Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: health

  • Shop Pink

    Shop Pink

    I did this same post last year, but we all know Breast Cancer is something that affects so many people. Why not do the most we can to give back.

    Unfortunately, I think it’s safe to say that we all probably know someone who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and hopefully they have overcome their battle, but I know many have not. In any situation, you always wish there was something more you could do to help out.

    I’ve rounded up a few items that I felt were good products that also give back during the month of October. We all know y’all were going to go out and shop anyway, so why not do it at a few places that donate back to Breast Cancer Awareness? You can shop all the products here.

    brands that give back

    IT Cosmetics Love Beauty Full Love is the Foundation Brush – Price = $30.00

    For each one purchased during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, IT Cosmetics will donate one to the Look Good Feel Better Program, “to help women face the appearance-related side effects of cancer with confidence.”

    IT brush

    Estee Lauder Powerful Pink Color Collection – Price = $35.00

    Evelyn H. Lauder founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993 to help fund “the most promising breast cancer research worldwide.” 100% of the profits from each purchase of this four-piece color collection go towards the foundation.

    Estee Lauder 1

    Better Skin Amaze Balm – Price = $36.00

    The Better Skin Co. is donating 100% of the October proceeds from their Limited Edition Pink Gold Amaze Balm to the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). YSC is specifically devoted to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Scented with a hint of grapefruit, coconut oil, avocado, sunflower, evening primrose and sea buckthorn, this balm nourishes your skin.

    amaze balm

    Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – Price = $98.00

    When you buy a bright pink bottle, Estee Lauder will donate 20% to the Look Good Feel Better charity.

    Estee Lauder 2

    Sand & Sky Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment – Price = $33.00

    In search of a new exfoliator? Sand & Sky’s Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment works wonders on skin, gently scrubbing away dry skin, dirt, and oil while refining pores and increasing that glowing, dewy look. All through the month of October, 30% of the sales will go towards the Look Good Feel Better Organization.

    sand & sky

    Clinique Limited Edition Moisturizing Lotion – Price = $39.00

    Limited-edition bottle of our famous yellow lotion in a jumbo size for a great cause. Adorned with a 5-charm key ring including the Pink Ribbon. $10 from each sale will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    clinique

    Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink Five-Piece Purse Brush Set – Price = $15.99

    This quality set is perfect for achieving any gorgeous makeup look, plus it also comes in a chic silver carrying case. Target is donating 15% of the purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    brush set

    Bobbi Brown 2-pc. Pinks with Purpose Lip Color Duo  – Price = $45.00

    Dusty Pink and Electric Pink duo. Use these lip liners with any pink lip shade for more fuller, luscious lips. With every set purchased, Bobbi Brown will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    bobbi brown

    Tory Burch Support Breast Cancer Research – Price = Varies

    From October 1 – October 31, 2018, Tory Burch is donating 20% from this purchase (in pink color only) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

    9

    Beauty for Real Blush + Glo – Price = $24

    A blush and luminizer in one compact stick? Makeup just got a lot easier. Wear both products over your foundation to highlight or to sculpt and warm your eye look. Beauty for Real will donate 25% of the sale to Women Beyond Cancer.

    beauty for real

    Happy shopping y’all! Let me know if you know of any other brands that are donating during the month of October.

    XOXO

    P.S Check out my Instagram Not Another LA Blonde and see my day to day life!

  • Ipsy – February 2018

    Ipsy – February 2018

    Happy Wednesday! It’s a short week for me this week at work! I had no work on Monday because of President’s Day and then Friday is my day off! Thank goodness because I am already exhausted! I’ve been sooo busy; Robert and I found a condo to rent, so we’ve been doing a TON of prep (but more on that later).

    Let’s get back to what I’m really talking about…my FEBRUARY IPSY bag. I review what comes in my bag every month and sometimes I get the brands that I’ve chosen in my preferences and other times I do not.

    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 UNZIPPED. The bag was super cute; it’s a blush pink with black lace trim.

    The Products:

    1. Ofra Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in ipsy Unzipped Value for 5 g= $16

    The full size (6 g) tube retails for $20. This liquid lip color stays in check all day. One swipe in the A.M. lasted through breakfast, lunch, and happy hour. It’s really creamy and moisturizing, so you won’t have to keep applying balm over it to avoid that dreaded dry lip feeling. This shade is an exclusive ipsy shade, made just for this month’s bag. You can find a variety of other colors on the OFRA website. I’m not a huge fan of this shade, but I love that it’s an Ipsy exclusive which means not a lot of people will have this!

    1. Trestique Mini Eye Pencil in Swiss ChocolateValue for 0.22 g = $9.50    

    The full size liner retails for $19. Liquid liner-phobe? No prob. This creamy gel formula glides on like a liquid, but its way easier to use. It lasts for 16 full hours – aka from your early A.M. meeting until your post-dinner cocktails (and then some). This ultra-versatile pencil’s possibilities are endless. Going for a super fine, subtle line? Done. Into creating a killer smokey eye? Smudge it out. Feeling something in the middle? Go for it! This liner comes in 3 different shades. I love a good eyeliner, the only thing I wish was different about this one is the color; I’m more of a black eyeliner gal. On another note, it glides on super smooth, but I don’t know if I would pay $19 for this eyeliner.

    1. Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry ShampooValue for 0.75 oz = $4.50

    The full size (5.3 oz) retails for $12, but you can also purchase the 1 oz can for $6 (perfect for your gym bag or travel). It does more than revive your blowout – it’s made with vitamin C and fatty acids that shine up your hair, nourish it from the inside out, and repair damage. Natural rice starch absorbs oils quickly without leaving any residue. I love trying out new dry shampoos! This one smells great and doesn’t leave my hair feeling heavy or sticky. I would definitely buy this one again and I love that it’s reasonably priced and that you can get it from a ton of different retailers. This is also available at:

    1. BLAQ Meteor Shower Value for 50 g =$12.50

    The full size retails for $24.95, but is currently sold out. Ok guys, this grainy-textured scrub is made with actual meteorite powder. Yup, from space. We’ll let that sink in. curious about where your Meteor Shower landed? Track it using the code on the back of the package. Activated charcoal detoxifies your skin by drawing out impurities from your pores so you’ll feel squeaky clean after you use it. It leaves teeny little particles of shimmer on your skin, so you’ll have an otherworldly glow after you shower with it. I haven’t tried this one yet, but I love BLAQ products! This is also sold on Amazon, but is currently sold out as well.

    1. Luxie Beauty Blending and Shading Eye Brush 249 Value = $24.00

    FULL SIZE PRODUCT! One brush to get any eye look you dream up? You bet. This ipster-exclusive, double-sided beauty is tapered on one side (for packing down your powder shadows) and fluffy on the flip side (for oh-do-easy blending). It’s too cute to not show off. The rose gold handle is tres chic. The super soft bristles are synthetic, so no furry friends were harmed in the making of your fluffy new brush. Y’all know I’m not always a huge fan of brushes, and this was no exception. I honestly just don’t need any brushes right now and I’ve even rated them as “not interested” when I do my review. I couldn’t find the brush I got in my bag, but I’m linking a similar one here.

    For the month of February, my bag was worth about $66.50 (I can’t be 100% sure since I guess on both the eyeliner and the body scrub). With almost 2 full size products, the $10 you pay for the bag is such a steal! This bag is actually super high compared to other bags I’ve received. Like I mentioned above, I was pleasantly surprised by my bag this month.

    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!

  • 5 Things I Learned in 2017

    Y’all can we just take a second and let it sink in that it is actually 2018 already. Personally, I feel like my whole month is already booked. I’m busy every weekend and I don’t see any signs of it slowing down! For me, January is filled with basketball games that my girls have to cheer at and competitions pretty much every Saturday and then wedding things every other day of the week.

    With all that being said, there are a few things that I learned in 2017:

    1. Don’t let the small stuff bother you: In my opinion this is huge. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to stop and think about what is worth getting into an argument about. I’ve learned that not everything is worth getting mad about and that some things are just out of your control no matter how hard you try to keep it in your control. This is a constant struggle for me because I let everything get to me ALL the time.
    2. Take time for you: Be a little selfish. You only have one life to live, so say no sometimes. Take the time you need to become the best version of yourself.
    3. Don’t tell your secrets to everyone: Ah this is another huge one! I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t trust everyone even if they seem like you can. Find your trusted friend, coworker, family member or whatever and hang on tight to them. Not everyone needs to know everything about your life. There are people out there who would love to know every little dirty secret, but they don’t have your best interest at heart.
    4. It’s ok to cry: I’m a huge crier ALL THE TIME!! My parents and brothers actually use the phrase “When is she not crying?” when describing me. 2017 brought A LOT of tears. Wedding planning is hard y’all and the tears come easily.
    5. Let go: let go of the need to control everything. Let go of the self doubt. Let go of any negativity. Let go of anyone holding you back. Just let go of it all. Learn to delegate. Know that you can’t take on the whole world all by yourself. There are people who want to help you.

    2017 was quite a year. I had plenty of self doubt, there were tears (more than I’d like to admit), there were days that I just wanted to run away from everything and say see ya later. I also learned quite a bit about people this past year. Who knew that planning a wedding would be so stressful when people tell you that it’s the best time of your life? I see other people being successful and I wonder when it will be my turn or if my blog will ever be more than just a hobby?

    BUT don’t get me wrong, 2017 was filled with soooo many great things and I’ve been blessed to live the life that I have (you can read my 2017 post here), but it doesn’t mean every day was easy. Things take time and I want y’all to remember the 5 things I talked about above and learn with me. I want to keep growing to become the best version of myself.

    I can’t wait to get further into 2018 and to see what not only the year has in store for me, but what God has in store for me and my soon-to-be husband AND I can’t wait to share it all here with you!

    XOXO