The Best Highlighters for Every Budget

It's time for another installment of my budget series! In this post, I have analyzed the unit prices of all of the highlighters in my collection!

For mini reviews of each of these highlighters, check out my Get Your Glow On post!

Can you guess which highlighter is the best bargain?

Silk Naturals - Fluff

• $4.50 USD for 0.176 oz / 5 g

• Unit Price: $25.57 per ounce / $0.90 per gram

100% Pure - All Over Glow: Lightly Sun Kissed

• $35 USD for 1.35 oz / 38.27 g

• Unit Price: $25.93 per ounce / $0.91 per gram

Glory Boon Highlight in Sol

• $28 USD for 0.49 oz / 14 g

• Unit Price: $57.14 per ounce / $2.00 per gram

W3ll People - Bio Brightener Stick

• $23.99 USD for 0.375 oz / 10.6 g

• Unit Price: $63.97 per ounce / $2.26 per gram

Au Naturale Cosmetics - Rose Gold Organic Creme Highlighter Stick

• $32 USD for 0.304 oz / 9 g

• Unit Price: $105.15 per ounce / $3.56 per gram

Modern Minerals Makeup - Modern Moonstone

• $30 USD for 0.212 oz / 6 g

• Unit Price: $141.51 per ounce / $5.00 per gram

Vapour Organic Beauty Halo Illuminator

• $36 USD for 0.24 oz / 6.8 g

• Unit Price: $150 per ounce / $5.29 per gram

Ilia Beauty - Polka Dots & Moonbeams

• $34 USD for 0.176 oz / 5 g

• Unit Price: $193.18 per ounce / $6.80 per gram

RMS Beauty - Living Luminizer

• $38 USD for 0.17 oz / 4.82 g

• Unit Price: $223.53 per ounce / $7.88 per gram

RMS Beauty - Master Mixer

• $38 USD for 0.17 oz / 4.82 g

• Unit Price: $223.53 per ounce / $7.88 per gram

Kide Cosmetics - Y Gold Highlighter

• $85 USD for 0.28 oz / 8 g

• Unit Price: $303.57 per ounce / $10.63 per gram

Do you have a favorite highlighter?

Check out the previous installments of my budget series below!

Best Lipsticks for Every Budget

Best Blushes for Every Budget

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Skincare Essentials for a Weekend Away

Summer is too quickly coming to an end, so my husband and I are heading out on one last weekend away.

The recent addition of Odacite's Serum Concentrates into my daily routine has really upped by skincare game. My skin has honestly never looked so good! 

Here are the essentials that will be making the trip with my this weekend!

100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

I use this cream in the morning and evening to minimize dark circles and calm the puffiness underneath my eyes! The addition of green tea and coffee provides some seriously potent anti-inflammatory power. This eye cream also contains natural anti-aging ingredients that are meant to nourish and brighten. 

100% Pure also makes this product in a 0.3 oz size that is perfect for traveling!

Josh Rosebrook Tinted Nutrient Day Cream with SPF 30

I know that I mention this product all of the time, but I can't help myself! It's so wonderful! It is unlike any other SPF product that I have used due to it's lightweight, silky texture that doesn't have a hint of greasiness. It also doesn't leave any sort of residue or white cast and the the subtle tint beautifully adjusts to my skin tone. On its own, this cream provides just a hint of coverage and leaves the skin looking dewy and radiant. Underneath makeup, it functions as a smoothing primer that blends flawlessly with foundation. Check out my full review here.

Kari Gran Lavender Hydrating Tonic

This toner is a soothing blend of 100% fractionally distilled aloe vera leaf, vegetable glycerin, and lavender essential oil. This tonic is so incredibly refreshing on a hot day! The lavender is lovely and calming, but this tonic is also available in a rose version.

Mahalo Rare Indigo Beauty Balm

I adore this indulgent, violet-blue balm! It is filled with antioxidants and essential fatty acids that make my skin feel like silk! I also find that it works wonders on the inflammation and redness associated with pesky breakouts. The potent floral scent of this product initially bothered me a bit, but Mahalo reached out and suggested that I leave the lid off for a while. Because all of the aromatics in this balm are from natural essences, they are volatile and will lessen when exposed to air. Now it's perfect!

Odacite Jojoba Lavender Serum Concentrate

This serum is a game-changer!! It is like flawless skin insurance in a bottle! The combination of jojoba and lavender helps decongest pores and restore balance to the skin. Not to mention, lavender has amazing antibacterial properties that help gently fight off the microorganisms that lead to breakouts.

Osmia Organics Spot Treatment

Unlike acne treatments that tend to dry out the skin, this blend of essential oils gently treats blemishes and kills pesky bacteria. Although I find that it takes a bit longer to clear an active breakout, this lemony scented oil seems to eliminate pimples while really nourishing the skin. This treatment is a definite staple!

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

This cleanser easily removes makeup and effectively polishes the skin, producing a fresh, beautiful glow. It also has an invigorating citrus scent. Check out my full review here.

What are you skincare essentials when you're away for the weekend?

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Ingredient Inventory: Carrot Seed Oil

While you may immediately think of carrots as sweet, nutritious vegetables that are packed with eyesight friendly vitamin A, carrot seed oil is slowly emerging as a coveted skincare ingredient.

Carrot seed oil has a viscous consistency, yellowish brown color, and an earthy, root-like, somewhat woody scent. This essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from the seed of the wild carrot plant (Daucus carota), also known as Queen Anne’s Lace. This plant is an annual or biennial herb with lacy, dull white flower that are clustered into umbels.

One of the main chemical components of carrot seed oil is carotol. This organic alcohol is acclaimed for its ability to rejuvenate the skin. Carrot seed oil also contains moisturizing vitamin E and protective vitamin C, which work together to encourage healing and to clear the skin by accelerating cellular turnover.

Because nourishing and tightening the skin's appearance is key to a youthful appearance, carrot seed oil is considered a potent anti-aging ingredient. The high carotol content also makes this oil beneficial for treating wounds and skin infections.

Odacite Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate

As an engineer, Odacite's alchemy-based marketing and Table of Pure Elements is absolute genius! At the top of the anti-aging category, the Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate is designed to restore skin's youthful glow. In addition to revitalizing dull, lifeless skin, I find that this serum is quite balancing. It gives my skin just the right amount of hydration without clogging my pores. I like to add two drops of this precious, antioxidant-packed potion to my morning moisturizer or by itself on the days that my skin needs an extra boost of radiance! 

            

It should be noted that although carrot seed oil produces few side effects when used properly, its parent plant, the wild carrot, was found to increase the risk of sun sensitivity due to its high furanocoumarin content, which has photosensitizing effects.

Do you use carrot seed oil?

Have you tried any of Odacite's Serum Concentrates?

Reference: Chemical composition of carrot seeds (Daucus carota L.) cultivated in Turkey:characterization of the seed oil and essential oil

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Review: Kjaer Weis Lipstick

Kjaer Weis's stunning packaging is such a signature of this luxury green beauty brand and the new line of Lipsticks is certainly no exception! Made of white bronze, these chic, refillable bullets are both sturdy and sustainable. Unfortunately, they are also quite pricey! At $56 for 0.15 oz. (4.25 g) of product, these lipsticks are an investment. Kjaer Weis Lipstick Refills can be purchased for the reduced price of $36.

Consistency + Finish

The formulation of these lipsticks is divine! Not only are they creamy, but the pigmentation is stunning! The texture is buttery, but not too soft, and they melt onto the lips with perfect opacity. I would say that the finish is semi-matte with a slight sheen. Packed with nourishing ingredients such as beeswax, jojoba seed oil, sweet almond oil, and rosa rubiginosa seed oil, these lippes are also incredibly moisturizing, but don't feel heavy or greasy on the lips. I love that their consistency is so smooth and velvety, yet they manage to feel weightless and lasts for hours. The addition of lemon peel oil also gives these lipsticks a lovely citrus scent.

Application

Because these lipsticks are so silky, they glide on beautifully! I enjoy using a lip scrub (I like this one from Treat Beauty) to polish my pout prior to applying lipstick so that my lips are smooth, plump, and good to go! I apply these gorgeous hues straight from their respective bullets, but you could also easily use a lip brush.

Ingredients

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil•, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax•, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter•, Cera Alba (Beeswax) •, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch•, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil•, Rosa Rubiginosa (Rose Hip) Seed Oil•, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil•, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mica, Limonene*, Dextrin, Citral*, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 75470 (Carmine), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide), CI 77492 (Iron Oxide), CI 77499 (Iron Oxide)

Note: These lipsticks contain beeswax and are pigmented with carmine; therefore, they are not considered vegan.

• organically grown
* naturally contained in the used essential oils

Honor

Empower

Top to bottom: Empower & Honor

Wrap-Up

These lipsticks are gorgeous! Packed with clean, nourishing ingredients, these high-quality lipsticks are silky and moisturizing. The color range currently consists of just five hues, but they are all quite classic and should suit a variety of skin tones. I have Honor, a rich, nude pink, and Empower, a cool-toned hot pink. I love that the consistency of these seriously pigmented lippies is so smooth and velvety, yet feels weightless. They also last for hours! While I adore Kjaer Weis's characteristic refillable packaging, my one complaint about these lipsticks is that the tubes are a bit bulky. However, they do have a nice weight to them and protect the product nicely when you're on the go!

These lipsticks are definitely going to become staples in my green beauty arsenal and I can't wait for more colors to be released! 

Have you tried any of these new lipsticks from Kjaer Weis?

Wearing Kjaer Weis Lipstick in Honor

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Fruit Flavored Ice Cubes

I often mention that my skin is quite dry and that stems from the fact that I don't drink enough water. I don't dislike water, but I work in lab setting where food and drink are prohibited. On the weekends, I refrain from sipping throughout the day because I have the bladder of a small child and my husband and I are always out and about. Needless to say, it's very likely that I am chronically dehydrated and steadily turning into a prune :(

In an effort to get myself to drink more water, I have adopted the fruit infusion trend! These flavor packed ice cubes are super simple to make and can be stored in the freezer for quick access when you're on the go. Not only do they add a refreshing, bright flavor to your water, but they also have a myriad of antioxidant boosting health benefits! These cubes make drinking water irresistible!

One of my secret tricks to spice up these cubes is to make them with fruit juice instead of water. Lemon, lime, and orange juices are perfect for crisp, citrusy summer drinks, but watermelon, cranberry, and pomegranate juices are also favorites of mine! You can also make them with coconut or maple water for a more subtle hint of flavor. I find that adding these cubes to sparkling water or your preferred cocktail is also a lovely way to customize your drink.

Here are some of my favorite concoctions:

• Raspberry & Mint in Lemon Juice – I absolutely love raspberries, so this medley is one of my favorites! It is zingy, fresh, and perfect for summer!

• Cucumber & Mint in Lemon Juice – This classic is so refreshing and using lemon juice really amps up the flavor!

• Blueberries in Watermelon Juice – This combo is very light and hydrating!

• Orange & Ginger – This delicious duo is bright and spicy! I love it!

• Strawberry & Basil – The basil may seem odd, but it adds a sweet, lightly herbaceous flavor!

• Blueberries in Lime Juice – This is another tasty classic!

• Cranberry & Lime Juices – These two juices are a perfect match! There is a wonderful balance between tart and sweet with this dynamic duo! 

• Blueberries in Pomegranate Juice – Packed with antioxidants, this concoction is fruity and delicious! 

• Maple Syrup in Lemon Juice with a dash of Cayenne Pepper – This detoxifying mix is one of my all time favorites! Yum!

The combinations are endless! Have fun creating your own fruit flavored ice cubes!

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5 Product Face in 5 Minutes: August 2016 Edition!

This month's 5 Product Face in 5 Minutes incorporates some amazing hot pinks to embrace the final days of summer! I have been applying a small amount of Mahalo's Rare Indigo Beauty Balm as the first step in my routine to moisturize my skin and prime for these 5 products! I just hit the bottom of my Indigo Balm jar yesterday...Eeks!

Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream

This cream can be used as both a foundation and a concealer because the coverage builds up so flawlessly! This cream is heat-resistant and water-resistant with SPF 25, which makes it perfect for summer! I also love that while it provides full coverage, it still has a natural finish that gives the skin a beautifully airbrushed look! I like to apply a very thin layer all over my face using a buffing brush and then go back in with my finger to tap a little extra product underneath my eyes to conceal.

(2 minutes)

Lily Lolo Sculpt & Glow Contour Duo

I use these silky, weightless powders to give my skin a beautiful glow! I use a fluffy brush to blend the bronze shade onto my temples, around my hairline, and lightly across the bridge of my nose. I also like to subtly contour to accentuate my cheekbones. I then top my cheekbones with the highlighting shade. 

(1 minute)

Glory Boon Passport to Paradise Mineral Blush in Tropical Vibes

This is blush is insanely pigmented and blends with such ease! It is a vibrant, hot pink that really gives life to the face. I use a very small amount and a light hand to apply this blush to the apples of my cheeks using the same powder brush that I use for bronzer. 

(30 seconds)

W3ll People Expressionist Mascara in Blue

The color of this mascara is not as vibrant as it is in the tube, but it brightens the eyes in a way that adds interest to the face. I will often apply this on top of my Lily Lolo mascara to create a sultry dark blue that is perfect for nighttime.

(1 minute)

 

FitGlow Beauty Good Gloss in Liv

This shear gloss is great for when you want that high shine look with just a hint of color! The formula is ultra glossy and nourishing without being sticky or gloopy. It also smells great! Liv is a girly, cool-toned pink the I apply straight from the tube before running out the door.

(30 seconds)


That's it! Natural beauty enhanced with natural products in no time!

What are your favorite 5 Product Face staples for August?

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Parlo Cosmetics Lip Polishes

There is something so flattering and flirty about glossy lips! That is, of course, until the wind blows and all of your hair gets adhered to your mouth. Bleh! Nevertheless, if you are in the market for a gorgeous gloss, check out the Lip Polishes from Parlo Cosmetics! Not only are they ridiculously pigmented and made from all natural ingredients, but they are also just $4.80 USD with code blushingbme!!

From top to bottom: Prove It, Glow, & Bahama Mama

There are three stunning shades to choose from:

Bahama Mama

A feisty, bright red-orange.

Glow

A champagne pink.

Prove It

A lilac purple.

On the lips, these polishes are ultra glossy and hydrating! The texture is almost velvety, which I adore! Definitely no sticky gloopiness here! 

Don't forget that code blushingbme saves you 20% at Parlo Cosmetics!

Which Parlo Cosmetics Lip Polish is your favorite?

*Some of the Parlo Cosmetics products featured in this post are affiliate samples. As always, however, I have presented my 100% honest opinion. I cannot, nor will I ever, accept compensation in exchange for a positive review.

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Summer Pamper Essentials

When all you want to do is submerge yourself into a luxurious bath until you turn into a prune, turn to these pampering essentials!

Lani's Tropical Hair Treatment is perfect for repairing summer tresses and restoring them to their glossy glory! It is packed with amazing tropical oils that nourish the hair without weighing it down. Apply throughout your hair for intensive treatment or just to the ends to protect against breakage.

A proper bath requires a seriously fizzy bath bomb! The Spun Sugar Bath Bomb from Parlo Cosmetics has the deliciously sweet aroma of strawberry cotton candy! The addition of avocado, cocoa butter, and shea butter also beautifully moisturizing your skin as you soak! It's divine! 

For a luxe cleanse, I love the glycerin bar soaps from Parlo Cosmetics! Oh! Sweet Sugar Sweet Sugar smells of sugar cane with top notes of lemon rind and and buttery shortbread. The texture of this soap is silky-smooth and it lathers like a dream!

Shaving your legs can be an annoying task, but you may change your mind after trying the Whipped Shave Cream in Pink Lemonade from Parlo Cosmetics. Not only is the lemon-raspberry scent reminiscent of a refreshing glass of tart lemonade, but the inclusion of hydrating oils makes this shaving cream so luxuriously indulgent and moisturizing! It's perfect for getting a close shave on those silky-soft summer legs!

Don't forget that code blushingbme saves you 20% at Parlo Cosmetics!

A great face mask is a "me time" must have! My absolute favorite is May Lindstrom's The Honey Mud. This mud is the ultimate indulgent treat! The scent is decadently sweet in a rich, spa-like way that seems to have a lovely, calming effect. The texture is so silky that it really is like applying a perfectly whipped chocolate pudding to your face.

I like to follow up this mask with Odacite's Wild Carrot Serum Concentrate. I am obsessed with Odacite's entire line of serum concentrates and this one has recently won my heart! Under the anti-aging category of Odacite's table of pure elements, this vital glow serum helps improve the complexion of the skin and aid in cell regeneration. It leaves my skin with such a natural, healthy glow!

The Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum from One Love Organics is wonderful! For a boost of moisture straight out of the bath, just spritz this antioxidant-rich blend onto your damp skin. The lightweight formula quickly absorbs into the skin so that you can get dressed without worrying about being sticky or greasy. It has a subtle, floral scent and is packed full of healthy skin goodies like pumpkin seed oil and antileukine 6.

I like to finish up my pamper sessions with a manicure. RMS Beauty's Nail Polish is the best nail polish that I have ever tried!! Mimicking the hues of their best selling creams, the consistency of the polishes is luxuriously smooth, allowing them to glide onto the nails without leaving any streaks. Their staying power is wonderful too! This one in Luminizer is a classic, pearly white.

Summer pamper complete.

What are your favorite summer pamper essentials?

*Some of the Parlo Cosmetics products featured in this post are affiliate samples. As always, however, I have presented my 100% honest opinion. I cannot, nor will I ever, accept compensation in exchange for a positive review.

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My favorite pink lipsticks

If you are a lipstick lover like myself, your collection is probably overwhelmed with gorgeous pinks! This girly hue is universally flattering and can range from being soft and romantic to vibrant and edgy!

Here are a few of my favorites! 

From left to right - 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti Aging Lipstick in Foxglove; Axiology Lipstick in The Goodness; FitGlow Beauty Lipstick in Mae; Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in Blossom Lady; Lily Lolo Lipstick in Temptation; RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Demure; and Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Desire.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti Aging Lipstick in Foxglove

Foxglove is a rosy pink with a hint of brownish, mauve that is the most perfect sassy neutral shade! 100% Pure's formulation is divine! Not only is this the creamiest lipstick in my entire lineup, but it is super moisturizing without feeling heavy or greasy on the lips. It is also packed with nourishing antioxidants and the pigmentation is stunning!

Axiology Lipstick in The Goodness

This is such a unique color! The Goodness is a lovely blush pink with a silver shimmer suspended throughout. Its beautiful, iridescent finish provides a subtle radiance that adds a bit of interest and dimension to the lips. Filled with clean, nourishing ingredients, these high-quality lipsticks are silky and moisturizing. 

FitGlow Beauty Lipstick in Mae

Mae is a vibrant, yet romantic, cool-toned pink. With a formulation that is similar to 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Pomegranate Oil Anti Aging Lipsticks, FitGlow's lineup of lippies is addictive! They melt into the lips in such a way that makes them very comfortable to wear and super long-lasting! Try one and you'll be hooked! 

Ilia Beauty Tinted Lip Conditioner in Blossom Lady

If you are looking for an effortless, muted pink that is perfect for everyday wear, check out Blossom Lady! Ilia's Lip Conditioners are like lipstick/balm hybrids. Their texture is silky-smooth and the natural their sheer formulation gives the lips a lovely, soft sheen. 

Lily Lolo Lipstick in Temptation

This is the newest addition to my lipstick collection and I am completely smitten with it! Temptation is described as a cool, bubble-gum pink. The formulation is comfortably creamy and the pigmentation is rich and vibrant. I find that this flirty pink flatters my fair, cool-toned complexion beautifully!

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek in Demure

Unlike products that are marketed for both the lips and cheeks, but really only look good on one or the other, Lip2Cheeks are seriously stunning as lipsticks and blushes! Demure is a soft, rosy hue and although its coconut oil-based formulation doesn't last quite as long as its pink peers, it blends flawlessly onto the lips. This color is so alluring and classic! Love it!

Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Desire

Desire has a gorgeous pink hue with a touch of coral that instantly brightens the face. Although this shade is slightly warm-toned, it is neutral enough to compliment a variety of skin tones. The texture of this lipstick is quite firm and it will tug at the lips if it isn't warmed up a bit. Once applied, this lipstick has a smooth, silky texture that leaves the lips feeling nicely moisturized. It is so comfortable to wear that I often forget that I have it on. It has excellent pigmentation and staying power, and an understated glossy finish that doesn't feel sticky or cakey. There is also a subtle fruity scent that I just adore!

What are your favorite pink lipsticks? Am I missing any gems from my collection?

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