Bliss's Fabulips Kit

As much as I love going to the spa or the salon, sometimes my busy life just doesn’t allow me the time. That’s why I absolutely love little spa treatments that I can take with me to enjoy while I go about my business. Thanks to Bliss, I can now enjoy their refreshing lip “facial” at home.

Originally a procedure you could request at any Bliss spa location, the Fabulips kit (available in Sephora at $45) is a four piece set that will leave lips feeling super-soft, with a pop of glossiness.

Start by removing any lipstick or lip gloss. If the color leaves a stain, don’t worry. The kit has something that’ll help remove it. Just make sure that all product is cleared away.

Step 1: Foaming Lip Cleanser 

A lot of people will probably think this product is a lot of hooey. I mean, a cleanser specifically for lips does sound kind of superfluous. Please believe me that it’s totally worth it, though. Just pump a little of the product onto your finger or a Q-tip (smells so yummy, like oranges!) and smooth it onto your lips. It’ll start fizzling instantly, which helps it remove impurities and leftover lip color. After 20-30 seconds it’ll have foamed white and you can wipe it away. There is an instant improvement. Lips feel delightfully fresh and clean.

Step 2: Sugar Lip Scrub

Next, the lip scrub is going to help get rid of any rough spots and dead skin cells. I like that the scrub is very moisturizing and gentle, but still does the trick (not to mention, has a really nice vanilla scent!) Rub it on with a circular motion. If you feel you have too much product, just wipe some of the excess away. 

Step 3: Instant Lip Plumper

My only major complaint with this product is the lip plumper. The packaging is a little bit obnoxious. When I twist the end, I have to do it several times before some product finally comes out, and when it does, it’s a giant glob of it. You don’t need a giant amount of plumper, so this feels pretty wasteful. I’ve tried twisting it less and waiting for the product, but I haven’t found the trick to it yet. But on the bright side, it’s a really great plumper! It feels pleasantly tingly and a little bit of product gives your lips a nice little poof, without being excessive. Ladies with very thin lips will love this product.

Step 4: Softening Lip Balm

The final product in our little kit! It’s a nice, hydrating ending for our little lip-facial. Having a light cherry smell, it delivers some rich, delicious softness and helps seal in moisture. 

                                                             My lips feel amazing!

Here’s a side by side comparison and you can see the improvement. I love that the whole procedure also brings out the lip’s natural color, giving it a beautiful, rosy hue.

Now I have soft, kissable lips and am ready for my date! ;)

Final Verdict: Love It!
Foaming Lip Cleanser: Water/Aqua, Methyl Perfluoroisobutyl Ether, Sorbitol, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Methyl Perfluorobutyl Ether, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Carrageenan, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Parfum/Fragrance, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Yeast Polysaccharides, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Isononyl Isononanoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Saccharin, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Sodium Cocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, o-Cymen-5-ol, Ethylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride, Mica, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, Red 40 (CI 16035), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). 
Sugar Lip Scrub: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sucrose, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cera Alba/Beeswax, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Silica, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Squalane, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Meal, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phospholipids, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Aroma/Flavor.
Instant Lip Plumper: Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Triisostearyl Citrate, Dipropylene Glycol, Silica Silylate, Squalane, Polyethylene, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Parfum/fragrance, Tribehenin, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Water/Aqua, Butylene Glycol, Tripeptide-3, Hexapeptide-3, Quercus Suber Bark Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Lecithin, Faex/Yeast Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract, Methyl Diisopropyl Propionamide, Ethyl Menthane Carboxamide, Methyl Lactate, Lauryl Laurate, Zea May (Corn) Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Starch Octenylsuccinate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Saccharin, Phenoxyethanol, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891) 
Softening Lip Balm: Octyldodecanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cetyl Palmitate, Cera Alba/Beeswax, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/ Cera Carnauba, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristyl Myristate, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Aroma/Flavor, Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate.

Victoria's Secret Sexy Spring Eyes kit review

It seems like in the last year there’s been an influx of paint-by-numbers eye shadow palettes. You know what I’m talking about. A cute little palette that comes with instructions to utilize all of the shades in a look depicted on the cover. From what I’ve seen results can be mixed and they really don’t work for someone who isn’t already used to blending shadows for similar looks. That being said, there are a few that would make great gifts for someone that’s looking to build a make-up arsenal or add a little color to their repertoire. 

Victoria’s Secret Sexy Spring Eyes is a cute little kit, retailing at $15, that comes with two eye-popping looks, one suitable for daytime and one for nighttime. You can choose to follow the instructions printed on the opening flap, or come up with your own unique make-up. 

The shadows are pretty pigmented, but a little bit of primer  (used on the right-side streaks) wouldn't hurt, if you want to make them stand out and catch the light more. 

I decided to try the first look (nighttime) out while wearing my contacts. This look will be especially nice on green/blue-eyed girls.

Tip: I didn’t much like the little brush that came with the kit. I would recommend using a higher quality, non-sponge tip brush, preferably one you’re already accustomed to. For the liner, use a stiff and thin angled brush that has a lot of control, as that liner is gel-going-on-liquid and could result in icky smudges otherwise. 

 The shadows are a little bit unmanageable once they’re actually on. Clear up any mistakes with a Q-tip dipped in eye make-up remover.

 

The end result, however? Totally worth it!

Let’s try out our other, less high-drama look. This one will flatter brown-eyed girls the most and is completely wearable to work or school. 

Just a little dab of turquoise at the corners brings lots of color to this simple look.

The end result is pretty and warm, but not over-the-top.

In conclusion, this kit is worth having around and would be especially good for traveling or gifting, as you get two different and versatile styles in a slim little package that can fit in anywhere. 

Final Verdict: Like it!

Ingredients: Eye shadow- Talc, Boron Nitride, Zinc Sterate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-1, Cetyl Acetate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetatem Acrylates Copolymer, Polyurethane-11, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calclium Aluminum Borosilicate, Silica. MAY CONTAIN: Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide/Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491/CI 77499, Carmine (CI 75470), Red 40 (CI 16035), Yellow 5 (CI 19140). Eye liner- Isopropyl Palmitate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystaline Wax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Talc, Dimethicone, Kaolin, Silica, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides (CI 7749). 

Easy Homemade Green Tea Mask- 3 Ways

A few entries back, I talked about how using a hair mask once a week could give anybody lush, healthy hair. So if we’re already taking the time for hair, why not work on the rest of our heads? I personally like applying a face mask and a hair mask at the same time, and using the time spent waiting pretending that I’m at a decadent spa.

However! These procedures can be time consuming, especially if they’re being made with all-natural ingredients. So today I’m going to present you with three very easy, very quick face mask recipes, all of them using green tea as the main ingredient.

Green tea is amazing for your skin. The caffeine in green tea can help reduce dark circles around your eyes, by shrinking blood vessels, while topical application will provide your skin with a good dose of antioxidants and works to reduce any skin inflammations, as well as keeping cells rejuvenated. Even drinking it regularly will aid both beauty and health!

On to the masks!

#1 Easy: Softening and brightening matcha yogurt mask

Ingredients:

Greek Yogurt- Brightening

Matcha (powdered Japanese green tea)

Tea tree oil (Use Argan oil instead, if you have sensitive skin)

Matcha may be a little hard to find, but not only will it be easier to blend into the yogurt, it’s extra concentrated, so the benefits will be even richer. If you can’t find it at the grocery store, most specialty Asian markets will carry it. Greek yogurt contains lactic acid and protein, which will help by evening out your skin tone and leaving your face radiant. The tea tree oil helps remove any bacteria and excess oil from skin, without drying it out, while argan oil will keep skin soft and elastic, but is less harsh than tea tree.

Instructions:

1.      Begin by placing a healthy dollop of Greek yogurt in a bowl. You’re gonna want the mixture to be spread out pretty thin, so there’s no need to use a lot.

2.      Toss in a teaspoon or so of matcha.

    

3.      Shake in 2-4 drops of the oil you chose, depending on your skin’s needs.

4.      Mix with the ingredients with a fork. Stop when they’ve formed an even, light green paste. 

5.      Pull your hair back and begin applying the mask. Remember to keep the application thin.

6.      Cover your whole face, but don’t forget to avoid your eye and lip areas.

7.      Let the mask set for about 20 minutes or whenever it’s completely dry. Remove and enjoy! 

     NOTE: Please do not scrub the mask off harshly, or redness/burning can occur. Splash water on your face, softening the dried mask, then using a face sponge or washcloth, use gentle, circular dabbing motions, until all of it is cleared off.

#2 Easier: Refreshing Toning Cucumber Green Tea Mask

Ingredients:

Two green tea bags

Medium to large cucumber

Boiling water

So you don’t exactly have the time to find some high quality matcha or order it online and mixing up ingredients doesn’t appeal to you? Never fear! Here is a simpler way to provide your skin with the benefits of green tea. Additionally, the cucumbers will tone your skin and leaving it feeling soft and fresh.  

Instructions:

 1.    Steep two tea bags in boiling water.

2.      While the tea is brewing, slice up a cucumber as thinly as possible. I made the mistake of using a knife, but you’d get better results with a vegetable peeler. You want them to be paper thin, as that’ll make applying them much easier.

3.      When the tea is ready, set the two bags aside. Do not throw them away!

4.      Put the cucumber slices in a bowl and pour the hot tea over them. Let them rest until the tea is room temperature. Put the slices and the two tea bags you’ve saved in the fridge.

5.      Wait ten minutes and remove them from the fridge. Begin applying the cucumber slices to your face. The thinner they are, the better they’ll stick. If you’ve made them too thick, lay down to apply them or have a friend help you.

6.      Place the cooled tea bags over your eyes. This is a good procedure to do right before a quick nap or while listening to music. Or better yet, have a friend do it with you, brew an extra two cups of tea, and have fun chatting with your masks on, then remove them after fifteen minutes!

#3 Easiest!: Cooling Green Tea Patches

Seriously no time to do the above? Try the easiest green tea mask possible!

Ingredients:

Boiling water

Two Starbucks Tazo Iced Green Tea bags

Our final mask is so simple and easy, that anyone, with any schedule can manage it! Just pick up a box of Starbucks Tazo Iced Green Tea bags. I chose these above other teabags, as they’re much bigger and will cover large portions of your face at a time. 

Prepare two batches of the tea. Either have two jugs ready, or if you don’t mind super concentrated tea, steep them in the same jug.

While the tea cools, set aside your teabags. Let them reach room temperature or place them in the fridge for an extra cooling effect. Once they’re ready, place them on your face and… done! No fuss, no mess, and leaving them on for 5 to 10 minutes at a time will give your skin a quick pop of green tea goodness.

You can have fun changing the positioning around...

Like this…

… or like this…

Enjoy with a glass of iced tea and don’t forget to give yourself a quick break from work. ;) You can keep them in the fridge for about a week and use them to give your skin a boost. Discard after that. Have fun!