ELLA K BEAUTY REVIEW

L’Occitane Honey & Lemon Eau de Toilette Review

Honey & Lemon is a comforting gourmand scent that is not too sugary.  The fragrance opens with sweet lemon, honey and a touch of cinnamon.  The honey warms the heart of the composition and mingles with soft caramel notes.  As the fragrance fades, it reveals a soothing base of vanilla, caramel and barely-there patchouli.  Notes include: Lemon, Cinnamon, Honey, Caramel, Vanilla, Patchouli.

Narciso Rodriguez Essence Eau de Parfum Review

Essence begins with a sophisticated musk accord that leads to an uninspiring finale.  The opening features an airy, clean musk that turns slightly soapy as the fragrance evolves.  The musk is further enhanced with a touch of crisp white flowers.  After a promising start, the composition transforms into a generic rose scent with powdery fresh undertones.  The rose accord fades to a sweet musk finish.  Notes include: Musk, Iris Powder, Rose Petals, Benzoin Balm.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch (2-Luminous Ivory) Review

Touche Éclat is a lightweight concealer/highlighter housed in a golden click-pen dispenser with a nylon brush tip.  The light, creamy formula blends beautifully and can be layered without looking cakey.  The formula contains light-diffusing pigments that illuminate the complexion and diminish shadows without shimmer or sparkles.  While the formula is not opaque enough to cover very dark circles, it brightens and lifts the whole eye area.  Luminous Ivory is a milky beige shade with yellow undertones that is best suited for light skin tones. 

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder Review

Turbo Booster C Powder is a moist white powder packaged in a 0.25 oz brown glass bottle.  Enclosed with the product is a small measuring scoop.  The powder is mostly vitamin C (ascorbic acid) with a minuscule amount of other beneficial skincare ingredients.  You are instructed to mix ½ to 1 scoop of the powder with your favorite serum or moisturizer before applying it to the skin.  This unique delivery system ensures that the vitamin C is always fresh and stable.  Sensitive skin types could experience redness when using vitamin C and should use less of the powder until the skin adjusts.  This product imparts a rosy glow and brightens the complexion overtime. 

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Cloths Review

The Microdelivery Exfoliating Cloths feel like paper and measure 3.25 inches by 4.5 inches. Each cloth comes with two slits (i.e., one for your thumb and one for your fingers) but they are awkward to use. Philosophy suggests using a moistened cloth with the Purity Made Simple cleanser (for light exfoliation) or the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash (for thorough exfoliation). The Purity Made Simple cleanser softens the cloth and makes it less effective at exfoliation. The moistened cloth alone gently resurfaces the skin’s texture but it’s not superior to a plain washcloth.

　

Vera Wang Glam Princess Eau de Toilette Review

Glam Princess is a fresh floral scent.  The top notes are light and airy with touches of pear and guava.  At the heart of the fragrance is a dewy vanilla orchid enhanced by a warm honey glow.  The fragrance has a pale woody base with a whisper of marshmallow sweetness.  Notes include: Guava, Pear, Honey, Vanilla Orchid, Marshmallow Accord, Cedarwood.

Ed Hardy Hearts & Daggers Women Eau de Parfum Review

Hearts & Daggers is a generic fruity scent.  The opening features a sweet fruit medley that’s berry-like with vanillic undertones.  As the fruit mellows, a crisp apple note is introduced to refresh the composition.  The floral bouquet never quite blossoms and the fragrance fades to a base of sweetened musk and sheer woods.  Notes include: Blood Orange Orpur, Violet Leaf, Gala Apple, Mango, Apple Blossoms, Pink Jasmine, Cashmere Musk, Amber, Benzoin Tears Orpur, Blonde Woods.

Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner Review

Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner has the consistency of a watery serum with a natural brown tint and light herbal scent.  The formula consists of mostly natural ingredients, including extracts of tamarind seed, white tea, green tea, black tea and rice bran.  The toner absorbs quickly and helps to soften, soothe and lightly hydrate the skin. 

Elizabeth Grant Vitamin C Concentrate Review

Vitamin C Concentrate is a translucent serum with a pale yellow tint and faint medicinal scent.  The serum feels rich yet lightweight and it sinks into the skin readily.  The concentrate combines two forms of vitamin C with skin conditioners and anti-irritants.  The formula softens the skin and perks up the complexion, but the changes are not dramatic. 

Paul Mitchell Extra-Body Daily Rinse Review

Extra-Body Daily Rinse is a silky, lightweight conditioner with a fresh scent. The conditioner glides through hair, smoothing out tangles and knots. The formula rinses out well and provides light conditioning. The conditioner leaves the hair manageable and slightly fuller but the roots can appear oily by the end of the day.