Eye Cream Review: Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream

Hello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Mario Badescu Caffeine Eye Cream.

Availability: This product retails at $18 for 0.5 oz. (14 g) and is available at mariobadescu.com, ulta.com, bluemercury.com, macys.com, saksfifthavenue.com, and nordstrom.com along with their physical locations. 

Would I buy this?: Possibly.

What is this product designed to address?

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

Revitalize tired under-eyes with caffeine-infused hydration. Mario Badescu's Caffeine Eye Cream delivers instant gratification and a revitalizing pick-me-up because fatigue, who?

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Again, according to ulta.com:

Revitalizing, de-puffing caffeine

Rejuvenating Terminalia Arjuna Extract

Replenishing Squalane and Lecithin

Supremely hydrating Sodium Hyaluronate

Nourishing Jojoba

What is the texture like?

I'd describe the texture as dewy and creamy, like a whipped Shea butter consistency.  

Is it scented?

This has a an extremely perfume-y floral scent. 

My overall experience/comments on the product:
I really liked this eye cream because it goes on feeling hydrating but really goes to work to depuff tired, puffy eyes. I think it's a good option to check out if you struggle with a need for both hydration and de-puffing and, in my opinion, it's at an approachable price point. Personally, I wish there was pearl in it to brighten the under-eye area as well, but overall I like this and would consider purchasing a full-sized one in the future.

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 this product on this blog.

Toner Review: Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner

Hello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Mario Badescu Witch Hazel & Rosewater Toner

Availability: This product retails at $14 for 236 ml (8 fl. oz.) and is available at mariobadescu.com, sephora.com, ulta.com, bluemercury.com, macys.com, jcpenney.com, and nordstrom.com along with their physical locations. 

Would I buy this?: No.

What is this product designed to address?

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

What it is: A witch hazel- and rose-infused astringent formulated to help restore clarity and radiance to skin post-cleanse.

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Skincare Concerns: Dryness
Formulation: Liquid
Ingredient Callouts: Free of formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan. This product is also gluten-free and cruelty-free.

What Else You Need to Know: This mild, alcohol-free toner removes surface impurities without leaving skin feeling stripped. Aloe vera replenishes with soothing hydration, while a blend of black rose, rosewater, and rose oil helps provide an antioxidant boost that leaves skin fresh-faced and rejuvenated.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Again, according to sephora.com:

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Witch Hazel: Cleanses and clarifies.
- Rose Oil: Moisturizes and replenishes.
- Rosewater: Hydrates and provides a rejuvenated appearance.

What is the texture like?

I'd describe the texture as being liquid-y, like a water. 

Is it scented?

This has a very true rose scent. 

My overall experience/comments on the product:
This toner leaves my skin feeling very soft and silky, kind of like a rose petal. I love the way it smells but personally I prefer toners with a thicker consistency that add a bit more hydration. This worked alright and felt refreshing but I just didn't love it the way I was hoping to. I mean frankly I was hoping to like the way it works because I like the way it smells but alas.

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 this product on this blog.

Cleanser Review: Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

Availability: This retails at $14 for 8 fl. oz. (236 mL) or $24 for 16 fl. oz. (472 mL) and is available at sephora.com (it's online only there), nordstrom.com, ulta.com and bluemercury.com along with their physical store locations as well as  mariobadescu.com.

Would I buy this?: No.

What is this product designed to address?
According to sephora.com:

What it is: A bestselling daily face wash that uses papaya and grapefruit extract.

Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily

Skincare Concerns: Oiliness, Dullness and Uneven Texture

Formulation: Gel

Ingredient Callouts: This product is also vegan and cruelty-free.

What Else You Need to Know: This papaya and grapefruit-infused formula removes excess oil and dulling surface impurities to rejuvenate the complexion—leaving skin bright and refreshed.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to sephora.com:

-Papaya Extract: Rejuvenates and refreshes skin.

-Grapefruit Extract: Rejuvenates and refreshes skin.

What is the texture like?

This has a gelatinous texture to it.

Is it scented?

This has a scent that I'd describe as being fresh, it's a bit sweet and powdery but has a hint of cucumber to it.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

      Frankly I don't like that this cleanser doesn't really foam up. It leaves my skin feeling clean and soft and I like the way that it smells but I feel like the foaming aspect is missing. In addition, I personally like a bit more hydration.

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 blog. 

Moisturizer Review: Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream

Today's review will be for the Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream

Availability: This retails at $22 for  1 oz. (28 mL) at sephora.com (exclusive to online), nordstrom.com, bloomingdales.com, ulta.com, bluemercury.com and macys.com or their physical store locations along with mariobadescu.com.

Would I buy this?: No.

What is this product designed to address?

According to sephora.com:

What it is: An oil-free night cream that melts seamlessly into skin to nourish and replenish.

Skin Type: Normal, Combination, and Oily 

Skincare Concerns: Dryness

Formulation: Cream

Highlighted Ingredients:

-Bladderwrack Extract: Supports softer skin.

-Collagen: Smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

-Sodium Hyaluronate: Acts as a powerful humectant.

Ingredient Callouts: This product contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances and is cruelty-free. 

What Else You Need to Know: This lightweight, seaweed-infused face cream is packed with moisturizing powerhouses and skin-smoothing proteins that deeply hydrate while you sleep. Bladderwrack, collagen, elastin, and sodium hyaluronate combine in a mineral-rich formula that unveils a glowing—never greasy—complexion come morning.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to sephora.com:

-Bladderwrack Extract: Supports softer skin. This is the seaweed that they use.
-Collagen: Smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
-Sodium Hyaluronate: Acts as a powerful humectant.

What is the texture like?

This feels like a thick, rich cream and has a bit of a tackiness to it. 

Is it scented?

It has a very traditional cold cream scent.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

  Overall, this isn't a good fit for me. The texture is heavier than I like and between it being somewhat heavy and sticky I'm just not loving it and will be passing the remainder along.

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

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

Cleanser Review: Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

Availability: This retails at $16 for 6 fl. oz. (177 ml) and can be purchased at sephora.com, ulta.com, macys.com, bluemercury.com and nordstrom.com along with their physical store locations as well as mariobadescu.com.

Would I buy this?: No.

What is this product designed to address?
According to sephora.com:
What it is: A resurfacing face wash that refines the look of uneven skin tone and texture.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Uneven Skin Tone, Dullness and Uneven Texture, and Pores
Formulation: Gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Glycolic Acid: Retexturizes and refines the look of skin.
- Marshmallow Extract: Hydrates, softens, and balances.
- Chamomile: Known for its calming properties.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan and cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: Formulated with glycolic acid and a botanical blend of chamomile, marshmallow, sage, St. John’s wort, and yarrow extracts, Glycolic Foaming Cleanser is the brightening solution that thoroughly cleans pores, promotes radiance, and helps diminish the appearance of dry fine lines and uneven skin tone.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Again, according to sephora.com:
-Glycolic Acid: Retexturizes and refines the look of skin.
-Marshmallow Extract: Hydrates, softens, and balances.
-Chamomile: Known for its calming properties.

What is the texture like?

This has a liquid-y gel texture.

Is it scented?

This sort of smells like kitchen cleaner.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

      I found that this did a good job of taking off the remainder of my makeup (I use a Makeup Eraser dupe) and left my skin feeling somewhat soft, not stripped at all. That said, it's not my favorite cleanser - I personally prefer something with a more creamy, hydrating texture.

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

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

Arrivals - February 2019

Ok folksickles! Arrivals feature items I bought this month that are joining my collection; a haul if you will. Without further ado.

1. Patchology Poshpeel Pedi Cure: We had an extra bonus percent off at work so I decided to give some things a try. Given that I love trying new foot peels because, working retail, my feet take a beating I figured why not try something we sell so I can speak to it.

2. Glamglow Glow Essentials + Moisture: Now I've already reviewed all the masks this includes but because I really enjoy them I decided to pick this little pack up. This includes:
Supermud Clearing Treatment
Gravity Mud Firming Treatment
Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment
Powermud Detoxifying Treatment
Flashmud Brightening Treatment
Glowstart Mega Illuminating Moisturizer

3. Lune + Aster 5 Minute Rescue Mask Assortment: Oh if it ain't sheet masks. You all know I'm game for trying newness always. This set includes:
Hydrate - Coconut
Soothe - Aloe
Detox - Grapefruit

4. Patchology Flashmasque Perfect Weekend Sheet Mask Kit: This set includes:
Hydrate
Illuminate
Milk Peel

5. Soap & Glory Speed Plump Super-Hydrating Miracle Moisture Mask: My coworker picked this up for me because... we're obsessed with sheet masks. I mean I had a brief moment of... let's call it poor judgement where I thought sheet masks were unnecessary but I WAS WRONG. Anyway, I didn't even know Soap & Glory does sheet masks now - exciting given that I really enjoyed their body care. I will say that I dislike the use of the word "plump" in hydrating products because, while I understand they use it to mean "make the skin more juicy" it comes across to me as "your skin will swell"

6. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber & Green Tea: Given that I like the lavender and rose versions of this spray I figured I'd give this one a go. I ADORE THE SCENT SO MUCH. Like... I think it's my favorite. In fact I wish they'd mix this with the rose (I mean I can do it myself) because rose + tea... HERE FOR IT. It smells so amazing and honestly I feel it's worth purchasing if you just like tea scents.

7. LUSH Not Sleepy Shower Bomb: This has a scent that I'd describe as being Rose Jam with lots of lemon added. It's bright but has a hint of rose to me. Anyway, I figured I'd pick it up to try for my morning shower as usually that's when I shower to begin with.

8. LUSH Open Your Heart Bubble Bar: This has a beautiful citrus pear scent and is just so much fun with its gold glitter... which, no shame in my game, I patted all over my cheeks as a highlight when I was at the store because I got the glitter all over my hands.

9. LUSH Love Boat Bath Bomb: To be honest I had every intention to buy the peach but it smelled like peach skin versus like the flesh of a peach so I had to say no... I'm not into that weird velveteen  musk scent peach skin has. This really caught my eye... or nose rather, because it smells like Sweet Tarts. Yummy!

10. LUSH Bunny Moon Mask: Now I'm unsure if this is a Sailor Moon reference because... Bunny... Moon! Plus it smells like roses which is a big theme in Sailor Moon around Usagi's image so uh....  I was pretty much sold on it for the name alone. The scent is absolutely wonderful as well and it's supposed to help with hydrating the skin so I am very excited to have gotten a sample of it to try out. :D

11. beautyblender blendercleanser solid pro: I already bought a chunk of this last summer and it is still going strong so I figured I'd pick up another one given it was 50% off at Ricky's. It's really great stuff that gets your brushes looking absolutely band new!!!

12. wet n wild photo focus Concealer: Given that I was running out of my under-eye concealer I went ahead and picked up another one of these because I love it so much.

13. wet n wild photo focus Water Drop Primer in Rose: These are available in three scents - cucumber, coconut, and rose. I wanted to get all three but I really don't need primer right now so I decided I could treat myself to only one scent and chose rose.

14. wet n wild photo focus 3-in-1 Primer Water in Rose: Like the above primer, this is available in the same three scents and I don't super need more setting spray right now so I only allowed myself the one scent. This smells like rose jam. Yummy!

15: Sheet Mask Mini Haul:

Ozoo Bear Aurora Illuminating Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Butter Cream Mask
Papa Recipe Bombee Rose Gold Honey Mask
Kina Cosmetics Refining Quinoa Face Mask
G9 Skin Self Aesthetic Butterfly Nose Strip
Chica Y Chico Urban Princess Mask in Aqua

Disclaimer: I purchased everything listed above with the exception of the Soap & Glory Sheet Mask and LUSH Mask.