Per your request, I’ve put together a curated list of cool Christmas gift ideas based off of distinct vibes. I focused on pre-loved designer treasures, cute cruelty-free beauty items, gifts from independent brands, and other high quality goods that won’t need to be replaced in a couple of years.
Continue reading “Christmas Gift Ideas That Don’t Suck”Category: Beauty
Review: Pat McGrath Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence
Disclaimer: I received the Pat McGrath Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence free and complimentary from Influenster and Pat McGrath Labs in exchange for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All of the thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
If you’re looking for fresh luminous skin, look no further than the Pat McGrath Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence. There’s a fine line between luminous and greasy skin, and this essence knows where that line is. Even with my oily skin, it left me looking fresh without looking greasy.
Highlights
cruelty-free
non-greasy
glass packaging
Pat McGrath Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence Review
According to Pat McGrath Lab’s website, this essence is “a transformative bi-phase essence that does double-duty to address dull, dehydrated skin and bring out the glow in an instant.” A Rose-Biotic complex and other botanical oils help calm and rebalance the skin while also plumping and hydrating it. It claims to enhance your skin’s barrier over time.
I have to say that the packaging is beautiful. The bottle is a durable thick glass, and even the plastic cap feels luxurious. The label feels like parchment, not a cheap film.
The essence has to be shaken before use since it separates. When shaken, it’s a milky consistency that’s slightly pink. It has a fairly strong rose scent for a skincare product.
When used alone, it acts as a very lightweight moisturizer. I used it under my makeup instead of my regular daytime moisturizer since I have oily skin. It left my skin feeling hydrated and glowing, without looking oily. At night, I used the essence after my toner and before my regular moisturizer. My skin felt hydrated, even into the morning.
One thing I didn’t like was that this product isn’t vegan. I’m guessing it’s the squalane (which is usually harvested from sharks). It is a little weird to me that a product that’s so focused on botanicals doesn’t use a plant-based squalane. If you’re looking for a product that’ll make your skin glow and is also vegan, check out my review of the Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask.
TL;DR
I gave the Pat McGrath Divine Skin: Rose 001 The Essence 4/5 stars. I really liked how it felt on my skin in the daytime and under my makeup, despite having oily skin. The packaging is glass and feels really luxurious. It does have a pretty strong rose scent and added fragrance. While that doesn’t bother me, I could definitely see how it would be a turn off to others. Sadly, this product isn’t vegan. If the squalane was plant-derived, I probably would have given this product 5 stars.
Review: Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
To be totally honest, hydrating masks have never been on my skincare shopping list. With my oily t-zone, anything that claims to give you “glowing” skin just makes me look greasy. The Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask is definitely the exception to that.
Highlights
Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask Review
According to Youth To The People’s website this mask is “the ultimate hydrating radiance boost”. Superberries and THD ascorbate (a stable form of vitamin C) targets dull skin to give it that radiant glow. Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and Betaine all help to deeply hydrate and repair the skin.
The mask yellow and is a creamy texture. It has a little bit of a light, fruity smell, but nothing overpowering. I could barely even smell it.
The mask is technically an overnight mask, but I don’t really wear masks overnight for a couple of reasons. First, they make my pillow a total mess. Second, 8 hours feels like a really long time to leave any type of treatment on my skin. My secret to using this mask with oily skin is to just leave it on for a couple of hours before bed, wipe it off (but don’t cleanse your skin), and continue with your normal skin routine. When done as part of your skincare routine, it doubles as moisturizer. I also only use it once a week.
This mask feel light to wear and by only leaving it on for a couple of hours, I’ve been able to keep my skin hydrated and glowing, even in the dry autumn air, without getting greasy.
TLDR
I gave the Youth To The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask a 5/5 stars. When worn for a couple of hours instead of overnight, this mask helped my oily skin look hydrated and radiant without getting greasy. Like the other Youth To The People mask I reviewed, it’s cruelty-free and vegan. I have no doubt that if you have dry skin and wear this mask overnight, you’ll love it.