Skincare: Nutra Sonic Face Brush System

My skin has gone through several phases of good, bad and really bad. I've tried so many different things to have clear, hydrated, bright skin and a lot of stuff fell way short. 

My mom knew I had been wanting to try a sonic face brush to clean my face at night and surprised me with one (it wasn't even my birthday! My mom is the best) and I couldn't wait to try it out. I've read so many reviews on face brushes and I wasn't sure if it was worth the money. 

The Nutra Sonic Face Brush System surpassed all of my expectations. It lightly exfoliates without being too harsh to get all of my dead skin and makeup off at the end of the day. It deep cleans my face and I've noticed even my pours appear smaller. 

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I was afraid that it would be too harsh on my skin to use every day but I've been using this for about a month now and so far it's been great. I've noticed an improvement in my skin -- it's clearer, brighter, cleaner and even the appearance of fine lines have reduced a little. I've always had an issue with dry skin in certain areas of my face (I have combination skin) but since using this brush I haven't noticed any dry skin.

It's the middle of the road as far as price goes for the ones I've seen on the market and it comes with two brush heads to get you started. There are three different settings to choose from and it stays charged for well over a week before I have to plug it in again. It came with a nice case that will be convenient for when I travel. 

I'm sold -- this thing has really helped improve the quality of my skin. If you're on the fence about trying one I would definitely recommend it! 

Have you tried a sonic face brush before? What one do you recommend?

Running: For Beginners

Remember when Amanda gave her best advice on training for a race? If you missed that post, you can check it out here.

What if you’re totally new to running, or you consider yourself a beginner (like me) and not quite ready to train for a race? Recently I’ve been trying to push myself to run more in order to get myself in better shape to play volleyball this fall. I’m definitely not a running pro and I’ve never done any running competitions or races (aside from a short-lived stint with track in junior high), so I want to pass along some tips to help get you started if you’re interested in starting a running regimen.

1. Start very slowly. In fact, don’t start out running at all. Start with a walking program. Whether it’s on a treadmill or outdoors, try walking for 20 or 30 minutes a few times per week. Walking is great exercise too and it will help get you used to moving. If you go from never running to forcing yourself to go all out, you could injure yourself.
2. Once you’re comfortable walking for 20 to 30 minutes at a time several times per week, it’s time to jog. When you head out for your next walk, make it a point to jog for a few minutes of your total time. If you’re out for a 30 minute walk, walk for five minutes and jog for one. Alternate that way until you reach your goal time. It’s important to do what you’re comfortable with, and not to push yourself too hard at first (there’s plenty of time for that later). Each time you head out to walk, slowly increase the total amount of time that you spend jogging. Another approach is to start jogging right off the bat and see how far you get. When you get tired, continue walking. Next time out, make it a goal to jog a little farther than you did last time.
3. If you have a specific distance in mind that you’re working toward, try downloading an app to help you keep track of your progress. Right now I’m using MapMyRun. It uses your phone’s GPS to track your location and the distance you’ve gone. It also keeps your time and gives you good information about your pace. You can also try a C25K (couch to 5k) program. If you’re not good at figuring out the right combination of walking/jogging during those first few stages, a C25K program will lay it all out for you and get you to your goal in a matter of weeks. Once you are comfortable with jogging for an extended period of time, try picking up the pace.

A few final tips:

1. Warm-up before each walk/run and thoroughly stretch afterward.
2. If you can incorporate a weightlifting program into your exercise routine, I highly recommend it! I’ve noticed that the more leg exercises I do, the farther I’m able to run and the better I get at it.
3. If you’re sore, take the day off.

Last thing to keep in mind – it won’t be easy. Sure, there are some people who have never run before who could go outside and run three miles. If you’re like me and that’s not possible for you, it’s going to take some work. You will inevitably get frustrated at some point, but just keep going. Good luck!

Have you recently started a running program? Let us know in the comments!

Fashion: White Out

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I searched almost the entire summer and FINALLY found some white denim skinny jeans that fit me well and are flattering. You wouldn't believe how many pairs I had to try on to find the right fit. Some fabrics were way too thin, some cuts were not flattering for my shape or they were not the right size. I finally snatched up a pair on sale at Lord & Taylor and was doing the happy dance in the fitting room when they were just right.

Trust me when I say finding the right pair is worth the wait. They can be really unflattering if you don't have the right cut for your shape and type of fabric.

Here are some of my favorite looks I found on Pinterest.

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Sadly, it's almost Labor Day but you better believe I'm wearing these as much as possible before then.

What do you think of this look? What's your favorite way to wear white denim?

15 Tips for Clear and Healthy Skin

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Whether you’re a skincare pro and know exactly what works for you or you have yet to figure it all out, the following tips are ones that everyone should follow in order to get clear and healthy skin. 

1. Try not to sleep with your facial skin touching your pillow. The hair products you use combined with the natural oils of your hair rub onto your pillow as you sleep and all that can wind up on your face and clog pores. Additionally, sleeping on your face causes creases on your face. Over time this can cause permanent wrinkles.
2. Regularly wipe down your cell phone. This seems like a no brainer, but not enough people do it. 
3. Trying out new skin care products and not seeing results? Your skin may need several weeks to respond. If a product doesn’t immediately work, give it at least six to eight weeks before you give up. The exception to this is if you immediately have a bad reaction to the product.
4. Use separate towels for your body and face. Though you’re clean when you come out of the shower, your hair may still have conditioner residue that can transfer from your towel to your face and clog your pores.
5. Every night before you go to sleep, moisturize your feet and put on a pair of socks. When you wake up in the morning, the soles of your feet will be incredibly soft. 
6. Wear SPF every day – even during the winter. If you can, try to reapply throughout the day. You’d be surprised how much sun exposure you get while doing things like driving in your car. Don’t forget your neck and very sensitive upper chest area.
7. Exfoliate, but not too much. Exfoliating every day can actually dry out your skin. Start with once per week and see how your skin responds. If you have oily skin, try twice per week.
8. Wash your makeup brushes as often as possible (at least once per week). And make sure you clean your makeup products as well.
9. Moisturize all of your skin every time your step out of the shower. 
10. Drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. Avoid smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
11. Do everything you can not to touch your face throughout the day. If you touch your face without washing your hands first, you’re transferring any bacteria from your hands to your face.
12. Apply your facial moisturizer while your skin is still damp. 
13. When washing your face or taking a shower, avoid using water that is too hot. 
14. Remove your makeup before you go to sleep every night. Better yet, remove your makeup as soon as you get home if you know you’re staying in for the night.
15. Don’t forget to exfoliate your lips! Moisten a washcloth and gently run it across your lips. Be sure to add lots of lip balm afterward.

Do you have some great skincare tips to share? Leave them below in the comments!

Fashion: To Romper or not to Romper

Romper - BCBG, Belt - Forever 21, Watch - Fossil, Shoes - Steve Madden

I used to think I could never rock the romper trend. I have a short torso and some curves that just didn't work with the romper style. Until I found this one. It's not too short in the back like most of them are on me and it doesn't make my short torso look even shorter. Please excuse the wrinkles - I was sitting for a long time before I convinced Jay to take some pictures of me. We may or may not have been in the parking lot of the restaurant for our photo shoot. 

It was a fun easy outfit to throw together for our date night. I plan on bringing this outfit with me on vacation and I can't wait to wear it again.

What do you think of this look? Are there any trends you never thought you could wear?

Adrianne's July Birchbox

My July Birchbox was fantastic! It was a great combination of beauty and lifestyle products, and I really enjoyed testing every product.

1. Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien

2. Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27++

3. Color Club Blue Ming

4. Stila Lip Glaze in Action

5. Tea Forté minteas

6. Birchbox Exclusive Headphones

1. Annick Goutal Eau d’Hadrien: This perfume sample was a treat for me. I had never heard of the brand, so I was pleasantly surprised when I wore it for the first time. The citrus scent isn’t too heavy, and it smells incredibly fresh. The price for a full bottle ($85) is a bit too much for me, but if you’re a perfume fanatic and looking for a great spring/summer scent, get to a store to check this one out.

2. Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27++: Though I am a big fan of BB creams, I’ve always been pretty skeptical of skin products that claim to match any skin tone. I’ve tried several foundations that claim to adjust to your skin tone, and I’ve also tried blushes and lip glosses that tout the same. If blushes and lip glosses aren’t the right shade of pink or coral or whatever it may be, it’s not as noticeable as if your foundation doesn’t match. 

When I first applied Boscia’s B.B. cream, I admit I was a little put off. The color looked extremely dark and ruddy. I had to spend quite a bit of time blending the product out in order to get it to look right. Once the product was completely blended, I found that it actually gave a nice finish to my skin. It didn’t feel or look heavy, and it lasted all day. It didn’t completely match my skin, but it came close enough. 

Have you tried self-adjusting makeup? What do you think of it?

3. Color Club Blue Ming: Such a beautiful summer color for nail polish! Over the past couple of years, summer nail polish has gravitated toward cooler ocean tones. I love mint and turquoise colors, especially for the toes. If you haven’t tried this trend, I think this color would be a great start. 

4. Stila Lip Glaze in Action: I already own eight Stila lip glazes. So when I received a lip glaze in a brand new color, I was very excited. Upon first glance, the color looks fairly dramatic. But once I put it on I found that it was a great match for my lip color and seemed to just enhance with a subtle berry color and lots of shine. Though I don’t mind it, some may not like that Stila lip glazes are a bit sticky on the lips. If you can get past the sticky feeling of the lip glaze, you are in for a treat because Stila has great color choices and they’re really long lasting.

5. Tea Forté minteas: This cute little box of mints is the perfect size for your purse. The mints combine green tea, mint and citrus flavors. Being a huge fan of citrus, I really enjoyed these.

6. Birchbox Exclusive Headphones: Not only are these headphones fun colors, but they are very comfortable to wear. As opposed to hard plastic earbuds, the ear pieces on these headphones are very thin, soft and flexible. They do a better job of accommodating the shape of your ear than traditional earbuds. I definitely recommend picking up a pair.

Have you guys been enjoying our Birchbox reviews? Are we providing enough information? Let us know how we’re doing so we can help you decide which beauty products you might want to check out! 

Beauty Review: Amanda's July Birchbox

1. Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner

2. amika Obliphica Nourishing Mask

3. boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27

4. amika Obliphica Hair Treatment

5. LÄRABAR® über

6. Birchbox Exclusive Earbuds

7. Harvey Prince Hello

Birchbox teamed up with Glamour Magazine to bring us the July box. This month's box was PACKED! Seven items to enjoy - I was one happy girl. I really am impressed with Birchbox and am so happy I decided to keep my subscription. It's a surprise gift every month ... how could you not like that?

1. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Twiggy fans, rejoice: this London-based brand’s liquid liners let you create mod looks in a flash. Rather than frustrating us with hard-to-control brush tips, they feature a pen-style applicator that’s completely goofproof. Give your basic black a break and experiment with rich Olive or punchy Turquoise. They're guaranteed to make your eyes pop.

My review: I really wanted to like this product because I was searching for a new liquid eyeliner to fall in love with but sadly this was not it. It went on great and with the thin tip applicator it was very easy to apply. However, it didn't stay on very long and even before I left work it was already almost gone. I've tried this several different times and have had the same result.

2. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: It doesn’t matter how often you shampoo and condition—without a regular mask, your strands are bound to feel a bit neglected. Give them the extra attention they deserve with this deeply hydrating mask, which uses Obliphica oil to amp up shine, restore vibrancy, and even help repair split ends. You’ll notice the difference after just one use, and over time your hair will be visibly stronger and healthier.

 My review: I really liked this product. Usually hair masks scare me but I used it more as a deep conditioner a few times a week to give my hair an extra boost. It made my hair shiny and silky and I loved the scent. 

3. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Popularized in Asia, BB creams have been making waves on both sides of the Atlantic—and we’re happy to report the positive press is well-deserved. We’re particularly smitten with this preservative-free version from boscia, a brand that combines the best in botanical science with Japanese innovation. It functions as a primer , moisturizer, foundation, and SPF to lighten your makeup bag and streamline your morning routine. The oil-free formula comes in a universal, self-adjusting shade that is suitable for most skin tones. It creates a lustrous finish and provides natural coverage that conceals imperfections.

My review: This was a little darker than the BB Cream that I use from Smashbox but it still blended pretty well. It was light and didn't make me feel like I had a ton of face makeup on (which I love). If I had a little bit more of a tan I think this product would be perfect. Looks like I need to spend more time outside ;) 

4. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Don’t let the word ‘oil’ scare you off — this weightless serum disappears into hair without any residue, and adds tons of softness and shine. Just a couple drops smoothes flyaways, tames frizzies, and protects from heat styling. Good hair days just got infinitely easier.

My review: I LOVED THIS STUFF. Sorry for the caps you guys but this stuff was awesome. The scent was amazing and I loved how the oil smoothed my hair and made it shine. I would buy a full bottle of this stuff in a second. I highly recommend it!

5. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Mid-day snacking just got a whole lot more exciting thanks to LÄRABAR™’s ϋber bar. Made with whole fruit and nuts, each gooey, delicious bar is the perfect combination of salty and sweet. Roasted Nut Roll is a decadent blend of crunchy nuts, while the dessert-inspired Apple Turnover, Bananas Foster, and Cherry Cobbler flavors evoke Grandma’s recipes.

My review: I had the Bananas Foster flavor and it was a little too sweet for my taste. I've had LÄRABAR's before and have enjoyed them a lot. I think maybe it was the banana flavor that drove it over the edge? Maybe with a handful of nuts this could have been tamed down a bit but to eat it alone it was more like dessert than breakfast or a snack. 

6. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Whether we’re jogging through the park or powering through a laptop session, earbuds are one of our constant accessories. So we started thinking: why stick with the same boring white pair we’ve been using for years? We designed these custom pink and green or pink and blue neon earbuds so we can rock out to our favorite tunes in style. They’re extra-durable and extra-comfy—now that’s music to our ears.

My review: These earbuds were so cute! As I said last week, the neon trend is everywhere - especially in sportswear. These are the perfect addition to my workout attire and I love how bright they are. 

7. According to the Birchbox Breakdown: Allow us to introduce you to your new warm weather scent. For their latest fragrance, the brother duo behind Harvey Prince decided to mimic the joy of waking up to a warm day with the sun shining and the flowers blooming. The resulting blend is an energizing mix of citrus and floral notes that will keep you optimistic even when you get up on the wrong side of the bed.

My review: I liked this scent. It was light and refreshing and perfect for the spring or summer. It wasn't overpowering at all.

Want to sign up for your own Birchbox? Click here for more information. Stay tuned to see what Adrianne got in her July Birchbox.