beauty blog – Page 2 – Hoots of a Night Al

Herbal Essences bio:renew Naked Volume White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint Shampoo and Conditioner

January 10, 2017 No Comments

Herbal Essences bio:renew Naked Volume White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint Shampoo and Conditioner was recently sent to me to test out, and I can’t say enough good things about it!

Herbal Essences has been around forever, and I have always loved it. This new line is just the next step in making their brand even better. The bio:renew line is crafted with antioxidants, aloe, and sea kelp to help add new life and volume to your hair.

There are actually nine different collections in this line, but I need all the help I can get in the volume department, so I selected the Naked Volume shampoo and conditioner.

I was happily surprised with the results! It didn’t give me Dolly Parton hair (thankfully), but it definitely pumped up the volume! (Pump of the volume, pump up the volume, dance, dance.)

Any little bit helps with my hair, since it’s generally very flat. Like flat as a pancake flat. Even as I was rinsing out the shampoo and conditioner in the shower, I could already feel more volume. That may sound silly, but I promise, it’s true!

My favorite part is probably the scent. It’s a delicious layer of grapefruit, peach, and mint. I love mint-scented anything, but the addition of citrus really pushed it over the top!

I know I got this for free to sample, but I will definitely be buying it again in the future. I must mention that I generally don’t use this every time I wash my hair. I think it makes my scalp have itchy buildup more frequently (TMI? Sorry.). That said, it definitely lives up to its claims of increasing volume.

I don’t have color-treated hair, but it claims to be safe on color-treated hair, as well. If you’re looking for a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up the Herbal Essences bio:renew Naked Volume White Grapefruit & Mosa Mint Shampoo and Conditioner next time you’re at the grocery store! Thankfully, it sells at drugstore prices, so if it doesn’t work well for you, you aren’t out much!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I received this product for free to review, but, as always, all opinions are my own.

Beauty

L’Oreal Pure Clay Masks

December 6, 2016 3 Comments

L’Oreal Skin recently released 3 Pure-Clay Masks, and I was lucky enough to be sent some to try out. Each of the masks are $12.99 and are supposed to treat different types of skin issues or concerns. I have tried out each mask a few times, so I wanted to share my opinions with you.

L’Oreal launched these pure-clay masks with the already popular concept of multi-masking. Basically, you use a different mask on different areas of concern on your face. For example, if you have an oily T-Zone and dry, patchy cheeks, you’d apply one mask to your T-Zone and a different mask to your cheeks. You can see an example of me multi-masking below.

The red algae pure-clay mask claims to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog and tighten pores using three pure clays and red algae. This mask takes 10-15 minutes and is supposed to leave your skin glowing and smooth. I think this is the least transformative of the masks. It works fine as an exfoliant, but don’t expect any huge differences from using it. I think it may work best over the long term as a gentle exfoliant 2-3 times a week.

The black charcoal pure-clay mask claims to use three pure clays and charcoal to improve dull and tired-looking skin. This is supposed to work as sort of a detox mask and help draw impurities out of the skin. My skin definitely didn’t react well to this mask. I have fairly sensitive skin, and when I washed this mask off my face was BRIGHT red. Like Rudolph’s nose red. It was very tender for quite awhile afterwards also. I would use this mask in moderation or if you know you don’t have sensitive skin.

The final mask is the green eucalyptus pure-clay mask and is my favorite. This mask uses three pure clays and eucalyptus and is recommended for oily and shiny skin. It is supposed to help purify and clarify your skin if you have clogged pores and leave your face looking matte but refreshed. This mask didn’t over dry or irritate my skin, and I saw an immediate improvement in some of my breakouts. This mask is my favorite because it definitely improves my skin, while being gentle enough to use multiple times a week.

Overall, I’m very pleased with these L’Oreal Skin Pure Clay Masks. At just over ten dollars, they’re a great value considering I’ll be able to get roughly twenty to thirty uses out of each jar. Also, the glass jars feel more luxurious and well-made than many other drugstore products.

While I was sent these for free, I could see myself repurchasing the eucalyptus mask in the future. Have you tried these before? What were your thoughts? I know masks seem to be all the rage right now; are there any you recommend?

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I received these products for free, and all opinions, as always, are my own.

Beauty

Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon

November 30, 2016 2 Comments

I recently received three of Bite Beauty’s Matte Crème Lip Crayons to sample and review. As described by Bite, they’re “A collection of lip crayons in timeless matte shades that provide superior hydration. Bite Beauty’s latest breakthrough formula boasts a collection of beautiful nudes, striking reds, and deep burgundies with a matte yet moist texture. The secret is the moisture-locking power of orange peel wax along with the antioxidant properties of resveratrol. Each gorgeous shade is water-resistant and long wearing.”

Read on to see what I thought!

First of all the packaging is so slick. It’s a matte smoky gray with the Bite logo in a subtle gloss at the bottom. I love how chic they look! The cap securely clicks on and off, so I know there’s not risk of them coming open in my purse. I do wish there was a small color indicator of which shade was which on the exterior however, so I don’t to find the tiny name to read each time. Not a huge issue, just a personal preference.

The colors I received are Glacé, Red Velvet, and Cava, as seen above. Let me walk you through each shade!

Glacé

Glacé is described as a dusty mauve, which is accurate. This shade has quickly become my go-to everyday shade, since it goes with basically any daytime look I create. I love natural shades like this. If you’re looking for a lipcolor you can get tons of wear out of, I recommend Glacé without hesitation. A similar drugstore option with a slightly more matte look is Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry.

Cava

Cava is listed as a lilac beige shade. It is one of the most unique lipcolors I own. Personally, I prefer a bolder lipstick on myself, but I could see this being popular with a lot of people. It’s a great “nude” (not a literal nude hopefully…if someone’s natural lips are purple, they’re most likely freezing or suffocating. Please help them out.). I’d love to see how it looks on someone not as fair-skinned as me. Cava would be great paired with a darker smoky eye.

Red Velvet

Red Velvet is a rich, deep red. Who can resist a classic red? Not this girl. Red Velvet is a great red to add to anyone’s collection as it glides on smoothly, doesn’t bleed, and should be flattering to most skin tones. I wear this shade almost as often as Glacé, since I’m a big believer in red lipstick whenever you can squeeze it in. 🙂 A similar drugstore option with a slightly more matte look is Revlon Matte Balm in Standout.

As you can see, the Bite Matte Crème Lip Crayons offer lots of diversity in their color choices. Overall, I’m very pleased with these! I wouldn’t consider them a matte, as they always retain some shine and are not transfer-proof. I always have to reapply after I eat with one of these on. However, they don’t bleed and are very moisturizing, which I love. This would be a great demi-matte option for people who don’t like drying, matte lipsticks.

They “crayon” shaped tube is nice, since the smaller tip allows for easier application. These are nice if you have thinner lips or just like a skinnier product.

Finally, I wanted to mention that these have a strong tea scent. It fades after application, but when applying, they smell just like tea leaves to me! If you’re sensitive to smells, I’d give these a whiff in person before purchasing.

Overall, I’d recommend these to anyone looking for a good, moisturizing, relatively long-wearing lipstick. They are exclusive to Sephora, but some can be found on Amazon at the links I included above. Have you tried any of the other shades? Let me know!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I received these products for free from Influenster, and all opinions, as always, are my own.

Beauty

5 Amazing Lip Balms

November 2, 2016 2 Comments

Every fall and winter, temperatures drop, and we turn on our heaters. For me, that leads to dry, chapped lips. In case that’s you, too, here are five lip balms that never fail to moisturize my lips!

Chapstick Classic Spearmint

Chapstick has been around for years, and there’s a reason for that. This timeless classic has such a great formula that hydrates your lips without making them too slick or sticky. It also doesn’t make your lips look shiny at all for the days you’re feeling a totally natural look.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

This balm has a dual-purpose as it provides both moisture and a beautiful color to your lips. My favorite colors in this line are Honey and Crush, but they have several gorgeous options. It’s great to wear when your lips need some hydration, but you want to rock a lipcolor as well!

eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm

Have you ever wondered what “eos” stands for? evolution of smooth. How fun is that? I have always loved the packaging of eos lip balms; the unique shape makes them so easy to find when I’m digging around in my purse. Plus, their wide range of flavors is fun to explore. My favorite is Honeydew, but I love so many of them!

Neosporin Lip Health Overnight Renewal Therapy

I have been using this product every night for the last couple of years, and I love it. On the rare nights I forgot to apply it, I woke up with painfully dry lips in the morning. It soaks in throughout the night, and I wake up with moisturized, soft lips to take on the day!

Blistex Ultra-Rich Hydration

This is my favorite lip balm to apply for instant hydration and moisture. I love that it is scent and flavor-free for times when I don’t want either. The ingredients in the inner and outer cores combine to leave my lips feeling healthy and conditioned. Plus, it has the added benefit of SPF 15.

Did I leave out any of your favorite lip balms or remedies for chapped lips? Let me know!

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I was compensated for this post, but, as always, all opinions are my own.

Beauty

Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor in Always Sienna

October 4, 2016 2 Comments

Fall is upon us, which means it’s the perfect time of year for warm, neutral lip products! I mean, I suppose they’re perfect year round, but they feel especially appropriate this season!

The Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolor in Always Sienna is the perfect fall shade. It’s a warm, mauve shade with slight brown tones.

The Revlon ColorStay Overtime Lipcolors are dual ended lip products that include the lipcolor on one end and a clear gloss on the other. The lipcolor has a doefoot applicator, and the lipgloss has a brush applicator.

According to the directions, you’re supposed to apply the lipcolor first, wait for it to dry, and then apply the gloss on top. In theory, you shouldn’t need to apply the color again, but you can add more gloss as needed.

I applied the lipcolor first (as instructed), and I hated the texture! It felt so sticky and tight on my lips, so I assumed I would hate it regardless. However, once it dried, I applied the gloss on top, and it made a world of difference! With the gloss layered over the lipcolor, it adds moisture back into your lips, and takes away any feelings of discomfort the lipcolor causes. Apparently the gloss contains chamomile and soy extract to help moisturize the lips.

I’m normally not a gloss person. I love how it looks, but I hate how my hair gets in it and, inevitably, smears it across my face. That is definitely just a personal preference though, and has nothing to do with the quality of the product. 🙂 Also, the gloss eventually wears off with this product, leaving you with just a non-sticky beautiful lip color.

I love the shade of Always Sienna, and I was AMAZED at the staying power! Revlon claims the product can stay on up to 16 hours, and I’d believe it. It stayed put on me through eating and drinking for at least 12 hours. It isn’t transfer proof, but the color was still totally visible after all that time.

The gloss wore off quicker than the color, but even when it wore off, the moisturizing components helped my lips feel comfortable. I chose not to reapply the gloss because I preferred the demi-matte look of the lipcolor without having to deal with my hair getting stuck to my lips. 🙂

During that time I didn’t notice any feathering or bleeding, which was impressive. Glosses usually slip and slide around my lips and always bleed. Perhaps since the lipcolor sets first, it helps prevent feathering.

Overall the formula is very unique, and I’m pleased with the color payoff and wear time. If you have extremely dry lips, you may want to avoid this product. I think the lipcolor setting down may bother you too much, but otherwise give this product a try. They have almost 30 colors to choose from, so there’s something for everyone!

Primer: Nivea Men Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Setting Powder: e.l.f. Studio HD Translucent Powder

Eyeliner: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx

Eyeshadow: Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

Eyeshadow Primer: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded

Mascara: Covergirl Super Sizer Fibers Mascara

Blush: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Palette

Highlighter: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Palette

Bronzer: Physicans Formula Bronze Booster

Lipstick: Revlon Colorstay Overtime Lipcolor in Always Sienna

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!