Review: Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40

Claims: This sheer, oil-free formula offers triple protection. It shields the skin from sun damage, fights wrinkles and DNA damage, and delivers a dose of Clarins powerhouse antioxidant complex to fight wrinkle-causing free radical damage.

Price: $25 (for 1 Fl Oz), $40 (for 1.7 Fl Oz)

Sizes: 1 Fl Oz (Pictured above). 1.7 Fl Oz (largest size)

Where Can It Be Purchased: Clarins, Macys, Dillards, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Sephora and other high end retailers.

Hey guys! So today I will be reviewing one of my favorite sunscreens I have used thus far, the Clarins UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40. I purchased this a couple of months back when Nordstrom was doing a sale where buying one Clarins product got you a full size toner, a travel size toner, and a travel sized lotion. Regardless of how expensive the sunscreen was, I could not pass up on the deal they had going on! Read on to see what my thoughts of this product are!

The packaging of this product is very compact. It is very lightweight and it fits easily in the palm of my hand. This product uses a squeeze tube, which is extremely easy to use provided that there is product in the bottle. The instructions say to the bottle well prior to dispensing and to apply a liberal amount over your face. 

As you can see, the product is of a liquid consistency rather than the thick sunscreen consistency that one would normally see for sunscreen. The product is easily blended out, leaving the skin to be undetectable. I have not noticed the sunscreen sheen that I have seen in other sunscreen products, and I have not noticed this giving my face a white cast. Due to its liquid consistency, the product isn't as moisturizing or hydrating in comparison to other cremes such as Olay Complete Moisturizer and Estee Lauder DayWear. However,  product feels very light on your skin and doesn't leave your skin greasy like the Olay Complete Moisturizer. 

As for the claims, I honestly would not know for sure if they were true. At the age I am at right now, I am trying to prevent the early onset of wrinkles. The SPF of 40, combined with UVA and UVB protection into this sunscreen is what appeals to me. The SPF of 40 would ensure that I am protected for a longer period of time than just simply using an SPF of 15 while the UVA and UVB protects my skin from both of the harmful rays of the sun. 

Overall, I would recommend this sunscreen for those who want a moisturizer to use under makeup and not feel greasy. This sunscreen is ideal for those of combination to oily skin, as it is oil-free. I would not recommend this to dry skin, just because this would not give you the moisture you would need. The bottom line is, I would definitely purchase this sunscreen again (doubly so if I can get a good deal with it as well!)

What sunscreen have you been using this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Back to School Tips: 5 Products to Use When You Are Running Late

Hey guys! Today I will be starting a new series, Back to School! As you may or may not know, I am currently in college and I am about to enter my third year!  As such, I will be sharing my beauty and back to school tips in every other post that I will make :) The post today will focus on the 5 products I use when I'm running late for class or other things. Of course, you can always opt for not wearing makeup at all but if you are really want too, here are the high end and drugstore products I would use.

Left to Right: Lancome Blush Subtil in Amourose and Wet n Wild Blush in Pearlescent Pink

Both of these blushes are of the natural pink variety. For days when you are in a rush, you don't want to be messing with a highly pigmented bright pink, red, or orange blush. Those above are the two I recommend to achieve a natural yet slightly flushed and rosy look.

Left to Right: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duo in Dark Brown and Elf Studio Brow Kit in Medium

Once you start filling your brows, you don't go back. As such, filling in my brows is a necessity, even for days where I am in a rush! These two brow products are outstanding, and definitely worth you giving a look!

Left to Right: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Peach and Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Concealer in Light

Undereye concealer is a must have for me! I have dark bags due to lack of sleep, and I always want to minimize it as much as possible! Both of these concealers work very well in covering the dark circles I have under my eyes!

Left to Right: Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara in Black and Maybelline the Falsies Volum' Express Flared Waterproof Mascara in Very Black

Mascara works wonders on your eyes, so it's definitely an important product to put on your lashes. A waterproof version, for me, is extremely important because I do not want my mascara to smudge or flake throughout the day. These mascaras do the job beautifully, they keep my lashes curled and they also lengthen and volumize my eyelashes very well. The Lancome mascara is my all time favorite for high end mascaras!

Left to Right: Lancome Lipstick in Love It and Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Last, but certainly not least, are lip products! I chose these no fuss lip products so that you don't have to spend 5 or so minutes working on your lips! While you can always choose a bright lip color instead, I find that neutral colors require a lot less maintenance, which is always an added bonus!

What are the top products that you use when you are in a rush? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Fantastic Fridays 8/2/13

It's another round of Fantastic Fridays! Come on in to see what I have been up too! :D

Saturday 7/27/13
- Scouted around Nordstrom for their Anniversary sale and saw a lot of pretty things... but didn't buy :/ Those Mac Palettes looked really tempting though.... Love their packaging and everything about them :/

Sunday 7/28/13

- Posted FOTD: Featuring Mac's Woodwinked and Inglot's 353
- Inglot retweeted me :D First retweet from a makeup company! XD

Monday 7/29/13

- Posted Empties (its so nice to throw out trash once you are done though, BTW)

Tuesday 7/30/13

- Posted FOTD: Featuring Lancome's Color Design Palette in 204 Rose Bijou
- Work day!

Wednesday 7/31/13

- Posted That Moment When You Find a Better Deal After You Made Your Purchase
- Had lunch with my sister's at Steak n Shake

Thursday 8/1/13

- Posted July Favorites
- Annual vision exam was done!

Friday 8/2/13
- Will be shadowing a physician once more! :D Drive is about an hour though :/

How was your week? Let me know in the comment section below :D

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July Favorites

Hey guys! So July has come and gone and August is now here! So lets get started on the month by a July Favorites post! So, if you are interested, keep reading to find out what I have been enjoying this month!

Makeup&Beauty:

Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

This is one of my all time favorite all time mascaras, it significantly volumizes and lengthens my lashes! This is not the waterproof mascara, but it does really well in holding my curl!

Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara in Black

Once I stole this back from my sister, I remembered why I loved this mascara so much. While the wand is extremely bulky, this mascara works wonders on my puny lashes. Plus, this is waterproof, which makes it work wonders for the summer time. 

Elf Studio Blush in Candid Coral

itsJudyTime on Youtube always raves about this blush so I had to pick it up! Needless to say, this is a really good everyday blush. It is a buildable blush, one where you won't be afraid to put too much blush on like my favorite (Pink Passion). 

Elf Studio Eyebrow Kit in Medium

Reviewed this product here and I have been loving this product this month! This has been what I have been using on my brows and I absolutely adore it!

Elf Jumbo Lip Gloss Stick in Movie Star

This is a nifty product that I got around 4th of July and I have been using it for the majority of the month! This color is absolutely beautiful, its a sheer red lip color that is quite buildable! I've been wearing red lips more often in July as a result!

Inglot Eyeshadow Matte 353 (Top Left)

This is definitely my newest favorite highlight color. I adore this eyeshadow for highlighting my inner corners of my eyes and underneath my brows. Currently my most used of the Freedom palette I have made right now! Used here for my FOTD Look.

Mac Eyeshadow in Woodwinked (Veluxe Pearl)

Probably one of my best purchases I have made yet for a single eyeshadow. While I know that there are dupes for Woodwinked, I couldn't resist purchasing the color that everyone raves about several months back. Once I started wearing this eyeshadow, I am pleased to say I made a good decision. I featured this eyeshadow in a FOTD here and it looks so beautiful when it is just swept across the lid. If I am in a rush nowadays, all I do is just use this eyeshadow and run out of the door!

Maybelline Masterprecise Liquid Eyeliner in Black

To this day my favorite type of eyeliner is liquid, even though I haven't found the perfect liquid liner yet. I just love how smooth liquid liner goes on, in comparison to pencil and gel eyeliner. This is currently the only liquid eyeliner I have in my collection (shocker!) and so as such this is what I have been using for the majority of the month. 

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner in Nude

This eyeliner is perfect for when I want to make my eyes look brighter! I have been using this on days when I want to make my makeup look more natural, and this long lasting eyeliner definitely does the job!

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

This does increase the staying power of my makeup, but it is not the best in my collection. Nevertheless, this powder is great for travel and still very good! I have been throwing this one in my travel makeup bag because of compactness and because I do adore it!

Scarzone Scar Diminishing Cream SPF 15

It's summer which calls for short shorts and skirts! Which, then of course, leads to me being more proactive on diminishing my scars on my leg. I don't use any other products besides this one, and it has worked really well for me in the past and continues to do so. This is a long time favorite, and I always end up remembering to use this when I am wearing shorts more often..and due to it being bikini season. LOVE.

Sephora Atomizer

I forgot how much I liked having perfume on me...and then I bought this. Needless to say, this is a godsend. I can now actually use perfume (instead of forgetting to like I normally do) because I always carry the atomizer with me! 

Wet n Wild Blush in Pearlescent Pink

The flash on the camera makes this look more pink than it truly looks in real life, but this is a really nice everyday blush that you can wear. It's also really nicely pigmented! I'm really glad I picked this one up, and now I'm tempted to pick up the last Wet n Wild Blush that I don't have...

Wet n Wild Fergie Take the Day Eyeshadow Primer

Posted a review of this primer here, and I honestly can't get enough of this primer. I can barely use up my Sephora primer because I have been using this one so much! It is just more convenient, and the lasting power of this is so much better!

Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment

Talk about a versatile little trio here. I am able to create both day and night looks with this palette, even used wore it for my Girl's Night Out Collab. The pigmentation is amazing and I absolutely love how this goes on the eyes. It's like a dream!

Random Favorites!

TV Show:

The White Queen

Someone is going to kill me when I said this, but I think I prefer this TV Show to the book. For me, the book dragged...a lot.... but this TV Show is just plain awesome! Of course, it hasn't airred in the US yet, so I've been watching it online (not that I could watch it at home anyways, cause we don't have Starz in our package) but I've fallen in love with the characters. Yes, it may not be the most historically accurate but its TV, what do you really expect for TV. This is also done in a woman's point of view, so there isn't an insane amount of violence/war at all...which is probably why the ratings aren't the highest in England (sad I know right...even though this TV show is geared towards woman). I do appreciate that the sex scenes are pretty vanilla (aka pretty mild in terms of modern TV) cause as much as I love Max Irons and all of his goodness, I do not want a TV show to be vulgar (we have porn for that folks). But still, if you don't like seeing anything sexual related, don't watch.

Memorable Blog Moments!

- Hit 5000 views this month :)
- Passed the 50 subscribers this month combined on bloglovin and GFC! Thank you so much guys, you are the best!
- Have talked to wonderful bloggers this month... constantly :)

How was July for you guys! Let me know in the comment section below!

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That Moment When You Find a Better Deal After You Made Your Purchase

Hey guys! So today's blog is going to be pretty much what happened with me today... and all its relevance or non-relevance to the real world. So I went to Sephora to pick up a new Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (I'm about to run out within the next month or so). It costed me $22, which is on the pricey side for sure, but well worth it since I don't have the patience to try a new brow gel as of late.

But then, I went to Ulta (to kill some time before my sister's tutoring today) and I saw a better deal. Needless to say, I picked it up.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Bold Brow Kit in Dark Brown.

The kit features a brow brush, a brow powder duo, and a clear brow gel. Everything in this kit is full sized, which is what makes this kit a really good deal. The value of this kit is $72, but it was priced for $36. So of course, I picked up this kit and will return the brow gel I got in Sephora. I have been eyeing the brow powder duo from Anastasia for awhile, it was even featured on my high end wishlist here (which may be a reason why I did end up picking it up!). My first impression of the brow powder is a good one, but as always with first impressions, you won't know until you use the product a lot.

Which leads me to my question for you guys. How often do these types of things happen to you where you guys end up finding better deals after you buy a product? For me, this happens way too many times. I happen to enjoy value kits a lot, because they often have better deals then buying just a single product. Let me know what your experiences are in the comment section below!

EDIT:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown - Review
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel - Review

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FOTD: Featuring Lancome's Color Design Palette in 204 Rose Bijou

Hey guys! So today I decided to do a post on the makeup I wore to work today. I applied this makeup while talking to Cyndi from In Search of Beauty and Anna on Beauty Broadcast Community Forum! I should do things like that more often, it was incredibly nice talking to them  and seeing what their insights was on makeup. Check out and see what products I used down below with a detailed description on how I achieved this look!

Face Products:

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Peach

Elf Studio Blush in Candid Coral

Lancome Dual Finish Powder in Matte Nu II

NYC Bronzer in Sunny

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

Eye Products:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Brunette

Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black

Lancome Color Design Palette in 204 Rose Bijou

Maybelline Master Precise Eyeliner in Black

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Taupe (Waterline)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero (Tightline)

Wet n Wild Fergie Take the Day Eyeshadow Primer

Lip Product: 

Elf Essential Jumbo Gloss Stick in Movie Star

Walkthrough on Eye-Makeup Application:

1) Used Wet n Wild Fergie Take the Day Eyeshadow Primer all over my eyelid and up to the crease.

2) Filled my eyebrows using Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette

3) Using #1 from Lancome Color Design Palette in 204 Rose Bijou, I applied it all over my lid as a base color. #2 was then used on the outside half of my lid and into the crease. #3 was blended into the outer V area and into the crease. #4 was used lightly in the crease to define my eye even more.

4) Tightlined my eyes using Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero. 

5) Applied Rimmel Scandaleyes Khol Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner in Taupe on my Waterline.

6) Applied #3 and #4 from the Lancome Color Design Palette in 204 Rose Bijou on my lower lashline

7) Used Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner in Black for my winged liner

8) Applied Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black on my eyelashes.

How did you like this look? Let me know in the comment section below!

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First Empties Post!

Hey guys! Welcome to my first Empties post! This is predominantly skincare and hygiene, but there is also some makeup items as well! Check out what I've used up within the past month or so.

CVS Saline Solution for Sensitive Eyes

Repurchase: Yes

I have tried many different type of contact solutions from different brands and I don't see a difference for any of them. As such, I always have a tendency of buying the cheapest contact solution, which is the generic brand! I have already bought this and will continue to do so!

Colgate Optic White Toothpaste

Repurchase: Yes

I definitely see a difference with how white my teeth looks with this toothpaste. I haven't gotten around to bleaching my teeth yet, but when I do I'm sure this tooth paste help my teeth stay whiter.

Crest 3D White  Multi-Care Whitening Rinse
Repurchase: Yes

This mouthwash, combined with a whitening toothpaste works like a charm to whiten my teeth. I definitely notice a difference when I use this twice a day. Will be repurchasing!

Dior Serum De Rouge in 470 (Pearly Pink)

Repurchase: No

This is a nice product, don't get me wrong. I don't find it special enough to be a part of my collection again. Once I get rid of the other two of these lip products I still have in my collection, don't expect to see them again.

Fresh Sugar Kisses Mini Lip Duo

Repurchase: Potentially

It's going to be very difficult for me to repurchase this, especially since I'm on the whole Maybelline Baby Lips bandwagon. While I do find these two be a bit more moisturizing than the Baby Lips, the full size is also way more expensive.

Mary Kay Satin Hands Fragrance Free Hand Cream

Repurchase: No

Mary Kay had an event at my college last year and this was one of the things they were giving out. I won't be purchasing the full size version simply because it isn't moisturizing enough for my hands.

Maybelline Line Stiletto

Repurchase: No

It's a great liquid liner, but this is a very watery formula and I would have to reapply this multiple times to get it to be fully opaque. As such, I will not be repurchasing this. 

Neutrogena Light Night Cream
Repurchase: No

I don't have particularly dry skin at all, but I felt that this night cream wasn't that moisturizing as other night creams I've used before. Pass. 

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Repurchase: Yes

Definitely my favorite makeup remover! I have tried Lancome's Bi-Facil and this one definitely is so much better, and at a fraction of the price! I have already repurchased this product and I will continue to do so!

Olay Age Defying Eye Cream

Repurchase: Yes

I know I'm not that old, but I do have fine lines underneath my eyes as a result of me pulling on my eyelid when I'm placing my contacts in my eye. This eye cream hydrates and moisturizes my eyes, and seems to reduce lines. Will repurchase once I use other skincare products. 

Olay's Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin
Repurchase: No

While this is a great product that I have used for years, I have decided to let this one go. My skin has been acting up now, and I will be needing to use products with either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide in them. As such, this I probably won't be repurchasing again.

Opti-Free Pure Moist Multi-Purpose Disinfecting Solution

Repurchase: Only if on sale

I don't find a reason why I should purchase expensive contact solution, mainly because I've never had an issue with the generic kind. I will probably repurchase if I can get nifty deals though ^_^

Organix's Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

Repurchase: No

My hair does feel nicer after this shampoo and conditioner, don't get me wrong. But while my hair is suffering through the damage of split ends, thinness, hair loss, etc I won't be buying this and will be gravitating towards something stronger. 

Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15
Repurchase: No

For a generic brand it wasn't that bad, but I do need to up my SPF in my moisturizers from now on. Shouldn't have any moisturizers with SPF 15 in the first place. 

St. Ives' Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

Repurchase: Yes

I've used this product for years and I don't think I will be stopping any time soon. I use this product every other day, and this does help exfoliate my dead skin cells on my face. It doesn't irritate my skin, which is also a bonus! I have tons of back ups of this products, probably don't need to buy any more anytime soon :B

What products have you guys used up recently? Let me know in the comment section below!

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