Reviews and Other Stuff

Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser

Samples of The Week: Coola, Lancer, Tarte, By Terry, Charlotte Tilbury, Burberry, Boscia, Ren, Laura Geller, & Ciate

REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream

 

Happy Labor Day guys! I hope you’re all having a great time. I have some samples to review today which are quite interesting and somewhat new. So, without further ado, let’s get this Labor Day review started.

 

 

Burberry, My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum review

Burberry, My Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum (0.25 oz/rollerball: $29, 1 oz: $68, 1.6 oz: $90, 3 oz: $120) – I surprising LOVE THIS SCENT the moment I sprayed it on my wrist. It’s a breathtaking fruity floral scent that is irresistible, yummy, sweet, feminine, and pretty at the same time. I haven’t been a fan of floral scents lately (except YSL Mon Paris) because a lot of them tend to be sickly sweet, but this one is different. It has the right kind of sweetness that is not overbearing because there’s a bit of freshness to it. The pomegranate tone is refreshing to the senses. I’m a fan of Burberry scents like the “My Burberry Eau de Toilette“, “Brit Sheer“, and even the “Mr. Burberry Eau de Parfum” for men, and this My Burberry Blush definitely does not disappoint.

 

By Terry Hyaluronic Face Glow in #2 Nude Glow review

Boscia Charcoal Deep-Pore Exfoliating Peel Gel with Volcanic Sand (5 oz: $34) – This is a mild facial peel gel in which the scent reminds me a lot of Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser (reviewed HERE). This one has a very similar consistency with that cleanser as well, and at first, it has a gritty/exfoliating texture, but once applied on the face, you’ll realize that there’s some kind of tiny leaf residue that sorta balls up or clumps the moment you scrub this black gel on your face. The nice thing is it’s not gonna be a rough scrub, but more like a mild one, but the problem is that the whole process can be messy since the clumpy residues tend to fall off the face easily, making a mess on the floor or on the sink. It does clean and soften the face though.

Boscia Charcoal Deep-Pore Exfoliating Peel Gel with Volcanic Sand review

By Terry Hyaluronic Face Glow in #2 Nude Glow (1.43 oz: $66) – I was so surprised by the amazing powdery jasmine scent of this one. It’s a strong scent, but it’s also a nice one. The type that’s kinda hard to resist. The coverage of this is very sheer, so it’s almost better to layer or mix this with your favorite BB or CC Cream, or any foundation as well. I love the very subtle glow that it gives on the face even if it’s quite sheer.

 

Tarte Tarteist PRO Glow Liquid Highlighter in Stunner

Coola Mineral Face Spf 30 Matte Tint Unscented (1.7 oz: $36)– A light coverage sunscreen/BB cream that has a whipped texture and it feels cushiony like the Coola Dawn Patrol Primer (reviewed HERE). It is creamy and it slightly blurs some redness on the face. I still use some foundation after using this because the coverage of this is not enough to cover my blemishes or some post acne marks. I love that this feels really lightweight and didn’t break out my skin.

 

Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector (1 oz: $95) – This luminizing cream has a floral scent, but it’s not extremely strong. Its shimmers are also very fine, thus giving a natural subtle glow on the face. I wish there’s a bit more coverage to it because this one’s really sheer, but it’s great to mix with BB creams or with some other foundations. It really does make the face look luminous and less flat.

 

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream Treat & Transform Moisturizer (1.7 oz: $100, 5 oz: $255) – This cream has a similar scent to Fresh Rose Face Mask or Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Cream, Serum & Eye Gel. It also reminds me of Sisley Paris Black Rose Cream Mask, both with scent and consistency, although the Sisley one has a more whipped formulation. This one from Charlotte Tilbury is quite balanced in texture and in consistency that is also very hydrating and my skin absorbs this easily. It even kept my face hydrated when I applied this on my face overnight.

 

Tarte Tarteist PRO Glow Liquid Highlighter in Stunner (0.56 oz: $29) – This liquid highlighter’s glow is blinding and out of this world, but a huge challenge to work around. You don’t need to apply a lot of this because a little bit goes a long way, and it’s also easy to blend, but it sets pretty fast which can make the application patchy. The effect can be blinding like you have too much glitter on because the shimmers are not finely-milled. It’s super glowy and ultra-luminous which makes the glow on the face quite unnatural.

 

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bitter Sweet

REN Evercalm Global Protection Day Cream (1.7 oz: $45) – This cream is really moisturizing and it’s great for sensitive skin, but I just couldn’t quite like it, no matter how hard I tried it several times. It’s that after-application scent that’s kinda acidic like a strong lemon and rose mix with some citronella (anti-mosquito). It’s a weird scent and I can’t seem to get used to it. Other than that, this cream really moisturizes any dry skin very well.

 

Laura Geller Color Luster Lip Gloss in Cookie Dough (0.21 oz: $21) – This is a very lightweight long lasting lip gloss that has a medium coverage. It doesn’t feel sticky at all and has no discernible scent. I’m not usually a fan of shiny pouts but this one gives a natural shine that doesn’t look over the top, and it keeps the lips hydrated all day.

 

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bitter Sweet (0.22 oz: $19) – A brownish gray shade that is simply pretty and quite like in the 90’s. It complements any skin tone, and it’s even more complementing for medium to dark complexions. It has a strong soapy jasmine scent with a true matte finish that’s long lasting and not so drying. It’s pretty much one of the best matte liquid lipsticks out there. More shades reviewed HERE.

Ciate London Liquid Velvet Moisturizing Matte Liquid Lipstick in Bitter Sweet

These are really interesting set of samples that I’ve played lately, and a lot of them are really nice to have in full sizes, but if I have to narrow them down to my top 3, I’d say, the Burberry Blush Eau de Parfum is really at the top of my list, followed by By Terry Hyaluronic Face Glow and Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector.

 

Have you tried any of these?

 

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Samples of The Week: Clinique, Boscia, Bite Beauty, Kate Somerville, Lancome, Miu Miu & Tarte

Happy Friday guys! It’s about time to wrap up some samples and share my first impressions about them. This week, I picked a mini lipstick, a sample of some clay foundations, a hybrid makeup remover, a few basic moisturizers, and a very interesting scent.

 

bite beauty amuse bouche lipstick beetroot, kate somerville goat milk moisturizer, clinique moisture surge supercharged, miu miu eau de parfum

 

Shall we begin?

 

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate

Lancome BI-FACIL Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (1.7 oz: $15, 4.2 oz: $30, 6.7 oz: $39) – One of the best eye makeup removers I’ve ever tried. It erases my liner like a breeze and there’s not a single sting. I even use it on my face and it saves me a lot of time and effort. It’s also not sticky and it comes in different sizes.

Boscia Charcoal MakeUp Melter Cleansing Oil-Balm (3 oz: $32) – This is a blend of charcoal and oil/balm cleanser that you have to apply on your makeup face and massage it all over to get rid of makeup. It has a strong lavender scent, much like the Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser. This product becomes foamy and it really removes all your makeup but you’re going to need a spatula (provided if purchasing the full size) in order to scoop the balm. It’s pretty thick and a bit sticky, my fingers had a hard time grabbing the product. Other than that, this is a good alternative to traditional facial cleansers and makeup removers since this product combines the two.

 

Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate (0.5 oz: $13.50, 1.6 oz: $39) – This a lightweight gel serum or moisturizer with spheres of antioxidants. It has no distinct scent but it hydrates very well. It’s a great hydrator for the summer and my skin absorbs this quickly. Just like most Clinique serums and moisturizers, you can never go wrong with this.

 

Miu Miu Eau de Parfum (Travel size/0.33 oz: $28, 1 oz: $68, 1.7 oz: $903.4 oz: $118) – A fresh floral scent that will surely catch your attention. I thought this was gonna be more of a sweet scent, but this is actually fresh and delightful, like a blend of something earthy and green with a bit of jasmine. It’s also very long lasting and not boring.

 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Spf 15 review swatches

 

 

Bite Beauty Multistick (0.17 oz: $24) – Reviewed the papaya shade thoroughly before, found HERE. This is one of the best multi-taskers I’ve ever tried. Almost all the shades from this collection are all good and wearable. It has a velvety texture upon application, and it glides well on the lids, on the cheeks as a blush, and as a lip color. They’re pretty easy to blend and they’re also well-pigmented. The effect is a matte monochromatic trend. I love this.

bite beauty multistick swatches papaya cashew biscotti

 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Spf 15 (1.7 oz: $39) – A natural to mattifying finish full-coverage foundation that’s vegan and oil-free. This foundation really covered my redness and blemishes and it’s pretty long-wearing. It feels whipped but lightweight, and it blends into the skin well. I noticed a bit of pilling but they’re blendable and I love that it comes with an added Spf. My face looks flawless with this.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation Spf 15 swatches

 

Lancome Energie de Vie Smoothing & Plumping Water-Infused Cream

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream (1 oz: $50, 1.7 oz: $65) – This feels like a gentle moisturizer that’s great for sensitive skin or even in any skin type. It has almost no scent but it hydrates the skin well and it’s also very lightweight. There’s a soothing feel to this and it hydrates some dry patches on the face. 

 

Lancome Energie de Vie Smoothing & Plumping Water-Infused Cream (1.7 oz: $55) – Another water-infused cream that smells fresh and slightly like citronella. My skin absorbed this lightweight moisturizer immediately and it does have a plumping effect. Overall, this non-greasy cream hydrates the skin excellently and my skin felt soft after using this. The whole Energie de Vie line seems like a very interesting line to try.

 

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Beetroot (0.15 oz: $26) – Love this deep berry shade. I’m sure we’re all familiar with this lipstick. This line up has one of the boldest well-pigmented lipsticks ever. It’s extremely creamy and buttery soft, and while it does transfer a lot, the pigment stays put on the lips for a long time. I love that it’s made of au-naturel ingredients and the citrusy flavor is a delight. As to how it compares to the newly-released Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick? stay tuned, because a review of that particular lineup will be coming soon.

amuse bouche beetroot shade

 

Verdict, I almost love all the samples I’ve tried, but if I have to narrow it down, I think I like the ease of using Lancome BI-FACIL Eye Makeup Remover, the scent of Miu Miu Eau de Parfum, the range of shades from Bite Beauty Multistick and Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation, the high-impact colors of Bite’s Amuse Bouche Lipstick and the hydrating effect of Lancome Energie de Vie Water-Infused Cream.

 

Have you had samples of these too? Which ones did you like?

 

T.G.I.F Everybody!

 

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Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser Review

boscia detoxifying black cleanser review

 

Hey There! So I just ran out of my usual face cleanser (Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit), so it’s the perfect time to venture into other facial cleansers that might suit my fancy. A month ago, I was able to try a sample size of Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser and I was amazed. Now, I finally bought it in regular size, and I couldn’t be any happier.

The color of this Detoxifying Black Cleanser from Boscia may look strange or striking to you, because it’s made of activated charcoal, but it feels good, not only on the face, but also on the hand while applying the product, since it gets warm upon contact with the skin. In addition to that, this cleanser has Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C.

 

boscia black charcoal face cleanser

 

As a detoxifying cleanser, I like how it’s meant to remove impurities and takes out excess oil. Great for my skin concern, plus the added benefits of pore size reduction and complexion brightening. The smell is not bad either. It’s kinda herbal-like, which smells soothing to the senses.

While it does cover your face with dark, muddy, charcoal, gel consistency, don’t get alarmed, this is like Tarte Frxxxtion Stick, which fades away after rinsing your face. The only thing I may not like about Boscia Detoxifying Black Cleanser is that it doesn’t foam very well. But it does leave my skin feeling clean and refreshed. I also noticed less oiliness and so far, less breakouts. 

This cleanser is definitely going to be in my holy grail list, not only because of its uniqueness but also because of its calming and helpful benefits, specially for someone with oily skin or sensitive skin.

 

Go try this today! HERE.

 

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