Worth The Splurge | May Lindstrom The Problem Solver

June 21, 2017 in Skincare

I'm going to let you in on a little secret - it's incredibly easy to justify a whole bunch of new skincare products when you're trying to prep your skin for your wedding. At least when you're a beauty junkie like me. I have no shortage of face masks, and yet when I was faced with a bout of terrible, relentless breakouts last month, I popped May Lindstrom's The Problem Solver into my Beautylish cart and checked out faster than I could second guess myself. I had heard rave after rave of this product, so I hoped it would work just as well for me.

As you can probably tell from the title, this is quite a pricy product. I've never spent this much on a skincare product, and I did take advantage of Beautylish's flexible payment option to get this. You do get a massive amount of product though, 8.45oz, and as it's a powder a little goes a long way. It's a powder that you mix with water before applying to the skin - I use about a teaspoon of each for a full application, so I can see this lasting quite awhile.The mask is a mixture of minerals and spices that purifies and heals the skin. It contains different clays, raw cacao powder, charcoal powder, and warming spices like turmeric, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. A few reviews I heard said the mask burned a bit upon application, but showed no irritation at all once washed off. Maybe I have lizard skin or something, but I've never experienced anything more than a very gentle warming sensation as the mask begins to dry. When mixed with water it forms a fluffy mousse that spreads onto the skin easily with a brush, and you can let it dry over the course of about an hour.

The only complaints I have about this mask are that I don't like the smell and that it's a bit of a mess to wash off. It smells like you'd expect - maybe a little chocolate-y, and quite spicy. The smell doesn't go away while you're wearing the mask, but it disappears once rinsed off. This mask dries to a thick coating on the skin that takes a bit of work to wash off - you really need to wet it a lot to help it break down. I definitely always need the help of a washcloth to make sure I get all of it off.

Complaints aside, I've been blown away by this mask and would definitely repurchase time and again. My skin was driving me crazy last month and actually really getting me down, but using this mask once or twice a week has really turned things around. I haven't broken out since I started using it (except for one random PMS spot in the center of my forehead - nice), and I've noticed my skin doesn't ever really get clogged up anymore. You'd think the spices would irritate inflammation, but this mask really calms it down. It's been so hot here that I had a bit of a rashy flareup on my jaw, but just using this mask once made it go away. Despite containing clay and charcoal, this doesn't make my skin feel dry or tight whatsoever after washing off. It heals breakouts without completely zapping them of moisture, which I really like - it seems to help them not form such dark marks once they're gone. I've noticed my skin just looks clearer and more even, and my pores look a lot smaller in general. The results I've seen in the past month make it worth the price to me.

The name says it all, really - it's quite a problem solver for any skin ailment. Definitely proceed with caution if your skin is sensitive, but the product page on Beautylish is full of glowing reviews from people who say they have the most sensitive skin. If you're looking for a mask to get you on your way to clear skin, then this is definitely it.

Have you tried anything from May Lindstrom? What should I try next?

Loving Lately

June 20, 2017 in Makeup, Skincare

I definitely go through phases with my beauty routine - there will be a few weeks where I change up the products I'm using almost daily, and then there are some weeks I stick to a core routine. Lately I've definitely been into the "core routine," mentality. When I'm trying to get as much sleep as I can, I'm going to pick products that I know not only work well but also work well with other products. These products help make both my nighttime and morning routines quicker, so more time laying in bed for me.

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner | The packaging and the fact that there's real rose petals floating around in this toner really drew me in, but I've found it's a fantastic product. It feels so soothing and hydrating on the skin - it really helps to tone down my redness and prep my skin for the rest of my routine. Everything just seems to sink in so much better when I've used this, so it makes my skincare routine move right along. After a few weeks of consistent use, my skin is smoother and more plump.

Biossance Squalene + Vitamin C Rose Oil | This is another brand whose packaging drew me in - as soon as I saw an ad for Biossance on Instagram, I knew I needed to pick something up to try. I went for their facial oil, because you can never have too many facial oils, right? This one is lovely - it's quite lightweight and sinks in quickly (it feels similar to the Indie Lee Squalene Oil). It smells like roses and leaves me with the glowiest skin. The vitamin C really works wonders here and has been helping to brighten my skin, and I've noticed some of my acne marks fading more quickly. Nothing has really made my skin look so radiant before - I'm hooked, and I love using it morning or night.

Glossier Birthday Balm Dotcom* (20% off) | I've raved about Glossier's Balm Dotcom since I first started using it over two years ago. It's hands-down my favorite lip balm, and as someone who is randomly sensitive to certain lip balms, these have never given me an issue. I have multiple floating around in different bags, drawers, and coat pockets so I'm never without it. I was super excited when Emily Weiss gave us a sneak peek of the new Birthday flavor in May, and even more excited to finally have it in my hands a couple weeks ago! It's the same super moisturizing formula with the best vanilla cake scent and a bit of subtle holographic shimmer. Because of the shimmer this isn't one I wear to bed, but it's been my go-to during the day. The shimmer also makes it a beautiful highlight - I love dabbing a bit on my cheekbones in a pinch.

Revlon ColorStay Creme Eyeshadow, 'Praline' | I just mentioned this in my Makeup Lately post last week, and it's definitely a hidden gem of the drugstore. Everyone sings the praises of the Maybelline Color Tattoos, but this one from Revlon performs better on me. Praline is the most perfect shade for me - it looks like a little bit of rosy dew on my eyelids. These babies stay put too - I usually can't wear anything without a primer, but even when used on their own they don't crease! I need to go pick up another shade or two - any suggestions?

BECCA Sunlit Bronzer, 'Bali Sands' | This was an impulse buy, but probably the best impulse buy of my life. I really think this has become my favorite bronzer of all time. The formula is beautiful and buttery, it's pigmented enough to show color on the skin, but not so pigmented that it creates brown stripes on your cheeks. It has a little bit of shimmer (it has some of the shimmering skin perfectors mixed in), but on the skin it translates to a really natural-looking radiant glow. I have the lightest shade and it's absolutely perfect and impossible to overdo. It comes in five shades, which I feel like is a good range for bronzer. If you're in the market for a new bronzer this summer, definitely check these out.

Nudestix Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm, 'Wicked' | I've been on a real Nudestix kick lately. All the products seem right up my alley since I love a bit of effortless makeup, and Nudestix does it so well - the products are so easy to use and yet stick around all day. Through the BabeBoss Faves Box I tried the Gel Color formula and instantly fell in love. It's a sheer, balmy (obviously) formula that feels hydrating but not greasy. It works beautifully on both the lips and cheeks, especially if you're going for a dewy look. I recently picked up the shade Wicked, a sheer berry red, and I haven't been able to stop wearing it. It's so flattering and adds just a hint of color that really adds life to the face. It's perfect for mornings when I've literally dragged myself out of bed. It's just the cherry on top of a fresh, natural makeup look.

What have you been loving lately?

All About Eggs | Too Cool For School's Egg Line

June 16, 2017 in Skincare

I've been super interested in Too Cool For School ever since I first spotted them in Sephora. I always thought they were a Korean brand, but the brand actually started in New York City and has since become one of the most sought-after brands in South Korea. They're known for their innovative formulas and cute packaging. I've recently gotten the chance to try most of their Egg line, which is one of their most popular lines, and so far every product has been a hit for me.

Egg Mousse Soap Facial Cleanser* | I'll admit the word "soap" in the product name made me a little nervous, but this actually feels more like washing your face with shaving cream. It's a thick, luxurious foam that doesn't leave the skin feeling stripped at all. The egg white works to control oil, while egg yolk nourishes the skin. It's the best of both worlds. I love this as a second cleanse when I've been wearing a lot of makeup, or as a morning cleanser when my skin is feeling really dull and tired. It provides a nice, deep clean without drying my skin out.

Egg Mousse Pack* | I had tried this mask before and really liked it, so I was excited to be able to use it again. Like the cleanser, it applies like a thick foam. It gradually sinks in over the course of about 10 minutes, and upon rinsing off you're left with clean, smooth skin. It also uses both the egg whites and yolks to purify and nourish the skin. I like using this mask in the mornings because it gives me an instant glow. It's a good mask for general maintenance, and I find I can use it multiple times per week because it's so gentle.

Egg Mellow Cream* | This is my favorite of the facial skincare products in the line. The cream has such a beautiful texture that melts into the skin and instantly plumps and firms. It makes for a beautiful makeup primer, but I find it's also nourishing enough to use overnight. It's marketed as a five-in-one product, able to replace serum, priming moisturizer, eye cream, neck cream, and sleep mask all at once. I'm too big of a fan of layering my skincare to try replacing everything with one product, but it certainly feels rich enough for me to believe it. I find it's a good middle ground between Glossier's two priming moisturizers, so it's been perfect for spring days.

Egg Cream Masks* | There are three different sheet masks in the line: Pore Tightening, which is the one I've tried, Firming, and Hydrating. I don't tend to notice a huge difference between many sheet masks I've used, but this is a lovely one. It feels quite soothing on the skin and my pores do appear a bit smaller upon removing the mask. The results aren't exactly long-lasting, but it's perfect before an event when I want my makeup to apply more smoothly.

Egg Mousse Body Oil* | This is the latest product I've tried from the line, and I'm super impressed. It comes out of the can as a mousse, but it dissolves into a lightweight oil as you massage it into the skin. It's the perfect body moisturizer for summer as it feels so weightless on the skin. It contains five botanical oils to nourish the skin, but the egg white and yolk extracts help the skin improve its ability to regenerate.

Egg Mellow Body Butter* | This is my favorite product from the line, and it's also the best body butter I've ever used. I was originally sent this last summer, and I'm now on my third tub. It's incredibly nourishing and hydrating on the skin, but it doesn't feel sticky or heavy. I can't stand the feeling of thick bodycare products, but this is one I can slather all over. It has the loveliest smell, too - I can't even describe what it smells like. It's a little sweet, maybe a little floral, but it's really light on the skin and doesn't clash with any perfumes I may be wearing. It uses the egg extracts, shea butter, and multiple oils such as argan and sweet almond oils to deeply nourish the skin. I've been using it consistently for a year, and it's heavy-duty enough for winter and yet light enough for the warmer summer weather. If you get one thing from the line, this has to be it.

Have you tried anything from the Too Cool For School egg line?

*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.