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Product Review #7 - MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Devoted to Chili

Ever since I reviewed them two months ago, I’ve been seriously crushing (pun intended) on the Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Colors. They consistently delivered everything I’ve ever wanted in a lipstick: soft matte pigment, balmy texture, easy application… till I discovered the MAC Powder Kiss range, launched in October of this year. 

The Promise “Delivering a romantic blur of soft-focus color, this weightless moisture-matte lipstick was developed to replicate a backstage technique: blending out edges of matte lipstick for a hazy effect. Its groundbreaking formula contains moisture-coated powder pigments that condition and hydrate lips. The result is the zero-shine look of a matte lipstick with the cushiony, lightweight feel of a balm”

The Result Matte lipsticks are infamously known for being uncomfortable formulas, but Powder Kiss seems to have been specifically created to combat this stereotype. The texture has a velvety, glide-on feel that doesn’t feel particularly creamy or balmy, yet the lipstick is comfortable to wear and non-drying. The first ingredient is part of the silicone family, which is why the formula sits on the lips instead of sinking in. Like most MAC lipsticks, it has a light vanilla scent but no discernible taste.

The finish is a gorgeous hazy matte, which you can build up for more intensity or wear as a stain. The packaging is typical of MAC’s aesthetics, but unlike their regular lipsticks, Powder Kiss has a special matte finish.

Available in 16 shades, I was automatically drawn to “Devoted to Chili”, a warm brick red which would suit a lot of different skin tones. I like wearing it as a stain to tone down the overly done look of regular red lipstick.

Final Thoughts As MAC put it, this is truly a matte lipstick reinvented. It’s comfortable to wear, easy to apply and has great color payoff. The perfect everyday lipstick!

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Product Review #6 - GlamGlow SUPERMUD Activated Charcoal Treatment

I was inspired to review this product after listening to episode 43 of the Breaking Beauty podcast, hosted by two Canadian beauty editors. In this edition, Carlene and Jill sat down with Shannon Delimore, the co-founder of the brand at the HQ mansion of the brand in Hollywood Hills. It was really interesting to learn about GlamGlow’s humble beginnings, especially as today it is one of the fastest growing indie beauty brands in the industry and populates Sephora’s across the world.

The Promise « SUPERMUD is our most advanced clearing treatment and #1 best-selling mud mask. Fights problem skin and skin imperfections with a blend of six acids, activated-x charcoal, and K-17 clay. The SUPER 6 Acid Blend helps loosen dead skin cells to exfoliate and sweep them away, leaving fresh, smooth skin behind.”

The Result I’ve been using Supermud on a regular basis for about two months now, so I’ve had some time to reflect on its usage and results. One of the first things I noticed was the silky, liquid cement-like texture which was a nice surprise, as I’ve always found other mud masks to be unpleasantly thick and gloopy in consistency. As a result, the application and removal process is quite seamless. Upon use, I felt my face tingle immediately, which was expected given the blend of acids, and felt nice as it’s the kind of sensation that makes you feel like the product is really potent (and not the kind of tingle that’s a sign of irritation and inflammation). As the mask hardened, I witnessed it sucking the oil right out of my skin, as revealed by the little specks of dark gray formed around pores.

Much to my delight, using Supermud on a regular basis has proven to be successful in my long term battle against acne. I find that it helps keep my skin relatively clear and dries out breakouts in record time. However, unless you have extremely oily skin, I don’t recommend applying this mask all over your face, as alas it is very drying. I use it as a spot treatment at most twice a week for a maximum of ten minutes and follow up with a super hydrating moisturizer. As with any products containing acids, you should definitely patch test before use - there’s nothing worse than washing off a mask to discover red, irritated skin underneath.

Final Thoughts Despite the results, Supermud comes with a hefty price tag. However, depending on the way you use it (spot treatment versus actual mask), it can end up lasting you quite a while. I’ve had my small, travel size pot for around two months now, and will not be replacing it any time soon. As with many GlamGlow products, I feel like the hype surrounding this mask lies in the fact that you can see and feel it working before your eyes in real-time, which is the type of instant gratification most people adore in skincare.With that being said, there are a lot of other activated charcoal masks out there that I have yet to try – I’ve been reading a lot of reviews stating that the L’Oréal Detox & Brighten Clay Mask is a great dupe!

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Product Review #5 - Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Excited to review the Caudalie Beauty Elixir, which has very rapidly gained cult status among the beauty community. Praised by British Vogue and Allure, this product has also won the 2018 Nylon Beauty Awards for Best Face Mist. Reported fans include A listers Cara Delevingne and Jodie Kidd, as well as countless celebrity make up artists.

So, is it worth the hype?

The Promise “Inspired by the Youth Elixir of the Queen of Hungary in the 16th century, the Beauty Elixir has a unique and invigorating form. This product sets make-up, tones and tightens pores and gives the skin an instant boost of radiance.”

The Result To me, this product is definitely a multi-tasker. It makes a great toner, as the combination of signature Caudalie ingredients like grape extracts, mint, rosemary and rose oil act as astringents and help combat the puffiness and dullness of morning skin. At the beginning of my makeup application, I’ll also spritz it all over my face as a primer - it really “sets the mood” and illuminates the skin, making it the perfect canvas for makeup. I also love using it to set my makeup, although I’m not sure it actually improves the longevity of the latter. However, it does a good job of moistening the skin and softening the effect of powder. Lastly, I’ll use the Beauty Elixir as a refreshing mist throughout the day for instant rejuvenation. It’s great for travelling as well, especially now that it’s available in little 30ml bottles which are TSA approved. The mist has a very spa-like minty smell, which I personally find to be refreshing and invigorating. However, if you’re not a big fan of mint you may not find this as pleasant.

Final Thoughts I really do love this spray. It’s a refreshing, gentle pick-me-up which leaves your skin feeling so toned, soft and dewy that it will definitely brighten your mood. I do categorize this as more of a skincare product rather than a setting spray. If you’re really looking for something to set your makeup so it lasts all day, I don’t think this is the most appropriate product. I’m a fan of this brand, which was founded just about two decades ago and born on a French vineyard. All Caudalie products have a 100% clean formulation and strong eco-conscious ethics, which is always a big plus and something I’m increasingly willing to invest in. 

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Product Review #4 - Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color in Blackberry

Hello guys! This product review features another Bobbi Brown product. I’ve FINALLY tried out one of their Crushed Lip Colors, which launched about a year ago, in September 2017 with 20 gorgeous shades. I ended up purchasing Blackberry, as I was really intrigued by this dark red-meets-raisin shade...

The Promise “This formula’s soft matte pigments deliver high color payoff with a blotted-down, stained effect. Its mix of vitamins E and C and beeswax help the lipstick glide on comfortably while leaving the lips feeling hydrated and kissably soft”

The Result I’ve never tried anything like the Crushed Lip Colors. They go on like an instant stain and give the lips a blotted look straight from the bullet. The finish is satin-matt. It’s also very comfortable and feels like a balm. However, I don’t find them insanely long wearing - if I was wearing this during the day and wanted to maintain the same intensity, I would definitely have to reapply. I personally don’t mind that, especially as the Lip Color formulation is super easy to reapply even without a mirror. I fell in love with the Blackberry shade at first swipe. It’s a rich raisin color without the deep pigment or “lipstick” look. It goes on like a stain with a fresh wash of color (as you can see in the picture above, where I was only wearing one layer) but it can be easily layered to add more intensity and darkness. I’m especially looking forward to wearing this in the upcoming fall/winter season! The packaging is cute and typical of the Bobbi Brown’s aesthetic - minimal, sleek and black. I  like how the casing matches the exact color of the bullet, so you never get them mixed up in your makeup bag.

Final Thoughts I like this lipstick a lot and I’m glad I finally got to try it out as it is such a unique formulation - a lip balm and crushed pigments hybrid. The other shades are beautiful as well, and I already have my eye on Ruby and Cabana...

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Product Review #3 - Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer Kit

Today I’m going to be reviewing a product that I love and have been using for over a year - the Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer Kit. I’ve always been really self conscious about my under eye circles, and I have tried out a lot of different concealers. This set has definitely stood out!

The Promise The corrector is described as a  “creamy, blendable formula” which “instantly neutralizes discolouration and layers perfectly”, while the concealer “smoothly camouflages under eye darkness”. Apply the pressed powder “to set concealer for long-lasting wear.” All products are paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, vegan and infused with skin conditioners to protect the delicate undereye area.

The Result These two products are sold separately, but intended to be used together. The corrector brightens the undereyes and really neutralizes any type of discoloration. Applying a thin layer of concealer over top of it insures full coverage, and finishing off the by using the pressed powder at the end helps make everything stay in place. For best results, I really recommend prepping the undereyes with a hydrating cream that absorbs quickly, as any type of dryness will make everything flaky looking.

Generally, I find that the two products layer well, however they do tend to crease if you overdo it and the whole result can end up looking a bit cakey. However, I feel like that’s the price to pay for an extremely full coverage effect. The texture is a bit tacky and takes time to really blend into the skin, but keep in mind that the products are waterproof and extremely long lasting so I feel like some kind of “grip” to the under eye area is necessary.  Going forward, I may try using the corrector with another more light weight coverage option, like the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I’m glad I discovered the magic of color correcting with these products, as it is a great way to cancel out discoloration without over applying product.

Final Thoughts If you have really stubborn dark circles like me, I find that this duo works well. However, application does take a bit of time, given that you’re not only using one but two products and that they are quite hard to blend out. Regardless, I have yet to find a concealer + corrector that delivers such full coverage. I also like how these are available in 16 shades, so everyone gets a match!

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Product Review #2 - Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Today is going to be my first makeup review! Bronzer is definitely a makeup essential for me in summer - as I don’t really tan my face I can end up looking really pale in comparison to the rest of my body. Bronzer is a great option for a sun kissed glow, without the damage!  I bought this product a few months ago after seeing it all over YouTube and in makeup reviews. The only bronzer I’d used before was the Terracota by Guerlain and I was ready to try something new with no shimmer.

The Promise Too Faced claims this bronzer is a  “long-wearing, rich, matte bronzer infused with 100 percent real cocoa powder” that should be used to “create all over warmth and dimension” It’s formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates which is always a plus. 

The Result At first, I found this bronzer quite difficult to use. I would apply it using a blush brush from Real Techniques, and eventually realized the brush was much too dense for such a matte formulation. The bronzer ended up looking streaky and muddy on my face. For a fresh and natural effect, I usually very lightly dust it all over my face using a fluffy brush. To build up the intensity, I take a fan brush and apply the bronzer on the apples of my cheeks, on my nose and on my temples - basically in areas where the sun would naturally hit my face. Applied this way, I find that it brings a lot of glow into the complexion without looking like makeup. Chocolate Soleil is also a great multi-tasker, as you can apply some in the creases of your lids to define the eyes and add dimension. I really really really like the packaging, which is pretty minimal but still noticeable because of the matte gold case (I’m a sucker for anything metallic). This bronzer retails for 30.50€ and you get 0.35 oz. I find the price pretty fair, considering the fact that you get a lot of product and that a little goes a long way.

Final Thoughts Overall, I think this is a pretty good bronzer. It’s versatile, looks natural, doesn’t have any shimmer and is not as orange as most bronzers. However, because of the super pigmented formula the application can be a bit tricky sometimes if you don’t have the right brushes. BUT, if well blended I think it really mimics the appearance of tanned skin.

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Product Review #1 - REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish

Hello guys! I thought I would start out my blog with a product review. This is a product I acquired recently at Nocibé, after reading rave reviews about it on other blogs. I’ve also been more and more curious about trying out clean skincare products and brands, so REN was an obvious choice, especially as they are cruelty free as well!

The Promise REN describes this scrub as “a body exfoliator that tones, smooths and hydrates skin”.  It contains olive and almond oils to replenish dry skin, theophylline extracts to boost microcirculation and cane sugar to exfoliate away dead skin cells, enhancing the skin renewal process.

The Result It’s clear to say that this product became a favorite for me after a single use. It totally lived up to its expectations… to maximum effect! I especially loved the light oil layer left behind, which gives your skin a smooth and satiny finish. The rose fragrance (which is 100% natural) also left my skin wonderfully scented and enhanced my whole pampering routine. I would suggest working the scrub on dry skin in gentle circular motions for a very effective, spa-like exfoliation. However, if you have sensitive skin and are worried about irritation this product can also be applied on damp skin for a more gentle use. One of the only downsides for me was the packaging. For this kind of price range in products, I have to admit that I’m quite hard to please in what concerns packaging, and I do have a personal preference for glass jars such as the Josie Maran Argan body scrub. This exfoliator retails for 39.90 €. Yes, it is very pricey and it’s definitely the most money I’ve ever put into a body scrub. However, you do get 330 ML of product which is a lot, considering I exfoliate only once or twice a week. Furthermore, this product has a 100% clean formulation and I’m more inclined to investing in cleaner yet effective skincare brands, which have environmental commitments and are cruelty free as well. Final Thoughts This scrub is pricey, but keep in mind that it’s not just a great exfoliator - it transcends the functional and will make your pampering routine indulgent and decadently ritualistic.