Sephora Products...the Search for a Great Moisturizer

The moisturizer I settled on actually didn't come from Birchbox, but I did do a great deal of research and was pleasantly surprised at the outcome. I wasn't really looking for a new cleanser, but since I found that Sephora carried a gift pack which included the moisturizer I wanted to try, plus a small sized cleanser, plus one additional item all for the same price as the moisturizer on its own, I had to try it.

This set contains:- 1.7 oz Starting Over™ Age-Erasing Moisturizer with Mimosa
- 0.17 oz Plantscription™ Anti-Aging Serum
- 1.7 oz Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
The value is $62, but I got the entire set for $46. The moisturizer that comes in the set is the same as the one you can purchase individually for $47.50. http://www.sephora.com/age-erasing-kit-P297509?skuId=1375591

I loved the moisturizer because although it feels light on your skin, it still does a great job of relieving dry skin, AND as a bonus is lightening (fading) my sun spots which had been accumulating over the summer. I love the fact that its a natural product, since I'm pregnant, doesn't smell too strongly, and contains plant extracts like Mimosa. I truly LOVE this moisturizer. Keep in mind that it doesn't contain a sunscreen, so you would need to add one separately.

The bonus addition of the cleanser caught me off guard, but now that I have been using it, I might end up purchasing some later on. The foaming cleanser smells like Lemongrass (mmmm), and has a very light, clean smell to it. I also felt that after using it, my face felt clean like the way bar soap really makes your face feel cleansed. It's also gentle, and being an Origins product, is full of natural ingredients as a rule. The 5 ounce size retails for $20.

I recently bought this moisturizer for my hubby. He seems to like it, once you get past the DHA smell, but I just couldn't handle it. It smells faintly of oranges, but according to him the DHA smell sticks with you for awhile. It almost smells musty or moldy, like wet clothes until it wears off. However, he says that it really makes a difference for him with fine lines and wrinkles, so I guess for him it works.

It's the Ole Henriksen Truth Creme Advanced Hydration Moisturizer. It retails at Sephora for $45 for 1.7 ounces. Not too expensive. somewhere in the middle. http://www.sephora.com/truth-creme-advanced-hydration-P308101?skuId=1411289

BIRCHBOX-The Last 3 Months...

I have a monthly subscription to Birchbox which affords me the ability to try all kinds of awesome products, but not pay full price, all for $10 a MONTH. Receiving a sample or trial size gives me the ability to check out some amazing finds, as well as products that I may not purchase a retail size due to the high price.

Birchbox recently launched a subscription for Birchbox Men, which I haven't purchased for the hubby yet, but looks promising. The only thing that has deterred me so far is that the monthly subscription is $20 a month. I really couldn't see paying a total for two subscriptions of $30 a month to Birchbox, to try new products when we have twins on the way. Maybe it's just me, but $20 seems a little high.

I did want to mention some of the cool products I have really loved which arrived in my monthly box during the past three months. They are:

Amika Obliphica Nourishing Hair Mask. They larger size (60 ml.) is sold at Birchbox: http://www.birchbox.com/shop/amika-obliphica-nourishing-hair-mask-60-ml for $12.00 but I actually found a much better deal, for 16.9 ounces at Amazon, for only $24.00. You do the math.

The scent is out of this world. Floral, fruity, perfumy...but not too much. AND, it actually did make my hair feel softer, and more conditioned. I slept in the mask overnight, then rinsed and styled in the morning. Love it!

Next, I received a sample of Marula-The Leakey Collection, Omega Rich Pure Marula Oil.
http://www.birchbox.com/shop/marula-oil I loved trying this product for my skin because besides the heavenly scent, I had never used just a mineral oil on my face as a moisturizer. I really expected it to feel greasy, or not to hydrate and moisturize well but I was pleasantly surprised.

However, it is quite costly, and I really couldn't see spending the $78 on .50 ml of the product. I did find a good alternative moisturizer which I'll talk about next, but is not a mineral oil. One day I would definitely consider purchasing this (when we have a surplus of money) but for now, I still prefer a traditional creme moisturizer over a mineral oil. I would use this to supplement, but still prefer the traditional moisturizer approach. I'll talk about this in my next post.

 

32 Weeks..and a Finished Nursery.(from a couple weeks ago)

I am actually just about 34 weeks now, but here are some photos from a few weeks ago of our finished nursery, and some recent belly pics from 32 weeks.

Due to unforeseen events, we were admitted to the hospital the Wednesday after these were taken for pre-term labor, and spent 5 days there trying to get my labor stopped. I am happy to report that I am resting, the babies are healthy, and I will be on bedrest until I deliver.

On the upside-the hubby finished our nursery, and I must say it's totally awesome! Our jungle themed ideas really came together. Especially once our mural was up. Check out some of the photos below:

Since I am on bedrest, I am trying to catch up on some blogging (yes, I have been a bad, bad girl), since I can no longer cook. I will however be posting some of the recent recipes I have cooked that I have been saving up.

The goal is to get to at least 35 weeks, but 37 would be preferable. We toured the NICU before discharging from the hospital, and frankly, it scared the hell out of us. We wouldn't want the babies to suffer unnecessarily, or have to deal with feeding, or breathing issues, just to name a few. So for now I am completely focused on hibernating and incubating these babies, until they decide they are ready to meet the world. We are so excited!!!!!

Nailpolishes to LOVE!

My two new nail polish finds will totally rock your world! The green is just in time for St. Patrick's day! It would also be cute with a white (rather than a green) shamrock painted onto your thumb or index fingernail.

The first is OPI "Fresh Frog of Bel Air". It's full of sparkles and everything cute. Make sure you put down a good thick base coat, or you will spend a good part of the rest of your life trying to remove the glitter from your nails once you are ready to take it off.

The other nail polish was a combination of brand Sinful Color, "Snow Me White", for the base coat, and the clouds were made by using two different layers of "Nail Junkie". Allow each layer to dry between rounds, and make the sparkly layer for the clouds lighter the first time. Add your second layer to emphasize the cloud shapes, and make the accents a little darker.

Fave Eyeshadow

I got my Sephora order in the mail...rejoice! My totally fave new eyeshadow: Lorac "delight". It's a cross petween pink, purple, and lilac. But, with a hint of irradescent shimmer. What's not to LOVE?

It's really cute layered, with a darker or lighter shadow, but it looks the best all on its own. This is carried at Sephora stores, and sephora.com. I really hope you try it.

Beauty Treats

My recent beauty purchases have made me VERY happy. I did a ton of research before hand, & finally decided on a new chemical-physical exfoliator. I am using Exfolikate, by Kate Sommerville. I totally dig it. Not only do you get that cleansing sensation of the microbeads, but you also get a chemical type of exfoliator in a more natural equivalent.

The ingredients are almost all natural, and the smell is fresh and clean. It smells of lemongrass, and spring. I have been using it for about a month, and the travel sizes which are sold at Sephora are only $19 and last quite a while if only using the recommended twice a week.

My new OTHER love is Mac matte lipstick Iris Apfel-Pink Pigeon. It is simply amazing. The perfect shade of pink, and since it's matte it's not too glossy or bold. You can layer it to control the strength of the hue, and it is Super CUTE!

You can find it MAC stores, or on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Lipstick-PINK-PIGEON-Apfel-collection/dp/B006U6LQ4W

My final beauty buy was an investment. I have been using Clinique facial moisturizer for years, and I felt it was time to upgrade, not only in brand, but what it can do for my skin. I tried the brands containing retinal, but I couldn't get over the smell....no matter how hard they tried to disguise it with other scents. I know that's probably the best for me, but this seems to be working pretty well.

I start by cleansing my skin, and I am using it in the morning, and again at night before bed. It's Murad's Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer. It's also available at Sephora. for 1.7 ounces it retails for $65.

Living in cold climate has definitely wreaked havoc on my skin, and it screams for a "drink". This quenches my thirsty skins thirst!

Knitting...I think I will.

Some say this is an old lady hobby. I don't agree. This is an AWESOME hobby! Over the holidays my hubby's Grandmother spent some time teaching me the "cast on", "cat off", & basic "knit stitches."

When I got home, I unravelled the entire piece of yarn I had knitted, & started over. It looked BAD. Honestly!

The second time around, I am noticing a marked improvement. I am almost making NO mistakes. YAY me!

I have been using the weekly sales adds at Michaels & signed up for online coupons for Joann. I stocked up on 3 different colored yarns, middle weight, and about 15 rolls.

I am totally loving the chunky yarn. Lion Brand has some really cute ones.

I also found some cute patterns on Etsy . There are quite a few retailers that sell patterns, as well as custom make yarn like this. Sweet.

I am so excited to share with you my new hobby, & will keep updating my new progress.

For Christmas I recieved "The Exegesis of Philip K. Dick"....

I am excited to start this book The Exegesis of Philip K Dick because Philip K Dick has written so many fascinating novels that have been made into extremely popular movies in the last few years. I was surprised to learn that the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" was made into one of my favorite movies "Bladerunner". he is also the author of Total Recall, The Minority Report, and others.

Although diagnosed with schizophrenia and massive hallucinations, he was a genius, ahead of his time in his science fiction writings, and descriptions of the future. From what I know of him already, I must admit he is a little "out there"...but his ideas shaped the future of science fiction novels, cartoons, and movies! http://www.philipkdick.com/aa_biography.html