Beauty Product Reviews

One of a Kind

This mist...where do I start. I'm a huge fan of facial mists for both before and after applying makeup, but I frequently try new ones and haven't been loyal to any particular formula. This is the only one I can't seem to forget.

The mist is dispersed in an incredibly delicate manner, which really elevates the experience. If you've ever used Missha's First Treatment Essence aerosol spray, this bottle has a similar spraying mechanism. It contains a bit of peppermint oil, which lends it a beautiful, invigorating scent but isn't overpowering and isn't discernible (in terms of burn) on the skin. The formula itself is a bi-phase oil and water blend with included antioxidant benefits provided by wheat germ and rosehip. It leaves the skin looking firmer, plumper and more radiant. I suspect those with more normal to combination/oily skin could even get way with using this as a primary moisturizer after serums and treatments. Applied over makeup, it softens the look of foundation for a more realistic and dewy finish. This would make an excellent gift for yourself or someone else!

Absolutely Obsessed

This is my holy grail chemical exfoliant. I apply it everywhere--head to toe. Literally! I apply it as an all-over body and face serum before bed each night, and I experience no irritation anywhere. On the face, I follow with the remaining steps of my routine after allowing 15-20 minutes to absorb. On the body, I apply a moisturizer after if needed but often find that my skin feels comfortable without additional moisture. My skin has become so much more even and soft, with diminished dark spots and redness. It has completely eradicated rough patches. It's incredible! I have an embarrassingly large stash of bottles since I go through it so quickly (about a bottle a week), but at this price it is STILL cheaper than the exfoliating lotions I used to buy, and the texture is such an improvement over the typical sticky, heavy formulas. As a plus, I can apply any body lotion I want on top of this serum, rather than just resigning myself to the typical unpleasant scent of acidic body lotions. As for the 5% vs. 10%, I am accustomed to chemical exfoliants but still find that many glycolic formulas sting my skin. This caused no stinging and no redness from day one. Both percentages will provide good results, but don't be afraid to give the 10% a try.

Perfection

Call off the search. This is the bronzer to end all bronzers. Terra is my absolute favorite and the shade I wear daily (I am N0 in Cover FX foundation, for reference). A matte bronzer with cool undertones is hard to find and this one hits the mark perfectly. Applied with a light hand, it adds just enough color to liven up my skin without appearing artificial in any way. Friends and colleagues with deeper skin tones apply just a bit more for an equally natural result. The texture is dreamy—luxuriously soft without the fallout you expect from very soft powders. The color stays true throughout the day with very minimal fading, which has not been my experience with other bronzers.

Gold Dust is similar in depth to Terra, with warmer undertones, and is an excellent choice for those who want a bit of shimmer. Bronze Age is an excellent warmer, deeper shade. Pick your color, add it to your cart and don’t look back.

Perfection

Call off the search. This is the bronzer to end all bronzers. Terra is my absolute favorite and the shade I wear daily (I am N0 in Cover FX foundation, for reference). A bronzer with cool undertones is hard to find and this one hits the mark perfectly. Applied with a light hand, it adds just enough color to liven up my skin without appearing artificial in any way. Friends and colleagues with deeper skin tones apply just a bit more for an equally natural result. The texture is dreamy—luxuriously soft without the fallout you expect from very soft powders. The color stays true throughout the day with very minimal fading, which has not been my experience with other bronzers.

Gold Dust is similar in depth to Terra, with warmer undertones, and is an excellent choice for those who want a bit of shimmer. Bronze Age is an excellent warmer, deeper shade. Pick your color, add it to your cart and don’t look back.

True Blood

If you're looking for a pure blood red, look no further. I don't know how Ellis did it, but she created the most realistic blood red shade I have ever seen. It's absolutely uncanny. I say this as a red lipstick collector who has seen them all (I have a collection of more than 100 shades that is growing by the day). I've heard rumors that this shade is sometimes used by special effects teams as a stand-in for real blood, because the texture is quite perfect for the purpose too. To the point, I applied this with my fingers and caused a great degree of alarm and concern to a friend who walked into the room immediately after.

It's a soft, cushiony formula that wears comfortably and beautifully. You'll need to touch up after eating and drinking, but I am happy to sacrifice longevity for a more comfortable feel and a softer, more inviting appearance. This is a shade of red that is somehow both dramatic and quite demure--almost an accidental, blessed-by-the-gods flush of color. One of the few reds I will repurchase!

LOVE!

Smith & Cult's incredible formula has not left my nails since I tried the shade Stockholm Syndrome a few months ago. The colors are unexpected variations of on-trend hues, so your nails are always chic but just different enough to elicit compliments, and the polish wears like a dream.

I also love the heavy, beautiful bottles and their futuristic design. Each one has a uniquely dented cap, which looks quite edgy and cool, especially when a few bottles are displayed together. Definitely display-worthy!

The Gold Standard for Dry Skin

If you have very dry skin and find that moisturizers never provide enough hydration, this is the cream for you. I can't count the number of creams I've tried, all with disappointing results. Few ever felt quite rich enough; the ones that did would be gone by the morning. This is the first cream I've found that lasts through the night, reduces redness, and completely eliminates any dryness. The texture is quite thick, so I do not recommend it for anyone with combination or oily skin. Dry to very dry skin will be very well taken care of. Can't recommend it enough!

The Reviews Don't Lie

This may be my favorite mask EVER. I have the kind of skincare collection that makes my friends envious and would make a financial advisor tremble. To say I have way too many products would be an understatement. It's a compulsion...what can I say? And yet, despite the dozens of masks I cycle through, this is the only one I am really, truly in love with, 'til death do us part. Finding a mask that I want to repurchase is a momentous occasion by itself. Finding one that I plan to repurchase repeatedly is...well, it's never happened until now.

I don't know what sorcery is in this mask, but the somewhat fiery combination of ingredients (your skin will burn, but...you know...in like a really pleasant way) leaves my very dry, very finicky, often sensitive skin so bright and balanced. My face glows. The same effect has been replicated with every single person who comes into my house and accepts my aggressive invitation to try it. Normal skin, oily skin, dry skin, sensitive skin (yes, sensitive skin!)--this mask is for you. This is the Bernie Sanders of masks. A mask that is truly for the people.

Add it to your cart right now. Try it as soon as it arrives. Thank me later.

Wonderful!

After an allergic reaction to a new lotion left my skin irritated and red, I reached for this to soothe and repair. The result was better than I imagined! Irritation was immediately lessened, and redness was almost entirely gone in a matter of hours. After a few days of consistent use, my skin was completely back to normal. I recommend it for anyone dealing with allergies, eczema or similar skin conditions.

This is an overlooked stunner of a product! It gives a beautiful, subtle glow to the skin and can be applied as a sheer wash or layered for a more dramatic, focused effect. There is no dramatic shimmer or sparkle to it. I apply it very lightly all over, using brush 02 by Wayne Goss. Any similarly fluffy brush should work well. It is imperceptible to a casual glance, but gives a gorgeous soft-focused, ethereal glow to the face. I don't usually use highlighting products, but this has a permanent place in my makeup collection. It also works beautifully to highlight the brow bone, inner corner of the eye, and cupid's bow.