Tag Archives: Review

Drunk in Love

Why has it taken me so long to weigh in on the boozed up ellies? I finally tried Drunk Elephant and I’m sold. I snagged one of their holiday sets so I could experience more of the line. It came with a full size of the B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel and minis of C-Firma Day Serum, T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and their signature Marula Oil. Since it was all so travel-friendly, I brought it all down to Miami with me last month and have been using the whole system since I got back. These minis last a long time!

It all works so well together and my skin has never looked so good without makeup. This line is effective but also really gentle. Take the T.L.C. Night serum – there’s a 12% AHA/BHA blend which is really effective at exfoliating skin and improving tone and it has a proper pH level so that skin is soothed at the same time it is being treated. There’s no fragrance, essential oil blends, citrus peel extracts or anything that can irritate skin. And the packaging is top notch – the serums are all in pumps so it isn’t exposed to air which can break down the effectiveness of the ingredients.

I use the B-Hydra Intensive every morning on bare skin. It’s an awesome base to layer other serums over. I think everyone could benefit from this serum but especially if you live in a cold climate and spend your day in front of forced heat (that’s me….plus a space heater at work!) It doesn’t leave any sticky residue like other gels, either. It’s so well formulated. As is the C-Firma. Unlike other vitamin C serums, which can be thin and hard to apply, this was recently reformulated to improve application. It’s a gel as well and has all of the protective and brightening heavy hitters: 15 percent l-ascorbic acid (that’s your C), ferulic acid, vitamin E, pumpkin ferment extract and pomegranate enzyme plus soduium hyaluronate to plump up skin as you apply. It’s a powerhouse.  I find I like to use the Marula Oil at night as a follow-up to the T.L.C. As far as simple oils go, this is one at its best.

I’m probably going to size up to full at some point and am also eyeing up the new Babyfacial. The high percentage of AHAs has me a little tentative but this review reminds me that this is Drunk Elephant we’re talking about so it probably works better than I think and then some.

Have you tried the line? Any favs?

Liquid Lipstick Courage

Best Liquid Lipsticks

I take my time with beauty trends. I’m not driven by what is now but rather what looks good on me. If it happens to be both? Hey, cool. I stewed over liquid lipstick for the longest time. Do I have the patience to wear something that long lasting? Will my lips look like a prune? Do I have to wear lip liner with it? Yes, no and probably.

I saw mastering liquid lipstick as a personal challenge; accepting the risk of shriveled chalky lips and bad 90s memories resurfacing. I persevered through the crumbly and cakey, the wrong shades and survived the experience of buying something from Kylie Cosmetics’ website.  In the end, I came out with a pretty sweet wardrobe of liquid lipsticks I LOVE to wear and hopefully some useful tips if you are liquid lipstick curious. Of course, all of the ones I love are basically the same color. It’s how I roll. And honestly, I haven’t been brave enough to go all in with a deep red yet. I’m hoping fall brings out the adventurer in me.

Bust out the balm and let’s dive in!

So about that Kylie Cosmetics experience. I had to try the Kylie Lip Kit for this to at all be a proper vetting. Everything sells out so quickly – in seconds — only to be restocked again days later. I tried to get one of her birthday mini matte kits but despite logging on as soon as the shop opened TWICE, I couldn’t get past the line. So I picked up the Candy K Lip Kit – apparently Kylie’s fav shade per R29 – as a consolation. I think I’m on the Kylie makeup train – the kit is solid. I’ve been wearing the liner under a lot of lipsticks, too. I found the color dried much darker on the lips which I didn’t mind. If you can get past the vanilla scent that disappears quickly, you might like this a lot.

Kat Von D Bow n Arrow

photo by Emily Prendergast

I’ve had so many people – IRL and on the internet – rave about Kat Von D. I believe her line is one of Sephora’s top 10 sellers and her Everlasting Liquid Lipstick was my gateway. I went with Bow n Arrow and WELCOME TO THE 90s! I had to take a light hand since it is brown but in moderation, this is beautiful and I love how it wears. It’s lighter in consistency but wears allllll damn day.  I’m wearing it in the above. It’s the only lip color I wore for the Michelle Starbuck Fall Lookbook.

I also wanted to try something on the lower price range and trust NYX. The Lip Lingerie is a little thicker and heavier but it is extremely long-wearing. The shade Bedtime Flirt is nearly identical to Kylie’s Candy K so there’s that whole ‘dupe’ thing going for it. Just be cautious not to overdo the application because it will cake. This was not my favorite of the bunch but for $6 it’s the best budget option out there.

bareMinerals Gen Nude

bareMinerals just launched an epic collection called Gen Nude. There are sheer lipsticks, glosses and a liquid lip color. I found the range impressive and deem this as the “for everyone” formula. It’s slightly more powdery in feel which means it doesn’t wear as long but it has a more natural look. I dig it – the pink shade Frenemy actually is on the brighter side of nude. Bonus points for being under $20.

Youtube beauty guru Huda Beauty is getting in on the makeup game and girl did GOOD with her version of a liquid matte. If you ever see the shade Venus in stock, go for it. It feels like silk on the lips and the color is perfection if pinky nudes are your thing as they are mine. It’s worth noting the adorable packaging, too.

Apparently, makeup artists and industry folk agree that Anastasia’s Liquid Lipstick is the best. I see where the praise comes from – it transforms so naturally and wears for a full work day. The shade Crush is the perfect feminine neutral pink and the rest of the colors also feel really modern.

My best results with all come from wearing these for an occasion versus a full day at the office. It’s not that they don’t hold up it’s actually the opposite. I’m almost too done, ya know? Anything you’d add to this list?