Review & What Fits Inside the Louis Vuitton Escapade/ Escovedo Travel Organizer

Hi guys, I wanted to SHOW YOU (lol, i noticed I said that a lot in the video, sorry!) how much fits in this escapade travel organizer. This one is a vintage piece in amazing condition and would be an excellent option to consider for those who travel a lot and want a luxury piece to do so with. An added bonus of this piece is that it doubles as a clutch! Follow me on Facebook if you're looking for pre-loved authentic Louis Vuitton and Gucci bags and wallets! @crystalsandchains.collection FOLLOW ME: FB: http://bit.ly/2FMEmLB IG: instagraam.com/cc.collection YT: http://bit.ly/2GliMiR

Unboxing and First impressions / Review of the Lam Gallery Clear Bag

Hi loves, So after seeing tons of cute Instagram pics of the clear bag trend I had to get one for myself. I watched a few videos and Lam Gallery had really high remarks as far as quality goes so I decided to go with this one. I work a lot of nba and football games so im sure this bag will get tons of use. In this video I do an unboxing and first impressions along with how i intend to style the bag.

What do you guys think of the clear bag trend? Are you into it or nah? 

ESHO - Deciem Lip Review

I recently purchased two products from Deciem which was the new lip line by ESHO. The ones I purchased are Drench and Sculpt.

Claims:

ESHO DRENCH is unlike traditional lip hydration offerings that use mainly oils and waxes to coat the surface of the lips for an immediate masking of dehydration, DRENCH uses water reservoirs to offer lasting water hydration to the lips. The lightweight formula acts as an instant, non-oily hydrator that helps maintain comfortable water content with continued use.

ESHO SCULPT combines unparalleled concentrations of pure undiluted peptides and bio-actives to encourage visible lip volume within minutes and with continued use. SCULPT is a pro-HA, pro-collagen, pro-fat and pro-water formula that offers perhaps the most advanced alternative to more invasive lip treatments.

My thoughts:

Drench- I found this to be sub par. I was hoping for a super moisturizing slightly glossy type lip balm for the lips. Instead, it left my lips dry! There was no shine, no moisturized feeling what so ever. After 10 minutes of having this on I had to apply a chap-stick over it because I needed some hydration! That's when I felt somewhat of a difference. The chap stick helped seal in whatever supposedly moisturizing ingredients are in the drench balm. The next day I used it at night, applying the drench balm and then applying a chap stick over it 5 minutes later. I woke up with really smooth and hydrated lips. This product on it's own is a dud, but applying a balm over it to seal everything in worked nicely so I feel like it should be sold as a 2 step product and they should include a sealing balm in with this product. As for the taste of it, holy hell artificial sweetener. It's literally sickening sweet. I try not to lick my lips when I have this stuff on because it literally feels like I'm eating a pack of Splenda. In short, I would not purchase again, but I will use it at night only in a 2 step process. 

Sculpt-  So Deciem claimed that this product was better than the NOID Bio lipid concentrate but at a cheaper price. However the sculpt got pretty low reviews and I have to agree with most commenters. Again, this one also has a sickly sweet taste to it, but I could have dealt with the taste if it actually claimed to do what it says! Does this plump? No, what it does do it cause some sort of irritation like most lip plumpers and make your lips tingle and brings more color to them. Another thing I noticed it does is is make your lip line more defined. You know how the edge of lips can sometimes fade into your skin color so that lip line doesn't really have any color? Well what this does is actually bring some color to that line therefore giving the appearance of a fuller pout, but it isn't in a sculpted way whatsoever. It's more like, "I just ate a jalapeno so my mouth is a little irritated" kinda way. Overall, for $30 this did not preform well at all and I will not be repurchasing. 

The Ordinary Mini Haul and Review

If you haven't heard of The Ordinary yet you are missing out! They are a skincare line that focuses  on key target areas and concerns. They are meant to be used in combination with one another so that you can develop your own specific skincare regime that best fits your needs. Their products are free of parabens, sulphates and mineral oils and they do not test on animals. One of the best things about this line is that it's super affordable! most of their items are less than $10 each. Check out my 5 minute review video below as to what I think is great about the following products.

Thanks for watching and please subscribe to my channel for more reviews!

Products mentioned:

Daily moisturizer Marual Oil = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-10... Great on damp hair and on the skin. Argan Oil = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-10... Once or twice a week as a chemical exfoliant. AHA BHA Peeling Solution = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-ah... Use morning and night for extra hydration Hyluronic Acid = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-hy... Very good vitamin for the skin, use every morning. Niacinamide = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-ni... Excellent antioxadant, use up to 3 times a week for brighter skin. Alpha Lipoic Acid = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-al...

Use nightly for a noticeably smoother texture Gylcolic Acid 7% = http://theordinary.com/product/rdn-gl...

Origins GinZing - Review

Legend has it that coffee beans were discovered by an Ethiopian shepherd who found his goats dancing joyously around a leafy shrub with bright red cherries. When he tried the beans himself, he quickly experienced their powerful euphoric effect. Blended into Origins GinZing™ energizers, coffee bean actually helps wake up, refresh, and restore radiance to dreary skin. *Origins*

I was lucky enough to try out these complimentary products for testing purposes. First I'll start with the fragrance, these all do have a citrusy sent to them, those who are sensitive to smells might find it a bit much, especially with the cleanser. However the scent does not linger and I find the scent to be quite energizing and refreshing. The scrub is gentle yet effective and I love using it in the morning, to prep my skin for skincare.

First I go in with the eye cream, I pat in on and are the eye area and give it a couple minutes to soak in. The color of the eye cream surprised me when I first opened it and I though that it may be a tinted eye cream. It's more transparent that it looks, but it does give just the slightest bit of color to wake up the eye area. My eyes can be sensitive sometimes and I thought that it may be slightly irritating, but I got the eye cream on my lower lashes by accident and i had no issues whatsoever. 

This face cream is the true star of the three, I didn't think a gel face cream could be so hydrating. Again, the scent is refreshing and citrusy. One of the best things I noticed with this cream is how amazing my makeup glided on afterwards. I always worry about pilling with certain face creams, but there were no issues with this one. My skin felt nicely hydrated and comfortable and my makeup looked great for hours afterwards. 

Check out my 3 min Youtube review here

Have you tried anything from the Origins GinZing line?

How to do an at home mini chemical Peel with NIP+FAB

I've wanted to get a chemical peel for a while now. I just felt like my skin had some rough texture that I couldn't get rid of with a normal facial scrub. In comes NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix night pads extreme

bracelets: www.crystalsandchains.com

Now these pads are meant to be used 1 to 3 times a week. They contain 5% glycolic acid and a blend of AHA's and BHA's which helps to decongest dull skin to make the pores appear more refined and the complexion brighter. 

For a while I was using these the recommended way, about 3 times a week, but didn't really see the results I was hoping for, which was a smoother texture. Then my idea of peel came in... I thought I would use them EVERY night for a week or 2 and see if I noticed anything. Let me tell you, after about 7 days my skin was soooo much smoother! This one fine line on my forehead was hardly noticeable and my skin became brighter and the redness around my nose lessened. Finally, the results I was hoping for.

If you're thinking about getting a chemical peel, or just feel like your skin is looking dull, I would give this a try. Now if you have sensitive skin, this may not be a good option for you, but if you feel like your skin can handle acids pretty well, then it's a great low cost option to try before going to the dermatologist. I'm so happy with the results. After about a week to 2 weeks of nightly use I went down to 3 times a week for maintenance. Just make sure you follow up with a good moisturizer or it WILL dry your skin out. I actually have dry skin, but this process didn't dry me out any further. I just used my usual Neutrogena eye cream and Biosance Squalane facial oil afterwards. 

Have anyone tried these? What are your thoughts?

Not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own

Squalane Oil by Biossance - review

A couple months ago I ordered a sample of Biossance Squalane Oil and Squalane + vit c rose oil from an ad on Facebook. I reviewed the vit c rose oil here and I've been using the squalane oil for about 3 weeks now. 

What it is according to Sephora:
A weightless multi purpose oil that can be used from head to toe to hydrate and lock in essential moisture.

I've only been using this on my face, mostly at night and sometimes in the morning when my skin has been feeling extra dry. Since, the summer is here, I don't feel like I need as much moisture as I do in the winter. Anyway, on with the review; I actually like this oil more than the vit c rose oil, the consistency is lighter and seems to spread a little easier.  Just like their vit c rose oil, you only need 2 to 3 drops for the whole face and I like to pat this in after i lightly mist my face with the Mario Badescu Rose water. I soaks in well and seems to calm redness around my t zone.

This oil can be used head to toe and since squalane oil is something that the body produces it's own version of, it can even be used on sensitive skin types. Another thing I really like is that unlike most oils, you get a lot of bang for your buck with this product, 3.3 oz for $58 at sephora. If your someone that has dry skin, i would definitely recommend it. It's kind of like a one and done product for all over moisturizing. 

Not a sponsored post

Biossance Squalane + vit c rose oil - Worth the hype?

You might have seen the advertising on Facebook and Instagram where you can get 2 free samples from Biossance and only pay $4 for shipping. If you've never tried a facial oil before, you might be pleasantly surprised by this one. The 2 samples are for their squalane oil and squalane vit c + rose oil. I've been using their vit c rose oil for almost 3 weeks now and I use it morning and night.

It claims to: Brighten, Firm & Even Skin Tone & Texture.  I can say that all these claims are true, at least for me! I usually have redness around my nose and chin and I've noticed a huge improvement in my skin tone, it's much more even and sometimes I don't even feel the need to wear makeup. I would say it brightened up my face a bit too, now that my skin isn't as red it does look a little brighter. Texture has been much smoother as well, I can't stop touching my face! As for firming, I didn't have a problem with my skin not being firm, but I have noticed since using this that my smile lines aren't as apparent, so I'm thinking this oil helped firm up my cheeks a bit. It also hasn't broke me out or clogged my pores, in fact, my pores even look smaller! I don't know what kind of sorcery this is, but I'll take it lol! I think this would would well for even sensitive and acne prone skin types. 

Unlike most facial oils that feel like they sit on top of the skin, this one is surprisingly different. It feels like it actually absorbs into the skin. Even my mom who hates facial oils tried this one and really enjoyed it. I haven't tried their 100% squalane oil yet, but when I do I'll be back to review that one. If you haven't tried Biossance products yet, order their samples here, this is a great way to try two products for only $4! If you've tried their oils, I would love to know that you think in the comments below. 


Not a sponsored post, paid for product with my own money. All opinions are my own. 

Review - Just Natural Body Nutritive Serum

What the website says: This nutritive tanning support serum is a light weight, easily absorbed blend of vitamins and antioxidant rich oils, extracts, and essentials that deeply penetrate to deliver nutrients to feed, protect and support your skin for a long lasting tan. These oils have soothing properties that 

moisturize, but also help develop that golden, sun 

kissed tan you are looking for. 

This mixture of 13 different types of oils may also 

improve your skin’s elasticity and neutralize skin 2

imbalances. This formula is the best nutritive 

support for tanning proposes. $26.99

Review: I'm a big fan of body oils, I've been using pure coconut oil for the longest time when I felt like I wasn't getting enough moisturization (is that a word? lol) from my regular body lotion. I've decided to give the Body Nutritive Serum a try after seeing it all over Pinterest. They had these dark gorgeous tans that looked glowy. I have to admit that I didn't try this for tanning purposes, I bought it to use as an after shower moisturizer. It's fantastic for that, but it does sit on the skin and feel oily for quite some time after you apply. That doesn't bother me though, because I love this oily stuff. I'm a freak about having dry skin. I hate that uncomfortable tight feeling. Anyway, I've even used this on my face and haven't had a problem (although I don't have sensitive or acne prone skin). No breakouts or blemishes.

 I like using this when my skin is feeling extra dry so I don't use this on a daily basis and a little bit goes a long way so the bottle will last me a while. I would eventually like to try this as a tanning product, A friend of mine said she loves to use it for that purpose and she never burns either. It does have a strong smell to it which doesn't bother me but those who don't like fragrant oils might not like it too much. The scent is hard to place, but I would say it smells wood-sy and herbal. I rather enjoy the scent. Overall I think it's a great product that does what it says. It's a little pricey, but the website has a news letter that you can join and sometimes they have discounts.

Have you tried this for tanning? Leave your thoughts below 

Review - VITAMIN C GLOW BOOSTING MICRODERMABRASION EXFOLIATOR

What The Body Shop Says: Improve skin texture and tone with the Vitamin C Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion facial exfoliator. Containing micro-sized garnet exfoliating particles to give skin a thorough and intense weekly exfoliation. It helps to renew skin texture and tone. Smooth dry, flaky skin away for a brighter, refined and refreshed complexion. $23.00

Review: (I have the old packaging, but I believe the formula is the same) I love exfoliating products because they allow your facial serums and moisturizers to actually penetrate the skin instead of just sit on top. I believe everyone should exfoliate at least once a week to get the most benefits out of your skincare items. I use this about once or twice a week in the shower after using my facial cleanser. Just like how I do with my cleanser, I like to let this stay on my face till the end of my shower and then rinse with cool water. I find this one to be pretty gentle, the little scrubbers are finely milled and don't scratch your face like some exfoliators do. My skin feels incredible soft after using this and I've noticed less redness around my nose and chin area and overall my face looks brighter and healthier. I think this would be a good scrub for most people, but I wouldn't use an exfoliating product if your currently have an active breakout. 

If you like an abrasive scrub like St. Ives Apricot scrub, then this one may not be for you. But if your looking for a moderate scrub that seems to exfoliate, brighten and moisturize all in one, then look no further. I've enjoyed using this product and definitely plan on using more products from the Vitamin C line in the future from The Body Shop. 

What's your favorite facial scrub?

Review - Derma e Anti wrinkle Vitamin A Glycolic Cleanser

What Ulta Says: This invigorating cleanser rinses away dirt, oil, and impurities, unclogs pores and helps encourage the process of exfoliation for a fresh, healthy complexion. Enriched with Vitamin A, Glycolic Acid and detoxifying Marine Plant Extracts, this exfoliating formula leaves your complexion clean, healthy and rejuvenated. Product is Gluten Free, paraben free, hypoallergenic and is not tested on animals. $13.99

Review:
I've been using the Derma e glycolic cleanser for about 2 months now. I don't find it to be effective at removing makeup so for that I use something else (which I will review at a later time) but I do love this for those days when I don't have makeup on, I like that it's non drying and how it leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth afterwards. The way I like to use it is in the shower, i'll wait about 3 minutes or so to let the steam open up my pores and then I use a small pea-sized amount and let it sit on my face until the end of my shower and then rinse it off with cool water.

Since it's a glycolic cleanser I feel like letting it sit on my skin really helps with the Anti aging benefits.I haven't had an issue with redness, breakouts or dryness. I feel that it's a gentle formula that would work well for most skin types and I would repurchase in the future.

What's your current favorite cleanser?

REVIEW ~ Philosophy Resurface - The Microdelivery Dual-Phase Peel

Here's what Sephora says about it:

What it is: 
A two-step, exfoliating skin transformation.

What it is formulated to do:
This revolutionary duo works together to resurface skin and replenish it with essential vitamin C and peptides. The Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals gently rejuvenates and revitalizes as the Lactic/Salicylic Activating Gel helps to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles while providing a secondary exfoliation. 

Suggested Usage:
Step one - Vitamin C/Peptide Resurfacing Crystals: 
-Apply a teaspoon amount to clean, dry skin. 
-Once applied, crystals should appear almost like a mask. 
-Gently massage in a circular motion over entire face for up to 60 seconds, avoiding eye area. 
-Do not scrub; use less pressure for sensitive skin. 

Step two - Lactic/Salicylic Acid Activating Gel:
-Place a generous teaspoon amount in the palm of your hand.
-Massage gel onto fingertips and apply on top of crystals.
-As activator is applied, a warming sensation will occur. 
-White foam will appear, indicating activation.
-Leave foam on for two to three minutes to infuse vitamin C and peptides into the skin.
-You can massage foam for extra exfoliating benefits or let it sit for sensitive skin.
-Rinse thoroughly.
-You can use a washcloth for removal to avoid getting the peel in your hair.

My Review:

I love using this for those times when my skin feels extra rough or when I feel like my basic exfoliator just won't cut it. A little background on my skin type. It's normal, with almost no breakouts or blemishes, but I do have an uneven skin tone with redness around my nose and chin area. 

I don't use this product more than once a week, but after using it I can see and feel an immediate difference on my face. My skin is much smoother, more even toned and makeup glides on. I also feel like my moisturizers and serums penetrate the skin better and not just sits on top. I haven't noticed any issues using this product but for those with a sensitive skin type or someone who has acne it may be a bit too abrasive, but I think if you use it gently without applying too much pressure you should be ok. I like the warm feel to it once you apply the activating gel, it feels like it's really getting in there to remove dead and dull skin. I feel like my skin almost glows after using it and actually don't even feel the need to put on makeup the next day. 

For those looking for an ultra exfoliating product to add to your regime I would definitely recommend this product. It retails for $72, but a little goes a long way so it should last a while. I've used mine a handful of times and hardly put a dent in it. 

Thanks for reading!

Holy Grail Cheek Highlight

I love a good highlighter and I finally found one that is the perfect shade of gold! It's by Milani in the shade Bella Chiffon #28. 

Technically this is described as a gel powder eye shadow and it does look beautiful worn as that, but I love it as a cheek highlight. It's super creamy and blends like a dream without being chalky or shimmery. 

 

I got it from Walmart for less than $5, but Walgreen's sells it as well. What highlight are you loving at the moment?

Rejuvaderm MD ~ Review

It's been a little over a month now since I've been using the microdermabrasion wand  (PDM for short) and  I love it! I've been wanting to get a kit for a while now but thought it was too expensive, when I found a great deal on one for $119 I figured I would go for it. 

I use it about once to twice a week and use it on level 2 - there are 5 levels. It feels just the the one that they would use in the dr.s office. It has a strong suction and the tip feels like very fine grain sandpaper. What I love about this particular wand is that it comes with 2 extra heads. One for extraction for black and white heads and the other for infusion which is supposed to be used in conjunction with face cream to make it more effective. I haven't actually tried that one yet, but I love the first two. 

After using it for a few weeks I've noticed that my skin tone seems to be more even, which has always been my biggest issue. I have a bit of redness in my T-zone, but lately I've noticed an improvement. It may have something to do with my ROC moisturizer as well though (a review on ROC will be coming soon)

I've also noticed, that more pores don't seem as large, it could be because the suction is pulling out all the grime. After I use the microderm wand, I put on my ROC face cream along with about a pea sized amount of Retin A. Retin A is one of the best anti aging products out there, it can be drying on skin and cause it to peel so I only use it once or twice a week after I do the microdermabration. I figured it would be the most beneficial time since my skin is already super exfoliated at that point. 

Have you ever tried a PMD system before or had one done in a doctors office? Is so, what did you think?

Review ~ Covergirl+Olay CC Tone Rehab Foundation

I decided to jump on the CC and BB cream bandwagon and try out one of the foundations. I'm actually not a Covergirl or Olay fan, but I'd heard some good things about their CC tone rehab foundation and thought I would give it a shot since I prefer to go more natural with my foundation in the summer time. In short, this foundation is perfection! 

 I've always had to mix my foundations to get the color just right but shade 142 matches my NC35 skin tone perfectly and I love the finish. I would describe it as a satin finish and I set it with Laura Mercier translucent setting powder (my HG). 

 Here's what Covergirl says about it:
Foundation instantly evens your skin tone , reducing the look of discolorations, fine lines and wrinkles while the serum hydrates skin over time. 

For this photo I used less than one pump. I would describe the coverage as medium and it does an excellent job at covering up redness which is my main skin issue. I also find that it lasts a good 6-8 hours and looks better over time as the skin's natural oils help make it look more like, "your skin but better". From what I understand a CC cream offers more coverage than a BB cream. If your someone with minimal skin issues such as discoloration, I would definitely give this a try. It's my favorite foundation and I love that I don't have to mix it to get the color right. For reference my skin type is combination, my mom has dry skin and uses this too and it looks amazing on her. Although on her, it works best when she mixes it with a pea sized amount of  face cream and does not set it with powder.

Has anyone tried this? What's your favorite foundation?

~~Summer Essentials~~

It’s that time of year again when summer is pretty much in full effect. At least here in New Orleans it is. We have really hot and humid temperatures down here so during the summer I stick to a few essentials. Light flowy tank tops, cut off jean shorts and thong flips flops and wedges are my go to pieces. If there is only one color of wedge sandal you buy this year make it a nude pair. A pair of nude wedges should be in every girl’s closet, they go with everything and even if you’re wearing a tank top and cut off shorts, the wedges will give it that extra flare to dress up the outfit. Not only that, but wedges that match your skintone make your legs look longer and who doesn’t want that? Just throw on some accessories and your good to go. My picks for accessories would be a great statement necklace or a stack of bracelets.

I pretty much live in flip flops though, and they aren’t just for the beach anymore; there are so many great ones out there that can take you from the beach and then out to lunch! Reef makes really nice ones for guys and girls at a really affordable price. My husband loves leather sandals in particular due to their versatility and I think they look great with a pair of cargo shorts or jeans. A dark drown pair like the ones below will go with pretty much everything in any guys’ closet.

  

If flats are more your style, Reef makes a bunch in a wide variety of colors and styles so you’re sure to find one that will fit your needs. How cute are these down below? I love the pastel colors, very summery and fun. These are also great because they have a really padded foot bed; I have high arches in my feet so that’s always something I look for.

No matter what your summer style may be, there are a few essentials that every girl (and guy) needs. These are just some of mine. 

What are your go to pieces this summer?  

Sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own

Review ~ The Body Shop Shiso Makeup Cleansing Oil

I've always wanted to try a cleansing oil. I don't have sensitive skin and I don't breakout easily so I figured it was worth a try. The worst part of putting on makeup is having to take it off at the end of the day. My regular face wash wasn't cutting it and even after washing my face twice in a row, I would still have traces of makeup left behind so on a whim I decided to try this cleansing oil.

This is what The Body Shop says about this face oil:

MOISTURE WHITE

OUR MOISTURE WHITE™ SHISO SKINCARE RANGE IS FORMULATED WITH SHISO, VITAMIN C AND LIQUORICE. THIS SKIN-LOVING SHISO COMPLEX TARGETS HYPERPIGMENTATION, IMPROVES LUMINOSITY AND EVENS SKIN TONE.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

This rinse-off cleansing oil removes make-up and impurities. It contains our unique shiso formula. Gently dissolves make-up and lifts away impurities Does not dry out skin Specially developed for Asian skin.  

(note -It was developed for Asian skin, but I think it works just fine on my normal skin type and the bottle says "All skin types")

This product is unlike anything I've ever tried. Your supposed to apply it to dry skin, rub it all over avoiding the eye areas. The way I do it is I add warm water to it slowly and continue to rub it really well and then rinse it off. When you add water it it starts to turn a milky white color. The bottle states that it is an oil-to-lotion formulation. After it's rinsed off, your face feels smooth and super soft, not at all greasy as you would imagine with an oil cleanser. After using this, I can't see myself using anything other than an oil cleanser to remove my makeup. It works THAT well! I haven't experienced and breakouts or clogged pores either.  

 This retails for $15, but The Body Shop is always having sales and right now you can get it for $9! So far, it was given 5 stars by other customers.  The only thing I would change about this product is the bottle, It has a hole that you can squeeze the product out of, the whole is large enough that you can just pour it out though and I think too much product comes out sometimes. That's the only con, but I have nothing but good things to say about the product itself. If your looking for a good cleansing oil to remove your makeup then definitely give this one a try. I rarely by the same product twice since I'm always looking for the next best thing, but I will definitely be repurchasing this!

Have any of you used a cleansing oil before? What's your go-to face wash?

Review - Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation

I'm a sucker for Maybelline foundations. I think I've tried almost all of them, so when this one came out I knew I had to try it. Here are my thoughts about it after 2 weeks of use.

One of my favorite features of this is the size, it's small and convenient and you can apply it with your fingers. I'm not a fan of using my fingers to apply makeup, but it's fine when your in a hurry. For a stick foundation, this bends pretty easily which I wasn't expecting. It dries fast though, so you literally have mere seconds to hurry and blend it in. Because if this I don't think it would be suitable for dry skin. Also, the coverage of this is light to medium. You may be able to build it a bit, but I don't think you can expect much more than medium coverage. Lasting power is maybe 5 hours at best. I did't use a powder to set it though because when I'm done applying it my face feels matte to the touch. I only set foundations that feel more wet/dewy. I think if you apply a loose setting powder you may be able to get an extra 2 hours out of this. Keep in mind, I have combo skin so I'm only a bit oily in the T-zone. I've heard people say this makeup doesn't work well on oily skin.

The middle of the stick contains a shine-free core, which is supposed to help give you a matte finish. The results after I apply it is definitely matte, it's just that it doesn't stay that way for too long. Overall, I do like this foundation. I think it's good for the summer time as long as you set it with a loose powder, but don't think it would work well in the winter when my skin is dryer. It would emphasize the dry spots. Also, I think this foundation is easier to apply if you apply a light moisturizer first, it helps it go on and blend easier.

This is right after apply the makeup. No setting powder, just blush and lip balm. I'm really impressed with the color match. If you follow my blog, you'll know that I ALWAYS have to mix my liquid foundations to get the color just right. The color of this was perfect for me straight out the tube. My color in this is 220 Natural beige. For comparison, I'm NC35 in MAC studio fix+

Have any of you tried this foundation? What do you think of it and what is your current favorite?

PS. Use coupon code 10OFF10 to save 10% off your $10 or more purchase in my shop. Good till 12pm tonight, domestic orders only.

Review - Revlon Nearly Naked

My friend gave me this foundation about 2 weeks ago. She said it was too light for her, but it's a perfect match for my NC 30-35 skintone.

What I like best about this foundation is that it feels light and has a thin consistancy but still offers great coverage. Like most of my foundations, I mix this one with my other foundations, but I have worn it by itself and like it just as much. When I mix it, I usually use Revlon's Age Rewind, but this foundation would be great mixed with Maybelline's Super Stay as well since the super stay is pretty thick on it's own and in my opionion needs a thinner foundation blended with it to work better. 

Another thing I really love about this foundation is it's neutral undertone. I find a lot of drugstore foundations have too much pink in them, but this one works perfectly for my yellow/olive undertones. Staying power is pretty good with this. I would say about 6 to 8 hours when I set it with loose powder, which I do regardless of what foundation I'm wearing. The finish of this is is really natural and would be best desscribed as a satin finish.

The swatch above is lightly blended and the one below is just swipped on.

Have any of you tried this one? What's your current foundation?

Review - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade

I have been using this highlighter non-stop since I got it 2 weeks ago. I really love using a highlighter for the night, but I always stuck to golden shades like MAC's Golden Bronze or Elf's Golden (great dupe for MAC's Golden Bronze by the way!). 

I went to MAC with 3 different highlighter's in mind, but just my luck they only had the MSF in Lightscapade  in stock. It actually worked out though because I love it!! I wanted a highlighter I could wear during the day and at work and this one is perfect. 

It's not glittery or even shimmery, I would best describe it as a natural sheen. It's super finely milled and doesn't have a single speck of glittery or chunkiness to it, if that makes sense. It looks completely natural on and just gives you a nice glow and really shows off your cheekbones nicely. I don't find that it makes your pores look larger either like how some highlighters can do.

I heavily swatched it here and then rubbed it on my wrist once without blending so you could actually see it. When I apply it to my face, I just lightly blend it on the top of my cheekbones and then slightly blend it down just a tiny bit and then apply blush. I like applying the highlighter first because when I go to apply the blush it gives it a sort of gradient effect and the top part of the blush will a have a bit of shimmer to it due to the highlighter and then it gets more matte on the lower part of my cheek. Did I explain that too much? lol it probably sounds weird now haha, but hopefully you know what I mean. 

So this is hands down my favorite daytime highlighter and I would buy it again and again, but I don't think I'll run out anytime soon. I really think it would work well on any skintone too, so if your looking for a highlighter definitely give this one a try.

What's your favorite highlighter, have you tried this one?