Second Chance: Hard Candy

   Hard Candy is a brand that has been around since 1995, and was some of the first makeup I ever tried! I recently noticed they've really stepped up their formulas and packaging, and basically got really excited to give them a second chance. Why? Because this company is not only extremely affordable, but it is an independent company that is cruelty free from start to finish of all products! The only downfalls about the brand were:

• I couldn't find product ingredients anywhere other than the packaging, which was so small I couldn't really read them well enough to type them for you all, so I had to email the company asking for them and was never contacted back (emailed three times).
• This brand is exclusively sold at Walmart... Dear HC Team, please pitch your brand to Target, or at least a more ethical company (or sell on your own site). Thank you!

 

   I usually use the Anastasia Brow Pomade, MAC Tinted Brow Gel, and/or a variety of brow pencils for my eyebrows. I've liked the look of my eyebrows since a very young age (especially before they started falling out), learning how important they are when framing the face in art classes... So, the first item that caught my attention was the Brow Ink: 24hr Brow Stain - I am constantly on the hunt for better and better gels to not only keep my unmanageable brows locked in place, but also to give them more color. My brows, like my lashes, are sparse due to my illness so I like my brow gels to give the illusion of my eyebrows being more full. In the photo above I'm showing the gel on the left (my right) eyebrow, without any other makeup/grooming products... Lets just say that this product met each of the mentioned standards thus far.
   The advertising for this product describes it as "long wear ink technology with henna" with a "micro precision brush". Now the brush is extremely thin, but was way too long, so I cut almost 1/3 of it off to have better control while using the product... The color I chose was Medium Dark, and the package color made me me assume it would be too light for me but I was dead wrong! This color is beautifully dark and glides on wonderfully; it is a slightly thicker formula than what I'm used to but I really like it. I tried the Brow Ink with and without primers and other brow makeup - the results were always the same. My brows stayed in place all day (as long as I didn't brush against them but it was easy to push them back into place), through rain, humidity, wind, and my oily skin... This hadn't happened before the Brow Ink came into my life... Finally, for how strong this gel is, it was a happy surprise that the Brow Ink: 24hr Brow Stain was quite easy to clean off at the end of the day.
   I give this product a 4/5 and think I'll grow to enjoy it even more as I master using its thin brush.

Ingredients: 

    Next we have the Look Pro! Illuminate & Strobing Mix-In Drops, which are meant to go in foundation for some extra glow or on their own for a dewy highlight... This product is great for thinning out a more thick liquid foundation to make it more wearable in warmer months, not to mention it is great for all skin types (I had some help testing it)... My favorite way to use the Look Pro! is on my brow bone and collar bones as a highlight, or to thin out thick foundation (like I mentioned) when I'm feeling the need to be particularly glowy. The formula is thin, easy to build up/layer, with a pearlized finish but it was hard for me to photograph just how lovely it looks.
   Adorable packaging that looks great on my vanity, but the applicator dropper is a bit loose... I think this might be a new summer staple for me, so I'm giving it a 4.5/5.

    Our third product to discuss is actually three products - the Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Colors in:

• Dahlia, a very deep berry (distinct hints of purple and red in different lighting) - Glides on completely opaque with much thicker formula than I expected. Almost too creamy to be able to control putting it on my lips as effortlessly as some other similar products. Once it had settled on my lips the color became a tad lighter, and continued to fade even before eating/drinking anything... I like the color but most dark shades like this from drug store brands don't do as well as the lighter shades.
• Tulip, a cool red - Very slightly less opaque than Dahlia or Cherry Blossom, and lasted a tad longer than Dahlia. I'm most picky about my red lipsticks, so I think my love for such a select few keeps me from liking this particular color a bit more. It is a very lovely shade though, and I think it is perfect for those that like orange-reds as well as blue-reds.
• Cherry Blossom, a deep rosy pink - I clearly have a love for rosy pinks that I hadn't ever tapped into before the last few months, and this is just another I'm enjoying right now. Glided on remarkably well, lasted much longer than the other shades, and the scent was a bit less intense.

   The applicators are similar to some of the LA Splash wands and I really like the precision I'm able to achieve with them. I did not expect these lippies to dry (not stay wet/tacky) as much as they did, thus having much better staying power than expected as well. The scent is like a vanilla cupcake, a tad too perfumed for my liking, but it fades once the product dries.
   As far as packaging, I find it unnecessarily bulky, but absolutely adorable with watercolor floral patterns, different for each color. When you open the small case there is a nice, slim mirror and the lippies themselves are set into this faux velvet casing (which was cute for branding but it was hard to initially pop the product out). The product itself is extremely sleek and lightweight, so it is great for tucking in a small pocket of a bag and trucking around with.
   Have I used better lippies? Yes, of course, but I was happily surprised by the Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color range and give them a 3.5/5.

   Our final product(s) to chat about are the Sheer Envy Primers in Shine Free and Ultra Light... I'm forever on the hunt for a face primer to fall in love with, so I grabbed these:

• Shine Free, "controls shine for a matte finish" - Alright so this formula feels exactly like the POREfessional, even though it looks more like a gel (its not), and it works for me how POREfessional used to work for me (not it just makes me extra oily and makeup melts off my face). It took a bit longer than my more high end primers to settle into/onto my skin before it wasn't "wet" feeling (and made foundation look blotchy), but once settled it smoothed out my skin nicely... It works and seems consistent, and would be good if you ever are traveling and forget your primer or are running low on funds, but it doesn't blow any others out of the water (3/5).
• Ultra Light, "prolongs makeup wear and evens skin tone" - The formula of this primer is like a more whipped, yet somehow thinner, consistency than the Shine Free version. When I first opened it the formula had sort of separated and some oil came out first when I tried to use it, and it takes a tiny bit longer than the Shine Free to settle in/on skin... Honestly, I'm not a fan of this formula, which sort of sucks, because I usually love light/oil free formulas better than matte-specific formulas but not this time (2/5).

   I will admit that I've already gone out and grabbed the new Hard Candy Sheer Envy Pore-Defense Primer Serum and the Fast&Fabulous Setting Spray in hopes that they perform better... I'll keep you all posted!

   All in all I'm quite impressed with how far Hard Candy has come since I first tried the brand, so very long ago. I'll be trying some of their other products in time (such as the primer serum and setting spray I mentioned)... Who wouldn't be willing to try more of such an affordable, cruelty free brand?   Know one of their products that I just NEED to try? Let me know!

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

xoxo Elle

Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette

   Once more, Disney sought out Urban Decay for a collaboration and thus the Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette launched this past April. I of course got my hands on it right away in excitement to show to you all... Although I have my issues with Lewis Carroll as a person, Alice in Wonderland and its accompanying stories (and games, media, etc) are one of my childhood favorites that grew with me as I have aged!
   The launch of so many fun collaborations thanks to the new film release has me all abuzz and jumping right down the rabbit hole... Won't you join me?

   First and foremost, the Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette is absolutely gorgeous in design! It matches not only the newest film but the general curious and whimsical feelings that the Alice in Wonderland stories bring about... The box, palette, and brush all feature a kaleidoscope pattern on both the front and back, black and white flowers on the sides, and shade previews on the back of the box. When you lift the top panel a framed mirror lays centered with a backdrop of black and white, melting clocks - in the center of the mirror is the quote "we're all mad here"... Below the mirror are two small ~doors~ that say "I'm not strange, weird, off, nor crazy. My reality is just different from yours." and when lifted open they reveal a beautiful, blue, 3D butterfly that represents Absolem.
   As far as the actual palette itself, its slightly hidden on the front/side - which says "I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I must have changed several times since then." - and is pulled out using a fabric tab. This aspect is pretty cool as far as looks go, but as a whole the palette is too bulky to be convenient for travel unless you bring solely the actual palette itself (making sure its safely in a Ziplock or something like that).

   Nestled into the bottom of the palette is a duel ended brush - to me this is more like a duel ended blending brush, and although it isn't my favorite, it is still a nice brush in texture and size... The palette itself features twenty eyeshadows that are named after different aspects of the film - a good mixture of matte and shimmer, as well as neutral and bright, options. The colors in this palette are both unique to the palette and ones that Urban Decay already sells - personally, I hope the color Lily becomes permanent because its my favorite in the entire palette. Worth whatever-the-heck they would charge for it!
   So, now I am going to come off a bit bitter... With all twenty shades, I'm only in love with two - Lily and Salazen Grum. They're smooth as silk, go on beautifully opaque, and have barely any fallout (if any at all). Aside from those two shades, the only other colors I enjoy are Cake, Heads Will Roll, and Time; they are unique, nicely formulated, and fun to play with. Every other color in the palette is either extremely chalky with far too much fallout, so patchy that it took over five swipes to make a decent swatch on my hand (aka Gone Mad), or were - to be blunt - quite generic in the sense I could find them in many other decent palettes or single shadows. I will say that most of the colors were very blendable, and/or worked wet or dry...
   None the less, I did have fun trying some extremely simple, easy-to-wear looks - which are shown below - that were inspired by different parts of the movie trailers!

 "Time Is A He"

Lid: Kingdom

Crease: Chronosphere

Bottom Lash Line: UD 24/7 Liner in Underground

"Excitable, Emotional, Prone to Fantasy"

Lid & Inner Corner: Lily

Crease: Cake

Bottom Lash Line: Heads Will Roll
Liquid Liner: Art-ki-tekt by LA Splash Cosmetics

 "Gone Too Long"

Inner Corner: Metamorphosis

Crease: Time

Lid: Bandersnatch

 "Truest Friend"

Inner Corner: Paradox

Transition: Hatter

Outer Corner: Gone Mad

Liquid Liner: Art-ki-tekt by LA Splash Cosmetics

"Urksome Slurvish"

Lid: Salazen Grum

Outer Corner: Mirror

Liquid Liner: Art-ki-tekt by LA Splash Cosmetics

   This palette sort of had me experiencing every emotion I have ever felt about a makeup product... I really enjoyed this palette during the Urban Decay master class, and expressed how worth-while I thought the Alice Through the Looking Glass Palette was. This was the first palette I had gotten excited for with bright colors! But now I am rather frustrated with the outcome and actually returned it (after calling Ulta and explaining my feelings, they completely understood and said I wasn't alone - yikes)... If you ask me (and I don't mean this is a critical way), enjoying five out of twenty shadows in a palette is not worth $60.00+ USD.
   I'm not rating this product because it really is a gorgeous and well thought out piece of art - if you're a collector of palettes then you may enjoy having this on your vanity, but it isn't for me... I had fun coming up with a few looks, even with the bit of struggle I had with some of the colors, and really hope you all approve of my honesty within this post. Still a fan of the Urban Decay vegan, single eyeshadows and will continue to pick them up from time to time!

*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