NUDESTIX HYDRA PEPTIDE LIP BUTTER

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Rating : 5/5

Price : $20.00

Size : 0.34 oz

Where to Buy : nudestix.com, Sephora, Ulta

Cruelty Free : Yes

I remember when I was younger my mom had one of Nudestix's OG All Over Color blushes. I was fascinated by this because it was marketed as a "multi-use" beauty item. Although it may be typical now, Nudestix was kind of revolutionary when it came to this idea. They like to state that their line is "multi purpose and made for those on the go." Even down to the clever travel tin which can be used as a makeup container or recycled later on. Although I have super dry skin, I've always gravitated more towards powder products. I just know how to work with them better. Which is mostly why I had never tried Nudestix products in the past. I love to see all the fun kits around Christmas time, but I was immediately drawn to the Hydra Peptide lip trio. Sephora at Kohl's doesn't normally have the usual Hydra Peptide Lip Butter so this was a new product to us. I'm a sucker for a decadent lip product so I absolutely had to try it. I was astonished by how incredible this item was. What makes this lippie unlike any other are its two main ingredients; shea and avocado butter. The avocado butter leaves lips appearing softer and actually promotes circulation. While the avocado is doing its thing, the shea butters powerful vitamins help to nourish even the driest of lips. There's also even some peptides packed in here (which I think is the secret weapon). Peptides help to lock in moisture and give the lips a more plump appearance without the painful burning of your regular plumping gloss. This balm is also free from synthetic fragrances yet has the most delicious, sweet scent. Even my fiance will ask what I have on. The Lip Butter looks great on its own but also wears beautifully on top of any regular lipstick for added hydration and shine. Overall, this is a hidden gem! This is absolutely worth $20 and will change the way your lips look and feel!

MILK MAKEUP HYDRO GRIP PRIMER

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Rating : 2/5

Price : $38.00

Size : 1.52 oz

Where to Buy : milkmakeup.com, Sephora, Amazon

Cruelty Free : Yes

A few years ago, Milk Makeups Hydro Grip primer went VIRAL. I worked at Ulta during this time and people would always ask for this product. Unfortunately, Milk Makeup is sold exclusively at Sephora so I never got the chance to try it until I worked at Sephora. What made this product stand out was the first of its kind formulation. A thick, tacky gel infused with skin loving ingredients like niacinimide and hyaluronic acid for a dewy finish. This primer was so popular brands like E.L.F. and Makeup Revolution came out with cheap dupes for it. Celebrity makeup artists, Broadway performers, and drag queens swear by it because it locks makeup in place for up to 12 hours and doesn't melt under harsh and hot lights. However, just as many people HATE this product as people who love it. And I fall into the category of hating it. First of all, the sticky texture just felt weird on my dry skin. I'd much rather have a silky lotion or even an oil base to give my foundation a creamy, diffused looking base. As soon as I went to spread out my foundation (yes, I tried both sponges and brushes) the primer immediately began peeling/balling up. It completely destroyed my foundation. I was determined to like this product so I tried it with a variety of different foundations, hoping maybe that was the problem. But, every time I had the same unfortunate results. After reading the reviews on Sephora.com, turns out I wasn't the only one. There were also several comments about the product clogging pores and breaking out skin. For how expensive this primer is (and small), I just don't recommend it. If you are looking for something similar, I would suggest Dermablend's Insta-Grip Jelly Primer (I've previously reviewed this product) or even E.L.F.'s Power Grip Primer for only $10.

IGK LEGENDARY DREAM HAIR SHAMPOO

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Rating : 5/5

Price : $32.00

Size : 8oz

Where to Buy : igkhair.com, Ulta, Sephora, Amazon, Salon Centric

Cruelty Free : Yes

Although I've been a makeup and skincare fanatic for years, I've never really cared much about my hair (or the products I used). I mean, I always made sure it was clean and tried avoiding items with sulfates in them. But, I was never loyal to a haircare line. I was recently at TJ Maxx looking for a new shampoo (don't judge me, I'm cheap) and stumbled upon this gem. I had completely forgotten about IGK! When I worked at Ulta, we received several of their products in gratis before they launched in stores. When using their stuff, my hair had never looked shiner, had more volume, and smelled incredible. Since purchasing the Legendary Dream Hair Shampoo, I had to figure out what made this product so unique. This multi benefit shampoo is perfect for any hair type! It adds moisture, shine, and bounce while also smoothing out frizz. One of the key ingredients is microbiome prebiotics. These little guys help to soothe the scalp and balance oil production to achieve the healthiest looking hair imaginable. I also loved how lightweight this felt. I have very fine hair so I often struggle with products weighing it down or leaving build up. But thankfully, this one doesn't! Plus, I can go up to 4 days without washing it again which goes to show how deeply it cleanses the scalp. I will definitely be diving back into more IGK Hair products! This line is phenomenal.