Product Reviews: Make-Up Archives | Page 2 of 7

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

August 2016 Favorites!

September 1, 2016

Happy first day of September everyone! It’s time again for my monthly favorites and you’ll notice that most items here are skincare. Well, my skin has been acting up lately and I had to pretty much stop wearing all products until I could try to figure out what the culprit was. I’m thinking I have a slight sensitivity to something in my kickboxing class. These products have been instrumental in keeping my face calm so let’s get to it.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Lasting Liquid Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Described as, “flawlessly undetectable like it belongs on your skin, this innovative formula features medium, buildable coverage and a modern matte, natural finish that feels uniquely airy and silky on skin.” On a whim, I decided to pick up this foundation and I absolutely love it. It silky texture melts right into your skin and enhances it in the most natural way. You’ll forget you’re wearing makeup. I haven’t really heard much about this foundation but I highly recommend giving this a go.

PCA Skin CliniCalm 1%

This product contains 1% hydrocortisone to soothe and provide temporary relief of itching and irritation, both of which I’ve been experiencing lately. While the formula is safe to be used for 7 consecutive days, I find I only need to use it for 2 days before my symptoms start to clear up.

PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45

Not pictured above, I received a few sample packets of this and I have to say I am impressed. This is a universally tinted, water resistant physical sunscreen (Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) that can be used alone or layered under makeup. Since it’s a purely physical sunscreen (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), this has been perfect for my sensitive skin. The coverage is very sheer, so a tiny bit of redness still peeks through but overall, it’s a great product and I’ll be picking this up at the trade show this month.

Skin Script Green Tea Citrus Cleanser

Most of my cleansers were off limits for a bit and this one was really the only one that didn’t feel irritating. With a blend of antioxidant rich green tea, grape seed extract to counter skin irritations to offset redness and inflammation, and wild cherry bark extract to help soothe skin, this gentle foaming cleans without stripping skin dry.

Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm

Featured in this month’s Play! By Sephora box, this eye cream absorbs quickly into skin and provides a nice brightening effect. Read review here.

Dermalogica After Sun Repair

One of my most cherished items from Dermalogica, this is my holy grail skin saver. I keep it in the fridge and when my skin feels like it’s burning, I apply a generous amount of this to my face and the coolness instantly calms my skin. This product is left on and is formulated with lavender, cucumber, chamomile, yucca and algae extract to restore moisture loss and aid skin recovery.

Stephie Estie Skincare

Another huge favorite this month has to be of course my new business doing skincare. I opened up the first weekend of August and I’m so blessed and thankful to God for this opportunity. It’s a work in progress and pretty stressful but so far a lot of people have been so supportive and I couldn’t ask for more at the moment. 🙂

Note: For the most part, my skin is slowly returning to normal. I notice that once I stop the kickboxing class for a few days, my skin feels better. I’ve participated in other fitness activities where I sweat just as much, but I don’t get a reaction. I’m assuming my skin is either sensitive to the cleaning solutions they use or perhaps the gloves/punching bags. Of course I don’t want to give up the class because I really enjoy it so I’ve found that right after completing my session, I immediately remove my wraps, wash my hands and arms thoroughly with soap and water and then rinse my face with cold water. This process has helped tremendously in reducing irritation/sensitivity.

What are your favorites for August? And, have you experienced any skin reactions when exercising? Share your thoughts below!

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

July Favorites 2016!

August 2, 2016

Happy Tuesday and second day of August! How was your weekend? If you follow me on Instagram, you got a sneak peek of a new exciting opportunity that’s happening in my life. I’m setting up shop inside a studio and will be offering skin treatments twice a week very soon! I am so excited and nervous at the same time. Those who know me know that it has been a very bumpy road for me in the esthetics arena but here I am and I am so thankful that God has provided this opportunity for me. 🙂

Here’s a picture of the room I’ll be renting.

In other news, July has come and gone which brings us to my monthly favorites post. Ready to see what I’ve loved this month? Keep reading!

Sol de Janeiro Brazillian Bum Bum Cream

I’ve seen this item floating around on Instagram and has been recommended by a few beauty blogger friends so I picked one up while I was at Sephora. A blend of guaraná, nourishing cupuaçu butter and coconut oil helps your body look and feel its smoothest and tightest. I love the coconut smell of this and how it provides skin with intense hydration. The texture of my legs looks a bit smoother so who knows what will happen with continued use.

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne

I received this last month for my birthday and I absolutely love it. It’s woodsy without being overpowering and perfect for any season if you ask me.

Jo Malone Mimosa and Cardamom Cologne

Along with the Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne, I got a sample of the Mimosa and Cardamom one and it smells so delicate and nice. Based on the suggestion that you can layer the fragrances, I blended it with the Wood Sage and Sea Salt and guys, it’s such a great combination. With scents of mimosa, cardamom, tonka bean, sandalwood, heliotrope, Damask rose, it softly mellows out the woodsy aspect of the other cologne if you want a more subtle and sweet version of the Wood Sage and Sea Salt. I highly recommend it.

Benefit Cosmetics Dew the Hoola Soft Matte Liquid Bronzer

Featured in my July Play! by Sephora bag, this liquid bronzer is very easy to use and looks natural on my skin tone.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara

A sample that came with my July Birchbox, this mascara does not leave my eyelashes clumpy and does a nice job of providing a fan-like effect.

MAC Powder Blush in Melba

Another item from my birthday haul, I’ve been using this blush almost every single day because it just looks so natural and blends in effortlessly.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Shine Lipstick in Fairest

The last item on here from my birthday haul, this lipstick is sort of like a MLBB shade that’s just a tad darker. I love using it alone or layered over my ColourPop Echo Park liquid lipstick to create a customized shade that has a little bit more shine and hydration. The magnetic cap is a neat feature.

9Round Kickbox Fitness

At the beginning of this month, I joined 9Round Kickbox Fitness and though I leave looking like a super sweat drenched mess, it’s also a lot of fun. With all that goes on in my life at times, it feels so good to just punch out your frustration. There are no class times which is nice because you can pop in anytime you have 30 minutes to work out and be done or do some extra rounds. Plus the owner, Dan, is very helpful and has modifications available in case you need it, which I do at times.

That’s it for this month! What are your favorites and do you have any advice/suggestions for starting your own business? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxing July 2016!

July 28, 2016

Happy almost Thursday everyone!

PopSugar Must Have subscription box is in! For those who don’t know, PopSugar Must Have Box is a monthly box that includes items that range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. All items are full size and valued at over $100. This box is$39.95 per month while the new PopSugar mini box is $18.95.

The themes and inspiration for this month’s box.

Sachajuan Hair in the Sun, $32

A UV hair protector for the hair, this will protect your strands from damaging UV rays, keeping your hair color vibrant that will stay on until you shampoo your hair. I used this a few times but I haven’t really been out in the sun to see how it fully works. It smells nice though and seems to make my stands softer.

European Wax Center Oh My Brow! Brow Highlighter in Pearl, $19

This highlighting illuminator is multifaceted. Use it to lift brows by blending it along your brow bone, widen eyes by applying it on your inner corners, add glow to your cheekbones or add a romantic touch to your lips by dabbing it above your cupid’s bow. Always great to have a highlighter pencil on hand as they are easy to use and you can apply them quickly.

Michael Stars Porcelain Skinny Scarf in White, $30

This skinny black and white scarf can be dressed up or down by wrapping, knotting or draping it over your ensembles or can double as a headband. *Sigh* Another scarf type thingy. I think we’ve had about 3 in a row already. I appreciate that this is skinny so perhaps I’ll use it as a headband or maybe to accessorize a handbag.

House of Pom Emoji Cocktail Napkins, $25

Designed with House of Pom, these exclusive cocktail cloth napkins allow you to serve up icy-cold drinks with cute emoji designs that are oh so #instagrammable. One of the better items in this box, these napkins are adorable. I’m glad they are cloth material as you can reuse the cuteness.

Joe Chips Classic Sea Salt Retro Potato Chips, $1.49

These kettle chips are an all-American classic that will give you the old-school crunch you crave. I tried a few chips and they really weren’t anything different than Lay’s. I kind of wish they had offered different flavors instead of a plain one but well, less calories, right? I’m always happy to see a food item in a box.

SunnyLife Inflatable Swan Drink Holder, $18

Float up to four beverages poolside with this inflatable swan so you’ll never have to leave the water. Even though you don’t have a pool this can also serve its function on any table. I don’t have a pool so I might gift this. I think it’s much better suited for the pool than a table.

Pintrill Pineapple Pin, $12

Use this pineapple pin to pin your skinny scarf into place. It’s a cute pin but I don’t see much use for it. Personally, I would have preferred the pineapple ice cub tray that was featured in the PopSugar Must Have Mini.

Trove $20 Gift Card (Special Extra), $20

A $20 gift card to treat ourselves to on-trend, customizable jewelry. I probably won’t redeem this because I hardly can remember to wear jewelry and everything on there is very pricey.

Overall, I was disappointed with this box and for the moment, I’ve cancelled my subscription with PopSugar. While I’ve loved past boxes, I’ve been accumulating a lot of stuff I don’t use and certain items are being repeated. Maybe in the future I’ll give it another go but it’s goodbye for now. 🙁

What are your thoughts on this box?

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

July Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

July 21, 2016

Hi everyone! Thursday is finally here and I don’t know about you, but this week felt pretty long.

So, Birchbox arrives awhile back so if you’re interested in seeing what I got, keep reading!

MDSolarSciences Mineral Creme SPF 50 Broad Spectrum UVA-UVB Sunscreen

This sunscreen is safe for acne and rosacea-prone skin and has a silky formula that absorbs quickly without leaving a white cast or greasy sheen. I’ve tried my fair share of sunscreens and I can confidently say that this formula is unique and unlike anything I’ve ever tried. It feels almost silicone-like and it blends in very easily in the skin. No breakouts so far and I’d be inclined to purchase this in the future.

Rene Furterer Karinga Hydrating Styling Cream

A silicone-free styling cream that is said to utilize 100% natural active ingredients to combat frizz, static and dry hair. I haven’t got around to tying this one but I’ve tried something similar from this line and it was okay but not my holy grail.

dr. brandt PoreDermabrassion

An exfoliator that contains, salicylic acid to unclog pores, caviar lime to brighten and lentil seed to strengthen and tighten pore walls. I’ve been curious to try this product for a good minute and I was excited to see this in my box. It’s a cream-like exfoliator that has tiny abrasive particles to scrub away dead skin cells. While I didn’t see a a huge difference in my pore size, my face definitely felt and looked smoother.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Curl Mascara

Describes as. “a hypoallergenic mascara that curls even the tiniest of lashes for a doe-eyed look,” I really ended up liking this mascara. It didn’t seem to irritate my eyes and I noticed that it fanned out my lashes in a nice and natural way. I will definitely continue to try this one out.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique

A best selling fragrance, this combines a tropical blend of Tahitian vanilla, jackfruit, and apricot. One of the first fragrance samples that I’ve actually liked from Birchbox. This fragrance is on the sweet side but I feel you can layer it under other fragrances to balance them out. I wouldn’t mind wearing this on its own but I’ll be testing this with my Jo Malone fragrances I have and see how that works.

Overall, I thought this box was good. Unfortunately, this may be my last box as I’ve accumulated a lot of samples that I feel like I may need to take a break for a while.

What did you think of this box? Are you looking give Birchbox a try or are you thinking of cancelling?

Stephanie

Birthday Haul 2016!

July 7, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! With the 3 day weekend, this week is zooming by fast. I have a post today on some of the items I got for my birthday as several of you expressed interest in seeing what I got/picked up. Ready? Let’s go!

Kate Somerville Goat Milk De-Puffing Eye Balm

First up is this cooling eye balm which was also included in my June favorites. It’s quickly becoming a staple in my daytime/nighttime routine.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Shine Lipstick in Fairest

I had originally purchased the Estee Lauder blush in Brazen Bronze but it turned out to be a very close dupe to the Becca Wild Honey blush. So, I returned it and got this lipstick shade. It’s a neutral-mauve shade with a hint of bronze that is just so pretty and perfect for any occasion.

BH Cosmetics Forever Aqua Gloss Nude in Honeysuckle and Scone

Browsing through the BH Cosmetics website, I decided to add these glosses into the cart. I’ve heard good things about them, they were on sale and you can’t have too many neutral lipsticks, right? Right! These are subtle, not too sticky and great for layering over lipstick.

Top to Bottom: BH Cosmetics Honeysuckle, Scone, and Estee Lauder Fairest.

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

The main reason I was glancing at the BH Cosmetics website was this blush/lip collection. The shade Cabana looked so pretty and I thought it’d be a good addition to my collection. It doesn’t disappoint as it has great pigmentation-don’t let the pale pink color fool you-and stayed on pretty much all day.

MAC Powder Blush in Melba

MAC was having a 15% sale (yes, another sale item!) and I could not pass it up. I’ve never owned any of their blushes so this was the perfect excuse. I’ve heard about the cult-favorite shade Melba so I snatched up this matte, soft coral peach pan. The hype is real on this one as it’s not too strong of a shade nor is it too light.

Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector

Initially I went to Sephora with the intent of picking up the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face palette. After swatching it though, I decided it was too glittery for my taste and I couldn’t see myself using two of the blush shades. I decided that the next best thing was this eye brightener as I’ve seen the floating around on IG and blogs. Layered under my concealer, this corrector brings more light and life to my under eye area. A must-have when you’re tired but don’t want to look it.

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne

I originally wanted Beach Walk from Maison Margiela and I did buy the roller ball version. However, I stopped by the Nordstrom counter and caught a whiff of this one and I fell in love. I left the counter with only the perfume spritz card and plans to come back for it later. Well, days later my mom surprised me with a bottle! Thank you mom! With notes of bergamot, ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage and driftwood accord, this scent is unique and works well when layered with the Jo Malone Mimosa and Cardamom cologne. It’s my new signature scent.

Of course, I love all of these-I can’t really choose a favorite. I also have a chocolate spa treatment day that my sisters gifted me which I still need to cash in so I’m hoping to do a blog post on it later. 🙂

Are any of these your favorites? Which products are you currently coveting for your birthday or otherwise?

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