Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette Review

Hey everyone!  This week, I wanted to share my thoughts with you on a really fun palette called “Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons”.  This is the first palette I’ve purchased from the Chocolate Bar Eye Shadow Collection.  The palette comes in an adorable heart-inspired package, and just like the rest of the company’s chocolate-themed and scented products, the palette smells like yummy delicious chocolate!

   

The palette comes in a retro-inspired pink tin box, embossed with hearts and sealed with a magnetic clasp.  Inside, the palette contains a rectangular mirror on the lid, and 16 eye shadow pans, 14 of which are heart-shaped and weigh roughly 0.03 ounces.  The other two shadow pans are rectangular and weigh about 0.07 ounces.  All of the shadows are very finely milled, and feel like butter.  They glide on nicely, with little-to-no fallout, depending on whether you’ve tapped the excess shadow off of your brush.  The shadows also blend really nicely.

The range of finishes inside this palette is also impressive, as there are matte, metallic and full-on shimmery shadows inside.  A majority of the shades (9 of 16) are cool and warm-toned neutrals, while the rest vary between deeper shades and cool-toned bright colors.  The palette also comes with a How-To Glamour Guide, complete with three suggested looks for inspiration.  This is a great start, but don’t limit yourself!  Make sure you experiment with the shadows, and find a fun and original look that’s all you!  If you find yourself thinking of new looks to create with these shades, you can always do what Jeffree Star does and create a look by going down the columns or along the rows, covering the rest of the palette with your hands.

Here’s how the shadows swatched on my fair skin:

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, I’m really pleased with my purchase and love using this palette.  I feel like it can definitely become a top-shelf makeup item in my vanity, as it allows me to create beautiful everyday eye looks, stunningly dramatic evening ones and everything in between.  The cute packaging also makes it a perfect wish-list item for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, a birthday or an anniversary gift-- or don’t wait for anyone and just buy it for yourself!  

Let me know what your thoughts are on this palette (if you already own it or not), or your opinion on any of the other chocolate palettes by Too Faced.  

XOXO,

Grace

Peel-Off Clay Masks Trio Review

Happy New Year, everyone!  I thought it’d be fun to do a review of three different peel-off masks that I’ve been testing out, because a new year= new skin, right?!  I personally love peel off masks.  They are so much fun, and give a very satisfying feeling.  

**Masks should be applied on clean and dried skin, and you may want to consult your doctor if you fear you might be allergic to any of the ingredients, or if you have very sensitive skin.  Lastly, you should probably avoid applying peel-off masks on your hairline and eyebrows (for an obvious and painful reason). 

Our competitors:

1. Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, $34 (2.8 Fl. Oz.)= Full of natural minerals and vitamins, this mask is great for an all-over use, but especially for the T-Zone!

·      Consistency= A thick, opaque and slightly stiff, raven-black mask that feels like you just smeared tar all over your face.

·      Scent= This might sound really weird, but this product smells a bit like seaweed and pickled ginger—basically like a sushi meal.  It is by no means a disgusting scent, just something unusual.  But hey, I could be wrong and it might smell like something totally different to you!

·      Star ingredient= Calcium Montmorillonite clay, which will act like a magnet and draw out the disgusting gunk that clings to those annoying pores.

·      Claim= To detoxify, brighten and deeply cleanse your skin.

·      Drying time= 25-30 minutes (depending on how thick you apply it)

 2. First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask, $30 (3 Fl. Oz.)= Warning: looking at yourself in the mirror with the mask on will make you feel like Samantha from Sex and the City after she had a chemical peel! 

·      Consistency= The consistency of the mask, compared to the other two, is a lot thinner.  When the orangey red product comes out of the tube it looks like it has gold shimmer running through it, but this doesn’t show once it is applied.  Furthermore, for best peeling results, it is best to apply an opaque layer (more than one coat); otherwise, one coat will be too sheer and it will be difficult to peel it off.  But don’t slab it on excessively either, because then it won’t dry thoroughly.

·      Scent= This mask smells a bit like rosemary and vinegar mixed together. It is not intolerable or overpowering, just don’t expect a luxurious spa scent!

·      Star ingredient= Red clay, which reduces skin pigmentation by brightening problematic and discolored spots

·      Claim= to tighten pores, and overall detoxify and brighten the skin, leaving it feeling cool, refreshed and smooth.

·      Drying time= 20-25 minutes

      3. Freeman Tea & Lemon Clay Mask, $4.29 (6 Fl. Oz.)= A great drugstore option (talk about more bang for your buck) that will not break your bank account! 

·      Consistency= This mask looks like creamed honey.  It is light in color, opaque, and a bit runny. 

·      Scent= The product has a subtle and soothing spa-scent with a touch of fresh citrus mixed in. 

·      Star ingredient= Bentonite clay which (similar to the Boscia mask) is comprised mostly of montmorillonite clay which will clean out the pores and absorb excessive oil

·      Claim= To cleanse and detoxify the skin, as well as tone, sooth and refine it.   

·      Drying time= Approximately 30 minutes

Overall, I love the Boscia mask over the other two, because I’ve seen the best results on my skin.  When you peel this black beauty off, you will immediately see its effects, as it will noticeably remove gunk from your face, similar to the Bioré strips we all know and love.  Some of you might find this mask a little painful, because when you peel it off it tends to grab and pluck tiny baby hairs in sensitive areas, but I honestly did not find it unbearable or excruciating.  It tightens, brightens and does a sensational job of clearing out your skin, and I highly recommend it! 

If you don’t want to commit to a purchase, you can probably get a sample of the Boscia and First Aid Beauty masks from Sephora.  As for the Freeman’s mask, which is something that’s normally available at a drugstore (I got mine from Ulta), I’m not sure how you can get a sample, unless a sample size is available.  Anyways, if you decide to try these out, let me know your thoughts on the products mentioned or on any other peel-off masks you may have tried.

Hope you enjoyed this post, and that your 2016 has been off to a terrific start!

XOXO,

Grace

Easy DIY Thanksgiving Turkey Cupcakes

Hi all, I thought I’d post this fun and cute turkey cupcakes recipe and how-to before Thanksgiving starts.  This will especially come in handy if you are looking for a cute way to spruce up your dessert this holiday season, and your guests are sure to gobble them up in no time!

What you'll need:

2 12-Cupcake pans

24 cupcake liners

1 cake mix box of your choice

1 tub of chocolate frosting

1 22oz. bag of candy corn

1 small tube of black frosting

1 small tube of white frosting

1 Ziploc bag

1 offset spatula

1 red Fruit by the Foot roll

Step by step:

• Pre-heat your oven according to package’s directions
• Prepare cake mix according to package’s directions and line pans with cupcake liners

• Pour batter halfway into each cupcake slot
• Bake according to package’s directions or until golden brown and an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

• Evenly frost the tops of each cupcake with tablespoon amount of chocolate frosting using an offset spatula

• Fill a Ziploc bag with frosting and cut a small hole at the tip
• Using the filled bag, pipe the head of the turkey on one side of the cupcake by squeezing and holding in place (until you have your desired size).

• On the opposite side of the head, pipe a line- curving with the cupcake, approximately 2 inches (where the tail feathers will go)

• Place 5-6 candy corns with the white tips going into the cupcake and the flat yellow side sticking out- and they will naturally fan out
• Take one candy corn and cut the white and orange part off and place in the center of the chocolate head to create the beak

Picture shows both tail and beak steps

• Using white icing, dot 2 white spots until you have reached your desired size. Flatten out any sharp points with your finger
• Squeeze a dot in the center of each white eye using black icing to create the pupils

• Cut a small rectangular piece off of a Fruit by the Foot roll and place half above the beak, letting the other half dangle 

And voila! There you have it!  A simple, easy and adorable way to make innovative Thanksgiving treats for your next holiday party.  Hope you found this recipe easy to follow and helpful and that you give it a go!  Let me know your family’s reaction and how they turned out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

XOXO,

Grace