This is a tough one to answer! When I google "apple cider vinegar toner," I get a lot of hits from bullshit websites lauding it for getting rid of toxins and being natural - the same sources that are going to tell you to use coconut oil as sunscreen or ingest essential oils. (Do not do either of those things, please.) Lots of people apparently think you should put apple cider vinegar on your face, but not many (any?) of them can provide an explanation of why, or at least one that isn't full of shit. "It's good for your pores/acne/balance/wrinkles/glow/dark spots/fish scales." Okay, but why?
Here is a post that talks about some of the potential dangers of using ACV on your face, including chemical burns (warning: graphic injury photos). ACV has some anti-bacterial properties, so maybe that could help with acne. But there is also good bacteria on your skin, so you don't want to annihilate it all. I'm guessing that back when people used harsh, alkaline soaps, an acidic toner like this could help to restore the pH balance of your skin. Using something overly basic (in pH terms) on your skin could also make it more prone to breeding bad bacteria, which the ACV might then kill. Maybe? But most cleansers now have a gentle pH, so that's not particularly necessary. And the pH is too high for ACV to be an effective exfoliant.
I'm not going to tell you not to use ACV on your face, so long as you are careful and dilute it well with water. I also can't recommend it, though, because I have found absolutely no evidence as to how it might be beneficial. When I google "apple cider vinegar toner science" most of the results include some variation of: "while no scientific research verifies these claims . . ." or, "I don't need scientific evidence to know it works, because . . ." Uh huh.
(ACV might be good for your hair, though. Or maybe not. That's a whole other thing, anyway. Also, you can use it to make a safe mask if you mix it with clay with a higher pH.)
Anyone have an better information to share on the topic? I mean something other than anecdotal stuff. My usual sources are coming up dry.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Warming up foundation (my first indie beauty purchase from Life's Entropy)
I've documented my troubles finding a good, pale, neutral foundation before. Since I don't like to waste things, I thought I would experiment with making my almost full bottle of Revlon ColorStay Makeup (Oily/Combination) in Ivory, which is too cool, work for me. One option would be to buy a bottle of a warmer foundation and mix it. The obvious risk there is that it wouldn't work, and then I'd be stuck with a whole second bottle of useless foundation.
I was excited, then, when I saw that Life's Entropy, an indie makeup brand, was selling a yellow mixer, called a Foundation Elixir, designed specifically for warming up too-cool foundations. Unfortunately, when I made this discovery, it was out of stock. Months later, I checked back, and - hooray - it was available, so I ordered a sample size for just $1.50 (I also ordered two Lip Theory samples, which I will write about in an upcoming post on coral lip products). Shipping was $3 (flat rate). It is still in stock as of today.
There was a considerable wait between ordering the stuff and finally having it in my hands, as I understand is often the case when ordering indies. Obviously it's not a huge operation, with a large staff, that you're dealing with. I placed the order on April 8, got a shipping notification April 26, and it was delivered May 4, so almost a month from start to finish. I think in this case the wait was worth it.
Here is the little paint pot sample I got:
You can see the color better in the swatch below. The yellow Foundation Elixir is a very pigmented, dark, mustard yellow color. The consistency is about the same as the Revlon foundation: a thick liquid.
I decided to mix the yellow directly into the bottle, since I wasn't particularly attached to the Revlon foundation - if I'd ruined it completely, I could live with that. Proceed that way with caution, though.
First I swatched the original Revlon foundation on my arm (see below). I started by adding about 4-5 drops of yellow to the bottle. I'm not sure about the exact measurement, because I just used a brush to scoop some out of the pot. Then I shook the bottle. It takes a lot of shaking to mix it this way. There's a reason paint stores have mechanical mixers. Once I got tired of shaking, I swatched it on my arm again. If I were being very rigorous, at that stage I would have tested it out on my face. But I am an impatient experimenter. Instead, since I didn't see as much change as I wanted in the swatch, I decided to just go ahead and add another 4-5 drops. In total, in the final swatch, you are looking at somewhere between 8-10 drops of yellow elixir in an almost full 1 fl. oz. bottle of foundation.
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE. My arm almost fucking fell off. I swatched again. This time the results looked good, so I stopped there. The color is just slightly on the warm side of neutral. On my arm, it looks a touch warmer than my skin, but I know from experience that I need makeup to be warmer to match my face than to match the inside of my forearm.
Here are the final swatches:
This was a very successful experiment. I have used the now-warmer Revlon foundation on my whole face since I mixed it, and it's a much better match for me. Unfortunately, I don't love the Revlon ColorStay formula. It's heavier, more opaque, and more matte than I like. I'll keep playing with it and try mixing it with primer or moisturizer or highlighter to see if I can get something I like better. But in terms of creating a shade match, the foundation elixir was definitely the ticket, and it only cost me $1.50 (plus shipping).
I'd recommend this stuff if you have a foundation that you like, but that is a little too cool for you. You only need to use a small amount, so you might find that a sample size is enough. I used about half of the sample to adjust my bottle of foundation. If you're going to be using it repeatedly, a $12 bottle might be worth it. You can use it to change the color of other cream or liquid products, as well, and besides yellow, it also comes in white and brown, to lighten and darken your makeup. Keep in mind that because it is very pigmented, it's possible that even the yellow elixir will darken your foundation if you use too much, so start out slowly.
This is the only product of its kind that I am aware of, at least outside of professional makeup supplies. Anyone else successfully warmed up a foundation using another method?
I was excited, then, when I saw that Life's Entropy, an indie makeup brand, was selling a yellow mixer, called a Foundation Elixir, designed specifically for warming up too-cool foundations. Unfortunately, when I made this discovery, it was out of stock. Months later, I checked back, and - hooray - it was available, so I ordered a sample size for just $1.50 (I also ordered two Lip Theory samples, which I will write about in an upcoming post on coral lip products). Shipping was $3 (flat rate). It is still in stock as of today.
There was a considerable wait between ordering the stuff and finally having it in my hands, as I understand is often the case when ordering indies. Obviously it's not a huge operation, with a large staff, that you're dealing with. I placed the order on April 8, got a shipping notification April 26, and it was delivered May 4, so almost a month from start to finish. I think in this case the wait was worth it.
Here is the little paint pot sample I got:
 |
| Sample size Life's Entropy Foundation Elixir in Yellow and Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Oily/Combination in Ivory |
I decided to mix the yellow directly into the bottle, since I wasn't particularly attached to the Revlon foundation - if I'd ruined it completely, I could live with that. Proceed that way with caution, though.
First I swatched the original Revlon foundation on my arm (see below). I started by adding about 4-5 drops of yellow to the bottle. I'm not sure about the exact measurement, because I just used a brush to scoop some out of the pot. Then I shook the bottle. It takes a lot of shaking to mix it this way. There's a reason paint stores have mechanical mixers. Once I got tired of shaking, I swatched it on my arm again. If I were being very rigorous, at that stage I would have tested it out on my face. But I am an impatient experimenter. Instead, since I didn't see as much change as I wanted in the swatch, I decided to just go ahead and add another 4-5 drops. In total, in the final swatch, you are looking at somewhere between 8-10 drops of yellow elixir in an almost full 1 fl. oz. bottle of foundation.
SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE. My arm almost fucking fell off. I swatched again. This time the results looked good, so I stopped there. The color is just slightly on the warm side of neutral. On my arm, it looks a touch warmer than my skin, but I know from experience that I need makeup to be warmer to match my face than to match the inside of my forearm.
Here are the final swatches:
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| Swatches (left to right): Life's Entropy Foundation Elixir in Yellow, Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Oily/Combination in Ivory, 4-5 drop of Yellow added to Revlon bottle, 8-10 drops of Yellow added to Revlon bottle |
I'd recommend this stuff if you have a foundation that you like, but that is a little too cool for you. You only need to use a small amount, so you might find that a sample size is enough. I used about half of the sample to adjust my bottle of foundation. If you're going to be using it repeatedly, a $12 bottle might be worth it. You can use it to change the color of other cream or liquid products, as well, and besides yellow, it also comes in white and brown, to lighten and darken your makeup. Keep in mind that because it is very pigmented, it's possible that even the yellow elixir will darken your foundation if you use too much, so start out slowly.
This is the only product of its kind that I am aware of, at least outside of professional makeup supplies. Anyone else successfully warmed up a foundation using another method?
Monday, May 25, 2015
Primer vs. Primer: Comparison and review of e.l.f Mineral/Studio Eyeshadow Primer and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (plus Wet N Wild Fergie Eyeshadow Primer)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Here is a quick comparison of a couple of high and low end eyeshadow primers to supplement my previous post on the subject. This time we have e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, which sells for $3 for 0.15 oz., and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, which sells for $25 for 0.26 oz. (I got a mini tube as a gift-with-purchase). The e.l.f. primer is labeled "Mineral" on the tube, but confusingly listed under "Studio Eyeshadow Primer" on their website. It's the same product. I have it in Sheer.
I swatches these two primers next to Wet N Wild Fergie Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer in the shade that is ridiculously and unhelpfully named For My Primas. It's the sheer version with no shimmer. This is my favorite primer, so it serves as a good basis for comparison. You can see it compared to other primers in the old post.
These are the things I look for in a primer, in order of importance, since I have fairly oily eyelids: (1) prevents creasing; (2) prevents fading/prolongs wear time; and (3) intensifies the color/opacity of the eyeshadow. So these are the criteria I use to judge a primer, which you can keep in mind if some of them are of less importance to you.
Here are swatches of the same eyeshadow alone and over each of the primers. I gave away the blue Covergirl shadow that I used last time, but I still have this equally crappy one, because the gorgeous color keeps me hanging on: Covergirl Eye Enhancers in Turquoise Tempest. As you can see, it barely shows up at all without primer, so it's a serious test for a primer.
You can see from the swatches that the WNW outperforms both the e.l.f. and the Nars in terms of intensifying the shadow. It also outperforms the other two in both other categories as well. No creasing and little fading for 8 hours+.
The e.l.f. primer helps with creasing a bit, but it's not great. By that I mean I can go an hour or two before creasing instead of 15 minutes without primer. It does not make eyeshadow last much longer in general - most of it has worn or faded away after a few hours. It also only slightly improves the pigmentation of eyeshadow. It isn't completely transparent, either. It has some pale pigment in it, which affects the color of the eyeshadow, making it a little lighter. It's hard to tell on my very pasty arm, but if you look at the few millimeters surrounding the swatch, you may be able to see a light halo. This could be a problem for people with darker skin than mine.
The Nars primer does prevent creasing pretty well, so that's good. It helps prolong the wear of the eyeshadow a bit, but not all day. And the intensification of the eyeshadow color is good but not great. It's completely transparent when it sets, and it does create a smooth surface for your eyeshadow, if that's something that's important to you. I don't really care about that, personally. I like that it's not sticky, but I don't particularly need smoother eyelids.
I can't really think of any good reason to spend $25 on this Nars stuff, unless you really like a completely transparent or smoothing primer and have a hard time finding one. It has a lot of positive reviews out there, so I guess it's doing something for someone. I wonder if they are from people who haven't tended to use primers in the past (since it's certainly better than nothing) or who are mega-fans of Nars.
This e.l.f. primer should be skipped entirely. If you want a super cheap primer, go for the $1 e.l.f. version (also reviewed here), which is much better If you want a very cheap primer, buy the Wet N Wild. I still haven't found anything better, especially when you take the price into account!
Here is a quick comparison of a couple of high and low end eyeshadow primers to supplement my previous post on the subject. This time we have e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer, which sells for $3 for 0.15 oz., and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, which sells for $25 for 0.26 oz. (I got a mini tube as a gift-with-purchase). The e.l.f. primer is labeled "Mineral" on the tube, but confusingly listed under "Studio Eyeshadow Primer" on their website. It's the same product. I have it in Sheer.
I swatches these two primers next to Wet N Wild Fergie Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer in the shade that is ridiculously and unhelpfully named For My Primas. It's the sheer version with no shimmer. This is my favorite primer, so it serves as a good basis for comparison. You can see it compared to other primers in the old post.
These are the things I look for in a primer, in order of importance, since I have fairly oily eyelids: (1) prevents creasing; (2) prevents fading/prolongs wear time; and (3) intensifies the color/opacity of the eyeshadow. So these are the criteria I use to judge a primer, which you can keep in mind if some of them are of less importance to you.
Here are swatches of the same eyeshadow alone and over each of the primers. I gave away the blue Covergirl shadow that I used last time, but I still have this equally crappy one, because the gorgeous color keeps me hanging on: Covergirl Eye Enhancers in Turquoise Tempest. As you can see, it barely shows up at all without primer, so it's a serious test for a primer.
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| Comparison swatches (left to right) with no primer, over Wet N Wild Fergie Take on the Day Primer, e.l.f. Mineral/Studio Eyeshadow Primer, and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. |
The e.l.f. primer helps with creasing a bit, but it's not great. By that I mean I can go an hour or two before creasing instead of 15 minutes without primer. It does not make eyeshadow last much longer in general - most of it has worn or faded away after a few hours. It also only slightly improves the pigmentation of eyeshadow. It isn't completely transparent, either. It has some pale pigment in it, which affects the color of the eyeshadow, making it a little lighter. It's hard to tell on my very pasty arm, but if you look at the few millimeters surrounding the swatch, you may be able to see a light halo. This could be a problem for people with darker skin than mine.
The Nars primer does prevent creasing pretty well, so that's good. It helps prolong the wear of the eyeshadow a bit, but not all day. And the intensification of the eyeshadow color is good but not great. It's completely transparent when it sets, and it does create a smooth surface for your eyeshadow, if that's something that's important to you. I don't really care about that, personally. I like that it's not sticky, but I don't particularly need smoother eyelids.
I can't really think of any good reason to spend $25 on this Nars stuff, unless you really like a completely transparent or smoothing primer and have a hard time finding one. It has a lot of positive reviews out there, so I guess it's doing something for someone. I wonder if they are from people who haven't tended to use primers in the past (since it's certainly better than nothing) or who are mega-fans of Nars.
This e.l.f. primer should be skipped entirely. If you want a super cheap primer, go for the $1 e.l.f. version (also reviewed here), which is much better If you want a very cheap primer, buy the Wet N Wild. I still haven't found anything better, especially when you take the price into account!
Butter London is on HauteLook today (50% off or more)
Disclosure: This post contains referral links.
Dammit, I was just going to pass this information along and ignore it, but Two Fingered Salute is included in the sale, and I've been wanting that for two years (or however long it's been around). Should I?
Individual bottles are $7.50 (i.e. half price), and there are also sets, and lip products, mascara, etc., for a variety of prices.
Doing any Memorial Day shopping? (It's kind of weird that this is a shopping holiday, right?)
ETA: Oops, I bought Two Fingered Salute and Posh Bird.
Dammit, I was just going to pass this information along and ignore it, but Two Fingered Salute is included in the sale, and I've been wanting that for two years (or however long it's been around). Should I?
Individual bottles are $7.50 (i.e. half price), and there are also sets, and lip products, mascara, etc., for a variety of prices.
Doing any Memorial Day shopping? (It's kind of weird that this is a shopping holiday, right?)
ETA: Oops, I bought Two Fingered Salute and Posh Bird.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Old NYX taupe blush vs. new NYX taupe blush (from Sultry Suburbia)
I do have the old version of this blush, which is a popular affordable contouring option for creating natural-looking shadows. Since I rarely bother to contour, I've never been inspired to post about it. But if the fact that the old NYX blush formula has been replaced with a new one worries you, check out this helpful comparison. All is not lost, it seems! (And Sultry Suburbia is a blog well worth reading for the stunning, dramatic makeup looks she creates.)
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Swatches and reviews of Paula's Choice foundations and tinted moisturizer (pale edition)
I've reviewed a lot of Paula's Choice products here. I recently ordered samples of all of the Paula's Choice base makeup products. I've been looking for a good, light tinted moisturizer or foundation for a while now, and I figured I'd give the PC options a shot. So here is my favorite thing about them: you can spend a couple of bucks and get sample packets of all of the shades of all of their products. I wish other brands would do that. Sure, you might chance into a sample in a gift-with-purchase or a subscription service, but even those tend to only be the "medium" shade or shades. I once got a card sample of Laura Mercier's famous tinted moisturizer from Birchbox, and the amount included was so small it didn't even cover a quarter of my hand, plus all three shades were way too dark. So I could test neither the shade nor the formula. I know that I could go to Sephora and asks the sales associates to make me samples of various products, but getting to the nearest Sephora is a pain in the ass for me. I would gladly spend a few dollars to have decent samples of the most likely shades sent to me at home instead.
So I ordered packets of the four bases Paula's Choice sells: Best Face Forward Foundation (SPF 25, for oily/combination skin); Resist Instant Smoothing Anti-Aging Foundation (for oily/combination skin); All Bases Covered Foundation (SPF 25, for dry/very dry skin); and Barely There Sheer Matte Tint (SPF 30, for all skin types). Each sample pack costs $2.50 and contains four generously sized samples - at least enough for two full-face applications each. You can choose a darker or lighter range for most of the foundations, and you get four different shades.
Here are swatches of the two lightest shades of each of the products, on either side of Revlon ColorStay Foundation for oily/combination skin as a point of reference, since that is a fairly popular and accessible foundation. (If you want to compare the Revlon foundation to other pale foundations, see this post.) They are swatched heavily to show the color differences, rather than the textures. I used the lightest shades in the middle next to the Revlon swatch.
As you can see, there is a lot of variation in what the lightest shades available are, but they are mostly on the warmer/yellower side (which makes sense for this brand, since Beautypedia tends to give poor reviews to makeup that is too peachy or pink, despite the fact that it does suit some people). Judging from the swatches on my arm, the best match for me appears to be Best Face Forward Foundation in Best Bisque, but unfortunately I didn't like the formula much.
Here are my reviews of each product, based on at least one full day's wear (though I didn't use both shades of each). I ended up buying the Barely There Tint, so there is more information about that one at the end.
So I ordered packets of the four bases Paula's Choice sells: Best Face Forward Foundation (SPF 25, for oily/combination skin); Resist Instant Smoothing Anti-Aging Foundation (for oily/combination skin); All Bases Covered Foundation (SPF 25, for dry/very dry skin); and Barely There Sheer Matte Tint (SPF 30, for all skin types). Each sample pack costs $2.50 and contains four generously sized samples - at least enough for two full-face applications each. You can choose a darker or lighter range for most of the foundations, and you get four different shades.
Here are swatches of the two lightest shades of each of the products, on either side of Revlon ColorStay Foundation for oily/combination skin as a point of reference, since that is a fairly popular and accessible foundation. (If you want to compare the Revlon foundation to other pale foundations, see this post.) They are swatched heavily to show the color differences, rather than the textures. I used the lightest shades in the middle next to the Revlon swatch.
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| Swatches (left to right): Paula's Choice Barely There Tint in Level 2, Paula's Choice Barely There Tint in Level 2, Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Ivory, Paula's Choice Best Face Forward Foundation in Best Bisque, Paula's Choice Best Face Forward Foundation in Best Linen |
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Here are my reviews of each product, based on at least one full day's wear (though I didn't use both shades of each). I ended up buying the Barely There Tint, so there is more information about that one at the end.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Empties 2015, Part IV: Makeup and Skin Care
These are actually things I finished in April (at the same time as the previous batch) but haven't got around to posting. I have another whole bag full in my bedroom. Perpetually behind!
As always, foils will get minimal-to-no comment, since they are generally too small to form an opinion on.
Makeup
Fresh Sugar Balm in Rosé: This was part of the Sephora birthday gift a couple of years ago. I don't like anything about these balms, really. I don't find them moisturizing, and I'm not a big fan of citrus fragrance in lip balms. I used it up by wearing it under lipstick.
Wet N Wild Fergie Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer: This is my favorite eyeshadow primer. You can see how it compares to a bunch of others here. The tube lasted almost 2 years (which explains why the print on the tube wore off), and it worked perfectly the whole time. Now I am left with subpar primers, and it's making me sad.
LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer: I started to use this again after the WNW primer ran out, but it was getting pretty dry and was even more ineffective than when it was new. When I realized that it was actually making my eyeshadow crease more, I ditched it. What a waste. (Also reviewed in the same post linked above.)
Sephora Anti-Shine Foundation Primer: This worked well under foundation, but it seems to have been discontinued, so I'll have to find something else I like. Right now I'm working through some clear silicone primers, which are never that impressive to me.
Tarina Tarantino Eye Dream Hyperlight: I complained about this on Instagram. I barely used any of it, but I just couldn't get any product out without a huge fight, so I gave up. I got it in a subscription box (Boxy Charm), so at least I didn't pay full price for that rage-inducing shit.
ULTA Plush Drama Volume Mascara: I also complained about this on Instagram. The brush was way too fucking big for my face.
Skin Care
e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator: Briefly reviewed here. I had used about half of it, but then it started to smell funky.
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser (mini): As I've said before, all the PC cleansers I've tried are effective but very expensive for pretty basic products. In general, I find most cleansers unobjectionable and unexciting, unless they are very drying, don't remove makeup, or sting my eyes.
Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer (mini): This stuff does indeed moisturize, but I found the fragrance so obnoxious that after using it twice I just squeezed the rest into a big bottle of body lotion. To me, it smells kind of like moldy lavender.
Mason Natural Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is the thing that works best for me when it comes to acne treatment but not all of them are equal, because a lot of oils are diluted despite being labeled 100% tea tree oil (see this Tumblr post). This one is effective. I'm on my third bottle.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol: I'm not sure about this. It's a very light moisturizer that I used at night throughout the winter. I don't totally understand what it is supposed to do - or at least what makes it different from any other moisturizer, other than that it contains retinol. I didn't think it made much improvement to my skin when I was using it, but my skin has been terrible for the last month or so, so maybe it was doing something? This is why I haven't reviewed it - my review would read: "Moisturizer, yes, ??????" I might try it again. It would probably provide more than enough moisture for my summer skin.
Paula's Choice Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion: Good. Reviewed here.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Love this stuff. On my third tube. Reviewed here.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Serum with Retinol (mini): I also don't know if this did anything, but it smelled weird and had a super-slippery silicone texture that I didn't love, so I probably won't use it again. It was similar in feel to a silicone primer, so it might do double duty that way.
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer (foil)
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer (foil): So. Much. Perfume.
PC 4 Men (Paula's Choice) Daytime Protect SPF 30 (foil): This was a decent, but not special, sunscreen. I assume the idea for a men's sunscreen is that they shouldn't be forced to feel anything icky on their precious man-faces, but it wasn't any less greasy than any other decent SPF 30 product.
That's it! At least as of April. Let me know if you want more details about any of these things.
As always, foils will get minimal-to-no comment, since they are generally too small to form an opinion on.
Makeup
Fresh Sugar Balm in Rosé: This was part of the Sephora birthday gift a couple of years ago. I don't like anything about these balms, really. I don't find them moisturizing, and I'm not a big fan of citrus fragrance in lip balms. I used it up by wearing it under lipstick.
Wet N Wild Fergie Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer: This is my favorite eyeshadow primer. You can see how it compares to a bunch of others here. The tube lasted almost 2 years (which explains why the print on the tube wore off), and it worked perfectly the whole time. Now I am left with subpar primers, and it's making me sad.
LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer: I started to use this again after the WNW primer ran out, but it was getting pretty dry and was even more ineffective than when it was new. When I realized that it was actually making my eyeshadow crease more, I ditched it. What a waste. (Also reviewed in the same post linked above.)
Sephora Anti-Shine Foundation Primer: This worked well under foundation, but it seems to have been discontinued, so I'll have to find something else I like. Right now I'm working through some clear silicone primers, which are never that impressive to me.
Tarina Tarantino Eye Dream Hyperlight: I complained about this on Instagram. I barely used any of it, but I just couldn't get any product out without a huge fight, so I gave up. I got it in a subscription box (Boxy Charm), so at least I didn't pay full price for that rage-inducing shit.
ULTA Plush Drama Volume Mascara: I also complained about this on Instagram. The brush was way too fucking big for my face.
Skin Care
e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator: Briefly reviewed here. I had used about half of it, but then it started to smell funky.
Paula's Choice Clear Pore Normalizing Cleanser (mini): As I've said before, all the PC cleansers I've tried are effective but very expensive for pretty basic products. In general, I find most cleansers unobjectionable and unexciting, unless they are very drying, don't remove makeup, or sting my eyes.
Philosophy Hope in a Jar Moisturizer (mini): This stuff does indeed moisturize, but I found the fragrance so obnoxious that after using it twice I just squeezed the rest into a big bottle of body lotion. To me, it smells kind of like moldy lavender.
Mason Natural Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is the thing that works best for me when it comes to acne treatment but not all of them are equal, because a lot of oils are diluted despite being labeled 100% tea tree oil (see this Tumblr post). This one is effective. I'm on my third bottle.
Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol: I'm not sure about this. It's a very light moisturizer that I used at night throughout the winter. I don't totally understand what it is supposed to do - or at least what makes it different from any other moisturizer, other than that it contains retinol. I didn't think it made much improvement to my skin when I was using it, but my skin has been terrible for the last month or so, so maybe it was doing something? This is why I haven't reviewed it - my review would read: "Moisturizer, yes, ??????" I might try it again. It would probably provide more than enough moisture for my summer skin.
Paula's Choice Hydralight Moisture-Infusing Lotion: Good. Reviewed here.
Paula's Choice Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum: Love this stuff. On my third tube. Reviewed here.
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Serum with Retinol (mini): I also don't know if this did anything, but it smelled weird and had a super-slippery silicone texture that I didn't love, so I probably won't use it again. It was similar in feel to a silicone primer, so it might do double duty that way.
Kate Somerville Oil-Free Moisturizer (foil)
Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer (foil): So. Much. Perfume.
PC 4 Men (Paula's Choice) Daytime Protect SPF 30 (foil): This was a decent, but not special, sunscreen. I assume the idea for a men's sunscreen is that they shouldn't be forced to feel anything icky on their precious man-faces, but it wasn't any less greasy than any other decent SPF 30 product.
That's it! At least as of April. Let me know if you want more details about any of these things.
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Bigger Better Hair (Review of John Frieda 7-Day Volume In-Shower Treatment)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
I got a mini bottle of John Frieda 7-Day Volume In-Shower Treatment from Target. They have interesting samples every now and then on this page, so it's worth bookmarking and checking when you think of it.
I didn't have high hopes for this product. Here are the claims, from the description on Amazon:
For some reason, I had a hard time capturing the change in photos. I don't know if it's the lighting or the angle or what. A professional photographer I am not. But I do know that I didn't imagine the difference, because I used it multiple times to make sure it was doing what I thought it was doing. Here are before and after photos, both taken after I let my hair air dry and didn't add any additional product. The style doesn't look very cute, but I didn't want any extra steps to affect my comparison. (And obviously I need a trim.)
Before:
[ETA: The Beauty Brains explained that it's actually the polyimide-1 that is the magic ingredient.]
I still have enough left in my little bottle for one more round with this stuff, and then I think I will buy myself a bottle. It gives my hair a little extra life without blowdrying it upside down, which is what I do when I am not feeling too lazy (i.e. very occasionally). I wouldn't say the effects last a full 7 days, but they do last 4-5 days before the volume starts to decrease significantly.
I would recommend this product if you have sad, limp hair like mine and want a change. Right now Amazon has it for $6, making it the cheapest anywhere I've found it. Of course Amazon prices jump around all the time, so do your homework.
Anyone else tried this stuff or something similar? What kind of results did you have?
I got a mini bottle of John Frieda 7-Day Volume In-Shower Treatment from Target. They have interesting samples every now and then on this page, so it's worth bookmarking and checking when you think of it.
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| John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7-Day Volume Treatment |
- Texturally transforms fine hair, leaving it full even after multiple washes
- Semi-permanent treatment establishes a base for volumized styling, achieving a look that was previously viewed as unattainable
- Works by penetrating into each fiber and amplifying each hair strand for lift that lasts through multiple washes
- It would make my hair rough, frizzy, or dry (i.e. "texturally transform" it), or;
- Nothing.
I was really pleasantly surprised with the results. The way this works is that, after shampooing and conditioning, you apply it all over your hair and leave it for about 5 minutes and then rinse. It doesn't replace shampooing and conditioning - it's an extra step. Some of the reviews on Amazon seem to have missed that point. Far from leaving my hair drier or duller, it actually made it softer and a tiny bit shinier. It seemed to add some extra conditioning so that I could easily brush through it while it was still wet without adding extra product (using the Wet Brush, which is magic and is something I really should review here - but still, sometimes it's easier than others, depending on my hair's condition).
The volume increase was subtle but definitely noticeable. It doesn't create big, dramatic, country-singer hair like a volumizing powder will, but it adds extra volume and body throughout the hair, not just at the roots. It just looks like you have more, thicker hair.
Before:
After:
I think it looks like I have about 30% more hair. You can also compare this photo on Instagram, which shows my usual, flat hair, with this one or this one, both taken after using the treatment.
I think it looks like I have about 30% more hair. You can also compare this photo on Instagram, which shows my usual, flat hair, with this one or this one, both taken after using the treatment.
I do not have thin hair, but I have fine hair, and quite a lot of it. I think this may make me the ideal candidate for getting good results with this product. If you have thin hair, I suspect you will notice some results but not as obvious ones, because the more hairs it can thicken, the better.
I honestly have no idea how this product works. Like I said, the texture of my hair doesn't feel rougher or stiffer, and it doesn't feel coated with anything - it just looks thicker. My hair has a tendency to hang there limply, and this stuff gives it a little more oomph. Is that clear and descriptive? Ha.
Here are the ingredients, in case you have any insight to provide:
Water, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Pvp, Polyquaternium-37, Vp/Va Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyimide-1, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Fragrance, Silicone Quaternium-18, Trideceth-6, Malic Acid, Trideceth-12, Glycine, Steartrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol, Alcohol Denat., Amp-Isostearoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Green 3.Most of the first several ingredients seem to be things like emulsifiers and film formers that you would find in regular shampoos and conditioners. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose absorbs water and prevents evaporation, so maybe what is happening is that it's keeping extra water in the strands of hair and plumping it that way. Here is an article on other hair thickening products from L'Oreal that seem to work in a similar way, which may provide some clues.
[ETA: The Beauty Brains explained that it's actually the polyimide-1 that is the magic ingredient.]
I still have enough left in my little bottle for one more round with this stuff, and then I think I will buy myself a bottle. It gives my hair a little extra life without blowdrying it upside down, which is what I do when I am not feeling too lazy (i.e. very occasionally). I wouldn't say the effects last a full 7 days, but they do last 4-5 days before the volume starts to decrease significantly.
I would recommend this product if you have sad, limp hair like mine and want a change. Right now Amazon has it for $6, making it the cheapest anywhere I've found it. Of course Amazon prices jump around all the time, so do your homework.
Anyone else tried this stuff or something similar? What kind of results did you have?
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Is your 3 or 4 or 5-free nail polish really free?
By now you've probably read the NYT article about nail salon and human trafficking/exploitation (if not, get on it). There's been lots of interesting discussion stemming from the article as well. I would recommend, as usual, skipping the Jezebel commentary on the topic, in which the author goes apeshit in the comments - as she's been doing in the comments of other articles, including ones she didn't even write herself (I am hesitant to link from here to such ridiculous antics, but let me know if you want some directions to the train wreck). But Wondegondigo has a thoughtful discussion, for example.
As part of describing the poor working conditions of salon employees, a link in the NYT article pointed to a study done in 2012 on 3(+)-free nail polishes that showed that many of them still included the chemicals that they were supposedly free from (including formaldehyde, DBP, and toulene). In fact:
It was nice to see that the Zoya they tested in that study did turn out to actually be 3-free, so I can blissfully go on loving my Zoyas.
As part of describing the poor working conditions of salon employees, a link in the NYT article pointed to a study done in 2012 on 3(+)-free nail polishes that showed that many of them still included the chemicals that they were supposedly free from (including formaldehyde, DBP, and toulene). In fact:
You know that I am not overly concerned about "chemicals," but if these particular ingredients, which do pose potential health risks when used frequently or in the wrong way, are a concern for you, well . . . maybe you should still be concerned. Or you should be extra careful to paint your nail in a very well-ventilated space.
"Toluene was found more frequently, and in higher concentrations in products with toxic-trio related claims than in traditional products. Ten of the twelve products with “toluene-free” claims did, in fact, contain toluene."
It was nice to see that the Zoya they tested in that study did turn out to actually be 3-free, so I can blissfully go on loving my Zoyas.
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| Zoya Dream |
Monday, May 4, 2015
Why do you get mad when other people put on makeup, though?
So Jezebel has a new . . . sub-blog? What do we call these things? A beauty section? Anyway, it's called millihelen (which I don't think is as clever as they think it is). I was kind of excited when it started because, despite having lots of ambivalence about Jezebel in general, I do want more fun beauty blogs to read. They have a regular feature where people go to the mall in the area where they live and ask for a makeover in the most popular local style. It's cool, especially when people are living away from home and you get to see what some international trends are like. Even if nearly every single person who gets a makeover is like, "Oh, I almost never wear makeup! It's so weird to have all this paint on my face." Please.
A lot of the articles/comment sections seem to involve mocking people for wearing too much makeup, which I'm not really on board with and just seems fucking weird on a beauty blog. Like this story today, which literally encourages commenters to make fun of "lip contouring," as though it is some new abomination that Instagram is forcing us all to do. Whatever your thoughts about how realistic contouring is for normal humans: first of all, I remember reading about tricks like this in YM or Seventeen or whatever in the 90s, so it's hardly new. Second, it's pretty clear that people who do extreme makeup like this on Instagram are doing it because they think it's fun. It's a hobby. And they do tutorials for other people who also think it's fun. I don't think anyone is suggesting that ordinary people who do not put makeup on themselves as a hobby MUST contour their lips to meet basic beauty standards, even if Kylie Jenner's lips are trending. Why exactly do we need to mock people for experimenting with makeup and posting photos of it, again?
Am I missing something? What do you think about Instagram makeup, or lip contouring, or millihelen, or Jezebel in general?
A lot of the articles/comment sections seem to involve mocking people for wearing too much makeup, which I'm not really on board with and just seems fucking weird on a beauty blog. Like this story today, which literally encourages commenters to make fun of "lip contouring," as though it is some new abomination that Instagram is forcing us all to do. Whatever your thoughts about how realistic contouring is for normal humans: first of all, I remember reading about tricks like this in YM or Seventeen or whatever in the 90s, so it's hardly new. Second, it's pretty clear that people who do extreme makeup like this on Instagram are doing it because they think it's fun. It's a hobby. And they do tutorials for other people who also think it's fun. I don't think anyone is suggesting that ordinary people who do not put makeup on themselves as a hobby MUST contour their lips to meet basic beauty standards, even if Kylie Jenner's lips are trending. Why exactly do we need to mock people for experimenting with makeup and posting photos of it, again?
Am I missing something? What do you think about Instagram makeup, or lip contouring, or millihelen, or Jezebel in general?
Friday, May 1, 2015
No-Makeup Makeup: Comparison of eye brightening cream shadows (Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded vs. Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Color in Kitten)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate/referral links.
I'm going to get all the SEOs with that headline, right? Is that how this works? Really, though, I think the "no-makeup makeup" trend, as the epitome of manufactured "natural" beauty, is super iffy. "Here, just layer on these fifteen exquisitely-formulated prestige cosmetics and you too can look like a fresh-faced teenager in excellent lighting." Auxiliary Beauty wrote a great post on the subject of natural beauty not too long ago, which you should check out. As I commented there, I think a lot of what's driving the trend is conservative, elitist, and reactionary.
That doesn't mean that I think there is anything wrong with not wearing much/any makeup, or wearing minimal makeup, or wearing makeup that is intended to subtly enhance your features, if that's what you want to do. But like most other forms of minimalism that are being promoted in recent years, "no-makeup makeup" is especially attainable for people who didn't need a lot of makeup to begin with or who have the means (or time) to choose to look like they are wearing no makeup while slathering on a lot of makeup. (I posted about Amy Schumer's take on no makeup earlier this week.) It's worth thinking about critically, at least, whether you want to rage against the machine (yeah, I'm old) or you just find cultural patterns interesting.
My "minimalist" makeup days are mostly born out of laziness and/or a lack of time - I suspect the latter (or a lack of interest) is the case for most small-m minimalists. On those days I still tend to slather on a bit of makeup, but that's what I like to do. Lately, my simplest routine consists of some combination of the following: eyebrow pencil, concealer, cream eyeshadow, mascara, powder blush, face powder, and lip balm. I might leave one or more of those out (but never the mascara and almost never the eyebrow pencil, because blonde face hair). As I've mentioned before, these products are chosen because they are the simplest to apply. Powder blush is less finicky than cream blush, but cream eyeshadow is easier for me than powder eyeshadow. I need primer to make most powder shadows stick and last more than an hour, whereas cream stays put a bit better. Even cream will always crease on me eventually without primer, but if I use a pale enough shade or only apply it fairly close to the lash line, I can get away with it.
If I'm going to do eyeshadow on one of these days, I usually use Maybelline Color Tattoos. One of my favorite things to do is just smear a pale champagne shade all over my lid, from lashes to brow bone, and in the inner corner. I use Barely Branded, but I think Barely Beige is almost the same. Because this is close to my skin tone, just slightly paler and shimmery, it works well to brighten my eyes a bit and make me look more awake. I always think it also makes me look a bit younger then darker eye makeup does, and for that reason, I usually avoid this look at work when I want to exude maturity and authority (cough).
Because I wondered if that was just my imagination, here's a photo with Barely Branded on one eye and darker eyeliner and eyeshadow on the other. In the mirror, the darker made-up eye looked SO DARK and dramatic and shit, but in this photo, the difference seems not-so noticeable. Interesting.
I'm not sure what this photo proves, but there it is.
Since I use this Color Tattoo so frequently, it's starting to run low (though honestly I probably have almost a year's worth left). In a fit of shopping boredom a while ago, I decided to use a HauteLook credit to buy a Stila crayon shadow in Kitten as a backup. I know this is one of Stila's most popular shades, and it seemed like a good alternative to Barely Branded.
Usually you can get Color Tattoos for about $5-8 (Barely Branded is $5.60 on Amazon), though of course there are always drugstore sales, so you likely don't need to pay full price. The Stila crayon usually goes for $22, though it was $8 on HauteLook when I bought it. I think Stila may be discontinuing this product, since it's $8 and final sale on their site right now. The Color Tattoo, even with its tricky packaging, holds 0.14 oz., while the Stila crayon is 0.04 oz. - quite a fucking difference there in terms of price per ounce, even at the lowest price for the crayon.
The colors are not identical. Definitely not dupes. The Color Tattoo is more of a pale golden champagne, while Kitten is peachier. Kitten is a little too dark to blend into my skin well, so it would be ideal for someone who is not the palest of the pale like I am.
Swatched on my hand, the Stila crayon looks more even, but I find that on my eyelids, the Color Tattoo blends more smoothly and just looks better. The Stila shadow highlights the texture of my eyelid in a way that I don't love, while the Color Tattoo smoothes it over. I also find it easier and quicker to apply the Color Tattoo, because I can just smear it on and blend it with my finger. The Stila crayon is a little stiffer (though not bad), and it takes slightly longer to scribble all over my lid and then blend it with my finger tip. It's a minor difference, but if I am in a rush, it matters. The crayon can be applied more precisely, when needed, at least.
Without primer, the Stila crayon wears slightly better than the Color Tattoo, but they both crease and fade to a certain extent after a few hours on my oily eyelids. I haven't tested the waterproof claim of the Stila crayon, because that's not usually something I look for in an eyeshadow. I wouldn't say that it works as a primer as well as an eyeshadow, like it claims to. But I'm not one of those lucky people for whom Color Tattoos work as a primer, either.
Because of the difference in shade and texture, Barely Branded works better as an all-over brightening eyeshadow for me (and can even double as a highlighter). Kitten isn't as subtle and natural looking - it's more in the makeup makeup category than no-makeup makeup. It's not a bad product, but I think I am going to have to find a different use for it. Maybe I'll just use it on my lower lid with something darker blended in the crease on days that I'm doing a more elaborate eyeshadow look.
I'm going to get all the SEOs with that headline, right? Is that how this works? Really, though, I think the "no-makeup makeup" trend, as the epitome of manufactured "natural" beauty, is super iffy. "Here, just layer on these fifteen exquisitely-formulated prestige cosmetics and you too can look like a fresh-faced teenager in excellent lighting." Auxiliary Beauty wrote a great post on the subject of natural beauty not too long ago, which you should check out. As I commented there, I think a lot of what's driving the trend is conservative, elitist, and reactionary.
That doesn't mean that I think there is anything wrong with not wearing much/any makeup, or wearing minimal makeup, or wearing makeup that is intended to subtly enhance your features, if that's what you want to do. But like most other forms of minimalism that are being promoted in recent years, "no-makeup makeup" is especially attainable for people who didn't need a lot of makeup to begin with or who have the means (or time) to choose to look like they are wearing no makeup while slathering on a lot of makeup. (I posted about Amy Schumer's take on no makeup earlier this week.) It's worth thinking about critically, at least, whether you want to rage against the machine (yeah, I'm old) or you just find cultural patterns interesting.
My "minimalist" makeup days are mostly born out of laziness and/or a lack of time - I suspect the latter (or a lack of interest) is the case for most small-m minimalists. On those days I still tend to slather on a bit of makeup, but that's what I like to do. Lately, my simplest routine consists of some combination of the following: eyebrow pencil, concealer, cream eyeshadow, mascara, powder blush, face powder, and lip balm. I might leave one or more of those out (but never the mascara and almost never the eyebrow pencil, because blonde face hair). As I've mentioned before, these products are chosen because they are the simplest to apply. Powder blush is less finicky than cream blush, but cream eyeshadow is easier for me than powder eyeshadow. I need primer to make most powder shadows stick and last more than an hour, whereas cream stays put a bit better. Even cream will always crease on me eventually without primer, but if I use a pale enough shade or only apply it fairly close to the lash line, I can get away with it.
If I'm going to do eyeshadow on one of these days, I usually use Maybelline Color Tattoos. One of my favorite things to do is just smear a pale champagne shade all over my lid, from lashes to brow bone, and in the inner corner. I use Barely Branded, but I think Barely Beige is almost the same. Because this is close to my skin tone, just slightly paler and shimmery, it works well to brighten my eyes a bit and make me look more awake. I always think it also makes me look a bit younger then darker eye makeup does, and for that reason, I usually avoid this look at work when I want to exude maturity and authority (cough).
Because I wondered if that was just my imagination, here's a photo with Barely Branded on one eye and darker eyeliner and eyeshadow on the other. In the mirror, the darker made-up eye looked SO DARK and dramatic and shit, but in this photo, the difference seems not-so noticeable. Interesting.
I'm not sure what this photo proves, but there it is.
Since I use this Color Tattoo so frequently, it's starting to run low (though honestly I probably have almost a year's worth left). In a fit of shopping boredom a while ago, I decided to use a HauteLook credit to buy a Stila crayon shadow in Kitten as a backup. I know this is one of Stila's most popular shades, and it seemed like a good alternative to Barely Branded.
 |
| Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Color in Kitten and Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded |
The colors are not identical. Definitely not dupes. The Color Tattoo is more of a pale golden champagne, while Kitten is peachier. Kitten is a little too dark to blend into my skin well, so it would be ideal for someone who is not the palest of the pale like I am.
 | |
|
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| Stila Smudge Crayon Waterproof Eye Color in Kitten (left) and Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded (right) |
Because of the difference in shade and texture, Barely Branded works better as an all-over brightening eyeshadow for me (and can even double as a highlighter). Kitten isn't as subtle and natural looking - it's more in the makeup makeup category than no-makeup makeup. It's not a bad product, but I think I am going to have to find a different use for it. Maybe I'll just use it on my lower lid with something darker blended in the crease on days that I'm doing a more elaborate eyeshadow look.
Affiliate Links
ETA (August 2015): I am now using ShopStyle affiliate links in addition to Amazon affiliate links. I receive a small commission (usually 2-5 cents) each time someone clicks one of these links, regardless of whether or not they make a purchase. You can identify the affiliate links by hovering over them and seeing if the url starts with "api.shopstyle.com". I do really appreciate it when anyone clicks my links, because it allows me to save a little money to pay for some of the products I review. Read on for how affiliate links in general work.
I'm going to start using Amazon affiliate links again, for a little while at least. I am facing a period of (hopefully temporary) unemployment, and even though not much comes from affiliate links, a little is better than nothing. I am hoping to get enough small Amazon gift cards to buy the only fucking wet food that my princess of a cat will deign to eat, which I can't find in any actual stores around here: the glamorous Friskies Tasty Treasures Beef and Liver Dinner with Cheese (there, that's the first affiliate link). I will only be participating in Amazon's affiliate program. I know there are lots of issues with Amazon, but frankly there are a issues with many of the companies that run affiliate programs, and at least this way I can link to a variety of different items. Also, Amazon doesn't care how much I write "fuck," and other affiliate programs do.
I will always include a disclosure line at the top of every post that contains affiliate links (see above). I will also try very hard not to write in a way that requires you to click an affiliate link in order to get basic information. There are few things that annoy me more when reading a blog than when people deliberately withhold information in an effort to force readers to click their links. For example, they might affiliate-link the words "this one" without naming the product. If I ever do that, you have permission to yell at me. (Sometimes in the past I may have linked vague phrases like that to other posts on my own blog, but I will try not to do that either, if I can remember.)
I know that there are people out there who don't like affiliate links, and I understand that perspective. Personally, I find them to be one of the least obnoxious ways to monetize blog content, since there usually isn't a brand or PR person who needs to be placated. If a blogger introduces me to something that I want to buy, I'm happy for them to make that 8% commission or whatever (from Amazon it's more like 4%). If you want to avoid clicking affiliate links here, don't click anything that goes to Amazon, which you can tell when you hover over the link and see the URL. Some of my old posts have Amazon links that are not affiliate links right now, but I'm going to gradually update them. (On other blogs, to avoid affiliate links, mot likely anything that redirects you rather than linking directly to the brand/store page is an affiliate link.)
I also know that a lot of casual blog readers don't really know exactly how affiliate links work, so let me explain. When you click my link, a cookie will be placed on your computer. That cookie expires in a certain amount of time. With Amazon, it's 24 hours. With some other affiliate link programs, it's 30-45 days. So that means that anything you buy from that site before the cookie expires generates a commission for the blogger. If you click through because I linked to some lipstick on Amazon and don't buy it, but later that day decide to order a DVD of Xanadu, I will get a small commission. If you put the lipstick in your shopping cart during the 24 hour period, wait three days to think it over, and then buy it, I do get a commission for the lipstick, but not for anything you added to your cart after the 24 hours ended.
Similarly, if you were to click on an affiliate link to J. Crew from a blogger using RewardStyle (rstyle), the cookie would be stored for 30 days, and anything you bought from J. Crew in the next month would generate a commission for that blogger. It doesn't have to be the item they linked, just anything from the store. If you want to avoid giving someone commission, you need to shop in an incognito browser window, clear your cookies, or click on someone else's affiliate link and replace the previous cookie with the latest one.
Hope that is clear. Let me know if you have any questions!
I'm going to start using Amazon affiliate links again, for a little while at least. I am facing a period of (hopefully temporary) unemployment, and even though not much comes from affiliate links, a little is better than nothing. I am hoping to get enough small Amazon gift cards to buy the only fucking wet food that my princess of a cat will deign to eat, which I can't find in any actual stores around here: the glamorous Friskies Tasty Treasures Beef and Liver Dinner with Cheese (there, that's the first affiliate link). I will only be participating in Amazon's affiliate program. I know there are lots of issues with Amazon, but frankly there are a issues with many of the companies that run affiliate programs, and at least this way I can link to a variety of different items. Also, Amazon doesn't care how much I write "fuck," and other affiliate programs do.
I will always include a disclosure line at the top of every post that contains affiliate links (see above). I will also try very hard not to write in a way that requires you to click an affiliate link in order to get basic information. There are few things that annoy me more when reading a blog than when people deliberately withhold information in an effort to force readers to click their links. For example, they might affiliate-link the words "this one" without naming the product. If I ever do that, you have permission to yell at me. (Sometimes in the past I may have linked vague phrases like that to other posts on my own blog, but I will try not to do that either, if I can remember.)
I know that there are people out there who don't like affiliate links, and I understand that perspective. Personally, I find them to be one of the least obnoxious ways to monetize blog content, since there usually isn't a brand or PR person who needs to be placated. If a blogger introduces me to something that I want to buy, I'm happy for them to make that 8% commission or whatever (from Amazon it's more like 4%). If you want to avoid clicking affiliate links here, don't click anything that goes to Amazon, which you can tell when you hover over the link and see the URL. Some of my old posts have Amazon links that are not affiliate links right now, but I'm going to gradually update them. (On other blogs, to avoid affiliate links, mot likely anything that redirects you rather than linking directly to the brand/store page is an affiliate link.)
I also know that a lot of casual blog readers don't really know exactly how affiliate links work, so let me explain. When you click my link, a cookie will be placed on your computer. That cookie expires in a certain amount of time. With Amazon, it's 24 hours. With some other affiliate link programs, it's 30-45 days. So that means that anything you buy from that site before the cookie expires generates a commission for the blogger. If you click through because I linked to some lipstick on Amazon and don't buy it, but later that day decide to order a DVD of Xanadu, I will get a small commission. If you put the lipstick in your shopping cart during the 24 hour period, wait three days to think it over, and then buy it, I do get a commission for the lipstick, but not for anything you added to your cart after the 24 hours ended.
Similarly, if you were to click on an affiliate link to J. Crew from a blogger using RewardStyle (rstyle), the cookie would be stored for 30 days, and anything you bought from J. Crew in the next month would generate a commission for that blogger. It doesn't have to be the item they linked, just anything from the store. If you want to avoid giving someone commission, you need to shop in an incognito browser window, clear your cookies, or click on someone else's affiliate link and replace the previous cookie with the latest one.
Hope that is clear. Let me know if you have any questions!
theBalm is on HauteLook today (~50% off)
Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.
I said I would be procrastinating and so I'd remind you. They've got the eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, lushes, all of it. I am really tempted to just get one of the tinted moisturizers, since I've been having a terrible time finding one I like (I'll post about this process soon), and the "Lighter Than Light" shade of theBalm's concealer is a good match for me. Anyone tried their "Balm Shelter" tinted moisturizer? Should I go for it? I am hesitant, but I don't remember them being included in other recent HL sales of theBalm, so maybe I should pull the trigger while I can. Hmmmm. (Maybe throw an Illamasqua nail polish in there . . . . no!)
I said I would be procrastinating and so I'd remind you. They've got the eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, lushes, all of it. I am really tempted to just get one of the tinted moisturizers, since I've been having a terrible time finding one I like (I'll post about this process soon), and the "Lighter Than Light" shade of theBalm's concealer is a good match for me. Anyone tried their "Balm Shelter" tinted moisturizer? Should I go for it? I am hesitant, but I don't remember them being included in other recent HL sales of theBalm, so maybe I should pull the trigger while I can. Hmmmm. (Maybe throw an Illamasqua nail polish in there . . . . no!)
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