Friday, June 29, 2018

Are You Ready For This Jelly? Introducing the Zoya Jelly Brites!

Press Sample


If the title didn't give it away, I had Destiny Child's Bootylicious running through my mind as I swatched the new Zoya Jelly Brites Trio. Earlier this week, I previously shared the new Zoya Sunshine Collection on my blog, but this collection just wasn't enough for Zoya. This summer, they have also released a trio of vibrant and deliciously swishy jelly polishes. While I may have issues with a visible nail line (VNL for those unfamiliar) when it comes to nail polishes in general, there is just something about the bounce about jelly-based polishes that I love that makes me get over the fear of the VNL. While this finish isn't as common from the Zoya brand, I love when they branch into it from time to time. I was excited to here about this summer's latest release, and I am thrilled to be able to share them with you today. Let's jump in!

Molly
Three coats

Molly is described by Zoya as a non-streaking, buildable, translucent red/pink jelly with an ultra glossy finish. Beautiful on its own, but also a great kiss of color for a french manicure.

Molly is definitely one of those colours that will keep you questioning: is it red? is it pink? It really is one of those just in between shades! Whatever you prefer to call it, there is no question that the colour is beautiful, especially in this jelly formula, and it is perfection on your nails for these hot summer days. I really loved the formula and found it applied smooth and evenly. There is still the slightest hint of a visible nail line with three coats, but even with my bright light setup, it isn't very noticeable even in these photos. I should also add that I didn't use top coat for these photos (or any in this post, for that matter) and this polish is this shiny on its own accord.

Retail: $10

Alia
Three coats

Alia is described by Zoya as a non-streaking, buildable, translucent plum jelly with an ultra glossy finish. Beautiful on its own, but also a great kiss of color for a french manicure.

I adore the rich colour of Alia, but as you can see from these photos, it gave me a little trouble with application. While the formula is smooth, the application is patchy. Other finishes can be a little more forgiving of said patchiness, but due to the sheerness of jelly polishes, it results in a very uneven colour spread on the nails. As much as I like the colour, I don't like the final look and likely will not be grabbing for Alia in the future. I used three coats to almost complete opacity (at least when it comes to mostly hiding the nail line), and I did not add top coat over the swatch in these photos.

Retail: $10

Paris
Three coats

Paris is described by Zoya as a non-streaking, buildable, translucent fuchsia jelly with an ultra glossy finish. Beautiful on its own, but also a great kiss of color for a french manicure.

I really wanted to get this post up this week because of this shade in particular. My husband has actually been in Paris all week for work so this is my special little tribute to him. While Zoya considers this shade a fuchsia, I personally find it to be raspberry. Whatever you choose to call it, this colour is gorgeous! This is one of those shades that screams summer and will definitely be getting a lot of love from me this season. After three coats, there is still the slightest hint of visible nail line, but I don't mind that at all! Like the others in this trio, the finish is very glossy and I did not add top coat for these photos.

Retail: $10


I love that Zoya has released these new jelly shades this summer! While I'd love to see more colour variety from the brand, they don't have many jelly polish options so I'm content with these shades. I'm hoping to see Zoya release more jelly shades in the future!

The Jelly Brites trio is available for purchase now from zoya.com.

Are you a fan of jelly polishes? Which shade is your favorite? What colours would you like to see next from Zoya? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day and enjoy the weekend!
XO!


Helpful Links

Connect with me on Social Media!

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Skinn Cosmetics: Review of Skincare Products

Press Sample


Back in my teens and early twenties, the only beauty products that interested me was makeup. There was just something about all the colours and the artistry in the application that captivated my attention. Since then, I've realized that my makeup application was being limited by its base, my skin. After delving into the world of skincare, I quickly discovered that not all products are created equal, and in some cases, I was paying more for attractive packaging and not for quality ingredients within them. Thankfully, I now know that I can rely on Skinn Cosmetics to provide products that are able to give my skin the tender loving care that it deserves! 

If you haven't already incorporated a retinol into your skincare routine to keep your skin looking young, or if you want to change up your products, look no further than the Pure Active Brightening & resurfacing Concentrate Enlightened Radiance Youth Capsules! This concentrate features a unique peptide derived from a pearl protein to brighten the look of your skin while the encapsulated retinol and custom blend of fruit extracts dramatically resurfaces and smoothes the skin to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and improves uneven skin tone. The box contains twenty individually portioned applications so you can be confident you are using the appropriate amount of product every time. The concentrate is used daily in the evenings for five days in a row, and then you take a break for two days before starting up again in the next five days. I always have so much going on, so keeping up with what days to put n products or not is more of a mental step than I want to deal with, and Skinn makes it easy with the pre portioned tubes in convenient rows of five to follow along with the week. After using these Enlightened Radiance Youth Capsules for a full month, I am really loving it! I do like the smaller tubes particularly when it comes to traveling, and I can just toss the three of four mini-tubes I need in my bag for a quick trip rather than have to take a larger container through security at the airport. The only caveat to this is the waste. I really enjoy the product, and while I know smaller tubes keep ingredients fresher, I really dislike having to discard so much plastic, even if they are tiny little tubes. I would love for Skinn to release this in either one larger container or with packaging with a week's worth of products per tube to cut down on some of the waste. Until then, I'll likely purchase this and save the tubes for my travels and use another retinol product while I am home. Skinn Cosmetics has another retinol product coming soon in their Collagenesis line that has caught my attention so I'm planning to pick that up when it is available to try out.

Retail: $89 / 0.68oz

Fewer things feel better than supple skin that is silky smooth! Instead of a mask that is applied and then washed off after a period of time, the Fill Me In Line Filling & Volumizing Mask is meant to be applied to the skin with the included brush and left on your skin for maximum results. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and an encapsulated amino acid to provide a deep hydrating boost to your skin as well as anti-aging benefits all while melting into your skin and filling in fine lines and wrinkles. I was initially concerned that this might be a little too heavy for both morning and evening use for me, but it couldn't be further from the truth. It absorbs beautifully into the skin, and I love how it helps to smooth my semi-textured skin before makeup application. I also like that Skinn included a brush with this product, although I am still prone to dip my freshly-washed fingers into my jar products. The brush feels really soft on the skin although you will need to stay on top of keeping it clean with constant washings so the product you place on your face is always fresh, not to mention the "gumming up" of the brush if it isn't cleaned.

Retail: $48 / 1.7oz

Often when people think of skin care, they often forget the décolletage. While your face may not show your age, the lines in your cleavage will give it away! Rest assured, even if you haven't taken care of this delicate skin, Skinn's Rich Protein & Probiotic Neck Armour Leave-On Neck Mask is here to take you out of your turtle necks and back to plunging necklines. Formulated with rice protein, a probiotic blend derived from jicama, and white truffle extract, this rich cream smoothes and hydrates your skin overnight while you are sleeping. Simply shower off in the morning to rinse and you will see impressive changes to your neck and chest quickly! I also like that this can be used in conjunction with other serum treatments to have you feeling va-va-voom even sooner!

Retail: $35 / 4.0oz

Skinn Cosmetics offers a fabulous assortment of quality products for your skin, and I feel confident with letting the brand filling my skin care needs. Whether your concerns are lines and wrinkles, lifting and firming, dull and dry skin, or just skin discoloration, Skinn Cosmetics offers a product for you. After my experience with these products, I know I'm eager to try out even more from the brand!

What are your main skin concerns? Do you have any tried and true products from Skinn Cosmetics? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


Helpful Links

Connect with me on Social Media!


Monday, June 25, 2018

Welcome to the Summer Season with the Zoya Sunshine Collection!

Press Sample

Happy Monday, dear readers! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and your week has been off to a great start! It was a toasty weekend around here with the the mercury rising into the triple digits. With the high temperatures and the official start of summer last week, what could be a better time for the Zoya Sunshine Collection! This vibrant collection consists of 12 shades in a range of finishes from creams to shimmers to toppers. Most of the colours are a variety of red or pink, so if these colours are your jam, you'll be thrilled with this collection! Let's get a closer look at each of the colours!

Delia
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage muted amethyst cream.

I know, I know, I started off getting you excited about pinks and reds and here I am jumping in with a purple shade. Delia is one of the outliers to the red and pink theme of this collection; it is a really pretty soft purple hue! It is a colour I tend to associate more with the spring, but I can see this being a great colour to match those summer bridesmaid dresses!

Saldana
One coat over Delia plus top coat

A buildable, cotton-candy blue iridescent-holo topper with hints of pink and blue colored glitter with mega hex particles.

It is interesting to see the approach Zoya has taken with their toppers! I really like the combination of colours in this polish although I'm not particularly crazy about the mega hex particles. Obviously that comes down to personal preference. I know quite a few people that would love this polish!

Missy
Two coats plus top coat

The perfect summer pink in a full coverage cream formula.

I generally don't gravitate towards lighter pinks over the summer, but I have to admit this is a pretty great shade for the summer! It has just the perfect amount of brightness with easy application to boot!

Ellie
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage raspberry sorbet cream.

Ellie is the darker pink shade I have always associated with summer, so I'm happy to see this addition to the collection. The colour is fabulous, and the formula is superb!

Sandy
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage blue toned flamingo pink cream.

Sandy is a good option for those that prefer a cooler pink hue on their nails. The Sunshine Collection certainly has several pink options to choose from so you can pick what best suits your skin tone and preference!

Karen
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage poppy red cream.

I'm really loving the red shades in this collection! I'm a fan of poppies so I'm thrilled that my nails can now match. I love the formula as well!

Marigold
Two coats plus top coat

A bright and dazzling micro-shimmer red in a full coverage formula.

If you want a warmer red, Marigold is for you. The added micro-shimmer makes me think of the extra juicy tomatoes growing on my tomato vines right now! Marigold is one of my personal favorites from the Sunshine Collection.

Jack
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage nude cream, perfect to match your morning latte.

I love a good nude polish, but Jack isn't as forgiving as I would like, both in colour and formula. I had hoped I would like this shade on me, but it didn't win me over. The formula was oddly thick and would not apply evenly, so my feeling may be slightly biased due to the poor formula.

Nahla
One coat over Jack plus top coat

A buildable, golden iridescent-holo topper with hints of multi-colored glitter with mega hex particles.

Nahla is really interesting and not quite your typical gold polish. You can see subtle hints of other colours against the strong gold hues. I generally don't wear golds until it gets closer to the holidays so Nahla likely won't be getting much love until then.

Minnie
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage pink toned coral cream.

Coral pinks are so perfect for the summer, and Minnie is another highlight from this collection. The formula is a touch uneven, but it self-levels pretty well with some patience. I think a third coat would have resulted in a more smooth look than shown here.

Clementine
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage salmon toned coral with a pink and orange micro-shimmer.

While certainly not orange, Clementine is the closest Zoya got with this collection. Clementine is arguably my favorite shade in this collection, and I love the flashes of pink and orange as I move my nails! The formula was really easy to work with as well!

Virginia
Two coats plus top coat

A full coverage juicy coral red cream.

I rarely get excited about a simple red cream, but something about Virginia really took my breath away. It kept catching my eye as I was typing away on my computer at work, and I'm already excited to have this on my nails again!


The Sunshine Collection is available for purchase now at Zoya.com. These polishes retail for $10 each.

My top picks for this collection are Clementine, Virginia, and Marigold, although many of them are really pretty. With the exception of Jack due to the bad formula, you can't really go wrong with any of them. With a name of "Sunshine Collection", I was originally anticipating more orange and yellows in this collection. I'd love to see more colour variety from Zoya so I'm looking forward to seeing what Zoya releases next!

What are your favorite shades from the Sunshine Collection? What colours do you gravitate towards over the summer? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


Helpful Links

Connect with me on Social Media!

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Highlights from the Beauty Spotlight Team



Are you into essential oils? Pammy Blogs Beauty sure is! Find out what she thinks of the C.O. Bigelow Aromatherapy oils and Apothecary style skincare

When the Makeup Wars Team selected their favorite night creams, Lola's Secret Beauty Blog immediately knew that there was only one cream to feature, and unsurprisingly it is the utterly sublime and ultra-luxe African Botanics Fleurs d’Afrique Intensive Recovery Cream. It really doesn’t get any better than this! #AfricanBotanics 

Now that summer is officially here, Prime Beauty has the low down on the newest innovations from the sunscreen experts, Supergoop! 

Remember Mr. Bubble bubble bath? Never Say Die Beauty has been relaxing in the tub with a slew of delectable, hydrating bath additives from Luxe by Mr. Bubble, the new line for grownups! 

What's your feeling about travel size products? Do you love them for taking with you? Do you like them to test out products? Or could you do without. See Beauty Info Zone's collection of ones from IT Cosmetics and maybe even win some. 

Ten years ago, China Glaze released the OMG! Collection featuring a groundbreaking new holographic finish. Fans have been eagerly waiting for their return, and this summer China Glaze will be re-launching six of them! Jen of Laugh, Love, Contour got ahold of this 10th anniversary collection early and has swatched them on her blog to help you decide which ones you need this season. 

There have been a lot of requests for Polarbelle's hauls from The Makeup Show NYC. This week, Pat McGrath Labs, Stilazzi and Smith Cosmetics hauls are up for your viewing pleasure. 

Does it intimidate you to buy a drugstore foundation since there are no testers? Shipra of Taneja's Bride took the plunge with Cover Girl True Blend Matte. See what her final thoughts are of this new foundation. 

Now that you've seen the foundation what about other Cover Girl products from Beauty Judy. You might be surprised at what you see. 

Are you ready to take your skin care routine more seriously? 15 Minute Beauty is sharing her favorite anti-aging night creams, have you tried any of them? 

Some beauty subscription boxes are good, while others are not. Stacie from Makeup Obsessed Mom says she found a winner this month from BeautyFIX.


Connect with me on Social Media!

Thursday, June 21, 2018

#TBTBeauty + First Day of Summer = A Fun Colourful Eye Look!


Greetings, dear readers! I hope you have had a wonderful week and have something fun planned for the first official summer weekend, at least here up in the northern hemisphere. Between it now being summer AND Pride Month, I just knew I had to dig through my makeup stash for something fun to celebrate! I opted to pull out my Violet Voss Cosmetics The Rainbow Palette for today's colourful eye look.


I've been sticking to safer neutrals lately since my work day starts so early, but there definitely are the days where I just want to play with colour. The Rainbow Palette in particular is one that I gravitate towards because the colours are just so darn pretty and they blend really beautifully for me without having to spend a crazy amount of time doing my makeup. The Rainbow Palette consists of 10 shades with each pan containing a generous 3 grams per colour. Add to that the affordable price of $30 and I snapped up this baby quickly!


I am wearing 5 of the shades from this palette for today's eye look. I have also paired it with Julep's When Pencil Met Gel eyeliner in Electric Teal Shimmer to complete the look. I wanted a nice pink hue on my lips to complement my colourful eye look and used Jesse's Girl Cosmetics lipstick in the shade Yesenia.


After keeping my makeup more neutral a lot lately, it feels so good to wear something more vibrant again! It's also so great to revisit this palette again, and I'll be grabbing for it a lot more this summer!

Do you have The Rainbow Palette or any other palettes from Violet Voss Cosmetics? Do you enjoy colourful eyeshadow over the summer? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful day!
XO!


Helpful Links

Connect with me on Social Media!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

OMG, Look At That Holo: The China Glaze OMG! Flashback 10th Anniversary Collection

Gifted Samples


Ten years ago, China Glaze released their OMG Collection, one of the first nail polishes collections ever seen utilizing holographic pigments. It was a big deal for those that were interested in nail polish, and even after all this time, these shades are still often sought out by collectors and just those that want to wear these beauties alike. This summer, China Glaze is giving nail polish fans something they have been asking for ever since they retired into the lacquer vault: the return of the OMGs! I'm not gonna lie, I was ecstatic when I heard the news that these were being re-released, so much so my husband thought he was going to have to scrape me off the ceiling in order to leave the office. While there have obviously been numerous holographic polishes released the past ten years, and I certainly own a number myself, there is just something special about the pioneers in the industry. I was incredibly fortune to have a friend gift me a set prior to their launch, and I wanted to share them with you for this evening's blog post. Let's check them out!

OMG

We might as well start off with the collection namesake! I had never before given much thought to silvery nail polishes before, but OMG (the original) was a game changer for me. The formula of the re-released shade is a little thicker than I remember from the original, but it is by no means thick. It applies easily to the nails although with the semi-thin brush, you may have a little bit of brushstrokes during application. I already have nail art ideas floating around with this baby! Photos are shown with two coats plus top coat.

DV8

I love a beautiful teal polish particularly over the summer; there is just something about this hue combined with swimming pools and beaches that just makes this a go-to colour for me. DV8, and the rest of this collection for that matter, is very similar to that of OMG. It is not too thick or thin and applies easily to the nails. There can be a little bit of brushstrokes seen from application; photos are shown with two coats to opacity plus top coat.

IDK

The lilac colouring of IDK is more of a spring than summer shade to me, although so many people wear whatever colours they want regardless of season so it doesn't matter anyway. Whether you stick closely to the typical summer shades or not, you're going to want to add this to you collection before you miss out! Photos are shown with two coats plus top coat.

BFF

Ten years ago when the original collection was released, I was not a fan of magenta nail polishes and didn't pay any attention to BFF. Now, of course, I'm wondering what I was thinking since this polish is gorgeous! It is one of my favorite shades from the re-released collection and will be getting lots of nail time this summer! The formula was overall easy to work with, but again, you do have to take care with application to avoid ending up with brushstrokes. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat.

2NITE

I love blue nail polishes in general, and 2NITE in particular is pretty because the holographic effect gives it a touch of periwinkle as the rainbows dance over the nails. I actually have the beauty on my toes now, and I'm not too embarrassed to admit it took me an extra few minutes getting in and out of my car running errands today as it kept catching my attention. 2NITE in particular was the least forgiving with the brushstrokes, and it would best be applied with a slightly thicker final coat and as little brush manipulation as possible. I needed two coats for opacity and added top coat for these photos.

TTYL

TTYL is the shade from this collection that caught my attention first. Given my often proclaimed love of orange here on my blog, I'm sure this surprises absolutely nobody, haha! TTYL isn't quite orange and is more of a red-leaning dark peach, but it is still quite pretty. I'm admittedly on the fence at the whether or not I like it against my skin tone, but I enjoy this colour and will wear it all I want regardless. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat.


The OMG! Flashback 10th Anniversary Collection is a limited edition collection, so if you've been wanting to add the OMGs to your life, you'll want to pick these up while you can! The MSRP is $9.50 per full-sized bottle, or you can pick up the OMG! Flashback Micro Mini Kit (exclusively on Ulta.com) for $9.99.

The OMG! Flashback 10th Anniversary Collection will be launching July 1st at Ulta and Sally Beauty stores nationwide, as well as online at Ulta.com.


What are your favorite shades from the OMG! Flashback 10th Anniversary Collection? Do you have any of the original OMG shades, or have you been eagerly awaiting the day China Glaze pulled them out of their polish vault? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, dear readers, have a wonderful evening!
XO!



Helpful Links

Connect with me on Social Media!

On Instagram

© Laugh, Love, Contour. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.