Happy Friday everyone!
Make sure you are keeping your skincare products in a cool, dry environment to help preserve their efficacy. Avoid placing them near heat or direct sunlight as this can cause products to break down quicker.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Hi readers! It’s almost the weekend again. Yay!
PopSugar Must Have Box also came in last weekend so here’s your peek at November’s box.
Gramr Gratitude Co. Exclusive Thanksgiving Postcard Pack, $10
A cute set of 5 postcards. They included a $15 coupon code to try out their quarterly subscription.
Tarte Cosmetics Beauty and the Box Eyeshadow in Apple of My Eye, $22
When I first saw we were getting a Tarte eyeshadow quad, I wasn’t too thrilled but after seeing the shades, it’s clearly the star of the box. Perfect fall and everyday colors. This is a new product from Tarte’s fall line that will soon be released.
Swatches of the eyeshadow quad. Top-Bottom: Gala, Honeycrisp, Caramel and Golden Delicious. I’m really loving Caramel.
West Emory Bingbo Set, $20
Pretty self explanatory. Not sure if I will keep this or gift it away but it’s a good idea for a rainy day.
Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband, $56
This festive headband seems to be a perfect fit for the holidays coming up.
Capri Mercury Jewel Box Candle in Rain, $18
I love candles and this one is no exception. Everything from the packaging, a recycled hand blown glass box with wooden lid, to the scent is lovely. Plus, it can be used as a keepsake box after the candle is finished.
Terrapin Ridge Farms Pecan Honey Mustard, $7.30
I must admit I love honey mustard and was happy to receive this. It’s gluten and dairy free and tastes a little bit like Dijon mustard. I couldn’t taste the pecans really. This can be used as a vegetable glaze, cheese pairing, sauce for pork tenderloin or roast turkey, or pretzel dip.
Another good box from PopSugar. 🙂
What’s your favorite item?
Stephanie
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I managed to pick up a few items at Sephora plus I have some on their way so I will post on that later. I’ve also been battling a low grade fever so I’m a bit behind on comments/social media but I will get back to you. 🙂
Birchbox came in over the weekend so here’s a glance on what was included.
Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (sample)
This cleanser is said to help clear up breakouts and balance skins natural pH;the moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish skin. I haven’t had a chance to try these two yet.
LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss
Birchbox has a new in-house brand called LOC. This month’s sample I choose was a lipstick that was curated by YouTube beauty star Tati Westbrook. It’s a matte pinky beige color that is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t last long and definitely needs to be paired with lip balm or lipgloss so it doesn’t dry out lips.
LOC First Kiss
Montale Dark Purple
This fragrance sample has “notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon, and patchouli [that] sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.” It smells a lot like berries and while I do like it, it’s not unique enough that would compel me to purchase the full size.
Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream
An “innovative formula [that] combines the siky texture of a serum with the light hold of a cream.” Another item I have yet to try but I do find that I always need to layer hair products with these type of creams to really hold my curls in place and prevent frizz.
The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream
I had seen this in other bloggers’ pages and I was excited when I discovered this was included. It smells like pineapple, (yum!) and really does add a glow so a little dab will go a long way. It can also be mixed with body lotion to give your body a festive and luminous glow. Note: Make sure to blend this quickly when you use it.
The Beauty Crop Highlighting Cream
Overall, this box was okay. I wish the lipstick was formulated as more moisturizing but the highlighting cream was a great choice and made this box.
What are your thoughts on this box?
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone!
Eating foods like salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax and pumpkin seeds that are rich in omega-3 can help combat dry skin from the inside out. So, if topical treatments aren’t enough, take a look at your diet and see if you are incorporating enough Essential Fatty Acids.
Have a lovely weekend everyone! Sephora VIB weekend is here for me and well, you know I’ll be doing some shopping. Nothing too crazy though. 😉
Stephanie
Disclaimer: The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.
Happy Thursday everyone!
With the holidays fast approaching, you may be thinking of booking a facial. Make sure to read this first so you know what to expect!
Be Prepared to Fill Out a Consultation Card
Before receiving a facial, you will be required to fill out a consultation card. This helps determine what treatment will be best, and most importantly safe, to perform. This step should always be incorporated before any treatment. Expect questions asking you about your lifestyle, current product use and medical history and be honest with your answers to avoid any complications.
Your Treatment May Change
Be mindful that after reviewing your consultation card or skin analysis, your esthetician or medical provider may modify or advise you to post-pone a treatment. For example, if you’re using prescription Retin-A, a chemical peel will not be performed unless you have discontinued use for a couple of weeks with permission from your doctor. Or, if you have an eczema flare up or an active blister outbreak, expect to immediately be prompted to medical treatment.
Have Realistic Expectations and Follow Directions
While facials and chemical peels can produce excellent results, you also need to have realistic expectations. One treatment may not be enough to control your hyperpigmentation or extensive sun damage. Also, maintaining your results is largely contingent on you. If you are advised to avoid sun exposure and heat for a few days or instructed to not pick at your face, take heed! Trust us, you don’t want to aggravate your skin and make a condition worse.
Hope you found this helpful!
Stephanie
Hi readers! How was your weekend?
Liquid lipsticks have taken center stage and today I am comparing NYX’s Soft Spoken, which is a pretty spot on dupe for Kat Von D’s Lolita. Take a look!
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita
Pros
Long-lasting
Minimal dry down time
Applies evenly
Color can work well for a variety of skin tones
Excellent color payoff
Cons
Pricey at $20
Accentuates fine lines
Overall: I really do love this shade but I’ve found that other shades from this same line don’t work so well for me. The application feels creamy and you get opaque color in one swipe. I find this fades pretty evenly and I have a bit of a stain left over even after eating and drinking. Exfoliating is a must beforehand but it’s worth the money.
NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Soft-Spoken
Pros
Budget friendly at $7
Applies evenly
Great color payoff
Good wear time
Color can work well for a variety of skin tones
Cons
Slow dry down time
Accentuates fine lines
Semi-tacky feeling
Overall: This is a good inexpensive alternative to KVD’s Lolita. It has great color payoff in one swipe and applies evenly. Application feels velvety but then turns into a tacky feeling that never quite goes away. I’m assuming this is the reason why it’s not that long lasting. Exfoliating lips beforehand is a must and I find applying a bit of balm underneath makes
Top to Bottom: Lolita and Soft-Spoken
Swatches from both lip shades. As you can see they are almost identical. Kat Von D is a bit darker with a little more brown.
Have you tried these? Which is your favorite?
Stephanie
It’s Friday and the weekend is upon us yet again in a flash. Time seems to be zooming by right?
I hear many people tell me they use soap to cleanse their face and complain about their face being very dry. I highly advise people to use a soap-free cleanser because soap tends to have a higher pH level and can disrupt our skin’s protective barrier. Especially during cooler temperatures, our skin needs that protective barrier and if disrupted, it can lead to redness, sensitivity and dryness.
Enjoy the weekend readers!
Stephanie
Hi everyone! I won this lip set from a giveaway hosted by the lovely Cat Forsley from My Lip Addiction and as you can imagine, I was thrilled. So in time for the Sephora VIB sale, here’s the breakdown of the set along with my review.
This limited edition set comes with six deluxe-size lip products, though the Tarte lipstick looks to be full size, and retails for $25.
Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion The Neutrals in 19-Peony
This dark pink shade is gorgeous and has good staying power unless you’re eating or drinking. It fades somewhat evenly though you’ll find you have to reapply so that it looks even. It feels glossy at first but dries to a matte finish.
Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Coral Blossom
A nice bright and somewhat sheer coral color with a slight peppermint scent. Personally, I love lipsticks that are creamy and moisturizing and this one fits the bill. The lasting power is not long, maybe 2 hours, but I don’t mind. As the name implies, these glide on like butter and feel comfortable.
Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment
You gotta love two in one products. This hydrating lip balm has a rosy tint that gives you a polished look with minimal effort. It also has sunscreen so that’s always a bonus.
Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in Je T’Aime
My first Marc Jacobs lipstick and I have to say I do like this one. The description states it’s ultra hydrating but I disagree. It’s not super hydrating but not matte either so I would say satin. The color is a beautiful rum raspberry that will last around 3-4 hours. Exfoliating lips is a must with this one but if you’re looking for the perfect shade for the holidays, I highly recommend this.
Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi Gloss 202 Sweet Pink
I was excited that this lipgloss was included in this set and was the first one I tried out. Although the sheer pink color is pretty and the full pouted effect and shine it gives is amazing, the formula on this is super thick and sticky-not comfortable or appealing at all. The applicator has a slit to allow precise application but I feel it’s more marketing than useful. Overall, I wouldn’t shell out money for this lipgloss.
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita
The hype surrounding this gorgeous chestnut rose shade is real and warranted. After my unfortunate experience with this line shade in Outlaw, this shade is a dream and the staying power is great. It lasted all most all day, even after eating. Although it does begin to fade, it leaves behind a nice stain. I apply a bit of balm underneath, although the formula doesn’t feel too drying, and make sure to exfoliate lips beforehand.
L-R: Peony, Coral Blossom, Rose Tint, Je T’Aime, 202, Lolita
I hope you found this post helpful. 🙂
Have you tried any of these? What are your thoughts?
Stephanie
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I stayed home on Halloween, curled up watching movies including Hocus Pocus and I really enjoyed my low key night. I was also leafing through the Sephora holiday catalog that arrived over the weekend, excited about the sale coming up in the next few weeks and decided to share my wish list with you. 🙂
Burberry Kisses Lipstick
I already love their blush and have heard great things about their lipsticks. Shades I’m interested include Nude Beige and Devon Sunset.
YSL Rouge Volupte
Love the packaging on this- so sleek and elegant and they have a great selection of shades. I’m eyeing Peach Passion.
Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss
I’ve been browsing Hourglass products and two lip gloss shades have caught my attention: Child, a pale pink beige and and Fortune, a festive metallic golden pink.
Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining Volume II
With the contouring craze, this looks like a nice set to have.
Beauty Blender Set
I have yet to try out the Beauty Blender-yes, I can hear the gasps now but it’s just one of those things I’ve glossed over and thought of as unnecessary. However, I might just bite the bullet and see what the fuss is all about and this looks like a good investment.
Guerlain Rouge G Intense Shine Lipstick
Okay, I will be shallow for a moment and say that I mainly want this lipstick because of the gorgeous packaging. So pretty and luxe and touch ups would be a joy! Unfortunately, this comes with a hefty price tag so the discount might help.
Dior Addict Fluid Stick
Another great product that is constantly raved about. Whisper Beige and Pandore are shades I am looking at trying.
Of course as is often the case, my mind will change and I may pick up something else entirely but I’ve been lusting over these for a while so we’ll see. 🙂
What items are you looking forward to picking up?
Stephanie