Makeup Reviews

The New Bobbi Brown Face Masks: My Full Review

July 8, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Masks are HUGE right now, that’s no secret. From do it yourself ones featuring lots of avocados to the individual packs sold almost everywhere, every beauty blogger and her cousin are using them. Some actually work, others just carry fancy names and attractive packaging. But when I heard Bobbi Brown released three new masks this year I knew I had to give them a shot. I’m a fan of her makeup, but her skin care collection is beyond.

Besides the gorgeous packing on this trio, I was immediately drawn to the specific skin concern each one addresses. The Bobbi Brown Face Mask range includes: Instant Detox (the grey one), Skin Nourish (the pink one) and Radiance Boost (the white one.) Depending on your skin type, you can use each one alone, or if like me you have more than an issue in different areas of your face you’d like to work on, then Multi-Masking is the way to go.

I’ve prepared a pictorial to show you how I use all three and why I would recommend each but it’s up to you really, to choose the ones you think are best for your skin type.

–Instant Detox

I like to use this Bobbi Brown mask on my T-Zone once a week, because I have a combination skin and it tends to get a bit oily. It’s all about the deep cleanse. Get this; it’s made of Hawaiian Sea Water and Mineral-rich Amazonian White Clay, and it actually looks and feels like clay.

Think of this as a deep cleanse for your skin, the product dries up pretty fast onto your skin and what it does in the process is remove excess oils, toxins, impurities, and basically any substances that will clog up your pores from pollution around us, hence the name, detox! I prefer this after a night out with too much makeup, when a regular face wash just won’t do it. You have to clean your face thoroughly before applying and never on a face full of makeup. You don’t peel this one off but actually wash it off after 5 minutes. If I’m using all three I like to start off with this one.

-Skin Nourish

This is one of my favorites, especially for my forehead and cheekbones which tend to almost always feel dehydrated. I love the active ingredients in Skin Nourish, Coral Grass and Green Algae ( which is packed with collagen) and together they work extra hard to keep your skin moisturized and look plumper and smoother. It’s super lightweight and the Bobbi Brown Skin Expert even told me I can keep it on as a moisturizer as well.

I like to use it alone or with the rest of my masks on my driest areas up to three times a week for 10 minutes. I won’t lie I even slept in it a couple of times and my fine lines were totally reduced by day time. It’s also been a life saver in this hot and humid weather.

-Radiance Boost

This one is a mask, that has a very gentle exfoliating factor to it, because it’s actually packed with tiny walnut grains which will rid your skin of the dead cells on the surface that stop the shine from going through. You will feel an immediate tingle when you apply it, and that would be the orange oil in it that also works to energize and refresh your skin. It also contains Kaolin Clay which is supposed to also reduce excess oil and balance out the complexion.

My trick is to use this one under my eyes (very gently of course, skin there is the thinnest) and also on my cheeks for a nice glow. But if I have a photo shoot coming up then I will apply it alone for 5 minutes for an immediate shot of radiance. This one is best applied when your skin is damp, and make sure to remove it with a soft massage.

Bobbi Brown’s face mask trio most do not disappoint at all. In fact, I may be guilty of over-masking lately, but I can’t help it really, especially when the results are immediate like this. You don’t need all three, but a little goes a long way, so even though they are somewhat of a skin care investment, they will last longer than this mask fad ever will.
You can find these masks at the Bobbi Brown Flagship Store in Hamra, Lebanon.

Catch me using them for my daily beauty routine on Snap Chat at Ivy Says.

7 Beauty Products You Need This June

June 23, 2016 - Leave a Comment

You know I can’t go a month, okay I lie, a week without discovering the latest must-have beauty products. I’m obsessed, you should see my dressing room! All shame aside, between a mini-haul at Sephora and a few trips to the makeup aisle, I’ve curated a couple of items you may also come to love this season. Don’t forget to follow me on Snap Chat at Ivy Says to watch me demonstrate them live.

1. Sephora Cream Lip Stain

I’m a little disappointed with myself for discovering this just now, and though I’ve read the reviews I thought to myself they must be a little over-hyped, they really, REALLY aren’t. This might just be the best value-for-money liquid lipstick I’ve yet to get my hands on, these babies are game-changers. They take long-lasting to a whole new level; like literally ALL day, after two meals and many, many coffees. And though most matte liquid stains are the reason behind dry and chapped lips, I can safely say I’ve experienced none with these. The pigmentation is EVERYTHING, one round is enough to get true rich color. Here’s the deal though, most shades are almost always sold out. Between a trip to Sephora Paris and then Houston, I’ve managed to get my hands on only 3 shades I’ve been coveting, and some favorites, including 06 Pink Souffle and Marvelous Mauve, but they’re my favorites so I’m happy.

2. The Beauty Blender

You can buy the most fancy makeup in the world and it still won’t matter with the wrong type of application. Enter the Beauty Blender. Again one of the most-hyped sponges in the world. A $20 sponge now what could it possibly do that another regular one can’t? A LOT! Here’s how: This sponge is meant to be used damp (although dry works too) for applying all types of formulas, such as foundation and concealer, though it works on powders too. This means that instead of having lots of product absorbed by a regular sponge, the technology behind this one won’t do that and instead allows it to puff up. Next you have to use it in a bouncy effect, giving you a more natural makeup application instead of a streaky one,that will seriously speed up blending and cut makeup application time in half. I also love to use the pointed tip for concealers around my eyes, or clearing up under my eye with a highlighter after eyeshadow application. Just make sure you wash it after use. I use Baby Shampoo.

3. The Pore Fessional Matte Rescue by Benefit

This one’s got a long name,: Professional Matte Rescue Invisible Finish Mattifying Gel, but it pretty much sums it up. I am a religious user of the classic primer Pore Fessional, so when I found out this one’s from the same series, I knew had to try give it a shot and I’m glad I did. Because let me tell you with the current heat, this one is godsend. What it is, is basically your everyday quick solution to unwanted shine and grease on your skin. The formula is a water-based one which feels refreshing and suits all skin tones, since it’s invisible. You apply this one after you’ve washed your face and applied your daily skin creams. It works to absorb all the access oil and instantly give your skin a matte finish if you choose to wear it alone, which I do, on my oily T-zone. However, if you plan to apply makeup you put this one right before the primer and it will create the perfect matte oil-free base instantly. I like to be selective with where I choose to apply it since I have combination skin and I recommend you do so too.

4. China Glaze- House of Colour Collection

It’s all about 1970s chic this season where “anything goes” that includes, creamy nudes, metallic and glitters. My favorite have to be Pink or Swim, Let’s Chalk About it, and Sorry I’m Latte. The formula includes nail hardener that is perfect if your nails are feeling brittle from the beach. I also love how fast-dry they are.

5. L’Occitane Almond Body Scrub and Supple Skin Oil

I have a love hate relationship with scrubs, it’s rare I find one that doesn’t feel like sandpaper or is too stubborn to remove in the shower but L’Occitane’s Almond Scrub seems to do the trick. The granulars of this scrub are made of crushed shells of almonds and will leave your skin hydrated while ridding you of dead cells. It’s also soft enough to use daily, which I need since my skin has been excessively dry as of lately. But if you plan to show a lot of skin this summer, then you can add this Supple Skin Oil after post-shower daily, also made up of almond oil which is rich in Omega 6, this one can be massaged onto skin for a satin feel and lovely shine. I love body butter but I find oils a special treat when I have the time to pamper myself.

6. Bioderma Photoderm Autobronzant Moisturizing Tanning Spray

Of course nothing beats the real thing, I’m not even going to try to convince you of that, but I’ll tell you this, when you have a baby and lots of deadlines, nobody’s got time for the beach no more. Now, Bioderma Photoderm Autobronzant Moisturizing Tanning Spray is not new, but I am to this whole spray tan thing, so here are my thoughts thus far; first it’s CLEAR, yes, isn’t that a surprise? That means no mess in the bathroom. The tan is very buildable and although self-application can be quite challenging I was surprised to see how little the product streaked or left blotches. And finally the shade is just a lovely one, no too orangutanish and more bronzish, which I liked. So if you’re looking for a quick tan solution this is your product, just be sure to apply generously.

7. Inner Highlighter By Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics

You know how you usually dab a small amount of shimmery eyes shadow to the corner of your eyes to make them pop? Well Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics have recently released this set of four frosty neutral inner rim highlighter liners just for that, they can be also used on the lower eye rim to get bigger brighter eyes. They come in Acid Yellow, Aged White, Desert Sand and Desert Rose shades and the formula is super creamy so you can even apply it as an eye shadow base, at least that’s what I do. If you’re not in the mood for too much makeup this summer, but still want that luminous finish, then this set is definitely one you would appreciate.

Mugler Les Exceptions Has Arrived

June 20, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Remember the 90’s when everyone smelled like sweet chocolate and patchouli? And then again in 2005 the rest of us smelled like spicy cinnamon and Jasmine? If Angel and Alien come to mind then you know I’m talking about Thierry Mugler Fragrances.

The design house does nothing conventional when it comes to scents, having been widely credited with introducing a new fragrance trend or category—gourmand—in the 1990s. And although those fragrances have earned their ranks amongst some of the bestselling iconic perfumes of all times, this hasn’t stopped satisfied Mugler from shaking things up with a new line that is bound to once again tip the balance in his favor this time with Mugler; Les Exceptions, the house’s own new modern take on the classics we’ve come to love, with bold, maybe even controversial combinations that are bound to get some major attention in the fragrance and beauty industry.

I had the pleasure of attending the exclusive presentation in the Middle East and meet the nose behind the scent in person Jean-Christophe Herault who walked us through the inspiration and formulas of the 7 different fragrances that make up the Les Exceptions Collection.

The scents are strong, and versatile, likely to satisfy a wide range of tastes, but most definitely not for the faint of heart, though I have to admit compared to Angel and Alien, they’re restrained- hence the name- Les Exceptions. Still they will (literally) leave a long lasting impression.

I was immediately drawn to Oriental Express, a warm fresh new take on the legendary sandalwood-vanilla accord with spices , carrot seed and basil. It’s rare that I try a unisex perfume and think “I could wear this…” usually the masculine notes takes over, but they really don’t in this case, it really just depends on the context. It reminds me a little of Oud, though surprisingly it has none. And if the scent is enough to draw you in then the faceted bottle design will surely make you want to add as a piece on your beauty counter. And if like me you like to collect, then you this is a piece that will make you proud.

You can discover the full range of Mugler Les Exceptions and experience the perfume bar now available at the ABC Dbayeh.

5 Steps To Gorgeous Doll Eyes

April 5, 2016 - Leave a Comment

When it comes to everything eyes, I can safely say Benefit Cosmetics have me covered. They’re all about the pin-up larger-than-life doll eyes and that’s pretty much evident in most of their collection. Most of you know from my Snap Chat daily tutorials (@IvySays) and Instagram posts just how much of a strong focus I like to put on my eyes, even when it’s a simple eyeliner swipe and big bold lashes I’m after. And although A LOT of ladies I know are throwing on the false lashes even for a day-makeup look, ain’t nobody got time for that around here, especially when many of us need to be working.

But by no means do I mean I plan on leaving the house without fabulous eyes. Never! It just means I discovered some makeup hacks that can help me achieve those looks without breaking a sweat. Because let me tell you, the right kind of tools can make eyeliner application a little more stressful and a lot more fun. So I’ve rounded up 5 of my favorite Must-Haves by Benefit Cosmetics that can help you achieve gorgeous Doll Eyes…

1. They’re Real! Tinted Primer

First things first, lash primer. Yes this one’s for the lashes not the face. What does that mean? Well think of it as a base, to prevent your mascara from smudging, clumping and sticking together and give your mascara a major boost for both length and volume.

So how do you wear it?

Alone or before mascara. It’s actually a gel mink brown formula intended to give your lashes a natural look when worn alone. It’s enriched with Pro Vitamin B5 so it’ll keep your lashes looking healthy and natural, for those days where you’d like to go as makeup-free as possible but still wanna add a kick to your look. Not to mention just how soft and smooth they’ll feel. The Extraflex brush will also separate them which works as a perfect first step before mascara application.

2. They’re Real! Beyond Mascara

I think this one goes without saying. It’s a cult fave among Benefit lovers because it delivers exactly what it promises; make it look like you’ve got a pair of falsies on. Yes, Beyond Mascara is all about the drama, it’s one of my favorite mascaras in the market, because truth be told, it has lengthening capabilities like no other. It’s a deep jet black shade that will hold on to each lash, root to tip, until it’s got a firm grip that coats, curls and lifts up, way UP! So if you haven’t tried this yet, I really don’t know what you’re waiting for!

3. They’re Real!Push-Up Liner

I confess, when it comes to eyeliners, the simpler the better for me. I’m not into complicated mechanisms that make the already daunting task even harder. But I’ve made an exception for the Benefit Push Up Liner. This one works by twisting the base at the bottom until the matte gel formula appears at the top, it’s a little tricky at first so don’t be alarmed if you end up with a little more than you wanted, but all you gotta do is remove the excess and apply the eyeliner design of your choice. Be prepared for excellent grip and precision, with an angled tip that will give you that retro winged eye you’ve always wanted. The formula is the blackest of black mattes, and it’s waterproof, so it may not come off as easy, but it on the upside it will last all day long and smudge-not.

4. Instant Brow Pencil

No doll-eyes are complete without the perfect brows, every make lover can attest to that. They’re actually the most important aspect of your face, so don’t leave them unpolished. Just when your done priming, lashing and lining your eyes, you need to focus on those brows. My brows are way lighter than my hair color (though I don’t dye my hair?) so I’m always coloring and filling them in with a darker shade, (not too dark of course). Yes there are so many to choose form in the market so why Benefit? Well I like this one because it’s super creamy, the color release is impeccable and it’s has a powderish finish, which camouflages and sits incredibly on my eyebrows. And of course how convenient is the brow brush on the other end for blending and brushing. If I would change one thing about this it would only be thickness, I would love for it to be even skinnier when sharpened for those sparse hard to reach areas. Medium shade works perfectly for me.

5. High Brow

My secret weapon. This is the product you never thought existed until you just can’t live without. So here’s how it works; you’ve colored and shaped your brows, you’re done right? Wrong. You’re one step away and that’s where Benefit’s High Brow comes in. You just apply a single swipe on your brow bone or the arch of your eye to give your eyes a polish, awake and lifted and defined look. It has a very creamy with a color pay off that blends really well, I just use my fingers for this. The bonus with High Brow is that you can use it on the tip of your nose, chin and inner corner of the eyes like you would a highlighter. The one I have is the Linen pink shade.

And there you go! If you enjoyed this post read more from Benefit Cosmetics:

My Favorite Liquid Highlighters and Stains by Benefit Cosmetics
Benefit Cosmetics: The Iconic List

My Sale Haul From Bath and Body Works

February 1, 2016 -

Bath and Body Works was one of the places I’d often hit up when I’m in the states or Canada so when it opened in City Centre Beirut you can say I was happy. The store is best known for its Instagram-worthy and catchy copy-written shower gels, lotions, fragrance mists, perfumes, candles, and home fragrances. It’s the place you want to hit up when you want to make your home smell and feel like it belonged in a catalogue. I also like to gift friends with their really pretty pre-packed gift boxes that usually contain a lovely selection of some of their seasonal bestsellers.

I could never leave empty-handed and usually end up filling up my basket so you can imagine what a sale would do to me. I paid a visit last week while shopping at City Centre Beirut Location (level 1) and ended up benefiting from a 75% sale! Here are some of the items I picked…

1. Sleep Night Time Tea Body Wash and Foam Bath

I love to add some of this for a fast foaming bath or simply massage on my skin when I’m pressed on time like a body wash, either way it’s infused with an aromatherapy blend of Cedarwood and Orange tea essential oils and natural ingredients to keep me nice, calm and relaxed for bedtime. They also have this in Lavender jasmine or vanilla. I’m also a fan of their puffy and soft high-quality shower sponges.

2. Mini Scented Candles

No trip to Bath and Body Works is complete without some candles. I’m a huge fan of subtle scented candles that can make my home smell good and cozy, I’ll put them just about anywhere. But I’m also very picky with the scents I choose. My favorite one from Bath and Body Works are the lovely Lavender Vanilla and Twilight Woods part of their “cuddler” collection. They come in pretty glass jars and will burn anywhere up to 10-15 hours.

3. Deep Cleansing Hand Soaps

I have a weakness for pretty hand soaps in my guest bathroom. I think the products you leave for your house guests to use and the general appearance of the guest bathroom says a lot about you as a person and your home- this sort of reasoning helps me justify a splurge on hand soaps. I chose the Paris Amour one, made up of a dreamy blend of French tulips with a pop of pink champagne and Caribbean Escape, a breeze of fresh pineapple, casaba melon and creamy coconut. They both have an exfoliating feel to them and will leave your hands smelling SO good!

4. Endless Weekend Body Lotion

I have a confession I was immediately drawn to this lotion even before I smelt it, I mean, just look at that visual and name, makes me want to pack my bag and go on a road-trip. It’s infused with Shea Butter, enriched with Vitamin E and conditioning Vitamin B5 and smells like a blend of raspberry lychee sorbet, sun-kissed magnolia and vanilla sandalwood. Need I say more? Apply generously!

5. Self-Tanning Lotion

It’s part of their True Blue Spa collection and it’s one of the best price-quality self-tanners out there.It’s actually more pigmented then you would think just make sure you blend really well to avoid patching and give it a couple of hours before the color kicks in.

You can find Bath and Body Works at level one in City Centre Beirut.

My Favorite Liquid Highlighters and Stains by Benefit Cosmetics

January 20, 2016 - Leave a Comment

My high school bestie came back from England one summer, with a jar of Benetint. We were in complete awe by what was at the time a revolutionary product. A liquid stain for both our lips and cheeks?! Amazeballs. So we walked around that summer with our sexy new just-got-out-of-an-intense-workout flushes. That was my first ever experience with Benefit Cosmetics and the rest is history.

A couple months back I broke the news to you that Benefit Cosmetics was now available in Lebanon, it was a joyous moment for the brand’s die harders who would usually visit a Sephora abroad just to stock up. But for those of you who are not very familiar with the range allow me to get you acquainted with some of my favorite picks for this month.

Bene tint: both rose tinted and scented, this cult classic is my ultimate pick-me-up for my makeup free, stumble-out-of-the-house days when I’m late but I don’t want to go completely bare faced. I’ll also dab some on when I’ve got a lovely foundation base going on but want more of a glow then a powdered blush. I’ll also apply this after I’ve drawn in my entire lips with a lip liner for a pinkish hue. Best applied on apples of your cheeks and don’t forget to blend quickly, it really does stain.

Posie tint: This is Benetint’s sugary creamier sister, also a lip and cheek liquid stain but a lighter and more pinkish one. I love how you can also highlight with this one since it has a shine to it, but it’s a little more sheer on the lips than the deeper rose Benetint, it’s more balmish than pigmented. I would even throw this one out for a day out on the beach during summer. Dot and blend.

Sun Beam: This is the original highlighter, way before all the beauty brands jumped on the highlighting bandwagon. It’s every beauty editors must-have for killer defined cheekbones, as you can see it’s a nice viscous golden bronze formula that really blends effortlessly. Pigmentation is just right, without being too-over-the-top, just dot it on either your cheekbones, tip of your nose or above your brows. I find it looks best when applied after foundation though it can also be used on its own.

High Beam: This is how I like to doll it up. They call it a complexion enhancer because it can really lighten up the dullest of skin days. This liquid formula highlighter but instead of a gold overtone it is has a pearlescent pink glow to it, which looks perfect as a final touch after foundation and blush. My personal favorite look is High Beam paired with a set of dramatic faux lashes and a swift eyeliner.

I have to say like most Benefit Cosmetics makeup, I love the smart packaging, instead of having this in a pump bottle or tube, they come in compact nail-polish like glass bottles with a brush for application, this way you can really control how much product comes out and throw it in your makeup bag for quick touch ups throughout the day.

Read More Benefit Cosmetics Reviews:
Benefit Cosmetics: The Bestseller List
Gimme Brows by Benefit Cosmetics

Beauty Review: Shiseido New Releases

January 6, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Following the big success of Ultimune, Shiseido launches Ultimune Eye, a power infusing super refreshing eye concentrate designed exclusively for the delicate skin around the eye area. This came at a very good time, especially with the lack of sleep I’ve been getting- a 3 month old baby will do that- the bags under my eyes have evolved into a deep shade of purple. I needed all the boost I can get and this gel-like serum does just that. Like its big sister the Ultimune, (which I use religiously by the way), it doesn’t replace your eye or day cream, rather you can use it right before you apply them. It acts as a buffer against stress and environmental factors that can lead to wrinkles and dark circles. I’ve been using it for over a month now and I have to say, the skin around my eye looks visibly more refreshed and less tired especially after an all-nighter. My only tip is don’t rub it in, instead pat the area gently, and try not to sleep on it right away when applying before bed.

Shiseido’s Full Lash Volume Mascara

For those of you not familiar with Shiseido, it’s an award winning high-end Japanese brand, with skin care and beauty. I know a lot of us use their great skin care line and spa in Ashrafieh but I wanted to focus a bit more on their amazing makeup range in this post. I’m always on the hunt for the next-best mascara out there and Shiseido Full Lash Volume doesn’t disappoint. The skinny bristle brush promises a 360 radial which indeed make it easy to coat your lashes from root to tip, something I often struggle with. The formula is wet which I appreciate, nothing annoys me more than thick heavy textures, as they tend to stick together. I find that one coat will give you a very natural look but two coats will give you that curl lift it promises.

Shiseido Shimmering Eye Cream Color

I LOVE this. It’s part of Shiseido’s lightweight creamy shadow range which is actually best applied with your fingertips. Yes, it’s called shimmery, which honestly scared me at first,and although it does have this wonderful radiance to it, it also has a very matte pigmented and powderish base, making it super-wearable. I couldn’t wish for a better blendable formula, and in terms on longevity, it’s also a winner. I love the jar-like packaging, keeps things neat and clean. It comes in a variety of shades, mine is BE 728, which I think is the perfect staple shade every girl should own, worn either alone for a nice wide-eyed look or as a base with a jet black eyeliner. I totally recommend this.

Shiseido Perfect Rouge

Confession: I own Shiseido’s “Lacquer Rouge” but this is my first ever Shiseido Lipstick. I got my had on this burgundy colored RS 656 shade, and it really helped me cover up my wine-stained lips this holiday. What stood out the most for me is just how well it glides on. It has a pearl texture to it, but not a shimmery one (bonus!) and it has the skin care technology benefits you would expect from a Shiseido Lipstick, so if dry chapped lips are an issue, this should do the trick.