Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask

I have always had a love for masks and recently there has been a lot of talk about charcoal masks. I was roaming around the drugstore during the winter and my face has been incredibly dry so I figured I would look for a mask. I ran across this bad boy and the only thing that stuck out to me was the word charcoal so I figured I would pick it up to see what all this fuss was about.

When picking this up I thought it was going to be something like an AfterGlow Charcoal Mud Mask, yeah not quite. I totally forgot about the black sugar scrub aspect of this facial mask. With that being said if you have incredibly sensitive skin or if your skin is prone to redness because this is more of a harsher scrub.

Those with dry, flaky dry patches will absolutely love with. This sugar scrub mask helps exfoliate the skin and absorb excess oil. I put a thick layer all over my face and leave it on for 5-7 minutes. After I massage my face and rinse with warm water.

The formula is a thick and grainy with a fresh scent. Since the texture is so grainy it can be somewhat harsh on the skin. I recommend using this about once a week, maybe twice if you have oily skin. My face is left smooth but very red so I usually do it at night. After the Charcoal & Black Sugar Mask to calm the redness I use Freemans Acai Purifying Clay Mask. After the combination of these my skin is left baby soft!

With this product only being $4 you can't beat it. It leaves my skin super soft and smooth and brings a natural glow to my skin. I also notice my foundation goes on perfectly after I use this product. If you haven't tried it yet I suggest you do! You definitely won't regret it!

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm Coral Twist (235)

The CoverGirl Lip Perfection Jumbo Gloss Balm launched as a part of their spring 2013 collection. These twist up chubby tinted lip balm is available in 16 different shades. This lip balm is "fortified with shea and mango butters for a smooth look with a hint of color".

The chubby sticks make a big boom in the drugstores back in S/S 2013 and continue to make a splash in the S/S 2014 collections. There are a ton of brands that continue to come out with these Clinique chubby stick "dupes". Soon after Clinique chubby sticks hit the store drugstore brands began to come out with their own versions. 

I was wondering around CVS when I realized this bad boy. It was during the winter but I figured I would pick it up for summer time. I have mainly stuck to the Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stains and haven't really branched out, as you all know I'm not a huge lip junkie. When I came across this I really liked this coral color and figured it would look really nice when I had a tan. 

These are your standard twist up chubby sticks containing .13 oz. I really love the design of the twist up chubby sticks because they are easy for travel and because of the twist up design you don't need a sharpener. 

I picked up the color Coral Twist (235) that is a true coral, leaning more pink rather than orange. This product is said to give off a sheer color, which i love. I look for products that look like you have just eaten a popsicle and it stained your lips. This product is buildable but the formula is a bit heavy. They aren't incredibly moisturizing but not as dry as the Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stains. I did realize that the product tends to enhance dry-patches so be sure to prep your lips before using this product. I finally realized why I didn't hear much about this product. It worked fine when I would just dab it on my lips for a very sheer color for that popsicle stain look but it didn't necessarily stain my lips, the longevity of this product wasn't long. They do have great color payoff though, they also claim to be a gloss balm but it seemed to be more of the cream finish rather than a gloss.

The one thing i didn't like about the packaging is the name of the color is not on the product, it does have the number but i would much rather see the color name. But this isnt a deal breaker for this product.

I don't think this product is great but I don't think its horrible. They have great pigmentation that is buildable, a wide variety of color, they are wearable for everyday use with a slightly sheer look with a bit of shine. I just don't know why I don't love this product. Have any of you tried this product? What are your thoughts on it?

The Met Gala 2014: A Tribute to Charles James

Last night was the annual Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There were ball gowns, structured dresses, white suites and trains... lots and lots of trains. This year honored the British-born designer, Charles James. He is known as "America's best-known couturier". He revolutionized American fashion in the mid-20th century. I wasn't very excited for this years "theme", seeing as it is to honor the designer Charles James we were expecting to have things be more toned down and polished compared to last years crazy theme "PUNK: Chaos to Couture". I usually am looking forward to some outrageous designs that we would never see worn on other carpets but for last night it was the typical red carpet wear. Though I was excited to see how designers interpreted James' sculptural style. 

Emma Stone (and boyfriend Andrew Garfield) were both dressed in Thakoon. When I first saw her in this dress I saw it pictured from the side which is where I initially fell in love with it. I don't think it is as much of a wow piece from the from but the pop of color was refreshing to see in the sea of black and white. Emma may not have stuck with the theme completely but I think the structured top was just enough to get her through. ps. she's stunning and i'm obsessed with her. 

Shocker, Blake Lively looks stunning. (sarcasm if you didn't pick that up) She is always dressed perfectly! Her and her beautiful hubby Ryan Reynolds were both wearing Gucci. Once again we have another mermaid shaped dress but I believe that Blake Lively took a very modern approach to the theme. Her completely sparkly gown gave a modern flair to the classic structured dress. 

Rihanna took this theme and gave it her own flare. She wore a tummy-baring two piece by Stella McCartney. This is another dress that I saw from the back first which is the wow factor about this two piece dress. Once again although this dress isnt exactly sticking to the theme the structured top and mermaid shape bottom gave this dress a taste of Charles James with a Rihanna sexy-chic twist to it.

Kendall Jenner looked stunning in Topshop. I first saw her dress when she posted a picture of it on instagram and I was blown away. I knew right then that she would be ones of the best dressed of the night. the cut of the dress fit her like a glove and the structured corset top was perfect for the Charles James tribute. And her hair looks so effortless but polished at the same time.

Leave it to Cara Delevigne to push the envelope in this Stella McCartney outfit. She wore high waisted trousers with a revealing black crop top. While she looks rather understated compared to everyone else she definitely stood out to me. Her outfit was well tailored, structured (in a different way than the others) and polished.

I don't think its possible to make Charlize Theron look bad. Charlize was dressed in Dior, of course. The corset black and white fitted dress hugged her like a glove. With the hair and draped jacked over her shoulders she looks like she walked out of another era.

For me when looking for best dressed I ignored the theme completely. For a night that is sometimes referred to as the Oscars of fashion, you could say that people were just dressed up for the Oscars. There was nothing to look forward to. Hopefully next year will have another exciting theme! What were your thoughts on this years Met Gala? 

Wishlist

With this semester coming to an end and all I can think about is summer. With all the summer collections releasing from both fashion and beauty companies its hard not to blow all of my money on everything! I have been obsessing over the new MAC Proenza Schouler collection, I mean look at that packaging... its to die for! I have also been lusting over the Brooklyn Hawaii Pouch, in collaboration with Samudra. Its pretty perfect for summer! I'm currently trying to decide what to spend my money on and what to pass on, the decision is practically impossible!

one: makeup geek pigment in new years eve and afterglow // two: makeup geek eyeshadow in moondust, shimma shimma, and pretentious // three: brooklyn hawaii pouch in hanging palm and moloka'i palms // four: mac cosmetics proenza schouler collection ocean city ombre blush // five: mac  cosmetics pro longwear concealer  // six: wildfox 'adventure list island' graphic tank