Every time I take out my Felicia the Flamingo lip balm, people smile. It's ridiculous, pink and immature, but I LOVE it! The balm reminds me of the 'little girl' balms I had way back when. The lip balm is clear with sparkles and smells like strawberries. Felicia comes in a reusable mini beach bag - I'm not sure what you would put in there, but it's cute packaging.
The brand behind this fun flamingo lip balm also released a Glamspin lip balm. You know those spinning things everyone's playing with (so annoying). There's a center circle (that you hold on to) and three outer circles that spin around. I don't get the amusement, but I don't get a lot of things. The Glamspin has three small pots of flavored lip balm - peach, strawberry and grape.
I LOVE the Peaches and Cream Collection by Too Faced. I'm pale, with black hair, so peach is my color, and who wouldn't want peach scented makeup. These products are infused with peach and sweet fig cream. Too Faced should produce a body cream with this scent.. I usually have a lot to say about product scents - if cosmetic companies insist on a scented makeup product, go with fruity, chocolate or nutty scents. STOP with the old-lady perfume smells. Seems like newer brands are more conscious of scents and cater to the newer generations. Older, established brands tend to use 'older', outdated scents.
I'm slowly moving away from my go-to brands, and realizing that I've been missing out on great cosmetics. Change is good. Too Faced is one of my new favorite makeup brands. The products are great, the selection is versatile and the packaging is fun (Instagram worthy). I'm swiftly becoming a super-fan of this brand.
Too Faced Translucent Finishing Powder is a peach-colored powder that smoothes imperfections and gives you a nice warm look. This finishing powder is great for blurring and correcting harsh blush and bronzer lines. OR you can lightly brush the powder all-over. The powder contains optical-correcting spheres - for a luminescent finish, but gives you a warm, matte look. Too Faced Sweet Pie Radiant Matte Bronzer looks and smells like a delicious pie. The bronzer is made of three colors - Candied Peach (pink, Caramelized Peach (light brown), and Golden Peach (medium brown), blend together seamlessly. This is not a contouring bronzer, but rater an all over, radiance-boosting bronzer. I use it on my face, neck and décolleté.
Peach My Cheeks Melting Powder Blush is a cream to powder product. These make me nervous! BUT I thought I'd give it a try.. The product is nice and goes on smooth - I recommend applying it with a kabuki brush or your fingers. For a light, flushed look, pat onto the apples of your cheeks. For a more sculpted look, roll your kabuki brush half-way and apply in a pressing motion. Peach My Cheeks is available in six colors - I purchased Peach Dream. It's a little lighter than I expected, but looks pretty on my pale skin. Oh and smells amazing! 
Every now and then I'll sift through the Sephora Collection products lineup in search of new, unique cosmetics and tools. I always find good stuff. AND the Sephora brand prices are inexpensive compared to other brands featured at the store and on-line. These are my most recent finds.. Sephora Lineup Makeup Tape is the perfect solution to 'my' eye-makeup application needs. I'm terrible at applying eye-liner and usually opt to go bare, but this tape makes it so much easier to get a straight line and avoid smudging. This medical-grade tape is hypoallergenic and easy to remove. You an also use this tape for nail art.
Sephora Brush it Off Cleansing Brush Wipesgently remove residue and dirt from your makeup brushes. These wipes come in individually packets - great for travel. The non-alcohol based formula is kinda oil-like, but doesn't leave residue on your brushes. These wipes are not for cleaning your brushes, but for a quick wipe to remove the surface dirt.
TheSephora Brush Meets Comb Hair Brush Cleaneris a great little tool. The rake-like comb has flexible, steel bristles that remove hair and residue. I'm a little obsessed with keeping my hair brushes clean - Drives me nuts to see brushes full of hair - GROSS! Attention people who don't clean your brush regularly - there's dirt buildup, residue from products and bacteria festering in there. AND each time you brush your strands you're transferring that nastiness back onto your hair. CLEAN YOUR HAIR BRUSHES OFTEN.
Sephora Do It All Cotton Swabs are perfect for a multitude of makeup needs. There are 490 swabs of three unique precision tips per pack. The oval tip is great for basic needs, while the pointed tip is ideal for precise application. These swabs are great for makeup removal/cleanup around the eyes. I wet them, and gently remove mascara that has smudged onto my upper lash line and waterline. SO much easer than using a regular cotton swab. Large cotton swabs are of course too big for this area, and the little cotton hairs always attach to my lashes. NO MORE! These swabs can also be used for smudging eyeliner, smoothing lipstick and lipliner edges, and removing nail polish from your cuticles. A must-have! 
I have an eight-story Cosmocube makeup stand (with a DIY built-in light), and it's overflowing. Honestly, who needs that much makeup? ME! I'm addicted to products and am always shopping for the latest cosmetics. Albeit, I could survive with lip balm, blush and tinted brow gel. These are my MUST-HAVE products. I'm a big fan of Glossier 'Super' serums, Balm Dotcom salve, Priming Moisturizer Rich, and I love the pink bubble pouches you receive with each order. As much as I aim to browse new brands and try different products, I find myself going back to certain brands, like Glossier..Brow Boy tinted eyebrow gel is the first black gel I've tried. I always thought it would look harsh on my pale skin (even though I have color-treated black hair). It doesn't. The creamy wax formula coats the fine hairs evenly, doesn't flake and thickens the brows dramatically. The black tint gives a more harsh look - as opposed to the dark brown to black gel I normally use. My only complaint is the brush - it's kind big and doesn't come to a pointed tip for precise application. Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel by Benefit Cosmetics is my go-to brow gel. The cool dark brown tint works well with my complexion and hair color. The brush is smaller and makes for easy application. It does however flake if you fool with it too much. Maybe, I'll use the brush from one and the formula from the other..
Aside from blush and bronzer, powder is my 'cosmetics enemy'. But sometimes a girl needs some finishing powder. I have green powder for redness, translucent for setting makeup, peach for warmth, and now WOWDER! Another 'super hero' from Glossier. This powder goes on nicely, absorbs oil, reduces the appearance of pores and sets your makeup. Surprisingly, it sits on the skin well, and doesn't look cakey. Glossier claims it does not set into fine lines - I can't vouch for that cause I don't have any (HUGE Botox fan here). I'm impressed with Wowder Powder!
I highly suggest getting the Powder Brush. The silky, synthetic bristles are soft and the brush is dense. It holds powder nicely, and the soft bristles allow for even application. The brush is small and tapered, so it's easy to apply product around your nose and under your eyes. AND you get a little pink zip-pouch for storing your brush. Use my link to get 10% off your first Glossier purchase - http://bff.glossier.com/gMn0U 
I LOVE the Glossier Body Hero campaign - women of all shapes and sizes flaunting their curves proudly. It's a true celebration of all women and every body type. Their skin is glowing from Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream and Wash. I WANT THIS! I got it, and I can't get past the intense scent of the Orange Blossom Neroli Blend. Glossier claims this is a baby-fresh scent - umm.. no, it's more like old lady perfume scent! AND it lingers and lingers... Sorry, Glossier (I love your brand), but I don't wanna smell like this. Cosmetics and scents are tricky. Of course, people have different tastes, and when you're putting out one single product (or two in this case), the scent has to be universal - if you wanna attract more followers. Even though I love certain hair care products, I won't use them due to the undesirable smell.
The Daily Oil Wash contains Coconut oil, Meadowfoam oil, Olive oil, Soybean oil, Sesame oil, Grapeseed oil, and Sunflower oil, leaving your skin feeling 'super-hydrated' (insert hero tune). The texture is light and oily-like. It barely lathers (I like suds), but it does feel nice on your skin. The Daily Body Perfecting Cream contains light-reflecting particles that give your skin a dewy-sheen. The texture is nice, smooth and non-sticky.
The packaging is amazing. If it's pink, I want it. AND I got an x-large pink bubble pouch with the purchase of both products. These pouches are great for storage and travel. Seems like these products contain everything you would want in a body wash and cream, but the scent is too strong and unpleasant. Maybe the Daily Oil Wash and Daily Body Perfecting Cream are amazing and will transform your skin, but I'll never know. Use my link to get 10% off your first Glossier purchase - http://bff.glossier.com/gMn0U
 You know when you're in the mood for a little 'self-love' - AND F**K, the batteries are dead. It's a feeling of great disappointment (especially when you realize you don't have extra batteries!). That's the feeling I got the first time I used the QUIP toothbrush. The creators of QUIP claim this is an electric toothbrush and IT'S NOT! It barely vibrates. I think the handle slightly vibrates, but the brush itself isn't moving. I was on vacation, stuck with this toothbrush and highly disappointed. The QUIP concept is fantastic. You can purchase a variety of packages (toothbrush or toothbrush and QUIP toothpaste), along with a 'year prepay' subscription for toothbrush heads and toothpaste. Essentially, you won't have to put much thought into your dental care products going forward. You can purchase a set of two toothbrushes or even a family package that includes four toothbrushes. These days unboxing (subscriptions) are super-trendy - I practically have everything delivered to my home on a set schedule - DIY meal delivery plans, healthy snack boxes, smoothies, cosmetics, wine.. The toothbrush design is sleek, lightweight comes a variety of metallic colors and the brush-head is a good size. I was most excited about the size and light-weight design. The toothbrush comes in a plastic test-tube - perfect storage. It also comes with a travel cover/wall mount. It's a sleeve that mounts on your wall or mirror for easy access. Everything about the QUIP toothbrush is perfect, EXCEPT that it doesn't feel like you're using an electric toothbrush at all. It's a regular toothbrush with a sexy design and a battery inside. I use the Phillips Sonicare Diamond Clean Toothbrush. It's much bigger, comes with an at-home charger (glass cup on a stand), and a travel/charging case. Along with the case, it's huge and annoying to travel with. BUT it vibrates! Everyone is raving about the QUIP - it's getting amazing reviews. I agree the toothbrush has a lot of good qualities, but if the vibration is high on your must-have list, this tool falls short. I want to love the QUIP, but the lack of movement just won't satisfy my dental needs.
It's been fifteen months, and I'm still recovering from my botched hair-dye job! Imma spare you the rant and just say, I tried to go from black to blonde and it was a total fail. In the process of repairing my strands, I've spent countless dollars on masks, and the famed Olaplex. In the past few months, I finally feel like my hair has come to a point where hydrating masks and repair products are no longer necessary - it's all about letting my hair grow now.. I do however like to boost my strands moisture once a week with super nourishing Bumble and Bumble Gentle Shampoo and Rich Conditioner. The shampoo gently cleanses, hydrates and leaves your hair silky and shiny. The Rich conditioner restores luster and bounce. These products combined leave your hair feeling super-nourished and crazy soft.
Bumble and Bumble just released another amazing hair product - Prêt-à-powder Très Invisible (nourishing) Dry Shampoo. If you're a Bb fan you know that the original Prêt-à-powder is equal parts dry shampoo, style extender and volumizer. The original comes in a powder format, smells nice and absorbs oil quickly. The powder is tricky though - you gotta make sure it's absorbed and not visible (especially on dark colored hair). In comes the new and improved Prêt-à-powder Dry Shampoo. It cleanses roots and extends your style. It is practically invisible and nourishes your hair. The scent is strong, but diminishes quickly. I'd rather the original powder scent in the new Prêt-à-powder dry shampoo, but Bumble and Bumble didn't consult me on the one! LOVE this product. 
I've been a Sephora Beauty Insider for almost ten years! I have a ridiculous amount of points. I used to spend my points on deluxe-size samples and cosmetic sets - Earlier this year, Sephora launched 'Rewards Bazaar'. The revised membership program drops amazing one-of-a-kind experiences, services from Sephora, as well as other top brands, and deluxe-size samples and sets every Tuesday and Thursday. I guess I'm not the only Insider with an enormous amount of points, and they had to create a platform for all the product junkies to spend their points. Rewards Bazaar rewards range from 100 - 15,000 points (so the site claims)! BUT, I recall seeing rewards upwards of 30,000 points. SO YOU KNOW - for every dollar spent at Sephora, you get one point. This program is brilliant, and makes being a loyal Sephora customer worth every dollar spent. These epic rewards go fast. I had my eye on a Wildfox + Sole dutch-style bicycle. I had to have this bike - Every Tuesday and Thursday, I sat at my computer and waited for the new rewards to appear (refreshing the site often). These rewards drop between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm PT. I almost had the bicycle.. It was in my cart, and by the time I reviewed all the other products and chose samples, the bike was sold out. WHAT THE F**K - it was in my cart. Apparently, these rewards cannot be reserved and held in your cart for even a minute. Only 15 bikes for 5000 points, and they were sold out in three minutes!
I'll admit, I'm a bit stingy with my points. I'm not gonna spend them on just anything. A few months ago I snagged the IGK Great Escape Hair Set (pictured here). The reward included an IGK pouch, travel-size products - Jet Lag Invisible Dry Shampoo, Beach Club Texture Spray, Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel, Hot Girls Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner, Call Time Styling Primer, an IGK hair tie, Hot Girls hair clip and hotel-style 'Rich Kid' slippers. I'm a HUGE fan of IGK and will definitely use everything in this set. It was well worth the 2000 points. If your not a Beauty Insider, join the club. Even the 100 point deluxe-size samples are worth the membership. Each month new 100 and 500 point rewards are posted. The 500 point rewards are kits containing four - five products from a single brand. These make great gifts. I'm a beauty blogger and purchase all of the products posted on b.a.grogie. Rewards for my dollars spent are very much appreciated. Thanks Sephora! 
 Kale, spinach and green tea are some of my favorite superfoods. Of course, I'd wanna try this Fresh Pressed Superfood Skin Kit by Youth To The People. You can't go wrong applying veggies to your skin - right? 
I'm a fan of the HiSmile Teeth Whitening System, so of course I purchased the 'oh so similar' Pop Smile Teeth Whitening Kit. Like the HiSmile whitening solution, Pop Smile whitening gel is peroxide-free. The product is gentle on your teeth and won't cause sensitivity. The solution contains 99% natural, 'mouth-friendly ingredients'. Cranberry, peppermint, aloe and chamomile (to name a few). Sodium Bicarbonate is the key ingredient - You're essentially soaking your teeth in Baking Soda. I love Baking Soda. I use Arm and Hammer Baking Soda tooth paste daily, and once and while, I'll brush my teeth with Baking Soda powder for a super-exfoliating cleanse.
The kit includes a six bulb mini LED device, two whitening trays, three whitening gels, three pre-treatment swabs and a color chart (I like that). Here's where the system differs from HiSmile - the trays have to be soaked in hot water, softened and placed in mouth to mould. Once you've created a fitted mould, you remove the tabs, apply a small amount of whitening gel, and comfortably fit the trays onto your teeth. The LED device 'should' sit nicely in front of the trays. Hmm.. You gotta sit still and concentrate in order to keep that device in place. The HiSmile tray/LED device conveniently attach (extra points for HiSmile). The Pop Smile kit also includes pre-treatment swabs to be used the first three applications. You should use this product nine consecutive times (not sure why you don't use the swabs nine times). Seems like an unnecessary step. Other than those two significant differences the kits are similar and give similar results. You won't get super-white teeth from either of these solutions, but your teeth will be slightly brighter and with NO sensitivity. I'd say my teeth were two shades lighter after one week of use. I also use Zoom and Opalescence (peroxide based systems) and LOVE the drastic change in color. These solutions do however take longer per session, and will most likely leave your teeth feeling sensitive. I'd suggest a super-whitening in-office treatment and HiSmile or Pop Smile for upkeep. I'm not sure which whitening system came first (HiSmile or Pop Smile), but clearly one copied the other.. My final say - HiSmile is easier to use.
Repost - The HiSmile Teeth Whitening System is easy, quick and kinda fun. The solution is a 'baking soda' gel-form (minimizing tooth sensitivity). The kit comes with an attachable mouth tray and LED light for optimal results. Just ten minutes a day for a week and you should see a significant change in color. Is it as effective as other 'peroxide based' brands (Zoom, Opalescence..)? No, but it takes less time, is less harsh on your teeth and you will see a difference. I have very white teeth to begin with, due to 'in-office' bleaching, but am using this system for maintenance and am happy with the results (especially the 'ten' minutes a day). 
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