I'm starting a new post that I hope to make a monthly thang. Like my monthly favorites, my collection of products that have been used up, my empties, will be featured in a mini review. I'll discuss the pro's and cons of each item and whether I'll repurchase it again. A lot of my blogger pal's do this. I think it's a great way to learn about products that may be new to you and whether they are crap or genius! Away we go!!!
Pacifica is one of my new favorite product lines and I was very excited to receive their Tuscan Blood Orange body butter in an Ipsy bag. The scent is so clean, not at all cloying or over the top. I like that it wasn't greasy but really made my skin feel hydrated and glowing. I think this is a great everyday body butter as the texture works year round, while the fragrance is subtle enough that it can be worn with your favorite fragrance without dramatically altering it. Definitely a repurchase!!!
Borghese's Fluido Protettivo for eyes was just ok. I got this in a gift set with a pre-moisturizer serum, makeup remover and lipgloss for $20 and surprisingly, it was a full size product. This is a hydrating and lifting eye moisturizer, that also helps with puffiness and dark circles. With eye creams and most skincare products in general, you won't see any major results with just a 3 day sample and most gift sets like this certainly do not have eye creams as the featured full size item. I liked the light weight texture, but typically, I like a more rich cream and this was a milky lotion consistency. I don't think I would run out and purchase this, mainly because it's just not suited for me, but I think this is a great product for someone that has never used an eye cream before and want to start with a high quality product.
Chanel's Mousse Confort foaming cleanser has always been a fave of mine. A little goes a long way, removing makeup and balancing skin with just a small dot of product. The scent is clean and fresh, but not aggressive old lady style. I definitely recommend this to all skin types except for those with extremely dry and sensitive skin. It is spendy, but because it is so concentrated it will last you months. Mine was a sample size that lasted a little over 7 uses, but when I purchase this as a full size it has lasted about 5 months. So you can buy yourself an Olay or L'Oreal cleanser every month or buy one of these twice a year and spend the same amount but you will waste less packaging and will be getting a far superior product. Your choice.
Oh Nexxus Humectress, why do I keep giving you chance, after chance, after chance? It's like dating someone who is perfectly nice, well mannered, but has zero throw down, no sense of humor and agrees with you too much. Why do I always forget this? Seriously. I buy this, wondering why I stopped using it only to be bored in the shower and looking for a way to burn through it quickly by using the shampoo as a shower gel or conditioner for shaving my legs with it. This is the only time I will agree that you cannot tell the difference between this and the Suave replica.
I ran out of 2 of my all time favorites, Holy Grail's if you will, at the same time: Shiseido Benefiance eye cream and Shiseido Bio-Performance Whitening Formula. Now before you think I'm bleaching my skin, whitening formulas are very popular in Asia and while they don't "whiten" the skin per se, well at least not Shisedo's, they do even out the skin texture, tone and make the skin look clear. It's kind of like having retinol and an alpha hydroxy bonded with a moisturizer.
My skin was smooth and looked amazing WITHOUT foundation and lemme tell ya, that is no small feat. I have acne scars and discoloration from said acne scars along with what I call "first time mom skin": dull, dehydrated and bumpy. Using this moisturizer gave me the best skin of my life. When I wore makeup, because my skin was hydrated and not oily, makeup bonded to my skin and lasted longer than ever and because my skin was smoother than ever, foundation and powder applied like a dream.
While it isn't a cream texture in the traditional sense, more of a lotion consistency but very emollient. A little goes a very long way. I love everything about this moisturizer and this is the second time i've ever used it, but I can say it is now Holy Grail status.
I have spoken of the Benefiance eye cream many times before and even have a Holy Grail post about it, but I'm going to tell you again: BUY THIS! This is the best eye cream ever! If you have dryness, dark circles and like a rich consistency without being blobby, this is for you. Like all Shiseido products and the majority of high-end products, a little goes a very long way. This eye cream lasted 6 months and will be purchased again and again!
Petal Pusher by Wet N Wild is such an awesome color palette. So awesome, in fact, that my daughter decided that I needed a new one and threw the current one on the floor. Yeah. Thankfully this 8 color palette is under $10 and has some awesome MAC dupes in it.
I also forgot to mention that I ran out of my Holy Grail shadow, Brulee, also by Wet N wild. This is a dupe for MAC's Brulee, a matte eggshell shadow that is great by itself, as a base, or as a setting powder for concealer. My friend Emily from Lisettesbeaute on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/lisettesbeaute, turned me on to this and I am forever indebted. I make a big deal about it because it does everything, truly, and is under $2!
Another Holy Grail finally gave up the ghost. My much adored Coco Eau de Parfum, my signature scent, finally ran out. Knife in heart. I love this fragrance so much. It smells amazing on me, warm and spicy. I get a barrage of shit because in the bottle it smells like an old lady, but on me, it smells like chic bitch. I am plotting my repurchase in the form of the pure parfum.
As I was getting low on my Bio-Performance supply, I thought I'd investigate less expensive options. The one that seemed the closest to it was Alba Botanicals Even Advanced moisturizer. Sigh. I don't even know what to say about this. It's not bad and in fact, in the beginning, I was stoked on it. The fragrance is awful and this, coming from Miss. Gotta Have Fragrance In My Skincare, is a statement. The texture felt like lotion but felt greasy. My skin had bumps everywhere and my fingertips were left with a film that skeeved me out. Never again. NEVER! Ladies and gentlemen, this is an example of you get what you pay for!
Two other beauty subscription goodies, Josie Maran Argan oil and the Orofluido were very cool items to be able to try more than once. Because of my acne and grease pit skin flashbacks, naturally, you'd think it would be counterproductive to put drops of oil on your face. No ma'am, Pam! Like the Marulla oil I love so, Josie Maran Argan oil is a multi beneficial product. Argan is a naturally healing oil and works wonders on dry, irritated, or chapped skin. It soothes and hydrates without clogging the pores and really made my skin feel great during the cold day's of winter. I could throw this in my bag and put a couple drops in my hands and run my fingers through my hair and get amazing style and smooth away any fly aways.
Although I love it, it is no replacement for Marulla oil. I probably wouldn't repurchase it for myself, but it is a great started for someone who is wanting to try skincare oils.
Before I ran out of Orofluido, it was my go to hair oil. The scent is delicious and I loved how glossy, not greasy, my hair looked. If you have colored hair, over-processed hair or just lots of fly away's, this is nectar of the Gods for your hair. It is a bit pricy but I would definitely repurchase it!
Well, the day finally came. Good ole Red Velvet Cupcake candle burnt out. Thankfully its super inexpensive at Target and it is NOT limited edition. I will be putting it in my freezer so I can get the wax out and use it in my tarte warmer. My bathroom will smell like paradise...if paradise smells of baked goods ;)
As always, click the link's below to purchase any of the products I mentioned. I get a tiny commission but as a single mom, I appreciate every little bit. I just put my Jessica Alba spring makeup look up and am working on my March favorites too. Check out my dear friend Emily on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/user/lisettesbeaute, she is Disney beautiful, funny, real and has such a good heart!
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