Oil Review: Darphin Rose Oil

 Today's review will be for the Darphin Rose Oil

Availability: This  retails at $75 for 0.5 fl. oz. (15 ml) and can be found at dermstore.com and darphin.com.

Would I buy this? No.

What it is formulated to do:

According to bluemercury.com:
WHAT IT IS
Overnight hydra-nourishment with a triple rose concentrate
Hydra-nourishing essential oil elixir infused with a unique triple Rose Concentrate of Rose essential oil, absolute and flower wax to create soft, glowing and supple skin that leaves skin visibly smooth and with healthy-looking radiance.
BENEFITS
* Infused with a unique Triple Rose Concentrate and omega-rich Rosehip and Evening Primrose Oils
• Hydra-nourishing formula for healthy-looking skin
•Leaves skin soft, glowing and supple

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Again, according to bluemercury.com:
• Rose absolute
• Rose essential oil
• Rose Flower wax
• Nourishing Meadowfoam oil
• Nourishing Bilberry oil
• Geranium essential oil
• Sunflower, Sesame, Sweet Almond, Rosehip and Evening Primrose plant oils

What is the texture like?

This has an oily feeling to it.

Is it scented?

This smells like roses.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I find this to be very hydrating and radiance-giving but for Darphin to be charging $75 for sesame oil with rose bits in it is just... very fancy salad dressing. Now I'm not sure how I'd go about gathering rose flower wax but I can just as easily purchase rose absolute at an herbal pharmacy, an organic rose or two and concoct my own infusion for far less than $75... the principle of it is ridiculous in my opinion.

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

Disclaimer: This product was provided as a free sample.

Moisturizer Review: REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream

Today's review will be for the REN Glow Daily Vitamin C Gel Cream

Availability: This retails at $52 for 1.7 fl. oz. (50 ml) and can be purchased at sephora.com, nordstrom.com, spacenk.com, and bluemercury.com along with its physical store locations. It is also available via renskincare.com, dermstore.com, and houseofbeautyworld.com.

Would I buy this?: Probably not.

What is this product designed to address?

According to sephora.com:

What it is: A daily, lightweight gel cream formulated with vitamin C and magnesium to gently deliver a brighter, more hydrated complexion.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Dullness and Uneven Texture, Fine Lines and Wrinkles, and Dryness
Formulation: Lightweight Gel
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Vitamin C: Helps even the skin tone by reducing and preventing hyperpigmentation.
- Magnesium: Improves skin luminosity and radiance by hydrating the skin.
- Tara Pods Extract: Activates when in contact with the skin's natural microbiome (good bacteria) to even skin tone and reduce redness.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is cruelty-free and gluten-free. It comes in recyclable packaging.
What Else You Need to Know: Meet this glow-giving face moisturizer that’s irritation-free, and friendly to all skin types and skin tones. With a brightening blend of stabilized vitamin C, plus magnesium and tara pod extract, it’s a face cream that enhances your natural radiance, so you can glow your own way.
A gentle form of vitamin C illuminates skin and reduces hyperpigmentation. It’s your risk-free, no redness approach to getting smoother, brighter skin. Combine that with super-hydrating and illuminating magnesium to nourish and replenish, and you’ve got a daily facial moisturizer to brighten lack-luster complexions and release your inner glow.
Clean at Sephora
Clean at Sephora is formulated without a list of over 50 ingredients, including sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, and more. 

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to sephora.com:
REN does not use skin-unfriendly ingredients. All products are free from synthetic fragrance, pore-blocking petrochemicals, sulfate detergents, silicones, synthetic colors, animal ingredients and parabens. In addition, REN products do not contain potential irritants including: glycols and diglycols (such as propylene glycol), PEG's, PPGs, urea, D.E.A, T.E.A, PABA, and other synthetic sunscreens, aliphatic alcohols/hydrocarbons, phthalates, fumarates, amines, alkanolamines, synthetic AHAs/BHAs, polyacrylamide, metacrylate, elastomer, poloxamer, styrene, vinyl, polyquaternium, synthetic chelating agents, nylon, nitriles, nitrates, nitrosamine releasers, bromates, fluor, aluminum, and alumina. In terms of what it does contain:
Glycerin - A humectant which draws moisture to the skin.
Ascorbyl Glucoside - Vitamin C - brightens, lightens, and tightens the skin - provides antioxidant protection.
Yeast Extract - Soothes and calms the skin, reduces redness.
Grapefruit Peel Oil - Reduces redness and irritation; contains antimicrobial properties.
Hippophae Rhamnoides Oil -  Sea buckthorn; has cell-regenerating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Orange Flower Oil - Promotes clarity, radiance, and smoothness.
Tocopherol - Vitamin E, provides antioxidant protection.
Mandarin Orange Peel Oil - Promotes growth of new skin cells and tissues; helps heal the skin.
Sunflower Seed Oil - Has antioxidant properties and is rich in Vitamin E.
Rosemary Leaf Extract - Has antiseptic and disinfecting properties.

What is the texture like?

This has a lightweight, whipped cream texture to it.

Is it scented?

This smells very citrusy, I can only assume due to the citrus oils in it.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I've only used this a few times so the post is more of a first impression but I will say that given the texture and scent of this product I definitely would like to keep using it long-term. This hydrates beautifully without being heavy, leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, and gives me a bit of radiance without any 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 getting compensated, to post it on this blog. 

Nail Polish Review: Bettie Pain I Will Speak For Her

Nail polish of the week: Bettie Pain I Will Speak For Her

What the brush looks like:

My nails with 3 coats of polish, all nails have Orly Won't Chip, Chip Resistant Topcoat on:

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued.
Would I buy this again?: Perhaps
Notes:     This is described as a burnt dark orange with a golden/green shimmer and teeny tiny bronze micro-glitters. I'd describe this as burnt pumpkin orange with a green pearl and bronze micro-glitter. Honestly it's not my favorite thing in the bottle, the website swatch makes this polish look like a beautiful orange with a golden pearl. :/ This has a metallic finish. This is semi-sheer with one coat, but gets to looking opaque and streak-free within three coats. 

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

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

Nail Polish Review: Essie Passport To Happiness

Essie Nail Polish in Passport to Happiness

What the brush looks like:

My nails with 3 coats of polish, all nails have inm Out the Door Topcoat for Nails on:

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued.
Would I buy this again?: Yes!
Notes:   I'd say that this is a mint green with a minty pearl; a gorgeous color for anytime if you love mint shades like me but one that's great for summertime especially! This is mostly opaque within two coat but I applied three for good measure. Wear-time wise I find this wore fairly nicely for about five days with sings of wear around the tips of the nails and growth at the base. 

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

Disclaimer: I paid for this myself.

Moisturizer Review: Trader Joe's Rose Facial Oil

 Today's review will be for the Trader Joe's Rose Facial Oil

Availability: This appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this? I think I would.

What it is formulated to do:

According to the box
Made using natural botanic oils, our Rose Facial Oil is gentle and rejuvenating. Rose hip oil aids in moisture, and the natural rose scent is fresh and calming. This oil can also be used to condition dry hair ends and nail cuticles. 

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Sunflower Seed Oil: Contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Fractioned Coconut Oil: Has a longer shelf-life compared to regular coconut oil but also contains its benefits like moisturizing and skin healing.
Safflower Seed Oil: Hydrates and prevents skin flaking.
Rose Hip Fruit Oil: Hydrates, moisturizes, brightens skin, boosts collagen production (it's high in Vitamin C), helps reduce hyperpigmentation (again the Vitamin C), protects against sun damage, had anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin E: Has antioxidant properties.
Kukui Seed Oil: Has anti-oxidant, hydrating, and radiance-boosting properties.
Camelina Sativa Oil: Has moisturizing and anti-oxidant properties.
Soybean Oil: Replenishes lipids into the skin - has moisturizing and anti-ageing properties, protects against sun damage.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil: Contains squalane which helps with cell regeneration, softens and moisturizes skin, assists in balancing oil production in the skin.
Neem Seed Oil: Has moisturizing and anti-aging properties; boosts collagen production, reduces scars and helps treat acne.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil: Has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Squalane (Olive): Balances oil production, has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
False Daisy Extract: Has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties.
Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil: Has anti-inflammatory properties, hydrates the skin, and helps promote elasticity.

What is the texture like?

This has an oily feeling to it.

Is it scented?

Despite not having any actual rose flower oil in this concoction, it ironically smells like roses.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

So first of all - I really like the way this smells, it does a fantastic job at hydrating my skin, especially in the dead of winter. I do find it to be on the heavier side as far as oils go so while I like to use it when my skin is going through a dry spell... or in the winter... it's a bit too heavy for my facial skin during the summertime.

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

Disclaimer: I purchased this myself. 

Cleanser Review: Osea Ocean Cleanser

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the Osea Ocean Cleanser

Availability: This retails at $48 for 5 fl. oz. (150 ml) and is available at bloomingdales.com, detoxmarket.com, ulta.com, nordstrom.com, and bluemercury.com along with their physical store locations as well as oseamalibu.com.

Would I buy this again?: Probably not.

What is this product designed to address?
According to bluemercury.com: 
WHAT IT IS
This Organic Seaweed gel cleanser effectively removes excess oil and clarifies skin while maintaining a hydrated, healthy looking complexion. Vegan Lactic Acid (derived from beets) gently exfoliates to visibly minimize pores. Hints of Lime, Cypress, Juniper and Jasmine essential oils energize skin and awaken the senses. Mineral-rich Organic Algae deeply hydrates, leaving skin feeling balanced, refreshed and radiant.
BENEFITS
Mineral-rich, daily seaweed cleanser removes oil, makeup and impurities for a balanced complexion. Gentle exfoliating properties refine skin.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?

Again, according to bluemercury.com:
Organic Algae Extract: contains potent vitamins and minerals. Hydrates dry skin and reinforces the appearance of a healthy, balanced, moisture-rich complexion.
Organic Juniperus Communis (Juniper) Fruit Oil: decongests and helps promote clear looking skin.
Cupressus Sempervirens (Cypress) Essential Oil: balances oily skin and diminishes the appearance of blemishes. Contains several antioxidant compounds.
Lactic Acid (Derived from fermented beets):a gentle skin exfoliant that nourishes sensitive, dry skin.
Organic Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil:a lightweight oil that contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants. Deeply hydrates and plumps skin for a youthful, healthy looking appearance.

What is the texture like?

This has a gel-cream feel to it. 

Is it scented?

This has a sweet-tart, almost citrusy scent.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

I really love how soft and smooth this cleanser leaves my skin feeling. It also does a great job of cleansing - meaning it removes all makeup residue as well. I'd say my only issue with it is that it doesn't really foam up much and I personally like cleansers that foam up.

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

Disclaimer: This was provided for testing purposes. I am under on obligation to mention it on this blog. 

Mask Review: LUSH Bunny Moon Jelly Face Mask

'Ello folksickles. Today's review will be for the LUSH Bunny Moon Jelly Face Mask

Availability: This mask appears to have been discontinued.

Would I buy this?: Possibly.

What is this product designed to address?

According to lushusa.com:

Everybunny's a bit sensitive now and then, so if your skin's feeling a bit tender or sore, treat it to this gentle, gold-dusted jelly mask. Loads of soothing, syrupy honey lock moisture into skin, while rose, chamomile and vanilla relieve irritation and leave skin feeling balanced again. There, there: you'll have calm, clear skin before long.

Does it contain any special/beneficial ingredients?
Kaolin: Helps cleanse and exfoliate the skin; absorbs and helps regulate oil production, absorbs dirt and debris on the skin.
Honey: Draws moisture to the skin; has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Glycerin: Draws moisture into the skin.
Chamomile and Marigold Petal Infusion: Both flowers in the mix have anti-inflammatory and anti-redness properties.
Carrageenan Extract: A water-binding agent that helps the skin stay hydrated.
Rose Oil (Damascena): Contains soothing, balancing, and moisturizing properties.
Vanilla Absolute: Has soothing and moisture drawing properties.

What is the texture like?

This has a creamy, jelly texture. 

Is it scented?

Despite the many ingredients this contains I found its sent to be rather mild and faint... almost like an unscented product.

My overall experience/comments on the product:

Ok frankly the reason I wanted to try this, initially, was because BUNNY MOON - it blows my mind that literally no one on lushusa.com's reviews made the Sailor Moon connection... and I mean it has rose in it... another Sailor Moon connection. Anyway, not gonna lie, the Sailor Moon connection had me really curious about this product to the point where I was determined to ask for a sample of it but also let's touch upon the fact that it's meant for dry, sensitive skin that's prone to redness... aka me. Unfortunately by the time I went to play with sample it had, for the large part, dried out but I sort of made it usable by adding water to it... it wasn't perfect but alas... it left my skin feeling very hydrated, soft, and smooth. I would definitely play with it again.

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

Disclaimer: This sample was provided because I asked for it at the LUSH store (lol); I am under no obligation to mention it on this blog.