the return of country chic (bath and body works)

For several years, the discontinuation of Country Chic from Bath & Body Works has weighed heavy on my heart. Every time that I visited the store, the available scents were compared to that beloved fragrance. I tried various items from the Gingham collection, looking for something that was somewhat similar. Though there were all sorts of wonderful items available...there was no Country Chic. I fell in love with this particular scent many years ago and repurchased the Moisture Body Butter version many times. Country Chic was discontinued around 2014 and life has been less beautiful ever since. Until recently. 

review: dove x bridgerton (moonlit masquerade body scrub)

Certain shows are added to my watch list and sit there for weeks, months, or even years, before finally being viewed. Other shows are watched immediately. Bridgerton falls into the latter category. Whenever a new season premieres on Netflix, it is watched immediately. Whatever plans I had for that day are put on pause so I can find out what is happening in The Ton. I love the interesting characters, the costumes, the music, of course, the different love stories. I also love Bridgerton themed beauty products, as it turns out. Several years back, there were Bridgerton themed makeup items released from Pat McGrath Labs (if you missed that review post, be sure to check it out here) and more recently, Dove released a line of Bridgerton themed bath products. Keep reading for a review of the Moonlit Masquerade Body Scrub from the Dove x Bridgerton collection.

pros and cons: aqua bomb jelly cleanser (belif)

When it comes to makeup, skin care, and beauty products, my loved ones spoil me from time to time. They might pass along something that was included in a subscription box or spoil me with a product that they saw while out and about. That is what happened recently when a loved one gifted me the Aqua Bomb Jelly Cleanser from Belif. I have tried the popular moisturizer from this brand, but not the cleanser, so it was a nice treat to put it to the test. Keep reading for all of the pros and cons.

skin care review: masque bar mask set

Confession: I have been slacking when it comes to face masks. In fact, my entire skin care routine has been less than consistent lately. There is no concrete reason for this, other than the summer blues and feeling a little out of sorts. In an effort to feel more like myself, my days have included a lot of self-care recently. This has involved taking time to read, Disney inspired essential oils, watching old episodes of Survivor, and putting some face masks to use. The set shown above was gifted to me at Christmas, but for whatever reason, it did not receive my full attention until the last few weeks. Since all four Masque Bar masks have now been used, it seemed like an appropriate time for some mini reviews. Keep reading for all the details...

christmas in july part one: bath and body works semi-annual sale

Christmas In July is officially celebrated on July 25th, but thanks to an unexpected holiday release from Bath & Body Works, there are going to be two Christmas In July posts this year on the creation of beauty is art. My husband and I were out running errands a few weeks back and saw that Bath & Body Works was having a semi-annual sale. I love Bath & Body Works products (everything smells so good) but normally stock up in the fall and winter because the seasonal scents are my preference. We decided to walk through just to browse...but then found there were all sorts of Christmas In July themed items available. 

benefit: porefessional deep retreat pore-cleaning clay mask (review)

Every now and then, a face mask is a must. It is a nice way to pamper myself and focus on some much needed self care. Since I had a sample of the POREfessional Deep Retreat Pore-Cleaning Clay Mask from Benefit sitting around, it made sense to incorporate it into a recent relaxing evening. (For the record, that relaxing evening included pizza, season two of The Ultimatum: Queer Love, and sweatpants.) Ready to find out how this clay mask performs? Keep reading for a skin care review.

current favourites (accessories, perfume, skin care, and more)

It is time for a current favourites post. Sometimes, it is nice to focus on the little things that make life feel more beautiful. There have been all sorts of items that I have been for enjoying and reaching for lately...from accessories to perfumes to action figures and so much more. Here is a closer look at some recent favourites that have been making my days brighter. 

review: the kissu lip mask from tatcha

Tatcha is a brand that I have heard a lot about over the years, but never tried. Though my sister swears by many of their products, makeup is always more intriguing to me than skin care. This meant that my Sephora gift cards were used on the other side of the store instead. When a loved one gifted me The Kissu Lip Mask, it felt like a long overdue introduction to the brand. Curious about this jelly lip mask? Keep reading for a full review of The Kissu Lip Mask from Tatcha.

review: elf power grip primer + 4% niacinamide

Preparation is key, especially when it comes to increasing the longevity of a makeup look. The right skin care products and primers can make all the difference. With certain products on hand, makeup application can become easier and products will stay put throughout the day. After hearing rave reviews about the Power Grip Primer from elf, it seemed like time to put this much buzzed about item to the test. There are a few versions of the Power Grip Primer available, but I decided on the Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide. Ready for a review of this popular makeup primer? Keep reading for all the details.

keys soulcare (truly becoming multi-benefit peptide serum)

It is always nice when loved ones pass beauty items my way. Several people I know have beauty box subscriptions. When there are products inside that they aren't interested in or think that I might like...they tend to gift them to me to use and review. It was a few months back that the Keys Soulcare Firm Belief Smoothing Peptide Cream was reviewed here on the creation of beauty is art. I loved the product but not the price. So, it was a real thrill to have the opportunity to put another item from the brand to the test. Keep reading for a review of the Truly Becoming Multi-Benefit Peptide Serum from Keys Soulcare.

pros and cons: microdelivery exfoliating facial wash (philosophy)

My skin has definitely been struggling lately. With the weather being so inconsistent, it seems that my skin is confused. Though it is normally on the dry side...it seems especially parched these days. Since I had a sample version of the Microdelivery Exfoliating Daily Facial Wash from Philosophy, it made sense to put it to the test. Keep reading for some pros and cons. 

does it work?? laneige bouncy and firm sleeping mask

It is nice to test out different skin care items every now and again. Especially from a brand that I have enjoyed in the past. Laneige is a brand that I am fairly familiar with, thanks to the amazing Lip Sleeping Mask. Recently, I was able to put a sample sized version of the Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask to the test. Does it work?? Keep reading to find out...

review: laneige holiday sets (divine lip duo and midnight minis)

Some brands stand out. Laneige falls into that category as far as I am concerned. Their Lip Sleeping Mask has been a lifesaver on many occasions, especially during the cold and dry winter months. Each holiday season, the brand releases different sets with popular products, and I was fortunate enough to be gifted two of them: the Divine Lip Duo and the Midnight Minis. 

holiday highlights: winter wonderland hand cream set

Opening stockings on Christmas morning is always so thrilling. I love all of the fun little treats tucked away inside. Truth be told, the small things seem to excite me more than anything else. I remember when I was a kid, my brother and I would wake up early on Christmas morning and carefully pour over our stockings before showing off each and every item. This year, my husband and I decided to do stockings for each other and then purchase one record each to add to our collection. It made sense to cut back a bit given that we have all that we need. Everything else is just a bonus! Inside my stocking this year were all sorts of fun extras, like a cranberry scented holiday candle, Santa shaped chocolates, and lots of Turtles chocolates. Also inside? An adorable holiday themed hand cream set. The Winter Wonderland set came with three different scents. 

holiday highlights: charmed aroma and cath kidston advent caledars

Advent calendars are a special part of the holiday season. Some years, there is just a chocolate one to count down the days and other years, there is something a little more elaborate. But no matter what, I like to watch all sorts of advent unboxing videos on YouTube each year. I love the surprise of seeing what is hidden away inside! This year, my countdown to Christmas included a chocolate advent calendar, an Elf themed calendar, a Disney Princess Lego themed calendar, and a Charmed Aroma themed calendar. I was gifted the Elf, Lego, and Charmed Aroma calendars for my birthday in the fall (there is nothing I love more than receiving an advent calendar for my birthday) and was finally able to open them, day by day. However, there was another advent calendar that snuck in at the last minute when I found a discounted Cath Kidston calendar in late December. On a whim, I decided to add it to my countdown. Here is a look inside the Charmed Aroma and Cath Kidston advent calendars...

philosophy product review (purity, hope, and grace)

Despite the fact that Philosophy products have been around for ages (my sister was using some of their stuff back when we both used to live at home with our parents)...this isn't a brand I have a lot of familiarity with. Beyond seeing my sister open up a Christmas gift with some Philosophy products inside, that is. So, when I won a raffle with all sorts of beauty products, it was exciting to put some Philosophy products to the test for myself. Were they good? Bad? So so? Keep reading for all the details.

beauty show and tell: back to school pencil case beauty bundle

Things that make me happy? Beauty products, stationary supplies, and fun little surprises from my husband. The Back to School Pencil Case Beauty Bundle managed to check off all three boxes. After seeing this item on sale at the local drugstore...my husband brought it home for me. Just because. It was so thoughtful and certainly appreciated. So, this post is a little show and tell to highlight all of the different beauty products found inside this oh-so-cute pencil shaped case. 

mini skin care reviews (tula, pixi, unicorn glow)

Lately, a few new-to-me products have been in rotation. I wanted to take my time with them and really see how these items performed over a longer period of time rather than share initial thoughts. Without further ado, find out how the Tula Skincare Purifying Face Cleanser, Pixi Clarity Cleanser, and Unicorn Glow Long Wear Primer performed with these mini reviews....

review: pixi + hello kitty glow tonic

What is it about Hello Kitty? This iconic character is beloved around the world. Created in the mid-70s, her popularity never seems to wane. Even today, it is common to see this adorable cartoon on everything from backpacks to t-shirts, purses, buttons, shoes, and even beauty products. An example of the latter is the Pixi + Hello Kitty Glow Tonic. Since I happen to adore Hello Kitty...it was impossible for me to resist this themed product. And since my skin has needed some extra attention lately, it was a win-win situation. Ready to find out how this adorable Glow Tonic performs? Here is everything you need to know.

does it work?? winky lux catne pimple patches

The winter weather is always hard on my skin, but it seems to be especially harsh this year for whatever reason. I've been moisturizing regularly, exfoliating, and all the rest, but my skin is not cooperating. Currently, it is ultra dry on my forehead and cheeks, but there are blemishes around my chin. Talk about frustrating! Since I had these Catne Pimple Patches from Winky Lux on hand, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to put them to the test. So...does it work?? Keep reading to find out.