beauty Archives | Page 2 of 5

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

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

Violet Voss Holy Grail Palette Swatches and Review!

May 16, 2016

Happy Monday everyone and welcome to a special post today on the highly coveted and currently sold out Violet Voss Holy Grail Palette. Since Violet Voss will be taking pre-orders Thursday, May 19th, I decided to bump up the review date to today so that in case you’re interested in purchasing this, you have some time to mull over my review.

So, let’s get to it, shall we?

Violet Voss Holy Grail Eye Shadow Palette

Described as, “Violet Voss Cosmetics is proud to present 20 highly pigmented eye shadows in a variety of must have finishes. Our PRO eye shadows are made with the highest quality ingredients and formulated to allow for smooth blending. The perfect go-to for any occasion to create your flawless sexy look.”

Pros

Creamy and smooth application

Great selection of mattes, satins and metallics

You can create a variety of looks

Full sized pans

Cruelty free

Great pigmentation

Cons

Pricey- $52

Limited edition

Case is prone to getting dirty fast (minor issue)

Some shades are fairly similar once applied

Tiny bit of fallout on some shades

Eyeshadows seem a bit fragile

Contains talc (some people are allergic)

Overall: I am very happy with this palette and highly recommend it. Although it is a bit pricey, the formula and shades are so creamy and blend nicely, making a the application process a breeze. There is a bit of fallout from some of the shades, Toffee and Bat My Eyes come to mind, and you really need to pack on the color for Glamping to appear. Some of the shades, when applied to the lid, kind of look the same (Toffee, Awesome Sauce and Chill) yet have subtle differences. You can use these though to seamlessly blend the colors together. I’m not a major fan of the packaging as it accumulates shadow fallout easily but it’s a minor issue and not a deal breaker for me. I have noticed that the eyeshadows seem a bit fragile, perhaps due to the creamy consistency. The plastic protective sheet that is included in the palette seems to scratch the eyeshadows very easily so I need to be careful when removing it. I’m not sure how well this would hold up when traveling or if it accidentally falls. Overall, though I think this is a palette worth investing in, especially if you like warm eyeshadows. Fingers crossed that they make this palette permanent.

Here’s some swatches. 🙂

Crystal- light champagne

Ploof- light shimmery pink

Thanks A Latte- cream

Transition- light brown

Hashtag- orange

Awesome Sauce- bronze peach

Bestie- buff matte

Toffee- burnt orange gold

Chill- shimmery light gold

How U Doin- dark rose gold

Bat My Eyes- espresso brown

Cool Beans- metallic taupey brown

R U Kitten Me- medium brown

So Jelly- shimmery duo chrome pink

On Fleek- metallic red brown

Brownie Points- dark brown

Teddy Bear- plummy dark brown

Glamping- shimmery burgundy

Cranberry Splash- shimmery cranberry

Wine N Dine- matte red/fuchsia

Will you be picking up a palette? Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Stephanie

First Impressions: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation!

May 5, 2016

Hi everyone!

A little over a month ago, I found myself at a Charlotte Tilbury counter and was given samples of her new Magic Foundation. Since then, I’ve received requests to share my thoughts on it so here it is. 🙂

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade 4

Described as,” a miracle in a bottle that transforms skin for all ages, skin tones and skin types. It conceals imperfections, glides on like a dream, and literally feels like a second skin. Whether your skin needs just a bit of perfecting, or you struggle with a frustrating issue like acne, melasma or rosacea, my Magic Foundation will give you a perfect looking skin day, every day!”

Pros

Contains broad spectrum sunscreen

Offers medium to full coverage

Fragrance free and no discernible scent

Doesn’t feel heavy

Shade 4 is pretty spot on with my skin tone

Cons

An ingredient in here caused my skin to itch

Contains talc which may be a problem for some people

Clings on to dry areas/imperfections

Vitamin C and mushroom extract are at the bottom of the list

Doesn’t blend easily

Overall: I had such high hopes with this foundation but unfortunately for me, this didn’t work out for me. There’s an ingredient in here that made my nose itch throughout the day. Despite prepping my skin prior to application, this foundation accentuated any abnormality in my skin and looked cakey. Surprisingly, this feels light-weight and comfortable given the thicker consistency of this foundation yet this factor is not enough to offset the patchy application. Using my beauty blender helped give this a more natural look versus applying it with a brush as the damp sponge helps the foundation blend in better. As far as the inclusion of vitamin C and mushroom extract to provide antioxidant and firming properties, these ingredients are included towards the bottom of the list, meaning they may not be concentrated enough to make a notable difference. I appreciate the fact this is fragrance free and includes a mineral source of sunscreen, however, I would highly recommend Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder over this one.

What are your thoughts on Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Foundation?

Stephanie

April Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

April 19, 2016

Happy Tuesday everyone! April’s Birchbox is in and I have to say that this month’s box design is gorgeous. Very spring and elegant. 🙂

Scroll on down to see what’s inside!

amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner

This dry conditioner detangles and softens strands to “make them manageable and lustrous.” I was very happy to see that my box included an amika product. This product smells so good. Hard to describe but it says Sea Buckthorn Berry so I’m guessing it smells like that. When I use it on straight hair it tames the frizz a bit but I didn’t notice any added shine. On curly hair, it didn’t make much of a difference except make my hair smell nice.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

An ultrahydrating mask with avocado, sweet almond and argan oils to condition and strengthen hair. It also has a blend of vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin to repair damaged hair. This was the sample I choose for this month’s box since I am looking for a good deep conditioner now that my hair is lighter. I’ve only used this once but I was very impressed with how smooth and soft my hair felt. If this works out, I wouldn’t mind purchasing the full-size.

rms beauty The Ultimate Makeup Remover Wipes

These makeup remover wipes are made with, “pure, naturally antibacterial coconut oil, which melts away even the most stubborn makeup.” The coconut scent on these is very prevalent and reminds me a a coconut popsicle. Unfortunately, the scent is the only thing I liked about these. The wipes felt a little dry and hardly removed my mascara. Since they were a bit dry, they felt abrasive and rough. I’ve heard great things about rms beauty but this just didn’t work for me.

The Beauty Crop PBJ Smoothie Stick- Guava Nice Day

A lip crayon offers a tint of color that “features hydrating, good-for-you ingredients,” like sweet almond oil. Another great smelling product that features a nice spring summer lip color. The lasting power on this is decent though I like to put on a little bit of lip balm underneath so that it applies smoothly; otherwise, it will cling to dry patches.

A swatch of PBJ Smoothie Stick in Guava Nice Day

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream- Lavender

A shea butter, green tea, coconut oil and jojoba seed oil shaving cream that is infused with a lavender scent. The lavender scent on this is not really my favorite as it smells kind of artificial. It spreads evenly though, has a smoother glide due to the oils and does leave skin a bit hydrated, which is great for summer time.

Overall, I was happy with this month’s box. They also included a discount coupon for Rifle Paper Co and I’ll definitely be checking that out as the designs are pretty.

What was your favorite item in this month’s box?

Stephanie

March Favorites 2016!

March 31, 2016

It’s the end of March guys! Can you believe it? This means it’s time to see what my favorite products of this month were. Let’s get started!

Laneige BB Cushion

I received this sample in a Target Beauty Box and I absolutely love the finish it provides. It’s enough to cover up my redness while still maintaining a natural and satin look. It’s a bit pricey so I’d love to try out the L’Oreal one too and see how it compares.

IPKN Flash Cream Radiant Primer

This product was included in my January Birchbox and while it wasn’t initially my favorite back then, I tried this on when my skin looked a little lackluster and it gave such a pretty glow. I’m still not a fan of the scent, but this is a nice, subtle product to use when you need a bit of a pick me up.

NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Apple Dumpling

Another Spring 2016 shade that I picked up at the NYX store, I love how pigmented these glosses are as well as inexpensive. You literally can just swipe this on and go as you’ll get opaque coverage with a glossy finish.

Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm

There’s always room for a lip balm and I really love this one. The formula is thick but spreads easily without feeling goopy on the lips. It nourishes skin and helps keep them feeling soft and hydrated.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette

I’m in love with the creamy pigmentation of this formula as well as the neutral colors. For a full review, click here.

Above is a swatch for NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Apple Dumpling.

beautyblender

I purchased this last year and while I used it here and there, it’s been pretty much on the back burner until now. I’ve been using the beautyblender regularly and there’s no cakey foundation here. It really helps to blend everything in.

Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer

I picked this up when I went to the Dermalogica Headquarters and I’m so happy I did. Although I don’t experience much hydration from this, it really smooths out my skin’s surface and helps minimize the appearance of my pores. Definitely provides a smooth canvas to work off of.

Joico Color Balance Blue Shampoo

A few weeks ago I dyed my hair and got highlights. I was advised to buy a shampoo that would help prevent a brassy hue and after visiting my local beauty supply store, I found this shampoo. It’s supposed to neutralize brassy/orange tones to maintain lightened or highlighted brown hair. It literally lathers up blue and kind of stains your hands with a blue shade. It reminds me of that scene in Bride Wars where Kate Hudson’s hair turns out blue. Fortunately, this does rinse off clean and after a minute or two, the color washes off from your hands-no need to wrap your hair with a shirt or book an emergency appointment with your hairstylist. So far, so good.

Here’s a picture of my highlighted hair though it’s a bit lighter now.

What are your March favorites?

Stephanie

March Birchbox Unboxing 2016!

March 22, 2016

Hi everyone! I’m back from my short blogging break and it’s just in time to bring you my March Birchbox review. Let’s hop to it! 🙂

Cargo Land Down Under Eye Shadow Palette

These smooth eyeshadows are said to be highly pigmented and easy to blend to create a variety of looks. Most likely I will not try these as I have something similar already, however if they’re anything like their blushes, you can bet these claims are true.

Number 4 Hydrating Shampoo

This sulfate-free, vitamin-rich cleanser claims to repair and protect dry and brittle hair. I have curly hair which can definitely benefit from extra hydration. This shampoo lathered nicely despite it being sulfate-free, and left my hair feeling smoother and clean. In my opinion, the scent is a little more on the masculine side but not overpowering.

Number 4 Hydrating Condition (Bonus)

Oddly enough, I have yet to try this one but once I do, I will try to update it on here.

Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm

This “100% natural formula,” rehydrates skin, soothes sunburns, tames unruly brows and nourishes thirsty cuticles. I’ve only tried this as a lip balm and I quite like it. It has a very thick consistency, much like the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, which intensely moisturizes lips but makes the product hard to squeeze out of the tube.

theBalm cosmetics Stainiac Beauty Queen

I’m a fan of Benefit’s Benetint, so I was curious as how this would compare. Stainiac is theBalm cosmetics’ best-selling stain that gives cheeks and lips a sheer and rosy tint. Unlike Benetint, the consistency on this is a little bit tackier instead of watery. It leaves behind a nice rosy color that has good lasting power but comes off while eating and drinking. I like it for a sheer wash of color and it’s as good as Benetint to me.

Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Eye-Opening Serum

This 5-in-1 eye serum, “lifts, firms, smooths, hydrates and restores the sensitive skin around the eye for a more youthful look.” I’m fond of a couple of Kiehl’s products and I was glad to see another sample from them. I didn’t see a huge improvement with this eye serum, perhaps because I don’t have major issues with my eye area, but it is lightweight and didn’t migrate into my eyes which I love.

A swatch of theBalm Cosmetics Stainiac.

Overall, I thought this box was well rounded and I’m happy with it. 🙂

Have you tried any of these brands? What’s your favorite product from them?

Stephanie

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette Review!

March 14, 2016

Hi everyone! As I mentioned last week, I will be taking a spring blog break but before I do, I have a review of the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow palette! It’s available online and in-stores and yes you guys, it’s beautiful.

Here is what the case looks like when it’s closed-very fun and pretty.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Eyeshadow Palette

Described to, “define and defend lids from everyday aggressors with this eye shadow palette. Introducing plush shades in a velvety formula, they’re powered by tarte’s Rainforest of the Sea™ complex, formulated to hydrate and balance lids with a creamy powder is that is never drying or chalky.”

Pros

Creamy and easy to blend

Great pigmentation on darker shades

Little to zero fallout

Variety of looks can be created from natural to smokey

Long-lasting (with primer)

Cons

No true matte shades

Didn’t experience the hydrating aspect

A bit pricey $34

Lighter shades take a bit to build up color

Overall: I really love this palette! It’s a bit smaller than I initially thought but the shadows are a good size so no problem there. The shades are creamy, easy to blend and the fallout is little to none. These are definitely smoother than my Urban Decay Naked 3 shadows. They last all day on me but I always use a primer. I will say that I didn’t find any true matte shades as Sand and Cove still have a bit of a sheen to them but nothing overly shimmery. The lighter shades, like Seashell and Mermaid take about 2-3 passes to build up a discernible color while the darker shades have opaque coverage in about 1 pass. These don’t have any pop of colors which I don’t mind since I love neutral/bronze shades and this is right up my alley.

Here are some swatches

Sand- Ivory (this shade blends in with my skin, lol)

Mermaid- Gold

Seashell- Pink

Wave- Slate

Cove- Tan

Starfish- Bronze

Reef- Copper (my favorite shade!)

Abyss- Dark brown

That’s it for this week readers. I’ll be back March 21 with new posts so please stay tuned for that. 🙂

Will you be adding this palette to your collection? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie

How Do You Cope with a Stressful Situation?

March 8, 2016

Hi everyone! I hope that your weekend was great. 🙂

Today’s post is more on the personal side but I feel it may be beneficial for some who are going through tough times. It’s so easy to post about the great and wonderful moments in our life but what happens when that dynamic changes? We all know that life is a constant motion of highs and lows and that it’s important to stay on the positive side but let’s face it-sometimes it seems impossible to remain positive. Your loved ones are diagnosed with cancer. The symptoms of a chronic illness that were under control are suddenly surfacing again. Someone used and lied to you. How do you cope?

When difficult moments arise, it can feel like you’re battling it alone and in some senses, that’s true. After all, you’re the one experiencing the pain, the loneliness, the hurt. However, there are many people out there going through something similar and can offer you that beacon of hope. I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll mention it again. One of the best things about creating this blog is that I have encountered the most positive and helpful people who are ready to lend an ear whenever you have problems. I think it’s paramount to have a support system to reach out to in time of need. Even reading other people’s struggles and how they coped can help. *Note: In case your new to this blog, I suffer from Interstitial Cystitis or IC.

Another thing that has helped me through weary days is to read quotes, especially ones from the Bible. They provide me with spiritual strength and hope. Recently, I’ve been avidly reading daily devotionals from the blog Miekeey and it helps me in putting things into perspective and focus on what’s important. It reminds me that there is a bigger picture and while I can’t see it now, one day, I will.

Now, I’d love to hear from you readers and I’m sure anyone who reads this post will also appreciate your feedback.

How do you cope with life when it seems like no hope is in sight?

Stephanie