Too Faced Shadow Insurance Review

Too Faced creates some cult classic beauty products: Better Than Sex Mascara, Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer, The Chocolate Bar palette. You don’t have to be a beauty guru to have heard of Too Faced. My favorite product it the Hangover Primer. Their Shadow Insurance eye shadow primer is a cult classic too. Right on the package it tells you that it is formulated as a ‘24+ hour Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer.’ Squeeze out a small amount of the primer onto the tips of your fingers and gently apply it from your lash line to your brow bone. The beige cream will blend out smoothly and leave an ashy-translucent powdery layer on your lids.

Shadow Insurance is my least favorite Too Faced product. I will keep in mind that that some products just don’t work for some people. However, I have to be honest when I say I don’t see the craze behind this primer. First, the product separates in the tube. If I don’t shake or mash my fingers along the tube to mix the primer around, when I squeeze out some product, it feels oily and slippery. Oil and slip will not insure that my eyeshadow looks good or lasts. Second, the whole ‘24+ hour Anti-Crease’ formula claim is more like ‘4 hours of wear time then your eye makeup will look like a crease-y mess.’ I have hooded eyes so creasing and transferring eye shadow is to be expected but I’ve had cheaper primers make a smokey eye last all day. I’ve tested this shadow in all the ways a girl can. The primer just doesn’t deliver. Finally, $20. Really? For 20 bucks I expect great quality and this primer just isn’t. Ladies, change your insurance policy. There are better primers out there that significantly cheaper than the Shadow Insurance.

Left: Swatch of the primer after it has fully dried,

Right: primer, neutral beige.

Too Faced: Candlelight Glow Review

This Highlighting Powder Duo is perfect for the makeup wearer who likes to change up their look. Too Faced’s Candlelight Glow gives you options!

White Gold: bright, warm champagne shade with tiny gold glitter

Pink Gold: icy pink shade

Mixed together: warm champagne

Whether you wear each shade on their own or mix them together, you will get a beautiful glow to your complexion. The white gold half of this compact is smooth, buttery and very easy to work with. The pink gold half is icy and feels just as smooth and buttery as well but if you aren’t careful, it can become streaky and chunky. When you mix the shades together, avoid swirling the two shades into each other. The pink with cling to the white gold side and vice versa making it hard to have access to each shade individually. If you aren’t into icy shades, Candle Light Glow is also available in Warm Glow which features a golden shade and a peachy shade. Gently tap your brush into the pan then apply where desired. A highlighter doesn’t only have to go on your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose. You can mix this product into your eye looks or even use it as a lipstick topper. Frosty lipstick is a blast from the past that cosmetic companies are working into their summer and fall lines. Never limit your products to one quadrant of your face because some magazine said that’s what looks good. Makeup is a mindset! Makeup doesn’t make you. You make the makeup.

I would avoid using your fingers to apply this highlight as the formula is super pigmented and will look heavy on the skin -I mean unless you like your highlight to shine like a spotlight, then do you! I would still avoid putting your fingers in the formula as the powder tends to get an oily film on the top layer so just slowly build up your glow with a brush. You can use a spooly to lightly scrape away the surface, but when your makeup costs $30, you’re playing a dangerous game with your bank account. When I apply my highlight, I like to use a light hand and blend the product where I like it. Then I take a step back from the mirror and find a light source (window or lamp) to see how bright my highlight is and if I need to add more. When it catches the light, I whisper “Slay, Bitch,” then get back to finishing my makeup. Don’t play me. I know you do it too.

Product Photo from Sephora.com

Dr. Dennis Gross Hydrating Super Serum Review

Written by Deanna .P 

Dr. Dennis Hydrating Super Serum

I had never heard of Dr. Dennis Gross or any his products so I was a little skeptical when I was trying his hydrating super serum.  Even the name of the product seemed to make a promise that was a little difficult to keep.  My skin is chronically dry & I always seemed to get that as a comment when going for a facial or meeting friends that I have notseen in a long time.  Upon doing a little research, I found out, Dr. Gross is a well known NYC dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.  After years of treating clients & an elite group of famous clients, Dr. Gross created a product line that everyone could use in the comfort of their own homes.   His research has been included in Medical journals.  He also is a Board member to the Skin Care Foundation & a collaborating member of the American Cancer Center as well as being involved in a host of other noble organizations.  He is a frequent guest on the Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, The Doctors, CBS, The Early Show, & CNN.  His resume also includes that he has been mentioned in every major magazine including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and The NY Times Magazine.  In summary, Dr Dennis Gross appears to be the Superman of Dermatology & his product line gets rave reviews.  

For $68.00, you can get 1 oz of the clinical concentrate hydration booster.  This product promises to deeply moisturize your skin for smoother, firmer & softer looking skin. The 3 key ingredients hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, & centella asiatica work to smooth the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles. It is easy to use as you can apply the serum directly to your problem areas or add a drop or two to your favorite skin care product & mix it in.  This product does not contain sulfates, parabens, & Phthalates along with it being vegan & cruelty-free. I used this product for one full day in the morning & evening & I must admit I saw a noticeable difference in my skin the following day.  Not only did it feel softer, It looked less dry than it did in years.  I really feel it has started to work on healing my wrinkled & dry skin.  Only time wil tell for sure, but I am happy to say I am off to a great start. I do feel $68.00 is definitely pricey, but if my skin continues this healing process, I would have to say it is definitely a great value for the money.

Check out Dr. Dennis’s website here:

http://drdennisgross.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

DIPBROW is InstaBrow in a jar. This pomade is the not so secret weapon to the success of every beautifully sculpted eyebrow post you have seen since ABH blew up. The pomade feels like a cream-gel that dries down to a waterproof matte finish. It’s available in 11 shades that can be ashy, warm or neutral, and range from taupe to ebony.  Be sure to twist the cap on the jar nice and tight because the cream will dry out over time. If that happens, scoop out the amount of product you intend on using during your makeup application and use a mixing medium to rehydrate it. Use a firm, thin, angled brush to apply this product. DIPBROW is pigmented beyond compare and a little goes a long way. A very, very long way so to avoid cartoonish brows, swipe your brush along the sides of the jar to remove the excess product. It may not look like there is excess product but trust me, swiping your brush on the edge of the jar will save you. You’ve been warned.

 

This product is great if you have thin, sparse, patchy eyebrows or a combination of those three. However, regardless of the amount of hair sitting on your brow bone, this product is for people who are willing to put the work in to learn how to use it. This isn’t your beginner’s brow product. Don’t expect to get it right the first time. DIPBROW also works well if you want to change your brow shape without making the commitment to an angle or arch. I have a steep arch to my brows, not by choice, by genetics. Since Korean beauty products and trends have been everywhere lately, I wanted to see how I would look with their eyebrow trend: straight eyebrows. Because the pomade is so malleable, I was able to test it out. If I didn’t like it, I could just wash it away instead of having to wait for my brow hairs to grow back. DIPBROW is expensive but once you see how little product you use, you’ll also see that this product will last you a long time. Even if you have no brow hair. If you invest your money in this product, also invest your time to practice with it and you’ll love it!

Tip: use an oil cleanser to easily breakdown the product.

Available at Sephora.com; $18

Product Photo from Sephora.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Pencil Review

Price Rating: Fair

Anastasia Beverly Hills’ products have changed the game. Brows on point, cheekbones so defined that they can cut a bitch, and a highlight that will force haters to put their shades on. Does their Pro Pencil live up to our expectations of ABH?

 The pencil is available in 3 shades: Base 1, beige with yellow undertones; Base 2, beige with peach undertones; and Base 3, neutral taupe. The pencil has a tackiness to it that can be rough for the delicate skin on the eyes. The best way to apply the Pro Pencil as an eye primer is to warm up the product by applying the product to your fingertips then gently patting it where you need it. If you apply the pencil straight to the lid, the product will skip and tug at the skin leaving you with a patchy base. Patchy base means patchy eye shadow means I am staying home. This primer works really well with the bouncy cream like formula of Colourpop eyeshadows and makes them extra vibrant. The product is advertised as a multipurpose tool. On their website, ABH claims that this pencil “works as a brow and facial highlighter, concealer, eye shadow primer, or outer lip liner.”  I do not agree. The tackiness makes it an amazing eye shadow primer. However, as for all their other claims, the Pro Pencil falls short. I tested it out and it ain’t happening. Because of the tackiness, you do not want this on your face. Anything you apply on top of the base will cling in a very unflattering way. It also claims that the product will cover brow hair regrowth. While I have dark brows, but  I don’t think this product would even conceal light brow hairs.

If you are looking for a similar product that is more affordable, look into purchasing the NYX Wonder Pencil. It is also available in three shades and has a similar texture to it. The only difference between the two pencils is the thickness of the pencil. The NYX Wonder pencil is thin like an eyeliner pencil while the Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Pencil is stubby so you can cover more ground.

I have Base 2. The peach color works really well to neutralize the slight discoloration on my hooded lids and gave a light coverage to the prominent veins on my lids. It made my eye shadow last a good 10 hours so even though it is expensive, I think if you need your shadows to have that kind of longevity, the Pro Pencil would be worth experimenting with.

Available at Sephora.com; $18

Product photo from Sephora.com

Beauty Photo taken with iPhone 5S

Lancome Red Stiletto Lipstick Review

Written by Deanna .P

PhotoVia: www.makeupandbeautyblog.com

Nothing says sexy like red lipstick,  & black heels.  I recently tried Lancome Color design cream red stiletto lipstick & I have to say I felt sexier than ever, even without donning my heels. It went on very easily & I think the color definitely suited me.  I am a believer that red lipstick suits everyone.  You have not lived until you go out on the town with a splash of red on your lips.  

Lancome’s mission is to provide women with superior products and services that fulfill their quest and enthusiasm for beauty. For over 80 years, Lancome has stood for beauty & glamour & has done so with a French flair.  It is currently one of world’s leading luxury beauty brands.    Woman in over 160 countries depend on the brand & look to it to define what they should use in the beauty world to make them feel & look beautiful.  Stars like Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz & Kate Winslet have all been spokesmodels for Lancome.  The lipstick retails for $23.00.  It provides long lasting color & has a wonderful non drying formula.  It really felt great on my lips, making them feel soft & pretty all day.  Also, you can try it in 5 fabulous finishes.  Cream, sheen shimmer, metallic, & matte.

Be Sexy & try Lancome Red Stiletto.

Living Proof Timeless pre-shampoo treatment & Living Proof frizz nourishing styling cream review

Written by Deanna .P 

I first heard of Living Proof when I saw Jennifer Aniston advertising the product.  When I delved a little deeper, I realized Jen has invested in the company & swears by their products.  Jen who has had famous tresses since the show Friends aired, has gorgeous hair & I definitely was game to try anything that made her hair look so damn good! I tried sample sizes of 2of the products in the line. Living Proof Timeless pre-shampoo treatment this is used to fortify hair & lock in the color.Comes in 2 sizes

2 oz for $10 / 6 oz for $26

Works to lock in color & prevent aging of the hair.  It also works to prevent breakage & helps hair grow. It is to be used before shampooing.  It is recommended that you start using it in your 30s.

Living Proof frizz nourishing styling cream

Used to stop frizz, Comes in 3 sizes.

2 oz for $15 /4 oz for $27 / 8 oz for $37

This formula eliminates frizz, by smoothing your hair strands & leaving your hair shiny & tame.   It is not heavy or greasy.  Using OFPMA which is the healthy hair molecule( biggest breakthrough in 30yrs)  it blocks humidity 70% better than oils & silicones, nourishes hair, & keeps hair cleaner longer.  It can also be used safely on color & chemically treated hair. The company started in 2004 & took a scientific approach to invent their hair product line. There Philosophy speaks volumes about what the company stands for & I had to share as I was super impressed by it.

Before 

After 

We are not a traditional beauty company.
We are more than that.
We believe in rethinking conventional wisdom.
We believe when you can’t find something that works, you invent it.
We believe the answers are found in science.
We believe that beauty and brains are the best formula.
We believe a product should keep its promises.
We believe every day can be a good hair day.
We believe beauty is more than skin deep.
We believe in day-making, bliss-creating, confidence-boosting results.
We believe you are the living proof.

I liked both products & actually tried the frizz formula on a rainy humid day.   I am happy to say it definitely worked.  I would recommend trying both products.  They smell great & work very effectively.

Modern Renaissance ABH Review:

Written by Pepper .B

Product Rating :

Price Rating:

I love eyeshadow, no matter how many palettes I purchase I find a need to add an additional palette to the collection. I am smitten over this palette and what I am impressed by most with when it comes to this palette is color pay off. This color payoff is unlike any other palette I have purchased from this brand. What you see is what you get. There is no need to dig the eyeshadows you get instant pigment even when swatching. The palette is broken down into 11 matte shades and 3 metallics.  My favorite shades are listed below:

Pepper's Palette Picks

Love Letter- Raspberry with an ultra-matte finish

Cyprus Umber- Dark coffee with an ultra-matte finish

Realgar- Brick with an ultra-matte finish

Venetian Red- Crimson with an ultra-matte finish

Red Ochre- Sienna with an ultra-matte finish

Burnt Orange- deep orange with an ultra-matte finish

Raw Sienna- neutral amber with an ultra-matte finish

The price point of the palette is pretty reasonable considering the palette has 14 shadows. This equals to roughly 3 dollars per eyeshadow which is awesome. I haven't tried the eyeshadows wet as of yet however the texture of the shadows are pretty soft and look like they can be used both ways. Must have for summer this year even transitioning into the fall. 

http://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com/modern-renaissance-palette.html

Tartelette Product Review

Review By Christine. Q

I normally eschew eyeshadow palettes. I find that I only hit pan on one or two colors and the rest of the palette is largely left unused.

I'm picky about eyeshadows. Consistency, texture, and longevity are key for me. Get an eyeshadow that isn't pigmented enough you'll end up scraping it off the pan. Get one that's too powdery, well, have fun trying to get the loose shadow off your face without smearing the rest of your make-up. Normally, I would say, build your own collection with all different types of shadows, but if you did have to buy one catch-all palette, it would be the ones from Tarte.  I've been hooked on Tarte palettes since I first invested in the limited edition ones that they release every year around Christmas time. Since we're in the middle of the year, I'll share my other favorite: the Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette. What a mouthful! I love this palette because I use every single color. It is so versatile, you can use it for daytime, romantic, or even dramatic looks. For daytime, I usually sweep the color Wanderer (light brown) on my lid and line with the color Bombshell (dark plum).For a romantic look, I will use the entire middle row to create a soft rosy look that really highlights my brown eyes.  For a dramatic look, I will use the entire top row and fashionista (black shadow) to create a brown smokey eye. The great thing about this palette is that ll of the colors blend together well and have a beautiful texture. If you're into selfie's, they also photograph well!

Shalimar Fragrance Review

Written by Deanna. P

I have heard of the famous Shalimar scent, but I had never tried it.  This is a fragrance that was inspired by the love story between an Indian princess & an Emperor.  Shalimar actually means temple of love & the origin of the word is Sanskrit.  It is the the promise of eternal love forevermore.  

The Eau De Toilette comes in 3 sizes:

Complete refillable spray 30 ML
Spray 50 ML
Spray 90 ML

The spray is Oriental and some of the ingredients include iris, jasmine, & rose.  Also notes of vanilla, & the tonka bean. I tried the 50 ml & I am sad to say as much as I wanted to fall in love with the scent, I am not feeling the love.  It just did not smell good on me.  This is a great example of the issues I described in my Scentbird review,  Some scents just don’t combine well with people’s body chemistry.  The bottle is pretty & the story & long history of the fragrance &  brand speaks volumes about it.   It just unfortunately was not for me. If interested in trying, stop in any of the high end department stores, Sephora, or the Guerlain Spa to try it & see how it smell on you.   You could be pleasantly surprised as it all about body chemistry.

The Maracuja Kiss Stick by Ruby Kisses Review

This is the only lip product you will need for Summer Sixteen.  Whether your summer plans are hanging out at the beach, or you just need one dance, got a Hennessy in your hand while practicing Drake’s dance moves, or even if you’re stuck at a desk wishing you could do both, this Rare Amazonian Soft Matte Lipstick should be in your makeup bag. It comes in a lightweight plastic, twist up tube with a gold cap that clicks into place giving you the satisfaction that the cap won’t pop off while in your bag. I also really appreciate that Ruby Kiss made the tube match the color of the lipstick so you will never have to guess what shade you’re picking up. 

The Maracuja Kiss Stick is available in 12 shades that include nudes, a deep red and a bright orchid color. Best part? It is so affordable! It’s just under $3, so no matter your style you will find a shade you like or can even experiment with a color you wouldn’t typically go for. I picked up the shade “Tango With Me,” which is a bright, bold orange shade because with such a low price, why play it safe! I never thought I would wear a shade like this. I have a medium dark, olive skin tone and strawberry blonde hair so I didn’t think orange tones would be flattering on me but it compliments my coloring very well. And it isn’t one of those warm shades that makes your teeth look yellow. I paired this bold lip with bronzed skin and a subtle brown smokey eye. Tango With Me brightened my smile, my face, my hair and my mood!

Available at HairToBeauty.com

Application Tip: As with any matte lipstick, be sure to exfoliate and hydrate your lips before application.

Product Photo from  http://hairtobeauty.com/cosmetics/lip/lipsticks/ruby-kisses-maracuja-kiss-stick-rlc/

Beauty photos taken with iPhone 5S

Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector Lavender Review

By Deanna P

Zoya Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector $10.00

I hate getting a manicure as the process is always a little bit too long for my liking.   Then when I am finally finished I always get a chip a day or two later & the whole experience feels like it was a waste of time.  I tried Zoya Naked Manicure Lavender Perfector & I liked it a lot.  It was subtle enough on my nails to give them a little shine, make them feel stronger, & not show any noticeable imperfections such as chips or dents. I am also not the only person to enjoy the polish’s final results as it was a 2015 Allure Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award Winner! It is definitely a keeper.