Beauty Bar Sample Society August 2012

I'm so sorry that I am late in getting this post up.  I honestly do have a long list of reviews to put up on this site, but I just can't seem to find the time to do it. 

That being said, here is the August Beauty Bar Sample Society Box.

Phyto - Phytonectar Treatment Oil

Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer - Private Dancer

Jane Iredale - Longest Lash Mascara

Elemental Herbology Skin Care - Facial Glow Radiance Peel

Arcona - Cranberry Toner

Malin+Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer

The first thing that caught my eye was the Deborah Lippman Nail Lacquer.  Love the color!  It's a mirrored chrome purple color that is absolutely gorgeous.  I immediately put it on my nails.  It wore well, just starting to chip after seven days.  I was thrilled about that.  Plus, I got numerous comments on how pretty the color was.  This is my first Deborah Lippman Nail Lacquer.  As you know, I'm a loyal Zoya nail polish fan but I might have to splurge a bit and buy another polish by Deborah Lippman.  They are a bit expensive - $18.00 vs $8.00 with Zoya.  (Please excuse my dry hands and bad cuticles - I didn't have time to fix them before I painted my nails).

The second item I tried was the Elemental Herbology Skin Care Facial Glow Radiance Peel. This is a skin-correcting facial peel that protects, brightens, smooths and tones the skin.   I love face peels and masks so I was excited to try this.  This product has a fresh citrus scent and is smooth and creamy with a bit larger than usual granules in it.  I left the product on for four minutes as directed, and washed it off with a warm wet cloth.  It left my face incredibly soft, with a subtle glow.  I don't think I've used it enough to see a difference in my pores but I have my fingers crossed.  I really enjoyed this product and will be purchasing a full size.

I used the Phytonectar Treatment Oil yesterday when I washed my hair.  I was confused by the directions - it says 'apply before washing'.  I didn't know if I needed to applied it to wet hair or dry hair so I looked it up online.  You apply it to dry hair and leave on for 15 minutes.  Then wash and condition hair as usual.  The directions recommend using once a week.  I really like Phyto hair products and this treatment oil was nice.  I did notice a difference when combing out my wet hair.  I didn't have as many tangles and my hair is very soft and smooth.  I don't think it would purchase this product but I am enjoying the sample.

Next up is the Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara in Icy Black.  I have not used this yet but am looking forward to.  I'm always looking for a great mascara.  I'll let you know what I think.

Lastly, the Arcona Cranberry Toner.  I have never heard of this brand or toner before so I am excited to try it.  The description says "this three-in-one cranberry milk toner cleanses, tones and hydrates, infusing skin with protective antioxidants to leave it glowing and refreshed. Removes dirt, oil and makeup".  It's got five stars on www.skinstore.com so I'm looking forward to trying it. 

So that is it my friends.  That is my August Beauty Bar Sample Society box.  I hope you enjoyed reading about the products and if you have any questions about any of them, please ask. 

I hope you all are having a beautiful day!!

Take care,
Kat

Great Hair Care Products at a Great Price

When I was a young girl, the kids at school would call me "frizzhead". Guess I don't need to tell you what my hair looked like when I was young!!! :) My hair was blonde, really curly and frizzy. My mom always had it cut short, in a "pixie" cut. Of course, I always wanted long, straight, smooth hair. You always want what you don't have, right??

Fast forward 30 years, and I now have straight hair thanks to professional relaxers. For the last 10 years, I've been getting a relaxer treatment put on my hair and I absolutely love it. I get a relaxer because it still leaves some body to my hair whereas a straightener is completely straight. My hair designer uses a Paul Mitchell relaxer and it cost around $100 A straightener would cost around $300.

Like all chemical products used on hair, the relaxer really dries out my hair, especially on the ends where I have a lot of breakage.  To help with that I've always purchased Nexxus products or Kenneth products (my salon brand) for hair conditioners. Both of those brands costing more money then I want to spend for hair conditioner.

I had the relaxer put on my hair in June and instead of leaving the salon with a expensive conditioner, I decided to research drugstore brands to see if I could find a good one that worked as well as a high end conditioner. The first drugstore brand I choose was Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition for dry/damaged hair. I purchased the Triple Nutrition Extra Nourishing Cream Shampoo. the Triple Nutrition Conditioner and the Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment.

I've been using the products for a little over a month now, and what a difference they made in my hair. My hair is thick, feels very soft, silky and really healthy. I absolutely love it. The product says it will make your hair 3X stronger and I really believe it does. I don't have near the breakage at the ends that I used to have. I use the shampoo and conditioner every day, and the Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment every two days.

Last week I went to my hair salon to have my hair cut and when my hair stylist was running her fingers through my hair she said, "I don't know what you're using on your hair but it feels fantastic and is in great condition". Well, that pretty much says it all!!!

I purchased my Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition products at my local Walgreens store and the cost was three products for $9.99. What a bargain for soft, silky, healthy hair!! I will be using these products for a very long time!!