40 Beauty Questions

Skincare:

How many times do you wash your face daily? Once during my shower. 

What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo) Oily

What is your current facial wash? Garnier Gel Brusher cleanser

Do you exfoliate? No. 

What brand do you use? --

What moisturiser do you use? Benefit's Total Moisture 

Do you have freckles? Yes I sure do. 

Do you use eye cream? Benefit's It's Potent eye cream. 

Do you or did you have acne prone skin? I do, mostly when my brushes need to be cleaned or I don't wash my face good enough after I workout. 

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ? No

Makeup:

What foundation do you use? I don't use foundation. :( 

How about concealer? Rimmel's Match Perfection, and Neutrogena Healthy Skin

Do you know your undertone colour? No

What do you think of fake eyelashes? Requires too much time in the morning. 

Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months? I sure did

What brand of mascara do you use? I'm not brand specific. I use every brand as long as It appeals to me. 

Sephora or MAC? Sephora has a lot of brands. Or are you talking about the brand Sephora? If you're talking about the brand Sephora, I'd go with MAC. If not, then the store Sephora. 

Do you have a MAC Pro-card? Nope

What makeup tools do you use in make up application? I don't like this question. Not specific enough. 

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes? E.l.f Eyelid Primer. All day. 

For the face? Porefessional by Benefit. 

What is your favourite eyeshadow (color or shade)? Toasted in the Original Naked Palette 

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner? Pen. Revlon Colorstay. 

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil? I haven't yet. But I'm sure I will tomorrow. 

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows? Cool Man. 

Do you use mineral makeup? Nope. 

What is your favourite lipstick? Plumful by MAC

How about lipgloss? Coralista by Benefit 

What is your favorite blush to use? Melba by MAC

Do you buy your makeup on eBay? No. I think there are way too many fakes for me to try to decipher the real ones. 

Do you like drugstore makeup? Yes

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets) No

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes? No 

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup? I wouldn't say clumsy, I'd say more lazy. 

Name a makeup crime that you hate? Way too much blush. Yo--TONE IT DOWN 

Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones? Neutral

Which celebrity always has great make up? I have no idea. 

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use? Concealer. 

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on? Yes, everyday. 

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on? Yes. 

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line? Benefit

What do you think of Makeup? Makeup is meant to enhance your beauty. It won't create it. You need to believe that you are beautiful without it to fully get it. 

Fun fact. This post has been in my drafts since the beginning of 2012. Yay me for finally getting around to filling it out! :) 

Also, I have not figured out how to reply to comments in the comments below. If you comment, I will comment back. You'll just have to check back because it won't allow me to reply directly. 

Benefit Facial Moisturizers!

Have you been looking for a good moisturizer? or night cream? or eye cream? These three products have worked for me. I've been using them consistently for the passed year. I purchased the whole line of benefit b.right line including the face wash, scrub, remover. These three are my favorites. They are the Facial emulsion, the eye cream, and the total moisture facial cream.

First Impression: Soap & Glory 'Clean On Me' body wash.

I stopped into Sephora recently and walked passed the Soap & Glory section to pick up another lotion and saw this; remembered that someone had mentioned that it was a really good moisturizing body wash and so I picked it up. It was only $5 so it wasn't that big of a gamble. This is the 3.4oz size so it's not the full size one, the full size is 16.2oz for $16. 

April Wishlist!

If you are a long time follower of this blog then you know that I used to do this once a month. I'd tell you what I was lusting over usually at Sephora. Since I have been gone for so long it's kind of just gone away, but this lusting has not; so here it is! Back with a vengeance, my wishlist!

First time use review: Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel

Hey guys! So I picked this up a few weeks ago because I had a coupon for some disposable razors and decided that I might as well pick up a new shave gel while I was at it. I used it for the first time yesterday and I thought I would tell you how I like it.

Target haul!

Hey adventurers! Gotta really quick haul for you and two announcements! One: Next week will be Concealer week! I review all of my concealers for you all. Two: This blog is not going to be only makeup, I'm expanding my horizons to household goods. I've really been wanting to review a few household items but I don't want to start a whole new blog. So I'm just going to add them into this one. On to the goodies!

Review: Formula 10.0.6 Keep Me Clean Facial Wipes

Hey adventurers! Today we have another review, this time of my favorite facial wipes! If you watch me on YouTube you'd be very familiar with these, I mentioned these a lot on my channel. I love these wipes, they take the makeup off with ease! It comes with 25 wipes and a price tag of around 5 dollars. I'm not sure where to find these because I get them from the NEX and I haven't seen the brand anywhere else as far as I remember right now. (Target MIGHT have the brand, but I'm not 100% on that)

These wipes are super moist, they are probably the wettest wipes I've used ever, I do store them upside down, but they seem to just come more moist than others I've tried. When removing my makeup, it comes off with ease, I use one of these wipes and follow up with my MAC makeup remover--the name is escaping me right now-- and then my formula 10.0.6 facial cleanser and the MAC doesn't really get anything else more off but the facial cleanser will alway get more off.

I find that mascara is no problem with these wipes, I don't use any waterproof mascara so I can't put in my say on that but my regular mascara it comes off with no problem. Eyeshadow--one swipe and its gone. I love these wipes. Love them! If you have seen them in your area I highly recommend these!

I have repurchased them over and over again. I seriously recommend them.

Beauty Army!

Why hello there Adventurers! Today's post is another one of my beauty boxes, today's is Beauty Army. This box will run you about $12 to pick 6 beauty samples to be sent to you every month. This month I picked out:

Macadamia Healing oil treatment- So excited about this because of all the hype these products have gotten in the past, and well my naturally curly hair needs some healing.
Kellett Moisturizing gel- I basically picked this because I only wanted to try 3 things in my box and who can have enough moisturizers? hah.
Apothederm stretch mark cream- I don't have too many stretch marks but I do have some on my legs and well, they ain't cute so I want to try this is try to get rid of them. The only problem is, this bottle is pretty much empty. There's not much product in this at all. I don't know if I just got a bad one or what.
LA Fresh Oil free face cleanser- As much as I like my Benefit skincare a new cleanser every now and then can be good so I decided to try this one out.
Fiafini Skincare Divine hydration moisturizer- As good as the name sounds I had to pick it out. And I like trying new moisturizers. I'm currently shopping my stash of mini moisturizers right now to get rid of the little sample sizes that I have and it's been treating me well so far.
Atzen Protective day cream- Also says it's the perfect base for makeup, well I'ma be trying that one out tomorrow.

Those are the six things that I chose to receive this month. For my three months using beauty army I am very happy with it. The choice of samples that I like is lacking for example last month I didn't really like my box because I didn't have too many samples that I liked. But when that happens just skip the month. I get too excited about receiving things in the mail and go overboard and then I'm disappointed. BUT this month I truly love my box and am excited for 5 out of the 6 things!


Do you have a beauty army? Tell me about your samples below!

xoxoAlaina

August Wishlist!

Hey Adventurers I know I'm a day early, but I got plans for August and I want to get into it already! :) So today is my monthly wish list!

1. Urban Decay

Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup

I want to try this foundation because 1. It's new 2. It's Urban Decay. and 3. It's name is 'weightless' Uhh, hello? Exciting! The description of this is:

A weightless and virtually invisible liquid foundation that a luminous, demi-matte finish.

Description alone makes me want to try it. I'm a sucker for these types of things. New products always 

get me intrigued.

2. NARS

Foreplay

I'm still lusting over NARS Orgasm blush from last month--I didn't buy it, and then I saw this along with it last month. It's a new--well, not THAT new-- product that deconstructs the infamous Orgasm blush. With one pink square, one red square 'yellow' like shade that contains the shimmer that Orgasm does and then Orgasm in the corner. I've heard that this palette is a lot smaller than one would think. but I just want it so BAD! I don't know if it's going to be worth the price tag though, BUT I have always liked NARS blushes so I just might give in and buy it. I'm just thinking, do I really need it?! It has a $49 price tag but I regret not buying the danmari palette and I'm thinking I'll regret not buying this one as well. Decisions decisions!

3. LORAC

PRO Palette

This palette caught my eye because of how beautifully simple it is. The color names aren't fancy and the colors are true colors, some shimmer colors, some matte, it seems like an extremely good palette to have a 16 colors for $42 doesn't seem that bad to me. I just have to think of how much I'd actually use it. But I would seriously love this thing. Seems like it would be the perfect thing to take traveling, it has it's neutrals, and it's pops of colors. I think I just convinced myself I need to get it.... 

4. Bare Escentuals 

Pure Transformation Night Treatment

This product intrigues me. It's a powder you put on at night before you go to bed and it's supposed to improve your skin. The price tag is $60 but I know that I can get it at the NEX for $48. I'm going to have to do my research before I actually decide if I'm going to get it or not. It comes in three colors, Clear, light, and medium. I would probably get the clear because in my mind there is less of a chance of it transferring to the pillow if it's 'clear'. This just intrigues me so much, because I've never heard of anything like it. Again, I'm just not sure it's worth the price tag. 

Those are all of my items for this month! What are some of the items you're lusting over? 

xoxoAlaina

 

Birchbox, Glamour style!

Hey adventurers! It seems that all of my monthly subscription services arrived at around the same time, I hope you don't mind all of the alike posts! This time it's Birchbox! If you don't know it's 10 dollars a month to get surprise samples to your door every month! This month they had a collaboration with Glamour Magazine.

In this month's box I received: 

Color Club's nailpolish in the color Blue-Ming(get it? blue-ming/blooming HA!) Full size $8

Gloss Moderne- High-Gloss Masque Full size $39

Harvey Prince- Eau Flirt (who woulda thunk it? Another perfume sample....) Full size- $55-$98

Manna Kadar Sheer Glo Shimmer Lotion Full size- $29

Suki Balancing Kit( the five packets that you see in the picture above) Full size- $40

The two extra's which were included in this kit is the Larabar Roasted Nut Roll and a pair of headphones.

Overview: I am not exactly sure how I feel about this box to be honest. I'm excited about the hair mask cause I have a lot of those to try, I'm just too lazy to wash my hair out 20 minutes later(to be honest again) and the nail polish is a really pretty color. But I'm just not that excited about this box.

Bottom Line: I don't feel like I got my 10 dollars this month. I mean if you look at the box, you'd see 10 dollars worth, but I feel like I could of spent my 10 dollars some other way, better.

and now pictures of how it comes wrapped!

xoxoAlaina

New Beauty Test Tube!

Hey-lo Adventurer's I received another TestTube in the mail and I was a little surprised to be honest. But It's different than the first one. I'm not sure the schedule of receiving them, so I'm a little confused about it. I know it's every couple of months, but I'm not sure the exact. Anyway, lets get into it!

The items in this months test-tube were(in no particular order):

Lumene: Time Freeze Firming Night Cream- Full size $21.99

Neutrogena: Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum- Fullsize- $19.99-$22.99 (This item was full sized!)

It'a 10: Miracle Leave in plus Keratin treatment(I got the regular and not + Keratin)- Fullsize- $20

Olay: Pro-X Clear Complexion Renewing Lotion- Fullsize Unknown because this item is only included in a kit.

Neutrogena: Brightening Eye Perfector- Fullsize- $13.99 (This item was full sized!)

Hydroxatone: Instanteffect- Fullsize- $60

Mally: High Shine Liquid Lipstick- Fullsize- $20 (This item was full sized!) 

Smashbox: Photo Finish Primer

and a few other things that weren't listed in the booklet that comes with it.

Overview: This quarter's tube was really focused on anti-aging in my opinion and I'm not looking for that, I'm a young person and so that was slightly disappointing for me. But I do like the fact that they put a concealer in this tube and they included multiple shades in there depending on the answer that you provided in your quiz that you took. I enjoy that fact that I can see that those answer's aren't just a fake mask that they put on and that they actually take that into account. From the booklet they had 4 shades to choose one. There were 3 full-sized products in this tube which I think is absolutely amazing, if you add only those 3 together you get around 45 dollars and I only pay 39.95 for the tube so those 3 items pay for the tube. I'm also really interested in trying the it's a 10 because I've heard amazing things about it, but never wanted to pay the price for it. 

Bottom line: I'm not as over thrilled about this tube as I was the first one, but I am still really happy with this purchase and I honestly think I got my money back in this tube. This is one subscription that seems to know what they're doing and all other's should take note!

xoxoAlaina

Quick Review: Philosophy's Take a deep breath Moisturizer

Hey guys! I received this sample in my MyGlam bag and I was quite excited to try it out and see how it works. It's the Philosophy Take a deep Breath oil free energizing moisturizer.

The consistency is cream like gel and the color is white with a blue hue to it.

When I put it on my face I feel a cooling effect and that's pretty much it, I don't get the 'energizing' at all. It doesn't like wake me up or anything like that. and I would say that this is just a lack luster Moisturizer. It doesn't deep moisturize or anything and I really feel like they missed the mark on this one.

But points to MyGlam for putting it in there, it was super exciting for me to try out, and it's not a BAD moisturizer I just have other one's that I like better and I don't think that it is worth $34. So for me, I will not be purchasing the full-size of this product.

xoxo Alaina

Review: Ultra Radiance Facial Re-hydrating Mist.

Hello adventurers! Today's review another one of Benefit's skincare items. It's the facial mist that is supposed to refresh the face and refresh your makeup. This bad boy will cost you $26. Here's what Benefit Cosmetics says about it (www.benefitcosmetics.com)

"Even the brightest complexions need a quick pick-me-up now & then. Ultra radiance facial re-hydrating mist instantly enhances radiance with our exclusive tri-radiance complex to deliver immediate & long-term hydration."


I can tell you right now that I do not like this product. This is one item I would skip in the b.right skincare line. This facial mist in the packaging that comes in the box says that this can be worn over makeup-- don't do it!--- it basically soaks your face and if you dare touch your face while this stuff is still wet, you'll wipe off all your hard work. It's really sticky on the face afterward as well. If you weren't wearing makeup and you wanted to use this as a before the makeup to just refresh the face, it does cool you down, but I don't feel that the sticky feeling at the end is really worth it. 


The 'long-term hydration' really is the sticky-ness you'll feel from using this product. I have not tried other facial mists, but this one misses the mark. Sorry Benefit!!


Final remarks? I would not repurchase this again. So Pass.


xoxoAlaina

Review: It's potent! Eye Cream.

Hey guys! Continuing on with my review series I have another Benefit skincare product and today it is the eye cream! This bad boy right here costs $32 and it's marketed as a eye cream that fade's dark circle's here's an excerpt from the Benefit website (www.benefitcosmetics.com)

"Your eyes can't keep a secret...they're the first to show signs of age & stress. It's potent! eye cream fades dark circles & helps smooth fine lines for brighter, younger-looking eyes. Contains a peptide complex known to help restore elasticity & firmness, a blend of hydrating botanical extracts including apple extract, known to help boost collagen, & loquat extract, known to help protect the skin from free radical damage." 


I use this product twice a day once in the morning after I put on my moisturizer and before I put on my primer and I find that this cream really hydrates the eye's but not to a over hydrated state, as many of you may know ( if you watch my video's) I have very oily eyelids and this does not make them oily nor does it reduce the amount of oil. It hydrates without adding to the mess(hah). 


As for the reducing dark circles, I feel like it does a teeny bit but with the amount of sleep I don't get with my busy schedule that I just combat any good that it is doing. I do notice though with the continuous use as in everyday twice a day and not forgetting or just not doing it that it does fade the dark circles. 


My final remarks? I love this eye cream, I haven't tried too many others but for the price of this(again, I get Benefit cosmetics at a discount because I am a military patron) I would repurchase it. 


If you know of any other eye creams that I should try go ahead and leave them down below and I'll be sure to try them!   

Review: Benefit's Total Moisture Facial Cream

Hey guys! I picked this baby up quite a long time ago now, and let me just tell you I absolutely ADORE this cream. This is my night cream so I put this on before I go to bed and when I wake up my skin is so soft and I don't get that dry feeling or any dry patches.

This is an extremely heavy--in my opinion-- moisturizer, and it get's deep in there, in the beginning of using this it made my skin really oily and so I stopped using it for a few but then I felt like my skin was just wishing for some moisture and I started using it again, and my skin just soaks it up and It doesn't give me that oily look any more. It could be a combination of a few things of why it doesn't over moisturize my skin anymore, but I really enjoy this product.

It comes in a jar-obviously-- and you basically dip your fingers in and rub on, which isn't the most hypoallergenic thing in the world but it has a plastic stopper(?) in the container that I leave in there to keep it sealed.

This Moisturizer costs $38, I do not pay that much for it as I get mine from the Navy Exchange which is a military only shopping center with discounts on products for those related to the military, and I would purchase this again when I get done with it. I love it that much, I'd even pay full price for it.


xoxo Alaina

Review: Dr. Brandt Flexitone bb Cream

Hey guys! Today is a review of an item I received in one of my subscription services, I believe it was Test Tube; so this is just a sample size. As I have completely used up the sample, I decided it would be the perfect time to review it for you!

What the container says: Dr. Brandt flexitone bb cream : self adjusting, flawless coverage, anti-aging, brightening with SPF 30 for all skin types.

Now; I have oily skin and I find that this does not make it any oilier. It gives off a dewey finish and it is quite nice. The consistency is a mousse like formula, not a cream but not a gel. The color is quite light and I would say that it does 'self adjust' to my skin a teeny bit-- and by that I mean, when you put it on you can tell it doesn't match and a few minutes later you can't see the white-ish cast that was on the face a few minutes before. So I do believe that it adjusts somewhat.

I haven't noticed a brightening effect, but I haven't been looking for one. I do like the way my skin looks after using the product which could be a so called brightening effect.

As for the anti-aging, I can't put my input on that because I'm not looking for that, and in fact I wouldn't even know where to start looking to see if it had any effect.

So all in all, I love this product, this gets a thumbs up from me and I will be purchasing the full-size whenever my budget allows me to do so. The full-size will cost me around $32.


xoxoAlaina

Quickie Post: What I've been loving currently!

Willa Naturals Facial Cleansing Towelettes.

I received this in one of the birch boxes and just started trying it this month. I love these things. They are lavender scented so if you don't like lavender than I would stray away. Except that I hate lavender and I don't mind them, I guess it's just preference. They are pre-moistened towelettes and they get about 90% of my makeup off which I think is fantastic, none of my other wipes removed that much makeup. I love my Formula 10.0.6 wipes but these wipes are soft on the face and so nice. I honestly feel like they are lotion to my face! I always follow up my wipes with MAC's Charged water Cleanser anyway so it's good that I use less of the MAC and more of the wipes. 

xoxoAlaina

First time use Review!

This is a first time use review, kind of like a first reaction of sorts. The three products I"m going to mention are: Garnier "The Brusher Gel cleaning formula", Noxema Clean Blemish control foaming wash, and Noxema Clean blemish control Daily scrub.

The first product I used was the Garnier Gel brusher, and the way it works is to unscrew the top, squeeze some out, then close the top and use the brush to massage and give a deep clean. I will say that you need less than you think, I squeezed out way too much at first. The smell is amazing and my skin felt so soft after using this. The bristles aren't too rough on the face, but around the area's where there is a lot of breakouts, it started to get a little sore after a while. I used this for a total of about 5 minutes, massaging the face with the bristles. The gel is clear.

Next I used the Daily scrub, this is not like any other scrub I have used. The texture is more gritty than coarse and I like that. The smell is bad, but not too bad for me to use. If you're thing is smells, than you probably wouldn't like it. This has a cooling feeling on the skin which took me by surprise at first. It's actually a really cold feeling, ice cold. I really enjoyed this scrub as it made my skin even more soft after the brusher. The main ingredient in both the Noxema products is Salicylic acid.

Lastly The foaming wash, one pump was enough for my face which I liked cause with the aveeno foaming wash that I used before I had to do 3 and always got too much. This also has a cooling feeling but not as much as the scrub. It lathered extremely well and felt amazing on the skin.

I have a lot of hope for these products as they made my skin feel so soft and I feel like I got a complete clean that I haven't felt before. I'm not kidding my skin feels absolutely amazing and I didn't even have to use mosturizer, so I don't feel like the skin was stripped of all the moisture. I love these products and probably won't use any of the other washes or scrubs because my face has never felt better.

Bottom line? Absolutely in love after day one.

I'll continue to update about these products and I will let you guys know how it treats my breakouts.

xoxoAlaina