Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Grocery Haul!

What I Bought at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods This Week! 

I love seeing what other bloggers buy when they take their weekly trip to TJ's and Whole Foods Market. It inspires me to try new things and keeps me from being a creature of habit and only leaving with the same foods that I know are good over and over. 

Sometimes it's a matter of cost. Because these types of grocery stores are a little more expensive than your average grocery store, it makes taking the risk on the pricier items that you've never tried a little bit harder to do. 

What better way to share the foods you love, and get ideas on new foods to try, than to share a Grocery Haul! My husband, Reese makes a few cameos in this vlog, so I hope you enjoy that. He has a passion for health and food, and HEALTHY FOOD, which he will share a little bit with you all. This video may be a bit extensive, but we like to give our opinions on each item for you guys. I hope you enjoy this video and share your grocery hauls with us so we can see what foods you guys love and inspire us to try! 

Oh, and Happy February! 

XOXO,

Jessica

Influenster Violet VoxBox Haul!

Thanks Influenster for sending me another VoxBox to review!

1. Goody® Althlétique Headband

Goody's new "Ouchless Headwrap" is designed to be comfortable and stylish while providing the hold you need from your headband while you're working out or just wearing it throughout the day. I'm anxious to try this out. I always have a problem with my headbands slipping and sliding on my head while I'm working out. It can get to be really frustrating and can sometimes keep me from being totally focused. It claims to be adjustable and quick drying, so if you are like me and you have a larger head where some headbands can be too tight, this could definitely work for us since you can adjust the size. It's also great for those who really sweat during a workout, allowing you to wear a headband without it getting drenched. This headband retails for $6.00. 

2. Sally Hansen New Triple™Shine Nail Color

The color I received was this very bright pink polish in Blow Bubbles. These new nail colors are designed to have a daily defense against water and wear, while taking shiny nails to the next level! Influenster says that they are available in a total of 30 SHADES and at the awesome price of just $4.99. My first impression of this polish is that it doesn't seem to be very opaque, and I would actually prefer a different shade after looking at the available shades online. I'm more of a red or coral type of girl. I did paint my nails with this polish and posted a photo on Instagram if you would like a sneak peak. Stay tuned for a full review! 

3. SOYJOY

Okay, first thing's first, I can't believe these bars are only $0.99! It's all-natural and gluten free made with non-GMO soybeans and real fruit! I received the banana flavor with only 130 calories in the entire snack bar; Net Wt. 1.05 oz. I'm not really a fan of soy, but I will admit that this bar looks pretty delicious. These types of bars are great for those of us on the go. I love throwing these kinds of snacks in my bag before I head out the door, but they also recommend warming it up for 8-10 seconds in the microwave for a "fresh-baked" experience with coffee or tea. Sounds like the perfect coffee break snack, which I will definitely be trying ON CAMERA for you guys to see my full reaction. Can't wait, my mouth is definitely watering! 

4. Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spas

Inside of my Voxbox, I received the Red Earth Clay Spa Mask made with real clay, pomegranate, and cinnamon. This is a product I am not familiar with at all, so I'm very interested to see how it will work. It consists of one packet with what is said to be "clay infused fabric" made from natural bamboo. Apply after cleansing your skin for the ultimate cleansing experience. It retails for $2.49 per packet. Step 1: Cleanse, Step 2: Apply Mask, Step 3: Relax 10-15 minutes, Step 4: Massage, and Step 5: Rinse. I'll be vlogging my experience for you guys! 

5. Not Your Mother's Clean Freak™Refreshing Dry Shampoo

This has got to be the best thing in the Violet VoxBox, in my opinion. I love Not Your Mother's products and happen to be in need of a new dry shampoo, so this is perfect to try. The info listed does not really describe much about the product itself, except for the fact that it retails full size for $5.99. So you will just have to wait for my review to tell you guys if this product really lives up to it's expectations.

All in all, I wish this VoxBox had a little bit more to offer. The product I am most excited for is the dry shampoo. If the nail polish was in a different shade, then I might be a little more satisfied with the Violet VoxBox as a whole, based off of first impressions. The true test is trying each product out individually, so stay updated with my social media accounts to see what I think about each one as I try them all out! Visit the contact tab of my blog for all listed social media accounts and info.

Thanks again Influenster for sending me these awesome new products to try out!

XOXO, 

Jessica 

DISCLAIMER: I received these products complimentary from VoxBox for testing purposes. 

Happy 2014!

Happy New Year! Wow, I cannot believe it's been almost 2 years since I started For The Love Of Beauty. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with loved ones and are excited for your future endeavors in 2014. This year my husband and I spent Christmas just the two of us, with our two little pup children here in Virginia and we most definitely missed our family back home in Florida. I, quite frankly, was ready for Christmas to be over long before it even got here. I'm happy for a new, fresh start in 2014. I'm anticipating a great year ahead. Just like the last year, my resolution is to start blogging more frequently. I know I didn't follow through with it last year, but it's time to try again!

Coming up I have a new Influenster VoxBox to review for you guys; the Violet VoxBox edition. 

First, a haul of all the goodies I received and then a full review to follow.

Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel, For The Love Of Beauty, here! Subscribe for product reviews, makeup tutorials, and vlogs featuring my family! 

Have an awesome Thursday! 

XOXO,

Jessica

My Favorite Makeup Looks From The VMA's 2013

Now that the aftershock of the train wreck Miley Cyrus displayed at the 2013 VMA's has finally died down a bit, let's talk about some of our favorite celebrity makeup looks of the night. And to your surprise, Taylor Swift is not at the top of my list. Although she was beautiful, she didn't stand out to me as a red carpet beauty like these gorgeous gals.

Holland Roden 

I'm loving this Hollywood Classic look, slick back up-do with a cat eye, voluminous lashes and a bold, bright orangey red lip. So sophisticated and sexy.

Allison Williams 

This is by far my favorite look of them all. I just love everything about it; the bright inner corner, smokey lash line, full, false lashes with a fresh complexion and soft, orange/nude lip color. It's just the right amount of lip to compliment the eyes. 

Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer's fierce smokey cat eye and perfectly sculpted cheeks make this a perfect night time look. I love the pairing of the pale, nude lip, it really makes her bronze cheeks pop. 

Selena Gomez

Selena looks so grown up in this sexy evening dress and her smoldering smokey eye and berry red lip. Fresh dewey skin with deep pops of color is the perfect look for the upcoming fall season. 

Which look was your favorite? I know I'll be inspired to recreate these looks this fall. 

XoXo,

Jessica 

Photo Credit: Google

The Search For The Perfect Foundation and What To Do When Your Holy Grail Products Have Been Discontinued

I've tried, tested, and traveled near and far in search of the perfect foundation for my skin. Oily/Combo, acne prone, fair, hyper-pigmentation, sensitive with visible redness, and did I say FAIR? Because girl I'm as pale as they come! NOT an easy combination to try and find liquid foundation for. Many times I thought I was happy, but there would always be that one drawback, for example, longevity, lack of coverage in problem areas, or oxidation. About 2 months ago, I had reached a point of frustration and just pure desperation. Since beginning my career as a Beauty Advisor with Estee Lauder, of course I wanted to wear the line I'm representing on a daily basis. But, when I tried the infamous Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation it absolutely, without a doubt, did NOT work for my skin. Yes, it looked great for about 2 hours after application, but then it just melted away and literally oxidized on me and turned ORANGE. Even with a setting powder on top and primer underneath! My manager recommended I try the Estee Lauder Double Matte foundation. She matched me and sent me home with a 10-day supply to sample. The next day after applying to a fresh face I was impressed, but not enough to say I fell in love at first stroke or anything. I think it's because I was constantly in the back of my mind preparing for disappointment like I faced with so many other foundations that I tried. After a few hours I checked back in the mirror, got a second opinion from my manager and I thought, "It's not bad. But I don't think it's for me." I made myself try it out for the rest of the week and I realized I began to like it more and more. After 2 weeks of trying it out, I fell IN LOVE. That's not an exaggeration. On an off I've tried switching up my foundations with the Double Matte to compare and there literally is NO comparison for me. I've never received so many compliments on my complexion. I love that the Double Matte controls my oil production and never makes me look greasy, but I do have a nice glow to my complexion by the end of the day. I really don't find it pertinent to touch up every single day. It honestly just depends on how hot or humid the weather is and how my skin is behaving. I believe I found my perfect foundation, and just when I thought all was right with the world... well, I think you know where this is headed. But first, check out the swatches and photos below and stay tuned.

Now, after I've hyped you all up about this amazing foundation, I'm now facing the dilemma of my holy grail foundation being discontinued. I work at an Estee Lauder counter, as I mentioned before, and we still have this foundation available for purchase. Up until this past month I had heard no word of Double Matte being discontinued, while it has just been a "by request only" foundation that we no longer advertise/display. Much like Estee Lauder Lucidy foundation. Recently I've heard a little hearsay here and there, and then I came across this:

Did I read that correctly? This product is no longer available. NOOOOOOO!!!!!

I immediately went to Twitter to confirm with Estee Lauder. Here's what they said...

So there is the unfortunate news, it has been discontinued. I'm so sad, but my advice for those who love this foundation,  STOCK UP while/if you can! 

I know I will be!

Can't find this foundation at your Estée Lauder counter? 

Contact Estée Lauder's, Gone But Not Forgotten program that helps customers locate products that have been discontinued within the last three years. By contacting them at 800-216-7173, Customer Care Reps will search for the discontinued item you are looking for, and if available you will be contacted! Be warned, this can take up to 4 weeks to hear back, but customers can purchase up to 6 pieces of each product if available! Woop woop! Credit cards only! 

Hope this helps those facing the dilemma of their favorite products being discontinued. 

If you have any questions, feel free to email them to me. 

XOXO!

Mahal Kita,

Jessica 

Welcome to For The Love Of Beauty

For those of you who enjoy watching tutorials in conjunction with reading blog posts, check out my YouTube channel here: http://www.youtube.com/jessicamr91

Welcome to For The Love of Beauty! 

Mahal Kita! 

XOXO,

Jessica 

The Perfect Summer Eyeshadow Palette

If you're like me, you're always looking for the perfect neutral eyeshadow palette. But in the summer, it needs to have just enough shimmer to make you look like a Bronze Goddess, without an overpowering amount of glitter. Something easy to transition day to night is always a plus and of course the perfect golden browns for a summer glowing look. Since I am oily prone in the warmer weather, lasting power is EVERYTHING! I like to be able to create a look in the morning when I get ready for work and still be able to wear the same look out with minor touch ups at night. 

Look no further, BA Star Pro Makeup has the perfect palette for girls like us! 

Recently, I was sent this bronzy gold palette from BA Star Makeup. It's a Day to Night Smokey Eye Palette with neutral, shimmery golds and bronze shadows. And here is the best part; It also includes two glitter gel shadows in gold and an almost iridescent shade, which are perfect to use as a glitter liner to really amp up any makeup look. 

My first impression of these shadows are that they are super soft and silky. Color payoff is true to how it looks in the pot and they glide on easily without fall out, making them very blend-able. You don't have to pack on a lot of shadow in order to create whatever makeup look you are going for. The gel shadows do not stay wet or creamy for long, they dry fairly quickly to keep your look in place. This is a MAJOR PLUS, you guys! 

So far I am loving what I see and feel with these shadows. In my tutorial I will touch base on the lasting power of these shadows. Below you will find some detail photos and swatches of the colors. 

Here's a little bit about BA Star Makeup:

BA Star is a pro makeup company, #1 with Cheerleaders, Dancers, Competitors and Trend Setters. 

They offer so many great deals on their site. Whether you are purchasing for yourself, for a team, or a studio, they offer great palettes and kits for anyone and any occasion! Check out their Daily Deals! 

Now for the BEST best part!

If you visit their website today, you can earn 50% off your purchase! 

Just visit BASTAR.com and at the checkout enter the coupon code: BBSMOKY for half off of your entire purchase! The more you buy, the more you save!

Thanks BASTAR! 

Stay tuned for a makeup tutorial that is perfect for a summer bronze look using these shadows! 

XOXO

Jessica 

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