Mask Review: GLAMGLOW POWERMUD Dual cleanse Treatment

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the GLAMGLOW POWERMUD Dual Cleanse Treatment.

Availability: This product is available at  sephora.com as well as its respective physical store locations as well as glamglowmud.com and paulaschoice.com. The retail pricing is $69 for 1.7 oz or $19 for .5 oz.

Would I buy this?  No.

What it is formulated to do:

Allow us to quote the lovely sephora.com:

What it is:

A mud-to-oil, gentle, deep cleansing treatment that removes the weekly buildup of dirt, oil, and makeup. 

What it is formulated to do:

Revolutionize your cleansing routine with POWERMUD™ mud-to-oil Dualcleanse Treatment. Indulge in a multisensory cleansing experience, uniting the power of mud and the power of oil to achieve amplified deep cleansing, yet gentle results. Goodbye weekly buildup—hello super clean, velvety skin. 

It features OILIXER™, which is a custom blended complex of four powerful, rare, non-greasy, and fast-absorbing deep cleansing oils. CLAYTOX™ is a carefully balanced four-clay blend specifically developed to provide an ultragentle skin detoxification for a maximum yet delicate cleanse. And PUREIFIER™ is a complex mix of cleansers, astringents, and exfoliators, working in synergy to dramatically purify and condition the skin. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

- Sulfates 

- Phthalates

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

From sephora.com:

-OILIXER™: Consists of prickly pear oil, pine oil, frankincense oil, and myrrh oil; hand harvested from cactus fruit, tree sap resin, and tree pine needle to enrich and deliver potent nourishing cleansing ingredients. 

-CLAYTOX™: A four-clay blend featuring rare Brazilian white clay; provides an ultragentle skin detoxification action for a maximum yet delicate cleanse. 

-PUREIFIER™: Dramatically purifies and conditions the skin. 

-Teaoxi Velvet Leaf: Nourishes while providing maximum cleansing benefits.

What is the texture like?

This feels like a clay/mud mask and yet... not so dry and tight - which I think is due to the oils that it contains.

Is it scented?

This smells really fruity... it smells like a green fruit smoothie that you'd get and feel really good about having consumed.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I didn't find this to be mind blowing. I think it's cool that this does indeed turn from a clay mask to an oil when moistened which my skin can appreciate since it's dry. It felt like it cleaned my face fairly nicely and... I can't tell you if it was dirt that this drew out of my skin or exfoliating particles but there were these scrubby-feeling things on my skin when I went to wash this off. My skin did feel clean but not much more so than using any other type of mud mask. *shrug*

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am in no way obligated to mention it on this here blog.

MAKE UP FOR EVER 943, 942, 928, 960 Star Powder Review

Today I'll be reviewing MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Powder in 943, 942, 928, 960.
Ok so can we talk about how excite I am that the lovely humans at MUFE - specifically Sarah, gave me these to play with. :D Eeeh, she was cleaning out one of the drawers filled with testers of these and was making samples in general and you know... if you're nice to people they hook you up. :D Also I had won a contest a while back and that's why she also gave me the full-sized one. I have been meaning to make samples and/or own a few of these lovely Star Powders for ages and I'm really quite excited. As many other loose eyeshadow/pigment products you can also use these on the face/body as highlighters, or mix them in with various mediums - water, setting spray, moisturizer, foundation, lip balm, nail polishes... to give all sorts of various effects... the world is your oyster.

Availability: These have all been discontinued.

Would I buy these? I haven't played with them enough to make a firm decision but the swatches are quite delicious. I can't wait to really play.
Notes: All of these shades have a pearl finish.

943 - is described as a pearl with pink highlights. It's an off-white with a lovely pink and gold shift which would make a gorgeous highlight for most skin-tones. 

942 - is described as a white with mauve highlights. To me the shift here is more of a pinkish violet more so than a mauve. It's quite lovely over a black base and is another color that I think would be fun to highlight with... I mean... mermaid life! :P

928 - is described as a  pastel blue. We all agreed that this is your quintessential Cinderella shade. It's a gorgeous pastel shade of blue that's... vibrant for being a pastel... not so much of a white base and is almost borderline cornflower. Beautiful. 

960 - is described as a blue with turquoise highlights. This color has "Safyre" written all over it. I mean look at the MERMAID MAGIC that this color is... a lovely blue with a golden teal shift. Le drool. I obviously needed it.

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

Disclaimer: These were all provided for testing purposes. I am under no obligation to mention these products on this blog. 

Mascara Review: Marc Jacobs O!mega Lash

Sans Mascara:

With Mascara:

Today I will be reviewing the Marc Jacobs O!mega Lash Mascara in Blacquer

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this?: Probably not.

Notes: Firstly - this is black and comes in just the black. As far as lasting power, I wore it for about 10 hours and it went strong - no smudging, no flaking, nothing annoying. 

Let's go over what the mascara's supposed to do and what it actually does. It's marketed as something that creates volume, expansion, and drama.

Alright so... this mascara delivers all of its promises. There are a lot of treatment ingredients in this mascara -  rice bran, bayberry, carob, and African acacia tree extracts for maximum lash-expanding impact. The essential oils deeply condition lashes, while vitamins B5 and C strengthen and hold them in place for even longer wear (from sephora.com). I haven't used it long enough in a consistent fashion to be able to say how well these ingredients work. Thus far I think it's pretty good and LOADS better than the original Marc Jacobs mascara (which I'm not a fan of at all) but... it's a tad bit clumpy and I think I have to use it for a while longer to decide if it has a place in my heart.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am under no obligation whatsoever to mention it on here.

Mascara Review: MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant

Today I will be reviewing the MAKE UP FOR EVER Smokey Extravagant Mascara.

Without mascara

With mascara

Availability: This is available at sephora.com and makeupforever.com as well as their respective physical store/boutique locations. The retail pricing is $24 for .23 oz.

Would I buy this?: Probably not.

Notes: Firstly - this is black and comes in just the black.. As far as lasting power, I wore it for about 10 hours and it went strong - no smudging, no flaking, nothing annoying. 

Let's go over what the mascara's supposed to do and what it actually does. It's marketed as a something that creates volume, length, and curl.

Alright so... this mascara delivers all of its promises. However, I prefer the Doll Lashes to this... the effect they both give is actually quite similar although this makes my lashes look somewhat thicker as well. However, the Doll Lashes mascara has the same brush but on a much smaller scale and I find that easier to work with and again, I like the really separated, defined look that Doll Lashes creates.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am under no obligation whatsoever to mention it on here.

Mascara Review: Lancome Hypnose Drama

Today I will be reviewing Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara.

Without Mascara

With Mascara

Availability:  This can be purchased at sephora.com, nordstrom.com, macys.com, and ulta.com as well as its physical store locations along with lancome-usa.com and hsn.com. The retail pricing is $28 for .22 oz.

Would I buy this again?: Probably not

Notes: Firstly - this is black and comes in just the black. As far as lasting power, I wore it for about 10 hours and it went strong -  no flaking but I find that it does smudge a little bit. I have the regular version and it's easy to wash the smudges away with a little bit of water.

Let's go over what the mascara's supposed to do and what it actually does. It's marketed as a something that creates body and volume.

Alright so... this mascara absolutely makes my lashes look a lot thicker, fuller and more voluminous. However, I prefer the Doll Lashes to this because the doll lashes gives a more fluttery effect whereas this thickens but is on the verge of a clumpy look. In fact, the first couple of times I used this mascara my lashes did clump. I want to love it because it's got such a cult following but... it's not what I want it to be. :/

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

Disclaimer: Bought this baby myself.

Eyeshadow Review: Sephora Collection Midnight Swim Colorful Eyeshadow

I present to you my review of the Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in Midnight Swim. 

Availability: This has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again? Quite possibly.
Notes:  Midnight Swim is described as a petrol blue shimmer and appears to be discontinued. I would say it's a very deep blackened peacock blue-green teal shade. I think it's lovely and it's a darn shame that this color is discontinued.

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

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

Mascara Review: Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes

Today I will be reviewing Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara.

Without mascara

With mascara

Availability: This can be purchased at sephora.com, nordstrom.com, macys.com, and ulta.com as well as their physical store locations along with lancome-usa.com, hsn.com, and paulaschoice.com. The retail pricing is $28 .

Would I buy this again?:Yes.

Notes: Firstly - this is black and comes in just the black.. As far as lasting power, I wore it for about 10 hours and it went strong - no smudging, no flaking, nothing annoying. 

Let's go over what the mascara's supposed to do and what it actually does. It's marketed as a something that creates lift and a separated-yet-volumized wide-open-eye look.

Alright so... they market this as something that's good for fine, thin lashes. I mean... I don't think my lashes are particular thick OR thin.. they're kind of average but I have to say this is by far my favorite Lancome mascara and one of my top three mascaras for sure. I adore the effect this gives - it gives a lot of nice length and volume without any clumping... it looks somewhat natural and yet is also dramatic and makes my lashes look real full and fluttery. I LOVE the brush on it too - the wider end is perfect for creating volume and the narrow end is fantastic for adding length and definition. I love that the overall design of the brush is on the smaller size too so it works great for most eye shapes and sizes. I'm very happy to own this. The packaging was from a limited edition collection and I think it's absolutely precious although the permanent packaging is quite lovely as well. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this baby myself.

Mask Review: GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the GLAMGLOW THIRSTYMUD Hydrating Treatment.

Availability: This product is available at sephora.com as well as its respective physical store locations as well as glamglowmud.com and paulaschoice.com. The retail pricing is $69 for 1.7 oz.

Would I buy this? I'm so torn... I want to say I will because my skin LOVES this stuff but... the price tag is painful.

What it is formulated to do:

Allow us to quote the lovely sephora.com:

What it is:

A nondrying hydration mask to deliver instant, extreme hydration. 

What it is formulated to do:

THIRSTYMUD™ uses the newest, most advanced, and extreme hydration active technologies. It moisturizes, restores, replenishes, and calms the skin. Dewdration™ boosts and locks in moisture for a dewy and youthful result while HydraPack™ leaves skin with an instant silky, soft, and supple feel. GreenEnergy™ smooths and energizes the skin, giving you a healthy-looking, glowing complexion. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

- Sulfates 

- Phthalates

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

From sephora.com:

-Dewdration™: A blend of actives containing hyaluronic acid and citric acid for deep hydration; boosts and locks in moisture for a dewy, youthful look. 

-Hydrapack™: A blend of actives containing botanimoist, moisturizing sugars and acids from apples, oat beta glucan to soothe and calm the skin, and hydraclay to trap and retain moisture in the skin. 

-GreenEnergy™: A blend of actives containing raw honey and ginger root for radiance and detoxifying; coconut provides immediate skin conditioning. 

-Teaoxi Olive Leaf: Delivers naturally moisturizing linoleic acid.

What is the texture like?

This feels like a cross between a lotion and a mud. It's absorbed by the skin fairly readily but leaves behind a slightly sticky feel.

Is it scented?

This smells like a tropical indulgence - coconut, a slight apple scent, sort of beachy, like sand-like but in a good way. Y'all know that as a mermaid I love it.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

Let me just tell you folks that this is one of my favorite things that I've been able to play with and review. My skin just absolutely loves this stuff - it's hard for me to explain, but the moment I put this on my skin feels renewed, hydrated, glowing... like it just reacts so well to this... it looks and feels amazing and I've been getting loads of compliments on the way my skin looks and I just feel that is texture has improved since I've started using this. That said, I still suffer from accursed redness... :x :( Anywho... I use this daily, reason being I have several other masks that I need to at some point use up and I don't want to have them forever. Ideally, you're supposed to use this 2-3 times a week but it won't irritate the skin because you can actually use it as a primer for your makeup (if you're on the drier side; my favorite method for clients), you can use it as a regular mask and tissue it off, or as (my favorite method on myself) as a sleeping mask. This makes my skin feel incredibly hydrated, has improved the skin's texture, and leaves the skin with a beautiful glow. It pains my wallet to say I'm kind of addicted. Plus the scent... the scent is just lovely.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am in no way obligated to mention it on this here blog.