WANDER BEAUTY NEW FALL COLLECTION

If you've followed me for a while you know that Wander Beauty is one of my favorite makeup brands. They sent over some items from their new Fall collection so that I could test. The felt tip liner (High Line) is super precise - love! The Wanderess Rush eyeshadow palette has really creamy shades (both shimmers and mattes) that blend out well. I have it swatched below.

BEST FACIAL IN MIAMI- CAUDALIE, BRICKELL CITY CENTRE

I recently visited the Caudalie boutique at Brickell City Centre in Miami. The boutique, located on the second floor near Zara, has a quiet and zen treatment room.  The spa offers facials and body treatments by trained estheticians who exclusively use Caudalie products. This is an honest review of my experience getting what I consider to be one of the best facials in Miami. 

BEAUTY FILE: KERASTASE REFLECTION COLLECTION

As a blogger, I am fortunate in that I get to test a ton of beauty and haircare products. Of course, I am always open to trying out new things, but along the way, I have definitely developed some favorites. The Kerastase Reflection line is one of those newly favorited product launches.

When Kerastase reached out, I was eager to see what they recommended for my hair.  A few years ago, I had a bad cellophane treatment that left my hair dry and prone to breakage. In 2017, I reluctantly dyed my hair for the first time, which resulted in my hair turning a shade too dark for my liking. In order to counteract the black shade, I got highlights. The bleach killed my hair.  I've been growing it out ever since, trying to do what I can to restore it.

I have been using the Kerastase Reflection line, consistently, for over three months. My hair is stronger, and softer. It also has a lot more shine. I use the Sulfate Free Shampoo for color treated hair and the Reflection Mask. I do use a drugstore shampoo for my first shampoo, then follow it with the shampoo from the line. I leave the conditioning mask on anywhere from 5-10 minutes. I really coat my hair in the mask and use a good amount.  The conditioning mask has lasted me a full three months. I still haven't gone through a full bottle of the shampoo.  These are high end products which are worth the investment.

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

Kerastase is having a sale on their website. You can now get the Reflection Holiday Gift Set for a special price.  The line is carried at my local CVS. Sephora has also recently started carrying Kerastase!

If you have tried these products out, please leave a comment letting me know what your experience has been.

Kerastase sent me the products in the Reflection line. This post is not sponsored. 

Natural hair, no product, and air dried after washing / conditioning with Kerastase Reflection Shampoo and Mask

WANDER BEAUTY

Wander Beauty's On The Glow Blush and Illuminator duo. A two-in-one product that's easy to travel with.
The shell is part of the Sunday Forever Witch Kit

Wander Beauty's On The Glow Blush and Illuminator duo  

Wander Beauty is a new beauty and makeup line that was created by two women, model Lindsay Ellingson and business woman Divya Gugnani, who saw the need to cut down on the amount of stuff they packed when they traveled. They also needed to streamline their busy mornings.  They took this concept, of multi-tasking, no fuss products,  and created Wander Beauty.

Most people like to pack light when they travel; an idea that admittedly, escapes me.  Still, I'm aware that many women need to travel with only the essentials.  When you add a few kids into the mix, keeping things easy becomes even more important.

Most products in the Wander Beauty line are dual sided for this reason.  They are 2 in 1 and easy pack or throw in your purse.  Wander Beauty is cruelty free :) The line is also free of parabens, synthetic fragrance and mineral oil.  They also offer a selection of gluten free products.

You guys, the line is really, really good. I've been using it for over a month and will not go back to another concealer. Read below for product reviews on my faves.

MALLY BEAUTY MALLYWOOD COLLECTION

When I received this package from Mally with their Mallywood collection, I was really excited. Years ago, when Mally first debuted on QVC, my mom and I would watch her promote her products. She's really fun, vibrant and has so much passion that she pours into her brand. She really stands behind her products, and if any of you have ever tested items from her line, you know why.

The Mallywood spring collection is limited edition and available online at Ulta, and the Mally website. It features:

• highlighting blush ($28)
• smokey mama mascara ($20)
• wazza wazzup ombre highlighting trio ($32)
• limited edition eye shadow palette ($29)

Swatches after the cut: 

NEW IN BECCA COSMETICS

Today, I'm sharing some new stuff from Becca Cosmetics that I've been testing for a few months.  Plus, some of the products are currently 50% off at Sephora. 

Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlight ($38):  I have the shade Prismatic Amethyst. This is the best daytime highlight shade. You can see the shift in tones below;  it's less pink, and has more of a lavender shift with golden undertones.  This is a a subtle highlight however, don't be afraid to pile this product on if you're looking for something more intense, because it layers well.  TFE Pro Tip: wet your brush or spray some Mac Fix +  to use this product as a brow bone highlight or an all-over lid eye shadow lid shade.

In the quick snaps below, I am wearing the under eye brightener and the highlight. I applied the highlight on my cheeks, tip of my nose and cupid's bow. It is a bit difficult to see but it swatches beautifully and is subtle.

Liquid Crystal Glow Gloss (on sale for $11): these glosses are beautiful and lightweight. They come in unique shades, that are not traditional - a good thing. They wear well over lipstick and will provide a pretty holo shift.

Under Eye Brightening Corrector ($32):You must give this a try but understand that it's not an actual under eye concealer. Of all the Becca products I've tested, this is my favorite one. It's an under eye brightener that breathes life back into tired eyes. I know a few brand new mama's that love this, too. It has a tacky feel upon first application, but once you blend it and set it, you won't feel it. I don't apply it directly under the eyes, but a bit lower on the face.

Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blush ($34): this is a great product because it is pigmented (like crazy), applies smoothly but most of all, is long wearing. Blush is the first thing to go on me, but this wears well. Dip your brush but then shake off the excess before applying.  This shade below is Camellia.

That wraps up this post on the new Becca products that I have been trying out.  I am also testing out a new product photography method and love how the white background makes the products look.

Disclosure: all products in this post were provided to me by PR.

KRISTEN LEANNE X URBAN DECAY COLLECTION AND SWATCHES

The best days are the days when you arrive home after a long day at work and Urban Decay sends you their latest launch. The day gets even better when you realize that it's the a collab which features one of your fave beauty bloggers, Kristen Leanne.

The launch:

• Kaleidescope Dream Eyeshadow Palette; 
• Beauty Beam Highlight Palette; 
• Vice Lipsticks in shades Cloud9 (magenta), Bun Bun (nude) and Spellbound (plum); 
• Daydream Eyeshadow Palette; 
• Ulta Exclusives: Vice Liquid Lipstick Duo & a mustard single shadow.

The collection is vibrant, bright and bold, but also has something for the more subtle makeup lover. The Daydream palette is a matte shadow palette with great neutrals. The surprisingly perfect shade is 12/12, a coral sherbert that can be both a crease and lid shade. Eight is slightly patchy but once worked into the crease, blended after a bit. Lucy is an overall setting shade. Subscribe is my favorite blending shade.

The Kaleidescope palette is super pigmented. It contains a combination of matte, shimmers and two holographic shades (Leo & Brixton,) that completely transform the look of the shadows. The eyeshadows are very soft and creamy, with amazing color payoff.

The packaging is absolutely worth mentioning - making every aspect of this collection display-worthy. The pictures below speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy this post!  I'll be posting some looks with the collection in a separate post!

  

Keep reading for full swatches of the entire collection and take a look at the video I filmed, previewing the launch.  

Kristen Leanne x Urban Decay Kaleidescope Eyeshadow Palette

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA: SULWHASOO

Sulwhasoo: for the skincare junkie in your life. Sulwhasoo is the pioneer line for ginseng based, anti-aging cosmetics. It is centered around Korean herbal medicine. It was developed in 1966 with the advent of Sulwhasoo Ginseng Creme. As we all know, ginseng has beneficial health properties when ingested, it makes sense that it should also be included as an active ingredient in skincare. This is the Sulwhassoo line. Not many aspects of ginseng are left untouched when it comes to this line, they utilize everything from the roots, stem, leaves, and blossom
The First Care line features some of the most popular of Sulwhasoo products. All First Care items are infused with the JAUM Balancing Complex. 5 major ingredients, Solomon's Seal, Peony, White Lily, Rehmannia, and Sacred Lotus, were all selected to create a line that balances your skin.

They're highly rated products but perhaps the most sought after item is First Care Activating Serum EX (also available on Amazon). It balances the skin, reduces redness and adds hydration for plumping fine lines. It contains licorice, used to brighten the skin, although I myself haven't noticed any fading in brown spots. I use it on my face, eyes, neck and chest. You are to warm the product up in the palms of your hands, then gently pat it into your skin.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum Ex

Not to be outdone in the cushion compact department, they also have a range to offer consumers. The Sulwhasoo Perfect Cushion Intense Compact makes for a beautiful gift because of the luxe packaging. Even the detailing on the foil covering is pretty.  Infused in the makeup are anti-agin and skin firming properties. The downside is the very limited shade range. It contains SPF50, which is amazing for a foundation, cushion compact. This is not full coverage (I don't know of any that are), but it can be built up, and leaves a demi-matte glow to the skin. 

Sulwhasoo Perfect Cushion Intense Compact:

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA: COVER FX PALETTE

Today, I'm featuring the Cover FX Perfect Highlighting Palette, a perfect gift for the statement making girl on your list, who loves to sport bold makeup.  It's currently on sale for 50% off. Shipping is free and you don't have to sign up for their e-mails or register as as user on their website. You can also checkout using Paypal. Cue emoji of dancing cabaret twins.

The palette itself is a sleek rosegold, mirrored compact. It's got significant weight to it and feels sturdy. There are six multi-use powders in the compact. The shades are Blossom, Prism, Rose Gold, Golden Peach, Celestial, and Gilded.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA: MAC LIPTENSITY LIPSTICKS AND LINERS

MAC Liptensity lipsticks have tons of staying power without being drying. They leave a satin finish. The original shade range included 24 colors that I swatched in a video and blog post when they first launched.  They are super, super opaque and deposit richly pigmented, creamy color. Now, the original twenty four have some new brothers and sisters. The range has been expanded for the Holiday's to include the colors:  

Something else that's new for the Holidays? Matching Liptensity lipliners. The corresponding shades match up perfectly with their partners. 18 new lipliner shades in all. 

Mac Liptensity Lipsticks retail for $21.

Mac Liptensity Lipliners retail for $21. 

FTC: MAC provided me with the Liptensity line, reviewed above.

CLARINS FALL COLLECTION AND SWATCHES

Clarins Fall 2017 Fall Collection roundup:

• Jolie Rouge lipstick in the shade Deep Red - super opaque, and creamy. A bold, blue based red that applies seamlessly, and wears very comfortably. Highly recommend. 
• Super Restorative Instant Lift Sheet Mask  - I'm an absolute sheet mask addict. If I'm being honest, I'm actually bothered by my love of the sheet mask. A single use product is difficult to justify, price-wise. But, whatever.  My all time favorite is this mask, but this Clarins mask gives similar results (visibly plumps) and is less expensive. You'll also have a good laugh when you put it on because it wraps around the back of your ears and your neck. 
• Clarins Lipliner Pencil in the shade Roseberry - a creamy matte lipliner that applies very smoothly and is not patchy. This shade is a great berry shade.  I've been wearing it to work and lasts a good portion of the day. It's a bit drying because it's matte, but if you layer it with a balm, it's perfect. I use this one.
• Ombre Matte Single Eyeshadow in the shade Midnight Blue -  the name of this shadow is deceiving. It's not a matte. It's got a beautiful, very subtle sheen. It can be easily built up. It wears best over an eyeshadow base or primer, to bring out the vibrant blue pigment.  I recommend pairing it with this shadow base. 

Swatches below xx