Dre Does an Ipsy Review

It's that time of the month already and I'm back again with another Ipsy Glambag review for August! Here is a photo of everything I got this month. 

The bag this month was school themed so I liked that they switched up the shape of the Ipsy bag and made it a round pencil case-like shape! 

But now for the good stuff that came inside! 

First up was this Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk. I really loved this dry shampoo. The dispenser was awesome because it sprays out a very dense mist which is great at getting all of your roots. I also love how it doesn't leave my hair feeling really sticky and dirty like most dry shampoos. It also doesn't smell that bad so it works well in my book! I even found that while it was a white product, it wasn't that hard to work into my scalp to get rid of any sort of white cast that you traditionally get with dry shampoos.The full size is valued at $19.50 so this 1.06 oz size is worth $6.46!

The Jersey Shore Sub Mongongo Nutrient Dense Anti-Aging Lip Conditioner was the next item I found in my bag. It's in the flavor Mandarin Green Orange Ginger and it's a great moisurizer. I've been keeping it by my bed to apply at night before I sleep and I've been loving it! This is the full size chapstick and it's worth $5.50 bringing the total to $11.96!

Next, I received a Flying Solo Individual Eyeshadow from J.cat Cosmetics in the shade Half Naked. While I thought it was very cool that the packaging includes a mirror if you flip up the shadow, I wasn't very impressed with the shadow. The shade is awesome but the pigmentation isn't quite there. It took me a few swipes to get what you see above which is not what I like in a shadow. This is a full size shadow but since it retails for only $2.99 I'm not very surprised with the pigmentation and quality. This brings the bag value to $14.95.

 

Next up we have the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer. I really liked the texture of this primer as I applied it. However, I felt like it was very drying as I blended it into my skin. Almost as though it felt a little rougher as I blended it in which I can only imagine it feels worse on dryer skin since I am very oily. It's more expensive than my holy grail primer Benefit's Porefessional so I don't think I would ever repurchase it. I did like how my foundation blended over it though so I think it does a good job of filling in your pores. The full size will set you back a good $45, so this .25 oz deluxe sample is worth $11.25! Now we are at $26.20!

Lastly, we have a deluxe sample size of Urban Decay's new Perversion mascara. I have been curious about it so I was excited to be able to try it out. I was shocked at how much it didn't do for my lashes though! It felt as if the brush was too dense and my eye lashes couldn't properly get through the bristles to pick up any product. I had to do three coats of it to notice any difference on my lashes which honestly just looked like one coat of any other mascara. The worst part was that by the end of the day I couldn't even see any remaining mascara on my lashes. It wore away to the point of looking like I hadn't put any on. Let's just say that I'll be sticking with my favorite Benefit's They're Real Mascara! A full size Perversion mascara is worth $22 so this deluxe sample is worth $5.50 and brings the final value of August's Ipsy Glambag to $31.70!

While this bag was technically the lowest valued bag I've received so far, I wouldn't say I was disappointed with it. The products I liked made the value still way over $10 so as long as I'm getting my money's worth, I'm happy!

As usual, here are the previous months' reviews and values!

August Ipsy Review ($43.73)
May and June Mini Review ($37.67 & 37.36)

March Ipsy Review ($46.71)

February Ipsy Review ($45.02)

January Ipsy Review ($38.17)

December Ipsy Review ($57.17)

Click here to subscribe to Ipsy yourself!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does a Shaving Routine for Sensitive Legs

I probably should have shared this in the beginning of the summer but since we shave our legs all year round this is something I'm always dealing with and you may be too!

I have extremely sensitive legs. It's something I've experienced ever since I started shaving in middle school. If I try to use any kind of shave gel, soap, or lotion during or after I shave, I get terrible a razor burn that's probably on the verge of a mini allergic reaction. Bumps and burning that sometimes make me think I'd rather just not have shaved at all! As an esthetician, I tried going the waxing route which for a while was amazing. No razor burn, my legs stayed smooth for longer and the hair was coming back looking much finer because you're seeing the tip of the hair versus the blunt middle of the hair shaft that a razor cuts at. However, the hair started coming back so fine that I was getting a huge amount of ingrown hairs on my shins due to the hair not being strong enough to break through the surface. So I was back to having bumps on my legs that no amount of exfoliation could prevent. So after 6 months of trying it I picked my razor back up and shaved my legs. 

I'm happy to report though that I think I've got it down to a science now. The right products and what exactly causes the problems. I figured I can't be the only person with this annoying smooth leg issue, so I'm here, ready to report what I've found gives me silky smooth legs! 

 

The Exfoliation: Since I cannot use a shaving cream or lotion, I have figured out a way to moisturize and smooth my legs without using one. I take a good moisturizing exfoliator (the one I show above is a shea butter sugar scrub from Tree Hut) and give my legs a good rub. I find that this moisturizes them enough to give me a good shave after but doesn't irritate anything because most of the product gets washed off before I shave. The sugar helps get rid of dead skin cells which will help with over all smoothness.

The Razor:  I have used all sorts of razors. Expensive ones with 500 blades, ones with the moisturizer all around the edges, and I find that the ones that are the best for my sensitive legs are the good old cheap BIC Silky Touch Disposable ones you see in the picture above. Normally they're in at least a 10 pack for $3 or $4 and they are good for a few shaves. Since they are so cheap, I don't mind only using each one a few times, which I think is also a secret to getting a close shave; I'm always using newer blades. No shave cream, just water.

The After-care: Now this is where I typically see the most irritation. My legs hate all lotions after I get out of the shower, so what I'll typically do is skip the lotion for a few hours. I find that the shea butter exoliator gives me enough hydration to last this time until my legs heal a little from the shaving. Then I'll add my favorite body butter later on which is usually either the Satsuma or Coconut Body Butter from The Body Shop.

So there you have it. This is my perfected shaving routine to give me smooth legs when dealing with high sensitivity! Let me know if you have any tricks and if you try this out!

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does August Favorites

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As August comes to a close, it's time to get ready for fall. Throughout the month I was trying to get my last bit of summery looks in ; bronzed skin and eyes, dewy glows, and pink shades. I love the freshness of summer makeup, but I'd be lying if I said that fall makeup isn't my favorite. I'm really excited for what is to come on Dre Does this fall seeing as it's my first here on the blog! But let's get back to what I was loving this month.

1. Amber Lights Eyeshadow by MAC: Every summer I love to use this color as much as possible. It looks so amazing with brown eyes and a darker complexion to begin with but it's even more amazing with bronzed skin. I've been using it as a lid color but also as an inner corner highlight if the rest of my look is a bit darker. I love using it to transition into the fall because it goes great with burgundy and purple.

2. tarte Amazonian Clay 12-HR Foundation: I love this foundation so much for oily skin. The clay helps control my oil throughout the day and I don't have to set it with powder so I love how easy it is. I've talked about this plenty though so I'm going to leave it at that!

3. Cargo Swimmables Blush in Bali: I have been wearing this blush almost every day in August because it's a step up from a pale pink shade. It's a beautiful cool toned baby pink but it has this purple iridescence to it that is just gorgeous when the light hits it. Also because it is from the 'Swimmables' line from Cargo, it is extremely long wearing. 

4. It's Potent Eye Cream from Benefit Cosmetics: Since I represent Benefit now, I have been trying out various products and I love this eye cream. I am really picky when it comes to eye creams because I am oily and a lot of times eye creams can be heavy and thick. I like one that will moisturize and get the job done without leaving my eye area too greasy for makeup so this one is perfect. I also love the refreshing scent that all the Benefit Skincare products have.

5. Loreal Infallible 24-Hr Eyeshadow in Amber Rush: I love these eyeshadows! They are so metallic and easy to use. This color is to die for and one of the shades I've been using a lot this month because it brightens the whole eye area and looks amazing with bronzed skin.

6. Marrakesh Endz Hair Oil: I received this hair oil in my Ipsy Glambag last month and I am obsessed. I will be buying a full size asap because I don't want to go without it. I apply a small amount after my shower to damp ends and it makes my hair so soft and shiny. I don't go a day without it. To see that Ipsy review click here.

7. Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color in Mauve: If you haven't figured out that I'm obsessed with these lip products yet then you might be living under a rock. My last few posts have included them so look back to see that if you'd like! I'm not going to go to in depth with them because I wrote a review on them but they are nothing short of amazing.

8. Benefit's Porefessional Primer: I have never been so in love with a primer. I wear this every day under my foundation because it does such an amazing job of smoothing my large pores and making everything blend out perfectly. I love how light it feels compared to some of the other primers that target pores. I always go around at work and test of the other primers and I find that I love the texture and softness of Porefessional the best!

What were you loving during the month of August? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

Have a beautiful September,

Dre

Dre Does a Fashion Quick Fix

As I was getting dressed yesterday morning I put on a dress that I love. The only problem is that depending on what bra I wear, it is sometimes see-through. Which got me thinking. I hate when you have to wear a tank or camisole under a dress because you can see your bra. Normally they bunch at my waist and they're impossible to keep straight and smooth. So I went back to my closet and pulled out my trusty black crop top. I know what you're thinking. How is a crop top going to fix this? Well, since this particular crop top is tight fitting it is perfect for wearing under dresses as a shortened camisole! I have done this numerous times and I highly suggest investing in some crop tops for this reason even if you wouldn't wear them alone! Since they are shorter they generally end at your natural waist and there won't be any excess fabric left to bunch up and make awkward rolls through your dress! 

Do you have any fashion quick fixes like this? Leave me a comment and let me know! 

Have a beautiful week,

Dre

Dre Does Makeup Looks For The Week

I've been taking pictures of my makeup for work most days and sharing them on my Instagram (@dre_does) for inspiration. I thought it would be nice to every so often share how I created the looks for those of you who are curious!

First up is this gorgeous look centered around one of my favorite MAC shadows of all time, Amber Lights. It such a beautiful summer and fall orangey bronze color that really stands out. I also used Orb in the brow bone, Cork as my transition shade throughout my crease and Handwritten to really deepen up the crease and blend out Amber Lights. Lastly I'm wearing my usual mascara, Benefit's They're Real and my upper and lower water lines are lined with Jane Cosmetics' Water Resistent Black Eyeliner. (All three looks are completed with these two steps!)

For this look I started with White Chocolate from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette on my brow bone, Salted Caramel also from Chocolate Bar as my transition color in the crease, Colombia by Cargo Cosmetics in the outer V, and then after spraying a flat shader brush with some MAC Fix +, I gently pressed Loreal's Infallible 24 Hr Shadow in Amber Rush on the lid. I love the look I get by pressing this product over the other shadows. You can still see the definition I gave my outer V through the pressed pigment and it gives a really cool look to the eye! 

For this last look I only used 3 shadows and it was a quick and easy look for a morning I was running a bit late! They all came from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette (can you tell how much I love this thing yet? Haha). I used White Chocolate on the brow bone, White Chocolate in the crease and Amaretto on the lid. I just blended everything really well and smoked out the shadows and it looks way more time consuming then it really is! I was really going for an all over bronzed look this day because I'm trying to fit as much bronze in as possible before summer ends! Haha

Let me know if you like these kinds of posts! I love sharing my makeup looks with you because it forces me to try out different combinations and not just stick to my normal looks.

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does a Lorac PRO Matte Lip Color Review

I was going to wait until I picked up some more shades of these before I did a review but I can't wait any longer! I am obsessed with this lip product. I swatch them all the time at work and recommend them to women almost daily haha. If you haven't played with them yet, you need to! I own the shade Mauve and it is amazing. It's basically a darker shade of my natural lip color. As it wears it dries a little darker but I love it just the same. These lip colors go on so smoothly for a matte product. I love that they are in a twistable pencil form because it makes them so easy to apply (like a fat lip liner). They definitely don't feel matte when they go on but after a little while they dry to a nice matte finish. What I love about them though is that they don't dry your lips out or look super cracked and dry as they wear. I feel like they almost make my lips look fuller and more plump because of how they wear. 

Now let's talk about the staying power. They last so incredibly long! The main color and outline will for sure last you all day but I'd say that the only part I had to touch up was the inner part of my lips but that's from eating and drinking throughout the day. I recommend them to women always if they are looking for a matte long wearing lip color. The range of colors is great too; all the way from nude to a deep Merlot shade. I especially love how they have a few rosy shades, like Mauve, that vary in tone so everyone can find a natural lip color that suits them best. 

Overall there are 12 shades in total (I will probably buy most of them for my makeup kit because they are that good!) and they retail for $16 each! Now for some swatches of the shade Mauve!

If you try one out let me know which shade you chose! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre

Dre Does Current Fall Fashion Lusts

As much as I don't want to admit it because it means summer is coming to an end, I am really excited for fall. I baked my first fall-themed recipe (apple cinnamon muffins that were too die for!) and I've been glancing more at fall fashion so I think it's time I admit it. I'M READY FOR YOU FALL! It's like the time when I kept listening to Rhianna songs on repeat but refused to admit that I liked her. Was that a bad analogy? Oh well! Let's talk clothes!!

Warning: I wear a lot of black as a makeup artist, so I gravitate towards black. I just can't help it! It is so easy to pair and always matches a red lip. As Rachel Zoe once said, "I'll stop wearing black when they make a darker color".

I tried this blazer on at H&M last week, in all black (shocker!) and I was in love. This pastel pink color is really starting to grow on me though. The leather detailing along the lapel and the pockets is so great and it fit so well. You're probably wondering why I didn't get it, but the truth is I was visiting this H&M for the first time since it opened and I had a strict list of what I needed and I was trying so hard not to deviate from it. Go me. I'm going to be going back soon and I figured if that size 6 black blazer is still waiting there for me, it will just be meant to be in my closet. Maybe it will even take a trip into Sale-land before then. (A girl can dream)

This skirt from Express gives me life. I love anything that hits at your natural waist because I am definition hour glass shaped and if I don't emphasize my natural waist, I can look much heavier than I actually am. I love how this is knee length but has the sheer panel. I think it adds a classy bit of sexiness in an unexpected way. I will for sure be stalking this online and waiting for some great Express coupons to make sure it becomes mine!

This jacket from The Gap is beautiful. If you know me personally you probably know my obsession with Gap. I get all of my jeans and pants from them and find that if I want a good classic piece that is going to last in my wardrobe for a while, The Gap is my place to go. I love the shade of gray of this jacket and can already think of a million tanks in my closet that I would pair it with to transition my summer wardrobe into fall.

You will be seeing many more of these posts as we get closer to fall and I spend more time browsing fall collections. What do you have your eye on for fall? Send me links, pictures, whatever! I love to get inspiration from others. 

Have a beautiful start to your week,

Dre