Beauty Review: Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover

I must say I really enjoy the Neutrogena Naturals products. But I don't think this one owns up to what it's advertised for. I believe it is a good gentle cleanser but it does not remove my makeup whatsoever. More so it just washes off the setting powder, but the makeup that is underneath is still on my skin. I find it terrible in removing mascara and eyeliner. It is quite odd as the "purifying facial cleanser" removes all my makeup just fine and it doesn't irritate or sting my eyes. Whereas this one does.

All in all I give it a 2 out of 5 stars and I won't be repurchasing this product again.

Beauty Review: E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black

I used the black cream eyeliner after applying an eyelid primer. I find the staying power to be excellent, this cream eyeliner is quite smudge proof and dries quickly after application. I also used the mini eyeliner brush that came with the eyeliner pot. But I don't really like the brush as I find the bristles to be a little to flimsy, I prefer a brush to be a little more sturdy that way I have more control and can draw a more precise line.

I like to set this cream eyeliner with black eyeshadow and this also intensifies the colour. This eyeliner has a subtle but natural looking finish, I can use this to line my upper and lower eyelids. I haven't tried using this on my waterline yet, as I have extremely sensitive eyes I didn't want risk it. 

Overall I rate this product 4 out of 5 stars and I will definitely purchase this again and I would purchase it in multiple colours.

Beauty Review: Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer

This review is based on my Skin Type: Oily/Acne Prone, Fair/Medium, Age 25-30.

I read a lot of great reviews about this face primer and finally decided to pick it up at Sally Beauty Supply while I was in Seattle. I have always had trouble with keeping my makeup from sliding off my face and I thought I would give this primer a go. 

Thoughts on the first use, it feels like an oily film on my skin, it makes my skin feel smooth but it doesn't stop my skin from flaking on the cheeks where my skin has some dry patches. I use it under my eyes prior to applying concealer and this prevents my concealer from creasing. This primer did minimize the size of my pores around my nose area. I don't think this primer smooths the bumpy acne t-zone, however, I do find it reduces my oiliness with touch-ups through out the day.

Overall I score this product a 3 out of 5 stars for the quality and staying power. I don't believe I will purchase this product again. I don't enjoy the oily film feeling on my skin.

Beauty Review: Freeman Facial Clay Mask Avocado & Oatmeal

This product claims to purge pores, firms and smooths.

I love the smell of this product, it reminds me of the Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen. It has a sweet coconut scent. I love it!

The texture is smooth & creamy. The application is so smooth and even. Never experienced any splotchiness or clumps.

I like to refrigerate the mask in the fridge so that it has a cooling effect on the skin.

The mask dries in about 15 minutes, it washes off easily with cold or warm water.

The results:
Baby soft and moisturized skin. This product doesn't cause breakouts. I can't say whether it purges my pores or not, or whether it firms my skin. But it sure makes my skin soft.

Beauty Review: LUSH Helping Hands

I received a sample of this hand cream while purchasing my daily skin care products.

It has a creamy consistency that melts into an oil once it is warmed with body heat. I find this product very greasy but very moisturizing. It made my cuticles look beautiful and makes my nails look like they've had a brand new manicure. 

The only thing that I don't like is the greasiness, it stains my clothes and that's not a good thing. I have to blot my hands with a paper towel or tissue before doing anything else just to soak off the excess. I find the smell puts me off, it smells like a stale hand lotion.

I think I would purchase this if I had chronic dry skin, which I do get really dry legs in the winter, so I might buy this and split it with a friend for the winter months. I do recommend this to be used at night after the shower on freshly shaved legs and wear a robe to avoid unpleasant grease stains on your clothes.

Beauty Review: May 2012: Glymm Box

I'm sure a lot of you have already seen the May Glymm Box reveal over youtube and various blogs. So, I am just going to show you what I got. This is my first Glymm box, this is their 'going green' edition, instead of a glossy pink box, it came in a pink makeup bag. I'm hoping this is only for 1 month, as I would not know what to do with multiple makeup bags.

Coola spf 30 Cucumber mineral face sunblock matte finish, hypoallergenic, paraben free (which I like), perfect primer. I definitely need primer for my oily skin, as my makeup tends to slide off my face if I don't use it. Just by reading the description of this product it sounds like a BB Cream. I will have to test it out and let you guys know if I like it. I wish the sample was a little bit bigger so that I could at least get 7-10 days worth of product, that way I could truly see how my problematic skin reacts to it.

I'm very excited about these 3 Caudalie samples that I received this month. I've heard nothing but great reviews on all their products. But most of the great reviews were from gurus with dry and/or normal skin. So I'm not quite sure how my skin will react to these two pyramid samples for sensitive and dehydrated skin. The rose pink pyramid contains Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet for Sensitive Skin. The blush pink pyramid contains Vinosource SOS Thirst Quenching Serum for Dehydrated Skin. These are both rather small samples, may only be enough for 1-2 uses, we'll see if it is too oily for my skin or not.The third sample is almost half the size of the full size one. It is the Vinexpert Anti-Ageing Serum for Eyes and Lips. I'm not sure if I will use this for my lips, as I tend to breakout around my lips from my oily skin, not sure how my skin around my lips would react to this product either. I would definitely use this as an eye serum as I do have sensitive dry skin around my eyes, this would be a great way to test out this serum.

This product is a full size sample. I got a Cargo eyeshadow duo in Vienna. It has a beautiful glittery peach and deep plum colour. It is pigmented and the colour is buildable. Great for a daytime smoky eye. This duo retails for $25, which definitely pays for this month Glymm box.

ck one SHOCK for him & for her was received this month. I really like the women's scent. And Beau tried the men's version and he really likes it too. He has officially added this to his cologne collection :) Sorry Beau already took the sample out of the cardboard pamphlet, I couldn't find it anywhere. Hence, there is only a photo of the women's version.

Last but not least NuMe Hydro Punch Hydrating Conditioner, although my scalp gets oily quickly, my hair is still dry and damaged at the ends. This is from years of heat & chemical processing. I will write a review on this sample after a few tries.

Hope you all enjoyed reading my review on the May 2012 Glymm Box. Have a great week and happy reading :)

Newly Discovered Gluten Free Goodies

I am in love with these Wow cookies they are so delicious. The soft and gooey texture is to die for and as a bonus the flavours are light and super buttery. I wish the spices would be a bit stronger. But what the heck they are like gooey butter shortbread and I love 'em! I got them at Fred Meyers in the Organics aisle for $2.49 each.

Next up, a tin of Jennies coconut macaroons. Gluten & Dairy free which suits my lifestyle, as readers may not know I have Celiac Disease. So I cannot consume wheat, barley or rye products. Also I am allergic to dairy, which is a complete bummer because I really love cheese.

Ok back on topic about these macaroons, they are nothing fancy, they are just golden pyramids of chewy, coconutty (lol) sweetness. They are delicious and I find them to be very filling. They are not like the French style macaron in their beautiful colours, flavours and cream fillings. These are the plain OL' but yummy home style coconut macaroons.

I hope you enjoyed my two yummy finds. Until next time, eat yummies and be jolly :) 😘