Physicians Formulas Shimmer Strips Review + Swatches

A photo posted by Jacqueline (@jaqinator) on Sep 12, 2014 at 11:18am PDT

Posting this super late, oops.  Hi everyone!

Here are swatches of the Physicians Formulas Shimmer Strips All-in-1 Custom Nude Palette for Face & Eyes.  Each one is with two swipes. I like it! Mostly the more bronze (8-12) type of colors since they make my blue eyes pop (I personally rather use these as shadows). 

This palette is said to be used as the following: Shadow, Eyeliner, Bronzer, Blush, or highlighter.  As with most products that promote multiple ways to use it, the shadows won't have extreme staying power or pigmentation.  This rings true with the lighter colors, which are mostly used as a highlighter or blush (Top two rows).

I found these to be soft, and not chalky, and they were smooth when applying. It does a great job at giving you a subtle shiny and glowing type of look.  While I did love this product, I did find that the shades would swipe and fade away easily after leaving it there for a while.  This can be due to user error, since I did not wear any sort of primer. 

 In conclusion: There are SOO many products that have these exact same shades, or have better staying power.  What sets this apart from others is the texture and smoothness of it. It does give you a glowing appearance without seeming chalky or packed onto your face.


*Note: While each row is made for a specific purpose, you can mix and match to your liking.
These retail for: $13.95 online, but in some places you can get this for about $10 in stores.

TrimStyle 2 in 1 Razor Review

Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor

Like all razors and trimmers, you should always make sure you use something to moisturize and give a slick 'canvas' in order to ensure that it'll catch more hair.  I have been using this for a few months and found that it worked pretty well, if not a tad bit better than my previous razor.

The TrimStyle is a dual ended grooming item that has a razor on one end, and a trimmer on the other.  In the center, where you twist it off, lies the battery.  Do not worry, for the TrimStyle is waterproof and won't mess up if you use it in the shower.

The razor end is just like any female razor- it comes with a moisturizing strip to help shave off any hair. However I have found that this makes it become super sticky and it starts leaving too much residue that sticks everywhere.  I personally prefer using my own shaving cream or gel (or as a last resort- soap works too), rather than solely rely on the moisturizing strip of the razor.  Otherwise, I have found that this works perfectly fine and doesn't nip me. (*Note: I generally wet the area I'm going to shave, with hot water, which  tends to 'open up' the pores, and let the hair cut off smoothly. I do this first before applying any shaving cream or gel. )

The trimmer side was a new thing for me.  I have never used one before, and was a bit scared and hesitant.  The trimmer has a mini comb on it, that you can push up or take off completely.   For me, I found it easier to remove it all together, since it provided a easier trim.  I like it.  It trimmed close to the skin and didn't leave too much noticeable black  hair spots.  Also remember: Don't shave or trim against hair growth.  I have learned this the hard way, and got a few nips and cuts, and ingrown hairs.  I also found that this vibration was a bit too loud for me. (To be fair, this is because I live with my family, and they tend to question every little noise that comes from me.)

Overall, I really do like this.  The only downsides for me was that it the moisturizing strip leaves behind a sticky mess and that the trimmer end vibrated too loudly for my taste.  This, however, does not stop it from being a pretty great razor.  I think another positive is that this can be found for $10 in walmart. I'm not sure if that was on sale, or if it's the same in other stores.


*Note: I got this free from Bzzagent as part of the 'Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor' campaign. All opinions are my own.*

Double Review- April and May Ipsy 2015- LAST MONTHS

 Hi everyone! So sadly my streak with Ipsy has ended.  The last few months have been disappointing,  and I feel as if I keep getting the same item over and over. With that said, here are the double reviews of April and May Ipsy 2015.

x[ April Ipsy 2015 ]x

Contents:

JulieG- Nail Color in Damsel
A pretty hot pink color.  I don't use nail polish, so this will be given to a friend or to my mother.

Klorane- Dry shampoo with oat milk natural tint
I tried this a few times and didn't see any drastic result.  This left a streak of white powder in my hair, which I assume is the tint.  It smells fine but I would not repurchase.  

theBalm Cosmetics- NUDE Dude Eyeshadow Single in Flirty
What a gorgeous color this is! It's a brownish purple shimmer eyeshadow.  I am ashamed to admit it but I have not fully played with it.  It's too cute to mess up!

MicaBeauty- Eye primer
Basic eyeshadow primer.  Nothing too special.  I didn't notice anything dramatic about it.

Starlooks- Satin Finish Lip gloss in Cuddle
I'm pretty sure I received a starlooks lip gloss before in another bag. This looks like a copper brown-neutral type of color.

Bonus Item:  NYX Cosmetics Butter lipstick in - Susie Pop
I kind of love this lipstick.  It's a nice hot pink that you can layer up to make it more bolder and almost neon.  I love how smooth this lipstick is, and doesn't go into the creases of my lips.

All the items together.

Opened eyeshadow and primer.

x[ May Ipsy 2015 ]x

Contents:

Briogeo- Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
I have not touched this.  I have received so much hair products over the past few months, it's getting hard to review them all when I can't put too much things in it, due to psoriasis in my scalp. 

Urban Decay- 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil in Ozone (+ sample of Revolution high color lipgloss)
This lip pencil goes on clear and will help prevent feathering (when the lipstick runs around and smudges everywhere).  This is always great to have on hand, especially when dealing with darker bold colors such as purple or red.  I have not tried any of the sample glosses.

BellaPierre Cosmetics- Waterproof Mineral Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Ebony
This has become my go-to eyeliner.  This is a nice gel eyeliner in a charcoal-black looking color. You can use it in the waterline or on the eyelid and it won't smudge nor flake.  It can last a few hours on your eyes without looking faded, even in extreme hot humid weather.  The only downside for me is that the pencil tip is super soft and breaks off easily. 

AMIE- Morning Dew Matte- Finish Mositurizer
I have not tried this.

Luxie Beauty - Tapered Blending Eye brush 205
This is such an amazing brush.  Usually I would never say this because I don't see the 'big deal' about brushes.  But after trying this for weeks, and feeling it...it has become my go-to eyeshadow brush.  The handle is a nice smoothie/pastel looking pink, whereas the bristles are super soft to the touch.  When I use this to blend my eyeshadow, it doesn't pull or prick at my eyes (compared to the cheap $1 ones you can find).



Overall:  These were my final months of Ipsy.  I cancelled it because I was getting the same type of thing over and over, and most of them will never be used.  On the plus side, I did managed to find a few favorite items within these last two months, but I don't think it was worth all that money.

Bonus Image:

A photo posted by Jacqueline (@jaqinator) on Jul 9, 2015 at 3:50pm PDT

Image above shows me wearing: 
Used: Luxe 205 tampered blending brush (from ipsy)
Wearing:  Bella pierre cosmetics gel eyeliner in Ebony (from ipsy),  Nyx butter lipstick in Little susie (from ipsy)

Double Review- February and March Ipsy 2015

Hello everyone! Welcome to another Jaqtastic Review! Today I will be reviewing the February and March Ipsy bags of 2015. So late. I need to find a better way to transfer my phone pictures.

February Ipsy 2015

This months bag was one of the only ones I liked all year.  Its a diamond patterned pink and grey bag.  I have no idea what type of material it is, but it was sturdy enough. 

Contents:

Emite Make up - Professional Eye Lash Curler
I don't use products like this and frankly after many reports of this breaking apart on people...I just threw it away in some corner. I'm not willing to risk someone I care about, or me , to hurt themselves over this.

ModelCo- BLUSH Cheek Powder
This is such a beautiful peachy gold! It really is too bad that I don't wear blush at all. Though this is making me want to go out and try it.

Demeter Fragrance Library- First Love Roll On Perfume Oil
At first I didn't like how this smelled. It was overly sweet and floral and kind of a generic scent you'll recognize when you randomly walk by someone.  It reminds me a bit of how detergent smells like. However, after trying a few times and letting it linger on my skin longer, I found that I might like this.  It starts off sweet, but ends in a clean 'after shower' type of scent.  It's nice I suppose.

City Color- Creamy Lip Stain in Flirtini
This was perhaps my favorite item in the whole bag. Which, to be fair, is not really at all surprising since I am a lip junkie. The stain was super pigmented, as you can see in the swatch above, and such a gorgeous pink. It is creamy, and a little goes a long way. The downside is that it smells horribly of chemicals.

Mitchell and Peach- Fine Radiance Face Oil
I like using face products, however I never got to try this.  I already have too much face oils to try out. Still, these are always useful.


Overall, the month of February was not too exciting.  I have not found myself reaching for any of the products.


                                                               March Ipsy 2015
The month of march had another loely bag.  It was blue and floral, and kind of abstract looking.

Contents: