Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream for Oily Skin

              
A few weeks ago I was invited to join a BzzCampaign for Garnier's BB Cream that's geared for us oily-skinned folk.  I was stoked because it's about that time of year where I want to switch my heavier coverage foundation for a BB Cream or tinted moisturizer. I've noticed that most of the BB Creams I have tried make me very oily within a very small amount of time.  Even those creams that say they are oil free & help mattify the skin make me an oil slick.  The lighter the coverage, the more oil control & vice versa is how it usually is with products.  My skin has been acting a little funky lately so right now I'm needing more medium/full coverage & I know that BB creams don't really provide much more than light/medium.
 The first day I tried this without a primer & my fingers.  I was pleasantly surprised that it had a decent amount of coverage that hid most of my redness.  I stayed oil free for about 3 hours (not bad!) The next time I tried it with my oil free primer & a dampened BeautyBlender, coverage was pretty nice.  I decided not to top it with any powder & within 2-3 hours I was pretty oily.  Third day I used my oil-free primer & my ELF Powder Brush which is my favorite way to apply this & I topped it with my MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural.  I get about 4-5 hours tops before the sides of my nose start to really grease up.  This isn't very easy to touch up because it does separate on your skin after blotting. After about 5 hours it just starts to look very messy & splotchy.

Here's a picture of my skin before (EEEEEK!!!!)

Here's my skin with just the BB Cream on, applied with my ELF Powder brush

 & here's the finished product with the Garnier BB Cream topped with MAC Mineralize Skin Finish.

 This covers fairly well, as you can see in the first picture I have a bit of discoloration on my cheeks & dark circles under my eyes. This doesn't completely diminish the dark circles but a concealer will fix that.  All in all I really enjoy this product.  I feel that it will be perfect on days when I'm just running some errands or going to the pool (yes, I wear some sort of coverage on my face when I go swimming, don't judge).  This won't be my pick if I'm going to be at work all day long since the longevity isn't that great.  The price point is awesome for the amount of product you get, $12 for 2 ounces!

Have you tried any BB Creams lately?

Until next time,

I received this product from BzzAgent in exchange for my thoughts.  These opinions are my own. 

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Giveaway! 3-month Conscious Box Subscription

So by now you all now I love me some Conscious Box...each of my boxes have come with AMAZING products that I'm now a loyal customer of.  They've recently launched a Vegan as well as a Gluten Free box.  If you aren't familiar with what a Conscious Box is, you can check out my reviews here and here. I'm a huge fan & support this company 100%.  I'm even more excited to give one of my fabulous readers a free 3-month subscription, which means 3 jam packed boxes full of yummy & eco friendly goodies! I KNOW you'll love it as much as I do :)

Conscious Box has recently revamped their website & they now offer a points program which can be redeemed for discounts on your favorite products.  When you've finished entering head over there & take a peek around their new site.

Enter by using the Rafflecopter Widget below.  Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Palmolive Fresh Infusions First Look

Well hello again! Last week I was hit with the flu...hard. I was in bed for a week! I can't think of a time I've been that sick before.  Looking through my Twitter & FB timeline I kept seeing everyone else posting about them having the disgusting bug too.  It sure did get around! So while I was sick my sweet husband took care of everything around the house, including the dishes (SCORE!) Since these Palmolive Fresh Infusions had came right before the flu joined me, he got to use them & report to me :)

When buying dish soap, I usually always just grab the cheapest soap as long as it's anti-bacterial.  I hate the scent of the one we normally get, it just smells so...generic. Influenster sent me the 3 scents to try out.  

-Ginger White Tea
-Lime Basil
-Lemon Thyme

Right off the bat I knew that Ginger White Tea would be my favorite, and it is! They all smell wonderfully fresh without being artificial and overpowering.  I really like the fact that these are concentrated which means I don't have to use as much! 

My husband said these were great in getting the dishes clean.  He didn't have to scrub as hard as he normally would have to with our previous soaps. This excited me because that means less time at the sink cleaning. Yay!

I plan on giving a bottle to my mother, I'm looking forward to hearing what she thinks.

These are 16oz bottles & they can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.97, not bad considering the size AND they are concentrated. 

Have you tried this dish soap yet? Are you like me & pick up the cheapest one you can find?

This box was sent to me for review purposes.  My opinions are my own & I am not influenced in any way.

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Hard Candy Blush Crush in Bombshell (MAC MSF dupe!)

Happy Tuesday, beauties! I was strolling through Wal-Mart & decided to check out the Hard Candy section, I've looked through a few times & even purchased some items for a friend overseas but for some reason never picked up anything for myself (THE HORROR!) This product in particular stood out to me because I have a love for all MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes...even with my pro discount, MSF's aren't cheap.  I grabbed the bronziest shade I could find and happily skipped to the checkout (ok, I lied, I just walked).  

The item I picked up is Hard Candy's Blush Crush Baked Blush in Bombshell. I'm such a sucker for packaging & I must say, Hard Candy's packaging is pretty dang fabulous!  I tried to get a good picture of the front of this blush but because of the reflective silver it made it a bit difficult...the best one I could get was this:

 See, told you the packaging was pretty awesome :)

The color Bombshell that I picked up is a medium golden tan with a touch of pink swirled throughout.  I don't see this being a very versatile color for different skin tones because of how orange it could end up looking. The good news is that although it's very pigmented, it can be sheered out with a bit of blending.  It's shimmery without being over the top e.g. no chunky glitter. I'd stay away from this if you have very large pores on your cheeks or wherever else you may apply this because it will definitely accentuate them. The formula is buttery smooth & applies beautifully, just like a MAC MSF. 

These 2 swatches were taken with studio lighting, the left is very heavily swatched & the the right is blended out.

These swatches were taken with natural light outside, as above left is heavily swatched & the right is blended out.

 I got about 4-5 hours of wear before this started to fade, which isn't too bad considering how fast everything fades on me.  The Blush Crush is only $7 & is .28oz (8g) which comes to $25 an ounce whereas MAC Mineralize Skin Finish is $29 for .35oz (10g) and that's about $83 an ounce! That's a huge difference! 

There were 2 other shades available which I'm looking forward to picking up during my next shopping trip.

If you're looking for a great MAC MSF dupe, definitely check these out at Wal-Mart, you won't be disappointed. 

Until next time,

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Vegan Box from Conscious Box

Helloooooo out there! It has been FAR too long since I have blogged & I hate it! I had some personal things going on & I just completely put my blog on the back burner *gives blog a hug* BUT I am back! It's a new year & I couldn't be more excited. 2012 was a great year for me but I predict 2013 being even better :)

I have some exciting vacations coming up this year so I'm scrambling to get into better shape.  I've been using MyFitnessPal as always & doing Zumba which makes me feel amazing!  This Conscious Box honestly couldn't of come at a better time.  I've had some spare time on my hands so I've been snacking a bit & this box came with some amazing things to get myself back on track!

I've previously reviewed a Conscious Box & I was blown away by how many things came in it...this box was just as amazing.  My January Conscious Box is their very first Vegan Box! I personally am not a Vegan but know quite a few people who are so I think this is such a neat idea.  I was worried that since I'm not Vegan the items wouldn't appeal to me but I was very wrong! 

January's Vegan Conscious Box 

 That card with the beautiful snowy scene is an adorable postcard!

First look opening the box!

Amazing Grass Wild Berry Flavor Drink Powder

I consider myself a kid at heart so I'm pretty sure this is right up my alley :)

 Bodhichitta Botanicals Sacred Temple Lotion

The scent description is verrry intriguing. 

 Dr. Singha's Mustard Bath

I'm all about ridding my body of impurities & relaxing, although mustard does sound a little strange. I may try it on my feet first ;)

 Simply Straws

My husband laughs at me but I am addicted to straws, I can not take a drink of anything unless it's through a straw so we are constantly buying those plastic ones that go right in the trash, I love this idea! It'd also be great for a family since each member can have their own color!

Dale's Raw Protein Bar in Cafe Mocha with Chia Seeds

I've been hearing so many things about chia seeds & was pleased to see it was included in this, I need to do more research on the health benefits...can anyone out there fill me in on them?

I did notice that this says Keep Refrigerated, I'm unsure if they mean once opened or at all times. The latter would mean this wouldn't be the best for on the go.  I love that it's high in protein! 

 Maakoa Koopuwa

This didn't come with a very in-depth description & instructions so I had to go to their website & it's full of Cupuacu & other Super Fruits. You are supposed to drink 1-2 ounces daily.  I really like that it's not something that you have to drink ___ amount of servings throughout the day.  Never heard of this before so it will be interesting to try out!

 Happy Squeeze Fruit & Veggie Twist in Apple Mango Kale

I've recently become a fan of kale due to my juicing so I'm always on the look out for it in different things.  I usually buy the little squeezable fruit packets from the store but have never tried this brand nor have I seen any that have veggies as well. I'm going to take this on my upcoming trip to Europe for a little mid-day snack. 

 People Towels On-The-Go Alternative to Paper Towels

I'm the first to admit I use waaaay too many paper towels, I feel like we are constantly buying them (along with straws, hehe) & I hate feeling like such a waster every time I throw a paper towel in the trash.  This feels nice & I love the cute design on it.  This will be great for drying hands in the kitchen. 

 Peeled Snacks Apple Clusters in Berry Crunch

I've been snacking on some apple chips the past few days & was kind of getting a bit bored of them.  These combine 2 awesome things together in a crunchy little snack.  I like that I could throw this in my purse but not have to worry about them being squished. 

Hail Merry Choco Macaroons

These are gluten-free, vegan, made with no raw oils, & no refined sugar.  The ingredients are minimal which makes me happy.  I love all things coconut so I'm looking forward to trying these out after dinner 

 Nutiva Organic Shelled Hemp Seed

I received a small bag of hemp seed a few months ago but wasn't really sure what to do with it.  This package says you can eat it out of the bag or add to smoothies.  I'm not sure of the nutritional benefits of hemp seed.  So anyone that can answer me about chia seeds & hemp seeds I would love to know!

 Whew! So that's everything! Tons of stuff for a really great price.  Conscious Boxes are $12 per month + $7.95 shipping which comes to $19.95 per month. They now offer this Vegan Box so you can choose between this or their normal (& just as amazing) box. Just click here & you can sign up for your own Vegan Box that will be delivered right to your door. This is a great way to try different items for one low price. 

Have you ever tried a Conscious Box before? Are you planning on trying one?

Until next time,

This box was sent to me for review purposes.  My opinions are my own & I am not influenced in any way.

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Starlooks Starbox September Edition

So I'm at that point where I've narrowed down my favorite monthly sub services and I'm now just sticking with two...Starlooks Starboxes & Beauty Army.  Each month I've done reviews on each...you can see how awesome these companies are.  Starlooks has a special place in my heart because it is all makeup, that's right ALL makeup! Each month I open my box I'm amazed over & over again.  I have never been disappointed.  When I opened September's box I was stoked to see that it included an eyeshadow palette that contained 5 colors! SAAWEEET! Keep reading to see what else came in my September box :)

 Monographic 5 Shade Shadow Palette 

 Swatches with flash

 No flash

 So at first I was a little perplexed, why such light colors? After using them a bit, I started to put them over plain matte shades to really change the whole look of my shadow.  These colors work amazing on their own but even better over colors you already have! My personal favorite is a matte black with the middle pink shimmer color over. GORGEOUS! The formula of these are just as great as all the other Starlooks shadows.  I have yet to come across one of their products that isn't amazing.

Eye Shadow Primer

 I've never used an eyeshadow primer that has a texture like this product.  It reminded me of vaseline at first which I was very worried about putting something like that on my oily lids. After it's blended in it takes on a very smooth powdery finish.  My shadows went on beautifully and lasted all day & night.  I tried one eye with my UDPP & one with this Starlooks Primer and you couldn't tell the difference! Score!

Flat-back Swarovski Eye Crystals

These champagne & bronze crystals couldn't of come at a better time! I've been doing some fun Halloween looks and really didn't want to have to place an online order for some of these. It's like Starlooks read my mind! 

As always, my Starlooks Starbox also came with a mystic quartz crystal, I've been collecting these in a cute little glass & it sits on my vanity. Starboxes are $15 a month and each month you will receive 3-4 high-quality, full sized makeup items.  The value is phenomenal (as you can see) they also have their store online where you can purchase tons of their awesome products from their line & that includes free shipping for anything under 10lbs.  They have also started a points program, every dollar you spend you earn a point...100 points = 10 Star Dollars toward your next purchase.  

Sign up by clicking here & I would be ever so grateful if you could use my username - mcubedmakeup as the person who referred you :) 

Until next time,

This item was purchased on my own with my own money. 

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Beauty Blogger Bunch Fall Giveaway ft. The Balm!

The Beauty Blogger Bunch Fall Beauty Giveaway has officially started.

One grand prize winner will win $175 worth of The Balm products! Enter below using the rafflecopter application. This giveaway will run for 2 weeks and ends on October 22nd, 2012. Multiple ways to enter, including a freebie!

Sponsored by:

Ashley Elizabeth : Ashley Elizabeth's Beauty Blog

Janelle : Glamorous Mama

Casey : Beauty 101 Blog

Kim Bai : Fashion and Beauty by Kim Bai

Marina : mCubedmakeup

Melissa : This Girls Life 

Miss L : Beauty by Miss L

Make sure to stop by our sponsor's blogs and say hello along with our participating beauty hosts, who also host their own beauty blog giveaways.

Beauty Test Dummies : www.beautytestdummies.com

Christy Breazeal : www.mysbaddiction.blogspot.com

Emily : www.emilyreviews.com

Jennifer : www.boogiesnbooboos.com

Kristyn : www.ksquaredglamour.org

LolaRose : lolarose1.blogspot.ie

Lydia : allofheryesterdays.blogspot.co.uk

Mina Slater : www.minaslater.com

Natasha : bellezakisses.wordpress.com

Tiffany : psbeautyblog.blogspot.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This or That Makeup Tag

It's been so long since I've done a tag so I was stoked when I saw that the lovely Caateryna tagged me in her post :)

Check out her answers here and while you're there take some time to look around, she's got some AMAZING nail art and one of my very favorites, her DIY Magnetic Palette! Your own homemade Z Palette for a lot less! Seriously, she rocks!

1. Blush or Bronzer? I'd have to say bronzer for sure!  In a pinch you can just use your bronzer to contour and blend up a bit and voila, blush!
2. Lipgloss or Lipstick? I used to be obsessed with lip gloss but over the last few years I am a total lipstick junkie.  I really can't even stand the feeling of gloss on my lips anymore, my hair just gets stuck to it! LOL
3. Chapstick or Lip Butter? Korres Lip Butter FTW!
4. Matte or Sparkle Eye Shadow? Well, I like a good mix of both but if I HAD to choose it would be matte!
5. Gel, Liquid, Cream, or Pencil Eyeliner? If I'm running late, pencil.  If I have time then I choose liquid. 
6. Foundation or Concealer? Foundation, with a good foundation I usually don't even need concealer, just a color-corrector depending on how my face looks that day. 
7. Liquid or Powder Foundation? Liquid for sure! I do use powder foundation to set the liquid though :) I've never been a fan of powder foundation on it's own. 
8. Neutral or Statement Eyes? Statement eyes 5 days a week, the other 2 days are usually neutral for me...so I guess I'd have to choose statement! Hehe
9. Pressed or Loose Shadows? Pressed, I only like loose when I'm doing something really artsy like fun designs. 
10. Waterproof or Non Water proof? Depends on what product...mascara = non.  Foundation = waterproof :)
11. Brushes, Sponges or Fingers? Brushes, with the exception of my Beauty Blender. 
12. Powder, Cream, or Liquid Highlighter? Powder on myself, liquid on my clients.

Thanks Cat for tagging me! I tag these beauties:

Vanity & Vodka

Glitter Gloss & Glaze

Makeup Junkie Nikki

FashionCHICsta

Geniabeme

The New Beauty Review

Gloss & Glitz

Lady Million

Your BFF

Until next time,

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Lucky Lucy Body Desserts

Yay! I'm here! I have felt so disconnected from all of my social media platforms! While I've been gone, I had the opportunity to try out some products from a new company, Lucky Lucy Body Desserts!

I had been speaking with Nicole back & forth a bit when she first started her facebook page, I loved the name & the fact that all of their products are handmade and natural really interested me.  Nicole sent me 3 yummy items to try out.  They came in the CUTEST package ever! Pink & black...two of the world's best colors, I posted a picture on Instagram the second I got it.

Two items came from their Hello Good Morning Collection, their apricot-sugar scrub & their organic body wash.  It is described as having bursts of citrus and traces of vanilla. One item came from there Lady E Collection.

 The Hello Good Morning body wash is made from organic sunflower oil, palm kernel, essential oils & other delightful treats. This lathered very well & left my skin super soft.  The best part to me was the smell...oh my gosh that smell! You get a hit of citrus followed by a super sweet ribbon of vanilla followed by a scent that can only be described as sugary sweet! I wanted to eat this stuff! All of it!

The Body Buffer Scrub is made with shea butter, apricots, grapeseed, sugar, spice & other things that are nice <---- seriously, how cute is that description?! This scrub was much thicker than most but not as abrasive which is nice.  Sometimes I'm not wanting to slough off the first 6 layers of my skin. This smells just like the body wash and left my skin glowing! I can't get over the amazing scent, I'm needing Nicole & Tara to start making candles, perfumes, air fresheners & fabric softeners in these scents please & thank you ;) After smelling them, you'll be begging for the same thing.

The last item I was sent comes from their Lady E Collection and it's their Body Souffle which is described as being made with goats milk, honey, almonds, various essential oils & other wonderful things.  This body souffle was perfect in texture, not too thick, not too thin, not too greasy, but just enough to keep my skin moisturized and feeling great.  The smell reminds me of sweet roses, I'm not a rose scented fan at all but they managed to make this so subtle you can't help but want to rub your whole body down with this yummy goodness.

 The packaging is very simple & my only complaint would have to be the labels which I feel that over time if left in the shower, will start to come off.  That's really not a big deal in my book, though.

These 3 items plus many more handmade organic/natural items will be available from Lucky Lucky Body Desserts starting October 31st! Be sure to follow them on Twitter & go like their Facebook page so you can stay up-to-date with them when they launch!

Until next time,

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