BrandBacker Member

Monday, October 31, 2016

October Empties


Hey y'all!

I've been so busy the past month or so that I haven't even emptied my empties bag...so y'all are reaping the benefits!
I will say that these are some of my favorite kind of posts because you truly know someone's true opinion of something if they have used up the entire thing, so I'm going to give you my full reviews on each product!


So many good stuff this month!


Sometimes if you get the "good" magazines like Bazaar or Elle they send the deluxe foil sizes.
I don't mind trying them out because I love sampling products & saving money-they add up!
This shampoo and conditioner were really soft & smoothing...and I love the scent-it really sticks to your hair.

I thought I was going to hate this shampoo, it's all green and cruelty free so I was thinking it was probably overrated.
I was a bit irritated because it didn't foam enough & I love a good foaming.
But this actually cleaned my hair unlike anything else, I don't know if I could stick to it permanently though-I think I would go through a ton of it trying to get a foam.

I actually used two of these (I had received them as samples) and I like doing these during the weekends.
They really do clean out your pores & it's weirdly fun and satisfying to pull them off.

I love trying these out once again because I am able to learn if I want to purchase a full size or not.
This is one product that was decent, but if you check out the Exuviance cleanser below then you'll see the one that I want to purchase.


Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Frost Gentle Foaming Handsoap
First of all, this scent is not currently available...but Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin is very similar!
I love the foaming hand soaps, the scent to this one was very strong so if you don't want your hands holding onto the scent of pumpkin I wouldn't pick this one up.
There are tons of great Fall scents to choose from right now though!

So, I really like these razors. They last a really long time, but I won't be repurchasing...and my reason is going to sound silly.
The handles don't fit in our razor storage in the shower, so I need to buy something that fits better!
Silly, I know.

Y'all, I am SO sad that this product is gone.
If I had to pick a favorite product out of the entire bag...it would be this one.
It's creamy and gentle...well, all the things the name says!
I'll be repurchasing this one soon!


This was from the Target Beauty Box & it was the perfect size to take on vacation.
The scent was awful and I won't be repurchasing based on that, but I do have to say that they did a killer job of taking off makeup.

This was an Ipsy sample and I kept it beside my seat in the living room to moisturize my hands.
Unfortunately this sample was too small to really get much of an opinion.
It was a little watery for my taste-but the grapefruity scent is pretty nice.

Victoria's Secret Love Spell Anti-Bacterial Sanitizing Hand Gel
When I found out that VS doesn't make this hand sanitizer anymore, I seriously wanted to cry.
I loved the luxuriousness of having this by my desk to use daily, and I am just so sad that I won't have it anymore.
If you have a favorite sanitizer-please let me know!

These perfume samples are perfect for stashing in your purse, by your desk, or to travel with.
I loved this one because it's so sweet & feminine. 
If I needed perfume (which I don't) I would purchase this one, it's not even expensive!

Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum
I have been working with Valentia on different product campaigns almost since I started my blog and have never been disappointed in any of them.
This one smells incredible and is seriously so hydrating.
I cannot wait until my new one comes in the mail because my skin is sad without it!


Bath & Body Works Honolulu Sun Deep Cleansing Hand Soap
I received this as a birthday gift & y'all-I'm obsessed with these B&BW soaps.
It smells just like the beach & the gritty texture makes your hands feel so soft.
I'm sure this scent will be back around this coming summertime!

Philosophy Lemon Coconut Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath
I can't speak to using this for a bubble bath or shampoo, but it's a perfect shower gel.
I purchased this from TJ Maxx and loved using it.
It's so rich & creamy, the scent is really tropical too.

Dessange Paris Balancing Shampoo
Guys, this came from a Target Beauty Box & it's probably one of my most favorite things I've ever gotten. It really kept my hair balanced...as weird as that sounds.
I'm definitely interested in repurchasing these!


This is my favorite conditioner of all time, I'm not even joking.
I've tried high-end, I've tried store brand and none of them have come close to how this one smooths and strengthens my hair.
I saw the Target display for Hask products & so I'm excited to be able to purchase these products there now.

I usually just buy whatever shave gel is on sale, but Skintimate is always my go-to.
I've been using it for years and will probably always buy it...unless there is something on sale for cheaper ;) 

So I heard of these lotions (the spray kind) and just had to try one out!
While I found the formula to be a bit thin, it was really quickly drying.
The scent was really nice too, I will be repurchasing soon!


Nature Made Adult Biotin Gummies
I always keep biotin on hand because I feel like it makes a major difference in my hair and nails-my skin too!
The taste of these was a little flat, but they were bearable and not too expensive.

This was another Target Beauty Box find & y'all I love these rich, creamy night creams.
This one had a very strong, almost cinnamon-like scent so that might be off-putting for some but I really enjoyed it.

Body Merry Stretch Mark & Scar Cream
This is basically a coco butter in a fancy jar.
I was sent this to try out & I felt as though it gave me really soft skin...I didn't notice any difference in my stretch marks.


Bath & Body Works Praline Pecan Cobbler Candle
This candle smells so, good. I wish that B&BW had come back out with it this year.
It's a warm Fall scent, kind of a blend of cinnamon and caramel...and a little nutty too!
Plus, the jar top is really pretty-I'm going to have to keep it and use it to decorate :)

Village Candle (from Publix) Warm Apple Pie
A while back Publix was having a buy one get one free sale on these candles, so of course I picked two up. Guys, these smell SO yummy.
You need to run to your Publix and buy one-they last a really long time as well.


Bath & Body Works American Apple Candle
This smelled like biting into a really fresh apple, the perfect apple scent.
The label was really pretty & I wish that B&BW would bring this one back too...seriously, they get rid of all of my favorite scents!


Well alright guys, that's all for this month-let me know if you've tried out any of these products below!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Fight the Fight, Find the Cure (Breast Cancer Awareness)

As many of y'all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
This is a month & cause that is dear to my family's heart as my sweet mother-in-law was diagnosed with this awful disease.

Each year around this time I like to pick out several companies & promote their items that give back to breast cancer awareness and research...enjoy my roundup & help us fight like a girl for a cure!

First of all, this bottle is absolutely gorgeous & one that I would love to keep on my bar-cart or gift to a girl friend!
Every two bottles purchased fund a clinical trial for one woman with breast cancer.

This color is absolutely stunning & the strappy look is on trend.
15% of net online purchase price goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

I think this gorgeous bouquet would be perfect to send to a friend or family member who are battling breast cancer or who just need a pick-me-up!
15% of the purchase price goes to fund the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This small lip balm is super moisturizing and the perfect size for tucking into your purse or keeping on your desk to always have on hand.
For every balm purchased, La Mer will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This is a great value set with two colors (Dusty Pink & Electric Pink)
These can be used to fill in and line your lips & have long lasting color. 
For each set purchased, Bobbi Brown will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Nest candles are some of the best on the market with their long burn-time & delicious scent.
This candle is also a gorgeous magenta-pink shade, perfect for your insta shots!
I also want to add the link to the BCA reed diffuser for those that would rather have those than a candle!
10% of the retail price will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This is literally the perfect size cross-body bag (especially for all you college gals who need a small going out bag!) and the color is so sweet.
From October 1st to October 31st, 2016 Tory Burch will donate 20% from the purchase of this bag in this shade to the Breast Cancer research foundation (to a maximum of $35,000)


I hope y'all found a product that you love & would love to purchase to help us find a cure for this disease which robs so many women of their health & their lives.

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 


Saturday, October 8, 2016

Target Beauty Box {August & September}


Hey y'all!

While I'm at the beach for our long weekend I wanted to update y'all on some things that have gotten away from me with the blog, starting with these Target Beauty Boxes.
Enjoy my mini product reviews :)

I have been majorly behind on posting about my Target Beauty Boxes, but today I'm catching up on the past two months for y'all!

Let's start with August...


The August box had a great mix of products...

Up & Up 5-blade Disposable Razors
I haven't tried these out yet, but I'm not picky about my razors at all so I'm sure these will be great!

Juice Organics Repairing Shampoo & Conditioner in Coconut
I love travel size hair care, they're perfect for going on trips & also when I've run out of my regular hair products! These smell yummy!

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask
I have actually received several of these in Target boxes & haven't tried any of them yet...because you have to put them on at night and wash them off in the morning, and ain't nobody got time for that!
But I promise, I'm going to try it out...eventually.

NYC Color Get it All Lip Color
I love receiving beauty products in these boxes, but the color that I got wasn't really my favorite.
I may either pass it on or try to work with it, depending on the formula! 


Olay Make-Up Remover Wipes
I was so excited to have these, they seemed like they would've been perfect for our Labor Day weekend beach trip.
But guys, these smell awful!
I will never purchase them again.

Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid Deodorant
I have heard a lot of people positively review this, so I'm going to take it on our next beach trip and test it out!

Covergirl Katy Kat Eye Mascara in Black
I seem to hoard drugstore mascaras, so I haven't opened this one up yet because I don't want it to go bad. I try to only keep two going at one time!

Crest 3D White Strips
I tried these a long time ago and wasn't a huge fan, but I will be going to my dentist next month-so I'll ask him if he thinks these are okay for me to use or not, because I've been wanting to whiten my teeth for a while now!



The September beauty box was okay, not great...but okay.


Lineige Water Bank Moisture Cream
Yet another product from this company.
I haven't tried this out yet because I just got a new moisturizer, but this is going to be my next one to use.

Maybelline Push Up Drama Mascara
I have already purchased this a long time ago & I liked it pretty well.
It wasn't a miracle worker, but it did okay.
I have so many to use that I've never tried before, so I passed this one on to my sister!

OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner
Apparently we were supposed to get the shampoo to go with that, but Target must've left that one out of my box.
I brought this with me on our long-weekend trip to the beach & used it for the first time last night and it's great!


S.W. Basics Organic Lip Balm
I stuck this in my drawer to use after I use up some of my current balms.
The packaging is really nice though, very chic for a lip balm.

Kimmel The Only 1 Lipstick
I love the shade and formula of this Rimmel lipstick (one of my favorite products to try out in these boxes!)
It's a perfect pinky-nude & I think it'll wear great this Fall.

Eden Body Works Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner
I have a love/hate relationship with deep conditioners like this.
I love how they make my hair feel, but I hate how they come in a package that I can't keep in my shower.
I basically have to put this in another container to keep in the shower & it annoys me.

Biore Baking Sode Pore Cleanser
I have another sample size of this that I need to try out, and I do want to try it out because I've seen other bloggers talk about this and they have sang it's praises!

I hope y'all enjoyed this backed up round-up of the Target Beauty Boxes!
What was your favorite product?
Let me know below!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 


Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wedding Belles: Wedding Day Emergency Kit

Hey y'all!

It has been a long while since I have posted a wedding blog, but since so many of my friends are getting hitched this season I wanted to give a couple of posts dedicated to my favorite topic!

Today's post is all about my wedding day essentials/a.k.a an emergency kit for the day of!

On my big day one of my most used things was our basket.
My maids and I kept it in our suite while we got ready & ended up using several things from it, & then before the ceremony started, we left it in the guest bathroom. There was also a men's version which was the same, minus the girly essentials!

Some of the most-used items were bobby pins (duh!) I think I may have used half the pack for my own up-do!

Girly products are also perfect to keep on-hand, I love the green package pictured above-they're called Sweet Spot wipes (you can get them from Target!) & they're great for cleansing sweat & more.

Another great essential is Evian facial spray: it's perfect for blending makeup, helping re-style your hair, and keeping you cool.
Even in the fall, down in Alabama it's still warm so keeping cool is a must.

The best part about this emergency kit basket is that after the night is over, you can take all of these items with you on your honeymoon because they're all TSA travel-approved sizes!

Here's a comprehensive list:

Band-Aids (a must for any boo-boos!)
Ice Breakers mints (keeps bad breath at bay)
Tide to Go Pen (perfect for wine stains)
Pantene Air Spray (This is my favorite hair-spray because it doesn't have alcohol in it, which means it doesn't dry your hair out & doesn't make it crunchy)
Dove Spray Deodorant (This is perfect for people to share because it doesn't touch anyones sweaty armpits, but keeps everyone fresh)
Off! Bug-Repellant (this is necessary for outdoor weddings!)
Evian Spray (This can be used in a million different ways, it's a necessity!)
Lotion (a great smelling lotion is the perfect treat)
Band-Aid Friction Block (Y'all, this is a miracle drug. You slide it on your heels and it keeps your shoes from rubbing)
Kotex (Must-haves for all the ladies at your big day)
Nail File
Aleve
Toothpicks (Get the mint-flavored ones!)
Sweet Spot Wipes
Lint Roller
Bobby Pins

I hope this was helpful to all you bride-to-be's!

Until next time. . .

xoxo, 


A big thank you to BrandBacker for providing me with product in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  Thank you for supporting brands who support Southern & Style.
09 10