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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Hyped Products: Worth It or Better Alternative?
Surely, I am not the only person to give into products that are hyped on beauty blogs. For awhile, it seemed I was buying every product based on blog reviews and maybe beauty "peer" pressure... There are tons of these posts in the beauty blogging world but I thought I would add in my two cents and experience.
The first product is none other than the highly reviewed and loved Bioderma Crealine H20. I'm sure you have all heard of it, so I don't feel an in-depth description is necessary. Now, I love Micellar (cleansing water) cleansers. I love that they feel clean and not oily and I love the ease(lazy) of removing even very hard to remove waterproof mascara.
For my experience, I really do not get the hype of Bioderma. For one, I had to pay a pretty high price to try this somewhat of a mediocre product. Yes, there are sellers on eBay and Amazon but include shipping and wait-time, I was expecting a miracle product that out-performed other such identical products. It took a great deal of product and effort to remove my waterproof mascara. Thus, further increasing an already pricy product. It just did not make the angels sing or for the record make me glad to have paid the price to use it.
Now, I will not leave you empty handed. I have found a great product that works so much better and it is cheaper. I still have to order and wait, but this product is so amazing to me that I am wiling to do just that.
Let me introduce you to a cheaper and better performing micellar cleanser...
HARUHADA Collagen Cleansing Water:
I purchase this on Sasa.com for around $13 for 500 ml. That is a substantial savings compared to Bioderma and it works so much better. This removes even my toughest mascara in one swoop without irritation or tugging. A definite repurchase product for me. And Sasa will have free shipping and low shipping offers so you can stock up on this gem.
And if you want something you can get in Sephora, try the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water. It works better than Bioderma but I prefer my little lovely even to Sephora based on performance and cost. One thing I really like about Sephora brand is the pump. No mess and it dispenses perfectly.
The first product is none other than the highly reviewed and loved Bioderma Crealine H20. I'm sure you have all heard of it, so I don't feel an in-depth description is necessary. Now, I love Micellar (cleansing water) cleansers. I love that they feel clean and not oily and I love the ease(lazy) of removing even very hard to remove waterproof mascara.
For my experience, I really do not get the hype of Bioderma. For one, I had to pay a pretty high price to try this somewhat of a mediocre product. Yes, there are sellers on eBay and Amazon but include shipping and wait-time, I was expecting a miracle product that out-performed other such identical products. It took a great deal of product and effort to remove my waterproof mascara. Thus, further increasing an already pricy product. It just did not make the angels sing or for the record make me glad to have paid the price to use it.
Let me introduce you to a cheaper and better performing micellar cleanser...
HARUHADA Collagen Cleansing Water:
And if you want something you can get in Sephora, try the Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water. It works better than Bioderma but I prefer my little lovely even to Sephora based on performance and cost. One thing I really like about Sephora brand is the pump. No mess and it dispenses perfectly.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
In which I finally understand ... Chanel and Dior Eyeshadow
I love higher end products. I like to treat myself occasionally to a luxurious lipstick or eyeshadow palette. A few months ago, I went crazy on a blog sale and eBay and purchased some Chanel and Dior eyeshadow palettes. Now, I will tell you that my favorite shadows are Urban Decay and MAC. I love the pigmentation, color selection and ease of use. I would say most of my eyeshadow are UD. But, I gave into the hype that is Dior and Chanel and spent a fortune portion of my beauty budget to try these and was sorely disappointed. For one, pigmentation... when one is used to Urban Decay.
I think for me, I needed to understand that ideal and purpose behind these brands. Urban Decay is about bold, cool and making a statement whereas the other two are more classic and chic. Once, I finally got that in my head, I have been enjoying the classic style of my Dior 5 color eyeshadow palettes and my Chanel duos. I just needed to grasp the concepts of each brand considering the money was spent and I needed to find a place in my makeup wardrobe for these higher end shadows. I'm not saying everyone needs these shadows(unlike the Urban Decay Naked Palettes) but they are a nice touch to any makeup collection.
I'm loving my Chanel Duo in Misty/Soft which is a purple-taupe duo perfect for Fall and for a day wear look. As well, the little mini of Dior Stylish Moves is getting a lot of wear too.
Any products that disappointed you but you've found a place for ?
I think for me, I needed to understand that ideal and purpose behind these brands. Urban Decay is about bold, cool and making a statement whereas the other two are more classic and chic. Once, I finally got that in my head, I have been enjoying the classic style of my Dior 5 color eyeshadow palettes and my Chanel duos. I just needed to grasp the concepts of each brand considering the money was spent and I needed to find a place in my makeup wardrobe for these higher end shadows. I'm not saying everyone needs these shadows(unlike the Urban Decay Naked Palettes) but they are a nice touch to any makeup collection.
I'm loving my Chanel Duo in Misty/Soft which is a purple-taupe duo perfect for Fall and for a day wear look. As well, the little mini of Dior Stylish Moves is getting a lot of wear too.
Any products that disappointed you but you've found a place for ?
The only drugstore product I won't buy....
After going through my stash and looking at my drugstore faves, I realize there is only one beauty product I do not buy at the drugstore. Blush... I am usually pretty open to buying and trying new products either high end or drugstore. But, I do not buy drugstore blush. I'm wondering if it's that I have a love a certain higher end blushes and feel that their counterparts will not compare or if it's due to being disappointed in the past. My experience has been chalky and clown colors or scratchy formulas with low pigmentation. Is there a product you will not buy at the drugstore?
 |
| Cover Girl |
 |
| Revlon |
 |
| Maybelline Dream Mousse |
 |
| Elf Duo |
Saturday, October 20, 2012
My Top 5 Foundations
To
be honest, I own a ton of great foundations. I had a hard time
whittling the list down to just five. I tend to have normal/combo skin
in the summer and normal/ dry skin in the cooler months. Here are my
favorites right now.
1. Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude- I am very sensitive to oils in foundations, so I picked the oil free version of this one. In my opinion, this works great for all skin types. Even with my dryish skin, it still feels dewy and has a nice finish.
2. Lancome Teint Miracle (Ivory 4N): This is such a gorgeous foundation. This will most likely be my fall/winter foundation. It glides on easily and leaves a flawless finish.
3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Compact (B10): This is my first foundation by Chanel. This has such a lovely finish especially for dryer skin types. This can be hard to apply but the best way is with a dry sponge. I use my dry beauty blender and it sheers out beautifully.
4. Chanel Perfection Lumiere (B10): This gets mixed reviews from blogs, but it wears really well on my skin. This is my go to long lasting foundation. I apply with a damp beauty blender for a flawless finish.
5. Clinique Even Better (Linen): My skin loves Clinique foundations. I think the fact that they are made for sensitive skins really helps. I wear Linen which is for very fair neutral skin. It's a perfect match for me. The finish is a demi satin.
I tend to powder all of my foundations as I don't like a wet feel to my face. None of these are completely matte even with a light dusting of my favorite powders.
1. Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Nude- I am very sensitive to oils in foundations, so I picked the oil free version of this one. In my opinion, this works great for all skin types. Even with my dryish skin, it still feels dewy and has a nice finish.
2. Lancome Teint Miracle (Ivory 4N): This is such a gorgeous foundation. This will most likely be my fall/winter foundation. It glides on easily and leaves a flawless finish.
3. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Compact (B10): This is my first foundation by Chanel. This has such a lovely finish especially for dryer skin types. This can be hard to apply but the best way is with a dry sponge. I use my dry beauty blender and it sheers out beautifully.
4. Chanel Perfection Lumiere (B10): This gets mixed reviews from blogs, but it wears really well on my skin. This is my go to long lasting foundation. I apply with a damp beauty blender for a flawless finish.
5. Clinique Even Better (Linen): My skin loves Clinique foundations. I think the fact that they are made for sensitive skins really helps. I wear Linen which is for very fair neutral skin. It's a perfect match for me. The finish is a demi satin.
I tend to powder all of my foundations as I don't like a wet feel to my face. None of these are completely matte even with a light dusting of my favorite powders.
Friday, October 19, 2012
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