Tag: beautyblogger

Launching a New Weekly Series & Other News

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doll

Happy October! This is my favourite month of the year!

I’m going to be launching a new weekly series (I’ll still write reviews or tutorials once a week) but in lieu of “Throwback Thursday” I’ve decided to start a series called “My Bad Romance” where I share stories about the people I’ve loved, lusted after, been crushed by, and inspired by. I’m gonna try to keep these stories in chronological order for better clarity.

My first ever giveaway is happening right NOW: So mosey on over to the previous post for more details on how to enter and what amazing beauty products you may have a chance of winning. Did I also mention that this giveaway is WORLDWIDE? Cause it totally is.

I feel as though I don’t follow enough blogs and that’s entirely my fault for lack of time. So please! Share me some of your favourite blogs for me to follow so that I can get to know more of you wonderful people!

Also…..the anthology I edited MY AMERICAN NIGHTMARE – WOMEN IN HORROR ANTHOLOGY is coming out OCTOBER 31st! Please check it out and the book trailer!

By: Azzurra Nox

 

FIRST GIVEAWAY!!

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To celebrate my six months of blogging here on The Inkblotters with you lovely peeps, I’ve decided to run my first giveaway, ever!

I’ve put together some cosmetics from brands that I love and can’t wait to share with you!

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What you win:

St. Tropez Self-Tan Express Bronzing Face Sheet Mask (not pictured)

Ouai Haircare – Finishing Creme

Laritzy Cosmetics Lipliner in Cabernet

The BrowGal By Tonya Crooks Eyebrow & Highlighter Pencil

Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Gloss Lip Lacquer in Moonglow

Medusa’s Makeup Lip Paint in Cowgirl

Doucce Freematic Eye Shadow

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Age Defying Exfoliator

Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Milkshake

Philosophy Lipgloss in Mixed Berry Tart

Akar Skin Ruby Tint Lip Butter

Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter

How to Participate:

  1. Follow this Blog.
  2. Either tweet, re-blog, or place the giveaway on instagram.
  3. Comment below if you’re participating, along with the link of where you posted of the giveaway!

This is open WORLDWIDE and winner will be selected at random. Winner will be announced/contacted on November 1, 2017!

Fashion: DOLLS KILL Haul

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Trying to define my personal style is kind of difficult, but I’d say that it leans more towards a punk Lolita with some glam thrown in here and there. In other words, imagine Joan Jett’s and Marc Bolan’s lovechild, my fashion look would be the outcome.

Now, I know how many love their designer duds, but I often find a lot of runway designers to lack the certain edge that I wish they’d have.

But there’s a San Francisco boutique that seems to embody every aspect of my fashion sense and I’m so thrilled that they have an online shop as well, DOLLS KILL.

Now this site isn’t for the fashion faint of heart. These are for girls who dare to look like they’ve spent all night dancing to house music and drink their ex’s tears mixed with their coffee and booze.

They recently had a sale on their site and I grabbed a few items.

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I love this plain white Los Angeles tee, you can either dress it down with some ripped jeans, or give it a punk edge when worn with shorts and black fishnet stockings!

I also purchased a pair of white ankle socks, cause….I’m a sock addict, and another pair that are black and white.

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Nobody is happier about the 90’s making a comeback, than yours truly. I LOVE, L-O-V-E…velvet tees! I had a brown and a red one back in the day, and I wore them so often they ended up getting holes and my mother gave them away (sob!), so when I noticed they had an emerald velvet tee I hit the cart button faster than Speedy Gonzalez on amphetamines. If I could wear just one shirt this whole autumn it would be this, but ya know, it’s not socially acceptable (unless you’re a rockstar), but I love this shirt so hard it’s ridiculous.

What new fads are you liking and what online shops do you love? Share with me your finds or sites!

By: Azzurra Nox

 

 

Colourpop Haul & Review!

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For months I’ve been hearing such amazing things from this brand. From beauty gurus on youtube to Allure magazine, everyone has been raving about this brand. So of course I decided to take the plunge and try it out myself to see what the hype is all about.

I received 12 items in all, plus an eyeliner add-on because of the delay in shipping. I thought that was really nice of them, so kudos Colour Pop!

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No Filter Concealer in Fair 5

I was truly hoping for a miracle with this concealer because everyone raved (especially Allure) how amazing it is at masking undereye circles and blemishes. Maybe my hopes were too high for this, but I didn’t think this was an absolutely amazing concealer. The colour match was perfect, I’ll admit that, but the consistency of the product made for a somewhat stranger and cakey effect that I only managed to fix by applying another concealer (the Wet N’ Wild one) on top and blending the excess away with a beauty blender. Maybe paired with another concealer this does its job, but alone it’s not that great. Although, I must admit that the results on camera look amazing (but in person up-close you can see where it creases).

Peachy Keen Super Shock Shadows in Crimper, Kennedy, Cornelious, and Bandit

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Palette Pressed Powder in Outta Luck, Say I Do, Issues, and The News

Again, I’ve heard amazing things about their shadows and have been on the lookout for the best peach toned shadows, alas, while these shadows DO pack a lot of colour, both the Super Shock Shadows and Pressed Powder shadows wouldn’t really glide on the lid how I wish they would making for a somewhat patchy application. The consistency of these products felt somewhat chalky and I don’t know if that’s the reason why they didn’t apply as well as they should. However, they seemed to work better if I “packed on” the colour instead (which was more time-consuming for someone who’s always running late in the mornings!).

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Super Shock Shadow in Party of Five, Super Shock Cheek in High Five, Eyeshadow Brush in #11, and Creme Gel Liner in DTLA

I really love the feel of this flat, eyeshadow brush. It truly picks up lots of colour so that you can apply your shadow in one quick swoop! The blush was a gift, and whilst it wasn’t a fit for me colour-wise, it was very pigmented and blended beautifully. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m a eyeliner affectionado. The Creme Gel Liner glides on amazingly well, and does set like a normal gel liner. Since it was a free item, they sent me DTLA which is a dark navy shade (I would’ve preferred either brown or black) but it’s a dark enough shade that it could almost pass off as black AND it was a gift so I’m not complaining!

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Ultra Matte Lip in Take Five and Alyssa

For the past year I’ve mostly been using Jeffree Star’s Liquid Velour Lipsticks every single day. I was a bit reluctant to try a liquid lipstick from any other brand just because I really, really love his a lot. BUT…I must say that I’m truly impressed! I picked the shade Alyssa which is a pinky-nude collab that Colour Pop did with youtuber Kathleen Lights, and it’s a very flattering shade for pale or fair skin! Take Five was sent to me for free, and it’s more of a pink shade but haven’t had a chance to try it yet. Overall, I truly love how the lipstick lays on my lips. It’s not cakey, nor drying. It’s actually very hydrating for being a liquid lipstick!

This was one massive haul and I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you’ve tried any other products from Colour Pop or which ones are your faves! Would I re-purchase items from this brand? I’ll probably pass on the eyeshadows, but I’m going to definitely check out more of the liquid lipsticks and eyeliners!

By: Azzurra Nox

Review: Skinfix Facial Cleansing Cloths

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What It Is: Individually wrapped cleansing cloths

What It Does: Remove makeup or can be used as toner

Verdict: I’m usually skeptic when it comes to pre-soaked cleansing cloths because I use a lot of liquid liner and mascara, and those never seem to work for me at all in getting rid of makeup. Not to mention that by the time you finish up the packet, the cloths are almost dry! This isn’t the case with these at all, as each cleansing cloth is individually wrapped, meaning that not only will they remain soaked and won’t dry out, but you can also pop some of these in your handbag for any makeup emergencies, or if you need to freshen up. I’m absolutely in LOVE with the scent (it’s a fresh cucumber scent, ie. very clean-feeling). Now, if you’re looking to use this to take off some serious eye-makeup, I suggest you use about three cloths. But I do prefer these over any other pre-soaked cloths I’ve used in the past.

Price: $9.99 for 20.

Where To Buy It: Shop-us.skinfix.com

Discount Code: Up until October 31st, you can use the following CODE: SKINALLURE at the checkout and will receive 30% Off on your purchase of $15 or more.

By: Azzurra Nox

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Review: Caudalie Instant Detox Mask

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caudalie

What It Is: Instant Detox Mask

What It Does: Purges pores from oil, makeup, blackheads, and grime undoing any damage to your skin that could be caused by pollution and stress.

Distinguishing Factors: Unlike any other detox clay masks that leave your skin feeling dry and mega-tight, this one actually moisturizes your skin with the help of some soothing oils such as lavender.

Verdict: I’m a huge fan of face masks and any time I take a bath I’ll do one cause it’s the only time I have the patience to wait out the full time you need to keep a mask on to reap its benefits. This one has a minimum staying time of 5-10 minutes. I left it on for about 30 minutes. Having said that I LOVE that this mask did indeed unclog my pores and lifted dead skin cells and oil from my face without making my skin feel uber dry. The botanical oils used in this mask leave your skin feeling moisturized and refreshed, but also very, very clean. This is definitely going to become one of my staples to use at least once a week. This mask is perfect for all skin types (even oily like me! The hydrating oils DO NOT make you breakout in any way!). You’re left with beautiful, supple refreshed skin as though you had gone to get an expensive facial or ya know, slept for ten hours. And we can all get onboard with that.

Price: $39

Where To Buy It: Us.caudalie.com or Amazon.com

By: Azzurra Nox

Common Water Brands pH Levels & How They Can Affect Health

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Everyone (from your doctor to trainer) is always preaching about how we need to drink more water for better hydration and also for optimal skincare. But are all waters the same? With so many brands out on the market, it’s hard to tell sometimes which ones are actually beneficial for us, which ones don’t do anything at all, and the ones that are actually causing harm.

Here are some of the ways that either too low or too high pH levels can cause you harm:

Eye & Skin Irritation

We need to worry when pH levels are either too high (above 10) or too low (below 4). If you wash yourself or drink water with pH levels that are either too high or too low you could cause irritation to yours eyes or worsen skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Upset Stomach

High pH levels or too low can also cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in some individuals. So if you’re someone who suffers from that you should probably look into what water you’re drinking and see which one would be best for you.

With so many brands out there you’re probably wondering, which one is the best for me? Below is a list of common brands and their pH Levels. Anything below five isn’t the best, and the closer to ten is the optimal number for drinking water.

Vitaminwater: 3.4

Propel Zero: 3.5

Propel Fitness Water: 3.6

Penta: 4.0

Dasani: 4.5

Function: 5.0

Perrier: 5.5

Poland Spring: 5.8

Voss: 6.0

Ice Mountain: 6.0

Crystal Geyser: 6.0

Deer Park: 6.3

Smart Water: 6.5

Great Value (Walmart brand): 6.5

Gerber Pure Water: 6.5

Arrowhead: 6.83

Evian: 7.0

Volvic: 7.0

Zephrhyllis: 7.5

Absopure: 7.5

Fiji: 7.5

Super Chill: 7.5

Evamor: 8.0

Real Water: 8.0

Essentia: 9.0

Now from that list you can see that the best brand for an optimal pH Level drinking water is Essentia. I usually drink Fiji and although it isn’t the level that Essentia is, it’s still at a healthy level. All the other waters are probably okay, but the clear loser is Vitaminwater, which is below a 4-level and could actually cause those issues that were mentioned above or worsen them.

What’s important to remember is that water with an alkaline pH improves your body’s hydration levels, supplies essential minerals, and creates a healthy pH balance in your body. However, when water has an acidic pH level you can have skin and eye irritations, stomach problems, the water doesn’t provide a good source of nutrients, and it may lower the pH level in your body causing more harm.

So next time you’re in the grocery store think about which waters are actually doing their job, and which ones you should avoid as you’re just doing yourself more harm and actually paying for it, than anything else.

Did your water brand make the cut?

By: Azzurra Nox

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Review: Covergirl Total Tease Mascara

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mascara

What It Is: Lengthening and volumizing mascara.

What It Does: Creates full, long, refined, sexy teased lashes.

Verdict: Let me just say that I’ve always been a huge fan of Covergirl cosmetics. In fact, they were the first brand I turned to when I began my venture in makeup at the tender age of twelve, with their Covergirl Lipslicks Lipsticks (not sure if they still have this line, but it was a line of lipbalm glosses that offered sheer colour for the lips). Now, having said that, this product is simply AWFUL. The lashes barely get coated with enough product to lift them, and the bristles themselves aren’t sturdy enough to lift and coat the lashes, so it makes for a weird application. Once you do turn the wand over to use the teasing side of the brush, it doesn’t do much but create a mess because since the bristles aren’t sturdy enough they never truly define nor separate the lashes. The best place for this product? In the trash. If you happen to have this product and it works for you, then kudos, but it seriously did nothing for me and it was so terrible that I just couldn’t see myself using it again.

Price: $7.94

Where To Buy It: https://www.covergirl.com

By: Azzurra Nox

 

Unboxing Allure’s August Beauty Box!

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allurebox

I’ve been subscribed to Allure’s Beauty Box for almost a year now, and I’ve really been enjoying it so far. Not only do they send out the latest products, but usually they’re full-size or at least bigger than trial-size samples. Which I think is quite a bargain for $15.

Every month comes with a theme, this month’s box theme is SUMMER SHORTCUTS. This box is all about lazy beauty cause honestly, who has time to spend hours getting prepped when the weather is nice outside and too many products on your face feel way too stifling in the heat?

What I got this month:

  • Hey Honey I Peel Good! Biomimetic Honey Peel Cream
  • Caudalie Instant Detox Mask
  • Vichey Mineral 89 Skin Fortifying Daily Booster
  • Ouai Finishing Creme
  • Skinfix Facial Cleansing Cloths

  • Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black

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Hey Honey I Peel Good! Biomimetic Honey Peel Cream

I’ve used other products from this company before and have been satisfied with them. I have a soft spot for peels, so I can’t wait to try this out!

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Caudalie Instant Detox Mask

This brand is also one I’ve used in the past. My mother loved one of the moisturizers so much that I ended up purchasing it for her when she was done using the one I had gotten in the beauty box. I’m a big fan of masks so I can’t wait to try this out either.

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Vichey Mineral 89 Skin Fortifying Daily Booster

Vichey is lauded as one of France’s best skincare brands. Despite that, I haven’t been completely sold on their products, but this seems to be a serum made up from thermal water. I usually don’t use face serums or moisturizers cause my own skin is very oily and naturally hydrated, so I’ll probably pawn this off to my mum.

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Ouai Finishing Creme

I’m honestly not a huge fan of hair products cause I rarely use any. To be honest, I may not even try this one out.

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Skinfix Facial Cleansing Cloths

I’m not really a fan of wet cleansing cloths as they never seem to work for me in getting rid of my eyemakeup (pretty much the only place where I have makeup on most days). I usually end up using these as toner or on days I’m not wearing makeup to freshen up.

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Rodial Smokey Eye Pen in Black

Okay, I’m a BIG FAN of eyeliner. More so when it’s deep black and a kohl! I can never have too many eyeliners and I can’t wait to see how this one holds up.

Keep your eyes peeled for reviews of some of these products in the coming weeks!

Which of these products would you like to test out?

By: Azzurra Nox

Review: Kat Von D Saint & Sinner Fragrances

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perfume

I was really excited to see that I had gotten Kat Von D’s newest fragrances in this month’s Sephora Play Box. So I didn’t even wait a second to try them on. I doused myself the second I opened the box and was met with pure bliss.

Granted, I was sent only the samples and so wasn’t able to see the full potential of the perfumes’ packaging till I visited a local Sephora, and let me tell you these bottles are gorgeous! The detail is simply so opulent and intricate, showing a great care for making a bottle worth showing off on your vanity table. The style is a mixture of baroque and Gothic and just utterly so beautiful that you’ll be tempted to keep the bottles long after you’re done with the fragrances.

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SAINT

Size: 1.7-oz./50-ml.

Price: $65

Fragrance family: Floral

Top Note: Mandarin

Middle Note: Jasmine, Tiare Flower

Base Note: Musk

Time of Day: Day or night, but definitely a light fragrance that can be used as a day fragrance if that’s your choosing.

What’s it smell like: An ethereal walk in a sweet, decadent forest, if that forest is filled with sugar delicacies.

SINNER

Size: 1.7-oz./50-ml.

Price: $65

Fragrance family: Warm and Spicy

Top Note: Orange Blossom

Middle Note: Cinnamon

Base Note: Patchouli, Vanilla

Time of Day: Preferably night and it’s more of an Autumn/Winter fragrance than a summer one. It kind of reminds me of Thierry Mugler’s Alien.

What’s it smell like: Spicy and peppery. Like walking into a Yankee Candle shop when it’s filled with just Autumn Harvest and Cinnamon candles.

Verdict: I’ll admit that I’m quite picky when it comes to fragrances. I often don’t even like the ones that typically everyone else seem to love (ie. D&G’s Light Blue, Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle, or Dior’s J’Adore to name a few). Having said that, I actually do like these fragrances. Would I actually purchase them myself? I’m undecided at the moment, but if I were to make a choice, I’m leaning more towards Saint than Sinner. I’m a huge fan of orange blossom, but I don’t particularly like Patchouli at all and I feel like that note completely overpowers the orange blossom. Ironically, I’m not a huge fan of jasmine, and yes the musk in Saint allows the fragrance to never be too flowery in scent, but rather gives it a sensual twist to it. As celebrity fragrances go (because apart from being a tattoo artist and makeup artist with a cosmetic brand, Kat Von D is a celebrity), this is actually the best around. So if you’re into trying a new fragrance out for Fall, I recommend either of the two, depending on your personal preference.

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You can purchase the fragrances at any Sephora shop or online: http://www.sephora.com

By: Azzurra Nox