Makeup By Kim Porter

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Review: Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum has Solved My Dry Skin Woes

Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum  front

 

I’m pretty sure I am not alone in this, but for me, winter weather equals dry skin.  I’ve read so much about the benefits of hyaluronic acid in helping solve dry skin issues that I set out to try it.   One of the products that I have been using since the weather has become colder is the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum.  In fact, I mentioned it in my youtube video where I shared my evening skincare routine (here).

What is hyaluronic acid serum (source Reviva Labs)?

Other than sun damage, nothing accelerates skin aging like water loss. For skin that needs moisture, there isn’t a more potent ingredient than Hyaluronic Acid. This high-potency serum plumps up skin with moisture to reduce lines or wrinkles.

Aestheticians have stated this serum is the closest a cosmetic comes to a dermatologist injection of Restylane (hyaluronic acid).  Excellent by itself or under other creams.

 Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum Back

My thoughts:

I love the results I’m experiencing after using the serum for a few months.  The Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum lives up to its claims of plumping up my skin and adding moisture.  After using the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum at night and upon waking up in the morning my skin is less dry, and I feel like it looks and feels more youthful.  Maybe that’s why my two year old tells me “Mommy, you look like a little girl.”.:LOL:.

I use the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum at night after cleansing and toning my face with my Mario Badescu Facial Spray.  I let it dry, and then apply my Embryolisse moisturizer over it.  At one point I was using the Reviva Labs DMAE cream, which together, work extremely well in helping my skin retain moisture, as well as keep is smooth and supple.   However, I had to stop using it once I realized it contained Retinol/Retin-A since I’m TTC.  Shame on me for not thoroughly reading the ingredients list!

15-Minute Beauty has a great list of ingredients in skincare to avoid.  I’ve also written about over on Beauty and the Bump.

I had an incident after using a mask that, in turn, broke my skin out and created dry patches.  The Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum really impressed me how it cleared up everything in just a few days.

I have one note of caution – it’s easy to pump out a lot of the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum, so be sure to use a light hand when trying to get out the product because too much of the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum can lead to too much product on the skin, and if you’re using the serum during the day, you will probably notice that it pills up.  Who wants to walk around with little white balls all over their face? That is not cute!

Would I recommend the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum?

I would definitely recommend purchasing the Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum if you suffer from dry skin.  The Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum costs $22 for 1 oz compared to the Peter Thomas Roth VIZ-1000™ 75 percent Hyaluronic Acid Complex that’s on my wish list, and retails for $65.

Now, if only I can find a good night cream.

 How do you deal with dry skin?

Disclosure: Product was provided for review consideration.  All opinions are my own and are honest.  No compensation was received for this review.

Tutorial: Quick Purple Smoky Eye using MAC Push the Edge Pigment

Purple Smoky Eye shadow Tutorial

 


Purple is one of my favorite colors. I especially love to use makeup that are shades of purple. I wear a shade of purple on my lips at least three times a week. Since I love purple so much I created this really easy purple smoky eye using MAC Push the Edge Pigment and Silver Ring eyeshadow.

Tools needed to create a purple smoky eye

Real Techniques Shader Brush

MAC #231 Small Shader Brush

Sigma Blending Brush or MAC 224 Blending Brush

Crown Brush Blending Brush

Crown Brush Detail Liner

Eyes

NYX Eyeshadow Base ‘White’

MAC  Pigment ‘Push the Edge’

MAC  Eyeshadow ‘Silver Ring’

MAC Fluidline ‘Blacktrack’

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ‘Black Bean’

tarte emphasEYES inner rim eyeliner ‘Black’

tarte Lights Camera Flashes mascara ‘Black’

LIT Cosmetics Glitter Base

Brows

– MAC Brow Pencil ‘Spiked’

– Model in a bottle Brow Sealer

 

Purple Smoky Eye Combo

 

Face

– Stila Natural Finish Foundation Shade ‘i’

– LA Girl Pro Concealer ‘Toffee’

– Ben Nye Banana Powder

– Model in a Bottle Setting Spray

– Sleek Makeup Contour Kit

 Cheeks

MAC Ombre Blush ‘Vintage Grape’

Lips:

MAC Lip Pencil ‘Currant’

MAC Lipstick ‘Rebel’

 

What do you think of the Purple Smoky Eye I’ve created? Would you try?

Review: STEAMCREAM – Limited Edition ‘Holly’ Tin

STEAMCREAM Limited Edition ‘Holly’ Tin was provided for free for review consideration.  All opinions in the post are my own and are honest.

 

STEAMCREAM

About a month ago, I posted on my Instagram account a photo of the STEAMCREAM Limited Edition ‘Holly’ tin.  The Limited Edition ‘Holly’ Tin was available for the holiday season.  The bottom half of the tin was a metallic red, and the top half was white covered in green and red holly’s and gold snowflakes; beautiful packaging.  After posting the STEAMCREAM on Instragram, I’ve had several people ask me what exactly is STEAMCREAM, to which I replied with a brief response, and advised them to check my blog for more information.  Here goes!

What is STEAMCREAM?

STEAMCREAM is described as a multitasking,  freshly handmade cream “…using high-quality, natural ingredients that are fused together by a shot of steam.”

STEAMCREAM claims

To be “super moisturizing”  due to its ability to absorb almost immediately into the skin.

 

STEAMCREAM ingredients

Ingredients: 

Oatmeal Infusion (Avena sativa), Orange Flower Water (Citrus Aurantium amara, Aqua), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Lavender Oil (Lavandula augustifolia), Chamomile Blue Oil (Chamomilla recutita), Orange Blossom Absolute (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara), Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, *Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, * Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Cost:  $20/ 75 mL (2.54 oz) from http://www.steamcream.com and Duane Reade’s Look Boutiques.

 

STEAMCREAM Holly Tin

My Thoughts:

When offered the opportunity to review the STEAMCREAM, I was excited since reading so many raving reviews on the cream.  When the STEAMCREAM finally arrived – it took a bit of while because it was shipped from the UK – I cracked it open and began to use it.

The first thing after opening the STEAMCREAM Limited Edition ‘Holly’ Tin was the texture of the cream.  The STEAMCREAM has a nice, lightweight texture.  It looks like it would be thick, but it isn’t.  It actually applies nicely, and absorbs quickly, which is a plus.  The next thing I noticed was the scent.  The lavender is very prominent. The scent reminded me of the LUSH DreamWash (see post).

A fellow beauty blogger who has tried this cream commented on my instagram post of the STEAMCREAM to let me know her thoughts.  This blogger stated “I actually think that cream is rubbish.  Not particularly moisturizing at all.” I let her know that I’m testing it, and will see for myself how the STEAMCREAM works for me … or not.  Unfortunately, I have to agree with her.  The STEAMCREAM, although it felt nice going on, it did not do much as far as keeping my skin moisturized.

The STEAMCREAM can be used on your face, body, hands and feet.  I didn’t use it on my face, but I did use it everywhere else.  My hands, I tend to wash often; therefore, they tend to be on the dryer end.  And if you haven’t noticed, NYC like the rest of the country has been experience some crazy cold weather lately, and my skin reflects that.  The STEAMCREAM did not moisturize my skin , especially my hands and feet,  as well or as best as my other moisturizers have.  I’d have to say it just doesn’t cut it. I really don’t see what all of the hoopla is over it.

I do love the tin! The tin is compact (it fits in the palm  of my hand), and is lightweight, which makes it easy to tote around in my purse with no problem.  The tins are also really cute, and come in various designs (see here).  They even have zodiac sign tins.  If I were to purchase again, which I’m not, I’d pick up the Virgo tin.

Would I recommend?

$20 for a 2.54 oz of product seems like a lot, especially if used for your face, body hands and feet.  If using the STEAMCREAM to moisturize all of those areas, you will find yourself quickly running  out of the cream.  STEAMCREAM, although they’re the last two ingredients, contains parabens.  I try my best to stay away from products to contain parabens.  If you’re like me, then this product is not for you.  I can’t give a hard “Don’t buy this item” just because it didn’t work for me.  Just because something didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work for you.  However, I would recommend getting the STEAMCREAM just for the tins because they’re so cute! You can always replace the cream with some other favorite product, or use it to store loose items.

Have you tried STEAMCREAM? What are your thoughts on it?

Disclosure: Product was provided for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Makeover Monday: Sparkling Slate for City Nights – OCC Glitter ‘Slate’

Everything looks better with a little sparkle and glitter, just as long as you don’t overdo it.  This makeover Monday post features a smoky eye with a hint of sparkling slate glitter with the help of the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) Glitter Slate’.  Slate is described as a “True grey, not silver glitter.”  To me, it reminds me of New York City streets at night, hence the title of this post “Sparkling Slate for City Nights.”

This smoky eye is not your traditional smoky eye, thanks to the OCC Glitter ‘Slate’.  The glitter adds just enough sparkle to make the look fun, flirty and sexy.  The look is pulled together with a nude lip using the OCC Lip Tar ‘Sebatstian’ paired with MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil ‘Cork’.  I opted to go without lashes because we don’t want the look to go from glam to drag queen-ish.  Overall, I think the look came out perfectly, and the client loved it!

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Eyes

UDPP

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ‘Black’

MAC Pigment ‘Later’ (Alice & Olivia Collection)

MAC Eyeshadow ‘Saddle’ (Blend)

OCC  Glitter ‘Slate’

tarte lights camera flashes mascara

tarte emphasEYES Inner Rim Eyeliner

MAC Gel Eyeliner ‘Blacktrack’

Face

LA Girl Pro Concealer – Chestnut + Fawn

Ben Nye Classic Translucent Powder ‘Topaz’ (T-zone, under eye)

Ben Nye Mojave Luxury Powder ‘Dark Cocoa’ (Contour)

Cheeks

NARS Blush ‘Sin’

Inglot Face & Body Illuminator #63 (highlight)

Eyebrows

MAC Brow Pencil ‘Spiked’

MAC Brow Gel ‘Show Off’

Lips

MAC Lip Pencil ‘Cork’

OCC Makeup Lip Tar ‘Sebastian’

 

What do you think of this look using the OCC Glitter ‘Slate’?