Lioele Triple the Solution BB Cream

I have been on the hunt for a really awesome BB cream and I think I may have found it.  After seeing some of my favorite beauty gurus rave about this product I went online and ordered it. 
Lioele is a Korean cosmetics company.  However, there is a distribution center in Texas.  I ordered mine from www.lioeletexas.com in case you want to check it out. The price is $28.94 for 50 ml of product. 

The Lioele Triple the Solution is an extremely thick BB cream.  The color is a bit light - probably about a shade too light for me (I am MAC NC-30 for reference) but this can be evened out with powder and/or bronzer.  I think that this is best used on its own and not used under foundation.  If used under foundation it might be a bit cakey looking.  It provides relatively good coverage and can absolutely be used on in place of foundation.  I apply this product with a flat top kabuki brush. I really love the texture of this product and the way that it corrects my skin.  This is really an amazing product that I highly recommend.  I will definitely be repurchasing this product.


Claims: A skin brightening and perfecting BB cream that provides a flawless complexion
Coverage: I find that this particular BB cream provides medium to full coverage
Scent: This product has a light floral scent but it is not overpowering
Long Wearing: When I set this BB cream with a powder the coverage lasts a solid 6 hours without needing a touch-up
Packaging: Comes in a tube with an adorable pink and white checkered pattern and convenient pump
Price: $28.49
Availability: Lioele products are not in stores and can be ordered from the Lioele Texas site

Pros:

• Excellent coverage
• Feels lightweight on the skin 
• Ships quickly 

Cons:

• Only available in one shade
• Only available to order online

Overall: I really like this product.  I like that it is a true BB cream and not just a tinted moisturizer in disguise.  I do wish that it came in a variety of shades.  I can only use this in the winter months after my summer tan has long faded.  Overall, I would recommend this product for those with fair skin that are looking for a BB cream to use as an alternative to foundation. 

NOTD: L'Oreal Creme Puff

Today's nail of the day was Spring inspired.  It just started snowing (again) where I live and I'm ready for Spring!  I picked this polish up from Target - it's part of L'Oreal's new Spring line of colors.  There are some really gorgeous pastel colors that are available in nail polish and their lip balms.  This is my first time ever using a L'Oreal polish and I am impressed.  It went on smoothly and the color is gorgeous. 

*UPDATE* Unfortunately, not long after I wrote this post the polish started chipping.  It started chipping in large pieces no more than a day of wear.  I'm hoping that this was just a fluke and that this won't happen when I wear this polish again because I am absolutely in love with the color.  

Review: Clarisonic Mia 2

Let me first start by saying I have put off buying a Clarisonic for about a year.  I have been deterred by the $150 price tag and honestly didn't think that an expensive Clarisonic could REALLY clean my skin that much better.  I ended up buying it on the QVC website through their Easy Pay option.  I pay $56/month for the next 3 months so somehow that made it better in my mind - I know, I know it's not really but it's how I justified it. 

Can I tell you I can't believe I've lived without this thing for so long?  It really is everything it's hyped up to be.  I have only been using it for about a week but I can already see a noticeable difference in my skin.  The overall texture is already improving.  This little thing manages to get out dirt I didn't even know was still trapped in my skin. 

I'll first tell you what came with it and how it works and then I'll tell you how I've worked it into my skincare routine.  My Mia 2 came with the Mia 2 itself (mine is a pretty lavender purple color), a travel case, the power cord and a trial size of Philosophy's Purity cleanser.  The Mia 2 comes programmed with two speeds.  I first began by charging it for a full 24-hours.  Then when it was fully charged I started by wetting the head with lukewarm water and then squeezing cleanser on it.  Then I turned it on and started at my chin area and ran it all over my chin and nose.  There is a built in timer and the instructions tell you that to use it on your chin and nose area for 20 seconds, your forehead for 20 seconds and then each of your cheeks for 10 seconds.  After the 20 seconds on the chin and nose area is up there is a light vibration that indicates you should move to your forehead.

Now, on to how I worked my Clarisonic into my skincare routine. At night I start by removing my makeup with my MAC cleanse off oil, then I use my Clarisonic with Clinique's foaming cleanser and finish with Tarte's Maracuja Oil as my nighttime moisturizer.  I tried the Philosophy Purity cleaner that came with it but don't really like it.  I like a foaming cleanser and this one just didn't foam well.

Claims:  A travel-friendly, professional-quality skincare brush with two speeds
Price:  $150
Availability: Besides being available to order online, the Clarisonic Mia 2 can be found in several different stores (Sephora, Ulta, Macy's, Bloomingdale's)

Overall: I was surprised by how much makeup remained on my skin even after using my MAC cleanse off oil.  The Clarisonic really makes my skin feel clean and refreshed.  I think it was worth it's $150 price tag.

*UPDATE* A few months into using the Mia 2, my skin was at it's worst.  I was breaking out along my entire chin and it would just not go away no matter how clean I kept my skin.  The only thing I could contribute this to was the Mia 2.  I stopped using it for a few days and my chin cleared up almost immediately. I am going to give it another try in a few weeks - maybe using it everyday was too much for my sensitive skin?

New Revlon Lip Butter Colors

Ahhh...my Target FINALLY had the new Revlon Lip Butter colors.  They came out in:

Sorbet: a bright pink color - it definitely reminds me of a raspberry water ice

Wild Watermelon: true to it's name it looks like the red part of a watermelon - it is a red color but a bright vibrant red

Juicy Papaya: this is more of a coral melon color

Pink Lemonade: a light pink color that again reminds me exactly of it's name

I am seriously obsessed with Revlon Lip Butters.  I think I may own every color.  These things are amazing and they give such great color payoff. 

I am SO excited to try these.

NOTD: Essie Mint Candy Apple

LOVE this color! It is so smooth gorgeous for the Spring! I got mine from Target.

Review: Sigma Brush Cleaning Glove

There has been A LOT of buzz around the new Brush Spa cleaning glove by Sigma.  I was reluctant to spend $40 on a glove...but I finally bit the bullet and bought one (note if you order it in March there is a 10% coupon code which I will list below).  It came with my Mr. Bunny brush kit today and I had to try it out as soon as I got home. 

Let me give you my first impressions - to be honest I was a bit skeptical about it.  It is made of a pretty heavy duty rubber but it kind of felt like one of those oven mitts that you find at Bed, Bath & Beyond.  The glove itself is a rubber material and it also comes with a cloth insert to use for more comfort.  My brushes needed a good deep cleaning so I gathered them up and headed to the bathroom.  I slipped the glove on and turned the water to a lukewarm temp.  I wet the head of my MAC F134 brush and then added some brush cleaning soap to the glove. Using circular motions I applied slight pressure and wiped the brush back and forth over the little nubs on the glove.  You should have seen how much makeup came off my brush! I kept wiping and rinsing until the water ran clear and then used the section between the thumb and pointer finger of the glove to squeeze out excess water.  I honestly can't believe how well a rubber glove with a few ridges and nubs can clean a brush - to say I am impressed is an understatement. 

Claims:  "The revolutionary device offers a variety of necessary textures and surfaces for removing all makeup from brushes while using only a small amount of cleaning solution. The dual-sided glove provides a complete cleaning process for both eye and face brushes" 
Price:  $40
Availability:  Only available on the Sigma website

Overall:  Washing my brushes is usually such a chore but I didn't seem to mind it so much. I am still a little put off by the price but...at least it performs well.

Sigma Beauty Essential Mr. Bunny Kit

This is my first Sigma brush kit - I really wanted the purple Essential Make Me Crazy kit but ended up going with Mr. Bunny because I thought the black brushes would match my MAC brushes better. 

The brushes themselves come in a super cut brush holder that snaps together.  You can separate the two halves to use as brush cups and then snap them back together if you have to travel with them.  One thing I really love about them is that the bigger brushes come with brush guards.  The brushes themselves a glossy black handle and super soft bristles.  I love that these brushes are vegan friendly and are able to maintain such a soft bristle.  I can't wait to see how they perform. 

I know the $120 price tag can be a bit of a deterrent but when you do the math it comes out to be $10/brush.  Well worth it.  This particular kit comes with:

E05 Eye Liner
E30 Pencil
E40 Tapered Blending
E55 Eye Shading
E60 Large Shader
E65 Small Angle
E70 Medium Angled Shading
E30 Large Powder
E40 Large Angled Contour
E50 Duo Fibre
E60 Foundation
E70 Concealer

Product Rave: Beauty Blender

OMG! I know I am probably one of the last people in the world (ok, not really) to find this treasure that is the Beauty Blender.  I had heard about them but was hesitant to spend $20 on a sponge plus my Sephora didn't carry them in the store.  If you aren't familiar with what the Beauty Blender is - it is a sponge that you use to apply foundation. You wet it and then use it damp.  It is supposed to provide you a dewy flawless finish.

I actually bought the Sonia Kashuk version from Target to see what all the hype was about.  The Sonia Kashuk version is nice but I wasn't impressed and ended up going back to using my good old foundation brush.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago - I was at Sephora and spotted it while standing in line.  I had heard such good things so I bit the bullet and bought one.  Let me tell you - there is absolutely no comparison between the Beauty Blender and any other beauty sponge.  The BB is so soft and literally bounces off your skin as you are stippling foundation onto your face.  I actually am so in love with my Beauty Blender that I went online and bought 2 backups.

New Product: Benefit Fake Up Crease Control Concealer

Ok, so I may have been living under a rock (ok, a rock called Mac cosmetics) for a long time because I hadn't been a Benefit user/lover/fan. Thankfully I have started to branch out and try different makeup brands and let me tell you it has been AWESOME.  A brand that is quickly becoming one of my favorites is Benefit.  Their products are amazing and this new one is no exception. 

I saw this on the Benefit wall at Sephora and was immediately intrigued.  It is a concealer unlike any I have seen or have in my collection. It comes in a stick form but the concealer itself is in the middle of a clear balm.  The advertisement on the wall said that it helps prevent creasing and diffuses fine lines.  Well that's perfect because I have very tiny fine lines under my eyes and have found that most concealers begin to settle in the lines as the day wears on. 

The first comment I will make is that this glides on so smoothly.  I just swipe some underneath my eyes and blend it in with my ring finger - I think using a brush would really defeat the purpose of the balm.  I only used this under my eyes as I'm not sure how well it would work on blemishes on other parts of my face.  I found as the day wore on that this doesn't settle into the fine lines AND underneath my eyes felt really soft and hydrated.  This is seriously one of those things that I have said to myself "why didn't I have this idea" - that's how amazing it is.

Oh Benefit - how awesome you are.