Guest Post

Sea Results With H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment and Oil Infused Renewing Serum

March 8th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 12 Comments

H2O Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment Oil-Infused Renewing Serum — Feeling hydrated already…

Want to hear a joke about seaweed? (Shore you do)

“What does seaweed say when it’s stuck on the bottom of the ocean…?”

“KELP, KELP!”

I love a good seaweed pun. I also love a good moisturizer/serum combo.

Enter the H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment and their Sea Results Oil Infused Renewing Serum. The H2O+ line is full of influences from the ocean, from their Black Sea Body Line to the Sea Lavender Skin Smoother. Each product boasts different blends of sea elements such as wakame, a seaweed that has been proven to reduce inflammation, to sea lettuce, which “supports skin firming collagen and elastin,” to fennel, which helps with anti-aging.

That’s a lot to absorb, all puns intended.

H2O+ Face Oasis Hydrating Treatment ($36 for a 1.7-oz. jar) and Sea Results Oil Infused Renewing Serum ($58 for a 1.0-oz. bottle)

Starting with a clean face just out of the shower, I dove into the Renewing Serum. The smell wasn’t irritating or overpowering, but there was an unidentifiable scent, which I chalked up to the fennel and sea lettuce.

You’ll either love it or hate it, but I was all over it. As it dried, it left a slightly cooling sensation. While this is the pricier of the two, I only required two short pumps for my entire face.

I’ve always been afraid of putting anything with oil in it anywhere near my body (I was a greasy kid), but this serum was light and delicate, absorbing into my combination skin in just a few seconds. It dried completely matte, leaving me ready for the next step in undersea skincare.

[Continue reading…]

Can Physicians Formula Really Make You #InstaReady?

March 8th, 2016 by Jen Clark 25 Comments

When I first saw Physicians Formula’s new line, #InstaReady, I thought, “Genius marketing! But there’s no way makeup can really make you more Instagram ready.” After I tried the products, I realized that InstaReady doesn’t really mean anything, aside from having a really good makeup day, and that’s exactly what happened when I tried it.

There’s plenty behind these products that I think deserves mentioning, like how almost all of them contain SPF 30. They also have InstaFilter Technology, which is basically a clever way of saying that they’ll mattify your skin while leaving behind lots of valuable moisture. The InstaFilter Technology also uses high-tech, light-reflecting polymers to blur imperfections and re-texturize the skin.

Now, these are HUGE claims for a product to make, and while I did have a great skin day while using #InstaReady, I didn’t look like I had an Instagram filter over my face… Obviously. But let’s talk a little more about a few of my favorite products from the line, shall we?

To start, I applied the Super BB #InstaReady Beauty Balm BB Cream. Most of the BB creams I’ve used have been light to medium coverage and applied almost like tinted moisturizers, but not this one. This bad boy is full coverage.

In the pro column, and this one’s big, I didn’t need to use any concealer on my blemishes, because they were already covered so well! This has a beautiful semi-matte finish and lasts throughout the day; however, it’s not without a few cons. Like, it’s extremely thick and feels uncomfortable on my skin. You can definitely feel that it’s there, and while the uncomfortable, constricted feeling fades the longer I wear it, I wouldn’t wear this again unless I were wearing full-on makeup that day. It can also look a little cakey, so this isn’t something I’d want to wear if I were going for a no-makeup makeup look.

Overall, though, I really like it, and I’ll wear it the next time I want a flawless complexion! You can see the coverage is bomb here in these before and after pics…

The next stand-out InstaReady product for me is the Super BB #InstaReady Contour Trio BB Stick in Bronze Trio. This little deodorant stick o’ bronzer is truly a dream. Literally, I’ve dreamed of a product that could make contouring a breeze, and here it is in my hot little hand! This guy is definitely going in my everyday makeup drawer and will live there until I die.

It contains the same InstaFilter Technology as the BB cream, so again it’s going to help blur and perfect the skin. It’s also made to be super blendable, which I can attest to. It has a deep contouring shade on the far end, a slightly shimmery bronzing shade in the middle, and a nice highlight on top. All you need to do is paint a cute tiger stripe on each cheek with the deepest shade in the hollow of your cheek, then tap away with your fingers or Beauty Blender. My contour was blended and looking fly in 0.73 seconds.

I recommend it for anyone who loves a good contour, and it would also be stellar for anyone just starting out in the world of faking perfect bone structure, because it’s so fast and easy to use.

[Continue reading…]

New & Pretty PUR HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation | Review & Swatches

March 7th, 2016 by Adia Goss 21 Comments

PUR Hydra Fluid Water Serum Tan — Wearing PUR HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation in Tan

I think I’m going to call 2016 “The Year of Foundations.” There have been so many new foundations coming out, like PUR HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation, which is new for spring 2016.

It promises an “instant youthful complexion,” which sounds pretty perfect to me, and it’s supposed to do it by adding moisture and radiance. At first glance, I love the packaging (I like serum foundations but don’t usually like the droppers they come with). When I saw that there were only five shades, I got a little nervous, but the light-to-medium coverage means that the finish is sheer enough that I don’t need an exact match. I swatched the colors and happily discovered that Tan is a great match for me (insert sigh of relief).

Here’s a look at the packaging and the shades:

At first, I thought I’d use Dark (I’m a MAC NC45 for reference), but it turns out that Tan is a much better match for me. I do get darker in the summer, though, so I could see myself using Dark then.

The formula feels super light, but it’s still moisturizing, which I love. I have combination skin, so I’m always skeptical about “moisturizing” foundations, because sometimes they feel too heavy and make my T-zone outrageously shiny; however, the first time I tested this, I didn’t use a primer or setting powder, and it lasted quite well. At the end of the day, there was a little bit of shine on my nose, but not enough to bother me at all. It didn’t break up across my cheeks or settle into my smile lines, either, which is another huge plus.

I’d call this light-to-medium coverage with a natural satin finish. The package describes the finish as “dewy,” but I’d say it’s on the subtle side of dewy, if that makes sense. When I applied a dime-sized amount using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush, it did a good job of evening out my skin tone.

I have an acne scar on my forehead, and it still shows through, but I think I could layer a bit more to get more coverage.
[Continue reading…]

Caught in the Rain With Laura Mercier: The Laura Mercier Spring 2016 Collection, “Paris After the Rain”

March 4th, 2016 by Anna Oh 34 Comments

beauty illustration of the laura mercier lip parfait by anna oh spring 2016 — Illustration of the new SP16 shades of Laura Mercier Lip Parfait

Here’s a look at the new Laura Mercier Spring 2016 Collection, starting with the “Paris After The Rain Eye Colour Collection (a $55 palette). While most spring collections would rather distract us from the winter blues, “Paris After the Rain” imagines a world “inspired by the reflection of lights on cobblestone streets and the dance of colours on zinc rooftops in Paris after the rain.”

Sounds like something out of a Nicholas Sparks novel, right?

laura mercier paris in the rain palette spring 2016 — The palette is housed in thick matte plastic (4″ x 3.75″ — smaller than my hand!)

Now, I should mention that I think Laura Mercier can do just about no wrong, and while every product isn’t always for me, I can usually imagine who would like and use them and how.

The Eye Colour palette was a surprise favorite of mine. With four super creamy matte shades (0.05 oz. each) and four soft glittery toppers (0.035 oz. each), it’s a versatile palette with lots of options for day and night.

laura mercier paris in the rain palette swatches spring 2016 — Matte eyeshadows in Champs Elysee, Saint Germain, Tour Eiffel, Le Marais + Multi Chrome Pearl Topper Formula (L-R) La Madeleine, Arc de Triomphe, Rue de Vivoli, Montmarte

lauramercier-paris-in-the-rain-swatches2 — A better look at the Multi Chrome Pearl Topper formula

Laura Mercier calls the baked lid colors “Multi Chrome Pearl Toppers” and suggests patting them on the lid after smudging the matte shades along the lash line. In the swatches above, it took two or three passes to build up the intensity. I think this would give a beautiful soft focus effect, but when swatched over a cream base, they really come to life!

laura mercier paris in the rain palette swatches — Swatches on top of a cream base

[Continue reading…]

Crazy Colors Made Wearable: A Question of Balance

March 4th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 41 Comments

Wearable Bright Makeup — MAC Lipstick in Heroine ($17) on my lips

If you know me (and chances are you don’t yet, but I do hope we get there!), then you’ll know that I love color, especially when it comes in the form of a TF-engraved bullet — but I’m not one to underestimate the power of purple eyeshadow or teal liner either.

Yet the comments I get the most on my blog are when I wear natural, classic looks. Which got me wondering… How’s that even possible? Can you wear colorful makeup and still look natural?

Well, as a matter of fact, YES, I think you totally can! As with everything in life, it’s a question of balance.

Which simply means that if you play something up, you should play something else down. So, if you’re using bright shades on your eyes or lips, in order to get well-balanced, natural-looking makeup, my main suggestion is to go very minimal with your base and brows. Let me explain this in more detail…

Start with a light base

Even though I often have quite a few blemishes to conceal, I usually like to apply a lightweight foundation (my oily skin loves Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet, because it’s matte, yet luminous), and then use a full-coverage concealer only on my problem areas, so that the end result is very natural and not mask-like at all.

Contour subtly with powder products

Since cream contour can often look too heavy and harsh, I recommend opting for sculpting powders, which are not as easy to overdo.

Skip the highlight

I know highlighters are all the rage these days, but in my opinion the very shimmery/metallic ones can look pretty artificial. If you feel like your complexion looks too dull and flat, try using something more understated like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders or a highlighting blush.

Keep your brows as natural possible

I think this is really crucial to balance out those crazy hues. Very strong, sculpted brows can easily make you look overdone, so my suggestion is to either use a tinted gel to define and set in one single step, or a pencil to very lightly fill them in (for a softer look, try using the side of the tip rather than the point).

Ditch those falsies and black liner

Although your Instagram or Pinterest feeds are probably suggesting that makeup isn’t complete without falsies and thick black liner, I personally disagree. In my opinion, if you’re going for a colorful, yet fresh-faced look, you can just skip them altogether. OR, if you find that lashings of mascara aren’t enough to define your eyes, I suggest adding a very thin line with a little flick and/or individual lashes.
[Continue reading…]

New for Spring! Essence Lip Swatches

March 3rd, 2016 by Jen Clark 38 Comments

Ever since that fateful day I picked up one of their lip liners, Essence has continued to keep me pleasantly surprised with the quality of their makeup. In the world of extremely affordable makeup, the brand keeps working their way up to the tippy top.

They recently released a couple of new lip products for spring 2016 — their Shine & Sheer Lipsticks, and the Essence Liquid Lipsticks — and I love me a good lipstick! I also love me some makeup that I don’t have to sell my soul for, so this is a match made in affordability heaven.

Let’s start with my favorite of the two, the Liquid Lipsticks. There are six available shades, and one thing to understand before going out and buying every one is that they might not be what you expect when you think of “liquid lipstick.” My experience with liquid lipsticks is more along the lines of Kat Von D and Colourpop, where they go on super liquid-y and opaque and dry down matte.

These are more of a really pigmented gloss, but they still sit nicely on the lips and last a decent amount of time. I really am a huge fan of these for a plump and shiny lip.

Ready for the best part? They. Are. Only. $3.49.

Wut.

Essence Spring 2016 Almost Real 03 — “Almost Real” 03

Essence Spring 2016 Colour Party 01 — “Colour Party” 01

Essence Spring 2016 Peach Party 05 — “Peach Party” 05

Essence Spring 2016 Beauty Secret 02 — “Beauty Secret” 02

[Continue reading…]

A Brief Essay on Seeing Eye to Eye With My Bare Skin

March 3rd, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 34 Comments

I catch my reflection in the window of the downtown D train. In my bathroom mirror, as I pass by a shop. While I still struggle everyday to live comfortably in my body (I am a size 22, 5 foot 6), I often find it even harder to live in my skin.

Around six months short of 25, I noticed the blemishes forming on my chin and forehead were not just the occasional stress related zit. They were cyclical, they scarred even when I didn’t pick them, they were incredibly painful. Through my late teens and early twenties, I never had more than the occasional flareup, and never ones that gave me so much shame. I went off my hormonal birth control, thinking that was the issue, but it still persisted. I stopped wearing makeup entirely, afraid to agitate my skin.

Like so many other women, I was struck with sudden adult acne as a result of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and didn’t know it. It wasn’t until I actually went to a dermatologist, who suggested, from my acne patterns, that I might have the condition. I made a mental note to check on it and asked what could be done about my skin. I was prescribed Aczone Gel, 5%, as well as a retinoid (Adapalene) and a tretinoin (Atralin)

These medications greatly improved my skin over a short period of time. The combination of all three settled the horrifying red bumps that littered my chin, cheeks, and my forehead. As my face cleared up, I became excited at the prospect of being able to wear makeup without feeling like I was just covering up a disaster. I didn’t realize at the time how badly the marks had scarred me, in more than just a physical sense.

When I looked in the mirror, this is what I saw: sunken eyes and horrible skin, broken capillaries around my nose, bags under my eyes that I’ve had since I was four, that weird chicken pox scar above my right brow. When my skin began to clear up, I saw my face, my bare face, and I didn’t like what I was seeing. When I was wrapped up in the acne covering my face, I didn’t have to deal with the fact that I didn’t particularly like my face.

Despite the myriad of treatments I now use, I am still reluctant to wear makeup and try new products. I’m afraid that my skin will react poorly or that it will burn. This fear, however, has made me more comfortable in showing my bare face. When I used to go out with a bare face (and I mean bare, not even concealer) I was ashamed to look in the mirror. I still had the allergy eyes and the scars, but as I learned to deal with my bare face as it was, I realized that while I had been ashamed of the acne, I had often used it as a blanket for my insecurities when it came to my natural looks. Now that my skin was on the road to recovery, I had nothing to hide behind.

Living with my acne, and learning to actually like my own face again, is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. I always used to think scars were really cool until I started seeing them on my face…and feeling them far deeper.
[Continue reading…]

My First Time…Using Brow Cream | Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse

March 2nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 41 Comments

After being a brow pencil loyalist since forever, I finally tried my first brow cream — new Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse ($25).

I’ve always avoided brow creams (and mousses, pomades, etc.) because I was afraid they’d be super thick and make me look like Burt’s long lost sister, but I’m a huge fan of Becca products, so I was cautiously optimistic when I tried this one.

Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse comes in a little pot with a waxy brow color on one side and a shimmery highlight creme on the other. It’s available in three shades — Cocoa (for light-medium hair), Cafe (for medium hair) and Mocha (for medium-dark hair). Here’s a closer look at Cocoa and Mocha.

First, the brow color side of these feels pretty firm to the touch but easily blends into my brows, while the highlight color is quite creamy and sticky. As you might be able to see from the top picture, the highlight side isn’t firm at all, and when I went to swatch Cocoa (on the left), I left a HUGE dent in it (oops!).

I didn’t have any problems with wear time (both sides last all day long), but I did discover that, for me, using this brow mousse is more involved and a bit messier than brow pencils and brow gels.

Here are swatches of two of the colors (Cocoa and Mocha):

Cocoa is a cool-toned grayish brown pretty close to my skin color but definitely too light for me to use in my brows. Its accompanying “Arch Defining Creme” (highlighter) is the same color as the one that accompanies Mocha, and it looks much peachier in this swatch than it does on my face. In fact, I think it looks subtle on me and helps to define my brows nicely.

As for Mocha, it’s a warm-toned brown. Since my hair is jet black, I wondered at first if it would be too light for me, but it actually worked! I think that being lighter it gives my brows a softer look and helps me avoid the look of super intense brows.

Here’s a step-by-step on how I use Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse:

Step 1 — I brush my brows up using a disposable spoolie.

[Continue reading…]