Eve Hansen Anti Aging Serum Set – Review Time

January 23, 2019 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)

January 18, 2019January 18, 2019 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

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019 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.

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

January 14, 2019January 14, 2019 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!

January 11, 2019January 11, 2019 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

January 9, 2019January 9, 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

January 7, 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

Decluttering

Makeup Declutter Time!

January 4, 2019January 3, 2019 MaritzaLeave a comment

It’s been ages since I decluttered my makeup cart. I think the last time I did was during the summer, but I was on a “break”, so I didn’t blog about it.

Nevertheless, as I was looking through my stash, I realized I was long overdue and suddenly things went flying into either the friend/family pile or the trash pile.

In the midst of all the sorting and what not, I learned a few things about myself:

A lot of what I was donating were from subscription boxes
I tend to overbuy certain things, like palettes, but strictly purchase other things only when needed, like foundation and mascara.

So, I cancelled all my makeup subscription boxes, except for Deck of Scarlet, because why pay for something I end up donating? I mean, Boxycharm was not a total loss. I discovered my beloved Butter London Double Decker Mascara through one of the boxes, but other than that, it’s not worth it for me.

Secondly, I decided to utilize the same buy only when I need methodology for all my makeup. It’s not that I won’t splurge on a new palette here and then, but I don’t need 20 palettes in my collection at one time.

So below is everything I decluttered. Some of this stuff I liked, but never used and others, I never liked or used.

Eyes

Too Faced Natural Love Palette: it was too big. I never reached for it because it was kind of clunky.
Karity Picante: I thought the colors and pigment were ok, but I have these colors in my collection already.
Juvia’s Place Magic Mini: I actually got sent this palette in error by Juvia’s and they let me keep it. The colors are just too bright for my taste.
BH Coametics Supernova: literally forgot I owned it. I thought I decluttered this last year.

Urban Decay Back Talk: I wrote a review on this palette. It’s 50/50. Blushes are nice, the shadows are ok.
Colourpop My Little Pony: I got this in a Boxycharm and is a good example of something I would never buy if I had the option. It’s a nice formula, but the colors are just not me.
Maybelline Lemonade: the mattes were weak and the shimmers wore off quickly. Didn’t like much.
Still Magnificent Metals in Kitten: I held on to this for dear life, but I just never used it. I just don’t have a need for so much glitter on my eyes.

Face

Urban Decay Cherry Cheek and Highlight: if you read my review on this, you would know that the only saving grace for me was the peach highlighter. Better off with a friend.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Aurora Glow: beautiful formula and the two peachy shades are beautiful, but once again, it’s like I totally overlooked it all the time.

L’Oréal Lumi Cushion Foundation: this formula was just a little too glowy for my combo skin. I liked how light it was, but I was a greaseball half way through the day.

Lips

Nyx Butter Glosses in Strawberry Jam and Cranberry Biscotti: these lip glosses I think just went bad on me. They have a really funky smell, so it was time to toss. The Butter Gloss formula is awesome though, so no complaints on that.

Milani Matte Lipstick in Red (forgot to write down the name before I donated it): I gave this one to my mom. I had a similar shade in a Besame lippie and didn’t have a need for another one.

Are any of you nodding in agreement with my decisions or shaking your heads going “why would she do that!?”.

Either way let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Holidays

Happy New Year! Beauty Resolutions for 2019

January 2, 2019January 9, 2019 MaritzaLeave a comment

Can I get a “Woot! Woot!” for 2019?

I get so pumped for New Years. I like that no matter how bad things get in any given year, the Universe gives you an automatic reset every January 1.

Technically, you can reset your life any day, but this is like THE day and nothing gives me a bigger high than putting your intentions and resolutions out there for the whole world (or my little blogging community 😉) to see and keep me honest.

I did this last year, and I have to admit, I wasn’t very good at keeping them, but time to reset.

So here goes:

Wear what makes me feel comfortable. I mean this with everything: clothes, shoes, but especially makeup. As a beauty aficionado and blogger, I have tendency to get caught up with all the flashy colors and trends, which can be nice because otherwise I would have never learned how to do a cut crease or a halo eye, BUT, I also have to learn to stick to what I like and what fits my style and persona.

I’m just not a rainbow palette kind of girl and, although I can appreciate all the beautiful looks, when I try to wear something like that, I just don’t feel like myself. So sorry, James Charles, I will have to pass on your palette for now.

Eyebrows, eyebrows, eyebrows. I need to take better care of my eyebrows because that is what frames my face and especially my eyes the most and I get so freaking lazy about getting them waxed and tinted.

Which you would think that would be a priority considering that my eyebrows are practically clear, but nope. Always half assing it with a brow pencil. Not this year!

Skin care. Geez, how old do I have to be to get a skincare routine in place? I’m always jumping all over the place, but this 41 year old mama is going to lock that shit down for reals this time. I’m still feeling my way through some brands and products, but I think I have my steps in place and so far, I think my skin is definitely benefiting from it. Just got to keep it up.

Last, but not least, enjoy my makeup. I am going to be the first to admit that I sometimes get caught up in the hype and find myself buying way more than I need, but this year, I am going to take it a little slow and really use my makeup. I will always be on the hunt for the next big thing, but if I don’t find it right away, I won’t panic and go crazy. Sometimes, it will come right to you if you are just patient.

What are your New Years Resolutions? Leave them in the comments below and get the party started.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Holidays · Trippin

Trippin’ Down My Camera Roll – Year in Review 2018

December 31, 2018 Maritza1 Comment

Happy New Year!

If you are reading this on the 31st, then thank you for stopping by on the last day of 2018. If you happen to stop by on January 1, then a big thanks for kicking off with me, what I think is going to be, a totally AWESOME year.

I figure the best way to end the year (or begin, whatever!) is to do a ginormous Trippin’ Down My Camera Roll post that would highlight all my favorite pictures or events that took place.

In life you have to be grateful for what you have and I feel so blessed for everything I received this year and that includes all of you. Yes, you. Those of you who stopped by and read and commented and liked whenever I posted something are part of what made 2018 so special.

Thank you so much!!! You have no idea how much I value you love and support.

With that being said, I hope you have a wonderful New Year.

Enjoy!