Product Review- Tarte Gifted Mascara

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara Review


From the Brand:
An Amazonian clay smart mascara that instinctively treats your unique lash concerns- working overtime to keep lashes hydrated, intact, healthier, and stronger, while delivering the appearance of voluminous lashes.

Product Performance: The Amazonian clay makes this the first and only “smart” mascara that intuitively finds and treats your unique lash concerns, delivering the benefits you need and volume you desire. The Amazonian clay instinctively lengthens, conditions, repairs and replenishes dry and brittle lashes. This mascara works overtime to keep lashes intact, healthier, and stronger by preventing lash loss and promoting lash health.

Powered By: Amazonian clay: balances, nourishes, hydrates, replenishes and repairs to promote healthy, more voluminous lashes and while preventing lash loss

Rice wax: natural wax that helps lengthen lashes

Retails for:  $19.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora.com and Sephora stores, Ulta.com and Ulta stores, Tartecosmetics.com, QVC.com


My Thoughts:  Every time I try a new mascara, I feel like I fall in love with, and it’s suddenly the best thing since sliced bread.  That’s all I use for the next few weeks or so until it’s time to test-drive another one, and the last is left half-used and forgotten in a box on the bathroom counter.  Very few stand up to the test and are used still months down the road.  This however, is one of them.

I adore the brush head on this mascara.  Very similar to their Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara, the wand on this one is full of short densely packed bristles that grip the eyelashes and coat it evenly from root to tip for full lush lashes in fewer strokes.  The formula is thick and deeply black for a volumized look.  It’s more matte than patent, so it doesn’t have a wet look, which I prefer in a mascara.  It dries a bit stiff, but when I put it on immediately after curling my lashes, this stiffness does help hold the curl in my eyelashes pretty darn well.  However, I don’t find that it flakes, dries out my lashes, or is hard to remove.

But also like Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara, I do like to use this as a base under another formula for maximum effect.  Mostly, I use it with Buxom Lash or Benefit They’re Real! Mascara.  (I guess I have a thing for mascaras with exclamation points in the name.)  Tarte Gifted Mascara is great for the volume and some definition, but it does lack a bit in the lengthening and high defining category.

Final Verdict:  Another love of mine from the Tarte line, and a definite BUY if you get the opportunity.

**Disclaimer: This article contains referral links.  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 Eye Bright

Benefit Eye Bright Review


From the Brand:
This instant eye brightener is like a nap in a stick! Perfect for all skintones, this pink perk-me-up brightens your eyes and your spirits in a single stroke. Apply it to the inner & outer corners of each eye and blend for a wide-awake look. For best results, apply as the final step after you've applied other makeup.

Retails for:  $20.00


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


My Thoughts:  I have this in two versions.  One is in the pencil.  The other is pressed into a pan on the other half of a Boi-ing for a two-in-one concealing and brightening duo that makes my life so nice when space is a factor.  Since one I can use straight on the face and the other I have to use my finger or a brush, I’ve come to appreciate the versatility of the product in the application and it’s effects.

I love a beautiful matte baby pink eyeshadow base color when creating soft romantic bedroom eyes for my boudoir clients.  Problem is, for years I struggled with how to get that sheer wash of pink to stay put and show up without being too overpowering.  I’ve started layering some of the Benefit Eye Bright from the duo pan onto the eyelid and patting the pale pink shadow over the top to lock it in.  (My favorite to use?  The pale pink shade from the Lorac PRO Palette.)  This keeps the cream in place and adds a bit of depth to the pale color without washing the lids out.  I absolutely LOVE how this looks on my clients!  The eyeshadows blend quite beautifully over the top of it when used as a shadow base, and the light pink color brightens up the entire lid quickly and evenly.

If I just need to highlight under the eyes, in the inner corner, or along the brow bone, I can use the stick version to quickly add a literal line of ‘light’ to brighten the area up without needs to resort to shimmery products that can reflect flash or leave fall out where I don’t want it.  I just draw it on straight from the pencil and blend it out with a fingertip or pencil brush and set with a matte bone or pink color.  Voila!  Instant brightening!


Final Verdict:  Add ‘light’ where you want it without the shimmer.  Genius.

**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- Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation

Laura Mercier Silk Cream Foundation Review


From the Brand:

 

What it is:
A rich, long-wear foundation that gives skin a professional, full-coverage finish.

What it does:
This creamy long-wear formula glides over skin effortlessly for perfect application and blendability. A special collection of silk proteins, tea extracts, and treated mica blend together to create a luxuriously hydrating foundation that leaves skin softer, smoother, and flawless. Advanced light-reflecting ingredients work to make the appearance of fine lines and imperfections disappear. Even the hardest-to-hide pigmentations are covered to look much smoother and more even. Providing full coverage that lasts for up to 12 hours, this foundation is ideal for special events or photography.

What else you need to know:
This dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic product is free of oil and fragrance and perfect for all skin types.

Retails for:  $43.00


Where to Buy:  Sephora stores and online at Sephora.com, Laura Mercier counters at select department stores, LauraMercier.com


My Thoughts:  I purchased this foundation from Sephora.com with my yearly VIB 20% of coupon (along with a ton of other products of course), and so far it's been my favorite buy of the haul.  I've seen so many people raving online and in Youtube videos about this foundation, that I figured at 20% off, there was no reason I should pick some up to try out for myself.

The formula itself is really thick, but not in a bad way.  It's nice that it's in a squeeze tube, so measuring out the right amount is easy to do.  If you check out my video review for it though, you'll see that on first try I did use a bit too much.  A pea size amount is all you need for pretty much full coverage over your entire face.  If you need more, you can always spot conceal with concealer, but I didn't even really need any except under my eyes.  (Who doesn't really though?)



I had some trouble with matching the foundation color, but I think that's really because the woman at the Sephora store was a bit of an idiot and wouldn't let me do it myself.  I bought it initially online with the discount, but the color I selected was too dark and a bit orangey.  I'd check out the store first if you're interested in buying it online (if you have coupon codes or ebates type rewards for buying online like I do) to test the color on your jaw line first.  Also, it may have been from my dry skin but it did oxidize on my skin after a bit, so make sure you leave it there for about 5 minutes and then double check that the color is still good.  If it turns, go a shade lighter.


Final Verdict:  If I'd had time to do a favorites for November, this would have been right up there.  It's been my go to for the past few weeks, and I haven't even made the slightest dent in it. 

**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- 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.