Testing Thursdays – Test Subject 0002: Sunday Riley’s Good Genes, Luna, and Tidal.

Hello everyone! For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing out some new (to me) skin care products from Sunday Riley; Good Genes, Luna, and Tidal.

I have definitely noticed improvement in my skin’s softness…seriously, my cheeks feel as soft a a baby’s butt…not that we go around stroking babies bottoms, but you know what I mean…I hope! ¬_¬ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyways, I’ve known about the Sunday Riley brand for a while, but I’ve never really bought anything as this is a high end brand, which is more on the “dolla, dolla bills, y’all!” end. However, one day I went into Sephora for a makeover. These are awesome because your Sephora rep will pick out different items from different brands to put together a look that you are wanting. On this fateful day for me, my Sephora MUA Edie decided to moisturize my face in the glorious wonder that is Tidal!

Ever since that day, I would always walk by the Sunday Riley section in Sephora, and waffle between “OMG So Pricey!” to “it works, it REALLY works!”, when one random day, I found a travel sized version of Tidal in the checkout line! *Fist pump of awesomeness* This way, it was a small enough product to truly test, to make sure it wasn’t a weird one off occurrence, and I didn’t have to pay full price, in case I didn’t like it. Sephora is also awesome for doing combo packaging, so I also managed to get the Good Genes and Luna together in the Power Couple Duo: Total Transformation Kit, so I could test along with Tidal.

I can honestly say, when I use these products consistently, my skin feels at it’s absolute best. I’m blessed with pretty decent skin, so I don’t have problems with major breakouts or acne. That being said, as I’ve gotten older, the fine lines and wrinkles are starting to appear. These products for me have 100% worked in reducing the fine lines on my forehead, and makes my skin glow and shine. I often go without wearing make-up, and after cleaning my face and applying these products, I definitely don’t want to put on any make-up, because my skin just feels that amazing! (✿◠‿◠)

The routine I’ve established with these three products is that I will use Good Genes in the morning, and Luna at night. I will apply these first, then give them some time to absorb in to my skin, before applying Tidal to finish.

Overwhelmingly, I love the products; they work for me and my skin type, so I’m happy. Out of the three, the only one that has a slight con for me is the Good Genes. Now the product works, and does what it says; the only negative is the smell! In almost every review I’ve read, the smell is mentioned, and unfortunately, I have to agree with those reviews. Looking over the product ingredients, I see licorice, lemongrass, aloe, and cactus. To me, that combination just doesn’t sound like it goes well together smell-wise, but all-together that combination works its wonders on my skin, so I can live with the smell, as the results greatly outweigh it! 🙂 10/10 would buy again! ^^v

Have any of you tried any Sunday Riley products? If so, please share your favorites and recommendations in the comments! ❤ x

February 2017 Birchbox Unboxing!

February is all things love, especially due to Valentine’s day. Themes of reds, pinks, and whites are abound, often containing hearts, lip prints, and bunches of xoxo’s! Needless to say, this month’s Birchbox fit this to a tee!

On the back of the insert, it says to “let your lips do the talking with this month’s samples” but for this month, out of the five samples I received, only one was lip related!  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Oh well, let’s move on to the samples!

For hair, I got two products, Oribe Crème for Style and Obliphica Professional Seaberry Hair Mask!

Hair masks are ALWAYS great to use, especially for my color treated hair. I’m lucky in the sense that I don’t have to use a lot of styling product in my hair, but come summer when the humidity hits full blown, it will be nice to see how the Oribe cream helps to tame the humidity frizzies I always get! XD

For skincare, I got Coola’s Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Matt Tint Natural BB Cream with SPF 30…is it me, or are the names of things getting longer?! XD

I’ve just recently started adding SPF face creams to my collection, so this is just one more to add to the pile of “to try” items, and see how it works. The fact that it’s a BB cream with a matte tint sounds lovely to me!

For makeup, I got the one lip product I mentioned earlier, and that is a Vibrant Matte Lipstick in the shade ‘Playful’ from LOC.

I’ve actually already tested this, and it’s a coral pink that does apply smoothly, but also has a drying-out feel. I think it’s a flattering shade that complements a lot of skin tones. My only suggestion would be to make sure you put on a lip primer or balm before this, as it can settle in your lip creases and give a cracky look.

To finish off the box is another perfume sample, Dream from Lollia by Morgot Elena.

This is a lovely scent; it’s described as a combination of Linden, White Tea, Bergamot, and Honeysuckle, but to me, it has a warm, powdery smell that is comforting, and reminds me of being a kid, and playing at my nanny’s dressing table. I could definitely see myself purchasing a full size bottle of this!

That’s it for this month’s Birchbox! If you’re also subscribed, did you get any samples that are different than mine? Please feel free to share them in the comments! x

January 2017 Birchbox Unboxing!

Oh hey, look! It’s my January Birchbox that I got like 3 weeks ago! Let’s unbox it before February’s gets here! *facepalms*

This month’s theme appears to be wellness, from the insert, which is GREAT! January is the time for resolutions and health & fitness is always one of the most popular. I have already failed by NOT making any New Years Resolutions, so that way I won’t be disappointed when I stop, so really I’ve actually won! Riiiiight…I’m rambling, let’s move on with this month’s samples!

My box came with SEVEN samples, two of which were bonuses. *gleeful Mr. Burns fingers* There’s actually a pretty good balance of makeup, skincare, and hair.

For hair, I got the Number 4 L’Eau de Mare Hydrating Shampoo, with a bonus matching conditioner. Claims to moisturize and color protect, which my dry and color treated hair definitely needs!

For skincare, I got the Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream and Sunday Riley’s Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment. I actually have the matching Origins GinZing Peel-Off mask, so I’m definitely going to be using these two together!! I also already have a deluxe size of the Sunday Riley Good Genes, which I’ve already been using, so I gave this sample to my mom for her to try, and see if she likes. I really like the product, just not too crazy about the smell!

For makeup, I got the bbrowbar Brow Definer in Cinnamon Spice, which swatches as a light-to-medium brown. It complements the Coastal Scents Revealed Smoky Eye Shadow Quad; colors in the quad are are a black, brown, mauve, and silver, all with a metallic finish. To finish it all off, is a perfume sample from Juliette Has a Gun in MMMM…, which actually does kind of apply. Not in the mmmm tasty eat food mmmm, but more along the lines of a cozy night in, wrapped in your favorite blanket, with a lovely scented candle burning, and a good book to read kind of mmmm. 😀

That’s it for this month’s Birchbox! If you’re also subscribed, did you get any samples that are different than mine? Please feel free to share in the comments! x

My Facial Skin Care Routine

Hello everyone! Hope you’ve all been doing well. ^^v

Recently, I’ve been trying to make better lifestyle changes, like working out more, and choosing healthier food options (slight struggle, ngl!). Another one of those changes is maintaining a daily skin care routine.

Skin care, you ask? Yes, skin care, I say! Taking care of your outside is just as important as taking care of your inside. Our skin is our largest organ, and our first line of defense against environmental factors, so we need to do our best to keep it healthy and strong. Taking care of all of your skin is important, but for this post, I am going to focus on the face.

Your basic facial skin care regiment should include a cleanser, toner, serum/oil, and moisturizer, based upon your particular skin type. There are always going to be variants, or extra steps you may want to include in your regiment (such as exfoliating), but these four will be your basic starting point. If you’re not sure where to start, I’d recommend the Find Your Skin Type: Skin Quiz over at ReneeRouleau.com. You will answer 11 questions, and based on your answers, you skin type will be determined, and you will be provided a recommended routine.

(Of course, their particular products are being recommended for your skin care routine, but you can still take the recommended list, and find similar products from other brands, to create your skin care regiment.)

My current daily skin care routine are all products from Tarte. (This may sound like an ad for Tarte, but I promise it’s not! #notanad XD)

I use the above pictured products twice a day. First, I start off with the Marine Boosting Mist, which is part of the Rainforest of the Sea collection. This is a 4 in 1 spray, that acts as a primer, makeup setter, hydrating mist, and a refresher mist, to help perk up your skin throughout the day. When I cleanse my face, this would be my 3rd step, after exfoliating & cleaning, then toning. (I only cleanse 2 to 3 times a week because when cleansing daily, my skin would get too dried out, so I’ve modified my routine to what works best for my skin.)

After misting, I’ll apply the Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment. Composed of maracuja (passion fruit), Vitamins A, C, & E, and other botanicals, this eye cream helps to add extra hydration, as well as firming and brightening. Let me tell you, my dark circles need all the help they can get! With a little on your fingers, just gently dab under your eyes, and along the brow bone.

Once the eye cream is on, I will apply Maracuja Oil to the rest of my face. You may think it’s weird to put an oil on your face, but you use such a small amount, that you aren’t drenching your face in oil. Just a few drops is all it takes, and you just pat on, to get some extra hydration. A bonus about Maracuja Oil is that it’s a multi-purpose item. Aside from using on your face, you can also use on dry cuticles, help condition your hair’s split ends, or use on any rough patches of skin, to help soften.

After applying the oil, I will finish up my routine by using the Drink of H20 Hydrating Boost moisturizing gel, which is also from the Rainforest of the Sea collection. As this is a gel, the good thing is that you don’t have to use a whole lot, as it spreads smoothly and evenly, leaving your skin super moisturized.

I have really come to love Tarte products, because not only do they actually work, they are also cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients; no parabens or other synthetic materials included. Major win!