Welcome to the product review section of my blog! Here you will find my reviews of some of my favorite products and brands as well as new products that I decided to buy and try! You can view more of my beauty buy and tries on my Pinterest Buy & Try board .
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April 5, 2021
Product: Shower Caddy
Brand: Inter Design
Price: 19.99 at Home Goods
December 9, 2020
Product: Juvia’s Place “The Berries” Eyeshadow Palette & Mina Metallic Lipstick
Brand: Juvia’s Place
Price: Palette - $14, “Mina” Metallic Lipstick - $Currently sold out$
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December 9, 2020
Product: Beauty Bakerie Sugar Cookie Eyeshadow Palette
Price: $28
Available on: Beauty Bakerie website, Ulta Beauty website
September 20,2020
Product: Bamfam Bamboo Bath Caddy
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August 31, 2020
Product: Navy Blue with gold polka dots shipping bags; Clear packaging bags
If you run a small business, sell clothes on Poshmark, or even if you just gift people with homemade crafting goodies from time to time, you probably use some form of shipping bags or packaging. One way to add a little flair to your packages is to use decorative shipping bags like the ones I featured in my YouTube video from Pack It Chic. This brand comes in a variety of size and design choices so no matter if you want a little hint of flashy or like to go all out, they have a pattern for you! Another option, especially for those who may do pop up shops or other vendor type events is the clear packaging bags from Spartan Industries. These offer an option for protection from damage during transit or even as customers are viewing your merchandise. Check out my video for more suggestions and make sure to subscribe while you’re there!
August 21, 2020
Product: The Honey Pot Company Feminine Pads
Where to find: Target in store and online, Honey Pot website
Taking care of my body inside and out continues to be a priority for me. That’s why I have been exploring more natural and organic products to use for self-care including feminine hygiene. The Honey Pot Company is the first complete system for feminine care that is powered by herbs. These products do not contain the toxic chemicals that many feminine products have and are completely natural. I finally decided to give them a try and I was pleasantly surprised! Click my video below to see more about my experience with The Honey Pot Company’s Feminine Pads. Be sure to subscribe to the channel while you’re there!
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July 29, 2019
Product: Flesh cosmetics lipstick and foundation stick
Hi everyone!
Today I’m featuring a review on some lipstick and foundation from the makeup line Flesh Cosmetics. I came across these products in my local Ulta beauty store while browsing the clearance section. I had seen it there before and since I had not heard of the brand didn’t pay it that much attention. After I did a little research on the brand and read an article where some of the editors at a particular magazine tested almost all of the products, I decided to give it a try. Given that the entire line is in the clearance section, I’m not sure if that means Ulta is going to stop carrying it or maybe the line is redesigning their packaging and they’re clearing out the old branding. Either way I was able to snag the items for half price which made it ideal for testing out! I stuck with the lipsticks and foundation stick, however, I may go back for some of the liquid lipstick and eyeshadow after testing what I’ve purchased.
Background:
This makeup line was created by the founding editor of Allure magazine and chief creative officer at Revlon, Linda Wells. She followed in the footsteps of Rhianna’s Fenty beauty when it came to her foundation shades and created a line to include a variety of shades from ivory to expresso. Her goal was to create makeup for all skin tones. The full line includes liquid lipsticks, lipsticks, glosses, blushes, eyeshadows, foundation sticks, highlighters, concealers, and primers. She also has basic needs such as blotting papers. This line is supposed to be classified as a prestige brand but at a more affordable price point.
My thoughts
Foundation stick - for the past few years I’ve only worn Bare Minerals liquid foundation and powder when I need to do a face of makeup so this is the first time I’m trying something new in a long time. I chose the color cafe (#28) from the Flesh line. Given that there were no samples or swatches to see what the colors actually looked like, I had to guess my color. I do want to state that the entire line was in the clearance section at this time, so I’m not sure if there were swatches shown when the line was on the regular sales floor. I had read a review blog earlier and the reviewer was actually close to my skin tone which is why I chose the same color she had tried and it was a match for my face.
The stick is a twist up foundation stick (like a tube of lipstick) and easy to apply. When applying, the foundation felt a little sticky but went on smooth. After “coloring” on my face with the foundation stick I used my Bare Minerals perfecting face brush to blend it in. The formula is smooth but not smooth enough that a blender sponge would work well. I would recommend a blending brush for easy application. I would not call this a full coverage foundation, but it definitely smooths and evens the skin tone.
Cons: The biggest con about this foundation is the amount that you get. While small and compact for traveling or toting around in your purse, it is not a lot of product for the price. You only get .16oz of product in the stick. Also, the quality is good, but I wouldn’t say that it produces prestige/high end results which is the market it is competing in.
Lipstick - I loved the packaging for the lipsticks! The lipstick tube has a decent weight and the design was simple yet cute. They have a magnetic closure when you put the top and bottom together which is also something different. The lipsticks went on very smooth and were moisturizing on my lips. The colors were also well pigmented and not flaky or patchy.
Cons: While this is a nice lipstick formula, the staying power is the same of any drugstore lipstick. It is highly transferable and will need to be reapplied after eating. Again, it definitely falls in line with the average drug store brands such as Covergirl and of course Revlon (given the creator), but I can’t justify calling it a prestige level product.
Overall, I was not disappointed per se with the results of the products in terms of being a foundation or lipstick, but they would not be my go-to products. They will definitely get the job done and would make good products for someone learning makeup and want a decent product line to experiment with. The products will make great everyday looks for work or a night out. The line was very conscious of the wide variety of skin tones out there and I must give them credit for their color selection. I think Linda Wells hit her mark in trying to be as inclusive as possible when it came to foundation shades as well as creating a variety of other products that pretty much anyone can use.
My biggest issue with these products are the price point. These products are competing in the prestige brand market, yet the results match that of a drug store brand. In some cases, they may have a little better formula than your typical drug store brand, but not enough to carry the prestige label or price. The eyeshadow palettes go for $38 a pop and while I did not buy them, I did have a chance to see the colors and experiment. Again, nice colors, but not prestige quality. To me, I would say Flesh cosmetics is a drug store quality makeup with prestige brand pricing.
Price: Foundation stick $18, lipstick $18 ( I snagged everything at 50% since it was clearance)
Where to buy: Ulta beauty stores, Ulta website, Flesh cosmetics website
August 5, 2018
I have been using the Always brand of feminine pads since the beginning of my visits from “Aunt Dot”. They are a brand I trust and still what I consider to be my favorite, most comfortable and most reliable of brands I’ve tried. Normally, I use the Always Ultra thin with wings as my go-to pads. I’ve also used U by Kotex (the regular and fitness versions) as my backups (they tend to have better sales and coupons). While U by Kotex gets the job done, they still don’t give me the confidence and comfort that my Always brand does.
I’ve seen a recent trend in natural/organic feminine products that contain little to no chemicals, dyes, perfumes, etc. It seems as more information is coming about in regards to the potential harm or long term effects of using products with certain chemicals or other ingredients has people focused on finding more natural alternatives to everyday products. I’m all about reducing foreign and harmful substances from my body and environment, but I also want to make sure the alternative is just as effective. The reviews for some natural/organic pads (like the Cora brand) were not super comforting as many reviewers stated the pads did not stay in place which resulted in leakage in some cases. As a high school teacher, I definitely can’t use a product that puts me at risk for leakage or other inconveniences so I held off on giving that natural brand a try. Recently, I came across an ad for the Always Pure and Clean Feminine Pads and decided I would give them a try when I found them in a store. As luck would have it, my favorite store, Target, happen to have these in stock with a 40% off Cartwheel!!! I figured this was as good a time to try them as any. The Pure and Clean pads (26 ct) retailed for 6.99 but with the Cartwheel they ended up being 4.19, which is about the average cost for that sized pack.
My thoughts: These pads felt and protected just like the regular Always Ultra thin that I usually wear! I could not tell any difference (other than not having the “fresh” scent that is usually with the active versions) in the pads. They were just as thin, had wings, stayed in place and protected like its original counterpart. I also loved the packaging which is a white wrapper with blue designs. I felt it matched the "pure and clean" name. I will definitely be purchasing these in the future! The only negative is the cost. From what I’ve seen, the Pure and Clean versions retail about $1-$2 higher than the regular versions. As always, natural and organic items cost a little more. My hope is since it is a new item, there will be lots of coupons and specials in order to promote the product. My advice would be to stock up during this time to keep your cost down.
Price: 6.99 per box at Target
Where to buy: Target, (right now they are listed as being offered at select retailers), Walmart.com
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July 30, 2018
It’s been awhile since I’ve worn Covergirl lipsticks/gloss so I was not sure what to expect from them anymore. Covergirl was the first brand of makeup that I started wearing back in high school and I was a loyal brand supporter for years. As I started exploring other brands, nyx and urban decay became my main go to brands. I’ve recently turned back to Covergirl after seeing Ayesha Curry (one of my favorite celebs) rocking a purple lipstick that I loved! I’ll review that item later, but for now I’ll focus on the Demi-matte lipsticks. The demi-matte lipstick is from Covergirl’s Exhibitionist lip line.
My thoughts: I originally purchased the Demi-Matte lipstick in Infamous (#455) from Wal-mart to give it a try. I was thinking this color would be a deep purple but instead it turned out to be more of a deep berry red. The casing for this lipstick gives you a hint at the color from the clear bottom and also a small trim strip that goes around the bottom of the casing. I would recommend googling the colors just to get an idea if you’re not sure. Needless to say I was disappointed that it wasn’t the color I thought it would be, however, that is the only thing about this lipstick that disappointed me. It was very moisturizing and the color itself was vibrant and long lasting. I was not familiar with a demi-matte finish so I was not sure what to expect. For me it was almost a perfect mix between a glossy and matte finish. It wasn’t as dull and drying as some matte lipsticks can be, but also not as sticky or shiny as a gloss finish. It went on smooth and stayed through the day. I only needed to retouch the center of my bottom lips where I drank. The pigment is pretty strong and I had to use a makeup wipe to fully remove the lipstick at the end of the day. Overall, with minimal eating/drinking you may have to touch up once throughout the day at most which isn’t bad in my opinion.
I’ve since purchased this lipstick in Feelings (#465) from Target which is the purple I was looking for! The color shown on the bottom of the casing was a better representation of the actual color for this particular shade. It also provided me with the same moisturizing texture and rich pigmented color.
Where to buy: Target, Wal-mart, Ulta.com
Pricing: $5.00-6.00 depending on location purchased (currently lots of $2 off coupons out for this line!!)
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July 9, 2018
Includes: Labelmaker, 1 roll of tape, instruction booklet
Features: 27 templates, 14 font types, up to 2 lines of text, 10 styles, 97 frames, 600 symbols
My thoughts: This label maker became one of my favorite “toys” from day one. I love organizing and this labelmaker just added to the fun! I caught a back to school sale at Office Depot and snagged this maker for 19.99. It retails for 39.99. After using it for a few projects at home, I was so pleased that I bought a 2nd one to keep in my desk at work. At home, I used it to label my storage boxes (the clear shoebox sized ones) and personal items such as my laptop. At work, it worked great for color coding and labeling folders for students on my caseload, file cabinets, items on my desk and books in my classroom library. The labels are easy to peel off of most surfaces so you can reuse them or the items you label. The label maker comes with a roll of white tape with black writing and you can purchase additional tape colors almost anywhere. I ordered a few off Amazon and found the pricing on some colors to be better there than in store. The only negative I have for this product is that it is battery powered (6 AAA not included), although, you can purchase an adaptor (I’ve seen them around $10 on Amazon) for an additional charge. I will say I have not had to replace my batteries yet and I have had this product for almost a year.
Price: as low as 19.99 up to 39.99 (depends on where purchased)
Where to buy: Office Depot, Amazon, office supply stores
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July 3, 2018
Over the past few years, I have started exploring a variety of makeup brands. I am mostly an eyeshadow and lipgloss girl and I tend to frequent Ulta for my makeup needs. If you are not familiar with Ulta, it is divided into two main sections when it comes to make-up. One side is the prestige brand side, which contains the high end brands such as Urban Decay, Too Faced and Buxom, while the other side is more along the lines of drugstore cosmetics such as Covergirl, Elf, and Revlon. In the past year or so, Ulta has started introducing new brands on the non-prestige side that are giving the prestige brands a run for their money (in my opinion). One of these new brands is Morphe. I’d seen good reviews about the eyeshadow palettes from online makeup reviewers so I decided to check them out.
My thoughts: Morphe eyeshadow offers a budget friendly alternative to the higher end brands. The 35 color Fall Into Frost palette is full of highly pigmented neutrals and earth tones, ideal for the fall/winter season but can also serve as everyday essentials. I have t-zone oily skin and the biggest challenge for me is finding high quality eyeshadow that will make it through the day. The Morphe eyeshadow goes on smoothly across my primer and survives 8+ hrs with the help of my Urban Decay primer. Even better is the bang for your buck! 35 shades for $23!! This is half the price of my usual prestige brand palette purchases which usually contain fewer shades. Since Morphe is not considered a prestige brand, Ulta store coupons can also be applied to get an even better deal!
Product: Flesh cosmetics lipstick and foundation stick
Hi everyone!
Today I’m featuring a review on some lipstick and foundation from the makeup line Flesh Cosmetics. I came across these products in my local Ulta beauty store while browsing the clearance section. I had seen it there before and since I had not heard of the brand didn’t pay it that much attention. After I did a little research on the brand and read an article where some of the editors at a particular magazine tested almost all of the products, I decided to give it a try. Given that the entire line is in the clearance section, I’m not sure if that means Ulta is going to stop carrying it or maybe the line is redesigning their packaging and they’re clearing out the old branding. Either way I was able to snag the items for half price which made it ideal for testing out! I stuck with the lipsticks and foundation stick, however, I may go back for some of the liquid lipstick and eyeshadow after testing what I’ve purchased.
Background:
This makeup line was created by the founding editor of Allure magazine and chief creative officer at Revlon, Linda Wells. She followed in the footsteps of Rhianna’s Fenty beauty when it came to her foundation shades and created a line to include a variety of shades from ivory to expresso. Her goal was to create makeup for all skin tones. The full line includes liquid lipsticks, lipsticks, glosses, blushes, eyeshadows, foundation sticks, highlighters, concealers, and primers. She also has basic needs such as blotting papers. This line is supposed to be classified as a prestige brand but at a more affordable price point.
My thoughts
Foundation stick - for the past few years I’ve only worn Bare Minerals liquid foundation and powder when I need to do a face of makeup so this is the first time I’m trying something new in a long time. I chose the color cafe (#28) from the Flesh line. Given that there were no samples or swatches to see what the colors actually looked like, I had to guess my color. I do want to state that the entire line was in the clearance section at this time, so I’m not sure if there were swatches shown when the line was on the regular sales floor. I had read a review blog earlier and the reviewer was actually close to my skin tone which is why I chose the same color she had tried and it was a match for my face.
The stick is a twist up foundation stick (like a tube of lipstick) and easy to apply. When applying, the foundation felt a little sticky but went on smooth. After “coloring” on my face with the foundation stick I used my Bare Minerals perfecting face brush to blend it in. The formula is smooth but not smooth enough that a blender sponge would work well. I would recommend a blending brush for easy application. I would not call this a full coverage foundation, but it definitely smooths and evens the skin tone.
Cons: The biggest con about this foundation is the amount that you get. While small and compact for traveling or toting around in your purse, it is not a lot of product for the price. You only get .16oz of product in the stick. Also, the quality is good, but I wouldn’t say that it produces prestige/high end results which is the market it is competing in.
Lipstick - I loved the packaging for the lipsticks! The lipstick tube has a decent weight and the design was simple yet cute. They have a magnetic closure when you put the top and bottom together which is also something different. The lipsticks went on very smooth and were moisturizing on my lips. The colors were also well pigmented and not flaky or patchy.
Cons: While this is a nice lipstick formula, the staying power is the same of any drugstore lipstick. It is highly transferable and will need to be reapplied after eating. Again, it definitely falls in line with the average drug store brands such as Covergirl and of course Revlon (given the creator), but I can’t justify calling it a prestige level product.
Overall, I was not disappointed per se with the results of the products in terms of being a foundation or lipstick, but they would not be my go-to products. They will definitely get the job done and would make good products for someone learning makeup and want a decent product line to experiment with. The products will make great everyday looks for work or a night out. The line was very conscious of the wide variety of skin tones out there and I must give them credit for their color selection. I think Linda Wells hit her mark in trying to be as inclusive as possible when it came to foundation shades as well as creating a variety of other products that pretty much anyone can use.
My biggest issue with these products are the price point. These products are competing in the prestige brand market, yet the results match that of a drug store brand. In some cases, they may have a little better formula than your typical drug store brand, but not enough to carry the prestige label or price. The eyeshadow palettes go for $38 a pop and while I did not buy them, I did have a chance to see the colors and experiment. Again, nice colors, but not prestige quality. To me, I would say Flesh cosmetics is a drug store quality makeup with prestige brand pricing.
Price: Foundation stick $18, lipstick $18 ( I snagged everything at 50% since it was clearance)
Where to buy: Ulta beauty stores, Ulta website, Flesh cosmetics website
Product: Always Pure & Clean Feminine Pads
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| Always Pure & Clean Feminine Pads (26 ct) regular w/ wings |
I’ve seen a recent trend in natural/organic feminine products that contain little to no chemicals, dyes, perfumes, etc. It seems as more information is coming about in regards to the potential harm or long term effects of using products with certain chemicals or other ingredients has people focused on finding more natural alternatives to everyday products. I’m all about reducing foreign and harmful substances from my body and environment, but I also want to make sure the alternative is just as effective. The reviews for some natural/organic pads (like the Cora brand) were not super comforting as many reviewers stated the pads did not stay in place which resulted in leakage in some cases. As a high school teacher, I definitely can’t use a product that puts me at risk for leakage or other inconveniences so I held off on giving that natural brand a try. Recently, I came across an ad for the Always Pure and Clean Feminine Pads and decided I would give them a try when I found them in a store. As luck would have it, my favorite store, Target, happen to have these in stock with a 40% off Cartwheel!!! I figured this was as good a time to try them as any. The Pure and Clean pads (26 ct) retailed for 6.99 but with the Cartwheel they ended up being 4.19, which is about the average cost for that sized pack.
My thoughts: These pads felt and protected just like the regular Always Ultra thin that I usually wear! I could not tell any difference (other than not having the “fresh” scent that is usually with the active versions) in the pads. They were just as thin, had wings, stayed in place and protected like its original counterpart. I also loved the packaging which is a white wrapper with blue designs. I felt it matched the "pure and clean" name. I will definitely be purchasing these in the future! The only negative is the cost. From what I’ve seen, the Pure and Clean versions retail about $1-$2 higher than the regular versions. As always, natural and organic items cost a little more. My hope is since it is a new item, there will be lots of coupons and specials in order to promote the product. My advice would be to stock up during this time to keep your cost down.
Price: 6.99 per box at Target
Where to buy: Target, (right now they are listed as being offered at select retailers), Walmart.com
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July 30, 2018
Product: Covergirl Demi-Matte lipstick
It’s been awhile since I’ve worn Covergirl lipsticks/gloss so I was not sure what to expect from them anymore. Covergirl was the first brand of makeup that I started wearing back in high school and I was a loyal brand supporter for years. As I started exploring other brands, nyx and urban decay became my main go to brands. I’ve recently turned back to Covergirl after seeing Ayesha Curry (one of my favorite celebs) rocking a purple lipstick that I loved! I’ll review that item later, but for now I’ll focus on the Demi-matte lipsticks. The demi-matte lipstick is from Covergirl’s Exhibitionist lip line.
My thoughts: I originally purchased the Demi-Matte lipstick in Infamous (#455) from Wal-mart to give it a try. I was thinking this color would be a deep purple but instead it turned out to be more of a deep berry red. The casing for this lipstick gives you a hint at the color from the clear bottom and also a small trim strip that goes around the bottom of the casing. I would recommend googling the colors just to get an idea if you’re not sure. Needless to say I was disappointed that it wasn’t the color I thought it would be, however, that is the only thing about this lipstick that disappointed me. It was very moisturizing and the color itself was vibrant and long lasting. I was not familiar with a demi-matte finish so I was not sure what to expect. For me it was almost a perfect mix between a glossy and matte finish. It wasn’t as dull and drying as some matte lipsticks can be, but also not as sticky or shiny as a gloss finish. It went on smooth and stayed through the day. I only needed to retouch the center of my bottom lips where I drank. The pigment is pretty strong and I had to use a makeup wipe to fully remove the lipstick at the end of the day. Overall, with minimal eating/drinking you may have to touch up once throughout the day at most which isn’t bad in my opinion.
I’ve since purchased this lipstick in Feelings (#465) from Target which is the purple I was looking for! The color shown on the bottom of the casing was a better representation of the actual color for this particular shade. It also provided me with the same moisturizing texture and rich pigmented color.
Where to buy: Target, Wal-mart, Ulta.com
Pricing: $5.00-6.00 depending on location purchased (currently lots of $2 off coupons out for this line!!)
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July 9, 2018
Product: Brother P-touch label maker PT-D210
Features: 27 templates, 14 font types, up to 2 lines of text, 10 styles, 97 frames, 600 symbols
My thoughts: This label maker became one of my favorite “toys” from day one. I love organizing and this labelmaker just added to the fun! I caught a back to school sale at Office Depot and snagged this maker for 19.99. It retails for 39.99. After using it for a few projects at home, I was so pleased that I bought a 2nd one to keep in my desk at work. At home, I used it to label my storage boxes (the clear shoebox sized ones) and personal items such as my laptop. At work, it worked great for color coding and labeling folders for students on my caseload, file cabinets, items on my desk and books in my classroom library. The labels are easy to peel off of most surfaces so you can reuse them or the items you label. The label maker comes with a roll of white tape with black writing and you can purchase additional tape colors almost anywhere. I ordered a few off Amazon and found the pricing on some colors to be better there than in store. The only negative I have for this product is that it is battery powered (6 AAA not included), although, you can purchase an adaptor (I’ve seen them around $10 on Amazon) for an additional charge. I will say I have not had to replace my batteries yet and I have had this product for almost a year.
Price: as low as 19.99 up to 39.99 (depends on where purchased)
Where to buy: Office Depot, Amazon, office supply stores
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July 3, 2018
Product: Morphe Fall Into Frost eyeshadow palette
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| Morphe Fall Into Frost Eyeshadow Palette |
My thoughts: Morphe eyeshadow offers a budget friendly alternative to the higher end brands. The 35 color Fall Into Frost palette is full of highly pigmented neutrals and earth tones, ideal for the fall/winter season but can also serve as everyday essentials. I have t-zone oily skin and the biggest challenge for me is finding high quality eyeshadow that will make it through the day. The Morphe eyeshadow goes on smoothly across my primer and survives 8+ hrs with the help of my Urban Decay primer. Even better is the bang for your buck! 35 shades for $23!! This is half the price of my usual prestige brand palette purchases which usually contain fewer shades. Since Morphe is not considered a prestige brand, Ulta store coupons can also be applied to get an even better deal!
Price: $23.00
Where to buy: Ulta stores, Ulta website, Morphe website
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Where to Buy: Amazon
Cost: 6 pcs - $7.88, 12 pcs - $10.66
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Where to buy: most retail stores such as Target, Amazon, Tgin website
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Product: Minalo Alligator Hair Clips for Thick Hair
For those of us with thick hair, the hair clip struggle IS REAL!!! I ordered these clips
because I got tired of popping the springs off of regular clips with my thick
hair. These clips are comfortable and can hold a decent amount of hair in
place. I have thick coarse hair that is about mid back length and I divide it
into sections when blow drying or styling. I needed a good set of clips that
would hold my hair in place without breaking or slipping while I was working on
another section. These clips are perfect for the job! I usually section my hair
and twist it into a ball then apply the clip. While my regular clips would
break from the pressure or move around as I was working on other sections of my
hair, these clips stayed in place. They did not dig into my scalp either. I am
so glad to have found some cute, comfortable quality clips that can
successfully hold my hair in place.
Where to Buy: Amazon
Cost: 6 pcs - $7.88, 12 pcs - $10.66
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Product: Tgin Twist and Define Cream
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| Tgin (Thank God I'm Natural) |
Being a naturalista
can be hard work! When I first went natural, there was a very limited amount of
hair products designed specially for African-american/multi-cultural natural
hair. I've tried quite a few twist creams for my hair and this is one has been added
to my list of favorites! Until I tried this cream Miss Jesse's was my top
contender. After washing my hair I divided my hair into sections, applied the
Tgin cream to each section and then twisted it. I let it air dry which is
recommended on the jar for the best results. I was very pleased with the
results! My hair was not frizzy, had a great wave pattern and I was able to
style it without it being sticky or stiff. The cream also gave me a nice shine
which issue something that I value because I have jet black hair which can get
dull. I did not have to add any oils for shine which minimized the amount of
products I had to use in my hair for styling.
Another thing I
like about this product is that it is easily available. Although I ordered it
through Amazon, it is always available in retail stores like Target and reasonably
priced. It's also nice to know that tgin products are not tested on animals and
are made from natural ingredients. The cream does not contain parabens,
sulfates, petrolatum, or artificial colors.
Where to buy: most retail stores such as Target, Amazon, Tgin website
Cost: $12.99-15.99 (depending on location)
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Product: YouCopia Spice Rack
Where to buy: Bed, Bath and Beyond, Amazon.com, The Container Store, Target.com, Wal-mart.com, Can also be found in stores like BJ's, but selection various by store location
Price range: The prices can vary by store and rack capacity, however a general range is from $25-$40.
I love to cook a good meal! I enjoy trying new recipes from my cookbooks or that I find on sites like Pinterest. The YouCopia spice racks are great space savers for storing the spices I need to whip up a tasty treat. I currently have 3 and they make my cooking life so easy. Each tray pulls out and can also hang in place. This makes it easy to quickly survey your spices and grab what you need. The racks come with sticker labels, some pre-printed and some blank so you can create your own. YouCopia spice racks are available in a variety of sizes ( 12,18,24, and 30 bottle capacity) to meet any spice storage need. I mainly use McCormick seasonings and they fit perfectly in the tray. I also have some larger Webber seasoning bottles which also fit with no problems. In terms of space, my two 24 capacity racks fit side by side on one shelf.
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Beauty on a Budget
Product: Karity Frost Eyeshadow Palette
Price: $20-29 for palettes, as low as $4 for singles
Where to buy: Amazon.com and Karity website
I am the type of person that is brand loyal with most things I buy. Once I find a brand that consistently works for me, I usually stick with them. Recently I have gotten into experimenting with different brands of makeup. In my high school days, I was a fan of Covergirl and then as I got older (and started working) I began buying more high end brands such as Urban Decay and MAC. Now I like to just try and buy because as we know price does not always mean good quality. I experiment with new makeup from all price ranges and brands including ELF (which can be found at Dollar Tree!).
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Karity cosmetics eyeshadows in comparison to my higher end Urban Decay shadows as they gave the same vibrant colors and long lasting wear. You may have seen Karity eyeshadows around the Internet being called the MAC eyeshadow dupes and it is not a lie! These eyeshadows are the more affordable version of MAC eyeshadows with the same quality. There is even a listing on the Karity website with the MAC eyeshadow colors and the Karity match!
How Karity compares to MAC: Karity eyeshadows have a high pigmentation, apply smoothly and are long lasting. The consistency is slightly creamy which helps it go on without a chalky look or feel.
One of the reasons I use higher end eyeshadows is because I have oily skin and some of the cheaper brands do not last long on my eyelids even with primers. Karity passed this test with flying colors. I applied my Urban Decay primer and then the Karity eyeshadow color called Dime piece (silver colored) using a Karity makeup brush (which are also awesome ). This lasted my entire workday and into the evening! This solidified Karity as a front runner against my MAC and Urban Decay shadows.
The shadows in this palette are vibrant with enough shimmer to give a nice sparkle effect but still calm enough to wear to work. They make great work-to outing choices. If you are looking for a good quality eyeshadow that can go toe-to-toe with higher end brands such as Urban Decay and MAC then you should consider Karity eyeshadows.
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