Metropolitan Restaurant Week happens twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. With over 100 places to choose from, what’s so great about Restaurant Week is that you can get a three-course meal for $22 during brunch/lunch and $35 during dinner. And we’re not talking about Cheesecake Factory or Outback, these restaurants are some of the most award-winning restaurants in the area. Participating restaurants include Fogo De Chao, The Capital Grille, RPM Italian, and Oceanaire. This year wasn’t my first time participating in Restaurant Week but it was the first time that I feel like I took full advantage of it. I was able to plan a date night at 2 different restaurants and I won a contest to visit the third restaurant.

TenPenh Pork Dumpling

What to Know About Restaurant Week

Winter Restaurant Week usually takes places around mid-February while Summer Restaurant Week happens towards the end of August. Each participating restaurant lays out a menu with selected items to choose from during the respective meal time. Since you’re getting an AMAZING deal most restaurants do not allow substitutions or alterations to any of the options on the menu. I highly suggest you view it beforehand. Most of the time, the restaurant will submit their menu to RAMW.org. However, there are a few places that will only post it on the company website. Oh and of course drinks are not included so plan ahead. Lastly, I suggest making reservations especially if you’re going during peak times.

Where I Ate

Mastro’s Steakhouse

I had heard of Mastro’s but never been. I am not a fan of steak so steakhouses are not my typical choice when it comes to restaurants. But I have heard a lot of great things about Mastro’s so I figured why not take this opportunity to check it out. From their restaurant week menu, I ordered a Spicy Mambo Salad (caesar with wasabi), blackened salmon with mango lobster butter, and their signature warm butter cake. One thing to note here is that the menu is a la carte. So sides were not included in the $35 price but they are large enough to share! We decided to get asparagus and lobster mashed potatoes to fancy up our meal. Once you add in sides and drinks, we spent way over what we expected to. But the everything was so good I have no regrets!

Blackened Salmon with Mango Lobster Butter

Ginger at MGM

I’ve only been inside MGM a few times so this was my first time visiting one of the restaurants. We love Asian food so we were excited to try something a little different than. But we were highly disappointed. I honestly am not sure why we picked this restaurant after reviewing the Restaurant Week menu online. But we were both okay with ordering something that wasn’t from the menu. We order chicken lettuce wraps as an appetizer because I imagined them being similar to the ones from Cheesecake Factory. Wrong! They came pre-made on a plate and you only get 4. The menu was overwhelming because it had entrees you would find at a Thai restaurant and at the carryout. I decided to keep things simple and order Sweet & Sour Chicken. It lacked flavor and also felt very rubbery to chew. The best part of the experience was the drinks.

TenPenh Tyson’s

This restaurant was a wild card because I won a contest hosted by RAMW and GlamSquad. The prize was a girl’s night out which included hair, makeup, and dinner for 2 at a restaurant they chose. I had never even heard of TenPenh which made things a little more exciting for me as a foodie. The manager of the restaurant treated us so well! Dinner was covered but they treated us to Beijing Bellini’s and a sample of a few appetizers. From the Restaurant Week menu I ordered Shrimp Lumpia, Miso Glazed Salmon, and Mai Tai Creme Brulee. I would be lying if I said I loved the salmon, however, it wasn’t too bad. The taste just wasn’t something I was used to. All of the appetizers were amazing; especially the lumpia and dumplings!

Miso Glazed Salmon

Is it worth it?

The simple answer: yes! As a foodie, I enjoy eating out and trying new things which isn’t always cost effective. Although we spent a little more money than usually this time around, we still got to try some new places and surprisingly we still saved a few bucks. As I said before, planning ahead is key!

Warm Butter Cake Mastro’s Steakhouse

The post Restaurant Week DC Recap appeared first on Running Erins.

What to Wear

It’s a no brainer that you should ALWAYS follow the dress code when one is provided. The hostess of the bridal shower I attended made it simple by requesting floral dress. But what happens when one isn’t provided? First, consider the setting. Will the event be inside or outside? Was the invitation semi-formal or informal? In any situation, a casual dress in a pastel color is a great choice. If ever in doubt just simply ask the hostess!

What to Gift

Now here is where things got tricky for me. Originally, I decided to gift the bride an item from the wedding registry as it was listed on the bridal shower invitation. But after talking to my mom and a few other women, I was told the bridal shower gift should specifically be for the bride. Makes sense right? Well pulling something together at the last minute is a headache. I ended up getting a personalized set of Mr. & Mrs. stemless wine glasses from Things Remembered. Then I threw in a few spa time items like lavender castile soap, body scrub, body butter, and a candle. My tip here is to think about the bride. Is her style extravagant or more minimal? Does she have a separate bridal registry? In the end, other people still gifted items from the registry so my first plan would have worked out. But now I know to prepare in advance.

What to Wish

Most events have a guestbook or frame for you to sign. At a bridal shower or wedding, you may get the opportunity to leave more than a simple “congratulations.” Prepare your words! You never want to be caught off-guard if you’re asked to make a statement for a video or to sign a book. The last thing you want to do is hold up the line thinking of what to say. Depending on how well you know the couple will determine what you should wish. Something as simple as “Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness” is quick, simple and sweet!

Remember, a wedding is the start of a new journey for the couple. Whether you go simple or more thoughtful being apart of the moment is what matters most! Have any bridal shower tips? Leave them in a comment below.

The post Attending a Bridal Shower: What You Should Know appeared first on Running Erins.

Where to Stay

I wasn’t really a big fan of AirBnB after my experience in Canada but it is so much cheaper than hotels in California that we didn’t really have a choice. We were able to get a place 1 block away from Sunset Blvd and live like locals. The apartment was very nice and clean. And our host actually owned the whole building so we didn’t have to worry about upsetting neighbors. The neighborhood was very quiet. The only problem we had was finding parking on the street. But in the grand scheme of things that isn’t too bad when the place is nice.

Get a Rental!

The best decision of the trip? Getting a rental car! We went back and forth on this decision for awhile before the trip. I’ve never rented a car on vacation and thought it would be easy to get around. There’s Uber and Lyft everywhere right? But in California nothing was really that close because of traffic and highways. LAX was about 45 minutes from where we were staying. But that’s normal driving distance for EVERYTHING in California. The closest thing to us was an In-N-Out Burger which wasn’t a disappointment. It also allowed us to drive to Vegas for 2 trips in 1. I booked a rental through Expedia for fairly cheap, however, they make you use their insurance of course which made it more expensive. But it was a decision I don’t regret! I’m actually considering renting a car more often.

What to Do

There’s definitely tons of things to do in LA but we took the more scenic route. From visiting Candytopia, an interactive pop-up shop, to the Museum of Illusions. It was more about creating experiences rather than partying. We also went hiking to the top of Mount Hollywood which I will never do again in my entire life! We took steep hills all the way up and you can’t even get close to the Hollywood sign. It definitely showed me how out of shape I am but the site at the top is definitely breathtaking. And our hiking guide, Leo, gets a full 5 stars! We found him through AirBnB experiences for $20 per person. Last but not least, you can’t go to LA without hitting the beach. We spent a few hours on Santa Monica Beach just taking in the sun.

We also made the 4-hour drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas to visit my friends! Originally, we had plans to leave early in the morning but we were so tired from the night before that we didn’t get up early. There isn’t much to see along the way but we did stop for food and gas. Leo told us to stop at Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner so we did. It was a very dope restaurant that reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Grease. From the juke box to the records on the wall and even the waitresses uniform it did not disappoint! And the food options were endless; from breakfast to burgers. Speaking of food….

Where to Eat

When I go on vacation, I try my best to eat a places we don’t have at home. Any foodie knows that when you visit the West Coast you have to try In-N-Out Burger. My first time eating there was actually when I went to Nevada but of course I went again in Cali. We also hit the world famous chicken spot, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. The restaurant was nothing how I imagined it would look (it gives the hole in the wall feel) but the food was still great! Another brunch spot we loved was Blu Jam Cafe in Hollywood. The wait was a little long (about an hour and a half) but we expected it and the food didn’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a spot dinner, try Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset Blvd. There’s a mechanical bull, a duo who sings covers of whatever you request, and menu options from nachos to steak. If you’re headed to Vegas check out Tacos and Beer. It’s an authentic Mexican Restaurant with amazing empanadas!

Crunchy French Toast from Blu Jam Cafe

Overall, my trip to California was memorable and I truly enjoyed myself. Where to next?

The post Los Angeles Recap appeared first on Running Erins.

Last week, my coworkers and I decided to do a juice cleanse. About 6 of us, all women, got together and said we would all participate starting the week after Father’s Day. One of the ladies who participated had previously completed the cleanse and told the rest of us about it. We all had different goals but the overall theme was to be healthier. We figured it would be easier to get through if a bunch of us did it together.

The Basics

Jus (pronounced Juice) By Julie is a health and wellness company that makes cleanses, smoothies, snacks and meals to inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle. So here’s how it works:

1. Pick the type of cleanse you want. Choose from 1-, 2-, 3-, or 5-Day or 5 Day Til Dinner.
2. Choose your delivery date. The company is based out of New York but delivers in the United States and Canada.
3. Place your order & wait at your door patiently.
4. Put your JUSes in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to start

Of the 6 of us, 4 of us did the 5 day cleanse, 1 person did a 3 day cleanse, and the last person did the 5 day til dinner. The 5, 3, 2, and 1 day include 6 juices a day that you drink instead of meals. The 5 day til dinner includes 4 juices per day and you are allowed to eat 1 healthy meal.

I don’t know what I expected to come to my door but the box was huge! Inside was a styrofoam cooler packed with all 30 of my juices and a few ice packs. I received my box on Friday so I placed all of my drinks in the freezer until we started on Monday.

The Price

If you’ve ever looked into doing a juice cleanse you know they are pretty expensive. But, if you’re a frequent reader you know I love a discount! I researched the best ways to purchase the cleanse. Here is a breakdown of my findings for the price of the 5 day cleanse with different discounts I found. The original price is $225.

• The company has a deal on Groupon. Currently $115 but you have to pay $59 for shipping. Not the best deal but less than the original.
• When I purchased, there was a 35% off discount + free shipping which made my total $147. I was also able to get $10 in cash back from eBates. If you’re looking for a deal, be sure to check the site and signup for their mailing list.
• Use a referral link and you get 40% off your first order http://i.refs.cc/F5gHYWsE?u=1529954576983

The Benefits

Most people do juice cleanses to aid in weight loss. But there are also other benefits such as detoxing, curbing your appetite before a change in diet, increasing your energy levels, mental clarity and physical rejuvenation. I lost a total of 8lbs during the 5 days. As far as energy, the first few days were pretty normal but on the last 2 days I woke up with no problem and had energy throughout the day.

Overall Thoughts

The cleanse was definitely harder than I expected. I realized that I often eat because I see or smell food not because I am actually hungry. Sticking to the diet was a test of my self-control. On day 3 I was feeling a little nauseous so I did cheat and have pasta for dinner instead of my last 2 juices. After that, I felt much better and continued with the cleanse. During those 5 days, I was constantly in the bathroom! Between the amount of juice and your water intake you’re going non-stop so be sure you have a nice bathroom to visit.

It also may be helpful to note that you cannot change the juices in the cleanse. If you are allergic to peanuts, pineapple or coconut then this isn’t for you because those are some of the main ingredients. However, you can check out the “Build A Cleanse” to pick what you can have. All juices are vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Before the cleanse, I would eat maybe once or twice a day. It’s been about 3 days since I’ve completed it and I notice that I am hungry at the times I would usually have a juice. But I also noticed that I get full quicker than I did before. There was only 1 juice that I could NOT stand the taste of which was Strawberry Dream (surprisingly) while most of my coworkers hated Xtreme Greens. My favorite had to be Chia Berry or Spicy Lemonade.

Would I do it again? Yes, but I’m more inclined to pick the 3 day or 5 day til dinner.

The post Jus By Julie Juice Cleanse Review appeared first on Running Erins.

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To our surprise, the drive from Maryland was only about 8 hours and we only paid one toll. Driving up the mountainside of Buffalo was definitely much easier than driving through New York City traffic. But there were a lot less sights to see. Crossing the border and stopping at the Duty-Free shops were the highlight of the ride. We also had a short drive through what I like to call “Porn Town,” one of those areas with “Adult Movies Here” signs everywhere. But we listened to music and audio-books along the way to keep ourselves entertained.

We decided to stay in Niagara Falls for a night before heading to Toronto. The room we picked at Marriott on The Falls had an amazing view of the water. If you’re looking to stay in Niagara, this is definitely a hotel I would recommend. It was very nice to be in the middle of all the activity. There is a casino, restaurants like Margaritaville, and an amusement park all within a 5-10 minute drive. The room was very clean, beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was very modern. We had difficulty figuring out how to get down to the falls because we didn’t ask. But it’s close enough to take an inexpensive cab ride or maybe even walk when it isn’t too cold out.

We used a Groupon to have dinner at the Skylon Revolving Tower, a 775-foot dining experience that I will never forget! The food was great and seeing the falls from above at night was breathtaking.

Before heading to Toronto, we decided to get up close and personal with the falls. Seeing the view from our hotel window versus seeing it in person was a very different experience. The sound of the rushing water was very similar to being on the beach. But being that it was the beginning of March it was very cold so close to the water.

The drive from Niagara Falls to Toronto was only about 2 hours but of course we had to stop at the outlets! And we were so glad we did. I got 2 pair of Uggs for $200 Canadian which translates to $150 USD! Talk about a come up. We picked an AirBnB in Downtown Toronto and it was definitely an experience. This was the first time I’ve ever stayed in an AirBnB and I’ve always seen how nice they are. Don’t get me wrong, the home was nice and clean. But the description neglected to say that we were staying above a block of corner stores. Nonetheless, we didn’t run into many problems besides the loud city life at night.

We picked a lot of the places we ate it by looking at Yelp reviews. Many of them were very small, intimate diners but the food did not disappoint! My favorite meals were a breakfast burrito from Easy Restaurant and a la carte tacos from Grand Electric in Downtown Toronto. I found a food festival by searching Instagram and we were able to see people making ice sculptures and try maple taffy (it was gross). We also stumbled upon a dispensary while we were exploring the city. It was much different from the one I visited in Vegas. Very “hole-in-the-wall chic.”

Our last adventure was up to the CN Tower. For the price you pay it was pretty underwhelming if I’m being honest. The building is currently under construction so you can’t see the main observation room. They offer the option to substitute the main room with the higher Skypod, however, there was a 2-hour wait and there isn’t much to do inside the building to waste time. The construction also takes away from the glass floor exhibit because the walls are all boarded up.

The biggest thing that we didn’t expect is that most businesses do not take American check/credit cards. If you are able to swipe your card, you may be charged an International transaction fee. In non-tourist areas your best bet is to have cash on hand (American and Canadian bills were accepted everywhere we went).

Even though it was cold we had a great time. We were more into exploring than partying so I couldn’t tell you about the nightlife. But if you’re into adventure then I definitely suggest Canada!

The post Traveling Across the Border to Canada appeared first on Running Erins.

When I started looking to rebrand my website, I did a lot of research. I studied blogging (and I still study blogging) because I wanted to be good at it. I used my knowledge of public relations to refresh my memory on marketing/pitching. I wanted to create something for me but I still wanted it to be something that people would connect with. So many people told me:

“Well you like makeup so you should be a beauty blogger.”

“Well you like food so you should be a food blogger.”

“You’re always at events, you should write about those.”

I appreciated their input but it proved my exact point! You can be good at more than one thing. And people can look to you for advice on more than one thing. I read so many articles and blog post that talked about why you need a niche. I started to question if I really wanted to keep going without one. Then I randomly came across an article about nicheless blogging and I am so happy I did. That assured me that I did not need a niche. I could blog beyond the limitations that are set for bloggers. And some of these same limitations effect other entrepreneurs.

Know Your Lane

When people ask me, “What’s your niche?” I used to say, “I believe in nicheless blogging so I don’t have one.” But that caused a lot of blank stares so I changed my answer to “I’m a lifestyle blogger with a focus on beauty, food, and travel.” This goes over easier because people who don’t blog can relate to it. They can decide if my content will be something they are interested in. More often than not, if they can relate to you and feel that you are personable they will check out your content anyway. You have to find your lane and perfect your elevator pitch. What you say in those first minutes of describing your business will be how people remember you.

We always hear, “Don’t be afraid to be different.” And that phrase should stick with you through your journey as an entrepreneur. With the power of social media everyone has something to sell. It could be a book, a t-shirt, or beauty products. And there will always be room for one person in the same industry. You just have to find what works for you. Let your personality shine through your business and your audience will come; with or without a niche. Remember the average millionaire has at least 7 streams of income. People will support based on how your brand makes them feel. So what do you want to convey to a future supporter and/or customer?

The post Beyond A Niche: What to do if You’re Good at More than One Thing appeared first on Running Erins.

I spent majority of my time in college in a committed, long distance relationship. Once we broke up, I decided to spend time focusing on myself. I was in no rush to date someone else because I had been with that person since I was 16. I didn’t realize that being single for 3 years was something that people would notice and constantly point out. It was like once I graduated, I was expected to date and get married right away. And the older I got, the more family and friends would start to ask questions.

“When are you going to find a boyfriend?”
“Are you talking to someone yet?”
“Are you gay?”

At one point, someone even told me that since I hadn’t found someone in college I was more likely to not get married. I tried to keep from falling into the trap but I started to wonder too. Why haven’t I found someone? Will I get married? If not, will I ever be truly happy alone? But that’s when I remembered I was single by choice! And it is no one’s choice but mine whether I decide to date or not.

It’s Okay to be Single

One of the things I had to realize was that it is okay to be single. Being alone is the best way to learn how to love yourself. Not to say that I treated myself badly or didn’t love myself at all. But I started to realize that I lost myself in my past relationship. I spent a lot of time thinking about what “WE” wanted or what would be best for “US” without putting myself first. You are still young in your 20s. You’re still learning about yourself. What you like and don’t like. What it means to be independent. Searching for your purpose in life. All of this is a lot so adding another person into the mix can be stressful! Not saying that it’s impossible to handle but it is definitely a growing pain to go through. Not to mention I actually was dating. I just hadn’t found someone who I deemed worthy enough to meet my family yet. As I got older, I had less time for people to waste and there’s no point in introducing someone when you have no idea where it’s going. And that’s okay too.

Stand Confident in Your Singleness

One of the biggest things that helped me combat everyone’s comments was being confident in myself. When you spend time second guessing your choices you start to question more than just why you’re single. Another thing that helped was understanding what standards I had set for myself and why I set them. When it comes to setting standards, everyone may not always agree with your reasoning or find them feasible. But as long as they work REALISTICALLY for you, who can tell you otherwise? Last but not least……I stopped looking! Once you stop focusing on being single and start loving yourself you will flourish and feel amazing. My hair started growing, I started losing weight and my skin was clearing up. I can’t say my booty got bigger because well….it didn’t. #LilBootiesMatter

Now here I am, 5 years after the break up, in a happy relationship. My friends love him. We have fun together. And most importantly, we aren’t worried what others think. Be patient and I’m sure the same will happen for you, if it hasn’t already.

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During my junior year of college, I started working seasonally as a photographer for a department store. I was under the impression that the manager was going to keep me on as a part-time associate. But then I noticed I was no longer on the schedule. Which meant it was time to find something else to do. But what?

Being let go without actually being told you are being let go leaves a lot of things up to chance. School was starting back up pretty soon and stores were losing the hours they had gained during the holiday season. But I needed a job which meant it was time to get creative. I knew about companies like Avon and MaryKay but I couldn’t see myself doing that. I needed something fast. Something that would interest college students. Something that would be easy to sell.

How it Went Down (no pun intended)

I was browsing a Facebook Group for my school when I came across a post from a girl who was looking for other girls to join her sales team. I don’t know how I knew it was sex toys right away–maybe it was the wording. She was only looking for girls, it’s in sales……had to be sex toys right?  I sent her a message expressing my interest and she was excited to bring me on the team.

I honestly don’t know why I thought I was cut out for the job because I tend to be an introvert. But it was something to do. Something different and had the promise to bring in a lot of money. The ladies on my team were extremely nice and had receipts to show how much money they were bringing in. This was a multi-million dollar team. I needed a piece of that! Show me the way ladies. I was all in.

I started searching for customers by asking a few of my friends if they would come to or host a sex toy party. Pretty much everyone said “Hell yea!” They were so excited which gave me the confidence to put myself out there with this new business venture.

To get started, I had to purchase a kit with all of the essentials for beginners; products, catalogs, order forms. Then I started learning about the products and attending parties hosted by my upline to get a feel of things. Looking at some of the products made me super nervous! They offer everything from lotions and books to lube and some of the weirdest looking toys I had ever seen. And the prices? Whew! I had not realized yet that this was a lifestyle for some people. But my team was confident in my ability to sell and so was I.

Related:  I Purchased Tickets To A Burlesque Show On Groupon

While I was confident in selling, I was not comfortable letting everyone know what my new job was. Blasting “Come buy sex toys from me!” on the internet is not ideal for an introvert. Plus people are very judgmental and hold onto stigmas when it comes to sex. But of course, the biggest way to gain customers is through word of mouth so I had to figure something out. I decided to set up my kit in my living room and invite some friends over to get some practice on selling. We had such a great time and I felt so comfortable explaining products so I just knew this was going to go great for me.

That was short-lived. The biggest problem I ran into was remaining active with the company. You had to sell X amount of dollars in products in X amount of months. And I tried my hardest to remain active and keep bringing in customers. I bought samples to hand out. Came up with cute ideas. Got the word out to a few people I knew around campus. But I still wasn’t making enough to remain active AND still make a profit.

Why I stopped

Although almost everyone is open and willing to talk about their sex life in college, it was difficult to get customers. The one thing about trying to sell something as a college student is that everybody is just as broke as you. They are also just as busy as you. Something I wish I would have thought about when signing up. I met plenty of people who said they were going to purchase things or throw a party and it never worked out. And I never wanted to be down someone’s throat about placing an order or throwing a party. I felt like that would be like saying, “I know your sex life really sucks so come shop with me!”

Between random sales and the few parties I did have, I was able to remain active for a while. But I found myself using the money that was supposed to be my profit to purchase extra items to meet the requirements. Within the year I decided to call it quits. I had picked up a part-time job because I needed a steady income (sis had bills). The job mixed with school and having a social life left no time to dedicate to selling (or begging). And of course, as soon as I went inactive people started asking me, “Hey, do you still have that business?” Girl–where were you months ago?!

If you asked me would I sell sex toys again I’d tell you yes! No question. I think the greatest thing about my team was that we were very big on teaching women to feel beautiful and confident in their sexuality. I had so much fun working for the company and I met some great women. I even reached out to one of them to host a party a few years after I stopped selling. I’ve also learned to be a lot more comfortable talking about sex and pleasure as I’ve gotten older. It’s nothing to be ashamed of!

The only thing that would keep me away is the structure of the company. I just don’t think the idea of a Multi-Level Marketing company is as enticing as it once was. But with a quick Google search, I’m sure you can start your own company.

The post I Sold Sex Toys in College appeared first on Running Erins.

I am a huge fan of Mielle products and I love all things beauty. So it was an easy decision for me to purchase their new products. Sometimes having sensitive skin makes it difficult to try new products. But because I can trust the brand with my hair, I figured why not trust them with my skin. This is not a sponsored post. I bought the entire collection, except for one item, with my own money. And y’all know I caught it on sale because that’s my favorite way to shop!

The Deets

The skincare collection, along with their latest hair collection, contains Pomegranate & Honey. It consists of 5 pieces:

• 2N1 Face Cleanser & Scrub (Reg $15.99)

• Hydrating Face Mask (Reg $19.99)

•  Revitalizing Face Serum (Reg $19.99)

• Illuminating Face Lotion with SPF 15 (Reg $15.99)

• Stretch mark Cream (Reg $14.99)

According to mielleorganics.com, “honey has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that prevents some scalp infections and alleviate symptoms associated with dandruff, psoriasis and eczema.” I’ve suffered from eczema most of my life and I have used raw honey as a facial mask before so this was a plus for me.

First Impressions

This was my first time ordering directly from Mielle Organics and I have to say I was blown away. I am a SUCKER for branding! I love when a package comes nicely wrapped and pretty instead of in a boring box. When I ordered  the Pomegranate and Honey hair collection it came in a plain box from Sally’s Beauty. The Mielle box is hot pink, with the brand name on the outside, and the CEO’s face on the inside with pink shredding. Over the holidays I tend to do most of my shopping online so I get tons of packages. When I saw that pink box on my doorstep, I immediately knew what it was.

The containers were smaller than I expected for the price. I wouldn’t quite consider it a luxury skincare line. But its price range definitely ranks it among brands you would find in Ulta or Sephora versus your local drugstore.

The Real Deal

I’ve been looking for an exfoliator so the 2N1 facial scrub was right up my alley. It left my skin very soft and smooth. I can say that I won’t be using it on a daily basis though. Scrubs can be a little harsh on my skin when used regularly, especially in the winter time. If this came in more of a foaming wash or cleanser I could definitely see it being an everyday staple! The face mask is also something I plan to rotate into my routine. I currently have a few that I like so I try to switch them up. And of course you need a moisturizer with a good SPF so the face lotion is a great deal.

What I don’t see myself using much is the face serum. I’m not sure why but I don’t gravitate towards serums. The only other serum I own is the Sunflower Sweets Serum from Bahi Cosmetics. It could partially be because I have an acne prescription from my dermatologist. I’m not sure. It’s not that I didn’t like it, I just don’t see much use for it.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the market for new skincare (or have an obsession with products like me) I highly recommend it! I’ve had these products for over a month now and I haven’t had any adverse reactions to them. As of today, the whole collection is on sale again on the Mielle Organics website so get it while you can!

Have a product you think I should review? Leave it in the comments!

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