Kypris Beauty

I remember when my first ever Kypris product (Antioxidant Dew) arrived in the mail, it was like the heavens were singing. The packaging is that beautiful. For a little background on the brand before we dive into the reviews, Kypris is a high end, holistic, vegan brand who's products are organic, all-natural, locally made, and sustainably sourced. The products are all made in the US (Scottsdale Arizona to be precise), and use ingredients from small farmers which I think is incredible. Everything both looks and feels luxurious, and while a little pricey are totally worth the cost.

Just speaking on the packaging alone, they're all in gorgeous blue or brown bottles, or glass jars. They have the Kypris logotype, and the serums have beautiful illustrations on them. They all come in white boxes with the same gold-leaf illustrations. Just stunning, honestly, and the kind of boxes that I want to display on my shelf. Anyway, I was essentially in love with the brand from the first use, so when the Kyrpis team asked if I wanted to try some more products I said hell yes.

Like I said, the first product I tried was the Antioxidant Dew which I continue to use extremely regularly. It's a really lightweight, liquidy gel-serum. If I could describe it in one word I think I'd say quenching, it just feels so so lovely on the skin. Plus it works (alright, finally getting to the point). Antioxidant Dew promises to 'restore hydration, radiance, and vitality to the skin.' And that it does, my skin feels softer, suppler, and infinitely more hydrated since using this lil angel. And when I say hydration I mean like the deep-down kind of hydration that makes your skin feel bouncy. Lush. If you didn't catch the antioxidant part (are you okay?) that means it fights. free. freakin'. radicals. Can we get another hell yeah? Ferulic Acid, Vitamins C & E, and Superoxide Dismutase (which literally sounds like a superhero) fight free radicals by terminating their chain reaction.

My new fave is the Beauty Elixir II Healing Bouquet*. Unfortunately for my wallet because it's $200, ouch. But I guess you get what you pay for! The ingredient list is pretty stellar, including CoQ10 which is a major antioxidant and also aids pigmentation. Vitamin C-ester promotes collagen production, and essential fatty acids reinforce skin's barrier functions. It sinks into the skin fairly well, and smells absolutely delicious. I actually think the essential oil smells are helping me sleep better (??). Chase, the founder of Kypris recommends mixing the elixirs with the oil to create microemulsions (which is genius). This mixed with Antioxidant Dew (which is water-based) helps to pull the oil further into the skin so that the ingredients can work on a deeper level! While I really really love this product, I'm unsure about repurchasing it as soon as I run out due to the price. I think I'll be searching around for an alternative for a while, so I'll let you know if I find anything (fyi, I'm thinking Jordan Samuel Skin's Etoile is pretty close)!

Glow Philtre* is called a refining mask, which basically means it's meant to smooth and exfoliate your skin (essentially making it look fresh from a facial). This mask is super gentle unlike other 'refining' masks I've used which can tend to sting a bit. It contains pomegranate pith enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin and promote renewal. To hydrate, it uses sea fennel and algae which plump and brighten, and well as silver eared mushrooms. I hate mushrooms, but this lil powerhouse holds hundreds of times its weight in water to provide super-hydration to the skin (hyaluronic acid's twin!). This goes on like a jelly and then turns into an almost milky-foam when you rinse. This one has given me major results so far. Even only using it maybe 5-6 times in the month I've had it, my skin is immediately glower after use. I've also tried a sample of the Deep Forest Clay mask which let me tell you smells like actual heaven, and I think that's next on my purchase list.

Last but not least is the Moonlight Catalyst*, a product that's pretty famous for being a natural alternative to retinol. I'll start off by saying that I definitely haven't used this one enough yet to give it a proper review, so this will be more like a first impressions/info sesh. The Moonlight Catalyst is a serum full of pumpkin enzymes, biomimetic EGF (more on that in a mo), and hydrating extracts meant to increase cell turnover and leave your skin smooth and glowing. I personally adore products with pumpkin enzymes, I find that they are super effective and don't irritate my skin at all. The enzymes are similar to AHAs in that they chemically exfoliate the skin, making it super soft. This serum also contains Xylitylglucosides, which are the body's predecessor to hyaluronic acid, that really hydrate. Essential fatty acids from Rosehip Seed Oil are included, as well as Hawaiian Sea Algae which is antioxidant-rich. Okay so, Biomimetic Epidermal Growth Factor is a peptide which mimics skin's renewal process. This version is totally plant based. As far as my results go, I haven't seen any miracles, but I also haven't been able to use it consistently so I'll update you once I have!!

Have you guys tried Kypris? Which products do you think are worth the $$$?
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EDIT EDIT EDIT!!!! KYPRIS JUST LAUNCHED A TRY-IT-SET FOR ONLY $45 HERE!!!


*Some of the products featured in this post have been sent to me for consideration. This post is not sponsored, and as always all opinions are my own.

Five Product Face (The I'm Running Late for Class Look)

I generally spend my mornings reading blogs or a book with a cup of tea, then suddenly look at the clock and panic because I need to leave in 15 minutes. So organized. Unfortunately, my school isn't organized either and it takes an hour of driving around to find a parking space. Just lovely. I guess it gives me extra time to listen to My Favourite Murder. Anyway I pretty much forget what time I have to go everyday and end up slapping on makeup (because I have to go straight to work), and running out the door! But I do need to look a liiiiittle put together, so these are the products to get the job done!

Thankfully my skin is behaving okay, so a bit of Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint is all I need! This helps even out my skin and conceals the redness I have in my cheeks. It blends absolutely seamlessly into the skin and makes it look a little plumper and more alive! I've been applying it with a flat-top brush lately instead of my fingers and it even gives it a bit more coverage. I love that I don't need to worry about streaks or lines not being blended in because it simply looks like skin (but a little bit more perfected). On my cheeks I've been reaching for this Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Moon Beach. Not only does it smell absolutely delicious, it acts as a highlight and a blush because of its gold sheen. It makes you look super healthy and flushed without being over the top. I also feel like it sort of smoothes the skin on my cheeks out? Perhaps it's just the colour reflecting light, but I swear it's also a bit skin-perfecting.

I don't think I could ever go to work without doing my brows, so I tend to quickly flick some of the Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil through them and then blend it out with the spoolie. If I have the time I'll apply some brow gel, but I prefer to make sure I define with the pencil first. I generally don't bother with mascara if I'm in a rush because it's inevitable that I'll get it all over my eyelid instead. But I do have to curl my lashes. I'm telling you guys, if you still haven't gotten on the lash-curling bandwagon you need to, it totally transforms your face. My favourites are the Bobbi Brown Gentle Lash Curlers. To really make it look like I made a bit of effort, I'll swipe one of the Glossier Generation Gs on. These are another super easy, super quick product that I don't need to worry about reapplying later. I really like Crush and Zip because they both kind of make this into a proper 'look'. I also just had the thought to mix them together which I think is absolute genius and I'll be doing that tomorrow.

What products do you guys rely on when you're in a rush?
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Staying Fresh With Secret

Deodorant isn't really something talked about too often in the blogosphere because talking about sweating isn't exactly pretty. But the fact is, we all do it and it's not the greatest. Especially during these horrible summer months, it's a pain to have to think so much about what you can and can't wear. I've been a long-time Secret user, so when they reached out to me to try their new product I jumped at the chance!

Secret's new Invisible Sprays* are perfect for me this time of year because they provide long-term protection and the spray makes it super easy for on the go (although honestly, you won't need a touch-up)! The semester has started up again, so I'm walking around campus in blistering heat all day, and then I have to drive straight to work! Not to mention having to get up and speak in front of people (the horror).  This is 100000% tmi but I'm not a "glisten" kinda person, I'm a sweat patches in a grey t-shirt (or any t-shirt, let's be real) kinda person. So I need a proper antiperspirant that'll actually work. Which is surprisingly hard to find! I generally like the roll-ons but they take forever to dry and often end up leaving faux-patches when it inevitably gets on your shirt before drying. Oh the joys! Secret Invisible Sprays prevent this, you just spray it on and go, no dry-time, no hassle, no worry.

The sprays come in four fresh scents, Boho Berry which smells of bright raspberries, Glam Grapefruit is citrusy and pepperminty, Cool Waterlily is a very clean lily, and Luxe Lavender feels very calming with lavender, lily, and freesia. All four are delicious, but my favourite so far is Luxe Lavender. The sprays have Fade Resistant Technology so you smell totally fresh all day. It's also activated by sweat, replacing that odor with the scent. I'm always a little wary of deodorants that claim to smell good all day, but I was pleasantly surprised to find these last through a full work and school day!

Because of the Invisible Spray, I don't have to sacrifice my wardrobe! I don't think a grey t-shirt will ever be my go-to (backpack back is a no-go), but I don't have to worry about wearing silk shirts to work. In the winter light-coloured turtlenecks won't be a worry either. Plus there's no white streaky stains left on your black clothing, and no residue left on your underarms! A win-win. Having one less thing to worry about is definitely keeping me a bit more stress-free this semester. With my thesis on a roll and a huge presentation at the end of the semester, I've got enough to sweat (but not literally)!

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*This post has been sponsored by Secret. As always, this in no way affects my thoughts or opinions towards the products and I am always one billion percent honest with you. Sponsored posts help me to put more resources back into our little space!

Detox Day

About once a week I have a biiiiig detox day. It's usually Sunday because I generally have the evening off and it's the perfect opportunity to get all of the week's gunk out of my pores. Thinking about how much crap gets stuck down in my pores makes me a little sick, and even though I double (sometimes triple) cleanse every night you know there's dirt deep down. SO, detox day is the day that I slap on hella skincare products, sit down with some tea and a book, and get it allllll out. (*note that I don't use all of these products at once, these are just a few things that I do use on detox day*)

I don't really stick to a routine on these days, I kind of just use whatever products I feel like. But there are a few things that I keep on rotation. I generally cleanse with the Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Clay Cleanser. This contains French Green clay and Moroccan rhassoul clay to help pull impurities out of the skin. I generally don't believe most claims from cleansers because they aren't on your skin long enough to do much, but I swear my skin feels and looks smoother after using this. I also really love the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Exfoliating Cleansing Powder, which is a water-activated powder cleanser. This one is pretty gentle and light, but buffs the skin and makes it feel super clean but not stripped. I love that it's customizable because you can mix in less water for a real scrub, or more water for a nice bubbly creamy cleanser. I'm honestly about to start using this every day, because my skin seems to really love it and looks beautiful after using.

Obviously the most important part of detox day is a mask. A good ol' purifying, digs deep mask. I'm usually not big into charcoal products in general, and charcoal masks are really not my jam because I find them to be quite drying. However, the Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask... that is my jam. I'm not kidding, the first time I used this I was shocked at how incredible my skin looked afterwards. So clean and bright, I was thinking what tf was in my pores that made me look so dull?! This contains charcoal (obvs) to draw out impurities, and also mineral clays to soak up excess oil. But it also somehow doesn't dry me out at all? It's a miracle in my books honestly and I'll continue to purchase this forever. Speaking of, I need to repurchase the Complex Beauty The Godmother Enzyme Mask because I finally used up this baby jar. This stuff is a godsend. It's not really a traditional detox product, I guess, but it leaves my skin feeling soooo smooth and squeaky clean that it's a very very regular part of detox day. Pumpkin and Glycolic Acid exfoliate and dissolve dead skin (and also fight free-radicals wooo), while Vitamin C brightens, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil hydrates. It's like supermodel skin in a tub. No joke.

If I need products that are a little softer, but still get the job done, I'll reach for the Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask or the Glossier Mega Greens Galaxy Pack. Original Skin contains Mediterranean rose clay to deep clean, Canadian Willowherb to cleanse pores, and jojoba beads to exfoliate (without destroying your skin or the environment!!!). This is like my OG detox day mask so it's clearly pretty incredible if it's still hangin' around. It leaves the skin glowing and tight, but without that horrible dry feeling. Win! Glossier's Mega Greens is one that I reach for several times a week, not just on detox day. I've been through three pots of this stuff in the last year. Three. It is truly a juice cleanse for your face. It balances skin and helps reduce inflammation, but also detoxes and leaves my skin feeling incredibly clean. It's a clay mask, but doesn't crack and dries softly, almost sinking into the skin. Parsely, Spinach, Cress Sprout, and Kaolin White Clay help to clean and purify, while Avacado moisturises and Bitter Orange Peel gently exfoliates. Definitely one that I'll never be without, I think it's really transformed my skin (along with the Moisturizing Moon Mask).

Do you guys do a detox day? What are your favourite products to use?
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