Blog | Page 15 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner Review

April 2, 2015 by Kim S. / Reviews, Skincare / 20 Comments

My t-zone gets oily at times, and during that time of the month, like most women, I experience minor breakouts. To help with both of those problems, in the past I’ve used diluted tea tree oil as a toner, and to help brighten my skin. But, sometimes I get lazy, and don’t feel like making my own products. I mean, we all go through that at times, right? So after hearing rave reviews about the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner, I visited my local LUSH store to pick up a bottle.

While looking at the ingredients, I was happy to see that the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner has only 6 ingredients, 4 of which are natural: Tea Tree Water, Grapefruit Water, Juniperberry, and Limonene. The first three ingredients are known for their antiseptic and anti-fungal properties like. Both tea tree and juniperberry are known to help aid in reducing oil and blemishes on the skin. The naturally occurring limonene is added for its citrusy scent. And then we have two ingredients that LUSH deems “safe synthetics”: methylparaben and fragrance. I’m not fond of fragrance in my skincare, nor am I fond of parabens.

Speaking of scent. If you’re familiar with the strong herbal smell of tea tree oil, you don’t have to worry about experiencing that with the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner. The tea tree scent, even though it’s the most prominent, is very light, and doesn’t last long. The faint tea tree oil scent could have been a sign that maybe this wouldn’t work – for me.

Although spraying the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner on my face was quite a refreshing experience, I didn’t find that it removed anymore residual makeup post cleansing than my regular toner. In fact, it barely removed anything. It felt as though I was just using scented water on my face. Also, it wasn’t effective in keeping back breakouts and oil. I was surprised that out of all of the LUSH products I’ve used, and loved, this was the very first one that has let me down. Can you imagine how hard it was for me to write this post? Hard!

I can’t even attribute it’s ineffectiveness due to me incorrectly using the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner because I used it based off of LUSH’s instructions, which state the following:

Spritz directly on the face after cleansing and use a cotton pad to remove any excess cleanser. To tighten pores, let the toner air dry. Follow with the moisturizer most appropriate for your skin’s needs.

Unfortunately for me, the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner did not work well for me. It didn’t make me less oily, and it didn’t improve my complexion. However, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone out there that this would work for. But, I do suggest getting a sample before spending your money on a full-size bottle, especially since it has added fragrance.

Once this bottle of LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner is finished, I’m going to do a DIY Tea Tree Water Toner minus the fragrance and methylparaben.

The 8.4 Fl oz bottle of LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner that I bought can be purchased at LUSH or lushusa.com for $21.95. It’s also available in a smaller 3.3 fl oz bottle for $9.95.

Have you tried the LUSH Tea Tree Water Toner? Did it work for your skin?

NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation ‘Macao’ Review

April 1, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, Makeup Looks, Product Swatches, Reviews / 31 Comments

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Just a few weeks ago, I introduced you to my new NARS Cosmetics purchases. One of the purchases was the new NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It’s one of the most raved about liquid foundations on the market right now, and rightfully so. Keep reading to learn more about the foundation, and how well it worked (or not) for me.

NARS describes the All Day Luminous Foundation as:

Full, natural-looking coverage with unexpectedly weightless, 16-hour wear. Highly pigmented and perfectly balanced, this breakthrough formula builds and blends effortlessly with just one drop—the result of exclusive innovation uniquely designed to deliver long-wearing full coverage, weightlessly. Shake, pump and blend in sections for complete coverage that’s completely natural looking.

A photo posted by Makeupbykimporter (@makeupbykimporter) on Mar 2, 2015 at 6:33am PST

If you’ve been keeping up with me on Instagram, you’ll know that I’ve been testing out the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation since I picked it up. You’ll also know that I am a huge fan of it, for many reasons:

– It’s lightweight

– A little goes a long way

– Provides excellent coverage without looking cakey

– It’s long-lasting without having to do any major touch-ups

– It works well with my oily skin

Normally, due to some discoloration on my face, which is more prominent on my right cheek, I’d have to use a color corrector prior to applying my foundation. Using this NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation doesn’t require that step, which reduces my makeup application time. That’s a total plus if you ask me. Also, did I mention that instead of using who knows how many pumps or dime-sized amounts of other liquid foundations, I only have to use one, ONE drop of the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation in order to achieve the coverage and look that I want? Yup! So just imagine how long it will take me (or you) to get rid of the bottle. You’re definitely getting your monies worth.

Speaking of the bottle. I’ve mentioned many times before that I love simplicity. The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is beautiful in all of its simplicity with it’s sharp lines, matte black cap, and frosted bottle. Simple and chic – just the way I like it. The pump dispenser releases just the right amount of foundation needed as well. I know that there are some instances when dispensers release too much product, which can lead to waste. We don’t want that.

Usually, as a woman of color, it’s pretty hard finding foundations that are a perfect match for my complexion. They’re either a bit too dark, the undertone isn’t right, which can make us look muddy. However, with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, I was able to find my “perfect” match in the shade ‘Macao’, which is described as medium dark with yellow undertones.

After applying the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, my skin looks naturally radiant. I’ve received many compliments on how good my skin looked, too. I also liked the finish. It wasn’t dewy nor completely matte. My skin didn’t look dry nor did it feel tight.

And just to touch a bit on wear, I can see how the foundation may last 16-hours. I haven’t yet had a reason to wear it for that amount of time, but, I did notice that after my hour-long commute, and 8-hour workday, the foundation is still in place, even on my nose where foundation seems to always disappear. Surprisingly with my oily t-zone, I’m not even shiny by the end of my work day either. The most I’d have to do is use a blot paper once or twice, and that’s it. The real test comes once the weather warms up. If it doesn’t pan out, I still have my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer.

Overall, I am in love with the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. It applies flawlessly, and makes my skin look amazingly radiant. If you’re in the market for a full-coverage, lightweight foundation that lasts all day, and is great for all skin types, I suggest checking out the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation.

The NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation is available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks and more in 20 shades, and costs $48/1 oz.

Tip: To find your perfect foundation match, instead of swatching on your hand or wrist, swatch the product on your neck. Your face, which is oftentimes a different shade than your neck, should match your neck once foundation is applied.

Have you tried the NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation?

What do you think?

Hair Care Tuesdays: Spring is in the air…IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BUN BABY!!!

March 31, 2015 by Kim S. / Hair Care / 0 comments

You have seen them on Prada Runways to the most popular celebrities rocking this simplistic style like it was discovered yesterday. What am I talking about? None other than the fabulous bun. The one thing that I love about this style is that you can dress it up or you can dress it down. No matter how you do it, it is timeliness, effortless and chic. Take it from day to night as you transition from work to play. Add some hair candy and dress it up for a special occasion or for a day at the beach.

I must admit that this is one style that I will miss as my “go to” style this spring since I cut my hair. If you have mid to long length tresses this is absolutely a style that you can rock.

3 Tips to Rock a Bun for Spring:

Use Frizz-free products and edge control to ensure that you have a slick and near polished look when trying this.
Add some hair candy to the style: this could be something as simple as a flower, decorative hair pins, or a broach to dress it up and take you from day to evening wear. You can also put on a cute hairband and rock it out. Just have fun with it and ensure that you make it look effortlessly chic in the evening.
Add a braid around the perimeter of your head for a fabulous bohemian inspired look. You may also include a braid in the bun to add some extra details and texture to your style. Ensure that you have a small amount of hair spray to hold any flyway’s in place.

I’d love to hear how you rock your bun. Post some pictures; I would love to see your styles.

Fragrance Friday: Nanette Lepore for Women Review

March 27, 2015 by Kim S. / Fragrance Friday, Reviews / 40 Comments

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This Fragrance Friday, I finally have an affordable perfume to share with you, and it’s one of my favorite fragrances to wear during the spring: Nanette Lepore for Women. This perfume is the signature fragrance from the whimsical and feminine design house, Nanette Lepore.

Nanette Lepore for Women is packaged in a girlish pink, Bohemian-style bottle decorated with flowers, and adorned with a black and white polka dot bow (I misplaced mine). It’s simple, yet cute. The 30ml bottle that I own fits nicely within my purse, and is compact enough for travel.

Nanette Lepore for Women, can be described as feminine, fun and flirty. This floral and fruity fragrance has the following notes:
Top: Rose, White peach and White cranberry
Middle: Black currant, Orange, Jasmine and Persian lime
Base: Signature violet leaf

For me, the rose notes in Nanette Lepore for Women are evident for the first 10-15 minutes, and then the peach mixed with cranberry come tagging along. I love the black currant mixed with the jasmine, which seems to hang around a bit longer., and the Persian lime just makes everything smell even better. It cuts the floral and berries so that it isn’t too sweet, but just right. The sillage is awesome; you can’t smell me from a mile away, which is good, but, should i pas you, you’ll get a light whiff. It’s the perfect spring daytime fragrance.

My only issue with Nanette Lepore for Women is that it doesn’t last long. I’d say I get about 4 hours wear on a good day. On a hot day, 1-3 hours. But, for a discount fragrance, I think that this is a pretty decent wear time.

Nanette Lepore for Women, in my opinion is a feminine fragrance suitable for those women in the 20 – 30 year old range. It’s fun and cheerful, with a bit of innocence. I would recommend it for those over 30 years old who are young at heart. Nanette Lepore is one of those fragrances that has built in nostalgia, so spray some on , and take a walk down memory lane to the days when you were out having fun with your girls, or necking with your new main squeeze.

Nanette Lepore for Women can be purchased from Neiman Marcus for $30/1.7 fl oz.

Have you tried Nanette Lepore for Women?

What’s your take on it?