L'Oreal Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight System

I received an amazing Vox Box from influenster with the following full size products from L'Oreal Paris: 

Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Straightening Shampoo

Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Boosting Pre-Conditioner

Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Straight Conditioner

Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Straight Perfecting Balm

I also received a travel size with the first 3 steps. 

In the beginning I was using all 4 of these products together in the order that the back of the Smooth Boosting condition lists (basically the same order I listed above). I also was blow drying my hair to almost complete dryness. I never really had to use a straight iron to achieve a more put together look than without using them. I think if you want a very professional finished look you might want to take out the straight iron or dry with a hair dryer and round brush to complete dryness (I just don't have that type of patience). 

Sight to the good stuff, my favorite product from this set was the Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Straight Perfecting Balm. If you are curious about this line but don't want to fully commit to buying all, start off with this product. You need the smallest amount on damp hair to achieve a fairly tamed straight hair look.

Pros: 

• Pleasant scent. 
• Affordable, for an entire hair straightening system with a good amount of product. You can probably get all four products for less than $24.00 if you find a sale or use coupons. Quite a steal considering it is for a whole set. 
• The Straight Perfecting Balm is enough to tame my straight hair.
• Widely available for purchase.

Cons: 

• Packaging of the Straightening Conditioner, on this product only the cap is on the bottom and water  collects inside the cap. 
• If you're someone who does not want to go through 4 steps to achieve straight tamed hair this might be too much for you. However, I really if that is an issue for you, just go straight for the last step and get the Straight Perfecting Balm.

My take away is that this set is worth it for those who want an entire system taming your straight hair. But if you don't want to buy the entire set and you want good results buy the Smooth Intense Ultimate Straight Straight Perfecting Balm. 

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

And I wanted to share the travel kit that was included.

* I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Neutrogena Hydra Boost Water Gel Review

The arrival of this Neutrogena Hydra Boost trial could not have come at a better time. I just finished using my DDF Ultra-Lite Oil Free Moisturizing Dew that I use for my nightly hydration routine. The DDF retails for $42.00 for a 1.7oz bottle. I like that the DDF is lightweight and scentless, however it leaves my skin a little tight and under hydrated and the price tag is a little on the pricey side.

I just finished using the DDF Ultra-Lite Oil Free..."

For the past week I've been using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost and I must say that I am quite impressed with it. I have sensitive dry combination skin. Normally when I test a new product I know within one use if my skin will be irritated by it. If it does not pass the 1 time use test it becomes a body moisturizer. Yes, many expensive face and eye creams have become body lotions as a result! I have dry combination skin; dry eyes with an oily t-zone. The weather is especially dry this time of year in San Diego and I really need some good hydration. Given my current skin status I have been using this product every evening before bed. I apply it last after removing my makeup, a face wash and application of toner and brightening serum. My initial impression of this product is that it does leave your skin incredibly hydrated and soft. It absorbs very well and does not just sit on top of your skin. I really like how my skin feels from using it. I was apprehensive about the strong fresh linen scent that it has at first. I was worried it would bother me as I consider myself to be sensitive to scent. But surprisingly I have grown to like the scent in the week I've been using it. I should mention that the scent does not even linger.

A full sized product is 1.7 oz is housed in a sleek blue plastic jar. The retail price for this product is $19.99 and I have seen it on sale quite a few times, granted it could be from the fact it is new. I think
this is completely worth it as I feel it performs like a high end skincare moisturizer.

In Summary, very hydrating without breakouts.  I score this product with an A- grade.

    

If you would like to see my unboxing and first impressions video.

                      

*I received this product complimentary for testing from Influenster and I am not getting paid for my opinion.

#BehindTheGlow #Neutrogena #contest

ELF Cosmetics Get Ready With Me

Hello Friends! I decided to do a mostly ELF Cosmetics Face today.

ELF Products used:
Hydrating Under Eye Primer
Flawless Finish Foundation in Porcelain and Sand
High Definition Undereye Setting Powder
High Definition Powder in Clear and Shimmer
Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in Fiji
Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow in Wine Tour
Angled Blush Brush
Angled Contour Brush
Lip Definer & Shaper
Moisturizing Lipstick in Ravishing Rose
Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose
Eyelid Primer in Sheer and Golden
Smudge Pot in Gotta Glow

Other products used:
Tarte Clean Slate Primer
Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Palette
Bundle Monster Brushes Flat Top Kabuki B02, Powder/Blush Brush B03, Pencil Brush B14, Large Angled Contour B04 (All from the Bundle Monster Prima Donna Brush Set)

Comparison: Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeliner in Taupe and Taupe of the Mornin'

Recently I went to Rite Aid when they were having 40% off the Wet N Wild brand. I went in with the goal of stocking up on the good ole workhorse of a brow pencil in 648 Taupe. I could not find it anywhere. But I did see a brand new display of Wet N Wild Kohl Eyeliner Pencils where I found a pencil with the name "taupe" in it so I decided to give it a try.

After not being able to find the old taupe pencil on this inital Rite Aid trip I have kept my eye out for it. Unfortunately, I have not found it an a single retailer since. In fact some Walgreens and CVS locations no longer have a spot for it so I suspect this old one has been discontinued.

Check out my video to see if they are dupe's for each other or not.

Urban Decay TEN 24/7 Glide On Pencil Swatch and Review

I picked up this set from Sephora during one of their end of the year sales. Unfortunately these did not work for me. I much prefer m Jordana 12 Hr Made to Last Liquid Eyeliner especially in the shade Jade Jewel. I returned this set shortly after filming this video because I found these liners not to work on my eyelid skin.
 

Bundle Monster Collapsible Air Drying Makeup Drying Brush Tower

I am excited to share with you an affordable and effective way to dry your makeup brushes after cleaning using the Bundle Monster Makeup Brush Drying Tower. 

I am someone who loves to clean my makeup brushes constantly. I am a germ-a-phobe and do not reuse brushes on my face or eye area without cleaning. However, lately I had noticed some of my brushes handles were starting to separate from their ferrule and more hair was shedding. So even though I tried to tilt my brushes so that water dries out downwards it was never really enough. The brush tower has been the perfect solution to my problem. I love this simple tool used to dry my brushes upside down. 

It comes in 3 pieces that are easy to connect together and also to disconnect and store away without taking up space. Take a peak at this video to see it in action. Also, I would like to add that I discovered since filming this video that you can pull the brushes out from the from and they will come out very easily.