Total Skin Care Solutions Rapid Recovery Under Eye Cream Review and Giveaway!

Dark circles under the eyes are quite common and can be caused by lack of sleep, allergies and genetics. I have dark circles and I do my best to diminish their appearance by taking care of the sensitive skin under my eyes. Creams not meant for the eye area are often too potent and can cause irritation and adverse reactions so its important to choose products wisely. 

Today I have a review on Total Skin Care Solutions which is a company that sells moisturizers, exfoliators, wrinkle treatments and more. The company prides itself on using the finest ingredients nature has to offer including plants, extracts and oils. I love finding products that are natural and safe for my sensitive skin and this line contains no parabens, fillers, pesticides, mineral oil, chemicals, fragrances or artificial color.

The Rapid Recovery Under Eye Cream contains vitamin K which “increases circulation and reduces dark circles.” It also contains natural ingredients that “reduces puffiness, repairs damage, strengthens capillaries and delays age related changes including crows feet.” The molecules in this cream are small enough to “penetrate quickly and effectively.”

On the website there is a lot of helpful information and informative tips pertaining to the use of vitamin K including how to reduce dark, puffy eyes, you can find that information HERE. I have incorporated this eye cream into my nightly skin care routine and so far so good! I like the texture; it isn't thick or heavy but it isn't too thin either. It also covers well and has a pleasant scent.

I cannot yet attest to changes in darkness since deep pigmentation under the eyes does not disappear overnight and results may be more evident with prolonged use. I do notice that my eyes look less puffy and more refreshed when I wake up so I will definitely continue to use the Recovery Cream to keep my skin looking healthy and improved.

The full size cream retails for $34 dollars and a little goes a long way, you can find it HERE. You only need a small dab under the eyes before bed or in the morning under makeup. Currently Total Skin care Solutions is hosting a giveaway! You can enter below for your chance to win a beauty bundle valued at $200! Giveaway ends June, 2 2014.

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**Disclaimer: This product was provided for review courtesy of Total Skin Care Solutions. The giveaway is hosted by Total Skin care Solutions and I am not responsible for prizes, mailing, giveaway news, updates or choosing a winner. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Montagne Jeunesse Face Masks Review

Every Friday night I enjoy a pampering at home spa day with deep cleansing and a revitalizing face mask. Today I have a review on a line that I have been using for years. Montagne Jeunesse is a company that is very familiar in my home; in fact many of the women and even some of the men in my family have incorporated these masks into their skin care routines.

Over the years I have tried many of the masks this company has launched from sheet masks, peels and clays. I have purchased them in large tubes for multiple applications as well as individual packs for vacations, gift baskets and stocking stuffers during the holidays. The formulas in the masks work well for my sensitive, combination skin and I haven't experienced any problems with irritation.

The great thing about these masks is that they encompass some of the best natural ingredients from around the world from places like: Africa, China, Tibet and Scandinavia. The company harnesses revolutionary and ancient skin care ingredients that are beneficial for a wide range of skin types.

Today I have a review that showcases the great variety and versatility of Montagne Jeunesse including a few new soothing and deep cleansing masks that have recently launched. 

Glacial Clay Spa Mask

What makes this mask unique is the addition of  nutrient rich Arctic cloudberry juices from Scandinavia!

Natural Ingredients: natural clay, sea salt, Canadian glacial clay, sugar, aloe vera, red grape, cloudberry extract.

*Cools, hydrates, high in anti-oxidants, clears pores, removes impurities and soothes.

Aloe Vera Face Spa

I have used raw aloe vera gel on my skin before and I enjoy its soothing and cleansing properties.

*Natural ingredients: purified water, aloe, sugar, carrageenan, citric acid –(ph balancer), cucumber, algae, green tea extract.

Red Earth Clay Spa (with pulped pomegranate)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, Mediterranean clay, sugar, orange oil, cinnamon, and pomegranate.

*Deep cleanses and protects.

Dead Sea Mud Spa (with pressed sea kelp)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, sugar, aloe, Dead Sea salt, seaweed extract, sea kelp, Dead Sea mud.

*Revitalizes, boosts and hydrates.

Manuka Honey Peel Off (with honey nectar from New Zeland)

* Natural ingredients: purified water, honey, caramel, aloe, horse chestnut, chamomile, vanilla, and jasmine.
*Cleanses, anti-bacterial properties, hydrates and maintains moisture barrier of skin.

Super Fruit Mud (with Goji berries)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, Dead Sea salt, acai fruit, pomegranate and gojiberry.

* “Goji berries are nature’s more powerful super fruit.” This mask is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and anti-oxidants to nourish, sooth, hydrate and rejuvenate.

Damask Rose (ultra deep cleansing)

*Natural ingredients: purified water, natural clay, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, Dead Sea salt, Mediterranean clay, rose, marula seed oil and damask flower.

*Deep cleansing, hydrate, smooth and moisturize for soft, silky skin.

It is difficult for me to pick just one favorite but I usually opt for the clay masks because they cleanse deeply and leave my skin rejuvenated and fresh. With such a large variety almost anyone can find a mask that suits their skin's needs.

These masks can be purchased at most drug stores including Walmart and are quite affordable from just $1.99-$2.49 for individual packs and $5.99 for an 80 ml bottle.

For more information click HERE

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review courtesy of FarleyCo & Montagne Jennesse. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. It is recommended by the company that you test the masks for irritation on the inside of the arm prior to use on the face. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Cailyn Cosmetics: Diamond Glitter and Art Touch Lip Gloss

When I have a fun party to attend, a trendy nightclub or great concert I like to wear bold makeup and have fun playing with glitter. Today I have a review on two wonderful products from Cailyn Cosmetics that can help create bold, flashy makeup looks and get you glamorized in no time!

The Diamond Glitter is gorgeously vibrant and the name is fitting because it does sparkle like diamonds by attracting and reflecting light. The glitter is available in 19 mesmerizing shades including: pink, gold, silver, green and blue. I chose my favorite color called Magic Purple!

The great thing about the glitter is that it is multi-purpose. It can be used as eye shadow, eyeliner, mixed into nail lacquer, used with mascara and even applied on top of your favorite lipstick or gloss.

The glitter is also very lightweight and although gorgeous it can be difficult to work with especially if you are unfamiliar with glitter formulas. With a little practice however you can get the hang of it and create some wonderful looks. When using this glitter apply it prior face makeup such as foundation, concealer, creams and blush to prevent fall-out from getting stuck to the face and messing up makeup application. An adhesive is required for the glitter to stick to the skin and Cailyn sells a Stick-It glue for this purpose.

Application

Below are looks I created using the diamond glitter on my eyes and lips. To get the glitter to adhere to my eyelids I first used a primer, applied a purple eye shadow and covered it with a thin layer of Vaseline before adding the glitter. The Vaseline helps glitter products adhere to skin and makes it is quite easy to wipe off but keep in mind that this method is not for long-wear. Using a flat shadow brush I patted the glitter onto my lids building it up to the effect I wanted; do not use swiping motions as this will cause untidy application and fall-out.

In these photos I am wearing a purple lip gloss with the glitter on top, Cailyn's tinted gloss in Virgin Vampire (reviewed below) and the Diamond Glitter as eye shadow. 

I also used the Cailyn gel liner to line my lids (Review HERE)

The diamond glitters retail for $12 each and you can find them HERE 

Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss:

I have become a huge fan of the tinted lip glosses by Cailyn Cosmetics because they are stunning! The formula is velvety and feels more like a smooth lip cream than a sticky gloss.The pigmentation is also highly saturated for color pay-off similar to a stain with a lacquer finish.

Swatch

The shade I have is 06 Virgin Vampire which is a bright orange/red that looks great for summer! It has a high shine finish and feels buttery soft on the lips. The glosses come in a variety of pretty shades and retail for $19 each. You can find them HERE.

To see more fabulous products from Cailyn Cosmetics check out the website HERE

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review courtesy of Cailyn Cosmetics. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Honeybee Gardens Cosmetics Review

When I find cosmetics that are great quality, environmentally friendly and cruelty free it keeps me going back for more. Back in January I did a review on Honeybee Gardens Cosmetics; a company that uses natural and recycled materials in the packaging of their bath, body and makeup products. I enjoyed the Party Girl Palette so much that I just had to review the Cosmopolitan Palette too! 

I know Honeybee Gardens has amazingly bold, bright eye shadows so I decided to try some of their softer, neutral shades for spring. The Cosmopolitan Palette is perfect for soft day looks or sultry evening looks and the shades are versatile enough to be mixed and matched with many other shadows and palettes in my collection. 

Just like the Party Girl Palette this one has great pigmentation. The four shades are beautifully matched to be worn together but they also look lovely when applied individually. I also found that mixing the shades can create custom colors that effortlessly blend into each other to create a pretty color gradient.

Because the packaging is small and compact this is a great palette to take on weekend getaways, vacations or to slip into a purse for touch-ups on the go. I also like the cute feminine packaging and fun designs. 

The palette contains two shimmery shades: one pink and one champagne color and two matte shades: brown and pale pink. The formula is suited for long-wear and does not crease.

Below is a look I created using this palette; on my lips I am wearing the Honeybee Garden's signature red lipstick called Queen Bee (reviewed below).

The formula of the eye shadows are great, although the shimmer shadows feel slightly more textured than the smooth, solid matte colors. “The four shades come in a recyclable, magnetic palette that includes a dual ended sponge/brush applicator which is eco friendly and cruelty free.” For more information on this palette click HERE

If you prefer to make your own custom palette Honeybee Gardens also offers a variety of single eye shadows to choose from.

The shadows contain natural ingredients such as: Aloe leaf extract, cucumber and chamomile and the Cosmopolitan palette retails for $29.99.

If you would like to see my review on the Party Girl Palette (above left) click HERE 

Truly Natural Lipsticks

Honeybee Gardens also sells a beautiful range of lipsticks that retail for $12.99 each. The color I have is the vibrant signature red called Queen Bee which has a matte finish but is not-drying on the lips. The lipsticks are paraben free and contain botanicals and natural pigments for smooth, long lasting, opaque color. Coconut oil, shea butter, sesame seed oil, vitamin E and antioxidants help nourish and heal lips and they come in a variety of finishes such as: slight frost, slight shimmer and matte. 

This red is gorgeous for summer, especially when paired with the soft colors in the Cosmopolitan palette.

For more information on these lipsticks click HERE

Honeybee Gardens sells a variety of  great makeup, if you would like to stop by and check out the website you can find it HERE 

**Disclaimer: These products were provided for review courtesy of Honeybee Gardens Cosmetics. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Maybelline Baby Lips Dr Rescue Medicated Balm Review

The Maybelline Baby Lips balms have been staples in my purse for years and a popular SPF lip treatment among many. I use the clear balm when I need moisture without color settling into the texture of dry lips and I prefer Pink Punch when I need hydration and protection with a pretty wash of color. With the amount of product per tube and the moisturizing formulas these balms are a great value!

Maybelline has recently launched a new addition to the Baby Lips family for those who need extra relief from dryness. The Dr Rescue balm is medicated to temporarily relieve discomfort associated with cracked lips and provide 12 hours of hydration. I think many of us have had those days when we decided against the bright, heavy lipstick due to noticeably chapped lips; so before bed I treat mine with gentle exfoliation and a generous slathering of Dr Rescue balm. 

I have the shade Berry Soft which is very subtle despite its bright hue. The balms also come in six other neutral shades that help even lip tone, including: Too Cool (clear), Pink Me Up, Just Peachy, Soothing Sorbet and Coral Crave. The website claims that “in one minute lips will feel soothed, in one day lips look less dry and in one week lips are reborn.” They also contain eucalyptus to help heal and have a slight menthol scent which is a tad medicinal.

When I use the balm there is a refreshing, cool sensation that is quite alleviating. I am a bit picky when it comes to lip balms but I like this product and will continue using it for smooth, supple lips all year round.

You can get the Dr Rescue lip balms at most drug stores and at Walmart for about $3.48. 

**Disclaimer: The Dr Rescue Medicated lip balm was provided for review courtesy of Maybelline. The other two lip balms seen in the photos were purchased by me. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**

Essence Cosmetics: Metal Glam Eye Shadow Review

This spring essence launched some interesting new eye shadows to create edgy, glamorous looks. The Metal Glam collection includes 6 eye-catching shimmery shades that are made to be “high coverage,bold, soft and long lasting.” 

The colors I have are: 02-Coffee to Glow which is a bronze with silver shimmer, 01-Jewel up the Ocean which is a stunningly bright blue and 03- Frosted Apple.

The first layer of shadow has a lot of mesmerizing glitter but keep in mind that this layer is an over-spray and will wear away as you use it. Although the top layer of glitter is enticing, to get to the solid metallic pigment underneath you have to dig a bit deeper but once you do the texture is silky smooth and the colors are shimmery. 

Each eye shadows retails for just $2.99 and they are rather large. I did find that some of the colors have more pigmentation than others. The shade coffee has subtle color pay-off whereas the blue and red appear richer. Frosted Apple also shows up as more of a metallic pink.

Swatches (with primer)

To get the most out of these shadows I recommend using a good primer and layering them on with a sponge applicator for a bold look. I have purchased a few great shadows from essence in the past including the 3D shadows and the single eye shadows which are some of my favorites. The Metal Glam line is great for such affordability and I had no trouble working with them. The shadow also lasted all day without creasing.

Below is a makeup look I created using the Metal Glam shadow in the shade Jewel Up The Ocean. I love how pigmented it is! 

Other essence products used in photos include:

*essence Get Big Lashes Triple Black Mascara (reviewed below)

*essence Lash Mania Reloaded False Lase Mascara (reviewed below)

*essence Sun Club bronzing highlighter (review coming up!)

*essence Long-Lasting lipstick in the shade Wear Berries (Stay tuned for review!)

When applying mascara I usually apply it in a few layers. The Get Big Lashes mascara has an ultra black formula and a mega fiber brush "for maximum volume." Although I did not get ultra thick, voluminous lashes it did separate well without clumping and retails for just $4.99.

The Lash Mania Reloaded false lash mascara has an "innovative star shaped brush" that is meant to create a "dramatic push up effect" while "separating, defining and adding volume and length." The brush did a great job gripping my lashes and combing them upwards to create decent length although using both mascaras together was most effective. It retails for $3.99.

To check out these shadows and more great products from essence click HERE

Currently essence is running a contest; you can enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card! Details can be found by clicking HERE. Contest ends June 5th 2014.

Authority Cosmetics Giveaway Winner Announcement!!

Before I announce the winner I want to give a special thanks to everyone who supports my blog, and entered my giveaway. This giveaway had 13,075 entries which is great! If you did not win I will be hosting more giveaways in the future so stay tuned for another chance.

Without further delay the winner is....Amie Wisz from Illinois! Congratulations Amie I hope you enjoy the polish as much as I do.

Nutella, Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie

It is no secret that peanut butter and chocolate is a delicious combination. Peanut butter and banana also compliments each other well but my favorite dynamic duo is definitely chocolate and strawberry! I decided to combine all of these flavors to create my Nutella, peanut butter and banana smoothie. This recipe is a great dessert smoothie, perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth craving while still providing a few servings of fruit, calcium, potassium and protein.

 Ingredients

-1/2 Frozen banana

-Frozen strawberries

-Creamy peanut butter (add to taste)

-Nutella (add to taste depending on how sweet you prefer the smoothie)

-Skim milk (or unsweetened almond milk)

-Plain Greek yogurt

-Almonds

I also topped my smoothie off with slivers of dark chocolate and almonds.

~Bon appétit