Beauty, Skincare, and a bit of Lifestyle
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I spent a lovely couple of days with my husband. 🙂 So since I’ve been traveling a bunch this past month, I thought it’d be fun to share with you all the products that I took with me. 🙂
I won’t ramble on too much, I promise — I’m just going to go over all the products and tell you why I brought them.
Let’s break it down in different categories!
And along with new adventures this year, I’ve also discovered new makeup products that I’ve grown to love and really depend on as a staple in my every day makeup routine.
These are all products I discovered over the past year that were, in my mind, “the best of the best”. (To clarify, these are only the best products I discovered this year. If you want to see my top ten products of all time, go HERE.) These are in no particular order. 🙂
How was everyone’s Christmas? Share with me in the comments below! My Christmas was lovely — my husband and I spend the day with some close friends of ours here in town. 🙂
Today we’re diving into a new brand of makeup brushes I want to tell you all about. Let’s dive right in, shall we?! 🙂
Bdellium Tools are designed by a group of talented makeup brush experts in Cerritos, California. Our products are truly handmade; all of our products are custom tailored at our factory by skilled artisans in China. In this way, we can ensure the quality and integrity of each piece.We create each brush using a balance of natural and/or synthetic hair to achieve the perfect amount of form and stiffness compatible with the function each brush is designed for. Our 7 different product lines have very distinctive features: Maestro Series features a collection of luxurious antibacterial makeup brushes with nickel plated brass ferrules. Green Bambu, Yellow Bambu and Pink Bambu Series features eco-friendly makeup brushes with all sustainable bamboo handles and all vegan soft synthetic bristles and an anodized aluminum ferrule. Studio and Travel Lines feature antibacterial makeup brushes with the classic 7 layer lacquered yellow handle with an anodized aluminum ferrule. The SFX Series is our makeup brush line specifically for special effects makeup.
Our goal is to continually design new, unique and innovative makeup tools. As we design all our own products, we have the ability to develop brand names and/or custom designs for larger clients..
About It Cosmetics’ “Your Skin But Better” CC Cream with SPF 50+…
My Review…
First Impressions & Packaging…
Looking at It Cosmetics’ CC Cream on the website, I didn’t realize how much product actually comes in this tube. There’s just a little under 2 ounces of product — almost double how much product typically comes in foundation bottles. I love that this tube has a pump on it! It ensures that no bacteria can get in and contaminate the rest of the product. And, all around, it just makes it easier and cleaner to dispense the product onto my hand or brush.
Product & Application…
The product itself has a very thick and creamy consistency. I’ve handled a few CC creams from the drugstore before, and I know none of them had the thickness and opaqueness of this product! And it’s not just opaque in appearance — It Cosmetic’s CC Cream has amazing coverage! I was very, very surprised by how well this covers my acne and redness. Even more than some of my drugstore foundations ever have! Which is awesome, considering that this is better for your skin than typical foundation. It’s a total win-win! 🙂
Application is awesome! I’ve applied it with a brush, sponge, and my fingerss — and with each method it blends almost flawlessly into my skin. I personally tend to prefer using my fingers, as I feel the warmth from my hands really helps it melt into my skin. When the CC Cream sets, it has a very dewy finish. It’s not straight-up shiny, but it does give the skin a very healthy glow. I typically set this with a light powder on top, to cut away some of the shine. But, in recent days (with my move to dryer climates), I haven’t been using the powder as much and have really been appreciating the glow and moisturize it gives my skin.
As far as how long this CC Cream lasts once on your face, I’ve put it to the test both with and without primer. And both times it has held up very, very well. With primer, it stays more fresh-looking for longer, but even without primer it will last the majority of the day. For example, I put it on in the morning (without primer) and it will look great all day, though I will usually touch up a few acne-areas right before my husband comes home. Just to ensure everything stays covered.
Major Likes & Dislikes…
There are a LOT of things I like about It Cosmetics’ CC Cream! I think I’ve already touched on them all above — consistency, blend-ability, longevity. While the price may seem rather expensive at $38, it’s actually not a horrible price considering that it has double the product of most drugstore foundations (which can range between $10-$15). And this is definitely a very high-quality product, so you are definitely getting your money’s worth out of this! As for dislikes…there is nothing I can think of! I’ve been using it for about 3 or 4 months, and haven’t come across any cons. Which is pretty awesome!
Final Thoughts…
If you haven’t been able to tell yet…I totally love this product! For being just a CC cream, this has amazing coverage! Depending on how bad my acne is flaring up, sometimes I doesn’t even have to both with concealer. That’s pretty awesome, in my eyes! 🙂 All around, I highly recommend you try out It Cosmetics’ “Your Skin But Better” CC Cream! Once it sets, it doesn’t even feel like you are wearing anything on your skin. Whatever It Cosmetics’ did to this product…they did it right and have a BIG fan (me!). 🙂
Question for my Readers: Do you have a tried-and-true CC or BB cream that you love to use on the days you don’t want to pack on the foundation? Share your favorites with me in the comments below. 🙂
Today I have TWO exciting announcements to share with you today. Both of these are time-sensitive, so make sure you read below ASAP to see if these opportunities are something you can take advantage of!
First off, this one actually isn’t makeup, but still too awesome a deal not to share! And this product is very important to have in your skincare routine nonetheless! With the summer here (or fast approaching, depending on where you live), you definitely need to be protecting your skin with some really good SPF!
The brand is called Supergoop! and it’s the only prestige skincare brand that is completely dedicated to innovations in UV protection. They are committed to delivering healthy, multifunctional skincare formulas free of controversial ingredients.
Right now, TODAY ONLY, Supergoop!‘s newest product — Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil SPF 50 — is being offered as a value set! For only $26 you can receive both the full size 5oz bottle of sunscreen as well as a travel-friendly 1oz bottle. This is a 38% added value!
What’s so special about Supergoop!’s Sun-Defying Sunscreen Oil in SPF 50? It’s the first prestige SPF 50 sunscreen oil that’s what-resistant, non-greasy formula with superior broad-spectrum and antioxidant protection that diminishes signs of UV damage and prevents moisture loss and enhances skin hydration. It’s formulated with reinforcing meadow foam seed oil, potent tocotrienols, and nourishing argan oil, this spray sunscreen prevents moisture loss, neutralizes UV-induced free radical damage, and leaves skin soft and supple.
As I already mentioned, this offer is ONLY good today — May 27th — while supplies last. This offer is exclusive and only available for purchase at QVC, QVC.com, Sephora stores nationwide, and Sephora.com. If you have been on the hunt for a good sunscreen protection with high SPF, definitely check out this offer while it’s still available!
And then, as if that deal wasn’t awesome enough, there’s an It Cosmetic‘s giveaway going on right now on their Facebook page. Anyone else out there love It Cosmetic products? Well, I sure do! Each
product I’ve ever tried from them has been outstanding!
Spread the Love: #itsgotyoucovered with complexion perfection!
They’ve been doing weekly giveaways as they work up to the release of a new product of theirs! And YOU can enter to win as well!
To Enter: Answer this Question, “How does It Cosmetics have YOU covered for the special moments in your life, and every day?” Post a photo/video on your Instagram page or their Facebook contest page showing how It Cosmetics has you covered for anything — from going to prom, attending a wedding, or any beautiful moment in your life. Make sure you use the hashtag ITsGotYouCovered to enter so that you can WIN!
So, there you go, TWO awesome opportunities to get some great products! Remember, the sunscreen oil deal is only available today, while supplies last!! So don’t pass up this chance to get some awesome products!
Question for My Readers: If you buy the sunscreen oil or enter the #ITsGotYouCovered giveaway, please let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
This past week I received a lot of packages and new products — both things sent for me to review and stuff I purchased myself. I couldn’t decide on any one product to feature for today’s “What’s In My Mailbox”, so I decided to just show you them all! 🙂 So consider this post a large mailbox ‘haul’. 😉
I Instagramed this picture a few days ago, showing the large pile of packages I’ve accumulated over the week, for those who didn’t see it. (follow me on Instagram to see more frequent mail hauls!
Oh, and as you can see in the picture, the Influenster J’Adore Voxbox is at the bottom of the pile. I’ve already done a ‘What’s In My Mailbox’ post devoted to the contents of the box, so I encourage you to go check that post out next. 🙂 Okay, so I’m just going to dive in and get started with the first package!
<———– First up, I received this Pure Body Natural’s Vitamin C Serum through Tomoson.
I’ve only been using this for a week or so, but I really like adding this to my skin care routine at night and I think can already see a brightening effect on my skin. Of course, since I’ve only been using it for a short time, I can’t say for certain the effects of the serum — but I am definitely hopeful and, so far, pleased with the results. I have a lot of hyper-pigmentation from acne breakouts in the past and, so far, it is lightening them up — just a hair. But I’m looking forward to seeing the effects of this serum by the time I finish the bottle. If it improves the dark spots on my face, I will definitely be repurchasing this!
Next up is the It Cosmetics Pretty in smoke Luxe High Performance Trio that the company sent me to review. ———–>
I haven’t tested this product out yet — as I got it pretty late in the week last week — but I am really excited to create an eyelook with this trio. The color pigmentation in this little trio is great. Really smooth and the color comes off well. And the thing I think is really neat about these eyeshadows are all the vitamin’s infused in the shadows…and how it is free of so many harmful chemicals. So, yeah, I hear a lot of great things about this brand, and I’m really excited to try them out for myself and share my thoughts with you all. 🙂 Be looking for a review in the coming weeks!
<———– This product I purchased myself at the store and didn’t get it in the mail, but I still wanted to include it. It’s the Garnier Clean+ Nourishing Cleansing Oil.
I am really intrigued by the concept of using oils to wash your face. Because I have acne-prone and oily skin, I think doing this will really improve the overall health of my skin…and maybe help keep any outbreaks at bay. I’m almost out of what I use to wash my face right now, so I’ve been on the hunt to see what I’d replace it with. And I picked this little guy up. 🙂 I am really looking forward to using this in my everyday skin care routine! If any of you are interested in seeing a review, let me know and I’ll make a note to write a review once I’ve used it.
Next thing that I received in my mailbox is this WhipLash Eyelash Curler through Tomoson. ———–>
I currently own an ELF eyelash curler that I use to occasionally curl my lashes, but I decided to brave up and try a new one. I’m always a little terrified that the curler is going to cut off my lashes, so I am very picky and thorough when I look into and/or try out a new eyelash curler. I’ve inspected this baby pretty well, and while it looks really promising, I haven’t put it to the test yet. Be on the lookout for a review on this in the very near future. 🙂
<———– I also received a book to review this past week. It is Mesu Andrews new release, In the Shadow of Jezebel, that I received for review from Revell.
I’ve read almost all of Mesu Andrews books, and I really love the way she presents her biblical stories. Where (I feel) too many Christian authors nowadays tend to focus on the physical attractions and physical intimacy between couples in there books, Mesu focuses in on the heart…and the Lord. And she didn’t dissapoint me in this book. Yes, I confess, I’ve already devoured this book (it was so good!), so I’ll be posting my review soon. But I just have to say that I really appreciate how Mesu’s stories always keep God (or Yahweh) and His purpose the center of the story.
I am really excited about this next product! It’s the NuMe Titan3 curling wands. They sent me this to use in a new series I’m doing for the next two months called ‘Styling with NuMe’. But that’s the only hint I’m giving — details coming later this week, so stay tuned!! 😉 ———–>
I haven’t used these on my hair yet, but I’ve taken them out and did my first impression reviews for this tool. They’re really, really nice quality, have a great feel to them, and I love that they have interchangeable heads so I don’t have to own three separate curling wand sizes. And I’m keeping the box for when I move — it keeps the tools really sturdy and secure. And it’s just such a nice box!
<———– I’ve been eyeing the NuMe MegaStar Flat Iron for a while now…and since I’m now a part of NuMe’s Affiliate program, I thought it about time to invest in a good flat iron.
* * If you want to purchase the MegaStar, use my link and then use the code “2DELICATE” at checkout to get it for only $78! (regularly $199) * *
There are so many great things about this flat iron, I’m going to save it all for the review — as I don’t like to make these length. I’ve been saving up for this flat iron, as it isn’t cheap. But I also really believe in investing in good hair styling tools — it’s really easy to damage your hair with cheap products (my hair is still recovering from being severely damaged through cheap heat tools :-/), so while the price may be steep, the fact that it keeps your hair healthy while still doing it’s job makes it worth every dollar. I can’t wait to put this to the test!
Okay! So, that’s it! (Whew, that was much longer than I thought it would be! :-P) I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got in the mail recently.
For those who are interested/intrigued, I will be talking more about NuMe in the very near future, so be sure to stay tuned. If you want to look around their site, click this link (If you want to support my blog 🙂 and if you decide to purchase anything make sure to use the code “NUMESPRING50” to get 50% off any product and free shipping! 🙂
Question for My Readers: Which product intrigued you the most? Which do you want to see a review for first?
I received some of these product for free in order to review.
With social distancing and self isolation becoming the norm here in the United States, I thought it would be great to highlight some blog posts my acquaintances in the beauty blog community have shared in the past week and share it with you all! If you enjoy reading all things beauty and want something new to check out…consider these posts below (and I included a YT video of my own at the end!)
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