Meet the new man in my life- Biilie! He’s stylish, oh so cute, and is bound to win over every girl’s heart. Billie is my new razor and long-story-short, I’m obsessed. Like any good love story, prior to finding “the one”, I went through a lot of duds. There were the ones that claimed to be something they weren’t and others that left me feeling irritable. I guess when they say you just know, you really do know!
All jokes aside though, Billie is totally worth the hype! The razor service is customizable and delivered straight to your doorstep as often as you’d like. Not that you can put a price on convenience, but in this case you can! The Billie razor service is just $9 + FREE SHIPPING! Your first $9 package will be a starter kit complete with a razor (of your color choice!), a 5 blade refill cartridge, and a handy dandy magnetic holder. From there they mail you 4 replacement cartridges, for just $9, whenever you’d like them!
When you go online to order the Billie razor, you will complete a quick questionnaire that tells them how often you shave so they know how frequently to send you replacement cartridges. In addition to the replacement cartridges (4 for $9), you can also select Billie’s shaving cream, body wash, lotion and/or razor travel case. The travel case is a must if you travel frequently as the charcoal encased blade gets sticky if it rests against anything else hence why it stays propped up on it’s magnetic holder all of the time! The travel case prevents the charcoal from transferring in your travel bag.
Before Billie, I used to use men’s razors as I could never find a good enough women’s razor that had more than 3 blades. Without going into too much detail, your girl needs 5 blades if we’re going to get anywhere. Plus the men’s razors that I was buying, weren’t cheap. Definitely way more than $9 and they certainly wouldn’t have been classified as cute. I am so much happier that I can use a razor that is specifically designed for women and actually works! In fact I feel like I can go a couple days longer in between shaves thanks to Billie’s close shave.
On top of having to use expensive mens razors, I was too lazy (and too cheap!) to change out my razors as often as I should have. More times than I care to admit to I’d end up with razor burn simply because my razor was too dull. Well that is no longer the case since I now get 4 refill cartridges delivered to my doorstep every two months! That means that I can replace my razor cartridge every two weeks which if we are being honest is way better than going the two+ months (and that’s being generous) that I had been.
If you can relate to any of the above, Billie is for you! Check out their site here and get excited to receive the cutest package in the mail:)
*Thank you Billie for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I have been compensated by QVC for this post, but all thoughts, designs, and opinions are my own!
Eeeek! The day is FINALLY here and it legit feels like Christmas morning! I am so excited to announce my collaboration with QVC to create my very own TILI beauty box for all of you! TILI is QVC’s monthly beauty subscription box and it stands for for Try It, Love It which is the perfect name for it being that this box makes it super easy for you to try new and trending beauty products before deciding if you want to invest in the full price item. One of my very favorite parts of my job is being able to sample a wide variety of fun products so if you are anything like me, you will absolutely love this box that get’s delivered to your front door every month with eight amazing beauty items. While it is a subscription box, there is no risk in joining the program as you can cancel it whenever you would like!
And I might be a little bias, but this is the best box to date being that it has TWO full price beauty products in it and the entire box costs less than one of those items!! You read that right. The entire box is just $25 and I’m sharing all of the details below on why I picked each of these items to be in my box!
Can we take a moment to first talk about what the actual box looks like?! When QVC asked me to design the box, I knew I wanted to make it cute enough to put directly under the Christmas tree or to give as a gift- no wrapping paper needed! I am confident that any girl in your life- bestie, sister, mom, or MIL- would absolutely love to receive this gift box this holiday season.
Now let’s get down to what is in the box. You will be receiving eight products in your TILI subscription box (Elemis Oxygenating Night Cream not pictured). These will be a mix of full and travel sized items. I’m over the moon that I was able to select not one, but TWO full sized items for you girls that I personally can’t live without. With the total price of the box being just $25, you are basically getting an entire box of goodies for free since the price of one of these full sized items normally costs more than the entire price of the box! So let’s start with the two full sized items shall we?
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Mist
I’ve raved about this tanning product for close to a year now as it has quickly become one of my favorite products. Most tanning products have a terrible smell but this one is completely odorless! While that is a plus in itself, it is also clear in color and does not transfer onto clothing or bedding AND you don’t even have to shower it off. This product is sprayed directly onto the skin and rubbed in with a tanning mitt. Results can be seen in 6-8 hours and it gives a very natural glow. You will be receiving shade medium which is the perfect shade for both fair and darker skin tones as it is a gradual tanning product and the more you use, the darker your tan will be. This product alone is typically $28.
IT Cosmetics BYE BYE PORES Pressed Powder
Do you have issues with your make up getting greasy or oily throughout the day? This translucent powder is going to change your life! The purpose of a translucent powder is to set your make up and give you that airbrushed finished look all day long. The powder form is going to lock in your make up and also absorb any excess oil throughout the day. It comes with a sponge applicator although I prefer to use a damp beauty blender to apply it over my concealer and then I use a brush for all over my face post foundation! While I usually only have to apply this in the morning, I’ll sometimes throw it in my bag to powder my nose throughout the day if I know it’s going to be a long day and I want my make up to stay looking fresh. This product alone is typically $29.
Clinique Moisture Surge
I’ve used this product off and on over the years and always wonder why I stop. It’s SO good and personally is my favorite when I’m traveling as it really does do exactly what the name says. It packs a large hydration punch which I find is much needed after traveling and in the winter months. It has a somewhat gel like consistency and immediately absorbs into the skin. You will want to throw this one in your travel bag for sure!
Caj Beauty Voluminzing Finishing Spray
I feel like one of those products I always need but never seem to have on hand is hair spray. I love this one because it also doubles as a voluminizing spray plus it is vanilla scented. The scent is not too strong but does smell good! The travel size makes it easy if you do not want to check a bag when you travel.
SuperSmile Professional Whitening System
I’m really excited about this product because it actually works! I’ve tried so many different teeth whitening products over the years and this is the first that I can say fits into my lifestyle. Any other product I have tried requires hours of bleaching your teeth through strips or trays, whereas this is a daily toothpaste so the results are more gradual but still very effective. The kit comes with a toothpaste and an accelerator which are both applied directly to your tooth brush and then you simply brush your teeth like normal.
Soon Strawberry Lip Mask with Collagen
This is another favorite of mine that I got to put in the box that I know you girls will love. It is a single use lip mask and if you’ve never used a lip mask you are missing out! Especially during the colder months, this one is great because it hydrates and moisturizes your lips. I don’t know about you girls but I hate having dry, cracked lips during the holidays when I’m trying to rock a bold lipstick!
Too Faced Damn Girl! Mascara
This mascara was a newer product for me to try out. Not going to lie the cute packaging was what got my attention at first but the actual mascara is even better! The applicator brush is super thick leaving your lashes voluminous and the closest thing false lashes you are going to it. Plus it’s travel sized!
QVC is also adding one of their best selling products, the Elemis Oxygenating Night Cream, which I know you girls will just love.
I feel so honored to have been able to partner up with the QVC to bring you ladies a box full of absolutely amazing beauty products at an incredible value. I truly hope you enjoy everything in this box as much as I had fun curating what went into it. You are able to purchase my boxfor the month of December for $25 and then it will be time for the next TILI subscription box. Thank you for all of your love and support on this project. It means the world!
A month ago I announced that I was on the hunt for a budget friendly, quality retinol to build into my skincare routine. I have struggled in the past with the high price tag of retinols and then on top of that I never had the best experience either. They either dried out my skin so bad, had a terrible odor, or just didn’t seem to show results. All of that being said, I was still determined to find something that worked for me and my skin. I’m nearing 30 and starting to notice facial lines that weren’t there even a year ago. Who knew you started physically showing your age at just 27 years old? Not me!
Over the past month I started trying out each of the Olay Retinol24 products consisting of a night serum, moisturizer and eye cream (all super affordable) into my night time regimen and I’m excited to review them for you! The best part about these products is that unlike other retinols, these products are blended with a retinyl propionate. Retinyl propionate are small vitamin A molecules that work their way deep into your skin in order to plump and smooth while also nourishing the skin on top of that which is why these products don’t dry out your skin like most retinols on the market do. In fact, I have seen no irritation whatsoever since using the products even when using them for consecutive nights.
Another big reason to love these products is that they work for up to 24 hours (hence the name), slowly working their way deep into your skin over the course of a day’s time. This is unlike other retinols that send an immediate, powerful dose of retinol all at once which usually leads to irritation and dryness. And probably the absolute biggest reason to really love these products is the price tag. I certainly know that it is a struggle to find a retinol that doesn’t break the bank. Well look no further because each of these products can be found at drugstore prices!
My favorite product out of the bunch is the Olay Retinol24 Night Moisturizer which comes as no surprise since I have loved several Olay Moisturizers over the years. This one has a silky smooth consistency that immediately absorbs into your skin and does not leave you feeling sticky or greasy whatsoever. The eye cream has a thicker consistency and is packed with a punch. A little goes a long way so although it is in a smaller jar, you get a lot of bang for your buck! Lastly the serum is a great way to add a retinol into your regimen if you already have a moisturizer that you love. It comes with an application dropper that makes it easy to work into your hands before applying or apply directly to your face and then pat into the skin. Take note that you should not use all of the products together. You can use the eye cream and moisturizer or the eye cream and serum but not the moisturizer and serum together.
My overall review is that these products are legit! If you have struggled in the past to find an affordable retinol option or have experienced irritation in the past, I would highly recommend every one of these products. Since I already have a few serums that I can’t live without, I plan on continuing to use the Olay Retinol24 Eye Cream and Olay Retinol24 Moisturizer as these are two areas my skin desperately needs a retinol savior. Since both the serum and moisturizer are applied to the entire face, I would choose whichever one you are lacking in your current skincare routine.
Lastly, I know it can be confusing whenever you start working new products into your skincare routine and you might be wondering how and when to apply the different products. When it comes to the order of application of nighttime skincare products, this is the order in which I apply mine: cleanser, toner, eye cream, oils, serum, and lastly moisturizer. The way you want to apply skincare products is going to be from thinnest consistency to the thickest. This way the thinner products can penetrate deep into the skin while the thicker products usually sit on top of the skin. For ex: if you put a moisturizer on before an oil, the oil will not be able to absorb into the skin since the moisturizer is blocking it from penetrating deep into your pores. After all, if you are spending the money on skincare products, might as well be applying them right 🙂
*Thank you Olay for sponsoring this post. As always, all thoughts an opinions are my own.*
*This post is sponsored by Olay. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I have very strong memories of both my grandmother and mother using Olay products growing up, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that I too got hooked. In high school and college, I didn’t use a moisturizer because I was convinced moisturizers made my skin greasy and therefore caused breakouts. I was sorely mistaken and wish I had been whipped into *skincare* shape long ago!
I started using Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer almost three years ago now and my skin has transformed drastically. It went from being extremely oily to what most would categorize as normal skin. Did you know that not using a daily moisturizer actually makes your skin produce more oil because it is working in overdrive to try and hydrate your skin?! I had no idea.
Let me tell you about my newest best friend, the Olay Red Jar. I use this moisturizer every single day and have brought it on every single vacation the past few months. It is extremely hydrating without leaving your face oily or sticky so I can apply it in the morning without worrying that my make-up will slide off. In fact, my make-up goes on easier and smoother than it ever has when I use Olay Regenerist Whip before I apply my make-up. It functions as a primer and soaks in super fast too!
The consistency of this moisturizer is light so it is almost weightless to the touch and feel. It literally feels like your skin just consumed a tall glass of water! And just like water, my skin craves this stuff. I have accidentally forgotten to pack my red jar on a couple vacations and my skin is noticeably less hydrated. Now it is the first product I throw in my skincare bag – I won’t make that mistake again.
Another great selling factor for me is that the Olay Regenerist Whip comes in an SPF option which I normally take on vacations with me when I know I’ll be out in the sun all day. So, if you are heading on a beach vacation or just want to protect your skin at home, Olay has you covered. If you are particularly sensitive to smells like me, I also love that they make a fragrance-free option. Honestly, there is an Olay Red Jar for everyone. My mother and grandmother can attest to that too.
Whether you are just needing a new everyday moisturizer or want to pick up the SPF packed version before your next trip, I highly recommend Olay Regenerist Whip. It has the high-end skincare feels with the drugstore price and you don’t have to fly all the way to Tokyo to get it;)
A couple weeks ago I asked you ladies for your favorite skincare and make up products that contained SPF and boy did y’all deliver! There were hundreds of answers so I tried out some of the top recommendations and I’m sharing my review of all of them below.
I can honestly say it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I started realizing the importance of taking care of my skin and investing in products that will do just that. A large part of that was due to the fact that my mom had a melanoma and a large part was also the age spots and skin damage that I was starting to notice on my own skin. It’s never too early to start protecting your skin so that will look better and younger longer!
I first raved about this product in this extensive beauty routine post. I am now scraping out the very last bits of this product and will 100% be repurchasing. It has replaced all of my other primers and doubles as a moisturizer too. It helps fill in pores, even out your skin tone and make you foundation go on much easier and smoother. I actually end up using less foundation because the primer really makes the foundation go a lot further than it normally would.
On days that I just want a tinted moisturizer for a no-make up, make up kind of look, I reach for this product. I will say this product probably will only work for my fair skined ladies as it only comes in one shade which is not super dark. It also has a pink undertone to it. With that being said, it does blend very nicely and provides a very light coverage. I usually just apply bronzer over this and call it a day!
I have used this moisturizer for years. You can find it buried in the same beauty routine blog post that I mentioned before. It is my favorite moisturizer especially if you have normal to oily skin. It doesn’t leave your skin feeling greasy or oily one bit so I love using it in the mornings and at night. It smells like ginger and has a pretty liquidy consistency which makes it great for mixing in tanning drops. I am currently using the Isle of Paradise tanning drops in shade dark.
I somehow always forget to put sun protection on my lips so during the Summer months I switch out my normal chapstick for one with SPF. I’ve tried several but this Kiehl’s one is by far my favorite. It is SO moisturizing and true to it’s name, like butter! It comes in a few different tints but I personally just use the untinted.
I’ve used this product for over 5 years now and cannot say enough good things about it. The CC Cream comes in a few different formulas: matte, normal and illumination. My personal favorite for the Summer or if you have oily skin is the matte formula which has SPF 40. I usually use the normal formula (SPF 50) for the rest of the year. If you do not have oily skin I would suggest getting the normal formula. This is a full coverage foundation without being too heavy or cakey. I use shade medium in the Summer months. If you haven’t tried this yet, you are missing out.
While the CC Cream is my #1 bae, this Tarte foundation is a close second for the Summer. It’s a little bit lighter and more whip like in consistency. I would say it is a full coverage foundation again without feeling heavy or looking cakey. I use shade medium beige.
While I don’t love the applicator on this product, I do like the product itself. The metal applicator is fine for applying to product but to actually work the product into your skin, I suggest using a beauty blender or a small brush. As far as coverage I would say it is a light to medium coverage. I use shade fair.
If you are looking for a liquid bronzer (aka don’t want that powder look), this is a great option that has SPF built in! On days that I am out in the sun, I usually skip the powder products and opt for the liquid ones so that they aren’t as cakey and provide more of a natural, dewy finish.
There are very few setting sprays that also have SPF in them. While I definitely would choose my Urban Decay All Nighter spray over this one majority of the year, I always reach for my coola setting spray on days that I know I will be in the sun. Setting spray is meant to be the last step after applying your make up. It locks everything is place, making your make up stay all day. And if you are going to use a setting spray anyway, why not make sure it has some protection in it? I will not that it does have a sunscreen smell to it.
If you have a full face of make up on, the last thing you want to do is slather sunscreen on and mess it all up. The Tarteguard powder is a translucent powder that has SPF already in it. The applicator is genius and really does work so well. Depending on your make up routine and how many of your make up products actually have SPF, this would be a great product to work into your routine in place of a liquid sunscreen.
If you are shopping for any skincare or make up products not necessarily just with SPF, I urge you to check out QVC’s selection. I am officially converted and always check their website before I make the trip to Sephora. Why? Because QVC almost always have some sort of deal on a skincare or make up product that I am wanting to buy. Usually it’s either a significant discount or a “free” product with purchase (for example: a make up brush or travel sized mini). Plus, if you haven’t shopped on QVC’s site before you can use code TAKE5 for $5 off your first purchase!
Photos by: BanAvenue
*This post is in partnership with QVC. As always all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
