makeup Archives | Stephie Estie

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Review!

January 16, 2018

Hi everyone! I hope you’re doing well.

It’s my first post of the year and I thought I would start with a product review on one of the most talked about lines in the beauty realm, Fenty Beauty.

After reading and hearing rave reviews about this universal rosy shade, I had to see for myself why this product received so many glowing reviews. So, after finding a Sephora that had this product in stock, I finally caved and purchased it.

Did this shimmering rose nude lip gloss live up to the hype? Keep reading for my take on this.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Described as, “an ultimate, gotta-have-it lip gloss with explosive shine that feels as good as it looks—in one universal rose nude shade.”

Pros

Amazing scent

High-shine

You only need a little bit of product so a tube should last a long time

Beautiful neautral shade (initially)

Decent lasting power (about 3 hours)

Cons

Very thick and tacky feeling

Over-sized applicator won’t suit everyone

Shows up as a clear gloss

Pricey at $18 a tube

Overall: I really wanted to love this gloss but honestly, it just didn’t work for me. I hate how thick and heavy this lip gloss feels. It’s not sticky per se but it feels very tacky and uncomfortable. The bigger than normal applicator might work great for some but for me, it just picked up too much product and I had to constantly wipe off the excess on the side of the tube. The beautiful rose gold shade turned clear on my lips so there was no color payoff whatsoever. The scent was addicting and quite frankly, one of my favorite aspects of the lip gloss. The shine department didn’t disappoint either but it just wasn’t worth the $18.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Swatch

A swatch of the shade. If only it turned up like this on me. 🙁

What are your thoughts on this product? Any Fenty Beauty items you love? Comment below!

Christmas Gift Guide 2017!

December 13, 2017

Hi everyone!

We’re inching closer to Christmas and if you need a little bit of gift giving ideas, check out my top picks this year.

1. Soma Cool Nights Scoopneck Long Sleeve Pajama Set, $29

These pajama sets are incredibly soft and light-weight and come with cute phrases and designs. My pick? The pancakes and pajamas set because is there anything better than that on a weekend?

2. Shiseido Facial Cotton, $5-$10

If you’re looking for an inexpensive stocking stuffer that feels high end, look no further than these. Soft and luxurious on the skin, these leave no cotton residue behind and don’t absorb excess product so you’ll never waste any more product than you need.

3. Sara Happ Midnight Bluberry Set, $40

This chic lip set is perfect for mistletoe season. It comes with an exfoliator to buff dry lips away and a balm to hydrate and smooth your lips. Bonus: You don’t really have to worry about wrapping this as it already comes complete with a box and bow.

4. Vitality Extracts In-Car Essential Oil Diffuser, $9

Know anyone who loves aromatherapy? Gift them this in-car diffuser. I recently purchased one and am absolutely in love with it. You can add in a few drops of your favorite essential oil or use plain water to double as a humidifier.

5. Bowers & Wilkins In-Ear Headphones C5 Series 2, $149.99

These ergonomic in-ear headphones are lightweight and provide an extraordinary audio experience. Great for any music lover or someone who loves working out and needs something comfortable with exceptional sound.

6. Bourbon Infused Coffee, $19.95

Elevate a morning staple drink by creating a unique flavor profile using bourbon infused coffee. This blend smells and taste like bourbon, giving your coffee a kick without the side effects of alcohol.

7. David’s Tea Carry Travel Mug, $34

This doubled-walled travel mug makes toting hot drinks around easy as it keeps liquids hot for hours and is completely leakproof. It also comes with a hidden tea compartment that allows you to enjoy loose leaf tea on the go.

8. Kat Von D Saint & Sinner Eyeshadow Palette, $62

Perfect for beauty lovers, this palette comes with 24 pigment-packed and buttery smooth eyeshadows. The gorgeous shades allow for practically any type of look and the packaging is stunning.

Have any great Christmas gift ideas? Share them below!

August Favorites 2017!

August 31, 2017

Hi everyone!

It’s the last day of August and I’m quickly sharing a few of my favorite items I couldn’t get enough of this month.

Let’s dive right in.

Rhonda Allison Cherry Jubilee Enzyme

I won this product in an Instagram away hosted by a fellow esthetician friend and just like the name implies, this smells (and feels!) like a tart cherry puree. What I love about this (aside from the scent) is that the natural polyphenols provide great antioxidant properties for your skin and the “potent pro-youth value that mimics the strength of lactic acid,” allows for gentle exfoliation. My face looks nice and glowy after using this.

m-61 SuperSoothe E Microdermabrasion Scrub

I found myself at a Bluemercury counter returning an item that unfortunately didn’t work out when this caught my eye. I liked the fact that this contained kaolin clay mixed with natural pumice to help exfoliate and clean pores and it worked well with the hot, humid weather we had. I applied a thin layer over my face, let it sit for about 2 minutes and then rinsed it off with circular motions. Although seaweed and goldenberry are added to provide some moisture, I found it a bit drying, so in my opinion, this is best used for combination/oily skin.

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Body Lotion Lavender Eucalyptus

Back in July, I went to Glen Ivy Hot Springs and had such a great experience! I’ll admit that it was a bit hard for me to just relax and not worry about anything but it’s kind of easy to do after a few minutes soaking in a hot spring. 🙂 Anywho, the lotion dispenser had a lavender scented cream and of course I had to buy the bottle. The calming scent of lavender with a burst of eucalyptus does not disappoint and I use this at the end of day to wind down.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Love Lipstick in Raw Sugar

As soon as I got wind that Estee Lauder was launching a new lipstick collection, you better believe I was busy ~~stalking~~ searching which stores would be the first to carry them. Hey, I’m a lippie addict, what do you expect? 😉 After finding them at Ulta, I ended up taking the shade Raw Sugar home with me. Guys, the packaging on these are gorgeously chic and the matte formula is comfortable to wear as long as your lips are smooth and not overly dry. Raw Sugar is a nude apricot shade (see swatch above) and is great for any day, anytime, anywhere. The applicator is a bit difficult to work with at first but it’s easier if you treat the edge like a lip liner and apply it that way.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I’m a big fan of foundations that look more like second skin. This Bobbi Brown foundation does just that. A few drops of this water-based, oil-free formula is enough to cover up my redness and can be built up for medium coverage. My skin looks flawless and I receive a ton of compliments with this one.

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

I received this product in one of my Sephora boxes and I will definitely add this to my list of things to buy when the Sephora sale comes in November, if not sooner. Smells like coconut, does not irritate my skin, the texture is so light-weight and addicting, and it has a nice dewy finish that is not overwhelming. My makeup goes on smooth and although it doesn’t keep shine at bay per se, I’m not overly oily either. Very happy with this one.

Living Grace Podcast Episode

The last item that I loved, a non-beauty item, was my podcast interview I did with Kami Lingren from Living Grace Blog. In this episode, we talk about my life in the moments leading up to being diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, the alternative method I discovered to treat IC and much more. If you missed it, you can read and listen to it here.

What did you love in August?

Play! By Sephora Review April 2017!

May 4, 2017

Hi everyone!

I have a review for the April Play! by Sephora box. In case you haven’t heard, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. You also get a bag with your products inside that display cute catchy phrases.

The theme for this month was Step it Up, featuring stellar products that will up your beauty game. I love the catch phrase on this month’s bag that says, The Best Things in Life are Me.

Let’s check out the products included!

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Mask

This “radiance-enhancing face mask contains a concentrated blend of natural citrus in a marmalade-like formula to soften, brighten, and revitalize skin.” First off, this product smells amazing. You really get the scent and consistency of a nectar. You’re supposed to apply it on a clean face and let it sit for 10 minutes. Unfortunately, after 5 minutes, my face kind of started stinging so I don’t think this product is for me.

Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel

Professional-grade peel infused with retinol and ferulic acid exfoliates skin, restores firmness, and reveals radiance. The pads are applied to a clean face right before your moisturizer. Now, as an esthetician, my view on a peel is a bit different as I’m accustomed to performing chemical peels where I know the concentration of acids and what the pH level is. So while I don’t know percentages of ingredients, I do know that retinol and ferulic acid are great ingredients to incorporate into an anti-aging routine. After using the pad, I did wake up with smoother looking skin the next morning and it lasted about 2 days. You can cut the pads in half to get multiple uses out of them. Personally, if I were to invest in this product, I’d opt for the serum instead.

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

An easy to use, “creamy, budge-proof eyeliner glides on easily and leaves an intense, jet-black color.” I was happy that an eyeliner was included in the box and I do like this one for the creamy formula, but I would not purchase the full size. I have to note that this, on me at least, is not budge-proof. By about halfway through the day, it’s already smeared and it completes a disappearing act by the end of the night.

Sephora Collection Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover

A gentle, go-to waterproof makeup remover that is perfect for sensitive eyes to remove stubborn makeup and also strengthens lashes with flavonoids and olive wood extracts. Perhaps the stellar product in the bag, this makeup remover is no joke. It thoroughly removes my eye makeup with ease and it does not irritate my eyes at all. I will be purchasing the full size of this one.

Pinrose Secret Genius

Based in San Francisco, Pinrose works with master perfumers around the world to create playful and unique perfumes made from high-quality, sustainable ingredients. This seductive, mysterious and elegant fragrance includes notes of caramel, white chocolate, vanilla, cedarwood and sandalwood. I haven’t gotten around to this one yet but I’m intrigued my the combination of scents.

Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer

One of the most iconic primers, this creates the perfect canvas for makeup application, helping it last all day while blurring imperfections. I have received SO many samples of this primer that is wasn’t as excited to see it in my box. It’s a nice primer that does help my makeup last but aside from that, I don’t find anything extra special about this one that makes me want to purchase it.

Overall, this box was okay. Hopefully next month is better.

What products did you get in your box?

Sephora Spring VIB Wishlist 2017!

April 18, 2017

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hoping you all had a great Easter weekend. 🙂

The Sephora Spring sale starts today for VIB Rouge members, tomorrow for VIB members and on Thursday April 20 for BI members. Is it just me or did this sale seem like it took forever to be announced?

Here’s a quick rundown of my shopping list.

YSL Volupte Tint-in-Balm

I have yet to own a YSL Volupte shade and what better time to try one? A hybrid lipstick that combines nourishing balm sounds perfect for spring/summer. Plus the center design is so cute.

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

One of my all time favorite exfoliators that I keep coming back to. You can read more about it here.

P.S. I like to get the travel size version of this one.

Tatcha Bestsellers Set

I got a sample of the Tatcha Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery cream and really liked it. Fellow esthetician friends love the Camellia Cleansing Oil and this set contains the most popular choices. If there was only one item to get at the sale, it’s this.

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick

I swatched the shade Bombshell in store and it took a lot of self-control to not purchase it right then and there. The pinkish nude hue is insanely gorgeous and I might just snag the shade Iconic too.

Drunk Elephant rise + glow

Another skincare brand that gets rave reviews is Drunk Elephant. This set contains a vitamin C serum and intensive hydration gel -both essential items in virtually any skincare routine.

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne

If you haven’t heard the great news already, Sephora now carries Jo Malone! Wood Sage and Sea Salt is my holy grail scent (which I’m running low on) and while this fragrance it worth every penny- er dollar- it doesn’t hurt that I can get a discount.

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling and Lifting Mascara

While I’ve been loving how the Blinc mascara doesn’t really irritate my eyes, that mascara doesn’t provide my lashes the curl and length I sometimes want. I purchased this mascara during a previous Sephora haul and it looks like I’ll be picking it up again.

Benefit Cosmetics Cheek Parade

Heaven knows I do not need anymore blushes or bronzers but this set is just so enticing. I already own Hoola which I love, but with the inclusion of the GALifornia blush and Dandelion, I might just cave and buy this.

Of course, my wishlist might change a little bit once I’m actually in the store but I’ll try my best to stay within these items.

I’d love to hear from you! What items are you getting?

March Favorites 2017!

April 6, 2017

Hi everyone!

I can’t believe we’re in April! Time is just zooming by, isn’t it?

It’s been a while since I posted any favorites on here due to my blogging break but fear not, I have some really great items to share with you today.

Let’s get started. 🙂

Makeup Favorites

Nature Republic Nature Origin Tinted CC SPF 30 PA/++

A few months ago, South Korean cosmetics brand Nature Republic opened at my local mall so of course the ever beauty enthusiast in me had to check it out. With testers for virtually every product and sinks to rinse everything off, the store did not disappoint. After a quick scan of the store, I focused on what I came there for: a CC cream. The sales associate recommended the Nature Origin Tinted CC for my combination skin and I love it. The coverage is sheer but is enough to cover up my redness and it gives my skin a dewy look. The product comes in a pump bottle, making application effortless. The only downside is that the color selection is very limited (maybe 3 shades?) so the color isn’t exactly spot on but it looks great after I add some blush.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

I’ve had this setting powder for a while but I recently started using it again. Sometimes the Nature Republic Tinted CC gives my skin too much of a dewy finish, so I dust a bit of this all over to tone down the shine. It sets my makeup nicely and is undetectable.

Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick in Nudist Peach

I’ve seen these floating around Instagram and my latest trip to CVS include this gem at checkout. At about $5, I found this liquid lipstick to be pretty impressive! It has a mousse-like consistency and glides on very easy on lips. The shade Nudist Peach is very beautiful pink/peach nude shade. After the lipstick sets, it feels like you have nothing on and isn’t uncomfortably drying. I forget I have it on sometimes. Since this shade is light, it’s not too long-lasting, especially when eating, and it does slightly accentuate imperfections on your lips. However, exfoliating lips prior really helps. It’s also really easy to reapply.

Too Faced Lip Injection Lip Gloss

It’s rare these days that I don’t walk out of my house without this in my purse. You can read my rave reviews about this here and here.

Here’s swatches of the Tinted CC and Nudist Peach.

Skincare Favorites

Lush Dream Cream

The same mall trip I made to explore Nature republic also found me at the Lush store. I was excited to try the Dream Cream as I had tested it in the store months prior and really liked it. Infused with ingredients like cocoa butter, olive oil, soothing oat milk and calming rose, lavender and chamomile oils, this has a consistency more similar to a lotion rather than a cream as it’s kind of runny. The smell is very unique- the prominent scents that jump out at me are the oat milk and chamomile blue oil- so it may be a deal breaker for some; I don’t mind it at all. Despite the thinner consistency, this hydrates my body really well and makes a great massage cream as it has a nice slip.

Pore Clearing Cleanser

At the latest UCLA Cosmetic Chemistry class I took, we were given a plastic travel case filled with products to try out, courtesy of YG Laboratories. This cleanser quickly became a favorite as the gentle, sulfate-free formula deep cleans without feeling harsh or drying. Natural salicylic acid from Willow bark as well as tea tree oil make this great for blemish-prone skin. When I start getting a few breakouts, I use this and it helps clear my skin.

Calming Bio Lipid Repair Creme

Another product from YG Laboratories, I almost didn’t try this product as it is pretty thick and is best used for extremely dry and sensitive skin. After using the Pore Clearing Cleanser, I tried this on as a moisturizer and really love it. It contains sea whip and green tea to help calm and soothe redness and is formulated with no fragrance, essential oils, lanolin, parabens or other commonly used sensitizers. I haven’t broken out with this product and my face feels so nice and hydrated in the morning when I wake up.

That’s it for my March favorites.

What were your favorites this month?

Play! By Sephora Review March 2017!

March 30, 2017

Hi everyone!

It’s almost the end of March and I have a review for the Play! by Sephora box. In case you haven’t heard, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. You also get a bag with your products inside that display cute catchy phrases.

The theme for this month was The Gleam Team, featuring products with “high-wattage shimmer to a natural gleam that redefine shine.” If you’re anything like me and you’ve visited the Sephora website recently, you’ll see that highlighting products are trending, making this bag a perfect fit.

Let’s take a look at how these products performed.

Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream to Powder Highlighter

This easy to apply cream-to-powder highlighter “dials up the radiance to any complexion”. The twist up format makes it perfect for on the go. I received this product a few years ago as part of the free Sephora birthday gift (I think?). It’s a champagne tinged highlighter that blends in nicely to skin but while I do like it, it’s not an absolute must have for me.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Pink

Super creamy and waterproof, Bobbi Brown’s eyeshadow stick is a shimmering peach pink shade that can be worn on the browbones and inner corners of your eyes for a hint of brilliance. It’s also said to be crease and flake-fee wear. Guys, they’re not joking when they say shimmering. This product doesn’t just have a sheen, it has full on shimmer particles that are visible a mile away. And that’s really not a bad thing with this type of product, especially if you want to brighten up your eyes. It’s a gorgeous shade and with a great primer, does not budge.

Top to Bottom: Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter and Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick Golden Pink

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow

A two-in-one moisturizer and luminzer that hydrates, blurs, and enhances any complexion with a lit-from-within finish. It can be worn alone or layered under foundation. The first thing that stood out with this product is the scent. It has a very strong sweet scent that I personally don’t mind and I can’t smell it after I put it on. I tried using it as a stand alone product, but it’s way too sheer to cover up my redness. It works well under makeup and does give a beautiful glow, but $49 for the full-size is a bit steep and I have other similar products that do a similar job just fine.

Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm

This makeup and skincare hybrid has a whipped formula that gives skin a, “soft-focus luminosity whether you use it as a primer or for a finishing touch.” I’ll admit when I first saw this product, I was hesitant to try it out as I have combination skin and the consistency appeared thick and heavy. As soon as I dabbed a bit on my finger, it had a silky texture and wasn’t thick like I had anticipated. Unfortunately, this didn’t do much in terms of providing a glow factor. Whether I wore foundation over it or applied it on top of my cheeekbones, the sheen disappeared as if I had not applied anything on.

Top to Bottom: GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer in Nude Glow and Josie Maran Surreal Skin Argan Finishing Balm

Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast

Living Proof Full Dry Volume Blast is a weightless spray that delivers, “long-lasting volume and texture for thicker, fuller-looking hair that is silky soft.” The spray can also double as a style refresher, thanks to an oil controlling blend of ultra-lightweight powders that absorb dirt and impurities. I have naturally curly hair that needs no extra volume thank you very much. However, when I straighten my hair, it usually looses some of the volume so products like this come in handy. I prefer to use this as a style refresher as it does a good job at absorbing oil and imparts a nice clean scent.

Chloe Fluer de Parfum

I was pretty happy to see a fragrance from Chloe as at first glance I thought it was Love Story. To my dismay, as soon as I spritzed it, I realized my mistake. This fragrance is a floral blend with notes of absolute verbena, freesia, rose, cherry blossom, bitter almond and amber. The dominant note here is rose and while I do love that scent, this was just way too overpowering for me when mixed with the other scents.

Overall, this was another great box from Sephora. I can’t wait for next month. 🙂

What are your favorite products to get your glow on or are you over the highlighting trend?

Play! By Sephora Unboxing February 2017!

March 9, 2017

Hi readers!

After a few months away, I’m back with a new post and a new look to my blog!

While I was away, I’ve been busy trying to work on my skincare business, working out, getting pelvic floor therapy to help manage my IC, taking a course at UCLA regarding skin, and of course, redesigning my blog. It’s been a bumpy road navigating a self-hosted site but I’ve learned a lot and while there will be a few more tweaks, I’ll roll those out slowly. 🙂

I know I’m late on this but I have a review for the February Play by Sephora box. In case you haven’t heard, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for February was The Soft Side, with “muted, mellow shades and skin-perfecting formulas [that] are a never-sail way to show off your natural beauty.”

On to the reviews.

Sephora Collection Lashcraft Length and Volume Mascara

This mascara has a unique flat paddle-shaped wand to lift lashes while the nylon-infused glossy black pigment creates drama. Mascaras are always a hit or miss with me as my eyes are a bit sensitive and a great mascara for me means that my eyes won’t burn by the end of the day. This one is okay but not my favorite as it gives volume (due to the brush) but not much length. It irritated my eyes a bit as well. I’ll use this up but I won’t be purchasing a full size.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound

I have been wanting to try this product for a while so I was ecstatic to see it included in my box. It’s a dusty-rose liquid lipstick that is a infused with natural oils and feels weightless. I absolutely love the color-on me it’s reminiscent of the just bitten look- and it’s a very comfortable formula to wear as it’s not drying. However, because it’s a semi-matte finish, this entirely wears off with eating and drinking so if you’re looking for something that is long-lasting, this isn’t it. Still worth a try in my opinion though.

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

If you’ve read my review on the Too Faced Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks, you know the Lip Injections are a favorite of mine. Milkshake is a nude shade lip that has an intense tingle factor but does in fact, plump my lips. It contains avocado and jojoba oil that helps soften them too, which I love.

Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound and Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

Clinique Prep-Start Hydroblur Moisturizer

An innovative product, this moisturizer can be used as a primer or as a quick fix throughout the day to control shine or add hydration. I used this both as a regular moisturizer and primer and I feel that it worked better as a primer. This product has a thick, almost silicone texture that feels silky when applied. To me, it provided a mattifying effect but my face didn’t feel as tight as it does with most oil-control primers. Although my skin doesn’t feel dry, it didn’t necessarily feel hydrated either. My makeup applies smoothly with this and doesn’t cling to dry patches. Bottom line: this works better as a primer.

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

This luminous eye cream contains coffee bean, ginseng, and magnolia extract to visibly brighten and depuff the undereye area. Ginseng gives a subtle glow to skin while the coffee beans work to energize tired skin. Although I can’t attest to the depuffing aspects, the eye cream has a pink pearl-like color that helps to brighten my undereye area. This works well under concealer and is similar to the Caudalie one, which I really love.

Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence

Effervescent floral and bright, this sparkling champagne doused scent embodies luxury and glamour. Notes in this earthy and woody fragrance include orange blossom, bergamot, gardenia, amber vanilla and saffron. Surprisingly, I actually like this fragrance. It’s more on the sweet side but the woodsy scents balance it out perfectly.

Overall, I’m content with this box, especially with the inclusion of the Nars Velvet Lip Glide and the Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy.

What do you think of this box? Any products you’d like to try?

October 2016 Favorites!

October 27, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone!

October is coming to a rapid end so here’s some products that have gotten me through with stellar results. Take a look!

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion in C3

Words can’t express how much I really love this cushion BB cream. It provides a natural “my skin but better” look and leaves behind a nice glow that is not overwhelming. One of my go-to products for practically any given day.

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

Included in the Too Faced Naughty Kisses and Sweet Cheeks holiday set, I’m pretty obsessed with these lip glosses. With just the right amount of shine, I love the plumping effect of this gloss and they last a pretty good while.

It’s a 10 Miracle Shampoo plus Keratin

Pretty much my holy grail shampoo at the moment! Finding a shampoo that does not make my scalp or skin itchy is painstakingly difficult. This sulfate free, sodium chloride free, paraben free, keratin protein infused shampoo lathers nicely, cleans my hair without feeling harsh, smoothes my curly and often times unruly hair and the best part? No irritation.

Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask

Basically the only worthy product included in my Birchbox box this month, I like using this mask in the shower to gently exfoliate my skin. Although it’s compared to a traditional peel, I disagree. I can’t see the levels of willow bark and pomegranate enzymes these have but it doesn’t appear to be too concentrated as I felt no activity once I placed it on. I like this for cooler weather at the moment because it provides hydration without feeling heavy.

Clinique Nude Pop Cheek Pop Blush

This blush is one of my favorites for a reason. It provides both a natural look and finish and is perfect when you want to look put together in a jiffy. It blends seamlessly onto skin.

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel

Look no further than this product when you need to groom and define your eyebrows stat! Since this has a spoolie like application, a few quick strokes helps fill in sparse gaps and brush them at the same time to save you time.

What are your favorites this month?

Stephanie

Play! By Sephora Unboxing October 2016!

October 25, 2016

Hi everyone!

I have a look into the October Play! By Sephora box. In case you don’t know, this is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora. The theme for this month is The Cool Cut, with products that truly stand out from the crowd and destined to become mainstream with breakthrough formulas.

How cute is this Lipstix and Chill bag?!

Let’s get into the rest of the contents!

Skin Inc Pure Revival Peel

An advanced, non-abrasive peel that is supposed to gently exfoliate skin to reveal a bright and renewed complexion. The active ingredient is AC-11, which is derived from cat’s claw and helps gently exfoliate. As an esthetician, I have a different expectation for a peel. Personally, I didn’t see a difference with this at all and it actually left behind a sticky feel and residue. Not impressed at all.

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Rare Prickly Pear Seed Oil

A conditioning hair mask that strengthens strands while enhancing color and shine. The unique ingredient in this is prickly pear oil that comes from the seeds and contains over 80% fatty acids that provides an unparalleled amount of deep nurturing oils to hair. This mask it quite thick and has an interesting smell. When I used this mask, I found that it did leave hair shiny but it didn’t have a conditioning effect as I assumed it would. It does not state that it’s supposed to condition hair so it’s best to mix in your own conditioner with this mask to get knots out.

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat

This matte liquid lipstick claims to last 8 hours and have a water-resistant, non-feathering formula. Jojoba, apricot and sunflower oils are included to provide a non-drying finish. The shade I received was Driver’s Seat which is described as a warm pink however I kind of find it to be a terracotta-red type shade. The shade is gorgeous and it is highly pigmented. This does come off when drinking and eating food and I do find this formula drying to lips. If you’re looking for a true matte liquid lipstick, then definitely check this one out.

Blinc Mascara Amplified

What makes this mascara special is the innovative “tube technology” that coats lashes with easy-to-remove, tiny water-resistant tubes that won’t run, smudge or flake. Removing this mascara is simple as you only need warm water and a cotton round or ball to remove. I’ve used this mascara before as part of my simple makeup routine and I love it for a natural look. I find that it doesn’t provide much volume though.

Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb

This South Korean skincare brand is made with Scottish botanicals and based on the research of Duncan Napier, a Victorian botanist from Edinburgh. This lightweight gel-cream is meant to tighten the look of skin and sink in for a smooth, supple feel. It can also be used as a mask and tissued off after 5 minutes. I love the feel of this cream and it does feel very lightweight and refreshing when applied. However, I did notice that as I was using this, my face started to breakout. I’ve discontinued use and will try again to see if this was the source of my breakouts.

Yves Saint Laurent Mon Paris

Inspired by a love for the sophistication and allure of Paris, this scent layers fruity and floral notes over a musky base. It contains notes of bergamot, pear, raspberry jasmine, musk and patchouli. My sense of smell hasn’t been the best so I haven’t tried this one yet but I will update this once I’ve had a chance to give it a fair try.

Overall, I’m happy with this month’s box and look forward to receiving November’s.

What did you get in your box this month?

Stephanie