Beauty Product Reviews

Quality That Lives Up to the Hype

I'll likely be paying my credit card bill with a limb or a first born child to take care of my purchase of the Blue Cocoon. Except, I've received less cream for more money and been disappointed, so imagine my surprise when I came to the conclusion that this little gem from May Lindstrom was worth every penny.

Packaged in that little black jar is one of the most beautiful blue balms that smells, well, odd to me. I love the blue tansy smell, don't get me wrong, but there are so many different little nuances that I can't put my finger on. Before I know it, once it's on my skin it begins to lose it's scent and really melt in. I'm usually a little disappointed that I can't smell it anymore.

The effect is immediate. Skin is softer and calmed. Of course, I started using this product when I was sick with one of the nastiest colds of my life so I couldn't be sure if it was my fever breaking or the actual result of the product that made me look like I was glowing. A few days later I determined it was the Blue Cocoon making me look like that.

I was floored. I've had creams that were $165 for an ounce of what was touted to be a miracle. I've had creams that were $100 for the promise of magic. I've had serums for $200+ that promised to reactivate my youth. This is one of the first things I've put on my face that I actually saw do something that didn't require exfoliating acids. This was a balm... a blue balm in a little black jar that made my face feel and look like I hadn't been sick for a week.

So, good job, May Lindstrom. This product is honestly one of the best things I've tried in the many years I've been addicted to beauty. Well worth the money and definitely not the last thing I intend to try from the brand.

Next Generation of Lip Color (and wallet friendly, too!)

The first two colors I purchased were actually from the Heroine collection. What can I say? I'm a fan of a gimmick. I purchased Lydia and Marion to test these out. I've known about them for quite some time but now that I've gotten my hands on them, I don't see myself going back to any other lip products for opaque color. Yes, I'm saying that aside from glosses and pencils, I don't see the need to go back to lipstick. The texture of OCC Lip Tars is feather light. I've noticed heavier textures from lip balms. The color you see in the tube is what you get on your lips and you only need the tiniest amount. The tiny amount needed has me wondering if I'll ever work my way through an entire tube. I mean, I love Grandma and Interlace and Pretty Boy enough to wear them all the time but I have yet to put even a dent in any of the colors I own. Why would I need other lip colors when I can get totally versatile and cost effective opaque color from these awesome little tubes of magic?! I immediately ordered six more after trying the first two. These will be going into my professional kit because there is no reason to go back to lipsticks. Plus, I really dig the little zip bags they come in with the small brush. Not because I needed the brush but because I can throw individual colors with the small brush into my bag and travel with them without issue. I used to wonder how I would touch up with these but the little bag miniature brush makes it a no-brainer.

Bright, Bold, Beautiful

I've tried almost every color of Sugarpill pressed eyeshadow and I can say, with total honesty, that they are the best matte eyeshadows I've tried for truly beautiful bright colors. There has been a trend that I've seen with matte eyeshadows. Matte shadows are usually very bright but the finishes are inconsistent, along with the pigmentation. That's never the case with Sugarpill. Sugarpill eyeshadows always deliver me the pigmentation that I'm after and come in a size (4 grams) that is over 2x that of a MAC eyeshadow (1.5 grams), which continues to cost more. Along with being comparable to MAKE UP FOR EVER eyeshadows, they're a value at $12. Only thing I'd suggest with these is to make sure that you use a base. I don't suggest this because these are sheer and won't last, but because a smooth, even canvas makes these even brighter and helps the lid grab the color from your brush. I prefer laying these down with a flat synthetic brush and then going back to blend once my colors are placed. Bright side? These mattes aren't stubborn and they blend beautifully.