Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Wonderful Images.

Just a few pictures of the Burt's Bees set I received this morning for Christmas :D










Friday, December 21, 2012

The Secret of The Universe.

Here I am, blogging for you, dear reader, in the midst of discovering the solution to any teenage girl's problem..


This beautiful powder never fails to impress me, whether it nearly eliminates my cystic pimples in a matter of 2 minutes, or shrinks the mosquito bite to a microscopic size the day of homecoming. It even produces a wonderful fluffiness in cookies! It's uses are infinite.

So, whenever I encounter a problem with my skin, the smell of my feet, the whiteness of my teeth.. I can just remember, "Oh yeah, baking soda is the secret of the universe. Just put a bit on it." 

I'm particularly impressed with the miraculous sodium bicarbonate this evening.

For the past week, I've been struggling with a rather large cystic pimple. I turned to Vicks (The essential oils should help, but petroleum jelly is crap..), then all natural alcohol-based breakout blasters, and tingly, irritating facial washes, all until tonight.

If it would work to shrink my mosquito bite in a matter of hours (I swear it shrunk 50x in an hour), then it might just work to reduce the size of this pimple.

And let me just tell you, I'm so pleased with the results. After a few more uses, I have no doubt the pimple will be gone.

So, after that ramble, here's a wonderful list of the uses of baking soda that will come in handy in the beauty world. All it takes is a bit of water and sodium bicarbonate, and you have the secrets to the universe!

1) ANTI-ACNE SPOT TREATMENT
a bit of water + baking soda
2) ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BITE TREATMENT
a bit of water + baking soda
4) WHITENING TOOTHPASTE
either buy arm and hammer OR a bit of water +bs
5) ANTI-ODOR FOOT POWDER
sprinkle baking soda into shoes. shake gently.
6) CONDITIONING BATH
add 1/2 cup of baking soda into warm bath.
7) UNDERARM DEODORANT
apply to underarms as needed.
8) EXFOLIANT
water + baking soda
9) DRY SHAMPOO
work baking soda through greasy hair.

XOXO,
Gabby


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Merry Clinique 2012.

Words cannot describe my love towards Clinique's holiday releases of 2012. Everything is packaged neat and adorable. Best of all, the contents are even more amazing. Let's take a look at all the makeup-related sets Clinique has to offer.

Black Tie Violets ($39.50)
This gorgeous set holds everything you need to look glamorous for the holidays. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief to hydrate your canvas. Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad to give a pop of colour to your face. Cream Shaper For Eyes to define your way to a sultry look. HIgh Impact Extreme Mascara and Bottom Lash Mascara to complete the eye look. Finally, a Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon to moisturize and prettify your pout.


Clinique's Lashes Top to Bottom ($29.50 -Lord and Taylor)
This set is designed for that girl on your list who can't get enough of long lashes. Containing Bottom Lash Mascara, High Impact, High Lengths, Lash Power, and Lash Doubling, this set has a mascara for every occasion.


Kisses from Clinique ($29.50)
In this beautiful box lies a coffret of 6 miniature Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss Minis, a lip-quenching jelly that gives lips a hint of color and a lot of shine.
    Currant    Raspberry    Lilac    Grapefruit    Apricot
    Rootbeer



And next we have..
 Clinique's Whole Lotta Colour Set ($34.50)
This set features 5 shades of Clinique's Chubby Sticks, a moisturizing balm-crayon hybrid housed in a feminine and festive pink box. It showcases shades for everyone, from a deep raisin to a bold orange.
    Richer Raisin    Curvy Candy    Chunky Cherry    Super Strawberry    Oversized Orange
Clinique's Taste of Honey Set ($29.50- Sephora)
This merry quad contains 4 shades of Clinique's best-selling Almost Lipstick (Black Honey, Luscious Honey, Flirty Honey, and Shy Honey) Each shade is sure to flatter anyone on your list, as the color varies on each 
skintone.



Doesn't this excite you?! I'm anticipating Christmas after viewing all of these sets.

I'll keep you posted on future ones :D



XOXO,
Gabby










Thursday, October 25, 2012

Deliciousness.

I really love this song.

It's delicious, and sinister, and just amazing.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

A Mid-October Wish List.

My goodness. It's been nearly 20 days since I've posted a thing, and that post was just to quickly link another friend's blog. I sincerely apologize. If you've been reading Mangos&Cream for quite some time, I bet you can guess what my excuse is this time. Yes! You guessed it.. School, sports, and procrastination! I almost forgot; my best friend's and my business! Our miniscule 'hobby' shall soon blossom into a full-fledged business once we open up our etsy shop (which will be soon, my love!). Once we're ready, I'll link our shop, and gift you with pictures!

And now to what I planned on writing about today..

So, I love autumn. There's just something about warm cider, picturesque landscapes, variegated leaves, and fresh starts that puts me into a good mood. And now that I'm in high school, Friday night football games and the anticipation of homecoming pertain to my jubilance.

How could you not be joyful when sights like this are common?
Taken by moi


In addition to the aforementioned, I also look forward to the plethora of holiday releases in the world of beauty and fashion.

Lately, I've been spending just a few minutes browsing Sephora's website to get up to speed in terms of those releases. And boy, do I like what I see.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Electric Eccentric.

HELLO AGAIN.

Why not get your frequent dose of fabulous photography and writing with my dear friend, Lauren at The Electric Eccentric?

Example A. She is so talented.


You know you want to.



WELL HELLO ;)

The purpose of this post is solely to apologize for the extreme lack of posts. As you may have guessed, school started up again (now high school), and I suppose my teachers enjoy torturing me with a vast amount of homework. As a result, I'm left with ZERO time for blogging. But things are getting easier. I have more time.

Plus, I lost my SD card. (The world is officially over.)

XOXO,
GABBY

Monday, July 16, 2012

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser.

Hey, lovely!

First of all, I'd like to apologize for my absence. Even though school ended a month and a half ago, I have been preoccupied with endless hours of practicing swim team followed by resting.. and more swim team.

But that's all about to change. I'm doing my best to make time for you, and today I have a review for you!

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know I'm trying my best to use more natural skincare and haircare.

And to my luck, I discovered what might possibly be my favorite cleanser, 100% natural and all!

 The Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser has the texture of a gel and the aroma of fresh-squeezed oranges.

This particular cleanser is the perfect pick-me-up for sensitive skin, normal skin, or dry skin. The sweet orange oil invigorates your senses while the glycerin draws moisture to your skin, therefore leaving your skin hydrated not tight and parched. It removes any trace of makeup, dirt, and impurities.

Ingredients:
glycerin, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, lanolin, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, quillaja saponaria extract, avena sativa (oat) kernel oil, vegetable oil, beta-carotene, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, tocopherol


Sorry the review is so short, but I encourage you to try this! One last note: This facial cleanser will not produce a lather because it doesn't contain any synthetic ingredients that lather. It still makes a wonderful cleanser.


XOXO,
Gabby

 

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Bath Junkie Body Dessert Shea Butter Allover Conditioner

Body Dessert.

The name makes me want to eat my hydrated self.

And its smell only increases my cravings...

At Bath Junkie, its believed that the beauty product-obsessed, shouldn't be searching for a cure, but rather a new lotion.

Walking into a Bath Junkie is like being a kid in a candy store. To the left, pounds of body lotions, sprays, conditioners, and scrubs are shelved to the ceiling. To the right, an entire wall stuffed with over 80 different fragrance oils to choose from. 

The whole Bath Junkie process is pretty simple.

1. You pick your product (I chose Body Dessert)

2. Sniff the fragrances that appeal to you and choose a mixture you like. There is usually a book with recipes like Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. You tell one of the employees the product, your scent combo (choose up to 3 oils), and your color.

3. Stand in awe and watch as an employee mixes up your customized concoction.

For the record, I chose the combination of Pink Grapefruit and Vanilla, along with the color Pink to go along with the grapefruit.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Benefit Ultra Plush Glosses.

I'm a sucker for cute and enticing advertisements. Cute ad = I'll definitely purchase. And Benefit hit it right on the nose with their advertisements for their newest launch: Ultra Plush Glosses. It's a line of color- coordinated glosses for those who wish they could just apply the boxed powders on the lips. Check it out:




I'm sold!


XOXO,
Gabby

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Trader Joe's Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer

Who would've guessed a store carrying delicious foods would also be experts when it comes to skincare? 

Certainly not moi.

After testing an edible sample, I caught a glimpse of this facial moisturizer. With a price tag of $5.99 and my need for a little extra hydration, it was bound to be mine.

Now, here I am, a little more than 24 hours later, 101% satisfied with my little purchase.

Not only does this hydrator feature an abundance of natural soothing ingredients, but it's paraben-free and 2 oz larger than your average moisturizer.

Before Trader Joe's, I was under the spell of Neutrogena's Sensitive Skin Oil-Free Moisturizer, which in addition to containing parabens, was 4 oz for $10!

One pump of this dreamy concoction is infused with pomegranate extract, green tea Extract, shea butter, aloe, and more, which ultimately results in a smoother and more hydrated complexion.

Sensitive skin? No need to fear! The contents of this moisturizer are perfect for anyone, from acne-prone to very mature.

Aloe Vera comes in second on the INCI label? That's impressive. And check it out; Soluble Collagen is high on the list, too!


Let's break it down.

Packaging: A rounded bottle containing 6 fl oz of product with a black pump for dispensing.

Formula: A lightweight white lotion. It contains a good amount of skin-soothing ingredients like chamomile and aloe as well as hydrating ones.

Cost/Availability: $5.99 for 6 fl oz of moisturizer. You can find this at most Trader Joe's.

Rating: ***** 5 stars out of 5. I seriously recommend this stuff. It's affordable and works beautifully!


XOXO,
Gabby

Sunday, June 3, 2012

J.R. Watkins Hand & Cuticle Salve

I am rather picky when it comes to what I rub into my cuticles. Mine have been conditioned with all sorts of cuticle balms, whether its Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (Currently my #1) or Dior's Creme Abricot. Unfortunately, these 99.5% natural  salves didn't please me one bit. 

This set in particular came with two miniature versions in Lavender and Lemon. And this is exactly where the product went downhill. 

When you say put the words 'lemon' and 'cuticle' in the name of an item, I immediatly imagine Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream, a pure and uplifting conditioning cream scented solely with Lemon Peel Oil. Yes, J.R. Watkins includes this 100% natural oil in their product, but they keep secret another infusion: eucalyptus. Lemon eucalyptus or lavender eucalyptus still is a delightful scent, but I was expecting a full-on tart lemon drop type of aroma, you know?

The false advertising issue was the least of my problems with this cuticle product. It was the formula that really led me to loathe this. From the first touch, this salve melts down into a viscous liquid. This product is meant for use on cuticles as well a cuticles. I do not know about you, but I'm not one to enjoy applying oils to my hands. Aside from the texture, the ingredients list is pretty lacking. It consists of beeswax and a few oils. Very meh.


"Canola oil, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, beeswax, Citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, tocopheryl acetate, Ormenis multicaulis oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil"


Overall, I'll definitely be staying with my Burt's Bees.

XOXO,
Gabby

Saturday, May 26, 2012

J.R. Watkins' Head to Toe Kit.


About four months ago, I developed a growing passion for organic and natural beauty products that remains to this very day. So, when I stumbled upon this set from J.R. Watkins (a mostly natural apothecary), I immediately  pulled out $13.99. 

All 8 of the items featured in this kit are at least 96.40% natural, which honestly left me in disappointment after purchasing. The two words 'naturals' and 'apothecary' convinced me that most of the items would have bragging rights for being 100% natural.

This set, complete with a easily broken bag, contains a Natural Beeswax Lip Balm in Peppermint (100% natural), a Rejuvenating Foot Cream in Peppermint (98.90% natural), two Hand and Body Lotions in Aloe Vera & Green Tea (97.90%) and Mango (99.02%), Two Hand Creams in Lemon Cream (98.90%) and Aloe & Green Tea (96.40%), and two Hand & Cuticle Salves in Lavender and Lemon (both 99.50% natural).

Woah. That's a lot. And that is exactly why I'm going to divide the review into 5 parts, discussing a product per post.

Expect the Cuticle Salve review soon!

XOXO,
Gabby

Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Chubby Stick Collection Just Got A Whole Lot Fatter!

Chubby Sticks: I've been obsessed since the first time I brought Chunky Cherry home. The tinted balm nestled in a fun crayon was indeed hydrating and gave lips a sheer yet buildable hint of color.


And this line just gained a few pounds.
Check it out! Clinique just added 8 more shades: Oversized Orange, Curvy Candy, Mighty Mimosa, Two Ton Tomato, Pudgy Peony, Voluptuous Violet, Heaping Hazelnut, and Bountiful Blush.


It seems that Clinique added many modern shades, from the vivid orange to the intense violet. All of them are on my wish list now, but I think I'll purchasing Oversized Orange ASAP.


Price: $16.00


Look at the new ad! It's so fun and..jello-filled.






Stay chubby!



XOXO,
Gabby

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Mini Lacquer Haul: Nicole by OPI (Part 1)

One Less Lonely Glitter and Not a Gold Bigger.
Before I start this post I'd like to thank TJMaxx for its incredible valued nail polish sets...

I don't remember exactly, but these two Nicole by OPI polishes were apart of a duo that was meant for toes and tips for around $5. What a steal!

One Less Lonely Glitter (from the Justin Bieber collection) and Not a Gold Bigger are featured in this set, but today we're going to focus on the JB lacquer.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Philosophy Releases Mangos and Cream: Is It Fate?

Check it out! Now you can shower and think of me and my blog every time!

All jokes aside, this is pretty coincidental. I'll definitely have to pick up the lip gloss. :D

XOXO,
Gabby

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Greetings From Key West.

Greetings from Key West!

Ive been here for a few mere minutes, so I have yet to purchase anything. I did receive a few makeup goodies, so reviews once I get access to an actual computer. So far, so good. The weather is warm, no sign of a hurricane, and their burgers are GOOD.

Oh yeah... Merry Easter! Hope yours is going swell. I celebrated mine yesterday since I had a 6:15 flight to Florida.



Xoxo
Gabby

Thursday, April 5, 2012

10 Beauty Things I'll Never Need: But Really Want.

Often times my shopping trips consist of blowing $100 on a few makeup essentials, food, and clothing items. Never would I consider splurging on something as bizarre a lip cleanser. But let's all sit down and relax, dreaming about everything we'd get if we didn't have to think about the price tag or how much we actually need it.


1. MakeupForever 12 Color Flash Case ($95)
Complete with a hefty price tag and colors I'll never use!
I might enjoy a select few shades as a liner but the rest wouldn't exactly blend in with my neutral and low-key everyday makeup look, ya know? On the other hand, I would have the best makeup for any Halloween party/School play. And don't get me started about the secret experiments in the privacy of my own room...






2. Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year Eyeliner Set ($22.00)


I'm honestly infatuated with the idea of makeup in paint shades. I can just imagine some one complimenting on how my liner matches the wall! The only thing stopping me from getting this set is my need for a new concealer and that orange liner. Orange is close to the top when it comes to my favorite colors, but as a liner...not so much. No matter how much magazines encourage me to test a pop of color, I just won't don orange lids.






3. Bliss Fabulips Set ($45.00)
In the four-piece kit you get a foaming lip cleanser, an exfoliator, a balm, and a plumper. The only thing that makes this a product I'll never need is the foaming lip cleanser. As luscious as it sounds, my lips get enough deep-cleansing when I was my face. I have a nicely-sized pout, no doubt! (Hehe...rhymes.) And I'd love to pamper it with a set like this, but I'll have to wait a bit and stock up on some necessities first.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Spring Break Essentials.

For most of us, the sun is shining brighter and the flowers ae blooming. The first thing that comes to mind in April is Spring Break. Enjoying the calm ebb and flow of the foamy ocean waves, basking in the sun on heated sand: It's nothing less than paradise. And while that mouth-watering mango sorbet should be melting away all worries, there is one thing you should be putting some thought into: your face. No, I don't mean you should carefully pack your makeup and skincare trains. A medium cosmetic bag full of the essentials should be it.


What are these essentials, you say?


1. An Oil-Free Sunscreen


The importance of sunscreen cannot be stressed enough. Protecting youself from premature aging and cancer is vital when on vacation. Whether you're in Hawaii or Colorado, the sun's rays will get you.Make sure to protect from UVA and UVB rays. Both are bad, but UVB causes long-term and deep damage to the skin. I prefer an oil-free formula that doesn't clog pores (therefore cause acne) Neutrogena's Ultra sheer Liquid Daily Sun Protection Spf 55 does this and more. Quick to absorb and feather-light, it is the perfect sunscreen for any one.






2. Waterproof Mascara
I'll still don a bit of makeup, but it'll be drastically less than what I usually wear. If I had to choose one product to bring, it would be a waterproof mascara. Urban Decay's Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara coats lashes with a gel formula that stays put through pool parties and chick flicks.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Get Polish-Ready Nails with Borghese Rejuvenata Cuticle Oil

If it weren't for the 75% off deal, I would have never stumbled across this delightful cuticle oil. It first appeared to be an overpriced clear nail polish in RiteAid, but as I observed each and every color, I came to the realization that this was not a polish but rather an oil for cuticle-rejuvination purposes. (The name clearly did not hint to that...) Ann (not-justapretty-face.blogspot.com) and I decided to bring home little Borghese and from that moment on, my nails have changed.

While our time together has been a bit more than a day, I'm already in love. This cuticle oil absorbs with a medium time and leaves my entire nail beautiful, so I wouldn't mind leaving them naked once in a while.

The Basics:
Formula: Thin Liquid
Scent: Vanilla Almond
Cost/Availability: $8.00 for 0.4 oz
Packaging: Nail Polish Bottle w/ Nail Polish Applicator
Rating: 4.5/5 or A

Recommended Use: Brush on to cuticles and nail and massage in. Remove with soap and water or nail polish remover before applying nail laquer or let absorb and skip laquer.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Ring in Spring with Pure Spring's Strawberry and Pomegranate Hand Cream

Finding the perfect hand cream is harder than finding the perfect man. The checklist is much, MUCH longer. With PureSpring's Hand Cream, I might've just found The One.

My Hand Cream Checklist:
  • Shea butter-infused
  • Wonderful smell or no smell
  • Not expensive
  • Moisturizing
  • Jam packed with goodness!
To my luck, this hand cream has every single quality on my list, especially the 'not expensive' part.

$1.00. Four quarters. 100 pennies. 10 dimes. That's all I paid for 4.2 ounces of this sweet-scented cream.

With my Wellness+ Card, I purchased this hand cream $4 off the original price. (It is originally $5 if you're not good at math.) I chose the strawberry and pomegranate one out of three appealing scents.

Milly for Clinique at Saks Fifth Avenue!

I've been so busy with the production I'm in (Beauty and the Beast!) so posting often is a challenge. But I do have the time to inform you about a Clinique Bonus at Saks Fifth Avenue with any $42.00 Clinique purchase. This bonus is a $100 value, complete with a stylish bag and 7 makeup and skincare must-haves. *Drool*

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Free ESCADA

Adore free samples as much as I do? Like ESCADA on facebook, take the quiz below. And you'r on your way to fee samples of ESCADA's new perfumes.

http://ff12mobile.hdlfb.co.uk/#_=_

I was 'Island Kiss'. What will you be?

Rockin' Rio Notes: Tangerine, Papaya, Pineapple, PiƱa Colada, Sugarcane, Blush Peach, Driftwood, Sandalwood, Musky Notes.

Island Kiss Notes: Orange, Passion Flower, Mango, Magnolia, Sunny Accord, White Peach, Hibiscus, Blond Woods, Musky Notes, Red Fruits.

Sexy Graffiti Notes: Wild Strawberry, Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit, Blackcurrant, Lilly of the Valley, Red Peony, Violet, Cashmeran, Vanilla, Musks.

For the record, once you click to get your free sample at the end of the quiz you can choose from Rocking Rio, Sexy Graffiti, Island Kiss, or All.

You must be 18 or older to participate. *Ask your parents to fill out their name and give the things to you*

Sunday, March 18, 2012

I'm Ticked Pink (Grapefruit) with Burt's Bees' Newest Lip Balm!

Good morning, ladies! 
On a wonderful trip around town, my best friend Ann (www.not-justapretty-face.blogspot.com) gifted me with Burt's Bees newest lip balm. It's perfect for summer in every way except for one. Unfortunately, there is no SPF for the prevention of burnt lips. All negatives aside, this balm is great! It actually hydrates, it has a wonderful grapefruit smell, and gives a beautiful shine to lips.

Fresh Picked Hand Soaps!


Happy St. Patrick's Day! Apologies for being so M.I.A lately; I've been really caught up in schoolwork and well...procrastination.

Today Bath and Body Works hosted their Fresh Picked Party, and while I did not get the chance to attend, my mom and I stocked up on some hand soaps a while back.

(From left to right)
Fresh Picked Tangerines Anti-Bacterial, Fresh Picked Cherries Moisturizing, Fresh Picked Raspberries Anti-Bacterial, and Fresh Picked Watermelon Anti-Bacterial.

I personally find the Fresh Picked soaps wonderful. Few actually carry a realistic aroma, but all are fruity and juicy.

Fresh Picked Tangerines smells very real. Its scent resembles that of a mandarin, orange, or any other orange-colored citrus. It's very sweet and light.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Fresh Picked Party!

Welcome back Vanillas! 

I'm working on a few posts, so in the meantime, I'd like to discuss Bath and Body Works. In two days, they are having a "Fresh Picked Party", where you get a free gift with any home fragrance purchase and have the chance to win a bike! If you are in a select few stores, you can even design your own Fresh Picked PocketBac. 
Click http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3782179&cp=4090263&cm_re=fresh%20picked%20hp-_-banner-_-event%20learn%20more  to find out about the designing.

And....the Summer Vanillas are back. Apricot, Berry, and Lemon Vanilla have returned for a limited time only. (No cherry?!)


Xoxo,
Gabby