Brows: Pencil? Powder? Gel? Pomade? How to choose the brow product that's right for you

A solid brow can sharpen the simplest of looks. One can have an undone face, but kept brows and look like Beyonce. (Just kidding NO ONE can look like Beyonce 😋). You get my point. With so many products to choose from and many different mediums, it can become a process trying to figure out what works best for you.

The first question you need to ask yourself is, how much time do I have? I personally like to use a brow wax for all my brow looks. In this process I use the wax first. It creates a secure hold, and helps deepen and define the brow. If you're someone who's pressed for time and want simplicity, go for the wand brow gel. It's a quick swoop that offers subtle color, all while setting brows in shape. This process usually takes less than 2 mins. 

All art works best in layers (yes makeup is art 😉) If you have 5 minutes, you can opt for a brow pencil and brow gel. First create tiny hair brush strokes to create a natural finish, then diffuse and set with a brow gel. In this step you can use wax before pencil, for a stronger brow, or after pencil but before gel for a more subtle look. 

Now if you're a little more daring, or want something more pronounced and defined and typically longer lasting, opt for a brow pomade and/or gel combination. This is my preferred go to look. Start off with waxed and in place brows. (Works best with this process). Shape, define, and fill in with pomade. Spooly the brows a bit, (any productless wand will do), and topoff with gel to finish. Gel at the end isn't necessary. It's all based on preference. 

What's your preference? Do you consider yourself a brow aficionado? Comment some of your techniques! 

You can buy these products above on Amazon!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara

Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil

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Erborian Black Cleansing Oil

Ok so, remember when you were a kid and you thought "I'm a big kid now, I can shower and wash myself! " then you get the soap and scrub your face until it forms that soapy emollient white foam on your face, and your eyes start stinging, then you end up screaming for your mom to pour water over your face and eyes?........ that's how I felt with this product..... maybe that's why it was on sale.  *kanye shrug*

First off, it gives no impression of an oil. When applied to the face, it's smooth, but feels "wet". When rubbed into the skin it forms a creamy emollient "foam" like texture, and once it enters your eyes, it's game over.

There's really not much else to say about this. Just don't buy it. This is the ex boyfriend of cleansing "oil".

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Caudalie Grape Water

So check this out. Have you ever heard of holy water? Yeah. Me too. See, it's in this bottle by Caudalie. What makes it holy you ask? I haven't a damn clue, other than the fact that it's grape water made of, idk grapes? This concoction has created such a smooth canvas of my skin since I've started using it. The full bottle retails for about $18 at Sephora. There's also a smaller bottle for $12. I call the small bottle a scam if you ask me. Just get the big bottle. I use this after cleansing my face, and before moisturizer. I use this in the morning, as I have a different night time regimen. There's no smell, and you may think you've wasted your money...until a week after using it all your pimples magically disappear, and you don't know why, but you're happy they're gone, and you've realized that it may be this, this....holy water aka Caudalie grape water mist. Buy it.

You can buy this product above on Amazon!

Caudalie Grape Water 6.7 oz.

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Neutrogena Hydrogel Masks #sponsored

Hello to all! So today I'm going to talk about the little spooky masks you've been seeing a lot of beauty bloggers walk around with lately. Some are DIY's and some are bought. Now what makes these masks different is the way they penetrate the skin. I'm no scientist, but I think the barrier it creates helps it absorb more efficiently into the skin???? Idk, blame the ever trending (absolutely necessary) k beauty department. I've tried several of these masks in my lifetime and some were amazing, while some were, meh. Couldn't tell the difference.

I received some samples from Neutrogena by way of BrandBacker. I was sent a radiance boost hydromask (which claims to brighten), a deep clean purifying hydromask (which claims to purify), and a deep clean purifying wash off clay mask ( which claims to....you guessed it! Deep clean).I'm going to get straight to the point with this, both hydromasks made my skin feel hydrated, and refreshed. A cool feeling is imparted while wearing these masks, however I couldn't notice any visible signs of brightening or purification with the masks as they claim. It may be that it's not noticeable with just one use, but as far as my experience with the hydrogel masks themselves, I didn't notice those results in particular.The clay mask is very soothing, and I noticed my pores looked smaller. I had less oil production, and it felt like a fluffy cushion being applied to my face when I put it on.

Keep in mind this is drugstore. So if you want something more potent, with quicker results in a shorter period of time, you may want to up the ante on your budget. These work perfect for a little in between pick me up, no scent, and very gentle on the skin.

You can purchase the hydrogel masks here:
https://goo.gl/f4rFUb
https://goo.gl/8Y2CE8
https://goo.gl/2MERCG
https://goo.gl/2GpPW8
https://goo.gl/4217M6

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I Dew Care Disco Kitten Illuminating Diamond Peel off Mask w/Silicone Pack Brush

Hello! Do people still read blogs anymore? Or is everyone out here commenting on YouTube videos? Idk. I don't wanna be the one who's like I'm old school but, I miss blogs! Vlogs are cool too, and nothing is the same forever, but this whole vlog and YouTube world has me a little less inspired and less motivated. I think I'm still going to blog forever no matter how big my blogging gaps are, ha! Enough ranting! Let's talk about *drum roll* this thing! This.... this mask! 

Ok so I'm walking through Ulta. Then bam! My eyeballs fall upon this thing. It's a peel off Mask inspired by Korean beauty. I was put off initially because the mask itself is in a tub. Like,whhhaaaa? I have to dig my fingers in there? Get all kinds of dust particles, and Dorito chip left under my finger nail in there? I look to the right of the mask to find this spatula looking device. 💡💡💡💡. Then I was like I don't need my fingers after all! So cool, I buy it and now im here. Blogging. 

First off, I must say the spatula is genius! No messiness. No long cleanup. Running my hands forever under the water to remove slimy mask residue from my hands. Secondly, it spreads the mask super evenly on your face so there's less waste, and a more even layer on your skin for consistent drying time.  

As for the mask itself. It really didn't WOW me. Its not horrible. It doesn't cause excruciating pain to remove. Its just no different than any regular drug store peel off mask. Its great for its exfoliating factor. It feels nice, it's relaxing, and my skin appeared a teeny bit brighter. Other than that. I didn't see fireworks. The mask itself retails for $22, and the spatula is $8. GET THE SPATULA! I know it's called something else... but let's be real. Its a spatula. 

You can buy these products above on Amazon!

I Dew Care Silicone Brush

I Dew Care Illuminating Diamond Peel Off Mask

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Boscia Tsubaki Splash Mask Treatment

Hello again! Went on hiatus again, blah blah. I'm back!

So listen! I really thought this product was really innovative as I've never tried a hydrating treatment such as this one before.

It's splash mask that can be used one of 2 ways: take a bowl of water, and pump 3 pumps of treatment into the bowl. Splash face for 15-20 seconds and don't rinse your face off afterwards. Pat face dry.

Or

Pump 1-2 pumps directly onto a thoroughly wet face after a shower. Don't rinse or pat dry.

I thought this sounded gimmicky. But it was on sale from it's original $38 to $28. Would've never tried it if it wasn't on sale. When I put it to the test,  it is very hydrating. I do this at night and always wake up with smooth, supple skin.  For 28 bucks,  its worth a try!

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Sephora Haulage!

Dammmmmnnn Daniel! Back at it again with another haul. *evil grin* I definitely indulged this cyber Monday. Im no longer a black Friday shopper. That's sooo 2013. I partook in Sephora's "sales". Actually it's more so their deluxe samples. *tehe* I'm a sucker for samples. It gets your foot in the door to try new products with no commitment. Samples are life. Yeahhhh...
Enough ramble and onto the products!

BB Bling.ring kit

I had been eyeing this beauty blender for a while. Of course not for the blender, but for the bedazzled contraption that nestles beneath. My hold off from the beginning was that I felt like I could make any bracelet into the same thing. Well, that never happened, so I bought it. Sadly, I'm thinking about returning it. It's extra cheap .25 cents vending machine ring material. It might turn my BB green. That's how cheap it is.  I have tons of BB's already, so im really debating keeping it only for the bedazzle. I could potentially keep it for the BB itself, since those are the life to my face. It's whatever. Im lazy, so I might keep it.

Stella McCartney POP Eau de Parfum

A deluxe sample!?! Yassssss! I never really care what the samples smell like upon selection, because.....it's freaking free,like who cares? Of course I'd love to love it, but there's this small tiny part of me that sometimes wishes I don't like something so I don't have to spend my money on it. Am I the only one who does that? Show of hands?   The smell is youthful, but not teeny bopper. It's subtle, but noticeable. It's a nice flighty and fleeing scent that follows but doesn't linger. It's a perfect spring and fall scent. Needless to say, I'll definitely be buying a full size once this is over.

Chloe Eau de Parfum

Not one of my favorite scents. Its slightly powdery, and I'm not a fan of powdery scents. It smells nice, and I'll wear it if it's free. Buy it? No.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby

I have a crush on MOST of the Derek Lam scents. My most favorite scent is Blackout, with Afloat coming in at a close second. The scents are all different and they're all daring. I can't say that none of them are my style, or that I wouldn't wear all of the scents if I could. But the way my pockets are set up.....

Smashbox Studio Lighting Secrets

This is a 500 point Sephora reward. I'll be keeping most of the items in the kit with the exception of the contour. It's way too light to contour. Might keep it to blend eye shadow though. At this point, it's too early to tell, and I'm a woman, so I really don't know what I want to do at the moment. Annnnnd that's perfectly OK.

Josie Maran Nourishing Argan Oil Skincare Collection

I love argan oil and I love Josie Maran products! This kit comes with a 1.7oz bottle of argan oil which usually retails for the price of the kit itself! The kit is $49 and comes with deluxe sample sized cleansing oil, face butter, and argan milk, I've been using her oil for a while and it really does wonders for my skin. It keeps my skin supple, helps removes old blemishes, and keeps my skin youthful. I can say the same for the milk. I apply my skincare products from the lightest to the heaviest creams. I use both the milk and the oil during the winter months, while in the summer, I can do well with just the milk.

Buxom Whipped Lip Cream in Centerfold. A great nude for WOC

Get the Derek Lam 10 Crosby Set from Amazon by clicking the link below

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Set

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Valentia Night Revive Retinol Serum Review

YYYYellow folks! Valentia sent me a product for review again! Yay! Any time they send me something, I get so excited because they have REALLLY good products. This time around I wasn’t sooo, impressed. Yeah that’s right. I wasn’t. So I received the Valentia Night Revive Retinol Serum. Usually with Valentia products I see results within a week or two. I seriously tried to wait this one out to see if I could notice a difference in my skin, and I don’t know, maybe I need an updated prescription, but I didn’t notice anything different while using this product. Maybe it was just me, who knows. But onto the product itself. It’s a 35ml bottle that comes with a dropper. The consistency is very runny. I usually just drop 2-3 drops on my forehead then I dab my fingers in the drops to distribute the product throughout the rest of my face. The product is unscented, so if you’re sensitive to scents this product will work for you. All in all, do I love the brand? Yes. Do I love their products? Of course! Do I love this product? No. That’s all folks! Till next time! Merry Christmas! XoXoXo

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Derma E Brand New Packaging!

Hello folks! Sponsored post here, and now that the election is over, you’ll hopefully pay attention to me and my ohhhhh so boring blog posts! * insert cheesy smile here*. Barbara from Derma*E sent some skin care products my way for review of their brand new packaging. Keep in mind that nothing about their formulas have changed. Even though I’ve never actually used Derma*E products, I am familiar with the brand. The Derma*E philosophy is based on Eco-Ethical beauty. The line is cruelty free, GMO free, Gluten free, and Soy Free. So if you’re one of those people that’s allergic to everything, you have every excuse to buy this stuff. Compared to previous packaging, the new packaging offers a simpler sleeker design, with various subtle pops of color based on skin care need. Their hydrating formulas (the ones they’ve sent to me) are color coded blue. The packaging shows their stamp of commitment to eco-ethical quality, their missions, as well as their values. The new packaging insert contains their beliefs and missions as well. Overall, the packaging looks more chic and professional. The previous packaging looked a little tacky, but they’re on the right track with their new look. You can purchase Derma*E products at Ulta, Target, Sprouts/Wholefoods, CVS, Walgreens and many other local natural stores. You can also shop online at http://dermae.com/. FYI. The formula is awesomeness. Thick and hydrating. Oh yeah.

Old packaging

New packaging

Left: Old packaging Right: New packaging

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Valentia Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer

Hello and welcome! So,you know how sometimes you think you've found the greatest thing ever for whatever it is that you need that thing for, and then you find a new thing that you wouldn't think could be any better than the thing you already have, but it is? (Don't get lost yet, I'm not done). So yeah, this moisturizer right here is THAT thing.
Valentia sent me this moisturizer for review, and no I'm not just saying this because they sent it to me, but this is like a face mask in moisturizer form.
Within about two weeks of use, not only did I notice my skin become brighter, but it became smoother, and tighter and also I noticed a DRAMATIC difference in my pore size. I'm not sure if my skin became smoother because my pores shrank, but that doesn't matter. My face looked like a whipped souffle made of golden speckles and shimmer. Not glitter, but shimmer. My face had this glow to it that wasn't imaginary. It was really me guys, I SWEAR.
The packaging is pretty simple, and efficient. It comes with a squirt pump that releases, albeit, a tiny amount of moisturizer. That tiny bit is really all you need. Of course if you need more, please indulge. I can see this bottle lasting me a really long time and therefore keeping me a happy camper.
I like to take my time with skin care reviews because, welp, it takes time to see results, or if you're unlucky, reactions. The product doesn't irritate, it has no smell, comes in sleek and simple packaging, and most importantly, it delivers.
You can find more information about the ingredients and make purchases via these links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H582SGI
http://valentia.com
https://www.instagram.com/valentianatural/
www.facebook.com/valentiabeauty

Get the Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer from Amazon by clicking below

Valentia Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer

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