beauty review – Page 3

TOO FACED MASCARA MELT OFF! DO YOU NEED IT? FOLLOW UP REVIEW

March 6, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! If you’re a regular reader of this blog or if you watch my YouTube videos then you know that I love wearing waterproof mascara to avoid makeup smudges and to hold a curl when I curl my lashes. If you wear waterproof mascara, you probably know that it is a huuuuge pain to remove! Today I want to share a product that I did a first impression video and demo on back in June of last year to let you know how it fits into my current beauty routine.

Too Faced Mascara Melt Off

First Impression and Demo Video

Follow Up Review

Do I use this every day? No, and I do find that it’s an “extra” step so I do not use this every day. I use the Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water (I use the one with the blue cap) on a cotton round held to my eye to remove my eye makeup most days. However, I do like to use the Too Faced Mascara Melt Off a couple of times a week because the mascara builds up little by little when it isn’t completely removed. I LOVE the way my lashes feel after using this! My lashes feel super soft and completely free of any mascara gunk.

Do You Need This?

You could use other things to remove waterproof mascara and condition your lashes such as coconut oil, baby oil, petroleum jelly, or olive oil, but that is going to be a lot messier. I personally like this product because I can get the oil directly onto my lashes and not deal with the mess dripping on my face.

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MICRODERMABRASION AT HOME? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

February 22, 2017 & 2 Comments

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far! Last week I talked about how shaving your face can have anti-aging benefits and is a regular part of my skincare routine (you can read about that here). Today I thought that I would share another skincare post because it is so essential to take care of your skin and it makes a huge difference in makeup application, too.

What Is a PMD?

A PMD is a microdermabrasion tool that you can use in the comfort of your own home to get the same results that you get in a dermatologists office or a skin spa.

Why I Love It

Microdermabrasion is a great way to safely but effectively remove a layer of skin to reveal younger looking skin by getting rid of dead skin, increasing blood flow, and boosting the bodies production of collagen and elastin. Microdermabrasion can also help fade the look of sun spots or discoloration, acne scars, enlarged pores, and fine lines. I have had microdermabrasion treatment done at a skin spa, but the PMD pays for itself after a couple of uses! The PMD uses a patented spinning disc technology along with calibrated vacuum suction. I love the PMD because it also helps for my skincare products to absorb more into the skin, and we all know that skincare products cost a pretty penny, so to me this is a *huge* plus!

My Routine

I use the PMD weekly, usually on Sunday when I have a bit more time to dedicate to my skincare routine. I start by shaving my face (again, read about that here) and then immediately use the PMD. I hold the skin tight and in upward strokes use the PMD on my neck and face. I avoid the eye area for the most part but do ever so lightly do it near where fine lines and crows feet appear. I also love to use the PMD to exfoliate my lips! Another great spot to use the PMD is your hands because both your neck and hands are telltale areas that show aging. *Note: The PMD comes with a very helpful instructional DVD as well as several different discs for both the face and body. You can see more tips from the PMD website here.

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Have you ever tried mircodermabrasion? Let me know your favorite skincare tools in the comments! And please don’t forget to subscribe!

ChapStick® Total Hydration Product Review with GIVEAWAY!

January 30, 2017 & 33 Comments

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! I love to wear liquid lipsticks, and liquid lipsticks can be very drying on the lips especially in the cold winter months so I have to be sure to take good care of my lips. I have shared before some of my favorite items from ChapStick® which you can read here, so I was thrilled when I was asked to review the ChapStick® Total Hydration products. This post has been sponsored by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, and as always all opinions are my own. I would never exchange money in exchange for a positive review and share my honest opinions.

ChapStick® Total Hydration Moisture + Tint

These are formulated with a tint that enhances your natural lips and I love that because I can wear a chapstick but still have a little color, and that “your lips but better” look. These come out flat, not with a angle and point like most lipstick type products, so it was a little trickier to apply on the corners of my lips but because it is a tint of color as opposed to an opaque lipstick I didn’t find this to be much of an issue. This tinted moisturizer features a formula with 100% naturally sourced ingredients that provide lasting moisture. These boast high-end ingredients like Rose Hip Oil, Jojoba Oil, and Avocado Butter and I love the way they smell.

Wearing ChapStick® Total Hydration Moisture + Tint in Rose Petal

Swatches (left to right) Coral Blush, Rose Petal, and Merlot

ChapStick® Total Hydration 100% Natural

These feel AMAZING on the lips! This formula is so soft and feel like butter going on your lips. I love that these are formulated with 100% naturally sourced ingredients such as Argan Oil, Avocado Butter, and Omega 6 & 9 that are supposed to give you healthier, more youthful looking lips. This formula is available in Fresh Citrus, Soothing Vanilla, and Honey Blossom which was my favorite of the two I received. I have one of these in my car and have been very grateful for it for myself and the kids, especially my oldest who spends her Sunday afternoons on the slopes at ski club!

ChapStick® Total Hydration 3in1

I was intrigued to try this product when I read that it was a Korean inspired formula because I know that Korean beauty is a huge trend right now, and I have loved some of the Korean skincare that I have tried. This 3 in 1 formula claims to moisturize, renew, and transform the lips and features ingredients like Madecassoside and botanical oils. I have been using mine at night before bed and so far I am really enjoying it. This formula is available in Coconut Hydration, Soothing Oasis, Sweet Peach, Wild Acai Berry, and Cooling Peppermint which is the one that I tried. This formula is available exclusively at Target stores and I was so excited to be able to find it in Target and take a “shelfie” with it ; ) I live an hour away from a Target, but whenever I get the chance I am going to be scoping out ChapStick® because I love these exclusive items! I think these would be perfect for my favorite kind of gift to give (and receive) where you package a bunch of your favorite goodies together in a cute way with a really pretty gift basket.

My Target “Shelfie”

ChapStick® Total Hydration with CoQ10

This product is designed to instantly transform and smooth your lips. This formula is lightweight that provides long-lasting moisture, helps the lips stay hydrated for a full eight hours, and reduces the appearance of fine lines. I am really enjoy using this after using a lip scrub (mentioned below) before bedtime. I don’t know yet if I’ve seen any difference in the fine lines, but just knowing that it helps makes me feel good about using it for that, too ; ) This formula is comprised of advanced skincare ingredients such as Antioxidant CoQ10, Vitamin E which is a wonderful moisturizer, and ultra-hydrating Hyaluronic Spheres for super soft, supple lips. This is available in Vanilla Cream flavor and I think it smells like baked goods, but the scent isn’t overpowering.

ChapStick® Total Hydration Conditioning Lip Scrub

I have tried several lip scrubs, and I also make my own lip scrub quite often which you can see here, but I was very excited to have a new one to try out. This is the latest innovation from ChapStick® and it really is an awesome lip scrub! It’s an interesting texture compared to most scrubs, because it has the grit that you find in all lip scrubs, but the base of it is a creamier, softer consistency that I really love. This scrub is formulated with naturally sourced ingredients including Sugar Crystals, Maracuja and Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, and Vitamin E and features a fresh peppermint flavor. This is super easy to use, and a little goes a very long way! I actually used way too much the first time, and have learned to just lightly scoop out a small amount onto my finger because the soft consistency doesn’t require you to dig it out like some lip scrubs I have used in the past. To use this I massage a small amount onto wet lips in circular motions and then wipe it off with a damp wash cloth. After using this I like using the ChapStick® Total Hydration with CoQ10.

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Find and Follow ChapStick® Here:

GIVEAWAY

If you would like to win ChapStick® goodies and a $25 Target gift card (um, who wouldn’t?!) then please enter the giveaway!

GIVEAWAY Rules:

Must be 18 years old
Must be a United States Resident
Must SUBSCRIBE to this blog (it’s easy, promise!)
Must comment on this post! Which item are you the most interested in?
Must Follow ChapStick® on Instagram
Must Follow LeahTackles on Instagram

Giveaway ends on February 8th at 12:00p.m Eastern Standard Time! Giveaway winner will have 24 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be selected. All rules will be checked and enforced to ensure fairness to all those who enter.

If you have any questions or comments, as always please let me know! Thank you for reading! xx

Ombré Lips in Minutes! NYX Ombré Lip Duo Review

January 18, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

If you follow beauty trends on social media then you have probably seen pictures on social media of the very popular ombré lip and I was intrigued when I saw that NYX, a fairly affordable brand that I like a lot of products from, came out with a product that claims to give you the ombré lip look without spending 15 minutes on your lipstick. So, today I want to share with you my thoughts on the product.

NYX Ombré Lip Duo

Pink Bubbles & Caviar

Rags & Riches

What Is it?

The NYX Ombré Lip Duo is a dual ended product containing both a satin matte lipstick and a lip liner. The lipstick color and the lip liner are colors that are meant to go together to create the perfect ombré pout. The lipstick formula is said to be creamy and therefore easy to blend to get the desired look.

My Thoughts

I really love products that are two in one like this because it is just so handy to have a lip liner created to match a lipstick, whether or not you want to get that ombré look. I found the lipliner to be very easy to apply and I like that it didn’t tug on my lips. The lipstick is very creamy and without any effort the lipstick and lip liner blended beautifully. Did my lips look like Instagram perfection? No, but they definitely had the general ombré idea without any work. I think that this is a great product if you want to play around with an ombré lip look without having to try to coordinate colors on your own. I also think this is a great option if you’re just looking for complimentary liner and lipstick combos. I will say that while I love how easy the creamy formula applies and blends, it may be a bit *too* creamy because while I was taking the product shot photos the lipstick broke off while twisting it up.

Have you tried this product? What is your favorite NYX product? Do you like the ombré lip trend? Let me know in the comments! Have a fantastic day and please don’t forget to subscribe! : )

What Is A Matte Highlighter?

January 11, 2017 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday! And, much more importantly to me, HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY to my littlest love, Logan. I am so proud of you, and you’ll always be my baby!

Today I want to talk about a highlighting product that I had to try because the name itself was so contradictory to what I think of when I think of a highlighter, but it has become a go-to for me the past several months.

Benefit Shy Beam

Highlighting has been a huge trend for the past several years, and I love highlighting with powders, creams, sticks, and liquid highlighting products ranging from $2 drugstore steals to much more expensive high end brands. I love using highlighter on my cheekbones, and also my cupids bow, but because I tend to get oily on my nose/T-Zone area I often skip a highlight there. A few months ago Benefit Cosmetics launched and re-vamped a lot of their products, including their Dandelion blush, and they came out with Dandelion Shy Beam which they describe as a nude pink “matte radiance” highlighter. I was very intrigued by this “matte” highlighter claim since this is the opposite of what you think of when you think of highlighter, and honestly sounds a bit like an oxymoron.

How I Use It

I absolutely LOVE this for highlighting down the center of my nose, and for highlighting around the outer corner or my eye and cheekbone. This is fantastic for any place you want to highlight or any place the sun would naturally hit your face because it is so subtle that you can get away with using it in lots of places at once without looking like a disco ball. As someone with combo/oily skin, having a matte highlighter gives you a beautiful lit from within look that is fresh and youthful without risk of feeling like your skin looks greasy or needs blotting immediately. I like to dot this on with the brush applicator and then use a small stippling brush, like the E.L.F Small Stipple Brush, to tap it into the skin. You can also use a lightly damp Beauty Blender or your fingers to tap this into the skin. However you choose to apply this, be sure not to rub or you will risk rubbing off other makeup and won’t get the desired effect.

What are your thoughts? What is your favorite highlighter? Do you think the highlighting trend has become too much or are you still into it? Let me know in the comments! xx

TOO FACED SNOW BUNNY BRONZER REVIEW

December 14, 2016 & 1 Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you have been having a fantastic week so far! Today is my middle little loves birthday! Happy 4th Birthday Connor David! I love you so! Today I want to talk about a bronzer that I used years ago and loved but somewhere along that way got lost in my drawers of makeup. A few weeks ago while decluttering my makeup collection, I pulled out a few products I wanted to try using again and the Too Faced Snow Bunny Perfecting Bronzing Powder has become a rediscovered favorite that I want to share with you today.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer

First of all this packaging is absolutely beautiful! I actually have the older packaging, but both the new and older packaging is beautiful with simple details. This one of those products that makes me happy just looking inside the compact because the beautiful shimmery shades are stunning. The bronzer is made up of four strips of color in a white highlight, a bronze, a very pale pink, and a light tan. I think that I avoided this because these days I usually use a matte bronzer or at least tend to avoid a lot of shimmer, but this is stunning! You can use this as a blush, a bronzer, or a highlight which is also great. I like that you can use the four colors separately, but I tend to twirl my brush in all four colors and then lightly dust onto my cheeks. Although this has shimmer it is a very subtle highlight and I think it’s perfect in the winter months for a very natural glow. This looks wonderful in the sunlight, especially that snowy sun reflecting light, and lasts on me all day.

Have you tried this bronzer? What bronzers do you like to wear in the winter? Leave a comment to let me know! Have a great day and please subscribe! xx

GO LONGER BETWEEN HAIRCUTS? LIVING PROOF SPLIT END MENDER REVIEW

December 12, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a great weekend! If you’re like a lot of us, you probably don’t get your haircut the recommended every 6-8 weeks, and sometimes the ends of your hair can start looking a little rough between trims. Today I am going to be sharing my thoughts on the Living Proof Perfect Hair Hair Day Fresh Cut Split End Mender.

Living Proof Split End Mender

What It Is

The Living Proof Split End Mender can be used on wet or dry hair to seal individual split ends so that the ends of your hair looks smooth and aligned. It also contains a conditioning layer that keeps ends sealed and soft for polished looking ends. You can start using this right after a haircut to help prevent split ends, or to treat split ends.

How I Use It

I like to apply this to the bottom few inches of my hair while it is still damp after showering. I also have used it after straightening and curling my hair when the ends look a little bit raggedy and it definitely works to smooth out my ends.

My Thoughts

I love that a little bit of this goes a long way and helps my split ends look smooth! I really feel like this helps get that “just left the salon” look. I really like this to treat my split ends when my hair is damp. This does work to smooth my ends after curling or straightening for a sleek look, but I can get the same effect using other serums as well. I already have added this to my “loves” list at Sephora and will continue using this to prevent and treat split ends.

Have you ever tried this or other Living Proof products? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to subscribe : )

THE BEST NUDE LIP GLOSS EVER!

December 7, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

I hope that you are having a wonderful week so far, and as always, thank you for taking time to read my blog! Today I am going to be sharing my absolute favorite nude lip gloss that works beautifully on any skin tone.

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in White Russian

buxom-whiterussian-review-bestnudegloss-leahtackles.jpeg

This is called a lip cream, but feels and wears just like a lip gloss. The shade White Russian is a beautiful pink-y nude color that looks beautiful on its own or worn over lipstick. These Buxom glosses smell really good too, it isn’t too strong but it’s definitely a sweet scent when you apply it. These are formulated to give a gentle plumping effect to your lips, and also keep your lips supple with vitamins A and E. This is a great shade to add to your own collection whether you have a lot of makeup or are just starting out. I also think this is a great gift for teens all the way up to more mature women because this gloss truly flatters anyone, and doesn’t have glitter or sparkle but just a beautiful glossy look.

You can purchase Buxom White Russian here and Sephora also has an adorable limited edition packaging for the Full-On Buxom Lip Cream in White Russian Holiday Kiss Collection available but it’s currently sold out online! However, Sephora seems to re-stock these holiday stocking stuffers quite often, so if you enter your email they will email you if it comes back in-stock.

What is your favorite go-to lip gloss? This has become mine! Buxom glosses are really wonderful, and this one is far and away my favorite. Have a great day and please don’t forget to subscribe!

JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS: TIPS AND REVIEW!

December 5, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I hope that you had a wonderful weekend! My family made a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT on our Vlog Channel KwapisFamilyTackles which was very emotional for us, but we feel good about our decision. Today I want to share a product with you that many of you have probably heard of, which are Jamberry Nail Wraps, and a product that I was very hesitant to even try. Stephanie, an independent consultant for Jamberry, reached out to me about trying some of the wraps for consideration for review and I flat out told her I didn’t think they’d work for me because I haven’t had luck with other similar wraps in the past. Stephanie was very understanding, but said she didn’t mind that I was hesitant and sent me some to try anyway.

JAMBERRY NAIL WRAPS

What Are They?

Jamberry Nail Wraps are a solid film covering that you apply directly to your natural nail. The wraps are made with a special material that works with both pressure and heat activation to create a water tight bond. The wraps are art on your nails and you don’t have any drying time! They are also made in the U.S.A and contain no latex or harsh chemicals.

How Did They Work For Me?

I was NERVOUS to try these! I do my own nails, and I hate waiting for them to dry, but I wasn’t sure if I was up for learning a new nail process but I was very happy that Stephanie sent along great directions that were very easy to follow. I will say that don’t imagine that you are going to slap these on your nails and be out the door in a minute, because I did have to trim each decal to fit my nail, heat each decal quickly with a hair dryer, and then apply it to my nails BUT this was well worth the no drying time in my book! I also love the fun rose gold decals that I tried, but realistically I generally prefer more solid colors, so I was happy to see all sorts of different options available on both Stephanie’s Jamberry Facebook Page and Stephanie’s Jamberry Website. Once I got used to the “learning curve” of applying them, I will say that the process was pretty easy to do and the decals have so far lasted very well on my nails! Also, they have *adorable* styles for kids and I think these would make such precious stocking stuffers for kids, teens, and adults! Also, it’s nice to shop small with a mom trying to provide for her family.

Have you used these wraps? Tell me your thoughts in the comments! And please don’t forget to subscribe!

TOO FACED MELTED MATTE LIPSTICK IN CANDY CANE REVIEW

November 30, 2016 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Wednesday!

Christmas is fast approaching and there are plenty of beautiful holiday makeup kits, but today I wanted to focus on a small but equally as adorably packaged item that would be perfect as a stocking stuffer or as a nice finishing touch to go with a larger gift.

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Limited Edition Candy Cane

toofacedmeltedmatte-candycane-review-swatch-leahtackles.jpeg

Why I Love It:

This color is the perfect color for holiday season! And the Peppermint Mocha sent is amazing but not overpowering and I only notice it while I’m applying it and before it dries. This lipstick has a no-sting plumping filler and I find that it helps my lips look full and while matte they never look cracked or dry. I love the Too Faced Melted Matte Lipsticks because they are super pigmented, and while dry like most matte lipsticks, they aren’t so dry that they are uncomfortable to wear.

How I Wear It:

I find that these wear a very long time, and what works the best for me is to apply a lip liner and then apply a very thin layer of the lipstick and allow to dry for a minute before putting my lips together. I then re-apply the lipstick around lunch time, especially if I’ve eaten salad dressing or anything with oil in it that breaks down lipstick. I like to wear the Too Faced Borderline Anti-Feathering but any close color matched red liner will work.

Me Wearing It AFTER Eating and 5 Hours of Wear:

candycanelimitededition-leahtackles-toofacedmeltedmattecandycane.jpeg

I hope that you enjoyed this post! If you did please share and subscribe to really make my day : ) xx

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