picture of spring

Origins Modern Friction

Physical Exfoliant

I gotta admit, I bought this a long time ago, and it's probably on its last legs, but I have really enjoyed my time with this exfoliator. It has small beads in it, and is very creamy and smooth. I find that this exfoliator has a moisturizing effect because of its creamy formula. It hydrates my skin as I exfoliate and leaves my face feeling smooth and bright after I wash it off. It also smells heavenly. My only compliant is one of physical exfoliants in general, not just this product.. It can just be annoying to wash off--making sure you get all those little beads off of your face is hard!

Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel

Chemical Exfoliant

This is a Korean chemical exfoliant that is very gentle on your skin. I was hesitant to start using chemical exfoliants because I thought they might not play well with my sensitive skin, but I have been converted! This is now my favorite type of exfoliator, and I have a toner that also includes AHA/BHA ingredients to gently exfoliate my face.

This product is very gentle and is quite fun to use, since you can feel and see the dead skin rolling off of your skin. It doesn't have a scent, which is great for those of you sensitive to fragrance in products. All you have to do is wet you face, then rub a small amount of this gel on your skin, and voila~ dead skin will fall right off! 

I hope that little primer and product spotlight was helpful. If you guys have any exfoliator recommendations, let me know! I'll be on the hunt for a new physical exfoliator soon, so let me know what your favorites are!

Have a great week!

Mon Paris by Yves Saint Laurent 

I will start with this perfume sample. I don't know if the perfume samples also vary, but in any case, I received a sample of Mon Paris by Yves Saint Laurent. I was a little hesitant about this scent at first, but the more I have worn it, the more I like it. It is a great fall scent, and is comforting while being a bit spicy and sultry. 

Full size value: $92

Sample value: $2

Flash Photo Gloss by the Estée Edit

This gloss is a simple, clear gloss, and I've enjoyed using it a few times. I love sample sizes of lip products, since it always takes me forever to go through the whole thing. This sample has a nice doe foot applicator, and is easy to use. The lip gloss itself provides a nice, natural sheen, and isn't too glossy, which I like. However, that doesn't stick with the high-shine promised by the product. It isn't sticky at all, but it doesn't last very long on my lips. I don't think I'd purchase a full size, though I definitely will enjoy this sample.

Full size value: $20

Sample value: $7

Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray by Farmacy

I love mists like this, mostly to use as toners, rather than setting sprays. This mist is very moisturizing and leaves my skin glowing. It smells slightly herbal, and is very relaxing to apply. It hasn't bothered my sensitive skin at all! I would definitely consider purchasing a full size of this product to use as a toner at night. My one complaint is the spray on my sample bottle kind of sucks and spritz a line of product right at your face, but I can get around that (and I'd expect the full size packaging to be better haha).

Full size value: $44

Sample value: $8

Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil by Christophe Robin

I have to admit that I haven't had the chance to try this out. Every time I go to shower, I forget this in my room! But once it gets colder, I'm sure my hair will appreciate this moisturizing hair mask. And this is quite a nice sample size, so I'm pleased with that. If you have tried this product before, let me know what you think!

Full size value: $71

Sample  value: $14

Bamboo Crème Frappée Skin Reviving Fresh Gel by Erborian

Well, you all know how much I love Korean skincare, so I was quite excited to see this in the box. I've used it a few times, and it is very moisturizing while being a lovely gel consistency. It sinks into my skin very quickly, and is a great daytime moisturizer that doesn't leave me greasy at the end of the day while still hydrating my skin. It also hasn't broken me out or caused a reaction on my sensitive skin! I'm a fan.

Full size value: $43

Sample value: $4

Always on Liquid Lip in Drivers Seat by Smashbox

I have to admit I am guessing on the shade, because I lost the little insert that came with the box before writing this post. Either way, this color pulls to a warm brown on me, which I often find warm pinks tend to do for some reason? I really like this color anyways, and the formula is ok. It is a little drying for my taste, but as long as I put on a lip balm underneath, it is perfectly wearable.

Full size value: $24

Sample value: ~$7

Overall, I was really happy with this month's box! There was a good balance of my favorite sorts of products-- skin care and lip products. The total value is also pretty good, coming in at $42, greatly exceeding what you pay for the box. Sephora carries quality brands, which makes me feel confident in receiving deluxe samples from them, since I know the products will be of a pretty good quality. I'd definitely recommend subscribing to Play by Sephora, or applying to the waitlist if you can't subscribe at the moment!

Over the past few months, I've gotten a few new beauty products that I wanted to share with you all! I will share my brief thoughts, as well as a few more pictures. Please bear with me with the changing picture settings.. I've just moved back to school and there isn't the best location to shoot in, but I'll figure it out soon enough.

First, I gotta say, T.J. Maxx has some unexpected deals on beauty items. They have a wide selection of skincare, with both well-known brands and those you've never heard of before. I had a hard time restraining myself while I was there, and grabbed a few lotions from Korres (so cheap, and not pictured, sorry!), a Boscia Cool Blue Hydration Essence, and a Marula Treatment Oil from a brand called Pearlessence. I also got a Batiste dry shampoo for like $5 so it was a great shopping trip, haha. 

The Boscia Cool Blue Hydration Essence is very lightweight, and sinks into the skin very quickly, which I really appreciate. This is a great product for someone with oily skin, as it provides the necessary hydration your skin needs, without sitting on top of the skin and adding more oils to it. Since I have more dry skin, I like to use this under my moisturizer to provide that extra layer of moisture that my skin needs throughout the day. I can see myself continuing to enjoy this product as long as I have it!

I also grabbed a Marula Treatment Oil from Pearlessence, which it just one of those random brands you find at places like T.J. Maxx. This oil has a mix of soybean and marula oil, so it is not 100% pure, which I don't really mind, since soybean oil has skin benefits as well, and is very soothing to the skin. I have used this oil both in my hair and on my face, and I've enjoyed both of these uses. I will occasionally put this in my hair when it needs that extra boost of moisture, and after it dries, it is very soft and moisturized. I also use this on my face in between moisturizers (moisturizer-oil-moisturizer) at night when my skin is feeling extra dry. I think this oil will be especially useful during the winter months, when my skin gets quite dry!

Now for items from various sources-

I got a Caudalie Vinosource Créme Sorbet Hydratante (Moisturizing Sorbet) at Nordstrom Rack (of all places!). I love love love this cream, and it will be super useful during the winter months! It is so moisturizing, and you only need a small amount to completely moisturize your face. I use this at night as the last moisturizer I apply to my face, and I always wake up with my face feeling moisturized and soft. This cream also calms my skin and is very soothing to apply.

I've been wanting to try Cosrx's AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner for so long, and I finally went for it recently. While the packaging on my product was a dud (the spray function doesn't work), I decanted it into a smaller spray bottle I have around, and WOW. I love this toner so much! I was worried it might be too strong for my sensitive skin, but it exfoliates to gently and doesn't bother my skin at all! This toner immediately softens my skin, and is great for exfoliating away the frustrating dry patches around pimples. I really love this product.. Cosrx has continued to impress.

One of my friends was cleansing her makeup collection, and offered me a Sephora Collection Luster Matte lip color in the shade Fig. I quickly grabbed it up since I love matte lip colors. This is a nude-y pink, and will look quite nice for fall and winter. However, this doesn't dry down to a complete matte finish for me. It does appear matte on the lips, but still transfer a bit and has a satin finish. However, it isn't drying at all and wears pretty nicely (maybe for 3~4 hours depending on what you eat/drink). I don't think I will purchase any more of these, since I am more interested in trying their Cream Lip Stains, that actually dry down matte.

I got a few Nyx products to add to my collection as well. I grabbed another Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Prague, which is a beautiful, bright berry shade -- perfect for fall! I also got a Butter Gloss in the shade Crème Brûlée. The butter gloss is perfect for everyday wear, and adds a nice light pink tint to my lips, which I love. It isn't too sticky either, which I really appreciate. 

I have also been really excited to try out the L'Oreal Pure Clay Masks. I bought the Exfoliate and Refine Pores mask first, and I've really enjoyed my few uses, especially for a drugstore mask. This masks exfoliates really gently and doesn't irritate my skin very much. My skin feels soft and supple after I use this mask. I am really excited to try the Detox and Brighten mask, though I think I'll skip over the Mattifying one since I am not very oily.

Lastly, another hair product, and brush! My thick and curly hair has been feeling rather dry lately, so I decided to step up my game a bit. SheaMoisture has a reputation for being amazingly moisturizing and great for all types of curly hair, so I decided to give it a try. This Curl and Style Milk is absolutely lovely! It smells amazing, and moisturizers and conditions my curls so that they look beautiful after my hair dries. I love touching my hair after using this product, since it is just so soft! I'll definitely be looking into their other products in the future.. 

I also grabbed a powder brush from e.l.f, because I was getting sick of the powder puff that comes with the Innisfree No Blur Sebum Powder. I've been loving this brush so far.

And that's it for my haul! I hope my thoughts prove helpful, and feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts if you've tried these products before, or if you have suggestions for products I should try! Thank you for reading.

I recently decided to go for the Target September Beauty Box, since I thought the products looked really interesting and useful this month (cough cough Laneige cough cough). I haven't used all of them yet, but I'll share my thoughts on the ones I have used, and how I think the other products might work for me!

Maybelline The Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara

I haven't actually worn this mascara for a full day, but I tried it out for a little while. This definitely adds volume to your lashes, but I found it to be rather clumpy, and not in the best way. I might use it in the future, when I'm going for a more bold look. I do prefer more lengthening/volumizing mascaras that aren't as clumpy so this isn't my fave. Still not a complete let down-- I can always use another mascara, just in case!

Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream

So you guys know I'm all about affordable skin care, and I've always wanted to try Laneige, but their products are sliightly too pricey for me to purchase on a daily basis (esp as a broke college student). So I was super pumped that this was included in the box! This is a great deluxe sample, and it is filled all the way to the brim, which I was surprised to see.

I have used this cream a few times as a nighttime moisturizer, and I really like it so far! You only need a little to cover your whole face (so I can see this sample lasting me a long time), and it is super moisturizing. I love the gel texture too, it is really different from other moisturizers, and very soothing and calming to apply.

Bioré Baking Soda Pore Cleanser

Since I have dry skin, I wouldn't use this on my whole face because pore cleansers are usually pretty drying cause they are trying to get all that junk out of your face. I have used this a few times on my nose though, where my pores can get a lil gunky. This has really cleansed my pores, and they are very clean after using this product. However, it hasn't had a lasting effect, though that is probably because I use it pretty infrequently. Hopefully I can get in the habit of using it more often, and possibly see a result!

S.W. Basics Cocoa Lip Balm

I couldn't find the cocoa lip balm on Target's website, but I linked to a bundle where you can get it! This lip balm is super moisturizing, and I love that it is made with both organic and fair trade ingredients. I use this at night to moisturize my lips before bed, since it doesn't have an spf in it.

OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo

I haven't actually used this little sample yet, but I've heard good things about OGX products, so I'm excited to try it! I think I might save it for when I'm traveling this fall, since I tend to forget or lose travel size shampoo/conditioners. If you have used this product before, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Rimmel The Only 1 Lipstick in Oh So Wicked

While this was supposed to be a nude lipstick, I'll admit I'm not mad at this deep plum color. It is much brighter swatched than it looks in this picture, and comes out a nice deep, purple-y berry shade. I'm really excited to start rocking this once it turns more fall-esque, but right now it remains humid and hot where I am, so I have a little more waiting to do.

So, those are all my thoughts on the September Beauty Box from Target! I am pretty satisfied, and I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for when the future boxes come out. If you received this month's box form Target, let me know what you think!

Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cleansing Oil

I only used this sample once, since I find cleansing oil samples to be extremely messy to keep over time. Even so, I do have some brief thoughts!

This cleansing oil doesn't have much of a scent to it, which I enjoy. I rubbed this all over my face, and after washing it off, I could see that it had definitely gotten all of my makeup off! I was somewhat surprised, since I couldn't see any results as I was actually rubbing it around my face. It also left my face feeling nice and soft.

Overall, I would definitely consider purchasing a full size of this product! It cleaned effectively without stripping my skin. 

Etude House Big Cover Concealer BB

I'm a big fan of BB creams, but of the more lightweight variety. This BB cream is definitely very full coverage, as you can see in the swatches I have inserted below. It covered up a lot of the freckles on my hand!

But applying this to my face wasn't as enjoyable. I applied it with my fingers, like I do any BB cream, and while it spread and blended nicely, it looked cake-y and heavy on my skin, and didn't really sink into my skin at all. It might apply better with a brush or beauty blender, but when I use a BB cream I want a quick and effective application, without a brush or sponge, which I didn't get with this. This BB cream did feel very lightweight on my skin, which I loved!

However, it did cover really well, and the beige color is a great match for my skin tone! I took this BB cream off after applying it all over my face, and simply used it to spot conceal, which went a little better. I know Etude House has a concealer version of this BB cream, but I feel like you could just use this BB cream as a concealer as well, since it is so full coverage.