Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich

It's FINALLY HERE! Over a year in the making, the Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich has launched today and I couldn't be more excited. In case you didn't know, this product was created with tons of input from Glossier fans and Into the Gloss readers and they listened! Priming Moisturizer Rich (hereafter known as PMR) is a dense, luxurious cream that sinks into the skin effortlessly and never feels greasy. It's rich in ceramics and fatty acids, which help to reinforce your skin's barrier and lock in moisture (more on that later).

When asked what readers wanted, people responded asking for something that wasn't greasy, doesn't clog pores, doesn't contain mineral oils or fragrance, and leaves skin bouncy and primed (just like PM). A lot of people were really passionate about not having the product in a jar, but after much testing Glossier decided this was pretty much the only way to house such a heavy cream. So, they implemented a preservative system that prevents bacteria, but is also safe for skin! I personally don't mind products in jars too much, I'm just not that picky about it (you only live once, why worry so much about jars). It also helps that this jar is freakin' beautiful. It's quite a weighty double walled clear plastic with the signature #glossierpink lid. I obviously had the time of my life photographing it.

Right, so onto the actual formula. It's a super rich cream, and you only need the tiniest amount to cover your entire face. I was honestly a little worried about it feeling too greasy, but it sinks right in and my skin feels like velvet. I use it at night with Super Pure and Super Bounce, and I've also been using it in the morning under makeup with Super Glow. It leaves my skin super smooth just like the PM and makes my makeup look glowy (not greasy). I probably won't use it during the day once the weather warms up, but for now I'm loving it.

Okay, a little science for you (how could I not). Ceramides are naturally occurring chains of lipids (fats) that are major components of the outer layers of our skin. They have a huge water-retention capacity and so help skin replenish and restore itself. PMR is also made with Red Algae Complex which is another water-reservoir, providing moisture for hours. Kukui Oil (from the national tree of Hawaii!) provides five essential fatty acids that pair perfectly with cermaides. Palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic (yes, different) acids to help lock that moisture in. Murumuru and Shea butters provide the dense, rich texture. It also contains the same power primers present in the original PM, the anti-redness complex and oxygenating agent keeps skin smooth and even.

I'm basically obsessed with the product. The very first time I used it I knew it was special, and spent the whole day wishing I could go home and put more on. I've been using it for a little over a week, and I know it takes around 28 days to see a real difference but I've already noticed a change in my skin. In the winter months, my combination skin kind of freaks out. Those nasty dry patches you get after acne seem to linger forever, but once I started using this they disappear overnight! If you have super dry skin, you'll love this all year round. For me, it's become my holy grail night-cream and a beautiful daily moisturizer during the winter.

How psyched are you guys for this new launch? Let me know if you'll be picking it up, and don't forget you can shop at glossier.com/reps/amelia for 20% off your first order!

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*Products in this post were sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Skincare on Trial

I've done several skincare reviews lately on brands as a whole or specific products, but I also have a few other bits and pieces on trial at the moment so I thought I'd put them all together! I'm honestly a skincare addict and will never stick to a proper routine, instead I prefer to just try a million things (probably why my skin kinda hates me). But alas, it's all for you, dear readers! This is going to be more of a first impressions post rather than an in-depth review as I haven't quite had the time to properly trial these things, but if you'd like to know more in the future, feel free to ask me on Instagram or Twitter!

If you haven't heard of Klairs* yet, they're a Korean beauty brand and I've been dying to try out some Asian skincare. When they offered to send me a few things to try out, I leapt at the chance. The Midnight Blue Calming Cream not only looks amazing, but is also incredibly soothing and hydrating. Its main ingredient, Guaiazulene, is a crystalline hydrocarbon derived from chamomile oil. This is helpful in the calming on inflammation and also actual repair of skin cells! If you have quite dry or sensitive skin, you'll love this. I also received the Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop  which is different than anything I've ever tried. It's almost like a cross between an oil and a serum and is always raved about. Now this packaging is absolutely gorgeous (I love the holo on the box especially), but typically Vitamin C products aren't housed in clear containers because they oxidize with sun exposure. Apparently the Ascorbic Acid is stabilized, so we shall see. Anyways, Ascorbic Acid helps to protect the skin from UV damage and also has antioxidant properties. Centella Asiatica extract provides anti-bacterial properties and is also soothing to the skin. Definitely use this in the evenings and follow with sunscreen during the day, but another great option for sensitive skin!

The Pixi Glow Tonic has been on my radar for a long time, and I picked it up in a set a few months ago. I finally got the chance to start trying it recently, and it's safe to say that I'm pretty much in love. It's an oil and alcohol free toner that uses witch hazel to tighten and firm the skin. Its second ingredient is Aloe Vera, and uses Glycolic Acid to gently exfoliate the skin. I've been using this twice a day for the past week and have already noticed smoother skin (miracle). I'll definitely be repurchasing. If you read my Pur~Lisse review a few weeks back, you know I also received their Blue Lotus serums*, and was still testing them. The Blue Lotus 4-in-1 Eye Adore Serum is a beautifully light-weight under-eye serum that is anti-aging and helps with dark circles and puffiness. It is definitely moisturizing, and the dark circles under my eyes seem to be fading. Fingers crossed this helps prevent future wrinkles! The Blue Lotus Brightening Serum is formulated with similar ingredients, but is obviously meant for your entire face. Blue Lotus extract is a powerful antioxidant which fights free-radicals, resulting in brighter, more even skin! If you're worried about Vitamin C products because of their tendency to make skin sensitive to sunlight, this one is a great option.

What skincare products have you guys been loving lately? Anything I need to try?
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*Products mentioned in this post have been sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored, and as always all opinions are my own

Cover Fx Primers

It seems that nowadays brands are finally realizing that we don't use the same products every single day, and often switch things out based on our skin concerns. Cover Fx's Primer Collection* does just that. It features four primers, each created with a specific skin goal in mind. They're all vegan (hallelujah) and contain ingredients that are actually good for your skin! It's worth mentioning that I'm not typically a primer person (mostly because I'm lazy), so I don't use these on a daily basis, but mostly when my skin needs some extra help.

The Illuminating Primer is a radiance-boosting primer for glowy, luminous skin. It contains Hylasome EG10 (a Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer) and Panthenol (a Provitamin B5). Those sound a bit scary, but they're actually ingredients that help retain moisture in the skin, leaving you looking hydrated. Rather than being super glittery or shimmery, the particles in this create more of a glisten, and you just look like you have super glowy skin all on your own!

The Anti-Aging Primer is both a smoothing primer and anti-aging serum. It contains skin repairing ingredients like Vitamins F, C, and E, to protect, smooth, and reduce redness. Hyaluronic Acid retains moisture, Coenzyme Q10 reduces the appearance of fine-lines and wrinkles, and a MultiPeptide Complex supports cell turnover and collagen production. I generally don't like silicone-based primers, but this one is SO smoothing that I'll let it slide. It creates a seamless base for makeup, smoothing over pores, fine lines, and even gross post-breakout scars/scabs (ew).

The Calming Primer is probably my favourite at the moment as it soothes irritated skin, but also helps to keep it bright and radiant. It contains Endothelyol to reduce redness (uses both Caffeic acid and Rosmarinic Acid for their antioxidant properties), St. John's Wort (horrible name) to soother, Defensil-Plus which helps to repair skin, and Tego Pep 4 which can improve skin tone. It's a much creamier consistency without feeling sticky on the skin, and creates a smooth base without the awful silicone feeling.

The Mattifying Primer is both a matte primer (obvs) and an acne treatment, which is an interesting combination. It's a lightweight gel that helps smooth skin, but also contains Willowbark Extract (naturally contains Salicylic Acid), Ancient African tree bark to help with inflammatory acne and sebum-production, as well as hydrating ingredients mentioned in the other products. I think if you have dry-combination skin with acne, you'll like this because it is quite mattifying and very smoothing. However, if you have very oily skin this probably won't be oil-controlling enough for you. I can't comment on the anti-acne ability as I don't use this every day, but I prefer to keep my skincare treatments separate from my makeup products.

Overall this is a great line, and I love that you can pick and choose products based on your skin rather than just having a "does it all" product. Do you guys use primers every day?
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*Products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.

Get the Glow: Pixi Beauty

About a month ago, Pixi* very kindly sent me some of their glow-inducing products to try out. They've been on rotation ever since and I'm pretty much in love with all of the products. Pixi has definitely upped their game, and the entire Skintreats line is amazing (everyone knows it for the Glow Tonic).

I talked about the Glow Mist a little bit in my Makeup Medley No. 4, but it's become an every day product for me. It's definitely a key to glowy skin, containing 13 natural oils plus aloe vera and fruit extracts, it creates a hydrated and nourished base for makeup. It ALSO works as a makeup-setting mist, somehow managing to both make my makeup look incredibly dewy as well as helping it last. Magic, I tell you. A little side note, but I'm also obsessed with the spray nozzle. Not really sure why that's important, but it is.

The Glowtion Day Dew is a gorgeous lightweight moisturiser that preps the skin beautifully, but also adds an amazing radiance. This is another fab packaging feat from Pixi, as the tube with the pump is the most convenient freakin' packaging ever (don't tell me I'm wrong). The actual product within is a featherlight moisturiser that provides a surprising amount of hydration, but also somehow blurs the skin. It adds radiance with it's tiny shimmer particles, which some people may not like, but I love. If Paula recommends it, you probably need it.

Pixi's nighttime partner to the Glowtion is the Beauty Sleep Cream. This is a much richer, heavier cream to nourish the skin at night, but it still absorbs super quickly and doesn't leave the skin feeling sticky. Heavy creams that leave residue are one of my biggest pet peeves, so I love this. It is super hydrating and smells divine to put on before bed. However, if you have even slightly sensitive skin you might want to stay away as it contains lavender oil. Lavender is a part of the mint family and is a skin irritant, despite the delicious smell. I've been using this for almost a month and haven't noticed any effects, but a word of warning!

Last but certainly not least is the 24K Eye Elixir. I absolutely love cooling rollerballs for the under-eyes and this is no exception. It contains collagen to help repair the skin, peptides to plump fine lines, and apparently raspberry can even skin tone (raspberry has antioxidant properties, antioxidants fight free radicals which cause change in skin tone). In case you couldn't tell it also contains freakin' gold (so luxe) which is supposed to help increase circulation. Now, the other ingredients I'm on board with, but there's no published research that I can find saying that gold has anti-aging properties. Anywho, the product itself is lovely, and I definitely think that the collagen and peptides have helped revive my poor under-eyes which were still suffering from finals.

So far, my introduction to the Pixi skincare line has gone very well! I definitely want to try out the H2O Skindrink next, what are your favourite Pixi products?
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*Products mentioned in this post were sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored and as always, all opinions are my own.