October Hits and Misses

Hello there readers, Happy Halloween! It is that time of the month again where I share with you what I've been using, loving, and hating for this month, so I hope you enjoy!


Hits:

Clinique All About Eyes Rich
This cream does wonders for under-eye circles and puffy eyes. If you're looking for an eye cream that's not necessarily anti-aging, give this a try. Leaves the eye area unbelievably smooth.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
I originally used the gel version of this product, but my new skincare regimen called for something stronger. I love Clinique products in general because they're very gentle and fragrance-free.

Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 30
I was prescribed Tretinoin (a form of Retinoid) for my acne this month, so it was mandatory that I use a sunscreen if I was even thinking of being outside. This sunblock smells amazing and it didn't sting my delicate skin.

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum
I LOVE this stuff! Smells amazing, and it's one of those products that actually delivers. I will be posting a full review on this soon.

eos Smooth Stick Lip Balm in Pomegranate Raspberry
This balm is clear and tastes pretty good, and I'm trying to finish it :).

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero
Been using this to line my inner rims. I don't usually like to line my lashlines because my eyes are already really big. Placing the liner on my inner rims looks more natural on me, and it just looks like I have more lashes.

Tweezerman Slant-Tip Tweezers
I had sent in my tweezers for the free sharpening like in the middle of July, and I FINALLY got them back! I was so excited! These are the best tweezers I've ever used, and I confirmed this when I was forced to borrow different ones from a friend while I waited for mines to arrive.

Kiko Eye Shadow in 175
I use this shadow and an angled liner brush to slightly fill in and darken my eyebrows. It is a dark grey shade (my eyebrows are black) and it has the tiniest bits of silver micro-shimmer. I prefer the shimmer because this mimics the natural shine in your hair, instead of the obvious powdered matte-shadow look. I bought this on a trip to Italy, and I don't think it's available in the U.S. (yet!) but hopefully one day it will!

mark. Powder Buff Natural Skin Foundation in Buff
Being that I'm on Tretinoin, my skin basically peeled off, taking whatever hint of a tan I had left. This made my skin so light that none of my foundations matched anymore, so I ordered this one. So far, I love it!

Misses:


No misses this month!

Benefit Dallas: Review & Photos

I love pink blush, the lighter the better. I love how it gives me a flush of color that looks extremely natural on my light skin. However, if I had to pick one blush to use for the rest of my life, it would probably be Benefit Dallas.

Benefit Dallas

Dallas is one of Benefit's boxed powders, and my favorite one. When you look at this blush in person, I'll admit it looks pretty scary on the box. The shade is like a combination of brown and pink, and it gives the most beautiful color on the cheeks. It makes you look like you just came from a day in the sun - tanned, but with a hint of red to mimic the skin's actual color. It is extremely realistic, and it makes my skin glow like I just came from the islands, even though I haven't seen the sun in ages :(. You can dust this very lightly all over your face, then add a bit more on the apples of your cheeks for an extra glow. 

This product retails for $28, but the amount you get in the box is about 4x the amount of a standard blush, so it works out to be very affordable. Next time you pass by a Benefit counter or a Sephora, don't forget to swatch this!

Quick Tip: Winter Skin

If you live somewhere where the weather gets extremely cold, you've probably experienced the painful cracked skin that can occur when you lose moisture. This is usually most common on the corners of the nose, around the lips, and the webs of your fingers. Dab a little Vaseline or Aquaphor on these spots to smooth the area and reduce the itching. If you're on the go, a clear lip balm will work the same way.

Quick Tip: Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Whether you only own one eyeshadow brush, or you're creating a look that involves multiple shades, it is a good idea to clean your brushes between colors. This allows for the colors to show up true to their shade instead of blending with what was already on the brush. Take a folded paper towel and a spray bottle with the highest concentration of alcohol you can find (i.e. 99%, the higher the concentration, the faster it dries). Then spray the bristles of your brush a few times and sweep them back and forth on your paper towel to remove all the excess pigments. Your brushes should be dry and ready for use in about two minutes.

One 'N Only Argan Oil: A Review

Hello there! This is a review of the One 'N Only Argan Oil, which is probably Moroccanoil's biggest competitor on the market right now. Compared to the Moroccanoil, this one is considerably cheaper, being that I got my 3.4oz bottle for about $12 from folica.com.

The main reason I purchased this product was because I was running low on my current hair serum. I had heard a lot of hype over Argan oil, and many people compared this product to the more expensive Moroccanoil, some even saying that this one was way better. Reviews were promising smooth, healthy hair that was completely restored and even grew faster.

To my disappointment, this product didn't deliver as I expected it to. I have fine hair, so a little went a LONG way, and it was very easy to overdue it. Often I'd end up with stringy hair, which was frustrating since my hair is already on the oily side. This oil is definitely more suited for those with thick, coarse hair that can absorb a heavy product. Instead of taming my frizz, it just made my hair look flat and oily.

Bottom line: if you have fine, thin hair that gets flat easily, or if you like volume, you might want to stay away from this product. On the other hand, if you have tons of thick hair that you'd like to tame, this product will probably work just fine.

Thank you for reading!
-Z

EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm: A Review

If you're all about packaging and into quirky things, you've probably tried (or at least heard of) the EOS Sphere Lip Balms. These balms have a lot of things going for them: they're cute, colorful, come in an array of flavors, and they're crafted out of 100% natural and 95% organic ingredients. Sounds great, right?

One thing I noticed is that I find myself re-applying constantly, and its not because it's fun, it's because the moisturizing properties don't last nearly as long as I need them to. I find that after the balm wears off, my lips feel drier than when I first applied. This is the same reason why ChapStick doesn't work for me. If you have normal lips, this will be a great balm for you, but my lips are very dry, so I need something more potent.

You can find these balms at most drugstores, Target and Walmart for about $3, so if you're intrigued, give them a try!

My Favorite Lip Balm

Ever since I could remember, I've always had extremely dry lips. Weirdly enough, the rest of my body is the opposite - I don't really apply body lotion, and my hair and face are on the oily side. I have to apply some kind of lip product constantly, to the point that I sleep with one under my pillow. There were even cases where I'd forgotten to take one with me, and had to buy one ASAP before my lips started peeling and burning.

If you're reading this, you've probably heard of the famous Smith's Rosebud Salve. I had heard wonders about this product, and I always wanted to try it on my lips. However, once I smelled it I knew it was a no-go. The smell of rosewater was just not up my alley. One day while browsing near the Sephora checkout line, I noticed this gem - Smith's Rosebud Lip Balm in Minted Rose. It was essentially the same as the original, but mint-infused and with a prettier color. The scent was a bit hard to get used to, but I am a mint fanatic so I was OK.

This was the first lip balm that made my lips feel extremely soft and moisturized, and I didn't have the need to re-apply so often. I also felt like it was making my lips softer over time. After buying this, I basically neglect all of my other lip products as this gives you just the right amount of sheer color and glossiness. One tin lasts almost six months, and you can find it at the Sephora checkout line for $7. I hope they never discontinue this!

Mark. That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser: A Review

The Mark. That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser is a great choice for those with combination/oily skin. It is soap and fragrance free, and has a slight minty feeling to it, so it tingles a bit. It contains black willow bark and sugar maple to encourage natural exfoliation and keep skin clear. This leaves my skin extremely clean and soft, and removes makeup well. Also, one bottle lasts me about four months! The formula rinses completely clean, and its great to use with a Clarisonic brush because it doesn't leave buildup on the brush head. I've been using this cleanser for over a year, and it's the best one I've tried yet.

Mark. That's Deep Purifying Gel Cleanser

Unfortunately, for the past few weeks I've been using a retinoid cream.  As a result, my face has become very sensitive and dry, so I'm going to have to stop using it for a while. This cleanser is definitely not for those with dry skin, because it will leave your face feeling tight. There is another cleanser by the brand, called Calming Effect, that is catered to those with drier skin types, so I will be switching to that for a while. However, when my skin returns to normal, I will go back to this in a heartbeat!

This product retails for $8 USD, and can be purchased through your Avon or Mark. rep, or at shop.meetmark.com. What cleanser works best with your skin type?

MAC Face and Body Foundation: A Review

I always wanted a foundation that made my skin look completely natural, as if I had no foundation on at all. I heard of MAC's Face and Body through YouTube reviews, and I was really excited to try it. However, I had never owned a MAC product before, so I was a bit scared to pay such a high price. About a month later, after extensive research, I learned that I could get a sample before buying the full-size, so I did, in the color C3. 

MAC Face and Body Foundation in C3

As soon as I tried this foundation, I fell in love with how it made my skin look. I have very cool/pink undertones on my face, and this foundation managed to cancel those out, so my face looked completely neutral. However, it still looked like my skin, just better. It gives this particular sheen that makes your skin look almost wet, but not shiny. This foundation is water-resistant, and as a result it dries extremely fast, so its best to work in small sections. I find that it's best to apply it with my fingers or a synthetic brush.

The makeup artist at the counter who assisted me also gave me a few pointers regarding this product. He said if you apply it to your legs, it will make you look like you have stockings on. He also said that if you want to extend the shelf life, you should store the bottle in the fridge, this way it can last up to two years. 

This foundation has a very light coverage, so its best for people with fairly clear skin. You can build it up to your desired coverage as you please, but if you have any bumps, they will show through. This foundation is available at the MAC freestanding stores, or at maccosmetics.com. Also, this comes in a 4oz bottle - about 4x the size of a regular foundation, so it can last you a very long time. For $32, that's not bad at all!

e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths: A Review

I am always on the market for new makeup-removing wipes, so I was really excited when I heard good things about these e.l.f. ones. One of the most attractive aspects of this product is the price, since they're only $3 for 20 wipes, and they're easily found at Target stores. 

These e.l.f. wipes are good, but not the best I've tried. The packaging is great, because it has the standard re-sealable flap, but it also has the added plastic lid to keep the cloths from drying out. They do a great job at removing face makeup, but lack power when it comes to eye makeup. My eyeshadow comes off easily, but sometimes there's a bit of liner and mascara residue. These wipes also require you to rinse your face afterward, but I find that this extra step also helps remove the last traces of eye makeup. My waterproof mascara, however, doesn't even budge. 

Overall, if you are looking for some cheap wipes to travel with, or when you need to quickly remove makeup, I would recommend these, but if you use waterproof makeup it's best to try something else.

Thank you for reading!

Quick Tip: Body Acne

If you get acne on your face, you probably use some sort of toner or astringent. To prevent the occasional flare-up on your chest or back, after you're done applying the astringent all over with the cotton pad (or whatever you use), apply what's left on your chest and back. This will remove excess residue from soaps, conditioner and lotions and keep the areas clear.

Quick Tip: Touch-Ups

If you have oily skin, your face probably starts looking really shiny within an hour or so after applying makeup. Before covering up all the shine with powder, make sure to blot your face first. Blotting will remove the excess grease, allowing you to use less powder and minimize the chance of clogged pores. Your face will also stay matte longer, and you don't risk your powder turning darker once it gets in contact with the oil.

September Hits and Misses

October is here! OMG! Before we know it, 2012 will be knocking on our doors. Many of my favorite products for August were the same for September. Here's a list of items I fell in love with, or hated, whether I purchased them recently or already had them in my collection.

Hits:
Mac Face and Body Foundation in C3
This foundation is very sheer, but you can build it up to provide the amount of coverage you need. Also, it's water-resistant, and I find that it's still on after a full day of wear.

Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof Mascara in Very Black
One of the current makeup trends for fall are spider lashes, and this mascara definitely helps me achieve that effect. I'm not saying that it clumps easily on its own, but with enough coats my lashes were almost touching the tops of my brows. The only drawback with this mascara is that I got the waterproof version, so its pretty much impossible to remove.

mark. Matte-Nificent Oil Absorbing Powder in Natural Buff
I've had this powder for a while, but lately I've been getting way more use from it. My skin has always been normal/oily, but since using the Clarisonic it has turned oily all over. This powder mattifies my skin perfectly, but doesn't look like I have powder at all.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Dollface
This blush is the longest-lasting blush I've ever encountered. 'Nuff said.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Eau De Parfum
This perfume smells amazing! Its very sweet and feminine, and I just love it! I have both the big size and the rollerball. Definitely try it if you get a chance!


Misses:

Givenchy Gelée D'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm in 10 Icy Peach
I got a deluxe sample for free with one of my Sephora purchases. Although I give it a 10/10 for packaging, there's really nothing special about this gloss.  On the tube it looks like this gorgeous peach color, and it smells pretty good, but it goes on clear and all you see is a bunch of glitter. I can also feel the glitter as tiny particles on my lips, which is kind of annoying. The full size retails for about $26, and I honestly don't know why anyone would pay such a high price for glitter in a bottle.

Skintimate Extra Gentle Moisturizing Cream Shave
I've been a fan of Skintimate for years, but this product SUCKS! Not only does it smell repulsive (to me, anyway), it is very creamy to the point where it clogs and dulls my razor after just one use. I also find that it clogs the pores on my legs. Never again!

Thank you for reading!