WHICH BURNS!?-Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Vs. Meijer Moisturizing Water Gel

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream Vs. Meijer Moisturizing Water Gel - WHICH BURNS!?

Happy Friyay guys! I wanted to share this quick review with y’all. I compare the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream to the Meijer Moisturizing Water Gel. Click here to watch the 5 minute review!

I have oily/ dry combo skin. I have an oily “T-Zone” and I get dry patches on my cheeks and chin during the winter. During the winter, I usually use the gel cream instead of just the gel.

I was at Meijer a couple months ago and noticed that Meijer had a moisturizer gel cream that claimed to compare to the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel. Click here to view product.

I have used Neutrogena Boost Water Gel and the gel cream multiple times. I have no bad reviews of either of them.

Since the Meijer brand was so much cheaper (12.99 compared to 17.29), I decided to try it.

Review:

It burns!

I do not think my skin was overly dry when I first used this product. But it caused my face to burn for a couple minutes. I considered not using it again. Each time I continued to use this product, my face would burn, not to the same extent as the first time.

This caused me to go back to the store and repurchase my faithful Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel cream.

My final thoughts:

I purchased the Meijer gel because if you look at the ingredients, they are very similar to the Neutrogena gel cream.

One main difference I later noticed is the Meijer brand does have a strong floral like scent. The Neutrogena one is fragrance free. I know from watching some dermatologist on YouTube that fragrance in a product is actually not a good thing.

I highly recommend the Neutrogena Hydro Boost gel or gel cream depending on your skin type. I would not repurchase the Meijer brand water gel again.

I hope this review was helpful if you were considering buying either product.

Happy Friyay!

~ Gracefully Fashionable Britt

February 21, 2020February 20, 2020

3 Things I Wished I Knew BEFORE Invisalign

Happy Friyay!

I wanted to share with y’all my final thoughts on my Invisalign journey.

I wore Invisalign starting in July 2018- December 2019

Overall, I had a great experience with Invisalign. As a former expander, night mask, 2 year braces wearing teen, Invisalign was a breeze for me.

If you want a more info, I’ll link my other two videos here!

CLICK HERE to watch – Invisalign- Braces for the Second Time

CLICK HERE to watch – Halfway point! Invisalign – the good, bad, and brown spots!?!

So here are the 3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Invisalign:

CLICK HERE to watch my video review!

1- The number of trays.

When I finally got my trays, I received 14 of them. I then calculated in my head – 14 trays – > 2 weeks a tray -> 28 weeks – > yay! I’ll be done in less than a year!

WRONG!

My first set of 14 trays were used to close the larger gaps in my teeth. Once, I finished those trays I thought, “Hmmmm my teeth are not as close as I would like them to be.”

My next orthodontist appointment, the orthodontist informed me, we will move to the next stage of refinement… and I received 10 more trays, which I changed out my trays every week. Then I received 4 more trays.

So what I learned is there are different stages in Invisalign. AND you do not get all the trays at once.

2 – The time it takes to get your trays.

To get fitted for your Invisalign, you have this long round wand they stick in your mouth and run along your teeth. Tooth by tooth. The wand then scans a digital image of your teeth onto an iPad looking screen. This is completely painless but kind of annoying holding your mouth open during the process.

This scan can go quickly or take eternity, it all depends on how well the machine is working that day.

It can take 2-4 weeks to get your trays. I had to get scanned at each phase in my Invisalign journey. So I got a new scan at 18 trays, 10 extra trays, 4 extra trays, and once I was finished.

So often times, while I was waiting for my new trays to come in, I would wear my most recent trays just at night. So remember that sometimes you are waiting on trays. Calculate that in if you are trying to figure out how long you will wear Invisalign

3 – No permanent retainers!

I’m not 100% how often they even do these anymore, but I’m thankful to not have to try to floss around some permanent metal piece in my mouth. Maybe that is just for my case.

I do have to wear night retainers for the rest of my life. 😉

So would I recommend Invisalign?

YES! While my experience was longer than what I thought, I am very happy with my results and that I did not have to have metal all over my teeth again!

If you have any questions, leave them below!

Follow me on Youtube, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Happy Friyay!

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

Purses I Regret Buying!?!

I got this idea for this blog post last week. With a new baby on the way, I’ve been becoming more and more intentional with what I need and what I should buy. Plus, I’ve already watched the whole Kon Mari Series on Netflix. Anyone else? 😉

Three purses come to my mind. I haven’t used any of these purses in months. I am lately just using my coach tote bag. Click here for my Coach Tote Review!

I like my tote because I can easily carry my daily things plus anything extra: papers, small items I buy from store if I don’t want a bag, pregnancy snacks…

My tote has just been my go to bag for months.

I go to get my purses to make my video – “Purses I REGRET Buying,” and something magical happens. Each time I touch my bags I get a sense of joy!

Okay, maybe that was a bit of exaggeration but they did make me feel happy, and I thought… I can’t get rid of this yet!

So my purses I regret buying turned more into my purses I thought I regretted but actually might still use.

I know, it’s kind of crazy. So here are the 3 purses I might not have bought if I knew now what I know. 😉

Click here if you want to see my crazy video of purses I regret buying !

Coach Crossbody

-I absolutely love the color and design of this bag. I bought it at a Coach Factory Outlet in Nashville, TN. I love pockets! It has a big pocket in the front. It is perfect to slide things like you phone in! I actually did carry this purse for awhile. It did stain some from my blue jeans. However, the soap the Coach Factory Outlet gave me has really saved my bag. You can barely see the stain! (Go watch my video for a better look!)

My problem with this purse was it just wasn’t big enough for stuff I wanted to carry. It just ended up looking bulky. I thought for sure I could easily get rid of this purse. But after looking it over, I think I might use it again this spring and summer. With a baby on the way, this might be the perfect bag with a diaper bag!

Zebra Coach Crossbody - Purses I regret buying!?!

2. Zebra Coach

–Any other Zebra print fans out there? Seriously I went through a huge zebra stage. Once again I thought this purse would be easy to get over. I don’t even own anything zebra print anymore. However, one look and my mind changed…. This purse is perfect for a nice event to go to! It is a stand out piece to add to a dress for an event!

-This bag has pockets on both sides, which I love! ;). You can carry it crossbody or by handle. I haven’t carried this bag in almost a year. Last time I tried, I just couldn’t fit in all my things. So maybe I’ll keep this around for that fancy event (I’ll probably never attend. 😉 ) Or I’ll become more minimalistic with my purse necessities.

Vera Bradley Marlo Satchel - Purses I regret buying!?!

3. Vera Bradley Marlo Satchel

-This purse is the most expensive bag I have ever bought! It was in between $300 and $350 dollars. I saved for months for this purse. The week after I bought it, it went on sale 50% off! I thought I was going to blow a fuse with my temper once I found out about the sale.

-The print is what won me over with this bag. I think it is the perfect mix of brown and gold! I really have only two downsides to this purse. One, it caves in. I guess I am super picky, but I hate when my purse looses its structure and just looks frumpy. Also it eventually causes lines of wrinkles to form in the leather. Second, you can’t just open the bag with one hand.

Let me explain. You’re in line at the grocery, you are trying to open your purse quickly to get your wallet out. However with this purse you have to use both hands to make sure the zipper is well aligned so it actually opens. I hate being the girl at the store balancing a purse on her knee and using both hands to open it. I like easy!

I have been considering carrying this purse again but then I am reminded how perfectly papers just slide into my tote.

While I have my loves and hates for these 3 purses, I just can’t get rid of them yet. I can’t tell them “thank you” and send them off. I think they still have some purpose to serve me.

If you want to see if I carry any of these bags anytime soon, go follow me on my Insta – gracefullyfashionable. I try to share my new fashion, faith, and any other favorites I have on there!

Keep finding those things that bring you joy!

~Gracefullyfashionable Britt

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018

Only $20!! Love Meg made me buy it!?

The YouTuber LoveMeg, made me purchase this bag. Now, she didn’t physically make me buy the bag. 😉 But her video showed me that I HAD to HAVE the bag.

From a young age, I have been a collector of bags. Here lately, I have been mostly a collector of Vera Bradley or Coach. I have TONS of videos on my youtube channel of my purse reviews! Click here to check out my channel!

The LoveMeg bag comes from a boutique in Savanna Georgia called, Fine Things Under $20. They do not seem to have a working website yet, so check out their Facebook page!

I called about the purse and ordered on the phone. (Super nice customer service!). Three days later the purse was in my home!

So what are my YAY’s and MEH’s about the bag?

Check out my short 4 minute review here!!!

YAY’S

-LOVE the color and gold touches! It looks almost like a designer! I actually had someone at my church think it was designer!

-Only $19.99!!! Score!

-VERY ORGANIZED! Nothing drives me more nuts than my purse having zero organization. I can’t take it, it seriously almost gives me a panic attack. 😉

-Tons of pockets! While this is similar to the point above, pockets and places to put my things in my purse just make me happy!

-Durable! I’ve carried this purse for over a month now and it has held up incredible! I sometimes worry when I buy cheaper bags, will they really last? So far so good for this one!

MEH’s

-Shipping – Let me explain – The shipping was $14 dollars (That is a little overwhelming when you’ve been spoiled by amazon prime. 😉 ) HOWEVER – even with shipping, the purse was still less than $40 dollars. I think that is still a great deal for such a cute purse!

I think this purse would be a perfect Christmas present!

As a purse lover, I am very pleased with my purchase! If you have any questions leave them below! Follow me on my Instagram to see what bag steals my heart next!

Merry Christmas!

~Gracefully Fashionable

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018

Chic Fall Backpack Purse… From Target!!!

Hey guys!

I wanted to share with y’all about my new backpack purse I got from Target. This was actually the last one they had of this purse at my Target…. So I took it as a sign that it was destined for me. 😉

I had been in search for a backpack purse. My sister had been carrying one for months and told me that I needed to get one.

Check out my video review of my purse here!

Here is the link to this purse.

CLICK HERE: It is the VR by Violet Ray Kendall Backpack. It was only $34.99!

Here is my pro’s and con’s list for the bag:

Pro’s:

-Love, Love, Love the color – Perfect for fall!

-Lots of room.

-Several pockets. 2 outside, 2 inside.

Con’s :

-The material is “faux-leather”. When I put this backpack on, if I don’t move my hair out of the way, it gets caught in my hair. What’s worse is that due to this material, it sticks to my hair. This is not fun at all when it feels like it is pulling my hair.

-Adjusting the straps is a pain. My husband had to help me.

-Floppy. I actually don’t care for bags that don’t hold its structure when you sit it down. This one as soon as you sit it down, it flops over. Maybe if I carried more stuff it would do better.

Overall, I was pretty happy with my purchase. I’ve gotten a few compliments on the bag as well. It is a great purchase for its price.

I’m always searching for the next, great affordable bag, so leave your suggestions down in the comments!

-Gracefully Fashionable

March 30, 2018July 17, 2018

What’s in my Coach Tote Handbag!?!

Anyone else a purse-a-holic? I am recovering though! Growing up I had so many purses. As I’ve aged I’ve gotten it down to where I have less than 10.

Check out my YouTube video about my purse collection

I use to be a cross body only type of girl but here lately I have fallen in love with this coach Tote bag I got for Christmas. I love the color and the size is perfect.

Check out my review video here!

So what do I keep in my Coach tote bag?

-1- My coach wallet – which I’ve had for years, but I love how I can just carry it by itself if needed.

-2- Coupons! I feel like as an adult your grow to like coupons more and more. I keep this envelope in my purse for my grocery and other coupons. My husband offered to get a nicer looking envelope, but my frugal self just couldn’t let myself.

-3- Purple Pen – these are one of my favorite pens to write with. Life should be colorful. 😉

-4- Tissues – its allergy season, thank you Spring.

-5- Orbit gum – spearmint is my fav!

-6- Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation – love this stuff covers well and is easy to apply!

-7- Thirty-One compact mirror

-8- Purse Hanger – this was a gift from my mother-in-law years ago, and its still handy!

-9- Random Life Saver mint

-10- Burt’s Bees – I use this stuff religiously

-11- Bodycology Truly Yours Moisturizing Body Cream

-12- Clean Cool Cotton perfume sample

-13- Mini Hair Brush

-14- Visine for contacts

-15- Pocket knife – My husband got me this to keep in my purse and it is actually really handy!

-16- Lady items 😉

It is honestly a little weird now knowing I carry 16 items on my every day, but I do actually use all these items. Or like the pocketknife, I don’t always need it but it’s handy when I do need it.

One thing I love about this purse is how it holds all this stuff and still doesn’t seem full. I can and have easily added papers I need to carry, my Ipad, my Bible, and my glasses, and the tote holds it all very well.

I plan on carrying this bag for most the year, and possibly ordering it in another color. 😉