Black Opal Papaya Gentle Body Exfoliator ($6.95) is a great drugstore body scrub that you can find at a lot of your local retailers. I saw it at Wal-Mart (that’s the closest “drugstore” to me at the moment), actually. It caught my eye because it smells like tropical paradise to me–which I suppose is a mix of papaya, pineapple, mango, etc. All I know is whenever I use this in the shower, I feel like I’m getting ready for a lazy, summery day spent at the beach. (Of course, I’m not really, but it’s a nice way to wake up!) It uses papaya enzymes as a natural exfoliator and brightener, so it’s extremely gentle and can be used a few times a week.
MAC Cleanse Off Oil ($21.00 for 150ml) is my new best friend. When I heard my favorite MAC girls gushing and I mean, GUSHING!, over Cleanse Off Oil via Twitter all during Fashion Week, I knew I had to try it for myself. Despite being a huge MAC fan and collector, I must admit I tend to overlook their skincare, though I’ve been pretty happy with the skincare products I’ve tried by them (hello, Volcanic Ash Exfoliator!).
The description off of MAC’s website lists Cleanse Off Oil as, “An industry-strength oil-based makeup remover that’s gentle on the skin. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed and absolutely 100% mineral-oil free. Massages onto the skin to loosen all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water: rinses off easily, no tissues required—and no residue! Protects with vitamin E. Skin softening and conditioning.”
Nick Gavrelis, VP of Product Development for MAC, tells us that Cleanse Off Oil was originally developed for their Asian Markets as a quick, makeup removing oil that “quickly and thoroughly dissolves all traces of make-up, cleanses and conditions skin and can be emulsified in contact with water then rinsed off completely.” He tell us the best way to apply it is to massage it to “blend well” with your makeup. Then, simply rinse off with lukewarm, as “emulsifying” the oil with water.
Cleanse Off Oil is designed remove all makeup, including waterproof mascaras. It contains several different oils (including jojoba, rose hip, olive, and evening primrose), while being mineral oil-free, all working together to really break down your makeup. I have to tell you that I think Cleanse Off Oil might actually be one of the reasons my skin is on the up and up lately. It really does clean and break down makeup, whether it’s fluidline or foundation, and it rinses away with water.
I’ve tried the Oil Cleansing Method using a mixture of olive oil and another oil (I’m blanking on which one), but I didn’t love the way it felt on my face. It was just too thick, too oily–it felt like it even when I had rinsed it off. Cleanse Off Oil feels like a very thin oil when you initially massage it into your face, but any oiliness goes away as soon as you rinse it away. My skin felt clean and soft, but it didn’t have that stripped feel that some cleansers can leave. It is SUPERB in removing makeup from eyes to lashes to lips — it’s better than my go-to eye makeup remover Bi-Facil. I recommend everyone check this product out! Try it with Liquid Last Liner to be truly amazed 
When I asked MAC Senior Artist Tiffany Johnston why she can’t get enough of the Cleanse Off Oil, this is what she said:
“I LOVE this product! I use it to breakdown and remove all my makeup (including airbrush and waterproof makeup), I also use it on my bodypainting brushes. It brings my dual fibre brushes back to white! I also use it to shave my legs!”
So now I am off to see if I can get some of my slightly-stained white-bristled brushes back to their original state! Wish me luck!
Who else knows the joys of Cleanse Off Oil? (Anyone not impressed by it?)
Mario Badescu Summer Shine Body Lotion ($10.00 for 6 oz. or $22.00 for 16 oz.) is a new favorite for all over body glow. One of my staple products during the warm months are shimmery body lotions, and while I love myself some shimmer, I am a bit particular about it. I like subtle shimmer, not a lot of glittery bits. I just want to see some extra sheen and va-voom added to my legs when I wear a dress or a sleeveless tank. Summer Shine is a moisturizing body lotion that feels weightless and sinks into skin quickly. I also find that it doesn’t seem to get all over my clothes, and it doesn’t feel sticky at all. I tend to prefer thicker lotions and creams for the body, but when it’s hot outside, thinner lotions like this one are more practical. I’m also a huge fan of the price tag on this product! I’d say a 6 oz. bottle will last you a good two months of regular use.
Get Sunkissed Without the Risk: Best Bronzers for Over $30
Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Powder
($65.00) contains four shades that go from light to dark. They can be used together, swirled, or alone for personalization, which is definitely nice. The compact is large enough where you can feasibly use one or two shades alone, rather than all four. What I love about this bronzer is it feels silky and smooth, very finely milled. It feels weightless, and it looks very, very natural. It has a subtle shimmer sheen when applied, but the shimmer isn’t overly so. It falls into the category of “sophisticated” shimmer–the kind that doesn’t accentuate facial flaws.
Guerlain Terracotta Mineral Loose Powder
($65.00) is a sheer-to-medium buildable, loose bronzer. It’s new for the spring/summer season, and included with the bronzer pot is a miniature kabuki brush. It is available in three shades: Light, Medium, and Dark. Light is probably going to be too light for most; this shade is most suitable for those who want just the faintest (and I mean faintest!) hint of color on them–perhaps as an allover powder vs. where the sun hits. Medium is a more universal shade that doesn’t go on glowing orange. It didn’t feel like there was any shimmer in it to me, and I did find it fairly blendable. The biggest downside is that it can get messy. Being a loose powder means that you may find a cloud of bronzer poof when you open the container, and you may get more powder than you’d like on your brush.
Dior Bronze Collagen Activ Bronzer
($48.00) is a new bronzer from Dior that is designed to help smooth and fill fine lines. It’s not just makeup, it’s makeup with skincare ingredients in it. The bronzer also has SPF25, which is nice, though not necessary (I’m already going to wear SPF all over my face, so my bronzer doesn’t have to have it). The new bronzer comes in four shades: Healthy Tan, Honey Tan, Amber Tan, and Spicy Tan. It’s near matte in finish, and it gives you a glowy, sunkissed look that looks very natural–no orange glow here. I found this particular bronzer very blendable upon application, and it felt softer and less powdery, too.
What’s your favorite bronzer?
B-Girlz, Laced Up, Sneakerhead
China Glaze’s Kicks Collection includes two sets of six nail lacquers for a total of twelve summery shades for your toes and fingers. The collection will be available later this April in both salons and beauty supply stores nationwide–it’s available at 8ty8beauty.com right now if you gotta have your fix.. Each polish retails for $6.50.
Kicks Part 2 Includes:
- B-Girlz is a subtly shimmery hot pink with fuchsia shimmer bits. It definitely screams SUMMER! I think I’d wear this more on my toes than fingers, but I think they’d look hot with some black flip flops.
- Laced Up is a creamy, hot pink. It’s very “Barbie pink” to me, but I do appreciate the brightness to it, which is often forgotten in a true “Barbie pink.”
- Sneakerhead is a creamy, opaque cherry-red. China Glaze describes this shade as a “cherry jubilee,” and I think that’s the perfect description for this shade.
- Oh How Sweet is a deep, creamy orange. It reminds me of lava in a way, because it is so intense and fiery.
- Style Wars is a slightly less red version of Oh How Sweet. It’s a medium to deep orange cream. I wish it wasn’t quite as close to Oh How Sweet, though.
- Breakin’ is a shimmery mango-orange that reflects amazingly in the sun. The way the light hits it makes it look almost molten.
My Top Picks: Sneakerhead, Breakin’
Check out photos and swatches of these six new shades! Continue reading →
Entourage, Paper Chasing, Custom Kicks
China Glaze’s Kicks Collection debuts this April, in addition to their Summer Days Collection, and it’s all about celebrating Sneakerheads. Twelve lacquers from lime green to cherry red are included in this summer launch, with each lacquer retailing for $6.50 a pop. It’s available at 8ty8beauty.com right now if you gotta have your fix.
There are two “parts”, each consisting of six colors. This post includes reviews of the first six, as well as swatches and images for the same. Look for a second post featuring the next six to follow!
Kicks Part 1 Includes:
- Entourage is a vibrant lime green–it’s very much what I think of when someone says “lime green.” It’s not quite neon, and it’s actually not as bright as it could be, which is a good thing. I guess it’s kind of the like the interior of a lime, not the rind itself. I love the subtle shimmer that reflects in the light.
- Paper Chasing is a deeper, vibrant lime green–this is much more like the rind of a lime than Entourage. It has lots of shimmer in it, and it’s a bright color for summer.
- Custom Kicks is described as a “dusty teal,” and I’d say that’s not a bad description. It’s a medium teal with gold flecks of shimmer. The gold shimmer lightly dusted in the polish is what makes this polish stand out. I find it leans more as a blue-teal than a green-teal.
- Sky High-Top is a periwinkle blue; it’s cool-toned with blue/silver shimmer in a blue base with some violet to it. It’s very pretty, and it reminds me of ultra blue summer skies.
- Fly is a fuchsia-purle shimmer shade that’s not fully expected in the collection, but it is a welcomed color. It’s deeper without being vampy, and it has just enough color to be bright without being over the top.
- It’s Poppin is a hot, shimmery pink with a little kick of red tones to it. It doesn’t seem like it runs too cool or warm, which makes it wearable by more people. It’s a pretty bright shade, though!
My Top Picks: Entourage, Custom Kicks, Sky High-Top
See swatches and photos of China Glaze’s Kicks Collection! Continue reading →
