Farmhouse Fresh Honeysuckle Blood Orange Custard

This sounds almost like a a dessert, doesn't it?  Actually, Honeysuckle Blood Orange Custard is a body cream with "a 2-part blend that includes 1/2 whipped shea butter and 1/2 live fruit cells suspended in a nourishing aloe gel that brings vitamin-packed softness to skin".  I was intrigued, plus anything that smells like honeysuckle will get my attention!

This double moisturizer is 92% natural and is paraben and sulfate free.  As you can see, it comes unmixed, and you just swirl the two together with the included spoon.  I also use the spoon when I'm applying the cream, as it saves me from sticking my fingers in the cream and potentially contaminating it. 

The scent is delicate and dissipates after an hour or so, which is actually okay for the days when I want to wear perfume.  The cream is thick but not greasy, and it absorbs well into the skin. 

I'm guessing the significance of "live fruit cells" has to do with the uncooked, unprocessed nature of the strawberry fruit extract used, which preserves their skin softening goodness.  Packaged in a reusable jelly jar, there is also a Strawberry Mash Double Moisturizer version, and both retail for $26. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

bareMinerals READY Blush: The Natural High - Remix Edition

The Natural High READY blush by bareMinerals is a peachy pink with a gold shimmer that I've seen compared to NARS Orgasm.  I never indulged in Orgasm, despite all the rave reviews, as I had read too many reviews that also used the dreaded "disco ball" description.  Shimmer is fine, but I prefer it on the more subtle end of the spectrum, and the idea that The Natural High could deliver all the positives of Orgasm without a potential disco ball effect did it's siren song thingy on me.

The Natural High was first released last year as part of a QVC Bare Escentuals Return to Radiance set.  Now part of the Remix spring collection, it is housed in a shiny aqua compact with a mirror and brush.

 

For those not familiar with the READY formula, it is still mineral based, but utilizes a cold-pressed method and contains a proprietary SeaNutritive Mineral Complex composed of positively-charged, antioxidant-rich sea minerals with cold-pressed camellia oil. So, all the goodness of minerals, but less of the mess that comes with loose minerals.  I like.  Actually, I love the READY eyeshadow formula and have become quite the fan of the 4.0 and 8.0 palettes.  So, how does the blush stack up?

Quite well!  It's smooth, blends out easily, and is nicely pigmented.  The color is buildable and can go from a light wash to a more intense finish.  The gold shimmer is visible without being too much, and the color is a realistic warm leaning pink.  I can see using this quite a bit as the weather warms up.

Interestingly, The Natural High has sold out online at Bare Escentuals and Ulta, nor is it available at Sephora online, but I do see it online at Macy's and Nordstrom's.   It retails for $22 and I'm wondering if this will be limited edition due to the packaging?  Not sure, so if you like it, time may be of the essence. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

NOTD: Julep Jennifer and Sally Hansen Strobelight

Jennifer by Julep is a ultra pale peach cream that made for a nice background for Sally Harsen's delicate glitter Strobelight.  I've a fondness for this iridescent fine glitter and seem to gravitate to it this time of the year.  It's still cold outside yet all the flowering tress are in bloom and the azaleas are starting to peek out as well.  Something about Strobelight captures the cold,  yet the flashes of color remind of the vibrant colors starting to emerge.

Jennifer was a bit streaky and may have needed 3 coats on it's own, but 2 were plenty as a base coat for the glitter.  I used one coat of Strobelight and topped it off with Julep's new gel top coat.  I'm really loving this look and think it's a both a nice palette cleanser for all the darker/brighter colors I've been wearing this winter, as well as a nice harbinger of spring!

Disclaimer:  I purchased these.

The Nail Files weekly linkup:
 

Nyx Lip Balms in Sukriya and Grazi

I can get driven to distraction when my lips feel dry, so I love lip balms and they probably my heaviest used beauty product.  The idea of a colored lip balm is especially appealing, so I've been on a search to find one that both hydrates and provides color.  Nyx Color Lip Balms sounded like they could deliver on both counts, so I recently picked up Sukriya and Grazi to try out. 

Sukriya, Grazi

Grazi is the more subtle in color of the two, as it is both sheerer and close to my own natural lip color. 

Sukriya is more intensely pigmented and provides more of a pop of color.  I found myself blotting Sukriya as the color was a bit too intense for my comfort level, but blotting did soften the color and made it more wearable.

The pluses for the Nyx lip balms are that they are comfortable on, did provide some moisture to my lips, and are reasonably priced at about $3.  The minuses were that I found them a bit difficult to get smooth coverage, as they seemed to accentuate any dry spots or flecks of skin.  They also settle into lip lines, which is more noticeable at close range.  I'm also not crazy about the mineral oil based formula, but at least there is some sunflower oil and shea butter in the mix as well.

Overall, I think these are good but not great.  I will definitely use them, but I'm continuing my search for a great tinted lip balm.

Wearing Sukriya

Pink Gold Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow by The All Natural Face

Occasionally, I'll find an eyeshadow that I can use all by itself for a quick but pretty eye look.  Pink Gold by The All Natural Face is that kind of color, and I've found myself using it over and over since I received it in my January Eco Emi box.  I've sampled more than a few products from the The All Natural Face and have generally been quite pleased, but something about Pink Gold is extra special.

It's the color that does it for me.  That pale, warm, iridescent pink shot through with gold.  Used dry, it applies a sheer wash of glimmer.  Used with a fixant or wet, the color intensifies and the gold is amplified, yet the result is still delicate.  

A bit of Pink Gold, eyeliner, and mascara makes for a pretty eye look that gets me out of the door quickly.  Or, on those mornings when color combinations seem more daunting than I want to deal with, Pink Gold is the no brainer. Various sizes of this loose mineral shadow are available here. 

Used wet

Disclaimer:  I received Pink Gold in my January Eco Emi box, which I purchased.

NYX Xtreme Lip Creme in Pinky Nude

I tend to buy a lot of makeup online, which makes color selections an adventure sometimes.  NYX's Pinky Nude is a medium dusty rose that is a bit more vibrant than the "nude" in the name would indicate.  But while Pinky Nude wasn't really a good description for the color, it is still a really pretty color that I find quite wearable!

The Xtreme lip cremes are a liquid lipstick that are deeply pigmented, smooth, and creamy.  Because they are so pigmented, I find applying a few dabs with the applicator and then smoothing with my finger or a lip brush the best way to get a precise finish. 

I looked through my OCC lip tars to see if I have anything comparable, and it turns out I don't.  The closest in tone was Ophelia, but that was quite a bit lighter.  The only other pink I have is Queen, which is much more vibrant.  Blending Ophelia and Queen together produced the color at the bottom of the trio.  As you can see, Pinky Nude has a more dusty mauve tone.

Ophelia, Pinky Nude, Queen

Queen, Pinky Nude, Ophelia/Queen combined

The NYX Xtreme lip cremes are heavier in texture than the lip tars, but they do make a nice budget alternative at about $6 versus lip tar's $16. 

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Million Year Revitalizing Mud Mask by 7th Heaven

I received the Million Year Rivalizaing Mud Mask by 7th Heaven in my January Eco Emi box, and was taken with the colorful and informative packaging. This particular mask uses Rhassoul clay, which originates from within the Atlas Mountains in the northeastern region of Morocco.  Supposedly, Rhassoul clay is unmatched in it's ability to absorb impurities from the skin while imparting beneficial minerals. 

Other key ingredients are organic aloe vera leaf juice, honey, shea butter, juniper, elderflower, ginseng, and clove.  The mask is a pale blue in color and has a rather herbal/astringent scent. 

I was able to get two uses out of the packet and left the mask on for the recommended 20 minutes.  After rinsing, my skin felt clean and I do think after the first use it did draw the blackheads of my nose closer to the surface, making it easier to extract them.  I'm got oily, congested skin, so anything that can help in that area is welcome.  I did not find this mask to be particularly hydrating and my skin did not feel any softer afterwards, despite the honey and shea butter in the ingredient list. 

Overall, it performed like most clay masks I've tried in the past.  The packets are $2.99 each and there are six different varieties available, including the Clean Up Mud, Detox Mud, and White Thai Mud.  Free shipping is available for orders over $20 at 7th Heaven, which is not bad.  I like that they come in smaller packets and that a variety are available, as it makes it easy to try them all if so inclined!

Disclaimer:  I received this in my Eco Emi box, which I purchased.