Monday, February 24, 2014

Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup

I received this product for free from Bzz Agent, and I'm really glad that I did!

Bzz Agent provides free (or at a heavy discount) products in return for a review from people like you and me.  It involves posting to websites, social media, etc...

I was really excited when I was invited to the Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup (Foundation) campaign!  I don't have a real big-girl foundation, I normally use BB cream or BareMinerals if I need more coverage.

Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup
It evened out my skin tone beautifully, and I love the velvety finish. It did not quite last the 12 hours promised, but a few spot touch-ups after 8 hours kept it going strong all night. 


For all the following pictures, I have zero makeup on (except lip gloss).  I applied a thin coat of foundation with my damp Beauty Blender.
Before

After


Classic Ivory was a great match for my skin tone and it looked and felt natural. I wish it wasn't so hard to get the product out of the bottle, though! A pump would be perfect for this foundation. It's not that thick, so the trouble getting it out of the bottle is deceptive.



Before

After


I have normal skin, but I'm very fair and have freckles. This foundation was light on my skin, yet provided medium, buildable coverage. Even with a thin coat, as in the above pictures, you can see how much it evened out my redness.



I did not expect to like this foundation as much as I do. Like I said, I normally use BB cream, but this has been my go-to every morning since I received it. The sun protection is a bonus!




I'm very, very happy with this foundation. It makes me look like I'm wearing a better version of my own skin, which is all you can ask for!  It may not work for everyone, but I'm really glad I found it, and that it is available at drugstores!


No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I received this product for free from Bzz Agent.  

Tone Bath and Body Wash Review

This is another product I got for free from BzzAgent.  It was sent to me for free in exchange for honest reviews on various web and social media sites.

Tone Petal Soft Bath and Body Wash


This is Tone Bath and Body Wash in Petal Soft with Pink Peony and Rose Oil.  It is a Dial product.

My first impression was that this smelled like something I would find at Bath and Body Works.  It is heavily scented, and the product is a pink shimmery gel.  It lathered well and made my skin feel clean, but not particularly moisturized.  The ingredients did not really impress me, it was water and a lot of surfactants.

I think I will stick with buying my B&BW shower gels when they are on super-sale ($3!) instead of this.  Don't get me wrong, I will use it up, I just don't feel like it makes my skin soft enough.  It didn't dry me out at all, but if you are prone to very dry skin, I would avoid this.


No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. The item mentioned within was sent to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Golden Tote February 2014 Review

Golden Tote February 2014 Review: $149 Tote

It's everyone's favorite time! Golden Tote review day!

The Tote, Itself

Golden Tote is a monthly clothing surprise service.  There are two options: a $49 tote and a $149 tote.  With the smaller tote, you pick one item from a gallery and GT surprises you with 1-3 more items.  This tote usually includes one clothing item and an accessory as the surprises.  The larger tote contains 6-7 items, with you picking the first two.  This tote will almost always include all clothing and zero accessory items (like scarves).  The larger tote will send you dresses more often than the smaller one.

Right now GT has sizes XS-L.  For reference, I order a size small tote and am a size 4 (27) in jeans and usually a small in tops (Old Navy and Target).  Everything always fits me really well.

First Look


This month, I was looking to expand my spring wardrobe.  This means getting away from my winter staple of gray, and into my spring staple of cream.  My two picks represent that mind-set.

Under Skies Dress


Under Skies Embroidered Shift Dress (Step into Spring Creme Dress on the site). ($45)

Under Skies Dress


This was the first item I chose.  I loved the cream color, with black accents.  It is the perfect winter-to-spring transition piece!  It has 3/4 sleeves and is lined.  It hits just above the knee. 

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Front


 I tried tying the belt in both the front and the back, and I like it either way.  I can't wait to wear it!

Under Skies Dress, Bow in Back


Potters Pot Pretty Embroidered Top ($42).

Potter's Pot Top


I couldn't pass up this top! It is cream, and I love sheer tops for this time of year!  I feel like they are very feminine, and that is usually how I try to dress in the spring. 

Potter's Pot Top


 Enough bulky sweaters and snow boots- give me sheer fabrics, soft colors, and delicate details.  I am wearing a pale pink tank top underneath for the pictures. 


Surprise Items:
Priddy by Puella Swing Dress

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress


This swing dress was one of the mystery items that was revealed during the ordering window.  The founders of Golden Tote are the ladies behind the Puella line of clothing (sold at Anthropologie), and it looks like now there is an offshoot of Puella called Priddy.  

Priddy by Puella Swing Dress


All of the dresses I have from Puella are really comfortable and look great on.  I have a 3/4 sleeve swing dress from them already, and was glad to add this full-sleeved one to my closet.  

Swing Dress, not belted


The elbows have lighter patches on them, and the fabric is a medium heathered blue.  It is darker than in the solo pictures.  The color in the first look picture is the most accurate.

Swing Dress, belted


As with most swing dresses, it looks better on me when I have it belted.

Puella Leggings

Puella Leggings.  Now, with 100% more duvet fuzz!


Another Puella item!  These leggings have a ruffled fold-over top and are made of nice, thick fabric.  They are also a lot longer than the other leggings I have!  Most only go down to my ankle bone, but these are longer than that.  I will definitely get some use out of them.

Ruffle Leggings


  I don't believe in leggings as pants, though, so I'm afraid nobody will be able to see the ruffled top.  Leggings are for under dresses and tunics!  Say no to camel toe!  All in all, I can always use more leggings.  I like them.

Under Skies Shirt

Under Skies Shirt


In the past, I have been sent a number of items of clothing by Under Skies, and I have loved them all.  

Under Skies Shirt


I was a little hesitant about this one until I unfolded it! I really like it.  The material is light and silky, and the crossed back adds a little pizzazz.

Under Skies Shirt, Back
with Puella Leggings

Under Skies Shirt, Front
with Puella Leggings

  It drapes nicely and the pattern isn't too garish for me.  I approve! Another win.

In Clover Top

In Clover Top


The last item is the one I was the most afraid of.  I had seen some spoilers online of other people's totes, and I was hoping I would not get this shirt (there were some other items that I didn't want to get, either, but this was the only one that showed up in my tote).  

In Clover Top


Alas, I got it.  I was afraid the patterned placket would be too much for me, but I don't hate it!  It is much nicer in person, and even better on a human.  The shirt itself is nice and soft, and I like the rolled-up sleeves.  I will make it work.

This was a nice tote for me.  I wear the clothing from GT more than anything else in my wardrobe! I went away for this past weekend and just about everything I wore was from one tote or another.  The items are always good quality and fit well.  I like that I can pick out one or two things I know I will love, and get surprised by the rest!  GT has a place for you to create a style profile, so the company can hopefully tailor your tote to your preferences.  It seems to work well for me!

No special consideration or compensation was received for this post and all thoughts and opinions are my own. All items mentioned within were paid for by me.