Review

Beautiful Curls with the KISS InstaWave

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

I have naturally curly hair. Actually its more frizzy then anything else, but sometimes I wake up with some great bedhead. Unfortunately it is not always consistent and I never learned how to curl my own hair (with either a curling iron or flat iron.) Recently the KISS InstaWave entered my life and I discovered just how easy it is to achieve gorgeous curls with this device without hoping to just wake up to some great bed head.
If you have never heard of it, the KISS InstaWave is a fully automatic tangle-free curler that instantly creates beautiful curls. It was easy for me to learn to use from any angle, with any hand. It features a Curl Dial with left/right curl directions and has 2 heat settings with a low/high switch with maximum temperature of 420. (Yikes that’s hot!) Luckily, if you ever forget to turn off your Kiss InstaWave, it automatically shuts off after 90 minutes.

This device is simple to use and so are the instructions. All you you need to do to work some in some curls is follow these 6 steps:
1) Hold InstaWave vertically
2) Place a section of hair on the InstaWave curling rod
3) Touch the Curl Dial either left or right so the InstaWave instantly and automatically catches and curls the hair
4 ) Hold for 5-10 seconds (Hold longer for tighter curls and less for beachy waves)
5) Pull the InstaWave down vertically and let the hair out
6) Repeat (Switch between curling right and curling left to create the most natural looking curls)
Check out their video for a better idea of how to use it:

Before:

After:

It took some practice, but I am so happy with the results. I had washed my hair and let it air dry, but did blow dry my roots before using the InstaWave, so I would recommend having dry hair before using. After about a couple of tries, I got the hang of it. It took me about 50 minutes to achieve this look, but there was a lot of trial and error so I could only imagine it taking less time with my next attempt.
 I will be making an effort to incorporate this beauty tool into my routine for tight and loose curls. I might be sharing an outfit post with this look hopefully before the end of the year, so stay tuned for that. I would definitely recommend this product because it works and is super easy to use. The KISS InstaWave is available at Target for $59.99, so pick it up as a great last-minute gift. You can find more information and other tutorial videos on how to use the Kiss InstaWave here: http://www.KISSInstaWave.com

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brandbacker and Kiss InstaWave. All opinions and views expressed are my own.

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Paula Dorf Aztec City Eye Color Palette and Teal Mascara Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

My daily makeup routine includes moisturizer, mascara, a sweep of neutral eye shadow, lipstick and powder foundation. I have been thinking of trying different types of eye shadows and learning how colors should be layered, it felt like it was perfect timing when the opportunity to try out Paula Dorf’s Aztec City Eye Color Palette and Teal Color Mascara came up.

Since I don’t know a lot about makeup, I was not sure exactly what to expect from Paula Dorf makeup. It turns out it is a pretty famous brand known for its unique “trick” products such as “Transformers.” This shadow palette works as eye shadow, but can also transition and be used as liquid eye liners. All it requires is the moistening of  the angle side of the double-ended brush that comes with the palette, dabbing the brush into a color of your choice, and applying it as you would an eyeliner.

My first impression of the palette and mascara packaging was sleek and professional. The palette has a mirror and fits in my Truffle bag, so it is something I can easily travel with me. The colors of the palette are  mix of professional and flirty shades that can easily transition from a day at work to a night out. The colors are inspired by a mix of the dessert and city. The colors, once applied, are not as highly pigmented, as you can see from my swatches. The beige almost blends too well with my skin, which makes it a great base. The dark brown is highly pigmented, so you would not need to apply too much of it. It makes for the best eyeliner that I would use out of all these colors.

I am pretty happy with the palette, and I am looking forward to playing around with the colors more to try to come up with my own eye look. Knowing that the eye shadows can be used eye liners is also a major plus. For a beginner with makeup, or someone looking for a more professional palette, this is one I would recommend.

Along with the palette, I had the chance to try the Teal Color Mascara. I have never tried any colored mascara, and the only other color I knew it came in other than black is blue. I was a little skeptical about the product because I wasn’t sure I wanted that color to be standing out from my eyes. Apllying it, I felt I layered two-three coats, but didn’t notice too much color. Removing the mascara afterwards, I noticed the color a lot more. I felt it was a really subtle color, so it could be great for someone experimenting with different looks, but not for someone expecting highly-pigmented mascara.
You can find view and purchase the Aztec City Eye Color Palette here. As an added bonus, you can also try out the Paula Dorf Teal Color Mascara free with purchase.  Enter the code TEAL at checkout for your own Teal Mascara so you can try it out for yourself!

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Paula Dorf and Brandbacker. All views and opinions are my own.

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Monat Global Rejuveniqe Oil Intensive Review

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by MONAT and IFabbo. All opinions and views expressed are my own.
My hair routine is not very exciting, so when iFabbo offered the opportunity to try a new hair oil from their shop, I signed up immediately eager to try something new for my hair. My typical routine is shampoo and conditioning every other day and applying mousse to add structure to my curls. The alcohol in mousse and hairspray can dry out air, so my needs are being able to rehydrate my hair. 
Monet promises to nourish and energize the scalp with an invigorating blend of 11+ unique molecular ingredients –including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids – that mimic the body’s natural oils. The formula reduces hair thinning, prevents oxidative stress and adds volume, repairing the hair with instantly visible, long-lasting shine without the damaging effects of silicone. My hair is very thick and I tend to have it thinned out when I get a haircut, so preventing hair thinning was not on my list, but it is nice to know that this product takes care of that.
Ingredients in the Monat Global Oil Intensive include sustainable and natural ingredients. You can find the full list of ingredients here, but based on the list of ingredients, it shouldn’t be surprising to know that this product has a citrus smell (like lemon.) The texture is also not too greasy. I like that this product has a dropped that lets you control how much you will be using while not making a mess.
I read that the product was pretty versatile and could be used as a scalp treatment pre-shower or to damp hair and scalp and having a moist towel wrapped around for thirty minutes. I have just been applying it to my tips (so they don’t dry out as easily) and as a frizz serum. I feel it is too early to say whether I feel much of a difference, but I have never really been the type of person who gets complimented for their hair. I think if my co-workers notice my hair is shinier or shows more volume, then I will know it is doing its thing. 
You can check out Monet Global Rejuvenique Oil Intensive on Monet’s site along with their other hair product line here: www.monatglobal.com.
The cost of a 1.0 fluid ounce bottle is $99,  but VIP customers can get it for $84. It is a pretty steep price to me, but since this is my first foray in reviewing hair products, I am not sure what the price of natural hair oils typically retail for. I have felt my hair is a lot more moisturize so I would recommend it for that and to work as part of an anti-frizz regimen. Hopefully, I’ll get compliments soon on how shiny my hair is too.
Hope you enjoyed my review and look out for a few more beauty product reviews this month.

Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Getting Intimate with ThirdLove

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

This post was sponsored by ThirdLove. All opinions expressed are my own.
When I blog about clothes, I focus on what is on the outside. I don’t talk about underwear; much less share it on my blog. This post is going to be slightly revealing (ha!), but I do own a lot of underwear and find it to be as addicting as shopping for clothes. This is not at all surprising since the first part of getting ready in the morning for me is selecting my underwear and I am probably not alone in believing it sets the foundation for the rest one’s outfit.  
I will admit that most, if not all, of my panties are from Victoria’s Secret. I grew up buying from American Eagle, Target and at one point from Macy’s, but I developed my mom’s custom of shopping at Victoria’s Secret for bras and panties, especially during their Semi-Annual Sale. So of course, when I discovered ThirdLove a couple of weeks ago, I was a little skeptical from buying underwear there at first. My introduction to them was at a party hosted by LE TOTE and one of ThirdLove’s Reps showed me how to make a rose with one of their panties. I downloaded the app, and began browsing their items and I was blown away with how cute their items were!
It had been awhile since I had a fitting, so before I started throwing things into my cart, I decided to use the app to help me measure myself. I wore a non-padded bra and a camisole over it before I proceeded to take some photos to help me measure my bust. My apartment does not have great mirrors, so I had Armando move our $5 target mirror to the kitchen since that is where we have the best light, and had him hold the mirror while I took my photos. (I initially tried having him take my photos, but I found this to be extremely challenging – for once I had to take my own photos!) It was very comical at first listening to the instructions, but I was really surprised at the end with how accurate the measuring feature of the app was! The site offers 1/2 cup sizes, which was another reason I wanted to measure myself in case I fell into one of those.
Once I confirmed my size, I proceeded to shop through the app. It was a struggle picking out one bra since you could customize the color of the trim of most of their styles, but I stuck to my choice of this ivory lace balconet bra and matching lace bikini. Both pieces are unlike anything I currently owned, and I liked how dainty they looked. I always pick black, so I was a little daring going with the ivory set.The description on the app also sold me convincing me every woman needs to own french-style lace bra and although I liked the ivory lace with the black trim, I couldn’t resist the all ivory lace.  
The items arrived in a white box,  individually wrapped in plastic bags, and with blue tissue paper and a dust bag. I would prefer each item not being wrapped in plastic from a sustainable point of view. I tried on the set and loved how soft the material felt. I felt the bra could also do its job of providing support despite looking delicate. I definitely was impressed with the quality. Their price point is pretty comparable to department stores with the balconet bra running at $64 and these panties being $25. Other bras from ThirdLove start at $45 while panties start at $10. Signing up for email updates also provides discount codes good for a weekend on a certain collection.  Overall, my experience shopping on the app was great and I am looking into trying out on of their t-shirt bras for everyday use.
You can shop ThirdLove lingerie through their website or by downloading the app. Signing up gives you $10 for your first purchase, but you can get $20 on your first bra purchase if you use my referral link here.
Thanks for checking out my review and until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

This post was sponsored by ThirdLove. All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Wonders of STEAMCREAM

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by STEAMCREAM. All views and opinions are my own.

When I returned from my trip to Japan, I had a cute package waiting in my apartment from the lovely people at STEAMCREAM. When I saw the tin, I thought the Japanese Plum (Ume) and Bush Wabler (Uguisu) decoration was adorable! The name of the tin is ‘Ume Ni Uguisu’ meaning ‘a great match’ and I feel this is a really great match for me thanks to my love of the Japanese culture.

This was also a great match for me because I also was in need of some new lotion. I say I needed lotion, but STEAMCREAM is really a multi-purpose cream and I’ve been using it on my hands, legs, and face. The natural and vegan ingredients include: Oatmeal infusion, Orange Flower Water, Almond Oil, Lavender Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, and Cocoa Butter.And, to make it even better, STEAMCREAM is freshly handmade in England in a completely reusable tin. 

The product, and ingredients, are cruelty-free and the packaging is environmentally responsible with its minimal aluminum design. This is definitely important to me as I want to be sustainable and it is important for me for things to be reusable. The art work on the tins are limited edition, which makes it exciting when thinking of what tin to get next! It makes a great collectible once it is used up thanks to its unique artwork to store jewelry or use to store office supplies (which I am excited to do!)

I’ve definitely fallen in love with the hydrating and softening effect of STEAMCREAM on my skin. There is no greasy feel or residue when it is applied. I’m still not sure how I feel about the light scent the cream has, but I think it is great that it isn’t overwhelming since I like to apply perfume everyday. The tin is also small enough to be carried everywhere, even on a carry-on (at 2.6 oz.) I know I’ll be taking it with me on m next trip Japan and not be worried about it opening up and making a mess in my bag. I can also take a few extra with me and they would make great gifts, or omiyage, for a host or friend.

STEAMCREAM is also only $20, which to me is very reasonable considering the product is handmade, eco-friendly, and uses natural ingredients. And if you are on the fence about trying it, you should now that free shipping is offered worldwide. I am hooked and if you are ready to try the wonders of STEAMCREAM you can shop from their site here. I loved the art for the Ume Ni Uguisu tin, but what will you choose? And what will you store in it when you have used it? Let me know if you’ve tried it or plan on trying it too! 
Until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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Crown Brush HD Set With Mirror and Tweezers

Posted on by Brandy Saldana

This post is sponsored by Crown Brush. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I go to Makeup stores, which is a pretty rare occurrence, I admit I do admire brushes and various types there are. I’ve seen other people use different brushes for applying powder foundation or for eye shadow but that’s as far as my knowledge goes as to what you can do with them. I think one of my favorite thing when it comes to seeing brushes is touching the bristles and comparing how soft they are to one another and that was one of the first things I did when I received this Brush Set with Tweezers c/o Crown Brush.

When it comes to makeup, I am not an expert. I certainly cannot tell the difference between brushes and what each one is good for, so it might come as a surprise that for my first Beauty post that I decided to share my take on Crown Brush’s HD Cosmetic Brush Set. But this seems to have been designed for someone like me in mind since each brush is labeled so you know what to do with it. The only item not labeled, but easily recognized, is the pair of tweezers that also comes with this set. The other Pro of this set for me is that it comes in a travel size case that can actually fit in most of my purses and could have easily joined me during my recent trip to Japan. And most importantly for me, the brushes are cruelty free and Vegan Friendly.

I used the Pro Powder brush to apply my Marc Jacobs powder foundation and felt it did a great job spreading it without needed to dip it back in for more product. I have not been able to experiment with the other brushes yet, but I did try out the tweezers. They felt very sturdy and I consider their quality to be like Tweezerman tweezers. I think it is a major plus that the set comes with a pair since I don’t feel it is common with other brush sets. I washed the brush since it looked dirty after the first use and I am not sure how frequently that needs to be done, but it looked good as new afterwards.

Overall, I liked the set and I am excited to see what I can do with the other brushes. Apparently they not only work with powders but also with creams and liquids. I may just need to start watching beauty tutorials on Youtube for inspiration- Let me know if you have any recommendations on a great tutorial.

If you are interested in trying out  the Crown Brush HD Cosmetic Brush Set or giving it as a gift you can find it on their site on sale for $27.95 here: http://bit.ly/19fuEGV. It comes in white/blue , purple, orange and now in red!  Hopefully you enjoyed my first Beauty product review and look forward to more.   
Until next time,Brandy| BLOGLOVIN | FACEBOOK |  INSTAGRAM |TUMBLR | TWITTER | 

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