Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet

Can we talk about how spoiled ya girl is?

Burberry sent me four complimentary products, including two shades from their new Liquid Lip Velvet line. I’ve never tried Burberry because—let’s be real—my budget doesn’t exactly leave room for trying high-end products on a whim (GOALS though, am I right?).

But these products came into my life and swept me off my feet. Hear exactly how below.

Left to right: Burberry Lip Definer Lip Shaping Pencil No. 07 Bright Plum, Liquid Lip Velvet No. 49 Bright Plum, Liquid Lip Velvet No. 05 Fawn, Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen No. 01 Nude Radiance

They sent me four products: the Lip Definer Lip Shaping Pencil in No. 07 Bright Plum, Liquid Lip Velvet in No. 49 Bright Plum, Liquid Lip Velvet in No. 05 Fawn and the Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen in No. 01 Nude Radiance.

The first thing I tried was the Liquid Lip Velvet in the shade Fawn. I pulled it out and threw it into my bag to apply at work. As soon as I did, I fell in love. I had previously picked up the NYX Lip Lingerie in the shade Bedtime Flirt because I wanted a nude matte liquid lipstick. Sadly, it was way too drying for me to ever want to wear.

Burberry’s Liquid Lip Velvet is this perfect whipped cream formula that’s super pigmented and matte—but a creamy matte that won’t shrink wrap your lips and highlight every crack.

Left to right: Liquid Lip Velvet No. 05 Fawn, Liquid Lip Velvet No. 49 Bright Plum, Burberry Lip Definer Lip Shaping Pencil No. 07 Bright Plum, Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen No. 01 Nude Radiance

Fawn is a great everyday nude shade for my lips, which are more brown tone. Bright Fawn is amazing…and I mean amazing. A perfect purple look-at-me-but-not-too-hard shade. It’s not very dark so it’s not a goth purple. Think, “I drank way too much red wine and my lips show it.” But in a good way.

I only had minimal, basically negligible feathering wearing the Bright Plum Liquid Lip Velvet on its own, and only had to reapply once (after lunch) throughout a 9-hour work day. The next night I applied the lip liner first. It looks great on its own, I experienced no feathering when I wore it with the Liquid Lip Velvet on top, and it DOES NOT BUDGE. Like, I couldn’t get the swatch off my arm without scrubbing rullll hard.

The Fresh Glow Highlighting Luminous Pen is shimmery and glitter-free. It looks dewy and has a satiny, moisture-rich finish. I’ve only tried it on the tops of my cheekbones, but I’m interested to see how it holds up on my cupid’s bow, brow bone, etc.

I don’t buy high-end product on the reg, but I can definitely see why it can be worth it. The combination of deep pigmentation, staying power and a non-drying formula make these fantastic. My favorite was the Bright Plum Liquid Lip Velvet. I’m all for deep lip colors that I don’t have to worry about throughout the day.

TLDR;

• Love the awesome pigmentation, creamy-yet-matte formula and staying power
• Dislike the price—but yes, it’s miles ahead of anything you’d ever find at the drugstore
• Favorite product: Liquid Lip Velvet (out at Sephora now if you want to treat yo’self)
• Would repurchase all four

Have you tried the Burberry Liquid Lip Velvet matte creams, or any other Burberry products? Let me know in the comments below, I’m dying to hear about what else I’ve been missing out on!

Ciao for now,

Ashley

Instagram: @imashleykim

Twitter: @imashleykim

Note: I received these products for free for testing purposes. All opinions are my own!

Girl Gangs: Who are they for, and do I need one?

My usual laid-back Sundays are now days of work, not rest. That means I have to do a whole day’s worthy of relaxing after I clock out. At this time of year, that means the sky is a sort of sleepy blue that makes me strain my eyes in my refusal to turn on the light.

Tonight is the night of the SAG awards, so instead of digging into something too deep, I’m going for a short passage from “How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are: Love, Style, and Bad Habits.”

I turned to something randomly, then turned again because I had already read that section. What did I land on? Girl Gangs. Actually, Girls Gang (but I like Girl Gangs).

The final lines goes, “Without her girls gang, the Parisienne is incomplete.”

It got me thinking, what is a Girl Gang, and do I need one?

And after participating in the Women’s March: Do I really need a special gang of girls? Can all women be for all women, all the time?

 

Thoughts?

Let me know in the comments!

-A

Takin’ it to the Top with Triangl!

If you’ve spent any time on Instagram, you’ve seen Triangl bikinis.

They blew up on social media and brands like Victoria’s Secret have even tried to copy Triangl’s signature neoprene swimsuits. But I’ve always had my eye on THE scuba-sweet OG. And I FINALLY own one!

Swimsuit: Triangl (Bibi Mare); Sunglasses: Forever 21; Sandals: zulily

Full disclosure, the lovely team at Triangl recently contacted me to send me a complimentary bikini from their new arrivals. And let me tell ya, it was a hard decision. It literally took me days to figure out which one I wanted. Partially because I’m grossly indecisive, but also because I’m greedy and I want them all.

I finally decided on the Bibi Mare, which is a beautiful sea blue tie-dye. I went with the regular bottoms instead of the cheeky style because I wanted that extra bit of coverage. It’s a lovely classic bikini shape that shows off a bit of cheek but is totally modest enough to wear on a family vacay.

Triangl Bikini – Bibi Mare Back

Triangl Bikini – Bibi Mare Clasp

I’m obsessed with the fit of the top. It has a sturdy clasp closure, darts and a double shoulder strap design, not a halter strap (so it doesn’t exaggerate my wide, football player shoulders). Also, there are no ties on the top or bottoms, which is exactly what I had been looking for since ties tend to bulge under coverups and I don’t really go for the hunchback look these days.

I took advantage of their online Live Chat to help me find my correct size and they totally nailed it. Seriously impressed since sizing is usually an issue for me.

The one drawback is that these swimsuits are hand wash, hang dry only and need to be carefully stored so they don’t form creases. So they’re not really designed for people who want easy-as-pie care.

But, it’s neoprene. And it offers awesome shape. So, worth it? For me, yes.

Do you own a Triangl swimsuit? Or maybe a cheaper version? I’d love to know your thoughts on the neoprene swimwear trend in the comments! I’ll totally respond and prove I’m a real human being!

Ciao for now,

Ashley

Swimsuit: Triangl (style is Bibi Mare)

Sunglasses: Forever 21

Sandals: zulily

Everyone Baby Collection Review

Big news, everyone. I’ve joined the Aunt club!

My first nephew was born just a few weeks ago and I couldn’t be more in love with him. I could literally sit and watch him sleep for hours. Creepy? Yes. Insanely adorable? Absolutely.

Everyone Baby Collection

So when I heard EO Products was launching its Everyone Baby Collection in May 2016, I figured the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Their products are just the thing a conscientious parent (or obsessive Aunt) looks for when carefully choosing what to apply to their little one’s soft skin. And they’re great for adults with sensitive skin (or anyone who just wants a little bit of quality pampering!).

Everyone Baby is…

• Certified non-GMO
• Cruelty-free
• Paraben-free
• Synthetic fragrance-free
• Gluten-free
• And made with organic ingredients and natural scents!

That’s a long list of a lot of good stuff, right?

The awesome team sent me their Baby Wash, Baby Lotion, and Baby Wipes to test out (retail prices listed at the end). They have two gentle, soothing scents that smell light and baby-fresh: Calming Chamomile + Lavender and Gentle Calendula + Oat.

I genuinely love both of these scents and would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite. If it was a do-or-die situation, I’d probably say I favor the Chamomile + Lavender. I usually don’t have an affinity for lavender, but in these products it’s subtle and smells like fresh meadow air, not a cloying lavender perfume.

The Baby Wash contains coconut-derived cleansers for a natural bath time. As a big fan of the properties of coconut, it’s a great selling point.

The Baby Lotion is hypoallergenic and made with nourishing and yummy things like olive oil and mango seed butter (I don’t know what that is, but it sounds kind of amazing, am I right?). I’ve included photos of the ingredients label for each of the products so you can take a longer look at what you’re putting on baby!

We have yet to test the wipes but they’ll probably be thrown into a diaper bag since they’re the perfect small size for travel. They’re also flushable and have a sticky resealable flap that you can’t see in these photos.

I would definitely suggest checking out these products for your wee one or for yourself if you like to avoid harsh chemicals in your skincare. They’re available in Whole Foods or on the EO Products website, and they’re definitely affordable (see retail prices below). They’d also make a great baby shower gift if you don’t have a bitty baby of your own to spoil!

Let me know your thoughts on the new Everyone Baby line in the comments! Would you try them out?

Thanks for reading!

-Ashley

Everyone Baby Wash (12.75 fl oz): $7.99

Everyone Baby Lotion (8 fl oz): $6.99

Everyone Baby Wipes (30-ct.): $5.99

Just a heads up!: These products were sent complimentary for testing purposes. Thanks so much!

L’Oreal EverPure Hair Care System

This month, I was super excited to receive my first VoxBox from Influenster! It’s a L’Oreal Paris box full of EverPure Color Care System hair care products, and I was eager to try them out on my sun-fried hair.

I recently got back from an 11-day trip to Bali, Indonesia. Yes, it was amazing. And yes, I got a lot of sun. Great for my pale PNW skin, but bad for my already frizzy dry hair. Luckily, my box from Influenster and L’Oreal was waiting for me when I got back home!

There were four full-sized products in the box. The first products I tried were the Repair & Defend shampoo and the Repair Remedy mask, which is a deep conditioning hair treatment that you wash out. The thing I love about these products is that they’re sulfate-free. While sulfate-free shampoos often fail to create suds, this one lathered up nice and thick. I was pleasantly surprised!

The shining star of this box was the Repair Remedy Mask. After I shampooed, I skipped the conditioner and just applied this hair mask. After letting it sit in my hair for about 4 minutes, I rinsed it out. I didn’t feel its effects right away, but once my hair dried…wow! My normally frizzy, stiff hair was soft and shiny. And that’s not an exaggeration. As someone who has had a lifelong struggle with frizzy, hard to manage, coarse hair, I really found this mask to be moisturizing for my locks.

I also received a normal EverPure Repair & Defend conditioner as well as a Repair & Defend Lotion (essentially a leave-in conditioner). The downside of the shampoo and conditioner is that I really dislike the smell. The packaging says “gogi” and “acai” and I had high hopes that the products would smell fruity. Instead, they smell like a strong floral perfume. Because of the scent’s staying power, and my dislike of the scent, I probably won’t be repurchasing those two products.

However, if you have color-treated hair and are looking for good sulfate-free products, I would definitely recommend giving these products a try. I will probably repurchase the hair mask (my hair slurped up all that conditioning and thanked me for it!).

I don’t have color-treated hair, so it doesn’t make much of a difference to me. But I love that these L’Oreal EverPure products are 100%:

• Sulfate-free
• Free of harsh salts
• Free of parabens
• Vegan

I just wish they were free of its scent…

To recap:

• Love that these L’Oreal EverPure Color Care System products are sulfate and paraben free
• Adore the hair mask; works wonders on my dry, frizzy hair
• Dislike the scent of the EverPure shampoo and (regular) conditioner, but it has great staying power
• Lotion is good but overshadowed by my love of the mask
• Would repurchase: L’Oreal Paris EverPure Repair Recovery Mask only

Have you tried any of the L’Oreal EverPure hair care line? What are your favorite hair conditioning products? Let me know in the comments!

-Ashley

FYI: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes. You can check out my reviews of each product below!

 

#ShareConfidence with Woolite and Dress For Success

As a woman in my early 20s, confidence is something I struggle to maintain.

It’s hard. Someone or something may knock you off-balance a bit–a harsh comment or a bad job interview. Some mornings, I can’t find the right outfit that makes me feel awesome or my hair has decided to take a sick day and I just can’t tame the frizz.

The truth is, most days I feel great about myself and I’m lucky to have genuine, supportive friends and family who remind me of my intelligence and beauty when I need an extra little boost. But being a confident, bright, wonderful woman doesn’t mean that there aren’t times when we feel less than.

And that is why I’m sharing Woolite’s #ShareConfidence campaign with you all!

Woolite Darks teamed up with Dress For Success to photograph women looking confident in their dark outfits during Fashion Week. They then asked them if they’d be willing to literally give the clothes off their back to help empower other women to feel just as confident in their dark outfits. Check out the video below for their reactions!

Every woman, whether they exude boldness or not, can use a confidence pick-me-up once in a while. I know I can!

Here’s to all you beautiful and smart ladies (and men!) reading this. Let me know in comments below what you do to #ShareConfidence!

-Ashley

Find me on…

Instagram: @imashleykim

Twitter: @imashleykim

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by the lovely people at Woolite Darks.

Who’s on Instagram & Twitter?

I’m feeling like discovering new feeds & people today. I’d love to connect with you all on Instagram & Twitter! You can find me at @imashleykim on both!

  
Let me know in the comments if you’ve added me at either place so I can follow you back! 

-Ashley

What’s Your Favorite MAC Lipstick Shade?

I’m curious to know what everyone’s favorite MAC Lipstick shades are!

  I like Viva Glam Rihanna and Syrup, my favorite has to be Ladybug, though! It’s an easy to wear Lustre Red shade. It was my first MAC lipstick and will always be a nostalgic shade. 

Let me know your favorite shades in the comments! Definitely ready to pick up a new color.

And check me out on Instagram to see what other people commented are their favorite shades! I post flatlays, beauty, style, and fashion pics! (Oh, and the occasional food pic…can’t resist 😬)

Instagram: @imashleykim

Drugstore Haul

When I go to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and my friend asks me to check for something in the cosmetics section… 

 
It was supposed to be an in-and-out trip!!!
However, I was in need of new concealer and I found the new Wet n Wild Photofocus Setting Spray for only $4.99. Can’t beat that!

(The Maybelline Master Prime Blur + Redness Control was $9.49 and the L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Concealer in warm Light/Medium was $10.49.)

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream

I really admire French girls. They always seem so confident, so effortlessly put together. From their fashion sense to their hair to their natural makeup, what’s not to love about French style?

I started combing through the internet to find real tips from real French women about how to achieve that French look. I landed on one recurring theme: French beauty is all about having flawless skin.

Ah, skincare. I knew where to refocus my efforts.

I did my research and came up with certain brands and products that I found French style icons and models naming over and over. Vichy, Bioderma, La Roche-Posay, Avene, Embryolisse.

I wanted to start with a great face wash since my Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub was running out.

I started with La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream. I chose this product as my everyday face wash after reading that it is great for clogged pores and blackheads, which is a problem area on my nose.

I used a guide I found online to determine which face wash of theirs to purchase. I wanted something deep cleansing and non-medicated, as I don’t have a problem with acne and have dry patches that I didn’t want to exacerbate.

I’ve included the guide below as a reference in case you want to find a good product for your skin type and needs:

Skin Guide 1/2

  

Skin Guide 2/2

  The results?

I absolutely love this product.

It comes in a creamy, white, fluffy gel consistency and a little goes a long way. I just squeeze out a pea-sized amount onto my fingers and work it into a lather over my wet face. It doesn’t get super bubbly, but rather really silky and foamy.
  

And it gets the job done. I have large pores in my T-Zone area and blackheads on my nose. This is probably the most effective product I’ve used to help with those issues (and I’ve tried many, many products). After really taking the time to work in the La Roche-Posay Effaclar face cream, it takes a little extra effort to really make sure you get the product completely off your face, otherwise you’ll be left with a slight residue. It’s not going to be as effective if you’re not willing to put in the extra bit of work to really use this face wash correctly. But if you want results, you have to put in the time. And it’s worth it.

It doesn’t leave my face overly dry like some cheap face washes can do, but it cleans your pores really well so be prepared to moisturize after use. It’s not as gentle as my Aveeno face wash that I’ve been using, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s meant to really clean deep into pores.

It’s on the pricier side if you’re used to buying cheaper drugstore skincare (I purchased mine from Amazon for about $23 for 4.2 oz or 125 ml) but since you use so little of it, I suspect it will last you a long time.

Once I finally manage to use this product up, I will likely repurchase it since it does wonders for my large pores. However, you really have to keep up use of this product in order to see consistent results.

If you want that flawless French face, no slacking on your skin routine!

Let me know if you’ve tried La Roche-Posay products before or if you use any other Frenc skincare products! I’m dying to try out more!

-Ashley