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Skincare

Brightening Radiant Skincare with the Best of Volition

June 21, 2019

I’m so excited to share some new skincare that I’ve been using from Volition Beauty. Their products are clean and cruelty-free! I also think it’s so interesting that they create products based on ideas submitted by consumers. Skincare is made based on what real people need and want. You can read more about their Clean Beauty Philosophy on their website (I found it really interesting!). These days I’m all about getting that radiant glow so I was thrilled to give their three best sellers a test because they’re designed for brightening, exfoliating and hydrating. I’ve partnered with them to give you a closer look at The Best of Volition Kit ($64). It’s is an online exclusive with their cult favorites (currently 30% off). It includes:

Turmeric Brightening Polish 4 fl oz / 120 ml
Strawberry-C Serum 1 fl oz / 30 ml
Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Pads 3 pads (individual packets)

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Turmeric Brightening Polish

I love a good scrub to exfoliate and keep the complexion smooth and clear. I feel like out of all the skincare steps this is one of the most important to keep my skin smooth and healthy. The Turmeric Brightening Polish is a gritty scrub that can be used on both the face and body. I gently massage it into wet skin and leave it on for a couple minutes to let it sink in. This one has Turmeric Extract to brighten, Olive and Sesame Oil to hydrate and soften, Sandalwood Extract to reduce inflammation and micronized Walnut Shell to exfoliate. I tried on both the face and body and really love it for the face. It did noticeably reduce some inflammation I had and did an excellent job at making my skin feel smooth afterwards.

Full ingredient list here.

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Strawberry-C Serum

The Strawberry-C Serum is a brightening serum with 20% strawberry Vitamin C. It has ingredients to reduce dark spots over time and minimize pores. I could not detect any heavy scent to it but it smells like a hint of fresh cucumber. Most Vitamin C treatments are too strong for my skin to handle but this one was a pleasant surprise and gentle enough for my skin to tolerate use on a daily basis. It has a gel-like texture and after a few minutes it absorbs into the skin for a smooth finish dry down. I don’t have a lot of dark spots except for a couple of fresh red/brown acne scars from recent breakouts that are healing. I was really surprised to see that they have reduced in color significantly and already started to fade faster than normal with this serum.

This also contains Kakadu Plum to add a glow and reduce redness, Hyaluronic Acid to plump, Cucumber Fruit Water to soothe skin. They recommend using this morning and might and under your regular moisturizer. I tried this alone and applied my regular foundation on top during the day and it worked really well. It helped regulate my oil with the humid weather right now too! I will definitely keep you posted on how this works over the longer term.

Full ingredient list here.

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Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Pads

Last but not least are the Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Peel Pads which are amazing! The Best of Volition Kit comes with 3 or you can also buy 3 separately in their Try-Me Pack. (Also available in a 30 pack). I’ve been reading about incorporating apple cider vinegar into one’s skin care routine as a toner to reduce breakouts and inflammation but wasn’t keen on the idea of applying it straight from the bottle or the potent smell. The Volition ACV Resurfacing Pads are the perfect alternative and they also contain AHAs, Lemon and Orange Extract to remove dead skin, Witch Hazel to remove dirt and excess oil that may still be on the skin even after washing, and Glycolic Acid. The first time I used it I only applied on half my face to see how much of a difference there would be – there was a noticeable difference by morning! These do have an apple cider vinegar scent to the pads but it’s not as overpowering as I anticipated and it dissipates after a few minutes. I do have sensitive skin but these had a very moderate and gentle tingle. Quick note that I haven’t used any other acids, peels, retinols or vitamin C products on my face in a few weeks now so if you have those in your routine your skin may be extra sensitized and you’ll find the tingle a little more intense.

These pads are described as being gentle enough to use daily but I would probably use it 1 to 2 times per week max. Skin is noticeably more toned and it evened out some texture issues I had. I really like the anti-inflammatory properties ACV has to prevent breakouts. I’ve already ordered the full size box (has 30 pads). The packets are super convenient for travel and also keep the pads well soaked/protected but I would also love to see this in a bottle form.

Full ingredient list here.

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First impressions with this brand are that I’m impressed! The Best of Volition Kit is available only online at their website but you can also find their individual products at Sephora. Volition offers free shipping and returns in the US and they’ll also send samples with every purchase for you to try out. I’m really interested in trying out their sunscreen and have their Grab-n-Go Trio in my cart right now (looks super cute).

Have you tried anything from Volition yet? What are some of your favs?

Many thanks to Volition Beauty for partnering to sponsor this post.

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Sephora Skincare

Best Skincare + Haircare to Splurge on During The Sephora Spring Bonus Event

April 26, 2019

The Sephora Spring Bonus Event is happening again! It starts today for Rouge Beauty Insiders who get first access with a 20% discount off purchases online and in stores using code HEYROUGE. The event is open to Rouge Members from today Friday April 26 to Monday May 6. VIBs and BIs will have access starting next week. Today I have my roundup of the best skincare and haircare items I think are the most splurge-worthy. The event is a great time to save on new tries or stock up on favorites. For those interested in makeup, my holy grail makeup picks to follow in a separate post next week!

Quick recap of dates and codes for Beauty Insiders, valid in both US and Canada, available online and in stores. If you’re not a member yet check out their Beauty Insider page for details on how to join:

Rouge Members get 20% off, 4/26 through 5/6 with code HEYROUGE
VIB Members get 15% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYVIB
BI Members get 10% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYINSIDER

I’ve included recommendations by category since I know each person is looking for something a little different. I have normal combination skin that is acne prone. These are my tried and true.

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Face Cleansers and Makeup Removers

Kate Somerville wins for me on everything! If I had to use one brand of cleanser the rest of my life it would be Kate Somerville. I have to rotate formulas depending on season, but my go-to’s are the Eradikate and Exfolikate to keep skin clean and acne-free.
Glamglow Supercleanse Clearing Cream to Foam is another great purifying cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin and helps keeps pores clear.
Farmacy Beauty Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm* is the best solid makeup remover I’ve tried. It’s a solid that transforms into an oil to melt away makeup.
Farmacy Beauty Clean Bee is another one I’ve been a fan of for oily skin. This is ideal for me on super sweaty workout days or in the summer when my skin gets oily.
Lancome Eau Micellar is probably the one I’d pick if I had to pick one for the rest of my life.
Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil is always in stock at my home. It’s one of my most-used cleansing oils. Some of you have mentioned to me you’re allergic to Camellia Oil in which case I’d recommend you try SK-II or Bobbi Brown’s instead. (I love that Sephora is one of the few sites that lists ingredients for most of their products.)

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Face Moisturizers

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream is the best all around everyday moisturizer for me. Even Andrew loves it so much he borrowed mine permanently so I had to buy another jar. It’s hydrating but not heavy and works with most of my foundations.
Farmacy Beauty Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer* is another stand out for me. It’s lightweight and also works really well under makeup.
Tatcha Water Cream* has been a long-time favorite of mine but I just started using the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream* and like it even more. I thought it would be too heavy based on the description but it’s actually not! It offers a more creamy feel than the water version. The Dewy Skin Cream makes the skin look supple and moisturized.
Eve Lom Brightening Cream is another nice super lightweight moisturizer that has a subtle brightening effect. I’ve used this one for years and it never fails me.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Juice is the best lightweight gel moisturizer. It’s been with me on most every trip since I discovered it. It’s great for humid weather on days I want something ultra light.

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Face Masks and Special Treatments

Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask is my most-used mask EVER. It’s the perfect pore refining and clarifying mud mask. Anytime I feel like my skin is clogged or breakouts are surfacing this helps tremendously.
Glamglow Flashmud Brightening Treatment Mask is another favorite that brightens and exfoliates.
Drunk Elephant TLC Baby Facial is the only 1 of 3 acid treatments I liked enough to use consistently. Anytime someone tells me my skin looks smooth and glowing in person it’s usually after I’ve used this.
Sunday Riley Good Genes is a night time lactic acid treatment that works to retexturize the skin. This is pretty strong for me but effective. I don’t use this every night – I typically use this whenever I feel like my skin is having texture issues. If you’re unsure about splurging on this definitely try it in a mini in one of the sets like the Flash Fix Kit or Power Trio Set.
Farmacy Beauty Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Mask is my favorite hydrating mask. For me this is huge as I really don’t like honey masks because of their thick gooey texture. This one is one I really like to help with dryness and dullness.
Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Mask is another great calming and hydrating mask. It makes me feel like a brand new person when I use this one.
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment is one of Andrew’s favorite spot treatments. It has 2% salicylic acid and we’ve been testing out a lot of pimple treatments. This is a winner for him.
Kate Somerville D-Scar Diminishing Serum works for both of us. I am embarrassed to admit I burned my forehead badly on four separate occasions with the curling iron. It was only a light tap on accident but contact was long enough to leave burn marks and scars. This helped reduce them back to my normal skin state. Andrew had bad acne scars from cystic acne. They normally go away with time he recently had some really bad ones. He put this on his shoulder area and it also made his scar disappear quickly.

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Scrubs and Exfoliators

I’m combining favorites for face and body in this one! I’ve always felt exfoliation is a key part of my skincare routine for the face and body to help get rid of dead skin cells and excess oil. Long-wear formulas for makeup and sunscreen are often hard to remove with just cleanser so exfoliating is key. Ones I find effective but gentle:

Kate Somerville Exfolikate Intensive Treatment is hands down the best intense scrub I’ve tried. It is pretty intense so if you have sensitive skin it may be too strong for you. I use this once a week to keep skin glowing.
Fresh Sugar Face Polish is the best hydrating face scrub. It dissolves when you rub it into the skin and is super gentle.
REN Skincare Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Salt Scrub is the best hydrating balm in scrub form. It’s expensive and for me goes fast with how frequently I use it. It leaves the skin feeling hydrated and smooth without being greasy.
Ouai Scalp and Body Scrub is my all time favorite body scrub. I have yet to try it on the scalp but for the body it smells sooo so good and I love it to pieces.

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Body Moisturizer, Glow Products and Fragrance

Kopari Coconut Melt is my favorite body moisturizer. I put it on my body at night before I go to bed and wake up with super soft skin.
Sol de Janiero Glomotions in Copacabana Bronze and Rio Sunset are my new favorite glow products. I haven’t really been into body glows but I love the subtle sheen these give to the legs and arms. It’s perfect for warm weather date nights.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Body Oil has been a staple for years. It smells like summer in a bottle.
La Mer Reparative Body Lotion is something I’ve actually only had in minis. This is the most amazing body lotion I’ve ever tried and I have not been able to bring myself to splurge on it due to the price. I might splurge during this event.
Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt, Wild Blue Bell and Basil and Neroli are my top three favorites from Jo Malone! I really want to try the new Frangipani.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc and Eau de Soleil Blanc are my most-worn scents for summer in a bottle that smells fresh and light. If I had to wear just one perfume the rest of my life it would be either of these. The differences are really slight. One Eau de Soleil is lighter and a little more creamy.

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Sunscreen

Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen is my all time favorite. It’s never greasy, moderately hydrating, doesn’t leave a white cast, has no smell and is easy to reapply.
Supergoop! Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil with SPF 50 is another favorite. It has a spray tip applicator which makes it easy to apply. It’s not scented so it won’t interfere with perfume. Non-irritating and works well for me.
Sol de Janiero Bum Bum Sol Oil with SPF 30 is a shimmer oil with sunscreen. I used this in Miami where the sun is super intense (it’s further south from where we live and is a lot hotter there!). It worked well to prevent burning with regular reapplication. The shimmer isn’t gritty and is pretty subtle. It’s strongly scented so if you’re sensitive to strong creamy sweet scents you might want to opt for the Supergoop! instead.
A few others I’ve tried, loved and reviewed in the past linked below but I am going to do an updated sunscreen post next month.

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Haircare

Olaplex EVERYTHING! I started using the line when I had my third highlight treatment. The shampoo, conditioner, hair perfector and new bond smoother have been life savers. 100% worth the splurge.
Christophe Robin is another go-to. I really love his Hydrating Shampoo with Aloe Vera along with the Hydrating Leave-In Mist. I swear by his Shade Variation Care Nutritive Mask with Temporary Coloring in Warm Chestnut, many of you just recommended I try the Baby Blond (purple one) to help with brassy tones. I just ordered a mini and tried it yesterday. I’m ordering the full size!
Briogeo is a popular line and I haven’t tried much from them but two things I really love are the Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant and Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioner.
Ouai Hair Oil is among my favorites for a lightweight shine finishing product that doesn’t weigh down the hair.
Two dry shampoos I’ve been loving lately are the Amika Perk Up and IGK Jet Lag.
Slip Small Scrunchie Hair Ties are used daily since I bought them. I think they’re great to tie up hair for workouts or up in general. They don’t snag at all!

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Extras

Glamglow Supertone Exfoliating Acid Solution Toner is one of the few acids I actually like. It’s not too strong and it’s more of a toner to exfoliate and clarify the skin. I’m so impressed by this. It helped clear up my skin during that time of the month when my face acts up. I use it other times every day only in the evenings.
Fresh Rose Floral Toner is a nice lightweight hydrating face mist that doubles as a toner.
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist is my favorite face mist.
Sephora Collection Cotton is super affordable and they don’t have those little fibers that stick in your eyes or crevices of your face.
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm is probably my most-used glow lip balm (even more than Dior Addict Glows).
Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask is my holy grail lip treatment, if I had to use one the rest of my life this would be it.

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Quick recap on Sephora Beauty Insider Spring Bonus Event details and dates. If you’re not a member yet check out their Beauty Insider page to join:

Rouge Members get 20% off, 4/26 through 5/6 with code HEYROUGE
VIB Members get 15% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYVIB
BI Members get 10% off, 5/2 through 5/6 with code HEYINSIDER

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I’m doing another giveaway! One reader will receive a $100 eGift card to Sephora. Open internationally but you must be 18 years or older to qualify. Enter by completing at least one of the tasks in the widget below. Winner will be selected on 5/1 and e-mailed that day. Not sponsored or affiliated.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Press samples in post indicated with a *. All other items purchased by me.

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Skincare

Testing the New Billie Starter Kit

March 21, 2019

For as long as I can remember my shaving routine has always been pretty minimalist and basic. I’ve always thought the options for men have been much more impressive than those for women. They have so many subscription services, new brands, creams and shaving kits to choose from where I feel like the options for me are so limited. When I had the opportunity to try Billie, a shaving subscription service just for women, I jumped at the chance to try it out!

They set me up with the Starter Kit which comes with a Billie Handle (comes in several super cute colors to pick from), two 5-blade razor cartridges, and a magnetic holder you can attach to your shower wall for storage. The kit runs at $9 and they’ll deliver replacement cartridges depending on how frequently you shave as often as you need them. I shave once per week so the system is setup to deliver 4 replacement cartridges every 3 months. Shipping is free for the starter kit and replacements too.

You can also add on a few extras like their Shave Cream or Body Lotion. I’ve put three Billie products to the test and here are my thoughts:

The Billie Razor gives a nice smooth close shave without any razor burn or bumps. There are five blades encased in aloe shave soap around the edges which when wet helps add a buffer to the skin for the shave. I’ve tried this on my legs and under arms and really like how it shaves.
The Billie Shave Cream is a thick creamy shave cream rather than a foaming shave cream. This has a nice smooth feel on the legs and leaves them feeling hydrated. (Full ingredient list is on their website.)
The Dry-Bye Body Lotion is my favorite thing out of all the items I tried. I’m so picky with body lotions formulas because I have sensitive skin and scents can often interfere with my perfume of the day. This one has a nice light citrus smell but the scent fades after a few minutes. It dries down to a nice velvety finish which is going to be perfect for me when the humidity rises here in South Florida.

Overall I’ve been really happy with my Billie Shaving Kit testing! The razor is something I will definitely keep using and if you’re looking for a matte finish or velvety finish lotion with a nice dry down the body lotion is definitely worth checking out! The price point is very good for the quality and design and I’m so excited to finally up my shaving game with this set.

What’s your shaving routine like? I’d love to hear about your favorites!

You can find the Billie Starter Kit at MyBillie.com.

Sponsored by Billie. As always all opinions my own.

59 Comments

Skincare

Spring Lip Balm Testing Hits + Misses

February 27, 2019

By popular request I’ve put together a round up of all the lip balms you’ve been asking about. I’ve included thoughts on tinted options, clear ones and a few lip plumper formulas. I know it’s not officially spring yet, but I’m calling this a spring lip balm roundup because seasonal beauty collections launch ahead of the actual season. I put around a dozen formulas to the test. Most of the tinted color options are newer for the season but I also mixed in some clear options that are new to me for those who just want a treatment without color. Formulas covered today:

Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil in Bare, Cameo and Adorn ($49 each for 0.25 fl oz/7.5 g)
Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto Beautifying Lip Balm in 101 Glazed Beige and 201 Timeless Pink ($38 each for 2.2 g)
NARS Afterglow Lip Balm SPF 10 in Clean Cut ($28 for 3 g)
Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint in Bare Pink, Bare Nude, Bare Blackberry ($34 each for 2.3 g)
YSL Volupte Plump in Color in Made Nude and Furious Gold ($39 each 3,5 g)
Dior Lip Maximizer in Rosewood, Purple Holographic and Pink Holographic ($34 each for 6 ml)
Dior Addict Lip Glow to the Max in Coral and Rosewood ($34 each for 3.5 g)
Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm ($18 for 3.7 g)
Lipstick Queen Lip Restore Balm ($20 for 0.09 fl oz)
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss ($18 for 6.2 g)
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($20 for 20 g)
Fresh Sugar Mint Rush ($24 for 4.3 g)

The Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil in the new tinted shades are ones I’ve been getting the most questions about. I have used both the clear and red ones in past years, used them up and didn’t repurchase. The formula is one of the most beautiful luxurious lip oils I’ve tried. It feels like a spa treatment on the lips but doesn’t have a bad taste. I ordered the neutrals sight unseen. I think they’re amazing for the beautiful neutral soft pink tints but on my lips all three look pretty much the same. Bare is a soft beige pink, Cameo is a rose, Adorn is a soft pink. Coverage is on the sheer side and like any oil color won’t be long lasting even if you can still feel the product. I think they’re insanely expensive. I was prepared to be thoroughly disappointed just because of the price but after playing with these I think they’re a really nice splurge. I don’t think you need all the neutrals that I bought, to me they’re really similar, if I had to pick one it would be Bare. (Scroll down for swatches, after the Givenchy bit.)

The Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto is a hydrating lip balm that comes in tinted colors now. The original ones are supposed to be color shifting according to your lip/body chemistry but it didn’t do anything for my lips. I tried it once, wasn’t impressed but kept it for future testing. I swatched some new colors on my hand in store and they looked so pretty I had high hopes. I bought two of the new tinted colors 101 Glazed Beige and 201 Timeless Pink which looked promising but I hate them. It’s rare that I’ll full on hate a product, although there have been plenty of products I’ve given a negative review on the blog. I try to be fair in the sense that my personal preferences don’t always make a product bad (ie sheer isn’t always bad, frosty isn’t bad as some like extra shimmer, super matte also isn’t bad as some want that extra matte look). Sometimes I’ll give something a bad review because I think the color is boring or unflattering, or sometimes I think a product is simply not worth the price tag. I actually hate this formula. It has horrible patchy application, not hydrating and sinks into my fine lines. Even blending doesn’t work to smooth out the color. The only nice thing is the pink packaging and slim style of the tube. All that being said the online reviews are overwhelmingly positive for this formula.

Swatches of the Hourglass and Givenchy shades:

Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tints are probably the next best option to the classic Dior Addict Lip Glows. Over the years I’ve received a lot of messages from readers who like the concept of the Dior Addict Lip Glows but their body chemistry causes the colors to turn almost fluorescent on their lips which they think is unflattering. I think the Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tints provide a more subtle tint, but this of course is going to be different on everyone. You can read my review of last year’s options here. These are nice hydrating balmy tints that feel moisturizing without being thick. This year I tried Bare Pink (subtle pink on my lips), Bare Nude (sheer subtle beige flush) and Bare Blackberry (perfect soft berry color, think Clinique Black Honey toned down a few notches).

YSL launched a new addition to their Volupte line with the Volupte Plump in Color. I’ve been sitting on these for months and finally put them to the test. I bought the neutrals which barely show up. I normally don’t mind sheer balms but the two I picked 01 Mad Nude (soft pink) and 07 Furious Gold (shimmery pale gold) aren’t flattering on me. These have a super sharp tingle with the plumping factor. It stung my lips so much so that I could not feel my upper lip after 2 minutes which made me panic. When this happens I usually get an allergic reaction and my face looks like I’ve been stung by a bee. I removed it immediately with makeup remover, washed my face and lip again and then used a cleansing water to make sure it was 100% off. I really loved their Volupte Tint in Balm and prefer the color and formula 100%.

NARS launched another version of the Afterglow Lip Balm in a clear option with SPF 10 called Clean Cut. This is a nice non-irritating lip balm. Since Clean Cut is clear I feel like the Afterglow Lip Balm Orgasm version is more special. It’s a really nice smooth balm. Lips are noticably softer and smoother. I really love the way it feels. I’m not sure I feel it’s worth the price for clear. Formula gets a solid A+ though.

Dior makes some of the best lip plumpers and color transforming balms. No matter how many other brands come out with their own version I think Dior still does it best.

The Lip Maximizers aren’t really lip balms but they had new shades that were launched with new balms so I’ve put them in this roundup. In the past I’ve felt the color lineup of the Lip Maximizers were pretty basic. Not a bad thing necessarily but even the tinted ones didn’t do much except add a lush plumpness to the lips. The new ones are sheer but show up better on my lips. I’m LIVING for the Pink Holographic and Purple Holographic ones. They have noticeable shimmer chunks but it’s 100% smooth and not overly frosted. I also bought Rosewood which is new to me (I’m not entirely sure if it’s new) and it’s a sheer effortless beige pink which I love.

As a Lip Glow Addict Lover I was really interested in trying the new Lip Glow to the Max shimmer/tint swirls. I have such mixed feelings about these. If I have a choice between matte and shimmer, I almost will always want the shimmer. The shimmer in these is a little much for me. It’s not frosty but it has a very metallic look which I don’t think is flattering on me. It’s almost a little too glowy. Lips look super lush and full with the shimmer + tint and I like that they are very pigmented. I prefer the Holo Rose Gold and Holo Pink options or even the classic non-shimmer ones instead.

You can see my previous reviews of the Dior Addict Lip Glow here.

Clear Balm Options from Drunk Elephant, Lipstick Queen, Sol Janeiro, Laneige and Fresh

Last but not least I have a roundup of some of the clear Lip Balms options I’ve tried over the past few months. Thoughts on how each one performed:

I bought the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm in a holiday set and was pleasantly pleased. It’s a nice basic hydrating lip balm I think makes for a great unisex option. It’s lightweight and hydrating but does the job at fixing dry patches. It’s a clean formula with avocado, mongongo, cranberry, and marula oils. It’s non-scented and doesn’t have a taste. Finish is semi-matte.
Lipstick Queen came out with a new Lip Restore Balm which is a really nice thick clear option. It has a twist up applicator with a plastic end. I’ve kinda fallen out of love with Lipstick Queen lipsticks over the years as I feel other brands have better colors/formulas, but this was a really nice one. I used it during the day and also over night and think it’s a solid option to try.
The Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Kiss has the cutest fun bright packaging I decided to give it a try and am throughly impressed. It’s on the thick side but very moisturizing with a natural glow. It’s heavily scented but not too overpowering for me. I can’t use their body products because I find the scent too strong for me to handle but the lip balm is better. If you’re sensitive to scents this may be too strong for you. It has cupuacu, açaí, and coconut oils.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask came out in a Vanilla option. I asked for thoughts on stories because I feel it’s so heavily hyped. Thoughts and opinions were either extreme love or hate. I can’t use the original berry version, the scent is so strong it nearly knocked me on the floor in the store. I think the Vanilla one is much better in scent. It’s a smooth hydrating lip balm, but I don’t think it’s the best and for me it doesn’t live up to the hype. Bite’s Agave Lip Mask is much much better and more hydrating.
Fresh Sugar Mint Rush is their latest for the lip balm line. It has a nice fresh minty sweet finish that isn’t too strong or sharp. It has a pleasant soothing cooling feel. I left it on overnight and lips were nice and soft in the morning. I feel the Bite is more hydrating and effective for super dry lips.

Summary:

Best: Best tinted ones are Bobbi Brown and Hourglass and favorite clear options are Drunk Elephant and Sol de Janeiro
Worst: Givenchy, YSL Volupte Plumping (because it’s painful) and I think Laneige is just ok

I still think the By Terry Baume de Rose, Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask and regular Dior Addict Lip Glows are among the best formulas I’ve tried. I love trying new formulas though, especially tinted ones! There are a few formulas and colors that I probably would not have bought to try but so many of you were asking for reviews I did. I hope you found this roundup helpful!

Quick update, a lot of you have been messaging me about more budget-friendly options. This post focused on newer formulas that just launched. I have a lot of others I’ve tried in the past that I consider excellent staples too. My top budget-friendly affordable balms include Vaseline Lip Therapy Mini Cocoa Butter (love the minis), Lanolips Strawberry, Lanolips Multi-Balm Coconutter, Aquaphor.

Press samples include NARS Afterglow, Lipstick Queen Restore, Bobbi Brown Extra Pink, Fresh Sugar Mint Rush. All others purchased by me.

114 Comments

Packing Skincare Travel

Travel Skincare Favorites

January 7, 2019

I have a roundup of some of my favorite travel skincare items that I brought with me on our trip that I used. I tend to over pack on some beauty items, especially makeup, but for skin care I feel like I can keep my travel picks edited. We were in California for a full week and out of the items I packed these are the things I used! Most of my trips have been shorter ones so I pack minis with me when I can.

I usually pack a few face masks on trips but this round I brought my Foreo UFO and it was perfect! I reviewed in detail here, you can see a quick video demo here. I brought 10 packets of the different sheet formulas and used it every single day of our trip. I also packed it into my carry on bag to use on the plane. My skin tends to be dry at higher altitudes so this was the perfect tool to help replenish moisture quickly in 90 seconds. The weather in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco is also noticeably colder compared to Florida. Climate is also a lot more dry. Having this with me was perfect to hydrate and rebalance my skin. It was super convenient and compact to pack into my travel case.

For cleansers and scrubs, I packed minis of the Kate Somerville Eradikate Cleanser, Fresh Beauty Sugar Face Scrub (for me), Kate Somerville Exfolikate Scrub (for Andrew), Drunk Elephant Baby Facial and a mini toner that was from a GWP. I didn’t end up using the Baby Facial, I felt the sugar scrub was sufficient to exfoliate throughout the week. There was a possibility we were going to another destination after San Francisco, so I packed a few extra things just in case.

For moisturizers I used two throughout the week. On most days I felt the Glow Recipe Watermelon Juice Moisturizer mini was sufficient for a lightweight moisturizer. The rest of my skin care routine was enough to balance my skin for something like this one. On a few days and night when I needed more I used the Tatcha Travel Silk Cream.

For lips I packed two items, the Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask (it was limited-edition and currently not available but I hope they bring it back!) and Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne. I used the Tatcha Kissu at night and kept the Bite Beauty Lip Mask with me in my purse for on-the-go application. Both are excellent options for dry lips.

Two face mists I ended up bringing were the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist and Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Face Mist. I did not need two but we booked our tickets last minute and I ended up with duplicates with my rush packing job. I ended up using both throughout our travels but found myself reaching more for the Tatcha one. I love that both are travel friendly in size!

Everything was packed up in a few travel pouches including my Away Mini Travel Case and the Truffle Jetset Clarity Case. Both versatile and nice for traveling. I kept a few things to carry on the plane with me but for the most part checked the rest of the liquids in one of our medium suitcases.

There will be a few more packing posts to follow on my travel makeup and more but for now I hope you enjoyed reading about my skincare picks! I think I packed well. I could have skipped was the Baby Facial and packed 1 face mist instead of 2. We were only gone for a week but this was an open ended trip and there was a possibility we were going to be traveling for a while longer. I did feel like I was missing two key things. One was a good eye cream, but I felt my moisturizer did the job for the week. I also did not pack any acne spot treatments, but thankfully I had no breakouts this trip to worry about! I feel the best things I packed for skincare included the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask and Foreo UFO Smartmask. I now consider those travel essentials and definitely plan on bringing those with me on future trips!

Do you have any favorite travel skincare essentials? Do you tend to pack for shorter trips (1 week or shorter) or longer vacations? Would love to hear about your favorites!

Post sponsored by Foreo. Press samples featured include the Foreo UFO, Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist, Away Travel Case. Other items purchased by me. As always all opinions are my own.

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Skincare

Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment Review + Demo

December 19, 2018

As one of the biggest face mask junkies, I’m excited to share a review of Foreo’s latest innovation called the UFO (short for Ur Future Obsession). This is a smart mask system that combines advanced technology with serum-infused masks to give you a complete facial treatment in just 90 seconds. I’ve partnered with them to put this to the test and think it’s the perfect DIY facial treatment especially for those who are limited on time and need something quick but effective.

The Foreo UFO combines several advanced technologies including thermo-therapy, cryo-therapy, T-sonic pulsations and full spectrum LED. All of these help to push the essence from the masks into your skin, lock in moisture, reduce pore size, massage the face with LED lights therapy to rejuvenate the skin. In testing the UFO I found it really interesting how they’ve created various different treatment combinations depending on what kind of mask your skin needs. A brief overview of each function:

The Thermo-Therapy feature gently warms up the device to activate the mask and opens up the pores to allow product to penetrate the skin. The device becomes noticeably warm but not hot.
T-sonic pulsations massage the face and help push product into the skin further. These are gentle and very soothing.
LED Lights vary depending on mask you use. I have sensitive eyes and have not been able to do many LED light therapy facials even with light blockers on the eyes (that’s how sensitive they are!) so this device is perfect for me! Red lights are designed for anti-aging, it stimulates collagen production. Green lights work to brighten dull skin and evens out the skin tone. Blue lights kill acne causing bacteria and stimulates circulation.
Cryo-Therapy cools down the skin, tightens it and makes pores smaller. You can always repeat the treatment if you feel you need to. I’ve found one treatment sufficient per use.

What you get in the box:

UFO device
charger
mask packet
stand helps protect it during storage and also helps it dry out faster after washing

The device is supposed to last up to 40 uses with a 2.5 hour charge time. It is super easy to use via the Foreo App that you download onto your phone. They ask you to complete a short survey to fill out your profile. It connects via Bluetooth and treatments vary depending on what mask you pick to use. Steps are goof-proof:

Turn on the app and power up device (make sure Bluetooth is enabled)
Pick your mask
Scan the barcode on your mask to activate device and open packet
Place mask onto UFO and secure it with the plastic ring
Follow the diagram and video on the app for placement, mask for 90 seconds
Tap extra essence into skin
Wash the device under the sink (it’s 100% waterproof!)
Place on stand until next use

There are currently 7 mask options all formulated in Korea and I’ve put 5 of them to the test. Each one has a different purpose. With each packet these there is enough serum soaked in the pads to work into the entire face. There will be some leftover residue and essence on your face after the treatment. Depending on what you plan on doing after (ie apply makeup, go to sleep, etc.) you may want to pat down with a towel or rinse excess off:

Make My Day is the best one to use in the mornings, it has red algae and hyaluronic acid, leaves the skin feeling plump, glowing and well hydrated. Red algae helps protect the skin from pollution in the air. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy.
Call It A Night has olive oil and ginseng to tone and hydrate skin. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses.
Youth Junkie is a collagen renewal formula which reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It makes the skin noticeably more plump. This uses the warming Thermo-Therapy, Red LED light and T-Sonic pulses. This one is my favorite!
Glow Addict is a brightening mask that has pearl extract and niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone. It also has Vitamin E to hydrate and make the skin glow. This uses both the Red and Green LED Lights, T-Sonic Pulsations and Thermo-Therapy. I also really love this one.
Shimmer Freak is an Eye Mask that is caffeine infused. It utilizes the Cryo-Therapy for a cooling sensation to reduce puffiness. It utilizes the Red and Blue LED lights and T-Sonic pulses. This also worked wonders to brighten and waken my tired puffy eyes. The device is a little big for the under eye area but it still works just fine by moving it around the eyes and temples.

I think this is the perfect tool for mask and skincare fans. I do think skincare takes time to see long term results but after each use of the UFO my skin is noticeably more hydrated. With the Youth Junkie and Glow Addict my skin is glowing and plump. We’re in the middle of dry season now here in South Florida and my skin has been noticeably dry and more prone to irritation. These masks are the perfect addition to my routine to rebalance and rejuvenate.

I highly recommend the Foreo UFO. I think it’s a great tool and love how easy it is to use. As much as I love regular masks or sheet masks, they do take extra time. I think being able to mask in 90 seconds is amazing. P.S. I put together my first mini video with the UFO and have a demo going up on my Instagram page @beautylookbook today if you want to check it out!

You can find the Foreo UFO ($279) and Sheet Masks available separately now at Foreo.com. It comes in three fun colors and I love that they have a nice selection of sheet masks to choose from.

Many thanks to Foreo for partnering to sponsor this post.

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Nordstrom Skincare

Winter Skin Care Savers

December 14, 2018

Winter has brought about cool and dry weather and my skincare routine has changed with the season. Even though south Florida is usually warm it’s been significantly colder in the past month or so. Tampa weather is similar to Southern California weather right now! I’m thrilled to be able to wear sweaters and jackets right now. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to share a roundup of my favorite winter skin care savers I think are suitable for any skin type.

At home cozy wear: Thermal henley from PJ Salvage, denim by Paige, sandals from Tory Burch (yes, sandals in winter, probably only in Florida! lol the weather does fluctuate quite a bit still), zip pouch from Truffle

I think some of the best skincare sets you can find to treat yourself are from Fresh Beauty. I love their Rose Skincare line because it’s gentle and nourishing. I’ve been a huge fan of their Fresh Rose Floral Toner which also comes in a mini size perfect for travel and in this season’s Rose Skin Care Set. Exfoliation for the skin is key to keeping it smooth and help the regenerating process, I love their Sugar Face Polish – it’s the best gentle face scrub that exfoliates and gently hydrates without being greasy. It’s also in their Great Escape Face Mask set which I think everyone should try. For body I’ve particularly loved their Black Tea Age Delay Body Cream because it’s lightweight in the drydown but still very moisturizing. It’s lightly scented but in a fresh kind of way so it doesn’t interfere with my perfume too much.

I love trying out hand creams. I usually prefer ones with a velvety finish but this time of year I need something stronger. My three favorites right now include the Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm (also comes in a larger pump bottle size) for an aromatic one, Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is probably my favorite strong moisturizing hand cream and anything from L’Occitane is a no-fail option, I love their Holiday Hand Cream Trio with the Rose, Delightful Tea and Shea Butter in their festive packaging.

There are always some nice set options available during this season. They’re perfect to treat yourself or split up as stocking stuffers. A couple others I’ve tried recently include the Lano Coconutter Hand Cream Intense which is indeed very intense and on the thick side. Once you let it dry/set for a minute it doesn’t feel as thick or sticky. I also splurged on the new La Mer Rejuvenating Hand Serum which is the most I’ve spent on hand cream. I need to test it more before I review it but it feels so nice and it’s silky smooth!

My body has felt the most impact with the dry weather. I always have to switch things up this time of year and I’m so thankful for L’Occitane’s Almond Body Care line. It’s probably the best for irritated or dry skin and I know SO many of you swear by their shower oil. I love the L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate because it has an ultra smooth texture that glides on and melts into the skin like a dream. Their Almond Supple Skin Oil is also fantastic. I’ve been living off of minis for a while and decided it was time for the full size again. It comes with a spritzer which I truly appreciate with oils. It makes it so much easier to apply!

The best body creams that have medium to lighter weight finishes to me are the Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Body Cream and the Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm (not shown). For an ultra rich overnight game changer the Kopari Coconut Melt never fails to restore moisture and bounce to the skin.

Lately I’ve found myself reaching for rose skincare a lot. The best face oil I’ve ever tried is the Sisley Paris Black Rose Precious Face Oil. Their moisturizer Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream holy grail material for me. I do think the Laura Mercier skincare line Infusion de Rose is a really nice alternative at a lower price point. It’s gentle, nourishing, non-irritating and feels smooth. The Flawless Skin Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil is one I’ve used up entirely before and love this for a nice lightweight oil that isn’t heavy. The Infusion de Rose Moisturizing Glow Mask is one of the prettiest soft masks I’ve tried, it’s a tissue off formula but I usually like to also cleanse off after with a damp washcloth.

For the lips the best luxurious lip balms are from By Terry with her Baume de Rose and Baume de Rose Crystalline (in a tube sponge applicator form). These are 100% worth the splurge but if this is out of your comfort zone for price the Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Nourishing Lip Balm is an excellent alternative. Lanolips makes the amazing affordable lip balms with their Multipurpose Ointment and Multi-Use Balms in my experience. I think they’re among the best! I love the Coconut version.

Last but not least are a few of my favorite face mists. I’m a huge face mist junkie and I’ve tried dozens. Even in Florida we need extra moisture year round. Outside is often humid and hot, especially in the summer, but we’re still prone to having our skin dry out with the constant air conditioning indoors. Not to mention it’s on during the night when we sleep too! Face mists help add that little bit of moisture throughout the day without ruining makeup. Four I’m loving right now include the Saturday Skin Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist, Omorovicza Magic Moisture Mist, Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist and the Fresh Rose Floral Toner. All of these have a super fine mist spray and lightweight finish without leaving a film on the skin.

My one favorite is probably the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist but this year they launched a bi-phase version called Magic Moisture that you shake up for more moisture. I think both are equally good. The Fresh option is more of a toner that comes with spray pump but I also use it as a face mist (it’s also alcohol-free).

This wraps up my winter skincare favorites! I picked items I felt would be suitable for a wide range of skin types, even sensitive ones. As always I’d love to hear what your winter favorites are. I know that Florida winter is mild compared to other places so let me know what works best for you! I love reading about the things you use.

You can find all these products at Nordstrom. If you’re shopping online also don’t forget to check out their Gift With Purchase page as they update it regularly. Their Holiday Shipping Deadlines are also listed on their website if you’re doing last minute purchases!

Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Press samples featured include the Sisley Black Rose Oil, Laura Mercier Rose Balm, Laura Mercier Rose Mask, Omorovicza Magic Mist.

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Travel Skincare Favorites

Foreo UFO Smart Mask Treatment Review + Demo

Winter Skin Care Savers

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