Mecca Cosmetica Lip De Luscious Review

Written by: Danyelle V

Hello, Mecca Cosmetica! This Australian brand is new to me but I have faith in a country that has produced the Hemsworth brothers (#TeamChris).

Mecca Cosmetica’s Lip De Luscious lip protectant has been added to my summer makeup and skin care routine. The first step in my makeup application is always hydration. This process extends to my lips. I apply something to my lips that is going to make them look healthy and full before I apply my makeup to allow the product time to absorb into the lips. The creamy glossy formula comes in a weighted frosted glass jar which gives the product a luxurious feel. What I love most about the product is that it does not feel sticky on the lips. I have very long, wildly unruly hair and it drives me crazy when my hair gets caught on a lip product, especially when I’m driving. Mecca Cosmetica’s packaging for this product claims that it has a pink tint to it and that is untrue. I usually am put off when a company doesn’t deliver on its claims but traditional glosses and lip treatments don’t usually have a color to it. I also didn’t plan on using the product for any color pay off so the overly enthusiastic advertising didn’t bother me this time. I try not to be a brat but I think if you are going to make a claim about a product, you should deliver. This lip protectant is perfect to keep your lips safe from the sun with its SPF level of 25. When the gloss fully melts, your lips a left feeling very plush. Dab off any excess product and apply your favorite lipstick. I also like to use this as a treatment after I exfoliate my lips and as an overnight treatment. Lip De Luscious is quite expensive. $28 for a lip treatment is pretty steep. However, because my lips feel so plump and hydrated after using it, I think it’s worth it. Just leave it at home. We all lose our lip balms all the time. We can’t afford to lose a $28 lip treatment!

This is no pink tint

Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo Review

Written by Christine .Q 

So I've talked about how once or twice a week I do a deep cleanse for my hair with one of my favs, Big Shampoo by Lush. For years, I've been searching for my HG everyday shampoo. Since I'm a gym rat and my hair also leans on the greasy side, I have to wash my hair everyday. It's hard to find something that's gentle enough for everyday use but also does a good job of cleaning. I've tried everything from baby shampoo to cleansing condition. I even jumped onto the baking soda and water bandwagon, but that was incredibly short lived. 

I'm a boutique gym junkie. The thing I love about boutique gyms is that they provide their clients with top notch beauty products. Since these workouts are costly, I am going to take full advantage of everything these gyms have to offer. So after trying out a crazy intense bootcamp workout a couple of weeks ago at a new gym, I ran straight to the showers where I finally discovered the shampoo of my dreams. 

The winning product is Sachajuan's Normal Hair Shampoo. Seriously, WTF. How can something clean so well and smell so good. And the conditioner softens my hair in a way that makes this a double WTF (the Shiny Citrus body wash is a win also). I showered at the gym 5 days straight so I could use the shampoo. At $26 bucks for the shampoo and $29 for the conditioner, it ain't cheap. 

It took me a whole month to decide to purchase it. Every time I used any other shampoo, I just got sad. I now just justify it as, I'll never had to buy perfume again because my hair smells so good. Strong justification? Probably not. But when you fall in love you fall in love!    

Drybar Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant

Written by Deanna .P

Drybar is a concept that came about 6 years ago.  They are ahair salon & all they do is blow out hair.  They do not cut or color hair.  There are over 60 locations around the country & you can request on line for them to open a location near you.  The creators believe that a pro does a better job styling your hair than you do. I definitely agree & so do a lot of other people & that is one of the reasons the salon is so popular & successful. 

Besides salons, drybar also makes a bunch of products that you can buy online.  They have everything that will compliment the perfect blowout & help you to do it successfully at home.  

 Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant (50 ML 1.7 FL OZ. $16.00 100 ML 3.4 OZ $30.00) is one of the products that are available from drybar & I was fortunate enough to test it on my hair.

Our awareness has increased over the past 10 years, that there areso many factors such as the environment&  tools that damage your hair on a daily basis.  There is the sun, blowdryers, flatirons, curling irons, hot rollers that all provide heat to your hair & unfortunately don’t help it to ultimately look healthy & flourish in the long term.  Hot Toddy solves this problem.  Itis a very lightweight lotion that protects hair from heat up to 450 degrees F or232 degrees C.   It also prevent dryness, damage, & breakage & seals split ends. 

Ingredients include:

-Artichoke Leaf Extract which prevents dehydration and preserves hair cuticle. 

-Polymer Complex protects against heat from hot tools and helps to repair split ends. 

-UV Protectors (Octocrylene & Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) provide protection from UVA and UVB rays. 

-Marrakesh Woods Fragrance features notes of sandalwood, jasmine and vanilla.

It has no parabens, sulfates, & phthalates & theydo not test on animals,

Lastly, it works on all hair types & is also safe for keratin & color treated hair.

To use, you apply a small dollop into damp hair & work it through prior to blowdrying. 

I have been using it for the past couple of weeks & I definitely see a big change.  My hair looks healthier, feel softer, & has less split ends.  It definitely does exactly what it claims to do.  I would recommend this product & think it is a good value for the price.  You can buy it & more productshere & find out locations of the salon if interested in trying:

http://shop.thedrybar.com

Origins Clear Improvement Mask Review

I love giving myself a mini facial. One of the steps I like to include is a deep cleansing mask. The Origins Clear Improvements mask is exactly what I’m looking for to get rid of gunk that clogs up my pores. Most of the year, I have normal to combination skin. In the summer, my nose and chin get oily. The sticky summer heat makes the pores on my nose open up like canyons. I know that’s to be expected but it ain’t cute and I’m actually pretty self-conscious of what I call my pickled nose. Other times of the year, I adore my tiny nose. She’s cute! I remind myself that, on the whole, I’m very lucky to have good skin and that my obsession with skincare and beauty is a choice. My heart goes out to people who dislike their skin and feel a societal pressure to make their skin ‘better.’ It is important to keep in mind that skincare is very personal and even people with similar skin types will be effected differently by the same product. Always do a small patch test on your arm when testing out a product to test if you have an allergy to the product.

Wet                  

 Dry

Origins’ Clear Improvements mask uses charcoal to give the skin a deep cleanse. For the best results, I like to run a clean wash cloth under warm water and then place it over my face. The warmth and steam from the wash cloth will help open my pores. I then place a few small dots on my nose and chin then blend out the clay to an even thin layer. While you apply the mask, you will feel a slightly tingling sensation on your face. I like that feeling on my nose. As it dries, the mask will tighten to a point where you can’t freely move your face. When the mask has dried, usually about 15 minutes, I wet the wash cloth again with warm water and place it on my skin where the mask has dried for about 20 seconds. This helps to rehydrate the clay for an easy clean up. The clay will slide right off. If you’ve done a mud or clay mask before, you know that getting it off can take some time. If you’re impatient, like me, you’ll probably end up tugging and dragging your skin which helps no one. After I’ve removed all traces of the mask, I follow through with the rest of my at home facial: cleanse, exfoliate, a hydrating sheet mask, serum, and moisturizer.

This charcoal mask works really well to give your skin a fresh start and tighten your pores. It is recommended to be used once a week but, again, skincare is personal. Avoid over using this mask as well as leaving it on your skin for more than 20 minutes when in use because it can dry out your skin. You’ll notice if you’ve left it on too long because your skin will get slightly itchy. When trying out a new mask, it is important to listen to your skin and react to avoid irritating your skin. My cheeks are susceptible to dryness so I avoid using this mask on them. I use this mask to spot treat hormonal pimples that pop up on my chin and forehead every so often. While it doesn’t remove the pimple, it has helped to reduce their size

.

This mask is available in three sizes with prices ranging from $4 to $26. If you’re looking to just give this mask a try without making a long term commitment to the product, pick up the pod sized mask (.34oz) which is good for two or three uses. This mask is worth testing out. It has helped keep my skin looking great, especially in the humid months.

Available at Sephora; .34oz, $4; 1.7oz, $17; 3.4oz, $26

Product Photo from Sephora.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick - L.U.V Review

By: Amanda V.

I am an avid “nudist” when it comes to lipstick, lip gloss even a lip Pencil. I am forever playing it safe these days with beiges and browns. I decided to give it a go with something out of my comfort zone… I mean, I need some type of life in this NYC Heatwave. I grabbed Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade L.U.V., a pretty vibrant violet. I prepped my lips with a coffee scrub and I applied 2 swipes of the lipstick and my face was brought to life with this pop of color. I felt confident and fearless when I saw what it looked like on me. This shade reminded me so much of the sought after limited edition MAC Lipstick in RiRi Boy (From Rihanna’s 2013 Makeup Collaboration with the brand) so if you wanted to grab that shade and didn’t have the chance to, this could be a pretty good dupe. I have not actually wore a “loud” shade in a really long time and a couple of swipes of this gorgeous floral hue made me wonder, why did I ever stop wearing Brights and Bolds on my lips. This product went on smoothly without major streakiness, however it wasn’t very bright with a single layer so I did have to double up for perfect, opaque coverage and vibrancy (As you can see the double layer swatch in both photos) .

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta Review

By: Amanda V.

I cannot begin to explain how incredible the Ambient Lighting Blush is This Powder Blush feels as light as air and blends like a dream when swiped onto the skin. With a single swipe I am glowing like a goddess. The complimentary glimmering golden sheen that is swirled into the bright pink shade provides a beautiful whimsical flush that I don’t think I’ve found with any other cheek product. 

Personally, I usually go for a Peach or a Nude/Neutral shade when it comes to my cheeks and I don’t really like to steer out of my comfort zone. When I first saw that it said “MAGENTA”, the first thought I had was “Yikes this might be a bit too colorful and bright for my taste” but I thought wrong. It had the perfect pop of color blended with the perfect amount of highlight so you get a perfectly luminous swirl of cotton candy pink. It was love at first swipe. 

I have Dry/Combo/Sensitive skin and I tend to get dry patches on my cheeks. With that being said, this blush doesn’t flake throughout the day on my patches nor does it emphasize them as well as affect the sensitivity of my skin. I set my face on the daily with Hourglass Dim Light Powder and that product, mixed with this blush will give your skin perfect ethereal glow for the last couple weeks of Summer and transitioning into the Fall. 

The compliments I’ve been getting in the past few days of consistently wearing this have been endless. This product may be on the pricier side for a single blush ($38) but it is honestly worth it and it can be a luxurious little treat with it's simplistically chic packaging.

NYX Lingerie Lip Review

Written By Christine Q

A few weeks ago, I received the NYX Lingerie liquid lipstick in the mail from none other, Ms. Pepper. B herself! I'll admit, I left it on my make-up table for a hot minute. It's summer, right now with the crazy humidity and heat in NYC, the only thing I care for is a good lip balm with SPF. 

Last night, I had the perfect opportunity to get all dolled up with a smokey eye. For reference, I used a blend of gray, black, and brown eyeshadow with a heavy dose of mascara. The finishing touch was a good soft neutral lip so I reached for the liquid lipstick in the the color Bedtime Flirt. It was the perfect neutral lip color. It was the color of my lips, pinky brown, but punched up and pouty. To boot, it's soft creamy, and non-drying. If you're a fan of MAC's Velvet Teddy, you'll love this. 

I loved it so much that I brought it back out today for a brunch date with some girlfriends. My friend commented that there something about me that looked a little different. She couldn't figure out what it was at first and then pointed out that my lips looked plumper than usual. The color was so neutral she couldn't even tell that it was a lipstick. 

I highly recommend this for everyday or or a night out. It really is the perfect finish to any look. 

The Masquerade Palette Review by @Juviasplace

Written By Pepper. B 

Product Rating: 4.5 

Price Rating: 32.50 US

I purchased this product as a late birthday gift to myself. It's leo season so I needed an excuse to purchase. I own both Nubian 1 & 2 and I was extremely impressed with both. What you see here is what you get! The color pay off is incredible and they blend very easy. Although the palettes work for all skin tones and show very well. Women who have a warmer complexion will appreciate the warm brows they don't appear ashy or chalky. The price point is also a steal because they shelf life is very long. One small callout is that the Nubian 1 palette is a bit more sturdy then & Masquerade. The shadows glide on like butter. The pan size of the shadows on both palette 2 and Masquerade are bigger. I've also used them to highlight and contour with no breakout or reaction on the face. These palettes are currently a kit favorite of mine. I also am obsessed with lashes. If you are looking to try more products at once I suggest getting the Juvias Box you get to try shadows, lashes and brush for one set price.

Swatches on my arm below: 

Kiss Product Review

Written by Deanna .P

I have always connected the Kiss Brand with nail care products.  I have been using the Kiss nail brand since I was a teenager & first got into doing my own nails at home.   I had not known that the brand has branched out to encompass makeup, haircare & hair appliances. I also did not know how large of a Global brand they are.  Kiss is the largest manufacturer & distributor of nail care products. Their products are available is 90 countries worldwide.  They own impressed, Broadway nails, i.envy,, red, kiss new york,  & ruby kisses. I tried & reviewed 3 products from the Kiss New York line.  

Kiss New York Gel Nail polish $2.99 13 ML This Nail Gel polish comes in 36 shades.  I tried Hot Mama.  I loved this vibrant shade.  The great thing about this polish as it mimics a gel polish and offers the benefits of long lasting polish with out the need for UV/LED Lamps.   The other nice thing about this polish is that it dries easily.  

Kiss New York Magical Ink Eyeliner $9.001 ML  

This liquid eyeliner comes in Dark Brown & Blackest Black.  I used the Dark Brown.  This eyeliner is a felt tip brush which makes it very easy to apply & allows for very precise application.  Some benefits include that is smudge proof,  extreme wear, & has very intense color.

Easy to use as all you do is shake before you use.  I thought this eyeliner was a great value for the price.  It worked as well as any professional eyeliner & helped me to look like my makeup was done by a professional.  I definitely would recommend it.  

For more info: 

All in all for a very reasonable priced group of products, I felt they all worked very well.  I definitely would try more products created by Kiss beyond Nail products & offer my stamp of approval.