Stephie Estie

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July Favorites 2016!

August 2, 2016

July Favorites

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.

Facial Room

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.

July Favorites End

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 

CATEGORIES // Monthly Favorites, Personal, Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Skin Care

PopSugar Must Have Box Unboxing July 2016!

July 28, 2016

July PSMH

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.

PSMH Inspiration

The themes and inspiration for this month’s box.

 

PSMH HairSachajuan 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.

Emoji Napkins

 

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.

PSHM Snacks

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

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 

 

 

CATEGORIES // Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Subscription Boxes

Play! by Sephora Unboxing July 2016!

July 26, 2016

Play by Sephora July

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.

Dew the Hoola

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. 🙂

Sephora Play July

What box did you get this month? 

Stephanie 

 

CATEGORIES // Makeup, Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Subscription Boxes

July Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

July 21, 2016

July Birchbox Main

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.

July Birchbox

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 

CATEGORIES // Hair, Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Subscription Boxes

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil Review!

July 19, 2016

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

Hi everyone!  I hope your weekend was great. 🙂

Since I’m currently obsessed with the Lancome Juicy Shaker, lip oils have recently found themselves on my radar. With summer sometimes calling for a lighter lip, I decided to check out a lip oil mentioned by one of my favorite bloggers, Stashy on Stash Matters. (Go follow her blog-you won’t be disappointed!)

Let’s take a look at what I thought about this luxe lip treatment!

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil 

Described as, a “revolutionary formula—rich in effective plant ingredients— [that] was inspired by Clarins’ best-selling Face and Body Treatment Oils. This gel-like non-sticky oil with sheer color nourishes and enhances lips with high shine.”

Pros 

Moisturizing

Long-lasting power

Light-weight-doesn’t feel heavy

No over-powering scent

Cons 

Pricey

Made my lips burn

Limited color choices

Overall: I really wanted to love this lip oil but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.  After wearing this for about 2 hours, I noticed that my lips felt raw and had a burning sensation.  I stopped using this for about two days and the burning sensation went away.  The moment I tried it on again though, my lips had the same raw feeling and any lip product I applied after it felt stingy.  Aside from this issue, I did like how moisturizing it felt when I applied it and although it has a thicker consistency, it did not feel heavy at all.  I purchased the color Honey, which goes on clear and I figured I can use it underneath or over different lipsticks.  They also have a raspberry and red shade if you’re looking to add a wash of color.

Have you tried this lip oil or do you have any other lip oil recommendations? Comment below!

Stephanie 

CATEGORIES // Product Reviews

Birthday Haul 2016!

July 7, 2016

Birthday Haul

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.

 

Birthday 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.

Birthday Blush

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.

Becca

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.

 

Jo Malone

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. 🙂

Birthday End

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

Stephanie 

 

CATEGORIES // Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Skin Care

June Favorites 2016!

July 5, 2016

June Faves

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.

June Swatches

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

Some swatches.  Aren’t they pretty?

June Favorites

What were your favorites this month? 

Stephanie 

 

CATEGORIES // Makeup, Monthly Favorites, Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Skin Care

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing June 2016!

June 30, 2016

PSMH June

Hi 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.

June Inspiration

The themes that inspired June’s box.

PSMH 3

NCLA Born On the 4th Nail Lacquer, $16 

This cruelty-free red, white, and blue polish can stand alone or worn on top of a different polish.  I haven’t tried this one yet but it looks very festive and appropriate for the 4th of July weekend.

Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes, $9

An easy way to freshen up on the go, these travel-ready wipes neutralize odors and have an aluminum-free and vegan formula.  I was a bit skeptical to try these at first but also curious as I have been looking for natural deodorant alternatives.  I’m actually impressed with how well these held up throughout the day and while working out.  I did find I needed to reapply before working out to keep completely odor free but overall, I will definitely purchase these again.

Knock Knock Are Your Ready (For Your Close-Up?) Compact, $10

A cheeky compact mirror that’s durable enough to throw into a beach bag for touch-ups on the go.  Personally, this item felt a little on the cheap side.  One side kind of magnifies which is nice but I gave this one away as I just wasn’t thrilled with it.
PSMH 2

Wild and Wolf Ridley’s Games Room “Who Am I?” Quiz, $12.95

An easy-to-play game that you can bring anywhere to keep you and your friends guessing which celebrity it is.  Haven’t used this but I’m sure it will come in handy as I’m always up for board games. I just hope that they’re not too hard to guess. 😉

Sisters of Los Angeles “Cheers” Gold Bottle Opener, $12.95

A weekend staple, this golden bar accessory is the ideal companion to your favorite brew.  Again, not an item I was overly thrilled with.  It’s nice and sturdy with some heft but eh, nothing to brag about.

Pressels Siracha, $1.29 

I’m pretty much always happy when there are food items included.  These have less fat and sodium than regular chips with a hint of spice.  Although these were definitely not spicy or close to a siracha flavor, they were still tasty nonetheless and provided a filling snack.

Hat Attack

Hat Attack Neutral Diamonds-Printed Sarong, $58

This multifunctional sarong is lightweight and easy to pack.  You can switch up how you tie it, creating different possibilities on how to use it.  Another item I was just not too thrilled to receive either. It has a nice design but I think I would have preferred a beach towel.

Overall, this was not my favorite box.  The main item that was stellar was the Pacifica Underarm Deodorant Wipes and I enjoyed the Pressels but other than these, this box was not exciting. 🙁  Here’s to hoping next month is better.

What did you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie 

 

 

 

 

CATEGORIES // Product Reviews, Subscription Boxes

Play! By Sephora Unboxing June 2016!

June 28, 2016

Sephora Play June

 

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.

Sephora Main

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.

Sephora June Swatches

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.

Sephora Flatlay

What did you think of this box? 

Stephanie 

CATEGORIES // Makeup, Product Reviews, Product Reviews: Make-Up, Skin Care, Subscription Boxes

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil Review!

June 23, 2016

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil

Happy Thursday everyone!

I’m excited for today’s post as about a little over a month ago I received confirmation that I was part of the SEPHORA Beauty Enthusiast community. They sent me a deluxe sample of Sunday Riley’s Luna Night Sleeping Oil and while I had tried a small sample of this before, I gave another test run. Let’s take a look at what this highly talked about oil is all about.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil

Described as, “a next-generation retinoid oil that improves skin plumpness and helps fight the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly clearer, younger-looking skin.” It’s supposed to help reduce pore size, improve the appearance of damaged skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and moisturize and calm the skin.

Pros 

Retinol as an ester

Antioxidant oils such as cold pressed chia oil, grapeseed oil and avocado oil

Improves skin texture

Provides excellent hydration

Includes chamomile which helps soothe irritation

Can be mixed in with your moisturizer for added benefits

Cons 

Essential oils might be irritating for some people

Very fragrant

May be too moisturizing for acne skin types

A bit pricey

Inclusion of dyes (albeit small)

Overall:  The first thing I noticed is that even before I opened the box, I could smell the product.  The scent is laced with chamomile that while it smells nice , it’s fairly strong.  Once this is applied though, the scent quickly dissipates.  The star ingredient is hydroxypinacolone retinoate, a trans-retinoic acid ester.  According to, The Skin Care Ingredient Handbook, hydroxypinacolone retinoate is a mild retinoic ester that decreases effect of sunlight-induced aging and can improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. An ester is a compound formed by a reaction between an acid and an alcohol, significantly reducing the risk of irritation; it’s perfect for people that have experienced irritation with retinol.  As I’ve stated before, my forehead has textural issues and I noticed it was smoother after using this for a few days.  This inclusion of the above mentioned oils and chamomile left my skin feeling very nice and hydrated but unfortunately because I have combination skin, it made me breakout on my jawline.  I would recommend this oil if you have normal to dry skin but if you have acne prone skin or are have sensitive skin, I would tread with caution. I found that I had better luck with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes.

Sunday Riley Luna Oil

What are your thoughts on Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil?  

Stephanie 

 

CATEGORIES // Aging, Product Reviews, Skin Care

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