Hall of Fame: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Natural Beauty

$26     0.20 oz / 5.6 g

Ingredients: Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Polyethylene, Tricaprylin, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Cera Alba/beeswax/cire D’abeille, PEG-150 Distearate, Lanolin, Laureth-4, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Kaolin, Tin Oxide, Polysorbate 20, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 27 (CI 45410), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Ultramarines (CI 77007)

Availability: Sephora, Dermstore.com

Color & Finish

Natural Beauty is described as a muted strawberry red, and I totally agree. It looks very intense in the pan but it really resembles the natural color when we blush. It gives people the illusion of you glowing not because it has shimmer (it's mostly matte) but because the color makes you look very rejuvenated. 

The finish is pretty matte. I can't see any shimmer in the pan or on the cheek. But it doesn't flatten the cheek when applied. It leaves an almost undetectable sheen, which is pretty similar to the texture of bare skin.

Pigmentation

With these Tarte blushes, the pigmentation varies from blush to blush. Natural Beauty is pretty pigmented. You definitely want to tap the excess off of the brush before applying it onto the skin. For fair skin, this can work very well if you use a very light hand. Literally just dip the brush in the pan, tap off the excess, possibly swirl it on the back of your hand, and dab it onto the skin. The color is also buildable. I can see this blush work for darker complexions.

Formula

The texture of this blush is not the most buttery, but it's not too stiff, either. It actually works out very well with the high pigmentation, making it a little more fool-proof.

How I Wear It

I've been wearing it for all kinds of makeup looks. It can work with smokey eyes with just a sheer wash of color. It can also be the focal point if you're not wearing anything on the eyes. It's very versatile.

Overall, I'm in so in love with this blush. I've been wearing it almost everyday this month. The color just makes you look so healthy and awake. The finish is fantastic as it's matte without flattening out the facial structure. The formula and pigmentation are easy to work with. Not the most fool-proof because you do have to be cautious not to put too much on. But it just requires a little tapping or swirling before you put it on. I also love it because it's such a versatile product. If I can only take one blush for travels I would pick this one. I would highly recommend it to everyone!

Hall of Fame: Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm

£34.00     3.4 oz / 100 ml

Ingredients: Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Beeswax, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Sorbitan Stearate, Palmitic/Stearic Triglycerides, Limonene, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Silica, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Flower Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Aqua (Water), Lecithin, Linalool, Butylene Glycol, Octyldodecyl PCA, Menthyl PCA, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Flower Oil, Geraniol, Moringa Pterygosperma Seed Extract, Farnesol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Disodium Phosphate, Citral, Citric Acid, Citronellol

Availability: Bath&Unwind.com, feelunique.com

This cleansing balm has received gazillion raves and hypes in UK beauty communities. Being highly recommended by Caroline Hirons (my go-to skincare guru) here, it's something I had been wanting to try out but unable to find in the US. Since we're on the topic of availability, let's talk about it first.

Availability

I haven't been able to find it on any US cosmetics retailer websites. Fortunately, I did find it in several UK websites that offer free worldwide shipping. The price in USD differs depending on the conversion rates the retailers use. I've seen it from around $55 to $60. There can also be a currency exchange fee charged by your bank per transaction. Mine was around $5. I got mine from feelunique.com when they ran a big sale for around $45.

Now onto the actual product...

Consistency

It's not a very solid balm because there is a good amount of good oils in it. It's just thick enough to be "scoopable." It melts into an oil at your body temperature. By the time it's all over your face, it's already turned into a cleansing oil.

Application

It's super easy to apply. Just scoop about a little bit less than a quarter size out of the jar and gently massage it on your face. If you have makeup on, gently massage it starting from your eyes because it needs some time to work with all the waterproof makeup, do your face, and then back to the eyes. If you don't have makeup on, just use it just how you would with other cleansers.

As with all my makeup removers, I like to do a second cleanse after removing my makeup just to be sure that every bit of makeup and dirt is off of my face. I can do it with either other cleansers or this cleansing balm.

The Impact

It works very well as a gentle cleanser as well as a makeup remover. I wasn't expecting it to remove makeup that well but it does remove super waterproof makeup (even the very stubborn CoverGirl LashBlast 24H). I was pleasantly surprised! It works just as well as my all time favorite DHC Cleansing Oil.

It's suggested to be used with a muslin cloth or washcloth. I'm not a big washcloth user so I usually rinse and then go over my face just once with a warm (not hot!) washcloth. This cleansing balm rinses off very easily and doesn't leave a heavy film on the skin. It's not going to leave you that squeaky clean feeling, but it's not going to leave your face dry or uncomfortable. It just feels like normal skin.

I'm absolutely IN LOVE with this cleansing balm. It makes removing makeup and cleansing a much more pleasant and relaxing experience. It feels nice on the skin, smells very luxurious and calming, and works very well. I love how my skin feels afterwards. No dryness or tightness.

I wouldn't use this to remove my waterproof makeup if I have to do it really fast. I would use my DHC Cleansing Oil instead. Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm just takes a little bit longer to dissolve the waterproof makeup than DHC Cleansing Oil. But it does take it off completely.

I highly recommend it to everyone, no matter what skin type you have. It's a great product. Definitely worth the hype and every penny!

Hall of Fame: DHC Cleansing Oil

$28     6.7 oz / 200 ml     |     $14     2.3 oz / 70 ml     |     $5.50     1 oz / 30 ml

Ingredients: Olea Europaea (olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) Leaf Oil

Availability: DHC.com, Dermstore.com

This product has been in many favorites and empties posts because it's something I've been using and repurchasing for as long as I've been wearing makeup. It definitely deserves a place in the Hall of Fame.

Consistency & Application
As the name suggest, it's a cleansing oil. One pump is plenty enough for the entire face, including waterproof makeup. Just pump the product onto your palm and smear it all over your face. Start gently massaging the eyes first to dissolve waterproof makeup, do your face, and then back to the eyes.

The Impact
It works very effectively and efficiently. It can be used as a cleanser as well as a makeup remover. It takes off stubborn makeup fast and completely. It's definitely a powerful makeup remover but at the same time gentle. The oil is great because it's emollient enough to eliminate any tugging on the skin.
It rinses off very well. It does not leave any film or residues whatsoever. With that being said, it can be a little drying afterwards. As with all my makeup removers, I do a second cleanse afterwards. You can use whatever cleanser you prefer. I like to use a cleansing milk to balance out the dryness. Of course you can just use this cleansing oil again for the second cleanse.

If I can only describe this cleansing oil in one word, it would be "simple." Even the ingredients list is short and simple! It does what it's supposed to do and does it well. There's absolutely no fuss. When I'm feeling tired or just don't want to spend too much time on my skincare routine, I go to this and take off my makeup in 1 minute (from pumping it out of the bottle to pad-drying my face).
I highly recommend it to everyone with any skin type. If you have dry skin, just adjust your routine with other products, such as cleansing milk or cleansing balm for second cleanse, and moisturizing toners, etc.

Hall of Fame: Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hour Miracle Cream

$16     1 oz / 30 ml

$28     2.6 oz / 80 ml

Ingredients: Aqua, Paraffinum Liquidum, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Cera Alba, Cetyl Palmitate, Butyrospermum Parkii, Steareth-10, Polyacrylamide C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Propylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Aloe Barbadensis, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tropolone, Parfum

Availability: Amazon.com, Dermstore.com

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre is a makeup artist favorite. I purchase mine under the influence of Samantha Chapman and Lisa Eldridge. It's highly recommended as under makeup moisturizer. As you would assume by the title of this post, I love it!

In terms of skincare benefits, I'm not sure if it really delivers. Personally I don't believe day time skincare can improve the skin much because the skin is exposed to a lot more damages during the day than at night. So this is not for you if you're looking for something that would actually improve the skin.

A day cream serves a few purpose for me:

1. Release the tightness and any discomfort after cleansing.
2. Act as a barrier between my skin and makeup or potential external damages if I'm not wearing makeup.
3. Act as the "glue" if I'm wearing powder foundation.

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre delivers all of the above. The best thing about this cream is that it's rich and moisturizing without being greasy. In other words, it's a hydrating matte moisturizer. It will not make your makeup look oily. It will help your powder foundation go on smoothly. It's also perfect for mixing in your foundation to create tinted moisturizers.

If I really have to pick a flaw, it would be that it's slightly fragranted. However, my sensitive skin reacts fine with it. It's not a bad smell but it's not something that I would die for, either.

The only people that I would not recommend it for is those who are extremely sensitive to fragrance or, of course, any specific ingredients in this cream. But other than that, I can recommend this to almost everyone because it's such a versatile product and everyone can use it for something. Here are my recommendation:

• For oily, normal, and combination-oily skin: day cream, night cream, making tinted moisturizer
• For dry, dehydrated, and combination-dry skin: day cream, making tinted moisturizer

Have you tried the Lait Creme Concentre? What's your favorite day cream? Please share!

Hall of Fame: Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three

$13     10.14 oz / 300 ml

Ingredients: Water (Eau, Aqua), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Urea, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Thiosulfate, Bisamino PEG/PPG 41/3 Aminoethyl PG Propyl Dimethicone, Glutamine, Tyrosine (L-Tyrosine), Leucine, Cysteine HCl, Glycine, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey Root), Plantago Major, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Germ) Protein, PEG 12 Dimethicone, Sodium Borate, Sulfated Castor Oil, Magnesium Carbonate (CI 77713), Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA, Disodium EDTA (Copper), Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene

Availability: drugstores, Drugstore.com

This shampoo is, as the name suggests, a clarifying shampoo. I got it because I noticed that my hair gets really weighed down after constantly using nourishing hair products such as sulfate free shampoos, rich conditioners and hair masks.

Normally a cheap drugstore shampoo with sulfate would take care of the problem as it strips everything off of your scalp. But at the same time it leaves my sensitive scalp very itchy.

Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three does the job better without making my scalp uncomfortable, which to me is surprising because its ingredients aren't the best/ healthiest for the scalp and hair. It really gets all the gunk off to the point where my hair will feel a bit like straws, without making my scalp irritated. However, because it gets everything off of your hair, I suggest putting conditioner or hair mask on afterwards, otherwise the hair would get tangled really easily.

The packaging is marvelous. It doesn't waste any product. I didn't have to open the bottle to scrape out the last bit. When nothing's coming out when you squeeze it, there is really nothing in the bottle.

How I use it
I use it about once a week to get any product buildup off of my scalp. This is also when I use my hair mask because it will clean the hair really well so there's not much barrier between the hair and the mask. I always follow up with a conditioner or hair mask to help untangle the hair.
I mainly focus on my scalp so I don't need a lot. It lathers up and then I bring it down to my hair.

Recommendation
I highly recommend it to athletes, models, people who need to deep cleanse their scalp or hair regularly. I've read good reviews from swimmers. I would also highly recommend it to people who use a lot of nourishing hair products.
I don't have color-treated hair so I'm not sure if it would strip the dyes off. So I cannot recommend it to those who have color-treated hair. But I do have perm in my hair and it doesn't seem to ruin the perm.

I've been using this shampoo for about 10 months and have repurchased it. I definitely see myself continue using it for a really long time.

Have you tried Paul Mitchell Clarifying Shampoo Three? What's your favorite clarifying shampoo?

Worth the Hype? Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

$14     0.50oz/ 15ml

Ingredient: argan oil

Availability: Sephora, Josie Maran website

Recently there has been hypes around oils, especially argan oils. Josie Maran's line consists of many products infused with argan oil. One of the most popular products is her 100% Pure Argan Oil.

I got the travel size for $14 at Sephora, thinking that I would only use it for under eye dryness. But I actually ended up using it all over my face.

I really like this oil. Argan oil is dry oil, which means it does not linger on the skin as much as other richer oils. Because of that it makes a great face oil. I like to put it on at night to give it some time to be absorbed. I don't use it in the morning because I can't put makeup on right away.

It's great as a night treatment when you have irritated skin. The anti-inflammatory property helps calm down any irritation, including acne. I also noticed that it helps balance the moisture and oil production/ distribution on my face. My face is really dry under my eyes and my forehead and can get oily around my nose and my mouth. This oil has really helped making my skin a little bit more normal. My skin is still combination but a little less extreme. And it's been easier to apply foundation.

Compared to other brands, Josie Maran's argan oil is much thicker and feels like it's absorbed better as other argan oils I've tried can sometimes just sit on top of the skin. Josie Maran's definitely feels a lot nicer and more luxurious on the skin.

I really like this oil. It's very gentle to the skin, but at the same time does many good things to improve the condition of the skin very effectively. It has not broken me out.

I'm running out of my bottle really quickly. A travel size bottle like this only last me about 1 month if I use it every night, 7-8 drops per use.

If you're on the fence on price, there's other argan oils that are basically the same thing with different consistency. As long as it's 100% pure, organic, and cold-pressed, the quality does not vary drastically.
I highly recommend Josie Maran's 100% Pure Argan Oil. This is something I've been repurchasing and something that will be in my stable skincare stash for at least until I stumble upon something better.