Not Another LA Blonde

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Target Beauty Box – September: Your New Basics
Happy Thursday!! Thank goodness it’s almost the weekend; it’s just been one of those weeks that seems like you have a million things to do but not enough time (go to an Angel baseball game or finish the cheer bows you need to make? Both!)! For instance…this post, I got my box in the mail about a week ago and I’m only just now getting around writing about it. Good thing tomorrow is my off day!

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase monthly box that includes deluxe and full sized beauty products that you can find at Target and of course other retailers. This month there were 2 boxes available, so I purchased both!

The box varies in price from $7-$10 so it’s relatively inexpensive to purchase a box. This month the box was $7! I like that you can choose every month if you want to buy the box or not since it’s not an actual subscription.

Here is a BREAKDOWN of the SEPTEMBER goodies:
1. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Jar – Value for 7 ml = $2.10
A full size, 1.7 oz., jar retails for $14.99 in store. “Packed with a specially designed Antioxidant complex of Vitamins C, E, and super-fruits Goji berry, & Pomegranate, these water-light formulas are clinically proven to actively repair and protect skin’s moisture barrier improving skin’s healthy and youthful look over time.” I’m not always a fan of day time moisturizers just because I feel like they make me oily during the day but this was not the case with this moisturizer. I really like the Garnier brand so I was excited to see this in my box.
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Shampoo provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth, and manageable. Sulfate-free and safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth, CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich shampoo!” While I’m not a huge fan of all of this brand’s products, I’m always willing to try out a new shampoo/conditioner. Lately my hair has been pretty dry (idk if it’s the weather or what) so I was excited to see this hydrating shampoo in my box. After using it, I felt like my hair was actually thanking me for giving it “water” hahaha
1. Acure Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner – Value for 1.3 oz. = $1.62
A regular 8 oz. bottle of this shampoo is $10 in the store. “ACURE’s Moroccan Argan Oil + Argan Stem Cell Conditioner provides lasting moisture to even the most dry and damaged hair leaving it soft, smooth and manageable. Safe for color treated hair, organic Argan Oil and Sea Buckthorn Oil hydrate and smooth, Argan Stem Cells & Pumpkin Seed Oil boost healthy hair growth and CoQ10 supports healthy keratin production. Lock in moisture, repair damage, and strengthen hair follicles with ACURE’s nutrient-rich conditioner!” I used this with the shampoo since I wanted the full effect of using the set together (I usually mix and match my shampoo/conditioner). As with the shampoo, I liked how my hair felt after using this and will most likely purchase again to mix in the schedule between my blonde shampoo days!
1. Total Tease Mascara – in Very Black Washable = $7.99
This is a full size product!! “Unlike traditional volumizing Mascaras that can leave a clumpy mess, Total Tease Mascara is defined to catch, comb, and tease for perfectly refined, long full lashes. Lash Teasing comb provides precision separation for a clutter-free lash look with 5X/500% volume.” I can’t remember the last time I bought COVERGIRL mascara…wait I can’t remember the last time I bought mascara period. I’m ALWAYS a huge fan of trying out new mascaras and let’s just say that I was not disappointed in this one. I liked the coverage that it gave my lashes and in terms of mascara isn’t too expensive. I will def be buying this one again.
1. Simple Micellar Water –Value for 1.9 oz. = $1.27
A full 13.5 oz. bottle of this retails for $8.99 in store. “Simple Micellar Cleansing Water thoroughly cleanses and instantly hydrates skin and unclogs pores with a formula that’s gentle enough for sensitive skin. Made with triple purified water and skin-loving ingredients, this cleanser uses tiny molecular balls known as micelles to entrap and dissolve dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities–all without the need for harsh, irritating chemicals. It also instantly boosts skin hydration by 90%, leaving your skin feeling soft, fresh, and revitalized.” AHHH yes I love micellar water. I’ve tried a couple different kinds, but there was something about this one. It didn’t leave my face feeling dried out or slightly sticky. This was super easy to use with my cotton rounds that I also received in this box. This was the travel size so it’s super inexpensive plus a little goes a long way so I won’t have to continuously purchase this item!
1. up&up Premium Cotton Rounds– Value for 2 = $0.06
These are only $0.99 for a 30 pack of cotton rounds! “up&up premium cotton rounds are made with 100% pure cotton. The dual sided design creates a strong, soft and lint free cotton round for all your skin care needs. Gentle enough for all skin types.” These are seriously the best! I use them for EVERYTHING from taking off my eye makeup at the end of the day, to wiping my face with micellar water, to taking off my nail polish. These are super affordable and I am A-OK with buying the Target brand!
1. Sensodyne ProNamel Strong & Bright – Value for 2 oz. = $3.99
The full size is only 3 oz. and retails for $5.99. “Strong Enamel Whiter Teeth; Clinically Proven Enamel Strengthening; Advanced Brightening System” I don’t have sensitive teeth, but this toothpaste works just the same. I loved the way my teeth felt nice and clean after using and left me with a minty taste in my mouth. A definite go to product!
1. NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion – Value = $5.49
This is a FULL size product! “Contains nourishing almond oil, moisturizes wet skin in seconds, and leaves no sticky feel.” This is the perfect size for my gym bag! Why take the extra step of drying off and then putting on lotion when you can just put this on while your still wet and then get dressed as normal. I don’t know about you, but I hate putting lotion on my legs and then putting jeans on. With this lotion I don’t get that feeling of my legs getting stuck because they’re already moisturized and dry! If you haven’t already, go try this product!

THE VALUE

The value of this September Beauty Box is approximately $24.14. Since this box was only $7.27 including tax and shipping (I have free shipping + 5% off with my Target Debit Card) this is still a great deal even though the value is a little low! There were 8 items in my box this month and 2 were full sized items. This is perfect for trying out a new product that you may not normally buy.

I think this box is a great deal and I love trying new products every month! I also love the fact that if I don’t like the box one month, I don’t have to buy it! The only thing is if you want the box, you have to be quick because they do sell out every month. I can’t wait to see what will be in the August box!

XOXO
September 21, 2017
IPSY – September 2017

Happy Tuesday! I hope y’all had a great weekend. Personally I felt like it was too short! I worked on Friday and then had to coach ALL day Saturday since the high school boys had their football game that day. So from about 9am – 6pm I was with the whole team out in Pasadena. And then Sunday came and the fiancé and I ran errands all day for the wedding.

But let’s get back to what I’m really talking about…my SEPTEMBER IPSY BAG. I review what comes in my bag every month and I never seem to get the brands that I’ve chosen in my preferences, but this month I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked the brands that were chosen at random for me!

If I’m being completely honest, every month when my bag comes I go back and forth on whether or not I want to continue subscribing or not. This was one of those months that makes me want to keep receiving my bag every month.

With all that being said, I’ll share with you what I got in my pouch this month:

For starters, the theme of this month’s bag was LIKE. A. BOSS. The bag was super cute; it’s black and super chic looking. I will definitely be using this bag again!

The Products:

E Nature Birch Juice Hydro Sleeping Pack Value for 12 ml= $4.48

The full size (75 ml) bottle retails for $28.00. Hard work can happen after hours too. This formula takes the night shift, so you wake up with refreshed, hydrated skin. It’s made with 74% birch juice which helps quench your skin while you sleep. As y’all know, I’m not a huge fan of spending that much on a night cream, but with this one I just might have to give in and buy the full size when I run out of my sample size! I’ve never heard of this brand, but I really enjoyed this product.

Luxie Beauty Luxie Rose Gold Medium Angled Shading Eye Brush 207 Value = $12.00

FULL SIZE PRODUCT! Not only does the angled shape help you blend any eye look like a boss, but you can also use it for all your fave cream and powder shadows! Bonus…it’s rose gold and what gal doesn’t love a little rose gold in her life? I think I have more brushes than I know what to do with! As always, this is a good brush, but I just don’t need ANOTHER angled shadow brush. Maybe this time I’ll get rid of one of my older brushes and keep this one to use. Luxie brushes work really well and last a long time.

Feel Renewed Pumpkin Walnut Facial Cleanser Value for 1 oz = $7.00

The full size of this cleanser (4 oz) retails for $28.00. This exfoliating cleanser wakes up your complexion and has a spicy/sweet autumn-y scent. It’s like a PSL for your face! This exfoliator is packed with all-natural, ultra-healthy ingredients like walnut powder and pumpkin seed oil that leaves your complexion soft and soothed. No moisture stripping harshness here. This naturally-foaming scrub is sulfate free. OK, wait a second…can we just talk about how good this smells!? It’s seriously the perfect product for Fall so if you’re as BASIC as I am, you’ll love this cleanser.

Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Radiance Primer Value for 0.25 oz = $9.75

The full size of this primer (1 oz) retails for $39.00. This brand new formula makes for insanely radiant skin. Makeup always looks better (and lasts longer) with primer. This next-level base hydrates, fills fine lines, and evens out your skin. Ehh, I’m not a huge fan of primers. I’ve used them before and they just always make my face breakout. I’m sure this one is great and I’ve read a ton of reviews on it.

Dirty Little Secret Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Nude Beach Value = $14.00

FULL SIZE PRODUCT! This is what we call a boss gloss: Seriously shiny. Super lightweight. Never sticky. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by this. I don’t normally use DLS cosmetics, but when I opened my bag and saw this I knew it would be color that I would wear and it looked really good on. It reminded me of a MAC lip gloss I used to have back in the day. Even though the gloss is $14, it’s actually a pretty good size so I would definitely buy this gloss again!

For the month of SEPTEMBER, the bag is worth about $47.23. With 2 full size products, the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal! This bag is actually lower than other bags I’ve received, but I’d rather have product I like for a lower value than things I don’t like at a higher value.

The cost of the box every month is $10 + tax and free shipping. So for 5 products (one of which should be full size, the low price is a pretty good bargain. The bag is great if you’re looking to try out different products that you may not currently use.

Another perk to the bag is that every product that comes in your bag also has a discount code for that brand! So not only do you get a great product, you can also buy the full size at a cheaper price.

To subscribe to Ipsy use my referral link to discover new brands/products that you might come to love that you wouldn’t otherwise try!

XOXO

p.s Let me know if you got anything different that you absolutely loved!

September 19, 2017
A DAY TO REMEMBER

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children.” —former President George W. Bush

It was a day just like any other; people boarding their flights to travel across the country while others entered buildings to go to work. People were going about their lives thinking about going home at the end of the day to eat dinner with their families, but 16 years ago today the world changed for SOO many people. People lost their family members, their friends, their neighbors; men and women risked their lives running straight into collapsing buildings to try to save as many people as they could and not all of them made it back out.

We are all affected in some way by the 9/11 attacks. I’ll never forget waking up that morning; I was 9 years old, my brother was 3 and my youngest brother was only a few months old. I was getting ready for school and my mom had the news on and she was crying. I didn’t know then what a huge impact this day would make on our lives. I was old enough to know that something bad had happened, but I couldn’t understand why someone would want to do that to us, not when the United States was so great. I remember hoping that my aunts and uncle and cousins were ok because I knew that they lived back east. I remember my mom calling her sisters to see if they were ok and THANKFULLY they weren’t in the city. In the midst of tragedy, we stood up as a Nation and rebuilt as a stronger more UNITED front. We showed the terrorists that attacked us that we could rebuild and that even though we suffered a great loss that day, the outcome would be bigger and stronger than what we were before.

16 Years later and this beauty stands proud as the One World Trade Center

Two years ago, my fiancé and I had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial and museum while we were in New York. The museum itself was one of the saddest things I have ever experienced in my life. To see the remnants of what used to be the twin towers; to see the steel beam standing there in the middle of the room with missing posters and prayers and firehouse numbers of all those that were lost; and to hear the stories of those who never made it home that day. Listening to the voices of those people who never made it off the plane who had left messages for their loved ones on the ground…Listening to the messages that were left by the families on the ground desperately hoping that it wasn’t their loved ones on that plane. It was soo heartbreaking. I cried even when I didn’t think I had any tears left in me. Every time I’m in New York, I have to stop by the 9/11 Ground Zero Memorial to take a moment and stand in silence and pay my respect to those who lost their lives.

This stands in the middle of the museum in the exact place the original building was

To this day when I think about the tragedy we faced, it still makes me angry to know that someone would do this to us. It makes me sad to think of all those innocent people who died and for all the first responders who didn’t make it out of the wreckage. Just writing this post makes me tear up thinking about it all. It’s weird to think that there are people alive who will never know what the New York skyline looked like with 2 towers standing tall or who weren’t even alive when all of this took place and have to learn about it from a history book. I am proud to be an AMERICAN, but on September 11, I am even more proud. I’m thankful that the United States has such a strong backbone to lean on and that we don’t let an attack like this define who we are as a Nation. This is truly a day that we will NEVER FORGET.

Here is just one of the reflecting pools that is inscribed with the names of every person who died in both the ’93 and ’01 attacks. The Memorial pools are a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil and the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history.

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

The birthdays of the victims are remembered by placing roses on their names every year

If you ever get the chance, you HAVE to visit the Memorial and the Museum as each will affect you in some way. I think it’s a great opportunity to pay respects and to learn more about the day that we remember every year. If you’d like to learn more about OWTC then you can click here but if you’d like to visit the One World Observatory which the top of the World Trade Center and see the most breathtaking views check this out.

XOXO

September 11, 2017