Hello all! I've been on a hiatus for quite sometime but I plan on making a comeback very soon! I've purchased a lot of beauty items over the past few months (through all of the F&F sales) and many of them will be featured on this blog soon! I've been testing out a few products and changing up my skincare so please bear with me as I try to start up this blog again.
Bonus: I also got a new camera! I'm currently using a Nikon D5100 (and still getting used to it!), and will (hopefully) be posting many more photos on this blog!
I'm still waiting on a few items but here's a general list of what to expect:
Koji Dolly Wink Eyelashes No. 5 (Real Nude)
Koji Dolly Wink Otona Lash No. 1 (Natural Dolly)
Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX
Laneige Multiberry Yogurt Peeling Pack
Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream
Lioele Skin Fix Powder Pact (Oil Control Type)
Holika Holika Aqua Petit Jelly BB Cream
Tony Moly Petit Bunny Gloss Bar
Butter London Nail Lacquer (All Hail the Queen, Wallis)
I hope to have photos and reviews posted soon! Happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Naruko Niaouli and Tea Tree Products
Hello all! I hope you're all having a wonderful summer! My skin always tends to get oilier and more acne prone during the summer months. There's definitely a visible shift in the types of products that I use in the summertime, most of them have clarifying and mattiying effects. One of my favorite YouTubers was Fuzkittie (she sadly closed her account) and she used to always rave about the Naruko products she would purchase from Imomoko and since I love getting My Beauty Diary masks from that site I thought I would also purchase a few Naruko items as well. All of the items I chose were from the Niaouli and Tea Tree range because it's designed for acne-prone and oily skin and I thought that it would be a perfect fit for my "summer skin".
The first item that I selected was the Tea Tree Oil Cut Acne Clay Cleanser ($16.50) because Fuz raved about how good it was. After trying it out for a few days, I can say that I absolutely agree with her! It's a very refreshing cleanser because it almost has this minty quality to it and it is also a very deep cleansing cleanser.
Out of all three of the products I would definitely recommend the cleanser for a nice deep clean. It was my favorite out of the three and I will absolutely be repurchasing it when I run out. Imomoko often has sales on Naruko products and when they do it's a great time to stock up. I can't wait to try out some of the different ranges from Naruko!
As always, if you have any further questions feel free to e-mail me or tweet me!
The first item that I selected was the Tea Tree Oil Cut Acne Clay Cleanser ($16.50) because Fuz raved about how good it was. After trying it out for a few days, I can say that I absolutely agree with her! It's a very refreshing cleanser because it almost has this minty quality to it and it is also a very deep cleansing cleanser.
The second item that I purchased was the Oil Out Balancing Serum ($24.00). I apply this with a cotton pad after toner and it helps with treating active breakouts and preventing future ones from appearing. After using this for a few weeks I can't say that I've seen dramatic differences in my skin but the product itself does have a wonderful texture and consistency. It's not thick at all and it's very soothing to the skin but it still has that tingling sensation that comes with most acne treating products. I don't tend to break out that often but when I do I do like to make sure that I cleanse sufficiently and apply products that will help treat my breakouts. It's not a must-have item but definitely something to try out.
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The third product from the range that I purchased was the Oil Out T-Zone Blackhead Remover ($15.00). I was super excited to get this product because Fuz absolutely loved it for treating spots. She uses the product as a spot treatment but I actually like to use it all over my nose to help with blackheads. It's pretty effective in terms of helping with blackheads but the effects don't last very long. I often forget to use this product but when I do I'm satisfied with the results.
Out of all three of the products I would definitely recommend the cleanser for a nice deep clean. It was my favorite out of the three and I will absolutely be repurchasing it when I run out. Imomoko often has sales on Naruko products and when they do it's a great time to stock up. I can't wait to try out some of the different ranges from Naruko!
As always, if you have any further questions feel free to e-mail me or tweet me!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Skincare Routine
It's almost April! I hope that all of you had a wonderful month of March and to celebrate the new month I wanted to post my skincare routine for all of you! I have combination skin and with the type of skincare and makeup I use my T-Zone remains relatively matte however it does tend to get much oilier during the spring and summer seasons.
Cleanser:
I usually use foam cleansers such as the Biore Marshmallow Whip Face Wash because it's much more gentle on the skin but it still remains effective. Cleansing is one of the key aspects of keeping your skin looking youthful because if removed incorrectly, you could actually be doing more damage to your skin. I do own a Clarisonic Mia (in berry!) and I really only use it when I have a lot of makeup on and need a thorough cleansing. The cleanser that I usually use with my Clarisonic Mia is the Lancome Creme Radiance cleanser.
Moisturizer:
I received a sample of the Peter Thomas Roth Sheer Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion a while back and I really liked the texture and consistency of it so I went back and bought a full bottle at Sephora. Moisturizers with high SPF levels can sometimes feel very greasy but because this lotion is so sheer, it doesn't feel oily at all.
Sun Care:
Kiehl's, Kiehl's, Kiehl's!
I adore the Kiehl's Super Fluid SPF 50+ and even though I use a moisturizer with SPF 30, I still like to use a layer of sun protection over my moisturizer. The Super Fluid has a liquid consistency and it does a great job of mattifying my face. It acts like a primer for me and I absolutely adore it. I must always have backups of this just in case I run out or I lose a bottle on my travels.
A product that I've recently discovered was that Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Eye Stick (SPF 30). It's very moisturizing and it almost acts as a morning eye cream replacement for me. My under eye area definitely feels much more moisturized when I apply this in the morning and I love that it has an SPF of 30.
Acne Care:
I don't really tend to break out that often but I do get hormonal breakouts about once a month. I also tend to get spots when I'm feeling very stressed and therefore I like to use blemish defense products such as the Kiehl' Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment which I found out about from watching fuzkittie's skincare videos. I've only had it for a short period of time so I can't really review its effectiveness but I will definitely report back to you if I start to see results.
As far as spot treatments go, I haven't really found one that is really that effective. I've tried the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion before but I didn't really see any improvement in my blemishes when I used it. If any of you have any suggestions please leave me a comment!
Exfoliators:
I already have a post dedicated to exfoliators but in short I am loving the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel and the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment!
Masks:
I love the Lush Fresh Face Masks for a quick pick-me-up but I also adore the Clinique Acne Solution Oil-Control Cleansing Mask for when my skin isn't behaving!
Everyone skin is different so products that work for me may not necessarily work for everyone else. I hope that some of you will have gotten a few skincare suggestions from this post and if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave one below!
Disclaimer: I realize that I do list the names of many brands and link their websites but I am in no way affiliated with any company and the opinions expressed are solely my own.
Cleanser:
I usually use foam cleansers such as the Biore Marshmallow Whip Face Wash because it's much more gentle on the skin but it still remains effective. Cleansing is one of the key aspects of keeping your skin looking youthful because if removed incorrectly, you could actually be doing more damage to your skin. I do own a Clarisonic Mia (in berry!) and I really only use it when I have a lot of makeup on and need a thorough cleansing. The cleanser that I usually use with my Clarisonic Mia is the Lancome Creme Radiance cleanser.
Moisturizer:
I received a sample of the Peter Thomas Roth Sheer Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion a while back and I really liked the texture and consistency of it so I went back and bought a full bottle at Sephora. Moisturizers with high SPF levels can sometimes feel very greasy but because this lotion is so sheer, it doesn't feel oily at all.
Sun Care:
Kiehl's, Kiehl's, Kiehl's!
I adore the Kiehl's Super Fluid SPF 50+ and even though I use a moisturizer with SPF 30, I still like to use a layer of sun protection over my moisturizer. The Super Fluid has a liquid consistency and it does a great job of mattifying my face. It acts like a primer for me and I absolutely adore it. I must always have backups of this just in case I run out or I lose a bottle on my travels.
A product that I've recently discovered was that Kiehl's Ultra Moisturizing Eye Stick (SPF 30). It's very moisturizing and it almost acts as a morning eye cream replacement for me. My under eye area definitely feels much more moisturized when I apply this in the morning and I love that it has an SPF of 30.
Acne Care:
I don't really tend to break out that often but I do get hormonal breakouts about once a month. I also tend to get spots when I'm feeling very stressed and therefore I like to use blemish defense products such as the Kiehl' Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment which I found out about from watching fuzkittie's skincare videos. I've only had it for a short period of time so I can't really review its effectiveness but I will definitely report back to you if I start to see results.
As far as spot treatments go, I haven't really found one that is really that effective. I've tried the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion before but I didn't really see any improvement in my blemishes when I used it. If any of you have any suggestions please leave me a comment!
Exfoliators:
I already have a post dedicated to exfoliators but in short I am loving the AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Peel and the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment!
Masks:
I love the Lush Fresh Face Masks for a quick pick-me-up but I also adore the Clinique Acne Solution Oil-Control Cleansing Mask for when my skin isn't behaving!
Everyone skin is different so products that work for me may not necessarily work for everyone else. I hope that some of you will have gotten a few skincare suggestions from this post and if you have any questions or comments feel free to leave one below!
Disclaimer: I realize that I do list the names of many brands and link their websites but I am in no way affiliated with any company and the opinions expressed are solely my own.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Skincare: My Top 3 Exfoliators
One of the most important skincare steps in my routine is exfoliation. It's so important to routinely exfoliate your skin in order to get rid of dead skin cells. Not only is it important to exfoliate, it's also important to have a few exfoliators on hand so that they remaine effective. Once you start using a product daily, your skin automatically begins to adapt to the product. In order to maintain the effectiveness of skincare products try to rotate between a few. That being said, I've compiled a list of my top three scrubs and exfoliators for you to try out!
1) St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub
In my opinion, St. Ives produces the best drugstore facial scrubs. I've always been a fan of the apricot scrubs from St. Ives for a good exfoliation but they've recently become a bit too abrasive for me. I still use the apricot scrubs but only about once every two weeks. For days when I want a more mild exfoliation, I'll use the green tea scrub. It's gentle and the exfoliating bits don't make my face feel as raw as the apricot scrubs too. A wonderful choice for someone with sensitive skin.
2) Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub
Kiehl's consistently releases superb skincare products and even though I've only recently discovered their Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, I've loved it so much that I feel like it's a product that's definitely recommendation worthy. It has a pleasant fruity smell and an added bonus that initially interested me in the product was the use of real pieces of pineapple and papaya in the scrub!
3) Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment
This is probably the most hyped about exfoliator that I've used and I can definitely see why. This is really the only scrub that leaves my skin feeling detoxified for a longer duration of time. I have absolutely horrid blackheads on my nose that just wonderfully compliment the enormous pores that can be seen from outer space. I use a lot of scrubs and exfoliators to get rid of those blackheads but most of them only temporarily clear up my nose for a few hours. ExfoliKate has more prolonged results and I can feel an improved texture of my nose after using this. I have pretty sensitive skin and the first time I tried ExfoliKate I used the original formulation rather than the gentle one meant for sensitive skin. I immediately felt a burning sensation on my face and truthfully it was quite painful. I saw results but I didn't know if I was willing bare with that burning feeling again. I was overjoyed when I found out that Kate Somerville makes a version for senstive skin. A skincare must-have!
People are always trying to find ways to achieve flawless and smooth skin. One of the key tips to flawless skin is regular exfoliation. It gets rid of dead skin cells that easily build up and reveals the smooth skin underneath. Let me know how these work out for you and if you have any suggestions!
1) St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub
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| St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub (Oil Free) $4.99 at Target |
2) Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub
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| Kiehl's Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub, $28.00 on Kiehl's |
3) Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment
This is probably the most hyped about exfoliator that I've used and I can definitely see why. This is really the only scrub that leaves my skin feeling detoxified for a longer duration of time. I have absolutely horrid blackheads on my nose that just wonderfully compliment the enormous pores that can be seen from outer space. I use a lot of scrubs and exfoliators to get rid of those blackheads but most of them only temporarily clear up my nose for a few hours. ExfoliKate has more prolonged results and I can feel an improved texture of my nose after using this. I have pretty sensitive skin and the first time I tried ExfoliKate I used the original formulation rather than the gentle one meant for sensitive skin. I immediately felt a burning sensation on my face and truthfully it was quite painful. I saw results but I didn't know if I was willing bare with that burning feeling again. I was overjoyed when I found out that Kate Somerville makes a version for senstive skin. A skincare must-have!
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| Kate Somerville ExfoliKate (Gentle), $65 from Sephora |
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sephora Friends and Family Haul
I usually wait until promotions or sales to buy most of my makeup and skincare products. I feel like it justifies my purchases more often when I receive a gift with purchase or I save some money from coupons. Sephora's annual Friends and Family sale offers 20% off your entire purchase, so naturally I bought practically an entire year's worth of products.
1) Urban Decay Naked Palette
3) Tarte Ring It In Cheek Stain Set
4) Marc Jacobs Daisy Purse Spray
5) UltraFlesh UltraGloss Luminous High Shine Lip Gloss in Heat (Heat is not the shade pictured below)
6) Too Faced Beautiful Dreamer Makeup Collection
7) Benefit Feeling' Cheeky Minis
1) Urban Decay Naked Palette
2) Benefit Legally Bronze
5) UltraFlesh UltraGloss Luminous High Shine Lip Gloss in Heat (Heat is not the shade pictured below)
8) Chloe Gift Set
It was quite a substantial purchase, but I figured that since FF only comes around once a year, I might as well purchase gifts and what not ahead of time. As a bonus, I also received the Laura Mercier Flawless Favorites set as a reward for 500 points in my beauty bank. It's a wonderful gift and is only available for a limited time so if you are planning on making a purchase that will give you at least 500 points in your beauty bank, definitely redeem this bonus!
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