March 31, 2014

Zoya Spring 2014 Magical Pixi Collection - all 3 shades - pics, swatches, review

Hello, Beautiful!

The Spring 2014 Zoya Magical Pixi Collection includes three new shades of their PixieDust polishes. Imagine their PixieDust formula but amped up with larger glitter and their first ever holographic pixie particles. I'm loving all three shades, but my favorite is Cosmo! Check out all the product info, along with my full review, after the pics!

Zoya Magical Pixi Collection
Shades: Cosmo, Vega, Lux
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.







Zoya Magical Pixi Collection
Shade: ZP717 Cosmo








Zoya Magical Pixi Collection
Shade: ZP718 Vega








Zoya Magical Pixi Collection
Shade: ZP719 Lux






Zoya Magical Pixi Collection Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $10.00 each (0.5 fl oz full size). Available on the Zoya website, at Ulta, and everywhere else Zoya polish is sold.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

This is Zoya's PixieDust formula, amped up with larger glitter and the first ever holographic pixie particle - for a never before seen magical effect! These all have an opacity level of 4 out of 5 (1 = sheer, 5 = opaque).

The Zoya Spring 2014 Magical Pixi Collection includes 3 shades. Below are the shades descriptions, as well as their undertone (cool, warm, neutral), color family, finish, and their opacity level from 1 to 5 (1 = sheer, 5 = opaque).
  • Cosmo - a silver crystal sparkle, textured PixieDust with mega hex iridescent particles. Has a neutral tone and is in the silver family. PixieDust finish. Opacity level 4.
  • Vega - a blue opal sparkle, textured PixieDust with mega hex iridescent particles. Has a cool tone and is in the blue family. PixieDust finish. Opacity level 4.
  • Lux - a rose quartz sparkle textured PixieDust with mega hex iridescent particles. Has a cool tone and is in the pink family. PixieDust finish. Opacity level 4.


My Review...

The first thing that sets these apart - not just from the whole PixiDust line, but all the Zoya polishes - is their lid. The lid on these is a rubber-like texture, similar to how NARS packaging is. I like that kind of top better and wonder if we'll see those lids in any future collections.

While I like the Zoya PixiDust polishes, I usually apply a top coat because I don't necessarily love the finish. These are even better because of the holographic glitter in it.

I do like all three shades, but I think Cosmo is my favorite of the three. To me, they look best with a top coat but that's just because I think it makes them even more sparkly. They're not super saturated glitter, but I like them. I did think the blue shade was a bit thicker, and as I've been using these I find that they've been getting a bit thicker to use.

I used two coats for each photo, but depending on the look you're going for and how thick you apply these, you may be okay with just one coat.



Final Thoughts...

If you're a fan of the Zoya PixiDust polishes but like even more glitter, then these are for you! I wish there were more shades - as I do find them a bit expected - but they're good shades.


Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this collection? Which shade is your favorite? Have you tried them or are they on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

March 30, 2014

Pure Fiji Coconut Body Butter & Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion - pics, swatches, reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

I have two more travel sized products from Pure Fiji to share with you in this post, one is their Coconut Body Butter and the other is their Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion. I LOVE coconut scents, and these were a home run! I'd say the only difference between them is the body butter is thicker and more moisturizing. Check out all the product info, along with my full review on each, after the pics!

Pure Fiji - Coconut Body Butter










Pure Fiji Body Butter Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $36.00 (8 oz full size). Available on the Pure Fiji website, at Dermstore, and everywhere else Pure Fiji products are sold. Click here to find a retailer near you.
My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

This super moisturizing cream will instantly revive dry skin. A unique blend of exotic nut extracts rapidly hydrates skin and locks in moisture to keep your skin perfectly hydrated and nourished. Soy proteins provide an added benefit, setting in motion firming processes to reduce the appearance of fine lines - while passionflower gently soothes and calms stressed skin. An excellent cream indulgence all year round -- especially great on knees, elbows, feet and heels.

Available in 11 scents: Coconut, Mango, Gingerlilly, Pineapple, Passionflower, Starfruit, Fangipani, Coconut Milk & Honey, Island Bliss, Orange Blossom and Guava.

Key Ingredients: cold pressed virgin coconut oil and exotic nut extracts, milk proteins, soy and passionflower.

TIP: An exceptionally nourishing indulgence for hands and feet. Also an excellent cream to help prevent stretchmarks during pregnancy.

TIP: Apply to feet and hands at night and cover with socks/gloves. Wake up to wonderfully soft and hydrated skin!



My Review...

This body butter is extremely creamy, smooth and very moisturizing. It does an amazing job at instantly hydrating your skin, especially those rougher areas like your knees and elbows.

The smell can't be beat if you like coconut scents! It smells so yummy! And even though it is a body butter, meaning it's thicker than a typical lotion, it still absorbed into my skin beautifully.

This is just a travel size, at 2oz, but it lasted me awhile. In fact, I still have some left because I don't use it everyday (as a beauty blogger you can imagine my hoard of body butters and lotions), but you also don't need very much to get the job done. Even though the full sized is $36, it's something that would last quite awhile, seeing as how this little 2 oz size has lasted me so long.



Final Thoughts...

If you love body butters and coconut scents, then this is a luxury body butter you'll want to try out. It smells yummy and feels great on the skin! Hydrates beautifully too. Of course if you don't like coconut scents you can check out one of their 11 island inspired scents!




Pure Fiji - Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion
 



Pure Fiji  Hydrating Body Lotion Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $34.00 (12 oz full size). Available on the Pure Fiji website, at Dermstore, and everywhere else Pure Fiji products are sold. Click here to find a retailer near you.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Nourishing blends of exotic nut extracts blended with fresh coconut milk rapidly hydrate, nourish, and protect your skin on contact. This excellent lotion has a complete bio-network of essential nutrients and vitamins for your skin's daily requirements, adding vitality and softness. Absorbs quickly and keeps skin hydrated. Suitable for all skin types.

Key Ingredients: cold pressed virgin coconut oil and exotic nut extracts combined with fresh coconut milk.

TIP: Use after shower or bath for best results. After applying to your skin run your fingers through your hair to smooth flyaways!

Available in 11 scents: Coconut, Mango, Gingerlilly, Pineapple, Passionflower, Starfruit, Fangipani, Coconut Milk & Honey, Island Bliss, Orange Blossom and Guava.



My Review...

This is a lighter, thinner version of their body butter - at least that's how I view it. It absorbs really easily into my skin, and still hydrates really good. If you have normal to oily skin I'd say to go with the Body Lotion; if you have normal to dry skin, then go with the Body Butter.

This mini, also 2 oz, went very quickly. I had two of these mini's actually and kept one in my purse at all times. I used it a lot, especially because I have a full tattoo sleeve on my right arm and I like I keep it hydrated at all times (because every single day someone stops me to look at it and I don't want to have dry, ashy arms, lol).This lotion went fast because of that, but I loved the scent and feel so I didn't mind.

It's something I think in the full sized I'd enjoy using, but I do think I'd use it up fast --- maybe I used this up fast also because I just loved it that much! But I do feel the body butter version lasts longer. I just think it may be too moisturizing for me in the summer, so I'll probably stick to the body lotion in the summer.



Final Thoughts...

If you'd like a luxury lightweight, yet hydrating, coconut scented body lotion then this is the one for you! Of course if you don't like coconut scents you can check out one of their 11 island inspired scents!

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of this body butter and body lotion? Have you tried either of these or are they on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.

March 29, 2014

Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Day & Night Cream, both for Dry/Very Dry Skin - pics, swatches, reviews

Hello, Beautiful!

I've had these two moisturizers for awhile now, but I wasn't very good about using them daily to really test them out (which is why it's taken this long to get this review up). In this post I'll share with you my review on two moisturizers from Boots No. 7 -- their Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin and their Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin. Check out my review on both below, including all the product info, after all the pics!

Also, just a quick note: Boots No. 7 also has the Beautiful Skin Day Cream and Night Cream for those with Normal to Dry skin, and those with Normal to Oily skin. So if the Dry/Very Dry doesn't work for you then check out their other versions (I may need to switch to the Normal to Dry as the weather gets warmer).

Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin
Day Cream & Night Cream
both for Dry/Very Dry Skin







Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin
Day Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin












Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $13.99 (1.6 oz full size). Available on the Boots website, at Target, at Walgreens, at Ulta, on the Drugstore.com website, and everywhere else Boots No. 7 skincare is sold.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

A rich and intensive moisture cream to instantly nourish and provide hydration for 24 hours. Provides the perfect base to help make-up go on flawlessly while leaving skin looking and feeling healthy and radiant. Glycerin, shea butter and ceramides are added to the formulas to nourish dry and very dry skin, leaving it incredibly smooth for all day moisturization. With SPF 15 and broad spectrum UV protection, caring for the future of your skin. Hypo-allergenic and dermatologically tested.


My Review...

This has a thin, light texture that spreads onto skin nicely and absorbs easily. It has a light scent, which I can only describe as slightly floral - and I actually really did not like the scent.

My skin has been a lot drier - actually, drier than it's ever been - so switching to a formula specifically for dry/very dry skin was a risk for me as I've always been in the combo to oily category. However, I don't find this greasy at all, or overly hydrating on my skin as it is. Maybe if you did have oily skin you wouldn't like this, but you could try this same moisturizing just in the Normal to Oily version.


Final Thoughts...

While I did like the texture, I actually didn't like using this moisturizing due to the scent - but I know scents are subjective and a lot of people don't mind a slightly floral scent. It performs well though, so I think if this smelled better I would use it. I wouldn't repurchase the Day Cream, but I do like the Night Cream better.




Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin
Night Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin









Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream for Dry/Very Dry Skin Info & Review:
Cost/Availability: $13.99 (1.6 fl oz full size). Available on the Boots website, at Target, at Walgreens, at Ulta, on the Drugstore.com website, and everywhere else Boots No. 7 skincare is sold. 
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kisses

Product Info...

Instantly nourishes and promotes optimum hydration for healthy-looking radiant skin, making it less likely to be dry in the future. Containing additional moisturizing properties, this is exactly the care dry skin needs overnight to ensure you wake up with nourished and healthy looking skin.

Glycerin, shea butter and ceramides are added to the formula leaving it incredibly smooth. Designed to work in harmony with your skin, replacing lost moisture and leaving you with healthy looking radiant skin.


My Review...

At first, I only used this at night - seeing as how this is a night cream. However, I really liked this version way better than the Day Cream version, so I started using it during the day too when my skin was really dry -- and over this past winter my skin was the driest it's ever been in my entire life.

Obviously, since this is a Night Cream, this was thicker than the Day Cream in texture but still lightweight. It also had a gel-like texture, which I really like in a moisturizer because they glide onto the skin so nicely, feel good going on, and melt into skin beautifully.

The scent situation is still a bit off with this - it sort of smells like the Day Cream version but this was a much nicer/lighter scent. That's one of the main reasons I started using this one over the Day Cream.


Final Thoughts...

If you have dry to very dry skin, you may really enjoy this Night Cream! I wouldn't even recommend getting the Day Cream because this one works so well and I didn't have issues with it being too heavy during the day, not even under makeup -- but keep in mind I only used it under makeup on days my skin was very dry, and I allowed it to sink in a good 10 to 15 minutes before applying anything else to my face.

I think these are pretty affordable at $13.99 each, so if you're looking for a drugstore moisturizer, this may be one to keep on your list to check out and try! Don't forget they have other versions - Normal to Dry, and Normal to Oily - in case your skin has different needs.

Now let me know what you think...
What do you think of these day and night creams? Have you tried either of them or are either of these on your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below.