holiday 2014: beauty gifts under $25

whether you're on a budget or just have a long list of recipients, it's always a good option to consider gifts that won't break the bank! and in case you're wondering, these gifts are just as fabulous as their luxe counterparts and will be appreciated by the lucky ones who receive them...

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip is a sampler set with coveted glosses, sticks, tints, and lacquers ~ Urban Decay Mini Naked Revolution Lipstick, Nars Deluxe Orgasm Lip Gloss, Buxom Mini Full On Lip Cream in White Russian, Marc Jacobs Mini Lust for Lacquer in Kissability, Deluxe Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Meritage, Full-size Smashbox Be Legendary Gloss in Pout

Beauty To Go Mini Gel Effect Collection is fabulous for the gal who is always put together, but in a no-fuss way. the set includes 2 classic shades and a fun glitter: Kensington High Street Gel Effect Nail Polish in Deep Berry, Camden Road Gel Effect Polish in Multicoloured Glitter, Colville Mews Gel Effect Polish in Delicate Nude

Essie Spa Holiday Gift Set includes two pampering products for hands and feet that can be used all year long! leg & foot crème offers extreme hydration with ingredients like royal jelly extract and shea butter, to leave skin feeling soft and supple. intensive hand lotion is formulated with a nourishing blend of coriander and glycerin to help replenish moisture and promises to leave hands soft, smooth and supple.

Maybelline The Nudes Palette is the must-have drugstore palette on every beauty girl's wish list {if they don't already have it, that is…}. every shade is highly pigmented and long-wearing, and can be used to create an endless amount of looks that are wearable on everyone for every occasion.

Carol’s Daughter Marula Curl Therapy Collection 3-Piece Starter Kit : for pampering curls and training them to spiral into long-lasting perfection, this kit features products formulated with super-softening, rich marula oil. includes Marula Gentle Cream Cleanser, Diffusing & Styling Lotion and Softening Hair Mask. 

Molton Brown Festive Body Wash Bauble ~ these festive baubles make gift-giving easy. featuring fan favorite Molton Brown scents, these body washes are perfectly sized for travel and of course, any holiday stocking!

tell me: do you stick to a budget when shopping for holiday gifts? 

info and images courtesy of featured brands

beauty review: Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Collection

the first week of april has come and gone...

i feel like every day goes by so much faster than the last, and they really must be when my 12-almost-13-year-old daughter agrees {isn't every day supposed to feel like an eternity when you're a kid??}...

in any case, the fast-moving days are quite enjoyable, especially since i've been given the opportunity to pamper myself with the new Carol's Daughter Lavender & Vanilla Collection.

three products are in this lush collection...

 Body Cleansing Scrub ~ a sugar-based formula that sloughs away dead skin and leaves skin uber soft.

 Shea Souffle ~ ooh, lala! this fabulous moisturizer is so rich, but not heavy or greasy in the least.

Dry Oil Mist ~ gives an extra layer of moisture and fragrance, works perfectly anytime of day.

not only do these products leave my skin feeling incredible soft {not to mention looking pretty and glow}, but also gorgeously scented. the combination of jasmine, vanilla and lavender is invigorating yet relaxing. this would-be-overpowering-if-not-done-the-right-way combination of scents comes off so sheer and luxe at the same time.

Lisa Price, founder of Carol's Daughter says, "i've always loved the way lavender makes me feel calm, and i happen to have a not-so-secret love affair with vanilla. cool and warm. fresh and exotic. all at the same time."

it's so true! she's created another winning combination. plus, like the entire range of Carol's Daughter we know and love, the Lavender & Vanilla collection are free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, and artificial colors.

have you tried the new Lavender & Vanilla collection? if not, you really should! it makes each day, no matter how fast it goes by, even more special...

discover more at carolsdaughter.com

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter

is there a princess in your life (a daughter, niece, or fabulous little girl you just happen to know)? you may be interested to know that Carol's Daughter has collaborated with Disney to create The Magical Beauty Collection -- a line created based on the upcoming Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog.

The Princess And The Frog is a story about inner beauty, the power of believing and working hard at your dreams. this groundbreaking movie is also the introduction of Disney's first african-american princess, Tiana (obviously, a major milestone in franchise history).



The Magical Beauty Collection is a line for mothers and daughters (or as i said, you and any little girl you love) to share, and tells the story of Tiana's transformation along with the values she learns along the way. each product is a reflection of a specific lesson that Tiana learns during her journey, making the collection an inspirational way for girls to connect with Disney's newest princess.

here are the product details...




Shampoo ("The Beauty Within"): designed with a child's delicate hair in mind, this cleanser gently removes dirt and residue without stripping hair of natural oils. the formula leaves hair silky smooth and soft to the touch. renowned for its soothing, nourishing and calming properties, aloe leaf juice helps condition dry scalp and hair.


Conditioner ("Inner Shine"): this moisturizing conditioner provides long-lasting softness and shine, leaving hair more manageable for easy combing and styling. sunflower seed oil cleanses as olive fruit oil and aloe leaf juice condition and hydrate. protein-rich sweet almond promotes hair growth and adds luster while silk amino acids detangle for improved control and manageability.


Hair Detangler ("Dream Big"): this ‘wonder-product’ spray releases tangles while protecting hair against breakage, soothing tender scalps as it conditions. aloe leaf juice nourishes and calms as cranberry fruit extract helps maintain a healthy, itch-free scalp. lemon peel extract acts as a natural antiseptic, treating hair concerns while nourishing the scalp and adding shine.


Bubble Bath ("Sharing Means Caring"): this moisturizing bubble bath provides long-lasting bubbles that make bath time fun without irritation or drying delicate skin. the ultra rich formula cleanses and moisturizes skin with natural ingredients like aloe leaf juice.


The Magical Beauty Collection Gift Set: housed in a reusable tote, it includes shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and a rose-shaped loofah sponge.

how fun does this collection look? i was in the Disney Store over the weekend with my daughter, and while her favorite princesses are Jasmine and Ariel, she scoped out Tiana and expressed her excitement over seeing The Princess and the Frog-- i think she would really enjoy these.


The Magical Beauty Collection by Carol's Daughter is available at Carol's Daughter Stores, select Disney Stores, Macy's, Dillard's, carolsdaughter.com and disneystore.com

xo

Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar

little pampering treats are great mood lifters, wouldn't you say? one of my favorites is Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar. it hardly takes any time to do, but it makes such a difference!

i bought Manicure in a Jar myself a couple of months ago, and created my own mid-week mini pampering ritual that includes this. i like to use this right before bed (after i've cleansed and treated my face, put on some lip moisturizer, a little body lotion, my pjs and ran a bit of leave-in conditioner through my hair). the sea salt exfoliates so well and essential oils moisturize, leaving my hands feeling silky smooth. there's always a little hint of oils left on my hands, but i don't mind. i apply lotion to my hands and go to sleep. when i wake up, my hands are so soft and look refreshed. love it!

you can find Carol's Daughter Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar the same place i did-- Sephora, of course!-- or visit carolsdaughter.com for more info as well as locations of stores.

xo
pic taken by me :)

green beauty: Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

on a recent trip to Sephora, i discovered a new "green" product to add to my hair product collection: Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter. i knew as soon as i tried a little bit in my hair that i had to take some home with me-- with no hesitation, the jar went in my basket!

this amazing product contains fabulous hair-friendly ingredients like essential oils of lavender and rosemary; it softens hair, minimizes breakage, and conditions with nourishing shea butter, almond oil, and cocoa butter. it's suitable for all hair types looking to add moisture or prevent damage, and also great as a little moisture pick up for the skin-- i always rub any excess left on my hands into my skin after using it, and it soaks it up.

Healthy Hair Butter is formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, so you can be happy knowing you're being a little bit more green, and of course your thirsty hair will love you for using it!

find Healthy Hair Butter at sephora.com

xo

holiday gift idea under $25: Carol's Daughter Lemon and Rose Hand Cream

simple items, like Carol's Daughter Lemon and Rose Hand Cream, make fabulous gifts because someone you love is bound to have dry skin and love the smell of roses and citrus!

Lemon and Rose Hand Cream is infused with essential oils of lemon, bulgarian rose absolute and vitamin C to nourish the skin on hands, keeping them moisturized and looking young (the bulgarian rose helps with cell turnover!).

it can be carried it in a purse (i can't live without some sort of lotion or hand cream in mine), kept on a desk at work (think mid-day pick-me-up with any caffeine) or by the sink for a treat after washing your hands (soap can be so drying)! hands will be soft, smooth and lightly scented all day.

find Carol's Daughter Lemon and Rose Hand Cream at sephora.com

xo

being green

Kermit the Frog once said, "it's no easy being green". well, in this moment, more than ever, it is very easy to be green. (of course, i know he wasn't talking about the environment, but i needed an intro...)

many cosmetic companies have taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, and have reformulated products to be healthier for us as consumers. and there are companies who have always been about natural ingredients, never backing away from the belief that product don't need to be loaded with chemicals to work.

The Body Shop was founded in the UK in 1976 by Dame Anita Roddick, and now has over 2,100 stores in 55 countries, with a range of over 1,200 products, all animal cruelty free, and many with fairly traded natural ingredients.

As the name would imply, Juice Beauty prefers to do things the natural way. using certified organic ingredients in their paraben-, fragrance-, and petroleum-free formulas; this line is a trailblazer in a category that's gaining serious momentum—organic beauty. Juice Beauty gets your skin glowing while leaving you with peace of mind.

Carol's Daughter was founded in a kitchen in Brooklyn, New York. creator Lisa Price's homemade concoctions have become staples on the shelves of celebrity bathrooms. now thirteen years later, Price continues to deliver down home treatments to enhance your life and well being by providing the sweetest and most luxurious products, all made from the heart - naturally.

LAVANILA can undoubtedly be considered a fragrance revolution. breaking beauty boundaries with the world's premier healthy fragrance, LAVANILA is the first to fuse luxury fragrance with natural science. their sensual vanilla blends captivate the senses and nurture the skin thanks to an infusion with everything that's good for you and a healthy dose of pure essential oils, active botanicals, and antioxidants.

pamper your strands with Phyto. greek for 'derived from plants,' the brand merges active plant botanicals with modern science for wholesome formulas that travel to the root (literally) of the problem to snap hair back to its healthiest condition. packed in 100 percent recyclable containers, these products bring eco-friendly hair care to a shower near you.


with all these brands, and many more, available to us, we can be confident that natural beauty isn't hard to achieve.

xo

products i'm dying to try...

i'm the type of girl that always loves to try the "newest thing". i've never really been one to wear clothes for very long, i actually change outfits more than once a day, sometimes, and my make-up is never the same two days in a row. of course, i do have a practical side: my hubby! thanks to him, i'm not out of control (too much). :)

i'm especially excited for spring since the "trends" reflect my own personal style. i love floral prints, dresses, heels and the color pink. of course, the make-up is as gorgeous as ever, and i am more than thrilled for it all. there are five products i literally am holding myself back from buying all at once. my *practical* side just isn't approving. :)



the first product on my must-have list is Bobbi Brown's Pink Rasberry Palette. this limited edition collection of colors (two eyeshadows, two lip sheers and the pink rasberry blush) are universally flattering, and create a fresh, modern look for spring.

i'm also excited to get Nars nail color in Orgasm. Nars is famous for the blush of the same name. some call it a cult fav, and it is also available as a lip gloss and a Multiple. the nail color--an irredescent, pinky peach-- will be available for purchase this summer, exclusively at Sephora. i hear it will be sold together wih the Multiple.



next on my list of must-haves is TheBalm's Two-Timer Mascara. described as a long-lasting, smudge-proof and water-resistant mascara that lasts all day and gives you different looks depending on the brush used. i love that they are two different mascaras in one space-saving tube.

i love hair products, and i have heard many great things about the Carol's Daughter line. while perusing sephora.com, i found many products that interested me, especially the Hair Milk. it is a lightweight lotion made with essential oils and shea butter, ideal for defining natural curls and giving hair loads of shine and bounce. i'm planning to give the heat styling a little rest this summer, so i can't wait to try it!

the last product i would like to try is actually not a product, but will hold one. Sephora's Slim Pink Atomizer makes taking your favorite fragrance with you simple and easy. when i travel, i never like to take an expensive bottle of prfume with me, so this pretty little thing can be used in it's place. and at $10 each, i think i'll get a few!