We’re starting back with a super easy post about the Thorn Bite Lip Oils, because I can tell you right from the start that I LOVE this product.

Rituel de Fille recently released their Thorn Bite Peptide Plump Creme Lip Oils, which come in six shades. Their description of the Thorn Bite oils focuses on the benefits and luxury of the product: “Enriched with peptides, botanicals and organic skincare ingredients, this luxuriously creamy formula merges makeup and lipcare to create a formula unlike any lip oil you have tried before.”

I chose to review one of the Color Sets available, called Blooms, which is is a trio made up of three gorgeous shades:
1. Rose Bloom (sheer rose mauve)
2. Rose Pinch (sheer ripe rose)
3. Rose Fruit (sheer plum rose)

True to their description, these are nourishing and moisturizing oils, with a hint of a glossy finish. While they are not wildly opaque, there is enough pigmentation where you can see something on the lips, yet not so much that I’d be hesitant to apply sans mirror.

Finally, the packaging of the Thorn Bite lip oils is stunning. The component is a weighty glass, and the black top connects to a perfectly sized doe foot applicator.

As always, I invite you to check out my swatch Reel.

To summarize, Thorn Bite is for you if you like a non-sticky, moisturizing oil with a medium color payoff. Look elsewhere if you need a gloss that lasts all day or has opaque coverage on the lips.

You can get $10 off your first Rituel de Fille purchase by CLICKING HERE. If you were to pick only one Thorn Bite, my favorite is Rose Pinch. I also highly recommend the 3 Drop Weightless Serum Foundation!

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Divinyl Lip Shine Info

The packaging is sleek and fun. Housed in a shiny purple (or is it pink?) component with the signature lip shape in the middle, these lipsticks are a tiny bit thinner than PatMcGrath’s traditional “mattetrance” and “luxetrance” products. The Divinyl Lip Shine is heavy enough to feel substantial, but is not the weightiest lipstick I’ve held.

You can purchase the Divinyl Lip Shine products as singles (Sephora has them!), in trios, or in the full set (on Pat McGrath’s site – be sure to use Rakuten for cash back if you go this route!) As usual, the trios are grouped into “Skin Show” and “Colour Blitz” options, though I personally feel all except for one shade are fairly “colorful.”

The Swatches

Now, for the swatches! You’ll see below that all the shades are shiny, as expected. The Divinyl Lip Shine shades are pigmented enough to show up in one swipe, but not to the point where the bolder shades are intimidating. Feel free to visit this Instagram post if you want to see a video of me trying them all on!

The Review

I’ve now worn the Divinyl Lip Shine shades now for a couple of days. I can safely say that this is one of my favorite lip products of the whole year. I find them to be similar in texture to Dior Addict Lacquer Sticks, but more moisturizing and slightly longer lasting. They do remain glossy during wear, and are comfortable throughout. This will not be the product for you if you aim for longevity. However, it is a great option if you anticipate needing to swipe something on quickly after removing your mask. These shades are also great to brighten up the face for a Zoom call! At $36 a piece, you do want to make sure this is an item you’ll grab frequently. And do make note, since the trio is $92 and the set is $184, you actually get a better deal by buying in “bulk.”

Shop more Pat McGrath favorites:

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Julep Cushion Complexion Claims

I’m going to steal directly from Julep’s page now, folks:

This multitasking skin perfector has a natural, demi-matte finish with buildable medium-to-full coverage that conceals, corrects, illuminates, blurs & brightens.

The convenient cushion tip applicator allows for easy and precise application, even on the go. Use it to spot correct and conceal, or all over as a foundation.

Ease of Application: 5/5

By twisting the little clicky mechanism (technical term), product is dispensed into the cushion tip. For concealing, I apply this the the spot in question and blend it out with my finger. For use as a foundation, I swipe this bad boy all over my face and blend it out with a foundation brush. I find this product so easy to use that I now carry it in my bag every day, just in case.

it stays in my pencil case with other necessities…

Formula: 5/5

Yes. Just yes. I always have concerns about a product that claims versatility. The Julep Cushion Complexion blew me away. When used as a foundation, this lasts all day. Under the eye- no creasing. As a concealer – pigmented. I just… I just love it so much.

Color: 5/5

Crowdtap and Julep were kind enough to send me four shades with which to experiment: 100 Alabaster, 110 Porcelain, 130 Ivory and 140 Buff. For use as a foundation, Ivory is my best match. I like Alabaster and Porcelain for brightening and concealing. I’ve also gotten away with 140 all over my face and as a concealer. As a foundation, I would say that the Julep Cushion Complexion is medium coverage with a natural finish.

Packaging 5/5:

The cushion tip is soft and comfortable to apply. The cap clicks on the sleek pen securely, and I’ve had no issues with leaking. You get 0.16g of product, which is a bit less than your average foundation stick. However, since you only need a tiny bit of product with each use, this will probably last a while.

Final Grade: A+

The Julep Cushion Complexion receives 20 out of 20 points. I honestly will buy it for myself when I run out.

The Julep Cushion Complexion is available on their website, as well as at (affiliate link–>) Ulta.

I hope you found this review helpful! Please leave a comment and let me know!

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Hello, class. We have another “official” grading session. And, coincidentally enough, it’s another foundation. Today, it is the much anticipated Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation.

I sought out this particular foundation because I heard it was fantastically matte and full coverage. I purchased it from Sephora.

Please head to the rubric overview if you need a refresher on how we grade product in this class.

Product Claims (via Sephora):

What it is:
An oil-free, full-coverage, waterproof foundation with a matte finish that lasts all night.

What it does:
All Nighter Liquid Foundation offers full coverage with a modern matte finish that never looks overdone. Get foundation wear that lasts all night and a flawless-looking complexion with this foundation. Perfect for a night on the town, this innovative formula is also comfortable enough to wear every day.

While Naked Skin complexion products are demi-matte, All Nighter Liquid Foundation is completely matte. Urban Decay loaded this formula with an insane amount of pigment (about three times as much as Naked Skin Liquid Makeup), so a little goes a long way. There’s no need to build coverage or apply multiple layers. It diffuses light to blur flaws for beautifully perfected skin as it mattifies and absorbs oil to reduce the appearance of shine. With a wide range of meticulously calibrated shades that match UD’s existing Naked Skin Liquid Makeup shades, it’s easy to find your perfect match.

official Grading:

Ease of Application: 2/5

I attempted to apply this foundation both with my trusty foundation brush and a beauty blender. What I found with both methods is that the foundation does not spread easily, leaving very obvious bare patches on the face (because of the color… more on that later). The areas I was able to cover well were frequently cakey or flakey.

Formula: 2/5

Yes, the Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation is completely matte, as the advertisements suggest. It also blurs existing flaws. However, it creates its own flaws! I tried this over multiple (an no) primers and each time I experienced at least one of the following: flaking, patchiness, cakiness, pilling, formula not setting, and the feeling of a heavy foundation on my face. Maybe this works for really oily skin. If you have oily skin and use this, please weigh in!

If you look closely, you can see that the foundation was pilling as I applied it and showed a rough texture in general.

Color: 3/5

If I can’t find a color match in a foundation line, it’s usually indicative of an overall color problem. For some reason there is no “fair neutral” shade, so I used Color 1- “fair bisque with soft warm undertone.” Since the color was significantly more yellow than my skin, the fact that I could not get this to blend into my face became extremely noticeable. It’s pigmented, I’ll give them that. However, the fact that the first neutral undertone doesn’t occur until Shade 3.25 is an issue. Additionally, there are many reports of oxidation (which I did experience in a very small amount) on Instagram.

Packaging: 5/5

I love the packaging of the Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation. Love. That’s what makes the rest of this review so difficult for me. The pump applicator works smoothly and the metal details are so badass.

Overall grade: 12/20 – C+

The Urban Decay All Nighter Liquid Foundation receives a grade of C+. The redeeming qualities of this product include matte-ness, pigmentation and packaging. These might outweigh the negatives for those with very oily skin. I, however, returned this product to Sephora because I never want to use it again.

Urban Decay products that I do love:

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Today, class, we are doing an official grading session of the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation (well, that’s a mouthful!) In case you forgot, we grade using our official rubric.

First, a little background. I purchased this product in my quest to find a medium coverage, natural-looking base. I have heard very little about the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation, but I know that this company tends to deliver quality products.

Now, the grading!

Product Claims (via Sephora):

What it is:
A sheer-to-medium, buildable coverage foundation that creates a soft, candlelit glow on skin—day or night.

What it does:
Laura Mercier always dreamed of inventing a foundation that recreated the atmosphere of a candlelit room. Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation is a mosaic of nature’s most luminous natural ingredients that gives skin a glowing look anytime day or night. A calibrated blend of radiant-pearl mica, embedded in an ultra-lightweight formula, mimics the reflective radiance of just lit candles. The mica mélange fuses with refreshing purified water that leaves skin with a burst of hydration and helps foundation glide onto skin for lasting smoothness and natural luminosity. Available in 24 shades, this foundation’s luxurious blend of lightweight oils locks in this moisture to leave skin balanced, soft and beautifully ignited.

Official Grading

Ease of Application: 5/5

I found this foundation incredibly easy to apply. It has a thin consistency, which lends itself to being buffed out by a brush (I used the IT Cosmetics #110), however it is not so thin that it gets sucked up by a Beauty Blender. Both application methods work well with the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation. The foundation blends easily and does not ever appear streaky or cakey.

Formula: 3/5

As suggested by the product description, this is a sheer-to-medium coverage foundation. I find that it does leave the face looking soft and luminous, without appearing greasy. It is long-lasting, especially when set with a translucent powder. It does sink a bit into creases, specifically the one I have to the left of my mouth. This is my only qualm.

I think it is also important to note that my skin is neither oily nor dry at this point. When I asked for opinions on Instagram, @katelovesmakeup1 (of katelovesmakeup.com) and @avant_claire suggestes that this formula does not do well on oily skin. However, @art_theta, who probably has skin like mine, says she reaches for this foundation “almost everyday.”

Color: 5/5

I was able to find a decent color match for the Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation in the shade Shell. I have not found that the color oxidizes at all with time. The foundation is pigmented enough to be buildable to medium coverage

Packaging: 5/5

The frosted bottle has a mirrored cover that closes securely over the pump top. It is a heavy, glass product (so don’t drop it on a hard floor…) that feels luxurious. The top is prone to acquiring fingerprints, but it is easily cleaned. The pump expels enough product to cover the face in one application.

Overall: 18/20

The Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation gets an A!

I highly recommend this foundation for those with normal to dry skin looking for a light to medium coverage base with a natural finish. Have you tried it?

More Laura Mercier:

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Hello, class! Today we are going to be grading a new-ish product, the Lancome Juicy Shaker, specifically in the shade “Apri-Cute.” Now, I should mention that right now, Sephora has this shade listed as “mouth watering Apricot” for some reason, rather than its official Lancome name. Either way, same shade, same grade.

As always, we will use the handy-dandy grading rubric to determine our review. Additionally, some links here are affiliate links, which means I make like a fraction of a cent if you click on it. If that’s not cool with you, feel free to search the product names on the internet yourself!

Product Description

First, let’s talk about what the Lancome Juicy Shaker supposedly is and does. According to Lancome’s page about this product:

Shake it up with the latest innovation: Juicy Shaker’s bi-phase technology delivers the first pigmented lip oil with 2 distinct phases. The first phase is a transparent oil phase for a comfortable non-sticky shine. The second is the pigment phase for a shot of color. Shake Juicy Shaker like a cocktail shaker to mix the pigments and oil. The cushion applicator enhances application by delivering the perfect ‘shot’ of addictive non-sticky shine and a sheer tint of color to your lips that is simply irresistible.

The cocktail blend of 4 nourishing oils treats your lips like a lip balm. Peach kernel oil; a well-known emollient softens lips while Sweet Almond oil conditions and Cranberry oil provides rich anti-oxidant properties. Muscat Rose oil is rich in essential fatty acids and helps to soothe lips. So addictive, you won’t be able to resist applying it over and over.

Grading

Ease of Application: 5/5
Shake it up, untwist the top, and smother your lips in the oil. It’d be really hard to screw this one up…

Formula: 3/5
The product description promises a “non-sticky” shine. Non-sticky, sure, but the shine lasts about 5 minutes. And as for “so addictive, you won’t be able to resist applying it over and over”… well, perhaps that has something to do with the fact that you need to keep reapplying it if you want it to look like there’s anything on your lips at all. The formula is somewhat hydrating, but no more so than a standard lip oil. I should also not that this product does have a fragrance – mine is somewhat citrusy- so if that bothers you, beware.

Color: 3/5
Pigmented? Nope. Not one bit. Now I can only speak for the Apri-Cute shade. It’s possible that the darker berries and reds show up more. But I was definitely expecting more from a product that appeared so bright in the package. Overall it is still a beautiful, wearable color, just a little disappointing in terms of pigmentation.

Packaging: 4/5
The whole “shaker” idea is an adorable concept. However, there’s something weird feeling about having such a big spongy applicator. I also feel a little bit silly applying it in public because it is such an unusual applicator.

Overall, the Lancome Juicy Shaker in Apri-Cute receives a grade of B!

I have seen many positive reviews of the Lancome Juicy Shaker, so I am especially interested to hear your thoughts if you’ve tried it. Please leave them below!

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Let’s talk about what the Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay mask is. According to Valentia, the key ingredients in this mask are:

– Kaolin Clay: Clay minerals draw impurities, improve skin tone, and tighten pores for smoother firmer skin.

– Plant Stem Cells: Naturally decreases the level of pro-aging toxins and works to soother the skin, reduce redness, and improve evenness.

– Spirulina: A botanical stimulant full of vitamins that hydrates the skins surface and contributes to tissue regeneration of the skin.

– CoQ10: Lessens the appearance of wrinkles by reducing free radical damage and stimulating health collagen production.

– Hibiscus & Cranberry Fibers: Both lend their anti-aging properties to firm and reinforce the skin, helping to reduce the creation of new wrinkles.

As directed, I applied the mask “generously” to my clean face and went about my business for 20 minutes. After rinsing with warm water and a cloth, my skin felt refreshed and clean but not at all dry or tight. I used the Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay mask four times (yes, I know that’s higher than the recommended frequency!) over the course of one week, and I found that over time my skin appeared brighter and my pores less noticeable. I also felt that it diminished those pesky blackheads on my chin.

Overall, I absolutely love this mask and would consider purchasing it. The Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask gets a gold star! I can see myself going back to this mask every time I have a bad skin day.

By the way, you can find the Valentia Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask on Amazon! Be sure to check out Valentia’s Instagram and Facebook to see what they’re all about!

And guess what…. should you be interested in purchasing the Skin Detoxifying Clay Mask, Valentia has provided the following code – 2WOV76GO – which will give my readers 20% off any Valentia product for the next month. So shop away! (And if you do get something – tell me, so I know if I need it, too!)

UPDATE: Valentia has notified me that from May 16th – June 1st, they are offering you a 35% discount on their ENTIRE line at Valentia.com. So if you need a skincare product that is Vegan and cruelty-free, be sure to check them out. Your code is: REFRESH35

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Hello class! Today’s mini-review is powered by BrandBacker, which means I got the presented products for free but am expected to put forth my honest and thorough opinion, as I always. Be sure to check out the grading policy! I was so excited for the opportunity to work with a Billion Dollar Brows product because, well, I love brow products. Nothing sets a look better than a good, strong eyebrow, right?

Brows On Point Micro Pencil

BDB was nice enough to send me a set of all four shades of their new Brows On Point Micro Pencil. I was ecstatic! The shades are Raven, Taupe, Light Brown, and Blonde. The pencil itself is incredibly reminiscent of a very popular brow pencil from a very popular brand (enough said, right?) so I had high hopes from the start!

According to Billion Dollar Brows, with these pencils you can:

Easily create hair like brush strokes with this micro pencil’s super-slim precision point to fill in and accentuate your brows.  This mechanical pencil does not need a sharpener and covers every hair for maximum color pay off.

• Super-fine, self-sharpening tip for precise application
• Creates natural, blendable lines that mimic the look of individual hairs
• Waterproof and smudge proof formula glides on smoothly and stays in place

swatches

These four pencils offer a wide range of shades. I am still a bit confused about the naming of the shades. Here, see for yourself!

same swatches, this time in the shade

OK, so here’s the thing… I would probably call Raven “Dark Ash Brown.” Taupe is not taupe at all… much too red. I would call it “Warm Brown.” For some reason Light Brown is darker than Blonde. I don’t like either shade name. I would change Blonde to “Ash Blonde” and Light Brown to “Caramel” or “Warm Blonde.”

Shades names aside, Blonde and Light Brown are the only two shades that come close to working for my coloring.

performance

I noticed right off the bat that you can’t apply any pressure, or advance the pencil too much, when using these. I must have broken the pencil tips at least seven times just in swatching alone. So there’s my first major warning.

Overall, I like the way the Billion Dollar Brows Brows On Point Micro Pencil apply. Here is a photo of my right brow filled-in with the shade Blonde:

As you can see, the brow is still fairly natural in appearance.

The only claim I really question is the “smudge-proof” once. Here is what happened to my arm swatches after I let them set for quite a while and then tried to smudge them with my fingers:

So, smudge-proof? No. Long-lasting? Sure.

final grade

At $16 a piece, the Billion Dollar Brows Brows On Point Micro Pencil beats some of my favorite brow pencils in price. Overall, however, I do not think this beats those slightly pricier options. You might consider this pencil if you see a shade that will really match your brows or if $5 or so is a deal-breaker. Who knows – this could be your next “holy grail” brow product! The Brows On Point Micro Pencil receives a silver star!

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Hello, class! I’m so excited to be able to talk about the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint today. I am more than confident in my ability to review this item because not only have I tested it in below-freezing New York temperatures, but I also wore it for a full week in the balmy climate of Cuba.

Product Claims

According to NARS, the instant results of this product are:

SOFT-FOCUS EFFECT
Transparent Blurring Powders instantly enhance the look of skin by helping to diffuse imperfections with a powerful optical effect.

SOFT-TOUCH FEEL
The powders’ unique, spherical shape compresses like a cushion, delivering a velvety-smooth, touchable feel and superior comfort on application.

The alleged long-term benefits of the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint are:

REFINED PORES & SHINE CONTROL
Rose Fruit Extract visibly minimizes the appearance of pores, while controlling shine.

ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE
Vitamins C, E, and broad spectrum SPF 30 protect against free-radical damage caused by environmental stress.

THE SOFT-TOUCH LOOK
Simply touch and go for an effortlessly perfected look. Glide on Velvet Matte Skin Tint to instantly even skintone with a soft-matte effect. Follow with Radiant Creamy Concealer where needed to instantly diffuse imperfections.

I tested the shade Terre-Neuve, which is the lightest option available.

Let’s get to grading (be sure to check out the grading policy!)

Grading

Ease of Application: 5/5
I’ve applied the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint using both a beauty blender and my fingers. I have had success with both methods. No complaints here!

Formula: 5/5
As I mentioned, I was able to try this in great dryness and crazy humidity. I found that regardless of environment, it lasted a full day with no touch-ups necessary. I do usually apply over a primer that counteracts whatever I’m feeling that day (dryness, oiliness, etc.) though I have also used it on its own and experienced no issues. The SPF 30 did prevent my face from burning in Cuba, and I do believe this product does have a pore-minimizing effect. It is very light on the skin, though not impossible to rub off if you happen to scratch your face over-zealously.

Color: 5/5
Again, I used Terre-Neuve (Light 0) which is recommended for the lightest skin tones with pink undertones. I am a touch lighter than MAC NC20 right now, and this shade blends perfectly on my face, though it does lean a bit pink on my hand. It offers quite a full coverage- I did not need any concealer when I used this over blemishes.

pre-blending

post-blending

Packaging: 4/5
The NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint comes in a 50mL black squeeze tube. It is very sleek and easy to use; the cap also stays on quite firmly. My only issue is that beneath the cap I have some excess product building up. This could easily be user-error (or the plane ride), so no need to panic about it.

Overall: 19/20
The NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint receives an A!

Shop NARS:

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Let’s get started!

The OCC Tint is described as “A highly-pigmented, tinted moisturizer that evens skintone with buildable coverage” and  “Featuring a unique moisturizing complex made from purified water, coconut, and wild berry extracts, this foundation product nourishes as well as hydrates skin. Formulated from the finest vegan ingredients available, this product is also formulated with aloe leaf extract and vitamin E for coverage that feels as good as it looks. ” 

Ease of Application: 5/5

I have applied this many ways- fingers, beauty blender, brush – and have found that this foundation is very easy to blend. Part of it may be that it is such a thin formula.
Below shows a before and after of a tiny dot of the foundation blended into my hand.

Formula: 4/5

As I said, this is a very thin, liquidy foundation. It is most definitely a tint rather than a foundation. However, this is not my issue with it as it is called a “tinted moisturizer.” My only really problem is that it will emphasize dry patches if you have any that you have not first smoothed over with moisturizer and then primer. I feel like a tinted moisturizer should be, in fact, moisturizing. Luckily, this product stays put all day when set with a little powder.

Color: 4/5

I purchased this in the shade “Y0” which is for the “palest yellow-based skintone.” Sephora sells 10 shades while the OCC website lists 12 shades – R (red based) 0-5 and Y (yellow-based) 0-5. The shade I purchased blends into my skin seamlessly. I would imagine, though, that some people might need to blend 2 or more shades.
I do not find this “highly-pigmented” as promised in the description. I would say “moderately pigmented.” So, minus 1 point.

Packaging: 5/5

This comes in a cute little bottle that you need to turn over and squeeze lightly. I imagine that it may be hard to get product out towards the end, but I won’t fault them for that right now.

Overall Grade: OCC Tint receives an A

I recommend this tinted moisturizer if you are looking for a sheer coverage foundation that you can apply without much time or energy. It is good for “no-makeup makeup” days as well and it great for not weighing down the skin. Beware if you have dry skin – you will need to prep your face OR look elsewhere for a more moisturizing product.

originally posted 3/3/15

Shop this teacher’s favorites:

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