Silky Hair & Stylish Gear

Healthy hair and cute yet comfortable clothing and shoes are a continuous improvement battle in my life. I often buy things that just don't work so I tend to stick with products for a lifetime when I do find something that works 100%.

A big part of the battle is finding products that are actually effective for my hair type which is naturally very thick and wavy. I blow-dry my hair after washing to get the straight look that I typically rock on a daily basis. On top of being thick, it can be very frizzy in the Florida humidity so hot tools and hair serum are a necessity for me!

I shared my torturous hair drying routine two years ago in this post but since then it became significantly easier when I discovered the Revlon Hair Brush Dryer. Having explained my hair type, I have to say all three of these products provided to me by Influenster couldn't be more perfect!

I received a VoxBox of goodies from L'Oreal Paris' new Extraordinary Oil product line and I was immediately shocked they sent full size bottles. I was excited to try them but honestly a little hesitant because the name of these products led me to believe they have a very oily consistency. That was definitely not the case.

L'Oréal® Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner 

I'll start by saying that all of these products contain lightweight oils which are nourishing for dry or damaged hair but not noticeable. The shampoo lathers up so well which is great for thick hair and I love how the conditioner left my hair feeling super soft and silky. I will definitely purchase again!

L'Oréal® Lusturous Oil Serum

This serum has ultra-light oils and absorbs very quickly in my hair to fix the frizz without leaving an oily look. I absolutely love this serum and use it after blow-drying to soften and style my hair.

Outfit Details:

Off Shoulder Top (similar) * AEO Denim Skirt (similar)
Tory Burch Sunglasses * Kate Spade Glitter Stud Earrings
Alex & Ani Bangles  *  Tory Burch Thora Metallic Sandals 

L'Oreal Paris provided these products for review purposes via Influenster. This review is my true and honest opinion based on actual product use.

Summer Essentials

When I think of summer, I think of weekend days lounging by the pool and a few trips to the beach for some sun, sea and sand. Luckily I already have a few trips planned so I'm excited about that! With the weather almost being summer-like here, I have my favorite essentials ready to go.

Packed Beach Bag
I have a beach/pool bag that remains packed with some essentials all year round. Can I go to the pool or beach all year round? That would be a no. But why unpack everything when I can have my beach bag ready to grab and go for that one perfect weather day.

Here's what's in the bag:
* his and hers beach towels
* waterproof bluetooth speakers
*  SPF sunscreen
* SPF tanning oil spray
* Lip balm with SPF
* hand sanitizer
* small body spray
* small hair brush
* a fedora hat



Swim Suits & Cover-ups
Of course some good fitting swimsuits and cover-ups are needed and, from the name of my blog, you can probably tell I'm all about cute bikinis and just swim wear in general. PHAX Swimwear, a fashion focused swim/surf brand out of Colombia, contacted me about their brand hitting the shelves in the USA and asked if I would be interested in ordering some of their products. Of course I was interested!

I chose a beautiful jade-colored bikini to go with the Samburu cover-up from their Spring 2016 Ortulivo Beah Lookbook. I can tell that all of these pieces are great quality because of the super soft material. Their swim suits contain LYCRA fiber which helps the material to move and stay true to your shape to get that perfect fit.

PHAX is offering my readers a generous 30% discount at checkout with the coupon code: shopmartinisbikinis

 

What I really like about PHAX swim wear and clothing is that their product line is very fun and vibrant which is perfect for summer. Everything is also hand made (from cut to stitch to embroidery) so that's pretty impressive! I get nervous ordering swimwear and underwear online because you really need these things to fit perfectly for your body. Thankfully the sizes for the bikini top and bottom piece were perfect. The cover-up (pictured below in blue) I ordered a small but it runs more like a medium. The good thing is loose fitting cover-ups are comfortable so it doesn't need to be returned.

 

Sunglasses
I have a few pairs of sunglasses that I rotate depending on the outfit and occasion. My current favorite are these Michael Kors Aviators pictured below. They have purple mirror lenses which you can't really tell from the photo.



Hydration
Never leave home without some cold water or sparkling water bottles to stay hydrated and if you're looking for some spike in your refreshments, I'd definitely recommend Skinny Girl Cocktails. They are all light and refreshing but I happen to love the Mojito and  Cosmo cocktails.

Waterproof Flip Flops
I mean this goes without saying. Comfortable shoes in general are always needed throughout the year but when it comes to summer, cute flip flops are a must. My current lust are these beauties from Tory Burch which are also waterproof.

Activities & Fun
If you're heading to the beach or the pool some entertainment might be needed. This could be reading material or water/land activities and sports such as volleyball or racket ball. Whatever peaks your interest, make sure to pack it in your beach bag so you don't get bored.

What are your summer essentials?

The PHAX products were provided to me complimentary in return for my honest review of the products. All opinions stated above are honest and accurate based on my true experience.

Crabbie's Ginger Beer Cocktails

I've been on a serious Moscow Mule kick recently when we go out for dinner and drinks because they're so light and tasty. I decided to look up the recipe the other day and realized they're in fact super easy to make at home with just a few ingredients ~ ginger beer, lime and vodka.

I recently discovered Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer which comes in three different flavors ~ Spiced Orange, Scottish Raspberry and the Original Ginger Beer which all taste amazing. It's made with real ginger that's steeped for up to six weeks, then blended with exotic spices to create a unique and flavorful ginger beer. I immediately fell in love with these ginger beers because they're not too sweet and already contain 4.8% alcohol.

These are best served over ice with a slice of lime or lemon. I did a little sampling over the weekend and whipped up some seriously good cocktails with Crabbie's Ginger Beer to enjoy at home while we watched movies. They were so good I have to share!

Raspberry Dark & Stormy 

Ingredients:

1/2 oz dark rum
Crabbie's Raspberry Ginger Beer
Lime wedge

Glass full of ice

What To Do:

Combine the rum and ginger beer in a glass full of ice cubes, stir well and garnish with lime wedge.

Crabbie's Moscow Mule

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz. lime juice

1/2 oz. simple syrup
3-4 mint leaves
Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer

What To Do:
Crush the mint leaves gently in the bottom of your glass. Add the lime juice, simple syrup, and vodka along with some ice cubes. Then add a splash or two of Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer depending on your preference or taste. 

These products were provided to me complimentary in return for my honest review of the products. All opinions stated above are honest and accurate based on my true experience.

Skincare Essentials

I talked about my favorite facial products last year in this skincare review  and shared several tried and true products that have stayed in my rotation for many years. Since then, I've tried some new products although many remain the same. Here are my faves:

 I really like the Yes to Grapefruit Facial Wipes but will probably try the cucumber scent next purchase. I've been using the L'Oreal Go 360 Clean Facial Cleanser on a daily basis for a few years because I love how it softly exfoliates your skin to remove dirt or makeup so I won't be changing out this product anytime soon.

I use my Clarisonic Mia along with Philosophy's Purity Cleanser about once a week. Since I don't use the Mia very often, the battery dies very quickly so that can be frustrating when it dies half way through my cleaning routine. There are also cheaper options such as the Olay Advanced Cleansing System that do the job just as well (I've tried both).

I've been using Cetaphil's Gentle Antibacterial Cleansing Bar since high school and will probably never give it up. It's very gentle on your face and does a great job of cleaning and hydrating. K also likes how it works and uses it on a daily basis. The Murad Oil-Control Mattifier moisturizer is a new product recommended to me when I recently went to get a facial and expressed some disappointment with my skinny getting shiny throughout day. I only use it on my forehead (problem area) and use my regular Garnier Anti-Sun Damage Moisturizer on the rest of my face. It does it's job well at mattifying to prevent a shiny face.

 I don't use Tarte's Maracuja Oil daily but I like applying it at night after showering and cleaning my face thoroughly. Maracuja oil is a hydrating treatment that helps with anti-aging and makes your skin firmer, brighter and smoother (will not cause breakouts) so this is what I use to fight against wrinkles. Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover has been in my rotation for probably 15 years and I have never come across any product better so it will remain as one of my staple skincare products. It's VERY gentle on your eyes and not oily, it smells good and works really effectively so I only have good things to say about this makeup remover and definitely recommend it.

What are your tried and true facial products?

January Beauty Haul

I was finally in need of a good beauty haul from ULTA last month to repurchase some of my favorite basics and try a couple new items recommended by friends and my esthetician.

1  / 2  /  3  /  4  /  5  /  6  /  7  /  8

Repurchases:

I received a sample size of the Better Than Sex Mascara almost a year ago and it's just about to be done so I decided to get the full size since it's one of my favorite mascaras. I do still love the less expensive Maybelline Falsies Mascara for everyday wear so I mainly use the Better Than Sex Mascara for nighttime wear or special events such as weddings.

This is my third tube of Tarte Amazonian Foundation because I love the full coverage it provides and the variety of skin tones it caters for. I reviewed this foundation in greater detail here but if you're looking for full coverage, this foundation is on point.

I bought this same EcoTools Bamboo Brush Set about 5 years ago and although I cleaned my brushes often, I decided it was definitely time for a new set. I use the bronzer brush on a daily basis and the price tag is very affordable for such amazing quality brushes.

The Clarisonic Radiance Brush Heads are a self explanatory purchase but I did decide to go with the 'radiance' brush heads instead of the 'normal' this time around to see how they differ. I don't notice a huge difference but they are both soft and gentle on the skin which is ideal.

I used to buy expensive toners until I found the SO Totally Clean Facial Toner. The smell isn't harsh and it works just as effectively as the expensive toners except with a $5.99 price tag at Ulta.

NYX Butter Lip Glosses are a repeat purchase times a million. When you find the perfect texture lip gloss (not sticky) that comes in a variety of pretty colors and is 1/4 the price of expensive cosmetics it warrants a repeat purchase for life.

New:

The Murad Facial Moisturizer was recommended to me by my esthetician recently when I went for a facial. I expressed to her that my combination skin often results in a slightly shiny forehead later in the day yet the lower half of my face seems to be on the dry side. She recommended the Murad moisturizer because of it's matte finish for oily skin and I've noticed a remarkable difference.  

Essie Gel-Setter Nail Polish - The set includes a colored nail polish + a gel-setter top coat and no lamp is needed to set the polish. I chose the color Watermelon which is very pretty in person and I thought it would be perfect for Spring and Summer. Admittedly I haven't used this set yet because my nails are currently the shortest they've ever been so I'm working on growing them out before prettying them up.

Well, that was a mouth full of a post. If you made it this far, thanks for reading my reviews and feel free to share any of your favorite beauty products that are a must try!

2015 Amazon Purchases

I became an Amazon Prime member exactly a year ago and I don't think I could go any other way. The wide variety of things that I buy from Amazon plus two-day shipping makes the annual fee well worth it. And when I say wide variety, I mean I really purchase the most random things. Let's take a look (titles are clickable):

FYI: If you download the Amazon App you can get an instant $5 credit.

#Tweet Mug
I bought this mug for a white elephant gift exchange at work around Christmas last year. I figured it was office appropriate and well-suited since I work in the digital marketing department. 

Makeup Organizer
This is a space-saver compared to the organizer I had before and it fits all of my makeup beautifully. Blogger blame for this purchase goes to Biana from BLovedBoston.

Tan Towels
I used to use self-tanning lotions which can be a huge mess until Kerri recommended Tan Towels so these have been a major repeat purchase to keep a slight tan throughout the year.

Pink Flamingo Pool Float
I bought this pool floatie as a birthday gift for Kate since she has a pool in her backyard and was looking for something different from the norm.

Solar Garden Lights
Another really random purchase but we needed some lighting for the walkway in the front of my house and instead of venturing to Home Depot, I browsed online on Amazon and found exactly what I wanted with free shipping.

Doggie Dental Treats
Lola absolutely loves these and I try to give her a toothbrush treat once a week usually on the weekends. Of course I like the fact it's good for her gums and teeth.

iPhone Case
This case is more pretty than it is protective but I bought it anyways because I thought it would compliment my rose gold phone nicely. Well I somehow purchased the 6 Plus size when I actually own the regular size 6S phone so I ended up giving it away to a coworker but it was still a purchase nonetheless.

I ended up purchasing a more durable and protective sparkly iPhone case which is also clear so you can see through to the rose gold. I'm jealous it's now on sale for 54% off from what I initially paid.

Mac 'Flat Out Fabulous' Lipstick
This lip color is just gorgeous and lasts a long time because of it's matte texture. Just being able to buy good quality, name-brand cosmetics from Amazon Prime is so convenient.




Blog Planner
I bought this planner as a Christmas gift for myself and, admittedly I haven't used it to it's full potential as yet but it's certainly a good way to stay organized and plan your blog posts ahead.




What are your favorite products to purchase from Amazon?

Skinnygirl Cocktails

A surprise package showed up at my door from Skinnygirl® Tastemakers which included a water bottle, coasters, a cute wine stopper and a cocktail making book. I purchased the Skinnygirl White Cranberry Cosmo to enjoy over the weekend.

I liked the White Cranberry Cosmo but found it to be quite sweet for my liking even though it's very low on calories. The website describes the Cosmo as having hints of orange essence, subtle lime, berry fruit notes and cranberry. The taste is delicious but I personally don't drink sweet cocktails so it was a little much for me (I'm more of a dirty martini girl). If you like drinks on the sweeter side, then I'm sure you'll enjoy this Cosmo. 

I can't wait to try some of the new Skinnygirl® Vodkas they have out to make martinis such as The Bombshell recipe below.

Have you tried any of the Skinnygirl® alcoholic products?

Beers Worth Trying

I posted recently about some seasonal pumpkin beers I've tried recently. I know not everyone loves beer but K and I like trying different beers every weekend. I don't like heavy or dark beers so most of them are light and refreshing. This year I've also been on a major cider kick so here are some of my favorite beers and ciders that I've tried this year and loved:

 

Key West Southernmost Wheat

 

Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale



Angry Orchard Summer Honey Hard Cider

 

Magic Hat Stealin' Time

 

Forbidden Traveler Apple Ale

Florida Lager

Stella Artois Cidre

Shock Top Twisted Pretzel Wheat

Hop Nosh IPA

 What are your favorite beers or ciders so I can try them out?

Beauty Products Worth Trying

I'm always trying new products especially as a blogger who reads lots of reviews and gets tempted to try that new face wash or mascara. Some products are a staple that I've been using for over ten years while others come and go depending if it works for me or not. Here are some products that are in my current rotation.

1.  L'Oreal's Go 360 Clean, Deep Exfoliating Scrub: I love this face scrub and have been using it for about two years. The gentle beads work really well to fully clean your face without damaging your skin. Although I really like how it works, I was open to trying something new so I purchased Garnier's Clean + Balancing Daily Exfoliator which I think works equally well to gently wash and exfoliate your face at the end of the day to remove makeup and oil/dirt.

2. Cetaphil's Gentle Cleansing Bar has been in my rotation for over 10 years and I like to use it in the morning to wash my face before applying moisturizer and makeup to start the day. I know some people might be apprehensive because it is a bar of soap but it actually works really great to moisturize and balance out my combination skin. It doesn't dry out your skin like regular soap would do.

3. d.j.v. MIARAY Fiberwig Mascara: I just purchased this mascara a few weeks ago based on Sarah's recommendation and I think it works really well as a daytime mascara although I think it's equivalent to some more affordable drugstore brands such as Maybelline's Falsies. It doesn't cake up and gives a nice natural look which is great but it's not ideal for creating dramatic eyelashes for going out at night or to weddings etc.

4. The Body Shop's Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover: I've posted about this eye makeup remover before and it's been in my rotation for probably 15 years. I hate oil-based makeup removers that create a mess and leave your face feeling greasy. This one is the opposite to that. It's gentle as the name states and removes makeup quickly and leaves no residue. I've never found anything better so there's no need to try anything new.

5. Nyx Butter Gloss: I love this lip gloss and have it in 4 different colors. I'm not a fan of sticky glosses and this one is the perfect texture which provides shine while also moisturizing your lips. I've also repurchased the Eclair color a few times. It also helps that the price point is very affordable at only $5.

6.  Joico Color Endure Shampoo and Conditioner: This shampoo and conditioner was recommended to me by Kerri and I really like the smell and how it works for color treated hair (the red bottles are specifically for blondes to prevent brassiness). It's still fairly new to me but so far I'm really liking how it works and leaves my hair feeling silky, smelling good and is helping my brassiness go away.

7. Yes To Grapefruit Rejuvenating Facial Wipes: I've probably tried every brand of facial wipes and never found a favorite.  They've all been mediocre but I love the smell of the Grapefruit Yes To wipes and how it works to clean your face without leaving any residue. So far these wipes are probably my favorite.



8. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer: I purchased this moisturizer a few months ago based on Kay's recommendation. I had been using an Oil of Olay face moisturizer for almost 10 years and was ready to try something new. Immediately I preferred the smell and consistency of the Garnier moisturizer compared to Oil of Olay. The lotion is thicker so I feel it provides better coverage while also being very moisturizing and providing daily SPF.

What are some of your favorite hair/skin/beauty products that have been in your rotation?