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Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color Review!

February 4, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! I was at Target the other day and was thrilled to find the new Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors on the shelves. Here’s my review on it.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color in Nude Flush

Described as, “bold, vivid color [that] glides easily onto lips for a velvety matte finish. Formula is comfortable and creamy with a smooth feel upon application.”

Pros

Budget friendly

Good pigmentation

Good color selection

Glossy

Cons

Made my lips feel numb

Not matte

Fragrance might be bothersome to some

Easily transfers/comes off when eating

Overall: Unfortunately, this didn’t work at all for me as I think I had an allergic reaction to it. As soon as I applied it, my lips felt very numb. At first I thought my reaction was similar to what I get when I apply lip plumping glosses but the numbness never faded away. The second day I tried it, again my lips felt numb and this time they really started to hurt so I immediately wiped it off. This applied like a gloss and isn’t really sticky but it never dried down to a matte finish. About 2 hours into wearing them, I could still rub my lips together and get a glossy feel. Upon drinking and eating, the lipstick wore off completely, so this product doesn’t last long. Even if I didn’t have a reaction to this, I would still return this as the name is misleading, and, in my opinion, you’re better off sticking to the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Colors.

Maybelline Nude Flush

A swatch of the shade Nude Flush. These are nicely pigmented as I only swiped it once across my arm to get this color.

Have you tried these ones? What’s your opinion on them?

Stephanie

January 2016 Favorites!

February 2, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! How was your weekend? It’s been super windy over here but other than that, everything is good. It’s time again for my monthly favorites so let’s get started!

Renee Rouleau AHA Smoothing Serum 17%

I have a very textured forehead and even though I exfoliate on a regular basis, it doesn’t help much. I’ve found that exfoliating serums though make a major difference in the appearance of my skin and this glycolic acid based one works great. After cleansing and toning my skin, I pat on a thin layer before applying my moisturizer on top. It tingles a little but isn’t uncomfortable. I use it for three nights straight and then discontinue it for three nights straight and I’m mindful of not spending too much time in the sun when using this.

Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer in Chocolate

I have a sample of this bronzer and I’ve been reaching for this pretty much everyday. As the name implies, there is no shimmer here which is great and it blends in effortlessly while looking natural. There is a slight chocolate scent but it quickly dissipates once you apply it.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Athens

I’ve reviewed this lip cream here so I won’t say much other than the scent to this one is addicting and the color is natural and gorgeous.

NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Peanut Brittle

I’ve been stalking the NYX store to purchase the shade Tres Leches and since they are always out of stock, I picked up the shade Peanut Brittle. Peanut Brittle is part of the NYX Spring 2016 collection and believe me when I saw this lipgloss is highly pigmented. The swatch below was just one swipe. I wear this alone and I get a glossy nude lip that’s divine.

Top to Bottom: NYX Athens and Peanut Brittle

Chloe Love Story

Jen from In the Beauty Box (give her a follow!) sent me a bag filled with gifts and this one was one of them. With notes of Neroli (Orange Blossom Oil), Stephanotis Jasmine, Physalis and Cedarwood, I’m really liking this scent. It’s not overly overpowering and somehow I get a whiff of rose which is nice. It doesn’t last long though which is about the only downside I see.

What were your January favorites?

Stephanie

Skin Tip: Glow on the Go!

January 29, 2016

Happy Friday everyone!

Looking for inspiration to keep up your exercise routine? A brief walk or run increases your blood flow which helps nourish skin cells and gives you a nice glow. As always though, consult your primary physician to make sure you are cleared to work out.

Enjoy the weekend!

Stephanie

January Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

January 28, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m back with another subscription box post which finally arrived this week. I will say I am disappointed this month with the shipping of my Birchbox. It was shipped out on the 8 and I had no information as to where it was until a week later and then it took another week and a few days to be delivered. :/

Anywho, I choose the curated box this month which was Korean Beauty as it’s generating a lot of buzz lately. Here’s what the box included.

RE:P Bio Fresh Mask with Real Calming Herb

This mask uses, “organic herbs and kaolin clay to reduce redness and deeply cleanse pores.” I managed to use this once and the first thing I noticed was the scent which is very herbally and tea-like. Surprisingly, I didn’t find this too drying although I noticed a few bumps on my forehead after I used it. I’ll need to use this more to determine how well it works.

IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer

This primer contains SPF 15, is rich in fruit extracts and is said to create a “smooth, luminous canvas for makeup.” I tried it under my foundation and it gave a very subtle sheen to the skin. It’s a nice product though it is not my favorite and has a rather strong perfume scent. I will use it up but won’t purchase a full size.

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint in Red

So I’ve always been curious to try TONYMOLY products, mainly because of the cute packaging- Panda’s Dream anyone? Although the packaging on this tint is simple, it smells like strawberries, yum. The color dries to a matte finish that is supposed to last all day and although it did last an impressive amount of time through eating and drinking, it will start to fade unevenly throughout the day.

Manefit Beauty Planner Cucumber Soothing + Moisturizing Mask

Sheet masks are all the craze now and this one is supposed to soothe, tone and restore moisture to dry skin. I haven’t tried this out yet but I’ll wait until it’s not too cold at night so my skin can have a nice, refreshing treatment.

Goodal Waterest First Essence

This product includes, “hyaluronic acid and fermented lotus flower to help skin retain moisture.” I’ve tried this once in the morning and I do like it. However, like most products included in here, it does have a strong scent.

Goodal Yerba Mate Bubble Peeling & Yerba Mate Cleansing Foam Packettes

Considered a bonus, the Bubble Peeling, “removes dead skin for a brighter complexion,” and the Cleansing Foam, “balances oils and detoxifies the skin.” I haven’t had an opportunity to test these out yet but the Bubble Peeling has definitely piqued my interest with the name alone.

Overall, I do like the box and think it’s a good assortment of products to try. Sometimes I wish they weren’t so scented though.

Have you tried Korean skincare/beauty products? Which ones do you recommend?

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing January 2016!

January 26, 2016

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? My PopSugar Must Have Box arrived over the weekend so here’s a quick rundown of what was included this month.

Blue Sky Day Designer Weekly Planner, $16

A perfect item to include for a new year to keep you on track. While I did give this one to my sister, I’m definitely going to check out other designs.

Not Soap, Radio Bath and Shower Gel Gift Set, $22

A positive and unique approach to shower gels, these smell amazing and each of them has an uplifting message. Clarity, luck, confidence, happiness and calm are themes included here.

Patchology FlashMasque Trio, $20

Facial sheet masks are popular and these claim to “revitalize, hydrate and illuminate skin” in just five minutes.

Pehr Designs Pebble Sack Bin, $40

A storage bin that can house hats, scarves, toys, books and beyond. Great for keeping things organized.

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo,$18.99

In this book, expert cleaning consultant Marie Kondo illustrates “how to spark joy in our lives through tidying up,” and how to stay organized all year round. Definitely not a book I would have normally chosen on my own but I’ve skimmed through it and it looks very interesting.

Project & INC Summer Snow Sugar Free Gum, $2

Sugar free gum whose, “proceeds from every seventh pack purchased go toward antibullying efforts in the US.”

Chapstick Total Hydration 100% Natural Soothing Vanilla, $2.99

Considered a special extra, this chapstick protects lips against dryness with argan oil and other natural oils and butters. It’s portable and does provide much needed moisture to my lips.

Overall, this month’s box was okay-not my favorite but it has some practical items that I will use.

What do you think of this month’s box?

Stephanie

Skin Tip: Using Exfoliating Serums!

January 22, 2016

If you suffer from rough patches on your skin, incorporating an exfoliating serum a couple times a week into your routine can help improve your skin’s texture. Look for ones that have AHA’s and/or BHA’s which can provide a smoother and more radiant appearance.

Wishing everyone a great weekend!

Stephanie

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask Review!

January 21, 2016

Hi readers! If you follow me on Instagram, you know my friend and fellow beauty blogger Jen from In the Beauty Box sent me a box (thanks Jen!) filled with some awesome products. Among them were samples of the Bite Beauty Lip Mask which I’ve been curious about but never got around to actually trying them. Needless to say, I was thrilled and I’ve been putting these to the test. Here’s my thoughts.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

Described as a “soothing, leave-on lip mask that replenishes moisture in lips. This innovative, natural formula smooths, nourishes, and moisturizes lips with a bio-active blend of organic agave nectar, jojoba oil, vanilla CO2 extract, and triple the amount of antioxidant trans-resveratrol found in red wine.”

Pros

Provides a barrier for lips

Long-lasting

Works well under lipstick

Not sticky

Sheer tints

Cons

Thick consistency makes it hard to take out

Not very hydrating

Pricey

Lanolin might be an irritant to some

Overall: I have mixed feelings about this product. Due to the thick consistency, it was a little hard to take out and apply; however, once it warms up a bit though it becomes easier. While this does provide a protective barrier around lips, oddly, I don’t find it very hydrating. It does feel very nice and luxurious once it’s on but if you have very dry lips, I don’t feel it does much. I do find that exfoliating lips first is essential in achieving smoother lips. The lip mask works well under lipsticks and I didn’t find it sticky. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to lanolin will want to steer clear as it is the main ingredient in the lipstick. The sample I received included the original, and the tinted ones in Smashed and Champagne. The colors are a bit more on the sheer side, which is nice if you want a bit of a tinted sheen. I don’t consider this a ‘must have’ lip product but more of a luxury item that if you can afford to indulge in, then by all means give this a try.

Have you tried this product? What are your thoughts on it?

Stephanie

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Review!

January 19, 2016

Happy Tuesday readers! Hope your weekend was great. 🙂

After much debate, I finally caved in and purchased two NYX Soft Matt Lip Cream products. I’m currently obsessed with nude/pink shades so I picked up the shades Athens (peach/pink nude) and London (peach/beige nude). Let’s get to the review!

Soft Matte Lip Cream

Described as a “velvety smooth Soft Matte Lip Cream delivers a burst of creamy color and sets to a stunning matte finish. Surprisingly durable, lightweight and delightfully creamy, it’s no wonder this sweetly scented formula is a NYX fan favorite.”

Pros

Creamy on initial application

Nicely pigmented/opaque coverage

Amazing scent

Decent lasting power

Budget friendly at $6/ea

Great array of colors

Cons

Slow dry down time

Feels drying once it sets

Color of bottle doesn’t match the actual shade

Needs to be reapplied after drinking/eating

Overall: Aside from the amazing cake scent once you open these, I noticed that the shades don’t necessarily match the bottle so I highly recommend swatching these in store beforehand. They feel very creamy when you first apply them and stay that way for about 10-20 minutes-the dry down time on these is fairly long. Once dry, this is a true matte finish so it will feel dry unless you apply a little bit of lip balm underneath. Exfoliating lips prior comes in handy so that the color doesn’t cling to dry patches. These have decent lasting power, however, they do come off if you are eating or drinking and you’ll need to reapply. I’m happy with these though as they provide good pigmentation and are inexpensive.

Here’s some swatches.

Top-Bottom: Athens and London

I hope you found this review helpful. 🙂

Have you tried these? What shades do you recommend?

Stephanie

Skin Tip: 'Tech Neck' 411!

January 15, 2016

Happy Friday readers!

If you need a reason to put down your smart phones or devices, keep this in mind. Spending long periods of time looking down at your phone or tablet can increase skin laxity and encourage lines to form around your neck, resulting in a premature aged appearance.

Have a great weekend!

Stephanie

KIKO Milano Rebel Bouncy Blush Review!

January 14, 2016

Hi readers! I have a review today on this blush I picked up awhile back so if you’re interested, keep reading. 🙂

KIKO Milano Rebel Bouncy Blush in Velvety Peach

Described as a “blush with a new sensory aspect and a satin matte finish.”

Pros

Budget friendly

Sturdy packaging and comes with a mirror

Excellent color payoff/pigmentation

Looks natural

Cons

Hard to apply at times

Not long-lasting

Overall: As soon as I swatched this shade in store, I knew I had to buy it. The color is such a gorgeous peach shade that has great pigmentation. It’s similar to the Colour Pop ones in that it has the same mousse-like consistency and is best applied with my fingertips to achieve a natural look. The two issues I have with this one is that a) the color does fade considerably after a few hours, especially when my skin is oily and b) sometimes it’s a bit hard to apply and blend out. Initially, the texture did feel bouncy when you applied it but now consistency has hardened a bit, which is what makes it difficult to apply sometimes in my opinion. However, once you blend it out it looks natural which is always a plus in my book. Definitely worth checking out. 🙂

A swatch of this lovely blush.

I hope you found this review helpful.

Have you tried any of their blushes? What was your experience with them?

Stephanie