Testing Tuesday: Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion & Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish

Good Evening Makeup Mavericks!

Welcome to Testing Tuesday and today's featured products are Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion and Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish. I was sent these products from Influenster for testing purposes. If you have tried out any of these products, I would love to hear from you! 

Friendly reminder, I encourage you always to read other reviews and try out products for yourself. My word is not end all be all. For information regarding my testing and standards, please check out this post. Let's get started.

Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion

Moisturizing, we all need to do it, but we all don't have the time to saturate our skin properly. Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion utilizes your shower time and allows you to moisturize after scrubbing your body.

Product Details:

• Conveniently moisturize your skin in the shower
• Moisturizes instantly without sticky feel
• Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized for 24 or more hours
• NIVEA In-Shower Body Lotion has received the Good Housekeeping Seal

The Nivea In-Shower Body Lotion is a great substitute and time saver if you're running on a time crunch, lazy, or despise the moisturizing process after a shower. It is an oil base product, so if not applied carefully, it can present a safety issue. I definitely won't spend a winter without this product and maybe use it in the summer in Chicago because of the hard water. However, I will still use my traditional moisturizers. My skin feels smooth for a few hours, but I ultimately need to remoisturize at the end of the day.

Pros:

• Use when lacking time or patience
• Skin is soft and smooth

Cons

• Still used my usual moisturizers on my feet and at the end of the day
• Not as rich as my creams

Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish

Cleansing is simply a necessity for everyone. We face dirt, grime, and other toxins every day and need a good scrub/cleanser to rid our skin of it. Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish is a facial scrub created with Kenyan coffee (rich in antioxidants and of course caffeine), jojoba, and moisturizing shea butter.

Product Details:

• Creamy scrub enriched with antioxidants
• Results in radiant and softer skin

As one of the first products I tried from the #PoppyVoxBox, it both intrigued me and worried me. I have my skincare routine perfected, and while I love trying new products, I often end up irritating my skin in some fashion which then requires a rehab period to get back to my regular glowy self. That did not happen with this product. 

I initially used Nyakio Kenyan Face Polish on its own as my nightly scrub for the first few nights and then alternated between my regular cleanser and Clarisonic. My skin did not breakout and was glowing which is my number one skincare goal next to having clear skin. Individuals with normal, combination or oily skin would probably love this product. While I felt like it deposited moisture across my skin, I have heard of some people with dry and sensitive skin having a poor reaction to it. Use wisely.

Pros:

• Improves texture and smooths skin
• Leaves skin clean
• Fresh smell

Cons

• Messy, since it's made from coffee beans it is dark in color (ideal for the shower)
• Possible skin irritation
• Can be drying

Testing Tuesday: Rimmel's ScandalEyes and Oh My Gloss

Good Evening Makeup Mavericks!

Welcome to our first Testing Tuesday and today on the list is Rimmel's ScandalEyes Precision Micro Eyeliner and Oh My Gloss. I was sent these products from Influenster and I must say they pleasantly surprised me. For information regarding my testing and standards please check out this post. Let's get into the breakdown of each product.

Oh My Gloss

A gloss is a staple in everyone's collection. Oh My Gloss! Oil Tint is a bit more than just a gloss, though. While it feels and looks like a traditional lip gloss, it does so much more. This gloss has "four precious oils" which provides your lips with nourishment. They come in six shades that range from baby pink to fuchsia to orange and at this point, it is only available at Wal-Mart for $6

Product Details:

• Packed with a harmonious blend of four precious oils, for unprecedented nourishing care and comfort with an ultra-glossy finish
• Ultra-light, non-greasy, non-sticky and non-drying
• Innovative tint-in-oil system fuses pure colour pigments into lips for a refreshing juicy pop of colour

Image from test

This lip gloss is nice and the pigment is superb. I could see it working for a pop of color in the spring and summer. But expect to reapply because it is a lightweight formula so it won't get sticky or thick on lips. Ultimately this boils down to preferences if you don't care about reapplying every hour or so then you will probably love this gloss. 

Pros: 

• Moisturizing
• Excellent color pay off
• No feathering
• Not sticky

Cons:

• Frequent reapplication due to thin formula

ScandalEyes Precision Micro Eyeliner

Images from Check Ins

Back in the day (college) I rocked a liquid, winged liner every chance I could. During those times the it-liner was MAC's liquid eyeliner. In recent years I have upgraded to Kat Von D's tattoo liquid eye liner (KVD). KVD's formula is budge proof and not to mention it matches the black of the deepest and darkest crevices in Hell. However, my use of liquid liner is limited these days, whether it is due to maturity (doubtful) or realization that liquid liner and hooded eyes is a tricky combo. My history with liquid liner is a long one and most of the time I have been let down by products promising 24 hours of wear and smudge proof.

Product Details:

• Dense black pigments for color intensity
• Ultra fine tip for artistic looks and creates a flawless fine line
• Waterproof, smudge-proof, tear-proof, sweat-proof, heat-proof, humidity-proof
• Up to 24 hours of wear

Hand Test Images

This product surpassed my expectations to be perfectly honest. I am super critical of eyeliner for several reasons. First being that I don't think it is too much to ask for a brand to create a permanent marker type product (haha) that last throughout the day and still comes off (I know I am not asking for much right?). Another reason I am critical of eyeliners, in general, is because the corner of my eye could be caked in liner and if I don't set it or touch it up later in the day, my watery and oily eyes will break down the product. 

While testing this product I also tested it on my hand against both MAC and KVD liquid liners. It held up better than MAC and was the same consistency after 8 hours as KVD. KVD's black liner was the darker of the two. In a controlled environment, ScandalEyes eyeliner performed beautifully and my only complaint is that the black is not a true black. When I went out for cocktails while it was raining, I did experience some transfer to the bottom inner corner of my eyes. 

With all that being said here are the pros and cons:

Pros: 

• 8 hours of wear without touch ups or breakdown from sweat, water, or oils
• Extremely user-friendly, my roommate (who is not a makeup enthusiast) was able to line her eye easily
• No feathering or fading

Cons:

• The black is not a true black, it looks like more of a charcoal color when compared to MAC and KVD liquid eyeliner
• Minor transfer on the inner corners on my eyes

If you have tried these products and had similar or different experiences, I would love to hear about them.

xxK

When an Influencer Meets Influenster

Hello Makeup Mavericks,

Happy Testing Tuesday! Yes, Tuesday blogs will be dedicated to testing new products, and I am so excited about this. While everyone including myself has their favorite products that have a home in their regimen, it is always exciting to find something new that either could be added to the rotation or completely replace a favorite.

Now there will be some set rules and standards that I plan to utilize in the testing as controls.

1. Makeup Evaluation and Reviews Are Based on Eight Hours Tests

Image by Scottish Resilience Development Service.

The best way to measure a product's effectiveness is to have a time control. Each product will be judged based on its performance across a standard work day of eight hours. This is both a personal and practical preference. I personally hate reapplying and even touching up makeup that calls attention to it. I also despise interrupting my work day to check that my foundation hasn't broken down on me.

2. Skincare Evaluations and Reviews Are Based on Weekly Tests

Accessing skincare is more in-depth and requires a longer time period to see and inspect results. Therefore, I will use a skincare product from one to two weeks and based on the directions of use for each product.

3. Evaluation of Current Regimen and Incorporation of Test Products

Image by Karolina Mis.

Before testing a product, I will assess my current regimen to make sure products do not clash and cause skin problems. I also will not review similar products, specifically skincare products, during this time to assure that if any reactions my skin has is from one particular product.

4. Makeup Bases

I will always use the same makeup like primers and foundations to guarantee all makeup is being tested under the same conditions. The only time I might change my makeup bases or procedure is when advised to by one of you if I determine a product should be retested.

5. Influenster and Other Product Resources

I plan to purchase and test products. But I also will incorporate the samples I receive from stores, brands, and services like Influenster. I will be clear when I received a product for free and if the post is sponsored. Often I will tag those companies in the labels as well as use a branded image. I want to be as transparent as possible when it comes to this.

If you have any ideas on more standards of evaluation, please let me know if the comments below!

xxK

Getting Back to the Beauty Game

Hey there makeup mavericks,

Hello my beautiful Makeup Mavericks

It has been awhile, not even just awhile, but close to a freaking decade since I disappeared from the digital screen. I didn't die clearly, but I did refocus on my career in the past seven years. That does not mean I dropped out of the beauty game if anything finding success outside the industry drove me further into it. I have been busy, to say the least.

Looking at the beauty game now, man has the board game changed. YouTube is king. But I still love the idea of blogging so, for now, I will be sticking around here but who knows what the future may hold (maybe I should get a Tarot card reading).

Prepare for some new product reviews and advice incorporating YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram. Yep, I am pulling out all the stops, so stay tuned.

xxK

While I was working

JUST A BEAUTY INSIDER UPDATE!!!!

With the month of February comes VALENTINES DAY (!!) and Sephora will not let you forget it! I just got a lovely beauty insider email from the makeup GIANT and for a limited time with any purchase online beauty insiders get a 3 piece Versace Coffret Set FREE!!!

 

You must be a Beauty Insider, WHICH YOU SHOULD BE ITS FREE!!!!, and enter the code VDAYSETS.

 

Just a quick update while I am here:

I am currently putting together a skincare post at the request of my sister.  It should be up in a few days.

xxK

Worldly Beauty

Bonjour, Guten Tag, Ciao, and basically HI!

The past couple of months life has been crazy. I was working in London and playing in Europe! I will stop there. In Europe beauty is everywhere from the loud streets of London to the romantic hills of Italy to the German towns that surround the majestic Alps. No one can compete with those sights but it is great to be inspired by them. One complaint I heard prior to leaving the States was about how expensive everything is across the pond. And I am not going to lie it is but it is also easy to cut corners and keep your fabulous style. I am going to base everything in London considering that is where I did my major shopping. It is very easy and considerably inexpensive to still maintain whatever beauty regimen you keep in London.

BASICS!!!!

My first issue to tackle is hair. Ladies and Gentlemen DO NOT waste the weight and space in your luggage carrying your favorite styling tools. They may work with a converter they may not. I can not tell you the numerous horror stories of melting flat irons and ruined hair dryers. It is simply not worth it. Especially if you use a Chi, considering that is what I use, the Chi flat iron is specifically designed to work with each individual countries' electricity requirements.

But do not panic yet dear Mavericks! Much like our CVS, Walgreens and other pharmacies The UK has a store similar in fashion called Boots. Everywhere I went there was a Boots within walking distance but the largest Boots in London are located on Oxford Street and at Shepherd's Bush Mall. You can find all the answers to your beauty, hygienic, medication and toiletry needs.

My first week there I went to the Boots on Oxford and bought both my flat iron and blow dryer that were travel friendly! For flat irons they have every price imaginable. Knowing I was most likely going to review it I chose to go with the most inexpensive piece of hardware and just begin there. But there was no beginning because my first CHEAP flat iron did the job! I used the Boots Essentials Ceramic Hair Straightener for £11.99. It worked great for me. Boots also carries multiple brands including Babyliss, Remington, Toni & Guy and Vidal Sasoon. I also bought my hairdryer there and it too was a Boots brand one; Boots Essentials Compact Hair Dryer has the same power of a normal sized hairdryer but it is actually travel size. And it was only £7.99!

Now the plan was to travel from country to country using these items but what I forgot about was that countries in Europe still use various plugs and when I went to Italy I forgot my converter. NO WORRIES! I am not going to tell you to go buy new tools but what I will tell you to do is to stop at the Boots or another pharmacy (they are typically at the airports) and get some haircare products travel size of course. I used either Toni & Guy volume injection shampoo and conditioner or their moisture injection shampoo and conditioner. Both of these smoothed my hair and made my natural curls and waves lovely! I did not need any other products or tools! I just washed my hair and went to sleep.

WHICH SALON IS WHICH?

Getting your haircut! Ahh!!! For a woman giving up that bond with your chosen hairstylist is one of the toughest to break. Even though my beloved hairstylist, who we will call Lady N, and I talked about me cheating on her I still had a hard time committing the deed. In fact when I did go and get my haircut the first time at Zozo's I was extremely disappointed. Granted I was going the cheaper rout by skipping The Toni & Guy experience but I still wanted it done correctly. Me being the paranoid beauty I am, even brought directions Lady N emailed me. I knew how it was suppose to be cut in fact if it weren't for self doubt I could have done it myself but darn those feelings of dread I trudged into the salon and got my haircut by a perfect stranger... YUCK! I was not impressed and it is worse when you know what they are suppose to be doing and you can tell they aren't following the guidelines. I just let the stylist finished and I was later able to work it where it was not so drastic. My second time in the hot seat I went to a beauty school, yes I dared to go cheaper after that situation, in Covent Garden on the recommendation of a friend. The price was perfect and the cut was amazing. What I found out was that hair is just as serious as running the country and the students performing the services have to get so far in school with certain marks before they can even set foot on schools floor. I couldn't have asked for anything better :-)

Beauty Regimen, keep it!

While I was in London I made a list of things I needed and a list of things I could compromise on. For example I made the decision I was not going to compromise on my daily makeup. I use mineral makeup and I feel it is worth it no matter what. So I stocked up before I left that way I would not run out. However if you are looking to buy makeup again Boots is a great source. Keep in mind not all Boots sell the same items. The larger Boots will sell more brands of makeup verses the tiny corner store Boots.
Lines carried at most Boots: No7, 17, Benefit, Bourjois, L'Oreal, Max Factor, Maybelline, and Revlon. The Larger Boots will carry these lines and more in addition to the premium makeup lines like Dior and Chanel.

If Boots does not carry the line you are looking for then go to Selfridges. This store is MASSIVE!!! I loved it and the building on Oxford is simply gorgeous. They were the only store in town that I found who carries Bare Essentials makeup which was even more pricey there than here in the states. I soon realized that it is an American brand which explains the price jump.

I hope that my experience as a world traveller and a beauty enthusiast will help you in the days, weeks, months or even years you spend abroad!

If you have any questions please email me at makeup_maverick@yahoo.com.

Forever Yours
xxK

Get Your Brushes Ready

Hey there my beauty mavericks!

Long time I know. But I was working and, lets not lie, playing in London for a couple of months but now I am back state-side and will be able to maintain the MM blog now. But for my first post it will be all about traveling Europe while staying beautiful! I am working on it currently and will be up in the next week! Its good to be back though.

K