Writing has always been an extension of myself and I find that blogging about beauty related stuff always made me happier than I had ever been. It has been a very busy couple of months but now that I look back on them I didn't really do much during those times. I realized that not posting something beauty related, may it be on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, or in this blog made me incomplete and I have longed to get back into it. It was just a matter of finding time to get on my computer and type away. Bloggers out there know that having a great running blog takes up a lot of time: taking creative photos, post process editing, trying out products, research and composing either brief or extensive objective reviews. It was just too much for me to do all those things while I was so busy finding myself and my purpose.
Anyway, enough with the drama. I'm back now and here's a couple of products I'm loving from the past Birchboxes that I received. I think it was back May or June when I started the Birchbox subscription and I was debating then if I would like to review my monthly Birchbox. After much thought I decided to just review the products I really love and would most likely purchase. So here goes:
I.C.O.N. India Oil
Clear, lightweight and with a slightly overpowering bubblegum scent with Moringa Oil, Far East Oil Blend and the ever so famous Argan Oil as its active ingredients. Since I've only received a sample size I ran out of it pretty fast but I was impressed on how it detangles and smooths out my hair. The only thing I don't like about it is it's scent. The scent lasts on my hair for hours and while some people may find that as a great bonus, I don't. The scent which greatly reminds me of bubblegum ice cream gives me a headache. Even with that downside I did love this product while it lasted though I'm not sure if I would purchase the full size. The full size of 112 ml retails for $37.
Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
With a scent that reminds me of antihistamine creams, this ceramidin cream is great for people with sensitive and extremely dry skin. I have been having dry patches recently which was quite a bummer since I usually don't get them until fall or winter comes, and this product has been really helpful. Ceramides are lipid molecules found lacking in dry skin thus, this cream replaces those lost ceramides and helps maintain skin moisture. I tried using it alone after washing my face at night and in the morning it made my skin soft, supple and moisturized. I have also tried layering it under my moisturizer, making sure that I give the Ceramidin cream a few minutes to sink in before applying moisturizer and it had done wonders to my skin. The full size of this product retails for $48 and though it is really pricey, this is a product that I personally would very much purchase and recommend especially to those people who has dry skin.
I have two lip products to rave about and both of them came in full sizes when I got them so I was completely happy and impressed.
Model Co. Party Proof Matte Lipstick in Peony
I am obsessed with this lipstick! It's rich and creamy texture paired with a bold and pigmented color is great for a statement lip. The shade, Peony, is your perfect red berry shade with a hint of fuchsia undertone. The photo doesn't do this shade justice. It is matte but unlike other matte lipsticks, this glides on smoothly on your lips and it's very moisturizing. I find that blotting this lipstick with a tissue is the best trick to make it last longer (and it does last long!) and to keep it from feathering. This lipstick retails for $16.95. The price is comparable to MAC lipsticks and other department store lipsticks. The formula and color pay off of the lipstick makes it worth the purchase plus this particular shade would flatter almost all skin tones.
Mirenesse Glossy Kiss in 14 Perfect Kiss
I have been digging coral lip colors since I started getting into makeup years ago and this shade, Perfect Kiss leans more to red than orange-coral in it's packaging. When applied to the lips it looks more natural but adds a little glam with it's fine gold glitter that gives it a nice glossy sheen. I am not a fan of the sheen finish lipsticks, another reason why I don't normally wear lip gloss except for the Stila Lip Glaze, and even then, I only wear them occasionally. However, this lipstick gives you the nicest glossy finish without it being slippery and sticky. This flatters my medium skin tone really well. Since this comes in a jumbo pencil form, it gave me really good precise application. The only downside about this particular product that I got with Birchbox is that it isn't the twistable/retractable version which is available for retail. The Mirenesse Glossy Kiss retails for $26.55. The price is a bit up there but hey, it is a very nice product!
I hope that this made up at least for the lost time and as always, I try to write something worth your reading time. Stay beautiful, happy, in love and healthy! <3
