Urban Decay has some pretty amazing products. This one is interesting. It's a lip balm that consists primarily of a few oils and honey along with coloring for the tint. I obtained Drizzle which is, as of this review, on sale and can be found at the link below.
It has no real color to it once you put it on. In the tube its a translucent purple pink color. Urban decay's description involves comments about how nourishing it is and how it helps keep lips soft and smooth. For the most part it does provided you can keep it on your lips that long. The on site description of the delight it will bring you and your make out partner is more accurate along with the tasting great. Its main ingredient is honey after all, if you like the taste of honey, you'll be licking it off fairly quickly.
As I don't have a make out partner, I can't attest to the validate of that statement. I can attest to the fact that it does taste great and my hair doesn't really get stuck in it so that's always a plus. Additionally, my lips are very slippery when I wear this so if you smoke or tend to put things in your mouth while you're working like I do, you'd best hold on with your teeth because it will slide right out from between your lips otherwise.
This is probably something you'll want to use after you exfoliate your lips, for those of us who find this necessary. It is rather thick and protective so it's great for protecting that new fresh skin. It might also be a good alternative for people who end up using heavier lip balms like vaseline based products during the winter months, which for some of us have already arrived.
I'm not sure honestly if I'd pay the retail price for the product. I have most of the ingredients for this, it is primarily all natural, at home so there's nothing stopping me from giving a little mix in my home kitchen and making up a batch but right now given that it is on sale it's probably a good time to give it a try. Check it out and comment and tell me what you think about Lip Love from Urban Decay.
http://www.urbandecay.com/makeup-sale/lip-love-honey-infused-lip-therapy/300.html
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Urban Decay - Vice 2
Hi guys,
I haven't reviewed a lot of mass produced products but I've starting getting into it because frankly, how many people only have homemade stuff in their makeup drawers. Reviewing all handmade stuff is great, I'll be posting more of those but I like to know how it compares.
I managed to get my hands on Vice 2 a limited edition palette released by Urban Decay with 20 new colors. I also received some of their primer potion, and eye liner and some lip treatment. In this blog post I'm going to be reviewing the palette. First, let me start by saying that these are my first Urban Decay products ever. I've never used anything by this company before. I can say that I love the colors. The palette has a good blend of neutrals in both shimmer and matte, some purples, some pinks, a blue, browns, grays, and metallics. It pretty much has a little something for everyone.
I was surprised by the size, for most people its probably not a surprise if you've picked up the 20 color palettes before but I was happy with the large size of the palette. I thought it was great that there was a little push button that let you release the catch and open the lid. The lid doesn't just flop open there's some resistance which I liked because it helps the lid to stay wherever you put it. This is a great feature when you want to use the mirror and you have horrible lighting to work with like I do.
I loved the mirror. Its huge. It isn't just this little square in the middle of the lid, it fills the whole lid and really gives you great space to work with and that's important at least in my book. I always hate having to stretch the mirror out as far as my arm just to see more than a little bit of my face to make sure everything looks good. This works out perfectly.
The brush is decent quality. I've gotten some that lose bristles as soon as you use them, these didn't dig into the eye shadows and really held onto the color but not so much that you feel like you're leaving everything on the brush and not getting it on your eye. I've had a few brushes like that too. I liked how they picked up and distributed the eye shadow.
The staying power is pretty decent. It's a little bit less than some of the loose powders that I have but its been on for a good six or so hours now and still looks fairly fresh despite the fact that since I decided not to wear my glasses today I've been rubbing my eyes constantly. There is very little I hate more than spending the time to do my eye make up and then rubbing it all off within an hour of putting it on so I love color with staying power. I've got a few pictures of the palette that I'll be adding to the post later. I wanted to do a complete set with a swatch of all the colors but I really wanted to do those pictures outside where I've got good natural sunlight. I'll be posting the pictures in the next day or so but you can check the palette out at Urban decay's website www.urbandecay.com
This is a limited edition and I do recommend it. It's a little pricey but from what I've seen well worth the investment.
I haven't reviewed a lot of mass produced products but I've starting getting into it because frankly, how many people only have homemade stuff in their makeup drawers. Reviewing all handmade stuff is great, I'll be posting more of those but I like to know how it compares.
I managed to get my hands on Vice 2 a limited edition palette released by Urban Decay with 20 new colors. I also received some of their primer potion, and eye liner and some lip treatment. In this blog post I'm going to be reviewing the palette. First, let me start by saying that these are my first Urban Decay products ever. I've never used anything by this company before. I can say that I love the colors. The palette has a good blend of neutrals in both shimmer and matte, some purples, some pinks, a blue, browns, grays, and metallics. It pretty much has a little something for everyone.
I was surprised by the size, for most people its probably not a surprise if you've picked up the 20 color palettes before but I was happy with the large size of the palette. I thought it was great that there was a little push button that let you release the catch and open the lid. The lid doesn't just flop open there's some resistance which I liked because it helps the lid to stay wherever you put it. This is a great feature when you want to use the mirror and you have horrible lighting to work with like I do.
I loved the mirror. Its huge. It isn't just this little square in the middle of the lid, it fills the whole lid and really gives you great space to work with and that's important at least in my book. I always hate having to stretch the mirror out as far as my arm just to see more than a little bit of my face to make sure everything looks good. This works out perfectly.
The brush is decent quality. I've gotten some that lose bristles as soon as you use them, these didn't dig into the eye shadows and really held onto the color but not so much that you feel like you're leaving everything on the brush and not getting it on your eye. I've had a few brushes like that too. I liked how they picked up and distributed the eye shadow.
The staying power is pretty decent. It's a little bit less than some of the loose powders that I have but its been on for a good six or so hours now and still looks fairly fresh despite the fact that since I decided not to wear my glasses today I've been rubbing my eyes constantly. There is very little I hate more than spending the time to do my eye make up and then rubbing it all off within an hour of putting it on so I love color with staying power. I've got a few pictures of the palette that I'll be adding to the post later. I wanted to do a complete set with a swatch of all the colors but I really wanted to do those pictures outside where I've got good natural sunlight. I'll be posting the pictures in the next day or so but you can check the palette out at Urban decay's website www.urbandecay.com
This is a limited edition and I do recommend it. It's a little pricey but from what I've seen well worth the investment.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Em Cosmetics - Life Palette Sample
Hi guys,
This review is of Em cosmetics life palette - you can find it at www.emcosmetics.com.
I obtained a deluxe sample not too long ago. This blog won't have pictures. This is because I'm not going to be reviewing the colors but the cosmetics themselves. I have to say I was pretty excited. I watch Michelle Phan's videos fairly regularly. I actually found them because there was a link from another site on creating anime looks with makeup. I started following and was happy to hear she'd managed to get her own cosmetic line.
I'd like to point out that I'm 32. I'll be 33 next year. I'm not a kid but that doesn't stop me from being willing to experiment and willing to try anything makeup wise from crazy to sedate. The one thing I noted about Em cosmetics is that there is definitely something for everyone. If you want to get wild and crazy, there are plenty of colors for you. If you want to go for the more sedate look, you'll find something as well. I like that because it means that I can stick with the same makeup line and don't have to worry about losing quality or trying to find the right quality to match with already existing products because as we all know sometimes finding the color you want might mean not having the quality you want.
Em cosmetics are pretty pricey for someone on a highly limited budget like me. Right now, I view everything in terms of the same amount can pay this bill or these bills. In the case of Em cosmetics palettes, its these bills. However, its well worth the money if you've got it to spend. The palette has got serious options. There are four looks included in each of the full sized palettes. This consists of a blush, two lip colors and six eye shadows. This means for a full sized palette you are getting 4 blush, 8 lip colors and 24 eye shadows. The price is $75.
I purchased a deluxe sample during a promotion because for about $30, it gave me the chance to try out a lipstick, the eye shadows from the palette and a water liner eye liner.
All that being said, on to the review. The colors are rich, not too rich. They go on smooth, easy to blend and definitely easier to control than some of the ones I've experimented with, I've had some where even though you are using only a small amount it feels heavy or doesn't blend well. Em cosmetics is perfect for layering, blending, it goes on smooth and easy and it provides a nice even coverage. I wear it with absolutely nothing but the eye shadow and it sees me through the day.
Its definitely worth the money and I've definitely got it on my save up for list.
This review is of Em cosmetics life palette - you can find it at www.emcosmetics.com.
I obtained a deluxe sample not too long ago. This blog won't have pictures. This is because I'm not going to be reviewing the colors but the cosmetics themselves. I have to say I was pretty excited. I watch Michelle Phan's videos fairly regularly. I actually found them because there was a link from another site on creating anime looks with makeup. I started following and was happy to hear she'd managed to get her own cosmetic line.
I'd like to point out that I'm 32. I'll be 33 next year. I'm not a kid but that doesn't stop me from being willing to experiment and willing to try anything makeup wise from crazy to sedate. The one thing I noted about Em cosmetics is that there is definitely something for everyone. If you want to get wild and crazy, there are plenty of colors for you. If you want to go for the more sedate look, you'll find something as well. I like that because it means that I can stick with the same makeup line and don't have to worry about losing quality or trying to find the right quality to match with already existing products because as we all know sometimes finding the color you want might mean not having the quality you want.
Em cosmetics are pretty pricey for someone on a highly limited budget like me. Right now, I view everything in terms of the same amount can pay this bill or these bills. In the case of Em cosmetics palettes, its these bills. However, its well worth the money if you've got it to spend. The palette has got serious options. There are four looks included in each of the full sized palettes. This consists of a blush, two lip colors and six eye shadows. This means for a full sized palette you are getting 4 blush, 8 lip colors and 24 eye shadows. The price is $75.
I purchased a deluxe sample during a promotion because for about $30, it gave me the chance to try out a lipstick, the eye shadows from the palette and a water liner eye liner.
All that being said, on to the review. The colors are rich, not too rich. They go on smooth, easy to blend and definitely easier to control than some of the ones I've experimented with, I've had some where even though you are using only a small amount it feels heavy or doesn't blend well. Em cosmetics is perfect for layering, blending, it goes on smooth and easy and it provides a nice even coverage. I wear it with absolutely nothing but the eye shadow and it sees me through the day.
Its definitely worth the money and I've definitely got it on my save up for list.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
New Reviews Coming
I am changing how I do my reviews especially for eye shadows. Normally, I pick a single color from a single company and slather it all over, take pictures and tell you guys what I think. I rarely however, purchase single colors, I purchase in some cases, dozens of colors at a time. I tend to pick all the colors I like, at a given point, and then purchase them all at once. I, then, mix and match and contrast with some beautiful and some definitely only on Halloween results. In order to review everything I've collected for the purpose of reviewing, in addition, to the non-indie products I purchases to contrast and add depth to the reviews, I'd end up having to do five reviews a day every day for right around 3 years.
The idea freaked me out a little bit and sent me racing to Walmart for storage solutions to hold the massive amounts of cosmetics, which now no longer fit in the train case, the baskets, and drawers in the bathroom. They now have their own sliding drawer desktop storage and still there are baskets, bins, bags and boxes. This prompted a few changes. I'm going to review products from the same color that go together, put together sets, create looks, I suppose and then post the reviews up including these looks.
This accomplishes several goals, first, it shorts the amount of reviews I have to do, it provides more valuable information to my way of thinking, and gives you guys some things to try out. I'm not going to be doing fancy things I'm not Michelle Phan, I'm hoping to find unique ways to blend colors together, in some cases, colors you wouldn't think would go together, to create looks that everyone can wear everywhere.
I love Michelle Phan and I happen to love the EM cosmetic line, though its well out of my price range, but most of the stuff I've seen on her channel isn't stuff for everyday wear, it takes far too long. When I get up in the morning or, more often in my case, the evening, I do not want to spend twenty minutes on my makeup dealing with things like bb cream, concealer, foundation, then powder, primer, doing the eyes, the lips, then contouring, the cheeks, chin, and then set it. I want to throw on my face as it were, in 5-10 minutes at the absolutely maximum. I lean more towards the five minutes.
There is a very good reason for this, I don't like getting up any earlier than I absolutely have too and if I need to spend twenty minutes on my face, it means my hair will have to go with it and that's like an hour because I have very flat and very thin hair, to give it life requires washing, leave in treatment, volumizing product, hot rollers, etc. It is a lot of work and since I work from home it drives me crazy. You might now be wondering why I would bother putting all the effort when my job involves taking less than three steps from my bed to my office chair...literally. ( I can lean back in my chair and rest my head on my bed.)
It's because I'm a stickler for that sort of thing, if you do the fancy face, you have to have the fancy hair. So, that's what is going on with eye shadows and so forth.
As far as nail polish is concerned. I'm going to be adding to those pictures. I am going to include, the color under review and then I'm going to be adding things, like I might add a top coat from a different color. Things have been pretty crazy here which is why there was a break again in the reviews. I was going to move, packed to move, and then didn't move. I've been living out of boxes. I have decided to downsize my books and my manga collections. I'll be posting that information on the book review blog and share that information with all of you.
The idea freaked me out a little bit and sent me racing to Walmart for storage solutions to hold the massive amounts of cosmetics, which now no longer fit in the train case, the baskets, and drawers in the bathroom. They now have their own sliding drawer desktop storage and still there are baskets, bins, bags and boxes. This prompted a few changes. I'm going to review products from the same color that go together, put together sets, create looks, I suppose and then post the reviews up including these looks.
This accomplishes several goals, first, it shorts the amount of reviews I have to do, it provides more valuable information to my way of thinking, and gives you guys some things to try out. I'm not going to be doing fancy things I'm not Michelle Phan, I'm hoping to find unique ways to blend colors together, in some cases, colors you wouldn't think would go together, to create looks that everyone can wear everywhere.
I love Michelle Phan and I happen to love the EM cosmetic line, though its well out of my price range, but most of the stuff I've seen on her channel isn't stuff for everyday wear, it takes far too long. When I get up in the morning or, more often in my case, the evening, I do not want to spend twenty minutes on my makeup dealing with things like bb cream, concealer, foundation, then powder, primer, doing the eyes, the lips, then contouring, the cheeks, chin, and then set it. I want to throw on my face as it were, in 5-10 minutes at the absolutely maximum. I lean more towards the five minutes.
There is a very good reason for this, I don't like getting up any earlier than I absolutely have too and if I need to spend twenty minutes on my face, it means my hair will have to go with it and that's like an hour because I have very flat and very thin hair, to give it life requires washing, leave in treatment, volumizing product, hot rollers, etc. It is a lot of work and since I work from home it drives me crazy. You might now be wondering why I would bother putting all the effort when my job involves taking less than three steps from my bed to my office chair...literally. ( I can lean back in my chair and rest my head on my bed.)
It's because I'm a stickler for that sort of thing, if you do the fancy face, you have to have the fancy hair. So, that's what is going on with eye shadows and so forth.
As far as nail polish is concerned. I'm going to be adding to those pictures. I am going to include, the color under review and then I'm going to be adding things, like I might add a top coat from a different color. Things have been pretty crazy here which is why there was a break again in the reviews. I was going to move, packed to move, and then didn't move. I've been living out of boxes. I have decided to downsize my books and my manga collections. I'll be posting that information on the book review blog and share that information with all of you.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Update
Hi guys,
It's been a while. I've done some serious work over the past few months and have finally gotten things hashed out for the most part, which means it is time to start doing blogs again. I've been working on getting some better quality equipment and I've decided to make a few changes. While the majority of the blog will still be indie based products I'm also going to be reviewing commercial products and I'm going to be doing some compare and contrast.
In part because what makes indie products shine is their difference from the mass produced commercial products that line our drugstore shelves. A lot of the products I'll be reviewing are Avon and comparing too are going to be Avon products. This is because I can get my hands on them cheaply. I'd love to be able to review the indie products against companies like Max factor and some of the high end expensive stuff but honestly, I don't have that kind of money so, I'm going to be comparing the products that are homemade or made by smaller companies against the less expensive brands.
I'm also going to be putting in a tip post every now and then so you can get the most out of your products. I know that the standard industry talk is that you need to replace your makeup about every 3-6 months but seriously, in this economy who has that kind of money, to throw out products like that. In some cases, it might be necessary but for the most part, with a little effort, you can use your products until you use them up whether that is in 3 months or 3 years.
Beauty is more than just makeup, its skin care, its jewelry, its fashion and its mindset. Beautiful is when we, as women and men, are feeling confident and good about ourselves and our appearance. That was one of the reasons I started out writing this blog and reviewing these products, I wanted to offer people wonderful alternatives that were healthy for them, for the environment and would provide them with excellent products, whether they are looking for soaps, skincare, nailpolish, lipstick, or eyeshadow.
Unfortunately, one company will not be reviewed any further on the site. Pixie Polish, due to health reasons of the creator, had to close its doors. I was greatly saddened by this since anyone who knows me, knows that Pixie Polish was one of my all time favorite brands and makes up probably half my nail polish collection. I am hoping that Pixie gets better and one days brings back these glorious polishes for us to enjoy.
I have quite a few companies to review so look forward to reviews coming soon.
Kaya
It's been a while. I've done some serious work over the past few months and have finally gotten things hashed out for the most part, which means it is time to start doing blogs again. I've been working on getting some better quality equipment and I've decided to make a few changes. While the majority of the blog will still be indie based products I'm also going to be reviewing commercial products and I'm going to be doing some compare and contrast.
In part because what makes indie products shine is their difference from the mass produced commercial products that line our drugstore shelves. A lot of the products I'll be reviewing are Avon and comparing too are going to be Avon products. This is because I can get my hands on them cheaply. I'd love to be able to review the indie products against companies like Max factor and some of the high end expensive stuff but honestly, I don't have that kind of money so, I'm going to be comparing the products that are homemade or made by smaller companies against the less expensive brands.
I'm also going to be putting in a tip post every now and then so you can get the most out of your products. I know that the standard industry talk is that you need to replace your makeup about every 3-6 months but seriously, in this economy who has that kind of money, to throw out products like that. In some cases, it might be necessary but for the most part, with a little effort, you can use your products until you use them up whether that is in 3 months or 3 years.
Beauty is more than just makeup, its skin care, its jewelry, its fashion and its mindset. Beautiful is when we, as women and men, are feeling confident and good about ourselves and our appearance. That was one of the reasons I started out writing this blog and reviewing these products, I wanted to offer people wonderful alternatives that were healthy for them, for the environment and would provide them with excellent products, whether they are looking for soaps, skincare, nailpolish, lipstick, or eyeshadow.
Unfortunately, one company will not be reviewed any further on the site. Pixie Polish, due to health reasons of the creator, had to close its doors. I was greatly saddened by this since anyone who knows me, knows that Pixie Polish was one of my all time favorite brands and makes up probably half my nail polish collection. I am hoping that Pixie gets better and one days brings back these glorious polishes for us to enjoy.
I have quite a few companies to review so look forward to reviews coming soon.
Kaya
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Island Soapery - Cherry Granade
Soap is one of the products I have difficulties with, my skin is so sensitive that finding a soap that works, works well and keeps working can be like searching for a needle in a hay stack. There are hundreds of options to choose from and unfortunately for me what works today might not work tomorrow.
It's one of the reasons why I enjoy reviewing soap as much as I do. I get to discover combinations that work for me, combinations that don't and have the opportunity to discover some amazing products and meet new people.
Island Soapery is an Etsy store. I found it while looking for soaps and asked for samples. I received samples of several different scents and soap products. The samples were generous. I've received some samples that last long enough to wash your hands once, basically they are just a thick shaving off a bar. I don't feel samples that small are 1. worth the money for them and 2. really give you the opportunity to test the product.
Unless there is immediate irritation it usually takes a week to two weeks for me to be able to tell if a product will really work for me. It's one of the reasons my reviews take a little longer to publish then others. I try to test the products in as many ways as I can before I write a review. Writing for Island Soapery was no exception.
The first product I tried was the Cherry Granade. I'd never seen a scent like this so I asked for a sample of it. I received a small square instead of the standard rectangle you expect soap to come in. I enjoyed the difference in size and it fit well in the palm of my hand. It also fit well in my son's. Cherry anything however, it's a boy scent so he wasn't thrilled with it.
The soap does not have a strong scent and barely leaves a trace on your hands. I'm of two minds on that. Sometimes I love to have the scent linger, other times I don't. I end up having a selection of soaps placed in different places on my sink to tell me which ones have linger scents and which don't.
The soap does not have a sweet scent, which I like. I don't particularly care for overly sweet scents in anything. It does however smell remarkably like the drink it is named after Dr. Pepper, cherry and just a hint of something else which in the drink would be brandy.
It is a delightful pinkish color which fits well with its name. It's definitely something interesting. Head over to Island Soapery at http://www.etsy.com/shop/IslandSoapery and check out it out. I'll be writing more on these products as I try them out.
It's one of the reasons why I enjoy reviewing soap as much as I do. I get to discover combinations that work for me, combinations that don't and have the opportunity to discover some amazing products and meet new people.
Island Soapery is an Etsy store. I found it while looking for soaps and asked for samples. I received samples of several different scents and soap products. The samples were generous. I've received some samples that last long enough to wash your hands once, basically they are just a thick shaving off a bar. I don't feel samples that small are 1. worth the money for them and 2. really give you the opportunity to test the product.
Unless there is immediate irritation it usually takes a week to two weeks for me to be able to tell if a product will really work for me. It's one of the reasons my reviews take a little longer to publish then others. I try to test the products in as many ways as I can before I write a review. Writing for Island Soapery was no exception.
The first product I tried was the Cherry Granade. I'd never seen a scent like this so I asked for a sample of it. I received a small square instead of the standard rectangle you expect soap to come in. I enjoyed the difference in size and it fit well in the palm of my hand. It also fit well in my son's. Cherry anything however, it's a boy scent so he wasn't thrilled with it.
The soap does not have a strong scent and barely leaves a trace on your hands. I'm of two minds on that. Sometimes I love to have the scent linger, other times I don't. I end up having a selection of soaps placed in different places on my sink to tell me which ones have linger scents and which don't.
The soap does not have a sweet scent, which I like. I don't particularly care for overly sweet scents in anything. It does however smell remarkably like the drink it is named after Dr. Pepper, cherry and just a hint of something else which in the drink would be brandy.
It is a delightful pinkish color which fits well with its name. It's definitely something interesting. Head over to Island Soapery at http://www.etsy.com/shop/IslandSoapery and check out it out. I'll be writing more on these products as I try them out.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Update and Apology
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to apologize because it has been almost a month since my last post. I haven't forgotten all the wonderful products I have to review. I'm an author and I'd just finished my first book when I heard of a great opportunity to submit to a publisher that doesn't normally take unsolicited manuscripts. I couldn't pass it up. If I manage to get selected ( highly unlikely on a first submission) it would save me considerable time since the normal process involves managing to land an agent first before submitting to publishers, at least for hard copy.
There are plenty of ebook publishers out there but I wanted a shot at seeing my book in print without having to pay a fortune to self publish. I've spent the last few weeks focused on that so I apologize that I haven't been posting here like I would have liked but I couldn't pass up that opportunity. The submission time has ended however, and after considerable rest, ( there were a lot of edits and last minute rewrites), I'm going to start posting again soon.
I have also started book 2 of the same series as my just finished book.
Thank you so much for continuing to check out my blog and for your patience. I promise more reviews are forthcoming.
Sincerely,
Kaya
I wanted to apologize because it has been almost a month since my last post. I haven't forgotten all the wonderful products I have to review. I'm an author and I'd just finished my first book when I heard of a great opportunity to submit to a publisher that doesn't normally take unsolicited manuscripts. I couldn't pass it up. If I manage to get selected ( highly unlikely on a first submission) it would save me considerable time since the normal process involves managing to land an agent first before submitting to publishers, at least for hard copy.
There are plenty of ebook publishers out there but I wanted a shot at seeing my book in print without having to pay a fortune to self publish. I've spent the last few weeks focused on that so I apologize that I haven't been posting here like I would have liked but I couldn't pass up that opportunity. The submission time has ended however, and after considerable rest, ( there were a lot of edits and last minute rewrites), I'm going to start posting again soon.
I have also started book 2 of the same series as my just finished book.
Thank you so much for continuing to check out my blog and for your patience. I promise more reviews are forthcoming.
Sincerely,
Kaya
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