Double Down Cosmetics – The Cruelty-Free Brand You Need to Try!

Double Down Cosmetics Main Image

It’s 2020, and many brands are still not cruelty-free. If this is a big deal to you, there’s one cruelty-free brand that should be on your radar, and that’s Double Down Cosmetics! This affordable, award-winning cosmetics brand offers a variety of bold and neutral cosmetics that every makeup enthusiast and makeup pro will enjoy.

The Double Down Review

Since going cruelty-free, I had the opportunity to test out a few products from Double Down Cosmetics. I chose three shadows: MEDEAIJBabsGlo, and Control ($10 each). All three of these shadows would also work when mixed with a base to use as a liner.

The shadows are nicely pigmented and blend beautifully. They’re easy to work with, and, when used with a primer, do last a few hours. The BabsGlo makes a beautiful liner, and I can’t wait to use it more that way this summer.

Double Down Cosmetics loose shadows
Double Down Cosmetics MEDEAIJ loose shadow
Double Down The Control loose shadow
Double Down Cosmetics BabsGlo Loose Shadow

The Punk/The Future Bundle ($18.99) and Spearmint tinted lip balms are wondrous. They give a subtle tint to the lips while moisturizing them. I have been grabbing these lip balms more often than some of my higher end ones.

The Punk/The Future Bundle

If you do a lot of traveling or go into the city for school, their Starts With Foundation & Contour Ain’t About Geometry Bundle Bags ($10) is a great product). There is plenty of room to fit everything that I need in there.

Starts With Foundation & Contour Ain't About Geometry Bundle Bags

Overall Thoughts

I’ve enjoyed the products that I’ve tried so far! What’s even better is that they are super affordable, cruelty-free, and organic. If you are in the market for new makeup and want to try a new brand, I can’t say enough great things about products from Double Down Cosmetics. If you enjoy bold colors, get yourself the BabsGlos! 

Get Plumper Lips with MESOLYFT LIPS

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m pretty skeptical and nervous to try beauty tools that will plump your lips. I have full lips, so a product like this isn’t meant for me. But, that’s okay, I wanted to see if it works. While the brand offers multiple micro-needling products, for this review, I’m testing out a lip plumper tool from the MESOLYFT Line.

About the Product

This particular product is the MESOLYFT Lips, which is a lip plumper that offers hydration and fuller lips for a more youthful appearance. 

Active Ingredients

  • Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate: Skin-conditioning agent and emollient
  • Phenyl Trimethicone: Silicone that makes lips feel silky and soft.
  • Mango Butter Dimer Dilinoleyl Esters/Dimer Dilinoleate Copolymer: Derived from Mango Butter and Rapeseed oil, this natural ingredient provides outstanding shine and substantive conditioning
  • Aloe Vera Leaf Extract: Natural ingredient that moisturizes skin and calms irritation
  • Glycine Soja: Natural ingredient rich in antioxidants preventing damage to collagen and elastin

The PR package came with instructions:

  • Cleanse the area and pat dry
  • Pump serum onto the wheel
  • Press wheel firmly against the skin, but don’t drag it
  • Roll the wheel up and down five to six times
  • Reposition the wheel and roll side to side five to six times
  • Rinse roller with warm water, shake off excess water and let dry without covering
  • For best results use nightly*

To use: Roll over the entire lip and around the lip line. Instantly plumps lips and smoothes fine lines. After three to four weeks of continued use, there’s a noticeable long-term smoothness.

Product Review

I’ll admit, it took me a good week before I started using this. I’ve never used a product like this, nor have I ever plumped up my lips. So of course, there’s a little hesitation. I haven’t been using this for a month, but I have used it enough to form a review.

I’ll admit, it was a little tingly at first, but nothing painful or uncomfortable. I have bad allergies and sensitive skin, so I was relieved that I didn’t have a bad reaction. While my lips didn’t look plump or full, it did an amazing job and smoothing out my lips. I typically suffer from dry lips, and this made them feel soft and smooth. 

Overall Thoughts

While products like this may scare some people, I do think it’s worth trying out if you’re looking to make subtle improvements to your skin. I’m enjoying this so far, and I can’t wait to see how my lips look and feel after the four weeks. 

I’m having great results, that I’m starting to look into the brand’s MESOLYFTEYES since that’s another area that needs work. When it comes to products like this, I definitely recommend speaking with a spa professional, but the results are there. And for me, it was well worth it.

*It’s recommended to start three times a week and increase with tolerance

A New Luxury Lip Balm Worth Checking Out

A New Luxury Lip Balm Worth Checking Out

Beauty Brite Disclosure

During the winter and summer months, a high-quality lip balm is a must-have for me. During extreme weather, my lips get rather dry, and often times crack. This could get a bit uncomfortable for me, and I don’t always want to wear lip products when my lips get this dry. I’m always on the hunt for the next gear lip balm, and I truly think I’ve found it in the Bali Balm.

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Quick Sheet Mask Treatments

Quick Sheet Mask Treatments 

Beauty Brite Disclosure

I have a confession to make. I have a slight addiction/obsession with sheet masks. Even though I might look quite silly while I’m wearing one, they’re a fun treat for my skin. As a longtime fan of Burt’s Bees, I was extremely excited to hear they were coming out with their own collection. I couldn’t wait to cover my face with these new sheet mask gems.

A Sheet Mask for Every Skin Type

Burt's Bees Sheet Mask

There are currently three face masks in the Burt’s Bees collection:

  • Purifying with Kiwi Extract sheet mask – gently cleanses while moisturizing
  • Hydrating with Clary Sage sheet mask – instantly moisturizes & improves skin texture
  • Detoxifying Charcoal with Honey sheet mask  – removes impurities for an invigorating cleanse

All of the masks are 99% natural, cruelty-free, dermatologist tested and formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum. What also makes these masks so unique is they are designed to be quick treatments. Most facial masks I’ve used require you to leave them on for at least 10-15 minutes, sometimes longer. While I like having a quick sheet mask treatment option, I’m not sure how much benefit you get from 2-5 minutes.

Burt's Bee's Sheet Mask Packaging

Of the three masks, my favorite is the Detoxifying. It fit well on my face, felt nice on my skin, and contained the perfect amount of formula. The mask did a nice job of treating my skin without irritation, which sometimes happens when I use charcoal masks. I know I will continue to the Detoxifying mask whenever I want to quickly remove impurities.

Burt's Bees Sheet Mask Usage

 

I found the Hydrating and Purifying masks hard to work with. Both were hard to apply and kind of dry. I even had to lay down to keep the Hydrating mask on my face. The Purifying mask made my skin feel like it was on fire. The two minutes was about all I could stand. The Hydrating sheet mask left my skin feeling dry and sticky, instead of moisturized. I think part of the problem is these masks aren’t as wet as most sheet masks so they don’t properly distribute the formula.

Eye and Lip Masks

Burt's Bees Lips and Eye Sheet Mask

In addition to sheet masks, Burt’s Bees also has a Rejuvenating Eye Mask and Moisturizing Lip Mask. The eye mask (99.9% natural) uses Rosehip Seed Extract and Jojoba Oil to help reinvigorate tired skin. The Lip Mask (100% natural) contains Meadowfoam Seed and Almond Oil, which helps hydrate and define lips.

Like their face mask counterparts, these masks are also cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or petrolatum.

Of the two masks, the five-minute, Rejuvenating eye mask is my favorite. It left the skin around my eyes feeling very hydrated and looking less puffy and smoother. I would absolutely use these again and again. I’ve tried many eye masks and many of them are so strong they irritate my sensitive skin. These eye masks don’t. I think this might have to do with the fact they are made from fabric as opposed to a gel. I find some gels masks can be very intense.

Burt's Bees Lip and Eye Mask Usage

I did have some issues with the Moisturizing lip mask. It didn’t fit well over my lips and was hard to keep on during the five-minute treatment. The formula in the mask also irritated my lips. I often have this issue with 100% natural ingredients because my skin is very sensitive. After using the mask my lips felt dry and slightly inflamed in places.

Burt's Bees Eye and Lip Sheet Mask Results

Although not all of the new Burt’s Bees sheet masks worked for me, I’m glad I was able to try them. As a fan of the brand, I was hesitant to write this post, but I also want to be honest with our readers. Additionally, I think it’s important for brands to hear from their consumers, so they can continue to improve their products. I look forward to seeing what Burt’s Bees will do with their sheet mask line in the future.

 

Connect with Burt’s Bees: Website | Facebook |Twitter | Instagram

 

Are you a fan of sheet masks? Which of these Burt’s Bees masks would you like to try?

 

 

 

 

 

Have We Found Liquid Lipsticks That Won’t Dry Out Your Lips?

Nicolet Beauty Products Main Images

Beauty Brite Disclosure

I’m not big on liquid lipsticks for two reasons: they always dry out my lips, and I’ve never been a fan of matte lips. I’ve always been a glossy person. When I had the chance to check out and test some products from Nicolet Beauty, I immediately went and picked out a few liquid lips since they claimed to be non-drying.
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Top 4 Must-Have Lipsticks

Main image of our top 4 lipsticks
Beauty Brite Disclosure

You may have heard that over the weekend on Saturday was National Lipstick Day. To celebrate, MAC Cosmetics was giving away free lipsticks! Of course, I stood in line for a couple of hours to get one, but I also wanted to honor the fun day by sharing the top four lipsticks you should check out!
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Get ‘Touch Me’ Skin With Shea Butter

Get 'Touch Me' Skin With Shea Butter

Let’s face it – your skin takes a beating every day. UV rays, dry winter air, cosmetic products, and even pregnancy can leave our skin dry, scarred and wrinkled. Shea butter is an easy way to keep your skin in optimal condition.

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Discover Quality Vegan Makeup


Discover Quality Vegan MakeupBeauty Brite Disclosure

When it comes to all-natural and vegan makeup lines, I’ve discovered a common idea that they are not as high-quality as other brands. I personally cannot tell if that is true in most cases, but I do know that it is false for at least some of them: Pacifica, BOOM! By Cindy Joseph (be sure to read my article about that makeup and skincare line), and the star of today’s article: Mineral Fusion!

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Purse Sized Beauty Essentials

Purse Sized Beauty Essentials

I got a brand new purse for Christmas this year which forced me to clean out the one I have been carrying around for over a year! I realized I am carrying around so many things that I don’t need to and it is added weight and keeps me from being able to find the items that I need to use. I wanted to clean out and re-fill with things that I will use and need!

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Welcome to Ipsy: The May Glam Bag

Welcome to Ipsy! A Review of the May Glam Bag
Disclosure: The products mentioned in the post were paid for by me. I did not receive compensation for this post. May contain affiliate links.

Monthly beauty boxes are having a moment–scratch that, a few years of moments. From Sephora’s Play to Birchbox (and even food versions, like graze and Bon Appetit!), the idea of getting some new products every month is clearly an idea that appeals to consumers. One particularly successful example of this enterprise? Ipsy’s Glam Bags. Not all beauty box subscriptions begin with a quiz to personalize your product selection, but this one does–and at ten dollars a month, it’s an exciting prospect!

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