Review: Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser

I was recently contacted by a natural skin care company called Sibu Beauty to test and review one of their products. I was given a choice between their Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser or Repair & Protect Daytime Facial Cream. Since I have combination skin I opted for the Balancing Facial Cleanser.

I had never heard of Sibu Beauty prior to their contacting me but before I would agree to test and review one of their products, I did some digging on the brand to make sure it was one that myself and my readers (you!) would be interested in. Sibu Beauty is a cruelty free brand whose key ingredient in all their skin care products is the sea buckthorn berry. This magical berry can be found in the Tibetan Himalayas and contains elusive omega-7 fatty acids. The omega-7 fatty acid along with more common omega-3, 6, and 9 are critical in providing cellular support for healthy hair, skin and nails.

The Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser claims to:

• Leave skin looking and feeling radiant and refreshed
• Remove excess oil and impurities
• Contain micro-particles for a gentle exfoliation
• Great for removing makeup
• Non-foaming gel formula for all skin types

I've been using the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser morning and night for a little under a month now and can agree with a majority of the above claims. The cleanser is a gel formula with micro-beads that work well with my combination skin. I wouldn't rely solely on this facial cleanser for exfoliation as the micro-beads are incredibly gentle.

After cleansing, my naturally dry areas, like my cheeks and temples do not feel dry or tight and my naturally oily areas, such as my forehead and chin feel cleansed and fresh. I wouldn't agree that the Balancing Facial Cleanser is great for removing makeup, as I still see some residue on my cotton pad after I apply my toner post-cleanse.

I think the Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser is great for those with normal skin who don't suffer from acne or clogged pores. I personally have combination skin and have been suffering from breakouts and clogged pores lately, so while I noticed the healthy areas of my skin have been staying healthy, I haven't noticed much of a difference in my breakouts or pores. So if you are at a good place with your skin and are looking for an all natural and cruelty free way of maintaining its good health, then I would highly recommend the Sibu Beauty Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser to you.

Review: Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream

I mentioned in my monthly wish list for July that I planned on purchasing this Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream ($70) to help with the incredibly dry skin around my eyes. Immediately after I wrote that post I placed an order for the eye cream through Barneys New York. It arrived a few days later in the mail and I immediately put it to use.

I had used the Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair Cream in the past but refrained from buying it due to the high price tag. However, since I hadn't found anything better since then and my skin was getting worse, I figured it was time to go back to what's tried and true.

Unboxing: May Ipsy Glam Bag

Toward the middle of the month most people get a little worn-out. It's not quite as exciting as the beginning of a new month, nor is it as satisfying as making it through to the end. However, what the middle of the month means to me is a new Ipsy Glam Bag full of surprise goodies to keep me going.
If you remember my bag from last month you'll know that it had a rocker chic vibe and was full of products that I was super excited to try. This month's bag is a little tamer with cosmetics in lighter colors and skincare products tailored for the summer.

Review: Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream

I don't sleep.

Alright, I'll be a little less dramatic. I don't sleep as much as I should, and because of that my skin suffers. I have dark circles under my eyes and puffiness 24/7. Though I'm certain that getting more sleep would be much more effective than an eye cream, I'm in my last semester of college, interning part time and looking for a job, so sleep is going to have to wait.

Review: Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil

I've always been interested in incorporating a face oil into my routine but face oils can be just as terrifying as they are alluring. When the word 'oil' pops up into my head I immediately imagine grease and shine, two looks I'm definitely not going for when it comes to my face. However, after watching a few videos, specifically POPSUGAR Beauty's "Why Face Oils Benefit Any Skin Type, Even Oily" and Jaclyn Hill's "Favorite Skincare Products of 2013," and doing my own research I was sold.

What I learned about face oils is that they truly can benefit any skin type. Yes, even oily. How does that even make sense? Often times, skin becomes oily because it's dehydrated and as a response your skin end up over-producing oil. In a sense, by using face oils you are training your skin to stop over-producing and to begin producing oil at a normal rate. If you have normal or dry skin, a face oil will help to hydrate it and in most cases even better than your typical face moisturizer.

Unboxing: January + February Ipsy Glam Bag

Hey all! My February Ipsy Glam Bag came in the mail the other day and it's by far the best bag I've gotten! I ended up unboxing both my January and February bags since I didn't get the chance to last month. Hope you enjoy!
Let me know what you think below ♥
Check out my Ipsy profile: http://www.ipsy.com/lipstickndlace Get the Ipsy Glam Bag: http://www.ipsy.com/r/52v0
☺ Let's be friends! ☺ Blog: http://lipstickndlace.blogspot.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/lipstickndlace Instagram: http://instagram.com/wcmelle
✉ Contact Me ✉ For business inquiries ONLY, email me at lipstickndlace@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links.
♥
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Review: Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner

It's been quite some time since I've written a review on a Lush product and even longer since I've made a Lush purchase. Although I'm itching to buy some new products to test, my local Lush store in Soho has shut down, making the nearest one to me their Union Square location. In reality, Union Square is roughly 15-20 minutes away by train but I'm hardly ever in that area so I haven't had the chance to make a trip there yet.
This Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner ($9.95) was recommended to me by one of the sales associates. At the time of purchase I had combination-oily skin and had already tried the Lush Tea Tree Water Toner ($9.95) and didn't like it. Lush Breath of Fresh Air Toner is catered toward all skin types with fresh seawater to cleanse, seaweed extract to soften and rose absolute and aloe vera to soothe.
I apply the toner directly to my face using the built-in spray immediately after cleansing. The scent is very pleasant in my opinion, smelling vaguely of a sea breeze. I typically let the product soak into my skin and then continue on with the rest of my skin care routine.
When my skin type was combination-oily I noticed that the toner did very little for me in terms of oil-control but it left the more normal areas of my face feeling soft and supple. However, since I've come back from London my skin has become combination-dry (probably due to the harsh weather in NYC) and I find that the toner causes my face to feel tight.
I'd have to admit that I am not a huge fan of this product and would not actively recommend this toner to anyone. I feel that it doesn't do enough to justify the price tag and the Lush Tea Tree Water Toner is much more effective, so if you must try a Lush toner I'd say go for the Tea Tree Water. At this moment I am only using this toner on my T-zone and I've almost used the product up so look out for it in my next empties video!
♥
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Target Haul (Skincare + Haircare)

Hello everyone! My sincerest apologies for being MIA the past two months on my blog and every other social media platform, except Instagram. Between traveling every other week, schoolwork and things going on at home it was incredibly hard to find the time to film, let alone write a blog post. I explain more in this video as to what took me so long to start blogging and vlogging again so be sure to give it a view. I will be writing posts and filming videos on a regular basis again so keep your eyes peeled for more to come!

Milan Travel Tuesday: http://bit.ly/1hVQbOk
☺LETS BE FRIENDS!☺ Blog: http://bit.ly/1dtpXi7 Twitter: http://bit.ly/1eCHJ19 Instagram: http://bit.ly/1eCHFyp
★PRODUCTS MENTIONED★ L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo http://bit.ly/1dqeiBb
L'Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner http://bit.ly/1d2WLxW
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser http://bit.ly/19tqwcU
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner http://bit.ly/1j6F9pL
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream http://bit.ly/1eRJ9W2
RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream http://amzn.to/1ank0mr
CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion http://bit.ly/1d2Y5kn
DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links.
♥
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October Favorites 2013

It's that time of the month again!

No, not that time of the month.

It's favorites time!

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix - http://bit.ly/1dqE1se

B. Vitalised Eye Cream - http://bit.ly/HsOhp9

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection - http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush - http://bit.ly/17YcwS3

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in Shade 5 - http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

Barry M Nail Polish in Raspberry - http://bit.ly/15tMNTV

ON ME:

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation Mattifying Oil-Free in Natural - http://bit.ly/1adIu0t

MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 6 - http://bit.ly/17HokIe

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection - http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown - http://bit.ly/18I8LUn

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen - http://bit.ly/1adJUYX

UD Naked Palette (Gunmetal on the inner lid, Creep on the outer lid) - http://bit.ly/HfzhtX

L'Oreal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner - http://bit.ly/1icj985

Benefit They're Real! Mascara - http://bit.ly/15Rsznu

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

MAC Mineralize Blush (Warm Soul) - http://bit.ly/1eXesBY

Lorac Perfectly Lit Highlighter in Spotlight - http://bit.ly/Hgr7Bf

Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Celestial - http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Sigma Brushes:

Click here http://bit.ly/1h6swsn and use code FALL2013 to get 10% OFF your order through October!

♥
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Review: Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion

I'm certain I've said this a million times already on both my blog and my channel but I'll say it again, my skin is seriously freaking out. I have bumps along my forehead and have been breaking out in my T-zone. I'm not sure what caused my skin to go haywire but I've slowly been trying to fix it and get it back to being smooth and blemish-free.
I started off by using Lush's Ultrabland Facial Cleanser to reset my skin and now here I am with a brand new skincare routine that will hopefully solve all my problems. This Clean & Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion (£2.99) was the first new product I incorporated into my routine. I had done some research and found that I should incorporate Salicylic Acid into my routine. One of the first active ingredients listed on the back of this bottle was Salicylic Acid so I thought why not give it a try?
I like to use this product after I've removed my makeup and washed my face. I pour a little bit onto a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my face and neck. It works to remove any remaining traces of makeup and I can feel my pores tightening. However, I can't seem to get over the strong chemical smell of the product. I know that most toners do have an intense alcohol scent but this one was just overwhelming.
I've almost used up the entire bottle by now in a little under a month and I can say with certainty that while I didn't notice any more bumps or breakouts, it didn't do much in fixing the problem areas I already had. I will not be repurchasing this in the future because in my opinion I could probably find a better product for around the same price. I'm thinking of trying the Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Toner (£3.59) or the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control 3-in-1 Daily Cleansing Lotion (£3.99). If any of you have used these products before, I'd love to know what you'd think of them or if you have any other products to recommend!
♥
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Review: Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes

I first mentioned this product in my Boots & Superdrug Haul not too long ago and if you watched it then you'll know what I'm going to say next. This Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes (£1.50) is absolute rubbish. I only bough them because I was jet lagged wandering around Boots trying to pick up whatever I desperately needed in as little time as possible and it happened to be on a 3 for £3 sale.
While I got the product for only £1, in essence you are paying £1.50 for 25 wipes. I believe this is the standard amount of wipes you would typically get in one of these packets but I feel like I use them up so quickly because sometimes I'll need two to effectively rid my face of all my makeup. This is because the wipes are so dry. When you take them out of the packet you feel almost no moisture and even when I got down to the bottom of my last pack the sheets were still not damp.
I feel like I'm rubbing my face with a paper towel when I'm using this product. I'm the type of person who likes wipes that are heavily saturated so clearly this product gets a big thumbs down from me. I believe the only up side to these wipes are that they are not heavily scented and I haven't had any problems with irritation from the formula.
I ended up buying two of these Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes and one Boots Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover Gel for a total of £3. While it certainly was a bargain, I would have much rather paid more money for products that actually work. If you read my review on the Boots Essentials Eye Make-Up Remover Gel then you'll know that it sounded exactly like this one. After my experience with these two products from the Boots Essentials line, I can decidedly say that I am never buying a product from this line again.
♥
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Boots & Superdrug Haul!

I really apologize for this video being two days late. I had filmed this haul on Monday but when I went in to edit it I was really unhappy with the lighting and the quality. So I decided to re-film and re-edit the entire video. I'm still working out the kinks in my filming situation here at my dorm so bear with me while I try to get everything perfect.

☺LETS BE FRIENDS!☺
Blog: http://bit.ly/1dtpXi7
Twitter: http://bit.ly/1843L8z
Instagram: http://bit.ly/14jRzTF

★PRODUCTS MENTIONED★

BOOTS:
Soap & Glory Clean, Girls Body Wash
http://bit.ly/19EPyPE

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion
http://bit.ly/1855RsC

Boots Essentials Cucumber Eye Make-Up Remover Gel
http://bit.ly/1bM91pc
Review: http://bit.ly/GPwiZh

Boots Essentials Cucumber Cleansing Wipes
http://bit.ly/16BwVPV

Clean and Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion
http://bit.ly/16VsSQS

Boots Conditioning Nail Polish Remover
http://bit.ly/165oada

Boots 6 Way File and Bufffer
http://bit.ly/19pX4zO

Models Own Iced Neon Nail Polish in Bubblegum
http://bit.ly/19EQsvt

Models Own Velvet Goth in Sardonyx
http://bit.ly/19EQEL8

SUPERDRUG:
Head & Shoulders Shampoo in Menthol
http://bit.ly/165oVD7

Head & Shoulders Conditioner Smooth & Silky
http://bit.ly/1edYNeB

Barry M. Nail Polish Raspberry
http://bit.ly/15tMNTV

Barry M. Gelly Hi-Shine Dragon Fruit
http://bit.ly/1bjkg48

Collection 2000 Concealer Lasting Perfection Light
http://bit.ly/16VtXbe

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick Shade 5
http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

Rimmel Apoaclips Lip Lacquer Celestial
http://bit.ly/1cEjJgW

Rimmel Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara Black
http://bit.ly/GJEpq4

Sleek Blush By 3 Lace
http://bit.ly/165pEEh

♥WHAT I'M WEARING♥
Madewell V-Neck Pocket Tee White
http://bit.ly/15tNCfp

Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick Shade 5
http://bit.ly/1atGGyn

DISCLAIMER: This video is not sponsored. Some of the links above are affiliate links.


♥
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Review: Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer

I've always been a sucker for Lush. There's something about the simplistic packaging and company values that draw me in to their products. If you saw my Lush, Sephora & Barneys Beauty Haul, you'll know that I stopped off at Lush before I came to London to stock up. Which in hindsight was pretty silly since Lush was founded here in England, so the prices on some of their items is actually lower.

One of the products that I picked up during my visit was this Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer ($24.95). If you read my Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser review that I posted up two weeks ago on my blog, you'll know that I was looking for a skincare routine to help treat my acne-prone and oily skin. The wonderful sales associate at Lush in Soho recommended I use the Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser with this Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer in order to "reset" my skin.

I had been using Lush's Imperialis Facial Moisturizer ($24.95) before this and noticed that it wasn't hydrating my skin enough, so I asked for something more moisturizing this time around. The sales associate at Lush recommended I try the Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer because it's formulated for dry and sensitive skin so it's moisturizing while at the same time it's not too thick that it'll irritate or clog my pores. It sounded like good enough logic to me so I picked it up and have been using it for a little over a month now.

The product is made of almond milk and cocoa butter so it pretty much smells like a milkshake for your face. Beware though for it is heavily scented, so if you don't think you can stand the smell of almond milk then I'd suggest you opt for a different moisturizer. If you can get past the scent, or actually enjoy it like I do, you'll notice that the product has a very light and milky consistency. It's not a thick cream but it's not watery like some light facial moisturizers are. It's in that in between state so it feels decadent when applying it and your skin drinks it up quickly since it's still quite light.
Since I've started using the Lush Celestial Facial Moisturizer I've noticed that my skin hasn't been as dry. When I was using the Lush Imperialis Facial Moisturizer, the area of my forehead in between my brows would always be dry and flaky no matter how much moisturizer I applied. Now the flakiness is gone and the rest of my skin isn't too overly hydrated. I've been really enjoying this product since I've bought it and if it weren't for my need to try every possible facial moisturizer I can that piques my interest, I'd definitely buy this again. ♥
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Review: Soap & Glory Hand Food

Come the colder months I tend to develop an obsession with keeping my hands moisturized as I can't stand to see them dry and flaky. Thus, I have tried numerous hand creams from high-end to drugstore. Some were good and others were bad, but this Soap & Glory Hand Food Hydrating Hand Cream ($5.00 for 1.7 oz) has made it to the top of my list.

Review: Lush Ultrabland Facial Cleanser

If you've been following me for some time now, you'll know that I've been struggling a lot with my skin as of late. I've been breaking out around my T-zone, especially in the area between my brows and around my hairline. I tried numerous different products, tools and regimens hoping that I'd find a cure. However, all I was doing was using harsher and harsher products that were causing me to break out even more.

I decided to make a trip to Lush because I know that their staff is generally very knowledgable and their products are all natural with no harsh chemicals that could irritate my skin any further. The sales associate at the Lush store in Soho was brilliant and turned me on to what is known as the Ultrabland ($16.95 for 1.5 oz.) diet.

Lush, Sephora & Barneys Haul

Did some last minute shopping at Lush, Sephora and Barneys before I made my journey to London! Check out the products I got!

September Empties (Products I've Used Up)

Greetings from London! My sincerest apologies for not posting in over a week, I haven't had the chance to sit down in my room since I got here. I filmed this video back at home before I left and had meant to post it the Wednesday before my flight but per usual, life got in the way. Please keep watching to see what products I used up in the month of September and whether I'd repurchase them or not.

June Favorites 2013 (MAC, Urban Decay, Revlon + More!)

Hey everyone! It's hump day aka Wednesday and to get you over that hump I bring to you my very first video on my new YouTube channel! I deliberately waited until the end of the month to release the first video on my new channel because I wanted it to be a monthly favorites. Monthly favorites and hauls are my favorite videos to watch so I wanted to start off with one of those. Hope you enjoy~

Review: Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of BB creams but the ones here in America typically can't cut it. When compared to Asian brands like Skin79 and Lioele, what we call BB creams here are really just tinted moisturizers. So it only makes sense that I was super skeptical when I purchased the Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 ($39) in the shade Light/Medium.

Review: Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish

I've been in the market for a good body scrub for a long time. I used to use Lush's Ocean Salt ($21.95) but it was much too abrasive and way too expensive for my liking. So when Sephora sent me a 15% off VIB coupon code, I jumped at the chance to get this Soap & Glory Flake Away Body Polish ($20). I had always looked at it in stores and everything from the texture to the smell really drew me in.

As with all Soap & Glory products, this body polish comes in the most adorable and girly pink container. There's just something in the way they design the labels on their packaging that never fails to entice me into buying or at least checking out their products. You get 10.1 fl oz. of product in this giant pink tub, which is quite a lot more than 4.2 oz. of Ocean Salt you get for $21.95.

According to the packaging, the product is a "shea butter, sugar and peach seed powder spa body polish with skin smoothing sea salt, grapeseed and almond oils." It may sound like a load of mumbo jumbo but basically it's a sugar based body scrub that smells so delicious you'd want to eat it.

The consistency of the product is very gooey and it feels like a paste with little scrubby beads when you apply it to your skin. A little goes a long way and you don't need to scrub too hard to reveal softer and smoother looking skin. I use this product about once a week and in just three uses, I've already noticed a decrease in in-grown hairs, bumps and dry patches on my skin. The best part is right after you use it, if you touch your skin it feels baby smooth even without lotion.
I'm completely in love with this body polish and it's definitely the best body polish I've ever tried. It's not too abrasive and not too gentle, it smells delicious and works wonders on my skin. I'll definitely be repurchasing this once I use it all up but I don't see that happening for a long time since you get such a generous amount of product! ♥
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