Last month I posted the Pomegranate Eye Mask and said I'd try other Sephora eye masks and let ya know what I thought.. I recently used the Sephora Perfecting & Brightening eye mask. Unlike the first eye mask I tried in this collection, this mask did not irritate my rosacea. Everything bothers my skin, so I'm happy when I find products that don't turn my face bright red! This white pearl infused mask claims to illuminate your skin - not sure my under eyes appear brighter (it's gonna take more than a fifteen-minute mask to fix my under eye problems), but my skin feels and looks nourished. I'm happy with the results.

Application is easy, the masks wraps around your under eye area and up to your brows (good coverage) and the serum-like solution doesn't run down your face. The Pomegranate eye masks had a subtle, refreshing scent. This mask, however, had a funny smell - not bad, but not pleasant. I have six more masks to go..

My under eye area has been super dry all winter, causing my brightener and concealer to become cakey and appear flaky (not nice). I tried so many creams and at the advice of a magazine, fell upon Benefit It's Potent eye cream. HALLELUJAH! This cream doesn't get great reviews, but I think its amazing. Its claim is to brighten eyes and fade dark circles - does it do this? Not really, but that's not what I bought it for anyway! They should brand this cream 'super nourishing' and 'the solution to caky makeup'. Within a week, my under eye area was no longer dry (it's a miracle). 

It's Potent has a light-creamy, silky feel that glides on effortlessly and creates the perfect base for under eye makeup. I apply more makeup than before (which of course makes me look better) and it doesn't flake or appear cakey at all. YAY! I'm delighted with the results.

So, here's what happened to me - I dropped it and cream went everywhere (seriously everywhere). I lost most of the jar on the floor, the wall and my pants. I love it, so I purchased a new one. Be careful of heavy glass jars; they bounce! 

I am a huge fan of Bobbi Brown makeup brushes and am super excited that the latest limited edition travel brush set includes a blush brush. This is unheard of for Bobbi Brown! For every regular sized makeup brush I own (except the blush brush), I had a travel size to match and have been on the hunt for a appropriately sized, good quality brush. YAY! My set is complete - and then some.. The blush brush is amazing and reminds me that a new blush brush allows for perfect application, so of course, now I want a new regular sized! 

This set includes an ultra-fine eye liner brush, eye shadow brush, concealer blending brush, eye sweep brush, foundation brush and blush brush. Combined with travel brushes from my previous BB sets, I am stocked and ready for makeup application on the road. The travel case can hold many more brushes, is slim and chic. The quality of these brushes is excellent. The brush heads are soft, natural feeling and rarely do the hairs fall out. What's great about this set, is the brass plated handles are compact, but the brush heads are full size. 

One thing I should mention is that after the first wash, the blush brush had a really pungent smell. It was unbearable, so I washed it again and then again with beautyblender liquid cleanser. The smell has diminished, but remains. I'm still gonna use it (funny scent and all).

Flat Tummy Tea is a two-step herbal detox claiming to cleanse your system, stimulate digestion and reduce bloating. I posted a review about Flat Tummy Tea a few months ago and thought I'd do a comparison to another natural teatox program, SkinnyMint. This 28 day, two-step teatox is designed to kick start a healthy lifestyle, increase your energy levels and naturally cleanse your body. Basically, both teas make the same claims, but in different words. I'm not gonna get into the ingredient details for each tea, cause I'd be writing for days, but I will give you a quick review and my personal thoughts. 

Both Teas work! Combined with healthy eating habits and just a little exercise, you will look and feel better. Tea detoxing is no weight-loss miracle, just an addition to your healthy lifestyle. Tea in general is really good for you. I am partial to green tea and recently read a post about tea detoxing compared to simply drinking green tea. I followed their suggestion, drank five cups of green tea a day (no teatox) and had great results. I didn't loose weight, but my stomach was much less bloated. If teatoxing is not for you, I suggest green tea after every meal. It increases your metabolic rate 4 to 5 percent and is an excellent source of antioxidants.

What is similar about these two detox programs? They both contain green tea and other natural diuretic ingredients. Flat Tummy Tea 'Activate' should be consumed every morning and 'Cleanse' every third evening. SkinnyMint 'Morning Boost' should also be consumed every morning and 'Night Cleanse' every second night. Both have a mild laxative effect and reduce bloating. Both morning teas contain caffeine and thus your energy levels increase!

What's different? Flat Tummy Tea is a loose tea in resealable packets. You can use a tea defuser - I am partial to individual tea filters (less to clean). Either way, this is an additional cost. I like that SkinnyMint comes in individual tea bags (also in resealable packets), each with a tag 'Morning Boost' or Night Cleanse'. As far as taste goes, SkinnyMint is much better. The Morning Boost has a fruity flavor and the Night cleanse has notes of lemongrass, ginger and orange. 

Not that this matters, but the Flat Tummy Tea comes with a small zipped case (great for travel). My SkinnyMint purchase came with an 'insert your own photo here' fridge magnet. I guess it's for inspiration and I suppose it would make a cute Instagram. Oh and it will bring social media attention to SkinnyMint! 

A two week pack of Flat Tummy Tea currently retails for €28.28 and a SkinnyMint 14 day teatox for €24.90. Not much difference there, but you will have to purchase a defuser or filters for the Flat Tummy Tea.

I'm a 'nipper' and my own worse enemy when it comes to healthy cuticles. I do my own manicures and sometimes cause more damage than good. I do a much better job painting my nails than any manicurist, but if I'm having a bad day and feeling stressed, I tend to over pick and nip at my cuticles. The cold, dry winter weather doesn't help either and until a few weeks ago, my cuticles were a hot mess. Cuticle Lab to the rescue..

After using the Cuticle Lab by Deborah Lippmann, I recommend everyone put down the sharp tools and avoid nipping altogether. This four-step process has given me great results in just four applications. My cuticles appear nourished and the damage I've created over time is quickly diminishing. 

Step one - apply the Cuticle Remover Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment. It says there is no need to soak hands in water, but I don't like the idea of leaving the solution and cuticle residue on my fingers, so I rinse it off. 

Step two - Use the dual-ended cuticle pusher to gently push back cuticles and remove cuticle build-up. This is not a complaint, but rather a suggestion - the sharp'ish', squared end of the tool is fantastic for removing build-up, but I'm right handed and due to the angle it is hard to manage it with my left hand. A tool with this end on both sides, but opposite directions, would be even better. Of course, then there would need to be an additional tool with an arched end for pushing the cuticles back. 

Step three - apply cuticle oil. This hydrating oil has a lovely coconut scent, softens your cuticles and absorbs quickly. 

Step four - gently massage The Cure Nourishing Cuticle Repair Cream onto your cuticles. I love this cream. It has a subtle scent and leaves your cuticles feeling soft and nourished. I use this cream three times a day and my cuticles look great. Another suggestion - I will go through this jar of cream much faster than the bottles of cuticle remover and cuticle oil, so a bigger jar would be much better in this Cuticle Lab kit. 

This cuticle treatment therapy takes about five minutes and leaves lasting results. I'm a fan and will definitely repurchase the products in this kit.