Sulwhasoo is one of my favorite brands, and the title is well deserved.  Not only because using it makes me feel like a classy lady, but it has also made a HUGE difference for my skin.  Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is especially up there in my favorites list, and here is why...

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Sulwhasoo
Product:  Essential Balancing Water 
PH:  5.5
Scent:  Herbal (Hanbang!)
Price:  $58.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Beautytap, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

INGREDIENTS

Water/Aqua/Eau, Alcohol, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Glyce-Ryl Polymethacrylate, Glycerin, Peg/Ppg-17/6 Copolymer, Glycereth-26, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Bis-Peg-18 Methyl Etherdimethyl Silane, Honey / Mel / Miel, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Cross-Polymer, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Polygonatum Officinale Rhi-Zome/Root Extract, Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract, Paeonia Albiflora Root Extract, Lilium Candidum Bulb Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Diphenyl-Siloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Fragrance / Parfum, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Disodium Edta, Limonene, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract, Natto Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Linalool, Propanediol, Bht, Acetic Acid, Tocopherol, Beta-Glucan.
Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. 

Notable Ingredients:

• Nelumbo Nucifera Seed Extract - Whitening and anti-wrinkle cosmetic agent.  
• Polygonatum Officinale Rhizome/Root Extract - AKA Solomon's Seal Extract.  Moisturizer and anti-inflammatory.
• Rehmannia Glutinosa Root Extract - Herbal anti-inflammatory agent.  
• Portulaca Oleracea Extract - A plant extract that acts as a powerful antioxidant, containing Vitamins A, C, and E.  
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - AKA Green Tea Extract. Antioxidant and anti-irritant.
• Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (Licorice) Root Extract - Anti-inflammatory that is said to aid in evening out skintone.
• Natto Gum - Fermented soy which is said to also be a potent antioxidant.  
• Sodium Hyaluronate - aka Hyaluronic Acid.  A very effective humectant that boosts the skin's moisture content, prevents dehydration, and preserves skin moisture.  

So you can see that Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.  In addition to these, there are also many other beneficial extracts in the ingredients; many of which are skin conditioners.  It also has a very pleasant herbal scent.  

COSDNA ALERTS

Out of the ingredients listed, only two were marked as a potential acne trigger / irritant according to COSDNA.  

• Butylene Glycol - 1 of 5 (Acne)
• Tocopherol - 2 of 5 (Acne), 2 of 5 (Irritant)

Fragrance was not flagged for Acne in COSDNA's analysis, but keep in mind that it is still listed in the ingredients.  As for the triggers, some people are sensitive to Butylene Glycol because they find it to be drying or irritating.  Remember to patch test first!

Sulwhasoo Essential Balancing Water consistency

Due to the situation going on in the world today, it is no longer viable to get my hair done at the salon.  Having not seen my stylist in a very long time, my hair was starting to get unruly.  Certainly there must be a DIY home keratin treatment, right?  RIGHT??

DIY Keratin Treatment
at Home

Keratin Research INVERTO ONE Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Keratin Research
Product:  INVERTO ONE
Scent:  Like a somewhat pleasant chemical...
Price:  $45 per 160ml bottle (discounts for 2+ bottles available)
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Keratin Research

UPDATE:  I have since reviewed Keratin Research Original Keratin Hair Treatment with Argan Oil.  You can read about it here!

Queer Eye is one of my favorite shows to binge.  When Tan France took Dr. Lilly Yi (their hero) shopping at Boyds Philadelphia, he styled her in this stunning black dress with wide shoulder pads and gold buttons.  So many are wondering - what was the "boss b!tch" dress!?

For those familiar with fashion - the brand was clear... gold metal buttons.. shoulder pads.  It's obviously Balmain.  Known for their bold looks and styles that scream "I own this."

Picture on right is reversed because this scene was in front of a mirror.

The dress seen above from Queer Eye's "Paging Dr. Yi" episode is the Velvet Fitted Mini dress from Balmain with a sheer mesh mock neck top worn underneath.

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Balmain
Product:  Velvet Fitted Mini Dress
Materials:  Outer - 100% Cotton; Lining - 52% Viscose, 48% Cotton
Hardware:  Gold Metal Buttons
Care:  Dry Clean Only
Price:  $2,695.00
Availability:  Limited Availability

As of today (6/30/2020) this dress is currently on sale at Neiman Marcus for $942.90 (65% Off).  It can also be found on Farfetch, or if you're lucky you an also catch it preloved on Poshmark.  Please be wary of going the preloved or ebay route though as these markets may also be plagued by fakes.  Unfortunately Balmain is just one of those brands where many counterfeits exist.

Here are similar styles I found The Real Real that are more affordable.

I actually learned about this concealer from YouTuber Michele Wang (Hi Michele!  Big fan) in her Best of 2018 - Primers Foundations Concealers Powders video.  She mentioned that it evened out skintone, was really moisturizing, and felt like eye cream - just what I was in the market for!

Clé de Peau Beauté
Radiant Corrector for Eyes

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes Concealer Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Clé de Peau Beauté
Product:  Radiant Corrector for Eyes
Shade:  Ocher
Coverage:  Sheer to Medium
Dewiness:  Semi
Scent:  Lightly Scented Flowery Perfume
Oxidation:  Yes
Price:  $65.00
Where to Buy:  Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

Clé de Peau's Radiant Corrector for Eyes contains their Illuminating Complex Ex, which is a core ingredient for many of their skincare and makeup products.  Clé de Peau states that the "Illuminating Complex EX ...works to reduce the current appearance of damage caused by environmental stress (such as dryness) and brings visible improvement to skin, but also helps liberate skin from memories of past imbalance. You look more radiant today and into the future."

I couldn't find what ingredients actually make up the Illuminating Complex EX so I'll have to look into the ingredients list of the concealer itself to see if they support Clé de Peau's claim: "Lightweight and liquid formula hydrates skin and resists setting into fine lines."

Notable Ingredients:

• Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract - Antioxidant that reduces redness and soothes inflammation.
• Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate - aka "Super Hyaluronic Acid" has a higher water-binding ability than normal Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid) and therefore provides increased hydration.  
• Sodium Hyaluronate - aka Hyaluronic Acid.  A very effective humectant that boosts the skin's moisture content, prevents dehydration, and preserves skin moisture.  

SWATCH

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector Concealer Brush

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector Concealer Shade Ocher Swatch

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector Concealer Shade Ocher Oxidize

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector Concealer Tarte Shape Tape Comparison Swatch

BEFORE AND AFTER

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector Concealer Before & After

Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes unfortunately oxides quite a bit; though it is less obvious compared to Tarte Shape Tape because of it's sheer formula.  It also does not settle into fine lines as much Tarte Shape Tape, but I also think that it's because Shape Tape is just a heavier formula.

The brush applicator for Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes concealer is very soft and feels nice upon application.  However, I don't really care for the click pen packaging to release the product because I found that it wasn't very consistent.  Click once and wait, nothing comes out.  Click twice and wait, sometimes a little is released or sometimes way too much.  It was just hard to get the right amount of product needed.  I don't use a lot of concealer so I felt that it was causing some waste.

I did notice that Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes is pretty hydrating.  My undereye area tends to feel dry throughout the day, but it was exactly what Michele said:  It feels like eye cream.  When I started wearing Clé de Peau's Radiant Corrector for Eyes Concealer I did get a lot of compliments saying I look healthy and awake.  If you know me, I am always super tired so this was kind of a big deal.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I really like Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes.  I think it is perfect for what I am looking for - light coverage with a bit of hydration.  The formula feels very pleasant on my skin and prevents my undereyes from feeling dry.  I might consider choosing a lighter shade because of the oxidation rate though.  All in all, this product is exactly what it set out to be:  It's a hydrating concealer with sheer to medium coverage that brushes on for a lasting, luminous finish.

Both this concealer and Tarte Shape Tape are nice.  You can read my review for Shape Tape here.  It just depends on your needs.  Shape Tape is higher coverage with not many skin care benefits, plus it oxidizes way too much. 

Rating

Another brow pen review!  Yay.  This was more of an impulse buy.  I knew nothing of Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen before I purchased it; so I don't really know what to expect going in!  How exciting.

Lime Crime
Bushy Brow Precision Pen Review

Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Lime Crime
Product:  Bushy Brow Precision Pen
Shade:  Baby Brown
Color Payoff:  Good Pigmentation
Waterproof?:  Not at all!  Rinsed off completely.
Price:  $20
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Bloomingdales

Lime Crime has this to say regarding the Bushy Brow Precision Pen:  "...our pigmented eyebrow filler and definer makes it easy to draw individual hairs, one superfine stroke at a time." Every time a company says that about their brow products, I get a little giddy.  I truly hope they are right but many times I found that the company is just pulling my leg.  You wouldn't do that to us, would you Lime Crime?

SWATCH

Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen in Shade Baby Brown

Lime Crime Bushy Brown Precision Pen Applicator

The Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen uses a brush tipped applicator like many other brow pens.  The biggest difference I have noticed with this pen versus the others I have reviewed (Urban Decay Brow Blade, Ardell Stroke A Brow, Stila Stay All Day), is that the Bushy Brow pen is *very* precise.  When I was swatching it, I actually said "wow" out loud because I was able to get incredibly thin and well defined hair-like strokes.  Lime Crime wasn't lying when they named this product a "precision pen".  As with all brow pens, the Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen requires a steady hand.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Lime Crime Bushy Brow did not pass the rinse test.

Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen Before & After

Can we say "brows for days"?  Really now.  The Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen brush has the perfect amount of stiffness.  Not too flexible, not too hard.  You barely need to use any pressure at all and yet you still get good color payoff.  I did not need to go over the same spot twice.  In fact, if you do so then the brows may end up being too bold.

Sadly, Bushy Brow is not waterproof.  Though Lime Crime never claimed that it was; I was still hopeful.  We can't have it all, can we?  I let the swatch set for about 20 minutes before performing the water test; where I just pass my hand under running water to see what happens.  The swatch rinsed off instantly and completely.  You can see above that it's really hard to tell where the swatch was.  I don't think this product would be good to use at the pool or gym where you would sweat a lot.

As far as whether or not Lime Crime Bushy Brow is long lasting, I am happy to say it is!  It performed well on my combination / oily skin and did not seem to fade or pill after a few hours of wear.  Oddly enough the color did change slightly.  Initially, shade Baby Brown was upon application but as the day went on it seemed to neutralize a little bit.  Strange.

I also found that application was a bit easier due to the brush not being too flexible.  It was able to push through my brow hairs without much interference.  Light flicks is really all you need since it is so pigmented.  All in all I had a good experience using the Bushy Brow Precision Pen and was able to do my brows quickly.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So far the best brow pen I have ever used.  Lime Crime Bushy Brow Precision Pen is the first product I have purchased from this brand so I wasn't sure what to expect.  Color me impressed.  I'm not sure how long the Bushy Brow Pen itself will last, but I like it so much it has been elevated to "date night" status when my eyebrows need to be on fleek.  I think it's definitely worth the price!

Rating

I'm obsessed with brow products and am always looking for the next big thing to provide the coveted microbladed look.  I just cant stop trying them!  Stila came out with a brow pen of their own so of course I had to buy it.

Stila Stay All Day
Waterproof Brow Color Review

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color Review

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Stila
Product:  Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color
Shade:  Dark
Color Payoff:  Light but Buildable
Price:  $21
Availability:  Amazon

The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color boasts that it can create a perfectly defined brow with a long-wearing, waterproof formula.  Another thing that it claims is that it wont smudge or run... maybe on dry skin.  But how will it fare on combination oily skin?  We shall see... 

SWATCH

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color in Shade Dark

Close up of brush applicator tip.

Like Ardell Stroke A Brow, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color also utilizes a brush tip.  +1 to Stila for not going the felt tipped route as brush tips seem to be better for more accurate applications.  One thing that I did notice is that the brush applicator for Stila is a bit more flexible than other products I have tried.  So applying fine lines requires an extra steady hand.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is *not* waterproof.

Before and After in Shade Dark

I want to start out by saying the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is absolutely not water proof or even water resistant.  I drew a few lines on my hand to take photos, then continued to take more product shots.  After about 15 minutes I decided to see how the swatch on my hand reacted to water so I went to the sink.  As soon as the water hit my hand the product instantly rinsed off.  Didn't even last a second.  I wouldn't trust wearing this stuff to the pool, beach, or even through sweat.

The flexibility of the brush tip made it challenging to apply because my brow hairs would easily interfere with each stroke rather than pushing through them.  So in the end I couldn't get the micro bladed effect that I was able to achieve on my hand.  Application is a bit frustrating to say the least - and this isn't even my first rodeo.

The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color didn't seem very pigmented.  The color looks more like a medium brown and comes on pretty sheer.  I had to go over the same spots to get enough coverage.  So in the end my brow ended up looking tattooed on rather than micro bladed.

It did last all day though and didn't fade too much with my combination / oily skin.  However it did kind of dry out a little bit.  You can see in the "After 6 Hours" photo, the product went from an even application to dark little dots.  Very strange.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I didn't like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color.  In the end I just couldn't work with it to get the look I wanted.  It's better used for a feathered brow or ombre effect, and wouldn't be useful for those with very sparse or no brows.

Reading other reviews about it makes me wonder if I'm taking crazy pills or if I just got a bad product.  However when I sorted by negative reviews my experience was very much on par with what others are saying in that regard.  The general consensus is:  1) Definitely not waterproof, 2) Not very pigmented, and 3) Dries out very quickly.  What happened to you, Stila?  You were supposed to be the chosen one!

I feel that the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color is not worth the $21 price tag.  It's performance is about what I would expect from an unknown drugstore brand; certainly not something Stila would make.  I'm giving it two stars because it can be used for feathered or ombre brow - so it's not completely useless.  I mean, you can probably use it if you're sitting at home alone and still want to have eyebrows in case the UPS guy shows up.

Pricing & Availability

AmazonBloomingdalesNordstrom

Rating

I've heard a lot of great things about Charlotte Tilbury but I haven't felt the need to buy makeup recently (other than the Hermes Poppy Lip Shine <3).  Turns out Sephora threw in a Hollywood Flawless Filter sampler with my recent order, so I decided to share with the class!

CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatches

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Charlotte Tilbury
Product:  Hollywood Flawless Filter Primer & Highlighter
Coverage:  Sheer to Light
Dewiness:  Semi
Scent:  None
Oxidation:  Slight
Price:  $44.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom

I've never heard of this product before, but I receive a sample with all colors in my recent Sephora order.  Charlotte Tillbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter is intriguing.  After reading many reviews, this product appears to have several different applications.  Some use it as a foundation on their good skin days, others use it as a primer, highlighter, or an additive to their current foundation.  There seems to be a lot of possibilities!  Users claim that it gives their skin a healthy glow without looking greasy.

The ingredients include some hydrating properties such as Squalane and Glycerin; so it could be promising for those with dry skin.  It also includes Mica, which has caused quite a stir in the makeup industry due to being linked to child labor in India.  I am not too familiar with the controversy, but Refinery 29 wrote an article about it here.  However, according to this reddit thread; Charlotte Tilbury claims that their Mica is ethically sourced when reddit users reached out to them.  So that's good news :).

Onto the swatch!

SWATCH

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Shades

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Artificial Light

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Natural Light

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Swatch on NC37 in Direct Sunlight

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter feels very smooth, light and creamy - it glides on like a dream.  The product does not really look like a highlighter, but when you blend it into your skin it reveals a lovely pearlescent sheen.  It just blends so beautifully.  I found that it could also make a nice foundation if decent coverage is not needed.  As a foundation, the Shade 4 Medium appears to be a good match for a N37s who lean neutral.

I wouldn't say the Hollywood Flawless Filter is dewy, but it definitely has some sort of shine to it, and it does feel hydrating too.  I like how this product has many applications so there is a little something for everybody.  The shade range is limited though - but after all it is not really a foundation is it?  The formula also seems water and sweat resistant.  In fact, the swatches would not wash off easily with dawn dish soap; so an oil cleanser / makeup remover will be required.  It's a very interesting product to say the least.

I've taken a lot of time to properly care for my skin and to heal any impurities (I used to have acne.  You can read about it here).  I'm happy to say that now I can go without foundation, but my skin does need a little boost to get that glow.