Review: Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil and Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner

 At first my appreciation for Sunday Riley products began as a fondness, but now I am a full on Sunday Riley convert and LOVER. Each and every product I try from her is better than the last and while I know there are mixed reviews on every new launch she puts out, all of them have consistently worked for my skin. Including her newest one - the U.F.O. Clarifying Oil and Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner.

 1. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil - After first falling in love with this oil from Sunday Riley and then experiencing the magic that is this one, I wasn't sure she could make one that would impress me even more. BUT SHE DID. As someone that suffers from breakouts and stubborn acne on the occasion, I was immediately drawn to this U.F.O. oil because it contains salicylic acid (which my skin responds very well to) and has clarifying properties. I prefer using it at night either alone or with a light hydrating moisturizer on top (currently liking this one and this one). Initially I began applying the oil every other night just to ensure my skin could handle it and wouldn't flake up, become irritated or have any other unforeseen issues arise. Once I began to see that my skin could tolerate it, I moved to every night. Every now and then my forehead will begin to break out in tiny little bumps and within a few days of using this - they were gone. Though this is an oil, it is one of the least oiliest ones in my collection. It soaks into my skin immediately, leaving my skin hydrated and fresh looking rather than greasy and shiny. And when I wake up the next morning - my pores appear smaller, there is little to no shine on my face and breakouts are minimized, if not gone completely. Like with any new product, I would recommend either getting a sample if you can or testing on a small patch of the face for a few days to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions.

 2. Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner - I wasn't sure what to think of this toner when I first saw it's texture. I am used to toners being more of a clear watery liquid, so I sat with this on my hand for a minute or so just looking at it. However when I massaged it in, it instantly transformed into a water and felt amazing on the skin. I prefer using this in the morning rather than at night because it helps mattify my skin and leaves it smooth and even so that my makeup is easily applied on top. After cleansing, I apply the Martian toner, an essence if my skin is feeling extra dehyrated and then follow with my serum and moisturizer (currently using this and this in the morning). I noticed how much less shiny my skin was throughout the entire day and as a result, I was able to wear a more glowy makeup on days that I use this toner! While this toner is designed for all skin types, I feel that it would be most effective with more oily skin types - though I always suggest getting a sample if you are interested in trying.

*pr samples included

I would love to hear your thoughts on either of these new launches! Have any of you tried and loved (or not loved)? Let me know!

Shop more of my favorite Sunday Riley products:

Introduction to Herbivore Botanicals

Though I don't use all natural skincare products exclusively, I have discovered more and more brands that I really enjoy and have put into regular rotation in my routine. Oskia (love this cleanser and mask), Tata Harper (this is a holy grail cleanser) and MV Organic Skincare (this is perfect for dry or dehydrated skin) are a few of the brands that have impressed me and I can now add Herbivore Botanicals to that list. I had the chance to test out 3 of their products recently and here are my thoughts on each:

1. Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist - I should first mention before anything else that the packaging was one of the first things to hit me about this brand. All the bottles and jars are glass so they feel quite weighty in my hand, and the simplistic label and font mixed with the colorful product formulas feels so fresh and modern. This Rose Hydrating Mist gives quite a strong mist when sprayed so be prepared, which is why I prefer to use it during my skincare routine rather than over my makeup. From first spritz, it instantly refreshes the skin while helping calm and soothe it at the same time. It's great for any and all skin types and the scent is pleasant without being overwhelming. After cleansing, I give my skin two sprays and pat it in to the skin. Immediately I can feel a boost of moisture and though this step may seem small, it makes such a huge difference in my skincare routine. Every last bit of hydration I can get is worth it!

2. Orchid Facial Oil -Who knew that as an oily skinned gal, I would come to love face oils so much, but it's true! They are so wonderful for helping keep my skin balanced yet moisturized. This Orchid Facial Oil is designed to help hydrate, nourish and protect the skin using a wide range of  vitamins and fatty acids such at Vitamin E, Camellia Oil and Orchid Extract. I find that this oil falls in the medium thickness range - it's not too runny nor too heavy. I prefer using it at night, rather than the morning but if you have drier skin, I think this would be a beautiful oil to use under makeup. It absorbs nicely, but I only need one drop to cover my entire face. My skin looks glowy and fresh the next morning and much less oily. As with all the Herbivore products that I tried, the scent is prominent though not overwhelming.

3. Brighten Instant Glow Mask - Out of all the 3 Herbivore products that I tried, this mask was by far my favorite. I do love an exfoliating mask in general, but there are so many ways the process can go. Is the mask too strong? Too weak? Grainy in texture? Does it irritate my skin? Is the exfoliation more chemical or manual? I always gravitate towards chemical exfoliants either from acids or natural elements, and in this mask is pineapple enzymes. As with the Orchid Face Oil, I felt that the strength of this mask feel in the middle of the spectrum. There was a slight cooling/tingling sensation but nothing too strong and the results were visible, though I found they were more significant after using the mask a few times in a week. After 10-15 minutes (or 20 if I forget I had it on - whoops!), I rinse it off with warm water, however I find that using a wash cloth was the best way to remove. It came off much easier than simply using my hands. For those that have sensitive skin or have trouble finding exfoliating masks that don't irritate their skin, I think this would be a wonderful option. 

*pr samples included

Shop more Herbivore products:

My Face Oil Picks

It wasn't until recently that I looked into my skincare collection and realized that I clearly have a thing for face oils. Face oils (in fact, oils in general) are having a moment now which pleases me greatly. Nothing is better for my oily skin (yes, I said OILY skin) than face oils, cleansing oils, body oils....the more oil I put on my body, the less my body has to produce. Which in essence has me end up with a more normalized complexion. *throws confetti* So after reading my good friend, Danielle's post on her face oil collection, I was inspired to write my own and share my thoughts on each. Many have similar textures and address similar concerns, but I still thought I would add my two cents in about each one.

1. Goldfaden MD Fleuressence Botanical Cell Oil - I love when I am introduced to a brand and before I know it, the line is taking over my collection. Each product I've tried from Goldfaden MD has been fantastic and currently I am using this eye cream and this cream in my morning skincare routine (and swear by this scrub), so when I heard they launched a new face oil, I had to try it! The formula is comprised of 100% pure active botanicals and feels wonderful on the skin. It has almost a watery-like oil texture that absorbs right into the skin leaving only a natural glow to the skin.

2. Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil - Sunday Riley is the queen of face oils - launching three popular ones in the past few years (Artemis, Juno and Isis). So when word got out that she was coming out with a new one....the anticipation began. Luna Sleeping Night Oil is a bit more of a workhouse than typical face oils since it has trans-retinol ester which provides strong anti-aging benefits. This oil is strong in its effectiveness, and I began seeing results with my appearance of pore size and overall tone within just a few nights. Over time, it targets fine lines, discoloration and damaged skin. I anticipate this will become a cult classic, if it isn't already.

3. Colbert MD Illumino Face Oil - This is the first product that I've tried from the Colbert MD line and I've heard great things about this face oil. It contains both Retinol and Vitamin C ester which makes this an anti-aging powerhouse. Wrinkles and uneven skin tone are hit hard with this oil, but what I really love about it is the glow I get the morning after. I feel so radiant. It is definitely lighter in texture than many face oils I've tried, which really appeals to me and sinks in immediately upon application. 

4. Boscia Tsubaki Beauty Oil - This is one of the first face oils I ever used and fell in love with, so it will always have a special place in my heart. I find this to be the driest of all my oils which is lovely in the warmer weather when I need the hydration but not the richness. And while many other face oils require only the smallest drop so as not to sit on top of my skin, I can use a bit more with this and not have any worry that it will be too much for my oily skin.

5. Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex - One of the biggest selling points of Tata Harper's products are her great ingredients. It's a natural beauty line that still manages to be extremely effective. This oil has a thicker texture and more of a natural/essential oil scent which can be a turn-off for some, but not for me. Strong scents don't bother me as long as the product works. Another feature of this oil that immediately caught my eye was the roller ball application which I didn't think I would like, but surprisingly I did! It makes it easy to apply and I find that it helps me target certain areas that I want to treat more. I definitely prefer this formula in the colder weather, and find it really helps to soothe any irritated or sensitive skin that I have.

6. Sunday Riley Artemis Face Oil - Along with the Boscia Tsubaki Oil, Sunday Riley's Artemis Oil was one of the first face oils that I used. What makes this one so unique especially for me was it's ability to help clarify, purify and soothe the skin. I find this one is the most helpful in dealing with acne, congested skin and breakouts - and when my skin is extra oily due to hormonal changes, this oil really helps to balance it out. The scent has a strong herbaceous quality to it which could bother some people, but as I've said before, scent rarely bothers me. While many face oils don't work well for me during the day, this is one of the few that I can use under makeup.

7. Kate Somerville Dilo Oil - There is almost no Kate Somerville product that I've tried and haven't fallen instantly in love with after using. (I swear by this exfoliator, this peel, this moisturizer and this body cream) This Dilo Oil was no exception. The scent is pleasant and relaxing, and the oil does a wonderful job of helping replenish and restore my skin when it's acting up or feeling a bit overly sensitive.

8. Sisley Black Rose Face Oil - This Sisley Black Rose Face Oil is truly the epitome of luxury. From the scent (floral but pleasant), to the texture (like liquid silk), to the feel on the skin (soft and nourishing) - this face oil is all around one of the best oils in my collection. While it has anti-aging benefits to help target fine lines and wrinkles, it also revitalizes the skin in a way that makes my skin look like its had a facial. The morning after using this oil I find that my skin looks rested, nourished, plump, radiant, renewed - I mean, I could go on and on but you get my drift. When my skin is at it's worst (sunburned, flaky, dry, irritated), I reach for this first. After my recent trip to Costa Rica, I even went so far as to put a few drops on my sunburned shoulders to help replenish the moisture. I didn't peel, nor flake and my skin healed so incredibly well. Now of course I don't recommend taking a product this expensive and drenching it all over your body (you can but make sure you have a large credit limit - yowza), but it definitely showed me the true magic of this oil. Yes, I said magic. I have a flair for the dramatic, what can I say?

*pr samples included

Shop other face oil suggestions:

Tata Harper Review

It began with the Resurfacing Mask and then continued with the Regenerating Cleanser, and from there my love for the Tata Harper brand just kept growing and growing. The three newest additions to my collection are the Refreshing Cleanser, the Hydrating Floral Essence and the Replenishing Nutrient Complex. 

1. Refreshing Cleanser - If there is one thing that Tata Harper is known for at this point, it's her cleansers. The Regenerating Cleanser is a holy grail for me, so I was anxious to dive into a few other ones. She recently launched two new ones called the Nourishing Oil Cleanser and the Purifying Cleanser which I am excited to try, but for now I have fallen in love with the Refreshing Cleanser. It's a light creamy texture that feels soft and gentle on the skin, and is perfect for me as a second cleanse or even a morning time cleanse. It can remove my makeup if I am not wearing too much that day, but I prefer a cleansing oil to handle that so I leave this Refreshing Cleanser to help nourish and soften my skin. I have oily skin and adore this, but think it would be great for just about any skin type. 

2. Hydrating Floral Essence - After I use an acid toner or a facial pad (read my post here on some of my favorites), I love to mist my face with this to give it a boost of hydration. While there are many hydrating mists out there, it can be the small things that set them apart. The first thing I noticed when using this was how even the mist is dispersed on the skin and you are left with a nice spritz rather than a squirt in your face. *insert water droplet emojis* There are no harsh astringents or alcohol in it so it's safe for the most sensitive of skins and helps to replenish my skin's moisture barrier immediately. In addition to the toning step of my routine, I also enjoy using it after I apply my makeup to refresh the skin and take away any of that overly powdered look I can get after I apply my finishing powders. Often many hydrating mists say they are good over makeup but end up making the skin look too dewy or disrupting makeup, but this one does neither. It's a bit of a splurge but if you are wanting an intense mist to help keep your skin hydrated, I recommend giving this a shot. 

3. Replenishing Nutrient Complex - I love a facial oil as much as the next gal and this one has been on my wish list for quite sometime. Chock full of nutrients and great ingredients, it is designed to be a "multivitamin" for your skin. Because of the rollerball applicator, it makes it easy to apply with only a few rolls up and down on the face. Though it's not entirely a dry oil that absorbs immediately like some others I have in my routine, it is lightweight enough to hydrate my skin without leaving it oily or shiny. I have been reaching for this a lot over the past few weeks because it has done wonders for tackling any dry patches that have popped up because of the brutal winter weather in NYC. As with many of Tata's products, there is a glow that comes with using this that I really enjoy. My skin looks radiant and fresh after applying, and any red areas are immediately calm and soothed. And since it has an easy applicator, I like to pop this in my bag to use on the go for my face, cuticles, hands - basically any dry or irritated spot that could come up during the day.

*pr samples included

Shop more Tata Harper products: 

My Quick Skincare Routine For Radiant Skin

Though I have learned a lot about skincare over the years through reading articles coupled with good ol' trial and error, I am still constantly seeking out new recommendations. My close friend Felicia from ThisThatBeauty.com (I also contribute articles there twice a month) did a blog post about a quick three step routine she was using for her skin and I decided to try something similar! Sometimes the best recommendations can come from a friend, right? It's a quick and simple three step (well three and a half since the peel is two steps) process for glowing skin. Every time I've done this over the past few months, I always wake up with a rested and radiant complexion and have now made this a part of my regular skincare routine.  I guess not every night needs to be a 13 step process. Ha!

1. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil - Cleansing oils are by far my favorite type of cleansers to use because I find they give my skin the deepest clean without stripping it. I am particularly fond (translation: in love) with this SK-II cleansing oil because it feels like liquid silk on the skin. Seriously! I prefer a cleansing oil formula that is thin and lightweight, emulsifies nicely and rinses away with little to no effort. The SK-II Cleansing Oil removes every single stitch of makeup I am wearing, making it possible for me to even skip my standard double cleanse step. I don't like to skip that step regularly, but on some nights when I just don't have the energy to go that extra bit, I can count on just this cleanser to get the job done. That job being to de-spackle my face.

2. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Medi-Spa Peel - I recently did a post on my favorite facial peels, but at the time had not used this one enough to feel comfortable including it in my round up. Now after giving it a go for a few weeks, I am really loving the results. After cleansing the skin, I use this two part peel to give my skin an intense exfoliation, remove any built up congestion, help break up hyper pigmentation and resurface the skin. The first step involves using the pre-soaked pads all over the face (I include my neck and upper chest as well) and I do feel a bit of tingling. Following this step, I apply the firming peptide milk which soaks in immediately leaving no residue or sticky feeling on the skin. It's a pretty strong peel so I like to use this no more than once a week, even once every two weeks. But it's a perfect middle step for this quick 3-step process since it removes all the surface dead skin thus allowing the facial oil to really penetrate into the skin and work it's magic!

3. Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil - Though face oils are not so new anymore, many people still worry about the idea of putting oil on their face. Especially those with oily skin. But in my experience (as someone with oily skin), I find facial oils to be the most healing, nourishing, balancing and effective moisturizers for the skin. Face oils can be great layered with other skincare products such as serums and moisturizers, but can also work well when used alone. I actually prefer to use them alone most of the time (unless my skin is really dry and irritated), and this new introduction from Sisley is the ultimate in luxury face oils. It's a dry face oil so immediately after it's applied on the skin, it's absorbed leaving no trace of shine or residue. Because of it's strong healing and nourishing properties, the Black Rose Face Oil helps to replenish the skin's moisture and stimulate it's natural glow. And glow I do the next morning - it's as if all past skin sins are erased and I am starting anew. Is there a Sisley Black Rose Precious Oil I can use for my life?!!!

*pr samples included

Have you tried any of these products?

May 2014 Beauty Favorites

I use them. I love them. I have to talk about them. Here are my beauty favorites from the month of May:

1. Tarte  LipSurgence Lip Tint in Lovely - Jumbo lip pencils are becoming quite a problem for me. Every time I see one, I need to buy it. Case in point: this Tarte pencil. This is my first Tarte Lip Tint but I fell IN LOVE with this color. It was the perfect juicy pink-coral, and feels great on the lips. I actually feel silly that it took me this long to buy one, but it won't be my last.

2. YSL Glossy Stain in #12 Coril Fauve - Another fail on my part, this is my first YSL Glossy Stain. Please pick your stunned jaw up off the ground - it's rude. There are just soooo many lip products out there that I overlooked these, ok? OK???!!! But at least I'm here for the party now, that's what matters. All the reviews are right - these are amazing. A hybrid between a gloss, lipstick and stain - they feel great on the lips, wear beautifully and stay on forever. Need I say more? I'm guessing no because you probably already have one.

3. Zoya Nail Polish Remover - Never thought I would see the day when a nail polish remover made my monthly favorites, but it has. The day has come. And once again, all of you were right. I have been reading about this remover for eons and finally picked one up. One swipe on my nails and it instantly blew every other nail polish remover out of the water.  Late to the Zoya party, but now I'm here.

4. Sunday Riley Artemis Hydroactive Cellular Face Oil* - Oh, another Sunday Riley product makes it to my favorites list? You betcha. This cult classic serum is an absolute essential in my skincare regimen, and when they sent me this face oil to try, I had a sneaking suspicion I would love. Whatta ya know? I did. Designed for combination and problematic skin, it helps to balance, detoxify, clarify and tone the skin. Whew, just saying it is exhausting but it delivers on its promise. The scent is quite strong, but dissipates after just a few minutes. Sunday Riley products are known to give you a glow, and this oil is no exception. My skin is radiant after only using for a few weeks. And that's the goal isn't it?? Yes, it is.

5. First Aid Beauty Blemish Patrol Pads* - Holy Grail Alert! Holy Grail Alert! These pads have finally reached that coveted spot. Since we are all friends here I will share a little secret with you: I did not like this pads when I first used them. I thought they were doing nothing and saw no results. But for some reason, I kept using them twice daily. Welp, after one week I had no blemishes. After two weeks, no blemishes. After THREE weeks, no blemishes. At first I couldn't figure out what I was using that was giving me such clear skin, until I stopped these for a few days. Do you know what I got? Yes, A PIMPLE. Pulled these out, and the breakouts stopped. A coincidence - I think not. (ok, I know not. They are magical)

6. Hourglass Ambient Powder Brush - Yes, this was a splurge but I don't regret even one penny of this brush purchase. I use to apply most of my finishing powders since it can be turned sideways and used for great contouring or use full on to get a broader application. The hair is incredibly soft and deposits just enough color. It took me a long time to decide if I should get this brush, and after one use I was sad I hadn't purchased sooner. 

Need more sass?  Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.