Hello You! It’s about time for this month’s Sephora Play! Hmmm, I have mixed feelings about this June’s box contents because a lot of the stuff I got seemed way too familiar, except for one. It’s kind of annoying because I seem to keep getting the same stuff over and over again, and I think I’ll probably unsubscribe from this box pretty soon. However, I’d like to give it a few more chances and I’ll let you guys know whether I’ll actually say “Bye Felicia” to Sephora Play. But anyways, here are the stuff I got this month and check out what I think about them.
Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips (1.69-6.7 oz: $9.50-$26) – If you’re looking for that all-around makeup remover that can do the task of removing all kinds of stubborn makeup even down to the waterproof ones, plus the fact that it’s very gentle to use around the eyes, well this original and cult-classic favorite from Clinique will never let you down. I like keeping some travel versions of this remover because it’s very useful to have. Also, right now I’m using the Balm version of this, and it’s really great (reviewed HERE).
Cover Fx Perfect Setting Powder in Light Translucent (0.14-0.35 oz: $14 – $35) – This is a newness for me, and I seem to really love this talc-free loose setting powder. I’ve only used this for a couple of times and I have to test and investigate this powder more. So far, my initial impressions are really positive. This powder seems to really work well with baking and it’s not ghosting on me, lol. It very fine-milled and so fluffy and it seems to control the annoying oiliness that normally seeps through my makeup over time.
Marajรณ Nourishing Cleansing Crรจme (8.5 oz: $29) & Deep Treatment Butter (5.3 oz: $29) – I already received this in my March 2018 Box (HERE). I never liked this before and I still don’t like this now. This makes my hair very oily even after washing as if I had not washed it at all. I also didn’t like the smell and texture. For the price, there are better options out there.
Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (2.5-8.1 oz: $20-$45) – I’ve been using this body cream a lot and had taken a break from it for a while, right now I’m on the Aรงai Body Power (further reviewed HERE). This cream has a nice sweet Vanilla scent and the texture is so creamy and so hydrating on the skin. It’s one of my most beloved creams (see the rest HERE) and it doesn’t disappoint. Also, the shimmer of this cream is amazing and it makes the skin look radiant and Summer-ready.
Living Proof No Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream (4-8 oz: $28-$38) – I don’t use a lot of drama to my hair. Just a nice shampoo and conditioner will usually do the job, and perhaps with the help of an effective heat protectant from time to time whenever I feel like blow-drying it, which I don’t do much often these days. But if you ask me what’s my favorite styling product, I would say that it would have to be this No Frizz Nourishing Cream from Living Proof. I always keep a tube of this on my bathroom shelf, and it works like a charm. It tames frizzies, flyaways, and it makes the hair look shiny. For a more detailed review of this product, click HERE.
So, as I’ve said before, I’ll let you know if I’m actually going to stop subscribing to Sephora Play. I’m thinking of giving this subscription a few more tries, but maybe not. It depends. There’s another subscription box I have in mind and it seems really promising. A friend of mine talked to me about it and had shown me her box, and guess what? I was really smitten. So stay tuned and will update you guys soon. Ciao!
Hey There! Happy Summer Everybody. Let me just update you on the latest products I’m loving right now. It’s been a while since I posted some of my recent favorite beauty and skincare finds, and I have a bunch of really interesting stuff that a lot of you may find great as well. Some of the products that I’ll be talking about are very holy grail-worthy and might put you in that vacation-ready vibe, after all, Summer is already here, right? So without further ado, check out these roundup of my latest product faves.
Up first is the Herbivore Rose Quartz Illuminating Body Oil (4 oz: ($48). This millennial pink-looking body oil will not only induce you for that long overdue summer vacay, it will really put you in the mood for it. The beauty of this and the overall packaging of this oil is very Instagram-worthy, complete with its silvery smooth shimmer that is so at this moment. Its heavy glass packaging and robust sprayer are perfect for any weekend or week-long getaways. On my skin, the pinkish tinge of the oil disappears and it leaves a nice subtle shimmer that leaves my skin glistening when it gets exposed to the sun. Its glow can be blinding if you put too much but it’s a beautiful blinding and commanding glow. It may kinda feel sticky though since it’s practically a shimmery oil, but that doesn’t bother me much. There’s just one thing though, it’s the smell. It’s has a weird rosy smell, but not like a rose flower type of scent, but more like a rose branch cutting which is way too strong and might be too much for some.
For this summer, I am fan-loving the Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Mask (3.4 oz: $39) which truly smells invigorating and soothing. I love the look of this mask a lot, it looks yummy and it feels really calming and hydrating on the face. It has this rich consistency along with some cranberry seeds which leaves the skin feeling supple and smooth after rinsing. The cranberry seeds might be quite a challenge to wash off but it never really bothered me since this mask is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory effects due to the turmeric extract present in it.
I scored this Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (3.8 oz: $29.50) from the last Sephora VIB Event as a restock because this makeup remover has always been my go-to for removing any kinds of makeup, and it doesn’t have any discerning scent. It’s an original favorite of mine and it always works. I just need to put a little bit of the balm on my face and my makeup melts off easily including some stubborn eye makeup. This is great for sensitive skin and it saves you a ton of cotton pads. Also, it comes in a big tub packaging which lasts a long time.
Two of my favorite scents this Summer are made by Nest and Chloe. I’ve been eyeing the Nest Citrine Eau de Parfum Rollerball (0.27 oz: $27) for some time, but I was also drawn to the Nest Wisteria Blue, which is still on my wishlist. Eventually, I decided to get the Citrine scent because it has this Summer-fresh sweet citrus fragrance, and I’m a sucker for anything citrusy or orangey. This scent is very irresistible, very beach-ready, and very long lasting. I just love Nest fragrances! On the other hand, the Chloe Nomade Eau de Parfum Travel Spray (0.33 oz: $28) is my signature travel scent of the moment. It is definitely one of the most unique Chloe scents I’ve tried so far and it’s just mind-blowing. It’s a blend of something woodsy, fresh, and warm floral. There is a mix of oakmoss and freesia which makes this scent nostalgia-inducing and quite complicated as well. Sometimes, it reminds me a bit of a fresh version of the YSL Black Opium – a scent invoking a dreamy escape.
There are two Dior products I’m loving lately, and the first one is the Dior Capture Totale Dreamskin Perfect Skin Cushion Broad Spectrum SPF 50 in 020 Light/Neutral (0.5 oz: $82). It’s a pricey sheer-coverage cushion foundation that’s perfect for oily skin. It’s similar to the Iope Air Cushion which is a K-beauty favorite, but this Dior one seems to last longer on me, especially when compared to some other cushions I’ve tried. This has a really lovely light floral scent and it sets immediately on my skin, leaving a poreless, matte, luminous, and glassy Kpop Idol skin effect. I tend to use this cushion for almost all of my travels as it leaves my skin looking young and fresh all the time. It also seems like there’s a lot of product in its packaging as opposed to most cushion foundations looking like they’d dry up so easily. Another Dior fave lately is the Diorskin Forever Undercover Concealer in 031 Sand: Light to Medium with Warm Yellow Undertone ($34). This concealer works very well to conceal blemishes and other imperfections, but it’s also quite similar to the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in terms of its texture and pigment. So if you already have the Nars concealer, you might as well skip this, unless of course, you’re loyal to Dior, LOL. I like this concealer a lot for everyday use and it doesn’t cake on me. It may not adhere very well on my face compared to the Nars Concealer, but the difference between the two is very subtle. Also, if you compare this Dior Concealer to the Tarte Shape Tape, I think the Tarte one is more pigmented. And, as with most concealers, this Dior Forever Undercover still needs to be set with a setting powder.
For this Summer’s glow, I love the Marc Jacobs Glow Stick Glistening Illuminator in Spotlight (0.49 oz: $42). It has the most flattering universal glow that can be buildable, and it’s super easy to use. It looks like a deodorant, LOL, and it feels a bit oily texture-wise yet it’s so easy to blend out for a more natural soft-focus luminosity. Be aware though that its silvery shimmer can also be blinding depending on how much you apply on your skin. Overall, no matter how you want your glow to be, this highlighter will always make you look stunning and radiant-looking.
My favorite red lipstick of the moment is the Gucci Audacious Color-Intense Lipstick in Ardent ($39). It has the right kind of red that’s perfect for my skintone this Summer – not too intense and not too bright. It’s usually hard for me to pull off a really bright red lipstick especially during this season, but this kind of red works. It’s the ideal everyday red with medium amounts of shimmer so that it doesn’t look too metallic, and it’s great for that Ombre lip effect as well.
When it comes to foundations, there are two that I’ve been testing lately, first is the Sunday Riley The Influencer Clean Long Wear Foundation in 170 light-medium with warm beige undertone (1.08 oz: 42). This foundation is meant to have a matte finish and has some skincare benefits. I was torn between the 180 and the 170 shade, but in the end, the 170 seemed to fit me really well because it’s not as golden and not as warm as the 180. I love the texture of this foundation even though it has more of a natural finish on me, instead of being matte. The only thing that I’m kind of disappointed about this is the fact that it seems to emphasize and settle on my pores after a few hours. However, the issue is not that severe though. Another foundation that seems to be better than the Sunday Riley Influencer is the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat All-In-One Glow in B30 Cool Almond (1.01 oz: $48). Though it shares the same type and shape of packaging as the Sunday Riley Influencer, this particular YSL tinted moisturizer is quite the opposite with its subtle dewy finish. It makes for a perfect everyday foundation, and it gives a nice sheer to medium flawless coverage that makes the skin look youthful and soft-looking. I like that it has the added Spf, and though it could melt off during the Summer, it’s the perfect foundation when you’re the type that likes to stay indoors with the AC blasting.
Last but not the least are the two lip balms that I’ve been loving. The Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1 (0.5 oz: $9.50) is probably one of the most popular lip balms ever and it has a lot of fan-based because it simply works. By that, I mean it really repairs dry chapped lips overnight and it keeps lips hydrated for several hours. It is so moisturizing that it feels heavy and really oily on the lips to the point that it may be uncomfortable for some. I suggest using only a little bit of this so that it won’t attract your own hair or any kind of lints. My other favorite lip balm and is one that I just recently discovered and I think it’s slightly better than Kiehl’s – the Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm (0.13 oz: $18). This is probably one of the most lightweight lip balms I’ve ever tried as it feels like nothing on the lips. The packaging is cute with its large tube reminiscent of those Elmer’s Giant Glue Sticks, however, there seems to be not enough product in its packaging considering its price. But the formula of this is superb and it has no annoying scent. You can pretty much wear this all day without looking like you dipped your lips in olive oil. It is very reparative and soothing without the extra weight that most lip balms have.
As a cat parent, I have spent a lot of time and resources trying to please my demanding kitties by buying them stuff especially toys that will keep them entertained and preoccupied for hours and hours. Most of the toys that my cats enjoy are the interactive ones that run on batteries. They’ll love it for a while, but then again, they can only like it so much and then they’ll get bored and they’re off looking for another entertainment. Even though my kitties are very spoiled, there are some simple toys that they keep going back to and they seem to be always having fun with these kinds of toys. So per my cats’ experience, here are the simple toys they’ve kept on playing for several years. Some of these toys I’ve repurchased and restocked for as long as I can remember, although it’s pretty obvious that I could have just made them myself. But then again these toys are so cheap anyway that it’s almost better to buy them rather than make them in order to save time and effort, still, if you’re the crafty type, then you’re gonna have fun making these simple cat toys at home.
Mylar Crinkle Balls ($6.69) and Cancor Innovations Mini Crinkle Ball ($11.87)ย – Usually comes in a pack of 12, these foil-made toys are so colorful and so reflective and they make a crinkling sound once the cat bats them. It stimulates the cats’ hunting instinct and they’d play fetch with these. They’ll pounce and throw this toy around until it gets caught under the sofa or somewhere they cannot reach. You’re definitely going to need a lot of these because these will be constantly thrown around by your cat. Making this toy is pretty easy, just buy a roll of foil and cut it into little squares or rectangles, then pile or bunch several pieces of them together and tie them with a string in the middle. Flare both ends to make it rounded resembling the shape of a ball.
Catnip Pillow/Bag ($6.32) and Yeowww! Catnip Toy Yellow Banana ($5.99) – Cats love catnip, it’s pretty much their weed and it’s harmless to them. Some cat parents love to sprinkle catnip all over the floor for their cats to play around, and I used to do that but I stopped because it’s messy, and my cats couldn’t stop licking the floor after that. So I bought this catnip-filled bags or pillows and my cats love them. The Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy is their most favorite because it has a strong catnip scent. The ones you see in the picture has been quite overused and abused by them. It’s full of their spit and bites, and the catnip oils had pretty much seeped into the bag, but my cats love this toy so much. They’d roll on it, tumble with it and they’d get crazy with it. It’s very simple to make your own catnip pillow toy, just buy a pack of organic catnip and make a simple cloth bag, then throw the catnip inside the bag and sew it close. Watch and observe your cat’s reaction when playing with this toy.
Cat Dancer 101 Interactive Cat Toy ($2.99) – This is the first toy that my cats ever loved, and they’re still crazy about it. It’s a simple toy that just simply works. It bounces in different directions and you don’t even have to do anything, you just have to hold it and the wire attached to small pieces of rolled cardboards at the tip will do the job. Your cats will be jumping like crazy when they play with this. It actually kinda made me feel stupid and realized “Why didn’t I think about inventing this toy before?” It’s pretty much simple to make, just get a thin piece of wire long enough to be a wand and wrap or tie its tip around a few rolled cardboards and brandish it at your cats. Presto!
Spot Colorful Springs Thin ($7.04) – Comes in a pack of 20, this is probably the simplest cat toy I’ve ever seen and one that my cats love to play with since they were kittens. They’re crazy about this toy and they’d run around the house playing soccer with this. This is basically a simple short thin plastic spring like those you can find in spring-bound notebooks, but I warn you not to use those unless they’re made of plastics because the metallic ones are not safe for the kitties especially since they tend to grab these with their mouths and they could get hurt if the edges are sharp. The plastic springs like you see here in the review are soft and light with blunt edges, and they come in two sizes; the wide ones, and the thin ones. My cats seem to have a special preference for the thin ones. So if you can find some plastic springs around the house that don’t have sharp edges, then you just found yourself a practical cat toy. But as with most pet toys, always supervise your cats whenever they’re playing.
Have you ever had your cats play with these? Any simple cat toys you can recommend?
