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Loving Right Now. Spring Favorites.

May 7, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

It’s been quite a while since I posted my latest favorites in beauty and skincare. As I mentioned in my previous post, I will be rounding up the products I’m currently loving, so this post is all about these items. Actually, some of the products I will be featuring below are not just the ones I’m currently using this Spring. I will still be using some of them for this coming Summer. In fact, I’ve been using some of them since last Winter as well. So, if you’ve been wondering what I’m raving lately, well, here now are my current favorites in beauty, haircare, and skincare.

HAIRCARE

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder (2.8 oz: $15, 7.3 oz: $29) – I first got this when I was checking out some products to volumized my fine hair. I saw that this has really good reviews at Sephora and I was eager to test it ASAP. True its glowy raves, I was blown away by how this made a difference in my usually flat fine hair. This adds real volume and drama to the hair and it goes on clear without leaving any whitish or sticky residue. The nice thing about this is the packaging where you can adjust the nozzle’s opening and it can release either less or more product depending on how much volume you’d want for your hair. This works for just about any hair type and this definitely works for my fine hair. The scent can be too much at times, but it’s not a bad scent, so it’s pretty much tolerable.

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray (2.2 oz: $22, 8.5 oz: $46) – I’ve mentioned before that I’m currently obsessed with texture hair sprays. I feel like they work so well at not just adding volume to my fine hair, but they also add a nice texture to my strands. I think this Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray might just be the best if not one of the best I’ve ever tried. I like this a lot because this goes on clear, light, and it makes my hair look clean, fresh, and fab. Oh, and the scent’s gonna get you swooning too. 🙂

Moroccanoil Treatment (0.85 oz: $15, 1.7 oz: $34, 3.4 oz: $44) – I wanted something that would make my stands look healthy and vibrant post styling, so I heard good reviews about this but I was kind of hesitant at first because I thought this may make my hair oilier and may add more weight to it. But I did give this a chance anyway, and I really love it! This has a nice scent that is not overpowering and it doesn’t weight the hair down. It’s great for adding hair shine especially to the roots after a blowout or after any heat-styling. It’s kinda like a lightweight finishing treatment.

SKINCARE

Supergoop! Super Power Sunscreen Mousse Broad Spectrum SPF 50 (3.4 oz: $19, 7.2 oz: $34) – For this Spring and for this coming Summer, this is still one of my sunscreen of choice because this is so lightweight, non-sticky, and it doesn’t leave any white residue. A small container/packaging of this can last a long time, and its mousse texture is very easy to apply on the skin.

Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream (0.5 oz: $64) – I’ve always wanted this eye cream ever since its release because I really like its ingredients especially its Vitamin C potency, but I read some reviews that this caused contact dermatitis for them. However, I was adamant to try this anyway and see it for myself. Well, good news friends, I’ve been using this for several weeks now and I never had an issue. I apply this on my dark undereye circles and it hasn’t gotten worse, in fact, my undereyes look vibrant and I look less fatigued even when I don’t get enough sleep. I usually don’t apply this on the thin skin around my lids, but when I did it a couple of times, I never had an issue as well.

Peter Thomas Roth Firmx Peeling Gel (3.4 oz: 48, 6.8 oz: $89) – Ahhh! my favorite instant peeling product. Ever since I received a sample of this from Sephora a few years ago, I knew I have got to have this product for life. From then on and nowadays, this is my go-to if I want immediately facial smoothness. I use this two or three time a week to get rid of some dry patches and rough skin that doesn’t go away with extreme moisturization alone. This preps the skin for a smooth and easy application of any primer and foundation. You could literally feel and see your facial skin particles sloughing off while you massage this gel on the skin.

MAKEUP

Clé De Peau Beauté Radiant Cushion Foundation in O20 Light Ochre ($99) – I tend to reach out for my cushion foundations whenever the weather starts to get warm and the sky starts to look bright. Since these foundations are very light on the skin, they’re not prone to cakeyness and they look more natural on the face. Since I want my friends and neighbors to recognize me this warm and bright season, lol, the radiant cushion from Cle De Peau Beauté makes me look more like me, ha! See this product’s swatch HERE.

Shiseido Eyelash Curler ($22) – I only love three brands of eyelash curler in my life (yeah, for real :-)), one is from Shu Uemura, the other one is from Japonesque (seen HERE) which I use during my travels, and the third one is this Shiseido lash curler. This is very similar to the Shu Uemura one and it’s the kind of eyelash curler that suits well for those with short/baby lashes, small eyes, and even downturned eyes, as well as Asian faces and features. I will tell you more in my upcoming posts whether this is better than the Shu Uemura one or not.

Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in 01 Deeper (0.03 oz: $58) – The day that Tom Ford will discontinue this product is the day that I will never leave the house, LOL! This is pretty much the only eyeliner that seems to really work out of all the eyeliners I’ve tried in several different brands and stores lately. I used to like the Stila one but I think their formulation had changed. Once applied, this doesn’t smudge and it’s pretty much waterproof. It stays on no matter what the situation, weather, or any event calls for. It’s super reliable especially for those with oily lids. There is only one shade though, and its pigment is the blackest black.

Dr. Brandt Needles No More, No More Baggage Eye De-Puffing Gel (0.5 oz: $42) – I got this from my FabFitFun Box and I was really impressed by it. It qualifies as both skincare and makeup and it works by tightening the skin along the undereye area, making it depuffed, and it’s got a nice salmon shade that color corrects the dark circles. Use this for an immediate dark puffy undereye relief. Read more about this product HERE.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original (0.16 oz: $13, 0.33 oz: $24) – Whenever Spring and Summer comes and you have oily lids, it’s always a good idea to prime them. You’ll never know what could happen next, come rain or shine, you need to have your eye makeup on point. Racoon eyes are a no-no. This Urban Decay Primer in original formula gets the job done. I’ve been using this for years now and even last Winter, and I no longer have to worry if my eyeliner was creasing or not. A small size of this primer can last a long time.

Pat McGrath Labs FetishEyes Mascara (0.27 oz: $28) – I didn’t really plan to buy this mascara so soon because I was waiting for some constructive reviews about it. But when I got a sample of this, I was like whaaat?! Is this thing for real?! LOL. I literally saw my short lashes lengthening as I was applying this, and all the while I was thinking “Is there some black magic in here?” Haha! I don’t know how PMG did it, but guys, you have got to try this. This is on my holy grail list now and it makes my lashes look long and volumized. On top of that, this doesn’t smudge and this doesn’t irritate my eyes.

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer in 29N Light-Medium (0.33 oz: $27) – This is my concealer of choice as of the moment because I seem to be getting some post-zit dark spots lately, and I need something that gives more coverage. The type that really covers my age, LOL. So yeah, the shade 29 N is light-medium with neutral undertones and it works to make me look flawless and youthful even for just a few hours. 🙂

Laura Mercier Flawless Lumière Radiance-Perfecting Foundation in 2C1 Ecru (1 oz: $48) – I’m a big fan of Laura Mercier foundations because of their lightweight next-to-skin feel. This new Flawless Lumiere foundation in Ecru (light with neutral undertones) definitely lives up to the Laura Mercier foundation standard. It is quite similar to the LM Candleglow (my other fave, reviewed HERE) but it’s not as super dewy and it doesn’t slide as much. It still feels creamy and lightweight, and it has medium coverage with a natural radiant finish that still feels like a second skin. I love this formula a lot because it gives a soft-focus radiant look, and it stays on even longer if you set this with a nice setting powder. My favorite setting powders are HERE and HERE.

Fenty Beauty

Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Thicc (0.06 oz: $18) – Sultry Natural Mauve. This a long-wearing comfortable matte lipstick and it makes the lips look full. This mauve shade is not just great for everyday wear, it’s also great as a transitional lip shade as you approach another season.

Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncuffed (0.13 oz: $24) – Rosy Mauve. This is more like a liquid lip color version of the Mattemoiselle Plush lipstick above, though the mauve color of this Uncuffed shade seems to be a bit darker than the Thicc lipstick above, but still perfect for everyday daytime use. This lip color feels very lightweight, it’s not that drying, and though it slightly emphasizes the lip lines, it does stay on the lips for a long period of time.

That comprises my faves this Spring. Have you tried any of these products before? What are the beauty/skincare/haircare items you’ve been loving lately?

Stay tuned for some of my Summer favorites.

VII Code T2 Oxygen Eye Cream O3.0 & O2.0 Oxygen Hydrating Eye Spray Review

April 8, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hi All! I’ve been in the market for some good quality eye creams that could potentially help to hydrate my undereyes which suffered from extreme dryness this last Winter. My skin, lately, seemed to have gone through a lot due to the lack of moisture in the air and that has caused some dry patches and roughness especially around the eye area. So, when VII Code reached out to me to try their eye cream and eye spray, I was totally glad because, to be honest, it’s really kind of hard to find the ideal eye cream for your skin type or for any specific undereye skincare concern. Since I had a good experience with VII Code’s O2M Oxygen Eye Mask for Dark Circles before, which you can read HERE, I had a hunch that I will enjoy their T2 Oxygen Eye Cream and also their latest product, the Oxygen Hydrating Eye Spray immediately.

T2 Oxygen Eye Cream O3.0 (5 ml: $99) – This anti-aging eye cream comes in a beautiful blue packaging that looks unique and sleek. I love looking at its decorative shape that sort of stands out in my sea of skincare products. Upon initial testing, this eye cream has a nice floral scent that goes away after a few minutes of application. It feels really silky and creamy but not sticky and it goes on smooth on my undereyes. My skin absorbs this easily without any residue. The following day, I noticed immediate hydration on my undereye area. It no longer feels rough and it didn’t look very dry. My concealer and foundation adhere well with this eye cream without emphasizing any dry areas. Another thing I love about this is the fact that this is great for my sensitive eyes. I never noticed any burns or stings no matter how much I applied this product close to my eyes. Also, this eye cream comes with its Crescent Activation Strip which doubles as a spatula and as an eye massager. I love it because it conforms to the shape of the eyes and it sorts of stimulates the blood flow around that area.

You can use this eye cream in the evening after cleansing your face, or you can also use this in the morning before applying your makeup. For maximum hydration, you can also supplement this eye cream with VII Code’s Oxygen Eye Mask, available HERE.

Per VII Code’s website, these are the following ingredients of this particular eye cream.

Elderberries: Anti-oxidant content maintains the skin cells, leaving you with glowing, younger skin.

Jojoba Oil: Not only firms and keeps your skin hydrated, but also useful in lessening the appearance of skin wrinkles. Rich in antioxidants, which help regenerate the skin cells.

Evening Primrose: Boosts blood circulation, which is helpful to treat tired skin and eyes and is especially effective in removing wrinkles.

O2.0 Oxygen Hydrating Eye Spray (5 ml: $23) – This is VII Code’s latest eye product and yes you read it right, it’s an eye spray and it has several interesting ingredients that promote undereye skin hydration and nutrition like: Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids, Glycerin, Red Algae Extract, and an active marine ingredient from the Mediterranean Sea.

Will all those ingredients, I find this eye spray to be very mild, very fluid, clear, non-sticky, and unscented. Therefore, this is great for those with sensitive skin and sensitive eyes. I personally like this a lot because this product does not only maintain undereye hydration, it also feels rejuvenating around the eyes, kinda like an eye/face mist. To use: You can spray this immediately to the eye area (with eyes closed) for a distance of about 15 cm and gently pat the mist around your undereyes for full absorption. Also, you can spray this on a cotton pad and gently press it on your eye area for a very refreshing feel.

Overall, I had a great experience testing these VII Code T2 Oxygen Eye Cream and the O2.0 Oxygen Hydrating Eye Spray. I find these to be beneficial undereye products that suit sensitive skin and with a spa-level feel. These addressed my undereye skincare concern and for that, I’m really grateful.

For more information about these eye products, check out viicode.com (they offer Free Shipping) or you can also purchase these at Amazon

(Disclosure: Sponsored by VII Code. The reviews, photos, and opinions herein are solely mine)

Samaya Ayurvedic Skincare Review

April 5, 2019 / FASHION & BEAUTY / 0 comments

Hi guys, today’s post is an exciting one because we’ll talk about clean skincare, and it’s not just all about clean and natural skincare products, it’s also about a skincare brand based on Ayurvedic principles. Isn’t that cool? I mean, with all the different skincare items spurting every minute nowadays, I feel like it’s about time that we really take a closer look at the ingredients that we put on our skin. While it’s true that there’s a been a huge buzz of using and promoting clean and all-natural skincare ingredients, I feel like there’s this one particular brand that has put a lot of emphasis on quality ingredients when it comes to skincare. If you haven’t heard about them before, then take a closer look at this London-based skincare brand called Samaya.

Samaya is an all-natural skincare brand that is based on the principles of Ayurveda. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “Life Knowledge” or “Science of Life”, and this principle promotes a holistic approach when it comes to achieving a balance to our bodily system. One way of achieving that is to pay attention to our lifestyle in general. Having a sound mind and sound body requires regular exercise, nourishing diet, enough sleep, adequate relaxation and of course, proper self-care. If those things aren’t balanced, then chances are our stress levels go high and our skin will suffer. I, for one, can attest to that.

Samaya’s top quality all-natural Ayurvedic ingredients in skincare are really something that will also help us achieve healthy and balanced skin. They offer a curated approach by providing a personalized skincare range, that is, according to your skin type and skincare needs. The goal is to help you achieve your “Samadosha” or to achieve “a perfect balance in our lives” starting with your skin.

To achieve your Samadosha, Samaya provides an online quiz (click HERE) to determine your Dosha type. Doshas are the energies that govern each individual, kinda like their characters. There are primarily three types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Vata – Energetic and creative in balance, but worried, tired and indecisive when out of balance. Often of slender build and suffers from cold hands and feet. Tends to have delicate dry skin and hair, which may need extra moisturizing and nourishment to keep it glowing and healthy.

Pitta – Well-proportioned and compact build, with a focused mind and a love of order. Confident and passionate, enjoying challenges. Prone to anger and impatience when out of balance. Benefits from gentle skincare as the skin can be sensitive and irritable, susceptible to wrinkles, sunburn, and inflammation.

Kapha – Laidback and easy-going with a stable, steady energy level. Often has a strong physical frame but can be lethargic or apathetic if out of balance. Takes a relaxed, reasonable approach to life and can be compassionate, gentle and kind. Skin is usually thick and pale, can be radiant and glowing, but with clogged pores or excess oil when out-of-balance.

As you can guess, my Dosha is definitely Kapha. I do have clogged pores and I tend to have excess oil on my skin. Samaya sent me two of the products from their Kapha range to try and here’s what I think…

Kapha Anti-Ageing Treatment Oil (30 ml: £94.80) – This lightweight facial oil has a concentrated blend of Ayurvedic botanicals and it has a very relaxing earthy scent. Its key ingredients are Sandalwood oil, Frankincense oil, Vetivert Oil, Gotu Kola Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Turmeric Root, and Ashwagandha Root Extract to mention a few. It’s also free from Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, synthetic color/fragrance, mineral oils, silicones and more. I normally avoid using facial oils on my face but this particular oil actually makes my skin smooth. My skin had gone through a lot this Winter and it has some dry patches that I’ve been trying to hydrate. Luckily, with this facial oil, my face has been very moisturized and it feels really soft. It’s non-sticky and I only need one pump to cover my entire face and I massage it gently on my skin for a very relaxing feel. It has a very rejuvenating effect and it makes the face look plump and healthy. You can use this oil right after cleansing and moisturizing the face. On me, I use this as a substitute for my moisturizer.

Kapha Renewing Exfoliant (50 ml: £70.80) – This is a very interesting enzyme exfoliant because, upon application, this doesn’t feel gritty or scratchy at all. Instead, this actually feels very creamy like a very hydrating facial mask. After washing this off, my face feels really smooth and soft, almost like baby skin. I find that the exfoliating action of this is very gentle but its effect is definitely obvious, and I did notice my skintone looking more radiant and more glowy after every use. I also like the relaxing earthy scent of this exfoliant, and it has Pineapple enzymes, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Leaf, Jojoba, Vitamin E, Avocado and powerful Ayurvedic ingredients such as Amla, Gotu Kola, Vetivert, Sandalwood, Turmeric, Neem, and Ashwagandha, etc. You can use this exfoliating cream every other day and apply this like a face mask, massage gently, and wait 20 minutes before rinsing this off. For deeper exfoliation, leave this on overnight.

Bottom line, I highly recommend this brand and for those of my readers who live in the UK, you guys should check out Samaya’s all-natural Ayurvedic ingredients in skincare. I love their holistic approach to taking care of the skin and the fact that they tailor their products according to your specific skincare needs. Because, after all, if the mind, body, and soul are in perfect harmony then our skin will reflect that from within.

For more information and to order these products online, you can check out

samayaayurveda.com. They currently ship only to countries in the European Union and to the U.S.

Have you tried these before? What’s your Dosha?

(Disclosure: Product samples provided by Samaya. The reviews and opinions herein are solely mine).