Worth the Hype??? Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick

Hello Beauties!

Is it me or are Liquid Lipsticks all the rage nowadays?  When Anastasia Beverly Hills came out with these Liquid Lipsticks I was so excited.  I got even more excited when I saw several YouTubers talking about them.  They looked so beautiful and opaque with such a beautiful array of colors!  I just had to get my hands on them.  I have been playing with these colors since I got them and this blogpost will answer the question....Are they worth the hype???

The Facts:

These lipsticks are available at anastasiabeverlyhills.com, Macy's Impulse in-stores or macys.com.  There are 20 colors available and they retail for $20.

Pure Hollywood, Lovely, Sad Girl 

The Claims:

• Full coverage, intense pigment, and a matte finish in an easy-to-apply liquid formula.
• One sweep delivers vibrant long-wearing color that sets all day. 
• Formula is ultra-pigmented. Swirl wand around tube to evenly mix color before application. 

In my Geeky Opinion:

This line offers a huge array of colors, from the nudes to the vampy deep colors to the brights!  I do wish there was a deeper nude or a dusty rose/mauve color, but you can't have everything.  Otherwise, you can really find any color you desire, especially when it comes to the spring time appropriate colors.  The colors are pigmented and go on opaque.  They dry to a matte finish and are long lasting.   

They swatch beautifully as you can see.  

Top to Bottom: Pure Hollywood, Lovely, Sad Girl

Just a few observations and recommendations....

• If you have dried or chapped lips, make sure to exfoliate them before application.  
• I noticed they wear from 8-10 hours, however I did apply lip balm throughout the day for some moisture.  
• They are mildly drying on the lips.  
• I recommend wiping off the doe-foot applicator within the container before applying the color onto the lips.  
• I have also been using a lip liner before and after application to sharpen up the edges of the lip.  They do not bleed but it really evens out the application when you use lip liner.   
• They dry to a matte finish but Sad Girl has a bit of shimmer.  So although the base color is matte, you can appreciate some shimmer on the lips, which I love! 
• To fully remove the color from your lips, I recommend an oil-based makeup remover. 

The Final Verdict:

I really enjoy these products.  They go on smooth and opaque and are very long lasting!  All the things I look for in a lip product.  I am the type of girl that gets lazy and won't re-apply once the color fades.  With the ABH Liquid Lipsticks, they wear well so I don't have to reapply.  I just keep my lip balm on hand for some moisture.  I really do think these are worth the hype and I highly recommend them!  

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost.  If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or requests, please leave them down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog to stay up to date!  Follow me on social media...all the links are in the sidebar.  Also feel free to email me at geektochicbeauty@gmail.com.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

Save or Splurge? GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment

Hello Beauties!

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me purchase the GLAMGLOW Supermud Clearing Treatment for a "steal".  I went into Marshall's to peruse and ran out of there with this product.  I was so excited!  It has been getting so much hype in the beauty community and I have been dying to try this product for such a long time.  I have been putting it to the ultimate test for Geek2Chic research purposes.  So...Is it worth the splurge?  Keep on reading!

Please note that there are several GLAMGLOW Products.  I will be exclusively reviewing the Supemud Clearing Treatment (white packaging).

The Facts:

This products can be found at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, glamglowmud.com or amazon.com.  It retails for a whopping $69.99.  I purchased mine at Marshall's for $39.99.

It is formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

The Claims:

According to the Sephora website, this product claims to...

• Help fight all common skin concerns including breakouts, discoloration, black and white heads, razor bumps, and ingrown hair. 
• Powerful, skin-clearing mud visibly draws out dirt and congestion while a proprietary six-acid blend dramatically brightens and softens skin. 
• It works to magnetically draw out dirt and pores with activated-X charcoal, leaving skin smooth and healthy-looking. 

How to use?

1. Apply a thin layer to clean skin and leave on for 5 - 20 minutes. 
2. Remove with water. 
3. Use as often as needed as a full mask or as a spot treatment. 

A few precautions before using this product.... Keep this product away from your eyes.  It may also increase sun photosensitivity.  Basically, don't use this product before box-tanning or going out in the sun.   Also, if you have an open wound, do not use this product.  

In My Geeky Opinion:

Let me start by talking about first impressions with use of this products. The smell is quite strong and smells of mint and licorice.  When I used it as a mask, the scent was so strong that it made my eyes tear a bit.  I eventually got over this and with subsequent uses it didn't really bother me.  

For the most part, it goes on smoothly but you do notice some grittiness in the texture.  It goes on dark gray that looks like charcoal and dries to light gray.  While it dries you start noticing your pores and any blemishes on your skin become very exaggerated.  It is cool and gross at the same time.

I tried cleaning it off my face over the sink and made a huge mess!  I recommend jumping into the shower to clean it off with warm water because it is a bit difficult to fully remove.  It would leave my skin feeling mildly dry, tight, and cool.  I do recommend moisturizing after use of this product.

After the first few uses of this products, I noticed more blemishes then before!  It really purged my skin.  I felt my skin was smoother and softer but I started breaking out like nuts.  Not small breakouts, but deep cystic acne breakouts!  I was having PTSD!  If you have been reading my blog you know I have combination skin.  I suffered from cystic acne for years during my mid to late twenties.  Now my skin has been getting so much better but I will get hormonal breakouts occasionally.  I thought maybe its just me and my skin type that are prone to these breakouts.  

So, I convinced my husband to try it out with me to see how his skin reacts.  His skin is clear and normal; not too dry and not too oily!  He will get a pimple every now and then but its very few and far inbetween.  His skin had the same exact reaction.  This product really purges the skin!  He broke out like I have never seen before.  He had huge cystic acne lesions especially in his beard.  He got angry and needless to say, he never used it again.    

I decided that instead of using it as a mask, I would use it as a spot treatment.   It will bring any blemishes to the surface more quickly.  Using it as a spot treatment, the blemish will cure a little faster but don't expect it to go away overnight.       

Final Verdict:

My final feelings on this product are MEH.  I do not like it as a mask because it makes me breakout.  I prefer it more as a spot treatment however I am not overly impressed.  Overall, I would not spend the money on it again.  I am going to finish off the remaining product I have now, but I do not plan on repurchasing it.  My advice is to SAVE your money.  Seventy bucks is a lot of money.  It better be a miracle worker if I am going to shell out that much money, and this product is not a miracle worker.  

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost.  If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or requests, please leave them down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog to stay up to date!  Follow me on social media...all the links are in the sidebar.  Also feel free to email me at geektochicbeauty@gmail.com.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

Epic Beauty Battle: The Original Beauty Blender vs. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

Hello Beauties!

Welcome to another installment of Epic Beauty Battle!  If you're new to my blog, I will be comparing two products that I have found to be very similar and have been deemed to be dupes of one another.  I will give you a review of the products and my thoughts.  Today I will be comparing the ever so popular original Beauty Blender and the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.  To put it out there, I LOVE these two products and use either one every time I apply makeup.

The Original Beauty Blender vs. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

The Claims:

The original Beauty Blender claims....

• An edgeless, non-disposable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator. 
• The Beauty Blender ensures impeccable, streak-free application with minimum product waste. 

The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge claims...

• Rounded sides blend large areas of the face with a repeated dabbing or stippling motion.
• Precision tip covers blemishes and imperfections.
• Flat edge for the contours around the eyes and nose.
• Its versatile design evenly blends makeup for a smooth, enhanced finish, leaving you looking gorgeous.

The Facts:

The Beauty Blender

• Versions: Original (Pink), Pro(Black), Pure(White), Red Carpet(Red)
• Latex-free, non-allergenic, and odor-free
• Retails for $19.95
• Can be purchased at Sephora or amazon.com

The Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

• Retails for $5.99
• Latex-free 
• Can be purchased at Ulta, Walmart, amazon.com, or RealTechniques.com

In My Geeky Opinion:

How to use:

The directions apply for use of both sponges.

1. Wet the sponge with water.  I recommend placing the sponge under running water so it becomes saturated. Then I ring the sponge out.  Repeat this several times.
2. Once completed, squeeze out all the excess water into a clean towel.  Each sponge will now look almost double its original dry size.  
3. Now, you are ready to use the sponge!  Use it with your primer, foundation, concealer, or cream products.  I dab the product over my face first and then bounce the sponge to get an even, flawless finish.
4. Clean the sponge and allow to air-dry.  

Beauty Blender Wet

Miracle Complexion Sponge Wet

How to clean:

I have tried liquid soap and solid soap but it doesn't get them clean enough!  I found the best way to clean both sponges is with the Beauty Blender Solid or Liquid Blender Cleanser.  These cleansers really get the sponges clean.  I do find that if you don't clean them after use, the sponges can get stained with product.  I find it harder to get the Real Techniques Sponge clean and back to its original color. 

*** Check my earlier Makeup 101: How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes for more details 

How long do these sponges last?

Disclaimer: I am a natural girl so I go makeup free more often than not.  These results may vary based on makeup usage.

I found that the Beauty Blender keeps its original shape much longer.  It took a good 6 months before I decided to get rid of it.  Even at the end of the 6 months, the shape was intact but it just looked too dirty to use.  After 2-3 months the Miracle Complexion Sponge started to wear and lose it's shape.  I found bits of the sponge fraying off.  

The Final Verdict:  

I have been using both products for a long period of time and I have re-purchased both several times.  That is how much I love both of these products.  I always reach for one or the other.  I love how they leave me with a flawless, even finish.  No streaks!  I admit that I love the texture of the Beauty Blender and the feel as I bounce it off my skin.  I wouldn't call the sponges "dupes" because the texture is different, however they leave the same finish on the skin.  I feel the Miracle Complexion Sponge absorbs more product than the Beauty Blender.  

Who Won?

I have to give it to the Beauty Blender!  I know it is more pricey, however I like the feel on the skin.  It lasts longer, looks cleaner and retains its shape.  If you are on a budget, go for the Miracle Complexion Sponge.  You will get the the same end result but I personally prefer the Beauty Blender.  Overall, I would recommend these products to anyone!

I hope you all enjoyed this blogpost.  If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or requests, please leave them down below.  Don't forget to follow my blog to stay up to date!  Follow me on social media...all the links are in the sidebar.  Also feel free to email me at geektochicbeauty@gmail.com.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine 

What's in my Makeup? The Truth About Talc

Hello Beauties!

Today's blogpost will be discussing the truth about talc.  Several blogposts back I wrote about parabens.  All my research really opened my eyes.  I wanted to continue this series and figure out if these ingredients are harmful to your health.  Why the sudden push for "Talc-Free" products?  I will be sharing all my research and give you my thoughts and opinions.

What is Talc?

Talc is an ingredient found in cosmetics and personal care products.  It is used as an absorbent to decrease moisture and friction, help in makeup opacity, prevent caking, and help prevent rashes (ie. baby powder).

Talc is a natural occurring soft mineral.  It is made up of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen.

How do you spot them in your products?

Easy!  You just have to spot the word Talc on the ingredients label.  I found it in a majority of cosmetic products.  If it is present it will be one of the very first ingredients.

Is Talc Safe?

One of the main concerns about the safety of talc is potential asbestos contamination.  Asbestos and Talc are both naturally occurring minerals that can be found in close proximity.  Unlike Talc, asbestos is know to be cancer causing.   The FDA considers it unacceptable for the talc used in cosmetics to contain any asbestos.  They have done surveys to test cosmetic products for asbestos contamination.  These surveys found no asbestos fibers in cosmetic products containing talc.  

Another worry about talc is its possible link to lung and ovarian cancer. I went through a ton of research to figure out if this link is supported.  Well, thankfully for me, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (that is a subset of the World Health Organization) compiled a ton of research.  Based on their comprehensive review,  the agency found that inhaled talc (asbestos free) is not cancer causing in humans.  The agency found that the use of talc based body powders in the private area may possibly be cancer causing in humans.  Translation:  There is no increased risk for lung cancer but there is a possible increase risk for ovarian cancer.  

My Thoughts...

Now, the research on talc is so confusing!  There is a potential link between talc use in the private area and ovarian cancer.  However, I feel more research is needed to come to a strong conclusion.  The more I research and read, the more I am unsure.  Does that mean the cosmetics I use on my face are dangerous?  Or, should I only be worried about the products i use around my private areas? 

All in all, I am going to be more conscious about products that contain talc.  In the future, I am going to try and limit my use of talc containing cosmetics.  I need more evidence!!!!  Just remember that all the studies done thus far are inconclusive.  Please use your best judgement and be a smart consumer.

I hope you all found this blogpost to be helpful.  I want you all to be well informed, so now you can make your own decision.  Please leave any comments, feedback, or requests down below.  Stay Beautiful, Stay True!

Geek2Chic - Christine

Resources:

http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Ingredients/ucm293184.htm

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/talcum-powder-and-cancer

http://cosmeticsinfo.org/HBI/26

http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol93/mono93.pdf