Masked Beauty Facial Masks: Review + Giveaway

Disclosure: I was provided two full size masks of my choice from Masked Beauty free of charge in partnership with Brandbacker. This is a sponsored post via Brandbacker. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the products. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

One of my favorite ways to unwind and provide self-care is by throwing my hair up, putting on some pajamas and using a face mask. While I have a pretty set skin care routine that I hardly deviate from, else I suffer the consequences, I love to try new face masks from time to time. I like that you can find masks now for any skin woe. Back when I was younger, you were basically stuck with the run of the mill peel off mask or clay mask. Nowadays, you can find a mask for anything and in any formula!

When Masked Beauty offered to send me two of their masks to give a try, I was all about it. Although I am not perfect, I try to stick to products that use natural ingredients. I find my skin is happier when I do so as well! Masked Beauty products are never formulated with any Parabens, Phthalates, Formaldehyde, Triclosan, Polyethylene Microbeads, Bisphenol A (BPA), or Toluene.

I chose the Exfoliating Coffee and Chocolate Facial Mask which will tone and smooth and the Purifying Charcoal and Diamond Facial Mask that provides brightening and refining. These are two areas that I find help my adult, acne-prone skin. Some days I need to smooth and tone the areas that have acne scars. Other days, if I feel a break out coming on, I like to use the purifying charcoal mask. I was also sent a silicone facial mask brush. I have never used a brush to put on a mask before trying this one and, I have to say, what a world of difference! No more mess on your hands or feeling like I shouldn't be dipping my fingers into a pot of product. This allowed for easy, even coverage over my entire face - even on the hard to reach areas!

Here I am, mask on, hair up, relaxing after a long day! So what did I think, you ask? I loved the purifying feel of the Purifying Charcoal and Diamond Facial Mask. You know that feeling where you just feel like your face is getting cleaner and cleaner as the mask sits on your face? Yep. And when you rinse it off you instantly look brighter? YEP! I also felt that the Exfoliating Coffee and Chocolate Facial Mask not only smelled amazing (as in, enjoy some chocolate with this one!) but also provided perfect exfoliation without being too rough.

Masked Beauty facial masks come in six varieties:
Purifying Charcoal & Diamond
Exfoliating Coffee & Chocolate
Toning Red Clay
Overnight Pistachio
Moisturizing Ginkgo & Oat
Soothing Rose & Peony

I think the Overnight Pistachio mask will be coming home with me next. I've been wanting to try an overnight mask and these are just right for my preferred price point. That's right - you can find these at your favorite grocery stores: Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel, Meijer, Hy-Vee, Marc’s, Weis and Kinney Drugs.

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WIN IT!

Want a chance to try three Masked Beauty facial masks for yourself and win some other beauty goodies to boot? Enter Masked Beauty's giveaway below!

Feeling Active Everywhere in prAna Spring Wear!

Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with prAna. I selected the pieces and prAna graciously provided them complimentary to me for my honest thoughts. Opinions are provided solely by me.

Spring is in the air! Can you smell it!? I know, I know... maybe that is wishful thinking on my part. I live in Michigan, after all. It often seems like winter lasts until May in these parts. Last week we had a beautiful, sunny, 60 degree day... and today it happens to be snowing. Despite the snow, I can feel spring peeking out here and there. My daffodils are pushing through the soil in my garden. The grass is looking a little greener. The daylight is lasting a little bit longer. My dog is itching to get out of the house and take as many walks as she can.

Speaking of getting the winter willies out... I had a chance to try two pieces from prAna's new spring 2018 active wear line. When prAna reached out to me, I was excited to give their new yoga pants a whirl. My husband and I recently joined a new, bigger gym because we were looking to increase our enthusiasm in working out and a friend of mine became a personal trainer at the gym we joined. It was perfect timing to start something new! I have a decent amount of active wear in my wardrobe but am always looking for the perfect, comfortable pant that will provide me with the coverage I feel comfortable in. I started with taking a look at prAna's yoga fit guide to get an idea of what they offer and the fit I might like best. I chose the Leda pant in Volcanic Plum Aster since I personally will always choose a printed pant over a solid. Life is just more fun that way. :) And while this style is labeled as a pant, I would place it into the legging category to be more specific. I couldn't be more happy with the fit. I like to use my active wear for a variety of purposes: gym sessions, workout classes, walking my dog, and lounge wear, if I am being honest. These pants fit every need. They are super soft, super comfortable, fit perfectly to the point where I feel supported but not suffocated and look great paired with sneakers for the gym or boots for some shopping! And, drumroll please... They are not see through! This girl has no tolerance for see through ANYTHING and these pants certainly deliver on that promise!

OUTFIT DETAILS

• Leggings: c/o prAna - Leda Pant in Volcanic Plum Aster [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
• Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Ostara Top in Coal [exact / use AEKKS18 for 15% off!]
• Tank: Thrifted [similar]
• Shoes: Brooks Pureflow 6 running shoes [exact]

Next, I selected the Ostara top in Coal to pair with my new pants. While I usually find it easy to find work out tanks/tops in the stores, I often feel like I am always wanting more when it comes to a heavier layer on top. Sweatshirts and jackets never provide the length that I am looking for. I was pleased with the fit of this top because it is a bit longer than usual and find it provides a nice, boxy fit as well. I want to be comfortable when I am working out or walking my dog. I personally like a looser top layer to provide some warmth - both for the winter cold and also to keep my muscles warm while working out at the gym. The Ostara top has the look and feel of a sweatshirt with a bit of a heavier drape to it. The lace up detail on the sides provides a cute addition!

CHECK IT OUT!
Learn more about prAna's re-imagined new line of yoga pants... designed and tested just for you by women just like you!

If you're thinking about investing in some new, quality workout gear, I cannot recommend prAna more. They use organic cotton and other natural materials and believe in fair trade and sustainability. I'd say that is reason enough to give them a try but the added bonus here is that they make great looking pieces to boot! Here's to walking out the winter willies and heading straight into spring - being #activeeverywhere in my #prAnaSpring18!

SAVE NOW!
prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code AEKKS18 and get 15% OFF any non-sale items at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through APRIL 6TH!

Fall for prAna: Sustainable Fall Style

This post was created in partnership with prAna. Clothes were provided complimentary by prAna, opinions are provided solely by me.

With school starting up this week around these parts and a bit of an added chill in the air, I am feeling that never-seems-to-leave-you feeling of fall freshness and a new year. I'm in my thirties and haven't been in school for some time now but I never seem to lose that feeling of a crisp new year starting. I'm usually ready around this time to leave my summer clothes behind and start adding on the layers. I love summer but I am an autumn girl at heart. The season is rather fleeting here in Michigan as we move into full blown winter pretty quickly so I have to enjoy it while I can!

prAna recently contacted me to try out a few pieces from their fall collection. I thought this might be the perfect way to dip myself into some comfy autumn gear - something my wardrobe actually lacks! I've never been much of a tshirt and jeans kind of girl so when I get in that mood to throw some comfies on, I lack pieces that are things I would actually want to go out of the house in. Faded cotton sweatpants paired with my husband's old t-shirt is not usually a look I like to share outside of my at home world. ;-) You're welcome.

Chillin out maxin' relaxin' all cool warm... in my dropped shoulder pullover!

OUTFIT DETAILS

• Jeans: c/o prAna - Kara Jean in cargo green [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
• Sweatshirt: c/o prAna - Penelope Pullover in lacquered rose [exact / use GHFF15 for 15% off!]
• Shirt: Canyon River Blues chambray tunic [bought FREE!]
• Shoes: thrifted Aerosoles [similar]
• Glasses: Bonlook Skunkboy Twinkle Tort [exact]
• Bracelet: vintage copper bangle bought at a church sale [similar]

First, let's talk about these Kara jeans. Can I get an AMEN for jeans that fit in ALL areas? I often have an issue where my jeans might fit my legs well but then have a huge gap at my waist or require me to scoot them back up all the live long day. Not these. These jeans have the perfect amount of stretch without being too stretchy. I like the feeling of being "held in" without feeling like my clothes are too tight. These achieve that perfectly. They retail at $89.00 and are worth every penny because their cost per wear is going to essentially bring that cost to pennies.

I walked around Detroit in these over the weekend and didn't even think about what I was wearing... That's a true indication that these jeans are a winner. No adjustments necessary! If you take a look at their reviews, they have over 900 reviews with a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars! I am always nervous to buy jeans online without trying them on but after reading some reviews and reviewing their size chart, I bought my usual size 8. Personally, I find they fit very true to size as I have not a single complaint to make about the fit. And let's talk about those cuffs... I love that they have this awesome detail. One of my favorite "trends" right now is detailed denim - whether it be an interesting color, embroidery or other little details like that. I think this oversized cuff gives a cool different, edgy look over regular skinnies... but the best part is that the cuff isn't permanent and can be changed up! I love a piece of clothing that I can wear more than one way!

Those cuffs, though!

Oh, and here is something important that we haven't talked about yet: prAna is also all about sustainability. Whether it is fair trade, recycled or organic, they do an exceptional job at creating pieces that are true to their aesthetic in a way that is also good to the rest of the world! For example, my jeans are made with 75% organic cotton. The use of organic cotton helps to cut down on the use of pesticides and fertilizers which is healthier for the cotton farmers and helps to preserve the biodiversity of the land they use to farm. You can learn more about the ways prAna is part of the sustainable clothing movement right here. If you've read my blog for a while or know me personally, you know I am a huge advocate of buying secondhand clothing. Over the last year, I've been learning more about the sustainable fashion movement and have been feeling a pull toward it in addition to my secondhand shopping. That being said, I'm delighted to try these pieces out from prAna and talk about that more with you guys going forward.

The Penelope pullover was an easy choice to add to my closet. I liked the idea that it's a sweatshirt with a twist. I dressed it down here but am looking forward to layering it over some of my dresses to wear to work. The cowl neck gives it a more dressed up look than a normal sweatshirt. This is a great, lightweight layering piece that allows me to feel comfortable and warm without being too heavy or hard to pair with other pieces. I love the way my favorite chambray is peeking every so slightly out at the top. And going back to sustainability, this piece is fair trade factory certified and made with 60% organic cotton. I consider that a look good-feel good kind of piece and I look forward to adding more like that to my closet.

SHOP IT: prAna has kindly offered my readers a discount shopping code! Use promo code GHFF15 and get 15% OFF at prAna.com. Hurry - the code is only valid through NOVEMBER 20TH!

Disclosure: The Kara jeans and Penelope pullover were provided free of charge from prAna. Both products were selected by me, styled by me and all opinions shared are my honest thoughts. #fallforprAna

Linking up with Style Wise Link Up!

Tried & True Review: Finesse Haircare

Does anyone remember Finesse haircare? If you were like me, you were obsessed with it as a child. Though sold at drugstores even then, it had a certain je ne sais quoi. Somehow it had more glamour and seemed more luxe than any of the other bottles on the shelf.

Any why shouldn't it!? I'll be the first to say that I stand by drugstore brands any day of the week. Sure, I've tried fabulous salon brands but I've also come to put together quite an arsenal of drugstore brands that I remain true to throughout the years. And my pocketbook thanks me for that!

Pink tile or bust!

I recently had the chance to try out Finesse's Restore + Strengthen Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. This could not have come at a better time. The Michigan winter we are currently living through this year has been brutal. While it hasn't snowed as much as it has in years past, the chill in the air has been consistent and cold. I feel like this is our coldest year yet. With that, my hair has been drier than it ever has been before. The products are described as being for hair that's dry, stubborn or sometimes frizzy. Yeah, ok, I'll admit to having some frizzy days and certainly to having some stubborn and dry days lately. Now, if you're like me with super fine, thin hair, you are probably very weary of touching your strands with anything that is labeled "moisturizing"... I get you, girl! Me too. Anything that is moisturizing tends to weigh my hair down, make it look super limp and give it the appearance that I haven't washed it in days. To say I was hesitant to try this shampoo and conditioner would be true. Well, let me tell you, I was very pleased with the results!

Give my messy strands a break... did I mention it's also been ridiculously windy here!?
Uh, I mean, I was going for the windswept look... yeah, yeah.

My tried and true review: My hair felt smoother, easier to manage and easier to style after using the moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Both products have that perfect fresh shampoo soap smell without being too overpowering. I love the clean, fresh scent. The shampoo has a thicker consistency than that of an everyday shampoo but lathers nicely without being too sudsy. The conditioner was super easy to rinse out, which, is always a test for me because I hate products that take too long to rinse out or, even worse, feel like they never rinse out.

Bonus: Is your naturally blonde hair currently black? Is red not your "natural" hair color? OK, it's not mine either... though it feels so naturally me! I have good news! Finesse's Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner are gentle enough for color-treated hair too!

Let's talk price: Fashion Frugality approved! Walmart is currently selling the same size bottles I used, a 13oz. bottle, for just $1.98 each. Walgreens is currently selling each 13oz. bottle for just $1.99. At under $4 for the duo, this is a fantastic deal.

Alright, alright, still don't believe me? Let me let these videos do the talking. Because, yes, if I was going to tell you about a shampoo and conditioner, I was certainly going to play the part of shampoo model girl and pretend I was in my own glamorous Finesse commercial! Onward:

Hit play!

Don't forget to head over to my Instagram (@fashionfrugality) to see more glamorous hair videos *wink wink* and my everyday Fashion Frugality items like these!

Disclosure: I was provided the Finesse Restore + Strength Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner free of charge from Brandbacker. This is a sponsored post via Brandbacker. This review, however, was written by me personally and reflects my personal opinions after trying the products. I was not expected to provide a favorable review.

Linking up with: Thursday Favorite Things