Tuesday, April 25, 2017

REVIEW: Covergirl Outlast All Day Lip Color

Packaging - 4 (very good)
Scent - 5 (excellent)
Variety - 5 (excellent)
Kissability - 4 (very good)
Application and Wear - 4 (very good)
overall:

I saw this little gem at Walmart and it immediately reminded me of a currently trending lip product called LipSense. Now if you haven't yet read my review on LipSense it garnered a 3.5 out of 5 stars, and I was generally not a fan. You can read the full review here. Regardless this product had me VERY intrigued. It was similar because it came with a liquid color, and then a glossy sealant similar to the viral product. But it is super different. Let me break it down for you.

Packaging, in a nutshell it's simple. It is clean looking and it is functional, so it gets 4 stars. Is it luxury packaging? No. But it's nice enough in my opinion. The scent gets a 5. The lip color smells nice, but the lip moisturizer smells AMAZING! Although the scent isn't strong so it doesn't linger, which I love, because I personally don't like to smell like a million things.

Variety got a high score because they have 44 shades (and growing), They have nudes, berries, reds and pinks in varying tones. I am sure anyone can find something they love. I gave it decent kissability score because it does stay on. It didn't get a 5 because the moisturizer does not stay on as well as the color, so my hubby did have some lip balm stick to remove.

I gave it a 4 for application and wear because applying it was a breeze and it did last a long time! I couldn't give it a five because it did wear a little I had to reapply it once throughout the day. I did wear it once where I ate Pizza, and if you eat greasy food you have to re apply it again. That is nothing for an $8 lip color though! I highly recommend this product and I will be buying it again!

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Dry Skin Regimen

 I got this question in my inbox the other morning:

"Angela,
I have read on several posts that you have super dry and flaky skin. How do you keep in check? I also suffer from super dry skin and I can not find anything to help! I am desperate! What do you do?
From,
Caitlyn P"

Well Caitlyn, first of all thanks for writing in! Second I have to add a little disclaimer, because everyone's skin IS unique. These are the products and regimen I use, but realize that consistency is KEY. If you do not keep up by cleansing and caring for your skin DAILY there is little you can do. Sometimes I drop the ball too, and I regret it quickly. We are only human after all. But this is what works for my skin. You can click on the name of any product to be taken to it's website to learn more.


I use Dermalogica Essential Cleansing Solution every single morning. It is creamy and feels like you are rubbing lotion on your face, it cleanses, but isn't stripping and I really can't say enough about it. It's a life saver for sure. You can find dermalogica on their website as well as at Ulta and multiple salons and spas and supply stores.

Every 2-3 days I exfoliate using the Derma E Microdermabrasion Scrub, I follow it up with the Essential Cleansing Solution still, but this is great for buffing off the dead and dried skin. Just be careful not to over do it. While I haven't seen this brand at Target (although I have heard of it being at Target) or a Walmart it's still accessible in most Sally's Beauty stores, as well as Ulta and other retailers.


After I cleanse and/or exfoliate I follow up with one of my favorite moisturizers. I have three die hard favorites and I can't recommend any of them enough. I usually buy whatever is on sale or whichever is most convenient. I usually end up with Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance, because I buy it with my cleanser. The Intensive Moisture Balance hydrates without leaving you feeling greasy. However if you like something heavier or creamier try one of my other two favorites. Eco-Beauty's Good Day Moisturizer or the Air Repair Complexion Boosting MoisturizerBoth of these can be purchased online but the Eco Beauty Good Day Moisturizer can only be purchased online (as far as I can tell). However they do have sample sizes you can try out before investing for a full price item! The Air Repair is sold online as well as in various salons and spas. Their website has a full list of retailers.


On top of these I also use a mask once every other week. I usually opt for a sheet mask from Ulta and tend to favor the Tony Moly I'm Real Aloe Vera Sheet Masks, which you can also get on their website. I do these sheet masks after washing my face in the shower (usually after both cleansing and exfoliating) and then I apply moisturizer after.



Most importantly I make sure every evening to remove my makeup. Let's get real, I don't do it EVERY EVENING, but if I miss even one day I notice a big difference. But alas I am human. Anyways my removal routine includes using the Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover on a small cotton round. I massage over my closed eyelid gently and then wipe until all of my eye makeup is removed. After that I use a microfiber makeup removal cloth on the rest of my face with warm water (I do use it over my eyes as well). I do not use a fancy brand, I bought a pack of three pink ones at WalMart for $3. You do not need super expensive fancy cloths. The brand I have is Always Off Makeup Removal Cloths. After this I apply my moisturizer once again. I do often use the Intensive Moisture Balance from Dermalogica in the day with a heavier one like the Good Day Moisturizer or the Air Repair at night.

There is it! That is my regimen from A to Z. I hope this helped some of my dry skinned brothers and sisters today! Send me your questions using the form on the right hand side of my blog!





Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Laughter in Love

 I loved doing hair and makeup for this adorable bride a few months back! Her vintage dress, funky hair color and classic shoes created such a beautiful vibe. These images capture the love and joy in this couple's relationship and were beautifully capture by Engelby Images. This is why I do what I do!