Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet +

Hello everybody! So Im finally back from vacation and out of lazy mode haha. I didn't realize how difficult it would be for me to jump back into the groove of my routine ugh. But today I have a post on a holy grail foundation that helped me looked matte and fresh while on vacation. Its Make Up ForEver Mat Velvet +, this product is genius and I never really understood how much I loved it until now.

Make Up ForEver Mat Velvet + is a full, matte coverage that comes in a huge range of colors. It has a velvet texture, and is easy to blend. A little goes a long way, and you want to be careful with application, because it can come off as cake and heavy. I really enjoy the texture of this foundation, simply because it makes my skin feel so soft and put together. Since its heavier coverage I don't need concealer to cover the black spots on the side of my face, which is what I love most about full coverage foundations, its a one stop shop.

The wear time was amazing, which I was surprised because theres no "long lasting" claim to the product. Even though it goes on matte, after awhile shine does begin to break through. It wasn't a deal breaker, simply because I was in Vegas and walking around all day I expected for some shine to come into play. But even with the shine, my face still looked really fresh and elegant. I just felt pretty with this on!

I love this foundation and I think its a must have.!

XOXO,
Brandee

Vacation

Hello everyone! Just wanted to post really quickly that I am currently on vacation and will be back next Monday! I miss blogging and can't wait to get back to it soon. Hope everyone is doing well, and is enjoying the warm weather!

XOXO,
Brandee

Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub Review

Now I love a good scrub, and after much success with some product by Ole Henriksen I figured I'd give the Ole Henriksen Walnut Commplexion Scrub a try. It promise to clean out pores, and brighten the skin. So did this make it into my holy grail skincare products?! Lets find out.

Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub is a thick, dirty brown, scrub with a sweet walnut smell. It is seriously thick, and doesn't require much to apply to the face. After wetting my face, I applied a a nice amount to my face. The product applied really nicely and scrub has soft beads, so its not harsh or rough on the skin. The smell did intensify as you continued to scrub, but nothing to over the top. After washing it off my face, my skin felt really fresh and soft. It didn't give a brighter complexion after the 1st use, but my pores were nicely cleaned out. After using this a few more times, I can certainly say that my skin never brighten and texture of my skin never changed.

The deal breaker…it broke me out horribly! My entire chin and skin of my cheek just went into outbreak mode, and it was really hard to clear up. My skin got really dried and rough, it was just weird. I knew it was this product because this was the only thing that had changed in my skincare routine and every time I used it, the breakouts just got worst! This really sucks because its a really nice scrub, that cleans the skin, but I can handle breakout! Thats a NO NO!

Sadly to say this is not going in my holy grail products, and Im disappointed that I found a product by Ole Henriksen that didn't react to my skin well. But if you looking for a nice, sweet, pore cleanser scrub this is really good. Just didn't work for my skin.

XOXO,
Brandee

Sephora Intensive Instant Moisturizer Review

Im always looking for a good moisturizer that won't make my face greasy and to hydrated, so after talking with a sales associate at Sephora she recommended to me the new Sephora Intensive Instant moisturizer. I was hesitate at first because the words intensive, just made me think "overkill greasy", but I figure why not give it a go, whats the worst that could happen?!

I am in LOVE with this moisturizer. It is a lightweight cream that smells very, soft with a slight hint of fruity smell to it. You don't need a lot because the product spreads very nicely across the skin. It dries down to a nice demi matte finish, but after about 5 minutes you can start to feel the moisturize coming to the surface without the greasy effect. The moisturizer made my face feel so soft and very healthy looking. It didn't make my face shiny during the face and my foundation was able to glide over nicely.

Overall I love this moisturizer, even though it says intensive, it doesn't give an overkill of moisturizer that is unbearable. But its just a nice, soft everyday moisturizer that will be perfect all year around, without the greasy look, which no person is after.

XOXO,
Brandee

Essence I Love EXTREME Crazy Volume mascara Review

 Today I have to share with you is the new Essence I Love EXTREME Crazy Volume mascara in the color black. Now I tried essence nail polishes, but this is a first for mascara. To be honest I didn't even know Essence made mascaras! So does it actually give EXTREME crazy volume? Lets find out!

This is a simple wand with short bristles covered in a thick black coating. The formula is wet and thick which gave me clumps and smudges. There was so much product on the brush, that I had to wipe off almost all of it, for the right amount. It does make my lashes dark, and give some good volume. Is it extreme? No. Ive attempted to let this mascara dry out, but the overkill of product on the brush is still out of control.  I did notice after awhile there where little black flakes under my eyes…not cool!

Sadly, I don't love this mascara. If you are into a lot of product on the brush and wet formula, this may be for you. It just gave me clumps and not enough volume for me to ever repurchase again.

XOXO,
Brandee

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser Review

 I am a lover of skincare products so while standing in the check out line at Sephora this caught my eye. It's Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming cleanser, I have never heard of Ole Henriksen, but I've been on the market for a light cleanser to use in the morning. This product is pretty much flawless to me..lets check it out.

African Red Tea is a very foaming cleanser with a sweet, floral tea smell. It spreads really nice and the pump dispense a nice amount. 2 pumps covers my whole face and neck. Its very gentle and smooth, that it almost feels like it isn't working at all, its just that soft. Once washing it off, you can feel out squeaky clean and refresh the skin feels. My skin felt like a baby bottom! It didn't feel stripped or over cleansed, its just perfect!

This cleanser is everything to me. I've never used a foaming cleanser and I must say I like the formula. Ole Henriksen is becoming one of my favorite skincare brands and this product is certainly on the top of the list!

XOXO,
Brandee

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush: Mood Exposure

Hello everyone! I can't believe its already MARCH! I swear every year goes by faster and faster. Today I just have a quick post on a recent purchase of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure. I haven't had a chance to test it out, but I was so excited about the fact that my Sephora finally got them in stock, I couldn't resist taking pictures and posting them.

This is a mauve shade which is so beautiful that I don't even want to use it! Hourglass has said that these blushes are suppose to be glowing and give you the light from within. I will do a update once I have played around in it. Do you guys own any of these Hourglass Ambient Lighting blushes?

XOXO,
Brandee