Reviews and Other Stuff

FASHION & BEAUTY

Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Review

dove exfoliating body polish

 

Hey All! I have recently discovered an exciting product from Dove, and there’s a lot to love about it. The Dove Exfoliating Body Polish (10.5 oz for $5.89) is one body scrub you canโ€™t ignore. Ever since I saw it in a magazine, I knew I have to check it out as soon as possible, simply because I had a feeling that it’s gonna be great. Well, true to my hunch, this new body polish from Dove is really high-quality. I know I had blogged about pricey body scrubs before, but this product from Dove cannot be underestimated, and it’s a force to be reckoned with.

 

First of all, the Dove Exfoliating Body Polish is super affordable and you can find it anywhere, be it at your local grocery store, Target, or at your local Pharmacy. Second, the scrub comes in a hefty jar, so itโ€™ll last for several washes. Third, its formula is whipped, lightweight, and really gritty, which means you’re really getting a good thorough scrub with it. Fourth, this body scrub comes in three scents or ingredients and they all smell divine. You can either choose an energizing refreshing scent, an enriching one, or a yummy one. Lastly, it leaves the skin feeling soft and well-cleaned right after washing. You can even follow it up with any kinds of soap or body wash or just use it as it is. This body polish won’t dry your skin, instead, it leaves an invigorating feeling that makes the skin supple and ready for any kind of body lotion or moisturizer.

 

dove body scrub review

 

You can use the Dove Exfoliating Body Polish three to four times a week, or once a week if you have sensitive skin, then you can gradually increase the frequency as you wish.

 

dove crushed macadamia and rice milk body scrub review

 

Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk (10.5 oz: $5.89) โ€“ This literally smells like milk and all its indulgence. Using this particular scrub feels really nourishing and relaxing on the skin and youโ€™re gonna feel like Cleopatra every time you shower with it.

 

dove pomegranate seeds and shea butter body scrub review

 

Pomegranate Seeds & Shea Butter (10.5 oz: $5.99) – This body scrub smells yummy and invigorating like a fresh pomegranate. Of all the three Dove Body Polishes, this is my most favorite in terms of scents and ingredients, simply because the scent of this is just irresistible and energizing. I also love that you can feel the bits and pieces of pomegranate while scrubbing this on your body.

 

dove kiwi seeds and cool aloe body scrub review

 

Kiwi Seeds & Cool Aloe (10.5 oz: $5.89) – This has a light fresh green scent that sort of reminds me of the Dove Go Fresh Cool Moisture Body Wash in Cucumber and Green Tea. I feel like this is a great scent for those who prefer very light scents in their body scrubs or for those with sensitive skin. This also feels great to use during the summer because it’s very refreshing to the senses.

 

dove body scrub

 

Overall, I think Dove did a very good job with these body scrubs. They feel like high-quality and I think they could pretty much compete with most high-end body scrubs out there, especially when knowing that each of the scrubs is really affordable and is almost available everywhere. Personally, I love these Body Polishes so much that I’ll make sure there will be at least one in my shower caddy all the time.

 

Have you tried these already? If you haven’t, you really should.

 

The Dove Exfoliating Body Polish is currently available at Target, Amazon, andย Walgreens

 

 

Sephora Spring 2018 Beauty Insider Event Wishlist and Recommendations, Part Two.

The Sephora Spring 2018 Beauty Insider Event is back again for its second round tomorrow April 20th Friday until April 23rd Monday. If you missed out on some of the beauty products you wanted to buy or had simply been eyeing a particular item for some time, tomorrow is your chance to get them at:

 

15% Off Everything In-store or Online for Rouge Members. Use Code: YAYROUGE.

15% Off Everything In-Store or Online for VIB Members. Use Code:ย YAYVIB

10% Off Everything In-Store or Online for BI Members. Used Code: YAYINSIDER

 

If you’re not sure what to buy and are looking for some guides and recommendations on what products to try, check out the first part of this article-My Wishlist for the Sephora Beauty Insider Event Spring 2018 HERE.

 

I had a lot of fun shopping last week’s Sephora sale. The store was packed and even though some of the stuff I wanted were sold out by the time I reached my local Sephora store, I was still able to find the stuff I missed out on by ordering them online. The shipping was pretty fast too. I’ll be posting some of my Sephora loot on my Insta (@reviewsandotherstuff) very soon, so stay tuned for that. I still have some stuff I wanted to buy at Sephora and I can’t wait for tomorrow’s event to start. So here’s the second part of my Wishlist for the Sephora Spring Bonus 2018 Beauty Insider Event. I also included a list of some of my recommended products so you guys can check them out once you shop online or in-store.

 

 

Sephora Sale 2018

 

 

  1. Lancome Monsieur Big Waterproof Mascara (0.33 oz: $25) – I’m a big fan of the original Monsieur Big Mascara because it gives me that big fat lashes that I can only dream of. So, you can imagine my excitement when they finally released the Waterproof version of it. I bet it’s going to be even better, hopefully.

 

  1. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter in Dreamsicle (0.25 oz: $38) – This is Becca’s newest addition to their famous lineup of pressed highlighters. On the website, this is described as a soft tangerine vanilla gold pearl and it looks really pretty. I have to see and try this in real life.

 

  1. Fenty Body Lava Body Luminizer in Who Needs Clothes?! (3 oz: $59) – I tried this at my local Sephora and I was really blown away by how blinding and glittery this was. I only had to put a little drop on the back of my hand and it’s so shimmery and so pretty. I wanted to buy it right then and there, but I had to stop myself especially after reading some reviews talking about how sticky this could get, and besides, I have to wait for the sale tomorrow anyway. So I want to try this again and see whether I really want this or not. But it’s so beautiful though…LOL

 

  1. Briogeo Donโ€™t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo (16 oz: $36) – This has been on my wishlist for some time. I love Briogeo products because they’re not harsh on the hair, and their stuff always smells amazing. I bet this shampoo is gonna be awesome too, and with the good reviews online, I’m sure my hair is waiting for this.

 

  1. Coola Full Spectrum 360ยฐ Sun Silk Drops SPF 30 (1 oz: $46) –ย Another product I’m dying to try from a brand that is quite underrated yet is actually delivering quality products – Coola. I love everything that Coola makes, especially their sunscreen, and I’m telling you, they have the best scented and lightweight sunscreens in the world. I’m excited to try this newest Sun Silk Drops from them, I bet it’s gonna be good.

 

  1. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick in 4.7 Cool Beige (0.5 oz: $85) – As I mentioned in my previous Tom Ford Foundations Review (HERE), I need to get my hands on this TF Foundation Stick. I have read good reviews about this particular foundation, and besides, I need a new non-liquid travel foundation in my stash. So this fits the bill.

 

  1. OleHenriksen C-Rush Brightening Gel Crรจme (1.7 oz: $44) – Oh I have to have this one. This is a newly-released moisturizer from Olehenriksen and an exciting addition to his “Truth” line of skincare. There’s already a lot of buzz about this which I am not really surprised because don’t we all love everything that smells delish like OleHenriksen’s Vitamin C and orange-infused gels and creams?

 

  1. Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in O4 Honeymoon (0.35 oz: $85) – I keep seeing this in-store and every time I see this eyeshadow quad,ย I feel like I would have a heart attack. It’s so beautiful, especially the Honeymoon compact. It’s one of those eyeshadow colors that you can’t help but stare in awe and excitement. So, this only goes one way. In my shopping cart, lol.

 

  1. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Le Teint Radiance Awakening Foundation SPF 22 (1 oz: $58) – I’m so curious about this particular YSL foundation. This has been on my wishlist for a long time and I don’t know exactly what made kind of ignore it. I think because there have been some mixed reviews about this before, but lately, it seems like there’s a new liking to this foundation. Also, I’ve tried the YSL Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow Foundation recently and I really love it, so my curiosity for this one is growing. I just don’t know what shade I need to get yet, so I have to try this in-store.

 

  1. Huda Beauty Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Warm Brown (0.05 oz: $27) – This is another one of those eyeshadow colors that you can’t help but stare. Then you stare at it again and again, and you swatch it on your arms, then you stare at it again. Yeah, that’s how beautiful and mesmerizing this eyeshadow palette is. Also, each shade of the compact seems to be well-curated, so I bet this eyeshadow palette won’t disappoint.

 

  1. Korres Greek Yoghurt Foaming Cream Cleanser (2.54 oz: $14, 5.07 oz: $26) – I recently a got a sample of this Greek cleanser and I was really impressed. I’ve been a long time fan of some of Korres’ skincare products and this foaming cleanser is definitely worth having in its regular size. It lathers very well on the face and it makes the face feel thoroughly cleaned. Also, this smells fabulous.

 

Sephora Beauty Insider Event Spring Sale 2018

 

 

  1. Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm (0.12 oz: $34) – The Dior Lip Glows are the best-tinted lip balms I’ve ever tried and they should be everyone’s must-have lip products. Try the HOLO Pink, HOLO Purple, Raspberry, Matte Raspberry and the Ultra Pink shades which are so beautiful and so pigmented. Their stain lasts a long time and they’re very comforting on the lips. See the swatches HERE.

 

  1. Tom Ford Nail Lacquer (0.41 oz: $36) – One of my favorite nail polishes are made by Tom Ford, simply because their colors are so vivid and their shades are pretty and unique, not to mention the fact that their names are very catchy. Also, I find that their nail colors tend to last a long time, almost about two weeks or more without chipping. So I recommend the shades in Bitter Bitch, Plum Noir, and Mink Brule. A review of the TF Nail Colors will be out very soon.

 

  1. Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter (8 oz: $35) – Need a lotion that smells so good and so hydrating? I definitely recommend that you try this Argan Body Butter by Josie Maran. This body butter is great for dry skin, and it comes in different scents. I especially love the sweet citrus and it’s one of my staple body moisturizers of all time. P.S. I will also be reviewing some of my favorite body lotions and body butters soon, so stay tuned for that.

 

  1. Urban Decay All Nighter Pollution Protection Makeup Setting Spray Environmental Defense (4 oz: $34) – This is my newest favorite Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray. I like how fine the mist is and it doesn’t have a strong scent. This sets your makeup and makes it last a long time, and it’s also a great facial hydrator any time of the day. I also love the fact that this is a great mist to use in areas where you know you’ll be exposed to some environmental pollutions.

 

  1. OleHenriksen The Clean Truth Foaming Cleanser (1.7 oz: $10, 7 oz: $30) – This cleanser is both on my wishlist and on my list of recommended products. That’s because this face cleanser is so good in every way. This literally comes out as a foam and is ready to use on the face. One pump or two is enough for a good thorough cleanse. The formula lathers well, takes off excess oil, and it makes the face feel very clean. I also dig the juicy energizing orange scent too.

 

  1. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Glow Stick ($55) – If you want that easy breezy beach vibe glow, then get this TF highlighter and blush stick. It’s practically easy to use and it’s so blendable. Its finish and effect on the face will simply set you on a vacation-mode. See the swatches and review HERE.

 

  1. Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette (0.89 oz: $65) – If there’s one eyeshadow palette that I love looking at and love using for its beautiful range of unique colors (not to mention the fact that the palette itself already has a lot of shades to choose from) it’s gotta be the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk Eye Palette. This palette is simply gorgeous through and through, and you can get a lot of looks just by using this. Reviewed HERE.

 

  1. Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 35 (1 oz: $52) – This is my most favorite Dior liquid foundation so far. Even better than the Dior Forever Undercover Foundation which has been released recently. I like this one better because this sets fast but it gives you enough time to blend it on the skin, and it’s also nonsticky, and lightweight.

 

  1. Tom Ford Illuminating Primer (1 oz: $75) – Reviewed HERE. This is my go-to primer when I need my makeup to last longer and to be perfect. It does have a funny smell, but it feels really good on the skin, and it works with any TF Foundations or better yet any foundations out there as well. The effect is dewy and gorgeous.

 

  1. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (1 oz: $9.50, 3.8 oz: $29.50) – A classic and still one of my favorite makeup removers out there. This will remove all kinds of makeup and this always works no matter what. A lot of us adore this makeup melter, so if you need to replenish your stash, tomorrow’s the time, until Monday.

 

  1. Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Anti-Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner (8.5 oz: $34) – I am currently using these newest additions to the Alterna Caviar line of haircare products. This is currently their “Anti-Frizz” hair product that caters to taming frizzy strands and making the hair silky and moisturized. So far, I’m really liking these shampoo and conditioner. These feel more like the thicker version of the original Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner, which are both already good to start with, but these Anti-Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner seem to have much better scents.

 

 

So, that comprises the second part of my Sephora Spring 2018 Bonus Event Wishlist as well as my recommendations on what products to look out for when you hit the stores tomorrow or if you shop Sephora online. Remember, the Sephora Sale continues throughout the weekend and ends Monday.

 

 

Have A Happy Shopping Folks! Stay Safe

 

 

Tom Ford Foundations and Primer Review + Swatches

tom ford traceless perfecting foundation review

 

Hello Everyone! Today’s review is something I’ve always wanted to do. A lot of people talk about Tom Ford cosmetics and really rave about their products, while some also said that it’s just all but a name. The feeling of splurging on something doesn’t necessarily equate to good quality products. That I agree, and with that being said, I feel like in this review I want to talk about my experience with Tom Ford cosmetics in general and also specifically about their foundations and primers. For me, I love Tom Ford beauty products even though they are pricey, I think they do have good quality stuff apart from their fancy luxurious packaging. However, not all of their stuff is worth splurging into, and a lot of it really depends on your skin type and chemistry, as well as your personal preferences. For example, I know everyone’s crazy about their lipsticks, it’s like a girl must have at least a few Tom Ford lipsticks in her vanity just because it’s Tom Ford and everyone has it. While it’s good to have a few Tom Ford lipsticks that you actually like, I don’t think that all of Tom Ford’s lipstick line is worth hoarding into. I like a lot of Tom Ford lipsticks but they can be a hit or a miss on me. However, I do love their foundations and one of their primers. They’re the type that once you’ve applied it to your skin, you’re like “wow” and mind you, the TF Foundations and primers never disappoint.

I started loving the Tom Ford foundations and one of their primers when I met an SA who looked like she was probably around her 50’s but her face looked like it was frozen in time. She literally had a face of a teenager, even though her hands revealed her true age. So I got curious and asked her what’s her secret. She said she uses La Mer and Tom Ford. Hmmm, interesting. Anyhow, from then on, I’ve been a Tom Ford foundation devotee.

 

tom ford illuminating primer review

 

Primer

 

Illuminating Primer (1 oz: $75) – The SA with the frozen face in time gave me a sample of this and I fell in love with this primer right away. I had to go to Nordies to get it in full-size. This primer is so good and it’s still the best or one of the best primers I’ve ever tried. It’s basically a primer/skincare that helps the skin fight free radicals while making the makeup last a long time. The finish is dewy but not overly so, and the texture is so smooth and creamy that it almost feels like a moisturizer. It has a bit of a weird silicon smell which I got used to and didn’t actually bother me, but for some, it might be too much. This works really well with any of the Tom Ford foundations and it gives a subtle glow to the face.ย 

 

 

Foundation

 

tom ford waterproof foundation/concealer

 

tom ford waterproof foundation review

 

Traceless Foundation Broad Spectrum Spf 15 in 4.0 Fawn (1 oz: $85) –ย This is Tom Ford’s lightest and most luminous foundation, kinda like a tinted moisturizer because the coverage is sheer to medium. It’s a great foundation to use every day because it has Spf 15 and some skin nourishing properties. This feels really easy on the face and the Fawn shade is great for covering some redness, especially for someone with a light to medium skin tone.

 

Traceless Perfecting Foundation Broad Spectrum Spf 15 in 4.7 Cool Beige (1 oz: $85) – This is a medium to full coverage TF foundation and my most favorite Tom Ford foundations of all. I fell in love with this foundation immediately because this also feels very lightweight and the coverage is not too sheer and not too thick. It goes really well with the Tom Ford Illuminating Primer and it lasts practically the whole day and more on me. This also has a skin-nourishing complex and an Spf 15, so I’ve never had any breakout issues with this and I didn’t notice this foundation to oxidize at all. This pretty much feels like a second skin with its natural finish that doesn’t cake and it holds its coverage even in humid weather or against sweat. The Cool Beige shade matches my skin very well when I have minimal redness on the face.

 

Waterproof Foundation and Concealer in 4.5 Ivory (1 oz: 85) – If you want a foundation that won’t budge in any kind of weather, especially in super-humid weather, well look no further because this TF Waterproof foundation is the answer. It’s a full-coverage foundation that will stay on your face no matter what. The packaging feels really tiny compared to most TF foundations but you only need to put a little bit in order to get a nice full coverage on the face. Despite being a full-coverage foundation, this still feels creamy and lightweight. It has a natural to satiny finish and as it doesn’t cake. I like this a lot and I wear this when I have to spend a lot of time outdoors or when going to the beach, I just have to wear a good sunscreen underneath and this doesn’t clog my pores at all. On top of that, this has no strong scents. This is definitely the longest lasting breathable high-coverage foundation I’ve ever tried and I love the Ivory shade which is also very close to the Fawn shade as you can see in the swatches below.

 

tom ford foundations cool beige, fawn, ivory swatches

 

I haven’t tried the TF Traceless Foundation Stick but that’s on my wishlist for the next Sephora Beauty Insider Event this coming weekend. I sort of stayed away from foundation sticks before since my skin is on the oily side and the sticks tend to be somewhat sticky and thick. But this Tom Ford Foundations Stick won’t be missed for sure and will update you soon as to what I think about it.

 

tom ford foundations review

 

Bottom line, the Tom Ford foundations are truly worth splurging into but it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any cons. First, even though they’re such good foundations, I find that their Spf is really low, I guess that’s to minimize oxidation. Second, it’s true that their packaging is really unique, beautiful, luxurious and easy to use, yet they can be somewhat flimsy and impractical to dispense. Third, some can have strong scents that are not for everyone and Lastly, their foundations are really expensive. However, I find the Tom Ford foundations to have the best texture and wearability when it comes to foundations. They have such nice smooth finishes without any caking on the face. Their foundations are reliable to wear for any occasion and are long-wearing. They also feel very lightweight and they work with the skin’s texture quite well. On top of that, they make the skin look poreless and naturally balanced, and with their beautiful luxe packaging, they’re true to what they’re made to be.

 

Have you tried these foundations already? Are you a Tom Ford fan? If so, why?

 

tom ford foundation

 

These Tom Ford Foundations and Primer are currently available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Net-A-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman, and Harrods