Tag: beauty

Beauty and Skin Care, Lifestyle

Beauty Finds: Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Beauty Finds: Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer

Welcome back to another Beauty Finds with a difference! Rather than review several products at once, from now on single product reviews starting with Colourpop Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer.

I have a few requirements when it comes to cosmetics and skin care: cruelty free, natural, clean, vegan better. I do my best to avoid the nasty ingredients such as SLSs, parabens, PEGs, silicones, etc. Petrochemicals are the sneakiest with so many derivatives and aliases. I also avoid palm oil and it’s derivatives as I prefer orangutans. Coconut oil marketed as the good oil I’m also cutting down on as it can be just a damaging crop as palm oil. If I do get products with these ingredients in I try to get organic or sustainably sourced. With make up it’s a little harder so I go for cruelty free brands. I prefer products with less plastic and thankfully more brands are aware consumers don’t want unnecessary plastic (or governments are telling them less plastic). My skin type’s oily sensitive, acne prone and now wrinkles. I know nothing stops those lines, but if I can delay them then….

Colourpop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Tinted Moisturizer I picked up on holiday at Ulta in the USA. I knew about the brand but never looked into thinking I couldn’t get it in Spain. While there are silicones listed I like the ingredient list as compared to other BBC creams, tinted moisturisers, foundations the list is kinda minimal. 

Pretty Fresh hyaluronic tinted moisturizer. A hydrating tinted moisturizer with skin-perfecting, lightweight coverage for fresh healthy looking skin.

I prefer BBC creams as they give a nice glow, provide coverage without looked caked and are light weight. Most Korean BB creams are too pale for me and western BB creams are more like tinted moisturisers which do nothing for me. Provide hardly any coverage. Colourpop’s is more like a BB cream, it covers amazingly, doesn’t settle in fine lines or wrinkles and does’t clog my skin too much. It never looks caked on yet provides lightweight medium coverage. It stays on on hot humid days and is almost waterproof after dip in the sea. With a face mask depending on how long you wear it for it doesn’t rub off too much.  It’s easy to apply with a beauty sponge (I use Tarte Babassu foundcealer multi tasking sponge from Sephora Espana). Bonus it gives you a glow while looking natural no makeup. Perfect!!!

I was concerned about the hyaluronic acid source as I’d read that it’s obtained via animals. I contacted Colourpop customer service who kindly said they’d check and get back to me. Good news, they hyaluronic acid isn’t obtained from any animal source! The coconut water I overlooked. I’m not perfect throwing out all of what I said about what I look for in products. Bad Nat.

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Beauty and Skin Care, Lifestyle

Beauty Finds: Freshly Cosmetics Energy C, Emerald Clay and Cherry Blossom Facial Masks

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Beauty Finds: Freshly Cosmetics Energy C, Emerald Clay and Cherry Blossom Facial Masks

Happy New Year!

Welcome to another Beauty Finds! Freshly Cosmetics Energy C, Emerald Clay and Cherry Blossom Facial Masks.

Scroll down 5 paragraphs for the reviews or stay to read on about why I like Freshly Cosmetics concept.

I have a few requirements when it comes to cosmetics and skin care: cruelty free, natural, clean, vegan better. I do my best to avoid the nasty ingredients such as SLSs, parabens, PEGs, silicones, etc. Petrochemicals are the sneakiest with so many derivatives and aliases. I also avoid palm oil and it’s derivatives as I prefer orangutans. Coconut oil marketed as the good oil I’m also cutting down on as it can be just a damaging crop as palm oil. If I do get products with these ingredients in I try to get organic or sustainably sourced. With make up it’s a little harder so I go for cruelty free brands. I prefer products with less plastic and thankfully more brands are aware consumers don’t want unnecessary plastic (or governments are telling them less plastic). My skin type’s oily sensitive, acne prone and now wrinkles. I know nothing stops those lines, but if I can delay them then…. 

Freshly Cosmetics every month usually towards the end of the month and when releasing a new product have 20-25% off everything for 2 days. It’s good time to stock up! Masks are sold as a trio for €72 or €26 each. If you wait for discount days you save. With the 3 masks there’s at least one for your skin type.

I like the concept of Freshly Cosmetics. All natural, recyclable glass pots and bottles or metal bottles. In store you can refill shampoo and conditioner bottles. Some products are carton/cardboard box free. Only plastic being the lids, pumps, seals and product labels. They used to use plastic shipping bags in addition to cardboard shipping boxes however this year they started shipping just the boxes only. Filling packaging is shredded unbleached paper. While they try to eliminate all unnecessary plastic, you do get plastic stickers which you can’t opt out of. They’re usually cool stickers however for me they’re just waste if each order you receive them. After trying several of their products most don’t work for me apart from the Healthy Protection Facial Sunscreen which is my go to face sunscreen, one mask and their toothbrushes. I can’t put my finger on why they don’t work, they just don’t. I feel I can get better products for around the same price that work. Out of all the masks there was only one I like and repeat buy. 

One thing aside from the glass jars I do like about the masks are that they’re quick working for busy people masks. Five minutes is the recommended time before removing with warm water. That’s about the time to apply, quick body brush, comb hair before showering to make sure it’s tangle free post shampoo, turn the shower on, wait for hot water to come through before jumping in. 

As for the ingredient list, refer online. I have good eyesight close up, but man, the print’s so small on some they’re crazy to read as the colour bounces with the background colour like on the Energy C mask.

Energy C Facial Mask

This antioxidant facial mask provides an extraordinary luminosity to the skin, thanks to the combination of 9 natural clinical active ingredients that target dull skin, wrinkles and blemish, while also providing firmness. Among its ingredients, we find the kakadu plum, an active that counts on the highest concentration of natural vitamin C, and an innovative natural technology of chicory oligosaccharides that provides a natural lifting effect. Thanks to its natural amino acid content, the Energy C also repairs and fills wrinkles by 17%, and protects the skin from harmful blue light with the B-carotene active. This magnificent fruit cocktail is perfect to achieve smooth, luminous and revitalised skin up to 20 applications. Forget dull skin! The Energy C Facial Mask is the energy injection your skin needs.

I now have issues with ‘glow’ masks. They do give a glow. Nearly all I’ve tired afterwards my skin is on full shine. Shine. I have oily skin so now I avoid them. They also again nearly all make my skin feel weird. It’s hard to explain like my skin is dehydrated but not and agitated on attention and full on oil slick. This one was no exception. I think it’s the kakadu plum as most contain it. Wrinkles lifted? My skin did look smoother but I couldn’t deal with the shine. If you have dry skin and want a glow for the day try it. If you have oily skin, skip it. Let your oil work for you. I did like the texture: custard like gel. It’s smell is nice too. Sadly it didn’t work for me. Would I repurchase? No.

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Beauty and Skin Care, Lifestyle, Recycle Less

Beauty Finds: Bar Body Soaps

by natjtan2 Comments on Beauty Finds: Bar Body Soaps

Welcome to another Beauty Finds! This edition is soap. More specifically body soap. One of the first things I switched out when I started wanting to use less plastic was shower gel. Its alternative being soap. An old fashioned bar of soap which I think now is having a huge comeback as people leave plastic bottles behind.

And not just any soap! Firstly it has to be cruelty free, plastic packaging free, palm oil and it’s derivatives free and petrochemical and it’s derivatives free along with being free of a host of other nasty ingredients. With most of my beauty products I try to think about the environment after products have been washed or flushed down the drain. Just like all my other beauty products, in addition to being cruelty free, palm oil and petrochemical and their derives free (I might allow 4th or 5th generation petrochemical) I do my best to avoid parabens, phthalates, SLS, PEGS and a load of other nasty ingredients. I choose to avoid palm oil as I prefer orangutans. Its alias like petroleum can be tricky. I try if possible not to go coconut oil as it’s crops can be just as bad as palm oil crops. If I can I prefer to use sustainable palm and coconut oil. With skincare it’s bit more tricky so I go for cruelty free and try to avoid some nasty ingredients. My skin type is oily, sensitive, acne and now those wrinkles! Body skin type dry. 

Outlaw Soaps Home On the Range Soap 

I was sad when I finished using this as I know I won’t be able to get it again. It was a USA find earlier this year on holiday from Wholefoods. Blackberry scented but not if you get me. It’s a little more musky than I go for but I liked it nonetheless. It didn’t irritate my skin, it left my skin hydrated, I liked it’s creamy texture and it didn’t leave scum marks in the shower that are a bugger to clean off. It’s scent so strong that between uses it lingered in and around the bathroom. Even the packaging I saved to write it up still has its scent. As for the packaging, I like it for what it is. Undyed cardboard to fit its rustic feel. The only cons I have are: the colourings as it what they are, is it vegetable colouring, is it natural, is it environmental friendly and the fragrance oil: what is it in case of reactions. Would I repurchase? Yes if I could get it in Europe. 

The soap swirls are cool! Mona Lisa here
Dog or cat here.
The surprises inside the packaging added to the soap! The horse reminds me of ballon horses!

Sappo Hill Almond Soap

Another USA find I was sad to finish. I found this in a weird organic, super health food shop in Oahu. An expensive health food shop. But it is on an island with prices higher due to import. There’s nothing fancy about Sappo Hill’s packaging. Only plastic the price sticker. It comes in a display box which you select from. It was also the cheapest cruelty free soap I found in the USA and for now in Europe that’s plastic packaging free.

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Beauty and Skin Care, Lifestyle

Beauty Finds: Frank Body, Blossom Jeju and Olivarriel, Controlling Cystic Acne and is Hyaluronic Acid Vegan?

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Beauty Finds: Frank Body, Blossom Jeju and Olivarriel, Controlling Cystic Acne and is Hyaluronic Acid Vegan?

Welcome back to another Beauty Finds! This edition I tried and tested, Frank Body Creamy Face Scrub and Anti-Make Up Cleansing Oil, Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Soombi Blooming Vitamin Radiance Booster and Pink Camellia Soombi Blooming Essence Facial Oil and Olivarriel Skin Barrier Emollient Cleansing Bar. 

As always I look for cruelty free, vegan if possible, natural, clean ingredients. I eat honey so depending on the product and if I think the honey source is good I use some products with honey in. Another other animal derived ingredient is out and that now includes hyualauric acid (see Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Soombi Blooming Vitamin Radiance Booster review). I do my best to avoid palm oil as I prefer orangutans, petrochemicals and their aliases (3rd or 4th gerneration derivates maybe), parabens, phtalates, SLS, silicones and other nasty ingredients. With skincare it’s a lot easier. With make up I go for cruelty free products. My skin type is oily, sensitive, acne and now anti aging. 

Frank Body Creamy Face Scrub Now Original Face Scrub*

For babes that have one minute to get their glow on, I’m the guy for the job. I’m a targeted exfoliator that cleans pores, buffs away dry skin, and keeps skin clear thanks to my blend of coffee, bamboo, and walnut. Your skin will look glowing and even from the moment you rinse me off. For best results use me 2-3 times a week after cleansing. Acne and blemishes don’t stand a chance.

The ingredient list on this scrub I like. No nasties and all natural. It’s not vegan as it contains honey, but I eat honey (from good sources) so sometimes depending on the brand I’ll buy products with it in. My skin felt smooth afterwards but it wasn’t a scrub I reached for often. This could be because I prefer Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask. It’s quite liquidly and the walnut granules take some time to rinse off. I found it better to rinse off in the shower with a face cloth than just the sink and face cloth. If I’m honest as I use Frank Body body scrubs if I haven’t used the Kora Organics exfoliating mask before showering I’ll the use the body scrub on my face as I feel I get better results. Would I buy again. No. I’d prefer to just use sugar in my face cleanser or Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening and Exfoliating Mask.

Frank Body Anti-Make Up Cleansing Oil*

I’m a natural cleansing oil that takes your second face off. My combination of coffee, grapeseed oil and vitamin E dissolve dirt, helps acne, makeup and all your attempts at winged-eyeliner. It’s a wipe-free makeup remover that starts oily then evolves into a creamy, milky liquid when mixed with water. Leaves your skin clear, bright and panda-eye free.

Again I liked the ingredient list as it’s all natural however I felt it just didn’t remove make up especially eye make well or leave my skin feeling cleansed even with a foam cleanser afterwards. I also didn’t like the packaging. Way too much plastic used. Would I repurchase? No.

* The only Frank Body products I use now are their body scrubs. I stopped drinking coffee a few years ago switching to hot lemon in the mornings and more green tea. After a month I noticed a huge change in my acne or rather cystic acne. I was however still using until last year Frank Body Caffeinated Face Moisturiser which has coffee in. When I stopped using it while I had still had at that time of the month mild cystic acne, I noticed after switching to products not containing any coffee my acne improved especially that time of the month cystic acne. I know cystic acne is also hormone related, but since I’ve stopped using coffee products on my face I rarely get any now, only when a little stressed.

Blossom Jeju Pink Camellia Soombi Blooming Vitamin Radiance Booster

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Beauty and Skin Care, Lifestyle

Beauty Finds: Makeup Sponges: Beautyblender vs Fenty Beauty vs Tarte Cosmetics

by natjtanLeave a Comment on Beauty Finds: Makeup Sponges: Beautyblender vs Fenty Beauty vs Tarte Cosmetics

The battle of a few cruelty free makeup sponges!

I’m in no way a full face of makeup girl. I use a makeup sponge to apply BB cream or tinted moisturiser and concealer. Just like all the products I use I try to make sure all the beauty tools I use are also from cruelty free, clean ingredient, vegan if possible brands. I know the last 2 aren’t always possible with cosmetics. I also try to go for the lesser plastic packaging brand to help keep my plastic consumption down. I know I could use my fingers to apply products, it’s best I don’t. Brushes I find I don’t get a smooth blended finish and I’m there all day trying to get it streakless.

Beautyblender

I’d been using a Beautyblender for a few years until last year I started not being happy with it and wanting change. I’m not sure if they changed the formula or me using a different product it wasn’t working the same as before. I use makeup sponges damp and leave to air dry. The last 2 Beautyblenders I used weren’t air drying as quickly. I know that towards the end of a foundation or BB cream it doesn’t apply as well but this was happening mid way through a tube with regular cleaning of the sponge. Usually I could get 3 months use out of one until it needs replacing as it seems damp all the time product doesn’t apply as good. I noticed it needed replacing after 2 months. I also noticed as it wasn’t drying as quickly it got faint dark spots I wasn’t sure if were mould or part of the sponge. Also the first few washes so much pink dye came out! Imagine what that dye does to your face and the water system. It also seemed to eat/absorb a lot of product taking forever to wash out. 

Here you can see the fade after about a month of weekly cleaning

As for application I can’t remember. It was okay but I never liked that I couldn’t always get a smooth finish for undereye coverage. Two other reasons why I wanted to switch were it was getting more expensive in Sephora and the packaging for the original pink version went on steroids. Would I buy again, probably no now I know there are others out there. sephora.es €14.95

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge

I wanted to try Fenty Beauty Precision Makeup Sponge for one for two reasons. The price, about €2 cheaper than Beautyblender, it has lesser plastic packaging and I was intrigued by its flat side and top. Would it make a different? Yes! It makes applying and blending or tapping product so much easier! 

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