Beauty

What is Beauty?

Beauty comes in many forms. Here are a few of our favorites...

Shade Shifting Custom Blush: Frog Prince Blush by Lipstick Queen

July 13, 2019 · 35 Comments

Did you know that there is makeup that adapts to your body’s pH level and creates the perfect color for you? Our favorites are the shade-shifters from Lipstick Queen, and the one that every Style Chicks gal has in her purse at all times is Frog Prince.

Frog Prince Blush by Lipstick Queen is green in the pan but a custom pink shade on the skin

What it is

Frog Prince comes in a Cream Blush (pictured above), a lipgloss, and a lipstick. We love all three! I’ve also used the cream blush as a subtle lip stain when I want just a hint of color.

HOW IT WORKS

So don’t be scared of the gorgeous emerald green color of this blush in the compact: it will turn into the perfect kiss of rosebud pink – ideal for Summer!

The gorgeous pink shade this blush transforms into within seconds of application! This is one thin layer but more layers can be added for a deeper color.

Frog Prince turns to a lovely custom pink on fair skin

Olive Oil benefits the skin and gives a smooth gel like glide

INGREDIENTS & FEATURES

Frog Prince blush contains natural, moisturizing ingredients such as Jojoba, Avocado and Olive Oils, Vitamin E and Shea Butter.
Paraben-Free.
Sulfate-Free.

ABOUT THE BRAND

LIPSTICK QUEEN

Australian native Poppy King created her own range of lipsticks when she couldn’t find just the right one for herself. Twenty years later, her passion for lipstick is still as vibrant and strong as her signature red lip color.

Where to Buy it

Find the Lipstick Queen line including Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Blush at Neiman Marcus.

BONUS OFFER: MARCUS GIFT CARD PROMO

Neiman Marcus has Frog Prince Blush in stock right now, and a promo offer on qualifying online beauty purchases. Earn a $50 to $500 gift card depending on the size of your NM purchase! Use Neiman Marcus code JULYJC

So if you have been eyeing new makeup, now is a great time to try Frog Prince Blush!

QUESTIONS?

Lipstick Queen Frog Prince Blush

COMMENTS?

Have any questions about the Lipstick Queen Frog Prince blush? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

Vegan Makeup Brushes: Illuminate Pretty In Pink Brush Set

July 10, 2019 · 14 Comments

Organic, Clean & Green, and Natural Beauty fans: want a go-to, versatile, durable brush set that is VEGAN?

Meet the Pretty in Pink Brush Set by Illuminate…

If you opt for vegan makeup, why accept less from your makeup brushes?

The Pretty In Pink Brush Set by Illuminate contains four vegan brushes

Quick Take

These pretty vegan brushes cover the bases for your facial makeup needs. An ideal set for novices and experts alike, they do powders, creams, liquid, highlight and contour, blending and application. Blends smoothly without streaking. Bristles are soft to the touch and tightly packed. No shedding.

Bristles are fluffy and soft but firm enough to precisely pack and deliver powder, cream or liquid product

WHAT IT IS

The Illuminate Pretty in Pink Brush set is a set of four hand-crafted, vegan brushes.

The Details

The Pretty in Pink Brushes have long tapered handles. They have a nice grip and weight that makes them easy to keep a steady hand while using them.

The brush set includes:

Fan (for highlighting + strobing). The fan is seen at the bottom of the picture below. Perfect for top of the cheek highlight or collarbone highlight.
Tapered Kabuki (for buffing + contouring liquid or cream). The tapered Kabuki (top right) holds creamy liquid foundations well. Also very useful as a buffer to blend contour products. It is firmer and denser than the pointed powder.
Pointed Powder (for setting + diffusing) The pointed is also top right, facing right. Just light enough for a final dusting and blending. It is fluffier and lighter than the Kabuki with more give.
Angled Contouring (a blending brush + for contour) is seen in the middle. More about this one below.

Long tapered handles have a nice grip and heft of weight that makes them easy to balance for easy use

The set has long easy to grip handles.

ANGLED BRUSH

I particularly like the angled contouring brush. It is stiff enough with just enough bend to get right into the hollow and define with precision. The bristles are soft and not scratchy. It works with powder or cream blushes and contours and gets the placement right the first time. If you have a hard time getting blush or cheek contour placed just where you want it, the Angled brush gets the job done.

Illuminate Pretty In Pink Brush Set Angled Contour Brush

Fan Brush

The fan brush delivers a particularly precise, thin placement of product, just the right delicate touch for shimmery products like metallics or highlighters. Note the wispy bristle ends for a delicate kiss of product.

Wispy but well-packed fan brush bristles (top right), angled brush packed bristles (bottom right) and fluffy full tapered kabuki (left)

Wispy bristles on the fan brush

BRISTLE QUALITY

The brushes have well-packed bristles that don’t shed, even with excess blending. The bristles are fluffy and soft, but firm enough to precisely pack and deliver powder, cream or liquid product.

The components are solidly constructed.

soft, yet tightly packed bristles pick up powders well and blend

Favorite Features

They are pink! Not only do these brushes look pretty on our vanity, but the bristles are soft, of good quality and don’t shed. The handles have a good long length to grip well and they each have a nice counterweight feel to balance.

Vegan brushes are a nice find for organic and clean & green beauty fans, or anyone who wants a superior brush set!

Each brush comes with a durable cover to keep it the bristles in top shape.

WAYS TO USE THIS BRUSH SET

This is a great set for your contouring and highlighting needs. It has brushes for wet and cream product, loose and pan powders. A perfect go together for the Glow Up palettes, a collection of warm and cool highlight and contour shades.

Pretty In Pink Brushes paired with the Glow Up highlight and contour palettes.

Easy to grip handles make makeup application a breeze for even a novice

The fan brush is ideal for highlight shade Adulting, the angled brush gets Goals right in the cheekbone hollow for contour

Brushes with Glow Up palettes

About the Illuminate Brand

Illuminate believes in simple. They create easy-to-use, cruelty-free products that work for everyone—from makeup rookies to completely-obsessed makeup enthusiasts.

The brand includes Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale Liquid Lipsticks, vegan brushes, cluster lashes, and beautifully coordinated and versatile palettes.

WHERE TO FIND IT

Find the Illuminate Pretty In Pink Brush Set at Illuminate Cosmetics

Easy to grip handles make makeup application a breeze for even a novice

Questions?

Comments?

Have any questions about the Illuminate Pretty in Pink Brush set? The Style Chicks are here to answer them.

Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

ABOUT THIS POST

The Illuminate Pretty in Pink Brush set was submitted to Style Chicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.

The Quintessential Scent of Summer: Jo Malone London Osmanthus Blossom

July 3, 2019 · 26 Comments

What Is Old Feels New Again in the summer. It’s hard to believe it is already July!

Jo Malone London Osmanthus Blossom, once retired, returned in limited edition in 2017. But like summer, it is quickly slipping away from us.

Jo Malone London Osmanthus Blossom

To us, Jo Malone scents seem both nostalgic and new with each wearing. We love that Jo Malone London scents have the ability to conjure up a unique scent every time by layering two or more together for a fragrance uniquely your own. Osmanthus Blossom is no different.

Jo Malone London Osmanthus Blossom

Fragrance Notes

Osmanthus Blossom evokes osmanthus blossoms after a rainstorm

Osmanthus Blossom evokes a fruity aroma of osmanthus blossoms after a rainstorm

Jo Malone Osmanthus Blossom has the scent of Osmanthus blossoms after a rainstorm, something of a juicy fruity aroma.

There are distinct apricot and ripe peach scents. Also a bitter petitgrain, a citrusy orange, and a note of leather to balance.

It is light and feminine and warms well to the skin.

There is a decided honey note that lingers. Some describe a dewy or raindrop note.

JO MALONE PAIRINGS

Jo Malone Osmanthus Blossom has a distinct ripe peach note that is quintessentially summer

Jo Malone London Osmanthus Blossom feels like spring, summer or fall depending on what secondary scent it is paired with. It has a velvety peach and honey base that plays well with other blends.

Pair it with Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay for a less sweet, greener scent.
Pair with Jo Malone Grapefruit or Peony for a more floral and fruity vibe.
Pair with Jo Malone Honey and Nectar to magnify the sweetness.

Jo Malone Osmanthus Blossom is feminine and warms nicely on the skin, which makes it very suitable for summer and early fall wear all on its’ own.

What are your favorite scents and pairings of Jo Malone?

WHERE TO FIND IT

This limited edition version is in a larger, 3.4-ounce size. Out of stock online at Sephora, Selfridges, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bergdorf and Jo Malone London.

We recommend scouring the smaller boutiques. If you see it, act fast, you likely won’t see it again.

The Jo Malone London line available at Neiman Marcus, Jo Malone London, and BlueMercury.

Call to Action

StyleChicks Readers have an amazing ability to locate hard-to-find and discontinued beauty products. Readers, have you spotted this elusive Jo Malone lovely anywhere? Tell us in the comments!

Hydrate, Heal & Repair: Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair

June 25, 2019 · 8 Comments

Retinol, ALpha hydroxy acids, and Vitamin C have a common side effect: before beautiful skin, there’s often irritation, redness, dehydration, and peeling. If your go-to exfoliator, peel or serum leaves skin cranky, don’t forsake them just yet. Try Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair to calm the irritation while promoting younger looking skin that’s dewy and soft.

Osmotics Cosmeceuticals Cream Extreme Intensive Repair treats skin affected by harsh weather conditions and drying topical treatments

ABOUT THIS CREAM: HOW IT FEELS

Just a bit of this thick cream goes a long way. It goes on like a decadent masque but in a few minutes dries down smooth and not the least bit sticky.

Creamy texture

STANDOUT FEATURE

Its’ standout feature is BRT, or Barrier Repair Technology, a patented combination of epidermal lipids clinically proven to restore and maintain a healthy skin barrier. And while BRT protects skin from further harm, the combination of vitamins and antioxidants repair, soothe and refine skin texture. This results in healthier, younger-looking skin.

Supporting Ingredient Line-up

Vitamin E: Vitamin E softens skin texture and reduces acne scars. Vitamin E makes old acne scars softer and more pliable. Vitamin E makes rough, sunburned, scarred or otherwise damaged skin soft and pliable. Once the skin is pliable, other treating ingredients can work their magic.

Linoleic acid: Linoleic acid (Vitamin F) is an omega-6 fatty acid with skin barrier-strengthening, healing, hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ceramides: Ceramides are the fatty acids that help to hold cells together and protect the epidermis. Natural ceramides deplete with age or due to excessive stripping of the natural skin oils.

Lavender Oil: Lavender Oil softens and conditions the skin.

Orange Oil: Orange Oil is an anti-oxidant that reduces inflammation. It improves collagen production resulting in the reduction of dark spots and wrinkles.

WHAT Cream Extreme DOES BEST & HOW IT DOES IT

This BRT and vitamin combination cream gives protection from environmental pollutants and harsh weather that can make even normal skin act overly sensitive. Whether you’re a beach bunny or ski slope siren, Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair keeps skin protected and hydrated in both hot, dry weather or cold and windy environments.

It’s also ideal for getting the skin to a glowing, dewy baseline after the red, peeling aftermath of a laser or dermal skin procedure or at-home Glycolic peel or over-aggressive acne creams.

Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair

MY FAVORITE WAY TO USE THIS PRODUCT

My favorite use for Cream Extreme so far is when I accidentally overdo my Retinol and wake up to a red, irritated face: Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair is amazing for getting the skin back on track, quelling tightness and irritation and leaving skin dewy and soft.

WHO IS IT GOOD FOR?

Ideal for those with Hypersensitive skin, acne-prone skin, oily skin, dry skin, combination skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, and mature skin. If your face or neck skin has reason to be dry, irritated, or dehydrated, whether the weather, forced indoor heating or cooling, pollution exposure, or if it is irritated due to topical treatments for acne, wrinkles, or skin texture, Osmotics Creme Extreme Intense Repair can help with its soothing combination of Vitamin E, Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Antioxidants.

A worthy go-to hydration and repair tool in your skin beauty arsenal!

WHERE TO BUY IT

Find Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair at Osmotics.com, Neiman Marcus, and DermStore

ABOUT OSMOTICS Cosmeceuticals

Osmotics skincare

The founder of Osmotics Cosmeceuticals, Francine, had sensitive skin since age 14. This made finding effective skincare products difficult.

Osmotics products respect delicate and sensitive skin and contain only what is necessary to gain meaningful results with the least risk of skin irritation. To do this, they use clinically proven, state of the art ingredients without the common fillers found in many products. The rationale is fewer chemicals within a product reduces the risk of interactions and irritation.

Osmotics has a full line of eye, face, neck, and body treatment products, cleansers and moisturizers, as well as makeup products.

As of summer, 2019, Osmotics added a hair treatment line to their range.

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Have any questions about Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair? The Style Chicks are here to answer them. Leave a comment or email us at [email protected]

ABOUT THIS POST

Osmotics Cream Extreme Intensive Repair was submitted to StyleChicks for consideration purposes. All opinions and experiences are 100% our own.

Vitamin K for Dark Undereye Circles: Fast Facts

June 24, 2019 · 6 Comments

Five Fast Vitamin K Facts

Vitamin K is popular in under-eye creams because it can lighten infraorbital darkness, AKA under eye circles. It is most beneficial for circles with a blue or brown undertone.

Vitamin K reverses the calcium deposits in elastin fibers. These deposits harden and cause wrinkles.
Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation.
Vitamin K is also called Phytonadione on ingredient listings.
Some dark circles are caused by weak vessels that allow blood near the surface of your skin. These circles have a blue, purple or brown undertone.
Topical application of vitamin K cream prior to an in-office procedure strengthens blood vessels. Stronger blood vessels means less bruising after surgical or laser treatments.

What to look for in a Vitamin K Topical

Vitamin K is most effective as part of a team instead of a standalone K cream or gel. A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed topical Vitamin K works best when paired with retinol, Vitamins C, E, and the Bs. (1)

If you use prescription retinol, apply the retinol first and then the topical K product.

Choose a product with enough Vitamin K to be effective. The study used a 2% Vitamin K concentration.

REFERENCES

Mitsuishi, T. , Shimoda, T. , Mitsui, Y. , Kuriyama, Y. and Kawana, S. (2004), The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 3: 73-75. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00070.x