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aqualin.jpgTarte EmphasEYES™ Aqua-Gel Eyeliner captures the high-pigment concentration and staying power of a gel pot in an effortless pencil, without the need for a brush. The formula suspends rich mineral pigments in a 50% water concentration by a process of hydrous pigmentation, in which cooling and refreshing pure water absorbs into the skin to hydrate and replenish the delicate eye area, leaving behind an intense, long-wearing, and pigment-rich color.

EmphasEYES™ ingredients include:

- Pure water that suspends mineral pigments while delivering and retaining moisture to replenish and hydrate skin,-
- Aloe leaf extract known for its soothing, healing, and antiseptic properties, which maintain moisture balance in the skin,
- Vitamin E, which acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient and fights free radical damage,
- Cucumber extract, which is rich in vitamins A &C and helps soothe skin, and
- Mineral pigments, which have been known to soothe and soften the skin.

The best part is that due to the unique nature of this formula, you don't need to over advance the tip, so it lasts a while, so long as you remember to always securely replace the cap to prevent dry out.

You only need a little for intense color payoff, and it seriously doesn't move. We even wore it to the gym to test, and while the rest of our face was dewy, the liner DID NOT BUDGE, even from the waterline.

Available in 8 shades for $18, at Sephora.



press sample(s) received for review; this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
GinZing.EyeCream.jpgLet's face it: the recommended eight hours of sleep we should all get every night is sometimes hard to come by. This lack of Zzzzs usually shows up all over our faces, particularly in puffy eyes with dark circles. 

That's where Origins steps in to provide relief with it's GinZing Refreshing eye cream

Claims: "GinZing™ Refreshing eye
cream brightens and de-puffs with nature's clinically-proven morning-rescue eye cream that instantly reduces dark circles. Like a shot of espresso for tired eyes, this power-packed eye cream delivers both an instant impact and sustained benefits over time. GinZing™ Refreshing eye cream is formulated with
a cool, crème texture that invigorates and hydrates the eye area, helping unsightly bags and under-eye puffiness virtually disappear. Vibrancy is restored, leaving the delicate eye-area appear rested, even-toned and revitalized."

Our take: We loved the smooth, fast-absorbing texture of this eye cream. It didn't sting or burn in the least (which is hard to find in an eye cream), and didn't leave any hint of greasy residue, making it great to wear under makeup. The skin around our eyes felt a light tingly sensation - the result of the caffeine - that helped a little with de-puffing (though we didn't see a significant difference). Also, we didn't notice much lightening of our dark circles, and resorted to our usual concealer. 

Bottom line: We loved how smooth and tingly this product made our eyes feel, but didn't experience a major visible difference in our eye puffiness or dark circles. Although it did brighten up our eye temporarily, perhaps more longterm use would produce better results. 

$29.50, Origins.com


Press sample received for review; this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
Dermalogica-Oil.jpg

The first time we saw Dermalogica's PreCleanse, we thought "Huh? Isn't regular cleanser enough?" Well, we were wrong, evidently. Sometimes, even with a good cleanser, makeup, oil and environmental debris stay engrained in your pores, and an oil-based product like PreCleanse removes all the excess gunk and, believe it or not, oil. Oil removing oil? Yes, you read correctly. 

We squirted about a quarter size amount of the product on our hands and massaged it onto our dry, heavily made-up face, complete with waterproof mascara. We worked it in for about a minute, focusing on our eyes and cheeks, and than added a little warm water to the mix to create a milky consistency that washes right off - and takes all the bad stuff with it. 

Following with our normal cleanser, even with our oily skin and caked-on makeup from a night out, our cotton round with toner came out clean, and our skin was soft, with no trace of excess oil. 




Press samples received for review, this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
Philosophy is known the world over for their skincare with whimsical names, such as their Hope in a Jar moisturizer, When Hope is Not Enough serum, and The Great Mystery Daily Facial. You may have salivated over their so-good-you-could-eat-it food inspired 3-in-1 bath gels (Red Velvet Cake, anyone?), or doused yourself in the heavenly Amazing Grace fragrance. But did you know that Philosophy has amazing makeup too?

philo.bmp
Philosophy's the supernatural line is just that: super healthy, mineral-based, your-skin-but-better makeup. Standouts include:

  • Airbrushed Canvas- a high-pigment, talc-free foundation that conceals, camouflages and provides spf protection all in one easy step. best of all, it's safe for all skin types. Airbrushed Canvas looks natural and almost melts into skin, leaving you flawless with no tell tale makeup look or "shiny" appearance that other mineral powders can take on.
  • Superbeautiful Hybrid Liquid- a healthy, good-for-skin makeup infused with natural, plant-based moisturizers, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and spf 20 to deliver sheer color, moisture and protection. Perfect for those who like the look and application of liquid makeup with the benefits of minerals. This one truly does double duty to keep skin flawless with or without makeup.
  • Lit From Within Cream Blush - a superblendable, creamy, natural mineral blush that moisturizes, refreshes and adds sheer, healthy color to cheeks. This cream is easily applied with fingers or brush (we prefer our fingers!), and makes skin glow.
  • You Make Me Blush Cheek Duo- a mineral powder duo creates a believable, natural flush of color for an all-over healthy look. The two shades complement each other, while also creating endless options for defining, highlighting, and accentuating features, all while remaining completely natural.
If you're like us, you want super-performing products that leave you looking your best...without looking like someone else...which is exactly what you'll get from Philosophy. Definitely worth a try!

The line retails between $22-$35, available nationwide at Sephora, or at Philosophy.com.




press sample(s) received for review; this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
Yes-to-Carrots.jpg
What do you get when you blend dead sea minerals with organic fruits and vegetables (like carrots) and leave out the parabens? Well, shampoo and conditioner, of course. Per usual, we were first drawn to this duo for its fresh orange color (and label.) Reading a book by its cover? You betcha. When we untwisted the top of Yes To Carrots Shampoo and Conditioner, we were pleasantly surprised by the fruity scent (it's carrot shampoo after all). Though the ingredient list reads more like the recipe for a fall harvest soup than haircare - organic carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin - we gave it a try.  

The directions mention to leave the shampoo on for two minutes (which was a little odd, but we followed instructions) before rinsing, and the same for the conditioner. We squeezed the traditional amount of product into our hands before lathering up, and found we needed some more shampoo to get a rich froth. The conditioner was ultra thick and rich, but appeared to absorb into our hair pretty quickly. Assuming it was a result of the unconventional formula, we left the shower with squeaky clean strands that smelled marvelous. Though our hair was soft when dried, it didn't feel quite as hydrated or glossy as we are used to. 

Overall, we were pleased with the smell, lack of harmful chemicals and the presence of natural ingredients, but we felt this duo was a little drying for our normal/dry hair, and might be a better match for oily tresses. 

$8.99 each, Ulta.com


this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
rouge-artist-491.jpgThe latest in lips from Make Up For Ever, Rouge Artist Intense, is a show stopping new lipstick collection with high pigmentation for dramatic, long-lasting color in just one stroke. The formula contains 50% more pigment than traditional lipstick formulas and is available in 3 different finishes for varying intensity: matte, pearly, and satin.

The line boasts an impressive 50 shades in an assortment of reds, nudes, and pinks [click for color chart] to help every woman find a shade that suits them. Because this can be overwhelming, Make Up For Ever has also developed a special shade selection tool that narrows down hues by both hair color and skin tone, assuring the most flattering shade recommendations. The tool will be available both in-store and online at Sephora.

We used the tool to select two hues based on hair and skin, and were more than pleased with the choices. The selector is pretty much spot-on; both shades selected looked gorgeous on!


$19, Sephora.





press sample(s) received for review; this editorial includes affiliate links; (read our disclosures for more info)
Tarte Lip Stains.jpg
We've been a fan of Tarte Cosmetics for a few years now, especially their coveted cheek stains. Which is reason enough to have been excited to hear that this natural makeup company recently released their Lipsurgence Natural Lip Stain

It's no secret that lip stains tend to be a bit drying. You put them on, and they instantly parch your lips, making a moisturizing lip balm an essential partner product. Tarte's Lipsurgence stains claim to increase your lip's moisture level by 6,000 percent in 28 days, and though there really is no way we could have quantified those numbers ourselves, we no doubt appreciated the soft, moisturizing effect achieved by this product. 

We loved how the stain just glided right on in sheer layers, which could be built upon depending on how deep we wanted the color (we found the perfect shade by applying two layers, and blotting). The infused peppermint oil was a pleasant surprise, and had a great cooling effect. We tested Joy (peach), Lust (red), and Enchanted (rosey pink). Enchanted worked best with our tan skin tone for every day use, though we could definitely see ourselves playing up the Lust for a saucy night out. 

Though we've used lip stains that have lasted longer, the most impressive part of Tarte's Lipsurgence Natural Lip Stain is the "natural" part. It's formulated without parabens, mineral oil, sodium laurel sulfate, glutens, talc, dyes, synthetic fragrances or phthalates. The price tag may be a bit steep compared to drugstore varieties, but a little goes very far, making the MSRP more than worth it in the long run. 






Press samples received for review, this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
Paulas-Choice-SPF_thumbnails.jpgSummer may be quickly winding down, but that doesn't mean you need to put away your sunscreen along with your bikinis and flip flops. Relatively new to the beauty scene, the Ultra-light Weightless Finish SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray by Paula's Choice is definitely a must-have product to keep in the front row of your beauty drawer year-round. Just as the name suggests, it's super light, and not the least bit heavy. We loved how easy the clear liquid spritzed on, though we did have to rub it in a little to evenly distribute the sunscreen. Though it left our hands a little greasy from the application initially, it was absorbed almost instantaneously, and didn't leave behind any residue, film, oil, or any other sign that makes most of us dread our daily SPF application. 

The product details mention it's suitable for face and body, though we only tried it on our limbs, chest and neck. However, with how quickly the spray is absorbed, and the lack of any greasy residue on our arms, we could see it working for the face. It's 100% fragrance-free and has no dyes or colorings, so it's perfect for the most sensitive of skin types (like ours.) The SPF 30 is dermatologist recommended for daily use, and should be applied every few hours (especially after excessive perspiration) for optimum protection. Thankfully, the bottle is slim and can be easily carried around in your daily satchel or tote for multiple applications. If you are anything like us, Paula's Choice Weightless spray will immediately become your go-to, can't-live-without sunscreen, so stock up!


$15.95, Paulaschoice.com



Press sample received for review (read our disclosures for more info)
Groupbalm.jpgH.Wood, the massive Hollywood club that's been a home away from home for the Hills girls, has now forayed into... beauty?

h.wood.beauty is a holistic tea-inspired line of cosmetics. Like the aromatic teas brewed from nature's finest organic tea leaves, h.wood.beauty uses only the purest of ingredients combined with healing essential oils.

h.wood.beauty spins off its tea room namesake in that good-for-you-tea ingredients such as White Tea and Green Tea are fused together to bring beauty from the inside out. Because the best beauty trends start with word of mouth, h.wood.beauty is launching their line with a collection of lip products called h.wood.lips.

The collection includes:

Lip Tea- similar to beeswax or chap sticks, lip balm in twist up stick form. Coconut-Chai, Gingergrass, Green Apple, Peppermint Anise, Pom Rose, and Vanilla Caramel.
Lip Tea Scrubs- loose grain, tea-infused scrub in pot form for lips. Comes in the same flavors as lip tea.
Lip Shine Tubes - sheer washes of color in bullet form. Comes in Plum, Ruby, Poppy, Rose, and Clear.
Lip Shine Pot- same as the tubes, but in pot form.

We were able to try the Shine Tubes in Ruby and Plum, Lip Tea in Coconut Chai, and the Shine Pot in Clear.

The Clear Shine Pot gave a nice, gloss finish, but wasn't any different than a lot of gloss pots. It was light, a bit waxy, and had a faint citrus flavor.

The Lip Tea in Coconut Chai was a nice balm stick, similar to Burt's Bees. It's emollient and moisturzing enough, didn't feel sticky or waxy, but our favorite part was the flavor. YUM. We'd try the others for the flavor payoff alone.

The biggest surprise was the Lip Shine Tubes. The Shines looked kind of basic and unassuming in the tube, but the color payoff was amazing. The Plum gave a sheer yet rich plummy brown-red shade, similar to Clinique's famous Black Honey, and the Ruby, which looked frightening in the tube, was way less bright of a red than it appeared, giving a nice, cherry popsicle sheen.

We'd love to get our hands on the Lip Scrub, which intrigued us the most! Can't wait to try it.

$10-24, hwoodbeauty.com 


press sample(s) received for review (read our disclosures for more info)
Trina Cosmetic Case.jpgAs you probably know by now, we love our beauty products. But when a trip arises, if you're anything like us, you end up with about three to four plastic ziplock bags full of everything from eye cream to exfoliant. Now, ziplock bags may be completely functional - especially during the unfortunate event of a product explosion - but they aren't at all chic or fabulous. 

Enter Trina Cosmetic Bags. We were sent the Kelly Stripe Lilac Deluxe Weekender to test (pictured), and we couldn't be more pleased. The four-piece set is ideal for long weekend trips, and (if you pack light and sensibly), any vacation, really. 

We loved the plastic (read: wipeable and water-friendly) exterior, and the super soft, luxe interior. A heavy-duty zipper encases three durable plastic bags. One clear bag with no lining held all of our makeup, another small bag held our face wash, moisturizer, glasses, eye cream and razor, while a third, larger bag housed our hefty saline solution, toothbrush and paste, tweezers, deodorant and toner. 

Though there wasn't any space left for bathing and hair-washing essentials (those are better suited for explosion-proof ziplocks), we were super pleased with being able to carry around all our must-have toiletries in one ultra-cute and classic case

$48-$58, Nordstrom.com (select styles and sizes available in-store only)



Press sample(s) received for review, this editorial includes affiliate links (read our disclosures for more info)
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