Update of things

Hello lovelies!

I apologize for my absence and lack of posts. I have been dealing with a great deal of hardships due to personal matters lately. It has been really rough. I will spare you most of the details. The hardest of all has been losing my cats. Two of my three cats passed away within less than a month, including my beloved cat that I had since childhood. He passed away a week ago this evening.

My heart and mind haven't been with blogging through all of this.  My posts will most likely continue to be scattered, as more hardships are coming. I feel bad that I haven't been able to update for all of you awesome followers, but I need to take care of myself and my family. I am working on having some reviews to post and I will do my best to have some up soon.  Thank you in advanced for understanding and for keeping with my blog! 

Kiss Everlasting French Nails review

 *Disclaimer: Everything in this post was given to me complimentary from Influenster. However, this post contains my 100% honest opinions and thoughts, as all of my posts do.

Hello lovelies! To continue my reviews from the Influenster Spring Fling VoxBox (you can read the first post here: http://lipstickxzombie.blogspot.com/2014/06/spring-fling-voxbox-review.html) I am reviewing the Kiss Everlasting French nails. I did a separate review for this one because of how long this review turned out to be. 

This is another product from the voxbox that I was excited to try. I love the Kiss Impress nails. Although I do not ever wear French nails (I prefer bold colored nails) this was a nice change.

These are glue on nails, not press on. A lot of people would have problems with this, but I have a little experience with fake nails and glue (ever lose the little stickers that come with press on nails??) so this wasn't a problem for me. The kit I received was in the length real short, which I thought would be perfect for me. Sadly they were still too long for my nails. I keep my nails very short, as I go a little crazy when they get much longer.

So how is this different than any other press on/glue on nails? These have tabs on them for easy application, which I really like. Each tab is numbered, so that you can easily find the matching nails. It also claims to be long lasting.

Hehe, if you look closely enough, you can see the line where my actual nails end

             

Packaging claims:
"Guaranteed no chip"
"Patented rich, white tip won't chip, crack or wear away for 7 days of normal wear"

The kit comes with 28 nails in 14 different sizes so you can find the perfect for for your nails. It also contains nail glue, so no need to buy your own. Also noted that on the bottom right corner on the back of the package, this is information about a demo video. A little nail file and cuticle pusher were included as well.

There aren't any additional instructions besides those on the back I'd the box. As the instructions are very simplistic, here are my tips:

• Make sure nails are 100% free of any nail polish
• Wipe nails with running alcohol or nail polish remover before applying anything, this will help the glue and nails adhere better, as the oils on your nails will be stripped away.
• Push back your cuticles. This makes for a more comfortable and better looking wear.
• Do one hand at a time. Just trust me on this one, application will be easier and smoother.
• When pulling the tabs off, hold the nail down. This keeps your newly applied nails from being pulled off or any glue being loosened.
• Do your thumbs at the very end. Application will be easier and smoother if you do so.
• Make sure nail is the exact size of your nail or even a little bit smaller. If you wear a nail larger than your real nails, it is more likely to get caught on things and torn off.

Also another neat little tidbit: I was able to paint over these nails. After testing them out, I painted them with nail polish and even shaped them! So even though I am not a big fan of French nails, it is nice that I can paint over these and shape them however I want. This factor makes me want to buy them.


How did these nails live up to the claims? Did they meet my expectations?



They definitely went on easily with the tabs, but the tabs even had their downfall. Some wouldn't twist off all the way (as pictured here:

) so I had to cut the remainder off with nail clippers.

As for 7 days of wear...within 3 days of me applying these, I lost an index finger nail and a thumb nail. I didn't do anything strenuous to cause me to lose them. I was able to glue them back on only to lose 2 or 3 more nails. Most of the nails did stay on the entire week, but I would not say that this is the best nail glue. So they didn't fully meet my expectations. The nails themselves are very sturdy, so no problems with breaking.

If you like french nails, I was recommend this kit or even if you want some fake nails to paint on. I would, however buy a better glue to use with them.

Spring Fling VoxBox Review

*Disclaimer: Everything in this post was given to me complimentary from Influenster. However, this post contains my 100% honest opinions and thoughts, as all of my posts do.

I got another VoxBox from Influenster!! For those of you unfamiliar with Influenster, they're this awesome company that helps you voice your opinion on products. If you're lucky they'll send you a free box of products to try in exchange for reviews. It's a fun program and I love trying all of the things they send me as well as completing all of the tasks and challenges. I've been working with them for two years now and it has been a great experience! If you would like to join the Influenster website, I have available invites! Send me an email or comment below with your email address if you would like to be invited (you must be actually serious about it).

Here is everything that I received in my box!

•Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara
•Kiss Everlasting French Nails
•Peach Pie Car Freshener from the Labor Day movie
•Playtex Sport Fresh Balance tampons
•Nivea skin Firming Hydration Lotion 

Some lucky people also go the new Softlips cube in their box. Sadly I wasn't one of them :( .

Now, onto my thoughts on each item:

                 Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara in Extreme Black 003

I have tried another ScandalEyes mascara (which I love) so I was really excited to try this one! Especially since it is supposed to be a super volumizing mascara.

Packaging claims:
"bold, wide eyed look. No clumps"
"Exclusive hourglass brush shaped to the lash line to plump lashes, fanning them up and out for bold, wide-eyed volume."
"Coats lashes individually for big, false lash look in one simple stroke. No clumps!"

I'm not sure if this would be classified as a claim, but the packaging also informs that this is a suitable mascara for sensitive eyes. 

But did this mascara live up to its claims??

Picture from my personal instagram of the mascara in my cluttered train case

It mostly did! This mascara gave me so much volume! That paired with my already long eyelashes made my lashes look like false lashes! It definitely made my eyes look wider. My only complaint: clumps. I did get some small clumps and too much product settles at the tip of the brush. But this can be fixed by squeezing a tissue around the brush to take off excess mascara. It stayed all day with minor running (due to sweat on a humid day). I absolutely loved this mascara, it is even better than the regular ScandalEyes. I really liked the shape of the brush, which was a nicely sized hourglass shape. It felt like it hugged my lashes. I actually liked it better than some of the high end mascaras I've tried. I think I've found a new favorite!



                                                         Kiss Everlasting French Nails

I went pretty in depth with this review, so it will be posted separately right after this post is up.


                                                        Peach Pie Car Freshener

This was in my voxbox as a gift from  Paramount Pictures in honor of the movie Labor Day (that romance movie starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin) coming to DVD and blu-ray. I have not seen the movie, it does not seems like my cup of tea (I much prefer a horror movie or a Studio Ghibli film). This was a nice surprise though. Not much to review here. The air Freshener looks like a pie and smells like peaches. Not a strong scent. I don't drive, so I put this air Freshener in front of my air conditioner. Sometimes I will get a faint whiff of peaches but nothing strong.

                                                   Playtex Sport Fresh Balance tampons

Okay, I'll be up front. I felt weird and even a little embarrassed about reviewing tampons. It after all isn't something most women discuss. But, we are (I'm assuming) all ladies here and we shouldn't be embarrassed to discuss feminine hygiene products. This review will be done in a tasteful way, (no worries of any grossness!).

I am not a tampon person, as they just aren't comfortable to me but I will use them in emergencies or when needed. These particular ones are regular absorbency. They are also scented "lightly". I wouldn't say they are lightly scented, as soon as I opened the box I smelled them. I can even smell them through a closed box. I personally did not like the scent, to me it smelled like laundry detergent.

Packaging claims:
"360 degree protection + odor shield"
"360 sport level protection tampon design to fit your body and its every move for a protective leakage barrier"
"Flexfit interlocking fibers work quickly to trap leaks"
"Odor shield technology designed to neutralize odors"
"Contoured applicator for precise, comfortable, precise placement"

Did the tampons live up to these expectations?

It did indeed live up to the odor shield promise. However, it did not completely trap leaks. I do not play sports and on a normal day (especially during that time of month) I don't do anything extremely strenuous. They did not absorb and preform as I expected them to. I did not like these tampons and would only use them in an emergency.

                                                  Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Lotion

Lotion on my bookshelf. Yes, that is a Daenerys Targaryen figure. I am a big fan of the Khaleesi! And yes, Manga underneath if you look closely.

I use lotion a lot and Nivea is a brand I trust (they make my go to lip balm) so I was happy to see this product.

The scent is pleasant and not overpowering. It also feels nice on the skin and soaks in rapidly.

Packaging claims:
"Improves skin's firmness in as little as 2 week"
"co-enzyme Q10 and hydra IQ deep long  lasting moisture"
"Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion with Co-Enzyme Q10 Complex and HYDRA IQ technology firms and tightens skin's surface in as little as two weeks. Use daily for softer, smoother more toned skin.

Did it live up to these promises?

Yes and no.

This lotion is very moisturizing. The moisture is very long lasting and seemingly deep penetrating. I really liked this lotion! But I did not notice firmer skin. However as a lotion alone this is great.

Lush Dream Cream mini review

Hello lovelies! I apologize for neglecting the blog lately. I am dealing with some personal matters and some family matters right now. Things are going to get more difficult for me soon, so posts may be spotty but as always I will do my best to post often. I hope you all understand! I'm really hoping to queue some posts so that something will be posted when I'm not able to do it myself.


 Today I am sharing a mini review with you all! This isn't a full review, it isn't in depth and won't have pictures. I'm just excited to talk about a product I got a sample of, I couldn't wait to do a full review.

I love Lush (as you probably know by now). I always browse through their website before I plan to go to the Lush store in the mall I go to. I like to keep a list of products I want to look at and sample (I do the same with Sephora).  During one browse session, I discovered that this lotion, Dream Cream helps with eczema

I get horrible eczema outbreaks in the summer, not much helps it. I don't like to get prescription creams to keep it at bay, as they can be really harsh on the skin. So I got a sample of this during a Lush trip and it went into the back of my sample drawer until  last week, when I got my first outbreak of the summer. It REALLY helped!!

I had 2 small outbreaks, so I put a little bit if the lotion onto these areas before going to bed. When I got up the next day, the spots were 80 or 90% gone and they didn't itch all day!! A little lotion goes a long way. It is super moisturizing, it kind of feels like an ointment but it is a cream. Since using this lotion, my outbreaks haven't been as bad as they normally are.

I am definitely buying this product! I really wanted to share this with you all in case any of you suffer from eczema and struggle to find products that work. This one worked for me, I suggest trying it! Even if you have super dry skin, it will be great for you.

May Glam Bag Review

Wow, I can't believe I've been with Ipsy for a year now! I'm so glad that I signed up last May, I have been introduced to so many new products and some I never would have tried before. If you would like your own, please use my referral link (http://www.ipsy.com/r/1bhk).

This month's theme was Fresh Picks. The bag is this really cute canvas bag with leaves on it. I love it for spring.

Here is what I got in my bag and my thoughts:

Avene Thermal Spring Water (Travel Size)

I'll be honest, I wasn't excited for this at first. I had seen Evian's version of this in a few places and found it gimmicky. But as I awaited the arrival of this product I did a little research, it also came with a little informative booklet. It has so many uses! You can use it as a toner, to help set makeup, to refresh makeup, to cool off on a hot day, diaper rash and on skin irritations. I get inevitably horrible eczema outbreaks in the summer, I can't wait to try this product on that. So far I have used it as a toner and to help refresh my makeup.

I haven't noticed any difference in my skin, I also haven't used it a lot to see a difference. But it is very refreshing and it did help to refresh my makeup. I'm excited to use this in the warmer weather. I have actually tossed this into my purse, it will come in handy when my best friend and I go on the adventures that we do during the summer while she's home from college.

Would I repurchase?: Yes

Calvin Kleine Endless Euphoria (Small rollerball)

I was expecting the rollerball I was given to be bigger, but this is a pretty expensive perfume so I am not too disappointed by the size. It was hard for me to pinpoint a description of this scent, so here is the description from the Sephora website:

"Refreshingly light and radiant, endless euphoria was created as a daytime counterpart to Euphoria. It translates the provocative fantasy of the signature fragrance into a sunlit daydream filled with cherry blossoms for an air of sheer sensuality.

The fragrance opens with a breeze of airy cherry blossoms on top, blossoming into uplifting violet at the heart, then drying down to sensual bamboo at the base.

Notes:
Cherry Blossom, Mandarin, Bergamot, Violet, Pastel Rose Accord, Syringe, Bamboo, Sandalwood, Bare Musk Accord.
Style:
Airy. Uplifting. Sensual."

I am not a bit fan of floral perfumes, but I do love Cherry Blossom. Unfortunately personally for me, this perfume was kind of meh. I'm very particular on what scents I like to wear. So I gave this one to my mother, who loved it. When I tested it out, the scent lasted all day.

Would I repurchase?: No, but if you like this type of scent then I would recommend it

Pacifica Mineral Eyshadow Duo in Moonbeam and Unicorn (Full size)

This eyeshadow duo was awful, which was disappointing. I had pretty high expectations. It felt sort of chalky and the pigmentation was not great. You had to really build it on for good pigmentation. The colors I got were a deep purple shade and a white. The purple was not a shade of purple that I would wear. I really just did not like this product.

Would I repurchase?: No way!

Eva NYC Therapy Seasion Hair Masque (Travel size)

The first thing that caught my eye with this product is the packaging, it is super cute and pretty! It came in a pink tube with a colorful ombré label. This product smells really good, though I can't pinpoint the scent. It left my hair really moisturized without being heavy or oily and it made my hair shiny. I have a problem with dry hair so this product is fantastic for me! I really loved it and would love to get the full size.

Would I repurchase?: Absolutely!

Jersey Shore Sun Sans Tan Anti Aging Sunscreen (Travel Size)

SPF is something that should be an important part of your beauty routine. This product although it will be useful was a little meh for me. I prefer my SPF in a moisturizer or a BB cream. I do not really like applying a sunscreen to my face under makeup. This is a pretty good sunscreen, though. It starts off white but will oxidize and blend into your skin. I haven't been out in the sun much lately so I haven't been able to test it outside.

Would I repurchase?: Probably not

Nyx HD Photogenic Concealer review and all about corrective concealers

I am constantly on the hunt for a good concealer. It is very hard to find one that is light enough to match my skintone. It is also pretty hard for me to find one with the coverage I need.  It is even harder to find one in my budget. During my search of concealers, I stumbled upon this: the Nyx HD Photogenic concealer (which is also referred to as concealer wand). Nyx is a brand that I trust and I own a good amount of their products. They have some fantastic products at great prices. Perfect for those on a budget.

As I normally do before I purchase any sort of product, I looked up swatches and some reviews online (that's right, beauty bloggers do read other blogs). While looking through swatches, I also saw that this concealer has correcting shades. I had dabbled with a correcting concealer from ELF some years ago, but it was pretty horrible. I had steered clear due to that experience, but I thought I would give these correcting concealers a try. I purchased the shades porcelain, green and yellow.

Packaging:

These concealers come in a lip gloss like packaging in a tube with a doe foot applicator. Not the most hygienic ( I prefer a pump or tube), but it does help for quick application. It is great to take with you on the go. To apply I like to dab a little (you don't need a lot to start with) and blend out.



Swatches of all three: 

My camera decided to make the green more blue toned than it actually is. Do not fear, it is indeed green.






My review of the shade - Porcelain:

The shade porcelain was perfect for my skin tone! Super fair, which is exactly what I needed. The formula is very creamy and it blends nicely. It has medium coverage that can be layered to full. It does a great job concealing blemishes and blends well on top of foundation. This is my favorite concealer right now, it is awesome!


Correcting concealers:

For those of you that don't know about correcting concealers, they come in some colors you wouldn't expect to see as a concealer. The most common being green, yellow and lavender. They are called correcting concealers for a reason, they correct certain tones of your skin. They go by the rules of the color wheel (complimentary colors). Green is used to neutralize (or cancel out) redness, yellow is used to neutralize purple tones and lavender is used to cancel out yellow tones (sallow skin). Another correcting color, orange is used to cancel out blue tones.

Many under eye concealers are yellow or orange toned to help cancel out the blue and purple tones. Yellow also tends to help brighten the skin, which is what you want for your eyes. 

It is important to remember with correcting shades to always follow with a skin toned concealer or foundation.

So how did the correcting shades of this concealer add up?

My review of the shade - Green:

I use this green concealer to cover the redness on my face. I have a lot of redness. The green is a light green shade. Use it sparingly, adding little dabs in the areas needed. Then blend out. This shade I find a little more difficult to blend out, but it will blend well. Be careful not to use too much or you will end up looking like Elphaba (Any Wicked fans??). This concealer actually does a great job at canceling out redness! If you have a ton of redness like me, it won't completely get rid of it, but it will make a huge difference. It really tones down the redness for me. When I use this, I actually end up using a lot less normal concealer and foundation.

My review of the shade - Yellow:

I got this shade to help with my under eye circles, which are kind of dark with one spot under my eye being very difficult to conceal. I apply it like I apply any under eye concealer, in a V shape going from the outer corners of my eye to the top of my cheekbones. Then I blend. This does blend easier than the green shade. I found that it cancels out my under eye circles really well, but I do need to apply another concealer on top for the darker spot. This color is the sheerest of the three. For some reason my swatch came out looking sheerer than this concealer really is. Added bonus: it does a wonderful job of brightening.


Overall I was really impressed with all of the shades of these concealers. They are definitely becoming a staple of mine. Great concealers at a great price. Just around $5 depending on where you buy (I bought mine on amazon). I liked these so much, that I would definitely add them to my professional kit.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +

For a Christmas present to myself, I decided to invest in a good moisturizer. It is always a good idea to invest in good quality skin care. If you're going to invest in just one thing, go for a good moisturizer. After sampling a few different ones from Sephora, I fell in love with this one.

This is a highly raved about product and a must have for many. Wondering why? Read on.

It is very hydrating without being oily. It goes on very smoothly and doesn't leave a heavy feeling. It is a great moisturizer for anyone with dry skin. It is even great for those with normal skin or combination (if you have oily skin, they make this in a gel moisturizer). It also absorbs into the skin quickly.  You also don't need to use a lot. I use between a pump and a pump and a half.

Since using this, I have noticed my skin being more soft, smooth and hydrated. I don't get any more dry patches.

It is packaged in a simple pump bottle (or tube if you get the travel size). I love how simple the packaging is and hygienic.

It comes in a few different sizes. What I love is that even though this is a high quality moisturizer, it doesn't break the bank. I bought the $26 (4.2 fl. oz) bottle from Sephora's website and I was so surprised at how much product I got for the price! It is a really good sized bottle, this bottle will last me a long time.

It is great for sensitive skin and is fragrance free. As someone who is starting to get more into high end skin care products, this is a great product to start out with. 

When I purchased this, I got a deluxe sample size of Tarte Maracuja oil (if anyone wants a review of it, I will write one), I love mixing a drop or two with this moisturizer. So this is a great moisturizer to mix oils (Maracuja, Argan, ect.) with.