Darphynia's Diary

Image courtesy of kohgendo.com Image courtesy of kohgendo.com Image courtesy of kohgendo.com It is so important to remove your makeup before you sleep.  It's common knowledge, but how many people actually remember to every time?  KohGenDo makes it easy to to remove makeup without much effort.  I have tried all types of makeup removers, prestige brands and off-brands:  Creams, oils, wipes, you name it, and nothing has worked as well as KohGenDo' s Cleansing Spa Water .  For about 10 years, it has been my go-to for removing even the most stubborn makeup.  Waterproof and long-wear makeup are no match for Spa Water, which is free from: artificial colors, synthetic fragrance, and mineral oil derived from petroleum.  It is also alcohol- and oil-free, and if it happens to get in your eyes, they won't burn.  Every night I apply Spa Water before the rest of my routine .  I also make sure to have a bottle on sets and photo shoots,...

Ceramic Slip.  Image courtesy of sundayriley.com Normally I don't purchase items after just one to two uses.  I had purchased some items on Sephora's website , and one of the free samples to choose from was Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser .  I was happily surprised that after the first use my skin felt so clean and smooth.  Since the results were so wonderful, I ended up purchasing two bottles at once!  Within a week, my skin felt like, well, ceramic.  My pores were less visible, and while they cannot in actuality be changed permanently (thank you, genetics *note sarcasm*), my skin as a whole looked better.  You have to shake the bottle first, then just one pump on my Clarisonic is all it takes.  If you do not have a Clarisonic, no worries.  Whatever you use will work. The cleanser does foam but not excessively.  It contains green clay, Vitamin C, black pepper, and other stimulating ingredients.  The scent is very unique....

Whether you wear makeup daily or not, your skin definitely takes a beating.  Great looks begin with good skin; CellEssence has a great line of anti-aging skincare.  CellEssence sent me samples of two of their products: NUVACELL Wrinkle Repair Serum and Anti-Aging Skin Cream , to test out.  So much science has gone into their products, and they go beyond just superficial skincare.   Image courtesy of buycellessence.com Within a couple of days, I noticed a difference in my skin as a whole.  The eye cream made me look far less fatigued, and has decreased the look of dark circles.  For those of you who do not know, I have not been sleeping (or resting as I should) well for about a year.  Wish I had a before photo, because the dark circles under my eyes looked like mascara and eyeliner had run under them…needless to say it was not flattering.  The eye serum has also evened out my skin tone and reduced the look of the few lines I was be...

they're Real Mascara Image courtesy of benefitcosmetics.com While everyone is drooling over Roller Lash, I am still obsessed with Benefit's they're Real mascara (and eyeliner).  I always apply mascara after I have curled my lashes.  Even those claiming to curl on their own never seem to do a good enough job.  When I see the majority of mascara applications, most apply it at the base and simply move the want up towards the tips.  Others work the wand back and forth, but few apply it in a rotating motion.  Working from the base, take the wand and rotate it outward.  It is the same motion that is described in the "how-to" section for Roller Lash.  The rotating motion will allow a more even distribution of the mascara while simultaneously minimizing clumping.  You can work the wand back and forth while you rotate as well.  After I apply mascara, I use a heated eyelash curler to give some extra lift.  I don't know about you, but my las...

I love it when companies sell products for worthy causes.  The Body Shop Foundation , established in 1989, works closely with The Body Shop to help fund various projects and charities, "...working for social and environmental change," (The Body Shop Foundation, 2014).  All profits from the Dragon Fruit Lip Butter help to fund different charities, such as Womankind Worldwide (focuses on gender equality & women's rights) and The Orangutan Foundation . Image courtesy of thebodyshop.com I ended up purchasing 12 of them, and have included them as gifts for friends and family.  Every little bit helps, and if they support a charity or project that you support, I highly recommend you try it out.  It is a fast-absorbing, lightweight lip butter with a fruity and slightly floral scent.  The product is travel-friendly (always a plus) and will save you some room in your quart bag if you fly.  Did I mention that it lasts a long time?  There is no swee...

In the last week I have broken out more than ever before.  Growing up, I didn't have problems with blemishes; maybe the odd one every now and then.  Aging and medications can wreak havoc, and I think my skin is hating life right now.  Stress, lack of sleep, medication, and other issues have caused more breakouts than I care to think about.  It is not, by any means, horrible; it's just not what I'm used to.  I digress... Image courtesy of carolinechu.com Caroline Chu (I've loved her skincare for years!) released Look&Feel , and was kind enough to send me the system to try.  It is a fool-proof, two-step process for clearing up breakouts in order to reveal your skin's true beauty.  The natural clay, tea tree water-infused, non-foaming face wash helping to gently clarify the skin.  Just take a pea-sized amount and apply it to moistened skin in circular motions.  Make sure to pay more attention to problem areas.  I use it with th...

I have tried nearly every eyeshadow primer out there:  Benefit, Smashbox, Urban Decay, Too Faced, etc. and the two that have worked the best for me are Urban Decay and Too Faced.  The Benefit and Smashbox brands box made my shadow crease within an hour or so.  I am focusing on Too Faced tonight because of the wide variety of finishes that their Shadow Insurance comes in.  At IMATS LA last year, I purchased one of each type of Shadow Insurance .  I love each of them for different reasons.  Here are some pros and cons of each--one of the biggest pros that they all share is that they do not come with a wand.  Not only does it make the primer easier to apply, it also makes it easy to use in any setting, whether you are working on a bride, shoot, or going for a night on the town.  Remember that a little will cover both lids, so about the amount of half a pea or less should do the trick.  Let it set while you prep, the...

Makeup Monday is here!   Have you ever loved a brand so much that you wanted one of everything?   Awhile back, I saved enough to do just that at IMATS LA, with one of my favorite brands, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC).   While I don’t much care for the name, I can live with it knowing the quality of their products.   OCC makes one of my favorite lip products of all time, Lip Tar .   I have been using Lip Tars on myself as well on clients for years.   They come in a wide variety of colors and finishes.   From nudes to reds to off-the-wall colors, such as Rollergirl (vibrant lavender) and Technopagan (blackened purple w/blue pearl), anything is possible!   Finishes come in matte, metallic, and (new) gloss.   Lip Tars can be used alone or combined to create your own, one-of-a-kind color.   All colors are versatile and wonderful for creating the perfect pout for all occasions.   Lip Tars will ensure a gorgeous and unforge...