Saturday, August 31, 2013

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser

Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser ($39; Press Sample) is a mild, detergent-free cleanser for dry and sensitive skin types. It contains olive polyphenols that claim to help cleanse without the dry, stretchy feeling.






The cleanser comes packaged in an 8oz, huge glass bottle that I'm being extra careful about using. A couple of pumps dispenses what I need for one use. The gel texture is smooth, almost like an oil, with a nice slip to it. I don't detect too much of a scent though - just a mild, medicinal scent that doesn't bother me. It foams up quite well and washes off clean, not squeaky clean, but clean enough to get all the gunk off. On days when I have a full face of makeup, I do use another cleanser prior to this and then use this to wash off the excess. It does a fabulous job of getting rid of whatever's left behind and doesn't strip my skin of its natural oils. It doesn't completely take off stubborn waterproof stuff though - I had to go over a couple of times, only to see a few smudges of waterproof mascara left behind. It definitely is gentle enough for my dry/sensitive skin. Unlike many other gel based cleansers, I can wait a few minutes before using a moisturizer and my skin doesn't feel too dry and tight. Overall, definitely recommended for sensitive skin types or for just about anyone who wants a gentle, everyday cleanser!




Have you tried the Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser?

Friday, August 30, 2013

Shiseido Fall 2013 Lacquer Rouge | RD314 Deep Coral and RD413 Sanguine

Shiseido's Fall 2013 Collection features six new shades of the Lacquer Rouge ($25; shiseido.com) liquid lip color. Lacquer Rouge is rich, full coverage, glossy and very comfortable to wear, even on my very dry lips. *Press Samples





RD314 Deep Coral, is a warm coral with a hint of pink - its my favorite among the two and very wearable even as a full coverage lipstick. RD413 Sanguine is a rich red, completely opaque and perfect for a bold pop of color. I've stayed away from liquid lipsticks with a lacquered finish because of how high maintenance they are. Shiseido's is probably the most light weight, comfortable ones I've tried and absolutely love how it doesn't dry my lips out or bleed after a few hours. These lip colors have an almost gel-like quality that help the color go on evenly, and make it easy to work with as a sheer wash or as a richer layer of color. The formula isn't transfer resistant, but the color is very long lasting and leaves behind a soft stain after a good 6-7 hours.The packaging is nice and small, very convenient to just throw into any makeup bag. There's also a subtle plumping effect I see from these, but no tingle and most importantly, no strong scent or flavor from the lip color. Overall, amazing!

RD314 Deep Coral

RD413 Sanguine

Top to Bottom : RD413 Sanguine,  RD314 Deep Coral

Wearing  RD314 Deep Coral


Have you tried any of the Lacquer Rouges from Shiseido? 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Primer

Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Primer ($30; Press Sample) is a silicone-free, moisturizing primer that helps smooth skin out for flawless, even makeup application. Like most primers, it also claims to improve and enhance wear time.





Its a gel-cream texture that blends beautifully on my combination/dry skin. If you don't have very dry skin, you could skip a moisturizer as this leaves a dewy finish and creates a soft canvas for makeup. It lacks the slip that most silicone-based primers have and sinks in pretty well. The scent is amazing too - very soothing and calming, but also a tad strong, so if you don't like fragrance in your primer/bases, you might want to take a whiff before buying. As for boosting wear time, I think it does a great job on my skin type, but if you have oily skin, you might want to try something that is a little more mattifying. This is more of a moisturizing primer and I like how it keeps my skin feeling soft and hydrated even on days when my skin isn't looking its best. It doesn't shrink pores or fill lines though. Overall, if you are on the lookout for a silicone-free, moisturizing base, this is definitely worth checking out. If you are looking for a silicone-free mattifying base, the Pomegranate Mattifying Primer by Korres might be a better choice!




Have you tried the Korres Greek Yoghurt Nourishing Primer?

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner in Black Gold | Smashbox Fall 2013 Fade To Black Collection

Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner in Black Gold ($22; Press Sample) is a limited edition shadow/liner from the Fade To Black 2013 Collection. Black Gold, is a shimmery, golden olive and a gorgeous color for fall. Its well pigmented, very rich and goes on smooth without tugging or pulling.







The shadow/liner comes with a smudger at one end, which is nice for a quick and easy look. I do prefer it as a liner or as a shadow base than as a shadow all over the lid. It dries and sets super quick, so there's not much time to blend the color out. It is very waterproof and needs a tough makeup remover to get off. I like to wear Black Gold along the lash lines and sometimes just upto the crease, slightly smudged and paired with some eyeliner & mascara - quick & easy! The blending needs to be quick or the color sets to a dry finish. Black Gold is also beautiful when used over a black/brown base. Since it is quite pigmented, it is easy to go overboard and that can end up looking too foiled, so be sure to be light handed, especially if you have dry lids.




What are your thoughts on the Smashbox Waterproof Shadow Liner in Black Gold?

Monday, August 26, 2013

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in 09 Nude in Private

YSL's Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in 09 Nude In Private, is a sheer, peachy nude with just a hint of brown. It really isn't all that nude on me, rather a nice neutral peachy pink that perks my my complexion. It doesn't wash me out and adds a lovely hint of color to my pigmented lips.





I absolutely love YSL's Rouge Volupte Shine formula - the texture feels creamy and the finish is slightly glossy with a nice sheen. I have a problem working with extremely pigmented lipsticks and the sheerness of this is right up my alley. As with most sheer lipsticks, the wear time is about 2-3 hours and Rouge Volupte Shine doesn't dry my lips out either. There's just a slight scent that dissipates soon after I apply it, so that doesn't bother me.  Overall, I absolutely love everything right from the light weight formula to the the color & the packaging of this luxurious lipstick!




Have you tried any of the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks?

10 Budget Beauty Buys I'm Currently Loving!

A few tried, tested budget beauty buys I'm currently loving!

Eyes:

L'Oreal Color Riche Eye Liner ($8) - This is such a fabulous kohl pencil that smudges and smokes out like a dream. The formula is very smooth and Black Brown especially is a softer alternative to regular black. I've been reaching out to this a lot for when I need just a dash of eyeliner and some mascara. It does fade and smudge a bit along the outer corners after a few hours, but definitely a nice basic, brown liner for when you want to look simple and put together in a few minutes.



L'Oreal 24hr Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner ($8) - I haven't been using liquid liners for a while now, except for when I want a super fine line, but when I do, this is a great one to have. The tip isn't too firm or too wobbly, is extremely fine and makes precise winged eyeliner super easy to achieve. The finish is slightly glossy and the gripper on the packaging ensures you don't lose grip while drawing a smooth line.



Mary Kay Creme Eye Color ($14) - These cream eye shadows from Mary Kay come in quite a few gorgeous shades & I have four new shades here - Metallic Taupe, Meadow Grass, Violet Storm and Coastal Blue! I love the smooth and easy formula. I like to use my fingers as the warmth helps blend the color better. My only qualm with these are how fast they set. On the plus side, they make for great, budge-proof bases! Metallic Taupe is my favorite among these!



  Meadow Grass, Violet Storm, Metallic Taupe, Coastal Blue

Face :

PONDS Luminous Finish BB Cream ($10) - Ponds has a new BB Cream out recently and the formula seems to be geared more towards dry skin types. It has a super dewy finish and a thick consistency that covers small blemishes and imperfections pretty well. It feels nice and lightweight, but if you have oily skin, be sure to use a powder on top. I have dry skin and I needed some powder after about 4-5 hours! That apart, its a great budget buy and the packaging sure is sleek and easy to travel with!


Top to Bottom - Medium, Light


Yes To Grapefruit Repair & Protect CC Cream in Light-Medium ($14) - Yes To Grapefruit has a new CC Cream out and its pretty amazing as a base, more than a CC cream itself. The coverage is very sheer, but it leaves an ultra smooth, luminous finish on my dry skin, evening out my skintone. The color selection isn't the best, but the formula seems pretty neat!



Lips :

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm ($4.99) - This is probably one of the most underrated lip crayons from the drugstore. I haven't seem many people talk about this one at all. I love these as much as the Neutrogena ones and think they are well worth the friendly price tag! There's a nice caramel scent and it keeps lips moisturized without feeling heavy. The lighter colors are just as pigmented as the darker ones. The only problem though is that it isn't very glossy - a light gloss on top would sort that out. My favorite is Happy Berry!


L-R : Nude n Natural, Made Me Blush, Health Nut, Spirited Spice, In the pink, Happy Berry


Sonia Kashuk Shine Luxe Lip Color in Sheer Pink Lust ($10.99) - Its a sheer, balmy lip color from Sonia Kashuk that was released back in Spring. The light pink color does wash me out a little, but the formula is great for the price. The packaging is super nice too. It is a little slick and doesn't last as much as a creamy lipstick would, but I love glossy finishes, so I don't mind reapplying.





Hair, Body & Fragrance.

Avon makes some great budget friendly scents and Blue Escape ($23) is one such fragrance I love. Its a light, aquatic scent with some cirtusy notes and quite long lasting for an EDT. It is limited edition though. The scent reminds me a lot of a wallet friendly version of CLEAN Rain!



John Frieda Hydrate + Rescue Deep Conditioner ($7.99)  - Its a quick fix for dry, damaged ends. The scent is a little too strong, and it does have quite a few 'cones listed, so its not something I'd recommend as an everyday conditioner or even on a regular basis. But, if your hair needs a quick moisture fix from all the styling and heat damage, this sorts it out super quick - in just a couple of washes!




Champneys Spa Indulgence Foot Butter ($8.99) - Its a rather thick, minty scented foot butter for sore, tied, dry feet. The minty scent is a little too strong for me, so I almost always end up wearing socks. It does the job effectively and leaves feet feeling tingly and quite soft. It also feels a lot like The Body Shop's Peppermint Intensive Foot Treatment at half the price!



What are some of your recent budget beauty favorites?

**Some Products mentioned in this post were Press Samples provided for consideration.

L'Occitane Verbena Eau de Toilette

"This perennial favorite draws its inspiration from Provençal markets, where the freshly picked green leaves of verbena fill the air with their refreshing and lemony scent."







L'Occitane's Verbena ($42, 1.7Oz ; Press Sample) is a fresh citrus, enriched with organic Verbena Extract from Provence. Although sharp, clean citrus based fragrances are more of summer scents, I would love a spritz or two of Verbena just about any time of the year. Its an energizing, zesty scent that can get you through lazy mornings and the tartness from the lemon keeps it fresh, light and extremely refreshing. Its not too sweet or extremely feminine, the right balance makes it a nice unisex fragrance. I just wish it lasted longer on me though - I get about 4-5 hours after which most of it is gone. That said, it definitely is one of my favorite citrus based scents and a must have if you are a citus lover.




What are your thoughts on L'Occitane's Verbena EDT?

Friday, August 23, 2013

Amika Straight Up Smoothing Balm

Amika Straight Up Smoothing Balm ($7-$24,Press Sample) is an advanced straightening balm, formulated with Sea Buckthorn Berry, that helps smoothen hair and tame frizz. It is to be used in conjunction with a blow dryer or flat iron and acts as a heat protectant while nourishing hair.



I have pretty frizzy hair and it gets quite unmanageable, especially this time of the year. Amika's balm is a slightly thick and to be used on damp hair. The texture spreads well and isn't sticky, so it works pretty well as a finishing touch after blow drying or using a flat iron too. Like most amika products, this one too smells amazing and the scent lingers on for a bit. If you have fine hair that isn't very unmanageable, a little goes a long way. My hair is neither too fine nor too thick, but still quite frizzy and this makes it very soft, bouncy and most definitely manageable. For smoother results, I do need a little more than usual and while it gets fabulous results, my hair feels a tad weighed down the next day. It can be sorted out with a clarifying shampoo, but I prefer using it to lightly tame my hair and keep my natural curls into place than to achieve straighter results. It also is very nourishing on dry hair and the packaging is super travel friendly!




Have you tried anything from Amika?