Serum Review: m-61 Vitablast C Serum Pad

m-61 Vitablast C Serum Pad

Availability: This is exclusive to bluemercury.com and macys.com as well as their respective physical store locations. The retail pricing is $40 for a 10-pack ($4 each before tax) or $88 ($2.94  each before tax) for a 30-pack.

Would I buy this? No.

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Product info according to bluemercury.com:

This revolutionary super glow serum pad targets dullness to instantly create a radiant complexion. A pure dose of 15% stabilized vitamin C helps to support naturally-recurring collagen production, promote a more even tone, diminish the look of dark spots and protect against environmental stressors.

BENEFITS

Revolutionize your skincare routine with this convenient and effective vitamin C serum pad that targets dullness to instantly create a radiant complexion in a single swipe! A pure dose of active, dermatologist-loved ingredients is delivered in a revolutionary portable format. Vitablast C™ Serum Pad is great for the client who has dull skin, has lost radiance and is concerned about hyperpigmentation and/or environmental stressors. Use post cleansing and exfoliation, pre-moisturizer.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to bluemercury.com

KEY INGREDIENTS

A pure dose of 15% stabilized vitamin C helps to support naturally-recurring collagen production, promote a more even tone, diminish the look of dark spots and protect against environmental stressors.

Vitamin E helps to hydrate, nourish and soothe the skin.

Antioxidant gallic acid naturally brightens the complexion.

This also contains:
Glycerin: A humectant which draws moisture from the air into the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Hyaluronic acid - this can hold up to 1000x its weight in water and acts as a humectant to draw water into the skin and assist in keeping it there.

What is the texture like?

I'd say the serum this is soaked in feels like a traditional serum - kind of viscous but still liquid-y.

Is this scented?

This has that odd scent that unscented products tend to have... I wish it smelled citrusy. 

What has my experience with the product been like?

I really like this serum pad - I feel like it left my skin looking soft and radiant and added a nice boost of hydration. I feel like I'll have to use this a bit more long-term to see if they give me any type of glow or anything like that.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am not obligated or being compensated to mention it on this blog. 

Serum Review: m-61 Hydraboost HA Serum Pad

m-61 Hydraboost HA Serum Pad

Availability: This is exclusive to bluemercury.com and macys.com as well as their respective physical store locations. The retail pricing is $36 for a 10-pack ($3.60 each before tax) or $72 ($2.40 each before tax) for a 30-pack.

Would I buy this? Possibly

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Product info according to bluemercury.com:

BENEFITS

Revolutionize your skincare routine with this convenient and effective daily moisturizing pad that locks in moisture for 48 hours* and increases your skin's own hyaluronic acid levels in a single swipe! A pure dose of active, dermatologist-loved ingredients is delivered in a revolutionary portable format. Hydraboost HA Serum Pad is great for the client worried about moisture and looking for lasting hydration. Use pre-makeup, pre-primer and pre-foundation. 

*In a clinical study, 100% of participants saw increased moisture in the skin for 48 hours after one use.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to bluemercury.com:

Triple-action hyaluronic acid complex is designed to amplify the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels and bind moisture to the skin.

Four powerful peptides blended with vitamin B5 help to promote firming and replenish the skin’s moisture level.

Antioxidant tamarind helps to improve elasticity, nourish and hydrate while aloe and centella asiatica soothe the skin.
This also contains:
Glycerin: A humectant which draws moisture from the air into the skin.
Aloe Leaf Juice: Has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella Asiatica Extract: Has anti-oxidant and hydrating properties.
Papaya Fruit Extract: Gently exfoliates skin via enzyme action.
Mulberry Root Extract: Has anti-aging properties and lightens discoloration issues on the skin.

What is the texture like? This is soaked in a lightweight, watery serum.

Is this scented? There is no discernible scent.

What has my experience with the product been like?

Color me impressed... this is like a sheet mask without having to wait 20 minutes. It's like a drink of water for the skin! A serum that I think any skin-type would benefit from. The serum itself feels really cooling and, as I mentioned before, like a drink of water. It kind of feels like you're using a wet wipe to refresh except that the wet wipe has a lot of benefits to it. My skin feels lightly hydrated and refreshed after using this. I think even folks with oily skin would like this because it's so lightweight and feels really nice to use and apply. Although I don't have a photo the pad itself is just slightly smaller than palm-sized and quite generously soaked so you're able to get your neck, décolletage, and hands too. :D

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am not obligated or being compensated to mention it on this blog. 

Serum Review: Eau Thermale Avene Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum

Eau Thermale Avene Hydrance Intense Rehydrating Serum

Availability: This is available at bluemercury.com, birchbox.com, bergdorfgoodman.com as well as their respective physical store locations along with dermstore.com, and aveneusa.com. The retail pricing is $38 for 1 oz (30 mL).

Would I buy this? I'm not sure.

What is this product? What is it supposed to do?

Product info according to aveneusa.com:

A unique oil-free serum enriched with a high concentration of soothing and calming Avène Thermal Spring Water provides the skin with a boost of continuous hydration for 24 hours. Use this serum as a first step to enhance the effectiveness of any skin care regimen.

Hypoallergenic, Non-Comedogenic, Soap-Free, Paraben-Free, Oil-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free

Benefits

Restore and replenish skin’s moisture reservoirs for 24 hours of hydration.

Helps prevent water from evaporating from the skin.

Soothes tightness, tingling sensations and discomfort associated with dehydrated skin.

Provides powerful antioxidant protection.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Patented Cohederm is a lipidic trio that helps restore cohesive skin barrier and prevent water loss.

Hydration-boosting Microspheres gradually released Avène Thermal Spring Water and Cohederm for maximum skin replenishment.

Avène Thermal Spring Water soothes, softens and calm[s] the skin.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Avene Thermal Spring Water: As the above states this helps to calm, sooth, and soften the skin - in my experience with the original thermal water spray - it has a fantastic anti-inflammatory effect.
Glycerin: A humectant which attracts moisture from the air into the skin.

What is the texture like?

I would say the texture on this is that of a lightweight gel-cream.

Is this scented?
This has a light, sweet powdery scent.

What has my experience with the product been like?

So thus far I've only used this once so obviously it's a first impression versus me having used the product long-term. That said, the powder scent is quite noticeable during use, although it dissipates quickly. I feel the need to say that for anyone out there who's averse to powdery scents. In addition, although this feels lightweight I found that it wasn't as hydrating as I would've preferred. My skin kind of sucked it up quickly and was left feeling parched.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am not obligated or being compensated to mention it on this blog. 

NARS Erdem Fleur Fatale Eyeshadow Palette Look

Hey folks, today I bring you a fun, smoky red look.

Enough blabbering, tutorial time!

Products used: I applied Color from the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Sculpting Palette in 20 and blended it out with my Etude House My Beauty Tool Secret Brush 121 Skin (not shown) as a base for the blush at the top right of the e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Total Face Palette which I applied using my Sephora Collection PRO Mini Airbrush 55.5. I also applied the Colourpop Super Shock Shadow in Girly with the Etude House brush (not shown) as a base for Buxom Room Service Eyeshadow Bar Single which I applied with my Sephora Collection #74 PRO Small Blush and Contour brush. 

As a base for my powder eyeshadows I applied the Incendio Beauty Love Spell Eyeliner Potion and blended it out with my Crown Pro C511 Brush. 

For the crease I applied Thistle along with Belladonna with my Sigma E40 Tapered Blending brush and Crown Pro C511 Brush, respectively. 

For the lid  I applied Holly Hock  using my  Crown Pro C510 Brush. 

To highlight the brow-bone and the inner corner of the eye I applied Mythos using my no-name gigantic paddle brush from Crown and Crown Deluxe Precision Crease brush, respectively. 

For eyeliner, I went with the Clinique Pretty Easy Eyelining Pen, winging it out for that cat-eye drama. For the waterline I applied Stila Turquoise Smudge Stick.

For the lower lash-line, I applied Daydream using my Bubbi Detail brush.

The look sans lashes. 

For lashes I used Ardell Faux Mink Lashes in #811 along with Duo Brush-On Lash Glue in Clear.

For lips, I applied Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick and topped it with a miscellaneous mix of lipstick ends that I mixed together... I'm sorry that I can't be more specific.

Hope that you liked this! :D It was super fun for me to put together! Feel free to request particular songs, animals/nature scenes (I don't do insects of any kind though, sorry, little insect feet and wings creep the bejesus outta me), Pokemon, or Pokemon towns. :P

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

Disclaimer: The MAKE UP FOR EVER, Sephora 55.5 brush, Clinique, NARS and Incendio Beauty products were provided for testing purposes; the e.l.f. palette was gifted to me. I paid for everything else you see here myself. 

NARS Erdem Fleur Fatale Eyeshadow Palette Review

 Today I bring to you the NARS Erdem Fleur Fatale Eyeshadow palette.

Availability: This palette appears to have been discontinued. 

Would I buy this again? I can't say for sure yet.
Notes: I've never actually had a palette from NARS so it was exciting to get one to try out. I really love the artwork on the lid of the palette.

Mythos is a metallic icy white gold. I think it would make a beautiful highlight for the face is well as for the eye area. 

Thistle is a metallic taupe. 

Flourish is a metallic gunmetal.

Belladonna is a matte taupe.

Daydream is a brownish rose gold.

Holly Hock is a burgundy with a subtle grey pearl. 

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

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