Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Spoiler Alert November BirchBox!

Oh yay! Guess what today is? Birch Box day!
So this month's box is a good one!
I give this box a 9.5
First up we have a Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil-they know I like me a good highlighter! So this is a pencil and reminds me of Benefit's Eye Bright but less pink more peach and a little creamier. This is a non shimmery pencil that can be used all over the face to give that beautiful middle of the face highlight. 

Next we have Color Club Dark n Stormy nail polish which is a stormy grey color. I will be using it on my toes shortly. 

I also received It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product which I am very excited to try! You can use it on wet or dry hair and it is a "10-in-one treatment that addresses the spectrum of hair damage, from brittleness to frizz."

Tiossan Body Cream which is loaded with antioxidants and I love antioxidants. 

They also threw in a Chuao Chocolatier Pop Corn Pop. A mini chocolate bar with popcorn in it! Brilliant! 
Free of: 
Hydrogenated fats, artificial preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, artificial sweeteners.

So there you have it, all my goodies!

**October Box Update**
I still LOVE the Benefit highlighter and will probably purchase the full sized product when I am done. I am still waiting to use the shampoo/conditioner during my upcoming NOLA trip. The Karuna face mask had so much fragrance in it, it was absolutely unbearable and the Chapstick is unused and going in my kit. 


So that's if for now Kitty Kats! 
Until next time! 
~Jessica~

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Face Primer Alternative

Hi there kitty cats!
Part of my job as an informative blogger is to let you know all about my sneaky Pete tricks!
Today's tips and tricks have to do with primers. 
I have written about primers before but for anyone who doesn't know what a primer is, they do exactly what their name suggest-they prime the skin for makeup application. They also help your makeup to stay on longer, as well as hide pores and smooth out any fine lines. 


There are tons of primers on the market for every skin type. You can find primers for oily skin, for dry skin, with sun protection, with antioxidants, etc. Every brand has a primer in their lineup. You can buy a primer for your face, lips or eyes. Quite honestly, I very rarely use a primer. Sometimes I will use it around my eyes if I'm feeling like I need a little extra something, however most days I go without. 

So what is a Kitten to do when she wants to try a primer but doesn't want to break the bank? 
She wanders over to the feminine hygiene section of her drugstore and picks up a tube of Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel. 
Yes, you read that right!
Most primers are made up of a bunch of silicone's (an emollient slip agent used in cosmetics) and that is exactly what Monistat Chafing Relief Gel is. One of the most popular (and one of the first in the primer trend) is Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. 1 oz will cost you $36. 
1.5 oz of Monistat will cost you around $7 and if you compare the ingredients (minus the fancy extracts that SmashBox includes), they are very similar. 
So if you are new to using a primer and would like to try one first without hurting your wallet or if you use tons of primer (such as a makeup artist), or you just don't want to spend a lot of money on a cosmetic product, this would be a good try for you. 

Until next time!
~Jessica~

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Dr. Dennis Gross Age Erase Moisture with Mega 10 Plus

Oh hi
there kitties!

My skin in the winter is quite dry. Visibly dry with peeling, flaking and redness, usually around my chin. Now with the Retin-A, there is dryness everywhere. My skin needs a giant drink of moisture and that is exactly what it gets with Dr. Dennis Gross Age Erase Moisture with Mega 10 Plus.
 

According to the website:
  • Active Vitamin D provides supple, glowing, younger looking skin
  • Vitamins, antioxidants & peptides target free radicals for cellular defense
  • Time-released Hyaluronic Acid helps soften & smooth fine lines & wrinkles 
Mega 10 Plus, is a complex developed by Dr. Gross which contains 10 essential nutrients for optimal skin health. 

This is not a "wet" moisturizer, meaning it does not just sit greasy on the skin. It sinks in nicely and works well under my sunblock and makeup. I know this has "age erase" in the name, however this is a very good moisturizer that will not erase your age. It is very replenishing and my skin loves it. You can use it AM and PM. 
I have had absolutely no irritation or breakouts from this product. 
It is fragrance free (YAY!), cruelty free (YAY!), Vegan (If that's important to you) and paraban free(YAY!). Pretty much everything I look for in a product. 

Key Ingredients
  • Vitamins A, C, E: Potent antioxidants that prevent collagen breakdown
  • Vitamin B: Adds essential moisture & provides a plumping effect
  • Vitamin D: Boosts the benefits of other active ingredients
  • Ubiquinone (CoQ10): Potent antioxidant that defends against free radicals & builds collagen
  • Phospholipids: Natural substance that draws moisture from the air & seals it into the skin
  • Green Tea Extract: Natural antioxidant; Protects against free radicals & environmental toxins
  • Yucca Root Extract: Natural plant extract with high antioxidant content & anti-inflammatory properties
  • Soybean Extract: Kick-starts collagen production
  • Biodynes TRF: Yeast Extract that has cell-renewing, soothing, anti-inflammatory & anti-irritant properties
  • Squalane: Naturally derived emollient that works to prevent dryness
  • Ceramides: A complex lipid that helps strengthen & repair skin's barrier 
Excellent key ingredients, however "key ingredients" mean there are other ingredients that they have not listed on the website. C'mon people, just list ALL of the ingredients so it doesn't look like you're hiding something. Thank you!

A little bit about Dr. Gross:

Dr. Dennis Gross, NYC dermatologist, has devoted his life to the science of skincare. Skin, the largest organ of the body, is the first to show signs of both external and internal health. The quality and scope of his education and research inspired a passion within to fight the deadly epidemic of skin cancer. During his early years as a dermatologist in NYC, Dr. Gross would spend hours “in the field” conducting free skin cancer screenings in and around NYC, educating the public about this life-threatening disease.  

So I really like and recommend this product.
This is a quality product that will not break the bank. 
$48 for 1.7 ounces  


Until next time!
~Jessica~

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**My own product purchased with my own $$. No affiliate links.