must say COVERGIRL, you've changed my mind completely!

Wal-Mart Haul

I picked up a few little jems on my last Wal-Mart run that I thought I'd share with you even though I'm happy with about 1 out of 4 purchases haha!:

 -Maybelline Fit Me Blush in "Medium Coral"

I still had a coupon for any Maybelline Fit Me product from my lovely little Wal-Mart samples, so since I already had the foundation I decided I wanted to try these blushes! I have to say thumbs up for Maybelline on the packaging for this line, its much sleek-er than any other drugstore brands I've seen. I'm kind of kicking myself over buying this because when I got home I realized it looks an awful lot like my Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Mellow Wine" that I just bought in a Rite Aid Haul with a tad more pink. But hey, shame on you Wal-Mart, you should have had a bigger color selection

-L'oreal Wear Infinite Studio Secrets Professional Eyeshadow in "Autumn Leaves" for Blue Eyes

First off, I'd like to point out how much of a mouthful that is in case you didn't already notice! I know L'oreal's H.I.P. eyeshadows are supposed to be really good, but I leaned towards this since it was on sale and I had a coupon. I liked the colors of this quad in the store since they look really bronze-y, I figured I could get away with a lot of summer looks using these shadows. But I must say, I've only used these eyeshadows once and am kicking myself again, they're pretty terrible (chalky, hard to blend, not pigmented)! Sheesh, it just wasn't my day at Wal-Mart, but you win some and you lose some

-St.Ives Fresh Skin Make-Up Remover & Facial Cleanser

I'm on such a St.Ives kick after loving their Apricot Scrub! I saw this on the St.Ives website and really wanted to get it since I don't have a makeup remover and I've never really heard much about this one from the beauty community. I've had the chance to use this a couple of times, and I love it so much I'm beginning to think I should try all the St.Ives products!The only issue I had is this one particular cleanser was super hard to find, I looked at least three different places before coming across this one, and it was the last on the shelf

 -Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Jumbo Lash Mascara in "Black Organics"

 If you haven't already heard about the Physicians Formula $5 coupon going around, get it now! I honestly didn't think I would get any use out of that coupon since all Physicians Formula products are pretty expensive, but if you really look through their stuff you can get away with $1.00 and $2.00 items. Plus that coupon can be printed as many times as you want, and its good until June 15, 2011, so stock up and keep them in your wallet. Wal-Mart didn't have a great selection of the cheaper Physicians Formula products (go to Rite Aid if you want some super good values) but this mascara was there for $8.00, which means I got it for a steal $3.00 and that's a good value for any mascara let alone Physicians Formula! I've heard nothing but good things about this since people who went to the Beautylish event got it in their gift bags. I'm excited to try this out, but I'm a little bummed I got it in the color "Black Organics" and not "Ultra Black Organics" but there's probably no noticeable difference

St.Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Scrub

Application

Moisten face with water. Dispense product onto fingertips and massage over face. Rinse with water. Avoid direct contact with eyes. In case of contact with eyes, flush thoroughly with water. For best results, use 3 to 4 times per week.

Product Claims

Oil-free • Non-irritating • dermatologist-tested • 100% natural exfoliants • 100% natural extracts • Formulated without parabens and phthalates • Made without animal ingredients • Not tested on animals

Key Ingredients

APRICOTS are known to contain one of the highest levels of carotenoids (think vitamin A) and super-effective antioxidants. All of this natural power might seem, well, too powerful, but they are actually quite gentle and nourishing and they help make fresher, more nourished skin beautifully possible.

CORN KERNEL MEAL is actually flour ground from dried corn. It’s a soft, but gently powerful all-natural exfoliant that promotes skin cell turnover and regeneration. Cornmeal makes softer-feeling, fresher skin possible.

WALNUT is known for its hard shell, but when it’s ground, it becomes an amazingly effective, all-natural exfoliant ingredient in our scrubs. Not only are walnuts plentiful on the planet, they also help newer, healthier skin come to the surface.

 Pros: The packaging of St.Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub is really cute/simple with no fuss, and it looks cute sitting on my bathroom counter. It smells delicious, just like apricots and no chemically scent like some other facial products. This scrub is formulated without anything from animals, its not tested on animals, there's no parabens/phthalates, and there's a lot of natural ingredients, so if those are things you look for in your skin care, this is a good candidate for you. St.Ives Invigorating Scrub is always faily cheap at any drugstore, nothing that will break the bank. The Apricot Scrub has multiple purposes, don't let it fool you into thinking its just for your face! I love using this on my feet as it takes away all the rough skin especially on the soles, and it makes the perfect exfoliator for your legs before shaving so you get a closer shave/it will keep your legs smoother longer. You can essentially use this anywhere on your body!

 Cons: You would have to be living under a rock to have not heard about all the controversy surrounding St.Ives Apricot Scrubs! Some people claim that it makes tiny tears in their skin and is just way more destructive than helpful (my opinion on the debate: the people who have experienced those problems just have sensitive skin). The little scrubby pieces always have a way of getting themselves into my mouth when I wash my face with this, but its mostly made of food products so its no big deal. Since the St.Ives Apricot Scrub is so thick, it is pretty hard to make sure you get it all off your face.
 

Overall: I think if you have skin like mine (oily, not sensitive) you will absolutely love this scrub as much as I do because your skin type will actually be able to handle how rough it is! I know St.Ives also makes an Apricot Scrub for sensitive skin, so make sure to grab that one if you don't think your skin likes it rough!

Urban Decay Primer Potions In A Tube?!

Huh, I was browsing around Sephora's "Just Arrived" section and came across the all the Urban Decay Primer Potions, but in the tube? 

I'm not talking about the professional size, but here, Sephora is actually selling Urban Decay Primer Potion in a regular sized tube (its exclusive to them, for now at least).

The tube packaging is definitely not as cute as the potion (and a dollar more expensive), but its nice to know Urban Decay actually listened to all their customers.

I never considered buying Urban Decay Primer Potion because of the whole depotting issue, but hey, maybe I'll give it a try now and do a little Two Faced Shadow Insurance comparison of my own.

Here's all the information from Sephora:

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube
What it is:
An eye shadow primer that preps, brightens, and provides all-day wear.

What it does:
Packaged in a new squeeze tube with a precise needle nose, these bestselling primer potions glide effortlessly onto the skin providing the ultimate eye prep for smoother, more vibrant shadow and all-day, creaseless wear. The original, award-winning formula disappears completely when applied—ideal for the purist who wants a straightforward primer. Eden, Greed, and Sin work triple-duty as primers, highlighters, or eye shadows. If you want to avoid shimmer, Eden provides a matte, nude wash of color. Greed and Sin both feature a sensual shimmer that makes eyes pop. Formulated in an array of textures, the shades in this line truly offer something for everyone.

What else you need to know:
The squeeze tube version of this product is exclusive to Sephora for a limited time.

 Size: 0.37 oz

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube - Original
What it is:
A sheer nude eye shadow primer.

What it does:
Packaged in a new squeeze tube with a precise needle nose, Eyeshadow Primer Potion is an ultra-sheer, totally nude base that glides onto the skin. The original, award-winning formula disappears instantly and is the ultimate eye prep for smoother, more vibrant shadow and all-day wear with absolutely no creasing.

What else you need to know:
The squeeze tube version of this product is exclusive to Sephora for a limited time. 

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube - Eden
What it is:
A tawny matte eye shadow primer.
What it does:
Packaged in a new squeeze tube with a precise needle nose, this triple-duty product also works as a highlighter or eye shadow. Perfect for more mature customers or those who want to avoid shimmer, this versatile shade instantly brightens the eyes and provides the ultimate prep for creaseless, more vibrant shadow and all-day wear.

What else you need to know: The squeeze tube version of this product is exclusive to Sephora for a limited time.

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube - Greed
What it is:
A shimmering gold eye shadow primer.

What it does:
This primer makes color more vibrant and lasting without any creasing. Try a sexy glimmer applied at inner corners of eyes, or wear it alone to transform your eyelids into those of a fierce seductress. This potion even works as a radiant brow bone highlighter, and can add a golden sheen underneath any eye shadow.

What else you need to know:
The squeeze tube version of this product is exclusive to Sephora for a limited time.

Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tube - Sin
What it is:
A shimmering champagne eye shadow primer.

What it does:
Packaged in a new squeeze tube with a precise needle nose, this triple-duty product also works as a highlighter or eye shadow. The bestselling champagne shade is soft, versatile, and provides the ultimate eye prep for creaseless, more vibrant shadow and all-day wear.

What else you need to know:
The squeeze tube version of this product is exclusive to Sephora for a limited time.

Photo by Temptalia

Photo by Temptalia

Original, Eden, Greed, Sin; Photo by Temptalia

Rite Aid Haul

I took a little trip to Rite Aid the other day to take advantage of some of their weekly sales, and though I'd share some of the goodies I got with you guys :):

-St.Ives Apricot Scrub Invigorating

It was BOGO free on all St.Ives products last week, so I bought the ever so famous Apricot Scrub and another one for my mom because they had a pretty sad selection of St.Ives products

-Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in 270 "Lacey Lilac"

 I discovered my lack of pastel colored nail polishes the other day when trying to pick a color for my toes, so I just grabbed a nice light purple color for my feet

-Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye Liner Pencil in "161 Black Magic"

All sorts of Rimmel products were dumped in the depths of the Rite Aid clearance box, so I'm wondering if that company is going out of business, or possibly re-doing their packaging? I've had some not so great experiences with Rimmel Special Eyes liners before, but I just couldn't pass it up when on clearance 

-Wet N Wild Color Icon Blusher in "Mellow Wine", "Heather Silk", and "Berry Shimmer"

The Wet n Wild products were 40% off, so I went ahead and picked up these blushes since I've never really been a big blush person and I'm trying to get into it, plus I've heard great reviews on these from fellow beauty bloggers, so I have some pretty high expectations!