Emily Johnson

I picked up the Julep Cushion Complexion Concealer & Corrector Stick on Amazon and I’ve been using it daily for the past month. It’s my new favorite concealer of the moment and I highly recommend it if you have finer lines, drier eyes, or just need a lightweight, easy to blend formula.

It’s been nearly 15 years since Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Concealer released and people still love how easy it is to apply Maybelline’s formula thanks to the little puff applicator. Back in the day everyone was trying to capture the magic of that applicator including Japanese brands like Visee. Remember the Visee CC Concealer? Julep’s Cushion Complexion Concealer & Corrector Stick is actually exactly like Visee’s packaging but in a way wider selection of shades!

I have plenty of concealers I love. Lots are holy grail and many are formulas I reach for daily but I’m always, ALWAYS hunting for the next best thing. I get I sort of hope I’ll never find the perfect end all formula so I continue on with my race to find the best concealer formula. The chase is part of the fun right? That’s part of what led me to purchasing this. I honestly, didn’t expect anything from it and I even thought it would be something I’d end up tossing aside.

But oh no no…! Julep surprised and delighted with this formula. Dare I say it’s even nicer than the YSL Touche Éclat Pen but with a way different applicator. Like Maybelline, this comes with a fluffy little puff for application but it’s much smaller which makes it easy to get into the corner of your eye, around the contour of it, and if you want even down the sides of your nose and around frown lines at the sides of your mouth. The formula is light, creamy, thin, and blends like a dream. It’s not super hydrating but it’s lightweight and has a nice, creamy consistency that blends oh so easily under eyes and anywhere else on your face you choose to use it. It has a nice brightening finish that give the undereye area a lifted and awake look. It wears extremely well and doesn’t crease. It’s an ideal formula if you have finer lines since it’s so thin and not a heavier consistency. I get about seven hours of wear from it after setting with powder. It has medium pigment that helps conceal my puffiness, finer lines, and tired eyes easily. You may need a bit more coverage if you have more severe dark circles but the good news is this is so thin it’ll work great over corrector. I got the shade Medium 210 and it was a fairly good match!

All in all, a great little concealer purchase that I didn’t know I needed or that I’d love. 5 out of 5 stars on this one. Don’t sleep on the Julep Cushion Complexion Concealer & Corrector Stick! It’s a keeper.

Where to buy

Amazon

Snif Extra Whip Body Mist is a new whipped creamy inspired fragrance that launched with the Snif Hot Cakes Collection and was created to be used alone or as a layering fragrance with the new Snif Hot Cakes Perfume. As a vanilla girlie I was most interested in hauling this to use not only alone but as a topping with the Hot Cakes Perfume. I love yummy gourmand vanillas and this sounded like a great one. As per the brand it contains notes of cold aldehydes, icing sugar, whipped cream, vanilla, milky sandalwood, and fluffy musk!

Snif Extra Whip Body Mist comes in three variations two of which are individual bottles that are 2.5 oz or 8 oz for $22 or $34. Or you can do a gift set which features all three of the “topping” body mists as well as a small size of the Hot Cakes Perfume in a layering gift set. Use code SNIF15 for 15% off your total. This is Snif’s first venture into the world of fragrance mists and so far the reviews are mixed.

Snif Extra Whip Body Mist comes in a simple, elegant plastic bottle with a cream colored topper. It’s a very basic, simple packaging but it gives of a nice clean, deco-like elegance. Nothing too fancy or cutesy just a simple and interesting design that compliments the Snif perfume bottles.

Out of all three of the fragrance mists I believe Extra Whip is the one that has gotten some of the worst reviews. I can understand the disappointment. It’s not the gourmand vanilla anyone expected. It absolutely does not smell like whipped cream. It’s also rather weak and doesn’t project well. It’s more of a close, intimate fragrance and you need to stand fairly close to get a whiff of it. It’s a lot more complex than a simple vanilla whipped cream fragrance which in someway I wanted and expected.

The aldehydes give the fragrance a little citrus-y note and it may be what overtakes any of the gourmand notes like whipped cream and vanilla. It does have a certain sugariness to it warmth that gets added in from the sandalwood. I wouldn’t say it gives off any lactonic, fluffy, or vanilla vibes. It almost smells like a sugary warm amber with a little bit of citrus. It dries down to a warm, cozy fragrance and can be classified as a darker gourmand but not a foody or a sweet one. If you layer it with Hot Cakes it does morph that fragrance slightly. I wouldn’t say you get a warm stack of Hot Cakes with a mound of whipped cream on top if you combine the two but Extra Whip does add an extra layer of warmth and richness to Hot Cakes and also, does take the buttery and syrupy note away slightly. They actually smell really interesting together and do compliment one another just not in the way one would expect. If you’re expecting a delicious foody scent that isn’t what this combo gives you. If you want a warm, cozy, snuggled up on a cold winter’s night this is absolutely give off those vibes. Unfortunately, on its own Extra Whip isn’t a beast mode fragrance. It’s very intimate and it does fade rather fast. I would recommend applying unscented body cream so it sticks around a bit longer.

I don’t regret my Snif Extra Whip Body Mist but I can say it wasn’t what I expected or wanted from this scent. Oh well! It’s still very warm and rather cozy! This isn’t a scent I’ll be using right now but come the Fall and Winter I’m sure it’ll be one I reach for.

Did you check this one out? Share your thoughts!

Where to buy

Snif

If you’re looking for the best lip products to add to your Sephora Cart for the Spring Savings Event I got you! Look no further friends, these are the very best of the best lip products I’ve tried lately and trust me, I try a lot. At this point in my makeup life I think lipglosses, lip balms, and lip treatments can all sort of run together but occasionally a formula will stick out and I suddenly find myself adding it to my daily line up and wanting all the shades.

That’s what this list is about. Three of the best of the best that I’ve tried lately that are VERY much worth adding to your cart.

If you buy nothing else for your lips this sales event at the VERY least please treat yourself to a shade of EADEM Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm! Trust me, this is the crème de la crème of lip balms. If you want color, super shine, and you need moisture this THIS is the formula. I’d call this more of a gloss formula than a balm. It’s thick, creamy, non stick or tacky and super moisturizing. It contains a blend of collagen peptides that give lips a smoother, fuller look as well as moisturizing butters that instantly hydrates dry lips. It actually acts as an exfoliator as well so it gently exfoliates your lips as you wear it. I used this all winter long and my dry prone lips were smooth and well hydrated. I cannot reave this formula enough! Well worth adding to cart.

I know, I know I’m a broken record over here but Laniege just deserves all the flowers for their new Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum! Such a great formula. Pigmented, super duper glossy, and very moisturizing. Plus a rather awesome donut shaped applicator that applies this formula so easily! These are my new fav lip product from Laniege! Absolutely a must have!

Another broken record moment but please check my LYS Beauty Speak Love Lip-Plumping Glossy Lip Balm! I can’t even believe these are so nicely priced with makeup prices going so crazy lately. I have one of these and will be hauling more. This formula is melty, super pigmented, moisturizing, and makes lips look so crazy shiny and full. I absolutely need all the shades. Truly a great formula!

lys beauty Speak Love Lip-Plumping Glossy Lip Balm Swatches in Truthful

What are your must have haul lip items at the moment? Do share ’em!

Where to buy

Sephora

Oh Fenty Beauty stop this madness! The Fenty Beauty Cherry Collection just dropped on sephora.com and I’m so ready to haul the new cherry shades of Hot Cheeks Velour Blushlighter shades! These are stunning! I’m sobbing in joy they have new shades of the Hot Cheeks Velour Blushlighter! As you know, I purchased all three of the Hot Cheeks Velour Blushlighter shades from the Summer 2024 Collection and absolutely adored them. Why Fenty doesn’t make this a permanent part of their collection is beyond but at least I’m grateful the Fenty Beauty Summer 2025 Collection includes not one but two new shades.

Let’s take a look!

Fenty Beauty Cherry Pop Hot Cheeks Velour Blushlighter $28
It’s giving Benefit Moone Wanderful Blush! It’s giving Clinique Cola Pop Cheek Pop Blush! It’s bold, it’s bing cherry! This one looks very unique and will really add a pop to a darker skin tone! I’m not sure it’ll work for me but I still really sort of want to try it.

Fenty Beauty Cherry Pie’d Hot Cheeks Velour Blushlighter $28
A stunning bright, true cherry red shade with a radiant glowing finish! This one I think I can pull off! It’s a very unique red and maybe it’ll even work as an eyeshadow!

Fenty Beauty Cherry Mouth 3-Piece Lip Set + Pouch $49
A collection of beautiful cherry picks for lips that are scented and flavored like cherry includes:

• Mini Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Uncensored
• Full-Size Trace’D Out Pencil Lip Liner in Lil’ Chili
• Full-Size Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil in Barbados Cherry
• Mini Pouch

Fenty Beauty Chocolate Cherriez 2-Piece Lip Set + Pouch $49
A selection of chocolate cherry inspired shades for lips! Includes:

• Full-Size Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer in Cherry Amour
• Full-Size Trace’D Out Pencil Lip Liner in Brown’D Out
• Mini Pouch

Do you think you want anything from Fenty Beauty’s Summer 2025 Collection?

Where to buy

Sephora Fenty

Sorry not sorry but here’s all the makeup and beauty I’ll be overconsuming at the Sephora Savings Event without regret! As you know the sale starts Friday for Rouge Members and gets you 20% off your total using code SAVEMORE (no worries, VIB and BI you can shop too but starting April 8th) and I’ve of course, used my own helpful little hack which is placing every single item I want in my cart. My cart has like $50,000 (dramatized and inflated dollar amount for effect) worth of beauty in it and hell no, I’m not hitting submit on it. I always find it help to do some super dumb cart during the week of the sale and each day I end up deleting stuff as I realize I don’t need it.

That being said, there are a few items that I’m not saying no on. And even one or two I want a backup of or more shades of. Here’s the beauty I’m overconsuming during the Sephora Savings Event. Judge me if you must.

OUAI St. Barts Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave in Conditioner $30
I said it yesterday, I’ll say it today I’m overconsuming Quai’s new Leave-In Conditioner that’s scented like their cult-fav St Bart’s fragrance. I can easily see myself getting at least two bottles and the LE factor makes me want three. I love this fragrance and I want my hair to smell like it all summer long. Get it my damn cart now.

LYS Beauty Speak Love Lip-Plumping Glossy Lip Balm $19
Absolutely my fav glossy lip pen of the moment. I NEED more shades. This is soft, melty, hydrating, pigmented, and oh so gorgeous on my lips. I have one shade but I absolutely need more. If you love hydrating and glossy gloss lip looks you want this formula in my cart.

lys beauty Speak Love Lip-Plumping Glossy Lip Balm Swatches in Truthful

LYS Beauty Higher Standard Cream Glow Blush Sticks $21
Speaking of LYS….! If you to glow like the Sun on a warm Summer day this is your girl. This is the dreamiest, creamiest, most gorgeous formula ever. Seriously, you have not lived until you try their cream sticks (the foundation, the blush, the bronzer, ALL so creamy and divine). And the best part is the beautiful glow finish! These are pigmented with a beautiful radiance that lights up your whole face. Nothing shimmery or glittery just gorgeous, flawless glow. I own a bunch of these but I’m hauling a few shades I don’t have during the sale.

LANEIGE Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum $22
Laneige, Laneige, Laneige. I thought nothing could top your Sleeping Lip Mask but these new lip serums are outstanding, Thick, creamy, pigmented, smooth, hydrating, and non sticky or tacky this formula has a super glossy finish and looks incredible on my lips! I have one shade but absolutely need more.

What are you overconsuming during the sale? Hauling any backups of something you love or getting more colors of a particular formula you like? Do share!

Where to buy

Sephora

I remember when Demeter Perfumes were all the rage and I remember wanting them all. I still actually love them and today when news of Kayali Kitten Musk dropped I had an instant memory of owning Demeter Kitten Fur! Oh my god so funny!

And yes, Kayali is bringing out yet another new fragrance. Kayali Kitten Musk | 41 comes very soon after release of Kayali’s Fleur Majesty Rose Royale 31 which launched on March 13th. Slow your roll guys! It hasn’t even been a month yet since your latest launch. But I’m not complaining too hard because Kitten Musk sounds like something I’m going to love. I lost trust in you for a while, Kayali but you’ve been slowing regaining me as a fan especially with Yum Boujee Marshmallow which I adored.

What are the notes in Kayali Kitten Musk? Well, they sure sound interesting. Here’s a sneak peek!

Kayali Kitten Musk has notes of warm milk, marshmallow fluff, soft musk, white chocolate, vanilla orchid, and creamy sandalwood. And no, it likely won’t be a Demeter Kitten Fur dupe. Kitten Fur was a soft musk with a bit of a floral background as I recall. Kayali’s Kitten Musk will likely be way more complex as Demeter’s fragrance have always been fairly straight forward.

I’m curious how Kayali does with this one. It seems like a clean yet “fluffy” perfume. I hesitate to call it a gourmand even if the notes do lean towards that area. I think they’re going for a clean, cozy fragrance and I’m all about that. Sure, I love gourmands but clean, cozy, and warm are very appealing as well! I see a full bottle purchase of this in my future because if it’s as good as Yum Boujee Marshmallow we’re in for a treat.

I’m not sure when Kayali Kitten Musk will be available but I’m pretty sure they’ll let us know a date soon! I’ll update as soon as I know. Will you be trying this out? I wonder if a free kitten comes with every bottle….?

Where to buy

Sephora

One of the most inventive makeup releases I’ve seen recently has to be the new Hard Candy Ring Pop Lip Stains. Yes, I gave Too Faced grief for launching a lipgloss ring with their Holiday 2024 Collection but Hard Candy is getting a gold star from me for releasing a Ring Pop Lip Stain. THIS IS MY CHILDHOOD!

You didn’t grow up New York if you didn’t hit up the local bodega and grab an orange drink (all us New Yorkers sitting around like, WTF is an orange drink!) ahem scratch that I meant to say…..You didn’t grow up New York if you didn’t grab a quarter water, a ring pop, and some a pack of fake cigarettes (they were gum and you could literally puff smoke out of them! If this was around today it would be so political incorrect!). Ring Pops were such a major part of my childhood. I remember never wanting to actually lick/eat them but just wanted to wear them like the precious jewels they were.

Hard Candy is bringing back our childhood with these new Ring Pop Lip Stains.

Launching in five candy-colored shades these lip stains have a soft jelly-like texture (I assume like the Milk Cooling Water Jelly Tint) with a formula that goes on like a gloss and wears like a tint. I’m not sure how they close or what protects them but I assume they’ll be some sort of plastic cover they come with. They are in fact shaped exactly like a ring pop! So yeah, if you’re feeling frisky you can wear them on your ring finger but pretty sure we won’t want to do that as you’d end up with a bunch of lint and dirt on them. My mom always said you have to eat a pound of dirt before you die and I’m sure we all did when we actually wore the real candy ring pops back in the day. But as an adult, yeah, I don’t think so…!

But these are adorable to say the least. It’s a very cute, whimsical, and nostalgic release! Hard Candy Ring Pops will be arriving soon and available at Walmart and on Hard Candy’s website but sadly, not at your local bodega.

Where to buy

Walmart Hard Candy

Remember how I was trying to turn you onto Quai St Bart yesterday? Well, here I am influencing myself. We’ve been literally begging for Quai to release a leave in that smells like the St Bart’s scent and we got one! But only for a limited time…! WHY!?!?!? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I’m crying. Quai St. Barts Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave-In Conditioner is available now for a limited time. Quai took their popular Leave-In Conditioner and added the delicious St Bart’s scent to it. It detangles, hydrates, fights frizz, and protects hair plus it adds the delicious tropical scent of St Bart’s into the mix.

Your hair will smell like notes of dragon fruit, orange blossom, tuberose, and Baltic amber. I’m so here for that. A 4.2 oz bottle is $30 and I’m already putting three of them in my cart to grab when the Sephora Savings Event starts on Friday. I don’t care. I need to have a little stockpile just in case this either sells out or never returns to the face of the planet again!

Quai St. Barts Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave in Conditioner is available now!

Where to buy

Sephora

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The newest Skylar Fragrance has launched and it’s a gourmand! The new, limited-edition Skylar Party Crash Perfume is now available for Scent Club Members. This is a yummy, fruity cake scent with rainbow sprinkles, juicy strawberry blossom, and cake baker.

Created to celebrate Skylar’s 7th Anniversary you can get access to the scent by joining their Scent Club. It’s $20 a month and it gets you:

• Starter Set Valued at $55
• Free Monthly Rollerball ($30 Value)
• 20% Off Every Order
• Discounts on Shipping
• $20 Rollerballs (Normally $30 for Non-Members)
• Access to First Time Launches (like this one!), Products, and Discounts

This new scent alone is worth joining for as the notes sound incredible.

Top notes: Rainbow Sprinkles, Juicy Nectarine, Crisp Pear
Middle notes: Strawberry Blossom, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine
Base notes: Whipped Frosting, Cake Batter, Musk

Skylar Party Crasher is available now on the brand’s website. Are you a Scent Club Members that’s thinking of grabbing it?

Where to buy

Skylar

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Happy Tuesday, friends! The Sephora Sales Event for Spring 2025 starts April 4th for Rouge. Are you ready? Are you Rouge? I’m somehow still Rouge and I don’t even know how that’s possible but here we are…! Anyway, I will be purchasing a few things come Friday and of course, skincare is part of my wish list.

Here’s a few new skincare picks to check out during the Sephora Sales Event that you might want to pick up!

Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day Invisible Korean Sunscreen Stick SPF 40 $30
Reapplying skincare is a nightmare but maybe the new Dr Jart Sunscreen Stick can help! This portable sunscreen stick has a chemical SPF 40 and a hydrating formula infused with hyaluronic acid that can be used under or over makeup to protect skin for easy on the go application with an invisible semi-matte finish!

The Ordinary Multi-Active Delivery Essence for Hydration $12
Sometimes after a cleanse you just need a little something to rehydrate with and get your face prepared for your other skincare. The Ordinary’s new essence has got you covered. Pat this hydrating essence into you skin for an hit of moisture thanks go glycogen and glycerin!

RANAVAT Brightening Saffron Essence $68
Looks like saffron is making a come back in our skincare! Ranavat’s milky toner calms skin, hydrates it, and saffron, read algae, and niacinamide act to plump, brighten and reduce dark spots, and smooth skin!

SOFIE PAVITT FACE Omega Rich Moisturizer $64
If you’re looking for fresh, hydrated, dewy skin this moisturize contains a mix of fatty accids that hydrate and support your skin barrier as well as squalane that acts to smooth and lock in moisture and jojoba and argan oils to give even a bigger boost of moisture.

AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Hydro CERA-HA Ceramide + Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum for Skin Moisture Barrier Repair $34
If your skin is thirsty for the most this serum contains skin plumping hyaluronic acid along with ceramides, niacinaminde, Vitamin E, and Glycerin for an extra boost of super moisture.

Skinfix Barrier Balancing Water Cream Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid $54
You know Summer is coming when the lightweight gel and water cream moisturizers start launching! This new weightless formula from Skinfix promises an acne-free, non-pore clogginf formula that contains a balancing complex to absorb oil along with niacinamide and a humectant blend to seal in moisture.

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Patches $24
Summer Fridays is tackling your puffy eyes with their new eye gels that have glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and seal in moisture as well as caffeine and peptides to depuff!

Biodance Real Deep Mask Gift Set (4 Masks for Pore Care, Hydration, Calming and Dark Spot Treatment) $19
If you’re a sheet mask fan this four pack contains a Bio Collagen Real Deep Mask, Hydro Cera-nol Real Deep Mask, Refreshing Sea Kelp Real Deep Mask, and Radiant Vita Niacinamide Real Deep Mask from Biodance!

LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Radiance Boosting Serum with Peony & Collagen Complex $45
Laneige adds to their bouncy & firm collection with a new firming and plumping serum!

iNNBEAUTY PROJECT Extreme Cream Eye Firming & Contouring Refillable Eye Cream $48
Innbeauty’s latest eye cream that promises to fight wrinkles, saggy eyelids, and puffiness in as little as a week with a blend of power peptides and retinol!

Where to buy

Sephora