Sephora's Eye Make Up Removing Pads are Pretty Awesome

Sephora's Eye Make Up Removing Pads

I'm always looking for that next best make up remover pad that is quick, not messy and easy to travel with. I travel quite a bit for my job, so as many of you have read in many of my reviews, product that is easy to travel with is very important to me and I always voice this aspect when I'm doing just about every product review I do.

  I don't like products that I have to worry will break when I travel with them.  Eye make up removing pads or some equivalent are pretty much a requirement for the frequent traveller.  They are easy to transport, can be taken on a plane and great for those overnight plane flights out of country.

I was in Sephora purchasing some product and the sales person told me that the Sephora Make Up Removing pads were good, so I thought I'd try them.

Product Details:

There are 30 pads to the container at a price of $9 which is kinda steep in my opinion.

The pads are pre-moistened (convenient) and are for removing your make up while strengthening and moisturizing your lashes.  

These are actually advertised that they are "ideal for travel".  The product advertisement reads that they are a "formula that includes HydroSenn+, a natural ingredient proven to deliver immediate and long lasting hydration that is suppose to be more effective than hyaluronic acid.  The product contains lash strengthening complex that's rich in flavonoids and olive wood extracts.  It does not contain parabens, sulfactes, synthetic frangrances or phthalates. HydroSenn+ is a plan derived ingredient that leaves the skin feeling."  

My Thoughts:

With all the above advertisement being said, here's what I think....they are very convenient, not messy, easy to travel with and do work for removing eye makeup, however, I feel they are a bit expensive given that there are so many other competing products on the market.  I found it very difficult to remove my eye make up with just one pad.  So, you are talking a 15 day supply (2/day) for $9 which is 30 cents a piece times 2 pieces, so .60 per day.  I don't know, this is a hard one for me to swallow when there are so many other products on the market that serve the same purpose and are quite a bit less expensive.

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 lipsticks are Bold on the Lips

When I purchased Bobbi Brown's Rich Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12, I was envisioning the perfect pink-nude and this lipstick totally met my expectations for color. However, I wasn't as impressed with it's lasting power or it's "moiturizing" properities. Although upon first application this lipstick felt wonderfully creamy and lightweight on my lips and applied with a lot of pigmentation and a nice finish, I found the lipstick a bit drying and wore off pretty quickly in terms of lipsticks of this caliber.

These lipsticks are meant to be highly pigmented with a creamy, moisturizing finish. There is no doubt about it that Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 are highly pigmented and go on evenly - even over dry lips! The actual formula is very creamy without being slippery. My lipstick didn't smudge or get caught in my hair like most "creamy" lipsticks. Plus, this lipstick is not scented and is tasteless! However, I didn't like how after a while these lipsticks didn't leave my lips as moisturizing as I would expect from a $22 lipstick that claims it's "moisturizing".

Final Thoughts
If you're looking for a highly pigmented lightweight creamy lipstick that you don't mind reapplying or adding a bit of lip balm to, then this is the lipstick for you. This lipstick was rated an A- because despite it's lack of superior moisturizing properties and just "eh" lasting power, it is really lightweight on the lips and creamy without being smudgy. Most lipsticks I've tried out tend to take creamy to the level of icky and slimy. I like that this lipstick is highly pigmented, lightweight and creamy without being gooey or giving me the impression I'm wearing an awful lip mask. It's definitely worth purchasing and even worth investing in a variety of colors.

Bobbi Brown Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12

Bobbi Brown Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12

Bobbi Brown Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12

Bobbi Brown Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12

Bobbi Brown Lip Color SPF 12 in Heather Pink #12

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Corail is a lovely take on Sunkissed Cheeks

Here it is. Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Corail #537. Isn't she gorgeous? I have to admit, I have been drooling over this blush since I first caught sight of it. I pre-ordered my very own Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Corail and received it a few days ago. Since opening it and taking a look, I am in awe of it. First of all, if you think this is just a pretty bronzer, then you probably didn't realize how versatile it is. As someone who usually purchased medium shades of foundation and has yellow undertones, the idea of a pretty coral bronzer really perked my interest. Instead of using this Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Corail as just a bronzer, I have been experimenting with it as a blush, bronzer, and all over pretty face powder. The powder does have a slight golden shimmer, which give a really nice soft golden glow to the skin, while the coral is just subtle enough on the skin to give a girl (or guy!) that flirty flush look without looking like she is getting a sunburn. haha.

Packaging
As usual, Chanel wow's me with its packaging: sleek shiny black packing with gold inlay C's, pretty velvet pouch for keeping your nice packaging scratch-free, big fluffy soft brush which includes C inlay, big beautiful mirror for checking out your glow, compact design for the girl (or guy!) on the go, and nice plastic overlay to protect your bronzing powder from your brush. Could anyone ask for more?

The Quad of Shades
As for the actual shades within the bronzer, they include a warm light bronze, a shimmery champagne beige, a deeper chocolate bronze, and a bright coral. Now, the bright coral may seem intimidating, but they idea is you have options with how to use this bronzer. You can wear all four shades swirled together, wear the bronze shades swirled together and use the coral as a blush (see photo below, this is what I did), or you can use the bronze shades together, use the coral as a blush and use the beige as a highlight! It's really pretty versatile and I love the idea of getting a lot of bang for my buck with versatility. I really like to use the bronze and beige shades swirled together as a face powder or bronzer, while swirling the coral on my cheeks. However, I have also tried the coral swirled with the bronze and beige shades for a really nice "shimmer brick" style glow. (If you like Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks or Laura Mercier's Shimmer Block, this is kind of a similar idea but with a much softer glow!)

Final Thoughts
If you are like me and about to graduate from something momentous in your life, like high school, college, grad school, med school, etc. (aka Law school for me!) then this might be a really nice gift to ask for from one of those aunts or uncles who hates giving money! haha. If you worked your butt off all week and you need a good "I deserve it" gift to yourself, then this would also make a super appropriate great summertime must for your collection. If you just love makeup and want to own something really pretty, unique and worth the $50.00, then you should definitely check out Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronze Corail #537, it's just that awesome. Finally, if you're not sold by this review, then check it out at your local Chanel counter. The best way to experience makeup is by testing it out yourself! Enjoy!

Without Flash - With Plastic Overlay

With Flash - No Plastic Overlay

Without Flash - No Plastic Overlay

With Flash

Without Flash

Bronze Shades on temples, through back of cheeks, Coral on cheeks

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colors Are the Perfect Summer Lipstick!

Wowza! I am so impressed with the Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colors! I will say the only downside to this lipstick is that they are really well-scented, so if you are allergic to scents, this might not be the lipstick for you. Otherwise, these lipsticks are amazing! I purchased Laura Mercier Hibuscus Bloom, a punchy warm coral-pink. The sales lady at the Laura Mercier counter explained to me that these lipsticks are gel based and are like an lipstick and lip gloss infused together! Overall, I'd say Laura Mercier has been one of the most successful brands, in my opinion, at pulling off the "lip-gloss-in-a-lipstick-tube" formula.

Laura Mericer's Gel Lip Colors come in six shades: Clementine (bright coral orange), Dollface (bright fuschia-pink), Hibiscus Bloom (bright coral pink), Rosette (bright purple-magenta), Sweet Cherry (bright mauve-cherry-rose). All of these lip colors in the tube look quite bright and at first, a little scary. However, on the lips these shades are quite sheer, yet still bright and fun for summer. As you can see from the photos below, the lip color I purchased (Hibiscus Bloom) looks way too bright, but applied on the lips, it's soft and sheery with this perfect amount of color!

This lipstick applies like a gloss on the lips and is super moisturizing! I was so surprised how amazing my lips felt all day wearing this lipstick! It feels like a lip balm on the lips, but provides such a pretty color. It's just so perfect for summer, I cannot stop raving!

The last and final relevant piece of information I have to add is that the lipstick tube itself is very compact. At first I was a little disappointed, but then when I realized how nice it was not to have a huge lipstick tube in my purse, I began to appreciate it's compact size! I am seriously contemplating buying more of these, they are just lovely! Enjoy!

Laura Mercier Hibiscus Bloom

Swatches: Mac Fresh Salmon, Mac Made to Order, Dior Rose Hollywood, Luara Mercier Hibiscus Bloom, Cover Girl Feline, Mac Chatterbox, and Mac Something New

Laura Mercier Hibiscus Bloom

Laura Mercier Hibiscus Bloom

Sleek Palette Divine - Chaos Palette Review

Ok, when I first saw this palette I was intrigued. I have been looking for a drugstore palette with bright matte shades. It seems all the drugstore items I try are either really poor quality or really shimmery. From what I understand, it's a bit difficult to make quality matte shades that aren't chalky. Well, as much as I wish I could rave about Sleek's i-Divine Chaos Palette because it is a palette that includes all matte bright shades, I was a little bit disappointed because a few of the shades were a bit chalky and two lacked pigmentation. However, of 12 eye shadows priced at $10 for the entire palette, only two misses is pretty good.

Value versus Pigmentation/Chalkiness
Overall, I think the Sleek i-Divine Chaos Palette is a great value for your money! It's only $10 and includes 12 shades, ten of which are highly pigmented. However, I wouldn't recommend this palette if you are buying it for the yellow or white shade. Both shades are not very pigmented and are pretty chalky. If you are buying this palette for an affordable alternative to Mac and you don't mind waiting on paying a little extra for shipping and waiting a little longer for your package to arrive from the UK, then this might be the palette for you.

Packaging, Delivery and Costs!
Each eyeshadow is about the size of nickel, includes a mirror and cheapy double-ended sponge applicator and the entire palette is about the size of a check book (assuming we all remember what checks are! ha!) I can't see the packaging being super protective of it's delicate contents because it's made of pretty cheapy-feeling plastic. So, my word of warning - don't drop these palettes on tile or wood floors, you'll be sad! Even though in the photos below you will see my black in the Chaos palette is a bit broken, this was the only shade of the entire 6 palettes I purchased that had a broken shadow! Pretty good packaging if you ask me! The cost of shipping was $13.50, which might sound scary at first, but if you're buying 6 palettes - it's not that much. I also had a nice 50% off discount code which meant I would have paid a grand total of $43.50, but in fact, I split the cost of shipping with a friend, so my real grand total was $37.25 for six palettes and 72 eyeshadows! Whoa! Not even $40! I don't know when and if Sleek will be doing another 50% off discount, but if they do, I will be sure to let you all know! :)

My Two Cents: If you can find someone to split shipping costs with you, I think these palettes are well worth it. I even think these palettes are worth it if you pay full price for shipping because they were so affordable and good quality overall ($10 for 12 eyeshadows is a really good deal!). I wouldn't say they are as high quality as Mac eye shadows, but I'd say they are pretty darn close and a heck of a lot cheaper! If you are on a budget and you want fun, bright, exciting colors, but you don't want to pay $14.50 a piece (Mac prices) for them, then check out Sleek! :)

Photo with Flash

Photo with Flash

Photo with Flash

Photo - NO Flash

Photo with Flash

Photo with Flash

Hourglass Illume - Creme to Powder Bronze Duo

Hourglass Illume - Creme to Powder Bronze Duo - My feelings???  Indifferent

I don't mind telling you, I got caught up in the sleek, shinny packaging and the great feel of this creme-to-powder bronzer when I swatched it, but didn't really think through this purchase well.  The packaging, along with the luxurious creme to powder feel had me at Hello :)  The packaging is absolutely beautiful and the way the compact swivels 360 degrees is one of the better designs I've seen.  The best way to describe the swivel aspect is to think of a nail clipper.  It operates mechanically the same way.  This swivel design allows the mirror to actually stand up (see picture below) while using it.  

The bonzer/highlighter is truly a creme-to-powder.  It feels ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL on the skin.  It goes on silky smooth and looks this way on the skin as well.

I gotta tell you though, I've been using this for several days now and honestly, while the packaging is nice and the the "feel" of the product is fabulous, both the highlighter and bronzer have to be good for me to say this is a "must buy".  The highlighter is definitely the better part of the product.  Its a pretty decent highlighter and doesn't have a real sparkled effect which I light a lot.  It's very natural looking on the skin.  It also allows for a buildable shade.  However, the bronzer is a little different story for me and this is half the product so both really need to work well.   The bronzer is really a bit too orange.  I thought maybe the bronzer just might be looking too orange for my skin tone so I tried it out on a few of my friends and I'm finding that its really not a great shade for most skin tones because of the orangish tone. 

One gripe I do have about the packaging:  Hourglass lines the bronzer and highlighter with a sheer, thin piece of protective plastic coating over it and when I initially slid the lid to the right to open it, the plastic got caught and scraped my bronzer and highlighter.  Now, it didn't destroy the product but no one wants to start off using a new make up of any kind that has a gauge in it :)  I tried to smooth over the gauges before taking the pics, but unfortunately they are still noticeable...sorry!  :)

With all this being said:  I am glad I purchased this product, because I have never bought any of the Hourglass products thus far and so I got a feel for the quality and that is definitely there.  In this particular case, I think they just need to work on the shades a bit.  I would most definitely buy another Hourglass product, potentially their foundations because the feel of this bronzer/highlighter on the skin is absolutely wonderful and so now I'm curious about their foundations.

I have to apologize for my pictures.  The packaging has such a shiny finish that I really struggled with getting a clear picture without glare.

Hourglass Illume Creme-To-Powder Bronzer Duo
Shade:  Bronze/Light
Photo Source:  Hourglass Official Site

Packaging (shiny, silky box)

Shade:  Bronze Light

Product Details:

Bronzer and highlighter and blush

Added vitamins A&E to provide moisturizing and antioxidant benefits

Oil-Fragrance, Wax-Sulfate, Phthalate and Paraben Free

Product comes in two shades:  Bronze Light and Sun Set

Cost:  $40.00

Dior Addict Lipstick - You Will Be Addicted!!!

Dior Addict - You WILL Be Addicted!!!

Check out the chic design
Dior's Fashion Week, 881

Dior's Fashion Week, 881

Dior's Fashion Week, 881

I am really loving this new Dior's Addict lipstick formula that they have come out with.  The formula is designed to be hydrating and volumizing color.  I think they have mastered this.  I purchased Dior's Addict Lipstick, Fashion Week, 881.  It's a is a natural rosy pink shade.  It has a bit more color than a natural lip color, but looks very natural on.  However, if you don't like this shade, not to worry, because Dior is providing this lipstick in 44 different shades!!!  The formula is kinda  cross between a balm and a gloss, but does not have any of the stickyness that you often times find with a gloss.  I don't really know how to describe it, but it feels absolutely wonderful on the lips.  Its very light on the lips but yet manages to produce quite a bit of color as can be seen by the swatch above.  This is really nice lipstick.  It leaves your lips with almost a natural shine. 

You will also love the packaging...it's chic, sophisticated design just makes you feel like a million bucks!  It's silly, I know, but there is something out taking a chic lipstick out of your purse to apply...especially if friends are around :)

 The only draw backs I see with this lipstick is the price; its kinda pricey at $28 and it does not stay on quite as long as many of the other lipsticks I have used, BUT none of them feel quite as good on as this one does either.  Most lipsticks feel much heavier than Dior's Addict.  I promise you, I WILL be purchasing more of these.  I think it's well worth the price.

Product Details:

$28 for .12oz

44 Different Shades Available

New Dior formula designed to hydrate and volumize