Review/Swatches Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agena Concealer Set

Price? $9.99-$10.99


Where can I find it? Exclusively at Target


What's included? Three concealers, a powder, and supposedly two applicators & a mirror, tisk.


Rating






(Out of 5)

Without concealer

With concealer & Physicians Formula Talc-Free Mineral Correcting Pink Highlighter Primer underneath

A few minutes later..

Yes it CREASED 5-10 minutes later even with primer underneath.

I've tried applying this multiple ways with fingers (in photos above) I've also tried using a fluffy brush, and a concealer brush, neither worked well as this concealer is thick.

I did a somewhat heavy layer in the above photos, so to give it a fair test I did a thinner layer & set it with the included powder. It didn't crease, but it did look slightly cakey, and didn't cover my dark circles as well as I would have wanted.

This concealer would be best for fair-light possibly medium skin tones, they don't have any other shades for darker skin tones.

Left to right

Light concealer, light-medium concealer, green concealer, and powder. Invisible mirror, and applicators..

The green concealer is intended to neutralize redness, I've used it on a few blemishes, it worked pretty well for toning down the redness, but you will have to go over it with your foundation.

Overall I don't recommend if you have dry skin, bad dark circles or darker skin.

It may work if you have normal skin, not very bad dark circles or if you just want it for the green concealer.

On the website the price of this palette is $9.99, but I paid $10.99 No clue why.

Also on the website it states that it comes with 2 applicators, and has a mirror, mine didn't come with either, and doesn't have a space for applicators. I have to say I'm quite annoyed that I wasted $10.99 for this when for a few more dollars I could have gotten a nice concealer at Sephora. 

Am I missing something here? I've only recently purchased this, if my opinion changes I'll be sure to update.

If you've tried this please let me know your thoughts.

Swatched - Jordana Loose Eyeshadows

Left to right

Black Tux, Brownie

I feel like it's been forever since I last did a swatched post!

I absolutely love these, they have fantastic pigmentation, and Brownie is just gorgeous.


You can find these at Cherry Culture

Review Derma E Products

See links for prices!


Where can find it? Derma E's Website, Drugstore.com, Whole Foods, and Fred Meyer


What's included? Just the products themselves, the Tropical Solutions moisturizer has a pump.


Overall rating






(Out of 5)

Pycnogenol Crème (Fragrance Free)

This cream is for normal to dry skin, I find it very moisturizing without making my skin oily.

It truly is fragrance free, it has no scent other than the scent of the ingredients!

It claims to "help reduce inflammation, support microcirculation, diminish fine lines, and improve elasticity, leaving you with smoother, healthier looking skin."

I can't say if it has diminished fine lines as I don't have any fine lines yet, but I can say this is a good moisturizer, it didn't cause me to break out, and it didn't irritate my skin.

Overall I would recommend if you have quite dry/sensitive skin. I do like this moisturizer, but I wouldn't repurchase with my own money because of the price, and the fact that it has no SPF. Yes, Derma E sent me these products to review, thank you Virginia!

Tropical Solutions Facial Cleansing Gel

First of all I love the scent of the Tropical Solutions range, it smells fruity!

Claims to "Rinse dirt, oil and impurities to optimize skin health with this rejuvenating formula. This refreshing gel utilizes tropical Tamanu Oil, Green Tea, Pomegranate, Papaya, Avocado, Aloe and Vitamins A, C and E to leave your complexion clean, healthy and refreshed."

I do find it cleans my skin well however with my dry/combo skin it does tend to dry out my skin a little. I would say this is best for normal to oily skin.

I recommend to those with Normal to Oily skin, if you're looking for an inexpensive cleanser as it's only $12.50! I would not repurchase with my own money because it's unfortunately not right for my skin type.

Tropical Solutions Facial Moisturizer SPF 15

I really like this moisturizer because of the scent, it's very light, and also due to the fact that it has SPF! It hasn't caused me to break out or become oily.

Furthermore I love that it has a pump because it's more sanitary than a jar, and it wont dry out.

I usually need 3-4 pumps for my whole face.

I recommend. I'm unsure if I would repurchase with my own my money yet, I'll have to keep using it, and see if it becomes an HG (Holy Grail) product.

Microdermabrasion Scrub

Out of everything this is definitely my favorite!

I had a tan on my hand/arms so to demonstrate the abilities of this I exfoliated one hand, and not the other, here are the results

As you can see it really did work, the hand that was exfoliated on the left is paler than the one on the right.

My only complaint is that it feels quite harsh on the skin, however once rinsed off my skin didn't look irritated & it didn't hurt, but if you have sensitive skin this may not work for you. This could also just be due to the fact that before trying this product I had used a different exfoliator the day before.

I can honestly say this made my skin look better. I've been struggling with my skin for the past month, but after using these products my skin has really improved, and I'm hoping as I use them more my skin will eventually be 100% clear.

I absolutely LOVE this product, and would consider repurchasing with my own money.

It is somewhat steep at $32.50, but Drugstore.com has it on sale for $26.00, and if you buy any 2 Derma E products you get an additional 30% off!

Derma E don't test on animals.

Budget How Much Is Your Face Worth?

Vita aka http://makeup4myage.blogspot.com/

Recently made a budget how much is your face worth, so I decided to do the same.

My goal was to make the total as low as possible!

The look

Products used

Wet n Wild Lash Intense Mascara $2.99

e.l.f Lipstick in Classy $1.00

Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Liner in Mink Brown $0.99

e.l.f Brightening Eye Color Palette in Drama $1.00

e.l.f Eyelid Primer $1.00

e.l.f All Over Cover Stick $1.00

EOS Lip Balm in Honeysuckle Honeydew $3.49

Total $11.47!

Products Of The Week

Melyssa came up with the idea to feature more than one product, and new products that I haven't spoken about before in my weekly faves! 

Wet n Wild Coloricon Lipliner in Berry Red

This is the perfect red lip liner! I love layering it under Hot Red lipstick also by Wet n Wild. 

You can find Wet n Wild products at CVS & most drugstores

Jordana Loose Eyeshadow in Brownie

I love these! They're so pigmented. Brownie is a gorgeous dark brown bronze-y shade.

You can find these at Cherry Culture, I plan on purchasing more when I'm off my makeup no buy.

As always if you want a review or swatches of any of these products feel free to let me know.

Do you prefer multiple products which I haven't featured before, or one product that I may have posted about before?

Review Dr Bronner's Magic Soaps

See links for prices!

What's included? Just the items themselves.

Where can I find it? Dr Bronner's Website, CVS, Drugstore.com, GNC, Target, and Walgreens

Overall rating

(Out of 5)

I was sent some samples by said company to review.

The first thing I'll be reviewing is the Lavender Coconut Organic Lotion

I don't smell the coconut in this, to me it smells quite essential oil esque, very herbal and lavender.

I really do not like the scent of this, but the product itself is great. I find it absorbs into the skin quickly, it's not heavy, and it doesn't leave that sticky feeling, so I really like this lotion! 

While I like this I'm unsure if I would purchase it, possibly if I can find a nice scent, but I'm not really into lotions, body butters etc

Next is the Citrus Orange Pure-Castile Soap

It says in the description for this product "The organic orange, lemon, and lime stimulate the skin and invigorate the body, resulting in a truly refreshing shower experience." So I'm assuming it's meant to be used as a shower gel, but I've used it for quite a lot of different things. Cleaning my makeup brushes, It worked very well. Washing my hands, also worked well. Washing my face it worked surprisingly well, and didn't dry out my skin as most face washes do.

The scent smells like lemons, and oranges, love it! 

They also sent me the same thing, but Unscented, this really smells like nothing which I like because it makes it even more multipurpose, and prefect for washing brushes because it wont leave behind a scent.

If you want to try these, but you're not sure which scent to get or unsure if you'll like it, I recommend getting the 2oz size, as it's only $2.99 

I plan on repurchasing with my own money.

Next is the Organic Shikakai Lemongrass Lime Body Soap

If you're wondering "What is shikakai?"

"Organic Shikakai comes from the seed pods of the small South Asian tree Acadia Concinna and has been used for millennia in India as a gentle conditioning cleanser for both skin and hair."

I have used this as a shower gel, and shampoo, it works well for both purposes.

The scent is similar to lemon lime soda, but not sweet, more of a true lemon lime scent.

I'd also like to mention that it's a light brown-ish color.

I wouldn't repurchase because of the price, $14.99 though you do get 24oz which will last a good while, but I'm just not very specific with my shampoo/shower gel, and I don't find this product to be anything out of the normal.

They also sent me samples of the Organic Shikakai Baby Body Soap Unscented

and the Organic Shikakai Spearmint Peppermint Body Soap

Not a fan of the scent of the Baby Unscented, it smells like quite nutty, like peanuts.

I do like the scent of the Spearmint Peppermint, it's pretty much your classic mint scent.

Next is the Organic Lavender Shaving Gel

This too is a light brown-ish color, again really not a fan of the lavender scent, but I really like this product.

It lathers well, doesn't leave my skin dry, but it doesn't leave it super moisturized either.

It definitely made shaving easier.

I will purchase if I find a scent I like.

Last are the Liquid Soaps in Peppermint & Rose on the samples I got it says "18-in-1"  I'm assuming you can use these for lots of different things, though the 18-in-1 aspect is not advertised on the website description.

I like the scent of Peppermint, a nice classic mint, it literally smells like mints, less sweet than the Spearmint Peppermint scent.

I also like the scent of the Rose, it just smells like rose, it's a very light scent.

Both are pretty much clear (Slight yellow tinge) with a thin texture.

They're very multipurpose , you can use them as shower gel, face wash, shampoo, washing hands, to clean makeup brushes & anything else you want to clean!

I do recommend these, and would purchase the Rose one with my own money.

Swatched - Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Collection in Petal Pusher

I was disappointed in this palette the pigmentation isn't very good, unlike the Comfort Zone palette which is amazing!

Do you own this palette?

Review/Swatches Rosebud Perfume Co. Medley of Lip Balm Tubes

Price? $16.00


Where can I find it? It's not for sale in the US yet, but I'll update when it's available. You can find Rosebud products at Sephora, Urban Outfitters and various other retailers click here for a full list.


What's included? A tin with three tube lip balms.


Rating






(Out of 5)

Before receiving this set to review (Thanks Linda!) I actually already owned the Rosebud Salve. As you can see I've used quite a bit.

This is extremely multipurpose you can use it as a lip balm, to sooth the sting of minor burns, helps heal cuts, to moisturize cuticles, elbows, knees, and it can also be used on diaper rash. I've actually used this on a rash I had on my arm, and it really did make a difference, and it also helped with the itching.

It has a light rose scent, which I adore, it actually smells like roses not generic or perfume-y. It has a light pink tint, but applies clear, and adds shine.

Left to right

Strawberry, Rose, and Mocha

Strawberry doesn't smell like literal strawberries, to me it smells more like strawberry candy, but I do like the scent. All of the scents/flavors correlate e.g . the strawberry tastes the same as the scent.

Mocha smells very coffee/vanilla-y I really like the scent!

I don't believe you can buy these in tube form individually yet except for the Rose Salve, but you can get the tin versions.

I love the vintage inspired tins, so cute!

Individually these retail between $6-8 depending on where you purchase them, they're very reasonably priced in my opinion.

Overall I recommend, my favorite is the Rose Salve because you can use it for everything! For those wondering they're 100% against animal testing.

Have you tried anything from Rosebud?

Kate Middleton Wedding Inspired Eye Makeup

Image courtesy of  http://www.amareway.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/kate-middleton-makeup-mascara.jpg

Products used


Urban Decay Naked Palette

I used Gunmetal, Buck, and Virgin


Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero

Wet n Wild Coloricon Brow & Eye Pencil in White

e.l.f Lash Curler

Bonne Bell Eye Style Mascara

1. Prime eyes.

2. Apply Gunmetal to lids.

3. Apply Buck to crease.

4. Apply Zero or any black liner to top lash line and around eye, smudge it out. Apply Virgin to brow bone.

5. Go back over liner on lid with Gunmetal.

6. Apply a white liner to waterline.

7. Curl lashes, apply mascara.

The finished look

It was difficult recreating this look because it appeared different in various lighting. Some photos it looked dark gray almost black, and in others it looked like a frosty medium silver. 

Obviously this doesn't look the same on me because my eye color, and  eye shape is different than hers, but I think you get the gist.