Lipstick Review: MAC Mind Control Lipstick

MAC Lipstick in Mind Control

Availability: Unfortunately this shade has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: Yes I would!

Notes: MAC describes this color as a bright cherry red. I'd have to agree with that. It has a very cherries-in-the-snow feeling when its on someone as fair as I am but I feel like this is a generally flattering red on most people. It's ever so slightly cool-toned but acts mostly as a neutral red and gives it a really classic, 40s feel. I dig it. The Amplified Cream is my absolute favorite finish from MAC because it's essentially what you'd expect from a traditional lipstick formulation - smooth, creamy, very opaque and rich in color payoff with a slight sheen. As with all MAC lipsticks this has a soft vanilla scent and flavor that I don't have any strong feelings for either way.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. :)

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Moisturizer Review: Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream

Today's review will be for the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream

Availability: This product retails at $48 for a 1.69 oz (50 mL) tube and is available at sephora.com, along with its respective physical store locations as well as amazon.com, and birchbox.com.

Would I buy this again? Possibly.

What it is formulated to do:

Allow us to quote the lovely sephora.com

What it is:

A lightweight cream to moisturize the skin. 

What it is formulated to do:

This lightweight cream with the power of microcapsule ceramides hydrates the skin barrier from within, preventing chronic water loss. Dry, rough skin instantly becomes plumped with all-day, time-release moisture. It enhances the skin’s natural strength and function for smoother, softer skin. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

- Sulfates 

- Phthalates 

What else you need to know:

This product has been dermatologist tested.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

According to sephora.com:

-Ceramide 3: Provides time-release moisture. 

-Licorice Root Extract: Soothes and provides anti-redness properties. 

-Portulaca Oleracea and Aloe Vera: Calm irritated skin and hydrate. 

-Panthenol: Alleviates signs of sensitivity and softens skin.

What is the texture like?

This feels like a rich cream and is super nourishing.

Is it scented?

I would describe the scent as clean and medicinal.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

    Ok so I use this in a somewhat unconventional way - as hand cream. Now $50 is kind of steep to drop on a regular hand cream but essentially this is what happened. The Ceramidin line had a soft buzz going around it and I was curious, especially because if you look at the gel version there's pieces of the ceramide goodness in blobs throughout the gel and it's just interesting, you know. That said I have a ton of moisturizers and didn't even want to try this stuff because if I fell in love with it I didn't want to justify buying it. Then one day one of my clients asked me to make her a sample of this and I got a little on the back of my hand. I figured my hands are getting dry let me just rub it in. Legit in that moment I felt such a great burst of moisture that I figured let me put this on properly. Every single year around wintertime I think I mention in one way or another that my hand eczema comes back and last year it wasn't as severe only because going to Puerto Rico mid-January must've confused it but it can get really painful and I've had my skin crack and bleed in the past so anything that helps is always a plus. This doesn't just hydrate though, this legitimately stops the hand eczema in its tracks, when I feel the tell-tale dryness and itchiness I only have to put a little of this on and typically I'll be good for a week or so. I bought this because it really works for me and because it'll last me a while. Out of all the moisturizers in the line the cream texture works best for my hands and body which is why I bought this. I did try this on my face but it feels a bit thick and I think I'd prefer the gel for that. That said once I start using my laser for hair-removal I might use this to soothe the possible irritation.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Sugarpill Pumpkin Spice Eyeshadow Review

As a Sugarpill and pumpkin addict I clearly needed this in my life.

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued. 

Would I buy this again? I think I would.
Notes: Alright, so texture-wise this eyeshadow is really soft, creamy, and has a lot of pigment payoff.

This is on the left, Penelope is on the right 

I'd have to say this is an intensely pigmented metallic reddish copper loaded with gold micro-glitter. It's absolutely stunning and perfect for fall. For those of you who are curious as to how it compares to Penelope, this is darker and more red. The only unfortunate thing about this shadow is that its texture is very soft and mine broke... I know I can be salty and contact Sugarpill but as I don't think they have any more stock of this I'm  just going to put it in a jar and crush it up because it's not that serious. I'm just saying this so any of you folks reading, if this gets re-released at some point might be aware of the textural issue at hand. I think this is absolutely beautiful and worth owning.  

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Kat Von D Thrasher Metal Crush Eyeshadow Review

Ok you folks, when I saw these on Instagram I thought they were really dope but when I swatched them I knew I had to pick up a few.

Availability: This has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again? I think I would.
Notes: Alright, so texture-wise all of these are really creamy, buttery, and blend very easily. They're just a really good metallic-finish powder shadow so if you like any of the colors that this come in definitely check them out and play with them.

Thrasher is described as a metallic gold. I have to say plain old calling this color gold is misleading because this isn't what I think of, when I think of gold. This has a really tarnished, old-gold, kind of olive tone to it with a metallic finish and sparse golden micro-glitter throughout. I'm really excited that this was given to me because it's such a beautiful old gold/olive tone that I love to wear even though I don't wear it often. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am under no obligation to mention it on this here blog nor am I being compensated to do so. 

Lipstick Review: MAC Hot Gossip Lipstick

MAC Lipstick in Hot Gossip

Availability: This shade appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: Maybe... I do like it :P

Notes: MAC describes this color as a Cremesheen Mid-tone pinky plum. I'd have to agree with that, this is the color I was hoping Syrup was but alas... I think it's fantastic for every day, it's flattering and not too loud of a color while still giving a nice pop and brightness to the face. The formula of this is fantastic - it has a smooth glide and nice color payoff.. As with all MAC lipsticks this has a soft vanilla scent and flavor that I don't have any strong feelings for either way.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. :)

Disclaimer: I received this as a Back 2 MAC lipstick - basically you bring in 6 empty containers from MAC makeup and they give you a free lipstick (not sure of freestanding stores still do shadows/glosses). In no way, shape, or form does getting this free affect my opinion of it. 

Lipstick Review: MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick

MAC Lipstick in Candy Yum Yum

Availability: This product is $19 for .1 oz (3g). You can find it at maccosmetics.com, bloomingdales.com, macys.com, nordstrom.com and selfridges.com as well as their physical store/counter locations.

Would I buy this again?: Maybe... I do like it :P

Notes: MAC describes this color as a matte neon pink. I'd say it's a definitely a bright fuchsia pink but I wouldn't go so far as to calling it neon. The formula of this is fantastic given that it's matte, I was expecting it to be dry and difficult to apply but that wasn't the case at all. As with all MAC lipsticks this has a soft vanilla scent and flavor that I don't have any strong feelings for either way.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. :)

Disclaimer: I received this as a Back 2 MAC lipstick - basically you bring in 6 empty containers from MAC makeup and they give you a free lipstick (not sure of freestanding stores still do shadows/glosses). In no way, shape, or form does getting this free affect my opinion of it. 

Lipstick Review: Givenchy 304 Madarine Bolero Le Rouge Givenchy

Givenchy Le Rouge Givenchy in 304 Madarine Bolero

Availability: This product is $38 for .12 oz. You can find it at sephora.com and barneys.com as well as their physical store locations.

Would I buy this again?: Maybe... I do like it :P

Notes: Sephora describes this color as a muted red orange. I'd have to agree with that. The formula of this is wonderful - smooth, creamy, easy to apply - this has a satin-y finish, it doesn't have a shine like a gloss but it's not a full-on dry matte either.  It looks beautiful on its own but you can apply a gloss over it if that's more to your liking. This has an old time-y lipstick scent which to me is nostalgic to the days my mom let me wear hers so I don't mind that at all. While I realize this is a pricey lipstick I think what makes it worth the money, to me, is how unique the color is. Yes, there's loads of tangerines out there but this has this really interesting balance of being something of a pinkish orange while kind of looking red too... like a raw salmon color? I haven't really seen a color like this anywhere else. The packaging on this is also beautiful, the black casing you see in the photographs is genuine leather. Overall, I think it's worth investing in if you find a shade you really fall in love with.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. :)

Disclaimer: I bought this myself.

Lipstick Review: Inglot 282 Lipstick

Inglot Lipstick in 282

Availability: This product has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: Maybe... I do like it. :P

Notes: I'd describe the color as a true purple, although if I had to be nitpicky it's ever so slightly more blue than it is red. I get so many compliments when I wear this because it's so different but it's not crazy bright or an obvious "color" the way that blues or greens can be... if that makes sense... it doesn't look as stark. The formula of this is wonderful - smooth, creamy, easy to apply. This has a fruity sweet scent to it that I don't love but I don't dislike it either. I think this color is really unique and that the Inglot lipsticks themselves are worth taking a look at, they're very reasonably priced and you can find some unique colors.

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions. :)

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Sugarpill Penelope, Mint Soda, Clickbait, and Holy Ghost Chromalust Review

My Sugarpill Story: Amy Doan, the founder of Sugarpill, has been an inspiration many years before Sugarpill even launched. I found out about her Ebay shop through Leesha's videos and  was blown away by the gorgeous makeup looks she did to accompany her product pages. She is an enormous inspiration to me because she's doing what she loves and is colorful and not afraid to express or be herself. So when Sugarpill first launched I knew I had to get my hands on the goods.  I really hope you enjoy the review and seriously, if you have the money to spend, go to sugarpill.net right now and get your hands on this gold! :3 Black Friday is coming!

Availability: Penelope is the only shade still available and retails at $14 for 3g of product. 

Note: What sets the Chromalusts apart from similar loose shadows or pigments are that a large majority of them contain these amazing micro-glitter particles - they do a good job of staying on the skin as well but generally show up when the product is used dry (it takes on a more metallic quality if used wet). I have to apologize that for many of the pigments, my camera just doesn't do the glitter justice because it's just so much more multidimensional in natural light, but I hope my descriptions are helpful :3

Penelope is described as a super reflective metallic copper. I'd describe this as being true to its description. Everyone seemed to really like this shade in their reviews and videos so I figured I'd give it a try. You guis... this is just SICK. I mean I usually pull for more amber versus copper colors but this is just sickening... in a drag queen kind of way :P

Mint Soda is described as a radiant metallic mint with sparkling gold sheen. I'd say this is more of a chartreuse with golden green and silver micro-glitter. I love colors like this.

Clickbait is described as a metallic mossy teal with golden sheen. This is another color that's really true to its description and it's just utterly glorious and stunning. As a mermaid, I needed this. Like... so beautiful with a slight hint of gray, like the ocean on a cloudy day... gah!

Holy Ghost is described as a sparkling deep sea blue with aqua and green reflects. This is just another perfect mermaid tone - a gorgeous aquatic blue with fun micro-glitter sprinkles. It makes me smile when I see it. :)

Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself. :3