Murad 30 Day acne skincare system review!

        Through out hight school, I had great skin (big surprise huh?) Never had a problem with acne or any skin problem for that matter.... Till I went to Aesthetic school (skin care) and my face blew up like a rocket with skin problems, I had a pizza face =/ not a clear spot on me, so much red and horrible acne, my self a steam went way way down, I felt so ugly! Didnt know what to do, I tried and tried using different products that were "suppose"  to help acne, using chemical peels, natural ingredients, it worked for a while but never stayed away... Then I saw the Murad 30 Day acne skincare kit at my local sephora, I had to give this a try! if this didnt work I really have no idea what will, I thought to myself. So my journey began for 30 days every morning and night Id wash my face with this system, and I kid  you not the 1st week I saw the redness all over my face fading away and the acne slowly getting smaller and smaller till they all just vanish right before my eyes!!! I could not believe it!!!  It started working so FAST, By the time it ran out my face was totally clear! not a bump, blemish, acne scare anywhere to be found on my face!! after that I ran to my local sephora store and got the 60 day kit, I really can not live with out this skin care system!!!

        Some things to consider before you go out and buy the 30 day acne systemthis may not be good for people with dr y / sensitive skin, because it contains Salicylic Acid which can be very drying!!! and can cause your face to swell up if you are allergenic to this ingredient.

The kit contains:


  Clarifying Cleanser

This maximum strength cleansing gel prevents breakouts on acne-prone skin. Triclosan eliminates 99.9% of irritating surface bacteria while Salicylic Acid heals blemishes and prevents future breakouts.

Additional features and ingredients:

• Prepares acne-prone skin for treatment by maximizing penetration of active ingredients
• Antioxidant rich Green Tea Extract and Menthol calm and cool inflamed skin

Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel

Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel's patented Hydrogen Peroxide delivery system enables Retinol, Glycolic and Salicylic Acids to penetrate deeply for maximum effectiveness. Cell turnover is stimulated, breakouts are controlled, pore-clogging impurities are eliminated and clarity is restored. Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel is clinically proven to reduce acne in 90% of users in just 4 weeks when used in combination with our Acne Complex® regimen.

Additional features and ingredients: 

• Anti-inflammatory blend of Licorice Extract, Chamomile Extract and Aloe Vera soothes and calms redness and irritation
• Benzoyl Peroxide-free formula is gentle enough for daily use

Acne Spot Treatment

Sulfur and Salicylic Acid give Acne Spot Treatment the power to deliver effective, on-the-spot acne control the moment you feel a blemish developing. Convenient size makes it easy to provide extra attention to a stubborn blemish anytime, anywhere.

Additional features and ingredients:
• Soothes redness and irritation with anti-inflammatories Licorice Extract and Allantoin
• Protects and restores skin health with antioxidant Vitamins C and E
• Minimizes dryness and flaking with Hydrolized Oat Flour

Skin Perfecting Lotion

Pores are minimized as texture is refined by this ultra-light, oil-free moisturizing formula. Queen of Meadow and Algae Extract penetrate to clear pores and reduce sensitivity. Retinol encourages healthy cell turn-over while Arnica soothes irritation.

Additional features and ingredients:

• Fragrance-free formula won't irritate skin
• Soy Flour helps skin maintain youthful elasticity
• Honey Extract tones and tightens

Sonia Kashuk Brush review

When it comes to brushes you get what you pay for and
Iv put together some of my favorite SK brushes and decided to write a review about them and how similar they are to the mac brushes.. So lets get started!

Sonia Kashuk Synthetic Flat Blusher Brush

  
I  have to say this one is my absolute favorite!! The flat head is easier for you to pack on powder, and is perfect for mineralized foundation and blush (which i have both of, from MAC) due to their sheer nature. I also feel like this gives me better control of where things go than the regular large round brushes. in addition, this one DOES NOT shed (hallelujah!), has a great feeling to it, and in addition to all these great qualities the price is perfect and leaves you no guilt. I cannot rave enough about this brush .It also arrives in a nice hard-shell plastic case, to keep the bristles aligned. 
UPDATE! I decided to use this for my liquid foundation and it looks like I just used my airbrush!!!! its great!!!
this brush has endless possibility's!!! 

Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush

This is a great all in one brush, I'v used it for highlighting, bronzer, liquid and powder foundation, it makes application so effortless and easy! I really dont know what id do without this brush! OH and I forgot to mention its super soft, dense but not too dense, its over all an amazing brush!

Price starting at 12.99 compared to the MAC 187 starting at 42 dollars!!! its a great buy for the money 

Sonia Kashuk Flat Eyeliner Brush

 

As far as an eyeliner brush goes not so much, I would prefer the slanted angled brush for eyeliner and crease work than this one but this is a great cream shadow brush to apply all over the lid and, really artistic lining work!!

Starting at 5.99 while the MAC 212 starts at 20.00!!!! 

Sonia Kashuk Angled liner brush

This is a great brush for lining the lash line and lower lash line, it work very well with cream liners like the SK eyeliner gel pot, applys  very evenly and smooth, im really liking this brush so far!! Iv also been seeing myself use this brush for crease work as well really getting into the outer corners and lining the crease line with shadows, great for blending  as well!! 

Starting at 5.99 Compared to the MAC 263 starts at 23.00!!

Sonia Kashuk Medium Eyeshadow Brush

I like how this brush picks up alot of color with just one swipe, really great brush for applying a wash of color to the whole lid, very very soft yes still firm very nice for blending the colors together making it look very natural and also very effortless! 

Starting at 6.99 compared to the 239 starting at 25.00!

Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush

This is the perfect brush for gel liner. The bent tip allows for smooth effortless application. Adjust the pressure of your hand for natural day time liner or a more dramatic night time look.

Starting at 4.99 

Sonia Kashuk fluffy dome brush

All I have to say is AMAZING!! this brush is sooo fluffy and smooth! soo great for blending all the colors together and softening out any harsh lines!!  I believe this is a dope to the MAC 224 or 217 brush, it dose the exact same application as the 224 brush for more than HALF the price!! its amazing

Starting price 6.99 compared o the MAC 224 222 217 all 30+




So to come to the conclusion if your just starting out with make up and want GOOD brushes for half the price of MAC I would have to say go for the SK brushes you will not be unhappy if you do!  

Makeup Forever Review!

I decided to write a review on the make up forever products.. so here we go!!

Camouflage Concealer Palette

My all time favorite product!  The consistency is smooth but not oily, the coverage is great, and the colors are pigmented enough to cover blemishes with ease.

Choosing your correct color:

• #1:  Fair Skin
• #2:  Fairly Light Skin with yellow undertones
• #3:  Medium Skin
• #4:  Dark Skin

They Describe It As:

The ultimate professional make-up tool. Skin tones are perfect for dark circles and uneven skin tone. Though it provides complete coverage, the texture is light, easy to blend, and won’t irritate even the most sensitive skin.

Aqua Eyes Stayput Liner

These liners are very creamy and have a great texture.. but i'm still not 100% sold on them just yet

They Describe It As:

Thanks to a unique formula that adheres to the eyelids, these liners resist water even under the most extreme conditions, without running or fading.

HD Microfinish Powder

This is a great face setting powder great for all skin tones! its very find grounded making it very silky and easy to apply. Love this!!

They Describe It As:

Sets the foundation and slightly mattifies skin without changing its natural contours. This 100% mineral silica powder softens the appearance of imperfections. Completely evens out the complexion for a glowing, radiant look. One universal shade for all skin tones.

HD Foundation 

This is a great light weight foundation thats very pigmented. Great build of coverage and the best part you dont have to use the whole bottle to even out your skin!!

They Describe It As:

An oil-free medium-to-full-coverage liquid foundation that covers skin imperfections flawlessly while remaining invisible on-screen and in real life. This foundation creates a soft-focus effect, which is designed to meet the coverage concerns of those in the spotlight. It leaves your complexion with such a flawless finish, it can withstand bright or harsh lighting.

HD Primer

This primer is the best I have come by in a long time! it really controls my oily skin through out the day and keeps my HD foundation on my skin!! dosent melt off or fade through out the hot summer days!

They Describe It As:

A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application.HD Microperfecting Primer deeply nourishes, moisturizes, and softens the skin, creating a glowing effect. Creates a protective layer on the skin allowing foundation to glide on easily and last longer.

Purple smoky eye day time look

                                     

Products used: 
-Eyes- -
-Flirt pallet from Koles 
-UDPP 
-Makeup forever shadow lash
-coal liner  


-Face- 
-Makeup forever HD foundation 
-Makeup forever concealer pallet no.1 
-NARS Love me set 


-Lips- -NARS love me set

Yay First Video Up!!

I put some make up looks together for you guys so you can pick and choose what ones you would like me to show you how to do!! please comment and rate =D





Enjoy!!

Slowly but surely....

Hello people of youtube and blog world =P
Just a quick update on things, im slowly getting the hang of things around here on blogger and youtube with layouts and such, umm still not to sure on how to get banners on the side where my about me and such is =/ in time im  sure ill figure it out, but for the most important thing im starting to edit a few of my videos!!!!! its alot of work lol anyways I well soon be posting on youtube an intro video along with my tutorial on how to do a dramatic smokey eye =P cant wait to post it all up heres my youtube like so you can add and subscribe also please follow me on here so you can be the first to know about my  updates on product reviews and what I used  in my tutorial videos

 Youtube!! click here

Who is Saphira!?! (and welcome to my blog!!)

Hey Welcome!

So who am I you are wondering?!?

Well my name is Saphira! Im just a regular girl who loves all things beauty related!

I am a licensed anesthetic by day and a make up artist by night! I started getting into makeup when I was about 12 years old when I saw a lady at the mall with some AMAZING eye make up on I went up to her and was like 0_0 your amazing lol, she was so sweet and nice talking to me about what she used and giving me tips I just had to try it out, it was a rocky start at first but hey I got the hang of it, never giving up I worked and worked at it till I got to where I am today!! reading books, using my sister and any set of eyes I could find to work on =P..... Then I decided in my free time why not be like her and share all my tips and tricks I have learned on my own with people on youtube!!!!!!! So here I am =P I am need to all this internet stuff so bear with me =P I hope you guys like what you see and keep coming along with me on this youtube journey!!!!

Lets see... well I was born in Greece Athens where I lived there for a few years till my mom decided to take me to the states, I would really like to move back but I dont see that happening anytime soon due to work, money, friends, family I plan on staying here for a while =D this past year I traveled all over Europe with my boyfriend.. It was AWESOME never seen so much green green trees or smelt fresh air in my life!! the make up shops were amazinggggggggggg I must say ;] well thats all for now will be posting more soon

bye bye

-Miss Makeup