Facial Oils

Skincare Arsenal Update – June 2016

by

I needed to take my own advice and get back to basics. My skincare routine became too complicated and had too many moving parts. I was vacillating between Cetaphil Gentle, philosophy Purity, Noxzema Triple Clean, and random cleanser samples I had received from Sephora and Ulta (because that’s what you do when you’re a beauty blogger who reviews things). I was inconsistently using this toner, that moisturizer. Exfoliant roulette. Masque roulette. You get it. I was all over the place.

All that combined with a stressful eight months and my skin just wasn’t my biggest fan. It was making me crazy, and it was preventing me from having as much fun with my makeup. So I revamped my skincare arsenal and process to get back to consistency, and I’ll just need to go longer between trying new skin products for science. Tomorrow, I turn 25 – and I’m doing so with skin that is behaving.

Makeup Removal & Cleansing

Skincare Arsenal Update - Cleansing

Micellar Water – I am really impressed by how well the Garnier one I reviewed is treating me. As I don’t use waterproof mascara or go hardcore, full-face every day, I’m delighted with the way this stuff has been (oh-so-gently!) treating my skin. A lot of people have eschewed their other face products in favor of this minimalist product; I can see why. I’ve picked up the one by Simple (I liked their Micellar wipes, after all) to try, but I’m not remotely unhappy with the Garnier one. I still have Kirkland Makeup Wipes; they’re effective, inexpensive, and convenient – but I’m growing tired of the fragrance. They’re still a good product and a great value, but I am scaling back my usage in favor of micellar products. Personally, I’m also not in love with something so disposable for everyday use.

Cetaphil Gentle – Tried and true. Just as good without water as with. Plays nicely with both my Clarisonic and my Luna Mini.

philosophy Purity – For when I need a deeper clean. This is about as ‘hardcore’ of a clean as I want, these days. Also plays nicely with both aforementioned tools.

Keep reading for more on my Skincare Arsenal Update…

Read more

2015 Holiday Gift Guide – Under 50

by

If you’re looking to spend up to $50 on beauty gifts, I’m keeping the gift guides going – here are some gift ideas in the Under $50 range.
 udallnighterduo

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray Duo, $39

Normally $30 for one, this is a pair of full-sized UD All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. I picked up one of these and split it with a friend during Sephora’s VIB sale, but still $39 for two is a great price. Anyone who needs their makeup to last a little longer (who doesn’t?) can benefit from this.

burberrykisses

Burberry Kisses Lipstick, $33

Want to give a little luxe? Britain’s iconic, classic luxury brand has an outstanding makeup line. The chic packaging of the product is pretty enough, but this particular lipstick comes in 28 shades. All you need to do is decide to get a color your recipient will wear and enjoy all the time, or something more preferable for special occasions.

loracpros

 

LORAC PRO and PRO 2, $42 each

The LORAC PRO was my first palette, and then I purchased, swatched, and reviewed the LORAC PRO Palette 2 when it came out. From the standpoint of owning both, they would both make great gifts for someone starting out or who has an established collection.

More of the 2015 Holiday Gift Guide – Under $50 after the jump

Read more

Glamglow Powermud Dualcleanse Review

by

I’ve tried Glamglow Thirstymud not once, but twice. Over the past few Sephora visits, the staff there offered up some pre-made samples of the Glamglow Powermud Dualcleanse Mud-to-Oil; in spite of my less-than-pleasant experiences with Thirstymud, I accepted them.

Glamglow Powermud Dualcleanse ReviewGlamglow Powermud Dualcleanse Mud-to-Oil

I’ve finally had time to play with new products, so I sat down last week, removed my makeup with a Kirkland makeup wipe, and set out to slap Glamglow Powermud on. I smoothed the product – which, like Thirstymud, smells amazing, by the way – onto my skin in a thin layers with fingers. Following the instructions, I left it on until it dried, about 6 minutes in my environment. Like any clay mask, it felt taut (but not extreme like Aztec Healing Clay), but because the consistency is thinner and the application is thinner, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

At the prescribed time, I rinsed it off; you don’t go at this one with a washcloth, though. To remove Glamglow Powermud, you ought to hop in the shower or be the skincare commercial face-splashing-girl (what I did). I splashed with warm water and massaged my face as most of the product melted away. Some of it required a bit more scrubbing than massaging, but it did break down into what felt like an oil, and eventually washed away.

Read more

Worth it? Josie Maran Argan Milk

by

Josie Maran Argan Milk

Having enjoyed Josie Maran’s 100% Pure Argan Oil, when Sephora started offering a wee bottle ($20, 0.33oz) I decided to pick it up to try.

This is not the original formulation of the product. Evidently what I purchased is (at minimum) a second generation of the Josie Maran Argan Milk. I set forth to use it in the same manner as I have been using the original Argan Oil – at night, after removing makeup and cleansing my skin, apply a thin layer to my face (a tiiiny bit more around my eye area), and massage in for 30-60 seconds.

With the, “pure,” oil, it usually sinks in and feels absorbed, which is within 5-10 minutes. I can go to bed (I take evening showers) without getting my pillowcases oily.

With the Josie Maran Argan Milk, however… we’re looking, optimistically, at thirty minutes. I find that this tends to sit on top of my skin doesn’t have the decency to bother fully absorbing.

After two weeks of religious, nightly use, I noticed no difference in my skin’s overall condition or level of moisture. Without any other changes in my skincare routine, I also noticed a few minor blemishes near my jawline; they did not become large or inflamed, nor did they come to a head; several days after discontinuing use, they seemed to disappear.

The Bottom Line

Looks like the once-loved-by-many Josie Maran Argan Milk is not what it once was claimed (by fans) to be. I’ve since read recent reviews from other disappointed customers who echo my sentiments of it sitting atop the skin rather than sinking in, and having little real efficacy beyond the superficial. Alas, it isn’t worth it – unfortunately, I can’t speak to the original formula, but now? Don’t waste your money.

As for me? I’m someone who rarely returns products, but this is going back.

July 2015 Empties

by

 

I try like hell to be consistent, but sometimes life gets in the way. I needed to prepare graphics for this post, which I intended to publish yesterday but had a hell of a migraine yesterday and the day before. So thanks for being patient, and here are my July 2015 Empties.

July 2015 Empties

I’ve been wanting to do an empties post for a while, but for months I’d only have 1-2 empty items and who is writing a post about 1-2 empty things? The stars aligned this month and I actually finished up a good bit of stuff.

Read more

Beauty Fails of 2014

by

Last week, I shared my favorites of 2014 – so why not do a fails of 2014, too?

Beauty Fails of 2014Beauty product fails of 2014

Benefit they’re Real! Push-Up Liner – I feel like I’ve talked about this product a lot. In reality, this product isn’t a total fail – the applicator truly is brilliant, but the gel liner inside makes me sad. No one wants wings that flake off. Here’s hoping Benefit improves their formula.

Elma & Sana Argan Oil – Admittedly, I wanted to believe I was just paying for a name with my Josie oils. I shelled out for a far less expensive variety and really got what I paid for. On top of that, the (English) label was written by someone who is not familiar with the language…and apparently there was no proofing or editing before being sent off to print. Unprofessional presentation, sub-par product. After the dropper-cap started acting up, I tossed it out of exasperation. I won’t even link to them or their product because it was so disappointing.

Glambot – Initially, I was impressed and thrilled. But when I found out that they don’t bother to check batches of received items to make sure they aren’t expired or nearly-expired, I was miffed. When I then brought that to the attention of their management, no effort was made to ensure my satisfaction as a customer. You can check them out if you’re dying to try something for less than retail but be warned: it may be expired.

More details after the jump…

Read more