Lush: Mint Julips Lip Scrub

Hi everyone,

Today's review is of the Mint Julips Lip Scrub by Lush. This product retails for $9.95 through the Lush website and contains 0.9oz of product. Lush describes this product as, "Just like the scrumptious cocktail served in hot southern summers, Mint Julips is packed full of fresh peppermint and sweet castor sugar. Peppermint is responsible for that ‘tingly feeling’ you get after brushing your teeth or using lip balm, so we thought it would make a perfect addition to our lip scrub! Plus, it makes Mint Julips tastes like a big, creamy bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream."

This is a sugar scrub and Lush uses Fair Trade sugar as the base of their lip scrubs which makes for an effective exfoliant. Lush recommends how to use this product as "Scrub your lips with our sugary Lip Scrubs to make them smooth and tempting. Take a pea-sized amount and scrub your lips soft, then lick off the excess!"

I've long been a fan of the ELF Studio Lip Exfoliator (retails for $3 full-price for 0.16 oz of product) and decided to try this Lush product to see how it would compare. While I like that the ELF product comes in a lipstick-style tube for convenience, I find that the actual scrub of the Lush product is much better. It's a finely milled sugar scrub that doesn't hurt when applied to even the most sensitive of lips.  I find that once you get to the bottom of the ELF Lip Exfoliator the product becomes quite hard and is painful to apply onto your lips. With the Lush scrub, when you move your lips back and forth the product scrubs your lips but it doesn't hurt at all. I actually find that I have to stop myself after about 30 seconds so that I don't overexfoliate my lips because you can't tell until after you wipe off the product if you've over exfoliated since it's doesn't ever hurt your lips. After using the scrub, I highly recommend applying your favorite lip balm to help renourish your lips. Personally, I love using the EOS Visibly Soft lip balms - see my review here. Additionally, I also like that Lush uses natural ingredients in their products so I don't have to worry about accidentally swallowing the product. In fact, Lush even recommend licking off the excess product on your lips. I find the flavor of this scrub to be very pleasant as it's minty fresh with some notes of cocoa. It truly tastes like a mint julip!

The price of this product might seem a little pricey, but truly, a little bit goes a LONG way. I've had mine for several months and I still have more than half of it left. I tend to use it about once a week so as to not over exfoliate my lips.

Final Verdict:

I really like this lip scrub! I think Lush did a great job of making a product that works for people with very sensitive lips and the flavor of this scrub is very minty fresh with hints of chocolate. I think for the price, this is a great item to try, especially with the winter months coming up which means lots of chapped, dry lips. If you like the ELF lip exfoliator definitely give this product a try, I highly recommend trying it!

What are your favorite Lush products? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

-Meg

The Body Shop: Tea Tree Face Mask

Hi everyone!

Today's review is of The Body Shop's Tea Tree Face Mask. This mask is intended for blemished skin and they claim it "instantly cools and lifts away impurities." I purchases this single use size which contains enough product for one use so that I could see if I liked it before purchasing a full-size  of the face mask. The sample retails for $2.50 and contains 0.2 oz (a generous amount!) of product, and you can purchase it from Ulta and The Body Shop. A full-size of the face mask comes in a pot with 100 mL and retails for $15.50 from Ulta and The Body Shop. Right now almost everything on from The Body Shop is 40% off (with free shipping for purchases over $50) so it's a great time to try some new products and stock up on old favorites!

This face mask is one of The Body Shop's bestsellers! They describe it as leaving the "skin feeling deeply cleansed and refreshed with an instantly cooling mask that helps remove impurities and absorb excess oil while soothing and calming blemish-prone skin. Community Fair Trade tea tree oil, lemon tea tree, and tamanu oil work together to keep skin clear by helping to prevent blemishes and blackheads, and controlling excess oil. Menthol creates a cool fresh tingle that leaves skin feeling calm and refreshed." This product is 100% Vegetarian, Never Tested on Animals, Contains Community Fair Trade Ingredients, No Sulfates, No Phthalates, No GMOs, and No Triclosan. The Body Shop recommends applying this product by "Smooth a thin layer onto pat-dried skin, clean face and neck with your fingertips. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes (mask will not dry). Then rinse off with clean water and pat skin dry. Use once or twice per week, after cleansing."

This product is ideal for oily skin, but I found that it worked amazingly well on my skin. (For reference, my skin is normal to dry and I do have occasional breakouts.) I used this mask when I was experiencing lots of breakouts from a Lush face mask that I reviewed previously (Link HERE). I was amazed at how quickly my breakouts disappeared and how smooth my skin felt immediately after using this mask. It also really soothed my skin and helped reduce the irritation associated with the breakouts on my face. I think those who experience bad acne breakouts will absolutely love this mask, but I also think those people who only have occasional breakouts will also love this mask as it's incredibly soothing and helps keep your skin smooth, cleansed and blemish-free. I did notice a slight tingle when using this mask but it was actually pretty minimal, yet powerful at acne-fighting at the same time. I really liked that this mask was effective but also didn't completely dry out my skin like some blemish-fighting masks do. While it wasn't necessarily hydrating, it didn't strip my skin of its moisture.

Final Verdict:
Overall, I really loved using this face mask! It was soothing yet effective at the same time. The results were instantaneous (soft, smooth skin) yet long-term (reduced redness and breakouts) as well. I highly recommend this mask to everyone, because I truly believe it's a universally flattering mask that will help all skin types and is for people of all ages. I loved this mask so much that I have already purchased a full-sized pot of it. Definitely check this face mask out!

Have you tried any of The Body Shop's face masks? What skin concerns are you looking to fix with a face mask (i.e. - acne, redness, pores, etc.)? Please leave a comment below I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!
-Meg

Lancome: Bienfait Multi-Vital 24-Hour SPF 30 Moisturizing Cream

Hi everyone!

Hope you're having a terrific weekend! Today's review is of one of my all-time favorite moisturizers, Lancome's Bienfait Multi-Vital 24-Hour Moisturizing Cream with SPF 30. This moisturizer retails for $45 for 1.7 oz and you can buy it from Macy's, Nordstrom, and Lancome's website. Lancome describes this moisturizer as, "Containing a complex of nurturing Vitamins E, B5 and CG plus high potency moisturization, this greaseless formula provides 24-hour hydration. Your skin will look its healthy best and feel touchably soft all day. With Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen and essential antioxidant protection, Bienfait Multi-Vital gives your skin what it needs to help fight the visible effects of environmental skin damage."

So to start, the packaging of this moisturizer is absolutely gorgeous! It comes in a nice glass pot that has a weight to it, making it seem very expensive and luxe. While $45 may seem like a lot for a moisturizer, it's actually very competitive to many other high-end skincare products.

The formula of this moisturizer is very creamy, smooth, and hydrating. In terms of hydration, Lancome claims that this product has 24-hour hydration and I find that to be very true! After applying  this moisturizer to my skin, it feels so soft and hydrated for hours, and as someone with dry skin, especially during the winter, this is a must have moisturizer for me. This moisturizer also contains SPF30 and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation which is a terrific! I love that I can apply it once a day and have both sun protection and 24-hydration, it's truly a win-win product!

I love that this moisturizer isn't greasy or oily in the slightest and has great spreadability for even application on the face, which is great since it is a pretty thick cream. I find that it takes about 15 minutes for it to fully absorb into the skin. Do make sure to keep it away from your eyes, because it does sting if you get it in them. This product does have a scent, but I really enjoy it! It does linger a bit so if you're super sensitive to scents definitely check it out in person before purchasing to determine if it's too much for you. I think this moisturizer smells super clean and smells reminiscent of a spa. I really like it!

Photo on the right is a very heavy swatch of this moisturizer, much more than I would typically apply

Final Verdict:
I absolutely love this moisturizer and am on my second jar! I love that it provides hydration to the skin while still protecting it from the sun with SPF30, all while not being greasy or oily in the slightest. For those of you with normal or dry skin you have to try it, you won't be disappointed, it's absolutely amazing and will change your skincare regime forever!

Have you tried this or any other Lancome moisturizer or skincare products that you've loved? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you! 

Thanks for reading!
Meg

October 2014 BoxyCharm Unboxing

Hi everyone!

I loved my BoxyCharm box so much last month that I decided to keep my subscription going and today I have a review for you of my October box. (You can see a review of my September box HERE).

For those of you who are new to BoxyCharm, it is a monthly makeup subscription service that costs $21 and they send you 4-5 full-size products, which is a great value when you consider that Ipsy and Birchbox are half that price and you only get small samples. I believe, but am not 100% sure, that BoxyCharm now has a waitlist, but I think it's shorter than Ipsy's.

This month, the 5 full-size products I was sent were:
     - Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum --> retails for $48
     - Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette --> retails for $19.95
     - Cult/Commerce x BoxyCharm "Shady" Collection Nail Polishes --> retails for $21
     - Be A Bombshell Eye Shadow --> retails for $14
     - StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencils --> retails for $14

This month's box also came with a special 20% off coupon for Palmetto Derma's website, just use the promo code BCPD2 at checkout. The coupon code is valid thru 12/31/14.

Palmetto Derma Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum
This is a serum that is intended to "protect from premature aging and creates youthful, glowing and beautiful skin, all day and night!" BoxyCharm recommends applying a small amount of the product in the morning and evening after cleansing and toning your face. Allow the product time to absorb before applying moisturizer and they do warn to keep it away from your eyes. A full-size, 1 ounce, bottle of this serum retails for $48, so this is a terrific product to receive in a subscription box as I would probably not buy this product on my own. If you're interested in buying this product, you can purchase it from Palmetto Derma's website and Amazon. I have not tried this product yet, but once I do, I will probably do a Skincare Saturday/Sunday post on it if you guys are interested.

Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette
This is the Eclipse Concealer Palette by the brand Coastal Scents that retails for $19.95 but is currently on sale for $14.95 on their website.

The palette contains 15 different shades, 11 of which are shades for you to match to your skin (some have warm tones and some have cool tones), then there are 4 other shades, a mint green shade which counteracts redness or pinkness caused from rosacea, blemishes, or capillaries around the nose and cheek areas, a pale yellow shade which conceals black, blue, or purple imperfections such as bruises or unsightly under eye halos, a lavender shade which neutralizes areas with excessive yellow pigmentation and corrects olive skin tones, and a white/silver shade can be used as a highlighter to add sheen to cheekbones, nose, eyes, etc.

This is the second Coastal Scents product I've tried and I'm honestly very impressed! The concealers are very creamy and highly pigmented. They are probably some of the best drug store concealers that I've used, they even beat many high end concealers! It may seem unnecessary to buy a palette like this since you might think that you won't use all the colors, but I find that you can use some of the shades that don't exactly match your skin tone to contour and highlight/brighten your face. I honestly love this palette and highly recommend it to anyone looking to try out some new concealers! The packaging is a heavy duty plastic so it is also a very good item to travel with as it won't get smashed in your bag. I'm really happy with how well this concealer covered my under-eye circles and brightened the area up!

Cult/Commerce x BoxyCharm "Shady" Collection Nail Polishes
I have neve heard of this nail polish before, but I like that they gave us two different colors, one a dark gray and one a deep purple. I actually really like the purple color and think I will get a lot of wear out of it this fall. I will try them out and report back on how well they wear.

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow
Prior to receiving this product, I have previously tried a mascara and eyeshadow quad from the brand Be a Bombshell. I wasn't impressed with the mascara since it had a truly horrible smell to it, I couldn't even bear to put it on my eyelashes. On the other hand, I was very impressed with the eyeshadow quad I received.

Because I really liked the Be a Bombshell eyeshadow quad I previously received from an Ipsy/Birchbox, I was excited to receive one in this BoxyCharm. However, I was disappointed to receive this color. I don't tend to wear green eyeshadows, and since this is a dark green shimmer eyeshadow intended for a smokey eye, I don't think I will actually wear it.

However, I do like the texture of this eyeshadow, it's very smooth and finely milled. It just glides right on. I am really curious to try these solo eyeshadows in a color that I might actually wear because the quality seems really great.

Here are some hand swatches of this eyeshadow. On the left side in each photo is a heavy swatch and on the right is a light swatch (only one swipe).

StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencils
The last product in this BoxyCharm was a StarLooks Ultra Gem Pencil in the color ultra violet. I was excited to try a StarLooks pencil since I've heard really good things about them, but unfortunately this is not a color that I wear. I barely wear eyeliner since my eyes water a lot and it usually gets messy and wipes away.

The quality of this eyeshadow pencil is pretty amazing! It's a little smudgy, so if you like to smudge out your eyeliner this is a pretty good one. All in all, I'm really impressed and will definitely check out getting a more normal color one that I would actually wear.

If you do like colored eyeliner, this is a very beautiful color. It's a rich, deep blue-purple that I think would be very beautiful on people with all different eye colors. I might keep this eyeliner for New Year's Eve or some other special event just because I think it looks very beautiful on the eyes.

Final Verdict:
All in all, I think this was a great box this month! I wish that my eyeliner and eyeshadow would have been more neutral colors, but getting brighter and more different colors really pushes me to expand how I wear my makeup so I guess it's not the end of the world. I love that for about $20 a month you get to try out 5 full size products and they always retail for MUCH more than the cost of the box, so it's a great deal! For those of you who are getting tired of your Ipsy/Birchbox subscriptions, I highly recommend checking out BoxyCharm!

Are you interested in trying BoxyCharm? Are you loving any other subscription box services at the moment that you'd recommend I try? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

Bath & Body Works Seasonal Haul!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to share a recent Bath & Body Works haul with you!

About once a month, Bath & Body Works has some great sales so I really recommend signing up for their emails so that you know about them as soon as possible. The most recent sale was for 25% off all purchases, 3-Wick Candles 2 for $22, $8 Ultra Shea Body Cream, and 50% off Fall Clearance. I made my purchases at my local Bath & Body Works not online but the sale/coupon code works both ways.

This is the email I received:

Here are the items that I purchased:
          - 6 candles (2 for $22)
          - 2 candle holders (50% off)
          - 2 body lotions (50% off)
          - 1 shower gel (50% off)

Candles
Lets begin with the candles I purchased. They normally retail for $22.50 each but with the sale going on they were 2 for $22, which is a steal! I purchased 6 of them in the following scents: Leaves (I bought two of this scent, but I only showed one in the photo below), Pumpkin Caramel Latte, Sparkling Icicles, 'Tis the Season, and Spiced Apple Toddy.

Leaves

Bath & Body Works describes the scent of this candle as "Celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn with a rich blend of golden nectar, red apple and spiced berries." This is an amazing fall scent, it's powerful yet subtle and not overwhelming at the same time. I absolutely love it, hence why I got two!

Pumpkin Caramel Latte

Bath & Body Works describes the scent of this candle as "The season's best latte, crafted from a rich blend of creamy pumpkin and spiced caramel topped with frothed sweet cream." This is a nice fall candle that's not overwhelmingly sweet smelling, but still homey and warm.

Sparkling Icicles

Bath & Body Works describes the scent of this candle as "A sparkling blend of bergamot, a citrus bouquet and a touch of holiday moss, inspired by ice glittering under the sun." This is a very unique holiday scented candle, it's more of a fresh, cool scent than warm and cinnamon if that makes sense. This is probably my favorite of the candles I bought. I will definitely pick up another one once it gets colder.

'Tis the Season

Bath & Body Works describes the scent of this candle as "Celebrate the perfect holiday with a festive medley of bright red apples, cinnamon, cloves and deep green pine notes." In my mind, this is the typical, perfect Christmas season candle.

Spiced Apple Toddy

Bath & Body Works describes the scent of this candle as "A warming blend of apple brandy and spiced plum, infused with mulled cider and tart cranberry." This is such a delicious smelling candle, it's much more spiced than the previous one.

Candle Holders
In addition to all the candles that I purchased, I also got two candle holders since they were both 50% off. Buying these on sale makes them much more affordable and you don't have to feel guilty about buying several of them!

Puffed Pumpkin Candle Holder
Bath & Body Works describes this candle holder as "Cast a warm autumn glow with our rustic pumpkin candle sleeve, puffed for lifelike shape and finished in dark copper." This candle holder normally retails for $8.50 and I thought it would be perfect for the fall and as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving.

Scroll Candle Holder
Unfortunately I could not find this candle holder on the Bath & Body Works website, so I just decided to give it this name. It's a gorgeous candle holder with a scroll design all over it. It is also a distressed kind of texture in a green and gold coloring. This candle holder normally retails for $6.50 and I thought it would be gorgeous for year round!

Bath & Body
Now onto the bath and body products! I only picked up three products, two body lotions and one shower gel, all 50% off their original price of $12.50. Right now both products are on sale for 50% off ($6.25) on their website, so if you're interested buy them fast before they're gone! All three products are in the scent Orchard, which is a combination of Honeycrisp Apples and Buttered Rum. Bath & Body Works describes the scent of these products as "Enjoy a sunny afternoon in the fresh orchard air, picking juicy Honeycrisp apples and sipping hot buttered rum." The top notes in this scent are Honeycrisp Apple, Juniper Berry, and Creamy Cardamom; the mid notes are Buttered Rum, Orange Blossom, and Raspberry Nectar; and the dry notes are Redwood Musk, Golden Amber Wood, and Tonka Bean.

Orchard Triple Moisture Body Cream

Orchard Shower Gel

What fall and winter Bath & Body Works products are you enjoying right now or are most excited to try? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

Sephora Haul! The Holidays are coming!

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give you a sneak peak of some new holiday gift sets and products that I recently purchased from Sephora. I have a couple more in mind that I want to get but here's some of the items I've already purchased in case you're interested in buying them too. Reviews on these products to come soon!

Makeup Gift Sets


Benefit Cosmetics - Cheeky Sweet Spot Box O' Blushes
This palette retails for $36 at Sephora and contains six of the well-known Benefit blushes (Dandelion, Bella Bamba, Sugarbomb, Hoola, Coralista, Rockateur), Watt's Up! highlighter, and a blush brush. The palette comes in an adorable tin that looks identical to the box the product is in.

Tarte - Pin Up Girl Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Palette
This palette retails for $42 at Sephora (exclusively, I believe) and contains five blushes in a beautiful clutch case and comes with two beautiful hair pins. This item is part of the Tarte Sweet Dreams Holiday Collection.

Sephora Collection - Bottled Dreams Fragrance Sampler For Her 
This is a perfume sampler set exclusively sold Sephora for $58 that contains 8 deluxe sample size perfume bottles and a voucher to redeem a full size of one of the eight perfumes. There are several different perfume sampler sets available at Sephora, but I picked this set because I liked that you got deluxe size samples in cute bottles, rather than the usually small plastic tubes.

Holiday Products
Philosophy - Sparkling White Ginger & Have a Cherry Christmas 3-In-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath (Also pictured below are the Philosophy Fresh Cream body lotions, but they aren't holiday products as they are available year-round)
I actually purchased these as gifts for friends because they're a product I never seem to buy for myself but I know I would appreciate getting. Who doesn't love a relaxing bubble bath and some nice body lotion, especially in the chilly winter?!? The Sparkling White Ginger and Have a Cherry Christmas 3-In-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath retail for $17 and the Fresh Cream body lotions retail for $17 at Sephora.

Which holiday gift sets and products are you most excited to buy? Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

Lush: Ayesha Fresh Face Mask

Hi everyone,

So I recently stopped by my local Lush store and picked up a couple items which I'll be reviewing over the next couple of weeks. The first item I'm reviewing today is the Ayesha Fresh Face Mask which was recommended to me by a Lush Sales Associate when I told her I was interested in a mask for dry skin that was targeted at removing dead skin and brightening the face. I'm not entirely sure this was the best mask for me, but since this was my first visit in a long while I took her advice and bought it.

This facial mask contains 2.1 oz of product and is vegetarian and preservative-free. This mask retails for $6.95 so it's very affordable and I think you could probably get between 3 and 5 uses out of it depending on how much you apply each time. This is a "fresh" product from Lush so you have to keep it in the refrigerator and they last about 2-3 weeks. I bought mine on 10/15 and it says it expires on 11/4 so you do have to use it fairly quickly. Also, once you bring back 5 face mask pots to Lush you'll get a free facial mask so in essence buy 5 get 1 free!

Lush describes the Ayesha Fresh Face Mask as "a blend of tightening and toning ingredients to refresh tired-looking skin. We use vitamin C-rich kiwi to brighten dull spots, asparagus to nourish and absorb excess oils and honey for hydrating and soothing red areas. This fresh mask is named after the fictional priestess who discovered the secret to immortality - ten minutes with it on and you’ll see why! Dull, tired and mature skin transforms for a bright, youthful glow."

To use this face mask, cleanse your face first and pat dry, then smooth a good amount of the product all over your entire face (avoiding the eyes and mouth). You should leave the mask on for about ten minutes but make sure to not let the mask dry completely.

So first off, I didn't realize this mask was intended for mature skin until I got home and read more about it. Had I known it was I probably wouldn't have gotten it as I'm 24 years old and definitely do not have mature skin. Nonetheless, I did find that this mask left my face ultra smooth and it made my skin feel tight (in a good way). It also took away all the dead skin on my face and left me really shiny for a day or two which is what I assume they refer to as the "youthful glow".

I was also very turned off by the smell of this product. It's a very strong earthy and herbal scent. I think you have to smell it for yourself to determine if you like it or not, but be aware that it's a very strong and overpowering scent.

Results:

So first the good side of this mask! Immediately after using this mask, my skin felt very soft and I could feel that my skin was nice and tight. Additionally, my pores were pretty much nonexistent after using this mask, which is something I'm always looking for in a face mask.

Now, on the negative side, with the dead skin removed from my face, I found that my skin on my face was very shiny and it even showed through my foundation and makeup. Even more problematic than that, I experienced some MASSIVE breakouts a couple of days after using this mask. I'm not talking small breakouts, I mean large breakouts and the kind the hurt under the skin.

Final Verdict:
I liked how smooth and tight this product made my skin and face feel immediately after using it, but I hate how I had massive, painful breakouts from it. I definitely won't be finishing the pot because the breakouts just aren't worth it to me. I definitely think this would be a great product for mature skin as it does have a great lifting sensation and for those who are not prone to breakouts, as that was my biggest problem with this mask. I am curious about trying another Lush facial mask, maybe the Self-Preserving Mask of Magnamity? I like that they updated the formula of that mask so you don't need to keep it in the fridge and it will last much longer!

Have you tried any of Lush facial masks? Which ones are your favorite? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!

PS- Sorry for not updating sooner, it's been a very busy couple of days! I'm trying to get back on track. See you all tomorrow!

Hautelook: H2O+ Haul!

Hi everyone,

Today I wanted to share with you a recent haul from Hautelook of H2O+ products. These are some of my all time favorite products and I've been using them for over 10 years, since high school! H2O+ is a great skincare company they offer many different skincare collections targeting different problems, like oil-free hydration, age repair, firming, anti-aging, oil control, acne & blemish control, brightening, sensitive skin, etc. Personally, my favorite collection is the Aqualibrium Daily Essentials line, but I've also used many of the products from the Anti-Acne Blemish Control line back in high school when I had more breakouts, however, I still use this line when I do experience the occasional breakout.

For those of you that don't know, Hautelook is a website affiliated with Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack that offers short-term sales of lots of designer brands. You do have to make an account, but they offer clothing for men, women and children, and also offer beauty and home goods too.

The H2O+ items I purchased from Hautelook were:
     - Bath Natural Spring Shower & Bath Gel - x2 - $5/each, usually $12/each
     - Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel - $9, usually $18
     - Aqualibrium Sea Mineral Scrub - x2 - $9/each, usually $18/each
     - Aqualibrium Cleansing Face Wipes - x2 - $9/each, usually $19/each - unfortunately these are no longer available on the H2O+ website but you can still buy them from the Kohl's website.

I also recently made a purchase from H2O+'s website of the Sea Clear Mattifying Cleansing Mousse, which retails for $20, so I also included that in this Hautelook haul of H2O+ products.

About H2O+
H2O+ is an amazing worldwide skincare company! It was created in 1989 and based in Chicago with the vision statement of a world of healthy and vibrant oceans that enhance life and beauty, and a mission of supporting the active restoration and preservation of our oceans. Basically, H2O+ is a skincare company that revolves around using marine elements to help infuse skin with natural antioxidants and minerals.

H2O+ has partnered with Ulta, Walt Disney World Resorts, Kohl's, and Marks & Spencer (UK), so you may have seen these products previously, and I believe they are currently in the works to sell them at Sephora. I also know people have received samples of H2O+ products in Birchbox and Ipsy monthly sample subscription services in the past.

H2O+ has several product lines and recently changed their product packaging to easily distinguish between them.

I absolutely love that H2O+ works so hard to incorporate natural ingredients into their products and contributes so much to ocean restoration and preservation and other charities. I love that you can mix and match H2O+ products, they all work great together and you can create your own personalized skincare regimen. All the products H2O+ offers contain natural sea derived ingredients and are very gentle which is great for people with sensitive skin.

I thought I would do a quick review of each of these items for you, so lets start with the first one!

Bath Natural Spring Shower & Bath Gel

I have tried several different scents of H2O+'s Shower & Bath Gels and this one is by far my favorite. H2O+ describes this product as "Let the cool scent of a misty ocean breeze whisk you away to your very own waterfront escape." This product contains 8.5 oz and retails for $12. I find that this shower and bath gel is very moisturizing, while gently washing away impurities.

In terms of the ingredients in this shower and bath gel, it is infused with sea botanical extracts and H2O+'s exclusive Marine Moisture Lock technology which helps to replenish the skin's moisture barrier. The Marine Moisture Lock technology is derived from Scandinavian marine algae, and helps fight dehydration by triggering the skins natural instinct to produce the components critical for a healthy moisture barrier, including hyaluronic acid and lipids. Sea botanical extracts in this product provide a nourishing blend of wakame, sea kelp, and red algae which combine to replenish and renew the skin's vitality. It also contains restorative Shea and Argan butters, which intensely hydrate and soften the skin, while Vitamin E nourishes and protects. This product is sulfate, paraben, and dye-free, and has a calming natural scent that's not overwhelming.


Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel
I absolutely LOVE this oil-free cleanser, which foams away makeup and impurities while soothing the skin. I have used this product constantly since high school (over 10 years) and have never found a better facial cleanser. This product contains 4 oz and retails for $18.

This product is a great lightweight gentle cleanser that's perfect for everyday use. It contains a hydrating marine blend of Wakame, Sea Fennel, and Sea Lettuce which infuse the skin with vital moisture and nutrients. It also contains mineral-rich Sea Salt, which renews and purifies skin for a visibly youthful glow, and micro-encapsulated exfoliating beads, which glide across the skin's surface to gently polish away dullness and soften the texture. Finally, this cleanser contains acacia, which is a botanical extract from the pods of the African Acacia tree that helps soothe irritated skin. This product should be applied to the skin by gently massaging with your fingertips or a soft facial brush, followed by splashing with cool water to rinse. You can also use this product to gently cleanse makeup applicators and brushes without damaging bristles or deteriorating sponges.

I love that this product doesn't leave the skin dry after cleansing. It makes my skin feel sort of tight and firm after application, but not in a drying way, just in a clean way. It leaves your face so refreshed and I find that it gets off all the light make-up I wear everyday. I think that this is a great product for all skin types - I have dry skin but it never makes my skin extra dry, which I generally worry about with skincare products. Unlike other skincare products, this one doesn't add any oil to the skin, and actually keeps it very clear and blemish free.

I will say, if you're looking for a deep cleanser this probably isn't it, but if you're looking to combine several different skincare products this is a great starting product and is great for using in the shower.Overall, this cleanser leaves skin smooth and clean without irritation or breakouts. If you have a hard time finding a facial wash that is not to harsh for your face try this one, it's wonderful and in my opinion, can't be beat!

Aqualibrium Sea Mineral Scrub

This is probably the best facial scrub I've ever used! H2O+ describes it as a "mildly exfoliating, oil-free scrub to sweep away dead surface cells and dulling impurities with Carrageenan, Multivitamin Complex and Hydrating Marine Blend." Carrageenan is derived from red marine algae and promotes firmer skin, while the Multivitamin Complex is a supercharged blend of vitamins A, C & E, which helps increase skin’s elasticity while delivering powerful antioxidants to help repair and prevent cell damage. Additionally, the Sea Mineral Complex and hydrating marine extracts of wakame, sea fennel, and sea lettuce help cleanse, condition and soften the skin. The soft, spherical beads of this scrub gently polish away dryness without abrasion or irritation to the skin.

I love that this scrub has just the right amount of grit to exfoliate the skin without stripping it of all its moisture and thus drying it out. It's a very mild and gentle yet effective scrub and I find that it limits the amount of breakouts I have on my face. It really does not hurt at all so it's a great scrub for those with very sensitive skin. This scrub leaves my face feeling clean and refreshed and my skin feels oh so soft afterwards. It even works great to remove makeup. It makes the skin glow without looking oily, it's like an inner glow that helps reduce the dullness of skin. I also love the smell of this scrub, like all H2O+ products, it's very natural, clean and fresh.

Aqualibrium Cleansing Face Wipes

I absolutely love these cleansing face wipes! As many of you know from reading my blog, I absolutely love trying out new makeup wipes. I have gone through several packs of these wipes over the years and I'm really distraught that they have decided to discontinue them. If you can still get your hands on a pack I highly recommend them!

According to H2O+, these "oil-free cleansing wipes remove all traces of makeup while refreshing skin with antioxidant-rich marine algae, lavender extract and Provitamin B." These makeup wipes are ideal for all skin types as they aren't drying at all, and I find they actually do provide some moisture to the skin. They are oil-free, alcohol-free and are dermatologist-tested.

There are 45 wipes in a pack and retail for $19 which is probably a bit pricier than I usually spend on makeup wipes but I find that these not only take the make up off your face, but it actually cleanses your face leaving it feeling clean and fresh. The wipes come in a resealable pack which is nice for keeping them moist and is convenient for touch-ups and travel.

Sea Clear Mattifying Cleansing Mousse

H2O+ describes this product as a "water-based daily cleanser to foam away excess oil and pore-clogging debris with Olive Leaf Extract, Salicylic Acid and Oil-Controlling Marine Blend." This is a gentle oil-free product that removes away the impurities on your skin without stopping away moisture and helps to prevent breakouts. The olive tree leaf extract helps to prevent the formation of excess surface shine and allows for a lasting, matte complexion. Olive tree leaf is a natural antiseptic and astringent, which means that it helps to eliminate breakout-causing bacteria from deep within pores. The Marine Blend of Deep-Sea Dulse, Neptune kelp and Gigartina help to neutralize oil in order to banish shine and help reduce the production of excess oil. This product also contains salicylic acid derived from willow bark which exfoliates dead skin and works to thin excess surface oil.

In high school I was obsessed with this product as I had oily skin and tended to get a lot of breakouts. Now my skin tends to be dry so I don't find myself reaching for this product too much unless I'm breaking out. This product is very effective at removing dirt and oil from your face. It is intense since it does have salicylic acid in it, but I found that when my skin was oily this product was rather gentle compared to some other acne targeted products. I love that my face feels so clean and smooth after using it.

As I said, I now have more of dry skin than oily so I tend to not use this product much anymore because it is a bit drying by nature, which isn't the best for those with already dry skin. It's truly ideal for oily skin. I tend to use this product only if I have breakouts because it does a great job of removing excess dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. I think this is a gentle enough product that you could use it everyday if you have oily skin, but those with dry skin I would use it less frequently and only as needed. I would also suggest using a moisturizer after this product just to ensure your skin is hydrated.

H2O+ also says that you can use this product as a cleanser for makeup applicators in order to eliminate pore-clogging bacteria. I also found that this product did a good job of cleaning the make up off my face. All in all, this product not only makes your skin feel clean but it also seems to clean it really well.

Other H2O+ Products
In case you guys are curious, below are some H2O+ items that I have tried and that I want to try out soon! If you guys would like any reviews on specific items let me know in the comments below.

Other H2O+ products that I've tried:
     - Aqualibrium Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover, $18
     - Marine Daily Hydrator, $9
     - Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Eye Cream, $35
     - Anti-Acne Clarifying Face Wash, $18
     - Anti-Acne Calming Corrector, $25
     - Natural Spring Moisturizing Body Balm, $7
     - Natural Spring Shower & Bath Gel, $6

H2O+ products that I want to try:
     - Aqualibrium Sea Mineral Mud Mask, $25
     - Aqualibrium Marine Toner, $18
     - Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Mask, $40
     - Oasis Mist, $18
     - Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment, $36
     - Sea Results Sea Mineral Cleanser, $18

Have you tried any products from H2O+ yet? Any favorites that you recommend me trying? Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading!