[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.

[Influenster] Urban Decay – Inked Brow Longwear Brow Gel

inkedbrow_1


Provided by Influenster


I meant to upload this sooner but the quarantine turned my world upside down. I truly hope everyone is safe and healthy.

There is finally enough peace of mind for me to attempt wearing makeup every day (or every other day), thus, this review. 

inkedbrow_2This is a solid brow stain that gives you bold, waterproof brows… but you could opt for natural and use it as a base, which is what I did. 

You get 1.8ml / 0.06 fl oz of product for $26 that is transfer-resistant and smudge-resistant. Also, the product is vegan and animal-cruelty-free.

inkedbrow_3The tip of the brush is angled, making it easier to create sharp, defined brows that last. At the same time, the ink is pretty stark against your skin, so shaky hands like mine may fare better with using a stencil with the product–lest you end up with Joker brows, except that it’s not the mouth, but brows. 

Color received was “Brown-Sugar,” a medium soft brown.

inkedbrow_4As usual, the list of ingredients.

inkedbrow_5The obvious before & after. I basically have Mona Lisa brows, meaning my brows are sparse and light. Add to that the fact I haven’t taken care of them in a while.

The after is Urban Decay’s brow ink + a wee bit of brow pencil to soften the edges for a more natural look. I really liked how easy it was to use.

The product says 60-hours of wear, but sadly, I only lasted about 36 before forgetting and scrubbing off the brows. (I was so good about washing around the brows initially!) So no knowing if this will truly stand 60 hours of wear…but I can safely say it lasted well over 36 hours.

And because I did not use an oil-based cleanser, some of the product stayed after the scrub, still somewhat accentuating the brow after 20 minutes of scrubbing & moisturizing. Waterproof indeed. 5/5.

I do wish I’d chosen a slightly blacker color, seeing as I’ve redyed my hair black.

 

 

[INFLUENSTER] Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick – Joyride, Interview

HUDAvox2


Provided by Influenster


My fourth voxbox, and my first ever makeup voxbox.

I adore Huda’s liquid matte formula and the shade “Trophy Wife,” so was excited to try her power matte lipsticks.

HUDAvox1HUDAvox3HUDAvox4HUDAvox9Two shades were generously provided: “Joyride” and “Interview.”

If the color spectrum runs orange -> dusty pink/red -> chocolate, these two leaned heavily on the orange. I believe they were the lightest shades of the bunch.

HUDAvox5Here is the ingredients list.

HUDAvox8Left is “Joyride,” right is “Interview.”

 

HUDAvox7Again, the left is “Joyride,” right is “Interview.”

The shades are on the warm side, brownish nudes that can be worn comfortably. It’s more taupe on-lips than in the tube.

The formula is creamy-matte and goes on thick. The scent was interesting. It reminds me of Crayola lightly dipped in vanilla, waxy and sweet.

HUDAvox10Left: Interview, Right: Joyride

Keep in mind, the sun was barely out (cloudy day) so the colors look less saturated. I really liked “interview,” but “joyride” was a tad too muddy for my liking. Just personal preference. “Interview” is gorgeous!

The lips go on thick but stay. I’ve been out eating with “interview” on, and it didn’t leave me even after a reuben + chai latte.

HUDAvox6This is one of those lipsticks that you “feel” on your lips. It doesn’t feel like a second skin, but the feeling is akin to putting on a leather jacket on the outskirts of spring.

I like the formula enough to maybe try the shade “pay day” someday. 🙂

[Influenster] Love Beauty & Planet – Hand Wash, Hail Oil

vox1


Provided by Influenster


I’ve been using a lot of tea tree lately, and this voxbox was surprisingly in sync with my current obsession: hair everything and tea tree.

I’ll start with the hand wash.

vox213.5 FL OZ – 400 ml. For hand washes, this is on the bigger size.

vox3Ethical and nature-friendly.

vox4Simply pump, lather, and rinse.

The scent is pretty strong with this one. It’s a grassy and minty scent that lingers on your skin long after you use it, mostly tea tree with a hint of lemongrass. If you enjoy the smell of tea tree, this will be a pleasant experience.

vox5The product is a clear slippery gel that lathers gently when you mix it with water.

It does not lather as much as some other sulfate-based hand washes, but still left my hands squeaky-clean. Wasn’t too drying, despite the tea tree. I suspect the coconut oil cancels out the dryness of tea tree to some degree.

I placed this at my kitchen sink because 1) This doesn’t leave my hands dry. 2) The strong scent helps cancel out any other scent that may linger on my hands when cooking food. 3) Hefty size. I wash my hands a lot at the kitchen sink.

vox8Now the hair oil. This one’s vetiver & jojoba.

4 FL OZ – 118ml. A decent amount that would last me through the winter.

vox9Ingredients list & directions. As is the case with the hand wash, there are a lot of plant-based ingredients.

You can either use this as a deep treatment prior to washing your hair or as a styling agent on dry or wet hair.

vox7The oil is clear and rather runny. It feels lighter than most hair oils I’ve used.

Compared to something like Moroccanoil Oil Treatment, this is a lighter, less scented version.

vox6(Left is before, right is after I applied the hair oil)

The oil weighs my hair down just enough to straighten and work out the knots. I concentrated on the lower region of my hair because it’s dryer, and also my oily-to-begin-with scalp doesn’t take to oil very kindly. I’d say this is a product that even someone with an oily scalp can use.

My hair’s been going to the way of a pudding (with the light dye on the bottom and darker roots = syrup on top, mostly because I can’t be bothered to keep dying it) and this visual is exaggerated by applying the oil. Brings out the color more. Think eyeshadow primer.

The scent, unlike with the hand wash, dissipates after a certain amount of time.

vox1Overall, solid products.

I might replace my Moroccanoil with this oil infusion because my scalp gets oily easily and it’s better to go lighter than heavier in my case.

[INFLUENSTER] Olay Regenerist Cleansing Whip

olaywhip1


Provided by Influenster


Again, from my second ever VoxBox.

This is the perfect fall/winter cleanser for my kind of combination skin. I love that it doubles as a daily exfoliator.

olayclay1Hello hello!

I’d like to begin with what a terrible time Autumn is, for my kind of combo skin. It’s when my skin freaks out from the subtle change of weather, when it decides to accumulate dead skin cells (even more so than usual) and create this horny outer shell that I refuse to call skin. Leather, more like.

This type of skin makes it harder for my moisturizer to seep in, leading to less moisture in my skin, leading to more leather, more pain on my behalf.

So exfoliating “just the right amount” becomes my mission, as overdoing it causes cystic acne to pop up and overstay its welcome.

olaywhip2There are fine micropolishers within the lather of Olay Regenerist, just enough to exfoliate the skin without aggravating it.

Some exfoliators tend to cut into my skin, leaving it open for contamination, the plague, and terrible little whiteheads… but this actually cleared up my skin. Plus, my skin feels baby soft now. Love.

olaywhip3Ingredient list.

I’ve been using this for three days and already my skin feels fresher 🙂 It’s a nice morning wake-me-up cleanser/exfoliator.

olaywhip4By the way, the lather is real. A pea-sized amount suffices for my morning cleanse because it lathers up like crazy. This can will probably last me months even with daily use…

And try this as a body exfoliator when you’re taking a bath. Love the way it makes my skin feel after.

[Influenster] Olay Pink Mineral Complex Mask

olayclay4


Provided by Influenster


Hello my second ever VoxBox.

I’ve been meaning to branch out with masks, as I’ve been using (and reusing) my Herbivore Blue Tansy & Innisfree Volcanic Clay combo to death. This swooped in just in time.

olayclay1This was the Olay VoxBox, a winner, if I say so myself. Love both products.

It’s saying something that I can get excited about cleansers and masks, which tend to lean boring in my spectrum of daily beauty products. But hey, what works works.

olayclay2Nice and simple. Easy to use. And best of all – travel friendly.

Most clay masks I’ve used came in either huge tubs or heavy, metallic containers, and while I do love excess & sturdiness, it’s hard to find the perfect clay mask for traveling. I usually have to make do with a foil sample or a hastily-packed-sample-in-a-contact-case… that sometimes dried out mid-travel.

This feels like a good mask for traveling. It’s not messy like some stick-form products can get, and it’s a good decent size.

olayclay3How to use 🙂 As simple as it gets.

I personally like to get the tub running while I apply this. The warm steam opens up my pores.

olayclay5So here’s the embarrassing part.

I initially didn’t realize this was a cap. Was just fascinated by how smooth the product was and wondered if this was water-activated as it just didn’t seem to be getting onto my skin…

Well. It’s a cap. Do not be foolish like I was. Thank god no one was around to see it.

olayclay6Here’s the product sans cap. Still lovely and smooth….but actually goes on skin as opposed to its plastic counterpart.

There’s a nice fruity scent to the mask that’s not overpowering.

olayclay7On application, the mask turns your face into one of an Oompa Loompa. It’s not chalky, goes on smooth, and does its job without completely depleting your skin of moisture.

Best of all, it left my skin glowing after rinsing. Some clay masks briefly irritate my cheeks and nose area, but this didn’t flare up my rosacea. And my skin wasn’t dried out the next morning, so a win overall!

Screen Shot 2018-09-11 at 9.17.13 PM.pngProduct details from Olay itself.