Essie Taj-Ma-Haul (Essie Resort Spring 2016)

Review... 

• Color: a yellow-toned, dusty orange.  
• Formula: a thin creme consistency.  
• Application: requires patience because you need three coats for an evened out appearance and must wait for the first layer to dry before applying another layer of polish; the polish has a tendency to run off the brush and flood the nail bed. 
• Staying-power: I applied Essie Good to Go top coat, which is my absolute favorite top-coat.  As long as the polish isn't cheap in quality, I get good wear-time (four-five days) using Good to Go. Personally, although I love wearing nail colors, I prefer my nails bare sometimes.  Also, my nails grow out fast. So if a polish lasts about four days for me, without chipping, I am "good-to-go". 
• Overall: I didn't end up keeping this one because I like my polishes to be low maintenance when it comes to application.  I can compromise on staying power (well not if the polish chips shamelessly 20 minutes after I applied it), but I do not like a runny consistency and slow drying time.  

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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OZ Naturals Super Youth Retinol Moisturizer Review and Demo

OZ Naturals Super Youth Retinol Moisturizer caught my attention at first glance because of its natural ingredients and practical packaging.  Spending lots of money on skincare products, especially products that have a luxurious appeal (i.e., intoxicating fragrance and fancy packaging) doesn’t necessarily mean that we can prevent or reverse aging.  Although aging is inevitable, we can surely delay the onset and process of aging. 

Before I begin my review, I would like to mention my personal skin-type, complexion, and skin concerns so you all can get an idea of how you might be able to relate to my experience with this moisturizer.  Until recently, my skin type was combination-oily, but now I think it is between sensitive to normal.  I do have occasional breakouts, very slight amount of redness near my nose and chin, and mild acne scarring.  My scars have become more evident when my skin is irritated or de-hydrated.   In the summer months, especially with the use of sunscreen, my t-zone can become slightly oily and face feels dewy, but I don’t mind that at all.  As I just turned 27 a couple of months ago, oh my, I treasure this dewiness.  Keeping your face hydrated and massaged means lesser wrinkles in the long run.  

OZ Naturals Super Youth Retinol moisturizer contains ingredients such as Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Shea Butter, Green Tea, Chamomile, Rose Hips, Sweet Almond Oils, Macadamia Nut Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, and extracts from various types of berries. Why are these ingredients good for you and why did they impress me? Vitamins are anti-oxidants, which slow down the process of natural aging, while preventing and fighting aging that is caused my sun damage.  Vitamin C along with the other vitamins helps reduce/fade scarring and sunspots.  The enclosed tube-like packaging of this moisturizer is crucial for keeping Vitamin C stable because this ingredient can easily oxidize and become unstable thus losing its effectiveness on your skin. Retinoic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid help in slowing down the process of aging, keeps skin tight, and resurfacing your damaged skin-cells.  Shea Butter, Green Tea, and Chamomile help to soothe, condition, and heal sensitive and dry skin.  For being a more natural product, this moisturizer has no discernable scent.  

I tested this moisturizer on both my face and hands – my hands have been looking and feeling quite dry over the past few months.  I tried it on a sunny, warmer day, and on a colder, gloomy day, pairing it with sunscreen when I left my home.  I tried it with base makeup as well as just a light amount of blush and it worked well both ways (I have posted a makeup look wearing this moisturizer on my Instagram - see link at the end of the post).

This moisturizer erased the dry, scales on my hands, especially near the knuckles, and made them feel so smooth, without any tackiness.  This moisturizer blends easily and absorbs quickly – both on my face and hands.  Its texture and consistency is very light, yet creamy.  I usually prefer gel moisturizers, but this one seems to be a perfect gel-cream hybrid.  A little goes a long way! I definitely needed to use less of this product in comparison to the other moisturizers in my skincare collection.  Even though this moisturizer contains various natural oils, I did not experience any major breakouts or development of excessive sebum. Additionally, I suggest wearing this moisturizer with sunscreen because using Retinoic Acid can cause extra sensitivity when exposed to direct sunlight.

Lastly, I would like to point out that this moisturizer is friendly to your wallet.  A 4 oz. tube retails for $28.99 (which comes to $12.32 for 1.7 oz.).  Although that might still seem expensive in comparison to drug-store moisturizers, let me give you both a drugstore and high-end comparison to consider.  One of my drugstore favorite moisturizers (“X”) costs $17.97 for 1.7 oz.  It is a gel-cream moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.  Even though I say that this drugstore moisturizer X is one of my favorites, I do have to use quite a bit of it (more than the amount I need of the OZ Naturals moisturizer) to feel the hydration.  OZ Natural’s moisturizer is actually cheaper than drugstore moisturizer X (comparing 1.7oz. for each).  Now let’s consider the price point of one of my favorite high-end gel-cream moisturizers (“Y”): $39 for 1.7 oz.  Again even though I do like this high-end moisturizer Y, it does take time to absorb into my skin and leaves the face feeling slightly tacky.  My blush etc. breaks down easily when I wear Y.  Like I mentioned OZ Naturals moisturizer absorbs quickly, blends nicely, and wears well under makeup. Well, in this later scenario you’re actually saving money without compromising on quality.  

Based on my experience, I think this moisturizer will suit a range of complexions and skin-types - normal, sensitive, combination-oily, and dry (mild-to-medium, not chronic dry skin).  I am so pleased with the face this makes my face and neck area feel soft and smooth.

Disclaimer: I would like to thank OZ Naturals and Brandbacker for providing press sample for this post.

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Valentia Royal Rose Hydrating Serum Review and Demo

Rose is a scent and flavor that I associate with luxury and specialty products.  Rose macaroons.  Rose milk.  Rose tea. Rose ice cream.  Rose water. Rose fragrance.  Chanel lipstick.   Well, I think I have made my love for things entailing roses evident.  Recently, I was watching a few beauty/skincare themed videos on YouTube and discovered the existence of “Rosehip Oil.”  Obviously, I wanted to try this amazing Rosehip Oil for myself.  Immediately I began Google searching Rosehip Oil.  At this point, I was already in the process of searching for a facial oil and serum with preventative benefits. 

I am in my mid-twenties so anti-aging products were not necessarily on my radar till recently.  Surpassing 25 suddenly makes me feel like I cannot take my health and physical well being for granted anymore.  I will give y’all an idea of my facial complexion.  I did have mild acne when I was in high school, which left my cheeks scarred.  Even now my occasional breakouts leave behind scars.  For being acne-prone, I don’t have oily skin.  My face complexion is normal-sensitive with some dry patches during the winter months and normal-sensitive with minimally oily t-zone during the summer months.   Having a clear, bright, hydrated, and even-toned complexion is very important for me, especially because I do not like to wear base makeup and would never like myself to become dependent on wearing base makeup.  I want to be comfortable in my own fresh skin! 

My mother, who is a physician, taught me from a young age that less is more.  She instilled in me the importance of keeping my face well cleansed and hydrated, using minimal makeup, and not irritating my face by using too many products.  My skincare regiment involves cleansing my face with a mild cleanser (while in high school I did use cleansers with salicylic acid/acne treatment, but stopped using such cleansers because they dried out my face), hydrators (essence-sprays, moisturizer, sheet-masks), steam, and very occasionally I also use clay-based masks and gentle exfoliating scrubs.  If I do wear a CC cream or sunscreen, I double cleanse my face using an oil cleanser followed by a simple cleanser.

After reading a bit about Rosehip Oil, I learned that it is a dry oil, which means that it sinks into the skin faster and does not leave a greasy residue.  This, other than the fact that I love anything rose-themed, caught my attention.  Currently, facial oils are hot in the beauty world.  I have sampled quite a few, but have not committed to any for three reasons – steep price point, greasy residue/texture, and strong fragrance.  The facial oils in the market seem more synthetic and cosmetic than intrinsically beneficial for our skin’s health.  Another factor that impressed me about Rosehip Oil is that it is a milder oil, making it well suited for people with sensitive skin. 

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to try out a serum consisting of Rosehip Seed Oil and Rose Damascena Oil via Brand Backer.  The serum – Royal Rose Hydrating Serum - is by a natural, vegan and cruelty free brand called Valentia.  The Royal Rose Serum consists of amazing beneficial and naturally occurring ingredients, such as Niacinamide/Vitamin B, Evening Primrose Oil, and Lavender. These ingredients have healing and hydrating properties.  This serum claims to “deeply moisturize skin, provide antioxidant protection, soothe and nourish dry skin, smooth skin tone & texture, and boost skin radiance.”

I have been using Valentia’s Royal Rose Hydrating Serum for about a week now and would like to share my impression of it thus far.  First, this serum did not irritate my skin.  My skin reacts very quickly.  It becomes irritated very easily – slightest exposure to sunlight or dust or for no reason at all.  One of the reasons the serums and oils I have experimented with thus far have not worked out for me is because my pores become clogged and I breakout immediately. 

Although I am not a chemist, it is my understanding that many serums contain dimethicone, which is a silicon-based substance used to give a “smooth and moisturized” appearance to the skin. However, dimethicone also clogs your pores and hence I was always turned-off by serums containing it. I was impressed that Valentia’s serum does not contain dimethicone. Additionally, it is also alcohol-free and paraben-free.

Second, this serum sinks into the skin very quickly. I feel tempted to apply more because of how fast it dries once I apply it onto my cheeks.  I use a pump per area of my face - cheeks, forehead, and chin/neck area.  I layer my moisturizer on top of this serum, but I do not feel like this serum exceptionally moisturizes my skin.  In other words, I do not feel like it made my face feel any more moisturized than it feels when I wear my moisturizer alone.  I do want to note that this serum is moisturizing, but not enough on its own. 

I have also tested this serum on my hands as well, which tend to feel dry while my face is more normal as I mentioned above. When I apply this serum to my hands, the dry areas feel smoother and conditioned.  This effect is temporary.  Once I wash my hands or a few hours pass by, I feet the need to re-moisturize, and I am not one who suffers from unusually dry skin.  This serum does give off a nice smooth appearance to my skin – be it my face or hands.  It wore well under my CC cream, blush, contour powder, etc. on the days I chose to wear makeup. 

Third, this serum does not have an overwhelming or off-putting fragrance; it has a very subtle natural rose scent.  Lastly, it does not feel tacky or sticky.  In fact, it feels like a cooling, water-based, gel lotion – very lightweight.  Personally, I would recommend this serum for people with normal, sensitive, and combination/oily skin-types.  In my opinion, it is not hydrating enough for individuals with dry to very dry skin.  Again, this is a serum/treatment and shouldn’t be mistaken for a moisturizer, lotion, or cream. 

Other than being a very natural product, Valentia’s Royal Rose Hydrating Serum stood out to me because of its affordable price-point ($35/1.18 FL.OZ.). Like I mentioned above, skincare products like facial oils and serums are so expensive ($50 - $100+), which does not necessarily fit into everyone’s budget.  Skincare is more about beneficial ingredients, preventative measures, and biology/chemistry rather than brand names, labels, and the luxe appeal.   This price point is ideal for those of us who are just starting to dip our toes into skincare products and developing a skincare regiment. 

Over time and continued use, I hope that the Royal Rose Hydrating Serum lightens my acne scars and evens out the texture of my face.   Although aging is inevitable, dry skin, along with dry air, poor diet, environmental stressors, and mental stress are all cultivators of aging.  So hydrated skin is key to preventing your skin from aging abnormally. 

Disclaimer: I would like to thank Valentia and Brandbacker for providing press sample for this post.

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure • Yummy Yam

Although we are now approaching the tail end of winter and the beauty trend gods might be shaking their heads at me, I must share this gorgeous nail color called Yummy Yam by Sally Hansen. As I admire Yummy Yam on my nails, the shade reminds me of a blend of sweet butternut squash, pure saffron water, deep turmeric spice, warm pumpkin spice, and dirty honey-mustard.  Doesn't that all sound so warm, spicy, and delicious? 

Yummy Yam reminds me of a lot of China Glaze's Dessert Sun (Fall 2012), but a tad warmer and less yellow.  As we move into Spring and Summer, which entails pastels, neons, and brights, a mustard manicure can be a super chic, subtle accent to a loud color-block or floral themed outfit. Would you agree? I think it is all about marketing really.  A brand could release this very same shade next month and called it Honeycomb or Golden Honey or Sweet Tea (why is honey on my mind or have I become a true Southern belle now) and y'all would want it! 

Besides being such a unique shade, Yummy Yam has an exquisite formula.  I applied two clean coats, which is the norm for a good creme formula and to achieve an evened out appearance.  As with any polish, it is best to wait for the first coat to set a bit before applying a second coat as to not disturb the first coat.  

I am well aware that stores are beginning to clear out the Autumn/Winter inventory to make space for Spring pastels.  However, a few Autumn/Winter shades remain, defying seasonal-color "rules".  For instance, the popularity of the spectrum of brown and pinky-mauve (boring) shades has spread like wild-fire and these shades have acquired a cult-following, making them timeless ... oh I mean "seasonal-less." 

As I write this review, I hope that y'all can still find this shade in stores.  This collection came out at some point in November so it has been out for a few months now.  I purchased mine back in late December from Bed, Bath, & Beyond Harmon's.  I didn't spot Yummy Yam at my other "usual" local beauty / drug-stores, such as ULTA, Walgreens, CVS, or Target.  I suggest checking the clearance bins at this point.  In my experience, TJ MAXX and Marshall's sometimes carry seasonal Sally Hansen's nail colors towards the end of the season and at most likely at a discounted price. (Update 02/24/16 - spotted Yummy Yam at one of my local CVS stores, which means it is still out there.) Happy Hunting, beauties!

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Liquid Lipsticks Extravaganza ft. Kylie Cosmetics, Tarte, The Balm Cosmetics, Maybelline, Gerard and more ... | ChaiTimewithMeesha

Hello, Beauties! Liquid lipsticks, specifically of the matte formulation, have acquired a large cult following of the masses. Cosmetic brands left and right, be they luxury, high-end, or drug-store, are releasing their version or interpretation of the perfect matte liquid lipstick formula.  Over the last few months, I have taken on the quest of testing out these matte liquid lipsticks from several brands for my beautiful Lipstick-Loving-Peeps.  On my YouTube channel and Instagram page, I have reviewed liquid lipsticks (matte and non-matte) from brands such as Kylie Cosmetics, Girlactik, Dose of Colors, Giorgio Armani, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tarte, Milani, Revlon, Maybelline, NYX, The Balm, Colour Pop, and Dior.  And there is more to follow soon! 

Let us take a slight drive down memory lane, shall we? If y'all prefer to skip ahead to the next paragraph, then please feel free to do so.  My blog is a diary of sorts and I like my posts to be somewhat personal in nature.  Some of you may consider it off-tangent or long-winded... Well, y'all have been warned! Liquid lipsticks were present in the market ever since and even before my curiosity and love for makeup developed. I think I was in the final year of high-school, preparing myself for occasions like senior prom and graduation, when I began experimenting with makeup. Some of my peers had already started wearing a full face of makeup back then, but thanks to my parents (I really do appreciate their strictness today) I did not dare wear anything more than my mother's lipsticks.  Anyway, I fondly remember the evening my mom took me makeup shopping for these two special occasions.  She bought be a coppery gold eyeshadow by L'Oreal and a baby pink blush by Physician's Formula.  My mom's policy was that there is a time and place for everything. She discouraged impulsiveness because she believed that it created insatiable expectations, which ultimately result in dissatisfaction and disdain.  Today, thanks to my mom, I feel very comfortable without makeup and don't feel the need to use it as a guard, but rather to make myself feel dolled-up once in a while for outings, occasions, and filming.  I love you, my Momma Bear.  

I was never a fan of lip gloss because it was too sheer for my liking, but liquid lipsticks - basically glosses with the pigmentation of an opaque lipstick really intrigued me.  Well, there were three types of liquid lipsticks back then: opaque glossy, which didn't stay in place; opaque patent-shine lacquers, which felt too tacky; and matte, ultra drying ones called "stains," which were paired with clear balms to make them feel more comfortable (they really were not the least bit comfortable though).  I shall label these "Originals." The weak points of these opaque glosses and lacquers was that they were not lightweight, felt sticky like honey or oil, and transferred everywhere possible.  The stains, on the other hand, were so drying that my lips look abnormally wrinkly (given my age) and felt itchy, hot, and irritated. Although I do really like some creamy liquid lipsticks at present (ex., Too Faced Chocolate Honey), I prefer the semi-matte liquid lipsticks, which set to a flat, matte finish and are not drying. I don't care to compromise on the staying power and transfer-proof features because I like to remove my lipstick prior to eating anyway.  Even liquid lipsticks that are transfer-proof and long-wearing breakdown near the inner portion of the lips while consuming foods with an oil base and that are generally not dry.  

The first few Originals I tried were from two brands at Kohl's called Flirt and American Beauty and drug-store brands such as Covergirl and Maybelline.  Back then I thought a store like Sephora and makeup counters in department stores, like Macy's were for the high-society people.  Now social media has changed the demographics for brands as a new, fast-paced affordable medium for advertising.  There are so many baby brands on the rise, like Colour Pop, merely two years old and competing with a long time established high-end brand such as MAC Cosmetics.  Now Kohl's carries prestige brands on which coupons cannot be used.  Drugstore prices have sneakily increased, but coupons justify the margin in the minds of the consumer.  Anyway, my point is that I tried what was affordable back then, but the quality might not have been ideal.  

While in college, I recall trying one of the Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks (another Original) in the popular shade Patina and it was so drying that I absolutely hated it.  More recently, during law school I had contemplated purchasing the very famous Lolita by Kat Von D and it was also so trying that I decided not to commit to it.  In a nutshell, my impression of liquid lipsticks was bad - a strong dislike! I decided that my lips were simply too delicate for these super drying lipsticks.  I could not fathom why anyone enjoyed wearing them.  

The majority of matte liquid lipsticks that are surfacing today are much better than the "Originals" I described above.  My new perception, "where have you been all my makeup-loving life?"  I am guilty of completely shafting "those regular lipsticks" at the moment.  Most of my lipstick collection is being neglected because I am so intrigued by these liquid lipsticks.  The biggest selling point of liquid lipsticks for me is the way they set into a flat, velvet like, deepened version of the liquid.  So without further ado, I would like to share my reviews of many new Liquid Lipsticks, which I am calling the "Liquid Lipstick Extravaganza" (listed/linked below).  

... ... ...

The "ChaiTimewithMeesha" Menu

Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner: The Kylie Lip Kit 

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paints 

The Balm Cosmetics Meet Matte Hughes Liquid Lipsticks 

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors 

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in Head Bang

Introducing, Sally Hansen's Head Bang - from the Miracle Gel seasonal (Fall/Winter 2015) collection, a cool-toned, dark mushroom, chocolate brown.  I have been smitten with this nail color ever since I first came across it.  At first I convinced myself that I did not need another mundane chocolate brown from yet another earthy fall/winter collection, especially a pricey one ($7.99 - $9.99).  

After seeing this color pop up on my radar while picking up some milk at the grocery-store and during a coffee-date with one of my best friends, Megan, at ULTA, I came to the conclusion that Head Bang was no ordinary brown nail color. Eventually, I purchased it at my local Bed, Bath, & Beyond, using a 20% off coupon, which justified my purchase even more.  

I have nothing like Head Bang in my nail polish collection.  As you can see from the pictures, there is something about this color that is different.  It draws my attention, almost as if it catches me by surprise and I find myself admiring Head Bang's subtle uniqueness.  I think it is the first cool-toned, deep mushroom, chocolate brown that I have come across, which is not too purple or too gray or too dark.  

The first coat is a bit thin so I recommend using at least two coats or three, if you are a perfectionist. It is not very messy or difficult to do three coats because the polish layers nicely without bubbling up or streaking.  Although I only wore this polish for about five or so days, it only chipped on the index fingernails.  I am not one to keep my nail polish on for longer than four or five days because one, I find it boring, and two, shabby once chipping has occurred and natural nail growth is visible.  

Overall, Head Bang is a must-have!  Not only is it a stunning color, but a trendy one as well.  Brown is such a happening color at the moment in the beauty world, especially brown lip colors.  So what's not to like about a chocolate brown nail polish to pair with your favorite chocolate brown liquid lipstick.  I have received so many compliments on my nails while wearing Head Bang.  I hope Sally Hansen adds it to its permanent collection or that y'all can get it before the seasonal displays disappear.  

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♥ Yours Truly,

The Lipsticks-Ninja

Meesha ♥

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