Things I've been loving lately + FOTD!

1) Clarins Vital Light Serum - This is probably the best smelling serum I've ever owned. I've been using this for the past couple of weeks and my skin has been looking fabulous. I will have a full review to come soon, but so far, I'm obsessed with it. 

2) Dr. Brandt Dark Circles Away™ Collagen Eye Serum - I got a couple samples of this from Sephora and I've been using it every night. I really do see a reduction in my dark circles (temporary, of course) and it moisturizes really well. I'd love to purchase it, but at $55 for a 1/2 oz... errr, I doubt it. Hopefully I can grab some more samples.

3) Anastasia Clear Brow Gel  - Now that my brows are so thick, a brow gel is very necessary. Even though I love my MAC Brow Set for tinting my brows, it doesn't hold my un-ruly brows in place all day. So, I've been using a mini version of the Anastasia Brow Gel that came with a kit of mine and it's worked the best for me so far! I'll be purchasing a full-size once I go to ULTA. 

4) MAC Paint Pots I've been loving my MAC Paint Pots lately and for the past month, it's all I've been wearing on my eyes. They're easy and they last. I want more!

5) MAC 181SE Kabuki Brush - I got this in a recent swap and I've been using it every say for setting powder. It's a perfect brush to keep in my bad for touch ups. I'm going to try finding a back-up or two.. ;)

6) Real Techniques Blush Brush - This has become my favorite brush for applying blush. Everything about the brush is perfect. It's soft, the shape is perfect and it applies & blends my blush really well. 

7) Physician's Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner in Ultra-Black - I got this liner on a whim, and I'm so happy I did. I can confidently say this is my favorite liquid liner pen of all time. The tip is amazing and it makes applying eyeliner incredibly fast and easy. It also lasts all day!

8) Maybelline One by One and Maybelline The Falsie's - Mascaras I've been alternating between these two mascaras for the past month, and I like them a lot for dramatic lashes. I would re-purchase both! 

9) E.L.F Studio Conditioning Lip Balm in Peaceful Pink - I just started using this after having it for a few months. It's so moisturizing and the perfect pink for every day. It's for sure one of my favorite products from E.L.F. I just hate the darn packaging! Me + Lip Brushes = no bueno. 

10) Milani Lipstick in Rosehip - I was looking for a bright pink lipstick that is more pink than fuschia - which many bright pinks tend to lean toward, and I came across Rosehip. This is a definite must-have. I'll do a post on it soon, as you can't tell the true color from my FOTD below.. In the mean time, you can drool over Temptalia's swatch of it.

(Image Credit: Temptalia.com)

Here's a FOTD from the other day. I've pretty much been doing the same look for the past couple of weeks.

Face: 

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer NW20 (under eyes, applied with my fingers)

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua B30 + 1/2 pump of Guerlain Parure Extreme in #3 for added coverage (applied with Coastal Scents Bionic Buffer Brush)

Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder (under eyes to set concealer, applied with a tapered blending brush)

Guerlain Meteorites in Mythic (to set foundation, applied with a kabuki brush)

MAC Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Honey Rose (on my cheeks & bridge of my nose, applied with Sigma F50)

Physician's Formula Healthy Glow Bronzer (for added warmth and contour, applied with MAC #168 brush)

Eyes: 

MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot (all over my lids, applied with my fingers)

MAC Jardin Aires Pigment (all over my lid, on top of Rubenesque)

MAC Groundwork Paint Pot (smudged into my upper and lower lashline with a pencil brush)

MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot (smudged into my crease with a pencil brush, blending any harsh edges with my fingers)

Physician's Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner in Ultra Black (upper lashline)

Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Black (on my waterline)

Maybelline One by One Mascara

Brows:

MAC Eyebrow Retractable Crayon in Spiked

Anastasia Clear Brow Gel

Lips:

MAC Lipliner Pencil in Oak

E.L.F. Studio Conditioning Lip Balm in Peaceful Pink

Milani Lipstick in Rosehip (applied very sheerly)

Sally Hansen Extreme Lip Plumper (applied on top for shine)

Btw, the leopard scarf I'm wearing is from Forever 21. I purchased it last week, and I've been wearing it almost every day! Love it.

Review: Clarins Instant Definition Mascara!

Clarins Instant Definition Mascara

This month Clarins launched a few new products, one of them being the Instant Definition Mascara to add to their permanent line of mascaras. Clarins may not be a brand you'd naturally think of when it comes to mascara, as they only have a few to choose from - all of which, don't have too many reviews. But, this mascara is definitely worth mentioning.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Naturally volumise and thicken your lashes with the Clarins Instant Definition Mascara, a nourishing formulation with an innovative brush. The creamy texture creates a highly resistant film along each and every lash for day-long wear that doesn't flake or smudge. The barrel shape of the brush ensures completely even coverage from root to tip, and densely packed bristles of the nylon fibre brush ensure glossy volume every time. The added bonus? An elastomer bristle tip that works to separate and define the tinier lashes for perfect lash precision. Lashes are thickened and restructured, with enviable body and shine thanks to an intense concentration of colour-rich pigments. The repairing formulation strengthens the lashes as it colours them, with mineral-rich red and brown algae extracts as well as glycoproteins to keep lashes in great shape. Opthamologist and dermatologist tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Directions for use: Apply mascara along the whole length of lashes, from root to tip, with the fibre brush. With the elastomer brush, make up the smallest, shortest lashes at the inner and outer corner of eyes, including the bottom lashes. Separate lashes one by one and optimize distribution of the mascara.

On the US site, this mascara is available in one shade; 01 Intense Black. *EDIT: It's actually available in three (3) shades. Intensive Black, Intensive Brown and Intensive Blue.

The star of this mascara is the design of the brush. If you all liked the wand of Benefit's They're Real Mascara because of the little bristles at the tip of the wand, you'll really like this wand. It's your standard bristle wand, not too large, not too small and towards the end of the wand, the bristles are very short. The design makes it a synch to get to those smaller lashes, especially in the corners of your eye and bottom lashes.

The packaging is also very nice. It's a pale gold, squared tube with a little groove on the handle of the wand, which makes a nice little grip for your thumb while applying the mascara. (seen in the first photo) It's also reflective, so if you happened to forget a mirror, you can use the tube. (BTW, Do any of you have a mirror app on your phone? I tried using my boyfriends and I just had to laugh. I think if the creators can't figure out how to somehow "morph" the phone into a real mirror, I don't think they should have a mirror app, period. I cannot see a dang thing in a face-forward, crappy pixelated camera.) I'm always a fan of pretty packaging (as long as the actual product delivers), especially gold packaging or detailing, so for all of you make-up snobs, it's something chic to have in your cosmetic bag. ;)

The mascara has a bit of a wet formula, so when I apply it after I've curled my lashes, I usually manage to get mascara on my eyelids. It is of course avoidable if you apply it with your head slightly tiled back, rather than applying it straight-on in the mirror. Usually when I apply the mascara, I rarely have to dip my brush back in for one eye. The end of the wand picks up enough product to evenly distribute across the lashes. Aside from the brush easily reaching the corners, I love that I can get real precise and apply the mascara directly to the base of my lashes. It's a great mascara for length and volume. It's easily buildable with the constant brushing of the lashes. It also doesn't clump my lashes together, which is always a plus. It also keeps my lashes nice and pliable (not crispy), so I can easily add another coat or comb through them later in the day.

Here are my lashes with one good coat.

Lastly, it doesn't flake throughout the day, and I've only noticed a teeny bit of transfer (smudges) under my eyes after several hours of wearing it. It only happened a couple of times though, and I think it was probably from not having my concealer properly set with powder. So I always make sure I set my under-eyes with a good amount of powder, and it doesn't transfer.

Overall, I really like this mascara and I'm going to continue using it on a daily basis. It's a little expensive at $24 a tube, so I'm not sure if I'd re-purchase it, but I'm happy with it's performance. 

Disclaimer: The product mentioned was sent to me for consideration. The opinions expressed in this post are all my own, from my personal experience with using this product.

NOTD: Essie Ballet Slippers!

Three (3) Coats of Essie Ballet Sippers & One (1) Coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

Three (3) Coats of Essie Ballet Sippers & One (1) Coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat

(These photos were taken three days after I applied it. No chips yet!)

Essie Ballet Slippers is a pale, milky sheer pink. The polish isn't really meant to be opaque, but I applied three coats to better cover the discoloration of my tips (they are currently stained yellow-ish from my self tanner). Two coats looks nice for less opacity. I actually prefer the sheer look of two, because with the more coats you apply, the more pastel (almost white) the color will appear and it's too big of a contrast if I'm too tan. 

The formula isn't the best, as with a lot of Essie's polishes, it applies a bit streaky, but with careful hands & less brush strokes, you can get away with a streak-free manicure. 

I think it's a great shade for a formal occasion, the workplace or for every day. It's very natural, and looks polished, clean and feminine. It's also a great shade to use for french tips. 

According to Essie, it's one of their best sellers. I think it's the simplicity of the shade that makes it so popular. It's one of those no brainer shades you can wear for absolutely anything and it will always match your outfit. Kind of like "your nails, but better."

Review: Ellen Lange Express Retexturizing Peel Kit!

Ellen Lange Express Retexturizing Peel Kit

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: 

An effective, yet gentle, exfoliation process that removes dull surface cells to reveal healthy new skin. This peel kit combines glycolic, microbeads and enzymes to create an extremely effective at home peel.

The peel claims to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, eliminate dry patches, minimize pore size and control periodic breakouts.

This peel kit contains 10% Glycolic. 5% in the peel accelerator pads and 5% in the peel solution. The pH of the Glycolic Acid is 3.5-3.7.

The Kit Includes:

Peel Prep (2 oz.)

Peel Accelerator Pads (60 pads)

Glycolic Peel Solution (1.5 oz.)

Fan Brush

Measuring Cup

Directions for use: 

Step #1 Peel Prep Scrub: Cleanse face and apply to slightly damp skin. Gently massage in a circular motion over entire face for 30 to 60 seconds. Leave on for an additional minute. Rinse well with water and pat dry.

Step #2 Peel Accelerator Pad: Gently wipe textured pad over entire face to accelerate exfoliation. Allow solution to completely dry.

Step #3 Peel Solution: Pump 1 teaspoon into marked dispensing cup provided. Use brush and follow diagram  (shown on the box) stroking solution over forehead, t-zone, chin and cheeks. Peel will foam gradually. Leave on for 8 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with water and gently pat dry.

*For extra benefit use Peel Accelerator Pads daily after cleansing at night. 

READ MORE FOR MORE INFO + MY REVIEW!