It is officially fall in the Northern Hemisphere but the temperatures have still been a bit warmer for this time of year. I am not ready mentally to say goodbye to summer so I was looking for a way to still wear my light, summery shades. I came up with a soft, olive green makeup look that was a little bit on the cooler side, but it works great as a transition from summer to fall. I basically ‘shopped my stash’ and this is an easy look. I will give dupes and alternatives for products that are no longer available. This going to be the first of a couple other fall looks, let me know what you think and check out my other makeup tutorials, including a Rihanna inspired one and soft, smoky look.
Mascara. One beauty product that I cannot live without. Just giving my lashes some definition is all I want on some days. I have been wearing one of L’Oreal’s newest mascara offerings, the L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara. This is part of the Voluminous line, which is a favourite of many, so I had high expectations for this one. In general, I really like the L’Oreal mascaras, I think they make some of the best at the drugstore/inexpensive level.
The obvious comparison being made is with the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. The packaging and the brush are very similar! Not sure if this was intentional by L’Oreal but…. here we are. So is this a drugstore dupe? Can it stand up to its more expensive doppleganger? Lehwe go!
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Review – Video
Here’s my video review and demo. Take a look and subscribe to my channel so that you don’t miss out! If you prefer to read…keep scrolling.
This comes in a number of shades and in both washable and waterproof versions. This review will focus on the washable version in the shade ‘Blackest Black’. According to L’Oreal Paris, this mascara promises “voluptuous volume, intense length, full fringe lashes and feathery softness”. Also it touts its no flaking, no smudging, no clumping properties. It contains your typical ingredients that are found in mascaras, but it is not natural/organic or anything like that. The formula is very rich and creamy, has a ‘heft’ to it and the I like the pigmentation. It’s is quite black but not the blackest formula that I have ever used. But it is black and does not have a grey tone to it.
I have been using Paula’s Choice products for a few years now. I have even gotten my Mum hooked on some of her products too! I am always drawn to well-thought out, well researched skincare brands that rely on hard science when making their formulations. Paula Begoun is one of the better known skincare experts in the cosmeceuticals industry. I like that her products have simple ingredient listings i.e. there are not a lot of ‘filler’ ingredients, added fragrance and are made for use by people with skin sensitivities. She also gives you ingredients that are in high enough concentrations to be effective. The last thing that is pretty unique about PC, is that she includes published research from medical journals that support her decisions for using particular active ingredients.
Paula’s Choice Products – Video
In this post I will be talking about the 3 products that I have been using from Paula’s Choice. These are the Paula’s Choice RESIST C15 Super Booster 15% Vitamin C, RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA & RESIST Intensive Repair Cream. For more details on each individual product, please check out my video below.
Paula’s Choice Products – Ingredient Review and Product Usage
Paula’s Choice products are cruelty-free, contains no added fragrance or dyes and manufactured in the USA.
Paula’s Choice RESIST C15 Super Booster 15% Vitamin C (USD$49 for 0.67 fl. oz.)
Image via Dermstore
This product has a very watery consistency with a distinctive citrus smell and a very pale yellow/orange tint. I apply it directly to skin after toning but it can also be added to your moisturiser. It comes in UV safe packaging. Once your product has deepened in shade, it is time to be thrown out. I use this right after cleansing and toning in the morning.
Active Ingredients: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
L-Ascorbic Acid is found in multiple levels in the skin and is vital for the production of collagen. This is how Vitamin C is helpful in the reduction of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also attacks the oxidants (free-radicals) that damage the structure of skin which also causes wrinkles.
Vitamin C is also protects against the damage from UV exposure. It attacks the free radicals that are activated by sun exposure therefore it protects the skin and it also prevents photo-damage, which includes overproduction of melanin. This leads to brightening of the skin (not whitening) and it had help those with hyperpigmentation.
The year is going by really fast, and summer in the northern hemisphere is quickly fading.
September is already upon us and there are lots of things that are happening over the next few months. But…here are the events that are taking part in the next week or so that I am excited for.
New York Fashion Week S/S’18
Via NYFW.com
Fashion Week here in New York started yesterday. I expect a little bit more buzz and lots of long-legged models running from one show to the other.
Yo! I have been waiting for this launch for…..ever!! The promo video was fiyah and full of melanin goodness! This is the Bajan princess Rihanna’s step into the beauty world launches today (at 3am PT) on the Sephora website, in stores and international retailers in 17 countries. It’s a permanent line but I expect there to be a mad rush on products and a few temporarily sold out items. She is changing de game! More info at fentybeauty.com or Fenty at Sephora. And check this, there will be 40 foundation shades! Come thru Rihanna!!!!!!
After years of testing and teasing her fans around the world, Pat McGrath or Mother, as she is affectionately known, will finally be launching a full, permanent makeup collection. No more limited release. She’s been playing with different formulas and packaging, trying to see what people liked and how the products performed. If you don’t know, Pat McGrath is one of the best makeup artists in the world. She has been a permanent fixture backstage at Fashion Week for years and she has be behind the scenes collaborating and advising many makeup brands and products. I am glad to see that she is finally getting the public adoration and appreciation that she deserves. And as a woman of colour with an MBE, this makes it even more amazing! On September 16, the first phase of her line will be released at Pat McGrath Labs and later released on October 3 at sephora.com and select Sephora stores.
I recently did an unboxing and swatch demo of her latest limited release of her MatteTrance lipsticks. I believe that this formula and packaging will be available in her permanent line. Check out the video and the swatches below.
Over the last few months, more and more people have begun using silicone beauty ‘sponges’ or applicators. They are popping up everywhere! I received the Makeup Drop ™ a few months ago in a goodie bag. They call themselves “The Original Silicone Beauty Applicator”. Truth be told, I gave it a ‘cut-eye’ or ‘side-eye’. Was this just a gimmicky tool making its way around social media? How is a piece of silicone going to smoothly apply foundation? Fast forward weeks later and I decided to give it a try.
For the Makeup Drop review and demo video, click here.
Makeup Drop ™ Product Description
According to the website, this is “The Original Silicone Beauty Applicator”. They aim to reduce makeup waste and shake up the beauty industry.
It is made of smooth, clear silicone, which should not be a problem for people with sensitivities. The Makeup Drop ™ looks just like what it sounds like – a teardrop, actually a flattened teardrop. It’s about 1 inch thick and fits in the palm of your hand. The surface is smooth but there is an extra bit of silicone on the back side of the product and I am not sure why it is there. It does not affect the efficacy. It is also cruelty-free, non-toxic and paraben-free. After filming this video, they came out with a new product called the Makeup Drop+ ™, which is pink and it has a textured surface that allow you to use it to apply other makeup such as eyeliner. There are no pores on the surface of this product so that it will not absorb your makeup products hence cutting down on wastage. This is often a complaint when using traditional makeup sponges. This product is suitable for use with liquid and cream products. Another thing that is notable about the design of the applicator is that because it is made of silicone, it can just be wiped down with a clean towel or tissue to remove any residual makeup and can be immediately used again in another product. So it is one product that is multi-use within the same sitting. Add a little 70% rubbing alcohol to disinfect it you are going to use it on more than one person. For a more thorough cleaning, you can use a little bit of mild soap and water.
Makeup Drop ™ Product Packaging
The Makeup Drop ™ comes packaged in a plastic sleeve with is place in a white box with a window on the front so that you can see the product inside. I did not have a problem with the way it is presented. Simple, minimal packaging.
So, I am placing my video review here. If you want to continue reading my review, keep scrolling.
