Tag: face

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Blog Health + Beauty Lifestyle

Benefit Brow Bar Experience

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I love a nice, thick eyebrow. I fill my eyebrows in with the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Beauty Express For Brows and Eyes and I’m usually pretty pleased with how they turn out, but I haven’t ever really had them “shaped”.

Filled in with Anastasia Beauty Express
Surprise! Lots of stray hairs; not a very “clean” look + my “brow-hawk” ^

I’ve attempted to use the stencils in the Anastasia kit but they never worked for me. I’ve drawn the lines for my “perfect ratio”, but was always reluctant to tweeze in case I took too much and messed up my face. So, I left my caterpillars alone and I told myself that I was “growing them out so I could get them professionally done”.

Filled in with Anastasia Beauty Express
Filled in with Anastasia Beauty Express

So, when I started hearing more about the Benefit Brow Bar, I thought this would be a good time for me to clean up my brows and get them professionally shaped. I’ve had my brows waxed at the nail salon many years ago and I thought it turned out alright, but they just cleaned up the stray hairs; they didn’t map out the best shape for my face.

There’s a Brow Bar in a nearby Macy’s and an Ulta, but I opted to go to the one in Ulta because the Macy’s one had a few bad reviews. I’m all about the reviews; I always check places that I’m interested in going! If any of you are the same way, I hope this experience review helps you out! 🙂

muffinchanel benefit ulta brow bar experience review




So, I go over to the Benefit section of Ulta and two estheticians are already with clients. One of the girls asked me if I had an appointment, and I told her no & asked if they took walk-ins. She said that she could take me in 5 minutes. So I looked around for a while before she called me over.

muffinchanel benefit ulta brow bar experience review

I sat in the chair and told her that I just wanted a brow wax. They also do brow tinting and lip waxing. She had me sign a waiver that basically says that Benefit is not responsible if you breakout or get a rash from the wax and that you acknowledge that you aren’t taking accutane or using retinol.

Brow Mapping

She walked me through the process since this was my first time and cleansed by brows with a cotton ball and some solution. She then used the Brow Mapping technique to find that perfect ratio for my face and drew lines with a brown makeup crayon. I looked at the outline in the mirror and she asked if I liked the shape or if I wanted my brows to be thinner. I told her I wanted a fuller brow and she told me that she was going to wax everywhere outside of the lines she drew. She then used a spoolie to comb all of my brow hairs up to trim them with scissors and then the same thing after brushing them down.

Waxing

muffinchanel benefit brow bar ulta macy's review experience before after

The wax was a pearly white color and she applied it with a thin wooden applicator. Everything was really sanitary and clean. She applied a cloth to the waxed area, pulled the skin taught, and pulled the cloth away. It didn’t hurt but it surprised me at first. The rest of the waxing was easy since I knew what to expect.

Cleaning/Soothing

After the wax, she used a cleanser to help remove any excess wax. She applied Almond Oil to help soothe and calm the redness & then she put on a moisturizer. She really let everything soak in and gave my face some time to relax.




Tweezing

She used a spoolie to comb through the hairs and help her get to the stray hairs that needed tweezing. There wasn’t much to be tweezed after the wax.

Styling

After everything, she used a concealer crayon above and below my brows, some foundation to help cover up the redness, and filled in my brows so that I wouldn’t look like I’d just gotten them done while running the rest of my errands.

Results

muffinchanel benefit brow bar ulta macy's review experience before after

Overall, I am super happy with the way they turned out and I will definitely go back. I knew that brows really framed your face and could change your look, but I didn’t realize what I was missing! My eyebrows look so clean and sharp now; it’s awesome! So happy I went! The service at the Benefit Brow Bar was great. I really appreciate how they take the time to explain each step of the process & how they touch up your makeup before you leave.

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Blog Health + Beauty

GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD | Review & SUPERMUD Comparison

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

Packaging

Muffinchanel glamglow youthmud tingleexfoliate black jar review sephora mud mask 2




I got the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD (.5 oz) as part of a gift set from Sephora. The kit came with the white jar SUPERMUD (1.2 oz.) in a pink/blue “reversible” gift box for $69. The kit is a good value because a 1.7 oz. size of either the YOUTHMUD or a 1.2 oz. size of the SUPERMUD alone would cost $69.  Still, 70 bucks is a lot to pay for a face mask. The packaging probably has something to do with the price — that Gift Sexy packaging is quite clever and the actual mask jars are weighty and substantial feeling. The YOUTHMUD jar was sealed with a foil seal (unlike the SUPERMUD).

YOUTHMUD
Muffinchanel glamglow youthmud tingleexfoliate black jar review sephora mud mask

The mud is a light brownish color with a few chunky bits here and there. The scent was subtle and clean/minty smelling; I actually liked it a lot.

Application

I applied the mask with a flat foundation brush. The mud is not too thick, but does have chunks of leaves and other ingredients in it. I sort of painted it all over my face, avoiding my eye area. The product spreads easily without being runny or super thick. I did apply the mask to my entire face, but you could also just use it as a spot treatment. With the .5oz. size, I estimate that I will get 1-2 more full face uses out of the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD.

Wear

I had read that this mask is “extremely” tingly/stingy. All the reviews I’d read recommend not using the mask if you had been tanning or using a retinol recently as it might make your skin extra sensitive and cause a rash/breakout. The mask was slightly tingly about a minute after I applied it & that feeling lasted a couple minutes. It wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I let the mask dry for about 30 minutes and it dried to a smooth, light grey color. The mask felt slightly tight and there were visible chunks of leaf all over.

Removal

To remove the mask, I splashed a little bit of water on my face to loosen it up and get rid of that tight feeling. I then softly rubbed my face in small circular motions. The mask has very fine, sand-like particles inside that worked to exfoliate and remove any dull/dry skin.  The mask was easy to remove in warm water and then I patted my face dry with a towel.

Results

I quite like this mask a lot. I didn’t experience extreme stinging/tingling/burning like I’d heard, the smell was pleasant, and the fine exfoliating particles left my skin feeling soft and smooth. My skin was glowing and had a nice, rosy (not irritated) flush look. My skin felt only slightly tight/dry after but I felt that it really prepped my skin to absorb my serums and nighttime treatments.

Comparison

If you haven’t read my full review on the SUPERMUD, you can check it out HERE.




This will be a quick side-by side comparison between these two masks:

MuffinChanel comparison supermud youthmud glamglow mud masks

Both masks are great and I think they work well together. If I had to choose only one, I’d get the GLAMGLOW YOUTHMUD in the black jar because I like the exfoliation and it’s a better value.

What do you think of the GLAMGLOW mud masks? Which is your favorite?

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Blog Health + Beauty

Josie Maran Complexion Care Package

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I was so excited when I saw the Josie Maran Complexion Care Package on QVC. The set comes with 5 full sized products:

muffinchanel-josie-maran-argan-oil-5-piece-complexion-care-package-qvc-1024x750

  • 1.7-fl oz Argan Tinted Moisturizer
  • 0.1-oz Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon
  • 2.2-fl oz Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil
  • 1.7-fl oz 100% Pure Argan Oil
  • 0.55-oz Argan Color Stick in Dreamy Pink

I already love the Argan Oil, but I was interested in trying some of the cosmetics. The set was the Today’s Special Value when I ordered it, so I got everything for $59 + tax/shipping (retail value: $156). I’ll get a few more uses out of everything before I do a review.

UPDATE: Full review here!

The packaging is nice and I’m pleased with the value. I’d never tried the Infinity Cream or any of the Josie Maran makeup.

muffinchanel-josie-maran-argan-oil-5-piece-complexion-care-package-qvc4-1024x893muffinchanel-josie-maran-argan-oil-5-piece-complexion-care-package-qvc2-813x1024Each of the cosmetics is infused with Josie’s signature Argan Oil and all of the products are cruelty free and paraben free. ❤

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Blog Health + Beauty

DIOR Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm | REVIEW

CREME DE ROSE PACKAGING

muffinchanel-dior-creme-de-rose-lip-balm-smoothing-plumping-2-1024x768
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here.

The Dior Creme de Rose lip balm comes in a .25oz white, circular pot inside of a small box. The white pot is quite sleek and feels substantial but not overly heavy. There is a nice filigree around the edges of the lid of the pot and the ‘CD’ initials are engraved in the center. Very simple but it has a quality feel. The lid twists on/off and when you first open it, there is a thin protective layer of plastic covering the balm.

muffinchanel-dior-creme-de-rose-lip-balm-smoothing-plumping-4-1024x768There’s always the concern of potted balms not being hygienic because you’re dipping your fingers into the same pot and then smearing it on your lips, but I think it’s fine as long as you’re keeping your hands clean. You really should avoid touching your face at all unless your hands are clean but sometimes that’s just not practical. In the end, I’m more concerned with the results, so back to the review!



ROSE SCENT

The rose scent is amazing; not synthetic. I love roses and this smells just like the flower, but it’s subtle. I know some people aren’t a fan of rose scents so this may not be the product for you. The scent does, however, seem to wear off after 15-20 minutes.

BALM TEXTURE

The balm is light pink but is sheer on the lips. When you open the pot, the surface of the balm is quite firm; it’s like a barrier on the top because the balm is more creamy once you break through that layer. I don’t recommend just ramming your finger through the top layer though. Just keep using it like you’d use any balm, lightly rubbing your finger over the top. Otherwise, you’ll just end up wasting product and creating an unattractive crater in the balm.

The balm is thick, but not sticky or greasy. It feels smooth and silky on the lips — less waxy than Chapstick, but thicker and creamier than Rosebud Salve.

APPLICATION

You can use the Creme de Rose balm as a treatment — applying a thicker layer at night to the lips and area around the lips. When I wake up, my lips are always soft and feel hydrated; it really soaks into the lips.

Use as an everyday balm. Creme de Rose has SPF 10, so your newly soft lips will be protected from the UV rays. The balm penetrates deep down into your lips so you don’t need to reapply often to get that moisturized feeling.

Or you can use the balm as a primer for your lipstick or lipgloss. I like to use the Benetint lip stain on my lips and then apply the Creme de Rose on top. My lips feel great, but I have a festive red shining through without having to think about reapplying color throughout the night.

MY RESULTS

muffinchanel-dior-creme-de-rose-lip-balm-smoothing-plumping-3-1024x768I’ve been loving this balm! During these winter months, my lips have been smooth and soft which is amazing for me. My lips were always peeling or cracking before and I definitely didn’t help the situation by peeling the skin; gross, I know. My lips seemed to be really sensitive too. I’d been on the hunt for a hydrating/healing lip product and used all types of drugstore products, even medicated products, from Blistex to BabyLips with only temporary relief. So, the Creme de Rose lip balm definitely makes good on the “smoothing” claim.




As far as “plumping” goes, I don’t see my lips looking fuller, but I do feel that slight tingling feeling (very slight) that you feel with those plumping lip glosses. If anything, I can see how a healthier, more moisturized lip could appear fuller and plump.

I recommend Dior Creme de Rose to anyone who has dry, chapped lips or someone just looking for a nice hydrating lip treatment. I’ll continue to use it for many years to come.

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Blog Health + Beauty

GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Review

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

There is a lot of hype around the GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD clearing treatment mask; I’ve heard everyone rave about it. I wanted to give it a try but at $69 a jar, I wanted to see if I could find a better deal.

muffinchanel glamglow supermud mask reviewYou can buy the mask from Amazon for $37! But it seemed a little too good to be true, so I opted to buy the mask from Sephora (still slowly working my way to VIB Rouge…). You can buy the single cleansing mask for $69 OR you can buy it in a couple of kits that have bonus gifts HERE for the same price. Obviously the gift set is the best value, but I still didn’t want to pay $69, so I used a gift card I had and a 20% friend and family coupon. I ended up paying about $30 which felt like an acceptable price for this “miracle mask”. But does the SUPERMUD live up to the hype?





muffinchanel glamglow supermud mask review1Packaging

This kit was packaged nicely in a pink box that showcased both the SUPERMUD (1.2oz) and the YOUTHMUD (.5oz) . The box does a jacob’s ladder kind of fold that inverts the box so that blue packaging is revealed. Kind of neat; I guess if you’re giving the mask as gift and want to “customize” the packaging.

muffinchanel glamglow supermud mask review 2The actual jars are heavy and have a quality feel. I opened both jars and the black jar was sealed with a foil, but the white jar didn’t have a seal. In fact, there was mud coming up around the edges a little bit too, as if it had been opened. I read online that others have gotten the mud without a seal too, so maybe the white jar doesn’t come sealed? :/ It seemed odd, but the box the jars were in was sealed and the jar seemed “full/unused” so I just went with it.

SUPERMUD

The mud is dark and has a slightly minty smell — minty like the goo they use to take a mold of your teeth at the dentist, not the good kind of minty like breath mints. It’s not awful; don’t worry. There are small chunks of green tea leaves in the mask and it’s slightly watery. I think this mask would dry out easily if left open for longer than necessary.




Application

muffinchanel glamglow supermud mask review 5I stirred up the mask with a plastic stick before using. I used a flat makeup brush to apply the mask, avoiding my lips and eye areas. Since the mask is kind of watery, I didn’t need to apply too much to get coverage. Plus, I didn’t want to waste any or use more than necessary, so I just painted on a thin layer.

Continue reading “GLAMGLOW SUPERMUD Review”
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Blog Health + Beauty

Sephora Haul – Almost VIB Rouge!

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

Another Sephora Haul! Yay! I actually purchased these items over the course of a few weeks. I had two other Sephora gift cards and a 20% friends and family coupon to use and I got some great things! I am so close to VIB Rouge!

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour blush – Dazzled

muffinchanel sephora haul tarte amazonian clay blush dazzledI already showed a picture of this on Instagram. Instagram (Follow me! ❤) I love this color — sort of like a mauve-y rose with slight gold shimmer. I had heard lots of good things about this blush, but I decided I really wanted it after reading Vanessa’s blog: Let’s Talk Makeup. 🙂 I’ve only used it once, but so far I really like it. Review to come!

GLAMGLOW – SUPERMUD: Gift Sexy

muffinchanel sephora haul glamglow glam glow face mask clearing mud cleansing I’m super excited to try this out. I hear nothing but great things. Have any of you tried it? What did you think?

REVIEWS HERE!

Laura Mercier – Secret Brightening Powder

muffinchanel sephora haul laura mercier secret brightening powderI tried this out as a setting powder for my under eye concealer — amazing! The powder is super light; finely milled. It doesn’t settle into fine lines or make your concealer look cake. I love this so far.

Josie Maran – Moroccan Miracle Hair Duo with Argon Oil

muffinchanel sephora haul josie maran argan oil hair serum hot oilI saw this in the check out line and thought it would be nice to try this hair serum. It comes with a vile of the oil treatment which seems cool too.

Lancome – Hypnose Drama mascara

muffinchanel sephora haul lancome mascara hypnose dramaDefinitely my favorite mascara. I like how it builds without getting clumpy. The waxes seem moisturizing to the lashes and removal is super easy with my Purity cleanser.

Viktor & Rolf FlowerBomb – 250 Point Perk

muffinchanel sephora haul vib 250 point perk flower bomb flower bomb viktor rolf fragranceVIB Rouge Countdown: $34!!!

UPDATE: I unlocked VIB Rouge!

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Blog Health + Beauty

Sephora Haul!

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

My last Sephora Haul was back in August when they were having that promotion to earn 3x’s the points for VIB’s. This time, I had a 10% off coupon code from the “Beauty Fall” promotion and a gift card that my Prima gave me for my birthday. Thanks Prima 🙂

sephora beauty fall muffinchanelSo, I bought a couple of things, redeemed some beauty insider points, and of course got some free samples! Yay!

sephora haul muffinchanel opi gel benefitBENEFIT COSMETICS – It’s A Love Fest

This set is Limited Edition and Exclusive to Sephora. All I really wanted was the POREfessional face primer (because I got a free sample in my last Haul and loved it), but for only $6 more dollars, I get a full sized POREfessional, a full sized They’re Real mascara, a mini SunBeam highlighter, and a mini Coralista lip gloss! Yay!




sephora haul muffinchanel opi gel benefit love fest porefessional Such a great value. And it all comes in a cute “collector’s” tin which I can use to store things in. I’ve never used the SunBeam or Coralista so it’s nice to get to try out new products.

SEPHORA BY OPI – Gel French Manicure Kit

I selected this kit because it was a great value as well. Also Limited Edition, it comes with 2 gel polishes (White Hot and True Romantic), nail decals, and a applicator tool.

I prefer gel nail polish to regular polish because they’re easy to do and they last so much longer. (See application process HERE ). Plus, with this kit, I get everything for less than the two gel polishes would cost separately! (See what I used to create French Manicure gel nails HERE)

VIKTOR & ROLF – Flowerbomb

sephora haul flowerbomb muffinchanel opi gel benefit flower bombI redeemed 250 points to get this mini sample of my favorite fragrance. This is a great little travel size and it comes in the same signature bottle. Super cute!





Samples

I always like selecting the three free samples when ordering online. This time I got:

  • LANCÔME ÉNERGIE DE VIE Dullness Relief & Energy Recharge Daily Cream
  • Bumble & Bumble – Thickening Shampoo
  • BENEFIT COSMETICS – The POREfessional

P.S. I’m about $100 away from VIB Rouge.…kind of excited!

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Blog Health + Beauty

MARC JACOBS BEAUTY | Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation REVIEW

muffinchanel genius gel marc jacobs 22 bisque light reviewThis post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

Back in August, I told you about my Sephora haul where I picked up the MARC JACOBS BEAUTY Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation for my birthday. I’ve had a couple of months to use the product and I’m ready to give a review!

First off, there is NO SPF in this foundation and I am all about protecting my skin from the sun’s UV rays. I’ll use a sunscreen (usually Neutrogena’s dry touch SPF) as a moisturizer before applying the foundation.

Cost

$48 for 1oz. Kind of pricy, I think, for what you really are getting.

Packagingmuffinchanel genius gel marc jacobs 22 bisque light top off

The foundation comes in a sleek glass bottle with a shiny black cap that removes to reveal a pump dispenser. I always prefer a pump because it allows me to control the amount of foundation I use and it’s more hygienic than an open bottle or compact. The bottle is very substantial, and I’m sure that it’s part of that high price tag, but it’s heavy and kind of bulky if you were to travel with it.

Consistency

The formula really is different than other liquid foundations. The “gel” is almost smooth like a primer. It’s still runny like a liquid, but thicker and very light weight. The gel does make it nice to apply though and a little goes a long way. One pump can give me light coverage for my face and neck.

Continue reading “MARC JACOBS BEAUTY | Genius Gel Super-Charged Foundation REVIEW”
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Blog Health + Beauty

Glow, Baby! Glow! | Highlighters/ Luminizers

This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here

I love a nice ethereal glow on the face during winter — really all year long, but there’s something really pretty about a nice shimmer right above the cheekbones during the holidays.

Highlighters can give your skin a more youthful appearance. Not only can you apply it to the cheekbones, but also under the eyes, on your brow bone, down your nose, right above your lip — in your cupid’s bow, and along your clavicles.

Here are a few products to use to give you that holiday glow!

High Beam – Benefit

High Beam muffinchanel

I’ve used this for years and it’s great for a pinkish, metallic silver highlight. It’s a creamy, kind of watery consistency that comes in what looks like a nail polish bottle. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY with High Beam. I dot a small amount onto my cheekbones, under my eyebrows, and down my nose to highlight and just blend it out.

galadriel too much highlighter muffinchanel
Too much highlighter can give you an unnatural, frosty “glow”

Since it is very metallic, you may want to mix it with your moisturizer or some foundation before applying, to give it a more natural look.

Watts Up – Benefit

watt's up benefit muffinchanel

I really like this highlighter. It comes in a gel-like creme stick — like a chap stick. The consistency is similar to a chap stick too, maybe a little grainier and not sticky, but then it turns into a powdery feel. You can apply the product directly on your face and then use the opposite end of the stick, which has a little foam pad, to blend it out. I prefer to blend it with my fingers. The color is a kind of champagne gold with shimmer — a deeper colored highlighter. This might be a good highlighter for you if you have a tan complexion or if you prefer a highlighter without a pink undertone. Application is easy and it’s very forgiving if you apply too much.

Hello Light – it Cosmetics

muffinchanel it cosmetics

This gel/creme highlighter comes in a silver compact and is very subtle. I apply this with my fingers and as it comes in contact with your fingers, the product warms and becomes very easy to smooth on. It’s a pale white/silver shimmer color that gives a very natural, youthful look. Perfect for that happy, natural glow without looking like you are wearing a highlighter.

Candlelight – Too Faced

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This highlighter is a powder that comes in a mirrored compact. With real gold flecks in this slightly yellow powder, you’re sure to get a warmer glow to your complexion. It’s slightly sheer, but in the sun, you’ll see the subtle gold glow.

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Blog Health + Beauty

Lush Skincare – Ocean Salt & Mask of Magnaminty

muffinchanel lush cosmetics ocean salt mask of magnamintyI love these two in combination – Lush’s Ocean Salt & Mask of Magnaminty.

muffinchanel lush cosmetics ocean salt mask of magnaminty The Ocean Salt face and body scrub is amazing. First of all, the smell is very tropical (made with lime and vodka) and the top is covered with lots of chunky salt. You mix it all up after you get it home and massage it all over your skin. The abrasiveness of the salt make this a great exfoliant but the avocado and coconut will prevent the scrub from drying out your skin.

muffinchanel lush cosmetics ocean salt mask of magnamintyOnce you’ve exfoliated your face/neck/chest, apply the Mask of Magnaminty. This face mask is very cooling and will feel great after Ocean Salt. Let it dry and then rinse off. The mask will work to deep clean and brighten your skin with its pepperminty tingle.