Review: Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes

Today I have a review on my new favorite makeup remover wipes-- Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes. Love! Simple is a great drugstore line because they use ingredients that are good for your skin. No alcohol, no artificial perfume or dyes, they're dermatologist tested, non-comedogenic, and

hypoallergenic! There are a few different types in the Simple line, but these ones are for oily, sensitive skin (me.) I am obsessed with these things. I get excited to take my makeup off at night just because I know I get to use these wipes! They are unlike any makeup remover wipes I have previously used because they leave my skin incredibly soft! Literally feels like I just put on moisturizer! They're not greasy, gentile on the eyes and all over the face. The classic Neutrogena ones (which I usually use) always leave my skin feeling weird, sort of a film feeling over my face. They get the job done, but not great. These ones however, remove my makeup just as well and my face feels great after! I use these at night before washing my face, but the packaging says that they control shine as well. So, I would definitely use these during the day when I am not wearing makeup and my skin feels like it needs a little pick-me-up. I got them from Ulta for $5.99 and they come in a pack with 25 wipes. I think these are going to be my new holy grail item. I think they might be improving my skin, too!

Please do yourself a favor by trying these out and let me know what you think!

--Ms. Makeup

Tip Tuesday: Mascara

Try this tip to get the best look out of your mascara! It's like prep for the actual product. Take an old tube of mascara that you loved (in particular the wand) and clean it up with makeup remover. Let it dry before use. Take your clean mascara wand and brush through your lashes prior to applying a coat of your actual mascara. This trick helps to brush out and separate your lashes and makes for a smoother application! And it'll cost you nothing but an old tube!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

--Ms. Makeup

(I am using Covergirl's Clump Crusher.)

Beware! Silicone Based Hair Products

I was recently watching a video on the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner containing wax. This intrigued me, so I looked into it and I found out what the wax really was...

Have you heard of silicone? Well, it's a cheap filler that companies put into hair products, like conditioner, to make the hair seem shiny, soft, healthy and smooth when it really doesn't do anything of the sort. The product coats your hair in silicone, giving off the soft feeling, but in actuality it's choking your precious strands! This compound also leads to build up, which is no fun.

Think about it, when you buy a cheap shampoo/conditioner from the drugstore, what happens? You use it for a while and it works pretty well, gets the job done, but suddenly you get the feeling that the product isn't doing anything anymore. I used to say my hair was just used to the product, but now I know that it's covered in silicone!

When your hair is covered in this slime, any product you put in your hair after your shower will basically do nothing. It will go on top of the silicone and just sit there (even more build up...) And the only way to get it out of your hair is to use a clarifying shampoo (most silicones are not water soluble.) The only one I've ever tried is the Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo. Now, when you first use this, don't be turned off! It makes your hair feel pretty weird, but that's because it strips off all the gross product buildup from months of use.

I am not saying that silicone is the worst thing in the world for your hair, because everyone uses these products, but it's really doing your hair no good. So, try to find products that don't contain the word "cone" "one" "col" "conol" "xane" in the ingredients list. I'll be honest, it's sometimes really hard. Go for the most natural product you can find with the least ingredients or a brand that is known for being natural based. Water soluble silicones (will wash out since they're water based) that are okay to use are titled "behenoxy dimethicone" and "stearoxy dimethicone" in the ingredients list.

If possible, try and avoid these shampoo/conditioner brands: Herbal Essence, Pantene (the worst,) Garnier Fructis, TRESemme, Suave, etc. Look for silicone free, but be sure to look at the ingredients because they'll trick ya with those long words! Your hair will thank you!







It is with much sadness that I have to admit that my favorite hair product in the world contains this horrible ingredient... MACADAMIA NATURAL OIL DEEP REPAIR MASK. Now... I do know for a fact that it also contains really great ingredients like Macadamia oil, Argan oil and Tea Tree Leaf oil, so this one's a toss up. (We all know I am still going to purchase, shhhh...)

What do you think about silicones? Will you ditch them or keep buying?

-- Ms. Makeup

How To: Make Your Own Sugar Scrub!

Chapped lips? Dry hands? I have the solution for you!

My lips have been extremely chapped recently with the winter months approaching. So, I thought I would mix together some ingredients that I know are moisturizing and see if I can cure my chapped lips naturally! And that I did!

All you're going to need is olive oil and a mix of white sugar and brown sugar. Since I was just testing this out, I only made a little bit, but that's really all you need. First I poured 2 spoonfuls of olive oil into a container (with a lid so you can save the leftovers for later) and then I mixed in 3 spoonfuls of white sugar and 1 spoonful of brown sugar. Add more or less sugar depending on how saturated the oil looks. The sugar exfoliates and the oil moisturizes.

Take your natural scrub and rub it on in circular motions for super smooth and moisturized lips! Then take it off with some warm water and a towel and apply your fav chapstick. I sometimes just take the excess olive oil and rub that on my lips as well because it's extremely moisturizing and feels great. You could also put this anywhere else you need a little exfoliant and moisture. Feet, hands, maybe even your face (don't quote me on that one...)

Test it out and let me know what you think!

-- Ms. Makeup





<---- It should look like this when you're done!

Wanted: Nars Cheek Palette

Today I got an email from Sephora about a new Nars Cheek Palette. AND I WANT IT. Nars makes such great blushes and they always come out with an amazing palette around Christmas time. This year's is called the Nars Guy Bourdin Holiday Collection Limited Edition One Night Stand Cheek Palette. Long enough name, Nars? It comes with all the essentials: Laguna (bronzer,) Deep Throat (blush,) Orgasm (blush,) Mistinguette (blush,) Goulue (blush) and Devotee (highlight.) They're all beeeeautiful. It's an online exclusive and limited edition, so if you want this I would get on it and fast because I know this will sell out quick. Definitely going to be on my holiday wishlist!

-- Ms. Makeup

How To: Store Makeup in College

This post goes out to any college girls who are having trouble with storage and organization for their makeup! I think I have a pretty good setup, so here is what I do!

This is an overall view of my little makeup station ---->
I bought the plastic drawers from Target for $27.97. They're called the Room Essentials Medium Counter Top Drawer in white. Very helpful for organization.


The brush holders came with the brushes I bought from Sigma. Some brushes are from the Mrs. Bunny Essential Kit from Sigma, some Sonia Kashuk and the other ones are just random.


I think I got the mirror from TJ Maxx. It's just a dual sided mirror with magnification on one side. Can be found at Target, Ulta, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc.

<---- Here's a closer look at the brushes I brought to school. I store my larger face brushes in one container and my eyeshadow brushes and smaller face brushes in the other container. ---->

Now into the drawers!

In the top drawer I store all my face products. I got the clear organization trays from target for around $5-6. I separate the sections by what I use the most, primers/concealers, and then 2 random products in the back. On the side I put all my foundations, face powders and blushes. 

In the second drawer I put eye stuff. Eyeshadows and primers in the compartments and all my mascaras and eyeliners on the side. Really no rhyme or reason to the mascaras and eyeliners, I just throw them in a pile. Also my eyelash curler from Sephora and some eyelashes and a sharpener!















In the third drawer I put lip products and my two Naked Palettes. These organizers are great for lipstick because they fit perfectly in the compartments. Then I have extra makeup remover pads from Almay and my new kit from benefit on top of the Naked Palettes plus some lip glosses.











I hope this was helpful for anyone looking for ideas on how effectively store your products in college! Help me by sharing this with any other makeup obsessed college girls!

-- Ms. Makeup

First Impressions: Covergirl Flamed Out Mascara

Yesterday I picked up the Covergirl Flamed Out mascara and I thought I would give my first impressions on it. It was $7.49 from a local grocery store in the shade Black Blaze.

I wouldn't say there is really anything special about this mascara. The wand has an hourglass shape with a wire brush  and has a very dry formula. I don't really see what the hourglass shape does, I mean my lashes looked nice but nothing special. It applied pretty well (2 coats,) not clumpy or anything. Didn't add much curl but a pretty good amount of length. I lasted all day without smudging but that should be standard for any mascara. It was supposed to give a "bold winged-out lash look" (similar to Falsies?) but my lashes just looked normal.

My thoughts: for the price this is a decent mascara. Nothing amazing, nothing really special but it does make your lashes look "nice." But not like WOAH look at her eyes!!! I give it a B. My favorite drugstore mascara is falsies if that gives you an indication of what I like in comparison to this.

Here are some photos to see how it held up throughout the day

No mascara

2 coats Flamed Out

After a full day

Have you tried this mascara?

-- Ms. Makeup

Beware! Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

I purchased these makeup remover wipes from Target about a month ago for $5.99. I usually stick to the Neutrogena or Simple wipes, but I thought I would try something different. (I honestly bought these because of the packaging.) Yes, the packaging is adorable and yes they smell pretty good, but don't be fooled. These wipes burned my eyes so badly that I thought I was having a horrible allergic reaction. I immediately rinsed my face off with water and the stinging went away a little, but noooooo these things BURN. They are formulated without sulfates, petroleum, parabens, SLS or phthalates... whatever that means. I would rather have those chemicals on my face than continue using these fire wipes. I couldn't even finish the pack and I don't want to give them to a friend in fear that they will also burn their faces. If you have even the slightest sensitivity in your skin, I would NOT recommend you try these. I don't want to diss Pacifica because I know they are a great company and a portion of their proceeds support clean water, but they should probably reformulate these.

Did these burn your skin?

-- Ms. Makeup

Review: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness

I recently saw a video on the It Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream. It seemed pretty amazing so I had to try it. Now, for the size of this foundation (11 ml) this stuff is very expensive. I ordered it off of Ulta.com and it was $32... I would normally never pay that for something of that size but this foundation seemed too good to be true.

"Bye Bye Redness is a red neutralizing and correcting cream that completely cancels redness in your skin from view. Rich in Peptides, Hydrolyzed Collagen and Anti-Aging Technology, Bye Bye Redness camoflages redness and any red-tones skin discolorations from rosacea, broken capillaries, blemished skin, irritated skin, sun damage, scars, age spots, physician procedures and more."

That's a lot to claim! The first time I used this product it didn't react well with my skin. It looked good, but it made me really itchy, especially in the cracks of my nose, and I was extremely disappointed. I later discovered that this was because my skin was going through a weird phase and it was dry (normally very oily.) Once the dryness went away, I tried it again. ITS AMAZING. It doesn't feel like a foundation- it has a whipped consistency and has an airy feel on the face. And it covers everything! Not to the point where it looks unnatural, it just looks like you have perfect skin. As far as the redness in my skin, it does cover it completely. The best part for me is that it stayed matte all day. ALL DAY. I put a powder over it in the morning and when I got home at night, it looked basically the same. That has never happened for me. My skin is usually oily at least 2 hours after applying foundation. Not anymore! For application, I prefer to apply it with my fingers, just because I don't really like the look that brushes give (this stuff also blends right in.) I don't know how, but I feel like this product adjusts to your skin if it is on the fair side because there is no color option when purchasing. Lastly, for the price, yes it is more expensive, but you literally only need the smallest bit to cover your whole face because it blends out so well. If I haven't convinced you yet, then you just have to try it to believe it!

I had never heard of "IT Cosmetics" but now I have to try some more products!

What do you think of this correcting cream?

-- Ms. Makeup

Looks thick, but it's light
as air!

Amazing!

Currently Using: It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Plus Keratin

My hair has been on the dead side lately, so I picked up the It's a 10 Miracle Leave in Plus Keratin at Target to revitalize it. I bought it because it was on sale for $15.99, instead of $19.99 for the smaller size (4 oz.) I had used the regular It's a 10 spray and liked it, so I thought this would be pretty good, too. I love this stuff! I get out of the shower, brush my hair, and spray about 2-3 pumps of this to each side of my hair (don't get it in your roots) then brush again. I love the way this product not only smells, but leaves my hair really shiny and smooth. That is saying a lot because blonde hair is generally hard to get a shine out of. My hair tends to be pretty frizzy and unruly, but with this my hair is much more tame. It somehow also makes the waves in my hair stand out more. I'm not sure if it's supposed to do that, but its a nice added bonus! My hair is looking much healthier since using this product as well. I HIGHLY
recommend this product because it has truly done wonders!

As always, you can find it on amazon.com for much cheaper. Try this:
http://www.amazon.com/Its-10-Leave-In-Conditioner-Keratin/dp/B004K3D0FK/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1382419804&sr=1-1&keywords=It%27s+a+10+miracle+leave+-in+Plus+Keratin

What hair products are you currently using?

-- Ms. Makeup

Here is the list of 10 things this product does for your hair ------>

Currently Using: L'Oreal Youth Code

I recently went home for the weekend and forgot to bring a moisturizer. I headed over to CVS just to buy something cheap to hold me over until I got back to school. But the cute pink packaging of the L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream reeled me in... The box says, 

Why is Youth Code Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream right for me? Your skin is still young, but its quality is not always perfect. Skin's texture can be rough and uneven, with visible pores and fine lines. Scientifically developed for all skin tones and types, Youth Code Texture Perfector Day/Night Cream helps to improve overall skin quality over time. 

I am 20 years old and I have some acne scaring, pigmentation problems and large pores (so beautiful, right?) This is a pretty expensive lotion for the drugstore. I didn't even look at the price when I grabbed it, but the total came out to $24.99 at CVS! And it's not even a big jar, only 1.7 oz. At the time I thought I was crazy for buying it, but I'm so happy I did! First off, the floral-y scent of this lotion smells amazing. But this stuff really does work. I had never used a texturizing lotion before, but it's supposed to visibly tighten pores, diminish lines, and reveal petal soft skin. And it actually does that. I use this in the morning and the night and it is never too heavy or light. The lotion has a velvety finish and my skin has never been so soft. I don't have any lines to diminish, but I have pretty large pores, and this stuff shrinks them right up! I also have oily, acne prone skin and this doesn't break me out or make me too oily or dry. The packaging is also to die for- hot pink! I highly recommend this day/night cream if you're looking for something new to try! They also have a Youth Code serum that I really want to test out!

What lotions are you currently using?

-- Ms. Makeup