REVIEW: Becca Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 5 (excellent)
Hydration - 6 (incredible)
Wear - 4 (very good)
Longevity - 4 (very good)
Overall:


I am so obsessed with this product. It is innovative and different, and I am truly impressed by it. Let me jump into the breakdown.

The packaging is stunning, as is to be expected from Becca. It has a clear, sturdy plastic jar, with a silver finished lid that has the brand name stamped into it. The inside of the package has a netted opening that allows you to dip in and get powder without over doing it. It also has a plastic closure that comes down to protect your powder so it doesn't spill out or have to much come up when not in use.

It is pretty scentless, although I do detect a tiny hint of vanilla when I use it, but it is hyper subtle. What's crazy about this powder is how hydrating it is. It's been called "wet powder" online, and that's honestly accurate. It gives me a very hydrated look and feeling, and doesn't dry out, my already dry skin! It also works great after a long day of work to touch up my look by revitalizing my skin and smoothing out and blurring my makeup after it has settled.

When I put it on it definitely doesn't last 24 hours or anything crazy. I need to reapply about half way through the day, but that's all.

As far as longevity, I don't feel a little goes an abnormally long way, but you don't have to use a ton either. A lot of other gurus were criticizing that the container looks like it is half empty, and that there is a minuscule amount of product in it. I went ahead and checked that out. It comes with .35 ounces of powder. After looking at other high end brands that have both pressed and loose powders, that is on the high side of average. Most are .3 ounces or less, while a few have more like .35, .4 and even one brand had .5 ounces. But they are the exceptions it would seem.

Overall I am super impressed with this item, and I am super happy to have added it to my regular routine.

Review: Farmhouse Fresh Green Tea Milk Wash

Packaging - 4 (very good)
Scent - 5 (excellent)
Cleansing - 3 (average)
Gentleness - 2 (not very good)
Overall:


I got a great little trial set of some Farmhouse Fresh items at a professional trade show. And you guys, I was so excited! Farmhouse Fresh was the bell of the ball at this show! Their massive booth was swamped from all sides every single day. I loved everything about Farm House Fresh and their message! They own their own farms and take great care in making sure their products are botanically based and their ingredients are organic. They also own an animal rescue and sanctuary, and have created a zero waste process. I can get behind all of that!

Unfortunately I could not get behind this cleanser.  The packing is okay. It is physical very pretty, and has the chrome cap and the label is very professional looking. The plastic form the bottle is flexible so it is easy to squeeze, which is important. But the bottle is super top heavy, so it is hard to position the cleanser upside down in order to use every last drop.

It has a very scent that I would describe as coconut cream with a hint of lime and fresh cut grass. Very nice, and very gentle too. It's not a bold or abrasive scent.

The cleansing was okay. I definitely had to precleanse, using water and microfiber towels, as well as additional makeup removers first. The biggest issue I had was that I broke out a lot after using it. After looking at the ingredients (why didn't I do that first!) I saw that it includes 4 ingredients that trigger fungal acne, and 3 comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients.

While the cleanser isn't my favorite, Farm House Fresh as a brand is amazing. They stand for so many wonderful things, and they have a great range of body care (body wash, lotion, etc) that is fantastic. It's gentle, smells wonderful and is made with some of the best stuff. So don't discount them as a brand.

Olaplex just beat L'Oreal USA in a lawsuit, and it's important

Have you ever heard of Olaplex? It's a fairly new brand that launched in June of 2014. Olaplex is a bond builder. They have created a two step system that starts with a serum that your hairstylist puts directly into the color or lightener they use on your hair. According to their website, Olaplex No.1 "rebuilds broken disulfide bonds and begins the process of preventing damage and repairing hair." After using this on you, your stylist is supposed to apply a second step, after they shampoo your hair that "continues to rebuild and restore any remaining broken bonds ensuring the strongest, shiniest, and healthiest hair possible." They have now expanded the line to include an at home treatment (No.3) as well as shampoo, conditioner and styling aids.

Olaplex has swept the nation in the last five years, getting noticed by so many magazines, blogs and beauty gurus I couldn't even begin to list them all! You can see a sampling of their press reviews by clicking here.  On top of that many influencers and celebrities credit their healthy hair to Olaplex and use it religiously. Some of them being Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Drew Barrymore and Julianne Hough, just to name a few.

Hair stylists (like myself) have fallen for this brand. Why? Because it works. When I first heard about it I was a HUGE skeptic. But the proof is in the pudding. I work at a salon where I use Olaplex in every lightening service I do to protect my client's hair, because the hair's health is my number one priority always. And in the age of platinum icy white blondes, and silver gray trends, this product is a Godsend.

Another reason I love Olaplex? It is a small grass roots company, developed by two top notch chemists in a garage, who just wanted to solve a problem. They wanted to help stylists be able to transform hair, without damaging it. YEARS of trial and error, R&D, a sweat went into this product. It was developed in California and is still made in America today.

But just like all successful things, knock offs were sure to come. Soon every brand had their own bond builder that they were promoting. Many saying that while Olaplex may have been the first, they improved upon the technology. L'Oreal USA launched several competitors within their various brands as well. I began using some of the various competitors, and while I some seemed to work in the beginning they did not have the longevity of Olaplex.

But the L'Oreal choices did work, and even looked the same as Olaplex. It was a little too similar if you know what I mean. Olaplex began a long and arduous lawsuit against the world's largest beauty company as soon as they launched their version various brands. And recently Olaplex won! In both the UK and USA, Olaplex has won a lawsuit against L'Oreal for patent infringement. Now you can no longer purchase the first step color and lightener additives made by L'Oreal in the United States or the United Kingdom, including L'Oreal Professional SmartBond, Redken pH Bonder, and Matrix Bond Ultim8.

However L'Oreal isn't letting this stop them. They have pulled the products (as they are legally required to) but are publicly vocalizing their intentions to appeal and put their products back on the shelves. Olaplex has a very strong case against L'Oreal, but L'Oreal has resources and an enormous amount of cash flow. Olaplex has given examples of L'Oreal filing motions, so that Olaplex has to spend time and money paying lawyers to research and defend against those motions, only to have L'Oreal withdraw the motion at the last minute, wasting Olaplex's time and resources. Even if Olaplex has a very strong case, L'Oreal could easily spend them into bankruptcy. To put it plainly, L'Oreal is playing dirty.

Why is this important?

We can not support companies like this. We must work together to spend our money on companies who make ethical choices. Remember when Kylie Jenner was accused of knocking off Vlada MUA's dripping lip art for her packaging? People began to boycott Kylie Cosmetics for hurting another artists business by not properly crediting or paying them. So why would we not do the same to L'Oreal when they are trying to bankrupt an small company and steal their technology?

What can you do?

Don't support L'Oreal. It can be tricky, because this multifaceted beauty conglomerate has several companies under it's umbrella. But you CAN choose to make the switch and do better. Go to LOreal.com and click "brands" to see a full list of what they own, but I am going to list a few of their most popular brands.

• NYX Professional Makeup
• Maybeline New York
• L'Oreal Paris
• Garnier
• Kerastase 
• Pureology
• Pulp Riot
• Redken
• Biolage 
• Lancome
• Matrix
• Ralph Lauren
• Keihl's
• Clarisonic

You can also use your social media influence to contact the company directly. Tweet at L'Oreal. Comment on their Instagram Posts, and their facebook posts. Let them know you want them to stop litigation against Olaplex. You can also share this article to get the word out.

Buy Olaplex products! They are very high quality and you will not regret it! And giving the company your business is important! It will help them fund their lawsuit, and it will show them that they have loyal fans in their corner.

Ask your stylist if they use Olaplex, or another bond builder. Make sure they aren't using a competitor from L'Oreal. Even if they use something that isn't Olaplex, that is okay. I personally prefer Olaplex, but other stylists may like the results they get without it, or with other bond builders. But I'd recommend you try to encourage your stylist to not use the items that are being pulled from shelves.

In the end, money talks. And if we put our money where our mouths are, it can make a huge difference.

Sources:
THE FASHION LAW: L'Oreal USA Must Permanently Pull 9 Infringing Haircare Products From Shelves in Olaplex Case
OLAPLEX BLOG: Legal Update: Olaplex Patent Litigation Victory
LA TIMES: L’Oreal owes Olaplex $91 million for stealing trade secrets
LOREAL.COM 

This is hard for me, because I personally use Matrix in my salon, and I have a lot of love for some of their products. But I am choosing to eliminate L'Oreal products in my life where I can, and move away from a giant conglomerate that has proven time and time again that it doesn't have our best interest at heart.

REVIEW: Pro Hair Tie

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Durability - 5 (excellent)
Grip - 5 (excellent)
Ease of Use - 4 (very good)
Comfort - 5 (excellent)
Damage - 5 (excellent)
Overall:



I am SOLD on these. Hard. I was hooked on the Pony-O for a while, but then I cut my hair shoulder length, and well... the Pony-O doesn't work unless you have long hair. I was back to normal hair ties until I found Pro Hair ties! I am in HEAVEN. These solve all of your hair tie issues!

It comes in an envelope or package (depending on how many you get) and the ties are just loose with a small sticker on them identifying color. Super simple and low waste, which I love. These hair ties are SUPER durable. No joke, my dogs got a hold of one and even played TUG OF WAR with it, and it survived. Granted they didn't play with it for long, but I have rough and tumble pups who are 50 pounds each! I was shocked that I didn't loose this hair tie!

I have given a few out to see how they work for different hair types and the feedback has been amazing. I have heard from my thick-haired friend that they only need ONE hair tie and that it hold all day without slipping. My fine haired friends feel like it has good grip and doesn't budge. I feel the same way. They are super comfortable too.

So what makes these so great? They are made with a super stretchy and durable silicone, and they have a shape that looks almost beaded. There is a firm plastic clasp that works similar to those cheap beaded chains that came on necklaces from vending machines when we were kids? You know the ones! So when you want to take the hair tie out instead of pulling it, you pinch the silicone around the clasp and one side will pop out, and then you just remove it, not tugging required. You can see an image demonstrating that below. They also have a huge variety of colors, which I am a big fan of.

You can pick your up here!

REVIEW: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Coverage - 5 (excellent)
Wear - 5 (excellent)
Longevity - 5 (excellent)
Overall:


I have been so impressed by this foundation. The packaging is a gorgeous frosted glass bottle with a silver finished pump and lid. It is described as an "invisible finish" which I thought would mean a tinted moisturizer look. But instead I got a gorgeous medium coverage that built to a full coverage with two layers. But even at full coverage my skin looked like skin. It doesn't have the caked blurred poreless look some people love, so if that's what you are after you should keep looking.

It really lasted so much longer than most of my other foundations, and I rarely have to touch it up. One pump covers my whole face (when applied with a Juno & Co Microfiber Velvet Blending Sponge) and a second gets me at a fuller coverage look which super impresses me.This is my new go-to choice.

Summer Beauty Essentials

June is here and summer is in full swing! In the summer my look changes dramatically. Gone are the vampy berry lips, full coverage foundations and sweaters, and out come the sandals and beach waves, along with a lighter more natural look. To achieve a softer look that is more suitable for the beach and quicker on vacation, I have some essentials I literally don't leave the house without. I went for a hike this morning and these were the things I put on to prep, I am talking bare minimum here. Enjoy.

COTZ Flawless Complexion 

mineral tinted sunscreen 

I am obsessed with this product. I have been a die-hard user and wearer of COTZ for years. This product never breaks me out, it has just a touch of tint that evens out my complexion without making me look like I have a full face of foundation. It has always protected me from sunburns and rosacea. It's my go to summer essential and you can pick it up directly from COTZ by clicking here.

Rarity Nails

100% polish nail wraps

Suns out toes out right? My feet are not cute, especially after being shut away from months during the winter. And I really don't have the time (or flexibility) to paint my own toes and let them dry. That's why nail wrap are amazing. They adhere like stickers (no heat necessary), and give your nails are perfectly polished and done up look. These make my nail game so much easier and they take less than 10 minutes to apply. The picture on the left has Enchanted Mermaid being shown but they have over 70 different designs. You can get yours for only $5 here.

Simply Smita

Original Lip Balm

This lip balm is the bomb. I am so hooked. My lips stay feeling hydrated for hours, a little goes a long way and it just works. Plus it has all the ethical things that make you feel good about buying it. It uses fair trade shea butter, has recycled packaging, is hand made in a small batch, made in the united states, cruelty free and organic. What could be better? Oh yeah, it's only $3. So what are you waiting for? Get hooked. You can click here to pick your up now.

Karity

Brow Goals

This three in one brow product is seriously amazing. You will not want to miss out. It has a brow pencil to fill in gaps and sharpen your brow look, along with a matching powder to gently fill your brows. It also has a spoolie end that allows you to brush them as well as to distribute and blend product. You'll never need another brow option again. I get the Totally Taupe but they have a few shades, although I do think the blonde bombshell is a little to yellow, and the Hot Cocoa has a red tone I did not expect. But the taupe is the perfect shade for most people, and if you have a darker complexion the Dark Chocolate is great. Pick up yours and get Brow Goals for yourself here.

REVIEW: Color Edge Hot Spray

Packaging - 2 (not very good)
Scent - 3 (average)
Longevity - 5 (excellent)
Finish - 5 (excellent)
Heat Protection - 5 (excellent) 
Overall:


I am going to start out by talking about the things I adore about this product and address the low points later. This is a a heat protection spray, but it is completely detection-less. It is weightless and matte, so your hair isn't heavy or shiny after. It is perfect for those with fine or greasy hair. A little goes a long way too which is so nice. It has become m go to for fine haired clients.

So the packaging got 2 stars and those were because it is functional and durable. I love the fine mist quality of the spray nozzle. But I hate everything else. The print is hard to read, and the bottle is translucent, which shows off the muddy green hue of the product that isn't super attractive.

The other thing that brought the score down is scent. I actually adore this scent. It has a musk to it that I love and an earthy tone like wet cement after it rains. It kind of reminds me of freshly laundered towels. But I have found that not all my clients and coworkers like the smell. And I have yet to find someone whose response to it is "it's okay". People seem to either love it or hate it. Regardless the smell doesn't linger long, and if you've been on the hunt for protection for your fine and greasy hair, this is likely your solution.

REVIEW: Johnny B Mode

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 5 (excellent)
Hold - 4 (very good)
Texture - 5 (excellent)
Longevity - 5 (excellent)
Overall:


Johnny B mode is the brands #1 best seller and has quickly become my favorite men's product in the salon. The packaging is clean and classic. They have two sizes of tubes (the one pictured being the smallest option) and two sizes of tubs (which have far more product in them), so no matter how much or how little you use, you are covered.

The scent has that clean kind of masculine water fragrance. I love it, but it's fairly light weight. However the brand makes tow spin-off versions of this called "King Mode" and "Mode Lucky Boy", which have different fragrances. The Lucky Boy version is green and has a stronger earthy fragrance with that kind of leafy grass scent and the slightest hint of mint. The King Mode is purple and has a strong classic musky scent that will last all day. So no matter if you like a classic strong fragrance, earthy notes, or something super light, Johnny B has got you covered.

What I love most about this product is of course the performance. It has a light moderately whipped texture which helps to prevent clumpy spots of concentrated product as well as aids in even distribution. But it also makes you need to use less so a little goes a longer way. It has a nice hold, but it isn't plastic. It feels and looks like hair. It has a bit of shine, but not a glossy finish. It's become a fan favorite of ours here, and I know you will love it too.

New Looks from Rarity Nails

In the last month Rarity Nails has added more than 15 new design choices, and I am LIVING for them! Here are just a few of my favorites, which you can pick up at RarityNails.com

Rose Gold Glass is a stunning iced pink with a deep rose and gold confetti glitter ombre. It's classic, classy and stunning. I love how it bridges the gap between fun and classy. This could totally be worn to the beach, girls night at the club, or a wedding. This is hands down my favorite new release.

Another major hit is In Bloom. the above picture shows the light mint shade "Summer Swinging" underneath it, but on it's own In Bloom is a clear strip with ombred white daisies. This is a super cute look that can be done a million ways. I have been seeing In Bloom on it's own, or on an accent nail. You can cute the strip so that you are only using the middle to get a nail covered in flowers as opposed to the ombred effect (which is done on the middle finger in the above picture).

 Next up is my personal favorite from the mermaid set. When Rarity Nails launched it had the set Enchanted Mermaid Tales of Time, a classic mermaid set featuring blue, purple and green glitters with a black scale striping. But this year three more similar looks were added including a green set classed Siren Song, an orange and gold look called Aquata and my favorite look featured above called Arista. Arista is my favorite because I love the delicate look of the white opalescent glitter and the mint scaling.

I am not a major camo girl, but I know that these three sets were heavily requested and have been a huge hit since release. We have three sets each featuring camo patterns and two solids shades to compliment the print.

Last of all I love the fun simplicity of this set called Electric Youth, hopefully I will have a better picture to post here soon as I just got my set in the mail today.

Don't forget to pick up your sets by clicking here.

REVIEW: Verb Ghost Hairspray

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 3 (average)
Hold - 5 (excellent)
Longevity - 4 (very good)
Flexibility - 5 (excellent)
Overall:


I am just going to jump right into breaking down my ratings for this one. The packaging got a 5, it has a classic metal pressurized can with a plastic cap, but I love the sleek black and white packaging that is so on brand for Verb. It smells like hairspray honestly. Verb tries to be more natural and not to fill their products with artificial fragrances and junk, so the basic scent isn't a surprise honestly. This is a medium hold hairspray that is supposed to be flexible. So it has just that. A medium hold that reinforces your style but isn't stiff or strong. It is flexible. I can still touch my hair and feel it after use, and I love that. It's perfect for curls that you have to brush out too. The longevity got a 4 only because it is medium hold so if you need a decent amount of hold you have to use extra spray, or another choice. Overall I dig this hairspray.

If you are interested in this or any other Verb products you can use my affiliate link to purchase and get 16% off your first order! Click here to shop now! 

REVIEW: Deck of Scarlette

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Pigment - 4 (very good)
Variety - 4 (very good)
Value - 4 (very good)
Full Face - 3 (average)
Overall:


I finally tried Deck of Scarlet and I was honestly surprised by how much I liked it. You spend $30 for a palette every month and it usually includes one or two other goodies like an eyeliner or brush. Their first palettes always looked like the picture to the left, 3 eye shadow shades, one blush and a highlight (that could also be used on the eyes) as well as two creamy lip colors. But recently their bundles have shifted sometimes featuring an all eye shadow choice and surveys asking about full blush palettes and more.

The packaging is nice. It's a sturdy cardboard but it has magnets that keep it closed. Like the image shows they usually have a mirror on the inside and the palette has two openings, one for the powder choices and one for the cream lip makeup. The actual face of the palettes change every month but usually feature an artsy geometric style picture of a woman.

I was actually surprised by how pigmented this product was, it definitely needs a good primer, but it had all day wear for sure with that reinforcement. There is a decent amount of palettes to choose from. When you sign up for the service you get to pick whichever palette you want to be sent that month, and then after that they send you an email monthly saying "this is this month's palette" and you can choose to get it or skip it. If you skip it you can choose another option instead. And right now they only have 14 choices, but since they come out with a new one monthly it's safe to say you won't be running out of options anytime soon.

The biggest issue I had with this is that $30 for a palette is a fairly normal deal. I didn't feel like I was saving money, but it isn't insane either. I also feel like the palette itself is pretty one note. I rarely get a palette with the variety to actually create a full face look with no help from any other products. The palette above is probably one of the most diverse. I got the edition #7 my first month which I am picturing on the right. This set has a fun blue pop, a fudge brown and basic matte nude, along with a pink blush and a yellow gold highlight. The darkest shade on this palette is still pretty light and I always needed to grab another shadow to deepen the outer corner or crease of my look. But I like that the blue pushed me out of my comfort zone. I actually wore the blue shadow several times and got a lot of compliments on it. And I really liked the long wear and creamy feel of the lipsticks, although they do get a little messy in the palette.

If you are wanting to try this out I actually do recommend it. It's a fun choice, and where you can skip whatever month you'd like it's really not a gamble at all. Plus I am posting a link below that will give you $10 off your first month. This makes it a stellar deal honestly. You get the three shadows, 2 face choices and two lip shades along with whatever extra bonus product for only $20. That's a steal. You can click here to get $10 off today.

Fair Trade Beauty Brands you'll want to support

Do you know what Fair Trade is? We have all heard about Vegan and Cruelty Free brands, and chances are if you look up fair trade cosmetics lines, that's what you'll find. Vegan cosmetics lines. But there is a difference. Cruelty free brands do not test their products on animals. Vegan brands do not use any animal byproducts or ingredients in their cosmetics, so for example the don't use beeswax. But Fair Trade is an entirely different standard you may want to jump on board with.

Fair Trade is a global movement that strives to improve the lives of everyone. We have all heard of sweatshop workers, or the farmer in a third world country who get's paid pennies for hard labor and can barely feed his family. Fair Trade is about ending that. It's about paying people fair wages and not neglecting those who work in factory or farming environments. It is also about sing sustainable practices that are good for the environment. 

"Our standards ensure producers, workers, farmers, and fishermen have the money needed to invest in their lives and their work." - Fair Trade USA

 Now that is something I can get behind! If you'd like to learn more about what fair trade is then click here to visit Fair Trade Certified's website fairtradecertified.org.

So here are three killer beauty brands I have personally tried that produce good quality products  using fair trade practices and ingredients.

You get a lot of good things when you shop at Thistle Farms. Thistle Farms isn't only fair trade products, it is so much more. It is a charity that helps to aid women who are victims of sex trafficking and sexual slavery, by providing them with a safe haven, applicable job experience and helping them to learn basic living skills they may not have had the opportunity to learn such as money management and educational planning. Thistle Farms not only provides housing and jobs along with coaching, but they help their residents get through college to help them create a self sustainable life. When you purchase from Thistle Farms you are also getting fair trade items made with high quality ingredients. The bath and body products are truly top notch, and it's extra nice knowing that not only were no sweat shops involved in the making of this product, but that your purchase helped someone to find freedom.

Shea Moisture is an affordable brand that has a wide range of products from skin care, to hair care and even cosmetics. They are not only affordable but accessible. You can find Shea Moisture at Ulta, Walmart, Target and several other convenient stores. I personally use the Shea Moisture African Black Soap and love it. Even their shampoos and conditioners have my stamp of approval for the most part. If you are on a budget or wanting to find some more affordable options Shea Moisture is a great choice to be honest.

 I love Pure Argan Co. They sell one thing and that is 100%  argan oil. There are so many wannabe oils on the market that claim to be 100% pure but are cut with synthetic fragrances and fillers. What is tricky is that a package can say it's 100% pure argan oil, but all that means is that they must have pure argan oil in it as one of the ingredients. Not only is this heavenly oil the real deal, but it's fair trade, organic, fragrance free, paraben free and vegan. You can buy bottles in three sizes and the cost ranges from $9 to $50. This oil is perfect to hydrate your scalp, repair split ends, soothe scaly or cracked skin, hydrate your skin and more. And with their guilt free sourcing it's another purchase you can feel good about.

Hopefully you enjoyed this short list of fair trade beauty brands. Let me know if you have any brands you love to support, or if you'd like to learn more about ethical beauty.

REVIEW: Verb Dry Shampoo

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 4 (very good)
Texture - 5 (excellent)
Oil Absorption - 5 (excellent)
Longevity - 4 (very good)
Overall:



I am obsessed with this dry shampoo and I am super excited to tell you why. This is not in an aerosol spray can like I am used to. In the past when I have used powders for dry shampoo I am never happy with them. They typically make my hair feel super gritty and they almost always show up in my hair making it look dull and ashy. This one exceeded my expectations.

This has a great tapered nozzle that helps with product distribution control. I love the sturdy, pretty, clean and high end looking packaging. This is 100% fragrance free and has no scent to it at all. I was worried it would smell like baby powder which is not a scent I care for. But I can't smell this one at all. It is also completely untraceable to me. I can't feel it at all in my hair. It also absorbs oils quickly and makes my hair look and feel clean and soft.

It doesn't have the best longevity. Let me explain. The packaging tells you to put the tip on your scalp and directly squeeze product onto your scalp. That releases to much product and can leave residue. But if you instead sprinkle it on or tap it onto your hair it dissipates and lasts a while. I just felt I couldn't know off a point from something when the directions point you the wrong way. However This powder lasts longer than a spray, it has way more product and you get more bang for your buck.

If you are interested you can use my affiliate link to purchase and get 16% off your first order of Verb Products! Click here to shop now! 

REVIEW: Diablo Cosmetics TLM Colour Changing Foundation

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 2 (not very good)
Coverage - 2 (not very good)
Color Matching - 5 (excellent)
Wear - 1 (bad)
Overall:


I was reeled in by a Facebook ad for this foundation. Pretty vloggers showing this amazing full coverage foundation that changed to your perfect skin tone in a flash.  I was sure it wouldn't work, but the color changing technology is about the only thing with this product that did work for me. That and the packaging which is super sturdy, functional and high end looking. And the shade matching technology was SO COOL to watch. I tried in on myself, as well as several of my coworkers and clients. I tried it on paler than pale skin as well as Asian skin, several Latin people, and a couple of my African American clients. The color technology was amazing across the board.

But that's where this product's charm ends. It smelled pretty bad. Like straight up dollar store sun screen. It wasn't disgusting, but it wasn't pleasant and it was strong. I put on THREE layers of this stuff and got almost no coverage. I'd say this is more of a tinted sunscreen than a foundation. And last up it wears off fast. Even with setting powder and spray this product didn't even make it halfway through my day. I'd skip it if I were you.

REVIEW: Kylie Cosmetics Setting Spray

Packaging - 5 (excellent)
Scent - 5 (excellent)
Hydration - 5 (excellent)
Improved Wear- 5 (excellent)
Longevity - 5 (excellent)
Overall:


5 Stars across the board! I really didn't expect much from this product and it's positioned to be one of my all time favorites! I will start with the packaging which is your standard spray bottle, nothing fancy. But it's functional. I am not the biggest fan of the new baby pink packaging that Kylie Cosmetics is going with. Usually the do black and silver, or fun graphic choices for their packaging. But even though I'm not the biggest baby pink fan myself it's still nice and the chrome letters are a great touch.

This has a great rose scent that I love. I am not the biggest fan of overly floral fragrances, but this one is crisp and light, it almost has a cucumber undertone that keeps it refreshing.  It is certainly hydrating, I love spraying this on even with no makeup because it leave my skin feeling so nice. In my experience there are two types of setting sprays, the ones that smell like alcohol and make your skin dryer, but help to keep your makeup on, and the ones that smell nice and hydrate but they don't do much for your cosmetics. This one breaks that stereotype by smelling and feeling amazing, while also providing great improved wear. You only need 2-3 spritzes per day so it'll last you a while, and is honestly a pretty affordable option.

You can pick it up here

My Current Skin Care Routine

My skin is looking pretty good these days and I figured I would share what I have been doing to get it there. I use new thing all the time in order to review them, but when I find items that really work for my skin they become my "baseline" and I may sub out for a new moisturizer or cleanser for a moment just to see how it works but this is my baseline routine.

A little about my skin. I have dry skin. It peels on and around the nose, and even on the cheeks sometimes. I don't have a ton of acne, but I do have some on my jawline and the hollows of my cheeks. This routine keeps my skin hydrated and my acne at bay.

-Morning - 

Every Other Day - I exfoliate using the DermaE Microdermabrasion Scrub. I love this scrub because it exfoliates and feels great,  but has a really gentle grain, I don't have to apply hardly any pressure for it to it's job and a little goes a very long way. One jar lasts me 3 or more months.

Every Day - I start by using a microfiber wipe to just kind of clean any oil that I might have created on my face over night. I purchased a really nice set on Amazon from the Amazon Basics line that are super soft and amazing. I use these twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, so having a set of 24 is super nice. You can find the set I bought here. If I am going to exfoliate I do at this point in my routine. 

Then I use The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% on freshly cleaned skin on my cheeks and jawline where I have acne. I love this product because it is so light weight and it truly helps, but it's also only $6! Don't be fooled though, the ordinary has some stellar products and direct acids, but some of their items have some not so great ingredients. I do however love this one.

Last I put on my moisturizer and I love the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer. I actually discovered this while researching oil free moisturizers for a different post on this. I was looking for the best drugstore option and putting all of my ingredients lists through various sites that analyze ingredients for you, and this one came up with no concerning or comedogenic ingredients on ALL of my sites! I had to try it right? So I picked some up for less than $20 at Walmart and I have been hooked ever since.

- Night -  

I start out my nightly routine by removing my makeup using a microfiber towel and warm water. Then I use a corner of the towel along with the Mary Kay Eye Makeup Remover to get the rest of my mascara and eyeliner off.



Next I cleanse my face using the Lil Scrubbies Silicone Facial Scrubbing Pads. Here they are on Amazon, I picked mine up at Walmart in the makeup aisle but I didn't see them on their website. They are less than $3 for a set of two. I just love the gentle way that these help me to deliver product onto my skin without scratching it up. I am not a fan of most fancy expensive brushes and scrubbers, these $3 gems work perfectly for me. With my scrubbies I apply the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Acne Prone Face & Body Bar. I love Shea Moisture. They use great ingredients, they are fair trade, and affordable! This bar is $5 and it's massive! It will take you a while to run out if you are only using it for your face.

After I wash my face with the cleanser I tone it. If I am exfoliating the next day I will often use a toner that is a little harsher and more drying that fights acne. I currently use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for those days. If I am not exfoliating I will use the Sei Bella Advanced Youth Revital™ Hydrating Toner. This one is another goodie. It smells like cucumbers and is so refreshing on my skin. I usually apply my toners with my hands, but if you prefer a cotton round I personally like the AOA Pure Cotton Rounds. They are afforda
ble and really gentle. My eyes get scratched easily and sometimes the rayon cotton blend cheap pads at walmart are just to rough on them.

If I am using a hydrating toner that night I will also moisturize, once again using the same Nuetrogena moisturizer that I mentioned before. But If I use the glycolic acid toner I do not. If I have a really bad break out sometimes I will treat the affected area with the Derma E Overnight Peel. I've never actually peeled form it before, but it definitely dries out and fight acne pronto. I do put it over the glycolic acid toner, and only use it on nights when I am exfoliating the next day.

This skin care routine has done me some good over the last several months. It keeps my skin looking super healthy, which is important because if I don't have a good baseline it makes it difficult for me t know whether the products I am using are working or not. Hopefully this gave you a little inspiration for your own routine.