Friday, October 17, 2014

Target Beauty Box Fall 2014 Edition Review

I just received my first Target beauty box in the mail today and couldn't wait to share it.

Target Beauty Box review

This season's Target Beauty Box contains 5 items. Two of the items are full size. The beauty box is valued to be $28 and cost $7 +tax (Target waived the shipping). I figured that the lipgloss itself cost $9.99 so it was a worth the purchase plus I get to try out other items too.
I like Target's beauty box because unlike other subscription boxes, you know exactly what you are getting and if you don't like this season's box there is no commitment. The major reason why I purchased this box is because of the Laneige BB cream. 

it comes housed in a description card with 3 shades to choose from
"Laneige BB Cushion Sample (Target Exclusive): Pat and press your way to perfect skin with revolutionary 5-in-1 cushion technology that brightens, protects, cools, covers and prevents shine."
I am in need of a new bb cream since I used up the Skin79 Gold Label. I believe this was the brand that started the bb cushion craze and wanted to try it out for a long time but after going to a couple different Targets and they didn't have testers for the BB cream I felt that this was my opportunity to try it out.  It's supposed to hydrate, prevent shine, brighten skin. I'm eager to try this out and will write a review once I do.

loreal elnett hairspray sample

"Elnett Extra Strong Hold Hairspray (2.2 oz): A favorite of runway stylists, this massive-hold spray adds brilliant shine and brushes out in a flash, leaving hair with a clean, satin finish."

 The other item that I had always wanted to try out was the Elnett hairspray. It has received lots of rave and has been featured on many magazines. I don't usually like to use styling products on my hair due to its stickiness. This one promises to hold shape without being crunchy and can be brushed out.

fekkai dry shampoo sample
"Fekkai Professional Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo (1.7 oz): Revive your blowout instantly with an airy mist that absorbs dirt and oil leaving hair clean, fresh and lively."
 I don't care for this dry shampoo since the PSSSSST dry shampoo that I've been using had always worked out for me. This was an extra for me to try a high end version.

L’Oréal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipstick in blushing harmony

"L’Oréal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipstick (.18 fl oz): Knockout hues meet conditioning care in a gorgeous formula infused with precious micro-oils that intensify color, smooth lips and add shine." 
I was nervous about the color that I would get for this lipstick since they didn't state what color you would be getting. This is a full size product. It called a lipstick but is actually a lipgloss. The color I got was blushing harmony and applies sheer to medium. It looks like a berry color in the tube but on my its more of a nude pinkish-brownish shade. On my mother it was a dark nude brownish color. If I had to choose a color I would've chosen a brighter reddish or pinkish color but this color is okay. At the very least it wasn't a vampy color. The color vary by box so I am wondering what other people got.

NYX jumbo eye pencil in milk lair

"NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (.18 oz): Glide-on glam. A velvety blend of mineral oil and powder, this creamy pencil does double beauty duty as a radiant eyeshadow.
L’Oréal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lipstick (.18 fl oz): Knockout hues meet conditioning care in a gorgeous formula infused with precious micro-oils that intensify color, smooth lips and add shine."
This was also an extra for me and is also a full sized product. Netizens have said this was good for highlighting the inner eye duct. I like using a shimmery reflective powder for that purpose but since powder and brushes are more messy I could give this a try. When testing it on my hand, I find that it's super creamy- perfect for using as base for eyeshadow but I don't think the staying power would be too strong since it so creamy and blendable. 




The products arrived in this nicely packaged box and those samples inside were wrapped in red tissue paper that resembles those at sephora. It's a nice sturdy box that I will use to keep my other cosmetics.



















Also included in the box was a description card with $3 of $15 of beauty products at target and a 20% of discount code to the Dermstore.com

This fall 2014 beauty box is still available at Target.com for $7 with free shipping and I think it's a total steal if you are interested in trying out those products.

If you already tried out those products let me know how you like it.

Thanks for reading,

VanillaDreamCream

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Huge Konjac Sponge Collection Comparison and Review

Hello Everybody. I have a huge collection of konjac sponges that I will be reviewing.

review of popular konjac sponges


 The brands that I will be reviewing are:

My Konjac Sponge Facial Sponge in Bamboo Charcoal -to be reviewed-$10
Dew Puff in Asian Clay and Bamboo Charcoal -to be reviewed-$7
Dr. Sponge Facial Konjac Sponge in Green Tea -to be reviewed-$8
Boscia Konjac Cleansing Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal -to be reviewed-$15
The Japanese Konjac Sponge in Cherry Blossom Puff-$11

I will be updating this post with links to the reviews of each sponge.
The list of brands will be listed based on my preference -with Ecotools being my current favorite and  Revive Beauty being my least favorite.

Below is a picture of all the sponges without the outer packaging so you can see their relative sizes.
All the ones on the first row are packaged in a box-like container. Inside the box you would find the sponges wrapped in plastic. The ones on the second row comes in a plastic bag packaging and after tearing open the outer packaging, the sponge wasn't rewrapped again. 
From Top (left to right): Japanese Konjac Sponge in Cherry Blossom Puff, Dr. Sponge in Green Tea, Boscia with Bamboo Charcoal, Ecotools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge in Deep Cleansing
From Bottom (left to right):My Konjac Sponge Facial Sponge in Bamboo Charcoal, Dew Puff in Asian Clay and Dew Puff in Bamboo Charcoal
 

comparison of  konjac sponges
From left to right: Dew Puff, My Konjac Sponge, Boscia, Ecotools, The Japanese Konjac Sponge, Dr. Sponge.
From the picture above, you can see the ones with the largest size is from Dew Puff and and My Konjac Sponge. The smallest would be Dr. Sponge. All the sponges have a string attached so you can hang it up the with exception of Ecotools. 







From Left to Right: Boscia, Ecotools, Dr. Sponge, Japanese Konjac Sponge, Dew Puff, and My Konjac Sponge
 The picture above shows the thickness of the konjac sponges with a decrease in thickness as you move from left to right. The thickness between Boscia and Ecotools; Dr. Sponge and Japanese Konjac Sponge;  Dew Puff and My Konjac Sponge are relatively similar.

What is your favorite konjac sponge brand?

I will be updating this post with new konjac sponge reviews as I go through them.

Thanks for reading,

VanillaDreamCream




Saturday, October 4, 2014

Top Makeup Setting Spray Selected By Get It Beauty

 The Top Five Makeup Setting Spray selected on episode 5 of Get It Beauty season 2.

best makeup setting spray



1st place: So Natural All Day Tight Makeup Setting Fixer-$10 for 50mL
Best makeup setting spray is from So Naturalhas staying power and hydration. 
makes your skin tighter and adheres well
fine mist

  • online:3
  • expert:3
  • better girls:1



2nd place: Too Cool For School Perfect Day Make Up Fixer -$10 for 50mL
fine mist


  • online:5
  • expert:1
  • better girls:2





3rd place :Mac Fix Plus- $20 for 100mL 
ranked the highest in hydration

  • online:1
  • expert:2
  • better girls:3






4th place MAKE UP FOREVER Mist & Fix $30 for 125 mL
pump spray 
good for hydration

  • online:2
  • expert:4
  • better girls:4




5th Clarins Fix Make-Up-$30 for 30ml 
has grapefruit extract and nice fragrance
pump spray

  • online:4
  • expert:5
  • better girls:5





In this episode of Get It Beauty they showed the audience how to achieve this season's hottest hairstyles. I wasn't that interested in the hairstyles of the models but I did think this week's host had really nice hairstyles. Yoo-In-Na had a nice side braid with a bit of volume on the top. While Kim Ji Min had layered hair with nice sidesweep.

yoo in na with side braid

kim ji min with sideswept hair on get it beauty

Tell me your favorite makeup setting spray or tip to make makeup last longer.

Thanks for reading,

VanillaDreamCream