Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Korres Yoghurt After Sun Cooling Gel

Korres Yoghurt After Sun Cooling Gel (5.07 oz for $23.50) is a creamy gel (formulated without Parabens, Sulphates, Petrochemicals, Mineral-oil and Synthetic dyes) used to soothe and calm skin after exposure to sun. The consistency is that of of a thick, gel based cream that spreads very well. It does take a while to absorb completely but once it does, it has a cooling sensation sans the tingle. Ideal to be used on face & body.


I even use it as a face cream when my skin needs light moisture which makes it an excellent pick for summer. It calms down itching, any burning sensation due to sun exposure or pretty much irritation and redness from harsher skin products. I sometimes use it after a face mask to retain moisture. You'll need less than a pump of product when used on the face and neck. The pump packaging reduces product wastage and travels very well.

Since it is a light weight gel, even people with oily skin will love it as much. It does not leave a greasy film, neither does it look matte which makes it a good base. It does have a strong fragrance that lingers on for quite sometime so, if you are sensitive to products with fragrance, this is something to keep in mind. It is a little pricey for a cooling gel but if you are looking for a silicone-free product that will not clog your pores, this is an amazing pick!
 

Available at all Sephora stores and online at sephora.com

Have you tried the Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel? Do you like it? What are your thoughts?

Disclosure: The product in this article was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Two easy looks using the Wet n Wild Color Icon 8 Pan Eye Shadow Palette in Comfort Zone

I love the selection of shades in this palette with a combination of neutral and deeper shades. There are a variety of looks that can be done using this single palette. I came up with two of them that are easy to wear.

One is using the green side of the palette. I used the light, olive green on the lid, deeper green on the crease and outer corner and a shimmery brow bone shade(not from this palette). The brow bone shade on the green side is a little too much to apply under the brow bone so, I would use that for something else.

Add a dark green eyeliner on the upper lash line, smudge the crease shade on the lower lash line and add lots of mascara.

The second look is using the neutrals side of the palette. I used the shimmery "eyelid" shade from this side all over my lids and the "crease" shade on my crease and outer corner. I applied a black eyeliner to my upper lash line and waterline. To add a pop of color, I used the "definer" shade (which is a dupe for MAC's club e/s) from the green side of the palette  along the lower lash line. Complete the look with mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

The second look is a bit more wearable, imo. These eye shadows are very pigmented but I used a primer anyways. There's quite a bit of fall out so, I would suggest doing your face routine afterwards. Other than that, it is a great palette to have especially since most shades are easy to work with.

Have you tried the Wet n Wild Color Icon 8 Pan Eye Shadow Palette in Comfort Zone?

Monday, August 29, 2011

Sonia Kashuk Tightly Knit 6-Piece Brush Set for Fall 2011

The Tightly Knit 6-Piece Brush Set($24.99) is a Limited-Edition brush kit from Sonia Kashuk for Fall 2011. The kit features 5 brushes and 1 eyelash comb/separator in a chic tweed clutch. The brushes are made from a combination of cruelty-free natural and synthetic bristles with wooden handles. The packaging is very sturdy and the brushes are light-weight. It features a foundation/concealer brush, a crease brush, eye shadow brush, smudge brush, powder/blush brush and a brow/lash groomer.


Concealer/Foundation Brush.


The size of this brush is much smaller than a regular foundation brush and slightly bigger than concealer brushes. I prefer to use this for concealer application. Works well as a foundation brush if you want to apply foundation only to certain areas. The bristles really soft and the flat, stiff  nature helps concealer go on well without being streaky.

Eye Shadow Brush.


This works really well for packing on eye shadows/pigments and even cream shadows onto the lids. It's bigger than a usual eyeshadow brush and helps do the job faster. I even use it to apply powder under my eyes to set concealer.

Crease Brush

This is an excellent brush that fits very well into the eye socket, blending color beautifully onto the crease. The densely packed, dome shape bristles are extremely soft and blend colors without scratching the eye area.

Smudge Brush

I like to use this to set runny eye liners on the lower lashline with eye shadow. It picks up colors really well and deposits evenly. Also great for placing eye shadow onto the upper lashline.

Powder/Blush Brush



I like this more as a powder brush than a blush brush. This soft, fluffy brush can also be used to apply powder only to certain areas to set the product in because of the not to huge size.

Lash/Brow Groomer

No set is complete without a lash/brow groomer, I guess. I have too many of these & I think spoolies are a better option instead! This is just the usual lash/brow groomer the only cute thing being the color of the bristles that match the color of the tweed clutch!

I've washed these brushes a couple of times and did not see any shedding. The powder/blush brush did bleed a little on the first wash but nothing after that.

Overall, the brushes are of great quality just like other Sonia Kashuk brushes and have a very sturdy, not to mention chic design. Great to travel with since the set features most of the essential brushes you need. You may need to just add a couple of them more to complete your face routine and the clutch holds much more than just six brushes. The set is a great value considering the brushes are the same size as the regular ones.

Available at all Target stores and online at target.com

Have you tried the Sonia Kashuk Tightly Knit 6-Piece Brush Set?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gold and Plum EOTD

It's a rather simple look with one of my favorite combos. After priming with UDPP, I used a gold eye shadow from a Maybelline quad on the inner half of the lid, up to the crease. A sheer plum shade like MAC Plum Dressing (which is more purple but, looks plummy on my lids) on the crease and a little bit on the outer corner. I say sheer because a more deeper shade of plum in the crease can make you look tired especially, if it has pink undertones.

Taken Indoor
Taken Outdoor. Sorry about that weird strand of hair!
Lining your eyes is optional but I did it anyways using Palladio eye ink in Black on the upper lash line and MAC Technakohl Liner in Photogravure on the waterline. Don't forget to add lots of mascara! I used Prestige My Blackest Lashes Intense Volume Mascara in Blackest Black.

I would pair this with a sheer pink blush and peachy/nude lips.

What would you pair this with?

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Essence Metallic Eye Pencils - Review, Photos & Swatches

The metallic eye pencils from Essence are part of their summer launch and a permanent addition to the line. They come in six shades and with a friendly price tag of $1.49 each! Let the price not fool you into thinking you maybe compromising on quality. They are very smooth, creamy and go on without tugging.


Black Knight is a deep, bluish black that isn't as metallic or shimmery as the other shades. It has a beautiful sheen though. This one adheres very well to the waterline and doesn't sting my eyes either. This is the only shade I've tried on my waterline since everything else is shimmery so, I restrict it to my upper and lower lash line.
White Divine is a shimmery, metallic silver. Works great as a highlight on the brow bone.
Iron Goddess is a warm gold that I love to use on the inner corners for a clean, polished look.
Lilectric is a shimmery bluish purple duo chrome which is an exact dupe of Urban Decay's Ransom, shade-wise. I'll do a comparison post on that later. Heavy Metal is a metallic, electric blue. Both these add a nice pop of color along the lower lash line. Heavy Metal is a little chunky compared to the rest of the shades and has a tendency to break off.
Green Day is a bright green, perfect for spring and summer.

Top to Bottom : Green Day, White Divine, Lilectric, Iron Goddess, Black Knight, Heavy Metal

Essence Metallic Eye Pencil Swatches
These metallic pencils have a staying power of 2-3 hours but, I'm so glad they don't smudge all over the place. They just fade evenly and there's no shimmer left behind.

Overall, they are a great buy keeping in mind the budget friendly price tag. "Black Knight" especially, is a fantastic shade that works well as an everyday color and one shade everyone must-have.

Available at Ulta, HEB & Fred Meyer stores and online at Ulta.com.

What are your thoughts on these Essence Metallic Eye Pencils?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Smashbox Studio Stash Kit for Fall 2011

Studio Stash is one of the limited-edition, fall makeup kits with all the essential, best picks from Smashbox. All products come wrapped in a beautiful, chic black woven pouch that makes the whole set super travel-friendly. The bag unfolds to form a 2-in-1 pouch and a kit for storing brushes and other makeup essentials!



Smashbox does one of the best value sets and kits and this one is no exception. It comes with a cream eyeliner kit in "Perfect Frame" with 10 shades, a 4 pan eye shadow palette in "Studio Stash", for doing a classic smokey eye, Full Exposure Mascara in "Jet Black" , a Blush/Softlights duo in "Split/Second" and a Lip Enhancing Gloss in "Smitten", to complete the look! The best part of the kit - everything is full-size. 

Cream Eyeliner Palette in Perfect Frame
Top Row L-R : Graphite, Taupe, Lilac, Lava, Blue Topaz ; Bottom Row L-R: Caviar, Picasso, Thunder, Midnight Purple, Midnight Brown
Top to Bottom : Graphite, Taupe, Lilac, Lava, Blue Topaz
Top to Bottom : Caviar, Picasso, Thunder, Midnight Purple, Midnight Brown
These eyeliners work really well as cream eye shadows too! They make amazing shadow bases and do not budge. All colors included in this palette are deep, jewel-tones, perfect for fall!

Eye Shadow Palette in Studio Stash.

Perfect when you want to create a classic version of a smokey eye. The deepest shade is a dark, shimmery charcoal and there is a cream highlight shade for the inner corners and brow bone. Not to mention the dark grey and a beautiful taupe that complete a dramatic look for a night-out.

Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black


This is one of the latest launches from Smashbox that claims to deliver longer, fuller lashes. The mascara is probably my least favorite from this kit. I see this as lengthening mascara than a volumizing one. It does clump a little but, the pigment is a deep, rich black.

Lip Enhancing gloss in Smitten


Smitten is a pinky neutral that looks like a light wash of pink against my pigmented lips. Goes really well with a lot of eye looks and stays on for a good 2-3 hours without being too tacky.

Blush/Softlights Duo in Split/Second.

The blush a gorgeous shade of peachy pink and the highlighter is a shimmery, pale pink. These colors go very well with each other and are very pigmented. The shimmer is very finely milled and both colors blend like a dream. The pan is huge and it will last you a while. The blush/softlights duo is one of my favorite pieces from this kit!

Overall, I would highly recommend this kit since it is a great way to try some of the best products from Smashbox. For $59, I would say its great value for money since everything is full size and when bought separately would retail for a much higher value. The whole kit is very travel friendly and the classy looking makeup bag can hold everything you need while you are on-the-go!

Available at smashbox.com and Norstrom.

What are your thoughts on the Studio Stash makeup kit?

 Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

NOTD - ZOYA Edyta

Edyta is a gorgeous deep, blackened green with tons of gold shimmer. It looks more like a blackish grey than a green indoors.



Zoya Nail Polish in Edyta
I needed only 2 coats for complete opacity. It dries to a super glossy finish but, I've applied a top coat to extend wear time. Although Edyta is one gorgeous shade, it has the tendency to stain your nails even with a good base coat. Also, like most glitter polishes its a pain to remove. But,the glitter in the green is what keeps it from looking flat.
Zoya Edyta Swatch



All Zoya Nail Polishes are free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP and Camphor. 

What are your thoughts on Edyta?

Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion

Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion is a new, vegan, cruelty-free body lotion launched by Los Angles based makeup artist Bethany Karlyn. It comes in a regular, non-tinted body lotion form and a few glowing, shimmery shades when you want to add a little bit of a glow to your body. 
 
It’s a fabulous glowing body lotion that also lifts tightens, firms and helps with bruising and sore muscles.
It also helps diminish the appearance of cellulite and other minor imperfections, all in a base that’s 92% natural raw ingredients, fragrance free, dye free, no animal products or animal testing.


What I like about Prtty Peaushun:

  • What I have here is the plain variant which has a gel like consistency that spreads well without being too thick. 
  • The ingredients list with no parabens, synthetic dyes or fragrance.
  • Perfect for summer since it provides a light layer of moisture without being too greasy once absorbed.
  • Nice packaging but, may not be the best to travel with.
  • I don't mind fragrance in my body lotions but, this one doesn't have a scent associated with it. So, if you are sensitive to fragrances, you may like this.

The not so good things about Prtty Peaushun:
  • It does take a while to get completely absorbed.
  • Pricey - $36 for 236 ml.
I have been using this for a few weeks and don't really see a difference in my cellulite. I will report back if I do but, as a body lotion with a lot of quality ingredients, this does a great job. They also have a few tinted variants if you want to add a bit of a sheen to your body sans the harmful ingredients.

Available online at prttypeaushun.com in five shades.

Have you tried Prtty Peaushun skin tight body lotion?

Disclosure: The product in this article was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Monday, August 22, 2011

theBalm BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer

I was in need of a good tinted moisturizer and although I love the Laura Mercier one a lot, I was on the look out for something more wallet-friendly. I picked up TheBalm's BalmShelter tinted moisturizer in Medium, the darkest shade. Medium is a good match if you are anything between NC35-NC42 in MAC. It does look a little orange in the tube but blends out well to match my skin tone.

The good:
  • Feels very light and has a sheer, semi-matte finish. It does not feel greasy at all so, even if you have oily skin you may still like it.
  • The texture is quite watery but very easy to blend.
  • Quite good coverage for a tinted moisturizer. But, definitely a tad lower than Laura Mercier.
  • Reasonably priced when compared to other non-drugstore tinted moisturizers ( $25 for 2.2foz).
  • Contains SPF 18.
 


The bad:
  • Not very easy to travel with. The tube feels a little wobbly.
  • Very poor shade range. I was very unimpressed with that. There are only three shades - Light, Light/Medium, Medium. Darker skin tones may have a problem finding a good color match. I really hope they expand the shade range. 



I really like this tinted moisturizer a lot but, I still prefer Laura Mercier just a little more. Quite good as an everyday tinted moisturizer and does a decent job without breaking the bank. I've never had any breakouts or skin irritations with this one. It's a nice pick if you can find a good color match!


Have you tried TheBalm's BalmShelter Tinted Moisturizer?