e.l.f Cosmetics: Essential Shimmering Facial Whip Review

Sometimes while perusing the isles stocked with countless beauty products certain items get overlooked. Usually we form an opinion of a particular product based on numerous bits of information such as: price, advertising, reputation and reviews but just because a product is extremely affordable doesn't necessarily mean it isn't any good. 

Today I will review the e.l.f essential facial shimmering whips. These creamy facial shimmers are multipurpose; you can use them on the cheeks, lips, eyes, and anywhere else you want to add beautiful illumination to the skin. The whips come in five shades and contain vitamin E.

What I like most about this shimmer is that they are easy to work with. I squeeze a little onto my finger and blend in onto the high points of my cheeks and down the bridge of my nose for a radiant glow. These little tubes are perfect for summer and some shades can be used on the legs and shoulders to add an iridescent shine.

If you have sauntered past the e.l.f section at your local Target and dismissed these facial whips it’s time to stop and take a second look. For just $1 each they are not only a fantastic deal but they actually work!

I have the color Persimmon which is a pretty pink mixed with a pearl undertone. This shade can be worn  in place of blush or applied on top of your favorite pink blush to highlight and add dimension while making cheeks pop.

Lilac petal is a peach/tan color with a silver undertone to highlight. This shade can be used on the legs, and shoulders for beautiful summer illumination. When light catches the skin it seems to shine!

I did notice that the shimmer and color begins to separate when the product gets old. The formula is suppose to dispense in one fluid, creamy stream but when they expire the silver shimmer dispenses runny and watery while the pigment comes out separated. Since they are only $1 per tube it really isn't a big deal replacing them.

For those who don't have Target where you live you can purchase these from the website HERE but due to the shipping costs I would recommend browsing the site and ordering these along with whatever else you want.

Have you tried these facial whips yet?

Gleam by Melanie Mills the Secret to Glowing Skin

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! It’s time to peel off some layers of clothing and tuck the snow boots away. It is also the time of year when we all crave healthy, glowing skin. Today I have a review on some great products from Gleam. Gleam is a brand I was first introduced to at IMATS Toronto last year and then at The Makeup Show L.A I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Melanie Mills, the brand's founder. I like these products so much that I just had to collaborate with Melanie and her team to bring you a review.

Dancing with the Stars, and the Creation of Gleam

Melanie Mills is an Emmy Award Winning Makeup Artist for her work on Dancing with the Stars. If you have ever wondered how the celebrities and professional dancers on the show achieve that beautifully bronzed skin that is always highlighted and luminous in all the right places then look no further than Gleam!

Gleam Body Radiance is a body lotion that enhances the skin, prefects skin tone, fills wrinkles and gives skin a healthy glow. "It has been an industry secret for go-to face and body makeup" and is made with natural ingredients. The line also includes the Lip Radiance collection; “seven couture lip glosses that visibly improve lip texture” and the Gleam Radiance Dust.

More on Melanie

Melanie has worked on That 70’s Show, Reno 911, Six Feet Under, The Office and more. She has also worked with celebrities including: “Ariana Grande, Jennifer Grey, Kim Kardashian, Susan Lucci, Pamela Anderson, Nicole Sherzinger, Kelly Osbourne, Lil Kim, Margaret Cho, Toni Braxton, Mario Lopez, Joey Lawrence, and Wendy Williams" to name just a few.

Gleam Body Radiance

Last year at IMATS I missed the opportunity to purchase Gleam at a discount, my mom however purchased the largest bottle she could find. Since then I knew I just had to get my hands on some. At the Makeup Show L.A I had the chance to test many of the products with the help of Melanie and Joanna and I left the show with gleaming skin!

Shades

There are four Body Radiance shades to choose from: Light Gold, Rose Gold, Bronze Gold, and Deep Gold.

Gleam Body Radiance is makeup, moisturizer and glow all in one. The unique thing about this line is that there is a shade for every skin tone and ethnicity yet all the colors can be used by everyone! Whether you want to tan, highlight or enhance the lotion makes skin look dewy, healthy and radiant. The deeper shades can darken to create a gorgeous sun kissed glow and the lighter shades illuminate and perfect. It also helps diminish flaws like “small stretch marks, varicose veins and discoloration.” The lotions are scented with natural vanilla essence and smell pleasant. 

How to use Gleam

Gleam can be applied to legs, arms, shoulders, decolletage, the back or anywhere else you want to accentuate and add a beautiful, healthy sheen for every occasion. The shades can also be mixed together to create your own unique, customized look! I absolutely love these product because they appear quite natural and create an alluring effect. The formula is easy to work with, blends effortlessly and covers well.

These cosmetics are cruelty free, and contain no parabens, phthalates, petroleum and sulfates. Once applied and dry the lotion does not transfer, stain or streak.

The tubes come in 3 sizes:

1oz-$15

2oz-$30 

3oz-$40

Deep Gold looks fantastic on the legs, arms and shoulders. Those with fair skin tones can use it for a bronzed, tanned appearance and for deeper skin tones it looks great as a highlight for the face and body

I like to use this color on both the face and body as well. 

 I use Rose Gold as a brow bone highlight, cheek highlight and to highlight down the center of the nose. This shade appears most natural on my skin tone and illuminates without much bronzing.

Lip Radiance gloss in the color: Uncontrollable

I have reviewed many lip products but when I swatched the Lip Radiance collection I was impressed. Usually in a line there may be a few colors that don’t appeal to me as much but in this line all the shades are gorgeous!

The color I have coincides with Pantone’s color of the year and is called Uncontrollable. This is a stunning pink/purple orchid that has great pigmentation and is shiny, smooth, non-sticky and anti-feathering. They also contain vitamin E, jojoba and aloe to provide moisture. As far as lip gloss go these have become some of my favorites!

The glosses retail for $24 each and you can find them HERE 

Where to buy

If you would like your skin to gleam this summer you can get these products on the website by clicking HERE

You can also stop by the Gleam booth at IMATS or follow them on the social media accounts below to find out where they will be next!

TWITTER 

YOUTUBE 

FACEBOOK 

**Disclaimer: Deep Gold, Bronzed Gold and the Uncontrollable lip gloss were provided for a sponsored review courtesy of Gleam. Rose gold was purchased by me. All opinions stated in this review are my own and based on my experience with the products. Results may vary based on individual use.**