REVIEW: ELF Mineral Eye Brightener

Hello all!  

I'm finally getting more of my e.l.f. review videos up!  Here's the first of many to come. 

Let me know what e.l.f. products you would like me to review next!

Click here if you would like to see my Massive ELF Haul video!

Here is my ELF Mineral Eye Brightener Review...leave questions in the comments below!

e.l.f. Mineral Eye Brightener in Buff

Can you tell which eye was "brightened"?

My finished face :) A soft, natural look...as per usual.

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1.) beauty & lifestyle - http://www.youtube.com/jenncyu
2.) random vlogs - http://www.youtube.com/jenncyuTV

Always & Tampax Always Radiant Collection Review

Influenster sent me this Radiant pack to test and review, but I haven't got a chance to test it out yet.  I just keep it in my purse for... the emergency! 

Quick Take:  The pack comes with pads and tampons!  yay and the packaging is really cute.

Usage Tips:  I haven't got to try it yet but the products look promising.  I keep this Radiant pack in my purse :)

The Verdict:  I can't wait to try the products and I love having this little clutch to carry around.  It is discreet and compact and does it's job!  Though I haven't tried these particular products yet, I have tried other Always and Tampax items and I think they, as companies, are very forward thinking and always come out with new innovative feminine products.  They are a reliable company and have made many reliable products so I'm fully confident I will like these products and so will you.

Visit Always and Tampax to learn more about these new products they're launching!

Forever 21 + H&M Haul

Yes, it's another haul everyone. I'm not usually a shopaholic, but I have been purchasing lots of bargain dresses lately! Especially from Forever 21. Watch my YT video below to see what I bought and please "like" the video if you want to see more hauls.  I hope you all are having an awesome Saturday!

F21 Flounced Crochet Trim Dress - F21 Striped 3/4 Sleeve Dress - F21 Fit & Flare Dress - 
H&M Black Dress - H&M Mint Dress

F21 Sparkling Piggy Bank - F21 Piglet Ankle Socks - F21 Ooh la la Mustache Ankle Socks

Spice Girls - Olympics 2012 Closing Ceremony Performance

ahh!  LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I will always be a fan of the Spice Girls...

If you do not have the red/blue 3D glasses, it's ok!
Just watch by clicking the link here...(it will take you to YouTube) and then change settings to:

1.) Full screen

2.) 3D turned off

3.) Change quality to 1080p HD

...for the best quality :) Enjoy!

Quaker Soft Baked Banana Nut Bar Review

Hello!  So for the past month I have been raving about this product and I wanted to rave some more about it.  I first received a full sized sample of this in my Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox (which was sent to me for testing and review) and I instantly loved it!

What Quaker promises:

Made with real bananas and almonds, Quaker Soft Baked Bars Banana Nut Bread flavor has tasty ingredients and key nutrients to help provide fuel to start your day.

-5g Fiber*
-20% daily value of 5 B Vitamins
-6g of Protein
*Contains 3.5g of total fat per serving

Where to buy:

You can find Quaker Soft Baked Bars at most major retailers.

Suggested retail price: $3.29 for a box of 5 bars

A picture is worth a thousand words so need I say more?  Does that not looking super freaking delicious?  Well if you don't believe the photo...take my word for it (apparently I think my word is worth a lot, meh haha) 

Quick Take:  I literally thought "ooh Quaker, I love you and your oats!"  I'm one of those people who enjoy oatmeal and love eating it prepared in many different ways.  

Usage Tips:  Just eat it and savor every morsel because before you know it, it's gone!  

The Verdict:  Delicious and nutritious (for the most part).  These bars have a really nice texture and the banana flavor is very prominent.  This is definitely banana nut bread in every way.  There is a high sugar content, but it's low compared to other breakfast bars and even low compared to some protein bars.  Keep in mind, it is also made with real sugar, not sugar substitute so it is also healthier in that regard.  I also love that the first two ingredients listed (whole grain rolled oats, soy crisp rice) is actual food and not a filler ingredient (which is common in many breakfast bars and proteins bars).  I could actually taste the first two ingredients and I was really happy about that.  I am definitely giving this a two thumbs up!  

See...11 grams of sugar.  Yikes!  I see worse breakfast bars out there though.

The ingredient list...pretty wholesome for the most part.

I enjoyed Quaker's product so much that I bought a box for myself.  

I also bought other items introduced to me by Influenster!

REVIEW: Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF30

Hello!  So I'm so excited to tell you guys about this new product I've been trying out.  It has definitely become one of my new staples for the summertime!  The product is called Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen.  Influenster sent a sample of this product to test and review and I fell in love with it!  I even went to Walmart and bought a full sized bottle of it.

What Hawaiian Tropic promises:

Also available in SPF 12, 30, 50!

With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun.

Where to buy:

You can find Hawaiian Tropic products at most major retailers.

Suggested retail price: $8.99 for a 6oz bottle

I had a feeling I was going to be obsessed with this product because I love anything related to skincare and sun protection...and guess what, I love it!

Quick Take:  I really liked the packaging and how you could visibly see the hydrating silk ribbons flowing throughout the product.  It also has the most perfect summery better-than-sunscreen smell which I adored. 

Usage Tips:  Apply liberally!  This lotion sunscreen smells so beachy, you'll gladly want to!

The Verdict:  This product lived up to my expectations.  It was definitely hydrating to my skin...not sure if it lasted 12 hours, but it lasted the day.  It left my skin feeling soft and did not have an uncomfortable residue that other creamy sunscreens leave on my skin.  I love that the lotion sunscreen ranges in SPF, but I'm not in the sun for long periods of time so SPF 30 was perfect for me.  All and all, I thought this was a product that performed well and smelled like vacation!  I definitely recommend it!

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY REVIEW | Shampoo & Conditioner

Hello everyone!  So Influenster was kind enough to send me a Summer Beauty Voxbox and in it contained many fabulous deluxe and full sized samples that I was to test and review.  In the box, I received 6 products.  One of which was Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner.  I was super excited to try this line because Heidi Klum supposedly loves it so I was really trusting her on this one.  Unfortunately, these products got a thumbs down from me and here's why:

What Clear promises:
The search for strong, beautiful hair is finally over. Introducing CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™, a new line of shampoos and conditioners that will change the way women care for their hair. 99% percent of hair’s natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp. For years women have been treating the ends of their hair, rather than the source — the scalp. One small change like feeding scalp* can make a big difference. FEED SCALP* with new CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™.

NEW CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ is available in a range of six shampoos and five conditioners to meet different scalp and hair needs. The line is infused with Nutrum 10TM technology, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ nourishes the scalp, and creates the right foundation for strong, beautiful hair from root to tip. CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ gives women stronger, more beautiful hair in just 7 days. For more information, please visit our site.

Where to buy:

CLEAR SCALP & HAIR BEAUTY THERAPY™ products are available at mass retailers, select drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Suggested retail price: $4.99 – $5.99

*Disclaimer: refers to stratum corneum

**Disclaimer: Less breakage upon combing vs. non conditioning shampoo

To my dismay, this product stripped my scalp and hair of its natural oils and left it a bit dry.  Clear recommends that you use it for 7 days, but I can't continuing "feeding my scalp" with these products.  I was really hoping to get Heidi Klum's voluminous locks with these products :(  But instead, I got a dry and frizzy mess.  The shampoo left my hair too squeaky clean and the conditioner was not hydrating my scalp or my hair strands properly.

Quick Take: Appeared promising...Heidi Klum supposedly likes it so how bad could it be?  It has SLS but not all SLS shampoos are terrible.

Usage Tips: Like with any shampoo, a little goes a long way.  Too much product/lather will dry out your scalp and hair.

The Verdict: Not my favorite shampoo & conditioner duo.  It has a great salon fresh smell but other than that, I felt that these products were a bit lacking.  It contains SLS which a harsh surfactant and is terrible for your hair.  I will not be purchasing these items in full size because it does not work for my hair type.

July 2012 Favorites

This month's favorites:

1.) Bath & Body Works - 3-Wick Candle - Pink Sangria

2.) Bath & Body Works - Scentportables - crab and cupcake

3.) Forever 21 - Mint and Peach Bracelets

4.) Forever 21 - Rose Bloom Tie Waist Dress (no longer available online)

5.) Ahava - Mineral Botanic Velvet Cream Wash

6.) Wella Professionals - Enrich Mosturizing Treatment - Fine/Normal Hair

7.) EOS - Lip Balm

8.) L'oreal - Colour Riche Balm - 118 Pink Satin

9.) e.l.f. - Conditioning Lip Balms - Mellow Melon, Nice & Natural, Peaceful Pink

10.) Julep - Mischa and Georgia

11.) Bath & Body Works - Triple Moisture Body Cream - Aruba Coconut

12.) Victoria's Secret - Bombshell EDP

What were your favorites this month?!  Leave me a comment :)

JULEP Maven | August 2012

I not an avid user of metallic and chrome nail polishes, so I almost skipped this month's box.

I'm so glad I didn't though!  Dakota and Stefani are beautiful and I cannot wait to use them during the autumn season.  Muted metallics and chromes are suppose to be trending this fall so these polishes are right on trend.  Below is my unboxing video and some still shots...enjoy!  and thank you for visiting :)

My maven style is "Classic With A Twist", but for the past couple of months, I haven't been particularly fond of the shades picked for that box.  This month I changed my style again and went with "American Beauty".  I fell in love with Dakota's rose gold and Stefani's gold flecked grey.  And the nail polish remover with the pump dispenser is so teeny and cute...and PINK! What a great design! 

The nail polishes were what I expected, but the nail polish remover wasn't the baby pink color that was displayed online.  I was a little disappointed by that, but other than that, I'm really happy with my selection this month.  Once I try the new paint, I will Instagram photos!  ( username: INSTAjenncyu )

This is what I am currently rocking:

Julep's Mischa (hands) and Georgia (feet) from the July 2012 Julep Maven Boho Glam box

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color Review

Hello all!  I have another review for you guys and today I want to touch upon Sally Hansen's Magnetic Nail Color.  Influenster sent me a box loaded with deluxe and full sized samples to review and this new nail polish was one of the items.

What Sally Hansen promises:

NEW! Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color is summer’s hottest nail trend that allows you to create a gorgeous 3-D nail art effect in just seconds. This unique formula has been specially developed with metallic particles – just hold the built-in magnet over wet polish to reveal a unique design on the nail. Seal with a topcoat for extra shine! Learn more at www.sallyhansen.com

Easy steps
STEP 1 
Shake and Apply 2 coats

STEP 2
Hold Magnet for 10 seconds over wet nail polish

Instant Attraction!
Let dry and seal with a top coat for extra shine

Where to Buy:

Available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Suggested Retail Price: $9.99

I received my Influenster Summer Beauty Voxbox about a week before Fourth of July and receiving this polish inspired me to create a patriotic nail look.  This is what I came up with!

Quick Take:  I thought the color I received "Iconic Indigo" was beautiful and I couldn't wait to try it!

Usage Tips:  I felt that I had to move pretty quickly.  You need to hold the magnet (which by the way, is intelligently placed on the top lid that is not connected to the brush) on top of the fresh paint to ensure proper magnetization.  If you don't hold the magnet above the nail directly after it's painted, the lines will not form evenly or at all (because it will dry and set and then it's not malleable anymore).

The Verdict:  This polish was perfect for creating effortless Fourth of July stripes without all the hassle!  I loved how smoothly the coat of paint went on and the magnetic effect was very intriguing.  The polish dried pretty quick and the results are so fun!  Like, c'mon how cute were my nails for the Fourth?!  I loved them.  This products is definitely a must try for people who want fantastically bold and fresh nails.

GLOSSYBOX USA | JULY / AUGUST 2012

Hello!

I hope everyone has been having a fab week.  My week has been super cray and exhausting but getting my monthly shipments from Glossybox and Julep definitely perked me up.  In this post, I want to review the products that I got from Glossybox this month.  As stated in the video, I was not particularly impressed with last month's box, but I'm diggin' the products I got for this month.  Below, I posted my YouTube unboxing video and included an itemized listing of the products mentioned with the photos.  I also took the time to calculate how much this box is worth...scroll down to find out! 

GLOSSYBOX USA JULY 2012 BOX:

1.) ALESSANDRO INTERNATIONAL Pedix Heel Rescue Balm

full size: $18.50/100ml (box: $5.55/30ml)

2.) OFRA Universal Eyebrow Pencil

full size: $10.00/0.04oz (box: full size)

3.) SEBASTIAN Color Ignite Multi Tone Shampoo

full size: $14.95/8.4oz (box: $3.03/1.7oz)

4.) SEBASTIAN Color Ignite Multi Tone Conditioner

full size: $16.95/6.6oz (box: $4.24/1.65oz)

5.) SENNA COSMETICS Double Dose Lip Lacquer

full size: $22.00/0.34oz (box: full size)

6.) CASWELL-MASSEY Almond and Aloe Hand & Body Emulsion

füll size: $24.00/10.00oz (box: $0.82/0.34oz)

GRAND TOTAL OF BOX: $45.64