Dr Dennis Gross Firming Peptide Milk Review

Written by Deanna .P

I don’t know if you read my review of Dr. Dennis Gross’s product a month or so ago.  At that time I had no idea who Dr Dennis Gross was & I had never tried any of his products.  Fast forward to now & I now know & respect him & I was excited to try his firming peptide milk which is a nourishing & lifting hydration for the face, neck, & chest.  

Dr Gross is a well known & respected New York City dermatologist who specializes in cosmetic dermatology.  He became a dermatologist to the stars & decided to create a line of products that his patients could use in the comfort of their own homes. He has a host of great products for your skin & this time I tried his firming peptide milk.  It comes in 1.0 fl oz & retails for $65.00. it contains no parabens, sulfates or phthalates. The product is easy to use.  Twist the cap to reduce the appropriate dose.    Unscrew the cap & push top to release it on your fingers.  Massage cream into your face, neck & chest.  Use in the am & pm.  Can use a moisturizer after you apply it& use sunscreen in am after it is applied.  The milk nourishes skin while making your complexion look firmer.  Formulated with tetrapeptide-21, collagen amino acids, and ceramides, the ingredients in this lightweight formula, work to make your skin have a tighter & more lifted appearance.

I have used this product for about a week & so far I really like it.  It is such a light weight formula & it feels great on my face.  I have noticed a definite difference in the way my skin looks.  It is less dry & looks a lot firmer.  It also feels so much softer than it did a week ago.  I will continue to use it.I do think this product is a bit pricey, but it does help firm, lift & moisturize skin so you do not have to buy multiple products.    This makes it more worth the investment.

Some of the places it can be purchasedare at Sephora, Nordstrom’s, & directly from Dr. Dennis’s website below:

Kylie Cosmetics #KYSHADOW: The Burgundy Palette Review

Kylie Cosmetics KYSHADOW: The Burgundy Palette Review 

By Amanda V.

There's something about colors in the Fall that bring me to this happy place of comfort, other than the fact that I was born during the middle of this whimsical season. Shades of Amber, Burgundy, Warm Chocolate Browns and Rustic Oranges... reminiscent of walking along Central Park as different shades of leaves fall to the ground, make me feel warm and giddy as the temperature drops. With that being said, let me introduce to you what I think is the perfect eyeshadow palette for Fall... The Kylie Cosmetics KYSHADOW Burgundy Palette. This palette is what autumnal dreams are made (Hey! Hey!). The KYSHADOW palette comes with 5 Mattes and 4 Shimmers. It glistens as soon as you flip it open [insert infinite heart eyes emojis here]. With each creamy swatch of each shade I couldn't help but gasp and slowly lose my breath. Think I'm being a tad bit dramatic? Get the palette and try it out for yourself and meet me at my current state. I must say that these mattes are super pigmented. I usually have a hard time finding super pigmented matte shades that don't look chalky. These are very rich and go on super smooth and they blend INCREDIBLE! The shimmers are gorgeous and glimmery, the shade Naked is barely there on my skin but I'm not going to write it off as a con because the name clearly states what the shade should look like, but I can possibly live without it. I'm in love with all of the mattes, I can't pick a favorite, they're all too beautiful and very vibrant. The photos don't do it justice. I think these are definitely going to hit pan! Enough said. 

The packaging is gorgeous that I will let it slide that I'm not fond of cardboard magnetic packaging but just about every brand seems to have those nowadays. It's sleek in all white with those famous Kylie Jenner eyes dripping with mirrored, metallic shades from the palette. Each shadow is 0.05oz and this palette retails for $42 (that's less than $5 per shadow) but of courseKylie's shipping bumps it up to about $50.95. I highly recommend, especially if you like to play around in beautiful autumn hues. 

Boscia Oil Control Mask Review

Written by Ada H 

I live in one of the greatest cities in the world - New York City. Time is a funny thing here. Back home in Texas, I had a lot of time and I spent the majority of it watching Netflix. After I moved here, it’s like I don’t have time for anything. There’s so much to do here. This city really inspires the “Empire State of Mind” as Alicia Keys puts it. It’s true. Whatever you dream of, whatever you want. This city has all the opportunities available for you to grasp and make those dreams a reality. New York is Go. So I go.

With Boscia’s Green Tea Oil Control Mask, I love the results. My face feels soft and supple, and it looks soft and smooth. From all the harsh weather and environmental pollutants, this is a nice refresh at the end of the day. It smells amazing, fresh. The color is a light jade creamy hue. The results make this a definite yes for your beauty arsenal.

That is where my compliments stop. I’m busy, I’m beginning to have white hairs from everything I’m doing and wanting to do. So many projects and side hustles. First, this mask is a little difficult to put on your face. The viscosity is thick (I’ve been wanting to use that word – viscosity hehe).  It’s not a smooth application. It’s a slight struggle to apply all over your face. An unnecessary struggle if you ask me. The directions say to put on a thin layer. The first time I used it, I guess I put on too thin of a layer. I had the hardest time picking and peeling it off. I ended up washing the majority of it off. (Am I the only one who gets satisfaction out of peeling that layer off?)  The second time, I put more on. The peel was more satisfactory this time around, but it was still difficult to separate the substance from my skin. I had to sit there and pick, pick, pick. It should be peeeeelll, peeelllllllll, done! It took up way too much time. 

The results are fantastic, but the process isn’t as smooth as it should be.  I’m torn really, why can’t the mask be like me and just tear.

Ole Henriksen Facial Water Review

Written by: Ada .H

Ole Henriksen skincare line originated from a Scandinavian man with the respective name.  He had cystic acne and turned to botanical and natural remedies. In his own personal journey to remediate his own skin, his skincare line emerged.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle of his Nuture Me Facial Water. It’s a mist that you spray all over your face to rehydrate and soothe. The directions say to spray on a clean, dry face before application of anything else. I was so excited that when I first got it, I sprayed it on immediately after work just to try it out. I love the scent. It’s a light hint of fresh cut roses. When I sprayed it on the first time, I had just gotten home from work with a dirty face and semi melted makeup. I didn’t care, nor did I read the directions haha! The spray didn’t settle in well at all, obviously. Clean face it says. It ended up making my face feel sticky and left a weird sheen on top of my already dirty gross face from the day.  Alright. Let’s follow the directions. I woke up the next morning, washed my face. Patted it dry, aimed that bottle at me, and sprayed. I patted the over-sprayed areas with a tissue to blot dry and hand-aired the rest. Didn’t take long. Then I applied my daily facial lotion and followed that up with my usual BB cream for the day along with the usual makeup routine. My makeup looked nice the entire day. I could go to happy hour and dinner and not worry about makeup run offs or meltdowns. If I had time, I would run home and wipe my makeup off with a towelette. Respray this on, and put on my entire night out makeup on. It feels great when done right. I like that it helped keep my skin in check the entire day. Our faces pump out oil to try and overcompensate for the dryness. I feel like this hydrates really well and creates some kind of a barrier to keep your face looking fresh all day. I haven’t tried a mid-day spray with makeup still on though. I’m a little hesitant seeing as I learned on the first time trying it, you should spray on a first layer underneath everything. Maybe then, the following sprays won’t leave gack on your face.  

Sake Hydrogel Eye Mask Review

Boscia was developed in Japan 35+ years ago.   It made it’s debut in the US in 2002.    What differentiates it from other brands is that it is the first 100% preservative free skincare brand. Boscia stands for Botanical Science.   All of their products use advanced Japanese technology to make your skin feel good & look great.  I tried Boscia’s Sake Brightening Hydrogel Eye Masks.  They came in a box with 3 treatments & they sold for $15.00.   The eye mask is infused with Sake, plant extracts, & antioxidants that promise to firm, hydrate, brighten & reduce the look of fine lines.   It also is said to make the skin around the eye area look rejuvenated.  Most of Boscia’s products include Jojoba leaf & wilowherb,  The leaf works to prevent damage &  nourishes skin & the herb reduces redness & irritation. The main ingredient Sake has Thioredoxin (TRX).  This is considered the “mother molecule” for all living organisms providing protection from aging, dullness, water loss, loss of elasticity and hyperpigmentation.  Also, it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals to provide powerful hydration and brightening benefits.

The product is very simple to use. I easily removed the eye pads from the packaging & peeled off each lining on each individual pad.  Put the smaller end in the corner of the eye & placeone under each eye following the contour of your eye.  Pat down so they are on smoothly & leave on for 15-20 minutes.   Remove when done & pat the remaining oils into skin. Do not rinse or wash off. I really liked this product.  It was simple to use & it felt nice on my eyes.  I loved the fact that the product had a Japanese mystique to it & I think it did help my under eye area after only one treatment.  I was surprised about the main ingredient being Sake as I had only drank Sake in the past.   I will definitely do another treatment on my eyes. I am thrilledwith the fact that there are no preservatives in this brand & they pride themselves on how their products are made & their effectiveness. It is definitely worth $15 for 3 treatments.  I do plan to buy other product by this brand.

Boscia Black Hydration Gel Review

Written by Ada . H 

When it comes to cleanliness, there's a stigma that black = dirty. We want white linens, a bright white kitchen with white counter tops. We want white teeth, brightening skin potions. Well, you clean freaks, BLACK is the new clean.  When Lady Gaga came out with her signature eau de parfum "Fame", the liquid inside was black. I remember when I first lent that bottle to girls in the locker room, a lot of them gasped and immediately had a look of disgust on their face. I stood there unhinged, "do it," I challenged them. They ended up loving the smell. 

Don't be afraid of the new black toiletries, my friends!

Boscia's new black line for skin care is no different. It's black because of the charcoal ingredient that's been concocted into the line. It's the star ingredient. Charcoal these days have so many different properties for cleaning and skincare. It's the new IT-ingredient. (Remember when it was tea tree oil?) 

I tried Boscia's Black Hydration Gel and let me tell you I have jumped ship from a Belieber to a believer in this product. First of all, it smells like lychee. It has an exotic, faint, clean fruit smell. It's not heavy, it's just there. It's refreshing. All it requires is a thin layer spread evenly on your face day and night. I apply it underneath my makeup. 

Who shines like a greasy diamond by the end of the work day? 

Me. 

However, when I apply this hydration gel on for the day, I look great by the end of it! I'm usually running to the bathroom blotting my face with rough paper towels, or secretly tearing off those damn tissue paper toilet coverings in the stall and doing what Tyra Banks taught me to dab my face. With this, I don't have to worry about all that nonsense. It's awesome!  The gel comes out looking weird to first-timers. It literally looks like someone took clear gel and mixed charcoal into it. It's not a solid black gel, it's more like a semi translucent light black gel. Don't be scared! It melts and soaks into your skin clear. My skin looks smoother and more refined. The verdict: I am definitely incorporating this into my daily regimen for years to come - until I die a black death.

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits And Metal Mattes Review

Written by: Amanda. V

Once again, I come to you with another review from the Kylie Cosmetics brand. The makeup guru and baby of the Kardashian/Jenner Klan released her famous LIP KITS about a year ago and they literally crashed the internet. At an instant it became a craze. As soon as she restocked she would sell out again in minutes. This continued for months and months. This summer I gave in and got a hold of a few. The 5 shades I picked up were Kourt K, True Brown K and Dolce K along with Kylie's Metal Mattes in Heir and King K. I may have had these since summer but I started wearing them in late September/Early October. 

(From top to bottom are Kourt K, Dolce K & True Brown K. On the left are the lip liner swatches and on the right are the liquid lipstick swatches) 

I will just go ahead and say it, Dolce K has hands down been my favorite every day lip color, HOLY GRAIL! It's a must have tan-nude, whether it's the liner alone or as a combo with the liquid lipstick or even paired with any Kylie gloss. It's the perfect go to neutral. I guarantee you'd be obsessed, plus it glides on like silk! True Brown K is one of the most pretty, opaque brown lipsticks I've come across. It is rich, deep, warm chocolate. It's pretty much a Cadbury Bar in creamy Liquid Lipstick form. The staying power is equivalent to a Sharpie (4 tacos in and It didn't even budge, my friend was absolutely amazed). Lastly the perfect, glam fall shade is... drumroll please... Kourt K! This gorgeous deep purple did glide on super smooth but it was a bit transparent at first swipe. To get a full opaque lip you MUST use the liner, or apply at least 3 layers if you're solely using the liquid lipstick. 

These Liquid Lipstick Kits are super gorgeous. They smell like cake which I love (but also that's what I've seen a lot of people complain about, if you're sensitive to smells you may want to pass on this). I absolutely love the scent and the formulation. They feel light and glide on smoothly. The longevity of these products are insane. I have to actually slather on coconut oil and scrub it off with a toothbrush. Being that they ARE matte, they ARE a bit drying so make sure you do a proper prep of a lip scrub and moisturizing balm before applying so you won't get any flakiness. Proper care and preparation of your lips can make this lipstick last all day.  

Warning: The shade Heir seems to always be sold out, you must act fast when a restock is announced if you really want it.The Kylie Cosmetics Metal Mattes have a bit of a different, airy, mousse like texture than the liquid lipsticks. It goes on light and I felt that I needed to apply a couple of layers to get the opacity that I wanted. The shade Heir is a mega gorgeous metallic peach with gold reflects (SWOON!) and King K is noted to be a soft metallic gold that comes off a bit more bronzed in my eyes. To be honest, although these colors are absolutely stunning, they seem to come off a bit lack luster and dry when applied on the lips. They also don't last as long as the original Matte Lip Kits. These easily wiped off with a baby wipe, but I couldn't see a complete failure in this product because with every product I have, I try my best to make it work. These look stunning when layering with either the liquid lipsticks or lip pencils as a shimmering lip topper. I think they look better paired with other lip products than they do alone. The Lip Kits retail for $29, but are now also sold as separates with the liner retailing for $14 and the liquid lipstick retailing for $17. The Metal Mattes retail for $18. They are your average sized liquid lipsticks with about 0.11 fl oz of product. I'd definitely recommend at least trying out the Lip Kits. Although the metals mattes are super pretty, I'd still suggest getting the kit before getting the metals. The only Annoying thing is that $9 dollar shipping (that is rather slow). Why Kylie? Why!!!

Note: As I mentioned in my previous post, there's a lot of BS going on with Kylie's products not living up to its hype and the constant comparison to inexpensive makeup brand Colourpop, but I will say this again THEY ARE NOT THE SAME. Especially the matte lipsticks. These are not a uncomfortable as the Colourpop ones tend to sometimes be for me. Yes, You can find a shade dupe but the formulation is definitely different. Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip doesn't last as long as Kylie's in my honest opinion. I think some people are overly critical because of the name behind this brand. They want to find something wrong to tear it down because of their dislike toward this family. Now I may not be the biggest fan of Kylie Jenner personally but her brand is great. I'm loving what she is coming out with. When something is not great with a product, she makes sure to improve or change it and I think that's great and better than what most huge brands do. Please don't let your thoughts on Kylie herself or her family prevent you from trying great makeup products.

Whats on my radar: Holographic Stick by Milk Make-up

At this point in life I'm sure I don't need another highlighter. But I'm sure if you're into make up you know how addictive it is to buy a new highlighter every time you see one pop up on your newsfeed on Instagram.  Most of the time I'm pretty stuck in my ways. I'm a if it's not broke don't fix it kind a girl, however there has been a ton of new beauty brands emerging in the industry. 

I stumbled across the holographic stick from Milk make up and generally this is a color I wouldn't use for a girl my complexion. I really love this highlighter for layering. A lot of the time I layer this highlighter under my rose highlighting powder to give my highlighter a little bit of dimension. Or if I'm channeling my inner unicorn I wear this alone with minimal make up. Brows light eyeliner and mascara. 

Being that milk make up is definitely a line from minimalist. This aligns perfectly with someone who doesn't want a lot of steps added to their routine for one something to spice up there every day natural beauty. In every beauty shop I walk in its practically sold out.  This is on my radar it should be on yours too.!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Masterclass by Mario Palette Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills Masterclass by Mario Palette Review 

By Amanda V. 

Just about everyone in the beauty industry knows Mario Dedivanovic aka @makeupbymario on Instagram. He's the celebrity artist behind all of Kim Kardashian West's iconic makeup looks as well as the rest of the Kardashians and Jenners. He is pretty much the king of sultry and sexy. Whether you're a fan of Kim Kardashian or not, the one thing you can't deny is that her makeup is always extra gorg and crushes hearts with that iconic bronzed eye. The minimalist in me has been preferring the natural looks she's been sporting recent especially her latest looks at Paris Fashion Week that Mario has given her as well as some of my girl crushes like actresses Shay Mitchell, Priyanka Chopra and Supermodel Jourdan Dunn. I was just about obsessed with it all. These makeup looks all trace back to Mario and his new Masterclass by Mario palette in collaboration with the ever popular Anastasia Beverly Hills brand. He himself has stated that Kim was his muse for the easy neutral shades in palette filled with multiple mattes and metallics. Everyone from the super minimalist to the Drag Queens will fall head over heels over this palette.

The hype about this product was so real, I knew I just had to grab it during the release day. Packed into a chic, simplistic cardboard palette with magnetic closure are beautiful rich warm and cool toned mattes, soft nude and smokey jewel toned metallics. This palette has everything you need to go from super soft day to super sultry night. It's very easy to work with that even beginners can slay. This product came out at the perfect time heading into the perfect season for these shades. These autumnal hues are reminiscent of the gorgeous shades of the falling leaves I see while walking through Central Park. This product gives me beautiful enchanted forest vibes. 

It is love at first swatch. What I absolutely love about these Anastasia Beverly Hills palettes is the quality and pigment of these shadows. They are buttery smooth and glide on like a dream. My favorite shade that I fell in love with is "Marina". It is the most beautiful, glowing, intense metallic peachy gold I've ever come across and it deserves infinite heart eye emojis. It is made of mermaid dreams, I just want to bathe in it. (Fun Fact: I have used it as a highlighter already). The photos will never do it justice. A close second in favorites in this palette is the shade "Bronx". A beautiful warm earthy olive shade with a gorgeous golden shimmer. This shadow shade is pretty similar to Urban Decay's "Stash" 24/7 glide on eye pencil. The mattes in this palette are the holiest of matte shadows. The pigmentation of these mattes are batshit crazy. The vibrancy is there even with a finger swatch and without using an eyelid primer/base. I did favor the "Isabel" matte shade. It's the perfect warm, light orange creamsicle shade that is ideal for transitioning in the crease. The only disappointing shade to me was Hollywood. It goes on a bit chalky and it wasn't as buttery smooth as the others and when blended it pretty much became transparent on me. I've always found that the quality of the shadows in ABH Palettes are better than the single shadows. They're softer and blend more seamlessly and attaches to the brush better and you don't have to keep digging into the shadow to get the intensity we all want from a shadow. Of course there is a bit of fallout but let's be real, what shadow doesn't? 

The cost of this palette is $45 for 12 shadows that's are 0.02oz each. The palette is Limited Edition so it might be difficult to get your hands on. What is a tad bit annoying is that all of the Anastasia Beverly Hills palettes from the past were all less than this price point. Even her permanent classic "Modern Renaissance" palette, which contained 2 more shadows than this one is slightly cheaper at $42 and The limited edition "Self-Made" palette which also had 14 shadows was only $35. The price increase is a bit wild but I understand that Mario has to make some collab profit. You will be getting your money's worth because it's a gorgeous palette with rich pigments which isn't always easy to come across and it can be used everyday for even the most subtle look. If you need more convincing just stare at the glowing swatch of "Marina" until you've completely surrendered soul,  and your dollars. 

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner Review

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

Written by: Danyelle V

FYI, I’ve been obsessed with navy smokey eyes for the whole of 2016. I have been in search for the perfect shade of navy blue and I have yet to find it. But this Steel Ink shade has calmed my need for something blue. This is one of the most beautiful shades I have ever seen. It is a deep greyish blue metallic base with tiny blue sparkles. Blue eyeshadow gets a bad rap, probably because every kid in middle school in the early 2000s wore frosty blue eyeshadow. When done right, it looks amazing. You’re missing out. I was nervous about using another Bobbi Brown product after I tested out the Sequin Eyeshadows. You can read more about my experience with them by clicking here. The amazing quality of the Longwear Gel Eyeliner goes to show that one product cannot speak for the entirety of a brand.

Every time I’ve used this Longwear Gel Eyeliner, I have been so in love with how my eye makeup turns out. I may write about makeup, but I am no wear near an expert in makeup application. If eye makeup were a video game, my level would be set to easy. Mostly, I like to think, it’s because I can’t see a thing without my glasses so I use a magnifying mirror. Or maybe that just makes me feel better. Whatever eye look I’m wearing, you can bet that I have practiced that look every night before bed for two weeks. Same colors, same products, varied tools. If you feel like your eye makeup game needs to level up, I urge you to do the same. Just practice that one look over and over until your hands already know where to go. But! Every time I’ve used this Longwear Gel Eyeliner, I get the look I want, the first time! I tried the ‘reverse’ wing liner all smokey and thick, I died. I used it for the edges of a halo eye -the blending, fantastic. A dramatic smokey eye, where this was LITERALLY the only thing on my eyelid, heaven. 

You could logically argue that may be my skills are just improving, and I hope that that is at least part of it. But in all my practicing, I’ve learned that, often times, that the product and the tools you use make all the difference in your final look. Notice that I did not say the price. You can slay an eye look with a NYX palette just as you could with one from Too Faced.

This eyeliner doesn’t dry too quickly, which gives you enough time to create the shapes and looks that you want. You can make your looks sharp and crisp or you can smudge them for a grunge look. Don’t be afraid to test products in ways that it is not marketed because this eyeliner applied as a shadow or base for a pigment looks so beautiful. I love the color so much. If you’ve tried it, leave a comment sharing your experience with it or if it is something that you would want to pick up. Until my next review for Meetpepperb.com, take care!

Available at Nordstrom; $26

Product Photo from Nordstrom.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s

Kiss Fantasy Gel Ready to Wear Gel nails review

Get adorable nails at home with the Gel Fantasy Ready to Wear Nails. It is so much easier than going to the nail salon to be surrounded by some lady’s screaming kid. It’s much more affordable too. For about $8, you can have a professional looking gel manicure. They are available in many different styles, shapes, and colors for you to choose from. You can pick them up almost anywhere: Target, Walmart, a local beauty supply store.

They also are available for toe nails as well. Did you guys know this was a thing? Press on toe nails? My mouth dropped when I saw them in-store. I didn’t test out the toe nails but, quite frankly, if you want to know about them, ya’ll gonna have to do some independent research. I am not putting a picture of my feet on the internet. The toe nails are also available in many shades and designs, too. 

The package is equipped with everything you will need to complete your nails. There are 24 differently sized nails to choose from. Choose nails that are the same width as your finger nails. You will have a nail file and a wooden stick (which I still don’t know what for).You will also have two adhesive options. There is the traditional nail glue and differently sized double sided sticky pads. I prefer the glue. If you make last minute plans and your nails don’t look so great, you can have your nails done in about 5 minutes after you sort out the sizing for your nails. The glue is fast drying. When I removed the nails with just some warm water and acetone, my natural nail was not affected by the glue. You can also reuse the nails it you don’t damage them. 

Because the nails are a soft plastic, you can use the nail file to shape the nails to your liking. The shape of these Gel Fantasy nails were square. I prefer a more oval appearance because I have short fingers and an oval shape just slightly elongates their appearance. Making a beauty product look natural (ish) is possible if you just pay attention to the details. Pay extra attention to the shape of the cuticle end of the Gel Fantasy nails to match your nail shape. If you ever notice someone is wearing press on nails, it’s probably because the cuticle shape is really off. You can use the nail file to shape the cuticle side as well.

I’m a nail biter. Always have been. I never really paid much attention to my nails but I do want them to at least look cute some of the time. These nails are perfect if you have a nail biting problem. When I’ve worn the Gel Fantasy Ready to Wear nails, obviously, I couldn’t bite my nails so they were able to grow and look better. If you also have this bad habit, maybe it can help you too!

The Kiss Gel Fantasy Nails are absolutely worth looking into! It is great to try new styles and colors without making the commitment and investment that going to the salon would be. These are just fun to try! Let us know what you thought of this review and if you would try them!

Product Rating: 5 Star

Available at Target, Walmart; $7.99

Product Photo from Bojour.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s

Kylie Cosmetics Lip Glosses Review

By: Amanda V.

When a majority of people hear the name Kardashian there's an instant eye roll. Die to overexposure this family is not the favorite of many.

Kylie Jenner made quite a name for herself in the makeup industry. From selling out every Mac store and counter of my favorite lip liners Whirl and Subculture for months (it was the saddest times in my beauty life) and there are hundreds and hundreds of makeup tutorials in how to get that Kylie Jenner Look of 2014/2015. It was only a matter of time before she came out with her own makeup line.

The Kylie Cosmetics Lip Kits were damn near impossible to grab during its first few months of release. Unless you were at home stalking the site at the announced release times, you didn't stand a chance. I was able to grab a few shades because my boss just so happens to have that good luck that I lack. Along with a handful of lip kits, I was most excited about her lip glosses when they released because I am a gloss girl on the daily. I had gotten the initial first 3 at the time they first released, "Like", "Literally" and "So Cute". These neutral glosses are absolutely gorgeous. They are thick but not gloss feeling at all what so ever and the color payoff is ace. It's so hard to find a neutral or a nude gloss that has pigmented, opaque, non-sticky and long lasting formula. I REPEAT... LONG LASTING!!! You will still have the gloss on after a giant Chipotle Burrito session. The chic glossy sheen is so beautiful and heart eyes emoji worthy, it officially has my gold star sticker of excellence.

View fullsize

(From top to bottom: Like, Literally & So Cute. The left photo is without flash and the right photo is with flash.)

These glosses have become my go-to. I believe they are comparable to the Anastasia Beverly Hills lip glosses and my cult fave Stila Lip Glaze which I could not live without in high school. which I favor above all other glosses. I know there was drama around these products, saying that it's similar to Colourpop or that it is a Colourpop gloss/lipstick in Kylie packaging and priced 3x as much. I don't pay attention to that kind of stuff because it makes me lose excitement over makeup. (And just to clarify, I do not think the formula is the same as Colourpop. I feel and see the difference in pigment and texture. They both show different ingredients in product on the packaging) I can continue rambling on about why this doesn't bother me but I will not.This is an all around excellent product. AIt's pretty fun to play around with and layer over liners or as toppers to liquid lipsticks. One of my favorite combos that I use way too much are Dolce K Liner from the Kylie Lip Kits and Literally gloss... SO BOMB!!

The only downside to these glosses were that the brushes were disgusting. An absolute mess! So I use them with disposable doe foot wands or my Real Techniques retractable lip brush. My order of these glosses were one of the first, so I got to get the entire order all over again (free of charge) due to the trash brush applicators that came wth the initial batch. I thought it was pretty cool of Kylie Jenner to do that.

Try your best not to judge this product before you try it simply because you can't stand the Kardashian Klan, you will truly be missing out. These glosses retail at $15.00 and are double the size of sticky MAC lip glasses for the same price but with more longevity during the day. The only major upset about the brand itself is that the shipping is $8.95. If you live in NYC like myself, I see it as round trip train fare and a Venti Soy Misto Starbucks, as if I was going to store to purchase it. But then again, not quite so because it takes about 10 days total to process and ship which is a pain in the ass and express shipping isn't even an option (not that I want to know how much that would even cost). That needs to change because honestly that is the only thing that is stopping me from purchasing anything else from Kylie Cosmetics. I do recommend giving these glosses a chance, they are amazing (and she updated all of the applicators so they are good now) but try purchasing them on the rare occasion when Kylie announces that she has free shipping.

Honorable Mention: I recently purchased the Kylie Cosmetics Gloss in Exposed which is a warm nude and possibly my go to gloss for the autumn months. I'm so excited about this shade! It is Pumpkin Spice in lip gloss form ya'll!

Bobbi Brown Product Review

Written by Deanna P

Most of my friends swear by Bobbi Brown make up.   I have had make up artists use it on me, but I have never tried it on myself, until recently.  I received 4 items to try & I was very excited about each and every one of them.  I have known about Bobbi Brown for decades as she is in every fine department store & makeup specialty store in the country & in the world.  She started her career as a make up artist working with the best to achieve fame in her field.  Her dream was simple, “Natural looking makeup & a lipstick that looked like lips.” Her claim to fame is she is able to enhance the beauty that someone has with a natural makeup look.  She wants the person using her makeup to look real.  Hence she has said, “The secret to beauty is simple: be who you are.”

In 1991, she launched her lipstick line at Bergdorf Goodman.  Although she planned to sell 1000 lipsticks in her first month, she sold the 1000 in the first day.   Four years later, she was bought by Estee Lauder, but always retained full creative control. She lives a normal life in Montclair, NJ & I have always heard of her & been impressed by her generosity throughout the years. The four product I tried are below.

Bobbi Brown Luxe lip color in Pink Guava. 

This lipstick comes in a gorgeous gold tube.  The size is .13 oz./3.8 g and the price is $35.00. It comes in 30 different shades.   The shades are more vibrant & work to cover the whole lip with one swipe.   The benefits of the lip color are ithelps to stop lips from flaking along with helping to reduce the appearance of lip lines.  It helps also to keep lips feeling moisturized even after it is removed.  The shade I tried was pink guava & I liked the color, feel & the way it looked very much,  It made my lips feel soft & I was pleased with the color & appearance of it in in my lips.  I thought the price was fair as the lipstick is very nice & has an expensive feel to it.  

Bobbi Brown Art Stick

This is a lip liner & a lipstick all in one stick.   It comes in 13 different shades & a sharpener is included so you always have a nice point on it.  The point is to line your lips with& then angle it to fill the color.  It is made to last for hours & it’s main ingredient is shea butter.  This makes it have it’s creamy texture & feel very light on your lips.   It is .2 oz/6 g & retails for $28.00.I tried the Cherrywood shade which is a deep wine color.I liked the art stick better the the lip color as it was so easy to line my lips then easily fill them in with color with this easy to use stick.  The color perfectly suited my skin tone & the formula felt great on my lips as well.  This was priced less then the lip color so I was very happy & definitely felt it was a great value as you did not have to buy your lip color & lip liner separately.

Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil

Illuminate comes in .084 oz./2.4 g & retails for $32.00

A creamy matte pencil that comes in 10 shades.  It is used to cover imperfections such as red spots, dark spots, etc.  It can be used on all skin types & is a natural cream that covers all of the spots that you wish to correct. I tried the Illuminate pencil which works to highlight areas to make them look brighter & better.  It can be applied on the cheekbones, inner corners of the eyes, & on brow bones.I especially liked this product as I felt it brightened my face.  This is something I will use to make my makeup look a little bit more perfect & make my face and eye area look brighter.  I thought it was a little pricey for the illuminate shade. Itmight be a better investment in a shade that  matched my skin color& I could use to hide spots on my face.

Last, but certainly not least I experimented with Bobbi Brown Cool Nudes Eye Palette 

It comes with 6 shades that include:

-Cream eye shadow

-Pebble Metallic eye shadow

-Dove Grey eye shadow

-Chiffon Sparkle eye shadow

-Quarry Shimmer Wash eye shadow

-Smokey eye shadow

It also came with Dual ended Eye shadow eye liner brush for application.

The Net wt. .25 OZ./79 g each & itretails for $50.00

This great 6 piece eye shadow kit has a great variety of colors that you can bring your look from day to night.  The brush allows you to use the eye shadow & line your eyes as well.  Beautiful textures & neutral shades that will make any eye color stand out & look beautiful. This was a nice choice of colors for my eye color which is greenSince I have never mastered the applying of eye shadow, I am not a huge fan of it.  I did like the colors in this kit very much & thought for 6 colors, this was a very good deal.   I will definitely keep practicing with this kit & hopefully I will be able to do it the justice it deserves. I liked all theBobbi Brown products very much that I tried.  I will definitely look for & use her products in the future.   I am a big fan, like her, in looking natural, & her makeup products did help me to achieve this.

Bobbi Brown Sequin Eyeshadow Review

The Bobbi Brown Sequin Eyeshadows are a beautiful disaster. When you open the compact that these baked eyeshadows are packaged in, your heart will stop. The swirl of colors and tiny glitters would make every beauty lover shed a tear as they dream up all of the fascinating looks they could blend into perfection. These domed shaped eyeshadows are going to break your heart; for all their beauty is a challenge fit for an Olympian. They are not for the faint of heart, they are not for your average makeup wearer, they are not a beginner’s product. Yes, you can make the eye shadow as beautiful on your eye as it is in the compact but…you gonna work, bitch. 

Imagine you are at a bar. From the corner of your eye, you see a gorgeous man; he is possibly the finest man you have ever seen. He sees you too and smiles. He comes over to you and as he begins to introduce himself, all you can smell is his horrid breath. You didn’t even catch his name, you ask again but you can’t even hear it because your mind is overcome with the stench that seeps from his very sexy lips. Imagine the disappointment you’d feel. That is how you are going to feel if you buy these eye shadows based on the swatches of them. These eye shadows swatch gorgeously but their performance and cost are going to make you question why you even came to this party.

When you apply the eye shadow, the color is going to look stunning. Once you begin to blend the shade, the color fades to a grey, patchy mess. All of them! They all break down into a grey mess. Packing on the color doesn’t help because it just fades. After many trials and so very many errors, I have finally found the best way to apply the Sequin eyeshadow. Use a very sticky base, a glitter glue if you can, apply the eye shadow with a setting spray to enhance the color, and then spray the final eye look with the setting spray to lock it in place. And even after all that work, you maybe have about 4 hours before the glitters and pigments start to fall down on your cheeks. If you used the Sequin Eyeshadows to create an editorial-messy-look, you’d love these eye shadows. I used Moon Rock in that way and liked it a lot. However! These eyeshadows are $36 each. That is too expensive for me to have to use so many other products to make it worth it. Especially when I can get a better shimmery, highly pigmented product for much cheaper. If these finishes are calling your attention, I recommend saving your money and picking up some Colourpop Super Shock Shadows instead. The pigmentation is better and they actually stay on your eye. The colors I suggest aren’t exact matches but they are close enough. Oh yeah, and they’re 5 bucks.

The shade that ripped out my heart. Do you see how beautiful of an eye shadow that is?! Greens are my favorite eyeshadows to work with. They look adorable with my brown eyes, blonde hair and my skin tone (let a girl appreciate herself). Once I cracked the code to these eyeshadows, I was able to make this one look great. Still, I would not recommend it. The Colourpop shade that could satisfy the urge for Comet is the Super Shock Shadow in the shade Shameless. It has more of a black base though. 

You’d have to wish on a shooting star to make Star Beam a worthy purchase. That is harsh, but it is true! The purple glitters just fall off your eyes and crash land like meteorites on your face. Look to Colourpop’s Evny instead.

If you absolutely needed to try just one of the Bobbi Brown Sequin eyeshadows, Moon Rock is your best bet. It actually isn’t terrible. I paired this with the Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Steel Ink and it lasted well. But I think that had much more to do with the eyeliner. Colourpop’s Rex is a similar shade but has more silver glitter while Moon Rock has more gold.

The Bobbie Brown Sequin eyeshadows are getting 2 stars because with a whole lot of elbow grease, they can look stunning. But there are eyeshadows that are much easier to work with that are much more affordable available. I think it would be wise to save your money and go elsewhere.

Estee Edit Beam Team - Bronze Review

Review written by Danyelle V 

The Estee Edit’s Beam Team: Hydrate + Glow will keep the summer in your skin all year! You will look like you just got back from a week dancing in Brazil, from a week swimming in the clear beaches of Puerto Rico, like Jennifer Lopez gave you the keys to her skincare routine. Glow. You will glow! All it is, really, is a tinted moisturizer and a highlighter. It’s so simple yet so beautiful! The packaging is sleek! The tube holds the moisturizer and the cap holds the cream highlighter. Two steps, and you just look effortless.

The only thing I don’t like about the Fall is that my beautiful summer glow fades week by week so that by the time December 1st arrives, I am grey and ashy. I’m dramatic. I’m still brown, but the warmth to my skin is gone! And you are not gonna find me laid up in a tanning bed, no ma’am. I’m not trying to look like a raisin by the time I’m 30. When my grandmother was in her mid-60s, people thought she was in her mid-40s and if I’m smart, I will also deceive the world to my true age. I know for a fact that it is her skincare that keeps her young. She could go through a bottle of body lotion in a week. I say all of this to tell you that I have found the summer in a beauty product! The Beam team makes your skin look healthy and relaxed! You can use it just as a tinted moisturizer or under your foundation. There isn’t any ‘coverage’ from the Beam Team but you can layer it for added color.

For that ‘woke up like this’ look, I used my fingers to apply a dime sized amount of the moisturizer to my face. Then I used the bronze cream highlight and applied it to my cheek bones. To give myself that ‘I just have amazing skin’ look, I apply a light to medium coverage concealer under my eyes and apply the Beam Team moisturizer and highlight. Then I finish with ‘natural’ brows and maybe a peach cream blush, throw on a lippie and head for the door. You will get compliments on your skin when you use the Beam Team. A few weeks ago, I got my hair done and while coloring my hair, my stylist said, “You have like no makeup on your face right now?” All I had on was the Beam Team, so I told her about it (because I’m not greedy lol. If I find an amazing product, I want everyone to know and use it too. So we can #GlowUpTogether).

In the first image, I just have one layer of the moisturizer on my face. In the second picture, I have two layers on my face, an extra layer on the perimeter of my face where I would use a bronzer and I used the Beam Team cream highlighter. I am not wearing concealer, or anything else (but brow powder). You can see that my skin just looks so healthy and glowy! I loved this product! When I showed my sister the pictures, she said I looked like I had airbrushed skin. Need I say more?! This product is pricey but I honestly think that you need it in your life. Keep summer in your skin and pick up The Estee Edit’s Beam Team.

Available at Sephora; $42

Product Photo from Sephora.com

EOS Review

I'm sure I am not the only one who has felt the shift in temperature. Now that it is officially fall it is time to reprioritize our skincare routine and make-up bag. All though EOS is an item that I use year round. During the winter time this is a my favorite because of texture. What impresses me most about this lip balm is that there is no need for consist reapplication. Make-up lovers! Liquid lipsticks are trending now, They are extremely drying especially during fall and winter season this a perfect combo underneath your liquid lips or matte lipsticks. EOS lip balms are Gluten, Paraben and Petroleum free. The Shea Butter and vitamin is what gives you that silky smooth texture. The are super small and compact and have a good shelf life. Also feel free to share it with your significant other. They don't have high shine so men can wear them too! Great one extra item to fight with my boyfriend lol. 

The best part of having a hydrating lotion with mild scent is that it doesn't interfere with your every day fragrance. Feel hydrated from head to toe using this on every part of your body especially on hands and feet during this upcoming season. Berry Blossom is probably my favorite because it can be worn alone. I feel extremely hydrated throughout the day and is extremely safe for me to wear at night to go to bed. I have extremely sensitive skin and it dermatologist tested. This may seem like something simple but I'm one who loves all my extra minutes of sleep so I need exact timing for clothes and make-up. The quick absorbing and no stick or greasy formula is ideal for a lady on the go like me. The price point is amazing for the quality. Thank me later! 

 See more EOS lip balm flavors on their Facebook page

@Glossier Boy Brow Review

Glossier Boy Brow Review 

By Amanda V.

Warning! I am here with yet another Glossier post. I apologize but I just can't get enough and I feel everyone should try them out because they are too good . This time it's the product that started my love affair with this brand. Also it's a makeup product rather than the usual Glossier skincare post. This is the holy grail Brow product that I absolutely cannot live without. Behold the great and powerful "Boy Brow" Brow Pomade. 

Let me just say this, This is NOT your average Brow gel boy!!! This tinted wax formula MAGICALLY mimics those full gorgeous brows of that beautiful boy from my freshman class in college who had the most gorgeous brows (and face) I've ever seen but that's a whole other story.

 

Its no secret huge fan of untouched, full, model off duty, Brooke Shields-esque brows (circa "The Blue Lagoon") She has ALWAYS been my ultimate BROWSPIRATION. I myself had pretty much always had a full brow. I've had a few mishaps in recent years, that I no longer trust anyone with my brows. You will always catch me slathering on Jamaican castor oil to get them back to their fullest. I stressed my brow sorrows until I came across the Boy Brow. 

Say goodbye to crunchy, stiff, wet, painted on brows for me. Although the clean and perfect "Instagram" brow can be beautiful, it is simply not my cup of tea. I'm more of a full and feathered kind of girl. The wonderful, conditioning wax formula of the Glossier Boy Brow keeps my brows full and in place without the flakes that some Brow gels tend to leave. This sheer pigments in this magnificent little tube will give you the illusion of a fuller thicker, natural brow. The formula is smooth and creamy that the want glides over my brow hairs with each feathery up and out stroke. The magical tiny wand brush is a dream to work with and helps control the application of the product as you shape and set your brows. This pomade has uber conditioning let ingredients like Oleic Acid to nourish and moisturize and Atelocollegento condition and strengthen the brow hair's fibers. So you're pretty much treating your brows with some TLC as you fluff it up. 

The Boy Brow like most Glossier products is great for sensitive skin. I didn't have tiny breakouts like some brow gels tend to give and claims to be for all skin types. It is also hypoallergenic, ophthalmologist tested, dermatologist tested so I think it's pretty good to go for all skin types. 

If you're oily, you should definitely give this product a go. I used it most of this past hot and humid summer when my skin is more on the oily side and it would last a full work day and then some. 

 

This tiny tube retails for $16 on the Glossier website. Although tiny, a little goes a VERY long way and would last you quite some time. It comes in 3 very sheer, workable shades (Blonde, Brown and Black). Grab this gem while you can because they are in high demand and frequently sell out, especially Brown and Black). The bigger the brow the badder you are. Own your fluffiness. Thank me later and go make Cara Delevingne proud.

Dissolve the Drama Makeup Remover and Cleanser by The Estee Edit Review

Wash away every particle of your makeup without burning your eyes thanks to The Estee Edit’s Dissolve the Drama Makeup Remover + Cleanser.

 

Cleansing oils are so on trend right now but this isn’t one of those trends that will vanish in a blink of an eye the way I hope overalls will. Why are they back in style?

 

With its light aloe scent, Dissolve the Drama melts away my makeup instantly. I just poured some cleanser into the palm of my hand and applied it to my dry face in gentle circular motions to get all of the makeup off. When you add water to this cleanser, it doesn’t lather which I like because it helps to keep my skin hydrated. Instead, it becomes a milky consistency that leave your skin feeling smooth. I like to use Dissolve the Drama as a makeup remover rather than a cleanser; not because my skin reacted negatively to it but because this product is super expensive. While skincare is an investment, I just can’t see myself spending $32 every time I need a makeup remover.

 

For me, the true test of any cleanser, oil or otherwise, is to see how easily it gets off all of those ‘blackest black’ mascaras. I was wearing the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara the first time I used the Dissolve the Drama Make Remover. If you’ve worn this mascara, you know it can be hell to get off your lashes and it usually takes a few tries to remove the raccoon eyes that it tends to leave behind. Honey! Listen. I put a few drops on my fingertips, gently rubbed it over my eye makeup and through my lashes and in seconds my eyes were clean. Fully clean. I just rinsed off the oil and followed up with my cleanser. If you try The Estee Edit’s Dissolve the Drama Makeup Remover + Cleanser, I know you are going to love it!

100% Pure Argan Oil by Josie Maran

Hydrate and treat your body from head to toe with this beauty oil!

The Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil truly is a multipurpose beauty oil. I’ve used it on the ends of my hair, to moisturize my face, and even to massage my feet.

Every summer, my hair suffers. She dries out from the heat of the sun and the salt of the ocean. My usually well-kept long, strawberry blonde hair gets no love in summer. Even if I routinely treat my processed hair to deep moisturizing conditioners, come September, I need a serious haircut. The Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil has saved the split ends of my hair. After I wash my hair, I apply a few drops directly to the ends of my hair and massage the oil up half of the hair shaft avoiding my scalp. The oil also works well to calm my frizzy hair too! If you have wavy, frizzy hair, sometimes the worst thing you can do is run a brush through it because it turns into this huge mess! To tame the beast, (my hair) I take 3-4 drops of the oil, rub it between my hands and then run it through my hair. It acts like a smoothing serum. Now I can leave my house looking like a human.

The scent of the 100% Pure Argan Oil is just about the only thing I’m not super fond of -but once it dries, you don’t even notice it. The dropper also needs some work because it does drip. I also do not use this to moisturize my face. I have very normal to combination skin but my forehead needs extra moisture. From my eyebrows to my chin, the hydration from the Argan oil is sufficient but it isn’t enough for my forehead. If you have extra dry skin, the moisture from the Argan Oil may not be enough. However, there are plenty of uses for the Argan oil.

A great way to use the Argan oil is to moisturize any dry patches on your body. I’m going to share a pet peeve of mine that is purely judgmental, sorry in advance if it bothers you. I can’t stand when I see people with super dry elbows and knees. Dry to the point where the skin is ashy and cracked. Is there no lotion in your house? Is there any kind of moisture in your home? In elementary school, the girl who sat next to me had these dry to the bone elbows. In a crowded classroom of nearly forty kids, our desks were right next to each other. Every so often, her elbow would bump my arm and her dry elbow would scratch me! ‘Til this day, my skin crawls when I see crusty elbows so I like to keep my skin soft and hydrated. I’ve been applying the Argan oil to my elbows and knees every night and my skin is soft and supple.

The oil is expensive but I do think it is worth checking out. I know Sephora often has it as a point perk so snatch it up when you see it! Give this beauty oil a try and you will find that your skin and your hair will thank you!

Kiss New York Professionals - Dead Sexy Lashes,Volume and Define Review

                                                              No mascara                          Volume and Define applied together

Mix a mascara cocktail with this dual ended Kiss New York Professionals- Dead Sexy Lashes: Volume and Define Mascara. The volumizing end of the mascara has a chubby wand with thick, soft bristles that will add tons of volume to your lashes. My lashes looked thicker and fuller! The defining side has a thin, short wand, with bristles to match, that add length and definition to your lashes. While the formula for this mascara isn’t waterproof, it does hold up nicely throughout the day without flaking or smudging. The defining side works so well for my lower lashes. I usually don’t even bother putting mascara on the lower lash line but this mascara makes them look so long and separated that I fell in love with it.  

What I like about this product, and love about makeup in general, is that you get to experiment with it. Have you ever tried a product, liked it, but felt like it just needed something else? You can mix and match products to get the effect, color, and finish that you want. I love mixing a glowy bronzer with a rosy blush, I seldom wear just one lipstick, and you can bet that I’ve probably layered two different mascaras right now. Kiss New York Professionals- Dead Sexy Lashes: Volume and Define Mascara just took out all of the guess work for me.

If the mascara works so well, why does it only have 3 stars? The packaging is a major fail. Every time I open each end of the mascara, the stoppers pop out. The stoppers are what hold all the liquid in the tube and what helps to take off the excess product from the wand. The first time it happened, there was a mess all over my desk. It wastes so much product each time to wipe off the mascara. The application is made even more difficult by the fact that the wands are super short and the packaging is very chunky. It can be hard to reach all of your lashes. Maybe my mascara was just a dud, but more than half of the formula has had to be cleaned off my desk rather than my lashes. If you love Kiss products, I would suggest giving this one a try because it really does look gorgeous. However, there are similar, equally affordable mascaras on the market that will give you the same effect without the mess.

Product Rating: 3 stars

Available at kissnypro.com ; $9

Product Photo from kissnypro.com

Photo taken with iPhone 5s