Sunday, October 5, 2014

Loves & Lemons | September 2014

Happy Sunday, loves!  Does anyone else feel like September absolutely FLEW by?!  I remember September 1st like it was yesterday {wistful look into the distance}.  Kidding!  I'm excited to share a few of my favorite things from last month, as well as a few products that didn't knock my socks off.  Be sure to share your loves and lemons with me in the comments!


Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation: This foundation is the epitome of fuss-free, buff-it-and-leave-it excellence!  I used it so much last month, and I know it will continue to be in heavy rotation this autumn. [Review here]

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes: Now that I've crossed over to the dark side of bodacious, voluminous lashes, I don't want to go back!  Whenever I use regular mascara, I'm left wanting more.  I pop on a coat or two of the Younique and it's party time at Lash Batting Palace, baby! [Review here]

Head and Shoulders Dry Scalp Care 2 in 1 Dandruff Shampoo + Conditioner with Almond Oil: This shampoo has done the impossible.  It's kept my scalp healthy, flake-free, and happy, hasn't made my roots oily, and hasn't dried out my ends.  This shampoo has been a savior!  I know I'll be repurchasing this.


Essie Go Ginza, Jenna Hipp Awards Season, & Sally Hansen Golden Rule: I almost never wear the same shade of nail polish for more than a week, much less a specific polish set, if you will, but I can't stop loving this combo platter!  I was inspired by Mary Alison / A Love Tart's Month in Nail Polish July 2014.  Check out her channel; she is the cutest, sweetest person, and I love her Chicago accent!  

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: I don't often toss around the term game-changer, but when it comes to this brush, that's the only description that fits.  It makes applying base products an absolute cinch and gives my skin the appearance of a flawless finish.  I've used this to apply liquid and powder foundation, tinted moisturizer, bb cream, and even bronzer.  This brush is such a dream that I purchased a second one so I'd always have a clean one at the ready.  It retails for $8.99 USD at ULTA (I just found it at Walgreen's for $6.49!) which is an absolute steal!  Thank you Sam & Nic Chapman!

Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil for Dry Skin: The first time I tried this I wasn't blown away, but I later discovered it was because I didn't use it right.  The next time, after massaging 2 pumps of the oil into my skin, I used a bit more water to really emulsify the oil and I was extremely impressed by it's powers of removal!  Every trace of black mascara, liner, and eyeshadow was gone!  I follow this up with a foaming cleanser to remove any remaining oil from my face and my skin has been very clear and balanced lately.  This oil also doubles as an amazing brush cleanser!  In a bowl, add a few pumps of the cleansing oil to your usual brush cleanser (I usually use shampoo) and swirl your brush through both before working up a lather.  You won't believe how quickly it dissolves the makeup caked onto your brushes and, as an added bonus, they're left feeling incredibly soft!


Alaffia Everyday Coconut Water Toner: I found this adorable, and very affordable, toner at Whole Foods.  Vegan!  Soy free!  Paraben-free!  Certified Fair Trade Coconuts!  OF COURSE I left with it.  It also made me smile because in elementary school, they taught us this West African greeting song that went "Fanga Alaffia, ashe, ashe" that's all about welcoming people with open hearts and friendship and the like.  Anywho, back to present-day and the toner.  Can I confirm that it hydrates while neutralizing surface impurities?  No.  I couldn't stand the smell!  I believe it's supposed to smell like coconut water and lavender, but honestly, all I could smell was this undertone of...funky.  Like the feet of a gaucho after a long day of riding and roping.  I tried to battle through it several times, but the smell was just too much.

Tom's of Maine 24 Hour Long Lasting Deodorant: I wanted to love this SO MUCH and be a green fairy of earthly wonders, but alas, no.  My armpits were not pleased.  They stayed sticky and humid ALL. DAY. LONG.  It was like my own personal tropical rain forest.  I'm used to anti-perspirants, so I expected some dampness but this was loco.  The deodorant smells amazing, but after about 5 hours, I couldn't say the same thing for myself.  It might work for those of you who don't sweat much or live in a cooler climate.  For me, I'm sticking with the APs!

What was your most-loved product last month?  Was there anything you tried that left you feeling less than thrilled?

22 comments :

  1. I don't know, I find a most 'natural" deodorants make me smell WORSE once I start sweating. And normally, I smell like Kentucky Fried Chicken so I don't really MIND the scent, although i takes me hungry...but natural deodorants make me smell REALLY unappetizing HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. I'm such a WEIRDO I KNOW.

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  2. Good timing! I've been curious about the Garnier cleansing oil! I usually have good luck with Garnier products so I'm happy to hear this one is another winner! I never thought of mixing cleansing oil with my brush cleanser before (but I use olive oil instead). Gotta try that! Thanks for the tip!

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  3. I love the RT Expert Face Brush too :-) It's the least scratchy face brush of Real Techniques too. LOL!

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  4. I love that we both use and love the Head and Shoulders!! That's the shampoo I've been using for the last few years and I love it. I'm with you on the natural deodorant as well...I tried it years ago and I just gave up and went back to my good old AP :).

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  5. i don't know anyone who loves that tom's deo, but yet it's such a huge hit.

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  6. Right?! Exactly! It's a staple natural option but...why?!

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  7. Ha! That is hilarious, Carolyn! We have so many similarities, it's crazy! I'm wearing Dream Daze as I type this, LOL! :) I might try one more natural deo now that it's cooling off here and I might be able to get away with it during the autumn/winter, but man I really like feeling dry and fresh! And yes, that shampoo is just amazing! I'm so happy with it!

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  8. Agreed! I wish I'd discovered that brush so much earlier in my makeup life!

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  9. I really love it! I think that's going to be my next review! And yes, do try it with your makeup brush cleansing and see what you think! I was blown away. :)

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  10. KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN?!?! OMG, I love you, Tracy!!! That just takes the cake!

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  11. Thanks, Rae! Isn't Go Ginza a beaut? I can't get enough. Thank you for the tip on the natural deo front - I will look into both of those because I really do want to switch over to it now that it's cooler outside. That is SO weird that the reformulated version of the Tom's makes you smell! What in the h-fires?!

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  12. Hey there Lady Grape! ;) I know, I wanted the Tom's to be amazeballs, too, but alas, no. You were actually the reason I bought the RT Expert Face Brush! I saw it so many times in your tutorials and I figured it had to be a winner! So thank YOU! I LOVE it. Fanga alafiya can definitely be our soul sister theme song, AND we can choerograph a dance as well! :D
    Much love and crisp turkey sammies!

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  13. NO WAY. YAAAAAAAAAY about the brush. Glad I could be responsible for a "love" and not a "lemon"!!!


    "ashe, ashe" sistah.

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  14. Hehe! How are you liking Dream Daze, Kristen? :)

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  15. that essie nail paint goes to my wish-list
    Lovely set of favorites :)

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  16. Lol, ew at sticky pits. Coconut water toner sounds SO GOOD but no funky sprays please!

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  17. I had been buying the apple H&S shampoo for the longest time JUST FOR THE SMELL. and then I saw they had this almond one so I thought I'd give it a shot and it smells so good too! Most of the time I use a Goldwell shampoo for colour treated hair. It's nothing super special, but I like that my husband uses this all the time because it makes his hair smell so good.

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  18. Right?! Coconut Water toner *sounds* amazing...wish it smelled as good as it sounded, lol!

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  19. Thanks, Krithi! Essie Go Ginza is a beauty, for sure! Great coverage in 2 coats, which I love for any pastel polish! Thanks for leaving me a comment! :D

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  20. Ha! I've been thinking about picking up the H&S Apple shampoo when I finish up the Almond Oil one! That is adorable that your husband rocks the Goldwell shampoo for lovely-scented locks. <3 Mine started using the John Freida Root Awakening about 2 years ago when I bought it for me and to this day, he still uses it and will not switch! It cracks me up that my husband is dedicated to a root-lifting shampoo, lol!

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  21. YOU are seriously making me want to get the Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet foundation. I had a love-hate relationship with the Perfection Lumiere (some days I love it, some days I completely hate that I bought it. go figure! LOL) but the Velvet sounds lovely - like no hate relationship can form!

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  22. Ha ha! I love you, Shari. The Perfection Lumiere Velvet would definitely make my top 5 foundations EVER list. No hate whatsoever! :)

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