Curiously Carmen

Beauty: Estee Lauder Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment

At the Estee Lauder Spring 2018 preview event, I was introduced to their new Perfectionist Pro Rapid Firm + Lift Treatment with Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 cream! What a mouthful.

It is definitely a luxury cream, priced at $108.00. Here’s what I thought of it!

What it says (Taken from Estee Lauder website):

This high-speed formula delivers visible improvement to multiple facial zones—along the jawline, cheeks, around eyes and even stubborn laugh lines—for an overall natural, more lifted and youthful look. Instantly: Your skin is radiant, hydrated, rejuvenated.

In 3 Days: Your skin feels smooth, plumped, baby-soft. Gentle AHAs refine skin’s texture.

With a powerful concentration of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8—a custom-designed rebuilding peptide—the formula penetrates quickly. Helps skin boost its natural collagen and elastin to strengthen its vital support network.

Application: The cream comes on a stick, which I usually put on my hand and then apply. It has a somewhat gel/cream texture and is lightweight. I like the pearly finish as well. There is not much scent to it.

Wear: I find that my skin feels instantly hydrated, as the cream absorbs very quickly. The instant hydration and light weight factors are enjoyable for me, because it seems that I am in a rush more often than not.

-Instant hydration
-Leaves skin feeling radiant, plump and soft

-Products with AHA may cause skin sensitivity, so it is best to apply with sunscreen and limit sun exposure
-Not a big fan of the application stick, would prefer a pump

Yay!

Availability: Sephora, online, department stores
Pricing: $100.00 CAD

Beauty: Throwback Products I Loved in High School

While coming up with beauty content ideas, I thought it would be fun to do a throwback product post. These were my absolute favourite products in high school from Grade 8-10, I would say. Doing research and finding pictures of them online has brought back some major memories!

Do you remember any of these products?

Credit: Price Line Pharmacy

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation: My favourite foundation in high school! I remember how amazed I was at foundation. At any given time, I had a couple bottles of these lying around and in different shades too (not sure why….)

Credit: Amazon

Maybelline Dream Liquid Matte Mousse: This foundation is from the same line as above. But, I loved it for a different reason… the texture! It was so bouncy and spongey and fun to play with. I remember wearing this on top of the Dream Liquid Mousse Foundation!

Covergirl Wetslicks – Credit: Amazon

Covergirl Amazemint: I remember going to the mall with Sangria back in the day… and they were giving out free samples of these! They were infused with Colgate toothpaste/mint or something like that… It was advertised as ‘freshening your breath’ while giving you nice glossy lips!!! Fourteen year old me was sold and I had a couple of these too after I finished the sample… how cringy HAHA. I had a pink frosty one too LOL!!!

Credit: Style Caster

La Senza Beauty Rush Lip Gloss: My mom and I were obsessed with the lipglosses from La Senza too. It was an alternate between the Covergirl Amazemint and these. They often went on sale so we stocked up, and they made good gifts too. I really liked these because they had a fruity smell… I was so tempted to lick my lips!!!

Credit: Amazon

La Senza Beauty Rush Eyeshadow: Not kidding when I said we really liked La Senza beauty products… I’m not even sure if they sell them anymore these days?? Anyways, the eyeshadow came in a tube and I remember I had a glittery black one which was my favourite.

Credit: Amazon

MAC Fluidline: The last product was a ‘splurge’, I am using quotation marks because they currently sell this for $17.50 which isn’t that expensive. But as a teen, this was the most expensive product I purchased!

 

Going down memory lane is always fun! Hours can go by when I look at nostalgic products. The other day, I was looking at old 90s toys that I used to love as well!

Any of these products bring up old memories for you too?!

Beauty: Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

The Anastasia Beverly Hills is one of the most popular eyeshadow palettes in the beauty community. Rich, beautiful pigments make this a must have in any girl (or boy)’s makeup drawer. I am happy to say that my makeup drawer contains it as well, thanks to Maki! Here’s what I thought of it!
What it says (Taken from Sephora):

A present-day take on Renaissance colors, this eye palette features 14 shades that let you create stylish, day to night looks. From the earthy yellow and ultra-matte finish of Golden Ochre to Primavera’s shimmer gold with a metallic finish, this palette’s high-pigment shadows are crease and fade-resistant and are sure to bring modern elegance to your eye looks. 

Application: Each of these shades are so beautiful and romantic! For my first use, I was a bit indecisive since I just wanted to put all the colours on my eyelids! Alas, I didn’t have enough time to do that so I used primavera, a shimmery gold!

A little goes a long way with this palette. A tiny dab into the palette was more than plenty of colour. After seeing how vibrant it was, I could see why this palette is so popular. In addition, it was buttery smooth and blended very nicely.

Wear: Using the Urban Decay Primer Potion, I was a bit disappointed because it didn’t last the whole day. However, I am thinking that the UDPP only works well with UD products, because I noticed that when I use it with other brands, it doesn’t last as long either. So I’m going to try this with another eyeshadow primer and see how long it lasts.

Any recommendations on eye shadow primers? I heard that the Benefit and NYX ones are pretty good?

-Absolutely beautiful, stunning romantic shades
-Very pigmented
-Applies very smoothly and easy to blend

-None!

Yay!

Product received as gift from friend. Opinions are own.

Beauty: Estee Lauder Spring 2018 Preview

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Estee Lauder Spring 2018 preview! It’s an event I always look forward to attending because of the innovative products they come out with.

I meant to write this post last week, but I fell terribly ill with the flu and was sick in bed!
One of the main focuses of the Spring preview is the launch of the Perfectionist Pro cream. It is a rapid firm & lift treatment which is supposed to show instant results. I have been using it for the past two weeks and I do agree that it is quite instant. I like that it has a pearly sheen to it and makes my face feel plump and hydrated right away!
The other main focus is the Instant Wrinkle Filler. Although I’m not at the stage of my life yet where I have to fill in wrinkles, this can be used as a preventative measure. At the event, I found out that these days, us young people are more willing to splurge on high quality skincare products to prevent aging rather than on makeup. These days, we prefer to prevent wrinkles rather than treat.

As well, the Instant Wrinkle Filler can be used as a primer. Compared to the Perfectionist Pro cream above, the Wrinkle Filler was really thick but absorbed quickly and felt light weight.
It’s not an Estee Lauder preview without many different shades of lipsticks! Pictured above are the matte, vinyl, and glossy lipsticks. I brought home one of the vinyl lipsticks which I have been wearing almost everyday since! Expect a full review on that.
Today is Chinese New year, which is fitting for the post! Estee Lauder released some limited edition bottles of their classic Advanced Night Repair. Red and gold signify happiness and wealth in the Chinese culture, and they do have a large Asian market.
There hasn’t been an AERIN fragrance launch that I didn’t enjoy. This was no different. The scent is titled ‘Hibiscus Palm’.

Stay tuned for a review on the Perfectionist Pro cream and also the vinyl lipstick! And Happy Chinese New year 🙂

Beauty: Four Brands I Have Discovered Through Blogging

Four may seem like a bit of a random number, but the reason why I chose four is because it is my four year blogiversary today! Yup, four years ago, I created this lil blog… with no idea what I would have in store.

It’s crazy how this blog has been such an integral part of my life and identity now. I never expected to be this involved with it but it combines my love of writing and sharing what I know.

In celebration of my four years of blogging, I thought I would share four of my absolute favourite brands that I have discovered (through beauty bloggers or as PR products). This does not include brands that I have heard of prior to blogging!

Amie:  I feel like this brand came as quickly as it disappeared… LOL I say this because  I was told that they were launching in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart, but I haven’t seen there products on shelf either. I asked the beauty counter and called a couple stores too, and they were confused.

Anyways, I ran out of their mask which I love for spot treatment (seriously kills pimples overnight) so I just ordered off Amazon and they shipped it from the UK. Their other face products are pretty good and affordable as well.

KORRES: Wild Rose Brightening Oil. Need I say more?! <3

essence: I discovered this brand off other bloggers, who raved about their affordability and effectiveness. For $2, the eyebrow pencil is great and lasts all day (as long it doesn’t get wet).

Seche Vite: Again, I discovered this off other bloggers as a great top coat, and I haven’t looked back since purchasing a bottle off of Nail Polish Canada. It’s the only top coat I use. My nail polish lasts for days, before it used to only last a day which was annoying.