beauty Archives - Page 2 of 15 - Twenty Something Plus

December 3, 2018

Knappy Hair, Don’t Care

Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with Knappy Hair Natural Hair Extensions

For what seems like forever, I have struggled with my self image. This is especially true when I comes to my hair.

I’ve relaxed, dyed, shaved it, you name it!

I like my hair long, so I thought the only option for me was to relax it and wear extensions. And when the relaxer (and neglectful hair care on my part) damaged my hair, I thought I have to start over.

After the second time shaving my hair all off, about a year ago, I decided that I wanted to give going natural another try.

My hair started to come in nicely, and this time around, I embraced my TWA. But then like clockwork, I missed have long (albeit faux) locks, and starting reconsidering chemically straightening my hair to blend better with the extensions.

That’s when I came across Knappy Hair Natural Hair Extensions on Kaye McCoy’s Instagram page. And let me tell you I am SO unbelievably happy that I did!

Being able to find extensions that match and blend beautifully with my natural hair has helped me feel stronger in my choice to stay #teamnatural. Here I am wearing the 16″ set of the Kinky Coarse Clip In Extensions. I love that my hair looks full and has the volume of what my natural would have at that length. I recently learned about the Kinky Koily set and believe me when I say that is next on my list!

The fact that Knappy Hair is a black woman own business is an added bonus.

January 16, 2017

Cold Weather Wear and Skincare

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and was sponsored by Clarins.

Sweater: Madewell | Jeans: Madewell | Boots: Sperry
Earrings: Capwell + Co. (available next month!)

In case you don’t live in New England, just let me tell you it gets cold! Like, frigid. The temperature can go from 60 degrees one day, to 20 (or less) the next.

These sudden drops are the worst!

To combat the cold weather, I’m a big fan of bundling up. Layers on layers on layers on layers. Think thick cozy sweaters, long sleeved bodysuits, and boot socks. Mostly because I’m a big baby when it comes to being cold.

And so is my skin. Trying Clarins Hydra-Essentiel serum and moisturizer has helped keep my skin moisturized in spite of how quickly the temperature and weather changes. So much so, that it stays hydrated all day.

So many people are surprised when they find out my age, and comment on my skin and how young it is. That is not case in the winter time. Well, at least, not before discovering Clarins Hydra-Essentiel products. So now, my skin can be quenched and radiant year-round!

Shop this look:

Photos by: Madaline Rose Heising Photography

September 26, 2016

Travel Skincare Set

If you remember nothing else about me, just know that I completely and utterly adore Katherine Heigl. If there’s a movie and she’s in it, I own it. And have probably watch it over a thousand times.

One of her favorite products is Hydropeptide’s Exfoliating Cleanser.

When I was planning my trip to visit Gabby in Nantucket, I realized that I didn’t have any travel skincare. Sure, I had a ton of random samples, but nothing that really went together.

Hydropeptide’s On-the-Go Glow Travel Set not only comes with a travel size version of Katherine Heigl’s favorite Exfoliating Cleanser. But also their Pre-Treatment Toner, Face Lift Moisturizer, Eye Authority Eye Cream, and Purifying Mask.

I mean, the set has literally everything you need when you’re traveling. It even comes in it’s own cosmetic case!

What I really like most about the set (other than the was it makes my face look and feel), is how luxurious everything in it smells! Seriously, I felt like I was at the most amazing spa.

Shop this post:

September 20, 2016

The Radiant Finish Kit

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Did I need The Radiant Finish Kit? Probably not. BUT a Beauty Blender goes for about $20 and the kit was $26, so I figured why not add it on to my August 2016 Birchbox.

I almost did a Splurge or Save post with a dupe for the Beauty Blender. I am SO glad that I didn’t! Because, while I love using sponges in general, the Beauty Blender was legit on a whole new level for me!

But, what really sold me on the kit was the Jane Iredale Smooth Affair primer. I love the Jane Iredale mascara and lash primer, so naturally I wanted to try more from the line.

The Radiant Finish Kit is a $50 value. Well worth the $26 I paid!

See a specific sample that interests you? Let me know in the comments and I can tell you more about it!

Shop this post:

September 19, 2016

My August 2016 Birchbox

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

You guys, I honestly can not even remember if my August 2016 Birchbox was the feature box for the month or if I picked a sample. Given my past Birchbox selections, I’d say it’s safe to assume it’s the feature box, but I could be wrong.

What I am sure about is that my love for Living proof. has grown exponentially, that stila is the bomb dot com.

I will always love Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle and I need to make these Acure cleansing towelettes a reoccurring purchase.

Ok. I have some news. I have officially decided not to renew my Birchbox subscription for 2017.

Partly, because I am trying to minimize the excess crap I have in my life and samples have taken over my vanity. It’s making me feel like a hoarder and I just can’t.

Finish up the year won’t be an issue. I really do enjoy getting my Birchbox every month.

Make sure to let me know in the comments, if you want to hear more about any of these samples!

Shop this post:

September 2, 2016

Follain Finds: Jane Iredale Mascara + Primer

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Mascara hoarding is something I’ve been trying to cut back on. But finding just one or two that I love far above the rest isn’t something I’ve been able to narrow. Until discovering this Jane Iredale duo at Follain.

It was important to me to have a clean beauty mascara solution, that also lasts throughout the day. And the Jane Iredale mascara and lash conditioning primer do exactly that. Lashes with volume, that last throughout the day? I thought it was impossible. Plus, safe enough to wear every day, without having to worry about harmful chemicals? Amazing!

These aren’t the only green beauty products I’d recommend but they are two of my top picks. Whenever you make a purchase at Follain, they include samples to try. The same goes for when you attend one of their events. I’ve never had to purchase this mascara and primer, I’ve gotten enough samples of them to last me quite a while.

The primer also worked great with other mascaras. I don’t wear it everyday, just when I want a little extra volume or have a long day ahead of me.

Shop this post:

August 23, 2016

My August 2016 Play! by Sephora

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

I’m going to be extremely blunt about my August 2016 Play! by Sephora box. If this month’s Play! by Sephora had been my first, I would have canceled.

I have heard so many complaints about Birchbox and people saying they’ve been disappointed with their box. While I can’t say that I have never been underwhelmed with a monthly box, overall my experience has been really good.

I never even dreamed I’d consider switching it out for another box until Sephora’s.

And I definitely didn’t understand why anyone would complain about their subscription box samples, until getting my August 2016 Play! by Sephora box.

Not that I’m complaining exactly.

Will I use the samples? Yes. But I’ve had better. Like, much better.

The value of the samples is probably well worth it, I just wasn’t nearly as impressed as I was with my first two boxes.

Lancôme Énergie de Vie The Smoothing & Glow Boosting Liquid Moisturizer| $55

Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm | $68

CLEAN Reserve Blonde Rose | $90

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Shadow Eyeshadow and Powder Blush | $21

SEPHORA COLLECTION Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof (in Love Affair) | $10

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara | $22

I haven’t tried the Lancôme or Alegenist samples yet, but I’ll get to them, love them, and then never buy them.

I maybe had one CLEAN sample that I liked before (once upon a time, in a Birchbox), but I find most of their scents too strong. This one would make a nice home scent (if it wasn’t so strong), but I doubt I’ll use it.

As always, the makeup samples are amazing. However, I already have four or five tubes in varying sizes of the Perversion Mascara.

The Sephora Contour Eye Pencil sounds interesting, but also like a scam. Either way, I like the color. I know because I have a very similar shade liner by another brand.

You never realize how much eyeshadow you have and don’t use until you hit pan in one you use a lot. I really need to stop buying expensive palettes and only get the pots of the colors I use. Anyways, most powders can be used as whatever you want (I’ve used eyeshadow to contour before), but I do like that this MAKE UP FOR EVER one doubles as a blush. My makeup bag just got a little lighter.

Shop this post:

August 16, 2016

Exuviance Retexturing Treatment

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

When I was in high school I wore long sleeves and jeans, most of the time. Not for any religious reasons or anything like that, which would be one thing, but I just lacked the confidence to show any skin.

And that was when my skin was pretty much still in it’s peak condition.

I’ve since outgrown that.

But, now that I am older, so is my skin.

Trying different skincare products is something that I do to cope with aging. Cleansers, micellar waters, creams…

I had NEVER tried an exfoliating moisturizer before.

Or even heard of one.

Exuviance is a luxury skincare brand that I’ve tried products from before. I love their oxygen facial mask. So much so, that I decided to start using their retexturing treatment.

My original plan was to share before and after pictures, but the real difference is in the way my skin feels.

After using the treatment for not even a full week, my skin felt noticeably smoother. I can’t wait to see the difference with continued use.

If you see me overly touching my arms or legs, you are more than free to judge me. But, only after you feel them for yourself!

Shop this post:

August 15, 2016

My July 2016 Birchbox

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

I’m not going to lie to you. I missed the sample choice window for the July 2016 Birchbox.

And, it may come as no surprise that I really wanted that month’s feature box. So, honestly, no matter what I got, I expected to be at least somewhat disappointed.

Really, the only let down was the box. It wasn’t the pretty patterned box for the month, but a plainer one. The samples were actually pretty decent.

I haven’t used them yet. But, I’m pretty confident that I will.

Let me know in the comments, if you’re interested in hearing about any of these samples!

Shop this post:

August 8, 2016

My June 2016 Birchbox

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

For the June 2016 Birchbox the sample choice was between the different shades of the new and improved Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow. I knew I loved the original, so naturally I wanted to get my hand on this updated one. It was basically a no-brainer.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I didn’t like the Gimme Brow nearly as much as I remembered. I’ve used it from time to time, but my current favorite is actually NYX brow mascara.

After posting about my top highlighters and getting to try a priming one from Becca Cosmetics, I was happy to add another one to my list. Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl is the kind pigment-packed glow any goddess would kill for!

My hair can always use as much moisture as it can get, so this Oribe cream is a very much appreciated sample.

Evologie has worked to help with my pimples in the past. I may have to seriously consider switching from Proactiv…

Anything moisturizing is great, like I said, but I was not as impressed with the PARLOR shampoo as I was with their blowout spray.

Shop this post: