March Empties!

I don't have a baby so I actually used this as hand soap, it worked well for that purpose. --I received this for consideration. I wouldn't purchase it myself because as stated above, I don't have a baby. 

Avalon Organics Tea Tree Shampoo-- in case you couldn't read the blinding blue label!

I really liked this shampoo because it cleaned my hair well, and kept it from getting oily! --I probably wouldn't repurchase it because I like to try new shampoos, and I wasn't a huge fan of the scent, but a good shampoo overall.

bareMinerals Eyeshadow in Wearable Stone Medium

This was a gift. Thank you gift giver, if you're reading this!

I probably wouldn't purchase bareMinerals Eyeshadows in the future because it didn't seem to last on my lids very well even with a base underneath.

Also because I've become more concerned with using loose/mineral makeup with nanoparticles, and the effects it can have on your lungs, but that's just me being paranoid!

Two things.

1. Yes, the bottle still has product. I took the photo ahead of the time, but the bottle is now empty.

2. Yes, this is a men's body wash. GUILTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! 


But seriously, I got this with some other samples in the mail months ago, and I thought I might as well use it. 


It was an okay body wash. I wouldn't repurchase because I don't enjoy smelling like a manly man. --Plus I'd prefer something pink colored, just saying!

Review Made from Earth

Citrus Fresh Lip Balm $3.99

This lip balm is perfect for wearing under lipstick because it's not greasy or "slippery" feeling, but my lips still feel moisturized.

It's one of the more solid lip balms I own, and it's quite similar in texture to other beeswax based lip balms I've tried.

The scent is yummy, it smells like lemon candy to me!

Grapefruit Glycolic Wash (Scrub) $29.99 for 4 oz

This smells like a cross between grapefruit & lavender to me, which actually smells pretty good.

The exfoliating beads are gentle, and the formula feels moisturizing on the skin.

Once rinsed off my dry/combo skin was left a little dry, but still much less dry than it is with other cleansers/scrubs.

I think this scrub would be especially good for oily skin because it cleans the skin very well, but  doesn't strip it. 

It says on the bottle that it can be used 2-3 times per week.

Concerning the exfoliating properties, it's so gentle that it's difficult to tell how much exfoliating it actually does, but it contains a ton of exfoliating beads, and seems to do a pretty good job.

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.madefromearth.com/

Overall, I would recommend both products.


Products provided for consideration.

Review/Swatch Lip Ink

Trial Size Lip Kit $16.50 or free (more details on that below.)

If you trade in one of your previous long lasting lip colors they will recycle it at their local toxic waste site, and you'll get this trial kit for free! For more information on that visit http://www.freelipink.com/

You can also get a free kit on your birthday if you call and register!

If you purchase the trial kit the Lip Ink is available in almost 60 shades, but if you choose to trade in your old lipstick you can choose between two shades, Sandwood (beige muted light brown) or Rosewood (brown-blue sheer pink.)

Swatched, Sandwood appears much lighter than it does on the lips. This is two layers of Sandwood with one layer of shine moisturizer on top.

First use the Off Towelette to clean, and exfoliate lips. Then rinse lips and pat dry.

Massage a small amount of the shine moisturizer into lips, and let absorb.

Apply Lip Ink to lips, and let dry about 10 seconds between coats. I usually do 2-3 coats.

Apply Shine Moisturizer over the top for glossy lips, if you prefer matte lips skip this step.

Though this is "semi permanent lip color" I've found that it comes off whenever I brush my teeth.

 I know toothpaste has been a long time tip from beauty gurus to remove lip stains, but I can't go that long without brushing my teeth--it would be a punishment to society.

The Lip Ink tingles A LOT when you first apply it, but the feeling stops after a while. Just something to note because I know some of you dislike that.


For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.lipink.com/

Overall, I unfortunately can't recommend Lip Ink because it just didn't last on me, but I am curious to try some of their Eye ShadowGels!


Samples provided for consideration.

Review Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat --Available to purchase at Sephora in May 2012, and will retail for $21.00

Claims to "Instantly waterproof, refresh, and protect any mascara all day, without the typical drying or clumping."

Before using this I was concerned that it would make my lashes clump together, but it did the opposite-- it actually helped to separate my lashes! 

Not only that, but it also made my lashes stay curled, and they looked great at the end of the day which is something that never happens when I use mascara alone.

I've always hated the feeling of crunchy lashes. This didn't make my lashes especially crunchy, though the tips of my lashes did feel a little stiff.

The product itself is transparent so you can use it to waterproof any mascara, black, brown, blue or even clear-- whatever floats your makeup boat.

The only question left is.. how waterproof is it really?

I swatched some mascara on my hand, let it dry, layered this over the top, let it dry, and poured water on my hand, rubbed it in and.. 

I can say that it passed the water test, but not so much the rubbing, then again you wouldn't rub your eyes that vigorously, would you?

When using this on my lashes I had no issues with smudging or flaking, and removing it wasn't much more difficult than removing a normal mascara. Of course, using a waterproof makeup remover is preferable!

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://anastasia.net/

Overall, I would recommend it!

Product provided for consideration.

Review Skinlove All Natural Skincare

Vanilla Lip Balm $5.00

I love the scent of this lip balm! It smells just like vanilla.

It's an oil based lip balm so it goes on the lips thinner, and shinier. It would be great for topping off lip stains though I like it on its own.

Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub $20.00 for 120ml

I wasn't a fan of the scent, I found it too strong, and prefer the vanilla scent of the lip balm much more.

It did an okay job of exfoliating, but left behind a thick layer of oil. I had to stir it before using as the oil had separated from the sugar.

Also, when I received this in the mail it had leaked all over everything! 

Relaxing Body Oil $15.00 for 50ml

This has a very herbal scent. It's thinner in texture than the oil in the body scrub. 

I actually really like using this as I would a lotion, but it can also be used in your bath water.

It leaves my skin moisturized, and because it's an oil it gives a dewy shine anywhere you apply it!

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Something really cool about Skinlove is that you can design your own products, and choose the scent, oils etc that go in to it!

For more information about this brand or their products visit https://www.skinlove.ca/

Overall, I would recommend the Lip Balm & Body Oil.


Products provided for consideration.

Review/Swatch Gleam Lip Radiance by Melanie Mills

Lip Radiance in Pop My Cork $24.00

The shade Pop My Cork is described as a sheer baby pink.

In my opinion it's more of a light pinky-peach. My lips are somewhat pigmented so this just adds a slight pink tint.

The scent is DELICIOUS it smells very sweet like cake batter or cookie dough.

It's slightly sticky, but not thick. It's not one of those gooey, thick, sticky--gross glosses. It's a bearable amount of stickiness, and still feels comfortable on the lips.

I have to mention the packaging, so pretty & luxurious looking isn't it?

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.gleambymelaniemills.com/

Overall, I would recommend this lip gloss.

Product provided for consideration.

Review/Swatches Meisha Cosmetics

Cream Blush $7.95 for full size. (Sample pictured)

This is in the shade Blooming Rose.

It has good pigment, and is creamy, but not greasy. 

A lot of cream blushes will give that "dewy" look. I don't notice a dewy finish when I wear this which may be a plus for those of you with oily skin.

Blank Canvas Concealer/Primer - Could not find item on website. (Sample pictured)

This isn't quite as creamy as the cream blush, it's thicker.

Above, I applied product over part of a vein so you could get an idea of the coverage. 

It's about medium coverage. It will crease under the eyes so I wouldn't likely use it as a primer.

With my dry skin, thicker concealers don't sit well so I would say this is best for normal skin.

Cream Eye Shadows $7.99 for full size. (Samples pictured)

The above shades are Sun Glow & Deep Orchid.

The colors are absolutely stunning! 

Unfortunately, the formula is not-- They crease, even if you set them with powder shadow.

They have a slightly drier, but still creamy texture.

Pressed Eye Shadow $9.99 & Compact $2.50

This is in the shade Secret Garden.

The texture is good, not too soft, but not powdery, and easy to blend. 

It's sheer, but buildable, and works best with primer under.

The compact is sold separately. The shadow alone comes attached to a cardboard card.

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.allnaturalcosmetics.com/product_search.php?search_query=Meisha&search_by=brand

Overall, I'd recommend the Cream Blush & the Pressed Eye Shadow + Compact.

Products provided for consideration.

Review/Swatch Per-fékt Beauty

Brow Perfection Gel in Nude $22.00

Nude is clear, but they also offer colored brow gels.

I really like this brow gel because it keeps my brows in place, but it doesn't make them stiff or crunchy.

I also think the lime green packaging is pretty awesome!

Skin Perfection Gel in Luminous $57.50

The Skin Perfection Gel is available in translucent, but the shade I have is Luminous which is the lightest shade available.

It matches my skin fairly well. I'm usually a light-medium in face products.

The application of the product is different than most, and the most important part, when using it to get the desired result.

Use about a pearl sized amount for your entire face, and pat it in with your fingers rather than using a brush!

This product is very sheer! It feels similar to a foundation primer in texture.

As mentioned above it is very sheer, but it does help to slightly reduce the appearance of pores, and redness.

Unfortunately, it didn't work as well as I would have hoped with my dry skin, it clung to a couple of dry patches on my face even after exfoliating & moisturizing. I think this would be best on those with normal skin.

For more information about this brand or their products visit https://www.perfektbeauty.com/

Overall, I would recommend the Brow Perfection Gel, but not the Skin Perfection Gel unless you have normal or oily skin.

Products provided for consideration.

Vintage Makeup - LooLuu's

This is my second time collaborating with a vintage makeup seller. This time it's with Leslie from the Ruby Lane shop, LooLuu's! --Thanks Leslie!

This cute little heart pillow is for saturating with perfume & pinning to your bra!

Lip Tips are portable, single use matchbook type lipsticks!

Am I the only one wishing they still made these?

For more information visit Leslie's shop http://www.rubylane.com/shop/looluus

Review/Swatches Vapor Organic Beauty 2

To read my first Vapour review click here.

Mesmerize Eye Colors $18.00

Left to right

Flash, and Storm.

These will crease if you don't set them with an eye shadow.

For best results I'd suggest using a primer followed by a thin layer of the mesmerize eye color, and topped with a powder shadow.

Using this method I got about 6hrs wear before creasing. This will vary by how oily your eyelids are. 

These are on the sheer side so don't expect a dramatic appearance when using them. I think they work best as a base for layering.

Elixir Plumping Lip Glosses $22.00

Beguile

Vivid

Honor

Left to right

Honor, Vivid, and Beguile.

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100% of proceeds from the sale of the shade Honor go to breast cancer research!

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With a lot of plumping lip glosses you'll get that "tingling" feeling. With these you won't.

In fact, while wearing these I didn't feel anything. 

They're not sticky at all, and have medium pigmentation. 

They have a lovely orange juice type scent!

I can't say if they actually plumped my lips because as mentioned above I didn't feel anything, but when wearing them my lips did look fuller, though this could just be from the glossiness & shimmer.

For more information about this brand or their products visit http://www.vapourbeauty.com/

Overall, I'd recommend the lip glosses & the eye shadows if you don't mind having to set them.

Products provided by Vapour for consideration.