Use It or Lose It March: Pan and Purge Project 2020

Monday, April 13, 2020

March Product Favorites from My Stash

Greetings, dear readers! It's been a few weeks since posting to my blog, but I am going to attempt to get things going back to business as usual. That's so much easier said than done given everything that is currently going on in the world and being personally affected, but my blog is my outlet and my distraction; I need it more now than ever at this time. It's funny that I had finally got my routine worked out where I could post on a regular schedule, but life sometimes just have to throw a curveball your way! I'm not really sure how my schedule is going to work out now that I've got my kids at home with me to teach, but I will do the best I can to keep posting here on my blog. I'm hoping having beauty content can be a distraction for you as well while it feels like the world is falling apart! Initially, I didn't feel "right" posting beauty content as it seemed so frivolous given the severity of life right now, but I have come to realize that this is exactly what some of us need, myself included, to help get through these trying times. With that, let's get into today's post!

I'm coming at you a little later than I would have liked, but today's post is about the products I loved throughout the month of March. It was a bit of an odd month for me beauty-wise as I found I didn't really wear much makeup and my hair became my main focus. That said, I still had a couple non-hair items I enjoyed a lot as well. Let's get a closer look at my picks for the month of March!

March was a rather wet and rainy month for us, and for me, that means the return of curly hair! My hair normally is slightly wavy, but add some humidity and it is ready to rock some crazy curls when left to its own devices. I used to hate it, but over the past few years, I have really embraced and learned to love my curls when my locks get a wild hair.

Hask Beauty Shea Butter & Hibiscus Oil Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner

I happened to pick up this shampoo and conditioner set on a whim on a fairly recent trip to Ulta, and I am so glad I did! I've not exactly been the best about purchasing the best quality shampoo for my hair, and while the cheap stuff technically works, I know I should step it up and do more for my hair. I've been wanting to step away from sulfates and parabens in my haircare routine, all while keeping at a relatively affordable price, and the Hask brand in particular was one of the suggestions in one of my Facebook beauty groups.

Why I love it:

When faced with the selection of Hask Beauty products at my local Ulta store, I settled for this one quickly because of the smell. Obviously this isn't the most important aspect of a shampoo and conditioner, but I'm not going to use the best shampoo ever if it smells terrible! The Shea Butter & Hibiscus Oil duo fragrance is a delicious marriage of warmth and spice with a kiss of light florals. I'm generally not fond of overly floral scents, but this one is fantastic! Little did I know what I bought it that I would really get to test out the anti-frizz claims! I normally wash my hair every 3 days, and I was rather impressed with how smooth this made my hair! Yes, I still did have a little wave when left to air dry, and yes, I did still end up with curls on the humid days, but I was really impressed with how controlled my waves and curls looked after using this duo. There were definitely days when using any additional hair products did not happen, particularly when my hair was freshly washed, and my curls held up like a champ! I'm a little nervous about the current lack of availability on Ulta's website, but here's hoping that is temporary and I'll be able to purchase more when these run out!

So Cozy Curl Gel-Cream

The So Cozy brand may technically be designed for kids, but that won't stop me from trying out some of their products. I've actually used this particular hair product in the past, both on myself and on my now 7-year old. He was born with a head-full of hair that grew into the most beautiful curls! While I originally got my first tube of this to try on his hair, I started using it myself and loved it. I admittedly forgot about it after finishing up the first bottle thanks to my ever-growing hair product collection, but I was reintroduced when I stopped at Target for pull-ups for my youngest. I remembered loving it a few years ago and had to pick up another bottle!

Why I love it:

The consistency of this product is truly somewhere between a cream and a gel, and I am living for it! As much as I have enjoyed creams from other brands, I often find them to be just a little too thick and heavy, especially when I want my hair to live up to its curly potential. The So Cozy Curl Gel-Cream, on the other hand, is a little thinner, giving your hair the moisturizing and smoothing benefits of a cream without weighing it down. It also offers the better hold you would get from a gel product without that often felt stickiness. It truly is the best of both worlds! Because this was designed with kids in mind, it also doesn't have the sulfates and phthalates we should be limiting alongside other chemicals and potential allergens. Thankfully the allergen issue doesn't apply to me and my family, but I do know of a few moms that have to be mindful of their own haircare products because of the potential exposure to their kids. The fragrance is also nice: it has a light vanilla plus orange blossom fragrance with a touch of honey. While present, I don't find it to be too strong or overpowering for my sensitive nose and really don't smell it at all in my own hair.

Doubledown Cosmetics The Future Tinted Lip Balm*

* Gifted Sample

March was not a makeup month for me overall, but that didn't stop me from sporting a little pop of colour on my lips. If I don't have on some foundation, I don't like to wear a lot of pigment on my lips. Tinted lip balms are definitely the way for me to go, and I particularly enjoy this one from Doubledown Cosmetics!

Why I love it:

This lip balm is cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free, so that's already off to a great start! I really like the flattering red hue, and I am particular fond that it is buildable for more colour payout if wanted. Some lip balms are just too waxy or have too high of an oil content, making them impossible to build up, unless you want a thick, waxy mess, of course. This tinted lip balm, on the other hand, is a little drier to allow buildup without feeling to drying on your lips. It really is a fantastic formulation! It also has peppermint oil, so it has a slight plumping effect on your lips, but it is overall light and still very comfortable. While I can smell the peppermint, I only notice the slightest cooling sensation, unlike the intense cooling-to-burning feeling of other peppermint oil-infused lip products. If you want a lip balm that really plumps up your pout, this one may not be enough for you; ultimately that would depend on how sensitive you are to peppermint oil in general. If you are looking for the perfect moisturizing daily-wear lip balm, this may be just what you are looking for!

Rogue Lacquer Nailixir Killaloe Sunrise*

* Gifted Sample

I had the pleasure of taking part in an Arizona nail fan meetup at Rogue brand owner Rachel's house earlier this year and left with this brush-on cuticle oil. I had been wanting to try the Nailixir line as I have heard god things about it, but with a rather substantial cuticle oil collection already, it sadly hasn't happened until now. All this hand washing has been hard on my hands, and I have been going through lotions and cuticle oils like crazy! I still had others open and in use, I spied this baby on my dresser and opted to pop it open and give it a go.

Why I love it:

The first thing you'll notice about this cuticle oil, after the application method, is the smell, and whoa baby, am I a fan! I had to ask Rachel details on it as describing scents just isn't my forte. Inspired by Canadian beaver tails, specifically the puff pastry Killaloe sunrise, this scent is a blend of cinnamon buns and sweet lemons. I find the cinnamon to be the most present aspect of this blend, but I can tell it is cut down with something to keep it from being too intense. The result is spicy and a little sweet, and it sure if giving me comfort during these crazy days! I'm generally not a fan of smelling like baked goods, but this combination is appealing to me and makes me want to attempt to create the inspiration! As for the cuticle oil itself, I am digging the formulation. The brush applicator allows for precise application that is absorbed quickly into the skin. If I apply with a heavier hand, I can rub it in for quicker absorption. I don't have to wait long until I can move on to another activity and haven't had to worry about oils getting where I don't want them. I like that it is composed of good oils that I love for my skin: grapeseed oil, avocado oil, almond oil, and jojoba oil alongside Vitamin E. The only hard part will be deciding what fragrance I want to use next when this one runs out!

And that, dear readers, concludes my beauty product picks for the month of March! It's still early, but April so far isn't shaping up to be much of a makeup month either. At this time, I've had to both put together curriculum and teach my kids since their schools haven't given us anything to go on, but that should be changing here soon. Hopefully that means I can have a little more time for me to wear more makeup again. Putting my contacts aside in favor of glasses has stymied my creativity, but perhaps this is the month I push past it. Only time will tell, and that certainly is something I have on my hands now!

Have you tried any of these products? If so, I'd love to hear what you think of them! Also, I'd love to hear what products you have been enjoying this month!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

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Body Soufflé | Human + Kind

Monday, March 2, 2020

Use It or Lose It February: Pan and Purge Project 2020

Greetings, dear readers, and happy Monday! It has been quite some time since I've posted on a Monday here on the blog! I have a few things I really would like to try to post this week, and I figured an early jump might help with those plans. Whether or not it all happens is another story, but I'm certainly going to try! Now let's get to today's post!

I decided once again to challenge myself to use and/or destash my beauty products this year; my goal for 2020 is to pan and purge a total of 175 items. While it certainly would be a lofty goal if all I did was pan items, destashing products that I just don't use or really enjoy (but still held onto as if my life depended on it) makes my goal attainable. My numbers for February pale in comparison to January's, but I'm hoping to make good progress testing out my potential destash pile this month.

These are the items that have left my stash in February.

Use It: The Empties

As the subtitle suggests, these are the items I have finished up this month.

Cosmetics

Photo Focus Foundation | wet n wild x2

I have a variety of open foundations, so it took some time to get these empty, but I did it! These are the original matte formula, and since wet n wild didn't have my exact shade, I ended up purchasing two and tweaked them to get pretty close to my colour. It's not been kept secret that these have a rather unpleasant chemical smell, but I found the smell disappears rather quickly, allowing me to use these until completion. I actually really enjoyed these as an affordable drugstore option, but I really wish they had a bigger shade range. The brand's cruelty-free status has been a hot topic since it has been discovered they sell in China, so between these points, I don't foresee repurchasing these.

Nourishing Lip Polish | PIXI Beauty

I have bent and twisted this tube so much to get every drop out I could that the writing on the the tube has come off! I've been using this product (not this particular tube!) for a few years now and really like it! The textured silicone applicator allows for gentle exfoliation, but it is the product itself that I like. Filled with shea butter and a blend of oils, the Nourishing Lip Polish has saved my lips from being wrecked when I end up with a cold and cannot breathe through my nose. I actually use it when I'm not sick as well, but the fact that my lips can sail through a cold without any noticeable difference speaks wonders about this product. It's a must have for me, and I already have a replacement open and in use.

Body

Rice Flower and Shea Shower Gel | Bath & Body Works

This is one of my favorite scents from B&BWs, and naturally it means that had to discontinue it! Every once in awhile they would have a clear-out, either in store or online, where I happen to stumble across a bottle or two, and I would snap them up quickly. I don't feel particularly strongly about B&BW's shower gels- they smell nice and leave my skin clean. It doesn't have the rich and luxurious feeling as some other brands, but I've never minded when I can get them on sale. As this is discontinued, I'm not so likely to replace this, although never say never!

Sugar Scrub (Cocoa & Cookies; Astronaut Ice Cream) | KBShimmer

I really enjoy sugar scrubs by KBShimmer, and these scents were no exception to that rule. Both these scents were exclusive to the Polish Pickup and unfortunately cannot be replaced, but KBShimmer offers a selection of 6 scents permanently on there site. Further, they have another Polish Pickup exclusive scent available coming this Friday; there's really no excuse to not be able to enjoy these! In an effort to work through my open stash, I've held off on getting more, but with two more jars close to completion, I think I'm about ready to start adding more for future enjoyment!

This was my first experience with this brand, and WOW, did I love this body moisturizer! It is creamy and moisturizing without a greasy after-feeling. My skin really loved this tlc this dry winter season, especially after the occasional leg shaving session! The smell is refreshing- light and clean. I have some other moisturizers I want to try to get through first, but I'm thinking about picking up another one of these when those are empty.

White Tea & Ginger Body Lotion | Bath & Body Works

White Tea & Ginger is my other favorite B&BWs scent, and of course, this one is retired as well. I'm not sure if my nose has become even more sensitive, but this (and another B&BWs lotion I'm using) smells stronger than I remember, so much so I cannot use it straight from the bottle as is. The lotion is light and not as moisturizing as I would like anyway, and I mixed this with another unscented moisturizer that felt more nourishing to the skin. I'm just not thrilled with the quality of these and won't be repurchasing, even if I do find my favorite scents, in the B&BWs lotion,

Hair

Smooth Blow Dry Anti-Frizz Cream | Garnier Fructis Style

I don't have too much issue with frizz in my hair, and generally whatever styling products I use end up combating that regardless of whether or not they were designed to prevent frizzy hair. The real reason I picked this up was because it offers heat protection for your hair, and that is something I do need. I wash my hair every three to four days, and unless I'm not feeling well or want it straight, I typically blow it dry. If I want my hair to be straighter, I have to take a flat iron to it. Even though I use a low temperature setting (I want to flatten my hair, not bake it), I still want my hair protected from the heat. This is a great and affordable option for me and a product I'm probably going to repurchase when I finish off another heat protector I'm currently working through.

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Lose It: Purged Products

These are the items that are not empty but I have decided to let go.

Monsoon Cuticle & Lip Scrub | KNI Beauty and Bath

This brown sugar and shea butter scrub + balm was an exclusive to the Polish/Indie Pickup and I snapped it up immediately. While it can be used on either your cuticles or your lips, my main interest was as a lip scrub. Other scrubs often come in pots, requiring me to pinch it out with my fingers and rub onto my lips. I do it because that's just what you do, but I love when I come across lip scrubs that are in a tube and can be directly buffed (gently!) on the lips before rinsing off. I actually used this tube most of the way through before setting it aside to try to get through one of my sugar scrub pots. Unfortunately, when I picked it up again, it had dried out just a little too much to be comfortable for use on my lips. I probably could still use it, but I think it is best to let it go. As this version was exclusive to the Indie Pickup I won't be able to replace it, but I definitely will be picking up the one they offer of their website once I finish up my open lip scrubs!

Eye Primer | Anastasia Beverly Hills

This little sample tube was an option to spend some of my Sephora points, and while I'm in no rush to use my points, I was interested in trying out this primer on my oily, hooded eyes. While the rest of my skin is normal to slightly oily, my lids are, pardon the expression, oily as fuck, and very few eye primers work well for me. I was actually pretty impressed with how well my eye makeup would hold up with this primer, but it feels so thick going on, no matter how tiny amount I would try to use, and it actually left my eyelids feeling uncomfortably dry. I had pretty high hopes on this one since I know others really enjoy it, but sadly it just did not seem to work with my body chemistry.

Master Pro Blush Brush | Royal & Langnickel

Royal & Langnickel chooses to describe this brush as soft on their website, and all I have to say is soft, my ass! Maybe I've just been spoiled by the soft synthetic brushes that have found there way into my brush collection, but this brush does not feel very pleasant on my face. It isn't the worst thing I've used, but I like my back scratched, not my cheeks. This brush is just not for me and I won't be missing it.

Master Pro Tapered Blender Brush | Royal & Langnickel

I have a weakness for eye brushes, so I was pretty excited to test out this brush after it arrived in my Royal & Langnickel Deluxe Mystery Box (like the previous brush, by the way). As it's in my destash list, it obviously did not perform well for me, and I've be struggling to figure out exactly why. I liked that it is fairly thin, as the wider blending brushes can be a little unwieldy with my hooded eyes, but I found it just did not want to actually blend colour at all. It was the same results regardless of primer or eyeshadow I would use, and I don't like having to put in a lot of work to try to make a product work when there are others on the market that do. I'm wondering if the bristles are either just not quite dense enough or a little too long, or just a combination of both, at least to be used with my techniques. I am disappointed to let this go, but I've got new brushes entering my life soon so I'll get over it.

Monthly Stats

Empties: 10

Purged: 4

Total: 14

Yearly Stats

Empties: 25

Purged: 29

Total: 54

February may not have been the most productive month when it came to pan and purging, but I still made respectable progress towards my goal of 175 products. I have a few products that I know will be empty before the end of the week that I thought would make it to my February list, but alas, it looks like they're just holding off. I didn't purge as much as I thought I would, but this month I plan to take advantage of my kids being out of town for Spring Break with the hubby, leaving me as quiet a week as my dogs a troublesome feline can manage. Overall, I would say that February wasn't great but not bad. At the end of the day, I still managed to remove 14 products from my life, and that ultimately is the goal.

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!

XO!

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Monday, September 16, 2019

Testing Out Dot & Key Hair Sunscreen and Face Serum

Press Sample

I love when I have the opportunity to test out new-to-me brands, and I especially love getting to try out brands based in other countries. I was excited when I had the chance to test out these serums from India-based Dot & Key. The brand has recently branched into selling on Amazon.com, making it even easier to get these products in the US. Dot & Key has formulated their products with botanicals to keep them as natural as possible, and avoid as many nasty chemicals as possible like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. The brand is certified by PETA to be cruelty-free.

Dot & Key offers products that focus on four specific areas: sun care, swim care, skin care, and pigmentation. I have received two items in the sun care and skin care categories; keep following along to hear about my thoughts and if I would recommend them!

The first thing you notice with any product is the packaging, and I could not let this go unmentioned in this post. Each of these products come enclosed in their own box. I absolutely love the way these are packaged!

Hair Sunscreen + Softening Serum with SPF15

This sun care product for the hair promises to be a 3-in-1 nourishing serum that protects from the sun, heat, and pollution. It includes both Green Tea and Mandarin extracts for a delicious light citrusy scent. Unlike other hair sunscreens that are in either powder or spray format, this comes in a pump style format.

The Hair Sunscreen + Softening Serum is very watery when pumped out of the container. Meant to be applied to either damp or dry hair, I found application to be a little awkward and not quite even on dry hair. I personally preferred to use this when my hair was still damp so I could use my comb to help disperse this better.

Would I recommend this product?

No. While I like the idea of using a sunscreen on my hair, this particular one had two major drawbacks for me. Let's start off with the sunscreen aspect.

While I do appreciate sunscreens in my hair to help prevent drying and colour fading by UV rays, my main reason for wanting to use one is for application that will protect my scalp. The sunscreen this product uses is Octyl Methoxycinnamate, or Octinoxate. This organic compound offers protection against USB rays, but it doesn't help when it comes to the UVA rays. I prefer to stick with broad spectrum sunscreens that block both, but this is not my major issue with this sunscreen. Octinoxate is rapidly absorbed into the skin and has been found in human urine, blood and breast milk. It is actually not very stable when exposed to UV rays and degrades, making it less effective at protecting you from the sun. It is a known endocrine disruptor and has been given a score of 6 by the EWG. Needless to say, this isn't a great sunscreen to begin with. If that wasn't bad enough, it has been documented as a direct cause to coral bleaching.

The sunscreen issue is enough for me to not want to use this product, but I opted to set those feelings aside and put it to the test. The first ingredient is a blend of the silicones Cyclopentasiloxane and Dimethiconol. This blend gives a slippy feel to the product and helps with the absorption of other ingredients (such as Vitamin E in the case of this hair serum). While this is great for making your hair feel silky, and certainly will help with the appearance of split ends, these silicones have one major drawback- they are water insoluble. They will not evaporate quickly like some other silicones, which is good for keeping your hair silky all day long, but bad because it will continue to buildup up if you use this day after day between washings. As they are non-water soluble, you need to use a shampoo that contains sulfates or a sulfate-free shampoo with very strong surfactants in order to remove this from your hair. Based on my experience for the past six weeks, unless I have this serum in my hair, my hair now feels very dry, frizzy, and brittle.

Retail: $15.00

Skin Awakening Moisture Boost Serum

This moisturizing serum is claimed to be an energizing wakeup for fatigues skin as it contains Vitamin C. It also contains both Lavender essential oil to soothe and Peppermint essential oil to rejuvenate the skin. This serum uses the same pump-type format as the hair sunscreen discussed above.

With one pump from the dispenser, a small amount of product is pumped out. I've tested a variety of serums, and I was expecting this product to have a thinner formula than this. I certainly don't mind it, but as I said, it just wasn't exactly what I was expecting based on the product name alone. Instead, I find it to be somewhere in between a serum and a moisturizer. It contains your lavender oil for soothing purposes while the peppermint oil helps to balance out natural oils, so it does serve a purpose beyond moisturizing the skin. Lightweight, it absorbs very quickly and gives a temporary cooling effect thanks to the peppermint and added methanol. That being said, it does contain grain wax, argan oil, and shea butter, giving it the properties of a moisturizer. These ingredients fall in the middle of the ingredients list, which is why the final product is more of an ultra lightweight moisturizer.

Would I recommend this product?

Yes, but with reservations. I have been testing this moisturizing serum for the past six weeks, so I have had some time to see how it would behave with my skin. Before I get into that, let me start with my reservations when it comes to ingredients.

The second ingredient in this serum is Cyclopentasiloxane and ingredient number four is Dimethicone. Silicones in skincare products are a bit iffy for me as not only to they keep in moisture by forming a barrier to the skin, they can also trap in dirt, sweat, bacteria, serum, and whatever other gross things get between it and your skin. While they do not themselves clog the pores, this other stuff can, and this is why many can experience acne when using a silicone-based skincare product. Some people are highly sensitive when it comes to these products on their skin, but thankfully I am not one of them. If your skin normally is fine when layered with a silicone product, this will likely be fine for you.

While low in the ingredients list (third from the bottom, to be exact), this product does contain menthol. You get a double whammy as it also contains peppermint oil (menthol is derived from mints such as peppermint or spearmint) as the last ingredient. Lavender oil comes in at the second to last ingredient. All three of these are known to irritate those with sensitive skin, so those that know they are allergic or sensitive should avoid this product. I'm not bothered by any of these although I do not care for the tingling effect caused by menthol and peppermint oil. Because these are in such low qualities, I found the effect to be more of a subtle cooling effect that only lasted about two minutes if I'm really focused on how my skin feels after use.

How well this product works for you will also be determined by your skin type and what other products you like to use in combination with it. I have combination normal to slightly oily skin, and while it works well with my skin, it doesn't offer enough of a moisturizing effect for me to stop using a true moisturizer in addition to this serum. I have recently been trying out a very lightweight moisturizer, and the combination of the two is perfect for me. Those that have very oily skin may find this moisturizing serum is enough for them. Those with drier skin likely will find this serum not moisturizing enough if this is all you use. While this will help to moisturize your skin, I would just plan to use this as the first step in your routine. Just be sure to apply to a clean face with clean fingers as you don't want dirt trapped between this and your skin.

Retail: $17.99

While I had some reservations about one of the products, I have really enjoyed trying out the Dot & Key brand and learning more about what they have to offer. They have a decent selection on their Amazon storefront, and I would love to see more of their product offerings made available for purchase. The biggest drawback to the brand is the complete ingredients list isn't available on either Amazon's or Dot & Key's website. This would be helpful in determining whether or not a product contains ingredients I would prefer to avoid, like the octinoxate as sunscreen in the hair serum at the beginning of this post.

Have you tried any products by Dot & Key? Are you mindful of the specific sunscreens used in your products? Do you have any sensitivities to silicones or natural essential oils? I'd love to hear about your preferences!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!

Helpful Links

Store: www.amazon.com/DotandKeyStorefront

Facebook: www.facebook.com/DotandKey/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/DotandKey.Skincare

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MŌDA Renew makeup brushes

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Tools of the Trade: Stand out products from Cosmoprof NA 2019

With approximately 1,400 exhibitors showcasing their products at Cosmoprof North America, there is no doubt that you can find just about any beauty product to suit your needs! Year after year of attending this show, I always say that I need more time as I simply cannot see it all no matter how hard I try, although in truth, I don't know that my body could physically handle it! In spite of the time limitations, I did stumble across several star products that deserve recognition and extra attention. Perhaps some of these might become new favorite products for you as well! Let's jump in and check them out!

Why I chose this: MŌDA isn't exactly a new brand for me as I have seen it time and again at my local Walmart stores. I have tried several brushes and enjoyed both them and the affordable price point, but I never really considered just how many options this company offers. The selections at Walmart are incredibly limited, and it was this plant-based and biodegradable set offered on the MŌDA website that really caught my attention. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover they offer a Renew and Recycle program for when you want to get rid of unwanted brushes regardless of the brand.

Yubi Beauty

Why I chose this: This innovative product was designed for foundation makeup application that gives the coverage of a brush with the added dexterity of your fingertips. With your fingers in position, you have a more natural-feeling control over the brush, and this is sure to be a hit whether you're new to makeup and having been wearing it for years! I also really love the size and shape for smoothing those fabulous liquid highlighters on body or gently exfoliate dead skin off your face while washing.

Candy Brush Eco Maze

Why I chose this: I have found myself to be drawn towards more eco-friendly products over the past several years, so this biodegradable brush is a top pick for me. The maze-like pattern gives the brush more flexibility than a traditional paddle brush, and it allows the bristles to conform better to your scalp while brushing. I also like this touch of flexibility when it comes to traveling as I have managed to break two other brushes in my luggage.

Dome Beauty Charcoal-infused brush set

Why I chose this: This particular set is soon to launch, and they have a charcoal-infused eye brush already available for purchase. My reasoning for selecting these is a question for you: how often do you honestly wash your makeup brushes? We all know we should wash them, but many find it to be a chore and stretch out washings longer than they should. Because these are charcoal infused, they naturally help keep bacteria from growing. I don't think I'd want to skip out on washing altogether, but at least you don't have to worry as much if you opt to wash every two months instead of at least once a month.

JUNO & Co.

Why I chose this: The brand offers a solid cleansing bar and brush dry cleaner, but it is the microfiber velvet beauty sponge that is the star of the show. This beauty sponge allows you to place foundation where you want it on your face, but the microfiber velvet textures doesn't absorb as much product as other popular beauty sponges. Keeping more product on your face means having to use less product and making it last longer! I especially like that the brand offers three different softness levels as we all have our own preference on how we like our sponges. The original blue (not shown) is the firmest with the pink (above) being 30% softer and the lavender (not shown) being 50% softer than the original. The different firmness levels are available in both the traditional-sized sponge and the small ones, which is great it you prefer a different firmness as I do when it comes to getting into the corners of the nose or around your eyes.

Blenderelle

Why I chose this: Since already on beauty sponges, let's get into this perfect accompaniment! Do you travel with your beauty sponge in a plastic bag, so it never gets to really dry out on your travel days? Bacteria grows quickly when your sponges are damp for too long, and the Blenderelle is a brilliant solution! The simple casing has cutouts for proper ventilation so your sponge can dry all while keeping the shape of your beauty sponge. Speaking of which, Blenderelle recognizes that we have different preference in sponge brand and shape, so these are designed to work with a range of beauty sponges. Shown above are the two different models: a solid egg-shape that snaps open and closed and the original that twists open to hold your beauty sponge.

Cricket Company Coconut Oil Infused Detangling Brush

Why I chose this: I may not have long hair, but I still get pesky knots in my hair regularly, especially now that I'm swimming every evening and go to bed with damp hair more often than (k)not. Haha! Cricket actually offers a line of brushes and combs that are infused with coconut oil, and I recommend checking them out! They smooth hair, leaving a beautifully shiny and frizz-free finish. I especially love that this utilizes the benefits of coconut out without leaving a greasy residue on the hands.

la beauté Soi brush sets

Why I chose this: I was relatively familiar with the la beauté Soi brand as I have found their brush sets and pouches to be beautiful, and I just loved the finish and feel of this wooden brush set that will be launching soon. I realize there are many brush brands on the market to choose from, but something that sets this brand apart for me is that they are always giving back. A portion of all purchases are donated to charities that help children (UNICEF), protect animals (ASPCA), and saving the planet (The Nature Conservancy). While some companies might support a cause a handful of times throughout the year, giving back is what this company represents at its core, and I have a lot of respect for that.

Daily Concepts Daily Bio-Cotton Makeup Removers

Why I chose this: Speaking of helping the earth, let's jump in on these makeup removers! Single use wipes may have been all the rage for awhile there, but us consumers are becoming more and more aware of the impact our actions are having on the planet (Go us!). This set of makeup removers by Daily Concepts includes three larger cotton pads for face makeup and two smaller rounds for removing eye makeup. The set comes with a handy bag that can be tossed in the washing machine so you don't have to worry about one going missing on laundry day.

ManiGlovz Manicure Gloves

Why I chose this: We already know to slap on our sunscreen as part of our routines in the morning (Have you touched yours up yet today?), but what about those of us that are exposed to extra UV rays when it comes time to getting a gel manicure? Heck, not even a gel manicure but just the drive in the car while going out shopping or working in the garden? We spend so much time worrying about the wrinkles showing (or preferably NOT) on our faces and yet our hands are so often neglected. ManiGlovz are made with UPF 50 material to protect our hands from UV rays regardless of the source. Not only do they help protect our hands from aging and cancer-causing rays, they come in such fun and colourful patterns that you'll actually WANT to wear them. Hiding in the back (because I was a nitwit and didn't get a good photo) is my favorite, a really fun sugar skull pattern!

Doucce Cosmetics

Why I chose this: Doucce Cosmetics is another company that isn't new to me, and I like their Freematic System to design your own perfect makeup palette. The brand has decided to launch their first set of brushes, and they have a really cool feature! The brushes are magnetic at handle so that they are able to sit upright on the accompanying stand. This will help keep brushes easy to find and clean, especially when it comes to hotel bathrooms! The stand (not pictured) is designed to be roomy so that it can hold additional magnetic brushes when they join in the brand product lineup. Taking the magnetic stand may be more than people want to deal with when it comes to traveling, so this set isn't going to be a win for everyone. That said, it is a pretty cool feature, especially for those that prefer to keep their brushes at home and don't need a large assortment of brushes to complete their looks.

Year after year, I am always amazed to discover the new products I stumble across at Cosmoprof North America. Some are items I have been wanting while others I had no clue I needed until I was presented with the possibility! I'm sure there are so many more beauty tools that I missed this year, but I am thrilled with all I did discover this year!

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out my previous post about the BOUTIQUE and enter to win a beauty sampling bag for yourself!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!

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