Beauty Archives - Alyssa Smirnov

Valentino Beauty: Eye2Cheek and Rosso Refillable Lipstick

Alyssa — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 01:45:06 +0000

Valentino has forever been revered for its couture aesthetics inspired by rich Roman culture and heritage. We have seen the dreamy gowns, the studded slingbacks, the hottest handbags. And now the fashion house also has its own beauty line.

After joining hands with L’Oréal Paris and working on the formula for three years, Valentino Beauty finally launched. Dipped in the signature crimson lacquered packaging, the products not only look luxe but also work amazing on all skin tones. Because if there’s one message that the creative director of the fashion house, Pierpaolo Piccioli has focused on with this line, it’s inclusivity.

Today, I’ll talk about two of Valentino’s life-changing beauty products — Valentino Eye2Cheek and Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick. And can I just say how OBSESSED I am with both of them? If they look pretty in the pictures, just wait until you have them in your hands. The exquisite packaging will make you feel like a diva, a Victorian princess getting ready for the next ball. You might even feel the urge to be extra careful while using them. I mean I guard these products like a precious little treasure. But do they work like magic too? Absolutely, yes, they do.

Valentino Eye2Cheek is a beautiful multi-purpose buttery, creamy powder that can be used as a blush and an eye shadow. Thanks to its sheer finish, it works perfectly as both. If you want an intense blush, you can simply layer and build it up to your desired mood. It comes with a mirror and a cute tiny fluffy brush to make it all happen. Don’t worry about the shades because the variety is good. From pinks to corals and oranges to plums, Valentino Eye2Cheek has 12 different shades. Want the perfect rosy cheeks that last for the whole day? A few swipes of the Valentino Eye2Cheek and you’re good to go.

The second product that I have been raving about to all my friends is the Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick. I would have bought it anyway but the fact that it’s refillable is what really sealed the deal for me. Once you’re out, you can refill the outer tube with the same color or any other color you’re curious about for almost half of the price. How awesome is that? The Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick has two luxurious finishes — a rich, creamy satin and a non-drying, soft matte. Both are equally gorgeous. It’s available in 50 shades suitable for all skin tones. It’s also highly pigmented so one stroke is all you need.

These are definitely two of my prettiest possessions. I can’t wait to try more of Valentino Beauty’s products and share the experience with you guys. Have you tried any? Tell me how you liked them in the comments below.

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Riki Loves Riki Tall Lighted Vanity Mirror Review

Alyssa — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 19:00:33 +0000

How often has this happened to you? You spent hours doing a full face makeup that looks stunning in the indoor lighting. But the moment you see yourself in the rearview mirror of your car, the horror strikes. The contouring is painfully obvious. Your undereyes are overbaked. And that blush that was gorgeous indoors a minute ago now looks like two pink blobs in natural lighting.

You curse under your breath and wonder what went wrong. I’ll tell you what. The bad lighting around your makeup vanity. As someone who has walked around with unblended streaks of foundation, I can imagine the pain. But those days are behind me now. I did what had to be done and got myself Riki Loves Riki Tall Vanity Mirror that’s basically a godsend for beauty lovers like you and me.

Now, let me tell you how the Riki loves Riki Tall has changed my life (yes, you’ll know when you get one). So, it’s an LED vanity mirror that takes only a little space. Its ultra-slim frame makes it work perfectly even in a small space. Your vanity stays streamlined and uncluttered. I also really appreciate the futuristic appeal of Riki Tall.

The row of HD daylight LEDs is also sleek. They are plenty in number and small in size unlike those mirrors with huge LED bulbs (they tend to generate heat and occupy a lot of space). The best part is that these LEDs have five dimming stages or five different levels of lighting. If it gets too bright for you, you can always dim it down and if you are working in a dark room, you’ve got more than enough light for a perfect makeup application. It’s super easy to set up and comes with a sturdy stand to prop it up on.

That’s not it. Riki Tall is not your regular light mirror. It’s a magnetic mirror that comes with multiple accessories. Here’s everything you get:

A round magnetic 3x magnifying mirror
A phone holder for taking selfies
A bluetooth remote control

The round magnetic 3x magnifying mirror conveniently sticks to Riki Tall for close-ups. It’s especially handy for perfecting that winged eyeliner. If you are a beauty blogger who regularly films tutorials or a makeup mentor who records classes, there’s also a magnetic phone holder for you. Just stick it to the mirror, attach your phone, and start recording or streaming in perfect lighting. The bluetooth selfie function also allows you to take as many Instagram-worthy selfies as you want of your makeup.

Take it from the 100+ positive reviews on their website too. That’s what convinced me to get the Riki Tall Mirror and it turned out to be the best beauty investment for me.

For makeup lovers like myself, it is a game-changer. I feel like a movie star and so should you. Share your experience or thoughts about the Riki Tall in the comments below.

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Keeping Your Skin Hydrated During Winter

Alyssa — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 04:00:07 +0000

There’s no denying that as winter time comes around, the days get shorter and the air gets cold. This cold air can be really drying for our skin and cause it to have many negative symptoms. This year, instead of letting it get to that point, I wanted to make an extra effort to keep my skin hydrated and be mindful of how I’m taking care of it. It’s so important to invest in our skin because lots of damage is irreversible. Keeping it hydrated all year, especially during winter will also help to prevent signs of aging in the long run. I’m going to be sharing some of the easy steps and products that can help with keeping your skin hydrated during winter. These tips have worked great for me, but it’s also important to listen to your own body and adjust as necessary.

Moisturizing

This one may seem a little obvious but it is one of the most important. Many people wait to use lotion until their skin is already dry but in the wintertime, you want to use it before, as prevention. It’s important to use good creams everywhere. Usually, body parts that are more exposed to cold are will be dryer like your face and hands. The best body creams that I’ve found are Nivea Moisture Creme and Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream. They are thick creams that give lasting hydration and the great thing about them is that you can use them on your face and body. For those times when I’m looking for something not as heavy to wear under makeup, I always reach for Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream with the matching eye cream or It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream. The only lip balm that gets me through the harsh winter is Nuxe Rev de Miel. I was so sad when they discontinued selling this product to the US but thankfully I was still able to find it shipped from the UK for the same price.

Important times to reapply lotions and creams:

After Hand/face Washing or showering!!
Before Going Outdoors
When you Wake Up and Before Bed
As Needed

Exfoliate

Although this is something you should always do, I find that this is especially important with the increased amount of lotion use. Gently removing the dead skin from your face and body will help your skin absorb the creams better. It will also remove any flakes and help makeup look smoother. There’s a balance with exfoliation. If you prefer to use a scrub, once or twice a week will be enough. I like to use a gentler daily exfoliation method, once a day before bed, which includes using my Clarisonic with the radiance head and then applying Paula’s Choice 2% Liquid Exfoliate. This has made a huge improvement with my skin clarity and texture. If you want to try it, it is recommended to let it dry for 15 minutes after applying and before putting your other products on. Some of the ways to exfoliate are using a natural sea sponge on your body and a pumice stone for your feet.

Put Moisture Back in the Air

Using a humidifier or diffuser is one of those things that I can’t recommend enough! I never realized what a difference it makes until I decided to buy one. I can also see a difference on the days I don’t use it. Before going to bed, I turn it on in the corner of our room and set the timer for it to go all night. It’s like having a spa all night and you don’t really even have to do anything. For added benefits, I add Soft Skin Essential oils to it. Our exact humidifier is here. It’s very low maintenance since it tells you when to clean it. I also take the water out and let it dry during the day or while not in use, to prevent mildew.

Makeup

If you wear makeup year round like me then you might have noticed that some products work differently depending on the season. I find this to be especially noticeable with foundation. There are so many different types and formulas on the market now that it may be a little confusing on which to use. In general, matte products tend to be more drying and prevent natural skin oil. Since I want to add more moisture, not prevent it, I look for products labeled as having a dewy, luminous, or natural finish. One of my favorite foundations is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. Instead of using brushes, that can cause flaky skin, I apply foundation and concealer with a damp sponge like the Real Techniques Sponge. I very lightly set my face with powder to prevent creasing. To finish off, instead of using drying matte lipsticks, go for a gloss. I love the Buxom Lip Creme Gloss. Now you’re ready to go about your day!

Winter may not be my favorite season but hopefully, these tips will keep you comfortable and skin looking amazing!