Author: The Beauty Wolf (Page 9 of 28)

Coco Park, mismiki nashoba

TONY MOLY INTENSE CARE SNAIL EYE MASK JUMBO REVIEW

January 22, 2015 / The Beauty Wolf

I’ve talked before about my love of snail secretion as a skincare ingredient. It’s almost old-hat at this point, but it will always be a favourite of mine. Most of my snail skincare has slowly been replaced by ferments lately but the one area I still indulge is the eyes. Snail secretion is so soothing and moisturizing without being greasy, it lends itself wonderfully to delicate eye skin. My favourite delivery method is the Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Eye Mask Jumbo. If, for whatever reason, you don’t like the idea of applying snail secretion to your face, you may prefer to shop collagen eye masks as an alternative for making your eyes more refreshed.

These little comma shaped gel eye patches are perfectly contoured for your eyes. They come in a pack of 30 (15 uses) which I like better than the single use eye masks. I love the gel that these are made out of, the way it mollifies is unparalleled in the eye mask world IMO. Also packed with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide, Aloe Leaf Juice, Rose Extract, Diamond Powder, and even Colloidal Gold, the ultra soothing patches cool and nourish. When I’m having a particularly rough morning, I love slipping these on my eyes, one set under my eyes, and one set on my lids, for the ultimate in remedying puffy tired eyes. I really love how they’re oversized and cover such a big area! I don’t like to be wasteful so after I’m through using them on my eyes (time permitting) I flip them over to the other side and put them on my smile lines. Their shape fits the contours of that area perfectly. I’ve also been known to put them on my lips. They’re definitely a lot more multi-purpose than they’re marketed as.

I even found this video showing how you can apply these as you’re doing your morning makeup for both therapeutic use and to catch eyeshadow fall out! (skip to about 4:05 in for that part)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–0eZS4ZkcE

I love these things and they’re a staple in my routine!
Five out of five soothed, un-puffy turtles

Available on amazon here
http://www.amazon.com/Tonymoly-Intense-Snail-Jumbo-Cosmetic/dp/B00DU5NUHC

and on ebay here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tonymoly-Intense-Care-Snail-Eye-Mask-Jumbo-Under-Eye-Patches-15pairs-/171560414290?pt=US_Skin_Care&hash=item27f1cc2c52

It used to be available on all the major sites but I’m not seeing it anymore. I hope it’s not discontinued! Maybe we should stock up while we can!

WHAMISA ORGANIC SEA KELP FACIAL SHEET MASK REVIEW

January 21, 2015 / The Beauty Wolf

Whoa, daaaamn! I never thought something as benign as sea kelp would illicit that kind of enthusiasm from me but then again I’d never tried Whamisa Organic Sea Kelp Facial Sheet Mask before.

Where do I start with this awesome mask? The ingredients:

Laminaria Japonica, *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Laminaria Japonica Extract, *Lactobacillus/Aloe Barbadensis Ferment Filtrate, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Angelica Polymorpha Sinensis Root Extract, ☆(-)-alpha-bisabolol, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Natto Gum, Leonurus Sibiricus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Dioscorea Opposita (Wild Yam) Root Extract, *Camellia Japonica Seed Oil, *Centella Asiatica Extract, *Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Anemarrhena Asphodeloides Root Extract, *Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract, Chlorella Ferment, *Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, *Corylus Avellana (Hazel) Seed Oil, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Royal Jelly 0.05, **Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Xanthan Gum, **Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Plantago Asiatica Extract, **Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, ☆Adenosine, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
*Certified Organically Grown **Natural Preservative ☆Ecocert

LOOK AT THAT, LOOK! THIS HEAVENLY INGREDIENT LIST No fillers, no crap, nothing but goodness. It’s like a buffet of emollients, antioxidants, and anti-imflammitory goodness with absolutely NO acne or irritation triggers. I’m talking zero. It’s also organic if that stuff is important to you. I notice that this shares some wonderful ingredients with my new favourite Whamisa cream. Yaaaas, slay Whamisa. Perfection.

Another thing that separates this from the typical water and glycerin cotton sheet mask is that this sheet is made entirely of laminaria japonica, otherwise known as sea kelp. Sea kelp itself can help aid in moisturizing the skin, so what a perfect, genius delivery system for all of those top notch skin nourishing ingredients.

Because the mask is made of kelp, it’s got that very distinct seaweed smell. If you’re familiar with Korean or Japanese food, you know the aroma I’m referring to. As soon as I put this mask on I felt like the fanciest human kimbap (my husband actually remarked the same thing “smells like kimbap!” and promptly went out to procure himself one after this mask triggered the craving lol). The kelp is thick and laden with serum, it’s very slippery so take care getting it out of it’s package, I wasn’t being careful and I almost dropped it. The fact that it’s so slippery is good, that means it’s heavily concentrated. I also really like that this mask comes in two parts, it makes fitting it onto your face easier. Once applied the mask was very soothing and cooling, it felt extra nice on my winter wind irritated skin. This would also be amazing in the summer, I imagine putting one on after a hot day outside would be out of this world. In fact, I’m going to stock up on these to use after my hot yoga classes!

After removing the mask my skin was noticeably bouncier, and unbelievably hydrated and soothed. I mean really, seriously, bouncy. And really, seriously, hydrated. Like, really. Seriously. This is the part of writing this blog I love the most, because I’m discovering new holy grail products that I wouldn’t otherwise have. If not for this blog I would probably be lulled into a comfort zone. This product certainly takes it’s place on my holy grail roster.

At $14 the price is a bit steep for a sheet mask but it really is totally worth it. Put it this way, I’d rather have one of these masks than a facial at a spa, so $14 is better than the $100 at the minimum I’d spend at a spa. Buy a couple of these and save them for date nights or special occasions, or if you’re ballin’ use these suckers every damn day and feel my seething jealousy.Whamisa Organic Sea Kelp Facial Mask
five out of five turtles + one turtle for excellence and making me look like I’m cosplaying a Ninja Turtle while I’m wearing it.

+Whamisa has grown to be my favourite company right now, taking the crown from Benton and even Sum:37. Not that Sum:37 isn’t awesome, I still use their serum and cleansing stick every day. But this mask demonstrates why Whamisa reigns supreme for me, top quality ingredients and absolutely stellar results.

Available at Glow Recipe here
http://www.glowrecipe.com/products/organic-sea-kelp-facial-sheet-mask
Good news, Glow Recipe has offered to give you 15% off your order if you order through my link! Get in on this great stuff with this great deal and check out Whamisa’s other products!
http://i.refs.cc/Mxk05ta7

Also available in a five pack via eBay here

BEAUTY BEYOND BORDERS THE 3B BOX REVIEW

January 20, 2015 / The Beauty Wolf

Hello Beauty Pups! Welcome to my first post of 2015!
Due to a series of follies, I am so very late reviewing this box, but I really wanted to let you guys knows about the new subscription service provided by 3B Beauty Beyond Borders.

I know the market is inundated by a slew of new (and old) subscription companies all vying for your money, but this one looks really promising!

The synopsis from their website says it all:

“Each box contains a collection of deluxe samples that are new or popular in Asia but hard to get your hands on. The products will change each month, and you’ll get to try new skincare, haircare, nailcare, and cosmetic products. Sample products range from go-to brands such as Lioele, Etude House and Skinfood to high-end premium brands like SK-II, K, and Sulwhasoo. Don’t worry about not being able to read Japanese or Korean – we’ve got you covered with English translations of descriptions in each box.

$12/Month Gets You:

A pouch containing four to five deluxe Asian beauty samples that we love
Tips on how to use products
Unlimited access to our team to answer any questions you might have”

I was lucky enough to receive their inaugural box and wow, I really wish this kind of thing was available when I was first discovering Asian beauty products. I could have saved so much money! I actually prefer the 3b box to the Memebox for two reasons. One the price is like half, and two the top name brand selections. Memebox tends to flood you with boxes, and the contents are generally iffy. I’ve often times received products no one has ever heard of and of wildly varying quality. On the other hand, the 3b box is full of great things I’d actually use! For example this box contained

Etude House Moistfull Collagen Kit: Two deluxe sample sized (perfect for travel) of the facial fresher and the emulsion. This Moistfull line is something I would definitely recommend to young people just starting out with Korean skincare products.

The Face Shop Herb Day Cleansing Wipes: A full sized package of gentle wipes for cleansing point makeup.

K-Palette 1 Day Magic Liquid Eyeliner: This is what I love about this box,it contains a Japanese product I’d never heard of before but is apparently very popular. This ultra fine tipped eyeliner is pretty damn awesome and I’m so happy to have found out about it thanks to 3b! This liner alone makes the box worth it.

Nature Republic Nail Polish: Yessss. I love Nature Republic nail polishes! I was so happy this was included! It’s in a gorgeous classic orange based red, it’s like the nail polish version of Mac’s Lady Danger. Love it.

All in all I’m really happy with this box and I think it would make a great gift for someone just starting out or even for old pros who love getting new and beloved surprises every month! The only drawback is this is so far a US exclusive service. But if you’re in the US, I definitely recommend giving this subscription service a try!
You can find them at https://the3bbox.com/

THE BEAUTY WOLF x MORI TORI GIVEAWAY

December 17, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of things that off the beaten path, and that my aesthetic follows suit. One look around at my artwork on this blog confirms that. I’m also a fan of clean modern lines. It’s not often the two meet, but Mori Tori combines them both with some wonderfully weird jewelry and beautifully haunting ceramic pieces.

Mori Tori is ran by the immensely talented Erika Harada (who you may have caught on an episode of Oddities on the Discovery Network or the Science Channel). Erika is an illustrator and graphic designer (with one of the coolest skull and taxidermy collections I’ve ever seen) living in New York City. She brings her brilliant illustrations to “life” so to speak, by printing them on different pieces of ceramics and jewelry. She also draws from her deep love of nature and fashions killer earrings out of African porcupine quills! I have a pair myself and I cannot tell you how many compliments I’ve gotten from them.

Erika is a real life friend of mine, and reader of The Beauty Wolf. We decided to team up together and bring you a Mori Tori x The Beauty Wolf giveaway!

We are giving away your choice of either a pair of the aforementioned porcupine earrings,

or a charming little crowned fetal skull drop ceramic pendant necklace, seen here:

You’ll also be able to choose between one of two The Beauty Wolf x Mori Tori original prints designed just for this giveaway!

All you have to do is like Mori Tori and The Beauty Wolf on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to win! One winner will be selected at random, at that time we will email you and ask which prizes you’d like to receive! Get on it bbs!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also sat down and had a quick interview with Erika, which you can read below!

1. First of all I obviously love your whole aesthetic, what inspires you when you’re creating?

“This might sound cliche, but all my life I’ve been in love with nature. I was fortunate enough to grow up in an area with plenty of forest land to play in, and everything I encountered there as a kid, from insects to squirrels to deer, were so magical to me. Since then, I’ve traveled the globe and gotten to see all sorts of different wildlife. South Africa in particular has captivated me with its beauty and wild animals, and living among true wilderness in the bush there was a life-changing experience. I can’t get enough of reading books about ecology, animal behavior, and physiology now.

My dad’s hometown in the middle of the New Mexican desert got me interested in specimen collecting, since it was so much fun finding cattle skulls and other bones out in the dunes. It also helped that I grew up visiting my favorite museum in the world — the American Museum of Natural History here in New York City, with its huge halls of dioramas and dinosaur skeletons. It is now a bit of an obsession, and my apartment is covered in various animal skulls, skeletons, and taxidermy. I find the organic forms of bones to be so beautiful, and I’ve never gotten bored of drawing them.”

2. What does the name Moritori mean?

“Mori” means “forest”, and “tori” means “bird” in Japanese. It’s also no coincidence that “mori” means “dying” in Latin — “memento mori” is one of my favorite sayings.

I’m actually not a particularly morbid or dark person; I am fascinated by death and all that is associated with it, because it’s such an important and oft-ignored part of life.”

3. How long have you been an illustrator? Did you study art in school?
” I’ve been an illustrator off and on for a while. I work primarily in the graphic design field but still find some time to do some drawing, commercially and otherwise. I went to school for animation first, and then graphic design, but the fine arts classes I took were always my favorites; learning to work with a new medium every semester was so much fun. I still try to continue to learn new techniques — besides, being in New York City, it’d be a shame not to take part in some of the unique workshops that are out there.”

4. Also, for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve had beautiful skin. Tell us what products you use and love!
“My mom has been a big influence on my skincare preferences. She’s always taught me about the importance of a good moisturizer and toner (actually called “lotion” in Asia) — she’s used a lot of Hada Labo products, and I love them too. Using the Gokujyun Clear Lotion and Gokujyun Milk in tandem is pretty great for me and my combo skin that breaks out easily; they go on light but still locks in the moisture. I usually can’t do the full Japanese skin care ritual that my mom religiously does every morning and night, but I try to at least use these two!”

So now that you’ve gotten to know Erika and Mori Tori, check out her shop and enter our giveaway! Good luck gorgeous!

A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WISHLIST

December 16, 2014 / The Beauty Wolf

I’ve always felt like the holidays were for everyone else. I gleefully shop for everyone in my life, friends, family, offspring, but don’t think much about anything for myself. The holidays aren’t about me, they’re about the people in my life. New Years Eve though, that one is very “me”-centric. It’s all about saying farewell to the old you from last year, and saying hello to a better person in the upcoming year.

This year I don’t have much of a Christmas wishlist, but I do have a New Years Eve wishlist. Who’s to say wishlists have to only be for birthdays and the traditional gift giving holidays? This wishlist is full of items to help me stick with my goals and resolutions for 2k15!

My resolutions are: to eat more fruits and veggies, to always bring a touch of fancy to every-day items (because life is too short for ugly things), and to travel more! In addition to eating better, I want to start looking into supplements that can help me feel better in day to day life. I’ve looked up what is available, such as the full spectrum cbd oil for sale, and decided that CBD products could be good for helping me to relax and improving my mood overall. I’ve struggled quite a lot with mood swings this year and I hope to change that come to January. I am looking forward to traveling more, it has been on my to-do list, plus I can pick up some tips from https://www.lacasadelriccio.com/ so I know what I’m getting myself in for when I visit more places I’ve never been!

I also have a lot of exciting fashion and beauty resolutions planned which you can learn more about below! This is the year I sort my personal sense of style out once and for all.

I’ve selected these inspiring items:

Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Spiral Veggie Slicer

Veggies are so good for you, but let’s be real, they can be incredibly boring. What better way to liven up their presentation then a spiralizer? Hell, I’ll want to eat more veggies just so I can play with this thing. How satisfying would it be to watch this sucker turn a zucchini into a fancy, spirally, spring?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=ox_sc_imb_mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Bormioli Rocco Cassiopea Rock Glass

A great way to pack a whole lotta antioxidant rich fruit and veggies into one convenient meal is by making smoothies. But just because you’re taking a liquid lunch doesn’t mean you have to forgo the fanciness. Why not serve it up in these cool faceted tumblers? They’re available in two sizes, depending on how hungry you are 😉 With glasses this gorgeous, I think I’ll use the spiralizer to add little twists of cucumbers to garnish my green smoothies.
http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-Cassiopea-Rocks-Glass/dp/B008PCV6J4/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1418679663&sr=1-1&keywords=Bormioli+Rocco+Cassiopeia+Glass&pebp=1418679664514

Style Nanda 3 Concept Eyes Creamy Lip in Kitsch Biker

Speaking of fanciness, what better way to be the personification of that then a bold festive lip? I’ve tried these Style Nanda Three Concept Eyes Creamy Lip products before and they are unbelievably buttery and moisturizing. I selected a very neutral shade to test run, but I’ve regretted not picking up this shade, Kitsch Biker, ever since! This one is high on my list!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/3CE-3-CONCEPT-EYES-Creamy-Lip-Color-KocoShop-/181446945927?pt=US_Makeup_Lips&var=&hash=item2a3f14ac87

Luxury Leather Passport Case Cover

This little gold number brings me to the “travel more” portion of my resolutions. I’ve already given myself a kickstart by booking a weeklong trip to Iceland for next year (I’m looking at traveling around parts of Iceland with a rental from somewhere like Cars Iceland to find the best angle and positioning to view the Northern Lights!) and I can’t wait to whip out my passport housed in this beautiful crocodile embossed fine leather case. Your passport is a precious document, treat it as such! I’ll make sure I travel more just to have an excuse to use this thing!
http://www.amazon.com/GAZE-Hologramful-Snakeskin-Leather-Passport/dp/B00MF9Q0KS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418771972&sr=8-1&keywords=snakeskin+passport&pebp=1418771977946

5 & 6.

Whamisa Organic Flowers Damask Rose Petal Mist & Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask

While on long (or even short) flights, it’s exciting as hell. The downside of that is you’re subjected to that terrible, terrible, recycled, dry as an ancient egyptian tomb air and it’s awfully hard on your skin. No one wants to step off the plane feeling like an old dry cat turd, and the good news is there’s something you can do to prevent it! Whamisa Organic Flowers Damask Rose Petal Mist gives your skin instant hydration with a few spritzes. It does so by forgoing water and using ingredients like fermented rose extract and petals, chrysanthemum extract, and aloe vera. I’ve reviewed their Organic Flowers Olive Mist and it turned out to be a holy grail item for me. I can’t wait to try this version! If you want to try it with me, order through this link and get 15% off! http://i.refs.cc/Mxk05ta7

After spritzing some of that awesome mist, why not really fortify your skin and protect it from that awful air with a sleeping mask? If you’re familiar with sleeping mask/packs, you know that there’s no better way to wake up refreshed and hydrated, so imagine what it could do for you on a plane? Dr Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask is something I’ve tried before and I love it! It is so good! The good news for me is, it’s not available at Sephora. From their website “this weightless, leave-on mask that creates a protective barrier on your skin, locking in vital moisture and nutrients while you “beauty sleep.” Hyaluronic acid macromolecule feeds continuous moisture deep into the dermal layer, replenishing skin’s nighttime water supply, while olive leaf and cranberry strengthen the skin barrier to boost elasticity. A fragrant blend of nine essential oils promote a deep, comforting sleep, leaving your skin ultimately revitalized and you refreshed.”
http://www.sephora.com/water-fuse-water-max-sleeping-mask-P374570?skuId=1421981

Travel Smart Travel Bottle Set

Traveling when you’ve got a skincare routine as in depth and product heavy as I do isn’t easy. You don’t want to risk putting all your products in your checked baggage because not only might it spill on your clothing, but it also takes up way too much valuable luggage room. Solve that problem by transferring everything into these handy travel friendly bottles! I plan on having my skincare with me in my carry-on bag, and this is going to make that possible. Also, I have a brand new handbag to use as my carry-on this year so I cannot wait to pack it with all of my travel essentials for the first time! The bag I am going to use was actually a gift from a friend. She collects knock off purses and the bag she has given me is a fantastic replica of one of the latest designs by Chanel. Honestly, it is such a good replica, you cannot tell the difference between my bag and a genuine one! Are there any bags that have caught your eye recently? What fashion and accessories trends have you been loving? Let me know, as I am always on the lookout for new handbags to spice up my outfits.
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Smart-Bottle-Set/dp/B004HCECVA/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1418772167&sr=8-25&keywords=travel+accessories

Sum:37 Secret Programming Essence 30 pc sample lot

Some things in my regime are just too precious to decant and put into bottles. I plan on getting around that by getting myself a large lot of samples to not only easily tote around, but also give me a fresh dose of product every time! Perfect!
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/SU-M37-Secret-Programming-Essence-30pcs-Anti-Aging-Skin-Care-Moisture-SUM37-/350719395464?pt=US_Skin_Care&hash=item51a8814688&clk_rvr_id=750151230419&afsrc=1

Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel Sunblock

After all of that dry airplane air, I’m going to need a nourishing sunblock for my adventures. Hada Labo UV Creamy Gel SPF 50 PA+++ contains hyaluronic acid, my favourite hydrating ingredient!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hadalabo-RHOTO-Hyaluronic-Hyaluronic-UV-Creamy-Gel-SUNSCREEN-SPF50-PA-50g-/221413614914?pt=US_Skin_Care&hash=item338d47a54210.

Linea N°2 Faceted Carbon & Gold

I’m a podcast junkie. I subscribe to so many that I’ve always got a backlog going on. The easiest way to work through them all is by popping on my earbuds and listening while I’m going about my daily life. While I’m eating my veggies, traveling, or just walking my dogs, I want to add that fanciness by replacing my ugly white earbuds with these absolutely gorgeous faceted black and gold accented ones. These things are undeniably gorgeous, they look more like pieces of jewelry than they do headphones. How can you possibly be in a bad mood with these lovely things in your ears? Please Santa, leave these in my stocking so that I can kill it in the upcoming new year 😉
http://www.caeden.com/collections/linea_no_2/

Well, there’s my list! What are your resolutions going to be? Let me know in the comments!

$12/Month Gets You:

Whamisa Organic Flowers Damask Rose Petal Mist & Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Water-Max Sleeping Mask

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