Month: January 2019

Physicians Formula

Physicians Formula Butter Collection x Casey Holmes – Review Time!

Maritza3 Comments

I’m going to admit right out of the gate that this was a total impulse buy. I got suckered in by the hype and the price and bought something that I neither wanted nor needed.

With that being said, I actually ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I actually owned the Butter Bronzer a few years back and ended up decluttering it because I thought it was too light for me. I also thought the scent was a little too strong for me, which is weird because it kind of smells like flowery coconuts, which separately I like, but together not so much.

Yet, I still bought this collab.

Sigh.

Ok, but let’s not get off track. Despite the smell, I actually kind of dig this palette/box. The price is unbeatable. For $19.99, you get a bronzer, blush, highlighter, 4 eyeshadows, lip stick and perfume and that is precisely what made me hit Buy when it came out, because just the bronzer alone can run you $15 at CVS.

The bronzer, which is in the Deeper shade, is actually quite nice. It blends out beautifully and is not patchy in the least. Same goes for the blush, which does have a slight shimmer to it, but I don’t mind a shimmer blush at all. It has a rosy tint to it that really goes well with so many skin tones.

The highlighter, which is Limited Edition, is not my favorite. It’s a nice golden shade, but is just too chunky. As an eyeshadow it’s quite nice, but as a highlighter, I don’t like. I prefer highlighters that melt into your skin as this leaves flecks if glitter. Not for me.

I liked all the eyeshadows, except for the green shimmer one called Palms. It lacks pigmentation and even in the swatch above, I had to go in twice to make it show up on camera. The other shadows are really creamy and pigmented, but I do find a bit too much similarity between No Filter and Tropic Like It’s Hot. I would have preferred maybe a pink in place of one of the reds.

I also want to mention that I have used the bronzer, blush and highlighter as eyeshadows and they look BEAUTIFUL!

The Lip Cream is a lovely moisturizing formula, but the pink shade is just a little too frosty for me and gave me weird 80’s vibes. It didn’t suit me at all.

The perfume is ok if you like that distinct flowery coconut Butter Bronzer scent. I do not, but I am, apparently, in the minority. It has not moved from it’s little slot since I got this in the mail.

Which leaves me with the packaging of this collection. I know that by reading the comments on Instagram that a lot of people thought it was bulky and that it would have been better if they would have released the collection in pieces, but I honestly don’t mind.

I mean, it’s certainly not compact, but most Morphe palettes are bigger. If you are an avid traveler, I would agree that this may be too bulky to take on a backpacking trip to the Andes, but if you are home 90% of the time, like I am, this is actually a really nice set to just pick up and quickly apply some makeup with.

Honestly, it’s not a deal breaker for me and it shouldn’t be for you either.

Did you pick up the collab? What are your thoughts. Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Rocksbox

Rocksbox Reveal Vol. 7

MaritzaLeave a comment

I feel like the month of January lasted FOREVER, but at the same time, when I got my reminder to send my Rocksbox back this week, I was like “Already?”

Time flies for certain things, I guess.

This months box was, once again, packed with items straight from my wishlist and I must say, I’ve got good taste.

But I have to give props to my stylist for picking three pieces that can be worn altogether or separately and with various outfits. Also, I like it when I get three different types of pieces, like a necklace, earrings and a ring vs. 3 pairs of earrings in one box. It’s nice to have set if, if you know what I mean.

Now, if you have read my past reveals, you probably gathered that I don’t often buy my pieces, because I just like variety, but this time, I had to give in. The Helios Necklace from Slate is just so chic and structured and goes with so many of my tops, that I had to keep it. I also got it for a really nice price too. When I subtracted my monthly $21 credit and $20 in Forever Credit that I had, I ended up only paying $14. I think that is a pretty decent price for this piece.

I was also tempted to also keep the Paisley Hoops from Dusk, but at $59, I had to pass. I did receive a lot of compliments on them, but I have very similar earrings in my wishlist like it, so I figure I will see them in another reincarnation at some point.

The Rudiment Alcatraz ring, was also a favorite of mine this month. It was actually really simple, but it somehow stood out and whenever I managed to paint my nails, it just made my hands look so nice. I will also be sad to send this one back. Almost kept it, but, just like the earrings, I have a few other rings with a similar style in my wishlist, so I know I won’t be disappointed for long.

As always, if you want to check out Rocksbox for yourself, feel free to use my referral code MaritzaBFF39 and you get your first months $21 credit waved. I also get a little something something in my Forever Credit account, but we both win, right?

Let me know what your jewelry style is? Do you subscribe to Rocksbox? What did you get?

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Milan Rowe Cosmetics

Just For Fun: Milan Rowe Cosmetics Launch Party

Maritza1 Comment

So your girl here recently got the opportunity to attend a launch party for Milan Rowe Cosmetics and I thought I would give you a little peek into the event.

Simona Milan, the founder of Milan Rowe, debuted a super sexy line of liquid lipsticks and a palette specifically designed to compliment all skin colors and above all else, make you feel like the best version of yourself. Her vision of inclusivity and empowerment was the central theme of last nights event and, honestly, by looking at the diverse group of people there, you know she must be proud that her vision came full circle.

I will be doing a separate review of the products in an upcoming blog, but for now, I thought it would be fun to take you along and give you a peek into the party.

The colors are definitely sexy, but come in all shades from nude, berries and red.
I’m such a sucker for a red and Drama Queen was STUNNING!
My messy swatches. I was so feeling the smoky colors too!
The Eyeconic Couture Palette!
Everyone got a chance to write a message and hang it on a beautiful display of branches. As always, I try to be light and positive 😋
My date for the night. The lovely Amy.

I loved Simona’s introduction. She talked about how out of despair came her beautiful vision of this brand. It was a lovely message to never give up.

There was food, it the CUPCAKES were the BEST!!
The party girls… the dancers were GORGEOUS! Actually the entire crowd was gorgeous. Beautiful people were everywhere!

Can’t have a party without the conga!!! Gotta love Miami!

I hope you enjoyed this post. Keep a look out for the full review of the products coming soon.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Eve Hansen

Eve Hansen Anti Aging Serum Set – Review Time

MaritzaLeave a comment

Continuing this months theme of skin care, today we are going to talk serums. In the past, I have been exclusively a face wash and moisturizer type girl.

In my defense, serums weren’t really that big in my 20’s and most of my 30’s, I was either procreating or raising small babies, so sleep was more on my mind than serums.

But now I am in the midst of a female renaissance. My kids are growing up (😫) and I have more free time to pay attention to things like my skin and, let’s face it, I make more money in my 40’s than I did in any other decade, so I got a little cha-Ching to throw around on these things.

Also, nothing makes you spend money faster than crows feet.

Nothing.

I picked up the Eve Hansen Anti Aging Serum Set on Amazon for $25, although it’s going for $30 now. Before I go any farther, I’m going to tell you that that is an awesome price considering that I previously shelled out almost $50 for the Farsali Gold Elixir and I really like that serum too.

But, more money in my pocket is better.

The set comes with a trio of serums that you are to use in tandem with each other. Consisting of a Vitamin C&E Brightening Serum, a Hyaluronic Acid Serum and a Retinol Serum, you have the framework for a very good skin care routine.

Eve Hansen is 100% Vegan and this set ranges from 72-76% organic, which really doesn’t make or break my decision, but thought I would throw that in.

I use the Brightening Serum first after I wash my face in the mornings. None of these serums have any smell to them really, except for this one, which, peculiarly, has a faint cinnamon smell. It’s peculiar because there is no cinnamon in the ingredients list, but that’s the best way for me to describe it.

The Vitamin C&E Brightening serum is supposed to stimulate collagen and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, which is pretty much the theme across the other two in the set, but each adds their unique touch to the routine.

Hyaluronic Acid also reduces fine lines and wrinkles, but also helps reduce puffiness, while providing much needed moisture. Trust me, it’s not counterproductive. Retinol comes in to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. This may sometimes cause a little bit of your skin to shed, but I didn’t notice that at all with this product, which contains 2% Retinol.

As part of my routine, I go in with Hyaluronic Serum, both in the morning and night and follow it up with either moisturizer every morning or the Retinol Serum every other night and then moisturizer.

Both the Hyaluronic and Retinol serum have no discernible smell. I do enjoy a bit of fragrance, but I can do without it as well. Also, all of these serums sink into the skin faster than the Farsali Gold Elixir, and don’t have any heaviness to it.

I like that I don’t have to wait forever for products to sink in. Who the heck has time for that?

As I mentioned in my skincare routine and in my Halo Kiwi post, I feel like my skin is the best it has been in a long time. I don’t think I can isolate any particular product and say this is the magic ingredient, but I can say that I really like what it’s doing and the proof is in the way my skin feels and looks.

What do you all think of serums? Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Just for Fun

Just for Fun: 2009 vs 2019 (ish)

Maritza1 Comment

I’ve been seeing these Instagram and Facebook posts popping up for a bit where people post their profile pics from 2009 and then the one they are currently using, which let’s be honest, with some people I know, still is from 2009. So I decided to take a trip down memory lane show you my 2009 vs 2019 (ish) pics.

I’ll admit. Some of these are from 2018, but I’m still going to throw them in.

So back in 2009, I had just had a baby. Logan was born in February, so pretty much every pic of me is going to look exhausted and with zero makeup.

Also, apparently I didn’t own any eyebrow products:

Nowadays, I want to say that I glowed up, because I post pictures like this that you may have seen peppered across my previous posts:

But most of the time, I still look like 2009 me:

Maybe with a little better eyebrows.

Show me your 2009 vs 2019.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Halo Beauty

Halo Kiwi Seed Booster- Review Time

Maritza1 Comment

I don’t know what Tati has put in these little(ish) pills, but I’m sure it involves some form of witchcraft.

Seriously, people the Halo Kiwi Seed Booster is the real deal.

When Halo debuted their first beauty supplement, the Hair Skin Nails Booster, I did a review and I found it to be inconclusive because, although I saw pretty quick results on my skin, I couldn’t quite tell if it had any effect on my hair and nails because they naturally grow pretty strong and fast.

Well, I must not have been the only one to voice a similar complaint because she released Kiwi only to target the skin and I jumped on it because this stuff works. In less than a week, I was already feeling a difference in the texture of my skin. It was definitely softer than before and I didn’t really do anything different than normal.

Also, it’s designed to promote clear skin and minimize the look of wrinkles and I also think that after 2 months of using this, it does what it says.

I really don’t get too many zits these days, but the few that I do, are mostly hormonal, while in the past, those suckers popped up unexpectedly when I was too stressed or even just to say hi (bastards!). I know I still have wrinkles, but I really feel like they have blurred a bit too.

Day 6 vs Day 30

Is this going to replace my skin care routine? Nope. If anything, taking Kiwi and seeing the results have actually made me like my skin even more and want to add products that will make it look even better.

Are the new products I’m adding to my routine contributing to the change I see in my skin? Of course! But I wouldn’t be that into my skincare if I didn’t see results from Kiwi first.

Now, these magic beans do come with a price tag. At $29.99, they are $10 cheaper than the original, but still a nice chunk of change to spend monthly. I feel it’s worth the investment, but it’s up to you decide the same because, when all is said and done, that is about $360 a year on top of your usual products.

Have you tried Kiwi? What were your results?

Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Skincare

Daily Skincare Rountine

Maritza3 Comments

One of my New Years Resolutions was to lock down my skincare routine. I am certainly no spring chicken, so getting serious about preserving any elasticity left in my skin needs to be done like now.

I think I finally found a routine that I like and with products that I have noticed make a big difference, so I thought I would share my daily skincare routine.

I will be writing a review on all these products in the coming weeks, so hang tight to see my full thoughts, but for now this is what I do.

Each morning, I start off by washing off the muck from the night before, by using a little cleanser, such as the Acure Brightening Facial Cleanser. Then I apply a few drops of Vitamin C Serum from Eve Hansen and follow that up with a little hyaluronic and then once both sink in, then moisturizer. I have been using the Eve Hansen Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer, but this is new to my line up. So far so good, though.

In the evening, I take of the days grind by, once again, going into the Acure cleanser. I really don’t use any Micellar water unless I applied waterproof mascara, which is RARELY. I also don’t use any toner, but that’s because I haven’t really researched the benefits.

It’s on my to do list, though. 😀

After my face is squeaky clean, this is where the routine will change a bit depending on the day. Every other day, I go in with a scrub, such as the elf Exfoliating Facial Scrub, then follow it up with a little retinol (Eve Hansen again) before applying my hyaluronic and then my nightly moisturizer from elf.

In between those days, I just go from the face wash to the hyaluronic and moisturizer and I’m done!

Once a week, usually on Sundays, I will do a facial steam, using Kalmapure’s Herbal Detoxifying mix, after I washed and scrubbed my face and the do a mask, but that’s a fairly recent addition to my routine though. I like it though!

I have also been taking Halo Kiwi for about 2 months now and that review is coming very, very soon!!!

What do you guys do? Anyone want to teach me the benefits of toner? Anyone want to recommend toner?

Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Antonym Cosmetics

Antonym Cosmetics – Highlighting Blush in Lily – Review Time!

Maritza2 Comments

I could honestly just start and end this review by saying, “I love this blush. Go out and buy it”, but that probably would be weird.

I mean this is a blog post, not a tweet, right?

However, in a nutshell, that is how I feel. I kind of knew I might like the Antonym Highlighting Blush in Lily based on how I feel over my beloved Baked Blush in Peach, but you never know. It could be totally awful and patchy and make my cheeks looks like two giant disco balls.

Luckily, that was not the case. There is a sheen to this blush, such as the name suggests, but it’s not in any way shape or form overpowering. In fact, it’s very subtle. So if you were expecting a high beam, then you will be disappointed.

I, for one, like it subtle. I like a healthy glow, but not two beams of lights sitting on my cheeks, so this works for me. Also, the color is GORGEOUS! It’s a soft pink, with a touch of peach and it’s quite perfect for an everyday look. Seriously, a little light foundation, a swipe or two of this blush and some mascara and you are done!

Now, if there is one thing that makes me cringe a little is the price. $42 for blush is quite hefty. I managed to pick mine up during their Black Friday sale and “only” ended up paying $27, so I would probably recommend waiting for the next sale.

Unless, you have some money to burn.

Which, if that is the case…can we be friends?

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Palette of the Month

Throwback Palette of the Month – Juvia’s Festival Palette – January 2019

Maritza3 Comments

I wanted to start a semi- new series this year. In an effort to show some love to my older palettes, I wanted to kick off a Palette of the Month post showcasing a palette that I love and want to use more often and, hopefully, entice you to use it too if you own it or if you are thinking about picking it up.

I started doing this last year, but it lost a little steam, but that’s it the past. No use dwelling on it, right?

New year, new me!

I wanted to kick off the month with a really fun palette. When looking at my collection, I was like, let’s go big for our first post. Immediately, my mind went to the Juvia’s Place Festival palette. This is a great palette for various reasons

It’s definitely a stand alone palette. Don’t let the bright colors fool you. Mmanwu (bright peach) and Oro (golden yellow) are wonderful crease colors. Just add a little shimmer from Uli (shimmery white) or Odogwu (champagne) and you are set.

Colors from top to bottom: Izafa, Uli, Ofala, Mmanwu, Iri Ji, Oro, Keleke, Aba, Odogwu
  • However, it’s also a FANTASTIC companion palette to any of your other more neutral palettes. All the shimmers here are beautiful and metallic. Just watch out for Uli, since it is right between a red and an orange, sometimes it picks up some fall out and tends to take on a pink or orange tint.
  • If you are looking for a bright matte shade, also consider using Iri Ji (hot pink) or Ofala (neon coral/orange). Both are buildable and blendable, which I prefer for a more blown out look. Izafa (Red) is GORGEOUS!! It’s like a bright strawberry shade on me. I love using it on my lower lash line.
  • Let me know in the comments below if you have the Festival Palette and how you use it. Show me looks!!!
  • Till next time, my friends!
  • Maritza
    • Project Pan

    Project Pan 2019

    Maritza2 Comments

    This year is going to be THE year. I feel it, friends.

    Last year, I set for myself a really lofty goal of panning 5 products and failed miserably. So this year, I’m taking a more realistic approach and panning just two.

    Hey, if I manage to pan these two before the end of the year, I will add some more. It’s just that when I put too much on my plate, it begins to feel monotonous and boring using the same things over and over, so doing it two at a time, feels like a stepping stone rather than a plunge into an abyss.

    One of these products was in my Project Pan last year and it was probably the only one I made the biggest dent on and the one I actually didn’t mind using very often. The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer is probably one of my first highlighters and one of the ones I naturally reach for the most. Not going to lie, it also has a very sizable dent in it, so I feel like progress will be easily made.

    The second item is the Super Shock Shadow from Colourpop in Weenie. This is one of my favorite Super Shocks shadows and one of the ones I reach for the most because the color is really pretty and all I have to do is spread this coppery shade on my lids, apply some mascara, and go.

    Perfect for those days when you got way too much to do, but you have to look presentable.

    Are you in the midst of a Pan? If so, let me know in the comments below. We can be panning buddies. Kind of like workout buddies, but we keep each other motivated to use our products up, instead of moving on to something else.

    Till next time, my friends!

    Maritza