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Trader Joe's

Have You Tried the $7 Trader Joe’s Facial Cleansing Oil With Argan & Coconut Oils?

November 29th, 2018 by Karen 8 Comments

trader joes facial cleansing oil

The Trader Joe’s beauty section should have a big-@ss warning sign above the aisle — something akin to “BEWARE! YOU’RE ENTERING SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT SPENDING TERRITORY!”

That would work, or better yet a huge LCD screen with winged dollar bills floating away, since we’re moving toward a world where we will soon be communicating solely through emojis. ? ? ? ? ?

I’ve always had trouble saying “no” to anything having to do with makeup removal, especially face oils, because what goes on, must come off, so grabbing this facial cleansing oil was a no-brainer. Somehow, TJ’s found a way to make it smell like the most heavenly mix of eucalyptus, lemon verbena and roses, although, from a quick scan of the ingredients, it doesn’t appear to have any of those things in it!

And speaking of the ingredient list, it contains different types of oils, too, not just argan and coconut. I also see sunflower, crambe abyssinica seed (which is new to me) and capyrylic/capric triglyceride.

trader joes facial cleansing oil

trader joes facial cleansing oil

It doesn’t look like this will replace my beloved DHC Deep Cleansing Oil anytime soon. I mean, it’s fine for removing mellower makeup — basically anything non-waterproof is fine — but it can’t handle heavy-duty, long-wearing stuff on its own. It’s $7 for a 4-oz. bottle, though, so the price is right, and it doesn’t break me out or make my combo skin feel dry, so I’m not too crabby about it not being all that effective on long-wearing makeup. But still…I’m not about to go into hoarder mode for it. I’ll save that for when the Rose Hand Cream comes back!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 8 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Makeup, Product Reviews, Skin Care, Trader Joe's Keywords: trader joe's, trader joe's facial cleansing oil review

9 Rad Reasons to Raid the Trader Joe’s Holiday Gift Section Right Meow

November 21st, 2018 by Karen 12 Comments

trader joes ginger ultra moisturzing hand cream in hand
SO GOOD

It’s that time of year again! — that time when you go into Trader Joe’s intending to only get a loaf of gluten-free sliced bread (El Hub highly recommends the one in the green bag. He says the one in the pink bag tastes like sawdust.) and leave with a cart filled with snacks and holiday gifts “allegedly” for other people, but really they’re just for you.

1. Ginger Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream ($4.99)

trader joes ginger ultra moisturzing hand cream
It took every ounce of my willpower to not put all of these in my basket…

This is SO GOOD. I bought three tubes because #hoarders, and I’m going back for more. It smells exactly like Origins Ginger Souffle Lotion. If you’re unsure about ginger scents, ask someone who works at TJ’s if they can open a tube so you can test it out first! That’s what I did, and the sales clerk mentioned that he ended up getting one for himself, each of his aunties, his sisters and his mom.

Good man!

2. Lip Treatment Duo ($3.99)

trader joes lip treatment duo
Be gone, dry lips!

A lady I was chatting up in the beauty section said that she bought this duo last year, and she 100% recommended it if you have dry lips.

trader joes lip treatment duo price

3. Gingerbread Scented Candle ($3.99)

trader joes gingerbread scented candle in hand
Smells good enough to eat (but you shouldn’t because it’s just a candle)

Another recommendation from my homegirl in the beauty section. It smells just like a gingersnap!

trader joes gingerbread scented candle
What a steal!

4. Macaron Soap ($4.99)

trader joes macaron soap in hand
Looks good enough to eat? (But you shouldn’t because it’s soap.)

How cute are these little soaps? You might have to tell anyone who uses your bathroom not to eat them though!

trader joes macaron soap
An affordable stocking-stuffer

5. Face Mask Trio ($6.99)

trader joes face mask trio
Different masks for different needs

I’m so intrigued by the Rose Gel Mask! Pro tip/hack: If you see something in a gift set that you wanna keep for yourself, just break up the set and give away the things you don’t want as stocking-stuffers. 😉

6. Exfoliating Body Scrub Trio ($7.99)

trader joes exfoliating body scrub trio
Scrub-a-dub-dub

I have a full-sized exfoliating body scrub from TJ’s that I love, and I bet these minis in different scents are just as great.

7. Handwoven Recycled Newspaper Baskets ($5.99)

trader joes recycled newspaper baskets
Snazzy organizers

Each basket looks different, and they feel sturdy, too.

trader joes recycled newspaper baskets top
Pretty spacious

[Continue reading…]

There are 12 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Trader Joe's

Scrub-a-dub-LOVE! I’m Sweet on Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub

October 3rd, 2018 by Karen 11 Comments

trader joes grapefruit ginger sugar scrub
Obsessed

My friend Jen and I joke that the best thing about fall and winter is that you can stop shaving. It’s one less task to do in the shower, and the velvety coat of fur serves a dual purpose by keeping you warm, ha ha!

Be that as it may, just because I take a week (or two) off from shaving every once in a while when it’s chilly doesn’t mean I neglect my skin situation entirely. I’m still deeply serious about exfoliation, and Trader Joe’s Grapefruit Ginger Sugar Scrub makes the experience infinitely more glam.

Babes, this sugar scrub is so rich, so creamy and so moisturizing that you might be tempted to skip your daily dose of lotion. AND THE SCENT? One whiff of this tangy ginger and grapefruit will instantly teleport you to a five-star Hawaiian hotel and spa.

trader joes grapefruit ginger sugar scrub ingredients

I can’t believe this huge 8-oz. tube is only $5.99, because it’s just as good as Origins’ $32 Ginger Body Scrub. Stock up while you can, because I’m pretty sure it’s limited edition.

[Continue reading…]

There are 11 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Product Reviews, Skin Care, Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s Hack! A Waldorf-y Tuna Salad With Their Mediterranean Style Salad Kit (5-Minute Meal)

June 19th, 2018 by Karen 3 Comments

trader joes hacks waldorf tuna salad
Got 5 minutes and a rumbly tummy?

Had this for lunch today for, oh, I dunno…the second time this week! 🙂 It’s savory, sweet, flavorful, fast, and there’s hardly any chopping involved. It’s my healthy twist on a Waldorf salad, which usually has apple, grapes and mayo. And sometimes chicken.

I usually eat the whole thing in one sitting, but it could serve two as a side salad.

trader joes organic mediterranean style salad kit

How do I make it?

I’m glad you asked! 🙂

I start with a bag of Trader Joe’s Organic Mediterranean Style Salad (you might remember it from this gnocchi hack), then I set aside the red wine vinaigrette, and add half the greens to a bowl, along with the other accouterments it comes with — the roasted chickpeas, flatbread, dried tomatoes and feta cheese.

(Bag up the rest of the greens, and save for another meal.)

trader joes hacks salad in bowl with grapes

After that, I wash and dry some grapes and cut them in half. Or, sometimes I’ll just leave them whole when I feel super lazy/hungry. Totally up to you!

trader joes hacks cut grapes

[Continue reading…]

There are 3 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Trader Joe's Keywords: trader joe's, trader joe's hacks

Trader Joe’s Hack! Cauliflower Gnocchi with Basil and Parmesan, and Mediterranean Style Salad with Crunchy Ranch Chickpeas and Corn (A 20-Minute Meal)

June 1st, 2018 by Karen 15 Comments

trader joes cauliflower gnocchi top
A yummy vegetarian meal, ready in less than 20 minutes, thanks to Trader Joe’s!

I mean, you could tear into bags of these pre-made yums from Trader Joe’s and devour them as they are, but why do that when it’s so easy to make ’em even better?

For the record, I love hacking TJ’s products and making them my own. I did it this week to make a delicious veggie meal. I made cauliflower gnocchi with Parmesan and basil, then added it to a salad with crunchy ranch-flavored chickpeas and corn, all using stuff from TJ’s.

It was really easy, too. I started making it right as El Hub took Connor out to play, and it was completely done and plated when they got back 30 minutes later. All we had to do was sit down and eat.

I loved it, El Hub loved it, and the baby loved it, too. She gobbled down every last bite.

If you want to give it a try, you’ll need a few things…

  • The Trader Joe’s Organic Mediterranean Style Salad Kit, which you can get in the bagged salad section
  • Cauliflower Gnocchi, which is in the frozen foods section
  • Also, not pictured here, Trader Joe’s Ranch Seasoned Crispy Chickpeas (you’ll find them by the chips)
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Basil
  • Olive oil
  • Butter
  • Corn! (Can’t forget the corn.)
trader joes cauliflower gnocchi and mediterranean style salad kit
Start here!

[Continue reading…]

There are 15 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Just For Fun, Trader Joe's

IT’S BACK, BABY! Trader Joe’s Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream Is Back!

May 8th, 2018 by Karen 21 Comments

trader-joes-rose oil hand cream on shelf
Time to stockpile!

When it comes to rumors, generally I take the advice I got from Timex Social Club when I was in sixth grade.

I choose to ignore them.


Started by the jealous people…

BUUUUUT when a friend told me that she asked a clerk who told her that TJ’s famous Rose Oil Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream (which sold out at our store in, like, two seconds) would be back in time for Mother’s Day, I told myself that it was probably just a rumor started by a bored TJ’s employee who messes with the hearts and minds of skin care enthusiasts.

Still, I always checked the shelf in the beauty aisle, just in case, hoping and against hope that I’d see my beloved hand cream again.

Lo and behold, I did! It’s baaaaaaack! ?

If I’d had a portable fainting couch with me, I would’ve whipped it it out in the store.

I grabbed two boxes like I was grabbing bottled water for the apocalypse, and yet I’m already kicking myself for not getting more.

I’m serious, this cream is the only thing keeping my hands from going full-on T. rex ? claw. Look for it every time you go to TJ’s. It’s marvelous!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Skin Care, Trader Joe's Keywords: trader joe's

Trader Joe’s Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask Was a Kick-@ss Consolation Prize

March 26th, 2018 by Karen 16 Comments

trader joes shea butter coconut oil hair maskfinal

I got myself this Trader Joe’s Shea Butter & Coconut Oil Hair Mask as a consolation prize last weekend because I went up and down every single aisle and scanned every shelf, but I couldn’t find my beloved Rose Oil Hand Cream, boo-hoo! So I got this thinking, “Yay! This will tide me over, and whatevs — it’s only $3.99, so it’s not the end of the world if I don’t like it.”

Girlfriend.

This mask is just as good as the fancy-schmancy Oribe one I used a couple months ago at the salon. It’s actually great, and it costs less than a latte!

I’ve used it twice, but I’m already dreading the day I walk into the shower and find it empty…

It’s a deep-conditioning mask for dry and/or damaged hair, but I think anyone looking for serious moisture or frizz control can use it. Overall, my hair is pretty healthy right now, but I can always use extra moisturize, which is why I wanted to try it.

I use it when I shower in the evenings, leaving it on for five minutes (it smells lightly of coconuts), and let my hair air dry overnight. The next morning, my hair looks GOOD, like I’m living in a hair commercial. I can even see light reflecting off the strands! It has lots of bounce and shine, and it isn’t out-of-control frizzy. It doesn’t feel like I’m wearing a heavy hair helmet, either.

It looks so good that I even skip using any additional smoothing or shine styling products.

And did I mention that it’s only $4??

The ingredient list reads like a recipe for a homemade hair mask. There’s shea butter and coconut oil (obvs), along with a whole host of other hydrating helpers, like argan oil and vitamin E, and plant extracts, too, like blackberry, sunflower seed, black current and mulberry, among others.

trader joes shea butter coconut oil hair mask ingredients

[Continue reading…]

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hair, Product Reviews, Trader Joe's Keywords: trader joe's

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Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog! My name is Karen, and I’m a freelance writer obsessed with makeup.

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