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October Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

October 13, 2015

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.

Welcome back readers! October’s Birchbox arrived over the weekend and the theme is Positive Force in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Birchbox has teamed up with The Estee Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to fund one year of breast cancer lab research hours. Take a look at the samples I received for this month.

Avene Cleanance Soap-Free Gel Cleanser

A blue tinged cleanser that vaguely smells like Dove Soap (without the soap of course) and is infused with French thermal spring water. Definitely geared towards oily skin as this thoroughly removes oil and deep cleans.

Davines LOVE Smoothing Shampoo and bonus sample LOVE Smoothing Conditioner

I’m a fan of Davines’ products and these two are no exceptions. Formulated with oilve oil and rice protein, the shampoo cleans without stripping hair and the thick conditioner helps calm frizz. *Note: Personally, I have to alternate shampoos because there is an ingredient in here that over time makes my scalp and body itch but every time I use it, I love the results.

derma e Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

Activated charcoal is scoring brownie points in the skincare and health realms so I was anxious to try this. It has apricot seed powder to exfoliate along with kaolin and bentonite clays to absorb oil and help decongest the skin. This crazy SoCal weather is causing me to breakout a bit so I’m testing to see if this will help clear it up.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

One of the sample choices this month, this is a water-resistant mascara that is long-lasting, curls and adds volume. I have yet to test this out but it sounds promising.

Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling Eau de Toilette

The sample perfume has notes of juniper, cardamom, soft leather, black cherry and amber. I cannot stomach the scent of juniper, so this sample will be given away.

Fragrance sample aside, I thought this box was good. Not my favorite but still worth it.

If you like what you saw and are thinking of subscribing to Birchbox, click here to use my referral link and earn extra points to use at the Birchbox shop.

Stephanie

SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 Review!

October 6, 2015

Hi everyone! How was everyone’s weekend? I’m hoping it was good. 🙂

On the posting schedule today is a quick review on the SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 which I received in July’s PopSugar Must Have Box. Let’s get to it.

Described as “an innovative three-in-one mist that sets makeup, helps control oil and shine, and refreshes your defense against photoaging UV rays with an uplifting scent of rosemary and mint.”

Pros

Portable/Travel friendly

Sunscreen factor

Mattifying

Excellent concept

Cons

Rosemary and mint can be irritating for some individuals

Created a burning sensation on my face

Potential health hazard from inhalation of sunscreen

Nozzle doesn’t always spray product on evenly

Overall: As much as I love the concept of this product- refreshing skin/makeup while providing essential SPF protection- it didn’t work for me. Every time I sprayed this product, my face has this uncomfortable burning/tingling sensation that lingered. Also, for most spray-on sunscreen formulations, it needs to be rubbed in for the full effect which is hard to do if you have a face full of makeup. There’s also the concern of potential health hazards with accidental inhalation of the product. I did find that this really kept the oily parts in my skin matte though. In the meantime, I take this with me to theme parks or when doing outdoor activities and use it on my body, making sure to hold my breath while applying. However, once it’s finished I will not be purchasing.

Have you tried this product? What are your thoughts?

Stephanie

*Note: Stay tuned tomorrow for a special collaborative post on fall makeup looks using the Urban Decay Naked palettes!

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo and Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner Review!

September 24, 2015

Hello everyone! I have for you today reviews on two R+Co products that I have been testing out. I purchased the Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner from the Birchbox store and the Death Valley Dry Shampoo came as a sample in my August Birchbox. For reference, I have curly, color treated hair and I tried both of these with my natural hair and then also when I straightened it.

R+Co comprises “some of the most forward-thinking, rule-bending hairstylists in the business.” Their products are free of parabens, sulfates (SLS or SLES), mineral oil, petrolatum and gluten. They are also vegetarian, cruelty-free, color-safe and most of the retail packaging can be recycled. Also notable from this brand is their androgynous fragrances and the colorful images that mark the containers they come in.

Let’s get started.

Death Valley Dry Shampoo

Described as “the quickest way to get volume and body into your hair.

Pros

Adds volume to hair

Nice, clean scent

Good product to refresh hair

No white residue left behind

Unique packaging/pictures

Available in travel-size

Cons

Does not absorb oil

Can feel a little bit sticky at times

A bit pricey- $29 for 6.3 oz/$17 for 1.6 oz

Overall: This dry shampoo didn’t absorb any oil and I felt that when it mixed with the oil in my hair, it made it feel a bit sticky and heavy. It smells very similar to the Dry Bar Detox Dry Shampoo but leans more towards a woodsy scent-I love it! This is best used on straight hair that isn’t too oily and adds good volume. I doubt I would purchase this as both the Dry Bar Detox Shampoo and Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder work better at absorbing oil and I do prefer the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for adding volume/texture over this one.

Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner

Described as “the only step you need to weightlessly soften and condition, no matter what kind of hair you’ve got.”

Pros

Cleans pretty well for a product that doesn’t really foam up

Light, airy mousse-like texture

Doesn’t make hair feel stripped which is great for curly and color-treated hair

The scent is not overpowering

Unique packaging/pictures

Cons

You’ll still need to condition your hair despite the claims

Pricey- $29 for 6 fl oz

You do need to use quite a bit of product

Hard to tell how much product is left

Overall: I’ve tried several shampoos, including DevaCurl, that are designed to clean hair without foaming and while they were nice at first, my hair just looked greasy by the end of the day or over time. This cleansing conditioner though is one of the best formulations I have tried thus far. The product looks similar to mousse but a bit creamier and it really removes oil without making your scalp feel dry. I had to use about 3-4 pumps to cover my head and I did need to use conditioner on the end afterwards but my hair looked soft and significantly less frizzy. My only problem with this is that you can’t tell how much is left in the can and you do need to use more than is indicated in the instructions. It is pricey but well-worth the price and I will definitely be repurchasing this.

Have a great day and let me know in the comments below what your favorite or least favorite hair products are!

Stephanie

September Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

September 17, 2015

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.

September’s Birchbox is here and this month they’re celebrating their subscribers. Take a look at what was included in my box.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Mure et Musc Eau de Toilette

Described as having notes of blackberry, rich musk and wood, this sample perfume smells like men’s cologne and I don’t like it at all. The blackberry and musk scent combination doesn’t mesh well with me. Sorry to say but I will be discarding this immediately.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil

The sample choices this month were between Pop Beauty Eyeshadow Trio, Davine’s LoveShampoo and packet conditoner and Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil. I picked the eyebrow pencil as I needed one and I’m already a fan of the powder duo. Personally, I prefer powder over pencil because I feel it gives a softer effect but this will do for now. I can always blend it out. 🙂

TOCCA Esfoliante de Corpo in Bianca

I’m happy this sugar based body exfoliant was included since it has two of my favorite scents: lemon and green tea. I tried a little bit on my hands and the word luxurious came to mind. Seriously a must try for the cooler months ahead as it leaves skin feeling hydrated and silky. *Note: Sensitive skin should tread with caution as it is fragrant.

treStiQue Correct & Cover Concealer Crayon in Bisque

I haven’t tried this concealer yet but I love the packaging. The top portion is the cap, shaped like the tip of the concealer-how cute is that. I’m a little nervous testing this because it’s infused with coconut oil and I’m worried it may be too heavy for the eye area. We’ll see.

Rene Furterer Absolue Keratine Sublime Renewal Leave-in Cream

This “keratin-rich cream smoothes, restores, and protects even the most damaged strands.” It’s heavily fragranced but I don’t find it overpowering. It is a rich, heavy cream that feels soft but I need more time to really see if it makes a difference. Having curly, color treated hair, I feel I am a perfect candidate. Stay tuned for a review.

Overall, it was a good box and although I won’t be using the fragrance sample, the Tocca exfoliant made it worth it.

Curious to try out Birchbox? You can subscribe to Birchbox for $10.00 per month and receive 50 bonus points to use towards a purchase by clicking here . If you subscribe before October 9th, you’ll receive your first box for only $5.00.

What are your thoughts on this month’s box?

Stephanie

Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer Review!

September 10, 2015

Hi everyone! How is everyone holding up with this weather? It’s hot and humid in So Cal with no sign of cooler temperatures yet.

Speaking of heat, I have a review on the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying primer and summer has provided the best weather to put this to the test. Let’s get to it.

Described as, “a makeup primer that assists with balancing the skin’s texture and tone for smoother, more even, and longer-lasting makeup wear. Mattifying Primer reduces shine for oily skin.”

Pros

Travel sized version costing $16 for 0.5 oz

Does have a mattifying effect for a couple of hours

Absorbs quickly into the skin

A little bit goes a long way especially if you only spot treat certain areas

Cons

Pricey with full size costing $36 for 1 oz

It’s best to avoid putting this primer on dry patches

Has a cooling effect that tends to feel tingly when foundation is applied on top

Although it absorbs quickly into skin, I can feel a sort of powdery residue

Didn’t work well with certain foundations/BB creams

Overall: I like the primer but I’m not sure I would purchase it again, mainly because I feel it sensitizes my skin a little bit. When I apply foundation over it, sometimes I feel a tingling/burning sensation. It does help keep oil at bay for a good amount of time, about 4-5 hours when inside and 2-3 hours when I was outside. It won’t leave you completely shine free, especially when you are out in the scorching sun, but I didn’t look as shiny as I normally would. Unless you have very oily skin all over, it’s best to apply a small amount to the T-Zone or wherever you’re oily as it can feel and look drying on the skin. For reference, I have combination skin. I also found that wearing this primer underneath BB creams wasn’t the best choice as my skin looked dry and patchy.

What’s your favorite face primer? Comment below!

Stephanie

August Favorites 2015!

September 1, 2015

Happy September 1st everyone! I can’t believe how fast last month zoomed by, which brings me to share with you things I’ve loved this past August.

Let’s get to it!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Potent

My first Estee Lauder lipstick purchase and the credit goes to Cos from The World of Cos. 🙂 I love a great creamy lipstick and this one is perfect for everyday, a night out-virtually any occasion. It’s a light pink coral nude that glides on nicely over exfoliated lips and has good pigmentation. I’m not a fan of the scent, which I’m not sure how to describe, but once you apply it, the smell disappears. Pairing it with a lip pencil underneath extends its wear time.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lip Pencil in Nude

It’s been a while since I used a lip liner but I am happy I picked this up along with the lipstick. The shade Nude is a MLBB (my lips but better) and pairs well with a lot of neutral/pink lipsticks I own. While I don’t agree with the creamy consistency claim, it applies nicely and really extends the wear of lipstick. A lip brush is included on the opposite side of the pencil which is a nice addition and a magnetic cap.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray

I’m not a fan of Tresemme hair care products but this keratin infused heat protection spray is the exception. I love using this when I straighten my hair as it facilitates the straightening process and smooths hair without making it feel greasy. The style holds up very well and this product doesn’t make your hair smell burned when heat is used.

Below are swatches of the lipstick, lip liner and CC Cream.

A picture of me wearing the lipstick and lip pencil plus my hair after using the Tresemme spray.

Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35

A sample that came in my August Birchbox, this CC Cream, housed in a convenient squeeze tube, provided good coverage without the heavy feel. It evens out my redness while allowing skin to look like skin.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

A book that came in June’s PopSugar Must Have Box, In the Unlikely Event was a great summer read that was based one real life events. The book is set in Elizabeth, New Jersey in the 1950s and follows a young woman’s memorable journey in the aftermath of multiple plane crashes in her hometown. I was impressed at how well Judy Blume was able depict the emotions of all the characters who make up and tell the story- her writing manages to convincingly transport you back to the 1950s and experience the tragedy that occurred, offering multiple view points from different age groups and characters that feel so real. It made me feel nostalgic for a time period I didn’t even experience.

What are you favorite August items?

Stephanie

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick vs NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil!

August 27, 2015

Happy Thursday everyone!

I was excited when I saw Sephora had a mini Bobbi Brown Shadow Stick as part of their rewards system and with my new found appreciation for shadow sticks, I had to pick one up.

Eyeshadow sticks are a convenient item to have as they are quick and easy to apply, streamlining your makeup routine when you’re in a hurry. You just glide the product on your eyelid and underneath your bottom lash line, with minimal to no blending required. There’s no worry about powdery fallout and you can store these in your purse for on the go.

As you already know, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil was included in my Summer Must Have On the Go Beauty and with great reviews, I wanted to see how it compared to the Bobbi Brown ones. So, let’s get started.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Shadow, $29 (smokey blue grey)

Described as “a long-lasting, waterproof eye shadow that glides on easy like a stroke of genius.” It’s a smokey blue grey color that has a matte texture (i.e. no shimmer)

Pros

Long lasting and won’t crease with a primer

Glides on the eyelid easily

Rich pigmentation

Good variety of shades

Twist up container so you don’t need a sharpener

Cons

Splurge item at $29 each (I have a sample so the actual product is bigger)

It takes a little bit of effort to blend in

Heat mushes up the texture which can affect the application process

Wide rounded tip makes it difficult to apply on the waterline

Overall: I do like this product but I don’t love it. Although the pigmentation is amazing and it doesn’t crease, I found blending out this product was difficult to do, perhaps because of the matte texture. You are required to blend this out since it’s a darker color and if you don’t want harsh lines to show. One thing worth mentioning is that since the weather has been hot, somehow the heat really softened it up and caused a mushy like consistency. While it still retained its shape, when I applied it, it kind of broke off a little.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha

Described as “a radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow.” It’s a bronzey, gold color that has a little bit of shimmer.

Pros

Budget friendly $4.50

Easy application + formula glides on easy

A wide range of colors

Pencil like tip makes it easy to line the waterline

Cons

Requires a larger sharpener

Does tend to crease after a while even with primer

Takes a few passes to build up the color

Overall: I love everything about the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil except the wear time. I get about 5 hours of wear before it starts to crease, about 3 if it is really hot an humid outside. I then find myself needing to reapply or at least blend in the product so that the crease marks don’t show. Applying a similar shadow underneath does help with this product staying on longer but it adds an extra step. However, this blends easily and I had no problem using it as a liner, thanks to the pencil like tip- perfect for creating a quick smokey eye look.

Have you tried shadow sticks? Which ones are your favorite?

Stephanie

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water Review!

August 25, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I have some quick news to share in case you missed it. The lovely Aimee from The Peachy Queen Blog has reserved a spot for me every Saturday on her blog so if you have any questions or concerns about anything beauty related, please feel free to leave a comment there or contact me here. If you love fashion, you’ll love her blog and boutique. That’s all the updates for now, so let’s get started with the review. 🙂

Micellar water is one skincare item that has been trending lately and being a skincare geek, I had to see what all the rave reviews were about. Yes, I know I’m a little late but I’ve been asked by a few people what my opinion on this is so I decided to pick up the Simple Cleansing Micellar Water at my local CVS.

What is Micellar Water?

Micellar water is basically a type of surfactant formulated to be attracted to oil, allowing it to grab oil, dirt and debris while rinsing away clean. A surfactant is an acronym for surface active agent that “reduces surface tension between the skin and the product to increase product spreadability.” Surfactants can be found in facial cleansers, soaps, body washes and shampoos and are what allow oil and water to mix, or emulsify. Surfactant molecules have oil loving tails (lipophilic) and water loving heads (hydrophilic) that make it easy to trap oil, dirt and makeup and allow easy removal.

Below is an image taken from my notes in my UCLA Cosmetic Chemistry class that gives you a visual of what it looks like. (Please forgive my messy handwriting.)

What’s the Appeal?

Since micellar water has a higher water content, it can wiped away with a tissue or cotton pad with little to no residue left behind. It’s also why it’s popular for sensitive skin types as it does not require water to be rinsed off.

Pros

Economic price point, $7.99

No added fragrance

Includes niacinamide which soothes inflammation and panthenol which is used as an emollient/moisturizer.

Good light eye-makeup remover

Cons

May not be enough for oily skin types

Doesn’t remove heavy makeup easily

Can leave a little bit of residue feeling behind

Overall: I do really like this micellar water as a first cleanse when I am wearing minimal makeup. Unless I’m having a lazy skincare day (yes, I do have those days though they aren’t often), I find I need to follow up with my normal cleanser as it seems to leave a little bit of a residue feeling behind. This is excellent for removing light eye makeup and doesn’t irritate my eyes at all. If I’m wearing more makeup, I use an oil based cleanser instead as it breaks down makeup faster and easier versus the micellar water. My skin doesn’t feel stripped but it doesn’t feel very hydrated either-I still have to follow up with my moisturizer. I think this would be a good addition to your skincare routine but I would recommend that you follow up with the serums/moisturizers that work best for your skin type as I feel using only this product alone isn’t enough.

I know the first part is a like a mini chemistry lesson and a bit difficult to take in at first read but hopefully you were able to get a visual picture of how it works. 🙂

Have you tried micellar water or have any questions regarding it? Leave a comment below!

Stephanie

July Favorites!

July 30, 2015

Hi everyone!

With July almost behind us, it’s that time again to share my favorite products that I’ve been loving. Let’s hop to it!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 23 Corail Poetique

After trying out a couple of Chanel lipsticks that didn’t work for me, I decided to try the YSL Rouge Pur Coture lipsticks as I’m already a huge fan of their Glossy Stains. This lipstick does not disappoint. I was looking for a nice peachy nude color and while most of them are too sheer, this one has just enough opaque coverage to change my lip shade while still looking natural. The formula glides smoothly and has decent staying power but wears off with drinking and eating. Overall, a good high end lipstick to try.

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in Speak Your Mind

An oldie but goodie, I’ve found myself reaching for this lipstick a lot this month. Since I have kept this as a backup lipstick in my purse, I’ll usually be wearing this shade at the end of the day despite starting off my morning wearing a different lipstick. It’s kind of mauve pink that looks great with a lot of looks and it’s one of the very few lipsticks I can wear where I don’t feel the need to apply lipgloss on top. It’s not a buttery lipstick but it has just enough glide to feel comfortable and a tiny bit of shine.

SkinMedica Age Defense TNS Eye Repair

I have a few samples of these and have recently rediscovered them. The fast absorbing and non-greasy texture makes this easy to work with plus the blend of peptides, retinol and vitamin C and E help firm, brighten and smooth the eye area. I don’t have any lines around my eye area yet but it does tend to get dehydrated and this cream does an excellent job of moisturizing without irritating me and I don’t have to worry about developing milia.

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque with Hyaluronic Acid

Lately my skin has been acting weird, sporadically breaking out and feeling dry-I blame the crazy California weather for this. I keep this in the fridge and apply it to areas that feel tight and need moisture. Although it’s a dense and creamy yogurt like formula, I don’t have an issue with breaking out and my skin feels moisturized and soothed afterwards. And yes, this smells faintly of strawberries which is a nice bonus.

Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask

A sample I received through Birchbox, I instantly fell in love with this. Its coconut scent instantly reminds me of summer and is a great choice for summer use. The instructions even state that it can be used before swimming to protect hair from damage. It’s not as thick as other hair masks I have tried but that in no way affects its performance-hair instantly feels smoother and hydrated. I have curly hair and this really helps smooth out the frizz factor and makes detangling easy. I will definitely be purchasing the full size soon!

Aside from these, I’ve already shared a ton of favorites in my Summer Have Series and if you’re new or have missed a few posts, make sure you check out my beauty guide for everything hair, nails, skincare, lip products, eye and face makeup, blushes and travel.

What are your July favorites?

Stephanie

Summer Must Have: Eyes and Face!

July 23, 2015

Hi everyone!

Almost down to the last post of my series and so far we have covered skincare, lipcolors, blushes, nails and hair. Now, it’s time for the face and eyes. Take a peek at my picks in today’s quick read post!

Face

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Light-weight makeup is key for me in summer months and this is one fits the bill. This foundation provides enough coverage to conceal redness yet still allows skin to like skin. Another slightly less expensive option is Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup.

bareMinerals Ready Translucent Touch-Up Veil SPF 15

This is great for setting your makeup and helping to control shine. Bonus: it has SPF.

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The original product that started it all, this palette has a great color selection and a variety of finishes that take you from workday neutrals to sultry bronze summer nights. My favorite picks: Half-Baked and Smog.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Back

Just as the name implies, this liquid eyeliner will last all day without creasing or transferring. Just a little primer underneath and you can create a thin or thick line thanks to the fine tip.

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in Witness White

An easy way to brighten your look, just pop this shade in the inner corners of your eyes and you’ll instantly look awake. You can also use this as a base to accentuate other eyeshadow shades.

Do you use any of these? What are your favorites?

Stephanie