Beauty – Page 2

Hourglass Ambient Luminous Bronze Light Review

What Is It?

Product Claims

“• The airy, lightweight bronzers fuse the illuminating effects of Ambient® Lighting Powder with bronze pigments to deliver buildable color and a radiant finish.
• While traditional bronzer tends to be flat, Ambient® Lighting Bronzer uses Photoluminescent Technology for seamless blending and color transitions.
• The hand-made powders are formulated using an advanced miscelare technique – which means “to mix” in Italian – creating the perfect balance of pigment and powder, and no two look alike.
• Ambient® Lighting Bronzer can be used alone for subtle warmth and contouring or paired with Ambient® Lighting Powder to create depth and dimension.
• .04 OZ / 1.3 G”

Pros

Easily blendable

Pigmented

Quality

Formula

Not tested on animals

Offers vegan options

Cons

Color range

Price

Overall Rating 5/5

I use bronzer all year round, and this is one brand worth checking out. From the packaging to the esthetically beautiful marbled bronzer this product just screams lux! The Ambient Light Bronzer offers the versatility to contour and bronze and easily play up how much or subtle you want it to be. It offers a healthy glow meaning you won’t look over done. The Hourglass brand also went a step forward beyond the luxury look to also remove common toxic ingredients,So you wont see the use of Talc which is often a concern for consumers as talc can be contaminated and toxic to our health. I am however little taken back by the price of $50 ( I normally would never buy a $50 bronzer) but Sephora and the Hourglass website offers travel-size with a price point of $25, which I was at first glance disappointed for the amount of product and I thought “is quality better than quantity?” and in this case, I would say so. Overall I am pleased with the product, and Hourglass’s luxury sleek designs are one you want to showcase on your makeup vanity.

Wet N Wild Liquid Catsuit First Impressions Review

Wearing Wet N Wild Liquid Catsuit in the shade “Rebel Rose”

What Is It?

Matte liquid lipstick by Wet N Wild

Product Claims

“What glides on like butter, feels like a second skin and wont budge? Our Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick! Made with glammed out superpowers, it goes on glossy yet transforms into a high – pigmented matte finish with some serious staying power. Read our lips This color is going nowhere.

Glides on glossy and transforms into high – pigmented matte finish

Lightweight formula made with serious staying power

Intense pigmentation without drying the lips”

Pros

Shade range

Easily buildable

Dries quickly

Cons

Sticky texture once dried

Fades unevenly

Overall Rating 2.5/5

I really love the shade, and how effortlessly buildable it was. It does stay put once its dry but I personally think this formula is very drying and sticky my lips would literally stick together so chances are if you’re going to be smooching your significant other expect them to find it a rather unpleasant makeout session. It took a while to fade but when it did it faded unevenly leaving blotches of excess pigment on some areas which needed a obvious retouch. The shade and application process was a breeze but it just doesn’t deliver when it comes to performance.

Oh So Pretty

I recently purchased the Milani Strobe Light Insta Glow Powder in “01” and E.L.F Cosmetics Mineral Infused Face Primer in “Clear” unfortunately I developed stye eye early last week on my right eyelid which left my eye puffy, painful to the touch and as recommended by my doctor I wasn’t able to wear contacts and (eyeshadow) makeup until it cleared up so I decided to not wear any makeup at all (blush, lipstick, foundation) and just give my face a break from all beauty regimens. But my stye eye is finally cleared up and I couldn’t be more happier to be able to wear makeup again.

My Three Favorite Products

The past two months I have been reaching for these three products time and time again:
Tarte Tarteist Mascara-
I love it, it doesn’t flake or give me raccoon eyes at the end of the day and it adds a good amount of volume to my lashes making them look fuller.

Hourglass Luminous Bronze Light-
A highlight and bronzer in one which gives my skin that supple glow while still giving that bronzed definition to my cheeks.

Milani Prime Shield-
It’s winter time and my face has been flakey so a primer is a must for me and this one has been doing well for me with no breakouts.

What are your three favorite products?

Giovanni Hair Care Smooth As Silk Shampoo+Conditioner Review

What is it

A deep conditioning system for damaged hair

Part 1

Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner

Product Claims

“Infuses deep moisture for manageable smoothness.
Detangles while protecting against split ends
Calms unruly hair to alleviate frizz.
Increases shine while smoothing dry or damaged hair”

Pro

Doesn’t strip my hair color

good for dry hair

makes hair manageable after wash

Cons

Doesn’t increase shine as claimed

Overall Rating 5/5

I have oily thin fine hair and I love this conditioner, after I usually shampoo my hair it gets very dry so conditioner is a must for me and this conditioner makes my hair smooth and easier to comb through it feels luxurious,I would even say salon quality! And alittle goes a long way. I haven’t dabbled to much into cruelty free hair
products besides Yarok and AG Hair both which I reviewed a year ago and if I had to choose between conditioners from all 3 hair product lines I would choose Giovanni as my holy grail conditioner. I use a Demi-permanent hair color and find that this product line helps maintain the longivity of my hair color.

Part 2

Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture Shampoo

Product Claims

Pearlized formula glistens in your hand and transforms hair into a silky palette.
Lather and glow while prepping for your best style.
Luxurious lather soothes dry, chemically processed hair
Cleanses gently for manageable smoothness
Calms unruly hair to alleviate frizz
Increases shine while smoothing dry or damaged hair
Lauryl and laureth sulfate freeScent

Pros

Keeps color-treated hair from fading fast

Cons

Doesn’t layer well

Leaves hair dry

Price

Overall Rating 3.5/5

While the Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditoner was a big “hit” the Shampoo however was a complete “miss”. I have fine thin hair about medium length and I had to use more than I normally do to get a decent lather and after I washed it out my hair felt so dry which is why the Giovanni Smooth As Silk Conditioner is a life savior to my hair. If you have color-treated hair then while this shampoo isn’t good for every day use it does help the longevity of color treated hair (because it doesn’t contain sulfates, which strip the hair) and for that I like it but I don’t love it. Another downside is for the price you don’t get much product (8.5oz) depending on your hair length and texture that will determine how much you use and how often you wash your hair which for me would last about a month.

What is your favorite shampoo and conditioner combination?

Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer Review

What is it?

Long wear under eye concealer that can be used also on blemishes and for contouring.

Product Claims

“Lock-It Concealer Crème does everything a traditional concealer does, and then some: it brightens the undereye area, covers blemishes, corrects discoloration, contours, and bakes. This next level formula applies smoothly and blends easily for a locked-down, smooth, even finish. With a wide array of shades, Lock-It Concealer Crème offers one of the most extensive shade ranges in concealer. Select the perfect under eye corrector and exact skintone concealing shade with easy-to-navigate names that feature the undertone. The shade range even includes a pure white, White Out, for dramatic highlighting and mixing into other shades to create custom tones.

Loaded with complexion-brightening pigments and ultra-nourishing Hydra-Boost Complex™, this formula is crease-proof and hydrating—ideal for the delicate under eye area. The artistry applicator was modeled after an artist’s paintbrush, with a tapered tip for precise corners and a wide base to efficiently coat larger areas.”

Pros

Long-Lasting

Medium-Full coverage

Easy application

Doesn’t smudge

Works well on my sensitive skin

Cons

Creases around deep wrinkles

Overall Rating 4.2/5

I tried holding off on writing a final review of the Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer because while I wanted to like this product I did have a few quarrels, maybe I purchased the wrong color but here is my first impression review. I used L15 which is slightly lighter than I’d hope although it seems to be the closest match to my skintone. Because I had chosen the “L15” I noticed my dark circles weren’t fully concealed I still think it’s full coverage in the sense that it buildable but I try not to apply to many coats especially under my eyes when I am going to be outdoors, had I slapped on a few extra layers and even baked with a powder it might’ve concealed to perfection. I also think the reason the concealer didn’t do much for my dark circles is possibly error on my part from mismatching (perhaps I could’ve went with a darker shade) I noticed fairly quickly the concealer started to crease in my under eye wrinkles making them more visible or prominent. The product wear is pretty long lasting which I do like, it’s very easy to blend with my finger, makeup brush or beauty blender and it doesn’t smudge but I wonder if I had chosen a different shade if I would’ve had better coverage. I don’t think this is the worst concealer I do like it I just have to try different layering methods, maybe use a powder to set under the eyes. I used it to highlight my face and conceal a few blemishes which really did a great job.

UPDATE:

So I exchanged the “L15” to “M17” and I still could not get it to cover my dark circles and it still creased in my fine lines. I think it works great for concealing blemishes, and even on the lid as a smooth base for the eyelids but for someone with dark circles and under eye vitiligo it did not deliver for me, I have used it as a spot treatment for pimples and blemishes and found that it worked well for that, but as a concealer the search continues…

Nars Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF30 Review

What Is It?

An oil free medium buildable coverage skin tint to enhance the look of skin and SPF30 with vitamins C&E to protect against free-radical damage caused by environmental stress.

Product Claims

“Introducing Velvet Matte Skin Tint SPF 30 Instant gratification. Effortless application. Protects and perfects with a soft-matte finish. Medium buildable coverage. Oil-free. All-day wear. 12 global shades. Transparent Blurring Powders instantly enhance the look of skin by helping to diffuse imperfections with a powerful optical effect. Rose Fruit Extract visibly minimizes the appearance of pores, while controlling shine.”

Pros

Medium to full coverage

Long wearing

Good for oily skin types

Covers blemishes

Evens skintone

SPF30

Cons

Shade Range

Price

Overall Rating 4.0

I didn’t photograph the product because at the time I thought it was a keeper but the day after I received it in the mail I ended up returning it to Sephora. I truly want to love this foundation for its longevity, buildable coverage and of course SPF30, As a person who loves to take 1,000 #selfies using this foundation made my skin look flawless there was no filter needed. It hid blemishes, evened out the skin-tone and held up quite well on my oily skin. My only despondency with this product is the lack of shade range, St. Mortiz was too tan for my natural skin though it photographed well and Groenland was too light and for $44 each I was not going to dish out $88 to create a in between shade. I think Nars was on to something good with this matte skin tint line however fell short with their lack of color range.

*Please note that Nars Cosmetics is owned by the parent company Shiseido whom is not cruelty free

Rainy Day Detox

Well it’s raining here in New York as much as I wanted to start my day with a morning run and stop at my local coffee shop I opted for indoor activities such as my morning yoga routine followed by some cardio and then showered and pampered myself all in the comfort of my own home [apartment]

I started with the Apottera Herbal Detoxifying Facial Steam which you can read my full review here

Relaxing it was indeed! I love using the herbal steam facial when I am in need of a “pick me up”, congested or bad breakouts. The Herbal steam bath was followed by the Aztec Secret Healing Bentonite Clay which also helps rid the body of toxins, impurities, heavy metals and chemicals. [I’ll have a full blog review up next week]

Now I’m going to drink my Pukka Detox Tea and watch some Netflix😃

What is your favorite rainy day activity or favorite detox?

Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub Review

Derma E is a skincare company that delivers natural,cruelty-free, eco-friendly products.Derma E is a company striving to lessen the impact on the environment by using wind power which reduces the company’s environmental footprint to sustain clean, renewable energy.
What Is It?

A microdermbrasion scrub with dead sea salt to help retexture the surface of skin.

Product Claims

“Immediately improve the appearance of your skin using this gentle yet effective multi-award-winning Microdermabrasion Scrub. This salon-perfect formula uses an exclusive crystal blend including Dead Sea Salt and Volcanic Sand (rich in Silica) to buff away dull surface cells, help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and acne scars, and absorb excess skin oils. Enriched with natural astringents Lime and Lemon Peel plus antioxidants Grapeseed and Vitamin E, this pro-grade treatment retexturizes skin, leaving it soft, smooth and younger-looking. May also be used on your hands, elbows, knees, heels or any part of the body to promote soft, smooth and healthy skin. Ideal if you’re looking for immediate results from a salon-perfect treatment in the privacy of your own home. Please note: The crystal blend used in this product is a large molecular structure and is therefore not bio-available to the body, so there is no possibility of absorption through the skin.”

Pros

Effective

Removes dead skin

Softens skin

Salon Quality

All skin-types

Even skin tone

Diminishes the look of blemishes/scars

Vegan

Cons

None

Overall Rating 5/5

The Derma E Microdermabrasion scrub is a must have! If you’re looking for a salon quality exfoliant then look no further. I use this once a week to kick-start my skincare routine because it removes all the dead skin cells that build up and rough patches on my face from healed acne so it resurfaces my skin for a smoother softer texture. I have also used this on stubborn rough patches on my skin like my elbows and it does wonders! personally speaking as someone with sensitive skin I wouldn’t recommend using it everyday but I find using it once a week does the trick. I cannot really comment on the product alone about its claims of diminishing fine-lines as I use other products but perhaps the microdermabrasion scrub coincides with a anti-wrinkle moisturizer. As someone who is in her late 20’s early 30’s I do believe this product is a must-have for people who are looking for a good exfoliant, or if you tend to go to the spa for a microdermabrasion treatment I say you can skip it and do it at home for less than what you would pay based on service. Derma E makes a big range of skincare products and I have used 3 products from the brand all which I am very satisfied with when it comes to down the products performance.

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment Serum Review

What Is It?

The Ole Henriksen invigorating night treatment is an overnight skincare treatment infused with vitamin E for younger, smoother looking skin.

Product Claims

“This overnight resurfacer accelerates cell turnover to dramatically smooth texture & fine lines, even skintone & minimize appearance of pores with a 12 source AHA complex including glycolic, lactic & citric acids. Suspended in soothing purified algae & vitamin e, this concentrated blend delivers rapid results without irritation. Wake up to radically smoother, younger looking skin.”

Pros

Evens skintone

Reduces fine lines

Cons

Tacky texture

Can be irritating

Price point

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

If I reviewed the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Serum 2 years ago one would assume I was a promoter for the brand because at the time I used it I could only speak highly of the outstanding performance from less blemishes and most importantly clearing up my acne. However it seems over time the packaging and formula got a face lift of its own, this once called gel is now considered a “serum”and the glass jar changed to a glass bottle with a pump dispenser. The Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment consist of AHA complex (alpha hydroxy acids) which helps with cell turnover to revive skin and diminish lines and wrinkles. Most skincare products contain 10% which is less potent and less irritating than AHA complex with higher concentration of 20-30% used by certified cosmetologist, though the higher percent of AHAs can be more effective it can also be very irritating to certain individuals. You will also find The Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment has Algae extract which contain antioxidants. I decided to incorporate the invigorating night serum into my skincare routine but it just isn’t as potent as it once was, I’m 2 weeks and 5 days into using the product and seen minimal results. (Most skincare products takes 3-6 weeks to see results so theres still time) I have oily/sensitive skin, enlarged pores and blemishes around my cheeks and jaw line, a few blemishes have diminished but I still have a good amount of stubborn blemishes that just won’t fade away. My face feels taut soon after I apply the treatment which I’m not complaining! And it delivers a slight glow. I notice the days I skip the treatmeant my face looks dull. The gel texture can be displeasing considering it gets tacky the more I worked it into my skin but I use it at night so I don’t mind wearing it as I’ll be in a deep slumber for 8hrs so the texture of the night treatment might be bothersome for some people. I gave this treatment a fair 3.5 as I think it’s a hit or miss, you either love it or you don’t, it either works for you or it doesn’t. I will continue to use the Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Treatment and if I notice any changes I will post back on this post with an update.

Have you used the Invigorating Night Treatment or any products by Ole Henriksen?