PinkSeoul Mask Box | August 2016

PinkSeoul is a K-Beauty subscription featuring 3 different types of subscription boxes:

source: PinkSeoul

My Mask Box was curated for my Combination Skin Type with a focus on Pigmentation.

I’ve been breaking out like crazy lately and I can’t seem to figure out why! I’m not too sure if it has to do with my recent life event; maybe my hormones are just going crazy; or stress is just too high at work and at home? Whatever it is, I’m planning on switching my focus to acne instead of pigmentation in September’s box. Hopefully it will help reduce my breakouts.

If any of you are subscribed to the Pink Seoul Mask Box with a focus of Acne,  how do you like it so far?

Let’s move on, shall we?

This month, I received another wonderful array of mask products!

The full-sized item I received this month was the Skin Food Black Sugar Wash Off Mask.  I already own this myself and use it once a week.  It is a very nice exfoliator so I’m glad to have another one as back up. It’s a bit rough for me to use it on its own, so as suggested in the instructions, I add a bit of water to soften it.

I also received two samples.  I’ve already used the Tony Moly Banana Hand Milk. It has a nice, sweet banana scent (very candy-like).  It softened my hands up and did not leave me greasy.

How cute is the Animal Cutie Mask Pack from SOC?! This mask has whitening properties and boosts hydration.

I recieved the 5ILDONGAN Premium Bio Cellulose Mask (Ginseng) in my May Mask Box. I enjoyed it and am glad that I received another one.

I’ve only tried a bubble sheet mask once by Tony Moly so I’m excited to try this from Mediheal!

As mentioned earlier, my skin has been going cray cray and I’ve been suffering from inflammation along my jawline.  I was so glad to receive the Pure Snail Mask from Tosowoong as snail products have done a great job of calming my skin and lessening any redness going on my face. A more in depth review of this mask will be up soon 🙂

I’m slowly becoming a fan of Skinfood products and am glad to be adding to my collection! The artwork on the packaging is simple yet beautiful. I know that orange has brightening properties.  I looked up the purpose of lentils and found that they have moisturizing properties.

These masks are just eye catching and look like they’ll be fun to try out. Both are from Mediheal and I have definitely become a fan of their products and packaging.

More brightening masks from The Face Shop! I love me some lemon & rice products.  They always do a good job of brightening my skin and they smell nice too!

It looks like September boxes are SOLD OUT on PinkSeoul’s website. If you’re not already subscribed to PinkSeoul and would like receive October boxes head on over to their website and subscribe now!

XO,
Tracy

IPSY GLAM BAG | September 2016 REVEAL

The first week of this month has definitely gone by quickly.  I hope you all had a great weekend!

Ipsy reveals are up! I am so excited for all products I’ll be receiving this month!

What are my fellow Ipsy subscribers receiving this month?

Click here if you want to join in on the glam bag fun!

XO,
Tracy

Play! by Sephora | August 2016 Review

I am OBSESSED with Sephora.

Okay, maybe not. But I adore it more than I should. For just $10 a month, subscribers receive:

• Five deluxe samples (plus a fragrance bonus) from the same prestige brands we carry in our stores that are sized to use multiple times.
• A PLAY! BOOK packed with tips, tricks, and helpful advice.
• A PLAY! PASS to redeem in-store for a free one-on-one tutorial and 50 bonus Beauty Insider points with any product purchase during the same store visit.*
• A collectible makeup bag.
• An invitation by email to attend PLAY! DATE, a subscriber meetup held at select Sephora locations across the country.

This subscription is definitely worth $10. I understand that you can get a bunch of samples from the Sephora store or online, but I rarely shop there and the nearest store is miles and miles away. I also enjoy the fact that I can sample a bunch of high end products and discover new brands and products that I would have never thought to experiment with on my own.

This is my second box and this month’s theme was focused on The Eye Openers- Wink Outside the Box!

Lancôme
Énergie de Vie The Smoothing & Glow Boosting Liquid Moisturizer

Lancome is a very high-end brand and nothing this brand produces comes cheap. A full size of this liquid moisturizer retails for a whopping $55!!!

I have been using this liquid moisturizer for the past week and I love it so far.  It claims to be good for all skin types.  The moisturizer is infused with antioxidants and is very light and refreshing.  I use it in the morning as a day “moisturizer”.  The consistency itself is very watery and essence-like and a little goes a long way.  At first, it is very fragrant but doesn’t linger. I find that my face has a nice dewy glow after application. It’s also good to know that this moisturizer is formulated with parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. It’s way out of my budget when it comes to skincare, but I will definitely keep it in mind if I really feel like splurging on myself in the near future.

Algenist
Complete Eye Renewal Balm

I’m very excited to have received this product this month.  I have not been in the market for anti-aging products, but could always start as a way for prevention. I’ve never used an eye cream before so I was super excited to try it out.  The sample size is a very generous amount as you only need a pea-size amount for each use.

This eye balm is formulated with Alguronic Acid (encourages cell regeneration for smoother complexion), vitamin C (boosts radiance & reduces wrinkles), caffeine (reduces puffiness), cucumber (soothing and hydrating effects), aloe, and green tea extracts. This too is formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.  It is supposed to treat fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness.

 I’ve been using this balm every morning and in the evening before I go to bed.  It’s too soon to tell for immediate results.

MAKE UP FOR EVER
Artist Shadow Eyeshadow and Powder Blush in I544 Pink Granite (Iridescent)

This is a very nice shade that I’ve been using over my lids for a pop of color each morning.  It is very soft and creamy and blends nicely.  It is also a very buildable shadow.  (Swatched below). It pairs nicely with the eyeliner I received below.

SEPHORA COLLECTION
Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in 33 Love Affair – Plum

Surprisingly, I was very impressed by this eyeliner.  Again, I’m not a big fan of pencil liners, but this one is lovely.  It is definitely waterproof!  I swatched it about 9am along with the eyeshadow and it was still present later that evening (even after doing dishes and giving baby a bath!!).  I am in love with the shade and have been using it on weekends when I don’t have to be all dolled up. I’ve been browsing through their color selection and I definitely plan on purchasing this specific shade and others after I am out of this sample.

Urban Decay
Perversion Mascara

Everyone raves about this mascara…and I wasn’t impressed. The brush is nice and fluffy, but the mascara didn’t lengthen or volumize my lashes like it claimed it would do.

CLEAN
Reserve Warm Cotton

I love that this subscription includes a bonus fragrance each month.  This scent reminds me of fresh laundry. It’s not something I’d wear daily, but it’d be nice to spray around the house if it needs a bit of freshening up.

L to R: Make Up For Every Eyeshadow, Sephora Eyeliner. How amazing is this combo?!

Click here if you want to be added to their waitlist or if you want to check out Septhember’s box!

XO,
Tracy

IPSY GLAM BAG | JULY 2016 Review

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription (make up, skin care, hair care, nail care).  Pricing is only $10 a month and shipping is free (in the US). Each glam bag will contain a mix of 4-5 full size or sample size products.  This subscription is perfect for anyone looking to sample new products before committing to them!

This month’s theme is Hot Summer Nights. The bag itself is very cute.  It’s silver/shimmery with a rainbow hue to it with little umbrella graphics all over it.  Personally, there is something very retro about it.

First up, we have not just 1 packet…but 4 packets (!!!) of  Anti-Frizz Sheets by Nunzio Saviano. Thank you Nunzio!!! I always feel special when I receive salon products and samples.  Can you believe that a box of 15 of these retails for $18?!

These little packets are perfect for on-the-go.  It’s supposed to control static, eliminate frizz, and tame flyaways.  This is perfect for me because I usually find random strays of hair that won’t stay put.  Each sheet is infused with coconut oil and will give your hair that summer shine.

I have yet to try this out because I’ve been keeping my hair up in a bun during this Arizona heat wave.  Monsoon season is upon us, and we’ve been getting a sprinkle here and there, but not enough to cool us off. I’m literally saving this for a rainy day for when it gets a little more humid out here and I can leave my hair down 🙂

Next up is a full size Banana Setting Powder from Bella Pierre Cosmetics.  First off, this retails for $35! Wow!!! Functions for this powder is to: set make up (mainly undereyes), color correct redness, spot correct, or used as a base for your eyeshadow.

I’m not one to “bake” my face, but I tried it out and was pretty impressed.  The powder is lightweight and gave my face and nice matte finish. It eliminated shine from my T-Zone and chin.  Although it’s supposed to work with all skin tones, I found that adding too much of it on my face made me look pasty.  I really had to work to dust a lot of it off. It’s too soon to tell if it made my make up last a little longer. I’ll let you know how well it is working once I get my technique down lol 😉

Here is another great full size product from Trust Fund Beauty. This nail polish is in the shade No Filter.  The shade is absolutely gorgeous and retails for $15! I really appreciate that this brand works to minimize the use of toxic ingredients and that they are vegan and cruelty free.

Although it claims that you don’t need to double coat, I found that I had to apply a second coat just to hide my uneven streaks.  Again, I am working on perfecting my technique!

L to R: 1 stroke vs. 3+ strokes

Next we have a Felt Tip Eyeliner in Emerald Isle from ML cosmetics.  I wanted so bad to love this product because it was different to me.  I’m a black eyeliner kinda gal and would love to venture out to different shades once in a while.  The green shade looked black on me.  The ink bled and as soon as it hit water, the ink disappeared.  I wish it were waterproof!

Lastly, we have a mascara from Make Up For Ever. This is my 3rd mascara I received in a row in my glam bag.  I had high expectations for this mascara just because it was made by MUFE.  To me, it felt like there was barely any product in the tube. My wand was barely covered in product the first time I pulled the wand out.  And when I tried to apply it to my lashes, I wasn’t even sure I was getting any on there because it seemed like the mascara was dried out.  It did absolutely nothing except klump my lashes together. I was hoping that the short bristles would evenly coat my lashes…but failed.

Overall, I was happy with my glam bag this month.  There were a couple of misses but I am definitely happy to sample products I never would have picked out for myself. Receiving more than one full size product is always a plus!  If you’re interested in getting yourself a glam bag, click here!

Fellow ipsters, what were your favorite products you received this month?

XO,
Tracy

IPSY GLAM BAG | July 2016 REVEAL

At last, Ipsy reveals are up! Not gonna lie…it was agonizing without early access lol I must say, I’m glad I didn’t go cray cray like some subscribers out there.  I was beginning to feel bad for Ipsy Care with the constant nagging from fellow subscribers.

On to the goodies! Not a great first impression for me this month.  This will be the 3rd time in a row I’ll be getting a mascara from Ipsy (Check out my May and June reveals).  The anti-frizz sheets probably won’t get used until it cools down here in AZ.  With this heat, you’ll rarely see me with my hair down! I’m in dire need of a new eyeliner so I’m glad to be receiving a new one this month!

Nunzio Saviano Anti-Frizz Sheets
Trust Fund Beauty Nail Polish in No Filter
ML Cosmetics Felt Tip Eyeliner in Emerald Isle
MAKE UP FOR EVER Excessive Lash
BelláPierre Cosmetics Banana Setting Powder

What are you getting in your glam bag this month? Is there anything in my bag I should be particularly excited for?

If you’re not a subscriber yet and would like to get a glam bag of your own, sign up here!

XO,
Tracy

IPSY GLAM BAG | June 2016 REVEAL

source: ipsy.com

Happy Monday, lovelies!!! Ipsy’s early access is here and I’m super stoked about this month’s glam bag! This month’s theme is REBEL REBEL and I am very, very happy with the goodies I’ll be getting in the mail soon 🙂

Elizabeth Mott Show Me Your Cheeks Blush in Peach Pink
BIODERMA Laboratoire Dermatologique Sensibio H2O
Urban DecayEyeshadow in Fireball or Lounge
Doucce Boombastic Lash Volumizer Mascara
clariSEA Deep Pore Detox Activated Charcoal Exfoliating Mask

Have you tried any of the products listed above? What are you getting in your glam bag this month?

If you’d like to join in on the Ipsy fun, click here to be added to their waitlist!

XO,
Tracy

Ipsy – Skip the Waitlist!!! [over]

Hurry!!! Click here or the image above to skip Ipsy’s waitlist!

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription (make up, skin care, hair care, nail care).  Pricing is only $10 a month and shipping is free (in the US). Each glam bag will contain a mix of 4-5 full size or sample size products.  This subscription is perfect for anyone looking to sample new products before committing to them!

Still contemplating? Check out my April Bag and March Bag for the awesome products I received.  I have been very happy with this subscription and do not regret signing up! Look out for my May review!

XO,
Tracy

**This post contains my ipsy referral code and thanks in advance if you decide to use it  🙂

Kaia Naturals Juicy Bamboo Natural Facial Cleansing Oil Cloths

[Taken from instagram]

I’d like to thank@0.8l_usa  for the opportunity to review the @kaianaturals Juicy Bamboo Natural Cleansing Cloths!

These cloths are made from bamboo fibers and are soaked in ingredients that are beneficial to your skin like honey, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, eight pure plant based essential oils, and vitamins B12, C, and E. This is a cruelty-free and biodegradable product.

First off, how cute is the packaging! I tested this product as soon as I got home from work. Due to my job, I wear full coverage makeup on a daily basis and you can bet it’s such a relief wiping my “face” off each night. I’m always on the hunt for gentle make up removers. These cloths are a miracle product. They are so gentle on my skin! Each cloth is not large in size, but it sure gets the job done. I was able to remove my foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick in one go! It’s nice to know that I’m not just removing make up from my face and that the oils in the cloth are removing impurities and are working to cleanse my face. The cloths are cooling and my face was very moisturized afterwards. There is a unique smell to it. I can smell the honey and hint of citrus.
I think pricing is fairly reasonable as you get quality ingredients in each cloth that are beneficial to your skin and is also environmentally friendly. I am definitely interested in investing in these cloths after I run out!

P.S. I also had Mr. G test a cloth out.  Surprisingly, he enjoyed it.  He wasn’t too fond of the scent…but hey, he’s a non-fragrance kind of guy.  He said his face no longer felt greasy and was left nice and smooth. Don’t tell anyone, but he had asked to try another one out after he was out grilling steaks and cooking up some of his famous tacos 😉

XO,
Tracy

IPSY GLAM BAG | May 2016 REVEAL

Source: ipsy.com

Early access is here!!! It looks like I’ll be getting another great mix of make up products, a beauty tool, and a skin care product. Thumbs up Ipsy!

I’ll be receiving:

Smashbox X-Rated Mascara
Pacifica Natural Mineral Coconut Eye Shadow Trio
Hikari Cosmetics Shimmer Bronzer
Vera Mona Eye Smudger Brush
FORMULA 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask

What products are you excited for this month? If you’d like to be added to Ipsy’s wait list, feel free to use my referral link here.

XO,
Tracy

 

Ipsy Offer | Lip Service Kit

Ipsy had an offer I just had to snag right away! It was a Lip Service Kit and came with 7 deluxe & full-sized lip products for just $20! I believe regular price for all of these would have been $69. What a deal!

Royal & Langnickel® MODA™ Pointed Lip brush

First up is a pointed lip brush from Royal & Langnickel.  This is a new brand for me and I am impressed with the quality of the lip brush.  The grip is amazing and the brush is ultra smooth.  It packs on lip product nicely and glides across my lips during application.  The brush is very easy to clean.

Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub

Next up is a deluxe size Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub.  I was very excited to see that this product was included in the offer because my lips are in definite need of some TLC and thumbs up to Hawaiian products!

This is a very gentle scrub that does the job.  The Maui sugar crystals are not harsh at all. Upon application, the product melts like butter and smells sensational. After wiping the product off, my lips stay moisturized and supple for most of the day.

Malin+Goetz Lip Moisturizer

I was introduced to this brand from Ipsy a while back when I got the mojito flavor in my glam bag.  This time around, I got the full-sized unscented moisturizer.  I have been using this daily and am in love.  I put it on every morning before I start my day and at night when I throw a mask on before bed.  This is one of those products where a little goes a long way, so I’ll have this around for a while! So far, I have not been suffering from dry lips and haven’t had to exfoliate much.

em Cosmetics Lip Balm

I also received a full-size lip balm in Strawberry.  It doesn’t smell strongly of strawberries, but there is definitely sweetness in there.  The balm was nice and light and provided a sheer red tint to my lips that enhanced my natural lip color.  I found it to be a little sticky.

Benefit lollitint

I am still new to Benefit Cosmetics.  The packaging on this is bright and adorable.  I have not experimented too much with lip and cheek stains.  This product claims to be long-lasting.  Lollitint is supposed to give you a natural pink flush. The shade is gorgeous (swatched below).  I have yet to use it as a cheek stain but I love it on my lips!  The consistency of the product is quite watery.  I need to apply a few times in order for the color to really show up on my lips.

Buxom Lip Polish

This is such an awesome lip gloss! I received a deluxe-size sample in the shade Sophia. You get a tingling sensation upon application and I guess it’s supposed to make your lips fuller.  I already have full lips so I didn’t notice too much of a difference.  This gloss gives your lips the dewy look with a high shine finish. I prefer not to add too much of the gloss as it feels sticky.

 

OFRA Liquid Lipstick

I was semi-excited to be receiving this full-size liquid lipstick by Ofra.  I just never had any luck with liquid matte lipsticks as they dry out my lips.  I received the shade Manhattan.

I just wanna say that this lipstick has definitely changed the way I feel about liquid lipsticks! They applied on very creamy and were moisturizing.  The shade was very pigmented.  It claims to last for 5 hours, but I’m constantly eating and drinking so it faded way before that. The shade is a bit too dark for my liking but I’ll definitely look into other shades.

(L to R) Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub, em Cosmetics Lip Balm, OFRA Liquid Lipstick, Buxom Lip Polish, Benefit lollitint

 I like to keep an eye on ipsy offers just because they sell out really quick! Click here to browse their current offers!

XO,
Tracy