haul // 100% Pure - Spring/Summer 2015

So, if you've perused my blog at all you may have realized that I LOVE my 100% Pure products.  In my ever-continuing search for all natural & pure skincare and makeup, this brand has been a staple for me.  They are a great company with amazing products that only have wonderful ingredients. I hadn't placed an order in some time and had been eye-balling their new water foundation so I decided to go ahead and get a few things. Well, a few things led to quite a few, but to be fair a couple were restocking purchases of items I now can't live without. :) Okay, let's get into it! 


Red Wine Resveratrol Eye Cream - 1 fl. oz.
 


The first time I tried this eye cream it was a free gift with order.  Since finishing that up, I've been using their Coffee Bean Eye Cream which I also love, but decided to switch it up.  I felt like I needed more wrinkle defense and less depuffing.  It's a rich & creamy, off-white cream and a little goes a long way.  I apply under my eyes in the morning after moisturizing and I apply under and on the lid at night, again after moisturizing.  It's not a miracle cream but I do notice that my fine lines are less noticeable and my eye area is smoother since using this. 


Fruit Pigmented Long Lasting Concealer: White Peach - 0.1 oz



This was a repurchase. I was on the search for a NATURAL moisturizing, yet long-lasting under eye concealer and this. is. it. my friends.  P.S. - You can also use it all over your face.  I have the world's driest under-eyes and every long-lasting concealer I've tried has accentuated this. Majorly. Horribly.  But this stuff is fantastic!  It's creamy but doesn't look shiny.  I can even set it lightly with translucent powder and still no crepe eyes, amazing!  If you don't set it, I'd say it could last a good 6 hours in normal indoor conditions, and if you do I've noticed it can last around 9.  If you do have oily skin, I'd definitely suggest setting it.  When it does start to wear away it's very natural and not noticeable, not patchy or streaky, like other brands.  I lightly apply under my eyes with my ring finger (I find this helps it melt in better than a brush) and on any spots after my foundation.  Then I lightly set with the translucent powder.  One more thing to note:  This is NOT a full coverage concealer.  With two "coats" I get a nice medium coverage.  But I prefer this, since I lean toward a more natural look. 


 Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz. 
& 
Sheer Water Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz.



I have been using a natural mineral foundation for years and love it, but I started noticing that my skin is getting drier as I get older.  During the past 6 months, my skin was looking dull and flaky even after exfoliating and applying moisturizing masks, etc.  I started using my tinted moisturizer from 100% Pure, which made my skin look better, but I desired a bit more coverage day to day.  That's where these foundations come in.  My intention was to mix them together.  I had read that the full coverage was indeed full coverage and the water was light, so in my mind mixing would get me medium coverage.  Obviously, haha.  Anyhow, I ordered both and have since been LOVING the combo.  It took a couple applications to find out the right ratio, but I have been liking just a bit of the full-coverage (about a lentil-sized amount) to a full squirt of the water.  I always make sure I apply my 100% Pure primer first and a few spritzes of rose water before applying the foundation mix.  It spreads more easily this way.  My skin glows now and I love it!! 


Black Tea Long Last Liquid Eye Liner - 0.23 fl. oz. 



 I haven't experimented much with this product yet. To be truthful, it intimidates me.  Haha.  I'm just not used to a liquid liner and need a little practice.  But I plan to perfect it!  Anyhow, I love that this liquid liner is all natural and made from micronized black tea leaves instead of harsh synthetic dyes.  It looks like a rich black color and pretty opaque.  It also claims to be long lasting and smudge proof.  I definitely hope so, since that is usually an issue for me and my oily eyelids. 


Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze: Lychee - 0.088 oz.

 I don't wear much lipstick or even any lip color, so when I do I love products like this.  Something moisturizing that gives a sheer wash of color.  There are many colors to choose from in this line, from cool pinks to corals to mauves.  Lychee is a mauve pink with warm undertones. It's one of those "my lips but better" colors.

Creamy Polish: Watermelon - 0.5 fl. oz.



From this purchase, I was probably most excited to get this product.  100% Pure recently added a natural nail polish line to there products.  All are "10-free" - free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients, which is the cleanest I've seen.  I chose this color because it got a lot of good reviews and because I don't have this color in my collection yet.  It's called Watermelon, but I think it pulls more orange than pink, and it also has micro shimmer in it.  I love it, it's a prefect color for spring/summer.


Because of my order total, I also got a free gift, the Vitamin C Serum, a $38.00 value!  I actually have wanted to try this product but wasn't willing to pay the price for it, so this worked out in my favor.  I've been trying this serum out for several weeks and, though I can't definitively say if it's making a difference in my skin, I have noticed that my skin is generally more bright and clear than it was before. I'll have to reevaluate once I finish it.


Also, I haven't included prices because 100% Pure recently went through some price increases, so check out the website for pricing info.

_____________________________________

 Well, that's it for this 100% Pure Haul.  Let me know if you've recently tried out any of their products, what you're loving or not, or what you're looking forward to trying out.  Next on my list... the new Eye Creamsticks and some more nail polishes!

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review // Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara

Mascara is probably (in my opinion) one of the harder types of makeup to find in a natural form.  Don't get me wrong there are quite a bit out there, but since giving up by Maybelline Great Lash, I hadn't had the best luck... until this one from Pacifica.  As you might know, I've tried 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Mascara, which was pretty good, but I've also tried Honeybee Gardens Mascara, which was terrible (in my opinion).  When you're used to commercial mascaras performing like a dream because of the inclusion of chemicals that make them more fluid, permanent, plumping, non-clumping, etc. it's hard to find a natural version that performs just as well (and one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg...and a foot).  I'm okay with sacrificing a little in order to use a better-for-you product, but I do have my limits.

I've been a fan of Pacifica products for a while now, especially their perfumes and body products.  So during one of my [frequent] outings to Target when I saw Pacifica started a makeup line, I had to give it a try. I actually picked up several items including their Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara. And yes, I got it in both brown and black.  

PACKAGING

These mascaras come in some super cute packaging. They have white metal/plastic tubes with a fun blue and gold swirly design on the outside and the wand is a plush 100% vegan brush (which I generally prefer over plastic molded wands). I will mention that the little black stopper that the brush pulls through when opening the mascara popped out in one of them, but I pushed it back in and it hasn't done that again. This is also a shorter wand than other mascaras I have tried and I actually like it.  I feel like I have better control when applying to my lashes. Even though I am a fan, I have a feeling that some people may not like this feature, especially if you are used to a longer wand.

PRODUCT

Pacifica's Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara is "infused with coconut oil and vitamin B to hydrate each lash as it lengthens, strengthens and adds volume." It is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without FD & C color, parabens, talc and mineral oil. 

Yay, yay and more yay! These additives can be major irritants, especially to people with sensitive skin or allergies.  Some have also been linked to major health issues, so avoiding these kind of ingredients is a top priority for me. 

Supernova is the black color and stardust is the brown.  I will say that the black is more dramatic on the lashes, especially if you have brown lashes to start with.  For me both show up, but I save the brown for casual days when I run errands, etc.  Supernova is my go-to for work and going out.  I usually apply two coats of whichever I am using.  The formula is the same for both colors, smooth and creamy, and coats my lashes without clumping.  In combo with the brush, the formula separates and lengthens my lashes nicely.  After the second coat (and sometimes a third) they look a bit more voluminous as well.  Check out the images below - top to bottom - bare lashes, Stardust (2 coats) and Supernova (2 coats) .

I don't get any fallout or smudging from this mascara.  If I have it on when I work out or in the rain I might see a bit of transfer since it is not waterproof, but day to day normal wear does not cause this. I also love how my lashes don't get that crunchy feeling as with other mascaras, they feel natural and soft.  I assume this is from the moisturizing addition of the coconut oil. 

It has a slight scent that does not linger after application, a bit like clay or minerals (if you've ever used mineral makeup then you know what I'm talking about).  And my eyes never itch while wearing this mascara like with some others.
 

I have no problem removing this mascara at the end of the day.  I still use the oil cleansing method to do so and it washes off cleanly leaving no residue.

Ingredients: Aqua, glycerin (vegetable), glyceryl stearate se, jojoba esters, tapioca starch, stearic acid ( vegetable), copernicia cerfera (carnauba) wax, euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, arabic/acacia gum, acrylates, crosspolymer, potassium cetyl phosphate, microcrystalline cellulse (plant), cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, panthenol (vitamin b), cellulose gum, gluconolactone, macrocystis pyifera (brown kelp) extract, hydrolyzed oryza sativa (rice) protein, sodium benzoate, iron oxides c1 77499.

PRICING 
 
$ out of $$$
You get .30 fl oz for $14.00.  This is a low to mid-range price for a natural mascara.  There are some [that I'd love to try] that are $23 (.23 fl oz) and $42 (.20 fl oz).  So comparatively, this is a steal.  This might be a good one to try if you're just starting to transition from mainstream to natural cosmetics.

PURCHASING

You can purchase this mascara on Pacifica.com, target.com, beauty.com, vitacost.com, Amazon and iherb.com and more.

CONCLUSION 
 
While this is not the most "natural" mascara out there, overall, this has been the best one I have tried in terms of both performance and price.  I'm still on the search for one that might be better while still at a decent price, but I'd definitely purchase this Pacifica mascara again (Supernova).  And actually, they have now come out with a water-resistant mascara that I may have to try as well!

Let me know if you've tried Pacifica's mascara and what you think, or if you have any other natural mascara suggestions.  I'd love to hear your feedback!

Empties #1 - PART 1

If you are a regular to the beauty blog and/or beauty YouTube world then you may be familiar with a common post/video feature called "Empties".  Since I only have time to post once a week at the moment, it's pretty hard for me to share everything that I'm using-trying-loving.  I think an "Empties" feature is a great idea because it's like several mini reviews all in one post.  Plus, it offers me a chance to use something all the way up and formulate a really good opinion so that I can tell you if I'd repurchase it or not.  When I do regular reviews, most often I'm only about halfway through the product.

Anyhow, all this to say that I've decided to add a new feature about all the products I/we use up.  It could include a mix of skincare, makeup, hair & body care and home products.  This first one is going to be a lot longer than the others because I've been thinking about doing this since the beginning of the year, so that's when I started keeping our empties.  Because of this, I've decided to divide it into 2 parts. 

Well, let's get started!

SKINCARE

1. LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant - $14 for 1.7 oz - This was the first natural deodorant I tried after quitting the commercial ones that are full of aluminum, parabens and other toxic chemicals.  I got the Lavender Vanilla one, which smelled really nice, but overall this deodorant didn't work for me.  I still sweat, which I expected since it's not an antiperspirant, but I also smelled halfway throughout the day.  It also got crumbly by the end and really hard to apply.  For all of this, I would not purchase this agian.  I've since been using a homemade version that I'm loving.  No more smelly pits!  I'll def be posting about that soon.

2. SheaMoisture Facial Moisturizers - $12 for 1.5oz. - It's safe to say that I loved these moisturizers to the very last bit... read my full review here.  The Raw Shea Butter Anti-Aging Moisturizer I loved slightly more.  I would definitely purchase it again.  However, I recently tried to pick up more of this one and when I got home it was butter yellow in color, not light beige and smelled like chemicals not Shea, Frankincense and Myrrh like the last one I had.  Now, I know that slight differences can occur between batches of products, especially natural ones, but this was like a different product.  I contacted SheaMoisture and they told me they would look into it.  In the meantime, it was so off-putting that I returned it and got the just the plain Raw Shea Butter infused with Frankincense & Myrrh, which is working nicely so far.  I'll keep you updated on that and I'll definitely be checking on the facial moisturizer to see if it's back to normal in a few months...

3. Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater - $7 for 4oz. - This was my first experience with facial sprays and it's how I fell in love with rose water.  This was amazing at moisturizing my parched skin and setting my mineral makeup.  It's not only rose water, but aloe and some great skin-loving herbs, BUT it also has propylene glycol, which I try to avoid.  In a nutshell, PG is a synthetic solvent or surfactant, a form of mineral oil.  It hasn't been linked directly to cancer, but it has been shown to cause acute toxicity when ingested in repeated small doses, plus it can cause allergic skin reactions in some people.  More so, I try to avoid synthetic chemicals in general, especially ones that are also in things like engine coolants & paint, like PG.  I've since found a new all natural rosewater spray that I love, and again, I'll definitely be sharing that soon!

4. Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste FRESH WAVE - $4.99 for 4 oz. - This was my quick "less toxic" toothpaste option, until I could find a more natural option that I liked.  It's definitely not the best, because it still contains PEG-8, Cocamidopropyl Betaine & artificial sweetener, but at least there are no parabens.  I've since been using The Honest Company's toothpaste, which has none of these and I really like it.

5. 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Nourishing Cream - $38 for 1.6oz. - Both this face cream and the eye cream in #6 I received as a free gift with purchase.  I actually REALLY loved this product.  As you may know, I am an avid 100% Pure product user already, and this gem would definitely be in my top 10 favorites from 100% Pure.  It was very moisturizing, smelled great and made my skin feel super smooth.  I only had two issues... I had to cut the tube to get the last bit of product that was left after the pump wouldn't pump out any more product and the price is kind of high for the amount you get.  I can deal with the tub cutting, but becasue of the price I'm not sure I'd repurchase without a coupon code or something.  It was a very nice cream though.

6. 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream - $21 for 1oz. - This goodie is not new to me, I actually reviewed it here, and have gone through 2 since then.  Like the Red Wine Nourishing Cream, I have to cut the tube open to get the last bits of product out, but at least this one is a better value.  It's not a miracle cream but it does do a pretty good job of depuffing and smoothing my eye area, naturally.

7. Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes - $6 for 30 towelettes - Unfortunately, these facial wipes were not a win for me.  As much as I love other Pacifica products, including their perfumes, they weren't as moist as I'd like and they made my eyes sting.  They are a great natural option and smell great, but they just didn't work for me.  I won't be getting these again.

MAKEUP

8. 100% Pure Luminous Primer Vitamins + Antioxidants With Resveratrol - $28 for 1 oz. - I've been using this primer for quite some time now, you can read my review here.  And I'm sure I've gone through a couple before this one.  It's got great ingredients and makes my skin plump and glowing. I actually have another in the wings and one more coming as a free gift with purchase.  The only downside is that the glass container makes it hard to get inside and get the last bits, but I make it work.  I will still keep using this as long as they keep making it.

9. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara - $20 - LOVE this mascara, especially the deluxe sample size... I think I prefer the shorter wand.  I talk about it more here.  Beyond that, the brush and formula are great.  It separates my lashes and is buildable so I can do natural or glam with no clumping or flaking.  It isn't 100% natural, so I may try to find a natural one that I love as much.  I'll be honest, it's going to be hard!

10. Signature Minerals Light Mint Corrector - $10-$18 - I just did a whole review on this, so if you're interested check it out here.  But basically, it's amazing and my savior against redness.  It's a staple for me.

11. Tarte Amazonian Clay BB Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 - $36 for 1.7 oz. - This is a product that I keep thinking about reviewing because I've been using it since last summer, but sometimes I'm still not sure what I think about it.  Weird, right?!  I don't know... Overall I really like it, even if it's not all natural, it's pretty good in the ingredient department.  It offers good coverage for a tinted moisturizer, it goes on smoothly and blends easily and gives my skin a natural even tone.  But I tend to look pretty shiny after about 5 hours, more than the other products I use and I've noticed that it breaks up a bit on my chin by the end of the day.  I can get over this by just blotting once or twice, so it's not a deal breaker.  I actually wore this for my wedding and it looked great in person and in the photos.  I think I just need to play with the amount I apply or the finishing powder I use.  Anyhow, it's a good product, but I might not repurchase because I want to explore some more natural options.

Check back for PART 2 next week!!

review // Signature Minerals

I've been using Signature Minerals makeup for a bit over a year now. I found it at the beginning of my switch to all natural products and I really love it.  I've wanted to post about this company for some time now, but I was waiting to place a new order before I did.  Well, I have, so here it is!

Signature Minerals' makeup is...

100% natural, silky smooth mineral makeup that is nice to your skin. It contains no toxins or irritants, so even those with sensitive skin, rosacea, and other skin conditions can use it.

  Since Signature mineral makeup cannot harbor bacteria and does not clog pores, it is an excellent choice for those suffering with acne breakouts, as well.

Signature Mineral Makeup is Gluten Free, Corn Free and Vegan, and has a natural SPF of around 15.

 I thought I'd show you some of my favorites.  :)  And don't forget to check out the swatches at the end!

Loose Mineral Foundation ($14-$18)

 

 

Signature Minerals foundation comes in 17 shades to cover to a wide variety of skin tones.  And of course you can always mix two to get your perfect shade, if necessary.  Before you buy a full size (they come in 30g & 20g jars and a 10g refill bag) you can order almost FREE samples to find your right shade.  Yeah, FREE...it's amazing.  All you pay is the $5 in shipping.  You can choose 6 samples from all of the foundations, correctors, blushes/bronzers and veils.  My perfect shade is 4.0, and then I just add a bit of warmth in the summer with bronzer.  These foundations are finely milled and go on silky.  I've found that the secret it to apply it is in several very light layers.  That way each layer can melt into your skin and it won't end up looking cakey.  I love to use my Eco Botan Artisan Kabuki Brush from Everyday Minerals to buff it in.   

It also lasts a good 8-10 hours.  Since my skin can be dry sometimes, using powder foundations can make my face feel tight.  So if I'm having one of those days then I'll make sure I moisturize really well, prime with my 100% Pure Primer and spray rosewater and aloe on my face before applying the foundation.  Then I'll spray my face again once I finish my makeup.  That seems to really help cut any dryness I might be having and set my makeup.  On normal days, I will get a little shiny in my T zone, but not as much as with a liquid makeup.  I just use a blotting tissue and I'm good to go.  

Loose Mineral Concealer & Corrector ($10-$18)

 

These 10 powders are specifically formulated to cover and visibly correct pesky problem areas, like under-eye circles, redness & blemishes.  There are 4 skin-toned concealers and 6 color correctors.  They come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags.  I actually don't use any of the concealers, but I am in LOVE with the Soft Mint Corrector.  It might be my most favorite thing from SM!  Since my fair skin is prone to redness, especially around the nose, this is a life saver for me.  Instead of having to pile on a thick layer of foundation to cover the redness, this pale mint-colored powder covers/neutralizes it in one light application.  Most days I actually apply this before the mineral foundation with the same Kabuki brush, although sometimes I'll do a light dusting at the end with a EcoTools Powder Brush.  My mom loves the yellow Sunshine Corrector for dark under-eye circles and she says it works so good, that people have asked here what she's been using.  
And that's always a nice thing!

Loose Mineral Concealer & Corrector ($10-$18)

 

Signature Finishing Veils are designed to minimize pores, control oil and reduce shine.  There are 5 to choose from, 3 tinted ones, a translucent and one that adds radiance to the complexion.  Again, they come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags.  I personally use the Angel Veil, a pale beige powder with yellow undertones.  Now, while I'm not sure that it really minimizes my pores, the kaolin clay & serecite in this powder does help control oil in my T-zone during the day and gives me a soft overall finish.  I apply the Angel Veil, mainly to my T-zone, with my fluffy powder brush after I finish my other face makeup.  A little goes a long way so you only need to tap the tiniest bit into the lid and you're good.  I have also tried samples of the Radiance and Translucent Veils.  I've found that the Radiance is a nice check highlighter, but a little too much all over for me.  If you have dull skin, it would be a nice perker-upper.  And I can leave the Translucent, it's not great at absorbing oil since there's no koalin, so I don't really see the necessity.  Keep in mind, the Angel jar above is old... a new full size Veil (20g jar) comes with a Rotating/Click Lock Sifter, like my pic of the Foundation and Soft Mint.

Mineral Bronzer ($10-$18)

 

These bronzers give a very natural finish and will not turn orangey on your skin.  They come in 30g, 20g & 10g jars, plus 6g & 10g refill bags. The 2 lighter non-shimmery shades are fairly neutral.  One of these, Goddess is my favorite.  It gives a nice amount of warmth in the summer and a subtle contour in the winter.  I have also tried samples of the 2 darker shimmery shades that lean toward golden brown hues.  These are obviously too dark for me, unless I were to self tan, so I just like to use them as eye shadows.  If you're naturally darker or self tan often, these would be beautiful on you.  I apply this bronzer with my E.L.F. Complexion Brush all over or my Real Techniques Angled Kabuki to contour.  I like this bronzer becasue it's buildable and blendable, so it's pretty hard to mess it up.  Again, the Goddess jar above is old... a new full size Bronzer (20g jar) comes with a Rotating/Click Lock Sifter.

Mineral Blush ($10-$14)

 

There are 18 shades of blush to choose from... matte, satin & shimmery... in a variety of colors.  They are available in 30g & 20g jars and a 6g refill bag. These SM blushes wear light but last all day, no streaking or fading.  They are silky and super pigmented so REALLY the tiniest bit gives a nice amount of color.  I suggest starting small and build up if desired.  I haven't bought a full size blush yet, but I did get some samples to try, including a beautiful matte coral and shimmery pink.  I have also tried a few others a while ago.  The only ones I haven't loved are some of the dustier tones, like Adobe Sun, Dusty Mauve & Buff Apricot.  They come off a little chalky looking on my skin.  I think these would be best for the fairest complexions.  And Rosewood is a little too deep for me, so I know it would be great for darker skin.  But I am loving Coral, Pink Jazz and Roseberry.   I apply these blushes with the EcoTools Tapered Blush Brush.  

 

Mineral Eye Colors ($5-$10)

(Larger jar above is Athena)

Signature Minerals offers dozens of highly pigmented eye shadows in a variety of colors, textures and finishes.  For easy ordering they are divided into finish categories on their website: matte, semi-matte, pearl, shimmer & metallic.  Right away, I can tell you that the pearl finish is my favorite.  Most of these shadows are super pigmented with high color payoff.  I'd say the only ones that lack a lot of richness are some of the matte shades, like Accent. They actually notate Accent as Semi-Matte and Cream & Taupe as Matte, however I feel like they should be switched.  Accent has no sheen, while Cream & Taupe have just a hint.  I've also tried Terre Medium before (a Matte), and it really is...matte.  This is probably my only qualm...I wish it was more clear what was what.  These shadows do tend to crease a bit by the end of the day, but as I've said before, they lack the chemicals that make commerical shadows pretty much permanent.  I just use a natural cream shadow base before, and that helps them last a good 8 hours.  The shadows are available in 10g & 5g jars, but you can also try unlimited samples for $2.50 each (approx. 1g product)

SWATCHES

Remember that swatches are usually much more pigmented so you can see the coloring. Real application can start much lighter and be built up.

Foundation, Bronzer, Corrector & Veils
(Keep in mind, several of these are hard to see...becasue they are made that way...so you don't see them!)

Blush & Extra Bronzers

Coral - True Coral (Matte)
Roseberry - Dusty rose with bare hints of shimmery pale raspberry
Pink Jazz - Cool rosey pink with a pearlescent shimmer
Rosewood - Earthy rose with a luminous glow
Adobe Sun - Warm earthen Clay (Matte)

Eye Shadows

Grey Fox - Brown with pearly silver/gray highlights
Majesty - Silvery brown with purple iridescence
Taupe - Warm brown with a hint of raisin (Sheen)
Cream - True golden cream (Sheen)
Athena - Shimmering golden pink (it's much lighter than shown on the website) MY FAV :)
Accent - Eggshell white (Matte)

 Signature Minerals makeup is non-irritating and I can firmly vouch for that, because I have very sensitive skin.  It has never given me a rash or made me break out.  The fact that it only has a handful of ingredients, was one of the main reasons I tried it in the first place.

The last thing I wanted to talk about was Signature Minerals' customer service.  They really care about their products and their customers and will do what is necessary to make them satisfied.  I got locked out of my account a few months ago, emailed them in the morning and by early afternoon of the same day I got a personalized email with a solution.  Then, in my latest order, I received a Lipstick (by Honeybee gardens) that I was not happy with.  I emailed SM again with my issue and a picture, and they gladly accepted my return of the lipstick.  I chose another shade, which I hope to get next week.  I just wanted to mention this quickly because I truly feel that a company's commitment to satisfaction is just as important as their product line.   And I love dealing with companies who recognize this.

If you're interested in trying out some of their products, I'm going to share this month's 25% off code with you (25snap). It does expire May 6th, so if you want the next month's code make sure you sign yourself up for the monthly newsletter!  You can find the sign-up on their homepage down on the left.

I do know that their pricing may go up a bit next month, due to an increase in their raw ingredients, etc. so be aware.  Hence the higher discount this month... usually it's 15-20% off.  That's why I stocked up on my must haves!!

Please don't hesitate to comment below or shoot me an email if you have any questions.  I'd love to hear from you!  :)

review // Battle of the Blotting Tissues!

Even though I have dry/combination skin I do tend to get a bit oily in my T zone during the day, especially in the summertime.  I've been going through a blotting tissue journey, if you will, and figured I'd share my thoughts.

 

c/o FabEllis (since I'm all out!)

Since I first learned about blotting sheets about 5 years ago I had been using the Mary Kay beauty blotters oil-absorbing tissues.  I was a Mary Kay (MK) consultant and so I got a good deal on them... about $3 for 75 sheets ($6/75 sheets retail)... they were a good size (1 did the job), dispensed easily and absorbed amazingly without taking off my makeup.  Well, when I stopped being a consultant and ran out of the MK tissues about a year ago, I went searching elsewhere for a comparable alternative....

First, I tried e.l.f. Essential Shine Eraser sheets and they were okay.  The best selling point is that you get 50 sheets for only $1.  BUT they were a bit smaller and not as absorbent.  They dispensed easy enough & didn't mess up my makeup, but I would have to use at least two e.l.f. tissues to do the same job of just one MK tissue.

Next was, Boots expert shine control papers.  Okay, so you get 50 sheets for about $5... so I'm thinking, "Great! These have got to be a bit more absorbent..."  Well, they are, but they are so small and you have to rip them out of the little booklet they come it. There's no easy dispenser on this one.  This was unknown to me until I got home and unwrapped the booklet from it's plastic cover...  Inevitably you waste part of the tissue and you have to use 2 or 3 since they are so itty bitty.  But, like I said, they were excellent at absorbing and my makeup didn't budge, but I just can't be bothered with the tearing out and then blotting three times.  No go.

Then, while in the checkout line at Sephora about a month ago, I spotted boscia's [limited edition] Pink Peppermint Blotting Linens.  I had actually heard some good things about them, so I thought, let's give it a go.  So you get 100 sheets for $5 (at least I did, but I've also seen then for $10...).  That's basically the same price as the Boots tissues and a bit more than MK and E.L.F. tissues.  But at least these are pretty much worth it.  They are the same size as my beloved MK tissues and have a nice built-in dispenser too, but they feel more like the E.L.F. tissues and that is my only complaint.  Again, these don't pick up any makeup but I just don't feel like, compared to my MK tissues, that these absorb quite as well. And the peppermint extract smells nice, but it's not a big selling point for me.  I'd rather the tissue work amazingly and have no scent. 

I should mention that none of these tissues have oil added... Yes, that's right, some companies add mineral oil.  Uh, cough... Clean & Clear... cough, cough.  Seems a bit counterproductive to me... What a good reminder to always check the ingredient list!  ;)

In fact, looking at the ingredients of each, it seems like the tissues with linen and/or calcium carbonate absorb better (to me).  My conclusion is that the best blotting tissue would be a larger tissue made from one or both of these ingredients.  I think that means out of these four options, my Mary Kay tissues win.  I know there are tons more options out there, but I think it may be time to find my MK consultant and order some more of these!

review // Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

In my constant search for high perfrmance natural beauty options I came across the company Hourglass.  While they do not make completely 100% natural cosmetics, they do try to leave out all the yucky stuff like parabens, sulfates, synthetic, fragrances, synthetic dyes, and phthalates.

"Hourglass exists at the revolutionary intersection of science, beauty and luxury. The brand is acclaimed for its breakthrough formulations, technological innovations and unwavering commitment to reinvention. Complexion products are infused with the most groundbreaking active ingredients available to create unbelievably surreal skin. Distinguished by sensorial textures, modern color collections, and sleek custom packaging—Hourglass puts the art in state-of-the-art."

 I had never tried any of their products but had heard great things about their mineral primer, tinted moisturizer and ambient lighting powders.  While in Sephora a few weeks back, I saw that they had come out with a set of Ambient Lighting Blush, which are basically swirls of color mixed into the different ambient powders.  So unlike other flat blushes these use Photoluminescent Technology to give depth and dimension to cheeks. 

 I got samples of some of the other products to try first, but decided to go ahead and get the blush in Dim Infusion.  First off, I don't have any coral/peach blushes in my collection so I basically needed this... ;)  and second I couldn't justify spending the money on just the (basically invisible) Ambient Lighting Powder.  At least this you could see on the skin.  I know there are some die hard ALP fans...but I'm just not that into setting/highlighting powders.

PACKAGING 

I have to say that I LOVE the packaging of Hourglass products.  Sleek and modern, they remind us that products can be beautiful and functional.  This blush come in a plastic square(ish) compact and it's sort of a light golden bronze color.  The compact simply snaps open and close and there's a pretty good size mirror inside.  Good for travel. The front says HOURGLASS and the back lists the product color. 

  PRODUCT

 Dim Infusion is described as "a subdued coral blush fused with Dim Light to add warmth".  I'd say this is pretty accurate.  Although in mine I noticed that I have less of the coral color than in other Dim infusions I've seen... I only think this could be a negative if you have darker skin.  But becasue I have a pretty light complexion, I think it's nice.  Becasue the color swirls are so pigmented I still only have to use the smallest dab and I get a nice wash of color that looks natural & glowing, not overdone.  And by adding a bit more I can build it up if I want a stronger cheek. But this may be harder on a darker complexion.  I imagine that with some of the other 'brighter' colors you may need to use a really light hand when pressing your brush into the product, especially if there is more color swirl than in mine.  I think a fluffier blush (like a stippling or powder brush) would work best for applying as a regular blush brush might be too dense and make it harder to diffuse and blend.

You get .15 oz, which I think is an okay amount.  I'd definitely take more, especially for the price, but it's enough to dip a brush into and since a little goes a long way, seems like it will last quite a while.  

Most notably is the feel.  I hear that the ALPs also have a similar consistency... it's really nice.  Because it's so finely milled it feels like silk on the skin not chalky, like some blushes.  And it seems to blend easier than other powder blushes I've tried as well. 

PRICING

$$$ out of $$$

At $35, this blush is on my high-end product list.  Is it worth it?  I'm still a little up in the air about that.  I think since I didn't have anything like it and I feel like it will last me forever, that yes it's worth it.  But if you already have a ton of blushes in a myriad of colors, maybe not.

 PURCHASING

You can purchase the Ambient Lighting Blushes on the Hourglass website, at Sephora and Sephora.com.

 CONCLUSION

Overall, I really liked this blush. It gives my cheeks a beautiful glow and nice definition.  I think I might repurchase this in the future, but there may be something else I like better when that time rolls around, so it's hard to say.  I do know that I can't wait to try out more Hourglass products!

If you've tried this or any other items from Hourglass, please let me know!  I'd love to know what you're loving.  :)