Monday, August 29, 2016

Influenster Formula X VoxBox

Hey everyone! I was so excited to be selected for the Formula X VoxBox from Influenster. Influenster is an online community of consumers who give reviews on products and experiences. If you are active on the site, Influenster may invite you to participate in their VoxBox programs, where members receive complimentary products to review.




Inside this VoxBox are two awesome Formula X products. The first is their Delete All 5-finger nail polish remover ($15.00). I used it to remove my previous mani, and it took off all the polish in seconds! You just have to dip and soak - that's it! The second product is The System Xcel ($32.00). This 4 step system claims to give you a gel like mani. Its other claims are 10 day wear, chip-resistant color, gel-like shine, Xpert strokes brush with a faster, smoother finish. When you purchase the set, it is customizable in that you get to choose the nail color. Influenster sent me the shade TGIF, a gorgeous coral pink creme. The formula was easy to work with, especially due to a wider brush. 



Step 1
Cleanse - An essential salon secret! Unique flash-dry formula removes oils as it conditions to give nails a clean slate.

Step 2
Prime - Made with keratin and advanced bonding agents to help color take hold stronger and longer.

Step 3
Color - My VoxBox features TGIF, the perfect summer-ready coral pink.

Step 4
Shine - Acrylic-fortified top coat seals in color with a gel-like finish.






I will definitely be picking up some other Formula X shades, I think for the fall. I love using The System Xcel and find that it makes my manicure last longer. Definitely check out www.influenster.com if you're interested in receiving free products (who isn't?!)

xoxo,
   Brooke




Disclosure: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.
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Friday, August 26, 2016

Chrome Nail Powder Review

Happy Friday! How was your week? As I mentioned in my last post, mine was pretty crazy. I still haven't decided about the wedding dress, but I'm going back to the store on Sunday to try it on again.

I recently received a few products from Born Pretty Store that I was super excited to try out. One of these products is that awesome silver chrome/mirror powder you see all over Instagram! Let me just preface my review with a warning: DO NOT use this stuff right on top of your table! It will get everywhere and make a huge mess and you'll be really sad. I covered my table with newspaper before using this and it saved me a lot of aggravation. Do be prepared to get it all over your hands and arms, though (or maybe I'm just doing something wrong...?).


Anyway, I tried out the silver chrome/mirror powder and a purple powder. These powders are meant to be used with UV base coat, UV color gel, and UV top coat (meaning it has to be cured under a light). However, I picked up the ORLY Color Amp'd Flexible Sealcoat over regular black polish and it worked just fine. Another alternative would be Sally Hansen Miracle Gel. These don't require curing under a light.

Before doing anything, I applied Born Pretty liquid tape around my nails in hopes of preventing too much glittery mess. This stuff is GREAT. I used it again right after for ombre nail art and it saved me a ton of time on clean up. Do be careful to keep your fingers from touching, because it tends to stick together and can easily peel right off. I then used a regular base coat and two coats of black polish before applying the ORLY top coat and letting it dry.



How to use nail powders:
1. Prepare your nails with base coat, nail color, and top coat. Remember, regular top coats can't get the mirror effect so you'll need to use gel. Whether or not you want to use one that requires UV curing would be your choice.
2. Use an eyeshadow applicator to pick up the powder and gently buff it onto the nail. Continue doing this until you're happy with how it looks.
3. You can seal with topcoat, though I personally didn't since I was just trying them for fun.





For me personally I couldn't see using these often just because of the glitter getting everywhere. The effect is super cool and would be fun for a special occasion. What do you think of chrome powders? Btw, when you place an order with BPS make sure you use my discount code ASYW10 for 10% off!

xoxo,
   Brooke




Disclaimer: The products in this post were provided for my honest review by the Born Pretty Store. All opinions are my own.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

ARK Skincare Review

Hey everyone! How has your week been going? Mine has been crazy! On Monday I was at school for a good chunk of the morning/afternoon getting my classroom set up. Then on Tuesday I went to Kleinfeld to look at wedding dresses. I could probably write an entire blog post on that experience alone. To be honest I really just wasn't wowed by it, but I'm still glad I went. Yesterday my mom and I went to three (yes, three in one day) bridal shops and I may have actually found the dress! It was the very last dress of the day that I tried on and I can't get it out of my head. The store only sells sample dresses, so I have to let them know soon if I want it because they don't put anything on hold and anyone could just walk in there now and buy it! Ugh. I hate being indecisive.

Today's post is about skincare. My cuticles are still kind of jacked up from organizing my classroom, so I've just been trying to keep them hydrated before painting my nails again.

I recently had the opportunity to check out a couple of ARK Skincare products that were sent to me courtesy of BrandBacker. I actually had never heard of the brand and was excited to learn that the products are made in Britain. ARK Skincare treats skin by age and skin concern, which results in a personalized skin treatment regime that caters to the individual.

Loving the packaging on these.

During the aging process there are two main transition periods where hormone production shifts and the body functions differently. These periods are late 20s to early 30s and late 50s to early 60s. ARK has studied the skin during these periods in order to create three age-specific product ranges. Finally, products I know will work with my skin!

I received one product from the the ageprotect line for teens & 20s. During this period, our skin is at its peak but it's important to prepare for the aging process by maximizing the quality of the skin and protecting against daily pollutants. I also received a product from the skinessential line, which are meant to enhance and complement your age-specific formulas.



ARK skinessential pro remove pre cleanse - The multi-fruit lipid blend dissolves every last trace of make-up, daily debris, and excess sebum. It prepares the skin for deeper cleansing for perfectly flawless complexion. Skin is left feeling soft, plump, and clean.

The verdict: I found this cleanser to be a great first step in my routine. It easily dissolved makeup and didn't leave much behind. No raccoon eyes! I will say that the scent in this and the moisturizer was a little on the strong side, so be aware of that if you have issues with fragrance.




ARK ageprotect skin vitality moisturizer - Antioxidant moisturizer, rich in Oleic Acid from Avocado and Peach lipids, balances moisture levels in the skin, for a clear, radiant complexion. Contains White Tea and Vitamin E which protect and strengthen the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of sun damage and blemishes.

The verdict: First of all, the packaging for this product is genius. You press down on the top and the perfect amount comes out of the hole in the center. No more going overboard on the moisturizer, which also means you get more bang for your buck. This moisturizer was a light and hydrating end to my skincare routine. It absorbed quickly, so I wasn't left looking greasy. Again, the fragrance was a little strong for me, but I think others would really enjoy it.

If you're interested in learning about some of the other products that ARK has to offer, check out http://www.arkskincareusa.com

xoxo,
   Brooke


Disclaimer: This post was powered by BrandBacker. I received this product for free from ARK Skincare in exchange for my honest review. 

Friday, August 19, 2016

Pineapple Nail Art

Happy Friday! How was your week? We got back from Montauk on Tuesday and then it was back to vendor searching. We're coming along on the band, so now we're working on the florist and photographer. Gotta get as much done as possible before the school year starts!

I really wanted to do some nail art today, so I started with my favorite white base - Butter London Cotton Buds. The glitter on my middle nail is Julep Goldie. On my ring finger nail I used a small detail brush to paint little pineapples. How cute are they?! I've been wanting to try this design for a long time and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.





I hope you all have a great weekend!

xoxo,
   Brooke

Friday, August 12, 2016

Deborah Lippmann Whip It

Happy Friday! I'm taking a quick break from packing so I can post my notd. This weekend the fiancé and I are going to Montauk with his family. I'm excited to relax on the beach for a few days!

Whenever I go the beach I try to go for a polish that I know is long lasting. This time I chose one of my all time favorite pinks by Deborah Lippmann in the shade Whip It. This beauty is super glossy and always looks gorgeous in the summertime. You know I can't resist a little sparkle, so my accent nail is topped with ILNP Mega (X).




Hope you all have a great weekend! Stay safe in the crazy heat.

xoxo,
   Brooke

Monday, August 8, 2016

GlitterDaze Mile High Club

Hey everyone! How was your weekend? We tried to stay cool in the gross humidity and spent some time at the pool. And of course snuck in some ice cream!

Today I'm wearing GlitterDaze Mile High Club, a pale coral pink creme from their Cloud 9 Collection. This shade is super flattering, especially when I've got a tan. For a bit of nail art I used striping tape as a guide to make a design using GlitterDaze Sky's The Limit and a super old gold glitter from Urban Outfitters.






Hope you all have a great week!

xoxo,
   Brooke

Monday, August 1, 2016

MAC Madame Candy

Happy Mani Monday! How was your weekend? The fiancé and I found a venue that we really like and so the contract is in the works! We're so excited to have a date and a place.

When we got engaged my mom gave me a few nail polishes, one of them being a MAC polish from the Brooke Candy collection! (Can you guess why? Hint: my name is Brooke) Shown here is two coats of a nude creme shade called Madame Candy. Having never tried MAC nail polish before, I was impressed with the formula. You know I can't resist some bling, so I used Julep Diamond Theory to sponge on a glitter gradient.

Btw, my secret to a mess free glitter gradient is an eyeshadow applicator. I just pick up a pack of them at the drugstore and they last a while!




Hope you all have a great week!

xoxo,
Brooke