PopSugar Must Have August Birthday Box

Happy Birthday to both my baby boy Max and the PopSugar Must Have box! My boy Max turns 3 and the Must Have box turns 5 this month. This August Must Have box marks Lisa Sugar's 5th year in curating her and her team's favorite items for the monthly boxes!

This month the box contains some of Lisa's favorite brand obsessions to celebrate the birthday, and lucky me, I got to use them to help celebrate my son's 3rd birthday!

Some items include:

Goodie Girl Cookies
Who doesn't love cookies? The birthday boy and my husband tore into these gluten free gems. You would never know they were gluten free - they taste the real deal!

Fringe Studio Journal from Jeep
I love notebooks. I use them religiously for work and I tend to get a new one each month, just to switch it up with the holiday or season. Can't wait to use this one at work!

Dogeared friendship bracelet
I love this bracelet. It's really dainty and easy to put on by myself (no tricky clasp). Dogeared bracelets are a great gift idea for a friend :)

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask
Treat yourself to a spa night with this facial mask. Apply it to clean skin, wait 10 minutes (maybe have a glass of wine?) and rinse!

Meri Meri glitter candles
These are so fun! I love how tall they are and the sparkles are so chic!

Pastel Cheers Tray
This is going to be a permanent fixture on my dining room table. It makes me want to through a pastel + gold themed party!

Shoptiques.com gift card
Shop trendy boutiques from around the world, from your couch!

If you want to check out the Must Have box for yourself, use the code "PARTY" to get $10 off your first box! Code expires 8/31. Also, to help celebrate the birthday month, there will be weekly giveaways...details below!

All current Must Have subscribers are eligible for a chance to win!

Week 1: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from Pehr Designs
Week 2: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from First Aid Beauty
Week 3: Limited # of lucky subscribers will win something from Kendra Scott
Week 4: Limited # of lucky subscribers subscribers will win something from Tarte cosmetics
Week 5 (8/31): 5 Grand Prize! Limited # of subscribers something from Cambridge Satchel Co + 1 year Must Have

So many good prizes...make sure to sign up for the Must Have box to win!

Giveaway Break: Hard Candy Color Correct Line

I remember how excited I was to get a new Hard Candy nail polish in the 90s. Remember how they came with fun, colorful matching rings? Hard Candy is back with a full line of makeup and beauty products, and they are awesome.

They just released a new, limited edition, line of color correcting primers and concealers that can combat dry skin, acne and dark spots. The line has the perfect shade for any complexion and affordable prices.

Here's an overview of the new line:

Hard Candy Color Correct Expert Stick, $5
Creamy, bendable pastel stick concealer
Camouflages skin imperfections
Available in six shades

Hard Candy Color Correct Radiant Primer, $5
Neutralizes skin impurities prior to makeup application
Available in six shades

Hard Candy Color Correct Expert Créme Wand, $5
Corrects skin imperfections
Flexible brush tip applicator is soft on the skin while contouring the face
Available in six shades

This line is only available at Walmart, or, you can enter to win the full line here! I'm lucky enough to partner with Hard Candy for a giveaway - Enter to win the entire new Hard Candy Color Correct line! US residents only please, and you must be 18+ to enter. There are several ways to enter - good luck!

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Fall Picks from Century 21

If you look through my blog and twitter account, you'll find I like to shop - and more importantly, I love a good deal. I am all about finding a few designer dresses at a discount shop then spending full price on one. I love scouting out new finds and trends, especially as the seasons change, both in stores and online.

When my husband and I lived in New York City, our all time favorite store was Century 21. There is one downtown near the World Trade Center and one in Columbus Circle. I would find the cutest dresses and designer accessories at ridiculous discount prices. My husband bought several designer suits there, jeans and button downs. We would plan a whole day just around shopping there!

When we moved back to Michigan I went through Century 21 withdrawals. Luckily, Century 21 enabled shopping on their website, so I could shop online and get Century 21 steals delivered to me in Michigan.

Century 21 carries an array of brands. I think a lot of people would be surprised that you can find top luxury brands there, such as Balenciaga, Chloe, Fendi, Versace & more. If you're looking to splurge on a designer dress or handbag, make sure you check Century 21 first, because you may not have to splurge as much as you think!

Now that the weather is getting cooler in Michigan, I'm in full on 'fall clothing' mode. Here are a few of my picks from Century 21.

Dresses that transition from work to play...

NYDJ Knit Sheath Dress $69.99 (regularly $148)

Transit Par-Such Shift Dress $129.99 (regularly $560) 

Fall booties to go with jeans or dresses:

Greg Knoxx Quilted Gray Bootie $29.99 (regularly $69)

Chant Short Boot $39.99 (regularly $69.00)

Handbags you'll never want to leave at home:

French Connection Lola Fringe Crossbody $44.99 (regularly $88)

Need a new workbag? Check out this Rag & Bone beauty!

Rag & Bone Smoke Aston Satchel $399.99 (regularly $925)

Don't forget accessories...

Robert Rose Tassel Pendant & Necklace $22.99 (regularly $46.00)

Robert Rose Rose Gold Cuff $16.99 (regularly $35.00)

Bottega Veneta Sunglasses $99.99 (regularly $399)

*I partnered with Century 21 on this post. All thoughts are my own. 

Lemon Rinse Treatment Giveaway

Yesterday I posted a review of Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment - and now you can enter to win a bottle of your own to try!

Lemon Rinse is great for all hair types, including color treated hair (like mine!). It does a great job at removing product build up, leaving your hair feel clean, smooth and frizz free.

We are partnering with Beautiful Nutrition, and are giving away a full size Lemon Rinse to 3 lucky winners! There are multiple ways to enter, and you can enter every day until the giveaway ends.

I will randomly select 3 winners on October 4 2016. Good luck!

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Beautiful Nutrition Lemon Rinse Review

This Michigan summer has been a hot one - 90 degree temperatures and high humidity! It feels like Florida!

In order to keep my hair somewhat tame in this humidity, I've been testing a lot of different products...smoothing cremes, anti-humidity serums, hairspray...the list goes on.  After two days of not washing my hair, it would be pretty weighed down by product, so when I washed it, I knew I had to take an extra step to get all of the built up product out.

I recently got the chance to try out Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment. Lemon Rinse is a gentle clarifying treatment you can use after you shampoo and condition your hair. It helps to rinse away product buildup and helps with frizz and dullness. 

I used this product for over a month, on average one to two times a week, and my hair felt super clean afterwards. I would use my normal shampoo and conditioner, and then coat my hair with this rinse. I'd leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse it out. The product is clear, and has a thicker liquid consistently (see picture below). I've been using this for a month and I still have a lot left. I would estimate that a 13 oz bottle would last around 4 months (when using it 1-2 times a week). And although it doesn't last after I blow dry my hair, the lemon scent is so refreshing - perfect for a morning pick me up! 

I've used previous cleansers that would make my hair super dry, and this one definitely did not. I also noticed that my 'second day hair' was less greasy, and I didn't have to use dry shampoo. According to BeautifulNutrition.com, other potential benefits include: shine, seals cuticles, maintains healthy scalp, prevents frizz, and seals moisture. It's great for all hair types, including color-treated hair.

You can find Beautiful Nutrition's Lemon Rinse Gentle Clarifying Treatment at BeautifulNutrition.com and it retails for $10. BeautifulNutrition.com carries a variety of haircare and wellness products. Visit their site and let me know which products you want to try out in the comments below!

Thank you to Beautiful Nutrition for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

Currently Loving...Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector

Finally, warm weather has arrived in Michigan. This past Sunday we probably spent 5 hours playing outside, walking uptown and eating on patios. Now that we have sun and we're spending more time outside, I'm working on incorporating SPF in my skincare routine.

I'm currently loving Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Anti-Aging Perfector. It has everything I'm looking for in my every day makeup routine:

• SPF 20 to help protect my skin from harmful rays
• Tinted moisturizer to even out my skin tone
• Retinol to help reduce fine lines

I use a makeup sponge (previously talked about my makeup sponge on my other blog, The Non-Housewives) to put this on, and it goes on really smooth. I don't feel like I'm wearing makeup when I use Anti-Aging Perfector, and my bronzer and blush lays nicely over it. This is the first time I've been able to wear makeup like this without breaking out. I'm hooked.

I'm going to stock up on this for summer so I never run out. I may purchase a shade darker for summer. It's so easy to throw on over moisturizer, and I can always use the extra SPF. This is going to be my go-to for Summer!

You can find Neutrogena products online or at a store near you.

Neutrogena sent me products to review as part of their Ambassador program. All thoughts are my own. 

Meijer Beauty Perks + $25 Gift Card Giveaway

I switched over to Meijer for grocery shopping right before I had my son. Not only could I get my grocery shopping done there, but they also have a huge home goods section, pharmacy + drive thru, great beauty and cosmetics selection, and let's not forget, a Starbucks. There were many mornings on maternity leave that I sat in that Starbucks with a coffee in one hand, sleeping baby in the other, and relaxed.

Spring is in the air (especially in the Midwest) and Meijer is running their Meijer Beauty Perks program April 10-May 7. Again, one of the reasons I switched over to Meijer for my weekly grocery shopping is because of their large beauty selection. Here are few beauty essentials you can find on sale during this promotion, that are especially amazing for busy moms!

L'Oreal EverPure 6 in 1 Cleansing Balm
First off, this smells amazing! It's a rosemary mint scent that lasts throughout the day. This cleansing balm is a conditioner and cleanser in one. It's perfect for the quick 5 minute 'mommy' shower you have to take with kids in the house (long gone are the days of the long showers!). This balm cleanses, conditions, treats, detangles, softens and adds shine. No sulfates, parabens or silicones included. I thought for sure this would weight my hair down, but it didn't, and even looked good for the second day without washing.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
I'm a huge Neutrogena fan, especially when it comes to skincare. This year's Michigan winter was pretty brutal, and has definitely taken a toll on my skin. I love their Hydro Boost line, specifically this Gel Cream for extra dry skin. It soaks right into my skin, and doesn't leave a greasy residue. Foundation also goes on really well over it.

Dr. Teal's Epsom Salts
I'm a firm believer that all moms need to be pampered! My idea of unwinding after a long day is taking a long, hot bath. I have extremely sensitive skin so unfortunately I can't use highly fragrant bubble bath, but I can, however, use Epsom Salts. They may not be as fun as a big bubble bath, but Epsom Salts will help to soothe sore muscle and help with muscle recovery. My son is 30+ lbs, so I need all the help I can get with my muscles!

Amope' Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File
I was skeptical when I read the packaing on this product - and turned out being pleasantly surprised! The Amope Electronic Foot File is all you need for an at home pedicure. Don't have the time to get an hour pedicure? This file is so awesome. You can use it on dry or wet. Once charged, you turn it on and hold it up to the areas of your feet that need exfoliating. The Amope does all the work. I was shocked at how smooth the electric exfoliator was able to  get my fee. This would make a great Mother's Day (for yourself or your own mother!).

Here are additional items you can score on sale!

So...stop everything, and check out Meijer Beauty Perks which is running from April 10 - May 7, 2016, and enter to win a $25 Meijer Gift Card!

$25 Meijer Gift Card Giveaway

Target Marimekko Launch April 17

Mark your calendars and set your alarms - the Target & Marimekko collaboration launches this Sunday! I have my eye on the stand up paddle board, kids tent and swimsuit coverups.

Call your local Target and find out if they will have this in store - not all Targets will! If they won't, have no fear, you can shop online. The past few successful collaborations have caused the Target site to crash. I have no idea if this will be a popular one, so just keep checking the site and be patient.

If you go in store, try and have a good idea of what you want to buy, and go directly to that department. Stuff will go fast! Happy Shopping - please share what you get in the comments!

Neutrogena See What's Possible

I'm so excited to be able to share the new, 'Neutrogena See What's Possible' video, before it makes its broadcast this Sunday, during the 88th Academy Awards. The ad is voiced by Brand Ambassador and creative consultant, Kerry Washington (you may know her as Olivia Pope from Scandal).

After thousands of hours meeting with women around the world, Neutrogena uncovered a universal truth - women are stepping back to examine what's possible in their lives so they can pursue their dreams. Neutrogena can relate to this - they are always on a mission to rethink what's possible in skincare, so they identified this shared value and it inspired their first global campaign: "Neutrogena See What's Possible."

The video is centered around women pursuing their dreams. From a surfer to business woman to ballerina, this empowering video brings to life Neutrogena's point of view on beauty - what really makes a woman beautiful is the ability to look in the mirror and know that anything is possible.

Check out the video below and also watch it live during the Academy Awards on Sunday Feb 28th. Also check out the Neutrogena campaign page to see words of inspiration from Julie Bowen & Jennifer Garner. The brand will continue to share inspirational content on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Make sure to share your own personal stories and words of wisdom for women using the hashtag #SeeWhatsPossible. I'll be sharing mine all weekend long!



Sponsored by Neutrogena

Color Changing Gel Polish

Hello friends - 
As you may have noticed I haven't posted for awhile. I returned to work full time after having baby Max and life has been hectic! But, I'm going to start posting again a few times a week. It's a great way for me to de-stress since I truly love blogging. I may start talking more about motherhood or do more posts around kids, so I hope you still enjoy them! Don't worry, I'll still mainly be blogging beauty.

Speaking of beauty...I'm totally obsessed with mood color changing gel nail polish. Have you heard of this? This is my 3rd manicure with LeChat Perfect Match Mood gel polish. The first two manicures lasted so well I couldn't resist a third. Plus, it's so much fun to watch the shades change!

The color changes based on body temperature. When my hands were warm, 70% of the time, the polish was a light pink, slightly sheer. When my hands were cold (after washing them or even sitting in an air conditioned room), the color got darker. When the color would change between the two it would take on an ombre effect. It was worried about it looking unprofessional for work meetings, but very rarely would I have all different colors on one hand. 

This shade is LeChat Perfect Match Mood in Angel's Breeze. It's definitely a conversation piece! 

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

I had no idea Lilly Pulitzer at Target was going to be as big as it was.  Don't get me wrong, I was excited, but I was also excited for Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung & Jason Wu partnerships, and when I went shopping in store the morning of their launches, I didn't almost get trampled....Yes, this happened this morning.

I got to Target around 7:55am for the 8am opening and was probably 50th in line. I thought, no biggie, everyone is excited, and we're going to nicely walk in when the doors open and all have fun shopping together....not! Ladies ahead of me were doing calf stretches before the doors opened in preparation, the mother and daughter ahead of me were scheming their game plan of no cart and dividing and conquering. It was so intense! 

Target put out the collection throughout the store, in the corresponding category sections. So 'home goods' in the seasonal area, accessories with the other bags and scarves, etc. It basically created a scavenger hunt for everyone. 

Ladies running, grabbing 5 pieces of clothing at a time, carts being shoved out of the way, women yelling at their kids to grab as much as they can...it was chaos. But I'm not going to lie, it was still kind of fun :)

At one point I saw a panicked mother yell 'where's my daughter?' It was just too much. What a great way to start my Sunday! 

My Lilly Pulitzer Target haul included a Nosey Posey shirt, scarf, 3 Essie nail polishes, a makeup bag, bobby pins and a beach blanket. All in all, worth the quick visit to Target this AM. For any future exciting launches, I'll be sure to grab a coffee and get to the store a little earlier :) 

Scentbird Perfume Subscription Review

I love a good monthly subscription box…and I’ve tried a lot! Birchbox, Ipsy and Glossy Box for beauty, Citrus Lane for babies and kids…all so much fun to get in the mail each month. It’s a great way to discover new brands you wouldn’t normally seek out.

I recently checked out Scentbird, who has taken a unique twist on the monthly subscription business model. With Scentbird, you get a 30 day sample of perfume each month. You get to choose which perfume (over 350 to choose from!) or you can take a survey to see if there is a new scent that you should try, based on your preferences.

Not only is each month’s sample a generous size, but it comes in a fun, travel friendly holder you can use each month for your new scent. I'm the type of person who gets tired of the same scent over and over, so this service is nice to keep my perfumes up to date. After taking my first quiz, it was suggested that I try out Hanae Mori, which is a scent I have never heard of! I thought, what the heck, and selected it as my scent for the month - and I'm so happy I did! I love the scent. It's something I never would have tried if I just smelled at the perfume counter, but once it's on me, I'm love it. 

Interested? Sign up! It’s $44 for a 3 month package, $84 for a 6 month plan, and $164 for a year. Sign up today and receive 15% off your first your first month! 

*This post contains affiliate links 

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup March 15

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: MEMEBOX is an amazing beauty box line, and their Best Beauty Forward Box was filled with winning products! See why!

TheFabZilla: Trust me, you need to own at least one violet lipstick right now. Check out My Top 5 Picks!

The Feminine Files: Great quality makeup brushes don't have to be expensive. Here are some of my favorites from Real Techniques!

Painted Ladies: It's all about the green! Sheila has a fun and festive St. Patrick's Day eyeshadow tutorial for you.

I Know all the Words: Shampoo shifts form with Lush Honey I Washed My Hair & Brazilliant Shampoo Bars

Beauty by Miss L: Does Little Wing Beauty Vitamin C Serum live up to its promises to revitalise tired, dull or aging skin and be beneficial to all skin types.

Never Say Die Beauty: Allison tried out Scentbird, the monthly fragrance subscription service and loved it. Get all the deets here!

BeautyTidbits: Constantly putting on lip balm all day long? Treat chapped lips and avoid "lip balm addiction" with these expert skincare tips!

Color Me So Crazy: Want fresh and bright skin? Check out the Redefine Regimen

Rosamund Pike's 2015 Oscars Look

photo credit: TPR Holdings

One of my favorite movies this year was Gone Girl. I read the book (couldn't put it down!) and LOVED the movie. I was excited to see Rosamund Pike looking super sexy and glamorous on the red carpet last night. 

Her hair was styled with Oscar Blandi products by Kylee Rae Heath. Here's the breakdown from Kylee:

"It was key to have it look easy and untried. We wanted to create tons of texture."

TO CREATE THE LOOK:

1.       Starting on damp hair I sprayed Oscar Blandi Protein Mist throughout the hair.

2.        I then applied Oscar Blandi Hair Lift Mousse and combed the product through. 

3.       Next, I blew her hair out creating volume and movement. Before using a Sultra 3/4 inch sized barrel and a 1inch sized marcel iron to create texture, I sprayed Oscar Blandi Dry Styling Heat Protect Spray. 

4.       Once the texture was in place, I used a comb to section from behind the left ear, over the head to the top of the right ear. 

5.       I pulled the back section into a ponytail. Then, looking in a mirror together, I pulled the front section back to meet the ponytail securing with bobby pins.

6.       I sprayed the look into place and twisted the ponytail into a bun and pinned it. Then finished the look with the Pronto Lacca Medium Hold Hairspray and applied the Polish Glossing Creme to the short hair of her undercut.  

Oscar Blandi products can be found at Ulta.com. Personally, I'm a huge fan of Oscar Blandi hairspray. It smells so good!

10 Uses for my Essential Oils

I recently started using Young Living Essential Oils and I'm really enjoying experimenting with the different oils and blends. Here are my top 10 uses for essential oils and oil blends (so far!):

1 - Lavender in baby boy's bath
2 - Lavender in baby boy's humidifier
3 - Eucalyptus in humidifier when stuffy
4 - Lemon oil in dishwasher to help get rid of water spots
5 - Diffusing Lavender and Stress Away at night to help relax me after a stressful day at work
6 - Diffusing peppermint during the day to help energize 
7 - Diffusing Citrus Fresh in kitchen to freshen it up
8 - Fennel oil to help with nursing
9 - Using all sorts of oils for DIY bath products, such as lotions and shower fizzies (bath product recipes coming soon!)
10 - Diffusing Purification in my kitchen after cooking, to help freshen the room

All the oils I listed above + several others come in the Young Living Essential Oils premium starter kit. The starter kit also comes with a diffuser and samples of oils (ideally to share with friends). It really is the best deal if you want to start experimenting...

There are SO many uses for oils. I love the smells and relaxing effect of using them. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on Young Living Oils. Please tweet at me or comment below! If you're interested in purchasing the starter kit or oils, please use my distributor ID #2360032!

Do you use oils? If so, which are your favorite and what do you use them for?

*Post contains affiliate links

Quick Beauty Favorites

I've always been a fan of products that make my beauty routine easier and faster, but since becoming a mom, I worship these products! Here are a few that I have been hooked on...

OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil To Go
The key word is 'to go.' I love this stuff. I've always been a huge fan of OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil but the 'to go' version is genius. Who wants to carry around a far of this in their purse, just waiting to leak or spill? This makes it easy to keep my cuticles moisturized during this miserable Michigan winter. I like to apply it before I put my winter gloves on, letting it soak in real good while I'm driving with my gloves on.

Benefit Cosmetics Lollitint
I can feel confident and get out the door really quick with this stuff. A swipe on both my cheeks gives me great color that makes me look ready to conquer the day (even though I'm probably running on limited sleep). The purple undertones mask redness in my face. I also use this on my lips as well, with a gloss over it. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm
Michigan winters are harsh on faces! We're currently in the middle of Snowmagedden and I'm pretty much snowed in for the next few days. My poor lips have been so dry being outside in the cold and inside the house with heat on. I recently received a sample of Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm and fell in love. I normally prefer petroleum based balms but this one contains beeswax and I love how it feels on my lips. It's not drying at all. Goes on smooth and has lasting power. 


*This post contains affiliate links

OPI Sheer Tint in Be Magentale with Me

I'm always keeping my eyes open for pretty, light nail polish shades for every day wear for work. I spotted the new OPI Sheer Tints Top Coats and had to buy the pinkish-red Be Magentale with Me shade. In the bottle, it reminded me so much of a fun nail polish I had when I was younger.

I LOVE this polish as a quick go-to polish that will go with every outfit. I've seen other bloggers put 3-4 coats on it to make it more opaque, but I like the sheer look with my white tips coming through (this is right after I had my son, and the prenatal vitamins were still working overtime...such long nails!). Pictured is just two coats over my natural nail. It's such a elegant, clean look. I use this polish all the time! 

What do you think? Do you like the look of this sheer polish? Or would you be more likely to wear it over a color coat?

Updated post: I can't find this color online any longer! Here's a close duplicate I found.

Giveaway Break - AGE Therapy Gel

Yesterday I posted about TrueAge Skin AGE Therapy Gel, which helps to improve the skin's appearance while boosting its protective layer (protecting it from glycation, read more here). Today, I'm giving you the chance to win a full size tube of AGE Therapy Gel to try for yourself. Good luck!

***Giveaway***

Enter to win a full size AGE Therapy Gel!

Fill out the form below to win! There are also several different ways you can get extra entries: sign up for my mailing list, post a link to this giveaway on your blog, follow my blog, follow me & retweet on Twitter, follow me on Pinterest, add me to one of your Google+ circles, follow me on Instagram or become a fan on Facebook. Make sure to list the number of extra entries in the form below. Enter up to once a day to increase your chances of winning!

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Sunday, February 15th. I will randomly select a winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break (and will send an email as well), so keep checking to see if you're a winner - Good Luck!