Summer Face

Hey There Dolls,

With the weather getting hotter and the humidity making every trip outside like a trip to the sauna, I've paired down my makeup routine.  Now, It's not like I only wear mascara, maybe some blush, and some lipgloss.  That sounds amazing, but that's not what I'm about.  I'm the girl who still wants that full faced look without the full face feel, and here's how I do it.

Disclaimer:: I actually use all of this makeup so it's not perfect, it is messy, and no I didn't "clean it up" before I shot it. Such is life.

BASE

 After I wash my face and moisturize I tackle those pesky dark circles that come from having little to no sleep (thank you Rosie and work).  To do that I put on the L'Oreal Dream Lumi Concealer in Nude under my eyes in a half circle.  Then I add the Cover Girl Fresh Complection Concealer in Classic Ivory under my eyes in a triangle (think the Kim K highlighter tutorials you see everywhere) and along the middle of my face where I get red.  Next I blend them both together and then outwards with a makeup sponge or my fingers, depending on how rushed I am of course. Next comes the e.l.f Eyelid Primer in Sheer to help my eyeshadow and liner not travel or crease in this heat, and the base of my face is complete.

POWDERS

I only use two powder compacts and they are both from e.l.f.  They are a forever repurchase, never fail me, and aren't going to break the bank.  At $3 a piece these are a steal.  I use the Tone Correcting Powder, the one on the left of the picture, on the middle of my face in the areas I put my concealer. I then go back and use the Contouring Blush and Bronzer in the shade St. Lucia, which is on the right of the picture, to give my still very pale face a hint of color and life.  Easy peasy, takes a few swirls of the brush and I'm good to go.

EYEBROWS

Can't forget the eyebrows now can we?  If you can't tell I use those three shades that are dented, or in one case nearly gone, to do my eyebrows.  The middle color that's almost gone was a perfect match for my brows, but the two shades up and down from it blend together to make that center shade, so I'm okay with it.  

EYES

First I go ahead and pick one of the many many colors in this NYX Be Free Pallett that I received in a Blush box recently, and put that all over my lid.  I try to stick with one color because more than that and it starts to get a little heavy looking.  Then I line my eyes with the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (forever repurchase), and pile on the mascara.  I am currently obsessed with the NYX Are You deprEYeved mascara as my first two coats and then throwing on a coat of the Smashbox Full Exposure mascara to really pump up the volume and length. Both mascaras are in black, and both will be repurchases the next time I need mascara.

My makeup in the summer is simple, easy, covers all the bases, and still makes my face look like I tried really hard on it.  I found that with a good skincare regimen you don't really need a foundation so that has helped me out tremendously these past few weeks.  The only thing I'm missing up there is a good lip balm to finish the whole thing off, and any one will do really. This whole routine takes about 15 minutes to put on and lasts me through a full 8 hours of work. Can you say hell yes?  I can.

So what do you guys think?  Do you like posts like this?  I'm trying to veer off the once a week posting and start posting more regularly so any ideas of what you guys want to see I'm very happy to hear!

Ipsy Glam Bag June 2014

This month has been a splendid month to be a subscription box subscriber, and yet again Ipsy knocks it out of the park with their June Bag.

How freaking cute is this bag?!  It's a Rebecca Minkoff design, and I'm head over heels for it.  It's got pineapples on it and makes me wish I had a dress in this exact print.

Be A Bombshell Mascara: Another mascara?  Heck yes.  This one smells funny (does anyone else smell their mascara?), which makes me nervous that it might irritate my eyes, so I'll be saving this for fall, or whenever my allergies want to stop torturing me.

Nicka K Shimmer Eyeliner:  I am OBSESSED.  It fits perfectly with my current love for mermaids, looks beautiful, applies like a dream.  Review definitely coming soon.  (sneak a peek at my Instagram to get an idea of how pretty this stuff is)

Marc Anthony Beach Spray: I own the full size of this product, but it's still a huge win for me.  It's perfect for throwing in a travel bag or purse, and really delivers on it's promises.  It makes your hair smell like a coconutty drink and I literally made everyone I work with smell my hair.

NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel:  I've seen so much hype around these I almost died when I opened my bag and found this baby inside.  It's beautiful and makes me want to convert from a balm person to a gloss person.  Oh, and the color is to die for.

Skinn Olive & Enzyme Cleanser:  Who needs more makeup removers?  Me.  I rotate them like it's my favorite past time.  I'm currently on a 2 cleansers routine, and this will be perfect as a first cleanser.

If you're not an Ipsy subscriber, you should be.  It never disappoints, never makes my wallet cry, and it's just damn good all over.  I loved this bag, all of it's contents, and can't wait until next month's bag to come out.

Birchbox May 2014

It's Birchbox time!  I think that aside from the first ever box I reviewed this has to be my favorite box I've ever received from them.

Davines Love Shampoo/Conditioner:  These samples are adorable.  I wish the conditioner also came in a bottle, but I'm really excited to try these out.  It says they're the smoothing line, so maybe I can finally rock some straight hair in the summer after using these.

Davines OI All In One Milk:  I love any kind of treatment you can put on your hair.  It claims to be a multibenefit treatment so I'm thinking I'll save this for after I color my hair, ya know, to fix it after I break it.

Caudalie Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum:  I've wanted to try this since I saw it pop up on a blog I was reading.  It's a really small sample, so I might get one use out of it, but it smells amazing and I'm still pumped to see it in this month's box.

Benefit they're Real! Mascara: I have a love love relationship with mascara.  I will always pile it on before I leave the house, and will never leave the house without it.  I've heard really great things about this product and am looking forward to piling this on and fluttering my lashes in happiness.


Perlier She Butter Nourishing Body Balm: Smell = Amazing.  Feel = More amazing.  Do I love it?  Heck yes I do.  It's sitting next to my couch for me to use as often as I'm on this computer, which is a lot.

Catherine Malandrino Perfume:  This is something I can see as one of those scents that wafts behind you.  It really defines a woman, it's one of those signature scents.  It's adult, reminds me of fancy ladies at a black tie event, and makes me want to throw on an outfit that costs way too much, a pair of heels I can't walk in, just to browse stores I can't afford anything in.

Birchbox has really stepped up their game in regards to the samples they've sent out these past two months.  I can honestly say I'm shocked and really excited to see if they keep this trend in super awesome boxes continues. 

Summer Tag!

I'm a firm lover of all things tag related.  I think they're fun, quick, and give you all a little insight into what goes on in my little brain.  I found this on MakeupSavvy.co.uk's blog.

1.  What's your favourite thing about Summer?

The colors.  I love how bright and cheerful everything is this time of year.  Oh! Swimming too.  I love taking my vacation to go up North to see my parents and swim in the river.

2.  Do you have a favourite Summer drink?

Water.  Iced Green Tea.  The simple basics.

3.  Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?

Camp.  Camp is where I spent all my childhood summers and where I look forward to going there every summer to spend time with my parents.  Day drinking, fires, swimming, salt potatoes.  Ahh, the good stuff.

 

4.  Favourite makeup look for Summer?

Simple.  Some concealer, black liner, lip balm, a light shadow, and some mascara (with a little bronzer and blush to liven up my still pale face).

5.  Dresses or skirts?

Neither.  I'm a jeans year round kind of girl.  Pair it with a light tee of tank and I'm all in.

 

6.  Sandals or ballet pumps?

Sandals, but they have to be the ones with straw on the bottom.  Summer = slippery feet, which means I slip out of any other kind of sandal.  Now that doesn't mean I don't own about six pairs of "regular sandals" but if I have straw bottomed sandals they always win out.

7.  Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?

Up.  I'm trying (and usually failing) to keep my hair down, but as soon as I start moving around it sticks to my neck and drives me insane.

8.  Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?

Bold lips.  The smokey eye look is great for the colder months but as soon as the humidity hits it smears and creases and looks a mess.  It's much easier to pull off a bold lip than it is to keep a smokey eye hanging around.

9.  Favourite perfume for Summer?

Light floral scents for everyday, with the occasional sultry perfume thrown in the mix.  Nothing seems sexier to me than a deep rich perfume on a hot summer day.  Maybe that's just me.

10.  Last but not least, favourite music for Summer?

Right now I'm into Spotify, so whatever feel good music that comes up that I can dance to while I get ready I'm into.  More specifically the song Be Okay by Oh Honey.

 

 

Phytokeratin Hair Mask

Review Time!

PHYTOKERATIN Hair Mask

First Impression: Yay! Metal tube!  I love these things.  Generous size, I'm liking everything so far.  I think we will get along nicely hair mask.

 

After Application:  Smells kind of chemical-ly.   I hope it fades pretty soon.  Man my hair feels weird.  It feels really thick and heavy.  I hope this fades soon too. 

Overall: Now I know some people would be like "hey, you have thickish nice fluffy hair, you don't need this stuff" to which I will respond "my hair is fried, I look like a lion, my ends are thin and crazy, I do what I want".  Unless it comes to this product, where I in fact don't do what I want, I stay away.  Now for people whose hair responds positively to thickening masks and what's in this product, you'll love this stuff.  The chemical smell fades after your hair dries, it leaves your hair fuller and noticeably seals the cuticles, but for my hair type and with the way that I like to leave it to air dry, we did not get along.  My hair was thicker yes, but that led to it also being fuller, bigger, and generally harder for me to manage.  It also made it impossible not to wash my hair the next day it looked so greasy.  Maybe if I straightened my hair after I washed it I would like this product, but I don't do that, and now that it's almost 100% humidity all day long straightening this mess is not an option.

 

Repurchase: No.  I love hair masks and have three currently in my shower being rotated around, and this sadly did not agree with my hair.  I would recommend girls with very thin or fine hair to give this baby a try because it really does thicken your hair, it just wasn't for me. 

What are some of your favorite hair masks? 

Sonia Dakar Flash Facial: Not The Typical Review

So I'm not one to post a review in haste, or before I've given a product a fair shot, but this had to be done.  If you're in for a nice gushing review, look the other way.  If you're ready for the truth (Or my opinion), here it is.

Sonia Dakar Flash Facial

First Impression: A facial in under five minutes?  No crazy prep work?  I'm excited for the promise of a lazy kids pamper sesh.

 

After Application: Oh god. What is that smell? Did I put vodka on my face? Why does this hurt?  What have I done?

Overall: First off this smells like vodka.  Cheap awful vodka.  It's pretty overwhelming to be honest and very off putting.  If it wasn't for the promise of nice smooth happy skin I would have washed it off right then.  It dries very quickly, which kind of diminishes the smell but not entirely.  When it's time to take the mask off you're supposed to rub your face in circular motions.  It sounds easy, but it's like putting glue on your skin and rubbing it off, it's painful and time consuming.  It pulled all the little baby hairs on my face and left my face red and covered in little balls of gel.  When I finally washed the little balls of gel off my face it felt tight and uncomfortable.  I have never felt anything like it before and for something promising a pampering experience I never expected it to turn out so backwards. It's not an experience I want to relive, and this sample is going straight into the bin. 

 

Repurchase: Goodness no.  This is terrible, and unless you like the feeling of ripping glue off your face.  I do not recommend this to anyone.

 I know this was a rough review but the whole experience from start to finish was not enjoyable. I hate to be so unhappy about the things I try out, and I usually don't write negative reviews, but I'm a firm believer in letting people know when things are downright unpleasant. 

Sample Society Box June 2014

It's that time of the month where HTD spotlights my favprite subscription box, the Allure Sample Society box.  I love it so much I bought my mom a 3 month subscription for her birthday (in hopes she'll keep buying it).  This box has a visible theme, moisturizers. That's it. You'll see what I mean.  Without further ado/chit chat lets get into the good stuff.

Murad t-zone Refining Serum-  Look farmiliar?  It should.  I got this in the same box last month.  Still haven't tried it.  Kind of disappointed it was such a blatant duplicate.  At least put a few months between the repeats.

Karin Herzog Vit-A-Kombi-2-  This is supposed to moisturize your skin all while pulling out toxins with the aid of oxygen.  Yes that's right oxygen.  It claims to have twice the amount of oxygen as... everything else?  which is supposed to help clear out any congested skin. 

Juliette Has A Gun- I think the scent is Anyway?  I love the smell but it triggers my boyfriends allergies so I can't wear it around him, but it's a really light floral scent I can only describe as "the smell you get when you spray floral water onto a letter" like how Sandy does in Grease. 

Pur-lisse Pur Moist Hydra Balance Moisturizer-  I now have three of these.  End of story.

Orlane Super Hydrating Concentrate-  It smells really good, is more of a serum than a moisturizer, and currently resides on my dressing table to be used to plump up my skin while I have an awful moisture sucking cold.  

H2O Oxegenating Rejuvinator-  This is supposed to go on at night and help make your skin supple and smooth when you wake up.  I like the concept.  I need a night moisturizer and I love the brand so I'm really happy about this sample.

Overall I have mixed feelings about this box.  I usually love every sample I get and am gushing about my Sample Society subscription, but I got a repeat, and a product I already have two of, not to mention there was no variation in this box besides the fragrance.  No makeup sample, no hair product, no polish, just moisturizers/face treatments.  I only have one face, limited space, and no one needs to be switching up their moisturizers everyday.  I'm just hoping next month's box will be more varied.

What do you think?  Would you have liked to get this month's box?

Phone Case of The Month

So a few weeks ago I was parusing the many blogs I follow on Bloglovin and I saw a review for Phone Case of The Month.  I'm a sucker for an inexpensive subscription, as you may be aware, and was in the mood for something non-beauty related, so this really tickled my fancy and I signed up.  The subscription is available to the newer generation iPhones and the newer Samsung Galaxies. 

Around the first of the month I got an email letting me know my case was on its way and not only was I more than surprised at how quickly the case shipped out, I was even more surprised that two days later it arrived at my door.   

Now this is like any other surprise subscription where you don't get to choose your case, which for me is awesome because I can never settle on anything (ask the boy, he hates it, if it wasn't for him we'd never end up with something for dinner). It ended up working out really well and I got the case I was drooling over on the site!

 How amazing is that case? Not only is it super cute but it came in a pretty red bag to store it in when it's not being used.   The case itself is plastic, and unlike most other cases it leaves the top and bottom relatively open (awesome for charging and listening to music).  The case itself feels sturdy and is really soft which makes me happy because it no longer sticks to everything, like the inside of my pocket for example.   The design looks printed on the case and isn't 100% flawless around where the cutouts and buttons are, but that makes me like it even more. 

I love this subscription service and how it gives me the option to dress up my phone every month in a new case.  They also give you a rebate code when you sign up to give away to friends and family which will be at the bottom of this post.  I highly recommend using this service if you have one of the compatible phones.  You never know what awesome case you'll receive!

Phone Case Of The Month Code

I Won A Facebook Sweepstakes!

So a few months ago I entered a facebook contest raffle sweepstakes thing for what I thought was chocolate.  Dove dark chocolate to be exact.  Something I was very much looking forward to, and something that upon arriving at my door was completely different than I had imagined.

See, it looks like I'll be getting chocolate, and maybe some nail polish samples or something.

Ta Da! Not chocolate.  Not edible.  But!  Two full sized polishes?  What?  Yes my friends.  Two full sized, very dark chocolate inspired polishes arrived at my door.  The new Dove Chocolate line by Nicole by O.P.I.

Better after Dark (on the left) can best be described as a caramel red color which is shimmery and a perfect fall shade.   It's still a little sheer after two coats, but it's the nice kind of sheer.  The kind that looks intentional and not spotty.

Promises in the Dark (on the right) is a really nice dark chocolate color.  In some lighting it looks almost black, and in others it looks just like a bar of dark chocolate.  It's opaque after two coats and doesn't give you any streak problems along the way.

Both are beautiful colors for fall and winter, and I'm a little sad I got them towards the beginning of spring, but hey, polish lasts right?  

Oh, and a little update for those of you who don't follow me on social media (you should, I'm pretty cool), I got a new kitten!  Her name is Rosie, shes a six week old blackish brown stray kitten who I absolutely love with all my heart.  She's my little muse, and the thing that I can already tell will be turning my haphazard life around.  Maybe we'll even get more structure over here on Hey There Dollface.  She will be making her way onto this blog soon enough, promise!

Birchbox May 2014

Even though it's a week late, I still wanted to share May's Birchbox with you guys.  I know it's been a few months since I've reviewed a Birchbox, but frankly I haven't been too thrilled with them lately. 

Anywhoo, lets dive in!

Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm- This sucker is bright.  It's a sheer but highly pigmented balm.  I like the way it moisturizes my lips and they don't dry out.  It's the perfect pink for spring even if I can't remember the name.

Marcelle 8 in 1 Power Serum-  I pretty much have my "skincare routine" down pat, but with this recent bout of sickness my skin needs a little... more.  Hopefully this gives me that glow without breaking me out.  Fingers crossed!

CoTZ Moisturizer-  I do not need anymore sunscreen/BB cream type sunscreen.  I don't.  Stahp.  Other than never needing another sunscreen for the next few summers this is a skin tinted sunscreen.  Summer requires sunscreen.  I will be giving this away.

32 Oral Care Effervescent Breath Treatment-  Pop rocks gone mouth refresher.  Interesting concept. Into the purse these go.

Nexxus Pre Wash Primer, Shampoo, and Conditioner-  This is from the Color Assurance range of the Nexxus line.  I'm not a huge fan of sample sized shampoos and conditioners.  I will try it but only one or two washes never gives me an accurate reading on the products.

Overall-  I like three of the samples I received but the other two that I got I really am not a huge fan of, and one of those I'm really unhappy to keep getting.  Dear subscription services, stop sending samples that are too small to use and are of sunscreen.  Stahp.  I have a whole bag full.