Tag: Clinique

February Play! by Sephora Unboxing

Published on by Demetra MarieLeave a comment

Hello lovelies! February’s Play box, was long awaited. When I first opened the box, I was blown away by the look of the bag. I felt like I was opening a luxurious gift. The bag is a rosy pink satin bag and says SMITTEN #Sephoraplay on the bottom.  The theme of this month’s box is ‘The Soft Side.’ It is all about subtle, smooth, and neutral tones, embrace your natural beauty ladies! Let’s jump in and see what I got. I will kind of go in order in which I would apply them.

First up, the cult favorite, Origins GinZing eye cream. I just started a new eye cream, and have one more before I can actually get into this one. There is a slight scent that I can’t quite put my finger on. It is a neutral fresh type scent. It doesn’t pull in one specific direction. The full size retails for $30. If you were to purchase the size that came in the box it would retail for $7.50.

Next, let’s moisturize and prep our face. The Clinique pep-start hydroblur moisturizer claims to be kind of an all in one product. You can moisturize and it can act as a primer for those gals that have an oily skin type. It can also help blur pores and fine lines. The weather is still on the cold side here in Chicago, so I won’t be able to test this out until it gets warmer out. My skin tends to be combo-dry in the winter and combo-oily in the summer months. Full size retails $29.50, Travel size retails $9.50, Box size, if sold, $4.75.

How many of you have tried out the Sephora Collection? I have tried a few items out and have been pretty happy with the things that I’ve tried. This month’s box included the Sephora Lashcraft length and volume mascara. Like I said about the eye cream, I have a couple of mascaras to use and test out before I start using this one. When I read the reviews, it seemed that people either loved it or just didn’t like it. Retails: Full size:$12, Travel size: $7, Box size(if sold): $3.50.

This months box included two lip products. I got the Nars Velvet Lip Glide in Bound and the Too Face Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake. Ever since the Nars Velvet Lip Glides came out, I have wanted to get my hands on it. The one thing that I noticed, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has a problem with the way colors appear online. For me on the Sephora website, Bound looks like a rosy pink. In person and in the tube it looks much more of a mauve-y rose color, in certain light looks slightly purple. The lip glide swatched beautifully, I didn’t notice any patchiness, and there is just a slight vanilla cupcake scent, which I love. The Too Face Lip Injection Glossy is a milky nude shade, so the name Milkshake is definitely appropriate. On the website, it says that you may experience a tingly feeling for the first 5-10 minutes after application. Swatched on my hand, I don’t feel any tingling, but it may be different on the lips. The formula is sticky, so if you’re not a fan of sticky lip glosses, this one may not be for you. I noticed in the tube there is a gold shimmer in the gloss, and no, there is no grittiness. Retails: Nars Full Size: $26. Box Size: $12; Too Faced Full Size: $22 Box Size: $5.50.

Top: Too Faced, Bottom: NARS

Last up is the perfume sample. You could get one of three different scents.  I received the Marc Jacobs Divine Decadence. My first impression was that it is slightly strong, but it smells really good. At first there is a real strong floral scent. after awhile,there is a subtle hint of floral, with a creamy sweet mellowness. I’ll say this about receiving fragrance samples. I like that I can test out a different scent every month, but sometimes I wish I could just get an additional product instead. This month however, I love the fragrance only after it settles. Initially it is a bit too floral for me. I looked up this fragrance, and the bottle is absolutely gorgeous. I even like the simplicity of the roller ball.

Well that is everything that came in my February box. What would you like to see reviewed or used in a look? Let me know! I hope that March has been treating everyone well. Have fun and be safe this St. Patric’s Day weekend.

January Play! by Sephora Unboxing

Published on by Demetra Marie1 Comment

Hello lovelies! It has been awhile since I’ve posted. I have been extremely sick for the last couple of weeks. Today is the first day that I have felt healthy enough to do anything. To kick off February, I’m sharing what I got in my January Sephora Play box. The theme to January’s box is Beauty, Set, Go. It contains different items that are quick to use and great for on the go. Let’s jump right in!

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Products

Ouai Treatment Mask; Retails: $32 8pack

Tarte Frxxxtion Stick; Retails: $22

Youth to the People Kale + Spinach Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream; Retails: $48

AmorePacific Color Control Cushion Compact Broad Spectrum SPF 50+; Retails: $60

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey; Retails: $17

Tory Burch Love Relentlessly; Retails: $68

That’s everything that came in my box. The one thing that I’m really looking forward to trying out is the Tarte Frxxxtion Stick. I’m hoping that it will solve some skin peeling issues I have on my face. The Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey is something that I’ve had my eye on for a long while and very happy that I received it in my box. I’m still on the hunt for a foundation or foundation like product that will mesh with my skin type and is quick and easy for those out-the-door days. My skin is dry/combo/acne prone in the winter and have some larger pores, while in the summer its oily/combo/acne prone and the pores are the size of Saturn. If anyone has any suggestions drugstore or high end let me know. While I have a few deluxe samples of face moisturizers, I’m intrigued and excited to try out the Youth to the People cream.

I’m looking to change up the format for this post. What would you like to see? A first impression? An update a couple of weeks later? Let me know in the comments below. I’m open to all kinds of suggestions. Have a great week!

 

Project Pan Finale!!

Published on by Demetra MarieLeave a comment

Hello lovelies! So today I’m giving you the last update on my Project Pan. Let me get the bad news out of the way first. I did not reach my goal of finishing 10 out of the 15 products that I chose. I believe that I chose too many challenging items to try and complete in the time frame that I gave myself. On the other hand I think I balanced it out with enough products that I would be able or should have finished. Although I was not successful, I learned a lot about the way I use items. I am looking forward to do many more project pans. So let me go through everything.

Completely Finished

Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer

It’s a 10 Leave-In Conditioner

Garnier Blackhead Eliminating Scrub

Blistex Silk & Shine

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Tropical Mango

Almost Done

Buxom Full-On Lip Creme in White Russian

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

Nivea Lip Butter (Lost it)

Clarins Mission Perfection Serum

NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee

Aussie Sprunch Spray

Nowhere Close to Being Finished

Matrix Silk Wonder Smoothing Oil

Marc Jacobs Dot

Aussie Heat Protecting Shine Spray

Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx

That is everything! This brings my first Project Pan to a close. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. See you in my next post!

Christmas Gift Ideas- What I Got Everyone for Christmas

Published on by Demetra Marie1 Comment

Hello lovelies! I hope that you are all staying warm. Today I’m sharing what I got my friends and family for Christmas this year, and a few other ideas. Most of these are pretty budget friendly. I have a few items that are a little bit more expensive, but most of these are pretty affordable and won’t break the bank.

For my co-workers:

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You can also add some hand lotion for the women or a little Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts gift card to this as well. I love this idea for coworkers or a small gift to keep on hand. Who doesn’t love a little chocolate, cold weather is the perfect time to burn a great smelling candle, and with winter comes chapped lips. I lose chapstick all the time, so giving one this time of the year is perfect!

For the men:

img_2189My brother is a huge Chicago Cubs fan. This Christmas, he asked to get him useful things. I know he loves his Keurig and while he said not to get anything Cubs related, I thought why not combine the two. A tumbler is a great gift or stocking stuffer for someone that is always on the run, it’s not just for the men! Another really good option for maybe a boyfriend or husband is cologne. My boyfriend currently has the Polo Black and I love how it smells on him. His bottle is almost finished and he mentioned awhile back that he really liked it and wanted another bottle.

TIP: Pay attention throughout the year! If you hear someone saying I really like this or I want this, maybe I’ll ask for it for my birthday, Christmas, etc. Make a mental note. Pick it up for them.

For the breakfast lover or foodie:

img_2191I love the pancake and syrup combo. This idea is a little bit of a wild card. I think that this is more of mom, aunt or uncle gift. It’s something different, looks a little special if it is packaged nicely. My idea behind this kind of gift is that it is unique

For friends, sisters, mom:

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Water bottles, candles and mugs all make great gift ideas for a friend or a sister, even mom! For those ladies in your life that are more into beauty or skincare, this is where I suggest a little bit more, or where you will tend to spend a little bit more than you are planning. If you know a lovely gal that has been wanting to try out the Beauty Blender but they don’t see the point of spending $20 on a sponge, what a great time to get them a little treat! While I agree that the price is high, it has completely changed the way I apply makeup and absolutely love it! The same thing can be said for the GlamgGlow masks. They are a very pricey but to give it as a gift to one of the special ladies in your life is an extra special gift. It is also something that they may be considering getting or trying out but really wouldn’t treat themselves to it.

A few other gift suggestions:

  • makeup gift set
  • mug filled with everything to make a cup of hot cocoa
  • home-assembled manicure/pedicure kit
  • jewelry: I’m not talking about the expensive stuff, I’m talking about a cute dainty necklace, or a simple bracelet or earring and necklace set
  • sampler set; of anything! hot chocolates, hot sauce, seasonings, coffee, etc.

I hope that you enjoyed my gift ideas and found this post useful. I thoroughly enjoy this time of the year. The lights, snow, hot chocolate, and my favorite shopping for the perfect gift for my loved ones. Have a great week and I’ll see you in my next post!

Project Pan Update #3

Published on by Demetra Marie2 Comments

Hello lovelies! I know that this update is a little late going up but I wanted to update you all anyways. This will be short and sweet and I’m not going to go through every item. The only new item that I have essentially used up is my Blistex Silk n Shine Lip Balm. I have to use my finger now in order to get the product out of the tube. I could use a lip brush, but for a lip balm it just doesn’t seem worth it to me to do that. I have moved on to the Nivea Lip Butter in order to try and finish that as well by the end of the year.

The next few items that should be done within this next month, the body scrub, which I feel is the never ending tub, the Clinique eye cream, and the Clarins Serum. Honestly, I don’t see my self finishing up any of my hair products or my perfume, but I have made quite a bit of progress with the perfume. I’m over the scent and have a list of perfumes that I would like to get and some samples I have received.

I originally gave myself to December 5th to finish at least 10 items, and I thought how ridiculous that is! I still have 3 more weeks of the year left. There’ll be one more update before the final reveal of everything that I have used up. I am hopeful that I will reach my goal of 10, and look forward to doing another project pan in the future. Have a great Monday and I’ll see you in my next post!