Review: Want super straight hair? Agave Smoothing Trio to the rescue!

I have finally found a hair product that helps me achieve super straight hair.  You may not know this but I have thick naturally curly hair, it's been like this since I was a child.  I remember when I was in 2nd grade my classmates would ask me why my hair was so big for a short kid.  Hair straighteners were not popular back then or else I would be totally doing it in the 2nd grade.  Because of my unruly hair I always had short hair because I didn't know how to take care of it until high school.  Everything changes in high school and during this time hair straighteners were as popular as curling irons.

Now it's 2014 and there are so many hair products that help you get that super straight sleek hair,  I've always wanted. I was very fortunate to find Agave Oil on Instagram.  Many of my Instagram friends have been using their products and I knew that I need to give it a try and hope it works for me.  I was sent their Smoothing Trio for review and I am so happy to share it with all of you who suffer from the same hair troubles as me!

The

Agave Healing Oil Smoothing Trio

features three products:  - 2 oz Oil Treatment, 4 oz Smoothing Shampoo and 4 oz Smoothing Conditioner. This is a great set to try the products first to see how they work for you before committing to the larger sizes. My hair straightner is HSI and I bought it off Amazon, it's a pretty powerful little hair straightener that heats up to 400 degrees.  I do have a Chi, but it broke last week. All that hair straighteners that I've had in the past don't last very long.. probably at most 3 months.  :(  Agave Oil does have their own

Healing Vapour Iron

that I am dying to try now since I have had great results from their products. 

 My favorite product in the kit and I find that really helps get the super sleep straight hair is the oil treatment.  Ladies, a little goes a long way trust me!!! I know the scent and the super silky feeling of your hair after you apply it will make you want more, but no don't even try.  This is the best stuff!

Here is the exact write up from Sephora.com regarding the oil treatment:

What it is:

A non-greasy, lightweight hair oil that instantly smooths, seals, and adds shine to all hair types.

What it does:

Restore and rejuvenate unmanageable, frizzy hair with the hydrating and color-restoring sugars of the agave plant. Unlike heavy nut oils, this plant extract conditions hair with a light touch, building strength and resiliency, while helping boost vibrancy and color. Other natural botanicals like coconut, vanilla, sunflower, and safflower are blended with Madagascar baobab seed oil to nourish and transform hair’s outer layer.

 I really do not need to argue about these statements because they are all TRUE! Look at my before and afters....

 This is how my hair looks right after I blow dry it once I get out of the shower. Look how dull and frizzy my hair is especially in the front where I have naturally curly hair.  If you are wondering about my lip color it is

Aromi Beauty

Forbidden Fuchsia Liquid Matte Lipstick.

A couple of minutes later look how shiny and straight my hair is! YAY! I just add a small amount of the Agave Oil Treatment to my hands and run my hands through my hair focusing  near the front.  I usually have to do 3-4 passes with my hair straightener but with the oil I only did 1-2.  Love how the oil made the purple in my hair bright and glossy.

I hope you guys enjoyed my little review about my new must have hair product! Do you suffer from frizzy hair like I do?

MOTD: smokey eye Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette

I created this look with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette which is a gorgeous palette! I really like now there are a variety of different colors and just not filled with all neutrals. 

Here are the details of the eye look 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk Palette - RTW, Beauty Marked and LBD

MAC 

white frost eye shadow as a highlight 

Violet Voss glitter in Golden Fairy and Goldie 

House of lashes  Noir Fairy lashes with Heartbreaker  stacked 

Can you believe this picture was taken with an iPhone 5? I try to use my husbands's iPhone when he is home because I love the results. I still have the 4 and the clarity of the photo is not as nice as the 5. 

Do you like the Catwalk palette? If so what are you favorite shadow combinations?     

Review: Olia Box - Jewelry Monthly Subscription Box

I am an active subscriber to monthly subscription beauty boxes (Starlooks, Ipsy and Birchbox Woman) also my husband is too (Birchbox Man).  It's such a great way to experience different brands and beauty products that you wouldn't normally purchase for yourself or from brands you haven't heard about.  But what about a monthly subscription box for trendy jewelry to match your wardrobe? Look no further, I bring you

OLIA BOX!

I was given the opportunity to review a box sent to me from Olga, the owner of Olia Box.  This was my first time that I even heard about a monthly jewelry box subscription.  What a great idea! Also free shipping and a money back guarantee.  Yes, you read that right!

Here is some details about Olia Box from the company.

• OLIA BOX is a monthly subscription base box of personally selected accessories for each client.  Based on the individuals personal taste, seasoned Stylists work in synch with subscribers, to ensure the perfect bauble is paired to its customer. Olia Box is a fresh way to keep your looks updated with unique accessories, and affordable to any level of fashionista! Once you sign up with an account you will go through a questionnaire about your style.

• OLIA BOX houses some of the top and most seasoned Stylists with over a decade of combined experience in the industry of fashion and accessories. The OLIA BOX Stylists are up to the minute on the latest trends bringing the top fashion styles to you, in a box delivered to your doorstep, monthly.

• OLIA BOX jewelry is for the contemporary woman who is savvy, distinguished and finds expression through elegant touches and details. The vision of incorporating pieces from around the globe, and housing them under one umbrella brings the world to your door each month. The pieces are easy to layer, love and live in. Every design is the perfect marriage of sweet and sexy, keeping fashionistas and traditionalists alike delighted from season to season.  

 Now for pricing.. there are 2 different boxes based on your needs and price.

•  For $25 a month you receive 2-3 pieces of hand selected pieces varying from bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings each month!

• For $35 a month you receive 3-4 pieces of hand selected pieces varying from bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings each month! 

Want to see what I got? So excited to share with you my pieces that I received which I LOVE!

 This is how your jewlery will be sent to you.  A basic white decent sized box.  I always get excited when I receive boxes like these :) 

Right when you open the box you will see a nicely wrapped package with the Olia Box logo sealing the tissue paper.  Cute packaging is always a great first impression, but there's more ....

 When you unwrap the tissue paper you get little welcome and thank you card detailing your box. It's always nice when you have the company saying "thank you" for purchasing their product, makes me feel acknowledged.

The backside of the postcard with the picture of the two illustrated girls features a guide on how to care for your new jewelry.  I thought this was a great decision and very helpful for subscribers.  You want your new pieces of jewlery to be with you for a long time, right?

How cute is this linen bag! Perfect way to store your jewlery (esp. for travel) or reuse it to store ... makeup perhaps? ;)

I received little items - necklace, ring and earrings with all of them complimenting each other.  I've always wanted a necklace like this and my favorite item are the earrings!

 I only wear stud earrings so these were just perfect. One of the backs to the earrings was a little loose but no worries I can replace it with another one. The center is gold texture pattern with gray outlining it.  Pretty combination of colors.  I totally see myself dressing this up and down.  Very versatile.

The necklace is very simple but trendy all at the same time. It is a gold bar with a little diamond towards the end. 

 This is what the ring looks like.  Dainty and oh so very trendy! 

I hope you guys enjoyed my review of the Olia Box! Check out their website and subscribe now!

www.oliabox.com 

P.S.  I didn't realize my DSLR was on this special filter mode until I was already finished taking all the photos.  Sorry if my face looks super bright and pale .. next time I'll make sure I check the settings :D

Review: The Color Workshop Triple Play Train Case

I hope all of you have enjoyed my reviews regarding The Color Workshop Holiday 2013.  It was a lot of fun taking pictures and swatching the products for you, but I am not done yet! :)  One last set to share and this one is the big one!! Seriously, look at this set for only $24.99!!! YES!  I would really recommend this kit to the makeup ethusiast who is just starting out with makeup who's on a budget but would like something affordable.  With the past sets that I reviewed I have been overall very impressed with the products.  There's always the mindset that inexpensive makeup is not good makeup - because it's "cheap" their is lack of pigmentation and longevity.  This is not entirely true with many affordable brands out there.  People just need to give them a try!  As a makeup artist I am always on the hunt for good, affordable makeup for everyone from beginner to advanced.  With that being said, The Color Workshop is on my list for affordable brands to look for.

Now, I think it's time to show you the Triple Play Train Case through my pictures.  These photos have no filters or have not been altered in any way.  Pictures are taken in natural day light (thank goodness there's some sun in Seattle today!).

The train case is like a mini makeup briefcase or you can call it a traveling jewelry box filled with makeup!  The case is very sturdy and made very well.  When you open the case up there are 3 sections - lets go over these sections in more detail.

First Tray - Eye Shadows:

  The top tray are all eye shadows, 34 different colors/finishes to pick from.  The trays all the products sit in are plastic and a bit flimsy. This should only concern you if you plan on taking the trays out of the case. Just like from my previous post the shimmer overlays on the shadows do tend to disappear right after you use them for the 1st time.  Even with the shimmer overlay the shadows are still pigmented as you will see from the swatches.  However, I did find that the non-shimmery/frosty shades in this set did not have as much color payoff as the rest.  You will see from the swatches the matte shades compared to the shimmer/frosty ones as they really stand out with high pigmentation.

 Swatches

The swatches are broken up by diagonal column.  A sheer application of eye shadow primer was applied before each swatch.  Also each swatch was only applied once unless otherwise noted.

 For the white, silver and black I added the lonely 1 shadow at the end of the tray with these guys. Look how pigmented that frosty white is!! I did have to swatch the matte black about 2-3 times just for it to go deep dark for the camera to pick up.  I wasn't feeling the browns/golds they were very muted on my skin tone.

I really like the greens in this set! See how much the shimmer shadows stand out? Now for the pinks they kinda got lost except for the first frosty shade.  The last pink shade is a matte, I had to apply this several times but still no go for the camera. 

 The first shade for the top row (darker browns) did not show up at all on my skin tone.  The color was supposed to be a beige/bisque tone, it is a matte shade so this could be why.  Again, I find that the shimmer/frosty shades were better pigmented than the other finishes (this is my opinion).  Look at how vibrant the pinks are though!!! You will find the brighter colors have better color payoff.

For the purples I did find the darker purple (3rd swatch) to be a tad bit chalky and did not apply as smooth as the others.  Lets really talk about the blues!!! WHOA! Totally in love, need I say more? I think the picture explains it all. :) 

Did they save the best for last? GAH! AMAZING! I really like these colors together and the pigmentation is top notch! I will be doing a MOTD (makeup of the day) with these colors on my Instagram so make sure you follow me to see the look. From the picture it looks like the deep bluish/purple shadow is matte but actually it is not.  It has a little bit of reddish-pinkish sparkle very pretty!

Second Tray - Cream Eyeliners, Lip Glosses, Blushes and Shimmer Highlighters.

  When I first opened this drawer I was instantly mesmerized by the blushes and shimmer highlighters. Reminds me of a high-end cosmetic brand blush palette.  The design that is indented is striking! Also look at the variety of lip glosses, 16 different colors to choose from.  You will defintely not be bored with the same lippie combo.

SWATCHES

 I would totally purchase these blushes if they sold them separately or even in a blush palette.  The colors are gorgeous!  The highlighters do look very light in the picture but if applied with a fan brush for a light application it would give a nice glow.

The glosses are non-sticky sheer washes of color with little sparkle (some without) which is perfect for glosses (in my opinion).  I did find a bit of a lipstick-y smell (I really don't know how to describe the smell but it's not bad.  They did not have a taste to them.  I can't stand having a lip product with a strong smell that tastes like how it smells.  Yuck! Thank goodness in this case that is not a problem. Since there are only 2 lipsticks in the set (more about them later) it was nice to see a variety of colors in the glosses. 

The Cream Eyeliners are so creamy and smooth, would make great eye shadow bases for a bolder look.  I think I will incorporate these with my MOTD that I will post.  I don't think these will dry out in the tray, but I could be wrong.  They are pretty creamy.

Third Tray - Metallic Liquid Liner, Pencil Liners, Nail Polish, Glitter Creams and Lipsticks. 

I was totally surprised when I opened up this drawer! I was not expecting coordinating nail polishes with some glitter creams! 

SWATCHES

I knew that I would like the Metallic Liquid Liner based from the review of the

Art Of Eye Makeup Set. 

As for the pencil eyeliners I didn't have a good experience from the purple eyeliner featured in the

Drama Queen Complete Makeup Set

. I was totally surprised how different the pencil liners felt compared to the previous one that I reviewed.  They did not have a waxy feel and the color payoff was really good.  One swipe did the trick! 

 Please excuse my little nails!  I had Shellac on them and the removal process totally made my poor little nails all brittle and weak.  In the process of getting them nice and strong again.  I am lovin the colors so festive for this time of the year.  What really impressed me was the applicator - wide and not flimsy. 

I'll just be very straight forward with this one ... didn't like it.  I have seen these glitter creams from other companies before and haven't been in a fan.  Why? Well, they don't stay on and they get chunky.  If you want glitter eyelids use straight up cosmetic grade glitter (I use a lot of different brands for my MOTD's) with some adhesive.   I did not like how these went on - it did not evenly distribute.  I even had to use my finger to swatch these and the swatch wouldn't even leave my finger to make the swatch on my hand.  Not sure if this product was dried up but did not have a good experience. 

What is this? WHOA! Totally different from the first set.  Look how evenly these distributed! So the first set must be dried out (this is what I think). I wouldn't really really say glitter but more like a metallic shimmer cream.  I'm really liking the gold one! 

 These are the two lipsticks - light pink and a berry red.  Very creamy and smooth.  Think of all the lip combinations you can create when you add all the different lip glosses! You would be set!

Sorry for the picture heavy post for this review.  I just wanted to make sure you saw everything and knew everything you wanted to know about this set. Keep an eye on it at your local Walmart as they will be cutting the prices down closer to Christmas.  Hopefully you can snag yours as it is a great value for everything you are getting, especially for the shadows.

Now I can go finish my Christmas Cards .. YUCK I am sooooo behind. lol

Review: The Color Workshop Art of Eye Makeup Set

Today I am bringing you another great set from The Color Workshop. The Art of Eye Makeup Set features all eye products to create a variety of eye looks from natural to deep dark smokey.  Just like the previous set the colors are cool and warm to cater to different skin tones and to play with different makeup styles.   If you have someone on your holiday lists that likes to play with their eye makeup this set is just for them even if they are just beginning  with their skills or advanced. 

Let me break down the set for you.  No filters were used with the pictures but I did use my ring light for light.  It's been hard to take some great shots here in Seattle .. dark and gray all the time. 

The set comes with two compacts each with 9 shadows.  One set is more warm (golden undertone shades) and the other more cool (blues, and purples). There are also 4 Jumbo Eye Crayons, 4 Metallic Liquid Liners and 1 Mascara. 

 This is the cooler toned palette with frost/shimmer to matte finishes. Look how beautiful the printed top of the frosty/shimmer shadows are! I noticed after you use the first layer (the first layer has the most shimmer) that it is not as shimmery as it was before. The shadows though are very pigmented! I did not use an eye shadow primer to do these swatches.  For an inexpensive set the shadows are very impressive.

 Now for the warmer eye shadow palette - again I am loving the pigmented shadows!! Look how well they went on - not streaky at all. Even the lightest shade (ivory/beige) showed up nicely on my skin tone.  This would be a beautiful palette for green/hazel eyes as these shades will really enhance the coloring. 

 Here are the Jumbo Eye Pencils which can be used as an eye shadow base.  I didn't find the pencils to be very pigmented, they did however glide on very well.  The swatch above is just one glide of the pencil.  You can barely see the gold on on my skin with the two lighter colors looking a little chalky.  The blue shade did stand out against my skin tone though, would be nice to use as base with the cool based eye shadow palette.

Now I was really happy with these liquid metallic liners! Look how gorgeous they went on and I wish my camera captured the soft sparkle in each of them.  Even the black was like a gunmetal metallic sheen.  It was really nice how they offered liners to match with the eye shadow palettes.  I would have loved to see a purple, but that's just me I love anything purple! The applicator was very easy to apply the liner. Usually flimsy applicators do not give straight lines but this one did. Overall really pleased with these.

 Regrettably, I was not able to try this mascara because it was all dried up when I opened it up. :( 

I like the brush but too bad I wasn't able to try out the formula.  

The makeup bag that came with this set is too cute! Very roomy for all your favorite makeup products. 

I hope you guys like my review on The Color Workshop Art of Eyes Makeup Set! You can find it at Walmart for around $9.99 - also the company told me that as Christmas approaches they do mark them down so you can probably find all these sets as at great price! 

Have fun shopping!

DISCLAIMER: This set was sent to me by the company.  The review is my honest opinion of the products.