Better Than Before Book Review

As part of this month's Birchbloggers Book Club, I received the book Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives. This book intrigued me from the moment I heard the title. Can I really be better than before? Not to say that I was already my best version but it seems like it was hard to change my ways since I've been so used to do my daily, routine life already. Then it got me thinking about my habits and about my usual to-dos that I don't think twice about anymore.

This book is a must-read especially if there are things you want to start doing in your life- for example, start exercising or cooking more. There are different reasons as to why you're motivated to do something and it's important to understand what those factors are. Are they external factors such as exercising to meet up with a friend or internal factors such as cooking to stay healthy.

The book starts off with understanding yourself and how you respond to expectations. It then moves onto the pillars of habits- Monitoring, Foundation, Scheduling, and Accountability. The best part of the book is to review different strategies to achieve and create those habits you've been wanting to incorporate in your life. I found this book to be completely thought provoking and so interesting.

Thanks to Birchbox and their Birchbloggers Book Club for letting me learn more about myself. There's a few habits that I'm working on and will be using the tips I learned from this book!

Look forward to next month's read!!

March Ipsy Glam bag Review

March is Floral Fantasy month for Ipsy! The bag I love and got some great new additions to my stash! Here's what I got:

- Boo-Boo Coverup Concealer (very tone specific but found this to work ok) will use this for covering any redness or dark spots

- Dr. Brandt Pores no More Anti-Aging mattifying lotion - as it gets hotter, I'm finding this mattifying lotion absolutely essential. No more oilies!

- Pur-lisse Soymilk Cleanser and Makeup Remover- this was gentle to use, but I like using more clarifying cleansers when it's hot.

- NYX butter lipstick- whoa purple! This violet is outside my norm for sure, but it is something different to add to my routine

- Vintage by Jessica Liebeskind illuminating highlighter- a smaller sample than I thought, but it makes a nice rosy highlighter for the Spring! 

Excited to see what April will bring!! (hopefully not showers!)

Join Ipsy today!! 

Lindi Skin Beauty Review

As you may already know, I have super sensitive skin so I'm always looking for products that are gentle and cater to my skin-type. I was recently given the opportunity to try a few products from Lindi Skin. They specialize in products that are gentle and made especially for women who are allergy-prone, have skin rashes, are sensitive. They're also recommended for those who need special care for medical reasons or who have had medical treatments.

I was given the opportunity to try some of their popular products. Here's what I have been using:

The Face Serum in Lavender- one of my favorite calming scents, this serum feels amazing on my skin. I use this nightly after the face wash to help keep my skin feel its best- as it is packed with antioxidants and vitamins.

The Eye Hydrator- this eye gel is great for reducing my puffiness. Its cooling and moisturizing properties are great to keep the sensitive skin around your eyes feeling hydrated. 

The Lip Balm- I personally prefer my lip balms as a stick instead of a jar to avoid using my fingers, but I found this lip balm to be incredibly moisturizing. It reminds me of a texture of Vaseline because it coats my lips well. It has packed with Vitamin E and can also be used on your nail cuticles. 

Last but not least, their Face Wash! Everyone uses a face wash daily (or at least they should be!) so this is one of the most important beauty staples in my book. This wash does exactly what it says on the label- Clarify & Hydrate! My skin looks clearer and feels more supple after use. No tightness at all which I feel with my other washes sometimes.

***SPECIAL!!*** For Beauty & All That readers, you can save an additional 25% Off all Lindi Skin care products using the code "BLOG25" at checkout. This special is valid until May 31, 2015, so hurry!!

(Disclaimer: I received this product to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

Dermalogica's Precleanse Oil and Wipes Review

Have you ever bought about precleansing- aka cleansing before your actual facial cleansing routine? 

The Dermalogica PreCleanse set includes the precleansing oil and wipes that help break down the excess oil prior to the actual cleanse. This is perfect for oily skinned folks! It also helps break down sunscreen, waterproof makeup and other product build-up. As spring and summer is coming soon, this is great to get rid of the outer layer of gunk so your regular facial wash can work better on your skin. 

It does sound like double the work, but it's important to keep your skin clean, pores clear and feel refreshed! How to use this set? First, I pour a nickel-sized amount of the oil on my hand to help massage onto my face. Once the oil has absorbed, I use one of the wipes to clean the oil. The wipes is a nice touch and is great for a "double" clean feel. Then I continue with my normal face routine. (I also use the wipes separately and on its own when I don't want to use the oil- lazy days) 

Check out these Precleanse products at http://bit.ly/dermalogicaprecleanse

(Disclaimer: I received this product from iFabbo to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.) Check out more blogs @ TotalBeauty.com

Q-tips- a beauty tool must have!

One of my all-time fave beauty tools is Q-tips! There's the regular round tip ones that I grew up with that I use to help smudge my eyeliner for a smoky look.

There's also the Precision Tips that I have found incredibly useful for helping my DIY manicures- dip the tip in nail polish remover to clean the edges. I also use this when applying red lipstick or any color that needs complete precision. It's so easy for the extra lip color to smudge outside your lips, so it's helpful to fix those boo-boos.

If you're on the go, they also offer Q-tips in a handy-dandy travel case! No need to put them in ziplock baggies or even loosely in your cosmetics bag. It helps to prevent germs as well as ensure you have enough of a supply for each time you use them!

(Disclaimer: I received this product to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)

Celebrate Beauty with Whole Foods' Beauty Week

In all Whole Foods stores, they will be selling this limited edition Hello, Beauty! Bag filled with beauty samples, including brands from Pacifica, DermaE, and Acure Organics! They're sold at 10AM sharp this Saturday, March 21! Most stores will also have product demos and other beauty specials this week but will vary depending on the store.

I'm personally going to get there a bit earlier so I can make sure I snag one of these! I always love going to Whole Foods to check out their beauty sectionals get lost in checking out their products. :) 

March Birchbox Review

The Beauty Solutions box from Birchbox this month had the perfect mix of beauty and skincare products I was looking for. It also contained one of my fave skincare brands DermaE and was excited to try their brightening day crew with SPF15.

Here's what else I got:

-Dear Clark Volumizing Tonic to get your limp hair extra oomph

-Whish body butter in almomd

-SuperGoop eye cream (sample was too small though)

-Laura Geller beauty baked mineral blush

For $10 a month and the opportunity to get $5 back to use in the Birchbox shop, this is a steal! Love their points/reward program and these travel samples to bring with on a weekend getaway or in my purse! 

Check out birchbox.com today and join!!

Real Simple Magazine's Beauty & Balance NYC Event on 4/18

Browsing through one of my fave magazines, Real Simple, I was excited to see this awesome event they're hosting in NYC on April 18- Beauty & Balance. I'm all for Beauty and who doesn't need a bit more balance in their life? 

Check out Rslifestylers.com/events for more details and RSVP info! 

They have PureBarre classes from 10AM to 4 PM.

They're also hosting at 11 AM a special cooking demo, called New Healthy Pantry Cooking demo and breakfast. RSVP here.

At 2 PM, learn Beauty 101 tips with the Real Simple Beauty Editor. RSVP here.

Also throughout the day, enjoy and RSVP for: (looks like they make take 30 mins- as each appointment time is at the hour or half hour)

Mini RoC Skincare facials

Aveda Hairstyling

Mini Makeovers

RSVP for ALL events here.

Really wish I could make it there but alas, I'm no longer there.. Would Real Simple be kind enough to send me a goodie bag anyway? :) All guests will get a special gift bag!

Great thing though, is their partner Pure Barre is offering complimentary classes for those outside of NYC :) Get more details here and to find a participating studio near you!

Plum Organics Series: Plum Vida Review

One of my 2015 goals is to be healthy and two months into the year, I have maintained my healthy lifestyle by fitting in more exercise and eating more organic. I've been eating more servings of veggies and fruits as part of my daily diet and love how I have been feeling. 

One of my favorite "foodie" discoveries is the brand Plum Organics. I see them everywhere at Target and one of the first products I tried is their Fruit & veggie blends- Plum Vida. These convenient pouches have half a cup of your fruit & veggie servings and make a great snack. I throw one in my lunch bag and eat it after lunch.

(Three flavors shown here from left to right: 1) Pineapple, Carrot & Mint 2) Cherry, Berry, Beet & Ginger 3) Pear, Kale, Spinach & Celery )

I usually buy a variety to mix it up but my fave flavor is the Cherry/Berry/Beet/Ginger one. I love the fruity sweet flavors mixed with ginger! 

What's great about Plum Vida snacks is that the ingredients are non-GMO, all organic and have food you can actually pronounce! Plum Organics also have other snacks such as oat bars that I'll be trying out soon. Stay tuned for more reviews! 

Check out www.plumorganics.com for more products and check your nearest Target or retailer for your favorite Plum products!

(Disclaimer: I received this product from this company to test, try and share my thoughts with my readers.)