Tag: BEAUTY PRODUCT REVIEWS

HEALTHIER WAYS to Use Fragrance

Published on by Lee5 Comments

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

By now it’s been made woefully clear that some of our old tried and true favorite beauty products might not be the very best for our bodies. Potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics can build up in our systems, cause imbalances, and are generally toxic. So what’s a girl to do when her signature scent isn’t squeaky clean?

We won’t make you throw out a fragrance that makes you feel special. You know what we mean—that nostalgic, warm and fuzzy smell that makes tears spring to your ex’s eyes because you’ve always smelled like that—it’s your special smell. Or, maybe you’ve fallen head over heels for a new fragrance and you just can’t get it out of your mind. Chances are, you’re not finding an exact replica that does the same magical mingling with your body chemistry in a non-toxic brand.

Dossier

Discover quality fragrances inspired by the iconic rich scents you love.

price depends, the fragrance is either $29 or $39. Use code: LEE10 for money off!

Here is the link: https://dossier.co/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=bloggers&utm_medium=BELLA%E2%80%99S%20BOUTIQUE10

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What you can do is try using your favorite (not-so-clean-beauty) scents in smarter, healthier ways. Instead of dousing your delicate endocrine system, aka spraying directly onto your lymph nodes at your throat, wrist, or other sensitive places, try somewhere else.

Give your hair a spritz after it’s styled. The scent will cling to your fibrous strands in a heavenly cloud around your face, and create a little breeze of your favorite aroma when you whip around town. It doesn’t need to land directly on your scalp or seep into your skin, and you don’t need a lot.

Or, try misting your clothes. You can spritz it on a scarf, a sweater, or your top, all before putting the piece on so your scent lingers without clinging to your sensitive areas all day, or requiring reapplication. You can spritz a cotton kerchief and tuck it into a drawer to have a subtle tinge of your scent last all day on all your foldables as well!

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Most people assume that applying fragrance is easy. One spritz on your neck and another on your wrist, and that’s pretty much it, right? Trust us, there’s so much more to it! And considering the average price point of designer perfume, we don’t want to waste a drop. The good news is, once you’ve read this post, you’ll be ready to make the most of every last gorgeous drop of your fragrance. Here are four common fragrance mistakes and what you should be doing instead.

Storing Fragrances Incorrectly

Storing fragrances incorrectly degrades the fragrance. Hot temperatures affect the chemical bonds in fragrance while if the temperature is too low, that can also alter the fragrance more quickly. Ideally, your perfumes need to be stored in a cool, dark place with a room temperature between 16 to 22 degrees. This means storing perfume in your bathroom or anywhere the temperature fluctuates is a big no-no. Similarly, direct sunlight will also break down fragrance so do not store them on a window or even shelves near a window. Look for bottles with dark or opaque glass packaging, which will help protect the perfume from sunlight.

Applying Fragrance to Dry Skin

Perfume doesn’t wear well on dry skin, which is just another reason to moisturizer daily. Ideally, you should use the accompanying body lotion that comes with your fragrance or an unscented moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. This will also ensure that there’s no olfactory interference.

Our fave perfume hack: Perfume lasts longer when applied to oily, damp skin, so to lock in the scent, rub vaseline onto your pulse points before application.

Carrying Fragrance in Your Purse

If you carry your fragrance in your purse, you’re not only exposing it to different temperatures, but you’ll also cause the bottle to move around constantly. By shaking the bottle, you’ll expose the perfume to excess air, which will breakdown and disrupt the fragrance over time.

If you do want to carry a scent with you while you’re on the go, we’d recommend the travel scent Dossier gives you when you purchase a 50mL fragrance, $29. You can also buy these Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Spray Bottles, $10, that you can fill with your fave fragrances, which are perfect for when you travel or to keep in your handbag while your perfume is safely stored at home.

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Savoring your Fragrance

As much as we love to savor our beauty products, holding onto your favorite fragrance means that more often than not, by the time you reach the end of the bottle, the fragrance will have altered slightly. The more oxygen into the bottle (like when you’ve used 70% of your perfume), the more the fragrance molecules will break down and modify the fragrance.

This means investing in a large bottle is not always a good idea, in fact, it often better to purchase a smaller bottle to keep the fragrance fresh. If your go-to fragrance is only available in a large bottle, decant the liquid into small vials and store your half-empty bottles in the fridge.

For more fragrance inspo, check out FRAGRANCES TO GIFT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH, PURELY BASED ON PERSONALITY.

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

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6 Cream Makeup Products for Luminous Skin

Published on by LeeLeave a comment

I very recently discovered the beauty of cream makeup products, and now that I have, I’m completely obsessed. I find that cream formulas are way more forgiving in application. Whether I’m using a brush, a beauty sponge or my fingers, the creamy texture offers a subtle, luminous sheen that I live for, and it’s way more hydrating than powder. Due to my newfound unconditional love for cream formulas, I made a list of some of my favorite products that I know you’ll want to wear today, tomorrow and every day after once you try them. From foundation to eyeshadow, keep reading for six cream makeup products that will make you a cream convert and give you beautiful-looking skin.

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Maybelline New York Cheek Heat

For cheeks that are perfectly flushed and have a lovely glowing sheen to them, try the Maybelline New York Cheek Heat. This gel-to-cream formula is super lightweight and blendable, so whether you’re someone who loves a good blush moment or a person who prefers a softer flush, you can customize the finish to your liking.

Uoma Beauty Double Take Contour Stick

best-cream-makeup

This dual-ended stick makes contouring and highlighting a breeze. The contouring side creates a smooth definition with a soft matte finish that doesn’t budge, while the highlighting end offers a luminous, lit-from-within glow. Not to mention, the creamy formula melts onto your skin and hydrates your complexion, thanks to the formula infused with lychee fruit extract. 

Maybelline New York Color Strike Cream-to-Powder Eyeshadow Makeup Pen

When it comes to cream eyeshadow, it’s important to find a formula that doesn’t crease. Luckily, this cream-to-powder eyeshadow pen is crease-resistant, fade-resistant and smudge-resistant. Available in six matte and four metallic shades, the cushion tip glides across the lid for precise application and deposits a rich, pigmented layer of color that last for up to 12 hours. 

IMAN Cosmetics Luxury Highlighter 

Whether you want to shine bright like a diamond or are looking for that I’m-not-wearing-any-makeup-I’m-just-naturally-radiant glow, this luxury highlighter is perfect for you. Available in three shades to suit women of all skin tones, this multi-use highlighting stick illuminates the skin and can be used on the face, eyes and lips.

Juvia’s Place Shade Sticks

Cream foundation is great if you’re someone who loves fuller coverage. We like this one from Juvia’s Place because it’s formulated to feel like skin for a more comfortable wear. The formula is also infused with shea butter to offer a radiant finish and oil-controlling ingredients to help reduce unwanted shine.

NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream

This cult-favorite lippie should be a staple in every makeup kit due to its affordable price and velvety smooth formula that dries matte and lasts all day. Available in 22 shades, you’ll want to buy one for every occasion.

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5 Beauty Accessories That’ll Make Your Routine Easier AND More Effective

Published on by Lee2 Comments

If you’re looking to take your skincare regimen to the next level without adding an extra hour to your daily routine, sometimes a simple beauty accessory is an easy solution. Often, it’s the simplest additions that make the most impact. From a skincare fridge to maximize the benefits of your product formulas to a headband that just makes your routine so much easier (and cuter), these five accessories will boost your routine.

1. To Make Your Routine Easier: Skincare Headband

During the lockdown, Influencers have given us a sneak peek into their skincare routine, and one thing they all can’t get enough of is undoubtedly a skincare headband. They make your routine easier as you no longer have to worry about getting product or water in your hair or trying to move random bits of hair out off your freshly moisturized face! We’re obsessed with these cute kitty ear headbands that come in a pack of ten for $9 – plus they look major for the ‘gram!

2. To Increase Product Absorption and Tone: A Jade Roller

If you ask any supermodel what’s inside their beauty bag, they’ll most likely mention some form of crystal skincare tool – and for good reason! By using a jade roller daily, you’ll help boost blood circulation, and reduce swelling and morning puffiness. Not to mention, they help encourage product absorption so your skincare formulas can reach their full potential.

Our fave jade roller is the Pro Tools Jade Gua Sha Complete Facial Care Stone Massager and Roller, $14 – it’s perfect for the face and neck as the smaller crystal allows you to massage those hard-to-reach areas around your eyes! Use your jade roller as part of your morning and nighttime routine, after you’ve applied your serum and moisturizer. For an added cooling effect, stash your roller in your fridge for the ultimate refreshing wakeup call.

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3. To Maximize your Cleansing Routine: A Cleansing Tool

Cleansing is a fundamental part of any skincare routine. It helps remove makeup, dirt, and any lingering bacteria from your pores, leaving you with clean, fresh skin that’s prepped for the rest of your skincare routine. By adding an effective cleansing tool to your routine, you can maximize this time to get a deeper clean.

However, be mindful of which tool you choose, as some tools may be too intense for your skin type (if you have acne or sensitive skin, cleansing tools may be too intense). Avoid abrasives plastic bristles, and instead look for gentle tools like the Foreo Foreo Luna 3, $159. It uses soft, silicone bristles combined with T-sonic pulsations to help dislodge debris in pores and clean deeply – most importantly, without damaging your skin! The bristles are also made with silicone and therefore don’t harbor any bacteria. It’s definitely an investment, but a good tool will last you years and your skin will thank you for it.

4. To Get Rid of Every Last Bit of Makeup: A Face Halo

The Face Halo Original, $22 for three, has to be one of our fave beauty discoveries of all time – it revolutionized our nighttime routine! With just a splash of water, the double-sided cleansing cloth removes every ounce of makeup with ease.

The cloth uses special fibers that are 100 times finer than a human hair, which are able to trap makeup and dirt, successfully removing it from your skin. It’ll remove everything from foundation and liquid lipstick to mascara and eyeliner. It’s also much better for the environment than using makeup wipes and it feels more gentle on your skin.

So even though we’re double cleansing addicts, we love to use this once we’ve rinsed off our first oil cleanse to remove the last traces of makeup from around our hairline, neck, ears and just to thoroughly remove any last traces of makeup or dirt before our final cleanse with a water-based cleanser. We recommend getting the white version because it’s so satisfying to see what comes off on them!

5. To Enhance Your Product Formulas: A Skincare Fridge

Skincare fridges are a hot commodity in the beauty world. Not only do they make for a great shelfie but they can boost the efficacy of your favorite formulas. The lower temperature does add a nice calming effect to certain products such as face masks, moisturizers, and creams, which are especially helpful when treating irritated or reactive skin. Refrigerating serums to help with inflamed acne, and aloe-based products for a refreshing and soothing feel is recommended. We love The Cosmetics Fridge collection, which has some seriously cute designs, including these marble versions, which can fit all your skincare must-haves.

For more skincare tips, check out 4 REASONS YOU SHOULD ADD APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO YOUR NEXT BATH.

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BB Cream vs. Foundation: What’s the Difference?

Published on by Lee1 Comment

If you take a walk down any makeup aisle, it’s clear there are so many complexion products to choose from. There’s something for every skin type (read: oily, dry, mature) and an endless amount of finishes (think: dewy, matte, velvet). The sheer number of BB creams, CC creams and foundations can be overwhelming. To help you find your perfect match, we gathered all the tips and tricks we have learned over the years. Below, we share the difference between BB cream, CC cream and foundation — and tips for applying each. 

What Is BB Cream?

BB cream is an all-in-one makeup product. It traditionally has good-for-your-skin ingredients like SPF and sufficient coverage to still even out redness and smooth rough texture. BB creams range anywhere from a barely-there tint to medium coverage. What’s more, BB creams also have the added benefit of helping breakout-prone skin. “If you’re acne-prone, using a BB cream that’s oil-free is a good way to go. We recommend the Complexion Rescue BareMinerals, which is formulated with salicylic acid to address acne. This BB cream moisturizes, tints, and provides SPF protection. It’s a great choice for darker skin tones. 

What Is Foundation?

Foundation is a classic go-to option for makeup artists and beauty lovers who want to create a flawless canvas and have superior skin coverage. If you want something that’s going to last all day and give you airbrushed-looking skin, foundation is the right choice. Foundations are also available in a wide range of coverage options. While the coverage is buildable, we love the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation and Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup for a lightweight, sheer option. For medium to full coverage, we like the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, Too Faced Born This Way Foundation and Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna and the Lancôme Rénergie Lift Makeup Foundation. 

What Is CC Cream?

Cut from the same cloth as a BB cream, a CC cream, or color correcting cream, is an all-in-one product intended to address redness, darkness and sallowness. It blends skin care with light-diffusing properties to give you a smoother complexion, but it doesn’t give the same amount of coverage as a BB cream.

How to Apply BB Cream and CC Cream

BB creams and CC creams are a true time-saver in the morning and impossible to mess up. “Anything that combines sunscreen, skin-care ingredients, antioxidants and light coverage is ideal for the busy woman who doesn’t have time for a more in-depth regimen. Just rub a pea-sized or dime-size amount between your hands to warm it up and apply to bare, freshly cleansed skin. You can use a sponge or brush for application, too. Just note, if you have extra dry skin, you can benefit from applying a moisturizer underneath your BB or CC to give your skin an added boost of hydration.  

How to Apply Foundation

Considering most women use foundation to cover up things like under-eye circles, pimples, uneven skin tone and other imperfections, the application needs to be a bit more precise. You can use your hands, however, you’ll get the most even coverage using a sponge or brush.

Sponges tend to be a bit more intuitive than brushes, and you’ll achieve a more airbrushed finish, while makeup artists swear by a brush for its ability to effortlessly blend and smooth product evenly. Depending on your preference, try IT Brushes For ULTA Airbrush Dual-Ended Flawless Complexion Concealer & Foundation Brush #132 or Tarte Double Duty Beauty Powder Foundation Brush & Removable Sponge.

Start by dabbing dots of foundation down the center of your face — forehead, nose, upper lip and chin — and blend your foundation outwards using your tool of choice. Be sure to pay extra attention to your hairline and chin as you want to blend those areas out the most for a seamless and invisible foundation line.