Hello Beauty Lovers!
A belated Happy Holidays to everyone!
I am so sorry I have been AWOL for so long! I recently switched careers and have been adjusting but I am going to do my best to be back for good, although I am starting post secondary school next year (just got accepted yay me!) but I really do love blogging and I have even recorded a bunch of videos (I just have to edit, if anyone has any tricks for iMovie please let me know) which hopefully will be up sometime in the new year.
So I am back from my hiatus and I have been reading lots and trying lots of great products so get ready for some reviews! And it is my New Year's Resolution (well one of them) to try and get at least one beauty and one book review per week!
So for the holidays I asked for beauty products, there were certain ones I put specifically on my list but I also just left an open "anything by Josie Maran, Tarte or Too Faced" because I haven't been really disappointed with anything I have got so far from any of those brands. So Christmas morning, I open a gift from my mum and it was this Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Complexion Kit! This is a brand new set from Josie Maran that I believe came out for boxing day and I am not sure how long it will be around so I would get it quickly if you are interested in it. The kit is $82 CAN and includes 3 full sized products, one sample and a deluxe sample (you could call it a travel size), so the kit is totally worth the cost, especially if you are interested in either the light Argan Oil or trying the Matchmaker Foundations.
The set is available in 3 different shades depending on your skin tone, Fair/Light, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. The idea of the foundation is it starts white and is supposed to magically match your skin tone. And my favourite things about Josie Maran products is they are cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free and uses natural and organic ingredients, it really is luxury with a conscience!
The kit comes with a 50ml (1.7 oz) bottle of the Argan Oil Light which is a lighter version of Josie Maran's Argan Oil, which really seems to be spotlight product. I still want to get the original AO to use a night hydrator for my skin but I am looking forward to seeing how the AO Light does underneath foundation, I am going to try it tomorrow and see how it goes and update this post tomorrow.
The next thing in this kit the Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation (15 mL/0.5 oz). I got the kit in the shade fair/light because my skin is nearly porcelain, so I was a little worried it would be too dark for my skin or come off as orange-y because sometimes colour match foundations are, but this one turned out to be perfect for my skin, it blends in flawlessly. So the foundation itself is VERY light coverage, I would say lighter than a BB cream but it blends very easily and is a nice base, and evens out skin tone without looking cakey or artificial. It doesn't cover up excessive redness or hyper pigmentation or dark circles but honestly sometimes I just like something I can throw up in a quick second before going to there grocery store or something, the other BB cream I have requires a little more fuss than this one, and the best part is it doesn't go all weird under powder like some foundations do on my dry skin. It isn't full sized but it is an ample size, I would call it a travel size and it sufficient to decide whether or not you like the product. This will probably become my go to foundation in the summer because it feels so light and almost lotion like and I don't like the feel of heavy foundation in the summer because who really likes sweating off thick foundation.
You also get a full-size of the Argan Matchmake Powder Foundation (6g/0.21oz). This can come off as a little bit cakey if you are not careful but it also gives really nice coverage. I like using it on top of the serum foundation, it doesn't come off as powdery like some other powder foundations can. I also used it on top of another liquid foundation as a touch up powder and it looked flawless and covered up the spots that were fading without looking caked on. And surprisingly it does match my skin pretty close to perfect, if used excessively I can see how it could go a bit orange but with the right amount it looks very nice. And I will be keeping it in my purse to touch up any other foundations I am wearing because it does that very well, which I feel like will extend the life of my foundation from 8-9 hours to 12 hours. And I will continue to experiment with it by itself and with the serum foundation. And this by itself is $34.
This is a great kit if you are new to makeup or have issues with makeup upsetting your skin, or if you just want a really nice way to try the Argan Oil Light or the Matchmaker foundations. These seem like products that would be helpful for people with dry or sensitive skin because there is barely any fragrance and it doesn't feel heavy or irritating on the skin.
The full size Coconut Water Color Cheek Gelee is in the shade Poppy Paradise is a warm toned hot pink according to the description on Sephora, seems like more of straight up red to me. It is a very pretty colour that can work on almost any skin tone if applied carefully. I have only tried it once and I will do an update when I have used it more. I just applied with gentle patting of my finger along the cheeks and it went on my well. The texture is interesting, its almost a mix between a balm and jello, so Gelee is really the best way to describe it. I think it will probably apply better on liquid foundations than powder but I need to experiment and update when I have played with it more.
The last thing in the kit is a sample of the Argan Illuminizer, which I have not tried but when I do I will update! I just thought it was nice to get an extra sample along with the 4 other amazing products in here!
The value of this kit is fantastic, for $82 you get a bottle of Argan Oil Light worth $58, a powder foundation worth $34, a liquid serum foundation worth approximately $25 (the full 30mL size is $50) and a cheek colour worth $29. So this set gives you approximately $146 worth of products for $82. But even more than that you get try some really amazing products! The Argan Oil Light is fantastic, I am looking forward to experimenting with it more. The serum foundation will be amazing in the summer and is a great alternative to a BB cream especially for someone with skin sensitivities or dryness, and it blends in flawlessly with my skin tone which was definitely a surprise! The powder foundation blends in really nicely with my skin, layers well if you don't over apply it and is fantastic to touch up other foundations, and will be going in my purse as my new favourite powder. And last but not least the Cheek Gelee is a very unique cheek product, it goes on like a cream blush but also has a very nice staying and staining power. Oh and you get a sample of the Argan Illuminizer.
This is a complete face kit and is great for a birthday or even a New Year's present by itself or you could throw a mascara, even a trial size of mascara and a lip product and this becomes the ultimate high end starter set for someone new to makeup or for someone you really love and just want to splurge on them. For a great lipstick I would recommend the Argan Love Your Lips Lipstick, which is lovely and hydrating and gives nice colour.
So overall I give this set an 8/10 blushing stars, the foundation worked wonderfully for me and this kit is great value! If you have any questions please ask!
Peace, Love, and Argan Oil ;)
Lady Literary <3
PS. I do not own the image, its from Sephora's website.
A belated Happy Holidays to everyone!
I am so sorry I have been AWOL for so long! I recently switched careers and have been adjusting but I am going to do my best to be back for good, although I am starting post secondary school next year (just got accepted yay me!) but I really do love blogging and I have even recorded a bunch of videos (I just have to edit, if anyone has any tricks for iMovie please let me know) which hopefully will be up sometime in the new year.
So I am back from my hiatus and I have been reading lots and trying lots of great products so get ready for some reviews! And it is my New Year's Resolution (well one of them) to try and get at least one beauty and one book review per week!
So for the holidays I asked for beauty products, there were certain ones I put specifically on my list but I also just left an open "anything by Josie Maran, Tarte or Too Faced" because I haven't been really disappointed with anything I have got so far from any of those brands. So Christmas morning, I open a gift from my mum and it was this Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Complexion Kit! This is a brand new set from Josie Maran that I believe came out for boxing day and I am not sure how long it will be around so I would get it quickly if you are interested in it. The kit is $82 CAN and includes 3 full sized products, one sample and a deluxe sample (you could call it a travel size), so the kit is totally worth the cost, especially if you are interested in either the light Argan Oil or trying the Matchmaker Foundations.
The set is available in 3 different shades depending on your skin tone, Fair/Light, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. The idea of the foundation is it starts white and is supposed to magically match your skin tone. And my favourite things about Josie Maran products is they are cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free and uses natural and organic ingredients, it really is luxury with a conscience!
The kit comes with a 50ml (1.7 oz) bottle of the Argan Oil Light which is a lighter version of Josie Maran's Argan Oil, which really seems to be spotlight product. I still want to get the original AO to use a night hydrator for my skin but I am looking forward to seeing how the AO Light does underneath foundation, I am going to try it tomorrow and see how it goes and update this post tomorrow.
The next thing in this kit the Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation (15 mL/0.5 oz). I got the kit in the shade fair/light because my skin is nearly porcelain, so I was a little worried it would be too dark for my skin or come off as orange-y because sometimes colour match foundations are, but this one turned out to be perfect for my skin, it blends in flawlessly. So the foundation itself is VERY light coverage, I would say lighter than a BB cream but it blends very easily and is a nice base, and evens out skin tone without looking cakey or artificial. It doesn't cover up excessive redness or hyper pigmentation or dark circles but honestly sometimes I just like something I can throw up in a quick second before going to there grocery store or something, the other BB cream I have requires a little more fuss than this one, and the best part is it doesn't go all weird under powder like some foundations do on my dry skin. It isn't full sized but it is an ample size, I would call it a travel size and it sufficient to decide whether or not you like the product. This will probably become my go to foundation in the summer because it feels so light and almost lotion like and I don't like the feel of heavy foundation in the summer because who really likes sweating off thick foundation.
You also get a full-size of the Argan Matchmake Powder Foundation (6g/0.21oz). This can come off as a little bit cakey if you are not careful but it also gives really nice coverage. I like using it on top of the serum foundation, it doesn't come off as powdery like some other powder foundations can. I also used it on top of another liquid foundation as a touch up powder and it looked flawless and covered up the spots that were fading without looking caked on. And surprisingly it does match my skin pretty close to perfect, if used excessively I can see how it could go a bit orange but with the right amount it looks very nice. And I will be keeping it in my purse to touch up any other foundations I am wearing because it does that very well, which I feel like will extend the life of my foundation from 8-9 hours to 12 hours. And I will continue to experiment with it by itself and with the serum foundation. And this by itself is $34.
This is a great kit if you are new to makeup or have issues with makeup upsetting your skin, or if you just want a really nice way to try the Argan Oil Light or the Matchmaker foundations. These seem like products that would be helpful for people with dry or sensitive skin because there is barely any fragrance and it doesn't feel heavy or irritating on the skin.
The full size Coconut Water Color Cheek Gelee is in the shade Poppy Paradise is a warm toned hot pink according to the description on Sephora, seems like more of straight up red to me. It is a very pretty colour that can work on almost any skin tone if applied carefully. I have only tried it once and I will do an update when I have used it more. I just applied with gentle patting of my finger along the cheeks and it went on my well. The texture is interesting, its almost a mix between a balm and jello, so Gelee is really the best way to describe it. I think it will probably apply better on liquid foundations than powder but I need to experiment and update when I have played with it more.
The last thing in the kit is a sample of the Argan Illuminizer, which I have not tried but when I do I will update! I just thought it was nice to get an extra sample along with the 4 other amazing products in here!
The value of this kit is fantastic, for $82 you get a bottle of Argan Oil Light worth $58, a powder foundation worth $34, a liquid serum foundation worth approximately $25 (the full 30mL size is $50) and a cheek colour worth $29. So this set gives you approximately $146 worth of products for $82. But even more than that you get try some really amazing products! The Argan Oil Light is fantastic, I am looking forward to experimenting with it more. The serum foundation will be amazing in the summer and is a great alternative to a BB cream especially for someone with skin sensitivities or dryness, and it blends in flawlessly with my skin tone which was definitely a surprise! The powder foundation blends in really nicely with my skin, layers well if you don't over apply it and is fantastic to touch up other foundations, and will be going in my purse as my new favourite powder. And last but not least the Cheek Gelee is a very unique cheek product, it goes on like a cream blush but also has a very nice staying and staining power. Oh and you get a sample of the Argan Illuminizer.
This is a complete face kit and is great for a birthday or even a New Year's present by itself or you could throw a mascara, even a trial size of mascara and a lip product and this becomes the ultimate high end starter set for someone new to makeup or for someone you really love and just want to splurge on them. For a great lipstick I would recommend the Argan Love Your Lips Lipstick, which is lovely and hydrating and gives nice colour.
So overall I give this set an 8/10 blushing stars, the foundation worked wonderfully for me and this kit is great value! If you have any questions please ask!
Peace, Love, and Argan Oil ;)
Lady Literary <3
PS. I do not own the image, its from Sephora's website.