Beauty & Books: Highlighter

Monday, September 14, 2015

Empties: September 2015

Welcome to my trash! Let’s take a look at products I’ve completely used up, along with my quick review of them. Some products I have full reviews on and if that’s the case, I’ll link the full review for you to read.

1.Lather Ultra Light Face Lotion (1.0 oz.)

I received this in my April 2015 ipsy glam bag and rather liked it. A little goes a long way and it absorbs into the skin nicely. I found this to be moisturizing and I would consider re-purchasing. It’s a good under makeup moisturizer.

2. Caudalíe Vinosource Moisturzing Sorbet (0.33 oz, 100 point perks from Sephora.com)

Love, love, love this moisturizer! Unfortunately, Caudalíe isn’t cruelty-free so I will no longer be getting this product. This moisturizer is really good for my sensitive skin—I felt it calmed my skin and kept it moisturized. I love the smell of Caudalíe products too—a slight grape scent. Tip: Cut the top off of squeeze-tube products so that I to get every last drop!

3. Caudalie Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water (1 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This micellar water was included in a Beauty Battle that you can read here. I really liked this product and it has the same nice scent that the Moisturizing Sorbet does. It is gentle on my skin and removed makeup well.

4. fresh Rose Hydrating Eye Gel Cream (foil packet sample from Sephora.com)

This eye cream is okay. I don’t find it to be particularly hydrating like the fresh black tea eye cream. I have a few more foil packets of this that I will use up, but I wouldn’t purchase it. It was moisturizing enough, but nothing spectacular.

5. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to Clear Pores (0.5 oz.)

I got this charcoal mask as part of a sampler set around the holidays last year. I didn’t feel that this mask did anything for me. It didn’t clear my pores, it only made my skin feel tight. I’ve never been a fan of charcoal-based products so it could just be me (although my husband didn’t like it either), so I would pass on this.

6. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (0.1 oz, deluxe sample size)

I don’t remember where I got this from, but I know it’s a great mascara. You can read my full review on this product here. This is one of the best mascaras I have ever tried. Benefit is not a cruelty-free brand so I wouldn’t re-purchase (and I also don’t buy high-end mascaras because why spend 30-ish dollars on something that you can only use for a few months, and there are great drugstore mascaras).

6. CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

This is a rubber bristle brush, so it’s pokey when you are applying the product. The mascara itself, however, is pretty good. It fanned my lashes out nicely and didn’t clump or flake. You can read my full review here.

7. L’Oreal Magic Lumi Highlighter Pen in 860 Fair

This liquid highlighter is a twist-up pen with a brush tip applicator. Mine is in the color fair and it has the slightest salmon color to it—this helps cancel out darkness around the eyes. I used this mainly on top of my under eye concealer, or on its own, to brighten up my under eye area. I liked this product but, alas, will not be re-purchasing because L’Oreal is not cruelty-free.

8. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Redness Correcting Primer (0.16 oz., deluxe-sample from Sephora.com)

This is a fantastic primer if you need to cover up redness on your skin. It is definitely a pricier primer (1 oz., $36), and Make Up For Ever has questionable cruelty-free status, so I won’t be purchasing. BUT, if MUFE was cruelty-free I would probably be picking this up at Sephora’s sale in November. You can read my full review of this product here.

That’s everything I’ve used up recently. What products have you used up? Any recommendations?

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.

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Monday, August 31, 2015

First Impressions: Starlooks LooksBook Mini X Resort Edition Subscription Box

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this Starlooks LooksBook in the mail because I already received my Starlooks Custom Subscription Box for August (you can read my review here). The LooksBook Subscription Box is new to Starlooks. It is $12 per month, includes limited edition perfect size (about ¾ of full-size) products and gift cards. The LooksBook differs from the Custom Subscription Box in a couple of ways: you do not pick the products you receive in the LooksBook like you do with the Custom box and the LooksBook is meant to be a collection of products that go together. Starlooks is a company that carries cruelty-free, professional-level makeup. Full disclosure: Starlooks was kind enough to send me this box free of charge to review, so a big thank you to them! With that said, I will still give my honest opinion of the products I received.

Information insert on the LooksBook Box

The theme for August is “Resort.” The box the products come in is very sturdy and has a magnetic closure. The box contains the three products and an insert that gives tips on how best to use the products. The packaging is very nice and definitely gives more of an “experience” than the Custom Box does.

How the box looks when you first open it.

Tips on how to use the included products.

I’ve used each of the makeup products once (I just got the box in the mail) and wanted to give you my first impressions on them.

1. Starlooks Water Eyeshadow in WS1 Aqua (0.08 oz/2.5 g)

This eyeshadow stick is in a very pretty, subtle aqua color with gold shimmer. This color is on trend with other “mermaid” type colors that are popular right now. The product looks like it is aqua, but when you apply it to the eyes the gold really comes through and it looks gorgeous. It is blendable and the color is buildable—the It is a wetter formula for an eyeshadow stick and is a bit sticky—but I imagine the stickiness helps the product stay put. I really like this color and you get a ton of product.

Value: $15 (estimate, this product isn’t on the website yet)

2. Starlooks Highlighter/Blush Duo in BHD1 Tropic/Ritz (0.06 oz./1.6 g)

The highlighter “Ritz” is a golden champagne and is very strong. It gives an intense, pretty sheen to the cheekbones and is not glittery. You can definitely tell that the highlight is there, but it doesn’t look chunky or fake. This could double as an eyeshadow as well. The blush “Tropic” is a nice peachy/orange that has a sheen to it as well. Tropic is nicely pigmented so you don’t need a ton of product. My only complaint is that it’s a little hard to pick up the product because the pan is so small.

Value: $13 (estimate, this product isn’t on the website yet)

3. Starlooks Lipstick in LS1 Jet Set (0.03 oz./1.0 g)

This lipstick is a coral that is on the pink side. It adds a sheer wash of color, but is buildable to semi-opaque coverage. Starlooks recommends exfoliating the lips before applying and I definitely agree. This lipstick applies patchy and clings to any dryness on the lips. This product is not for me—I don’t like the way it applies and the color is too light so it washes me out.

Value: $9 (estimate based on perfect size lipglosses because this item is not on the website yet)

Swatches (left to right): Aqua Water Eyeshadow, Ritz Highlighter, Tropics Blush, Jet Set Lipstick.

And here are the gift cards I received:

1. $15 Gift Card to Torrain

Torrain makes tote bags, wallets, handbags, etc. out of recycled plastic products. The products are very unique and I like that the materials are upcycled. You can find them at torrain.org.

2. $50 to Versa Swimwear

This website has a special section for Starlooks members only, a nice touch. However, the swimsuits start at $85 and are definitely not my style. I don’t think I will be using this gift card. You can check them out at versaswimwear.com

3. $20?? Gift Card to The Laboratory

This site sells affordable jewelry, clothing and swimwear. This site is definitely more my speed. Check them out at shopthelaboratory.com.

Total Makeup Value: $37

Total Gift Card Value: $85 (?)

_____________________

Total Box Value: $122

I feel like this is a really well curated box. All the products not only reflect the theme of “Resort” but go together very well. The gold in the eyeshadow plays well with the highlighter and the similarity in color between the blush and lipstick allow the aqua of the eyeshadow to really shine. I really love the aqua eyeshadow—this is a color I would never choose myself but it is gorgeous! These colors are great for Spring/Summer and definitely leave you with a beachy, fresh look. I wish this box came out before the end of August because Fall colors are right around the corner.

If you’re interested in signing up for the Starlooks LooksBook Subscription Box you can use my myreferral link or hop onto Subscriptions.Starlooks.com.

Disclaimer: Starlooks sent me this Looks Book Subscription Box free for review. However, all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment or free products. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you. This post is not sponsored.