Monday, July 30, 2018

Box of Style Fall 2018 Spoilers and Coupon

The Fall 2018 Box of Style has launched! Get$400 worth of this season's most coveted fashion, beauty, and lifestyle items curated by Rachel Zoe for only $99.99!

*Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links.


The Fall box features some of Rachel's favorite cozy and glam essentials that can be layered into your existing wardrobe. Each box will contain:
  • Cleobella Sevigny Caplet ($228 retail value) - members choose between two colors
  • Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79)
  • B-Low The Belt Camille Wrap Belt Exclusive ($70) - choice of S/M or L/XL
  • Ettika Chloe Tassel Necklace Exclusive ($80)
  • Beauty Pie Uber Volume Boost Mascara ($24)

Note that new subscribers will not be able to choose their Caplet color and belt size until Wednesday, August 1st. 

Be sure to use coupon code FALLAFF25 (for new subscribers only) to get $25 off your first box!

Sunday, July 29, 2018

JUNO Microfiber Velvet Sponge Review

JUNO & Co is a beauty brand that created innovative products at ridiculously affordable prices! Their JUNO Microfiber Velvet Sponge is only $6 and can be used wet or dry.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


The JUNO Microfiber Velvet Sponge has sold over 150,000 units in just three months. It flawlessly blends foundations and powders and saves product and application time as a hybrid brush and sponge combo.


My favorite thing about this sponge is the shape. It has a flat bottom so it won't roll all around your counter, plus the teardrop head makes it easy to blend makeup.


The sponge is made with soft antimicrobial microfibers.


The sponge is a little denser than ones I have used in the past. I usually prefer one that is lighter, but for only $6, the sponge is still a great deal. I usually use sponges like this wet to apply liquid foundation, but you can also use it dry with loose powders like blush and highlighters or a powder foundation.

Given that the sponge is dense, it applied my liquid foundation really well. It also won't absorb a lot of the product, so you won't waste your (possibly expensive) makeup. It applied my liquid makeup evenly and with great coverage. I used the flat side (the side facing up in the photo above) to apply the makeup directly, then I used the rounded opposite side to blend it. Just bounce the sponge over your skin to apply and blend.

The sponge also worked decently enough to apply powders, but I felt that it absorbed a bit more of the product dry than when used wet with liquid foundation. It didn't deposit as much product on my skin as I would like, so I will most likely use this sponge wet going forward.


The sponge was easy to clean, too. Just run it under warm water and use a gentle soap to wash off any residue. I prefer to use bar soaps with sponges like these and rub them against the soap to get any extra makeup off. Then just squeeze gently and leave to dry.
Bottom Line: If you're looking for an affordable makeup sponge, the JUNO Microfiber Velvet Sponge is excellently priced at only $6. It worked really well with my liquid foundation and it's easy to clean.

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Mehron Makeup: New Launches!

Mehron Makeup has been a leader in the professional makeup world for over 90 years. Their products are used on the runway, stage, and movie sets all over. Their makeup is now available to everyone looking for superior performance, and I have some of their new launches to share with you!

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Mehron has a huge line of products, with everything from performance makeup for special effects and face and body painting to every day eyeshadows and contouring kits.

All of the products I tried had great pigmentation and staying power. You'll be able to create a lot of different looks with these palettes and singles!


The Skin Prep Pro is a clear, fragrance-free toner appropriate for all skin types. It acts as a moisture barrier between the skin and makeup and helps makeup last longer under stressful conditions. It's a thin liquid and the bottle has a stopper for application, so I applied this with a cotton ball. It absorbed really quickly into my skin and was great extra protection for humid summer weather. The foundation I currently use has pretty good staying power already, but after adding this toner to my routine my makeup did last through an eight hour work day really well.

The Precious Gem Powder adds highly pigmented color with a dramatic sheen. I received the Peridot shade and I love it; it's a nice olive green that works well with the browns and golds that I like to wear for eyeshadow (see swatches at the end of the post). There are 19 different shades to choose from.

The Glosstone Pro lip gloss is available in six shades and I received Pink Crush. The gloss has great pigmentation and goes on smoothly with a bit of shine. The long-wearing formula has antioxidants derived from aloe vera and Vitamin E.


The E.Y.E. Powder Shimmer Palette is so gorgeous! The palette is also available in mattes, but I love the shimmers. This is the perfect mix of shades for me. All of the shadows have good pigmentation. They're a bit powdery so there is some fall out when applying with a brush, but it's nothing too bad. The shadows are also available as singles and are enriched with Vitamin E and Shea butter.


I've never used a contouring palette before, so I was excited to try the Celebré Pro-HD Cream Foundation Highlighter/Contour Palette. It has 12 of Mehron's best-selling shades that can be customized for sheer or full coverage. The creams are oil- and fragrance-free and contain antioxidants from pomegranate and Vitamin E, as well as aloe vera to soothe skin. The cream formula is great and it glides on easily. I still have to play around with it some more, but my first impressions were that the creams felt very light on my skin.


Last up is the ECHO Pressed Glitter Palette. There's a lot of glitter going on here, but I love it! This is a really fun palette made up of pressed glitters that don't require mixing with any medium or adhesive for application. The advanced hydrating formula also has Vitamin E and pomegranate extract. When I swatched these they really did stay put with no fallout, so you don't have to worry about getting glitter all over your face -- only in the places you want to apply.

E.Y.E. Shadow Shimmer Palette swatches.



I didn't swatch every shade of the contour palette, but here is what a few of the varied shades look like.


Here are the swatches for the Glosstone Pro lip gloss, Precious Gem Powder, and ECHO Pressed Glitter Palette.
Bottom Line: Mehron Makeup has a fun and affordable line of high quality makeup products, ranging from base toners to shimmery glitter palettes! All of the products I tried had excellent pigmentation with long-lasting results.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

PrettyLitter Review

PrettyLitter delivers hassle-free cat litter each month that helps you keep track of your cat's health. I've heard a lot about the litter so I was very interested to try it out.

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. Post contains affiliate links.


PrettyLitter sends a one-month supply of litter to your door every month, and the price will depend on how many cats you have in your household:
  • One Cat: $21 per month for one four pound bag
  • Two Cats: $39 per month for two four pound bags
  • Three or More Cats: $68 per month for four bags (one bag free)
Shipping is free to the 48 contiguous for all of the subscription plans. PrettyLitter also comes with a 30 day guarantee, so if your cat does not like the litter or it otherwise is not working out for you, just contact PrettyLitter.


PrettyLitter changes colors when it detects certain abnormalities in your cat's urine, as pictured above. Anything other than a yellow to olive-green shade is considered abnormal, with a dark blue to dark green indicating high alkalinity, orange indicating abnormal acidity, and red indicating the presence of blood. The litter itself is white, as you can see in the photos, so it's really easy to notice any changes.



I have one cat, and one four pound bag is supposed to last a month. The informational card that came with the litter stated that the litter should fill two inches around the littler box, but since my cat has a large, deep box, I actually had to use about one and a half bags to fill it up to two inches in depth. If you run into a similar issue and one bag does not provide enough depth, contact PrettyLitter and they will take care of it for you.

Another important thing to note is that PrettyLitter is non-clumping. This was new to me, and I wondered why it wouldn't be clumping, since that type of litter is so much easier to clean. The PrettyLitter website states that clumping clay litter often contains bentonite, which expands upon contact with moisture, thus creating the clump when a cat urinates. After stepping out a litter box, cats will clean their paws and the leftover clay may expand within their digestive tract. So non-clumping PrettyLitter is safe and is made with naturally-occurring minerals and no added fragrance.

My cat took to the PrettyLitter right away, but if your cat doesn't like change, try mixing in 75 percent of the PrettyLitter with 25 percent of their previous litter on top to start. Obviously the feces will show up really well against the white crystals, so be sure to clean that every day! And since the urine does not clump, PrettyLitter instructs to stir the litter bottom-to-top and side-to-side to help the crystals eliminate moisture and trap odor.
Bottom Line: I think PrettyLitter is a great product and an easy way to monitor your cat's health, especially since cats are not always demonstrative when they are ill. Even though it doesn't clump, it's easy to refresh the litter by stirring it, and I didn't notice any strong odors coming from it. My cat took to it well and luckily her urine showed up as the healthy yellow color.

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng Review

I've always liked the idea of BB cremes but I've never found one that worked that well for me. I prefer a little bit more coverage than most BB cremes offer, but the BB Creme Au Ginseng from Erborian ended up working really well for me!

*Disclaimer: This product was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Erborian is a Korean skincare brand created by the duo of Hojung Lee, a Korean scientist, and Katalin Berenyi, a beauty globetrotter. Their exclusive formulas are developed in their laboratory in Seoul and are inspired by ancient Korean traditions.

The BB Creme is a 5-in-1 face cream with broad spectrum SPF 20 sunscreen. It's available in two shades, Clair and Doré, and I received Clair to try. Unfortunately, the two shades will obviously not fit a broad spectrum of skintones.


I like that this BB Creme has SPF. I use an SPF moisturizer every day, but the added protection is always a plus.

The creme is also enriched with ginseng and has multiple beneficial properties that are renowned in Korea. The creme helps even out and mattify skin, reduce the appearance of blemishes, refine skin texture, moisturize and plump the skin, and give a non-oily, velvety finish.


Here is my skin without any makeup and with the BB Creme on. I look miserable in the first picture because, well, no makeup! The Clair shade is a bit too light for my skin currently, but I think it will be perfect in the winter when I'm less tan. The Clair shade is more for cool undertones, while I think the Doré shade is better for warmer undertones (this is just a guess based on the swatch on the Erborian website, since I didn't sample the Doré shade).

I think the Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng gives just the right amount of coverage for me. I have redness around my cheeks that I like to cover up, and this does so without being too heavy. I appreciate the lightweight texture, especially for the humidity in summer. A little bit also goes a long way, so I think one tube would last at least six months with daily use. It applied evenly and smoothly and lasted a full eight hour work day for me (and beyond)!
Bottom Line: The Erborian BB Creme Au Ginseng is a great creme for people who are looking for decent coverage without a heavy or greasy feel. Unfortunately it will not fit all skintones, but if you think either the Clair or Doré shade will work for you, I definitely recommend trying it out.

Friday, July 20, 2018

July Degustabox Review and 50% Off Coupon

July is the perfect time for summer cookouts, and Degustabox has everything you'll need this month for a great picnic or party!

*Disclaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Degustabox is a food and snack subscription that sends full-sized products for only $19.99 per month! Shipping is free to the U.S. Each month you'll receive nine to 14 items, and they can be anything from cookies to chips to sauces, and more.


July's box had 12 products from eight brands. There's always a good mix of old favorites and new brands/products for me to try and the box is a great supplement to grocery shopping. Plus, it's a much better value than buying each item individually at the store.


Here's what was inside for July:
  • Loacker Cookies ($1.29 each) - Boxes contained either Lemon or Cocoa and Milk cookies, and as you can see I received the latter. I love wafer cookies, and these had crispy chocolate wafers with a creamy filling.
  • Sir Kensington's Chipotle Mayonnaise ($4.99) - I'm always happy to see Sir Kensington's in Degustaboxes because they have great quality products. I've been using this mayo on everything: fried chicken, turkey sandwiches, and as a dip for other snacks. It tastes great and is non-GMO and made with certified humane free-range eggs.
  • CHOMPS Original Turkey Sticks ($1.99) - These have 10g of protein per stick and are made with 100% free-range turkey with no sugar, gluten, dairy, soy, nitrates/nitrties, antibiotics, hormones, MSG, or artificial preservatives/coloring. What it does have is great turkey flavor!
  • Wise Cheez Doodles ($.50 each) - I love Cheez Doodles! These are the extra cheesy variety and they really do have a ton of cheese flavor.
  •  Goetze's Candy Co Chocolate Caramel Creams ($2.48) - If you've never had Goetze's caramels, they're a creamy, chewy candy that doesn't melt in heat. They're a fifth generation company and the candies are free from nuts and trans fats. I love the creme center in these.
  • Aiya Matcha ($17.80) - This box has individual packets of Aiya's Matcha Zen Cafe Blend with culinary grade matcha and pure cane sugar. They're perfect for matcha lattes and smoothies.
  • Uncle Dougie's Sweet N' Snappy Small Batch Barbecue Sauce ($5.99) - This is the item of the month and is an American Royal World Series of Barbecue winner. It's a Kansas City-style barbecue sauce with a sweet and snappy zing. I can't wait to use it on ribs!
  • Lee Kum Kee Plum Sauce ($3.98) - This plum sauce is made from Chinese plums, ginger, and chili. I love sweet heat, so this sauce will be great on stir fry.
The info sheet that lists all of the products also had a recipe for Uncle Dougie's Gluten Free Sweet N' Spicy Bison Balls on the back.
  • Visit Degustabox to subscribe
    • Use coupon code CJOFFER18 for 50% off your first box (only $9.99)!
Bottom Line: Degustabox is such a fun subscription and I love trying all of the snacks and foods each month! I still can't get over what a great value it is. The approximate retail value this month was $41.81!

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Studio Selection Skincare by Dollar General Review

Dollar General recently launched their Studio Selection line of skincare. They've reimagined beauty care at affordable price points, making an every day indulgence accessible to all.

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


You may be thinking that Dollar General and skincare don't really go together, and to be honest, I never would have considered the store for my skincare needs prior to learning about their Studio Selection line. It's not that I looked down at the possibility, just that I think of Dollar General more for household items like toiletries and other goods.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Studio Selection line has a large range of products, from shampoo and conditioner to Apricot Scrubs (browse all of the items by clicking the link in the first paragraph or at the end of this post). Unlike other dollar stores you may know, not every products is $1, but nothing is priced higher than $5.


The first thing I do when I get home from work or any other place where I've worn makeup out is take it off, immediately! I love wearing makeup, but I love wiping it off and letting my skin breathe after a long day, especially in the summer heat. the All-in-One Micellar Cleasing Water is great for this, as it gently refreshes and hydrates skin while removing makeup. It's dermatologist tested and has no alcohol, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

This worked as well as other micellar waters I've used from higher priced brands, and at only $4 for 13.5 oz it's an absolute steal! It was gentle but effective at removing my makeup and felt light so cooling and refreshing on my skin.


There's also a few different face wipes in the Studio Selection line and I tried the Sensitive Skin Makeup Removing Facial Towelettes. The remove impurities and dissolve dirt and oil with pro-vitamin B5. They quickly removed my makeup, including stubborn mascara, while not irritating my skin. They cost $3.50 for a pack of 25 wipes.
  • Visit the Dollar General website to view the Studio Selection line and purchase
Bottom Line: I'm very impressed by the Studio Selection line from Dollar General! I'm a firm believer in not having to spend a lot on quality skincare products like these, and the Studio Selection All-in-One Micellar Cleansing Water and Sensitive Skin Makeup Removing Facial Towelettes were just as effective as higher priced brands I've tried. I highly recommend giving the Studio Selection products a try!

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

July Gramma in a Box Review

Gramma in a Box is a great subscription for adults and kids alike that sends cookie and candy crafts straight from Gramma each month! July's box was all about Independence Day.

*Dislaimer: This box was sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Terry, the founder of Gramma in a Box, was inspired to create the subscription after three of her grandchildren moved away. She wanted to be able to send them a little love each month and to open the experience up to everyone!


Gramma in a Box contains three crafts using cookies and candies that are centered around a monthly theme. The box contains homemade cookies, so you won't have to bake any yourself. But be sure to create the crafts by the date on the box, since the cookies are freshly baked!

Here are the pricing options:
  • Monthly: $20 per month
  • Three Months: $55 every three months (save $5)
  • Six Months: $110 every six months (save $10)
  • 12 Months: $220 every 12 months (save $20)
Shipping is free to the U.S. and taxes are included. If you want to cancel, do so by the 25th of the month.


Here's everything that was included for July. No surprise that it was full of red, white, and blue for the 4th of July.



The first project was Sparkler Dipped Cookies and it involved heating up chocolate discs in the microwave, dipping the cookies in, and then adding sprinkles (if you choose). I love how easy all of the crafts are; they're simple enough for kids of all ages with parent supervision but are still fun and delicious.



The second craft was Golden Bites. I love these! They're going to be my new easy dessert to make for any potlucks in the future. There were enough supplies for six cups, and all you had to do was layer a pretzel, chocolate, and peanuts in the little paper cups. They're the perfect mix of salty and sweet.


The third and final project was the Patriotic Cookies! Each box will have the homemade cookies as the third project, and they are neatly and carefully packaged. I've received two boxes so far and have not had any issues with any of the cookies--or any of the other ingredients, for that matter--breaking in transit.



There were lots of fun shapes and sizes this month. The blank circles and stars made a nice canvas for some creative decorating.


I was running out of ideas for my final cookie, so I did an A for Captain America.
Bottom Line: Gramma in a Box is such a great box! I love that all of the crafts are easy to do and taste delicious. This is great for parents and grandparents to share with young kids, but also for teens and even adults who want to treat themselves to homemade cookies from Gramma.

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Be RAD Cosmetics Faux Mink Lashes Review

I have short little eyelashes that stick straight out, thanks to my Korean heritage. I've always wanted long, voluminous lashes, but couldn't find falsies that fit my budget and looked natural. Thankfully the Be RAD Cosmetics Faux Mink Lashes perfectly do both!

*Disclaimer: These products were sent to See, Shop, Love! in exchange for an honest review.


Be RAD Cosmetics creates all natural, unique, and effective solutions for everyday cosmetic challenges. They're cruelty-free and mindful of not using any unnecessary chemicals in their products.

Founder and CEO Andrea Farah came up with their signature Lash Adhesive Remover after going through five different pairs of lashes in three months. She wanted to stop wasting money and resources and came up with the product to extend the life of false eyelashes.


 
I received four sets of faux mink eyelashes to try, as well as the Natural Eyelash Adhesive Remover kit. The kit is only $25 and contains a bottle of Wash and Rinse that can be used to remove the glue from the lashes and allow you to use them again and again.


The Wash and Rinse are made with a patent-pending formula that's plant-based and free of harsh toxins and chemicals. It has essential oils and is vegan and paraben-free. It is for use on the faux lashes only (not meant for use with lash extensions).

This set is such a great idea and was so easy to use! Just spray the Wash on the lashes and let sit for 2-3 minutes, then peel of the adhesive with tweezers. I actually found it was easier to kind of rub the adhesive with my fingertip, getting it to ball up, and then peel that off with the tweezers. Then apply the Rinse, let sit for five seconds, and pat dry. My lashes were then all set for future use!





Be RAD Cosmetics has four different Faux Mink Eyelashes ($20 each) great for day or night. They're 100% vegan and cruelty-free. I've never used real mink lashes (and wouldn't anyway) so I don't know exactly what they look and feel like, but I can say that these were lush and soft and looked great!

As you can see, all of the lashes are strips. I've had difficulty applying strips in the past, but I think it was because I was using a low quality product. These had a sturdy base and it was much easier to align them with my natural lash line. I still had to finagle them a bit with tweezers to get them to set, but they didn't fall all over the place or wiggle around the way others I've used have done.


Here I am wearing the Boss Babe All Day lashes. I love the length and curl, and that they're appropriate for daytime wear. I would wear these to work or out and about. They're also a great set for people who are new to lashes, since they aren't the most dramatic but will still give you a nice full look.


Here are the Shimmy All Night lashes. I love them! I had a little bit of difficulty applying them because I put a little bit too much glue on the base, but I think you can still see how big and full they are. I absolutely love these for a dramatic look for going out. I mean, you could definitely wear any of the Be RAD Cosmetics lashes at any time, but if you aren't as daring for your every day look, these are perfect for a night out.
Bottom Line: I love how high quality the Be RAD Cosmetics Faux Mink Lashes are while still being really affordable. The value greatly increases with the Eyelash Adhesive Remover, too, since you can wash and re-wear the lashes multiple times. I definitely recommend all of their products to anyone looking to up their lash game!