#makeup blogs

Price: $7.00

Color: Honey - exfoliating & smoothing (scrub)

Claims: A range of lip balms and scrubs with a melting and gliding texture that hydrate and nurture lips all day long.

Balms nourish your lips and provide the following targeted lip care benefits, while the lip scrubs soften and prep lips for a treatment or lipstick thanks to gentle sugar exfoliants. Each features a fun flavor and ingredients that suit different concerns.

Ingredients:

Octyldodecanol: An emollient and emulsifier and solvent. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is often seen as a thickener in moisturizers because of its lubricating and emollient properties. Helps to form emulsions and prevents formulas from separating into its oil and liquid components. It can also reduce the tendency of finished products to generate foam when shaken. Acts as a lubricant on the skin, giving a soft, silky feel.

Polybutene: A oligomeric oil, sometimes derived from petroleum, that is used in its hydrogenated form, as a binder, epilating agent, thickener and lubricant. It is naturally tacky or sticky and is also used for its adhesive properties.

Polyethylene: Form of plastic (synthetic polymer) that has numerous functions in cosmetics products. Rounded polyethylene beads serve as an abrasive agent in many facial scrubs, often used instead of overly abrasive alternatives like walnut shells and ground fruit pits. Also used as a stabilizer, binding agent, thickener, and film-forming agent.

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil: Skin conditioning agent to maintain soft and supple skin.

Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer: Synthetic polymer that functions as a binding agent, texture enhancer, and dispersing agent.

Diisostearyl Malate: A skin conditioning agent and emollient.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it’s considered an excellent emollient and skin-replenishing ingredient. It’s included in cosmetics due to its mix of fatty acids that skin can use to replenish its surface and resist moisture loss. Also function as a thickener, but its chief job is to moisturize and replenish skin. This ingredient’s value for skin is made greater by the fact that it’s considered gentle.

Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax): Plastic-type, highly refined wax derived from petroleum and purified for use in cosmetics. Used as a thickener and to give products a semi-solid to solid smooth texture.

Dicalcium Phosphate: Opacifying Agent

Glyceryl Behenate/Eicosadioate: A mixture of esters of glycerin, along with behenic and eicosadioic acids, its works as a thickener and stabilizing agent in makeup and skincare products. The independent cosmetic ingredient review has found it is safe as used in cosmetics.

Propylene Carbonate: Liquid used as a solvent and film-forming agent.

Synthetic Wax: A wax derived from a mixture of various oils. It functions as a binding and stabilizing agent and can help enhance a product's texture.

Trehalose: Plant sugar that has hydrating properties for skin.

Disteardimonium Hectorite: A vegetable-derived suspending agent used to thicken oil-based products and serve as a stabilizer for emulsions

Fragrance: One or a blend of volatile and/or fragrant plant oils (or synthetically derived oils) that impart aroma and odor to products. These are often skin sensitizers because they are composed of hundreds of individual chemical components. Fragrance is a leading source of sensitivity to cosmetics.

Titanium Dioxide: An earth mineral used in sunscreens that is capable of blocking both UVA and UVB rays; also used as a pigment.

Mica: Earth mineral included in products to give them sparkle and shine. The level and look of the shine mica provides depends on the color and how finely it’s milled. Mica's sheer, translucent and skin-hugging properties make it a popular ingredient in mineral powders. Mica powder reflects light from the face because of its glittering or shimmering properties, and can create the illusion of a smoother, softer and more radiant skin tone.

Iron Oxides: Natural oxides of iron (iron combined with oxygen); pigments are used to enhance colors in cosmetics.

Citric Acid: An alpha hydroxy acid and astringent with antioxidant properties; used to help skin maintain its natural pH level or adjust the pH of a product.

Dipentaerythrityl Tetrahydroxystearate/Tetraisostearate: Skin conditioning. Viscosity controlling.

Butyrospermum Parkii  (Shea Butter): Extracted from the nuts of the karité tree, this emollient is naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil: Skin conditioning agent and viscosity increasing agent. 

Sodium Saccharin: A sweetener, to give them a pleasant flavor.

Mel Extract (Honey Extract): Honey’s primary use in skincare products is related to its potent antioxidant properties; however, it’s role in helping wounds heal has been shown to have some benefits in comparison to traditional medicines and procedures. Honey forms a barrier on skin that can help soothe and protect.

My Thoughts: I thought it was very interesting to have a lip scrub in the form of a twist up tube. I saw Sephora Collection Lip Balm & Scrub in Honey was on sale for $6 so I decided to give it a try. I was surprised to find out that the twist up tube outer layer is made of cardboard. I was worried that it would be easily damaged over time but it ended up being very sturdy. Not only very secure but also pretty, with its yellow honeycomb design.

Sephora Collection Lip Balm & Scrub in Honey smells of good with a hint of honey. Its a gentle exfoliator, the sugar melts within 30 seconds so its best for mild chapped lips. After the sugar melts it becomes a normal lip balm that hydrates decently. I typically used this every night since its so gentle. When I had heavier chapped lips this did not work for me, I would need something that doesn’t melt away so quickly.

Would I purchase Sephora Collection Lip Balm & Scrub in Honey again? Yes I do like the idea of a mild exfoliator that turns into a balm.

Pros:

Twist up tube 

Sturdy cardboard packaging

Yellow honeycomb design

Hint of honey scented

Gentle exfoliator 

Sugar melts into a balm

Best for mild chapped lips

Can be used once a day

Cons:

Will not work with heavy chapped lips

Price: Not sold individually, sold in brush set ($150)

Claims: Use this fluffy, tapered brush to apply your favorite highlighting powders to emphasize the high points of your face for a mesmerizing glow or setting your under eyes.

My Thoughts: When I first started my beauty blog the first brush set purchase I made was with Luxie. I had been waiting for Luxie brush to show up in one of my Ipsy bags for a long time. Everyone seemed to be getting them but me! For my April 2016 Ipsy bag I received the Luxie Dreamcatcher Tapered Highlight Brush 522. Its a a full size brush, that contains soft bristles that are synthetic which form a tapered shape. I was drawn to the wooden periwinkle handle with the rose gold ferrule. I am a sucker for anything rose gold!

Even though the brush is memorizing to look at its cheaply put together. The first week the rose gold ferrule kept rattling when I used it. On the 3rd week the ferrule disconnected from the periwinkle handle! For a good week I was just using Luxie Dreamcatcher Tapered Highlight Brush 522 without the wooden handle. My amazing husband was able to super glue it back together. Now it doesn’t even rattle anymore. I thought the nightmare was over however when I first washed, it was not easy to clean. The powder came off easily but the brush itself started to shed. I gently washed the brush too because I knew how fragile it was, but a clump bristles came off so easily.

Its a little unbelievable with all that trouble I have gone through that Luxie Dreamcatcher Tapered Highlight Brush 522 is still one of my favorite brushes! The brush is so versatile. It can be used for blush, contouring, setting my under eye area and of course for highlighters. I mainly use it for my highlight. It picks up powder well. I gently dust it on and it instantly falls into place, with hardly any blending required. I only use this with blush when I want to use a small amount on my cheeks, so basically to achieve a natural look. But I can build up if I wanted too. For setting my under area it works perfectly, the brush is tapered so it can reach smaller, harder to reach areas.

Would I purchase Luxie Dreamcatcher Tapered Highlight Brush 522? No because its not individually sold, I would have to buy a complete set which is really expensive for a cheaply assembled brush.

Pros:

Received in April 2016 Ipsy bag

Full size brush

Soft synthetic bristles 

Tapered brush

Periwinkle wooden handle

Rose gold ferrule

Versatile brush

Used for blush, contouring, setting under area & highlighter 

Brush picks up powder well

Blends easily

Light application &  buildable 

Works well reaching smaller areas

Cons:

Cheaply assembled together

Ferrule kept rattling

Ferrule disconnected from handle

Sheds during cleaning

Price: $195

Claims: Daily moisturizer, formulated to help protect against environmental aggressors such as pollution and free radicals.

Hand-cultivated green tea, pine mushroom and Future Response Complex™ provides powerful antioxidant benefits and helps to alleviate signs of skin irritation, while protecting the skin against external pollution.

AB-12 Complex™, a fusion of 12 Asian Botanicals, helps to reduce visible signs of aging for a healthy, youthful appearance.

Ingredients:

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water (Green Tea): Helps fight free radicals; known for its antioxidant and anti-irritant properties.

Butylene Glycol: Commonly-used ingredient that has multiple functions in cosmetics, including as a texture enhancer. It’s similar to propylene glycol, but has a lighter texture.

Dicaprylyl Carbonate (Coconut/Palm Kernel): A skin conditioner and emollient that works by providing a protective film and enhancing the skin's lipid layer. It's often categorized as a "dry emollient" because of its ability to moisturize the skin, making it feel soft and smooth without leaving a greasy residue behind.  It has excellent spreadability, and leaves a dry, velvety feel to the skin similar to how a silicone would. Furthermore, it emulsifier easily and, has long-term emulsion stability and facilitates the application of slow spreading ingredients.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: mainly works as an emollient, dispersing agent and solvent. As an emollient, it both quickly penetrates the surface to condition the skin/hair, and provides a lightweight and non-greasy barrier of lubrication. As a dispersing agent, it helps enhance the delivery of vitamins, pigments and other active ingredients contained in a solution so that they become evenly spread out and fully absorbed by the epidermis. It's oily texture helps thicken cosmetic formulations and provides a slipperiness, which in turn allows for the easy spreadability of solutions and a smooth after-touch.

Glycerin: Helps to retain water to lock in moisture.

Water: Primarily used as a solvent in cosmetics and personal care products in which it dissolves many of the ingredients that impart skin benefits, such as conditioning agents and cleansing agents.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter: Acts as a skin conditioning agent and viscosity (thickness) increasing agent. Its function as a dermal conditioner is two fold. Firstly, it helps retain moisture and lessen the loss of water by forming a barrier on the skin's surface. Secondly, it also works to reduce the appearance of rough patches and dry flakes on the skin.

Alcohol: Control excess oil.

Behenyl Alcohol: An emulsifier that also keeps the oil and liquid parts of a solution from separating. Its other functions include altering the thickness of a liquid, increasing foaming capacity, and stabilizing foams. When applied to the skin, it gives it a smooth feel and helps prevent moisture loss. Many products incorporate this ingredient because of its unique sensory properties and non-greasy feel after application.

Arachidyl Alcohol: Waxy substance used as a thickening agent and emollient.

Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate: An emollient, binder, skin conditioning agent, and viscosity increasing agent.

Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate: An emollient, binder, skin conditioning agent, and viscosity increasing agent.

Dimethicone: Helps to improve the gloss, sheen and texture of hair.

Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter: Plant-based emollient as it is a rich source of fatty acids and skin-soothing ingredients. 

Hydrogenated Polydecene: Synthetic polymer that functions as an emollient and skin-softening agent.

Tricholoma Matsutake Extract: This extract from one of the longest-living mushrooms in the world, known to survive only in old-growth forests, is a skin-conditioning agent with pore-tightening properties.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: Tea plant native to Asia that helps fight free radicals; known for its antioxidant and anti-irritant properties.

Sodium Hyaluronate: The sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, which is a protein occurring in the skin. An excellent skin conditioner and humectant, it helps prevent skin dehydration.

Punica Granatum Extract: This extract of the pomegranate fruit is a skin-conditioning agent with antioxidant properties.


Lagerstroemia Indica Flower Extract: Improving wrinkle and roughness of the skin caused by photo-aging and natural aging.

Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract: Promoting ceramide synthesis and production of natural moisturizing factor help to cultivate a healthy skin.

Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Extract: Also known as cotton seed oil, this non-fragrant plant oil functions as an occlusive agent.

Centella Asiatica Extract: A natural, herbal anti-inflammatory and wound healer. Strengthen the skin, boost antioxidants in wounds, and increase blood supply to the area. It's also thought to boost the production of type I collagen and myofibroblasts.


Oryza Sativa (Rice) Germ Extract: This emollient oil is an excellent skin conditioner and antioxidant.


Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract: It has soothing and potent antioxidant activity.

Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract: Extracted from the bean; contains botanical ceramides used to protect and moisturize skin.

Magnolia Obovata Bark Extract: Derived from the plant's bark; used to soothe skin.

Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract: Helps to defend the skin oxidative stress by helping to inhibit the peroxidation of skin that cause skin aging.

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder: Tea plant native to Asia that helps fight free radicals; known for its antioxidant and anti-irritant properties.

Theanine: To moisturize and provide nourishment to stressed skin.

Epigallocatechin Gallate: One of the active constituents of green tea believed to be responsible for its many health and appearance benefits, both orally and topically. The chief benefit of epigallocatechin-3-gallate is skin-soothing and antioxidant.

Sorbitol: A humectant that helps skin feel smoother and less dry.

Beta-Glucan: Beta glucans are found in cellulose and in other natural sources such as oats and barley. Helps skin retain moisture and fights the look of fine lines. Skin-conditioning and soothing.

Arachidyl Glucoside: A mild surfactant (cleansing) and emulsifying agent, made from the condensation of arachidyl alcohol and glucose.

Propanediol: A glycol that can enhance the absorption of ingredients (such as salicylic acid) into the skin. Propanediol can be derived naturally (from corn) or synthetically. It has hydrating properties that may leave a smooth, dewy finish. Propanediol is a well-tolerated ingredient, not likely to cause sensitivity.

Cyclopentasiloxane: Lightweight silicone with a silky, slippery feel that functions as a skin/hair conditioning agent.

Dimethiconol: A silicone. Helps to improve the gloss, sheen and texture of hair.

Polyisobutene: . It is an  emollient & moisturizer, and prevents water loss. It's used for pigment dispersion.

Carbomer: Controls the consistency of a product.

Glyceryl Stearate: It acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. It easily penetrates the skin and slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. It has been shown to protect skin from free-radical damage as well. Used to stabilize products, decrease water evaporation, make products freeze-resistant, and keep them from forming surface crusts.

Peg-100 Stearate: An emollient and emulsifier. Known to clean the skin and hair by helping water to mix with oil and dirt so that they can be rinsed away.


Polysorbate 20: A surfactant, emulsifier, and fragrance ingredient. Serve as a dispersing agent and mix oil and water, work as a fragrance solubilizer and stabilizer, act as a lubricator, and have a soothing effect on the skin.

1,2-hexanediol: A widely used humectant and coupling agent.

Caprylyl Glycol: Skin and hair conditioning agent that may be plant-derived or synthetic. Often used as part of a preservative blend in cosmetics. 

Polyglutamic Acid: A humectant amino acid polymer (gamma-polyglutamic acid); used to promote smoothness and elasticity.

Kaolin: A fine white clay powder; used to absorb water and oil secreted by the skin, including excess sebum.

Ethylhexylglycerin: A synthetic skin-softening agent also used as a preservative, a carrier, or suspending agent for other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol.

Triethanolamine: Used in cosmetics as a pH balancer and emulsion stabilizer. 

Disodium Edta: Used as a chelating agent in cosmetic products, meaning it prevents ingredients in a formula from binding with trace elements (mainly minerals) that can be present in water.

Phenoxyethanol: A preservative.

My Thoughts: I should probably look into a product and how much it cost before I start testing it out. Usually when I buy something I have done research but I received this free with the with Sephora VIB, in the AmorePacific Deluxe Sample Set. When I get something for free I panic and just order it before really thinking about it. I didn’t actually know how expensive Amorepacific Future Response Age Defense Creme was until writing this review. Not only did I not known the cost I was surprised by the packaging. Amorepacific Future Response Age Defense Creme comes in an unorthodox packaging, the jar opens from the bottom to reveal a a stick tube full of moisturizer.

Amorepacific Future Response Age Defense Creme texture is unique as well, its mostly a rich and cream boarding on the thick side but more of a gel. I used this in the morning but looking back it would have been better using it at night especially in the summer. I hate wearing heavy cremes during the day. The scent is amazing because it reminds me of tea, and everyone knows I am a tea connoisseur! The smell of tea always wakes me up in a calming way. Its not overwhelming because the scent is gone when the creme is fully absorb. On application the creme melts into the skin immediately where I can’t spread it out evenly and I end up using more product than I should. The finish feels velvety which I love and its non greasy of course. When fully absorb I am left with smoother and firmer skin.

Would I purchase Amorepacific Future Response Age Defense Creme? Hell to the no. I honestly didn’t want to do this review once I saw the price. I have tested it for quiet some time and I didn’t want all that work to go to waste. Skincare is the most important aspect of my beauty routines. But I believe just because its expensive doesn’t mean it better with results.

Pros:

Free with Sephora ViB

Jar opens from the bottom to reveal a a stick tube

Rich & creamy

Tea scented

Velvety finish 

Non greasy 

Skin feel smoother & firmer

Cons:

Very very Expensive 

Thick texture may be better as a night cream

Scent is gone once absorbed 

Quickly absorbs before I can spread it out

End up using more product than I should

Price: $49.00

Claims: With refined artistry cuts, the luxe brushes in this collection offer high performance and infinite possibilities for every artist. Irresistibly soft, the bristles feature shed-resistant properties + advanced pick-up and release of makeup.

Exclusive 103 Angled Powder: largest head yet. the angled head blends seamlessly and contours to face.

200 Oval Shadow: the full, round shape allows for all-over lid application and seamless blending.

300 Tapered Blush: the specially-designed tip highlights and sculpts across cheeks for seamless finish.

My Thoughts: When the Bold Metals brushes were first announced I was drooling over them! Every time I went to the store I wanted to pick up Bold Metals brushes but I couldn’t justify buying individual brushes at that cost. For Christmas 2015 my husband surprised me with Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection 3 Piece Brush Set. It may be hard to find this set in stores now, however I have seen it at a few place recently with a hefty discount. I absolutely adore the design of the Bold Metals collection because not only does it look high end but it also feels high end. The handles are extra long and shiny. But the handles can be uncomfortable at times since they have a few pointy edges. Since the brushes are shiny and chrome the downfall is it gets dirty with fingerprints easily. The brush hairs itself are very dense. Each has soft synthetic bristles that do not shed or spilt off. They are all fairly easy to clean. This set is unique because it includes an exclusive brush that can’t be purchase separately, which is the 103 Angled Powder brush. However it is not my favorite brush, my favorite has to be the 300 Tapered Blush.  

200 Oval Shadow: A overly large dense oval shadow brush with a chrome silver handle. I didn’t like this brush at first sight because I thought the shadow brush was way to big for my lids. But after extensive testing I am madly in love with it, I can’t apply eyeshadow without this brush! With any eyeshadow when I dipped this brush into the pan the powder just clings to the hairs immediately. For application get a lot less fallout because the magnetic brush. I dab the eyeshadow onto the lid with little effort and my eyelid is evenly covered. It is crazy how it packs on eyeshadow like no other. When using dark eyeshadow on the lid, I take the domed edge of the brush to blend the dark eyeshadow out. Blending with this is so simple anyone can do it. I have used the Oval Shadow brush to apply concealer and it gets the job done. However I’d rather use it with eyeshadow. I clean this brush daily, its fairly painless when using powder. But when it comes to creamy textures like concealer the hairs do get stained. So far I have not found a cleaning product that can fully remove the stain.

300 Tapered Blush: A fairly dense tapered blush with a chromed rose gold handle. This brush is the whole reason why I needed this set. I immediately fell in love with it when it first came out . I only use this for apply blush. I gently swirl the brush in the pan then, I lightly swirl it onto my cheeks outward. I try not to be too heavy handed with this brush because it has a difficult time at defusing harsh lines. If I need more blush on my cheeks I again lightly build it up. After I applied my blush I use this brush to blend in my contour, bronzer and blush all together. This brush is not difficult to clean, I didn’t have an issue with stained hairs.

103 Angled Powder:  The only brush in this set that I can’t buy individually. The biggest and dense angled powder brush with a yellow gold handle I have come across. The weight of it is on the heavy side and it kind of gets uncomfortable when using for too long. Yet it is incredibly soft yet fluffy. I only use this with setting powder. My face is so little that I couldn’t use this oversized brush with my bronzer. I wasn’t too impressed with this powder brush. I had to have a light hand with every part of the application process. From dipping the brush in the product and applying it to my face. The brush has a problem with picking up and depositing way too much product. Washing the powder off the product is easy. However when I set my makeup with this brush some foundation gets on the brush, and it does take a little bit of work to remove from the brush.

Pros:

If you do find this set it will most likely be on sale.

Looks & feels like high end brushes

Dense brushes

Made up of soft synthetic hairs 

Doesn’t shed or split

Easy to clean

Includes an exclusive brush that can’t be bought individually

Cons:

Hard to find this set

Pointy edges on handles can make it uncomfortable 

Fingerprints tend to show on handles

Price: $2.99

Shade: Soft Browny Brows 02

Claims: Proud brows! The Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara has a tinted gel formula that contains tiny fibers to fill in gaps to create fuller, more defined eyebrows. The perfectly sized fiber brush shapes and tames to brow perfection. Not tested on animals.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water): Primarily used as a solvent in cosmetics and personal care products in which it dissolves many of the ingredients that impart skin benefits, such as conditioning agents and cleansing agents. Water also forms emulsions in which the oil and water components of the product are combined to form creams and lotions.

Alcohol Denat: Helps visibly control excess oil.

VP/VA Copolymer: A film former. Ability to inhibit the hair from absorbing moisture; it dries and forms a thin barrier on hair. It allows hair to hold a style longer by preventing moisture from entering the hair shaft.

Glycerin: Used as a lubricant and humectant.Helps to retain water to lock in moisture.

Acrylates / C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer: A film forming agent that's used as a thickener and stabilizer.

Butylene Glycol: A humectant.

Caprylyl Glycol: A humectant and skin conditioning agent that lends moisturization, emollience and wetting properties. It also function as a stabilizer and has been shown to increase the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives.

1,2-Hexanediol: A widely used humectant and coupling agent.

Nylon-6: A bulking and opacifying agent.

Disodium EDTA: Primarily works as a preservative, chelator and stabilizer.

Galactoarabinan: Hydrating ingredient

Sodium Hydroxide: A pH adjuster. Considered a strong irritant.

Mica: Provides visual and color effect. A light-diffusing earth mineral; used as a pigment in cosmetics. Also has skin-hugging properties. 

Iron Oxides: Pigments are used to enhance colors in cosmetics.


Titanium Dioxide: Colors the product.

My Thoughts: On one of my Ulta trips my friend was looking for Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara. She heard it was an exact dupe of Benefit Gimme Brow (I have never tried that either). Since Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara was so cheap, I didn’t think it would hurt if I tried it. Plus I never had tried a tinted brow gel before. The packaging is fantastic because it so compact and easy to travel with it. It comes in a small round tube like a mini mascara. The color of the tube is the same color as the gel. I am madly in love with the mini spoolie applicator. With the spoolie being small its easy to control when applying. I thought the bristles would be harsh on my skin but I was wrong. No matter how much pressure I applied it never hurt me.

When I was at Ulta I was debating to get Soft Browny Brows 03 or Soft Browny Brows 02. I went with Soft Browny Brows 02 because it seemed like a better fit for my brows. However since they are so cheap, I will most likely pick up the other one to see the difference in color. The texture is of course, gel but its not that thick. It also contains tiny fibers. Packed fibers help to thicken and add volume to my brows. The tint has the perfect amount pigment.

This was the first time I used a brow gel and to be honest I didn’t know how to use it. Nor did I know what the right method was. I explored 2 methods of application. The first method I tried was only to use Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara. Which was a bit of a challenge with lining my brows. I found the best way to actual get a line is to use the first row of bristles in an angle. I usually get a pretty decent line, but I still clean it up with concealer. If I ever make a mistake the formula is forgiving, regardless if it was wet or dry. Filling my brows was the easiest and quickest part of the application process. Glides on smoothly and effortlessly.  The second method I tried is lining my brows with eyeshadow powder. I filled it in with Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara. While I was filling it in I was using the spoolie to blend out any harsh lines left behind by the eyeshadow. I was impressed at how great the spoolie blended everything together. I still used concealer to clean it up a bit. I found the second method is better because its more cleaner and precise.

Either method I chose the gel formula kept my brow hairs in place until I wanted to take it off. I didn’t have a problem with patchy application. The only downfall is if over applying can cause the brow hairs to be crunchy and look over done with pigment. But I did find a fix I use a clean spoolie (so I don’t add anymore pigment) to brush the crunchiness out and blending everything together. Even with that one downfall I would still repurchase this over and over again because its that amazing!

Pros:

Cheap

Tinted brow gel with fibers

Compact, perfect for traveling 

Tube is the color of the tint 

Spoolie Applicator is small & easy to control 

Bristles aren’t harsh on the skin

Not a thick gel  

Fibers help thicken & add volume

Perfect amount of pigment 

Formula is forgiving wet or dry

Application process is quick

Smooth & effortlessly application 

Spoolie blends out any harsh lines

Keeps brows in place

No patchy application

Cons:

Can’t link brows precisely with this 

Have to use concealer to clean up. 

Over applying can make brows crunchy & overdone.

Lined with Tarte Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette in “Activist,” filled in with Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara in “Soft Browny Brows 02″

Price: $14

Claims: Our Mojito Lip Balm is as soothing to the lips as it is to the senses.  Flavored with (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito, our lip balm is scientifically blended to restore and replenish.  Our hydrating lip gel easily integrates for daily maintenance, prevention and treatment of dry, irritated lips.  Color and paraben free.

Ingredients:

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene: A waterproofing emollient. A moisturizer that prevents water loss.

Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer: A compound often used to create a gel-like consistency and stabilize the formula. Used emollient, or as a viscosity increasing agent. 

Ethylhexyl Palmitate: An ultra mild, skin smoothing. Used formulations as a solvent, carrying agent, pigment wetting agent, fragrance fixative and emollient. An organic replacement to silicone. It has a 'dry-slip' feel that is very similar to silicone's texture.

Tricaprylin: Has emollient properties and is used as a skin-softening agent.


Benzyl Benzoate: A clear, colorless liquid with a pleasant aroma. Mainly used as a fragrance ingredient and solvent.

Phenoxyethanol: A preservative that has the ability to kill bacteria, stabilize formulas, and extending their shelf life


Limonene: It is naturally occurring substance found in many citrus fruits. Colorless liquid with a light, fresh, and sweet citrus odor used to make fragrances and flavors. Also has strong antioxidant benefits and has also been shown to calm skin.

Citral: Fragrance

Bisabolol: Derived from chamomile. Moisturizing, soothing and brightening. Works as a skin conditioning agent. It enhances the appearance of dehydrated or damaged skin by reducing dry flaking and restoring suppleness to the skin. It also exudes a subtle floral aroma that is often used to add fragrance

Eugenol: Used fragrance.

Hexyl Cinnamal: A natural fragrance additive.

Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde: A perfume ingredient.

Butylphenyl methylpropional: A synthetic pale yellow liquid with a floral aroma.

Citronellol: A fragrance. 

Alpha-isomethyl ionone: Used as a perfume. A synthetic compound in the form of a colorless liquid.

Coumarin: Organic compound found in plants and derived from the amino acid phenylalanine. It creates the fragrance in fresh-mowed hay. An antioxidants.

My Thoughts: I received this amazing chapstick in one of my Ipsy bags a long time ago. I think it was back in 2015 sometime but I am not really sure. But what I am sure of is that I should have started using this as soon as I receive it because it is magical. It comes in a plastic white tube with blue and yellow lettering. I prefer a squeeze tube chapstick because I hate using my fingers to apply anything on my lips. It has the slanted top for easy application as well. The squeeze tube has the perfect pressure to where it dispenses the right amount of product out every time. Its has clear jelly texture that is thick and creamy. It is a little on the sticky side but not overwhelming.

Application is smooth every time. It leaves my lips hydrated and shiny. It also leaves a light hint of mojito scent hence the name, but sadly it doesn’t taste like it haha. My first mistake was over applying. I found that the formula would take forever to absorb on the lips and looked more like a lip gloss than a lip balm. The best is to use a small amount, in this case a little goes a long way. With a smaller amount it absorbs a lot faster and looks more like a lip balm with less of a glossy finish.

After using this for a week I’ve seen big results. Before I had really chapped lips because the weather changing and I wasn’t scrubbing my lips every week. But using this has changed my life. It really does restore and replenish my lips to its former glory! My lips have never ever, ever felt so soft. No more dry and chapped lips. It pairs perfectly with a lip scrub because the lip balm provides a a layer of protection. I hate reapplying I try to prolong the process as much as I can. With (Malin+Goetz) mojito lip balm. I can go 4 hours without reapplication. It even last while eating and drinking!

I feel like this is the holy grail of lip balms. It can be worn over lipstick. However I think its a little expensive for something I would use daily.

Pros:

Plastic white tube 

Dispenses product out perfectly 

Easy application 

Clear jelly

Thick & Creamy 

Smooth Application

Hydrating 

Shiny finish 

Light mojito scent

A little goes a long way

Restores & replenish lips

Creates soft lips

Provides a layer of protection

Last 4 hours

Prolongs reapplication 

Last while drinking & eating

Can be worn over lipstick

Cons:

Little sticky

Over applying formula doesn’t absorb

Over applying has a glossy finish

Expensive