[INFLUENSTER] DIOR CAPTURE TOTALE SUPER POTENT EYE SERUM



Provided by: Influenster

Price: $75


This is a case where pining will get you somewhere. Many surveys came and went with no sign of a voxbox, which is to be expected with these kind of raffle-giveaway setup. Like buying a Powerball ticket, I continued to pine for the newest release in my favorite brands.

I was perfectly content completing surveys out of habit when one day, out of the blue, Dior answered. Twice.

I have to say, while I’m a huge fan of Dior makeup, especially their lip products, I don’t have much experience with their skin products. At the same time, the one product I had experience with was amazing (= Dior Dreamskin Perfector), so I went into this trial with high hopes.

This is my review of said product after having used it for two weeks-ish consistently.

The serum is of substantial size considering it’s an eye serum. For a face serum, it’s small.

With $75 you get 20ml – 0.67 fl oz amount of product. It is said to be anti-aging and age-defying, lessening puffiness, lines, and dark circles.

Here’s the ingredient list, as per usual!

Apparently all types of skin can use this product, whether they be dry, oily, combination, or normal.

The applicator is an interesting shape, not like anything I’ve seen before. Bendy at the neck yet sturdy.

You’re supposed to squeeze out a drop and massage the eye area with the tip, which I will say upfront, feels 80% better when chilled. Please try it after having stored the product in the fridge overnight! It will do wonders for puffy eyes in the morning. I should know. I snack on salty food at night.

For sake of this review, I squeezed some out on my palm, and accidentally overdid the amount. Think average palm-size of a 5ft 3 human being if it helps. Believe it or not this is more than enough! On average I’d only use about half that amount because less is enough in this case.

The consistency is like watery gel, slippery and non-sticky. Yet there’s a distinct silkiness to it that’s reminiscent of the Dreamskin Perfector. Scent is mildly floral and not overwhelming at all. Pleasant.

Do ignore my huge pores & unmanaged brows – focus on the hydration. Again, I’ve used way too much product than I normally use for my daily routine, because, waste not want not.

There was enough product to spread over the top half of my face, thus, the shine. This product is so easy to spread. Despite its watery consistency, it’s very rich. Two weeks of massaging the corner of my eyes with this serum, and my skin was more hydrated and awake than before.

Does wonders with puffiness. Not sure about the dark circles, but then again, I tend to sleep around 3 AM…

This is light enough to use in summer, but would definitely recommend it more for winter.

Price-point is right up there with most Dior products, but you do get more product than your average eye serum. And again, the puffiness.

[INFLUENSTER] LILLY LASHES 3D MINK LASHES IN “MIAMI / MYKONOS”


Provided by Influenster

Price: $30


False lashes aren’t something I wear on a daily basis, but it’s good to have some around for photos. Big & bold does translate well to photos (because most likely, you’re going to have some sort of bright light accentuating focal points of your look) and these lashes are the definition of big & bold.

I received “Miami” and “Mykonos.” They’re $30 per pair on Lilly Lashes and will last up to 25 times of use, which is miles better than the 5-7 uses I get out of my other falsies. 

From what I know, Miami is the most popular go-to with Mykonos following its doe-eyed wake.

Hello Influenster, my old friend. You are always welcome on my doorsteps.

Along with the lashes, I was also given a “Power Liner,” a clear lash-adhesive eyeliner that has a pointy brush tip. This, I love.

Many times I used to think how much of a nuisance it is to deal with nail-polish-esque applicators from which globs of adhesive might fall. I’m clumsy, I am. It’s sometimes hard to fine-tune how much adhesive you should put on the lashes, meaning the power liner is a win in my book.

It was also a nuisance to use eyeliner prior-to or after attaching the lashes; they’d get erased or wonky in the process. With this adhesive liner, there is no need to disturb the integrity of the whole, whether it be liner or the lashes. I’m sure people who aren’t handy would approve. I certainly did. 

Please note though, 1. You might think what’s getting on your lash line isn’t enough. Trust me, it is. 2. Don’t know if it’s just the one I got, but the applicator’s a bit stiff, not soft like normal eyeliners.

Up close-view. The lash-line holding the individual hairs is sturdy. I’ve been manhandling these babies trying to paste them the right way onto my eyes, but nothing fell out!

The lashes won’t shed, unlike my real lashes that like to dispose a single lash onto my tear duct from time to time, in revolt of having to stay in an overly heated room all day no doubt.

These lashes are five times more intense than ones I usually wear (and honestly bigger than my eyes lol) but personal preferences aside, seem to be of good quality and durability. Considering how (forgive me) bushy the lashes are, they weren’t super heavy. Just as heavy as other falsies feel on the eyes.

I would recommend using false under-lashes to balance the look. I didn’t have any at hand so… this is what happened. Please excuse the wonky eyeliner. It’s been awhile since I wore that much of anything on my eyes haha.

If you love big & bold or have a special occasion for which you’d like to dress up, or if this is your natural everyday look, do go for it! I can see a lot of makeup gurus wearing this.

They’re so BIIIG xD … all them lashes

[Influenster] Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Mascara

Huda_soko2


Provided by Influenster


Here’s something that is tailored to my needs: a mascara that volumizes & lengthens & curls. Influenster sent me Huda Beauty’s Legit Mascara to try, and since I like anything Huda, I gave it a go for a few weeks.

My lashes are pretty sparse and love to reach for the grounds, even as I’m pressing them upwards with curlers. Sooner or later, they will make the inevitable descent and point downwards, defiantly so.

Huda_soko3The case is pretty thick and hefty. You receive 2 X 8.5ml / 2 X 0.28 fl oz. worth of product. It says “2 X” because this is a dual mascara, with wands on both ends of the stick.

I realize mascara is one thing you should never use beyond the expiration date, about two or three months after opening one, but if that wasn’t the case, I might be able to use this one up to six months; there’s so much product. (And not many lashes to speak of on me, alas.)

Huda_soko5The whole effect is volumizing & lengthening & curling. Your lashes get immediate volume due to the 5mm fibers and soft wax.

Huda_sok4Left is the volume brush; right is curl & length

Huda_soko1Considering I have zero lashes to speak of (and the few that I’ve got refuses to stand to attention with or without the aid of a curler) this is an improvement. Since I misplaced my eyelash curlers months ago, this was without the aid of a curler. I really like what it does for my sparse lashes.

Can’t speak much for longevity though, since it’s been Quarantine for quite a while. It did not flake or change in appearance for the two hours or so I wore them consistently.

Allure 2019 May Beauty Box

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$15 per month


May was a solid box. I received every single item that I wanted from Allure, and even the tanning gel doesn’t niggle me so. The Lue powder came 2/3 filled, but compare that to what others have gotten (1/2), I can’t complain.

May_1May_2They’ve switched up the bags a little. Instead of the little metallic button that pops into itself, this bag has sleeves.

(So far, none of these have arrived ripped. From what I’ve heard though, these babies are as delicate as the cotton candy that the raccoon dropped in the water.)

May_3Items received:

  • Lue by Jean Seo – Cleansing, Exfoliating & brightening Powder – LIKE
  • Amorepacific Youth Revolution Radiance Creme & Masque – LOVE
  • Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream – LOVE
  • Model Co Metallic Eyeshadow in St Barts – LIKE
  • Laritzy Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Vibe – MEH
  • St Tropez Tanning Gel & Tanning Mitten – NOPE

4/6, and two loves. Good box.

May_5

  • Lue by Jean Seo – Cleansing, Exfoliating & brightening Powder: This reminds me a little of the “NUDE Detox brightening fizzy powder” or the “Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder.” It’s a tad more loosey-goosey than those two.
  • Amorepacific Youth Revolution Radiance Creme & Masque: Solid cream. The texture feels whipped and it sinks into your skin, non-tacky residue. Always a fan of Amorepacific. To use this as a mask, you need to apply two layers and sleep with it overnight…but unsure if I have enough product to try this. I’m surprised how expensive this is retail. ($200 FS)
  • Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream: Tried this before. Loved it. It may come off as greasy at first but soon sinks in.
  • Model Co Metallic Eyeshadow in St Barts: Haven’t tried this yet but I enjoy the color. This is more of a foil-like sheen than glitter.
  • Laritzy Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Vibe: Enjoy the texture, not so much the color. I’d have liked something brighter or bolder. But it’s a nice nude-y shade. Almost transparent on my skin.
  • St Tropez Tanning Gel & Tanning Mitten: I don’t use tanning items, so will probably be swapping or selling this off! Fun mitten though.

May_6Laritzy gloss & ModelCo Shadow.

They both have a mild orange sheen to its hue. Could be a nice topper I figure.

May_4I’ve also just learned that there’s a strong correlation between shipping date and subscribed date. (e.g. If you subbed at the beginning of the month, say the 2nd, your box will ship on the first week)

I happened to sub around the 15th, meaning I always get my box around the third week. This has its pros and cons. I will always be late to the party, but I get to look at everyone’s boxes and decide whether to skip or not!

Allure 2019 April, Mar, Jan Beauty Box

I blame the weather. The winter days were long and cold; they blended into one another until it felt like I was stuck in groundhog day. Sooner or later, I woke up from the funk and realized it was April 2019. And I haven’t reviewed a single box from Allure, my current favorite beauty subscription.

Here is everything, from January to April. (I lied. Minus February)

“Allure January 2019”

allurejan_1allurejan_2allurejan_3Items received:

  • OUAI Scalp & Body Scrub – LIKE
  • Sunday Riley CEO Glow Vitamin C +Tumeric Face Oil – LIKE
  • Sunday Riley A + High Dose Retinoid Serum – LOVE
  • Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask – MEH
  • Doucce Relentless Matte Lip Crayon in Winterberry – LIKE
  • Mally Evercolor Shadow Stick in Burnished Bronze – LIKE

 

“Allure March 2019”

alluremar_1alluremar_2alluremar_3alluremar_4alluremar_5alluremar_6Items received:

  • Belief The True Cream Aqua Bomb – LOVE
  • The Anywhere Creme Multistick Grapefruit – LOVE (NARS Orgasm dupe)
  • Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Gel Cleanser – LIKE
  • Acure Seriously Soothing Blue Tansy Night Oil – MEH
  • Mamonde Rose Water Toner – LIKE
  • Burt’s Bee Lipstick in Blush Basin – LOVE
  • Lakur Nail Polish in Boring Pink – LIKE/MEH

 

“Allure April 2019”

allureapr_1allureapr_2allureapr_3allureapr_5Items received:

  • Natasha Denona Single Eyeshadow in 131DC Morgana – LOVE
  • Brigeo Farewell Frizz Protection Cream – MEH
  • Vita Liberata Tan-Infused Clothes – HARD NOPE (organic or otherwise, no tanning)
  • Luxie 231 Small Tapered Blending Rose Gold – LOVE
  • Laura Geller Inkcredible Gel Eyeliner Pencil – LIKE
  • John Frieda Frizz Ease Cream – LIKE
  • Furterer Texture Spray – MEH

 

In summary:

  • Liked the January box
  • Loved the March box
  • Meh-ed the April Box

(February must have been a hard hard nope because I distinctly remember receiving the box but didn’t bother taking pictures)

Currently, I think I prefer Allure to Birchbox or Ipsy. Good solid items. Even the semi-transparent bags didn’t rip and give me grief.

Beautylish 2019 Lucky Bag – Regular

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Price: $75 + $10 shipping = $85


My annual Beautylish Lucky Bag. This was only my third year, but my year is never quite complete without having partaken in this holiday (?) tradition.

You normally receive these babies mid to late January. The whole experience is akin to rejoicing a second Christmas. Santa forgot a few knickknacks and is sending everyone a second batch of presents, just the cosmetics.

Screen Shot 2018-12-26 at 3.48.04 PMThey’ve upped the shipping price from $8 to $10.

And this time, the staff at Beautylish separated the Jeffree Star bags from the Regular Bags. Jeffree Star bags will only hold items from Jeffree Star, while Regular bags may or may not have included a JS item in their stash.

Screen Shot 2018-12-26 at 3.48.04 PM

Bags were sold out by the time I rechecked their site, around 4:00 pm PT!

I got my Regular bag around 11 am PT, which by then, were the only items left for purchase. The XL bags were long gone. Obviously, everyone grabbed one when the bags went live at Early Access, 9:00 am PT.

LuckyBag2019_1My items (from left to right):

  • Avene Gentle Body Scrub ($24)
  • Lina Choo Lipstick – 21 Duras ($32)
  • Viseart Theory Palette – Amethyst ($45)
  • Wayne Goss – 13 Face Brush ($53)
  • Good Molecules – Wake Up Eye Serum ($8)
  • Becca Glow on the Go Set ($20)

A total $182 value.

LuckyBag2019_3LuckyBag2019_4Especially smitten with my face brush.

I’ve been using the Lucky Bag as an excuse to collect Wayne Goss brushes, and am a happy trooper with what I’ve got. No dupes so far! Love them all; they’re a staple in my brush rotation.

LuckyBag2019_5LuckyBag2019_6I’ve debated getting this exact Theory Palette before and always backed down at the last minute. Now I have one! This is the moment my semi-no-buy pays off lol. Viseart and Laura Mercier makes such beautiful plummy shades.

(Also would’ve liked ABH Sultry, despite it being old news.)

LuckyBag2019_7LuckyBag2019_8I’ve never heard of or used Lina Choo, but the packaging was beautiful enough to win me over.

And Duras is exactly the shade I would’ve picked had I sought the brand out myself.

LuckyBag2019_8I was pleasantly surprised by Good Molecules… because the item itself seemed like such a throwaway “extra,” and a shameless promotion at that.

They call this “eye serum,” but I prefer to mix it up with “The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2%” + “Estee Lauder’s Advanced Night Repair Serum” to spread it all over my face.

The mixture keeps my skin moisturized and soft until the crummy heaters inevitably wreak havoc on my everything and I start over. February of Michigan is the cruelest month.

LuckyBag2019_10Admittedly, a confusing addition to my stash, only because it seems so random in a Beautylish Lucky Bag.

I haven’t seen enough variations in lucky bags to confirm the validity of my feelings, but this felt like an “I need something to round out this bag but ran out of everything. Let’s include this random product!” Haven’t seen this in anyone else’s bag so far.

At the same time, I love body scrubs, gentler the better. So am mollified.

LuckyBag2019_9Sadly, the only item in my bag I wasn’t excited about.

Beautiful products, but I already own Becca highlighters, one FS and one DS sample. Those two are enough to last me years and then some. Ah well. 5/6 isn’t bad in my book.

LuckyBag2019_2

Honestly, the wait this year was … a bummer. I’d have liked to receive my box sometime around mid-January, but it landed three days before February butted in. At that point, I forgot I even ordered this thing, hence the ridiculously late post date. My excitement had already peaked and died.

In summary: Liked the box; didn’t like the wait.

IPSY DECEMBER 2018 GLAM BAG

DEC2018_0Final glam bag of 2018.

And we’re ending the year relatively strong!

DEC2018_1As is the case with my October bag, love the concept but not so much the execution. The bag feels flimsy and cheap; the spangle side almost rustles like paper.

At the same time, it’s cute and kitschy-glam. That festive gold makes sense to me. December should be festive.

Screen Shot 2018-12-12 at 12.38.50 PM

Items I received:

Finding Ferdinand Blush in Skinny Dip – Lovely mute-pink blush. A bit chalky. It’s a shade lighter than what is shown in the product photos. Think more NARS Deep Throat than Orgasm. Like.

The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach EyeShadow in Bootylicious – Raspberry brown, with hints of shimmer. I like The Balm shadows in general, so this was also a like.

Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lip in Infamous – Not as glittery as the name makes it out to be. A reddish berry shade that dries down into a matte shimmer. Like.

F.A.R.A.H. Brushes Blending Brush 35E – This is such a beautiful blending brush. And fitting, with the gold theme of the bag. The bristles are soft and the handle doesn’t feel cheap. Love.

Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Coconut Hair Mask – Smells overwhelmingly like coconut. This may be a like or a dislike depending on how it works as a mask. Undecided.

Dr.Lipp Colour Tint in Sweet Potato – Love the idea and the name, but the product refused to leave the tube. Squeezing with both my hands made a bird’s nostril-sized amount squirt out, and even that was too tacky. Barely any color. Dislike.

DEC2018_2Six items in total. 5/6. This was a good bag.

I’m sad about the Dr.Lipp. Had such high hopes for the Sweet Potato. I hope I got a bad batch.

DEC2018_3Here’s a close-up of the brush. It’s gorgeous.

Come to think of it, I’ve never disliked a brush Ipsy sent me. I’ve failed with plenty of other products, but never a brush.

DEC2018_4

From left to right:

Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lip in Infamous

Dr.Lipp Colour Tint in Sweet Potato

Finding Ferdinand Blush in Skinny Dip

 

 

 

IPSY NOVEMBER 2018 GLAM BAG

Nov2018_2My November 2018 Glam Bag.

Decent items, but I couldn’t get over how ugly the bag was..  😦

Nov2018_3This is not okay. This is Randall from Monsters Inc. with a heart motif, but purple. (Technically, Monsters University, which I watched on a plane flight from the US to Korea one summer. TMuselessI) Why would you make a bag out of Randall?

I dare say this is the ugliest bag I ever got from Ipsy, but keep in mind this is personal preference.

Nov2018_1That being said, the categories of items received are pretty great. I love sheet masks, powder, blush, nail polish, and lippies.

But then again, I liked only three of the items.

Screen Shot 2018-11-19 at 9.40.34 AM

Items I received:

Inara Cosmobeauty Nail Polish in Proud Coat – I love that they switched up from baby pink into something nude-sy and different. (By the way, that baby pink polish from my October Glam Bag? Super patchy …) Like.

Timeless Beauty Bar Glam&Glow + Up In the Clouds – Hmm. “Up In the Clouds” smells like chemical and feels tingly. Almost burns. This may not be for sensitive skin. Dislike.

Huda Beauty Lip Strobe in Shameless  – Like. Huda Beauty is amazing. I love their liquid lips.

Lottie London Blush in Zayn – Lovely color, but chalky. Meh.

Ciate Translucent Setting Powder in Hideout – Decent setting powder. And perfect size for traveling, too! Like.

Nov2018_4Cute color. A fleshy Ivory?

Nov2018_5Pan is a decent size. I could use this for weeks with daily use. Color is a bit deeper than what I’d normally reach for.

Nov2018_1Overall, a 3/5 bag. I’m hoping for a cute bag in December.

 

Target October 2018 Beauty Box Review

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Cost: $5


Another amazing box by Target, 6 items = $5 + free shipping.  Super affordable and great product coordinating.

I’ve passed on previous boxes but this one caught my eye because I knew I’d use every single item on the list.

Screen Shot 2018-10-20 at 11.45.46 AMOrder was made Oct 8. Box was shipped Oct 10 and delivered Oct 13. With tax, price was $5.30.

They’ve changed the design of these boxes! Very reminiscent of Birchbox. Sort of a pumpkin spice cow(?) motif.

2018OctTarget_2Hello Autumn Groove.

2018OctTarget_3Here are the list of items, along with that $5 off $15 Beauty Purchase coupon.

It’s a bath&body&skin laden box with one toothpaste, one makeup cleanser, two hair products, and two moisturizers. Approx. two weeks worth of bath & body.

2018OctTarget_4These are pretty substantial for minis. Am especially loving the Cetaphil, Olay, and the bliss because they’re the perfect size for traveling.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I know I’ll be packing a few items from this box along for the ride.

2018OctTarget_5Looking forward to the next box 🙂

IPSY OCTOBER 2018 GLAM BAG

Oct2018_3.jpgMy October 2018 Glam Bag.

Another good one, and I see the bag is of better quality than September’s.

Oct2018_1Not wild about the color but it’s cute. Very masked-ballsy.

Screen Shot 2018-10-11 at 4.38.06 AM

Items I received:

Royal&Langnickel MODA PRO GLOW Brush – I adore getting brushes in my bag. This one looks good for detailed contouring & highlighting.

Oryza Lipstick in Opus – Lovely color but doesn’t suit me. I’m all about corals and MLBBs. Will be handing this off to a friend who rocks wine/burgundy. Her birthday’s coming up.

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer – Have been meaning to try this forever, so I’m extra glad to get a sample. Sample size is perfect for stashing in my pouch.

Soo Ae Donkey Milk Sleep Mask – Masks are a must. This one’s a sleeping mask so it’s quite rich and thick; smells like glue but pleasant. The consistency’s quite tacky and may cause things (e.g. hair) to stick to your face, so I advise using only half the packet per day. One packet looks to last 2-3 days for me. The mask takes time to seep in. No break outs. Decent sleeping mask.

P.R.M.I.T. Beauty GELusion in Pink Cream – Nail polishes are always at least an A- in my book, but light pinks have been multiplying like rabbits. I can literally paint each nail on my hands a different light pink…but why bother, they’d look all the same. Am craving a more daring, unique color for my stash. But hey! Toxic-free.

Oct2018_4Poor nail polish came squashed.

Oct2018_6Oct2018_5Good bag! 4/5.

Oct2018_2October’s my birthday month and I’ve got a “Moon” in my name, so this made me smile. How apt.