#GotItFree: A review of the Hydrating Bubble Mask from Influenster's #elfVoxBox

As an Influenster member, I occasionally receive products for free to test and review.  I was lucky to receive the e.l.f. Cosmetics voxbox featuring skincare items I've been wanting to try for months, including the new bubble mask released this year.

And I really like it!  There are, however, a few things to know that may help you decide whether this product is for you.  Read on for my experience with this product.

INSTRUCTIONS 


The mask itself is a gel, and is packaged in a glass jar with a push-top.  You're meant to push the top, and the product will ooze out of the hole in the top.

This product is meant to be applied to damp skin, and then the bubbles will activate within 15-20 seconds of the gel hitting the skin. When the bubbles start to dissipate, you massage the product into your skin and then wash your face with warm water. 






INGREDIENTS

MY REVIEW


I have oily skin, and I don't find this to be overly drying.  The first time I used it, however, I didn't immediately follow with moisturizer, and my skin was left feeling pretty tight and stripped. 


I do not think people with sensitive skin will like this- it caused slight redness on me, which typically means a potential reaction for people with skin conditions or sensitivities.  But for people with oily skin, I think this type of mask will help manage that issue and purify pores. 

I don't find this mask to be hydrating AT ALL.  For me, it's more like a purifying mask that resets oil production and allows the following products to penetrate better.  I think of it as a second-step cleanser; after washing my face or removing makeup thoroughly, I follow with this mask and then finish with a serum, moisturizer, and occasionally, a sheet mask. 


The packaging suggests that it takes 5-10 minutes for the bubbles to start to dissipate, but that hasn't been my experience.  Typically the bubbles last from 3-5 minutes, max. 
 

MY RATING


Used as I do, I give this a 3.75/5.  The packaging doesn't consistently dispense product (although the pump-top is very hygienic), and I think this should be marketed as a purifying (versus hydrating) product to more accurately set expectations. Overall, I'm happy and I definitely will repurchase this!




Have you tried the e.l.f. Hydrating Bubble Mask?  What do you think of it?

Swatch Sunday #6 | elf Cosmetics

SWATCH SUNDAY #6 | ELF COSMETICS

As you know, I am a big fan of makeup bargains, and elf cosmetics knows the way to my heart.  The brand's "essential" line typically retials for $1-3, while the "studio" line is typically $3-6.  Those are amazing deals, but they get even better!  elf offers 50% sales once or twice a year, which bring the price down even lower.  I decided to swatch some of my recent finds as well as some past favorites.  And from now on, I will have a special guest swatching along with me - my husband! 

I often, in my YouTube videos, mention that cosmetics products can appear drastically different on deeper versus lighter skin tones.  Well, we finally had the brilliant idea to do double swatches, and I am SO excited that we did!

Here are some highlights from this week's Swatch Sunday video.

Pictured above are elf All Over Cover Sticks.  They are retractable cream foundation/concealer tubes, and they typically retail for $1 on eyeslipsface.com.  I purchased these for just 50 cents during a 50%-off sitewide sale.

These are creamy and pigmented, and they blend out very nicely.  The major downside, in my opinion, is that these never really set.  They really need to be set with a powder, or they can tend to transfer easily. 

Bottom line: these are a great concealer - try the middle shade to offset dark circles.

 
 
 

 

I found these HD Blushes at Dollar Tree, and they are also currently available at eyeslipsface.com in five different shades.  I really like all the shades, and, since the product is very creamy, I decided to try swatching on my lips. 

 

 This went on very smoothly and set semi-matte.  I absolutely love all of these shades as lipsticks, and will definitely be using them in this way.  I also imagine they would make great eyeshadow bases, and will be sure to try them that way as well. 

 

Two thumbs up for this product!

 

 

 

I purchased these bronzers online during an elf sitewide sale, when they were just 50 cents.  I got several of each, on the off chance they were awesome as highlighters, and- guess what?- they totally are!

 

I swatched these on my hand and my husband's hand to show how they appear on different skin tones.  In my opinion, these wouldn't be very effective as bronzers even on fairer skin, but I'll let you be the judge. 

 

 

 

I have used all of these as highlighters (I typically go with Luminance- the lightest of the three- during winter), and am a huge fan of these. They're creamy and blendable, and give off a nice sheen.  I would recommend picking these up, if you're not afraid of a little bit of sheen at the high points of your cheek and under the browbone.

 

There are more swatches in the YouTube video, so be sure to check it out!  If you've used any of these products, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

Thanks, as always, for reading!  See you next time.  :)

Wishlist Wednesday #5 | Dollar Tree

WISH LIST WEDNESDAY #5 | DOLLAR TREE 

 

If you're anything like me, you've probably made mental lists of all the awesome finds you've seen hauled at Dollar Tree in hopes that one sweet day you'll find them, too.  I'm no different - except I actually make visuals to help me keep track and I update them every week as new sightings occur.

 

On each of the items, I listed the Instagram account of the person who found them.  I also linked all the accounts in the caption so you can check out their other posts and follow them!

 

https://instagram.com/prettynflawed/
https://instagram.com/natdagreatest/
https://instagram.com/phonejones.on.the.yt/
https://instagram.com/thedollardiva/

I wasn't able to find out anything more about the Klar and Danver body washes or the Fall-themed duct tapes, so I'll just leave those images there for now.  If I find them, I'll be sure to review the body washes for you!

 

I have tried the hand soaps from this brand, and I did like the scent.  The formula wasn't my favorite - it had the gelatin consistency that many of the cheapie brands have- but it lathered up just fine and the quantity for the price is pretty unbeatable. 

 

 

 

So, I would likely pick up one of each scent to test before loading up on these body washes.

 

Next up is this Maybelline Pure Blush.  I have actually seen this product at Dollar Tree in the past, and I know that the quality is pretty nice.  The formula is soft and not too powdery, the pigmentation is pretty good, and it's nice and blendable. 

 

 

 

Since this product is discontinued, I have no way to compare the Dollar Tree price to a regular retail price.  I will say, however, that these are still popping up from time to time on eBay, where they sell for $7-12 apiece.

The reviewers over at Makeup Alley are giving this product a general thumbs-up, with the major cons being oxidation, staying power, and 

packaging (many referenced an included brush, which the ones I saw did not have... hmmm.)

 

Read the reviews here and here

 

However, there were 3 or so negative reviews, a handful of average reviews, and the rest were glowing.  I'll still plan to pick up as many of these as I can get my hands on.

 

 

Next up: two elf products!

 

The HD blush starting hitting the shelves at Dollar Tree last week.  This week, a powder blush from the Studio line was spotted.

 

 

 

There are currently a lot of these shades still available for sale (retail: $3) on the eyeslipsface website, and the reviews, again, are overwhelmingly positive.  The major cons appear to be pigmentation, shade compatibility issues, and shimmer. 

 

 

elf Glossy Glosses are also popping up at Dollar Tree, although I'm not sure how many shades have been found.

 

 

 

There are currently four shades being offered for sale on the elf website, and their normal sale price is $3. 

 

There are major complaints ranging from lack of pigmentation to packaging problems to taste, color fidelity, and stickiness.  I would suggest starting with one shade, since the reviews are truly all over the place with this product.

 

Check out my YouTube video for a list of colors currently being offered as well and positive and negative reviews on both elf items.

 

Jelly Belly flavoring syrups are also being sold at Dollar Tree.  I believe these are meant to be used for snow cones, which means they are likely super concentrated and absolutely chock full of sugar.

 

 

 

Still, I'd at least like to take a look at the nutritional information to see if I can bear to use these.  If they're not overly sugary, I'd like to try a few of these as flavorings for my cheesecakes.

 

 

Lastly, more flavors of the Campbell's Soups for Easy Cooking have been making their appearance.  I have purchased one or two flavors, and would like to try others.

 

 

 

 

These can be used alone, but are marketed as starters for other dishes (recipes are included on the boxes and on the Campbell's website).  Check out my YouTube video to view the nutritional information for each of these.

 

Thanks for reading!  Please comment below to share what's on your wishlist.  :)