Shades of Purple: Ombre Nails

Since I happen to own every shade of purple known to [wo]man, I came to the brilliant conclusion that I had just the right tools to try the ombre trend.  This is my first attempt, and I'm pretty happy with it.  I originally had my index finger a different color, but I didn't like the transition so much.

Thumb: Violeta by Sonia Kashuk 

Index and middle finger: Play Date by Essie

Ring finger and pinky: Provence by Revlon Colorstay

Revlon clear topcoat

Doing this has served as some sort of experiment.  It has shown me the wearability of different brands of polish.  Essie was the first to chip, then Sonia Kashuk, making the Revlon Colorstay the winner. I will definitely be buying more from that line, especially since they're considerably cheaper than the other brands. 

Now, if only Revlon had Essie's color selection...

-Jillian

Review: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfecter (BB Cream)

Garnier was among the first drugstore brands to adopt the BB cream beauty craze, and I hated their original formula, as it was too greasy for my oily skin and caused a few break-outs.  When I saw this one that just recently hit drugstores, I was intrigued by how it's marketed for those with combination to oily skin and claims to control oil.  After reading the box about 100 times and a bunch of good reviews from the users in the UK (where it was first released), I was convinced.  Let's just say Garnier got it right this time!

It's oil-free and non-comodogenic, which are two pluses for me.  I have not had any break-outs from this product.  I think Garnier anticipated the success of this product, as they released it in three shades, as opposed to the one shade of the original formula.  It comes in light/medium, medium/deep, and deep.  I have tried two out of the three shades.  At first, I purchased the light/medium shade, which was a bit too light for my face.  While it didn't look all that bad, since it blended fairly well, you could still tell it was a little too white for my face.  I returned it and went with the medium/deep shade.  This one worked out perfectly for me!

Before I get into the details, let me just say something about BB creams.  I have tried so so so many.  So far, I've liked Dr. Jart's the best, with Maybelline's coming in second.  I've tried the one by Smashbox, but I didn't think it performed miracles for the price you pay for a 1 oz. tube.  Same goes for the Dr. Jart, despite how much I did like it.  BB creams have essentially just become a multi-purpose moisturizer mixed with foundations.  I feel like everyone's just slappin' "BB cream" on tinted moisturizers for marketing purposes.  I consider this new rendition of the Garnier BB cream to be just that.  However, it's my favorite "BB cream"/tinted moisturizer I've tried thus far; therefore, I don't really care what it is, because it just works for me.

It literally does everything it says.  It's a bit watery and runny, so you have to be careful with storage and squeezing it out.  Once you rub it in, it starts to set and takes on a thicker consistency.  It has a matte finish once it's set.  I'm not going to lie, I might like this better than my foundation.  It's invisible on the skin, and does a good job at minimizing my imperfections. I only need a bit of under-eye concealer.  It definitely takes care of discolorations and gives you a nice even-tone.  I love that it has SPF in it too, since my foundation doesn't.  SPF 20 is better than nothing!  It really does keep my oil at bay for a few hours too, which is extremely rare for products.  

Here are the swatches of the two shades I tried (taken in fluorescent lighting w/ flash)

light/medium

When I initially squeezed the color out of the tube, I knew it would be too light.  While I am pasty, this just looked way too white for me.  It did brighten up my complexion, but was a lot harder to blend into my skin than the medium/deep.

(This is the amount I use for my entire face)

medium/deep

This shade is more light/medium than medium/deep to me.  This shade blends invisibly into my skin.  Just keep in mind that their shades run pretty light.

(I squeezed too much out here)

I would highly recommend this product!  I've even used this as a base for my foundation.  I just use less of it when I use it for this purpose.  I especially love using this for my no-fuss makeup days (most days of the week since I'm currently unemployed). It really is a skin perfecter!

Hope you guys enjoy this product as much as I am.  Share your thoughts with me and feel free to ask any questions.

-Jillian

Current Skincare Saviors

No amount of makeup can make me feel pretty when I am having skin issues; therefore, skincare is even more important to me than makeup.  I want to look good when I wake up in the morning... Who doesn't?  I want my skin to be glowing and flawless without makeup.  Again, who doesn't?  We use makeup to accentuate our natural beauty, and our skin serves as a canvas for our makeup; why would you paint a canvas that wasn't clean?  My skin is nowhere near perfect; it is stubborn and needs a lot of tending to for it to behave.

When it comes to my skincare routine, there is nothing constant about it.  There are very few skincare products that I repurchase and use religiously.  However, more recently, I feel that my skincare routine is better than it's ever been.  My skin qualifies as oily, and I, unfortunately, have pretty large pores.  Due to this, I have the dreadful nose blackheads, and I get the occasional forehead and chin blemishes.  At least once a month, I get a monstrous pimple that is painful and stubborn and leaves behind a lovely post-acne mark every...single...time (even if I don't mess with it).  So, I do have a bit of unevenness and a few acne scars.  These are the products that have seemed to alleviate these skin problems of mine.

From left to right: 

Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

I use this as my daily moisturizer.  It hydrates my skin without making it feel oily.  It's marketed for those with blemish-prone oily skin, which epitomizes my skin-type.  It claims to promote surface renewal, balance oil production, tone, and tighten.  I get a blemish at the first sign of humidity, which is unfortunate for me, being that I live in Texas.  This, along with a toner, does a good job of keeping my skin hydrated and soft.  As for controlling oil, I don't think it quite lives up to that claim, but I have other things for that anyway.

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller

While this product isn't necessarily skin-care, per se, it is a very important part of my morning skincare routine.  I have been using this thing for about four years, so this product is the winner for being able to stick around the longest.  It's an eye roller with concealer, and I think this is the most genius product!  Instantly, my eyes look brighter and more awake.  This came in handy in college when I pulled all-nighters.  It has caffeine, which supposedly makes the eyes look more awake.  I honestly just think the concealer's pretty awesome.  It comes in two shades: sheer tint and medium/deep.  I am on the pale side, but during the summer, I started using the medium/deep shade, and I found that it matches my skin-tone better year-round.  I do hate that obvious concealer look you get when you put a concealer that's too light under your eyes.  Let's not forget Eva, who was featured in a previous blog post about under-eye concealer (here)...

The sheer tint was a bit too light for me, but can be great if used as a concealer base.  I think if it was too light for me, it might be too light for most.  My only downside to this product is that it is pretty unfriendly to travel with.  The product is pretty runny, and it tends to leak out of the rollerball when it gets tossed around in a travel bag.  It should be stored upright, so keep that in mind.  This is a huge bummer for me, because it's probably my most essential travel product.  While it may run you about $11 at the drugstore, this product will last you a good four to five months, depending on how often you use it, of course.  I use it in the morning and as needed throughout the day (when my under-eye area looks a little like I just got up from a nap, or my mascara's giving me raccoon eyes).

Josie Maran Argan Oil

Being that I have oily skin, applying an oil to my skin just always seemed counterintuitive to me.  I finally set all skepticism aside, and when Sephora put out this travel-size of the infamous Josie Maran Argan Oil, I decided it'd be worth a shot.  After reading about a lot of people with oily skin becoming avid skin oil users, my curiosity got the best of me.  What is incredible about this product is its versatility.  It can be used on your hair, cuticles, and body.  I mainly use it as a face moisturizer at night.  I use it during the day too when I have some flakes on my skin, and just a little drop does the trick.  My skin has an instant glow and seems to be balanced all day.  

Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I use this eye cream at night and in the morning, and I really do love it.  There's "natural optic brighteners" in it, which is a fancy way of saying that it has some really fine shimmer to it.  I hate glitter products, but the shimmer is so fine that it really gives your eye area a natural highlight.  I originally bought this, because my eye area looks so puffy and dry in the morning.  This product definitely did reduce the dark circles and relieved a bit of the puffiness.  I am going to start keeping this in the fridge, and I think it'll do an even better job of relieving puffiness.  

Origins Super Spot Remover

I will never try another spot treatment again...well, maybe.  This product is amazing! I have tried everything when it comes to spot treatments, and this is the only one that has actually worked.  When  I notice the first signs of a pimple, I dab this on it, and it prevents it from ever making its way to the surface of your skin.  Around my college graduation, I felt one of those stubborn, monstrous pimples forming under the skin, and I put this on it twice a day, and that thing never showed its face!  I am forever grateful to this product because of that.  It is just truly amazing.  This is the only spot treatment that I feel confident recommending.  It's a pretty tiny bottle and will run you about $15, but I think it's totally worth it.

Clarisonic Mia

I have been using this for about 3 years.  At first, I'll admit, I didn't see much an improvement in my skin and got a little frustrated when I experienced the whole "worse before better" stage.  However, after you get past that, your skin does indeed get the cleanest of clean with this.  The only annoying part is keeping up with changing the brush head.  I do feel that this contributes to the overall clarity and toning of my skin.  When I set this aside for a few months, I definitely noticed that my skin wasn't nearly as soft or clean.  I will never use my hands again! Okay, I'm lying.  I do when I'm lazy, but I do try to use my Mia in the morning and at night, because it really does help with the blackheads on my nose and my overall skin appearance.

BareMinerals Deep Cleansing Foam

This cleanser has been repurchased the most of all the many cleansers I have tried.  I buy the travel size at Ulta for about $12.  This smaller size lasts me at least four months.  Most products say you only need a pea size amount, and they usually don't foam up with that little veggie-sized amount, but this one really does. I use it with my Mia, and my skin immediately feels incredibly soft.  It does NOT strip my skin of moisture, and this is the only cleanser I have ever used that actually does something for my skin.  It is vital, to me, that my cleanser is gentle enough to be used on the eye area like this one.  Even after using an eye makeup remover, there's always traces of mascara that need a little help coming off.  This cleanser is perfect, and I think it would work for any skin type. 

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner

I have just recently added this to my skincare routine, and it has easily become my favorite part!  I put some on a cotton round, and smooth it all over my face, neck, shoulders, and even my upper back (where my hair touches all day).  It feels so refreshing and cooling.  This will be especially loved as it starts to get warmer outside.  I use this when I get out of the shower, after a run, and at night.  Adding this toner to my skincare routine was definitely a good decision, as I saw some improvement in my skin texture and tone immediately.  I believe this has also contributed to keeping my skin clear this past month.  I'd always ignored the whole "after cleansing AND toning" instructions that are usually on serums and moisturizers, but now I understand why they say that.  Since I've added a toner to my skincare routine, I've noticed that my moisturizer seems to work better.  This particular toner is pretty magnificent too!  I decided to get a drugstore toner as my trial toner, and I actually love this one and will definitely continue to buy.  Although, I think it is in the process of being discontinued, because I can literally only find this at Target; everywhere else only carries it online.  

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

I have been using this mask for about eight months.  This is an incredible mask for those with oily skin and clogged pores.  I use this once or twice a week, depending on how my skin is acting.  My pores look smaller and the blackheads on my nose are less visible.  It helps keep my skin clear, especially when it is showing signs of acting up.  

and I almost forgot my favorite make-up remover wipes....

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

These wipes are the best!  They can be used as a cleansing substitute for a night out, when you feel way too lazy (maybe tipsy) to do the whole routine.  These are the most effective at removing my mascara, compared to the Neutrogena and the Up and Up Target brand, which were my former favorites.  They are also very wet, which is what you'd expect of a makeup wipe, but I've tried many that just aren't wet enough.  These are perfect, and I have actually repurchased them several times.  Not only do I use these on my lazy nights, but I do use these every night that I have makeup to take off, as I like to have a makeup-free face prior to cleansing.  

Well, there's my skincare routine.  Like I said, I'm always trying new products.  However, I do think it is important to keep your skincare constant, and I'm working on it.  I am trying my best to put all my insatiability aside and do what's best for my skin, but it can be hard with all the innovative products coming out, with their appealing and outlandish claims!

If you have any questions about the products, feel free to ask, as I'd be more than happy to answer!

-Jillian

Soap & Glory Hand Food: Quick Review

I always have a problem with hand creams, since there's nothing worse, to me, than having an oily residue on your hands. I'm desperate for one though, since my cuticles are always dry.  I purchased the smaller size of this, and have been using it for a month so far.  I will probably continue to buy the smaller size, since it fits more conveniently in my purse.  It is a non-greasy hand cream with shea butter, macadamia oil, and marshmallow.  Marshmallow???

This hand cream is almost perfect.  My hands have never been in better condition, and it leaves them feeling so soft.  I apply this whenever I start to notice my cuticles are looking a little dry, or when I'm just bored.  I rub it all over my hands and massage it into my cuticles.  It dissolves completely into the skin within a minute, and there is absolutely no trace of residue left of my hands.  My only con about it is the smell.  It neither smells good or bad; however, it is subtle enough to tolerate.  I just wish it smelled good, of course.

I would definitely recommend this, especially for the cold-weather months that can be harsh on the hands.  The appearance of my cuticles has improved significantly, and I'll definitely be repurchasing this product.  It's only $6 for the small size!

Essie's Merino Cool

-Jillian

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation vs. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation

excuse the empty UD foundation...

While I should be job searching, I decided to do a foundation review.

These two contenders have been raved about across the beauty universe. MUFE's HD foundation does have the advantage over UD's Naked Skin, being that it has been out much longer.  Here's my recent foundation history...

I was using bareMinerals, which I have a love-hate relationship with.  I was always afraid to use a liquid foundation, because the thought of slappin' some liquid skin on my face just intimidated me, whereas a lightweight mineral powder just seemed more safe for my acne-prone skin. However, bareMinerals just did not do my skin very much justice.  It didn't have the best coverage, and it was definitely visible on my skin.  After much skepticism, I finally decided to get brave after all the hype I'd heard about MUFE's HD foundation, and I stepped into the liquid foundation world.  MUFE's HD Foundation was like my first love; therefore, I keep going back to it.

Once UD released the Naked Skin Foundation, I just had to try it.  Being a HUGE fan of the Naked eyeshadow palettes, I had to see what this was about.  The name in itself was everything I wanted: a foundation that looked like my bare nakie skin.  What I'd liked about the HD foundation was that it claimed to be invisible on the skin, which it was, but being as insatiable as I am, I wanted to try something else with the notion that it could possibly be better. So, I went out and bought the Naked Skin after a few weeks of it being on the market and reading great reviews about it. 

Here's how it's gonna go: I will review MUFE's HD foundation first, and then come in with UD's and the comparisons.

MUFE HD Foundation

Coverage  

The HD claims to be a medium-to-full coverage foundation, and the coverage is extremely buildable.  You don't need much at all for your entire face.  I use maybe a quarter size for my face, and, if my skin is behaving, I usually don't need any more than that.  As for concealer, I don't need much at all with this foundation.  Usually, I just need under-eye concealer unless I have a stubborn blemish.  The foundation itself does a pretty good job at covering little blemishes.  I have a few acne scars, and it blurs them flawlessly.

Wear

The foundation does not claim to be long-lasting.  My skin is oily, so I've always had trouble with my foundation practically disappearing within a few hours of wearing it. I will admit, I have to blot my skin a few times throughout the day, but it does seem to keep my skin looking good all day.  I apply Maybelline's Dream Matte finishing powder over all my foundations, which I'm not quite sure gives me a dreamy matte look for more than maybe an hour...  Let me tell you, this foundation photographs extremely well, just as it claims. My skin always looks pretty decent on camera when I'm wearing this foundation.  It claims to "create a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight.  It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting." Sounds like it's for someone who's always followed by the paparazzi, which I am, of course...(joke).  

Breakouts

I've gone through an entire bottle of this, and I never had any pore-clogging problems.  It is oil-free, which is a plus.  Although, it does not advertise to be "non-comodogenic," I asked the Sephora "expert," and she claims it is.  

Shades

It comes in 25 shades, which is awesome!  I use the shade N125-Sand, which is for light skin with beige undertones.  It matches my skin perfectly, and, I can say with confidence that there is a shade for everyone.

Overall

I would definitely recommend this foundation, as it does seem to live up to the hype it gets.  I have never heard anyone say that they did not like it.  It is truly worth a try if you're looking for a natural, yet flawless finish.  Even if you think this may be too much for every-day wear, it is great for going out and taking pictures. I guarantee your skin will glow in pictures.  It is just beautiful, and is my current foundation favorite (spoiler alert). 

I have also tried MUFE's Mat Velvet +, since my skin is more on the oily side.  However, the HD foundation seems to have a more velvet-y texture than the Mat Velvet. I think I would've loved the Mat Velvet had I not already tried the HD foundation.  While I did like it, it just didn't give the same effect as the HD.

Natural lighting, wearing MUFE HD

UD Naked Skin Foundation

Coverage

This product does not explicitly state its coverage level.  Instead, it claims to be "customizable."  While I do agree with this claim, I believe it's a medium-coverage foundation.  I felt that the more I added, of course, the more visible it became, so I tried to use as little as possible, since I was looking for the natural look. It also claims to photograph well, but I feel that the MUFE HD gives a more flawless appearance on camera.  This foundation is extremely watery, which may contribute to it's thin texture and, ultimately, needing more for better coverage. It did cover my flaws pretty well, but I did find I needed a bit more concealer for discoloration, whereas the MUFE usually took care of my uneven skin tone.  This foundation did look really good in the sunlight, and it was virtually invisible.   

Wear

What I like most about the foundation is its demi-matte finish, meaning that it's just the right amount of matte, just the right amount of dewy.  I will say the finish is absolutely beautiful.  I did receive compliments on my skin when wearing this foundation.

Breakouts

I had more of a problem with breakouts with this foundation than with the HD foundation.  After finishing my bottle, I switched back to the HD foundation, and I have noticed less breakouts and pore clogging.  

Shades

It comes in 18 shades.  The BIG mistake that I made was listening to the Sephora employee when she recommended the 4.0 shade, which worked for me at first, but later, I noticed it was a little too yellow for me.  Then, I read on the Sephora site that the shades ending in .0 are warm tones, while the shades ending in .5 are cool tones;  I am more on the cool than warm side.  I made the shade work, even though it seemed to be a bit too yellow for me.  So, keep that in mind when choosing a shade.  

** Tip: If silver jewelry looks better on you, you are cool-toned; if gold jewelry looks better, you're more warm-toned

Overall

I think this is a great foundation. It had some pretty stiff competition, but it is truly a good product, nonetheless.  I think if I had chosen the right shade, I would've had an even better experience with it.  I think this product would be really good for aging skin, with its collagen boosting and moisturizing ingredients.  

Natural lighting, wearing UD Naked Skin

While the Urban Decay bottle can be a bit misleading since it's much larger, both these foundations come in a 1 fl. oz. bottles.  The UD is $38, while the MUFE HD is a bit more at $42. 

Both foundations are great products, and I would recommend both.  Everyone's skin is different, and I found that the HD worked better for my skin.

What are your favorite foundations?  Any recommendations for oily skin?

My next victim: 

-Jillian

Essie's Mochacino

I was a little skeptical about the way this color would look on my nails, despite its beauty in the bottle.  However, it looks absolutely beautiful on my nails.  The pictures do not do it justice.  I have already gotten so many compliments on the color.  A lot of people think it's shellac, since the finely granulated shimmer gives it some dimension.  I think it's going to be my go-to taupe color! It definitely needs a minimum of two coats to get a opaque color.  I also added a top-coat for extra shine.

 natural light, no flash
(This picture makes it appear a bit darker than it really is)

 Without sunlight, with flash

I know it has been so long since I've posted, but school has been dominating my life even more than usual lately.  I had 5 exams in the past 2 weeks.  I guess that's what happens when you take 18 hours!  I asked for it, but I'd do whatever it takes to expedite my graduation! I'm going to play catch-up on posting these next few days because I am currently on "Fall Break".  Fall Break, meaning that I don't have class on Thursday or Friday.  Why they make it seem like a big deal and call it Fall Break, I don't know, but I guess I can't complain that I got out of two days of class. 

 

Until later today,

 

Jillian 

Mani Monday: Essie's Angora Cardi

As promised...

I think this has easily become my go-to color.  It is such a unique color, and I'll probably have this on my nails way too much this season!

p.s.
I just noticed that my blog is very nail polish-dominated right now.  I'll work on that; I've been a bit of a nail freak lately. 

-Jillian

Essie Fall Haul: Chinchilly, Mochacino, Merino Cool, & Angora Cardi

So, I went a little nail polish crazy at Target yesterday.  While my Target was all sold out of the new Fall line Essie just put out, I found some great colors for Fall that are part of their permanent collection that I've had my eye on for a while.

 Top to bottom: Chinchilly, Mochacino, Merino Cool, & Angora Cardi

A Closer Look

Chinchilly 

as gray as gray gets.  The photos don't differentiate it well enough from Merino Cool, but the difference is that Chinchilly is slate-gray, whereas Merino Cool has a purple undertone.  The Essie site describes it as a sleek granite gray.  Sleek granite, huh? Trust me, it's that classic gray you need in your Fall nail polish collection.

Mochacino 

a taupe color with silver shimmer.  Essie's site describes it as "a perky gray with shimmer."  I am still apprehensive about how this color will look on, but it sure does look pretty in the bottle.

 Merino Cool

You can never have too many versions of gray, I suppose.  This is another gray, except this one is more of a smoked dark purple to me. What separates it from Chinchilly is that it is a darker charcoal gray with a purple undertone. 

Angora Cardi 

This one is my favorite of the bunch (spoiler alert: guess which one I'll paint my nails first).  It is a gorgeous color.  I would describe it as a burgundy-maroon color.  The Essie site, however, describes it as a creamy dusty rose.  I was curious about what Angora was and how it could be a type of cardi, so I Googled it.  It's a type of wool (along with many other definitions, but I assumed the wool went best with "cardi").  I'm very curious as to who gets paid to come up with these names and descriptions! What a job!

Of course, the O.P.I. names are a lot more ambiguous.  I'm convinced there's a jar of puns they just pull out of when they come up with a new color.  There's a color called "Uh-oh Roll Down the Window." I hardly find names that actually reflect the corresponding color.  Like that matters...

Anyway, I have only swatched the colors on individual nails, but stay tuned to see what they look like on!

-Jillian

Happy October!

I didn't even realize that today was October 1st until I got a little reminder on my phone to pay the rent (yippee).  I am really bad at remembering which months have only 30 days, and usually the first of the following month always sneaks up on me.  Anyway, it was a pretty day today, until it rained.  I do enjoy the rain, but only if I'm at home, cuddled up in bed, watching movies.  I don't particularly enjoy the rain when I'm having to drive to-and-from and walk around campus (without an umbrella). I wore my new Merona scarf for the first time today, making it obvious that I was excited for the mere five degree-drop.

I love the month of October!  Texas is pretty Summer-dominated, so it does still feel like Summer in the beginning of October.  But, it's actually cooling down sooner this year, and I am so eager for the cooler weather. I should probably bite my tongue because it's likely to be in the mid 90's by the end of the week.

When I think of October, I think of the obvious... pumpkins.  I'm willing to bet I'm not the only one.  I get a little too excited when they put out the pumpkin display at the grocery store.  I WILL carve a pumpkin this year! We used to do it all the time back home, and my mom would bake the pumpkin seeds.  Since I've been feeling so nostalgic lately, I think I'll carry on the tradition.  Plus, it's really fun to play around with all the mushy stuff inside the pumpkins.  Yes, this is what I look forward to all year...

Happy October!   May you all pay your rent on time and carve a pumpkin!

-Jillian
 

Just another Mani-c Monday: Essie's Ladylike

I know I said the next color I was going to paint my nails was Berlin There Done That by O.P.I., but I can't find it anywhere right now!  Then, I remembered how much I loved Essie's Lady Like, so I saved myself a few bucks and used a Fall color I already owned.  I bought this color back in January, and I am in love with it!  It's the perfect shade if you're looking to do a classy nude nail for Fall, but don't wanna go in the khaki direction; this color is far from khaki with it's pretty pink undertone.  Essie's site describes it as an elegant soft mauve, but I have a feeling that Essie just likes the word "mauve" because it seems to be in the description of most of their colors that, to me, do not even remotely resemble mauve.  Mauve is more purple than pink, and this color is definitely a muted or grayed pink shade.

I did just learn in my physio psych class that we all have different versions of colors.  If you were spoiled as a kid, and your parents bought you the biggest box of crayons, you have a much wider array of colors your eyes can distinguish.  If your parents didn't love you as much, and you got the box of eight colors, you just can't see as many colors... (joke).

Aside from all the color confusion,  I think Lady-like is the perfect name for this color because lady-like indeed it is.

Also, I just bought this cuticle remover by Sally Hansen.  Having horrible cuticles, I can't believe I'm just now deciding to tend to them. This stuff is pretty cool.  I think the thing I love most about it is the smell.  Smells like cucumbers.  It's extremely moisturizing and, for the most part, you can just massage your cuticles away!  It doesn't work miracles on the first use, but I can tell that with continuous use, I should have some good-lookin' cuticles.

Since I'm new to cuticle care, does anyone have a good cuticle remover/cuticle care they recommend?

September Favorites: Beauty

Fa la la la Fall is here, and I couldn't be more excited!  The colors, the smells, the weather, the cozy clothes...I could go on and on about the things I love about the Fall.  Oh yeah, can't forget, your's truly is graduating this semester.  It hasn't hit me yet and probably won't until I start actually doing graduation things...pictures, invitations, etc.

Here are the things I've been loving recently (and some for quite a while now).

I separated my beauties into categories: face, lips, and eyes, so you could get a closer look. 

Face

• Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer palette - I just recently purchased this, but I didn't need to use it but for a few days to know this would become my favorite concealer of all time.  It comes with 2 concealer shades, a neutralizer, and a setting powder.  Can be found at Target for about $11.
• Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - I love this powder to set my foundation.  It's non-comodogenic, oil free, and doesn't look cakey at all.  I use the the color beige, but it's honestly just a translucent powder 
• Real Techniques Powder Brush and Stippling Brush - They are so incredibly soft and are of professional quality. The best part: they are both only about $10 (Ulta). 
• Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation - some stiff competish for Makeup Forever's HD Foundation (still not sure which I like better).  Nevertheless, UD's Naked Skin is great and worth a try.  I use the color 4.0.
• NARS Laguna Bronzer - my perfect au naturale bronzer; bronzer is definitely a year-round staple product
• NARS Orgasm Illuminator - I apply this to my cheekbones on top of my foundation, and it gives me the prettiest glow.  I like this especially in the summer, as I think the gold shimmer looks especially pretty when I'm more on the tan side.  However, I do like it even in my paler months.
• Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Exposed - perfect year-round blush, but I particularly love this color for Fall... a beautiful bronzed rose with mauve undertones.  Lovely, just lovely. Plus, it has proven to be long-wear for me, even as humid as it's been here lately.
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser - great creamy under-eye concealer!  (see full review here)

Lips

• Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in Sunbaked - sheer mauve color, perfect consistency (not sticky at all but not too watery). 
• Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honeysuckle - a hint of nude tint for the lips; very moisturizing
• Revlon ColorStay Mineral Lipglaze in Eternal Rose (top) and Timeless Nude (bottom) - these glazes are comparable to the NARS lipglosses, and I don't think they get enough hype!  I can wear Eternal Rose alone, but I sometimes mix Timeless Nude with other colors since it's a bit peachy for my taste.  It's still a nice color, but I prefer pinky nudes as opposed to peachy.  These are great longwear glosses and are very moisturizing.  Been a cult favorite of mine for years.
• MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Modesty - my very first MAC lipstick.  I'm sold on their cremesheens! Amazing! This is the perfect nude pink for Fall; MAC site describes it as a muted pink
• L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude and Plush Plum - For me, these were so much better than the Revlon Lip Butters!  L'Oreal only came out with 8 colors in this collection, and I have fallen in love with every single color I've purchased (I own 4).  These 2 happen to be my favorite.  These are so moisturizing! My lips have never been in better condition because I'm constantly slathering these on my lips.  BEWARE: not long-lasting at all (but I suppose I wouldn't expect that of a balm anyway).

Eyes

• Urban Decay NAKED Palette - The greatest eyeshadow palette known to man (woman) needs no justification.  I've had this same palette since it first came out a couple years back (hence the fading of the gold letters), and I am just now running out of my favorite colors.
• Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner in Spiced Chocolate - the perfect brown liner. I like this on my waterline, or smudged on my lower lash line.  This product is genius because it comes with the smudger on the tip, and you can pull off the smudger to reveal a handy sharpener.  Why don't all crayon liners have this?
• Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackened Brown - easiest-to-use liquid liner award... seriously, I don't have the steadiest hand, and I can create the perfect winged eyeliner with this
• Tweezerman Eyelash Curler - I was in need of a new eyelash curler being that I had been using my Revlon one since the 8th grade (whoa).  This one works great!  I've noticed that my eyelashes keep their curl.
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige - great worn alone or as an eyeshadow base in conjunction with the NAKED palette
• NARS Pro Prime Eye Shadow Primer - crease-proofs my eyeshadow like no other, and I have the oiliest lids
• Covergirl Lash Perfection Mascara - great every-day volumizing mascara for clean definition
• Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara - slightly less dramatic than the Lash Perfection; I like this better than the Maybelline Megaplush
• Jemma Kidd I-Design Eye Color in Vintage - perfect all over lid color
• P.S. Jemma Kidd went out of business, and all these shadows were $4 at Target, compared to the original $16-$18.  Talk about a steal!

Also, I recently decided to donate my favorite Target coffee mug to my makeup brushes!   I got this mug on clearance for $2!  Multi-purpose at it's finest.

Welp, there you have it...the many beauty items I've been loving.  Sorry so lengthy. Let me know your thoughts and some of your favorites for Fall.

The scarf I used as the background for the products is from Target and is currently on clearance for $10.48.  I adore the pattern and love the Fall colors!

Now, if only Texas would hurry up and get cool! 

Happy Fall!
 -Jillian

Nail of the Moment: O.P.I's Manicurist of Seville (my perfect Fall red)

I picked this beautiful color up the other day.  I wanted a new red for fall to replace my dried up Chick Flick Cherry (OPI), and this color caught my eye.  What I love most about it is that it has a magenta undertone to it.  With 2 coats, this color turned out to be really beautiful.  After painting my nails, I realized that I usually don't transition into the reds until November-December.  For some reason, it's always been that way with me.  I just think I was so anxious for Fall this year that I kinda jumped the gun.  Usually for September-October, I like wearing a lot of taupe and gray shades on my nails.  Weird that I have this sort of schedule, I know.  Anyway, if you are looking for the perfect red color that's far from the orange-red spectrum, I say go for this one!

Next to try: O.P.I Berlin There Done That 

...a beautiful taupe color from the Germany collection. Stay tuned!

-Jillian

Dry Shampoo 101: Pssssst, Batiste, Suave, and Tresemme

I know I'm not alone when I say that dry shampoo has to be one of the greatest inventions in the beauty world. My hair has always taken the longest in my beauty routine.  When I have to do all the works (wash, blow-dry, and straighten or curl), it can get up to over an hour spent on just my hair.  This is why I rely so heavily on dry shampoo, especially since my hair seems to get oily by the day after washing.

TRESemme Fresh Start was the very first dry shampoo I tried.  This dry shampoo resulted in a very skewed perception of what a dry shampoo should do.  It made my hair even more oily-looking with the nasty residue it left behind.  I realize that most dry shampoos go on gray, but it was particularly difficult to blend in the powder with this one, making it impossible for me to completely get rid of the gray hue on my hair.  Having black hair, this didn't go over well with me. This was a complete MISS for me.  

After about a year of practically boycotting dry shampoo from the bad first impression, I came across the Suave one and decided to give it a shot.  Hallelujah! This is a great drugstore dry shampoo, costing only about $3.  The smell really caught me offguard after trying the TRESemme.  I was expecting the same hairspray alcohol-y smell, but it ended up smelling like apricots (to me...it may smell like some other fruit to the next person).  This was extremely easy to blend in the gray color and did not leave a heavy residue behind.  My only con for this one is that it seems to run out extremely quickly!  I think they need to recall their packaging also because their spray can is faulty.  I took this on a trip twice, and each time, the entire can leaked.  When I took it out of my travel bag, I had an empty can and a bunch of apricot-smelling products.  I thought it was maybe the particular can I bought, but it happened to me with two different cans.  I just had to be sure it was kept upright if I took it with me on trips (which is harder than it sounds).  Other than that, it's excellent value for the price.

Based on some great reviews on the Batiste dry shampoo, I decided to give it a try.  This one quickly became the best I'd tried, blowing the TRESemme and Suave out of the water.  It is a little more expensive than the typical drugstore dry shampoo brands, running about $7-8, but I found it to be worth it.  I have only tried the original scent/formula, and it smells so fresh.  They do have a rose scent also, but I stay away from anything rose-scented since it anything rose screams "old lady" to me.  It is easy to blend the powder, and it's long-lasting (a quality I had yet to experience in the two I'd tried).  I have found that with the Suave, my hair will regain its oiliness within hours, while this one usually lasts me all day.  So, you pay more, but in the end, it evens out since you don't have to keep reapplying it.  Usually this is how it works with all products you find yourself paying more for.  I have repurchased this dry shampoo 3 times.  This brand can be found at Ulta or HEB (Texas).

I just recently purchased the travel size Pssssst dry shampoo at Ulta for only $3.  I had heard amazing things about this one, but I was stubborn to try it since I felt I'd found my match with the Batiste.  However, I ended up liking this one more.  I am still working on the travel size, but I've been meaning to pick up a full size of this because it's truly amazing.  This totally embodies the perfect dry shampoo for me.  From the scent to the formula, it's great.  If I were to recommend any dry shampoo to anyone, it'd be this one.  While the Batiste is still a great contender, this one seemed to prevail!  To me, this one goes on the least gray and has the freshest scent (even better than the Batiste).The best part is, it is only $6 for the full size can, so it ends up being a little cheaper than the Batiste.  I have only seen this brand at Ulta so far.  

So there you have my experience with dry shampoo.  Hope this helps you decide which one to try. 

Until next time,
Jillian

It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask Vs. Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque

 

Starting with the It's a 10 Miracle Mask...I must say, this is indeed a good product.  As for doing all the things it says it's supposed to do, maybe not so much.  You can only assume that it's supposed to work miracles if it does all the things it claims to do: detangles, restores moisture balance, instantly restores elasticity, softens, smoothes, imparts luminous shine, enhances natural body, nourishes, defrizzes, improves color vibrancy.  That's everything anyone could ever want from a hair product.  This retails for about $25.  I got mine at Target, but I've also seen this brand at HEB (if you're in Texas) and Ulta.

Most of it's claims do go hand-in-hand (smoothness, softness, detangling). Well, I would HOPE that it would detangle my hair, but I would expect that of just about any conditioner.  I suppose the 10 promises are all a part of the cheesy brand name.  Anyway, this is a great deep conditioner.  However, I don't think it is as great a MASK as the Macadamia.  For me, a mask should be buttery and thick.  The consistency of this is exactly like that of your typical every-day conditioner, so I used this more as an oomph every other wash rather than a deep-penetrating hair mask. To me, a hair mask should be used less often due to its effectiveness and intensity, which brings me to... 

The winner: Macadamia Deep Repair Masque

 

First of all, it uses the fancy French spelling for "mask" ..."masque."  Well, that's appealing (who cares?).  You will find yourself paying a bit more for Macadamia (retails for about $30: at HEB, Target, and Ulta); however, it is truely worth the splurge if you're in the market for a miracle.  Yes, I know the It's a 10 is called "miracle mask", but I think it falls short of a miracle in comparison to the miraculous macadamia masque.  It is extremely buttery and thick and has a pretty similar smell to the It's a 10.  Both fragrances are soapy to me, but still pleasant nonetheless.  I use this mask once a week, leaving it on for seven minutes.  I still use my regular conditioner beforehand to get all the tangles out.  Afterwards, my hair feels so soft and flexible!  I've noticed that when I use this, my hair air dries more gracefully, with less fro and frizz. I would not repurchase the Miracle Mask by It's a 10 because I feel that the Garnier and Aussie deep conditioners work just as well, if not better, and you pay a fraction of the price for those alternatives. 

Ulta offers a sample size of the macadamia masque for about $4, and it's good for about 3-4 uses, which allows you to gauge whether or not you'll like it enough to spend the $30 on the full size (I find myself really taking advantage of Sephora and Ulta's little sample sizes). 

until next time,

Jillian

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Product Claim
When it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two. This gentle, frothy face wash carefully does both jobs without canceling each other out. Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched.
Broad leaf kelp extract discourages excess oil production while wheat protein balances and protects dry-prone zones.

My experience
This product got so many "OMG, THIS IS THE BEST FACE WASH EVER" reviews on the Origins and Sephora sites.  Welp, can't say it was as magical for me as it was for those ranters.  I do feel that we all have different skin types, so I understand that what works miracles for someone else may not work miracles for me and vise versa.  I still like trying products that people rant about, since they are more likely to be good than bad.  Although, this product did not exactly do what it claims to do.  It claims to balance out your dry and oily spots, so it is presumably for the combo skin people like me.  This product does indeed foam up nicely, BUT the thing that scared me the most was that, upon rinsing it off, my skin felt so stripped of moisture.  When I see a product that claims to give me balance, I don't expect to be stripped dry.  My hands even felt extremely dry while rinsing this product off (there was some intense friction when I rubbed them together).  My skin is more on the oily side of the combo skin spectrum, so you would think I would like this aspect.  The product claims that it "discourages excess oil production".  This, it does NOT do!  I felt that my skin produced more oil because it was stripped completely dry.  While the nice non-shiny face looks good right after washing your face, it doesn't last very long at all once your sebaceous glands realize that they need to crank up the oil production to compensate for all the oil that was just washed down the drain.  As for the drier parts of my face, obviously, they just became drier. I did not feel like my skin was any clearer with this product nor did it prevent new breakouts from forming.  So, overall, I would not repurchase this product. I definitely don't recommend this cleanser for people with dry skin.  I guess I wouldn't recommend it period. Bummer!

Okay, I'll give it some credit: Perks
you get 5 fl. oz for $20, which is a pretty good deal for a higher end product!

It's formulated without all those "harsh" chemicals (Parabens, Sulfates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, petrochemicals, Pthalates, GMOs, and Triclosan).  Let's be honest though, most of us don't even know what most of that is or what harm it actually does or doesn't do. Although, it's nice that it doesn't have any fragrance or dyes. since those can be known to irritate the skin.  As for the other chemicals, maybe they're necessary for a good product...maybe not.  I have found that shampoos/conditioners that I have tried that lacked those "harsh" chemicals did not work for me and left my hair feeling dull and sad, to say the least.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser: My favorite under-eye concealer!

It's inevitable, my fellow busy gals, we all have those dreadful tired eyes that no product seems to alleviate...until Maybelline came out with this genius product!

Description: small tube (0.2 oz.) with sponge applicator tip; consistency: light, velvety, smooth

Application: twist the tip to supply product to sponge, apply sponge directly to area and blend

Product Claim: Super concentrated formula with goji berry + haloxyl (whatever that is) helps to erase the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, while visibly diminishing the appearance of puffiness around the eyes

Price: about $8 at drugstores

Cons: product seems to run out quickly with every-day use (will last a month and a half at the most)

Detailed Impression of Product:

I have been using this product for about 3 months, and I absolutely love it!  I love how smoothly it goes on.  The sponge applicator is extremely convenient, making application really easy.  I apply the sponge directly to my under-eye area and eyelids, and I blend out with my fingers.  The product is just the right thickness (not too thick, but thick enough to cover), so it blends out without any tugging; I find this is ideal for the sensitive skin under the eyes. I do not feel that this product reduces the appearance of puffiness at all, but I do not ever expect a concealer to do that for me.  I expect an eye cream or cold eye roller to do so.  As for the discoloration under the eye, it does live up to its claim.  You can assume by its light consistency that it is not exactly a full coverage concealer, but it does provide just the right amount of coverage and is completely invisible.  The full coverage concealers are typically thick in consistency, difficult to blend, and visible, so I prefer not to use those for my under-eye area.  As for reducing the appearance of fine lines, I don't have too many prominent fine lines around my eyes, but I feel this moisturizing formula does NOT accentuate the lines I do have like some concealers tend to do.

I have found that my under-eye area does need a different concealer than the rest of my face.  Although, I really don't use concealer anywhere on my face, since my foundation usually suffices.  I will use concealer to cover up a blemish every now and then, but this concealer is definitely NOT for that.  It is formulated specifically for the under-eye area.  I do not feel that it minimizes the redness of blemishes whatsoever (I've tried), so I wouldn't recommend even trying it as a dual concealer for your under-eyes and face.

Which shade is right for you?
Maybelline offers 6 shades: Fair, light, medium, honey, neutralizer, and brightener.
I use the medium shade, which matches my skin tone perfectly.  I am VERY fair-skinned, so be careful with the lighter colors, as they are probably extremely light.  I have heard so many mixed things about what color you should get for your under-eye area.  I have heard that you should get one shade lighter than your skin tone, one shade darker, and the exact match.  So, which is it? I think that you should do whatever works best for you, but here's my opinion anyway...  In my opinion, one shade lighter is NOT the way to go.  I believe that it makes it too obvious that you are wearing concealer, and I'm pretty sure I can speak for everyone when I say that nobody wants that.  Hence the name, concealer.  For me, what works best is getting a shade that matches my skin tone perfectly.  Another trick is to first neutralize the area prior to applying the concealer and then apply the concealer that matches your skin tone over the neutralizing shade.  There is a neutralizer shade in this line, which I also have.  This shade is really light, which I just told you not to do, right?  BUT, this shade has that yellow hue aspect that will neutralize the blue under-eye discoloration.  I only use the neutralizer under the medium shade on days where it appears obvious this girl did not sleep at all.  However, I do NOT recommend wearing this shade alone because you'll look like this...

...and who wants to look like they're wearing war paint? (Sorry, Eva!) Here are the swatches of the two shades, and remember to choose your shade wisely.  Chose the wrong one? Don't be afraid to take it back to the store as many times as it takes for you to find the winning shade!  They practically know me at Target Customer Service, since I return/exchange so often (hey, us college girls gotta be economical, so I have no shame in doing so!)  This product is definitely worth a shot if you've got those pesky tired eyes.  Who doesn't love a good drugstore find?

Left: Medium, Right: Neutralizer

AVEENO NOURISH+ SHINE Shampoo & Conditioner: Good Stuff!

My hair has been going through some weird changes in the past year.  It all dates back to this dreadful haircut I got last September that is still haunting me to this day.  I haven't yet figured out if maybe my hair just started changing due to stress, hormones, etc., or if I can blame the crazy stylist that thought she'd "try something different" on me....

Anyway, over the past year, my hair has gone from being healthy and shiny to dull, brittle, and oily.  I have tried so many things, but haven't found anything that alleviated my hair dilemma.  Finally, after many many disappointments, I decided to give trusty Aveeno a try.

This nourishing line has a variety of shampoo and conditioners:

• nourish + Shine
• nourish + Strengthen
• nourish + Moisturize
• nourish + Volumize

...and then there's the Pure Renewal and Color Preserving

I have yet to to try the others in the line, but the nourish + shine has proven to be a success, so I plan on trying the Nourish + Strengthen next. 

VERDICT:

Product Description:

Infused with Nourishing Wheat Complex and Shine Enhancing Palm Extract, this shampoo effectively removes dirt and oil and prevents build up, replenishing moisture and enhancing reflectivity of dull or damaged hair.

my hair type:

black, thick, dry ends, oily scalp (after 1 day)

The part that attracted me was its claim to remove dirt and oil and prevent build up.  I feel like my hair has been extra oily, so I was hoping this would alleviate that problem.  It didn't exactly keep my hair from getting oily any quicker than usual.  I can never go more than a day without washing my hair, which has become extremely annoying, but then there's dry shampoo for that (that's another story). 

Although, I did feel like it did, indeed, live up to it's claim of replenishing moisture and making dull/damaged hair shiny.  I finally feel like my hair is soft again!  With regular trimming and the help of Aveeno, I hope to restore my hair back to its original healthy state. 

I found that a lot of people complained about the price of the shampoo and conditioner (roughly $5 for ea.), but I don't think it's too much of a splurge, especially since it turned out to be a good product.  Honestly, if I had the money to buy the high-end salon brands, I would.  For now, this will suffice!