• Home
  • About
  • Shop My Closet
  • Contact
    • Instagram

Shopping With Sum

A blog for anyone who loves to have fun with fashion and doesn't want to be limited by size!

  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Baby/Toddler

February 19, 2020

Recent beauty hits and misses…

I love to try out makeup and beauty products. Nothing gets me more excited than a bag full of goodies from Ulta or Sephora. And, even though my husband rolls his eyes at me every night, I enjoy my (sometimes lengthy) beauty routine. Some of the products I have tried recently were total hits and others not so much. I thought it would be fun to share a few products that I have been loving and a few that were misses for me.

Let’s start with the hits:

https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-hyaluronic-acid-2pct-b5-30ml?redir=1

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid + B5 serum: If you have ever read any of my blog posts, then you know that I struggle with dry skin. I have always had dry skin but as I have gotten older, it has become much more apparent. My skin often looks like it needs to be plumped up and that is exactly what hyaluronic acid promises. I have tried several products over the years with hyaluronic acid as an ingredient, but I have never noticed much of a difference in my skin. That is until I tried this serum by The Ordinary. It uses 3 different molecular weights of HA to ensure absorption into the skin. It is also combined with B5, which helps to enhance absorption as well. I have been intrigued by this brand for a while. They have a lot of great reviews, and are priced very very low. For instance, this serum retails for $6.80! It is vegan, cruelty free, alcohol free and silicone free. It comes in a nice, thick glass jar. So far, I have been very impressed. When I apply this product, it feels like a drink of water for my thirsty skin. I know that sounds cliché, but I literally couldn’t think of another way to describe it. My skin instantly absorbs the product. I feel like I have noticed a difference in my skin, and I feel like my makeup goes on more smoothly too! Overall, a great product!

Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara: Holy cow this stuff is GOOD. I have seriously tried a million different mascaras and this blows them all out of the water. I have a tried and true Maybelline one that I love and have used forever, but I have to say it has taken a backseat recently. This mascara gives amazing length and volume and does not clump. And it also doesn’t flake, which absolutely drives me crazy when some mascaras flake all over your face. I cant express how much I love this mascara! I can’t say that I won’t continue to try new ones here and there but I can say it would be difficult to beat this one!

https://www.target.com/p/neutrogena-lip-gloss-hydro-boost-hydrating-lip-shine-0-12oz/-/A-51062790 ( I am in the shade radiant rose)

Neutrogena Hydroboost Lip Shine: This lip gloss is incredible. I know that may soud intense in reference to a lip gloss, but if you try this you will see! Not only is my skin very dry, but my lips are even worse. I have tried every lipstick, gloss, mask, scrub, and balm known to man. I have tried products that seem to soften my lips but after it wears off, they are dry and flaky again. That is not an attractive look. I can honestly say this gloss leaves my lips soft and not dried out even when it has worn off. I was so skeptical when I purchased this, but now I am a total believer. I am sitting here as I type this in shock at how smooth my lips feel after I have been wearing this all day. I do want to mention, that it is a gloss so the color is not as pigmented as a lipstick. Some reviews also said it felt thick, however, I like the texture and it didn’t bother me at all. It retails for a little over $7 and I cant wait to buy all the shades!

Okay, and now for a few products that were misses for me. Keep in mind that everyone has different skin so these products may work for you!

Caffeine Solution: https://theordinary.com/product/rdn-caffeine-solution-5pct-egcg-30ml?redir=1
LA Girl Pro Conceal: https://www.lagirlusa.com/products/hd-pro-concealer
Real Techniques sponge: https://www.ulta.com/miracle-complexion-sponge?productId=xlsImpprod5960824&sku=2265607&cmpid=PS_Non!google!Product_Listing_Ads&cagpspn=pla&CATCI=aud-835019021962:pla-39469501601&CAAGID=19364078310&CAWELAID=330000200000039656&CATARGETID=330000200000347353&CADevice=c&gclid=Cj0KCQiAs67yBRC7ARIsAF49CdWqrZUXsgkCPAYY_AxyU0zqQW56pL9aZ-DBaBfpP53nC-3PgkNW0X4aAnf4EALw_wcB

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG. I am a nurse by day and was recently having a conversation with a surgeon about some of the skin issues I have been having since having a baby. One of those issues is major dark circles. He mentioned to me that topical caffeine can be really effective to treat dark circles. I had seen this product by The Ordinary and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, it was a big flop for me. I did not notice any difference in my dark circles, but what I did notice was an increase in dryness. That is a huge deal for me who already struggles with dryness! I can not say with 100% certainty if this product would have decreased my dark circles over time or not because I discontinued use after a few weeks. If dryness isn’t an issue for you and you want to try a topical caffeine, this only costs $6.70 so it might be a great place to start! Bonus: caffeine has been shown to reduce cellulite in some studies so maybe Ill try it on my thighs…who am I kidding, there isn’t enough caffeine in this world to help my thighs 🙂

L.A. Girl HD Pro Concealer color corrector in yellow: This product is supposed to help correct and neutralize purple/blue undertones. I wanted to try this to see if I could use this alone, or in conjunction with my concealer to help me look less like a racoon. Unfortunately, this product did nothing for me. It didn’t even look like I had applied anything at all and did not work in conjunction with my concealer. It has a nice little applicator brush, and only costs $5.00 but for now I will stick with my Becca undereye brightener (its amazing by the way).

Real Techniques makeup sponge. I like to use a damp Beauty Blender to apply my foundation, however, I don’t like paying $20 plus dollars for said sponge. I saw this Real Techniques sponge at Ulta and I loved the case that came with it, so I thought I would try it out. It was a big fail for me. The texture is very different from a Beauty Blender and it did not evenly distribute my foundation at all. Its like the texture of the sponge didn’t mix well with my foundation and it smeared it on my face rather than blending it. I really did not enjoy this product at all. It retails for $5.99 which is great, but it was a no go for me!

These are all the products I am reviewing today! I hope you found this helpful if you have been considering trying out any of these products recently!

Filed in: Uncategorized | By shoppingwithsum |

You may also like

About shoppingwithsum

Welcome

I am a Nashville based mama who loves to share affordable fashion, beauty finds and baby updates! I am always looking for ways to look stylish and trendy in a world where it seems fashion can stop at a certain size! I am so glad you are here and I hope you will come back and visit often!

About me

  • Instagram

Search

Popular Posts

I love a good maxi dress

The best little black dress

FOLLOW @shoppingwithsum

shoppingwithsum

Yesterday is a day that I will remember for years Yesterday is a day that I will remember for years to come. A day that I will daydream about when I am stuck inside at work or just need to smile! We spent the day at the zoo and it was so much fun! The weather was perfect, Ella had the best time and I was so happy. It’s so amazing the joy you feel watching your baby enjoy life. ❤️ These @walmart jeans that I wear all the time were so perfect for running around. I can’t believe jeans can be so comfortable! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltkfamily
Just over here looking for Spring! The temps are s Just over here looking for Spring! The temps are starting to warm up and the sun is shining. I can start to smell the faint scent of spring in the air and it makes me daydream of outdoor picnics and pretty dresses. Spring never lasts long enough in Nashville as it quickly fades into the heat of summer but it’s a wonderful few weeks while it lasts! Spring and fall are definitely my favorite seasons, what about you? What is your ideal weather? #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltkseasonal
Don’t mind me, I am just casually trying to blen Don’t mind me, I am just casually trying to blend into these bushes because a large group of people were walking by and I was just out there alone taking outfit pics of myself 🤣  But this dress is so pretty and it’s 35% off so it had to be done! You can shop this floral beauty by clicking the link in my bio! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltksalealert
Pink or green, which is your fave? I couldn’t de Pink or green, which is your fave? I couldn’t decide, and at $24 each you don’t have to pick just one either! I am blown away by the quality of these dresses! The pink one is perfect for Easter and the green one is great with sneakers for a more casual look! You can shop by clicking the link in my bio! I hope you all have something fun planned for today! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltkseasonal
One of my favorite ways to make the most of my own One of my favorite ways to make the most of my own closet is to wear a cute sweater over a dress- add some booties and a hat and you’re good to go! This is a very springy floral dress but you can wear it much longer into the year with a sweater! It also pushes me to play around with different color combos that I haven’t necessarily tried yet! You can shop similar looks by clicking the link in my bio! Happy Friday everyone! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltkstyletip
Can we talk about jeans for a minute? I feel like Can we talk about jeans for a minute? I feel like that has become like a four letter word these days in the age of comfortable clothes! Well fear not because these under $20 jeans are so incredibly comfortable and easy to wear! I wore them all day long and they never stretched out and lost shape. I honestly can’t believe how much I love them! Note- I did cut them off at the bottom so they would be a little bit shorter but they had a raw hem to begin with so you would never even know! You can shop this look by clicking the link in my bio! These jeans run tts! #liketkit #ltkunder50
Let’s get past the point that I’m in the snow Let’s get past the point that I’m in the snow in short sleeves and just focus on the beauty of this dress 😂 I love it so much and the snow seemed so magical that I obviously had to run out and snap a pic. I can’t wait to have somewhere to wear this! Click the link in my bio to shop a few pretty tiered dresses!
This is a day I will cherish forever! Ella’s fir This is a day I will cherish forever! Ella’s first snowman! We had so much fun playing in the snow but I’m glad you can’t see me out there trying to roll that snowman up 🤣 No one told me how hard that really is lol. The snow is melting away today so I’m glad I have these pics to remember this day! ⛄️
I have seen so many people on Instagram who have c I have seen so many people on Instagram who have claimed a word of the year for 2021! Some of the words I have seen floating around are kindness, self-care, Love and so on. While these words are all wonderful I think my word of the year is going to be loungewear 😂 I Absolutely love this matching set because it is so incredibly soft and can just as easily be worn to run errands. Throw on a camel coat and some sneakers and you’re good to go! I have linked a few other comfy lounge options in the @ltk app! Click the link in my bio to shop!
I am a self proclaimed beauty product junkie! I lo I am a self proclaimed beauty product junkie! I love to try new makeup and skincare and I thought it would be fun to share a few new things I have been trying! I just published a new blog post sharing my most recent beauty buys! Check out ShoppingwithSum.com to see more! You can also click the link in my bio to shop all of the products. Stay warm and stay safe today!
I haven’t shared a try on in a long time so I am I haven’t shared a try on in a long time so I am excited to share some recent @targetstyle finds! Head to my stories for sizing details and everything will be linked in @liketoknow.it! You can click the link in my bio to shop! If you’re snowed in today then it’s a great time to cozy up and do a little online shopping! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #tryonhaul
Please ignore the fact that we are currently cover Please ignore the fact that we are currently covered in a sheet of ice and think warm thoughts 😂 I have a fun @target try on coming soon but I couldn’t wait to share this adorable top because it’s 20% off today! It’s one of my favorites from the try on! Click the link in my bio to shop or feel free to message me for links! Stay warm and stay safe out there today! Also check out my friend @417bargainfindergirl who shared this top today too and see how she styled it! ❤️
Happy Valentine’s Day from my little love and I! Happy Valentine’s Day from my little love and I! We hope you have a fun day full of love ❤️ check out my stories to see how taking pics with a toddler really looks 😂
Okay I will never give up my side part, 😂 will Okay I will never give up my side part, 😂 will always be my favorite emoji and I still love skinny jeans... but I do have fun trying out different jeans and I am loving the cropped flare look! Little life hack... if you’re short like me, just take some scissors and cut those jeans off at the bottom to your desired length! I love a raw hem Jean anyway! Click the link in my bio to shop some cute cropped flare jeans!
Yesterday was 60* and now we have a chance of snow Yesterday was 60* and now we have a chance of snow all week! This weather has been crazy even for TN standards! So I’m definitely not wearing this dress today but I will be wearing it all spring! A floral dress is the key to my heart! This exact dress was under $20 and sold out super fast but I have linked several other ones from the same retailer that are all on major sale! If you are snowed in and bored then click the link in my bio to shop for warmer days ahead! You can also take a screenshot of this image to have the details emailed directly to you!
Who doesn’t love a good striped shirt? I know I Who doesn’t love a good striped shirt? I know I do! This one is perfect because it’s thin and great for layering right now but will also be great as the temps start to warm up! I have styled it a few ways here, but I’m also thinking denim shorts and sneakers this spring! You can shop this by taking a screenshot of this image, or clicking the link in my bio! Note- this top runs very oversized so definitely size down! #liketkit #ltkunder100 #ltkstyletip
When I first saw this top I immediately fell in lo When I first saw this top I immediately fell in love! I also immediately thought of another popular top that is way more expensive! The pattern isn’t the same but the style of top is identical so  you can still have the look but for way less! You can shop this look by taking a screenshot of this image or by clicking the link in my bio! ❤️ The pattern of this top and the sleeves are just so pretty! #liketkit #ltkunder50 #lookforless
I have always been a huge fan of plaid flannel shi I have always been a huge fan of plaid flannel shirts, so naturally I am loving the “shacket” trend! This one is so cute and feminine with the little pearl buttons. I also love the neutral colors! Have you tried a shacket yet? Let me know your thoughts on this trend... they also look really cute with joggers for a comfy and casual look 😍 You can shop this cutie by taking a screenshot of this pic or clicking the link in my bio! Happy Super Bowl Sunday (I literally just realized it was the super bowl like yesterday 🤣) #liketkit #ltkunder50 #ltkstyletip
I have pretty much given in to the fact that I liv I have pretty much given in to the fact that I live in loungewear these days. I love to dress up and try things on but about 5 minutes in jeans is all I need to realize I’m not into it!  I used to cringe at this thought but what are you gonna do? If wearing a full leopard sweatsuit is wrong then I don’t want to be right 😂 This one is from Walmart and IT.IS.SO.GOOD! I couldn’t find it online but I decided to share it in case you can get to your local store (mine had lots in stock). It’s by Secret Treasures and is the best lounge set I have tried yet!! I also linked a bunch of other really cute ones in my @liketoknow.it Click the link in my bio to shop!
I have been blessed in that I have had a great lif I have been blessed in that I have had a great life. I had an awesome childhood, I have a great husband, and  I have had some
absolutely wonderful experiences over my lifetime. However, nothing could have ever prepared me for the sheer joy of having Ella. I never knew the pure, overwhelming happiness I could get from watching her jump in a rain puddle or the pride I could feel when she does something new. The season of waiting for her was excruciating and now that I have her, I never want to take one single second for granted.  Yesterday was not my best day and I wasn’t quite the mom I want to be and as I laid down for bed it weighed so heavily on me. I know I will never ever be perfect but this was the reminder I needed to slow down and enjoy. I want her to look back on her life and know just how much I love being her mom ❤️
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Theme by Blog Pixie