Hey girls! Hope everyone is doing awesome, I wanted to share the fairly new NYX Honey Dew Me Up Serum & Primer that I have been enjoying lately! It’s been super hot here, and I’ve been craving a lighter, more hydrated face for everyday. I was in passing through a makeup isle and came across this little beauty from NYX! I was immediately intrigued due to the packaging, I love anything gold!! The price tag was a bit steep for NYX at $16, but I had to try it none the less. I have anything with honey in it for the skin, it really helps to moisturize my skin and keep it looking radiant. It has a light serumy texture with tiny little gold flecks! It’s really hydrating on the skin without feeling heavy or sticky, it almost has a watery-gel texture. It’s really nice under makeup, and does help makeup apply more evenly. As far as longevity, it keeps my makeup looking fresh and my skin feeling awesome. Highly recommend!
skin
Brightening With Glam Glow
After much hulabaloo, and trying a few samples, I bought a full size Glam Glow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment. I know, I know, it’s expensive, but I was able to find it on discount at TJMaxx which made the blow a bit better. My skin for some reason was starting to have small breakouts around my nose and t-zone, I’m sure from my lax beauty habits in the recent cold winter months. The mask itself is a pale green tingling mud with botanicals, and exfoliators. The main ingredients are: French Green Clay, Volcanic Pumice Rock, Chamomile, Marigold, Cucumber, Herbs and Green Tea Leaves. The smell is really nice, very clean and spa like, the texture is very thick and chunky due to the tea leaves. I use only a small amount in my nose and trouble areas since you only get a little under 2 oz in the full size jar (which retails for $69). You can move the mask around before it sets on your skin, but do so gently because the exfoliates are a bit coarse. Once it sits for a bit it starts to tingle and burn, kind of like menthol. After washing, my skin felt clean and refreshed! As far as clearing up my skin, I do use other products so it is hard to say if this is a holy grail product for me. I think it does an ok job of clarifying for me personally. There are other, better, cheaper alternatives out there that I have used.
What do you guys think of GlamGlow?
Best Clarins Self Tanning Duo!
I have been absolutely obsessed with self tanning lately, only because it’s right between spring and summer where I live. Also, I’ve been more conscious about being exposed to the sun. I’ve tried a lot of lotions from the drugstore, but these two products really take the cake! I’m talking about the Clarins Delicious Self-Tanning Cream and the Clarins Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster. These two products look very natural. I re-apply about twice a week to maintain my tan, and there is no smell and sticky or oily feeling. The Radiance Glow Booster can be mixed into any moisturizer or serum to apply to the face. I totally love these products!<3
Color Study: Blanc Type
Spring/Summer Skincare Picks 2014
Whenever it starts getting warmer, my skincare regimen becomes more simple. Here is a collection of sprays that I use after a shower, for setting makeup, and a mid day boost: The Boots Botanics Rosewater Toning Spritz $8.39, Caudalie Eau De Beaute Beauty Elixer 1 oz $18, and the Boscia Clear Complexion Tonic $24. Rose water is my all time favorite gentle moisturizer/toner for my skin. It really hydrates and softens my skin and smells great! The Caudalie Beauty Elixer and the Boscia Clear Complexion Tonic is great for mid day spritzes, an after bath/shower cleanse, or a pick me up after a workout to control oil/acne, and also tone & tighten.
Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders: Princess, Nefertiti, & Angel
I seriously LOVE these powders. ❤ They are one of my all time favorite highlighters. The Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders $38 are velvety soft, finely milled highlighters that give the most amazing sheen to the cheeks. I have Princess (warm golden pink), Nefertiti (rose opal), and Angel (champagne). They are currently 50% off the website, so I think they are being discontinued, but I managed to find mine of Ebay for a great price. Becca as a brand I am a huge fan of, and I love all their products. The packaging is really stunning, metal embossed tops and brown rubberized casing. These powders really give off a natural glow without being too overpowering and feel very lightweight.
Clarins Opalescence Collection Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in Rose
A new spring discovery! The Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base in Rose $37. This is meant to be used underneath foundation to give your skin a luminous glow, which it certainly does. I find this very moisturizing and non-silicone like which I prefer. The color has a very pretty pink opalescent sheen, and leaves my skin dewy and prepped and ready to apply liquid foundation. This does have a most subtle hint of pink, but underneath foundation it’s not noticeable at all. Love how fresh and dewy my skin looks when using this product! Highly recommend this product!
Have you checked out the Clarins Spring 2014 Collection?
Etsy Shop VirgaBotanicals Review!
Do you LOVE organic/natural skincare like I do?! I’m a total believer in natural products for your skin, but most of the time it’s hard to fine one that really works. This shop Virgabotanicals, is a miracle worker!! “the complete skin-care line based on Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Western herbalism principles, owned by a Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist.” She is doing a special promo just for you guys! Here is a coupon code for 20% off: HAPPY2013.
She was wonderful enough to send me a little care package, there was the Pumpkin & Carrot Facial Mask, the Pomegranate Rose Supplementing Skin Serum, and a tiny perfume sample of Spice Market Perfume. “Beauty is truth, truth beauty…” Keats
This is the Pomegranate Roes Supplementing Skin Serum $12.95, it comes in roller ball form, which is really convenient and less messy to apply on the skin. I really like the dark green glass bottle, it feels very natural, and is very portable!
Here are the ingredients, contains: pomegranate seed oil, abyssinian oil. rosehip seed and evening primrose oils, licorice, frankincense and organic rose essential oils, jojoba oil, rosemary oil extract, good qi. Everything sounds SO delicious, and SO amazing for your skin. The Abyssinian oil keep the oil feeling very light, and the rose/licorice scent is so lovely. I absolutely love this product, I apply this after I shower on a clean exfoliated face, it makes my skin radiant, smooth, soft, and hydrated! It REALLY works!
Here it is on my hand, you can barely see it! That’s cause it absorbs into the skin very quickly. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy at all. It truly is lovely and I have already seen an improvement in my skin’s texture!
Next is the Pumpkin & Carrot Facial Mask $16.95. This is an HG organic skincare product. The full size is a 4oz jar, this was a mini sample she sent me! This smells heavenly, like something I want to eat, kind of like pumpkin milk! lol It is “Rich in vitamins A and E, the golden-orange pumpkin (Nan Gua in Chinese) is also considered a superb detoxifier.”
It comes in powder form which I like, and contains: Pumpkin, ground oats, honey powder, white clay, goat’s milk, carrot seed oil, vitamin E, good qi. I have been using this for the past 3 days and I can’t get enough of it. I use a small amount on my fingertips and mix with a little water in the shower and apply in circular motions on my face. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinse. It really makes my skin soft, smooth, hydrated, exfoliated, and nourished. HIGHLY recommend this product!!!
Here it is on my hand! Love the color and texture of this!
Lastly was this little vial of Spice Market Perfume. The full size of this is $24, and is a “lush, exotic, truly gorgeous and absolutely sensuous. Made to smell like the open-air markets (souks) of the mysterious East, where I lived for several years. Spice Market is a true oriental containing notes of incense, rose, cinnamon and amber.” It’s a little too warm/musky for my taste but it is a really nice, natural smelling perfume.
Visit her shop: Virgagbotanicals
What do you guys think!? 😀
Sephora Sale Haul!
I stopped by Sephora for the first time in months and was happy to find that they had some items on sale that I’ve been dying to try!!! Some items weren’t on sale but they were so amazing when I tested them in the store, the sales people were really nice today!
Will do a review on each of these items soon! 🙂
This is the Hello Kitty Parisienne Palette that I’ve been waiting to go on sale and it finally did!! I got this little beauty for $10, so happy I waited!! Review and swatches to come!
This is the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15, this was $18 for .33oz, one of the more pricier items, but I had to get it after trying a tester in the store, this primer is nothing like anything I’ve ever tried!! So happy with this, and love the convenient size!
This is the Sephora Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow in Moonbeam, been eyeing these as well!! Was lucky enough to find this for $5!! The color looks like a shimmery soft light shell pink, but can sometimes look beige. I’m in love with this already, pretty waves in the product!
This is the Sephora Hot Hues Neon Lip Balm in Hot Pink, it was part of the Hot Hues Collection released this year. It is a limited edition moisturizing sheer lip tint! I reeeaaally wanted to try this and got it for $3! So lucky!!
I also got a nice sample of the The Body Shop Shea Body Butter. I’m familiar with The Body Shop, and rather like body butters, this will be nice to put on after I get back from the pool! Going to try it on my chapped heels!
The nice sales woman also gave me some samples of the Caudalie skincare products I was eyeing in the store, the Caudalie Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum, and the Caudalie Premieres Vendanges Moisturizing Cream. I really liked the serum, and she recommended the moisturizer, can’t wait to test these beauts out!
Successful shopping day.
What do you guys think?!
New Trial BB Creams!
As you probably know, I am currently obsessed with BB Creams. I just ordered these to try out and review, can’t wait to get them in the mail!! Has anyone tried any of these? Let me know!
Skin79 VIP Gold Super + BB Cream – Abundant nutrition of Gold and Caviar extract cares skin intensively to make shiny, healthy skin.
Skin79 Oriental Gold BB Cream – The oriental tea blending ingredients including White Tea, Green Tea and Black Tea keep skin brighter and firmer. Also comes with Creamy Touch Color for Lip & Cheek.
Skin79 Vital BB Cream Orange BB Cream (new!) – Upgraded sunscreen that prevents skin discoloration and skin aging with UV A and B sun protection, a triple function BB cream that makes skin bright and smooth, strengthens skin’s overall protection capacity and blocks melanin formation while giving elasticity to sagging skin.
Skin79 Prestige Diamond BB Cream – Packed with adenosine and arbutin, it minimizes the appearance of wrinkles while giving skin a fairer and radiant appearance. Contains Diamond Powder and Jewel Complex Powder of Ruby, Amethyst and Pearl adds radiance to skin.
Lioele Beyond The Solution BB Cream – This BB Cream contains bisabolol, licorice acid derivatives, and allantoin component soothe your skin and jojoba oil, macadamia nut oil, hyauronic acid derivatives, and marin collagen make your skin moisturize and smooth.
Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream – This is for sensitive skin, naturally covering the irregularities on the skin as well as improving skin texture. Botanical ingredients, such as mugwort and pumpkin, and the nutritional ingredients keep skin moist and silky.
My Skincare Picks!
Casewell-Massey Floral Rose Water
I discovered this Casewell-Massey Floral Rose Water when I was venturing into the organic skincare world. I love this toner because it is natural, gently cleans skin, softens, and smells great! Check your local organic market and browse through some sites online to find it. Pour a bit on a cotton round and gently glide it all over your face. There are also great alternative brands, and is great for sensitive skin.
L to R: Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover, Lancome Bi-Facil
There are my TOP two makeup removers, the Estee Lauder Take It Away Total Makeup Remover, and the Lancome Bi-Facil. The Bi-Facil has been around for some time now, and there’s reason why it’s one of the top selling high end makeup removers. It’s very effective, light, and non-greasy. I can use it on my face as well as on my eyes. The Estee Lauder Take It Away Remover is a bit more cream-like, and has a fresh scent. I use this strictly on my eyes for mascara and liner on a q-tip because that’s where I feel it is most effective. It can sting a bit if you put it on a raw area, but this is great for people who have combination to oily skin. I think this also comes in a wipe form.
L to R: Claudalie Bio Grape Water Moisturizing Spray, Boots No. 7 Soft & Soothed Toner for Normal/Dry Skin
Over the years I have grown an affection for Boots No. 7 products because of how great the skincare products really are. For a drugstore brand, this is worth every penny. The Boots No. 7 Soft & Soothed Toner for Normal/Dry skin is good for everyday use to clean off remaining makeup after you wash your face. I use this every morning before I put on my makeup, or if you need a fresh pick me up during the day. It makes my skin fresh, clean, moisturized, and soft. The Claudalie Bio Grape Water Moisturizing Spray is wonderful for on the go freshness. I use this after I shower to lock in moisture on my face, and also as a makeup setting spray. I notice that it gives my skin a slight fresh, dewy glow, and feels amazingly hydrated. Highly recommended.
L to R: EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve, Sally Hansen Vita-A Lip Line Smoother
I can’t live without lip balms. The lips are the first place on my skin to get dry instantly. I’ve tried a lot of lip products over the years and these are the ones I get the most use out of. The C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve is a multi-purpose salve to use on your face, knees, elbows, lips, and cuticles. It smells like sweet rose, and feels very emollient. I apply this on my lips at night and also before I apply lipstick if my lips are particularly dry. The EOS Sweet Mint Lip Balm is a great everyday lip balm. I love this scent and I love that it’s a natural product. The balm itself is domed and is a natural waxy yellow color. I feels very smooth and gives your lips a slight tingle. Last but not least, the Sally Hansen Vita-A Lip Line Smoother. I probably use this product the most out of the three. It says it has anti-aging and vitamin-powered properties to rejuvenate and moisten your lips. It certainly does that, I use this every time I use a lipstick, or by itself during the day. It smells a bit like peaches and glides on effortlessly. This is not very long wearing, but I love it none the less!
L to R: Estee Lauder Hydrationist Serum, Swanson’s DMAE Serum, Beauty Solutions Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Serum, Swanson’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Serums are kind of a new thing I got into, as I just hit a “Omg I’m a quarter through my life” birthday milestone. Serums serve different purposes depending on the ingredients and it’s potency. The Estee Lauder Hydrationist Serum is a lightweight alternative to your typical moisturizer. It has a clear, jelly-like watery formula that absorbs into your skin quickly. It smells a bit like cucumbers and makes my skin feel soft and hydrated. The Swanson’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum is strictly for locking in moisture on my face. There are many skin products that contain Hyaluronic Acid for this purpose. The Swanson’s brand is natural and fairly inexpensive which is why I initially gravitated towards it. You just need a little drop to pat all over your face. It makes my skin feel plump and very dewy. The DMAE Serum is for skin tightening and firming. I use this sparingly in certain areas where I feel I will see first signs of aging (i.e. under my chin, neck area, around my eye area etc.) The last product is a Retinol Anti-Wrinkle Serum. This is supposed to be an intensive firming treatment for your skin. They say prevention is key, so I said why not. I use this product sparingly on my eye and mouth area.
Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid for Sensitive Skin
The Olay Active Hydrating Beauty Fluid is a light weight, moisturizing, liquidly lotion. It’s fragrance free, non-greasy, and contains aloe & chamomile. I use this alone on my face before makeup to prep the skin, and also mix it with whatever liquid foundation I’m using to give my face a dewy glow. I love this product because it makes my skin feel supple, clean, and smooth. It’s a great all around drugstore product to have around!
Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream
This product I CANNOT live without. It’s the Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect Night Cream. I discovered this last year after being discouraged from the long search for a prefect department store night cream. I tried some Estee Lauder products and they just felt too heavy, oily, and were heavily scented. This cream is light weight, smells fresh, and keeps my skin feeling hydrated and balanced. I use this in the daytime as well as an alternative moisturizer. I doesn’t feel heavy on my face and absorbs into my skin easily. This is probably my MOST used skincare product I own. I highly recommend this if you have combination skin!
This is the Lancome Tonqiue Control Purifying Toner. It contains little finely milled powder to help mattify the face after cleansing, and control shine. I LOVE this toner because it helps to control oil in my t-zone and keep my face clean. I definitely recommend this for people with oily skin, because of it’s contents and how it works on my face. This can’t find this product at the counter anymore, but it still easy to find on beauty sites or Ebay for a great price. There is a comparable product that Lancome has now called the Tonique Pure Focus Toner which I’m pretty sure is VERY similar. Check out your local Lancome counter or Lancome.com for more info!
Bliss No. 9 