Thursday, January 29, 2015

Deborah Lippmann All About That Base CC Base Coat

Deborah Lippmann’s new All About That Base CC Base Coat ($20; sephora.com) is a multitasking base coat/treatment in one that comes with 10 nail treatment benefits and works as a perfecting base for polish. All About That Base is a 5-free formula that is formulated without formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthlate), or camphor.

Deborah Lippmann All About That Base CC Base Coat




Its a sheer, almost colorless base coat with a really nice consistency that isn't too thick and the brush picks up just what is needed. It does dry fast to a satin matte finish and is also recommend to be used by itself for a modern matte look. The CC base coat is great at evening out the nail surface, providing a super smooth finish to the nails. It does fill ridges to an extent - I had a couple of nails with peeling issues and this one took care by evening out the surface nicely. I found this to be really hydrating for a base coat as well and made most polishes go on without any streaks. I can’t say too much about the long term effects of it as a nail treatment since I’ve only been using it for a short while, but as a base coat, I love it.  It creates a smooth canvas for polish to go on and conceals most imperfections on the surface, evening out nail color!

Deborah Lippmann All About That Base CC Base Coat
Deborah Lippmann All About That Base CC Base Coat



Have you tried the Deborah Lippmann All About That Base CC Base Coat?

*Press Sample

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Living Proof Curl Collection

Living Proof’s new Curl Collection features haircare products targeted at curly or wavy hair. I got to try out a few products from the new range, so here’s a quick review of the line.

Living Proof Curl Collection


Curl Conditioning Wash ($26; sephora.com) is a non-lathering sulfate-free cleansing conditioner which works like a gentle shampoo. It is really gentle though, but not something I’d recommend if your hair feels gunky. If you wash your hair everyday, this might be a good one to cleanse with without stripping. My hair is a very wavy, naturally, a bit fine and frizzy that gets oily at the scalp, so I need to use a good clarifying shampoo in between. I love how smooth and sleek it leaves my hair, without weighing it down. I dint have to use much products at all to style and my hair felt more manageable. I did have to use more product than usual though, to get the really clean feel, so I might get through it sooner than usual.

Living Proof Curl Conditioning Wash
Living Proof Curl Conditioning Wash Ingredients


Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse ($26; sephora.com) is a lightweight styling mousse that adds body and bounce to curly or wavy hair, eliminating frizz. A little bit goes a really long way since too much can weigh hair down. I just use a tiny amount, comb through on damp hair and blow dry as usual. It adds quite a lot of volume and tames the frizz. Just be sure to go light handed and I personally like the results better when used with a hair dryer as opposed to air dying.

Living Proof Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse
Living Proof Curl Enhancing Styling Mousse Ingredients


Curl Define Styling Cream ($28; sephora.com) is my favorite product from the collection.It is similar to the Restore Styling Cream, de-tangles and softens hair. I only use the tiniest amount and it leaves hair super manageable, more relaxed and smooth. I love the scent too (the same as other products from Living Proof), it lingers on for a bit, but isn’t very bothersome. Its a fabulous product for wavy, curly or unmanageable hair. The product is silicone-free and doesn’t weigh hair down too much. If there’s one thing you would want to try from the Curl Collection, its the Curl Define Styling Cream!

Living Proof Curl Defining Styling Cream
Living Proof Curl Defining Styling Cream Ingredients
Living Proof Curl Collection Review, Photos


Have you tried anything from the Living Proof Curl Collection? 

*Press Sample


Saturday, January 24, 2015

L'Occitane Shea Butter Comforting Skincare Collection | Cleansing Milk, Cleansing Oil and Light Comforting Cream

L’Occitane just launched a new Shea Butter Comforting Skincare Collection with a few revamped favorites and two new products. I tried out a few products from the line, the Shea Butter Comfort Cleansing Milk, Shea Butter Cleansing Oil and the Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream. The products are perfect for this time of the year and quite gentle for dry/sensitive skin types.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Comforting Skincare Collection | Cleansing Milk, Cleansing Oil and Light Comforting Cream



Shea Butter Cleansing Milk ($22; usa.loccitane.com) - Its a rich cleansing milk with a soothing, comforting scent, similar to but less stronger than the hand cream. I need about 1-2 pumps for my face and neck. I just massage it in for a while and use a warm washcloth to get everything off. The formula is gentle enough to use on my skin, yet manages to take everything off without stripping. It even effortlessly took of waterproof eye makeup and left skin super soft!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Milk
L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Milk


Shea Butter Cleansing Oil ($22; usa.loccitane.com) - A lightweight silky cleansing oil that I use pretty much the same way as the Cleansing Milk. It melts away all my makeup and gunk and leaves skin very glowy and supple. I use a washcloth to remove the oil and then follow up with lots of cold water to finish. There is no greasy residue and it gets stubborn makeup off easily. The scent is quite strong though, but since I wash it off, I have no problem with that. Its one of the nicest cleansing oils I’ve used in a while! Both the Cleansing Oil and the Cleansing Milk feel luxurious and get the job done quickly.

L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Oil
L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Oil
L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Oil and Cleansing Milk Review, Photos
L'Occitane Shea Butter Cleansing Oil and Cleansing Milk Ingredients


Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream ($28; usa.loccitane.com) - Its a lighter formula of L’Occitane’s best selling Shea Face Cream. The formula has 5% Shea Butter for a light feel and absorbs instantly. I love the scent, the texture is almost like a whipped cream, soft and airy. I’ve used this for day and night, alone and over serums and absolutely love it. I have pretty dry skin and this quenches without the need for reapplying for a good 7-8 hours. It is meant for normal to combination skin, but I can say that most people with dry skin will like it quite a lot, especially when used as a follow up to the Cleansing Milk and or the Cleansing Oil!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream
L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream
L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream Review, Photos
L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream Review, Photos


L'Occitane Shea Butter Light Comforting Cream Ingredients
L'Occitane Shea Butter Comforting Skincare Collection | Cleansing Milk, Cleansing Oil and Light Comforting Cream Review, Photos
Overall, I love all three of the products I’ve tried out from the Shea Butter Comforting Collection. I’ll absolutely repurchase them once I finish!

*Press Samples.

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos

The Spa Sonic Pro ($74.99; drugstore.com) is a skincare cleansing system that comes with 5 attachments to cleanse the face and body. It is a 2 speed system that is battery operated, waterproof and very ideal for use in the shower as well. The kit includes a Face and Body Polisher, a Facial Cleansing Brush, a Large Body Brush, a Pore Minimizing Brush, a Facial Buffer and a Pumice Stone.

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos


I’ve never used too many cleansing tools as part of my skincare. I’ve always loved using the good old washcloth with a good cleanser and that has been my preferred way of cleansing. The Spa Sonic Pro is quite nice for no makeup days, or on days I want a little something extra for my face. Its not something I’d use daily, although you could, I don’t see why not, but I peter using it maybe 2-3 times a week or so.

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos


The Large Body Brush is good with gentle body washes. It has the right amount of friction that is neither too strong nor too gentle. It feels nice, exfoliates quite well and doesn’t leave skin feeling too dry. The Pumice attachment isn’t the best for strong calluses, but good if you just want to just exfoliate. It won’t get rid of dry skin, but will help you get a good scrub.

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos


As for the facial attachments, my favorite is the basic Facial Cleansing Brush. It is soft, cleanses well and isn’t very uncomfortable. I can’t compare it to the Clarisonic, since I haven’t used used one at all, but I found this to be nice for my sensitive skin. I would recommend using it with a really mild cleanser though and preferably on skin with minimal to no makeup. Its a skin cleansing device, so it works better to cleanse the skin, rather than to remove makeup. The Pore Minimizer Brush is great for the sides of the nose and chin. I found that it took care of the dry skin around my nose and left my t-zone quite polished. I din’t see much of an effect with my blackheads, but it is a good exfoliating attachment. The Facial Buffer/Sponge is one that gives your face a massage and helps applying lighter products and lotions to your face. I quite like my fingers for product application, so I might not use this that often for that purpose. It is super soft though, so great for a gentle massage to boost circulation.

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Pore Minimizer Brush
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Facial Sponge

Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Facial Cleansing Brush 
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos
Spa Sonic Pro Skincare Cleansing System Review, Photos



Overall, the cleansing brushes are really nice, both the face and body. The Pore Minimizer is great for exfoliation, even on sensitive skin. I do wish the pumice was replaced by a stronger tool that would actually help with calluses. For the price point though, its a basic, good cleansing device for no makeup days or just to cleanse your pores before using a face mask or a face serum.  The Spa Sonic Pro also comes with a nice little pouch to store it in. Washing and cleaning the device is super easy as well.

*Press Sample

Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose and Coral Cove

Milani’s new launch this Spring, the Matte Rose Powder Blush comes in four shades. The rose pattern embossed blushes have no shimmer or glitter and come with great color payoff.


I have two of four shades here, Coral Cove, a super bright matte coral and Romantic Rose, a matte, dusty rose. Both colors are gorgeous, Romantic Rose, especially is a beautiful neutral toned color that is perfect for most medium/dark skin tones. The color payoff on these were great. I found the texture to be a bit powdery, with quite a bit of fallout. It is quite soft, but almost too soft that the pattern stars to crumble when I swirl my brush around. I found no issues with blendability and the color wasn’t patchy, even the very bright Coral Cove. I love matte blushes and Milani did a great job with the very flattering colors too. They are moderately long wearing, easy to go overboard because of the pigmentation, so be sure to use a less dense brush, using only the lightest touch.


Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose, Coral Cove
Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose, Coral Cove
Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose, Coral Cove

L-R : Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose, Coral Cove














What are your thoughts on the Milani Matte Rose Powder Blush?

*Press Sample

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Dior Vernis Lady #294 | Dior Kingdom Of Colors Spring 2015 Makeup Collection

Dior Vernis #294 Lady ($27; dior.com) is one of three gorgeous limited edition shades released as part of Dior’s Spring 2015 Kingdom Of Colors Collection. Lady is a sophisticated nude pink with a hint of mauve. 

Dior Vernis Lady #294 Dior Kingdom of Colors Spring 2015 Collection





The formula is fantastic, there’s no shimmer and the creme finish is absolutely easy to work with. While I do think the formula and brush are nice, Lady can be a tad more of a high maintenance shade. It requires a good base, no ridges on the nail surface and neat cuticles. Its a beautiful color with a good balance of pink and beige that would flatter most skin tones. Overall, a fabulous nude nail polish, very chic, opaque in two coats and a year round color that you just can’t go wrong with!

Dior Vernis Lady #294 Dior Kingdom of Colors Spring 2015 Collection
Dior Vernis Lady #294 
Dior Vernis Lady #294 Dior Kingdom of Colors Spring 2015 Collection Review, Photos & Swatches
Dior Vernis Lady #294 
Dior Vernis Lady #294 Dior Kingdom of Colors Spring 2015 Collection Review, Photos & Swatches
Dior Vernis Lady #294 
Dior Vernis Lady #294 Swatch


What are your thoughts on Dior’s Lady?

Monday, January 19, 2015

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance ($48; us.burberry.com) is one of my favorite liquid/cream bases that I also use as a subtle highlighter. It is one of my must-have complexion/base products from Burberry that I would recommend if you like dewy, natural looking bases.

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance



Fresh Glow, unlike other products from Burberry, is fragrance-free and comes in a convenient pump packaging in a classy looking typical Burberry bottle. Nude Radiance is a slightly cool toned base with super finely milled shimmer that is almost invisible on the skin. The shimmer can be seen under very bright lights though, but there’s absolutely no disco ball effect and it just  makes skin look more luminous and fresh. I love it by itself as a base or mixed in with foundations that look a bit flat. It adds a natural looking dewy glow that looks just like well hydrated skin. I also like it as a highlighter, but the end result is extremely subtle and barely there. As a primer, I don’t find it to extend the wear of my makeup, but if you have dry skin and want to add a little bit of a glow without the greasy, shimmery effect, Fresh Glow is absolutely one to look into!

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance
Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance

Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance Swatch
Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base in Nude Radiance Swatch
Wearing Fresh Glow mixed in with the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation #6 and also as a highlight