Natasha Denona Star Palette: Is it Worth the Hype?

Good evening. 

I know it's been a hot minute since my last post, but I finally have a few days off work for the holidays, and now seems like as good a time as any to play catch-up.. I also realize I have still yet to upload the a lot of my work from the summer and fall. I WILL get around to this. 

But first and foremost, let's talk Natasha Denona, and this Star Palette that's been everywhere lately. 

I hugely debated buying it, but decided to because it was a tad cheaper than the $200+ her other larger palettes are. 

I LOVE makeup. You all know I love makeup. But I'm hard-pressed to pay over $200 bucks for a palette. I have tons of money invested in my makeup and brush collections, but that's a bit steep, even for me. 

However, I would like to point out that I did manage to score this for $135 during the VIB 20% off promo a couple months back.  

Upon arrival, I was very impressed with the packaging and size of the palette. While the price may be steep, you are getting a good amount of product. 

Also, a really cool feature in this palette is the clear sleeve with the shadow names on it. It is actually attached to the inside of the palette, so it won't slide around like most of the clear sleeves palettes come with. This also prevents any glittery or powdery fallout from getting the mirror side of the palette all dusty and dirty. 

Now, let's talk finishes. This palette includes four different shadow finishes: 

• Crystal: Spectrum, Cosmo, Galaxia, Polaris
• Creamy Matte: Earth, Flesh, Gemma, Titanium, Diadem, Vega, Phoenix, Electra, Atik
• Metallic: Bellatrix, Atria, Rhea
• Duo Chrome: Orion, Supernova 

Left to Right: Spectrum, Earth, Bellatrix,
                Flesh, Orion, Gemma,
              Atria, Titania, Cosmo

So, you can see that you get quite a variety. 

The crystal shadows, I have found, are VERY crumbly because they are pure pigment. I did my own research, then tested them myself, and found they are best applied with the finger. To prevent major fallout, it's best to tap it into your skin rather than rub over the lid. 

The mattes are creamy, but not as much so as Lorac shadows are (in my opinion. 

The metallic textures are probably my favorite. They aren't crumbly like the crystal shadows, can be wet with some Fix Plus to make them really POP, and are currently a very popular finish. 

The duo-chrome shadows are very standard. Pigment is decent, blendability is good, and the colors are pretty. 

I like the color range in the palette. The warm shades are right up my alley with my hazel eyes. 

However, one thing lacking from this palette is a good brow bone highlight shade. I basically can't live without one, so it's a nuisance to have to pull from another palette for a white shade. 

Left to Right: Diadem, Vega, Galaxia,
                               Phoenix, Supernova, Electra,
            Polaris, Atik, Rhea

Here, I have provided you some swatches. And as you can see, the shades are all decently pigmented. There isn't one that's dull. I think my main complaint is just that the textures themselves could be hard to work with if you didn't know either the right techniques or make an effort to play around with them a bit. 

I've seen multiple mixed reviews because some people just don't want to take the time to learn how to work with the product. 

Personally, I don't mind it. I like to get my fingers messy and play around, whether it be makeup or chalk pastels. It's the artist in me. 

However, I find it a little disconcerting that the price tag on these palettes is so high when the formula isn't absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing we've ever seen. 

It gives me reservations on ever purchasing the $200+ palettes, because is it possible they'd be any better? Who knows! 

The verdict: Would I buy this again? Do I approve? Am I satisfied? Yada, yada, yada.. 

I won't rule it out. The only things I don't love about this palette are the lack of a highlight shade and that something so expensive isn't "effortless" to use. I'm going to give this product a B-. The grade is still passing, but not over the top. I don't regret buying it, and I look forward to coming up with some pretty looks using it. 

As always, thanks for tuning in for another one of my sporadic posts! 

xx, 

Whitney 

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation: Liquid vs. Stick

I know, I know.. I've been a huge SLACKER lately. My only excuse is that life has gotten in the way, and sidetracked me, and the only way to rectify this is to bombard my blog with a slew of posts. 

I've done a lot of makeup sessions over these last six months that I've been absent, so I am also in the process of getting those up in the Portfolio section of this site. I do vow to do so. 

To kickstart these posts, I'm going to share with you the good, the bad and the ugly on the Makeup Forever Ultra HD liquid foundation and it's counterpart, the Makeup Forever Ultra HD foundation stick. Both foundations are priced at $43, which can be a bit steep if you select the wrong one for your skin type. 

I was fortunate enough to have these sent to me by Influenster to try out and review.  

I'll start with the liquid foundation, which was ultimately my favorite of the two. 

I know that with this being the "Ultra" HD it is supposed to be the "revamped" version of the HD formula Makeup Forever originally sold. I never did try the original formula, so unfortunately, I can't compare it to this new formula. 

The liquid itself is not heavy, and seems to me to be a light to medium coverage. It is buildable, but takes a little work to cover all of the redness on my face. I do, however, like that the lighter coverage doesn't cake on my skin and seems to fill into my pores nicely. Being that it is designed to give a flawless finish and even work well in video and photography, I will say that once set with powder it looks soooo smooth. 

Onto the part that I know you want to know about most of all--the staying power.. 

As you might know from reading some of my other posts, my skin is an oil slick. However, I found that this foundation works great with my oily skin. It doesn't fall short in that department. I have yet to find any fool proof products for oily skin, so I do still use blotting sheetings throughout the day. But this foundation could easily compete with the others I have that are made to specifically combat oily skin. 

Overall, I really like this foundation. I'd definitely purchase it. Aside from having to use a little more product to get the coverage I want, I'd give it a 4 out of 5. I'd also like to point out that Makeup Forever has done a wonderful job at creating a huge variety of shades. I was fortunate that Influenster matched me up so well, but I believe there are over 30 shades to choose from. I'm planning on buying a few of this foundation for mixing to put in my MUA kit. 

Now, onto the foundation stick. 

I honestly was not impressed with it. Much like it's sister, the liquid foundation, the stick gives a beautiful finish. While the liquid is a bit more mattifying, the stick comes off super dewy and looked shiny on my skin once applied. The downside is that this is NOT a foundation for oily skin. Even with using the same setting powder, this one lasted half the time of the liquid. I also found that even when setting it didn't seem to look completely matte, which I need for my oily skin. 

It did seem, though, that the stick had a better coverage. For application I simply swipe a few stripes on each part of my face and then blend with a brush or blender sponge. The color range for the stick is just as impressive, so if you've got a more dry skin type, then I'd definitely recommend trying the stick. I think it would be perfect at making very dry skin look hydrated. 

And since I alway rate everything I review, I'm going to give the HD foundation stick a 2 out of 5. This rating is based purely off of my experience (due to my skin type). I would give it a higher rating if my skin were not so oily. But for someone who struggles with an oily t-zone as bad as mine, this foundation is basically worthless. It might last long enough to do a beat face for an Instagram picture, but that's probably the extent of it. 

I just like that it seems that Makeup Forever has made two formulas, catering to all skin types. 

Have you tried these foundations? Which works best for you? I'd love to hear what some other opinions on these products are! 

GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water VS. Simple Micellar Cleansing Water

For as long as I can remember, I've been searching for a makeup remover that would:

• remove all of my makeup, because let's face it-- most products don't
• would NOT irritate my eyes, because many of them sting 
• would remove all of my eye makeup effortlessly
• and would not dry out my skin

And until recently, I had yet to find a product that met all of my criteria. 

Today, though, I want to share with you my experiences using micellar waters. And I am going to give you a rundown on which I prefer. 

I've tried two drugstore ones, which are the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water ($6.99) as well as the Simple Micellar Cleansing Water ($4.79). 

I purchased the Simple one first, so I've used over half of that one, but I've used at least 1/3 of the Garnier one. So I finally feel that I've reached a point where I can give you some good insight. 

I'll start by talking about the GARNIER one. 

If you go to your local drugstore, Walmart or Target to purchase this micellar water, you'll find that they have two different bottles on the shelf. One with a pink lid and one with a teal lid. I purchased the teal one because the bottle stated that it removes "even waterproof mascara." I really didn't know there'd be much of a difference in formula between the two. 

What I noticed during my first few uses, is that this one equipped to remove waterproof mascara, is greasy. 

Before application, you'll shake the bottle up well, but if you'll notice in the photo on the left, you can see the oil-like substance separating at the top of the mixture. When you mix it up, it sort of disappears, but settles back at the top once you're no longer shaking it. 

The best way to use a micellar water is to saturate either a cotton ball or cotton round with it, and use those to wipe the makeup off of your face. For me, it takes a few times to get all of my makeup removed. 

For the eyes, you'll saturate one of the cotton products and then lay it on your closed eye for a few seconds before wiping the makeup away. That allows the micellar water to break down the makeup and it makes it easier to remove. This prevents you from having to scrub at your eye to get it off, thus preventing signs of premature aging.

I found that when I used this on my face, it did remove makeup well, but left a greasy film all over afterwards. I especially felt the greasiness around my eyes. Although it feels oily every time I use it, I have noticed that the better it is shaken, the less oily it seems. Sort of like using an oil based salad dressing-- if you pour it on your salad before mixing, it will be like you dumped vegetable oil all over your lettuce. But when you do shake it well, the oiliness is present, but doesn't take over the whole salad.

I've provided you a photo of the info found on the back of the bottle. You can see that their instructions for face and eye makeup removal is not unlike what I have just explained to you above. 

The directions do say to "Shake Well." I imagine this has something to do with that oily substance in this version. 

As listed above, this micellar water was around $7 for a 13.5 oz bottle. The Simple micellar water was a little under $5 for a 6.7 oz bottle. The Simple would only be a few cents pricier if we broke down the oz per dollar. But it's not large enough of a price difference to make and break buying it again. 

Another thing I'd like to mention before moving on to the Simple cleanser, is that the Garnier did NOT sting or irritate my eyes when they were saturated with it. With most all makeup remover wipes and many eye removers, my eyes sting and burn while using them to try and remove waterproof liners and mascaras. 

Now, on to the Simple micellar water.. 

One of the first things I noticed about this product was how fresh it made my skin feel. It was the first micellar water I'd tried, and it blew my expectations out of the water. 

It is gentle on the skin, doesn't leave an oily residue, removes all of my makeup, and is made by a brand that prides itself on being healthy and
"kind to skin." 

While this brand's products are often a little higher in price point than some of the other drugstore brands, I do believe that their products are good for us. 

The back packaging states that the water has multi-vitamins and skin-loving ingredients. What could be any better than that? 

The directions are much the same as the ones on the Garnier bottle. 

I found this micellar water also did NOT irritate my eyes, and that it made my skin feel good afterwards. 

I find that when I'm grabbing for one of these, I definitely pick the Simple one. Both products did remove my makeup as they stated they would. I didn't have any problems with them doing what they claim. There's nothing vastly different in the way these products work, but having my skin feeling greasy after each use is mainly what makes Garnier's product come in last place. My skin is already extremely oily in my t-zone, so I just hate using products that make it feel oily, or add unnecessary oil in. 

I do believe the oily consistency was created to help better break down waterproof and more heavy-duty makeup, but I don't think it's necessary with the Simple one excelling at removing everything without the oily concoction. 

I do plan on purchasing the one with the pink lid once I've used up this one. But either way, I'll definitely go out and buy the Simple micellar water again. 

Micellar waters are brilliant. We finally have something that will remove our makeup, won't dry out or irritate our skin, and will deep clean and help us to achiever healthier skin. Bless the chemists who sat down at the drawing board and created something like this for us, finally. 

Please leave me comments with your own experiences using micellar waters, ask questions and I'll try to answer, and let me know what you'd like to see next! 

xx 

LUSH Cupcake Fresh Face Mask *Review*

This Cupcake Fresh Face Mask ($7.95) is the first Lush "fresh face" product I've tried. I was lucky enough to purchase it during a mother-daughter outing a few weekends back since we don't have a Lush store near my hometown. 

I went into the store (which was only my second time in a Lush store) pretty dumb about the term fresh face. I didn't even realize that the "fresh face" line was refrigerated, or that it being made with all "fresh" ingredients meant that the expiration was only roughly a month past the purchase date. I'd previously scoured the website and wrote down every product they had that I was interested in trying. I knew I could only get this particular product in stores, but assumed it was just because it was "fresh." Haha.

Lame, I know.




The product by-line states that it was "invented with the teenage skin in mind." And while I'm obviously not a teenager, the mask is said to be good for oily or spotty skin, both of which I suffer from. I have redness/splotchiness and an EXTREMELY oily t-zone. 

The first thing I noticed about the mask was the smell. The chocolatey-minty scent is not unpleasant, but also doesn't smell like a York Peppermint Patty or an Andes Mint. Even though the mask formula is predominately Rhassoul mud for a deep cleanse, there is also spearmint oil for cooling purposes and vanilla absolute for redness. 

When I applied it to my face it was relatively thick, so I spread it as thinly as possible for the first use. I also feel that if you use a thinner coat as I did in my photo on the right, then you'll be able to get a few extra applications out of the tub. 

Another thing I noticed about the mask is that when it dries, if you leave it on for too long, it starts to crumble off your face and can be a bit messy. I actually ended up with a bunch of it dropped all over my shirt the first time I used it. But that's not something that can't be prevented as long as you remove it with a warm washcloth before it gets too dried out on your face. 

The mask itself feels slightly cooling from the spearmint oil, but doesn't burn or tingle like some masks I've used. It actually feels nice. And when it dries, you get the standard tight feeling as per usual with a face mask. 

Overall, I like this mask. I obviously won't be getting it all the time since I don't live close by to a Lush Cosmetics store. But I feel that the mask is definitely worth $7.95, which seems affordable in comparison to some of their other products. 

I also like that the ingredients are fresh and safe for my skin, but there is a downside of that, being that the product has a short shelf life. 

Overall, I am going to give this mask a B. While it seems like a good mask, I hate that there are probably only about five applications worth in the tub. And I also hate that I have to rush to use it so it doesn't expire. The smell is okay, but not the greatest, either. 

Would I purchase it again? Probably, if it were more easily accessible for us small town folk! I'm not sure that it's altered my oily skin in any way from my two uses, but just knowing that it is good for oily and splotchy red skin is enough for me. 

Let me know what you all think of this product if you've tried it, if you have any questions, comments, or requests, and also maybe advise me on some other Lush products I might like! 

xx 

Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-Free Mattifying Pore Eraser

A fellow makeup fanatic recently told me to try the Philosophy Total Matteness Oil-Mattifying Pore Eraser ($41) as a possible solution to my "oil slick" t-zone and enlarged pores. One of the many negatives of having oily skin is that it seems to wreak havoc on the size of your pores. So to find a mattifying pore filler that actually works would be a dream come true for a gal like me! 

The friend of mine who had come across it at Ulta the week before said it was giving her awesome results in our recent humid, end of summer climate. Personally, I was a little skeptical because I've not yet found ANYTHING to completely combat these problems for me. My entire t-zone is extremely oily, but around my nose is the absolute worst. If I don't blot it at least twice before lunch time at work, then it starts to look splotchy and separate from my skin. It's kind of like the oil is pooling and causing it to run on my face. 

Talk about annoying and gross! 

PACKAGING
So anyways, I went ahead and ordered it because I had faith that maybe just one more product would be the answer to this struggle. When I received the product, I noticed that it was in a cute glass bottle with a dropper style applicator, which I really like. 

FORMULA
I also took note of the formula, which is a thinner consistency than what I'm used to with most primers (which are much thicker). In fact, if I had to describe what the primer reminded me most of, I'd say the glue + water mixture you use for papier-mâché because of it's thin and pasty white formula.

• APPLICATION: The formula is neither greasy nor sticky. It's surprisingly smooth to apply with your finger. I applied this all over my t-zone, generously coating my nose, inner cheeks, forehead and chin. For the rest of my face, I just opted to use a regular, non-silicone primer since those areas don't get blotchy or fade nearly as quickly throughout the day. 

Over this past Labor Day weekend, I even took this primer to use in the extremely humid climate of DC while there visiting a friend from college. I figured what better way to test it out than to use it for an entire weekend consistently.

RESULTS
And I found that sadly, while this product may offer me a great matte and pore-free finish upon application, I was still getting shininess on my face quicker than I'd hoped.

As far as the "pore eraser" qualities this product boasts having, I found that other products like Dr. Brandt Pores No More ($45) or Benefit's The Porefessional ($31-42) both seem to erase pores more so than this. If a person were looking to use a product strictly as a pore filler, I don't think this would be the product for them. While I can see how one could get away with using only this for oily skin and enlarged pores, the Total Matteness doesn't perfectly combat larger pores. There are just better products out there for that, in my opinion.

However, I also tried this in combination with Phillips' Milk of Magnesia ($6.49), which I had heard mention of as a mattifying solution on YouTube. When I tried this, I used a layer of the Total Matteness all over the t-zone, then topped it off with the milk of magnesia, and then finished it off with another layer of the Total Matteness. This combination DID seem to help my oiliness for a bit longer than usual that day at work. I'm going to test the two together a few more times to see what happens, but this may be a breakthrough for me.

Overall, though, since I have yet to find a single product that works completely for me, I am going to have to give this one a B. The price is a bit steep, it's mediocre and average on it's own, and it doesn't completely do all that it says it will.

If any of you have found a product that works like a charm, then please fill me in! I will not give up until I find a solution!

I'll have some new posts up soon (including more tutorials), so stay tuned! 

City Color Contour & Correct Cream Palette

So, initially, I was trying to find an affordable cream contour palette for the average makeup user, and I came across this fairly new City Color Contour & Correct Cream Palette. I had previously had a positive experience with a few other City Color products, so I had high hopes for this kit. 

I know some people don't want to invest a ton of money into products they either don't know how to use, won't take time to use on a daily basis, or want to try but aren't interested in paying an upwards of $40 for these high-end contour kits coming out. 

And personally, I don't blame you. If you're not super into makeup, then you probably don't need multiple contour kits. In fact, the average makeup user would probably best benefit from one good bronzer that can be used to contour or give the face a sun-kissed glow if buffed lightly all over the face and neck. 

I bought this from eBay, because at the time it was the best price I could find for the product. I'm not going to lie, I was very excited to see a drugstore brand releasing a cream contour palette.  

The seller I ordered mine from still has the item listed, so click here if you're interested in purchasing this product. I purchased it for close to $11, so the price is basically the same from the seller at $10.86. 

From the swatch photo, you can see that the pigmentation is pretty decent. The palette comes with some color corrector shades in the top row, a skin-colored concealer on the bottom left, and two deeper bronze shades. One more suitable for probably a medium skin tone, while the other would be best used on a deeper Hispanic or African American skin tone.

The correction creams in the top row are the common yellow, green, lilac and orange for dark circles, skin discoloration, redness, etc. 

The most disappointing aspect of the color range is that there isn't really a shade for fair skin. I have a light-medium skin tone with yellow undertones when I haven't been out in the sun, and you can see that even the lighter brown shade is quite a few shades darker than my natural skin tone. And for a more natural contour, you need a shade only 2-3 times dark than your skin color. The depth of the mid-tone shade just makes it harder to blend out more naturally. Plus, the formula of this product isn't overly nice and creamy since it is of drugstore quality, so it doesn't offer as blendable of a formula. 

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit Light I previously reviewed at least had a good formula consistency because it was a higher-ended product. So even though the colors in the kit were a bit too much like the clay I got in my water shoes at the lake as a kid, you can blend them much easier and get away with using the muddier shades. 

Plus, the good thing about cream contours is that you pretty much always set them with some kind of powder, whether it be translucent, your everyday face powder, a powder bronzer, or a combination of them. So even if the shade is a little too orange or light for your liking, you can deepen it up and redefine those natural contours of your face with your favorite powder bronzer. 

I included these photos as well, so you can see what the back of the palette looks like. It has the ingredients, name, and also a cool chart that explains what each shade is used for. I think it's nice when any contour kit provides charts like this for the less-experienced consumer. It's a way of making it a lot more user friendly. I studied Professional Writing in school, and delivering products to consumers that are useful and easily understood by the everyday user is the most important thing about any product presentation. That is true in any market, though. 

Overall, I have to give this product a C-D rating. I won't fail it completely because it does have the informative info on the back, but the quality of the creams is just disappointing. Also, I never even used it on my face, because I disliked the product's blendability (I just literally made that word up. Where do I get it added to Webster's?) And lastly, the color range sucks, because the shades are not appropriate for all skin colors. The products I previously tried from City Color were powder, so maybe they just need to stick to their powder products and give it up with the cream formulas. 

Let me know what your thoughts are on this palette. And if you have any questions or other drugstore contours I should check out, comment and let me know! 

xx 

Etude House Zero Sebum All Day Matte Gel

Here to give you yet another Korean Skincare review, y'all! I've had some time to use this product on and off for the last several weeks, so I can finally tell you how I feel about it. 

I got the Etude House Zero Sebum All Day Matte Gel in my huge RRS haul a few months back for $7.77. It is now currently listed on the site for $6.67. As I have mentioned in previous posts, RRS is the most ideal place to purchase all of your Korean Skincare. I found this product listed for $14.50, or double the size, on Amazon. But sadly, it's one of the few Korean products I will use up, but wasn't overly satisfied with. 

I'll start with the easy stuff, and say that the packaging is appealing. I like the soothing pastel design, which is very easy on the eyes. I also like that the tube is more or less like a hand cream tube, so it holds more product. This primer is actually a larger quantity than any of my other face primers at 2.2 oz/65 mL. So not only is it one of the cheapest primers I've purchased to date, but you also get a ton of product for the affordable price. 

Let's also go over the name of the product. Etude House is a really popular Korean Skincare brand, for those of you who didn't know. And within that brand, they have a product line called "Zero Sebum." The product line includes several different items, including this primer, a drying powder (basically a translucent pressed powder to use for touching up oil spots on the face), and a few other items created to target sebum. Sebum is more or less the oil that our glands secrete to keep our skin and hair follicles from drying out. 

This is also why acne medications or any skincare routine that dries out our skin can cause our faces to become even more oily. The sebaceous glands produce more oil to keep our skin properly lubricated and to compensate for any excessive-dryness we may have. Sometimes, however, it can be a hindrance. Take it from someone with an oil slick for a face! 

The back of the tube is in Korean text, but most of us know that an even coat of primer on a bare face simply preps the skin for a long-lasting and smooth makeup application. We don't need instructions for that. 

And I hate to say it, but I'm not as obsessive over product ingredients as I probably should be. That's not to say that I plan on using products either tested on animals or that contain weird by-products, but I'm not a slave to the label. I do know, however, that the product is 5 Free (No silicon, talc, mineral oil, artificial pigment, or artificial scent added).  

I did do some research on the Etude House website for you, though, and was able to find a good product description, ingredients, instructions, and what the product claims to do. Etude House describes the primer as a "silicon-free matte gel that removes oily and waxy sebum clearly for oil-free matte skin all day." I'll link the product page here for those of you who are interested in a little more info.  

When you uncap the lid, you can see that the tip is fairly small, which offers you more control on how much product that comes out when the tube is squeezed. I like that it's not messy and is easy to keep clean. 

The product looks like your average silicon-based primer, but it's actually not. Surprisingly, the primer formula does not have any silicone. It's just a gel as the title suggests. After skimming through the ingredients on the company's website, I think the cooling sensation I feel when I apply it is heavily due in part to the alcohol in the product. So, if you're sensitive to products with alcohol in them, beware! 

Now, for my opinion on the product's effectiveness..  

I have used this a few times a week for the last three weeks or so, and mostly in conjunction with my Skindinavia: The Makeup Primer Spray. I also use the primer spray for oily skin. I would basically apply the gel all over my t-zone (nose, forehead, chin, and my cheeks on either side of my nose). Then, I'd spritz the primer spray all over my face. I usually always wait about 25 minutes while I do my eye makeup before applying my foundation. This gives the primers time to sink into my pores for better and longer-lasting results. 

Unfortunately, I don't think this primer works better than some of my other primers. I found that I still had to blot my t-zone with an oil-blotting paper at around the same time I would normally. Now, I'm not asking for a miracle. I do realize that there is only so much one can do to suppress the oil. 

I think if you have oily skin, it's both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you will age well and have less wrinkles, and most likely look several years younger than others your age. But a curse as well, because you'll always be trying to tame it down so you don't look like an oil slick on a daily basis. I know on an average work day, I blot my face about four times a day. I use about half a blotting sheet each time, so I go through two sheets a day to keep my face from looking too shiny. And each time I try a new primer boasting to minimize oil, I hope and pray that it will be the one to end my woes. Unluckily, I have yet to find my miracle product. 

Since I usually give my products grades, I am going to give this primer a B. It wasn't awful, but wasn't my favorite primer ever, either. Unless I wake tomorrow and it turns into my miracle primer, I don't anticipate buying it again. There are so many Korean products out there, and I'd much rather test out the oil reducing primers from other brands. 

As always, leave any questions or suggestions for other Korean products in the comments. 

xx 

Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation

I know this foundation isn't a new product or anything, but it was to me a few months ago when I first tried it out. I had heard really great things about the Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation, and I am always looking for something to better manage my oil slick t-zone. 

I purchased mine at Sephora for $34. 

I was lucky enough to have guessed the right shade for my skin tone: Light 45, which is the shade seen in the photos. The large range of shades rather impressed me. Oftentimes, beauty companies release foundation lines and the color range is lacking. Kat Von D offers shades with beige, pink, yellow and mixed undertones. 

A cool thing that you'll notice about the uber cool packaging is the pump on top of the bottle. I use about two small pumps on my face. I like that the pump allows for more control of how much product is released. The screw-off lids where you just dump the shade onto the back of your hand can sometimes leak out too much product and the rim around the bottle can get rather messy.

You can see how tiny the pump is, so it's very controllable and neat. The bottle also comes with a little plastic covering to go over the pump, so you can keep the product from drying out and getting crusty. I'm sure many people throw that out, but I've kept it on mine because I tend to have OCD about certain things. 

The product boasts: 

• 24-hour wear 
• transfer resistance
• a matte, soft finish
• perfectly smooth, hydrated skin
• and bold full coverage

The reality is that while this is a very good foundation, there is just no way that any foundation is going to live up to every one of those expectations. 

The foundation itself is very full coverage. It's the type that you don't want to use too much of for fear of the dreaded Cake Face. And since the pigmentation is exceptional, one simply has to use it responsibly. 

I do not believe that any foundation is going to look as if it has just been freshly applied after a 24-hour period. I found that with primer, proper setting powder and finishing spray, I was able to get through the work day before it started to look a little dull and splotched. I'm going to say that I could make it approximately 10-12 hours before I felt that the foundation would need completely redone. Even at 12 hours, though, I know it would definitely be splotchy by then. Someone with less oily, more normal skin might have better results than I did. But 10-12 hours is certainly pushing it for me. 

As for the transfer resistance it claims to have.. I have yet to find a face makeup that didn't rub off on my collar. I've merely gotten used to spraying stain remover on my collars before throwing them into my hamper. I can't speak for everyone, but that is just my personal experience. 

The finish is very mattifying for the first little bit, but if you're like me and struggle from chronic oiliness, then you'll probably still be touching up or whipping out your blotting papers. At this point, if I go out and only take my wallet, I stuff a small packet of blotting papers into my wallet for the ride. 

As most matte formula foundations are a bit more dry, this one does not seem to be overly hydrating, but isn't drying either. It's simply a nice medium. My skin feels velvety and matte at the same time (upon first applying), so I do believe that with the initial application you do get a nice sense of hydration and a matte finish. However, as time goes on, I do have to touch up the makeup as per usual with all other foundations I've used, and my skin does not feel any more hydrated over time. 

Kat Von D did a great job at providing us with a blendable formula. The foundation is very easy to smooth out. I've found that by using a Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge or a Beauty Blender (either one) that has been dampened, you can thin the formula out to a medium coverage. My skin these days is clear 98% of the time, so aside from some facial redness, I don't have much to cover. So with my skin type, medium coverage is great.

If you want the utmost full coverage with this foundation, I suggest using a dense foundation brush to buff and smooth the foundation into skin. You could also stipple the foundation with an appropriate stippling brush. By stippling it, you are able to control how heavy or light of a coverage you prefer. 

Left: MAC Studio Fluid Fix Right: Kat Von D

Left: MAC Studio Fluid Fix Right: Kat Von D

To give you a color comparison from another brand, I have swatched my MAC Studio Fluid Fix in NC15 beside of the Kat Von D Lock-it in Light 45. You can see that the shades are nearly identical. My skins is a bit darker at the moment thanks to the sun's natural rays, but both are perfect matches for my winter skin. 

In comparing these two foundations, you can see that both are similar in formula as well. They're thick and creamy, but both good for oilier complexions. 

I am going to give this foundation an A-. I do love the foundation, but I knocked a bit off my score because the foundation doesn't do everything the company proclaims it does. But there is nothing largely wrong with the product, overall. I will definitely be repurchasing it. Still yet, I will be on the lookout for the one miracle product that is transfer resistant, stays glued to my skin for 24-hours and keeps me completely matte all day long. Until then, this foundation will be a decent substitute. 

If I left out anything, please let me know. Feel free to ask any questions or give me any feedback on your own experiences with this product. 

xx 

Physician's Formula Eye Boost Instant Lash Extension Kit

I know it's been a few weeks since I've posted anything, so I spent a large portion of my Saturday taking photos, editing and stamping them for upcoming posts. Thank goodness the tedious part is over with! 

I'm sure by now you know what this review is for. And I wish I could do a comparison post between the Eye Boost Instant Lash Extension Kit and the Younique Fiber Lashes, but I've never purchased the Younique mascara. I just didn't care for the way it looked on others' lashes. The fibers always seemed to look clumped in the photos I saw, so I decided to try this brand for a third of the cost. 

I purchased mine for around $12.97 at my local Walmart, but I feel sure that you can order them online as well as purchase them at any drugstore/Walmart/Target in your area. 

Much like the Younique Fiber Lash set, this set comes with a standard mascara and a separate tube containing the fibers that boast "outrageous results." I didn't do much in the form of review hunting before this purchase, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

What truly caught my eye at first glance with this set was the sleek packaging. The red and silver with minimal writing or design just comes off really well visually.

The mascara, I found, was nothing special. It has a slim wand, which I usually like for lengthening purposes. This mascara alone, however, didn't seem to give me any major results. My favorite mascaras: The Balm's What's Your Type? Bodybuilder Mascara and Too Faced LashGASM Mascara, are both slim applicator wands that always define the very ends of my lashes when I need them to. But I also feel that any wand, slim or big and fat, can lengthen to some extent when starting off with fresh/clean lashes for application.

The fiber wand looks very similar to the mascara wand, if only a bit shorter and stubbier. The fiber tube is also smaller, but you can fit thousands of the tiny fibers in the smaller tube, so I'd say those will outlast the mascara. 

After having helped a client apply the Younique lashes in the past, I already knew what those fibers were like, so seeing these didn't shock me. The fibers are basically tiny little black "fibers" that look more or less like bits off fuzz off your grandmother's favorite Angora sweater. At least, that's my opinion. 

You are supposed to be able to apply the mascara, then fiber, then mascara a few different times to layer up the fibers, thus lengthening the lashes. I layered mine up two times, but didn't feel comfortable doing more layers than that, for fear that I'd get the dreaded clumpy spider-eyed look. 

Below, you can see my results. There is a significant difference between my natural lashes with normal mascara application versus the appearance of my lashes with this booster kit. While I didn't share a photo of my eyes with regular mascara, you can so obviously see how long my lashes appear. Almost as if I had gone and gotten lash extensions at a salon. 

Now, you must be thinking that this is too good to be true, right? Something that adds this dramatic of a change has to have a catch.. 

And you'd be right! 

Although this extension kit did give me "outrageous results" and definite extension, the fibers are EXTREMELY messy. I don't mean messy, like they look nice and messy on the wand, but messy because they get all over your face! 

I'm not sure if they got on my face during application, which could have been natural fallout, or if the fibers fell out gradually during wear.  But I first noticed them all over me about half an hour after application. 

Maybe when you try sealing the fibers with the mascara some knock off. And maybe you can minimize this, by somehow cleaning some of the excess fibers off of the wand before using them on your eyelashes. I'm just not sure. 

I know you can't see them in this photo, but the fibers were so messy that they were even down on my nose, under my eyes and on my cheeks. I was in the car asking my sister to knock the tiny fuzzy hairs off of my face when I realized how bad they were in the photo. 

Personally, I don't think I'd buy this product again. Yes, if the photo is edited the lashes look awesome. But if you're planning on wearing this product out in very vibrant and bright lighting, then it's probably not the best idea. I recommend reserving this lash extension kit for a candlelight dinner, going to the movies, or a dimly lit, hole in the wall coffee shop you like to study at because you know you won't be interrupted.  

I'm not sure if the shedding is a universal thing with all of the fiber kits. I know Too Faced makes one as well now. I would assume that the fibers from any of the kits would make a mess unless you figured out a hack to keep them from falling onto your face. My lashes held up pretty well, but this sort of kit might not also be a good idea for anyone who likes to rub or mess with their eyes on a frequent basis. I'm sure if you got the fibers in your eyes it could also cause irritation. 

I'm giving the product a C. While it gave me visually pleasant results for photographs, it's still not fool proof. I'll probably wear these on and off to get my money's worth, but I'm not putting them down as my favorite! 

I'd like to know everyone's experiences with these types of extension kits. Please leave me comments and suggestions on how I can apply this product more successfully. what your thoughts are, and if you've had a better experience than me with one of these types of products. 

xx 

Holika Holika Petit Jelly BB Cream

When I get on the topic of this product, all I really want to do is belt out a Jaclyn Hill "YAAAASSSS." I have tried an array of bb creams over the last several years, but had yet to find one that gave me enough coverage, had a decent lasting power, or was a good shade for my skin tone until I found this one. 

It is the Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream. It's one of the first Korean cosmetic items I've tried. Last week I received my package from RoseRoseShop (RRS), which is a Korean online store that carries most all Korean Skincare brands in either individual or wholesale. 

The prices are phenomenal compared to purchasing the individual items on eBay or Amazon. The only negative I found from ordering from RRS is the shipping. I stuck with the standard shipping and it was $23 for everything that I ordered, but the discounted prices on the products still saved me money even with a steeper shipping price.  And when I received the package, I was surprised at how heavy it was. 

Amazon has this product listed for $13.25, and shipping is only free on an order over $35. RRS sells the product for $9, and shipping only increases based on the number of items you buy. RRS even has some products listed for free shipping.

** I also want to point out that even though I only opted for the standard shipping method, it took them a week from ordering to get it in the mail and only about a week for the shipment to reach me from Korea. I even had to sign for the package, which was nice for ensuring I received it. **

A friend of mine suggested I try this product because she'd had a positive experience with it. I wasn't sure what to expect out of any of the Korean products I purchased, but I have been truly enjoying them. I can honestly see why Americans are catching onto the whole Korean skincare bandwagon. I will be doing blog posts on the other products as I've used them more and have a general consensus for each one. 

The product itself came in a box with a sponge, which I plan to try to wet in the near future to see if it expands like a Beauty Blender. 

I LOVE the packaging, though. The shape of the bottle reminds me of a flower. And I've never seen anything like the spatula on the end of the lid, which is used to dip out the product. If using this on multiple people, you could actually be very sanitary with it by dipping the product out onto a Paw Palette or other mixing tray. I, personally, only plan to use this on myself, so I have been just applying the product directly from the spatula to my face. 

I also like how wide and open the bottle is, so you can see the product inside to know how much you have left. This is SO MUCH product. It's just under 1.5 oz, which is a ton considering how much you use on a daily basis. 

I decided not to do swatches of it, but the coverage is medium at best. It is actually the most full coverage, smoothest finish bb cream I've tried yet. It hides all of the redness on my cheeks and smooths out my skin like none other. The jelly formula also gives a bit of a dewy finish. If you like to have a dewy finish more so than matte, then you'd like this. Personally, I like a more matte finish due to my skin being extremely oily, but it's nothing that setting powder and some oil setting spray won't help diminish.

The one negative I've found with this product is that there are only two different shades to choose from. There are only shades 01 and 02. I purchased 02 because I feared that 01 might be too light for me. And while 02 works okay for me, it is a little bit more pink toned than I'd prefer since I have a warmer skin tone. I may end up purchasing 01 next time just to see if it's a yellow-toned equivalent. It's possible they're the same shade range, just that one is for warm and one for cool toned skin. If it did turn up too light, then I could bronze myself up to match my skin tone better. And although it is a negative, I've found that most bb creams have a much smaller color range than your everyday foundation.

Other than that, the Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream is now my all time favorite bb cream. I'm so used to medium-full coverage makeup on a day-to-day basis, but I've been using this every single day because I like it so much. 

My face is primarily clear these days-- even though I did use to struggle with severe acne, so I can't really say how well it might help to conceal blemishes. If I do get some breakouts in the near future, then I'll try to use it and see how it works and do an update to let you all know. 

I would definitely recommend this as a first class bb cream. I'm definitely going to repurchase. And if I do order the 01 shade next time, then I'll definitely do a comparison post! 

Look for my next post to be up over the weekend or beginning of next week. I already know what I'll be reviewing next, so I'm going to be working on that post in-between painting this weekend. 

Utter chaos! 

--xx