Review – Page 2 – Will Bake for Shoes

Beauty
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- Skincare

Bare Republic Sunscreen Review

Posted on June 8, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Summer officially starts this month, but chances are you are already spending time outside in the sun. Even if your summer is not so sunny, you should always consider putting on sunblock before you head outside. Since I was going to Hawaii, I knew I would need to pick up some more for my trip, but I was lucky to get some samples of Bare Republic Sunscreen made by COOLA Suncare.
I took the Bare Republic Natural SPF 30 Mineral Face Sunscreen and SPF 50 Sport Sunscreen. I didn’t pack the SPF 30 Body Spray since it was labeled for kids and since it wasn’t really a TSA approved sized like the other two.

Bare Republic was made exclusively for Target as one of the first affordable 100% natural and mineral sunscreen collection (everything priced at $14.99.) Between the SPF 50 Sport sunscreen and the SPF 30 Mineral Face sunscreen, I preferred the Sports one. I felt the Face sunscreen was a little bit too oily for me, and would find myself reaching for the Sports one in my beach bag to apply to my face as well. This was my first time experience a natural and mineral sunscreen, and felt it took a little longer to completely rub it into the skin. My mom and sister both were using my sunblock instead of the ones they brought, so overall I would say these two were a hit during our trip!

I love the colorful packaging for this sunscreen and I would definitely buy the Sports SPF 50 sunscreen again! It is water-resistent (for 80 minutes), broad-spectrum and chemical free! I am still on the fence with the Mineral Face sunscreen, but I’ll be testing it out throughout the summer to see if I change my mind. As I mentioned before, you can find these sunscreens exclusively at Target in case you are interested in testing these out for when you dare to go bare this summer!

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Beauty
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- Makeup

YSL Mascara Volume Effect Faux Clis Review

Posted on April 29, 2015by Brandy Saldana

I was lucky to be chosen by Influenster to test out the Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils in a recent Voxbox. I was pretty excited since the Yves Saint Laurent brand represents elegance and high-fashion to me. I have always admired the packaging of the make-up, especially for the lipsticks, but I could never bring myself to splurge on it. Getting the chance to try out the mascara and its remastered formula changed my mind about the beauty line and to consider trying out other products.

At first glance, I am already in love the packaging. The tube is a nice gold with the simple YSL logo. The brush is nice and thick with various sizes of bristles, ideal for adding volume to your lashes. My eyelashes are pretty long, and I noticed they looked fuller when I used this mascara.

My favorite mascara is the Marc Jacobs Volumizing Mascara , but the YSL Mascara ties with with that mascara since it does provide volume and since the mascara is not clumpy. They also last a long time, even when my eyes are wet. I’ve noticed that when I was my face, neither of these smear or drip down, which is a nice bonus. I have not taken any photos (that I can remember) wearing the YSL mascara, but it is on my to-do list and I will note it in blog post if I am. This mascara also comes in 6 shades, but I am a big fan of the black.

I loved the mascara so much that I decided it was time to splurge on some of the Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine lipsticks I had been eyeing for awhile. I became a VIB member at Sephora almost 6 months ago and had a 15% off coupon I was able to use on these earlier this month. I am pretty obsessed with these colors and enjoy the candy smell that comes off of these lipsticks. Pigment is a lot lighter than I expected, but these are pretty different from the usual Givenchy Rouge lipsticks I use. I don’t know why I ever doubted whether it would be worth it, but thanks to Influenster I was able to experience some dramatic and luxurious lashes and finally get myself some new lipsticks.
What are your thoughts on YSL Mascara? Will you be splurging or do you have a go-to mascara already? Let me know!

Disclosure: I received the YSL Mascara complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Influenster Frosty Voxbox Review

Posted on February 8, 2015by Brandy Saldana

I was really lucky to be selected for my first Voxbox courtesy of Influenster over the holiday break, and I thought it would be fun to share what I received and give a breakdown of my favorite products.
In my Frosty Voxbox, I received:
1 Cherry Fruit Vines Bites 1 Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea Sample and Coupon1 McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme1 EcoTools Full Volume Styler Brush1 Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover1 Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner1 NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum1 Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Satchet and Coupon
The items were a mix ranging from food to beauty products. I was pretty excited to receive this right before heading home for the holidays. I was able to use the beauty products/makeup remover almost everyday as well as the hairbrush. The Eye Makeup Remover worked really well on removing the two types of mascaras I typically use as well as the Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner. My favorite beauty product was the NYC Expert Lip Color in Sugar Plum. The color worked with everything I wore and lasted a lot longer than I expected. (This lipstick also only retails for $1.99, so I might be trying out some more colors.) I was also a big fan of the hairbrush, particularly because I typically use a round brush on my bangs. I loved how light this brush felt and the overall aesthetic of it.
Out of all the beauty products I received, the only item I was not to crazy about was the Boots No.7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Satchet. I am not concerned with wrinkles just yet, so it was hard to test out this product. It was a pretty small sample, but I appreciated that a coupon was included for a full-size bottle of the serum.
I had a chance to use the McCormick Thyme for a couple of chicken recipes, but I am tempted to make some savory cupcakes with this too. (Like these Lemon Thyme cupcakes I found on Pinterest.) I also had the chance to taste the Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea which had some refreshing peppermint notes. I also received a coupon in case I want to buy any more Celestial Seasonings Tea. I am a big fan of their fruit teas, so I know I’ll be using the coupon once I run out of my current tea supply.
The Fruit Vines Bites were a sweet addition to the box and were the perfect snack to share with the family (especially my niece and nephew) while staying in and watching movies on Netflix. I am a fan of regular Red Vines, but needless to say, this was my favorite food item in my Voxbox.
My Frosty Voxbox was a great treat and I enjoyed being able to try out and test the various products. I hope I’ll be selected to review another Voxbox soon. Have you tried any of these items and are you a fan? Let me know!

Until next time,

Disclosure: Products provided complimentary by Influenster for testing purposes. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

Beauty
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- Hair

Pumping Up the Volume with Voloom – Hair Volumizing Iron Review

Posted on January 27, 2015by Brandy Saldana

As I hinted at my last post, I am sharing a review today. iFabbo gave me the opportunity to try out Voloom’s Hair Volumizing Iron. I of course agreed because I am always interested in trying out new things with my hair.

What is the Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron? It is not an iron that straightens or curls your hairs. Instead it is the first heat-styling tool that is specifically designed to add volume to any hair with body and bounce minus the stickiness and weight that comes with using hair mousses and sprays. The best part is it just takes a few minutes.

With the Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron, 3 firm-grip clips, precision brush and a heat resistant mat and travel pouch were also included.

The Voloom features a digital temperature control, fast heat-up, ceramic-coated plates, 8 ft 360-degree swivel cord, tool-locking feature for travel convenience and auto shut-off after 30 minutes of non-use. I really liked the 360-degree swivel cord and how fast iron heated up. I also am a fan of the locking feature not only because it makes it easier to store but also since it protects the plates.

On the left is me with my hair air drying. It is pretty limp after a shower, especially at my crown. I turned on the Voloom Hair Iron and had my hair parted normally. I pinned the top layer of hair on the right first. Taking the Voloom, I crimped small sections of my hair briefly and released immediately. I did it about 4 times for each side and unpinned my top layer to cover where I used the Voloom.

Overall, it was an easy-to-use device. My hair felt soft and I liked how the volume on top balanced out my thick curls. I have not used it on myself with straight hair, but I am looking forward to trying this out again when I do.
If you struggle with flat hair and are not getting the results you want with your products, this might be the perfect investment for you. The price for these retails at $129.99 at Voloom.com. There is currently a 30-Day Risk-Free Trial period. I would recommend trying it out to see if it is not better than your current methods, especially when there is the opportunity to return it if it isn’t for you.
I was very happy with the results and how easy the iron was to use. I will note when I’ve used it in an outfit post (especially if I’ve straightened my hair.)
Hope you enjoyed my review and let me know if you are thinking of getting a Voloom Hair Volumizing Iron. To make the decision a little easier, note that VOLOOM is having a special sale for Valentine’s Day. Use promo code VDAY15 for 15% off.
Until next time,
Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER |
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Voloom and iFabbo. All opinions expressed are my own.

Beauty
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- Makeup

The Gift of Beautiful Brows – Billion Dollar Brows Best Sellers Kit Review

Posted on January 10, 2015by Brandy Saldana

Holiday shopping being over with, it is time to take advantage of items on sale that didn’t quite make it under your tree this year. One of my favorite things to buy once sales are over are makeup kits exclusively for the holidays. They are typically a great stocking stuffer, but they are also a great for you to try out a new brand of makeup for a great value.

Case-in-point, I had a chance to try the Best Sellers Kit by Billion Dollar Brows. Billion Dollar Brows is a company I have heard of before but never ventured into trying out their products. I knew of their Brow Boost, which helps grow out thin eyebrows, but I have always had thick/full eyebrows, so I never needed to use that. Now that I have bangs I never really pay attention to how they look except for the occasional reshaping. I was pleasantly surprised by the Best Sellers Kit because it came with items I could actually use for my thick brows.

The Best Sellers Kit promises to “work with all hair colors and skin tones,” but I would also add it works regardless of how thick (or thin) your eyebrows are. This kit comes with 5 pieces at a $73 value for only $34.99 and include: The Universal Brow Pencil, Brow Duo Pencil, Smudge Brush, Brow Gel and a Sharpener.

Here is a breakdown of the pieces and what their functions are as described by the Billion Dollar Brows’ website:

Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil – a unique product that will set you free from the headache of finding cosmetics that match your hair color. Universal Brow Pencil is a mechanical, self-sharpening pencil which goes on smooth and natural for all hair colors and skin tones.

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel Clear – an effective formula that will lock in your look, giving your eyebrows a long-lasting, radiant glow while keeping them perfectly in place all day. It’s the perfect finishing touch for giving your brows a polished, perfectly manicured look. Plus, it is a guarantee the Brow Gel never flakes.

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Duo Highlighter – an amazing and unique two in one highlighter and concealer. With this innovative pencil you can get picture perfect brows. Brow Duo Highlighter allows you to highlight your brow bone to add gorgeous definition and warmth. Works with any skin tone. Plus, for those on-the-go touch ups, a handy universal concealer to the opposite end of the pencil.

Billion Dollar Brows Smudge Brush – an essential item for applying Brow Highlighter. This flat, synthetic brush is the ideal mate for applying creamy cosmetics like our Brow Duo Pencil. Get your smudge on!

Billion Dollar Brows Pencil Sharpener – perfect for your Duo Highlighter.

Overall, the kit was a great value with some very useful products. My favorite was the Brow Gel because I know one of my bigger issues is having slightly messy eyebrows, but the gel keeps everything in its place. It was also light and did not feel super sticky. The Universal Brow Pencil was also very easy to use. The Brow Duo Pencil (concealer/highlighter) I have not had a chance to use yet since my eyebrows are in need of some tweezing before I decide to highlight their shape. The holidays can get busy, so I am hoping to find some time to shape them before New Years Eve.
You can find the kit at Billion Dollar Brows website http://billiondollarbrows.com and you can enjoy Free Shipping since your order will be more than $30. Take a look at their other great products as well.

Food

Project Juice Cleanse Review

Posted on January 6, 2015by Brandy Saldana

The New Year is upon us and one of top resolutions on people’s lists is to be healthier. That means a lot of people at the gym this month, but also a time where people really think about the food that they eat. I know I was starting to feel a little blah from all the Holiday food and felt like I needed to reset my body. I tried out a Juice Cleanse for a day c/o Project Juice and thought now would be a good time to share my experience of that day. It just might be what you need to kick start your healthy lifestyle for the year.

My one day cleanse (Beginner Can You Kick It?) included:
1 EZ-Green with Lemon & Ginger1 Swizz Beetz1 The Master1 EZ-Green1 D-Tox1 Almond Mylk

9:02 am – Drink my first juice (EZ-Green) while Armando tortures me with a hearty breakfast of sausage, eggs, beans and rice. Juice tasted most like celery – but was not too jealous of Armando’s breakfast.
9:29 am – Finished EZ-Green juice. As I drank it I got used to the flavor. Believing that it was good for me helped me power through it too.
11:05 am – Started to crave come food. Decided it was time for my next juice – Swizz Beats. This juice was a lot tastier than the first juice and it might be because it tasted sweeter. (Note: this cleanse had a lot of sugar.)
12:05 pm – Finished my juice and focused on giving myself a mani to keep my hands busy from running to the pantry.
1:13 pm – Wanted to open the pantry for a snack but resisted the temptation. Decided it might be a good idea to try some of the Detox tea. It was super sweet which made me feel better about doing the cleanse. (Note: This tea is recommended by Project Juice to drink throughout the cleanse.)
2:44 pm – Tasted The Master after returning home from picking up my dry-cleaning across the street. The Master is alkaline water, lemon, lime, ginger, agave and cayenne. The cayenne definitely has a kick, but I was not a fan.
3:36 pm – Still working my way through The Master Juice. Not easy drinking this one.
3:54 pm – Halfway through The Master juice. Sorting through photos on the desktop for my next post, so I guess this is also distracting.
4:52 pm – Finally finished The Master juice. Cannot believe it took me this long to finish it, but I have been pretty productive with my photo sorting and prepping blog posts. Will probably need to start my next Juice soon.
5:20 pm – Feeling hungry, must…. grab…. next juice! Opened my fridge and my sense of smell picked up the other tantalizing/tempting options in the fridge. Quickly grabbed the EZ-Green juice I needed to drink next and went back to the computer to focus on a blog post.
5:47 pm – Halfway through this bottle and off to run some quick errands.
6:24 pm Arrived at Cinnaholics to pick up 2 cinnamon rolls for Armando before his Groupon expired. This part of my day was pure torture, but I had my EZ- Green juice to drink on my way back as I held on to the boxes of Cinnamon roll goodness.
8:00 pm Finished the rest of the D-Tox juice. So far this was my favorite of all the juices and I would definitely buy this one again. It was sweet and I could not believe it was actually good for me despite the amount of sugar it has.
8:18 pm – Started the Almond Mylk and it is a lot more appetizing than the green juices. I am proud of myself for making it a whole day without breaking down and rushing to the kitchen to stuff my face with junk food. I think of this as I hear Armando eating cereal.
8:25 pm – Completed a blog post and wonder what I will do next when I finish my Almond Mylk.
9:50 pm – Finished last bits of Almond Mylk and prepared for bed. Stomach still feels slightly empty, but won’t be grabbing anything solid to eat until tomorrow morning.

I was very proud of myself for completing the cleanse but more so for my will power. I will note that there are no proven facts that suggest a cleanse is good for you, but nothing says it is terrible for you either. I think one day was a good way to reset my body and a good way to test out my will power. It might build some better habits, like reaching for fruit instead of a pastry in your break room at work and hopefully healthier habits follow that. I appreciated that Project Juice had a resource page on their site for a newbie like me to go while I tried out my first cleanse. Much like running a marathon, their is some prep involved to ease into a cleanse so you don’t fail, but one day isn’t so bad (although I might not do it again since I didn’t like The Master.)

Project Juice is a San Francisco based company that cold-presses their juices and nut mylks and uses fresh and locally-sourced ingredients. You can find their juices in SF or shop their juices online here.
Have you tried a juice cleanse before? Let me know how your experience was and if you would do it again.