Lancome Beauty Kit

This post is about those amazing gift with purchase kits you sometimes hear about at department store beauty counters. One of the best reasons to purchase your beauty and skincare in department stores is the awesome contracts they have established with some of your favorite beauty brands!

- Sometimes Ulta will have a small gift with purchase on some items but nothing like a department store!
Belk, Dillards, Macy's, and Nordstrom will have deals with big brands like Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Lancome where you literally get an entire makeup collection when you spend X amount of money (normally all you have to do is pick up that face lotion you need a refill on or that new lip kit you've been eyeing).

Below you'll see images of the Lancome Beauty kit my sister recevied. I was compltely blown way at all the FULL SIZE products that she got for only spending 75$.

LUSH COSMETICS BODY SCRUBS YOU NEED!

LUSH COSMETICS is all about natural ingredients and helping give back to our lovely planet. Everyone flocks to see the adorable bath bombs and zillion bubbles from the bubble bars but everyone is missing this diamond of a product! I personally feel their line of shower scrubs is one of the best products they carry.

Continue reading to hear why YOU NEED a body scrub from LUSH!

On a recent visit to LUSH, I was telling the associate about how I enjoy blogging and from time to time I blog about LUSH. She asked what is one of my favorite products (which is the rub rub rub shower scrub) and she loaded me with samples of their other 'tubbed' scrubs to review about.
*These scrubs are all in the classic black tubs that LUSH packages their products in. There's also solid scrubs that you can purchase as well - package free. Today I was only reviewing items that will be sold in the black tubs.*

Mama Mia - it's a bright pinky color scrub that has a kick of grapefruit. Reminds me of the same texture and results I get from Magic Crystals. It has fine Sea and Himalayan salts as its exfoliant.
Cost: $28.95 21.8oz

Magic Crystals - A fun minty scented scrub with Epson salts and sea salts. The bold purple color gives me total Halloween vibes.
Cost: $17.95 10.5oz

Scrub Scrub Scrub - total sister to the rub rub rub. Same buffing effect but the difference is color and scent. This has some cleansing charcoal mixed in + salt for its exfoliant and the scent is a berry-sweet scent.
Cost: $17.95 11.6oz

Rub Rub Rub - Like mentioned above, similar to Scrub Scrub Scrub but light blue color and floral scented. This has fine sea salt as its exfoliant. My ultimate favorite.
Cost: $22.95 11.6oz

Ocean Salt - Super salty scrub that has an ocean like scent to it. You can use both on face and body; though its main focus is for the face. Honestly, my least favorite on the scrub collection - but the first scrub I ever tried. I might revisit this beaut down the road to see if I notice any difference.
Cost: $21.95 4.2oz

FACT: The prices versus the size of the product might be different compared to others. Remember the prices is based on the ingredients used.

TIP: Anytime you're near a LUSH drop by for a sample or two! You can even test the product in-store! The first time I tested Rub Rub Rub I was in-store and the associate gave me a full hand/arm massage with it.

I hope you enjoy this post and as always follow Instagram for daily posts! Your follow on IG will bring me one step closer to goals I hope to reach!
- Brittney

Luxury Verses Affordable - Rubber Face Mask

A while back I asked my Instagram followers if they will like to see some luxury versus affordable products; ya know to find some amazing dupes of those high-end brands we all envy. (btw, if you're not following please click here to follow along!).
The results were super positive so I dived into the beauty and skin care shops to purchase luxury products and then did research and found affordable ones.

Today's post is all about the well known Dr. Jart Rubber Face Mask (retails for $13) and a more affordable option which is the Sephora Collection Rubber Face Mask (retails for $6).

Continue reading to hear my thoughts on both masks and if the Sephora Collection is a great dupe for the Dr. Jart Rubber Face Mask. 

Dr. Jart Rubber Face Mask collection comes in these fun 7/11 inspired drink cups and in many different styles. From firming, hydration, to acne control. The instructions are super simple. mix the 2 components with the 'straw spoon' and then apply to face. Wear time is about 15-20 minutes (I wore mine for 20 minutes). CRAZY, the mask really turned to rubber like goop!!! Peeled right off and no crazy clean up.
The results were amazing. My skin felt great and for a good 5 days I felt like my skin was at its ultimate 'best skin day'.

What came in the cup + what it looked like mixed!

The mask & after I removed it!

Sephora Collection Rubber Face Mask (Image below) comes in more limited options and from what I can tell its an online exclusive item. *since purchasing mine they came out with another style of mask, so 3 styles in total*. The mask for the Sephora Collection comes in this adorable paint can inspire look. With this mask you mix water to the already pre-measured powder, apply to face, and wear time is 5-7minutes (I wore mine for about 10 minutes to make sure it was fully dry).
I did make one major error; I put too much water. Therefore, my mask was a bit runnier. And with this more liquid texture, it didn't get the super solid rubber finish like the Dr Jart+ BUTTT it did turn rubber-like. Unlike the Dr Jart+ this mask also had a more fragrant scent but it was actually really nice. This mask was for blemish or acne skin. After using it I did notice an improvement in my skin (I felt it helped some of my previous acne spots fade away).

VERDICT: Though the Sephora Collection mask is cheaper in price, the packaging isn't as elaborate, and the product didn't get the super thick rubber texture (that was my fault on not pre-measuring the water); I do feel this is a good dupe if you want to experience the rubber mask but not drop $13 on the Dr Jart+.
I feel with the Dr Jart+ I have a solid 5 days of flawless skin, while the Sephora Collection mask took me 24-36 hours to notice my blemish spots to fade. Both masks are incredible and I think if you're wanting a rubber mask definitely grab one of these!

DONT FORGET! Sephora is doing their super amazing sale RIGHT NOW. Rouge sale just ended but if you're VIB you get 15% off everything! In-store & Online! So maybe grab up this affordable dupe of the Dr Jart+ today! 

If you haven't already follow my fashion + lifestyle instagram! simply click this link or search: brittmcadenmills 
Thanks again for all the support!

- Brittney

What to Buy: It Cosmetics *And What Not to Buy!*

Today I wanted to dive in on what is worth buying from the “It Cosmetics” line. Over the years I’ve been testing many of their products and noticed some major hits while others aren't reaching the “you must own this” mark. Here are the products I feel everyone needs in their makeup and skincare bag.

Continue below to see What to Buy: It Cosmetics!

Buy

- Confidence in a Cleanser 
I really enjoy using this product. The overall texture of this cleanser is nice and I feel for the price its totally worth it.

- Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

Seriously this concealer is amazing. I noticed a major difference with my under eye area when I used this. I also use this concealer to touch up small areas that need extra love as well.

- Bye Bye Under Eye Cream
I’m currently using this and so far I’ve enjoyed the product. I will have to update it the future. Currently, it does do the job on some under eye wrinkles but as of now it doesn’t irritate my skin, has little to no fragrance, and leaves me feeling positive about my future results. 

- It Cosmetics Foundation

My girlfriends all use this product and all claim its worth the investment. I personally haven't tried it yet because I'm currently on foundation overload but as soon as I empty one of the foundation bottles I will hop on the 'it cosmetics foundation' bandwagon and grab me some too!




Avoid

- Brow Power Universal Eye Pencil

I honestly didn’t see much amazement in this. I felt it was like a regular eye pencil that if you wanted to make darker you just needed to press down harder. Stick with a Covergirl pencil and save your money.

- Super Hero Volumizing Mascara

I bought the full size of this hoping to do wonders. Honestly, I didn’t see much difference and noticed it had a weird odor. In a recent shopping trip, I was given a small deluxe sample which I plan to try again and see if they improved the formula.

- Confidence in a Cream:

This product is generally an okay product. But I didn't notice much of a difference compared to other drugstore face creams. 

- Bye Bye Melting 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm
Seriously this is my #1 on the worst things to get. Maybe better for someone with dry skin that needs an oily/balm-like product on their skin but for me it sat on my skin and didn’t melt the makeup off. I plan to keep trying the product but I haven’t enjoyed it at all. And super scared to use my Clarisonic with it. 

I hope this post gave some insight into what I feel is the hits and fails of the It Cosmetics collection! Now I would like to ask everyone; What to Buy from It Cosmetics that I didn't mention! I love trying new makeup so drop me some suggestions! 

Also don't forget to follow the Instagram: @brittmcadenmills! I post daily fashion, beauty, and lifestyle! I appreciate all the love and support as I try to grow this side hustle.

- Brittney