Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst


Today let's talk a little bit about luxury high-performance organic skincare. I have the Kypris Moonlight Catalyst here which I have been using consistently since March. As such I had a good amount of time to see how it performs, if it made any difference and eventually if it's worth the money.

Kypris Moonlight Catalyst
As per usual let's quickly look at the packaging. I think both the outer box and the actual glass bottle are stunning. I really like its presentation, aesthetics and uniqueness. What's more it actually feels and looks luxurious to me. Very often you pay immense amounts of money for a product and it comes in a cheap plastic packaging and even worse if it comes in a jar (meaning that it get's exposed to the air every time you open it and it looses all it's valuable properties).


Kypris Moonlight Catalyst simply put is an exfoliating serum that you use ONLY at night. It enhances cellular renewal, refines skin texture and evens skin tone. In my opinion you get a good amount of product (47ml) and it should last you for 6 months after opening. The consistency is that of a gel and you need 3-4 drops to cover your face and neck. You can use it on its own as a last step of your night routine or in combination with Kypris Beauty Elixirs or other oils, moisturizers of your choice. It's also a fantastic alternative to traditional retinol treatments if those are too harsh for you or if you are pregnant. 

It's packed full of amazing ingredients such as fermented pumpkin enzyme, Hawaiian sea algae, xylitylglucosides, rosehip seed extract, sea buckthorn fruit extract and neroli flower extract just to name a few. It's free from essential oils, it's vegan, cruelty-free and is sustainably sourced. 

Naturally anyone can use this product but it's especially beneficial for dull, tired or blemish-prone skin. Since it's an exfoliator and reveals new skin you HAVE to use an SPF during the day regardless of the season. 


As to my experience with this product, I have been blown away to say the least! I have never seen a skin care product deliver such visible results. I am talking about people commenting on how good my skin looks. I am not saying this as a person that naturally has good skin to begin with, that is not at all the case. I am actually a good example of someone that has struggled with pimples, texture and dark spots for years. Therefore, when I get compliments from people about my skin it's a BIG deal. I also noticed that my skin feels much smoother, I have less break-outs and it's more radiant. I will with no doubt continue using this product and re-purchase. 

Overall, I can warmly recommend the Kypris Moonlight Catalyst. Sure it's pricey but if you consider the amount you get (47ml NOT 30ml) and how much other luxury brands cost (e.g Sunday Riley, Tata Harper, Vitner's Daughter etc.) it's not that bad. Luckily it's becoming more available internationally and you can get it from CultBeauty or if you are in Finland from Liinu'n Organic Beauty

I hope you found this useful. I can't wait to try more Kypris products. I have been eyeing their Pot of Shade - Heliotropic broad spectrum SPF 30. Let me know if you have tried it!

Until next time,
Muffy

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

True Organic of Sweden - All You Need Is Me



Hello people of the internet, long time no see. Today I am going to review the All You Need Is Me multipurpose balm by the True Organic of Sweden. Even thought it's called a multipurpose balm I bought it with an intention of using primarily as a lip balm/treatment.   

I am not going to lie: things that attracted me to this product were Scandinavian minimalistic packaging and a list of ingredients. There is really nothing to say about the packaging design other than it's simple, functional and aesthetically pleasing (at least to me). An added bonus is that the outer packaging is made out of sustainable carton and the actual tube of green polyethylene (not plastic), which is obtained from sugarcane. The product comes in a tube of 15ml and 50ml. The one featured here is a smaller size. In terms of ingredients I can't stress enough how much I appreciate that it doesn't contain petrolatum. Instead it has castor oil, beeswax, olive oil, shea butter, vitamin E, blueberry seed oil and sunflower oil. It's certified organic.

True Organic Of Sweden, All You Need Is Me, multipurpose balm (15ml)
It promises to protect from dry, flaky, cracked or thirsty skin. You can apply it on the lips, nose, knees, feet, elbows, cuticles or hair. Sounds like an awesome allrounder, right? Well, I can't attest to that since I used it only on my lips. Having used up almost an entire tube, I can say that it's an OK product. I don't dislike it and I don't love it. Mainly because it's not hydrating enough. I like the texture and that is has almost no scent. You can perhaps detect a little hint of olive oil but nothing overpowering. However, when I put it at night I still wake up with relatively dry lips, despite the numerous amount of oils. It does work better during the warmer months simply because my lips are not as flaky and dry to begin with compared to winter seasons. 

I think it's good value for money, especially if you purchase a bigger tube. I bought mine at a discount for about 9,90 euros (usual price 12,90). The larger size costs 24,90 euros and you get 3 times the amount of product. In Finland you can get it at the local department store - Sokos or otherwise at the True Organic of Sweden website

Overall I'd say if you are not particularly dry and looking for an organic alternative to the oh so famous Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (which was not mosturizing enough for me either), this is a good one to check out. 

Let me know what your suggestions are for an extremely hydrating lip balm that is cruelty-free and doesn't contain petrolatum. I am all ears!
   
Cheers,
Muffy



Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette


Staying on the topic of liquid lipsticks, today I am bringing your way a review of the Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette. I heard mixed opinions about this product and decided to check it out for myself. The colour I picked would not come as a surprise, as it's my typical brownish nude. But let's get into the review, shall we.

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick's Applicator
The product comes in a sleek rectangular packaging which I like. The wand is pretty standard, however the handle feels a bit toy-like. I'd guess because it's noticeably smaller compared to other liquid lipsticks in my collection. That being said it's nothing major that would stop me from using this product. The liquid lipstick has a distinguishable sweet scent and contains Vitamin E. It's paraben and cruelty-free and has a shelf life of 12 months after opening. 

In terms of formula, it's quite thin but opaque (Dose of Colors texture is more cushiony). It doesn't dry immediately which I appreciate, because it gives enough time to perfect the application. It feels extremely comfortable on the lips for a few hours but as with all liquid lipsticks it starts feeling drying eventually. When that happens, I just put a lip balm on top and continue with my day. It doesn't flake nor fade away in a weird or patchy manner.

Jouer Long-Wear Lip Crème Liquid Lipstick in Noisette
The colour Noisette I adore. I own a lot of browny nudes but this one stands out as it's more of a warmer brown. For comparison MAC Whirl is more rosey and Urban Decay 1993 is darker and cooler. 

Overall, I am very happy with this product. I am actually shocked by how much I ended up liking it. It must be the best liquid lipstick I have tried thus far, followed closely by the Dose of Colors Truffle. I can't say that all Jouer liquid lipsticks are created equal as I have tried only Noisette, but this one is a keeper! 

Let me know if you have tried any of the Jouer liquid lipsticks and what are your thoughts. I'd love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Dose Of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle


Dose of Colors is hands down the brand I have wanted to try for the longest time, but it has been pretty challenging to get in Europe. Now this has changed as Beautybay started carrying it. I initially wanted to pick up the liquid matte lipstick in Stone, but that shade seems to be sold out all the time everywhere. I was lucky enough though to snatch Truffle, which has been on my radar as well. I have tried quite a few liquid lipstick formulas and I wanted to see how this one compares. To find out just that keep on reading!


The reason why I got interested in the brand is because it's vegan and cruelty-free, plus it's still a rather niche brand. I personally like to support niche and indie brands. The product comes in a really nice cardboard packaging which is colour coded. The liquid lipstick tube has a frosted-glass effect that is very sleek and modern looking. I personally think the packaging and overall presentation is on point. Besides being vegan and cruelty-free the Dose of Colors liquid matte lipsticks are formulated without parabens and gluten. That is why the shelf life is only 6 months before the product goes bad. 


The applicator is quite unique. It's not your traditional doe foot. It has a slight dent which allows for more precise application and control. I never mess up when using this product. It's much more user friendly compared to others I have tested. In terms of formula it doesn't disappoint. It's opaque with one swipe and doesn't dry too fast, which means you can still perfect your application if need be. As it's a matte liquid lipstick it will be drying, but it's not as drying as for instance La Splash, Sleek and Stila. I noticed that I start feeling like I want to apply lip balm when I have worn it for about 3-4 hours. I think that's pretty good for a matte lipstick. Usually with other similar products within an hour or so I start feeling like it's crusty and super drying. 

Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle
When it comes to longevity it performs really well. If I eat salad or something non-greasy during the day it can easily last the whole day. It doesn't wear off ugly like some matte liquid lipsticks tend to do. This can be due to the formula but also the shade. It's very close to my natural lip colour therefore you can't really see distinctively where it has worn off. In terms of shade I would describe Truffle as a darker pinky-nude. It's in the same colour family as for example Mac Velvet Teddy. Below, I have swatched it next to the Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit. They are quite similar, but Sleek's Birthday Suit is more rosy. Sleek is also a cruelty-free brand but I have been put off when I noticed that the shelf life of it's Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit is 36 months! 

L-R: Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream in Birthday Suit and Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle
Overall, I am very pleased with the Dose of Colors Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truffle. In the future I would like to try other colours such as Stone and Cork, but for now I am pretty satisfied with what I have. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative of similar shade, Sleek's Birthday Suit is a good one (as long as you are not bothered by an insanely long shelf life for a liquid product).  

I hope you found this useful. Let me know if you have tried any of the Dose of Colors liquid lipsticks and what are your favourite shades!

Cheers,
Muffy

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Embrace


I am not a fan of cream blushes. When I think about cream blush I can't help but feel like it's messy, will slide off my face and leave a greasy residue. But recently I came across a new brand of makeup called Kjaer Weis. Her cream blushes seem to get exceptional reviews and I decided to give it a go. I picked up the lightest shade in the collection called Embrace.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace
Kjaer Weis is an organic luxury brand. Her products come in a modern yet sophisticated packaging which is refillable. I highly appreciate the brand's zero-waste packaging ideology. As I already have a few z-palettes I opted for a refill option just to see how I get along - plus it's cheaper. I do wish to get a proper compact eventually. 

Now let's talk a bit about the actual blush. It's a nude-pink colour which would look stunning on fair to light-medium skin tones. On me it looks more pink as I have a light-medium complexion but, for instance, on my friend who is paler it pulls more nude. It's made in Italy from certified organic ingredients including castor seed oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil, rosa rubiginosa seed oil and gardenia florida fruit extract. It doesn't contain coconut oil which makes it suitable for sensitive skins prone to breakouts.  It's free from  gluten, petroleum, parabens, artificial colouring and fragrance. It has a shelf life of 12 months after opening.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace
In regards to performance I can't say enough good things about this blush. It's highly pigmented, easy to apply and lasts on my cheeks for a good 8 hours. It doesn't leave a greasy residue but rather sets to a demi-matte finish. It blends effortlessly and is foolproof. You can apply this blush with your fingers or a synthetic brush. I use the Makeup Geek Angled Stippling Brush and it gets the job done. Since this is a cream product it doubles up nicely as a lipstick. I am not a fan of such pale colours on my lips but I can totally see myself using the more darker colours from the range.

Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace swatch from the pan
Kjaer Weis cream blush in Embrace slightly blended
Overall I am very happy with this purchase. It has fast become my go to blush and I will keep getting a lot of use from it especially during Spring and Summer months. In Finland you can purchase Kjaer Weis products from Jolie. If you have been unsure about cream blushes, this would be a good place to start. If not for yourself I think Kjaer Weis products would make great gifts especially for someone in your life that appreciates niche brands, design and makeup. 

Let me know if you have tried any other products from the Kjaer Weis makeup range, I'd love to know!

Cheers,
Muffy