First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy Review
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Recent Acquisitions Vol. 2
Saturday, February 27, 2016
I've been a bit of a bad broke blogger and picked up some things recently. Can you really blame me though? I got dumped at the end of last month and I've been dealing with mad crazy tech issues and need some comfort. Over the past few weeks I've compiled quite a nice little haul that includes some brand new products, and some brands that are either totally new, or totally new to me. Let's get acquainted with my recent acquisitions!
Caitlyn Jenner + MAC
Friday, February 26, 2016
Love her or hate her, Caitlyn Jenner has had one hell of a year and has also had a big hand in bringing trans* issues to the spotlight. Sure, she's lived a life of privilege and has had a much better reception than most other trans* persons out there, but you can't deny that her presence in the media is helping propel the movement forward.
Essence The Gel Nail Polish in "Rock My World!" Reveiw
Aaaand we've got another PR sample from my Gen Beauty cocktail swag bag. All opinions and thoughts expressed are my own and I am not being monetarily compensated for featuring this product. You know the drill by now.
I've been a fan of Essence nail polishes since 2007. No joke. I've been through a packaging change, and now a reformulation since the regular polishes have been replaced by this "The Gel" polish. "Rock My World!" is a dark, stormy blue/green based grey.
Finish 6 by Spring Check In
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Yeah, I know this post is late. My computer's hard drive decided to quit it's job, so I've been dealing with some pretty large technical hurdles when it comes to trying to blog.
Technical difficulties aren't the only thing that have been standing in my way for this challenge. I lost a few weeks of this challenge to being super sick and also traveling, so I haven't been making nearly enough progress in using this products up. I also lost a few of my original markers from when I started, so I don't exactly know how much of the product I've used up. Oy vey, this challenge has been a mess.
Technical difficulties aren't the only thing that have been standing in my way for this challenge. I lost a few weeks of this challenge to being super sick and also traveling, so I haven't been making nearly enough progress in using this products up. I also lost a few of my original markers from when I started, so I don't exactly know how much of the product I've used up. Oy vey, this challenge has been a mess.
Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Review
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
I got this little sample tube a while ago in a large barrage of samples a lovely Ulta worker in Corvallis bestowed upon me - seriously though, if you're near Corvallis, Oregon hit up their Ulta. It's small, but amazing. Anyways, back on track...
I've been really getting into skin care lately because cleanliness is next to godliness and my adult, acneic skin isn't getting any younger. One of my favorite steps for sure is using a cleansing oil as the start of my double cleansing process because they're very gentle, quite effective at removing makeup, and don't strip the skin because there isn't any detergent in it. I didn't know what to expect from this gel-to-oil cleanser since I hadn't tried any Bliss products and the formula was a bit different than what I was used to, but I'm actually quite liking it!
I've been really getting into skin care lately because cleanliness is next to godliness and my adult, acneic skin isn't getting any younger. One of my favorite steps for sure is using a cleansing oil as the start of my double cleansing process because they're very gentle, quite effective at removing makeup, and don't strip the skin because there isn't any detergent in it. I didn't know what to expect from this gel-to-oil cleanser since I hadn't tried any Bliss products and the formula was a bit different than what I was used to, but I'm actually quite liking it!
It's Time to Get Serious
Monday, February 22, 2016
I started my journey with beauty blogging about 5 years ago. Over this past half decade I've switched from Xanga (yes, Xanga) to Tumblr, and then to here on Blogspot. I've been through a lot with my blog, but I've also been through a lot with my personal life, hence the less than perfect attendance sheet when it comes to me blogging regularly. Well, that all ends now.
I can still remember the giddy feelings I'd get when I'd post an article to Lovelyish, which is a Xanga side blog that has been out of commission for going on a year now, and how my joy of blogging and trying out new products would make feel in the beginning of this whole ordeal. I want to go back to that, but I've got a few things standing in my way.
One big reason is crippling depression and anxiety that has only gotten worse since entering adulthood, but that's a story for a different day. That issue aside, my life is very cluttered and it stresses me out, which in turn affects my ability to successfully apply myself to my passions. Currently I'm trying to streamline that by getting rid of unnecessary crap in my life, and also things I don't really touch in my makeup collection. I have both makeup and clothing/accessory items up on my PoshMark closet for some pretty good deals if you want to check that out. You can use my affiliate code, BDVKI, when you sign up to knock $10 off your first order.
Shameless, albeit legitimate point, plug aside - hey, a girl has gotta pay her bills and also buy a new laptop because this one is giving up - I think one of my main problems is my mindset. I've been at this for 5 years and I've seen a lot of mainstream makeup - so much that I kind of get annoyed when brands launch another gimmicky product or add yet another neutral palette to their line. I'm not gonna lie... things have kind of lost their magic for me and I'm cranky at myself for feeling this way. However, I'm really trying, as much as I can on my extremely limited budget, to branch out and stop sticking to the same brands and products that I've been using for years. I'd really like to look at smaller brands, less popular brands, or indie brands - like Jouer, which I've come to discover I rather do like but refused to touch as a 17 year old makeup junkie because the brand wasn't "cool" or "trendy".
Moral of the story here, I'm an adult and it's time to start acting like one while engaging in my passions and branching out more. Ideally I'd like to run this blog as a real, legitimate part time job because blogging about things that I love with people that have the same interests genuinely brings me a sense of self worth and happiness, opposed to the mind-numbing, slow death of "traditional" jobs I've had to take in the past that have zero things to do with what I want to do with my life. And you know what? Hell or high water, I'm gonna do it.
I'm going to apply myself with the same rabid passion and tenacity as I did in the beginning and get myself somewhere doing this.
Welcome to The Science of Chic reloaded. Let's get shit done.
I can still remember the giddy feelings I'd get when I'd post an article to Lovelyish, which is a Xanga side blog that has been out of commission for going on a year now, and how my joy of blogging and trying out new products would make feel in the beginning of this whole ordeal. I want to go back to that, but I've got a few things standing in my way.
One big reason is crippling depression and anxiety that has only gotten worse since entering adulthood, but that's a story for a different day. That issue aside, my life is very cluttered and it stresses me out, which in turn affects my ability to successfully apply myself to my passions. Currently I'm trying to streamline that by getting rid of unnecessary crap in my life, and also things I don't really touch in my makeup collection. I have both makeup and clothing/accessory items up on my PoshMark closet for some pretty good deals if you want to check that out. You can use my affiliate code, BDVKI, when you sign up to knock $10 off your first order.
Shameless, albeit legitimate point, plug aside - hey, a girl has gotta pay her bills and also buy a new laptop because this one is giving up - I think one of my main problems is my mindset. I've been at this for 5 years and I've seen a lot of mainstream makeup - so much that I kind of get annoyed when brands launch another gimmicky product or add yet another neutral palette to their line. I'm not gonna lie... things have kind of lost their magic for me and I'm cranky at myself for feeling this way. However, I'm really trying, as much as I can on my extremely limited budget, to branch out and stop sticking to the same brands and products that I've been using for years. I'd really like to look at smaller brands, less popular brands, or indie brands - like Jouer, which I've come to discover I rather do like but refused to touch as a 17 year old makeup junkie because the brand wasn't "cool" or "trendy".
Moral of the story here, I'm an adult and it's time to start acting like one while engaging in my passions and branching out more. Ideally I'd like to run this blog as a real, legitimate part time job because blogging about things that I love with people that have the same interests genuinely brings me a sense of self worth and happiness, opposed to the mind-numbing, slow death of "traditional" jobs I've had to take in the past that have zero things to do with what I want to do with my life. And you know what? Hell or high water, I'm gonna do it.
I'm going to apply myself with the same rabid passion and tenacity as I did in the beginning and get myself somewhere doing this.
Welcome to The Science of Chic reloaded. Let's get shit done.
Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel in "Condensed Milk" Review
Monday, February 15, 2016
I picked this up on a whim at Rite Aid. I'd seen the display for these all over the place since the beginning of the year and decided that it was time to bite the bullet and pick one up. At $4.99 these are definitely the cheapest lightless gel product that I've been able to find. There were a ton of different of shades and I was definitely eyeballing the black, mint green, and a nice wine shade, but I ultimately ended up settling on this milky pale pink nude shade.
GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment Review
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Affiliate Link
Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Sheer Lip Gloss in Bikini Review
Saturday, February 13, 2016
This prods uct was received in my Gen Beauty cocktail swag bag, therefore making it a PR sample. Do I have to feature it and say nice things about it? No. Am I doing this of my own accord? Oui! Hooray for honesty!
Ok, I know I've been a little lip product heavy on my blog this month, but this Phyto-Pigments Sheer Lip Gloss form Juice Beauty really caught my eye. Little known fact - I used to be set on becoming a biological oceanographer until university killed my soul and nearly killed me (true story), so I'm kinda a dork when it comes to phyto anything, even if it's land plants and not phytoplankton. This lipgloss is formulated with plant phyto pigments instead of artificial dyes got my nerd-sense tingling. This company is run by Gwenyth Paltrow, meaning that it is super organic and fair trade and all those other rich hippie things.
Ok, I know I've been a little lip product heavy on my blog this month, but this Phyto-Pigments Sheer Lip Gloss form Juice Beauty really caught my eye. Little known fact - I used to be set on becoming a biological oceanographer until university killed my soul and nearly killed me (true story), so I'm kinda a dork when it comes to phyto anything, even if it's land plants and not phytoplankton. This lipgloss is formulated with plant phyto pigments instead of artificial dyes got my nerd-sense tingling. This company is run by Gwenyth Paltrow, meaning that it is super organic and fair trade and all those other rich hippie things.
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor in HD Addiction Review
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
This lip product was one of the many items in my Winter 2016 BeautyCon BFF Box, which you can find a video of my unboxing HERE. It's kind of been rolling around in my "to review" bag for a while so I decided to pull it for y'all. The Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor is a fairly new product on the market since I noticed it popping up not long after I moved down to SoCal. I never really went for it because I don't find myself that drawn to Revlon products... plus it's also $10 and brands like L'Oreal, Revlon, and even Covergirl are slowly inching their affordability out of the drugstore. No me gusta. There are a few things other than the high price point that I don't like, but we'll get on to those later.
Absolute New York Velvet Lippie in "Wicked" Review
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Prior to getting this in my ipsy Generation Beauty cocktail swag bag (yes, it's a press sample), I had never heard of the brand. At first glance it looks like it would be very similar to the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, which it is, and a black one to boot, which it's not. Since I don't feel like beating around the bush today since I'm on the better half of dying from a head cold, I'm just gonna come out and say that I'm very neutral bordering negative about this product. It's not awesome, but it's also not the worst lip product I've ever used.
The tube is much longer and thinner than a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, but the matte rubberized top and the colored tube are very reminiscent of one. I do like the design aesthetic of the label and think it look more high end than it's actual accessible price point at $5.99 - yet another similarity to NYX.
The tube is much longer and thinner than a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, but the matte rubberized top and the colored tube are very reminiscent of one. I do like the design aesthetic of the label and think it look more high end than it's actual accessible price point at $5.99 - yet another similarity to NYX.
Pür Lip Lure "Mystic" Review
Friday, February 5, 2016
Disclaimer time! I received this as a freebie in my Generation Beauty cocktail swag bag. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm gonna level with you guys... this is my first time using a PÜR product. I don't know... maybe it's the fact that it's always towards the back of every Ulta that I go to or that I had this misconception that they were strictly a skincare brand, but here we are. Let's talk about the PÜR Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer in Mystic.
Benefit Hoola Bronzer Review + Giveaway
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Hi! The giveaway at the bottom is using the Benefit Hoola Bronzer that I got for free at the ipsy Generation Beauty Cocktail Party. I already have one and decided to pass this one on to one lucky reader! Just wanted to disclaim that. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, as per usual.
Ok, so here't the deal. I've had a Hoola Bronzer in my makeup arsenal in some form or another for, no joke, years. I'm honestly surprised that I haven't reviewed this before, but since it's a cult classic and a general favorite of mine it's high time that I do!
Timeless Beauty Palette by City Color Cosmetics + Get 15% Off Your Order
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Oh look! Another item I recieved at the ipsyOS Generation Beauty cocktail party. Is this post sponsored? No. Do I have to post about it? No. Do I get any monetary compensation for you using my 15% off coupon code at the bottom of this post? Nope. Are all opinions my own? Absolutely. On to the review!
This product is not set to launch until March, but I thought I'd let y'all into the loop. This palette is supposedly an all in one cheek palette and contains 4 blushes and 3 highlighters/bronzers. I spoke to a member of City Color's affiliate team and the blushes are basically the coveted Be Matte Blushes, but with a very light hint of shimmer and the highlighters can suit a variety of skin tones and apparently the darker shades can be used as bronzers (not so sure about that one thought). This palette will also retail for $25, which sounds a little much for a drugstore level makeup line, but the pan sizes, color payoff, and gigantor mirror makes it a little easier to shell out for in my opinion.
This product is not set to launch until March, but I thought I'd let y'all into the loop. This palette is supposedly an all in one cheek palette and contains 4 blushes and 3 highlighters/bronzers. I spoke to a member of City Color's affiliate team and the blushes are basically the coveted Be Matte Blushes, but with a very light hint of shimmer and the highlighters can suit a variety of skin tones and apparently the darker shades can be used as bronzers (not so sure about that one thought). This palette will also retail for $25, which sounds a little much for a drugstore level makeup line, but the pan sizes, color payoff, and gigantor mirror makes it a little easier to shell out for in my opinion.
Luxie Rose Gold Precision Makeup Brush Set
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
A few things we need to get out of the way first before getting into the nitty gritty of this post: This set is going to be released mid-month and prices posted are subject to change, and I did receive these for free in my ipsyOS cocktail swag bag, however all thoughts an opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to talk about these brushes. I'm glad we had this chat.
This is my first experience with Luxie Beauty, even though I've seen them slowly creep into the YouTube beauty sphere over the past few months. I didn't know what really to expect going into this review since I hadn't researched the brand much before opening the box. I thought that they were gonna be something similar to Morphe, a cheap, ok-ish, and overhyped brand, but boy I was wrong.
This is my first experience with Luxie Beauty, even though I've seen them slowly creep into the YouTube beauty sphere over the past few months. I didn't know what really to expect going into this review since I hadn't researched the brand much before opening the box. I thought that they were gonna be something similar to Morphe, a cheap, ok-ish, and overhyped brand, but boy I was wrong.
$1.50 Hand Saving Gadget for Cleaning Brushes
Monday, February 1, 2016
I was up in Northridge last weekend for Generation Beauty and foolishly forgot some hair ties. I decided to hit up Diaso, the Japanese equivalent of a dollar+ store, and found this little guy instead! I had to snatch it up immediately because my first thought when I saw it was "hey, I can clean my brushes with that" despite it being a face cleaning scrubby brush. The $1.50 for this finger held, textured silicone pad flew out of my wallet within seconds.
