Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Review

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade ($18) is described as a waterproof brow color ideal for sculpting, defining, and carving perfectly precise brows that won't fade. Their smudge-free, creamy formula glides on skin and adheres to hair. It's a must have for oily skin and humid climates.

Dipbrow Pomade is available in (5) shades: blonde, auburn, chocolate, dark brown and ebony. New shades are to be released in the Fall of 2014. I own this pomade in blonde, auburn and chocolate.

The gel-like formula of this pomade allows for a smooth easy application that glides on without much effort. With its opaque pigmentation it is perfect for creating both bold and soft looking brows. The opacity will not only stay on your skin but your hairs as well, even if they are darker than the shade you're applying. Whatever look you're going for depends on the amount you apply and the technique you use.

For a softer natural brow look, use light hair-like strokes throughout your brow and make sure to blend out with a spoolie. It does set fairly quickly so I recommend working on one brow at a time. You will need to run a spoolie through your brow before the product dries.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomades (blonde, auburn, chocolate)

This brings me to its lasting power. Once the pomade has settled, it is STAYING PUT. The longest I've had it on has been for 14 hours without any smudging even after sleeping. (Yes, I know I shouldn't sleep with makeup on.. I usually don't, I just didn't have makeup remover readily available to me)

Water alone will not remove the pomade which is great for the summertime as it's sweat-proof! You will need to use an oil-based eye makeup remover or Neutrogena makeup remover cleansing towelettes work great. I try not to use eye makeup remover on my brows because I tend to get dry there and feel that the oil-based remover makes my skin even drier.

PACKAGING

Who isn't a sucker for beautiful packaging?! I know I am. These pomades come packaged in a clear glass pot and have black with rose gold accent plastic twist-off caps; reminiscent of the MAC paint pots. I like the easy accessibility to the product that these pots offer but feel that the packaging is a bit heavy and bulky for traveling. They aren't very hygienic (if you plan on using it in your pro kit) compared to the squeeze tube of MUFE Aqua Brow is and if not securely tightened, they can dry out.

Although much product is not needed to achieve a look, the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade only comes with 0.14oz of actual product. Whereas the MUFE Aqua Brow comes with more product at 0.23oz. It is comparable to the consistency of the Aqua Brow but I think the Dipbrow Pomade isa bit more pigmented.


SWATCHES

Swatches left to right: blonde, auburn, chocolate.

Blonde is an ash taupe made for blondes. I do wish it was a bit warmer though. I believe that a warmer shade for blondes will be released in the Fall. Blonde can also be used on darker hair to make your brows appear a bit lighter.

Auburn is a reddish warm brown. I am currently using this shade since it goes well with my hair color. Even if I haven't ligthened my brows (my natural hair color is black) it covers the hair very well.

Chocolate is a cool dark brown. I picked up this shade to add to my kit instead of ebony because it comes off pretty dark and figured I can always darken it on black hair with a shadow.

 

(Here I'm using Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Auburn on my brows)

Although there aren't many shades available you can mix them to create a desired color.

The Rundown
I'm really enjoying the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade and haven't been using anything else since. I love the formula and application of these as well as the lasting power. Not having to use more than one product on my brows is a major plus because it knocks down the time I have to spend on them. I wish the other shades would have come out in the initial launch of this product though; I would have picked up the upcoming shades instead of these.

Availability: Nordstrom / Ulta / Sephora / Anastasia Beverly Hills
Price: $18 (.14oz)

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray Review + Photos

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray (2.7 oz)

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum Spray ($112, 2.7 0z) is a seductive fragrance that takes me back in time to those years as a little girl when I would breathe in the sweet scent of my mother as she got herself ready. It is very reminiscent of Thierry Mugel Angel although I prefer Prada Candy over Angel any day.

Candy is not to be mistaken with the mature motherly scent we are used to when thinking about our mothers. I wouldn't say it's a fragrance directed toward a young high-schooler, but instead aimed towards a more sophisticated woman in her late 20's-early 30's. At first spray, its sweet smell of benzoin fades after settling on your skin, leaving you with notes of sensual caramel vanilla musk.


 

Notes: Caramel, Musk, Vanilla, Benzoin.

Being that Candy is a parfum and not a toilette, it is more potent than a toilette spray so a little goes a long way. It is also more expensive than a Eau de Toilette because they have 10-20% of fragrant extract and oils while the other has less. You can get away with a couple of sprays of Candy that will linger on throughout the day. Using an Eau de Toilette may be less expensive but requires more sprays that will only last you a few hours. Candy is a bit pricey at $64, 1 oz; $84, 1.7 oz; $112, 2.7 oz. You can find it at Sephora and Ulta.

It's a great fragrance for the fall/winter since I can't see myself spraying this on a hot/humid summer day.




What first attracted me to this perfume was the sleek seductive packaging; with its gold, hot pink and black accents. Unlike most other perfumes it doesn't feature a cap. I actually like that for convenience and most times I tend to misplace my perfume caps. If you're worried about traveling with the bottle, don't fret. It comes with a safe traveling guard that attaches to the neck of the spray top to prevent it from accidentally being sprayed.

Another nice feature is that the hose is practically invisible. You need to look closely at the bottle to actually notice that it's inside. This makes the packaging more sophisticated in appearance.

The Rundown
Although I am a fan of its sweet scent, I don't see myself repurchasing it. It is quite pricey and there are many other fragrances I've been wanting to try out such as Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. Candy is a perfume I will generally use at night for a special occasion. I have been enjoying the scent but would like to venture out and try others. Throughout the day I'm currently reaching for Lady Gaga Fame which is harder to find as it's been discontinued in stores.

Have you tried Prada Candy? What is your favorite perfume?

Availability: Nordstrom
Price: $112, 2.7 oz

Summer Skin Essentials + Tarte Clean Slate Primer Trio & Maracuja Oil

Summer is here and if you are an all-year-long makeup addict like myself, then you know it's the hardest season to apply makeup in. Let's face it, it's beginning to get hot as hell out and by midday your makeup will be melting off your face. This doesn't mean you have to revert to not wearing anything throughout the summer though. There are products that can help you achieve a long-lasting face during these hot months.

A while back I had been wanting to try out the Clean Slate line and Maracuja Oil by Tarte but wasn't so sure about investing so much in each product. I picked up this trial-sized primer trio and mini-sized oil at my local Ulta. Included in the trio set is the Poreless Perfecting Primer, Flawless Brightening Primer and 360° Creaseless Smoothing Eye Primer. 

THE BREAK DOWN..

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer / Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Brightening Primer / Tarte Clean Slate 360° Creaseless Eye Primer

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Perfecting Primer (.25 oz trial size) is a waterproof matte base that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines while helping keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours. It contains natural-fruit and plant-derived extracts that deliver anti-aging properties and skin-restorative benefits. It also contains avocado oil which is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E and protein. (Full size: 1.0 oz $30)

I like to apply the poreless primer before my foundation routine. The main ingredient is cyclopentasiloxane meaning it is a thick silicon-based primer, so it fills in any pores and lines that I have and leaves my skin feeling smooth all while giving my foundation a flawless finish. It also doesn't leave you feeling greasy at all. I switch back and forth between this primer and the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I'll apply the Smashbox primer on an everyday basis and use the Tarte primer for days where I really want a flawless long-lasting look. 

Tarte Clean Slate Flawless Brightening Primer (.25 oz trial size) is a waterproof hydrating base that not only keeps your makeup in place for up to 12 hours but also acts as a quick fix for tired, dull-looking skin. Contains Vitamins A and E which are natural preservatives that act as anti-inflammatory emollients that fight damaged skin and prevent premature aging. (Full size: 1.0 oz $30)

I haven't used up this sample yet mainly because I've been really enjoying the poreless primer. The consistency of this primer is much different in that the main ingredient is water. It feels more like a lotion when you apply it to the face. I prefer a silicon-based primer over a water-based one, that's just my preference. I haven't used it long enough to support the claim that it is a fix for tired looking skin but it does make my makeup last all day. 

Tarte Clean Slate 360 Creaseless Smoothing Eye Primer (.09 oz trial size) is a waterproof eye primer that allows for 12-hour creaseless wear as well as true color payoff for your shadows. You can use it to prime under the eye also, hence the 360° claim. Enriched with Vitamin E, it acts as an anti-inflammatory emollient that rejuvenates the skin around the eyes while natural mineral pigments soothe the skin to banish dark circles. (Full size: .39 oz $19)

This isn't an eye primer I reach for often because it has a very watery consistency. Whenever I do go to use it, I have to squeeze out the watery liquid first before getting the actual product out. Because of the texture you do have to allow it to dry on the eyelid before applying shadows. I don't think it makes my shadows last as long as the Urban Decay Primer Potion does and I do prefer the consistency of the UD primer more. It has been my holy grail primer for a while now.

Best of all, Tarte products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrances and triclosan. (All ingredients known to be carcinogenics or harmful for your skin and organs)

All primers come in a convenient squeeze tub package with a twist off cap which is nice since it's more sanitary than some primers that have wands. If I had to pick just one full sized item of the trio it would be the poreless primer. After finishing up the sample size I went out and bought the full size. A face primer is an essential when wearing makeup in the summer. No one wants to spend all that time applying products to just have it wear off with the summer heat. 

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil (.23 oz trial size) is a hydrating treatment oil known for its anti-aging and healing properties for firmer, brighter, and smoother looking skin, that won't cause breakouts. Containing Vitamin C and fatty acids, it repairs and rebuilds skin by reducing redness, irritation and inflammation. (Full size: 1.7 oz $46)

This maracuja oil is pretty pricey at $46 for 1.7 oz but a little goes a long way. The bottle includes a dropper; with one pump it will pick up the right amount of oil you need; 2-3 drops is suffice for an application. The maracuja oil works well for all skin types. For those with drier skin, like myself, it helps hydrate the skin by restoring natural oils back into it. If you have oily skin you might be saying, why would I add more oil to my face? Truth is, the maracuja oil will help balance the natural oils in your skin.

I like to use the maracuja oil as part of my night-time skin care routine when my skin is at its worse. This oil comes in handy in the winter and summer months for me where my skin tends to feel a bit on the drier side. It helps repair my skin by keeping it hydrated as well as reduce the redness I get from my rosacea which tends to flare up the most during those months.

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil - dropper

Before investing in full size products try looking for sample value sets like this. You should still be able to find this set at your local Ulta or Sephora and it is very affordable at only $9. Overall, I'm very impressed with the Clean Slate Poreless Perfecting Primer and the Pure Maracuja Oil. They are both products that I would buy in full size and continue to repurchase over time.

WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER BEAUTY ESSENTIALS?