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Battle of the: Sock Bun Stylers

9 May

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Bun2Up until recently, I only knew how to do two things with my hair.  1: wear it straight, 2. Kardashian curls.  And anything in between is completely foreign to me.  That is, until I discovered the sock bun.

Buns are nothing new to me, I am a dancer and have done my fair share of ballet classes.  But the buns I remember are small and look like a dog turd on my head.  The buns nowadays are big and fancy!  And best of all… easy!

I know that you can create a sock bun using an actual sock {tutorial}, however, that method does not work for me.  I’ve tried it numerous times and it just frustrates me to no end because I can’t get it to work.   I like to use a “styler.”  That’s where today’s battle comes in:

The Whril-a-Style Hair Styler VS. The Sephora Collection Bunette

*Iron Chef voice* Let the battle begin!
Bun5 Sephora says: An innovative and easy-to-use hair bun styler for creating an array of impressive looks. Twist and turn your hair into glamorous, head-turning styles with this versatile tool. Simply slide in hair at the ends, roll up, and then fold into a perfectly chic shape.  $7.00/Sephora

BunCollage1 (more…)

Ooo La La, Ole Henriksen!

23 Apr

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OleReview

I’ve tried numerous skincare lines, I’ll test them for about a month or so, but I always go back to my usual regime.  This is the only line that has been able to break my old habits.  It’s that good.

First things first:  how do you pronounce “Ole Henriksen?”  I don’t know about you, but I didn’t know for the longest time.  The correct pronunciation is “Ooo-lah Hen-rick-sin.”  Good, now that we’ve got that covered, lets dig in!

Truth To Go Vitamin C Wipes:  These wipes are so refreshing yet manage to clean off a full face of foundation.  They do take off my eye makeup to a point, but I still need to use a separate MU remover (mind you, I wear heavy eye MU).  I noticed brighter and smoother skin after one single use!  I tried using them AM and PM and it was a tad irritating to my skin, so I only use them at night.

Truth Serum Collagen Booster:  Vitamin C does wonders for the skin.  It helps boost the collagen production and also provides antioxidants (a few of its many benefits).  The oil-free formula has a very thin consistency (it’s liquid-y!) but quickly penetrates the skin’s surface, so you aren’t left with a sticky feeling.  It provides hydration (oily skinned gals, you still need hydration!) and nourishment.  The best part?  More radiant and glowy skin!  I use AM and PM.

Invigorating Night Gel:  This unique blend of AHA’s gently exfoliates the skin without drying it out.  The algae extract nourishes the skin and the mucopolysaccharides bind moisture to the skin.  The consistency is thicker than the serum but thinner than a creme.  This is gentle enough to use every day (PM only).

Sheer Transformation:  I originally thought this would be too thick for AM use, but the consistency is light and creamy.  I cannot speak for its claims on fading skin discolorations, but I can say that it’s nourishing without making my oily skin more oily.  It’s a nice dose of vitamin C and leaves my skin looking bright and fresh.  If you do have any hyperpigmentation, this is a natural way to help lighten those spots. I use this AM and PM (making sure to wear something with SPF over it).

Power Peel:  I’m always a bit skeptical when a cosmetic product claims to be a “peel.”  To be clear, legally, you cannot buy actual chemical peels over the counter (the percentages depend on you state).  Therefore, this isn’t the same peel you would get from an esthetician/dermatologist.   That being said, this little product packs a lot of punch.  The Almond Polish provides a nice mechanical exfoliation (make sure to wet your fingers before applying) without being too harsh.  The Lemon Strip contains AHA’s and fruit acid, which chemically exfoliate the skin (dual exfoliation, score!).  This is the step where I felt the most activity.  The last step is the Chamomile Comfort mask, which you place over the Lemon Strip.  This contains chamomile, primrose, and jojoba seed oil that soothe and calm the skin.  Only use 1-2x a week.

Overall
I’m giving this a high rating because any skin type can use this.  Dryer skin may want to add in a heavier night creme, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing about this set.  If you were only to get one product, I would suggest starting with the Truth Serum.  However, you really need to use the entire line to get the best results because the products are formulated to work together.  Ole is really good about having kits that contain several products at a discounted price, so that is an easy way to introduce yourself to the line.

Glitter Rating: 5 / 5

Where/Price: Sephora, Amazon (Wipes $15/30, Serum $45/1.0oz, Night Gel $45/1.7oz, Sheer Transformation $45/1.7oz, Power Peel $45/6 treatments, Three Little Wonders Kit $70)
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Three Favorite Skincare Serums

11 Apr

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FaceSerums1

What is a serum?  “A serum is a skin care product that has a higher concentration of active ingredients, usually comes in a gel or creamy gel form.” {source}  The molecules are smaller so they can penetrate deeper into the skin.  They are meant to be used under your moisturizer.

What does it do?  There are hundreds of serums out on the market that are targeted towards different skincare concerns.  Some are anti-aging, some promote hydration, and some deliver vitamins and anti-oxidants to the skin.

When it comes to skincare concerns, we’ll just say I’m concerned about everything on my face.  Aging?  Check.  Dehydration?  Check.  Vitamins and antioxidants?  Check.  Again again?  Check check.  These are my favorite serums that target different skin concerns.

Image Skincare Ageless Total Anti-Aging Serum

FaceSerum2 Image says: This anti-aging serum is a unique cosmeceutical blend of alpha hydroxy acids in combination with apple stem cell technology. Protects skin cells against oxidative stress and combats the aging effects on the skin. An anti-oxidant blend hydrates for luminous, glowing skin. $38/1.7oz, Image, Amazon.
This was the first serum that actually made a noticeable difference in my skin.  It uses AHAs to gently exfoilate and resurface.  It also uses the apple stem cell technology to protect the skins own cells.  And let me tell you, this thing is ACTIVE.  I know some people can’t use it every day, but my skin can handle it.  You can use this AM and PM.  This is great for anyone with aging concerns.

Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement

FaceSerum3
Bobbi says: An advanced, multi-benefit serum that improves skin’s appearance as it helps prevent the visible signs of aging. White Birch Extract reduces the look of fine, dry lines, while Grape Extract helps clarify and brighten the complexion. After just four weeks’ use, skin looks firmer, smoother, more even-toned and radiant.  $70/1.0oz. Bobbi Brown, Amazon.

This makes my skin so silky smooth!  It has anti-aging ingredients as well as ingredients that help protect the skin.  This is a very gentle, moisturizing serum that any skin type could use (AM and PM).  This is ideal for dry or dehydrated skin.
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Dry Hands Be-Gone with Lush

27 Mar

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I’m not sure if many people can honestly say the following statement:

My grandma is obsessed with Lush.

There for a while, she was placing an order almost once a week.  And Christmas presents?  You better believe everyone received a pre-wrapped box filled with Lush goodies.  Much of our family get-together this past year was spent explaining to my aunts how to use a solid shampoo and what a shower smoothie is.

So when I was complaining about my dry hands the other day, my grandma replied “My hands aren’t dry, I’ve been using my new Lush stuff.”  I half expected her to flip her hair and do a Z snap.  Girl.

Where: Lush, Amazon.  Price: $18.95/3.5 oz.

I expected the texture to be thick, but it’s really not that heavy. It’s lightly scented (it reminds me of Dream Cream), I can mostly detect chamomile.  After trying several hand creams (including my homemade one and my trusty L’Occitane), wadoyaknow, grandma was right.  This smooth cream cured my dry, cracked, knuckles.  Grandma knows best!

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Everlasting Blush, it goes on and on and on…

14 Mar

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Sephora says: A fade-proof blush with remarkably rich pigment to enhance individual features and the complexion. Be brilliantly flushed from sunrise to far past sunset with this long-wearing blush. The smooth, velvety powder glides onto cheeks and effortlessly blends into the pores to enhance the natural radiance of your skin. The fade-proof formula promises up to 24-hours of color and the rich pigment offers buildable, custom coverage for every skintone.

Say what you want about the famous (or infamous) Kat Von D, but there’s no denying that she has established a very decent color line.  A lot of people have fallen in love with her foundation, which is super full coverage with a matte finish (btw, it’s currently out of stock at most Sephoras.  I’ve heard that they’re changing the packaging).  Her new blush definitely spiked my interest, especially with its 24 hour claim!

I love the way this blush applies, it’s sheer but buildable.  This is the type of blush you could throw on in a hurry and not look like a crazy person from the 80′s.  Essex is a cool rose and Bellisima is a peachy pink, both matte finish.  Any skin tone could wear these due to their sheer buildable coverage and what color you prefer to see yourself in.  The matte finish is perfect for my oily skin, and the smooth texture doesn’t get all powdery on me.  I like the packaging, but I’m a person who likes a simple, no frills approach.  It makes a good use of space, has a mirror, and securely closes with a “snap.”  These only come in 7 shades, 5 mattes and 2 shimmers.  I can’t say it lives up to a 24 hour claim (which is quite a ridiculous claim) simply because I don’t run on vampire time, so I wash off my makeup when it’s bedtime.  It does, however, wear for a good 9 hours with no fading.

Overall
These applies beautifully with sheer, buildable, natural coverage.  It only comes in 7 colors, but there’s nudes, pinks, and rose shades in that small range.  These are just as good as the famous NARS blushes and you also get more product for $4 less.  I recommend to anyone who’s in the market for a long wearing blush!

Glitter Rating: 5 / 5

Where: Sephora, Amazon (Bellisima, Essex). Price: $25.00/0.25 oz.
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Bite Beauty, looks like my lips but better!

6 Mar

Bite Beauty says: A purse-friendly triage of hydrating color, perfect for when you’re on the go.  Mini Lipstick provides long-lasting color and moisture-rich coverage made from food-grade ingredients that are good enough to eat. Mini Lip Shine is a luscious pairing that combines a lip conditioning treatment with intense shine. In every application, a micro-delivery of super antioxidant resveratrol fights free radicals with potent long-term age-repair benefits. Each Bite product contains the amount of resveratrol equivalent to five glasses of red wine.

Bite Beauty is a newer member of the Sephora family, and all I really knew about it was that it has resveratrol in it.  So… what is resveratrol?  A quick Google search led me to this video from Dr. Oz.  In a nutshell, it’s in red wine and it’s good for you.  Boom.  Lets start drinking, for our healths sake.

Well anyway, since we know it’s good when ingested, there’s positive topical benefits as well.

Susanne Langmuir, the founder and driving force behind Bite Beauty, created her brand with the guiding philosophy, “You eat what you put on your lips, so your lipstick should be good for you.” -Sephora.com

 As much as I wanted to fully extend the lipstick and take a big bite to test this theory, I resisted this urge.  Mostly because it would be really expensive.

Lip Shine:  It has sheer coverage, it just gives the lips a nice bit of warmth.  The color is coral with a hint of pink.  If you have a lot of pink in your natural lips, you’re not going to see a lot of color when you apply this.  It feels very soft with some slip to it, but it’s not as sticky as, say, a MAC Lipglass.  Bite Beauty describes this as a “glossy, translucent, lip tint” and I find that to be an accurate description.  The jojoba and lanolin leave my lips feeling soft and hydrated.  This only wears for about 2 hours.
Luminous Crème Lipsticks:  There are two shades; Pepper (dusty rose) and Fig (nude rose).  These feel very soft on the lips with semi-opaque coverage.  Both shades are very wearable for warm medium skin tones.  I do need to run the tube over my lips 3-4 times to really feel like I have product on my lips.  Bite Beauty says the best application is with a lip brush, which worked fine but it takes more time and I still needed just as much product.  They are creamy, moisturizing and very natural looking.  They wear for about 4 hours.  Fig is my new favorite MLBB (my lips but better) lipstick! :)

Overall
The gloss is lacking in wear time but still scores points for its unique moisturizing formula.  The lipsticks are also moisturizing with semi-opaque coverage.  They are very natural and wearable shades, and if you have pink in your lips these will compliment it nicely.  If you like a creamy formula then you might want to check these out.  I really like Bite Beauty’s brand philosophy (read more about them here) and will definitely be checking out more of their stuff!

Glitter Rating: 3.5 / 5

Where: Sephora, Amazon. Price: $15.00/0.52 oz Mini Lip Shine, 0.52 oz x 2 Luminous Crème Mini Lipsticks
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Sephora by OPI Gelshine System, Review

8 Jan

Sephora says: This system delivers optimal results with salon technology. This Sephora exclusive is fully loaded with all the necessary tools for the perfect at-home gel manicure, featuring the highest quality gel formula on the market, and one of fastest LED cures with the smartest removal system. With invincible wear for up to two weeks, zero chipping, zero dry time, and the highest shine available, the patented, unique, professional grade formula is sure to leave your nails ultra-glossy and perfectly pretty.

I don’t know why I didn’t hop on the gel polish bandwagon sooner, because I absolutely love it!  As part of my new years beauty resolution, I vowed to never sport a chipped mani.  That’s why I finally splurged on the at-home gel system.  It takes me about 45 minutes to complete both hands, but the polish lasts for the 2 weeks (as promised!).   The process is simple:

1) Prep nails by trimming cuticles and buffing and cleaning the surface.

2) Apply base coat to 4 nails (all except thumb), cure under LED light for 30 seconds.  Repeat on the thumb.

3) Apply color coat to 4 nails.  Cure for 30 seconds.  Repeat on thumb.

4) Apply another color coat to 4 nails.  Cure for 30 seconds.  Repeat on thumb.  A third coat can been applied if necessary.

5)  Apply top coat to 4 nails.  Cure for 30 seconds.  Repeat on thumb.  Then, repeat entire process on other hand.

Overall
The system does what it promises, gives me a 2 week no-chip mani.  As far as application, you have to make sure to apply thin coats and shake each bottle really well.  The directions included walk you through every step, and there’s even a QR code that you can scan it will take you to a how-to video.  I like that this has and LED light (opposed to a UV) because it is safer.  LED lights also require less cure time.   My biggest complaint:  I want to change my polish color after about 2 days.  Oh, the agony.  I guess I’ll live.  Maybe.

Glitter Rating: 5 / 5

Where: Sephora, Amazon. Price: $159.00 (includes 1 gel color of your choice).
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Emerald “made me” Pretty Palette

14 Nov


Sephora says:A unique palette of shimmery, high-payoff shadows inspired by a magical, far-off place.   Infused with crushed pearls and diamond and porcelain powder, this set of shadows is like jewelry for your eyes. The shades of olive green, shimmering aqua, and iridescent white were carefully created by Tarina to capture the essence of The Emerald City in the bejeweled Land of Oz. From sweet to wicked, these intense formulas offer shimmery payoff and ultra-high pigmentation. Quality ingredients ensure long wear and shades can be applied either wet or dry.

Glinda’s Kiss: Iridescent white.  This frosty white shade applies beautifully, it works great as an under brow highlight and in the tear duct.

Silver Shoes:  Pearlized silver.  The most “powdery” compared to the rest of the shadows.  It still applies smoothly and has great color payoff.

Dandy Lion:  Pearlized olive green.  Probably the most unique color out of the bunch, it’s a warm medium green with a hint of yellow.  It’s smooth and pigmented.

Saw Dust Heart:  Matte deep brown.  I don’t know how someone could be excited about a matte dark brown, I have about 2.5 billion in my current collection.  But somehow, this one really wowed me.  The texture is like butter, it’s very smooth, and the color payoff is amazing.  It’s tad too dark for my brows (NC30 skin, dark brown hair), but this applies and blends like a dream.

Ozma:  Pearlized aqua blue.  The beauty of the color teal?  EVERYONE looks good in it.  While this color is easily dupe-able, it’s still a nice, smooth, pigmented eyeshadow.

Very Wicked:  Pearlized emerald green.  I wouldn’t call this an emerald green in any way shape or form.  It’s a dark forest green, it looks more grayish in the pan but comes out more green when applied.  Smooth and pigmented!

Overall
The eyeshadow formula is amazing!  Every shadow is smooth and pigmented with a buttery texture, what more could you ask for?  I really like the color selection, nothing is too bright, and the colors come off as almost “secondary neutrals,” meaning you could wear them with anything and it just “works.”  The brightest of the bunch is Ozma, but as I mentioned before, teal looks good on everyone!  The eyeshadow pans are HUGE, 0.9oz (compared to the 0.5 that most palettes have).  The only thing I dislike is the packaging, it’s large, flimsy and wastes a lot of space.  The cardboard is sturdy, but the magnetic closure isn’t very tight.  As far as the formula goes, A+!

Glitter Rating: 4.5 / 5

Where: Sephora, Amazon. Price: $22.00 (originally $36)/6 0.9oz eyeshadows.
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Friday Favorite: Make Up Forever Aqua Cream #3

9 Nov

Have you ever put on an eyeshadow and thought… I wish this was more vibrant..? While bright eyeshadows may not be your everyday look (or maybe it is!), it’s always good to have a little secret weapon for when your makeup needs an boost.  Cue, today’s Friday Favorite:

It’s the Make Up Forever Aqua Cream in 3

MUFE says: An ultra-pigmented, long-lasting waterproof cream.  Aqua Cream combines the highest-quality pigments with mother of pearl particles to give immediate rich color payoff with a luminous finish in just one application. It’s long-lasting formulation will not crease or smudge under the most extreme conditions and its creamy and elastic texture allows for easy blending.  $23.00/0.21oz.  Sephora

#3 is described as a “true silver shimmer”

I was skeptical about these cream eyeshadows, especially because of the hefty price tag.  It’s a little more than $1 an ounce!  However, it’s worth every penny.  Why?

  • It lives up to every claim.
  • A little bit goes a long way.
  • It doesn’t dry up over time (like some MAC Paint Pots).
  • You don’t need to use an eyeshadow primer with it, this IS a primer.

MUFE Aqua Cream #3, swatched 1 swipe no primer.

Still not sold?  Check out these swatches with some of my favorite eyeshadows.

Eyeshadows that I used to swatch.

Satin Taupe alone on left, over MUFE3 on right.

Junkshow alone on left, over MUFE3 on right.

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Heeeeey Maracuja, AAAhAA!

24 Oct

All I have to say is… WHAT WERE WE THINKING IN 1995?  Why was this cool?  One day, kids will say the same thing about this current craze.  On to the beauty…


Tarte says: This nutrient-rich oil contains vitamin C and essential fatty acids to hydrate sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Pure maracuja oil is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, and will not cause breakouts.

Beauty oils have been all the rage lately, it seems like everywhere I turn there’s a new one out.  One for hair.  One for skin.  One for hands.  Tarte’s maracuja oil has been out for a while (even before the craze).  I’ve already confessed my love affair with coconut oil, but it’s a tad too thick for my face and leaves my skin feeling (temporarily) greasy.  Wondering if this will be a nice alternative?

My thoughts
I really like this stuff!  The packaging is luxe without being too over the top.  I’ve actually had this for quite some time but had never used it.  One night I was without my usual nighttime moisturizer so I picked up this stuff and was pleasantly surprised!  It leaves my skin feeling silky smooth without feeling greasy.  The consistency isn’t as thick as coconut oil (although I still prefer coconut oil for my hair).  It has very similar properties to argan oil.  This is very moisturizing, my favorite use is on my face at night, either as a night creme or over my retinol.  This makes my skin feel AMAZING with all of its fatty acids.  It is also unscented.  I recommend this for any one looking for a gentle moisturizer!

Glitter Rating:  4.5 / 5

Where: Ulta, Sephora, Tarte website, Amazon. Price: $46.00/1.7oz.

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