My two absolutely favorites were the Hello Shampoo and Conditioner.

• I’d been looking for haircare products that are Sulfate free and Paraben free. This is it! Not only does it lack those two things it smells  fantastic!
• You might remember the Klorane Dry Shampoo? Well that was one of my favorites and now so is this makeup remover. Very gentle around the eyes.  A brand I truly believe in.
• Eslor firming collagen day cream smells nice but it’s a little heavy for my skin type so I didn’t give this the full trial to give you an honest opinion of whether it works well or not.
• the Balm Costmetics will give you a nice luminous look.
• Last they added a Blood Orange Caramel, melt in your mouth delicious!

It’s a combination of Italian Bergamot, crushed violet, gardenia, jasmine and tuberose. Really it smell like Hawaii. A very light floral scent perfect for summertime.

What is your favorite summer perfume? Do you switch them up throughout the seasons?

I’ve grown tired of my Clinique pressed powder. I mean I’ve worn it from well over 20 years so it was time for a change. I had tried Laura Mercier a few years back and so I thought, why not try out their powder.

• What I loved most about the pressed powder is the fact that it’s very lightweight. During the summer months the last thing I want to do is have something heavy on my face. I will say you need to be cautious with the application because if you go heavy you will see the white powder so make sure you apply it in good lighting.
• The Secret Finish Mattifying is perfect if you have oily skin. Apply throughout the day as needed, it will instantly take away the shine without feeling heavy.
• I wouldn’t say that it necessarily “plumped” my lips, but nevertheless it did hydrate my lips.

Have you tried Laura Mercier products lately?

• $25 off coupon to Kate Spade Saturday…umm yes please!
• N4 Volumizing shampoo smells amazing. I LOVE this stuff! A few months ago they sent out the hairspray that I became a huge fan of as well.
• Marcelle New Age 8 and 1 power serum is nice, however, I have a favorite serum at the moment so I probably won’t be adding this one to the mix.
• Radical Sun Recovery after-sun lotion by Coola is one I’ll be adding to the summer list. We used it after our beach day yesterday and it felt fantastic. I’m also a huge fan of their sunscreen.
• Pixi….hmm…I could live without this one. Way too pink of my liking. But my daughter had fun using it.
• Last were the Smarty Pants Vitamins. Excellent source of fiber, Vitamin C, D3, E and B12 with folic acid. Sounds like everything I need and they tasted good. There is no reason why adults can’t have sweet vitamins too.

I wasn’t sure if I’d continue receiving the Birchbox but after the last two months I’m going to stick with it. I’ve been introduced to some amazing new products that I wouldn’t have otherwise known about.

1. Upon returning from a rather strenuous workout I was thrilled to have my Birchbox waiting on my doorstep as I arrived home. I was even more thrilled to find this oh so delicious Kind Healthy Maple Pumpkin Seed bar as I was  famished. This salty sweet gluten free treat is full of all the ingredients I love. It WILL be added to the snack drawer on a regular basis.
2. Derma e Hydrating Night Creme was very nice and it smells pretty good too. Not too strong.
3. I’ve been a fan of Color Club nail polish since my very first Birchbox. It dries fast and lasts a long time. I received Gold Struck and it is lovely.
4. Gilchrist and Soames spa therapy body wash is amazing. It smells of fresh aqualeaf and citrus leaving you feeling clean and refreshed. Love it!
5. Cynthia Rowley eye liner in silver was fun, although it’s not a choice I would make for my every day. But it glides on nicely and it lasts throughout the day, which honestly surprised me a bit.

Have you tried Birchbox?

A years supply of Dove Body Wash, equals to 8 – 24 oz. bottles. YES! Eight!! Enter for a chance to win this fantastic prize and good luck!!!

Disclosure: I was given Dove products to review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Over the weekend, one of my good friends was wearing Coco Mademoiselle. Ah, smells so amazing, I had forgotten just how much I love this perfume.

I’m a creature of habit in the worst way when it comes to makeup. It was time for a slight change without going over the top so I picked up this neutral Bobbi Brown modern neutral set-perfect color palette for everyday. It is a limited edition that includes eye shadow with lid and eye liner shades, mascara, little color for the cheeks and Carolina sheer lip color.

Nail polish! Yes, please! I’m on the search for this Nude Glow makeup collection by Bobbi Brown.

What new products are you loving right now? Share with us!

There was a time in my life where I thought I should stick with the same brand for my entire face. My how times have changed. I tend to be a creature of habit so even though I’ve tried many products over the last year, I still tend to go back to the same old tried and true with the exception of a few new must-haves like Smashbox Primer and MAC Fluidline.

These are the products I use everyday…..everyday I decide to put makeup on that is. It seems a little absurd because it really doesn’t feel like I use this many products…but I do and here they are!

FACE

• Murad Essential C Daily Moisture SPF 30
• Smashbox Photofinish
• MAC Matchmaster Foundation
• Clinique Stay Buff Powder
• BareMinerals Vintage peach blush

EYES

• MAC Eyeshadow
• MAC Fluidline
• Smashbox Brow Tech
• Voluminous Power Volume

LIPS

• NARS Lipliner
• Bobbi Brown Lipstick

Last week I shared a few of my favorite haircare products that I’ve come to know through Birchbox. This week is a list of four beauty products I’m loving right now.

1. Suki Face exfoliate foaming cleanser with lemongrass extract and natural sugar smells so fresh and clean. I really liked this product but not necessarily as an everyday exfoliator.
2. I was thrilled to be introduced to the COOLA classic facial sunscreen. Many facial sunscreens tend to  be very heavy, not only that they smell just like you’ve walked through the tourist section of the beach. This stuff doesn’t have that sunscreen smell at all. I’ve been a huge fan since!
3. These are great to have on hand while traveling, they are so refreshing and smell fantastic.
4. I’ve been exposed to a lot of facial cleansers. As far as everything Birchbox has sent over in 2013, Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion was the most note worthy. My face felt amazingly soft  after using it.

What are some of your favorite beauty products this year? Tell us about it!

Also, the blog is hopping with GIVEAWAYS this month!! Right now I’m Co-Hosting with Natasha of Lovely You and Erin of Living in Yellow,  so be sure to enter for a chance to win $115 cash with Living in Yellow and a group of fab bloggers AND enter for a chance to win with Lovely You and fab bloggers for a chance to win $350. I wish you all good luck and as always thank you for reading The Life of the Party.

• I just discovered the N.4 Non-Aerosol hairspray in last months box and it has quickly become my favorite. I have very thick hair and this stuff has some serious hold without feeling heavy.
• My hairstylist always encourages dirty hair for styling. This was a tough one for me because what can I say…I like clean hair. However, if there is a certain look I’m going for…like say…calm hair…which my hair is not when its clean. I will use the dirty hair and give it a spray with Klorane the next day before styling. It works like a dream.
• Perfect for unmanageable, thick and unruly wet hair. The Beauty Protector detangler is amazing. I use it for both my daughter and myself. AND it smells good.

Next week on Monday Makeup and Beauty I’ll share some of my facial cleanser favorites for the year. Hope you all have an awesome week!