The Beauty Fence - Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balm

Givenchy is one of those brands that have always been on my radar but only a few products actually got my attention so my exposure to their collections has been extremely limited. The quality, luxe packaging, and formulations match those of similarly priced brands such as Chanel and Dior so even though I was intrigued from time to time nothing stroke my fancy enough to make an investment. The few products I do own were carefully selected and preform beautifully but the brand as a whole remained overlooked and since Givenchy does not have a cosmetics counter in my city it was even easier to forget about it.

Readers of my blog are aware that I have a serious weakness when it comes to luxurious, pampering lip balms so when I discovered the Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balms ($34.00 for 0.17 oz) I knew it was only a matter of time before I took the plunge and splurged on these adorable blue pots.
Who doesn't need a bit of magic in their life? 

Official Description;

Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm's innovative formula moisturizes and provides a flushed tint to lips and cheeks. It contains pigments that react with the skin's humidity to create a personalized hint of color to the lips and a delicate glow to the cheeks. Hyaluronic acid spheres bring moisture and fill in the dehydration lines and, by capturing water, these water-soaked spheres swell to increase the volume—thus providing a plumping action on lips and cheeks. Lips and cheeks are lipid-replenished by Luffa Oil, which is rich in fatty acids, and the glossy cream contains a texture with a melting and softening sensation.

The Givenchy Magic Lip and Cheek Balm is part of the "Hydra-Sparkling" skincare/makeup collection and just like the name implies was created to target moisture balance, hydration and skin rejuvenation. One of the key ingredients in this line-up are the hyaluronic acid spheres that not only deliver moisture but also plump the skin and fill any dehydration (fine) lines. The Magic Lip and Cheek Balm is said to capture water via the hyaluronic acid which in turn increase in volume and the final results being fuller, well-moisturized lip tissue. The Givenchy formulation also includes the unique Luffa Oil, rich in fatty acids whose main purpose is to replenish any lipid loss in both lips and cheeks.
There are two shades available - baby pink (glow-like rose) and a soft coral with a prominent orange undertone.

The first thing I noticed when these beauties arrived was the extremely tiny size of the pots themselves. Even though I find small things adorable I feel that the balms are extremely overpriced for the amount of product you actually get. I would be lying if i said i didnt feel a twinge of disappointment when I realized just how miniature these really were. However I was willing to forgive that detail if in fact the product preformed as good as I had expected from such a prestigious brand.
Did it disappoint in that aspect too?

The answer to that question is somewhat complicated because there are aspects of this Magic Balm that I absolutely love but on the other hand other features are for the lack of better word - annoying! After using this for a few months I can honestly conclude that this is a great lip product and at the same time a very inferior blush.

As a lip treatment the Givenchy Magic Lip & Cheek Balm preforms beautifully in terms of hydration and plumping. The pigmentation is sheer but that is to be expected from a "lip balm" so I can't fault it on that measure. It feels light and nourishing on and has a significantly longer longevity that some other comparably priced lip treatments. I definitively love the "pink" shade more because the sheer wash of colour achieves that glowy "doll-like" sheen that every girly girl dreams of getting. Compliments galore every time! 

As a "blush" the Magic Balm has some significant issues it needs to work on. The main problem is the thick texture which makes it very hard to work with as it remains slightly sticky no matter what application method I use. The pigmentation is lacking so layering is needed but because of the tackiness of the balm that is impossible. My long hair made that attribute even more noticeable because it kept sticking to the cheeks even after an hour of the initial use. A ponytail solved that problem of course but at that point I was already irritated with it. I would say if the texture was thinner the cheek application would be much more successful. 

I think you can now understand why I have such mixed feelings about the Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip and Cheek Balm! I love it on my lips and hate it on the cheeks so my verdict is well...confused! 

I would recommend it in a heartbeat as a glowy lip treatment - especially the pink version. However be wary of using it on your cheeks - it's a little unpleasant! 

You can purchase the Givenchy Magic Lip & Cheek Balm at our trusty Sephora and from various vendors on Amazon!

Have you tried the Givenchy Magic Balm? What were your thoughts?

As always thank you for reading :-)

XOXO

ANJA

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The Beauty Fence - Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

I am a big fan of multi-tasking products whether it be skincare or makeup and if we are talking about an international discovery then chances are I would be all over it. There is something about foreign things that I have always found so appealing and mysterious. 

The Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream had all the hallmarks of a product I would and should like.

It's a cult beauty item in Japan, it contains mostly "clean" ingredients and it has multi-moisturizing purposes. 

So why am I filing it under the "Beauty Fence" category? 

It's a really hard question to answer but ultimately what it came down to was the mere fact that I was just "unimpressed" by almost everything about Yu-Be.

Description;
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has a uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

Ingredients;

Glycerin, Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camphor, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, EDTA, Methylparaben.

The Yu-Be product line originates from a 1957 Japan pharmacy and is one of the top selling family skincare lines in Asia today.

The key ingredients in the Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream are all cantered around hydration: glycerin, camphor, Vitamin E and Vitamin B2. 

The glycerin is a natural humectant which means that it's purpose is to both attract and retain moisture. The Vitamins E and B2 have antioxidant properties that serve to protect the skin and smooth out the epidermal surface. 

The more "exotic" ingredient, camphor is said to soothe irritation, improve skin circulation and promote healthier skin appearance. The scent is prominent and I can see it being bothersome for the sensitive types but it does fade within a few minutes and doesn't linger for too long. 

This moisturizing balm has multiple uses and is recommended for dry patches, softening cuticles, foot care, wind-proofing and even diaper rash.

The texture of the Yu-Be Cream is definitively balm like and as such it can be on the greasy side but at least that can be a testament to its "hydrating" properties. The thickness is what troubled me because I found it hard to work with and it seemed to take a very long time to absorb.

It's absolutely not a bad product and I believe it does deliver on its promises for the most part. However for me the Yu-Be line is subpar when compared to some of the other multi-tasking balms I already know and love (Rodial, Elizabeth Arden etc). 

If you don't already own some of the other formulas I think the Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream is worth trying out and the price is fair ($20 for 1.25 oz) for the amount and longevity of the product itself.

You can get more info and purchase the Yu-Be products at Sephora and Amazon. 

I hope this was helpful!

Have you tried any Yu-Be products? What is your favourite multi-tasker? 

XOXO

ANJA

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The Beauty Fence - Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid

The Alpha-H Liquid Gold has been making the rounds on the beauty blogosphere for some time now. It seems like everyone has been trying it, loving it, hoarding it and hyping it up so much that I had myself convinced that it was going to be a miracle product for my finicky complexion. I mean it never even occurred to me that it could be a failure and i am no rookie when it comes to the skincare game. I almost feel like i got duped!

Liquid Gold is a chemical exfoliator featuring Glycolic acid as the main active ingredient and per specific instructions it is to be used every 2 days overnight only. In order to get maximum benefits its recommended to not follow the Liquid Gold with a moisturizer or anything else, allowing it do its "magic" while you sleep. I discovered it first on Caroline's Blog (beautymouth) and seeing how everything else she recommended worked great for me I decided to track it down and order it right away. So many great reviews cant be wrong right? Well...

Don't get me wrong - I am not saying its a bad product and I would recommend it to almost anyone but the results for me were completely underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe my skin didn't need it, maybe I got a bad batch...who knows! Bottom line is I used it just as described for over a month and never noticed any significant change on my skin. What frustrated me even more was that I had no positive nor negative results - it was as if my complexion was undecided on the issue. Obviously I don't want to have a bad reaction but if I even got the inkling that it was doing something negative then I could discontinue using it and pass it on to someone else. No effects just meant that I continuously hoped for some kind of change for weeks on end before I ultimately gave up and accepted defeat.

Due to my experience I would recommend this to people with problem skin or acne issues however since it doesn't seem to preform consistently for everyone (like me!) I would stress that sampling the product first may be a smart idea. It can be difficult to track down and the price tag is too high to just take the plunge and hope for the best. I wish i had tried it before i splurged on the full size bottle with international shipping to boot.

I know the majority of you love Alpha-H Liquid Gold but I wanted to write an honest review based on my own experience. Hopefully it can help someone else make a more balanced decision in purchasing this "magic potion".

Alpha-H Liquid Gold ($52.00 for 100ml) can be purchased here

Ingredients;
Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Hydrolysed Silk, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract.

Did anyone else have a similar experience?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)