product review Archives - Twenty Something Plus

May 18, 2016

When Face Masks Review + Which to Use When

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

I have tried a number of different skincare products, but I have to say that When Face Masks are some of the best. So, I was beyond thrill to partner with When to share about my experience with their face masks.

After trying, I found that each of the masks felt and worked pretty similarly. Not surprising, since the main ingredients are essentially the same. Opening a packet and taking out the mask inside initially makes you think what have you gotten yourself into. These masks are thick! But after you remove the paper and whatnot, you are left with what is still a pretty thick but completely manageable product.

This is no 10 minute mask, so I highly recommend using these when you have some serious downtime. Like most masks, these feel a little cold on your face. And this is where I found the masks started to vary. I found that 10:00 PM stayed cool and left my face looking younger. Not years younger, but definitely less tired. Whereas, Snow Magic seemed to warm up a bit. It made my skin feel kind of tight and let my face with more of a healthy glow.

Here’s which When Face Mask to use when:

10:00 PM

Stay out a little too late with your girls?

Tired?

Or even worse, do you look it?

10:00 PM is the face mask you need. It restores the moisture in your skin using coconut juice, hyaluronic acid, and ginseng and watermelon extracts.

Snow Magic

If your skin is looking dull, then I recommend Snow Magic.

Kind of similar to 10:00 PM, it nourishes your skin, but in addition to moisturizing, it also leaves your face bright and glowing.

No highlighter required.

Travelmate

Going on vacation?

Make sure to pack Travelmate!

It’s ideal after a day spent at the beach, using chamomile and Swiss Alpine herb extracts to soothe your skin.

Regardless of which mask you use, the key is to apply the mask you need for 30 minutes and then massage in the excess serum.

Spa day, anyone?

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April 25, 2016

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

Even Better Clinical

Facial discoloration is something that I’ve gotten really good at hiding. I have tried products that seemed to work, only to still have darks spot after using them.

At a photo shoot, while I was getting my makeup done the makeup artist asked if I had any issues with my face. I shared about my acne scars, which she assured me weren’t nearly as big a concern as I was feeling they were. But she said that if I was looking for a treatment, I should give Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector a try.

You have to apply the serum twice a day to see results. It’s prescription strength and after 12 weeks you should see up to 58% improvement.

This stuff is not cheap. I got the smallest size (4 week supply) and it set me back about $50. I didn’t want to invest in a 12 week supply ($144.50) if I didn’t notice a difference after four weeks, which the product assures you should start to notice improvement around them.

I only just starting using it and will be sharing about my experience over time. So, make sure to check back in for my first update!

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April 13, 2016

#MAKEYourself

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links.

MAKE Beauty is one of my top ten makeup brands. They make my absolute favorite lip gloss, plus they are all about collaboration. They select makeup artists and expert artisans to help inspire their color palettes. If you don’t already, you really should be doing your homework on the brands you use.

If you don't already, you really should be doing your homework on the brands you use. Click To Tweet

When I like a brand as much as I do MAKE Beauty, even if I’ve tried a product or two before, I usually want to try their entire line. Financially that isn’t a possibility, so I literally pounced on the opportunity to sample their Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster and Silk Cream Lipstick in Taffy.

Lighter shades aren’t typically my thing, but I am totally digging these for spring. The samples may look tiny, but they pack a lot of punch!

The full size versions cost $25 each. They also have a $10 sample kit that includes two eyeshadows and a lip color, and a percentage of their sales is donated to their non-profit partner, We See Beauty Foundation.

If you’re interested in giving MAKE Beauty a try, use the code MAKEYOURSELF for 20% off sitewide! (This code is only valid until this Friday.)

February 20, 2015

Ubuntu Oils are the New Moroccan Oil

Moroccan oil is so 2014.

The new generation of oils?

Baobab oil, Mafura oil, Marula oil, and Mongongo oil are the four oils used in the newest product line from Lee Stafford, Ubuntu oils from Africa. These oils are all super hydrating and restore dry, damaged hair. The line is exclusive to Ulta and doesn’t cost much at all!

My personal thoughts?

I could not have gotten the chance to try this at a better time! My hair has been so dry lately. It was shedding pretty badly, to point where I was very seriously debating whether or not I should just shave it all off.

I recommend Ubuntu oils from Africa to anyone who wants to improve the condition of their hair. Or anyone who just wants their hair to smell nice, because this stuff smells unbelievably amazing! (It’s kind of fruity, but not in a citrusy way.)

Since using Ubuntu oils from Africa, my hair hasn’t grown to Rapunzel length proportions or anything like that, but it does feel healthier and that’s all I really cared about. That and the fact that once I run out I don’t have to scrimp and save, I just run to Ulta and by more. Afterall, I am an ULTAmate Rewards member now…

October 29, 2014

Bold Brows

It isn’t hard to tell that bold brows are totally in right now.

But unfortunately for me, in high school I discovered tweezers. It was pretty much all downhill from there.

While, as hard I as pray, I will never have the eyebrows of Cara Delevingne, I can work with what I’ve got.

The 2+1 for Brows is great for keeping the brow hair I have left in place and giving them substance to pass off as thick and full. And while 2+1 for Brows isn’t currently available at any retailers, it can be purchased at www.pauladorf.com.

+ Use code BROWBRUSH for a free Brow Brush with any 2+1 for Brows purchase!

This post was a sponsored post, powered by BrandBacker.

March 27, 2014

Select Your Shade, But Not Mine

Benefit Cosmetics is one of my top five makeup/beauty brands. I’d been wanting to sample their new Big Easy multi-balancing complexion perfector (think BB/CC cream), and when one of the three free sample options from Sephora happened to be all the shades, I thought, PERFECT!

Then I got it and read, ‘find your shade,’ but none of the options looked even remotely close to my complexion.

I have darker skin, but would be typically considered ‘dark’ more so than ‘deep’. Shade 06-deep/beige, the darkest shade, looked like I could maybe get away with it, maybe…

But, no, not unless I wanted to look really, really washed out. So, instead I will continue using my current go-to BB cream and call it a day. While I was a little disappointed, I was extremely grateful that I hadn’t shelled out the $40 like I’d wanted to, and encourage you to find sample sizes when trying new products so you don’t invest in something that may not work for you. I came up with a list of other products that are good alternatives for dark skin.

Alternatives for Dark Skin:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer
Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme
bareMinerals Foundation
Maybelline BB Cream
Smashbox BB Kit

What do you use?

March 25, 2014

Travel Lite

I recently stayed at the Killington Grand Resort and everything was picturesque. And I mean, everything, from the marvelous mountain view to the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

Yes, even the makeup removing wipes in the bathroom!

I had heard of La Fresh, and seen it around the internet, but never gotten the chance to try anything from their line…until my stay. Of course I had packed my own makeup removing product but I HAD to try the Travel Lite Makeup Remover Wipes, and after a great late night yoga sesh, the last thing I wanted to do was wash my face before bed.

No smudging or smearing, just gone. I am without a doubt switching to these! That’s not to say that I won’t use anything else, but when traveling or just on the go in general, I will need to make sure to have these on me for sure!

Do you have a favorite makeup remover? Have you tried La Fresh? Share your thoughts!

March 16, 2014

Oh Snap!

I am constantly misplacing my razor handles. When I travel, packing them is such a bother so I end up quickly shaving beforehand and wearing pants when the stubble starts to show.

When I heard about the Gillette Venus Snap with Embrace, I was intrigued. Mostly because after miss placing my latest razor handle, I gave up and used the razor head by itself. Yeah, that was fun…

So when it came out, I bought one off of Drugstore.com*. I used it the day after I got it and was pleasantly surprised. I expected to like it and use it as an alternative but I actually like it way better than a regular handle. I feel like I have more control.

Now I want to get another one to keep in my travel bag so I have on when on the go and one at home. They only come with one razor head, but they cost less then other razor handles that come with two and they work the refills so it really is worth it. Hello, new favorite product!

Do you have favorite shaving products? Think you’ll try the new Snap with Embrace? Share in the comments!

*For a limited time get $5 off when you spend $30 on Gillette or Gillette Venus products.