The Cure for Keratosis Pilaris/Chicken Skin? No, but these products might help.

Hello readers and fellow skincare fans!

I have suffered from keratosis pilaris, sometimes known as chicken skin, on my upper arms for a LOOOOOOOONG time. I honestly can’t remember when it started, but it seems like it’s been there forever. There really hasn’t been a moment where I haven’t it, and I just sort of accepted my fate that I’m stuck with it until the day I die. 

But once I moved from Texas to Colorado, it got worse! 

It seems like the bumps multiplied, got bigger in some areas, and breakouts were appearing like crazy. Plus, my arm got itchy, like REALLY itchy. I decided enough was enough, and I’m going to find something to help me with this.

I researched multiple websites on what to do to minimize because fun fact: there is no actual cure for KP. 

Exfoliating is always the recommended thing to do to minimize it, but that’s not going to be enough. We need an exfoliant with AHA, BHA, and PHAs. Here’s what they are in a nutshell: 

• AHA = Alpha Hydroxy Acid: this is going to be acids that are made from certain foods like sugar cane, fruit, and milk. Examples of AHAs are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and tartaric acid.
• BHA = Beta Hydroxy Acid: these are mild acids often used to treat acne and oily skin. Examples of BHAs: salicylic acid, trethocanic acid, and tropic acid. 
• PHA = Poly-Hydroxy Acid: a chemical exfoliant that’s known for being gentler than AHAs and BHAs, and great for those with sensitive skin. Examples of PHAs: gluconolactone, galactose, and lactobionic acid.

So, where does one begin to find an exfoliant with these ingredients? There are a lot of products you can find with them, but having an exfoliant won’t be enough. You’re going to need the right serum and moisturizer. Yes, we’re going full-steam ahead on minimizing this KP because it’s so annoying and I want it gone, but I’ll settle for it being reduced in appearance.

WARNING: it’s going to take a lot of time and PATIENCE! Don’t expect this to work overnight or be a cure for KP. Also, the following products are going to exfoliate the absolute heck out of your skin, make sure you put sunscreen on if you go out during the day regardless if the sun is out or not. Nighttime is the only exception for not putting it on. Also remember, what works for me might not work for you. Everyone’s skin is different.

DISCLAIMER: I’m not affiliated with or sponsored by any of the following brands I will be talking about in this blog. Most of these items I’ve bought with my own money and tried for myself. The ones I haven’t bought, I’m just suggesting based on ingredients.

My Journey and the Products I Used

My journey to minimize my KP took a long time to figure out. At first, I used a scrub and lotion with AHAs and BHAs (more on what I used later!), but I found that this wasn’t going to be enough. Also, the products I used were good, but I wanted to try something new. So, I decided to add a serum to my routine. So for my arms, I use serum, lotion, and SPF (whenever I go out during the day regardless if my sleeves cover my upper arms).

Here are what my arms looked like back in December when I started my new routine. This was after I took a shower. I realize now that I should’ve taken a photo before the shower because my arms looked a lot worse, and my after photos are after I’ve taken a shower. Sorry about that. 

As you can see, my arms are pretty bad with a lot of breakouts and red bumps that stand out. At the time of this photo, I used the Peach and Lily KP Bump Boss Microderm Body Scrub a few days before. 

I decided to add the Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment and Shea Moisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Lotion to my routine since I ran out of my Dr. Teal’s lotion and the Truly Beauty serum. 

Without further ado, here is my routine on how I treat my KP, and my thoughts on the products themselves.

Photo by me.

Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment

Good Molecules is a brand I’m sure we skincare enthusiasts have seen at Ulta whenever we walk through the skincare aisles. Their products are at a very good price (like cheap!), and when looking at the ingredients, they make it simple by not only listing them on the box but also showing what percentage the ingredients are at. Very transparent, which I love. I had this product for a while and initially used it to treat some dark spots, but I decided to try it out on my arms because it has a lot of AHAs and BHAs, which help in reducing breakouts and exfoliating the skin.

Oh boy, does this product deliver!

This photo was taken the night AFTER that photo above. Yes, that before photo was taken on December 5th and this picture right here was taken on December 6th. And this photo was taken the next morning before I put anything on. 

To say that I was impressed by this overnight treatment would be a huge understatement. I was not expecting my breakouts to minimize so quickly, but that’s exactly what this treatment did. 

The Overnight Exfoliating Treatment works, but let me give you a warning: IT WILL STING. 

Yes, it stings when applied, but it doesn’t last long. Use this only at night because this has salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. These are some pretty potent exfoliants so please don’t use this during the day. But if you do, you MUST put on SPF, which you should be doing anyway if you go out during the day. 

Now…you’re probably thinking this treatment must cost a pretty penny right? Results like this usually cost around $20 to…well insanely expensive. But prepared to be surprised!

It’s $6.

Yes, $6 as in SIX dollars. Not $16. Not $60. But $6 as in the single number. Don’t believe me? Check it out here on Ulta’s website.  

So, is this product worth trying out? Absolutely! I would recommend it to anyone asking my opinion. I’ve kept this as a part of my routine since December and it keeps my KP to a minimum. One pump is enough to cover one arm for me. I use it 2-3 times a week. Sometimes I use it on the same day when I use my Peach and Lily scrub, and it stings the absolute hell out of my arms, but my arms feel so smooth afterward.

SIDE NOTE: If your skin is on the more sensitive side, please don’t use these two products on the same night. I only use them on the same night because I know my skin’s tolerance, and it’s not sensitive. 

It’s not the perfect solution for KP, but it’ll definitely help in reducing it, and helps with breakouts. Plus, you only get 1 oz. of product, but mind you this was made to be used on the face. But I’ve made my last for about three months, so really it’s not a bad choice to try out.

Peach & Lily KP Bump Boss Microderm Body Scrub

On its own, this scrub is pretty good and worth the $29. It has AHAs like lactic acid and glycolic acid and PHAs. When using this scrub, it feels pretty gentle which is surprising since most body scrubs I’ve come across are pretty abrasive and a little hard on the skin. While this product is good on its own, I feel like it’ll need a little help if people want to see results for their KP. 

Paired with the Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment, I feel like this duo is a great set. This scrub is also good for all over the body and helps with preventing ingrown hairs from shaving, and it does temporarily brighten underarms (which I also use it for). Overall, I would say this scrub is good if you can find a serum and/or lotion that has AHAs, BHAs, and/or PHAs in it. 

More info on this product on Ulta

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Soothing Body Lotion

Now, some might think that KP equates to having clogged pores which might cause them to think that their skin is oily or producing too much of it. But this isn’t the case. KP is a build-up of a protein called keratin that develops around the hair follicle which causes the red bumps to appear and is often accompanied by dry, scaly skin. 

So, this means you’re going to need a good body lotion. I know most of us love our body lotions with fragrances and want to smell nice after a shower or whenever you apply it. However, you might have to make an exception (and sacrifice) for your upper arms, or wherever your KP is. 

Yes, I’m saying you’ll have to get a different lotion for the area affected by KP if you want to keep it to a minimum. 

For me, I’ve been using the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Body Soothing Lotion (that’s a mouthful!) for about six months. It has ingredients that are great for treating dry skin and reducing redness like vitamin E, oats, and aloe. There aren’t any AHAs, BHAs, or PHAs in it, but I personally felt that I’m doing enough with my scrub and serum/overnight treatment. My skin is tough, but I’m not going to tempt fate just yet by getting a lotion with those exfoliants. Plus, it keeps my body from getting itchy during the cold months. 

I use this all over my body because it’s so dry where I live, and this lotion is great at keeping my skin moisturized. It’s a little on the thicker side, so try not to put too much on when applying it. 

More on this product at Ulta

Other Products I Used That Could Work, & My Thoughts on Them

I did try Truly Beauty’s Blueberry Kush Body Oil for a few months until I ran out. I used it at the time I was using Dr. Teal’s lavender lotion.

At first, I was considering getting Truly’s KP kit, but I didn’t because one: it was out of my budget, and two: looking only at the ingredients, I figured the Blueberry Kush body oil would be a better choice for me. I saw on Truly Beauty’s website for the KP kit they chose the Purple Rain serum and think the ingredients are good for the serum they chose, and maybe with the other products in the kit, it’ll be great. But that price tag was a little much for me.

These are the ingredients for the Purple Rain, Blueberry Kush Face Oil, and Blueberry Kush Body Oil. 

Photos from the Truly Beauty website

As you can see, the face and body oils are almost the exact same. The main difference is that the face oil has tea tree oil and baobab oil. Also, it’s a smaller bottle. I decided to go with the body oil because I felt it was at a better price point and it has more AHAs and BHAs than the Purple Rain oil.

Overall, I think the body oil is good and could work with other products that have exfoliating ingredients. But the $44.90 price tag is a bit too much for me, especially when compared to the Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatment. If you want to try it out, go for it, but make sure you pair it up with a good scrub and moisturizer.

More on this product at Ulta

Skinfix Resurface+ Duo

Photos from the Sephora website

I found this duo on Sephora’s website about a year and a half ago and decided to try them both out even though my bank account begged me not to.

Both of these products have glycolic acid, lactic acid, and willow bark extract (a natural form of salicylic acid). My KP wasn’t as noticeable when using these products, but it was obvious that these two weren’t enough. I think a serum with exfoliating ingredients could’ve given them a much-needed boost. Overall, I felt that they’re good, but their price tags are VERY hefty. I personally won’t be buying them again, but I think paired with a good serum, this duo can help in minimizing KP.

Here’s more info on the scrub

Here’s more info on the lotion

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of skincare products out there that have AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, and it’s all a matter of researching products and seeing what their ingredients are. But I think it’s safe to say that scrubs alone aren’t enough. You’re going to need a serum since it goes deeper into your skin to treat it and prevent more bumps from developing. You’re going to need a good lotion. I know we all love our fragranced lotion that smells amazing, but a lotion with exfoliants and/or calming ingredients.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this. What are your tips for treating KP? Have you tried any of these products? If not, are you going to? Leave a comment down below. 🙂

-Sarah/S.H.

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Honest Beauty Reusable Magic Silicone Sheet Mask Review

Hello everyone!

It’s been a while since I wrote something. I’ve been busy with school, but here’s a short review of the Honest Beauty Reusable Magic Silicon Sheet Mask. 

I was browsing through the Target website, not looking for anything in particular, and saw this mask. I thought, “Why not?” and bought it. 

Photo from the Honest Beauty website

I love a good sheet mask and I have a lot of them. I can’t help it, and I love how they make my skin feel. However, there’s usually a bunch of the essence left over and yes, I know I can use it on my neck and chest. BUT! I feel like there’s a little too much leftover and I don’t like going to sleep with my face, neck, and chest drenched. Plus, my skin feels a little tacky or sticky with too much product on. So, what was my solution to this problem? I put the excess product in a jar and use this mask. 

This silicone is supposed to help with product absorption and I have to say…it works pretty good. I put some of the excess essence on my face and put this mask on, and it’s like having a normal sheet mask on. Depending on how much essence is left from my sheet mask, I basically have another 2-4 days worth of sheet masks thanks to this item. Yes, I know I can just use the essence by itself, but I love having a sheet mask on for two reasons. 

One: because I just love the feeling of a mask on.

Two: I love scaring my boyfriend. His reaction is hilarious.

Here a TikTok video that I made to show what I do with the excess serum and using the mask.

@simplesarah1629

I know a silicone sheet mask can be used w/any essence or serum, but I love a good hydrating sheet mask. Think skinfluencers & beauty gurus approve? 😬 (sry for poor quality) #skincare #skincaretips #skintok #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage

♬ She Share Story (for Vlog) – 山口夕依

You can also put this mask over your face when wearing a sheet mask, but this is just how I prefer it. So far, the elasticity of the mask has held up pretty well and not stretched out. Be aware that using this mask a lot can stretch out the ear holds which will cause the mask to be loose when worn. I personally haven’t had that problem yet, but I’m aware that this can happen. If you’re looking for ways to make the essence of sheet masks last a little longer, this is one way I recommend doing it. 

To wash the mask, I usually use soap and warm water. Using soap isn’t necessary as Honest Beauty’s website says that rinsing it is enough, but I just like using soap. Make sure to dry it completely with a towel and store it back in the bag so that it’ll last for a long time. I’ve had mine for about a year now, and while I use it about once a week, it’s still holding pretty well. 

Is this mask necessary? No, absolutely not.

Like I said above, I just love having a mask on my face and find this item fun to wear. If you love wearing sheet masks and have a lot of essence left over from it, this mask is great to have around. 

What are your thoughts on this mask? Will you be buying it? Let me know in the comments! 

-Sarah/S.H.

Updated on February 28, 2023 to show TikTok video

Brand Review: Nekoyanin Cosmetics

These days, I’m not much of a makeup wearer. I’m usually at home and when I go out, it’s usually to the store. I don’t go to any place where it’s needed, but when I do wear it: I either keep it simple or go all out. I used to have a lot of makeup, but I’ve thrown a lot since it was either really old or hardly any left. 

While scrolling through TikTok, I came across this brand Nekoyanin by Yinnypooh (her name on Instagram) and I was intrigued. The packaging is so cute and I’m a huge fan of anime. I checked out her website and said, “I want all of it.” I waited a few months before actually buying anything and would see her TikTok videos pop up on my feed. I started following her on the app and continued watching them whenever they would pop up. 

All the products I bought. Very cute and amazing packaging.

I admit, I was a little scared of buying from here because I was afraid of it being a scam, but I took a chance. If you’re wondering if Nekoyanin is legit and not a scam? I can say with confidence it’s safe to purchase items from it. Yinnypooh not only sells makeup, but she also has a makeup bag, wireless charging station and LED mousepad hybrid, a regular mousepad, makeup brushes, and lashes. She’s come out with more makeup items since I’ve purchased from her and I can’t wait to place another order because I saw she came out with an eyeshadow primer and I want to try out another color of her liquid liner.

I’M NOT SPONSORED BY THIS BRAND AND ALL ITEMS WERE PURCHASED BY ME WITH MY OWN MONEY. I’M JUST A FAN OF MAKEUP AND ANIME. 

I placed an order on the October 31, 2021 and the bought the following: 

• 1 Nezuko Cherry Blossom Lipgloss
• 1 Shinigami Palette
• 1 Arcade Baby Water Activated Eyeliner
• 1 Gamer Boy Palette
• 1 Level Up Matte Liquid Lipstick
• 1 Noface Eyeliner in Black
• 1 Paradis Palette

Link to the website: Nekoyanin
Link to Nekoyanin TikTok: Nekoyanin
Link to Nekoyanin Instagram: Nekoyanin
Link to Yinnypooh’s Instagram: Yinnypooh

It was shipped out on November 6 and was delivered on November 12. Pretty fast if you ask me. BUT! I didn’t have anything that was marked as “Pre-order”. If you pre-order an item, Yinnypooh puts a note to let buyers know it’ll take a month before it’s shipped out. So please keep this in mind if you order from her. 

ONTO THE PRODUCT REVIEWS!

NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ARE TAKEN BY ME. SORRY FOR THE POOR QUALITY.

Nezuko Cherry Blossom Lipgloss

Very cute packaging. Frosted plastic container.

Inspired by the fan-favorite character of the popular anime Demon Slayer. The packaging for this gloss is very cute and pretty. The gloss itself is described as a “Soft baby pink color” and I agree with that. It’s a very soft pink that looks a little pale, but it’s not super pigmented. It gives a nice soft pink tint to the lips and can be worn alone or as a topper. Surprisingly, it’s not sticky or goopy. It’s very moisturizing on the lips and I don’t experience any peeling when wearing it.

Sorry, I didn’t feel shaving and I have a little friend at the top left (right from your POV) of my lips.

I personally like wearing this alone when I go out to do errands. The only downside I’ve found, is that the tint it gives doesn’t last a long time, maybe 1-2 hours tops for me. One thing I also noticed, I have to exfoliate my lips before putting this on by itself because it will show dead skin patches. But the moisturizing effect lasted a very long time and lasted me through a very greasy meal (Carl’s Jr burger and fries). For $12, I consider this gloss worth it.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (I wish the color lasted a little longer)

Link to it: Nezuko Cherry Blossom Lipgloss

Shinigami Palette

Really beautiful colors. I just wish I had more use for the glitters.

Inspired by the popular anime Death Note. This palette mostly has blue and purple eyeshadows, but also provides some warm colors. It comes with three glitter colors that are  rose gold, midnight blue, and silver. Personally, I’m not a fan of glitter, but I decided to add a little of the rose gold one to my eyeshadow look one time and it was nice. I was very surprised that it wasn’t scratchy and was very smooth to the touch (I used a clean and sanitized finger to put it on). The rest of the colors are pigmented so there wasn’t any struggle to try and make one appear. 

If put on with a heavy hand, the colors will show up pretty strong. But they can also be buildable if put on with a light hand. The matte colors are my favorite, but the shimmer ones are also really nice and not too loud. I like that she added the tan brown matte eyeshadow in this palette because it provides a nice warmth when used with other colors. 

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 (I’m not a fan of glitter eyeshadows and won’t really have any use for them)

Link to it: Shinigami Palette

Arcade Baby Water Activated Eyeliner

Yes, I’ve used it. That’s why it look like this.

I got this palette mostly out of curiosity because I’ve never heard of such a thing. I was intrigued on how it works. Sure enough, it works as advertised. Wet the brush you want to use and these colors will show up. The colors are quite loud and pigmented, no need to worry about them not showing up! Admittedly, I’m not a fan of most of the colors, mostly because I don’t wear them. 

However, I can see myself using them on my lower lash line to add a fun pop of color. I’ve never been a fan of bright eyeshadows or eyeliners like these, but overall it’s a good palette. The colors go on smoothly and last long (with primer). Personally, I wish there was a black, dark purple, and/or dark brown shade, but I can stick to using my eyeshadows. 

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5. (only because I personally am not a fan of most of the colors but the formula is pretty good and they last)

Link to it: Arcade Baby Water Activated Eyeliner

Gamer Boy Palette

A palette I didn’t know I would fall in love with.

I admit…I got this palette because I loved the packaging and the cover boy looks like he belongs on my list of anime crushes. The colors are a little out there for me personally, but what I love about this palette is that she has equal matte and shimmer shades. There’s no glitter in this one, which I love (mostly because I feel bad that I’m not going to use them) and holy crap, the colors are nice! I admit I haven’t used this one too much, but the few times I have, I love it.

All the colors in this palette are POTENT! Like you don’t have to worry about these colors not showing up. I recommend going in with a light hand when using it because holy moly these colors are strong. If you’re looking for a colorful palette with the perfect blend of matte and shimmer eyeshadows, look no further than this!

Overall Rating: 5 out 5 (colors show up, not powdery, easy to blend, they last, and perfect blend of matte and shimmer)

Link to it: Gamer Boy Palette

Level Up Matte Liquid Lipstick

Even in this picture, the color looks pretty subtle.

Okay! Just to be clear, my lips chap up after a good 2-3 hrs no matter how hydrated I am. I can be well-hydrated and my lips will have dead skin on the corners and my bottom lip is Dead Skin City. There’s no escaping it! And yes, I do prep with lip balm and even used lip primer before…the balm works better than the primer. Please keep this in mind when reading my review for this lipstick.

Onto the review! This lipstick caught my attention because the color looks so pretty and looks like a muted rosy color, but holy crap, this color is quite bright. It’s more of a bright rose color and is quite loud. I don’t wear bright colors on my lips because the redness on my cheeks just seems so bright and out there in a bad way, but I still find myself using this lip color when doing a gradient lip. I usually pair this up with some neutral lip liners and put a little bit on the middle of my lips to add a small pop of color. Formula is pretty good and it stays on for a long time. 

NOTE: this is with flash on. Either way, the color is quite bright.

My lips were okay at the 2 hour mark and at the 3 hour mark, a little crusty on the corners (probably from the liner since this color was only on the center). Overall, I’m impressed by this lipstick and I hope she makes more shades. I did wear this by itself a few times just to test it out on it and it’s the same for me, 3 hour some crusties formed at the corners of my lips, but the color was still on and going strong. 

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 (formula is pretty good. Color is a little bright, but workable)

Link to it: Level Up Matte Liquid Lipstick

Noface Eyeliner in Black

This liner is not going anywhere once on!

Looking for bulletproof eyeliner? Well, this isn’t technically bulletproof, but you won’t have to worry about this eyeliner going anywhere! I’m a fan of liquid eyeliners and I have been using the Em Cosmetics Felt Tip Illustrative Eyeliner for a while, but I wanted to try something new. So I decided to order this one and I have to say I’m quite impressed! It’s not a matte eyeliner and has kind of a vinyl finish. There’s definitely a sheen there, but it’s not in-your-face shiny. I mean I can always put a little black eyeshadow over it to make it matte so it’s no big deal for me.

The tip is a little stiff, but overall it’s pretty easy to use. There are other colors such as blue, brown, and surprisingly white, which I haven’t really seen as a liquid eyeliner color. I’m interested in the brown color. As for wear, this eyeliner isn’t going anywhere! I put it on around noon one day and it was still good around 10 at night. When I went to take off my makeup, I used a cleansing balm first and this eyeliner took a minute to get off. So if you’re looking for a long-lasting liquid liner, this is worth trying out!
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 (It lasts for a long time, it’s easy to use, and I personally don’t mind the vinyl finish)

Link to it: Noface Eyeliner

Paradis Palette

I just love this palette. Nothing more needs to be said.

If there is one thing I love: it’s a eyeshadow palette with neutral colors. After throwing out almost all of my old makeup, I had one eyeshadow left and a few single and duo eyeshadows. So I was on the lookout for a good palette with neutral colors. The market is absolutely SATURATED with neutral-colored eyeshadow palettes. I didn’t want anything expensive (looking at you Urban Decay Naked palette), but palettes from brands like ELF and NYX didn’t really catch my eye. When I saw the Paradis Palette on Nekoyanin’s site, I was FLOORED! It has 10, yes TEN, matte eyeshadows and three shimmers. It was like I found my dream neutral eyeshadow palette!

Admittedly, I was a little scared because sometimes matte colors can be too powdery and not pigmented, especially the lighter colors. But I couldn’t help myself and bought the palette. To say it’s my favorite is an understatement. The colors show up, even the lighter ones. The formula is pretty good and I don’t find it powdery, which is good. The shimmers show up and are really nice colors, not powdery either. I honestly just love this palette because of its simplicity and I use it just about every time I wear makeup. 

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 (might look basic to some, but colors are nice, formula is good, eyeshadows blend beautifully, and it stays on)

Link to it: Paradis Palette

Final Thoughts

I was very surprised at the quality of these items and impressed. I’ll be very honest, I wasn’t expecting it to be so good because most smaller and independent brands I’ve come across just didn’t have the best quality. Not terrible, but I have run into more misses than hits. This brand has pretty good quality makeup and I can’t wait to place another order. I have my beady little eyes on some things, but will need to wait and save up. 

What are your thoughts on this brand? Tried it out yet? If not, will you? Let me know what you think!

-simplesarah1629

Holo Taco Review

I wore it for a month on my toenails and even tried it on my fingernails. How did it hold up?

Hello everyone! Today’s beauty blog is all about Holo Taco by YouTuber, SimplyNailogical. I’ve been a fan of hers for a while and I will have to say, her videos and podcasts have made this quarantine bearable. One day, while watching her video for her rainbow collection, I decided I was going to check out the Holo Taco website and see what they have. While looking around, I ended up purchasing a few nail polishes from there and decided to try them out and see how they hold up against my clumsiness with my feet and hands. Yes, I’m very clumsy. There’s not a week that goes by where my poor pinky toes don’t hit something hard, usually the corner of the bed frame, fireplace, or the closet door when I’m opening or closing it. More or less the same for my hands, they usually end up hitting something very hard and my fingernails are usually the ones that pay for it. It’s not my fault the wall or door knobs like to jump out and attack my hands! 

Okay, back to why I decided to try this brand out! One, SimplyNailogical is one of my favorite YouTubers. Two, the nail polishes are pretty and sparkly, and if there’s one thing I love, it’s sparkly things. Three, this brand is little pricier than most drugstore brands so I decided to see how they are against them and if it’s worth buying. I decided I would polish my toenails with Midnight Spark and leave it on for a whole month and see how it looks at the end of it. 

Now, for full disclosure, I did not get any of Holo Taco’s top coats because at the time of my first purchase, they were sold out so I ended up buying Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel Top Coat from Walgreens. At the time of my second purchase, their Glossy Taco top coat was back in stock, but I didn’t want to buy it since I want to finish using the top coat I already have and not waste money. So please keep this in mind if you read my review.

Also, this is not a sponsored post. I’m not getting paid by Holo Taco for this. I’m just a nerd wanting to write and a fan of Simplynailogical.

Let’s spill some tea!

Day 1 on fingernails and Day 14 of toenails

Day 1 on left hand: One Coat Black with Aurora Unicorn Skin on ring finger and Purple Slushie on other fingers

Day 1 on right hand: Purple Slushie

Day 14 of left foot: Midnight Spark

Nail polish is on my fingernails and looks pretty good considering it’s been a while since I’ve had nail polish on my nails. It was my turn to wash dishes and thankfully there weren’t too many, but I was afraid that it would chip off especially since I had to use the metal scouring pad for some heavy scrubbing. Also, I’m wearing the color Purple Slushie on all my fingernails except my left ring finger which has One Coat Black with Aurora Unicorn Skin on top.

Day 2

Two days since the polish has been on and it still looks good. I cleaned the bathroom and it’s still holding strong. Toenails are still looking good too.

Day 3

One small chip on my index finger on my right hand. Nothing more.

Day 4

Two of my fingers are now chipped, middle finger and index finger. Not too surprised since they seem to be the first ones to chip when I usually wear nail polish.

Day 5

Okay, middle finger and index finger on the right hand chipped more and now the corner of my thumb has chipped. Toenails are still good and my pinky toe on my left foot is holding strong considering I accidentally hit it on the corner of my bed frame so I’m impressed. One Coat Black and Aurora Unicorn Skin are still going strong on my left ring finger though I wonder how this combo would hold up on my right since it’s my dominant hand. I might take the polish off and try one of the chunky glitter polishes like Party Punch or Play Rosé. 

Day 7

Switched to Play Rosé on Day 7

Some chipping on my ring finger on my left hand and on my right pinky, along with more chipping on my index fingers. I took these off and put on Play Rosé to see how it holds up against my everyday life. Unfortunately, because I forgot, I don’t have a picture of what my nails looked like before I took the polish off.

Day 13

So far so good! I think a small piece chipped off my middle finger on my left hand, but it’s barely noticeable. Toenails are still going strong, but it’s obvious some growth is going on.

Day 15

Okay, a chunk of the polish chipped off yesterday while I was washing my hair, but it was only on the tip of my index finger. Other than that, it seems my nails are still looking pretty snazzy considering I clean the bathrooms every three days, wash dishes and wash my hair every other day. Plus, this review has made me realize that my hands hit a lot of things throughout a single day. Yesterday alone, my hands hit the side of my desk, a wall, doorknob, and the handle to my car. This whole thing has made me realize just how clumsy I really am.

Day 17 for fingernails and Day 30 for toenails

Day 30 for toenails

10 days after switching polishes on my left hand

10 days after switching nail polish colors on my right hand

Well, it’s been a long time coming! Day 30 for my toenails is finally here! 

As you can see, the polish held up very well against me, my clumsiness, and life on my left hand. My right hand is not too surprising, but considering all the things that my poor hand goes through on a weekly basis, this is actually not that bad! I think if I had put a top coat on, this would still be smooth and have very little chipping.

Now that the tea is spilt…

Is Holo Taco worth it? Well, I definitely say it’s worth buying if you’re looking for a brand that can deliver its promise of lasting long with great color and glitter payout. Now, I know this review is mostly about the thick holo glitter polish, but for the short time that One Coat Black with Aurora Unicorn Skin was on, it held up very well against me and my clumsiness. I’ve been using other polishes along with using the different variety of toppers Holo Taco has like the Gold Flakie Holo Taco and Solar Unicorn Skin together on One Coat Black and they hold up very well on my fingernails. Even on my toenails One Coat Black is holding up after a rather hard collision my pinky toe did against the fireplace. Surprise surprise, no chipping happened!

So that concludes my review for Holo Taco! Have you tried Holo Taco? What are your thoughts on it? Will you try it if you haven’t yet? Leave a comment!

P.S. From the nail polishes named after her cats, I’m more of a Zyler the Cat fan. I love the Menchie the Cat polish, but Zyler the Cat is just more me. Team Zyler!

Is it worth it? Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer review

Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since my last beauty product review, but I’m back with another one!

So, for the past month and half, I admit that I’ve been a little lazy when it comes to my morning skin care routine. It’s a process that I usually don’t mind, but my anxiety has been through the roof for a variety of reasons. Admittedly, there also might even be a small dose of depression mixed in with it. My skin care routines, day and night, took a big hit and my skin started suffering from it. Thankfully, I was equipped with what I think could be a game-changer for those with normal-dry skin.

Okay, so a little history on my skin care routine when I get anxious. When my anxiety hits, I tend to forget to take care of myself and become plain neglectful with my mind racing a million miles a minute. Unfortunately, my skin is the one that suffers the most from it. I go days without properly washing and moisturizing my face, forget to put lotion on my body, and there are some days where I don’t do any of this, AT ALL. Trust me, a small voice is in the back of my mind  yelling at me to take care of myself when I’m like this, but I tend to ignore it. After I managed to get myself out of this funk, I go back to my normal morning skin care routine and my skin is back to looking healthy. Alright, enough about me, let’s move onto the product review! 

Photo by me

I got the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer from a little holiday pack that my mom had given to me for Christmas and it’s been sitting on my skin care shelf since then, unopened and waiting for it’s time to shine. While I was in my funk, I felt and saw some dry patches around the corners of my nose and mouth, and my skin looked dull. While I was at war with myself, my beady, little eyes started scouting for something on my shelf to help me with the problem. In reality, I was looking for a quick fix before my mind wandered elsewhere and I would forget. My eyes landed on this little product and I read the back of the bottle to see if it is what it claims to be. I was intrigued after reading it and thought, “Surely, it can’t work that well.” A toner and a moisturizer in one product? Can this little bottle really be as good as both?

Well, I personally have to say yes. I put this product in my hands and patted it on my face like instructed, and I have to say, my face looked a lot better! My dry patches were now hydrated and didn’t feel dry and rough like they normally do. Overall, my face was glowing. The product didn’t feel heavy on my skin nor was it sticky. I was shook! It left my skin looking dewy, though some might think greasy or oily. However, I felt like it gave my skin the glass skin look that is popular in Japan and South Korea. 

Before: no cleansing or anything | After: using the Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer only. Sorry for the poor lighting, but it’s the best I can do with my phone and no filter was used for these photos. 

Alright, let’s move onto the ingredients and how they benefit the skin.

Screenshot from sephora.com

Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam)

This ingredient helps soften and hydrate the skin. It’s a very popular ingredient that’s used for both skin and hair products since it kind of provides a moisture barrier that helps keep the skin’s natural moisture sealed in and prevent environmental damage. 

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract AKA Green Tea Leaf Extract

Has antioxidants that help improve the appearance of sun-damaged skin and has anti-aging properties. It can also help with moisture and even out skin tone. It can also help reduce sebum production and has antibacterial properties which can help treat oily and/or acne-prone skin.

This product is marketed towards normal-dry skin and I think it helps, but it’s not the most moisturizing product. If you have very dry skin, this might not work for you and you might need something a little thicker. My dry patches were hydrated and didn’t get flaky, but the redness was still there and once I washed my face, they would tighten up and go back to being very dry. However, if you don’t have this problem, this might be good if you need something quick and on-the-go. Laneige has some kits with a small bottle of this in them so it’s worth trying out without worrying about spending a lot on one item that might not work out for you. 

Have you tried this product yet? What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let me know.

-simplesarah

Is it worth it? Burt’s Bees Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

Cleansing is a very important part of a skin care routine. There’s nothing better than washing your face to get rid of the sleepiness when waking up or washing it after a long day at work. 

I don’t have sensitive skin, but after a Nair facial hair removal cream incident, my skin, in particular my cheeks, were not happy! I think the skin heavens were frowning on me for trying a “painless” way of trying to remove my facial hair and punished me by giving me a red spot that took forever to go away and a dark spot that’s still hanging around. I ran out of my cleanser around that time and was in the market for a new one to help me with my new problem. Now, the red spot wasn’t burning or bothering me, but it was noticeable and looked like I burned myself. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money at Sephora or on other department store brands because I didn’t have much on me at the time. Thankfully, my favorite corner store, Walgreens, was there to rescue me!

I used every little bit I could. Price is between $7.99-$9.99

Now, I’ve known about Burt’s Bees since I was a teen and loved their acne care products, but some of the products are a little on the expensive side for drugstore prices so I wasn’t able to use it often. It was my splurge brand during those days. It had been a while since I used any of their products, but I noticed their items while walking around the skin care aisle. I don’t remember seeing as many products as they have now, but I was happy to see that they had a sensitive skin care line which is what I was looking for. In particular, I was looking at the cleanser. I admit, I’m a little picky on what I use on my face and I blame/thank attending esthetician school for that. My personal rule for me when buying skin care is if I know at LEAST three ingredients and their benefits, then I’ll buy or consider buying it if it’s within my budget. Since my skin was in a bit of delicate state, I wanted to make sure I was familiar with some of the ingredients and that they would help.

Alright! Let’s move onto listing some of the ingredients and their benefits for the skin.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil AKA Sunflower Oil

Sunflower oil is a well-known ingredient in the skin care world that is great for helping soothe red, sensitive, acne-prone, and/or irritated skin. It’s very rich in vitamin E which is known for its moisturizing properties and an antioxidant which helps protect the skin from UV rays. It also has linoleic acid, AKA omega-6 fatty acid, which helps decrease inflammation and helps the development of new skin cells.

Cocos Nucifera Oil AKA Coconut Oil

One ingredient that a lot of skin care enthusiasts are very familiar with. A very versatile and inexpensive ingredient that can be used for a lot of things. It has all the benefits that sunflower oil has, but it can also be used as a treatment for hair as a hair mask, help with frizz, breath freshener, and many other things. When used by itself, it can be very moisturizing though it is up for debate if it actually moisturizes the skin or just traps moisture in the skin. On a personal note, I know my aunt used this for her skin to help ease her psoriasis and it helped for a while, but eventually it stopped working for her. I’ve also used this as a hair mask, and while it did help a little with my hair, all it did was make my bathtub very slick.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice AKA Aloe Vera

Like coconut oil, aloe is another popular ingredient known by a lot of skin care enthusiasts. It helps with soothing redness on the skin, gives a cooling effect, and gives a moisturizing effect. It contains a lot of vitamins like A, B1, B2, B12, C, and others that protect the skin from free radicals. Very versatile to use in the beauty world as it can be used for hair, face, and body. 

Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract AKA Soapbark

A natural foaming agent that has water-attaching elements and is used in some skin, hair, and body products. 

Oryza Sativa Extract AKA Rice Extract

An ingredient that helps with softening the skin and is very rich in enzymes which helps remove dead skin cells so that new and healthy skin can come to the surface. It also helps brighten skin. This is also one of the main ingredients in Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant which has this and rice starch and is one of their best-selling exfoliants.

Gossypium Herbaceum Flower Extract AKA Cotton Extract

If you’re thinking that just because it’s cotton extract, it’s going to make your skin soft…well you’re right. It contains vitamin E which helps with keeping the skin hydrated and fatty acids that protect the outer layer of the skin and reduce the appearance of redness. This ingredient helps with sealing in the moisture and keeping irritants away.

On paper, this cleanser sounds like it would be a great choice for those with sensitive skin, but does it actually help?

I can’t say if it’s the holy grail for those looking for a cleanser to help with redness, dryness, and sensitivity, but I think it is worth checking out if you’re in the market for a cleanser to help with those conditions. It has nice creamy consistency that doesn’t feel too thick so it can be good for those with normal-dry and dry skin. After washing my face, I didn’t feel any stinging or tightening like I usually feel with most cleansers so that’s a plus in itself! After toning and moisturizing, my skin was very hydrated throughout the day and I didn’t see any dry spots on the corners of my nose and chin, which tend to flake after a while. 

Now, did it help with the red spot that appeared after my Nair facial hair removal fail?

Yes, it did! Now, it didn’t go away overnight or within a week. It did take about two weeks of using this and also using Burt’s Bees Sensitive Night Cream for the spot to fade and about a month into it, the spot was gone. This bottle lasted about two months for me, so it will last a while for anyone wanting to give this a try. It was definitely worth the money and I was very happy with the results I got. My skin recovered from the trauma and my skin is back to being the way it was before. 

I hope this review helps! If you’ve tried this cleanser, what are your thoughts? Let me know what you think!

-simplesarah

Is it worth it? Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask review

Shopping for skin care can be a little daunting, especially these days in quarantine since most stores are only doing curbside pickup and the customers can’t get samples of products they wish to try.

I hope this review on what is probably the best selling lip mask in Sephora will help you in your next shopping trip.

This lip mask was launched exclusively in Sephora stores back in 2017 and it has remained one of the best-selling lip products in the store. I decided to try this mask out while I worked there during the holiday season and I have to say, I’m very impressed!

This lip mask can feel a little goopy if you put it on too thick. It almost feels a little bit like a lip gloss, but not as sticky. You don’t need to put on too much (unless you want to!), and it lasts a long time. Now it does say it’s good for twelve months, but I decided to keep using it since I barely got to the halfway point and to see if it does change consistency after it’s supposed to be tossed. So far, it’s still the same and it’s been about two months since the twelve month mark was up.

When I wake up, most of the mask is still on and my lips feel very soft and well-hydrated. I just clean up any leftover mask and put on my lip balm and go about my day. Usually if I wear lip balm to bed, my lips get dry and sometimes it’ll peel and get flaky. With this mask, I don’t have that problem. Also, you can use this mask to treat your lips before putting on lip make-up. Just put a thin layer on while you do the rest of your make-up then wipe it off and put on your lipstick, lip gloss, etc. and your lips will be well-hydrated! I’ve also worn this just as a glossy balm and it works just as good as any other lip balm if not better. Another use is putting it on top of matte lipstick, liquid or traditional, and give it a glossy shine without the stickiness that most lip glosses give. It does have a nice smell to it which I’m guessing is from all the berries (strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries) that’s blended into it and it’s not overwhelmingly fragrant. I personally haven’t tried the Apple Lime, Vanilla, or Sweet Candy so I can’t say if they smell like their names.

So is it worth the twenty dollars for this small, cute, 20 gram jar of lip mask?

My personal answer is yes! This jar has lasted me well over a year so it definitely will last a long time unless you just pile the mask on super thick. It definitely helps keeping lips hydrated throughout the day and I did do one touch up after my lunch break at work, mostly because I tend to wipe off my lip products while eating. Other than that, my lips didn’t peel or anything like they usually do, even with lip balm, and after wiping it off, my lips remained soft, supple, and smooth. I say it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for something to help with dry and chap lips or to prevent them. If you can get a sample of it, try it out. I know this mask does come in some kits that Laneige has for sale and even that little jar will last a while!

Have you tried Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask? If so, what are your thoughts on it? If you haven’t tried it yet, did this review help? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

-simplesarah

I tried two different Renpure shampoo and conditioners and I have some thoughts

It’s been a while since my last blog. I haven’t been slacking off, but I tried out two different shampoo and conditioners from Renpure while being in quarantine.

A little history about my hair.

It’s long, straight, and usually before the 24 hour mark, my scalp usually gets oily and it’ll give Severus Snape’s hair a run for its money. Now these days, because of the quarantine, my scalp will get oily before the 48 hour mark, depending on how busy I am. I usually shower at night because I used to work the closing shift at my job. I needed to shower because I was usually running around a lot at my job and it caused my head to sweat and my scalp to become oily which means it gets unbearably itchy if I don’t wash it. Also, I don’t use a hair dryer, flat iron, or anything except a brush.

Onto the first duo I used!

First pair that I used was the Detoxifying Charcoal Clarify + Deep Cleanse Shampoo and Conditioner

I started using this before quarantine. This shampoo and conditioner smell AMAZING! It has a sweet floral-like scent that smells very refreshing. Using this shampoo and conditioner was like using any normal shampoo and conditioner. I didn’t feel any tingling using the products, which is always a big plus! However, after I got out of the shower, I felt some kind of…tingling(don’t know how else to describe it) on my scalp. It wasn’t bad, but I thought it was little odd that it happened after my shower, but I decided to see if anything happens. Thankfully, nothing bad happened, but something odd did occur.

After about thirty minutes, I started getting the chills. This was the only thing I changed in my routine, so it couldn’t have been anything else. The chills started at my head then gradually moved down. It was enough to the point that I needed a hoodie and fuzzy socks (that I usually wear when it’s really cold) to warm myself up, I started feeling a little dizzy and queasy, and I had to go to sleep early. I even needed to layer another blanket on me (one that I usually use during the winter time) to keep me from freezing. I used it for another two days and it was the same thing. Now, normally I would’ve stopped using this, but I decided to keep going, mostly because I bought these products when it was buy one get one half off so I was going to get my money’s worth!

On day four, I decided to try something a little different. I didn’t have work that day so I decided I was going to shower a little early, around seven, and I didn’t surprisingly didn’t have any chills. I’m assuming because it was early in the evening and I was moving around a little bit and not my usual sitting around after I shower. I didn’t need my hoodie, fuzzy socks, or another blanket. Eventually, maybe my head got use to it? Because after a few more days of using it, my head stopped getting chills when I showered at night.

Aside from the chills, this duo was kept my hair soft and made it smell really good. The only other problem I had with these two was dandruff. It doesn’t claim to help with dandruff control so I wasn’t expecting too much, but low-key, I was since it does say it helps remove impurities. I tried washing my hair every other day and only two times in a week, but alas, my scalp would get itchy and even more flaky.

Overall, this duo was good, but not something I would buy again since my scalp was still flaky throughout it’s use and those chills though! My hair didn’t feel any different, it was it’s normal self throughout using this duo so that’s a plus. Hopefully if anyone uses these two, they don’t experience the chills like I did.

Onto the next Renpure items!

After finishing the Detoxifying Charcoal duo, I decided to move onto the Renpure Tea Tree Lemon Sage trio!

Yes, trio!

After the Detoxifying Charcoal duo, I was fully prepared for more chills when I decided to move onto the Tea Tree Lemon Sage shampoo and conditioner. I bought all three of them when it was a buy two get one item free and decided I would also try the serum as well after trying to the shampoo and conditioner first.

This trio is strong in lemon and tea tree smell (I know, pretty obvious), which makes my hair smell awesome. Like the charcoal duo, it felt like any other shampoo and conditioner and my hair felt like it normally does after using it. Thankfully, no chills this with this trio.

After using the shampoo and conditioner for a week, I decided to use the serum because my scalp was/still is flaky, hoping that it would help with the dandruff. However, none of these claim to help with it, but I was hoping it would since I read some reviews that said it did help with their dandruff. Alas, that wasn’t the case for me.

As for the serum, I used it like instructed, though it doesn’t say how long to leave it on nor does it say how often to use it a week. On the first week I used it daily and left it on for five minutes, my scalp did tingle a little bit while I left it on, but thankfully I didn’t have a bad reaction. The next week I used it daily and left it on for ten minutes, but still no changes. After that, I used it twice a week and left it on for ten minutes until I finished it. It felt nice, but I honestly didn’t feel like my hair was any different from before.

All in all, these products felt good, but I didn’t see a difference in my hair and my scalp got dandruff, which almost made me buy my usual Head and Shoulders. However, if you’re looking to go the natural route, I think this brand is worth trying out. I do plan on trying out their Apple Cider Vinegar Clarify + Shine shampoo and conditioner next. I’d originally wanted to try that one instead of the Tea Tree Lemon Sage trio, but they were sold out at the time I went to buy it. The apple one claims to help rebalance the scalp and remove flakes so we’ll see how that works out. Stay tuned!

Have you tried Renpure’s products? What are you thoughts on it? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Edit on 5/2/20: I forgot to mention that these products sell between $7.99-8.99 each

Clear Mascara: is it even worth buying?

I’ve been going make-up free for about a year and a half after almost 7-8 years of working in the beauty and spa industry. After years of wearing it, and some inspiration from my favorite YouTuber of all time, Michelle Phan, I decided to try and go au naturel.

Admittedly, it has been…. mildly successful. While I feel great and love that my morning routine is a LOT shorter, I still require some maintenance. Eyelashes need to be curled, eyebrows need to be brushed and set, and lips need to be hydrated. Unfortunately, my under eye circles are here to stay no matter how much sleep I get.

Since going au naturel, I decided to try out clear mascara out of curiosity. I heard it would be a great way to define my lashes without having to worry about the mess traditional mascara can cause. So I decided that I’ll go looking for this magical item and test it out for myself.

My natural lashes before mascara (WARNING: forgive my wild brows)

As you can see, my eyelashes are not the fullest, but they aren’t really sparse. They go straight down naturally, so I usually need to curl them up to make myself look more awake and so less people comment that I look tired. They could some help being separated from each other and that’s another reason why I wanted to try out clear mascara. So I went out and bought two clear mascaras from the drugstore and see if they’re any good. I will give my review on Covergirl Professional Natural Lash and the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Natural.

Covergirl Professional Natural Lash

Thoughts on Covergirl Pro Lash: this mascara had a nice curved brush that made it easy to apply. However, as you can see, there is some drooping action going on and my lashes did not stay perked up. It did separate my lashes pretty nice, but it wasn’t the best. This mascara doesn’t claim to curl the lashes, but to create feather-light lashes and tame brows, so it’s a multi-use product. The curve shape of the brush does make it a bit awkward to use on the brows, but it is manageable. All in all, I think this product is okay, and if your lashes are naturally curly and don’t feel like wearing mascara, but feel like you need, then this product would be great for you! As for a brow gel, it does keep the hairs in place, but that’s about it.

Ranking: 5 out of 10 stars

Maybelline Great Lash in Clear

Okay…right off the bat: not a fan. Too be honest, I’ve never been a fan of the Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Either way, I wanted to give this mascara a chance, but I was not happy at all with it. I felt like this mascara made my eyelashes look almost spidery and didn’t separate them much. I know in the pictures they don’t look much different, but in person, they look different! Much like the CoverGirl clear mascara, there is some drooping action going on, but I feel like my lashes had no chance of staying up. As soon as I was done applying, my lashes had already gone south and I hadn’t even closed the tube yet! So this mascara is definitely not my favorite. As for a brow grooming gel, it’s okay, but the brush for me is not fluffy enough to get them groomed in a few sweeps. I felt like it made some of my brow hairs spidery like my lashes. Honestly, I’d avoid this mascara and spend the money on the CoverGirl Natural Lash.

Ranking: 2 out of 10 stars

So, is clear mascara worth buying? That depends on you want and need. If you’re looking for something to wear, but don’t want to have to put on actual mascara then I would say try these out. They’re not claiming to curl, lengthen, or add volume so you know to not expect that. However, I personally wasn’t a fan of the Maybelline Great Lash and probably won’t buy it again after I’m done with it. It just didn’t do anything for me, but if you’re a fan of it, I’d probably give it a try.

Do you think clear mascara is worth trying? Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts!

-simplesarah