Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Review

Hey everybody, today I've got a review on the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. This thing is pretty expensive, retailing for about 20 bucks, but I got mine on Amazon for cheap(er).

Before I got the Shu Uemura curler, I was using the ELF eyelash curler. The ELF one worked decently well, but I have pesky eyelashes at the outer corners of my eyes that the ELF one wasn't curling.

The thing about the Shu Uemura one is the shape. It seems to fit the shape of the eye better than other eyelash curlers I've tried because it is not as round. If you're finding that other eyelash curlers are not a very good fit for your eye, this might be a good option for you.

As far as actually curling my lashes, this does a good job. It gets every lash, even the ones in the outer corners that are hard to reach. The actual curl is really nice. Some eyelash curlers make a kink in your lashes, which causes them to point upward at a harsh angle. This one makes it so your lashes have an actual curl, and no kink. They are lifted from the root, which makes it looks like you didn't use an eyelash curler at all.

Is it worth the hype?
Depends on your lashes. If you don't have really pesky lashes at the corners of your eye that refuse to curl, I would say stick with a cheaper eyelash curler. Ultimately, if you've found an eyelash curler at the drugstore that you are satisfied with and isn't causing you issues, then I wouldn't spend the money on the Shu Uemura. However, it is a great tool, and I can see why everybody loves it. If you want something luxurious and you don't mind spending the money, go for it. You will probably like it just as much as I do. So, in short, yes, I believe it is worth the hype, but I would not advise you to spend 20 bucks on an eyelash curler if you already have a cheap one that works fine.


Sorry I've been lagging on posts, y'all. I'm back to school and working, so I've been very busy. I'm trying to get as many posts up as I can.

Much love,
Gianna

L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara Review

Hey everybody! Today we're going to be talking about a new drugstore product that I haven't heard much about yet. It seems like it sneaked its way on to the shelves unnoticed. I've only just begun to see some reviews, and they were generally positive, so I had to get my hands on it. Here's what I have to say...

The whole thing about this mascara is it's supposed to give fluttery lashes. It has a little wing on the wand that it supposed to help reach and extend the outer lashes. It has a plastic wand, which is actually something I prefer.
I will say, I like the packaging. It's very sleek and understated, which I appreciate.

Here are my lashes without mascara:

Here they are after one coat:

And here they are after two:

Overall, I like this mascara. I think "Butterfly" is a good name for it, because it really does give fluttery looking lashes. If you're looking for length and definition, this is a great choice. Also, I think this would be a great layering mascara. If you are willing to take the time and use a separate mascara over top of this one that is really volumizing, the combination is going to give you amazing lashes.

I like the wand. The little wing is actually easy to use and effective. It's not a very messy mascara like others can be. It doesn't get all over your lids or under-eyes. As far as smudging or flaking, this is the best performing L'Oreal mascara I've ever had. It smudges and flakes a little bit, but only if it's been a really long day. Generally L'Oreal mascaras flake and smudge horribly on me.


This gets two thumbs up from me. Not sure if it replaces my Maybelline The Rocket, but I would certainly repurchase it and throw it in the mix.

Much love,
Gianna

Urban Decay Vice 2 Swatches

Hey everybody! Last year when UD came out with the first Vice Palette, I passed it up knowing that I didn't really need it. However, I was kind of sad when it sold out because I thought it was a beautiful palette. When I got an email from UD saying the second palette was out, I was like, okay this is going to be mine. I've swatched all the shades for you guys to see. Feast your eyes on the beauty...

The packaging is beautiful, and pretty compact for a palette with 20 eyeshadows. It has a mirror on the inside that stretches the length and width of the lid, which is awesome. I probably will not depot these shadows, because the packaging is wonderful and reasonably small.

Swatches are left to right, top to bottom.

Smokeout, Lovesick, Shellshock, Coax, X-Rated
Smokeout is a very dark shimmery brown with maybe a hint of plum.
Lovesick is black with silver glitter.
Shellshock is a metallic silver. Very beautiful for a special occasion where you want something flashy.
Coax is darker pink with shimmer.
X-Rated is a matte light pink.

Prank, Madness, Strike, Stash, Poison
Prank looks nearly black in the swatch, but in the pan it looks dark blue. It almost has a duo-chrome kind of vibe going on.
Madness is a bright, but still dark blue with shimmer.
Strike is gold with shimmer.
Stash is an olive green with shimmer.
Posion is a charcoal color with shimmer.

Radar, Damaged, Voodoo, Betrayal, Derailed
Radar is almost an amber color. I believe it has both shimmer and glitter. It's very beautiful.
Damaged is an emerald green with shimmer.
Voodoo is like a grape purple with shimmer.
Betrayal is a purple-y duo-chrome color. It's very unique.
Derailed is a dark, taupe-y brown shade with shimmer.

Dope, Toxic, Habit, Ambush, Rewind
Dope is a light, soft pink with a satin kind of finish.
Toxic is kind pink-y mauve shade with shimmer. Definitely leans more pink though, but not the same kind of pink as Coax.
Habit is a matte, almost skintone like color. It is slightly darker than my skin.
Ambush is a shimmery brown.
Rewind is a matte, medium/dark brown.


What do you guys think? Are you getting this palette, or saving your money for something else?

Let me know!!

Love as always,
Gianna

Light, Natural Makeup Products

Hey everybody! Even though I am a makeup addict, I understand that a full face of makeup every day is just not feasible for most people. When I wake up early in the morning for school, the last thing I feel like doing is putting on some thick foundation, lipstick, liner, etc. Not only is a full face of makeup a hassle at times, it's also not very good for your skin.

I've put together four products that are extremely natural, light, and easy to put on and go. On days where I just don't care enough to do anything extra, these are the products I use.

Left to right: Covergirl Super Thick Lash Mascara, Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie, Jouer Matte Moisture Tint, NYX Blush in Mocha
Covergirl Super Thick Lash is pretty awesome for natural, but still nice looking lashes. When I don't feel like piling on Maybelline The Rocket (which gives tons of volume and length), I go with this. It lengthens, defines, and thickens my lashes, but still looks natural. It's a mascara that perfects your lashes without looking like you have mascara on. I really enjoy it, and it's super cheap at your local drugstore.

Revlon Lip Butters are really light and glossy. The shade Berry Smoothie is a natural pink color, very much like the natural color of my lips. It doesn't add tons of color, just a little tint and a glossy finish. It makes my lips look healthy and beautiful. I love it!

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint is just awesome. It's light to medium coverage, but way better than a tinted moisturizer. It perfects my skin, looks really natural, and covers just about everything I expect it to cover. I have a full review on it, if you would like to see what I think of it in depth.

Last but not least, NYX Blush in Mocha. This blush leans pink, but not too pink. It's completely matte, which is going to give you the most natural look. Blush is not really something that I think we should skip, even if we're doing a natural look. A slight flush to the cheeks makes us look healthy. Choose whatever shade you like best, but I think Mocha is a fabulous choice.

Here are a few swatches...

NYX Mocha, Revlon Berry Smoothie
They are quite similar colors. I totally did not plan it that way! Depending on your skin tone, choose the best color that suits you. I am quite fair with yellow undertones. I think neutral pinks suit me really well if I'm trying to look put together, but not overdone.


That's all for now!

Much love,
Gianna

What to avoid when you have Rosacea

Hey everybody. For about six months I have been dealing with rosacea and all the fun little things that go along with it. Rosacea isn't just chronic redness; it can also appear as "papules and pustules," burning ans stinging, an enlarged nose due to excess tissue, and irritated eyes. My rosacea sits under the "papules and pustules" plus burning and stinging category, which pretty much means that when I have a flare up, it looks like acne. When I first started getting flare ups I thought it was acne, and treated it as such. That was probably the worse thing that I could have done, and once I finally figured out what the heck the problem was, I started doing tons of research to figure out a new skincare routine.


When you have rosacea, that means that you have sensitive skin. When you have sensitive skin, there are loads of things you need to avoid, especially if you are prone to rosacea.


The first thing you need to do is stop exfoliating your skin. Yeah, that's right. Papules and pustules can make your skin feel very rough, like it always needs exfoliating. Before I knew acne wasn't the problem, I exfoliated the crap out of my skin, which only made it worse. Your skin needs to repair itself, so exfoliation is the exact opposite of what your skin needs.

As far as products go, there are lots of ingredients you need to avoid. Always looks for products that are labeled "sensitive skin," and go from there. I always choose products that are oil free, because I have oily skin. My nighttime moisturizer has oil in it, but that doesn't matter because I only use it at night.

Products that you choose should be free of drying alcohols (not all alcohols are drying, did you know that?), fragrance, witch hazel, and anything irritating like menthol. Toners are pretty much a no-go. They contain alcohol and acne fighting ingredients that are going to exacerbate your rosacea. I stay away from acne fighting ingredients because they can be irritating. If I do happen to have a pimple, I use a spot treatment only on that one spot to clear it up. This method works well for me.

It's really important to stay away from scented products. I've heard that fragrance is the number one irritating ingredient in skin care. Think about it- you're just apply unnecessary chemicals to your already sensitive face.

I have found that simple is better when it comes to caring for sensitive skin. I use my cleanser, my prescription treatment for rosacea, and my moisturizer. During the day I also use a sunscreen. And that's it. When I start overloading my skin with products, I can really tell that my skin retaliates.


Sunscreen is important for everybody, especially those of us with sensitive skin. When it comes to sunscreen, look for physical suncreen ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Physical sunscreens are far less likely to irritate the skin than chemical sunscreens. It's difficult to find sunscreen at the drugstore that uses only these ingredients. Your best bet is going to be products that are made for babies or are labeled as natural. Neutrogena Pure and Free is a good line to use.


Here is a really helpful chart showing the differences between physical and chemical sunscreens.

Drying alcohols that are irritating to the skin are listed as :

Isopropanol
alcohol denat
ethanol
SD alcohol
ethyl alcohol

Avoid those and you'll be fine.


Fatty alcohols that are okay are listed as:


cetyl alcohol
cetearyl alcohol
behenyl alcohol
lanolin alcohol
stearyl alcohol

These alcohols are perfectly fine because they are not stripping or drying.



I know this is a lot of information, but I hope it helps you in choosing the skincare that is right for you.


Much love,
Gianna

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint Review

Hey everybody! I have been hearing loads of great things about the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint on YouTube, so naturally I had to try it out myself. I mean, a tinted moisturizer that keeps me matte? Sounds good to me. It's certainly better than Dr. Brandt's BB Matte, which I have previously reviewed. Here is what it looks like:

The Matte Moisture Tint comes in five shades and retails for $38.00. You get 1.7 ounces of product, which is nearly double the typical amount of foundation you get in a bottle. Because you get so much product, I think the price is not too terrible.

The texture of this stuff is kind of thick, but not hard to work with. I would say work in sections rather than do your whole face at once. I almost want to say it is a cream to powder formula, but it isn't exactly. It just sets matte, and once it starts to set, it feels a little powdery. But it doesn't look powdery. It looks natural, with a demi-matte finish. This stuff has really awesome coverage for a product called a "moisture tint." I would say it has light to medium coverage, and it's buildable. You're not going to get full coverage out of this. But I find that it gives me a good medium coverage applied with my fingers (which is the only way I've applied it thus far). If you want full coverage, this isn't the product for you.

It feels very light and comfortable on the skin. It sits well and doesn't sink into my pores. It doesn't necessarily stay matte on my face all day. If you're really oily, expect to blot.

One of the absolute best things about this product is the ingredients. It is oil free, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and non-comodegenic. It has an SPF 15, but it uses physical rather than chemical ingredients to provide broad spectrum protection. This means that for those of us with really sensitive or rosacea prone skin, this product should not be irritating. This is probably my favorite part of the this product. It's really hard to find products with SPF that don't use chemical sunblocks.


Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this product. I like the coverage, I like that it's super natural, I like that it's matte, I love the ingredients, I like the hygienic packaging... I just like it all.


If you haven't tried this already, I highly suggest you check it out. I can see myself repurchasing this product many times in the future.


Much love,

Gianna

Favorite Drugstore Under Eye Concealer

Hey everybody! Under eye concealer is one of those things that I seem to change my mind on a lot. But by trying different products with different consistencies, I think I have found what I like in an under eye concealer. My under eye area can be quite dry, even though my skin is rather oily. Most under eye concealers accentuate the dryness around my eyes, which is a terrible look. I look for under eye concealers that are really creamy; if it is too thin, it accentuates my dryness. Products like the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind under eye concealer is very thin, and looks very dry on me. MAC Pro Longwear has a similar aging effect. Although I like Pro Longwear, I don't like the way it looks on me after a whole day's worth of wear.

The Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer is quickly becoming my go-to under eye product. It is supposed to have a "gel" formula, which makes a lot of sense. It kind of glides over my under eye area, rather than settles into the lines.

For right around six bucks, I think this stuff performs right up there with higher end products. It reminds me a lot of Tarte's Creaseless Concealer, which I really enjoy.

I have it in two shades, Radiant and Ivory. Radiant is a light pink color meant for highlighting and brightening purposes. Ivory is slightly lighter than my natural skin tone. I have been using Ivory a bunch lately, and I find that it does a fantastic job of brightening up the area under my eyes as well as concealing my circles.

As far as the way it wears throughout the day, I really enjoy how it holds up. I don't really find that it creases on me. It may sink into some fine lines a little bit, but unlike other concealers, I don't find that this makes me look old and dry under there.


Overall I just really enjoy this product. It covers well and performs at a great standard, especially for such a low price. If you tried the Age Rewind concealer and didn't like it, or if you're looking for something at a drugstore price that its moisturizing like Tarte's under eye concealer, I say give this a go.


That's all for now!

Much love,

Gianna

Cheap Brush/Beauty Blender Cleanser!

Hey everybody! Oftentimes we get lazy with keeping our cosmetics clean, but the truth is we really need to be aware of sanitizing our cosmetic tools. Brushes get covered in product, touch our face repeatedly, get dipped in product again, etc. It's a playground for bacteria to grow, and I know I certainly don't want that anywhere near my face. I already have enough skin issues to deal with.

I find that the best way for me to keep my brushes clean is to spot clean after each use, and deep clean every four weeks or so. I could probably do a deep cleaning more often, but let's be realistic. I have quite a few brushes, and it takes a while to clean them all. Every four weeks is pretty typical for me, and I'm okay with that.

Today I want to talk about deep cleaning my brushes, and a fantastic product that I have found to get the job done quickly and effectively. I used to use the Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser, which is just okay. I found that I had to use a lot of product for it to get my brushes clean, especially the really dense ones like my Sigma F80. It never really got the stains out of my Beauty Blender, which is just ridiculous. I also don't like that it's in a liquid form, because I find it inconvenient. Then they recently came out with the Beauty Blender Solid cleanser, which I have considered purchasing but could never bring myself to spend so much money on a stupid bar of soap, even though I've heard it's great.

So I started hearing others talk about their own methods, like baby shampoo, Dawn dish soap, etc, but nothing really struck my fancy. Today I was browsing the aisle's on my local Walgreens and saw Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Lavender Soap in bar form. I had heard a beauty guru talking about it, and I was like, that might be worth a shot.

I brought it home and tried it out, and let me tell you what, this is good stuff. I LOVE that it's in a bar form, it makes it so easy. I just run the bar under water and take my brushes to it. Swirl it around on the soap, swirl it around on the palm of my hand, rinse, and viola. It cleans my brushes so amazingly quick. My beauty blender was clean in a matter of seconds. This is really important to me, because sponges hold bacteria like crazy. It smells absolutely divine, I just want to bathe myself in the smell. They have many other scents as well, so if lavender isn't your thing, you have options. The only thing is, lots of oils are used in the soap. It's very moisturizing, but next time I might go with the peppermint one, just so it's a little bit more clarifying. However, if your brushes are really scratchy, Dr. Bronner's might be a great option.


The best thing about Dr. Bronner's is the ingredients. It's completely natural, organic, doesn't test on animals, and mutli-functional. Dr. Bronner's is known for the liquid soap, which can be used for absolutely anything- washing your clothes, your body, your hair, even brushing your teeth. I feel totally comfortable using this soap to clean my brushes. In fact, I feel better about this than any other cleanser, which likely has lots of chemicals and harsh ingredients that I don't want to put on my skin.


I highly suggest checking out the bar or liquid soap- whichever you prefer. It's cheap, effective, and totally natural. Can there be anything better?

What do you clean your brushes with?


Much love,
Gianna

Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eyeshadow Swatches/First Impression

Hey everybody! I stopped at my local Walmart today and spotted some Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eye Shadows. I'm not sure if they are limited edition, but they were situated right in with the rest of the Hard Candy line, so I am guessing not. I believe they are new, because I have not seen these before. I can't think of anything that I own by Hard Candy, although I have heard great things about their baked shadow duos and have wanted to get my hands on them for a bit. I've never gotten around to actually picking up any duos, but I saw these quads and I was like MINE.

Hard Candy is sold exclusively at WalMart. I bought mine for six dollars each. You can also order them online at the link provided above.

I bought four quads out of the five available: Brownie Points, Pink Interlude, Under the Moon, and Ivy League. The last one that I did not buy is called Smoke Mirrors, which has a lot of grey/silver shades.

Brownie Points, Pink Interlude

Under the Moon, Ivy League
I will say that I don't love the packaging. It's kind of bulky. On the inside there is an okay mirror, which is pretty cool. But other than that I find them to just be a little excessive in the packaging department. However, they're durable and good for travel.

Here are the swatches. The top row of each picture are the colors swatched dry, the bottom row are the colors swatched wet.

Brownie Points

Pink Interlude

Under the Moon

Ivy League

I haven't worn any of these on my eyes yet, but all I have to say is...wow. I'm really excited to put these babies to use. Dry, they are just okay, but wet, they seem great. The pigmentation is totally on point, they are metallic, the glitter shows up, it's just all around impressive.

I might just have to go pick up the last quad. I avoided it because I don't often wear greys and silvers on my eyes, but I might make an exception. For the price, I think these are really worth checking into.


What do you think? Do you have your eye on any of these? Let me know!


Much love,
Gianna

Impress Nails Review

Hey everybody! I am by no means a pro at nail painting. When it comes to beauty related things, makeup is my main squeeze; hair and nails fall by the wayside. I am always looking for polishes that are supposedly "long wearing" or chip-resistant, because I don't like to repaint my nails very often. Once a week is more than enough for me. However, more than once a week is usually necessary (although I rarely do, anyways) because I work part time at a local fast food place. My hands are always being dipped in sanitizer water, cleaning things, wearing gloves, washing dishes, etc. Also, my nails are quite thin and brittle, so acrylic nails are not an option for me. I find that my nails cannot handle the grinding down, acetone removal, or any of that stuff. Even gel manicures are kind of harsh on my thin nails. So, with all of these nail-related-woes, I am pretty much looking for a solution that is durable, nice looking, and kind to my fragile nails. Impress Nails have pretty much provided me with what I am looking for.

Impress Nails are basically plastic nails that have the glue already applied to them. You peel off the plastic layer to reveal the bottom of the nail with glue on it. You apply it to your nail, and it is supposed to stay on for up to a week. You can find them at pretty much any drugstore for around $6-8 dollars. They come in a whole array of colors and designs, and I believe there are both short and medium length options. Each pack of nails comes with many different sizes and multiple size options for each nail. You'll get two applications out of one pack. However, you may not have the perfect fit for each nail on the second application if you use up all of your correct sizes on the first application.

These are my nails with the tie-dye Impress Nails applied.

I have to tell you guys, I really like these. I wore just a plain french-manicure style set to Las Vegas for my 21st and I had absolutely no issues. I even brought extras just in case one were to pop off during my trip. I'm happy to report that they stayed fantastically, and I probably could have gotten another couple of days of wear when I was home and ready to remove them. I think that the staying power all has to do with your application, and how hard you are on your nails. Once you apply them, don't run your hands under water for at least an hour. I think this gives the nails time to totally set. Also, I wasn't working when I was in Vegas, so my normal, day-to-day activity was perfectly fine on the nails. They looked great, stayed put, and I was really happy with them overall.

The nails don't look like your natural nails. However, I don't think that's supposed to be the point of these. They are supposed to look like you did your nails all fancy. They don't look ridiculous or like plastic (in my opinion), they just look like you had your nails done by someone else.

I have a few small complaints that I want to get out of the way. With the french-manicure style nails, you can see the glue on your nail if you look really closely. I highly doubt it's noticeable to anybody else, but it's noticeable to me. You eliminate this problem when you use the sets that are totally opaque, like the ones that have a design or are a solid color.
My second problem with these is the price. It makes it better that you get two applications from one set; however, they are still pricey if it's something you're going to be wearing often. I don't wear these every day. But for special occasions or just once in a while, these are great.


Overall, I highly recommend these. They stay put for up to (and sometimes over) a week, they don't damage my natural nails, they look nice, are relatively inexpensive for special occasions, and are so darn easy to apply. I approve!


What do you guys think? Have you tried any fake nails?

Much love,
Gianna

Everyday Lipsticks From the Drugstore

Hey everybody! When it comes to lipstick, I generally turn to the drugstore. The only time I get a high end lipstick is if I am back-to-MAC'ing some stuff and get one for free. I think there are some great formulas at the drugstore that are definitely comparable to high end ones. Why spend the money when the drugstore has so much to offer?

Today I want to talk about "everyday" lipsticks. When I say "everyday," I mean those colors that just go with everything. They offer a your-lips-but-better kind of finish, and they are totally work and school appropriate. Nude lipsticks are probably my favorite, and I don't often venture into anything too flashy or bright. If you're looking for some ideas on great nude lipsticks from the drugstore, take a look at what I have collected...

Left to Right: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsick in Blushing Mauve, Sassy Mauve, Wink for Pink, and Primrose. Rimmel Lasting Finish in Airy Fairy. Milani Color Statement in Nude Creme. NYX Round Lipstick in Tea Rose. L'Oreal Color Riche in Fairest Nude.


And of course, swatches.

Left to Right: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsick in Blushing Mauve, Sassy Mauve, Wink for Pink, and Primrose. Rimmel Lasting Finish in Airy Fairy. Milani Color Statement in Nude Creme. NYX Round Lipstick in Tea Rose. L'Oreal Color Riche in Fairest Nude.


As you can see, I have a lot of the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks in this selection. This is my favorite lipstick line at the drugstore. Blushing Mauve and Sassy Mauve are very similar. Sassy Mauve is bit darker, but still wearable. It might be a great everyday shade for someone with darker skin. With Fall coming up, these are great choices. Wink for Pink and Primrose are great choices if you want something with pink in it. Wink for Pink is a bit more pink-coral. Primrose is a cool pink.

Rimmel Airy Fairy is probably my favorite of the bunch. It's just so perfect, not too pink, not too brown. I love it.

Milani Color Statement in Nude Creme is another fantastic choice. This is a very creamy, pigmented lipstick. The smell is kind of distinct... if you don't like lipsticks that smell, this might not be for you. Other than that, it's a great color.

NYX Round Lipstick in Tea Rose is fantastic. It's very pigmented, and a nice pinky-nude color. I have seen NYX at Target (Yes, TARGET!) lately. Hallelujah.

Last but not least, L'Oreal Color Riche in Fairest Nude. This was my long time favorite until Rimmel Airy Fairy entered my life. It leans pretty brown, but it's still a great shade. I'm quite fair with olive undertones, and I find it works well for me.


What about you guys? Do you have another great nude lipstick that you love? Let me know!


Much love,

Gianna

Curly Hair Update: Week Nine

Hey everybody! It's been about nine weeks since I completely cut out sulfates and silicones from my hair routine, and here is what's been happening...

My hair, as I've mentioned before, is still feeling really healthy and soft. I guess that's what to expect with the Curly Girl Method! Maybe I should stop mentioning this in these posts, but I have to admit, I'm still getting used to having such healthy hair. I know a lot of this has to do with my leave in conditioner (Kinky Curly Knot Today), which I am still really loving.

I haven't noticed a ton of change in my curls since my last update. However, I have not been wearing my hair down very often. I'm not back to school yet, so I haven't been taking the time to style it.

I want to mention one major change- I haven't been co-washing. I know, I know. Sounds like I'm abandoning the method, but I'm not! I have been using my sulfate-free shampoo for a couple of reasons. First of all, my hair always feels really dirty. Co-Washing is not leaving my hair as clean as I want it, and I'm frustrated. I think my hair is still going through a transition. I know in one of my previous posts I said I think my hair is used to the change, but I lied. There is no other explanation... I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do! I don't use silicones at all. Half the time I don't apply any product and just put my hair up in a bun. The only thing I can think of is that my hair is still transitioning.

Co-washing was making my hair clean, but I had to really scrub. I already have a lot of hair fallout, and I started to notice a lot more the last few weeks. I think that the scrubbing I had to do from co-washing was causing more hair-fallout than usual, and I certainly do not want that. Furthermore, even when my hair felt clean from co-washing, it never felt clean for very long. Over night my hair would just get gunky again, and I hate that feeling.


So...the only solution I can think of is using my sulfate free shampoo. I'm still technically following the Curly Girl Method, but I've modified it to fit my current needs. I don't need to scrub as hard, and it keeps my hair clean. You gotta do what you gotta do.

That's all for now. What have been your experiences with the transition period? Did you find it difficult?


Much love,
Gianna

Best of the Brand: Revlon

Hey everybody! Today I want to talk about what is probably my favorite brand from the drugstore- REVLON! Revlon has some absolutely great stuff on the market. Let's take a look at what products I think are the best.

When it comes to face products from the drugstore, Revlon can't be beat. Revlon Colorstay Whipped has no-joke coverage and lasting power, and easily holds up on my oily skin. When I want some major coverage on those bad skin days, this is what I'm reaching for. Nearly Naked Foundation is another great option if you want something lighter with less coverage. It perfects the skin in a pretty way, and is never over the top or cakey. I enjoy it.

Revlon has it in the bag when it comes to lip products as well. I adore the Super Lustrous Lipsticks- I have at least ten shades in my collection. If you're new to lipstick and you're wondering where to start at the drugstore, this line is a really good one. I like the formula a lot, and the color range is great. These are just simple, classic lipsticks that are never going to go out of style. One of my favorite shades is Primrose. The lip glosses (which have been recently repackaged, so they look different than what is pictured) are another favorite amongst beauty bloggers. Also, I recently picked up my very first lip butter (gasp) the other day, and I can see how everybody loves this stuff. I know I'm a few years late to the party, but I get the hype. They are hydrating, easy to wear, and have a surprising amount of pigmentation for something labeled a lip "butter." Last but not least of the lip products, the Kissable Balm Stains are really good. They have a glossy finish, but they most certainly stain your lips.

Also, I have to mention the lash adhesive, which is actually the only one I own. I chose this one because of the applicator. It's super user-friendly. I'm not a pro with lashes, so I appreciate a product like this that is easy to use and works well.


That's all for now!

What are your favorite Revlon products?


Much love,
Gianna

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencils

Hey everybody! Today I've got a review on an awesome product from one of the most inexpensive brands at the drugstore. Jordana has recently (or maybe not so recently...) come out with some eyeshadow pencils that are rocking my makeup world. I haven't seen these on the shelves before now, but maybe I'm just late to the party- it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

Sorry the pencils are so dirty! They are very creamy, and can get everywhere easily!

Stay-On Black, Eternal White, Pink Evermore, Endless Emerald, Continous Almond

Stay-On Black, Eternal White, Pink Evermore, Endless Emerald, Continous Almond
The pencils are called "12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencils" which is pretty fitting for how they perform. They are ultra creamy when you first apply them, and easily blended out. But once they set, they set to a totally budge-proof state. I tried these out without a primer (topped with eyeshadow) and didn't expect much. I have oily lids, and without my beloved Urban Decay Primer Potion, my eyeshadow is a wreck. However, these sticks totally held up throughout my day and were crease-free when I went to take my makeup off at night. They lasted all through my work day, the heat, the sweat, and general day-to-day wear that my eyeshadow goes through. I was amazed. For $3.99, it can't be beat.



I did not try these shadow sticks on their own without eyeshadow on top, so I am not sure what would happen if they were not set with powder. However, to me these are meant to be eyeshadow bases that enhance (or slightly alter, depending on the base color you choose) the color of your shadow. They work fantastically as bases.

As far as color selection goes, I think Jordana nailed it on the head. The only thing I wish they had was MORE! More colors, please! But for what is offered right now, the selection is really great. They have four basic, all matte shades that are amazing. There's a dark black that would be great for smokey eyes, a rich brown (I do not own this one), a matte white (NYX pencil in Milk, you better watch out!), and a very neutral color that would work to cancel out discoloration on the lid if you have a similar skin tone.

As far as colorful shades, they've got a teal (I do not own this one), a purple (I do not own this one either), a sparkly pink, and a beautiful emerald shade. The ones I have are quite beautiful.

Overall, I think my favorites are Continuous Almond and Endless Emerald, because these colors are amazing. I can see Continuous Almond becoming an every day product for me. Endless Emerald is simply beautiful, and with Fall coming up, this shade is perfect.


Have you guys tried these? Do you like them? Let me know!

Much, much love!

Gianna

Cheap Makeup Storage

Hey everybody! Okay so I have been in desperate need of a storage update for quite a while. For a long time I was trying to stuff all my makeup into a couple small drawers, and my vanity was overflowing with stuff. I had no space at all, and it was getting frustrating. I thought about getting a unit from Ikea, but I am a poor college student. If I am going to spend money on something, I want it to be makeup, not makeup storage. I started considering my options, and I think I came up with the best solution for me and my collection. This post is in no way meant to brag about the amount of makeup I have or anything like that. I am writing about my makeup storage to show you how to organize your makeup without breaking the bank.

Here is my makeup setup:

I have my vanity on the left and my drawers to the right. My vanity is from Target, and I absolutely love it (I'm pretty it's called the Shabby Chic Vanity, but I cannot find the actual vanity on the website, only the stool). I don't use the drawer on it currently, because I find it inconvenient to open and close every time I'm doing my makeup. I may use it in the future, but for now it's empty. On the right I have three Sterilite drawer units stacked on top of each other. They are called the "Wide Three Drawer Unit." They stack really nicely on top of each other. I could not find any Sterilite sets that had more than four shallow drawers in my area. I looked at WalMart and Target, and had no luck. I found a lot of sets with two shallow drawers and two deep drawers, but it makes more sense to store makeup in multiple shallow drawers. So, I improvised and ended up buying three, and I'm happy with how it came out. The good thing about Sterilite drawers is 1) the price (I got these for around $16-$17 each), 2) the convenience (you can find them anywhere), and 3) you can always add on to what you have. I spent about $50 bucks on the whole shebang, which is way better than spending $200 on a six drawer unit from Ikea.

Here are my drawers:

When stacked, the probably stand around 3 feet high. The height matches up really well with my vanity, which is awesome.

This is what I keep on top of my drawer set up. I have perfume, tissues, brush cleaner, my tweezers and eyelash applicator, q-tips, etc. I have a lipstick organizer coming in the mail. When it arrives, it will likely sit on top of here too.

This is my first drawer. I keep foundations, primers, and setting powders in here. I have a few little purple baskets in my drawers to separate products by category. I bought the baskets at Big Lots for really cheap. They work great, I need to pick up some more.

In the second drawer I have my blushes, bronzers, and highlighters. The ones that are too big for a purple basket go on the right side.

Third drawer houses my palettes. Palettes of any shape, size, or price sit in here.

Fourth drawer is for eyes. I've got single shadows and cream bases in the basket, and liners, primers, and mascaras on the right. This drawer is not totally how I want it- I need more baskets to separate my liners and mascaras.

Fifth drawer is dedicated to lip products. Once my lipstick organizer comes, I will need to buy more baskets to place in this drawer to separate liners and glosses.

The next three drawers are empty. Lots of room to grow, yay!

The last drawer holds extra stuff. I've got a palette I need to depot, some extra odds and ends, and anything else I don't use everyday but I still want to keep.


And that's all! I am really pleased with my new set up. I think it will work for me for a long time, and I have lots of room to grow as my collection gets bigger. The great thing about using Sterilite drawers is that once I need more space, I can go out and easily find more. I would not recommend stacking these drawers more than three high, though.

I hope this was helpful!

Much love,

Gianna

First Impression/Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Hey everybody! I recently received a sample in the mail of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation. I decided to give it a shot for you guys to see how it works on my skin. Let's get to it.

The foundation retails for $39.00 and comes in nice, travel-friendly packaging with an awesome pump. I do not own the actual product, but I believe the bottle is plastic, not glass. There are lots of shades to choose from, and the shade numbers ending in .0 are yellow undertoned, while the shades ending in .5 are pink undertoned. I personally think the price is a little bit steep. However, the finish reminds me of NARS Sheer Glow, which is more expensive.


I applied this foundation around 11:00 this morning with my Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki. This foundation applied with this brush has a good medium coverage to it. I found that it covered most everything that I wanted covered, minus some more red blemishes that needed concealer. The consistency of this stuff is very runny- so, for such a thin foundation, it has good coverage.

By the way, I used the shade 3.5 on my face and 2.0 under my eyes. I think 3.5 is a good match, but perhaps I should go with 3.0 or 4.0 because my body is so yellow (even though my face can be quite pink).

The finish was demi-matte. I liked the finish, although I wasn't blown away by how it looked on my skin. It looked nice- don't get me wrong- but it wasn't like I was amazed by it. However, I think I will have to try it with my beauty blender and see how I feel then. The way a foundation looks on the skin can completely change according to how you apply it.

It wasn't sitting in my pores, which is great. It also feels very light on the skin.

I set it with my NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder and went on my way.

I looked again at 5:00 and noticed a little deweyness, but nothing bad. I liked the way it looked still, so I didn't blot or anything. Also, I usually have issues with foundations on my chin and jaw. They often fade away or get splotchy. The UD foundation didn't do that at all, which was great.

Eight hours later, I can say that the foundation still hasn't faded, settled into pores, or gotten splotchy. However, the dewiness I noticed earlier has turned into a shine that doesn't look so good.

In the foundation's defense, I put it through a lot today. I was busy all day, walking around for a long time in the heat, moving stuff around, sweating, etc. After all that, I think the fact that it stayed on is pretty cool.

The bottom line.

Am I going to purchase the full size?
Not right now. But I might consider it later on when the seasons change. It gets oily after 8 hours, and I hate blotting and touching up. However, I need to play with this foundation a little more before I decide whether I want to own it or not. I like it, I don't love it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something medium coverage, light on the skin, and demi-matte, this is a good option. I would not recommend this to someone with very oily skin. If you have dry or normal skin, I think you would be okay. If you have combo skin and don't mind blotting, you may like this too.


I apologize for not having pictures of my face before and after applying the foundation you guys- it has been a very hectic day.

Have you tried this foundation? How do you like it? Let me know!


Much love, as always.

Gianna

First Impression/Review: Dr. Brandt BB Matte

Hey everybody! I recently got a sample of the Dr. Brandt BB Matte in a Sephora order, and I wanted to give it a shot and let you guys know what I think of it. The sample was only enough for one use, so this is indeed a first impression.

Dr. Brandt BB Matte is sold for $39.00 and comes in two shades- "light to medium" and "medium to dark." I tried "light to medium," which is a decent match for my current NC30 summer shade. It would probably be too dark in winter, but might still work if I were a bit darker.

The BB Cream is oil free, sulfate free, paraben free, and phthalates free. It supposedly is an "all-in-one oil-free beauty balm designed for oily/combination skin that provides instant mattifying coverage and oil-control for flawless, youthful, and healthy-looking skin." We'll see about that.

In addition to all that, it can be used as a moisturizer with SPF 30.

Here is a picture of my skin with the BB Cream on.

I applied it this morning around 11:00 in place of moisturizer, and the first thing I noticed was the smell. This stuff smells absolutely gross. I don't like it one bit. It doesn't linger on the face, but during application it's super noticeable. I haven't noticed anything online or on the sample that says whether it has fragrance added or not, but I would guess it doesn't. I'm not sure how to feel on the issue, because fragrance free products are good, but this stuff smells so bad that I almost wish they added fragrance just to make it less nasty. And if they did add fragrance, well I would just have to ask, what were they thinking?

Aside from the smell, I noticed that the product is pretty thick. It's not very blendable at all, and it feels sticky on the skin when it's first applied. I didn't like it. I want my moisturizers to glide on with ease.

As far as coverage, you aren't going to get much with this product. I could have used some concealer on some rosacea spots, but I didn't. I wanted something super light today, so what you see in the picture is just the BB Cream and a bit of mascara. This product has very light coverage, and I didn't notice it being very buildable.

Despite all this, it was pretty much matte on my skin. It wasn't like a normal moisturizer that leaves the skin a little shiny- it set to a demi-matte finish but felt reasonably moisturizing.

As far as wear throughout the day, I put this stuff through the wringer. I laid out and tanned for an hour, so I was sweating like crazy. The BB Cream does transfer a bit, and it's not going to keep your face matte if you're sweating. I don't think it rubbed off entirely. Once I was inside and cooled off, I noticed that the BB Cream has kept its finish and I was looking oil-free.

I also went to an indoor trampoline arena today and jumped for about an hour. I was sweating, once again, like crazy. But like before, once I cooled down the BB Cream was looking shine-free.


It's been about 8 hours and here's what I can say: this BB cream really does keep you oil-free. It's not a super duper matte finish, but it certainly never looks glowy, oily, or shiny at all.

The Bottom Line.

Am I going to purchase the full sized product?
No. It's expensive and it doesn't do enough for me. I like that it keeps me shine free, but the BB Cream doesn't really perfect the skin. I know it's not supposed to be full coverage, and I don't expect it to be. But I just don't love the product enough to purchase it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something really light coverage that will keep you shine-free (and you can get past the smell and the price), go for it. If one of my friends were looking for a BB Cream for oily skin, I might suggest this. However, I would tell them to sample it first.

That's all for now. Hope this was helpful!


Much love!

Gianna

What's in my August Ipsy Bag?

Hey everybody. I recently got my Ipsy bag in the mail (it seems a little late- tons of YouTubers have posted a video of their Ipsy bags already) and wanted to share it with you.

Honestly, I hate to start off on a sour note, but I am disappointed with this month's bag. I've seen lots of people on YouTube get some great samples, and I am so sad I didn't get any of the good stuff. What I got was okay, but I know there are others who got some really great brands with new items I want to try. Alas, I'm going to share what I got.

This month brought me a really cute bag. It's purple with some gold detailing. I like it, and you can always find a use for bags like this.

This is what I got in my bag this month. Let's take a deeper look...

First up is a Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub. I know that a lot of people will be excited about getting this in their bag, because Michael Todd skincare is all the rage right now. It says it's for all skin types, but I'm not sure if I will be trying this any time soon. I have rosacea, which can be triggered or exacerbated by exfoliation. I have to be careful, and my skin is currently on the mend from a flare up. Maybe when my skin is fully back to normal I'll give it a shot.

Next I have a Chella brow pencil. I swatched it and it seems like a good shade for my skin and hair. However, I do not fill my brows. My brows are quite full, so the only thing I do to them is run some clear mascara through them so they stay put. I guess this is a good product to try out for others, but not for me.

I also found a Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in my bag. This is cool, I'm always willing to try a new mascara. We'll see how it works.

Next I have the Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream. I haven't yet found a BB Cream that I like. Maybe this will be a good one, but I am not much of a fan of tinted-moisturizer-like products.

And last I have a Noya Cherry Lip Balm. Not that excited about this, to be honest. It's a lip balm. How exciting can lip balms be?

Anyways, that's what I got in my Ipsy bag this month. Nothing I'm over the moon about, but that's okay. It's only ten bucks. You win some, you lose some.

What did you guys get in your Ipsy bag? Did you like it? Did you not? Let me know!


Much love.

Gianna