NOTD: Julep Julianne

Julianne by Julep was part of my Maven Boho Glam box for February.  A medium bluish gray creme,  Julianne was fully opaque at 2 coats.  I did experience a few bubbles, so waiting for each coat to dry might be a good idea.  I used the new Freedom Top coat that was also from the Maven box this month, which dried quickly with a high gloss.

The brushes seemed different this month, a bit larger or flatter perhaps?  The biggest problem I've had with Julep is excess pooling of polish as it drips down the extra long brush applicator, and it was even more obvious this month.  Not insurmountable, but definitely irritating.  Still, Julianne is a pretty color and a nice addition to my collection!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

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L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in Light

I recently received the L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. cream to try out, and I've got to admit my expectations were not high.  Most of the non-Asian brands have been playing fast and loose with the "BB cream" moniker.  I don't know if that is because they assume the American audience is uneducated as to what a BB cream is and does, or are just jumping on the hype bandwagon, or combinations thereof.   I've also not read many positive reviews regarding the current crop of drugstore BB creams, however you want to view them in comparison to their Asian counterparts.

So, let's get this out of the way - a BB cream this is not.  First of all, it contains no sunscreen, which is a standard feature for BB creams.  Now, L'Oreal appears to have sidestepped the whole "BB cream" thing by spelling out that this is a Magic B.B. Cream with Beautifying Beads, or encapsulated pigments infused in an ultralight lotion with vitamins C & E.  It does claim four things:  to prime, perfect, hydrate, and correct.

• Primes:  to smooth skin's texture
• Perfects:  to hide imperfections
• Hydrates:  for all day moisture
• Corrects:  for a healthy looking, even complexion

Available in 4 shades, light, fair, medium, and deep, I received light.  It starts off as a thin white cream with a runny consistency flecked with beads of pigment.  The color starts to change as you blend into the skin, until you are left with the final color.  I did not find it to be grainy and it blends out fairly easily.  I did use over a primer, as I found that helped with the blending and not settling in my pores.

The light shade is probably going to be too dark for many fair complexioned, but it was a good match for my fair but warmer toned skin.  It does have a yellow tone to it, and as you can see from when I rubbed the white cloth over my arm, it's on the darker side.

I've been using this for a week now and it did not break out my skin.  The biggest positive for me, however, is that it provides a really nice matte finish on my oily skin.  Coverage is light, but it does even out my complexion.  While it claims to hydrate and does contain panthenol, vitamin E and glycerin, I wouldn't use this without applying a moisturizer first.  If anything, I think this is a good option for the oily skinned out there (raises hand) who want light, natural looking coverage.

It actually reminds me of the old and now discontinued version of the Clinique Pore Minimizing foundation for oily skin that I wore when I was in high school.  It had a very thin, watery consistency, and the ingredients would separate, so shaking it vigorously before use was a must.  I found this description on MakeupAlley by playsindirt that describes it perfectly:

"Let me qualify this by saying I no longer use this product. But it was my HG foundation in the 80's when my oily, acne-prone skin was at its most evil. I was compelled to write when I saw all the negative reviews here. This gives you a completely flawless finish if you know how to apply it. The secret is to exfoliate in the shower/bath thoroughly, then moisturizer (oil-free, of course), shake the bottle very well, and (finally) pour about a quarter size puddle into your palms. Rub your palms to together and then apply."

Ah, good times, good times.   Those were the days when I would have to wash my face as soon as I got home from school because it was so oily.  But, back to the L'Oreal Magic B.B. cream:  color me surprised, but I'm liking this!  It retails for about $8-$11 depending on location, and I will continue using it.

Disclaimer:  I received a sample from SheSpeaks.com for review.  All opinions are my own.

February Julep Boho Glam: The A-List

Julep celebrated the Oscars in February's Maven subscription boxes.  I stayed with my Boho Glam choice, as I continue to be attracted to the color orange so Ingrid was calling my name.

Also included in this month's Boho Glam box is a lovely light blue gray creme called Julianne.  All of the names this month are from actresses, so we have Julianne Moore and Ingrid Bergman as the inspiration for the Boho Glam colors.

Also included in all Maven boxes this month are the Freedom polymer top coat ($18) and Oxygen nail treatment ($18).  As described by Julep:

"Activated by natural light, this innovative formula creates a unique polymer force field that prevents chipping for days longer than regular top coat, leaving your nails with a gel-like shine (but without gel-removal hassle). Any nail polish remover does the job—you’ll never pay for painful gel removal or soak your hands in nail-weakening acetone again."

I'm hearing good things about it so far!

 The Oxygen nail treatment is supposed to be used on bare nails and is

"made with a patented Hexanal formulation, nails are restructured to a stronger, thicker, and smoother condition in just one stroke. Advanced plant stem cell complex provides anti-aging benefits, while ground-breaking oxygen technology forms a nonocclusive film on the nail, proving resistant to water penetration and improving the permeability to oxygen. Results are nails that are structurally stronger, and less prone to breakage and splitting."

 The box also included a mini eyelash curler and some chocolates, always appreciated:-)

Box value for the polishes is a whooping $64, and I'm really excited about them all.  Definitely A-list this month!

Disclaimer:  I subscribed to the Julep Maven program for $19.99/mo.  If you are interested in subscribing to Julep's Maven program, you can use my referral link or go straight to Julep to subscribe. 

The Wild Thing READY 4.0 Palette by Bare Escentuals

Now that I've fallen in love with Bare Escentual's READY eye shadow formula, I had to decide which of the Remix eye palettes I would pick up - The Wild Thing or The Next Big Thing?  The Wild Thing was actually more outside of my comfort zone, but also included some colors that I did not have dupes for, so The Wild Thing it was.  Was it a good choice?

Yes, yes, and yes!  I"m a bit obsessed with Sensational, which was probably the color I was the least enthralled with prior to purchasing.  It looks minty green or pale aqua in the pan, but contains an iridescent pale gold sheen that translates it into something much more special.  When used as a base, it transforms other colors in unexpected ways yet also works well on it's own as a highlighter.

Icon was a bit intimidating to me at first.  It has a satin finish with some very subtle micro glitter.  I've been drawn to chartreuse for years now when it comes to home decor, but wasn't quite sure how to incorporate it into a flattering eye look.  It definitely adds a pop of color!

I'm back in my comfort zone with Elitist, a khaki brown with a shimmer finish.  It's a nice neutral that fits wells with these colors, and was also part of The Star Treatment palette, which I adore and reviewed here.

Last up is Controversy, a vibrant peacock blue shimmer.  Indeed, The Wild Thing reminds me of a peacock feather!  Growing up, we had a huge vase full of peacock feathers in our living room, so I've got fond associations with this color scheme.

All of these applied easily and blended well.  Wear time is a solid 8 hours with primer, but I did have creasing after that.  I've got oily lids, though, so YMMV.  I used all 4 shadows for this look, as well as UD's 24/7 pencil in Mainline on upper lash line and Stray Dog on lower:

Here, I used Sensational from lash to brow bone and on the inner eye, and then blended Elitist over the lid.  Controversy is on my lower lash line.

The Wild Thing is a limited edition palette that retails for $30.  I'm really enjoying it!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

January Eco Emi: Celebrating Love

January's Eco Emi box celebrates Valentine's Day, giving me a taste of the day celebrating love a few weeks early.  Sweet!  I'm leading with a food item, because it was that good - the Pink Pepper and Citrus chocolate bar by Madecasse Chocolate. I would totally buy this chocolate, the unique flavor was a bit addictive!  Sample value is $2.

The lip balm this month was from Wine Country Organics called Organic Pinot Lip Tint.  It does provide a nice hint of color, but it was not moisturizing enough when I used it exclusively all day while at the Mystic Mutts of Revelry parade, lots of fun!  All the dogs were so well behaved, which is amazing considering the noise level of the crowd and just the general chaos that is a Mardi Gras parade.  Sample value $7.

 The Mandarin Body Butter by Lisa Ann Skin Care has a light citrus scent and is of the thicker variety, which I like using on slightly damp skin after a shower to provide a protective barrier to seal that moisture in.  Sample value (estimated) 75 cents.

The Vanilla & Sweet Orange volumzing shampoo from Hugo Naturals intrigues me.  It's sulfate free with no harsh chemicals, yet lathers really well.  It has an interesting feel with no slip, and my hair was squeaky clean afterwards. I'm think it will make a great clarifying shampoo!  It's also reasonably priced at $9.99 for 12 oz., so I may have to look into this line more.  Sample value $1.66.

I also received an eyeshadow from The All Natural Face called Pink Gold.  Lovely color which I've been using as a sheer wash of a color on my lids.  It can used wet for more intense color and works well either way.  Love!  I'm not sure of the size, but my sample is filled to the brim so I'm going to estimate value at $3.50.

The Million Year Mud Mask by 7th Heaven has some really unique packaging.  It features Rhassoul mud (Moroccan lava clay), honey, shea butter, juniper, elderflower, ginseng, and clove.  Sample value $2.99.

The White Camellia hydrating bath bar from Aubrey Organics is jasmine scented and I love these sample sized soaps for washing my hands.  Sample value $1.  The two remaining items are 2 Yogi teas in Bedtime and Kava Stress Relive, and a cocoa and berries milled flaxseed sample. 

I continue to be very happy with this natural products subscription box, as I'm being introduced to new products and brands that I really like!  The value of this month's box is approximately $20.

Disclosure:  I subscribe to Eco Emi for $15/mo.

Wicked Berry by Alice & Peter

Source:  Alice & Peter Facebook

"You’ll give in. It’ll be impossible not to!  The citruses dream up a fantasy that’s as devilish as it is gentle: the intoxicating trio of rose, lilac and freesia fill the air with the greatest of ease.  These petals blush upon contact with a sensual blend of blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry. Warning!  Addiction is unavoidable: Warm woody amber and musk create quite the decadence, topped with a vanilla and sandalwood glaze."

When I first spray Wicked Berry, my initial impressions are powdery, fizzy, and incense.  I also smell a faint lipstick scent, but thankfully it never becomes very strong and stays more of a fleeting impression. 

I think the citrus top notes contribute to the fizziness, whereas the floral middle notes are what lean towards powdery.  The berry notes are definitely there, but nicely tempered so that I smell more than just citrus or berries.  Sadly, I don't get any distinct impression of the base notes, but assume they are what keeps Wicked Berry sweet without inducing any insulin spikes. 

HEAD
Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Orange
HEART
Rose, Freesia, Lilac, Blackberry
Blackcurrant, Rasberry
BASE
Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla, White Musk

The good news is that there was not a fragrance that I disliked amongst the entire Alice & Peter cupcake perfumes.  The bad news is that they do not last very long, making it hard to want to invest in a bottle.  Wicked Berry lasts for about an hour before it becomes close to my body and had completely vanished by hour three.  This was true of the entire collection, and based on other online reviews I looked at, seems to be a common experience. 

Granted this line seems geared towards a younger demographic, so I could see them being a good fragrance gift for daughters/granddaughters/nieces and such.  They are not heavy or overwhelming, the bottles are delightful, and the short wear time might be a plus for the fragrance sensitive.  Here are links to previous reviews for Bloody Orange, Cheery Cherry, Fancy Choco,  and Showy Toffee.  A sampler of the scents is available from Alice & Peter for $10. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

NOTD: Storm by Zoya

Storm is from the Zoya Ornate holiday collection, and is black with a micro fine diamond holographic glitter.  I had no application issues, and two coats were plenty to provide smooth, opaque color.  I used Seche Vite for my base and top coats.  The holographic shimmer shows up better in direct light, but the micro glitter spreads evenly and smoothly.

Surprisingly, I have nothing like Storm in my collection.  I love the "stars across the galaxy" effect!  I can see returning to this over and over again in lieu of a plain black creme.

Zoya polishes are $8 and every one I've tried thus far has been really easy to work with.  I don't know why I don't have more of them!

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

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