Rimmel London #StayMatte Liquid Mousse Foundation Review

• I was recently given the opportunity to test and review Rimmel London's brand new Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation courtesy of Influenster via their #StayMatte VoxBox. 
   

  

  I love the packaging for this little tube. It's discrete and would be easy to pack anywhere for touch ups if necessary.

  This product isn't due to be released in stores until January 2014, so I was excited to be among those selected to try it out and review it. Typically, I only use foundation in the winter and more dreary months of the year or when I'm headed out to a special event etc. I don't usually wear it in the summer at all, I just wear a moisturizer with SPF. I haven't yet found an average priced foundation that I'm in love with and so I was even more excited to give the Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation a try!
   
  The product I received in my #StayMatte VoxBox was #203 True Beige (this is the color I was assgined based on the VoxBox survey process) it is not actually a true match to my skin tone. In fact it's a lot more "orange" in color than I am. 

  

  The consistency of the #StayMatte Liquid Mousse is more creamy than "liquid."

  
  

  

  In fact it's really thick formula, but not at all greasy or oily.

  
  

  
  

  

  It is super lightweight and very fluffy as if it's been whipped like mousse. When mixed in equal part with my moisturizer it goes on like a dream and gives excellent long lasting, shine free coverage. If only this shade was a true match for me!

  If it were summer and I was still tan, this might be a much better fit, but it's at least one if not two shades too dark for me right now. Rimmel London's Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation is available in 8 different shades and you can check them out here. I think that #200 Soft Beige probably would have been a much closer fit for my current skin tone, but that's alright. I still have a good idea of how well the product works, even if it wasn't the correct match.
   
  What I liked about this product:
  • For a foundation it is really feather light and pretty much weightless. You don't remember it's there after you've applied it and it's set.
  • They have 8 different shades, so you should be able to find the correct match for your skin tone!
  • Great coverage, masks blemishes and evens skin tone well.
  • Definitely a Matte finish, no issues with shine or dew after a full day wear, even for a very active user. Of course you need to reply after showering, but mine lasted through a workout, so that's a plus.
  • Not greasy, oily or sticky. It's a very thick cream.
  • Doesn't seem to clog pores.
  •  Goes on easy; don't need to use very much at all.
  • Convenient tube.
  • No need for reapplication, even after a night out.
  • Once it's set it doesn't easily rub off onto other things!
  • It's inexpensive for what it is, making it affordable and it's also readily available in most stores starting January 2014.

  
  What I didn't care for with this product:
  

  • This is supposed to be a liquid Mousse formula it goes on much thicker than any liquid foundation I've ever used. I don't care for the consistency.
  • I found that when I used it alone, it looked dry, caked or even powdery upon application.
  • Even with a very little bit, you really have to work to get it all rubbed in.
  • Had to apply with moisturizer in order to make it look smooth and natural.

  
  Application Tips:
  

  • Apply cream to a clean dry face in upward circular motions. 
  • Make sure you blend into your neck and past your hair line.
  • To prevent the dry powdery look that I didn't at all care for, I found it best to mix this with my moisturizer in equal parts until completely blended before applying it to my face. 
  • Let the blended moisturizer and Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation set for about 10 minutes before applying the rest of your make-up to prevent smudging or uneven distribution of color/coverage.
   
   If you want to see how Georgia May Jagger wears her Rimmel London Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation at a party; flawlessly - it doesn't even rub off on the guy she's with who happens to be wearing a white suit then check this video out here... it's cute. Who wouldn't want to go to that party, right?
  
  
   I think I may give this another try in the right color when it hits stores in 2014. If for no other reason, than it really does give amazing coverage and I love the smooth, clean look with moisturizer and it's very affordable for every day foundation use. I am really partial to true liquid foundations and had hoped that this one would have been more of a liquid and less of a paste or paint consistency, but I can overlook that if the shade is right!

  

  No shine... Totally Matte!

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

   I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. No other compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed in this post are 100% honest and my own. You can purchase this product for personal use starting Jan. 2014. If you're interested in signing up for influenster leave me a message with your email. I'd be happy to send you an invite, so that you too can review cool products for free!
   
   
   
   
   
   

Wee Gallery Nesting Dolls - Product Review

First off, let me say that if you haven't heard Wee Gallery, and you love baby and kids products, black and white or small family run businesses, then you should check them out! The company is the brainchild of a graphic designer and teacher and it came about based on their own personal research, growth and development as new parents. In my family's experience, Wee Gallery products are not only made to last, they're made to develop and grow-with your child! This is a huge plus in my book. My favorite products for little ones are those that are designed with multipurpose use in mind, are educational, well made, and are able to transition with a child as they learn and grow.

I recently participated in and won a giveaway for the most adorable black and white nesting dolls from the Wee Gallery's Blog and facebook page. These are really well made, adorable little dolls and they came in the cutest little package imaginable! While my daughter is currently too young to play with them, she absolutely adores these animals. They'll be a wonderful addition to her room once we get a shelf put up that they can rest upon where they'll be out of reach but not out of sight. Right now they're sitting on my dresser with the traditional matryoshka dolls my husband and I purchased while traveling in St. Petersburg before we were married.

The nesting dolls next to a regular sized short pillar candle.

This set contains three fun animals: a panda, a penguin and a raccoon. They are super light weight, and are hand painted in Russia, just like traditional matryoshkas. Unlike the traditional Russian sets, this cute set of three perfectly captures the art and character of other Wee Gallery products. They have the simple, high contrast, eye catching black and white patterns of other Wee Gallery products and are made with the same care and attention to detail. However, due to the nature of this product and unlike many of the Wee Gallery's products, this set is not intended to be played with by children under the age of 3. This is primarily because the raccoon, the smallest doll in the set, could pose a choking risk as it's only 2" tall. The penguin stands at 3" while the panda is 4.5" tall. 

Here's a close up look!

These nesting dolls would make for wonderful nursery decor or a fun gift for an older sibling from a new baby! Or if you're like me, and still a child at heart who also happens to love almost anything black and white, then they might just bring a smile to your desk or other work space. I'm going to miss these when that shelf gets built! My mom gave me my first set of matryoshka when I was 4 years old and ever since then I've had a soft spot for these ingenious Russian toys! Wee Gallery's nesting dolls in the panda, penguin and raccoon are a new addition to their collection of products and became available for sale as of July 1, 2013. They retail for $38 which may seem expensive, but they are made and hand painted in Russia, so you are getting an authentic product.

If you're interested in trying out a different Wee Gallery product and one that is a little bit more budget friendly, have a look at their wall art cards a set of these is sure to delight any new parent as it did us. These were our first product made by Wee Gallery and I love them. These simple cards are my absolute favorite Wee Gallery product, at 18 months, my daughter still plays with them and talks to them daily! You can use them from birth until your little one no longer finds them captivating in a multitude of ways. Whether as a mobile, simply for something to look at, to grasp, to frame and decorate your nursery walls, for animal recognition or story telling these are sure to delight!

PopSugar Must Have - July Box & August Anniversary Preview!

I was so excited to get an email yesterday saying that my Popsugar Must Have box should be arriving. This was my first box from them, but I've been interested in getting one for what seems like forever! It was a belated Mother's Day gift, but hey, I'll happily take it! For those of you who don't know, Popsugar is a life style box that targets women between 18-40 (I believe they also have men's boxes too) and every month they curate a box of the most "it" items and accessories of the season. The box is $35 a month including shipping, but if you sign up for a longer subscription you can get a box free. If you're interested in checking it out for yourself you can follow my referral link http://popsu.gr/gVRD (I'll thank you now for doing so!) and if you use code SAVE5PSMH or REFER5 you should save $5 on your first month! A lot of people thought that July was going to be their 1st year anniversary box, but it looks like based on an email they sent out earlier today that they're saving the birthday bash for August and even sending a special gift with a $65 value! So if you've ever wanted to give Popsugar a try, now is the time!

Now for my box.... Here's what came in the July Box

So, most of this is stuff I would have never bought for myself. First off, because we're on a tight budget - my husband is a student and I'm a stay at home mom and that means there isn't any money for extras and fun extravagances right now. Secondly, because I usually shop safe. If money weren't an issue, than I probably wouldn't hesitate to buy the Supergoop! because I've heard and read the most wonderful things about this sunscreen and I'm over the moon happy to try it out! I also would buy the Mighty Leaf Iced Tea, because both my husband and I love iced tea, especially in the summer time and anything mango is always a hit! But the rest of it the NCLA nail lacquer, the Baublebar chain necklace in rose gold, the cookie chips (which are dark chocolate and oh so tempting), and the Tolvolo King Cube XL silicone Tray for ice cubes? I never would have thought to purchase any of it! Almost all of these things would have been "a step outside the box" for me. And yet, I must admit while it didn't live up to the reviews I read about June's box and the final push for me to go with Popsugar, I'm thrilled by my July Box. It's totally about and for me, but I can share half of it with my family and it's the best gift because it allows me to try things I wouldn't have otherwise tried!

For instance, I'm wearing the NCLA nail polish in "As If !" a very pastel matte purple with cool undertones on my toenails as I write this and I have to admit that I might have to give purple a bigger chance in the future. Anyone who knows me, knows that I mostly detest anything purple or pink as a general rule. Since having a little girl a year and a half ago, that's changed a bit, but it's still not a "go to" color for me. The more I look at this color, the more it makes me happy (gasp) and I can't help but think how cute it would look with a pair of peep toes and a dress for a date or just shorts and sandals for a day at the beach. I don't wear nail polish on my finger nails, except for very, very special occasions, so I don't have reason to buy much of it and when I do, I stick to colors I know are "safe" with my skin tone and the season. This is the first bottle of NCLA 5 Free Luxury Nail Lacquer I've ever owned and so far I'm hooked. It goes on smooth and covers well. I can't wait to see how it holds up to everyday wear!

 I'm still on the fence about the necklace by Baublebar that came in the box. I did try it on and I must admit I do like the rose gold, better than I like yellow gold, but more often than not I wear white gold or sterling silver accessories. I also don't usually go in for big, chunky or clunky and these chains are solid. Hmm, maybe I'll find a good place to wear them when we go on vacation this September, or maybe I'll just put this one up and use it as a gift for someone else who would enjoy it so much more. Popsugar did send a coupon code for 20% off your first order at Baublebar as well a great deal for those in the market for some awesome fashion jewelry. I'm not sure I'll be using this either, unless I find that I need to pick up a certain accessory for the wedding we're attending at the end of summer. We'll see. I was excited to be introduced to this new company though!

Okay, Like I said before, my husband and I love iced tea in the summer. Actually we could both probably drink it year round and ice disappears fairly fast around our house. So, the addition of a new XL cube ice tray is awesome! The cubes are HUGE compared to a normal ice cube, so all you need is one. I'm guessing the larger size will also take longer to melt and keep our drinks colder longer too? Okay, maybe that's just wishful thinking. Haven't tried it out yet, as it's in the freezer making ice right now. I can also see this making great frozen treats as well. All you'd have to do is put some cake-pop or Popsicle sticks in and you'd have easy iced treats on a stick which my toddler will love!

We love trying new foods, and it's hard to go wrong with something that's dark chocolate! I'm excited to try and share the Hannahmax Baking All Natural Crunchy Cookie Chips with my family. But we'll probably take them on our next picnic adventure, if they don't get opened before that. H/M Baking is another new to us brand and I love that they're both all natural and that the ingredient list isn't a mile and a half long!

The iced tea by Mighty Leaf in Calypso Mango is divine! I love fruit infused tea and what screams summer more than tropical flavors like Mango? I am more cautious when picking black teas as fruit infused green tends to by my favorite, but this one is definitely getting added to our summer iced tea selection! It's just that good. It's smooth, it's fruity and so refreshing!

Finally, the product I was the most excited about was the full sized bottle of Doctor T's Supergoop! SPF30 PA+++ Anti-Aging UV Damage Repair Complex City Sunscreen Serum. The first I heard about Supergood! was the end of last summer and I've been wanting to try it ever since. I fully believe in the power of sunscreen and I'm one of those people who definitely regret it and burn when I don't put it on. I used to be terrible about remembering to apply it, but with a toddler in tow and since we're always outside, I've gotten much better about it. However, I could never justify the cost of Supergoop! Especially when I still had sunscreen to use up and for whatever reason it seems to multiply around our house. I did receive a couple of samples in my daughter's July Stork Stack last week, they're a different formula, but they're awesome so I can't wait to try this one out on me!

 
Final thoughts on my first ever Popsugar box, it could have been better, but overall I'm excited and it was so much fun to get something in the mail that was just for me! Not baby related, not bills, just a fun, gift like box of goodies. I love that I can use most of it right away and that there was a nice mix of items. The only possible "dud" in my book was the necklace and I'm still on the fence on that one.

Did you get your own box? What did you think? Are you interested in getting one? Check them out here, sign up for August before they sell out as it promises to be good based on the "celebrate with us" email I received from them this morning!

August is going to be their Must Have Anniversary and every box will include the Gorjana and Griffin Open Circle necklace, which has a value of $65! It is gold but I love, love love it! If I was ever on the fence about it before I wouldn't want to miss out on August's box. You can always sign up for one month and then cancel before you're billed for the next one. You'll be getting a necklace worth $65 if you do and if you use code REFER5 or SAVE5PSMH it will only cost you $30, shipping is included! You'll get your money's worth too! Each box has a value of at least $100. July's Box would retail for around. $102.24.

PopSugar Must Have was a gift to me from someone I know. I am a current popsugar subscriber. I was in no way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. If you purchase your own Popsugar Must Have box using my referral link I may eventually receive a free box from the company. Once you create an account you will receive a referral code of your own to share.

July Stork Stack or Ready, Set, Summer! + Discount Code

July's Stork Stack showed up in our post box today and we couldn't be more excited about this one! If you're interested in finding out more about Stork Stack or signing up you can do so here. Stacks are $27.99 a month and you can save $10 on your first stack if you use my referral code F9DE8478 when you check out. They're delivered the first week of each month and you'll get an email notifying you (on or around the 1st of each month) that your stack has taken flight.

"Ready, Set Summer!" July Stork Stack for a 21 month old girl.

I was so glad to see that the summer stack included a book! We love reading, we love books and somehow we've more than managed to pass that on to our little girl. She's all about the books and I love that the summer stack included a good book to read! The book in our Stack is a First Time book published by Child's Play International called Sports Day. There are 12 books in all in this series and they celebrate "first" events in the life of a little kid. This book was a great choice for the summer stack as it shows the kids in the book doing all kinds of activities outside, drinking water and wearing hats! We've already read it several times! I'm sure it's going to be a new favorite!

As for being active and playing outside, the rest of the box is all about that. We got a super set of sand molds from Mellissa & Doug. These I'm excited to bust out and try. They're plastic, so I'm pretty sure that unlike some of our M&D wooden toys in the past they won't paint chip problems or decals that come off. Plus they're made for the sand and to be used outdoors so they have to be tough right? Anyway we were sent a set of 5 nesting (for easy storage) molds ranging in size, color, shape and sea creature. These are part of Melissa & Doug's Sunny Patch line they look fun. I'm sure we'll get use out of them in our own yard, at the park, in the pool, at the beach and possibly even the bath!

These didn't stay in their original packaging for long!

The sea creature characters, a turtle, fish, starfish, crap and seahorse - so cute!

I love that they nest for easy transport and storage.

We also received a super awesome sunhat and this one I'm totally stoked about! It's a Baby Banz: Kidz UPF 50+ Reversiable Bucket Hat and the best part about it is the adjustable velcro overlapping closure in the back, meaning that even though we received a size 2-4 hat I can adjust it tight enough to fit my daughter's head now and loosen it as she grows. I'm already in love with this idea! It's genius.

I didn't know Baby Banz made this product and honestly we've never owned anything made by them, so I can't wait to give this the old try out. At first look the material feels super sturdy, but also flexible and soft. There aren't funny seams or anything that's going to cause funny lines or get itchy in warm weather. These hats come in two sizes baby which is supposed to fit age newborn to 2 years and Kidz or size 2-5 each is sized by head circumference as well for a more exact fit.  Hopefully, this is a hat my toddler will leave on, she's not so into hats, but as we spend tons of time outside she has to wear one. At least we try to keep it on.

One side is printed, the other is solid.

I was just about as excited to see Supergoop! in our box as I was to see the Banz hat. I've been wanting to try out Supergoop! sunscreen for some time now, but haven't been able to justify buying it at full price when I still have so much other sunscreen that will work in the house. 

Now I can try it and see what I think. I honestly hope it's as awesome as I've heard it's supposed to be! While I wish that they had sent a small tube of it, or another handful of little sample packets just so we could use it all summer, I'd rather have the few samples they did include than not get to try it at all. I will undoubtedly use these for travel and on the go applications rather than every day use, but that will be great as they'll be easy to pack.

Finally, the last product in our stack was a box of Bitsy's Brainfood Orange Chocolate Beet cookies. This is part of their "smart snacks"  and I must admit it was hard not to open these up and share them right away. But that might have ruined dinner.

A new snack for anytime!

This little box of alphabet cookies come complete with a collectable alphabet sticker in the box and is packed full of vitamins and nutrients. This one will be going on our next all day adventure for sure and if they're any good we'll be scouring our stores or ordering more online!

All told, I couldn't be happier with this stack, everything in it is something we'll use this summer or would have bought to try had we found it on our own anyway. We needed a new sunhat as we're right at the point of outgrowing last years and the iPlay one we have is too big for this summer.  July's Ready, Set, Summer Stack was a hit and I can't wait to see what August has in store!

If you're interested in getting your own stack in the mail go to https://www.storkstack.com/join?ref_code=F9DE8478 and use referral code F9DE8478 at check out to save $10 off your first one! August promises to be a good one, July definitely was! Boxes range from the third trimester up to age 3.

I am a current stork stack subscriber. I was in no way compensated for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. If you purchase your own stork stack using my referral code I may receive a $10 credit on my next stack. Once you create an account you will receive a referral code of your own to share.