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Ricky’s Cult Crushes Review

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Hello beauts! So I know we can all spend our paychecks in Ricky’s or Sephora or Ulta, or anywhere that sells makeup. There always seems to be a new product to try or a new beauty trend. I also feel like there a ton of beauty boxes out there that offer monthly subscriptions. I have tried Birchbox before since it was a gift from my sister, but I just felt like the samples were so tiny. What caught my eye about Ricky’s version of the monthly subscription beauty box is that it typically comes with one full size product. I also love that you get 25% off of all online purchases and free shipping on purchases of $50 or more. YASSSS. For only $11 getting ALL of that (retail value up to $50) seems like a steal in my eyes! For that price, it doesn’t even matter what is in the box, but it seems to always be something awesome 🙂 Check it more here.

This is the review September – I plan on updating this post each month with what I receive!

Opened it up to a little motivation! #CameToCrush everyday!

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HSI Mini Straightener

Umm ok a mini straightener?! This is actually perfection. Tiny yet so powerful! I can throw this right in my purse for days I am running late and can just plug it in at work, and viola my hair is set! The plates are ceramic which helps leave your hair shiny, annnnd even more importantly, they heat up in seconds! Love love love!

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HSI Argan Oil Shampoo, Conditioner + Leave In Treatment

Alright so after summer sun and salty hair, this came in at the perfect time. I felt like my hair was looking so dull and dry and brittle. Not after using these bad boys. I seriously am going to have to get the full size versions. I also love that they are sulfate free and full of vitamins.

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Z-Palette Large

Say what?! This is so unbelievably convenient – I remember my old company did some work with Z Palette and I kept saying I wish they would send us some so we can try, and now my dreams came true lol! This seemed to be a custom one for Ricky’s and I love it. It is so urban and hip. I love that I can customize my own palette with everything that I use – it is so helpful if I am doing my makeup on the go. Instead of lugging around my makeup bag, I can just throw it on my palette and shove it in my purse. Total win with this.

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Wella Root Shoot Mousse

I am a big advocate of Wella products – I used to work in a salon and everyone swore by it and since I got to test out the products first hand, I came to swear by them too! Sometimes my hair can get sooo flat, and since I typically straighten it, it doesn’t make for the best mix. I can’t seem to nail down that middle part with my hair pasted down like the Kardashian’s can haha. Sometimes I throw in a little volumizing powder but it makes my hair feel stiff and weird and doesn’t seem to work. I tried this once and my Jersey girl came out. Total life saver.

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Masque Bar Luminizing Charcoal Mask

I cannot seem to escape masks lol I recently just got a facial so I am trying to leave my skin alone for a bit so I have not yet tried this. But when I do, I will update 🙂

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After just one box, my final verdict is YES – totally worth it! For $11 the value is unbeatable.

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The BEST Sugar Cookies

Okay, so it has definitely been a hot minute since I’ve blogged, buuuut it’s the holiday season and that has been my excuse for absolutely everything. Over the holidaze, I love love love baking cookies. This year I made twelve different kinds – yes you read that correctly. It was an expensive and fattening weekend to say the least. One of my favorite kinds to make are sugar cookies simply because decorating them is so much fun and I really get to be creative. However, in my baking experience I noticed that so many sugar cookie recipes end up with me toiling in the kitchen rolling out the toys and making the perfect thickness of cookies just for them to expand in the oven. I need clean edges! Then, my life was changed and I stumbled upon a recipe and tweaked it a bit to make it perfect! Enjoy!

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks butter, unsalted, COLD. I also suggest slicing the butter at each Tbsp. mark as it will be easier to mix.
  • 1 heaping cup of sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 cups flour – be sure not to pack it when measuring!
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch (this is the secret trick! Instead of baking powder, this will insure it doesn’t rise and leaven and spread).
  • 3/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Parchment paper
  • Extra flour for rolling dough out

 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In large bowl, cream together the butter and the sugar. Once combined, add eggs and mix on low speed until smooth. You don’t want to mix too fast and potentially melt the butter.
  3. Add flour, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until all comes together. It may seem like an eternity but I promise it will all come together.
  4. Flour a clean space as well as the rolling pin and roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use your cookie cutters and keep repeating this process until all the dough is used up!
  5. Cook for 8-11 minutes. They won’t really brown, so be careful not to overcook them!
  6. Let cool and then decorate with icing and sprinkles.

Here are my Christmas ones below!

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