FOTD: Bobbi Brown Concealer for Tired Looking Eyes

My favorite concealer for under my eyes and pretty much all over my face is Bobbi Brown's Cream concealer in Warm Natural (available in other shades). This concealer comes is a duo that includes a sheer finish powder (housed at the top) in Pale Yellow color and the concealer is in a separate compartment beneath. The concealer is creamy but not to the point of being runny.

 I purchased this concealer at a Cosmetic Company outlet store so this is the discontinued packaging version. The new version is in a flat compact. The concealer itself can also be purchased separately without the powder. I can't remember how much I paid for this concealer, though it wasn't that long ago but the one I have, in particular is retailing for about $19 on ebay.

Here is my before picture without any makeup...yipes!

Here's a picture of me after applying the concealer under and around my eye areas. It definitely brightens up my under eye areas.

Here are the products that I used for today's Face Of The Day (in random order).

1) Bobbi Brown Cream Concealer in Warm Natural

2) Maybelline Waterproof mascara

3) Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

4) EOS lip balm

5) Smashbox Halo powder in Light

6) 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream

7) Urban Decay All Nighter XL Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

8) Urban Decay Primer Potion

9) POP Blush cake in Warm Sienna

10) COFFRET D'OR 02 Makeup Palette

I only used the pink part of this blush and I did that by swiping the blush brush on the right half of the pan and then tapping off the excess.

COFFRET D'OR 02 Makeup Palette. I used the pink color for my inner eye lid and the purple for my outer eye lids. I used the white powder eye shadow for my highlight (brow bone and inner eye corner). 

I am wearing Lancome Color Design lipstick in Love It!

Well that's it for today's FOTD time to head out and enjoy the weekend. Happy Friday!

Apothica Haul: Smell Good + Coffee Eye Cream

Hey there! So I just got back from my job interview and wanted to let you guys in on the news, I passed my NCLEX! Yayyyyy...I'm so happy and proud of myself. It's been a long road to to get to this point, but I still plan to get my other degrees.

Now on to the haul! I purchased a couple of things from Apothica.com a couple of days ago and it came in the mail today, so kudos to Apothica for their super fast and easy ordering and shipping process.

I got this perfume called L'Imperatrice 3 by Dolce & Gabana. The price is $64 for 3.3 Fl Oz. It's a bit pricey but the scent absolutely amazing! I'm usually not into fruity scents but I definitely make an exception for this perfume. It has notes of watermelon, kiwi, pink cyclamen, musk but I think the watermelon scent is what stands out the most for me. It smells really fresh and classy.

Aside from the addictive scent, I adore the sleek packaging. It has a cap and a spray nozzle. The bottle itself is clear glass and it's thick on the front and back and thin on the sides.

The other product that I purchased is this 100% Pure Organic Coffee Bean Eye Cream. This is $18.80 for 1 Fl. Oz. The product claims....

Anti-inflammatory, caffeine rich green tea and coffee de-puffs and reduces swelling while increasing circulation to alleviate and brighten dark circles. Concentrated with potent anti-aging vitamins, antioxidants, and nourishing rosehip oil.

The packaging is actually different from the one pictured on the website but I think this packaging is way better than the tube that it originally comes in.

I don't know much about this product but it has a lot of good reviews and I've been in search for a good eye cream. Besides, if there's a product out there that has caffeine but doesn't require me to actually drink the caffeine in order to look more awake, you can count me in! It also smells like coffee!

I will be doing a separate blog post to review this product.

Apothica really came through with their sample swag bag, I mean look at the ton of beauty products in this beautiful baby blue bag. The bag itself is super sturdy and stylish. I would definitely use this for when I start working at the hospital because I like that it's heavy plastic that I can wipe clean.

To get this sample bag, go to Apothica and a pop up window will prompt you to provide your e-mail address so they can send you product info pertaining to your skincare needs. Then you will receive an e-mail for the Code which you will enter at checkout. The bag comes with 10 free products and a gift card worth $20!

Here's everything that's included. Check out the $20 Gift Card!

Cargo Eyeshadow quad in Vienna

Deluxe Beauty Crush Lip Gloss in Sweet Plum

A few other products that I'm excited to try! DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, Oscar Blandi (Jasmine scented) shampoo (2 fl. oz) and conditioner (2 fl. oz), and Nuxe Paris Hand and Nail Cream.

Well that's it for now. Next post should be an update on my skincare!

Now I leave you with this cute song!

Product Review: CoverFx Clear Prep Matte Foundation Primer

The Product: CoverFx Clear Prep Matte Foundation Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel

Size: 1 Fl. Oz.



Packaging: Tube with twist off cap

The Price: $39 at Sephora

According to Sephora.com....

"Cover FX ClearPrep FX is an "anti-shine" primer that reduces lines and pores and is long-lasting and easy to blend. The dermatologist-tested, lightweight gel helps prevent and heal acne blemishes. The Dermaveil-Matte Technology has an Instant Mattifying Effect, while the smoothing veil blurs lines and pores while allowing skin to breathe. It is free of parabens, oils, and fragrances and is perfect for all skin types, especially those with oily tendency and are prone to breakouts."

PROS: The packaging makes it easy to control the amount of product you want to use because it comes in a soft tube. Unscented. Gluten-free. Can be used as a skincare treatment or prior to foundation application.

CONS: It's pricey for a small tube of primer. It separates if not used consistently. I reached for it today after about a week or so of not using it and oily liquid came out. It feels oily on skin at first but dries matte and doesn't feel oily anymore. I recommend using only a small amount of this prior on cleaned face. Work the primer into the skin until it dries to a matte finish before applying foundation over it.

I think the actual deal breakers for me about this primer is that it made me turn into an oompa loompa after applying my foundation over it and that it actually breaks me out! I'm not saying that you will have the same reaction or maybe I'm just not applying this foundation right, who knows, but either way I think I will pass on this primer.

I hope this review helps and please let me know if you have any questions, I'm here! Have a fun-filled weekend!

My New Specs from Firmoo!

Hey there! Today I will be doing a review on my Firmoo glasses that came in the mail today. Just in time too so I can wear it when I take my NCLEX. Now on to the review....

Firmoo is an online optical store that specializes in manufacturing inexpensive prescription and non-prescription eye wear that are both high-quality and fashionable.

Right now they have multiple promotions and sales going on, such as FREE shipping, 20% Off, or how about First-time buyers get a FREE pair of Firmoo eyewear (just pay shipping).

I love the fact that there's even bubble wrap inside the glasses case, you can tell that Firmoo really wants the glasses to arrive intact. The hard case has a really cool design as well, compared to those lackluster, plain colored cases that you get at the other eye wear stores.

Ooooh la la! I love it!

The color of my glasses is black with purple detailing

The frames are sturdy and a bit flexible.

It's all about the details for me! This is going to be my favorite pair, I can tell!

The glasses came with lots of extras! 

1 Lense cleaning cloth

1 hard case

1 soft case

The hard case fits inside the soft case

Also, I was pleasantly surprised to find 2 FREE extra screws and key chain style flat screw driver inside! I don't know any other eye wear company that does this.

I really like how it fits and it's not too tight or too loose behind my ears. The glasses are very well made and doesn't weigh heavily on my face. I like the fact that even though I barely have any nose bridge, the glasses do not fall down my face. 

Also, I can tell that my prescription is correct because my view, while wearing these glasses are sooo clear. Aside from having astigmatism and being farsighted, I also have a different prescription for each eye, however Firmoo was able to accommodate me regardless. With that said, I am very happy with my new glasses.

 I LOVE my new Firmoo glasses! 

Jules

A Quick Dose of Skincare Advice

Hello there! I just wanted to do a blog post regarding my skin and what I've done (or stopped doing) to make it better.

To start off, I just want to say that what worked or works for me may not necessarily work for you and in no way am I trying to discourage you from trying out my advice regarding skincare. To each her own.

Now here are a few things that I've learned after years of suffering from acne...(we're talking from pre-teens to adulthood).

1 - TO POP OR NOT TO POP
Don't pick and prod on your pimples. If you must pop, pop it right! Pop your pimple after you take a shower, that way your pores are more open and it will only take very little effort.

Do not use your fingers or nails, opt for two toothpicks cotton swabs. The pimple is ready to be popped when the pus has become visible.  You want to ever so lightly apply pressure using the cotton swabs, but don't force it to pop. If you literally have to squeeze it for more than a few seconds then it's not ready. Just apply your on the spot acne treatment (I recommend Mario Badescu Drying lotion or Zapzyt) and play the waiting game.

2 - DO NOT use an alcohol base toner! Anything that burns your skin is NOT a good thing. Get rid off that belief that if it burns, it's because it's working or it's because it's killing the bacteria. WRONG! What you are doing is, drying all the areas of your skin...even the good areas which is again, no bueno! (Your probably thinking..."No wonder why my skin is so red after I tone my face!").

3 - Be gentle please
I think a lot of us forget that washing our face is not the same as washing the dishes. I think that the moment I finally stopped treating my face like a dirty plate with old crusted food, was when it actually started to heal.

By scrubbing your face, you're only aggravating your pores. If you're going to wash your face (especially those sensitive eye areas), do it gently so that you don't 1) over exfoliate 2) disturb those good cells beneath the skin that work to fight off bacteria and inflammation.

4 - Less is more
I don't put a ton of products on my face...anymore. I learned that the more products (serums, lotions, etc.) you apply to your face, the more likely that your pores suffocate and can't breathe. I'm no expert but if you think about it, your body has a way of responding to outside bacteria or anything that doesn't belong.

Did you ever consider that maybe the reason why your face is producing more sebum (natural oils) is so that it can remove stuff off your face? and why? so your skin can breathe! Also, don't forget to apply some moisturizer after you cleanse your face because if you leave your face dry, your body will try to adjust to it and produce more sebum which then causes breakouts to happen even more.

5 - Good ol' H2O!
If there's anything out there that I can recommend, it is to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Why? Well consider this...you hydrate your face on the outside by cleansing it, so why not hydrate within as well? You're body is made up of about 50% water and you loose water in so many ways...even by breathing!


If you have any questions...please leave a comment below or e-mail me. I am here to help. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Jules