New In: Sephora Favorites Draw the Line Gift Set

Hi everyone! First, I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers.  And no matter where you are from, I just want to let you know that I am so thankful for all of you who take the time to read my blog :-)

Today I just wanted to share with you this awesome eyeliner set that I recently got from Sephora.  It would make a great holiday gift for makeup obsessed friends and family.

I am not a big Sephora shopper, so I was totally unaware of the amazing gift sets that they offer for the holidays.  I had planned to buy my sister a Makeup For Ever liner for her birthday, but then I came across a post about Draw the Line from one of the bloggers that I follow.  For $30, you get 6 different name-brand eyeliners (7 if you count the fact that the Urban Decay 24/7 liner is double-sided!) 5 black, 1 brown, and one deep plum. The set comes with one black and one brown liquid liner.  

When I told my sister about Draw the Line, she said she would get me one too, since my birthday is coming up.  So, here is a peek at my newest toy!
    

The box is pretty cute if you plan to give it as a gift.

Nars Cosmetics Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner (black) 

Kat Von D Deluxe Tattoo liner in Trooper (black liquid) 

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 HR Wear in Black Lace 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil in Perversion and Rockstar

stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Brown 

Deluxe Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner in Blacquer 

I may write a review once I try them all out.  If you want to know more about each liner, this is a review that I found very helpful when deciding whether this set was a good investment or not. 

The fun part about shopping at Sephora.com is the gifts and samples! 

I got these three samples with my purchase.

They also had a free gift offer on orders over $25.  I got this 8 piece set and bag.  It includes Lancome mascara, Marc Jacobs lip gloss (which I LOVE btw), Kat Von D lip stain, Smashbox shadow primer, Philosophy lotion, Urban Decay eyeliner, and 2 perfume samples. 

The shipping was super-fast, too!  Overall, I love my Draw the Line set, and my shopping experience on Sephora.com.

So, what holiday gift set is on your wishlist this year?

Review: Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream

Hi Everyone, today I have a review of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream.  

First, this is what Ulta.com had to say about the product:

Maybelline's 1st blemish fighting BB cream helps clear skin with 8 great skin benefits! With 2% salicylic acid. For combination and/or blemish-prone skin.

Why You'll Love It: Their Dream Pure BB Cream is a 1-step wonder for healthy-looking skin today and clearer skin tomorrow.

Benefits:

• Clears acne
• Conceals
• Imperfections
• Minimizes look of pores
• Reduces appearance of redness
• Adjusts to skin tone
• Hydrates and smoothes
• Enhances and clarifies skin
• Is oil-free, with a lightweight feel

2% salicylic acid is one of the highest percentages of this powerful blemish-fighter that you can get without a prescription, yet it's gentle enough to use every day.

For Best Results: Apply a thin layer of Dream Pure BB cream on skin. Can be used with or without a moisturizer.


This is what I have to say about Maybelline Dream Pure BB:

Well, this review almost didn't happen!  I found a sample of this BB cream in Seventeen Magazine.  I'm always really excited to find free samples in magazines, but I was less-than-stoked about this particular freebie score.  I have never had acne, even as a teenager.  So, I knew this this product was not for me even before trying it.  That, coupled with the fact that I had previously sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream and did not like it, made me want to just toss the sample.  (You can check out my review for Maybelline's Dream Fressh BB cream here.)

However, curiosity made me give the Dream Pure BB a try, despite the fact that it was not for my normal to dry skin and was from a product line I found to be disappointing in the past. To my surprise, this turned out to be a pretty decent BB Cream.

The sample was fairly generous, so I was able to use it three times.  The first two times I used it with my L'Oreal Youth Code Pore Vanisher as a base.  (You can see my review of Youth Code Pore Vanisher here.)  Since the Pore Vanisher is moisturizing, I decided to try the BB cream alone one day to see how it performed solo.

A swatch of Maybelline Dream Pure BB Cream in Light/Medium

The sample color was light/medium, which is the color I would usually choose.  I found that it had a decidedly orange tone.  While this orange undertone might be great on an oompa loompa, it wasn't the best match for my skin.  The orange color wasn't that apparent after the product was blended, but I still felt like this shade was not a great match for my skin.  You might want to sample colors if you consider buying this product.

Oompa Loompas

The product is thicker and creamier than the Dream Fresh BB Cream.  It has good coverage.  I'd say it is a heavier light coverage or a very light medium.  If you need extra coverage due to acne scarring, I don't think this product alone would work for you.  It has much better coverage than the Dream Fresh BB, though.  It dried to a matte finish. Despite containing 2% salicylic acid, during the three days I tried it, I did not find that it dried out my skin.  Of course, I can't say if this would remain the case over a longer period.  It worked better for me with a base, though.  When I wore it alone, it did not look quite as smooth and it settled into my fine lines.  Since I don't have oily skin or acne, which is the type of skin this product is intended for, I can't tell you how this BB fares for those conditions.  I can say it was gentle enough for my normal to slightly dry skin. 

Overall, I feel this was a much better BB Cream than Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB.  The quality is fair for its low price.  There are probably better BB creams for acne out there, but this product exceeded my expectations.  If you are looking for a budget friendly BB for acne that is not overly drying or irritating, this is a decent product.

Have you tried Maybelline's Dream Pure BB Cream? What did you think?

Review: Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream (No 21)

Today I have a review of Missha's Perfect Cover BB Cream in color number 21.

This product is very popular and has been widely reviewed.  Even still, since this has turned out to be one of my all-time favorite BBs, I wanted to write my own review and let my readers know about this awesome product.

First, this is what Missha's website has to say about this BB cream:

Originally developed as a salve for patients after laser treatment, BB Cream’s soothing and regenerative properties were adapted for cosmetics to improve skin while providing coverage. The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is Missha’s most popular product with over 30 million sold worldwide. Combining cosmetics with skin care, this product promotes natural-looking coverage while providing sun protection, treating dark spots, and preventing wrinkles.

The M Perfect Cover BB Cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as a makeup base or foundation.

This is what I have to say:

I bought this BB in the Missha store in South Korea. It is offered in two sizes. I bought the smaller size for about 7,000 Won, which is roughly $7 US.  This bottle lasted me for a few months of daily use. I have tried various Missha skincare and cosmetics products and this brand has never disappointed me!  I feel that their prices are pretty reasonable and the products are excellent quality.

This BB is thicker and creamier than some of the others I have tried, although it is not greasy or extremely moisturizing.  I used this BB often during the hot summer months and it never made my normal skin look or feel oily.  Number 21 is the second-lightest shade.  It is a light sandy beige.  The color is definitely on the lighter side and has a decidedly grayish tone.  The first time I saw the color on my skin, I was worried it would make me look pale and sickly, but it smoothly blended into my skin without any grayish cast, and dried to a perfect matte finish.  The coverage is heavier than some BBs I have used (especially those by Holika Holika and various American Brands.)  It has a nice medium coverage, while still giving that fresh and naturally beautiful look that has made Korean BB cream a worldwide sensation.

Color Swatches

The one thing I did not absolutely love about this BB is the scent.  It is quite strong and bold, and what I would describe as perfumey and "older."  I imagine that the powerful middle-aged female executive characters that always pop up in K-dramas would smell like this BB cream.  The scent also does not fade quickly.  Even though I'm not a huge fan of the way this BB cream smells, it is only a minor issue.  

Overall, I would rate Missha's Perfect Cover BB cream as among my top 3 favorite BB creams. There is a reason why there are so many reviews out there for this product!  If you have normal to dry skin and are looking for a great BB with fuller coverage and a matte finish, this just might be the one. However, I would caution anyone with darker or very warm skin tones to test the color first, since the lightness/gray tone might be an issue for some people. 

Have you ever tried this super-popular BB? What did you think? If not, what is your favorite BB cream?

Gemzstyle.com

Recently, I was approached by Ashley from Gemz (www.gemzstyle.com) to do a review of some items from her website.  Gemz is a online store that sells a variety or women's clothing, accessories, and beauty items. 

What I like most about this company is its story: Ashley and her sister, Megan, are two young women who decided to pursue their dream of founding a beauty and fashion business.  They also believe in giving back to the community, and they are especially interested in the area of women's causes.  It is so inspiring to hear about these two sisters working together to actively pursue their goals, and live their dreams!

The first thing I noticed when I checked out the Gemz website were the prices.  Usually small boutique-type retailers have fairly high prices, because as a small business, it's nearly impossible to compete with the massive buying power that large chain stores have.  A small store simply can't sell as low as a large one and still make a profit.  That's why I was really surprised by how reasonable the prices at Gemz were, especially for sale items!  And right now they are running a promotion of free shipping on orders of $50 or more if you use the code FREESHIP50.  Most smaller retailers never give deals on shipping!  

The site offers all types of cute clothes.  They have dresses, tops, pants, skirts, and outerwear.  They sell a small selection of Plus sized items.  You can also find beauty products, jewelry, and accessories.  I especially love their dresses!  While they have some casual styles, many are dressier and would be perfect for events like weddings, school dances, and other special occasions.  The prices for the dresses currently range anywhere from $20-$69.  

Gemz also offers a beauty box called the Siren Box.  It is something along the lines of those monthly subscription boxes like Birch Box and Glam Bag, only you can buy them individually for $15 without the commitment..so that's pretty cool!  They offer four options based on different personality types: Classy, Simple, Night Owl, and Fashionista.  There is even a cute quiz to help you figure out your type. 

   

So, I thought I'd show you a few of my favorite items from Gemzstyle.com:

This dress is bold and glamorous.  It is perfect for a glitzy evening event.

I love these leggings for a 90's inspired grunge look, or to add a bit of edge to a classic outfit.

This dress is darling and feminine, yet also sleek and modern.  It would be great for a springtime wedding or other semi-formal event.

Awww this phone case is too cute! It reminds me of one you would find in a little accessory shop in Seoul! They have a matching "Boy" case if you want to go for a couple's look with your boyfriend!

I like the shape, structure, and texture of this dress, as well as the color and shine.  This dress seems really versatile.  I think it looks great alone, and would look equally good with a blazer on top.

This drop-waist skirt with faux leather trim is so sexy and cool!

For more cute clothes like these, check out Gemzstyle.com.  If you are in the Arizona area, the girls also have a boutique located in Surprise, AZ.  

Please take a minute and show your support for these two young fashion entrepreneurs by liking Gemz on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lulamissy.  

Stay tuned because I will be posting my review of Gemz in the coming week!

So, what online boutiques do you love?  Have you ever bought anything from Gemz?

Review-Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream (Light)

Hi Everyone, today I have a short review of Pond's Luminous Finish BB+ Cream in the "light" shade.  I requested a free sample of this product through the mail. 


This is what Pond's website had to say about the product:

NEW! POND'S Luminous Finish BB+ Cream Light

Flawless in Seconds, + More Even Tone in 2 Weeks!

POND'S® Luminous Finish BB+ was created with Tone Perfecting Complex. It works by targeting the source of dark spots on skin’s surface – visibly fading them for a difference you can see. It also delivers a special pigment system designed to blend flawlessly into a variety of skin tones and immediately conceal imperfections with natural-looking coverage.
Available in Medium.

Essential Features

• Superior* Coverage of Imperfections
• Superior* Visible Dark Spot Reduction
• Superior* Non-Greasy Feel, with a Matte Finish
• Broad spectrum SPF 15 sun protection
• Non-comedogenic – won’t clog pores
• Dermatologist tested
• Hypoallergenic

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.49%, Zinc Oxide 5.12%

*Light Shade versus Top Selling BB Cream

What I have to say:

I use BB creams every day, but I have only used Korean products up until now.  I once sampled Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB Cream, but I did not like that product at all.  (You can check out that review here.)  Since the Maybelline BB cream was my only experience with American-made BB creams, my expectations for this sample were quite low. 

The sample came in a fairly generous-sized packet.  I don't use a whole lot of product, so, this sample was enough for me to use twice.

What I liked most about this BB cream was the texture.  It comes out thick and creamy, but the cream is light and airy rather than heavy.  The color blended very well with my skin.  I liked that it had a more golden undertone, as most "light" makeup tends to have very pink undertones that don't work too well for me.

Here's a swatch of the cream before blending: 

It went on smooth and creamy.  At first, because it was creamy, I thought it was going have a dewier finish, but it dried to a soft matte finish.  The coverage was fairly light, but similar to other BB creams I have used.  I'd say it was on the heavier side of light coverage, but not quite medium coverage.  While it was matte, true to its name, there was a sort of luminous appearance to my skin.  It gave my face a soft and diffused appearance.  

This Pond's BB was not as heavily perfumed as Korean BB creams.  It did have a scent, but it was light, fresh, unobtrusive, and faded quickly.

Overall, I really liked this product!  I would say this BB is comparable to the Korean BB creams I have tried by brands such as Missha, Nature Republic, and Holika Holika.  It definitely holds it own and I would highly recommend this one! 

I think the creamy texture makes it ideal for those with normal to dry skin.  If your skin is combination you might be able to get away with this, but it will probably be too moisturizing if you have oily skin.  If you are looking for light to medium coverage, this is a great product for you.  If you need heavier coverage, this might work well as a base to combine with other face makeup.  I can't speak on the claims that this product fades dark spots over time, since I only used it twice.  Still, it is a nice little BB cream and the reasonable price makes it definitely worth a try.   

So have you tried this BB cream? If so, I'd love to hear what you thought of it.  What new skin product are you loving these days?  

Forever21.com Haul/Christmas Gifts

Late on Thanksgiving night my sister alerted me to a really awesome "Black Friday" sale on Forever21.com.  All of the redline merchandise was an additional 50% off and shipping was free on all orders.  They had tons of great stuff on sale, and when all was said and done, both my sister and I had each bought about $65 worth of sale items from the site.  Since it was about to be Christmas, we decided that we would just be lazy and pay for each other's orders and exchange these items as "gifts" with my family on Christmas.  Here are the things that I chose:

Quilted Faux Leather Bomber- $9.00

This was my favorite purchase from this haul.  I love the 90's style, it fits well, and it will make a great jacket for transitioning from winter into spring.  I always get nice jackets on sale from Forever 21.

 Varsity 33 Sweatshirt-$6.99

This blue sweatshirt is comfy and cozy, but still cute.  I've already worn it a couple of times on nights in with friends.

 Faux Leather Front Top-$4.99

This was the item I liked the least from this haul.  I bought this thinking it was great for an edgier more dressed up version of jeans and a T-shirt.  It's ok, considering it cost just $4.99, but I just don't especially love it.

 

"C" Initial Cell phone charm- 50 cents

I'm a sucker for cell phone accessories.  This blinged out "C" was an awesome deal!

Quilted Shoulder Black Tee- $5.49

I was definitely on a quilting/faux leather kick that night I ordered.  I love this one.  It is a basic with a little extra pop of style.  I just wonder how well it will wash...

Striped Dolman Tee-$4.99

Another great basic piece, and while it looks bit boxy on the hanger, I really like the fit.  It lays really nicely.

Studded Cross Tee-$4.49

This is another "dressed up casual" piece with a nice fit.

Window-pane Sweater-$6.99

I love this one.  It fits great and looks so stylish on!  It will work through winter and transition into early spring, too!

Studded-shoulder sweatshirt-$6.99

This is a more fitted sweatshirt for that girly embellished sweatshirt look. The fit makes it great for with jeans or a little skater skirt.

 Zippered Floral Skinny Jeans-$8.49

These have a short inseam that fits me great.  I think the floral print will make them pretty for spring and summer.

I noticed that "Andystyle", a beautiful fashion blogger that I follow, incorporated these same jeans in two of her recent looks.  (You can check those out here and here.)

Striped Skater Skirt-$3.99

I love skater skirts, stripes, and anything cheap, so this skirt is absolutely perfect for me!

Also, I thought I'd include some other Christmas gifts I got in with this post...

The Naked 3 Palette was #1 on my wishlist! 

 I got this pretty TIGI eye shadow and liner set from a friend. 

 A cute and inspiring Tee from Old Navy.

 Some lotion.

A really cute 10 pack of OPI mini polishes in classic colors. 

So, what was the best gift that you got lately?

  

Beauty Resolutions

First of all, I would like to say happy new year to all of my readers.  I hope that this year will be your best and most beautiful yet!

Every year, I create New Years Resolutions.  I love using the new year as a time to plan, set goals, and evaluate the progress I made over the past year.  If you would like to read a post about new years resolutions in general, please check out my post from last year here.

 In the spirit of the new year, I thought I'd share a few of my beauty-related resolutions with you. 

1. Quality over quantity.
This a goal I started working on over the past few years.  In the past, I owned every trendy drug-store brand makeup item that existed.  I had piles of makeup in every imaginable color and formula.  I did use it, though.  I had fun matching my makeup colors perfectly with my outfit, and trying all types of looks.  

However, when I went away to college and was forced to scale back, I realized that I actually preferred a more streamlined makeup routine.  I noticed there were certain colors that I wore regularly, and that, when it came down to it, most of the inexpensive items that I had were pretty similar.  After being forced to toss all of my mint-green eyeliners and hot pink lip glosses in order to conserve space, I began to favor my new more neutral and natural look.  So, over the past few years I've weeded out all of the drugstore junk in favor of a few key higher-end products.  Nowadays, I'd rather have one amazing pallet than a pile of inexpensive shadows, or one really luxe foundation instead of 5 ho-hum ones.  This is one resolution I generally stick to, unless I manage to get a super-deal on the cheap stuff.

2. Take care of my hands and feet.
This goal always makes my yearly list.  I like the idea of well-manicured hands at feet at all times.  I think it looks polished and shows the world that you care about yourself and the impression you make.  But sadly, since I stopped getting salon manicures in order to save money, I don't always keep this resolution!  

 3. Add a little lip.
This resolution is a new one this year.  In my past high-maintenance makeup routine, I wouldn't have been caught dead without lip gloss.  The thing is, though, that I have horribly dry lips that flake and crack regularly.  It is so severe that  I'm pretty sure it is some type of skin condition.  As I downsized my makeup routine, I started using lip gloss and lipsticks less and less often until I finally gave them up altogether.  I decided that most lip products further aggravate the dryness and that adding color to dry flaky lips just draws attention to my problem.  These days, I just smooth on some Nivea lip balm and call it a day!  The items pictured are the last few glosses that I have yet to throw out.  I decided I should use them here and there, and then finally, toss them for good.   

4. Use up all my samples.
I request lots of samples online, and generally, I use them up as I get them, with the exception of a few that I stash for travel.  However, lately I've had some around that I either saved, forgot about, or procrastinate on writing reviews for.  So, I'm going to finally give these products a try.  Expect to see some new reviews in 2014!

5. Take excellent care of my skin.
This means using gentle face washes, removing makeup, and washing my face no matter how lazy I'm feeling, then following up with toner, lotion, and eye cream.  I want to exfoliate and moisturize my body more regularly as well.  I also believe that regular massage is essential to help circulation. 

So, do you make resolutions every year? (Feel free to post a link) What is your top beauty resolution this year?