The Wonders of Kauai

Last week my boyfriend and I went to Kauai for a week -- it was a great week filled with a lot of sunshine, warm weather, and relaxation. Naturally during this vacation makeup was something that was kind of important to me, but not really. Especially since I forgot that what works here in San Francisco, does not work in the humid and warm climate of Kauai. While reminiscent of a New York City summer, it reminded me that my choice of makeup did not bode well. So here's the breakdown.

The things I brought along with me: My entire makeup bag which included my Alba Hawaiian Jasmine and Vitamin E moisturizer and new Cover FX makeup (the pressed mineral powder and the setting powder). I also tossed in a few of my e.l.f. Studio brushes.

The one thing left behind: Milk of Magnesia.

New Items: Garnier Fructis Pure Clean (Shampoo and Conditioner) and lots of generic rice paper (oil-blotting tissues).

We arrived early Sunday morning and since I wasn't particularly in the mood to worry about makeup when we checked in, I decided to go natural for the rest of the day. The next day however I did wear makeup and thus paid dearly for that. My face became quite the oil slick and I had to rely heavily on my e.l.f. Shine Erasers throughout the day. I was averaging about 3 sheets every hour between 11 AM to 3 PM so we had to stop into Longs Drugs to get me some more oil blotting sheets. 

Needless to say that the following day (Tuesday) and for the rest of the week I decided to go completely makeup free. I do suspect that the culprit was the moisturizing cream because as I mentioned, the weather and humidity was very similar to NYC during the summer. Which meant that I was supposed to switch moisturizers. The Jasmine and Vitamin E blend is fantastic for the winter however during the summer the Aloe and Green Tea Oil is actually much better and assists in controlling the oils. Since moving to SF I haven't had the need to switch moisturizers between the seasons so I didn't have the appropriate moisturizer for Hawaii. 

But to be honest, I actually did enjoy having the chance to go completely makeup free for my vacation. I did rely very heavily on the oil-blotting tissues but overall my skin held up well considering the factors. There was a point in time where I almost bought another bottle of Milk of Magnesia, but I figured that with the high temperatures, I didn't really want to be bothered with makeup. I bought two more packs of oil-blotting tissues instead and hoped for the best. Sure I grumbled a bit given the maximum shine that was added to my face but it was a nice change. It was kind of sad though that the makeup I bought specifically for this trip did not hold up. But I am happy to say that it does hold up well here in SF.

While I'm on topic about the Wonders of Kauai, let's touch upon hair care. I did walk with a small bottle of Argan Oil which I amazingly didn't have to use (not even once!). One of the first stops that we made was at Walmart so that we could pick up some essentials -- such as, but not limited to, hair care. We grabbed a bottle of the Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo and the Fortifying Conditioner. I don't think I can properly convey how happy my curls were. This particular line (Pure Clean) has no parabens, no silicones, and no dyes, which meant that my hair was not weighed down. And given the climate, my hair was even curlier than normal and there wasn't a build up. At no point did my hair feel oily and/or greasy which is amazing for my hair. I have no idea what the change in climate will mean for how it holds up in the long-term but that is definitely something that I will touch upon in the future.

Makeup aside, do remember to get yourself
awesome souvenirs.

So if you're traveling, don't forget that weather and humidity are going to factor into your makeup and haircare. Be prepared for some sudden changes, especially if the destination you're going to doesn't have a Sephora or similar makeup store.

Review: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Haircare

Important Note: As of February (2012) I noticed that new bottles for the conditioner don't explicitly say that they are sulfate and paraben free. I checked the website and it says that they are still sulfate and paraben free but you may want to conduct some research into that.

Something I enjoy doing is switching up my haircare products; whatever I'm using at home will sure enough not be what I'm using at my boyfriend's place. When I decided that I needed to switch back to something that was sulfate free, I decided to go with Organix's Moroccan Argan Oil line. I grabbed the shampoo and conditioner a few months ago and I'm happy to say that it's become a staple. There are a few things that I do need to mention about that though.

I adore argan oil and enjoy it's benefits. It adds shine to my hair and since I use it primarily on my ends, it keeps the ends hydrated and manageable. Sure, I still have to deal with the split ends (thanks to having wavy hair, so it's naturally a bit dry) but overall argan oil makes it a little bit easier. This is why of the vast collection that Organix has, I opted for the Moroccan Argan Oil.

For the shampoo, it is a weird texture and consistency. Seriously it comes out in weird blobs but it has a nice fragrance and more importantly, it's strange appearance does not effect how it works. There's a great lather and overall my scalp is happy with this shampoo. 

For the conditioner, the texture is just fine, but the consistency is a bit watery so it's harder to get it onto my ends in time. Even when I'm putting it into my hair, I have a slight problem making sure it doesn't fall through my hands or just slip off of my hair. It's not the most moisturizing conditioner I have encountered but it doesn't build up either so in the months that I've been using it, my hair has been happy. The waves of my locks have been bouncy and shiny -- a bit more split ends but overall good.

So I know if you've read through this, you might be a little bit concerned, after all it seems to warrant a "meh" experience. But it's all a matter of what you're looking for. See, I can trim the ends to get rid of the unsightly split ends, and I can deal with weird textures and consistencies if my hair is happy after it all. And it is. As I've mentioned, my hair has felt lighter, has more of a curl and a bounce to it. It doesn't feel weighed down so when it came time to buy a new shampoo and conditioner, I reached for these two. (Well, at least for restocking at my boyfriend's place. I'm actually using a different shampoo and conditioner at home, which I will post a review for later).

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Product: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo
Price: $7.99-$9
Would Recommend? Yes
Takeaway: Weird texture and consistency but it performs its task well.

Product: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner
Price: $7.99-$9
Would Recommend? Yes, with caution though.
Takeaway: Watery consistency which makes it a bit more difficult to pile on. Is not highly moisturizing but manages to leave a fair amount of argan oil behind which gives a nice sheen.

Takeaway for both: They work well with one another but if you're looking for a moisturizing combination, this isn't it. It is lightweight so it won't weigh down your hair, which will give it a nice curl and bounce as well as a nice shine though.

Review: Crystal Essence Lavender & White Tea Roll-On

It's Winter! Which means that I can switch from an antiperspirant to a regular deodorant. Now, I know it's been Winter for a while now, but I had been putting off getting another deodorant because I know that somewhere in my moving boxes there is a Crystal Body Deodorant Stick, which I adore. Of course, I've yet to find the darn thing so it was finally time for me to throw in the towel and go get another one. (And I will probably find my original Crystal in 6 months).

Let's have a brief overview of the deodorant stick though. The rock is, well, it's a rock and it's best applied when you just finish showering and the reasoning behind this is simply that your skin is still moist. If you find that you need to reapply it throughout the day and you haven't just stepped out of the shower, then wetting the top of it works just fine. I definitely wouldn't recommend it if you were working out and you are prone to sweating (yes, I made this mistake) but for an average day, it works out just fine. I never found myself having to reapply it or having trouble with it failing except for the few times that I hit the gym while wearing it. It takes a few applications but it's not like it is completely unfeasible to work out with this deodorant.

As a replacement, I decided to try out the roll-on instead (especially because it came in one of my favourite scents, lavender). The roll-on works just as well as the rock does but now the application has become much easier!

For the roll-on it lasts all day (same as the rock) and it comes in two other scents: Pomegranate and Chamomile & Green Tea. There is also the unscented option. Obviously it has the same limitation as the rock does when it comes to strenuous activities but reapplying isn't hard. I've been using this one for about a month now and I am very happy with it.

If you have the opportunity to try them out, do it. They are is no aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum zirconium, parabens, or phthalates in these. It may take your armpits a few days or so to adjust if you're switching from an antiperspirant but it's definitely worth trying out. Truth be told, this has been the best replacement for Lush's Aromacreme which used to be a year round staple before it was discontinued (without the burn and anyone who used Aromacreme knows what I'm talking about).

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Product: Crystal Body Deodorant Stick
Price: $6.99
Would Recommend? Yes
Takeaway: A great natural deodorant that lasts long and holds up well. Just don't expect it to hold up well at the gym but if you try, be sure to bring it with you to reapply.

Product: Crystal Essence Roll-On - Lavender & White Tea
Price: $4.75
Would Recommend? Yes
Takeaway: The rock in liquid form with a nice clean scent? I'm all for it. It has the same limitations as the rock but it's easier to apply.

Review: Fresh Soy Face Cream

I've been wearing this moisturizer for just about a week and as much as I want to love it, I can't. So let's down down to the nitty gritty.

First impression is that I love the scent -- it's weird because it's soy and it's off-putting to a lot of people, but I actually like the scent. I'm weird like that though so be prepared to not enjoy the scent, especially if you're not used to it. The texture or rather, the feel of the moisturizer is that it's a bit watery, but still slightly greasy. It's not a hard texture to work with but it was interesting. Neither of these two items really count against it though if you're not a fan of the scent, you will be annoyed by the scent till it is finally absorbed by the skin.

A reminder is that I have combination skin -- very oily T-zone and very dry skin elsewhere. This moisturizer is a bit on the greasy side and my skin, neither the oily or dry parts enjoyed the moisturizer. It didn't absorb it quickly and it shone through my makeup. No matter how much powder I had on, an hour later the shine from the initial application was still there to be seen. My skin couldn't fully absorb it -- the dry parts could, but definitely not the T-zone. If you have oily skin, it's as though the natural oils just flat out refuse entry into the skin leaving it exactly where you applied it. 

For oily skin, this moisturizer could be better used as a night cream, rather than a day cream. I tried it out one night and loved how it felt. By morning there was no sheen and my skin felt good. When I attempt to wear it during the day though, I'm not as content with it's performance. I can definitely see those with dry skin being able to make use of this as well as people with combination skin that don't have extremes. 

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Product: Fresh Soy Face Cream
Price: $38
Would Recommend? No, if you have oily skin. Yes, if you have dry skin.
Takeaway: If you have oily skin, skip this or use it at night. This moisturizer is greasy and the oils on your skin will probably prevent it from really being absorbed into your skin so it sits there, shining ever so brightly through your makeup. If you have dry skin, it may just love this moisturizer since your skin might absorb it quickly. The scent can be bothersome though.

Notes on Finding a Foundation

Last week after a trip to Sephora, I felt confident enough to make the switch from Bare Minerals to Cover FX, especially since I was colour matched much more closely than before. The only catch was that after trying out a few different shades with the help of a consultant at Sephora, the colour we decided on was sold out. (The consultant knew it was sold out and thus hesitated to try let me try it out, but found that it was the closest match). After checking Sephora online, it was also all sold out so I came very nearly close to ordering it directly from the Cover FX website, except that there was a fear that it wouldn't arrive in time. So I called another Sephora location and asked my BF if he could take me there which he did.

Upon arriving I wanted to be very sure that the foundation I was getting was going to properly match. After all, when you have to buy a new foundation and a new definition powder, you need to be sure that it's the right colour. With the help of another consultant we determined that the original B0 (Brown Sugar) was in fact a bit too dark and that I could switch to M80 (Deep Mocha) and it would match just fine. It looked good in the store without looking too cakey, ashy, or incredibly obvious so I went with it. 

I've been using it for a few days now and I'm very happy with it's overall performance. I know that I've already mentioned this before in my initial review but I definitely want to touch on some important points about this process of choosing a new foundation, which took about a week.

1. Getting a consultation or getting help from associates/consultants is very useful, especially if you have an uneven skin tone. Do not be afraid to ask and do not be afraid to speak up your mind. If you don't like something, even if you can't articulate why, don't be swayed. Try it out for a bit but be sure to stand your ground if you don't like it.
2. That being said, don't be afraid to get another opinion. Don't be afraid to go back another day. It's good to check things out one day, but then with a fresh face, go back another day to make sure what you're getting or what you like the day before works.
3. What is especially important to note when you're getting help, watch those sponges that they use on you. Each day that I got help with foundation the consultant/associate used the same sponge, which is fine if you're testing one or two foundations. This is not helpful if you're testing 3+ different types or colours of foundation. Be very careful about the colour you tested in store versus the colour you are actually buying.
• Example: The day I went into Sephora we tried out liquid foundations from MUFE and Cover FX powders -- we tried about 6 different types without ever changing sponges so of course, the perfect colour I got toward the end wasn't a colour that existed.
4. It is incredibly helpful if you get a knowledgeable person who can narrow down the vast array of various makeup brands that there are. But you need to know your basics so that they know how to help you.
• What kind of skin do you have? Is it oily, dry, normal, or combination?
• What kind of coverage are you looking for? Do you want sheer, medium, or full coverage?
• What kind of finish do you want? 
• You do not need to know your exact skintone (as in, how does your skin translate to one of the colours they offer) and your undertones, since they will be able to help you with that.
5. Don't fret if you don't find what you're looking for the first time. Try other brands, go to different counters, or go to a different consultant. Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't be afraid to say, "I don't know what I'm doing with this particular thing (whether it's foundation, blush, eyeliner, etc.)."

A Comparison of Brushes

During my e.l.f. haul, I decided to get the Studio line brushes as well as the kabuki face brush, angled eyeliner brush, and the retractable lip brush. I haven't tried them all yet but I will post reviews when I finally make my way through them. I have used the kabuki and the blush brush so I'll be comparing them to brushes that I love (they will be marked with a heart)

Foundation Brushes

• EcoTools Finishing Brush (part of the Alicia Silverstone line) ♥

• e.l.f. Studio Kabuki Face Brush

Pardon the EcoTools brush that hasn't been cleaned yet. >_< Well, I love this brush as I've probably mentioned in previous posts. One of my favourite techniques is stippling and this is the brush to pull it off. So how does thee.l.f. kabuki compare? 

Pretty darn well, I must say. It applies the makeup flawlessly, provides great coverage, and is super soft. The small kabuki works well and is great for it's value but there is a drawback and that is the shedding. It mostly shed (a lot) during washes however it did not shed on my makeup and on my face. So while shedding may be a concern, it won't shake loose unless you're washing it with soap and water. It holds it's shape and maintains softness -- I've washed the kabuki about three times now and I'm still quite satisfied with it. 

Angled Blush Brushes

Now I would compare the e.l.f. blush brush to the EcoTools blush brush but that isn't fair as both EcoTools blush brushes that I have happen to have the dome top rather than being angled. Although the e.l.f. website shows a blush brush that has a dome appearance, it's actually slanted so it wouldn't be fair unless I stacked it against another slanted brush. But that is something to keep in mind when you're ordering these brushes.

• Sephora I.T. Angled Natural Blush Brush ♥

• e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush

I am loving the Sephora Angled brush since it applies my blush with such precision. I've been using it for about two months now and I love the long handle, soft bristles, and well, I honestly have no qualms with this brush.

The e.l.f. Blush brush is fantastic compared to the Sephora brush. Sure, the handle is a bit shorter, but it is also quite soft, has never shed, and delivers the same precision that the Sephora brush does. This one is quite impressive so naturally I highly recommend it.

Update: If you read my post "Major Players: Brushes", I've since gotten rid of the Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush and the Ulta retractable kabuki.

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Product: e.l.f. Studio Kabuki Face Brush
Price: $6
Would Recommend? Yes.
Takeaway: It sheds a bit (when washed) but holds up very well. Provides great coverage and remains soft. Overall, you can't go wrong with this one.

Product: e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush
Price: $3
Would Recommend? Yes
Takeaway: Soft bristles and applies with precision. Doesn't shed either which is great.

Review: Cover FX Pressed Mineral Powder

As my Bare Minerals is now at 50%, I've decided to start looking for another foundation (mostly because I've become exceedingly aware of how ashy it looks but that could be because I'm being sensitive). So this week I've been starting the day with a bit of moisturizer and then seeking help from various stores. Today I decided to approach Sephora for help since they have a wider selection to choose from. So with the help of one of the associates, we were able to narrow it down quite a bit.

After explaining what I currently use and what problems I was having, the first stop was MUFE, except that the colours didn't quite match. She was about to try out the Sephora collection before realizing that Cover FX might be a bit better. And it was.

She tried out three different shades and compared them side by side to figure out what would work. My skin tone is a bit uneven so that makes matching a bit difficult but we has success with Cover FX which was the Pressed Mineral Powder in B0. I've got to say that I was and still am quite impressed with the coverage of it. General remarks, if you find the right colour, it goes on flawlessly, provides good coverage, is lightweight, and feels great. (If you get the wrong colour then I admit it will look ashy or cakey). Unfortunately during the testing phase my moisturizer was removed so I can't say how well it works out with the moisturizer and primer, but the fact that it stands on its own is great. It's matte which means that the natural oils are being controlled though I still think that I would need a moisturizer underneath to help control my T-zone.

After a couple of hours it is holding up against the natural oils very well and maintains breathability which is fantastic. In comparison to the MAC Matchmaster that I tried out the other day, my skin doesn't feel as weighed down and there isn't very much residue. Overall, I love how much it accentuates the colours of my face and it definitely helps that it doesn't have as much additives (that's fancy for parabens) in it.

My one true sadness though is that Sephora is sold out of that one colour and it's sold out online. I can order it directly from the Cover FX website but then how will I ever get to V.I.B. if I don't order it from Sephora?!

Update: Sorry for the blurry picture but the interesting thing is how the oils appear. In every picture I took, the oils shone through however when I examine it in the mirror, although there is a slight shine, it doesn't appear as bad as it does in the photos. The oiliness could be because I'm not wearing anything underneath the makeup (no moisturizer or Milk of Magnesia) however it still looks okay. In this photo I'm also wearing a NARS blush in Torrid.

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Product: Cover FX Pressed Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 10 (Powder FX), B0
Price: $35
Would Recommend? Yes
Takeaway: Great for oily skin, variety of colours, medium coverage (which is great for those with an uneven skin tone), lightweight, little if any residue, feels great and looks great. 

Finding a New Pair of Shoes

I know that this is supposed to primarily a makeup blog but there's nowhere else that I can trully share this. And yes, as the title suggests this is all about shoes with a bit of background.

So when I was younger I loved wearing high heels and even when I was on the gothy side, I managed to make sure my knee-high boots appropriately matched what I was wearing, because if it didn't, well then, time to grab another pair. Lucky for me that during this time, I was still somehow able to fit into my mom's size 7's so this didn't mean that I had to have an extensive shoe collection; I could just share. But as time went on, I had to stop trying to wing it because I'm actually at size 6.5. Add to that that I was starting college and the thought of jogging around campus in heels lost it's appeal rather quickly. 

There was one pair of shoes that I trully broke in and I was able to make those jogs though. I suffered for these shoes. I broke them in and for years they were the shoes. I wear them with pretty much anything if I can get away with it. And yet I know nothing about this pair of shoes.

It was a gift from my mom, who found them when I was going through a Mary Jane (with a heel) phase. She found three (2 were by Steve Madden) and while two of them struck out (I still have those demons somewhere too), this one lasted. Made by Unlisted, I can find no other information about them. And then this year during Hallowen I noticed the dreaded crack... The last thing you want to see on your favourite set of heels that you can wear for 12 hours! (And yes, I did that quite a few times). I hauled them into a cobbler who said there was little that he could do, but he would try. So he glued them and then shined them up and told me to hope for the best. But what makes this story even sadder? These are the only shoes I have been able to wear as of late.

See, earlier this year I managed to hurt my right foot. I was playing on the swings and while paying attention to a cat that had followed my BF and I to the park, I didn't raise my foot in time and slammed it into the ground. This is not a euphemism, it actually happened like that. As a result of this, I've been confined to flats and one pair of heels because for some reason, my foot seems entirely okay with the angle of the shoe. I can't wear my wedges or my high heeled boots, but I can wear these.

But now, I'm kind of fed up. It's been months and all I really want is to wear heels (not all the time, but be able to wear them at leisure). By chance one day, I swung by the Payless at the nearby mall and saw the Brash Konstant shoes. I had always seen them before and was always dissuaded because of the faux-suede. But this time, since all the shelves were empty, I tried them on. And they were magical. They were taupe, but they felt magical. For a moment there, I forgot about the issues that my foot had and wanted these shoes so badly. In black.

Brash Konstant

That's a problem when you go to a Payless that is closing though, because you see something you like, just not in the colour you want. So the next day I went to another Payless nearby and had the same issue. Even worse now is that the sales associate is raving about how comfortable "those Brash shoes are." I asked her to check the other stores since they were all sold out online but then as we're talking about them, we realize that we're talking about different shoes. She was talking about the Komets, which had a thin heel whereas I was talking about the Komet, which has a block heel. This wasn't a problem in the slightest, except that now all the reviews and raves are for both shoes. So after she calls around, we find a store that has the two of them.

Brash Komet

 My very kind and wonderful BF took me to the Payless and I tried them both on. First I tried on the Konstant, which was the one I had resolved to get. Except that that old injury was acting up pretty darn badly. To the point that I was near tears. So I took them off and then tried on the Komet.

A bit of pain but I could walk in them. And then the pain wore off quickly.

I was thoroughly confused so I switched back to Konstant which was doing the same thing now (a bit of pain, but quickly going away).

As you can tell by the pictures, I got them both. I've been putting them on here and there in my apartment to get a feel for how the old injury will react. So far? A bit of pain, but not much. And so far, I'm loving the Konstant. I haven't figured out if either are out to replace the trusty Unlisted but perhaps time will tell. Or perhaps my foot will stop acting up.

I feel bad attempting make a decent review of these shoes, especially considering the injury so I'll throw this out there: They get ridiculously great reviews. They are a great fit, feel good (injury aside), and are very comfortable.

Perhaps one day I can finally realize my dream of getting Christian Louboutin's Bibi or maybe even Bianca. A girl can dream wildly. 

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Product: Brash Konstant Block Heel Pump
Price: $29.99

Product: Brash Komet Platform Pump
Price: $24.99

Review: MAC Matchmaster 7.5

I may be late to the game of MAC's Matchmaster, but I promise I have some reasoning behind that. (Warning: This is a bit of a rant, so skip ahead to the next paragraph if you don't want to read this part). I know a few MAC Artists and I think they are great; they do a fantastic job and they are highly patient. Problem is that they live far away from me which means that I have to rely on the nearby counters and stores to help me out. And every time I step into one of the stores or go to the counters, the MAC Artists I have encountered are incredibly rude and if they aren't rude, then they are unhelpful or ignore me -- even after I ask for help. So over the years I've come to avoid MAC counters. Except a huge problem when it comes to makeup is that MAC seems to have developed the industry standards -- want to know what colour you are in other foundations? Then you need to know your MAC number. I thus decided that I needed to shelf my dislike for them and make sure that I get my number this time. Happily, for the first time ever the MAC Consultant was nice and patient, which means I actually accomplished something today.

As this was a spur of the moment decision, I have no before pictures to show however to the left is a picture of what it looked like after about 7 hours. So after explaining to the consultant my skin type the first thing she matched me to was MAC Matchmaster in 7.5 (and yes, I still don't know what my normal foundation colour would be). Anyhow, I realized right away why my options were limited and that was after she put on one of the cream foundations: my skin is really damn weird. By doing a comparison of the cream versus the liquid, the cream appeared a bit ashy. 

So back to Matchmaster. It definitely doesn't provide full coverage, so let's just get that out of the way. Luckily, that's not what I'm looking for. In general I'm looking for medium coverage with a matte finish especially since I have an oily T-zone. Coverage is decent, but it's a bit light in order to properly blend with the skin which is why I'm not 100% sold on this product. Initial thought is that why it has a richer appearance (doesn't appear ashy, complements my face well) my reservation is that I feel that it might a bit on the darker side. That could be my own bias though going from a powder to a liquid foundation. The bright side is that I have been wearing it for just about 5 hours and noticed that it's controlling the oils well. 

A huge fear that I still have though is my breathability. My face is particular and one of the reasons my face has been less prone to breakouts or issues is because although it can get really dry and/or really oily (sometimes at the same time) I don't pile on too much makeup. I like to keep it natural or if I do indulge in makeup, I don't go heavy because of this. It's Matchmaster enough to make me want to switch? I'm not sure just yet. I still have a few more counters to visit before I make a decision.

Update: As the night wore on the makeup vanished on its own so by the time I was ready to wash my face, there wasn't much left. So it's not very long-lasting which is a problem for me.

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Product: MAC Matchmaster in 7.5
Price: $32.50
Would Recommend? I hesitate to say yes or no since I only had a consultation.

Takeaway: It provides medium coverage as it's a bit on the light side though you can build on the foundation. Matches skin very well and controls oil. There is a lot of residue (meaning that it comes off easily) and thus it is not long lasting.