Beauty Product Reviews

Super Hydrating, Moisturizing, and Long-Lasting!

This is my first lip product I’ve tried from IT Cosmetics and I was happily surprised at how hydrating this lipstick was! I always struggle with dry lips and this Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Reviver Lipstick Stain instantly hydrated and moisturized my lips all day without them drying out, peeling, and feeling chapped. I also used it right before bed once and I woke up with soft, moisturized lips! As the name states, this is a lipstick stain so the color also stays on - all day and all night. The Je Ne Sais Quoi looks as though it would go on almost clear with just a tiny hint of pink; however, it turns into a very bright, almost fluorescent pink shade on me. Since I am not a huge fan of bright pink lip colors on me, I like to use the Vitality Lip Flush as a lip balm and wear it under my other lipsticks for a very smooth application. I overall love the formula and will definitely look into getting other shades that are more suitable for me.

My FAVORITE Mascara

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara is one of the best I've ever used. I was introduced to this product about a couple years ago by my mom (who purchased this duo set and gave me one to try). Since then, we were completely hooked and never used any other mascara. I have asian lashes that are straight, sparse, and not very long. However, when I use this mascara, they instantly look fuller and longer. This mascara is able to evenly separate my lashes and extend their lengths. I usually put on two coats and feel that that is enough to get a full lash look. I also love using it for my lower lashes to create more of a dramatic effect. There is also no flaking, clumping, or smudging with this mascara. You can wear it all day and not have to worry about having product smeared all over your eyelids or eyes. Overall, amazing product and would recommend to anyone looking for a top notch mascara.

Amazing eye pencil, but a bit too expensive

I purchased Yves Saint Laurent Waterproof Eye Pencil in '1 Black Ink' to apply on both my upper and lower waterline. It is amazing. It goes on super black and the texture of the pencil is soft and creamy, making it easy to apply all the product your eye needs in one back and forth sweep. I especially love using this product on my waterline because it is very waterproof and will not smudge or fall throughout the day. Within the packaging, each pencil also comes with a sharpener, which is great if it's your first purchase.

Even though I do love this product, it is a bit too expensive for me at $30.00. Since I do my makeup on a daily basis, I found that the pencil itself doesn't last very long. Because of the soft texture of this liner, the tip dulls down quickly and needs to be sharpened often. Within a short amount of time, I find myself trying to use the last inch of it and having to purchase another one. A few purchases later, I'm left with a handful of YSL pencil sharpeners and a need to find a more affordable eye liner.

Overall, I understand that this is a product from a luxury brand and would continue to use it if I could. And I would still definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great waterproof eye liner. But for now, I found an alternative which works just as amazing for half the price. Here's my little secret: Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eye Liner :)

My Go-To Liquid Liner

I have been using Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner for quite sometime and for the most part, I really like it! It has a pointy, felt tip (at first) which makes it easy to use. Especially for creating a wing or cat-eye look. The best thing about this liner is the color. The "Intense Black" is a true black that doesn't fade or look like a dark grey. And as the name states, it does stay on all day without smudging or falling out. (Note: I only apply this over my eyeshadow on the upper eyelid, not on the lower eyelid)

The only reason why I subtracted half a star is due to the fact that the felt tip tends to wear out while there is still product left, making it difficult to apply with precision. This doesn't happen right away, but I will start to notice it around 3/4 of using up the eyeliner. Aside from that, I really do enjoy this liquid liner and will continue to re-purchase until I find another/better "intense-black-stay-on-all-day" liner comes along.

A Nail Polish NECESSITY

Seche Restore is a product that everyone (who has and uses nail polish) MUST-HAVE. This is why: I was extremely excited about Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat, until I got about half way down the bottle. It became almost impossible to apply an even, thin layer because the formula became so thick and goopy. After discovering Seche Restore and applying a few drops into my Seche Vite bottle (with the dropper that it comes with), it instantly restored the formula to its original form and consistency. I was beyond impressed and excited, again! As you may know, this isn’t a problem with only Seche Vite, but with pretty much every single nail polish formula out there. Over time, all my topcoats and nail lacquer (including brands such as OPI, Deborah Lippmann, and Essie) all tend to lose their thin, liquid consistency. Naturally, I decided to use Seche Restore on all of my older nail polishes and happily found that it restored those as well. It is simply amazing and 200% worth having if you want to preserve your nail polishes and have them working like new!

My Favorite Setting Powder

I was shopping around for a translucent powder to set my liquid foundation (I'm currently using Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk) and a sales associate and had recommended the Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder. Because I'm a fan of Laura Mercier products in general, I took her word for it and purchased it. I'm so glad I did! This setting powder is very fine and goes on smoothly. Only a small amount is needed at a time so the large container will last a long time. I apply the loose powder with a big, fluffy powder brush after my putting on my foundation, bronzer, and blush, to set everything in. Directly after setting my makeup, the powder leaves my face with a matte-like finish. However, as it starts to set in throughout the day, my skin starts to look more dewy and smooth, all while holding my makeup in place. Because I tend to get oily in my T-Zone areas, I do need to powder those areas with a compact from time to time (if I'm out and about all day) to prevent from looking shiny. Overall, I love this lightweight setting powder and would recommend it to anyone who uses liquid foundations and wants a natural looking finish.

Great Tool for Bigger and Looser Curls

I was introduced to Hot Tools by one of my best friends because I always wanted to know how she gets her perfect loose curls. She told me her secret and it happened to be this Hot Tools 1-1/2" Curling Iron. After trying hers out, and not knowing how to curl my own hair, I was so surprised how easy it was to use and how gorgeous the curls came out. I immediately purchased my own (in White).

Where should I start? There are so many amazing features about this curling iron that make it stand out from the rest. First of all, I love the temperature control option that is on the iron. You are able to adjust the temperature of the iron according to your hair type or desired hairstyle. I have normal hair but I always use the higher/highest temperatures when styling because I want the curls to hold throughout the day (shown in my photo). Secondly, the black portion on the tip of the curling iron does not get hot. This feature allows you to have more control by being able to hold the end of the iron while styling. Another special feature about this particular curling iron is the tangle-free swivel cord. The rotating feature doesn't let the cord get tangled or twisted while styling and curling your hair, making it super easy to use! The most amazing thing about this curling iron is the price! Depending on the size, they retail around $30 to $40.

Overall, this is a great tool for beginners (like me) and for those who want professional quality curls at an affordable price. It's well worth it!

The BEST Eyelash Curler

I was introduced to Shu Uemura through their famous eyelash curler years ago. Since then, I have yet to come across another that can curl my lashes like this one does. The shape of this curler allows you to get close to your lash line and curl without any pinching. Like others have mentioned, not a lot of pressure is required to get the maximum curl. The key is to do a couple slight pumps as close as you can to your lash line to really feather out your lashes. This technique helps to reduce the wear and tear of the rubber pad making the lash curler last a long time. When it does wear down and it's time to change, Shu Uemura always packages an extra rubber replacement pad with every curler, making this amazing eyelash tool worth every penny!

Sweet and Refreshing!

For the longest time, this was the only fragrance I would wear. Fresh 'Hesperides' Grapefruit Eau de Parfum is a perfect everyday perfume because it has a very light, refreshing scent and with the right amount of sweet citrus. It's appropriate for the office, a day-time outing, and especially during the spring and summer seasons. Because it's a very light fragrance, I find that it doesn't last all day long, but it will definitely last for a good 4 to 5 hours. I know there are retailers that sell this scent in a rollerball form which is perfect for those who are on the go and need to re-apply throughout the day. Overall, Fresh Hesperides is a fragrance I feel everyone will love and is a must-have to add to your collection!

A Very Rich and Moisturizing Face Cleanser

Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam is my staple face cleanser and I have been using it for years and years and years. I always find myself trying other face washes from other brands but I always end up back to this one. As the name states, its a very creamy formula that turns into a rich lather; that feels very soothing when massaging on your face. Because my skin tends to be more on the drier side, I love that it leaves my face feeling soft and moisturized after each cleanse rather than leaving me with that "tight skin" feeling. Another thing I love about this cleansing foam is that is removes any remainder makeup that I may have on (I always use a makeup remover before washing my face). Most importantly, I find that it's great for sensitive skin (which I also have) and doesn't cause any irritation. In fact, this face cleanser helps me to get rid of the occasional acne or skin irritation problems that occur. As a bonus, it is known to visibly reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. With all that said, I would highly recommend this product for those who have dry skin or for those who want to keep their youthful looking skin.