My hair was super long when I was younger. I'm talking down to the middle of my back long. When I turned 12, my mom decided it was time to chemically straighten my hair because detangling my extremely thick hair was too time consuming. So, I got my first relaxer and my first haircut right along with it. Even then, the ends of my hair rested on my upper back. But between the everyday styling of my teenage years, college in a small town with no hair stylist, and the stress of law school, my hair has never been 100% healthy. I've struggled with periodic trims that turned into huge chops for a while. Until, the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque found me.

Beauty gurus across the Youtube-osphere screamed from the rooftops about the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. And I listened immediately, although I wasn't sure how it would work with my hair texture, because I'd been searching for a deep treatment for my hair. I love my hair salon, the same salon I've been going to since I was about 14, but I also really like doing my hair at home. When I'm home, I can leave a masque in my hair for an hour or let my hair air dry to limit exposure to heat. It's tedious, but I like feeling like I'm treating my hair (& scalp) really well.

And this masque is so good to my hair! I added it to my haircare regime 8 months ago and it has completely changed the condition of my hair. I recently trimmed (not cut!) my hair and it was the first time in over 6 months that I needed to. Every single time my hair stylist sees me, she comments on how strong and resilient my hair has gotten. Even my boyfriend mentioned how shiny my hair looked (I decided to take this as a compliment instead of a criticism of its past condition lol). I'm convinced that this masque is responsible for the improvement. It's described as "a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair". To name a few ingredients, it contains macadamia and argan oils for moisturizing and preventing breakage, tea tree oil for overall hair health, chamomile oil for revitalizing hair and strengthening roots, and aloe for sheen and lustre. It leaves my hair voluminous without being frizzy, soft without feeling weighed down, and smelling amazing without sacrificing any of the above. I'm in love.

If you're looking for a product to change your hair completely, don't hesitate for a second more! The masque is more expensive than others (most websites price it at $30+ for just 8.5oz), but I found my huge 16.9oz tub for only $35 on sleekhair.com! That's a professional size, double the masque, for practically the same price. Click here to get in on that deal. And if you're skeptical as to whether this masque will work for you, you can purchase a 1oz travel-size for less than three bucks. Oh, have I mentioned that I've had the same tub for the past 8 months and I'm barely ½ way through? What are you waiting for? Go get'chu some :)

Beauty Product Review: Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub

I didn't mean to like this scrub. I really didn't. Let me explain.

I've been using Lush's Ocean Salt for about a year now as a body scrub, although most people utilize it as a facial one. I've repurchased it and plan to do so in the future. But one Sunday (my pampering day), I looked into an empty container in shock. Where did this magical stuff go so quickly, and why did I not notice it until 9pm tonight? So, I jumped into some shoes, grabbed my keys, and ran out to Bed, Bath & Beyond to grab any ol' scrub for the night. I'd read a review on this scrub on Elle Fowler's blog, Dreaming in Blush, but didn't necessarily see it as a must-have. But as I searched the beauty section that night, I gravitated towards it as it was the only scrub I recognized, and carried the container in the Brazilian Nut scent to the register.

And so the temporary solution became a permanent member! It's a gentle scrub but you definitely feel it as it sloshes away your dead skin to reveal a new layer of baby soft, supple skin. However, although it certainly isn't drying, I find that I still need to use a body lotion or body butter afterwards, which I'm not accustomed to with Ocean Salt. This doesn't bother me though because I always moisturize after a shower even when I don't need to. Now, Ocean Salt will always be a holy grail product, but I am partial to this brazil nut scrub as it leaves a wonderful yet faint scent of coffee behind it. Taking a whiff of it is like walking into a coffee shop, and I sigh every time I open it up. Furthermore, I can't deny that the price is like a dream in comparison to a lot of the products that I've tried. The container I have is huge with over 18 oz of product for only $6-$8 at my local drugstore (whereas Ocean Salt retails for $35 for a 8 oz jar). The drugstore also carries a body butter of comparable price, which I've contemplated recently but can't seem to justify purchasing. There are also body wash/scrub/butter trios in a few other scents, including mango and almond.   

Overall, I can't say for sure that this product occupies the #1 spot on my list of best body scrubs, but it's on the list for sure! I feel as though it will always be in the arsenal regardless, if only for its scent alone!

Have you tried this scrub, or do you have any other recommendations? Leave me a comment & let me know!

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Review & Makeup Look

Over a month ago, I caved and purchased the L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation.  After hearing about it for weeks, I finally decided that I had to try it. And at only $10 at my local Bed, Bath and Beyond, how could I say no? Well, I'm sure I could have, but then why? And I love it.

I didn't expect to love it. Quite honestly, it took me by surprise. At first glance,  after pulling it out of the bag at home and opening the cap, I hated it actually. It's an open bottle, which generally translates to a disaster for me. And the color looked too "cool" for my skin tone. I poured a bit onto the back of my hand and actually frowned at it, as it's liquid-y texture spread all over (this really is the only efficient way to apply it though). I wish I could say that upon smoothing the product from my fingertips and onto my face, I fell in love. But it wasn't love. I mean, I liked it no doubt. It went on like liquid and for me dried to more of a satin than a powder. But the lack of coverage left me quite underwhelmed and I quickly applied concealer to my spots and undereye area (because I had heard that double-layering was a no-no) and headed out the door.

Right after application. My face looks airbrushed.

It was when I returned home that I had the "wow, I love this" moment. My makeup still looked pretty flawless after running around Central Park. Yes, that's right. During my first day at Central Park (see yesterday's NYC Love Affair post), my makeup held up amazingly through rowboating, dinner and quite a bit of walking. And then on the second day, my foundation didn't budge despite the long hike from 59th to 85th Street and on the somewhat sweaty subway ride home. I say that's a hell of a feat and L'Oreal Magic Nude crushed it.

I look tired because I was exhausted. 

8 hours after application and this is what we have. The tint of this photo is strange, so it's not depicting the foundation true to color. However, my skin is even-toned (did I just make that word up?) and I only have a bit of shine on the tip of my nose and the very center of my forehead. This is without any finishing powder or setting spray, which I didn't think was necessary because of the formula of this foundation and I don't have oily skin. I'm thinking that this would be a great foundation to carry along to the beach or on an island trip, when you'd like to even complexion but want something incredibly light and well-wearing (did I invent that one too?).

Here are the products I used to complete my look.

Face:

L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder Foundation in Soft Sable

MAC Prolongwear Concealer in NC45

MAC Blush in Breezy

Dior Highlighting Powder in Amber Diamond

Eyes:

Benefit Kohl Pencil in Onyx

DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum

L'Oreal Power Volume Collagen Mascara

Lips:

NYX Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait (not pictured because I can't find it!)

Recent Beauty & Skincare Additions!

Here's to promising that future beauty/skincare review posts won't be this long! I've done quite a bit of shopping recently, much to my bank account's chagrin, and wanted to get this all up at once!

1) Philosophy Purity Facial Cleanser
I've wanted to try this cleanser out for so long but could never justify purchasing it when I had shelled out so much cash on my Nude Skincare products. But with this recent newfound interest in caring for my skin, an interest I should've developed a lot earlier, I picked up a small bottle to try out as a morning cleanser. A multiple repeat Allure magazine award winner from 2007 to 2013, it didn't disappoint. It has a creamy texture which I appreciate as I'm not a foamy kinda gal. It washes off easily and has a built in toner, which means I don't have to take that extra step. People have claimed that it removes makeup extremely well, but I can't attest to that  as I've been using it in the morning. It's essential that I shorten my skincare routine in the morning because I'm basically a zombie when I wake up.
2) Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
I don't think it really foams up, but it's still a great scrub (and I'm not sure I'd want my face scrub to foam…Ew). It's another product praised by Allure magazine in 2009 and rightfully so. The scrubbing beads are fine enough so it's not too harsh and can be used everyday, although I only use it about 2-3 per week. I adore both the taste and scent of grapefruit, so I really enjoy rubbing this into my face for the aroma and the skin benefits. It's hard to resist purchasing the other products in the line. Rinse this off well because the beads can stick a bit, but your skin will be silky smooth afterwards. It doesn't brighten much but that's fine because I have Lush's Ocean Salt for that (a product that deserves a review on its own).
3) Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil 

Holy S#!t, Holy Grail! I'm head over heels about this tiny little oil, and frankly, so is the rest of the beauty community. I use this as a serum and an under eye cream at night, and sometimes, I'll just apply it whenever I feel that my skin is a bit dry. Usually, I place this on the drier areas of my face (undereye,in between brows, tip of nose & jawline) after my toner and let it seep in for a few minutes before adding moisturizer. You can also use it for your hair, but I haven't tried that yet.
4) Freeman's Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask
At only around $4 ($2 for the sample I used), what's not to love about this product? It's purifying and nourishing so it doesn't strip your skin. It does sting a bit around the eyes (the packaging says to avoid the eye area but apparently, I'm a rebel), but it's nothing unbearable. The product spreads onto your face smoothly and hardens after a few minutes. Simply wash it off to reveal soft, glowing skin. I use this 1-2 times a week and I will be purchasing the full size next time I head to Bed, Bath & Beyond.
5) Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

With sporadic use on pronounced blemishes as well as those I "feel coming on", this product worked pretty well. As I state below, I don't have particularly acne prone skin so I can't say too much about this.
Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer (sample; not pictured) 
Oy! I'll begin by saying I do not have acne prone or sensitive skin. I rarely get a blemish except for the monthly little pop-ups and I have never had a bad reaction to anything for my face. With that stated, this is just not the product for me - at all. Not even 2 hours after applying it, my entire face began to itch slightly. I didn't think anything of it only to wake up scratching my face uncontrollably. And unfortunately because I had been integrating a few new products into my skin regime, it took another day to single this moisturizer out as the culprit. The bandit is now in the trash, where it will remain forever. I never breakout, yet this product left my face covered in a rash/acne breakout that took 2 weeks and lots of TLC to get rid off. Eeep! 

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (sample; not pictured)
So, the jury's out on this one. As stated above, I had a major breakout, which I've attributed to the GinZing moisturizer. However, I did experience dryness and a bit of a rash under my eyes as well. I'm not sure if this eye cream played a part as I tend to get my moisturizer under my eyes when I apply it. Thinking of giving this one more shot because it has Caffeine and Ginseng to wake you up. Umm, yeah, see zombie reference above - I need that.

6) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Amande
After hearing Elle from AllThatGlitters21 rave about this concealer on her YouTube channel, I was intrigued. When I went to Sephora, I was further intrigued by the vast color selection, especially on the deeper end of the spectrum. For the past few weeks I've been giving my skin a break due to the above mentioned horrid breakout, but on the few occasions I've worn makeup, I've been reaching for this. It highlights under my eyes wonderfully and with a bit of setting powder, doesn't crease or budge all day. I have very dark circles and this concealer covered them up quite nicely. I'm not so sure about using this as a spot concealer as it is "radiant," but I'm not ruling it out.
7) Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick in Fuchsia Frolic
On my weekend trip to Maryland, I wandered into a Sephora store to browse and a make-up artist there told me about the new Josie Maran Lipstick, which is actually more of a highly-pigmented lipgloss. I tried on a few in the store and liked them, but I wasn't quite sold. Well, on the ride back into the city, it was all I could talk about and so I bought it first chance I got. The product is basically a lip color encased in an argan oil  capsule, if that makes any sense. You can use it as a lip tint by applying it as you would any other lipstick. Alternatively, you can use it as a gloss by tilting it sideways. I love the color Fuchsia Frolic as it gives my lips a subtle rosy hue. I also really like the Honey colored one. The only surprise is that it isn't all that hydrating as one might expect something with argan oil in the title to be. It goes on smooth but be sure your lips are moisturized beforehand or else it won't wear as well, and quite frankly, it won't look as nice.
8) elf Small Stipple Brush 
I found this for $3 at Harmon's. Need I say more? Probably not, but I shall anyway. It's the best size and density for applying concealer beneath the eyes and is flexible enough to get right under your eyelashes (even when you already have mascara on).


Any skincare or beauty products out there that I simply must try? I'm on the hunt for a moisturizer to accompany my Purity cleanser for my morning routine. Any suggestions?