Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars

So I picked these little guys up at my local Sephora this winter after having stared at them on the internet for what feels like years. Every major "makeup guru" on youtube seems to think that they're pretty much the best thing ever. 

They are what I would consider "naturalish". Meaning while there area some questionable ingredients (mainly being some of the pigments) they're are better than something like MAC in my opinion. 

Pros: Totally pigmented like no other. Each of the ones I bought are pretty  opaque on contact. You can make them sheerer by applying over a heavy layer of lip balm. They're also great matte color. Which I love but not everyone may like. Also a tiny little bit goes along way. That means more bang for your buck, and who doesn't like that?

Cons: Because they are matte they can be drying on sensitive lips. So lip balm first! Also they do have some D&C ad FD&C dyes so use at your own discretion. 

I like to layer on lip balm while I'm doing the rest of my face and then dab off the excess and apply one of these. They are so great for going out as they last very well through drinking and eating. 

Have you tried these before? What's your favorite color?

No More Dirty Looks Quarterly Box

I totally should be putting up other posts before this but I'm so excited about my No More Dirty Looks box! I got this lovely surprise in the mail about 2 weeks ago. I was super pleased to find inside some brands that I've been anxious to try. W3LL people and One Love Organics have been on my radar for a little while now but I could never settle on just one to try. 
So a little about the NMDL box. It's through a company called Quarterly Co. The boxes ship out every 3 months and run $25. Yes a little more expensive than the monthly boxes that are out there but I feel I really got a great deal with the products I received. 
I got:
One Love Organics Morning Glory - 15ml (retails at $29)
One Love Organics Brand New Day - Sample
W3LL People Universalist 2 - 3.4g (retails at $33)
Korean Akasuri Sponge

The only thing I've not tried yet is the OLO Brand New Day scrub but it's on the list.
The W3LL People Universalist was one of the first things I was excited about. It's got a great pearl color that leans a bit on the more golden side. Not near as cool as the RMS living luminizer. It's also not as sticky in texture as the RMS thanks to having some silica in it. It wears great and applies beautifully. For me I find it's very natural and would totally recommend it to a friend. 

If you love body exfoliation you'll love the Akasuri sponge. It's not really a sponge though, more of a long scrubby cloth. It's great for polishing away dry winter skin. Just be careful, too much pressure will leave you a little rosy. 
I'm still trying out the OLO Morning Glory for another couple weeks. Right now though? Kind of loving it. 

I can't wait for my next box to come as I've really loved the products. I also feel I got a great deal with the price of the box.  Check back for a full review of OLO Morning Glory as well as swatches of the W3LL People Universalist. 


No More Dirty Looks at Quarterly Co. is a subscription box service and was paid for by me.

Thursday Thoughts

Ever have one of those days where your complexion just feels off? 

Today is one of those days. No matter what I've applied it just feels off. 

So I'm asking what is your favorite thing to make your skin and complexion feel at its best? Is it a serum, a makeup product, a tea? 

Tell me your secrets.

Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream

I really believe in eye creams. I tell my clients that if they're only going to use one thing it'd better be sun protection. If they're looking for a simple two step routine that second step has to be eye cream. The eye area is so delicate that I feel it should always be pampered. For myself my particular concerns are dryness and darkness. Being in my late 20s as well anti-aging is pretty high on the list too. 

Kahina's Eye Cream is something I've been itching to try. It's one of the few eye creams out there that doesn't have Chamomile in it. Which is great as I'm totally allergic to it. Hives around the eyes aren't particularly cute. Anyways, what it does have in it is lovely though. Argan oil, Vitamin E and Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), green and white teas and North Atlantic sea fennel are just some of the highlight ingredients. It's a great light textured cream that has a light fresh scent and absorbs super quick. 

Kahina's website states that these will help to :

• Enhance moisture retention while boosting collagen production

• Stimulate microcirculation to decrease puffiness and dark circles

• Soothe and relax muscles around the eyes to reduce the appearance of fine lines

• Fight free radicals that contribute to cellular damage and aging

What I can tell you from personal experience is that I notice a huge difference in the puffiness of my eyes as well as my dark circles. I stopped using it for two weeks to see if it was all in my head or not and let me tell you that it was most certainly not. When your coworkers ask if you're feeling all right your eye area is too dark. If you need even more dark circle fighting action try layering La Bella Figura's Decouverte Under Eye Repair Serum on the skin first and following it with the Kahina Eye Cream. It really gives dark circles the one two punch!

Ingredients:

aqua, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil*, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl olivate, sorbitan olivate, glycerin, populus tremuloides (aspen) bark extract, betaine, cetyl palmitate, xanthan gum, p-anisic acid, sodium hyaluronate, hexapeptide-11, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract*, helianthus annuss (sunflower) seed oil*, crithmum maritimum (sea fennel) extract, oryza sativa (rice) seed extract*, camellia sinensis leaf extract, olea europea (olive) leaf extract, saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, rhodiola rosea root extract, aroma, amyl cinnamal, linalool

Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream retails at $65 for .4 fl oz

This product was purchased by me. Reviews are my own. 

Sensational Saturday!

So I wanted to share with you all some of my fellow green beauty bloggers. 
Each week I'll be picking a post from their blogs and featuring it here. 

Green Beauty Blog Highlights Week One!

Over on Pemberly Jones she talks about one of my favorite skincare lines La Bella Figura .

Beauty By Britanie will help keep your limbs hydrated with a review of Rainwater Botanicals .

kimberlyloc finds a way to save room in her travel bag with Stark Skincare .

Love vanilla? Check out Beauty Huile's review of Phoenix Botanicals .

iluvjesse444 talks about her favorites for 2012!

Eco Beauty Secrets looks for lush locks with Divine Herbal Hair Oil

pure makeup fixes up winter skin with Badger Balm

Naturally Blushed discovers the great combination of Rose Water and Glycerine





I hope you enjoy checking out these blogs! Have a fantastic weekend!

ecoTOOLS brushes

Seriously I can never have enough brushes, I just love them. This great little set from ecoTOOLS is perfect for travel as there is brush for just about everything from bronzer to concealer. I love that ecoTOOLS brushes are cruelty free and this set in particular has recycled aluminum handles. 
I got my set from a very awesome boyfriend for Christmas but you can find one like it on Amazon.