Beauty Archives | Page 5 of 8 | Makeup By Kim Porter

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L’occitane L’occibox Spring Collection 2015

April 29, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 21 Comments

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While making a purchase for some of my husband’s favorite skincare items from L’Occitane, I decided to pick up L’occitane’s second L’Occibox. The L’Occibox spring collection features some of the latest and greatest L’Occitane products in one box for $48.00.

The L’Occibox Spring Collection includes the following:

1. Two of L’Occitane’s handcreams, which are a personal favorite of mine. They’re hydrating, soothing, and leaves hands soft. The creams are:

Shea Whipped Hand Cream (30ml)
Shea Butter Hand Cream (10ml)

2. I own a few of the L’Occitane fragrances. Actually, my husband bought for me the La Collection de Grasse Mini Fragrance Set, which included one of the fragrances included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection, the Jasmin & Bergamote Eau de Toilette (1.2ml). It’s a beautiful fruity-floral fragrance complemented by the freshness of bergamote.

3. My husband is a huge fan of the L’Occitane Immortelle Line. I was happy to find a sample of the Immortelle Brightening Essence included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection. The Immortelle Brightening Essence is good for evening out the skin tone and brightening the complexion.

4. Another item included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection from the Immortelle line is the Immortelle Precious Serum (7ml). It’s an anti-aging serum that restores damaged skin, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
5. The Bone Mere Rose Soap (3.5oz.) included in the L’Occibox Spring Collection is one of my favorites. I’m a huge fan of L’occitane’s body product, and this one doesn’t disappoint. It is creamy, rinses clean, moisturizes, and doesn’t strip the skin. I love the scent of a nice romantic rose that it leaves.

6. The last item included was a cube of Sugarfina Champagne Bears (3.3oz.) The gummy bears are infused with classic Brut and Rose champagne! Yum!

Overall, I’m happy with this L’Occibox purchase. The L’Occibox Spring Collection is available on the L’occitane website and in stores for $48; however, with code SUGAR you can score it for $20! Pick one up before it’s too late. It would definitely make a great gift for Mother’s Day.

Below are the L’Occitane Immortelle skincare products I picked up for the hubby 🙂

What are your thoughts on the L’Occitane L’Occibox Spring Collection?

COOLA Suncare Mineral Sunscreens Review

April 27, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Skincare / 16 Comments

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We’re back with a brand that’s new to the blog, COOLA Suncare. COOLA Suncare is an organic luxury sun and skincare brand that incorporates a Farm to Face® sourcing philosophy, using the freshest and most natural ingredients whenever possible. That said, I’m reviewing two of the brand’s mineral sunscreens: Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint and Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint.

About COOL Suncare’s Mineral Sunscreens

“Coola Mineral Sunscreens contain non-nano sized mineral (physical) actives Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. We formulate our Mineral Sunscreens uniquely, separating and encapsulating each active in an effort to keep them equidistant from each other. This equal dispersal provides not only the most transparent application, but also the best protection, as the active particles evenly reflect UV rays. These lightweight lotions are reef-friendly and include formulas that are water resistant up to 80 minutes.”

First, we’re going to talk about the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint, which COOLA calls a “Natural BB Cream”. I’m a fan of skincare that doesn’t include fragrance, so this is a plus for me. Even though it’s lightly tinted, once applied, it doesn’t give off that ghostly effect.

Applying the COOLA FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint is easy. It goes on smooth, and a little goes a long way. I’ve worn it alone, under and over makeup. I love that I can apply it over my makeup throughout the day for both sun protection and shine reduction without having to worry about it affecting my makeup. Also, it does help a bit in keeping the oil down after applying, which I like, too.

Next, we have the COOLA Suncare Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint. This sunscreen is also lightly tinted, and is deemed, by COOLA Suncare, a tinted moisturizer. The tint is so sheer, especially after applied, and blended into the skin, there’s really nothing to see except, soft, smooth, and radiant skin. Oh, and there’s a light rose scent, too. The rose fragrance is very light, but, if you’re like me, and you don’t like fragrance in your skincare, it may be off-putting.

The SPF on the SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint isn’t as high as the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint, and I usually like to have my sun care products in the SPF 50 range, but any SPF is better than no SPF, right?

Both of the COOLA Suncare products are water resistant for 40 minutes. Keep that in mind if you tend to perspire a lot, and if you’re spending lots of time at the beach or in a pool, and if you’re doing either of the latter right now, I’m seriously jealous.

You’re probably wondering how are you going to choose which one is right for you, right? Well, the COOLA Suncare FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint is suggested for those with normal or oily skin, while the Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint is suitable for all skin types including those individuals with sensitive skin. If you prefer a higher SPF, and something that takes away shine, then you’d choose the FACE SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that gives your skin a radiant look, without adding much color, and you don’t mind rose fragrance, then the Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint is your best bet. Either way, both are good products. I actually carry around the Matte Tint with me in my purse for on-the-go touchups.

Both products can be purchased for $36.00/ 1.7 FL oz at http://www.coolasuncare.com

Have you tried any COOLA Suncare products? What are your thoughts?

COOLA Suncare SPF 30 Unscented Matte Tint Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (Sunscreen) 3.2% Zinc Oxide (Sunscreen) 1.8%

Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum Hydroxide, Butyrospermum Parkii (ORGANIC Shea Butter), Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycerin (ORGANIC), Hydrogen Dimethicone, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Myristate, Isopropyl Titianium Triisostearate, Linum Usitatissimum (ORGANIC Linseed) Seed Oil, Mica, Oenothera Biennis (ORGANIC Evening Primrose) Oil, Plankton Extract, Polyamide-5, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Carbonate, Rosa Canina (ORGANIC) Fruit Oil, Silica Silylate, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Synthetic Wax

Organic Ingredients: Cucumber Fruit Extract, Evening Primrose Oil, Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Rose Hip Oil, and Shea Butter

COOLA Suncare Face SPF 20 Rose Essence Tint Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (Sunscreen) 4.2%

Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylohydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Carthamus Tinctorius (ORGANIC Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (ORGANIC Orange) Fruit Water, Cocoglycerides, Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander) Fruit Oil, Cucumis Sativus (ORGANIC Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (ORGANIC Acai) Fruit Oil, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (ORGANIC Sunflower) Seed Extract, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein/PVP Crosspolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Iron Oxides, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Lauryl Glucoside, Linum Usitatissimum (ORGANIC Linseed) Seed Oil, Mica, Plankton Extract, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Propanediol, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Synthetic Wax, Tocopherol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Water, Xanthan Gum.

Organic Ingredients: Cucumber Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Orange Fruit Water, Safflower Seed Oil, and Sunflower Seed Extract

Then vs Now: How my makeup has changed in my 30’s

April 23, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Makeup Looks, makeup tips, The Beauty Council / 21 Comments

There’s something that happens to us as we get older. Things tend to change. If they don’t then there’s something wrong with you. #KiddingNOTKidding Seriously, people tend to learn from the mistakes they’ve made as youths, and work on improving those things as they get older. The same thing goes for people in the makeup world, whether you’re a makeup artist or enthusiast, you’re sure to have noticed a change in the way your makeup looks now versus lets say, 5 to 10 years ago.

I didn’t start wearing makeup until I was 18, which was for my high school prom. This makeup consisted of powder, gold eye shadow, mascara, and a gloss. And then, something happened, I began to experiment with different colors, foundation, lipsticks, blushers and bronzers; I was obsessed. I turned my obsession into a passion, and began blogging and doing makeup. Now that I am fresh into my 30’s, it seems like I’m back to where I started – back to neutrals. One thing I noticed about my makeup versus then and now, is that I am more of a ‘Less is more’ kind of gal woman.

What am I doing differently with my makeup now that I’m in my 30’s? Keep reading to find out.

Looking back at my old makeup posts and tutorials, I was into very colorful makeup. I was younger, and didn’t I mind experimenting with color to create colorful [outrageous] looks. I remember the huge lashes I loved to wear. OMG! I look back at photos, and I think I look completely ridiculous. Even my eyebrows went through some major changes. They’re no longer heavily drawn on. They have a softer more natural look.

These days, I’m not sure if it’s the mom in me, or if I’m becoming more conservative, or maybe it can be attributed to me not having more time to dedicate to putting on loads of makeup, but one thing I noticed is that my makeup in my 30’s is more on the neutral side. Sure, I will add a pop of color with a colored eye pencil or even a bright lippie, but, that’s probably the most I will do. I honestly do not have the time for anything else, especially during the week.

My goal for my makeup look, especially for work and casual wear, is to look more polished than made up. Below are some of my makeup staples for an everyday face.

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation (review)
La Girl Pro Concealer (review)
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow (review) or IT Cosmetics YBBB Brow Pencil (review)
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (review) or tarte Lights Camera Lashes
Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #7
Anyone of my favorite colored lippies for a pop of color or if I want a straight nude/neutral look, I opt for the NARS Audacious Lipstick in Raquel (review).

I’ve shared how my makeup look and routine have changed since hitting 30. I would love to hear about your experiences, too.

Have you noticed that your makeup look has changed as you aged? If so, I’d like to hear how. If it hasn’t I’d love to hear about that, too!

An InLinkz Link-up

Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin

April 22, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 16 Comments

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Spring is here, which means it is time to update my current skincare routine. There are things that worked for my skin during the winter that may not work for my skin right now, which is why I’ve began a new Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin.

We all know that this winter has been harsh for those of us in the Northeast. I’m sure you can imagine the havoc it’s wreaked on my skin. I have dry patches between my eyebrows, and on a problem area on the right cheek. To remedy that I am incorporating products into my spring skincare routine that’s going to help in reviving and repairing my skin just in time for the summer.

On the days I’m wearing makeup, and prior to cleansing, in order to remove any makeup, dirt and grime, I opt for a makeup removal wipe (lazy days) or a cleansing oil. And then I follow up with my favorite cleanser (review) which I use with a charcoal konjac sponge (review). Charcoal aids in oil absorption.

After cleansing, I usually exfoliate. Do you remember my last skincare post? If not, read it here. In it, I introduced you to a Japanese skincare brand, SKIN INC. I’m still using everything, especially their Pure Revival Peel to slough off dry, dead skin. I use this at least twice per week or three times, if needed. Other days, I just use one of my favorite, gentle daily microfoliants. It sounds like a lot, but this works for my skin.

Of course I use a toner to get rid of anything my cleanser may have missed, and to refresh my skin. I’m in the middle of finishing up the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner, to which I’ve added additional Tea Tree essential oil, which has helped in keeping away blemishes, and reducing oil in my t-zone. Lord know that are can become an oil slick. I still use the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Rosewater and Aloe (review), which reminds me that I need to stock up.

After the toner, I apply a serum, and then follow-up with the SKIN INC Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask, which I am in-love with. Seriously, this stuff has my skin soft, supple, and radiant the next morning. Yes, you can sleep in it, which is another characteristic about it that I love. Since it’s a clear formula, you don’t have to worry about it messing up your sheets.

In the mornings, I skip the Pure Deepsea Hydrating Mask, and opt for a lightweight moisturizer with SPF. SPF is a must during the warmer months since I’m outdoors more often, which means my skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays. I’ve also been carrying around the Coola Matte Tint SPF 30 Sunscreen. I like that it takes away the shine, and can be applied over my makeup if I am wearing any.

Now that I’ve share my Spring Skincare Routine for my Combination Oily Skin, I’d love to hear about how your current skincare routine has changed this season.

Does your skincare routines change with the seasons?