Product Review- Tarte Maracuja Oil

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil Review



From the Brand: 
This nutrient-rich oil contains vitamin C and essential fatty acids to hydrate sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Pure maracuja oil is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, and will not cause breakouts.

Product Performance: Essential fatty acids repair and rebuild skin, and promote skin recovery by reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation. The nutrient-rich oil instantly hydrates sensitive, dry, and acne prone skin, leaving skin even toned and smooth without a greasy feel. Vitamin C brightens dull skin for a radiant, dewy, and luminous complexion.

Powered By: Maracuja oil: pure maracuja oil has been known to replenish, rebuild and brighten skin. The nutrient-rich essential fatty acids repair & rejuvenate skin for a firmer complexion. The moisture-rich formula replenishes & hydrates skin.

Known as “puro milagro” or “the pure miracle”, only one crop of this rare Amazonian fruit is harvested each year by Amazonian women affiliated with tarte’s cooperative in the Amazon. Piece by piece, they sustainably pick and extract this nutrient-rich seeded pulp from each individual maracuja fruit by hand. This naturally harvested treasure, referred to as the “alma” or “soul” of the maracuja fruit is then hand pressed without the use of heat to guarantee the maximum amount of nutritious essential fatty acids and vitamins.

Retails for:  $46.00 for 1.7 fl oz


Where to Buy:  www.tartecosmetics.com, online at Sephora.com and Ulta.com, in Sephora and Ulta stores


My Thoughts:  I really like the way that this sinks into my skin, and it doesn't break me out.  I'm not sure what about it didn't agree with my skin personally though.  I was suffering from dry flaky patches on the sides of my nose, and instead of fixing and preventing that, it seemed to exacerbate it.  It has a slightly nutty scent to it, nothing overpowering but not unpleasant. I love the bottle.  It's very pretty with it's jewel tone purple and easy to use dropper.  This comes in a lot of of sets from Tarte it seems, and I've got lots of samples of it.  Maybe it will be better to supplement my new skincare routine now that the dry patches have been resolved, so I plan on trying it again to see if the dry patches come back or not.


Final Verdict:  I think this would be a great facial oil for those with combination or oily skin, since it sinks in quickly and doesn't leave a residue on the skin.  Drier skins should use in conjunction with a rich moisturizer to lock in the benefits of the oil.

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. 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- Yes To Blueberries Makeup Remover Towelettes

Say Yes To Blueberries Cleansing Facial Towelettes


From the Brand:

These Cleansing Facial Towelettes are formulated with Blueberries and Coconut to gently cleanse, remove makeup, and moisturize skin all in one. With Lemon Peel and Apple to help brighten skin, these are a great addition to our Age Refresh collection. They leave your skin feeling clean, youthful, and glowy!

• 99% Natural
• Made with compostable, FSC certified fabric
• Petroleum, SLS, & Paraben Free
• Cruelty-free

Retails for:  $5.99 (on sale now online!)


Where to Buy:  www.Yestocarrots.com, Target stores


My Thoughts:  This was my first product from the Yes To (Insert fruit/veggie here) line.  I'd seen Yes To Carrots for what feels like years but never tried anything.  Then I started seeing Yes To Tomatoes, Yes To Cucumbers, and finally Yes To Blueberries.  Not sure what actually came about first, but that seems to be the order I saw them appear either in articles, store shelves, and other various places.  I got a travel pack of the blueberry face wipes in a monthly subscription box a while back, and the first time I used them I fell in total love with them! 

The cloth itself is super soft.  It's durable, but it isn't stiff or scratchy on my face.  It's like a tissue on crack.  It also doesn't fall apart or leave lint on my skin.

It smells so delicious, I almost want to take a bite of it.  It has apple and lemon peel, and those two ingredients give it a slightly sweet but fresh smell.  They also work to both brighten the skin and add hydration.  My skin for once doesn't feel totally stripped and dried out after using a makeup wipe!  Hooray!  There's also no residue left behind that I feel I need to wash to remove.

I've since purchased the face scrub, the serum, and the moisturizer in the blueberry formula and the night cream in the carrot formula and have been thrilled with the results the past two weeks.  My skin totally transformed from dry flaky patches around my nose to soft smooth skin with way less redness, even in a winter determined to make a hermit out of me.  I've actually been totally confident in walking around with no foundation on instead of just telling myself it's ok, because I'm too lazy to put it on. (Some days that extra 15 minutes of sleep is just too crucial to the safety of those around me.)  Traditionally in the winter, I've sworn by the REN skincare line, but this is a much more cost effective brand that still has the qualities I like: paraben free, cruelty free, natural ingredients, no heavy perfumes or artificial scents.


Final Verdict:  This is like a gateway drug.  I'm addicted to their products now.  But my wallet thanks me!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. 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- Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel Review


From the Brand:  Our Best Selling Daily Cleanser. This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day’s make-up, dirt and oil without drying the skin. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help prevent dulling build-up that can cause blackheads and pimples.


Retails for:  $12.00 for 1 oz


Where to Buy:  Mariobadescu.com, Ulta stores


My Thoughts:  If you have sensitive skin and want a product that you can use daily to help keep your pores clear and the surface of your skin gently exfoliated without harsh chemicals or scratchy exfoliants, this is a great option for you!  It uses very mild alpha hydroxyl acids to exfoliate the skin gently enough to use not only daily but twice a day.  The slightly shimmery green liquid face wash is non-foaming and smells like a fresh garden.  I love to just spread it over my face and inhale deeply.  It releases some sort of zen-like state at the end of my day, and I can close my eyes and just relax for a few moments while it does it’s thing.

Since it’s a non-foaming face cleanser, I love using it on my Clairsonic Mia face brush to really deeply exfoliate and cleanse my pores.  I hate using a foaming face wash with spinning or vibrating or whatever brushes.  I’m always afraid it’s going to fling some little sud into my eye and I’ll end up blind.  But this works perfectly with no mess and no worries.

I used this every single day for about a month, and then I noticed that my skin in my t-zone was getting super dried out and flakey.  I assumed I’d been loading up on the acne products like tea tree oil and salicylic acid, but there was a sneaking suspicion that it was the cleanser instead.  So, I stopped using this cleanser for the past week, and those dry patches have gone away.  The weather has also gotten much colder and drier, and we’ve been running the heat in the house the past month as well.  I think that the combination of everything was just too much for my face to handle, so I’ll be backing off on this and using it only a few times a week for right now to see how that goes.  The brush is exfoliating enough on its own that a daily acid wash shouldn’t be too necessary during the winter.

Final Verdict:  Delicious scent, pore-clearing, gentle on sensitive skin.  To be used with discretion as it may cause overdrying if used too frequently during the drier months.

**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 Wanderlust Beauty Set

Pacifica Wanderlust Mineral Color Set Wanderlust Beauty Set Review


From the Brand:

The Wanderlust Mineral Color Beauty Set. A complete beauty set for face, eyes and lips. Travel ready sizes in seasonally curated colors. What else do you need to know?  Experience truly effortless natural beauty with Pacifica’s incredible mineral color formulas. Luxurious ingredients meet the most amazing colors.  Recyclable containers.  Easy to use and apply anywhere.

Set contains:

1 ALIGHT Multi-Mineral BB CREAM .34 oz (travel size)

2 Coconut Water Infused Mineral Eye Shadows  Shades: Treasure and Mermaid Aqua 

1 full sized Color Quench Lip Tint in Sugared Fig

Retails for:  22.00


Where to Buy: Pacificaperfume.com


My Thoughts:  Did you see yesterday's post about the Pacifica Good Karma Skincare Set?  Well, they have another set as well that gives you a taste of what their makeup products are like here with the Wanderlust Beauty Set.  Both kits contain their Alight BB Cream, so you can even out your skin, as well as one of their Color Quench Lip Tints.  This beauty kit also contains two eyeshadows, one in a gorgeous golden brown and one in a soft sea foam color.

The quality of these products is very good for a relatively inexpensive all natural brand.  I love that all the makeup products you buy from them is good for your skin.  The packaging is super cute and a lightweight yet sturdy plastic.  The lip tint is slim and fits easily in your purse.  They have just enough color that is between a stain and a lipstick, with hydration and yummy scent.  The color Sugared Fig is a nice deep plummy color that's great for someone who wants a fall lip color without the heavy pigmented commitment of a lipstick.

The eyeshadows come in a nice screw top case with a clear window, so you can see what the color looks like.  The golden brown is super pigmented while the sea foam green is a bit sheerer.  The formula of the eyeshadows is very velvety and glides over the skin nicely, and they both have a good amount of sheen to them. They aren't sparkly or too "young" looking, but they aren't matte either.  I found that they wear nicely throughout the day without fading, although I did wear them over either a cream shadow or an eyeshadow primer.  I've been wearing the golden brown shade with a soft pink and a deep burgundy in the crease, and I've gotten so many compliments!

I haven't worn the BB cream yet, but I'll be doing an in depth review of that product coming up soon hopefully. 


Final Verdict:  I'm in love with these eyeshadows and will be looking for more of them!  I'm already a fan of the lip tints, and I can't wait to try the BB cream. Overall, it's a fantastic value!

 

**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- Pacifica Good Karma Skincare Set

Pacifica Good Karma Skin Care Set Review


From the Brand: 
Travel sizes of our new skin care line in a beautiful and giftable box. A great way to experience our new, highly effective skincare line. What else do you need to know?  Experience truly effortless natural beauty with Pacifica’s incredible skincare formulas.
Set contains:
1 Sea Foam Complete Face Wash .7 oz (travel-size)
1 Dreamy Youth Day and Night Cream .7 oz (travel-size)
1 Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream .34 oz (travel-size)
1 Guava Berry Color Quench Lip Tint (full-size)


Retails for:  $22.00


Where to Buy:  Pacificaperfume.com


My Thoughts:  I recommend this skincare set if nothing else for the travel size of the Sea Foam Complete Face Wash {review here}.  That's not really going to give you a great value since the full size of the face wash is only $11, but you get the idea about how great it is.  This set is a fantastic way to experience a variety of products by the Pacifica line though.  In addition to the face wash you get a travel size moisturizer and a travel size BB cream, so you're skin will be looking great wherever you go.  It cleans, hydrates, and evens your skin tone in three portable steps!  The Color Quench Lip Tints were actually the very first products by Pacifica that I ever bought months ago, and Guava was one of the colors I already had.  But it's nice to have a back up now for when that one is finished.  They are hydrating and provide a nice wash of color, and they smell delicious!


Final Verdict:  If you're looking to try out a variety of products for your skin by a great all natural line, this is the way to go.  If one product isn't 100% perfect for you, you haven't bought the full size and still have other items to make it worth it for you.  Whenever trying out a new line, I always try to get a set of some kind to get a feel for their products.

 

**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- Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash

Pacifica Sea Foam Complete Face Wash Review


From the Brand:  Harness the power of the ocean with marine extracts.  Coconut water and natural actives come together in our gentle sulfate-free foaming cleanser that removes daily toxins and make-up. Deeply cleanse, balance and refresh tired skin. Remember, one of the best defenses against aging skin is daily cleansing.  5 oz.


Retails for:  $11.00


Where to Buy:  Pacificaperfume.com, select Target locations


My Thoughts:  I got this in a skincare set (blog on that next week) and tried it out right away.  I'd seen the full size tube at Target before and reading the back had me intrigued to try it.  I always struggle with finding a face wash that will cleanse my skin deeply enough to keep the pores clear without over stripping it and causing my dryness to become worse.  After my new-found love of coconut oil back this spring, seeing coconut water as a main ingredient made me think this would be a good fit for me.

I'm really loving the way this cleans my skin as well as the way it smells.  It's amazingly scented.  I can't even begin to describe it.  It's sweet yet refreshing at the same time, and not in a sickly sweet overpowering kind of way.  And you can tell it comes from natural ingredients, not made from a bunch of crap with chemicals added to give it a smell. 

Just a dab will do you now.  It really foams up a lot!  It doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or tight, so the claims that it tones this skin I think are fairly accurate.  Overall, I really like this and will be taking it with me to the iFabbo Social Media Conference this weekend.  (This is set to post on Saturday, while I'm at the conference, so I'm writing it on Wednesday.)  Follow along with me on my Instagram as I attend the conference!


Final Verdict:  The trial size in the kit is perfect for travel, and so far I'm loving the feel and smell of this face wash.  Only time will tell if it's worth the full size, but for now I'll be using up every last drop!

 

**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.

 

 

August BeautyBox5 Review

The photo doesn't do this color justice.  It's a rainbow and silver glitter!

August 2013 Beauty Box 5 Subscription Contents: {This month's total full size retail value: $15.50}

Be A Bombshell Eyeshadow in Dancing Queen- Full Size $14.00 included
Another product to add to my collection from Be A Bombshell Cosmetics!  I now have a blush, which I adore and wore every day on vacation last week and a gloss which I haven't worked into my normal rotation but isn't a bad product.  This time I get to try out an eyeshadow, and the shade is a lovely light silver.  The formula is super silky feeling, but the color comes out a tiny bit sheerer than I would have expected.  Nonetheless, it's a lovely texture and shade.  It's not chunky or glittery, and I don't notice any fallout with it at all.  I'm excited to use this in the fall for some more dramatic smokey eyes.  I feel like this would be a perfect topcoat over a deeper gunmetal or even black for some sheen and a good highlight in the inner corners.

Swissco Nail File- Full Size $1.50 included
The "theme" this month seemed to be about skin and nails, with two lotions and two nail products making up the majority of the August BeautyBox5.  If there was any doubt about my favorite color, (psst... it's hot pink!)  this is the perfect file for me!  It's a black medium grit nail file on one side and a fine pink glitter on the other side.  I don't think the glitter side is meant to file your nails at all, just look pretty.  I tried it on my nail and got nothing but a few minor scratches instead of an even filing.  But the glitter didn't rub off during my testing, so that's nice.  Not that I'd probably have any problem with finding it leaking hot pink glitter all over my house or purse, but me and Ke$ha are just kindred souls that way.  And after 15 years, my husband is used to my glitter obsession!

H2O Plus Aquafirm + Micro Collagen Moisturizer- Full Size $50.00/1.7 oz, Sample Size $7.94/.27 oz
The sample is too small to contain an ingredients list, but it says it includes marine microspheres, so I had to go online to look the product up and do a little research.  I've heard of types of marine microspheres before being used in lip products to plump lips. They absorb the water in your lips and "puff up", causing a plumping action to the surrounding tissues.  It makes total sense to me that someone would start using it in a face cream to temporarily plump up fine lines!  They also use jojoba oil, which is a natural plant oil emollient that penetrates more deeply than mineral based emollients and helps lock in moisture.  I also copied this from the brand's website on the third main ingredient: Sea Nutrient Barrier: Powerful fusion of algae and oat extract creates a light veil on the skin, pulling surface cells closer together for an instant micro-lifting effect. The moisturizer itself is nice and lightweight, with a light scent that doesn't smell artificial and perfumey.  It absorbs quickly with no residue on the skin.  I was afraid I'd get a tingling feeling, like what you get with plumping lip products, but this didn't have that side effect.  My skin felt cool and refreshed instead.

Bask Heavenly Silk Daily Skin Lotion- Full Size $19.98/22 oz, Sample Size $1.81/2 oz
This is a lightweight body lotion with a fresh clean fragrance.  It absorbs quickly with no residue.  It didn't feel like it was a deeply hydrating formula, so my super dry skin soaked it right up and still felt a bit thirsty.  But that's the feeling I get from most lotions.  I need a deep penetrating thick cream to get any relief for my parched skin.  I think the average person would be quite satisfied with the hydration of this lotion, although there are drugstore brands that are much more cost efficient.

Nubar Nail Lacquer in Hologram Glitter- Full Size $8.00/.5 oz, Sample Size $4.00/.25 oz
By far, my favorite item in the box this month.  And surprise surprise, it had glitter.  This is an absolutely gorgeous silver and rainbow glitter nailpolish, and it contains no formaldehyde, phthalates, or toulene (which are listed as potential cancer-causing chemicals when exposed to in large amount).  If you are looking for a brand of nail polishes that do not contain these ingredients, I highly recommend this brand.  (Although I do highly encourage you to research the use of these ingredients yourself.  There is a lot of misinformation about them.)  This polish has won me over right off the bat.  It's a very fine glitter that doesn't clump or streak, and if you build up a few layers, you can get a fairly opaque coverage.  It's in a clear base, so it's also perfect for a topcoat over a solid color. Also a huge fan of any products made in the USA.


This month's box:  Hit or Miss?  I call this one a HIT.  The glitter nail file, glitter nail polish, and eyeshadow I know are going to become regulars in my routine.  Even though the "full size value" wasn't up there with previous boxes, the total value of the box itself was $25.25.  Considering I paid less than half of that for the box, it's a good deal in my book.


Is Beauty Box 5 for you?  Don't forget to use one of my subscription links below to sign up to receive your own box every month!

**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- ColorEvolution Eye Color Stacks

Here's another of my great finds from IBS NYC!  I've been wanting to get more into using pigments and loose eyeshadows, and I was excited to see that at IBS there were a few companies there that specialized in them.  After careful consideration, the company ColorEvolution won me over simply based on price.  I tested all the products, and it just seemed to me that they were really all the same.  ColorEvolution's loose pigments were really dense in color, and used wet they are really intense.  I purchased four stacks of colors, and I got a little baggie with lip gloss base, nail polish base, and eyeshadow primer in it along with my colors for free.

Loose pigments and eyeshadows can be used in multiple ways, regardless of the brand they are made by.  Using them dry will give a sheerer wash of color that can be built up.  It's best to use them over an eyelid primer so that the loose powders have something to stick to.  To build up the intensity of the color, you can use a colored primer that matches or compliments the color of the loose pigment.

They an also be used wet to make the color super intense, and for metallic colors give the effect of liquified metal on the lids.  The best method for this is similar to when nail techs apply the acrylic powder to fake nails.  The wet the brush and pick up a bit of the powder with the tip.  Then, they allow the liquid to be absorbed by the powder and turn into a bit of a paste.  You can do this with water or another liquid and your loose pigments.  Once the color has turned to a paste consistency, you can pat it onto the lid and stroke it over the area you want the color to be.  The more powder you pick up, the more you will be applying, so start with just a little and do a very thin layer.  The color is already going to be very intense just because it's wet.  Keep in mind that once the water evaporates, you'll be left with all that eyeshadow on your lid, and it can smear all over if there's too much and no primer underneath.  I prefer instead of water to use Graftobian Magic Set, as it will make the loose pigment smudge and water resistant.  I use it on set all the time for their metallic powders for special effects.

Here are swatches wet and dry of the colors I purchased.  The individual colors don't have names.  They all come in predetermined stacks, and the stacks themselves are named.  They can be purchased online at: www.colorevolution.com

Double Date

A rainbow of colors, most of these are a slight duochrome in effect.  You can see the original pots of color in the background and how they change just slightly.  Top is the pigments dry.  Bottom is applied wet.

Garnet

Half browns and half blues, these colors apply a lot darker when wet than they appear in the pots.  The lighting changed on me for this photo, so you can't quite tell but the far left color is a wine based brown. So gorgeous!

Bronze Baby

Top photo is the colors applied dry.  Bottom is of the colors applied wet.  This is the PERFECT stack for people who love neutrals but want something that's a bit "more" than everyday browns.  There's everything from light champagne to brilliant gold to ruddy copper and aged bronze.

Rainstorm- Not swatched

Overall, I really love the colors in these stacks and am extremely please with my purchase.  I can definitely see myself using just about any of them, even the really intense colors, and I'd definitely repurchase!

**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.

Coconut Oil Hair Mask

I've been hearing things all over YouTube and the internet about coconut oil lately, about how it's so amazing for your skin and hair and how it can even make your eyelashes grow!  Curious, I picked up a tub of it at Costco a few weeks ago and have been experimenting with it.

So far I'm really liking it.  It has a light nutty scent that isn't overpowering and doesn't smell like fake "coconut" scents cosmetic companies tell you smells like coconut.  I'm also such a child inside, because I think it's super cool how it starts out solid and then melts into liquid with your body heat.

Starts as solid coconut oil

Then melts with your body heat to become liquid coconut oil!

Last night I tried it out as a hair mask.  I scooped out a few teaspoons and let them melt in my hands before applying it to my scalp and down the shaft of my hair.  I initially started out with my hair up in a high bun, but I couldn't sleep like that and had to take it out around 3 am. 

In the morning, I thought it would be more difficult to get out of my hair, but it rinsed clean after just one round of lather with the shampoo.  I still applied regular conditioner to my hair after, and it felt super slick and soft in the shower.  Once I dried it with the hair dryer about 75% of the way, I couldn't tell much of a difference though and got disappointed.

Then it was time to head off to a photoshoot while my hair air dried the rest of the way.  By the time I got there, my hair was 100% dry and felt very soft and smooth.  It didn't frizz up, even though it was rainy/misty out.  I still think that if I wanted a super slick look though I'd opt to dry it all the way and then flat iron it to make it really smooth.

I haven't noticed it helping my lashes grow yet, but I've only used it a few times a week for two weeks, so it hasn't had time to kick in yet I guess.  I took a before photo, so in a month or so I'll take another an compare and let you know if I think it's a good DIY lash growth recipe or not.

Have you used coconut oil for your hair before?  Did you like it?  Tell me about your experiences with coconut oil hair masks!