Review: Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

I've been on the hunt for a Western brand BB cream... or at least, an Asian brand welcomed into the Western world that can be found at suppliers such as Sephora.  I've heard and read great things about the Dr. Jart+ brand so I took advantage of my 15% off sale and purchased the 0.66 oz. option of the brand's Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm due to it's 4 star rating on the Sephora website.

It's only offered in one shade because of its oxidizing properties which conform to your skin color and is advertised as "one universal shade."  It also features SPF 25 sun protection and a botanical formula that purifies and calms blemish prone skin.

Pros:

• It doesn't irritate my skin or cause any breakouts
• It doesn't add any oiliness to my skin
• It doesn't have a scent or fragrance to it
• It's lightweight and doesn't feel greasy when applied

Cons:

• It's pricey for the amount you pay for (0.66 oz. for $18 and 1.5 oz. for $36 can be purchased here) 
• It did not oxidize to my skintone and was approximately two shades lighter than my actual skintone
• It takes approximately 5-10 minutes to set into your skin
  

Rating: 2/5

Sorry for the hiatus...

I know that one of my resolutions was to write a blog at least once a month, but unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with it due to my crazy school and work schedule... and life in general.  But I'm glad to say that I took my final final of undergrad earlier today and I'm officially done with school!  It's surreal that I'm done and I'm looking forward to enjoying the moment while I can... and I promise there will be more updates to come!

As you can see, I definitely took advantage of Sephora's 15% off sale and Bobbi Brown's Friends & Family sale during my hiatus...

I bought a few usual products (Bobbi Brown's long-wear gel eyeliner, corrector, and concealer and NARS Orgasm blush) but I'm looking forward to sharing my experience with the Dr. Jart Black Label BB Cream and NARSskin Exfoliator!

More updates to come soon... XOXO.

How-To: Retain a "Glow" Even Throughout the Winter

As I am typing this, there is a snow storm (AKA Snowquester) is going through the Mid-Atlantic at the moment.  I thought Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow and Spring would be right around the corner, but I guess it's not over yet.  I'm naturally tan, but I maintain a "glowing tan" (yes, there's a difference!) with these products:

St. Tropez Everyday Gradual Tan for Body

 I don't use this EVERYDAY, but more like once or twice a week -- but it gives you a golden glow within an hour.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

 

Argan oil can be used for multiple purposes -- from moisturizing and treating your skin, treating your split ends, and softening your cuticles.  I would recommend using this before your makeup to give off a dewy, healthy glow!

NYC Bronzer, #720 Sunny

You can easily find this bronzer at your local drugstore for the average steal price of $2.99!  It's perfect for your cheekbones and your skin and comes on matte, versus the shimmery glow that looks unnatural.  It's a great deal for the price!

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, Nectar

 This is actually a 2-in-1 product -- you can use it on your cheeks AND your eyelids!  I use this is an illuminizer to top off the "glow" on my face over my bronzer and blush.

Stay warm!  XOXO.

Review: Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick

While I was shopping at Target, I was excited to see the new line of Maybelline lipsticks available in all 20 shades!  I've read several reviews about the line's sheer, balm-like" qualities that were comparable to Revlon Lip Butter.  I picked up #75 "Rose of Attraction" as my beta tester, which is a darker pink.  The shades available are pinks, neutrals, and brights, so I'm sure there will be one that catches your eye!

Pros:

• Inexpensive (You can buy it for $5.99 here!)
• A wide variety of colors available
• Glides on easily
• Compact and stylish packaging
• Its hybrid formula gives you a 3-in-1 deal: balm, lipstick, and glossy lip tint
• Feels weightless on your lips
• Highly pigmented

Cons:

• "Dries up" after an hour of wear
• Occasional color stains on lips

Rating: 4.5/5

Black Friday Deals!

Our favorite beauty products don't go on sale often, but at 12AM EST, (9PM PST for you West Coasters!) many retailers are offering discounts online!  Some of them last throughout the whole weekend until Monday, and the best thing is that you can avoid the lines and be comfort of your own home.

Ahava: Deadsea mineral skincare - 40% off sitewide on ahavaus.com with code: BLACKFRIDAY. (November 21-25)

Arcona: Organic skincare products - 40% off sitewide on arcona.com. (November 23-24)

Bergdorf Goodman: 17 beauty brands are offering gifts with purchase as part of their "Beauty in a Bag" event.  In-store and online at bergdorfgoodman.com. (November 23-December 2)

Bliss: Up to 50% on select luxury items, in addition to 30% on bundles and sets and 20% on a selection of products on blissworld.com. (November 23-27)

Dr. Brandt: 50% off eye creams on Black Friday on drbrandtskincare.com. (November 23)

Fekkai: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on fekkai.com. (November 23-26)

Giorgio Armani Beauty: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on purchases over $75 on Black Friday on giorgioarmanibeauty.com. (November 23)

Sephora: $10 products on Black Friday, both in-store and online at sephora.com. (November 23)

Shu Uemura: 20% off plus free shipping sitewide on all orders over $50 on shuuemura-usa.com with code: WISH2012. (November 22-27)


Happy Shopping!  XOXO.

How To: Hydrate Your Face, Get a Dewy Glow, AND Set Your Makeup

I absolutely love the "dewy glow" look and feeling after I receive a cleansing facial from Saks Fifth Avenue Spa (3rd floor of Saks in Tyson's Galleria) or Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. (I switch between the two because my skin therapist esthetician at Saks goes out of town frequently) One of the many things I learned from her in order to obtain the aforementioned dewy glow was to use a facial mists (also called hydration mists) to keep your face looking hydrated and refreshed... but it also doubles as a makeup setter! I'm a sucker for 2-in-1 products, and after discovering this, I've been using it everyday for the past few years as a pick-me-up, even when I'm not wearing makeup.

Although there are several different brands of facial mists that you can choose from, I prefer the drugstore brands because they're old school mists that have been around for ages, they're both under $10, and are readily available at Ulta, Sephora, or your local drugstore. Since I use facial mist everyday as a beauty essential, I go through them quite often, so it's definitely more cost-efficient than to purchase a high-end brand.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water

Evian Brumisatuer Mineral Water

**I use this personally!

  

The Right Way to Use a Facial Mist:

1. Hold the nozzle approximately 5 to 6 inches away from your face.
2. Let it sit for about 60 seconds, and then lightly blot off excess with a tissue.

Tips and Tricks to Misting:

1. After cleansing your face, give your skin a mist and put on your moisturizer immediately afterward, without blotting it dry to lock moisture in.
2. To obtain the "baby skin" look, you should lightly mist after every layer of makeup. Pretty much, it's: Mist, moisturize, mist, primer, mist, makeup, mist. Be careful to not get overly generous with the mist so your skin won't look dripping wet between layers, or your makeup will be prone to smudging!
3. After putting on your makeup, (Wait for your mascara to dry!) just spray the facial mist on your face as the last step of our routine to obtain the "dewy glow" look rather than a powdery complexion.