Overnight Hydration Masks

I'm definitely a girl that needs a healthy dose of hydration, especially this time of year, so I thought I'd show you my picks for overnight hydration masks.

Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask, $48 for 1.7oz
I received this as a belated birthday gift last summer, and I've just been in love with it. My super dehydrated skin really soaks it in, and my skin feels soft and hydrated in the morning. I love the bright cheerful packaging and the light fruity scent. And for those of you that are wondering, Dragon's Blood is a resin from a plant and not the blood of dragons. (LOL) 

Boscia Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask, $34 for 2.8oz
I purchased this in early January solely because the packaging drew me in! It is white and has a creamy texture (unlike the Rodial, which is a clear gel) and has a light floral scent. My friend Marianna finds the scent to be strong, but I find it to be quite fresh and not at all strong. 

I like both of these masks equally, though I do have to note that the Boscia is more affordable and you get more for your money too. So far, these have been my favorite hydration masks I've tried, and I think they are suitable for very dehydrated skin.

Compared to the ever popular Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask, these work significantly better for me. The Origins mask felt nice while it was on, but it really had no lasting effect on my skin. I quite liked the Korres Greek Yoghurt Sleeping Facial for a bit last summer, but I found that I did not care for the scent (if I was awake) and liked the results from the Rodial mask better.

Have you been using any hydrating masks lately? What is your favorite hydration mask? I'd love to know!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes in Diffused Heat & Radiant Magenta

Last year, when Hourglass released their Ambient Lighting Powders, there was quite a lot of excitement. I never quite managed to pull the trigger on the powders, but as soon as the Ambient Lighting Blushes were available for VIBs on Sephora's website, I placed my order. 

Top: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta, Bottom: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat

I chose two shades, Radiant Magenta, described as a "golden fucshia" and Diffused Heat, a "vibrant poppy." I love how gorgeous both look in the pan, but in terms of the overall product, I am torn. 

Given the hype around these blushes, I was hoping for something amazing and revolutionary, but as I've read on other reviews, this blush isn't a miracle. However, it IS very pretty. Generally, I find it to be a very glowy blush with a natural finish, but I don't think that those of you with a huge blush collection need to drop everything and run out to get these.

I've been applying these with the Real Techniques Multitask Brush or the Trish Mcevoy 2B Sheer Blush Brush (an old favorite!) and both of them work beautifully with these blushes. I'm particularly impressed that the blush applies without needing much blending with the Trish brush, as that one can create some very definite edges with pigmented powder products.   

Diffused Heat

Radiant Magenta

Of the two shades, I prefer Diffused Heat, which has noticeable shimmer in the pan but looks natural on. Radiant Magenta on the other hand is not super magenta in shade but more of a bright medium pink. I find that Diffused Heat looks better on me, while Radiant Magenta can sometimes just look like whatever redness I may be experiencing on my cheeks. Actually, the two shades do look great mixed together! :-P

I also have to note that there were some days where this blush seemed to disappear from my skin within a few hours. Gummy mentioned that it could be due to whatever foundation I was using, and she seems to be right as I haven't run into that issue since. (Though I wish I remembered what foundation that was!) 

All in all, I think this is a great blush but perhaps not worth the crazy hype. (ALL of them are currently sold out online at Sephora, and I don't believe they have made it to stores yet.) I decided to keep only one, and I chose Diffused Heat because it brings some nice warmth to my face. Plus, Mr. Bunny has complimented my face EVERY single time I've worn it. :) 

What do you think about Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes? Do you think they're worth the hype? I'd love to know! :)

Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ♥

Last fall, I was super excited to receive the Tatcha Gold Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm. As a girl with extremely dry, peeling lips year round, I'm always on the hunt for a good lip balm. Yes, I have plenty, but I am always desperate to try the latest and greatest formulas. 

*PR Sample

I don't often talk about packaging, but I can't talk about Tatcha without mentioning just how gorgeous their packaging is. Look at the pretty purple lining and the lovely blue and purple box the lip balm rests in! Plus, the paper used for the product information sheet is just lovely! 

Now onto the lip balm - there is a layer of gold leaf on top! I've been using this lip balm in one corner to preserve the gold leaf, which adds a bit of shimmer and glow to your lips. The lip balm itself is quite smooth, and not overly slippery. I think this stuff makes a great base for other lip products, and while I wouldn't call it matte, it isn't overly glossy either. 

In terms of the scent, this smells similar to Tatcha's Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (review). To me, it is a lightly floral, almost licorice like scent that isn't intrusive or strong. However, I know that my buddies Gummy and Belly absolutely hate the scent of this lip balm! 

While this isn't as creamy as La Mer Lip Balm or as thickly long wearing as Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, I find that this lip balm has made it into my favorites. I have a terrible habit of picking at the peely bits on my lips, and this lip balm very quickly smooths over all but the roughest/rawest of flaky bits, preventing me from any further picking. My lips just soak in this stuff, and while some of the other balms in my stash are more hydrating, I find it a bit miraculous that my raw flaky bits are repaired within just a few hours! 

This Valentine's Day, Tatcha has a beautifully wrapped gift full of Tatcha sweetheart candies and this lovely lip balm. I think it is the perfect gift for any lip balm lover! <3 

What do you think of Tatcha's Lip Balm? Have you tried it? How did it fare for you? I'd love to know!

Lush Lots of Love Valentine's Day Gift Set ♥

I'm always a fan of Lush's seasonal collections, and this gift set for Valentine's Day is jam packed with some great bath & shower goodies. Currently sold out online, I think this gift is a perfect way to gift some relaxation to those you love (including yourself, hehe!) 

Three of the products in this set are limited edition, and are marked with "LE" below. I think this is the perfect kit to get your hands on some Lush bestsellers, or even as an introduction to the line. However, picky noses beware - there is quite a bit of sweetness in most of these scents. 

*PR Sample

Close to You Massage Bar (LE)
This smooshable massage bar is a sweetly scented confection that can be smushed and used in one all over massage. While you don't have to use it all at once, be warned that this little guy melts to heat pretty well. Lovers of Rock Star Soap and Creamy Candy Bubble Bar will recognize this vanilla candy like scent. Who can go wrong with a massage bar full of shea butter that smells like candy? 

Prince Charming (LE) 
This creamy shower gel smells like a fruity marshmallow! Not my typical scent, but I think the grapefruit oil and pomegranate juice really brighten the scent and make for a cheerful shower. If there were such a thing as a pomegranate Peep, I think this guy would be it! 

Neon Love Soap (LE)
Neon Love is a bright moisturizing soap shaped like a heart in this kit. (Outside of this kit, white hearts make this soap just as cute!) One of the more moisturizing Lush soaps I've tried, this one doesn't lather up a ton and smells quite nice. Vaguely reminiscent of Lush's popular Rose Jam scent, this soap has a hint of citrus thanks to bergamot and a little something from rosewood and spicy cinnamon oil. To me, it is a brighter, fresher version of the Rose Jam scent! 

Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
Long time readers may know my love for Ro's Argan. While the rosy sweet scent may not be for everyone, this body conditioner really works. Slather it on before you get out of the shower, and rinse it off (or not!), and your skin will be protected from most of the winter skin conditions out there. "Rose Jam" scent lives in the bubbleroon of the same name as well as a previously released limited edition shower gel and fragrance. Check out my original review of Ro's Argan here.

Sex Bomb
I started my Lush adventures with bath bombs, and this too pretty to use option was one that I really fell in love with a few years back. This gorgeous bath bomb tints your bath with pinks and purples, while the luxurious scent is just so good. Filled with jasmine, ylang ylang, and sage, I never thought I'd like it until I first sniffed it and have always enjoyed it since. No wonder it is a Lush bestseller!

Chou Chou... I Love You Toothy Tabs
These little solid toothpaste tabs are seriously brilliant - preservative free and vegan, they really make my teeth feel clean unlike some of my other experiments with natural toothpastes. These toothy tabs are so compact and easy to use, and I was happily surprised at how fresh my mouth feels - just break up a tab in your mouth, wet your toothbrush and go! This particular flavor almost reminds me of Pez candy, and perhaps that is due to the lemon oil, but it is also mixed in with a bit of rose! Lush's website states that these toothy tabs will leave your breath smelling of Rose Jam, which sounded a bit scary to me, but overall I found there was very little aftertaste. Woohoo!

Rose Jam Bubbleroon
I've already talked about the Rose Jam scent enough today, so I won't bore you with the details. Twist apart this bubbleroon for use in two moisturizing baths - the key for maximum bubbles is to hold these guys under running water! Then it is time to soak in a rosy sweet bath full of bubbles... 

All in all, I think the Lush Lots of Love Gift is an amazing way to try a lot of Lush products all at once! It retails for $52.05 and may still be available in stores. Will you be picking it up for yourself or a loved one? I'd love to know! :)