Top 5: Eye Creams

A longtime in the making, I finally bring you my Top 5 favorite eye creams that I've discovered over the last few years. These are my holy grail, for lack of a better phrase, eye creams that I like to use to brighten, depuff, add moisture, and apply under makeup. 

Even though eye creams can be a bit of a controversial topic, I hope you enjoy the video and be sure to let me know blow in the comments what your favorite eye creams are! 

And of course, there are definitely more than 5 eye creams mentioned in the video :)

Be sure to like and subscribe to see more!

Love, 

Claire

Evening Skincare Routine

As a natural follow up to my morning skincare routine, I bring you my evening skincare routine. The video explains and shows you how I remove my makeup after a long day of work, cleanse, and nourish my skin. My skincare routine is very important to maintaining the health of my skin. Since my skin is so sensitive and acne-prone, if I skip even one night.morning of my routine, my skin will show it, via a break out or increased discoloration. Make sure to leave a comment telling me your favorite skincare products below! I hope you enjoy the video!

Products Mentioned:

Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

Elemis Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash

Mario Basdescu Glycolic Grapefruit Lotion 

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, & Rosewater

The Balm Pomegranate Restorative Facial Serum

Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Moisturizer

Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

Nuxe Reve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm

Thanks for watching!

Claire

Morning Skincare Routine

A long awaited and much requested video, I bring you My Morning Skincare Routine. I love my skincare, there is no doubt about that, and in this video I give you mini reviews and show you how I use all my morning products. I also share a little on my philosophy behind my morning cleansing and moisturizing ritual. Do note, and proceed with caution, everyone's skin is different and may react differently to various ingredients and products. Something that works beautifully for me, can have adverse reactions on you. Thus, take advantage of samples and testers at your locals stores and counters. And always remember to patch test new skincare on a hard to see area on your neck/chin before going hog wild! Be sure to watch the video below to see how I start my day and the products that give me clear and hydrated skin! 

Make sure to stay tuned for my evening skincare routine and a third part featuring sunscreens, exfoliants, and treatments.

I hope you guys enjoyed the video and be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel and follow my blog to see more!

Thanks!

Empties: March 2014

Only after a mere two weeks, I completed enough products to fill up an entire bag to talk about! Many of the deluxe samples I tried ended up being full size purchases during the Sephora VIB Rouge 15% Sale. Check out the video below to see my mini reviews of all the products I used up during the last half of march (aka since my Current Empties video).

Products Mentioned:

Shiseido Facial Cotton

Julep Quick Dry Drops

Philosophy Fresh Peaches with Cream Body Lotion

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Honey & Vanilla Dream Body Wash & Foam Gel (discontinued)
Tresemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo
Rene Furterer Fiorvanti No-Rinse Detangling Spray
Joico K-Pak Shampoo
Joico K-Pak Conditioner
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads
MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50
PCA SKIN Clearskin
Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum
Marc Jacobs Lash Lifter Gel Definition Mascara 20 Blaquer
MAC Prep + Prime Lash

Samples

Aqua di Parma Colonia Intensa

 Prada Infusion d'Iris Eau de Parfum

Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Lotion
Amika Oil Treatment
Phyto Phytobaume Hydration Express Conditioner
Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Brilliance Shampoo
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Conditioner
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser 
First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser
Urban Decay B6 Vitamin-Infused Complexion Prep Spray
Sephora Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Dior Capture Totale One Essential
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

Candles

Bath & Body Works Wild Strawberry (discontinued)

Hope you enjoyed, 

Claire

2013 Favorites: Hair, Body, & Tools

Finally, the last installment of my overdue 2013 Favorites featuring haircare, body care, and tools (including brushes). There were a surprisingly large amount of items in this category, and many extremes (i.e. mentions of Bath & Body Works items while also Oribe). I've found myself over the last year really getting into makeup brushes and starting to appreciate the art of a well manufactured brush and that affects it can have on your makeup application. I've even already made a few more brush investments in 2014 that I'm excited to share and review! Let me know what you think of the video in the comments below and I hope you enjoy!

Products Mentioned

Korres Body Butter Guava

Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream

Origins Ginger Burst Savory Body Wash

Bath & Body Works Cashmere Glow Shower Gel

Bath & Body Works True Blue Spa Malibu Smooth Body Scrub

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish

L'Occitane Almond Delicious Hand Cream

Beauty Blender

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Real Techniques Contour Brush

Real Techniques Multi Task Brush

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush

Sephora Classic Mineral Powder Brush #45

Sephora Pro Flawless Airbrush #56

Sigma F80 Flat Kabuki

Sonia Kashuk Domed Blusher Brush No. 29

Sonia Kashuk Blusher Brush No. 2

MAC 150 Large Powder Brush

MAC 109 Small Contour Brush

Kevyn Aucoin Concealer Brush

Bobbi Brown Ultrafine Eye Liner Brush

MAC 217 Blending Brush

MAC 219 Pencil Brush

MAC 286 Duo Fibre Blending Brush

MAC 239 Eye Shading Brush

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Living Proof Flex Shaping Hairspray

Love,
Claire

2013 Favorites: Skincare

2013 Favorites or not the following products below that I talk about in the video linked are all time favorites. These are the products that really stood out to me over 2013. In truth, I would have very much like to have uploaded this video when it was filmed in January, but due to life, moving, surgeries, and an inability to handle my sh*t, I bring you the second installment of my 2013 favorites today! I definitely felt as this was still relevant and quality content and I certainly hope you guys enjoy!

Products Mentioned:

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water

Lancome "Eau Fraiche Douceur" Micellar Cleansing Water

Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover

Bobbi Brown Soothing Cleansing Oil

Shiseido Facial Cotton

Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish

Origins Modern Friction

Alpha-H Liquid Gold

Kiehl's Over-Night Biological Peel

Mario Badescu Glycolic Grapefruit Cleansing Lotion

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater

Kiehl's Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Serum

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skin Tone Illuminator

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

NUDE Radiant Day Moisturizer

PCA Skin Clearskin

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Pai Rosehip Bioregenerate

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye

Clarins UV Plus HP Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40
Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 34
Kiehl's Acne Blemish Control Skin-Clearing Treatment
Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask
Mario Basdescu Healing & Soothing Mask
GLAMGLOW SUPER-MUD Clearing Treatment
Skin 79 Rose Moisture Mask
KORRES Lip Butter Guava
BY TERRY Baume de Rose

Love,
Claire

Favorites: December 2013

Better late than never, a month of struggle to say the least. With a broken wrist and impending surgery it's been difficult to use certain products (i.e. cleansing oil) but I have found solace is trying out new products. Thus resulting in a few new favorites this month. Ones that really stood out were the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm inTender Mauve and one of my favorite nudes, Bite Beauty Retsina. 

Be sure to watch the video below to see the full reviews on all the products I have been loving over the month of December!

Products Mentioned:

Amika Nourishing Hair Mask
Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub
Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate
Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Eye Cream
Nars "And God Created The Woman" Eyeshadow Palette
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow Birthday Suit
Marc Jacobs Shameless Bold Blush in 206 Reckless
L'Oreal Colour Riche Lip Balm 518 Tender Mauve
Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Retsina

Thanks for watching!

Love,
Claire

Empties: November 2013

The last day of December and I'm posting my November Empties. I've become such a cliche bad blogger. But I promise, I will not apologize. Empty products and mini reviews are fun to read/watch regardless of when and how long it took to finish the product. Moving on, November was a month of finishing large quantities of key hair styling products while also getting rid of a few products that have been needing to move out of my collection. Products to be missed are the Bumble & bumble prep and the Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cleansing Lotion. Be sure to check out the video below to watch my mini reviews on all the products listed.

Products Mentioned:

Dove Go Fresh Body Mist, Rebalance: Plum & Sakura Blossom
Banana Boat Protect & Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50*
Bath & Body Works Gentle Foaming Hand Soap "Keep Calm Carve On" (Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin)*
Julep Facial For Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub*
the Balm En Root Moisturize My Hair Shampoo*
Bumble & bumble Color Minded Conditioner
DevaCurl Styling Cream*
Suave Kids Double Dutch Apple Detangling Spray*
Bumble & bumble Prep*
The Healing Garden Cleansing Body Wash Soothing White Tea
H&M Body Butter Coconut Line (discontinued)
Mario Badescu Keratoplast Cleansing Lotion*
Etre Belle Collagen & Aloe Vera Hydro Mask*
Origins Clear Improvement*
Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray*
Maybeline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer Radiant*

Travel/Sample Sizes

Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo*
Pureology Hydrate Conditioner*
L'Oreal EverCreme Intense Nourishing Conditioner*
Number 4 Hair Clarifying Shampoo
St. Ives Ultra Moisturizing Body Wash Oatmeal & Shea Butter
Korres Body Butter Apple Blossom*
Origins Modern Friction*
bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer*

* = will repurchase

Hope you enjoyed!

Love,
Claire

Holiday Gift Guide 2013

The holidays is the perfect time of the year to load up on skincare favorites, makeup sets, and all the glorious products that are brought out this time of the year. In the video linked below I go through some of my favorite picks that have been released this season. Keep your eyes peeled for after the holidays, when these items are likely to go on sale. Enjoy the video!

Products Mentioned:

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega Relief
Origins Greats
Perricone MD The Science of Cold Plasma
Ole Henriksen Ole La La Glow From Head To Toe Blockbuster Set
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Steamer Solutions
Archipelago Winter Frost Gift Box Candle
Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette
Tarte Stop & Stare 6-Piece Eyeliner & Lash Set
Sephora Give Me More Lip Kit
Marc Jacobs The Showstopper Set

Hope you enjoy!

Love,

Claire

Empties: October 2013

Even though it's almost December I still thought I would share my October Empties. Ones I will miss are the Kiehl's Magic Elixer and the NUDE Day Moisturizer. These are definite repurchases down the line. As a product junkie, I've always got plenty of backups and more fun products to try. But every once in a while I come back to my tried and true products. I hope you enjoy the video linked below!

Products Mentioned:

the Balm En Root Moisturize My Hair Conditioner

Kiehl's Magic Elixer Hair Restructuring Concentrate with Rosemary Leaf & Avocado Oils*

LUSH Whoosh Shower Jelly*

Shiseido Facial Cotton*
Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum*
Origins Clean Energy*
Butter London Acetone Free Lacquer Remover Pumpkin Warrior (discontinued)
Butter London Acetone Free Lacquer Remover Branwen's Berries (discontinued)
Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect Hand Cream SPF 15

Marc Jacobs Lola Eau de Parfum Purse Spray*
Origins Plantscription Anti-aging Concealer Light*

Travel Sizes/Deluxe Samples:

Alterna Bamboo Style Cleanse Extend Translucent Dry Shampoo

BVLGARI Eau Parfumee White Tea Shampoo & Shower Gel

Clarins Body Lift Cellulite Control

Shea Terra Organics Whipped Shea Butter Ultimate Moisturizing Body Creme Bourbon Vanilla*

Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water*
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner*
Ole Henrikson Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster*
Murad Clarifying Cleanser
NUDE Perfect Cleansing Oil Face & Eyes
NUDE Radiant Day Moisturizer*
Algenist Overnight Restorative Cream*

Samples:

NARS Makeup Removing Water
Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Serum*
Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Moisturizing Cream

NEST Midnight Fleur Eau de Parfum*
bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer*
Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara*
Dior Hydra Life BB Eye Creme*
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch*

Hope you enjoyed!

Claire

Empties: September 2013

As usual, my empties video is over 20 minutes long! Over the past month I came to the completion of more makeup items than ever before! Make sure to watch the video linked below to see mini reviews of all the products I finished up over the month of September. Many favorites went into the recycle bin, but of course there were many that I will never purchase again.

Products Mentioned:

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap Malibu Citrus (discontinued)*

Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Soap Pacific Blue (discontinued)*

Butter London Acetone Free Lacquer Remover Sergeant Peppermint (discontinued)*

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo & Conditioner*
Kiehl's Extra Strength Conditioning Rinse for Dry or Damaged Hair*
LUSH Jasmine & Henna Fluff Eaze Hair Treatment*
Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream*
Lush Sympathy for the Skin Hand & Body Lotion*
Thymes Garden Alchemy Rosemary Sage Shower Gel
REN Guerande Salt Exfoliating Body Balm*
Origins Ginger Float Cream Bubble Bath*
Bioderma Crealine H2O Micelle Solution*
Lumene Sensitive Touch Gentle Cleansing Wipes
Chanel Lift Lumiere Firming & Smoothing Fluid Makeup SPF 15*
MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder Light*
Boscia Skin Perfecting Primer (discontinued)
Stila Lip Glaze Fantasy (discontinued)*
Maybeline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner Black
MAC False Lashes Extreme Black*
Buxom Lash
CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara

Travel/Sample Sizes:

L'Occitane Aromachologie Soothing Shampoo*
Tresemme Moisture Rich, Vitamin E Conditioner for Dry or Damaged Hair
Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Heat Protect Spray
Oscar Blandi Pronto Texture & Volume Spray
Orofluido Elixer*
Shikai Borage Therapy Advanced Formula Fragrance Free
Grecian Oil Body Lotion (x4)
Kiehl's Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit Hand & Body Lotion*
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil*
Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich Body Lotion
Origins Blade Runner Energizing Shave Cream*
Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish*
Evian Mineral Water Spray To Go*
Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster*
Perricone MD Blue Plasma*
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser (x2)*
Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil
bareMinerals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum*
Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed*
Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream*
Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+*

Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 High-Potency Vitamin Enriched Daily Moisturizing Cream*

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Eye*

Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer

Too Faced Shadow Insurance*

Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau de Parfum Spray*

* = I would repurchase

Hope you enjoy!

Empties: February 2013

Just because there are fewer days in February, it does not mean that I will finish fewer products. Really though, the addiction has not faltered and I still finished an entire bag of products over the month of February. Yes, many of the products took months of use, but still, I have a problem. Regardless, here are the products that I finished over the month of February.

Products Mentioned:

Red Flower Italian Blood Orange Cleansing Hand Soap*
Softsoap Deep Cleansing Sea Mineral Hand Soap*
Home & Body Company Olive Leaf Oil Oil Hand Soap in Lavender Vanilla*
Klorane Soothing Make-Up Removing Wipes with Cornflower Water
Boscia Restorative Amino 3-P Firming Treatment
Walgreens Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Pixi Waterproof Makeup Remover
Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner*
Origins Incredible Spreadable Smoothing Ginger Body Scrub*
Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover*
Studio 35 Beauty Regular Nail Polish Remover Pads*
Julep One-Step Polish Remover Packette (x3)
Lush The Enchanter Bath Bomb*
Lush Father Christmas Bath Bomb*
Lush Cinders Bath Bomb*
Lush Snow Globe Bath Bomb*
Studio 35 Beauty Premium Cotton Rounds
Sensodyne Full Protection plus Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste*
Vitafusion Vitamin D3, 2000 IU Gummy Vitamins*
Crystal Peel Vitamin E Lip Therapy*

Sample/Travel Sizes:

Ahava Deadsea Water Mineral Hand Cream
Lorac Tantalizer Body Bronzing Lumenizer in Deep*
Algenist Overnight Restorative Cream*
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream*
bareMinerals Advanced Protection SPF 20 Moisterizer
Kiehl's Amino Acid Conditioner*
Bumble & Bumble Color Minded Conditioner*
Cristophe Denise Richards Volume Extend Finishing Spray*
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Eau de Toilette (x2)*
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum*
Coach Poppy Eau de Parfum (x2)
Hanae Mori Eau de Parfum
L'Occitaine Almond Shower Oil*
Skin & Co. Roma Bagnodoccia D'Olivia Cleansing Body Gel with Olive & Sicilian Orange Extract*
Aveeno Daily Moisterizing Lotion
Korres Body Butter Basil Lemon*
MAC Zoom Lash Mascara

* = I would repurchase

Holy Crap!
Love,
Claire

Favorites: February 2013

Another month, another favorites video. This time around I had a lot more makeup bits than normal since I've been experimenting a bit more with different eye looks. I'm pretty settled in my skincare but there were still a few bits that I received as samples that really impressed me as well. Make sure to watch the video below to get a better and more detailed description of each product!

Products Mentioned:

The Balm Meet Matt(e) Nude Eyeshadow Palette

MAC All That Glitters

Maybeline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black

Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Amethyst

Nars Brozing Powder in Laguna

Mac Brush 109

Benefit Bella Bamba

Origins VitaZing

Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Repair Eye Serum

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Love,

Claire