Category: Review

Book, Book Reviews, Review

Book Review: The Woods Are Always Watching

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! It’s been a while but I’m back with a book review, this is one of the few I’ve read in the past year. A thriller/horror book written by Stephanie Perkins and released in 2021.

Summary from GoodReads

Bears aren’t the only predators in these woods.

Best friends Neena and Josie spent high school as outsiders, but at least they had each other. Now, with college and a two-thousand-mile separation looming on the horizon, they have one last chance to be together—a three-day hike deep into the woods of the Pisgah National Forest.

Simmering tensions lead to a detour off the trail and straight into a waking nightmare; and then into something far worse. Something that will test them in horrifying ways.

The book is written in a viewpoint narrative, where we know the main character’s thoughts and feelings. I had a hard time reading the book because it’s slow-paced but picks up speed mid-book. Even though I found the main characters well-developed and explained, as far as their actions, feelings, and thoughts go. There was a love/hate feeling because there was no way I was always agreeing with either of them. It also had an open ending which I’m not a fan of.

I liked the book enough to finish reading it, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I’m kind of disappointed. Any book you recommend that’s amazing? Let me know in the comments.

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Makeup, Review

the Colossal Curl Bounce Mascara

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope you’re having a great week so far, today I have a mascara review for you. It’s a fairly new product from Maybelline and I’ve liked it so far, but it’s not my favorite.

Colossal Curl Bounce turns up the volume. Now big volume meets bouncy curl. Its Curl ’N’ Bounce brush separates and curls lashes while its Memory-Curl formula gives curl that lasts. This long wearing mascara delivers lasting bouncy lashes. Defies clumps. Defies smudging. Defies flaking. Up to 24HR wear.

According to Maybelline’s site
  • Pros
    • Packaging is good-looking and slick.
    • Formula doesn’t stay wet for long, it dries fast.
    • Color is intense.
    • Doesn’t transfer.
    • Makes my lashes look curly.
  • Cons
    • Smudges on my lower lash line.
    • Somewhat hard to remove.
Here you can see the difference this mascara makes on my sad, droopy, non-existant lashes.
Both eyes with 2 coats of mascara.

Overall, it’s a great mascara but it doesn’t quite agree with the high heat/humidity of Puerto Rico. I tend to apply two to three coats without waiting in between (one eye at a time). With that many coats, it takes some effort to remove the product entirely. I’ll continue to use this mascara, just not for work where I’m in fluctuating temperatures.

Let me know in the comments, what’s your favorite waterproof mascara that won’t smudge or transfer.

Makeup, Review

Review-Maybelline Cheek Heat Blush

Stephanie Román

Hi! Welcome back. Hope you’re doing good. Today I’m sharing a review of Maybelline’s Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush. It retails for around $7.99 and comes in six shades. // ¡Hola! Bienvenidos nuevamente. Espero que estén bien. Hoy estaré compartiendo una reseña del rubor Cheek Heat Gel-Cream de Maybelline. Cuesta alrededor de $7.99 y hay seis tonos.

According to Maybelline’s website, this product is a “water-based gel cream infused with colorful pigments that create a buildable, natural looking blush”. // Según la página web de Maybelline, este producto es una “crema de gel a base de agua infundida con pigmentos coloridos que crean un rubor de aspecto natural edificable”.

I like this product because is an easy to blend formula with sheer but buildable coverage (as it claims). I think is perfect for beginners just for that reason. Best application method is with the fingers. If I want a bit more color, I just apply some powder blush on top. // Me gusta este producto porque es una fórmula fácil de difuminar con una cobertura clara pero edificable. Pienso que es perfecto para principiantes por esa razón. El mejor método de aplicación es con los dedos. Si quiero un poco más de color, simplemente aplico encima un poco de rubor en polvo.

Makeup, Review

Speed Reviews // Reseñas rápidas

Stephanie Román

Welcome to the blog! Hope your day is good so far. Today I’m going to share quick reviews of four makeup products. Let’s start with some primers. // ¡Bienvenidos al blog! Espero que hasta ahora su día vaya bien. Hoy estaré compartiendo unas reseñas rápidas de cuatro productos de maquillaje. Comencemos con “primers”.

Both primers are from Covergirl, TruBlend Base Business Skin Primer in Mattifying and the Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer. The skin primer has a lightweight, non-greasy formula. But I didn’t noticed a difference in the longevity of my foundation or in my skin’s oiliness. As for the eyeshadow primer, it helps my eyeshadow to stay in place and blend better. Also has little coverage. // Ambos “primers” son de Covergirl, para la piel TruBlend Base Business en Matificante y para los ojos el Lid Lock Up. El “primer” para la piel tiene una fórmula ligera y no grasosa. Pero no noté diferencia alguna en el control de mi piel grasa y la longevidad de mi base. En cuanto el “primer” para ojos, ayudó a que mis sombras permanecieran en su lugar y se difuminaran mejor. También tiene un poco de cobertura.

Now, the L’oreal Micro Ink Pen by Brow Stylist has surprised me. It’s available in five shades. The first time I used it, was a bad day for my brows. This product’s pigmentation depends on the pressure applied while using it. For a seamless blend, you have to work in sections and blend as you go. It stays on all day long. // Ahora, el Micro Ink Pen por Brow Stylist de L’oreal me sorprendió. Está disponible en cinco tonos. La primera vez que lo utilicé, fue un mal día para mis cejas. La pigmentación de este producto depende de la presión que se le aplique al utilizarlo. Para que se difumine perfectamente, hay que trabajar en secciones y difuminar constantemente. Permanece en su lugar todo el día.

Lastly, the Wonder’full 24HR Brow Mascara by Rimmel is available on three shades. It has a lightweight formula that stays on but the pigmentation isn’t enough to wear it alone. At least for me with my sparse brows. // Por último, el Wonder’full 24HR Brow Mascara por Rimmel está disponible en tres tonos. Tiene una fórmula ligera que permanece en su lugar pero la pigmentación no es suficiente para utilizarlo solo. Por lo menos para con mis escasas cejas.

Makeup, Review

Rímel Bambi Eye de L’oreal vs Rímel the Falsies Lash Lift de Maybelline

Stephanie Román

¡Bienvenidos! Espero que se encuentren bien y se estén cuidando. No olviden seguirme en las redes sociales:

Hoy hablaremos sobre dos rímel que he estado usando durante varios meses. Ambos dicen dar volumen y alargar las pestañas.

El rímel Bambi Eye de L’oreal cuesta $10.99 y tiene “fórmula lavable aterciopelada que se desliza suavemente para levantar pestañas alargadas y sin grumos”.
El rímel de Maybelline the Falsies Lash Lift cuesta 10.99 y “ofrece un volumen dramático y pestañas largas y elevadas”.

En mi experiencia, ambos rímel alargan y dan volumen a las pestañas. Encuentro que con Bambi Eye de L’oreal se forman grumos más rápido, si se aplican demasiadas capas. The Falsies Lash Lift de Maybelline tiene una fórmula fina/húmeda que ayuda a no tener grumos. Pero si la dejas secar entre capas, se formarán grupos y la aplicación será difícil.

Lado izquierdo en foto: L’oreal Bambi Eye.
Lado derecho en foto: Maybelline the Falsies Lash Lift.

Como pueden ver en la foto arriba, el lado izquierdo luce más pigmentado y las pestañas se ven juntas. Pero en el lado derecho, el rímel de Maybelline separó mis pestañas más. El largo y volumen parecen ser iguales.

Me gustan ambos rímel, son buenos y no se transfieren (cuando se dejan secar bien). La preferencia sobre un rímel u otro dependerá del maquillaje que utilice.

Makeup, Review

Review-L’oreal Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope you’re doing good. Don’t forget to follow me on social media:

Today I’m going to be reviewing and sharing a wear test on the Infallible Fresh Wear foundation from L’oreal. It retails for $14.99 and has a range of 30 shades. The brand’s website describes this product as a “long lasting foundation with our most lightweight, breathable texture. Waterproof, transfer-resistant and sweat-resistant.” Provides medium to full buildable coverage and it’s suitable for all skin types.

But is it really suitable for extremely oily skin and Puerto Rico’s tropical weather? Keep reading and you’ll find out.

This foundation looks quite natural with medium to full coverage (using a makeup sponge to apply). It doesn’t feel heavy on the skin but it’s not me I’ll use for all-day wear. Finished applying my makeup by 8:40am and started my day of running around doing stuff.

At 2:20pm, the foundation was rubbing off my nose/cheek area; which is quite normal because of my eyeglasses. Also, my forehead was looking oily.

By 5pm, the foundation was breaking down on my forehead/chin area. And by 8pm, it was completely rubbed off my cheeks and had build-up on my nose where my eyeglasses are.

I could wear it to work an 8-hour shift and that’s by blotting and applying powder on oily areas. But if I need my makeup to last all day, this definitely isn’t my go-to choice.

In my opinion, it would work better for normal to dry skin people, less warm weather and maybe non-glasses wearers.

Makeup, Review

Reseña-Base Infallible Fresh Wear de L’oreal

Stephanie Román

¡Bienvenidos! Espero que tengan un buen día. No olviden seguirme en las redes sociales:

Hoy estaré reseñando la base Infallible Fresh Wear de L’oreal. Tiene un costo de $14.99 y un rango de 30 tonos. En su página de internet describen este producto como una “base de larga duración con la textura más ligera y respirable. A prueba de agua, transferencia, y sudor.” Brinda una cobertura de media a completa y funciona para todo tipo de piel.

Pero, ¿realmente funciona para piel extremadamente grasosa y el clima tropical de Puerto Rico? Continúa leyendo y lo averiguarás.

Esta base luce bastante natural con una cobertura de media a completa (utilicé una esponja de maquillaje para aplicarla). No se siente pesada en la piel, pero no es mi primera opción para utilizarla todo el día. Terminé de aplicar mi maquillaje a las 8:40am y comencé mi día con muchas cosas que hacer.

A las 2:20pm, tenía menos base en el área de la nariz y las mejillas; lo que es bastante normal porque es donde rozan mis espejuelos. Mi frente estaba comenzando a verse grasosa.

Para las 5pm, la base estaba desapareciendo de mi frente y quijada. Ya a las 8pm, se había ido completamente de mis mejillas y mostraba acumulación en mi nariz donde restan mis espejuelos.

Puedo utilizar esta base para trabajar un turno de 8 horas, eso sería utilizando hojas absorbentes de aceite y aplicando polvo. Pero si necesitara que mi maquillaje durara todo el día, definitivamente esta base no sería mi elección.

En mi opinión, funcionaría mejor para personas con piel normal a seca, climas menos cálidos y tal vez personas que no utilicen espejuelos.

Review

Review-imPRESS Press-On Manicure

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope you’re having a great day. Don’t forget to follow me on social media:

Inside the beauty realm, there are many categories and subcategories. So today, we’re going to talk about nails. I’ve seen a few people rave about imPRESS nails and always thought it couldn’t be possible for press-on nails to actually last. For me, glue-on nails were more reliable (back when I used artificial nails).

After years of using just nail polish, I hate going to the salon, I wanted to try this popular press-on nails. So, I went to Walgreens a few weeks back and bought two for combining purposes.

They’re easy to apply and the length is fine (I’m used to my longer natural nails). Had them on for a week until I ripped them off. I did my regular tasks as always and I gave my dog a bath without any casualties. Although, open packaged products was a bit dangerous as I felt the nails kinda detaching. They even survived an entire work shift (most nail polish chip-off). But the cool, metallic design on my index finger starting chipping on the third day of wearing them. So I think you have to choose carefully the designs if you want them to last.

I took them off because after a week of washing hands, doing stuff, showering, washing my hair, etc. The artificial nails started to feel a bit detached from my natural nails. I was having trouble doing a ponytail, my hair would get randomly trapped between the artificial nail and my natural nail.

Overall, I liked them and found them not difficult to work with. I will try the again to see if they last more time.

Review

Reseña-imPRESS Press-On Manicure

Stephanie Román

¡Bienvenidos! Espero que tenga un excelente día. No olviden seguirme en las redes sociales:

Dentro del reino de la belleza hay muchas categorías y sub-categorías. Hoy les hablaré sobre uñas. He escuchado a varias personas hablar súper bien de las uñas imPRESS y siempre pensé que no podía ser posible que este tipo de uñas duren tanto. Para mi, las mejores son las que se aplican con pega (cuando usaba uñas artificiales).

Luego de años utilizando solo esmalte, detesto ir al salón de belleza, quería probar estas uñas “press-on”. Así que fui a Walgreens hace algunas semanas y compré dos paquetes para combinar.

Son fáciles de aplicar y el largo de las uñas está bien (estoy acostumbrada a mis uñas naturales que son más largas). Me duraron una semana hasta que me cansé y las arranqué. Pude hacer mis tareas como siempre, incluso le di un baño a mi perro sin pérdida alguna. Aunque abrir empaques era un poco peligroso, ya que sentía que se iban a despegar. Incluso sobrevivieron un turno de trabajo completo (la mayoría de los esmaltes se dañan en las orillas). Pero el diseño “metálico”, en dedo índice, comenzó a despintarse en las orillas al tercer día de aplicación. Por lo que pienso que hay que escoger bien los diseños para que duren suficiente.

Me las quité luego de una semana de mucha agua (lavado de manos, baños, lavado de pelo, etc). Porque se comenzaban a sentir algo despegadas de mi uñas. Estaba teniendo problemas para hacerme un rabo/moño (ponytail), el pelo se quedaba encajado entre la uña artificial y mi uña natural.

En resumen, me gustaron estas uñas y no encontré que fuera difícil trabajar con ellas. Las probaré nuevamente a ver si duran un poco más.

Review, Skincare

Review-Garnier SkinActive Black Peel-Off Mask

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope you’re having a great day. Don’t forget to follow me on social media:

Today I’m stepping back from makeup reviews and I’m going to tell you my experience with a Peel-Off Mask with charcoal from Garnier. It’s targeted for all skin types, has no parabens, oil or silicones. The claims are:

Visibly removes deep pore impurities and reduces the appearance of pore size to reveal a fresh, healthy-looking complexion.

I’ve used it four times already and I must say it hasn’t impressed me. The instructions say to “apply a thick, opaque layer” which takes more than 20 minutes to dry entirely. When it’s finally dry, I don’t get visibly pore size reduction.

Every time I’ve used this mask, my eyes get a little irritated when applying but stops quickly after finishing application. It feels kind of cooling while drying, it doesn’t hurt when taking off (unless it catches a hair) and the face feels soft but tight afterwards.

I will continue to use it but right now I feel like nose strips work so much better to remove impurities (at least for me). Maybe the mask is more of a gradual result rather than immediate. Will keep you updated.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what’s your favorite face mask.