Let's Be Frank: Body Scrub Review

I love Instagram. Not only can you find inspiration for your closet, but you can also discover new products you didn't know existed! Oh, the power of social media.

While perusing Instagram, I stumbled across a photo of Jen Selter in an outdoor shower holding a bag with "Frank" plastered alongside it with the caption "Getting down and dirty with my favorite coffee scrub." Imagine my surprise when I read the words coffee and scrub alongside each other! I was immediately intrigued.

I visited their Instagram and found several avid followers that swore by the product and visited their website for some additional research. I found out that Frank is a vegan coffee-based scrub made in Melbourne, Australia and there are three versions of the scrub available. Original, Coconut & Grapeseed, and Cacao which all deliver different benefits. Each version claims to target cellulite, stretch marks, psoriasis, varicose veins, eczema and acne, but I went with the Coconut & Grapeseed version as it boasts hydration and toning properties in the formula and targets imperfections in the skin. This was  essential, especially being that my skin turns into a desert land during autumn and winter seasons and I have small scars that I'd like exiled from my skin.

Using Frank is a bit of a process. Their philosophy is "get naked. get dirty. get rough." After dampening your skin, apply a handful of the scrub to your skin, distribute it and then move the product in circular motions around your body. Frank recommends then letting the product sit on your skin for 5 to 10 minutes. I'll usually go for the full 10 to get the full effect, but you'll be extremely dirty, so you'll want to stay put in your bathroom. While you're waiting, be sure to enjoy the beautiful brewed coffee aroma in the air, it's quite intoxicating.

Once you wash off the scrub you'll immediately notice your skin is velvety smooth, supple and nourished. Honestly, I was shocked by how incredibly my skin felt that I rushed over to my fiance and demanded that he feel how smooth and flawless my skin felt. He completely agreed and even asked if he could give Frank a spin, too! I'm feeling generous, so I might allow it.

Looking at the skin benefits, I have noticed diminishing appearance of flaws in my skin and small stretch marks that I previously noticed, I'm currently having a hard time spotting them! I definitely recommend giving Frank a try. If you're interested, you can find all products at FrankBody.com - they also offer free shipping to the U.S.

Have you tried Frank before? Has everyone's experience been as awesome as mine? Let me know and don't forget to follow me on BlogLovin'!

This post is NOT sponsored by Frank. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Ulta Haul: Eyes, Foundation & Skincare

This past Saturday was a shopping day for me. Ulta had a great 20% off your entire purchase deal going and I really couldn't resist. There were a couple of items that I had to pick up, and if I'm honest, a couple of impulse buy or two.

I began the journey by picking up a bottle of L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in (N7-8) Classic Tan/Cappuccino. I've heard so many great things about this foundation that I simply had to get a bottle of it for myself. I've been using it for the past few days and so far, I really like it. Dare I say, I think it might be a drugstore dupe for the Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation, which is a current favorite.

I also made my way to the NYX display, which I find myself grabbing more and more products from the line because I'm always so stunned by the quality of the products at a bargain price! I ended up grabbing the NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in Crystal Gun Metal for my Halloween costume this Friday and a more long-term use product, the NYX Nude Matte Shadow in Dance With Tides, a beautiful brown however slightly orange-tinted nude that is a perfect transition shade on the lids. I've only been using this for a couple of days, but I already notice that it's in regular rotation during my morning makeup application and the pigmentation is surprisingly stellar for only $4.50!

A spur-of-the-moment purchase that I made was the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade in Medium Brown. I've wanted to give this a try since I absolutely adore my Anastasia Brow Wiz and figure if I'm going to venture into another brow product, Anastasia is the brand to stick with. I've only dabbled with this product once and oh my goodness, is it pigmented?! A light touch of product is all you need, but I'm sure practice will make perfect when it comes to this item.

I rounded out my jaunt in the aisles of Ulta with a browsing in the skin care sections. I came away with an old standby that I haven't revisited in a while, Philosophy Purity One-Step Facial Cleanser. Also, I picked up a Juice Beauty Green Apple Blemish Clearing Peel, which is something that I've had my eye on for a while.  While my skin is not necessarily blemish-prone, the benefits highlighted are hydration, rejuvenation and evening of texture and I do have some problem areas where texture could improve. I'll report back when I've tested this for a while.

Lastly, you'll also notice that there's a sneaky Laura Gellar mascara that made its way into my bag of purchases. This was a sample that I received because the nice ladies at Ulta were feeling rather generous that day, but hey, I'm not complaining.

So far, so good with all of the purchases, but I'd love to know what's been on your personal beauty wish lists lately. Also, if you'd like to see a thorough review of any products I've mentioned in this haul, let me know!

Review: Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge

A couple of months ago, I came away from a jaunt in Sephora with the Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge. I read an article on Refinery29 earlier in the day detailing the miracles that this nifty little sponge from Japan could do for dull skin, and at the time, my skin was misbehaving with dry texture and uneven tone.

Out of the package, the konjac sponge was stiff to the touch, but became a pliable, soft cushion upon the application of water. The sponge is supposed to be hung to air dry after each use and will be rid of residual dirt or bacteria in the process. I used the sponge diligently every morning and night, but was slightly disappointed when I didn't notice any significant exfoliation of dry patches on my skin from the sponge, nor did I see a radiant or vibrant quality in my skin during the time that I used it.

Unfortunately, I'm chalking the konjac sponge up to be mostly hype. However, lucky for me, I've found the perfect addition to my skincare routine that has delivered the tangible results that I desire.

Have you tried a konjac cleansing sponge? I'd love to hear about your experience.

What I picked up at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale: Clairsonic Mia2

I think I can speak for all of us that when it comes to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, we can collectively say that "we came, we saw, we conquered." Yes, it's gone for a whole year, but we have shopping bags full of goodies to hold us over until it returns!

I, personally, am quite proud of the amount of self-control I exercised while shopping the sale. I only came away with one major purchase and it's something that I've been dying to own for a long time. As you can tell from the title of this post, that item is none other than the Clairsonic Mia 2.

Nordstrom was offering a superb deal on the Mia 2 during the sale by forming a comprehensive set of goodies in the offering. It included items like a replacement brush head, the Clairsonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser, a travel case for the Mia 2 and a travel bag.  I got all of this for $149, which is quite the deal considering that under normal circumstances I would shell out over $200 for the complete list of provided accessories.

I decided to grab the vibrant rainbow-colored Mia 2 because it looks impeccably cheerful and is exactly what I need to see first thing in the morning when washing my face. I've mentioned I'm not a morning person, right?

I think I've had my Clairsonic Mia 2 for about four weeks now and I have to say that I adore this little gadget. After the first time I used it, I knew I had started a love affair. My skin was incredibly smooth because the Mia 2 had been busy dusting off dead skin and buffing out dull spots. A month later, I've noticed the texture of my skin evening out and troublesome areas of discoloration adjusting back to my normal skin tone.

I have to say that this is by far one of the best investments I've made for my skincare routine. It honestly did take my a while to buckle down and get the Clairsonic Mia 2, but I'm so glad that it's in my life now.

Have you tried any Clairsonic products? Also, was there anything that you picked up at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that quickly became a "can't-live-without" item? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time - XOXO

First Impressions: See By Chloe

Scent is such an integral part of your sensory perception. For me, scent is the main tie for recalling memories or special moments. So, I'm especially invested in finding a beautiful perfume scent to carry me through the summer months that will always remind me of being engaged to the love of my life, beginning wedding planning, dress hunting, bonding with my bridal party and many of the other fun aspects that accompany such an important time in life.

Therefore, I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect summer fragrance and this year, I want something different than my usual fresh, light and floral scents. I am looking for something with a bit more body and bold notes that really evokes happiness in my senses.

See By Chloe

My first selection is See By Chloe, a prominent and lively fruity fragrance the pairs feminine essences like apple, jasmine and ylang ylang along with masculine musk, vanilla and bergamot spice to create an exceptional final product that lingers beautifully on the skin throughout the day.

I've only purchased the rollerball, but thus far, I am really enjoying the perfume and have gotten a lot of great feedback when I wear it out and about. The next time you're at the perfume counter or browsing in Sephora, I recommend giving this a whiff and picking it up. You won't be disappointed.

As for my official summer scent, we're still going to shop around, but this is a great contender. Stay with me on my journey for a summer scent because we know it's oh so important! Let me know your recommendations that I should consider trying and what you've been loving this summer.

Until next time! -- XO

Review: Fresh 'Life' Body Oil

I love the staff at Sephora. They're friendly, attentive and, without fail, always informed about the latest and greatest products. There's a countless number of times that I can credit finding my newest make-up bag staple to the recommendation of a Sephora employee. That was the case with the Fresh 'Life' Body Oil, my newest skincare must-have.

The Fresh 'Life' Body Oil is completely luxe from package to product. The packaging is simple and very 'apothecary' down to the heavy glass bottle with a faux marble top. I'm a serious packaging nerd and will definitely need to figure out a way to repurpose this bottle when I finish with it, but I digress. 

The product is so impressive, starting with the scent. The scent brings notes of almond, fresh rain and a slight floral undertone. They all meld together in the most pleasant way to rejuvenate your senses. The consistency of the oil is substantial, but lightweight enough to absorb into your skin and leave a smooth dewy (but not greasy) feeling . I find it best to use the body oil when I'm fresh out of the shower or bath and my skin is still slightly damp. This allows the product to easily massage and absorb into the skin.

The body oil claims to provide 24-hour moisture, I'm not sure if I'd go that far, but I'd say this offers a good 18 hours. I've been using the Fresh 'Life' Body Oil for the past four months and have noticed a substantial change in the appearance of my skin especially on problem areas that tend to be too dry. Not only that, but I still have plenty of the body oil left. You definitely don't need more than a quarter-sized amount for moisturizing.

Keeping all of this in mind really helps to weather the blow when you think about the fact that this product costs $48 at Sephora! Eeek, I know, right? But, it's worth every penny and I'll gladly be repurchasing this when the time comes. My formerly dry skin is once again indebted to you Sephora. You're the best.

Have you tried the Fresh 'Life' Body Oil or any other Fresh products that have made your list over must-haves? I'd love to hear from you! Until next time -- XO

What's The Difference Between BB and CC Creams?

With all of the choices available for achieving a seemingly flawless complexion in the aisles of drugstores and beauty counters, the beauty industry definitely hasn't made decision-making an easy task. I mean, you have liquid foundations, powders, tinted moisturizers, airbrushing... you name it, it's probably out there now! But, lo and behold, we're not done yet! BB and CC Creams have crept onto the scene as the new cool kids on the block. But, as with any cool kid, they possess an heir of mystery. What are they all about and why should I care? Let's figure it out...

BB Cream: Simple and Nutrient Rich

BB Creams have a bit of rich history. They've apparently been around in the Asian markets for quite a while, as far back as the mid 1980's! However, they've only recently become popular within the U.S. BB stands for "beauty balm" I've also heard "blemish balm." BB Creams attempt to be an all-in-one kind of product that nourishes, protects, hydrates and applies very mild coverage for your skin. BB Creams are also meant to be rich in antioxidants and skin revitalization properties found in many anti-aging products.

I'd envision that BB Creams are best for those who want a natural and lightweight coverage for their skin. This person might also struggle with mild breakouts and would find deep nourishment to be a priority. Personally, as a woman with normal to oily skin, I don't tend to favor BB Creams because they have a tendency to linger on the oily side. These creams are much more apt for dryer skin users. 

Lastly, BB Creams are perfectly acceptable to be worn alone, but can also be used as a primer with foundation applied over it. This, of course, depends on your desired amount of coverage.

CC Cream: Smooth and Flawless

CC Creams are somewhat of a "fraternal twin" of BB Creams. Like BB's, CC Creams contain sun protection and nourishing benefits for the skin. However, a CC Cream's big selling point is "color correction." The main goal of a CC Cream is to help rectify uneven skin tone, and discoloration. For this reason, CC Creams can take on odd colors when looking at the product straight out of the tube. They may appear to be opalescent or "pearly" in color. This is to gather light-reflecting properties and use them in the proper areas for your skin. Those that suffer from hyper-pigmentation will find CC Creams very useful. 

CC Creams have a lighter feel on the skin than BB Creams and feel less oily. They also boast better coverage and blending capabilities. CC Creams have also been said to have more advanced healing properties than BB Creams. When looking at available CC Cream products in the market, you'll notice that they have claims of repairing or improving the appearance of your skin in "some odd" number of weeks. Claims like these are much more prevalent with CC Creams.

Overall, I'd say that the addition of BB's and CC's are welcome members to the always-evolving beauty industry. My only qualm with these new products are that being they are technically new on the beauty scene, available shades can be limited. However, with their rapidly growing popularity, I do see that changing soon. 

With that being said, I'm really interested in doing a compare and contrast experiment with a drugstore and high-end CC Cream. Just to figure out if more money, means better results. Who knows, we may see that coming on The Chic Counsel sometime in the near future.

Until next time!

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