Origins Checks and Balances | Review

Friday, June 28, 2013


origins checks and balances

origins checks and balances

origins checks and balances frothy

I was in Clearwater, walking around the mall with my friends and the Origins store (a boutique really, inside Dillards) just callss my name. I had no intention on buying this, I swear, but I was drawn in by the realization of 1) my skin was not oily-comination (newly found dry patches) and 2) my skin was in desperate need of something. What I was using was not working.

I was torn between the Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash and the Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser. I decided on the Checks and Balances simply because I didn't want to make those dry parts worse. This cleanser claims that "Broad Leaf Kelp Extract discourages excess oil production, while Wheat Protein balances and protects dry prone zones." I think that's true. I don't feel like a grease ball (sorry for that image), and my dry patches are nonexistent. It quickly became a staple in my daily skincare routine.

Now this claim I have a little bit of issues with: "Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched." It does feel tight after using it. Not as tight as some other cleansers I've tried, but enough to say that the claim is false, at least in my experience. I still felt the need to reach for my toner and moisturizer.

I've mentioned this before, usually I can only use a cleanser for a month before my skin says forget you, and decides it wants something different. I'm on month number two, and still going strong.

A little goes a long way, and I love the scent; spearmint. It's not too strong, and doesn't linger, although my husband did say that he smelled it on my skin. I don't smell it, though.

I read reviews after I bought it (a bit backwards, yes), and prior to doing this review, and they said that it doesn't foam up very much. I wasn't expecting shampoo level foam, but the Checks and Balances certainly is frothy. Foaming isn't a huge factor to me, personally. I actually prefer less foam in my skincare routine.

Overall: My skin does seem a bit less oily than before, and the dry patches have slowed down. My spots began to disappear after religious use, and hardly any new ones appeared which is a HUGE plus in my book. My face feels clean and refreshed. I recommend this to anyone who is combination to oily, or even combination to dry (the site says its for all skin types), and to anyone with mild acne problems. I do not recommend this for someone who doesn't like spearmint, mint, or scented products. I would also be a bit careful if you have dry skin. It may be too drying, but I can't test that for sure.

I love it, and I will be repurchasing this product, and I may look into that Zero Oil cleanser now that Origins has earned my trust.

Zoya Cassi

Thursday, June 27, 2013


zoya cassi

zoya cassi swatch

zoya cassi swatch

I've been loving corals lately. Cassi is a beautiful color, and not quite as bright as other corals that I own. I hate photography corals, they hardly ever show up right for me on camera. I do believe I got this true to color. I tried, at least. None the less its a simple color with fine glitter. Application is a bit annoying; it's somewhat streaky, but not something that's completely unmanageable.

I've been avoiding corals for a while, because I always thought they looked horrible on me. But recently I've discovered a love for it. I really blame NARS Orgasm for this. I bought Cassi in April during their annual Earth Day sale.

Also, I swapped the old comment style Commentluv for Disqus. Commentluv kept messing up, and I would have to reinstall it often. Hopefully this one will be more consistent and you wont see it switch back and forth!

What color are you obsessed with? What Coral shades (any makeup type) do you suggest?

When in doubt- Go with nail stickers!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013





Sometimes there is a point when I don't know what I want to put on my nails. I put on a color, realize I'm not feeling it, and then take it right off only to repeat this process again and again.

It's sad that I can't find a nail color with the amount of nail polish that I own. I like to keep some nail strips on hand for moments like this. I have a few Sally Hansen strips, as well as two Kiss strips. I don't have the patience for nail art, and when I'm not in the mood to deal with the dry time of regular nail polish, these are a great substitute.

I put these on about a week ago, and they're still holding up really well. The ones that I'm currently wearing are an older style from last Spring. They've held up, and work great for being so old. I only buy them when they're on sale, though, and these were being discontinued.

If you're careful, you can easily make one of the packs work for both hands. Hey, more for my money, can't go wrong with that.

I hate removing them, but if it helps curb my indecisiveness, it's worth it.

I'm in such a funk. I can't pick a book to read, and I can't choose a nail polish to wear. How do you pull yourself out of a funk? Do you put some crazy color on like I'm tempted to do?


Weekend Reads №3

Saturday, June 22, 2013




Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream | Review

Monday, June 17, 2013


hydroxatone
I 'purchased' this product through the iFabbo store for the purpose of reviewing.


BB Creams have been super popular lately, and have recently made their way into the western beauty market. There is a lot of controversy with western beauty creams, and they're often described by beauty bloggers as "glorified tinted moisturizers". I don't know how true this is, I have yet to delve into the BB cream market other than this particular product (though there are a few I'm looking at buying).

I can say that through experience, and a little bit of research that the Hydroxatone BB Cream is close to the real deal. It meets the criteria of Korean bb creams, BUT, this review isn't about its BB Cream authenticity. So, set aside that mentality, and let's look at the foundation on its own.

hydroxatone


I picked the medium shade even though I'm on the light side. It is quite thick, but easy to blend. It has a citrusy scent to it mixed with something else I can't identify. I smell it when I apply it, but it doesn't linger. It claims to be for all skin types, and while I can only speak for myself (oily to combination depending on the day) I think it's suitable for most skin types.

I love the way it feels on the skin. I hate it when foundations feel greasy, sticky, and I can feel it hours after application. The Hydroxatone BB Cream becomes one with my skin, and it feels like it's not even there. It has a natural finish, and is light to medium coverage. It lasts throughout the day, and I don't feel the need to touch up with the concealer. It's not the best at covering my acne problem areas, but I have no problem using a concealer for those areas.

I really do like this BB Cream. I don't feel gross when I have this on, I don't sweat it off (remember, I live in humid Florida, so that is a must).

It comes in five shades; Light, Medium, Tan, Deep Tan, and Dark. It retails for $39 at Ulta.

Product provided by iFabbo for review purposes


Have you tried any BB Creams? What do you think of the high end BB Creams vs. drugstore brands? I'm actually excited to start trying out some different brands, I know I'm late on the game. Better late than never, right?



Loving Lately №1

Thursday, June 13, 2013




Hello!! Today I bring to you four products that I have been loving. Instead of doing monthly favorites, I figured it would be easier to just show you all what I'm loving lately. Sometimes I'm loving one or two products, and for me that's not enough to warrant a monthly favorites post.

I've been using the Origins Checks and Balances face wash for about a month now, and so far my skin is still loving it. Also, those dry patches I was dealing with; totally gone! Normally at this point my skins gets a jolt and decides enough is enough, and decides its time for me to change up me skin care routine. Basically it stops working, and it all goes to hell. So far my skin has latched onto this product, and wants it. It craves it. Not sure if that's going to be a good thing in the upcoming months, but for now it's good. I may actually have nice looking skin for once!

I received the Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream from the iFabbo shop. I'm not going to completely explain what it is, but basically you get "coins", and with the coins you can request/order an item for review. This is the first BB Cream that I've tried, and holy cow. I don't know if it's just the Origins face wash, or this BB Cream, or a combination, but after I use it, my skin looks better. I don't want to say too much; I'm working on a review to put up tomorrow or Saturday, but I do want to say that I'm loving it, and I want more BB Creams! Hello, future obsession. Look out for that review to see what my final thoughts are. Now that I'm thinking about it, it may not go up until Saturday. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

If you follow the blog, this next one shouldn't be a surprise to you; NARS nail polish in Orgasm. Yesterday was the first day in over a month that I've applied a different color. I have literally been wearing it since I first got it, and I get so many compliments on it. Whenever family says something about it I chant in my head "please don't ask the name." Awkward...

Lastly I brought out my CO Bigelow Mentha Body Wash- Peppermint Oil. This particular bottle is at least a year old, but I've been using it for years. I put it away every winter because the cooling sensation is too much, and I don't like to freeze when I come of of the shower. It's very nice during the summer. Plus that smell is heavenly to my nostrils.


What products have you been loving? Do you have any seasonal products making their way out for Summer?

Influenster Box Numero Three

Tuesday, June 11, 2013


influenster


Hello rest of the world! Long time no see. I know, I've been a bad blogger lately. I wish I had some extravagant tale about how busy I've been, and all the things that has kept me away from the computer, but I don't. I've just been lazy, and I haven't had anything to blog about. I know, exciting things over here at Adore A Polish.

On this particularly rainy day (seriously, it's pouring over here at the moment) I bring to you the latest Influenster box that has made it's way to my mailbox. This is the Something Blue box, and I am eligible because I am going to be in a wedding. Maid of Honor, to be exact.

Included in this box is Qtips Precision Tips (that my mom and husband are totally going to steal), Dr. Scholls Ball of Foot squishy goodness (squishy goodness is not part of the actual name, btw), Luster Now toothpaste, not one but TWO Kiss eye lashes (that may become my next project), and headache relief powder.

Now, since only one product is technically relevant to this blog (even then, it's debatable; I don't wear false eyelashes), I will probably talk about all the products in one giant blog post. I mean, everything is useful, but I'm pretty confused about how I'm going to review the majority of the products. I'll figure it out.

Have you ever tried influenster? It's not just for bloggers. It's great for anyone that loves trying out new products, and enjoy giving their opinion. =)

Weekend Reads №2

Sunday, June 2, 2013




❤Kristina