Summer Travel Gear + Giveaway!

I always love reading about other's Amazon purchases and sharing my own especially when I find cool new products or great deals worth sharing. Many of these purchases were in preparation for our Europe travels but all still handy for everyday use.

Let Your Smile Shine + Giveaway

Being a routine-oriented person, I have a regimen when it comes to skincare, dental hygiene and my overall health. I've talked about skincare several times here on Martinis & Bikinis along with the "forever" products I use but never really got into teeth talk.

Beauty Faves - Always a Repurchase

From nails to hair, these are a few of my favorite beauty products that are always on repeat.

Recent Amazon Purchases

Of course Amazon is my go-to for all things household related along with gifts, party supplies, and everything in between. These are a few things I've purchased for myself recently, mainly for upcoming travel adventures and the warmer months ahead.

Favorite Beauty Products

Happy Friday!

Can you believe we're only a week away from the start of February? Selfishly, I'm almost happy January is coming to an end because it seems like I was sick for the whole month with one thing or another.

Friday Fashion Files - Rogue & Vogue

My fashion posts are few and far between these days but I wanted to mix in some cute outfit ideas with L'Oréal's new Signature lip colors I received from Influenster.

CoverGirl's TruBlend Matte Foundation & Skim Primer

I love receiving beauty products that actually work for my skin so I can do a rave review after testing for a few weeks and then have the products to use until they run out and I repurchase.

New Beauty Voxbox from Target

Another great VoxBox was received from Influenster a few weeks ago filled with some new beauty goodies from Target, which I've been testing and I'm excited to share my thoughts on.

Blackhead Suction Device

I stumbled upon this "Pore Vacuum Cleaner" on Amazon and I'm so glad I decided to purchase it. Costing only $27, it's a steal of a deal and works wonders.

Weekending + March TBB Asks Beauty Edition

Hello Monday...you're not my favorite day but I embrace a new week with lots on the agenda. Most of the weekend was spent relaxing at home with a little adventure out and about on Sunday.

Recent Amazon Purchases - Vol. 3

As much as I want to say the convenience of my Amazon Prime membership will be the death of me/my bank account, that couldn't be furthest from the truth. It's actually a lifesaver (and often a money-saver) despite the occasional impulse purchases.

Friday's Fave - The "Coolest" Thing in Skincare

I've never tried a tightening gel or firming treatment of any kind so Kate Somerville's Tight'N Cryogenic Tightening Gel couldn't have come at a better time as I approach my mid-30s and the fine lines have started to appear around my eyes and forehead area.

Sephora Black Friday Sale

Believe it or not, I've never braved the crowds of Black Friday shopping. I usually shop on Cyber Monday if there's anything I really need that's on major sale. This year my mom and sister want to see what Black Friday shopping is all about. While we're not going out in the middle of the night for big ticket items, we have some smaller stores on our list to checkout during the day.

Friday Faves

This week felt like it just dragged onnnnn and my job is by no means boring so I can't explain it but I'm so happy it's Friday and the weekend is near!

Let's get rocking and rolling with some faves from this week.

Summer Beauty Lusts

 

The summer heat in Florida is no joke! During the day we're at boiling temps and then the rain comes crashing down in the late afternoon leaving us with the worst humidity. Definitely not ideal for good hair days or keeping your makeup intact.

I went to ULTA yesterday to pick up some basic beauty essentials - Yes To facial towelettes, a makeup blending sponge, and my go-to Maybelline Falsies mascara for everyday wear.

Smile Brilliant Teeth Whitening Review + Giveaway

I've tried several different home teeth whitening products over the years that I've liked to varying degrees. None that I can say I loved or had remarkable results. The problem with me is that I've never made teeth whitening a priority in my routine which has left my teeth looking stained and quite dull from coffee, wine, etc. Having very sensitive teeth also limits my options or at least makes me wary of many of the whitening products that don't have a desensitizing factor.

Interesting Finds: Skincare Edition

Happy Friday lovelies!
After last weekend I was feeling so relaxed and ready for the week until I was hit with a migraine, cold sweats. and sore throat on Wednesday just in time for my work's client event which I've been planning for months now. I pulled through but have been home in quarantine since.

I started doing "Interesting Finds" posts a few weeks ago and I've been really enjoying finding new and unique products in different categories so I'm rolling with it as a Friday series moving forward. Feel free to join me sharing your interesting finds. 

Last Call For a Beauty Haul

Happy Friday friends!

Beauty products have been on my mind lately and Spring is the best season because it brings brighter colors for clothes, accessories, and makeup. Even though I live in Florida - "the land of no real seasons" - different skincare products are needed to deal with the temperature changes and brighter lip colors are always fun.

Today I'm sharing some new products I've stumbled upon along with my tried & true products that are permanently in my beauty/skincare routine.

(The Ulta/Sephora Beauty Giveaway is at the end of this post)

New to Me

I'm so intrigued by the new Bliss Correcting Sticks to even out different tones whether it may be blemishes, redness, or discoloration. They supposedly help soothe your skin before applying tinted moisturizer or foundation. Since I have pink undertones, redness is my main concern.

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Yellow Corrector - Neutralizes redness

Peach Corrector - Corrects darkness and discoloration

Green Corrector - Camouflages redness and covers blemishes
Lavender Corrector - Counteracts dullness and brightens skin

Current Beauty Lusts

Tried & True Beauty Faves

I've mentioned these products before, if not several times, when I share my skincare routine and favorite makeup products.

Tarte Foundation  /  Miracle Complexion Sponge  /  Better Than Sex Mascara

EcoTools Brush Set  /  Gimme Brow Fiber Gel  /  NYX Butter Gloss

Mattifying Oil Free Moisturizer  /  So Totally Clean Deep Pore Toner

Last call for a beauty haul!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spring Beauty Giveaway

I've teamed up with some other lovely ladies/bloggers to gift one lucky person a $75 Sephora or Ulta gift card --winner's choice! Along with some of Emelia's tried and true favorite products including a GlamGlow mask, BECCA Highlighter and more.

The Giveaway Gals:

Emelia  Lindsay  Ashley 

Kate  Macy  Emily  

Kerri   Nikki  Chelsea

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway ends Sunday April 2, so be sure to check back on the blog next week to see if you're the winner!

Good luck!

Finding Balance for Your Skin Type

Has anyone tried Ole Henriksen products before? This skincare line was completely new to me so I was excited when I received 3 full-size products in the mail to test out. 

Although I have my tried and true favorites when it comes to skincare and hair products, I'm always keen on trying out new and possibly better products especially as ingredients become more organic or refined.

The Ole Henriksen Balance product line is specifically formulated for oily or combination skin so you can get that glow without the icky shine from oil-prone skin. The face moisturizer is particularly unique because it hydrates and mattifies at the same time.

I incorporated these three products into my AM/PM skincare routine over the past couple weeks with no breakouts, no redness, just healthier looking skin. The smell isn't my favorite but I think the natural ingredients keep it from being too fragrant plus these products contain no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

Key Ingredients

 Green tea, eucalyptus, algae (kelp) and Irish moss: extracts contain natural antiseptic properties which help to absorb excess oil and refine pores.

Salicylic acid + glycolic & lactic acids: help lift and loosen dead skin cells that clog pores.

Neem seed oil: a legendary ingredient in Ayurveda.

Rosehip fruit extract: helps reduce oil production and fights shine while minimizing the appearance of pores (only found in the face hydrator/moisturizer).

Oil Control Toner
A gentle astringent that removes oil and refines pores—without stripping your skin.

Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser
Deeply cleanses and purifies pores reducing excess oil.

Counter Balance Oil Control Hydrator
Hydrates, controls oil, mattifies and reduces the appearance of pores.

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions expressed in this post are true and honest based on testing out the products over a period of time.