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6 Things I've Learned as a Blogger!

August 18, 2015

Hi everyone! I’m back! These past two weeks have been a rollercoaster catching up with friends and family, getting in plenty of workouts, my grandma being hospitalized for a few days-she’s okay now thank God-working, testing out products, and watching a couple of seasons of Parks and Recreation. It’s literally, one of my favorite shows at the moment. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll understand this reference. 😉 Also, I am now stephieestie.com which will hopefully make it easier for people to follow me. Super excited about this!

While it was great taking a much deserved break, I must say it’s nice to be back into the swing of things which brings me to today’s post. This moment away from blogging and a post written by Karen from Confetti and Curves (hi Karen!) made me reflect on 6 things I’ve learned so far about being a blogger.

Support Group

One of the biggest surprises I’ve encountered as a blogger is the immense encouragement and support from fellow bloggers, readers and family. They are people from all over the world who are willing to lend a hand when you need help whether it’s a technical issue, their honest thoughts on new products or accepting to work with you on a collaborative post. Absolutely incredible.

New Ventures + Consistency

Starting a blog teaches you to reach out into an unknown world, forcing you to step out of your comfort zone which is a necessary facet to grow as an individual. Luckily, as stated in the aforementioned section, there’s a great support group of people. Blogging also teaches you that with consistency, patience and hard work, your little corner on the web starts to grow and opportunities you never thought of begin to present themselves.

Creativity + Vocabulary Skills

I’m constantly thinking of what could be a new blog post or what places would be best to capture the essence of a post and I really enjoy this. With everything I read and learn, I get excited to share this information with all of you. Having a background in writing, I’m used to making good use of the thesaurus and blogging is no different. It’s a handy tool to have when you’re looking for ways to describe products not to mention an excellent way to build up your vocabulary skills.

Sharing the same interests…and fears

The most obvious aspect of course is that regardless of your interests, you’ll find people who share the same passion on the same subject as you. As a beauty blogger, this means I can share my excitement about the latest beauty launches without that blank stare of indifference I normally get. You also get to understand that the fears that plague you are also shared by fellow bloggers. From something as small as hating the sound of your voice to insecurity, we’re all scared of something yet you’ll find that you begin to slowly overcome those fears or at the very least know that you’re not alone.

Picture Perfect

As a beauty blogger, showcasing pictures of products and swatches is vital and you really come to appreciate the art that is photography. Now, while I will never be a professional photographer, I have paid attention to and learned different aspects about photography including product placement, lighting, editing, etc.

Can any of you relate to this? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie

July Birchbox Unboxing!

July 13, 2015

Hi everyone! Hope your weekend was great. 🙂 Today’s post will be a quick run through of July’s Birchbox with my first impressions so let’s get to it!

Juara Radiance Enzyme Scrub

This milky white scrub utilizes bamboo, tiny jojoba beads and apple enzymes to exfoliate. Compared to the Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser, this feels more gentle and hydrating. According to the instructions, this can be used as a mask and left on for 1-3 minutes. So far I like it. Haven’t noticed any dramatic effects but it leaves skin smoother. *Note: this has cinnamon, clove and ginger extract so it may be a bit stimulating for sensitive skin. Always conduct a patch test.

Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray

If you’ve followed my blog for awhile, you’ll know I really love this spray and I was excited this was featured in July’s box. It’s a smaller sample than the purse size option but is enough to give you a feel for the product. I love using this product when I use a curling wand to curl my hair as it sets the style, adds texture without a sticky or stiff feel and smells ah-mazing.

Supergoop! Anti-Aging City Sunscreen Serum SPF 30

Love that a sunscreen was included in this box as it’s essential for skin health. Like the name implies, this feels like a serum which is so light-weight and absorbs quickly into the skin. It’s a chemical based sunscreen which you can read about here. Definitely an easy sunscreen to work with underneath makeup as it doesn’t pill. Best part? Toss it in your bag to carry with you on the go or if it irritates your skin, try using it as hand sunscreen protection when you’re driving. Yes, our hands and body need protection too!

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Bella

I call this lipstick my ‘sitting pretty’ lipstick. You know how you have those high heels that are so beautiful to look at but killer to wear so you use them only when you’re not going to be walking much? Well, the same concept applies to this lipstick. It is a gorgeous, bright pink color that provides intense (and I mean intense) color in one stroke. It does stain lips but it tends to move and transfers so if you’re planning on going out to eat while using this or are wearing white, I’d skip this or a least, use caution. Removing it with an oil based makeup remover works best.

theBalm cosmetics Balm Desert Bronzer/Blush

I was surprised by how tiny this sample is-a little bigger than my thumb. You’re still able to pick up enough product with your brush but it takes a bit more effort. The consistency is creamy and blends nicely but I think this is more bronzer than blush. You can use this as blush-I love using bronzer as blush- but compared to the Too Faced Pink Leopard Blushing Bronzer, which has a lot more pink undertones, this one is a dusty rose shade that leans more towards tan. Makes a great pick for summer.

L-R: Bronzer/Blush and Bella

That’s it for today!

What did you think of this month’s Birchbox?

Stephanie

April Faves!

April 30, 2015

Hi everyone! Can you believe another month has practically flown by?

With today being the last day of April, here are a few products I have been enjoying this month.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque

With the weather warming up, I’ve had a few breakouts here and there and this cooling clay masque always helps clear up pimples since it’s formulated with salicylic acid, while kaolin and bentonite mop up excess oil. I use this mainly on my T-zone or as an overnight spot treatment.

Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel

A great exfoliating treatment that consists of enzymes and several fruit acids such as mandelic, lactic, salicylic, tartaric and malic for a sweet skin treat that will leave skin soft and glowing. Smells like and has the consistency of jam complete with berry seeds. One word of advice: Since the color of this mask is red, if you decide to walk around with other people in the house, let them know so they won’t freak out. 🙂

The Honest Co Lavender Mint Lip Balm

I received a trio of lip balms as part of a gift bag when I attended a film festival and I instantly fell in love with this one. I get my calming lavender scent fix-yes, I love aromatherapy and this type of lavender is my favorite- as well as moisturized lips that feel light.

Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Blush in Trickery

Mousse like texture and long-lasting peach color that’s wallet friendly. Need I say more? Click here for a complete review.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Birkin Brown

My first Charlotte Tilbury purchase. From the gorgeous, sophisticated packaging to the product itself, I can see what all the hype is about. This matte lipstick feels creamy on application, delivers a chocolate cream opaque coverage in one swipe (but can be sheered out) and stays that way for a few hours. It’s similar to the new Maybelline Mattes but in my opinion stays a bit more hydrating than those. Exfoliating your lips prior to use is a must and layering a lip liner underneath helps the wear time. Below is a picture of me wearing Birkin Brown.

P.S. According to the Charlotte Tilbury website, there is one day left in the U.S. to purchase the Modern Matte lipstick so if you’re interested head on over there to check them out. 🙂

I still have a few new items I received that I haven’t tried out but this is it for this month.

What are your April faves?

Stephanie

Colour Pop Blushes + Eyeshadows Review!

April 28, 2015

Happy Tuesday everyone! I’m back with some reviews on Colour Pop Cosmetics! If you haven’t heard of them, they’re a company centered in Los Angeles that specializes in “making killer makeup in every shade imaginable at prices everyone can afford.” They carry lip products, eyeshadows and pigments, blushes and more recently, have added highlighters to their collection.

I ordered three blushes and two eyeshadows and it took about a week to receive these goodies. I must say that the personal note card they include adds a special touch. A company who thinks I am awesome? It’s about time a company got it right. 😉

Curious to see what I got and my thoughts? Keep reading!

Blushes

Between the Sheets– Mid-tone beige pink (matte)

Quarters– Mid-tone dusty coral (satin)

Trickery– Soft pastel true peach (satin)

Swatches of the blushes: L-R Between the Sheets, Quarters and Trickery

Pros

Price: $8

Great selection of shades for every skin tone

Long-lasting

Excellent color payoff

Mousse/gel like texture that blends easily

Cons

Matte shades blend unevenly

Best applied with fingertips or a synthetic brush

Must be closed tightly to prevent the product from drying out

Overall: I love these blushes a lot and if you follow my Instagram, you’ll see that Trickery is by far my favorite shade followed by Quarters and Between the Sheets. Using your fingertips is the best method to apply. I found that Between the Sheets applied unevenly with my fingertips but I was able to buff it out later with my Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Buffing Brush No 130.

Eyeshadows

Get Lucky– Liquid-like true gold (metallic)

Sequin– Copper penny like shade with silver and gold glitter (metallic)

Swatches of the eyeshadows: L-R Get Lucky and Sequin

Pros

Price: $5

Great shade selection

Excellent color payoff

Cons

Crease without a good primer

Can be a bit difficult to blend with other shadows at times because of the mousse/gel like consistency

Fingers or synthetic brushes provide best results

Must be closed tightly to prevent the product from drying out

Overall: The colors are amazing and the overall effect is gorgeous. My only complaints are a) you must wear a really good eye primer underneath because they will crease and fade if you don’t and b) I find these hard to blend with other shadows and use them mainly as lid colors. Perhaps the fact that they are metallic finishes could be a reason why.

Colour Pop Cosmetics is definitely a brand to explore! Have you tried Colour Pop Cosmetics? What was your experience and what’s your favorite item?

Have a great day,

Stephanie

Sephora VIB Guide and Wishlist!

April 16, 2015

Hello readers and happy Thursday! Starting today, Sephora kicks off it’s 15% sale for VIB members (yay!) and I thought it would be nice to create a guide for some higher end products that are worth every penny but when you can apply a discount, well, why not! 🙂

Makeup

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Illuminating)- Perfect for creating a healthy glow and excellent for aging skin. Also available in oil free version and regular tinted moisturizer.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush- Amazing blush that is blends effortlessly, provides a subtle glow and is a go-to for my simple makeup routine.

YSL Glossy Stains- Love these stains as they don’t feel drying and are highly pigmented.

Fragrance

Givenchy Ange ou Demon Le Secret- This perfume has been a staple for years and is just very unique with notes of cranberry, green tea, white peony, sambac jasmine, blond woods and white musks.

Giorgio Armani Si- New to my collection, this fragrance delivers a sophisticated scent with notes of pear, freesia and amber wood.

Hair

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo- A great travel item to toss in your purse and use on the go. Read my full review here.

Skincare

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment- This green tinged product is one of my favorite exfoliators that leaves my skin soft plus I love the scent.

My Wishlist

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

Nars Audacious Lipsticks- looking at shades Greta, Raquel and Anita

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Photo Edition Foundation

Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged Oil Free Foundation

I may tweak a few items here and there but this is what’s on my list so far!

Tell me, what are you planning to get or what’s on your wishlist?

Stephanie

Lip Products Under $10!

March 24, 2015

Hello readers and good morning! Well, at least on my side of the world it’s morning. 🙂 Hope all of you are doing well! I’ve been sick off and on for the past month or so and I feel like this year, it’s been brutal. I think I’m battling allergies now and I just cannot wait until this is over with. Anyone else feel the same way?

Any who, on to the task at hand. Today’s review is all about lip products under $10. Now, as much as I love my higher end lip products- Bite Beauty and Tom Ford, I’m looking at you- there are some pretty amazing ones at a much more affordable cost. And let’s face it, when you have great products that don’t cost a lot, you can buy multiple colors and save that money for, ahem, other makeup items. Charlotte Tilbury anyone? 🙂

Below are my reviews.

NYX Butter Gloss BLG05 Creme Brulee

Described by NYX as “buttery soft and silky smooth, our scrumptious new Butter Lip Gloss tastes as sweet as a sugar cookie—and makes your lips look downright luscious. Swipe it on alone or over your favorite lipstick for creamy sheer to medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky.”

Pros

Smell nice

Not sticky

Great color selection

Affordable price range

Cons

Not long-lasting (wears off quickly when drinking or eating

Bottom Line: I love these glosses alone or layered underneath lipstick. The scent isn’t over powering and in my opinion very comparable to some of MAC’s Cremesheen lipglosses at about half the cost.

NYX High Voltage Lipstick HVLS 18 Free Spirit

Described by NYX as amping “up your look with our High Voltage lipstick! Each of the 22 dramatic shades is infused with vibrant color with a super-rich finish!

Pros

Highly pigmented

Affordable cost

Slightly moisturizing

Cons

Can be a bit drying as time goes on

Has a tendency to accentuate fine lines/dry lips

Bottom Line: A great item from NYX if you’re looking for excellent color payoff. Color begins to fade a bit while eating or drinking but leaves behind a good stain. Exfoliating lips prior to use is a must though to avoid it clinging to any dry patches.

Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Innocence

Described by Milani as “the matte that not only feels great (yes, you read that right – it’s actually comfy) but also lasts for hours and has “a-mazing Instagram selfie” written all over it. Infused with grape seed extract imported from Italy, this smear-proof lip soother delivers mega color that won’t budge, even after a close encounter with a cappuccino cup.”

Pros

Affordable

Feels creamy upon application

Lasts a decent amount of time

Great color selection

Cons

This shade is pretty light so I need multiple layers to get coverage

Accentuates fine lines/dry lips

Bottom Line: This shade looks best when paired with a lipgloss. It lasts better than most lipsticks through drinking but I wouldn’t classify this is long-lasting. The texture is very unique and very similar (if not identical) to Maybelline Mattes. Feels creamy upon application instead of the usual dry texture most mattes have but not exactly moisturizing. Exfoliating lips is a must prior to use.

NYX Matte Lipstick MLS 05 Indie Flick

Described by NYX as “highly pigmented, richly formulated and long-wearing. The formula glides on smoothly and stays put with a non-drying matte finish.”

Pros

Highly pigmented

Excellent staying power

Affordable price

Cons

Drying

Accentuates fine lines, dry lips

Bottom Line: I bought this lipstick after seeing it on Janet from Jan and Jot and I am so glad I did. Not only is a gorgeous shade-perfect for spring and summer-but it is immensely pigmented and very long lasting. I do find this more on the drying side though, so sometimes I’ll sheer it out with lip balm underneath and make sure to exfoliate lips beforehand.

Rimmel London Kate Moss

Described by Rimmel as “Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Matte Collection Lipstick gives the gorgeous color richness and comfort of Kate’s lipstick, now in a velvety, matte finish. Ruby powder-enriched formula intensifies the color while keeping a matte finish all day long.”

Pros

Highly pigmented

Very affordable

Leaves behind a stain

Long-lasting

Cons

Feels drying after a while

Settles into fine lines/accentuates dry lips

Prominent scent that lingers

Bottom Line: Another product I bought after I saw it on Chanelle Hayley from Chanelle Hayleyyy . The color is beautiful and sophisticated and I love the staying power. I do not mind the scent at all, sort of floral mixed with berries, but it is strong and you can definitely smell it while you’re wearing it; it does fade after a while though.

Maybelline Color Sensational Summer Sunset

Described by Maybelline as “crisper color from pure pigments; creamier feel from nourishing honey nectar; lipcolor so rich, so stunning…it’s sensational.”

Pros

Highly pigmented

Long-lasting

Affordable

Extensive shade selection

Cons

Feels a little bit waxy

Not as hydrating as it claims

Can feel a bit drying at times

Clings to dry patches

Bottom Line: I do like these but I will be honest and say I am not fond of the texture. It feels a bit too waxy to me as opposed to creamy but using a lip balm underneath helps. Worn alone it has great staying power and there are so many shades to choose from.

Below are the colors swatched and make sure to follow me on Instagram to see more pictures and looks using these colors. 🙂

L to R: Creme Brulee, Free Spirit, Matte Innocence, Indie Flick, KM 107, Summer Sunset

Thank you for reading and let me know what your favorite under $10 lipsticks/lipglosses are!

Stephanie

Be a "Daring Darling" or Be a "Sweetheart" for Valentines using Urban Decay Naked3 by Steph and Jen!

February 2, 2015

Hi guys! I don’t usually posts on Mondays but today’s post is special. I collaborated with the lovely and funny Jen from The Avon Insider to come up with a Valentine’s Day look using the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette. My look is a more dramatic, nighttime look, hence the Daring Darling name, and if you head on to Jen’s blog, you’ll find the Sweetheart Valentine’s Day look along with some great blog posts.

Let’s get to it!

Get the Look

Foundation: Lancome Teint Miracle in Buff 4C

Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

Eyeshadow:

Highlight: Strange

Crease: Factory/Mugshot

Mid/Outer Lid: Blackheart/Mugshot

Inner Corner of Lid: Dust

Directions: Apply Factory on the crease and Blackheart on the mid and outer lids. Then apply Mugshot over Blackheart and blend it up to the crease. Use Strange as the highlight shade beneath the brows and just above the crease color. Pat on Dust on the inner corner of the lid to brighten up the look. After you line your eyes (see eyeliner category below), use a pencil brush to trace Mugshot on the outer 2/3 of your bottom waterline and extend it into a slight cat-eye shape. Wipe off the pencil brush and apply Dust on the inner corner of the bottom waterline.

Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink on the top lashline and Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet on the waterline (bottom lashline)

Mascara: Milani Total Lash Cover Mascara with 3 Zone Brush in Black

Bronzer/Blush: I applied Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder on my cheeks and then swirled Burberry Light Glow Earthy Blush No. 7 right on top of the bronzer.

Lips: Laura Mercier Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Red Amour

Hopefully you enjoyed this post! Let us know if you try them!

Stephanie

Simple Makeup Routine!

January 29, 2015

How are you enjoying this Thursday readers?

I wanted to share a quick post about my simple makeup routine. As much as I love applying makeup, sometimes I get a bit lazy or don’t have enough time in the morning. So for those days when I prefer to get a little extra sleep, here’s my fast and simple way to look put-together.

*Note: This doesn’t include my skincare routine which will be in a different post.

Products I Use

Foundation: One of my favorite foundations is Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation SPF 15. It feels light, provides full coverage without looking cakey and is a perfect match for my skin.

Concealer: I use Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla to cover up any under-eye discolorations and it provides a little bit of a brightening effect since it’s a light color; it’s also great at concealing redness. It’s not as hydrating as it claims but that’s nothing an eye cream can’t fix.

Blush: If you follow my Instagram, you’ll see I purchased the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Dim Infusion and I can’t say enough about it. It’s a subdued coral color that applies and blends effortlessly, provides a nice glow and looks natural.

Mascara: I purchased Blinc Mascara awhile ago and I like it to achieve a natural look. This mascara forms little tubes around lashes that lengthen and unlike other mascaras, I don’t have little black flakes underneath my eye at the end of the day. One thing this doesn’t do though is provide volume.

Lips: I recently found this lipstick-it was forgotten for a bit in one of my purses-and it’s so natural looking on me. The best part is how moisturizing the formula is which is nice in this cooler weather. Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Angelic Nude.

Here’s my finished look. 🙂

What are your simple makeup must-haves? Share below!

Stephanie

Sephora Moonshdow Baked Palette Review!

January 20, 2015

Hi readers! Hope you all had a great weekend. I have a full day at IDI today, taking a class on acids, peels, and exfoliation (super excited!) but I wanted to leave you with a review on the Sephora Moonshadows. I bought this palette about two months ago and what drew me in initially were the colors and the price, about $12 after a few discounts.

Once you open the palette, there’s a mirror on top and 10 gorgeous colors below. All colors have shimmer so if you’re looking for matte colors, this palette might not be for you. The colors as pictured above from left to right:

Peru: Olive green with gold shimmer

Belize: Red/orange bronze

Barbados: Peach

Seychelles: Peach with a gold undertone

St. Vincent: Frosty white

Grenada: Purple with tiny flecks of silver

Bermuda: Lilac

Fiji: Lilac with a lot of silver strewn in

Martinique: Liquified gold

St. Lucia: Shimmery cream

The majority of the colors are nicely pigmented and blend easily, however, if you want the colors to really pop, using the shadows wet is key. Below are swatches of all the colors, both wet and dry.

Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (dry)

Sephora Moonshadow Baked Palette- In the Tropics

Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (wet)

Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (dry)

Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (wet)

As you can see in some colors, wetting the shadows really brings out the nuances.

Pros

Majority are nicely pigmented

Can be used wet or dry

Blend easily

Can be used to create subtle or dramatic looks

Cons

There’s quite a bit of fallout when you apply the shadow and it also gets all over the palette

No matte colors that can be used as blending/transition shades

A few shades take a few swipes to develop a good color pay off

This palette is Limited Edition

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for pretty, shimmery but not overly glitter eyeshadows, you can’t go wrong with this one. Although this particular palette was limited edition, Sephora has some other great baked shadow palettes and I hope this gave you some insight into what to expect from these 🙂

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions let me know. 🙂

Stephanie

Oribe Gold Lust Collection Review!

January 15, 2015

$55; birchbox.com

A few weeks back, I did a post on my current hair care products and because I really loved the Oribe Apres Beach Wave and Shine Spray, I treated myself to a couple of other Oribe goodies. I have been hearing rave reviews about Oribe’s Gold Lust Nourishing Oil and thought it would be a perfect item to try for my curly, color treated hair. After scrolling through multiple sites that retail Oribe products, I purchased the Gold Lust Collection from Birchbox since carried a set with 1.7 oz of this oil along with travel sizes of the Gold Lust Shampoo and Gold Lust Conditioner that when used in conjunction, “strengthens and rejuvenates hair to its natural brilliance.”

Gold Lust Shampoo

The Gold Lust Shampoo is described as a rejuvenating cleanser that, “combines centuries old healing oils and extracts-cypress, argan and maracuja-” with a “revolutionary bio-restorative complex to balance the scalp and reinforce the inner strength of each strand.”

Both bottles of shampoo and conditioner are virtually identical so embossed on the top of the bottle is the letter ‘S’ signifying ‘shampoo’. This scent to this shampoo, like most of Oribe’s hair care products is laced with Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine and sandalwood. Personally, I love it. For a shampoo that’s formulated without sulfates, it lathers nicely and the best part, it rinses clean without stripping hair. As much as I like this shampoo, unfortunately there is an ingredient or ingredients that made my skin itch, so I will be sending this back. (Side note: I have very weird skin so sometimes it’s more difficult for me to find something that works amazing and that won’t cause a reaction.)

Gold Lust Conditioner

Using the same oils and extracts as the shampoo, this “ultra-hydrating conditioner softens and revitalizes, smoothing each cuticle to undo the damage of time (and style).”

Again, Oribe’s signature scent is present in this conditioner and the letter ‘C’ is written on top of the bottle for easy identification. The consistency is pretty thin for a conditioner as I am more accustomed to using thicker, masque type consistencies. Sadly, I didn’t find this conditioner hydrating and in fact, it seemed to tangle my hair even more. For a conditioner that boasts healing oils, I expected my hair to feel smoother which sadly ended up feeling and looking frizzy on the ends of my hair.

Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil

This oil is said to “deeply condition, strengthen and smooth-imparting intense nourishment and incredible shine. Works wonders on dry, damaged and color-treated hair.”

I agree with all the reviews out there on this product that state this oil doesn’t weigh hair down. It’s incredibly light-weight and absorbs quickly into hair. My ends are pretty dry and when I applied this oil on them, it helped their appearance slightly but not by much. Perhaps this would work better on my hair if it was straight, but I’ve been leaving it curly and I’ve found other products that work just as well, if not better, than this one.

Note: These products are formulated without parabens, sulfates (SLS or SLES) or sodium chloride. They are also color and keratin treatment safe, offer UV protection for hair, vegan and cruelty and gluten free.

Bottom Line: I wasn’t impressed with this line. Had I not reacted the way I did to the shampoo, I wouldn’t mind buying the shampoo as it’s hard to find a shampoo for curly hair that cleanses well without stripping it. Some shampoos clean too well while others I feel don’t clean at all, leaving a greasy appearance to hair. This shampoo manages to strike the perfect balance but alas, it wasn’t meant for me. 🙁 The conditioner and oil are items I would skip out on though.

Have a favorite hair care product you love? Share your favorites below!

Stephanie