Tonly Moly Product Reviews

TonlyMoly Appletox Smooth Massage Peeling Cream

I love the smell of the appletox, it really does smell like Granny Smith apple! And it was pretty much love at first sight when I saw the adorable packaging! I was a bit worried about how to use the product as the instructions were in Korean.  But after researching instructions online I decided to apply the a product by massaging it on my dry face for about 2- 3 min.  After massaging it on my face small particles starting coming off.  The product advertises that this is dead skin cells coming off in the product.  It was hard to tell if this was actually happening or if it was just the product coming off. My face felt a bit tingly and super smooth afterward.  I liked that this product did not seem to be overly drying, but it did seem effective. I will probably use this product about once a week.  As for repurchasing this product, I am not quite convinced that I will since I tend to prefer a granular exfoliating product.

I would give this product:

10/10 - Packaging

4/10 - Effectiveness

6/10 - Pleasantness to use

 

Tony Moly Tomatox Brightening Mask

I was a bit wary of the tomatox mask because of the claims for the " whitening effect".  The smell and texture of the product is great. I also loved that it came with a spoon to apply the product as that is more sanitary than scooping it out with your fingers. The product felt tingly when I applied it to my face.  Red spots on my face did appear to be slightly faded, but not as much as I hoped.  However my skin did feel clean and smooth after using this product.  I feel that this product may be a bit harsh and did not have a super helpful effect that is unique to this product alone.  I don't think I will repurchase this product, but I am willing to give it another go.  

I would give this product a:

10/10 - Packaging

5/10 -  Effectiveness

7/10 - Pleasantness to use

Tony Moly Eggpore Blackhead Out Oil Gel

Once again the packaging for this product is absolutely adorable. I was really excited to try out a different product for clogged pores other than the classic nose strips.  The gel smells great and has tiny yellow beads.  The product claims that the gel turns white as you massage it and it mixes with the sebum in your pores. I did find this product to be effective for blackheads and clogged pores.  I used this product on my nose, chin, and between my eyebrows. I definitely noticed a difference and I really liked that the product did not seem too harsh and it left my pores clearer and my skin smooth.

I would give this product:

10/10 packaging

8/10 effectiveness

10/10 for pleasantness to use 

Tony Moly Peach Anti Aging Hand Cream  

I have saved the best for last! My absolute favorite Tony Moly product is the peach hand cream. It smells absolutely heavenly and just like a sweet and ripe summer peach. My friend introduced me to the Tony Moly product line by recommending this particular moisturizer. I truly see a noticeable difference after using this hand cream consistently.  My hands are smoother, softer, and my nails and cuticles are healthier.  I have already gone through one whole tub and I am on my second purchase of this product. My only complaint... I wish they sold this product in bulk!

10/10 packaging

10/10 effectiveness

10/10 pleasantness to use

❤

All products were either gifts or purchased by author. All opinions are genuinely my own! Thank you for reading!

Pretty Hurts

"Pretty hurts, we shine the light on whatever's worst
We try to fix something but you can't fix what you can't see."

I love the new Beyoncé song "Pretty Hurts" and I wanted to dissect some of the lyrics.   "Perfection is a disease of a nation" speaks so much truth about the culture of perfection that we grow up in.

"Blonder hair, flat chest
TV says, 'Bigger is better.'
South beach, sugar free
Vogue says, 'Thinner is better'."

The mixed messages about beauty that we constantly receive neglect to mention other aspects that make an individual beautiful like honesty, courage, intelligence, and compassion.

Companies are capitalizing on our desperate need to be beautiful and feel accepted by convincing us we need the new diet, new miracle product, the latest plastic surgery. I believe beauty starts on the inside and moves outward.

I especially love the line "it's the soul that needs the surgery". We hold ourselves to unreasonable standards of beauty, never happy with what we have, and always comparing ourselves to others. Either we have trouble accepting compliments because of our self-shaming tendencies or we are so desperate for compliments and attention that we compromise our values and dignity to get it.

"When you're alone all by yourself
And you're lying in your bed
Reflection stares right into you
Are you happy with yourself?"

The next time you look in the mirror, I challenge you to look within and see the beautiful things that make you unique and the gifts that you have to share with the world.

 ❤ 

  

IPSY October 2013 Glam Bag Review

I really liked October's IPSY Glam Bag.  The theme of this bag is "The Art of Beauty".  One's face is a canvas and make up is the paint and brushes are the artist's tools.

This was the first bag I received in a while where I liked every product.  However, I did not really understand the saying on this month's make-up bag. These are the products that were included in my glam bag:

1. Zoya green nail polish

 I love that the nail polish is free of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.  These are harsh chemicals that cannot be good to use or breath in.  For example, dibutyl phthlate is used in making flexible plastics and toluene is a toxic substance that is often found in paint thinners and breathing it in causes harm to the cardiovascular and neurological system.

2. Nourish Organic- Coconut & Argan Body Lotion

The body lotion feels great, but it does have a strong smell. I think it smells more like argan than coconut.

3. Bare Escentuals- Buxom Lips

I have never been a big fan of lip gloss since it is often very sticky, but I do like the Buxom Lips gloss.  It gives a nice shine and a touch of color.  The gloss is supposed feel tingly and to plump up the lips. I definitely notice the tingly feeling, but the plumping is not as obvious. 

4. La Fresh Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes

These wipes smelled great, like pineapple! Yum! And I love that they are 99.25% natural.  They did a great job removing my makeup.  I would definitely repurchase these and they would be perfect for traveling.

5. Big Sexy Hair- Blow Dry Volumizing Gel

My hair is naturally pretty voluminous, but I did notice that this gel provided extra volume when I applied it, especially around the roots. 

While make-up can make one feel beautiful and more confident it is also important to value what is on the inside:  The art of being compassionate, brave, a good listener, generous, among many others. 

A Beautiful Inspiration

Audrey Hepburn has always been an inspiration for me. Today I thought I would share Audrey Hepburn's favorite poem by Sam Levenson:  

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,  reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the  figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

IPSY August 2013 Glam Bag Review

So I signed up to received the IPSY glam bags each month.  August was my second month receiving a glam bag and I decided to do a quick, fun, and honest review about the products I received.  I love make-up and always thought of it as a form of art.  In this case, your face is the canvas!

The theme for this month was Glamour Academy, which I thought was an excellent choice for the back-to-school month.

Here are the items I received in my August 2013 IPSY bag:

Below is my review of each individual product:

 Michael Todd: True Organics 

Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub

I like this product because of the fact that it is made with 70% organic ingredients and it is also vegan friendly.  The product made my skin feel great, but I felt like it didn't do a great job exfoliating.  It is a very very gentle exfoliating scrub.  I was surprised with the color, it is a dark grey, but that makes sense considering that one of the main ingredients is jojoba charcoal.  Overall, I would rate this product a 4/5.

Noya Vanilla Lip Balm

This product is a full size lip balm and it smells absolutely delicious.  I absolutely love the feel of it on my lips.  It is made with 100% all natural and kosher ingredients.  I really love that the ingredient list is so short ( that is always a good sign, a true sign for natural products).  The ingredients include, coconut oil, beeswax, organic extra virgin olive oil, natural vanilla flavor, and organic stevia rebaudiana (aka sweetleaf).  This has become one of my main lip balms and I use it everyday.  I would rank this product a 5/5.

Pacifica Alight Multi-mineral BB Cream

Shade Matching Technology

At first I wasn't at all impressed with this product, but after giving it a second try it does make for a nice base.  However there is no coverage at all and I didn't feel like the product had "shade matching technology". The product comes out a dark brown/orange and it didn't exactly match to my much paler skin color.  It claims to be an all in one weightless formula that matches your skin tone while perfecting, hydrating, and diminishing the appearance of pores and fine lines.  Out of all those I feel like it really only did a good job hydrating.  I would rank this product a 3/5.

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara

I really did not like this mascara because it did not really provide and volume or definition to my eyelashes.  The only thing good about this mascara was that it didn't clump when I put it on, but maybe this is because it was almost like I wasn't putting on any mascara at all.  If I am going to put in the effort to wear mascara, I want it to see natural, but noticeable effects.  Therefore, I give this product a 1/5.

NYX Mosaic Powder 

Shade: 08 Spice

I really liked this blush powder.  It is great for creating a contour on your cheek bones and the color seems to stay on all day.  At first I was worried the color would be too dark for me, but with a bit of blending and light application I really like this product.  I give this product at 5/5.

FAVORITE Product for this month: Noya Vanilla Lip Balm.  I would actually repurchase this item.

LEAST Favorite Product for this month: Pixi Lash Booster (not so boosting) Mascara

Thanks for reading my review! Stay tuned for a review of IPSY AUGUST 2013 Glam Bag!  And feel free to comment below to let me know your thoughts! 

*** This post and La Petite Artist are not sponsored in any way by the products discussed.  Everything mentioned are my honest thoughts and opinions!

The Secrets of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil can be found in many beauty and health products.  Tea tree oil comes from  Narrow-leaved Tea Trees (Melaleuca alternifolia).  Historically, tea tree leaves have been crushed and applied to wounds or the oil has been inhaled to treat upper respiratory infections.  Today, tea tree oil is used in a variety of products for its natural antiseptic and immune stimulant properties.  

You can make your own tea tree oil facial toner that will aid in treating and preventing acne and help create an even skin tone.

Here is what you will need:

• 1/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. tea tree essential oil
• 1/2 cup distilled water 

Combine the ingredients and store in a small bottle.  Apply to your face once or twice a day.  Using distilled water will allow the toner to last for about 1 month without refrigeration. 

One of my absolute favorite products with tea tree oil is Karma Organic's Tea Tree Oil Nail Polish Remover.  It doesn't contain any acetone or other harsh chemicals, but it removes nail polish amazingly.  I think it even works better than general drugstore nail polish remover.  Plus it is safe for the environment and your body.  It strengthens my nails and it smells great too! 

*** This post and La Petite Artist are not sponsored in any way by the products discussed.  Everything mentioned are my honest thoughts and opinions!