Tarina Tarantino

While I was shopping online at Sephora, I needed something to get me over to the free shipping mark. I try to always get free shipping especially since it cost almost $7 for shipping and these eye shadows were $5 each, I think I made out like a bandit. These are my first Tarina Tarantino products because I could never get into them. The products didn't seem that special and while the packaging looks good, the price was a bit too steep for me. However these seemed like a good buy compared to the other things at Sephora.

This is the Bibarucci Eye Dream Hypershadow (Yellow) and the Electric Butterfly Dream Hypershadow (Orange). 2.9g of product in a plastic case with a sticker attached to it along with a pouch for $5.

These are nicely sized eyeshadows and it has a tiny mirror inside the case. At first I thought the pictures were imprinted onto the case, but it's a sticker attached to the middle (*edit* was told that it wasn't a sticker from a reader and I was wrong, this looks like a sticker but is not. Thank you anonymous commenter!). I think the packaging looks so pretty and almost childish but fun. The packaging isn't flimsy and has a bit of a solid feel to it so that I don't have to worry about it falling apart.

Don't you hate it when you open a product and you nails slip and nick the product? Well the clasp here is easy to open and I don't think that there is a risk of nicking your eyeshadow because the product isn't located near the clasp. The product itself is nice and smooth and although both has gold shimmer in it, but it's not that apparent when applied. Both eyeshadows are tightly packed and not crumbly.

There is little fallout and easy to apple. Honestly, the Bibarucci Eye Dream Hypershadow is a bit sheer and not extremely pigmented. It's a light golden brown that's good for a subtle wash of color on the lid. On the other hand, the Electric Butterfly Dream Hypershadow is crazy pigmented and a dream to look at. It's a bold sun kissed golden orange that needs to be applied carefully, otherwise it can look like a mess.
Both are easy to blend, lasts a good while and makes me want to look at the other shadows from this range.

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder

This is a review for the Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder that retails for $35 at Sephora online. I've mentioned my acne marked skin before and while I'm not phantom of the opera-ing around; hissing every time someone dares to glance my way, I do have acne marked skin. Time is the keyword here when dealing with scarring, but I'm naturally impatient. I saw some reviews abut this skin brightening product and something about hyper pigmentation on Makeup alley and went for it.

It comes in a glass container along with a little scooper and the directions tell you to use a scoop of this in the morning along with your moisturizer.
First off, this product can be messy. Since it comes in a white powder form, people with unsteady or clumsy hands should exercise caution with this product. I had a hell of a time trying to get a shot of this scooped up because the powder doesn't give a rats ass about trying to keep things neat. If I tried using this in around others, I would get a lot of stank side eyes asking me about my white powdered substance. The glass container bothers the crap out of me because it makes the nails on chalkboard every time I try to get the amount of product I want. Damn chills even thinking about it. I might be a bit picker than usual about this, but for me, these things really stood out.

I take a scoopful as shown in the picture and ...

mix it in with my moisturizer. For some reason, they tell you to use this in the morning instead of night time, so I make sure to use a lot of sunblock.

The product just dissolves into my moisturizer and leaves no residue on the skin. I've used this fairly religiously, maybe every other day sometimes, for two to three weeks and I see no big difference. My skin may be a bit brighter but it's nothing noticeable and noteworthy. I still have visible acne scarring and I've seen better brightening results with lemon juice. I'll probably use this up, but would I repurchase? No. I'll keep trying and if there is a big change, I'll let you know.

By the way, did anyone else get the hat box from Sephora?

Update on makeup posts

I really should stop these update posts because they don't update you on much. I know I've stated this before but makeup and beauty is probably going to take a back step especially in the financial department. My family is planning to go to Maui for my parent's big 30 anniversary and saving for a vacation is a better cause than spending on makeup. I admit that I have one last Sephora purchase coming, but after that this blog is going to turn into a jack of all trades kind of a blog. Sephora usually gets me with those damn VIB gifts. I regret missing out on the full roller ball size of D&G light blue and their deluxe size of Guerlain lipstick but it's ok. Suck your tears up and make do with what you've got. SOBBING IN THE CORNER WONT BRING BACK THOSE DEALS! I know I've tried.

These days I've got a mind to bake away my makeup woes so although I'm known as the evil queen of snow white for the kitchen in my house, it is not going to stop me from baking and force feeding whomever crosses my path. Muwhahaha. I'm going to attempt the dangerously difficult macrons so if I have pictures it'll mean that it wen't bad. Otherwise my family won't leave a crumb left.

Stridex Maximum Strength

As I have previously mentioned before, I have horrible acne. It's not only on my face but also on my back. If anyone has experienced Bacne as well, well let me just hold your hand and say a prayer for you as well. Something that I've found that really helps is the Stridex pads that you can get at your drugstore. It's not horrible expensive and there is a coupon for $1 off inside.

This stuff works miracles for my acne on my back. I don't use this for my face because it irritates my face but it's perfect for my back and after a week of usage, my acne fades away nicely. I still have scars to deal with but even the most inflamed pimples die down after using this product. It comes in a screw top jar which keep the pads moist for months without drying out. I've had my latest one for about six months and it is still wet. I use this on and off and not daily so it lasts a while and totally HG worthy. I usually cheat and look for greener pastures with other HG products but I've been using this for 3 years and never have I strayed. It comes in different types so pick one that's right for you. This is a definite repurchase.