Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Meryl by Julep Swatches


I received my first Julep polishes yesterday and had to use one of them asap! So here are swatches of one of the colors I received: Meryl. Julep describes this polish as "The perfect neutral, sophisticated gray creme." I think the formula of the polish is great; it's definitely a higher quality polish. I LOVE the bottle of these polishes because they are unique and easy to hold. I'm not the biggest fan of the brush because it is a bit narrow, but if you like smaller/narrower brushes then you'll love this. Meryl is a bit sheer, so I suggest using three coats for complete opacity. In the pictures below I did only two coats and used a top coat. 






I plan on doing a full review of the Julep Maven program and talk about the company as a whole once I test out all the products I received. 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

X Out Acne Treatment Review


I received this product from Influenster.com through their VoxBox program. 

Photo: www.xout.com

Okay, here is a quick background explanation of my skin and acne problems. I have struggled with acne on my face for about five years now (currently 19 years old). I have tried many different cleansers, toners, topical treatments and oral medications. I will say that my acne isn't incredibly terrible, but I do almost always have a breakout somewhere on my face. My skin type is combination/dry.

Having said that, I didn't really have high expectations for this X Out Wash-In Treatment. However, the results it left we're pretty good.

Packaging: I have nothing to complain about with this packaging. It comes with a convenient pump which I really do like. You can see what it looks like in the photo above.

Product: Since I am used to having some harsh treatments and strong medications on my face, this product wasn't too bad. However, if you are someone with sensitive skin, this will probably irritate your skin. This treatment is 8.5% benzoyl peroxide, which is the strongest percentage of medication I have ever used. The product is a gritty white cream; one full pump is plenty for the entire face. While it is on the face, it has a cooling effect, which is something I like because I feel like it is working. There are three uses for the product: a all over wash (my preferred, and suggested method), a spot treatment, or an all-over mask. I have used it as a spot treatment, but found it to be too harsh leaving my skin very red. Therefore, I have never used it as an all-over mask. I find the best method, for me, is to just use it in the morning and at night as a cleanser.

The Result: After using this product, my skin does feel dry. This is good though, because it is removing all the oils that cause acne. I just compensate the dryness with my regular moisturizer and my skin is fine. After using this product I found that my acne settled down quite a bit. I have breakouts every now and then, but they are only minor if I stay consistant with the X Out Treatment.

Overall, I think this is a great product for those who struggle with finding the right acne treatment. However if you skin is very sensitive, I do not recommend this product. It really isn't gentle.

As far as I know, X Out is only available online at www.xout.com: $19.95 for a 30-day supply or $39.90 for a 60-day supply.



If you have ANY questions at all PLEASE do ask in the comments below! I am happy to help :)
xoxo, Steph

Saturday, February 18, 2012

NOTD - Tangerine Dream by Nina Ultra Pro


So when I first picked up this color from Sally's, the polish looked a lot more coral than orange in the bottle. When I came home and put it on, it turned out to be a true tangerine color. Orange is my least favorite color, but I thought it was an essential bright polish for the upcoming spring season. Enjoy!




Trish McEvoy Beauty Emergency Card for Eyes - Swatches

Hello lovelys! Here are pictures and swatches of Trish McEvoy's Beauty Emergency Card for Eyes. This handy, compact palette is great for traveling and everyday looks. This palette is available at your local Trish McEvoy cosmetic counter or online here: http://www.trishmcevoy.com/p-207-beauty-emergency-card-for-eyes.aspx for $38






Top Left to Right: Deep Aubergine, Peach Shell, Sugar Plum, Gilded Bronze
Bottom Left to Right: Brow Definer in Natural, Rose Quartz, White Peach, Gilded Taupe


Deep Aubergine & Peach Shell
Sugar Plum & Gilded Bronze
Brow Definer in Natural & Rose Quartz
White Peach & Gilded Taupe




 Top Left to Right: Deep Aubergine, Peach Shell, Sugar Plum, Gilded Bronze
Bottom Left to Right: Brow Definer in Natural, Rose Quartz, White Peach, Gilded Taupe

Top Left to Right: Deep Aubergine, Peach Shell, Sugar Plum, Gilded Bronze
Bottom Left to Right: Brow Definer in Natural, Rose Quartz, White Peach, Gilded Taupe