Lipstick Review: Bite Beauty Chai Amuse Bouche Lipstick

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Chai

Availability: This has been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: Possibly.

Notes: This is described as a mauve brown; I'd describe this color as being a warm terracotta. I'm unsure where the "mauve" comes in as I associate that more with a dusty, grayed purple and this has NO purple to it, at least not on my skin-tone. I have said in the past that I'm not a fan of brown on me but because this is such a pinky-reddish brown I think it's really wearable and perfect for the autumn season.  It goes on smooth and is nicely hydrating. This has a citrusy scent. 

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for free as a birthday gift.

Mask Review: CVS Pomegranate and Lime Brightening Gel Facial Mask

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the CVS Pomegranate and Lime Brightening Gel Facial Mask

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: I'm unsure.

What is this product designed to address?

According to cvs.com this is what the product is and what it does: 

You're not dull. Your skin shouldn't be either. This brightening mask contains antioxidant rich pomegranate and lime extracts that will delight both skin and senses. With its brightening effects and fresh fragrance, you'll think you've found summer at your fingertips.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Glycerin - A humectant which attracts moisture from the environment into your skin.

Pomegranate Fruit Extract - contains antioxidant benefits and assists with the formation of skin cells.
Lime Fruit Extract and Lime Oil- contain antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.

What is the texture like?

This has a gel-like texture that warms up every-so-slightly when it hits the skin.

Is it scented?

This has a sweet, citrusy scent.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

In all honesty I like the mask's scent and the effect it gives my skin - a nice, hydrated glow. But I HATE the texture. The gel feels kind of tickle-y... uncomfortable almost... and has a tendency to want to drip all down your neck and chest.

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Lip Gloss Review: Smith & Cult Flesh Riot Lip Lacquer

Smith & Cult Lip Lacquer Flesh Riot

Availability: This is available at revolve.com; it appears to have been discontinued though. The retail pricing is $22.

Would I buy this again?: No.

Notes: This is described as a muted rose lip lacquer with golden velvety shimmer. I'd describe this as being a rosy coral with a golden pearl. For me personally, it's too sheer... it's almost a clear gloss. This has no discernible scent or flavor.  It feels really smooth and moisturizing, not a bit sticky! Unfortunately this wore off in under 90 minutes and I find the price a bit too extreme for a product that doesn't wear very well. 

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. 

Lip Balm Review: Jack Black Intense Therapy Natural Mint & Shea Butter Lip Balm

Balm: Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Natural Mint & Shea Butter

Availability: This is available at sephora.com, bluemercury.com, nordstrom.com, macys.com, ulta.com, and bloomingdales.com as well as their respective physical store/ locations along with getjackblack.com. The retail pricing is $8 for 0.25 oz.

Would I buy this again?: Not the mint flavor, but yes. 

Notes: I really like Jack Black lip balms as they're hydrating, they feel smooth and not-too-heavy on the lips unless you glob a ton of product on and honestly that little blob you see on my hand swatch above is all you need! A little goes a long way! I love that this has sunscreen in it!  It goes on pretty smooth and is nicely hydrating. It makes my parched lips feel instantly smoother and softer. This particular one has a sweet peppermint fragrance/flavor. Although I have come to a place where I'm ok with mint my personal favorites out of the flavors are Black Tea & Blackberry (my favorite!) and Lemon & Shea Butter. 

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. 

Mascara Review: lune + aster Stratosphere Volumizing Mascara

Alright folksickles...
Today I will be reviewing the lune + aster Stratosphere Volumizing Mascara

Sans Mascara:


With Mascara:

Availability: This is exclusive to bluemercury.com and macys.com as well as their respective physical store locations. The retail pricing is $22.

Would I buy this?: Probably not.

Notes: This only comes in " black - I think it's just as inky black as most other mascaras.

Let's go over what the mascara's supposed to do and what it actually does. It's marketed as volumizing and lengthening. 

Alright so... for me I feel like this really delivers on its promises. I love the formula and how smoothly it goes on - it doesn't really clump my lashes much (although I ALWAYS comb through with a metal lash comb, no matter the mascara I'm using). I feel like this makes a noticeable difference in my lashes - both in volume and length. I also like that it's conditioning and has nutrients in it - I feel like it's benefiting my lashes to have this on. Lastly I love that this washes off really cleanly and easily. I really like the effect it gives my lashes and quite honestly I'm surprised as I often really dislike fiber mascara wands. Lastly, my word of advice is to take the brush out of this SLOWLY as that will prevent too much mascara from gathering on the brush.

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

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

Primer Review: NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer

NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer

Availability: This is available at bluemercury.com, ulta.com, macys.com, nordstrom.com, and narscosmetics.com as well as their respective physical store/boutique locations. The retail pricing is $36 for 1 oz.

Would I buy this? Not sure, although most likely not.

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

Product info according to narscosmetics.com and ulta.com:

A MATTIFYING PRIMER THAT PREPARES SKIN FOR MAKEUP APPLICATION BY CONTROLLING SHINE, WHILE PROLONGING AND ENHANCING THE LOOK OF MAKEUP. 

Mattifying. Refining. Oil free. Pore Minimizing Complex diminishes the look of pores instantly and over time. Controls shine. Prolongs and enhances the look of makeup.

DETAILS

Oil free

Paraben free

Synthetic fragrance free

Dermatologist tested

Non-comedogenic

Benefits:

Instant Results: Minimizes pores and mattifies skin throughout the day with soft-focus powders.

Long-term Benefits: African Whitewood and Oleanolic Acid combine with peptides to help balance skin.

Does this contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

I can't seem to find an ingredient list anywhere, I apologize.

What is the texture like?

This feels extremely lightweight, it leaves the skin feeling smooth and ever-so-slightly powdery. 

Is this scented?
This doesn't have a particular discernible scent.

What has my experience with the product been like?

Alright so personally I really like this primer for two purposes - one is for humid days in the summertime when it's so gross and sticky that even I, someone typically on the drier side, gets oily and things just feel sticky and gross. This being matte and powdery helps to de-slick. In addition, I also like pairing this with super dewy foundations that either don't hold up on their own because they're too moisturizing or don't hold up on humid days. I find that this really helps them stay on. That said, me being dry, I wouldn't experiment with this and matte foundation for myself.

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

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

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Wildflower Meadow Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Wildflower Meadow

Availability: This scent appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: Yes!

Notes: I purchased this because it smells really nice - refreshing and summery.
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - this is going to sound odd but this reminds me of a body wash I had years ago and can't quite place. That said, I do find that it smells of wildflowers in the summertime with a hint of something like a refreshing breeze. I think it's a great transition scent for summertime into fall.  

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, though it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well; it has a throw that smells up my entire room. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Tiki Beach Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Tiki Beach

Availability: This scent regularly retails at $26.50 for 14.5 oz. (411g) of product. 

Would I buy this again?: Yes!!!

Notes: I purchased this because it's by far one of my very favorite scents!
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - it smells like coconut but with this sexy, almost masculine, cologne-like note which I can only assume is the musk. It always makes me think of island sunsets and sexy men. That sounds hilarious and inappropriate. I just adore the scent of this!

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, though it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well; it has a throw that smells up my entire room. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Pecan Waffles Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Pumpkin Pecan Waffles

Availability: This scent is currently out of stock but you can check back for it during the fall season. 

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure.

Notes: I purchased this because it's one of my best friend's favorites and makes me think of him.
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - I'm getting a sweet, syrupy waffle note. It reminds me a lot of the Waffle Crisp cereal which is a favorite, in fact it was my hands down favorite as a kid. I'm getting just the slightest whisper of pumpkin spice and brown sugar. The pecans decided not to come to the party, both in the scent notes and in the actual scent. 

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, though it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well; it has a throw that smells up my entire room. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Pumpkin Coconut Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Pumpkin Coconut

Availability: This scent is not currently available but you can take a look for it during the fall season. 

Would I buy this again?: Absolutely not!

Notes: I purchased this because I was just super curious - I like pumpkin spice scents, I like coconut scents, it seemed like it would be a great summer-into-fall transition scent...
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - this smells like sweet, candied coconut, like that you would find in a Mounds or Bounty bar but with this weird, misplaced pumpkin spice scent. Personally I find the two jarring together - they seem to compete with each other rather than act in a harmonious way. 

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, but it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well; it has a very soft throw, I can smell a slight sweetness in my room but I can't pinpoint the scent as being the same as smelling the candle directly.

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Love Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Love

Availability: This scent appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure.

Notes: I purchased this because, as you all know, I love rose scents.
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - it's got quite an intense note of this almost herbaceous, floral smelling rose with just a hint of that sweet, apple-like rose scent that I like. I find that this smell makes me thing more of a rose garden than of rose-flavored pastries but overall it's rather romantic.

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, but it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well; it has a throw that smells up my entire room. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.

Candle Review: Bath & Body Works Heirloom Apple Scented Candle

Hi folks, so I have another home fragrance post for you. 

Candle: Bath & Body Works Scented Candle in Heirloom Apple

Availability: This scent appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this again?: I'm not sure.

Notes: I purchased this because it has a nice, refreshing apple scent.
Here's what I'm getting from smelling the candle cold - this smells like a fresh gala apple - a nice, sweet-tart, juicy apple with a crunchy, crisp bite to it. I find this particular candle to be one-note but not in a bad way, it's very refreshing. I know that the note describe this as being Honeycrisp but in my experience Honeycrisp apples are sweeter and are kind of mushy in the center which is why, in my opinion, the scent is more of a gala. 

As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies, but it doesn't change. 

I find this candle melts and burns very well. 

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

Disclaimer: Bought this myself.