Last month I splurged a little on cosmetics, but in doing so, I learned a secret about shopping through the Macy's cosmetic section. Who knew gift sets existed with purchases!? I always wondered what those little display cases were all about. This was my first time trying Lancome products, they're a bit pricey, but I've heard great reviews about their skincare items. I went with Tonique Confort, a rehydrating toner from Lancome to start off my collection towards my daily routine supplies. I figured I'd have to test out a few toners before I settled for the one, but this rehydrating toner leaves my skin feeling so moisturized. This definitely fills my toner requirement in my daily routine. I also tested out the Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover from my free Lancome gift set, and boy is this thing amazing! It took off waterproof mascara with one swipe, even three attempts with my regular makeup remover couldn't do the job. Lancome definitely won me over with these two amazing products so far.
..... I've been searching for a good daily face cleanser, and I think I found one that I actually like, maybe even love. I've tried the Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub and Garnier's Clean & Balancing Daily Exfoliator for combination skin. Both Neutrogena and Garnier face cleansers stripped my face of oil completely, like the squeaky clean sort of feeling, which apparently isn't a good thing. The St. Ive's Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub on the other hand actual leaves my skin feeling smooth and clean without the dryness. Thumbs up to St. Ive's for making my mornings less irritating!
..... In the beginning of April, I went to Chinatown with two of my friends, and we were on an adventure to explore a bunch of Korean product skincare stores. I happened to come across one thing that I absolutely had to have. The Nature Republic Soothing and Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel, was a steal for only $6.49 (300ml)! I love products that contain aloe vera and this one feels so light on the skin. It smells great and it'll be perfect for the warmer seasons.
..... There's one beauty product that I can't live without. The Laura Geller Beauty, Spackle Supercharged Fortified Under Make-Up Primer, it's a mouthful to say but it's my favorite primer ever! There's a shimmery peach tint to the product and this is one of those primers where you can wear alone or follow with foundation. I use this specifically for my eyelids because I don't normally apply full coverage on my face. The one I've been using was a sample from my Birchbox, and it has lasted me for quite a while, well over thirty uses. The primer goes on silky smooth, has a matte finish and it helps nourish the skin. I don't always wear makeup, but when I do, I always use Spackle.
..... A recently discovered, current favorite mascara, would have to be the NEW Covergirl Lash Blast series, The Super Sizer Mascara. It's so new, it hasn't even hit all the stores yet. I got this mascara complimentary from Influenster, in my Covergirl Voxbox, for testing purposes. Mascaras and I have a love hate relationship. I am the type of person that usually stays far away from mascaras because I've poked my eye twice trying to use them. But the new design for the bristle on The Super Sizer Mascara is remarkable. Not only is it easy for someone like me to use, and I actually feel comfortable using it, it also clearly lengthens the lashes without the messy clumps! I'm not afraid of using mascara anymore!!! But only if I get to use the Super Sizer Mascara from Covergirl.
..... Since my ZOYA manicures last well over 2 weeks, even through the roughest conditions, without being chipped or worn down, I started to just do one design to last me the whole month. For April, I wore Pippa and Godiva to create a super chic look. Pippa is a bright, warm shade of happy yellow, to me it looks like the perfect shade of a daffodil! Which coincidentally is my favorite flower in the whole world. Godiva is part of ZOYA's PixieDust collection, it's a soft nude with a sugared sparkle matte finish. I love how these two shades paired together with my design.
..... I was totally craving tea last month, specifically for Peet's Hibiscus C blend! I brew myself a cup almost every other day, with just one cube of sugar. This is perfect for when the night gets chilly. The C in Peet's Hibiscus Blend stands for the Three Cs: cinnamon, chamomile, and naturally occurring Vitamin C. Lately it's been pretty warm during the day, so I make myself Hibiscus Lemonade from just one tea sachet. It's super refreshing, if you're interested in trying this drink, feel free to check out my recipe below. You can always tweak it to your taste.
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Here's my recipe for a single serving of Hibiscus Lemonade:
Ingredients:
- 1 Peet's Hibiscus C Blend Sachet (or any hibiscus blend sachet)
- 1 glass, 3/4 filled with ice
- 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup of hot water (to dissolve your sugar separately)
- 3/4 cup of hot water (to steep your Hibiscus tea sachet)
- 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice
Directions:
1) Set your water to boil. I usually boil extra water because I refuse to drink tap water straight from the faucet.
2) Once the water has boiled, pour 3/4 cup of hot water into a mug and add your Hibiscus tea sachet. Allow that to steep for about 3 minutes.
3) In a separate small bowl, combine 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar with the 1/4 cup of hot water. This step is to create our simple syrup, using the boiling water to break down the sugar crystals before adding the lemon juice. I find it easier this way instead of adding the sugar into your drink last and trying to dissolve it then.
4) When the sugar has fully dissolved, add your 3 Tablespoons of lemon juice. If you want to use freshly squeezed lemon juice, a medium sized lemon should give you about 3 Tablespoons worth of juice. If you're lazy like me you could always buy the lemon juice that comes in the little plastic lemon.
5) After the tea has steep for 3 minutes, remove the tea sachet and discard it in the trash. Find your favorite glass and fill it with ice 3/4 of the way. With the mug of Hibiscus tea in one hand and the lemonade in the other, pour both into the glass at the same time. I use the double stream method that way I don't have to find a spoon to stir it together. If you're afraid of making a mess or don't know how to do a double stream, just add the lemonade to the mug with your Hibiscus tea, and pour the content from the mug into your glass of ice.
6) Taste, and see if you need to adjust the flavors. You could always add a little more lemon juice if you like it tart. Or you can add more sugar if you want it sweeter. (And if you're feeling extra fancy, you can top your drink off with a thin slice of fresh lemon!)
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..... My last April favorite would have to be my newly discovered Black Cherry Merlot scented hand soap from Bath & Body Works! I'm sort of obsessed with Bath & Body Works, it didn't help that one of my best friend use to work there and I always felt obligated to buy a bag full of products whenever I went to visit her at her store. I'm a sucker for fruit scented products, and that store is full of just that. The Black Cherry Merlot, deep cleansing hand soap smells so yummy. Maybe one day I should create a black cherry cupcake with Merlot drizzle.
What are your favorites from April? Stay tuned for more monthly favorites! I can't wait to see what May has in store for me...
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