Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Miu Miu Twist


Miu Miu Twist takes the Miu Miu fragrances in a slightly different direction with both fragrance and bottle.

I have some favorites from the brand ( Eau Rosee and L'Eau Bleue ) that I wear a lot and I am a big fan of their retro bottles. Twist has a new bottle , a taller urn shape that is also a bit retro looking while still using the matelasse inspired print for the glass.

The new fragrance is fruity off the top with apple blossom and bergamot. Cedarwood features prominently along with, according to the brand a new accord called " pink amber" , invented by perfumer Daniela Andrier  . It's said to bring a "woodiness of burnt sugar cane" . There is a definite clean woods feel here at times , it's not super sweet but has wafts of vanilla and sugar.  The dewy, fruity apple blossom stays well into the drydown .

Twist is  bright , youthful and Spring like . It's got medium sillage and wear time.  It is an EDP but wears more like an EDT.

Miu Miu Twist is $ 71 for 1.0z ,  $ 97 for 1.7 oz,  $ 30 for travel spray .  Currently exclusive to Sephora .





Sunday, January 27, 2019

Sweet Chef Beet & Vitamin A Serum Shot

 
Sweet Chef is a new skincare line from the Glow Recipe people. I've not tried any of Glow Recipe's line yet but I know it's super popular and sounds really good.

Sweet Chef skincare is exclusive to Target and Glow Recipe's website.  There are several serums and masks , all that mix vegetable extracts and vitamins while being free of phthalates , added fragrance and parabens.


I wanted to try Beet and Vitamin A Serum Shot as I'm always ready for smoothing and pore refining and I like using a retinol.  Let me tell you,  this really works. I use a lot of high end skincare including many retinols and this has worked better than most at making my skin smooth.  After just a couple uses I noticed a difference. Soft, smooth ,better. My pores haven't seen as much difference but they are a tiny bit improved and I'll take that as my pores are large and there isn't much that helps that. Also, I've only been using it a week.

I'm extremely impressed with this . I'm late to jump on the Korean skincare wagon  but I'm here now. This will easily help to achieve the "glass" skin look everyone is talking about .


The formula is a thicker, jellied liquid. It's lightly moisturizing and takes a few minutes to sink in. It's a bit tacky for awhile but not too long. Ingredients include glycerin, beet root extract, retinol, cocoa seed extract, soybean oil and sugarcane extract. I use it stand alone as it's enough for my skin right now. But  you can layer with another Serum Shot for an extra boost or  add moisturizer over it.

Sweet Chef Beet & Vitamin A Serum Shot is $ 18 at Target for a 1 fl. oz bottle

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

L'Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation


 
L'Oreal's Infallible Total Cover foundation is one of my favorites. I wear it almost every week day . I know I can count on full coverage that will truly last. With that in mind, I was excited to try the newest addition-  Fresh Wear.

Fresh Wear notes "up to" 24 HR wear on the label with breathable, buildable coverage.


First up, this was far more matte than I expected ( and I didn't read up much on it ahead of time or I would have known that.) That's not a bad thing, I love mattes , but on first wear I didn't moisturize enough. I like to test things pretty right much out of the bottle to get a good look  and with it being cold out my skin has drier areas but still a semi oily T Zone, especially my nose. Easily fixed.

Next wear I prepped better adding a  mid-weight moisturizer first and things looked much better. This has medium to almost full coverage that does feel light on skin as advertised and blends easily. It doesn't look or feel heavy or flat . You don't have a an overly " made up" look yet you're well covered and perfected. It lets "you" come through.


Wear time was excellent and I tend to wear off makeup much faster than most.  All work day into later evening  it looked good with minimal oxidizing,  minus some oil breakthrough on my nose which is normal. I light powder touch up took care of that. The brand says it has 3 oil absorbing powders to combat sweat , oil and water. I do look forward to wearing this even more when it's warm out and my skin needs all the help in can get in those areas.

Overall, a great addition to L'Oreal's already nice foundation selection. There is a light fragrance and SPF 25 using both physical and chemical sunscreens.

L'Oreal Fresh Wear Foundation is available wherever the brand is sold including Amazon in 30 shades.





Sunday, January 20, 2019

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre EDP


Chanel Chance Eau Tendre now comes in an EDP version. 

It's been awhile since I've smelled the EDT and I don't have a bottle here so I can't compare them but the key difference according to perfumer Olivier Polge is  the addition of rose. 

The new EDP is is a pretty , sparkling citrus floral with jasmine , grapefruit  and white musks. The rose here  is very present but light and clean .  I also get a large dose of grapefruit, and since I love that note it works for me, and there's no sharpness here. It's well blended in.  

Sillage here starts off strong but once it settles  and dries down it stays closer to the skin . This lasts long too,  and that should be an improvement over the EDT formulation.  It's not going to be an all day fragrance but will linger at least half the day , longer on clothing. 

Eau Tendre EDP is feminine, lighthearted and easy to wear . It doesn't reinvent the wheel but does makes for a nice daytime scent . 

Chanel  Chance Eau Tendre EDP is $135 for 3.4 oz and $ 105 for 1.7 oz







Sunday, January 13, 2019

Burt's Bees Liquid Lipstick



Fairly new from Burt's Bees is a liquid lipstick.

Burt's has been doing a good job in the color makeup department and I am liking this new lipstick too.

blusing rose, mauve meadow, tidal taupe
It's a thicker formula, don't think gloss like or even really a thin liquid like some other brands. I am fine with this as it gives full, lipstick like coverage in one swipe.

It feels comfy on lips, again a little thick, but creamy and decently hydrating. Apricot , sunflower and babassu oils, shea butter and castor oil are some of the ingredients.  It sets to a semi satin finish  and I really like that as I am not a matte fan . Wear time is average, not  long but a couple hours on me. The pigment is full with deep color and it applies nicely with a wide doe foot applicator.

This makes a great lippie choice for right now since Winter is here and it's cold. You can have  moisture and rich color that stands out under the hat and scarf.  Tidal Taupe has become a daily go to shade, it's a deeper nude with a peach undertone.

Burt's Bees Liquid Lipstick comes in 12 shades and is  sugg. retail $10 wherever the brand is sold including Amazon.





Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Sally Hansen + Crayola Insta Dri Glam Rock Nail Polish



I love Sally Hansen's Insta Dri collection.  I'm the person who remembers she wanted to paint her nails at 10PM.  Regular polish takes too long to dry at that hour, and that's where Insta Dri  comes in.  It really dries that fast.  

Now there is a new Crayola collab , Glam Rock,  that has metallic ( my fav) shades .   These have  lot of pigment and come in 12 fun colors. I have Shimmering Blush and Metallic Seaweed. Both will pop under all our Winter gear , brightening things up a bit. 

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Glam Rock are $ 7.99 sugg. retail









Sunday, January 6, 2019

WelleCo The Super Elixir Sleep Welle Calming Tea



Sleep, it's considered a luxury these days according to some articles I've read. And I am sure most of would say we don't get enough rest. Or in my case, good rest. While do I sleep plenty  , my sleep is often interrupted, I wake a lot and so I don't get enough deep , restful sleep. I probably am not the only one.

 While I don't have interest in resorting to medicines if I can help it, herbs and teas are a different story.


WelleCo, co-founded by supermodel Elle MacPherson and based in Australia , have several plant based Super Elixirs for healthy living and feeling.

Sleep Welle Fortified Calming Tea is a blend of valerian root, hops and scullcap that are said to help with anxiety and relax us. Lemon Balm , Passionflower, Natural mango and lemon flavors round out the ingredients.


The teabags smell a bit strong and not great out of the bag but once you get them in hot water, a fabulous fruity tasting and smelling liquid appears.  It's delicious.


After drinking just a small amount,  with a little honey added, I did feel myself begin to relax and feel a little drowsy. That surprised me. I know how well herbs can perform but to actually feel the results is different. The tea was a welcome calmer on a cold  night but it can be  drank anytime of day or night.


There is also a lovely smelling Calming Mist . A few spritzes gives a light fragrance of vetiver and chamomile. Nothing strong , it just adds a little aromatherapy to the room.

WelleCo The Super Elixir Sleep Welle Calming Tea comes in a caddy or a refill of bags.  The caddy with 50 bags is $ 69 and the 50 bag refill ( shown ) is $ 37

Sleep Welle Calming Mist is $ 35

Ground Shipping is free.

Available at WelleCo





Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Beauty Alchemist Facebook Page


Hello readers. Happy New Year.

I'm ringing in 2019 by hopping back a decade or so and finally having a dedicated Beauty Alchemist FB page. Not my fav social media platform but I needed it for my Insta account, so here I am . I'll be sharing pics and such , from IG and the blog to there with new product launches, favorite perfumes etc and some stand alone posts .  Stop by and  like/follow and say hello.

https://www.facebook.com/The-Beauty-Alchemist-326375054625534/