Happy Friday everyone!
If you noticed that lately you’re more prone to getting sunburned all of a sudden, certain medications may be the culprit. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and antihistamines like Benadryl can cause you to be more sensitive to the sun. Always use sunscreen and wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses to further protect you from the sun.
Have a great weekend and make sure to stay hydrated and protected.
Stephanie
Happy Thursday everyone!
I was excited when I saw Sephora had a mini Bobbi Brown Shadow Stick as part of their rewards system and with my new found appreciation for shadow sticks, I had to pick one up.
Eyeshadow sticks are a convenient item to have as they are quick and easy to apply, streamlining your makeup routine when you’re in a hurry. You just glide the product on your eyelid and underneath your bottom lash line, with minimal to no blending required. There’s no worry about powdery fallout and you can store these in your purse for on the go.
As you already know, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil was included in my Summer Must Have On the Go Beauty and with great reviews, I wanted to see how it compared to the Bobbi Brown ones. So, let’s get started.
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Shadow, $29 (smokey blue grey)
Described as “a long-lasting, waterproof eye shadow that glides on easy like a stroke of genius.” It’s a smokey blue grey color that has a matte texture (i.e. no shimmer)
Pros
Long lasting and won’t crease with a primer
Glides on the eyelid easily
Rich pigmentation
Good variety of shades
Twist up container so you don’t need a sharpener
Cons
Splurge item at $29 each (I have a sample so the actual product is bigger)
It takes a little bit of effort to blend in
Heat mushes up the texture which can affect the application process
Wide rounded tip makes it difficult to apply on the waterline
Overall: I do like this product but I don’t love it. Although the pigmentation is amazing and it doesn’t crease, I found blending out this product was difficult to do, perhaps because of the matte texture. You are required to blend this out since it’s a darker color and if you don’t want harsh lines to show. One thing worth mentioning is that since the weather has been hot, somehow the heat really softened it up and caused a mushy like consistency. While it still retained its shape, when I applied it, it kind of broke off a little.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha
Described as “a radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow.” It’s a bronzey, gold color that has a little bit of shimmer.
Pros
Budget friendly $4.50
Easy application + formula glides on easy
A wide range of colors
Pencil like tip makes it easy to line the waterline
Cons
Requires a larger sharpener
Does tend to crease after a while even with primer
Takes a few passes to build up the color
Overall: I love everything about the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil except the wear time. I get about 5 hours of wear before it starts to crease, about 3 if it is really hot an humid outside. I then find myself needing to reapply or at least blend in the product so that the crease marks don’t show. Applying a similar shadow underneath does help with this product staying on longer but it adds an extra step. However, this blends easily and I had no problem using it as a liner, thanks to the pencil like tip- perfect for creating a quick smokey eye look.
Have you tried shadow sticks? Which ones are your favorite?
Stephanie
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I have some quick news to share in case you missed it. The lovely Aimee from The Peachy Queen Blog has reserved a spot for me every Saturday on her blog so if you have any questions or concerns about anything beauty related, please feel free to leave a comment there or contact me here. If you love fashion, you’ll love her blog and boutique. That’s all the updates for now, so let’s get started with the review. 🙂
Micellar water is one skincare item that has been trending lately and being a skincare geek, I had to see what all the rave reviews were about. Yes, I know I’m a little late but I’ve been asked by a few people what my opinion on this is so I decided to pick up the Simple Cleansing Micellar Water at my local CVS.
What is Micellar Water?
Micellar water is basically a type of surfactant formulated to be attracted to oil, allowing it to grab oil, dirt and debris while rinsing away clean. A surfactant is an acronym for surface active agent that “reduces surface tension between the skin and the product to increase product spreadability.” Surfactants can be found in facial cleansers, soaps, body washes and shampoos and are what allow oil and water to mix, or emulsify. Surfactant molecules have oil loving tails (lipophilic) and water loving heads (hydrophilic) that make it easy to trap oil, dirt and makeup and allow easy removal.
Below is an image taken from my notes in my UCLA Cosmetic Chemistry class that gives you a visual of what it looks like. (Please forgive my messy handwriting.)
What’s the Appeal?
Since micellar water has a higher water content, it can wiped away with a tissue or cotton pad with little to no residue left behind. It’s also why it’s popular for sensitive skin types as it does not require water to be rinsed off.
Pros
Economic price point, $7.99
No added fragrance
Includes niacinamide which soothes inflammation and panthenol which is used as an emollient/moisturizer.
Good light eye-makeup remover
Cons
May not be enough for oily skin types
Doesn’t remove heavy makeup easily
Can leave a little bit of residue feeling behind
Overall: I do really like this micellar water as a first cleanse when I am wearing minimal makeup. Unless I’m having a lazy skincare day (yes, I do have those days though they aren’t often), I find I need to follow up with my normal cleanser as it seems to leave a little bit of a residue feeling behind. This is excellent for removing light eye makeup and doesn’t irritate my eyes at all. If I’m wearing more makeup, I use an oil based cleanser instead as it breaks down makeup faster and easier versus the micellar water. My skin doesn’t feel stripped but it doesn’t feel very hydrated either-I still have to follow up with my moisturizer. I think this would be a good addition to your skincare routine but I would recommend that you follow up with the serums/moisturizers that work best for your skin type as I feel using only this product alone isn’t enough.
I know the first part is a like a mini chemistry lesson and a bit difficult to take in at first read but hopefully you were able to get a visual picture of how it works. 🙂
Have you tried micellar water or have any questions regarding it? Leave a comment below!
Stephanie
It’s Friday and I’m back with my weekly tips!
Since I’ve upped my exercise routine the last two weeks I was reminded of how important this tip is. Applying a light-weight moisturizer helps prevent that uncomfortable and tight feeling on your skin since exercising makes your skin lose moisture. And of course, if you’re exercising outside, don’t forget your sunscreen.
Have a great and safe weekend everyone!
Stephanie
Hi guys! August’s PopSugar Must Have box has arrived and if you haven’t heard of this it’s a monthly box whose items range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. Subscription plans start at $39.95, all items are full size and are valued at over $100. Curious to see what was included? Keep reading!
The inspiration behind the box
Contents of the box + Description
Happy Jackson Yay Lunch! Lunch Box, $10
Step aside ziplock bags, there’s a cute yellow box that will now be used to store my snacks.
Meri Meri Toot Sweet Stripe Napkins, $5.95
Chic pink striped napkins that are versatile enough to use for birthdays, baby showers or picnics.
Folgers Iced Cafe Caramel Macchiato Flavored Coffee Drink Concentrate, $4.99
Perfect for those days when you’re craving an iced coffee but a trip to Starbucks is out of the question. This item was considered a ‘special extra’.
Pastel Best Day Ever Mug, $12
A dishwasher and microwave-safe mug that starts you off on a positive note whether you’re enjoying coffee or tea.
Royal Apothic Tea Balm Firming Eye Treatment, $36
An eye cream containing peptides that is said to smooth fine lines while “super extracts banish dark circles.” I’m not entirely convinced of banishing dark circle claim but excited to try this out anyway.
Southern Culture Shortstacks Pancake and Waffle Mix, $7.99
A pancake and waffle mix that is birthday cake flavored? The weekend can’t come soon enough!
American Colors Mediterranean Plaid Scarf, $79
With fall around the corner, a scarf made from 100% cotton gauze was included as our go-to accessory. We’ll see if California weather will allow for scarfs.
Not pictured
MyYogaWorks 3-Month Trial, $45
A 3-month online trial that let’s you practice yoga with over 700 online classes available to choose from.
Overall, I will be making use of all the products here so I’m happy with the contents of the box.
What are your thoughts?
Stephanie
Hi everyone! I’m back! These past two weeks have been a rollercoaster catching up with friends and family, getting in plenty of workouts, my grandma being hospitalized for a few days-she’s okay now thank God-working, testing out products, and watching a couple of seasons of Parks and Recreation. It’s literally, one of my favorite shows at the moment. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll understand this reference. 😉 Also, I am now stephieestie.com which will hopefully make it easier for people to follow me. Super excited about this!
While it was great taking a much deserved break, I must say it’s nice to be back into the swing of things which brings me to today’s post. This moment away from blogging and a post written by Karen from Confetti and Curves (hi Karen!) made me reflect on 6 things I’ve learned so far about being a blogger.
Support Group
One of the biggest surprises I’ve encountered as a blogger is the immense encouragement and support from fellow bloggers, readers and family. They are people from all over the world who are willing to lend a hand when you need help whether it’s a technical issue, their honest thoughts on new products or accepting to work with you on a collaborative post. Absolutely incredible.
New Ventures + Consistency
Starting a blog teaches you to reach out into an unknown world, forcing you to step out of your comfort zone which is a necessary facet to grow as an individual. Luckily, as stated in the aforementioned section, there’s a great support group of people. Blogging also teaches you that with consistency, patience and hard work, your little corner on the web starts to grow and opportunities you never thought of begin to present themselves.
Creativity + Vocabulary Skills
I’m constantly thinking of what could be a new blog post or what places would be best to capture the essence of a post and I really enjoy this. With everything I read and learn, I get excited to share this information with all of you. Having a background in writing, I’m used to making good use of the thesaurus and blogging is no different. It’s a handy tool to have when you’re looking for ways to describe products not to mention an excellent way to build up your vocabulary skills.
Sharing the same interests…and fears
The most obvious aspect of course is that regardless of your interests, you’ll find people who share the same passion on the same subject as you. As a beauty blogger, this means I can share my excitement about the latest beauty launches without that blank stare of indifference I normally get. You also get to understand that the fears that plague you are also shared by fellow bloggers. From something as small as hating the sound of your voice to insecurity, we’re all scared of something yet you’ll find that you begin to slowly overcome those fears or at the very least know that you’re not alone.
Picture Perfect
As a beauty blogger, showcasing pictures of products and swatches is vital and you really come to appreciate the art that is photography. Now, while I will never be a professional photographer, I have paid attention to and learned different aspects about photography including product placement, lighting, editing, etc.
Can any of you relate to this? Let me know in the comments below!
Stephanie
Hi guys! Just a quick note that I will be taking a 2 week blogging break and will be back August 18. 🙂
In the meantime, feel free to go through my blog and catch up on posts you may have missed and if you need a starting point, check out my top three most popular blog posts below.
Oribe Gold Lust Collection Review
ColourPop Blushes + Eyeshadows Review
What’s Your Opinion on Subscription Boxes?
Also, you can find me on the following Social Media platforms-feel free to leave your links below and I’ll follow you back!
Thank you so much for your support and I’ll be back soon!
Stephanie
Happy Friday everyone! Can’t believe another week has flown by!
It’s that time again for my Friday skin tip. 🙂
If you find that applying eye cream directly under your eyes causes irritation, try applying it on top of your cheekbone (zygomatic bone) with your ring finger at night. The eye cream will slowly migrate upwards throughout the night.
Stay safe and hydrated this weekend!
Stephanie
Hi everyone!
With July almost behind us, it’s that time again to share my favorite products that I’ve been loving. Let’s hop to it!
YSL Rouge Pur Couture in 23 Corail Poetique
After trying out a couple of Chanel lipsticks that didn’t work for me, I decided to try the YSL Rouge Pur Coture lipsticks as I’m already a huge fan of their Glossy Stains. This lipstick does not disappoint. I was looking for a nice peachy nude color and while most of them are too sheer, this one has just enough opaque coverage to change my lip shade while still looking natural. The formula glides smoothly and has decent staying power but wears off with drinking and eating. Overall, a good high end lipstick to try.
Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie in Speak Your Mind
An oldie but goodie, I’ve found myself reaching for this lipstick a lot this month. Since I have kept this as a backup lipstick in my purse, I’ll usually be wearing this shade at the end of the day despite starting off my morning wearing a different lipstick. It’s kind of mauve pink that looks great with a lot of looks and it’s one of the very few lipsticks I can wear where I don’t feel the need to apply lipgloss on top. It’s not a buttery lipstick but it has just enough glide to feel comfortable and a tiny bit of shine.
SkinMedica Age Defense TNS Eye Repair
I have a few samples of these and have recently rediscovered them. The fast absorbing and non-greasy texture makes this easy to work with plus the blend of peptides, retinol and vitamin C and E help firm, brighten and smooth the eye area. I don’t have any lines around my eye area yet but it does tend to get dehydrated and this cream does an excellent job of moisturizing without irritating me and I don’t have to worry about developing milia.
Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Masque with Hyaluronic Acid
Lately my skin has been acting weird, sporadically breaking out and feeling dry-I blame the crazy California weather for this. I keep this in the fridge and apply it to areas that feel tight and need moisture. Although it’s a dense and creamy yogurt like formula, I don’t have an issue with breaking out and my skin feels moisturized and soothed afterwards. And yes, this smells faintly of strawberries which is a nice bonus.
Nelson J Beverly Hills Argan Oil 7 Moisture Healing Mask
A sample I received through Birchbox, I instantly fell in love with this. Its coconut scent instantly reminds me of summer and is a great choice for summer use. The instructions even state that it can be used before swimming to protect hair from damage. It’s not as thick as other hair masks I have tried but that in no way affects its performance-hair instantly feels smoother and hydrated. I have curly hair and this really helps smooth out the frizz factor and makes detangling easy. I will definitely be purchasing the full size soon!
Aside from these, I’ve already shared a ton of favorites in my Summer Have Series and if you’re new or have missed a few posts, make sure you check out my beauty guide for everything hair, nails, skincare, lip products, eye and face makeup, blushes and travel.
What are your July favorites?
Stephanie
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I had a great and relaxing weekend filled with yoga, massage, Pressed Juicery and Urth Caffe goodness. 🙂
I’m back today with products that are compact and simple to use. Travel and purse friendly, see what products are great to get when you’re on the go!
Hair and Body
Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder
Toss this in your purse to refresh your hair on the go. The powder quickly blends into the hair, absorbing any excess oil and is perfect if you have bangs that start to stick to your forehead after a few hours.
Davines SU Hair and Body Wash
Streamline your shower routine by using this gender neutral scented item that cleanses skin and hair but won’t leave it feeling stripped.
Spongelle
Included in June’s PopSugar Must Have, you can save time and space with this soap infused body buffer. Just wet the sponge and enjoy a rich lather that will leaves your skin (and bathroom) lightly scented.
Face
Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes
One of the best makeup remover wipes I have tired, these oil saturated towelettes break up makeup and sunscreen quickly without any harsh tugging or pulling.
Makeup
Fresh Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15
Easy to apply, this lip balm requires no mirror, protects lips for the sun and is on trend with this season’s berry lip!
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (my shade: Light 2 Vanilla)
The doe foot brush and formula conceals imperfections with a few dabs underneath your eyes.
*Note: If you’re concealing blemishes, dab some first onto a clean finger and then apply to affected area to prevent cross contamination.
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (my shade: Iced Mocha)
Eyeshadow sticks are virtually the foolproof way to apply eyeshadow. Glide some over the eyelid for day and take it up a notch at night by applying it to the lower lash line along with black eyeliner.
Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour
Featured in my June Favorites, this product sculpts your face with ease, no brush required.
What are your favorite travel friendly items?
Stephanie