I was in the market for a new concealer that looked good both with and without foundation.  Since I had a few ULTA Gift Cards on hand, I decided to go to the nearest store to play with the concealers.  The swatch of the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer settled nicely so I purchased it for this review. 

Tarte Shape Tape
Contour Concealer Review

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer:  Is it worth the hype?

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Tarte
Product:  Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Shade:  Light Medium
Coverage:  High
Dewiness:  Matte
Scent:  Very Subtle, Fresh
Oxidation:  YES! (see below)
Price:  $27.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Tarte, Ulta

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer is advertised to have a "hydrating, longwearing formula delivers natural, radiant coverage across all skin types so you can instantly brighten and cover acne, dark circles and redness while softening the look of pores and fine lines." It is also said to be cruelty free, gluten free (what?), and vegan. The packaging style is standard among many concealers, with a familiar tapered wand applicator.  I do like the classy purple and gold design on the cap that just screams "Tarte!"

I like to apply this concealer by dabbing one small dot on the back of my (freshly washed) hand and gently patting it into my under eye with a clean finger.  I have heard that it also works well with a mini beauty blender.

SWATCH

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Light Medium is a good match for NC37 (after oxidation).

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Light Medium oxidizes significantly.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer has coverage that just won't quit.

Before we begin, I would like to note that I did not wear foundation for this review nor did I set the concealer with a setting powder.  I also did not blot during the day, for science!  This is just pure, unadulterated, Tarte, my friends.  I chose it in Light Medium because it appeared to be a good match for NC37 at the time.  As you can see above, the Tarte Shape Tape concealer instantly brightened my undereye area and evened out the area around my nose and laugh lines.  It blends well, but dries quickly so you have to work fast.  So far, so good, though!  But how did it fare on a warm day with combination / oily skin?  Very well actually - pretty much as advertised.  Except I don't see how it could qualify as "hydrating."  I do think this concealer might not work for people with dry skin as it might make flaky areas become more apparent.  As for oily skin - I'm used to concealers sliding around my face, but this didn't happen with Shape Tape.  It does settle a bit into the fine lines under the eyes, but many concealers do...  The best way to get around this is to gently press a tissue under the eye after applying in order to absorb excess moisture, and then setting it with a setting powder.

What did happen though, is that it Oxidizes. Like. Crazy.  I think if you were to buy this concealer in a shade that matched your skin tone right out of the tube, you will be sorely disappointed.  The oxidation rate is staggering - leaving it several shades darker than the original application (it's worse in person).  You can test the oxidation by swatching all of the concealers out when you first get to the store, and then continue shopping for at least 20 minutes.  Only then will the true shade be revealed.  Notice that the Light Medium concealer was initially lighter and more yellow than my skin tone, and then it turned slightly darker than NC37 and more pink (you can see it better in person); so simply going lighter might not be the solution.  This may make finding the right color pretty difficult, and I wouldn't buy it without swatching it first.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I like this concealer.  Though it is not perfect as it oxidizes way too much, can settle into fine lines without additional preparation, and might accent dry areas.  A little goes a long way though so the $27 price point is justified.  The Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer has coverage that just won't quit.  As a matter of fact, after I swatched it on my arm I tried to wash it off with regular hand soap and it took some serious elbow grease to get it off.  This concealer will definitely require the use of an oil cleanser or makeup remover at the end of the day (which you should be using anyway).

Pricing & Availability

AmazonTarteUlta

I know Tarte Shape Tape gets a lot of hype, but it is a good product.  I do think it is better suited for the younger crowd though.  Personally, I prefer Clé de Peau Beauté' Radiant Corrector for Eyes since at my age my under eye needs a little more nourishment from makeup - not just coverage (massively different price point though so there is no comparison).  At any rate, Tarte Shape Tape is a good product and can be all you need in a concealer - assuming that it matches you after it oxides.

Rating

I usually prefer lip stains over lipstick because I feel they have more staying power with buildable coverage.  I saw TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint at Urban Outfitters and decided to try it out.  It was only $6, so why not?

TONYMOLY
Delight Tony Tint Lip Stain Review

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint Lip Stain

INFO SHEET

Brand:  TONYMOLY
Product:  Delight Tony Tint Lip Stain
Shade:  02 Red
Coverage:  Medium - High
Scent:  Fruity
Price:  $6.00
Where to Buy:  Amazon, Jolse, YesStyle

The packaging is pretty run of the mill compared to other lip stains.  It comes with the standard tube with doe-footed applicator; though it does have a cute little heart shaped cap which I like.  It does a good job staying sealed and has never leaked out in my purse or on an airplane.

SWATCH

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint Lip Stain in Shade 02 Red

STAYING POWER

TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint Lip Stain is long lasting.

The deep red color is what initially caught my attention for the TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint lip stain.  You can see that this stain is highly pigmented, and should be applied with a gentle hand.  If you apply too much in one go it will settle into the creases of your lips and not look very nice.  I learned this the hard way.  Now when I apply it, I wipe off the excess from the applicator and then do one sheer layer at a time; allowing a few seconds to dry in between coats.  This helps prevent too much product from settling into your lip crease.  For best results, gently exfoliate your lips with a lip scrub or soft tooth brush.  It will not look good if your lips are dry or chapped.

The stain has a gel-like consistency that is not too thick or watery.  You can see above that it does transfer a little bit, but after drinking hot tea it still looked great.  Out of all the lip stains I have tried, this one seems to last the longest.  Even through some meals.  I've gone out to eat sushi and it did not budge.   However, if you are eating greasy food then you may need to reapply as it will not last through a cheeseburger!  For the most part it does not transfer onto surfaces such as clothing or on your significant other's cheek; unless you are really trying to rub it off.

FINAL THOUGHTS

So far this is my favorite lip tint and the only one I keep in my purse.  I like how you can use it with a light application or build it up for a more vibrant look.  I have used other lip tints such as Etude House Dear Darling Tint (not as long lasting), Etude House Fresh Cherry Lip Tint (too oily), Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain (too watery) and I feel that TONYMOLY Delight Tony Tint has exactly what I'm looking for.  

As winter comes rolling in, you may notice your HG packed skin care routine just isn't cutting it.  What if I told you that you could winterize your skin care regimen with a few small tweaks to your current routine?  It's easy!

Skin Care for Cold Weather

What is the best way to take care of that dry winter skin?

1.  Cut Down on Morning Cleansing

Say No to Foam.

You wake up in each morning with your face feeling soft from your evening routine the night before.  Don't strip that all away by over washing.  Embrace it!  It is winter after all.  Dry skin folks often recommend to simply rinse your face with warm water instead.  However, since I have combination / oily skin, I use a small drop of foaming cleanser and massage it onto my sufficiently wet face (I splash my face at least 20 times beforehand).  It is just enough to "slosh off" the occlusive, sweat, and oils from the night before.  Instead of the cleanser looking foamy on your face, should leave a milky residue instead.  Rinse that milky stuff off with warm water.  You will notice that your skin still feels nourished, but also clean and ready for the next step in your skincare routine.

2.  Start with Damp Skin

One of the biggest things that has helped the dry areas around my mouth is starting my routine while my skin is still damp - right after cleansing.  You want to lock that moisture in and not dry it away.  It really makes a big difference and will also help with the next step!

3.  Take Your Time

You should really be doing this regardless of the season, but in order to get the most out of your skin care products you need to really massage them in for maximum effectiveness.  Think of it as restoring an old dry leather boot :).  When it's cold out, take more time massaging your serums, essences, toners, and creams into your skin (pretty much all of your hydrating products).  You might want to consider using a little more as well.

I remember chatting with a friend while she started her evening skin care routine.  Imagine the horror I felt when I saw her pour an essence into the palm of her hand, dip her finger into it and then dab it all over her face.  I had to say something.  I shrieked like a banshee "WHAT. ARE. YOU. DOING?!" This isn't finger painting, son.  After explaining that the products should be massaged in to get the most out of them, I went home.   A few days later she came to me and said her skin never felt better!  So the moral of the story is:  Don't just use your finger tips, but your entire hand!  Don't scrub, vigorously rub, or pull your skin.  Be gentle, but make sure it gets all up in there.  Not only will it feel great, but will also help protect your skin from the cold.

4.  Wear an Occlusive During the Day

Using an Occlusive can be a game changer.  I use Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline is the name brand).

Yes this even applies to oily skinned ones!  You can get a straight up occlusive like Vaseline (petroleum jelly), or use a moisturizer with occlusive properties.  According to this reddit thread, here are a few recommended products to achieve this:

• Aquaphor
• Benton Snail Bee Steam Cream
• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream
• Etude House Honey Cera Cream
• Vaseline

The application amount may vary depending on your skin type.  For my combination / oily skin, I apply a very thin layer of Vaseline as the second to last step of my winter skin care routine (the last step being sunblock).  This creates a barrier to lock in the hydrating skin care products I applied in the previous routine steps, as well as shield my skin from the elements.  Vaseline doesn't make my skin more oily, but can be sticky if you apply too much.  You may have to experiment with the amount in order to get a result that you are comfortable with.  My skin feels noticeably softer since I started doing this.

5.  Switch to a Heavy Duty Evening Moisturizer

Pamper your skin in the evening with a moisturizer that has a bit more gusto!  CeraVe in the tub comes to mind with it's sweet sweet ceramides.  Massage it in really well and then follow with an occlusive.  Make sure your moisturizer is water based for maximum hydration.  You can also choose to beef up your current moisturizer by adding a few drops of squalane to help prevent moisture loss.  The Ordinary has a 100% Plant-Derived Squalane for less than $10.

Note:  Never combine ingredients within the packaging.  Always do it in your hand for each use.  For example, don't dump squalane into your moisturizer tub.  Place the amount of moisturizer you are going to use in your hand and then add the squalane before applying.  Skin care products are carefully formulated to balance the appropriate amount of preservatives to the other ingredients within.  Don't offset that balance with your Frankenstein mixture, or you'll end up with your very own mold farm!

6.  Lip Care

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is a good way to treat dry winter lips.

One of the worst things about the cold is dry, cracked lips.  It's painful!  One product that I often see highly recommended on the kbeauty forums is Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.  This mask seems to bring those sore lips back from the brink.  It's simple - apply a generous amount before bed and wipe it away in the morning.  Maybe try a small amount for daytime use as well if it is that cold.

7.  Don't Forget Your Neck and Hands!

Winter weather is harsh on your face, but you shouldn't ignore your neck and hands!  Try to extend your skin care routine down to your neck, rubbing the excess onto your hands.  Sometimes when I use an eye mask, I'll pour the remaining product from the pouch onto my arms, neck, and hands and massage it in.  Why waste it?  You don't want a soft supple grape face on an old raisin body, do you?

8.  Other Thoughts

If you live in a place that experiences extreme cold weather, please keep in mind that everything that touches your face should always be clean.  This should go without saying, but if you wrap a scarf around your face - make sure you wash it regularly.  That tuque of yours?  It touches your forehead.  Keep that clean too.  Maybe buy a few more so you always have clean scarves and hats on hand.  Just be mindful of what touches your face so you can have happy, healthy skin!

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint's description reminded me of a "natural" or "n" type BB Cushion - which I love.  It states that "this whipped water-gel formula offers the all-day hydration and glow benefits... for flawless-looking skin with a healthy, shine-free glow." Okay, now you have my attention.

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar
Skin Tint Review

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Philosophy
Product:  Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint
Shade:  5.5 Beige
Coverage:  Light / Sheer
Dewiness:  Neutral - Not Really Dewy or Matte
Scent:  Very Subtle, Earthy
Oxidation:  Yes - Approx. 12% Darker
Price:  $39.00
Availability:  Ulta, Sephora, etc. (Widely Available)

Philosophy's Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint has packaging very similar to their Hope in a Jar moisturizer.  If you look closely at the simple, no-frills, plastic jar; you will see that its interior contains a false bottom with only 1.0 oz of product inside.  If you normally do not pay attention to product weight, then this may leave you feeling cheated in the end.

The Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint ingredients has some goodies such as Wu Zhu Yu Fruit Extract (aka Evodia Rutaecarpa Extract) which is used as a skin soothing agent in traditional Chinese medicine.  It also contains Saccharomyces Lysate Extract which is a type of yeast and antioxidant said to have potentially positive effects on inflammation.  In addition to these ingredients, the tint is also formulated with many types of silicons and skin conditioning agents; which on paper tells you that the product will have a soft and smoothing effect when applied.

SWATCH

Initial application of Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Shade 5.5 Beige appears light.

However, the level of oxidation is significant (12%) and ends up being a great match for NC 37 skin tone.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint's coverage is sheer.

My skin above looks very sad and dull because I paused my use of Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 so I could write a review for it.  This worked out for the Philosophy Skin Tint review though, because now you get an idea of the level of coverage it provides.  As you can see above, the coverage is sheer and settles into fine lines just a little bit.  The product description states that the coverage is buildable, but I would argue that it is only to a point.  It did look nice when I applied more than a light layer, but it left me feeling a bit cakey.  I think this product is definitely not meant for high coverage applications, and may be better suited for people who simply want to nourish their skin and even out their skin tone.

Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint does have an overall nice consistency, not unlike a whipped mousse.  If you don't put too much, the tint feels light and refreshing when applied.  It also feels a bit hydrating like a water-based moisturizer, and yet it is not runny at all.  Since I have highly reactive combination-oily skin, I often shy away from products that advertise as "hydrating" because they tend to make me look and feel like an oil slick.  However, I was pleasantly surprised with Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint because it did not add to my oiliness, nor did it break me out.  Don't get me wrong - it does not prevent oiliness at all, but it does not add to it either.  It may be best suited for people with dry to combination skin though.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, Philosophy Renewed Hope in a Jar Skin Tint is a nice product.  The $39 price is a little high (false bottom jar? come on.) but for me, a little goes a long way.  While it does blur the line between makeup and skin care, I do not think it should be treated as anything more than a foundation.  The ingredients do make it marginally better for the skin compared to other skin tints, and may be a great product to use during the winter.  In the end, I believe it is simply a good quality tinted moisturizer which leaves your skin feeling soft and hydrated, and I do see myself purchasing it again.

If you are like me and prefer a light coverage foundation then this product may be for you.  However, if you have blemishes and uneven skin texture that you would like to cover up, then I would skip it.

Rating

Master Swatch List

I normally shy away from liquid blushes because I never liked how they felt on my combo-oily skin.  However, since I have had good experiences with Philosophy skin care products in the past; I decided to give this blush a try.

Philosophy Take A Deep Breath
Cushion Color for Cheeks Review

Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Cushion Color for Cheeks

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Philosophy
Product:  Take A Deep Breath Cushion Color for Cheeks
Shade:  5.5
Coverage:  Light / Sheer
Dewiness:  Somewhat Dewy
Scent:  Very Subtle, Flowery
Oxidation:  No
Price:  $30.00
Availability:  Ulta, Sephora, etc. (Widely Available)

Philosophy's Cushion Color for Cheeks blush comes in a small jar with a thick lid.  When I first received it, I thought it was a premium sample because it was so small.  The full sized blush only contains 0.23oz of product; which is very small compared to other liquid blushes at the same price point.  For example, NARS Liquid Blush ($30) has 0.51oz of product which means that you are getting 45% less product with the Philosophy blush.

When you remove the lid, you will see a small well of product with a mesh over it.  You dip your (clean) finger or brush into the well to retrieve the product.  Since the well is so small, most blush brushes may be too large to use.  I just used my finger since that's how I usually apply makeup.  The packaging takes some getting used to, as it is hard to tell how much product is inside the well so sometimes I ended up taking out too much.

The interior of the lid has a protruding center that I believe is meant to push into the mesh when the jar is closed.  This allows you to just use the pigment that sticks to the underside of the lid rather than dipping into the well.  However, this only works when the jar is nearly full.  When it runs low you will need to push deep into the mesh to try to get more product out, but at this point the mesh is just in the way.

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SWATCH

Check out my patchy swatch job!

BEFORE AND AFTER

Philosophy Cushion Color for Cheeks Shade 5.5

At first I was skeptical about using a liquid blush but I was pleasantly surprised!  Shade 5.5 is a lovely pink with a hint of peach that blends flawlessly.  The sheer application makes it perfect for a natural, every day look.  It is not meant to be used for stage makeup or any high coverage applications.  I am also happy to say that it did not break me out or clog my pores - which was something that I was really worried about!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I really liked this Philosophy blush but there are a few major downsides to it.  At $30 for only 0.23oz - it is not a very good value.  I am not a heavy makeup user by far and didn't even use it every day, but after two and a half months I was already nearly out of it.  I have never had a blush run out on me so quickly.

In addition to that, I think the packaging is unconventional and inefficient.  If you want to get every last bit of product you will most likely need to rip the mesh out.  Trying to get the last bit of product with that mesh in the way is very frustrating.  I wonder if they would be able to sell it at a lower price point if they opted for tube packaging; which is more sanitary.  However, something tells me that their price has more to do with their market positioning rather than cost.

With that said, Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Cushion Color for Cheeks blush is still a great product and if it ever goes on sale (or if the Ulta gods bestow upon me a coupon usable on premium brands at the end of the year) I will definitely repurchase.  It is ideal for that "No-Makeup, Makeup" look and would be a lot more desirable at a lower price point - say $24.  This is simply due to the fact that there is not enough product in that funky little jar.

Rating

Master Swatch List

It's important to know and understand the ingredients of products that you put on your skin.  The more you know, the easier selecting new products will become!

Which are the Best Skincare Ingredients?

Do you know what's in your moisturizer?

It is kind of like food ingredients.  When shopping for food, for the most part you know which ingredients are good for you, which are bad, and which ones stay neutral in your mind.

For instance, you prefer sugar over high fructose corn syrup, and you want to drink Pepsi.  You are met with two options:  Pepsi or Pepsi made with Real Sugar.  Knowing which ingredients you prefer makes this decision a no brainer - you go with the Pepsi made with Real Sugar.

The same goes for skincare.  Say you are looking to buy moisturizer at Target, and you are trying to choose between CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy.  They are the same price - but what do you choose?  Let's take a look at the ingredients list for each:

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Purified Water, Glycerin, Ceteareth-20 and Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behentrimonium Methosulfate and Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Potassium Phosphate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Phytosphingosine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum

Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy
Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol, Panthenol, Glycerin, Bisabolol

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy?

Which one would you choose?  For me, I would opt for the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, because it satisfies more "goodies" in my mental ingredients list as opposed to the Aquaphor which satisfies none.  While both options have great reviews, CeraVe contains lots of Ceramides and Hyaluronic Acid which can be great for skin. Therefore, even though they are at the same price point; I derive more value from my purchase of  CeraVe Moisturizing Cream.

ROCK STAR INGREDIENTS

Once you are familiar with skincare ingredients and their functions, you will begin to understand a products true purpose by just looking at the ingredients list alone.  In the above example, I mentioned Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy.  Did you notice something about it's ingredients list?  The very first ingredient is Petrolatum aka Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline).  This ingredient is more efficiently used as an Occlusive agent, and not a moisturizer.  An occlusive agent forms a protective barrier over the skin to prevent water loss.  It is great to use as a final step in your skincare routine, after moisturizing, in order to "lock in" the layers of products you have just applied (this maximizes the effectiveness of your other products!).

This is actually quite common.  Marketers strategically placed Aquaphor Healing Ointment Advanced Therapy with the other moisturizers because consumers are much more aware of moisturizers than occlusives, and thus increasing their sales.

How would you classify this product?

Here is another example:  I was recently gifted Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate which is classified as a Face Serum at both Sephora and Ulta.  The ideal application for a serum is before the moisturizer step in your routine.  However, if you look at the ingredients list for this "serum" you will see it contains a lot of dimethicone - a type of silicone that provides a smoothing and mattifying effect on the skin.  While this ingredient is present in many types of skincare products; high amounts of dimethicone are usually most prevalent in primers.  One could conclude that Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate may be very effective as a primer, and there are many reviews for this product that support this theory.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I implore each and every one of you to look up ALL of the ingredients for your skincare products.  When I first did this, I learned that my $32 moisturizer did not have anything beneficial for my skin - it contained nothing bad, but also didn't have anything that would cause my skin to improve.  The only difference between it and any ol' drugstore moisturizer (other than being a fancy brand) was that it contained caffeine; which really does nothing for your skin.  I then switched to a $15 moisturizer which contains a lot of the "goodies" listed above.  My skin improved dramatically and I was also able to save money.  How awesome is that?

Check out my Ingredient Lookup Resources page for more information and links to ingredient dictionaries!

All three Ulta's near me were out, but I finally managed to snag one! Introducing Ulta's 2017 Birthday Gift:  The NYX Birthday Palette! This palette is available for free on your birthday if you are an Ulta Ultimate Rewards Member.

Ulta Birthday Gift 2017
Third Quarter (July - September)
NYX Birthday Palette $18 Value

Vavavoom!

Every year, Ulta Ultimate Rewards Members stare feverishly at their inboxes waiting for something wonderful to arrive - their Free Birthday Gift coupon.  Once I received mine, I went straight to the nearest Ulta; only to be met with disappointment:  All three Ulta's in my immediate area were OUT!  What do you mean?  What is this?  What is happening?

They are fixing the problem, but I was lucky to be near a fourth Ulta one day which thankfully had my gift in stock, and what a gift it was!  The NYX Birthday Palette is fantastic.  At an $18 value, there are many colors to choose from.  I like how I can opt for a subtle look or choose to add a little more vavavoom to my life.  Some of the colors are highly pigmented - mostly the metallics.  The other ones, not so much.  However, it's FREE and it's mine!  I cracked open the case and took the photos below to share with y'all :).

Now here is what you were waiting for...

PHOTOS

I'm ready for my close-up.

SWATCHES

NYX Birthday Palette Swatch in Natural Light

NYX Birthday Palette Swatch in Indoor Light

Becoming an Ulta Rewards Member is easy and free.  I definitely recommend signing up.  You can sign up here!

I have naturally curly hair and a short fuse - not a good combination.  I don't have the patience to do my hair every morning so my stylist recommended a Brazilian Keratin Treatment using the Brazilian Blowout brand to help my hair become more manageable.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment
Before and After

That lighting though.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a smoothing treatment that helps eliminate frizz.  It is not a relaxer.  Keratin is a type of protein containing a special amino acid (cystine) that is infused into your hair cuticles using heat resulting in strong yet movable hair.

I found this great visual explanation on keratincomplex.com:

https://www.keratincomplex.com/about/the-science/smoothing-therapy

BEFORE AND AFTER

Freshly air dried curls without and with the Brazilian Keratin Treatment (Brazilian Blowout brand)

Flat ironed hair without and with Brazilian Keratin Treatment (Brazilian Blowout brand)

PROS

• It reduces frizz immensely
• It washes out with a clarifying shampoo if you don't like it
• It makes hair shiny and manageable
• It reduces drying / straightening time significantly

I make it a point to do this treatment every summer.  I live in a very hot and humid climate and it really helps calm my curls.  You can see in the before and after pic above that my hair becomes more wavy than curly, but it's a nice sexy wave.  I like to just roll out of bed and go to work without worrying about my hair, and this allows for maximum laziness.

CONS

• Some treatments contain formaldehyde
• Will not last long if not maintained
• Will cause hair to break and fall out if done too often (protein overload)
• Smells bad when first applied
• Cannot wet or tie back hair for 72 hours

I've had both Coppola Keratin Complex and Brazilian Blowout used in my hair and I believe they both contain formaldehyde.  These products formaldehyde levels do fall within OSHA's mandated requirements which means they produce formaldehyde at an allowable level if used properly according to manufacturer instruction... However, if that doesn't vibe with you there are other Keratin treatments that are formaldehyde free and are said to be just as effective.  There are many, many articles out there that can provide detailed explanations as to why formaldehyde is bad for you so I will leave that part out.  I think I will switch to the formaldehyde free formula next time and write another article to compare the two.

Some treatments require you to go three days without wetting or tying your hair back to give it time to cure.  If you tie it back, you can develop a kink in your hair that will last months.  If you do develop a kink or wet your hair during this time, iron it out immediately.  I usually keep my BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Mini Straightening Iron nearby during this time.

MAINTENANCE

You do have to maintain it!  In addition to not going to the pool or beach all the time; the best way to get your new do to last is to not wash your hair with ultra hot water and to switch to a sulfate free shampoo.  Keep in mind that most "sulfate free" shampoos refer specifically to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).  While this harsh surfactant can remove your hair treatment, there are many other harsh surfactants to worry about; some of which do not even classify as a sulfate!

I can get my Brazilian Keratin Treatment to last about six months mostly by avoiding the following ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Ether Sulfate.  In a nut shell, I just avoid anything that even remotely sounds like Sulfate, Sulfonate, Sodium, etc.

What Shampoo / Conditioner do you use?
I use Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner.  The shampoo's list of ingredients is short and sweet:

Deionized Water, Decyl Glucoside (Coconut Oil), African Butyrospermum Parkii (shea Butter)*, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Argan Oil, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Rosemary Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Vitamin E, Guar Gum, Lonicera Capifloium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Avocado Oil *Certified Organic Ingredients.

Notice that the ingredients do not have anything that from the list of things to avoid above?

JAPANESE HAIR STRAIGHTENING vs BRAZILIAN KERATIN TREATMENT

My colleague has been using Japanese Hair Straightening for over ten years.  Her natural hair is extremely curly and foofy (like Slash).  Maintaining the poof got old very quickly.  When I met her, I had no idea that her natural hair was so curly until she showed me a picture.  Her hair is dead straight now and I thought that it just grew out that way.  While her hair is much more manageable now that it's straight; it is also nearly unstyleable.  She has tried multiple products but her hair just cant hold any type of curl or wave without a ton of product.  While she has had pretty good results using Living Proof Perfect Hair Day 5-in-1 Styling Treatment; she was considering switching to the Brazilian Keratin Treatment for a little more styling freedom.  We came across the following issues during our research:

Brazilian Keratin Treatment has to be done on the whole head.  
Japanese Hair Straightening can be touched up at the roots every few months.  This is how she was able to maintain the same look for over ten years.  If she switched to the Brazilian Keratin Treatment, she would have to redo her entire head every time.  There are many problems with this.  One being that the cost of redoing the entire Brazilian Keratin Treatment is far more than the cost of a Japanese Hair Straightening touch up (her guy does very affordable touch ups).  The second major issue (also mentioned in the Cons) is that if the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is done too often, the hair will become brittle and begin to break.

Japanese Hair Straightening is permanent.
Once you get it done, there is no going back.  Your only options are to let it grow out or continue with the treatment.  If you choose to grow it out, you end up having a completely different hair type at the roots and it just looks odd.   I guess you can always just shave your head.  Meanwhile, Brazilian Keratin Treatment lasts a few months and can be washed out.

BRAZILIAN KERATIN TREATMENT PRICING

Make a list of stylists with a lot of experience doing this treatment and price them out.  I've found that the price varies greatly depending on the salon you go to, and price =/= quality.  I've had the treatment done at three different salons at different price points:  $250, $175, and $120.  The $250 salon took about two hours and had the worst results (hair looked nice but felt rough).  The $175 salon had the best results but took almost four hours (time is money).  The $120 salon had good results and took about an hour and a half, but didn't apply enough product on the back of my head so it's a bit more curly there.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I think Brazilian Keratin Treatments are wonderful if done correctly.  It really was a game changer for me.  The treatment needs to be done by someone with a lot of experience though.  The first time I got it done (using the Coppola brand), my hair was a mess.  It looked nice but felt rough to the touch until I was able to wash it.  I went to another stylist to get it done (using Brazilian Blowout brand) and the results looked the same, but my hair was very soft.  The second stylist told me that the first stylist most likely had the flat iron set too hot so it burned the product into my hair.  Not good.

I highly recommend this treatment to anyone with foofy or unmanageable hair.  Find a good stylist and ask them what is best for your hair type.  With a wide variety of options to choose from, they should certainly be able to find a formula that is right for you.

So I got sick of Googling comparison swatches for the Target Laneige Medium vs Laneige Pore Control Shade 31 and not finding anything; so I did what any other sane person would do:  Buy all of them and swatch them so you don't have to!  PLUS a bonus Laneige Anti-Aging Shade 31 Swatch just for fun!  

Laneige BB Cushion (U.S. Target Version) Shade Medium
VS Laneige Pore Control BB Cushion Shade 31
VS Laneige Anti-Aging BB Cushion Shade 31

My wallet.  It hurts.

INFO SHEET

Brand:  Laneige
Product:  BB Cushion (Target Edition)
Shade:  Medium
Coverage:  Light - Medium
Dewiness:  Very Dewy
Scent:  Strong, Floral Potpourri - Just like Grandma's house.
Oxidation:  Slight
Price:  $34.00
Availability:  Target in Select Stores and Online

The Run Down:  
P.S. I already reviewed this cushion in another post!

• Great match for NC37
• Potent Grandma scent for the first 1-2 hours of wear
• VERY Dewy
• Not good for Combination / Oily Skin

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Brand:  Laneige
Product:  Pore-Control BB Cushion
Shade:  31
Coverage:  Light - Medium
Dewiness:  Slightly Dewy
Scent:  Fresh Floral with Notes of Grandma's House
Oxidation:  More than Slight
Price:  $50.00
Availability:  YesStyle.com

The Run Down:

• Better match for NC30 - NC35
• Scent lingers for the first 1 - 2 hours of wear.
• Slightly Dewy
• Better for Combination / Oily Skin

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Brand:  Laneige

Master Swatch List