The Good Girl Gone Blog

Add some Zing to your Beauty Routine with Origins May 09, 2013

As many of you know, I was sick with a nasty cold for about a week before and after the Blog Better Boston: Style Summit. Normally, I would have stayed home in bed watching tv and getting lots of fluids, but when you're the co-founder of a blogger event company, you can't just not attend your own events! Needless to say, it was a tough, Dayquil filled week, but the conference went very well!

One day post-conference when I was still feeling lousy, I noticed someone on Twitter shared a photo of an amazing selection of Origins products from their GinZing line that she received at some sort of event. I responded by saying how jealous I was and that I could really use some 'zing in my week.

To my surprise, Origins responded to my tweet and offered to send me some free product, no strings attached. Boy was I ecstatic! A few days later, I received a very fun package of items from their GinZing line, a collection of products that promise to give your face an energy boost. 

Let me tell you that first of all, the citrus-y smell alone is a pick me up! Add in some brightening mascara and some pretty fabulous cream shadows (I'm a convert- they're great to use as eyeliner) and you'll look as great as you feel. I normally can't stand cream shadows because they weigh down my eyelids and somehow make them itch, but not so with these products- I'm guessing it's because they're made with all of the good stuff (natural and organic ingredients and 100% natural essential oils) and none of the bad stuff (parabens, phthalates, etc).

I highly recommend you try this product line. My only (small!) gripe is that the moisturizer doesn't contain sunscreen. I'm OBSESSED with my current nighttime moisturizer (also from Origins) but rely on something with SPF during the day. If I want to wear the GinZing as a daytime option, I'll have to layer on sunscreen as well.

Below you'll find my favorite products from Origins, many of which I've purchased on my own, so you know they're good!

Disclosure: Origins provided me with these products for free, but they did not ask me to do anything in return. In fact, they sent them without a note, so I don't even know who to thank!

Treat Yourself at MiniLuxe January 28, 2013

This past week, I had the pleasure of going to MiniLuxe to try out some of their fabulous services. I must say, I was very impressed.

As soon as I entered the Wellesley location, I was greeted by the receptionist and the manager, who found a way to squeeze me in for some unscheduled services. The receptionist added my information to the computer and I immediately received a text confirming my appointment- how cool is that?

Kathy, the manager, gave me a tour of the salon and pointed out a few things that are special to MiniLuxe: the flip flop wall, the clean lab and the nail polish wall!

An awesome selection of Havaianas for purchase, perfect for the gal that doesn't want to wear the paper option (which is also available and totally an acceptable option which is free of charge).

I'm happy to report that MiniLuxe is perfect, even for germaphobes. The technicians use new files/buffers every time (which you can take home at the end because they won't reuse them) and everything else gets super-duper cleaned and disinfected in the clean lab (above).

Plus, apparently the jets in normal foot baths can retain disease causing bacteria (eww), which is why the foot baths at MiniLuxe don't have them! I'll never look at a whirpool foot bath the same...

MiniLuxe offers tons of polish options including OPI, Essie and even their own brand! The bottles marked with white bands are to be used at the salon (they say "try me, don't buy me") and the rest are for sale. MiniLuxe also sells beauty products (some their own line), cute jewelry and fun, girly accessories.

MiniLuxe treated me to a paraffin hand treatment (so luxurious!) a manicure and a pedicure. Unlike in many other nail salons, the atmosphere was extremely relaxing. My nail technician, Christina, was so sweet. She even offered to run out to my car to add another quarter to the meter. (Pro tip: if you're going to the Wellesley location, be sure to bring quarters for parking.)

I highly recommend you check out one of the seven MiniLuxe locations in MA, including their newest location in Hingham.

If you're ever in Wellesley (which is the location I visited), you should definitely stop in. They're running a fun mini facial promotion (call for details) that you won't want to miss-$75 value for $30 and you go home with a full sized cleanser! 

Disclaimer: I was provided a complimentary paraffin hand treatment, manicure + pedicure in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.

It's SUPER giveaway time! November 14, 2012

I've had 4 bags full of goodies sitting around in my office for the past few weeks, just waiting to go home with some of my lovely readers. You see, I've accumulated quite the collection of event swag recently, so much so that I just don't know what to do with it all. I've got full and trial-sized beauty items, drool worthy fashion accessories as well as items for the home. My apartment is simply too small to keep everything.

So here's the deal- all you have to do is let me know which prize pack you'd like. I have 2 beauty prize packs, one fashionista prize pack, and one "home" prize pack.

Giveaway is open to US readers only and will run through the end of the month! Oh, and the photos above? They're just a sampling of the goodies I have available ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sleep Naked with Swisspers: It's Giveaway Time! October 23, 2012

If you missed last week's #SleepNaked Twitter party, the true meaning of "National Sleep Naked Night" was a night where we discussed...makeup removal! Do you take off your makeup/wash your face every night? I certainly slip up and forget more often than not!

The problem with not taking off your makeup before bed? According to Swisspers:

"Studies have shown that 50 percent of women do not remove their makeup daily, and of those that do, 80 percent don’t do it properly. Skipping this step can cause all sorts of skin problems, including irritation, acne, eye infections and premature aging."

You can check out the Sleep Naked campaign on the Swisspers Facebook page, where you can vote for your favorite "naked" celebrity. The celeb with the most likes will win $10,000 that will go to the charity of their choice.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now it's time for a giveaway! Want to win a $50 gift card and a year's supply of Swisspers? Simply enter below!

*Thank you to Swisspers for sponsoring this post. Opinions are my own.

He Said/She Said: Birchbox Edition August 23, 2012

I'm very excited to share a new series that you'll hopefully be seeing a lot more of on the blog called He Said/She Said. Basically, I'm partnering up with my friend and former RA, Dan Chiz, to give you the male and female perspectives on different trends, products and more.

Our first topic: Birchbox.

If you haven't heard about Birchbox, it's safe to say you're living under a rock (or are a "real" adult). 

From the site:

Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

Birchbox was kind enough to send each of us our own pretty package (Women's retails for $10/month, Men's for $20/month), and here's what we thought:

Which product would you recommend/buy after trying?

He Said: The Eshu Shave Gel is by far my fav. It smells so good and works super well. My face is very sensitive and this doesn't irritate--it actually helps! I am 100% buying the product in the future.

She Said: I LOVED the Origins Checks and Balances face wash. It made my face feel clean and taut after washing, and the smell is great. I'd definitely consider buying the full size version...just have to finish my regular face wash.

Will you sign up?

He Said: HELL YEAH! I love it! It's a great way to get exposed to new grooming and beauty products!

She Said: I really want to say yes, but at this point, I have so many beauty samples and freebies lying around (thank you Nordstrom Anniversary Sale blogger preview), I'm not ready for more. As a blogger, I often receive products to review and they end up piling up in my cabinet. That being said, if you aren't currently overwhelmed by the amount of products in your makeup box (a terrible problem to have, I know haha), I'd say go for it! The price is right and there are few things more fun than getting packages.

(I was most excited about the Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, but ended up hating it- it burned my eyes!)

But wait, there's more! Head over to Dan's post to see the rest of our answers and some fun photos of the Men's box!

evo: My New Hair Lineup July 11, 2012

I'm excited to share a new-to-me product line, evo! With a motto like "saving ordinary humans from themselves," you know it's packed with great ingredients with a side of sass. To begin with, the product names are great: salty dog cocktail beach spray (a personal favorite!), happy campers hard working moisturizer (great for protecting your hair from the sun), liquid rollers curl balm (non-greasy, curl taming amazingness)...the list goes on.

The design is simple, the product descriptions fun to read and the scents amazing (they're girlfriend tested, boyfriend approved!).

This description from the evo site pretty much explains it all:

"fresh from the primordial gene pool, the best cutters, designers and lab rats in the business have created evo : the most luxurious, innovative and yet sensible hair care range that has ever existed. born from a desire to produce a high quality salon range (and not sell it as the answer to life, love and other woes), evo steps outside the normal realm of truth-stretching invention, to help people think a little and look good, all at the same time. evo... sweet revenge against an industry of over-inflated truths."

Basically, there's a product for every type of hair and it's better than what you've used before. Seriously, I really do love this stuff.

Special thanks to The Moxie Agency for sending over these fabulous evo products. Honestly, they sent over so many, it would be rude of me not to share.

So...I'm going to give away one of the products that I haven't tried yet, love touch shine spray, a $26.95 value!

Simply enter via the rafflecopter form below. US only, giveaway goes through July 18th. Good luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was provided these products to review, but opinions are my own. I was not compensated to write this post.

The Style and Go™ Hair Care Valet June 13, 2012

Remember my functional decor series about choosing pieces that were both cute and practical for my 200 sq. ft. apartment? Well, I'm done with tiny apartments (and have been since I moved out last year), but I'm definitely not done with functional decor, which is why I'm so excited to share this new product with you.

Last week, I received an email form Marcy McKenna (winner of Kelly Ripa's Homemade Millionaire and a fellow SkinnyScoop Tastemaker) about her newest product, The Style and Go™ Hair Care Valet, which will be available on HSN this month. It's the perfect piece of "functional decor" for any gal who is looking for a great way to keep her hair/beauty products organized.

About the Style and Go™:

• Easty to install wall mounted cabinet that holds up to 4 appliances (think blow dryer, curling iron, flat iron, etc.) + products.
• Cord compartment keeps cords managed and out of sight and all appliances are hooked up to one switch
• Features mirrors on both sides of the door for better styling
• 5X magnifying make up mirror.
• Comes in white, black and espresso 

You can learn more about Marcy and her line of innovative products here.

* I was not compensated for this post, I just think the product is really cool!

Alana's Epic Spring Cleaning Giveaway! March 02, 2012

It's time for a fun giveaway! I've been doing a lot of cleaning and organizing recently and my closet looks like it belongs to someone else (in a good way!). Though I can't give you my clothes (sizing issues, etc) I'm really excited to share some fantastic beauty items that have been sitting around my apartment,  just waiting to be used.

One of the perks of being a style blogger is that brands send you products to test, but unfortunately, I just can't get to everything. This means I get to share the love with you!

Here are the goods:

Alana"s Epic Spring Cleaning Giveaway!

To enter, simply leave a comment below with your best spring cleaning tip. I'll choose a winner randomly on March 9th and will contact them via email. US only this time. Good luck!

The Power of a Professional Blow Dryer February 28, 2012

Misikko was kind enough to send over one of the BEST blow dryers I've ever tried, the HANA air professional. I was absolutely blown away (pun TOTALLY intended). I love that the blow dryer is super powerful without having to use extra high heat that damages your hair. The attachment nozzle directs air into a small, powerful stream that doesn't make my hair go crazy puffy.

Blow drying is faster, easier and definitely more fun. After trying out this baby, I'm going to get rid of my boring old drugstore blow dryer, and would honestly recommend you do the same. Sure, it's pricey, but I really do think it makes a difference.

*Misikko provided the blow dryer (and a bunch of other fun goodies) in exchange for a review. Opinions are entirely my own and were not influenced by the brand.

In my Beauty Bag February 10, 2012

In my Beauty Bag

Just another fun Skinny Scoop list I've been playing around with. It's by no means complete- I have waaaay too many beauty products strewn across my vanity which haven't made the list yet. I think that probably means I need to start chucking some of them- I never really believed in that whole "makeup has an expiration date" business, but maybe I should...