Blog | Page 33 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

Review: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 is my summer skincare staple

June 21, 2014 by Kim S. / Reviews, Skincare / 29 Comments

Disclosure: Press Sample provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own and are honest. Affiliate Links.

Dermalogica, as you know is one of my favorite skincare brands. When the opportunity for me to review their Solar Defense Booster SPF50, I happily obliged, especially since the weather started to warm up, which meant I’d be subjected to more sun exposure.

The Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 allows you to easily add both UVA and UVB defense to your skincare and beauty routines. This broad spectrum sunscreen is suitable for all skin conditions.

My Thoughts

The Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 has quickly become a staple in my daily skincare and beauty regimens. It’s easy to use and apply. Unlike most SPF products I’ve used, it doesn’t leave an ashy-looking, white cast on my skin. It’s lightweight, and absorbs quickly. After applying the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 my skin is well hydrated, non-sticky, nor greasy. The product comes in simple packaging that is small and light enough to carry around in my purse, and is perfect for traveling. Needless to say, I will be taking this along with me on my upcoming beach vacation at the end of August.

I did notice, however, that if I used too much of the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 my skin would look extremely oily. Just be mindful of that when you apply it. Otherwise, using the right amount (you don’t need a lot to cover your face), it works and looks fine.

Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 Swatch

Pros of the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50

– Can be mixed with other moisturizers, foundation or alone.

– Non-chalky formula

– Non-greasy or sticky

– Antioxidants help improve skin smoothness and softness while providing added defense against skin-aging free radicals.

-Moisturizes and hydrates

– Improves look and feel of skin

– Lacks typical sunscreen scent

– A little goes a long way

-Great for traveling

Cons of the Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50

– Can be oily

– Cost $48/ 1.7 oz

Make your own tinted moisturizer with the Dermologica Solar Defense Booster SPF50

Mix equal parts of Solar Defense Booster SPF50 into your foundation for a Broad Spectrum boost.

I’d definitely recommend the Dermologica Solar Defense Booster SPF50, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight, non-greasy, multi-functional sunscreen for when you’re on the go.

Disclosure: Press Sample provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own and are honest.

Sneak Peek: IT Cosmetics IT’s All About You – QVC Today’s Special Value June 21, 2014

June 20, 2014 by Kim S. / blog, Product Swatches, Reviews / 26 Comments

PR SAMPLE

IT Cosmetics never disappoints with their QVC Today Special Value sets. The upcoming one is no different. Prepare yourself to be wowed on Saturday, June 21, 2014 (until 2:59 a.m. EST June 22, 2014) by the IT’s All About You! Your 5-Piece Customer Favorites set ($59.00). This set features three QVC Customer Choice Beauty Award-winning products, plus two innovative new launches: All Day Waterproof By Bye Under Eye Concealer, and CC+ Radiance Palette. For review purposes, I received the set in the deepest shade, ‘Rich’.

A few of the products, like the Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil, the old formula of the Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, and the Dual Ended Complexion Perfection Brush, are items I’ve reviewed previously, and are staples in my beauty routines.

Celebration Foundation – $49

The 2013 QVC Customer Choice Beauty Award winner, the Celebration Foundation is a full-coverage Anti-Aging foundation with ingredients like Hydrolyzed Collagen, Peptides and Drops of Light Technology. Unfortunately since the darkest shade, which is ‘Rich’ did not match at all to my skintone, I wasn’t able to wear it out; however, I can attest to how easily applied and blended, and it has amazing coverage; it covered my wrist tattoo.

Available in five shades: Fair, Light Medium, Medium Beige, Tan, and Rich.

Brow Power Universal Brow Pencil – $24

Brow Power™ Universal Eyebrow Pencil with Brow Enhancing Technology transforms and adjusts to all brow hair colors. The long-wear formula is waterproof and smudge-resistant.

Limited Edition Heavently Luxe Dual Ended Complexion Perfection Brush – $48

IT Cosmetics has some of the softest synthetic brushes around. The dual end brush allows you to apply product to larger areas using the fuller end of the brush, while the smaller end allows you to apply product to the smaller areas and crevices of the face (corners of nose, under eyes etc.) 100% Synthetic, Cruelty-Free Hair. PETA Friendly. Pro-hygienic.

CC+ Radiance Palette contains a trifecta of complexion enhancing powders.

CC+ Brightening Finishing Powder – formulated with Drops of Light Technologey, using light-reflecting microspheres to provide your skin with the look of healthy illumination without glitter or shimmer.

CC+ Matte Bronzer– formulated with anti-aging peptides and hyalornic-filling spheres to keep your skin smooth and hydrated. Hydrolyzed Collagen, Vitamins A C & E, Grapeseed, Green Tea, Silk and Aloe treat your skin to a powerful goose of antioxidants and healthy moisture, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.

Unfortunately, the only thing that works well with my skintone is the matte CC+ Blush, which is OUTSTANDING and amazingly gorgeous. It’s the perfect shade for summer, too! It leaves your cheeks flushed all day, and is infused with a group of anti-aging ingredients like amino acids, plum oil, cherry oil, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate, jojoba, aloe, seaweed extract and grape seed that work together to give cheeks a boost of healthy hydration.

Waterproof Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-aging Concealer

This is brand new version of the original Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, and is described as being clinically proven to last all day (12 hours of wear). It is also waterproof. Do I hear summer staple? Yes! Read my review of the original Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer.

Available in four shades: Light, Neutral Medium, Tan, Deep.

The IT’s All About You! Your 5-Piece Customer Favorites set is an affordable way to get the best of IT Cosmetics, especially if you’re of more fair complexions. Remember to check it out on QVC this Saturday, June 21!

Shop IT Cosmetics’ IT’s All About You online – http://www.qvc.com/qvc.product.A258193.html

Disclosure: Press Sample provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own and are honest.

#Spon June 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box #MustHaveBox

June 19, 2014 by Kim S. / Reviews / 9 Comments

Disclosure: POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

I was so excited to find out I was selected to receive the June 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box. Subscription boxes are everywhere right now, and I’ve reviewed a few that were strictly beauty-related. However, the POPSUGAR Must Have Box is not your typical beauty box. It’s a well-rounded box filled with handpicked, full-sized and premium items to use in your beauty or skincare routines, around the home, something to fit your lifestyle and fashion sense, as well as food. All of these items combined surpass the $39.99 monthly subscription price by two or three times. Wow!

The June 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box Features

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BEAUTY – SACHAJUAN ‘Shiny Citrus’ Body Lotion – $24 This Swedish made body lotion leaves my skin moisturized and hydrated, and isn’t heavy, which makes it perfect for use during the hot and humid summer days. The lotion absorbs quickly as well. My only complaint about this lotion is the scent – a combination of Citrus and Jasmine. Although the scent dissipates rather quickly, it can initially be a little overwhelming on the senses.

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE FASHION – Turkish T Beach Towel – $32 I’m going on a beach vacation near the end of August so this came just in time. It’s made with 100% Turkish cotton, is thin enough to be worn as a scarf, thick enough to be an absorbent beach towel, long enough to be worn as a chic sarong, and lightweight enough to fit into the smallest of beach bags.

Lollies Basic Hair Ties – $8 These are really cute and fashionable hair ties made with recycled and new swim suit fabric, are long lasting, while simultaneously acting as an adorable wrist accessory when not in your hair. Since the hair ties are composed of swimsuit material, they dry quickly when wet. If you have a thick ponytail, which I have currently thanks to my extensions, you might have trouble getting it to stretch around to achieve a snug ponytail, and ensure the hair tie doesn’t fall off.

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE LIFESTYLE – Emily Giffin’s The One & Only – $28 This would make book 13 for me to read for the year, helping me to surpass my goal of reading 12 before I hit my 30^th birthday. The One and Only is described as a “…thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.”

You Smell Lemon Wet Wipes – $6 The name of these wipes are genius and funny, especially since lemon is attributed to helping curb smells. The You Smell Lemon Wipes come in a box of 12 individually wrapped wipes, which make them perfect for dropping them in your bag to help keep yourself (or your little one(s)) clean and fresh on-the-go. My toddler loves them, and the lemon scent isn’t overpowering. You Smell Lemon Wipes contain aloe to help soothe skin while cleansing, and is “totally free of alcohol”.

POPSUGAR MUST HAVE FOOD – One Potato Two Potato Hawaiian BBQ Flavored Kettle Chips – $2 I didn’t get a chance to try out these chips because my mom ate them. She did at least tell me they were good, a little spicy, which she likes.

*POPSUGAR MUST HAVE BONUS* – Native Union $15 Voucher – Native Union sells premium accessories like handsets, speakers, chargers etc for smartphones and tablets. Items can range from $19.99 to $99. I haven’t yet used the voucher, but I plan on picking up one of their iPhone cases or chargers.

Overall, this was a good compilation of products that I can use for myself and for my family. Plus, at $39.99 for the box, there was a total of $155 worth of products. That sounds like a win to me.

To sign up and to get more info on the POPSUGAR Must Have Box click here. If you decide to sign up use the code JUNESELECT10 (Exp 6/30/2014) for an additional $10 off a 3 month subscription!

Disclosure: POPSUGAR provided me with a complimentary POPSUGAR Must Have box. The opinions I have shared about the box are my own and POPSUGAR did not tell me what to say or how to say it.

Guest Post: Review: Tat2U Extreme Color Makeup and Swatches!

June 17, 2014 by Kim S. / blog, Product Swatches, Reviews / 22 Comments

At the Beauty Press Spotlight Day event I also had the opportunity to learn about Tat2U Extreme Color. Here is a little about the company Tat2U:
About Us

We believe in living in the moment by customizing your look with fun, edgy, vibrant and unique beauty products! What started off as body art and temporary tattoos quickly evolved into a cosmetic line. Tat2U offers an exciting new collection of extremely pigmented makeup and body art. Our makeup line Extreme Color features products for your eyes, lips, face, and hair, that are formulated with cosmetic-grade ingredients, to take your look from subtle to vibrant with one stroke of a brush.

Tat2U’s unique assortment of makeup and body art ranges from professional quality temporary tattoos, semi-permanent ink pens and a variety of multi-purpose products that can be used on your hair, body and face.

Listening to the owners of the company I was highly intrigued. It is quite difficult finding affordably price makeup that has great pigmentation. Who wants to spend $25 on eyeshadow and have it wear off within a matter of minutes? Tat2U Extreme Color offers extremely pigmented and bright color, which is always a plus for women of color.

My favorite products out of what was in the gift bag has to be the matte lipstick in rock candy, the Tat2Lash mascara, and the blush in tiger. I think the eyeshadow is great for a smoky eye and the flecks of green add a nice surprise. The lip creme is HIGHLY pigmented. It is a great, bold orange for the spring/summer, but it must be applied with a very light hand because the color is extreme. The mascara adds great length to my lashes. The blush gives me a nice flush of coral color and looks great with bronzer. Lastly, the matte lipstick is a perfect pink for spring/summer. This too must be applied lightly. I pair mine with a deeper pink liner or with a light pink gloss if I’m not in the mood for matte.

Makeup By Kim Porter

Review: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 is my summer skincare staple

Sneak Peek: IT Cosmetics IT’s All About You – QVC Today’s Special Value June 21, 2014

#Spon June 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box #MustHaveBox

The June 2014 POPSUGAR Must Have Box Features

Guest Post: Review: Tat2U Extreme Color Makeup and Swatches!

I highly recommend this line. You are definitely getting your money’s worth with this extreme color.

Have you heard of Tat2U Extreme Color? Which products are you interested in trying?

Disclaimer: I was provided samples of Tat2U Extreme Color via The Beauty Press Spotlight Day event. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.