reviews Archives - Floradise

01/02/2019

My Review of the Nested Bean Zen Sack

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you.

After seeing ads for the Nested Bean Zen Sack and Zen Swaddle incessantly on Facebook, I was intrigued. I had been Googling sleep related questions, so it’s no surprise I was seeing this product everywhere online. The posts claimed to help your baby sleep better in just a few nights, and after more than three months of being woken up every 2-3 hours, I was willing to try anything. I purchased the Zen Sack sleeping sack for Addi around the time we wanted to start sleep training.

The Nested Bean Zen Sack is a sleeping sack for infants that is available in 13 designs. Sizes are available in three options: 3-6 months, 6-12 months, and 15-24 months. I have used sleeping sacks like the Halo and the Ergobaby and liked those, but this one claimed to be different thanks to its weighted pressure pad on the chest that is supposed to mimic a parent’s touch. If the baby is a tummy sleeper it can be worn backwards, too. Addi has been sleeping on her tummy, but I keep the pad on her chest and she doesn’t seem to be uncomfortable that way.

I purchased the Stardust Pink option in size 6-12 months. When I opened the package, I was impressed by the quality of the material. It looked like it would be perfect for the winter time to control Addi’s temperature. It has a two-way zipper on the side that goes around the bottom, which makes diaper changes or putting it on easy. The shoulder straps have two sets of snaps that make them adjustable.

Keep in mind this was before sleep training, but I did see an improvement in her sleep. On the first night she wore the Zen Sack she woke at 2 a.m. and then not until almost 6 a.m., which is about when she had been waking for the day. On the second night, she woke up twice. She woke up three times on the third night. On the fourth night she had a five-hour stretch, which was long for her at the time. On the fifth night she woke up three times.

We reached out to Nested Bean for their free sleep advice, which they say they offer, and they offered this suggestion: “To help her get used to falling asleep on her own, try gently rubbing/patting the weight of the sack, while she is in the crib (fully awake). This will help your baby associate the weight of the sack with you soothing her to sleep. Do this until she dozes off.” Another tip: “When she wakes throughout the night, try the gentle/patting again, until she falls asleep. Of course, if she is hungry or needs to be changed, you can take her out of the crib, but otherwise TRY to avoid taking her out! At 7 months, she is nearly ready to stay in the crib all night, and needs your help understanding that it’s okay to stay there. If you find that the gentle patting works to help her fall asleep, try to gradually decrease the amount of time you spend doing this, so she can eventually do without it!”

Soon after this, we began trying to let her fall asleep in her crib in conjunction with using the Zen Sack, and sometimes other sleeping sacks when it’s in the wash. Addi now wakes usually once a night (if she’s not sick or teething). She has had stretches as long as nine hours since then. Last night she slept nine and a half hours, fed and then slept another two hours. Her sleep stretches can be anywhere from 5-6 hours to about nine on a really good night.

My final thoughts:

I like the Zen Sack and think it’s well made based on my almost two months of use. It has held up well to many washes and it has a cute design. Despite some reviews saying babies have slept through the night in just a few nights I would not expect a miracle product (unless your baby is already a good sleeper). But when used in conjunction with teaching your baby healthy sleep habits, like implementing a routine, it can definitely help both baby and parents sleep better. I would definitely purchase another Zen Sack.

Baby Product Gift Guide for On-the-Go Parents

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09/13/2017

Chicago Eats: Oyster Bah, The Hampton Social and Firecakes Donuts

It’s been too long since I shared some of the delicious meals I’ve had lately in Chicago. My friend’s visit for the Lady Gaga concert at Wrigley Field gave me the opportunity to try a couple of new (to me) places, and I recently met up with Jessie (of Just Jessie blog) to catch up at another great place.

Oyster Bah, Lincoln Park

I was drawn to Oyster Bah by an Instagram photo. Yep. While the restaurant is known for oysters, hence the name, I chose the Maryland crab cake sandwich (blue crab, romaine, roma tomato, avocado, old bay mayonnaise) with one tweak: I asked for chipotle mayo instead of the old bay mayonnaise. (It came with fries.) Amazing! I ate every single bite. I was completely satisfied and I have craved it several times since then. We sipped Rosé with our entrees.

The Hampton Social, River North

Hampton Social is one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in Chicago. The Hamptons/East Coast-themed restaurant is adorable, often known for its “Rosé all day” sign in one of the dining rooms. It featured a live band that was actually pretty decent when we visited for an afternoon brunch recently. While the restaurant was packed, it was easy to get a reservation for the same day (for two people). We, of course, tried the Frosé, which had a peachy flavor. Peach isn’t my favorite so I thought it was just OK. I drank it all, though! My friend enjoyed the mojito as well, while I also had a mimosa. For my entree I almost picked the lobster roll, but for some reason the fish tacos were calling my name (again that weekend). I went with the beer batter fish vs. the grilled, and they had chipotle mayo. Can you see a pattern here? I will order anything with chipotle mayo/aioli on it. The fish tacos don’t come with a side, but I found them to be filling on their own.

Firecakes Donuts, River North

We stumbled across Firecakes while walking to brunch, so we picked up a couple of doughnuts to try as appetizers. haha Firecakes is home to the giant birthday cake doughnut that I’m dying to purchase for someone’s birthday. I tried the peanut butter cup doughnut, which I loved, and my friend chose another (that I can’t remember now). I really want to go back and try more!

What awesome restaurants have you tried recently? Have you been to any of these?

08/23/2017

My Experience With SheIn

** This post about SheIn contains affiliate links. I make a small commission on purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise.

Chances are you’ve seen bloggers on Instagram touting trendy clothing items at insanely low prices and wondered where they bought them from. I have noticed a lot of them are from SheIn. In the past year, I have purchased 11 items from SheIn, the inexpensive-fashion online site. Out of those eight items, I returned two, and I would have returned at least another had I purchased return shipping insurance.

Here’s what I bought:

Long Sleeve Casual Dress ($8.89): On the site this is described as purple, but it was red. It was perfect for fall, and it was comfortable to wear. On me the dress was a bit long, but I didn’t mind. Sadly I ruined this dress by spilling cleaner on it, so I could not longer where it. I decluttered it last year. I loved the neck and I would buy this again if it weren’t sold out.

Marled Knit Cropped Tie Leggings ($9.99): These felt cheap and were too thin. The tie-back feature was actually kind of awkward on a short person. I donated these.

Burgundy Glasses Print T-Shirt ($9.99): I love this shirt and wear it often. It’s comfortable and cute! My only issue with it is that the red kind of bled into the white glasses on the front during one of the washes. I still wear it, though. (This is the top in the photo on my website.)

Army Green Criss-Cross V Back Tee ($10): I wear this once a week. It’s super comfortable and thick material. It’s a little long on me but I don’t mind that.

- Palm Leaf Print Embossed Fit and Flare Dress ($13): I returned this dress because it didn’t fit. I ordered a small when I needed a medium, but I also didn’t like how thin the material was. It was almost see-through.

- Button Closure Back Ruffle Cold-Shoulder Top ($12): I like this top. I have worn it several times. The color is nice. (I actually only paid about 45 cents because I applied the refund from the dress above to the purchase.)

- Palm Leaf Plunging Cami Romper ($9): I bought this for our upcoming tropical vacation. I am guilty of wanting to wear leaf print. Sorry, not sorry! The plunging part is a little much for everyday wear but will be fine on the beach. It’s also a little thin. It was a bit too tight when I first tried it on but now it zips. If it doesn’t fit in December I plan to donate or sell this.

- Multicolor Pocket Off-the-Shoulder Romper ($15.49): I absolutely love this romper and wear it often. It’s a bit thin, a common theme in my purchases, but I don’t mind. I love the colors!

- Cut-Out Strappy Shoulder Tee ($9): I wear this often as well, and it is starting to show signs of wear, namely loose threads.

- Black Waterdrop Pendant Lace Choker ($2.99): I liked this choker but I realize as I type this that I haven’t worn it in months. It’s time to let it go or start wearing it again.

- Wrap V Neckline Palm Leaf Print Self Tie Slit Dress ($6): I am not sure who would ever wear this. It looks cute but that slip comes up to your waist almost. It’s totally not wearable except as a bathing suit coverup. I am not sure why I even bought this, but I immediately returned it.

Note: The prices I listed are those that I paid. Prices can change and some of mine were lower because I applied credits I received from reviewing purchases.

My SheIn purchases so far have totaled less than $100. Overall, you get what you pay for. I was pleasantly surprised with a few of my picks, and disappointed in just as many items. The other items were just OK; they were cute but didn’t last that long. I recommend getting the $1.99 shipping insurance if you decide to purchase anything so that you can easily return it if it doesn’t work. I have had no issues with my return. I simply printed the label, sent it back and the refund was deposited within the week. From there you have to request a withdrawal from your “Wallet” on SheIn, but that was easy to do.

You should know that the sizing is weird. Some items are just listed as one size, while others are in listed in both inches and centimeters. It’s hard to know what will fit. Reviews are your best friend with SheIn. Also, if you review you get points that you can redeem on purchases for small discounts on already inexpensive clothing.

Shipping was hit and miss. Some items arrived quickly while one item in particular took almost a month to arrive. (In that case customer service sent me an email apologizing for the delay and credited my account with points to redeem on future purchases.) Some items were shipped from China, while others seemed to arrive from Europe (though I’m not sure).

Want to shop SheIn? You can get a $5 off purchases of $55 or more with code BTS5 from Sept. 1-Sept. 15. (This is not my discount code.)

Have you shopped at SheIn? What has your experience been?

06/28/2017

Yogi Surprise June Box Review

** This subscription box was sent to me for free. This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission if you make a purchase through these links.

I was so excited to receive the June Yogi Surprise lifestyle box last week. Today I’m sharing the details on what was inside, as well as my thoughts on the subscription box.

Yogi Surprise offers both lifestyle and jewelry boxes. The prices for each include shipping and are as follows: $24.95 for the jewelry subscription box and $44.95 for the lifestyle box. The lifestyle box I received contained six full-size yoga-lifestyle inspired items. The jewelry subscription box contains two handmade (and fair trade) pieces and an organic treat. The retail value of each lifestyle box is $70 or more, while the jewelry box has a value of $65 or more.

Here’s what was in my June lifestyle box:

Adora Mood Boost Chakra Roll on ($12): Made of organic ingredients including jojoba, lavender, and flower essences. I immediately put this in my purse.

The Chakra Bible ($14.99): It has so much information about the chakras and how to get them in balance. I am excited to dig into this more on my flights to and from Phoenix this week. The card that came in the box says this book helps you “work with these energetic hotspots to heal and harmonize” your body.

Mavi Bands No-Slip Headband ($14.99): The headband comes in a bright summer colors. I am not a huge headband person but I’m interested to try this one to see if it really is non-slip.

Mat Intentions Three-Pack ($10.50): I love the idea of using these intention tags to visualize your intention. You can attach these to your mat or whatever other surface, such as a mirror.

High Mowing Organic Seeds, Herb Gift Box ($15): I was really excited to see these because I have been wanting to add more to my garden.

Foods Alive Fax Crackers, Italian Zest ($7): These zesty crackers would be great on a salad. They were better than I expected. They are Non-GMO and high in fiber.

The box also contained a card with a six yoga pose sequence to do for the summer solstice. It is easy to follow and has illustrations. High Mowing included a promo code to get 10 percent off your first order: YOGI2017 at checkout. Mavi Bands included a promo for 40 percent off with code YOGISURPRISE.

The total value of the items in the June box is $74.48. Overall, I liked the items in the box, especially the chakra book and the herb gift box. I am not sure if I would regularly purchase the crackers or headband, but I think if you’re into the yoga lifestyle you might enjoy discovering brands that align with your values and interests. I also think this box would make a great gift, even for just a couple of months!

There are ways to get free boxes or save on a box. First, if you refer three friends, you receive a free box. Also, if you share a photo of your box on social media and tag Yogi Surprise you could win a retreat! The May winner received a trip to Costa Rica! Lastly, I am including my affiliate link in this post as well as the ability to get 15 percent off for the life of your subscription with the code YOGILOVE.

If you try this subscription, let me know what you think! Is there an item in this box you’d like to try?

05/31/2017

May Favorites & a Miss

** This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission for purchases made through these links.

Milani Prime Perfection primer; Thayers Witch Hazel toner; Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel

I hope your May was full of fun, food and favorites! I have five recent beauty favorites to share that I’ve been using and loving this month. Bonus: They are all cruelty-free and affordable. Also, I am almost completely cruelty-free with my makeup! I only have one non-cruelty-free mascara, brow product and lipstick to use up before my (small) makeup collection is entirely composed of products not tested on animals. I have been working toward this goal for more than a year now, and I am excited to finally get there.

And now, May’s favorites:

Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel ($21.97 for two pack): This shave gel doesn’t require water, so you can shave wherever! This is especially handy when you’re in a hurry, hence the name Busy Beauty. You simply rub in the excess gel as you would a moisturizer. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan. It has eucalyptus, tea tree, clove, ginger and oat essential oils in it, and it’s also paraben- and alcohol-free. (This was sent to me by Busy Beauty to try out.)

Busy Beauty Showerless Shave Gel and Preserve Shave 5 razor.

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner Rose Petal ($10.95): I’ve tried and loved the Lavender toner, so I wanted to try the rose-scented one. I love it just as much and it’s a regular staple in my skin-care routine. I like that it’s gentle and never harsh. Also, one bottle lasts me several months.

Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow Long & Strong Shampoo (about $5): I was looking for a new shampoo after trying several cruelty-free products that had scents I didn’t enjoy. I knew after the first use that I would like this. Scent is super important to me along with cleaning my hair.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Conditioner (about $5): I like the scent of this NYM product as well. It does the job it claims to do. Also, it doesn’t weigh down my long hair.

Milani Prime Perfection Primer ($9.99): This primer is both hydrating and slightly pore minimizing, in my experience. It feels like a moisturizer in that it hydrates as you rub it in. I have compared this to the Wet ‘n Wild Coverall primer in my past; they are extremely similar, except this Milani primer has a better scent.

A miss:

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Detox Cleanser: I wanted to like this. It was an affordable Marshalls find that drew me in with the Hawaiian reference. It does the job of cleansing and it is gentle, but I simply hate the scent. It reminds me of the mildew smell of clothes left in the washer for too long. I’m using it up because I hate wasting products, but I’ll be repurchasing my trusted Pacifica face wash soon.

What products are you using and loving? Share them with me in the comments!

05/08/2017

April Favorites

**This post contains affiliate links, but these are my honest opinions about the products. I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link.

I’m also loving this palm tree print makeup bag I found at Marshall’s.

April was a bit exhausting, but in a good way. Graham fulfilled a lifelong career dream, we celebrated Victoria’s birthday early and I did my best to balance an overwhelming workload with my fitness and personal goals. I also tested some new beauty products and accumulated more empties, which I’ll be sharing soon. (One recent purchase was the LA Girl luminous foundation, which I like so far. ) I am still making my mind up about recent buys, but I do have some favorites to share:

KL Polish in Miss Honey: Kathleen Lights described the color (pictured above on the left) as something Miss Honey from “Matilda” would wear, and I agree. It’s become my everyday nail polish color since I bought it last month. I was looking for the perfect spring color, and this is it for me. It’s cruelty-free as well. KL’s website describes it as a warm, melon hue. This polish is long-wearing for me, which is saying a lot.

Photo by KL Polish

The Big One Gel Memory Foam Pillow (Side Contour): I don’t know what I have been doing with my life, except not sleeping well. I switched to this pillow recently and have been sleeping much better. My head and neck rest comfortably on the pillow, which is contoured, so I don’t need to constantly adjust the pillow during the night. I am getting much better sleep, minus the sinus issues I’ve been having. These are normally about $50, but I found them on sale recently for $15 and $25, both good deals.

DV Bailey Slide Sandals: I found these at Target (it wins again!) and when I saw the price tag of about $16, I had to get them. I was in need of new everyday, neutral sandals to throw on with many of my late spring and summer outfits. They come with yellow and black straps as well.

Army Green Criss Cross Front V Back Short Sleeve Top: I was hesitant to order this because I was unsure of the quality for the affordable price, but I was not disappointed. It’s a thicker material than you’d expect for $10 and it’s comfortable and cute. I’ve worn it many times already. (I’m actually wearing it as I type this, too.) It comes in maroon, black, blue and yellow, too.

Wrappily: I love the fabulous prints offered by this eco-friendly and reversible gift wrap company, which is based in Hawaii. I shared more about it in my last post, so I won’t go into too much detail here. P.S. There’s still time to enter the Wrappily giveaway!

What have you been loving lately?

04/21/2017

What’s in My Bag?

** This post contains affiliate links.

I love reading about what people carry in their bags and the items that people consider to be essentials. I was inspired by reading videos and posts to share the contents of my own purse. Into that sort of thing?

What’s in my bag:

Phone power bank: I previously used a more expensive portable phone charger, but it didn’t last long. I am now trying this Techlink Recharge power bank, which comes in four colors: black, white, blue and pink. I like to have this in my purse just in case I am traveling or at a baseball game.
Faux-leather wallet: Confession: I have had this exact wallet for at least 8 years. Shopping for accessories is one area of my life in which I am a minimalist. I don’t see the need for me to buy a new wallet until I need to replace this.
Beats Bluetooth wireless headphones with case: I carry my headphones in my purse so I can listen to Audible on the L (train) or watch Youtube videos. These are also a necessity for travel.
Oakley aviator sunglasses: These were a gift from Graham, who wanted me to have higher-quality sunglasses. I have had these for about three years and have replaced the lenses once. Oakley had excellent service: They replaced my lenses for me in store. Sometimes I wear inexpensive rose-gold sunglasses like these from H&M.
Pepper spray and whistle with light and compass: I have carried pepper spray in my purse since my days at the newspaper in Arizona. I worked nights (from 2 to 11 p.m. or later, depending on breaking news), so I wanted to have it on hand as I walked to my car in a nearby parking garage. While I never felt unsafe in downtown Phoenix, I liked to have it just in case. The whistle was given to me by a Chicago police officer last year. There had been a recent report of a woman being attacked during a jog.
Burt’s Bees lip balm: I have written this before, but I can’t live without this stuff. It feels like heaven on my lips.
Liquid lipstick: I have recently been wearing the Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipstick in Give Me Mocha every time I wear makeup. It goes with so many makeup looks.
Pen.
Flint Lint roller: This was sent to me in my September Popsugar Must-Have box, which I received for free. I love this because it is resuable and great for travel.

Bonus:

Baby wipes: Because I have a toddler.
Snacks: Usually an apple or an orange.
Hand sanitizer: Because the train.
GoPro Hero 5: I have recently been working on uploading more videos to YouTube. (Please subscribe!)
Perfume rollerball.

What’s in your bag?

Shop the post**

04/05/2017

Current Cruelty-Free Hair Products

** This post contains affiliate links.

Product photos from respective retailers linked below.

Besides switching over to cruelty-free makeup and skin care items, I also switched my hair products to those that avoid animal testing. The switch has been a long process, and I am constantly trying out new products to find my holy grails. These are the items I am currently testing out to see if I want to make them staples:

Renpure Coconut Milk Nourish Shampoo (about $9-15, depending on where you buy it): I actually thought I was buying conditioner when I picked this up, but that’s OK. It smells like coconut and seaweed or bamboo (so it has a natural scent, I guess). It does the job.

Hask Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Conditioner ($5.99): Can you tell I look for nourishing products? I picked this up from Ulta just to try it since it also came with an oil. I believe it lives up to its claims to soften and strengthen; my hair has been pretty healthy lately. One gripe: I can’t squeeze the product out of this bottle cap; I have to take the cap off. I do not like this packaging at all.

Hask Monoi Coconut Oil Nourishing Oil ($2.99, free sample with conditioner): This came with my conditioner. I only use a tiny bit on my ends because otherwise it’s too oily for my taste.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo ($8): I use this infrequently, but it does the job. The large bottle lasts me forever!

Not Your Mother’s Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray (about $6): I thought I was buying hairspray when I bought this. Ooops! It does give you volume but there’s no hold in my experience. (A note from NYM’s website on this product: “There are no animal ingredients or animal byproducts in NYM products except: Knotty to Nice Conditioning Detangler, Way to Grow Leave-In Conditioner and Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray. These products contain keratin protein extracts – a hydrolyzed ingredient that can be found in countless other beauty products industry wide. The keratin used in our haircare products comes from sheep’s wool, after they get a shearing. No animals are harmed for or in the production of our items.”

Occasional products:

Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask ($36!): I haven’t repurchased since I ran out but I kind of want to. It was a nice treat to do occasionally, though it’s not cheap.

Yes To Coconut Ultra Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner ($5-8): I actually really like these and will probably go back to them unless I find something I like more. They smell great, nourish my hair and are affordable.

Josie Maran Argan Oil ($48, received as a free mini): I received this for free from Sephora. I’ve been enjoying using it occasionally. I am unsure yet if I will repurchase.

Do you have any recommendations? What are your favorite products right now?

Shop the products**

03/22/2017

More Products YouTube Made Me Buy

Five more types of products I purchased because of YouTube videos. (I have various shades of the polish and eyeshadows.)

** This post contains affiliate links.

I recently shared five products I was inspired to buy after watching YouTube videos. Welp, there’s more than just five products on the list of beauty products YouTubers made me buy influenced me to buy. Today I’m sharing Round 2. Luckily, these are all affordable products! Bonus: These are all cruelty-free brands.

Despite purchasing all of these products, my makeup collection is fairly small. I bought a lot of these products to replace non-cruelty-free items. (I am still using up some of my non-cruelty-free items before I replace them with those not tested on animals, because I don’t want to waste products either. I also recently donated gently used and sanitized products to a women’s shelter.)

Five more items I bought:

Makeup Geek shadows: I had never even heard of this brand before watching beauty gurus on YouTube. I liked the affordability and pigmentation I saw in videos, so I decided to give these a shot. While I like them, I notice some of the foiled shadows come apart easily. (I have broken a couple of these eyeshadow pans.) The mattes are nice, though, and Coco Bear is my favorite shade.

Wet n Wild Megaglo Contouring Palette: I wanted to try contouring, but I didn’t know where to start. I heard in multiple videos that this is a great starter palette, and they were so right! It’s also super affordable. I used up a whole palette and was sent a new one as a free gift with a recent foundation purchase (below). Score!
Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation (Desert Beige): I loooove this foundation; it’s the only one I use right now. It’s my perfect shade, too. I like the vast shade range in this collection, and it looks great on my skin. I would say it’s natural coverage, which is why I like it for everyday use. If you have oily skin you might not enjoy that it stays slightly dewy. I don’t love the scent but I can look past it for $5.99.
KL polish in Gumption, Snickerdoodle and Dass Esspensive: These are cruelty-free as well as free of harsh ingredients. Also, this formula lasts longer on my nails than other brands I had been using. I like the polishes, though you can only order them online. (Dass Esspensive is beautiful but it’s sold out on KL Polish’s website.)
Milani Retouch and Erase Light-Lifting Concealer: Many YouTubers have been talking about the Milani products that were released recently, including this concealer. I decided to replace my empty Too Faced concealer with this, but I got a shade that is a bit too light for me, so I still need to try it in my correct shade. On first impression, I think I would like more coverage.

Note: Products are cruelty-free to the best of my knowledge. You should always conduct your own research if you’re interested in becoming cruelty-free.

What are your favorite products right now?

Shop some of the products**

Vacation beauty empties

July beauty favorites

5 beauty products YouTube made me buy

03/17/2017

Cruelty-Free Empties

** This post contains affiliate links.

My most recent empties feature new and familiar products to me, but all of them are cruelty-free! I’ve been focusing on self-care recently, especially when it comes to my body and my skin. This round of empties reflects that. Bonus: These products are all affordable!

Miss Spa Brighten sheet mask ($2.99): I have written about how much I like these affordable sheet masks several times; they are a regular part of my skin-care routine.
Wet ‘n Wild Photofocus Setting Spray ($4-5): I liked this drugstore setting spray. It set my makeup in place and made any cakey-ness disappear. I didn’t have any issues with creasing either! I really don’t think it made my makeup last that much longer — at least I didn’t notice a difference. My only complaint is that the spray is a bit strong. I didn’t have to repurchase because I got another for free with a recent Wet ‘n Wild order. Win! Although, I haven’t been using this much yet because I am currently trying out the Milani Make It Last setting spray.
Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths (trio was about $15, sample had 10 cloths): I got a trio set of Ole Henriksen products recently as part of a birthday haul thanks to family. These cloths have a citrus scent (reminds me an Orange Creamsicle) to them that became a bit much for me after a few uses. They were gentle on the eyes and removed most of my makeup, but I am not in love with these wipes.
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution, Eucalyptus & Spearmint (about $4.50): I go through these bags of Epsom Salt regularly. (I probably have used five or six in the past month.) I have had soreness in my shoulder and back, and these help me relax after workouts or after a long day at my desk. I also enjoy the Lavender soak.
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm ($3.99): I cannot live without this lip balm, especially in the winter. I have other flavors but the original is the best. I don’t know why I even bother with the other flavors/scents; it’s the best.
Udderly Smooth Hand Cream (about $3): I got this hand cream as part of a self-care gift from a family member when we brought Victoria home. It saved my skin during this winter! I liked to carry it in my purse.
Lush Hottie Massage Bar (not pictured, $12.95): I bought this on a whim because I found myself at a Lush store in Chicago before brunch with Jessie. I was intrigued by the massage bars, and the Hottie is meant to help sore and tired muscles. It’s shaped with bumps on one side so that you can massage the area. It has a warm, almost spicy scent and the oils (including jojoba) dissolve into your skin, leaving it super soft. I would definitely buy this again.
Lush Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask (about $9): I liked this gentle, moisturizing mask, which also has a bit of a spicy scent. (It contains ginger, fennel, cardamom and turmeric.) I think I prefer the Cup O’ Coffee more, so I may go back to that one, even if I disliked the mess it creates. You really can’t go wrong with Lush masks though.

What products have you been loving lately?