GemstoneBeauty
Member Since: September 11, 2014Reviews
OZ Naturals Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C is a highly regarded vitamin for anti-aging. It helps collagen growth in your skin which helps your skin's elasticity and in turn, decreases the looks of wrinkles. Since Vitamin C is a antioxidant, it also helps with dark spots. Like the... +
Vitamin C is a highly regarded vitamin for anti-aging. It helps collagen growth in your skin which helps your skin's elasticity and in turn, decreases the looks of wrinkles. Since Vitamin C is a antioxidant, it also helps with dark spots.
Like the name says, the 20% Vitamin C + Amino + Hyaluronic Acid Serum by Oz Naturals contains 20% Vitamin C, which is more than many products on the market, which usually contain anywhere from 5-10% on average.
It also contains Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is found in our bodies. HA is a tiny molecule that can retain over 1000 times its weight in water within the skin cells, which helps soften fine lines and wrinkles. However, with natural aging, the amount of HA in our body decreases, and continuous usage of HA is recommended to keep it up. "Scientific studies have shown that HA improves skin hydration, stimulates production of collagen in skin, works as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger, maintains skin elasticity, cushions joints and nerve tissues, has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity and maintains the fluid in the eye tissues, which may help to protect against numerous possible eye concerns."
So, after a little over a week of usage, I can't see a difference, but my skin feels great. After I wash and use toner, I apply about 3 dots on my skin (each cheek and forehead) and massage it in. Usually I do my cheeks/chin/nose first, then my forehead, and by the time I'm done my forehead, it's completely absorbed into the rest of my skin. Within an easy 2 minutes (maybe even less), it's completely absorbed and I can continue with my regular makeup routine. It hasn't made me break out and I'm not any oilier than I normally get.
While this may not be something everyone in their 20's need, anyone approaching their 30's and definitely in their 40's should use this. Keep this in mind: you don't start using anti-aging products after the lines and spots have appeared. It's easier to stop the process before it's happened than it is to try to reverse it completely.
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OZ Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum + Vitamin C
First thing I noticed without even opening the bottle, was how thick this is compared to the Oz Naturals Vitamin C serum. Next was the sniff test. While I'm no scent expert, I'm pretty sure I was getting mainly Aloe and Witch Hazel (based on growing... +
First thing I noticed without even opening the bottle, was how thick this is compared to the Oz Naturals Vitamin C serum. Next was the sniff test. While I'm no scent expert, I'm pretty sure I was getting mainly Aloe and Witch Hazel (based on growing up, and cutting up, an aloe plant when I was younger and having tried a witch hazel toner a few months back).
Upon application (even though it's a little thicker, a little goes a long way), it quickly absorbs into my skin (maybe a little slower than the Vitamin C serum) and my skin was instantly smooth. My skin didn't feel dry or stiff. While its best used in combination with a moisturizer, there may have been a time or two that I ran out the door without it and my skin was fine.
I can't speak for its properties of diminishing surface lines or wrinkles, however, based on what I've read about Hyaluronic Acid, I don't doubt that it works.
*this product was received for review. All opinions are my own
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Born Pretty Store Nail Art Stamper
It's a rectangular stamper that's a lot squishier than the small round firm ones that came from a small set I received in the past. After several attempts at priming my stamper (this involves an emery board - many tutorials on youtube), I finally... +
It's a rectangular stamper that's a lot squishier than the small round firm ones that came from a small set I received in the past. After several attempts at priming my stamper (this involves an emery board - many tutorials on youtube), I finally got it to pick up the images alright.
The shape and squishyness allows a nice wrap around your nail without compromising the image and is great for those with longer nails (works on my shorter, stubbier nails too!)
Unfortunately, even at a price point of $4.50CAD, this isn't exactly a stamper for beginners. I would have preferred more solid, crisp pictures. Instead it took priming and left me with something to desire for the transfer.
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Born Pretty Store Stamping Polish - Black
I wasn't sure what to expect from the stamping polish since I've never tried one. I've only used regular polishes. What made it so special? It's black. A real black. Like ink. It wasn't a faded black like my normal polish. The other huge... +
I wasn't sure what to expect from the stamping polish since I've never tried one. I've only used regular polishes. What made it so special? It's black. A real black. Like ink. It wasn't a faded black like my normal polish. The other huge difference I noticed is how messy this polish can get - again, similar to ink. I only have an acetone based nail polish remover which removed most of the polish, but smeared some of it around too, which means I got some on my hands as well, and that wouldn't come off. Unless I used soap & water. Nothing fancy. Just soap and water.
Even after waiting several minutes for the stamping polish to dry (it really only takes less than a minute), applying a topcoat smeared the design a little :( Make sure to apply a very thin coat first. Even then, it could smudge a little.
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Beauty So Clean Cosmetics Sanitizer Mist
We clean our brushes for two reasons: to clean old product/colors off and to get rid of the bacteria that they collect so that we don't smear that bacteria all over our face and eyes and lips. ***But clean brushes mean nothing if your makeup is... +
We clean our brushes for two reasons: to clean old product/colors off and to get rid of the bacteria that they collect so that we don't smear that bacteria all over our face and eyes and lips. ***But clean brushes mean nothing if your makeup is dirty and harboring bacteria.***
Just like our beloved tools, our makeup can be a breeding ground for some pretty nasty bacteria such as E. Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus (aka "staph") and Conjunctivitis (pink eye) and can cause all sorts of infections.
Beauty So Clean is a Canadian company that seen the issues that everyone faced when sanitizing our makeup. The products contain alcohol to sanitize and disinfect, however it also contains other ingredients that ensure that it doesn't dry out our prized products. Spray the Cosmetic Sanitizer Mist, which is designed for powders and cream based products, let sit for 10 seconds and it's done. For lipsticks and lip balms, they have the Cosmetic Sanitizer Wipes which are a one-time use wipe with the same formula as the mist that you gently rub/glide over your product, let sit and done. And it will not alter the colour of your product. You can also use the wipe for pencil products, mascara wands and lip gloss wands (remember, the minute that wand has been double dipped, the entire product is contaminated. There is no saving it.)
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Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade
After trying (and not liking) pencils and the Too Faced Bulletproof Brows, I tried Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown. It was love at first application! And it still is months later. Easy to apply with an angle brush, a little goes a long way... +
After trying (and not liking) pencils and the Too Faced Bulletproof Brows, I tried Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Soft Brown. It was love at first application! And it still is months later.
Easy to apply with an angle brush, a little goes a long way. It's $15 cheaper than the Too Faced one, you get more product, and use less, therefore the lifespan lasts much longer!
Soft Brown is perfect. I have medium brown hair with natural blond & red highlights and a pale complexion. While Medium Brown probably would have matched the darkness of my brows, it would have been too harsh. Soft Brown looks natural. After a couple minutes, it sets and does not budge. It truly is smudgeproof, and while I haven't gone swimming or caught in the rain yet, it does seem to hold it's claim to being waterproof as well.
This product did not disappoint!
Keep your complexion and hair colour in mind when choosing your colour. And don't be afraid to ask someone's opinion when you try it.
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Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Eye Shadow
I can wear these for about 5 hours before I start getting any creasing. That's a record! I'm normally lucky to get 30 minutes out of something! For oily lids, best used with a primer (I like my Urban Decay primers). If using a Color Tattoo that's... +
I can wear these for about 5 hours before I start getting any creasing. That's a record! I'm normally lucky to get 30 minutes out of something! For oily lids, best used with a primer (I like my Urban Decay primers). If using a Color Tattoo that's part of the Metal line, or just not matte, I suggest using a slightly shimmery primer (such as UD's potion primer in Sin) as the normal primers seem to take some of the shimmer/metallic look away from the color tattoos (just to say a bit though).
I am in love with the color Creamy Beige that is part of their Leather line as well as Bad to the Bronze.
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Too Faced Bulletproof Brows
There are only two colours to choose from. The lightest (universal taupe), would probably be too dark for a true blonde (it worked great for me - light brown hair with natural blonde & red highlights). The mua applied it on me and it looked great... +
There are only two colours to choose from. The lightest (universal taupe), would probably be too dark for a true blonde (it worked great for me - light brown hair with natural blonde & red highlights).
The mua applied it on me and it looked great. Each time I applied it, it looked great. It held up very nicely in the heat. But if you looked closely at my brows, you could notice that it was a little cakey even after using the spooly (this is due to their clay formula). Also noticed that I had to dip my brush back in several times to get the proper amount of products. Because of this, I probably went through about a third of the product within 1.5 months. That's a little too fast for something that's $38 CAD, it's not worth it.
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tips nail serum
I've been using TIPS for toes and the regular TIPS and I love them so much! It is a little expensive for what you get, but the money is worth it. The tips of my nails (the white part), used to be a little see-through, would always split and peel... +
I've been using TIPS for toes and the regular TIPS and I love them so much! It is a little expensive for what you get, but the money is worth it.
The tips of my nails (the white part), used to be a little see-through, would always split and peel, and my nails were very brittle. After about a month of using this, I started seeing a difference. After two months, my nails didn't break anywhere near as often (the occasional nail breaking hit was inevitable) and the tips were less see-through. They didn't peel (ever!) and splitting had stopped!
I had to stop when I moved as I had packed it up and I noticed my nails slowly go back to their old form. As soon as I could, I started using it again, and they're good as new!
Best practice: Use first thing in the morning before putting your hands in water. Your skin will absorb the first thing it comes in contact with, and if that's water, it wont be taking the good stuff from TIPS. Apply on your cuticles and entire nail, once all done, gently rub in (don't massage/rub each nail, think more like gently spreading hand cream), or run your fingers through your hair to add the excess to your hair (my hair's long, and it was such a small amount of oil, my hair wasn't oily or anything)
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Dior Addict Fluid Stick
Trompe l'oeil is a beautiful deep purple/plum colour. The payoff from the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks are great, and they don't feel sticky or super thick on the lips. The colour doesn't bleed, stays for several hours and is slightly moisturizing. The... +
Trompe l'oeil is a beautiful deep purple/plum colour. The payoff from the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks are great, and they don't feel sticky or super thick on the lips. The colour doesn't bleed, stays for several hours and is slightly moisturizing. The pigment I'd expect from a lipstick, but the shiny-ness of a gloss. Love this! -
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