A Few New Things in Campaigns 17 & 18

Hey there!  I just wanted to pop in and share a quick bit of info about some of my latest stuff from Avon:
Textured Cool Crossbody Bag

Soooo, this purse ended up being way cooler than I thought it would be!  In the brochure photo, it looked like the top flap on this bag zipped directly to its main body.  But no, the top flap itself unzips to a whole compartment that goes to the bottom of the bag!

 There are interior slip pockets and a zippered panel in the front portion, and the goldtone hardware feels nice and heavy.  Like I said, the larger compartment zips closed, then folds down and connects with a magnetic snap.   The faux leather feels soft and not too much like plastic.

The handle strap is adjustable and I love how long it can be.  Excellent crossbody option if you are tall!

Overall I am very pleased with this purse - it's better than I expected.

Neck & Neck Choker Set

This necklace arrives as two pieces and can be worn separately or together.  I'm a little on the fence as to whether or not I like it.  The metal it's made from is springy but also malleable, so I can bend it to fit my neck better and it will hold its shape when I take it off.  The goldtone color is pretty -- not too yellow or fake-looking.  However, the way it sits on my neck is just not doing it for me, no matter how I reshape it.  Somehow it doesn't look like it does on the model in the brochure (big surprise, I know) and when I get it closer to looking better, it's uncomfortable when I move around (I have neck and shoulder muscles that need room!).

Imari Elixir EDT 

Notes according to avon.com: "tempting juicy blackberry essence, seductive rose absolute and hypnotic pure vanilla extract".

At first, this fragrance is so strongly blackberry that the fruitiness is almost overwhelming.  It has a sharp, almost alcoholic bite to it, like blackberry liqueur.  As it dries down, however, it smells a little powdery and like ... sweet incense?  It's hard to put my finger on it, but I'm going to stick with the incense note.  I don't really get vanilla or rose out of it, which is somewhat disappointing since I love roses and vanilla!  It's not a deal-breaker though, and I've been really enjoying smelling like blackberry syrup and incense lately.

It's hard for me to place this fragrance in a season.  It is heavy and syrupy, like an autumn scent, but also soooo fruity which makes me think of summer.  I've worn it during the day and night and I like it both ways.  The blackberry note lasts a long time and I can still smell it on my skin the next morning!

That's all for now!

Note: I submit my Avon order every other campaign.  This means that I receive products from two campaigns at once, but half as often as the regular timetable.
All thoughts stated in this post are my own, honest opinions.  I have not been compensated to review these products, and all were purchased by me with my own money.

Moisture Therapy Derma: Restoring

Hey there!  I've just got a little mini-review today on two of Avon's products from their Moisture Therapy Derma line in the Restoring version.

Body Scrub

The body scrub is a white cream with little exfoliating granules dispersed throughout.  I'd prefer that the granules be a little more dense, but with some extra elbow grease, they still feel pretty good.

 

The scrub is quickly disappearing because, first of all, I feel like I have to use a lot of it to get the exfoliating that I want out of it, and second of all, I sometimes use it all over my body instead of just the rough areas.  I believe that it's unscented, so the remaining "scent" is just from the ingredients - which, although faint, reminds me of a cross between glue and Greek yogurt.  Not a deal-breaker for me; I don't mind it a bit.

Body Lotion

 The body lotion is very light and creamy, with a similar (but not identical) scent.  It smooths onto my skin nicely and absorbs at the typical rate for a lotion.  I don't notice any residual stickiness or smell, just a nice softness.

I purchased these two products because it was advertised as being 'suitable for keratosis pilaris', which is a condition that I have had for about 20 years.  Also called "chicken skin," I have this on the backs of my upper arms and on my upper thighs and well... the back of my butt (sorry, that may be a little TMI).  Now, I don't know what exactly causes it, but I have a suspicion that it is related to hormones because mine goes almost completely away only when I'm pregnant.  How....frustrating!  Since I don't plan on being pregnant constantly for the rest of my life, I figured I would give this stuff a shot.

After the first use, I didn't notice anything more than a typical exfoliator+lotion combo might have accomplished.  However, after a few weeks of use, I did notice a difference, especially in my "hind quarters."  That's a big deal, because one of the ways to make KP better is to expose it to a little sun (in my experience) and my, um, hind quarters get zero sun.  My KP is not gone -- don't get me wrong -- but it is a lot better, and smooth skin is so nice to have again!  I should have taken before & after photos, but to be honest, I didn't have high expectations (and also KP is really hard to photograph!)

I use these two in combination about once or twice a week.  For the results I get with that kind of light use, (even if I do use a lot at a time) I will definitely repurchase!

Note: I am not a dermatologist or a doctor.  This post is just about my experience, and in no way a recommendation!  If you have KP and are unsure if this product would work for you, talk to your doc!

Dupe Alert! Avon vs. Bath & Body Works

If you have ever fallen in love with a scent only to see it discontinued later, then you know how I felt when Bath & Body Works discontinued their White Tea & Ginger line several years ago.  I absolutely loved the body spray especially, and stocked up on several bottles of it when it began to disappear from stores.  Since then, they repackaged and released it once again as a limited-edition "flashback fragrance", but I still have one bottle left, so I haven't tried the new version yet.

Left: Bath & Body Works, Right: Avon

However, I have tried the latest scent from Avon in their Naturals line, called Green Tea & Verbena, and let me tell you: it's almost a dead ringer for my old favorite!

 

In comparison, I would have to say that on my skin (everyone's is different) the White Tea spray smells slightly "warmer," while Avon's Green Tea has a floral-lime tone to it.  After about an hour of wear, White Tea has a sort of "cedar" smell mixed with lemon; while Green Tea has faded, but smells still like the original scent.  (Please pardon my lack of scent-describing skills!  I'm working on it.)

For extra staying power, I may pick up the body wash or lotion, but no matter what, I'm thrilled to have this kind of scent available to me through Avon!

Thanks for reading!

Avon Warm Sunrise Quad and Perfect Nude Gloss

Hi there!  I have a simple and quick product update for you today!  Avon has introduced a few new shades into several of their makeup categories including powder blush, lip crayons, eyeshadow palettes, and lip gloss.  In this post I'm showing off two of them that I ordered recently.

Ultra Glazewear in Perfect Nude

 

 

Perfect Nude is a pale, pinky beige, categorized by Avon as a creme.  It has no shimmer, and it's on the sheer side, so if you have pigmented lips, don't expect it to look like it does in the tube when wearing.  It's a nice everyday kind of color.  Of course, it has the same comfy, non-sticky formula that makes Glazewear so good.

True Color Eye Shadow Quad in Warm Sunrise

This is my favorite makeup purchase by far!  I was really impressed when I swatched it.  Shades 1 and 2 are shimmery and smooth but just a little sheer compared to the matte gorgeousness that is shades 3 and 4.  Talk about a beautiful formula!  They blend easily and have great pigmentation.  I love that no two shades in this quad are too close together, yet all work harmoniously to create a great look.  Here's one of the looks I did with it:

Sorry for the crappy picture quality here -- I actually shot this while bouncing a fussy baby on my hip.  (He isn't as big a fan of makeup as his mommy is!)  I'm loving this rusty look and have worn it two days in a row now!  No liner -- just primer, shadow, and mascara.  Love!

That's all for now!  <3

All thoughts stated in this post are my own, honest opinions.  I have not been compensated to review these products, and all were purchased by me with my own money.

Avon Haul and First Impressions: Campaigns 21 & 22 2014

Hi there and thanks for tuning in once again!  I'm recapping my skipped purchases over the holidays... keep reading for more (including a big one not pictured)!

Slept Through Breakfast Again...

...Actually, sleep like that would be nice!  As it turns out, being mama of two little ones is no easy task and when the holidays come roaring through, beauty blogging (and even selling Avon) take a back seat to the rest of life.  Now that things have quieted down, relatively speaking, I'm able to return here to pick up where I left off: shopping Avon and putting on the pretty!

NOTD: A Mani Monday for Once!

Here's my little bit of nail fun so far this week:

Products/tools used:
Avon Nail Experts Ridge Filling Base Coat
Avon Nailwear Pro+ in Sweet Pea Dream (limited edition)
Avon Gel Finish 7-in-1 Nail Enamel in Royal Vendetta
Avon Dual-Ended Nail Brush and Dotting Tool
Avon UV Gloss Guard Top Coat

They look like eyes.