NARS And God Created the Woman Eyeshadow Set

$59     Eyeshadows 0.03 oz / 1 g x 6 | Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base 0.09 oz / 2.8 g

Ingredients: (Smudge Proof Base) Isododecane, Talc, Cyclopentasiloxane, Disteardimonium Hectorite, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propylene Carbonate, Peg-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sera Alba (Beeswax), Phenoxyethanol, Diethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran Oil Extract), Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Castor Oil Phosphate, Sea Whip Extract, Mica, Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77163 Bismuth Oxychloride)

Availability: eBay

This set came out a while back and was on my wishlist for the Sephora VIB sale. Unfortunately it's become unavailable recently. This is why I don't like to review limited edition products! But I'm sure there are some on eBay if you can get your hands on it for a reasonable price because I've been enjoying this palette a lot!

This palette has 6 shades that are in the permanent range, either from single shadows or palettes (duos, trios, etc).

Alhambra is a frosty champagne. It's a little pinker than MAC Ricepaper. The formula is very soft and buttery. It applies very smoothly. The pigmentation is good. Not super intense where it gives an instant metallic look, but color and finish are pretty noticeable with one sweep.

Bellissima is very cool light taupe, with a very slight hint of purple. It has matte finish. The formula and pigmentation are definitely lacking a little. It swatches a bit chalky and requires a few more swatches to get good pigmentation. It works better with a brush. I like it for a subtle crease color to create a natural everyday look. It's not the best formula but for me, works out perfectly for a natural crease color.

Kalahari is a shimmery bronze, not as frosty as Alhambra. It looks like if you mix MAC Woodwinked and Satin Taupe together. It's a very unique color. The formula is soft. It applies smoothly and blends out nicely. It's not as pigmented as Alhambra. It takes a few sweeps to get the frosty bronze. But that makes it a really versatile color. I actually really like it all over the lid with one or 2 sweeps just to give a little warmth for a natural look.

Galapagos is a satin brown with gold shimmer. It looks very shimmery in the pan but when swatched it's not nearly as shimmery as Kalahari. It definitely has a satin finish. The formula is not the best but not the worst in the palette. It applies smoothly but takes a little more effort to blend out. It's pretty pigmented. It's great for all over the lids or as a crease color.

Coconut Grove is a matte dark ashy brown. The formula is pretty chalky. It's hard to get an even swatch. The pigmentation is okay. The color and the formula combination makes it a really good brow powder for dark brows.

Night Clubbing took me by surprise. It's a matte black with gold shimmers. The shimmers are only noticeable under the lights. The formula is not as soft and buttery as Alhambra, but very good for a matte black shadow. It's also very pigmented. It would be great for a true smokey eye because the gold shimmers give a slight dimension to the matte black. I also love for lining my eyes.

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is a clear eyeshadow primer. The product comes out white but when applied it's clear. I've already had a full size product of this. It's the best eyeshadow primer I've ever used. I have oily eyelids that even the Urban Decay ones can't keep my shadows from creasing, but this one does it! I highly highly highly recommend it!

Alhambra | Bellissima | Kalahari | Galapagos | Coconut Grove | Night Clubbing

Lids: Alhambra & Kalahari | Crease: Galapagos | Liner: Night Clubbing | Brows: Coconut Grove

Overall, I'm very pleased with the palette. The color combination is brilliant and so are the finishes. Even though the 2 matte shades (Bellissima & Coconut Grove) don't have the best formula, they turn out to work very well for where I need them. I probably won't have liked them as much if the formula was softer or pigmented. It just shows that it's not always the softer/ more buttery, the better.
I also love the versatility of this palette. I can create so many looks with just this one palette and it only has 6 shades in this little compact! Personally I think it's even better than taking a big o' Naked Palette.
I'm sorry that it's not widely available anymore. I literally just got it from Sephora online! But if you can get your hands on it somehow, I definitely recommend it!

Wet n Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection Eyeshadow Palette in A029 Desert Festival

$4.99     0.19 oz / 5.5 g

Ingredients: Talc, Ethyl Macadamiate, Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Magnesium Stearate, Boron Nitrate, Methicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glycerin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica, Calcium Titanium Borosilicate, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Black 2/CI 77266, Blue 1 Lake/CI 42090, Carmine/CI 75470, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Ferric Ferrocyanide/CI 77510, Iron Oxides/CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499, Maganese Violet/CI 77742, Mica, Red 40 Lake/CI 16035, Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891, Ultramarines/CI 77007

Availability: CVS, Drugstore.com

Colors
This palette contains 5 shades: shimmery champagne, shimmery orange, matte orange, matte dark brown, and matte black with gold sparkles. The colors and finishes work nicely together. It's a great combination. You can easily great a look with all five shades.

Formula & Pigmentation
All the shades have very soft and buttery formula, except for the matte black with gold sparkles. The black goes on a little chalky. When applied the sparkles don't show up, making it perfect as an eyeliner shade.
All the shades are very pigmented, but easy to work with if you tap off the excess. They're also very easy to blend, except for the matte black shade.

How I wear It
I love this palette for a more dramatic look because the dark brown is a little darker than what I would normally put on the crease for a daily look. The matte orange shade is great for warming up cooler eyeshadows. I love the two lighter shimmery shades for everyday looks. The black shade is great as eyeliners. Here's the look I created using all 5 shades.

shimmery orange all over + matte orange at outer corner + shimmery champagne at center + matte brown at crease + black as liner

I love this palette. The overall quality would definitely be worth high end prices but it's only $4.99. I absolutely love the formula, pigmentation, colors, and finishes. It's very easy to use and versatile palette. I highly recommend it!

Most Loved 5 of October 2013

Nude ProGenius Treatment Oil & Cellular Renewal Moisturiser
I got these 2 products in a deluxe sample set. My skin has improved so much after using them. I use the set at night. I use the oil first and put the cream on top. My breakouts and irritation have calmed down and my skin has become super soft and smooth. They're very pricey products but they're worth every penny!

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
This little wonder has been hyped about for a long time. I just recently got mine from HauteLook. It's so worth the hype. I pop it on my acne spots at night and when I wake up they're not as red, bumpy, or irritated anymore. It's a miracle!

Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate
I can't wear a lot of makeup at work so my beloved lipsticks are obviously out of the picture. I've been loving this lip butter because it gives nice pigmentation and hydration. I love that it's not as thick and sticky as a lip gloss, not as opaque as a lipstick, and not as sheer as a lip balm. It does dry out in 2-3 hours but it leaves a natural stain on the lips. It's very fool proof so I don't mind reapplying. You can also use the product left on the finger tip as a natural blush.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in Natural Beauty
I've been wearing this blush almost every time I wear makeup for the past month. It's seriously a gorgeous blush. It mimic the natural blush perfectly and give your face a lit-from-within glow just with the beautiful color. The longevity is awesome. It truly lasts all day until you take it off. See my review for more details and pictures.

Tarte Natural Beauty | Korres Pomegranate

October was a good month. I discovered some of my holy grail products that have made a big impact on my skin and my makeup. Definitely try some of these products out if you haven't and I hope you enjoy it!

Worth the Hype? MAC LIpstick in Ruby Woo

$15     0.10 oz / 3 g

Availability: MAC, Nordstrom 

If you're a member of the beauty community, I'm pretty sure you either have heard people talk about this lipstick 10 thousand times, or you already have it. I seriously don't know why it too me so long to get this lipstick but I'm glad I did.

Color & Finish

Ruby Woo is described as a vivid blue red. I can never tell if a red lipstick has a cool tone but I can tell it doesn't have much orange in it. This red is a very bright true red. It's not pink nor coral. It suits all kinds of complexions.

It has Retro Matte finish even though on the packaging it just says Matte. Apparently they are different finishes. This is the only Retro Matte I have and I don't own any Matte ones so I don't know. But it's definitely very matte. It has no glossiness to it whatsoever.

Formula & Pigmentation

The formula is very dry. But it's workable. It can tug the lips when applied out of the bullet, so definitely apply in short strokes. I don't think it dries my lips out. It just doesn't provide any moisture. If you have dry lips, make sure you apply lip balm underneath. It would also help with the application.

It's very pigmented. You definitely need a mirror to apply it. Because of the dry formula, if you make any mistake, wipe it off soon because it might stain.

multiple layers | one layer

How I Wear It

I absolutely love wearing it for a night out because it can work as a stain. I apply a layer and blot it with a tissue and repeat it for a few times to secure the stain. I don't have to touch up for the rest of the night if I'm just drinking. It might come off a little but if you eat because of the oil in food. I also love it just keeping the rest of my makeup really minimal. I can also apply a thin layer with my fingers to create a sheer stain for a natural look.

Does it make my teeth whiter?

Overall, I love this lipstick and will keep repurchasing it. I love that it can make my makeup look look so much more polished when I only have foundation and mascara on. The dry formula makes the application require a little more effort, but I don't mind that since it also keeps the color on longer. It's a high effort but low maintenance lipstick. The color works for all kinds of skin tones and complexions. It's definitely worth the hype and I would highly recommend it to everyone!

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!

Antipodes Grapeseed Butter Cleanser

$47     2.5 oz/ 75 g

Ingredients: Olea europaea* (olive oil), butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), phormium tenax* (harekeke flax seed oil), cocos nucifera* (coconut oil), simmondsia chinensis* (jojoba oil), cera alba (beeswax), silica, theobroma cocao (cocoa butter), vitis viniferia (Vinanza Grape seed extract), sorbitan isostearate, matricaria chamomilla (blue chamomile), hibiscus sabdarifa (hibiscus flower), lavendula officinalis (lavender oil), naticide (fragrance & preservative), benzyl alcohol, Vitamin E (*Certified organic ingredient)

Availability: Antipodes, Feelunique.com

Before I discovered Caroline Hirons's blog, I loved foaming cleansers. My face doesn't feel clean unless I use a foaming cleanser. Even though it does cleanse the skin really well, it's very drying to the skin. So I was trying to switch to cleansing milk, balms, and in this case, a cleansing butter. I've tried it for a few weeks, I don't like it, and here's why.

The consistency is just what it's called: butter. But no it's not like your body butter. It's even thicker than that. I find it hard to smooth it all over my face because it doesn't really turn into an oil. I ended up using a lot of product and taking more time.

Also, it does not take makeup off well. If you have light face makeup, it might move it around a bit. If you have waterproof makeup, forget about it.

Lastly, the one thing that bothers me the most is that it's impossible to rinse this booger off! You have to take it off with a washcloth a few times. For that reason, I don't trust it for taking off makeup because I think it will leave residues combined with old makeup. I can see it works for a second cleanse if you have really dry skin.

I do find this cleansers a bit clogging. I tend to get blackheads afterwards and occasional breakouts. If you have acne prone, oily, or normal skin, this is a no-go. If you have dry skin, this might work for you if you're careful and gentle with using the washcloth.

Overall, I'm not happy with this cleanser. I will probably still use it on my very dry skin days but I will not repurchase this. I cannot recommend it to anyone because of its potential of clogging and/or breaking out the skin. :(

Worth the Hype? Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S Thirst Quenching Serum

$48     1 oz

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Water*, Glycerin*, Butylene Glycol*, Ethylhexyl Palmitate*, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6,Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone, Palmitoyl Grape Seed Extract*, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Squalane*, Potassiumsorbate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Juice*, Sodium Benzoate, Xanthan Gum,Sorbitan Oleate*, Sodium Carboxymethyl Betaglucan, Citric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate*,Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Phytate*, Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate, Myristyl Malate Phosphonic Acid. (*Plant Origin)

Availability: Sephora, Nordtrom, Dermstore.com

This serum isn't a new product but has been getting really good reviews from many well known beauty gurus. I've been a fan of several products from Caudalie so I thought I would give it a go.

The consistency of this serum is really light. It feels very comfortable on the skin and is absorbed quickly into the skin. Even though it's light, it hydrates very well. It contains hyaluronic acid, which is a great ingredient for hydration that my skin responds very well to.

My skin type changes a lot, almost on day to day basis. It ranges from oily to normal to dry. I've also been breaking out due to dehydration. This serum is perfect because I can use it no matter what skin type I have that day and it really soothes the irritation caused by dehydration.

I think it's definitely worth the hype. It's such a versatile product in the sense that it can be used on many different skin types/conditions. For oily and normal skin types, I use one pump for the entire face, followed with a light moisturizer. When my face is feeling dry, I apply two layers of the serum, followed with a richer moisturizer. If my skin is very irritated, I use it in the morning as well before my normal moisturizer.

I love this serum! It's been  featured in September Most Loved 5 and has made into my Hall of Fame. I recommend a product to all skin types, and that's pretty rare!

Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm in Apricot Pucker

$5.99     0.24 fl. oz. / 7.1 ml

Ingredients: Polybutene, Petrolatum, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tribehenin, C10 30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Hydrogentated Polyisobutene, Cetyl PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl 4 Isostearate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Synthetic Wax, Aroma (Flavor), Benzoic Acid, BHT, May Contain (+/-):, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Carmine (CI 75470), Blue 1 Lake (CI 47090), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Red 33 (CI 17200), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985)

Availability: drugstores, Drugstore.com

Almay recently came out with these Liquid Lip Balms. They are like lip glosses but have a more comfortable feel on the lips.


Color & Finish
These Liquid Lip Balms look really opaque in the tubes but they actually apply sheer on the lips. Apricot Pucker is a peachy coral shade. It's one of the brighter/ bolder shade of the range. However, because of the sheerness, it blends with your natural lip color and gives a more natural look. I really love the translucency it gives. It makes the lips look really healthy and yummy without looking overdone.

I love that none of the shades has shimmer. I think shimmer would have made it less comfortable. The product is very glossy first applied and the shine will slowly reduce, as well as the color. Apricot Fucker fades significantly after 2 hours. There is still a little bit of color and shine but not as much as first applied. I don't have the lighter shades but I would imagine that they won't last as long as the brighter shades.

Almay Liquid Lip Balm in Apricot Pucker

bare top lip + bottom lip in Apricot Pucker

both lips in Apricot Pucker

Formula & Consistency
It applies like a lip gloss, but a little thinner. I think the thinner consistency makes it a lot more comfortable than a lip gloss. I didn't notice any feathering, either. It applies very easily, smoothly and evenly.

In terms of skincare properties, it's just average. It has nourishing ingredients like avocado oil and sunflower seed oil, but it's mostly barrier cream based (petrolatum and beeswax). Polybutene is to make the consistency tacky but it does not hydrate. I would consider it more of a lip gloss than a lip balm.

Overall, I'm in love with this product. I'm not a lip gloss person because it can sometimes look "milky", uneven, and feel uncomfortable. I love that the Liquid Lip Balm feels very comfortable on the lips, it gives a little translucency, and it's very easy to apply. I'm really low maintenance when it comes to touching up my makeup, but this I don't mind because I don't need a mirror to reapply it and it doesn't cake up after reapplying many times.

I will for sure pick up some other bright colors. I will skip the lighter colors because based on how sheer Apricot Pucker is, I don't think the lighter colors will have much color payoff at all.

I highly recommend the brighter colors to lipstick wearers like me who don't usually go for lip glosses.

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!

Empties #2

REN Micro Polish Cleanser (sample - 0.17 oz / 5 ml)
Full Size - $30   5.1 oz / 150 ml
I got this little sample size from Sephora and this only lasted a few washes for me. I like that it's a gentle physical exfoliant. The granules are fine and mixed in the foamy cleanser. I'm trying to steer away from foamy cleansers as it makes my face really dry. But I actually prefer it when it's in a scrub form because I want the granules to be rinsed off easily. Wiping it off with a washcloth might be a little too abrasive. I really like this cleanser, especially paired with chemical exfoliating products (masks, toners, moisturizers) because it gets off the residual dead skin without being too harsh. I don't use it everyday, only once or twice a week. If you have this sample or the full size, when you think you have run out of it, cut open the tube because there'll be much more than you think that's inside.
I recommend it and would definitely purchase the full size.

Melvita Rose Floral Water (sample - 0.96 oz / 28 ml)

Full size - $22   6.76 oz / 200 ml

I got this sample from a Birchbox long time ago. The thing that I love the most about it is the scent. It's lovely and natural without being overpowering. It's very gentle on my sensitive skin. The consistency is just like water. It's doesn't do much in terms of moisturizing. It will release some of the tightness after cleansing but not completely. But overall it's a lovely product and I would have purchased the full size if it was available. Apparently Melvita doesn't carry it anymore and a lot of other sites are listing it as out of stock. However, there is the Damask Rose Floral Water, which ingredients are just a bit different than the original rose water. But I would love to try it.

Caudalie Premier Cru Eye Cream (sample - 0.03 oz / 1 ml)

Full size - $98   0.5 oz / 15 ml

I remember when I got this sample from Sephora I was really disappointed because it's such a small sample. But after using it for the first time I was so glad that I picked it because it's such a nice eye cream. It's really rich and moisturizing without being greasy. I know a lot of people like the cooling eye gels or the ones with thinner consistencies like Origins Ginzing Eye Cream. I personally like my eye creams to be rich and almost balmy like Clinique All About Eyes Rich. I love that this Caudalie eye cream doesn't feel as greasy as the Clinique one and is perfectly fine worn under makeup.

I discovered the ridiculously high price when I was just thinking about purchasing the full size. I would definitely purchase the full size if $98 wasn't too much of a burden for me. Until then, I would just keep an eye out for the samples!

Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil (travel size - $14   0.5 oz / 15 ml)

Full size - $48   1.7 oz / 50 ml

Jumbo size - $96   4 oz / 120 ml

This is one of my holy grail products that I've raved over and over again ever since I got it. It's definitely worth the hype and if you wonder why, see this post. I've been repurchasing the travel size and just recently picked up a full size. I definitely recommend getting the travel size because it's a really nice bottle that's perfect for both travelling and using at home. It's doesn't take up much space in your skincare routine and the smaller dropper is much easier to use. I've already filled this little bottle up from my full size one.

It's definitely worth the hype and the money and I will definitely keep repurchasing this!

L'Oreal Ever Curl Sulfate-Free Hydracharge Shampoo      $7.29   8.5 oz / 251 ml

I've been using the L'Oreal Sulfate-Free line nonstop for about a year and I love it. The thing about most sulfate-free shampoos is that they don't lather well and I end up running out much quicker. This line of shampoo lathers just like other normal shampoos. I've noticed that my scalp doesn't get itchy and irritated and my hair doesn't get greasy as fast. There are different kinds of shampoo in the Sulfate-Free line. I have perm in my hair and honestly I didn't notice this Ever Curl one made any difference in the curl department. I don't really mind the different "functions." To me the different kinds mean different scents.

I would recommend it to everyone and I'll forever repurchase the Sulfate-Free line!

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?

ELF Studio Flawless Finish Foundation

$6     0.8 oz/ 24 ml

Ingredients: (Active) Octyl Salicylate 2%, Titanium Dioxide 5.5%, (Inactive) Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Butylene Glycol, Talc, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Magnesium Sulfate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Synthetic Beeswax, Potassium Sorbate, Propylene Carbonate, Boron Nitride, Barium Sulfate, Caprylyl Glycol May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Shades: Porcelain, Sand, Buff, Caramel, Almond, Coco

Availability: ELF, Drugstore.com

Color
There are 6 shades, all different complexion and skin tones. Sand is much more yellow tone than Porcelain, but it's a tiny bit too dark for me so I have to mix it with Porcelain. The mixture turns a little pink because Porcelain is very pink based. One of the cons of this foundation is that it may be hard to get the exact shade with the exact tone matched to your skin. It can be slightly corrected with a yellow or pink setting powder.

Porcelain | Sand  | Buff | Caramel | Almond | Coco

Porcelain | Sand  | Buff | Caramel | Almond | Coco

Formula
I really like the consistency of this foundation. Even though it's a liquid foundation, it's a little creamier than most. It's really easy to blend and it does set to a satin finish, which I find is more natural looking than a dewy finish. The formula doesn't feel powdery and it doesn't accentuate dry patches a ton. However, there is a noticeable floral/powdery fragrance when you first put it on. But by the time I finish the rest of the makeup I don't smell it anymore. Based on EWG's rating, this foundation isn't that bad for the skin (score 3-4), but personally my skin finds it a little less gentle than my other foundation. Not that it breaks me out a lot, but I just find my skin isn't accepting it completely. It doesn't feel particularly lightweight or heavyweight. It's very average.

Coverage
It has light to medium coverage. If you keep layering it, it can possibly be built to a medium-full coverage. It's a very buildable foundation. 2 layers is enough for me when I have some minor breakout spots or hyperpigmentation.

No makeup

1 layer

2 layers

Wear
The lasting power of this foundation is not good. I get the most oily on my nose and it did not pass 3-hour mark there. However, it wears off very beautifully, even with a powder. It wears off evenly and doesn't get patchy. If you have oily skin, it would not last on you for more than 2 or 3 hours.

How I Wear It
Because of its color and the lasting power, I don't wear it for nights out or events. I wear it when I'm home and just feel like putting on some makeup, or errands days.

Overall, I think this foundation is an okay product. Would I recommend it? It depends. If you're starting out makeup and want something that works as a foundation supposed to, get this because it's cheap, it works, and even if it wears off it does so beautifully so you don't have to worry about fixing it. If you're just looking for something that looks nice on the skin but you don't really mind the staying power, it's a good one to get if the color(s) matches you. If you're looking for a long lasting foundation, don't even bother with it. The lasting power is definitely below average.

For me, I don't love this foundation but I like it. It really did surprise me a little because I didn't expect much out of it considering how cheap it is. It's something that I don't regret buying it because it works for me, but I wouldn't repurchase it because it's nothing overwhelmingly fantastic.