Category: Reviews

Foundation Friday: Paula’s Choice Resist Anti-Aging Matte Serum

On By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Diffuses imperfections
–Medium, buildable coverage
–Skin looks visibly younger and smoother
–Anti-aging benefits
–Soft, matte finish

Price
–$7 @ paulaschoice.com
–$19.97 at nordstromrack.com

Shade Range
–8
–My shade: Level 0

Pros
–Good ingredients
–Packaging:: pump!
–Cruelty free
–Buildable coverage

Cons
–Shade range
–Accentuated my dry skin
–No shade match for me

Final Thoughts
For starters, I think this might be being discontinued since it’s on SUPER sale and available at Nordstrom Rack. It’s totally fine that if it is because this was not for me. I know it’s a matte foundation and I have dry skin and those things don’t usually go together. However, I prefer a matte finish and with a hydrating, glowy primer and a good moisturizer, I can usually make a matte foundation work. I did full coverage with 2 layers, but I had to use a white mixer because the shade was too dark. This was a no go for me.

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Before & After
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AM & PM

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Too Faced Born This Way Ethereal Setting Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

 

They mean it when they say mini

Claims
–Silky, lightweight
–Natural/luminous finish
–Smoother, more youthful appearance

Price
–$15 for 0.05 oz
–$33 for 0.56 oz
—Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta, toofaced.com

Shade Selection
–3 in the full size :: universal, medium, deep
–1 in the mini :: universal

Pros
–Cruelty free
–Hyaluroinc acid is an ingredient
–No parabens, sulfates, phthalates
–Mini option to try before committing to full size

Cons
–Little dark and yellow toned to be “translucent”
–Looked awful on my dry skin
–Had to use a blotting sheet for my forehead shine and I NEVER get shiny

Final Thoughts 
I HATED this. It looked SO cakey on my dry skin and clung to every dry patch and pore. It aged me and was just not a good look. Thank goodness I bought the mini and didn’t commit to the full size. I returned this.

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They mean it when they say mini
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AM
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PM

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Mask Monday: Philosophy Purity Clay Mask

On By thehannahhardyIn Mask Monday, Reviews, SkincareLeave a comment

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Claims
–Draws out impurities, scrubs away blackheads, and shrinks the look of pores
–Skin is left refreshed, glowing, and appears virtually blackhead free

Price
–$35 for 2.5 oz
–$18 for 1.0 oz
—Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, philosophy.com

Pros
–Smaller size for travel and/or testing
–Smells good
–Effective
–Leaves skin feeling soft and smooth but not stripped
–Cruelty free
–Good ingredients: sailicylic acid, bentonite, and titanium dioxide

Cons
–Expensive

Final Thoughts
I really LOVE this mask. I bought the smaller size to test it out, but I would definitely buy the full size. I don’t think it is as effective as my beloved GlamGlow Super Mud, but it still does a great job and is much cheaper.

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Foundation Friday: Mary Kay Mineral Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn Foundation Friday, ReviewsLeave a comment

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Claims
–Buildable coverage
–Long wearing
–Transfer resistant
–Skin perfecting
–Controls shine
–Matte finish
–Weightless

Price
–$20 for 0.28 at marykay.com
—Compared to Bare Minerals Foundation that is $29 for 0.28 oz

Shade Range
–12
–I tested shade Ivory 1, but I really need Ivory 0.5

Pros
–Good price for powder foundation
–Very natural looking
–Lightweight
–Buildable: sheer to medium coverage

Cons
–Shade range
–Not cruelty free
–Online or through consultant only

Final Thoughts
My friend gave me this to try and I thought the shade might work, but it was just a little too dark. I mixed the Makeup Revolution Ghost powder in and made it work. You can build it up to medium coverage, but that’s as full as it gets. You can still the redness on my chin peeking through. To get a more full coverage look, I recommend using a flat top brush to buff the product into the skin. If you want a more sheer look, use a fluffier, powder brush to just sweep over the skin. It’s perfect paired with a little concealer for light makeup days. Powder foundation can look rough on dry skin, but I really like how this one looked. This a great product and I recommend it!

Primer: Becca First Light Priming Filter and Catrice Prime & Fine Smoothing Refiner
Concealer: Kylie + Tarte
Undereye Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte Loose
Tools: It Cosmetics Flat Top Travel Size Brush, beautyblender

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You can see that it’s just a little too dark/off for me in shade Ivory 1.
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Before & After
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No makeup :: just foundation :: full face
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AM & PM

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Colour Pop No Filter Loose Setting Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Weightless
–Soft focus, matte finish
–No flashback
–Not heavy or cakey

Price
–$9 for 0.30 oz
—Compared to Laura Mercier Translucent Powder $38 for 1 oz
–Available at colourpop.com

Shade Range
–Affordable
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Silky smooth & finely milled

Cons
–Contains talc
–Online only
–Didn’t work with certain foundations, the Colour Pop foundation being one of them
–Showed every fine line under my eyes

Final Thoughts
–I wore this with my beloved Rimmel foundation and it didn’t cake up at all. Then, I tested it with the Colour Pop foundation which was a disaster. It was too much matte for my dry skin.
–I think you have normal or normal/oily skin, you would like this. If you have dry skin, you can make it work, but you have to use the right combination of primer, foundation, and setting spray to make it work.
–It’s not a bad product, it’s just not a good product for me.

Colour Pop Conealer + Colour Pop Powder :: Kylie/Tarte Concealer + Colour Pop Powder

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Colour Pop Powder size compared to Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
CP Found + CP Powder
Colour Pop Powder + Colour Pop Foundation

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Mascara Monday: Lancome Monsieur Big

On By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, Reviews2 Comments

Claims
–12x more volume
–Buildable volume and length
–No flaking or smudging
–Creamy formula
–24 hour wear

Price
–$25 full size
–$12 mini
—Ulta, Sephora, Nordstrom, lancome-usa.com

Shade Range
–2 :: black and brown
–Waterproof option available

Pros
–Mini size available for travel/testing
–Lots of volume
–No clumping
–No flaking
–No smudging

Cons
–Not cruelty free
–Pricey
–Only available at specialty stores

Final Thoughts
–I LOVE the volume it gives my lashes.
–No flaking or smudging all day which is important to me
–I got this half off during Ulta 21 Days of Beauty. It is definitely $12.50 good, but I don’t know that I’d pay full price for it. It reminds me of the Maybelline Total Temptation Mascara which is much cheaper.

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Smoothest Shave

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

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I don’t know about y’all, but I HATE shaving my legs and arms. It’s just annoying and it grows back and you’re right back where you started. Fun fact: I started shaving my legs when I was 6 years old. I shared a bathroom with my mom and sisters so of course there was a razor in the bathroom. I just picked it up and went for it. No turning back at that point!

Since I’ve been shaving so long, I’ve tried tons of different razors and shave gels, creams, and lotions. Everyone has their own preference in regards to formula, brand, etc. I’ve tested a few new products recently and wanted to give brief reviews on each one.

Keep reading to see which one is my favorite!

Venus with Olay Moisturizing Shower & Shave Cream

Claims: Gently cleanses and helps protect your skin while shaving

Price: $3.99 @ Target, $4.99 @ Walgreens for 10 oz

Scents: 2–Vanilla Creme and Freesia

Pros: Affordable ;; easily accessible ;; lots of product for your money, aluminum & paraben free ;; more moisturizing than standard shaving gel or cream ;; rust free bottle

Cons: Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts: This product has been my go to product for the last year or so. Jessica Braun recommended it so of course I bought it. It’s a great price, you get a lot of product, and you can find it at any drugstore or big box store. However, I HATE the Freesia scent and I can never find the Vanilla Creme. It is better than standard shaving cream and gels, in my opinion.

Tree Hut Moisturizing Shave Oil 

Claims: Closest shave possible ;; formulated to improve the contact between your skin & razor ;; Tree Hut Organic Shea Butter and blend of natural oils make skin silky smooth

Price: $11.99 @ Ulta for 7.7 oz

Scents: 2–Almond & Honey and Pomegranate Citrus

Pros: Pump ;; smells good ;; feels good on the skin ;; made in the USA ;; cruelty free ;; paraben free ;;  leaves legs & arms smooth & moisturized ;; super close shave

Cons: Availability ;; pricey ;; depending on shaving frequency, you could run out quickly

Final Thoughts: I LOVE this! It smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling so soft, smooth, and hydrated. It definitely lives up to all of its claims. I would love to try their shave products: Shave Prep Scrub, Soothing Post Shave Mist, and Hair Minimizing Body Butter

Skintimate 2-in-1 Coconut Silk Shave Cream Skin Conditioner

Claims: Shave & condition in 1 step ;; non-foaming cream goes on like lotion & provides 24 hours of moisturization

Price: $3.99 @ Target ;; $3.97 @ Wal Mart ;; $4.49 @ Walgreens for 8 oz

Scents: 2–Coconut Silk and Delicate Water Lily

Pros: Affordable ;; lots of product ;; aluminum & paraben free ;; rust proof bottle ;; smells good ;; feels good on, soft, smooth texture

Cons: Didn’t get a very close shave ;; bad razor burn ;; clogged my razor blade

Final Thoughts: This was huge FAIL for me. I had to shave AGAIN using my Olay Shave Cream to get a good, close shave. I bought the trial size and I am so glad I don’t have a huge bottle to use. It clogged my razor blade really bad and I had to change it and those things aren’t cheap.

and the winner is……..

TREE HUT SHAVE OIL

You need it in your life and you can thank me later.