I'm a no-makeup makeup kinda girl. The first and last time I swayed from my barley there eye makeup routine, I applied blue mascara AND had a severe allergic reaction to the blue dye! Back to my skin-tone eye shadows and black mascara... I love nude eye shadow palettes, but they usually contain darker shades for a smokey look and I rarely go beyond a dark skin-toned eye shadow. All my eye shadow palettes are slowly withering in my Cosmocube. Albeit, I'm still addicted to eye shadow palettes and have too many! I'm more inclined to purchase single eye shadows and create my own perfectly nude palette.

My barley there eye makeup routine consists of seven pink-toned and skin-toned eye shadows, maybe a little sparkle and lots of layers. BUT, first prep + prime is essential. I'm obsessed with eye creams. I use Benefit Cosmetics It's Potent! Eye Cream or Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Hydrating Eye Cream under my concealer and shadows, and Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream in the AM - yes, I have a wakeup and refresh skincare routine and then a prep + prime for makeup application routine. For anti-aging, I use Neocutis Lumiére Bio-restoraive Serum Powered by PSP and Neocutis Lumiére Eye Cream with PSP before bed. This stuff is amazing!

The Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Hydrating Eye Cream To Go is compact and the doe-foot applicator is super soft. The hydrating eye cream is light, silky and the perfect under-makeup moisturizer. Your under-eye area feels smooth and refreshed. This 6 ml travel size lip gloss-like tube (limited edition) is convenient and perfect for travel. I prefer this on-the-go applicator over the original Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Hydrating Eye Cream pot.

Primers are essential to an even skin-tone. Yes, your eyelids need a little primer too. Laura Mercier Eye Basics eyelid primer is like foundation for your eyelids. This primer is available in six shades - even a pale blue to brighten your lids. The foundation-like primer is creamy, conceals discoloration and creates the perfect base for eye-makeup. Eyelid primer is a must-have for the perfect nude(ish) look.

Back to my perfectly procured list of barely there shadows. I have to admit, I'm not a huge M.A.C fan, but the pink and skin-tone eye shadow selection is vast. The on-trend shades are gorgeous and the pigmented eye shadows last all day on your lids. I typically start with the lightest shade, apply pink-tone eye shadow to my lids and then two darker shades at the outer corner of my eyelids and in the crease. The final look is subtle, but makes my eyes appear uniform and brighter.

Apply Brulé satin eye shadow all over (up to your brow), Orb satin eye shadow all over (up to your brow), Malt matte eye shadow from the crease to your lashes, Grain satin eye shadow along the crease and blend Arena satin eye shadow from the outer corner and along the crease. Gorgeous! The subtle layers create dimension and elevate your natural, no-makeup makeup look.

I have been a fan of Sephora Collection eye shadows for years. The selection 'was' vast, the eye shadows are inexpensive and the pink-toned shades met my eye-makeup needs. There doesn't seem to be a big selection of the Colorful shadows anymore? Sephora still creates beautiful shadow palettes, but the single eye shadows are becoming obsolete. Bummer, cause I love the Sephora Colorful luster matte shadow in Desert Rose. The light pink shade is perfect for those 'I don't have time for makeup' days.

The Sephora Colorful glitter eye shadow in Walking in the Sand is a similar pink shade but has a little sparkle. I use this eye shadow to highlight the center or inner corner of my lids. This one is on sale at Spehora.com - Imma stock up.

I kinda wish I was aware that Sephora is discontinuing the Colorful eye shadow collection before I included two of my favorites in this list, BUT you can use these shades as a reference.. AND, it takes forever to shoot and edit these photos - Sephora Colorful eye shadows shall remain on my perfectly procured barely there eye makeup list.

Let me kick this off by saying, I'm not a fan of facial sprays. Some sprays are meant to prep the skin and some to set your makeup - either way, soaking my face with infused liquid is another step I'm not sure is necessary or beneficial. BUT, when the M.A.C Mineralize collection launched, I had to have all three facial products. AND, now I'm a fan!

The M.A.C Mineralize Charged Water Charcoal Spray is super light-weight and feels nice on your skin. This mineralized facial spray is scent free (I like that) and adds a little extra moisture after treatments. I don't use it to prep my skin, but I do like to spritz my face after exfoliating with M.A.C Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and a five minute M.A.C Mineralize Reset & Revive Charcoal Mask treatment. These three M.A.C Mineralize treatments have landed a permanent spot in my weekly routine. Move over Bobbi Brown masks - there's a new brand on the shelf!

I really like the M.A.C Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. The grains are large and you can feel that the super-exfoliating treatment is removing dead skin, leaving your complexion fresh and revived. The product lathers (kinda strange), but it feels refreshing and leave your skin feeling super soft. The scent is a little off-putting, but the refreshing result makes up for the less than desirable smell.

After exfoliating, I use the M.A.C Mineralize Reset & Revive Charcoal Mask. This mask reminds me of the Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Instant Detox mask. It goes on thick and dries like clay. In combination with the exfoliator and charcoal spray - this regiment is worth the time. I love the M.A.C Mineralize triple treatment - my skin looks great, refreshed and void of the previous weeks damage.

This triple-treatment is very similar to Bobbi Brown Cosmetics masks. Exfoliate, detox (with charcoal) and moisturize seem to be trend here. I do prefer the Bobbi Brown masks collection, BUT will absolutely use the M.A.C Mineralize treatments regularly for an extra facial boost. I LOVE exfoliating and charcoal infused facial masks. I promise you - these treatments make a difference.

I was really intrigued by the concept of 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears by Sugarfina. I'd wouldn't mind squishy 'greens' flavored candy with the added benefit of 'real greens'. I ordered these gummy bears in all three sizes AND had high expectations. These gummy bears weren't exactly what I expected..

Although I was expecting a 'greens' flavored candy, I can understand why that wouldn't work. I'm not a sweets person, but I'm sure those who crave sugar, want sweet - NOT spinach flavored bears. These squishy candies taste like sweet-lime gummy bears. They have apple, lemon, spinach and ginger (even turmeric), but the candy aspect is strong. I had hoped for a 'greens' flavored gummy.

I am a greens juice fanatic. Who has time to eat raw and cooked greens, along with all the other healthy stuff we're suppose to consume in a day? My go-to fruits and veggie juices make maintaining healthy lifestyle little faster and easier. Albeit, I do think spinach/kale flavored gummy bears may have a chance out there.

If you're a candy-craving person, these might a be a 'semi-healthy' solution. There is apple, lemon, spinach concentrate and each serving (11 bears) contains 20% of your daily vitamin A and C. What if you only eat 11 'baby' bears (they're half the size of the momma bears), does that still count as 20% or do you have to eat double.

Hmm.. I wonder why there's mama bears and baby bears? Did dad miss the gummy bear mould fitting? Dear Sugarfina, you're gonna upset few people with the mama and baby thing - maybe you should give dad another chance and allow him a spot in your 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears bottles! I have a baby bear - my Toy Poodle Teddy, looks like a Teddy Bear. I'm the momma, BUT he favors his daddy!

If you or someone in your life loves candy, these are fun, but if you're a salty person (like me) and love greens, these 'Green Juice' Gummy Bears fall short. They taste like every other gummy bear with a hint of citrus. I'm a little disappointed and hope to see 'real' green juice gummies in the candy section soon. I'd go out of my way and spend a small fortune to avoid actually eating real green veggies on the daily!

These little green gummies are available in 7.6 oz, 15.4 oz and a seven day 'cleanse' consisting of seven 1.7 oz bottles. Let's be clear, this is not a cleanse. There's a reason 'Green Juice' is in quotations. Sugarfina does state that these gummy bears are 'inspired' by Pressed Juicery greens juice.

Sugarfina is an amazing candy company. I purchased custom candy boxes for Valentine's Day gifts and they were much appreciated. The candy flavors are unique and you can custom by color, flavors or a theme. This place is my new go-to candy shop.

Famed beauty vlogger, Farah Dhukai, is one lucky girl. She's absolutely stunning, is blessed with perfect hair, has a widely successful online presence AND her husband created a small product line as a solution to her beauty needs! This girl gets a lot of hate online - people do love to complain. Albeit, she could be a total bitch off camera, but I think her quirky online personality is endearing. She's funny, her DIY beauty tips are unique and her tutorials are super entertaining. I say f**k em! They're just jealous!

I'm sure you've heard of Farsali Rose Gold Elixir. The facial oil containing tiny bits of 24-karat gold launched in July 2015. The must-have moisturizer became widely popular on social media. Sephora launched Farsali Rose Gold Elixir and Farsali Unicorn Essence on their website in February 2017 - the Rose Gold Elixir sold out in 24 hours. The popular cosmetic brand is slowly expanding, launched Unicorn Tears (now Unicorn Essence) in 2016 and Sephora launched Farsali Jelly Beam this past January. I'd be happy to test drive any product this company releases..

Farsali Unicorn Essence was originally named Unicorn Tears - umm.. kinda sad! Beauty vloggers and bloggers took to Instagram AGAIN, this time dripping Unicorn Essence or Tears down their face. It's a little weird, but intriguing nevertheless. Unicorn drama aside - this skin enhancing, antioxidant serum contains açaí berry, goji berry, elderberry and blueberry. Combined, these extracts contain anti-aging properties and tons of vitamin C.

The water-based formula soaks into your skin nicely, is non-greasy and leaves your skin feeling moisturized. The light solution is a pretty pink with micro sparkles. I guess unicorns cry pink, sparkly tears?! It smells nice too - the light scent is sweet and lingers. I don't love it as much as I do the Rose Gold Elixir, but if you have time for one more step in your routine, this product is delightful.

I was super excited to try the Farsali Jelly Beam Illuminator. This gel-to-powder highlighter is concentrated and LOADED with pigment. If you want a high-shine look, you'll love this stuff. The gel-like formula goes on nicely and quickly turns to powder - I found it a little difficult to blend, but the pale, peachy-pink color and high shine is gorgeous and effective. This is not an everyday kinda highlighter.

Farsali Jelly Beam Illuminator is good, but not enough to replace my go-to highlighter, Benefit Cosmetics Watt's Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter. While I'm sure I won't use the FarsaliJelly Beam Illuminator on my face, I will however combine Jelly Beam with my body moisturizer to add a little shimmer to my shoulders, décolletage and legs. Oh, and a little goes a long way.

Farsali Rose Gold Elixir is a facial oil with tiny particles of 24-karat gold floating in it. This beauty oil has forever changed my makeup routine and enhanced my look dramatically. I apply my tinted primer, tinted moisturizer (and maybe foundation). Then I apply 'many' drops of the elixir to my damp beautyblender and gently blend for perfect coverage. I use the same beautyblender (and Farsali Rose Gold Elixir) to blend my concealer, under eye brightener and cream-to-powder highlighter. This 24-karat gold infused beauty oil is amazing.

Blackheads are considered a mild form of acne caused by clogged hair follicles. The sebum (oil) that is produced in the hair follicle, combined with dead skin cells, pushes to the surface creating a tiny bump. Once the open hair folicle, oil and dead skin cells reach air, it oxidizes and turns black. You have approximately five million hair follicles on your body and hundreds of thousands on your face. The chances that you are going to experience blackheads is super high.

Other than expensive in-office treatments, I have yet to find an at-home solution to combat blackheads. I have very small blackheads and nothing works for me. I exfoliate and that helps a bit. I also use nose strips once and while - they pull out some of the impurities, but nothing miraculous.

In addition to the extensive clothing and accessories selection, my favorite online shop, Revolve, has a new'ish' beauty department. Many of the products are similar to Sephora, but there are also unique cosmetics that I've never seen or heard of. The Tomymoly Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm & Corsx Blackhead Silk Finger Ball are two products I had to try..

The self-heating Egg Pore Blackhead Steam Balm by Tonymoly feels nice and relaxing. The product contains charcoal to remove impurities and provides antibacterial qualities. It also contains sea salt to remove residue and egg yolk to moisturize your skin.

Apply a little to the desired area and gently massage for 3-5 minutes. Yeah, FIVE minutes! It's a bit long, but the self-heating quality makes you feel like something is happening.. Once the product turns opaque white, rinse with warm water. After what felt like forever massaging the product onto my skin, I rinsed and NOTHING! My tiny blackheads were still there and my skin didn't appear any different. Hmm.. I guess my expectations were a little too high?

Product scents are a big deciding factor for me and the scent of this steam balm is too strong. It's floral-like, but kind of citrus? I can't explain it, but I can tell you it's not nice. AND you're applying this product to your face, so the scent is right there ON YOUR NOSE.

Corsx Blackhead Silk Finger Balls are little finger mitts made from raw silk cocoons. The natural fibre exfoliates and contains ceracin - a protein that removes skin waste (blackheads and impurities). These finger balls also help maintain moisture in your skin.

These little mitts are fun! Soften the finger ball by soaking it in warm water for a few minutes. Then place the ball on your index finger and gently massage the desired area. You can rinse the finger ball and reuse up to three times, but I wouldn't recommend it - eww! Your essentially removing blackheads from clogged pores onto the finger ball - throw it away when you're done!

The process felt nice and it was fun to try something as unique and interesting as raw silk cocoons. Albeit, I didn't see a change in my skin. My micro blackheads are still there. I will however continue to use these finger mitts once or twice a week just for fun. Maybe I'll see a difference overtime?

In September 2017 the much-anticipated brand, Fenty Beauty by Rhianna launched with just a few products. The famed cosmetic collection now consists of makeup in universal shades developed for hard-to-match skin tones, vibrant lipsticks, lipgloss and a few cosmetic tools to help you conceal, contour, highlight, blot and blend. I'm super excited about this one!

Imma start with the packaging. The pre-bundled sets are magnetized - LOVE this! The hexagon shaped tubes are larger than the average lipstick tube, but still considered compact and the magnetic feature is super convenient. The earthy, rose-tone shades, pink brush bristles and white packaging are exactly what I'm attracted to. It kinda reminds me of the KKW packaging! Hmm.. Maybe everyone's in a skin-tone, neutral kinda mood?

The thoughtfully curated Match Stix Trio sets include two Match Stix MATTE Skinsticks (conceal and contour) and one Match Stix SHIMMER Skinstick (highlight). There are four sets - light, medium, tan and deep.

I purchased the Match Stix Trio in light 100. The linen concealer, amber contour and starstruck highlighter are perfect on my pale, olive skin-tone.

The cream-to-powder formula is creamy, lightweight and blends nicely. I always highlight, but contouring seems like too much work. The shades in this trio work really well together and make the 'conceal, contour and highlight' process easy. This magnetized trio has landed a permanent spot in my travel cosmetic bag.

Of course, I purchased the Fenty Beauty by Rhianna Portable Contour and Concealer Brush 150 to go along with my Match Stix Trio. The magnetic and retractable contour and concealer brush attach to the Match Stix - this is genius. The synthetic bristles are super soft AND PINK! The brush is dense and blends the cream-to-powder Match Stix nicely. I prefer to use my beautyblender® to blend at home, but for on-the-go makeup application and touch-ups, this brush is perfect.

One Two Cosmetics original half strips landed a spot on the blog a few weeks ago. It was a less than desirable product review, BUT I did promise to try the Full Coverage Magnetic Lashes and let ya know if the new design had improved. I've had a few weeks to master the Full Coverage Magnetic Lashes application and here's what I think..

The magnetic-fortified strips are applied along the lash line giving you full-coverage. The new full coverage design has two magnets on the top lash (one on each end) and one small magnetic strip on each of the two bottom accent lashes. Essentially, the magnets attach at each corner of your natural lashes with the full strip on the top and accent lashes on the bottom - your natural lashes are secured in the middle.

Application is the key to success with these magnetic faux lashes. It takes time and patients to master the process, BUT the foolproof applicator may make it easier. Admittedly, the first time I tried to apply these lashes, I poked my eye with the applicator tool and had to put my lesson on hold till it healed. It's not the tool - it's me! The thoughtfully design tool has curved ends with two magnets on each arm. You simply place the top lash against the rectangular magnets first, then the accent lashes, position the tool around your natural lashes and squeeze. The magnets will catch immediately. The tool works.

I do however prefer to the 'hands on' approach. Hold the full coverage top lash in the middle, position the strip against your top lash line and attach one bottom accent lash at a time. I prefer to start with the inner corner and then the outer corner (it's personal preference). This application proved to be more successful for me.

The new One Two Full Coverage Lash design looks more natural than the original half strips. The small rectangular magnets on each end allow the lash to curve and shape your eye nicely. The lashes feel a little heavy, but not uncomfortable. I can 'see' the inner magnet, but this wouldn't deter me from wearing these lashes. The lashes look nice and my lids are super-enhanced. The outer magnet enhances the outer corner of your eye - I like that. BUT the inner magnet is a bit obvious and unnatural. Like the half strips, you gotta pile on the eye makeup to conceal the band and magnets.

The Original lash style gives you a full lash look. The Enhanced lash style REALLY amps up your look (pictured above). The individual lashes cross over one and other creating a more dense faux lash. The accent lashes in both sets are the same. Oh, and you can buy extra accent lashes - I can see how people may loose the little accent lashes easily. Also, the faux hairs on the accent lashes are super fine, so you may damage them over time.

Each set comes with two top lashes, four bottom accent lashes, a magnetic case to keep them safe and organized, an applicator and 'a complete guide to applying your lashes'. One Two Full Coverage sets retail for $69 and a set of eight accent lashes for $59. They're not cheap, BUT if you can master the application and conceal the band and magnets, these faux lashes may be a great alternative to using adhesive to apply false lashes.

High shine is a must if you have natural black or color treated hair. Lacklustre black strands are dull and uninspiring. After my botched hair dye job in 2016, my hair was damaged beyond repair. Any treatments I applied just ensured that there was no further damage, but there was nothing that would bring my hair back to the healthy, shiny black bob it was before my attempt to go blonde. I'm certain my hair is healthier a year and half later, cause it's simply grown out. Now I can focus on maintaining a healthy mane and super shinny strands..

When Bumble and Bumble (my favorite hair product line) launched a line of Bb. Color Gloss in warm blonde, cool blonde, brunette, universal red and clear - I immediately had to have this enhancing hair gloss. I do like some Bumble and Bumble products better than others, but this luxury hair brand rarely disappoints. I purchased the Bb. Color Gloss in clear and had HUGE expectations.

You apply the product to dry hair and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse, and go about your normal hair care routine. The scent is strange to say the least, but it is a color treatment (to all you people hating on the smell). The solution appears to have sparkles in it? Yeah, I had little sparkles on my face, along the hairline. Of course, you're gonna rinse and wash your hair, so the sparkles are useless. The process was easy, but the results lacked lustre. My hair was shiny, but it's always shiny AND I was expecting something miraculous to happen. I was hoping the sun would reflect off my hair and cause people to look away! I'm a little disappointed.

My hair did however feel incredibly soft and clean. As many of you know, super clean hair is not ideal - it's too soft, hard to style and typically lays flat. I didn't do anything else different that day, so I'm going to assume that the Bb. Color Gloss was the culprit.

I should point out that I applied the clear luminous hair gloss to already shiny black hair, so maybe my opinion should be taken with a grain a salt. I would imagine that if you have red hair, this stuff may be life changing. Blonde, red, pink, silver - these are all vibrant shades that require attention. An instant lustre pick-me-up between salons visits may keep your strands looking brilliant.

Another great hair product to keep your strands looking fresh and vibrant is the Bumble and Bumble Bb. Color Stick. This twist-up, crayon-like color stick is the perfect root touch-up product. The formula is water resistant - don't worry about color running down your face, neck and clothes if you get caught in the rain. The stick is compact and takes a little while to cover your roots (or grays), but is great for travel and on-the-go touch ups.

The Bumble and Bumble Bb. Color Stick is available in five natural shades - blonde, dark blonde, brown, red and black. There are four limited edition statement hues - Ballet (pale pink), Lilac (purple-ish-blue), Flamingo (fuchsia), and Pacific (a vibrant blue). The highly-pigmented color sticks are a great temporary solution to roots and grays or just enhancing your color with vibrant streaks. I also have an uneven hairline, and use the Bb. Color Stick to fill-in my fine hair for a full look.

I read an article about these magnetic faux-lashes in July 2016 and HAD TO HAVE THEM! I'm sure I was one of the first people to order One Two Lashes for myself and my friends. I was on the waiting list for many months. BUT after a brief encounter, I tucked them away in my twelve story Cosmocube and forgot about them.

A year + later, I decided to give this innovative product another go.. I am a huge fan of faux-lashes. AND I had sky-high hopes for these magnetic false lashes by One Two Cosmetics.

I want to like these false lashes, but they don't sit on my natural lashes well. The idea is genius, but the design needs a little tweaking. The magnets attach well and hold, but the shape of the lash band is unnatural. The band is practically straight and doesn't shape your natural eyelid. If you're like me and wear very little eye makeup, these misshaped lashes are super obvious and kinda look cheap. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP. When I originally purchased One Two Lashes they retailed for $59 and today for $69. These lashes are not worth the high cost.

The application is easy (once you get the hang of it). It took me a good hour to play with them and master the positioning. You use your thumb and index finger to hold the lashes (one in each hand) and 'simply' place one under your natural lashes and one above. The tiny, rectangular shaped magnets will catch immediately. There's no glue, so you can move them around slightly and quickly remove them to reset the position. The removal is easy - just slide the magnets apart.

These One Two Lashes are half strips and meant to be used on the outer lash line. I'm a fan of enhancing your outer lashes - half strips lift and enhance your eyes. Half strips may however be a deterrent for anyone seeking a super-dramatic look. I think if you wear a ton of eye makeup (to mask the straight-band design) and possibly apply two sets of these faux-lashes, it might look ok. MAYBE! Before you purchase these lashes, watch youtube videos. There's great reviews featuring One Two Lash application and the results.

Magnetic lashes is a great idea, and with proper execution, can change the faux-lash industry dramatically. The only downside to faux-lashes is the glue and lasting damage from glue toxins and aggressive removal. Magnetic lashes eliminate the glue and are gentle on your natural lashes. Someone please revisit this design and make it work! Maybe a strip of micro-magnets along the band and a proper band shape would be more successful (hint hint).

While doing a little research for this blog post, I noticed that One Two Cosmetics released full coverage lashes. I've ordered two styles and will post a detailed review in the next few weeks. My fingers are crossed!

Due to my botched hair job in June 2016 (YES 2016 and I’m still repairing my strands!). I've been avoiding anything that omits heat in fear of further damage to my hair. It's been a long healing process and I've spent a small fortune on treatments and products. BUT my hair is finally 'almost' back to its original state and can take a little heat. I'm excited to experiment with hair products (other than repair haircare) and stylers..

The Polished Perfection Mini Straightening Brush by Amika is great for travel, on-the-go styling and touch-ups. The straightener and hairbrush in-one device smooths your hair, leaving it shiny and frizz-free. This mini heated styler is meant for touch-ups, not all-over styling. I have very fine, short hair, so it does meet my styling needs. If you have a long mane, this styler is not for you - you'd be hours tryna tame your strands.

Amika's mini-thermal straightening brush has a consistent temperature of 410° (210°). That's hot! I've read that 365° is optimal for safe styling. My go-to hair straightener, the T3 SinglePass Compact Iron, also has a set temperature of 410° and I don’t find it damages my hair - I usually pass the iron once quickly by sections and I only straighten my hair twice a week. I’m sure lingering and continuously passing the iron along your hair would cause damage at a high temperature of 410°. Be careful!

The design is great. The brush is small - only 7 inches in length and has an easy-grip handle. The 360° swivel cord is heatproof and allows you to style with ease. The ceramic bristles with Nylon Cool-tips glide through your hair easily, straightening from all-around. It does take a little practice to master this styler.

The original Polished Perfection Straightening Brush is full-sized. The design is the same but is quite a bit larger. You can adjust the temperature on the original, but the voltage is only 120V. The mini version has universal voltage - 110 to 240V, which is small enough to throw in your tote and travel-friendly. The Polished Perfection Mini Straightening Brush comes with a rose-gold toned travel pouch. You could fit two mini brushes in the pouch - I'd prefer it was more fitted to the device. I suggest throwing your hair accessories in there too.