Beauty Product Reviews

Makeup Magpie Menagerie

This palette is absolutely stunning and lives up to the duo- and multi-chrome hype that Danessa Myricks is becoming known for, and for good reason. The pigments are incredibly rich and silky, the gels are a fun and interesting texture with intense payoff when built up or layered over other shades, and the highlighters are fun for enhancing the drama and adding some additional glam, for cheeks as well as eyes. The highlighters are a bit on the glittery side but not without bringing some payoff and beautiful shine for the various shifts, so it kind of makes up for it. This isn't a palette for being subtle - everything has impact, and the single black shadow acts as a fantastic base for more colorful shades to create even more dimension. I appreciated getting a bonus palette of the highlighters too, my sister also loves makeup and it will be a fun gift for her for Christmas. This palette is an absolute knockout, and a must-have if you love to fingerpaint with multichromes like I do.

Wow. Try it. Just try it.

I have to agree with the previous poster because she said everything I came here to say but I am so immediately in love with this product that I have to voice my support too. My only word of caution - It's a little weird at first until you get the ratio of water to product down. If you don't use enough water it balls up into a chunky sort of paste that you have to keep adding water to until it softens and allows you to massage it in. But once you get that down, *chef's kiss* it's magic. It not super harsh or aggressive (as with any physical exfoliant, don't rub too hard and let the product do its job) and it didn't leave my skin feeling tight. Just soft, smooth, and bright. And a little goes a long way so the incredibly reasonable $16 price tag is well worth it. Follow up with a hardcore serum or rich nighttime moisturizer and see your favorite products work even better on a smooth, refreshed skin surface. And there's also no fragrance, certainly nothing fruity or sour like pineapples, for anyone worried about that.

Now, for those who are like me and like the luxury goodies, I'll say this doesn't knock May Lindstrom's The Clean Dirt out of OG status for me because nothing can beat the skin-stimulating power of her products, and with the Clean Dirt I actually feel the dead skin sloughing off to where I can see it on my fingers. However I also prefer to leave the CD on as a mask in the shower to really sink in and wake my skin up and sometimes I just don't have the time for that. But the Pineapple Powder will serve an extremely effective in-between treatments maintenance product for those nights when I can see dullness or feel that dry skin starting to build and I don't have time for a shower. I can do this over the sink in a few minutes and wake up to smoother, brighter skin without the luxury price tag and ensure my Clean Dirt lasts even longer. Win/win!

I am hooked and now I'm wishing I got two, but I'll grab the duo when the time comes to restock. If you're on the fence, buy it. One time is all you'll need to see it's worth every penny.

Holy Grail Body Scrub

This delicious scrub has saved the skin on my lower legs, which has always been very dry and itchy to the point where I would scratch in my sleep and wake up with scabs. I use this every time I shave to moisturize the skin, lay down a smooth surface, and make the hairs stand up for a closer shave. The smell is so yummy and fresh and just fills the shower like aromatherapy. And it comes with a handy spatula, a quite sturdy one, perfect for scooping out a dollop for use and great for use for other products beyond the scrub once you're scraped the tub clean - and you will!

It's the perfect ratio of sugar to oil, not too runny, not too crunchy and firm. Now, depending on where you store it, you might get some changes in the consistency. This is easily solved by resting the container in a hot water bath until it melts through and then giving it a good stir with the spatula. Sometimes I'll just leave it on the bottom of the tub while I shower so the heat warms it up beautifully.

I've gone through one tub and have already repurchased and I don't see myself hopping off the Indie Lee wagon anytime soon. Oh, and a cheeky bonus - it's amazing for buttne! Give the backside a good scrub a couple times a week and see what I mean.

Want something sheer and elegant that lasts all day?

Then you need this. Michele Wang described the effect of these highlighters as akin to the translucent glimmer of a shimmering Christmas ribbon and she was exactly right. There is a touch of "glitter" but it's not the main focus of the sheen and glow that you get from the moment of application. The Diamante shade blends seamlessly across my cheekbones and I was startled and delighted to see that there was still plenty of glow remaining when I washed my face before bed. This is not a high shine glow-to-the-gods highlighter so if that's what you want that's not what these will do, but it layers wonderfully with other creams and liquids or acts as a fantastic base for a powder - though I would never want to cover up the pretty twinkle, as another poster called it. A little goes a long way so while these are pricey they should last a very long time and are a great investment if you're looking for a gentle, sophisticated sheen that you can wear for any occasion.

First empty of 2019

I can't believe this product doesn't yet have a review, I made a profile just to post about how amazing this has been for me. I use this as a toner after cleansing and my skin feels fresh, purified, and moisturized. It smells light and clean with an almost cucumber-melon fragrance, very pleasant. I believe it has made a significant difference in my oily, acne-prone skin and I just bought another full-size because I was getting low and I don't want to be without it.

It took about a week of twice-daily use to see results. After washing my face I use a cotton pad and swipe it all over my face - you don't need to use very much. There's very mild tingling as it sinks into the skin. It's apparently a "lotion" going by the name but I always use a moisturizer on top once my skin dries, this wouldn't be enough moisture on it's own for most people.

If you enjoy using a toner and struggle with oily skin or acne, definitely give this a try; it's become an essential part of my daily and nightly routine.