Super September Day 14: My Travel Makeup Bag

Well, I've procrastinated on this post long enough. I don't travel too often, but when I do, here is what I take with me!

I try to keep it as simple as possible. I want products that can multitask for me. That is why I finally caved and bought the Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 foundation. It functions as a primer, foundation, and concealer. I agree that it lasts a long time on my skin and also covers well. And it has a pump! I follow with the Covergirl Clean Oil Control Powder. I don't love this, but I had it in my purse and I thought it was long gone, but I still have quite a bit of powder left. I hope this is the next powder to make it to my empties list because I just want to finish it.

For my eyes I simply bring my favorite Maybelline Color Tattoos (Barely Beige and Bad to the Bronze). For eyeliner I typically pack the Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Blackberry, although a couple days after I took this picture, I did take this traveling with me and somehow the eyeliner broke off the base and dried up, so now I will be packing the same eyeliner in black with me. For my lashes I have been using Maybelline The Rocket Mascara (non-waterproof). It doesn't give a very natural look, but I personally love to have dramatic eyelashes.

I also use Aquaphor to keep my lips from feeling dry. The only problem is that Aquaphor does nothing to moisturize my lips... it just makes them feel temporarily moist. If I want to wear lipstick, then I usually pack the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wink for Pink. I typically choose this over any other lip stick because the color itself works beautifully as a lipstick and a cream blush.

I apologize for taking so long to finish this post. One day I will finish a series on time. Keep watching for my September favorites!

Super September Day 5: Revlon Colorstay Review (Normal/Dry)

I first mentioned using this foundation back in July. I was staying at a friend's and I had forgotten to pack foundation. Since I'm not too keen on greeting the world with a bare face, I decided to go to the drugstore to see what I might want to try. Naturally, I had to eliminate most of my options simply because of my fair skin. Eventually it was down to Revlon Colorstay for Normal/Dry Skin versus Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation. Since it is nearly impossible to really see the color you are getting from the Whipped Creme formula, I eventually chose the Normal/Dry version in 110 Ivory. 

I have tried the Combination/Oily formula in the past and I wasn't the biggest fan. I'm not saying I hated it, but it didn't match my skin well. To be honest, neither does the Normal/Dry formula. Before I turn this into a comparison review, here's a short list of the product's claims and features (and what I think of them):

• Wears for up to 24 hours: This claim is crazy. Not only because it won't last for 24 hours, but also because you should not be wearing foundation for 24 hours. I chose Normal/Dry because I was having dry skin issues because of Tretin-X. This holds up for about 8 hours and kind of goes downhill from there. But I also don't have mega dry skin.
• Flawless look: I actually agree with this statement. My skin looks amazing. It doesn't cover my larger bumps, but it covers hyperpigmentation like few other foundations will
• Lightweight feel: I agree with this statement as well. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin. I think the Combination/Oily version felt heavier, but I think there also may have been a reformulation since I used the Combo/Oily version.

Other things to be aware of:

• This foundation is not paraben-free: I know there is a lot of controversy about parabens and how a lot of people argue that they are the safest preservative, but I think I would rather use up my products with parabens and stick to having one item in each "category" that is free of parabens. Of course, I don't condemn others for using products with parabens, and every now and then I will probably pick something up with parabens without checking the ingredients first. The point is, it has them. If you want fewer parabens in your products, this is not the foundation for you.
• The packaging is a pain: In some countries it has a pump, but here in the States we get the bottle that likes to keep on giving. So it leaves a problem: do I waste this extra foundation, or do I contaminate the foundation in the bottle? On those rare days when I pour out the exact amount I need, I am happy.
• I think it used to have SPF, but now it doesn't: I heard this has been reformulated over the years. When I started wearing makeup, it had SPF 15, but I can't find any sign that there is any sort of sun protection at all in the newer formula.
• For a drugstore foundation, it's kind of expensive: I say "kind of" because drugstore makeup is becoming more and more pricy. 

Bottom line: I like this foundation and would probably buy it again if it matched my skin well and if it was free of parabens. It ranges between $10 and $14 and is available at drugstores, Walmart, Target, and so on.

Review: Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner

Note: I was sent the Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner to review. However, I refuse to review products in an unethical manner. That being said, let us continue with the review!

I love simplicity. This means I can be lazy when it comes to applying steps that I personally do not find to be necessary. Something I consider unnecessary is face primer because I have yet to find one that doesn't make my skin look or feel gross by the end of the day. I do think eye primer is a necessity, so I take the extra time to put it on. I didn't really think about how I would feel about adding a lash conditioner (essentially I see it as a primer even if the description doesn't call it that) until last year when I started watching mascara routine videos for some bizarre reason. When I saw the difference that a lash primer/conditioner can do, I was intrigued. The problem is that it is difficult to find products to prime your eyelashes. Enter the Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner.

This lash extender promises to condition lashes, make it so you need to use less mascara (therefore you'll get more bang for your buck), allow your lashes to grow to their full potential, and prevent splitting.

Since (I believe) it is impossible to grow your lashes past their full potential, it would be unrealistic to expect false-looking lashes after using this for an extended period of time. However, I've read that each person's lashes can only reach a certain length, and that length is predetermined by genetics (but please correct me if I am incorrect here). For me, I did notice my lashes staying in longer and feeling softer and stronger when I don't wear mascara. However, it doesn't dry completely clear, so I don't recommend wearing this product alone. I've tried it under every mascara I own (including some that dried up) and it works nicely with a variety of formulas.

The hardest part of getting used to this lash conditioner is that you're not supposed to let the conditioner dry before you go in and apply mascara (so it still needs to be a little wet and you have to work fast). It just took me a few tries to get the technique just right. I think the price is just right ($16) and the ingredients list is impressive since almond oil is known to condition lashes, but actually using almond oil would probably not work well under mascara ;)

Ingredients: Water, Algae Extract, Beeswax, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Carnauba Wax, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Oleic Acid, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Sweet Almond Seed Extract.

I won't say this item is necessarily "essential" for everybody but I will say it is a fantastic addition to my daily routine and I will repurchase it because of the benefits and the fact that my lashes definitely seem to be longer and fuller on their own. I highly recommend it.

FTC: I was sent the Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner to review. However, I always give my honest opinion on products and will not compromise my own integrity for the sake of a product's reputation. I am not being compensated for this review and my ties with Jane Iredale are informal, but friendly (as in, I haven't signed a contract with them or anything). You can buy this product here or anywhere that Jane Iredale products are sold!

Review/Swatches: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

When the original Urban Decay Naked palette was released, I wasn't impressed. It featured neutrals that definitely leaned on the warmer side. I already knew that a lot of warmer colors just make my eyes look swollen/like I had been punched, so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a palette full of colors that would do that (by the way, the color I was most reluctant about was Half-Baked, which I have changed my mind about). A year later, Urban Decay released the Naked 2 palette, which featured what the Urban Decay website describes as "12 taupe and greige neutrals" - which is something I could get on board with. I didn't buy it immediately because I kept telling myself I didn't need it. I was given it for Christmas and once I played with the different shadows, I regretted not trying this sooner.

Left to right: Foxy, Half-Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease,
Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

The colors in this palette are: Foxy, Half-Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite, Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, and Blackout. I'm terrible at describing colors, but I will make the attempt. And if you don't want to read my descriptions, I don't blame you in the slightest ;)

Foxy is a matte cream color. It is smooth and not chalky in the slightest.

Half-Baked is a golden-y bronze. It is the reason I didn't want to buy the original Naked palette (as I said before), but I really like it!

Bootycall is a shimmery champagne color, but it is not so shimmery that it makes me feel like my eyes are at some sort of disco.

Chopper is a glittery bronze (maybe on the copper-y side). The glitter in this one is obvious, but I personally don't have *too* much fallout when I use it, but I recommend applying this one with caution.

Tease is a semi-matte taupe. It is a color that I would personally consider great for somebody to wear to work as it is not over the top.

Snakebite is a cool, medium-dark shimmery brown.

Suspect is a shimmery medium brown.

Pistol is a shimmery taupe (more on the gray side).

Verve is a shimmery sand-y color.

YDK is another shimmery bronze.

Busted is a dark shimmery brown.

Blackout is simply black.

This palette also comes with the Urban Decay Lip Junkie lip gloss in the color Naked as well as a dual-ended brush. The brush is average and the color and consistency of the gloss is quite nice (although of course I don't have it where I am at the moment and don't have pictures, but it wasn't a very pigmented gloss to begin with - I'd describe the color as a pinky nude). The packaging is also very sturdy, which is something I appreciate when I travel. Naked 2 isn't as easy to travel with as Naked Basics, but this is best for longer trips.

Is Naked 2 worth $50? Personally, I'd say it is! If you aren't sure you want to spend the money on it, I recommend testing it out before you buy it. For me, it is worth every penny and I will repurchase it perhaps once I've finished every shadow in the palette.

Review: Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara

I can safely say that of all the beauty products I've tried, I am the least picky about mascara. I've had a few that I didn't like (and I've never liked a Revlon mascara), and too many to count that I've loved.

As some of you may recall, I was sent the Jane Iredale Magic Mitt a couple of months ago (by the way, I still use it nightly and I still adore it). After posting that review, the company offered to send me a mascara since that would fit under my Project Minimize requirements (especially since I am adamant about throwing my mascara away after three months), and I ended up receiving Jane Iredale's Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara (as well as their PureLash Lash Extender & Conditioner, which will be reviewed in a separate post).

I tend to ignore the appearance of packaging, but this mascara just looks so darn sophisticated when it is in the same container as my less "posh" looking eye products. The tube is gold and unlike typical mascara tubes - this one is "squishy" (pardon my inability to find a better adjective). I've never had a mascara with similar packaging. To be honest, I was worried that it would dry up within a month. I've had it longer and it is still going strong. I actually feel like I will be able to get more product out of the tube, which is great, since the mascara itself costs $33. Considering the performance of the mascara, I think it is worth the money.

This mascara is meant to lengthen and volumize (and separate) lashes while still giving a natural appearance to your lashes. It can also be layered (I usually throw on one coat and go). The formula is also meant to be moisturizing so lashes stay healthy and conditioned. It is free of some of the more controversial ingredients found in mascaras (petroleum-based ingredients being one I personally am concerned about). Finally, it is said that this mascara contains 50% more product than most other mascaras. That is one claim I can't confirm or deny without doing some dangerous work with scissors and other sharp tools, so I trust that it is a true statement.

Here are the ingredients:

Ingredients: Water, Algae Extract, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Algae Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract, Sweet Almond Seed Extract, Tribehenin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Panthenol, Oleic Acid. May contain: Iron Oxides, Carmine, Titanium Dioxide.

I believe that the mascara lives up to its claims. My lashes look nicely lengthened and volumized. I always fear having spidery-looking lashes, so it is great that I can get a natural look for every day. I also love that when I remove this mascara (along with the lash extender underneath), my lashes don't feel brittle. I may be wrong, but I feel like they have been given a chance to grow a little longer and thicker than usual, and that is amazing. I've used this mascara both with and without the lash extender and it is nice both ways, but I definitely see a little more "oomph" when I have the lash extender on.

Do I recommend this product? Certainly! I like putting a mascara on my eyelashes without wondering if something nasty is in it. I've got a long list of products I want to try in the future, but I can definitely see myself repurchasing this in the future.

Below are pictures of my lashes!

My lashes without mascara - they're pretty obnoxious.
Some point in the wrong direction and are straight, and others
are fine and hardly need to be curled. First world problems, eh?

My lashes with one coat of the Jane Iredale mascara (and
lash conditioner)! I look shocked. But really I just can't take
 pictures like this.

This was taken on a different day and without the conditioner.
I also didn't curl my lashes.

FTC: I was sent the Jane Iredale Longest Lash Thickening and Lengthening Mascara to review. However, I always give my honest opinion on products and will not compromise my own integrity for the sake of a product's reputation. I am not being compensated for this review and my ties with Jane Iredale are informal, but friendly (as in, I haven't signed a contract with them or anything). You can buy this product here or anywhere that Jane Iredale products are sold!

Review/Swatches: Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I had the pleasure of finding the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette under my tree this past Christmas. This little palette was Urban Decay's answer to the many cries for more matte choices in the Naked palette series.

For some reason, I have always been somewhat afraid of matte eye shadows. I always thought they would be difficult to blend and that they would just look bad on me. Well this palette has reinforced something I have heard many times in my life: don't make assumptions because you will be proven wrong at some point.

The Urban Decay Naked Basics palette features six eye shadows that either have a matte or satin finish.

The colors in this palette are: Venus (satin vanilla), Foxy (matte cream), W.O.S. or Walk of Shame (matte beige), Naked 2 (matte brownish taupe), Faint (matte medium brown with some warmth), and Crave (matte black).

I think this palette is perfect for somebody concerned about wearing work-appropriate makeup (however, not all places of employment are equal, so what is acceptable in one place will be unacceptable in another). I also recommend this if you need something to just carry in your makeup bag. It's a great size and has most of the colors I would absolutely need. I will say that for the sake of variety, I'd still probably take other palettes with me, but for the bare minimum, this is great.

To the left are some swatches of each color (Venus, Foxy, Walk of Shame, Naked 2, Faint, and then Crave).

The bottom line is that I highly recommend this palette. I don't think everybody will see it as a necessary addition to their collection, but I am pleased to have it since I can throw it in my bag if I need to do my makeup on the go (the Naked 1 and Naked 2 palettes would be great for travel, but they are way bigger than the bags I typically carry). The colors of the eye shadows work well together  If you're worried, I would suggest looking at it in person.

You can buy this for $27 anywhere Urban Decay is sold.

Is this a must-have or optional for you?

(Edit: it's my 100th blog post! How exciting is that?)

Review: Jane Iredale Magic Mitt

In my search for the "right" minimalist approach to my skin care, I have tried quite a few different products. One thing I have struggled to find is a way to completely remove my makeup without irritating my skin in the process. Another goal of mine is to find products that are budget-friendly. In my opinion, it's not very budget-friendly to spend $6 per month on makeup removing wipes because they irritate my skin and I have yet to find a brand that doesn't feel absolutely greasy on my skin. Oh, and a lot of makeup removing wipes are heavily fragranced, which tends to give me headaches.

Enter the Jane Iredale Magic Mitt. I have read about this item before, but naturally I was curious about how well it would actually work. I didn't understand how a piece of microfiber cloth and a little bit of water could remove all of my face and eye makeup. Spoiler alert: it did its job and it did it well. I did use toner after removing my makeup and there were no remnants of my makeup on the cotton pad after I used my toner, which isn't something I can say after using most makeup removing towelettes.

I am not sure how the Magic Mitt works with waterproof mascara because it has always been such a hassle to remove that I just avoid it completely (plus my mascara hardly ever smudges on me).

I just drench the Magic Mitt in warm water (it works best if it is completely saturated in water) and use it the same way I use makeup removing towelettes. Once I think I have most of my makeup off, I use the other side of the Magic Mitt to get off anything I might have missed. I wash it with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap (liquid version), squeeze out the excess water, and hang it up to dry. It really doesn't take long for the mitt to dry. I haven't really timed it, but it is always dry before I even go to bed.

Now I will show you all a side-by-side comparison of the Magic Mitt and the cleansing towelettes I was using before I got the Magic Mitt.

Product Name	Jane Iredale Magic Mitt	Burt's Bees Sensitive Cleansing Towelettes
Picture
Price	$15	$6
How Long It Lasts	I have read very different opinions on this detail. Some people have found that it will last 3 months (this is the smallest number I have seen) and other people have had the same mitt for over a year. I have only used this for a couple of weeks, so I can't say how long it will actually last. I will, however, post a follow up review once I find myself needing a new one.	If you use one towelette every day, one package will last you a month. However, when I used these they didn't remove all of my makeup, so I would need more than one type of makeup remover in order to effectively remove my makeup.

Pros: doesn't irritate my skin, removes makeup entirely, will be great for travel, and it dries quickly after washing.
Cons: you have to hand wash it after every use. If you throw it in the washing machine it will likely destroy the mitt and cause the texture to become very rough (I don't know this from personal experience, but I read tons of reviews before trying it).

Bottom line: I highly recommend trying this out, especially if you find other forms of makeup removal to be irritating to your skin. I still have breakouts, but my skin looks and feels healthier overall.

You should be able to find this in most places where Jane Iredale is sold (but don't quote me on that since I have only been to one place that sells Jane Iredale products) or online.

*Note: as of right now, it costs more to buy it from Amazon or Ebay, so my personal recommendation is to buy it elsewhere. Here are some places you can find it online for its retail price: Jane Iredale, Nordstrom, Dermstore, and Beauty.com

If you have any questions, feel free to leave them below and I will answer them to the best of my ability! If I can get a good enough setup, I will try to record a demonstration of how this works on my YouTube channel.

FTC: The Jane Iredale Magic Mitt was sent to me for review. I was not compensated for this review and everything said in this review is of my own opinion.

Review: J.R. Liggett's Bar Shampoo

Have you ever had a moment where you were sure you did something, but then some time later (be it a few minutes or a few months), you realize you didn't do anything at all? Yeah, I honestly thought I had written a review on the J.R. Liggett's shampoos I featured in my iHerb haul a few months back, but it seems that all I did was snap a few pictures on my phone. Lovely ;)

I have the original formula and the herbal formula. The original formula is sitting in a soap dish at my mom and dad's house and the herbal formula is within walking distance. I've tried both formulas enough times to know how I feel about them.

I love the idea that these are meant to be used without conditioner and can supposedly last as long as a 24 ounce bottle of shampoo. Each bar is 3.5 ounces, so just imagine how much space that saves! Honestly it's pretty obvious that I am always determined to find the ultimate way to utilize my space efficiently, whether it's in the bathroom or elsewhere.

Although the J.R. Liggett's shampoos are (sort of) marketed as a shampoo and conditioner in one, I have noticed other reviews mention that they use these to clean their body as well. It makes a lot of sense considering the ingredients are similar to other natural bar soaps I have seen.

The formulas for both shampoos are very similar, but I do find myself preferring the herbal formula over the original even though the only additions seem to be rosemary, lavender, and cedarwood. Overall my hair just felt better with the use of the herbal formula. Neither made my hair feel stripped, but the original version left my hair a little more tangled than usual.

I love that these cost less than $7 (they are about $4 if you order them at Vitacost). I love that the packaging is minimal (it's just paper that can be recycled) and that the bar dries quickly.

Ingredients (Original): Olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, fresh pure New Hampshire spring water, sodium hydroxide (a binder) and essential oils for fragrance.

Ingredients (Herbal): Olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, fresh pure New Hampshire spring water, sodium hydroxide (a binder), rosemary-lavender-cedarwood and other essential oils for fragrance.

I would love to try the other formulas because they are supposed to be more moisturizing than the ones I picked up. For now, these are being used as weekly clarifying shampoos and an all-over soap. If you tend to be low-maintenance with your hair or if you want to feel good about what you are putting on your hair, I highly recommend trying one of these. For now, I am using a liquid shampoo again because I have accumulated too many for this single head ;)

Edit (October 2013): I'm nearly ready to re-enter the world of solid shampoo! Well, not quite. I have a few bottles of shampoo/conditioner that are 25% full or less. Once I place my Christmas Vitacost order, I will be selecting one or two different bars to try out. I still want to try the Chagrin Valley shampoo bars, but these are a little more accessible as I can find some of them at Whole Foods.

Review: L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator

The BB cream rage does not seem to be dying down any time soon. I've tried a few already: some from the drugstore and some high end. I've found hits and misses from both ends of the spectrum. Overall, most are really just tinted moisturizers with a different name. Is the L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream Illuminator an exception? Read on to find out!

This product comes in two shades: Light and Medium. The bottle contains 2.5 fluid ounces of product (quite generous, in my opinion). This BB cream contains broad spectrum SPF 15. The product comes in a silver tube that is honestly quite messy with distribution. Below are the promises on the package:

• Evens skin tone (with a hint of color)
• Illuminates
• Perfects texture
• Moisturizes (24 hours)
• Corrects (listed on the front, but it is not explained on the bulleted list on the back)
• Helps protect against future damage if used as directed

Within the first use, it promises that your complexion will appear more luminous and have an even finish. Within one week, your skin should appear smoother and softer, and within two weeks your imperfections should be reduced without makeup and texture should be refined.

Whew! The package makes some bold claims.

The first complaint I have is the color range. Yes, the product itself is sheer, but it comes in two shades. I say L'Oreal needs to add at least three more to the mix (Fair, Medium/Deep, and Deep) before this product can work for more than a few people. Light is borderline orange on my fair skin.

My second complaint is that this stuff is loaded with fragrance. This could be because (from what I have read) this product is essentially the same thing as the Garnier BB cream. I haven't tried Garnier's product, so I personally cannot say if they feel or smell the same, but I've seen videos and read reviews saying this is the same with the exception of the SPF (Garnier's is not broad spectrum). I believe L'Oreal owns Garnier, so this doesn't surprise me. By the way, if Garnier's formula was too greasy for you, you might be in luck! They are releasing a version for combination to oily skin. But this is a review for L'Oreal's BB cream, so I'll stop talking about Garnier.

My mom actually used this (in the shade Medium) for about three months before I got around to trying this and she raved about it, so my hopes were high (after all, what has usually worked for my mom works for me). My mom used it instead of foundation some days and under her Bare Minerals foundation on other days.

Like I said above, the lightest shade available is too dark for my skin. The coverage is very sheer, so that makes it less of an issue, but it is just an annoyance for me because it was yet another face product that didn't match me. Since it has a more "glowy" finish, I always felt the need to set it with powder. Since I am trying to use fewer products in my routine, this can be a good or bad thing. I don't need moisturizer when I am using this, so I don't have to apply any before using it (this can also be because I have changed my skin care routine and barely even bother to moisturize any more). Since I don't get much sun exposure (especially in the winter), the SPF is useful too.  But it would be great if I didn't need to set it with powder. I'm just not in love with the finish of this product. I've actually come to realize that BB creams just might not be for me. I love powder foundations. I tend to reach for them more often since they don't require much thought or effort to apply. I've had great liquid foundations, but I always gravitate toward the powder foundations when I am shopping for foundations.

Rambling aside, I think this is an average product, but when you take the price into account ($17 in a lot of stores), it's just not worth it for what I need.

How do you feel about BB creams? I was really excited about them at first, but as I said before, I'm over it now.

Review: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation

I know I have posted a mini-review on this product at some point in the past, but I think that it actually warrants a full post because of how much I like it.

I remember that when I started wearing makeup, mineral makeup was still very popular. However, it seems to me that a lot of people have either gone back to their liquid foundations or embraced the BB cream trend.

I've been using the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation (SPF 20) off and on for the past few months (shade: Classic Ivory) and for a drugstore powder foundation, this is amazing!

I have spent a lot of time and money trying to find a foundation that matches my fair skin, lasts all day, and doesn't break me out. Well, I can say that this product blends into my skin nicely, lasts a few hours (I would say five or six... not as long as I would like, but longer than some), and I never experience any new breakouts from wearing this alone. As you can see from the pictures, I have hit pan on the foundation - I actually hit pan during my Thanksgiving break and I've used this almost every day I have worn makeup since then.

There is one thing, though... I have a problem with the ingredients. Since I will be buying less makeup in 2013, I have already decided that I want to replace the products I finish with paraben-free makeup. This foundation is not paraben free, so therefore I will not repurchase it. I like this product, but I don't like its ingredients. I'd also like to mention that since the use of parabens in skin care and makeup is a personal preference, I won't judge anybody for choosing not to eliminate them.

I do recommend this if you have sensitive skin and are not avoiding parabens because it gives a beautiful (semi-matte) finish. Even though it is a powder foundation, I wouldn't describe it as powdery or cakey. I don't know how this would look on drier skin types, but I do know it doesn't emphasize any dry patches on my face from the winter cold.

I do not recommend this if you have darker skin. There are only eight shades and the darkest one is Tan, which seriously limits who can try this foundation. Come on, cosmetic companies. You know better than this...

Alright, so aside from that little miniature rant, I really liked this foundation and I will be sad to finish it. This costs around $12 at drugstores, but it is worth the money (and it is even better if you can get it on sale).

What is your go-to foundation right now?

Review: Grandpa's Thylox Acne Treatment Soap

As you may know, I am on the quest for natural skin care products that work with my acne-prone skin. I've also been learning about treating acne on the inside (I might try to write about that, but it will probably not be in the near future... it's a big task and I've only done minimal research). So, I ordered a few products from iHerb a while back. I picked things with positive reviews and decided to review them myself as I try them out. An item I was particularly excited about was Grandpa's Thylox Acne Treatment Soap with Sulfur.

Now, it's a bit ambitious to expect a product to completely "cure" acne, but there are products that help. I personally find that salicylic acid does nothing for my skin, benzoyl peroxide is very drying and irritating (even if it does work for a lot of people), and although tea tree oil is natural, it still doesn't seem to have an effect on my skin. I've only tried one other sulfur product, and I can't even remember what it was (other than the form: I know it was a cream). So naturally I wanted to see how this would work for my skin. As I mentioned before, I got this from iHerb, but you can also purchase it from Drugstore.com and Vitacost. I have not seen this particular soap sold at any retail stores I shop at, but I could be mistaken.

Now, the directions are very important for this. As the box says, wash your face like you normally would, but instead of instantly rinsing, you have to let it dry for one minute. This can help the medication sink in. Now, how did it actually work?

This product is so-so for my skin. It contains sodium cocoate, which is derived from coconut oil and generally doesn't work with my skin type (as I discussed in my review of Kirk's castile soap). My guess is that if you like Dr. Bronner's or Kirk's, then you will probably enjoy this.

I would suggest not using this to remove eye makeup (from the reviews I have read, some people have, but one day when I was showering some slid down my forehead and near my eye... not even in it, but close to it, and it burned quite a lot). That being said, I wouldn't describe this as a harsh soap. 

There is an added fragrance, but I wouldn't call it unpleasant. I would prefer it if this was fragrance free, but sulfur generally has an unpleasant smell, so I can see why it was added to the soap.

Bottom line? This cleansed my skin, but performed no miracles. For reference, I have used this for a little over two weeks.

Update: I don't think I will be repurchasing this. I keep using the Kiss My Face Olive & Green Tea soap on my face and I just think it feels so much nicer on my skin (and it's one less product to worry about in my bathroom) - I will be finishing this, though, since it's not a bad product.

Review: Kiss My Face Olive & Green Tea Soap

I tried the Kiss My Face Olive & Green Tea soap after having a less than perfect experience with Kirk's castile soap. Spoiler alert: I have a very different opinion on this.

There are six different versions/scents of this soap. All of them come in 4 ounce and 8 ounce bars and depending on where you buy them, the 8 ounce bars will often cost $3 to $4 (the 4 ounce bars are $2 to $3). All of these soaps are olive oil-based. All of the bars are also free of artificial dyes, parabens, SLS, and gluten. The packaging (just paper) is also eco-friendly and the soap itself is biodegradable. Now, here is a comparison of the different variations Kiss My Face has to offer:

• Pure Olive Oil: The only one from this line that is completely fragrance free. I'm not sure if it has an unpleasant odor, but I will be trying it in the future. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Sodium Chloride
• Olive & Aloe: The added aloe vera is meant to be healing for the skin. It has an artificial fragrance that is not described on the website, so I can't say what it smells like. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Aloe Vera, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance
• Olive & Honey: The added honey is supposed to add even more moisture to the bar. I haven't smelled it, but the biggest complaint I've seen in reviews for this bar is the fragrance, and I haven't found this in any of the stores that sell the other soaps. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Sodium Chloride, Honey, Fragrance
• Chammomile Olive: Chammomile has calming and soothing qualities to it, so that would be the extra benefits you would get from this bar. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Chamomile, Sodium Chloride, Fragrance
• Olive & Green Tea (the one I have): Green tea adds anti-inflammatory properties to this soap. I definitely noticed that my skin is softer after I use it. I've used it on my face with no problems (I did so out of curiosity because I really want to have a natural soap I can use on my face and body). I don't love the way it smells when I'm using it, but it leaves my skin smelling nice, so I won't complain at all. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Green Tea, Sodium Chloride, parfum.
• Olive & Lavender: Lavender is said to be antiseptic and soothing to the skin. I've smelled this one before and it's not bad, but it's not my favorite scent either. The ingredients are: Saponified Olive Oil, Water, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Sodium Chloride, Fragrance

Some common complaints for these bars is that they become mushy if they sit in water in the shower, but to be honest, I can't think of a soap that doesn't do that. I always have my soap dry out of the bathroom. Another potential issue is that if you have the bigger soap, you'll notice that it doesn't exactly fit a soap dish. It can either be cut into smaller pieces or you can just do what I do and have as much of it as possible in a soap dish without having the ability to put the lid on (it's actually pretty amusing to see how the soap doesn't fit in the dish... I need to get out more often). I don't really need the lid at the moment anyway, so this is far from being a deal-breaker for me. Another issue people commonly mention is that this soap does not foam up much. I just use a net bath sponge (also commonly called a loofah, although technically the two are very different), and I get a nice lather. One thing to remember is that the lather from most cleansers can actually be drying, so I tend to like things that aren't as foamy, but still leave my skin feeling clean.

The important thing to always consider is quality, and I think this stuff is great. I feel as if this bar will last me a very long time with proper care, which will save me a hefty amount of money in the long run. I couldn't be more pleased. My skin is softer and it just feels healthier. The weather is getting cold, but my skin is not getting dry, and that is amazing. I've tried this on my face a few times and it feels nice, but this won't be my every day cleanser for a while. I've got another bar of soap that I am using on my face at the moment. Oh, and I thought it would be important to note that I have been using this for around two weeks. Usually I know within a couple of days if I like a body wash or soap.

I've also read that people have used these soaps in place of conventional shampoo. I haven't tried it, but I plan to try it on a day when I won't be going anywhere (just in case things don't go well).

The bottom line is that I do recommend this soap and I can't wait to try the other scents.

Not the prettiest soap, but it works well.

Click the picture to enlarge it (if you want to see the label)

What is your favorite soap/body wash?

PS- if you order anything from KissMyFace.com from now until Friday, November 9, then 50% of the revenue from your purchase will go to relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Not sponsored, I just thought I would let everybody know!

Review: Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap

I've been on a bit of a "natural product" hunt lately. Since I am close to finishing most of the body soaps I have, I thought I would pick out a few different soaps to try out. I bought Kirk's Original Coco Castile on a recommendation my dad made. He said he loved this soap when he was younger, so I thought it would be worth a try. Apparently Kirk's has been around since 1839, which I thought was interesting. To me, it says the brand has loyal fans and it is probably still around for a reason.

Kirk's Castile soap has two versions (Original and Fragrance Free) and very short list of ingredients: Coconut Soap, Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Coconut Oil, Natural Fragrance. Of course, the fragrance free version has that same list of ingredients with the exception of "natural fragrance"

Something I loved about Kirk's was that it just used paper for the packaging and the soaps are inexpensive. And by inexpensive I mean each bar costs about $1.50 (or less, depending on where you buy it) for a 4 ounce bar. You can also buy a pack of three, which is what I did. Now... I don't have any pictures of this soap because I don't have it with me. I do have a cropped version of the picture from my haul, so that way you can sort of see what the packaging looks like from the side (I don't like to use stock photos, so that's why I'm not using one).

I really enjoyed the way this felt on my skin. It lathered nicely and made me feel clean. The issue is that my skin didn't react well to it (I was getting bumps on my arms). However, I've noticed I sometimes have this problem with Dr. Bronner's soap too. My guess is that my skin probably just doesn't work well with coconut-based soaps. Thankfully I have the Kiss My Face soap to try out, because it looks promising. I still recommend this because it is inexpensive, other people seem to love it, and it made my skin feel nice. I also think that at the price, it's worth a shot if you are looking for something new. I will probably give these to my dad or find another use for them.

Have you tried Kirk's? Have you tried any other castile soaps?

Review & Swatches: Wet N Wild Eye Shadow Trios

I don't know anybody who openly detests a good bargain. That being said, I do know people who doubt the quality of things that appear to be too "cheap" - I think in terms of makeup, these views stem from bad experiences with first makeup products. However, if you started wearing makeup more than a couple of years ago, you might be shocked to learn that Wet N Wild has amazing eye shadows. If you frequent beauty blogs, then you may not be so surprised.

I've only tried three Wet N Wild eye shadow trios and they are: Sweet as Candy, Walking on Eggshells, and Silent Treatment. These cost $2.99 at drugstores, so even if you happen to dislike these, buying one won't break the bank.

Pros:

• These shadows are soft and pigmented. 
• Inexpensive - $3 a piece
• I want to say there are at least 8 different trios (EDIT: Drugstore.com is selling 12, so that's even better than my estimate), so you should be able to find one you like. I'm not very dangerous with colors, so these are my favorites. There is also a great one for a smoky eye.

Cons:

• Although these shadows are soft, they can be too soft. I always spot one or two of these completely shattered when I am at the drugstore.
• The packaging isn't the sturdiest

Overall I definitely recommend giving these a shot. I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase or buy more.

What are your favorite bargain buys?

Review: Stila Smudge Crayons

It's not exactly a secret that I love cream eye shadows. I rave about the Maybelline Color Tattoos all the time and before the Color Tattoos were released, I was seriously considering a trip to the MAC counter for some Paint Pots. However, sometimes I wish I had a good cream eye shadow in the form of a stick. Well, I think I may have found the perfect one for me!

Right now is Ulta's 21 days of beauty, so they have great deals going on every day for 3 weeks. One of the deals was buy one get one free for the Stila Smudge Crayons. On that particular day, I was at school and there was no way I'd be able to make the trip to the nearest Ulta.... however, my mom actually surprised me and picked up the shades "Rose" and "Antique" for me because she knew I like cream eye shadows and I'd mentioned these to her before. Another thing that's important to note is the hefty price tag for these : $22. The good thing is that Stila works pretty hard to convince you that the purchase is worth it. Here's what the Stila Smudge Crayons supposedly will do for you:

• It functions as a primer, eye shadow, and eye liner all in one
• The formula is creamy, yet doesn't crease
• It is long wearing and water-resistant
• The shades are bold and pigmented
• Vitamin E soothes and protects your eye area
• The pointed tip makes application easier, plus there is a sharpener included if you want to use it as an eyeliner

The only point I can't confirm or deny is the "soothing" or "protecting" aspect from the vitamin E. These sticks are creamy, they don't crease, and the colors are beautiful. You can blend the product as soon as you apply it, but once it dries, it stays that way all day. As of right now, there are 8 shades available, including Kitten. I can't really compare these to any other stick cream eye shadows because I've never tried anything like these (I'm not counting the NYX jumbo sticks because those aren't long wearing at all). I like that if you would rather not sharpen these, you don't have to (in fact, that is a big reason I have yet to try the Urban Decay 24/7 cream eye shadows... it's because I hate sharpening the eyeliners). Ulta also has a "try me" set with three shades. The downside? It is $22 and you get miniature sizes.

The only reason I am reluctant to give this a glowing review is the price. I think Stila set the price point a little too high, because $22 for 1 gram of product is ridiculous to say the least, since the Color Tattoos contain 4 grams. However, it doesn't change the fact that the product inside is amazing. I think a more appropriate price would be maybe $18, but clearly that's not up to me ;)

I also recommend swatching these in the store so you can see if you like the texture for yourself... but please don't put the one on display anywhere near your eyes. You never know where it has been, but if you put it on your hand, you can just wash it right off once you try the product for yourself.

Below are the swatches of Rose (top) and Antique (bottom). Left is the original swatch and right is after 30 seconds and some rubbing. If I would have waited another 30 seconds, then the second picture would look exactly like the first. Quite amazing, if I say so myself! 

What is your favorite longwearing cream eye shadow?

Review: Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner

I am always on the lookout for a longwearing eyeliner. I tried the Revlon Colorstay eyeliners the first time a few years ago and almost always had one in either Black or Black/Brown in my collection. Right now I have four: Blackberry, Teal, Charcoal, and Black.

Cost: $7.49 a piece at Ulta

Color Range: 7-8 shades

Color Descriptions:

• Blackberry: black with a plum shimmer
• Teal: matte teal
• Charcoal: dark metallic gray
• Black: matte black

Overall Impression: These are very dry in comparison to the Urban Decay 24/7 liners, so it makes application difficult. However, in terms of lasting power, these are better for me. I like the colors that are available. My personal favorite is Blackberry because I've never owned a color like it. Well, to be fair, I've also never owned a color like Teal, but Teal is a bit too bold for my personal preferences. For me, Blackberry can be a great everyday color without being plain or garish. Another thing I love about these liners is that they twist up. I personally don't use the sharpener at the ends because I had a bad experience with the tip of the liner coming off and getting stuck in the sharpener. It's easier to just line carefully.

These eyeliners are good, but as I said, they run on the dry side. For me, that is reason enough to keep looking at other eyeliners from time to time. The only color I don't think I will repurchase is Teal because it's not a good color for my skin tone.

Swatches: Left is the original swatches (top to bottom: Blackberry, Teal, Charcoal, and Black). Right is after the smudge test. They do rub off a bit, but I don't have to set them with anything to prevent smudging, which is great!

Review: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Now I realize that these eyeliners are old news, but I think with any product, the more reviews that are available, the better.

I never go without an eye primer because my eyelids are oily and if I did go without primer, my eye shadows would crease and my eyeliners would smudge (although I will say that I rarely come across a mascara that smudges on me). I am reviewing the eyeliners I got in the "Naked" eyeliner set that came out around Christmas. Somehow they just all found their way to the back of my collection until a few weeks ago.

The shades I own are: Underground, Zero, Stray Dog, Bourbon, and Demolition

Cost: $19 per full-sized eyeliner (in the United States)
Color Range: There are over 20 different colors available, ranging from neutral (Zero, Bourbon, etc) to bright (Electric, Woodstock, etc).
Shade Descriptions:

• Underground: brownish taupe with a metallic finish
• Zero: matte black (but it isn't the blackest black you will find - if you want that, try Perversion)
• Stray Dog: metallic grayish taupe
• Bourbon: bronze/brown with gold glitter
• Demolition: matte brown

Overall Impression: These eyeliners are creamy, but when used alone, they do smudge on me no matter how careful I am to apply lightly. I love the colors and typically set them with eye shadows in similar colors. That keeps the liners in place all day, but it also adds an extra step to my makeup routine. These liners also don't apply very well to my waterline for some reason.

I have heard that Milani and Nyx both have comparable eyeliners, but I have yet to try them. Until I try out some other eyeliners, I won't be buying these unless I want a color I can't find elsewhere. Below are swatches of the eyeliners along with how they looked after doing a smudge test by rubbing my finger over the swatch.

Although the Urban Decay website says the eyeliners can be smudged within the first 30 seconds, they still did after at least a minute. This is why I wasn't overly impressed. My Revlon Colorstay eyeliners might be on the dry side, but they last longer (speaking of, I intend to do a review of the Revlon Colorstay eyeliners soon - I just have a couple more colors I want to try and I'm trying to wait until September 1).

How do you feel about these eyeliners? What are your favorite eyeliners?

Shades (top to bottom): Underground, Zero, Stray Dog, Bourbon, and Demolition. Left is right after application, right is the smudge test after I let it "set" for over a minute.

Review: NYX Round Lipsticks (in "Stella" and "Chic")

I've been meaning to post this review for a while now and to be honest, I'm not sure why I haven't. These are the only NYX lipsticks I have ever owned and to be honest, I am not exactly impressed. The colors I own are Stella (left in every photo) and Chic (right in every photo).

Pros:

1. These are inexpensive. I'm talking $4-5 at Ulta.
2. No waxy scent (the first lipstick I ever bought was by N.Y.C. and it had this awful waxy taste/scent and it is the reason it took me so long to try other lipsticks - because the feel and taste was so unpleasant).
3. There are plenty of shades, so if you want to experiment with colors, this is a great way to start.
4. The two lipsticks I own are true to color if you build the color up (what you see on the package is what you get on your lips... eventually)

Cons:

1. They feel dry on my lips and accentuate any dry spots
2. Application is also rather difficult due to the dryness.
3. There is glitter in "Stella" that is a bit off-putting. It just looks strange on my lips. There is shimmer/glitter in Stella, but it does not have the same effect.
4. Length of wear is not impressive - but then again, it doesn't claim to last all day, so this is one of those "kinda sorta" cons.

Would I personally buy these again? Nah, but I'm not even crazy about lip products. But I do think these are great if you want to build up your collection and try out different colors. Just make sure your lips don't have any sort of flake on them, or the effect won't be so nice.

Review: Bellaboo Skin Care Line

It has nearly been two months since I first purchased a product from the Bellaboo skin care line. Since then, I have bought nearly everything (minus two masks) and I have been trying the products and carefully paying attention to the state of my skin. For reference, I am a 20-year-old with sensitive, combination-oily, acne-prone skin and I have tried natural skin care products on several occasions with little to no luck.

Before I begin the review, I'd like to talk about Bellaboo the brand. It was created out of the owner's frustration with the fact that there wasn't effective natural skin care for younger girls. So that being said, the target audience for these products is pre-teens, teenagers, and 20-somethings. The brand is also based in Australia and until recently, it was but a dream for an American to purchase the line without searching online. I am not sure how long the products have been available on drugstore.com, but in the past few months these products have been popping up at Ulta!

I'm sad to say that something in this line just doesn't work with my skin, because at the one month mark I had so many clogged pores that my skin looked like a bumpy mess. I wish I had photos for reference, but I've been slowly switching to different products (despite my ban on purchasing products... my skin needed an intervention).

Now, the specific products I have from this line are: All That Clean Skin Facial Wash ($12.99), Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator ($12.99), Gorgeous Skin Moisturise Dew ($12.99), E Z Blitz Serum ($12.99), and the Sweet Sin Chocolate Mask ($9.99). All of the products have similar packaging. I think pre-teens would really find the packaging cute but I didn't care for it (but I am 20, so this line isn't technically targeted right at my age range). Every product comes in a tube, including the cleanser, which has a liquidy-gel consistency. If it was a bit thicker, it would be fine in that tube, but since it isn't very thick, it's very easy to dispense too much product into your hand.

I like that the products are 99.5% natural. None of the items have chemical-based fragrances (they do have an herbal scent to them from the ingredients and essential oils). I also appreciate the fact that there are no artificial dyes in the products because quite frankly, if somebody bought a skin care product because they thought it was "pretty" then I would be concerned.

As I mentioned above, the All That Clean Skin Facial Wash is a clear cleanser with a gel consistency. It is a bit more watery than most gel cleansers, but it is significantly thicker than most of the more "natural" cleansers I have used (Burt's Bees acne line, Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash, etc). For the most part, when I used this cleanser it did make my skin feel clean, but after a while I felt as if it wasn't cleaning as well as it could be, even on days I didn't wear any makeup. If the cleanser got anywhere near my nose then it somehow always ended up in my nostrils and it burned a little. Even though the cleanser is sulfate free, it still foamed up pretty nicely, but the lather didn't last very long when I used my Clarisonic with the cleanser, which is the opposite of what happens to me with other cleansers. Even though the tube of this cleanser is probably a bit pricey for somebody just starting out with skin care products, I only used a pea sized amount when I washed my face (when my skin started to "resist" the cleanser I tried using more and it didn't change the results).

The only product I really disliked from the beginning was the Buff Skin Facial Exfoliator. Even though I have sensitive skin, I appreciate a scrub that feels like it is giving me a deep clean. I always look for something that is less abrasive than St. Ives, but more abrasive than a cleanser that might happen to have beads in it for kicks. To me, the exfoliator felt like a lotion with some texture that doesn't actually do much. I've actually been using it on my legs when I shower so I can use it up. It does smell nice, but I think people who prefer very gentle scrubs might get more enjoyment out of this product than I did. This scrub is intended to be used twice a week.

I actually really liked the Gorgeous Skin Moisturise Dew. The consistency felt like a mix between a lotion and a gel and my skin never felt greasy when I used it, but I could tell that my skin was very hydrated. I still don't know if this is what clogged my pores or not, so I haven't been using it on my face for the past several days, but once I make sure whether or not this works for my skin, I would probably repurchase this.

The E Z Blitz Serum can be used alone or mixed in with moisturizer. The purpose of this product is to calm breakouts. I've noticed that it helps with my smaller pimples, but I tend to have problems with deep pimples that take ages to go away. For the person with the occasional pimple, this will be fantastic because it comes in such a big tube (2 fluid ounces, most spot treatments are 0.5 fluid ounces). Unfortunately, this does not wear well under foundation and if I wear it all over my face I find that my skin gets oilier than it normally would. I can tolerate that at night, but during the daytime I would rather not endure an oil spill on my face.

The Sweet Sin Chocolate Mask is fun, for lack of a better way of describing it. It is a clay mask that actually smells like chocolate. While the mask dries, it makes my face tingle without it being uncomfortable. I don't really see a difference in my skin after I use it, though, so I probably won't buy this mask again after I finish it... especially since there are so many homemade mask recipes I can (and want to) try before I actually buy a mask again.

Overall, I would say that although most of these products did not achieve "holy grail" status in my skin care routine, I applaud the creator because these are all well-formulated products... some of them just did not work with my rebellious skin. In fact, the cleanser I've had to turn to is not natural (but it seems to be helping). I think the biggest disappointment is that this line seems to work perfectly for everybody else from the reviews I have read, but for me it was hit and miss.