Coola SPF 30 Matte Setting Spray

   I was randomly creeping on the Tarte Cosmetics Instagram feed and reading comments on a photo of their TarteGuard where a girl mentioned how their company should make an SPF makeup setting spray and another girl replied to her saying that Coola made a product just like that... Well, I'm always looking for a good SPF product and I'm addicted to good setting sprays! So I went by Ulta and picked up the SPF 30 Matte Setting Spray by Coola - who make a wide range of skin protecting products.
   On first impression, I was very attracted to the packaging... The color scheme of the box made me want to be poolside with a drink in my hand and the sun kissing my skin, while also being very informative - mentioning that the bottle is TSA size approved, cruelty free, information about the company, and general ingredients. The bottle itself is very sleek, clean, and attractive but the best part? The cap clicks in place and stays on like a dream, making this a good product for travel.

   The advertising for the Coola Setting Spray promotes their organic ingredients such as cucumber, Aloe Vera, and green tea extracts that help soothe and refresh skin, as well as hyaluronic acid, which is known to lock in moisture and help soften, tone, reduce pore size, and protect against UV rays... This product protects skin with broad spectrum SPF 30, which means it protects against both UVA and UVB sun rays.
   There is a warning on the Ulta website for this product, due to the alcohol within it, to not use this in the presence of a spark, flame, or lit cigarettes... Which was slightly scary to me, seeing how sensitive my skin is... The directions say to shake well, with eyes completely closed (there is an emphasis on completely), hold the bottle ten to twelve inches from your face, and then mist evenly over entire face.

   When it came to using the product, my first impression was basically "oh my Lord, the alcohol"... It was so strong that my eyes and the small cut on my forehead burned, and the air smelled of alcohol... Note: Please remember how sensitive my skin is; I don't want my experiences/reactions to scare you!
   My first test for the Coola Setting Spray was without makeup on a 79 degree day in direct sunlight while I was staining a deck for several hours. There wasn't any sort of scent left of my face, but it did feel heavier like sunscreen... Sort of like when you would spend all day outside in the springtime and can feel the pollen on your face... It did protect my skin from the sun (my shoulders got quite dark whereas my face got a small bit of color), and controlled how oily my face become.   For the second test, which was more humid but only 73 degree day, I wore medium coverage foundation and filled in my brows. I could still feel the weight of the spray on my face, and again there wasn't any scent, but this time my face didn't feel "dirty". Compared to my favorite setting spray, NYX Matte Setting Spray (which keeps my oily skin under control, is lightweight, and locks my makeup into place), it didn't perform as well - in my opinion. I compare this more to the Urban Decay Setting Sprays because they are a bit heavier, and results for keeping makeup in place seem to be all over the place... Which isn't a dis to the Urban Decay sprays, they just simply aren't for everyone.

   My final thoughts about Coola's SPF 30 Matte Setting Spray are simply that it isn't worth $36.00 USD for results that don't surpass the competition much, if at all... It isn't a bad product, and if I could fight through the alcohol causing my skin to react poorly, I would have kept this product around for the summer. Even shaking this product for almost two full minutes didn't lessen the alcohol's potency, so I did debunk that thought... I just prefer to stick with NYX Matte Setting Spray and Shiseido Oil Free Lotion (which lasts me all through spring, summer, and early fall). I do intend on trying out some of Coola's other products, because they do have good reviews, but I give this product in particular a 3/5.
   Let me know if you've had other, positive or not, results with this setting spray - I love learning how products react to different body chemistry!

*This post is in no way sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Too Faced Mascara MeltOff

   When Too Faced launched their new product, the Mascara MeltOff, it seemed slightly gimmicky but I was absolutely, 100% interested in giving it a go! As someone who predominantly uses waterproof mascara to make sure my lashes keep a curl, I'm always looking for products that not only make removal easier but also nourish my eyelashes in some way... The claims for this cleansing oil are that it will remove every trace of mascara (regular and waterproof), is gentle within its effectiveness, conditions lashes with rice lipid extracts, and protects lashes with green tea extract - so I really wanted to put this product to the test.

   The design on the Mascara MeltOff is basically a thin mascara tube and wand, minus the bristles on the wand, which makes using the product feel very natural; the user is less likely to poke their eye or use too much product. I noticed the oil is thin, ideal for makeup removal, and smells a bit odd (not chemically but not like oils either) but the scent is VERY minimal and didn't irritate my eyes - also, due to the thin oil, if the top isn't screwed back on tight the product does leak. I simply make sure to keep it in the box when traveling, just in case. Also, I would like to mention that compared to a lot of cosmetics, the ingredients are plainly posted on the box and very easy to read.

   So what do I think about the Mascara MeltOff?
   Well... I absolutely love it!   Not only does it work wonderfully, ready to wipe off in less than fifteen seconds, but my eyelashes feel silky and conditioned after using this product... I tested it out with:

• Better Than Sex (regular & waterproof)
• lashSENSATIONAL (regular & waterproof)
• Plumping blastPRO (waterproof)
• Scandal Queen (waterproof)
• The Super Sizer (regular)
• Eyes Right (regular)

   The only "negative" thing I noticed was that, if left on too long, your mascara will melt off and get in your eyes and is a bit uncomfortable... Just trust me when I say it does what it needs to do in less than fifteen seconds.

   I give the lovely Mascara MeltOff by Too Faced a 5/5... Are there other cleansing oils for makeup that work? Of course! But it is really easy to use too much of those products (with oily residue left behind), or get them in your eye and cause some sort of pain. I like the precision and lack of effort that is needed with this product - best friend to someone with shaky hands and easily irritated skin... I'll still use some of my "old favorites", for sure, but I'm definitely keeping Mascara MeltOff around as my makeup collection grows!

Note: Ingredients for this product can be found HERE.

*This post is in no way sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Second Chance: Better Than Sex Mascara

   A few years back the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced Cosmetics was suggested to me and I had high hopes for it... Sadly it wasn't what I was looking for because it stayed too tacky and my oily eyelids would smear the mascara if I happened to touch my eyes at all. Not just that, but my eyelashes are wonderfully long but having them hold a curl is quite the struggle *sigh*, and the original Better Than Sex formula didn't stand up to the task. Since my lashes have a hard time holding a curl, I always use eyelash curlers and have found that waterproof formulas tend to keep them curled and cute... My hopes for the Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara were that it dried better than the original formula, which would mean my lashes stay curled, and smudging wouldn't be an issue

   I found that the waterproof formula did completely dry, but it still took a bit longer than my usual waterproof mascaras, which resulted in my lashes not holding as much of a curl as I would have hoped for... Because it took a little longer, there was a very tiny bit of smudging when I tightlined with eyeliner, but the smudging was easy to clean up since the mascara was still a little wet.
   This version of the Better Than Sex mascara seemed to clump a lot more than I remember the original doing - to be honest, it caused a little bit of irritation around my lashes and it was hard to not fidget with them. It just isn't a look I'm into, for personal aesthetic and comfortability preference.

   I've heard great things from some people about the Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara but to be honest, even the gals at Ulta refer to it as a "waste of money". Either way, it just isn't for me, so I give it a 2.5/5... I know I won't wear it, mainly because I don't wear any products that irritate my eyes/skin/etc in the slightest (potential of sending my body into a flareup), so I'll be returning this item if I can't find someone who likes this range...   I wish this mascara dried more quickly and clumped less, because the pigment in this product makes lashes pop and the wand shape is very similar to my all-time-favorite mascara by Fairydrops. I would also like to mention that the water droplet effect on the bottle is a nice touch aesthetically, but I like it because it feels nice to touch when anxious.

   There really are so many products by Too Faced to enjoy, and who doesn't adore their packaging?! I'm really looking forward to posting more about their products for you all.

Note: Ingredients for this product can be found HERE.

*This post is in no was sponsored and all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

ColourPop's Super Shock Shadows

   If you couldn't pick up how much I love ColourPop Cosmetics from my review of their Lippie Stix, then today's review of their Super Shock Shadows should make it absolutely clear!
   The packaging for these products once again mimic the effortlessly stylish and clean look of ColourPop's website; properly labeled, effortless to use, and protected nicely.

   These eyeshadows are deigned to be super pigmented without need for building up, and easy to use when in a hurry and you can't be bothered with makeup brushes. Well... They succeed! These are best applied by tapping over the desired area with the pad of your ring finger/pinky; you'll end up with perfect product distribution. The Super Shock Shadows blend wonderfully with a fluffy brush, and if you want to add a bit of sharpness to your edges I suggest a short angled brush (or use the tape trick).
   Every formula is creamy, but have fantastic staying power. As I'm forever repeating in these reviews, I have very oily eyelids that just LOVE soaking up product... These products do not crease or smudge on me, and last all day long when over a primer. When tested without primer, the eyeshadows lasted hours longer than any other I have ever used before; pigment faded slightly due to them sinking into my skin but easy to touch-up.
   The Super Shock Shadow range come in several finishes; satin, matte, metallic, ultra-metallic, pearlized, and pressed pigments... The colors I chose to review are a handful of wonderful shades for the upcoming colder months, and are listed in the order they are swatched in the photos below.
   Side note: The top photo shows natural lighting (left) and indoor/unnatural lighting (right). The bottom photo shows staying power after two swipes with a Simple makeup removing wipe. The left swatches are with primer, the right are without.

• Boy Band - An ultra metallic, and ultra gorgeous, red-copper in a pearlized finish.
• Supermodel - Soft, golden ivory tone in a pearlized finish that's perfect as a base, brow highlight, or a simple all over shade to brighten your eyes.
• Mixed Tape - A shimmering cool-toned gray in a pearlized finish that looks wonderful blended out.
• Central Perk - Officially my new favorite eyeshadow! The perfect mix of deep maroon and berry in a matte finish.
• Roulette - The ultimate, true matte black. Nothing else needs to be said.
• Party Time - Mixed Tape's mauvey gray cousin, in a matte finish. 

   ***All ingredients can be found on each product's page at ColourPop.com***

   I give the ColourPop Cosmetics Super Shock Shadows a 5/5 - I absolutely adore them! They have a wonderful range of colors meant for all skin tones, and are priced far lower than the quality of the product received... I can't wait to get my hands on more shades, and you should too!
   Don't forget to sign up for their emails to receive a $5.00 off coupon and first-looks at upcoming site events.

*All makeup products I review are tested in multiple environments before review.
This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions stated are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Emperor of Ice Cream

   Buttercream, one of the most decadent types of frosting... So the LUSH Kitchen decided to whip some up! Of course, I'm talking about the recent Emperor of Ice Cream buttercream... A creamy soap in a see-through tub, this product's formula was brand new to me and I was so excited to give it a try.

"Scented with a vanilla pod infusion and delicately balanced with floral fragrance of jasmine and rose absolutes. This is a rich, creamy, no-expense-spared buttercream."

   When it came to consistency, I had no idea what to expect... I would say my conclusion is that if a regular bar of soap and D'Fluff shaving soap had a baby (consistency wise), that would be what LUSH's formula for buttercream is like... I love the slightly whipped feeling of this product. Coconut oil, cocoa butter, Shea butter, and macadamia nut oil leave EoIC packing quite the moisturizing punch, while still leaving your skin feeling very clean.
   This beautifully formulated soap seems quite pasty when you scoop it out of the tub, but the second it becomes wet it softens into the whipped consistency I mentioned previously. It is easy to over-scoop this product, but luckily with potted products you can just put a bit back... Once the small chunks soften, the lather this product gives is rich, creamy, and definitely proves the "no expense paid" aspect.
   I knew it would be floral, with notes of sweetness thanks to the vanilla pod infusion, but this scent wasn't what I expected... I'm very sensitive to floral scents. If something smells powdery (such as rose), or too many floral notes are combined, it tends to give me a headache... EoIC has notes of jasmine absolute, rose absolute, and lavender oil. All very strong on their own, and when combined? It was just too much for my liking. I love strolling through flower gardens in the warmer months, but I couldn't do it all day long - this scent linger, noticeably, for several hours.

   All in all I'm 100% in love with the buttercream formula, but Emperor of Ice Cream's scent is just not for me, so I'm giving it a 3.5/5. Luckily, my mother adores the product as a whole, so I was happy to gift the practically full tub to her... If you enjoy strong floral scents or the more bitter side of vanilla, this product is definitely for you!

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Fair Trade Vanilla Pod Infusion (Vanilla planifolia, Glycerine, Rapeseed Oil; Coconut Oil (Brassica napus; Cocos nucifera), Orange Blossom Honey (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Perfume, Water (Aqua), Fair Trade Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Mango Butter (Mangifera indica), Organic Macadamia Nut Oil (Macadamia ternifolia), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Jasmine Absolute (Jasminum grandiflorum), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Ylang Ylang Oil (Cananga odorata), Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Sodium Hydroxide, *Linalool.

*All body products I review are used for a week+.

This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

Yummy Yummy Yummy

   Mmm, mmm, mmm! Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel was recently in the LUSH Kitchen and I was told I just haddd to pick one up... So, I did!
   I'm in love with all things American Cream, and was told this was the strawberry equivalent - I find that it doesn't remind me of American Cream, but rather more spot on with the ever so wonderful D'Fluff shaving soap.

"A scrummy strawberry scented shower gel... Like a frothy pink milkshake to refresh and hydrate your skin."

   Even though Yummy didn't have the scent I expected, I still really enjoy it. The beautiful, fresh strawberry with notes of geranium, passionflower, and almond oil make you feel like you've been transported to a beautiful little garden... This orange-y pink shower gel is a very heavy scent inside the bottle, but once washed over skin? Far more delicate, and lingers for a few hours.
   Since I research Kitchen products a bit before purchasing, I was aware that this shower gel would be thin in consistency; be prepared, because it is borderline watery... The lather of this product matches it's consistency, thus it is rather thin and frothy. Also, Yummy does a great job of leaving your skin feeling wonderfully clean and nourished without any hint of residue!
   It arrived separated, as shown in the photo below (middle). At first I thought it was due to the temperatures in my state, but I've come to realize that it just separates on its own after each use. One or two little tips of the bottle mixes this gel back up, and it's ready for use.

   I give Yummy Yummy Yummy shower gel a 3/5, simply because I'm into more thick shower gels and the scent wasn't what I expected it to be... With that being said, it is still a lovely product that I definitely recommend to lover's of flower gardens and springtime! Don't forget to check out the LUSH Kitchen Instagram (@LUSHKitchen) each Sunday for the following week's menu.

Handmade With Fresh Ingredients: Fresh strawberries infused (Fragaria vesca), Sodium alkyl sulfate, Honey water (Aqua), Almond oil (Prunus dulcis), Sodium laureth sulfate, Perfume, Glyceryl stearate, Cocamide MEA, Propylene glycol, Glycol cetearate, Fine sea salt, Lauryl betaine, Olibanum oil (Boswellia carterii), Bergmot oil (Citrus aurantium bergamia), Geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens), Passionflower seed oil (Passiflora edulis), Water (Aqua), Balsamic vinegar, *Limonene, *Linalool, Benzyl alcohol, Colour 14700, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

*All body products that I review have been used for a week+.

This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*
xoxo Elle

ColourPop Lippie Stix

   By now, you all know I'm quite the lipstick junkie and usually stick to liquid to mattes... I stumbled across ColourPop while searching some Instagram tags, and since I was in need of some new lip products I headed to the site.
   ColourPop.com has a very clean design, and is extremely easy to navigate around. The site has a wide range of cosmetics from highlighters to lipsticks, all less than $10.00 USD. Not only that, but shipping is free over $30.00 (in the U.S.) and when you first make an account you'll receive a $5.00 off coupon via email!

   ColourPop's lipstick range consists of Ultra Matte Lips, Lippie Pencils, and Lippie Stix... For every Lippie Stix, there is a matching Lippie Pencil (you don't have to play a guessing game).
   Lippie Stix come in a variety of formulas, from sheer to matte, and a range of colors that suit all skin tones. With almost every ColourPop product they show swatches on light and dark skin (side by side)... Throw in the great descriptions and ingredients list, I'm in love with the website's set up.
   As you can see above, the Stix don't come in a traditional tube, but rather a convenient crayon style that makes application precise and easy... The formulas of the seven Stix I ordered consisted of five mattes, one satin, and one pearlized. I realized that the matte colors withstood day-to-day activities better than the other formulas, which is the usual with lipsticks. Also, darker colors are "thicker" in formula, but not necessarily harder to apply (maybe more creamy, if you will).
   The bottom left photo is after one hard swipe with a Simple makeup removing wipe, and the bottom right photo is after washing my forearm with antibacterial soap and cold water... The way certain colors "stained" and others easily removed was expected; these also act slightly as a lip stain (rubbed off product is much less noticeable). From my experience thus far, the Stix did not feather much at all - especially the mattes - and withstood much more than "traditional" lipstick would have.

 

•  Blood: Matte; A deep, burgundy red. Perfect color for colder days. Applies smoothly, and without much difficulty. Stained lips slightly and has good staying power, so reapplication very drawn out.
• Bichette: Matte; A red color with wine and plum, making it a classic blue undertone red. Perfect year round color. Applies like silk, so be careful of mishaps. Kisses the lips with some stain, and looks lovely.
• Flawless: Satin; A red undertone violet that even Beyonce herself would love. Perfect for colder weather or year round bold statement days. Glides on when applying, but I didn't notice any stain.
• LBB: Matte; A plum/wine toned pink-ish purple. Perfectly fine for year round. A bit more thick/creamy, but well worth the extra-steady application. Some staining if worn for long periods of time.
• Lumiere: Matte; A dusty mauve color that is my favorite in the whole bunch (believe it or not). Wonderful for year round wear. Applies like a gem, and although it doesn't stain it has great staying power.
• Westie: Matte; A perfectly dusty, baby pink. Lovely for any spring, summer, and even fall occasion that calls for a touch of softness. Application is effortless, with no noticeable staining, and a tiny bit less staying power.
• Wet: Pearlized; A cool mixture of taupe and gunmetal that I'm 100% into. Nice for cold weather, but also great in warmer months thanks to the taupe. Applies beautifully, has much more staying power than I imagined, and no noticeable staining.

   The Lippie Stix formulas all have a signature scent, much like M.A.C lipsticks! The scent is that of fresh baked white cake that has yet to be covered in frosting. It is uplifting, without any sort of sugary-sweet notes - I'm in love with it!

   ColourPop's customer service and shipping was awesome, for lack of a more eloquent word. My package arrived two days earlier than the tracking showed, and the box was very sturdy. The product packaging is wonderful... Representative of the clean yet stylish look of the website, well made, and also containing a list of ingredients for that particular product; with proper labels consisting of the cruelty free symbol, made in the U.S.A label, product type, product name, brand name, and company address.

   The ColourPop brand is now one of the two companies I automatically suggest to those looking for lip products that are worth every penny spent... I'm completely hooked, and can't wait to make my next order to try some eyeshadows, as well as the Ultra Matte Lip line... Head to ColourPop's Instagram (@ColourPopCosmetics) and check out the endless stream of swatches and brand announcements, and once you realize that this brand is for you (like I know you will), hop over to ColourPop.com to make your first purchase!

*These products were worn on multiple occasions for over a month.

This post is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle

lashSENSATIONAL by Maybelline

   As someone whose eyelashes fall out ridiculously easy, I'm very picky when it comes to eye makeup... I was going through my YouTube feed and noticed a few weeks back that +Fleur DeForce had mentioned this product, so I headed to Walgreen's and picked up the lashSENSATIONAL mascara by Maybelline.
   It has been a while since I've trusted a drug store mascara, but I gave it a go... And I'm happy to say, it surpassed expectations!

   When I'm hunting for any makeup that goes on my eyelashes, I want the following:

• Curls (or at least helps keep the curl from my eyelash curler)
• Some extra volume is a plus
• Dries quickly (doesn't stay wet/sticky)
• No eye irritation
• Comes off without pulling eyelashes out

   My eyelashes are long, but grow straight out; eyelash curlers are a must. lashSENSATIONAL does a good job at holding a curl with one-two coats (depending on how thick your lashes are), and dries within 30 seconds... I always choose the blackest formula, and for this mascara it is 00 Blackest Black. I really enjoy the way the formula coats every lash without tugging on them, but it is a bit (almost) sticky while being applied. When my hands shake and it inevitably gets on my eyelids, I wait for it to dry before attempting to remove it; less messy that way... The wand has short, harder bristles in the inner scoop of the brush for adding volume and making sure the root of the lash is completely coated. The outer scoop has longer, more flexible bristles to help add length and separate lashes. I enjoy the versatility in this wand, because it gives options for different looks without having to use multiple products!
   This mascara does not add too much length to my already long eyelashes, and the amount of volume it adds to my lashes make them look like they are healthy and full. I would imagine on someone with regular, healthy lashes it will add some nice volume... I, of course, have gotten this mascara in my eyes in the past, and it did not burn. Of course, you should always wash out your eyes after something like this happens! When I wash off lashSENSATIONAL with micellar water, makeup wipes, or even just water in the shower (VERY GENTLY stroking my lashes) the formula becomes like a gel, easily and gently coming off.
   Even though I like my lashes to look like I'm wearing falsies, I really love this mascara! lashSENSATIONAL mascara makes me feel like I have healthy, beautiful eyelashes and someone who doesn't suffer from hair loss like I do will probably love the extra umf that it gives to their lashes as well... I rate is a 4.5/5, only because I wish mascara would make my eyelashes look fake, and definitely intend on purchasing more!

Ingredients: Water, Propylene Glycol, Styrene/Acrylates/Ammonium Methacrylate Copolymer, Polyurethane-35, Cera Alba/Beeswax/Cire Dabeille, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-200 Glyceryl Stearate, Ethylenediamine/Stearyl Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer, Copernicia Cerifera Cera/Carnauba Wax/Cire de Carnauba, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Ethylene/Va Copolymer, Alcohol Denat., Paraffin, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Silica. May Contain: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides, CI 77007/Ultramarines, CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, MICA, CI 75470/Carmine, CI 77288/Chromium Oxide Greens, CI 77742/Manganese Violet, CI 77510/Ferric Ferrocyanide]

*This review is in no way sponsored; all opinions are my own.*

xoxo Elle