Lush Buffy Body Butter

Hellooo Gorgeous!

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  It's horrible, I know!  I have wanted to but haven't had the chance.  I wanted my next couple of posts to go in a certain order since I've had some requests, starting with a foundation routine video/application tutorial, but my camera isn't great with video and I've been thinking about getting a new one... anyway, I'm back now with a review. :)

Presenting my newest love:

*LUSH BUFFY BODY BUTTER*

Three words:  It.  Is.  AMAZING.  As you all know, I am a huge fan of Lush cosmetics.  They're products are luxurious, effective, natural and fun.   This product is no exception!  So what is Buffy Body Butter?  Well, it is a body bar packed full of moisturizing shea butter and cocoa butter and also has ground rice, almonds and aduki beans to exfoliate leaving skin smooth and soft.

Why do I love it so much?  In the summer months, we all go swimming and hang out at the beach or the pool and inevitably get fried at some point, no matter how much sunscreen we put on.  You know that horrible itchy, flaky stage where your sunburn starts to peel, leaving you looking like you have some skin fungus?  This completely eliminates that whole stage!  I have really dry skin anyway and I always pile on the lotion after every shower and, depending on what I'm doing, a couple of times throughout the day.  When I use this in the shower, the exfoliants scrub my skin and get rid of all the dead skin cells.  You then rinse off the grit and the shea and cocoa butters stay behind.  Using this bar should be the last step of your bath or shower.  When you get out, you pat yourself dry (so that you don't rub the butter off) and then massage your skin to help it absorb the butters.  After using this several times, I have a visible improvement in my skin.  Also, my skin FEELS amazing.  I don't have to use lotion anymore.  My skin is soft & hydrated.

The only negative thing that I can think of is that if your skin is sensitive and you're not used to exfoliating, it can hurt a little if you aren't careful.  It is gritty when you rub it on.   I personally like that, though.  I cannot say enough good stuff about this body butter bar, however.  I love it so much and it's one of my staples now.  Lush continues to surprise me by how innovative and wonderfully pampering their products are.  I am going to be a lifelong customer.  :)

Anyway, I just had to review this product.  I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you get a chance to try this product!  Or any Lush product!  If you do, please comment and tell me about your experience.  For those of you that have tried Lush, what is your favorite product?  Comment below!

Thanks for reading..  missed you guys! :)

Love,

Aylissa

Get a free deluxe perfume sample from Sephora!

Hello Lovelies!

I have a coupon code for you!  Head over to Sephora's website and enter the code "miniscent" at checkout on your order of $25 or more.  Choose from Dior Miss Dior Cherie, Versace Bright Crystal, Issey Miyake L'Eas d' Issey and Bvlgari Mon Jasmin Noir.

I personally LOVE Versace Bright Crystal.

I'm not sure how long the code will last so GO NOW and get something pretty for yourself!  Also, I have a contest in the works for you guys that involves a giveaway so keep your eyes peeled for that!

Love,
Aylissa

P.S.  Want to show me you love me?  Help me promote my blog by recommending me to your friends.  Link me in an email or something like that.  It will be much appreciated!

April Birchbox!!

Hello, you beautiful people!

It's been a few days since I've posted anything so I thought I'd show you what I got in my April Birchbox shipment!  For those of you that don't know what Birchbox is, it is a monthly subscription to a company that sends you a box of deluxe samples to try once a month.  It's $10 a month and so worth it!  It helps you try new products with less waste.  The packaging is recyclable and if you don't like a product, you only spent a couple of dollars and you don't have a full size container of it to go to waste. The samples I got this month are great!  Most samples you get from other companies are usually only good for a one-time use, but as I said, these are deluxe samples and they're huge!  Anyway, here it is, my April Birchbox:

THE PACKAGE!

Getting excited!!

YAY!

And here is the haul:)

This months focus was going green because April is a reminder that we should be mindful of our environment and the effect we have on it.  From left to right, first we have LIVE GRN Eau de Parfum in Earth.  Made from biodegradable and sustainable ingredients, this lush scent is laced with jasmine and sandalwood.  Smells awesome!  Very earthy-chic. :) 

Next we have Zoya Nail Polish in Jules.  Zoya's lacquers are super glossy and this versatile shade is a shimmery gold.  So pretty!

Third is Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel and Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Repair Moisturizer.  Natural fruit acids dissolve even the most tenacious dead cells for an immediately brighter, smoother complexion.

Fourth we have Lavanilla, The Healthy Body Butter.  It's made from all natural shea and cocoa butters an smells delicious with its lavender and vanilla scent.

Last but not least, we have a little extra gift, Bloomin Seed Paper.  You can plant this paper and grow wildflowers! How fun is that!?

So there you have it.  My April Birchbox shipment.  For anyone looking to broaden their beauty horizons, who love surprises, and just want to try new products, I highly recommend subscribing to Birchbox.  It's so much fun and you get to discover great stuff every month!

Have any of you subscribed to/fallen in love with Birchbox like I have?  Let me know in the comment selection below!  I hope you all have enjoyed this post!

Love,

Aylissa

P.S.  Coming soon - a review on my current foundation!

DIY Masks to Keep Your Skin Beautiful Year-Round, Part 2

Hello Gorgeous!

Here is Part 2 of the DIY Mask Series.  Last time I talked about a peachy, creamy mask to keep us glowing throughout the warm summer months.  Most of us have our best skin in the summer, but it's our winter skin that we tend to worry about.  For me, my skin can get dry, flaky, and dull from the cold, harsh weather.  And since we don't go outside as much, we get paler and our skin lacks that dewiness that naturally comes with summer.  Well this mask helps to combat all of the above with the added benefits of reducing scarring and acne.  This mask is easy, cheap, and 100% natural!

Green Tea, Honey, & Cider Vinegar Mask

You will need:


1 tsp apple cider vinegar (NOT WHITE)
2 tsp cooled green tea (3 if your skin is sensitive)
6 tsp sugar
1 tsp honey

Mix all of the ingredients together putting the honey in last.  Apply on to your clean face with your fingers and GENTLY rub in a circular motion for 1 minute.  Leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then rinse with warm water and pat dry.  Put on some moisturizer and that's it! :)

The benefits breakdown:

Apple Cider Vinegar - Contains alpha hydroxy and amino acids to gently break up dead skin cells.  Also has malic acid to break up scar tissue.  Vitamins A, C, & E  repair damaged skin cells.

Green Tea - Contains natural antioxidants the remove free radicals (the molecules responsible for aging and skin damage) from the skin.

Sugar - Acts as a natural exfoliant and the glycerin in it helps hydrate.

Honey - Honey is a natural acne treatment.  It is anti-inflammatory, redness reducing, and also helps the skin to retain moisture. It also makes the skin firmer which makes skin look younger.

This mask has worked wonders for me with it's anti-acne and hydrating properties.  It helps my skin to look fresh and dewy, even  in the cold winter months and has reduced some of my acne scarring.  I hope all of you can benefit from this article and I hope you love the mask as much as I do!  Let me know what you think below! :)

Love,
Aylissa

P.s.  Coming soon - one of my favorite makeup looks for spring!  Check back often for new articles!

DIY Masks to Keep Your Skin Beautiful Year-Round, Part 1

Hello Gorgeous!

What is something that is cheap, fun, and leaves you feeling refreshed and fabulous?  Face masks!  Using a face mask at least once a week has many benefits for your skin.  In general, they leave your skin feeling softer and with a more healthful appearance.  Sometimes we use them as a soothing indulgence, a treat, a break from our hectic lives.  Other times they have targeted application for things like anti-aging or acne, pore refinement, deep cleansing, moisturization, increased elasticity, and the list goes on and on.  What I would like to share with you today is one of two masks that I use year round to keep my skin healthy.

This one is great for spring and summer months.  It's called the Peaches and Cream mask.  Already sounds pretty and delicious, right?

                  Peaches and Cream Mask

What you need:

1 ripe peach
2-3 tbsp heavy cream

Some uncooked oatmeal (optional)

Mash peach with a fork into a bowl and add cream.  Mix well.  Add oatmeal (if you so desire) to the desired consistency.  Apply to face (or entire body if you like!) and leave on for 15 minutes.  Rinse well with warm water and pay skin dry.

This mask is great for the warm/hot months of the year.  Peaches are full of enzymes that naturally soften your skin and this part of the mask also leaves your skin smelling yummy. :)  During summer, since we're out in the sun a lot, our skin cells darken and die, sometimes leaving us with flaky, uneven skin.  The natural alpha-hydroxy acid in cream helps us to shed that old skin to reveal new, healthy skin.  This mask is pretty messy, and that brings me to the optional oatmeal.  You can add some oatmeal to make the mixture a little thicker and more manageable, and it only brings added benefits!  

Oatmeal has long been used by mothers to soothe their children's skin ailments such as chicken pox.  Also, we see oatmeal as an ingredient in many products for sensitive, dehydrated, or easily irritated skin.  This is because oatmeal naturally draws out impurities and deep cleans without drying or irritating the skin.  In this recipe, it also serves as an exfoliator.

So if you would like soft, rejuvenated, yummy-smelling skin, try this mask!  If you try or are going to try this mask, please let me know what you thought in the comment section below!  I hope you've enjoyed this post!

Love,

Aylissa

p.s. DIY Masks to Keep Your Skin Beautiful Year-Round, Part 2 coming soon so stay tuned! :)

H2O Plus Review

I would first like to start by saying that my skin is combination.  My forehead is oily, my cheeks are normal, and my chin and nose are extremely dry.  Also, I am not being paid for this review.  I bought every product I have by H20 Plus and these are my true thoughts.  I do feel like some of the products are a little pricey.

Starting left, going right… :)

1. H2O Plus Hydrating Booster - 0.85 fl oz - $30.00

Description: Time-released moisture supplement that rescues dehydrated skin. An advanced, oil-free, time-released moisture supplement that rescues dehydrated skin by boosting hydration 60% upon application. This hydrating skin saver amplifies the performance of any moisturizer by effectively priming the skin for maximum moisture absorption while preserving skin’s natural moisture barrier and smoothing fine lines. Our exclusive Sea Mineral Complex and phospholipids deliver Omegaplankton and hydrating marine extracts of wakame, sea fennel and sea lettuce to deliver moisture retention for up to 24 hours.

Review:  I love every H2O Plus product and this is no exception, but this particular product is one what I am not OVERLY impressed with.  With that said, it does /almost/ everything that it promises.  It does amplify the performance of the moisturizer I use (which is also H2O Plus) and make it last longer.  It also seems to prime the skin for your moisturizer.  It’s very moisturizing in itself and I use it after my cleanser and before my moisturizer.  All it takes is two dots to cover your face.  Then when I put my moisturizer on top, my face feels soft, smooth, and hydrated.  This product does prolong the effects of my moisturizer, so I would say that it maximizes moisture absorption.  However, it does not prevent me from having to apply moisturizer more than once in a 24 hour period.  Keep in mind that I have combination skin so this product may affect you differently.  Would recommend for those with dry skin.  But if you don’t have any dryness problems or if your moisturizer keeps you hydrated already, it’s not worth the money.

2. H2O Plus Sea Mineral Scrub - 4Fl Oz - $18.00

Description:  A mildly exfoliating, oil-free scrub to sweep away dead surface cells and dulling impurities with Carrageenan, Multivitamin Complex and Hydrating Marine Blend.

Review:  GREAT exfoliator.  It is gentle enough to use every time I shower (almost everyday) and it does what it says.  The round beads don’t irritate my skin but they take away dead skin cells and leave my skin feeling softer.  Would recommend for all skin types.*  Worth the money for sure!! *If your skin is sensitive, I would only use this a few times (3 or 4) per week.

3. H2O Plus Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment - 1.7 Oz - $34.00

(AKA Moisturizer!)

Description:  An oil-free gel that delivers deep hydration while diminishing the appearance of fine lines with phospholipids, multivitamin complex and moisturizing marine botanicals.  It rapidly plumps and restores depleted skin, helping to distribute vital daily moisture.

Review: I cannot say enough good things about this moisturizer.  It. Is. AMAZING!  Plain and simple.  It is by far the lightest, yet most hydrating moisturizer I have ever tried, and I have been through them all from drugstore brands to high end brands.  I love the fact that it is a gel.  It deeply hydrates and nourishes my entire face, especially my dry areas, without making my oily areas more oily.  It’s so nourishing that my redness goes away, my acne isn’t as bad, I NEVER have flaky skin anymore, and my face feels softer and firmer after every use.  I LOVE how my skin feels hydrated and spoiled.  This product is SO wonderful.  And p.s., it smells awesome! :)  I would recommend to EVERYONE, young or old, male or female.

4. H2O Plus Face Oasis Cleansing Water - 8.25 Fl Oz - $24.00

Description:  A water-light oil-free cleanser infused with hydrating marine algae to gently wash away impurities while softening skin with provitamin B, moisturizing marine botanicals and Sea Mineral Complex.  Its technologically advanced foaming liquid effectively breaks down make-up and dulling impurities without irritation, restoring skin’s natural radiance.

Review:  Once again, can’t say enough good things.  This cleanser is mild, yet powerful.  It is almost the consistency of water and the first time I ever pumped it into my hand, I thought that I had just wasted $24 on water.  I was SO wrong!  I was absolutely floored at how well it removed makeup and impurities and cleaned my face.  It completely melts even the thickest makeup (even MASCARA!!!!) away without a trace.  AND, it’s gentle.  It’s the first cleanser that hasn’t irritated my skin at all whatsoever.  It’s magic in a bottle. :)  Would recommend to everyone on the planet.

5. H2O Plus Sea Results Overnight Perfecting Peel - 1.3 Fl Oz - $34.00

Description: A gentle, oil-free liquid peel that helps to resurface the skin and reveal a healthy glow with glycolic and salicylic acids.

Review:  This is a pretty interesting product.  It does a lot of good stuff!  The salicylic acid controls my acne and has really cleared up my skin without drying or irritating it.  It also clarifies your skin tone and diminishes the appearance of fine lines.  I would also say that this products helps your skin regenerate better because it acts as a peel, removing dead and dying skin cells, paving the way for new, bright skin cells to come up, providing a more youthful, dewy appearance.  I would recommend this product to anyone looking for clearer skin, or for those looking for a product with anti-aging benefits.

6. H2O Plus Green Tea Antioxidant Face Complex - 1.7 Fl Oz - $35.00

Description: Soothing moisturizer that helps calm and protect sensitive skin from environmental exposure with Provitamin B, Multivitamin Complex and Triple Tea Complex.  Green tea soothes irritation and reduces blotchiness while strengthening skin’s natural defense barrier.

Review: I was actually disappointed with this product.  I have very sensitive skin and after using all of the products mentioned above, when this product came out, I was super excited because they advertised that it was “ideal for sensitive or delicate skin”.  It’s true what they say when they say, “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.”  For me this product did the opposite of what it promised.  It burned when I put it on, which made my skin redder, and it did not hydrate as well as the Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment.  In my humble opinion, the only thing this moisturizer has going for it is it comes in a fun package, and it smells great.  Otherwise, I would not recommend it.

7. H2O Plus Urban Defense Facial Cleansing Milk - 7.5 Fl Oz - $26.00

Description:  A gentle, calming cleanser for sensitive skin to neutralize irritants without drying with Oxysomes, Anti-Pollution System and Triple Tea Complex.

Review:  This is a great cleanser.  It is gentle and it cleans effectively.  It doesn’t dry you out or irritate your skin.  I don’t have anything negative to say about it, but I don’t love it enough to rave about it either.  It’s only adequate in comparison to the H2O Plus Cleansing Water.  I would recommend this product to anyone, but I’d recommend the Cleansing Water over it.

8. H2O Plus Eye Oasis Moisture Replenishing Treatment - 0.5  Fl Oz - $24.00

Description: A fast-absorbing, oil-free intensive hydrating treatment formulated to target the delicate eye area with phopholipids, multivitamin complex and moisturizing marine botanicals.

Review: This is a good eye-area product.  It does absorb fast, and it firms, soothes, and hydrates.  It feels really nice.  For me, it has made my dark circles much better.  Also, the amount you get in the tube may seem small for $24, but it does last a really long time because you don’t need much to cover the entire eye area.  I would recommend this to any ladies looking to firm up the eye area, or just for those looking for a soothing treat for your eyes. 

Well ladies, if you’re still with me, I hope you enjoyed, or at least can benefit from, this review.  I absolutely love H2O Plus products and I will never use any other skincare line for my face again.  I’m hooked!  I love how this company focuses on natural ingredients from the sea.  I also love how you don’t need much of the products to get the maximum effect, so even though the initial price is higher than drugstore brands, the quality is also higher and they last a long time.  I recommend H2O Plus products to anyone who is not satisfied with their current skincare regimen! :)  All future reviews will be much shorter, but I had a lot to cover! 

Shop H2O Plus here >>> http://www.h2oplus.com/