Marc Jacobs Beauty Remedy Concealer Pen

Marc Jacobs Remedy Concealer Pen

Like Nothing I have Ever Used!

I was so ecstatic when Marc Jacobs Launched his makeup line. I have been a big fan of him and his clothing lines for about the last 6 years. There have been many designers in the past that have launched makeup lines and I was excited because it was a new makeup brand to check out, but not as excited as I was for this one. Something told me it was going to be beyond good, possibly Epic! I had a feeling that he would not just launch a line to launch a line, and that it would be truly reMARCable!

I bought about 6 products the day the line was launched (#marcthemoment) and I have been very tempted to go back for more. I was not sure if I was going to blog on all 6 products that I got the day of the launch or do them each separately. I decided after using them now for a good amount of time that each and everyone of them deserved their own post. So the first post is going to be on the Remedy Pen.

The "Pen" Standing Up!

When I went to the #marcthemoment launch party at Sephora, they did my makeup with the entire line and used the pen on me. I was amazed at how well it worked at the fist use. I was sold after looking in the mirror before the makeup artist even started the pen on my second eye. I could't get over how much more awake my one looked and believe me, I've been around the makeup world, and I don't fall for a lot of the tricks that some can do to make your eye look more awake.

Here is the Skinny on the Remedy Pen from Sephora:

What it is:
An all-in-one eraser, brightener, and corrector to remedy the signs of aging, dehydration, and fatigue.
What it does:
One of Marc’s favorite products, Remedy Concealer Pen is the perfect fix for the sins of a carefree youth or just the aftermath of last night. Formulated with advanced pigments, powerful antioxidants, and Remedy Complex™—a unique blend of hydrating and antiaging ingredients—this next-generation concealer brightens, hydrates, and soothes the skin while providing the coverage you need for a fresh, bright-eyed finish. The patented palladium applicator cools on contact to reduce puffiness and one click is all it takes for the perfect amount of product. Boy tested. Girl approved.
What else you need to know:
The two universal brightening and correcting shades flatter all skintones, while the versatile shade range complements most skintones.
-Remedy Complex Technology with Theine (Caffeine), Collagen, Vitamin Extracts, and Coconut Water: Nourishing and corrective ingredients. 

It does it all!!

I am obsessed with this pen because you can see the results immediately. The Sephora Makeup Artist showed me how to use it by using one pump on each eye and gently circling the pen's applicator around below the eye to conceal, brighter and depuff. Basically the applicator works on contact to reduce the puffiness by gently circling around the delicate eye area and the color that comes out of the pen works to conceal and brighten. After I circle it around each eye for a minute, I gently pat the excess in. If there is any extra, I even dab it over my top lip up to my brow. I just make sure to not get any in my eyes, as I would do with any product. The results are truly Amazing. I really wish I had a picture to show one eye compared to another. Perhaps I will do that the next time I use the pen and I will update the post with the comparison. It is something to see!! I don't use it everyday, just on the days where I need that extra boost of looking awake or if I am going out somewhere special. I do not see any reason why you could not use it everyday, I would if I did not have a budget.

The patented palladium applicator! 

It has a window on the side to show you when
you are getting low and need to repurchase!

"0 Bright Idea" Swatched

Final Thoughts:
This Pen is Truly ReMARCable. I really don't know what else to say. I honestly think that is one of the most innovative makeup products that I have bought in a very long time. I hope to impress you with the rest of the line I purchased and post on!

Thanks,

Sik Glam

My U.S. ILLAMASQUA Sephora Experience

My U.S. ILLAMASQUA Sephora Experience!!

Considering this is a National Holiday in the States, I decided I would blog on what I was doing on our last Big National Holiday, "Independence Day". I went on a trip to Chicago, one of my most favorite city's to travel too. Not only because the city is just Fabulous and there is so much to do, but for the shopping!! I will stick to what beauty products I bought in this blog. I was not really there to buy beauty products, because I can get pretty much anything there at home, so I was more focused on what can't I get at home. So I researched to try to discover some brands or even beauty boutiques that might carry smaller brands that I could go to, I wanted to try to discover some hidden beauty gems.

I unfortunately ended up not having enough time to go to any boutiques because they were too far from where I was staying, but I did end up experiencing a beauty brand that I would not be able to buy where I live at home. I ended up going to Sephora, (I have about 5 within 45 mins of me at home) but none of them carry what the Sephora in Chicago had, Illamasqua. The Sephora's in my State do not carry the brand. I think once I saw some of their nail polishes at one, but that was about it. Sure I have tried the line and own a few products by them that I pick up on trips to London, but their was just something exciting and special about knowing I was in my Country buying it! I looked up which Sephora in Chicago carried the Brand and there was only one and I really hoped it was not far from where I was staying so I would have time to go. So I called up the store to ask exactly where they were and they told me the mall they were located in and I almost passed out. I was staying at the Hotel above the mall! It was as if it was meant to be!

So once I got to my hotel, unpacked, rested, etc. I walked out of my hotel room (I couldn't even wait till the next day) down the elevator right into the mall and there Sephora was. It was Glowing like come to meeeeee!! I didn't spend too much time in there because everything else I could get at home, so I spent the whole time talking with a Sephora Beauty Advisor about the Illamasqua line. I get way into makeup with my questions, but she was very kind and helped me find three products to bring home. I just love to soak up any knowledge that I can. So on to the three products that I got.

Here is the Skinny on the Products that I got from Illamasqua:

ILLAMASQUA Hydra Veil:

Create a radiant finish with Hydra Veil's instantly rehydrating, gel formula. Providing the optimal base for your make-up, apply before foundation with an Illamasqua Brush.

It has a clear gel like consistency when you scoop it out but it
applies and spreads like a cream. You only Need
about this much for your whole face!

I love this Primer. It is my go to primer for when i am feeling extra dry or really, it works great any time! Don't let the gel like formula fool you, it spreads like butter and leaves a radiant hydrated feeling. If it was more readily available to me, I would use it more.  It states to apply with a brush which most of the time I do, but I have used my hands to apply it and found no problem.

Hydra Veil Swatched!
Blends and Hydrates like heaven!

ILLAMASQUA Gleam in Aurora

Back by popular demand, and with a new and improved formula, Gleam's lightweight, iridescent finish sensuously highlights the natural beauty of your face and body.

A solid, cream compact, containing lustrous pearlescent pigments. Smooth Aurora (champagne iridescent) over skin with fingers or a brush for an alluring glow that lifts and highlights wherever it's applied. This is light-reflecting beauty.

This highlighter is beautiful. I love highlighters so much that I had to get one by them. I also loved that it came in a solid cream compact formula. Great for traveling and throwing in your purse for touch ups. It leaves the most radiant champagne toned highlighting effect. I love using this one on my cheek bones when I am doing a bronzed makeup look.

ILLAMASQUA Powder Blusher in Katie

Illuminate, radiate, make your face come alive with the colour and drama of Illamasqua Powder Blusher. Colour-intense and highly pigmented, use it to shade, brighten, enhance and define the shape of your face. Be bold, be daring, be the centre of attention.

This blush is so beautiful. I was looking for a baby soft pink that still had some punch to it (pigment) and this one was just perfect! It stays on well and and it very pigmented. You can really layer it to play the color up or down. I love it for days when I am wearing light makeup and I apply this to my cheekbones for that soft baby pink look with a baby pink or nude glossy lip.

Gleam Aurora Swatched on Left.
Powder Blusher Katie Swatched on Right.

Final Thoughts:

I really hoped you enjoyed my post. I know that many of you might be from the U.K where you can get ILLAMASQUA everywhere, so I appreciate it greatly if you read this. I lived in the States so the closest retailer to me that sold Illamasqua was 5 hours away and there was NO WAY that I was traveling that far and not going to that Sephora. How lucky was I that it was in my same building. I would have bought more but I was primarily in Chicago for a Fall Clothing Haul and needed to disperse my funds. However, I was not missing out on this. I go to Chicago every couple of months and stay at the same hotel, now that I know they carry the Brand, I will definitely will be back for more Illamasqua to share with you!

Thanks,

Sik Glam

Brush Delite Cleaning Hair Brushes

BRUSH DELITE

Deep Cleaning Brush Cleanser

So I had been wanting to deep clean my hair brushes for quite some time. Yes I could have just thrown them away and bought new ones, but I thought I am going to try to deep clean them myself and save some money. So I picked out my most used brushes (which obviously were also my oldest brushes) and went to work. I had gone into Sally's Beauty Supply (local public beauty supply) and picked up some brush cleaner. I had been eyeing it for a while and thought, now is the time. I had four brushes/combs at home that desperately needed to be cleaned.

Brushes/Combs Pre Cleaning.

So a few days later I picked up one of my teasing combs, saw all the caked hair spray on it, and said "Today is the Day". I looked at the directions on the bottle and they were not that clear but it turned out to be pretty simple. Basically it said to WEAR GLOVES (anytime it says wear gloves, I put on a mask) and mix the powder into 4.7 liters of lukewarm water in a plastic pail and leave for an hour. You could repeat if needed, I did not need too. Than you need to Rinse all the brushes/combs with cold water.

This is the link to the product for further instructions and information. I would highly suggest reading it because it states certain types of brushes that cannot be cleaned and how to store it. http://www.barbicide.com/products/brush-delite/

I did not have a plastic pail big enough for what they specified, but I had one about half the size. So I put in half the powder with half the liters of water. At first I could not understand why you would need such a large plastic pail, but once I put my brushes in, it all made sense. It had to be deep and long enough for the brushes/combs to fit and submerge to soak in the mixture. If I had a larger pail, I could have cleaned a couple more brushes and submerged my round brush better.

Brushes/Combs Soaking. Gloves I used.
I kept the Handle of My Mason Pearson Out because it was not that
dirty and was not sure what it was made out of.

I will definitely say that at first there was a bit of an odd smell to the mixture, but I would expect that considering it is a cleaning solution. It was not overpowering when I took the mask off after I was done mixing it and placing the brushes in, but I did leave the bathroom fan on and open a window. I am very sensitive to smells and they can leave me with headaches so I take extra precautions. I had a friend over at the time and he said he could not smell anything. I think when you are working with a mixture, you just smell it more. Once the hour was over, I thoroughly rinsed the brushes and dumped the mixture down the toilet. I never smelt it again. I let them sit for about a day and than tested them all out by blowing out my hair and everything went fine.

The following are the brushes/combs that I use the most and chose to clean. I cleaned my Champion 9" Pin Long and Short Comb, my Marilyn Teasing/Backcombing Boar Bristle Brush, my Mason Pearson Pocket Nylon Hair Brush and my T3 Medium Ceramic and Tourmaline Round Brush. Now obviously I chose these brushes/combs due to the fact that they are obviously my favorites since I have about 10 others that I never use. I would have to say my Mason Pearson was my most sentimental brush that I cleaned and was nervous about. I remember the day that I got it. I bought my Mason Pearson in 2006 and I was going to buy a new one since it was getting gross looking but it still worked great. I am so happy that I cleaned it and it is back to normal for a brush that old. I still might buy a new one, only because it has lasted so long in such great working order. Also because the Nylon is usually recommended for thick hair and the boar bristle ones are recommended for fine to normal hair. I have fine to normal hair, so considering the quality of this brush (it deserves it's own post), I might treat myself to a boar bristle one soon. My hair can be deceiving because it is edging on the fine side but there is a lot of it.

Here are the Clean Brushes:

Post Cleaning.

Here are a Picture of the Brushes Pre and Post Cleaning Individually:

T3 Round Brush Pre Cleaning

T3 Round Brush Post Cleaning

Combs Pre Cleaning

Combs Post Cleaning
You can see where the Champion Paint
Came off. 

Mason Pearson Pre Cleaning

Mason Pearson Post Cleaning
WOW what a Difference!

I am very impressed with the results. They are remarkably clean and look so nice and clean. The only bad thing I could say is, it took off some of the painted Logo writing on my combs but I could care less about that.

Final Thoughts:
I am so glad that I deep cleaned my brushes. Don't get me wrong, I am not gross, I would rinse them once a week and wipe them down with wet wipes but never have I used any sort of Official Hair Brush Cleaning Product. I am so happy that I did, because not only did it make my brushes beautiful but it saved me money. I am such a "clean freak" that usually I just throw something away and buy it new when it gets old or needs a deep clean. I am trying for many reasons (save money, the environment, share tips, etc,) to change. I have listed below the price of what I paid (rounded Up) for the brushes alone (keeping in mind that 3 out of the 4 are from years ago). The prices could have changed. I really hope this post has inspired anyone like me who is a "clean freak" to try to beautify something that is old and to keep your brushes clean. We all talk about cleaning our makeup brushes all the time, hair brushes are important too.

$12.00 Champion 9" Pin Comb
$15.00 Marilyn Brush
$45.00 Mason Pearson Nylon Pocket
$15.00 T3 Medium Ceramic and Tourmaline Brush

Thanks,

Sik Glam