Thursday, January 24, 2013

REVIEW Cetaphil Cleanser and Moisturizer


I have heard tons of good things about this cleanser, how it compares to Philosophy's purity cleanser (which i absolutely hate. check out my empties and review post here!

I used the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser when i was in college after watching so many youtube videos rave about this product. I wasn't impressed. My skin didn't feel clean after I use it. 

About a year ago, I got myself a clarisonic mia ( check out my Clarisonic Mia2 review here! ), the sales associate told me that i should use a gentle cleanser with my clarisonic for my sensitive skin. and i immediately thought of Cetaphil. This time around, i picked up the gentle skin cleanser, and to be honest, there is no difference between the skin cleanser and the facial cleanser. at least i couldn't tell.

This cleanser is fragrance free, gentle, good for all skin types, etc but it doesn't take off any make up or even the most basic cleaning. It was great to use it with an exfoliating tool but not on its own. I feel like i have to use 3-4 pumps every time to get the job done.

Pros:
easily accessible, can be found at most drugstores
gentle
fragrance free
suitable for all skin types face/body

Cons:
does not take off makeup
does not clean well 
pricey considering it's a drugstore product


I used this product back in college along with my daily facial cleanser at the time. I got it because this moisturizer is fragrance free, oil free, spf, etc. 

Well, this moisturizer left my face looking like a greaseball. it broke me out too which was very strange. needless to say i will not buy it again.

Pros:
easily accessible, can be found at most drugstores
fragrance free
spf sun protection

Cons:
broke me out
greasy
pricey considering it's a drugstore product


Got this moisturizer to go along with my Gentle Skin Cleanser, after the daily facial moisturizer spf15 incident, i thought i'd go with the sensitive skin moisturizing cream instead. I went with a smaller size (tube, instead of the huge tub), thinking even if it doesnt work with my skin, i can just throw it in my purse and use it as a hand cream.

at first, i wasn't impressed, it was just another thick moisturizer that isn't all that moisturizing. i kept it in my purse for a while and neglected it since. just about a week or two ago, i ran out of my daily moisturizer, and im on a mission to finish what i already have. I pull this tube out of my medicine cabinet and started using it again. this actually is a really good fall/spring moisturizer. i can see how it'd be a little too rich for summer, but for fall and spring, its good. 

Pros:
easily accessible, can be found at most drugstores
fragrance free
suitable for most/all skin types face and body
affordable 

Cons:
too rich for summer days
too light for winter
squeeze tube, it would have been better if it came with a pump

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Haul II: Forever 21 Coupon Extra 50% off sale items + free shipping w/ $50

Forever 21 takes an extra 50% off a selection of men's and women's sale items via coupon code "EXTRA50". With prices starting at 49 cents after coupon. Shipping starts at $5.95, or get free shipping with orders of $50 or more. Sales tax is added where applicable. Coupon expires January 21.


the best time to shop is when there is a sale! I took advantage of forever 21's extra 50% off sale again and got myself 9 sweaters for less than $60 including tax!

many of these items are out of stock right now but forever 21 have new sale items added everyday! i'm so tempted to place another order but i must resist!!!


**prices listed are after discounts.




Product Image Contrast Trimmed Pointelle Sweater
Product Code #: 2027705527 022
$4.99




Product Image Striped Sailor Collar Sweater
Product Code #: 2027705298 012
$5.99

Product Image Round Neck Longline Sweater
Product Code #: 2040494847 052
$4.49

Product Image Essential Merino Wool Cardigan
Product Code #: 2027704912 082
$6.99

Product Image Printed Collar Sweater
Product Code #: 2027705360 042
$5.49


Product Image Essential Wool Sweater
Product Code #: 2019572409 082
$5.99

Product Image Buttoned Back Contrast Sweater
Product Code #: 2027705335 082
$4.49

Product Image Essential Multi-Knit Cardigan
Product Code #: 2027705577 082
$5.49

Product Image Metallic Tweed Jacket
Product Code #: 2031557543 022
$7.99

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Review Caudalie DIVINE OIL



What it is:
An enhancing dry oil for body and hair.

What it does:
This multi-use miracle oil is ideal for hair, nails, bath, and massages. Divine Oil is a unique alchemy of four extremely fine and evanescent vegetable oils (60 percent of the formula). To ensure that the benefits are truly complete, Divine Oil also features patented antioxidant grape-seed polyphenols and fair trade shea butter.

A subtle fragrance that will make you swoon as it caresses your skin. For the signature note of the fragrance Jacques Cavallier chose the rose, both the Moroccan rose and the Bulgarian rose. A burst of grapefruit and sparkling spicy pink pepper add a freshness to the fragrance while cedar, vanilla, and white musk base notes offer warmth. The composition is modern and infinitely desirable.

This dry oil moisturizes, nourishes and enhances the face, body and hair, thanks to its unique formula made with exceptional blend of oils (grape, hibiscus, sesame and argan) combined with our patented anti-oxidant Polyphenols. It envelops the skin with a subtle, floral and sun-kissed fragrance, with woody notes.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

Finally got my hands on the Caudalie Divine Oil set front sephora, what's even better is that i got it on sale! I paid $32 (orginally $42) for a 1.7 oz Divine Oil, 1.7 oz Crushed Cabernet Scrub, and a shotglass size candle.

I heard a lot of good things about the divine oil from essiebutton on youtube and decided to give it a try. To be honest, the divine oil is a splurge item for me, it did nothing more than baby oil can do, except it smells a little nicer and more luxury. I have yet to try it on my hair, but i felt it's such a waste every time i spray it because most of it will land on the floor instead of my body..

The Scrub is quite nice, but nothing special. The scrub particles are quite large but not rough. Leaving skin nice and soft afterward. Again, i wouldn't want to pay the $29 for the full size.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Review - Eyebrow Products Drugstore and High End Department Store Sephora

Brow Pencils ... =]

Wet n Wild Color Icon Liner Brow & Eye Pencil $0.99

this brow pencil is quiet waxy, it'll help to keep your brow hair in place. but its not the best for sparks brows.

also, it doesnt have the most natural finish. because the pencil is waxy, it's doesn't deposit as much color when applied. it's easy to mess up, you can use a spoolie to brush off some color when applied too much, your brows will look like they are drawn on.

it's great for touch up throughout the day though. it's small, and affordable to keep in your makeup bag/purse. even if you lose it, it's no biggie.




e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Lifter & Filler $3.00

this is a duo ended brow pencil, which has a brow color and a brow highlight on each end. i initially wanted to try out the highlighter side to see if it'd be a good alternative for benefit high brow.. and i was disappointed.

both the brow color and highlighter crease like no others. even with primers on. the pencil sharpener cap that it came with kept coming off and it's just a mess to deal with.

i kept this pencil in my makeup bag for a while thinking even if i dont like it, i can at least use it for touch up. well, it ruined my makeup bag before i get to use it for touch up. i ended up tossing it away.





Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil $5.99

this is by far the best eyebrow pencil i've used. both drugstores and department stores.

it's not too creamy or waxy, just the perfect texture to create the most natural looking brows (using brow pencils).

i don't really understand why they put a brow comb at the end, i wish they come with a spoolie instead. also, there isnt much product in these pencils, it'll only last you for a month or two.




Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil & Gel $6.49

heard a lot of good things about this brow product on youtube from MakeupByTiffanyD. i thought i'd give it a try..

holy moly, the brow gel smelled like crap. the scent was so strong that i have to bring it back and return it.

im not sure if i got the defective one, but it was the most chemically smelling cosmetic product i've encounter.


Brow Powders ... =]


N.Y.C. Browser Brush-On Brow Kit with Tweezer $2.99

this is my very first brow product ever. i was still in college and barely started using makeup. when i got it, it only came in one color, im not sure if they have extended their color selection by now.

this is an average brow kit, the best thing in this kit was probably the tweezer, as i still have it and use it.

the wax and the powder can get pretty messy and gross looking after a while. the powder is on the red side.. i prefer my brow products to be on the cool tone side.




e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit $3.00

i remember i loved this product for a while and that i even got backups for it.

i hit pan on the tinted brow gel and thought it was the best brow product i've used ever. but later on i discovered something else that's even better so i eventually got rid of all of these elf brow kits through makeupalley swaps.

the brow gel looks great when first applied, but it creases throughout the day and eventually left me with greasy brows. it's not a pretty look. i assume it'd be better if i were to set it with the powder it came with, but the powder was so orange/red.. :(




Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit $20.00

got this brow kit back in 2010 when sephora came out with all these holiday kits during the friends and family sale. it was only $20 and it eventually went down to $16 after the holiday season.

it was the best $20 i ever spent on makeup. it gave the most natural finish. i cant recommend it enough. this kit is sold out since but i'd assume the regular Anastasia Brow Powder Duo would be just as good!

you will need a brow brush for this kit since it didnt come with one. i personally prefer natural hair over synthetic bristles.

the brow gel that it came with was pretty good too. it keeps my brow hair in place for the whole day.

click here to read more about my brow brushes comparisons blog :)




Brow Gel ... =]



e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Treat & Tame $3.00

i dont have much to say about this brow product, except don't waste your money.

it doesn't distribute color evenly and it left crumbs on my brows.

not sure if it's good for touch ups but it smells funny too, so i just toss it away after trying it for a few times.







e.l.f. Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara $1.00

didn't do anything for my lashes or brows.

you might as well use water if you want to tame your brows haha

if you have problem taming your brow hair, try the Anastasia brow gel. i know it's a lot more expensive but it actually works. if brow gel is just an extra step you do in your makeup routine and you don't need it, you should just skip it. haha




Friday, January 4, 2013

Haul: Sephora New Year's Eve Gift Sets

so... my friends and i went to downtown disney to countdown.. and of course i have to stop by sephora :)

here's what i picked up that day.. <3


SEPHORA BY OPI Betsey Johnson Nail Colour

perfect purplish pink nude, very opaque 




- 1 oz High Intensity Hand Cream™
- 0.11 oz Fabulips Softening Lip Balm


- 2 oz Deep Cleansing Exfoliator
- 1.7 oz Instant Foaming Cleanser Fleur De Vigne®
- 1 oz Hand and Nail Cream
- 1 oz Beauty Elixir




- 1.7 oz UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 
- 0.1 oz Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate 
- 0.13 oz Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch 
- 1.06 oz Beauty Flash Balm 
- 2.6 oz One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser 


the uv plus hp day screen spf 40 retails for $38, for $12 more i get to try out some of clarins' best sellers!




Thursday, January 3, 2013

Comparison Review: Eyebrow Brushes Sephora Tarte

I know I've been blogging nonstop today. But since i have nothing else better to do, why not. :)


SEPHORA COLLECTION Classic Double-Ended Brow Sculpting Brush

Mini Review: this brush retails for $18 at sephora. seems like it's currently out of stock right now, but you can find this brush at most sephora stores and sephora inside jcpenney locations. i hate this brush with a passion. hate is a strong word and i dont use it often but dang this brush is scratchy as heck! first of all, the brow filler brush part, it's synthetic bristles, so if you're planning to use it with brow powders, it does NOT place powder evenly on your brow. i havent try it with brow gel, i'd assume it works better with cream/gel products. well, now you have uneven brows, you would probably want to brush/even them out with the spoolie. let me tell you, it is so painful to use the spoolie. it's hard, plastic-y, rough, scratchy, etc. it felt like i rubbed sandpaper on my brows when i use the spoolie part. for $18, not worth it. i returned it!

Rating: 0/5 stars



Mini Review: natural bristles, distribute brow powder evenly, deposits a lot of color, retails for $10 at sephora both online and in store. it's a good buy! the brush is lightweight and the handle is rather short. great to keep in your makeup bag and for travel.

Rating: 4/5 stars



SEPHORA COLLECTION I.T. Brow Filler Brush


Mini Review: natural bristles, distribute brow powder evenly, deposits a fair amount of color (deposits much less than sephora's classic brow brush #10 for a more natural look), retails for $14 and it is now on sale for $5 at sephora.com. it's a great buy! the brush is lightweight and the handle is rather long and skinny. probably not the best brush to travel with but i love it regardless. I even got a backup! :)

Rating: 5/5 stars




Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse


Mini Review: natural bristles, distribute brow powder evenly, average spoolie, retails for $28 with the brow mousse. grab it while you can, cause this product has not hit the stores yet and it always sells out online.  it's a great deal if you don't already have a brow powder/gel/mousse. the only down side is that you cant get the brush by itself, and very limited color selection on the brow mousses.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Haul: Forever21 extra 50% off all Sale items

Head on over to FOREVER21.COM to get an extra 50% off all Sale items. Just use code HOLIDAY50 at checkout! You’ll also get Free Shipping on all orders over $50.

Collared Knit Sweater
Product Code #: 2025101480 062
$15.50


Neon Tuxedo Stripe Jeans
Product Code #: 2025101766 045
*$5.99


Peasant Skirt
Product Code #: 2015035163 043
*$3.49


$9.80



 Bright Woven Shorts
Product Code #: 2086806087 044
$2.49

$5.80


$3.80


$3.80


after tax i paid a total of $55 for everything. which i thought was a great deal.

for all you people who are dying to get the JEWLMINT Bow Tie Bracelet that has been sold out for ages. you can get these forever21 rhinestone bow bangle for much less! they are almost identical!