Tag Archives: beauty

May25

May 2019 Finishes

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May 2019 Finishes

Hellooo! May is drawing to a close and June is coming in hot, which means that very soon I’ll be turning twenty-five. UGH! So with another month and another year in my book coming to an end, it’s about that time to discuss our finishes for May. This month, I actually completed a lot of products so we have much to discuss. Let’s get to it!

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Would I Use Again?

  • Solmo Shea Butter & Oatmeal body wash: MAYBE
  • The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit shower gel: YES
  • Garnier Micellar Water: YES
  • The Body Shop Satsuma scrub: YES
  • The Body Shop Cocoa Butter lotion: NO
  • SkinLab Detox Cloud moisturizer: YES
  • The Body Shop Oils Of Life serum: YES

Why/Why Not?

Solmo Body Wash: I believe that my mom ordered this product off of Amazon and it was fine. It wasn’t the best body wash I’ve ever used but it wasn’t the worst. I have one more bottle left to use but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t looking forward to trying something else with a more invigorating scent. However, this Solmo wash leaves my skin feeling really moisturized and it lathers well. It took me one month to finish one bottle.

TBS Shower Gel: I love, love, loved the Pink Grapefruit shower gel by The Body Shop and it took me over two months to finish the bottle. The scent was citrusy and rejuvenating, it lathered well, and it didn’t dry my skin out even though it was a gel. I’m normally not the biggest fan of the Pink Grapefruit scent from TBS for lotion but it worked great for a shower gel and I would definitely use it again.

Garnier Micellar Water: You know the drill. I will continue using this product until I find something else. And, as per ushe, it takes me one month to finish one bottle.

TBS Scrub: And, also as per ushe, I would use the Satsuma scrub from The Body Shop again too! This is one of my favorite products from TBS. It smells amazing, gives me a close shave, and leaves my skin feeling bright and clean. And, as always, I get at least seven full body uses from one bottle.

TBS Lotion: Although the Cocoa Butter from The Body Shop is easily one of my favorite scents, I have a bone to pick with this lotion. The bottle was absolutely impossible to squeeze, making it so hard to get any product out. I had to leave the bottle upside down and then unscrew the cap to use it. But, then, the lotion would come pouring out giving me way too much and getting on everything. So, I definitely won’t be using this one again even though I liked the lotion. I got about six full body uses from one bottle.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I LOVED this moisturizer that I found at TJMaxx. It sat well under makeup, was inexpensive, lightweight, and it left my skin feeling so hydrated. A little bit of the cream went a long way and it took me over a month to finish the jar. Hoping that I can find another one on my next shopping trip!

TBS Serum: Like all of The Body Shop products on here, I got the Oils Of Life serum from TJMaxx, too. It takes me over two months to finish one bottle and I can really tell a difference on my skin when I’m using it. It looks and feels so much more supple and radiant and that’s cool, because I normally never notice any differences on my skin when using a product. Despite the oil being rich, it sits really well under makeup and I am so happy I bought two bottles so I can continue using it.

Overall, May was a great month for finishes. I got to use a lot of products from The Body Shop which was a treat and I would gladly use almost all of them again. Great success!

Which products did you finish up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the above products if you used them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May19

Lil Red’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom: Too Faced Melted Matte In Queen B Edition

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Lil Red’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom: Too Faced Melted Matte In Queen B Edition

Helloooo! Have any of you ever had a beauty product that you were pretty excited about but just never bothered using? Lol, because that’s what definitely happened with the Sephora freebie I got of Too Faced’s Melted Matte lip paint. I got the shade in Queen B FO FREE with a twenty-five dollar online purchase and I thought that the deep mauve shade was pretty but it also is a color that I wouldn’t normally wear so it just sat unused in my makeup box until May 15th, 2019.

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On that fateful day, I was wearing a turquoise spaghetti strap top, denim shorts, black mini platforms, and a jean jacket. I thought that the above shade would look so good with the various blue hues that I had in my OOTD so I put some on, threw the tube of lippie in my bag, and headed out the door.

I was right, of course, because the lipstick looked divine. And, like anyone, I was expecting to have to reapply after working, eating lunch, and kissing my boyfriend. But… I didn’t? I was blown away! This lip paint literally didn’t budge. So, I continued on with my day which included eating Indian food and more kissing my boyfriend. AND IT STILL STAYED ON! It looked like I had just applied it and, at that point, I had had the color on for at least ten hours.

HOW DOES THAT EVEN HAPPEN?!
HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!
WHY HAS IT TAKEN ME ALMOST A YEAR TO USE THIS LIPPIE?!
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK ON I HAVE NO IDEA!

But, seriously though. How is that even possible? This is why I have to award the Too Faced Melted Matte lip paint with the Lil Red Presidential Medal Of Freedom. For withstanding Indian food, PDA, and a day on the job without so much as budging. I thank you for your commendable service and cannot recommend this product enough! 😀

What is your favorite product by Too Faced? Do you have any products that have been sitting unused in your stash? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May8

Lanoline Eye Serum: Do Not Use!

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Lanoline Eye Serum: Do Not Use!

Hellooo everyone! I feel like all of you know by now that when I start using a beauty product, I stick to it and finish it off until the bitter end – even if I’m not crazy about it. But, for this particular eye serum by Lanoline that I have been using, I just had to put my foot down and stop using it. It is the literal WORST and it would behoove all of you to not even consider using it on the delicate skin around your eyes. Smdh.

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I purchased this serum from TJMaxx back in January but didn’t begin using it until mid March or so. I can recall using it for the first time and it stung so badly. However, I was in the midst of seasonal allergies at the time, so I credited that sensation to my itchy eyes. So, I continued using the serum and assumed that my eyes would feel better soon. But, once my allergies subsided, I was still experiencing such dryness after each use with the serum that I would have to take my one a day contacts out and swap them for a new pair.

Although this serum was giving me grief, I tried to continue using it like an idiot. But, once I realized how low I was running on my contacts supply that should last me six months, I gave up that ghost. There was nothing soothing about this serum, despite what its packaging says, and it left my eye area stinging and feeling tight all day.

I am currently using an eye cream by Mokita now and could notice a difference in how my eyes felt after just one use. After this disappointing run with the Lanoline serum, I would never use any of their products again and, at the very least, I would tell all of you to not buy this serum even if it was the last one on earth!

What is a beauty product that you would never recommend? What type of eye serum or cream do you use? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

New Red & Orange Nails

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New Red & Orange Nails

Hi! I had a lovely morning of pampering earlier in the week. It was so nice! I got my hair cut first and then I headed off to Elysian Nails to get a much needed fill. I had the cutest nail tech named Kim fix up the talons and she was an absolute doll. AND she did an amazing job so I can’t wait to go back to her next month. Check out these fiery beauties she fixed up perfect for summer time:

nails

These nails are an absolute fiesta and I am so obsessed! After doing a sweet pink and gold for spring, I needed something with a pop and the only answer was a bright red to go with the promises of eighty degree weather in Ohio. These nails make me feel so saucy and they look really fun and sunny. Now all I need is a beach and a Margarita to go with these babies and I’m all set!

What color of polish do you have on? What are your favorite colors to sport in the summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr30

Lil Sephora Haul

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Lil Sephora Haul

Helloooo everyone! Within the past year or so, I have become absolutely addicted with shopping Sephora. Can you believe that there was a point in my life when I didn’t understand why people were so obsessed with it?! I used to think that it was so overpriced but, if you know how to shop their deals online, then you literally make out like a bandit with tons of free goodies and promotions.

Whenever I need a reup on my beloved Better Than Sex mascara, I always turn to Sephora’s website so that I can get some free swag with the things that I needed to purchase anyways. In my most recent haul, I grabbed two more BTS mascaras, my favorite highlighter in Sephora’s Golden Hour collection in Dusk, and three freebies. Take a look:

sephora

The Haul:

  • 2 Better Than Sex mascaras by Too Faced
  • Golden Hour collection highlighter in Dusk by Sephora
  • Laura Mercier lipstick in Classic Red – FREE!
  • Daisy by Marc Jacobs perfume sample – FREE!
  • Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser sample – FREE!

Although I do love shopping Sephora online, it is sometimes disappointing to receive your package and see that the samples that you ordered were replaced with different ones. I originally chose a face mask and serum sample as my two freebies and got the perfume and cleanser, instead, most likely because the two I wanted were out of stock. It’s fine, but I’m not really a perfume girl and I can never tell if I like a cleanser by just one sample use. This has actually happened the past several times I ordered with Sephora and, believe me, I’m not mad about it. It’s just more annoying than anything.

Another unfortunate instance with this order was that the box for one of my mascaras was completely un-intact, which is a little disconcerting with makeup. I’m not worried about it, but it’s just not a good look to open your box and see one of the rather expensive mascara tubes just hanging out in there instead of in its package. Normally, Sephora’s packaging is on point and this was easily the worst overall order I’ve had since shopping with them.

Despite the hiccups with my freebie samples and the poor packaging, I am excited to try the Classic Red lipstick shade by Laura Mercier, which I got for free with a twenty-five dollar purchase. Be on the lookout for a swatch post for that soon. And, here’s to a better unboxing experience next time!

What is your favorite store to purchase makeup from? Which store offers the best freebies or rewards programs? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr29

April 2019 Finishes

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April 2019 Finishes

Hi! Another fun filled month has passed by on lifewithlilred with a lot of exciting stuff that has happened – namely my big move into my apartment. I thank all of you for being so supportive and offering me advice and encouragement, it has been so appreciated! I really have the best readers in the world. And, with the end of another month comes our usual empties post, so it’s time to go over the measly amount of beauty products that I finished up in April. Take a look and let’s discuss:

april

Would I Use Again?

  • Travel size lotions: MAYBE
  • The Body Shop Nutriganics eye cream: YES

Why/Why Not?

Mini Lotions: In my bath and body care hoard, I have an obscene amount of lotions that have been gifted to me or were freebies including the two above by CeraVe and Eufora. Both of these lotions absorbed quickly without being greasy and, because the CeraVe one was for babies, it was especially gentle which was nice after shaving. I wouldn’t go out of my way to by either of them again but I would use them if given the option.

TBS Eye Cream: We all know that I love me my Nutriganics eye cream and, sadly, it has been discontinued by The Body Shop. I am so upset about this because I’ve been using this cream for what feels like the past decade and the one that I bought from TJMaxx by Lanoline just isn’t cutting it. The Nutriganics eye cream was seriously the best. It was so gentle on the sensitive skin around the eyes but it was effective and sat well under makeup. I wish I could buy a ton in bulk so that I can continue my skin care journey with it, but it looks like that isn’t going to happen. Le sigh. 😦

April was a very underwhelming month for finishes and saying goodbye to an old beauty product companion is never easy. So, here’s to hoping for some fun products to discuss in May that won’t be discontinued in the near future! 😉

Which eye cream do you recommend? What is one of your favorite products that has been discontinued? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr27

Photo Shoot Fun

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Photo Shoot Fun

Hi hi! As I sit in *my* apartment – my apartment! Ahh! I have been able to review the pictures that my friend, Markus, took of me a few weeks ago while enjoying my first cup of coffee from my handy dandy Keurig machine compliments of my mom and dad. You might remember my Life On The Edge OOTD from a couple of weeks ago that featured pictures from the shoot and now I have more to share with you. And, be sure to tune in tomorrow for even more shots of yours truly! Check it out:

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A few of these pictures were taken for Markus’s photography project at Tri-C, which just so happens to be my alma mater. And, then, he was kind enough to take some shots of me specifically for lifewithlilred. For the project, he had to shoot three different looks. One for a business, an emotional one, and one for beauty. And, he had to use lighting to express each one. I’m sure you can guess which ones were for the business style pictures! I’m actually really happy about those, because I’d like to make a webpage at some point for my work as a provider so they will be perfect for that endeavor.

I am so in love with the more blog related photos (And all of them, for that matter!). I especially like the one with the really dark red background because it reminds me so much of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which is one of my favorite series. The photos with the lighter pink background are just pure bubblegum fun and I had a blast creating these outfits and hanging out with Markus for the afternoon to get them done! Stop by for more tomorrow! 😀

What is your favorite hobby? How do you make time to practice your craft? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr10

Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

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Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Hi hi hi everyone! This past weekend, I enjoyed hanging out with my dear friend, Markus. He is actually my sister’s boss and has taken up a photography hobby a few years ago. So, when he contacted me to see if I could help him with a project for school, I was all for it. For this project, he had to use lighting to create a look for a business, beauty, and emotional style outfit. He also was able to work in some time to take some pictures for lifewithlilred!

I enjoyed working with Markus so much and it was such a delight to see how much he has improved since he began his photography journey. The featured image photo and the one below is a little sneak peek for all of my darlings. And, be on the lookout for an OOTD post coming soon!

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What is your favorite hobby? How do you make time to practice your craft? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr7

New Light Pink & Gold Glitter Nails

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New Light Pink & Gold Glitter Nails

Hellooo everyone! This past week, I treated myself to a new set of acrylics. The ones that I had been wearing for over a half a year or so were getting pretty flimsy and it feels so good to have some nice, sturdy new nails again. And, did I mention that they’re pretty?! I went with a springy color palette and am in love with the soft pink and shock of glitter that I chose. Check it out:

nails

I recently painted one of my client’s nails with a pale pink similar to the color that I went with and I was obsessed. So, I decided that that shade definitely had to be used once I was able to get my nails done. Light pink is so lovely for spring and it reminds me of one of my favorite flowers – pink hyacinths! The gold accent nail compliments it nicely, too, and is reminiscent of golden foil wrapped chocolate eggs for Easter. 😀

And, as always, Elysian Nails did a wonderful job with my talons. I honestly can’t believe I ever went to a different salon, because this one is the real deal. Amazing techs, gorgeous set up, and fair prices – it can’t be beat and I am so happy to have finally found a salon that I love!

What color of polish do you have on right now? What is your favorite spring flower? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar27

March 2019 Finishes

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March 2019 Finishes

Hiiii! With yet another month of 2019 drawing to a close, it is time to discuss the beauty finishes that I had for March. This month, I finished up a lot of travel sized products, as well as a new and old favorite. Sadly, the new favorite is from TJMaxx and I don’t know if I will ever see it again. So, if any of you have some intel on where I can get it, please leave me a comment! Take a look and let’s discuss:

march

Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

IGK Leave In Conditioner: I sampled this product from a Sephora Play! box that I got over the summer and, within the week or so of using it, I realized that I couldn’t live without it. The Mistress balm by IGK leaves my hair feeling nourished and healthy while looking so shiny and I use it every single day. It sinks completely into your hair, which makes it feel touchable and easy to manage without any stickiness. And, one tube lasted me about six months, making the twenty-nine dollar price tag well worth it.

Evoluderm Micellar Water: I never understood the big deal that French people made over micellar water, until I tried French micellar water. This product by Evoluderm was simply life changing! It somehow felt thicker than the water I normally use by Garnier, if that makes any sense. But, it hydrated my skin so well and it made for such easy makeup removal without scrubbing. The month that I had with this micellar water was not long enough so if anyone knows where I can get more, then PLEASE let me know!

Essano Micellar Water: I was out of micellar water after my Evoluderm success and my dear sweet mother picked this travel sized bottle up for me at TJMaxx, as it was the only micellar water they had. It definitely wasn’t as good as the previous product but it was okay. It took me a little over two weeks to finish the bottle.

Travel Size Lotion: As per ushe, I enjoyed my B&BW lotions and the random Hempz freebie that I had, too. I got a full body and a half use out of each bottle and all of them were so nice to put on post leg shaving. I wasn’t too fond of the B&BW scents of Magic In The Air and Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte, but the Hempz Pomegranate smelled really good. 😀

Danielle LaRoche Moisturizer: This product took me over a month to finish and I liked it a lot. I am a fan of any skin care with gold in it, which made the Danielle LaRoche moisturizer an obvious choice when I was picking it out. I would use it again in a heartbeat, because it was really moisturizing without being too heavy and it sat well under my makeup. It smelled so rich and creamy, too, which I love!

March was a very successful month for all of my finishes and I would happily use all of them again. It felt good to clear out some clutter by finishing up my travel sized products and I love when I can finish up something that I’ve been using for a while, like my IGK hair balm. 10/10 would recommend all of these products.

Have you used any of the beauty care items seen above? What were your thoughts on them? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah