How are you all doing? This week was insanely busy as well as emotional for me. Lots going on at home and at work. I've been appreciating quick and easy products this week. I finally caved and tried NUDESTIX Nudies Matte Blush & Bronze. I always hear about them but hadn't tried yet. I grabbed Bare Back & Body Language both of which are nice nude pinks. Bare Back I thought would be too light but it's actually perfect for a hint of nude pink flush. Body Language came in the Hilary Duff set and it's a more pink warm nude. I love the non shimmery creamy textures. They're pigmented and creamy enough but not too emollient. They're essentially creamy and not greasy or oily. I have no use for the brush they come with as I prefer my fingers but I love the affordable price and creamy texture. Biophile is a new brand with a focus on fermented skincare products. Their inci lists is phenomenal. Really great textures and quality. They only have three products and I'm working through the three. The brand is actually some of the best stuff I have put on my face this year. They're already winning IndieBeauty Expo awards and they just launched. I see great things for them in the future. The Bio Barrier Nourishing Oil has a lightweight texture perfect for days. It's got fermented green tea oil, vitamin C (derivative), glycolipids and Schisandra berry extract. Really beautiful product.
Ya'll know how much I love By Terry Ombre Blackstar. The creamy eyeshadow sets and lasts all day. It's got a really beautiful shimmer that's not glittery. I was into Bronze Moon but lately I've been loving the nude mauve Misty Rock. I like a smudged layer of the deep By Terry Stylo Blackstar in Tasty Truffle by the lashes then layer Misty Rock over. Perfect nude brown and mauve look that doesn't crease and lasts all day. I forgot how much I loved the 5YINA mists until I pulled out my Spring Hydrolat again. The brand uses traditional Chinese medicine in it's formulations and it has unique ingredients. This one has rose, white tea and poria cocos mushroom to soothe, hydrate & protect. I finally grabbed a ILIA Color Block High Impact Lipstick in new shade Amberlight. Described as a bardot nude this is a a medium nude pink. It's a creamy non-shimmering shade with a satin finish. It's not matte or semi-matte, just a nice creamy satin. It's not drying and lasts really well. It's also quite pigmented.
Oribe is always the epitome of luxury haircare. I've been loving the combination of the Power Drops Hydration & Anti-Pollution Booster & Matte Waves Texture Lotion. The Power Drops are a thin serum with 2% hyaluronic acid, moringa seed extract, creatine , peptides from hydrolyzed proteins, keratin and the Oribe signature complex (watermelon, lychee & edelweiss). It got such a nice light easy to use fluid serum texture that you can use root to tips. It doesn't weigh hair down and adds a light glossing look. It's got dimethicones as far as silicones go but it's such a light texture everyone can use it even fine hair. It's great for frizzy, dry or damaged hair. Matte Waves has been a long time favorite of mine. This light creamy lotion gives you beachy waves without the drying effect of salt sprays. I use on the mid to end lengths of the hair. It creates such soft, matte waves that aren't crunchy or hard. As it is a really soft effect I suggest adding a hint of a glossing or other styling product to help waves keep some definition longer.
Cire Trudon makes really nice luxury candles. The brand has been around since 1643 and eventually ended up making candles for royalty which is pretty neat. The 1643 Eau de Parfum Set is a great way to try their fragrances. I love mini sprays as I rarely use a whole bottle plus I love having multiple scents. The two I've been using this week are Bruma and Mortel. Bruma is feminine yet not too powdery. "Bruma will unveil on your skin the depth of the iris note and a soft leather touch". It is an iris based scent which normally I don't like but this one is warm and less powdery white floral than others I've tried. I like it but I don't think this scent in particular will be a repurchase. Top: Black pepper, lavender, galbanum. Heart: Violets, purple peony, iris, jasmine, sombac. Base: Labdanum, Haitian vetiver, tonka bean. Mortel is a sexy warm scent with a balsamic and incense feel to it. "On your skin, Mortel will reveal its metallic tie between warmth and cold". Top: Black pepper, pimento, nutmeg. Heart: Somalian frankincense, Mystikal, Virginia Cedar. Base: Pure cistus, myrrh, benzoin. This one is gorgeous and one of my favorites. I would consider repurchasing as a larger size one day.
Top to Bottom-Nudestix Bare Back, Body Language, ILIA, By Terry Tasty Truffle, Misty Rock:
*Biophile & 5YINA gifted but all thoughts are my own.