Luxury Beauty Review :: Creme de La Mer

I recently did a youtube review on the Luxe product Creme de La Mer, I wanted to expand upon it a bit. The video is below.

 

Overall thoughts

  • I got this over 2 months ago (almost 3 at this point) and I have to say I have seen an amazing difference in my skin. Softer, looks healthier, feels smooth, texture is improved and I have noticed an overall diminish in my pores appearance.
  • Overall I’m incredibly happy with the product. I have tried dupes of this in the past, but for me this is what has worked the best. That doesn’t mean it will work for everyone, and from a lot of reviews I read people had better experiences with the dupes. So it all depends on your skin, and your expectations.
  • I want to also add, that using it everyday at night for almost 3 months I am barely if even 1/3 of the way through the jar. I suspect this will last me at least throughout the entire summer. So even though it is incredibly pricey you get a lot of bang for your buck.

If you were on the fence about this product, or want a very effective and luxurious moisturizer, from my experience and results I would highly recommend. But do see if you can get a sample first (I am a HUGE believer in sampling before buying!) as not all skincare works for everyone, and this is a very expensive product. Hope this helped anyone!

Thanks!

Sephora Rant- Customer Service Fail

I actually did a youtube video on this rant but I wanted to elaborate. So if you want to watch the video or just read below instead either way is good

OK, this has to deal with the Paint it Pink set I purchased. I unboxed it previously. Now I absolutely loved everything in the set, and I am really happy for the most part with the purchase. But after I unboxed it I put everything back in its place and left it for about a week until I got the makeup area in my bathroom situated (I currently don’t have a vanity) so after a week I decided it might be fun to use some of the items. I immediately started using the Make Up Forever lipgloss, and ran out of it in like 2 weeks. I decided I wanted to use the Becca product and as soon as I opened it the product slipped out of the pan. I caught it before it slipped, but the whole thing broke into 3 pieces. LAME. So I wrote Sephora an email.

I want to add that I know this was a set, and I had bought the last one, AND they were no longer available online, so I figured this was it. I thought best case scenario they may have something to exchange it for (maybe another deluxe sample) or maybe a little coupon code for like $3-5 dollars, or a small discount so I could buy it full size. But even if they couldn’t do that, I was expecting at least an apology.

So I usually give companies a few days to respond (3 during the week and 5 if there is a major holiday coming up, and Mothers Day is a major holiday) so when over a week passed and I didn’t even get someone messaging me saying they will get to my issue when they can I was like “whelp maybe it got lost or had an error in sending” So the Friday before Mothers day I decided to send another email. Monday I got a response and it was just a cut and paste on their return policies. I want to add I never said I wanted to return the set. I inquired if there were any issues with this set, and with the Becca product in general, and that if there was a way to replace it I would love that, but if there was nothing they could do to just alert them that my product was damaged/defective.

I was kinda annoyed that they couldn’t even write me an “I am sorry for the product, if you want to return here is our policy, or here is how you do it” Nope, nothing.

So then I wonder if I should just call their customer service line and inquire if there is anything that could be done. I know I couldn’t return the whole set, I didn’t want to return the whole set. I kinda just wanted Sephora at this point to take alittle responsibility for selling me a defective product.

The person on the line was VERY dismissive. Not once said, I am sorry, not once asked what they could do. Just said I had to go to the store. or call the store. I was like “Ok, is there any information I should ask or know when I contact the store” then there was another dismissive reply to just call the store. Since there was no point to waste either of our time I hung up.

Quick add here. If you work in a brick and mortar store for a company, it costs a lot of money to take returns. I am not talking about the cost of the money in having a product returned. I am talking about the loss of employee productivity from dealing with returns,. and it looks bad to have a customer come in and be like “this was defective and broken”. So if you can have issues dealt with over the phone or with the customer service line at HQ its better for your business overall. I know that from experience. So saying, go waste the time of our employees we pay to sell products, who probably will get penalized for having to take this return even though it was most likely not their fault, but rather the shipping companies fault or the fault of Sephoras warehouse) seems odd to me, and also unfair to them. If its an exchange or its more convenient for the customer then yes go to the store, but the store couldn’t do anything and i knew that from the beginning which is why I went to their customer service phone line.

But anyways…..

I called the store. I waited until a time I know the mall was dead (I had worked in this mall before and I know when its busy and when nobody is there). I talked to the manager and she was, I don’t want to say rude because she wasn’t rude. She was just extremely dismissive and all like “Well what am I supposed to do” She also said there was no way I had bought it in her store because they haven’t had that set since the Holidays, and I was like I bought it like the 9th or 10th of April, check my VIB account. So I didn’t want to waste her time, and I hung up.

UGH, so at this point I decided to just give it a few days and figure out if I should let it go. Again it wasn’t about the money, more the principle of buying something and having it, or a part of it being damaged or defective. Also at this point I wondered how they treat their customers. I am a VIB Rouge, so if they treat me like this how do they treat the rest of their customers, are they more dismissive, are they so non caring about it. I firmly believe you really see a business true colors when you have to deal with their Customer service.

I was going to leave it alone but then I decided to try one more time and get some sort of real response/ or let Sephora take responsibility for the damaged item and I posted on their Facebook page. They were really good at first, but then told me to contact the store. Completely ignoring the fact I told them I had already contacted the store and that resulted in nothing, not even an honest try to fix this or to just apologize for the damage.

I wasn’t to happy about this, and let them know that was the reason why I had contacted them on FB, was because of the dismissive attitudes of their customer service phone line, and the Manager of that store.

So Now they are going to have someone in their retail division contact me. I don;t expect them to reimburse my money, to switch or exchange it. really I don;t know what they will do. But all I really wanted was for them to take responsibility and say “Sorry we sold you a damaged product”

So yeah. I know I was overreacting a bit, but this escalated because of Sephoras inaction and the dismissive attitudes of their employees. I will still shop at Sephora, but this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

I will post an update once this is resolved, or not resolved.

Sorry for the rant, thanks for reading ❤

Also if you want to follow me on Youtube I follow back! Also I have comments disabled until I get my permanent set up ready. Which should be the next video or two.

Unboxing :: My New Chikuhodo Z-1 Powder Brush

Ok, ok…. I got one! I mentioned I wanted to try out different artisan Japanese brush brands. I adore my Kashoen, and although my Sephora Hakuhodo collab brushes I wouldn’t consider true Hakuhodos, they are created by them. There is also Suqqu as well. So I wanted to purchase a few things from Beautylish (they have Wayne Goss Brushes there) I actually ended up originally just getting a Liquid Lippie from Jeffree Star (Doll Parts) and I also picked up a Sisley Quad Eyeshadow palette. Sadly the color of the palette was completely different then what they sent me. And since their makeup is HELLA EXPENSIVE, and my new YSL Palette had the exact same colors I returned it . I want to say,I hate returning cosmetics, but this was completely Beautylish’s error and I never touched it other then to open the quad to inspect it, and Lord it was expensive.

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SO I exchanged it for a Chikuhodo Brush! I was trying to figure out which one exactly I wanted. I was torn between  the Passion Series PS-1 Powder,Makie Series MK-1 Powder,GSN Series GSN-1 Powder and the Z Series Z-1 Powder. At first I saw drawn to the larger ones but I decided on the Z-1 because it looked like it would also be great for my powder contours as well. Also being very soft was the best for sensitive skin.

I will say one thing. Although it was Beauylish’s error they were easy to work with and return the product. So so far I am happy with their customer service.

Ok, so I got my package today! so here are the pics and then my initial thoughts on the brush.

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This was a giant box for the brush, which I guess was to ensure it arrived safely

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Initial thoughts at this point was they need to step up their packaging game. If you remember my Kashoen unboxing post, their packaging was on point. This was packaged like it was a drugstore brush.

and the brush!

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Aside from my disappointment in the packaging (I don’t think that was from Beautylish. I think that was all on Chikuhodos end), my initial reactions where positive. The handle is very pretty and elegant, and OMG the bristles. The softest bristles I have ever experienced. The bristles of this brush are Gray Squirrel.

Info on this brush (from Beautylish’s website)

  • The Z Series Z-1 is a powder brush with bristles made from the hair of gray squirrel. The bristles are 45mm in length, with the total length of the brush being 160mm.

I haven’t used it yet but I will tomorrow. Expect a proper review very soon! I am super excited to try this brush out! ❤

Unboxing :: 2 Fragrances from Anthropologie

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I went into Anthropologie this week and whenever I go there I always make a beeline to their little Fragrance area. I fell in love with a bunch of fragrances but I behaved and only bought 2.

I got English Rose from Royal Apothic, and She Found Quiet in His Wild from Fictions

I will probably do a review on these soon so I won’t go to much into them. But they are both very lovely floral fragrances with a touch of much. English rose is, well more rose fragranced, and The one from fictions is a little brighter, and fruitier.

The packaging for these both was really lovely. English rose came in a velvet lined wooden box, and the fictions fragrance came in a packaging that resembled a book!

the pics….

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I adore the bottle.

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What I found really clever was the information on the perfumer and graphic artist of the packaging was presented as a removable bookmark within the package

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I think these both will make great summer scents, and I can’t wait to wear them!

Random Haul :: Morphe and Drugstore

I got my Morphe order today, and I also ran to Walgreens to get a shot, and I ended up picking up a few things while I was there. I decided to condense it all into one haul post.

MORPHE HAUL

I got some Brushes, Lashes, and I made a mini Palette (12 colors) I have heard mixed reviews on Morphe Eyeshadows so I wanted to try out a small amount of them before I got bigger palettes.

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Colors I got

Top Row (Left to Right)

  • Spice
  • Dazzling
  • Glow for Me
  • Flame

Middle Row (Left to Right)

  • Mysterious
  • Starlight
  • Burlesque
  • Glisten

Bottom Row (Left to Right)

  • Lusterous
  • Undress Me
  • Bitter
  • Blackberry

I wanted to make a warmer, rusty brown palette. I like the colors, and will wear this throughout the week. So look for a review soon!

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I also got some lashes and 2 brushes. Lashes #747L and #747XS, and the brushes are B13 – DELUXE BLENDING FLUFF, and B18 – DELUXE ROUND CREASE.

Drugstore Haul

I was on a quest to find some lip products. I wanted to try out a few new things so this entire haul minus 2 things is all lips.

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A Milani Lipstick and 2 Rimmel ones.

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Swatches!!! I am really digging these colors.

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more swatches!

And lastly I was just digging through their sale bin and I found some of their Disney Villian stuff from their Summer 2015 launch! In total these 2 items were less than .75 cents so I had to buy them!

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OK, this was so fun. The color payoff is whomp whomp, but I just love the packaging. and for 17 cents whose going to complain. I may play with this tomorrow.

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OMG Look at this brush trio, and only 49 cents! Its so pretty. I will play with these tomorrow. This set comes with a Stippling brush, a concealer brush, and an angled buff brush!

So these are some fun items, and some fun things to try out and experiment with! whoop!

Mini Haul :: Ulta and Target… got my coveted Sweet Peach Palette!!!!

I ran some errands and decided to run to Ulta as well as target to pick up a few things. I can honestly say it was a VERY rewarding trip…. 🙂

I GOT MY HANDS ON THE AMAZING SWEET PEACH PALETTE FROM TOO FACED!

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I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING AND DYING FOR THIS FOREVER! And randomly when I went to Ulta and asked about them the manager was like “Give me one sec” and came from the back with her arms full of them. They had just received the order that morning!!!! I was literally dancing. I got a few other things too. (from both Ulta and Target)

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The Goodies

  • Too Faced Palette- Sweet Peach ❤
  • Not Pictured- Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Rapture
  • e.l.f. Contour Brush
  • e.l.f. Bronzer and plush set
  • NYX Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner in Gypsy
  • NYX Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner in  Dark Red
  • NYX Jumbo eyeshadow pencil in Pure Gold
  • NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Rust

so I am so happy and excited!!!! ❤

April Favorites :: Skincare

I already posted my April makeup favorites, and now it is time for my April Skincare favorites. I love my current routine, and would have loved to put them all on this list, but I decided to post the ones that I am super obsessed with, rather then the whole routine. If you want to learn my whole routine I have a recent post on that! ONWARD!

April Skincare Favorites

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Tatcha Luminous Deep Hydration Firming Serum- It normally takes a good 4-6 weeks for me to see a difference when I switch serums/treatments. But this one I saw just after about 2. My skin felt firm, and definitely hydrated.

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Secret Key Snow White Cleansing Foam- I love this as my morning cleanser. I bought it on a whim and I am so glad I did. have such a nice lather, leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean, and I notice that I have a much brighter complexion.

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Tosowoong Platinum Miracle Skin Tightening Pack– I am OBSESSED!!!!!!!!! I reviewed this, I bought it, I use it. I LOVE it! Has to be the best mask I use hands down!

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La Mer Creme de La Mer- This is practically holy grail status. I have used this in the past but at the time I was much younger and I don’t think my skin needed it as much. Fast forward over a decade and I decided to give it another go. Immediate results. I can definitely tell when I don’t use this. My skin hasn’t felt this healthy, or looked better EVER! Now I know it is pricey, good LOOOOOORRRRRDDDD is it pricey. But it has worked so well for me. So I will probably have this as a permanent part of my nighttime skincare routine from now on. A jar does go a long way though. With the current rate I am going through this I probably won’t need to rebuy another at until November or December.

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Tatcha Pure Camellia Cleansing Oil- This is fast becoming my favorite oil cleanser. Leave my face feeling really clean and gets off all my stubborn makeup!

I didn’t include items I have been using over and over again like my Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, my Innisfree Jeju Pore cleansing Foam, or my SK-II Essence, but those are always in my favorite loves list! ❤

Honorable Mentions

  • La Mer- The Cleansing Gel
  • Sea Tree Moisture Mist
  • sk-II Facial Treatment Lotion
  • Corsx Power Blackhead Liquid

 

Hope you liked my favorites! ❤

April Favorites :: Makeup

I have a lot of favorites this month! From make up, skin care, and even some tools! You may have read a few in other blog posts. But they all are worthy of being on this list! This post is for Makeup and later I will post my skincare favorites!

April Favorites – Makeup

 

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Guerlain  Terracotta Pause d’ete Bronzer – This is so pretty, and warm, and buttery, and wonderful. and love love GUSSSHH love! This is limited edition for summer 2016, so if you are obsessed with terra-cotta bronzers you need to check this out.

 

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Chosungah 22 Lip Tint in CashmereI did a review on this earlier and I stand by my thoughts on the lipgloss side. But the tint is amazing and I have been wearing it all the time. I was thinking of buying a second to keep in my other purse as well. SO GOOD. You can buy them at Sephora

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Anastasia Glow kit in Gleam– I love them both but Gleam has been the one I am reaching for the most. The pans are nice and large, and the colors are beautiful. I use crushed pearl the most but love to layer starburst and Mimosa as well.

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La Mer the Concealer in Light– OK, I know this is pricey for a concealer ($70) But hear me out. Clea de Peau’s famous concealer is just as pricey and I can promise you this is just as good if not better. I have NEVER had a concealer work as well as this one. No creasing (and thats without me baking) Goes on like a dream, and lasts all day. It’s a little drying but thats not to bad. overall this concealer is a champion and I am obsessed!

 

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IOPE Air Cushion XP #N21– This is such a nice formula. Looks very flattering on my skin and lasts all day. I love the way my skin feels when I wear this as well. I have been wearing this almost everyday.

 

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YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ – Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15 in Beige Ultimate- Love love LOVE this color, and formula. This is such a flattering neutral color it goes with everything! Feels nice and moisturizing on, and looks amazing.

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E.L.F Eye Brow Duo Kit in Medium– This has to be one of the nicest (and most inexpensive) eye brow kits. It works and blends like a dream and is so affordable ($3). I have been using this everyday!

Honorable Mentions

  • Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick in 1993
  • Peripera Water Lip Tint in Mandarin Juice
  • Holika Holika Jewel light Under eye marker
  • Too Cool for School Dinoplatz UFO Multibox

New Skincare Routine for Spring/Summer

I think I finally got the perfect routine of skincare down. I haven’t seen my skin improve so fast in such a long time. I haven’t had as much irritation lately. my pores are getting so small (areas were they were prominent are completely gone, just smooth flawless skin) and it feels so happy, healthy and hydrated! So here is an updated routine.This is my current skincare routine (with list of products).

Again,I change or try new things every few months, so I will probably be updating this blog with what I have tried and what works and what didn’t. However I am loving this routine so this may stay the same through summer.

My Skin

I have a very pale complexion, with combination sensitive skin. I also suffered from enlarged pores. I have lived in South Florida my entire life, and would wear sunscreen everyday on my arms and neck but not my face. As such I had some sun damage, and some issue with a nice texture on my skin. At 30 (I’m going to be 32 in a few months) I decided it was time to put on my big girl pants and start really taking care of myself. Diet, exercise, and SKINCARE!

I don’t like under-exxagerating how bad my skin was, because truly whats the point- I had bad skin. Breakouts, pores, flaking. All because I didn’t take proper care of it. It was MY FAULT. So when I owned up to that (rather then blame genetics) I started to see a VAST improvement.

After trying new products, and really refining my regimen  I can say that my skin hasn’t felt this healthy, or looked this good ever! I have been doing this routine for about 3 weeks now.

My Routine

Morning

  • Oil Cleanser – Clean It Zero From Banila Co. This is a great first cleanse in the morning. Sometimes I do not do a double cleanse in the morning, but if I wake up and my face is extra greasy then I do this. I can say I usually do a double cleanse in the morning. at least 5 times a week.
  • Foaming Cleanser –Secret Key Snow White Foaming Cleanser. I love this in the morning,. my complexion looks brighter and my face feels great.
  • Toner –SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion
  • Exfoliate – Cure Natural Aqua Gel (twice a week, I love this) or Freeman’s Charcoal Sugar Scrub (this one is ok, just using it up right now since I don’t like to waste product)
  • Essence – SK-II Facial Treatment Essence- Put a small amount in my hands and gently pat into my face. I let it absorb completely before moving on, BHA Blackhead Power Liquid by Cosrx – I put a fair amount on a cotton pad and dab in on my entire nose and chin. I wait for the SK-II to absorb before I move onto the other.
  • Serums –Tatcha Firming Serum, Then Red Tea Antioxidant Serum from Ole Henriksen
  • Eye Cream –SK-II Eye Cream, this one has been one of the better ones I tried. Although I am still a fan of the ETUDE House Moistfull collagen one.
  • Cream- Perricone MD Cold Plasma, this is a dream product. It smells horrible but it makes my skin look amazing.
  • Moisturizer – Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery Cream by Tatcha.
  • I also apply Nature Republics Aloe Vera Gel all over my body and chest and neck area.

Evening/nighttime

  • Oil Cleanser – Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil. This leaves my face clean, and takes off all my makeup and gunk from the day.
  • Foaming Cleanser –USUALLY Jeju Clay Pore Cleanser from Innisfree, which is my holy grail cleanser. But If I wore a very heavy face of makeup I use La Mers The Cleansing Gel, which is amazing, and during hormonal breakouts I use Tatcha’s Rice Enzyme Cleanser. I found a big difference when I catered my cleansers to certain times of the month, and different instances as well.
  • Toner –Benton BHA Aloe Vera Toner
  • Exfoliate – Cure Natural Aqua Gel (twice a week, I love this) or Freeman’s Charcoal Sugar Scrub (this one is ok, just using it up right now since I don’t like to waste product) I used to just exfoliate at night but I was still getting clogged pores. Now that I do it twice I have seen a huge difference in the amount of blackheads I get
  • Mask– Either a foaming mask, clay mask or sheet mask
  • If I am using a sheet mask I skip this step/ If its a wash off, peeling or clay after I rinse it off then I will wipe my face off with the Green Tea cleansing water from Innisfree
  • Tone Again- SK-II Facial Treatment Lotion
  • Essence – SK-II Facial Treatment Essence- Put a small amount in my hands and gently pat into my face.
  • Serums –Tatcha Firming Serum, Then Red Tea Antioxidant Serum from Ole Henriksen
  • Eye Cream –SK-II Eye Cream
  • Cream– Perricone MD Cold Plasma, this is a dream product. It smells horrible but it makes my skin look amazing.
  • Moisturizer – If my skin is irritated at all I will use Tatchas Indigo Soothing Triple recovery Cream. If my skin isn’t irritated I use Creme de La Mer from La Mer
  • I also apply Nature Republics Aloe Vera Gel all over my body and chest and neck area.

 

I CAN SAY THIS. I used to dread cleaning my face a few years ago and now its one of the favorite parts of my day. And I get to do it twice!! I really look forward to it.

Again I have seen the biggest improvement in my skins overall health and appearance since I have switched up my routine. I do know a few of these items are very pricey. So if I had to only recommend one or two to add I would definitely say add the Sk-II essence and lotion, or just the essence. I think essences are one of the most important things in any solid skin care routine.