b e a u t y {marx} .

I recently started using this product about a week ago. I feel like I’m constantly in search of the perfect bronzer - not only to warm up my look during the fall/winter seasons, but I’m also a big fan of contouring my face. I’d been using E.L.F.’s Blush/Bronzing Duo for quite some time up until now. Yes, now that I’ve found the love of my life that is the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder…. That SMELLS like chocolate. (Contains real cocoa).

No, really. It’s AH-MAZING. My husband actually told me that my face smelled “sweet” once I started using it. If you’re a little stand-offish by that, don’t worry. It’s a very subtle scent. 

This matte bronzing powder retails at Sephora for $29.00. A bit pricey, but so worth it in my opinion. I find that it’s a tad bit more difficult to achieve a smoother contour or application with matte bronzers. They tend to give off splotchy and uneven contours, that can even look like we just threw dirt on our face. O_O. Nobody wants a dirty looking face.

Now, with the right brush and a light hand, avoiding that splotchy contoured face is easy with any matte or semi-shimmery bronzer. BUT.. I found it extremely easy to achieve my desired look with this particular one. Very smooth application, blends beautifully. Again, love that it’s matte. And the compact is suuuper cute. :)

My favorite bronzer thus far, hands down. 

If you’re a chocolate/makeup/bronzer lover, I would highly recommend this to you.

xo,

Nikki

Hey loves! 

So I have a slightly different review for you today. It’s a product I purchased during my trip to Seoul (South Korea) just this past May.

If you’ve never heard of Skin Food, here’s a little information about the brand according to their website:

“Under the motto of ‘good food for health is also good for the skin’, SKINFOOD is the first food cosmetics brand developed with a differentiated unique concept of ‘food’. SKINFOOD delivers complete nutrition to the skin through the strict selection of foods that are good for the skin, including avocado, which is even listed in the Guinness World Records, rice that is reliable for taking care of health, fresh milk, and sturdy tomato. Our products are scented and bottled according to their design and formulation concepts, to indulge you with the freshness and nutrients of their main ingredients. SKINFOOD always looks for skin-affinitive food to bring you the best products.” 

For more information on the brand, please visit: http://eng.theskinfood.com/

I saw so many Skin Food stores while I was in Korea, and I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t pick up more stuff from them! :( But anyways, yes - It is a Korean-based brand. The only U.S. locations are in California that I know of, so if you don’t have a storefront near you, you can order these products online. (I believe they can be found on amazon.com, as well as a few other sites.)

On to the product! I decided to pick up a hair mask because obviously, with my processed hair, comes dryness. And we don’t want that! Anytime you bleach, dye, or process your hair in anyway - It loses it’s moisture, and can become quite unhealthy and dry-looking.  You want to retain a healthier look by putting these much needed nutrients back into your hair by using products like deep conditioners and hair masks.

The consistency of the mask is quite thick. And yes, it does smell like shea butter! 

How to use: I put this in my hair for about 10-15 minutes (yes, a few more minutes than the directions advised, but its okay) and then rinsed the product out. I proceeded to shampoo and condition my hair as I normally would. Sprayed in some heat-protectant, and then blow dried.

• PROS: My hair looked/felt amazing! The shea butter really gave it a healthy shine and silky texture. It was also pretty cheap - about 5900 Korean Won = $5 USD or even less. Keep in mind that if you purchase it online from Amazon or somewhere like that, it may be a little higher.

• CONS: The formula is REALLY thick. I found it a little difficult to apply onto my hair, but not a major issue. The smell may also be a little overwhelming at first, but nothing serious either. I really don’t have anything bad to say about this product, overall.

Sidenote: One thing I LOVED about shopping at the Korean cosmetic stores - They give you SOOO many samples! I have a whole bag full that I may have to show you guys later. :)

(Source: beautymarx)

I’d been looking for a nice wearable nude lipstick for some time. I came across the Wet ‘N Wild section at my local Wal-Mart and noticed these matte lipsticks. The price was $2.99, I mean…How do you beat that!? So I decided to go for it (even though I’d told myself NOT to buy any..more…makeup. O_O) The price sort’ve won me over. (Buying on impulse is sooo bad!)

So it is a very matte, very opaque lipstick..which is exactly what I was looking for. Let me tell you, I absolutely LOVE this shade. It is currently my favorite nude lipstick (even over my higher-end neutral lipsticks). I’m fairly tan (NC40) - So it’s very easy for someone my skin tone to go with the absolute WRONG neutral shade and look like horribly washed out. Unless…that’s what you’re going for. :) 

However if you’re right around my skin tone, this shade is perfect. Gives you just the right amount of ‘nude’ without going too light. I’ve been using this almost every day. :)

The only negatives I must point out is that it is a bit drying - So I highly recommend pairing it with a lip gloss on top or a lip balm underneath (you should do this with all lipsticks anyways). Also, the packaging. I like that it’s nice and simple, but I found that it’s a bit flimsy. But, again. For $2.99… You really can’t complain much if the product is really amazing. :)

I really hope Wet ‘N Wild doesn’t discontinue these lipsticks! I may have to get back-ups just in case.. LOL. 

You can find these at any local drugstore that sells Wet ‘N Wild products (usually CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart). 

(Source: beautymarx)

This is currently what I use for my ‘everyday’ face. I feel like when it comes to tinted moisturizers, my skin is kind’ve picky - Because I haven’t had much luck with any of the drugstore tinted moisturizers I’ve tried. (The last one I tried was Physician’s Formula’s Organic Wear, and the smell was just..horrendous to me. It’s really not THAT BAD to other people I’m sure, but it smelled like straight up trees, and bark…and leaves. O_O I know it’s organic, but DAMN. It just wasn’t happening for me. Maybe I had a bad batch. I don’t know, but I’m not using it again..LOL) Okay I keep getting sidetracked, sorry guys!

Anyways! I decided to try Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer instead. And I absolutely LOVE it. Definite re-purchase when I run out. The consistency is just right - Not too watery, but not thick like a foundation. I apply it with my fingers (using just a pea-sized amount) and just even it out throughout my entire face. 

Coverage is buildable with this, and I even think it can actually be a foundation if you really wanted to use it that way. I got the oil-free version because I have combination skin in the summer.

This tinted moisturizer gives off a bit of a ‘dewy’ finish. I typically just keep it that way, but apply powder to my T-Zone area to avoid too much shine.

My shade is Sand. (Shown below)

(What it looks like blended)

OH! And if you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll probably already know that.. I LOVE that it’s in a squeezable tube! :D Huge plus in my book. It makes life so much easier when you can control the amount of product you’re using - and be hygienic as well.

It typicaly will stay put for approx. 8-10 hours without retouching/powdering. It does have a very faint smell to it that sort’ve reminds me of sunscreen - but nothing overpowering. Plus, I personally like the smell of sunscreen….LOL.

The cost is $42 at Sephora, a bit pricey but worth it if you’re looking for a lightweight tinted moisturizer that protects your skin, hydrates, and provides ample coverage.

xoxo, Nikole.

(Source: beautymarx)

Maybelline’s ColorSensational Lipstick in “Coral Lustre”.

I’ve really been into the coral/reddish-orange lips lately. This one is gorgeous and goes quite well with my skintone. It’s a lustre finish and gives off a really nice shine just by itself..You really don’t need a gloss over this one.

If you can tell, the colour is a bit on the sheer side - But the good thing is that it is buildable. I had to swipe it 4-5 times to get it up to a semi-opaque finish.

I picked this up at Target for $6.99 I believe?

Overall, it’s a nice lipstick. Not my favorite, but I don’t hate it either. :)

Hey dolls,

I recieved a request from one of my lovely followers to do a review on Maybelline’s FitMe foundation. Now, there are ALOT of mixed reviews out there about the FitMe foundation, and I do want to point out that it is really up to how YOU like the product. This is my personal opinion, based on my experience of using it. So let’s start! :)

PROS:

• The finish is really between dewy/matte, and goes on very smoothly.
• Blends really well. I personally use my stippling brush to apply it.
• The coverage is light-medium.
• This is my everyday go-to foundation for work, home, ”lounge-around” days.
• Doesn’t settle into pores/doesn’t create fine lines like some foundations.
• Doesn’t look cakey as long as you don’t apply a super heavy layer.
• Lightweight.
• Makes pores less noticable.
• Great price - $6.00 at any drug store.
• The shade was perfect for me!

CONS:

• Not very long lasting - I also apply primer and a finishing powder to set it.
• I’ve found that if you use too much - It does tend to get a bit greasy.
• Rubs off easily.
• NO PUMP! :(

Overall: I really like this foundation. As I stated in my “Pro’s”, it is my go-to foundation for an every-day/casual look. I have combination skin (where my T-zone does tend to get a bit oily) and this worked fine. So if you’re combination/normal/dry skin, this foundation will probably work best for your skin type. I do not recommend it to oily/acne-prone skin because it does have a tendency to get a little greasy after a few hours or if you’ve applied too much.

If you’re looking for something to use as an every day foundation with light-medium coverage. This will NOT give you full coverage and I wouldn’t recommend building it up.

Would I buy this again? Yes. :)

For any questions/requests: www.beautymarx.tumblr.com/ask

xo, Nikole