Beauty Products Review & Giveaway

Hey lovelies!
You may have noticed that the blog looks a lil’ different.
I was tired of the old look and thought it needed an update. I hope everyone likes it!
Anyways… I owe you guys a beauty product review & giveaway. 
Disclaimer: I got to pick out a few items from {Apothica} and they sent me them for free. However, I’m not getting paid to write the reviews, and these are my honest opinions. 
First item:
I probably spent two hours on Apothica’s website trying to pick out the perfect pink polish. I wanted a ballerina-esque color to wear on my nails that would be classic enough to wear for years to come. Well, y’all, this is it.
This was my first time using Deborah Lippmann’s polish {I wouldn’t usually spend $16 on a bottle of nail lacquer} but OMG… I’m now obsessed. I feel like a celebrity when I reach for the bottle, and this is truly the perfect color, the one that goes with any outfit, any season. 

This is the color on my nails.
Because the consistency is a little thin (like most light polishes), I had to apply three coats to get the desired color. However, the polish has been on my nails for one week now and there are still no signs of chips or nicks, which is pretty much a miracle. The thing I love about this polish is that it not only provides a beautiful color, but it also contains biotin to strengthen and green tea to protect from damage. 

Conclusion: LOVE at first sight, or 10 out of 10. 
Second item:
I have a weird confession to make: I’m inexplicably obsessed with moisturizing eye creams. I can’t explain it… I just love them. And after reading the RAVE reviews on this product, I just knew I had to try it out myself. The package says this product is for “dark circles & puffiness.” Although I’ve never had dark circles, I will sometimes wake up with puffiness around my eyes if I don’t get a good night’s sleep. This product is PERFECT for those mornings. 
And the other mornings? I use it simply because it’s so moisturizing. It soaks in quickly and leaves my skin soft and smooth. The area underneath and around your eyes is extremely delicate, and sometimes it needs some TLC! 
The thing I love about this eye cream is that it’s truly “100% Pure.” The packaging says, “No synthetic chemicals, no artificial fragrances, no petro chemicals, no chemical preservative or any other toxins.”
The one (teensy) downside to this product? The smell… Because it’s all-natural, it smells like an unusual mix of chocolate and coffee beans. I wouldn’t say that it’s a bad scent, but it just doesn’t smell like the other sweet-smelling beauty products that I’m used to. Maybe after using it for a while, I’ll get used to it? 

Conclusion: For $19, this eye cream beats other high-end products hands down. I give it an 8 out of 10. 
Third item: 
When I saw this product online I was immediately enchanted. It was originally created for Queen Isabelle of Hungary as an “elixir of youth” and has since been used by celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Lily Collins, who swear by it. When I learned it’s one of model Karlie Kloss’s {favorite makeup products}, I knew I had to try it out.
This beauty elixir is a facial mist that claims to “reduce the look of pores, smooth the skin, boost moisture, and invigorate without leaving skin looking shiny.” You’re supposed to spray it onto your face before applying moisturizer, to set makeup, or anytime refreshment is needed.

Well, I truly didn’t understand the significance of this product until I used it the first time. The facial mist truly is refreshing, and the scent – ohhh the scent! It smells better than any perfume I’ve ever used, an elegant, classic, ladylike scent that makes me want to spray it again and again. I use the elixir on my face after I apply my makeup (I use Bare Minerals), and it gives a natural-looking finish to my face. But heck, you don’t have to ONLY use it after you apply your makeup. I’ve started keeping it in my handbag and using it when I need refreshment or a little pick-me-up. It’s perfect for traveling, plane-rides, study breaks, and everyday use.

Conclusion: This product makes my life. 10 out of 10!

And now the fun part: the giveaway! 
Apothica, is giving away a $20 gift card to one lucky reader. If you’re interested in one of the products I reviewed, the gift card will cover it (or something else you pick out from their website!). And, how awesome is this? {Apothica} is also partners with {SkinCareRX} and {Skinbotanica}, so if you win, you’re free to use the gift card on those websites as well. 
Here’s how to enter:

{Mandatory} You must be a follower of SC&P via google friend connect
{Mandatory} You must visit Apothica’s website and leave me a comment telling me what you’d spend the $20 on!

For additional entries…
{+1} Tweet about the giveaway
{+1} Blog about the giveaway

Please leave each in a separate comment. The giveaway will close Wednesday, July 25th at 5 p.m.

Good luck!!
Love, Cait

Leave a Comment

43 Comments

  1. yay.. i would use the $20 towards a clarisonic mia! all of these products look so fun, thanks for the giveawya.

    7.18.12Reply
  2. I just started following you. Love your blog! And if I won the giveaway, I'd probably try the coffee bean eye cream you mentioned. I've been looking for a good quality but not crazy expensive eye cream. If I didn't get that, I'd probably spend it on lip balm and mascara 🙂

    7.18.12Reply
  3. I'm a follower and I really want to try the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray. The eye cream and beauty elixir are tempting too!

    XO
    http://justasmalltowngirlblog.blogspot.com

    7.18.12Reply
  4. I would buy that same nail polish! If it doesn't chip, I want it!

    7.18.12Reply
  5. I'm a follower! I would buy the two faced!

    7.18.12Reply
  6. I'm a follower and would buy the Pure Fiji Body Butter in Mango!!

    7.18.12Reply
  7. I'm a follower. I would either too faced makeup (eyeshadow) or if I was staying under $20, I would purchase some Essie nailpolish!

    http://mellielorissa.blogspot.com/

    7.18.12Reply
  8. I'm a follower – I would buy 1 or 2 of the products you reviewed. 100% Pure Coffee Bean Eye Cream or the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. With a baby on the way they are sure to be needed in the near future 🙂

    7.18.12Reply
  9. I'm a follower! I would buy the eye cream or the nail polish!

    7.18.12Reply
  10. i'm a follower!

    7.18.12Reply
  11. i would buy that beauty elixer!

    7.18.12Reply
  12. I would buy the beauty elixer you reviewed!

    7.19.12Reply
  13. Of course I'm a follower! It'd be a tough decision, but I think I'd try one of the Laura Geller bronzers. I need a new one!

    7.19.12Reply
  14. I am a follower! 🙂

    7.19.12Reply
  15. I would love to buy the Caudalie Beauty Elixir!

    7.19.12Reply
  16. GFC Follower. I would get Essie.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

    7.19.12Reply
  17. HI

    Great review. I would try an eye cream, a primer or the spray mist you mentioned.

    7.19.12Reply
  18. I would buy the ginger pomelo hand soap by Caldrea….smells SO good! Perfect for the guest bathroom. Of course who could choose, I'm a sucker for all makeup and skincare products!

    7.19.12Reply
  19. I'm a follower, great review!

    7.19.12Reply
  20. I followed! I would spend it on the Deborah Lippmann nail color "Some Enchanted Evening"!!

    7.19.12Reply
  21. Oh my gosh I love that Deborah Lippmann color! I am going to have to check out her polish! xx

    7.19.12Reply
  22. I'm a follower!

    7.19.12Reply
  23. I would use it to buy a Bobbi Brown shimmer brick!

    7.19.12Reply
  24. I would buy a Deborah Lippmann color (love the pink! or happy birthday!) or that spray mist!

    7.19.12Reply
  25. Love the new look! I would use the certificate to try out the 100% pure coffee bean eye cream!

    7.19.12Reply
  26. Im a follower!

    7.19.12Reply
  27. I would definitely spend it on the Caudalie Beauty Elixir!

    7.19.12Reply
  28. Anonymous

    I am follower and I would totally buy that Caudalie Beauty Elixir… how intriguing and the perfect splurge! The blog looks great 🙂

    7.19.12Reply
  29. Im follower of yours!! I would purchase the H20+ Oasis Mist! it looks like a great product you can use all year long. Plus this product has a cooling effect which can be great to soothe a sunburn during the spring and summer!!

    7.19.12Reply
  30. I follow via GFC. I'd get the peter thomas roth resurfacer.
    family74014 at gmail dot com

    7.19.12Reply
  31. I love deborah lippmann, and the redesign!

    xo SideSmile,
    Ashley

    SideSmile Style Blog

    7.19.12Reply
  32. I'm a follower! I'd get some Bobbi Brown concealer. 🙂

    7.19.12Reply
  33. I follow on GFC!

    7.20.12Reply
  34. I would get the Too Faced Powder Pouf brush!

    7.20.12Reply
  35. I tweeted @seepaigerun

    7.20.12Reply
  36. How fun! Love the look by the way. Of course I'm a follower and I would definitely splurge for the nail polish. Mine always chip te next day so I would be impressed with something that stayed on!

    7.20.12Reply
  37. I would have to go with the nail polish. It is such a pretty shade.

    Here's my tweet: http://ow.ly/cqxXJ

    7.23.12Reply
  38. Nice Article! Thanks for sharing with us.Personal Care Products

    7.24.12Reply
  39. I'm impressed with what you sid about the polish not chipping at all. I'd love to try it!

    geminicalli at yahoo dot com

    7.24.12Reply
  40. I'm a new follower! I blogged about your giveaway 🙂 I'd spend the $20.00 on another nail color by Deborah Lippmann in 'Naked' or something equally similar/feminine/girly! Thank you so much for throwing this giveaway!!

    7.25.12Reply
  41. I'm a follower and I'd use the $20 towards my wedding day perfume! 🙂

    7.25.12Reply
  42. I'm a follower and would use the $20 to spend on concealer or maybe towards a Clarisonic Mia!

    7.25.12Reply
  43. i follow your blog and what i would spend my $20 on is the Tocca Candela – Grace. ok so it is a bit more than $20 but i would pay for the extra 🙂

    7.26.12Reply