I'm fairly clueless when it comes to hair products.  I use whatever is available, and for most of my adult life, it's been whatever is the cheapest/has the coolest packaging. Over the years, this haphazard haircare routine coupled with constant heat damage and hair dye has resulted in my current hair condition.  At one point I had long, healthy hair, though you wouldn't be able to tell that nowadays.

Because of this, I was very excited to receive Influenster's complimentary Living Proof Restore Vox Box this past month. The box contained: shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and a perfecting spray.



Product details: Living Proof Inc's "Restore" line available at Sephora, Ulta, Target, and Nordstrom.
There are various sizes of each product available ranging from travel size to 24 oz.

List price: $28-42

Claims: The company's "Restore" line claims to be appropriate for all hair types, working to restore moisture and hydration to damaged locks.




The shampoo and conditioner have a very light scent, similar to the other products in the line. It was a fairly pleasant, mostly floral scent and there was no over-the-top, intoxicating smell left lingering in the shower/bathroom/my hair afterwards so that was a win.  The shampoo was light-weight and easy to wash out, but my hair definitely felt cleaner at the end.  My general complaint with most shampoos is the dry feeling I'm left with once my hair dries. So I really appreciated the fact that my hair didn't feel like all the moisture had been immediately sucked out.

I have the hardest time washing conditioners out of my hair and I usually end up having sticky residue left over afterwards.  This conditioner, however, did not do that.  Like the shampoo, it was light-weight and easy to wash out.

I'm in love

After towel-drying my hair, I applied some of the hair-perfecting spray before brushing.  Again, every hair product I've used claims to be "de-tangling" so that statement doesn't mean much to me.  However, I'm not sure if it was the shampoo, the conditioner, the perfecting spray, or a combination of all three, but it was so incredibly easy to brush my hair.

First time trying out a hair mask

Though I love my face masks, I have to admit that I have never used any type of mask for my hair.  I really enjoyed the other products that I was sent so I decided to give this a try, as well.  Though my hair felt pretty hydrated after, I'm not sure there was enough of a difference in the state of my hair to justify the hefty price tag or the extra time I had to spend putting this on and waiting in the shower (yes, I'm lazy, errr too "busy")

Repurchase: As I've stated numerous times, I loved how my hair felt after I used the products.  But, I don't think there was any drastic change in the overall health of my hair long-term.  Given that and the high price tag, I'll probably continue my search for affordable and effective hair products.  The perfecting spray, however, was an absolute game-changer and I really liked how my hair felt and looked after I regularly used it. If you're in the market for a hydrating spray with great de-tangling qualities, I highly recommend this product!






*I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.* 

2016 was the year of eyeshadow palettes. I told myself I wasn't going to buy anymore after I purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Palette by Mario on a whim.

I had been eyeing the Huda Beauty Rose Gold Edition Eyeshadow Palette for a bit but repeatedly talked myself out of it (and it was pretty much sold out every time I checked so that helped).  The reviews were mixed and I tend to reach for the same few palettes usually so I managed to hold off for a while. I started getting bored of the same matte colors that I had and was really interested in how the glitter shadows were in the palette

Product details:
The palette contains a good mix of matte and glittery shadows.
Specifically, the palette has: ten matte shadows, two pearl finish shadows, and six 3D metal shadows.

List price: available on Sephora.com for $65.00.
Currently sold out on http://www.shophudabeauty.com/ but you can add yourself to the waitlist (free shipping on orders over $75)

Thoughts:
I was lucky enough that I was able to snag this palette from Sephora's website because I received the product in two days (shout out to Sephora Flash Shipping!).  I had heard horror stories from people that had ordered from the Huda Beauty website not receiving their packages for well over a month.


The packaging is typical of Huda Beauty products (still a sucker for it, though). The eyeshadow is laid out on a fairly cheap black plastic palette, which I was expecting since others had mentioned the poor quality.  It's similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills Creme Contour Kit case but cheaper quality.

When I initially read reviews regarding the palette, I was concerned because some of the common complaints were about the lack of pigmentation of the shadows.  However, I didn't find this to be true - especially with the pearl finish and matte shadows. They were very easy to pick up and apply with a brush and equally easy to blend out.

The only issue I experienced (similar to other users) was that the glittery shadows are nearly impossible to apply with any sort of brush.  This problem is pretty easy to solve if you just use your fingers for these, but if you're not a fan of that technique, then this palette definitely isn't for you. I was skeptical about how these more stubborn shadows would show up on my eyes (I haven't used my fingers to apply eyeshadow in...a few years...) but the end result was great and very pigmented. The 3D metal shadows are not chunky so if you're expecting a very obvious glitter look (think "instagram makeup tutorial looks"), then you'll find yourself disappointed with the shadows in this palette.

When I swatched these shadows, the color payoff wasn't as great as on my actual lids, but I think that may be due to the fact that I primed my eyes prior to application.  Keep that in mind if you decide to purchase this palette.

Also, the swatches shown below are with two swipes of an eyeshadow brush.

(top to bottom): Dubai, Fling, 14K, Rose Gold, Trust Fund, Angelic

3D Metallic Glitter Shadows (swiped using fingers)

(Top to bottom): #Blessed, Bossy, Flamingo, Shy, Bae,Moondust

(Top to bottom): Black Truffle, Suede, Coco, Maneater, Henna, Sandalwood

Repurchase?
The Huda Beauty Palette is pricey and incredibly difficult to get, as it's been sold out almost every time I've checked since it's release.  If you have the ABH Modern Renaissance palette and tend to stay away from glittery eyeshadow (and/or hate applying makeup with your fingers), then I would skip this palette. You'll be missing out on very little.  However, one of the greatest draws of this palette is the ability to play with muted looks, as well as, more vibrant and colorful colors.  I have been traveling quite a bit these past few months and the versatility of this palette is great because I can pack just this and have a variety of different colors/textures at my disposal.

The list of liquid lipsticks on the market right now is, overwhelming, to say the least. From mainstream brands to indie companies, it seems like everyone's jumping on the (not so) new trend. At this point, I've figured out which lipsticks work for me but I was still pretty excited when I received Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Crème in "Hot Cocoa" along with Marc Jacobs (P)Outliner Longwear Lip Pencil in "Nude(ist)" to try out.

Product details:  lip crème available in six shades on Sephora.com and MarcJacobsBeauty.com
lip liner available on Sephora.com (seven shades), NeimanMarcus.com (three shades), and MarcJacobs.com (three shades).


List price: $28.00 (lip crème) and $24.00 (lip liner)

Claims: Full coverage nude shades that allow for long-wear (approximately eight hours) without drying out lips. The lip liner is a gel-based liner that also allows for long-lasting wear and prevents bleeding or feathering.  The shades for the liner complement the lip crème color range.

Use: I very rarely wear lipstick for eight hours continuously so I decided to test this the next best way - at a desi party with greasy food I couldn't really eat with a fork/spoon.


Thoughts:
I was pretty hesitant about the color when I received it because it looked like a very dark brown on all the advertising I had seen.  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that that was incorrect, because the lip crème was actually more of a orange-ish brown (I'm not sure who thought that it looked like "hot cocoa" but...).  Regardless, I thought the color was pretty universally flattering and a good choice for Fall/Winter.


The lip liner was also significantly lighter on my lips than the swatches online showed.  It was so light that I had a hard time visualizing where I had applied it.

Both the lipstick and lip liner feel very comfortable on the lips; given that it's currently winter, I didn't have to deal with flaking or drying out. I definitely do not agree with the "eight hour wear" claim. Though some was still left, most of the lipstick came off by the time I finished my meal.

On the other hand, there was no feathering, which is something that I struggle with when I use liquid lipsticks. And layering more coats of the lipstick also was not an issue, unlike some other liquid lipstick formulas.

Repurchase?
Though I loved the packaging (sleek and simple) and the formula was extremely comfortable, I don't think I would repurchase this.  The formula isn't as long-lasting as I desire and the lip liner is far more than I spend on similar products.  If you don't mind reapplying lipstick (or only need it to last for a short period of time) and struggle with finding liquid lipstick that doesn't dry your lips out, this is a good option to consider.

I dread taking off my makeup at the end of the day. Most of the makeup I use is water-proof and long-lasting because of my tendency to constantly touch my face and rub my eyes so my night-time routine generally involves me scrubbing the heck out of my face until its red.

Over the years I've tried numerous makeup removing products: wipes, oils, etc, but everything either left a significant amount of residual makeup on my face and/or caused my skin to break out so I found myself switching things up constantly.  My most recent routine has comprised of using Philosophy - Purity Made Simple Cleanser (on sale here) followed by The Original MakeUp Eraser® Makeup Remover Cloth which I purchased from Sephora (also on sale right now here!).  The combination of products has been fine (no breakouts) and though I don't have to scrub quite as hard with the makeup remover cloth, I still feel like my makeup isn't being completely removed, especially my mascara and eyeliner (shout-out to Make Up For Ever's Smoky Extravagant Mascara and Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner in "Trooper" for being truly long-lasting/being so difficult to remove).

I stumbled upon this whole micellar cleansing water frenzy and was curious as to whether all the comments about it were actually true (feels like water?! I don't need to wash my face after because there's no gross residue?! Affordable?) I was curious so I went out and purchased one to try it out.


Product: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (There are two types: a "regular" one with a pink top and one for waterproof makeup that has a blue top. I purchased the latter).

List price: $6.29-875

Where to purchase: Any drugstore or Ulta (where both types are on sale currently)

Claims: The concept behind these and other "cleansing waters" is that water that contains micelles (collection of molecules that surround the makeup/dirt) allows you to easily and effectively remove makeup and other products without harsh rubbing and scrubbing. Because it's mostly water, you don't have to deal with the oily feeling other makeup removers leave you with so there's no need to wash your face after using this.  The end result should be clean and hydrated skin with no residual products left.

Use:
I decided to test this out after a dinner party when I had on heavier makeup than usual. For my eyes, I used a small amount on a cotton pad that I applied to each eyelid for a few seconds then gently rubbed.  The result is shown below.


For my face, I used another cotton pad and wiped my face until I felt like most of the product had been removed.

Thoughts:

As you can see, the cotton pad had a significant amount of eye makeup and mascara on it and it had done a fairly good job of removing most of it from my eyes.  So it definitely works.

However, despite repeatedly running the pad over my eyes and face, there was a little bit of mascara and eyeliner that refused to come off.  It wasn't until I used my usual cleanser and wiped my face with the makeup remover cloth that my face was truly makeup-free.

Speaking of washing my face, I definitely do not think I would have been able to get away with just using the micellar water to cleanse my face.  I agree that it isn't quite as oily as other makeup removers, but I still felt like I had a film of something that wasn't water on my face.

Although I don't think I'd ever use this in place of water to clean my face, I really liked adding this to my current routine.  While it doesn't take off everything on its own, I found that when I used this with my usual cleansing routine, my face felt a lot cleaner and less dried out.

Repurchase?
Given the price, I don't see why not.  Though it wasn't a miracle by any means, I did feel like it improved my current routine.

The theme for this month was fairly self explanatory.  Between the new cosmetic line being stocked at Sephora (Milk Makeup) and an "innovative" gel blush, the April Play! by Sephora box tried to highlight the popular trends in skincare and makeup.  I prefer to receive makeup products in my boxes so this month's box left something to be desired.  I'm glad they included Milk Makeup, but I would've liked to try something more traditional (hint hint, Sephora).


1) Milk Makeup Sunshine Oil


I was really excited when I heard that there was going to be a Milk item in the April box.  Sephora just recently started carrying the line and I have been curious as to how it is.  The brand's whole idea is to make beauty products quick and easy to use, with simple packaging (which I love) instead of the elaborate designs we usually see.

The "sunshine oil" was...yellow (clever) and smelled pretty good (citrusy) but I honestly didn't know what I was supposed to do with it. Was it supposed to be applied to areas I wanted a "glow"? Was I supposed to only use it on my face? Sephora sends a little booklet with details on each product, but their directions for what to do with the oil weren't very helpful. In any case, I applied it to my face and elbows after I showered and...yep, I stand by what I said before about oils- I'm not a fan.  I don't like the way oils make my skin feel and though this wasn't the worst (by far), it was just an unpleasant sensation.  I don't think I'll be using this again. Also, for those wondering, this dried clear and didn't add any color.

2) Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment




This basically makes the same claims as other anti-aging products.  And if you thought the $85 DDF Wrinkle Resist Serum I reviewed in my Allure April box here was expensive, just stop reading about this right now. It's nice to try out this cream for $10 but I highly doubt I will ever see enough of a change to justify dropping $105 on this. At least not right now. If you're looking for recommendations on moisturizers and products to help with hyper-pigmentation (that are easier on your wallet), feel free to go back to my Allure April box review.

3) Clinique Pep Start Eye Cream



I was a loyal Clinique fan for many years of undergrad before they changed up their makeup formula and I no longer could find the correct foundation match with my skin tone.  Since then, I've mostly given up on them so this is one of the only Clinique products I own--besides the sample lipgloss in "Black Honey" I received in a Sephora purchase (lipstick version--which I am a huge fan of--here).

Like the whole "anti-wrinkle" serum stuff, I don't really understand the deal with eye creams. In the rare occasions that I've actually tried them, they've done nothing that a good facial moisturizer doesn't do and I still have to apply under-eye concealer regardless.  The Clinique eye cream was no different. It comes in a cute little orange tube and applies fairly easily but I didn't notice any change the times I used it.

4) Nars Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien"



As soon as I pulled this out of the box, I knew it looked familiar. This was part of the Sephora birthday gift for Beauty Insiders a couple of years back so I'm not sure why they sent out the exact same shade again.  Regardless, it's a nice, very neutral color which is perfect for clinic days (and a good change from my usual, darker lips I've been doing recently).

As far as consistency, it doesn't dry down completely.  It has a sheen (but not super sticky, because that's a deal breaker for me with lip colors) but doesn't look like you slathered on lip-gloss.  The main negative with this is that the color transfers pretty rapidly and I basically had nothing left on my lips after a couple of hours.  If you're not a fan of reapplying lipsticks (like me) then this may not be the best choice for you.

5) Sephora Collection Colorful Cheek Ink Blush Gel in "Peony"


Gel...blush. I didn't know how I felt about this when I received it and, honestly, I'm still on the fence. Initially, I think I didn't apply enough and I noticed nothing.  Then the second time, I think I over-applied and I could clearly see streaks of pink (ugh). Finally, I tried applying a little bit with a Sephora Collection Airbrush Sponge and then slowly layered and...it worked!

The color is definitely on the brighter side and it's easy to overdo it (tip: just continue to blend it with a sponge and eventually it'll soften the color a bit).  I'm also not a fan of the texture because, as opposed to regular powdered blushes, I could definitely feel it on my face for a while. It stayed put for a few hours so that was great, but I really didn't like how I was aware it was on for most of the day.  Lesson learned: blush gel + southern humidity are not a good mix.



If you like this color but want a more traditional blush, my favorite is: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 hour Blush in "Doll Face".

6) Derek Lam 10 Crosby "2am Kiss"

When I found out Sephora was coming out with a monthly subscription box, I was ecstatic. I had pretty much given up on them entirely after trying out Ipsy for a few months (and a trial of Birchbox along the way, also) but I figured, since almost all my beauty purchases were made at Sephora, their box would be perfect. Of course, I went on to the website, realized that there was a waitlist, promptly signed myself up...and then forgot about it.

So imagine my surprise when more than six months later, I got an email saying I was finally off the waitlist (conveniently the day after I had signed up for the Allure Beauty Box -- which I reviewed here)!

The shipping schedule for the box is pretty annoying, because it wasn't sent out until the end of the third week and I received it about a week ago.  Hopefully, that's just an early kink that will be worked out.



First things first - the packaging. It comes in a box with the usual black and white Sephora design elements. Along with the usual beauty items, each box comes with a pamphlet that talks about the products and a "play pass" that allows you to get a complimentary "one on one session" in store along with 50 Beauty Insider points with any purchase.

Each month has a specific theme for all the products, with the March 2016 box named "The Perfection Collection".

The products:

1) Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (1.0 fl oz: $65)

I have tried a few other Murad products in the past and, to be honest, I just do not understand all the hype.  I haven't found the hefty price-tag worth it so I wasn't too excited to try this out. It's supposed to be a SPF + moisturizer + basically a built in "instagram filter" for your face all in one. I'm not so sure about the last part. I'm sure it moisturized and protected my skin, but I most definitely still had to use concealer and makeup.  I think I'll stick with my cheaper Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer that costs me a fraction of the price.

2) Fresh Soy Face Cleanser (1.7 fl oz: $15)

Every time I've tried to get my hands on the Fresh cleanser deluxe samples from Sephora, they've been out of stock and with all the other face cleansers I have, I didn't feel the need to purchase it without trying it out first. Fresh's other products have always been phenomenal (still managed to hold out on buying the full sized Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment) so I wanted to try this cleanser out as soon as possible. The product claims that the soy helps refresh skin and the cleanser removes makeup, and my face did feel noticeably cleaner after I used it but it was definitely not completely makeup-free. This is another one of those items that feels good on my skin, but not enough to necessarily justify the cost, especially if you already have a go-to cleanser.

3) Sephora Collection - The Perfectionist Airbrush Sponge ($12)

Perfect timing! My beauty blender had to be thrown out and I was going to purchase another one so I was glad I received this in my box this month.  Most of the time, when you're reading reviews for the Beauty Blender, there seems to be the opinion that anything beside the original Beauty Blender sponge is inferior in quality.  Because of that, I was willing to spend the $20 dollars every few months to replace my old, beat up sponge.  Last year, I decided to try out the Sephora Collection dupe and I found that I actually preferred those to the original I had.

The shape for these sponges is different than the traditional Beauty Blender, but I find that that's an improvement and makes it easier to handle when applying makeup.  Also, these sponges last a whole lot longer and I haven't had problems with mold, discoloration, and all the other complaints associated with the original Beauty Blender.

If you haven't tried using a sponge for makeup application/blending and were hesitant because of the price tag, I would recommend checking these out. I was skeptical about using sponges initially, but I really think that they do a far better job of giving a more natural, flawless appearance.

(The sponge that came with the Play! by Sephora box is currently sold out but here are similar products that you can try out: Sephora Sponge, black'Up Contouring Sponge, Blending Sponge)

4) Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (1 oz: $42)

I only use primer under my foundation, which I wear rarely (only for special occasions). I had used the original Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer for many years and then moved on to the more lotion-like Nars Pore-Refining Primer because it felt a lot better on my skin. I wasn't aware that Smashbox had come out with an oil version of their primer and tried it out since I've been having trouble with some dry areas on my face recently. I generally don't like working with oil because I just feel shiny/greasy the whole time and this kind of left me with the same feeling.  My face didn't look like I was sweaty or anything like that, but I felt as if my makeup wasn't as matte as I would like it.

Again, this is not a cheap investment so I would recommend trying out something a little easier to work with if this is your first foray into primers.  And, obviously, avoid this if you have any problems with oily skin.  I'm probably going to stick with my Nars primer from here on out, but I can see this being useful for applying to those specific dry patches on your skin, if you have those.  If you really don't like the feel of the original primer (I admit, the silicone makes it difficult to work with at times) and want an alternative that also isn't oily, I would try out the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water. The best part is that it comes in a more affordable size so you can try it out with less regret.

5) Kat Von D Tattoo Liner - "Trooper" ($19)

I think I've mentioned this eye liner multiple times already, so I'll spare you the details.  This has been my holy grail eyeliner since I first tried it out and I try to keep myself stocked up for when I run out. It truly is waterproof, smudge-proof (good for people like me that are constantly rubbing their eyes...oops), and very pigmented.  I'm terrible at working with liquid eyeliner but I really think that liquid gives the most vibrant color so this was a God-send.  One or two swipes is all you need to get the color pay-off and the pen is easy to control so you can make the line as thick or thin as you want.

6) Maison Martin Margiela - "Replica" Beach Walk

Along with the five deluxe samples in the box, Sephora also sends a small fragrance sample, which is nice because the size is useful for travel.  This month's perfume was different from what I usually use (I'm more into the muskier scents) but I liked it; "Beach Walk" is appropriate for the Spring - fresh, clean, and a much lighter scent.

Verdict: 
Though this first month's beauty box had items that I wouldn't necessarily purchase, it was nice to try out different formulations, brands, and products that were outside of my comfort zone.  The biggest perk with the Sephora box, for me at least, is the fact that I make most of my beauty purchases there and this allows me to try out mid/high range items before I commit.  As you can see from the pricing for the full-sized products, the items tend to be pricier than the Allure box and that may be a benefit or flaw, depending on the individual.

Given that I felt pretty much the same way about both boxes this month, I'll probably give it another month or so before I decide which one to keep!