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For Earth Day: 5 Green Beauty Brands I’m Loving Right Now

Published by lauren

I like to think of myself as an eco conscious person. Think of myself… but I know I have a long way to go. This is a subject I want to expand upon on my blog and social media, but I am still in the process of figuring it all out for myself. Less waste, fast fashion, and even skincare. All things I want to explore and challenge myself with. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be 100% green in my beauty buying  (I like my Korean Skincare….) but it’s been a strong theme for me the last few months. So in honor of Earth Day here are 5 green leaning brands I’ve been loving as of late.

Uliv is a local California brand that I found out about at the Indie Beauty Expo this past January. They currently only offer one product, but it’s stellar. The Golden Chai Facial Souffle* is made up almost completely of natural ingredients, many organic and hand crafted. It smells fantastic, moisturizes really well and includes some of my favorite ingredients like Manuka Honey, Turmeric and Seabuckthorn.

I had the fortune of meeting Indie Lee herself a couple of weeks back. She was a pleasure. She’s got a zest for life and it shows in her products. I first fell for her cleaners, the Rosehip and then the Brightening, both are refreshing and gentle on the skin. I’ve also really been enjoying the CoQ10 Toner as well, it smells divine. And recently I started incorporating her Squalene Oil and my face just drinks it up.

I’d been eyeing Leahlani Skincare for months via Instagram. The products are gorgeously packaged, and I was happy that when I got my hands on several items that the outside matched the inside. So far I’ve tested two masks, The Honey Love  and the Mermaid Mask, both are sensorial skin treats. The Aloha Ambrosia Elixir* sinks in beautifully and The Bless Beauty Balm* is in a world of its own.

I’ve been slowly testing out offerings from newer skincare brand Farmacy. The line is built around a unique powerhouse strain of echinacea and they use a lot of natural ingredients in their formulations. The Coconut Gel Sheet Masks are fantastic and I got a deluxe sample of the Honey Savior Salve and its the perfect handbag companion (they should really sell it in a mini size, the large looks a little big for the purse) I’ve also been enjoying their two newest launches the Green Clean Cleansing Balm* and the Green Screen Sunscreen*. Reviews to come for both!

By far one of the most luxurious brands I have every tried, de Mamiel is in a category all her own. So far I have only tested the Restorative Cleansing Balm, but it is an indulgent ritual experience for the skin. The smell is transfixing, and I love massaging it onto my face and letting it sit for 30 minutes as a mask. The line is hand batched in small quantities and made with thoughtful organic ingredients. The formulation list is an herbal lovers dream. I’ve got the Pure Calm Cleansing Dew and Exhale Daily Moisturizing Nectar on the way and cant wait to dive into this range further.

*Pr Samples, Gifts from brands.

Get to Know CLE’s Inventive Products

Published by lauren

This minimalist brand is anything but boring…

Over the last few months I’ve been testing out loads of new things. From eyeshadows to eye masks: I’ve been trying to sniff out the some of the next it thing’s. And let me tell you, CLE is it. This minimalistic California/Korean brand is a fun, streamed lined take on beauty. CLE (or Creative Lass Esthetic) really reminds me of Glossier, yet more refined. It’s hip, but laid back, it’s cool but timeless, it’s artsy, but fun. Just look at the brands Instagram… so chic!  Am I making any sense? Regardless, lets get on with what I’ve been trialling from them….

The Melting Lip Powders are a fun take on a matte lip and they give a great dose of beauty entertainment. They can be used for both lip and cheek, and I think they really shine as blushes. Especially the orange one, Ultra Summer, it’s been perfect for spring. The brown shade, Hot Coco, has been nice when I’m feeling a monochromatic sort of makeup day, using it on my lips and face.

The big draw back thought is that they are not terribly long lasting on the lips but seem fine on my cheeks. I really love some of their other colors, like the Barbie Pink. Hopefully they expand the range with some dusty rose colors and an a deep oxblood. That would look stunning.

The Radiant Skin Melting Cleanser is a wonderful basic cleanser. I’d say it’s pretty similar to the Milky Jelly Cleanser from Glossier but more silky. It lives some where between an oil and a gel, not too dissimilar feeling to some thicker Korean Essences.

It’s non foaming, so it doesn’t leave me feeling squeaky (which I think is a good thing) but creates a sort of slip on the skin. It does an okay job with removing makeup, but not hardy enough to break down all my eye makeup or hefty bases. I like using it in the shower, as it does well on wet skin. It rinses off without any residue but leaves my face still pretty hydrated for cleansing.

By far though my favorite product I’ve tested would be the Radiant Skin CCC Cream. This is formulated with Micro Capsule Technology, so it comes out white but as you blend it into the skin it transforms into a pigmented base. The CCC Cream has a silky, satin sort of finish that sits really well on the face and feels lightweight. It looks very fresh and skin like…. Think IT Cosmetics CC Cream, but a lot less dewy.

I’ve found that it can be built up to a solid medium coverage, and lasts pretty long. Light is a great color match for me right now, but might be too pale come the middle of summer. Also it does a good job of color correcting and covering up the abundance of redness I’ve got going on right now

Expect to see this a lot around here and on my YouTube. It’s potential HG status for me. There are a couple of draw backs to note though. Too much product can easily come out, so I’ve found storing it upside down best for portion control.  And one nit picky thing, it gets dirty looking quickly and the metallic brand letter is coming off…  It’s pretty much all gone at this point… beginning to think I am either to rough on my products or have some sort of weird oil production on my fingers because all my stuff  (not just CLE) look bad fast very fast. Any tips for this messy kid?

Credo Comes to LA

Published by lauren

Los Angeles’s busy West 3rd Street has landed it’s very own clean beauty emporium. Credo opened its first Los Angeles destination early February, joining the likes of Murad, Benefit, Aesop and Face Haus on the busy shopping stretch.

Always on the hunt for the new thing, I stopped in at the new location a couple of weeks back to see the beautiful blue open air space for myself. It is a welcome shopping experience. Clean, crisp and well organized, it makes it easy to spot old favorites and find new discoveries.

Skincare wise they carry classics like Indie Lee, Tata Harper and budget friendly Acure, along with up in comers like Susanne Kaufmann and Lilfox. And they have testers for everything!

I booked a mini facial with the lovely Allison. She was refreshing, honest, had a passion for skincare and very soothing hands. The Mini Facials are a great opportunity to test out products you’ve had your eye on and discover new ones you might have never noticed.

I really appreciated Allison’s candor when I was selecting products. After telling her some of my skin concerns and what I liked in products she helped guide my selection to what you see above.

I’ve been curious about In Fiore and Kari Gran but didn’t know where to start. I really enjoyed the calming oil she selected from In Fiore  and the luxurious scent of Kari Grans Lavender Hydrating Spray. Both are now on future shopping lists.

I’ve also been wanting to explore more Tata Harper and Kypris, two brands that can been a steep indulgence. The Tata Harper Nourishing Cleanser was lovely, as expected, and the Kypris Glow Philtre Mask just wasn’t for me.

The real stand out from the facial was Lilfox’s Jungle Glow. Allison’s most enthusiastic recommendation, and I can see why. The Enzyme Cleanser and Mask is a real skin treat! It wraps you in the scent of Manuka Honey, Cacao, Neroli and Grapefruit and is packed with antioxidant rich Rosehip and Passion fruit oils. I loved it so much I had to leave with one of my own. (Also loved it so much you can see it in my recent Skincare Favorites).

Along with Minis Facials and Makeup Application the shop has a it very own Tata Harper Spa. The room is a beautiful Tata green and I can’t wait to book myself in for one of these facials. 

After my mini facial I meandered through the beauty section. I swatched the likes of RMS, Vapour and finally got to see the much Instagram’d Kjaer Weis and Ritual De Fille in person.

I believe they offer Brow Services in addition to the Makeup Applications along with Clean Beauty Swaps where you can bring in old favorites and they’ll help you find a clean, green alternative.

They have several upcoming events, like Master Classes with both Indie Lee herself and Osea founder Jennifer Palmer, both you can bet I’ve already signed up for! If you live in the LA area I highly recommend stopping in at this welcoming shopping experience, you wont be disappointed!

Hello Rose by Pixi

Published by lauren

this new kit from Pixi arrives just in time for spring!

Pixi was a brand that was a straight up mystery to me for years. I first took note of its elevated blush pink and pastel green packaging several years back when I was rushing through target tying to get in and out with only the essentials (as is the challenge with any target run).

I finally got to exploring the brand via the Skincare range via the cult classic Glow Tonic (thanks to Caroline Hirons) and later falling for the Milky Mist (thanks to the Anna Edit).

This little set, The Hello Rose, is my first time though testing out anything from their makeup line and I’m very happy with the results!

The Glow Booster is a lovely sheer pearly peach pink. It’s a very hydrating cream formula, that gives a lovely lit from within finish to the skin. It layered well under several different foundation formulas I tested it with but also gives a lovely diffusion to the skin on my no-to-low makeup sort of days.

The Beauty Blush Duo is perfect for some one of my skin tone, but potentially might not be enough for anyone deeper. The blush side is a lovely dusty rose that I’ve been very into for this last year. It’s refined yet cheerful. The highlight is a pale yellow gold that is a tad too much on the sparkles for me, but swirled into the blush adds a nice bit of radiance and dimension to my face.

The LipLift Max in Sheer Rose has a refreshing minty sent and has cemented it self in my handbag. In part because I’m addicted to mint (I really think Altoids should sponsor me) and also for it’s glossy hydrating finish. After a winter of bold liquid lipsticks a sheer glossy rose is what I need. It’s low maintenance, pairs well with lip liners and tops any one of the dusty nudes I’ve been into lately rather nicely (So into, I made a video you can watch here!).

The Hello Rose Kit is available at Target, In store and Online, as well as though Pixi’s website.

Pixi’s range is quite extensive, so please let me know what I should dive into next- both makeup and skincare wise. I’ve heard many a YouTuber claim the Correction Concentrate is a dupe for Becca’s Under Eye Brightener… Maybe that will be next?

Full Discloser! I did receive the Hello Glow Kit complimentary because I am a part of the Pixi Ambassador Program. If you are a content creator and like Pixi, I highly recommend Applying~

The Lip Pencil by Bite Beauty

Published by lauren

the lip only brand has finally released it’s version of a liner. 

I’ve got a feeling 2017 is gonna be a Lip Liner heavy year. Not that they were ever out of fashion, but with how things come and go in waves, I bet top dollar that they will have a sizable splash this year. Case and point, the new The Lip Pencils from Bite Beauty.

I was excited to learn that Influenster and Bite Beauty were teaming up for The Lip Pencil launch. The Multisticks were one of my favorite discoveries of 2016 so I was eager to test out more from the Canadian brand.

I received my free voxbox back in early February and have spent the last few weeks giving them a thorough testing. (also give my 1st impressions a watch!)

I received one nude shade, 020, and a deep vampy one, 044 along with two Amuse Bouche mini lipsticks and a Sephora Collection Sharpener. The formula is indeed pigmented, and very very soft. So soft, that it’s nearly impossible to keep a sharp point. That does make creating a detailed fine line tricky but I prefer nub tips like the Marc Jacobs Poutliner anyways. So its a lose-win really.

like I mentioned, they are so pigmented that with one swip are nearly opaque and can easily be filled in and worn solo. Also back to the soft thing, they feel super hydrating on the lips (must be the Shea butter and Castor oil) which creates a nice moisturized base for any matte lipstick you top them off with.

From top to bottom The Lip Pencil in 020, Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Honeycomb, The Lip Pencil in 044 and Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Whiskey.

But with them being so hydrating does cause a bit of unwanted bleeding especially on the the darker color 044 I received, so be warned.

Another annoyance is the packaging. It is very sleek looking, but the cap is very problematic and easily pops off. Also the pencil itself can be easily scratched up and is hard to keep clean looking. (I tried my damnedest to make them nice for these photos, but you can see the dings if you give the photos a stare)

I am not the most delicate person on my products, but I feel like the higher the price tag the sturdy it should be….  But back to the positive, the formula is very lovely, and I just wished it had a different casing, like a larger jumbo pencil structure. THEN The Lip Pencils would be something I’d be investing in. The shade range is extensive and a few caught my eye last time I was at Sephora.

The voxbox also included two of the Amuse Bouche Lipsticks. I received both Honeycomb and Whisky, and am quite enamored with the feel and color of these lipsticks. The Amuse Bouche range is what Bite is known for so it was lovely to see that the hype was worth while. I can see myself picking up a few of these full size in the near future like Verbena or Nori.

I appreciate brands that do one thing and do it well, much like Bite Beauty and their range of lip products, but The Lip Pencils unfortunately didn’t tick all the marks for me. Have you tested these news guys? How did they stack up for you? What next from the Bite range should I seek out? Let a girl know!

Oh, and did I mention my video on these? Have a watch and hit subscribe!

Refining My Face with Osea’s White Algea Mask

Published by lauren

Spoiler. It’s a new fav!

I think masks are my most commonly purchased skincare items. I use them as a sort of introductory product when testing out a new line. Whether clay, hydrating or just a sheet mask it generally give me a good idea if I want to test out any more from a brand.

Well, It’s easy to say that I am eager to test out more from Malibu based Osea, because the White Algea Mask is easily one of my top five favorite masks now.

Formulated with Algae Extract’s, the White Algea Mask helps to refine texture, hydrate parched skin, and feed it with anti aging antioxidants. The mask has antioxidant rich White Tea, and White Wine to nourish the skin. Along with skin soothers Aloe Vera, Calendula and Jojoba Oils that really helps to hydrate and calm.

It has a mousse like texture that dries down to a sort of almost light clay on the skin, but not uncomfortable or dehydrating like most clay masks can feel. I’ve used this mask a little over half a dozen times now and instantly saw results after the first application.

My easily red face seemed brighter and calmer afterwords, and wonderfully smooth. It’s pretty hydrating, but my skin has been super thirty lately so it needed a little more than just what this mask could give.

You can use it at night, which has become my preferred method with this guy. I slather on a thin layer over top of my Kypris Antioxidant Dew, and then follow with my moisturizer of choice (currently rotating between Shikai Borage Moisturizer and Aromatica’s Calendula Juicy Cream.) Also this is one of the most expensive masks I own, so using it at night helps me feel like I’m soaking all the worth out of it I can.

Osea has some intriguing looking products and an equally intriguing brand story. They take inspiration and ingredients from the sea to formulate their products. They also have a unique and interesting origins story centered around four generations of women’s relationship with the sea.

Have you tested out anything from Osea? I’ve my eye on the Ocean Cleanser, and Sea Vitamin Boost next! I’d love to know if there’s another catch I should get. (fishing pun intended)

What I Smell Like: My Current Go to Scents

Published by lauren

don’t worry, I shower… 

Perfume and I have had a rocky relationship in the past. From dosing myself in some sort of cherry vanilla concoction way back in middle school, to going sans any scent except for whatever my current deodorant gave off… I find it pleasantly surprising (and smelling) that I’ve finally grown into a love for fragrance.

Now my collection is pretty small, and mainly full of deluxe samples and one roller ball from Diptyque. But recently it’s been growing a bit with the acquisition of two full size fragrances. And I just can’t stop spritzing them on myself!

I stumbled upon Alani from Melissa Flagg at Anthropologie back before Christmas. I was, of course, drawn in by the botanical design on the bottle (theme here folks!) but the happy yet refined scent of orange blossom and gardenia was what sold me on it.

Each perfume in this range is supposed to evoke the essence of Hawaii… I do get a breathe of something tropical, but it’s not overly sweet and the lovely old-timey atomizer does adds a little extra something something that I greatly enjoy.

Alani is a great uplifting perfume to use during the day or to reenergize if I’m pooped and have to leave the house again at night. It reminds me a lot of Paradise from Nest or Atelier Cologne’s Orange Sanguine yet more mature some how. (Two perfumes I need to get in my collection BTW)

And Fun Fact Alani means “Orange Tree” in Hawaiian.

Husband did a killer job on the stocking stuffers this year. Between the Bonvivant sheet mask kit, the Artichoke Power Essence and The Indigo Eau de Parfum from Nest, I’ve got my work cut out for me next year.

I was first introduced to Nest Fragrance late winter of last year when my gorgeous sister surprised me with the Fragrance Collection. I wrote a post about the scent profiles of each in the set back in March, and what I described it as then still stands true. Indigo is super sexy perfume with notes of cardamom, bergamot and black tea. I also always get the impression of fresh off the bush Blackberries (a staple from my childhood).

Although Indigo a great date night perfume, I love wearing it all the time. It’s like wrapping yourself in a seductive forest. But carful, a heavy hand with this one and you’ll be sneezing more then you like….

The New Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme’s by Marc Jacobs

Published by lauren

AKA The Perfect Night Out (and in) Pout…

I am a big fan of routines. You wouldn’t know it from my disorganized, chaotic, always behind on emails self. But when I actually have my wits about me to fall back on a schedule or routine, shit gets done!

My makeup application falls into a similar state. Some days it’s a little all over the place (but fun! I swear…) and then other times I settle into a cohesive pattern that I go back to again and again. I’ve really liked the new Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme’s for both of those times: it’s sort of the perfect spur of the moment go to… if that make any sense.

I was super lucky and qualified for one of the Marc Jacobs PR Box’s via Influenster a few weeks back. They sent me one of the new Le Marc Liquid Lip Cremes in Truth or Bare and a Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner in Primrose. I’ve been carting around both in my hand bag ever since.

The Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme is similar to a liquid lipstick, but isn’t drying or transfer proof. It’s very long lasting though and feels comfortable on the lips. Its got Brazilian Cupuacu Butter and Collagen to give lips a fuller look (I believe it). It feel similar to the Revlon HD Matte Lip color formula, but better color pay off, and less tacky feeling. It’s like the beautiful love child between Lip Gloss and Liquid Lipstick. Very Charlotte Gainsbourg. (Jane Birkin is Lip Gloss. of course). Truth or Bare is a lovely dusty rose, that like the Air Blush in Flesh in Fantasy, pretty much goes with everything.

The Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner has become a fast new staple for me. Primrose is a perfect my-lips-but-better color that looks good all on it’s own. I love the formula of this lip liner, I think I’ll have to spring for another color or two. I’ve got a feeling 2017 will be a big year for lip liners. They never went away per say, but I think they’ll be the new/old rage this year. Just you wait.


So as I mentioned at the start of this ramble, I get into a bit of a routine sometimes with makeup, and I definitely got into one in a major way this past month. I thought I’d share with you all my got to Auburn look I’ve been rocking during the evening times these past few weeks! Enjoy!

 

 

Let’s Have A Talk About Ouai Hair Care

Published by lauren

You know, that Kardashian brand you’ve seen EVERYWHERE.

I have a nasty habit of hating on super hyped items. When I see it all over the place I just double down on my dubious attitude towards it. I for sure got that way about Ouai haircare: every youtuber, beauty editor and blogger was raving about it. I felt very shilled to.

But after the initial launch loads of people were still talking about it, so my curiosity perk up. If people are still into something after the brands newness wears off then there’s gotta be something there… right?

This was my thinking behind purchasing The Style Edit Kit around thanksgiving last year (crazy to call that last year). I’ve played with it for a few months now and can finally give an honest assessment- even if I’m still on the fence about a few things. (this particular set is currently out of stock, but here’s one similar.)

Let’s talk the negative first, and probably the part you care less about it- The Hair Ties. They are a headache in a piece of white elastic. Although sturdy and durable, just not my cup of tea. Way too tight for this sensitive brain.

Okay now that is out of the way (or should I say Ouai… can’t help myself) Let’t talk about my favorite product in this set, the Finishing Creme. I really enjoyed this stuff. So much so that I plan to buy the full size very soon. It adds shine, smooths my dry ends and smells like intoxicating Jasmine. I loved the piecey texture it gave my curls (very model off duty) and appreciate that it has a heat protectant in it, something this hot iron addict needs.

The Wave Spray is something I ended up coming around to liking. I’m not the biggest user of salt sprays and the like, (and I usually make my own) but I came to enjoy the tousled dimension it added to my hair on non heat styled days. I liked the added texture it gave my air dried hair which is ironically what I didn’t like that it did to my hair when I had curled it with a wand. Something about it just works better with the consistency of my hair when it hasn’t been altered by heat.

The Texturing Hair Spray I still don’t have a firm opinion on. I really like the way it looks when I initially spray it on my hair (heat style only here) but find that it doesn’t hold that bounce it gives for very long, and can easily be too gritty feeling. I need a couple more styles to suss it out completely. But for being the most raved product in the line, it’s been the most disappointing to me.

I’ve since purchased the small Treatment Mask set and really liked the results: smooth, velvety, healthy looking hair. The Hair Oil is the other item from Ouai I keep hearing great things about. It and the full size Finishing Creme have been sitting in my Sephora cart for a couple of days… Any thoughts on the oil? Have you tried anything from Ouai haircare?

December Favorites

Published by lauren

I know a lot of us in the blog world forgo the December favorites in favor of a yearly round up post or video, but in November and December I tested out way more products than I normally do that I just couldn’t wait for my big 2016 beauty retrospective.

I think face wise there is something in every category this go around from Foundation to Lips, there’s a bit of it all. I’ve got two new Holy Grail’s in there: the Heimish Artless Glow Base, and the Air Blush from Marc Jacobs (I fell for Flesh and Fantasy just like every one else, it really is the blush that goes with everything).

I found it odd that I haven’t seen anyone else talking about the new Luminizing Drops from Algenist. They have an incredible glow, and Rose is such a unique but flattering lavender highlight. I also hit up a few sales to test out a some hyped up products that lucky weren’t duds, looking at you Artis Oval 6, you make my foundation look good!

I’ll spare being too redundant by listing anymore since I ramble on for nearly 15 minutes in the video down below… Enjoy!