All Use, No Waste Serum! #Swissvita #AC-11®

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Sometimes, I want to super-customize what serums I use at what times.  And sometimes - especially when I'm traveling - I want one little tube that's going to do all the things I need.  So, on my last trip, I took with me my All-Use Skin Serum from SwissVita!

Vitamin See Your Skin Look Better! #Instanatural

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Vitamin C should be Vitamin See!  As in, I can see how much better my skin looks when I use it.

Mascara Makes the Moment #Bellimisa

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I keep most makeup much longer than the "rules" say to.  I'm not a germaphobe, and I'm not tossing anything until it no longer pleases me to keep it.  Or it smells funny.

...but, mascara is a little different.  My mom always harped on me to throw away my mascaras after 30 days, and sometimes I did, and sometimes I didn't.  But, they definitely have a shelf-life - old mascaras are teeming with bacteria, they dry out, get flaky or clumpy, and just look bad.  They are the one makeup product I will admit that needs to be replaced on a regular basis - which is why a mascara subscription like Bellimisa makes sense.

Highlight Your Lips! #HighlightCosmetics

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Usually the last makeup item I put on before my look is done is my lipstick.  The perfect lippie can take a look a totally transform it - and my mood.  Bold, matte, glossy, nude - whatever the lipstick, if I feel good in it, it can put a smile on my face.  I've been testing out this new lipstick from Highlight, and it has definitely put a smile on my face!

A Wink and a Smile #PinkWink #BOGOForTheCure

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Brows. Big, full, brows.  That's been the beauty trend for a while now.  And full, long lashes are always in style.  But what if yours are sparse? Or, worse, you lost all of them because of chemotherapy? Wink is a natural oil blend that could help.

Retinol Revive #Valentia

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Does the word, 'Retinol' strike fear into your heart?  Do you immediately think of the harsh, doctor-prescribed formulas of yore that made your skin turn red and peel off before finally healing?  Skincare science has advanced, thank goodness, and now you can get the skin-clearing benefits of Retin-A, but in a non-prescription form of Retinol.  It takes longer, but is so much gentler, and it's become a staple, not only in my skincare, but that of my husband, as well.

Sniffy Saturday #brooklynbetter

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I don't know that aromatherapy can be the cure for all that ails me, but I sure do enjoy it.  A few drops of a perfectly scented oil in my diffuser can do wonders for my mood.  Essential oils mixed into massage carrier oils can ease my aches and pains, or transport me off to sleep.  I think I've found one of my new favorite oils for relieving stress and helping achieve a state of calm.

Twisty Black and Orange Stamping

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been awhile since I've posted a stamping nailart.. and while I'm working on one today, I figured I'd pull one up from the vault in the meantime. It was meant to be a bright, summer orange mani that I posted in a Facebook group sometime back, but it's giving me October Halloween vibes today!

Cleanliness is...now easier! #makeupbrushcleaner

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm pretty terrible at cleaning, well, anything.  I'm a messy housekeeper, my dogs all need baths, and my kitchen always looks like I just cooked for an army.  One thing I'm trying to make a habit, though, is washing my makeup brushes once a week, and it's tools like these scrubbers from ESARORA that make it a little bit easier!

Triple Buena, Triple C #BUENASKIN

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Have you noticed that as the seasons change, your skin's needs change a little bit, too?  I love changing up my skincare routine pretty often anyway, but there are times when I'm looking for a little more of this, or a little more of that, a little more help with blemishes, or a little lighter routine.  If you're looking for a little more Vitamin C, you might want to check out this Triple C serum from Buena Skin!

Serum? #Serment

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I've tried a lot of skincare, so it's only natural that eventually I'd try something from Korea.  If you haven't heard of K-beauty, it's all things Korean for beauty and skincare - and they are known for doing it right.

Lighten, Brighten, Glow! #Valentia

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Yesterday, I wrote about how I've been waking up with great skin, and today, I want to share with you one of the ways I keep that glow going all day long.

Strivectin Perfection #Strivectin

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Did anyone ever tell you to, 'sleep on it' when you had a problem or a difficult decision to make? Our body uses the down time to rest and rejuvinate, and often, things seem clearer after a good night's sleep.  With StriVectin's Overnight Resurfacing Concentrate, sleeping on it can mean waking up with great skin, too!

Skincare for the Ages #ARKSkincare

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello Fireflies!

Age is just a number, right?  Is it really, though?  I may act like a 12-year old, and my knees feel like they're 800 years old - and my skin?  Well, it looks good, but it's still been around for 44 years now.  I'd like it to feel good and look good for a long time to come!

Fill 'er Up Serum #Swissvita #antiwrikle #AC-11®

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I use skincare not only to protect and nourish my skin, but also to keep it looking as good as possible.  So, when I find a serum that not only has longer-term benefits, as well as immediate visual results, I'm pretty exited!

Looking #ForeverYoung

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If you could stay forever young, would you?  I'm pretty sure my childish sense of humor will keep me *acting* forever young, but I wouldn't mind keeping my skin looking and feeling young, too!

Welcome to Fall Giveaway!

Beautiful Name, Beautiful Brushes #kireicosmetics

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Do you remember the first time you tasted something that then became your favorite flavor of all time?  I feel that way about makeup brushes! I was the girl who always used the sponge applicators that came in my cosmetics, because that's what my mom did, and it's all I knew.  The first year I went to The Makeup Show Orlando, I had a friend take me over to Crown Brush and make me buy a brush.. and now I can't get enough - I want to try all the styles, and all the brands.

Now, even though I have brushes from well-known and expensive brands, they are not always my go-to brush! There are some real hidden gems, and I may have found another with Kirei Cosmetics.

After You Labor, Pamper! #AntiquityBC

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Today is Labor Day, a day that has its roots in the Labor movement, but has come to mean having a day off from work.  If you're working hard today, you're gonna wish you had one of these amazing soaps from Antiquity BC to clean off with afterwards!

Super Vibrant Skin With Vibriance Super C! #Vibriance

Press Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Do you get overwhelmed by the sheer number of Vitamin C serums out on the market?  I've tried a bunch of them, and even I get that way sometimes.  I recently have been using a Vitamin C serum from Vibriance that ticks a lot of the boxes of what I look for in a serum.

I'm No Square #Mirrorvana

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Unless you like doing the no-mirror makeup challenge every time, you probably use at least one mirror to prep your face in the morning.  Why not make it a mirror you enjoy using?

Is this Ultra Facial Cream really Ultra? #JoyalBeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Ultra.  Mega.  These words, and ones like them get thrown around so much, they are starting to lose their meaning!  Is this Ultra Facial Cream really deserving of the moniker?

Ah, Massage! #ShistsuMassager

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I love a good massage.  Usually my husband gets pressed into service when I need some healing massage, but when he isn't available, I'm happy to now have another option!

No Curl Friend Of Mine #curlfriends

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

There are many types of curly hair, from waves to kinky - and I have about 3 or 4 types on my head alone!  I have curly ringlets that go from my temple, all the way around the nape of my neck and up to the other temple.  The next layer up is curly, but not as tight - more like 1/2 inch barrel curls.  The curls get a little looser until it reaches the crown of my head, where the hair that grows out isn't curly at all, really, just wavy. All of it is thick, almost coarse, and heavy.  My hairdresser says I have enough hair for three people!

So, I know the difficulties of finding the right curl product. 

Make An Aging U-Turn with #YouTurnUSA

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

If only we could make a literal U-Turn down the aging path and start looking and being younger again.  Though, I don't want to go back to high school... maybe my 30s.  I loved my 30s.

I love my Max Life... but Maybe Not These So Much #spotreducerfacialcream #TCA15Facialchemicalpeelingserum

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

I never dreamed I would be peeling my face.  A few years ago, I never even heard of facial peels, and now I've tried several different kinds, from fruit acids to the strong stuff.  I had the opportunity to try Max Life's I-Max Spot Reducer and pair it with their TCA 15% peel for some serious skincare stuff!

New York Biology Eye Gel and Retinol Cream #NEWYORKBIOLOGY

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Sometimes, a product ticks all the boxes that you look for in skincare, and it works great.  And sometimes, it ticks the boxes, and for some reason, it just doesn't work for me.  I tried two products from New York Biology as part of my skincare routine last month, and both things happened to me!

Cleansing, Firming, Exfoliating, Toning, Mattifying #InstaNatural

Press Samples.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been a while since I've had the chance to review anything from Instanatural, and now they're all grown up!  Sleek new packaging and graphics, and new formulas that my oily skin is just loving.  I've been starting my cleansing skincare routine with just two of their new products, but they do so much, it's like I'm using more!

Not Greasy, Just Shine!

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Some days I want a matte look, some days dewy, but never do I want my oily skin to look greasy or shiny.  I do, however, want to SHINE, with my new brightening face oil from Amalie Beauty.

Stamping From The Vault

Hello, Fireflies!

I'm not sure if the Adventures In Stamping group is ever going to get back to the Sunday Challenge.  I'm ever hopeful, but I decided that I didn't want to give up my Stamping Sundays any longer.

My Life Is Bad For My Eyes. Thank Goodness for #Exuviance !

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's summer, so many of us are traveling.  Have you packed your bags?  Not those - the ones under your eyes.  Yes, I take them everywhere I go, too.  But my bags are lighter, tighter, and smoother with this nifty roller de-puffing eye serum from Exuviance!

ERASA - The Age Eraser #erasaXEP30

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

How do you feel about getting older?  I'm proud of every birthday - it's another year I managed to keep myself on the right side of the dirt.  On the other hand, I don't necessarily want to act - or look - my age.  I definitely keep my inner child alive and well, and while I won't let the threat of wrinkles keep me from laughing, I wouldn't mind keeping my smile lines and crinkly eye crowsfeet to a minimum!

Fr-eshen Br-eath With T-Spray #Toothfilm

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

It's been awhile since we've done a 'Something Different Saturday!'  I love getting to try new and interesting things that could make my life better, more interesting, or more fun.  Today's product is a new twist on a childhood memory!

80's brights!

Hello, Fireflies!

I've been slacking a bit on the NCC Challenges, I'm afraid.  I'm half-assing it a little bit today, too, by pulling a mani from the vault that fits this month's challenge.  I'm calling it a win, though, because I do like this mani, and I rarely wear yellow on its own.

Retinol - Aging, Oily Skin's Best Friend #JoyalBeauty

Press Sample.  All opinions are my own.

Hello, Fireflies!

Long-time readers will know that I do love checking out serums.  I love trying new formulations, small brands - big brands - lots of different serums.  There are a few ingredients that I just keep coming back to, because I know that my skin looks and feels better when I use them - and Retinol is definitely one of the stars of my skincare routine!

Fun and Funky 4th with #ColourPop and #Milani

Hello, Fireflies!

I don't know how it got started for me, but last year, I decided to wear a fun red, white, and blue-themed makeup and nails look for my friend's 4th of July party, and this year, I decided to do it again.