Philosophy: Dark Spot Corrector

Before with no makeup

I've been dealing with acne-prone skin for a long time. I didn't have that much acne, until I turned 18. Now, in my 30's the acne, comes and goes. But I'm still left with all the dark spots, from recently picking at pimples.  I've been searching for many products over the years, spending countless amount of money and time, to find results. They're all the same, nothing but a subtle change in color.

 Philosophy has been one of my favorite brands for a long time, since I first discovered makeup at 16-17 years old. From their amazing body wash scents, cleansers, and perfumes. I'm in love with this brand and I can't wait to try new product innovations.

 I recently received a sample size of Philosophy's Dark Spot Corrector in my Sephora package. I haven't been introduced to this product before and decided to give it a chance.  When, I read the word "corrector," I assumed it was something about makeup and not skincare. The package is the same paragraph description on the front of the package, usually giving directions, explanations, or recipes for their products.

I have honestly tried this product for a month, after my nightime face washing, lotion, and then the dark spot corrector. I will show you before and after, but I can't tell you how grateful I am for the invention of this product and the miracle work it did. I started applying it after 1 week, a saw a subtle change. Week 2, a change was more visible. Week 3, most of acne dark spots were less visible, making a lighter hand at applying foundation and concealer.

Week 4, A tinted moisturizer or light foundation needed. Now, I've never just applied anything less than Full Coverage Foundation. Walking outside with some tinted moisturizer and setting spray. I'm so extastic!! I have been wearing light water-based tint or colored foundation for once in my life.

I will be forever thankful to Philosophy creators of this product for not only creating another product that does what it claims. More importantly, creating more skin/face confidence for this acne-prone gal.

For more info, Philosophy Dark Spot Corrector

Elf Cosmetics: Lip Stain

Product: Lip Stain

Maker: Elf Cosmetics

Color: Pink Stain

Review:

I was walking through the makeup isles and I wanted to try Elf Cosmetics Lip Stain. For $2, the price isn't bad and I was hoping I would get a great deal. The color especially is what attracted me. I have a pink tint in my natural lipcolor. I wanted to bring out that color, so I wouldn't be applying it all the time. So, I tried it on,  the color was a little hard to see. At first, I thought you had to twist it like Stila, but that wasn't the case, you are suppose to shake to activate color flow. After doing that, I really couldn't see the color. In fact, my marker was 1/4 of the way dry, the tip was extremely dry. I had to carefully use it sideways, just to get it to work.  I didn't like the color, so I apply MAC's Angel Lipgloss on top and that's what you see in the picture.

It was a fail.

Recommend: No, don't even waste your time, buy some lashes instead.

Swatch Time! MAC Lips

Swatching away at night, I decided to pick out my lipstick for a birthday party I'm going to . SO...after many swatches, here's what I got.  I decided to go with MAC Fashion Set collection in Heroine Lipglass.

From Bottom (all MAC unless otherwise stated)

Heroine

Ablaze

Candy Yum Yum Bright

RiRi Woo

Impassioned

Ruby Woo

Silly

Syrup

Girl about Town

Angel

Snob

Next Time I'll take pics of my other hand too, There were more!

KHROMA 24K Prime Gel

24K Primer Pictorial 

I'm a big fan of the Kardashian makeup, they're usually always flawless when it comes to makeup. The recent launch of their own personal makeup Khroma, promises to give you a glow using this golden glitter gel product.

Truth: The packaging is basic, but the color of this primer is what attracted me to it. Five minute gel that is applied after you wash your face. The gel looks a lot like craft glue and quite a similar smell. After a quick five mins, I washed it off and my skin felt very soft and smooth.

CONS: The glitter glue-like substance and texture and smell. The packaging instructions and company background is at 6-7pt. font. Slight results.

OVERALL: I think I could get over the smell and texture if show some more dramatic results. Directions say to apply generously and leave on for entire five minutes. I was pleased with product, for what it is, a skin smooth, like a cream . Only because it felt my skin feeling smooth. Would I change the packaging, yes something more expensive looking and dramatic, smell, and thickness/texture. But, I did get compliments at Ulta for my slight glow. I guess I was thinking that it would give me more dramatic results, maybe I will give it a second chance, but I do hope the Kardashians revisit this product for improvement.

REPURCHASED: NO.

Review: Sephora's Travel Brushes

I'm definitely a bag lady, I mean I love purses lol. I love the really big ones, but I dont always have room for my brushes, because most of my brushes are long-handled. I was making my weekly trip to Sephora and I fixed a quick problem. This mini travel brush set.
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Review: This is a fast way to carry your brushes with yobu when you're on the go.  This set is $10USD, although its got a good deal. Let's look at brush quality. Now, I wasn't expecting quality here, but I wasn't disappointed or impressed. Slightly bigger than a Stila Lipgloss, this magentic travel set hides the brushes so they don't get ruined in your stash. Comes with, a sponge tip / blender, that's decent, I actually would've preferred if it wasn't included.Who uses it? Liner brush a wider version of #266.  There's a crease brush, but its oddly- shaped pointy. Would've liked to have rounded to cutting the crease touch ups. Lastly, the smudge brush. Its a normal smudger works better then all the other brushes.

Exactly, why Im on the fence, because I would've liked to see, a smudger, crease (rounded), wide flat shader brush, small round e/s brush. But like I said its only a travel set. But, I thought Sephora should make several versions, so you can mix and match your needs to that outting.

Review: Smashbox Halo Powder

My skin complexion has been settling now, but I still want to repair damage when it freaked out on me. Let's try to fake a perfect complexion.

Product: Smashbox Halo Powder ( yellow)
Claim: Said to create a flawless face while correcting 67% of skin damage.
Review:

After trying it out for almost 4 weeks, I like it. The texture of the powder is smooth, cooling, and easy to blend in. The packaging is their minimalist black, compact style package with a mirror and a sifter, so you' re powder doesn't go everywhere. The simple twist compact makes it easier for you to apply as much or as little as you want. Accompanying , is a mini kabuki brush.

After applying powder, less is more because the powder is yellowing for correction the tint is a little heavy.Its better to do a buff and tap method to apply. But the powder was long lasting and has a basic-product smell. Now for the price, I would expect an area where the brush would fit in, so its on the go. I'm not sure if its meant to be reaplying like a regular powder, as the good experts at Sephora were unable to answer. A call to Smashbox might be in order.

The mini brush does shed hair and its better to use a full size brush. The pricetag for this product $40. A little expensive.

Review: BeneFit's Don't Stray Shadow base/ concealer

 I recently stopped by BeneFit's Concealer Base/ Shadow Base.
Purpose: Multi-purpose base to hold shadow and concealer in place.
Time Limit: 8-12 hrsh
Review:

After trying out this product for a week, it better serves as a shadow base. Not as good as Too Faced-Shadow Base or even Urban Decay's Primer Potion.  You apply it by arranged three dot pattern,but a little goes along way. I just tried it with 2 dots and blended out smoothly with my finger. I tried to use it with different types of gel liners. It worked best with MAC's Fluidline and MUFE waterproof eyeliners. It ended lasting 6 hours in the heat. There was little smudging, but there was creasing. It didn' t work at all with NYX jumbo pencils. As for a concealer base, with my type of skin texture, it made my Tarte- Maracuja Concealer ( medium) totally wear off. During the past week, it's been really hot. So, I decided to give it a second chance and try it out in normal 70 degree weather. Nothing, instead I think it would better suit someone with dry skin. I think it needs reformulation to suit all skin complexions.