App Review: Clue

If you're anything like me, you've never acquire the skill of knowing when your period is going to come. As young adulthood rolled around I came to the realization that I should probably figure out how to track my period. After, like, 10 minutes of Google searching I downloaded the app Clue. It is available for Android and iOs.

Basically you can track your period, ovulation, and PMS in this app. They offer different view in which you can look at past cycles or three months ahead, like in the calendar view below. You can even set a reminder or widget so you'll be notified days before your period begins. 

They recently released an iOs update in which you can track your skin, weight, mental state, motivation, cravings, and weight. This way you can track what is related to your cycle and what is not. 

There is information related to different birth control methods, and you can even set an alarm for your pill. Over all this app is sleek, easy to use, and it doesn't scream "period app" on your home screen. I use it pretty much religiously so I am always prepared! 

Kabuki Brush Set Review

A few months ago I purchased a brush set from Amazon (that you can find here.) I was very excited because I got 8 brushes for a great price! I was a little nervous like anyone is ordering items online, but I was very glad that these brushes are as great and high quality as they are. They are very soft and don't shed at all. The only downfall I have found is that when they first arrive they smell like very cheap plastic or chemicals. As soon as I gave them a good wash they were fine.

One of the face brush in the set is the angled brush. I use this to apply bronzer and blush.

Another face brush is the dome brush. I use this to apply highlighter on the top of my cheeks.

I use this small flat top brush to blend my under eye concealer in.

My favorite brush is this blending brush. I use this every day!

E.L.F. Jumbo Gloss Review

 I recently picked up a new E.L.F. product from Target. Its the Jumbo Gloss Stick in Sangria Starters. It was only $2! Compared to some of the other jumbo gloss sticks I have (like one from Sephora which was $5, Covergirl's which was about $7, and Revlon which was also about $7) it definitely holds its ground. It leaves a light minty scent and the gloss isn't to shiny, but it isn't matte either. The color pay off is iffy like most gloss sticks, but it can be build up.

Over all it moisturized my lips, leaves a fairly long lasting color, and is super inexpensive. Soon I'll probably be ordering more colors from this line.

Jeffree Star's Velour Liquid Lipstick Review

When Jeffree Star released his first line of liquid lipsticks on Black Friday, I was more than excited. J Star is one of my main beauty idols! Unfortunately, I was unable to purchase any of the colors at the time of release, but my very lovely college roommate got it for me as a Christmas gift!

The packaging is gorgeous! I got the color "Redrum". In the tube it looks to be a more of an warm toned/orangey red rather than a cool toned red which looks best with my skin tone. After applying it and the product dried it was more of a cool toned red which would look great with all skin tones! The consistency is amazing. 

This picture was taken after I first applied the lipstick. It becomes matte but doesn't dry your lips whatsoever! I ate lunch with this lipstick and did not have to reapply. Some product came off on my glass, but again I didn't have to reapply. 

This picture was taken about 6 hours later after a nap! There was a little bit of bleeding around the edges, but lipstick isn't suppose to be worn to sleep!! I also did not use a lip liner before applying the product because I wanted to see the solo performance of the lipstick

Overall this product is amazing and top of the line. I love how involved Jeffree is with making his products and how he personally tries them out before production. I can't wait for the new nude colors to drop in the spring/summer and for Jeffree Star Cosmetics to expand. 

To purchase Redrum go here.

Top 10 Favorite E.L.F. Products!

Dazzling White Teeth Whitening Pen

While on a trip to the Dollar Tree, I was in the cosmetics aisle and saw the Dazzling White Teeth Whitening Pen and I decided to try it out. It comes in a twist up brush applicator that is easy to apply. I definitely noticed a difference after one use. After using it a few more times, my teeth are about 3 shades whiter. It does say to rinse off thoroughly, but I still noticed sensitivity in my gums. To fix that I only have been using one a week or every other week and I no longer have sensitivity. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking into at home teeth whitening for very little money.

E.L.F. Mascara Review

Purederm Nose Pore Strips Review

While doing some after Christmas shopping I found nose pore strips at Forever 21. I had been looking for something like this for quite sometime so I decided to pick them up and try them out.

I got the "Tea Tree" version, there was also a charcoal version. In each box you get six strips. Before applying the strips you have to wet your nose down with water. You then apply the strip and press it down so that the whole strip is in contact with your skin.

This is my nose before the strip. I have quite a few black heads across my nose.

This is my nose after. Honestly it didn't do much. It did remove a few of the blackheads from the front of my nose, but nothing major. For the price I paid for the pack, I'm not to disappointed and I will probably use the rest of them in hopes of better luck!

Comment below if you know of any products or home remedies to remove blackheads and maybe I'll try them out and post about it! If I try your suggestion I will definitely give you credit.

~Kenny

Midnight Fever Palette by Profusion Review

I was on a hunt for an affordable neutral palette for a while. Over the summer my sister and I went shopping at Ross and I found this palette for about $5! I loved the colors, but I wasn't expecting much considering where I purchased it and how much it was.

Surprisingly, I loved everything about this palette! The colors are very pigmented (even the black, though it didn't show up too well in the picture) and they aren't splotchy. There is a good mix of shimmers and matte shadows, but there are mostly shimmers. The only downside to this pallet is that it doesn't really have a matte highlight color, all the lighter colors that could be used as a highlight are shimmery, and personally I don't like using shimmers as a brow highlight. Overall, for the price of this palette, I am super happy with it and recommend it to anyone looking for a neutral palette.

Word Camp Denver 2013 Review and Opinion

Today I went to a blogging conference with Ms. Sarah (her website: http://mooseandtater.com) and Roni (her blog: http://happyinaheadlock.blogspot.com/) and it was not what I expected. First off, when we registered online they have you choose your t-shirt size. Surprisingly they had men and woman's sizes. I really liked that because generally they give everyone male shirts. When we got their they only had XXL to M in men's. Also, they only had coffee and water, no snacks. We arrived at 8:30 and were there until about 5:30 with only lunch served. I have never been to some sort of conference or event that was similar that didn't have food! Secondly, with as many sponsor's as the event had you would think that there would be some sort of items given away. The only swag we received were bumper stickers, pens, and pins with the Word Press logo. It was quite disappointing. The first few speakers were a little hard to follow and didn't give us much information. After lunch, the speaker's were great! My personal favorite was Christian Toto (you can find his website here.)

Overall, the day was alright, but I don't think I'll be re attending.

Brush Review (EcoTools, ELF, and Colormates)

Dollar Store 5 Minute Hair Removal Kit Review/Tutorial

I was doing some early Christmas shopping at my local Dollar Store this weekend and when going through the beauty aisle I found this Hair Removal Kit.

I have been interested in at home hair removal for a while (such as waxing or a cream like this one), but never really got around to buying a kit and actually trying it. For a dollar there wasn't much to loose! 

The directions say to try a test patch and leave it on for 24 hours, but I didn't do that because I am inpatient. It says to apply very thick like so: 

It says to leave it on for five minutes, then using the razorless plastic blade they give you to scrap off some of the cream to see if it is all dissolved. The first time I put it on I didn't have enough on, but then I applied more like in the picture above and waited another five minutes. All of the hair was gone! Even though I removed all of the cream with warm water and the razor it left my legs dry and  icky. So I jumped in the shower and it was better! No more dry or itchiness. 

Overall, I think this product is definitely worth more than a dollar and I will probably be repurchasing it. The only downside is the itchiness afterwards, but rinsing your legs off with warm water and some soap in the tub or shower gets rid of that.  

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer Review

NYC's Smooth Skin Bronzing Powder in Sunny has been a favorite of many drug store make-up shoppers. It is often compared to Benefit's Hoola bronzer because of its coloration and matte finish. Personally, I have never tried Hoola bronzer, but I am definitely in love with this one. It is very inexpensive and has the perfect color for a large range of skin tones. It adds enough color to contour and it blends well. The only downside to this product is that it only comes in one color, though it does fit many skin tones. Overall, this product is inexpensive and will probably be my go to bronzer for a while.

Avon Nailwear Pro Review

I recently received this nail polish as a gift and I was super excited because I have never used an Avon nail polish before. The color I received is Midnight Plum. I took off my nail polish from a few days before and applied it. It was a super cute grape jelly color. It went on smooth, but it was a bit transparent. After the first coat dried, I applied another and it was completely opaque. The finished result is a super shiny deep purple that is, just like E.L.F.'s Midnight Blue, a great alternative to the normal black polish.

Overall, I really enjoyed the finished product because it is shiny without a top coat and it only needs two layers for a completely opaque finish.

TRESemmé Split Remedy Shampoo & Conditioner Review

Its time for another review!

This time I will be giving you my opinion on TRESemmé's Split Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner. I'm just going to jump right into it. The first time I used these, the conditioner left my hair feeling very weighed down and greasy. However, my hair did look a lot less damaged and my dead/split ends looked repaired. I switched shampoo and conditioners for about a week because I didn't like the way it made my hair feel. As soon as I went back to my old products my split ends were back. A few days later I tried using the Split Remedy products again. My hair is now a little used to it, but it still does make my hair feel waxy. My hair looks great, but it doesn't feel as good. I don't touch my hair too often so it doesn't quite bother me, but if you do you might want to consider a different product line.

Body Scrubs Review

I received some body scrubs from my Aunt that she asked me to test and get some feedback, as she has just started making them in her free time. I received three different scents; Cumber & Melon, Rain, and Spicy Apple. 

Spicy Apple

Spicy Apple was the first scent I tried. The smell was amazing and left a perfect scent for fall. I First tested the scrub by washing my hands to see how my skin reacted. The smell lingered on my hands for a few hours and my skin felt very soft and smooth. I then used it on the rest of my body. Again it left my skin soft and smooth with a light spiced apple scent. The only down side is that the exfoliates do not dissolve like some store bought scrubs, therefore they do not wash off as easily. 

Cumber & Melon

Cumber and Melon is the next scent I tried. It smelled like all Cumber and Melon products do and is a great scent for the Spring or Summer. I used the wash on my hands and body like I did with the Spicy Apple and the same results occurred. My hands were very soft and very smooth. With this scrub, it was a little more packed into the container so I had to scrap it out. Again like the other scrubs the exfoliates didn't dissolve, but the effect it had on my skin was worth any side effects. 

Rain

Rain was the last scent I tried, and even though the name of the Scent is rain, it smells more like clean laundry or baby powder. "Rain" still has the same soft and smooth effect on my skin, but the scent does not smell like rain. 

Overall, I really like these scrubs. They do not dry my skin out or irritate it in anyway. They aren't too harsh so you can use them on your face (just avoid the area around your eyes). The scrubs are colored to match the container, but they do not dye your skin which is great.