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September 2016 Favorites!

October 4, 2016

Hi everyone! I apologize for being MIA mid last week but I had some unexpected things to take care of. Originally, my review and swatches of the Morphe 35O palette should have been up last Thursday but I’ll have it up this coming Thursday so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, we’re in October so let’s get started with a few of my favorite items I have been using.

PCA Skin Nutrient Toner

Pumpkin spice is everywhere and it’s found its way into my skincare regimen too! Comprised of pumpkin wine, lactic acid and vitamins, this toner leaves my skin soft with a nice glow. The amazing scent also helps me get my pumpkin fix without adding any calories. 😉

Eminence Pink Grapefruit-C Gel

I picked up this up at ICES last month as I was looking for something that would calm my skin down. This light-weight gel is rich in vitamin C and contains peppermint to clear and heal skin while helping to prevent the appearance of blemishes. I’ve definitely noticed that my skin looks more clearer and though this contains peppermint, it doesn’t sting my skin. I use it during the day underneath my moisturizer and it absorbs fairly quickly.

Sweet Treat Lashes in Cake

I received these lashes courtesy of the Peachy Queen boutique and I love them. From the chic casing to the luxe feel, these tapered and layered silk lashes are soft, easy to apply and look glamorous. With 10 different ‘flavors’, you’re sure to find a style that suits you. Bonus perk, the owner, Aimee, is super nice and helpful.

BH Cosmetics Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale Cream Cheek and Lip Tint in Cabana

Part of my birthday haul a few months back, I’ve been using this blush almost every single day for a quick and effortless look. It’s a gorgeous pink shade that has major lasting power and doesn’t compete with your other makeup shades.

Kat Von D Tatto Liner in Trooper

Included in last month’s Sephora box, this liquid liner has become an HG status along with the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black. It has great pigmentation, glides on smoothly and is long-lasting. *Note: I always wear eye primer.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

We’ve had some extremely warm weather here in So Cal so this light-weight moisturizer was perfect for those days. I used this moisturizer with my foundation to create my own custom made tinted moisturizer.

Here’s a picture of me using the lashes in Cake and the blush in Cabana.

What are some of your favorite items?

Stephanie

September Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

September 22, 2016

Hi everyone! The last subscription box of the month is here and this month’s theme was all about multitaskers.

Take a look below to see what I received!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

A creamy cleanser that sweeps away dirt and makeup while gently exfoliating. This product was paired with a muslin cloth to aid in the removal of it, although you can remove it separately. First off, I really love how this product feels- so very creamy and luxurious. However, it did leave a film behind and although I tried to remove it with a different cleanser, it never really went away. It kind of made me breakout a little too. I will try this again once the weather cools down.

Coola Classic Face SPF 30 Cucumber Moisturizer

An eco-friendly, lightweight sunscreen that has a cucumber scent. This is a chemical sunscreen that has antioxidants like evening primrose oil and acai which are a nice addition. It doesn’t feel heavy at all but as much as I like Coola products, I’ve been receiving them a lot lately and would love to explore other brands.

Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in Perk

This lip and cheek stick melt on contact with body heat for sheer, buildable color. The sheer coral shade is a great option as a cheek color or lip shade. I prefer to use it as a cheek shade and it goes on nicely and blends out evenly. I will be trying this out further to see if it causes breakouts or not.

Oribe Glaze for Beautiful Color

A lightweight formula that protects and adds gloss to hair ans strengthens and nourishes hair with watermelon, lychee and edelweiss. I’m a fan of a few Oribe products so I was curious to see how this worked since I have color treated hair. This did make my hair feel softer and left a nice, glossy sheen behind. However, most Oribe in shower products cause a little bit of a reaction on me and this made me slightly itchy. I might just use it sporadically to minimize the reaction time as I was impressed with the results.

Bonus: Oribe Shampoo and Conditioner for Beautiful Color

While I really like the Oribe shampoos and conditioners (hello amazing scent and lovely feel!), I do seem to have a reaction to them as my hair and body start to itch. I decided to hold off on these as I tried the Oribe glaze and didn’t want to increase the risk for a reaction.

Tocca Florence Eau de Parfum

Notes of grapefruit, bergamot, jasmine, blue iris, blonde wood and white musk make up this scent. Unfortunately, this was a no-go for me as the scent of jasmine was a bit overwhelming.

Overall, this box was just okay. I could do without the perfume and while I appreciate the sunscreen, I have plenty samples to last me a while.

What do you think of this month’s Birchbox? Will you be keeping your subscription?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing September 2016!

September 20, 2016

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I can’t beleive fall is just around the corner! Cra-zy.

I’m kicking off subscription week here on the blog with a look at the September Play! By Sephora box. In case you don’t know, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for this month is The Unbasic Basics, with products meant to become the building blocks for your beauty routine.

Kat Von D Tatto Liner in Trooper

A waterproof liquid liner that glides on to reveal precise, bold strokes of highly pigmented color. The applicator on this liner is thin enough to provide a very fine line bit can also be tilted to provide a thicker line. This eyeliner doesn’t budge which is always a plus.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Night Cap Overnight Perfector

You’re supposed to work this product into damp or dry hair and leave it on overnight. You can rinse it out in the morning or leave it on to get a full week of softness and shine with this long-lasting, weightless solution that keeps hair looking its best. This did make my curly hair softer but other than that, I haven’t seen a dramatic change. Perhaps the more I use it, the more I’ll see results?

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Love Spell

This pink creamy, moisturizing lipstick is formulated with shea butter and caster oil to nurture lips. The consistency of this lipstick is very much like a lipgloss and with the weather changing, it’s a great formula to have on hand. The shade of pink is a gorgeous color that is perfect for daytime or paired with a smokey eye.

Top-Bottom: KVD Tropper and Sephora Love Spell Swatches

Atelier Cologne Sud Magnolia

This refreshing floral blend balances delicate notes of magnolia with layers of wood and citrus. At first scent, this smelled okay but then as the day went on, it kind of made me nauseous so unfortunately this one didn’t work for me.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel

A light-weight, flexible clear gel that sets, defines and keeps brows in place for a polishes look that stays all day. I’ve actually had a sample of this one before and I really like it. My brows tend to get unruly as they grow in so this is perfect to help tame them a bit.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

Light, silky, and oil-free, this moisturizer melts into skin to help soften, brighten and even skin tone. It contains licorice root to brighten, chamomile to soothe and vitamin C to help encourage collagen production. I do like this moisturizer as it does sink into skin without feeling heavy, however with the weather changing, it doesn’t provide enough hydration on its own. I decided to pair this with a serum and it worked better.

Overall, I’m really happy with this box!

Have you tried any of these products? Which ones are your favorites?

Stephanie

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor Review in HD Kisses and HD Embrace!

September 8, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! This week is flying by as it’s almost Friday-what?! That’s the perk of a long weekend I guess and I’m not complaining. 😉

I have another review on some budget friendly lippies so let’s get started.

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor

Described as a, “lightweight, high definition velvety matte color. Moisturizing, velvety feel. 100% wax-free, gel formula.” I picked up HD Embrace, a nude pink and HD Kisses, a raspberry mauve shade.

Pros

Cost effective at under $10

Sleek packaging

Clear tube allows you to see the color

Color glides on smoothly

Good lasting power

Good array of colors

Excellent pigmentation

Cons

Not truly matte

Dry down time takes about 30 minutes

Lighter colors accentuates any imperfections

Sweet scent may not be for everyone

Overall: I’m a big fan of these lip products. They are reminiscent of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in both the feel and sweet scent. I found that the formula glides on smoothly provided your lips aren’t chapped. Both leave behind a stain while eating and drinking, with HD Kisses more pronounced than HD Embrace. The pigmentation on both are great and usually one swipe is all you need to get excellent coverage. Even as these dry down, I don’t find that these are completely a true matte because I can still rub my lips together and feel a bit of slip to them. With this said though, they aren’t really that moisturizing after they dry down either. I’d describe it as in between a satin and matte. The packaging on these is very sleek and the color you see is pretty much the color you get.

Some swatches of the shades.

Have you tried the Revlon HD Mattes? What’s your favorite matte lipstick?

Stephanie

ColourPop Review on Flitter and My Jam!

September 6, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! I’m still recovering from my long and fun-filled weekend! I attended a wedding so it’s always fun to get glam for an event. You can check it out on my Instagram. Did you do anything fun for Labor Day weekend?

A few weeks back I purchased two new items that ColourPop released so if you’re curious about what I thought, keep on reading!

ColourPop Ultra Metallic Lip in Flitter

Described as, super intense color with high impact metallic pearls and a non-drying formula that is extremely long-wearing. The shade Flitter has a warm pinky undertone with flash of gold on top in a Metallic finish.

Pros

Cost effective at $6

Beautiful and unique shade

Smooth application

Good lasting power

Cons

Tube looks about half empty

Not very hydrating

Accentuates dry lips

Overall: As soon as I saw swatches of this shade on several beauty blogging sites, I knew I had to have it. The color itself is ah-mazing! It’s a nice pink shade that has gold swirled in it and pictures don’t do this shade justice. It glides on smoothly and lasts a decent time without heavy drinking or eating. I sometimes pair this with my Lancome Juicy Shaker to get a more hydrated feel. It does accentuate any lip imperfections so it’s a good idea to prep them beforehand. One of the biggest cons is that this tube looks half empty. As soon as I took the applicator out, I could see through the tube. I know it’s priced at $6, but all the other glosses are filled so I’m not sure what happened here. Other bloggers have complained about this issue too. I love the color so I would repurchase this again-I just hope they fix the half-empty issue.

Top to Bottom: ColourPop Flitter and My Jam Swatches

ColourPop Ultra Glossy Lip in My Jam

Described as, “a full coverage gloss with a smooth pearl metal finish that does not contain any glitter.” (Note: This is the description for the Ultra Metallic finish). The shade My Jam is depicted as a warm golden nude shimmering with silver and gold in a Metallic finish.

Pros

Cost effective at $6

Hydrating

High shine without the glitter

Tube was filled with product

Cons

Not long lasting

Shade on website doesn’t match the actual color

Slightly sticky

Sheer

Overall: I like this color but in all honestly, it was very different from the picture on the ColourPop website. I was expecting a warm golden, sort of peach nude but when I pulled the tube out, the shade was more copper/brown like. It’s still a nice shade that has a high shine and is great for layering but I was kind of disappointed with this one. Though hydrating,there is little bit of tackiness and the color is pretty sheer so the lasting power isn’t the best. I would not repurchase this shade again.

Have you tried any new ColourPop items? Which are your favorites?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing August 2016!

August 30, 2016

Hi everyone! I know took an extra week for my summer blogging break but I’m back! I’ve been keeping pretty busy with my new business, getting ready for a wedding I’m attending this weekend, my regular work, researching, and working out. Sending a huge thanks and welcome to all my new followers. 🙂

I’m bringing you a review for the August Play! By Sephora, which is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for this month is The Eye Openers, with products meant to refresh and recharge your beauty routine.

Clean Reserve Blonde Rose

A classic yet edgy bouquet of rose, jasmine and peony with a sandalwood base that is supposed to evoke feminine sophistication and allure. I typically love rose scents but this smells awful. Definitely not my type of perfume at all. Doesn’t help that it has a combination of peony and jasmine, which is way too overwhelming for my taste.

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-544

An eyeshadow described as a, “highly saturated, iridescent pink granite eyeshadow made with a unique gel-powder formula and ultrafine pigments for smooth color.” I like this shadow and the fact that you can create a smokey effect that’s subtle and pretty. It shows up kind of purple on me but it can be sheered out or built up to more intensity.

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Flirting Game

An easy-to-apply pencil that has a 12-hour waterproof formula in a shimmery taupe shade. So confession, I have been wearing this as eyeliner only. I confused this with eyeliner but it’s actually supposed to be used on the contour of your eye. Whoops. No worries though, it works just as well as an eyeliner and the taupe shade is a perfect enhancing shade that gives definition without a stark harshness. It lasts all day yet by the end of the day, it has smeared a bit. I doubt it would hold up for 12hrs without a primer on my oily lids. The Make Up For Ever shadow and this are great shades for transitioning into the fall season.

Swatches below: Sephora Contour Eye Pencil (top) and MUFE Artist Shadow (bottom).

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

A lengthening and volumizing mascara that has a triple-black pigment formula to coat lashes. I like this mascara as it makes my lashes look thicker and the pigment is intense. However, just like the Perversion eyeliner, the formula does make my eyes water and sort of burn by the end of the day. Because of this, I won’t be purchasing the full size.

Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm

This eye cream is said to lift and smooth the eye area with a breakthrough patented formula while reducing the look of dark circles and puffiness. This eye cream does have a brightening effect on me- like a very muted opal iridescence. It works well under makeup and doesn’t irritate my eyes. Will definitely keep this on my wishlist.

Lancome Energie de Vie Smoothing & Glowing Liquid Care Moisturizer

A concentrated energizing liquid lotion that visually relieves dullness, diminishes signs of fatigue, and promotes a healthy-looking glow. I haven’t tried this one yet because my skin has been acting up and I’ve been keeping my skin care routine simple until I’m back to normal.

Since I liked about 4 of the six products included here, I’d say this was a good box overall. Curious to see what next month holds.

Any particular favorites that you see here? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie

Play! by Sephora Unboxing July 2016!

July 26, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! How was your weekend?

The July 2016 Play! by Sephora is in and I must say, I’ve really been loving these curated boxes and the cute bags they come in. The theme for this month is Effortless Summer and I think the featured brands were spot on. Here’s the breakdown of what was included.

First Aid Beauty Face Cleaner

This cleanser is rich in antioxidants and botanicals. This cleanser lathers creamy and is free of harsh chemicals, parabens, phtlates, alcohol, fragrances and artificial dyes. I’ve tried this cleanser before and it didn’t work for me. It kind of made my skin itch so while I liked that my face didn’t feel super dry afterwards, it wasn’t for me.

BeautyBlender blotterazzi

A cushion blotter that is designed to remove shine and absorb oil, you can wash and reuse this as you please and it’s great to smooth away cracks or cakey texture that makeup can form on your face. I really love the Beauty Blender so I was happy to see this one in the box. I used it once and it absorbed some of the shine but not as well as I thought. I need to use this a few more times-maybe I used it wrong?

Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer

Based off of the popular Hoola Bronzer, this liquid version is lightweight and shimmer-free to create a warm radiant look. I’m a fan of the original bronzer so I’m uber happy that this one was included and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s subtle and blends out nicely that gives a very natural look.

Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola swatch

Nest Fragrances Citrine

Describes as, “layers of fresh lotus flower and freesia mingle with bright citrus and a base of precious woods.” I like this fragrance but not my favorite and I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it as it’s not really my style.

Ouai Wave Spray

This weighless texture mist gives hair an effortless, undone look while adding volume and shine. I’m addicted to the smell of this as it leaves hair smelling soo good. Combined with other products, this does a nice job of keeping curls in place.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

An iconic primer for normal to dry skin that keeps helps keep makeup in place-a must for the summer! I’ve used this primer before and I like it but because I have combination skin with a tendency to be oilier in the summer, it doesn’t really provide a mattifying effect and I’m a shiny mess by the end of the day.

Overall, I’m happy with box. 🙂

What box did you get this month?

Stephanie

June Favorites 2016!

July 5, 2016

Hi everyone! How was everyone’s weekend? We celebrated the Fourth of July at the Rose Bowl yesterday and I had fun. You can check out a clip of it on my Instagram page here. 🙂

Let’s dive straight into my favorites for the month of June!

Bath and Body Works Waikiki Beach Coconut Body Lotion

Few scents evoke summer like coconut and this travel sized lotion does a great job. With notes of coconut milk, plumeria, saltwater breeze, pink passionflower and Oahu Dragonfruit, a small application of this will make you dream of Hawaii and provide you a mini escapade throughout your day, whether you’re in Hawaii or at the office.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm

I picked this up on a whim during a trip to Sephora and I’m so glad I did. It’s supposed to reduce puffiness and soothes with goat’s milk and manuka honey. I love the fact that you can just glide it on and feel the cooling effects instantaneously. It does not feel heavy or sticky at all and for an extra cooling boost, I stick it in the fridge for a few minutes before applying.

Cool Classic Face Sport SPF 50 White Tea

One of the samples in my May Birchbox, I have used this up this month and I really liked it. It works well under makeup which is always a plus. You can read more on it here.

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation

The main foundation I’ve used everyday this month, this, I love how fresh this makes my skin look and I’m constantly receiving compliments with this. Aside from a great skincare routine, this is one of my secret weapons to achieve a radiant complexion.

Lorac Alter Ego Lipgloss in CEO

I’ve circled around these liplosses for a while and after swatching CEO, I had to buy it. This lipgloss creates the illusion of fuller lips with a nice shine and it’s not sticky or heavy. The color to me is like a rosy mauve with a tinge of grey and I love it. Sophisticated with a slight edge, you’ll definitely feel like a CEO.

Laura Gellar New York Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey

A shimmery gold highlighter. Need I say more? Check it out here.

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner

This industry favorite makeup brush cleaner cleanses, conditions, and deodorizes brushes in one easy step. I’ve had a few makeup gigs this past month and this is by far a must-have in my makeup kit as it also has a quick drying formula and leaves brushes smelling faintly of vanilla.

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes

One of my favorite items from my PopSugar this month, these deodorant wipes are so easy to use, you can take them on the go, and most importantly, they are effective.

Top-Bottom: Laura Gellar Gilded Honey and Lorac Alter Ego Lipgloss in CEO

Some swatches. Aren’t they pretty?

What were your favorites this month?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing June 2016!

June 28, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m excited to bring you a peek and review of the June Sephora subscription box. This curated box is $10 a month and you receive 6 deluxe size samples from prestige brands. There’s currently a wait list so if you’re interested, visit the Sephora website to add your name to the list.

The theme for this month is minimalism for a low-key summer look. Let’s take a look at what’s included.

Bumble and Bumble Don’t Blow It

This hair creme is said to add body and “enhance fine to medium hair textures for a laid-back, air-dried style.” I have curly hair and while this provided it some definition, on it’s own, it didn’t hold up. My hair frizzed up and I had to pair it with other styling products. I think it would work better on wavy or straight hair.

BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

A liquid bronzer that can be used by itself or customized with your foundation to give you a sun-kissed glow. I loved this product. I used it to softly contour my face and although it looks dark, it blends out nicely without looking orange.

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Mascara

A bestselling mascara, this helps to lengthen and volumize the smallest of lashes with its specially designed brush. Personally, I am not a fan of this mascara at all. The formula burns my eyes and somehow I find that this tangles/clumps my lashes so much. I gifted this one away.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter

Easily the product I looked forward to most when my box arrived. It’s a shimmering makeup primer that helps to blur imperfections and create a luminous look. I loved how this paired underneath my foundation to create a nice glow and I found it worked nicely as a liquid highlighter. I made sure to use powder over my makeup to keep my skin from looking overly shiny as I have combination skin.

Tarte Taretguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30

The esthetician in me is of course happy that a sunscreen was included in this box. An antioxidant- infused physical (non-chemical) sunscreen, this provides both broad-spectrum protection and moisturizing benefits. This sunscreen feels almost like a serum that absorbs quickly and is a bit on the oily side. So far, I haven’t experienced any breakouts from this though and it mixes well with foundations.

Tocca Beauty Florence

This romantic perfume, “conjures long-ago Paris with a sophisticate blend of bergamot, violet petals and blonde wood.” I didn’t care for this scent much. When I looked it up on the site, I noticed it also had notes of ivory gardenia and jasmine, both of which I really dislike. In order for me to like a perfume that contains jasmine or gardenia, these scents can’t be prominent and unfortunately that was the case with this one.

Swatches of the primer and bronzer.

Top-Bottom: Becca Backlight Priming Filter and BareMinerals bareSkin Bronzer

I was pretty happy with this box as it included some great brands that are perfect for a glowy summer look.

What did you think of this box?

Stephanie

June Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

June 21, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! Although I’m not 100% better, I can’t stay away from blogging too long because I really miss it and miss you guys as well. Thanks for your comments and well wishes-it’s always nice to hear! 🙂

June’s Birchbox box has arrived so let’s take a look at what’s included.

Real Chemistry Luminous 3- Minute Peel- Body

This is a gentle and acid-free exfoliator that can be used to exfoliate your feet, calves, bikini area, arms, and décolleté without irritating sensitive skin. It’s supposed to help with skin problems like keratosis, eczema, body acne and ingrown hairs. I have yet to try this one as I didn’t like the Real Chemistry Luminous 3- Minute Peel for the face at all.

Update: I didn’t really care for this product either. It is a very gentle exfoliant (gommage) but it didn’t do anything special for me. It felt sticky and just balled up on my skin, making no difference in texture.

SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50

This product is 3-in-1 mist that is part makeup setter, oil controller, and UV protector. I’m not the biggest fan of this product for the face as I received the full size of this in a PopSugar box last year. You can read my review for this one here.

Top to Bottom: Laura Gellar Gilded Honey, Benefit Gimmie Brow in Medium and Ardency Inn Modster Eyeliner

Ardency Inn Modster Smooth Ride Supercharged Eyeliner in Black

A creamy, waterproof liner that glides on effortlessly and then sets to a bold finish that won’t smudge or budge. The pigmentation on this is really intense and almost reminds me of a liquid liner. It applies very smoothly and has great staying power. I kind of wish I had gotten a more colorful shade but I can’t complain too much as this one is pretty good.

Laura Gellar New York Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey

Guys, this illuminator is life. Seriously, I was so thrilled to see that this was included in my box because I have swatched it a few times at Ulta and really loved it. This highlighter’s formula is designed to apply like a powder but feel like a cream, making it easily to blend. I have nothing but glowing reviews for this as it’s gorgeous, easy to apply and looks lovely. You can check it out in action on my Instagram page.

Benefit Gimmie Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel in Medium

This month’s sample choice, a few strokes of this brow-building invention can make brows look full and defined. Volumizing microfibers and an exclusive water-resistant gel adheres to skin and hair, thickening brows to certified bold status. I was excited to try this out as it seems like an easy way to define brows and I was not disappointed. Since it has a spoolie like application, I found it easy to define and tame by eyebrows in a few easy strokes. I received the shade medium which is a bit too dark for my liking so if I get the lighter shade, this will be perfect.

Ardency Inn Modster Eyeliner, Laura Gellar Gelato Swirl in Gilded Honey and Benefit Gimmie Brow in Medium

Overall, I liked this box, especially the Laura Gellar highlighter. I may cancel my Birchbox subscription after July because I’m accumulating a lot of samples and I kind of want to take a break from it. I’ll keep you guys updated though.

What did you think of this month’s Birchbox? Are any of you planning on cancelling or taking a break from it?

Stephanie