Along with a crappy letter the credit card company sent me alerting me my card was e-stolen, I received some pretty packages in May and June.
The SO sent a package after I learnt we could use my Sephora gift cards on the Sephora US sit. I kindly made an order for a face wash for the SO in March but added a little something, something for myself. There's also a little something, something from Ulta and BurnOut too!
From Sephora: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska
From Ulta: Real Techniques Expert, Setting, and Shading Brush
From BurnOut: Eco-Senstive Clean and Clear Sunscreen SPF 32
More Real Techniques brushes... In my defense, the RT brushes were buy-one-get-one 50% off. Who could resist the new Expert Face Brush and Setting Brush? Not me of course. The sunscreen speaks for it self. It's summer time & we all need to be smothering on the SPF. BurnOut made it onto EWG's Top Sunscreen list and Jenny of My Funny Valentine wrote a very convincing review on it.
Lastly, we have some some freebies/samples to cancel out some of the spending!
Target Beauty Bag
Sephora + Ulta samples
I always sign up for the Target Beauty Bag and have it sent to the SO's address. Honestly, I am more interested in the bags than the samples inside. This is the third bag I have successfully signed up for and received and it's by far the best -perfect for summer!
From Sephora: NARS Pure Radiant TM in St. Moritz and Hourglass No 28 Primer Serum. Wonderful samples. Wonderful products! They're both going to make killer dents in my wallet when the time comes to (re)purchasing them.
From Ulta: DDF Protective Eye Cream SPF15+.
This sample is really disappointing. The expiration date on the tube says 11/11. As in November 2011? Expired samples are unacceptable in my books and I'll be throwing this out just as a precaution. My under eye area has been extra sensitive lately and I am not willing to take any chances.
And that's a wrap! It feels so nice to get packages again. Have you received anything lately?
Peeling gels aren't very popular outside of Asia. It's a treat to find a Western brand that makes one but they're usually overpriced unlike the Asian counterparts. Also, the brands aren't always reliable. Most of the ones I've found are sold at mall kiosks.. 'Nuff said. If peeling gels ever do make it big in the Western hemisphere, I'll try to act surprised. Anyway, I've tried a few peeling gels before but the ever so popular CURE remains my favorite. Skinfood's Pinepple Peeling Gel is also nice but the worst would have to be the Rosette Hello Kitty Apple Gommage, which I am reviewing today.
To start - I blame Rosette's Hello Kitty Apple Gommage for ruining my skin and more importantly, the area under my eyes. The first time I tried the peeling gel, my face turned red and itched like mad. Weeks later, I tried it again but this time I accidentally applied it too close to my under eye area and since then, I have been less than happy. It has been nearly two months and my under eye has not recovered. There's constant redness, dryness, flaking, and wrinkles (at 21!!) involved. This does not bode well for my makeup application. And if you thought I couldn't get any stupider or things couldn't get any worse, I tried the peeling gel for a third time! The third time involved very inflamed, itchy cheeks that didn't recover for days. No amount of concealer could hide the atrocious reaction my skin had to this peeling gel.
Case and point: Do not use this on your face.
Another thing I hate is the scent. This peeling smells like a Granny Smith apple on the brink of rotting. It'll start out fresh and delicious but quickly degrade into a rotting apple mess. Though, this is only my interpretation of the scent. I haven't seen any other review that highlights the nastiness.
Bottom Line:
Skip the Rosette Hello Kitty Apple Gommage! It may come cheap (~$9USD) but there are other brands in the same price range. This is not worth overseas shipping rates & wait time nor is it worth the facial risks.
Side note: I do blame myself for applying the peeling gel too close to my eyes but my skin is hardly sensitive. This stuff is hazardous, look elsewhere, I beg of you!
Finding a good daytime facial moisturizer is tough. For awhile now, I have been looking for one that provides a minimum of SPF 30 sun protection, hydrates but doesn't grease me up by noon, and comes in fuss-free packaging. I would also prefer it if the moisturizer played along nicely with my foundation. Then waltz in a wonderful pair - 100% Pure's Argan Oil Hydration Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30 and Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration with SPF 20. But what it all boils down to is which one I'll be repurchasing when the time comes!
100% Pure Argan Oil Hydration & Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration Facial Moisturizer
Honestly, I thought the decision would be easy to make but just because Argan Oil Hydration has SPF 30, it doesn't bump itself to the top of the list. For starters, it HATES other products such as primer (all and any) and foundation. It enjoys pilling and driving me insane when I use it under or atop of such products. Also, it does get a wee bit greasy throughout the day, more so than the Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration.
While 100% Pure's Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration doesn't turn greasy quick or a lot, it also doesn't hydrate enough. I often add an extra layer of it to compensate for the lack of hydration. What bothers me most though, is the sun protection which is only SPF 20. I need a minimum of SPF 30! On the bright side, Organic Pomegranate does not pill under or above makeup.
Verdict:
Both moisturizers are practically at a tie. They both share the same fuss-free, glass bottle packaging with a perfect and even dispensing pump. I recommend and will repurchase both! For the days that I don't wear makeup, I will use Argan Oil Hydration and Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration for the days I do. My BB cream has SPF 42 so I am more than protected, in the end. Dry, dehydrated skin may enjoy Argan Oil Hydration most but the Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hydration is suitable for all skin types. And although both contain SPF, neither leave a white cast!
If you're interested in both daily moisturizers, it's a greater value to buy the SPF Skincare Duo on 100% Pure's website and/or select e-tailers. Alone, each moisturizer cost CAD $34/USD $26; fair price in my opinion.
Ingredients
100% Pure Argan Oil Hydration:
Active Ingredients: 24.8 % Zinc Oxide
Inactive Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice1, Rgania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Rosa Canina Seed (Rosehip Oil) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Extracts of: Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax), Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf2, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Origanum Vulgar (Oregano), Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit Seed) Seed, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Lonicera Caprifolium (Japanese Honeysuckle) and Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark (Cinnamon)
100% Pure Organic Pomegranate Antioxidant Hyrdation:Active Ingredients: 15% Titanium Dioxide 10% Zinc Oxide
Inactive Ingredients: Organic Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract (Aloe Juice)1, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Beeswax, Extracts of Organic Camelia Sinensis Leaf (White Tea) 2, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf (Rosemary), Origanum Vulgar Leaf (Oregano),Thymus Vulgaris Flower/Leaf (Thyme), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed, Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal) and Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark (Cinnamon)
Oh The Ban... Can you believe it's over? I can't. Since April 30th, I have been relieved of my own torture and soon after, I threw myself back in the ring. But how did I do the first time around? Well, I failed but not miserably (or so I think).
The Culprits:
Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 in: Pear Essence You Rock! Lipstain(s) in: Let Me In Rose, Your Pink Is On Fire
On a technicality, I didn't forbid myself from purchasing lip stains. The only exceptions I spoke of were tinted lip balms. However, because I culled my stash of lip stains in March and brought my stash to a count of zero, I should be making an exception.
And on another technicality, the Kiehl's lip balms was practically free! When I made a purchase at Kiehl's Metrotown a couple of months back, I was given $15 off my purchase which basically covered the cost of the lip balm... I would like to count that as a pass but again, I'll let the readers decide!
Anyhow, The Ban isn't actually over; it has simply been revised. So starting today (June 6th, 2012), I will not purchase another lip balm, lip gloss, body lotions, washes, and hand creams until September 1st, 2012. Looking back at what is essentially The Ban: Part I, I now see how lenient I was with myself. Too lenient. Even though I found it difficult to resist buying more lip balms, I stopped myself with the knowledge that I was wasting money. Could I possible use up all 10 lip balms with SPF before they expire in 2013? No - which means I would end up tossing away quite a few. Hence, a waste of money! Anyway, in order to achieve a better outcome, I must be more strict with my purchases but now to the point I fall into deep depression. The trouble is balance but we'll get to that later.
Tell me, how are/have your bans gone? Say good, say good!
We're half way into the year now and I have barely blogged. I think we can all agree that it's high time I get back to it! But first some basic Q&A to explain where and what I've been up to:
1. Where have I been?
Answer: Everywhere but my happy place. Along with school and the odd jobs here and there, I have spent almost every waking hour tending to family affairs. There is a lot of sad stuff involved and because I don't want to sadden anyone, I won't get into it! Don't worry though, the storm has passed and all that is left is the clean up.
2. What reviews are to come?
I made a list of the top priority posts which involve skincare (go figure), blush (Illamasqua!!), and Lush. Hey! That rhymed :)
3. When is that aforementioned giveaway going to happen?
Soooon; hopefully by July. Aim for Canada day or is that too corny?
Lastly...
4. What about The Ban?
Will be writing up my final words about it next. It deserves a post of its own!
Any other questions? Ask away in the comments!
Onto what I've been "Loving Lately"....
theBalm makes great makeup and they've recently wondered into the realms of skincare. I bought one of their skincare sets at Marshall's a few months back and only started testing it recently. The Brazil Nut Eye Perfection Gel is my new favorite eye moisturizer. I may or may not review this but if you have an insanely dry under-eye area like me, you'll LOVE this stuff.
The Apple AHA Daily Face Moisturizer is nice too - keeps my face smooth and hydrated during the day. I am not fond of the scent though.
Recently started using my Rock & Republic blushes again... Man are these blushes ever pigmented! R&R should forget making jeans and focus on making blushes. They're so good, it's a shame the cosmetics line was discontinued.
The SO & I share a matching scent; Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. (But of course, he wears Light Blue Pour Homme.) We both really like it but me more than him.
Back when Sephora had their 15% off (in March?), I had purchased the 50ml size but promptly returned it when I came across a better valued gift set at The Bay. The gift set which included a 100ml bottle + bonus 25ml cost $108 but is valued at $167. However, I only paid a little less than $150 because I had a 20% off discount that day.
When it comes to select beauty & perfume brands, I like to purchase them at The Bay now due to the amount of discounts they send to my mom & I. Thus, Sephora is slowly losing it's place in my heart... Oh well, as long as I can get my makeup somewhere, right?
Anyway, I apologize for being absent but I am back! There are loads of edited posts so I have no excuses to be away any longer!
Disclosure
Make-Up Kismet is a personal blog written and edited by myself. This blog was created to share my experiences with whom ever reads it.
All reviews posted are written by me and are my honest opinions. All products reviewed are purchased by me for personal and/or review purposes unless stated otherwise. Each person is different, as are our experiences. With that said, I cannot be held responsible for any unsatisfying reaction to a product I review or recommend.
Photos on this blog are either from Google, other Bloggers or, my own. I try to depict all products as accurately as possible. I may edit photos for this purpose.
