How do I love Glossier? Let me count the ways.

Did I already spoil this post with the title? 

I have known about Glossier for years, but had never purchased anything due to the abundance of products I already had. Once I quit my job and trying new things became fun again, I knew that Glossier was next on my list to try. The main reason I love Glossier is that their skincare and makeup ideas resonate closely with mine; healthy and effective skincare that gives you a glowing look, and makeup products that simply accentuate this natural and healthy vibe. All of their products are easy to use and many are multi-use which allows the modern woman to easily incorporate them into her fast paced and busy life. 

With the release of Solution, a exfoliating toner, I knew the time had come for me to place my first order. We all know how much I love a good exfoliating toner.  I didn't want to go too crazy, so I only purchased 3 things with my first order. If you are new to my blog or videos, these three items are very reflective of my favorite types of products. I ordered Boy Brow (a tinted brow gel) in Black, Haloscope (a stick highlighter) in Moonstone, and Solution (the exfoliating toner). 

I wanted to use the products for a little while, especially the toner in order to give you honest feedback and I'm obsessed with all three. If you want to see how I use the two makeup products be sure to click this link and watch my Everyday Glowing Skin Tutorial Video because I show how I use both of those items in it. 

Boy Brow: I freaking love brows. That is no secret. So I am extremely picky when it comes to new brow products. Boy Brow is naturally what I think of when I think of Glossier because they are known for this product, so this was an obvious place for me to start when deciding what to order. I got the shade black because I knew it would be very cool-toned (I cannot stand a warm brow with my coloring)  and it is a perfect match for me. As you know I have a history with Benefit Cosmetics and used to live for Gimme Brow for it's ease and ability to thicken the appearance of brows quickly. I can honestly say I love Boy Brow more (Plus it's cheaper...just sayin' haha). I feel like it never makes my brows look wet and my hairs still look very much like brow hairs, just thicker and darker. For me it's extremely undetectable and not opaque, so it gives me a very natural and full brow appearance. If you do not have very full brows, I would still recommend this product for you, I would just use a pencil afterwards to fill in the areas that you are lacking a little hair.

Haloscope: I heard about this product from Katie Hughes, a makeup artist, and she said that she loved it, specifically in the shade Moonstone, because it made the skin look wet and I cannot agree with her more. It's not sparkly, it's a sheen that gives your skin such a healthy and dewy look. I love to swirl my middle and ring fingers together around it in and dab it on my cheekbones and it's just heaven. Some people apply it straight from the stick, but I feel like this moves my makeup around too much and requires me to need to blend it out more. 

Solution: I was nervous to swap out my old exfoliating toner (The Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin' one) for this one, because I was nervous for breakouts to come back, but I can say that I feel like the transition was an easy one. I knew my old toner wasn't clean and that I would have to get rid of it (click here to read my post on cleaning out the chemicals in my skincare). Solution has Glycolic and Lactic acids in it (the AHA's and the stars of my old toner) but also has salicylic acid (BHA) and Gluconolactone (PHA), which I think is key for my acne staying at bay; I like the combo of different acids working together. I love the packaging because it keeps things sanitary, but my only critique is that I feel like one pump is not enough toner for my face, but 2 pumps is too many. Am I the only one who feels this way? Comment below if you agree or disagree. Solution is also much cheaper than my old toner, so this change is great! If you have regular breakouts, dry skin, little white heads from oil buildup, or other texture issues, I highly recommend this product. 

Have you tried anything from Glossier before? If you want 10% off your first order be sure to click this link! Up next on my list to try are the new Lidstar Eye Glows, the Stretch Concealer, the Cloud Paint Cheek Colors and the Skin Tint! I will be sure to keep you guys updated as I try more stuff from this brand because so far, I'm LOVING it!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Andrea

Lash Boost Review

I think I might be the last one on the block to try a lash growth serum, but my review is going to be a little different than most. Let's get a little personal. Here's the back story as to how I ended up using Lash Boost in a nontraditional way. 

In November I was washing my face one night and looked up and the way my hair happened to fall, I spotted a completely bald spot right in the center of my head about the size of a dime. I immediately inspected it and stood in shock wondering what I was looking at. Changes in your body externally can often be a sign of something going on internally and my mind went in 15 directions. I immediately Facetimed my sister, because what else are sisters for...haha and probably repeated 18 times, "ARE YOU SEEING WHAT I'M SEEING?! "

I'm lucky enough to have an uncle who is a PA and immediately called him to discuss. His instinct told him it was Alopecia Areata just based on the fact that I had recently quit a high stress job, but he wanted me to go to my doctor to rule out any thyroid or other health issues. Turns out he's the world's smartest PA (haha) and my doctor also thought it was Alopecia Areata and said not to worry about it. It's really hard not to worry about something that is caused by worrying, if that makes sense. The most frustrating thing about Alopecia Areata is that there is no guarantee the hair will grow back, so I was really bummed when I saw growth throughout the next month, and one morning in December, it all fell out again. 

This then prompted a conversation with one of the amazing mom's I nanny for who sells Rodan & Fields. I asked her if anyone had tried the lash boost on their scalp and if she thought it would work. She had never heard of anyone trying it and obviously couldn't recommend doing it since R&F had never tested it, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive it for Christmas from her! Let me repeat, R&F DOES NOT ENDORSE PUTTING LASH BOOST ON YOUR HEAD, but I was self conscious at this point and wanted to try a more natural route before going to my doctor for steroid shots to stimulate growth. If the bald spot had been anywhere other than the center of my head where I part my hair I probably wouldn't have cared as much, but it was something I was having to cover and hide on a regular basis which is annoying. 

As far as my routine goes for Lash Boost, I started off the first few weeks by applying it every night to my lashes and whatever was leftover I would apply to my scalp. I never got more product from the tube. After the first few weeks, I started using it every other night to stretch the product and I don't feel like my results were affected. With these types of growth serums, you will always need to keep applying them in an area like your lashes that naturally shed and regrow every 6-8 weeks. So if you stop using it, the results will go away. I had so many brow clients that would use it to regrow areas of their brows when reshaping so that's something to think of too!

Now for some pictures of what my scalp and lashes looked like when I started using Lash Boost on them right before Christmas and what they look like today, 10 weeks later. I stopped using the Lash Boost on my scalp about a month ago probably because I just wanted to get the hair growing, and I'm happy to say that a lot of the hair has grown back, so much so that I can't really see the bald spot anymore! (Sorry if close ups of my scalp are weird...haha) I learned through this process that I know quite a few women who have experienced this type of hair loss due to stress so I'm happy to share my story if you happen to be going through the same thing and it makes you feel more at ease with what you're going through!

As far as my lashes go, they have always been long and thick, they just won't curl and always stay super straight. I have since found that they hold a curl much better and are significantly longer and fuller. I never felt like you could see my lashes in any pictures but now I feel like you can. 

Top Image: Before, Bottom Image: After

Top Image: Before, Bottom Image: After

You can really tell in the lash pictures how much longer and fuller my lashes look. I didn't take any pictures with mascara on because you didn't come to the post for a mascara recommendation. haha I wanted to show you my actual lashes.

Overall I am extremely happy with my Lash Boost experience. If you are looking to purchase please reach out to Kristen HERE! She is so wonderful and deserving of your business! I know she has a Lash Boost special going on right now! I cannot thank her enough for gifting me this Lash Boost and helping me get rid of my bald spot!

Let me know in a comment below if you have tried a lash or brow serum before and if you liked it! I totally think it's worth the money, do you?

Have a great rest of your week,

Andrea Fontana

Lipsense Review

I'm here with a review on a lip product that I was so excited to try. If you like makeup there's no way you could have missed the new sensation that is Lipsense. I'm sure you know at least one person, if not more who sells it and have probably been wondering...but does it really work? It claims to be incredibly long-wearing lip color that WILL NOT SMUDGE. A wonderful friend of mine Jessica offered to gift me some Lipsense to try out and give her my thoughts on it which was so kind. Not only is she an amazing and hardworking distributor, but she manages a gym, is a fitness trainer, and does it all while being pregnant with a super lucky little girl. We all know my obsession with lipstick so I am extremely thankful she offered to do this! All of her links will be at the end of this post if you want to try some Lipsense too! 

I chose a color called Napa because it looked like it would be a 'Your lips but better' shade that many skin types could pull off. It has a little bit of shimmer to it when you look at it in the tube but I don't feel like it looks glittery by any means on my lips. The first time you buy Lipsense you have to buy the kit because you need all three products; the color, the gloss, and the Oops remover. After you have your first kit, you can buy new colors or glosses as needed. The gloss is important because it seals in the color to last all day. 

The application process is very detailed, but Jessica provides a wonderful little instruction card in her cute little packaging that explains the whole process to you and even has tips and tricks on the back for you. You have to apply three thin layers and let each dry, while holding your lips taut and open the whole time. It felt a little crazy at first, but I got used to it quickly. I felt much more comfortable applying it the second time. After the three layers, you apply the gloss, which honestly was one of my favorite parts, and I AM NOT A GLOSS PERSON. I live for matte lipsticks and rarely use gloss so I was a little worried about having to seal it with a gloss. I hate the feeling of sticky lips and I loved how smooth the "Glossy" gloss felt on my lips. It never felt sticky but still managed to stay on for hours. Jessica says that the other glosses are even better in her opinion! 

Top Left: My natural lips with nothing on them; Top Right: one coat of Napa; Bottom Left: three coast of Napa; Bottom Right: three coats Napa and one coat Glossy gloss. 

So how did it go? I've worn it probably 4 times now all day, and I've honestly fallen in love with it. I did have some issues in the beginning but Jessica checked up on me and helped me find solutions. When you start off using Lipsense some people go through what they call 'the exfoliation' phase where your lips get super chapped as they're getting rid of all the wax buildup. It definitely started to happen to me, as my lips got pretty dry the first time I tried it. Due to the exfoliation process, I only got about 6 hours of wear out of it at a time. I did notice however that it got better with each use and the last time I wore it, it lasted at least 8 hours, which is AWESOME. Jessica mentioned that wearing even just the gloss helps this process so I did that a few days as well. 

For me the best part about Lipsense is the no smudging. You can kiss, wear a white shirt, etc. and not worry about getting color anywhere! I don't mind if it doesn't last the whole day, since I'm used to having to reapply lipsticks anyways. But to not worry about my lip color getting anywhere is HUGE. I will probably being buying some for my makeup kit because these scream wedding day to me. I am excited to test out other colors, especially the matte shades because I love me some matte lip products. Have you tried any Lipsense products before? If you have, let me know which colors you like and what your thoughts are on the product! If you're wanting to try some here is all of Jessica's information!

Jessica Stemen 'Sweat Proof Face'
SeneGence Independent Distributor #313524
sweatproofface@gmail.com
FB: sweat proof face
IG: @sweatproofface

Many thanks to Jessica again for letting me review this product for Andrea Fontana Beauty! I will be sure to keep you guys updated if I try any new colors in the future and what I think!

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea Fontana Beauty

Dre Does a Target Beauty Box Review

 

About a year ago I cancelled my Ipsy subscription and am always on the look out for intriguing subscription services. I had heard good things about the Target Beauty Box as far as value goes, so when I woke up to an email last week saying they were in stock, I jumped at the chance to get my own. For only $10 you can have deluxe sized samples and even full size products sent to your house!

Starting in the top left and moving clockwise, I received the Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream, Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo,  L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes, Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream, Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer, L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen, Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil, CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, and the Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream.

Not only did I get all 9 of these products but I also got a $3 Off a $15 Target Beauty Purchase. I believe these coupons are included in every Beauty Box. I love how this box comes with a card explaining every product because I hated that I never had a list and description of every product in my Ipsy Subscription.

Now let's talk products. While I can't give reviews of products yet, I can at least let you know the things I'm really interested in trying and what their value is!

Andalou Age Defying Night Repair Cream ($24.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $6.00): I've heard really great things about this all-natural brand so I'm excited to try a night repair cream from them. It has antioxidants that help stimulate circulation and healthy cell renewal while slowing the damage of cells while you sleep!
Hair Food Kiwi Dry Shampoo (Travel Size Value $4.99): I use a dry shampoo at least 4 times a week so I'm always open to try new ones. I like that this one is paraben and sulfate free and light on your hair.
L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes ($7.79 for 6 Towelettes; Sample Value-$1.30): I've heard amazing things about the L'Oreal Sublime Bronze line, for a drugstore self-tanning line. I'm really excited to try something from it. My only complaint is that since you are supposed to use the product every day until you like how dark you get, I feel like one towelette might not do that much, but we shall see!
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream ($32.00 for Full Size; Sample Value- $12.80): Ever since this brand came to Target I've been dying to try it. I'm excited to start with this product because it is supposed to keep you hydrated for 24 hours!
Derma e Firming DMAE Moisturizer ($19.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $5.00): This moisturizer claims to visibly firm and lift the skin and since I'm always looking to prevent the loss of elasticity in my face, I can't wait to try it.
L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Pen ($8.99 Full Size Lip Pen): I've been meaning to pick one of these Lip Pens up since they came out so I'm excited to try this one. I got the shade 207 Laque-y You.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Oil ($15.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $2.67): I am obsessed with cleansing oils to remove my makeup so I'm thrilled to try this one. I have loved Burt's Bees products in the past so I'm excited to try another from them.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser ($11.99 for Full Size; Sample Value- $0.50): This is honestly the only product in the box I'm not excited to try because I'm not the biggest fan of gentle cleansers like CeraVe and Cetaphil. I don't geel like they do enough to really help the skin. This will probably be something I keep in my shower or gym bag for when I'm in a rush and don't want to grab my normal cleansers.
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream ($24.00 for Full Size; Sample Value- $1.20): I love that this is all-natural and only contains 6 ingredients derived from living plants and organisms.

I will do a follow up post once I've tried all the products and let you know what I think! As far as value goes this box was worth $43.45! That's amazing considering that I only payed $10. Plus we can't forget the additional $3 coupon I got towards my next Target Beauty purchase. I'm not sure if I just hit the jackpot this box or if they are all this great but I will be sure to pick up the next one as long as I can snag it before it sells out!

Let me know if you've tried the Target Beauty Box or any of these products before and what your thoughts are!

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does an EXO Supply Review

Now that the flu is finally starting to stop occupying my body, let's get to a post I had originally planned for last week! A few month's back I was contacted by the company EXO Supply to try out two of their new products. They are a relatively new organic and natural company and since the two products involved skincare (hello!) and nails, I was excited to try them out. I love that their products are all formulated with USDA certified organic essential oils. I love me some essential oils because of not only their benefits and versatility, but most importantly their smell. I received the Natural Foaming Coconut Cleanser and samples of both the Lavendar and Citrus scented Pure Removers. 

I was excited to try the Coconut Cleanser because it is super gentle and safe for all skin types. I have oily and acne prone skin and while I normally prefer to have a really deep cleansing cleanser, I still think it's important for all skin types to have a gentle and soothing face wash in your drawers for days when you're skin is really irritated or hypersensitive. The fact of the matter is that I live in Michigan; where the weather changes drastically at a moments notice and my skin can reflect that. 

The Pure Coconut Cleanser is formulated with coconut oil obviously, but also jojoba oil and floral waters. I initially wasn't too thrilled with the cleanser because I didn't feel like I was getting a deep enough cleanse. However, once I started using it as the first step in a double cleanse, I liked the results I was getting. I now use it every night to get every last trace of makeup off before I go in and deep cleanse my skin. I know you might think this is excessive, but when you're as acne prone and sensitive as I am, this extra step helps! Plus I've liked having it on hand for those sensitive nights. The Pure Cleanser retails for $16.95 for 6 Oz. 

The next product I tried was the Pure Remover which is a completely organic and natural plant-based nail polish remover that is both alcohol and acetone FREE! I repeat, alcohol and acetone FREE! The scent is completely naturally and the product is non-toxic too! While I think this is an amazing natural option for everyone, I think this product would be amazing for use on both children AND women that are pregnant who are looking for organic and non-toxic options! The wipes are a great option if you're traveling or simply like the convinience, but they also sell bottles of the Pure Remover if you prefer. (Can we talk about how proud I am that I remembered to take a picture before I ripped the adorable packaging open and ruined it?!)  The wipes are available in packs of 10 ($12), 20 ($24), or 30 ($30) and in the scents Lavender, Mint, Orange, or Unscented. The bottles are $15.95 for 4 oz and come in the same four scents. 

You can find out more about EXO Supply and their products by visiting www.EXOsupply.com or checking out their Instagram (@exo_supply).

A huge thanks to EXO Supply for letting me try out these awesome products! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

*These products were sent to me to try out for free but all opinions are my own and I wasn't required to post about them! 

Dre Does a Facial Self Tanning Routine

I am just like every other girl who wants to be bronzed and glowing in the summer time. However, as a licensed esthetician I know the consequences that can come from sun exposure and they are simply not worth the risk. For this reason, I am RELIGIOUS with my SPF 45 or higher on my face and neck region. While I do wear it on the rest of my body when I'm in the sun, I am the strictest with my face because that is where the aging and fine lines are going to show the soonest and the most. Due to the SPF 45 that is constantly applied, my face is always paler than the rest of my body.  I have developed a facial self tanning routine that I love to combat this issue and it couldn't be easier. 

The two tanning products that I have been using are both from Tarte cosmetics. I swear they do not pay me to talk about all of their products. If you've noticed how much I mention them, it's because they are truly one of my favorite brands. I am talking about the Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes and the Maracuja Bronzing Serum. I use the facial towelettes once a week and when not using a facial towelette I use the bronzing serum.

As you can probably imagine, I start my facial self tanning routine with cleansing. I remove all of my makeup and then cleanse my skin. I recommend exfoliating your skin next so that the self tanner develops evenly and doesn't cling to any dry patches. I prefer to use a chemical exfoliant rather than a mechanical exfoliant. Next, I tone my skin. After toning if it's a night that I am not self tanning, I will apply all of my serums or treatments for that particular night and my eye cream. Next, I use the Maracuja Bronzing Serum by applying a few drops evenly all over my face and neck. I will admit this doesn't smell good at all, but most self tanning products don't and the smell fades pretty quickly. This is a gradual bronzing serum that I like to use to extend the wear of my tans. It's not something that you will notice overnight, but I do really like the glow it gives my skin. Lastly, I apply my moisturizer, which right now is still the Maracuja Oil, also by Tarte. 

If it is a self tanning night (by this I mean that I'm using a facial towelette), I do the same routine, except I skip the treatments and serums because I find that everything looks better when I self tan right after I cleanse. The Brazilliance Facial Self Tanning Towelettes are seriously as easy as opening up a little packet, unfolding it, and wiping your face and neck evenly. You don't have to be perfect with this at all. I am not a pro self tanner and I have never had anything but great results! Then I just let it absorb and I'm done (No moisturizer or oils on this night)! I go to bed and wake up with a tanner face and neck that matches the rest of my body! I haven't noticed any residue on my pillowcases at night which is one thing I was concerned about. 

The Maracuja Bronzing Serum is still available on Sephora and Tarte's websites but I'm not sure if it is a permanent product. It is $47 and is 1.7 fl oz. I would say that if you use a few drops on your face and neck every night, it should last you at least 6 months. 

The Brazilliance Skin Rejuvenating Maracuja Self Tanning Facial Towelettes are $21 for 10 towelettes which I think is a pretty good deal, since that would last you 2.5 months if you use one a week. 

Make sure you come back Friday because I will be sharing how I've been enhancing the fake tan with makeup! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Body Shop Review: Camomile

I have heard multiple bloggers and youtubers mention the Camomile range from The Body Shop so I decided to give two of the standout products a go. About a year ago I switched from using makeup remover wipes to using a cleansing oil to remove my makeup before cleansing. As I started to use up the oil I had, I decided to pick up the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil because of a sale. I had also heard great things about the Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover so I decided to give it a go as well.

When it comes to cleansing oils I look for a few things; that most of my makeup is removed well, it is light on my skin (not too greasy), and that it doesn't break me out. I have to tell you, this cleansing oil is amazing and passes all of these tests. You apply it to dry skin; just enough to have a thin layer all over. Then you wet your hands and you can see the oil emulsifying all of the makeup on your face. After I very gently massage it into my skin, I also lightly massage my lashes to start the mascara removal. Then once all the makeup is broken down (except my eye amekup), I wash it off my face. It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy at all which is great! I love that this cleansing oil doesn't have a strong odor and doesn't bother my sensitive skin at all!

Affter I wash all of the oil off, I put a few drops of the Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover onto a cotton pad and gently remove my eye makeup. This remover works like a dream. It is not oily at all and doesn't burn my eyes, so it would be great for contact wearers. The thing I love most is how effectively it gets off my They're Real mascara. If you've ever tried it, you know how hard it is to remove. The fact that this eye makeup remover can feel that gentle but still be so effective is amazing to me! No tugging on the eyes needed. 

You can purchase both products at ULTA or at The Body Shop. I had to buy my cleansing oil online because my ULTA didn't carry it in store. The Gentle Eye Makeup Remover was $17 and the Silky Cleansing Oil is either $18 or $19 depending on where you get it.

I highly recommend both products if you are in the market for some great, gentle makeup removers!

Have a beautiful Monday,

Dre

Dre Does a Tarte Showstopper Palette Review

Today's post is a little bit more than the usual review of a palette. I'm going to give you not only swatches and pictures of the product, but show you the first look that I created with it as well! 

The Showstopper Palette is a part of tarte Cosmetics' summer collection and is a palette for the cheeks and eyes. At first glance it didn't stand out as something I have to have, but when Ulta sent me a 5x rewards points email in May, I decided to give the summer collection a closer look. After looking at this palette for a few moments, I remembered how much I loved the Coral one that tarte came out with a few summers ago. Every so often, they make these round palettes with a bronzer, blush, highlighter and 6 shadows. I used to take that Coral palette eeeeeeverywhere. I loved the idea that I could take one small palette on the go with me that had a huge portion of the products needed to create a look. However, I knew that if I was going to justify spending the money on it, it needed to be different from my other round palette from them. 

I was super happy to find that the blush inside was a matte peach shade, which sealed the deal for me. I love coral-y, peach tones for my cheeks in the summer and with the addition of 6 neutral brown/taupe shadows, I knew this palette would get great use by me. 

At $38 it is a really great deal. Every product is made with the Amazonian Clay formula that they are known for. It is extremely long lasting, pigmented, and blendable. The whole palette is also parabens and phthalate free like the rest of the tarte Cosmetics line. You get their best selling matte and waterproof bronzer Park Avenue Princess, a highlighter in Champagne, blush in Fame, and 6 eyeshadows in Showstopper Copper (bronze copper), Go for the Gold (gold), You're a Natural (nude), Steal the Scene (steel taupe), Rose to the Top (rose gold), and Dim the Lights (black brown). 

To create this look for my eyes, I used You're a Natural all over the lid. Then built up the inner and outer corners with a mixture of Showstopper Bronze and Dim the Lights. I used my finger to apply a little of Go for the Gold to the center of my lid and blended everything well. Lasty I popped some of the Champagne highlighter in my inner corners to brighten the area a little. I love how soft and bronzey this look is. For my face, I used my normal foundation routine and then contoured with the Park Avenue Princess Bronzer. I lastly applied both the Champagne highlighter and the Fame blush which gave me a beautiul summer glow! I hope you enjoyed this post. 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Deluxe #1

While brainstorming some new ideas for the blog I began thinking about the infamous aisle of doom that both Sephora and Ulta have right by the check out. You know the section that has mini sizes of all of the products that you tried so hard not to spend all of your hard earned money on, but the second you stand in that line waiting to pay you find 18 mini's you JUST HAVE TO TRY because they are so much cheaper than a full size. Then you somehow end up walking out spending twice as much as you were planning on.

We have all been there. So I've decided to start a new series called Dre Does Deluxe in which I tell you whether you should 'Buy, Try or Say Bye' to that product.

BUY- Just go ahead and get the full size product because it is amazing and you get more for your money
TRY- Test out the smaller 'Deluxe' sample size because it's either a better deal or it's something you have to try for yourself
SAY BYE-Just skip all sizes of the product because overall the product is a miss and not worth even trying in a smaller size.

This series will do two things. First, hopefully it'll help you exercise some sort of restraint when it comes to those adorable little mini sized products to make sure you're only buying products that are actually worth trying. Second, it'll give me some sort of justification for my obsession with trying new things without breaking the bank! 

If you have any suggestions or requests for products you'd like me to try, please let me know! I already have some ideas but am always open to new ones!

So let's get started with the first post in this series starting with the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. 

I am usually super picky with my cleansers and don't like to experiement too much because my skin is so sensitive. Incase you are new to my blog, I have very oily and acne-prone skin. I can breakout sometimes when trying new products. I had heard so many people rave about this cleanser so when I was looking for a travel sized cleanser to take in my carry-on to Puerto Rico in March, I decided to go for this one. 

Fresh claims that this gel cleanser is for all skin types and will gently remove impurities and makeup. It is rich in amino acids and soy protein which aid in moisture retention, and improving elasticity and firmness of the skin. It also has rosewater to tone the skin and cucumber extract to calm. I lliked that it is fragrance and soap free as well. The 1.7 oz size that I purchased lasted me for about 2 weeks, which is a great size to decide if you like it.

Overall, I think this is a mediocre cleanser for my skin. I didn't fall in love like I thought I was going to which is due to a few reasons. For me the issue is that I need a cleanser that is much more deep cleansing than this one. I am used to using one that is designed for oily and acne-prone skin types which I feel gets everything off my face both in the morning and at night as well. If you are someone who loves a very simple and basic cleanser I think you would enjoy this. However, if you're like me and need that deep cleanse, I would skip this one. You can probably tell by this post that I'm not the biggest fan of 'all skin types' products because everyone's skin is unique and we need different products. 

As far as pricing goes, if you buy the smaller 1.7 oz you are paying $8.82 per oz of product. If you buy the full size of 5.1 oz you are paying $7.45 per oz of product. Not that much of a difference, but at least you are saving if you decide to go for the big one. 

So the final result is:

Dry to Normal Skin Types...TRY

Oily and Acne-Prone types...SAY BYE

There you have my first post in the Dre Does Deluxe series! Let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas for future posts.

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does a Plum Smokey Eye

I recently posted a picture on Instagram of some items I purchased from Ulta due to redeeming a ridiculous amount of reward points. One of those items was the new Artist Palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills. I immediately started getting questions about whether I thought the palette was worth it, so I decided I would test it out ASAP by doing a makeup look for you guys. 

So far I have to admit I'm in love. I was definitely one of those people who swatched it in store and didn't think it was worth it. Honestly if it wasn't for those points I probably wouldn't have even gotten it. Once I got it home however and started playing I could tell I was going to love it. Even though it's filled with some crazy colors, I think it's a great addition to a makeup collection because it's not just another neutral palette. I mean we can only have so many shimmery taupes right? Haha (Jk I still think I need them all!)

So I've created this look below for you using the shades Buttery, Dusty Rose, Orange You Fancy, Aubergine, and Baby I'm a Star. I know it doesn't translate on camera as being very purple but in real life it's a little more obvious. I personally like wearing color as natural as possible so I like that it's not very intensely purple. 

Let's be nice to my brows. Every so often I leave them alone for a month so I can reshape them and you are witnessing this process firsthand below. 

So back to the tutorial. After applying my eyeshadow primer (my fave is Benefit's Stay Don't Stray) from lid to brow bone, I applied Buttery to the entire lid and brow bone area. Next using a fluffy crease brush, I blended Dusty Rose into the crease as a transition color. Then to warm it up a little bit, I blended some Orange You Fancy with it going slightly above the crease. Next I packed the Aubergine shade all over my blend and blended the edges out into those two transitions shades. Lastly, I added a little bit of Baby I'm A Star into the outer corner to darken it and give a little extra dimension. For the lower lash line, I simply added some black eyeliner to the water line and then smoked it out with that Aubergine shade concentrating more of the shadow on the outside and fading it towards the inner eye area. That's it! I'm super happy with how the look turned out and plan on sharing more of what I create with this unique and colorful palette!

Other products used on my face:

Primer: Benefit Porefessional

Foundation: Nars Luminous Weightless

Concealer: Maybelline FitMe

Setting Powder: Dermablend Translucent Setting Powder

Bronzer/Contour: Anastasia Contour Kit

Blush: Milani Luminoso

Highlighter: MAC Soft & Gentle

Brows: Benefit Browzings

Mascara: Benefit They're Real

Lips: MAC Spice Liner & Khroma Beauty Joy Stick in Sea Coral

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Door to Door Organics

Since I was a senior in high school I have gone through periods of vegetarianism (Pescetarian if we want to get technical). It started as a requirement for health issues, but I have loved it over the years because having a restriction on my diet forces me to think about what I'm consuming. Growing up with a Brazilian farm boy father and maternal Italian grandparents who's farm I visited every weekend, I was taught all about the importance of not only eating produce, but growing it and eating locally. When I was two years old my grandparents lost me on their farm and found me with cuts all over my face from biting raspberries straight from the bush. I am so thankful that I was raised to appreciate fresh fruits and vegetables and not just look at them as 'two more bites' on your dinner plate.

My dad currently has a huge produce garden in his backyard that I can't wait to dive into this summer. Since we do live in Michigan and spend a lot of months covered in snow, I got used to visiting the local organic market with him every Sunday when I lived at home. He even visits the same cashier who always makes sure to tell him her latest jokes. He taught me to always take advantage of a good fresh market. Luckily, I have a similar market near where I live today. The only downfall is that it is about 15-20 minutes away from where I live and it's not near anything that I visit on a regular basis.

Over the past year I have noticed organic produce company ads popping up in various places; social media, TV commercials, etc. I personally get very inspired by going to the market and picking out the best looking fruits and veggies in season so I love to grocery shop and plan my meals that way. Since the market was not that convenient to me however, I was always wanting to try a produce delivery system but never got around to it. Luckily, my older sister who is queen of the coupons and getting amazing deals on everything, told me about Door to Door Organics. She recently started working full time for the first time since having my nieces so her free time has dramatically decreased. She raises her kids very similarly to how we were raised including gardening and eating tons of fruits and veggies so I knew that if she was recommending something to me it must be worth trying.

Door to Door Organics is a service that delivers organic produce and groceries to your house on either a weekly or biweekly basis. They offer different sized deliveries from the Bitty Mixed Box at $24.99 (which is the one I got) all the way to the Large Box at $59.99. Mixed refers to getting both fruits and veggies or you can get one or the other. You can also add pantry items and extras onto your order.

The Friday before your box is scheduled to be delivered, you get an email from Door to Door Organics stating that your box is ready to view. This means they have decided what to put in your box. You can then go view it on their easy-to-use website and either accept that box as it is or they give you the option of swapping up to 5 items in your box. I chose to swap a few but kept the majority of what they gave me. Below is a picture of what I got for my Bitty Mixed Box; 12 bananas, 1 bunch of kale, 2 zucchini, 1 cucumber, 2 grapefruit, 3 gala apples, 1 mango, and 3 small sweet potatoes. (All of it was obviously organic).

 

Below is what it looked like when I first opened the box.

As far as delivery goes, I like how they give you a space to leave some notes about how you wanted it delivered. I personally live in an apartment complex, so I asked that they leave it to the side of my porch which was nice. While over all I was pretty impressed with my box, I did decide to hold my subscription for the next few months for a few important reasons.

First, as a vegetarian I eat a lot of greens. Spinach and kale are huge for me and I wasn't very happy with how they came packaged in the box. They were just thrown into the mix and not wrapped separately so they came pretty bruised and sad looking. Secondly, with my dad owning a pretty good sized garden, I plan on getting a lot of my veggies from him in the coming months. Lastly, I absolutely hate to waste produce. You have to shop frequently as a vegetarian and this means I either have to get a larger box every week, or still go to the grocery store. As busy as I am, I feel like that will lead to waste and spending too much money. For all of these reasons, I've decided to wait on continuing my subscription until the winter months.

Overall, I think Door To Door Organics is a wonderful idea. If you're someone who is really busy, and doesn't have time to go to the grocery store as often as you need to, this would be a great addition to your diet. It makes eating organic much easier. As for me, I will be returning to my local market because I can't beat the freshness and the prices for the summer time.

If you are interested in trying Door to Door Organics, please email me at andreafontanabeauty@gmail.com and I would be happy to pass along a coupon code for $15 off your first box!

Have a beautiful night,

Dre

Dre Does an Ipsy Unboxing

Happy Friday friends! In case you missed my last post about Ipsy, I've decided to change how I post about it. Instead of reviewing every product every month, I'm going to write a quick post showing everything I got each month with it's retail value and links to find out more about the products and where you can purchase them yourself. Then every few months I'll share my favorites from various bags. This way I can truly test out products and don't feel like I'm bombarding you with information! If something is horrible however, I'll make sure to share that too. With that being said, here is what I got in my May Ipsy Glambag.

Should we start off by talking about how adorable the bag is? It has a neon lime green lining too so it is amazing! I love the sketch on the front.

1. Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches: I received two sets of these eye patches that are designed to go right below the eyes and do exactly what the name says; sooth and relax. I love when Ipsy gives you a few sets to try the product more than once! You can get 7 sets for $21 at Kloraneusa.com

2. Chella Eyebrow Color Pencil in Tantalizing Taupe: This super fine pointed eyebrow pencil reminds me a lot of the Anastasia Brow Whiz, minus the spooly on the end. I do like that it is automatic so no sharpener needed! Retails for $18 at chella.com

3. Cotz Face Natural SPF 40: A natural and smooth matte finish sunscreen that is 100% free of oils and chemical sunscreens. A full size retails for $19.99 at cotzskincare.com.

4. Luxie Beauty Tapered Blending Eye Brush 205: A 100% cruelty free brush with synthetic hairs and rose gold retails. This exact brush retails for $12 at luxiebeauty.com.

5. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Primer Pencil in Ozone PLUS Bonus samples of the Revolution High-Color Lip glosses in Failbait and Bittersweet: I really like that Ipsy included the samples of both of these new products from Urban Decay so that you can see how they work both together and separately. I always love new lip products to try especially from brands I already know and love. The primer pencil retails for $16 full size and the lip glosses are $22 both at urbandecay.com.

So overall I'm really excited about this Glambag. It's full of things I can't wait to start trying. Not including the value of the bag and bonus lip glosses, the value of this month's bag was $45.23, which is amazing considering the $10 it costs for the monthly subscription!

Does anything stand out for you? I can't wait to try it all! Let me know if you want to see some reviews on any of these specifically and look out for that post on my favorites in a few months!

If you're interested in signing up for the subscription yourself, click this link here!!

Have a beautiful Memorial Day weekend,

Dre