Product Line Rave: Michael Todd True Organics

 So obviously by the title you can tell that I'm in love with a new line of skincare! I have been using the Michael Todd True Organics line since December and can confidently say I attribute my improved skin to their products. Not only do I love that their products are formulated without all the bad stuff, but they are effective products for my acne prone and blemished skin which is awesome!

The picture above shows all the products I have tried from the line, minus one other bottle which I think I threw away already. It's crazy to think that I have positive things to say about each product! I am not affiliated with the brand what so ever,  I seriously just love the products!

So just a little recap of the line in a nutshell (info taken from their website):

• Made in the U.S. with certified organic ingredients, without added water and free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance or artificial dyes.
• All MICHAEL TODD true organics are formulated without potentially harmful parabens, sulfates, artificial coloring, synthetic dyes, mineral oil, phthalates or triclosan so you can use our products without health concerns
• Cruelty Free.  MICHAEL TODD has never participated in animal testing on our products or ingredients.

Lately I have been trying to make more of an effort to eat right but it's funny that most of us (including myself) don't think about the products we put on our skin that do eventually absorb into our body and can still affect us. I'm not gonna preach too much on this subject because my knowledge is quite small on the topic, but I do know the less chemicals the better...for anything. I'm not a die hard product "label reader" by any means nor do I swear off items because there are parabens in them. I use what works, I'm just happy that happens to be products that aren't harmful to me. It's the best win/win situation really.

To my knowledge, the only place you can purchase these items is online. I order through their website: michaeltoddtrueorganics.com. There are tons of products and they are organized by skin concerns. They have great combo sets which I think are great affordable options if you are just trying the line for the first time. I also believe when you first purchase you get 20% off your order plus when you shop  anytime after that, you get a 20% off discount for being a loyal customer! Don't quote me on that, but I have made 3 purchases with them now and I have received 20% off each time. Oh and U.S. folks, no sales tax on your order! 

Shipping is free with any order over $45 and it's super quick! I usually receive my order within 3 days of ordering....love that!

I have mentioned 3 products already in previous monthly favorite posts: January Faves, March Faves,  April Faves, but as mentioned in some of the posts, I think each product deserves it's own mini review/post. My goal is to get each review out by next week and I will link each post below. Until then, I do recommend checking out the site. I don't think you will be disappointed with whatever you try!

Tarte: Maracuja Lip Exfoliant

Dry, chapped, flaky...words I never want someone to utter when referring to my lips.

I could never get myself to spend money on a lip scrub so I always went the DIY route: olive oil, honey, and sugar as well as the occasional tooth brush on the lips. The homemade scrub worked but it was pretty messy and I was always too lazy to make a new batch every couple months (sad, I know). The toothbrush method worked as well but it didn't always exfoliate my lips as much as I wanted it to.

So I was always back and forth: should I get the Lush lip scrub, or maybe the Fresh one, or maybe the Sara Happ one, or maybe my favorite from back in the day; The Body Shop Lip Scuff... ahh, it was just annoying really that I couldn't get myself to spend the money on any of them! Of course, put anything that has a panda on it in front of me and I'll justify the purchase. Ridiculous.

Anyways, a few months back, Ulta had their 20% off anything in the store coupon so of course I had to decided to pick up some new products to try. One of those items: Tarte's Maracuja Lip Exfoliant for $16! What? How? I don't know what I was thinking, well I wasn't thinking...I swear, that rare 20% off makes you feel like you have gold or something!

Not gonna lie, I mainly bought it because I thought the packaging was super cute and I like almost everything I have tried from Tarte, and again that damn 20% off...it made me do it.

So the verdict?

Eh. It's nice but not a must have for me.

Packaging: Love it. Compact tin, the lid stays on, travel friendly.

Scent: It has a nice mint smell. It's not too artificial or annoying.

Texture: Soft, gel-like balm with sugar granules.

Price: $16. On the expensive side in the lip scrub world.

This lip scrub was much nicer to use compared to my DIY scrub. It wasn't messy at all, the consistency of the scrub made it really easy to scrub over the lips without going all over the place. I also really liked the clean mint scent and the maracuja oil in the scrub did leave my lips soft after use.

The reason why this just wasn't for me was the fact that it was a bit too soft in texture to really exfoliate my lips. I did a decent job on the surface but it wasn't abrasive enough to really take off all the flaking skin. I found myself pressing the product harder onto my lips and in turn aggravating my lip line and causing some minor break outs. (The product didn't break me out but the constant rubbing I was doing with my finger I think is what aggravated my skin in that area).

Bottom Line: I would say that this is a nice product to have if you don't have really dry lips. However, if you don't have really dry lips, the $16 price tag isn't really worth it.

UPDATE: Essence Eyeliner Pen

Almost a month ago, I posted a review on the Essence Eyeliner Pen. Since that review, I have ordered a new one from Ulta.com and tested the pen out again. I can confidently say I finally have a final verdict on this product!

So how did this pen fare?

Put the champagne away, there isn't gonna be a celebration. 

So the first couple of days using the pen was great. Easy to use, extremely black, and it reminded me yet again why I liked the pen so much. Then day 4 or 5 came around and the pen started drying out again. It was to the point that I could line one eye fine but then I would have to put the cap back on, wait a couple minutes, and then use it for my second eye. I was so bummed. I only use the pen once per day, so for the pen to dry out that quickly is ridiculous. 

So even for $2.99, this product is a waste of money. Even the ELF eyeliner pen lasts almost a month before drying out and you can get that for $1! 

I definitely would not recommend this pen and the search for an inexpensive Stila Eyeliner dupe continues...

Panda & Polka Dot Nails

If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with Pandas. For as long as I can remember, they have been my favorite. One time, I seriously debated buying panda ping pong balls from ebay and I don't play ping pong.

Anyhoo, if you follow me on Instagram, you will also notice I like doing nail art as well. So what better combo than my love of nail art featuring my love of pandas! I decided to just do an accent panda nail to match my panda phone case...totally normal right? Yea, I thought so.

Instagram: GaudyGlam

Sephora: 1000-point reward!

Back in February I received an email from Sephora letting me know there was a new 1000-point reward available! I hardly ever redeem my points so I had accumulated quite the balance. I was excited to see that the reward was a 20% off card for one entire purchase. If you are a Sephora shopper, you know that 20% off is as good as it gets!

I noticed this is only available in California and Texas right now, so if you live in either of these two states, you have until May 26th to redeem your points for the card (in-store) and 60 days after you get the card to use it. I assume they are testing this out in these two states before releasing it to a larger demographic. I'm quite pleased with this option but if Sephora wants to increase the % off, that would be even better (obviously). 

So I'm coming up on my 60 days and I have accumulated quite the list of items I need to re-stock on and new items I want to try. I'd love to know what you are loving or think is worth trying! Aside from my re-stock "essentials," this is my list of new things to try:

• Tarte Matte Waterproof Bronzer
• Soap & Glory Sit Tight Serum
• Origins Brighter by Nature
• Too Faced La Creme
• Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar
• Tarte Bronze & Glow
• YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick
• Anastasia Brow Wiz
• Escada Cherries in the Air Eau de Toilette

Have you tried any of these items? Did I miss any must haves? Let me know!

For my Sephora must haves, I did a blog post which can you read here.


*Direct links are provided via Shopsense. I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned.*

Must Have Nail Polish Remover!!!

CVS Instant Polish Remover, $3.29 at CVS (Duh.)

I mention in my April 2013 Favorites that I have become quite obsessed with this product! As a nail polish addict, I paint my nails at least 2-3 times a week and sometimes 2-3 times a day! I've always used pure acetone that you can find at beauty supply stores because it's the quickest way to take off polish. Seriously, once you go acetone, you don't go back...ain't nobody got time for that!

If you have ever used pure acetone, you know that it dries the crap out of your nails and the skin around it. For me, it was a small price to pay for how fast it took off polish. Then I came across this little gem and holy F, I'm in love!

This polish remover is acetone based but for natural nails. Basically you get the power of acetone without drying out your nails or the skin around it. It's magic in a jar!

As you can see, I could not wait to use it before I took photos and I've used this thing to death already! Anyway, when you first open up the jar, you will see a nice pink sponge that has slits cut into it. There is liquid at the bottom which the sponge soaks up and you basically just stick your finger in between the sponges, move it up and down a few times and viola! Polish is off!

The metal ring is a toenail dauber that is also included. I love this thing. It makes taking off polish on your toes so easy as well!

Again, sorry for the after photos but it was like Christmas when I bought this stuff! The toe nail dauber is originally a white puff, which you can see in the photo doesn't stay that way after taking off lime green polish...whoops. 

Here I am using the dauber as an example of where you would put your finger in between the sponges. 

I really love this stuff and I have been recommending this to everyone I know that paints their nails (which is pretty much everyone I know). If you are at the next level of addiction with nail painting like me, this is a total must have. The other great thing about this: NO cotton pads or cotton balls needed! 

I think the only negative to note is that this is nail polish remover so there is an acetone smell which can be quite strong if you are holding the jar right underneath you. I actually use something to cover my face when taking off polish just to lessen the amount of fumes I'm breathing in.

This is definitely my holy grail polish remover and I actually look forward to taking my polish off now that this is in my life! To see my nail looks, follow me on Instagram! @GaudyGlam

*I am not affiliated with any brands mentioned and these are my honest opinions.*

April 2013 Favorites

April was yet another month where I loved so many things! My skin was definitely acting cray this month so I did tend to focus more on my skincare and I'll have reviews up shortly of what worked and what didn't . The weather also started getting much warmer and that meant a little less make up for me... just a little. Let's not kid ourselves, I'm a full face make up kind of girl but I started to bust out more of my nude pink lipsticks and less of my beloved brights. Eye make up was pretty much the same everyday and some days it was just mascara, liner, and lip balm. 

I think I have mentioned most of these items before but here's what I used and abused in April!

*Disclaimer: I'm not associated with any of the brands mentioned and all opinions are my own. Direct links have been provided to make shopping easier. Some links are provided via ShopSense*

1. Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer Cocoa Radient $5.99 at Target

I absolutely love the convenience of this stuff! Just spray, rub it into your skin, and in 30 secs the lotion has absorbed and you are ready to go on with your life! This stuff is such a time saver and it leaves your skin nice and soft. It's a watery consistency when you spray it and it absorbs quick. I love that it doesn't leave your skin feeling sticky and you can get dressed within a minute of using it. If you have dry skin, I wouldn't recommend using this as your sole moisturizer because it won't be moisturizing enough for you. If you regularly apply moisturizer and your skin doesn't need too much tlc, this is a great option for you.

2. KNU Anti Aging Face Lift $150 at michaeltoddtrueorganics.com

This stuff deserves it's own review which I hope to have up in a few days and I will link it to this post. I have been using this for a few weeks now and I really like how it performs. It is costly but in my detailed review I'll go over how to get this for much less! 

3. Maybelline Clean Express Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover $4.99 at Target

This is one of the best eye make up removers I have used in awhile. It does a great job at taking off waterproof makeup and my eyelash glue which is a huge plus in my book. The best way to use it is to make sure you hold down the soaked cotton pad on your eye for a few seconds and then wipe away. This is a gentle formula, as I always use it to get off make up from my waterline and it never causes irritation. Although it is a oil free formula it does have a semi oily residue that it leaves behind. It's nothing that's unbearable but just something to note. Size wise, I wish there was more product in the bottle as it seems less than other eye makeup removers around the same price, but it does the job and it does it well! 

4. Milani Baked Blush in Coralina $6.37 at Drugstore.com

Hands down, this is my most used blush color of all time. It's crazy to think that because I have used this blush so much over the past 2 years now and I haven't hit pan yet! It's a beautiful coral/pink color and it is super pigmented. There is glitter in this blush which usually I would hate but when used with a light hand, the glitter actually gives off a really nice glow. When I'm having "good" skin days, I always reach for this, especially for spring and summer.

5. Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Lip Moisture Balm $10.00 at Sephora

I have a detailed post on this balm here. Love this stuff! Soap & Glory A Great Kisser Lip Moisture Balm Review

6. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed $26.00 at Sephora

Similar to last month, where I feautred Benefits Dallas Blush in my March 2013 Favorites, Tarte's blush in Exposed is another perfect everyday, year round color. Compared to Dallas, I would say this is more pink and less bronze colored. I absolutely love this pinky/brown nude color and I think it would look great on fair to medium skin tones. It gives the perfect wash of color without being over powering.

7. Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream $3.69 at Target

My hands have been taking a real beating lately with polish changes every 2-4 days. This cream has been great at keeping my hands soft and my cuticles conditioned. The look of this cream reminds me of Aquaphor in that it is a thick clear gel, however unlike Aquaphor, this cream absorbs much quicker and feels less like ointment. I like to also pair this with Corn Huskers Lotion for some extra TLC. Review: Corn Huskers Lotion.

8. Rimmel Lastin Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss #17 $5.29 at Drugstore.com

This has been my go to lip color for the month of April. It has turned into the Goldilocks of a perfect pink lipstick for me: not too pale, not too bright, it's just right. Review and Swatch of #17

9. CVS Instant Polish Remover $3.29 at CVS

This by far has been my favorite find for the month of April! I will do a separate post and link it here because I'm obsessed with it that much! *Update: Review of CVS Instant Polish Remover