September 16, 2014

Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows in Universal Brunette - pics, before & after, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I'm obsessed with brow products; it seems like I'm always on the hunt for that perfect product. The Anastasia Brow Wiz in Medium Ash has been my holy grail so far but of course as a beauty blogger I really enjoy trying new products. Over the past 3 or 4 months I purchased several new brow products, one of them being the Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows -- which is what I have to share with you in this post. It comes in two shades: Universal Taupe and Universal Brunette. I have the Universal Brunette and I love the color - it's a great match for me! Not too warm toned and with a good amount of ashy base. But I have a love/hate relationship with the Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows, and I'll explain why in my review below after all the pics.

Also, I will be doing posts on each of the brow products - including Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade, Anastasia Brow Powder Duo, Sephora Waterproof Retractable Brow Pencil, and the NYX Eyebrow Gel in Brunette.

Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows
Shade: Universal Brunette


 












Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $30.00 (0.07 oz full size). Available on the Too faced website, at Sephora, at Ulta,  and everywhere else Too Faced is sold. I purchased my from HSN in a special set that included a full sized Better Than Sex Mascara; for both it was $40 with free shipping. HERE is the link to that page (in case you are interested and it's still available). They also have a set that includes their Brow Bone Highlighting Pencil basically free with the Bullet Proof Brows; HERE is the link to that page.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

This groundbreaking brow definer is a powder, gel, pencil and setting wax all-in-one cashmere clay formula. It's the only brow product you'll ever need. Bulletproof Brow includes a mirror and their dual-sided angled and spooley brush for precise application. In just 60 seconds, color locks down for 24-hour, waterproof, smudge-proof, budge-proof Bulletproof Brows!

Available in two shades: Universal Taupe and Universal Brunette.

For 24-Hour Bulletproof Brows, follow these simple steps:
  1. Dip brush in product, hold vertically at beginning of brow and swipe in a side motion toward the arch to shape the brow.
  2. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle, and fill in the brows to the arch using light, feathery strokes.
  3. Hold brush horizontally and in longer strokes, shape and extend brow tail to a fine point.
  4. Finish by brushing the spooley through the hairs again to soften and blend the product.



My Review...

This is a pricey brow product with a lot of claims, so I had very high expectations going into my testing phase of this product. First, let's talk about the packaging. It's a round compact that has an inner lid to help it from drying out. The inner lid is a nice touch but I don't feel like it really closes over the product as tightly as it could - but with that being said, without that inner lid I'm sure this product would dry out quickly (as that's just how gel/cream waterproof products tend to act). There is also a mirror in the compact, which isn't necessary (since I'm usually doing my brows in a magnifying mirror) but I really do appreciate whenever a mirror is included.

Too Faced also gives you a duo-ended brush; one side has an angled synthetic brush while the other side has a spooley. I like that they included a spooley because that's a must-have for me when I'm doing my brows. However, I think the brush end is kind of terrible. Sure, you could use it but I personally prefer a thinner angled brush to apply this product. I get better results with other brushes than the one included - but depending on your brow size you may find the brush really great for your preferences. For my thinner, sparse brows, this brush just wasn't my cup of tea.

The shade, Universal Brunette, is a great match for me. It's not too warm so that's a huge plus for me. I need and want an ashy shade.

The application is where it gets a bit tricky. It goes on creamy and smooth, but if you attempt to go back over areas you will likely remove the product you just put down. I find this especially true when I'm filling in a sparse area. The only way to go back over it is to allow the product to fully dry and then add more where you need it - but that can take up a lot of time, and that's time I don't always have.

If you use too much this will cling to your brow hairs in an unflattering way. It's also easy to get little tiny balls of product in your brow hairs or even clumped up on your skin. A lot of that depends on the brush and how much product you're applying. A little goes a long way with this one, and allowing it to dry down in between building it up will give you the best results.

As tricky as it may be to get the just-right application, I will say that once I do have my brows finished with this product I don't have to worry about them going anywhere. I LOVE the staying power of this brow product!!! They truly do last all day for me. They will even last through a shower. Of course if you are scrubbing your face with face wash they will come off (although you may find you also need to use an eye makeup remover), but if you were to go swimming, the beach or a waterpark, you'd have little to worry about. The regular 9 to 5 jobs have absolutely nothing to worry about - your brows won't budge. At least they refuse to budge for me - and I really tested this in heat, sweat, etc.

So as you can see, I have a love/hate relationship with this product. Maybe I just need to work with it more - or maybe I haven't found the miracle brush to apply it with - but for now, I absolutely will continue to use it but not on days I'm in a rush.

I still prefer to use this product in combination with another product - such as using the Anastasia Brow Wiz. Or the Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows followed by a brow powder - such as the Anastasia Brow Powder or the Tat2U Brow Pow.

I also think this is a very expensive brow product; at $30 it's one of the most expensive I've tried. Compare that to other brow gel/creams and it's still high up there. I also recently purchased the Anastasia Dip Brow - which is only $18 - and in the past I've used the Tarte Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse, which is just a couple dollars cheaper than the Too Faced Bullet Proof Brows (but I find the Tarte one to be way easier to apply). And come to think of it, I've had that same jar of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse since July 2011 - that's been 3 years and the jar still hasn't dried out and the product still applies and performs perfectly. I know they've recently updated their packaging to the tarte brow mousse after the Anastasia Dip Brow came out, but I don't know if they also updated the formula.

Do I think this is a brow product you have to run out and get? No - certainly not. There are way  more affordable brow products out there that you could try first that are also long lasting. The Anastasia Dipbrow would be my next go-to suggestion for a similar product. However, if you're looking for a waterproof brow product that won't budge, this is one you should most definitely consider. There are just two shades at the moment - Universal Taupe and Universal Brunette - so if you need more color options then I'd recommend going to the Anastasia Dip Brow (it's also $11 cheaper). I love the shade and the staying power, but I think application is where I get frustrated and where I think the formula of the product could improve for smoother application; it needs more glide. Would I re-purchase this? Hmm... at this very moment, no I would not. I don't think I could justify paying the $30 price tag again when I have such a love/hate relationship with this product. But I also don't think I'd need to re-purchase this for years. I am happy I purchased this, happy to own it, and will continue to use it and form an opinion.

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this brow product? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.


#toofaced #brows #beforeandafter #browbeforeandafter #bulletproofbrows #swatch #swatches #review #bblogger #beautyblogger #makeup #anastasia #tarte #browgel #waterproofmakeup #waterproofbrows

September 15, 2014

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter - HOLY GRAIL! - pics, swatches, review!

Hello, Beautiful!

I have to admit that I'm the worst when it comes to apply body lotion/body butter on a regular basis - especially to any area other than my arms. I'm just really lazy. However, there is one body butter that is truly a holy grail product for me that makes me want to apply it, and that product is the Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter! This stuff has the most amazing lightweight, silky whipped texture that just sinks into skin so beautifully.

I have the Vanilla Apricot scent, which is yummy, but she also has a pure vanilla scent that I really want to try in the future (it's just exclusive to her website right now, and recently made available in one QVC kit). Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter
Scent: Vanilla Apricot








Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Ultra-Hydrating Body Butter Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $35.00 (8 fl oz full size). Available on the Josie Maran website, Sephora's website, QVC's website, and everywhere else Josie Maran products are sold. Sephora's website also has a larger size, 13.5 oz, for $48.00 (which will likely be the one I buy next).
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

Silky, intensely hydrating body butter. Packed with luscious oils and whipped to a feather-light texture, it sinks in instantly for velvety soft skin in a flash. Spread the love and feel the difference.

Josie Maran's signature ingredient, argan oil, is spun into a unique creamy butter to easily revitalize skin and restore softness while improving skin's texture. Powerful antioxidants enrich and nourish your skin as you indulge your senses with a subtle all-natural aroma.

A powerhouse of more than 10 plant oils and extracts, plus the star of the show, 100% pure argan oil. No parabens or harsh artificial fragrances.



My Review...

I originally fell in love with the Josie Maran hand cream - which is my holy grail hand cream and the moment and I also have a full sized tube of that (which will last for such a long time; it's a huge tube!). It also has the Vanilla Apricot scent. Seeing how as much I loved the hand cream, I knew I'd have to love her body butter. And I was right!

I don't always take price into consideration - I buy everything from drugstore to low-end to high-end and luxury products - but I did hesitate for a long while to buy this body butter soley because of the price. I mean $35 for 8 ounces of body butter seems pretty pricey, but wow do I love this stuff!

I can justify for the price tag when it's a product that I use daily, a product that works, and a product that I actually look forward to using!

This texture is really something unlike any other body butter I've ever used, and even unlike any other body lotion I've used. It has such a lightweight silky whipped texture that spreads and melts into the skin so beautifully. A little will go a long way -- you'll find you need far less of this.

Most body butters are thick, which makes them a bit more hydrating than a body lotion. But this is so lightweight and you need so much less than typical body butters (at least, I find I need less).

The first time I ever used this I definitely used way too much and it was really hot outside, so I was turning into a slippery mess (but never greasy). Then I realized I didn't need nearly as much as I had used, and starting using less and less until I find the right balance for my skin. This hydrates so well - even rough spots like elbows, knees and heels! I use this whenever I do a pedicure and I use her hand cream as a cuticle cream (and I've even used it on my feet and heels - works great there too).

I find the hand cream and her body butter have a very similar texture and feel, but I find this to be just a little more lightweight and softer in texture (if softer is even a way to describe a product like a body butter).

My only complaint, if any complaint, is it's not very travel friendly. It's not something I'd want to throw in my purse, as it's pretty big. I do know QVC sells this body butter with a travel sized one, but I purchased mine from Sephora.

As far as scents go, there are several and what scents are available will depend on where you shop from. Some places only carry a few scents, while places like QVC has even more.

Here is a list of all the scents I could find:
  • Vanilla Apricot
  • Vanilla Fig
  • Sweet Citrus
  • Lavender Citrus
  • Lavender
  • Vanilla Bean
  • Unscented
  • Be Loved (a jasmine scent)
  • Be Strong (a ginger scent)
  • Be Comforted (like a warm apple crisp baking in the oven)

If you couldn't tell already by my review, this is a body butter that I would highly recommend! If you are in a Sephora and they carry Josie Maran, stop by and just feel the texture of this body butter.... although with the amount of people that stick their hands in tester products I wonder if it would still feel and smell the same. Either way, this is an amazing body butter. Simply the best I've used, and that's why it's a holy grail product for me!


Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this body butter? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

September 14, 2014

tarte Amazonian Colored Clay Tinted Brow Gel in Taupe: swatches, before & after, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

If you're looking for a super itty-bitty brow gel wand, then look no further because the tarte Amazonian Colored Clay Tinted Brow Gel has the smallest one I've ever used! I even compared the size to some other brow gel wands in a photo below. The color for me is what doesn't work, everything else about this brow gel is wonderful! Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

tarte Amazonian Colored Clay Tinted Brow Gel
Shade: Taupe






  











tarte Amazonian Colored Clay Tinted Brow Gel Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $21.00 (0.14 floz full size). Available on the tarte cosmetics website, at Sephora, at Ulta, at QVC (at QVC is it sold in a duo for $34), and everywhere else tarte is sold.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Looking for a subtle brow boost? This easy-to-use tinted brow gel infused with colored clay lets you enhance, define and shape your brows like a pro for a perfectly groomed arch every time!

Achieve arch perfection with tarte's innovative, new brow perfector. The creamy formula delivers the ideal amount of color and hold to seamlessly fill-in, groom and shape brows for a defined yet natural-looking arch. Using the convenient wand applicator, precisely frame brows with a simple motion. Colored clay and peptides work to condition and smooth brows while reducing surface oil to keep pigment in place all day long.

Available in three shades: Taupe, Medium Brown, Rich Brown


My Review...

Had this been the right shade (Medium Brown), I think I would have really enjoyed this product! But this is more pigmented of a tinted brown gel, so Taupe just didn't work for me. It becomes too noticeable and too light in my brows. For the before and after pic I just used this product and nothing else, but using it on top of my normal brow products was a fail.

The brush on this is super, super, super tiny -- as you can see from my comparison pics of the brush next to a normal pen and also compared to other brow gel wands. It for sure if the smallest, thinnest wand that I've ever used and I love it for my thinner, sparser brows.

I don't find it's a one and done product for me, but I also have very sparse brows with some larger patches of missing hair. Although I do think this would be great for a lot of people as a one and done brow product for days they don't want to do a full on defined brow.

Overall, I liked the wand and the performance, but the shade is my issue. Maybe I'll try Medium Brown in the future.

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this brow gel? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

September 13, 2014

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown: before & after, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

Keeping with the many brow-related blog posts you've seen here, I have yet another brow product post for you today! In this post I am showing you the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo, which I have in the shade Medium Brown. I like to use this in combination with other brow products; not the biggest fan of using it on its own just because I do have such sparse brows, but check out my full review after the pics to see all my thoughts!

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo
Shade: Medium Brown








Anastasia Brow Powder Duo Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $23.00 (0.03 oz full size). Available on the Anastasia website, at Sephora, at Ulta, and everywhere else Anastasia products are sold.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Lightweight, sheer to medium coverage powder formula for filling in and defining the eyebrows.

Create beautiful and natural brow effects with Anastasia's bestselling Brow Powder Duo. Formulated to be smudge-proof and comes with two shades per compact to ensure the perfect brow color.

Available in 11 shade duos.


My Review...

I have been a brow powder lover through and through; it was my go-to brow filler choice for oh so many years (Smashbox Brow Tech in Brunette was my first ever brow product - and that was almost 13 years ago). Yet I had somehow neglected to try the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo. When I purchased the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade, I also purchased the Brow Powder Duo.

I have the shade Medium Brown - since that is what shade I am in her line (formally Medium Ash). Medium Brown is described as a taupe based brown. I also think Ash Brown would work for me - but Sephora, for whatever reason, doesn't have that shade on their website (and that's where I had purchased this from). I think it may even work better for me than the Medium Brown.

The Medium Brown has a darker shade that is the shade I use most, as the lighter shade is almost so light it doesn't show up on me. But I use it blended with the darker shade.

I don't like using this on its own to fill in my brows completely; I find this brow powder is just a bit too soft looking. Because my brows are so sparse, if I were to use this all over on its own, it would look very soft and diffused on me - and kind of messy and not really pulled together; which you can probably see in the before and after photo. In person it's not as noticeable as in the photo, since my studio lights show every single detail possible.

I do love this powder in combination with other brow products. I use this along with the Brow Wiz or the Brow Pomade and I get really great results.

It's a pricey brow powder for one that I can't use for all-over my brows, but that's not to say you can't use it for your brows as your all-in-one brow product. A lot will depend on your brows and how sparse or full they are. I just prefer a more pigmented brow powder that can give me a defined look as well as a softer look where I want it to be softer.

As far as performance goes, this isn't the best wearing product on my brows. I know it says it's formulated to be smudge proof, but I find it can wear off faster than her other brow products. Maybe on your brows it would wear longer, but for me when I use this on its own I don't get the best wear. It starts looking softer and softer as the day goes on. It doesn't pass my cuddle test either. But when I pair it with other brow products, which is the only way I like to even use this, I find it wears fine.

I'm not sure I would repurchase this, but I do like it and will continue to use it!

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this brow powder? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.