Kat Von D Tattoo Liner | Review

The Kat Von D tattoo liquid liner pen is one of the few makeup products that I use on a daily basis and absolutely cannot live without. I first started using this liner over 2 years ago and have tried various other liquid liners; however, I've yet to find any liquid liner that I love as much as this one. I really love the ultra-thin brush tip that doesn't fray or lose it's sharp point like felt-tip liners do. The formula is also amazing: smooth, long-lasting, not runny and not too dry. When in contact with water, it doesn't run/smudge unless you rub at it. 

My personal preference for eyeliner is liquid since I find it's faster/easier to apply than gel liners and gives a more precise/clean finish than pencil liners. The other liquid liners I have tried either have a sub-par applicator tip/brush and a great formula, or a decent applicator tip but the formula is lacking.

Price: $18 for 0.02 oz

PROs:

- ultra fine brush tip allows for precise application

- brush tip doesn't fray 

- applies very smoothly and doesn't skip

- does not run 

- lasts all day without fading/smudging

- water resistant, yet easy to remove at the end of the day with makeup remover

CONs:

- not the most pigmented

It does apply black, but there are other formulations out there that are a more opaque black (Kat Von D autograph liner, UD 24/7 liquid liner, Maybelline Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner). I actually like the pigmentation as it doesn't look harsh if I'm going for a more nautral makeup look, but I can see why some may complain about the pigmentation. My personal experience is that the darker formulations tend to run/smudge.

Overall, I have yet to find any liquid liner (or any eyeliner) that I love as much as the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. I would recommend this liner to anyone who loves liquid eyeliner! It's especially a great choice for makeup beginners who may have trouble with other liquid liners. I also think it's a great option for those who love doing the cat eye/winged eyeliner look, as the ultra-fine brush tip makes it so extremely easy to create that perfect flick. 

The Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner+Serum is a similar brush-tip eyeliner pen that works well and stays put, but it runs out way more quickly than the Kat Von D tattoo liner pen. I also like Kat Von D's Autograph Eyeliner which has a darker pigmentation than the pen; however, the brush tip of the autograph liner is a lot softer/flexible than the pen, so it takes more practice. I have also tried the K-Palette tattoo liner pen which has almost the same brush tip as Kat Von D, but the formula was way too runny.  The Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is one of the very few liners I've repurchased time and time again.

More Photos:

This precise brush tip is what makes this liner better than any other out there.

Just look how fine and precise the brush tip is!

Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer | Review

The Tarte maracuja creaseless concealer is marketed as a full coverage waterproof concealer that will cover under eye darkness, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and redness without creasing or flaking. This concealer is infused with maracuja oil -- an oil that moisturizes and helps improve the skin's texture.

It is currently available in 7 different shades from light to deep. I am usually an NC25 to NC30 in Mac foundation, and I purchased the light-medium shade and use it mostly to conceal the redness around my nose and the purple-ish old acne scars on my cheeks/chin. I don't have much of a problem with undereye circles, but when I do apply this concealer under my eyes, I notice it makes the area look a lot fuller, smoother & brighter.

I find it provides medium coverage when one thin layer is applied in a dabbing motion with my fingers, and easily builds up to full coverage with a second layer. From my personal experience, it covers the best when applied with a concealer brush.

As with all Tarte products, this is cruelty free, vegan, and formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, triclosan, SLS, or gluten.


PROs:
- medium coverage, easily buildable to full coverage
- fully conceals the redness around my nose & red/purple-ish acne scars
- works well as an under eye concealer; makes the under eye area look brighter/smoother
- a very little bit goes a long way
- long lasting when set with a finishing powder
- does not exacerbate dry patches or flakiness
- does not settle into fine lines
- made without chemicals
- not tested on animals


CONs:
- the rich/creamy consistency can feel a bit heavy
- needs to be set with powder for it to be truly creaseless
- pricey ($28 for 0.28 oz @ Sephora)
- packaging need improvement; I love the bamboo cap, but it's difficult to squeeze the product out of the tube.


Overall, the Tarte creaseless concealer is the best concealer I have found for fully covering up the annoying redness around the sides of my nose and for my stubborn dark/deep purple acne scars. I think this small tube will last me quite a long time, but I'd most likely repurchase this product when I finish it. I would recommend using this concealer with a primer underneath and a light setting powder on top for optimal results.


More Photos:

the box the concealer is sold in

tube packaging

I love the bamboo cap/top!

Squeeze tube

Product out of the tube. A little goes a LONG way.

This size is enough for me to conceal under both eyes.

Product slightly spread out.

One layer dabbed on; notice my freckle is still slightly noticeable.

Second layer dabbed on gives full coverage of the freckle/mole

Love this product, too? Pin it!

What is your favorite concealer for blemishes? For under your eyes?

Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask | Review

The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is a great and affordable at-home mask you can use to help dry up acne/pimples, shrink pores, and draw dirt/impurities/blackheads from your skin.

It's fairly simple to use: just clean your skin with your usual face cleanser, pat dry, then apply a thin layer all over your face and wait for it to dry (15-20 minutes). Then just wash it off thoroughly with warm water and continue with your usual skincare regimen (serum, lotion, eye cream, etc).  It also works well for spot treating inflamed acne spots if you leave it on the problem spot overnight and wash it off in the morning.

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Kaolin, Bentonite, Glycerin, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Sulfur, Chromium Oxide Greens, Fragrance, Methylparaben


PROs:
- extremely affordable (8 oz tube $3.99, 12 oz jar $7.23)
- one tube (8 oz) lasted me about a year (used ~1 time per week)
- visibly shrinks pores (you see the effect immediately after washing off the mask)
- helps reduce inflammation from acne
- helps dry out pimples
- reduces sebaceous oil / helps mattify skin
- makes skin feel more firm/smooth
- temporarily reduces redness
- leaves skin feeling fresh and clean


CONs:
- leftover product gets stuck in the tube so you have to cut the tube open to scrape out leftover product. You can avoid this by buying the 12 oz jar ($7.23).
- fragranced (minty smell; personally, the smell doesn't bother me at all)
-  can be drying if you have very sensitive/dry skin
- takes a lot of rinses to completely rinse off the mask (I find the best way to remove the mask is with warm water and a soft silicone facial cleansing pad - see photo below). You may also opt to apply it before you shower so you can wash it off in the shower as opposed to making a mess over the sink.


Sidenote: I've tried other masks such as the Aztec Secrets Indian Clay Healing Mask ($7.79 for 1 pound!), which I felt worked well but it was not only a bit more harsh, but kind of a pain to mix up as it comes in a powder and you have to mix it yourself (suggested as working best mixed in a wooden/clay/glass container with apple cider vinegar -- a bit more time consuming). Anyway, I'll save my review of that mask for another post. I've also tried the Origins Charcoal Mask (barely does anything + expensive) and the Boscia Black Mask (barely does anything + very very expensive).  Yup. The Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is the clear winner in my book.


Overall, I feel this Mint Julep Masque is the best bang for your buck!  My biggest skin issues are enlarged pores and redness -- and this mask does a great job battling both those problems. I don't have many issues with blackheads, so I can't really say how well it works for removing blackheads.  I've also used it for spot treatment before and it definitely helps reduce the inflammation with those painful acne spots.



More Photos:

What the mask looks like in the tube

The Mint Julep Masque applied & dried on my face

The cleansing pad I use (+ warm water) to help remove the mask more easily.

What are your experiences and thoughts regarding this mask? 

Tory Burch Caroline Flats | Review

OVERVIEW:

The Tory Burch Caroline flat is beautiful, leather ballet style shoe with an elastic trim. These flats are available in many different color combinations and finishes (glossy patent leather, matte leather, metallic, snake embossed leather).  The Caroline flat is pretty much the cousin of the ever so popular Tory Burch Reva flat (click here for the review on the Revas). The Carolines are more comfortable, but also more expensive--retailing at $225 (ouch). You'll also notice the Tory Burch logo emblem is smaller compared to the Revas. The particular pair I have (sand/black, matte leather) has a dual color emblem that is black outlined with gold.

I bought these Caroline flats from Bloomingdales about 1.5 years ago during their friends and family sale. Since then, I've probably worn them about once a week on average during the warmer months (where I am, ~7 months out of the 12). I've included photos below of the flats out of the box as well as their current condition after some wear and tear. I hope you find my review helpful!

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Money saving tip: Ebates cashback program offers from 3-10% cash back for a lot of retailers I buy my clothes/shoes from, including Nordstrom.com (15% cash back for a limited time). This is a great opportunity to snag a pair of TB flats at a discount!  If you don't already have an Ebates account, you can sign up free here -- they have so many different retailers! I have used them for years to save a lot of $$$ via cash back.
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PROs:

- lovely, elegant style

- versatile; easily dressed up or down (pairs well with skinny jeans, work trousers, or even a cute skirt)

- elastic allows for a snug and secure fit so your foot does not slip while walking 

- requires minimal break in period (for me personally, just a few days)

- I really love the color combination of the sand/black pair that I ordered. 

CONs:

- pricey! (retail $225)

- leather is thin and easily scuffed (the patent leather seems more durable)

- very thin sole (barely any support/padding)

- not comfortable if you'll be walking for hours or for long distances, as you can feel the ground through the thin sole and the logo imprint on the inside of shoe (see photo below) becomes bothersome

My general opinion:
Although I think these flats are gorgeous and chic, I personally do not feel they are worth their full price tag of $225 per pair. I would only recommend these if you're able to get them at a discounted price during a friends & family sale or other promotion. They definitely feel more comfortable than the Reva flats and require far less time to break in.
For the price tag of $225, you can find a better flat with more substantial padding. I find that Vince Camuto makes a lot of cute flats that feel comfortable; you can probably score a pair of Vince Camuto flats from Nordstrom Rack at a discounted price.

More Photos:

Tory Burch Caroline Flats (out of the box)

Caroline Flats in sand/black matte leather (new, out of box)

After over a year of wear and tear; notice the scuffing at the toes.

The bottom of the flats (after over 1 year of wear).

The rest of the flats held up pretty well after over a year of wear.

Flats worn in indoor lighting

The imprint on the inside of the flats become uncomfortable after a bit of walking.

The sand/black Carolines in natural lighting outside.

I have relatively wide feet with no arch (you can notice this especially in my left foot).

What is your personal experience with these flats?

Tell me your favorite ballet style flats in the comments!

Everlane Weekender Bag | Review

OVERVIEW:

The Everlane Weekender is a sturdy yet lightweight travel bag that is a perfect size to pack necessities for a weekend getaway or to use as a carry-on to supplement your luggage for a longer trip. This functional, minimalistic, stylish bag is sold on the Everlane site for $95 and measures 22" length x 12" height x 8.5" width with a 12" shoulder drop. It has one large compartment, a small zippered pocket inside, and one exterior open side pocket.

The $95 canvas weekender is available in 6 different color varieties; there are also $135 suede weekenders in 3 color choices.  I bought the "Reverse Denim" weekender and absolutely love the style.

PROs:

- Lightweight

- Durable canvas exterior
- Lined interior

- Structured base

- Long enough to wear over shoulder, short enough to carry without dragging (for me; I'm 5'4'')

- Shoulder straps are a good width

- Variety of colors available

- Unisex (in my opinion); color/style is appropriate for both males/females

- Carry-on appropriate (fits in overhead compartments)

CONs:
- No option to wear it across the body. It'd be nice if there was a removable shoulder sling.

- Leather straps are not lined (will wear & tear lead to fraying? TBD.)

If interested: My Everlane T-Shirt Review Post

More Photos:

The bag is shipped folded like this. I didn't have issues with creasing.

I love the look/texture of the reverse denim in contrast to the brown leather straps.

Zipper detail.

Details of the leather straps.

Underside of the leather straps.

Exterior side pocket (only on one side).

Interior zippered pocket (measures 10" x 9").

Some clothes packed in the Everlane Weekender bag.

When looking to buy a travel bag, I also considered the Cuyana Weekender ($120) and Cuyana Overnight bag ($165). In the end, I chose the Everlane Reverse Denim Weekender because of the price and the style/color.

** This is my first impressions review of the bag. I will have to give it a few uses before I can come back with an update on how sturdy the bag is and how the leather straps hold up. I have a few trips in the horizon, so stay tuned!

Which bag do you carry and love for overnight/weekend trips?

    If interested: My Everlane T-Shirt Review Post

  My Everlane Short Sleeve Sweatshirt Review