August Favorites: Bobbi Brown, Dr. Jart, Maybelline, Neutrogena, YSL

HELLO ALL! I'm finally updating with my August favorites. I'm not planning to do these every month, but I've been using these products everyday since the moment I've bought them. There aren't a lot, but I hope you enjoy!  ❤ ❤ ❤

Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick 

As I mentioned in my previous post, a makeup artist at Bobbi Brown recommended the Creamy Concealer for the under-eye area and this Face Touch Up Stick for the face. After falling in love with the Creamy Concealer, I wanted to try out this product. The formula of this concealer is definitely not as creamy. However, this allows for the concealer to last longer on the face. This concealer definitely lasts throughout the whole day, and it is super easy to apply when you are on the go. Unfortunately, the makeup artist who helped me choose my color gave me a darker shade so I will have to exchange it. Other than the color, I love the formula and staying power. It does not make you look cakey at all and a small amount gives you medium coverage (I wouldn't say it has the greatest/fullest coverage). Also, I would not recommend applying this all over the face - just on small spots. The product has 0.08 OZ of product and retails for $28. 

Dr. Jart Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm

I think this is the perfect BB cream for people with pale skin like me. My mom gave this to me after realizing that it was way too light for her skin tone. I love how this BB cream applies, and I don't find it to oxidize at all. It evens out my complexion without making my face look cakey. It comes in one universal shade, but it fits my skin PERFECTLY-- maybe because it's a Korean company. It claims to "combat" dark spots, but I haven't used it enough to notice any difference. The tube is very convenient to use because it has a pump applicator. The BB cream has 1.5 OZ of product and retails for ~$36.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer 

I've heard a lot of great things about this product, and I understand what the hype is all about. It's super inexpensive, and has awesome coverage. It's a liquid type concealer with a doe-foot applicator. The one reason I do not like drug store makeup is because it is difficult to find the right shade. Luckily, I picked shade 10 (light), which fits PERFECTLY for my skin tone.  It stays on the whole day without making me look cakey and it does not accentuate dry spots. This concealer has 0.23 OZ of product and retails for ~$6. With complete honesty, this concealer works as well as or even better than the Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick. However, nothing beats the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer for the under-eye area. 

Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid Sunscreen 

I really recommend this sunscreen for anyone looking for an every-day face sunscreen. It's a liquid formula, so you have to shake it before use. It works just like the Clarins UP Plus Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, but it's about one-fourth the price. It is "designed to layer invisible under makeup and moisturizers." It definitely does what it say it will do. The sunscreen has 1.4 Fl OZ of product and retails for ~$11. 

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine (#4 Rouge in Danger)

After experimenting with some vibrant lipstick colors, I wanted a standard red lipstick. My Nars lip pencil in Dragon Girl has shades of red, but I find it to be more pink. This YSL lipstick was the perfect one! I first fell in love with it because of the packaging... I mean c'mon...! If anyone is looking for a red lipstick with a blue undertone.... THIS IS THE ONE. However, because this is a super creamy formula, the red color is not as vibrant as the YSL Glossy Stains. I was debating between the Glossy Stains #9, but chose this one because it was SO creamy. If you're looking for a vibrant red, I really recommend the YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in #9. I was a bit concerned about the staying power for this lipstick, but it has a slight staining effect. I find that it settles on my lips without transferring onto my cups. It does require reapplication throughout the day, but the faded shade still lasts on your lips. This lipstick has 0.15 OZ of product and retails for ~$35.

Thanks for reading!

PRODUCT REVIEW: BOBBI BROWN, MARIO BADESCU, NARS

Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil

This is literally MY HOLY GRAIL PRODUCT. I never understood people when they called a product their "holy grail" until I bought the Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil. After using the First Aid Beauty Ultra Face Cream and realizing that it wasn't working for my skin, I bought the well-known Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream. I thought I was going to LOVE it at first because I heard so many good things about it, but my face started stinging/burning every time I used it. I let the stinging/burning sensation pass the first few days because I thought I had gotten sunburned. This tingly/stinging sensation occurred even when using the First Aid Beauty Face Cream. As stupid as I may sound, I didn't realize that I was allergic to both the moisturizers for months until recently. After realizing that I was allergic to something in the moisturizers, my skin problems (random pimples, red bumps, uneven skin tone) made complete sense. I was very shocked that I was allergic to the Kiehl's moisturizer... After doing research, I came upon this oil. I remembered seeing a couple of Korean celebrities using this oil on television in their skin care routine, which was another reason why I wanted to try it out. I was obviously allergic to something in cream moisturizers so this face oil sounded a lot more appealing. The product description on Sephora states that its a "blend of oils, including sesame, sweet almond, olive, and jojoba" -- basically a bunch of natural oils with vitamin and such.

Okay, now I will discuss my personal review on this product. The first night I applied this oil I loved everything about it--the smell, the light texture, and the quick absorption. The Bobbi Brown makeup artist and many reviews stated that a small amount goes a long way for this product. Therefore, I did not want to apply a heavy amount, especially because it was an oil formula. At first, I was a bit iffy applying such a small amount because I felt it wouldn't be enough to moisturize my face but I didn't apply more because I wanted to see if a small amount was enough as the reviews stated. Before applying this oil, I only applied the Clinique 'Dramatically Different' Moisturizing Lotion.

Morning came around and I really noticed a difference in my skin. My skin tone looked a lot more even and it looked super hydrated. It made my skin look so flawless that I didn't want to wash my face in the morning... The makeup artist said that this product can also be used as a day moisturizer, so before putting on my makeup I applied a small amount and really massaged it into my face. AH! My skin felt and looked SUPER moisturized -- it gave me a dewy finish. I LOVED IT. My face makeup always looked good the moment I applied it, but after thirty minutes, it turned super cakey because my skin always lacked moisture. I finally found my SOLUTION. Also, because the oil worked to even out my skin tone, I found myself using way fewer products on my face because I didn't need to conceal the discoloration as much.

I know there are a lot of people who may be a bit hesitant to apply oil on the face because it can clog pores and bring out the nasty blackheads/ whiteheads. I was a bit worried at first too, but after using the oil I noticed that my whiteheads shrunk a lot.

One con about this product is that the packaging. It comes in a glass jar with a small hole on top, which is a bit inconvenient to use. It does not even come with a dropper. The way I get "a small amount" is by placing the palm of my hands over the hole and quickly flipping the jar upside down. I find the oil left on my palms to be enough. This was the method I saw Korean celebrity Park Soo-Jin use with this product. I then rub the oil to make it warm before massaging it onto my face.

Other than that, it works wonders.  It will definitely be something I will be repurchasing. For 1 oz, it costs me $63 (~68 w/ tax :/). It is a bit pricey, but I think it is really worth it.

**I apologize for this LONG "review." I wanted to share my whole experience with this product. I was SUPER excited to share it! :)

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream 

After running low my Kiehl's Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Eye Cream, I began to look for a cheaper option. I heard that you don't really need to invest in an eye cream, especially people in their early 20s. I wanted to look for a mid-range, hydrating eye cream because the Kiehl's eye cream, which was ~$45, did absolutely nothing for me. While researching, I came across this eye cream, and it sounded perfect for me. I was excited to try another Mario Badescu product aside from their amazing drying lotion.

Let me first start off my saying that it is SUPER hydrating. I noticed a BIG difference the morning after applying it. My under eyes always looked cakey after applying concealer because it was so dry, but I don't have to worry about it anymore. It works really well for day and night. Remember dryness around the eyes is what causes wrinkles! I will definitely be repurchasing this. The price for this eye cream is $18.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils in Dragon Girl

I'm starting to really get into lipsticks. I still have a fear for them, but I'm slowly finding a solution. I got this particular color because I saw several Korean celebrities using it --Nana& Lee Sora on Roommate; Gong Hyo Jin; Taeyeon from Girl's Generation (i dont always buy things they use but this color red/pink really stood out). It was also recommended on Korean blogs. I don't have the courage to apply this full out on my lips, but I use it to make a gradient effect. Because it is matte, I always exfoliate and moisturize before applying it. It has a staining effect because it is matte so you don't have to reapply as often. The price is $25.

I hope you guys enjoyed my reviews. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

With love,

Ahra <3