A Wear Lace Swing Top

Let's just say I have been a bit crazy with the lace and peter pan collar lately. I was browsing the clearance section of asos.com and came upon this lace top with a subtle peter pan collar. The material and style of this piece just gave such a nice feminine and classy feel and definitely made me feel pretty. 

The material of the top is very delicate which made snagging a problem but is is hardly to noticeable due to holes already in the lace detail. The lace is not the poorly made lace usually from cheaper tops but has a lot of detail and pattern. I usually pair this with a Madewell perfect racerback tank which is the perfect outline for the this top. You may also pair with a lace bralette, but I tend to be more on the conservative side. 

Verdict: Take it

Color: Only in Navy

Price: $15.19

Size: US 4 (5'4", 115 lbs, 25" waist)

Express: Zip Back Peplum Top

I have been a little late on the peplum trend. I was never able to find one that did not make me look fat or flared out in the right way. A lot of the peplum tops were very short and cut very funny. I ventured into express the other day, browsing their semi-annual sale, and came upon this top  which immediately intrigued me with its light yellow color. I am a sucker for happy colors.

The top had a nice ponte material and was thick enough that a nude bra would not show which is another problem with tops now a days and their see through material. The top definitely will not lose its shape even sleeping in it which I did when I was too lazy to change. All in all, this top is definitely a "take it" item. I decided to purchase the white one also because I liked it so much. 

Verdict: Take it

Color: Yellow, White, Black, Blue, Red

Current Price: $14.99

Size: S (5'4", 115 lbs, 25" waist)

Diorskin Forever Compact Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25 Review

Price: $49

Size: 0.35 oz

Rating: 1/5

This week I tried the Diorskin Forever Compact Flawless Perfection Fusion Wear Makeup SPF 25 in Medium Beige. I liked the fact that this foundation has a built in spf which is perfect for my lazy days (usually always) when I skip applying sunscreen because of the hate of the smell and the oily feeling I get when applied. 

I had such high expectations with this foundation due to the fact that it was Dior but this did not sit right with my skin. It applied very patchy and did not meld into the skin like my MAKE UP FOR EVER Duo Mat Powder Foundation. The makeup accentuated dry patches that I did not realize I even had Also the color match was a little off for my medium yellow skin tone. The colors were more on the neutral to pink undertone range.

Overall, this foundation did not work for me and with the price tag, I was expecting something fantastic which Dior did not deliver this time. 

Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder Review

Price: $18

Size: 0.29 oz

Rating: 4/5

I recently found the Korres Wild Rose Mineral Setting Powder at my local TJ Maxx and decided to try it because I have never tried any Korres products. I originally thought this setting powder was like any translucent powder that would mattify my face but this one was a little different.

This powder is meant to control the shine on your face but also give you a luminous glow. There are finely milled glitter that gives the face a sparkly affect but does not make your face look greasy which tends to be a problem for my combination oily skin. When blended into the skin, you will not be able to notice the individual specks of glitter.

Overall, this product does what it is suppose to but also gives you a nice highlight counteracts the overly white face you may get when applying translucent powder.

Cargo OneBase Concealer + Foundation in One Review

Claims: Many women don't need to apply foundation everywhere. OneBase™ allows you to cover areas around the eyes, nose and mouth to conceal imperfections, then blends out perfectly to match natural skin tone. It combines superior coverage and precise application in the ease of a sleek tube-and-wand combination. The perfect product for those who do not want full-face foundation coverage. It is designed for natural coverage in key facial areas with nourishing ingredients and conditioning properties to provide moisture to the skin.

Opinion: The Cargo 'OneBase' Concealer + Foundation in One is definitely a sheer color compared to full on foundation. This is perfect for people who already have close to flawless skin but would still want a bit more coverage in certain areas of the face to mask redness or blemishes. If you are looking for a fuller coverage concealer/foundation, this is not the product for you. I used this mostly for my undereye area which is very moisturizing, reducing the creasing. The coverage does wear off during the day and you may have to reapply. The doe foot applicator is very useful when dotting onto the face for precision and the product blends out easily. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: $27

Size: 0.60 oz

My Best Brushes! (Affordable)

Sigma Sigmax F80 Flat Kabuki ($18): I use this brush mostly for blending out BB cream or liquid foundation. This brush is very effective in reducing any foundation lines and will make foundation application easier than using your fingers. The brushes are really soft and dense which means it will last for a really long time. There is always some difficulty cleaning out these brushes due to how dense they are but just make sure to rinse thoroughly after soaping.

Sigma Sigmax F82 Round Kabuki ($18): This brush is perfect for blending out the under eye concealer. It leaves the concealer flawless with no creasing which is a must for my dark circles. Creasing throughout the date will be caused by natural smiling and laughing but this is not due to the brush instead to the concealer.

Ecotools Bronzer Brush ($9.99): For an overall powder brush for the face, Ecotools has come out with a wonderful soft dense brush that will apply powder flawlessly without much fall out. This is listed as a bronzer brush but it this more of an overall face brush due to the size. The handle is big enough that it can stand on its own on a table. The brush is very sturdy and will last you many years.

Ecotools Travel Eye Shading Brush ($9.99 for travel set): The eye shader brush in this set is the best blender brush. It is very fluffy and dense at the same time which makes blending very easy. The shader brush in this set is different from the normal sized shader brushes so beware when you buy this item. It only comes in the travel 5 piece bamboo set.

e.l.f. Essential Eye Shadow Brush ($1): This is wonderful when applying and packing color onto the whole eye lid. Powder eye shadows show up very pigmented with no matter what kind of brand that I choose to use. Although this is good for a overall eyelid color, it also has great precision on where the color should be. Just make sure to tap off excess powder to avoid fall out.

e.l.f. Essential Blending Eye Brush ($1): If you're in the market for an affordable yet decent blending brush, you should try out elf's new blending brush. The brush may not be the best thing in the world but for the price, you cannot get any better than this. The brush is very soft and blends out colors very well for the crease area. The only con would be a lot of shedding and minimal density but a lot of their brushes are not created equal. You may end up with a very good brush or a subpar product but the product is on the cheaper side, so buying a few to try out may not hurt your wallet so much.

Sonia Kashuk® Kashuk Tools Synthetic Crease Shadow Brush - No 08 ($10.79): Sonia Kashuk comes up with very good drugstore brushes that are affordable. They are more on the pricey side when you are talking about drugstore prices but their quality will not let you down. The crease shadow brush is really soft and dense and great for applying the color into the crease and blending the color out. It can be used for both purposes which is a plus.

Burberry Large Check Stamped Bracelet Watch Review

My boyfriend gifted me with this Burberry Larch Check Stamped Bracelet watch for my birthday two months ago and lets say this is the most expensive piece of arm candy I have ever owned. This rose gold watch with the iconic checkered pattern dial is very modern and fashionable and will definitely catch any person's eye, sometimes I catch myself staring at it constantly. It is made of stainless steel and sapphire crystal which makes the face very hard to scratch. 

For a small wristed person, this watch did not look too big or feel too heavy on my arm which was great but it does scratch to no end. Any minor bang or scuffle for this watch will end in scratch marks that will not come off on the band and the side of the face. (the rose gold surfaces) This watch also loves attracting fingerprint marks wherever you choose to touch. All in all, this is an investment piece and must be taken care of. 

Dior Addict Extreme (Riveira) & Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick (Tempting Coral) Review

I have been falling for the coral hype that has been going on for a year now. (I know I'm a bit late, but better late than never!) Let's say I accidentally pressed the checkout button on Sephora's website and ended up with Dior Addict Extreme in Riveira and Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Tempting Coral. These two colors were very similar in shade range but differ in many aspects. 

Dior Addict Extreme (Riveira)

Riviera

Riviera was a shiny without glitter lipstick. It was more on the orangey pink side which I considered a real coral. Like the Black Tie Color I tried before, Dior does not disappoint with its quality and moisturizing properties. Riveira enhanced the color of my lips and gives it a sheer pop of coral. There is no settling into lines of the lips which you get from thicker texture lipsticks.

Price: $31 

Size: 0.12 oz

Rating: 4.5/5

Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick (Tempting Coral)

Top - Riveira
Bottom- Tempting Coral

Tempting Coral is really similar in color to Riviera but it leans on the pink side. This lipstick has a glittery sheen and a thicker texture like normal lipsticks but the product still maintained a bit of moisture. I did not like the crayon smell that it came with and when applied on the heavier side, this product may settle into lip lines. The color was a very good everyday color and less orange than Riveira.

Price: $30

Size: 0.12 oz

Rating: 3.5/5

Josie Maran (or any brand): Argan Oil Review

Claims: This 100% Pure Argan Oil is a legendary oil that's rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. With its multitasking benefits, Argan Oil can be used for many areas including hydrating and nourishing skin, as a daily moisturizer, skin treatment, treating spilt ends, and softening cuticles. It's gentle enough to use on all skin types and is believed to help with skin conditions including acne. Argan Oil easily absorbs into skin to give you a youthful, dewy glow, and has astonishing healing, conditioning, and antiaging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe. (Sephora)

Opinion: I recieved a sample of Josie Maran: Argan Oil a while back and was a bit afraid to try oil on my already oily face. If your skin is on the drier side, this oil can be applied directly on the face and will soak in pretty quickly but with oily or combination skins, there is always that icky feeling whenever the moisture on ones face seems too much. This oil will sink in after a few minutes and is best applied at night when shininess is no worry.

I realized that mixing in a few drops of argan into my daily moisturizer will decrease the feeling of oil going directly onto the face. After letting my face lotion soak in, I noticed dry patches decreased and my skin hydrated without the yucky feeling. After a few days of using this there was a greater difference such as softness and smoothness of my overall complexion. Success!

Price: $48

Size: 1.7
Rating: 5/5

Too Faced: BB Cream

Claims: Our innovative beauty balm offers multiple skincare and makeup benefits in one simple step. Our powerful, multi-mineral complex instantly achieves a healthy glow and improves skin's overall appearance. 

Opinion: I went to LA this past weekend and I brought a travel size of the Too Faced BB cream in nude glow. My NW25 skin (MAC) matched pretty well with this BB cream because I could not tell where I applied it and where I did not. (Con)

Lets say my skin usually does not look greasy right when I apply makeup but this BB cream's glowing affect made my face look like I have been out and about for a few hours already.  My solution was to put translucent powder over my makeup which I usually do but this defeated the purpose of the glow that was suppose to come with the tinted moisturizer.

The coverage of this cream is extremely light and you would need to layer on this product in order to get any type of coverage. Most of the time I feel as though I did not put anything after applying this product.

Price: $34

Size: 1.5 fl oz.
Rating: 2/5

Amazing Cosmetics Concealer Review

Claims: AmazingCosmetics' AmazingConcealer is the most amazing concealer available today. This highly pigmented, super-emollient, waterproof formula blends seamlessly into the skin, creating a flawless complexion that looks and feels natural.

Opinons: I have been getting back into the Amazing Cosmetics Concealer recently due to the higher pigmentation and coverage that it provides. I use concealer mainly for my under eye circles  The concealer holds up very well for a few hours then there needs to be reapplication. It does live up to its claim of a waterproof formula with blend-ability but this concealer does not look the most natural.  The best use for this product would be on pimples or redness on the face but people will definitely notice that you are wearing makeup. Cons about the product would be the price ($42 for 0.5 oz) and caki-ness of product when a heavy amount is used.

The best method for this under the eye would be to apply with a brush or your fingers and pat into the under eye area in a triangular shape making sure to sweep down and blend into your skin. After you have built up the necessary coverage, you finish off with a setting spray and creasing will be minimized. If you do not use a setting spray, there will be creasing and setting into fine lines around the eye.

My shade is medium beige which matches my medium warm yellowish skin. For comparison, I am a NW25 in MAC shades and light med in most other shades from other companies.

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: $42 (for 0.5 oz)

Loccitane Original Hand Cream Review

Claims: Enriched with 20% Shea Butter, this super-creamy balm penetrates quickly to protect, nourish and moisturize hands. Honey, almond extracts and coconut oil are blended with Shea Butter to create this extremely effective formula. The rich texture leaves hands soft and smooth with no oily traces, and can be applied as often as needed.

Opinion: This Loccitane Original hand cream is a decent find. I got my hands on a travel size when they were offering them for free at Loccitane. The first thing you notice when applying this lotion would be the strong baby powder smell which dissipates after a few minutes. The application is on the greasy side but is hydrating for those really dry hands. All in all a decent cream and a nice addition to ones travel bag.

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: $10 (10 ml)

Carols Daughter: Ecstasy Shea Soufflé

Claim: Lightweight and non-greasy, each emollient-rich soufflé leaves dry to extra-dry skin feeling soft, supple and smelling delightfully divine. Moisturizing never felt so good! 

Opinion: I received Carols Daughter: Ecstasy Shea Soufflé in my Glossy Box a few months back and have been using it on and off for a two months or so. The lotion is true to it's claims! It is the only body lotion that I find non-greasy on my body and is the best remedy for my extra dry skin after a long hot shower. After using the lotion, even my hands are left with a soft moisturized feeling. The scent of this product is amazing hence the name ecstasy I am guessing... it smells of strawberries and cream mostly with a bit of other tropical scents mixed in. 

Rating: 5/5

Price: $13.50 (4 oz.)

Stila: Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara

Claim: A water-resistant mascara that delivers exceptional volume and stays in place until you say when. 

Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing Mascara is an innovative, long-wearing mascara that contains a special polymer with an extremely high resistance to water. The rich formula pumps up the volume of lashes, is buildable, and unlike other waterproof mascaras, leaves lashes soft, supple, and shiny without smudging or flaking. The unique 3-D triangular brush utilizes three wells to dramatically load a generous coat of mascara onto lashes for extreme volume and three rows of combing bristles to lift, lengthen, and define each and every lash for eye-popping results.

Opinion: This mascara was very volumizing and will leave your lashes feeling natural and smooth which I prefer. My curl stays put for the whole time and no sign of drooping. The waterproof part did not work out for my oily lids resulting in the dreadful panda eyes. The mascara does last for a good 3-4 hours before things start slipping. Product is a bit on the pricey side but there is always samples you can try out before purchasing. 

Waterproof? No
Keeps curl? Yes
Natural looking? Yes

Rating: 3/5

Price: $22

Pangea Organics Facial Scrub - Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry

Claims: for all skin types

This dual-action scrub polishes the skin's surface without disrupting its delicate balance. Never harsh, drying or stripping, this Scrub is gentle enough for daily use.

Enzymatic exfoliants work to dissolve expired skin cells while mechanical exfoliants gently free them up to be rinsed away. Raw, ground-up adzuki bean has been used in skin preparations for centuries in Japan. It provides gentle, manual exfoliation while its astringent properties help clarify and tighten pores. Both cranberry seed and geranium oil offer skin-brightening attributes, which assist with reducing hyper-pigmentation (dark spots due to sun exposure and past acne breakouts). The ingredients in this Scrub nourish the skin with antioxidants that scavenge free-radicals and optimize cellular function, resulting in more radiant skin and increased cell turnover.

Opinion: This scrub definitely does what they say it is suppose to do. I use this scrub every other day in the shower and it leaves my skin smooth, free from flakiness and dryness, without it being stripped from all the oil or moisture. The scent is definitely a fruity cranberry which leaves me feeling hungry some of the time. The texture is a grainy feeling, not the beaded scrubs which some people may or may not prefer. I love the fact that this product is mostly natural which cuts down on the chemicals I am putting on myself. Last but not least, this is one of the only products that I have finished. Thumbs up to using everything up! This scrub will last you about half a year using it 2-3 times a week.

Rating: 4/5

Price: $32

Steve Madden Purple Bluuna Crossbody Bag

Nice and sturdy bags are really hard to come by at a very affordable price but I have found the perfect bag on sale at Nordstrom Rack for $30 (Original $78). The Steve Madden Bluuna Crossbody bag was too good to pass up with a 62% off. This bag was a gorgeous dark purple color that adds color to a dull outfit which I tend to need most of the time with my very bland outfits of black, white, and gray.

The size is a bit on the small side which makes it hard to put many things in it but it will fit a decent amount of items. The bag can fit a long wallet which may take up all the space but it has a large added front pocket for your phone or small item for easy access.

The bag measures around 9-1/4" W x 6" H x 6" D but when folded in depth, it tends to crease or wrinkle around the fold. This is minor detail and can be disregarded when the bag is filled with things. 

Rating: 4/5

Price: $30 (Original $78)

MAC Paint Pot (Painterly)

I'm pretty sure most of you are already well informed about MAC paint pot in Painterly. I have been meaning to try this product to see if it actually lives up to all the hype that has been out there. The verdict is half and half. This cream shadow makes a very good base for your eyeshadows and I have noticed very minimal creasing on my eyelids.

Very hard to see the color because it matches skin tone

The color is a matte pinky beige but it will not cover the color of my actual lid even with two layers but there is enough texture to bring out the vibrancy of the eyeshadow you will be using on top of it. Eyeshadows will last up to 6-7 hours for oily lids compared to the 2-3 hours before colors start to shift around.

Rating: 4/5

Price: $18.50

Loreal Infallible Eye Shadows: Bronzed Taupe and Amber Rush

I tend to hoard eye shadows because I like the different colors that it comes in but I tend to waste it by not using it too often. The Loreal Infallible Eye Shadows were hard to resist and these are my two favorite colors of the bunch and the most natural looking.

left to right: Bronzed Taupe & Amber Rush
(no flash)

(flash)

The color is really intense when dipped with the finger or swiped on the hand but the color is lessened when it actually applied to the eyelid maybe due to the pigmentation of my lids. Bronzed taupe is a purply brown color which is great for the crease and amber rush is a rosy gold pink color best used all over the lid as pop of color.

Swatches in yellow light
(no flash)

(with flash)

After swatching these on my hand, I tested their staying power by cleaning it with a wet wipe which was a difficult job. The eyeshadows stained my hand a little, especially the taupe color. The colors tend to move a little on my eyelid and will transfer into the folds of my lids but this can be solved with a primer or a base.

Rating: 4/5

Price: $7.99

(Ulta deals can be used to get them for ~$4 each) 

Bioderma: Crealine H20

I have been on the hunt for the best face cleanser/ wash that doesn't require actually scrubbing my face and splashing water from the faucet like those beauty commercials. Here comes Bioderma! Many great things were said about this product and I had to give it a try. I got the sensitive skin formula, the pink bottle.The solution to cleansing the face without wasting tons of face wipes and water.

As you first put this on a cotton pad, make sure you do not dump the liquid on because it tends to spill all over everything. The dispensing system would work much better if it was a pump or spray instead of just a regular cap with a hole.

As you apply the cotton pad to the face, you will feel an icy or refreshing feeling which makes me think the product is doing its job, it does not sting the skin or the eyes. You will need to use more than one pad to cleanse off the face fully if more makeup is involved. Waterproof mascara is taken off easily with no hard rubbing needed. This does take off most of the makeup but if you want a deeper cleanse, you will need to use a face wash after to get the rest of the dirt off. This is also a great wake me up in the morning to wash off all the oils produced when you were sleeping the night before.

After my face has dried from the wash, it leaves my skin soft and only a bit drying around my really dry  patches. Apply moisturizer and you're done for the day. :)

Rating: 4/5

Price: ~$33 (500 ml) 

Sigma Sigmax Flat & Round Kabuki

I just could not resist the deals for black friday (free shipping) and finally tried the flat and round kabuki brushes from Sigma's Sigmax line. The most talked about and affordable brushes did not not disappoint  one bit. These brushes were really dense and my bb cream and foundation has never looked so nice and flawless.

The round kabuki brush blends in my liquid concealer better than my fingers do under the eye. Even though creases are inevitable, this brush does minimize the effect and look of creasing under the eye. I can't wait to try more of these brushes. They also included a free eyeliner brush with orders of $30 or more. 

Rating: 5/5

Price: $18