Monday, July 19, 2021

Get Clean Skin with Kimtrue Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm and Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser

Gifted Sample


Greetings, dear readers, and happy Monday! What could be a better way to start off the way than by how I like to start (and end) my day: with fresh, clean skin! I've had the pleasure of testing out two skincare products from the brand KIMTRUE, and I am here to share them with you today. Before I jump in on the review, let me give you a little more information about the brand!


Based in Los Angeles, California, KIMTRUE is a new brand that will be hitting its first anniversary next month. Per the brand itself, KIMTRUE stands for the following: KIM- brilliance, TRUE- real, accurate. Part of KT laboratories, this emerging brand offers quality skincare and haircare products formulated with non-traditional and cutting-edge ingredients. For today's post, I have two face care products to share with you: the Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm and the Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser. Let's do this!


Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

Kimtrue Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm

The Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm is designed to do just that- melt away even the deepest layers of makeup from your face, all while providing a gentle cleansing to the skin and leaving no gunk-filled pores behind.


The Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm is formulated with moringa seed and bilberry fruit extracts. This dynamic duo works together to thoroughly cleanse the skin- including removing air pollutants- while simultaneously soothing the skin and strengthening the skin barrier.


This cleansing balm is may pack a powerful punch when it comes to your makeup, but it is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin and for daily use for those that wear makeup every day.


So how did it perform for me?


I'm historically not a fan of cleansing balms as I have tried many that felt so heavy on my skin and left a nasty residue that would take multiple followup washings to remove. I had a lot of hope when I saw the ingredients list of this product - mineral oil is a big NOPE for me and this is NOT found in this products. I am so pleased to report I really loved using this product! I tried it out with both lighter and heavier makeup application days, even daily wear which I don't normally do in the summer, and the Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm worked like a charm! I found a little goes a long way, and even in it's original thicker balm-like state, it didn't feel overwhelmingly gross on my skin.


Once I started to add in a little water, the texture changed and my makeup flushed down the drain easily without any harsh scrubbing. These are features that you want in a cleansing balm in general, but what really sold me on the KIMTRUE Makeup Cleansing Balm (in addition to the ingredients list) was that I did not have to follow up with a second cleansing product! Crazy, right? Not only was all the makeup gone, but my skin felt (and looked) clean and soft. I have personally only come across one other product that behaves like this, but not in this easy to use and transport balm formula. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to try this product (and didn't shy away from it based on past experiences with other brands' products) as this is currently hands down my number 1 new-to-me product for 2021.



Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser


In addition to the Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm, I had the opportunity to try out the Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser.


This cleanser was created to thoroughly but gently cleanse the skin. For those that keep their makeup application light, the Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser can still emulsify and remove those layers if you prefer to stick with a one and done cleansing step.


The lightweight formula lathers nicely and leaves the skin with a clean finish.


This cleanser has some ingredients of note- Portulaca oleracea extract, or Purslane, is very soothing to the skin. It is also high in antioxidants, although when used in a cleanser that gets flushed down the drain, you're not likely to get the antioxidant benefits. I also love that it contains lemon peel oil, as this is a natural antibacterial and antiseptic. This will take care of killing off bacteria that may be hanging out in your pores- definitely a win! One major drawback for this product for me (on a personal level) is it contains geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens), something I have discovered I am sensitive to in recent years. I'm not sure how I overlooked this ingredient, although in truth, I think I just opened the container and used it before checking.


A little bit of lather and a lot of clean!


This photo was taken immediately after using the Amino Acid Gentle Facial Cleanser. While I did not have any issues while in the process of using the product, my face did end up getting a little red and puffy shortly afterwards. Further investigation- actually LOOKING at the ingredients label in this case- has me convinced my skin was just reacting to the geranium flower extract as it has with other products that contain the ingredient. As much as I love y'all and testing out products for you, I had to draw an end to testing this particular product after just the single use. This may not be as thorough of a review of this particular product as I would like to provide, but it stands as good reminder to check your ingredients, especially if you have known allergies or sensitivities!




In spite of mixed results from trying these two products from KIMTRUE, where the only negative was due to my own skin sensitivity, I am really excited about the possibilities of the products created by the brand. They also offer body care products and haircare products, the latter of which has caught my attention. I am eager to see if the brand's other products can win me over as much as their Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm!

Have you tried these of other products from KIMTRUE? I'd love to hear what you think!

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


Monday, June 7, 2021

KBShimmer's take on Rainbows for the June Polish Pickup: nail polish and a sugar scrub!

Happy Monday, dear readers! I hope you feel refreshed after a weekend and ready to tackle a new week. Today is my kids' last day of virtual schooling, and I cannot tell you how excited I am about it! It has been a struggle to get anything done on my end as I've had to constantly watch them to make sure they were paying attention and doing the correct work. I have sorely missed having something of a routine when it comes to the blog, and no longer having to monitor schooling will be a huge relief! Now let's get to today's post since it's already going up later than I wanted!


 Press Sample

Today is the LAST DAY of the June opening of the Polish Pickup, and for today's post, I wanted to share with you the goodies being offered by KBShimmer. There is a nail polish and a sugar scrub for your enjoyment, so let's get to it!


Rainbow Shaved Ice Sugar Scrub


I love nail polish- the colour combinations and finishes get me every time- but there is something extra special about KBShimmer's Hand & Body Sugar Scrubs that get me every time. Not only are they a work of art to look at- the colour combinations and beautiful layered pattern is an impeccable eye for detail- but the added complexity of scents take my mind to far off places and times. This month, KBShimmer pulled their inspiration from Rainbow Shaved Ice, sending my head on a whirlwind trip back to all the festivals and small town events with food trucks and selecting my flavor(s) du jour.


Thanks to the heat living in Arizona has these arriving a little melted on my end, but that in no way affects the quality of the product itself. Some of the biodegradable glitter top may be lost in the mix, but a little fluffing up and mixing the oils back in has the sugar scrub as good as new!


Rainbow Shaved Ice Hand & Body Scrub smells just like those cold summery treats it is named after. The scent of ripe fruits like orange, peach, and raspberry give way to hints of sour lemon, vanilla sugar and wild strawberry jam.


I'm drawn to fruity scents this time of year, so this one is a big WIN for me. Scoop up as much or as little as you want; these scrubs are amazing whether you use them on your hands, feet, or anywhere in between! The sugar adds gentle exfoliation to the skin, and when rinsed off, the remaining oils keep your skin soft and deliciously scented. I keep a jar (or two) just outside my shower for full body use and another by the sink for my hands.

Retail: $10

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I'm So Over It

With a name like "I'm So Over It", I was really eager to find out what inspired this particular shade! After all, there is A LOT to feel this way about right now. In the case of KBShimmer, this polish is inspired by the break through of rainbows after far too many overcast skies, drizzling rain, and thunder storms. I'm a sunny girl myself, and I am SO GLAD to be back in sunny Arizona and away from Northern California where a long stretch of 3-4 months of overcast and rainy days tore at my mental health. This polish is perfectly timed on my end as well as we're going to be going into monsoon season next month which comes with brief afternoon downpours to be followed by many rainbows. Having briefer periods of rain allows me to enjoy it so much more, and I get excited every time I see a rainbow. Back to the polish....


I'm So Over It is a nod to those rainbows peeking through storm gray clouds. A pale base accents a shifty shimmer that shows of hues of pink, gold, green, and, at some angles, fuchsia and aqua. Floating in the gray crelly base you'll also find holo glow flakes for a rain-like twinkle.


KBShimmer really nailed the inspiration with this beauty, although I have to admit catching the shift with the camera was trying on my end. You just have to chalk this one up as far better in person; you really have to see it to believe it. Insert more platitudes here, Jen, why don't you. Ha!

Retail: $11

Both these beauties by KBShimmer were created exclusively for the Rainbow-themed June Polish Pickup. As the Polish Pickup is only open the first weekend of the month, there is not much time left to get these pre-ordered. Today is the LAST DAY, and you don't want to miss out! 


Orders can be placed on the Polish Pickup website. Please keep in mind orders are submitted as a pre-order and to allow three weeks for domestic (US) shipping. Shipping is a flat rate and orders are combined and extra shipping charges reimbursed to you.


Have you picked up either of these this weekend? I'd love to hear from you!

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

XO!


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Saturday, June 5, 2021

Rainbows and Pink Floyd for the June Polish Pickup with ellagee polish!

 

Press Sample

It's the first weekend of June, and that means it is time for another Polish Pickup! The theme for this month is "Rainbows" and ellagee polish has added an extra special twist inspired by Pink Floyd.


Dark Side Of The Rainbow is an emerald jelly polish with bright green shimmer and trippy rainbow iridescent sheer micro flakes. If you're not entirely sold on green nail polishes yet, this one is sure to make you step back and give them a serious go! I love this shade of green in general, but the rainbow micro flakes add a particular WOW factor that has me swooning.


Dark Side Of The Rainbow is available exclusively at the Polish Pickup website this weekend through Monday, June 7th ONLY, so be sure to pick it up before you miss out!

Retail: $11 per bottle

Please keep in mind orders submitted to the Polish Pickup are placed as a pre-order and to allow three weeks for domestic shipping. As always, shipping is combined for multiple orders placed during this month's opening; if you haven't ordered this beauty yet, there is time to do so and not have to pay extra shipping fees!

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


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