Too Faced Love Flush Blush Palette Review

So, Christmas has come and gone, and so has my birthday, which is when I purchased this palette! I decided from the moment I laid eyes on this thing that it would be MINE. I am a huge fan of Too Faced, and I have been wanting to try their new blushes for a while now. This was the perfect opportunity! I will go ahead and say that I love this palette, and I highly recommend picking it up before it sells out!

There is a wide range of colors from warm to cool, and I think these would all look great on any skin tone. They have a 16-hour wear formula, which I will say that I believe...they are very long lasting! 

The pans are quite small, but considering all the colors you get in the palette, I do not think it will be a problem. The packaging, as always, is perfection. Too Faced never disappoints!

I picked mine up at Sephora (in store - looks like they are currently sold out online) for $36.

You can also purchase this palette at Ulta or at TooFaced.com.

(Hint: This would make the perfect Valentine's Day gift - but hurry before they sell out!)

My First (Official) NatureBox!

I have been interested in NatureBox for a long time now. I recently tried a sampler box and was blown away by the snacks I received! I posted a review on that box, which you can read here. After testing the waters, I decided to take the plunge and order a full size box. Let me just say that I was NOT disappointed.

If you don't know what NatureBox is, it is a monthly subscription service that sends you five full size bags of healthy snacks...and you can choose what you get! They have over 100 snacks to choose from, and so far I have liked just about all of them.

Here's what I got in my box:

One great thing I love about these snacks is that they come in resealable bags, which prolongs the shelf life and makes it easy to take these on the go.

• Watermelon Mini Stars - These are SO GOOD. They taste like delicious fruit leather...minus the sticky mess. I found myself searching for the watermelon flavor a little bit; I feel like I could taste a few other fruit flavors as well. That being said, these are extremely delicious. This bag was gone pretty fast. 
• Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops - This is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. They have really great flavor. The only thing I don't like is that they are pretty hard/too crunchy...almost felt like I was going to break a tooth eating them. I have a friend who loves these though so that might not be an issue for everyone.
• Garlic Plantains - If you are not a fan of plantains, you will still LOVE THESE. These do not taste like plantains. They taste like CHIPS. They also have a strong garlic flavor, so if you don't like garlic, steer clear of these. These are sure to satisfy your cravings for potato chips, and I find that they are more satisfying as well. You don't need to eat many to feel full!
• Asiago & Cheddar Cheese Crisps - These might be my favorite. As you can see in the picture, these are made with real cheese. They taste exactly like the baked on cheese that is left on the pan after you make something cheesy. You know, that delicious burnt cheese. These were also gone pretty fast. When I say fast, I mean within a week. The great thing about all of these snacks is that it doesn't take much to feel satisfied.
• Honey Crunch Crisps - If you like honey chicken (you know, the kind you get at a Chinese restaurant) you will LOVE these. That is exactly what these taste like to me. You also get the flavor of the sesame, which is nice. They have a nice crunch to them, and you can see the honey glaze on the outside. These are so yummy.

All in all, NatureBox has been a definite win for me. I decided to cut back on almost all of our store bought snacks and have these delivered instead, which makes up for the cost. The cost is $19.95 a month, and right now they have a deal where you can get your first box for FREE. It is great to have healthy substitutes for my typically unhealthy snack cravings. I give NatureBox an A+!

NatureBox Review

I feel like it's been a while! The past month has been absolutely insane. However, I am ready to get back to blogging...I have SO many things lined up for you all! Stay tuned!

First of all...NatureBox. NatureBox is a monthly subscription service that delivers 5 full size snacks to your front door. The great thing about NatureBox is that all of their snacks contain wholesome ingredients (no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors) and are nutritionist approved. They have over 100 snacks to choose from, and you can pick your snacks each month or choose to be surprised.

NatureBox has a free trial where you pay $2.00 for shipping, and they send you a pretty hefty sampler box to try out. That is what I will be reviewing here. Check it out!

In the trial box, you do not get to choose what you receive. It is a surprise...which I liked! It came with one full size bag and four snack sized portions.

Here's what I got:

• Sea Salt Pop Pops - These are half-popped popcorn kernels seasoned with sea salt. At first I thought these would be extremely crunchy and hard on my teeth. However, they were surprisingly light and crispy! I really loved these, and so did my husband. The bag was filled COMPLETELY to the top, which I really appreciated. 
• Jalapeño Cashews - These were delicious. They were not too over the top spicy, so I ate the whole bag in one sitting (whoops). They were not "dusted" with jalapeño powder, it was almost a baked-in type of thing. You could see the jalapeño coating, but it did not leave dust on your fingers.
• Masa Crisps - These are basically corn chips with flax seeds. I call these the healthy version of Fritos. They tasted like your typical corn chip. They were pretty yummy, and the added benefit of having some flax in there was a major plus.
• Cranberry Medley - These are pomegranate and acai flavored dried cranberries with blueberries. These are SO GOOD. I downed this entire bag in record breaking time. These tasted like fruit snacks...not "dried fruit"....FRUIT SNACKS. This will be a permanent snack in my monthly rotation.
• Sweet Blueberry Almonds - These were alright. The blueberry flavor was not as prominent as I would have liked, but they were still good. There is a light dusting of blueberry flavor on the almonds, but I think the almonds were more prominent than the blueberry flavor. 

(Pictured above: Sea Salt Pop Pops)

All in all, I think this is a great subscription service. It is a fun and easy way to try out and enjoy healthier snack options each month. One thing that I love is that these snacks cannot be found anywhere else...they have so many unique options! I plan on getting this box each month and spending less on my typical less-than-healthy snack choices I get at the grocery store.

The cost is $19.95 per month, but it looks like instead of getting a sampler box right now to test out first, they are currently offering a full size box for free! Check it out and let me know what you think!

How to Cover Redness

In the past few years I have struggled with facial redness and blotchiness. I'm not sure what triggered it, but it is very annoying to deal with! I envy the people who can leave the house with no makeup on, or "minimal" or "natural" makeup and look great. I have tried that a couple of times, but I will get asked if I have a sunburn or if I am not feeling well....not something I like to hear.

I spent a lot of time trying to find a "quick fix" to cover the redness in the mornings because I was tired of applying layer after layer of makeup. It took up so much time and I would end up looking "cakey" and too made up.

In the past year I have discovered a few products that have literally changed my life! One in particular is so quick and easy that it literally takes seconds.

It Cosmetics has a product called "Celebration Foundation Illumination". It is a FULL COVERAGE powder foundation that illuminates and hydrates all day long. This powder is SO pigmented, that I don't need to use ANYTHING ELSE with it. No green tinted primer, concealer...anything. It hides dark under eye circles along with any discoloration on your face. It leaves a flawless, luminous finish and it literally takes seconds to apply and get a full coverage look.

This has saved me so much time in the mornings! I am not kidding when I say that this is all I need to use. I use my favorite face buffing brush to apply this and it literally takes no time or effort to make it look like you have perfect skin. This foundation also works well with other face products. If you feel like you want a more matte finish, you can apply a powder on top and it will not get cakey at all. This powder works GREAT for dry skin. This is one of the only products I have found where I do not get dry patches throughout the day. It is super hydrating. I would suggest using a setting spray on top to achieve a long lasting finish.

There are other products I like to use on days when I am not in a huge rush to get out the door:

• Amazing Cosmetics: Amazing Concealer - This concealer is great because you literally only need a tiny drop for your entire face. The tube will last forever because of the high pigment. It does not cake up throughout the day and leaves a flawless, airbrushed finish. This is my favorite concealer at the moment!
• It Cosmetics: Bye Bye Redness - This is a really unique product to use for facial redness. It is a red neutralizing and color correcting cream that completely cancels out any redness on your face. Like the concealer, you only need a tiny bit. For me, it acts as a foundation and I like to finish it off with my Amazing Concealer for added coverage and highlighting with a powder on top. 
• Kat Von D: Lock-It Powder Foundation - I like to use this powder foundation, or MAC Studio Fix powder foundation to set my face for complete coverage. This can be used alone or on top of other products for maximum coverage. I personally use this on top of the Bye Bye Redness and Amazing Concealer for a flawless, full coverage, matte look.

I just want to add that I have never had any issues with any of these products caking up or clinging to dry spots, which is something I normally always have issues with, no matter what products I use! 

After years of trial and error with makeup primers, green moisturizers, full coverage foundations, powders, concealers, these products have worked the best for me at covering redness. 

I really hope that these recommendations help you if you are struggling with facial redness. Let me know if you end up trying any of these items and how they work for you!

Review: Scent Trunk Fragrance Subscription Service

Scent Trunk is a fairly new subscription box that reached out to me to review their service. Of course, I jumped on the opportunity to try this out!

Scent Trunk is a tailored subscription service that sends out 3 niche perfume or cologne samples per month. There is a box for men and women (which is nice), and the fragrances are custom picked, according to your scent profile that you fill out when you sign up.

The idea of this service is to help you find a fragrance that you will not find anywhere else. These are fragrances that you cannot find in stores. These are considered "niche" fragrances that are created in small, handcrafted batches. These scents are typically made with real botanicals and essences rather than the phthalates and synthetic chemicals you typically find in department stores. If you are someone who might be picky about fragrances, or does not want to smell like everyone else, you might enjoy this service.

Here is what I received in my box:

First of all, I give an A+ on presentation. I love the box, the detail, everything that comes with it. I plan on keeping the box and pouch to use for other things, or to simply tote my samples around in. 

(I love the fact that they include these detailed cards with each fragrance. It is really helpful!)

Here are my thoughts on my 3 perfume choices:

• Frollino Lavanda by PERFUMES BY TERRI - This one might be my favorite. If you read the info card, the description is pretty much SPOT ON. This has to be one of the most unique fragrances I have ever tried! When you first spray it on, it smells like BUTTER. You heard me right, BUTTER. Within a few seconds, the scent transforms into pure lavender. Now, if you know me, I am all about the essential oil life right now, and the lavender in this truly smells like pure lavender. It does not smell synthetic. After a minute or two, the fragrance settles and you legit smell like baked goods. Sweet, buttery, baked goodness. This fragrance is divine. It lasts a pretty good long while on me, too!
• Ninon by REBEL INTUITIVE - This fragrance is fancy. That is the first word that came to mind after I tried it on. Fancy, a bit earthy and florally. If you are into floral scents, you might love this one. It smells expensive. Not my cup of tea, but I am glad I got to test it out. Like the other one, I have not experienced a fragrance like this one.
• Safanad by PARFUMES de MARLY - This one might be a tie with my other favorite. I cannot describe how this one smells, but it has a nostalgic scent, like something I wore back in the '90s. I LOVE this one. I know my description of this is not much help...but I can see myself purchasing this. I want it. Now. 

My overall thoughts on this box are this: if you are having a hard time finding your signature scent, or are on a hunt for new and unique scents, this subscription is for you. While I understand that you can get perfume samples for free or super cheap at department stores or in other subscription boxes, these are niche fragrances that you will not find at any store.

The cost is $15 a month, which to me personally, is a little bit pricey. However, Scent Trunk was kind enough to offer my readers a 25% discount on their first box! Just use the code "tiffany25" at checkout. The code is good until July 1, 2015.

If anything, this is a great box to try out just for fun. Who knows, you may end up really enjoying it! 

Another Trader Joe's Haul!

Before I share this little grocery "haul" with you, let me make a little disclaimer. I promise we eat more than just carbs. Ha! This was a spontaneous trip to Trader Joe's...after I had already done my regular grocery shopping for the week. Our closest Trader Joe's is about 40 minutes away, so we like to stock up on our favorites while we have the chance. And yes, you will see lots of frozen items. No shame here, folks. Here we go!

• Spizzico Di Pizza - $2.99
• Handsome Cut Potato Fries - $1.99
• Shredded Hash Browns - $1.69
• Cookie Butter Sandwich Cookies - $3.99
• Chicken Fried Rice - $2.99
• Mandarin Orange Chicken - $4.99
• Garlic Potatoes with Parmesan Sauce - $2.99
• Roasted Corn - $2.49
• Baconesque White Cheddar Popcorn - $1.99
• Blueberries and Cream Yogurt Cups - $2.99
• White Corn Tortilla Chips - $1.79
• Green Plant Juice - $3.99
• Pomegranate Limeade - $2.69
• Watermelon Cucumber Cooler - $3.49
• Speculoos Cookie Butter - $3.69

Total: $44.75

As you can see, some of these items we purchased on our last trip. They are some of our favorites! We tried a few new things, like the mini pizzas (a new favorite), the green juice (tastes like pineapple and mango), and the popcorn (new guilty pleasure).

Some of these items are cult favorites, like the Cookie Butter and the Mandarin Orange Chicken.

I definitely stocked up on juices this time, which I don't normally do.

The Pomegranate Limeade and the Watermelon Cooler seemed like the perfect summertime drinks, so I had to try them. The Pomegranate Limeade is pretty tangy, you definitely get a lot of lime in this one. I personally have to water it down a tad bit. The Watermelon Cooler is DELICIOUS. I am not a huge cucumber fan, but the cucumber is not overpowering in any way. It has a light, sweet flavor and it is really refreshing. I can see myself repurchasing this one. The Green Plant juice was mainly for my husband, who is the pickiest eater of all time. We have a Nutribullet, and we do make the occasional green drink with that, but I wanted to try this just to have easily available for him. It is actually really good! I know it looks a little scary, but I mainly taste the mango and pineapple in this one. We will probably repurchase.

Oh...and I saw this while I was there:

YOU'RE WELCOME.


What do you like to get at Trader Joe's?

Fortune Cookie Soap "Straight on Till Morning" 2015 Summer Soap Box

I have heard of Fortune Cookie Soap over the years, and I was aware of their quarterly soap boxes, but I had never tried any of their products. I've seen videos on YouTube, read reviews online, and finally I decided to give it a try. What really pulled the trigger for me was when I saw that the theme for this box was Peter Pan. If you know me, I am a HUGE Disney fan, and I especially love Peter Pan...so this was a no-brainer for me.

I'm not typically a "summery scents" kinda girl, I'm more of a fall/winter scents type of person. However, let me just say...this box smells SO GOOD. The minute I opened it up, the magical aroma hit me in the face. I love every single product in this box. I can already see myself going back and ordering full sizes of these products once I use them up! I love them that much.

Here's a shot of everything that came in the box!

If this doesn't look like a box full of happiness, I don't know what does. Heck, they even threw in Peter Pan's red feather. At this point I am already sold.

Here's a list and description of the items in the box:

• Second Star to the Right - Fortune Cookie Soap: Crushed berries and mint leaves with a splash of sparkling pomelo, served over iced sugarcane
• Tink - OCD Hand Sanitizer: Fresh cherries in cream, sprinkled with toasted coconut and a fairy dusting of powdered sugar
• Lost Boys - Whipped Cream: Golden apricot muddled with fresh white peaches
• Mermaid Lagoon - Two Phase Perfume Oil: (no scent description on the card, but it smells like sweet/fruity/amazing goodness)
• Kiss - Lip Balm: Exotic watermelon, juicy pineapple and coconut water, bursting with fresh juices
• The Boy Who Never Grew Up - Salt Scrub: Tropical margarita served with a salted rim
• Wendy Bird - Veggie Protein Deodorant: Bright, green apple with a balmy, tropical twist
• The Captain - Steam Me Up Scotty!: Dewy magnolias and wild berries drenched with fresh cream

As if the scent descriptions aren't tempting enough...wait until you actually SMELL them. 

Alright, so let's go through the unboxing together:

When you get the box, it has a cute little spoiler on the outside.

Look at the card! And the smell....ahhhhh....

And the feather guys...the FEATHER. Look at this presentation. I'm sold.

It comes with a full description of all the products, which I love.

Look at this whipped perfection....(and the smell...oh my)

Perfection.

And this green bottle of sweet and juicy goodness....

Look at this scrubby green goodness.

I love the actual fortune cookie soap with the galaxy theme! The soap is what I think made the box smell so good. I want to take it with me everywhere and never use it...

So basically, this box turned me into a giddy 13 year old, and I have no shame. It is a quarterly box that comes out each season, and the cost is $19.99 per box. I cannot wait for the fall box. Oh! I forgot to mention...every box that you get comes with a $10 off coupon code to use in their online store! Go check out their website and look at all the products and themes! I love it.

Do you subscribe to Fortune Cookie Soap Box? Have you tried any of their products? I would love to hear what you think!