NEW BLOG

HELLO BLOGGER, I'VE BEEN GONE FOR A WHILE BUT I'M NOW ON WORDPRESS.

I've been posting since January and have lots of things in the work for the rest of the year, if you haven't completely forgotten about me I'd love to share with you there. 

www.imaninikkol.com

www.imaninikkol.com

www.imaninikkol.com

NEW L'Oreal Pure Clay Masks - Exfoliate, Detox, Purify

I am soo very excited to share this post with you all today. I've been making sure to make skincare a top priority over this year and masks have been a major contributor to attaining the smooth flawless skin I strive for. That being said, you can imagine my anticipation and excitement when L'Oreal Paris released a line of Pure Clay Face Masks. This line of skincare is an outstanding example of a sophisticated and affordable option for skincare junkies. With 3 options to choose from, L'Oreal did a great job of providing options for every skin type

1. Pure-Clay Exfoliate and Refining Treatment Mask

2. Pure-Clay Detox and Brighten Treatment Mask 

3. Pure-Clay Purify and Mattify Treatment Mask 

All three masks contain a blend of 3 pure clays as the base for each mask, as well as a specific key ingredient, giving each a specific purpose. 

Koalin ; a highly effective natural clay which absorbs impurities and excess sebum

Montmorillonite; a mineral rich clay that helps to illuminate imperfections

Ghassoul; a highly concentrated pure clay enriched with minerals known to help clarify your complexion

Beginning the the Exfoliate and Refining Mask, this acts as a double duty skincare heavy hitter by first clearing out clogged pores while the mask dries, then once water activated, turns into a tough yet gentle exfoliant, sure to remove any stubborn dirt and grime deep within pores. It's key ingredient, Red Algae, gives this mask it's noticeable red color. This immediately became my favorite of the bunch, I love when a product gives you the most bang for your buck. This two-fer is definitely a keeper. 

The Detox and Brighten mask is loaded with the power of charcoal, this masks essentially acts as a magnet for dirt in clogged pores, extracting the dirt to the surface of the skin, revealing a clear and radiant complexion for all skin types. After using this for an entire week, my skin was truly glowing from the inside out. My favorite thing about this mask is, while the mask lays on clean dry skin you can actually see it pulling the dirt to the surface of your skin.

The last of the bunch is my favorite to use before a night when I want my skin to be babydoll perfect. Loaded with Eucalyptus, this masks purifies and mattifies the skin while providing a soothing and tranquil experience. Also, the smell of eucalyptus lingers on your skin until it dries flat.

Once washed off with warm water, skin is matte, but moisturized providing a clean blank canvas for makeup.

I've been thoroughly impressed with these babies since the moment I tried them.

My favorite way to indulge is to use them all in specific targeted areas to get my skin absolutely flawless.

They retail or anywhere from $11.99-$15.29 at drugstores and big box retailers.

So, have you tried these? Which one(s) will you be picking up, and why ?

Thanks for stopping by, XO

August 2016 Favorites and Regrets

Hey, Hi, Helloo !!

Alright, so this month I tried a ton of new products and didn't love them all. I figured I'd share the products that didn't work out for me to help you, help yaself. 

Let's jump right in 

1. Eylure Luxe Lashes in Gilded

During a July trip to Ulta, I noticed a gorgeous new line of faux mink lashes by my favorite drugstore brand. So I obviously had to try them. 

Eylure released three styles in a new Luxe line of lashes, I purchased two in the styles Gilded and Opulent. 

I've been wearing Gilded nonstop this entire month. 

The band is extremely thin, lightweight and flexible. The lashes themselves are so thick, glossy and beautiful, they've replaced my Ardell Demi Wispies as an everyday lash. 

They're not as natural looking by any means as the Demi Wispies, but they instantly take an average easy makeup look to another level. And if you're like me, being a little extra is never a bad thing. 

If you're looking for some affordable, game changing lashes go pick up a few pairs of these babies. 

2. Makeup Revolution Baked Vivid Highlighter in Golden Lights

If you follow me on instagram, you may have already noticed an increase in use of Makeup Revolution products in general, and for good reason. I plan on doing an entire brand review for you guys, because Makeup Revolution doesn't get enough hype as far as I'm concerned. But that's coming up very soon. 

A few months ago I bought a baked highlighter in the shade Radiant Lights from this brand, and was immediately impressed. The pigmentation is ridiculous for the price ($5.99 at Ulta), so naturally I picked up Golden Lights. 

You guys, when I say this is the most beautiful, creamy, irridescent white gold highlighter I have EVER used... it's a big deal. 

When I try to go back to other highlighters, I'm underwhelmed (is that a word?) Even adding just a soft touch of this on top of any other highlights just amplifies the glow, and when you wanna be seen from space, and you want to blind people with your highlight. This is definitely for you. 

3. Lancome Visionnaire Nuit Beauty Sleep Perfector

I've always been weary of expensive night creams, mainly because I'm broke, and ballin' on a budget has always been my motto when it comes to skincare, but I'm not 18 anymore and my skin is beginning to show it. Which is normal. This entire summer I've been on a mission to clear up my skin completely, a task I didn't think would be too difficult, but I've bought, tried, and returned more skincare products in the past 3-4 months than I have in my entire life. So after doing some research and searching for advice, my roommate recommended this night cream to me. 

I have mild-moderate texture on my cheeks and jawline. It's more annoying than anything, and I've never been able to get them to go away and stay away for more than 6weeks. 

I've been using this night cream, without fail for the past 5 weeks and the texture is almost gone.

I apply a thin layer onto skin after removing my makeup and washing the day away. And it's made a huge difference. 

After the first week, my skin glowed in the morning. 

After the second week, I noticed less texture and a more even skin tone 

The results keep coming and I am nothing less than ecstatic. 

Especially with being a beauty blogger, I notice more imperfections than most people on my own skin, so the possibility of getting completely flawless skin is amazing. 

4. Morphe M437 (not pictured)

I've been using this brush for sculpting my face the entire month of August, and it's made applying and blurring out the contour powder an absolute dream.

If use to side of the brush to pick up product and initially place the product on to my cheekbones.

Then using the very top of the brush for blending out the lines and perfecting.

If you're looking for a new favor contour brush. This one might be it.

I have a few other brushes that I'm trying for contour, but this had been by far the standout brush of the month.

5. Lancome Grandiose Extreme Mascara

I wear falsies literally everyday, and have for the past 6months or so. So you could say I'm extra. But whatever.

I picked this up after throwing out 12 tubes of mascara (I know !) and I'm so happy I did.

It has a swan neck wand that allows for the most precise application even on the teeniest lashes.

The applicator does an amazing job at lifting, volumizing and separating my sad baby lashes, and ever since purchasing this mascara I've opted to go without a false lash if I'm just running errands.

It may not seem like a big thing, but it is you guys. It really is. 

6. L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Exfoliate & Refining Treatment Mask

If you didn't know, L'Oreal Paris released a brand new line of Pure-Clay masks that you can pick up at your local drugstore. I've been obsessed with perfecting my skin to create an even canvas for makeup for a few months and this has been a game changer. I'm working on a full review that will be up early next week, so I don't want to go into too much detail, but if you're looking for an affordable 'do-it-all' mask. I highly recommend this.

Now,  a few products that just sucked for me. 

1. Airspun Translucent Powder

The only reason you might not be familiar with this product is if you're an Alaskan Bush person and dwell in trees and under rocks. This powder has been talked about all over the internet and social media for what feels like forever and I've never tried it. I 100% completely regret this powder and here's why.

I used this first for setting my liquid foundation one day, after snapping a few selfies noticed the most intense white cast. Okay, so then I tried setting my undereye concealer with this, and it made my oily undereyes look like paper machet. Then finally, just for shits and gigs, used this to bake different areas of my face. And it was terrible. The only way to get rid of the awful powdery residue on my face was by dousing entirely too much setting spray or misting water which usually resulted in my foundation then looking patchy, or eye product dripping on to my skin.

If you like this awesome, but if you're weary I would stay away.

Especially if you're dry. Even a little.

2. Makeup Revolution Mermaids Forever Palette

I'm still shocked that this baby is on the regrets list. I'm going to keep trying it out just to be sure that is actually sucks, but... you guys... this palette just did not work for me.

This palette with 30 shimmer eyeshadows is worse than the old BHCosmetics palettes to me.

The eyeshadows just do not adhere to any brushes.

Synthetic, Natural hair, lip brushes, eye brushes, fingers, nothing.

3. St. Ives Even & Bright Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Scrub

Ohmygod, this thing is awful.

It did not exfoliate my skin at all you guys. Like I hated myself for buying this after the first time I used it. In May (!!!) It's been sitting in my shower, and I've been trying to love this stuff, but it's just really really not good. The consistency is enticing, it's creamy with small moderately abrasive granules to get deep down into your pores and release all the dirt, but when applied to the face it truly feels like you're just rubbing a thick lotion into your skin.

After washing this off my face has never looked any different or better, even with continued use.

I really tried to love this, but ugh, it's just bad.

Thanks so much for stopping by, XO

What products were you loving / hating this month ??

G L O // U P

Hey, hi, hellooooo !
Okay so if you've been following my blog journey for a while now, then you know I started this little baby when I was away at school a few years ago.

Since then I've had a few hiatuses and periods where I truly just didn't have the mojo or inspiration to keep this blog a float.

That being said, I think it's important to reflect on the growth I've had over the years.
I deserve it. 

So, I went back in to the archives and found a few of my most viewed posts and I've decided to recreate those looks, or re do them completely using the same color scheme. 

Now lemme preface this by saying, back in the day....ya girl didn't have the skills or tools she has now, so prepare yourself to be shocked by the amount of unblended creases, badly shaped eyebrows and other really terrible things. 

Progress is a really beautiful thing. Ha. 

So let's jump into it. Now that you've readied yourself. 

The first installment of these posts is a redo of my White[Gold] Hot look.

If you wanna check out the original post with details and other unflattering images from 2011... feel free. 

And here is my updated 2016 take on this look.

EYES

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Chocolate

Wet N Wild Beauty Photofocus Primer

BHCosmetics 120 Palette

Morphe Brushes eyeshadows in Caramelized, Rosewood and Secretive

NYC Color Cosmetics Liquid Liner in Jet Black

Eylure Luxe Lashes in Gilded

FACE
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra in 470 Suede

Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer

e.l.f. cosmetics High Definition Undereye Powder

Ulta Mineral Powder in Translucent

NYX Cosmetics Powder Blush in Spice

NYX Contour Kit

Makeup Revolution Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights

LIPS

Maybelline Color Jolt lipcreme in Nude Thrill

Thanks for stopping by, xo !