Glam Glow Lip POUTMUD review

Written by Deanna .P

When I first received GlamGlow POUTMUD™ Fizzy Lip Exfoliating & Wet Lip Balm Treatment Duo, I was super impressed with the bright pink & silver lettered fancy packaging.    I had never seen a lip product packaged so nice.  I even liked the fact that it was two lip treatments in one.  

The set contains: 

• 0.88 oz Fizzy Lip Exfoliating Treatment 
• 0.88 oz Wet Lip Balm Treatment 

 To use, you start with the exfoliating tub.  Massage a generous amount on lips for 5-10 seconds.  Gently massage with water & this will activate the fizzy renewing action.  Rinse with warm water.  Recommend use is 2-3 times a week.  

The treatment is said to renew, energize & smooth lips.  The exfoliation complex consists of caribbean cane sugar, Hawaiian sea salt, and hibiscus flower powder, and is further boosted with an antioxidant-rich tropical fruit blend of sweet almond oil, guava, cherimoya, star fruit, lychee, and mangosteen. The wet lip balm tub is to be applied evenly next.  This can be used anytime.  The Wet Lip Balm Treatment is supposed to instantly make lips feel softer, hydrated, and look restored.   It’s formulated with a super hydration infusion of sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, murumuru butter, shea butter, tamanu oil, and babassu oil, and enhanced with kombucha extract Both lip essentials contain teaoxi® Moroccan mint leaf for sweet, minty, kissable lips. There is no Parabens, Sulfates, or Phthalatesin the product. The GlamGlow line was originally created by a couple in California in 2011to be used exclusively for backstage & professional useby Hollywood movie stars.

Glenn & Shannon Dellimore formulated it in their home & gave it out to some of their actor friends to try.  The products worked so well that they received a call from a top luxury brand that wanted to retail the products.  And the rest is as they say, history!  

I tried the treatment & I was definitely impressed.   I had tried many lip balms, chapsticks, etc, but they never made my lips feel so good.  This 2 part system really worked to soften, restore & invigorate my lips.  The ingredients all felt natural smelled delectable, & the end result was a perfect pout.  My lips felt & looked so good, I was tempted to go sans lipstick  for the first time in many years.

I thought the price at $39.00 was a little high, but was worth it for this lip treatment.   I would definitely recommend this & would also try other products. 

Here’s more information on them & where to buy:

http://www.glamglow.com

Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night treatment & Grease Relief Facial Water Review

Written by Deanna P

Who is Ole Henriksen?  Imust be hiding under rock because, had absolutely no idea & now for some reason after receiving some of his products to review he is popping up everywhere.   To answer the question he is a Scandinavian skincare expert who was born in Denmark & who has devoted his life to skincare & cosmetic chemistry. 

He started his career as a dancer & model & developed cystic acne, was cured, & developed a passion for skincare.  He went to the College of Beauty in London & upon graduation he opened Ole Henriksen of Denmark skincare center in Beverly Hills.  He becamevery well known appearing on talk shows, writing books, & eventually being recognized as the skincare guru to the stars. He launched his first line in 1980 & was bought by LVMH in 2011 making his skincare brand prosper globally.  As of today, Sephora is his #1 retail partner & he refers to it “as a marriage made in heaven”. His products are supposed to make you be able to experience the spa experience at home. I tried two of his products below: 

Ole Henriksen

Invigorating Night Treatment

overnight resurfacer

SIZE 1.7 oz/ 50 mL $48.00

A lightweight facial gel to make your complexion look more youthful.   It works to seal in vitamins & minerals & diminish fine lines, wrinkles,  & smooth texture.  The product contains no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates & is vegan.  

To use, at night, apply to clean face, neck & decolete &follow with a moisturizer

Ole Henriksen

Grease Relief™ Facial Water

Size’ SIZE 4 oz $22.00

A facial mist that purifies & mattifys the skin with an herbal botanical blend of lactic acid, golden seal, & hops extract.   This is recommendedfor oily or combination skin.   It solves the problem of oiliness & uneven texture/dullness.  The product contains no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates.

To use, mist 5 sprays onto a cotton pad & smooth on a dry face in a circular motion.  

I really like both of these products.  They really did mimic a spa like facial on my skin.   The night treatment was much more needed for my skin as I do have fine line & wrinkles.  I did see a slight improvement after a week & I feel with more treatment I will be more than satisfied with the results.  

The grease relief went on my skin & definitely felt amazing, but my skin is more dry than oily so it is not the optimal product for my skin type.  I do believe if you had these skin types, you would be satisfied with the results as the products seemed to get positive online feedback.  The prices were fair & the product is a good value.  A professional facial at a spa these days is at least $90 & these products both together were substantially less than that.  With Ole Henriksen’s experience & passion for skincare, I do believe in his products & would definitely purchase in the future.

To purchase these products & more, click here:

http://www.sephora.com/ole-henriksen?icid2=product_link_brand

Terra bronzer by Tom ford review

Written by Christine .Q

It is the end of summer. No more Summer Fridays, the Museum of Ice Cream in New York is gone, and no more bronzy glow. Well, wait. That last part wasn't true. It might be a little bit harder to get a nice natural tan going under your fall clothes, but you can definitely still get some bronze going via the magic of make-up! Let me share with you my favorite bronzer. I think I've written about Tom Ford a gazillion times already on meetPepperB.com. Let's finish off the series with one of my favorite projects from his line and one of my favorite products of all time: the Bronzer Powder in Terra. I use this baby year round because a) it's freaking gigantic and I will never run out b) it's amazing. It's the perfect shade, not too orange, with a slight gray undertone that blends beautifully. Not to mention, it's completely matte so you won't look like a dirty disco ball. I like to use this to contour and after powdering, a light dust all over to give some color. 

How much do I love it? It was by my side on my wedding.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter in “Flexitarian”

By: Amanda V.

Once again I come to you with yet another product for Glowing Goddess skin. The brand Colourpop is one of the greatest things to happen to the beauty industry. Innovative formula, affordable price tag with premium pigmentation. They recently came out with 4 new Super Shock Cheek Highlighters. They are all absolutely STUNNING!!! I posted the swatches on my Instagram and they’re just so 

Aesthetically pleasing that all I can do is stare. It's like a glistening Christmas tree. 

(Swatches from My Instagram post. From left to Right: Do Not Disturb, Flexitarian, Candyman & Might Be.)

The shade that stuck out for me was “Flexiatrian”. This cool toned, silvery champagne shade is seriously like diamonds for your skin. The BEAM IS REAL!!! It’s not for the faint-hearted. This incredible pearlized finish highlighter glides on so smoothly like a dream. the formulation of these particular products are unique and extremely delicate like silk. I dropped one of them and the product popped out but I pressed it back in gently thank god. I prefer to apply this product with my fingers and dab it on lightly. I pack it on to the intensity that I prefer. Sometimes I’ll grab a slightly damp beauty blender just so that the finish is more flawless. This gives me that lit from within glow. This highlight will last ALL DAY, especially when set with a spray like Mac Fix+ or Urban Decay's All Nighter. 

photo with Flash 

No flash

The Colourpop Highlighters all retail for about $8 flat for 0.15oz of product on the Colourpop website, tax free and the shipping is free when you spend $30. This item is a complete steal. This product has not affected my skin in anyway, it's pretty gentle in my honest opinion. The only complaint I have about this product is that they don’t last too long. my highlighters from last summer song seem as pigmented and as silky. I suggest you use it up constantly so you don’t end up having to toss it. That is the single reason why I knocked off a star. Easy to use and inexpensive, it's perfect for young girls who are just starting out with makeup. Grab yourself a few, I highly recommend. 

NOTE: CLOSE THE JARS AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN. If not, the unique silky formula will dry out. 

Formula X Polish Review

FormulaX Prime XCel base coat & Formula X The Colors Nail Polish-Pyrotechnic

Written by Deanna P

Formula X nail brand is owned by Kendo.  Kendo is in San Francisco & they create & acquire beauty brands & work on turning them into global powerhouses.   The name Kendo is a play on the words CAN DO.  The brand was started by David Suliteanu in 2010 while he worked as CEO of Sephora Americas.  In 2014 he left Sephora to work at Kendo full time as the company became independent of Sephora & now has joined LVMH’s Perfumes & Cosmetics group.  They are the world’s largest luxury brand group.

Formula X touts itself as the next in nail technology.  They make the claim on havingintense color saturation, brilliant shine, and high-endurance finishes all in one bottle. There are no Parabens, Sulfates or Phthalates used in their products. tried two products from the brand,  Prime XCel Base Coat & Formula XThe Colors-Nail Polish -Pyrotechnicdynamite red Both are sized at12 ml 0.4 FL OZ and retail for$10.50. The base coat is supposed to protect nails & make the polish stay on better while also help prevent the nails from staining.    It is formulated with a bonding agent & keratin to really help the polish stay on longer.  The polish applicator has also been improvedto make application easier & able to finish in fewer strokes.  

The nail polish comes in a variety of different colorsfrom brights to neutrals.   They also havean added ingredient called ShineXcel which enhances color & shine.  In an independent study, Formula X nail polish was tested against leading nail polishes.  Formula X proved to be shinier, wore better, & stayed on longer.  I usually go to a salon for a manicure, but I tried Formula X for a manicure at home & I thought both the base & polish worked great.  Easy to apply & with better than salon like results, my manicure actually lasted a full week & is still in decent shape.  I am crazy about the color & the base coat definitely helps with keeping the manicurelooking good.   

I definitely think it was worth the price of $10,50 each as a manicure in the salon is usually more than this.  

I would definitely recommend this Nail Polish line

To find out more or purchase, click here to see the array of products & colors that the brand offer.

http://www.sephora.com/formula-x

Ouai Haircare Hair Oil Review

By: Amanda V.

My natural hair is very frizzy, curly, and slightly unruly. Although my natural hair is a big fro, it is fine and because of this I don’t like to weigh it down with multiple products. I like to keep my haircare routine as simple as possible. Shampoo, conditioner or sometimes a co wash, a hair mask or deep conditioner and then heat protectant (if using heat) and hair oil because my hair is pretty dehydrated. Most hair oils are way too thick for my hair and the build up becomes too much that I have to wash my hair way more than I'd like to, which is stripping my hair of it’s natural oils. Early this summer I came across Ouai Hair Oil from Sephora.
The creator of the brand, Jen Atkin is known as the Queen of the celebrity hair world with clients like Jessica Alba, The Kardashian Clan Chrissy Teigen. Who doesn't envy their gorgeous, healthy mane? Each person from her clientele has stunning hair so I took a chance and grabbed it knowing that if I was unhappy with it I can always take it back. Since it was so hot and humid this summer, I abandoned my blowouts and mostly wore my hair natural and curly with very minimal product. This hair oil became a staple in my routine. It is so lightweight and nourishing that my hair never looked frizzy and parched and my curls never weighed down. They still had a bounce. After realizing how much I loved the way this product worked with my natural texture, I decided to try this oil with a blowout. WOW. My hair looks healthy and silky without looking stiff and extremely oily. It doubles as a heat protectant so I don't have to really use all the heat protecting balms and sprays. It is that perfect all in one product. It's great for taming frizz and flyaway as well as that finishing drop for a post blowout shine. This oil also protects my freshly darkened locks from fading and becoming dull. The scent of this product is what makes it feel so luxurious. It has a chic, fresh floral scent that isn’t too overpowering.

For 26 US dollars you get 1.7oz of product which is pretty decent considering it will last you 3 months if used frequently. That's how long it lasted me and I just finished a bottle. This oil works for everyone but especially Those of us with more fine stands. Check this oil out ASAP! It really is incredibly lightweight and the perfect multitasking hair product. I personally cannot wait to try out a few more hair products from the OUAI line. You can say I'm OUAI too addicted now.


Fun Tip: I mix this oil with my leave in/deep conditioners and masks. I feel like it makes a difference.

Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack Review

Written Amanda V 

I’m always dabbing into new masks, searching for the perfect masks to add to my skincare collection that seems to keep growing and growing. I’ve experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. For awhile I’ve been wanting to try the Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack Detoxifying Face Mask. Apparently it’s a juice cleanse for your skin. It is jam packed with super antioxidants and those superpower nutrients like leafy greens for a deep cleanse, exfoliants from orange peels and moisturizing avocado oil, and a creamy white clay to purify your pores. Doesn’t that just sound super good for you? How can you not be drawn in to try it.

I slathered a layer onto my slightly damp skin, after using my holy grail Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser and let it set for 20 minutes. You skin will start to tingle a bit, and you can actually feel the mask sucking out the impurities from your face. BYE BYE GUNK!! (for some of you who aren’t used to this type of mask which is reminiscent of GlamGlow, it might be uncomfortable for you at first but i promise its good) I rinsed my face clean with lukewarm water and my skin looked incredible. BABY SMOOTH SKIN!!! I was left with the faintest shade of pink after rinsing and patting my face lightly with a towel. But after a minute or two I was simply left with squeaky clean, radiant, smooth, clear skin. My pores were noticeably less visible. INCREDIBLE! Who would have thought that this little $22 dollar mask would actually work as well as my $70 GlamGlow? For a little extra treatment I followed up with a 20 minute session of my trusty Glossier Moisturizing Moon Mask. This Mega Greens Galaxy Mask is free of any harsh chemicals and lab crap, so that you can use it weekly or you can even use this mask as frequent as you wish. It is THAT gentle! It is for all skin types including those with sensitive skin (YAY!) 

For the perfect end to the work week and/or school week, treat yourself for 45 minutes with a cleanse followed by back to back Face Masks session while watching an episode of Stranger Things on Netflix or a couple of chapters of the new Harry Potter (that’s what I did, I’m a nerd. I can’t help it). 

For $22 (incredible price for a mask THAT ACTUALLY DOES IT”S JOB if you ask me!!!) you are recieving 3oz of product, as well as my favorite… GLOSSIER STICKERS!! You can only purchase Glossier Products on their website (Glossier.com) The packaging is minimalist cute just like all of their other products. Grab yourself a jar to try out and add some of the included stickers to it so that when you see it, you will smile while grabbing it out of your shelf. It’ll remind you you to be happy and relax while wearing it. The smallest things can bring a smile to your face. 

Heydey Nyc Review

Written by Christine Q

There comes a point in your life where skincare is as important as eating your veggies. Case in point, I'll use myself as an example. I've spent countless amounts of money on skincare but up until last year, there were more than a handful of nights I was too lazy to wash my make-up off, slather on the serums and oils, and cap it off with a moisturizer. Sometimes, when I did wash my face, I'd use a bar of Irish Spring and moisturize with body lotion. Don't judge me, it matched my busy-lazy girl lifestyle. 

I've always wanted to be one of those people who was religious about getting facials. Why? I hear facials can help undo some of the things I've subjected my skin to. But time and money is always an issue. And because we've also established that I'm a busy/lazy girl. Well, where there's a problem, there's a solution. I recently discovered HeyDay. It's not a spa, it's kind of like the MassageEnvy for facials. Easy to book, opens early (7 am!) and closes late (10 pm!), nice clean shop, and takes the guesswork out of what type of facial you should get. 

I came in at lunch and was out the door within an hour. The goal of HeyDay is to make getting facials a regular thing. I can proudly say I've gone back twice since the first time. 

If you're in the New York area, I highly recommend checking it out and making it a part of your habit!

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

Throw some glitter, make it rain on ‘em is all I could think when I wore this liner. What is it about glitter?! Somehow it manages to make everything better. Your makeup, your mood, your credit score. Everything!

 

 

Urban Decay is one of those brands that knows what they’re doing? Their makeup performs beautifully, the packaging is fly, and you look and feel damn good when wearing their products. Whether your makeup tastes are clean and classic or gothic and all black everything, they got you. Urban Decay is one of the brands that we makeup and beauty lovers can depend on for a high quality product. They released the Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Liners in six shades. The base of the liners are clear and packed with tiny little glitters that will put the cherry on top of any makeup look. The applicator is a brush tip that is dense enough to hold the glitter and flexible enough to help create any look to bring out the makeup artist in all of us. The liner layers nicely without clumping or crumbling. There is minimal fallout which is a miracle because, well, glitter.

Ever since I got my hands on the Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Liner in the shade Junkshow, I have not put it down. I’ve worn it half the summer and has lasted all day. The majority of the glitters are a mid-tone warm pink with accents of blue, peach, and green. This shade is so pretty! The second I swatched the shade, I wanted to pair it with one of Urban Decay’s most well-known eyeshadows, Fireball. The duo-chrome eyeshadow is a peachy, reddish shade that reflects an iridescent purple. It is my favorite eyeshadow so if it were to ever be discontinued, I’d be in mourning. I also like to use it as a cheek highlighter when I’m feeling extra. I created a warm brown halo look with Fireball as the center shade. I then layered Junkshow right over where Fireball was and fell in love. Junkshow and Fireball are a match made by the beauty gods. It isn’t always true that paying more for a product means you will get better quality but it is true in this case. I’ve tried the NYX glitter liners which run for about $7. While they are a great product and are much more affordable, they don’t have the same longevity or buildability as the Heavy Metal Glitter Eye Liners from Urban Decay. The NYX glitter liners would crack and flake throughout the day if I layered the product for intensity. They do work really well on the inner corner, though. Whiel the Heavy Metal Eye Liners are on the expensive side, $20 to be exact, I think they are worth it! I need to get my hands on more shades!

Mecca Cosmetica Lip De Luscious Review

Written by: Danyelle V

Hello, Mecca Cosmetica! This Australian brand is new to me but I have faith in a country that has produced the Hemsworth brothers (#TeamChris).

Mecca Cosmetica’s Lip De Luscious lip protectant has been added to my summer makeup and skin care routine. The first step in my makeup application is always hydration. This process extends to my lips. I apply something to my lips that is going to make them look healthy and full before I apply my makeup to allow the product time to absorb into the lips. The creamy glossy formula comes in a weighted frosted glass jar which gives the product a luxurious feel. What I love most about the product is that it does not feel sticky on the lips. I have very long, wildly unruly hair and it drives me crazy when my hair gets caught on a lip product, especially when I’m driving. Mecca Cosmetica’s packaging for this product claims that it has a pink tint to it and that is untrue. I usually am put off when a company doesn’t deliver on its claims but traditional glosses and lip treatments don’t usually have a color to it. I also didn’t plan on using the product for any color pay off so the overly enthusiastic advertising didn’t bother me this time. I try not to be a brat but I think if you are going to make a claim about a product, you should deliver. This lip protectant is perfect to keep your lips safe from the sun with its SPF level of 25. When the gloss fully melts, your lips a left feeling very plush. Dab off any excess product and apply your favorite lipstick. I also like to use this as a treatment after I exfoliate my lips and as an overnight treatment. Lip De Luscious is quite expensive. $28 for a lip treatment is pretty steep. However, because my lips feel so plump and hydrated after using it, I think it’s worth it. Just leave it at home. We all lose our lip balms all the time. We can’t afford to lose a $28 lip treatment!

This is no pink tint

Sachajuan Normal Hair Shampoo Review

Written by Christine .Q 

So I've talked about how once or twice a week I do a deep cleanse for my hair with one of my favs, Big Shampoo by Lush. For years, I've been searching for my HG everyday shampoo. Since I'm a gym rat and my hair also leans on the greasy side, I have to wash my hair everyday. It's hard to find something that's gentle enough for everyday use but also does a good job of cleaning. I've tried everything from baby shampoo to cleansing condition. I even jumped onto the baking soda and water bandwagon, but that was incredibly short lived. 

I'm a boutique gym junkie. The thing I love about boutique gyms is that they provide their clients with top notch beauty products. Since these workouts are costly, I am going to take full advantage of everything these gyms have to offer. So after trying out a crazy intense bootcamp workout a couple of weeks ago at a new gym, I ran straight to the showers where I finally discovered the shampoo of my dreams. 

The winning product is Sachajuan's Normal Hair Shampoo. Seriously, WTF. How can something clean so well and smell so good. And the conditioner softens my hair in a way that makes this a double WTF (the Shiny Citrus body wash is a win also). I showered at the gym 5 days straight so I could use the shampoo. At $26 bucks for the shampoo and $29 for the conditioner, it ain't cheap. 

It took me a whole month to decide to purchase it. Every time I used any other shampoo, I just got sad. I now just justify it as, I'll never had to buy perfume again because my hair smells so good. Strong justification? Probably not. But when you fall in love you fall in love!    

Drybar Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant

Written by Deanna .P

Drybar is a concept that came about 6 years ago.  They are ahair salon & all they do is blow out hair.  They do not cut or color hair.  There are over 60 locations around the country & you can request on line for them to open a location near you.  The creators believe that a pro does a better job styling your hair than you do. I definitely agree & so do a lot of other people & that is one of the reasons the salon is so popular & successful. 

Besides salons, drybar also makes a bunch of products that you can buy online.  They have everything that will compliment the perfect blowout & help you to do it successfully at home.  

 Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant (50 ML 1.7 FL OZ. $16.00 100 ML 3.4 OZ $30.00) is one of the products that are available from drybar & I was fortunate enough to test it on my hair.

Our awareness has increased over the past 10 years, that there areso many factors such as the environment&  tools that damage your hair on a daily basis.  There is the sun, blowdryers, flatirons, curling irons, hot rollers that all provide heat to your hair & unfortunately don’t help it to ultimately look healthy & flourish in the long term.  Hot Toddy solves this problem.  Itis a very lightweight lotion that protects hair from heat up to 450 degrees F or232 degrees C.   It also prevent dryness, damage, & breakage & seals split ends. 

Ingredients include:

-Artichoke Leaf Extract which prevents dehydration and preserves hair cuticle. 

-Polymer Complex protects against heat from hot tools and helps to repair split ends. 

-UV Protectors (Octocrylene & Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) provide protection from UVA and UVB rays. 

-Marrakesh Woods Fragrance features notes of sandalwood, jasmine and vanilla.

It has no parabens, sulfates, & phthalates & theydo not test on animals,

Lastly, it works on all hair types & is also safe for keratin & color treated hair.

To use, you apply a small dollop into damp hair & work it through prior to blowdrying. 

I have been using it for the past couple of weeks & I definitely see a big change.  My hair looks healthier, feel softer, & has less split ends.  It definitely does exactly what it claims to do.  I would recommend this product & think it is a good value for the price.  You can buy it & more productshere & find out locations of the salon if interested in trying:

http://shop.thedrybar.com

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer - Natural Radiance Review.

Written by Amanda .V

Skin is my thing. I live for healthy, glowing, radiant skin. This is the reason that foundations, concealers, primers and highlighters are my favorite products. I am forever trying to perfect the look of natural, ethereal glow on my skin. A year or so ago I’ve come across what is now a holy grail product for me. It’s not a product that is all over the internet (at least I haven’t seen much hype about it anywhere) but it is my little secret to dewy skin. Laura Mercier does have a cult tinted moisturizer already (which I am a very big fan of) but one day while shopping at Sephora ready to replace that exact cult product, right next to it were various shades of her ILLUMINATING TINTED MOISTURIZER. I may or may not have gasped and lost my breath. Anything that says “illuminating”, “luminizing”, and/or “luminous” I absolutely must try. Anything to make me look like an ethereal GAWDESS. I grabbed mine in the shade “Natural” so that i can use it either alone or as a base and not have it be too light or too dark although all shades are pretty sheer and buildable as well as easily blendable. This product has enough tint to blur out minimal imperfections and will also step in as your SPF to protect your face from the sun (YAY FOR SKIN PROTECTION!!). It blends amazingly with your fingers and flawlessly with a buffing or stippling foundation brush. The sheer coverage allows your skin to breath while leaving you with a dewy, beautiful, hydrated natural glow. You can layer it, if you feel the need for a bit more coverage. I have sensitive skin and didn’t catch a reaction, but that’s me. It may or may not be different for you. You can always grab a sample at Sephora to test it out and see if it is right for you. The one single con about this is... it's not the best choice for flash photography. It looks awesome in daylight just not the very best with flash. 

This magnificent products retails for $44 for 1.7oz of product. It is a tad bit pricey but it is a lot of product and worth every penny and a little goes a very long way. My second tube has so far lasted me almost a year and it’s on its last couple of drops and CANNOT wait to grab another one ASAP. I highly recommend this for teens and young ladies starting out with makeup. Do The Dew!!!

NOTE: If you want the radiance without looking greasy because you may have oily skin, try a light dusting of translucent powder. Try pairing it with NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder for whimsical, glowing skin. Mermaid vibes without major oiliness. 

Origins Clear Improvement Mask Review

I love giving myself a mini facial. One of the steps I like to include is a deep cleansing mask. The Origins Clear Improvements mask is exactly what I’m looking for to get rid of gunk that clogs up my pores. Most of the year, I have normal to combination skin. In the summer, my nose and chin get oily. The sticky summer heat makes the pores on my nose open up like canyons. I know that’s to be expected but it ain’t cute and I’m actually pretty self-conscious of what I call my pickled nose. Other times of the year, I adore my tiny nose. She’s cute! I remind myself that, on the whole, I’m very lucky to have good skin and that my obsession with skincare and beauty is a choice. My heart goes out to people who dislike their skin and feel a societal pressure to make their skin ‘better.’ It is important to keep in mind that skincare is very personal and even people with similar skin types will be effected differently by the same product. Always do a small patch test on your arm when testing out a product to test if you have an allergy to the product.

Wet                  

 Dry

Origins’ Clear Improvements mask uses charcoal to give the skin a deep cleanse. For the best results, I like to run a clean wash cloth under warm water and then place it over my face. The warmth and steam from the wash cloth will help open my pores. I then place a few small dots on my nose and chin then blend out the clay to an even thin layer. While you apply the mask, you will feel a slightly tingling sensation on your face. I like that feeling on my nose. As it dries, the mask will tighten to a point where you can’t freely move your face. When the mask has dried, usually about 15 minutes, I wet the wash cloth again with warm water and place it on my skin where the mask has dried for about 20 seconds. This helps to rehydrate the clay for an easy clean up. The clay will slide right off. If you’ve done a mud or clay mask before, you know that getting it off can take some time. If you’re impatient, like me, you’ll probably end up tugging and dragging your skin which helps no one. After I’ve removed all traces of the mask, I follow through with the rest of my at home facial: cleanse, exfoliate, a hydrating sheet mask, serum, and moisturizer.

This charcoal mask works really well to give your skin a fresh start and tighten your pores. It is recommended to be used once a week but, again, skincare is personal. Avoid over using this mask as well as leaving it on your skin for more than 20 minutes when in use because it can dry out your skin. You’ll notice if you’ve left it on too long because your skin will get slightly itchy. When trying out a new mask, it is important to listen to your skin and react to avoid irritating your skin. My cheeks are susceptible to dryness so I avoid using this mask on them. I use this mask to spot treat hormonal pimples that pop up on my chin and forehead every so often. While it doesn’t remove the pimple, it has helped to reduce their size

.

This mask is available in three sizes with prices ranging from $4 to $26. If you’re looking to just give this mask a try without making a long term commitment to the product, pick up the pod sized mask (.34oz) which is good for two or three uses. This mask is worth testing out. It has helped keep my skin looking great, especially in the humid months.

Available at Sephora; .34oz, $4; 1.7oz, $17; 3.4oz, $26

Product Photo from Sephora.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s

My Story: By Pepper.B

I want to start off by first welcoming you to my website, If you've come for the first time to read a little more about who I am I encourage you to browse the entire site before you leave. There will be something here at some point that will interest you. Furthermore My name is Pepper.B and I am NYC based Make-up artist and Journalist. 

I treat both being a Make-up artist & Journalist with the same regard because I am extremely passionate about both things and often can't decide which makes me happier. I'm one who has to the tell the story after I create it. I probably should've been a director lol.  I developed a passion for beauty at a very young age watching my late mom get ready in our small one bedroom apartment in Downtown, Brooklyn. Hints the social media handle @Downtownpepper. I would steal my moms make-up bag and attempt to recreate looks she did. I honestly never thought this is something I would turn into my adulthood career. When I was 18 I created a beauty blog called "COMPINC Beauty" There I had a youtube channel where I built some of my following.  My mission was to work relentlessly until I created a name. I've now worked with some of the most fascinated people on the biggest media platforms. 

Recently I let go of my blog of 6 years to rebrand my business. No matter how long you've been around you always deserve to start fresh. On my website I feature different Women who are talented leaders and trendsetters. My interviews break down things they like and how they have jumpstarted the business they own in a unique way. I also have a tab of product reviews that reverts back to my blogs original aesthetic by doing classic written product reviews with ratings. I have 4 amazing writers who help me in building this tab by providing the most current ratings and reviews.    

I'm pretty simple. I only do things that make my heart happy and I love to work hard around good people. I find the more good things you give to the universe the more you attract back and thats how I live life. I am a Leo born on August 2nd and I am a leader at heart. I have a passion for people and bringing out the best in them which is why I love doing make-up. Contributing to someone feeling good about themselves and boosting self esteem is the reward for me. It's never been about doing make-up for big names or big people more so about making people feel big even when they feel small. I've created this tab because I have a voice and I want to utilize my platform to inspire others so this is just the introduction to me story. Stay a while and get to know a little more. Xo Pepper.B

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick - L.U.V Review

By: Amanda V.

I am an avid “nudist” when it comes to lipstick, lip gloss even a lip Pencil. I am forever playing it safe these days with beiges and browns. I decided to give it a go with something out of my comfort zone… I mean, I need some type of life in this NYC Heatwave. I grabbed Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade L.U.V., a pretty vibrant violet. I prepped my lips with a coffee scrub and I applied 2 swipes of the lipstick and my face was brought to life with this pop of color. I felt confident and fearless when I saw what it looked like on me. This shade reminded me so much of the sought after limited edition MAC Lipstick in RiRi Boy (From Rihanna’s 2013 Makeup Collaboration with the brand) so if you wanted to grab that shade and didn’t have the chance to, this could be a pretty good dupe. I have not actually wore a “loud” shade in a really long time and a couple of swipes of this gorgeous floral hue made me wonder, why did I ever stop wearing Brights and Bolds on my lips. This product went on smoothly without major streakiness, however it wasn’t very bright with a single layer so I did have to double up for perfect, opaque coverage and vibrancy (As you can see the double layer swatch in both photos) .

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta Review

By: Amanda V.

I cannot begin to explain how incredible the Ambient Lighting Blush is This Powder Blush feels as light as air and blends like a dream when swiped onto the skin. With a single swipe I am glowing like a goddess. The complimentary glimmering golden sheen that is swirled into the bright pink shade provides a beautiful whimsical flush that I don’t think I’ve found with any other cheek product. 

Personally, I usually go for a Peach or a Nude/Neutral shade when it comes to my cheeks and I don’t really like to steer out of my comfort zone. When I first saw that it said “MAGENTA”, the first thought I had was “Yikes this might be a bit too colorful and bright for my taste” but I thought wrong. It had the perfect pop of color blended with the perfect amount of highlight so you get a perfectly luminous swirl of cotton candy pink. It was love at first swipe. 

I have Dry/Combo/Sensitive skin and I tend to get dry patches on my cheeks. With that being said, this blush doesn’t flake throughout the day on my patches nor does it emphasize them as well as affect the sensitivity of my skin. I set my face on the daily with Hourglass Dim Light Powder and that product, mixed with this blush will give your skin perfect ethereal glow for the last couple weeks of Summer and transitioning into the Fall. 

The compliments I’ve been getting in the past few days of consistently wearing this have been endless. This product may be on the pricier side for a single blush ($38) but it is honestly worth it and it can be a luxurious little treat with it's simplistically chic packaging.

NYX Lingerie Lip Review

Written By Christine Q

A few weeks ago, I received the NYX Lingerie liquid lipstick in the mail from none other, Ms. Pepper. B herself! I'll admit, I left it on my make-up table for a hot minute. It's summer, right now with the crazy humidity and heat in NYC, the only thing I care for is a good lip balm with SPF. 

Last night, I had the perfect opportunity to get all dolled up with a smokey eye. For reference, I used a blend of gray, black, and brown eyeshadow with a heavy dose of mascara. The finishing touch was a good soft neutral lip so I reached for the liquid lipstick in the the color Bedtime Flirt. It was the perfect neutral lip color. It was the color of my lips, pinky brown, but punched up and pouty. To boot, it's soft creamy, and non-drying. If you're a fan of MAC's Velvet Teddy, you'll love this. 

I loved it so much that I brought it back out today for a brunch date with some girlfriends. My friend commented that there something about me that looked a little different. She couldn't figure out what it was at first and then pointed out that my lips looked plumper than usual. The color was so neutral she couldn't even tell that it was a lipstick. 

I highly recommend this for everyday or or a night out. It really is the perfect finish to any look.