I'm a huge BEAUTYBLENDER fan. I've purchased all but one product in the lineup and have yet to be disappointed. The beautyblender cosmetic sponge is available in two sizes - original and micro.mini. The smaller beautyblender is one-quarter the size of the original and perfect for blending makeup in small areas. The beautyblender is also available in a variety of colors - green, black, blue, nude, white, gray and shades of pink.

The lineup also includes innovative tools and cleansers. Liquid Blendercleanser, Blendercleanser Solid and Instaclean Sponge and Brush Cleansing Spray all do a great job cleaning your cosmetic sponge. I use the solid while traveling - it comes in a plastic case and has a custom grid for drying. The liquid is my favorite. A little goes a long way and the scent is refreshing. The Instaclean Sponge and Brush Cleansing Spray is for quick removal of surface stains, so you get true-to-color application. It's like dry shampoo for your beautyblender.

BEAUTYBLENDER also has Bounce Liquid Whip Long Wear Foundation (haven't tried this one yet), Blender Defender Beautyblender Protective Case (LOVE this - great for travel), Liner.Designer Pro (for perfect eye liner application) and the Power Pocket Puff (a double-sided puff used for powder formulas). I'm awarding BEAUTYBLENDER Outstanding Makeup Tools of 2018.

The Best Eye-Care Award goes to Lumify Redness Relief Eye Drops. These eye drops selectively target redness for whiter, brighter eyes. The unique formulation targets redness, while still allowing oxygen and nutrition to the eye, eliminating the risk of re-bound redness.

This stuff is AMAZING! It starts working within one minute and last for hours. Bausch + Lomb claims it lasts up to 8 hours. It doesn't last that long for me, but I'm sure each person is unique. Albeit, the bottle is small, so you can take it everywhere and apply the drops on an as needed basis. The downside to the small bottle is that it doesn’t last long. Here's where my product hoarding, cosmetic junkie quirk benefits me - after the first application and miraculous transformation, I purchased five bottles (just in case it sells out).

Another amazing anti- redness solution - It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Correcting cream. I have 'officially' (nothing I declare is really official) branded this product the 'anti-redness warpaint'. If you have Rosacea or hyper pigmentation, this stuff is going to change your life.

Bye Bye Redness by IT Cosmetics deserves the Bye Bye Redness Award. It's kind of a foundation, primer and cream in one. Bye Bye Redness is thick, has a silky texture and gives you super full-coverage. This product is smooth, goes on like a primer (similar to Colorscience primers), and has a tinge of green (to combat redness). Apply to your cheeks, nose and forehead, and blend outwards. AND little goes a long way.

I know I've exhausted the Sol de Janeiro lineup and posted too many reviews, BUT I'm addicted and had to award the BUM BUM Body Cream and Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter Best Nourishing Products of 2018.

The pistachio-caramel scent of Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream is delicious! The scent is strong, but sweet and intriguing. The cream is super-nourishing and has a slight shimmer that gives your skin a subtle glow.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss Cupuacu Lip Butter is one of my favorite lip balms - I have one in my bathroom, one at my computer and one in my handbag! The light, creamy texture is nourishing and the tube is BIG, so it will last a long time. This super-hydrating lip balm is a must have.

I'm a Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil super-fan and have tried a ridiculous number of other shampoos and conditioners, but always go back to Bb. Not this time - Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner have landed a permanent spot in my haircare routine.

The No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner have a subtle, delicious coconut citrus scent. The combination of these two haircare products will leave your hair feeling soft and super-nourished. Olaplex, please accept my Superior Haircare Award.

This twist-up, crayon-like Bb. color stick is the perfect root touch-up product and worthy of the Quick Fix Award. I hate when my roots show, and admittedly, I have three grays (that I can see)! I dye my hair every three weeks, so my roots are maintained. I do however have very fine hair, and this color stick is great for filling in sparse areas. Just glide the twist-up pencil along your hair for perfect coverage.

The Beauty From Within Award goes to SkinnyMint Tea. The two-step detox program is comprised of 28 day teas and 14 night teas (for every second night). The creators of SkinnyMint Tea have carefully curated all-natural ingredients that compliment each other. The 'food synergy' is potent.

The Morning Boost contains green tea (the list of green tea benefits goes on and on..), Yurba Mate to curb your appetite and boost your metabolism, Nettle Leaves are a natural diuretic, Dandelion for digestions and Guarana fruit for cleaning. The fruity flavor is light and delicious. I'm addicted!

The Night Cleanse Tea has anti-bloating Ginger Root, Orange Leaves to aid with sleep, Senna Leaves are a natural laxative, Peppermint for digestive and colic relief, Licorice Root as an antacid, Hawthorn Berries for anti-anxiety and the natural laxative Psyllium Husk. Each of these all-natural ingredients have additional benefits. This ingredient combination is super-cleansing.

I LOVE SkinnyMint Teatox. The two-step detox program is comprised of 28 day teas and 14 night teas (for every second night). The creators of SkinnyMint Tea have carefully curated all-natural ingredients that compliment each other. The 'food synergy' is potent.

The Morning Boost contains green tea (the list of green tea benefits goes on and on..), Yurba Mate to curb your appetite and boost your metabolism, Nettle Leaves are a natural diuretic, Dandelion for digestions and Guarana fruit for cleaning. The fruity flavor is light and delicious. I'm addicted!

The Night Cleanse Tea has anti-bloating Ginger Root, Orange Leaves to aid with sleep, Senna Leaves are a natural laxative, Peppermint for digestive and colic relief, Licorice Root as an antacid, Hawthorn Berries for anti-anxiety and the natural laxative Psyllium Husk. Each of these all-natural ingredients have additional benefits. This ingredient combination is super-cleansing. You will frequent the bathroom, but feel less bloated and possibly shed a little belly fat.

Of course, you should maintain a healthier diet and exercise for optimal results. SkinnyMint Tea should be used to aid in your weight-loss program and kick-start your new lifestyle. This two-step detox program is famous around the world for a reason - IT WORKS! Visit the SkinnyMint website to see miraculous results, before and after pics and read the always positive reviews.

I purchase these teas regularly and a while back received an anti-cellulite silicone cup in the Anti-Cellulite Detox Bundle. It's hard to believe a little silicone cup could make a difference, but with continuous use and patience, you'll probably see some changes in the appearance of your cellulite-prone areas.

You simply add oil to your skin and massage your problem areas for 5-8 minutes. This can be time consuming. The little cup suctions onto your skin and with back and forth, up and down motions. breaks down fatty deposits and eliminates toxins. This method requires commitment - 3-4 times a week for 6 weeks and once a week thereafter.

I'm not a patient person, but working this anti-cellulite method into my routine was easier than I thought. Luckily, I only have cellulite on my buttocks and on the back of my legs, so 5 minutes a day 3-4 times a week isn't too time consuming. It's only been a few weeks and I do see a slight difference. This DIY anti-cellulite method is easy and inexpensive. I also recommend getting a body oil or oil-based body cream with anti-aging properties and exfoliate your cellulite-prone areas on the off days.

Thanks for the little silicone anti-cellulite cup SkinnyMint! I'm looking forward to more innovative gifts with purchase in the future.

The famed teatox SkinnyMint now has SkinnyMint Fat Burning Gummies. The two-step fat burning gummy program combines Green Coffee Bean and Garcinia Cambogia to support your health regime and give you 'best fat burning results'.

Step-one - Take two Power Up gummies in the morning for an enegery boost. These green coffee bean infused gummies are sugar-free and taste like espresso. I love the flavor. The texture is not like your typical gummy - they melt in your mouth fairly quickly. 

Green coffee beans haven't been roasted or highly processed and have a higher concentrate of nutrients. Typically, green coffee beans are crushed and taken in pill form, but as of late, many other diet products contain the weight loss aid.

Caffiene is a natural stimulate and is proven to boost energy. I love the taste and scent of coffee, but too much caffeine has a terrible effect on me - I get the jitters and feel nauseous. Each Power Up gummies contains 200 mg, which meets the recommended dosage. I drink Daily Harvest Cold Brew + Almond every morning. It also contains green coffee. These two combined definitely puts me into overdrive.. If I had to choose (in an effort to avoid jitters), I'd go with my Cold Brew + Almond. You gotta try this smoothie - it's amazing!

Step-two - The Hunger Buster gummies contain Garcinia Cambogia and are said to curb your snacking desire mid-afternoon. The Hunger Buster gummies are also sugar-free and taste like pineapple. The flavor is a bit sweet for me (I prefer the Power Up), but I'm not one to snack on sweets anyway (HUGE salt fan here). The texture is the same as the Power Up.

Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical fruit and is also found in many weight loss supplements. The fruits rind contains an active ingredient that is said to boost fat burning and curb your appetite. Each SkinnyMint gummy contains 250 mg of Garcinia Cambogia extract. The recommended daily dose of Garcinia Cambogia is 500 mg to 1500 mg - SkinnyMint gummies are well within the safe range.

Two espresso flavored Power Up in the am and two Hunger Buster gummies as a snack. Who wouldn't want to incorporate delicious gummies into their weight loss regiment?

Here's the reality of this two-step fat burning gummy program. It is highly recommended that you also stick to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Most weight loss supplements do. If you're watching what you eat, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise, you're gonna lose weight - you don't need supplements. Albeit, I do believe that purchasing weight loss products may kickstart your desire and commitment to lose weight. Especially, tasty gummies! It's mostly in your head.

My opinion is to find a reduced-calorie diet that works for you, don't starve yourself and indulge once and a while. Drink green tea and lots of water. EXERCISE and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You'll feel better and slim down. Weight loss supplements aren't gonna do a damn thing on their own, but if they help keep you motivated, incorporate them into your diet. 

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? 

The kit includes a small bottle of cleanser and a pot of facial cream. I had high hopes, but these superfood-enriched products were kinda disappointing. The scent (especially the cleanser) is super strong, kinda 'hotel-soap-like', and it lingered. The Age Prevention Superfood Cleanser claims to have non-stripping suds - the suds are a little overwhelming (there's a lot). The cleanser also left my skin feeling dry. I expected more from this superfood-enriched product, and unfortunately, I purchased the full-size prior to trying it (pictured here). 

The Age Prevention Superfood Cream has a nice texture, but the scent bothered me. The moisturizing effect of the cream is not enough to combat the dryness from the cleanser. I gave both these products to someone less sensitive to scents. 

Facial cleanser should be shower-friendly. This cleanser comes in a glass bottle and is an accident waiting to happen. I drop stuff all the time! This alone would deter me from re-purchasing the cleanser. Superfood-enriched facial products is a great concept, but the execution here didn't meet my expectations. 

In preparation for self-tanning season (Imma faux-tan kinda girl), I've been sampling body scrubs. The verdict - Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is my favorite.  This body exfoliator has transformed my tired, 'winter' skin. The robust granules are tough on dry skin. You can really feel the aggressive scrub removing the dead, parched skin and you'll love how soft your skin feels after a few applications (even those little bumps on the back of your arms will slightly diminish). WARNING - this stuff is aggressive, so if your skin is sensitive, I don't recommend using Babe Body Scrub. I used the entire bag (everyday) for a week and now I can't live without it. 

The Green Tea scent is refreshing. I used Babe Body Scrub Pink Salt as well but didn't love the smell. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub doesn't leave your skin feeling oily, but just refreshed and smooth. The resealable bag is convenient, cause you can dump some product into your hand and exfoliate your skin by section. I also use this scrub on my feet after a pedicure - amazing results (yes, I do my own pedicures). There's also a coffee scrub that is supposedly good for cellulite. I think the three scrubs do the same thing but smell different. Caffeine-infused salts are not going to diminish cellulite! 

I really like this body scrub and will definitely repurchase. Babe Green Tea Body Scrub is available at Sephora.

I would LOVE to receive any and all of these gifts this holiday season. Yes, I bought them all for myself - There's a lot of 'to me, from me' under the tree this year! The 'perfect gift' starts with great wrapping and a cute gift tag. I purchased these eighty seventh ST. gift tags at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. It's an all-in-one holiday tag. I keep my wrapping simple - red, white, black and gold (no cartoon Christmas characters). 

If you've been living under a rock, you probably haven't heard of Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir. This product is up there with Sugarbearhair and (well) any of the multitude of detox teas taking over Instagram. It's worth its weight in gold! At first, I was skeptical, but this beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply my foundation with a brush. Then I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend my foundation for perfect coverage. I use the same beautyblender (and Farsáli Rose Gold Elixir) to blend my concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. This elixir is amazing. The 15 ml bottle retails for $35 and 30 ml for $54. WORTH THE MONEY!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit-Sureal Light limited edition palette is universally flattering. The palette includes a powder, bronzer, two blushes, and highlighter - this four-in-one palette is compact considering the product load. I love these shades. This product has everything you need to brighten, contour, highlight and finish your look. This palette retails for $80 and the oh so soft Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Brush for $46. This dual-ended brush is the perfect match to the palette. 

For the wine lover in your life - this mug is f**king awesome! Funny Guy Mugs has a great selection of witty mugs for just about any person. I don't drink coffee, but I definitely get excited at 'wine time'. I also purchased a tumbler that says 'shh.. there's wine in here'. I know many people who would love a Funny Guy Mugs tumbler - I bought three! These mugs retail for $14.99.

I couldn't survive without tea and am always promoting its consumption. I love green tea, green blends and white tea. Paired with a tea defuser, this Feelin' Good Wellness Tea Sampler from Teavana is the perfect gift for the 'health conscious'. Recover, Rev Up, Serenity, and Defense are all yummy teas that promote a healthy body. This tea sampler retails for $30.

Another Instagram sensation - HiSmile. This teeth whitening kit is different from others, because it doesn't contain peroxide and comes with a mouth tray and LED light for optimal results. The solution is a 'baking soda' gel form, minimizing tooth sensitivity. While this product has received harsh criticism, bloggers are loving this kit. Just ten minutes a day for a week and you should see big results. HiSmile also has a yummy Coconut Whitening Mouthwash - the box contains five 30 ml tubes, containing the same sodium bicarbonate blend (baking soda). Just another tasty step in your whitening routine. The whitening kit retails for $59.99 and mouthwash for $29.99. It ships from Australia, so consider shipping times before purchasing.  

10 days left in Amsterdam and then I'm moving back to the U.S. - YAY! The house is packed, and 'I've' been packing my body with all the yummy (unhealthy) foods Amsterdam has to offer. After weeks of consuming anything and everything, I'm feelin' a little heavy (in every sense of the word). I need to kickstart a healthier lifestyle and rejuvenate my body. 

For the next 72 hours, I'm focused on my go-to juice cleanse by Juice Brothers and favorite teatox, SkinnyMint. No food, just liquids! It's not as hard as you think - you just gotta stay focused on the benefits. I've done many juice cleanses and favor the green juices over fruity blends. Too much sweet, makes me crave salt, but the bitter greens deter me from sneaking salty snacks. Master cleanse is my favorite; maple syrup, lemon and cayenne make the perfect morning drink. Oh, and the nut milks are a nice treat at the end of the day. I honestly don't struggle with juice cleansing; especially the hard cleanse by Juice Brothers. I think they key is to find juices that taste good. 

I'll also consume about 4 cups of green tea, SkinnyMint tea and 2 liters of water a day. Yeah, Imma be on the toilet all-day long! Green tea is a miracle beverage. I drink Sencha green tea everyday to keep the bloat to a minimum, and reap the health benefits the antioxidants and nutrients have on the body. After I finish the juice cleanse, it's salad, fruit, veggies and chicken for the next few weeks. Imma look fabulous, my skin will glow and I'll feel energetic again. Sometimes your body just a needs a restart and after 3 days of liquids, even green beans taste good! You will be inclined to eat healthier.

Juice/tea cleansing tips: 

Set reasonable goals (you can't go a week without food). 
The end of your cleanse should land on a weekend, so you can relax and avoid overexerting yourself.

If you absolutely have to eat something, opt for avocado with olive oil or lemon. Salt-free nuts will also curve your cravings.

Choose juice blends that you'll enjoy (well, mostly).

Do the cleanse with a partner, so you can support each other and smack the other if they're dreaming about french fries!

Flat Tummy Tea is a two-step herbal detox claiming to cleanse your system, stimulate digestion and reduce bloating. I posted a review about Flat Tummy Tea a few months ago and thought I'd do a comparison to another natural teatox program, SkinnyMint. This 28 day, two-step teatox is designed to kick start a healthy lifestyle, increase your energy levels and naturally cleanse your body. Basically, both teas make the same claims, but in different words. I'm not gonna get into the ingredient details for each tea, cause I'd be writing for days, but I will give you a quick review and my personal thoughts. 

Both Teas work! Combined with healthy eating habits and just a little exercise, you will look and feel better. Tea detoxing is no weight-loss miracle, just an addition to your healthy lifestyle. Tea in general is really good for you. I am partial to green tea and recently read a post about tea detoxing compared to simply drinking green tea. I followed their suggestion, drank five cups of green tea a day (no teatox) and had great results. I didn't loose weight, but my stomach was much less bloated. If teatoxing is not for you, I suggest green tea after every meal. It increases your metabolic rate 4 to 5 percent and is an excellent source of antioxidants.

What is similar about these two detox programs? They both contain green tea and other natural diuretic ingredients. Flat Tummy Tea 'Activate' should be consumed every morning and 'Cleanse' every third evening. SkinnyMint 'Morning Boost' should also be consumed every morning and 'Night Cleanse' every second night. Both have a mild laxative effect and reduce bloating. Both morning teas contain caffeine and thus your energy levels increase!

What's different? Flat Tummy Tea is a loose tea in resealable packets. You can use a tea defuser - I am partial to individual tea filters (less to clean). Either way, this is an additional cost. I like that SkinnyMint comes in individual tea bags (also in resealable packets), each with a tag 'Morning Boost' or Night Cleanse'. As far as taste goes, SkinnyMint is much better. The Morning Boost has a fruity flavor and the Night cleanse has notes of lemongrass, ginger and orange. 

Not that this matters, but the Flat Tummy Tea comes with a small zipped case (great for travel). My SkinnyMint purchase came with an 'insert your own photo here' fridge magnet. I guess it's for inspiration and I suppose it would make a cute Instagram. Oh and it will bring social media attention to SkinnyMint! 

A two week pack of Flat Tummy Tea currently retails for €28.28 and a SkinnyMint 14 day teatox for €24.90. Not much difference there, but you will have to purchase a defuser or filters for the Flat Tummy Tea.

Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox De-Puffing Eye-Cubes kinda have a bad rap, but it seems like most people bypassed the directions and are using the cubes all wrong. We'll get to the process in a sec. These little cubes contain cucumber extract to soothe your under eye area, arnica which is commonly used to reduce swelling, green tea (my number go-to beauty ingredient), chamomile - a rich source of antioxidants which combat inflammation, aloe to soften and soothe your skin, caffeine which increases blood circulation (reducing dark circles), and hyaluronic acid used to retain moisture. Basically, these little cubes are a powerhouse of beneficial skin care ingredients. 

Due to the high cost, I waited until my eyes were looking a little rough (too much salt and vino the night before). There are six cubes and six pouches for $50. The swelling went down dramatically, which I'm sure is due to the ingredients, but also due to the frozen aspect. Applying very cold tools, ice cubes or cold water will reduce under eye puffiness. My under eye area looked brighter and felt tight - I like that! The cucumber scent is refreshing and the solution is light, like a serum. 

The process, however, is a little messy, but not as bad as everyone says. Most importantly, application is meant to be done while standing. Freeze the cubes, place one in a pouch (one for both eyes) and gently massage your under eye area in circular motions. Go back and forth between both eyes in 10-15 second intervals for a max of two minutes. *You don't want to freeze your under eye area. The solution will run down your face, so keep a kleenex nearby. Once the cubes have almost melted, discard the remaining amount, and gently pat the solution onto your skin. Wait for it to absorb (about three minutes) and rinse with cold water. It does get super sticky after drying, so allow yourself six minutes for application, absorption and rinsing. I know it seems like a lot, but it is very refreshing and a quick under-eye pick-me-up. I'm a fan!