pHind Out the Truth: Using pH Test Strips for Skincare – A Review of pH Dip Sticks

At this point in my life, using pH test strips is the closest thing I’ll get to an adult science fair.  It’s strangely gratifying when you successfully match up a test strip to the color guide.

Before I get into my experience using these strips, let me start at the beginning.  I had heard vaguely here and there about pH in skincare, such as the pH level a product must be at for optimum efficacy.  But only recently did I start learning about the natural pH of skin (it’s slightly acidic) and its importance to the skin’s moisture barrier.  Skin & Tonics did a great post explaining this concept.  Since I have skin on the drier side, I paid attention and basically agonized for a day over whether my skincare was destroying my moisture barrier.

Anyway, I decided to stop agonizing, bought these paper pH strips, and began testing away!

01 pH Test Strip Review
Unused strip resembles a pH of 5 on the diagram

Continue reading “pHind Out the Truth: Using pH Test Strips for Skincare – A Review of pH Dip Sticks”

Worth It? Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review

01 Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review“$95 for moisturizer?!” you screech. “Are you crazy?!”

Why yes, I am crazy. Crazy for dewy, moist skin.

Before I get into why I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream ($95 for 1.7 fl. oz.) and why I think you can pass on it, let me show you the gorgeous packaging and attention to detail. The outer box and the wraparound insert unfold like a blooming flower. Finally, when you get past all of that, the jar–with the CT logo right side up–reveals itself in all its rose gold and heavy glass splendor.

Continue reading “Worth It? Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Review”

Killin’ It: Clio Waterproof Brush Liner Kill Black & O’Tank Volume Mascara Review

02 Clio Waterproof Brush Liner Kill Black ReviewClio Waterproof Brush Liner in Kill Black is my latest eyeliner love.  It combines the best of everything from my other faves: namely, the precise brush tip and smooth flow of the Physicians Formula Eye Booster Eyeliner and the no-smudge longevity of the Blinc Liquid Eyeliner Pen.

01 Clio Waterproof Brush Liner Kill Black O'Tank Volume Mascara Review

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Vitamin C You Later: Lessons from Using Vitamin C Skincare

At the risk of sounding obvious, don’t use brown-colored skincare. So I haven’t always been so informed about skincare ingredients. Vitamin C is popping up in lots of products nowadays due to its ability to lighten up hyperpigmentation. Turns out that one sign of vitamin C becoming destabilized and losing its efficacy is a deep yellow/orange or light brown color.

I’ve used various products without even realizing that this had happened because the product was discolored from the start and because I didn’t even realize that vitamin C was an ingredient.

Philosophy Hope in a Jar Night Review Continue reading “Vitamin C You Later: Lessons from Using Vitamin C Skincare”

Not En Pointe: Chacott Cleansing Water Review

01 Chacott Cleansing Water ReviewThe saleswoman had me at “ballet.” Chacott for Professionals is a Japanese ballet brand, she explained. Well if it’s good enough for prima ballerinas, surely it’s good enough for little ol’ me.

02 Chacott Cleansing Water ReviewAccording to the saleswoman, the Cleansing Water is supposedly comparable to Bioderma but cheaper. I’ve never tried Bioderma, so I can’t speak to that point. However, my skepticism about cleansing waters was borne out when I used Chacott.

Continue reading “Not En Pointe: Chacott Cleansing Water Review”

Blake Unlively: TonyMoly Kiss Lover Live Tint #1 Live Pink Review

01 TonyMoly Kiss Lover Live Tint #1 Live Pink ReviewTonyMoly Kiss Lover Live Tint in #1 Live Pink looks like a gorgeous faintly neon pink coral in the bottle. (It looks like a bright pastel here, but that’s only because my camera couldn’t capture the neon-ness.) The texture is thin and liquidy: slightly heavier than a typical watery lip tint but lighter than some milky lip tints.

02 TonyMoly Kiss Lover Live Tint #1 Live Pink Review

Continue reading “Blake Unlively: TonyMoly Kiss Lover Live Tint #1 Live Pink Review”

Everything’s Coming Up Roses: Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask Review

As a huge fan of sleeping masks (the convenience! the ease of use! the fact that you can use it a ton of times and still have plenty left in the jar!), I’m thrilled to see that Western brands have picked up on this Korean trend. Just search for “overnight mask” on Sephora and you’ll see lots of offerings.

01 Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ReviewThe Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask ($45 for a hefty 5-oz. jar) claims to counteract signs of aging and to brighten, tone, and hydrate. Read on to find out why it’s in the fridge . . .

Continue reading “Everything’s Coming Up Roses: Peter Thomas Roth Rose Stem Cell Bio-Repair Gel Mask Review”

The Pursuit of Ashiness: Anna Sui Eyebrow Color Compact 03 Ash Brown Review

01 Anna Sui Eyebrow Color Compact 03 Ash Brown ReviewOne of my biggest peeves is red-toned eyebrows. I have dark brown hair with reddish/orange tones in certain lighting, but even then, reddish brows look plain unnatural. I always prefer a cool, ashy brown or taupe. As it is, any color will appear warmer once applied to my warm-toned skin.

03 Anna Sui Eyebrow Color Compact 03 Ash Brown Review - Flash
With flash

The Anna Sui Eyebrow Color Compact in 03 Ash Brown ($28) caught my eye because it includes a distinctive green shade. That’s right, green. Continue reading “The Pursuit of Ashiness: Anna Sui Eyebrow Color Compact 03 Ash Brown Review”

Nail Fail: Kracie Nail Color Remover Sheets Review

I’ve been keeping a couple of packets of the Kracie Petit Moi Nail Color Remover sheets in my purse. You know, for nailmergencies like when your polish is shrinking and there’s 1/4-inch of nail showing between your cuticle and the polish.

01 Kracie Nail Color Remover Sheets ReviewI had used this product successfully several months ago. The sheet was soaked with enough remover for both hands and didn’t dry out my nails. So when a nailmergency popped up today, I didn’t hesitate to break open a packet. Continue reading “Nail Fail: Kracie Nail Color Remover Sheets Review”