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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Quick Face of the Day Post with Cargo Cosmetics, Ittse, and Gerard Cosmetics

Happy hump day, dear readers! The day has run away with me, as have all the days now that I am out of town, and I'm posting this later than I had planned. I'm heading back to the wildfire devastation in California, and while I am looking forward to getting into some semblance of a routine, I am a little apprehensive about seeing the damage in person again. I have been immensely thankful to have the option of taking my children away from the situation, if only for a little while. While I've still been keeping track of the evacuation statuses and reopening of areas, being physically removed has helped my mental state tremendously. It certainly won't be easy being back, but I feel more rested and better prepared to emotionally handle the havoc the fires have caused my community.

As I attempt to keep things as normal as possible, I wanted to share a post sharing my face of the day. Here is my look from the high elevation of Crested Butte, Colorado!


Cargo Cosmetics: You Had Me At Aloha eyeshadow palette
Ittsē: Run the World Illuminator
Gerard Cosmetics: French Toast Lipstick

As I was shoving things in a suitcase, I grabbed a full cosmetic bag and the closest eyeshadow palette to toss in the mix. It didn't really hit me until I opened it to do makeup that I had grabbed a Hawaiian-inspired palette while visiting the snow-capped mountains. While I realize there are spots in Hawaii that do see snow, I generally think of warm weather and the beach. I was rather amused at how this worked out and naturally had to snap a photo with the snow in the background for the previous photo.


Being away from my light setup and having to make do with less than ideal lighting outdoors was trying, but you can hopefully still see the look I created easily enough. It is a great everyday look that is so natural!

And that, dear readers, concludes today's super short post! I hope you like the natural look I've shared and don't mind my ramblings about life back at home!

Until next time, have a wonderful evening!
XO!


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Monday, October 23, 2017

CPNA Beauty Find: BioRepublic SkinCare Face Masks

Press Sample


Happy Monday, dear readers! I am still out of town staying with the inlaws due to our evacuation due to the wildfires in Northern California, but I am still attempting to keep posting material on my blog. It's definitely not easy being away from home and my normal routine disrupted! I had tried out the products I will be sharing in this post just before the fires broke out and thankfully had my photos on my computer! Let's jump on in!


Today's blog post features another brand I discovered while attending Cosmoprof North America this summer. Inspired by Korean skincare products, BioRepublic SkinCare founders Paolo Mentonelli and Justin Hong wanted to bring the ease and convenience of the sheet mask to American consumers that had not yet reached US stores. At the time, Korean products were made with ingredients Americans did not want to use on their skin, and Paolo and Justin set out to create their own line of masks that were more in line with American preferences. BioRepublic SkinCare masks are cruelty-free and made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates or triclosan. I had the pleasure of trying out two of their mask offerings and wanted to share my thoughts about them with you. Let's check them out!

No More Years
Eternal Radiance Biocellulose Sheet Mask


I don't know if I have the words to even describe just how much I loved this apple anti-aging mask!
Upon opening the package, three layers come out of sealed foil pouch: an outer layer that is akin to tulle, the biocellulose mask itself, and the another outer layer of perforated cotton.

This biocellulose mask is thicker than the commonly seen papery/baby wipe-type masks, but it is not so heavy that it can't stay on the face while you are up and about for the 15-20 minutes it stays applied to your face. In fact, this particular paragraph was typed out while I was wearing it! If you aren't familiar with biocellulose, let me attempt to explain the texture to you as it does seem odd if you aren't used to it. If you will, try to imagine tough gelatin that has been thinly sliced. It has then soaked in a serum that has a thin gel-like consistency. The combination of these two textures makes for a unique, almost cooling sensation on the skin. The mask conforms easily to the curvature of your face, and it stays in place.*


While you are waiting, you might as well put something good in your body as well!


*While this was certainly a fun photo to take, I don't recommend eating something that requires large bites. The mask does not stretch out when you do this and just comes off your chin.

Even after just one use, my skin looked brighter and felt so soft! For best results, BioRepublic SkinCare suggests using this mask type two to three times per week, and based on my single use, I can believe it will make your skin look great with consistent use!

This mask is recommended for sensitive, dry, or combination skin types. My skin is definitely sensitive, and I am happy to report I had no issues at all with this mask. I also have combination to oily skin, and I didn't find it to be too heavy for my skin.

Cucumber Breeze
Soothing Fiber Sheet Mask

For those of you that are familiar with sheet masks, the Cucumber Breeze sheet mask is of similar design as others on the market. The sheet mask itself is made of a biodegradable fiber, and it is soaked in a serum designed to sooth stressed skin and improve the complexion. While the previous mask was sandwiched between three layers for protection, the Cucumber Breeze mask does not have any added layers and is just folded onto itself. It unwrapped nicely and rested in place on my face for 20 minutes. While the sheet mask does conform easily to the face, it doesn't quite cling as well as the previously mentioned biocellulose mask.


The Cucumber Breeze mask felt really nice on my skin, and it left my face with a lovely glow! It definitely felt soothing on my face, and I had no issues with it causing redness or making me break out.


I have really enjoyed testing out these masks from BioRepublic SkinCare! There is definitely a part of me that wishes I had waited to try them as my skin is in desperate need of tender loving care after all the smoke/pollutant exposure in California and the dry air here in Colorado! That being said, I definitely have the brand on my radar and will have to pick up more to give my skin the pick-me-up it desperately needs. Between these two masks, I have a slight preference for the No More Years
Eternal Radiance Biocellulose Sheet Mask because I liked how well it adhered to my face, although both these masks are fabulous. You can't go wrong with either of them! I have an eye on a few of the others and hope to try them out soon!

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


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Thursday, October 19, 2017

The Color Box: Special Edition Rainbow Box

Press Sample

Greetings, dear readers! I am really excited to be sharing this post with you today! If you're not familiar with The Color Box, let me fill you in! It is a quarterly collaboration project (usually) between five indie nail polish makers and five bloggers. Bloggers and makers are paired up to create their own individual polish with a designated color theme for the quarter. The polishes are then packaged together into one box and sold together for a limited time. This particular quarter is extra exciting for two reasons. First of all, rather than a single colour, this box consists of SIX polishes (rather than the usual five), each capturing a shade of the rainbow. As if that wasn't awesome enough, I was selected to be one of the bloggers to partner with an indie polish maker to design a polish! Not only am I excited about my own addition to the box, all the other makers and bloggers knocked it out of the park for a truly stunning selection of shades. Let's jump in and check them out!

Autumn Serenity
Made in collaboration with yours truly!

A burnt orange linear holo with bronze and teal flakies

 I know I'm biased, but I love this colour! Orange is a great shade any time of year, but we naturally had to go with a burnt orange for the fall. The formula was fantastically smooth and easy to work with. Shown here with two coats plus top coat.

Cupid's Bow
Made in collaboration with Amanda Loves Polish

A deep oxblood jelly with multichrome red and purple shimmer and holo flakes

 Deep reds are so great for autumn, so I'm happy that the red went this direction. The formula was perfect and applied so easily to my nails. Shown here with two coats plus top coat.

Golden Sunsets
Made in collaboration with Sammy Gail's Nails

A vibrant yellow based creme with scattered gold and multi colored shimmers

 If you're looking for a great yellow shade, this one is sure to win you over! While the colour is on the sheer side and requires more coats, the formula is on point! Yellow shades are notorious for their "meh" formula, so if having a great formula means having to add an extra coat, it's so worth it! Shown here with four coats plus top coat.

The Marching Titans
Made in collaboration with Queen of Nails 83

A deep green jelly base with red to gold flake green shimmer and copper red to green UP pigment shimmer

 This beauty is incredibly pigmented, and I love this rich shade for autumn into winter! I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat, but those that paint with a heavier hand may find they can actually get away with one coat. Some of the flakes initially wanted to hang off my nails, but they pushed back up onto my nails easily.

Manna's Mighty Masterpiece
Made in collaboration with Manna's Manis

A bright azure scattered holo with green-to-blue flakies and purple shimmer

 If you're needing a break from more traditional autumn shades, this one is a good option. The formula was a little on the thicker side, but it still applied easily for me with two coats to opacity. I also added top coat for these photos.

End of the Rainbow
Made in collaboration with xoxo, Jen

A royal purple with a pink to purple/blue shift, purple metallic flakies, and sparse silver holo microglitters

Instead of including a blue, indigo, and purple polish in the rainbow box, the organizers opted to skip the indigo and end with a purple hue. The formula is a little on the thicker side, something I've come to expect from Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer, but it still applies easily to the nails. I have it shown here with two coats plus top coat.


This special edition of the Color Box will be available for preorder starting Friday, October 20th (that's tomorrow!) through Friday, October 27th. It can be purchased at The Color Box website located here.
Please note that this is a preorder, and orders will ship approximately two weeks after the close of this preorder period. Also, with the exception of the Blue-Eyed Girl Lacquer shade, End of the Rainbow, the polishes are exclusive to this box.


If you would like to win this box, please get those entries in rafflecopter below! This giveaway ends today at 12 midnight EST.

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Store: thecolorbox.bigcartel.com
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