Tag Archives: recommendations

Face Mask Festivities: Sephora’s The Bubble Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Sephora’s The Bubble Mask Edition

Hi! There is nothing that Lil Red loves more than when I can apply a face mask during my free time in the evening. During my last Sephora haul, I purchased a bubble sheet mask to help me get over the fifty dollar free shipping threshold. The baby blue packaging and the description all looked and sounded so nice and I am happy I bought it because it WAS nice! Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Alright, let’s start off this post by saying that sheet face masks are, admittedly, extremely creepy. The creepier part? I had the intention of putting this face mask on all day and was looking forward to it at work. So, naturally, I had to apply the mask anyways while my boyfriend and I were watching Hannibal. There is something about wearing a sheet mask while watching a show about Hannibal Lector that seems so wrong and we were in stitches when I walked out of the bathroom with the mask on my face. But, hey, limited free time means pampering oneself while… one can? Lol!

Despite feeling like a total CREEPER, Sephora’s Bubble Mask was amazing! As soon as I put it on, I could feel the bubbling effect begin to take place. And, within minutes, my face was being treated with luscious, sudsy bubbles popping and fizzing away. This mask was refreshing and it was so cool to feel it actually working instead of just sitting there like a clay mask.

My only qualm with this product is that the sheet mask was SO saturated with the treatment that it would slide down my face. This was not great because the liquid would get in my eyes and it burned. In fact, I couldn’t even leave the mask on for the full fifteen minutes, as much as I would have liked to, because it hurt too bad. Had this not been a problem, I honestly would have rated this mask with a ten out of ten.

Although there was the problem with the eye irritation, I cannot even tell you how shocked I was with the results once I removed the mask. My skin looked SO fresh, it was almost as if I spent all day getting beauty sleep instead of working. It looked radiant and bright and I definitely plan on purchasing it again if I need a little extra something to get me free shipping when I shop online with Sephora. But, next time? No watching Hannibal during my relaxation time! 😀

Do you prefer sheet or traditional face masks? What is your favorite face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath Bomb Blitz: Da Bomb Galaxy Bomb Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Da Bomb Galaxy Bomb Edition

Hello! For my twenty-sixth birthday, my bestie treated me to some bath and body care goodies including a salt soak, bath bomb, and face mask. This past week, after my long day at work, I returned home to an empty apartment because my boyfriend was at band practice. So, I figured it was the perfect time to treat myself to a nice, cold bath.

Yes, I did say cold! Lol, it has been hot, hot, hot in Ohio. Therefore, it is simply unbearable in my apartment and cold showers and, now baths, have become the norm. It’s funny, because just as one sinks into the steamy bath water, I did the same in the cold and it still felt just as good! The bath bomb just added to the ambiance! Haha, check it out:

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Despite being labeled as “Fun Size” on the packaging, this Galaxy Bomb by Da Bomb (Love that name!) packed a huge punch. In under two minutes, my bath water achieved the inky black hue that I love so very much. The amber scent, which I am normally not a fan of, somehow added a touch of warmth into the cold water and taking an evening soak turned out to be one of my biggest treats of the week.

My best friend, Lea, knows me so well. Obviously, I love bath bombs. But, she always knows how to incorporate my favorite color of black into everything, which made it an ideal fun sized surprise. Speaking of surprises, a small prize was added into each bath bomb and I fished out a tiny golden shield from the water after the bath bomb fizzed out. It still smells like amber! 😀

Da Bomb is a company formed by two sisters and I have never heard of it before. But, this bath bomb was definitely one of the better non-Lush ones that I have used and I would recommend it! Overall, I rate this bath bomb with a: six out of ten stars and was really impressed with the color and scent of my bath water. Thanks, Lea! ❤

What is your favorite bath and body care brand? Do you prefer hot or cold showers? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Tooth Glow Gem Kit Review

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Tooth Glow Gem Kit Review

Hello! A year or so ago, my cousin applied tooth gems to my pearly whites during a visit to her salon in Pittsburgh. Within a few weeks, one of the two gems fell off. The other one, however, managed to stay on until just about a month or so ago. I absolutely adored my tooth gems and I missed my smile without them so I purchased a few Swarovski crystal kits off of a site called Tooth Glow.

The crystals I picked out were lovely, light pink and a multi colored opal and the application process looked promising, so I was very eager to get my package in the mail. After what seemed like an eternity (AKA over three weeks, lol.), my Tooth Glow kits arrived and I applied them the same night.

Bear in mind, there was still bonding on my teeth when I took the selfie – it looks a lot better now, I swear:

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The application process for the tooth gems was really easy. First, I put some petroleum jelly on wax paper and used it to stick a gem to a cotton swab. After that, I mixed up a bonding type of concoction that looked similar to what braces are applied with. Then, I brushed the spot I wanted bedazzled on my tooth heavily with the bonding agent.

Once the bonding was on, it was essential to move quickly and get the gem on before it dried. This was a little stressful and I failed the first time. But, I succeeded the second and third time around and I am really pleased with the outcome! It’s nice to have some sparkly bling back in my smile and I would recommend the Tooth Glow kits, easily.

One tiny qualm, though. I was only given one packet of the bonding agent when I bought two gem kits. I’m a little peeved about that but it is still a purchase that I’m glad I made!

Have you been successful at doing DIY salon treatments? Or not so much? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

What Have I Been Watching? Pt. 2

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What Have I Been Watching? Pt. 2

Hello!!! Although the stay at home order in Ohio is gradually being lifted, Johnny and I are still not comfortable yet diving into normal society. So, until we feel safe to enjoy the community again, we are okay with continuing our constant state of vegging out at home. On a previous post, I broke down all of the television and movies that are keeping my boyfriend and I sane…

Can you believe that a few weeks after posting that article, we’re already done with all of the shows that I mentioned?! Now, we’re onto the following:

SuperStore:

Johnny began watching this comedy based in a Walmart style store a couple of weeks ago and, originally, I didn’t care for it. Season one was weak and it took me a while for all of the different characters to rub off on me. When I finally started enjoying the show about halfway through season two, I did a complete 180 and now I am obsessed.

Superstore is the first thing I recommend when Johnny asks me what I want to watch. There are a few bigger names in the cast but I have not heard of a majority of the actors in it, which is kind of fun. From coworker relationships to goofy antics throughout the store, this show has kept me in stitches ever since I realized I liked it!

LEGO Masters:

I have definitely posted about LEGO Masters before but I wanted to mention it again, because it is that fun. Hosted by Will Arnett and judged by two master builders from LEGO, this is a fast paced competition show where teams of two create masterpieces out of the beloved children’s toy.

LEGO Masters follows your standard competition style protocol with eliminations and different challenges, each episode more exciting and difficult than the next. The artistic ability of every single contestant on the show was just amazing and I am crossing my fingers for a season two.

The Pacific:

My boyfriend is a huge history buff and you can often catch him at home watching different documentaries and TV shows about the subject. Earlier in quarantine, we watched Band Of Brothers, which depicted the soldiers fighting in the Easy Company division in WWII.

Now, we are watching The Pacific. Still WWII, but the soldiers being depicted are now fighting the Japanese soldiers in famous battles like Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Believe me, the show is intense. But, omg is it interesting. I can’t say that I am as big of a war genre lover as my boyfriend. However, an episode or two of a series per day is something that I can handle and I have been enjoying dipping my toes in the water with that.

America’s Next Top Model:

Lol, this is certainly not one of Johnny’s shows but it is one of mine! I have been dedicated to rewatching ANTM since all of the seasons got put on Hulu and revel in when Johnny ends up taking a nap so I can put on a few episodes without him complaining! Cheesy, corny, guilty pleasure TV? Absolutely. But I couldn’t stop watching Tyra Banks and that big beautiful forehead if I tried! ❤

These are just a few of the shows that have been keeping my boyfriend and I entertained in quarantine. How about yours? What are you currently or have recently been binging on? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Lil Red’s Book Club: Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep Edition

Hello! Before Ohio’s stay at home order was put in place, I took my brother to the library to get some books. I ended up picking out Doctor Sleep by Stephen King for myself and, since all of the libraries are closed, it has been sitting in my apartment this whole time. So I read it. And, let me tell you, I am so glad I did because it was EXCELLENT! Let’s get started:

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Doctor Sleep is the sequel to The Shining, which follows the infamous Jack Torrence’s son, Dan. Despite constantly being drunk, Dan still shines and every once in a while, he gets contacted by a little girl named Abra who writes on the chalkboard of his rented room. Fast forward, and Abra grows up into a preteen, Dan gets sober, and becomes a hospice orderly with the nickname of “Doctor Sleep” because he helps people who are close to death pass over.

Everything is looking good, until Abra becomes aware of a wandering group called the True Knot. The True Knot are a vampire like people who feed off of “steam” to help promote their longevity. What is steam? It’s the vapor that comes out of the children who they like to torture that are able to shine. And Abra? She shines a lot. So much so that the True Knot, lead by a beautiful viper women named Rose The Hat, picked up on her and they want her bad.

Will the True Knot continue to prosper from their evilly acquired steam? Or will Abra, Dan, and some unexpected friends along the way be able to finish them off once and for all? Read the book to find out!

Before reading Doctor Sleep, I saw the movie with my sister and boyfriend in theaters and was less than impressed. I loved the story line but, oh my god, did it drag on for what felt like forever. I believe it was just under three hours. So, I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the book because I didn’t want it to be so drawn out that it read like a dryer manual.

Thankfully, it was the movie that was flawed and not the book because it was a wild ride. There was excitement with every turn of the page of Doctor Sleep and I found myself reading it for hours on end without feeling any desire to stop. The “good guy” characters were all just so likeable and I was mentally cheering them on the whole time. As for the bad guys? They were awful. But, I’d be a liar if I didn’t say that I was eager to find out what they were going to do next.

Doctor Sleep was an amazing read and my only regret was that I didn’t start it sooner. I loved it so much that I’m even willing to give the movie another shot! I reward Doctor Sleep with the prestigious ten out of ten stars and I can’t recommend it enough if you are a Stephen King fan!

What book are you currently reading? What did you think of the movie or book of Doctor Sleep? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Self-Isolation Recommendations

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Self-Isolation Recommendations

Hello! With self-isolation still going strong and cabin fever officially setting in, I thought I would post about my recommendations to keep your day running as normally as possible – especially if you are working from home or not working right now. I am so thankful that I can still work but it is pretty boring because it’s not like I can take my clients anywhere!

I definitely have been feeling antsy lately because I just want to DO something. But, these little tricks have helped me keep some ounce of sanity during this lock down:

Get ready in the morning:

Towards the beginning of the stay at home order, I pretty much gave up on my morning hair and makeup routine and that was a big mistake. Wearing comfy clothes and a fresh face all day gave me zero motivation and it almost felt like an excuse to have a “lazy” day. So now, even if I am just staying home or hanging at a client’s house for the day, I get myself ready – even if it’s not my full routine. I still feel put together, a lot better, and it adds a renewed pep to my step.

Follow a routine:

Things feel so chaotic right now and when you have ample free time to fill with nothing to do it can be quite overwhelming. Routines always make me feel more at ease and it keeps my day running smoothly without the awkward pause of figuring out what to do next. Plan out what you intend to do for the day every morning while you’re getting yourself ready and see your day improve.

Set up a place to work:

If you are working from home right now, set up a place to work that isn’t the couch! We all know how easy it is to set the laptop aside and turn the TV on and that shouldn’t be a constant mental battle while you’re doing your job. Clean off a cluttered desk or work at your kitchen table and try to follow your normal work schedule as closely as you can – lunch and coffee breaks too!

Cook your meals:

I have had takeout a few times in self-isolation but I have been doing my best to cook the meals that I eat at my apartment. It feels good to see and taste something that you made and that can be a real high point of the day – not to mention all of the money you’ll save! Get creative with new recipes or make old favorites. And, no matter how your meal turns out, at least you killed some time. 😉

Don’t be a night owl:

I notice that it’s been harder for me to go to bed at night because I have so much extra energy that I haven’t done anything with all day. I understand completely how difficult it is to not give into the night owl temptation but I promise it won’t be worth it when you go back to work with a totally thrown off schedule.

If you’re having difficulty falling asleep, try going for a walk or working out an hour or so before you go to bed. You could also take a bath or read a book – whatever will help you relax and keep to your normal bed time as much as possible.

Although self-isolation is difficult, it is the best thing right now to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Use the tips above and keep your day running as normally as you can!

How have you been adjusting to self-isolation? What do you do to keep yourself from getting cabin fever? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Miracle Skin Care Product: Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 Edition

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Miracle Skin Care Product: Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 Edition

Hello! As all of you know, Lil Red takes her skin care seriously. So, I’m sure you can understand how I would be frustrated when I was dealing with a cystic pimple that literally would not go away. No joke, I have been trying to get rid of this thing since September and used every face mask and cleanser you could think of to no avail. Sometimes the swelling would go down but, for the most part, the progress in eliminating it completely was stagnant.

That’s why I am absolutely thrilled with the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10. After looking up the best treatments for cystic acne, I realized that this product with ten percent benzoyl peroxide was the way to go and the internet definitely wasn’t lying:

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Within two weeks of at least two to three uses per day, the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 has made the cystic pimple that I have been struggling with nonexistent. Of course, it has dried out my skin but that is a side effect that I am willing to deal with to finally conquer the problem.

I legitimately have never gotten so much as a pimple before so having one that just wouldn’t go away was a huge blow to my self esteem and I wish that I would have discovered the Persa-gel sooner. I am so thankful to have a blemish free face and plan on using the gel until I can’t feel the bump under my skin anymore. But, for now, the noticeable portion of the problem is gone and I could not be happier.

If you have a tough blemish, then I can’t recommend the Clean & Clear Persa-gel 10 enough and will continue to keep a tube handy at all times for emergencies!

What is one of your favorite miracle beauty products? How do you keep a clear complexion? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

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Face Mask Festivities: Freeman Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask Edition

Hello! Every once in a while I like to treat myself to a new face mask to indulge in during my weekly night of pampering. I never spend too much money on them and, whether I liked the mask or not, I still tried something new and I love testing out different skin care products. At Five Below, they have a wonderful selection of Freeman face masks and I believe I paid four dollars for one of them. You definitely can’t beat that and I ended up purchasing a Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask. Read on to find out more:

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I have never been too keen on gel face masks unless they are to be applied before going to bed. But, the Watermelon & Aloe Cooling Gel Mask just seemed way too refreshing to pass up. Not only will something like that feel good after a hot summer day but it will also help soothe my dry skin, compliments of surviving another Ohio winter. So, into the cart it went and I was looking forward to giving it a try.

First of all, this mask smelled amazing. It smelled exactly like the Watermelon Lip Smackers and it instantly perked me up when I took a whiff before my morning shower. The mask also felt cool to the touch immediately once it was squeezed on my hand and, as I applied it on my face and neck I was invigorated by the tingling, cooling sensation that I felt on my skin.

After washing it off in the shower, my skin definitely felt smoother and not as tight in the patches that are experiencing dryness. I was surprised at how well this face mask worked and I daresay that I like it better than the Freeman clay masks that I have tried. This mask didn’t promise miracles on its packaging but everything that it did have was 150% accurate and I can’t wait to use it again!

What is your favorite face mask? How about your favorite Freeman face mask? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

February 2020 Finishes

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February 2020 Finishes

Hi! After what seemed like five months of January, we are already at the end of our second month of the new year. I blinked and February was over but so much fun stuff happened this month! I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day weekend with my boyfriend, I was in a music video (More to come later!), and enjoyed some great practices at the skating rink. I’m already looking forward to what March has in store but, first, let’s check out my February finishes:

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Would I Use Again:

Why/Why Not?

TBS Treatment: I absolutely LOVE the Tea Tree Pore Minimiser by The Body Shop. This wonder product not only helps shrinks pores but leaves my skin with the most perfect matte finish, which gives me flawless skin with no makeup. The Pore Minimiser has always been one of my favorites by TBS and I was so stoked when I found it at TJMaxx. One tube lasted me about one and a half months and I am hoping that there are more available to purchase next time I go to TJs!

SkinLab Serum: The more I use this serum, the less crazy I am about it. This probably stems from the fact that I only get about three weeks of usage from one bottle. As someone who balls on a budget, I hope for a little more longevity out of a product, especially one that’s seven bucks a pop! I don’t think that I would buy this serum again unless I had no other options and am excited to try out something new once I finish up my last bottle of Lift & Firm.

SkinLab Moisturizer: Despite not being crazy about the serum, I love the Lift & Firm moisturizer by SkinLab. It takes me at least one month to finish the jar and I am really enjoying this cream while it’s still cold out because it’s a bit heavier. Although the consistency is thicker than what I normally use, this moisturizer absorbs quickly, sits well under makeup, and I highly recommend it.

Not too many empties this month, but I just have a feeling that there will be a ton in March so get ready for it!

Which products did you use up this month? What is your favorite serum? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Groovy Movies: 1917 Edition

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Groovy Movies: 1917 Edition

Hi! I have always loved going to the movies. To me, there is nothing better than catching a flick on the big screen with your family, SO, or by yourself. And, other than everything, my favorite part of having a boyfriend is having someone to go on movie dates with! Johnny and I have fairly different tastes in movies. While we both never say no to a comedy or horror picture, he is a history buff and loves war movies while I am a huge fan of thrillers and foreign films.

This contrast works out nicely because it exposes us both to movies we might not have watched before. I have seen more than my fair share of war movies now, which was normally not my cup of tea. However, I find myself enjoying them despite the intense anxiety I feel throughout each one!

This past week, we went on a date to see 1917 thanks to a Fandango gift card from my brother and it was just fantastic. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video.

1917 tells the tale of two British Lance Corporals, Schofield and Blake, who must cross into enemy territory to deliver an urgent message during World War I. This message would call off an attack that would ultimately put the British soldiers into a trap by the Germans. If successful, the two corporals on a race against time could save up to 1,600 of their troops – including Blake’s brother.

From beginning to end, 1917 created a sense of tension that could be cut with a knife. It was filmed as one continuous shot, which really made you feel like you were on this quest with the soldiers. And, because it was one continuous shot, having a less tense “break” during the film was impossible. There was constant movement as the men pushed forward into enemy lines, which left me holding my breath for booby traps the entire time.

I liked how the plot of 1917 was simple. It was a journey set to the pace of a race and it made me so committed to the main characters because all I wanted was for them to make it safely. Running at just under two hours, I was exhausted by the end of the film from all of the emotional blows. Surprise attacks, devastating losses, and the potential for saving so many lives kept me on the edge of my seat bracing myself for the next metaphorical punch in the gut.

Not only was the film shot brilliantly (It almost made me feel like I was in a first person shooter game.), but the actors were sublime. I never once stopped rooting for Schofield and Blake and surprise cameos by Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch made the viewing even more exciting by putting familiar faces into the mix. No part was unimportant which made each scene powerful, especially when it showcased the brotherhood amongst the soldiers.

I would highly recommend 1917 and easily grant it the coveted ten out of ten stars. Because this film was more of a journey than intense battle sequences the whole time, it is sure to be a hit – even with those who don’t care for war movies. I absolutely loved it and the Golden Globe for Best Picture and Best Director don’t lie!

What were your thoughts on 1917? What is your favorite war movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: IMDB