Luxie Beauty Eye Brush 205

Photo Credit: www.luxiebeauty.com

Price: $12.00

Accessibility: exclusively available at the Luxie Beauty site 

Packaging: synthetic bristles 

Claim to Fame: 

• 100% cruelty free

• 100% vegan

• 100% paraben free

•  Coated with antibacterial solution 

Overall Impression: Hands down I liked this brush from the very first use.  It's a great tapered blending brush that's comparable to the MAC 217 or 224 blending brushes. The soft bristles pick up pigment and blends eyeshadow effortlessly.  I'm loving the rose gold ferrule.  I definitely wouldn't mind trying more brushes from Luxie Beauty.  Shoutout to Ipsy for selecting this item for my glam bag. 

Luxie Beauty offers a pro program open to makeup artists, makeup artist students, models, and makeup enthusiasts: http://www.luxiebeauty.com/pro/

Luxie Beauty offers a rewards program for customers: 

http://www.luxiebeauty.com/luxie-beauty-rewards/

Luxie Beauty offers an affiliate program as well: 

http://www.luxiebeauty.com/affiliates/

Banana Peach Smoothie

Instead of a juice I decided to switch it up and post a smoothie.  It's a quick and simple recipe: 

• 2 bananas (not frozen*)

• 2 cups frozen peaches* 

• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk*

• 1 date (as a natural sweetener) 

I don't have one of the fancy Vitamix blenders so I place everything in the blender starting with softest ingredients first.  Start the Vitamix on low and after about 10 seconds I switched it to high. 

* I usually use frozen bananas.  Which would have called for more almond milk.

*The frozen peaches used contained 9g of sugar per serving. 

*The brand used was Califia Farms. 

Ayres Hand Cream

Price: $12.50 

Accessibility: Available on the Ayres website.

Ingredients: AQUA, GLYCERIN, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, COCOS NUCIFERA OIL, GLYCERYL STEARATE SE, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, MYRISTYL MYRISTATE, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL OLIVATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, SORBITAN OLIVATE, SILICA, PARFUM, MYRISTYL LAURATE, XANTHAN GUM, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER, PRUNUS ARMENIACA KERNEL OIL, TETRASODIUM EDTA, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT, GERANIUM MACULATUM EXTRACT, GLYCINE SOJA OIL, LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA FLOWER EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, SODIUM GLYCOLATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TRISODIUM NTA, PHENOXYETHANOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, LIMONENE, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL, CITRAL, COUMARIN, GERANIOL, LINALOOL.

Scent: Combination of lemongrass and patchouli

Claim to Fame: Paraben free, propylene glycol free, naturally derived, and no animal testing. 

Overall Impression: Hands down I really liked this hand cream.  It absorbs quickly and moisturizes hands without leaving them feeling greasy. I really enjoyed the subtle mixture of the lemongrass and patchouli which complimented and toned each other down at the same time.  I received the Pampas Sunrise version of this hand cream.  I searched all over the web and it appears to be exclusively available at their website.  A little goes a long way so the price isn't too shabby.  My hands are one of the driest parts of my body so Ipsy was right on time with this product.  

Toss it!

Anyone who juices knows the word of realizing you have produce that's on the verge of being tossed yet is still viable.  So here's a tasty creation I recently came up with: 

* 2 handfuls of spinach 

* 1 1/2 handfuls of chopped pineapple

* 1 Bartlett pear 

* 1 kiwi

* trimmings of wheat grass 

** filtered water to thin it a consistency you enjoy and to cut the sweetness.  

My daughter and I enjoyed this last minute creation.  Nothing hurts more than throwing away produce that you either forgot you had or just not having the time to make juice.  You never know what combinations you could end up creating.  Until the next juice...drink up! 

Clark's Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask

Price: $72

Accessibility: Various online retailers, select retailers worldwide.  To find a retailer please visit: http://www.clarksbotanicals.com/pages/where-to-buy

Scent: Subtle sweet fragrance

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Symphytum Officinale Extract (Comfrey Root), Glyceryl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Xylitylglucoside, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract (Japanese Green Tea), PEG-100 Stearate, Anhydroxylitol, Algae Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Xylitol, Coco-Glucoside, Dimethiconol, Phenyltrimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Extract, Laureth-7, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Methylisothiazolinone, Propylene Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance

Claim to Fame: No animal testing, no gluten, no parabens, no sulfates.  This product is recommended for dry, aging, and stressed skin.  

Overall Impression: The very first thing I noticed was the thickness of the mask.  I turned the container upside down and the product didn't budge.  I applied it with soft facial brush.  This mask dried rapidly and transparent.  I allowed it to stay on for the recommended time of 15 - 20 minutes and removed it with a steamed towel.  Product comes off easily and I was loving the way my skin felt afterwards.  It left my skin feeling really moist, soft, and supple.  My skin really soaked up the hydration provided from using this mask.  Price wise is this tad on the pricey side and seems easier to obtain online. The scent was subtle and definitely tolerable.  Now I'm going to breakdown what I like about the ingredients in this product.  There were a few that stuck out to me:

Saccharide Isomerate- humectant & skin conditioning agent

 

Symphytum Officinate Extract (Comfrey Root)- contains allantoin which is a botanical extract that is said to have healing, calming, and soothing properties 

 

Glyceryl Stearate- gives a pleasant feel to the skin

 

Algae Extract- active substance for moisture content; also provides suppleness and firmness 

 

Xylitol- humectant & skin conditioning agent 

 

Phenyl Trimethicone- leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth; has emollient properties 

 

I felt these were key ingredients that made my skin feel marvelous.  I also tried it as a moisturizer but I decided I liked it better as a mask.  I love trying new masks and this one definitely did not disappoint. 

Amie Morning Dew Matte Finish Moisturizer

Photo Credit: www.ipsy.com

Price: $7.38 

Accessibility: Online orders may be placed at the Amie Skin Care website and the site will automatically convert the currency for you.  Also another online USA retailer is www.eurorganicsbeauty.com.  You may also check the Amie skin care site to find local UK retailers.

Ingredients: 

aqua (water), glycerin, cyclopentasiloxane, glyceryl stearate se, myristyl myristate, cyclohexasiloxane, dimethicone, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, arachidyl glucoside, dimethicone crosspolymer, nylon-12, parfum (fragrance), inulin lauryl carbamate, sodium polyacrylate, xanthan gum, rosa canina (rosehip) fruit oil, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin e), , vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry) fruit extract, saccharum officinarum (sugar cane) extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) fruit extract, citrus medica limonum (lemon) fruit extract, acer saccharinum (sugar maple) extract, phenoxyethanol, biosaccharide gum-1, ethylhexylglycerin, benzophenone-4, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, hexyl cinnamal, hydroxycitronellal, linalool, butylphenyl methylpropional, limonene, sodium hydroxide, disodium edta, cl 19140 (yellow 5), ci 15510 (orange 4)

Scent: A soft and sweet cotton type fragrance 

Claim to Fame: 

- 90.8% natural ingredients 

- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians 

- No animal testing, parabens, mineral oils, sulphates, GM ingredients or petrochemicals 

- Dermatogically tested

- Awarded four beauty awards (2008-2011)

Overall Impression: I have combination skin that tends to be on the dry side.  So I can't use this product as a daily moisturizer...it's more like a ever other day or every few days that I can use it.  I liked the soft fragrance of this product.  I would recommend this product for someone with that has an oily skin type.  The price isn't terribly expensive for a moisturizer.  It's not exactly something you will find everywhere...in fact ordering online looks to be the easiest way of purchasing it. So if you have oily skin and you're looking for that matte finish this product may be for you. 

Proganix Quench Collection

Price:

Shampoo- $9.99

Conditioner- $9.99

Leave In Moisture/Conditioner- $11.99

Moisture Balm- $11.99

Accessibility:

All products from this collection can be found at retailers such as Ulta, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and several others, as well as online.  To locate a retailer closest to you please visit:  https://www.proganixbeauty.com/find-a-store/

Packaging:

Shampoo & Conditioner- squeeze tube (easy for dispensing...no need to turn the bottles upside down)

Leave In Conditioner- Spray bottle (easy dispensing)

Moisture Balm- Pump bottle (Easy to dispense initially but you will need to remove pump to dispense product as you get closer to finishing the container)

Ingredients:

Shampoo: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Coco/Isostearamide, Glycol Distearate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Dimethicone, Amodimethicone, Glycerin, Coco-Betaine, Laureth-4, Laureth-23, Polyquaternium-6, Polyquaternium-10, Trideceth-12, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PEG-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cetrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum).

Conditioner: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Polyquaternium-37, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Glycol Distearate, Glycol Stearate, DMDM Hydantoin, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum).

Leave In Moisture/Conditioner: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Isododecane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cyclopentasiloxane, Stearalkonium Chloride, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum).

Moisture Balm: Water (Aqua), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), PEG-200, Dimethicone, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Polyquaternium-37, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Polysorbate 20, Cyclopentasiloxane, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance (Parfum).

Scent:

Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave In Moisture/Conditioner, and Moisture Balm are all tropical scented.  For some reason it reminds me of a piña colada.

Claim To Fame:

Shampoo: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free. Gentle lather. 

Conditioner: Transforms thirsty hair.

Leave In Moisture: Transforms thirsty hair.  Replenishes moisture.

Moisture Balm: Assists with flyaways

Overall Impressions:

Shampoo: 

*Lathers gently as promised without leaving hair feeling stripped. 

*The fragrance only makes it worth repurchasing. 

*Rinses out easily

*Easy Dispensing (Always a plus in the shower)

*A little goes a long way

Conditioner:

*Used with my Huetiful steamer.  The first time I used it I also did not wash it out immediately.  Second time I was able to rinse out immediately following steaming.  Rinses away easily.

*Smells great

*Provides tons of slip for detangling purposes.  I did not detangle my hair prior to conditioning.  Left my hair feeling moisturized as promised.

Leave In Moisture/Conditioner:

*Has a nice consistency...not too watery and not too thick

*Smells great

*Spray distributes product perfectly

Moisture Balm:

*I used this product on dry and damp hair.

*This product created great definition on both dry and damp hair.

*Hair looked and felt moisturized.

*Product left hair smelling amazing!  People could literally smell my hair from a distance

*This product maintained definition provided it was not humid outdoors.  My hair became undefined yet stylish when the humid was higher.  I would describe it as a semi-curled, wavy, Diana Ross type afro. 

*The only "bad" thing was the pump style bottle.  These tend to be a tad cumbersome when the product is closer to being finished.  You can combat that with a beauty spoon or craft stick.

All in all I liked the selection of products and would use them again. 

Here are some photos of my hair using the Proganix Quench collection: 

https://flipagram.com/f/hmDcB1urga