Kat Von D - Lolita Review

Review: We've all heard about this popular "Lolita" liquid lipstick colour that all the makeup bloggers and youtube gurus are raving about so I just had to pick one up one for myself to see what all this hubbub is about. After several uses, I must say that I'm very impressed. It's very pigmented and goes on like butter. I find that I don't have to use lipliner with this because of the slanted tip of the brush, it's never a messy application. It doesn't accentuate dryness either.  It is a true mauve-y brown/rose. It's very matte on the lips but doesn't feel dry at all. I think this is a colour that would look beautiful with any skintone. It holds up quite well through the day, very long-lasting even after eating,  I noticed that its still there.

 

 “I am proud to say that Kat Von D Beauty products are never tested on animals – and never will be” – Kat Von D (That's a plus!)

A comparison of Lolita & Lolita II

Ingredients Review: I had a hard time finding the ingredients for this liquid lipstick online. Both the sephora website, and the Kat Von D website only had the benefits. Hence I had to take a picture,  Propylene carbonate, Tocopheryl acetate are the only irritants I found which are linked to mild toxicity. I'm shocked that the ingredients aren't as bad as I thought they would be, considering that this liquid lipstick lasts so many hours.

Price = $24.00 CAD

Rating = 5/5. I would buy this again.

Boscia Enlivening Amino-AG Eye Treatment

Review: Overall- the gel feels a bit greasy going on, thus it is a bit problematic during the day, but overnight it's okay for an eye cream. I find that it's really thick and you really have to pat it on to get your skin to absorb it. It makes my undereye area feel moist which is great and I do notice that it makes my concealer look a bit better under the eye area. Personally, It does not feel like it has many anti-aging benefits which is what I was initially looking for in an eye cream. My under eye area is very dry and sometimes I get dark circles. I feel that I need something more "heavy duty" for my under eye area.

I honestly think I've tried better eye creams than this. Another thing that I dislike about this cream is the packaging - Although it comes in a pump and it's very hygienic, you don't really know how much you have left in there.

 

Claim of what it is formulated to do:"Two combined amino acids and powerful antioxidants hydrate the skin to improve softness and prevent the signs of aging. Coix seed and vitamin E reduce the appearance of puffiness and diminish dark circles, while willowherb, and other beneficial ingredients help support natural cell renewal and smooth the appearance of fine lines. Sephora

 

Ingredients Review: Majority of the ingredients are great. If you look up the red ones you would find that they're irritants associated with the organs. But they're not that harmful when put in low dosages. (I do not rely on one source for this information, I do look at several websites) Look up the ingredients highlighted in red to learn more about them.

Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Triethylhexanoin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Vinyl Dimethicone/Lauryl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Betaine, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Leaf Extract Epilobium Angustifolium (Willowherb) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Coix Seed Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Alanyl Glutamine, Arctium Lappa (Burdock) Root Extract, Angelica Keiskei Extract, Jujube Fruit Extract, Glycyrrhiza (Licorice) Extract, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Rosa Canina Fruit (Rose Hips) Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil.

Price = $47.00

Ratings = 3/5

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

My Review: This stuff is super-lightweight, yet tames away frizz and doesn't feel greasy nor look oily when applied.  It smells heavenly, like fresh roses. 

I have fairly thin hair, and probably use more product than I should- it's so light it doesn't make my hair stick to each other so that's a plus.  I often apply this product to the ends of my hair and use it as a detangler, and it works great. I don't apply it to my roots because my hair gets oily easily. It's a product that doesn't make me worry because it's mainly made out of natural ingredients not synthetics. 

"What it is formulated to do: Infused with Briogeo’s signature blend of ultra-nourishing rosehip, argan and coconut oils, this milky blend effectively restores hair’s softness, strength, manageability, and moisture levels, while acting as a barrier against heat. Perfect for use on wet or dry hair, this non-greasy formula seals the hair cuticle to lock in moisture, restore luster, and diminish frizz without leaving behind product buildup. 
What else you need to know: This product is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and free of silicone, DEA, and dyes. It is a 96 percent naturally-derived formula, and it is color-safe and safe for use on chemically-treated, relaxed, and keratin-treated hair." Sephora

Ingredients Review: Love them. As you're looking over the ingredients - you will notice majority of the ingredients do not look like a foreign language. Yay!

Downside: Looking over the highlighted ingredients - I realized that it is best that I don't apply it on my scalp or close to it - for one is quite high on the 'this is harmful for you tests'. That ingredient you see called Tacopheryl Acetate is supposed to be a variation of Vitamin E, but it's not derived from a  natural source. The way it is processed makes it harmful and in high dosages studies claim that it is linked to tumors.

Favorite Lip Balm: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy

I've tried high-end lip balms, pharmaceutical ones out there and out of all of them, I really like this lip moisturizer. It's not my HG product but so far it is the best one I've tried. It has a slanted tip applicator and it smells like peppermint. It's not greasy and it is quite long lasting. If you sleep in with this product on your lips, you will wake up with soft, luscious lips. 

Koh Gen Do Oriental Plants Lotion—II

Asia is well-known to be far ahead in their skin care products. I read that Japan is one of the many few countries out there who are really cautious about what they put in their beauty products. Their native consumers are quite aware of which ingredients are beneficial and which are not which makes it difficult for brands who put a lot of synthetics in their products to sell.  Doing all this research led me to a brand called: Koh Gen Do (Gen pronounced like ghen, not jen). The first product I decided to purchase was their Oriental Plants lotion for dry skin.

Bumble and Bumble + Does dry shampoo cause hair loss?

I had a friend who sent me a screenshot of some post that was trending on Facebook, in that post there was a girl balding from using dry shampoo. 'Stop using dry shampoo or you'll go bald' she said. The type of person I am, I just had to look into it.

In today's post I will review the Dry Shampoo I use and also answer whether dry shampoo will cause balding.

Does dry shampoo cause balding?

Unlike regular shampoo which cleans the scalp, dry shampoo does not serve that purpose. The whole point of dry shampoo is to absorb excess oil from your hair. For instance - sometimes you're in a hurry and don't have time to shampoo your hair or you just naturally have an oily scalp, that is when dry shampoo becomes a life saver. 

You should keep in mind that your scalp needs it's natural oils too. That's why we hear all the time that it's bad to shampoo your hair everyday. While an oily looking scalp isn't attractive and may appear unclean, it's a natural function of your body and one that's essential to the health of your hair. 

When you apply that dry shampoo it sucks up any oil on your head and stays put.  It's similar to makeup setting spray in the sense that- it's just not going anywhere once you apply it. If you don't wash your hair after using it, it will sink in and possibly go into your hair follicles.  As a result, If you continue leaving it in your hair and not washing it after use it will clog the hair follicles leading to possible hair loss.

If you're going to purchase a dry shampoo, make sure it's an all-natural one and comb the product through your hair. Think of putting dry shampoo on your scalp as the same way you leave your makeup on your face overnight (you don't ever want to do that!), you could possibly break out the next day. Bottom line is, don't leave that dry shampoo in your hair overnight! 

Long Term dry shampoo user comments found on dailymail:

"Can you really use 1 woman's experience and say its bad for everyone? I've used dry shampoo for over 10 years no itch no sore patches no bald patches. I wash my hair twice a week as washing it makes my scalp itch and dry I tried all sorts and this works for me - who is it to say one rule applies to everyone ?"

"I have been using it approximately 5 days per week for several years now and have never experienced any of these problems. Maybe though it's because I have naturally very oily scalp/roots. Perhaps it has to do with your skin/hair type?"

Bumble & Bumble Prêt a Powder:

This is the best dry shampoo I have ever used. I naturally have an oily scalp, and very fine hair. I get a tousled wavy hairstyle using Bumble & Bumble's Prêt a Powder, and it just keeps the oil at bay all day.  

It smells nice too (sort of like baby powder but not so overpowering). It is super easy to use and doesn't leave a white cast to my dark hair. You just have to blend it in real nicely. It also adds instant and lasting volume. I use this product probably around 2-3 times a week and wash it out at the end of the day. 

The only thing that I don't like about this product is how long it takes to sprinkle this stuff onto the hair, they made the holes on the top of the bottle so tiny. As a result, I end up getting this arm workout while I'm shaking it over my head.

Philosophy Anti-Wrinkle Miracle Worker +Vanilla Birthday Cake Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath

I wish I never bought this stuff!  It reeks of strong chemicals. Literally, the moment I applied it to my face - my skin was just burning so badly. I had to wash it off immediately. I did not put anything on my face after and my skin

Josie Maran 100 percent Pure Argan Oil - Rip Off

This oil is a top seller at Sephora. Regrettably, I have bought it a couple of times myself from there in the past. It has so many benefits and it is so versitile, it's hard to resist.  You can use it anywhere, on your face, on your hair and on your nails. Today, we will explore it's benefits and the "an arm and a leg" price.

Some benefits of Argan Oil include:

• The Vitamin A, E, anti-oxidents, and Omega-6 fatty acids
• It absorbs easily to the skin and does not leave a residue
• Treating skin infections, bug bites and rashes
• Reducing sebum levels for acne sufferers
• Preventing stretch marks by improving elasticity of the skin
• Soothing razor bumps and burns

If you're still reading this, you might be one of those intelligent consumers who are curious about 

Origins A Perfect World. Age-Defense Treatment Lotion

Background: I used to be apprehensive about the second step of the traditional skin care regimen.  Due to the fact, I have used awful toners before sold by amazing sales associates on commission. For example the  Clinique's second step toner was such a big disappointment - it made me breakout bad.  I was told it's alcohol free and it still irritated my skin.

Then I'd go back on the hunt for a toner just to be disappointed again. I could even remember a time about me complaining to the Sales Representative from Dior about the Cliniques toner (I didn't have a blog at the time and I just needed someone to vent to), He responded telling me that Clinique sucks (of course he's going to say that) and that their toner could be used as nail polish remover because of the acetone in it. (I had to google it to see if that were true and to my dismay he was right!). That being said, they have reformulated their toner and have removed the acetone.

YSL TOUCHE ECLAT LE TEINT Radiance Awakening Foundation

I think we all have been in search for the type of foundation where you can't tell that you're wearing any.  

Review: The Touche eclat le tent Radiance awakening foundation has a  flawless finish. It's stunning! I have olive toned skin, which is quite dry. I purchased a BD50 (Warm Honey) for YSL's foundation it's a tad bit darker than my actual skin tone. (I think next time I'll try the BD40). I find that some foundations never "sit" right - they magnify any imperfections. I always want my foundation to look natural, like great skin, not "great foundation" . The description below that Sephora provided about this foundation is context that I completely agree with. For it really does give you a healthy glow.

" [The YSL] Foundation is enriched with stimulating ruscus extract, an anti-fatigue formula that energizes skin by stimulating micro-circulation and targeting dullness to instantly improve the look your skin’s brightness and luminosity, while the vitamin E protects against free radicals. It leaves a weightless finish while offering eight hours of a refreshed, radiant look." Sephora Website

If you're going to be using this foundation I do recommend using their primer along with it - these two products combined can definitely become your Holy grail.  I find that the coverage is buildable, and less sheer than the last version. It only took a tiny bit to cover my face, using the beauty blender.  The consistency of the foundation is very runny, and "watery" to describe it and it feels very light once it sets on the skin. You won't feel like you're wearing anything on your face using this.

Ingredients Review: Another thing that I always look into are the ingredients, to see if it's a safe to use for everyday type of foundation. I have sensitive skin and I don't want to age quickly, so looking into the ingredients is very important. The first ingredient that I noticed was that there is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG). When this is put in low molecular weight, it's in the low risk category for causing any harm to your skin. I searched on google to see if the PEG's used in this foundation were safe and it said they were, they were in fact in the low risk category. Meaning it may effect those with extremely sensitive skin but it hasn't irrupted my skin. 

A lot of companies use PEG as an ingredient in their foundations just so the ingredients in the foundation will mix properly. It is supposed to help soften and lubricate the skin and also help deliver the ingredients deeper into your skin. On the downside PEG is known to reduce the skin's natural moisture. But it appears that majority of cosmetics out there will have this ingredient in it. 

Another ingredient that I found in this foundation was fragrance. If you have read my primer review, you would know how much I dislike having fragrances in my products and the potential side effects of fragrance. If it weren't for the fragrance this would be my number 1 foundation. Due to the fragrance and PEG, every time you remove this foundation off your skin, make sure you have an amazing moisturizing routine afterwards to replenish your skin. 

I've gotten several compliments about how wonderful my skin looks. In response I told my commenters that I'm wearing YSL's foundation. 

 

It just looks very healthy on the skin. It looks amazing in pictures. I've noticed in pictures I have an almost satin/radiant glow - not dewy like the NARS sheer glow. 

Ratings: 3.5/5  Why? -1 because of the fragrance! , -1.5  because I worry about breaking out using this.  

Would I buy it again? - I'm hoping I'll find another foundation similar to this one but without the fragrance. So we'll see. 

Price: 58$ Sephora

*More pictures coming to this post by Tuesday!

 
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 6.8%; Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, ethylhexyy, Methoxycinnamate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isododecane, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Sorbitol, Bis-PEG/PPG-14/14 Dimethicone, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Chloride, Silica, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica Silylate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance, Aluminum Hydroxide, Ascorbyl Palmitate,Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dipropylene Glycol, Ruscus Aculeatus Root Extract, Bht, Tocopherol, Sodium Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Bismuth Oxychloride. (F.I.L. B179701/1)

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer

Today's review will be on this YSL primer.  First and foremost I'll start off with a little background on my skin.  I have dry, dehydrated looking skin most of the time. Which sucks and sometimes even makes the best make up out there look unpleasant. So I know besides a great morning and night skin regimen - I need a really good primer for my skin 

Foreo

Review of the Foreo cleanser

Hey Friends !!!  :)  

This is a review for the Foreo Luna 2 for Sensitive skin (the lavender coloured one). The Foreo is a silicone made cleansing device that was created to give you a deep cleanse with up to "8000