Sephora Microsmooth Luminizers

This luminizer from Sephora is an ethereal, shimmery highlight that comes in two shades. Light Beam is a pinky shimmer while Star Dust is a slightly more full-on golden shimmer. It blends nicely into the skin to create a subtle highlight and sheen on the face. I am more of a fan of liquid and cream luminizers, but when I just want a quick and easy highlight I dust one of these on the high points of my face and go!

Miracle Skin Transformer Face

A few months ago in an order from Sephora, I received a sample of the Miracle Skin Transformer. I wasn't all that interested in it and I definitely did not expect to love it. I set it to the side and came across it a few weeks later so I gave it a try. At this point I hadn't read too much about it so I really had no expectations for what it could do, and swatching it on my hand wasn't all that encouraging. However, as soon as I put it on my face I was hooked. It is pretty undetectable on the skin, but it just evened my skin tone and blurred imperfections so nicely. This is marketed as a complexion enhancer, not a foundation. If you have no blemishes or dark spots to cover, you could get away with just this. You could also get away with only this if you are just running errands and don't feel like getting all made up, but want to look refreshed and pulled together.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment

Color-treated hair needs all the help it can get. Since I do dye my hair blonde, I really have to take time to take care of it. I flat-iron it anywhere from three to five times a week, so when I can I try to let it air-dry rather than blow-dry. The less heat you are using on it the better. You can always use a heat protectant before any heat styling, but I have never found one that doesn't leave my hair sticky or crunchy. I was never one to use any oil on my hair, mainly because my roots get oily pretty quickly and because I thought that it would weigh down my hair too much. 

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Water

A few weeks ago, I decided to pick up the 3.38 oz travel size of this cleansing water from Sephora. I am all about trying new cleansers, and had been looking for a new makeup remover. I have no idea what made me want to try it, but I did and I loved it. I put a few drops on my Shiseido Facial Cotton and work it all over my face like I would a toner. For eye makeup I place it over my eye for a few seconds and then gently wipe. All of my makeup, including mascara comes off in a breeze! I seriously can't go without this stuff. 

Essie Ladylike

This polish is an oldie but a goodie. Ladylike is a soft neutral mauve from Essie's Brand New Bag collection from 2011. It's a color that will look good on anyone, and the formula is amazing. It dries fast, two coats and it looks perfect.

Illamasqua Cream Blush in Rude

When Spring and Summer roll around I prefer a lighter, dewier look to my makeup. Powder blush can look a little cakey, and in the Spring/Summer I just want a fresh glowing face. Cream blush is a good way to combat the powdered face look, and this one from Illamasqua is perfect. It is extremely pigmented and blends out like a dream. You have to use a light hand, or you can end up looking like a clown. It stays all day, unlike some that I have encountered that are gone within an hour, and with the small amount that you need this is going to last you a while. 

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Often times cleansing your face isn't enough to remove all of the dirt clogging your pores, and that's why it is a good idea to do something extra once or twice a week to help keep them clear. Exfoliating will help clean away the dead layer of skin cells, so that our facial cleansers can do their job and remove daily makeup and grime. Masks are another great skincare item that can keep our skin clear and bright. This mask is supposed to pull out all of the dirt and toxins that are deep within your pores using activated charcoal and White China clay. With any pore-clearing product, you might expect it to help reduce the size and visibility of the pores. One of the reasons we can have enlarged pores is because we have dirt trapped within, when the pore is clean it shrinks in size because it is not full of debris.