Sephora Friends & Family Madness

November 15, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 9 Comments

so a couple of my favorite bloggers, Sunny of Mostly Sunny and Helen of lola’s secret beauty blog has requested to see how insane i went (my words, not theirs) during Sephora’s friends & family sale. at first i was reluctant because i spent an embarrassing amount but i figured this way if there’s anything you guys want streamlined into the reviews, you could leave me a comment down below. i’ve broken the haul into categories, so it doesn’t seem too overwhelming.

first up, there are staples and skincare products that have been on my radar to check out. the staples are Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, Beauty Blender Pure (other colors leak dye like crazy), and my HG face wash/makeup remover Eve Lom Cleanser. there’s quite a few skin care products that i’ve been eyeing for a while now. i picked up Algenist Genius Ultimate Anti-Aging Melting and Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser in the hopes that i can find a cheaper alternative to my HG Eve Lom Cleanser. Manuka Doctor’s Apinourish Rejuvenating Face mask got tossed in because anything with the word manuka in it has my undivided attention. i got a sample of Lash Food Phyto-Medic Eyelash Enhancer in a beauty box a while back and was very impressed by the rapid results. the serum by itself is $78 so i figured i might as well try the rest of the line for just a little bit more. it was a great bargain since everything is full sized. Dr. Perricone has been on my radar for a while now, and when i ran out of eye cream, Cold Plasma Eye was one of the many samples i tried from Sephora. while i’m still trying to decide if i can stand the slightly fishy smell, i can honestly say this is the most effective eye cream/serum i have ever experienced. in one week, not only did i see my dark circles and fine lines improve, i also noticed that the discoloration from my veins peeking through the thin skin on my eyelids had also improved! seeing such efficacy from Cold Plasma Eye, i decided to toss in Blue Plasma Orbital. we all know the benefits of exfoliation for our face, but not too many products are made safe for the eye area. since a lot more products are going onto my eyes now that i wear makeup, i figure a little exfoliation might be good for the area too.

some eye products that i’ve been wanting to try during the friends & family sale. i’m a big fan of Urban Decay and haven’t gotten around to trying their new liquid liners or mascara yet, so this kit was perfect for me. i’ve been hearing mixed reviews about this Too Faced fiber lash system, so i wanted to see what it’s like for myself and how it compares to Younique’s Moodstuck 3D Fiber Lashes that everyone’s been raving about. Hourglass products are a bit of a splurge, so i try to only indulge my curiosity during sales. i did make an exception for their Ambient Lighting Blush Palette because i was afraid it’d sell out, but it turned out to be a needless worry. i guess too many people already have the singles to make buying the palette worthwhile. most mascaras smudge on me, so i usually use a topcoat. Anastasia’s Lash Genius is my usual staple, but i’m hoping bareMinerals Locked and Coated Waterproof Lash Topcoat will be just as effective but a more economical option. i’ve gotten better at applying false lashes than i was a year ago, but i’m hoping Sephora Bulls Eye Lash Applicator will help speed up the process and help me angle around my lashes so that i can get closer to the lashline. i’ve heard Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil compared very favorably to Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil, so i wanted to give this cheaper option a spin.

i also wanted to take advantage of the sale to search for the perfect pink lipstick that goes with any kind of eye look but was also long wear and hydrating. going clockwise you see: Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Mistress and Hooligan, Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Eccentic, and Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact in Georgia and Gemma.

this is probably the purchase i feel most guilty about despite the relatively low cost compared to some of the other items in my haul. i’m really not sure how much use i will get out of these blushes, but i really fell in love with the packaging. i thought about it long and hard and knew i’d regret it if i didn’t snatch this up. i comforted myself with the fact it was a particularly good deal since Sephora was having 12% cashback on mr. rebates (affiliate link) at the time.

i fell in love with swatches of Marc Jacobs’ Gatsby and Goss in the Butter London Gilded Gears (love the rose gold steampunk packaging!) but realized after receiving that i already have similar colors (Essie’s Penny Talk). Clockwork Heart is a very interesting color being a semi matte wine color with quite a bit of brown. i’ve been wanting a more chemical free nail strengthening base coat to replace my current favorite, so i’m hoping the 5 free Tenoverten Foundation Base Coat will fit the bill. last but not least, Sephora Formula X The Ombré Glitters in Mischevious is the most amazing combo of rose gold and sage green glitter. since pink and green are two of my favorite colors, i’ve been lusting after this ever i saw a swatch of it online. let’s take a closer look.

the pictures don’t do it full justice, but you can get a better sense in this photo. try to imagine the sage green as sort of a semi-clear base color with a pinky rose gold (as opposed to the coppery kind) glitter all over. it’s perfect.

Readers what do you think? see anything you like? anything you want to see reviewed first?

Smashbox Double Exposure Palette: Swatches & First Impressions

November 14, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 3 Comments

today i wanted to share my swatches and first impressions of Smashbox’s Double Exposure Palette. it’s current available to Sephora VIB Rouge members only. it’s a palette featuring 14 colors in shimmer, satin, and matte formulas that can be used wet or dry for a total of 28 colors. adding water can either intensify, change to metallic, or add sparkles to the colors. there’s a variety of warm and cool tones. while i haven’t played with them enough to justify a review yet, i thought i’d let you see the swatches and a couple of experimental looks first. just in case this palette is something you want to add to your holiday wish list.

Smashbox Double Exposure Palette

the palette also comes with a sample of Full Exposure Mascara and an insert featuring tips on how to enhance your look according to eye shape. props to smashbox for not leaving out us asian monolidders! i also appreciate how the color index card tells me what the effect will be when i use the shadows wet. i did use the domed end of the brush for all the wet swatches. it performed ok. the bristles are not super rough but they’re not soft either!

(L to R) Silver, Mauve, Peony, Blanc dry/wet

(L to R) Midnight, Temper, Haze, Noir dry/wet

(L to R) Quartz, Flushed, Veiled, Quartz dry/wet

i swatched Quartz twice because in the first wet swatch, i must not have cleaned off the brush properly and so there’s a tiny bit of a darker shade mixed in. in the second set of Quartz swatches, i swatched the wet first then the dry. sorry about that!

(L to R) Copper, Fig, Expresso dry/wet

i experimented a little with a few of the shadows. here’s a few pictures of how they turned out.

i did one look for each eye. on the left, i used Peony on the lid and Noir in the outer v. i used Noir wet as a liner. i also used Noir and Peony wet on the lower lash line. on the right i used Blanc on the lid and Temper in the outer v. i used Temper wet as a liner. on the lower lash line i used Hazed on the outer half and Blanc wet on the inner half as highlight.

a close up of the look

here you can see Peony and Blanc both used wet on the lower lashline. as you can see, although both are supposed to metallic when wet, Peony is really lacking the intensity of a metallic shade.

Peony and Noir

Blanc and Temper

i must say, so far i’m a little disappointed with the palette. i was hoping the wet version of the shades would be more drastically different. instead they seem just a little more intense. one less purple (3 seems too repetitive?) for a green would have been nice too.

Readers, what do you think of the new Smashbox Palette? do you prefer it to the original Full Exposure Palette?

Adaptive Multi-tasker: Algenist Anti-Aging Repairing Oil

November 12, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

now that fall has arrived, are you thinking of changing up or adding a little extra something to your skincare routine? as the weather changes during the fall and winter, we often need a little extra in terms of moisturization. i’m happy to report that Algenist’s Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is an excellent candidate for consideration!

Algenist Advanced Anti-Aging Repairing Oil

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is a fast absorbing, non greasy, light oil formulated with microalgae oil, ceramides, and brown algae extract to help with skin regeneration, restoring firmness and elasticity, increasing water retention, and preventing moisture loss. it accomplishes all this with flying colors! i can especially attest to the skin regeneration part. earlier this summer, i sunburned my shoulders the day before i got on the plane for vacation. at first it was just tender, but by the time i arrived at my destination, it had become painful. i mixed a few drops of Anti-Aging Repairing Oil into my aloe body lotion, and it felt much better the next day! all that remained was a little bit of tenderness in the morning. i applied another few drops, mixed in with my body lotion, before i left the house for the day and reapplied when i got home at night. the next day all the tenderness was gone! i’ve never had a sunburn stop hurting that fast!

because of it’s great ability to increase water retention and prevent moisture loss, Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is also a great travel companion! having this in your arsenal while you’re traveling gives great flexibility to your skincare routine. you can add a drop or two extra if you need an extra boost in moisture or mix it with your serum and skip your lotion/cream if you need to lighten up your routine. i have dehydrated skin that usually needs the wax in lotion/cream to help seal in moisture; otherwise products tend to evaporate quickly, leaving my skin to feel dry again. this even happens in humid, asian weather! however, my skin was happily moisturized when i used only Anti-Aging Repairing Oil mixed with a serum during the 3 weeks i was out there this summer.

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil is really a product that plays well with others. curious to see how powerful it’s ability to retain moisture was, i’ve used it just with a very thin, non-hydrating serum, and my skin was happily moisturized. then i tested it with a rich cream to see if it would be too much, and again, my skin was happily moisturized with no extra grease. best of all, over time, i’ve also noticed an improvement of the fine lines on my forehead.

Anti-Aging Repairing Oil works great as a day time moisturizer under makeup too! after cleansing my face in the mornings, i’ll mix some serum and oil together and slather all over my face. by the time i’m done brushing my teeth, my skin is ready for my makeup. how’s that for fast?

it’s not just me who loves this stuff too! a close friend complained that her pregnancy gave her patches of flakey skin that nothing was helping. i introduced her to a sample of this, and shortly thereafter she told me the flakey skin was gone and that she was ready to commit to a full sized bottle. my aunt, who has lots of high end products in her bathroom, including la mer, asked me to bring her back two bottles of it for her own use after just a few days of trying it out while we were traveling together.

Readers, are you a fan of facial oils? what will you be doing to get ready for the drier winter weather? please share your tips with me!

Cash Back on 20% Friends & Family Sales or General Purchases

November 8, 2014November 13, 2014 / truecolorjoy / Leave a comment

it’s a little late but here’s a tip in case you need an extra incentive during these couple weeks of friends & family sales. shop online through Mr. Rebates and you can get anywhere between 6-12% cashback! sephora is currently at a high of 12% and beauty.com is currently at 7%. more brands and stores are available (dept. stores, home improvement and lots of other categories), just type what you want into the search bar. percentages vary from store to store and from time to time but the highest possible percentage is 30%. the highest i’ve seen for beauty category is about 15%.

still not enough? you can earn an extra $5 cashback as a new customer if you use my referral link. i do get a bonus based on your cashback but at no cost to you. happy shopping!

http://www.mrrebates.com?refid=198789

Readers, have you already made your friends & family purchases? what did you get? do share!

Iope Air Cushion XP is a total game changer

October 13, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 3 Comments

i hadn’t really paid attention to the whole cushion bb cream craze that’s been going on because usually the complaint is that there’s not much coverage. however, when i was gifted with Iope Air Cushion Compact, i figured it was a sign to give it a shot. i’m so glad i did. it’s a total game changer.

Iope Air Cushion XP

foundation soaked sponge

as you can see from the pictures, Iope Air Cushion Xp is a somewhat thick compact where the foundation is soaked into a sponge.

a nonabsorbent sponge is included for application

you press the included blue applicator sponge into the foundation soaked sponge and apply it to your skin. if you dislike the thought of using the included applicator, i’ve also had good results using my beauty blender, both damp and dry. however, if you use your own sponge, there will probably be a bit of wastage as the included applicator is nonabsorbent. the coverage is about medium. i’ve lightened the coverage by using a damp beauty blender, and the coverage is somewhat buildable to a medium+. on my good days, i can skip undereye concealer. it’s very easy and fast to apply and almost impossible to streak. the only thing faster in my arsenal is if i just slapped on some powder. the finish is very natural. i get compliments on my good skin all the time when i’m wearing this, and the complimenter is always shocked when i tell them i’m actually wearing bb cream.

Iope Air Cushion on half my face

you can see how my skintone is evened out and my age spots somewhat hidden.

here’s how it looks outside in natural light.

just to show you how good the coverage is, the picture below is half Iope Air Cushion and half Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

can you tell which side is Iope Air Cushion and which side is MUFE HD? are you ready for the answer? left side is MUFE and right side is Iope. MUFE is a little better looking but i think the effect is pretty close.

though the spf protection is provided by physical blockers zinc and titanium dioxide, it photographs well. it goes on like a second skin, and soon you’ll forget it’s there. in addition to the spf protection, it also offers some vitamins for the skin in a somewhat moisturizing formula. most days, i mix a serum with 1-2 drops of facial oil instead of my usual cream when i’m wearing Iope Air Cushion. in asia, i can even do without the facial oil. it does very well in hot and humid weather. if you’re careful not to touch your face and wipe away the bb cream along with your sweat, the coverage will meld back with your skin after you cool back down. the coverage doesn’t evaporate away or break down like some foundations. the compact is also purse friendly so you can take it along and reapply as needed. i apologize in advance for the poor quality of pictures below, only my iphone was available that day.

the left is a picture of me sweating under the heat of the afternoon sun at farmer’s market. my nose is looking extra red because my sunglasses have pushed aside some of the Iope Air Cushion. the right side is what the coverage returns to after i’ve cooled down. i think how the coverage reforms is pretty magical!

Iope Air Cushion actually comes in 3 finishes: N for natural, C for Coverage, and S for shimmer. i’m wearing C21 Cover Vanilla. unfortunately, the natural and coverage finishes only come in two shades. however, Iope is a brand under Amore Pacific. Amore Pacific has brought these cushion compacts over to the states in a slightly larger color range (4 shades). here in la, i’ve seen Iope carried in asian beauty stores. the price ranges from $40-45 for the compact and includes 1 refill. i’ve been using mine almost daily since mid-july and i haven’t needed to pop in my refill yet.

Readers, what do you think of the air cushion compact trend? is it something you’re interested in?

Los Angeles Cat Café Fundraising Event Oct 2-5th

September 28, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 2 Comments

hello everyone~ i’m sorry i’ve been so sporadic with my posting lately. i’m trying to get myself back on track!

i know not all of my readers are based here in los angeles, but today i’d like to raise awareness towards a fund raising event that’s near and dear to my heart. Carlos Wong is trying to raise funds to bring a cat cafe to los angeles! for those that don’t know, cat cafe is a themed coffee shop where patrons can interact with cats for a cover charge. these types of café are very popular in japan (although the first of its kind actually originated in taipei, taiwan!)

i’ve always thought the concept was cool and something to put on my to do list for when i visited japan. for the past few months though, i’ve begun to realize that i have a genuine need for a cat cafè in my life! you see, i lost my beloved cat, oz, last year right before christmas.

the blow was devastating. i promised myself i would not put myself through that again. however, once you’ve experienced the validation of the unconditional love from a pet and the comfort of a warm furball in your lap purring the day’s stress away, life is never the same. there’s a permanent void in my life that i long to fill. every time i think of getting a new pet, however, i remind myself sharply that that i wasn’t as responsible of a pet owner as i should have been, and the boyfriend would have to go back to taking allergy medication every day. thus, the need for a cat café in my life.

there have been many health and therapeutic benefits linked to association with animals, mostly having to do with their company lowering levels of stress and elevating levels of serotonin and dopamine. who doesn’t need a dose of that in today’s world? but it’s not just the humans that will benefit from this venture. the cats that will populate this cat café will come from a no kill shelter, and if you fall in love with your cat companion, you may adopt it (after it’s been with the cat café for a year).

the fundraising event will be happening from oct 2-5th from 4-9pm at the Far East Plaza on 729 N Broadway in chinatown. there will be cats for petting and adoption, costumed maids & butlers, and music entertainment. to read more about the event, visit

http://www.laweekly.com/squidink/2014/09/15/americas-first-cat-cafe-is-coming-to-chinatown-in-october

if the timing is not good for you but you want to donate to the cause, Carlos Wong has also started another kickstarter campaign that you can check out!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1122280343/catfe

Readers, what do you think of cat café? is it something you would visit regularly or just something to check out once? leave me a comment down below!

Lazyproof Pampering For The Face: Laneige Water Sleeping Mask

September 7, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

today, i would like to introduce a cult classic, Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. i’ve been curious about this product for a couple of years. i always see it at the duty free counters and catalogs on the plane, but i’ve always passed thinking that i don’t want a two-pack of something i’ve never tried. now that i have, i regret not picking up the 4 pack that i saw offered when i passed thru shanghai. seriously, i love it that much! admittedly, i don’t want all 4 jars for my face. i’m thinking it would work great on my scaly lizard legs too…i recently dropped by Target for some random home necessities and saw that Target now offers some core Laneige products, including this mask, so it’s easily accessible now if you’re tempted.

Laneige at Target

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask has a gel like consistency and is lightly scented. the scent is supposed to be help soothe you into sleep. while i find the scent pleasant, it’s not a blend that triggers feelings of being soothed, comforted, or sleepiness. to use, simply cleanse and tone your face then apply Water Sleeping Mask. how fast it is absorbed depends on how thick of a layer you apply and how dehydrated you are. i’ve applied a thin layer and had it completely absorb in 45 mins, but i generally like to slather on a medium thick layer for a bigger boost in hydration. you can wait for it to fully absorb, or you can go to sleep with it still slightly tacky. rest assured you will not wake up with sticky pillow cases. i think the convenience of this product is genius. i don’t have to lie flat and not move so a sheet mask won’t slide off my face. it’s meant to be left on all night, so if i’m feeling lazy or tired, i can skip my entire skincare routine and still know i’m doing something good for my face. i don’t have to set aside special time for it, so i’m inclined to use it more consistently. in the morning, i wake up with smoother, softer skin that feels very hydrated and more plump. the instructions do say rinse off in the morning, but to be honest, my skin completely absorbs the mask leaving nothing to rinse off. there isn’t any of that slippery film feeling like when your skin hasn’t fully absorbed an overnight product. sometimes i forget to rinse off, and there’s not a problem with absorbtion of my daytime skincare routine nor with my foundation. if you don’t feel like rinsing, i’ve also done a cotton ball swipe with toner. the effect of the mask is most obvious when i’m applying my makeup. fine lines from dehydration are smoothed away so that my foundation blends out easier. concealer in the undereye area goes on especially smooth, since there’s no creases for it to settle in. .

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask is also an excellent product to travel with. i depot a small amount into a sample pot and take it on the plane with me. we all know how dehydrating being on the plane is and how it wrecks havoc on our skin. after the first meal is served, i brush my teeth and apply my Water Sleeping Mask. i’ve seen people do sheet masks on the plane, but i’ve always felt too embarrassed to do that. it just seems too high maintenance/girly/vain for my comfort zone. Water Sleeping Mask allows me to subtly pamper my skin, and i don’t have to get back up to rinse or worry about what to do with my sheet mask after i’m done using it.

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask isn’t quite as hydrating/plumping as some of my favorite sheet masks, but it comes pretty close. since i do use it more consistently, due to ease of use, the accumulative effect is very similar. because i’m using it more often, my dehydration lines aren’t as deep so that it doesn’t need as much plumping. if you don’t need other corrective properties of a sheet mask and are just looking for some extra hydration in your routine, i highly recommend taking a second look at Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. at $23 for 2.7oz, it’s highly more cost-effective compared to sheet masks and just as effective as most.

Readers, what properties do you look for in a mask? does Water Sleeping Mask sound like something that would be useful in your routine?

Nourish Your Skin and Eyes From the Inside

August 27, 2014August 27, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

i’m sorry it’s been so long since i’ve posted anything. i’ve been traveling, dealing with some unfortunate news, and fighting off my online gaming addiction, diablo 3. i had sworn off any kind of online gaming (i find them too addictive and lose all perspective when it comes to time management). many hours of gaming leads to incredibly dry eyes. ideally, you should take a break every 20 minutes with a 20 second break by looking far away or closing your eyes. you could also do a break every hour, though it becomes a 5 minute break to rest your eyes, but who remembers to do that when your wizard or demon hunter is busy melting down mobs? this reminded me that i’ve been wanting to share with all of you some of the things i take internally to nourish my dry skin and eyes.

Krill Oil, Chia Seeds and MegaHydrate

first up is the most common of the 3: omega-3 supplements. i take it in two forms, both animal and plant. why? because the bioavailability of the two is different. i use the plant form when i need an extra boost, but i take the animal form daily. i really should just take both daily, but i take a lot of supplements to help with my lupus, and sometimes i just get tired of taking stuff. anyways, as i’m sure many of you already know, a good source of omega comes from fatty fishes such as salmon, mackerel, and cod. grass fed beef can also be a good source of omega-3 but not corn fed. when the cows are corn fed, the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 oils inverts and causes more inflammation in the body. i attended a lecture from an eye doctor who stated that you needed around 500mg of EPA + DHA (specific forms of omega-3) to avoid deficiency and 1g (1000mg) for proactive support. you want to choose one bound in triglyceride form, as opposed to eythl esther, because it is more stable and absorbable by body. i’ve heard omega-3 bound in eythl esther form can melt styrofoam! doesn’t that sound kind of scary to be putting into your body? though triglyceride bound omega-3 supplements are more expensive, consider it as an investment in your health. unstable omega 3s easily oxidize and actually cause more inflammation in your body. the last thing you want is the supplement you’re taking to actually be harmful instead of beneficial. certain brands also send their products in for 3rd party testing providing quality assurance and peace of mind. the lecturer recommended the brands Nordic Naturals, PRN, and PhysioLogics for this reason. another reason for taking supplements instead of just eating lots of fish is that all the toxins, for example mercury, are filtered out. now you’re probably wondering why a krill oil is pictured instead of one of the omega fish oils i’ve listed above. i bought these in bulk when they were on sale, so i’m just finishing them up. krill oil is supposed to be more bioavailable, so you’re supposed to need less. however, there haven’t been as many studies on it compared to fish oil. i’ve also heard that krill has issues of sustainability. though i haven’t looked into it that much, since i’m planning to go back to fish oil. if issues of sustainability are a concern to you, i’d recommend further research into the subject.

my favorite form of plant based omega-3 is soaked chia seeds. i soak 4 tablespoons of chia seeds in 2 cups of herbal or green tea. why tea? i hate the taste of plain water (it’s just so boring!) and certain teas helps alkalinize your body. the mixture will need to be stirred a few times in the first few minutes to prevent clumping. after a few minutes, i will store it into the fridge where it will turn into a jelly/pudding like texture overnight. you can either take spoonfuls of this as is or mix into more liquid (it will be like healthy version of the frog egg sized tapioca asian drinks). there are also recipes on the internet that teach you how to make healthy pudding with chia seeds, or you can put into into baked goods. you’re supposed to consume this mixture within a week, but honestly i’ve had it last 3 weeks in my fridge without any problems. the chia gel also helps you feel full. i like taking a 16oz tumbler and filling 1/5 of it with the chia gel mixture and the rest with some sort of liquid (usually tea or coconut water for me) when i attend my night class. it helps prevent the hunger pangs i tend to get late in the night when i’ve eaten dinner too early.

last on the least is a supplement called MegaHydrate. it’s an antioxidant supplement high in negatively charged hydrogen. why hydrogen? according to the literature, the scientist discovered that the common factor in longevity of people living in remotes region of the world was that they drink water from melted glaciers. the water from the melted glaciers, also known as glacial milk, had a lower surface tension allowing the cells to absorb water with greater ease thus facilitating hydration, nutrient intake, and waste elimination. with further research, the scientist discovered what made the glacial milk so special was negatively charged hydrogen ions. in addition to facilitating hydration, the negatively charged hydrogen is also supposed to be a powerful antioxidant, donating it’s extra negative electron to help neutralize free radicals. there’s a lot more literature involved about the benefits, but that’s really too much science for me. i’ve been out of school too long, and my brain just doesn’t want to work that hard. i encourage you to do the reading if it interests you or want to learn more about it. i’m not one to care too much about the science. all i care about is the results. i’ve noticed significant alleviation of the trouble i have with my extreme dry eye and itchy skin from my sjogren’s syndrome. i need less eye drops and less lotioning when i take MegaHydrate. this is the one supplement i make sure i never run out of in the house. sometimes i get sick of taking pills and take a break from the rest of my supplements, but i always take this. yes, that’s right. that means i ignore the vit d and my omega-3s, and i just take this. through various experiments with my supplements, i’ve discovered that the MegaHydrate has the most noticeable effect. of course, long term, it’s not enough by itself, but if i want a short break from lots of pills, this is the one i take.

Readers, what are you doing to nourish yourself? please share your favorite tips and supplements down below!

Foreo Issa: A Silicone Electronic Toothbrush!

July 6, 2014July 7, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 29 Comments

(L to R) Foreo Issa and Issa Mini

i’ve expressed my love for the Foreo Luna before, so i was more than willing to give their next gadget, an electronic toothbrush, a try. i’ve owned Philip’s Sonicares and Zila’s Rotadents before, but i’ve never been 100% happy with them. the Sonicare’s bristles were too harsh, which can cause your gum line to recede, and the vibrations too harsh. my dentist recommended the Rotadent over the Sonicare. i liked that the filaments of the Rotadent brush head were much gentler. however, i didn’t like its poor battery life, and Zila’s customer service wasn’t great. i’m happy to report that so far my experience with the Issa Mini has been great. i’ll post a follow up a few months from now to report if my dentist notices a difference when he cleans my teeth.

the blue Issa you see on the left is a full size toothbrush intended for adults. it has 8 different vibration settings controlled by the + button above the power button and the – button below. the pink Issa Mini on the left is designed for kids. it only comes with 1 vibration setting, but it has a smiley and frown face where the +/- signs are on the adult brush, which will flash to show the user or parent whether the user has brushed for the required 2 minutes. i went with the Mini because i was worried the full size would be too bulky in my mouth. the full size Issa brush head extends from my back teeth almost to my canines. to my surprise, despite its giant size (relative to my mouth), it also did a very good job cleaning my back teeth. however, the large handle wasn’t as comfortable in my small hand as the mini Issa. because of the silicone, it will make a squeaky noise as you brush. as with any new toothbrush, you have to play around with it a little to see how to angle it best for cleaning the hard to reach areas. my Mini Issa pulses once every 15 seconds while the full size Issa pulses once every 30 seconds to remind you to switch quadrants. personally, i like the 15 second pulses as i like to divide my teeth in 8 sections instead of 4 when i’m brushing. it helps me pay special attention to the more difficult areas. at the end of the 2 minutes, both Issa will pulse multiple times to let you know you’ve hit the required amount of time. it does not, however, turn off. again, this is to my preference as i usually brush my teeth a little longer than 2 minutes to make sure i’ve given my trouble areas enough attention as i’m prone to gingivitis. the boyfriend reports that the full size Issa will turn off after an extra 30 seconds. the silicone brush head feels soft against my gums and the vibration of the Mini is just right for me. as i mentioned before, the full size Issa has adjustable vibrational settings. at its gentlest setting, the Issa is more gentle than the Mini. the Mini seems to be around the full size Issa’s 4th setting.

the usage of the Issa is foolproof. there’s no need to worry about what angle you need to hold the brush head in relation to your teeth/gums. it’s also impossible to exert too much pressure due to the flexible wand that the brush head is connected to. there’s also a little bit of flexibility in the brush head itself allowing it to conform to the shape of your teeth better. simply, do a mix of circular motions and back and forth buffing.

i appreciate its stream lined look, and the Mini’s handle fits comfortably in my hand. one of my favorite things about Foreo products is the awesome battery life! the Issa is supposed to be able to run for 300 uses before needing to be recharged and the Mini for 200 uses. i’m not dedicated enough to sit there for hours turning it on and off to test this, but i can say it hasn’t needed charging in the 2.5 weeks that we’ve owned it. Foreo says that the brush head only needs to be replaced once a year. if you’re a traveler, i don’t need to tell you how great it is to be able to leave behind the charger. i will also add how great it is that i no longer have to consider how to pack my toothbrush so the bristles don’t become kinked or have to worry about whether i’ve squeezed out enough moisture from the bristles to prevent mold.

i only have two minor gripes about our Issas. one, it came with no instructions. second, the customer service failed to contact me for color choice before they sent our Issas out. despite those minor details, i’m very happy with my Mini Issa thus far, and the boyfriend really loves his too. they’re available for purchase at http://www.foreo.com until aug 5th. after that, you can only purchase it via invitation. the Issa is priced at $199 and the Mini Issa at $119. the purchase will come with 5 additional invitations to buy and if all 5 invites are used, Foreo will reward you with a Luna Mini.

Readers, what do you think? do you like the hygenic benefits of silicone or feel like it’s a gimmick? do you prefer a manual toothbrush or electronic?

Foreo Luna Cleans More Than Your Face

June 8, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 3 Comments

i’ve been lusting after the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove for a while now. it’s this glove with raised ridges and bumps to help clean your makeup brushes more efficiently. i balked, however, at paying $35 for it. then one day, as i was brushing my teeth and contemplating whether the glove would be a worthy investment for my brushes, my eyes landed on my Foreo Luna, and a light bulb went off in my head! it also has raised bumps similar to the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove!

Foreo Luna Sensitive/Normal

i immediate whipped out my solid brush cleanser and gave it a test! the result? faster foaming and pigment release from the brushes and a more effective rinsing. how do i know it rinsed more effectively? my brush cleanser also conditions my brushes, and sometimes the conditioning can be a little too much for my synthetic brushes, leaving excess residue on the bristles you can feel. with the Foreo Luna, those problem brushes came out perfect. i simply wet my brush, swirled it once or twice around the solid soap, swiped it along the wider band of more compacted silicone bumps on my Foreo Luna 3-6 times (depends on how dirty the brush was), then rinsed while continuing to swipe along the Foreo Luna. the device is not on, you’re just swiping along the textured surface. since the Foreo Luna is completely waterproof, this does not pose any harm to the device or myself. lastly, i squeeze out the water from the bristles with my fingers and lay them down to dry. now, i’m more inclined to clean my brushes the recommended once a week, since the process is faster and more efficient.

i’ve always championed that the Foreo Luna is way better than the Clarisonic. the Foreo is more gentle, since it uses silicone touch points (the raised bumps) instead of bristle filaments, but it is just as effective. i couldn’t use the Clarisonic, at the gentlest setting with the delicate brush head, more than once every 10 days, i can use the Foreo Luna every other day. it’s also more hygienic and economical since you don’t need to deal with the brush head. it needs less charging and is easier to travel with. it may even double as a Clarisonic Opal while allowing you to use your own products. the logic seems the same (using sonic pulse to help products penetrate deeper). i’ve loved my Foreo Luna ever since i bought it last winter, but now that i realize it cleans both my face and my brushes, i can safely say that this is probably one of the best beauty investments you can make!

i have the Foreo Luna in Sensitive/Normal but it also comes Ultra Sensitive and Combination. it retails for $199 and can be found at Sephora and other retailers.

Readers, how do you feel about electronic face cleaning devices? gimmick or more efficient? would you invest in one? please leave me a comment down below!

Disappointed by bareMinerals Bareskin Pure Brightening Serum Foundation

June 5, 2014June 5, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 2 Comments

i was really excited when i heard about bareMineral’s new multitasking foundation promising a lightweight foundation with adjustable coverage, pigmentation correction, and physical spf. i eagerly awaited its arrival at my door, but sadly it didn’t live up to expectations. the finish and coverage is beautiful when first applied (as long as you weren’t using the sold separately Bareskin Perfecing Face Brush which streaked the foundation no matter how much you buffed). unfortunately no matter how hard i tried, i could not get it to last past 6 hours. i’ve tried different applicators (brush, fingers, beauty blender), primers, setting sprays, and powders in various different combinations for 3 weeks trying to get it to last, but no luck. no matter what i did, the beautiful coverage and finish (it really did look skin-like) started breaking down in a very patchy manner on the cheek area and collecting in my pores around the nose area. since a picture is worth a thousand words, i’ll just let the picture below tell you why this product should have never made out of testing phase. 6 hours is not even a full work day. if it broke down more naturally, i might have been willing to keep it around, but who wants a polka dotted nose?

see how it pools inside pores as it breaks down. this starts happening around 4 hour mark

see how it pools inside pores as it breaks down around 4 hours in

Readers, how long do you need your foundation to last? what qualities do you look for in your foundation? leave me a comment down below?

Tatcha Ritual Discovery Kit: First Impressions

May 25, 2014May 25, 2014 / truecolorjoy / Leave a comment

i’ve been eyeing Tatcha for a while now, and i’m so glad they finally revamped their discovery kit. i forget what the complete set had before, but it included a full size of their blotting paper, (which i don’t really use) and a complete sampling of their famous Polished Rice Enzyme Powder. it now offers a more reasonable cross sampling of their products. the kit is $59 and includes deluxe sample sizes of their Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (25ml), Polished Rice Enzyme Powder in packets (14x1g), Radiant Deep Brightening Serum (10ml), and a facial cream. there are four different boxes for different skin types: Oily, Combination, Dry, and Gentle. the difference between the boxes will be how rough the Polished Rice Enzyme Powder is and what kind of facial cream you get. all the boxes have the Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream, except the Dry kit which has Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream. Both the Gentle and Dry kits also have the the Polished Rice Enzyme Powder in gentle. Shipping is complimentary both ways via USPS Priority.

Tatcha arrived in an simple but aesthetically pleasing package. i appreciate that all the different skin type kits are the same price despite the fact there is a price difference in the full size creams.

Tatcha Ritual Discovery Kit in Dry

although the website states that the usual 3 complimentary samples were not available with Ritual Discovery Kit, i was able to add them to my order along with a code for a free travel size sample of their cleansing oil, which you can get by signing up for emails. the travel size is slightly smaller than the deluxe in packaging and lighter in weight but actually contains 5ml more in product (30ml vs 25ml)

the Ritual Discovery Kit comes with a booklet giving you product information and usage instructions, and the samples come with their own information cards. again, everything is beautifully presented, and while i appreciate the aesthetics, the environmentalist in me cringes at the paper wastage. (instructions on packet?)

i will offer a more full length review once i’ve had plenty of time to test out these goodies, but here are some first impressions. Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil has a wonderful floral scent but doesn’t seem to emulsify well. this leads to difficulty in removing the makeup completely. a couple of times i still had dark circles under my eyes after i rinsed off Pure One Step Camellia Oil. Radiant Deep Brightening Serum is a very thin liquid but seems to offer good hydration. Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream is a thick cream that doesn’t feel greasy but takes a long time to fully absorb.

lastly, my kit came with a welcome letter with a handwritten note at the bottom thanking me for my order and offering me a 10% off code for my full size purchase, to be used within 3 weeks (actually just a little under). normally, i’d feel this is a pressure sales tactic, but since Tatcha offers free return shipping and no set time for returns, i’m not put off by the promotional code’s limited time frame .

Readers, what do you think? have you had your eye on Tatcha? what brands are on your radar to try?

Tweezerman vs Sigma: an Exploration of Tweezerman’s New Makeup Brush Line

May 18, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 4 Comments

a little while ago Tweezerman launched a new line of makeup brushes named Brush iQ. always looking to add to my brush collection, i snatched up a few at Ulta while they were having a sale. let’s take a look.

(L to R) Tweezerman Brush iQ Contour Concealer, Finishing Contour and Shader

Brush iQ is made with DuPont Natrafil filaments. they’re supposed to feel like animal hair but perform better. question? why would we want them to feel like animal hair? most of my animal hair brushes are Shu Uemura ones from 20 years ago, and i have to say, i like my new synthetic brushes better because they’re softer. DuPont Natrafil filaments vary from a little scratchy to decent. it does get a little softer with conditioning, but it’s never going to be a brush that’s pleasurable to use.

Contour Concealer Brush

Brush iQ Contour Concealer Brush retails for $18 and is the most interesting in the line due to its unique shape. i apologize for the crappy photos. i’ve started a photography course, so hopefully by the end of august, you’ll see an improvement. the curve in this brush is designed to follow the contours of your face so that you can conceal the hard to reach areas with ease and blend out highlights with minimal effort. sadly, the performance of this brush doesn’t live up to the ideal. even after conditioning, the brush feels too scratchy for the under eye area. the application is streaky if using the curved contour side. if i flip it and use it to brush downward, the way i’m holding in in the first picture above, it blends a little easier. however, you’ve defeated the purpose of buying a specialized brush if you do this. the formula of your concealer will also affect how much streaking there is. Contour Concealer Brush handled thicker creamier formulas, such as Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, better than thinner formulas, like Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen. Contour Concealer brush does fit into the crevices around the nose nicely making concealing in that area a breeze. it does perform adequately for cream highlighters. i also tried it with a powder highlighter but the shape of the brush wasn’t conducive to getting product onto the brush. you can also use this brush to highlight your brow bone. my current arsenal for doing the jobs mentioned above is my Sigma Precision Angled Brush P84 for concealing and my Beauty Blender for cream highlighters. so does the new toy oust the current favorite? not in the slightest. the bristles of the P84 are softer and more densely packed helping concealer blend out with minimal fuss and effort. i’ve never had my P84 streak any concealer i’ve asked it to blend. the slightly rounded and domed shape of the brush head means nothing abrasive will hurt my under eye area. there isn’t a huge difference between using Contour Concealer Brush and the Beauty Blender other than softness and your preference for style of tool. obviously the Beauty Blender will be softer than the brush, but as i mentioned before, Contour Concealer Brush is slightly scratchy. even if you preferred using a brush to blend out your cream highlighter, i’d still recommend you look elsewhere.

(L to R) Sigma Eye Shading E55, Tweezerman Brush iQ Shader Brush, Sigma Firm Shader E57

the Sigma brushes still outshine Tweezerman when it comes to softness of bristle filaments. pigmentation wise, the Brush iQ Shader Brush is a little better than Sigma E55 and about the same as Sigma E57 on good quality shadows. on powdery, patchy shadows, however, Brush iQ shader does give better and more even pigmentation.

the flatter shaped head of the Brush iQ Shader also gives more precise control of color placement than the Sigma brushes. the difference of control was minor between the Sigma E57 and Brush iQ Shader which makes sense since they both have smaller, narrower heads. if you’re skilled in makeup, this will probably not make a huge difference to you. i’ve seen people more skilled than me place small patches of color precisely with their Sigma E55. i’m not so skilled, so i depend on small brush heads designed to give more control with ease. if you’re someone who likes to execute a complete eye look with your shader brush, the harshness of the bristle filaments are going to come into play again. while i’m ok using the slightly scratchy brush to pat or swipe on color, i draw the line at using it to blend out the edges of my color. both the feel of the bristles and the way the head is shaped work against it in blending. while it is capable of it, it takes longer and with less comfort than my Sigmas. where the Brush iQ Shader brush really shines is fall out control! i noticed there was a lot less fall out with a few of my more sparkly, glittery shades from Urban Decay. Sigma E57 was designed to control fall out as well as give strong pigmentation, but the Brush iQ shader is just a little bit better at controlling the fall out. i would say the difference is that Sigma E57 will leave a small amount of fall out with problematic shades while the Brush iQ Shader will leave minimal fall out. the Sigma brushes retail for $12 and the Brush iQ shader for $16. it’s difficult to say whether i would recommend getting this brush or not. i’ll probably keep mine since i got it on sale, it controls fall out better than any of my brushes, and i happened to want to add an additional shader brush to my collection. if you’re already happy with the brushes you own then skip this brush. if you’re looking to add an additional shader or if you don’t have one, i’d say this one is serviceable, but you might want to do a little more research before you commit to it. if i could only own one shader brush in my collection, i would choose my Sigma E57. it’s more well rounded and more comfortable to use.

(L toR) Crown, Tweezerman, Urban Decay and Sigma

(L toR) Crown, Tweezerman Brush iQ Finishing Contour, Urban Decay and Sigma F40HD

sorry the brushes are dirty but at least now you know it’s been well tested right? i don’t have brushes in my arsenal to fairly compare with the Brush iQ Finishing Contour, but i’ve included some of my other angled brushes for size and shape comparison. Brush iQ Finishing Contour Brush is a dual fiber angled brush that’s good for both blushes and bronzers. the dual fibers are supposed to be good with all types of formulations, but i’ve only tested it on powder. this kind of brush is great for building up pigment intensity slowly. i have a couple of round versions of this kind of brush for super pigmented blushes, but this is the first time i’ve come across an angled version. this is my new favorite brush for when i want to do some light contouring with my bronzer for a day time look. it picks up just enough pigment for a light dusting of color that doesn’t require much blending out and thus speeding up my day time routine. while the bristles are not as soft as my Sigma Duo Fiber E50, it’s not scratchy either. it’s a brush that’s comfortable to use but not one you’d stroke just to feel the pleasure of something soft. it retails for $35 and is the only brush from the collection that i’m definitely keeping. i haven’t done in-depth research, but a quick scan through google seems to indicate that not a lot of companies have made an angled version of these dual fiber stippling brushes. with the rise of popularity in contouring, i feel like this would be a solid addition to anyone’s arsenal.

overall, i prefer Sigma over Tweezerman’s brushes. even the lowest grade of Sigma brushes have softer bristles than Tweezerman’s. they’re also slighter cheaper and perform well.

Readers, are you curious about Tweezerman’s Brush iQ line? what are some of your favorite brush brands? do you know of any other companies making an angled dual fiber brush?

Battle of the New Lippies

May 10, 2014May 10, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 2 Comments

a few new lip products caught my eye this season. i’m going to compare and contrast them for you, so you can a better feel about which one will earn your hard earned money. up for the battle rounds are Lancôme Lip Lover vs Dior Addict Fluid Stick and Yves Saint Laurent’s Baby Doll Kiss and Blush vs Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipsticks. ok, i know YSL vs Too Faced isn’t as fair of a comparison, as one is a multitasking product, but they feel and look similar on the lips.

Too Faced, YSL, Lancôme and Dior

up for comparison, i have Lancôme Lip Lover in 355 Framboise Etoile and Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 575 Wonderland. i’m going to compare Framboise Etoile and Wonderland because they’re a little more similar in color. since my Framboise Etoile was a deluxe sample, i’ve included Lip Lover 334 Corail Cabriole, so you can see what a full size tube looks like

(L to R) Wonderland, Framboise Etoile and Corail Cabriole

Lip Lover in 334 Corail Cabriole and 355 Framboise Etoile and Addict Fluid Stick in 575 Wonderland

Lip Lover contains .14oz of product for $23 while Addict Fluid Stick comes with .18oz of product for $35, so Lancôme comes out a little ahead in the product to cost ratio. Lip Lover has a thin, flexible wand topped with a thin doe foot applicator that comes to a fine point. the combined elements give you really great control, allowing you to put the color exactly where you’d like. Addict Fluid Stick comes with a stiff wand, with a rounder and wider applicator than Lip Lover’s. although it’s not quite as precise as Lip Lover’s, Addict Fluid Stick’s applicator still gives you great control. it’s also softer and cushier than Lip Lover’s.

Lancôme Lip Lover in Framboise Etoile

Lip Lover 355 Framboise Etoile is a lovely bright berry color appropriate to its name. my 3 years of french in high school tells me that framboise means raspberry, and google translate tells me etoile means star, just in case you were wondering. it looks like a stain + gloss hybrid. the pigmentation is good, but there’s also a quality of translucence to it that gives the bright color a very natural, wearable look. here are some close ups for you to see the effect.

Framboise Etoile on just the bottom lip

Framboise Etoile lasts quite well through drinks, but after a full meal, only a light stain will remain. here’s a picture of me after a lunch of salad and finger sandwiches

Framboise Etoile worn down to a stain

obviously the look would be more polished if i reapplied, but at least the stain leaves a MLBB look. the formula feels moisturizing. the texture is just like an ointment based lip balm such as Kiehl’s (not the waxy kind like Nuxe). it’s not thick or sticky at all. this is just the type of product i like to put on in the morning before going out to eat lunch with someone. there’s enough pigmentation and shine to look polished while the translucence makes it look natural and effortless. after lunch, there’s enough color from the stain to keep me from looking washed out while i run my errands, if i can’t be bothered to reapply. however, Lip Lover in lighter colors do not stain. in fact, Corail Cabriole 334 looks just like a mildly pigmented gloss. (yes, that one is definitely being returned) you can see it down below.

Lancôme Lip Lover Corail Cabriole on bottom half of lip

Addict Fluid Stick 575 Wonderland is a bright, deep fuchsia pink. however, i pull out a lot of red tones in it, so on me it looks almost red. i’ve seen it on others where it looks like it is in the tube, so this is a color that seem to vary a little from person to person.

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Wonderland

here’s a slightly more color accurate photo. this is after 2 hours and my lips has touched a mug 3 times.

Wonderland after a couple of hours and drinks

it has more of a lipstick + gloss hybrid feel. it’s more pigmented than Lip Lover, and the gloss has a more high impact, almost lacquer-like shine. the texture is slightly thicker and tackier than Lip Lover, with a more cushioned feel. even after 4 hours of having it on and 2-3 drinks later, my lips felt slightly tacky if pressed together. by this time, the gloss has faded and Wonderland looks more like a lipstick. it takes a meal before Wonderland is taken down to an even stain. at this point, you can either leave it as is for a natural lip look, throw on some lip gloss, or reapply depending on what kind of look you want to achieve. the wear time is definitely longer than Lip Lover, and the effect is more sophisticated. it’s also a little bit more moisturizing than Lip Lover.

so who wins the battle? while i do love my Lip Lover in Framboise Etoile, if push came to shove, i’d have to pick Dior Addict Fluid Sticks over Lancôme Lip Lover. it costs a little more, but i think the effect is more unique (at least in my experience, but my stash of lip products isn’t as robust as my eyeshadows). i can duplicate the look of Framboise Etoile with a good lip stain and gloss, but i would not be able to duplicate the look and the long wear time of Addict Fluid Sticks without a lot of work. i have Addict Fluid Stick in Wonderland and Aventure (a nice coral), but i’m already eyeing the lighter colors in the range and wondering if i’ll love them as much. here’s a picture of Aventure, just in case you’re curious.

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Aventure

Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick is .4oz for $21 while YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips and Cheeks is .33oz for $40. this means you’re paying double for a little less product that will multitask, has prettier packaging, and brand prestige.

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Peony and YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush in 3 Rose Libre

the tip of Too Faced Melted was soft and easy to use, but the shape was a little too round for precise application on my small lips. it worked ok in Peony, but i can see myself having trouble if it was a darker color that needed more precise lines. i also don’t like the fact that it’s in a squeeze tube. this is a personal preference. i just don’t like a lip product where the amount that dispenses depends on my motor skills. it’s fine when i’m not in a rush, or if it’s not early in the morning, but when it is… well, let’s just say sometimes too much product can accidentally dispense and leave it at that 😛 the wand of YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush was easy to use. the pearl bump on both sides of the doe foot applicator gives you the ability to place precise dots of color exactly where you want. if the hygiene of putting a lip product on your cheeks bothers you, consider using one side of the applicator for your cheeks and the other for your lips. i recommend using the concave side of the applicator for your lips and the convex side for your cheeks. why? because the curvature from the convex side allows you to use the pearl bump to place color without the other parts of the doe foot applicator touching your cheek. otherwise you might end up with two dots of color on your cheeks, one from the pearl bump and the other from the tip of the doe foot. rest assured that while using the concave side of the applicator for your lips feels counter-intutitative, it still gives you great control of color placement.

(L to R) YSL Rose Libre and Too Faced Peony

Too Faced Melted Liquified Lipsticks in Melted Peony is a pale baby pink. it’s suppose to deliver the shine of a gloss, the pigmentation of a lipstick, and the lasting power of a stain.

Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick in Peony

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Peony on bottom lip only

out of the 3, it only delivered pigmentation for me. when you’re looking at it up close, the color did have a slight sheen similar to what your faded gloss would look like after a few drinks. in reality, it looks like a borderline satin finish lipstick. it’s not quite the matte look of Hourglass’s Opague Rouge Liquid Lipsticks, and it definitely did not have Hourglass’s lasting power. perhaps in a brighter or darker color, the pigmentation would last longer, but i found Peony started fading on me around the 3 hour mark. you should also have exfoliated and moisturized lips, as this formula will show any dryness or flaky skin on your lips. the formula doesn’t feel drying or moisturizing when it goes on. however, my lips always feel a little dry and a little flaky by the end of the day if i didn’t follow up with something moisturizing after it’s worn off. its texture is very light, and you don’t feel like you’re wearing anything on your lips unless you press them together. if you do, you’ll feel a thin oily film with some slip. there’s a briefly plasticky scent to the product but no taste.

YSL Baby Doll Kiss and Blush #3 Rose Libre on my lips and cheeks

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss and Blush Lips and Cheeks is a multitasking product. on the lips, it has a very soft, silky texture and is slightly more moisturizing than Melted’s formula. that’s not to say Kiss and Blush is hydrating, just that it’s slightly less drying than Melted. it both smells and tastes fruity, but the taste doesn’t last for too long.

Kiss and Blush #3 Rose Libre on bottom of lip

as you can see, it has a satin finish and a mid level of pigment. its staying power is about the same as Melted, but it does stain a tiny bit better. Melted tends to look patchy and cracked after it wears off, but Kiss and Blush leaves a barely there stain. again, the staining power might vary in a less MLBB shade. here’s how Rose Libre looked after a meal. please excuse the lint 😛

i’m not a huge fan of satin or matte finish lip products. my chronically dry lips just don’t take well to the formula, and both my boyfriend and i prefer a glossier look. that said, Kiss and Blush’s formula is definitely one of the better ones i’ve tried. if it were just a lip product, i’d be on the fence about it, but i really enjoy it as a blush. here’s a close up of how it looks.

YSL Kiss and Blush Rose Libre on lips and cheeks with Benefit Cosmetics High Beam

i forgot that i wanted to show you the blush by itself and accidentally threw on some highlighter. so i’ll show you two more pictures of the blush in a slightly different shade.

YSL Kiss and Blush #2 Rose Frivole on my lips and cheeks

this is how Kiss and Blush #2 Rose Frivole looks on top of some bb cream. there’s no highlighting or contouring, so you can see the effect of Kiss and Blush on its own. the formula of Kiss and Blush really shines as a blush. the application is easy and foolproof. the pigment blends out evenly across the cheeks regardless of whatever tool you use. i’ve tried it with my beauty blender, a synthetic domed brush, and my fingers. all provided excellent results. since it blends out so effortlessly, i prefer blending it out with my fingers. the blush melds into the skin and gives a subtle luminous glow. it mimics the effect of a subtle highlighter or diffusing finishing powder. the glow from this blush gives the face a little extra dimension that regular blushes can not achieve on their own. the color intensity is easily buildable. depending on the shade of the color i’m using and the intensity i want, i gently tap 3-5 small dots of color from the pearl bumper.

the versatility of Kiss and Blush makes it a great addition to your arsenal if you’re traveling. i can definitely see myself packing just this for lips, cheek and highlight if i’m going somewhere for up to a week. any longer than that, the color addict/pack rat in me starts demanding more products be taken along, just in case.

while YSL Kiss and Blush is twice the cost Too Faced Melted, for me it’s the clear winner. Kiss and Blush’s formula performs better on the lips as well as being an incredible cheek product. if you’re a product minimalist, it can even replace your highlighter.

Readers, did any of these catch your eye? what finish do you prefer for your lip products? anyone else think that companies are confusing product names and product description? what’s with these excessively long product names that insist on telling you everything about it in the name itself?

Lighten Up: Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen

May 7, 2014 / truecolorjoy / 2 Comments

a few weeks ago, the weather warmed up to summer temperatures for a week, and it reminded me that i should look into revamping my makeup stash for base products with lighter textures. i was actually searching for a new bb cream or a medium coverage foundation at Sephora, but the only product i fell in love with that day was the Remedy Concealer Pen.

Remedy Concealer Pen

Remedy Concealer Pen hides and brightens the under eye area. it’s also formulated with anti-aging and hydrating ingredients. i have noticed my eye area looking a little less dry, but it could also be the weather not being as dry lately or the fact that i switched back to one of my preferred eye creams. in the picture below, i’m using Remedy Concealer Pen in color 1 Rendezvous. it comes in 6 other shades plus 2 universal shades, one for correcting and the other for brightening. the universal shades seems pointless to me since Remedy Concealer Pen is marketed as an all-in-one that’s supposed to correct and brighten already.

Remedy Concealer Pen on left side of eyelid and under eye

Remedy Concealer Pen blends easily and well into my skin. there is a patented palladium tip that’s supposed to cool and smooth the skin (yes, their website says smooth, not soothe), but let’s face it, that’s not an ideal application method for a good finish. one click gives me enough product to cover both eyes. i like to apply with my Sigma P84 Precision Angled brush. i also like to use a little bit all over my eyelids to help neutralize the color from my veins. you can see it really helps to brighten up the face and makes things look more even.

here’s a close up for you to see the difference.

Remedy Concealer Pen on both sides

here, you can see the difference when i’ve concealed both sides, adding a little blush and lip stain. on quick days, i’ll add some winged liner and mascara and call it a day. i feel the brightening effect makes my eyes look a little larger. when i bought it in the store, i thought the effect was nice, but i didn’t expect i would fall so hard for this product. to date, it’s the only concealer that i’ve happily reached for every day. previously, concealer was something i only pulled out for especially bad days of acne or dark circles or special occasions when i wanted to look flawless. i love how natural the finish is. it never creases and feels somewhat hydrating.

Remedy Concealer Pen also features a window that lets you see how much product you have left. i appreciate this detail, as concealer is an important staple you never want to find out you ran out the morning of! i’ll also note that it takes two clicks of the pen before the first pump of product comes out. it never varies, at least in the month that i’ve been using it, so there will never be the frustration of multiple clicks and no product, followed by an excessive amount gushing out.

Readers, what do you think? share with me your favorite products and tricks for looking more awake!