My Favorite Products of 2011

I've tried a lot of different things in 2011. Some I didn't like so much and some I love.  I've compiled my 10 favorite things I purchased in 2011. Most of these you can still pick up or find in your local store or online. In no particular order here they are....

L'Oreal Original Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black.

This mascara is probably one of those mascara's I will re-purchase over and over again. It gives my lashes length and volume. Its just a great all around mascara.

Rimmel London The Max Volume Flash Mascara. 

Okay...I will admit, I love that the packaging is pink lol. This mascara is a pretty good mascara and the packaging makes it even more lovable. Plus it is super easy to find in your purse or make up bag.

I picked up these wedges at Target earlier in 2011. I love them so much and they are super comfortable. They've been worn dozens of times (by me and my mother lol) and they are still in good condition. Wedges are my favorite type of shoe and these are a great pair to have in a wardrobe.

I was so happy when I found these Lauren Conrad sunglasses at Kohls for $10 in 2011. They are super cute and it was great that they were on sale. I love LC's style and I love sunglasses so these were an amazing find. I wear these sunglasses probably everyday because they are the perfect shade (not too light and not too dark).

I found this scarf at Walgreens (of all places). In 2011, I noticed Walgreens started to have scarves in their aisles. When I saw this print for $5, I had to buy it. This print is so basic and cute that it can be paired with almost any outfit. I've worn this scarf so much in 2011. I cant wait to see more scarves that Walgreens has this spring. 

This Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner makes my hair feel sooooo smooth. I havent found a great shampoo yet so they make my hair feel so BLAH. But when I apply this....it makes my hair feel buttery smooth lol. This bottle is my 2nd bottle and I have another one under my sink lol. That is how much I love this conditioner. I dont have any of these products in order of favorite, but this one would probably be #1. Its pretty affordable, its sulfate free, and it smells amazing.

Another Organix product I love is the Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum. This one smells amazing as well. I definitely plan on repurchasing this one too. It makes my hair feel smooth and silkier and I dont even have to use that much product. 

I loved this product in 2011. I got this brush from Sally's Beauty Supply in the beginning of 2011 and I loved it. It is great for getting all of the dirt and make up off your face. It is a definitely cheaper version of a Clarisonic. Of course it doesn't work as great but it is a great cheap alternative. I havent used it in a while but I definitely loved it in 2011. 

I discovered Charmed Life by Bath and Body Works in November but it has been one of my favorite scents for the last couple months of 2011. Their website describes it as a "positively sexy blend of juicy guava, sparkling pear, and creamy vanilla musk". The vanilla is the main note that I smell, and that why I love it (I love everything vanilla, by the way). I keep both the lotion and the body spray in my purse just in case I forget to put on a perfume or anything while I'm at home. The scent is just really girly to me. Another scent that I love from Bath and Body works is Country Chic, you should check that one out if you havent.

I first loved this body wash a few years ago but I havent had it in a while. This year I fell back in love with it. Caress Cashmere Luxury Silkening Body Wash smells so good. It also has vanilla in it (see...I do love vanilla lol). I love that it has a silkening complex in it that really does leave your body feeling silkier than just a regular body wash. I also love that it makes my whole bathroom smell like the body wash so it is kind of like a two in one lol. I love this stuff.

So those are my favorite products of 2011. Tell me what were your favorite products of 2011. 

Ashley

xoxo

I'm CooCoo for Coconut

A few years ago I HATED coconuts. I hated the way they smelled and I didn't like the taste. Obviously my taste buds (and nose lol) has changed. Over the last couple months I've collected a lot of products coconut related products, unintentionally. Now I am obsessed with all things coconut.

After seeing a video on youtube about coconut oil and its benefits, it really made me want to research it myself. Coconut oil is one of those oils like Olive oil, it can be used for almost anything. It's great for cooking, a source of essential fatty acids, skin, and hair. I even heard it can aid in weight loss.

If you want to see a detailed list of all of its health benefits you can click here.

Earlier this week, I showed you guys a haul where I bought Now Healthy Foods Virgin Coconut Oil from GNC. If you are interested, I think it was around $8 for a 12 oz jar. This is a certified organic product.

The coconut oil smells so good (well just like coconuts lol). The funny thing about this product is its melting point is so low it can easily be changed from a liquid to a solid. All I have to do is either store it in a cold place to get it to a solid form or I can sit it outside for 5 minutes and it will instantly becomes a liquid oil. You can literally see it melt in your hand.

I have been using this for my hair and it adds oil to my hair and makes it smell really good. I haven't applied it directly to my skin yet but I'm pretty sure it is a good moisturizer if your skin is feeling dry. I have however made a lip scrub from it. I mixed the coconut oil with sugar and applied it to my lips and it removed the dead skin and made my lips feel smooth. (but you can do this with almost any oil and sugar).

Since it came in such a huge jar and I plan to use half of it for beauty related things, I decided to separate half of it and put it in a small container.

I haven't used it for cooking yet but I'm sure it will not only add flavor but add nutrients that your body needs.

I really encourage you to do research on Coconut oil for yourself, to see if you are interested.

Another product that has coconut oil in it is this Organix Coconut Milk Anti-Breakage Serum. This product is anywhere between $4-8. I probably shouldn't even consider this a "coconut product" because Coconut oil is all the way at the bottom of the ingredients list. I can say it does smell like coconut oil and it makes my hair really soft when I put it in.

It claims it "instantly repairs dry hair, damaged, coarse, or chemically treated hair. It helps resurface the hair, repairs damaged hair and cuticles, and mends split ends and frizziness. It adds strength and elasticity."

I think over time it can improve the health of your hair. I don't have problems with frizziness but for those of you who do, I'm certain it would tame it.

Now I've had this body spray and lotion for a while and I'm not even sure they still carry it at the stores anymore. It is Bath & Body Work's Exotic Coconut. This is more of a summer/spring scent (obviously lol) but I do like spraying it in my room for a tropical feeling. I plan on taking these with me on my cruise to the Caribbean, the smell will fit the vibe lol.

I also love this Master of Mixes Pina Colada mixer. All you have to do is add rum and ice and mix it in a blender and it is sooooo good. If you are under 21 you can just use cream of coconut and ice (and maybe a little sugar) and it will taste exactly the same. Its a fun thing to have every once in a while or if you are having a party.

I will say I have tried coconut water and I didn't really like it. I hear everyone say they love it but I was not feeling it, AT ALL.

What is something you are obsessed with right now? Let me know so I can become obsessed with it too lol.

Ashley

xoxo

Also Check out

Collective Haul

New York Fashion Week Round Up

Midnight and The Meaning of Love Book Review

Small Target Haul

I should probably do collective hauls instead of a buncha different small hauls but whatevs. I was in target on Sunday and decided to pick up a few things.

Target has (or had, I dont know if its still going on. You will probably have to check your local target) selected Sally Hansen products on clearance. I decided to pick up this Sally Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Color in DVD (#15) and it was only $2.50. I cant wait to try this color out.

The other one I picked up was the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Electric Shock (#160). This was on sale for $4.25 (regular price is $8.50). I saw dulce candy make a video about getting this color so when I saw it there I had to pick it up.

I was in the travel size beauty things ( I don't know why, I just like miniature sized things lol) and I picked up another ponds cream. My mom stole mine that I picked up a few weeks ago and its in her bathroom so I wanted to get another one for myself. I got the Pond's Clarant B3 anti-dark spot moisturizer for normal to dry skin. I didn't realize I got the normal to dry skin until I was home but whatever, and I also didn't realize it was for dark spots. I really wanted this because the packaging was pink lol. But I do have dark spots and I will definitely see if it helps them. I think this product was somewhere between $1.50-$2 which isn't bad as a sample, and it will probably last me a while.

Also in the travel section, I picked up some contact solution because I'm almost out of mine at home. I got the Re-nu multi-Purpose Solution. Pretty boring but I needed it lol. (and sorry the picture is crooked, I was rushing lol)

Ashley

xoxo

Summer Must Have: Coral/Orange Lipstick

I've been on the quest for the perfect orange lipstick this last couple months. I've seen the trend in magazines and in fashion shows and I really wanted to try it on myself. I notice it looks good with most skin tones and especially brown tones. I've purchased 3 in varying shades to see which looks best.

from Left to Right

Milani Lipstick - Mandarina (42)

Described as a bright orange. I really like this one because it is bold and truly an ORANGE lipstick. With this you will definitely need a lip liner because of its pigmentation.

Milani Lipstick - Orange Gina (24)

Described as a golden orange. It is definitely more golden than orange. I think its pretty but its not my favorite. For those who dont want a loud orange, you should try this one.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Creme - Kiss Me Coral (750)

a nice blend of orange and red. I would say this one is my favorite because it blends nicely with my skin tone and it doesn't have a smell (as apposed to the Milani ones, they have a smell that i cant quite describe. its not horrible but you can really smell it while its on your lips).

Here are swatches of all three. The top one is Mandarina, the middle is orange gina, and the bottom is kiss me coral.

Even if you are hesitant to wear a bright orange lipstick all of these are great as just lip stains. If you just dab some on your lips it gives a nice tint of orange without feeling like a clown.

Tell me how you feel about orange lipsticks

Ashley

xoxo

My Favorite Nail Polishes (At The Moment)

All of these colors aren't summer colors, I love wearing different colors year round. Screw following trends lol.

From Left to Right

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color- Snappy Sorbet (creamy orange)

OPI Elephantastic Pink - (Bubble Gum Pink, but not super bright)

OPI Baguette Me Not -(this color is hard to explain but it is a mix of red,orange, pink, brown lol that is the only way i can think to explain it)

OPI Glitzerland - (Shimmery Gold, not chunky, very smooth finish)

OPI Barefoot in Barcelona - (Brownish Nude, great nude for brown skin girls, and my favorite)

China Glaze In the Lime Light Neon - (Sheer Lime Green, for opaque look you NEED 2 coats)

Ulta Salon Formula Nail Lacquer Blue Streak - (Creamy Blue)

Swatches Below and all are with 2 coats. The Swatches are from left to right as mentioned above.(I should've painted them on my nails so you can see how they look but i just got my nails done. Next time i will)

I love that all those colors are versitile and can be worn all year long. They range from around $5 to $8, so they are definitely affordable.

Tell me whats your favorite nail polish color or brand so I can check it out.