Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Highlighter Seems Oxymoronic

Sent For Review Affiliate Links

A radiant highlighter that is matte seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it? It's hard to imagine that something that adds a subtle sheen to the skin could be matte, but the proof is in the pudding. Or at least in the powder.

I didn't quite know what to expect in the new matte, radiant highlighter (01) from Laura Mercier. I guess the best way to describe it is that it's similar to applying the Early Bird filter in Instagram. You'll get a bit of a natural glow that adds a tiny bit of champagne warmth and a subtle sheen. It's not  matte, but it's not traditionally shiny, either. Almost as if you scratched the surface of a coin. The shine is still there, it's just diminished.

This Matte Radiance Highlighter from Laura Mercier gives you a touch of glow, without going overboard. It's truly like adding an Instagram filter to your face. This highlighter can be beautiful. However, it is a powder, and a matte one at that, so if you have fine lines spilling on to the tops of your cheek bones, be careful. Make sure your eye and cheek areas are fully hydrated or the powder can show off your lines.

Check this out in person at your neighborhood Laura Mercier counter or find it online. I'm torn on this one. I love the unique look of this powder, but not how my lines show up. What do you think? Pick it up or pass?


Official disclosure/disclaimer statement can be found here.
Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009-2013, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved. Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Get Beachy Waves Without the Salt

Purchased By Me Sent For Review Affiliate Links

Beachy Waves without Salt with Amika, Sarah Potempa

If you have chemically-straightened hair, the biggest danger to your treatment is salt. Good old sodium chloride will break the bonds your keratin or amino acid treatment worked so hard to straighten. Almost every beach spray has salt. The only one I've been able to find that doesn't is Oribe's Beach Spray. It's more of a texturizer, but it does get the job done. Sort of.

What Oribe doesn't do however, is give you that chunky, beachy feel. It's hard to capture that "day at the beach" look without the salt. Lucky for you, my loss is your gain.

Over the weekend, I was experimenting with hair oils. I'm a ten-pump kind of girl when it comes to my beloved Davines Oi. I tried something similar with Amika's oBLiPHiCa Oil Treatment and I (and my hair) were totally deflated. My mane was not the lovely, shiny thing of photo shoots, but instead a thick, greasy mess. Whoops.

Normally, I would pull it up and wash it the following day. However, I put my new Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo to the test. I knew it would de-oil my scalp, but my entire head? I sprayed it through the entire length of my hair and let it sit for five minutes. There isn't that much residue, but brushing through it got rid of any excess dry shampoo. Then I did one more light coat of the Amika and tousled my hair. I was shocked to see that I had created perfectly beachy hair. Even better, my hair lasted for three full days! Even better than that, every time I walked by Loxy reached out and kissed me because he said my scent was "irresistible".

If you need to add waves, the easiest way I've found is with the Sarah Potempa Beach Waver. I can't tell you how much I love this iron. I don't know why, but it just works beautifully. It's like the iron knows what to do. You have to try it for yourself to believe me.

So what did we learn?

1. All oils are not created equal.
2. Over-oiling your hair and then super-dry-shampooing it gives you a beachy look.
3. Amika Oil with Dry Shampoo brings all the boys to the yard.
4. The Beach Waver iron is made of magic.

Have you accidentally screwed up and discovered greatness? Share your story with me!


Official disclosure/disclaimer statement can be found here.
Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009-2013, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.

Get a Perfect Faux Tan with Beautisol

Purchased By Me Sent For Review Affiliate Links

Sunless tanners don't have to turn you orange. I'm one of those people who easily goes orange, so I've turned the wrong color more than once. But your summer can be spent looking luxuriously tan instead of trying to get nail polish remover to take off self-tanner mistakes (hair color remover works well too).

So here is how to get the perfect tan.

1. Use Beautisol. This sunless tanner gives you a perfect color that looks amazing on your skin. Most beauty bloggers that I know rave about Beautisol. If bloggers can all agree on one thing, it's that Beautisol is one of the best self-tanners ever.

2. Start by exfoliating your skin. Try a Hammam Deep Exfoliation Mitt to really remove the dead skin from your body. While it's not safe for your face, your body will never be as smooth as after you use a Hammam. If you've never tried one, pick one up. You can thank me later.

3. Keep your skin hydrated! If you are using Beautisol, you'll never get that scaly look. It doesn't have alcohol that dries out your skin. Even if you are using Beautisol, your skin will always look its best when it's moisturized. If you want, apply a lotion to dry areas like knees and elbows before you apply your self-tanner. Don't forget to apply lotion to your toes to preserve your fancy pedicure!

4. When applying a self-tanner, be sure to use gloves, so your hands won't have the telltale orange covering your palms. You can buy Beautisol with a fantastic applicator mitt that is part sponge applicator, part glove. Apply one section at a time, using large, circular strokes.  Try to use your palms more than your fingers - fingers create streaks! Beautisol has a guide color that will ensure you'll never streak.

5. After you've tanned, wear loose clothes. Tanning at night is the perfect time. Not only will you wake up refreshed, but you'll look like you've been on vacation!

I can't recommend Beautisol enough. It's honestly one of the only products all of my blogger friends (and I have a lot of them) can wholeheartedly agree on!


Official disclosure/disclaimer statement can be found here.
Subscribe and never miss a thing! Copyright 2009-2013, Gouldylox Reviews. All Rights Reserved.