Product Review- Peter Thomas Roth Peeling Gel

Peter Thomas Roth Peeling Gel Review


From the Brand:
What it is:
A peeling gel that visibly rolls, lifts, and sweeps away dead skin cells when massaged onto skin.

What it is formulated to do:
Multiaction enzymes (pineapple, pomegranate, and keratinase) along with cellulose effectively peel and help uncover a smooth, fresh, new complexion without drying, irritating, or causing undue stress to skin. It removes impurities and decongests clogged pores for a youthful, radiant look.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This product is for all skin types.

Retails for:  $48.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora.com and Sephora stores, Ulta.com and Ulta Stores


My Thoughts:  I grabbed this on a whim at the checkout line at Ulta one day, and I've used it several times since.  It is a very easy to use product to get a very slight exfoliation of the skin without irritation.  It's kind of a mix between chemical and manual exfoliation in that you are using a chemical in the gel to loosen the bonds holding the dead skin cells together (chemical exfoliation) plus gentle manual exfoliation with the rubbing.

You smooth it onto dry skin and then let it sit for a few minutes.  Then, simply rub until the product has rolled up into balls and rubbed off the skin.  It sounds kind of gross, and it is a bit weird rubbing your face and feeling the skin literally coming up off into these little balls, but it doesn't scratch and irritate your skin like a scrub.

My skin feels soft and smooth after in most areas, although it's a very light exfoliation.  It doesn't do much in the way of my flaky patches on the sides of my nose when they are acting up.  Although it doesn't sting them either, which is very nice.


Final Verdict:  I think this would be an amazing product for people with sensitive skin who need a gentle exfoliation that won't irritate their skin.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- Benefit High Beam

Benefit High Beam Review

From the Brand:
Our satiny pink liquid highlighter accents cheek and brow bones for a dewy, radiant glow. Use as a spot highlighter over makeup or wear under complexion products for subtle luminescence. It's the "supermodel in a bottle!"

Retails for:  $26.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora and Sephora.com, Ulta stores and Ulta.com, Benefitcosmetics.com


My Thoughts:  There are several different shades of the Benefit luminizing liquids, but the most common one I see people using is the Benefit High Beam.  I got this little bottle in a set from Benefit earlier this fall, The Pretty Committee, although you can find this included in a ton of their sets since it's such a popular product.  This particular shade is a light pink glow that looks really pretty on almost all skin tones.  For darker tones, I'd recommend using the Sun Beam, a soft golden glow instead.

Personally, I'm not much of a fan of using liquid highlighters.  I love to set my foundation with a powder, and I find that a liquid highlighter over the top of a powder can make the powder cake up around the edges of the highlighter and mess up the overall look of my makeup.  Some formulas can also breakdown the foundation that I'm wearing instead of sitting on top, again messing up the look of my makeup and calling attention to the area in a negative way.

This isn't the case with the Benefit High Beam.  It does illuminate without messing up the liquid foundation underneath.  I'd still definitely avoid it on top of a powder, but it works amazing worked into the skin prior to a powder foundation to give a "glowing from within" type of effect.

My favorite way to wear this is on my cupid's bow, that little dip over my top lip, to call attention to my lips and make them look fuller.  It's an instant pout pucker upper.  It also goes well under my eyes to brighten them up in photos, since the slight shimmery glow from it reflects light.  Just be sure to go easy on it or else you'll look super weird in person.

The formula is very thin with a natural level of light reflection.  It's not a thick shimmery product by any means, which means that it's always going to look believable and understated rather than over done.  And a little goes a long way, so even a small bottle like this will last you for a long time!

Final Verdict:  Overall, a fabulous liquid highlighting product that gives a natural looking glow to the skin and has a lot of versatility.

Have you used this product before?  Share your thoughts and your way of incorporating it into your makeup look for other readers to enjoy!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- Pacifica Color Quence Lip Tints

Pacifica Color Quench Lip Tint Review 


From the Brand:  Give your lips the love they deserve!  All Natural Color Quench lip tints packs major lip moisture, nourishing naturals and gorgeous, sheer lip color into one perfectly portable, 100% recyclable tube.  Essential fatty acids from rich and amazing avocado and coconut oils leave lips luscious and healthy.  Natural flavor and 5 perfect shades produce the prettiest, most kissable mouth ever.  100% vegan and gluten free.  Your lips will love you back!


Retails for:  $7.00


Where to Buy:  Pacificaperfume.com, Select Target stores


My Thoughts:  These aren't my absolute favorite tinted lip balms ever, I'll be honest.  The color is sheer and muted, but looks more like you've worn your lipstick off rather than looking like it's "supposed" to be a sheer lipcolor.  And the formula can feel a little gritty. 

At first I was so in love with these, having a few colors I picked up individually from Target this summer.  However, I found that after about an hour, my lips felt parched and in need of more product.  But the color was still there, and if I layered more on top of it, it just didn't look right.  Overall, I was pretty disappointed in them.

They do have a very pretty color when you first apply them and smell great, so I'll give them that.  $7.99 isn't that expensive, but I'd rather buy a sheer gloss or a cheaper Chapstick layered over lipliner for the same effect.


Final Verdict:  Didn't live up to my expectations after the first application.

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

 

Product Review- Dr. Jart BB Cream

Dr. Jart+ Beauty Balm Review


From the Brand: What it is:
A purifying face cream that provides age defense, and hides uneven skintone and blemishes.

What it is formulated to do:
- Botanical Formula to purify and calm blemish prone or sensitive skin while also combating dark spots and pollutants for an enhanced radiance
- Features SPF 25 sun protection
- Comes in one universal shade

Perfect and protect skin instantly with this all-in-one multifunctional Beauty Balm. This triple-action formula naturally covers blemishes and uneven skintone, and contains botanical actives to purify and calm blemish-prone or irritated skin. Arbutin works to erase unwanted dark spots, while caviar extract and antioxidants protect skin from inner and outer pollutants for an enhanced radiance. Lightweight with sunscreen protection for simple, one-step neutralizing coverage, this soothing cream delivers optimal results for both women and men.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
Beauty Balms or B.B. Creams were originally developed as a perfect post-procedure cream used to treat, hydrate, prime, protect, and camouflage the skin. Great for all skin types including those with sensitive skin, these versatile “five-in-one” formulas are designed to do it all: treat with high levels of active skin care ingredients; moisturize and smooth dehydrated skin; prime and perfect skin’s surface; camouflage and color correct the skintone; and protect skin from the sun with SPF. They can be used as a last step for their skincare benefits or used on their own as an instant beautifier.

Retails for:  $36.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora.com and Sephora stores


My Thoughts:  I've never been much of a BB cream user.  I've only ever used medium to full coverage foundations, so the thought of leaving my skin so "bare" was really hard for me to get over.  However, this BB cream totally changed the way I view them, and now I've been snapping up different brands to see how they all compare. 

I received this small size in one of my beauty box subscriptions many moons ago and only recently decided it was high time I see what all the buzz about BB creams was.  I found this to have the most coverage of any brand that I've tried so far, and I wish it was a bigger sample!  I used it all up very quickly, although I did get four full face applications from this tiny tube.

It has a great amount of coverage, and it felt amazing on my skin.  It soaked in quickly with no residue and didn't smell heavy like sunscreen as some other brands I've since tried.  It left my skin looking perfectly even and naturally dewy.  I only needed a bit of concealer under my eyes and a light dusting of powder to set.  I also found that it lasted all day with really no touch ups needed.

My skin is pretty dry, and this kept my face hydrated but stayed in place.  I'm not sure how it would do for more oily skins.


Final Verdict:  I wish the price wasn't on the higher end compared to drugstore brands, but this does definitely do a far better job.  I'd be more than willing to pay the price for this product and use it in the summer when I'm not looking for a full face coverage every day.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder Review


From the Brand:
Create a healthy and natural glow all year long with the Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder. The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color, while the Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition. This convenient compact has just what you need to achieve a gorgeous glow anytime, anywhere.

Retails for:  $3.00


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com


My Thoughts:  For only $3, this is a really good buy.  One side is a beautiful bronzer with a very subtle shimmer, and on the other side is a soft peach.  The bronzer is richly pigmented and worth the purchase on its own.  I love it for contouring all fair to medium skin tones.  People with a deeper shade of tan and darker, might not find enough color for them to use as a contouring product.  I don't find it to be orangey at all, which is perfect.  Although, the fact that it does have shimmer in it does eliminate it for my first choice in contouring products.  But during the summer when I don't mind a bit of shimmer, it's a great option to bring on my vacations.

I wish the blush was as pigmented and slightly more flattering on myself.  I'm not as big a fan of the peachy hue.  I personally prefer more pinky tones.  This does have a soft golden shimmer through it that gives a subtle glow to the skin, and those with fair skins should be pretty happy with the overall effect.  People with more tan skin and darker definitely will find it too chalky and light for them.


Final Verdict:  If it's the right shades for your skintone, it's a fantastic way to pare down your makeup bag for travel or touchups!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Review

Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder Review


From the Brand:

What It Is:
Bronzing has never been so delicious. Our chocolate-scented, shimmer-free, matte bronzer is perfect for contouring and creating an all-over deep tan using real antioxidant-rich cocoa powder. It’s all the tan without the twinkle.

More To Love:

• Infused with antioxidant-rich cocoa powder and signature bronzing pigments to create a unique matte bronzer that neutralizes red and evens skin tone.
• 100% cruelty-free product.

*Vegan friendly

**Paraben-free 

Retails for:  $30.00

Where to Buy:  TooFaced.com; Sephora.com and stores, Ulta.com and stores


My Thoughts:  If you've seen a single one of my Youtube videos, you're probably already aware that I'm slightly obsessed with this product.  Ok, more than slightly but I'll refrain from making myself sound like a nut job on the internet.  Just watch me sniff it in my videos and you'll see what I'm talking about, because the stuff seriously smells like hot chocolate.  And I have ovaries, therefore I'm a big fan of chocolate.

Besides the smell, it's a really awesome matte bronzer.  I especially love it to contour my face with.  It does come in two shades, the Chocolate Soleil which is the darker of the two and Milk Chocolate Soleil which is the lighter of the two.  I'd use the Milk Chocolate to give a nice bronzed appearance to my skin and then the Chocolate Soleil to go in and contour for more definition to my cheekbones for a naturally sculpted look.  That's if I owned the Milk Chocolate version.  (Christmas is coming... just in case anyone shopping for me happens to be reading this.  Family members- I'm lookin' at you!)  Instead I use my Smashbox Suntan Matte Bronzer, but that's a review for a different time.  Like 30 seconds after you finish this one.  Look, I even provided you with the link! --> http://facesbysam.blogspot.com/2013/08/product-review-smashbox-bronze-lights.html.


Final Verdict:  TooFaced is the king of bronzers, and with one that smells like chocolate, it's a hands down must have my makeup bag every time I apply my "face".