TOKYOMILK

I had first come across the Tokyomilk line when having lunch with a good friend. At the end of our meal she pulled out this little black tin with beautiful etchings on the front and started to apply some product onto her lips. I immediately had to know what she was using because I will admit I am a sucker for how products are packaged and I'm always on the search for a good lip treatment. My friend informed me of the brand Tokyomilk and said that the line was carried at Sephora. I knew that I would have to make a trip soon and pick up one of these little goodies.

What had originally drawn me to these lip balms was not only the packaging but the quantity you get in the tin. I know I'm not the only one out there but I just love value sizes of products that I use frequently because I always feel that I am getting a better deal.  I'm probably that person that companies love to market towards because I'm so gullible half the time. One tin of lip balm contains .70 oz/ 19.85 g. When I got mine they were only $7 each at Sephora and I believe this is the same for the Tokyomilk website.  I basically will never run out of product which is hard because there are so many delicious flavors to try. 

The three that I have are Salted Caramel, Coco Noir, and La Vie En Rose. They are super creamy in texture and they last on your lips even through a meal. They are also very hydrating with vitamin e, aloe leaf extract. They are marketed as a Lip Elixir with bee balm and jasmine and seem to have a lot of natural extracts in them. My favorite at the moment is the wonderful Coco Noir. It has such an intoxicating and seductive fragrance and melts right into your lips. It has been my saving grace this winter season. I usually pop this one in my hand bag and stash one in my bathroom and one at my bedside table. 

The packaging itself almost has an apothecary look to it and each balm has a number along with a logo like a top hat or rose depending on which balm you have. The only downside I have is sometimes they are a little difficult to pop open especially if you have lotion on your hands. I made that mistake once and my lip balm went flying out of my hands and across the room. I guess the upside to that is it wont open up easily in your bag and get all over everything. The line includes other sophisticated fragrances like Clove Cigarettes which, not going to lie, intrigues me. 

The company itself, by Margot Elena also has perfumes and hand creams and they are split up by collections. The lip Elixirs are part of her Femme Fatale collection which has a very mysterious and sexy air to not only it's names but the packaging in sleek black with bold white writing. Tokyomilk is also a sister company to Lollia, and Love and Toast. 

I have had the pleasure of also trying some of the hand creams from the Lollia line as well as one of the perfumes. Margot Elena has such creative designs and patterns that really draw me to her products. The hand cream also has shea butter to moisturize which has been another godsend this winter. The fragrances in the Lollia line are lighter more girly and flirty notes that are uplifting. They remind me of spring time and flowers and running through grassy fields. 

I would definitely like to try more products from the different lines and experience more of the fragrances. All in all they are great quality products with a fun and classic look to them. Have any of you tried the lip elixirs? Any suggestions on other fragrances to try? 

Beat The Winter Skin Blues

Winter!!! I absolutely love fluffy snow that falls so nicely and almost paints the surrounding trees and lawns. The flakes fall down in a flurry as if they are dancing with the wind. There is hot chocolate by the fire and you can snuggle up in your coziest clothes with a blanket, book and, my personal favorite, with my dog Lily. The downside...shoveling, accidents, power outages, delays and skin freak outs! Ok, I know there are many other downsides but this time of year my skin is always plagued with that tight and dull feeling. To fight back against the elements I arm myself with some of my favorite skincare goodies that help beneath the surface as well!

One of the first things I like to do to brighten my complexion is exfoliate. I usually do this step once I have already washed my face with either an oil or a very mild cleanser. This lovely face scrub up above is from a company named Rainwater Botanicals. They have a great shop on Etsy with lots of other skin goodies. I first heard about them through the lovely blogger and youtuber iluvjesse444. She is just a wealth of knowledge about all things natural and organic and I am trying to be more conscious of what I am putting on my skin. She had talked about her latest skin care routine and had included some of the products from Rainwater Botanicals, so naturally I was intrigued and had to check them out. 

The Walnut and Elm Facial Scrub was part of my original order and I  have loved it ever since. It is a very fine scrub that almost looks like brown sugar. It has finely ground walnut shell that sloughs away any dead skin cells while also unclogging pores to reveal a brighter more refreshed face! My skin tends to be very sensitive but I don't find that this irritates it at all. I also only use the scrub about once to two times a week. The scrub also contains extracts of organic rosehips and slippery elm that help to nourish and protect the skin. My skin feels so smooth and amazing after using this and it helps my moisturizer to sink right in. 

After cleansing and exfoliating its time to replenish the skin with some moisture rich products. During the summer months I can usually get away with using just a moisturizer or a facial oil but in these winter months I have been paring them up for extra hydration. 

The two oils I use the most are either Grapeseed oil or the Badger Damascus Rose Antioxidant Face Oil. The badger has been my ultimate weapon against the extreme cold and the extreme indoor heating! So much power packed into one bottle and it does so much for your skin. This contains hydrating oils such as jojoba and baobab but also has antioxidant protection with extracts of pomegranate. Rosehip oil is made up primarily of fatty acids that are great for the skin but also contains high levels of Vitamin C and A which have anti-aging properties. This is the perfect oil to help hydrate and balance out the skin, I just slather some on mostly as part of my night routine. I will always have a bottle in my cabinet! Grapeseed oil is something that I newly discovered, and I have been using this to hydrate my skin during the day. It looks like it would be heavy but it actually absorbs right into the skin and my face never feels tight like if I were to smile it would crack into a million pieces. Grapeseed oil also has antioxidant protection and is a natural anti-inflammatory so it is great for people suffering with acne as well. These two oils have been game changers for me and my skin this winter. 

At night I will also use a heavy duty moisturizer that will help protect and repair the skin while I sleep. For this I turn to another gem from Rainwater Botanicals called the Intensive Repair Cream. This cream is also packed full of great ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe, organic shea butter, hyaluronic acid and more powerful antioxidants. This not only hydrates but also repairs any damage left over from scarring, fine lines, and boost moisture levels in the skin. An all around great cream. Even though my skin is dry I do tend to wear this at night because it is a lot thicker than most moisturizers. 

Another thing that helps skin to look great but is also great for your overall health is to drink more water!! I am terrible at this. I always have the intention to drink more water but fail miserably. What I have been doing is placing water bottles around my room and around the house almost as a reminder. I will keep one on my bedside table as well so that first thing in the morning I will reach for it. I am trying to be better because I know this is a crucial step for your skin externally but it is also important internally.

To moisturize the rest of my body I like to use coconut oil because it sinks right into my skin. It goes beneath the surface to really retain moisture and my skin feels moisturized throughout the day. Some lotions I have used in the past I put on and then feel like a few hours later that they are gone. Coconut oil has so many great uses for your skin and for cooking and you can't beat the price for the amount of product you get! 

My last little item here I stumbled upon while perusing the isles of my local health food store. I'm such a skincare addict that I'm always on the lookout for new fun products to experiment with. The Everyday Coconuts, Coconut Water Face Toner is a great way to rehydrate during the day. I have even transferred some into a smaller container for my purse so I can bring it with me whenever I need a little boost. It has a nice subtle relaxing scent that disappears so its not stuck with you all day if you are sensitive to smell. It contains neem as an anti-bacterial and papaya to help firm and tone the skin. 

These are just some of the products I have tried and turned to during this winter season and my skin has thanked me for it! I'm always on the lookout for new products to try and I have definitely found myself looking more into natural skincare like Rainwater Botanicals. Have any of you tried any of these products? Any suggestions on more brands I should try? 

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Red Hot Valentine Lips

Yes, it's that time of the year again! On Valentine's Day most of us want to feel sexy and bring out that inner siren however you are spending your day. For me, I always feel great when I have a bold lip on. Most days I wear something sheer, if at all, but sometimes I like to go all out and vamp it up a bit. Here are a few ways you can wear red lips whether you are going out on a date, going out with friends or for any occasion.

To get that vibrant and bold red lip, often times it is easiest to do so with a lipstick which tends to have the most color payoff. Selecting a red lip to compliment your coloring is always difficult so I have a few different options here. 

Rimmel London Show Off Lip Laquer in Big Bang is the va va voom red! It is a bold color but neutral red  in tone with a glossy finish that looks great on any skin tone. It has a sponge tip applicator that has a small curve in it that holds just the right amount of product. 

Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing in Strength also has a sponge applicator that fits the shape of the lips so nicely it's a breeze to apply. Strength is definitely more blue in tone than Big Bang and looks great on medium to deeper skin tones. I recommend lining your lips before applying either of these shades so the color won't bleed on you. For this I like to use either a natural color close to my lip or Mac's Cherry which also looks great on its own. 

Mac's Port Red is more of a blue tone red that looks great on medium to deeper skin tones. It is one of their frost colors so it has a beautiful prismatic sheen to it. This is a deeper red that always makes me feel very sophisticated when wearing it. I tend to wear this more in the evening as it is a lot deeper in color. 

Mac's Ruby Woo is one of their classics with a cult following. It is extremely matte so I recommend exfoliating your lips and putting a little lip balm on prior to applying it because it will accentuate any dryness. That being said it will stay put throughout the night, won't bleed and looks great on all skin tones. 

 L'oreal Infallible in Ravishing Red is something that I went out and bought just because it was the red Gwen Stefani was wearing when the lipstick first launched. Yes I was that person that ran to my local drug store in search of her perfect red lip. It is a beautiful blue toned red that is very pigmented and vibrant. I call it a seductive red, so it's perfect for Valentine's day. It is extremely hydrating on the lips as well so its a perfect combination of color and moisture.

Buxom (Bare Minerals) in Rogue is more of an orange red. It looks great This color especially looks on tan to deeper skin tones. It also has a very rich color pay off with a smooth satin finish and great year round. 

(Big Bang, Port Red, Ruby Woo, Ravishing Red, Rogue, Strength, Cherry)

Another great way to get a red lip with not a lot of effort is to go for a more sheer option. Tinted balms are a great way to have supple lips with a hint of color. Just a quick swipe and you are good to go without any hassle!

Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart is a deeper blue tone with that amazing butter feel. Perfect for evening if you don't want the intensity of a lipstick. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple is a brighter red with a warm undertone. It looks great on any skin tone. It is also very wearable for day time but can be built up for evening. All of the lip butters can be worn either sheer or built up by applying a few coats. 

 L'oreal's Colour Riche in Cardinal Plume also has a balm texture  It applies smoothly and evenly with just the right amount of color. It is a more neutral red and is very wearable for any skin tone. 

 Maybelline Baby Lips Cherry Me and Bare Minerals Loud and Clear Lip Sheer in Cherry Beat both have that wonderful balm texture with again a teeny hint of color. I find these are great to throw in your purse if you are already wearing a red earlier in the evening and you want something that will re-hydrate the lips and give a little boost to the color you were wearing. You don't even need a mirror! 

Revlon Lip Laquer in Enticing is fairly new to the scene. I believe these just launched a few months ago but they are again a product that I have fallen for. I love the pencil shape it has for a very precise application. The color payoff of a lipstick with application ease of a lip balm, the best of both worlds! This laquer is a deeper blue toned red so it would look great on deeper skin tones. If you apply just one coat it will give you sheer coverage and be more wearable for lighter tones as well.

(Cherry Tart, Candy Apple, Cardinal Plume, Cherry Me, Cherry Beat, Enticing)

Lastly, a great red tinted lip gloss is great to have on hand for touch ups throughout the evening or perfect to wear on their own. I have chosen three that are really easy to apply if you don't have a mirror at hand and will go great with any of the lipsticks or balms I mentioned. 

Buxom Lip Cream in Cherry Flip is a warmer red with no shimmer but an incredible shine and smooth finish. The Buxom glosses are known for their tingling sensation they leave on the lips. Have no fear it is more of a peppermint cooling affect. This lip gloss is great because it stays put and doesn't fee like it is sliding down your chin by the end of the evening. 

The Body Shop lip gloss in 11 is a deeper blue toned red that can come off as a dark pink in different lighting. I have worn this over Ruby Woo to cut down the matte affect and they pair really nicely together.

Maybelline Lip Elixir in Signature Scarlett is the most pigmented of the three and very high shine. The lip elixirs are very unique because they are a gloss with full pigment and a balm like texture. They give your lips an airbrushed look and have a cushion-like feel. The color is gorgeous and has quickly become my go to product. 

(Buxom Cherry Flip, The Body Shop 11, Maybelline Elixir Signature Scarlett)

I know this post was a long one and thank you so much if you made it through to the end!! I hope this was helpful as red lips are a fun way to express yourself or spice up any look. Have a safe and Happy Valentine's Day!

To BB Or Not To BB

As a long time mineral makeup wearer I have not strayed to far from my favorite brand. I seem to have this fear of putting anything liquid on my face, but lately have been curious about this new craze of beauty balms. They go by many different names but all claim to be great for the skin and in fact are like skincare and makeup in one. Naturally I was intrigued as I am a big lover of both makeup and skincare. There would be days when I simply just wanted to be able to slap something on my face that would make me look great and take little to no effort at all. Don't get me wrong my mineral makeup routine is pretty quick and leaves you looking flawless but as a beauty lover I had this calling to try something new, just for fun. I picked up these three particular balms along the way and have had some time to try them out. Here is what I found.

The first one I tried was from The Body Shop. Its All-In-One BB Cream ($20) claims to have 24 hour hydration, non clogging, color adapts and offers a light to medium coverage to the skin. On the packaging it does not state if it has an SPF however, in the ingredients list it does contain Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxide. It also contains Aloe leaf juice and soybean oil which are both nourishing for the skin. I find that this BB Cream has a thicker consistency than the other two. It comes out white but does adjusts to the color of your skin. The shade I got also is a little dark for me at the moment but would be great in the summer. Over all I find that this feels a little heavy on the skin even though my skin tends to be on the drier side, but I can feel it sitting there. I also find that I need to set it with something to keep it from sliding off the face. I have not tried it with a primer yet because most BB Creams claim you don't need one because it acts as a primer as well. I will try it with one of my primers and see if it makes a difference. I do love The Body Shop though and what they stand for. I also love that they are cruelty free.

The Next of the Beauty Balms I tried was the much loved Dr. Jart+. This brand is really well known for their wide variety of products and the skincare. I had received this one as a deluxe sample after dropping (I'm ashamed to say) a ton of cash at Sephora. I immediately wanted to try this because I had heard so many great things. The Black Label Detox Beauty Balm ($36) claims to be your skincare and makeup regimen in one tube. It has an SPF of 25, helps to cover and calm blemishes, fade dark marks and has Caviar extract that is supposed to help protect the skin from environmental toxins. The product itself comes out as a liquid but once you begin to work it into the skin it has a beautiful creamy consistency. It also color adjusts but I do find that it is more pink in tone so I always add some bronzer to liven up the skin. I truly love this one because it feels like a dream and makes your skin look flawless. The one down side I personally had was that it irritated my eyes. I know that my eyes are extremely sensitive and I am not sure if the sunscreen in the product made them sting. I just found that my eyes would not stop watering but this could also be user error. Next time I will try it but keep it away from the eye area. Other than that it wears extremely well throughout the day and gives your skin a nice glow and diminishes the look of pores. I tend to savor this one though and don't use it every day because I can't justify purchasing a full size at the moment.

This last Beauty Balm has been my go to one for days when I am not wearing a full face of makeup but want extra sunscreen protection and a flawless look. The Maybelline New York Dream Fresh 8-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector (around $8) claims to blur imperfections, enhance, brighten, adjust to skin tone, smoothes, hydrates, protects with and SPF of 30 and has 0% oils. I just love how easy this is to apply. I dot some on my cheeks, forehead and chin and then use my elf powder brush to kind of stipple it into the skin and viola you are done! My skin looks even but most importantly looks like my skin! No cake face or feeling oily! This wears really great by itself but I have also used my trusty Bare Minerals Ready touch up veil to set it before applying bronzer and blush. This one is perfect if you don't have a ton of time to get ready in the morning but want a flawless complexion in no time at all. The only thing I wish was if there were more shades. They have about four and while they color adjust I find that the shades tend to be pink again. I ended up buying the medium sheer tint and the medium/deep as well just to see the difference. The medium fits me for now but I wish it was a little more golden as my skin tends to go a little more yellow than pink.

I hope this was helpful to anyone wanting to try any of these out. One thing I will mention is these may not be great if you are going out at night and are going to be photographed as they do have SPF and may make the skin look like it has a white cast in flash photos. The Body Shop All-In-One may work just fine because it has SPF in the ingredients but maybe not high enough to declare.