{Review} Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes

Hey there! Today's review is for a new product my mom actually introduced me to earlier this year. She has a Costco card and is a big fan of their beauty section. She knows that I've been using their Signature Baby Wipes (these!) probably for about the last five years and she thought that I might like to give these makeup wipes a try. They are the Daily Facial Towelettes, ultra mild formula.

According to Costco (click here to see this product on their site) these makeup wipes remove eye and face makeup effectively and are gentle enough to use around the eyes. Now, I NEVER use any kind of makeup removing wipe to attempt to remove eye makeup. I usually use an oil based makeup remover (I used to use Almay and now I use straight up coconut oil) to dissolve the eye makeup. I only use a wipe as a carrier so to speak for the actual eye makeup remover. 

The reason I do not use makeup removing wipes to get rid of eye makeup is that my eyes are very sensitive. Since I started wearing contacts my eyes have become extremely sensitive, especially given that I wear them sometimes from 4 or 5 am to midnight or later. Even the most natural and gentile of makeup wipes still sting and make my eyes red, so honestly I did not have high hopes for these wipes. 

Now, Kirkland markets these towelettes as ultra-mild. I would have to disagree with this. When I attempted to remove my eye makeup with one of these wipes, they stung horribly, even though I kept my eyes closed. For that reason, I can't really speak to how well these remove eye makeup because I honestly did not try to finish removing it with these wipes.

I can however say that these towelettes do an amazing job at removing face makeup. The actual wipes are much larger than any other wipe I've used before and are very damp. In addition, they are soft and have a faint quilted design imprinted on them. They look, feel and smell luxurious.

The dampness of these wipes is a big plus for me. I love that the people at Kirkland put a plastic snap lid on container. I absolutely hate it when there is a large sticker because the wipes always dry out on me. These were perfectly moist until the very last one.  The dampness greatly contributed to a very clean feeling face. Sometimes when I got lazy (not often, I promise lol) I would just use one of these on my face and not feel like I had to wash my face after. They leave your face feeling that clean.

Also, when you buy the large pack you also get several small travel 15 count packs which are very convenient. On the Costco site they are listed as $37.99 for 300. I think my mom bought a pack of 150 in the store, and payed around $15 or $20.

Although I did enjoy using these wipes, because they sting my eyes I will not be repurchasing these. I think I'm gonna stick to their Signature Baby Wipes because not only are they cheaper ($30 for 900, 3 cents per wipe) but I can use them around the eyes without worrying. Take this review with a grain of salt because my eyes are extremely sensitive. If you prefer to use towelettes to remove eye makeup I say give these a try because they are very nice.

Info:

Price: $37.99 for 300 wipes (link), about 13 cents per wipe.

Ingredients: Water, cetearyl isononanoate, ceteareth-20, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, glycerin, cetyl palmitate, ceteareth-12, propylene glycol, chamomilla pecutita (matricaria) flower extract, centaurea cyanus flower extract, cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, camellia oleifera (green tea leaf) extract, tocopheryl (vitamin e) acetate, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice, fragrance, methylparaben, propylparaben, sodium citrate, citric acid, disodium EDTA, 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol.

{Review} Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

 

Here's a review I've been meaning to do for a while now. I've been a long time use of the Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in light. I love that powder, but it is tooooooo expensive ($28). So I've been on the hunt for a cheaper alternative. Around the time I finished my last Stila powder I was hearing a lot about the Rimmel Stay matte Powder on YouTube and thought I'd give it a try. Here are my thoughts :)

 The shade I purchased it in is 001 Transparent. I wouldn't say that it is completely transparent. I think if I apply this over a moiturizer or a primer, it sticks better and I do get a bit of coverage. If you have a deeper skin tone I would go with your actual shade as this stuff may leave a cast.

As you can see I've had this powder for a while and have used up a good chunk of it. I apply mine with a medium powder brush. I use a smaller brush to set my under eye concealer. This is approximately 3 months of use for me. I apply it once in the morning after doing my makeup, a touch up around noon, and another touch up around 4 or 5 pm.

 The swatch above is quite heavy, I just wanted to show you the consistency. It is a finely milled powder, and if blended in very well can be undetectable. The powder gives a very very matte finish. If you like you skin to look more natural, more satin finish, this is not the powder for you. This gives you a fully matte look. Sometimes I will spray a bit of toner after I apply this powder, just to have a more natural finish.

As far as lasting power goes, it keeps me matte for about 4 or 5 hours. I'd say this is a decent powder. It does what it says. It's also a no frills kind of a powder. I was satisfied with the effect, but after using my Stila powder for so long and having gotten used to that soft lit perfect skin effect this powder didn't feel as luxurious. The only negative I would have to say about this product is to be careful about applying too much. You can really build this powder up if you wanted to, but then it becomes very obvious.

Overall, a good budget buy :)

Info:

Price: $4. 96

Ingredients:

TALC, MICA, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, POLYETHYLENE, PETROLATUM, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, POLYBUTENE, ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE, ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE,

TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, METHYLPARABEN, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PARAFFINUM LIQUIDUM/MINERAL OIL/HUILE MINERALE, PROPYLPARABEN, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, ALOE

BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, BHT, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPRO -PIONAL, BENZYL SALICYLATE, CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, HYDROXYISOHEXYL 3-CYCLOHEXENE CARBOXALDEHYDE, LINALOOL, BUTYLPARABEN, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-:TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)].

{Review} Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter

Hey there! This is a review for another one of those products that I've had forever but never got around to reviewing. I know that the Korres Lip Butters are some of the most popular products from the brand and I purchased the Pomegranate one a while back. I used to never wear stuff on my lips (outside of clear balms) because to me it was just such a hassle to have to reapply so often. The past couple of years I've been experimenting with lip products because I wear contacts and it feels better to go easier on the eyes and heavier on the lips. These butters are a nice alternative to lipsticks because they give some color to the lips, but also look more natural and leave the lips feeling soft and moisturized.

I got the shade Pomegranate. It looks like a nice midtoned pink in the jar, but it applies more like a sheer pinky red.

As you can see in the swatch, the texture of these balms is very nice. It applies with a glossy finish, and the shade is sheer. Honestly, if I could go back in time I would have picked another shade. This one is so close to my natural lip color that it really doesn't look like I'm wearing much at all. I would have gone with a deeper shade or the baby pink one. For some reason Pomegranate looks odd on me.

The formula of this balm, however, is phenomenal. It's thinner than The Body Shops lip butters, which surprised me, but it's just as moisturizing. These feel very nice on the lips--never too heavy or greasy. The pigemntation is great too--not too much, but also not too sheer. Other tinted balms, like the Burt's Bees ones then to be so pigmented that they are more like lipsticks in my opinion. The Korres ones are perfectly in between. They don't wear too long, but they do leave some color on the lips after the balm has sunken in. Another thing I like is how they smell--kinda fruity. For the price you really can't go wrong with this balm. Give it a try the next time you're on the hunt for a new lip balm! And these are also a great choice if you are trying to go more natural!


Info:

Price: $12

Ingredients: Polybutene, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyethylene, Hydroxystearic Acid, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Flavor (Aroma), Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Punica Granatum Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Red 7 Lake, Red 6, Iron Oxides.

{Review} Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo (My Favorite Shampoo!)

If you've been following my blog for a while now, you know I'm not that crazy about shampoo, especially high end shampoo. I don't mind spending money on conditioners, but as far as regular shampoos go, they're all the same to me. Outside of special treatment shampoos (purple toning shampoos, clarifying shampoos, etc) I don't really see much of a difference in my hair when I use a cheap shampoo or an expensive shampoo, and trust me, I've bought a lot of the expensive ones in the past to come to this conclusion.


One of the reasons I'm unwilling to spend a lot of money on shampoo is that a few years ago I made a discovery: Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Shampoo. I love it so much that I've repurchased the massive bulk size from Costco time and time again. It's fairly inexpensive, but leaves my hair feeling amazing. What more could I ask for???

I know that Head & Shoulders is know for their anti-dandruff selection. I don't really have a dandruff problem, but I love this stuff all the same. The version I love is specifically their Classic Clean for normal hair.



















The actual product is a milky pale blue shade. It's an interesting texture--not really gel like most shampoos, but more like a thin cream. It lathers beautifully. I've been reading a lot about how sodium laureth sulfate damages hair, but honestly the thought of using a shampoo that doesn't foam is strange. I love how well this one lathers. You only need about half a tbsp to get your entire head (I've got med-long hair). It feels very luxurious and rinses out completely.What I absolutely love love love about this shampoo is that even though it isn't marketed as a two in one shampoo and conditioner, after I use this my hair feels like I've done both. Not heavy, not greasy, just nice and silky and healthy.

I've noticed a visible difference in my hair since I've been using this shampoo. It's more manageable, softer, and less frizzy. I never have any issues whatsoever with dandruff (though to be honest I never have). And my hair smells sooooooo good after I shower!!! The smell lingers--very fresh, suitable for both men and women, but not too strong/offensive.

I don't know how the people at Head & Shoulders came up with such a perfect formula, but I love them for it. This is my go to shampoo especially when I'm in a hurry. Usually, if I don't have enough time to thoroughly condition styling my hair is a nightmare. When I use this, it's like I shampood and deep conditioned--my hair feels that healthy. There is a Classic Clean 2 in 1 formula, but I tried it and I much prefer just the shampoo. I highly recommend this product to everyone out there. And if it doesn't do much for you--well it's inexpensive anyway.

Info:

Price: $5.99 (for 14.2 oz--I buy the jumbo 20 oz at Costco).

Ingredients: Active Ingredients-Pyrithione Zinc - 1 %Anti-Dandruff. Inactive Ingredients-
Water , Sodium Laureth Sulfate , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Cocamide MEA , Zinc Carbonate , Glycol Distearate , Dimethicone , Fragrance , Cetyl Alcohol , Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Magnesium Sulfate , Sodium Benzoate , Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide , Ammonium Laureth Sulfate , Benzyl Alcohol , Sodium Chloride , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Sodium Xylenesulfonate , Blue 1 , Red 4

{Review} Smashbox High Definition Concealer

Hi there! Today's review is for a product I bought a long long time ago that I never got around to reviewing because I honestly wasn't using it enough to get a true opinion on it. I'm talking about the Smashbox High Definition Concealer. I purcahsed it the same time I got their gel liner (full review of that liner here!), but aside from the odd pimple here and there I wasn't using this product on a daily basis. I recently went through my stash, found it again, and really started using it. And I've gotta say, this is a great concealer!

The shade I own this concealer in is fair/light. I don't remember them having a huge selection of shades, but this one fits my skin pretty well.

The dispenser on this product is a slanted tip with a little hole. While it's not bad by any means, I think I would have preferred one of those pointy tip dispensers (like the one on the MUFE concealer). I feel like there is no reason for the slanted tip--I never apply this directly to my skin, I usually put some on my finger and dot it, or use a brush. Also, I need just the smallest amount of this stuff, and this type of dispenser makes it a little more difficult to judge how much is coming out. It's also a bit messier in the cap.

I don't know how well you can tell, but it's a very thin concealer, but very pigmented--full coverage in my opinion. The way I've been using this concealer is to make a tinted moisturizer, but instead of moisturizer I've been mixing it with my primer (a cheepie Rimmel one). It makes such a difference from using foundation and moisturizer. The concealer and primer lasts much longer, sets to a kind of matte velvety finish (which I still powder) and lasts and controls oil better than any foundation I've ever used. If I've worn makeup for the past two months, this is what I've been doing and I'm loving it!

This concealer also works  very well to conceal blemishes and dark circles, which I think is great because usually most concealers work well for one or the other. They'll either look really heavy under the eyes and cover blemishes perfectly, or look horrible over a blemish and amazing under the eyes. No such problems with this one. As long as the shade works for you in both areas, there is no reason to use two or eve three different concealers on your face like I see a lot of beauty gurus doing. The texture of this concealer is perfect--thin, but not runny. It's very comfortable to wear, never looks heavy or cakey, and really lasts all day.

And a little tip for covering blemishes: gently exfoliate the blemish before applying your makeup. A lot of times concealers apply cakey and dry looking on top of a pimple because they exaggerate the dry flakes of skin (as gross as this sounds lol). If you gently exfoliate the blemish, you're reducing the amount of dry skin around it, and therefore your concealer and foundation will apply much more smoothly. Just be careful--if the pimple is scabbing, DO NOT PULL THE SCAB OFF. That's one of the worst things you can do because it will inflame the area, meaning more redness, and it will also cause the pimple to heal slower. And you never really want to apply makeup to open skin, so just don't do it. This tip is more helpful when the pimple is gone, but there is still some dryness and a little red bump in the area.

Anyway, back to the review. This is a great multipurpose concealer. A little goes a really long way and it lasts very well.  Although it is more expensive than many drugstore concealers, if you're looking for that one concealer that does it all--check this one out!


Info:


Price: $20 (for 0.27 oz)

Ingredients: Sorry I don't have the package anymore and I can't find them online. If I find them, I will post them. And Smasbox not posting the full ingredients online--not cool!!

{Review} Cosmedicine Healthy Cleanse Foaming Cleanser & Toner in One

Hey there! This review is for a skin care product. I've really been into skin care lately because all the stress and lack of sleep from uni had my skin breaking out really bad. My focus has been on cleansing my skin very well every single day, and removing all makeup. And any product that makes my skin care routine easier and less time consuming is a good idea to me. That's why, when I spotted this cleanser at TJ Maxx several months back for only around five or six dollars, I didn't hesitate to try it.

Now,  I know Cosmedicine is a brand that isn't as widely used simply because it is a more expensive brand. That being said, I think they pulled out of Sephora and a lot of their products were available at Marshall's and TJ Maxx for a while. I think you could probably find some of their products on sale online. They make a lot of products I don't see from other brands, which is why I've been loving trying out some of their stuff at a discount.

The product I'm reviewing today is their Foaming Cleanser & Toner in One. According to the container it "Cleanses away excess oil, dirt, and makeup, removes mascara, doesn't sting eyes." That's a tall order. I don't know if you can tell, but I've actually pretty much finished this product. There is the barest amount in there for me to pump out for this review, but then I'm tossing it.

One thing I love about this product is the dispenser. It is a foam dispenser that is very sanitary and user friendly. I love how light foam cleansers feel on my skin. And if you wanted to, you could probably recycle this product and use it to store your own foaming cleanser. Simply put about an inch of regular liquid cleanser and fill the rest with water. Give it a shake and you're good to go. You can do this with any foaming container, and that's how I reuse my Bath & Body Works foaming soap containers. Not only is it more Earth friendly, but it's also much cheaper too!

The actual foam is very light. Given the manufacturers claim that it will remove makeup, I was a bit unsure at first because it seems very light.

How well does it work? Well is certainly doesn't remove mascara, waterproof or not, that's for sure. That doesn't really bother me because I always, regardless of my cleanser, use my Almay Moisturizing Liquid Eye Makeup Remover. It's my favorite, I'm on my fourth or fifth bottle and I'm not looking for a replacement. As as far as face makeup is concerned, this will remove it all. When I used my regular toner after to see how much of the foundation, concealer, powder, and bronzer was removed, the cotton pad came away clean which is great. It also claims not to sting eyes, but even when I tried removing my mascara with it, I kept my eyes firmly shut. I am a contact wearer with sensitive eyes and I've already had one infection, I'm not looking for another, thank you very much.

As far as this product being a cleanser and a toner, I really can't say much about that claim. I don't regularly use a plain toner. If I do use a toner, I tend to go for more of the astringent ones. They are the only ones I feel really make a difference when I use them. Other toners, while they feel good, don't really do much for my skin. If I don't use them for a week, I really can't tell the difference. That being said, my skin did not feel tight at all after I used it, so perhaps it's just a little bit more moisturizing than the average foaming cleanser.

All in all, this is not a bad cleanser. It got my skin clean, but I can say that I probably wouldn't purchase it for full price. It felt really refreshing, removed my face makeup, didn't have any noxious odor, but that's it. I think I would have liked this product more if the manufacturer hadn't made all of those claims on the package. I review a product based on those claims, and because of that little blurb on the container I find this product lacking. Had it been marketed as a regular cleanser I think I would have reviewed it a bit more positively.

Info:

Price: $24.99 (full price for 4.2 fl oz)

Ingredients: Purified Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Cyclomethicone, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben.

{Review} Jemma Kidd i-Design Eye Colour in 04 In Season

Hi there! Today's review is for an eyeshadow that I absolutely adore. Except for the eyeshadows and one liner, I haven't tried many of the Jemma Kidd products at Target because I honestly had a hard time justifying paying so much for makeup in a drugstore type store. However, this eyeshadow, number 04 In Season, is absolutely stunning and I can't rave about it enough!

How stunning is this shade!?

The shade In Season is a beautiful light golden brown. It has a very antiqued vibe to it, and because it's got a good amount of gold in it whenever I wear it my blue eyes pop. The texture of this shadow is perfection! It is very soft and smooth, but not too buttery. I think I mentioned in another post (don't remember when, sorry) that I had a problem with the shade Vintage from Jemma Kidd, because sadly, like a lot of my Nars single eyeshadows, it would chip and crack easily. I think on that shadow all four corners were showing signs of chipping. I've had no such problems with this shade, mainly I think because unlike Vintage, although it does have a sheen, it's not glittery. The picture above is several months old, and I've actually hit pan on the shadow because I've been wearing it pretty much every day. As far a s wear time, it is not crease proof or anything like that, but I normally wear an eyeshadow base anyway because my lids are oily, so it's not a big deal for me. You also get a very generous amount of product in this shadow, 3 g. For comparison, a MAC eyeshadow is 1.5 g, meaning that for two dollars more, you get more than double the product.

If you love golden taupe-y colors, this one is stunning, definitely a keeper. And since there are Targets everywhere, you can swatch it before you buy it as well. I love and highly recommend this shade!!!

Info:

Price: $17 (for 3 g)

Ingredients: TALC, MICA, OCTYLDODECYL STEAROYL STEARATE, ZINC STEARATE, SORBIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, TETRASODIUM EDTA, BHT MAY CONTAIN: BLACK IRON OXIDE (CI 77499), YELLOW IRON OXIDE (CI 77492), MICA & IRON OXIDES (CI 77019, 77491), MICA & TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77019, 77891)

{Review} Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light

Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light

Hey there! Today's review is for a product I absolutely adore. I've gone through probably two or three of Stila's Sheer Pressed Powder and I have yet to find a powder that works as well for me.

When it comes to higher end products that obviously cost more, I usually try to find cheaper alternatives, especially if I foresee myself repurchasing a product multiple times in the future. I haven't yet been able to find a drugstore alternative for this powder, but I was able to find it a lot cheaper than the $28 retail price. I was at the Cosmetic Market in NYC last summer (see the haul post here) and I found this powder for $6.99 and stocked up. I don't know if they still have it, but if you live in or around NYC or will be visiting sometime, it's worth checking out.

                                                                                                                                                            

Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light

The compact is a simple silver plastic case that has these cute little flowers on it. Not as chic as anything from from Chanel or Dior, but pretty. It's durable and doesn't show smudges or scratches easily.

Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light

Another thing I like is that the compact is reusable. There's a little hole in the bottom, you just poke a pencil or something and the pan pops right out. Stila no longer sells the pan refill to this powder alone, not that there was a big price difference between the powder with the case and the refill alone anyway. I figure even if I can't find the refill powder from Stila I can reuse this case because I've had plenty of powders in a similar size that the clasp has broken or the case is really bulky. I think I can just repot them into this case if I wanted to. I've gone through so many of these powders that I've got four or five of these empty cases lying around.

Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light

The shade I have this powder in is light. It comes with a thin little foamy sponge, but I toss it right away and just use a brush.

Stila Sheer Pressed Powder in Light (HEAVY swatch)

This swatch here is a very HEAVY swatch. I just wanted to show you how finely milled this powder is. The texture is very very soft and thin, almost translucent. I find that it applies as thinly as a translucent powder, but it does have some color to it. If I wear it alone, I can't really notice any difference, but it takes to tinted moisturizer very well and definitely ups the coverage level.

I love this powder for the finish it gives. It mattifies my face completely without looking cakey or powdery. It leaves my face with this flawless silky finish to it that makes my skin look a lot better than it usually is. If I'm ever going out or have a formal event, I reach for this powder without fail because I know it will look stunning in pictures. It last like your average powder does. I apply it in the morning around 6 or 7 am (when at uni) and then touch up around 1 pm and then again around 5 pm. Not great, but not horrible either given how oily my skin is.

Bottom line: try this powder!!! I've been using it for years and I love it more than any other powder I've ever used!

Info:

Price: $28


Ingredients: talc, polymethyl methacrylate, silica, zea mays (corn) starch, octyldodecyl lactate, isononyl isononanoate, pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, avena sativa (oat) kernel extract, caprylyl glycol, hexylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, dimethicone, zeolite, nylon-12, zinc stearate, bht, phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, [+/- mica, titanium dioxide (ci 77891), iron oxides (ci 77491, ci 77492, ci 77499), ultramarines (ci 77007)]

{Review} Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Funky Fuchsia

Hey there! Today's review, unfortunately, is for a discontinued product that I feel still deserves a review because I genuinely like it and to be honest, I didn't expect to. If you do want to pick up one of these balms I'm sure you can find it online somewhere or on clearance at Sephora because I only picked this one up a couple of weeks ago.

Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Funky Fuchsia

This review is for the Sephora hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in the shade Funky Fuchsia. I've been on a neon kick lately, so anything bright and summery really sucks me in. I don't really have a lot of bright lip products in my collection because everything takes me so long to finish, especially lipsticks and lip glosses, that I tend to only purchase shades I know I will wear a lot.

What really made me want to try this was one, the price. I got it for five bucks on clearance, which I was really happy about. Two, the packaging looks pretty cute with the little red cap. Three, who doesn't need some lip balm? I know my lips are always begging for some moisture in the summer.

Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Funky Fuchsia

Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Funky Fuchsia

The cool thing about the balm is that it looks almost jelly-ish. The lipstick bullet is transparent, but surprisingly delivers a good amount of pigmentation. Isn't it pretty??

Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Funky Fuchsia (Swatch)

The shade Funky Fuchsia is a cool toned pink with a bit of a purple tone to it. You can definitely see the purple on the lips. I really like this shade. It makes my skin look more tanned and my eyes more blue!

It goes on A LOT brighter than it looks in the tube!

 When I wiped it off my lips for the first time I was very surprised by how bright it was on the napkin. It looks even brighter in real life.

It stained my skin!!!

In addition, it acts a little like a stain! When I take it off my lips (or tried to wipe the swatch off my wrist) the balm came off but left a lot of color behind, leaving my lips looking matte and flushed. So pretty and easy!

Although I loved the pigmentation and the cool jelly look of the lipstick itself, I wouldn't really call this a balm. It does initially feel like a very waxy lip balm. It reminds me a lot of the Burt's Bees lip balm textures--waxy and not very shiny, not much slip to them either. That's good in that it'll take longer to go through the tube because the balm will last longer on the lips, but not so good because I didn't find this balm to be anywhere near as moisturizing as the Burt's Bees. I personally favor more slippery, thin, shiny balms, so I don't really like the texture of this product. That being said, the texture doesn't bother me enough to not use this product. I just wouldn't use this for a lip balm. When it comes to smell and taste, it has a very very faint smell, nothing cloying at all, and it doesn't really taste like anything. I think for the price I got it, $5, I don't mind the pretty and colorful addition to my collection, especially in time for summer!

Tried it? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know in comments!

Info:

Price: $10

Ingredients: Not listed on the product, couldn't find them online. Sorry guys :(

{Review} Lavera Trend Sensitive Lipgloss in No. 3 Berry

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry

Lavera is a natural skin care and cosmetics brand sold in Target (though I don't think Target carries it any more). I bought this gloss a few months back and just never got around to reviewing it. The brand is designed for people with sensitive skin looking for natural, paraben and cruelty free products with beneficial ingredients.  The gloss is made with minerals and is fragrance free, meaning no artificial scents or dyes. Personally, I'm not really into natural/organic makeup and skin care, but I thought I'd give this gloss a try because the shade was pretty and it was on clearance.

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry

This gloss is designed to be very moisturizing as it's made with organic johoba oil.

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry

The gloss comes packaged in a slim tube with  silver accents. The packaging itself, while it's not bad, doesn't really apeal much to me either. It seems plain and honestly, a bit dated. It seems similar to the packaging of many other mineral brands out there. Not bad, but nothing special either. It holds 0.22 fl oz (6.5 ml) of product, a very good amount.

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry (Applicator)

The applicator is a standard doe foot applicator that works well with the thin formula of the product.

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry (Swatch)

Isn't the shade pretty? It's a very pretty peachy golden shimmery shade. Actually, its called Berry but it's the farthest thing from a berry shade I can think of. I think purples and reds when I think berry, not a peachy pink gloss.

This shade is actually not available anymore because when they changed up the packaging they redid some of the shades as well. On their website they say that one of the newer shades, No. 4 Almond Kiss is similar to this one if you're interested.

Lavera Trend Sensitive Lip Gloss in No. 3 Berry (Lip Swatch)

I was a little disapointed when I first put this on my lips. The texture of this gloss is very thin and the gorgous swatch on my hand and in the tube didn't translate to my lips. On my lips it looks like a clear gloss with golden shimmer in it. Not bad, but I was hoping it would look like the first swatch.

The texture of this gloss is different from most other glosses I've tried, which tend to be thick and tacky. The formula of this one is very thin and slick, most likely due to the oils in it. Because it's thinner, it doesn't last long, about 2 hours without eating or drinking. On the plus side, it's one of the most moisturizing glosses I've ever tried. My lips feel soooo soft after I wear this stuff, never dry and flaky. It's like wearing a balm and gloss at the same time. The gloss contains a whole host of oils including coconut, jojoba, argan oil and cocoa butter. I sometime wear it in place of a balm, it's that moisturizing.

My only real complaint, other than the lack of pigmentation, is the smell. I don't know how to describe the smell, kind of like if you mixed an herbal scent with a plasticky scent. It's not absolutely unbearable, but it tends to linger on the lips.

For the full price, around $17, it's not the best gloss I've tried. That being said, I know how difficult it can be to find good quality natural paraben and cruelty free cosmetics out there, which is why I can forgive this gloss the scent and lack of pigmentation, especially given how moisturizing it is.  I got this gloss for about $7 on clearance, so I'm happy with it for the price. If you are looking for more natural makeup, Lavera may be a good brand to try out.

Tried it? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know in comments!

Info:

Price: $16.80


Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil*, Olive Fruit Oil*, Lanolin Alcohol, Sheabutter*, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Lanolin, Beeswax*, Coconut Oil*, Cocoa Butter*, Jojoba Seed Oil*, Argan Oil*, Alcohol*, Vitamin E, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sea Buckthorn*, Sunflower Seed Oil, Mallow Flower Extract*, Linden Flower Extract*, Rose Flower Extract*, Camelina Oil, Vegetable Oil, Water, Vitamin C, Hydrogenated Lecithin. Essential Oils. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Ferry Ferrocyanide. (*denotes certified organic agriculture.

{Review} Biore Restore Skin-Boosting Night Serum

Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum

Biore is a company I've got a love hate relationship with. On the one hand, a lot of their products are great. I think they have a few very good products that don't get the credit they deserve. However, I also feel that some of their products are ineffective and a lot more hyped up then they should be (ahem, pore strips). That and they changed their packaging!! I liked the green, loved it!! Now it's blue and white and bulkier in my opinion and more, I don't know, high school ish. If they are trying to appeal to a younger audience, I can see how that would be a good thing, but it doesn't appeal to me. Not to mention the majority of their more adult products (SPF moisturizer, eye gel, etc) are discontinued. According to their website, they no longer carry a single moisturizer. WHAT??? How is that even possible given that they've got like four or five cleansers/scrubs? I don't get it. That being said, I've seen a lot of their products cropping up in Big Lots so I've purchased a few of the past couple of months, and will be reviewing them and/or stocking up. 

Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum

Ok, so enough ranting about Biore, onto the review. This product is a night serum which can be used alone or underneath a moisturizer. The purpose of this product is to give you a more rested appearance in the morning (though you can also use it in the AM). I LOVE THIS STUFF!

Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum-Swatch

The product itself is a clear, thin gel like consistency. Not really a gel because it does run, but it's get completely like water either. It feels very cool to the touch and a little goes a very long way.

Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum-Spread Out

Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum-Absorbe

I think to understand why I love this product you have to know a little about me. I'm a nursing student. Meaning, I have no life because nursing school is HARD. On top of that, last semester I worked not one, but TWO part time jobs. Not only did I have no life, I had no sleep either. By the end of the semester it got so bad that I was pulling three to four all nighters a week! That's crazy, even for me. Needless to say, I looked absolutely horrible in the mornings. Imagine large, dark bags under my eyes, dull, red splotchy skin, crazy hair, and dead puffy eyes. Ya, it got that bad. I would use this stuff with the Biore Enliven Cooling Eye Gel in the mornings after cleansing my face and somehow, just somehow, I resembled something living after I was done with my morning care routine. I don't really know what they put in this stuff, but it is AMAZING. My skin would look bright and fresh and healthy, and most importantly not greasy! This stuff is a very light moisturizer, but it packs a punch. It got rid of my splotchy red cheeks and brightened the dullness around my chin, all the while making my skin feel very very soft. It absorbs very quickly and just feels nice. I stored it in the fridge (even in the winter) because that extra pop of freshness was much needed. I would even mix some with my foundation to make the perfect correcting tinted moisturizer on even lazier days. It does exactly what it says it will which is why I'm in love!

I don't really have any criticisms for this product. It doesn't really have too much of a scent, just a very light one that dissipates very quickly, I love the pump, especially how it doesn't have a cap. When you want to close it, just turn the pump to the side and it's completely closed. I've never had a problem with leaking or anything like that. The pump is very nice, very easy to control and you can pump out as little or as much as you'd like. The only thing I really don't like is that you don't get much at all, only 1.4 fl oz (41 ml), but then again this is a serum, and they are usually smaller and more expensive than moisturizers. Other than that, Biore did discontinue this product as well (but you can get it on their Amazon page), so if you can find it at a Big Lots, get it because it is amazing!

Tried it? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know in comments!

Info:

Price: $8.99 (Retail for 1.4 oz, you can find it for around $3 at Big Lots).

Ingredients: Aqua, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Juice, Withania Somnifera Flower Extract, Salvia officinalis, Aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, Chamomilla Recutita, Urtica dioica, Polyacrylamide, Xanthan Gum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Aloe Barbadensis, Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Chelidonium majus, Rosa canina, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Dimethiconol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Methyl Gluceth-20, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, Tropolone, Parfum.

{Review} Charlotte Ronson Lipgloss in Anabelle

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle

If you are unfamiliar with the relatively new brand Charlotte Ronson, you are really missing out. I recently discovered it on one of my trips to Sephora and I've got to say that I'm craving more! Charlotte Ronson, twin sister of Samantha Ronson, is a designer who has recently branched into makeup and I've got to say, I love her line. I didn't purchase much, but I did get a chance to swatch some of the glosses and shadows and they are great. The packaging is simple, cute, and chic, and the shades vary between classic and modern. The pricing is reasonable and the selection, though somewhat limited, interesting.  I look forward to trying out more from this brand because the gloss I did purchase really impressed me.

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle

The shade I purchased is Anabelle, which is a sheer red. Among all the shades sold, this one jumped out at me for several reasons. One, it's a fairly true red. No pink, no orange in the mix. It's not too  cool, not too warm so it's a good choice for just about any skin tone. In addition, it's a sheer red. I absolutely hate glosses that are too opaque. If I wanted a liquid lipstick, I'd buy one. With my skin tone, reds tend to make me look very pale, so I  usually stay away from them. If you're looking for very wearable red, this gloss is a good choice. If you want to wear it very sheer, just layer a bit of it over a balm. If you apply a thin layer on bare lips, it will be sheer, but you can layer it for more opacity. Or you can wear it over a red lip liner or lipstick for a very shiny statement lip. Whichever way you choose to wear it, it's difficult to go wrong with this gloss.

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle (Cap)

The gloss is packaged in a slim heart shaped container. It's cute and chic! And unlike some of the other brands that have tried to do cute packaging, this does not look childish at all, which is nice!

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle (Applicator-Front)

I'm in love with this applicator. It isn't unique to this gloss. I've been seeing it on many glosses, from Revlon to Sephora brand. I much prefer this applicator to the standard doe foot. This version features a flattened front, almost like a little paddle.

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle (Applicator-Side)

When you turn it side ways, you see that the applicator is slanted, making application a lot easier. The way the applicator is smaller at the tip than the base makes application more precise as well.

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle (Swatch)

Charlotte Ronson Lip Gloss in Anabelle (Swatch) (Sorry for the blur!!)

Sorry for the blur in the pic. I've been using my iPhone to take pics lately cuz it's faster and more convenient than taking them with my camera and having to deal with cords and transfer etc. The downside is that I can't do much with zoom.  The shade in both swatches is fairly accurate, thought he lip swatch is coming across a little more pink than it is in real life. The lip swatch is  a thicker application, but as you can see from the first swatch, you can apply it very sheer or layer it for more opacity.

How does it wear? Very well! The gloss is on the thinner side, but not runny by any means or sticky. It will last a good 2-3 hours without eating or drinking. I love how when it wears off it leaves my lips looking a little bit stained, like I've been eating raspberries. Very pretty! It's also completely matte, which is a good thing because shimmer tends to seep into fine lines. No such problems with this gloss. It has a fresh, almost minty scent, but it is not a plumper and does not tingle at all. It feels cool on the lips, which is nice during the summer. The scent is very light, dissipates after a few minutes, not cloying at all. All in all, a very very shiny red gloss and I highly recommend! In fact, a few of the other shades are calling my name lol! Check them out the next time you're at Sephora!

Tried it? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know in comments?

Info:

Price: $14

Ingredients: Polybutene, Octyldodecanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil Synthetic Fluorphlogopite Fragrance/Parfum, Flavor/Aroma, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Saccharin, Benzimidazole Diamond Amidoethyl Urea Carbamoyl Propyl Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Geraniol, Citral, Methyl 2-Octynoate, Limonene, May Contain:, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891) , Iron Oxides (Ci 77491; Ci 77492; Ci 77499) Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410).