Nail Polish Review: essie mint candy apple nail lacquer

 Nail polish: essie nail lacquer in mint candy apple

What the brush looks like:

My nails with 2 coats of polish, all nails have inm Out the Door Topcoat for Nails on:

Availability: This retails for around $9-$10 and can be purchased at drugstores that carry the essie brand along with essie.com and amazon.com.
Would I buy this again?: Yes!
Notes: I'd describe this as a Tiffany blue. I have had this color in the past but my bottle dried out and got goopy so I was unable to take photos for the blog. In any case I'm really happy to have this again because I love pastel mint nail polish. In terms of wear, this chipped somewhat within four days of having it on, mostly on the tips of my nails and began to look more gnarly with the 6th day of wear, I did deep clean this week so that might have contributed to this not wearing the best. 

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

Disclaimer: I received this as a gift for my birthday.

Cleanser Review: it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the it Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser.

Availability: This retails anywhere from $18 - $34 for the travel size 1.7 fl. oz. (50 mL) and the full size 5 fl. oz. (148 mL), respectively, and can be purchased at sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, and target.com along with their respective physical store locations (you might want to call ahead to ensure availability) as well as at itcosmetics.com.

Would I buy this?: While I like it, probably not.

What is this product designed to address?

According to sephora.com:

Which skin type is it good for?

✔ Normal

✔ Oily

✔ Combination

✔ Dry

✔ Sensitive

What it is:

A skin loving hydrating facial cleanser that combines the cleansing power of a foam cleanser with the hydration of a serum.

Highlighted Ingredients:

- Ceramides: Lipids that retain moisture and help reinforce the skin barrier

- Hyaluronic Acid: Helps attract moisture and plump the look of fine lines and wrinkles

Solutions for:

- Dryness

- Dullness and uneven texture

- Fine lines and wrinkles

If you want to know more…

Developed with plastic surgeons, Confidence in a Cleanser™ is your skin-loving, game-changing cleanser and serum in one. This breakthrough skincare solution gently cleanses and moisturizes, leaving your skin feeling soft, refreshed, and perfectly balanced. It’s ideal for all skin types, and is ophthalmologist tested to be safe for your sensitive eye area. This sulfate-free and soap-free facial cleanser removes all traces of makeup—even waterproof eye makeup—so your skin feels completely clean.

The formula features IT Cosmetics’ proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate™ to help your skin appear rejuvenated and restore moisture. It also includes anti-aging collagen, hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, and a super ceramide complex. Confidence in a Cleanser works over time to deliver dramatic results.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Parabens

- Sulfates

What else you need to know:

This Hydrating Facial Cleanser Serum combines the cleansing power of a foam cleanser with the hydration of a serum! It gently removes makeup, oil, SPF & traces of pollution while supporting your skin barrier. it delivers immediate and lasting hydration, making it the perfect facial cleanser.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Once again, according to sephora.com:

-Ceramides: Naturally occurring lipids that retain moisture and help support the natural skin barrier.

-Collagen: Supports skin elasticity for a youthfully smooth appearance.

-Hyaluronic Acid: Locks in moisture, supports skin elasticity, and diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

-Colloidal Oatmeal: Moisturizes, softens, and smooths the feel of your skin. Excellent for sensitive skin types.

What is the texture like?

I would describe the texture of this as a liquid gel-cream-serum texture that foams up when wet.

Is it scented?

This has a clean, somewhat sour scent to it. It isn't quite citrus but it reminds me of citrus. 

 

My overall experience/comments on the product:

A few years ago I tried a sample of this cleanser and really fell in love with how deeply cleansing yet hydrating it is. 

Firstly, I haven't tried removing my eye makeup with this because frankly, this foams up and I'm afraid of the foam being potentially irritating to my eyes. Additionally, don't let the word "serum" in the marketing here fool you - I really dislike that they used that term because serums are products meant to target very specific concerns like hydration, dark spots, wrinkles, etc so you want a product you can leave on for it to treat said concerns. Cleansers, on the other hand, spend no more than a few minutes on the skin and are meant to be rinsed off and removed. You can't expect any long-term results from something you're not keeping on for a long time outside of it removing your makeup and any other dirt and oil that might be on your skin. Now, I do appreciate that this leaves the skin feeling very hydrated and not tight at all after it's rinsed off but I wouldn't expect it to hydrate my skin all on its own without using additional hydrating serums or moisturizers on top of it.

Lastly, while I like this cleanser a lot and think that it works great, I prefer my cushiony, foamy, Asian market cleansers and with this cleanser being at what I consider, a somewhat high price point, I will be going back to those when I run out of this.

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

Disclaimer: I got this product as a birthday gift.

Love It Or Leave It; Review 2.0: ColourPop Bare necessities Pressed Powder Palette

Hello folksickles. As a makeup junkie and blogger you may have realized that I review a LOAD of eyeshadow palettes and I like to think of myself as being largely an eyeshadow junkie. In order to declutter a bit  I've decided to pick out a palette or series of eyeshadows for the month and have that be my monthly selection for those instances where I'm not doing a tutorial for the blog. Every month I'll do a recap on the eyeshadows - how I feel about them and whether I'll be keeping them or giving them away (and why :P) as well as if I think it's worth its price tag. 

ColourPop Bare necessities Pressed Powder Palette

You can find a look I did with the palette here. These are the looks I created this month:

So as you can see I created mostly soft, neutral looks with this palette. I really love the quality of this palette - the color payoff is excellent, the shadows are beautiful and they blend well. I've really enjoyed playing with this palette because I feel that firstly, it allowed me to create looks that brightened my face and complexion. Additionally, I find that this is a perfect transition from summer into fall due to both the fact that it's a warm-toned palette but also because of the color selection with the berry, gold, and orange-y tones. I have been absolutely loving using this palette and did not want to put it down!

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Sleeping Mask Review: TIAM Snail & Azulene Sleeping Mask

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the TIAM Snail & Azulene Sleeping Mask.

Availability: This product retails anywhere from  $12-$20 for 80 mL (2.70 fl. oz.) and can be purchased at yesstyle.com, amazon.com, stylekorean.com, and stylevana.com.

Would I buy this again? I'm not sure.

What it is formulated to do:

According to yesstyle.com:

This overnight mask contains snail secretion filtrate and panthenol, which strengthens the skin barrier and boosts skin elasticity for plump and youthful-looking skin. It also contains guaiazulene to deliver soothing care.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Snail Secretion Filtrate (81.5%): Has anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties.

Sunflower Seed Oil: Has hydrating and antioxidant properties.

Betaine: Has hydrating properties.

Arginine: Has antioxidant properties.

Allantoin: Has hydrating properties; helps treat flaky, scaly skin.

Hyaluronic Acid: Helps skin retain moisture.

Panthenol: Has hydrating properties.

Sodium Guaiazulene Sulfonate: Has anti-inflammatory properties.

Matricaria Flower Oil: Has astringent, healing, and skin-protecting properties. 

What is the texture like?

I would describe the texture of this as very reminiscent of slime - yes the tactile toy that's made out of glue. It's very liquidy and sticky.

Is it scented?

To me, this has a faint, pumpkin-like scent. 

My overall experience/comments on the product:

Honestly, with the texture of this being what it is, a tiny bit of this goes a VERY LONG way across the face. Otherwise you end up with a sticky mess that never quite absorbs. I find this to be extremely hydrating and purchased it because I've had very good luck with snail and azulene products in the past and my main concerns are dryness and inflammation, so this is perfect as it tackles both. I don't love its texture but I do find that it provides a really nice boost of hydration to my skin.

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

Cleanser Review: FRUDIA My Orchard Mango Mochi Cleansing Foam

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the FRUDIA My Orchard Mochi Cleansing Foam in Mango.

Availability: This retails anywhere from $4 - $8 for 120mL (4.05 fl. oz.) and can be purchased at yesstyle.com, caretobeauty.com, and stylekorean.com. It is also available at amazon.com but it's nearly twice as much on there.

Would I buy this again?: Yes, absolutely! I would love to try the other scents in the line.

What is this product designed to address?

According to yesstyle.com:

Gentle foam mildly cleanses by forming mochi-like bubbles, delivering hydration and nutrients from fruits into skin.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Glycerin: Attracts moisture to the skin. 

Stearic Acid: Helps shield the skin's barrier from moisture loss.

Lauric Acid: Helps keep acne-causing bacteria from growing on the skin's surface.

Oleic Acid: Helps repair and calm the skin, acts as a protective barrier for the skin.

Capric Acid: Has hydrating properties.

Allantoin: Hydrates the skin, helps reduce itchiness and flaking. 

Pomegranate Extract: Has antioxidant properties.

Mango Fruit Extract: Has astringent properties, helps prevent acne formation.

Banana Fruit Extract: Helps soothe and hydrate skin.

Honey Extract: Has hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.

Hyaluronic Acid: Helps the skin retain moisture

Evening Primrose Flower Extract: Helps maintain skin elasticity. 

Pueraria Lobata Root Extract: Helps boost collagen and elastin production.

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract: Has anti-inflammatory properties. Also contains bakuchiol which has similar properties to retinol - it helps accelerate skin cell regeneration.  

What is the texture like?

This has my beloved cushiony hydrating cleanser texture that creates a thick, fluffy, hydrating foam in contact with water. 

Is it scented?

This smells like mango juice, I love that!

 

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I purchased this impulsively because, while it's been on my Yesstyle wishlist, I didn't have a sense of urgency around purchasing this. When I saw it for $4 at my local Marshall's I decided I might as well give it a try.

I am loving this so much! The foam is so nice, thick, and bubbly. This makes my skin feel super silky, soft, supple, and hydrated. I enjoyed using it from the very first time and look forward to continuing using it.

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Candle Review: Trader Joe's Honeycrisp Apple

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

Candle: Trader Joe's Honeycrisp Apple

Availability: This currently retails at $3.99 for 5.7 oz. (162g) and is exclusive to physical Trader Joe's stores.

Would I buy this again?: Yes.

Notes: Honestly I purchased this candle because it smells delicious. This literally smells like biting into a sweet, sour, crunchy apple - there's even a hint of apple skin here. As the wax warms and burns, the scent intensifies but doesn't change. 

This candle burned very evenly and it does have a very nice throw which scents up my entire room.

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself.

ColourPop Aurora struck Pressed Powder Palette Look

 Hey folks! Today I bring you a soft, smoky yet bright colorful look. 

Enough blabbering, tutorial time!

I  applied No Sleep with my Sephora Collection Pro Mini Airbrush 55.5. I also applied ColourPop Flexitarian Super Shock Cheek as a base for Head North using my AOA studio F30 Precise Highlight brush.

As a base for my eyeshadow I applied Colourpop Honey BB Shadow Stix and blended it out with my Crown Pro C511 brush. 

For the crease I applied Phenomenon along with Stargazing with the wet n wild Crease Brush and Crown Pro C511 Brush, respectively. 

For the lid I applied Hi Latitude wet using the Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray with my Crown Pro C510 brush.

To highlight the brow-bone and the inner corner of the eye I applied No Sleep and Borealis using my no-name gigantic paddle brush from Crown and Crown Pro C528 brush, respectively.

For eyeliner I applied the wet n wild Ultra Black Breakup Proof Skinny Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner with a nice cat eye; I also applied NYX Professional Makeup Baby Powder Faux White Inner Eye Brightener to the waterline.

For the lower lash line, I applied Feelin' Wavy using my Bubbi Detail brush.

The look sans falsies. 

For lashes I used Ardell Professional Studio Effects Lashes in Wispies along with the Duo Rosewater & Biotin Striplash Adhesive.

For lips, I applied lune + aster Yes We Can Lip Balm and OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Black Dahlia.

Hope that you liked this! :D It was super fun for me to put together! 

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

Disclaimer: The Sephora 55.5 brush and lune + aster products were provided for testing purposes. I paid for everything else you see here myself.