Product Review: Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water

Hello Everyone!

I've returned, to bring you a quick product review on the Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water.
Micellar cleansing waters have become an essential item within the beauty community, and this is the first time I've seen a Trinidadian store carrying any brand of Micellar water.

I found mine randomly at my SuperPharm, and it cost me approximately TT$60. The bottle contains 13.5 fl.oz, which is great for the price.

Product Claims: This All-in-1 bi-phase cleanser is surprisingly powerful yet gentle to skin. It effectively removes makeup, cleanses skin and refreshes. A multi-purpose cleanser that contains Micellar technology. The micelles capture and lift away dirt, oil, and makeup without harsh rubbing, leaving the skin perfectly clean and refreshed without over-drying.
This product is also:

• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Fragrance-free

My Hope: My hope for this, was that it could be a suitable replacement for my Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover, which I believe is discontinued.
 
My Experience: I used this the very same night I purchased it, and I must say I was impressed. It removed my eye makeup with such ease, and that day I was wearing my waterproof Maybelline Colossal Mascara, and that stuff just does not budge. I also used it to remove any residual residue left behind by my makeup remover wipes.

Post-Mascara Removal

Now, this photo isn't the greatest quality, however, this product did a really good job at removing the waterproof mascara, without me having to harshly rub my eyes with the cotton pad. Unlike the Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover, it does not leave behind any slickness, the Micellar Water just leaves your face feeling refreshed and clean.

I actually really enjoyed using this, and it is good for spot clean ups also, especially for winging out your eyeliner.

Conclusion: Considering the price, and the amount of product that you'll be getting, this is a good product to invest in. To me, it is a good replacement for my Maybelline Makeup Remover, and it feels better on my skin. I'm actually pleasantly surprised that I enjoy using this product, and it is now a staple on my vanity.

Thank you all so much for stopping by for this quick review. I know I've been missing in action (M.I.A), for close to 5 weeks now, but my semester is really long and drawn out, and I've just been getting increasingly fatigued and frustrated with it all. I do hope to be back to posting regularly now, however, I have become more active on my Instagram (@ladyjpsych), so feel free to follow me there. Again, thank you for the support, and as always until next time, I hope you all stay happy, healthy and positive.

Bye (^_^)/

Link: Maybelline Clean Express Review: http://jsmindpalace.blogspot.com/2015/06/maybelline-clean-express-makeup-remover.html

J's Thoughts: A Quick Update

Hey everyone!

I know it has been quite some time since I last posted (almost 1 month), but I honestly needed the time not only to take care of myself, and to catch up on my assignments. Although I've missed blogging, I really needed the time to look after myself, and to spend time with family and friends. I will not be returning to full posts just yet, but I am hoping by next Saturday, I will be back with into blogging, posting reviews and just chatting. I know in my last post I didn't go into detail about what exactly I was going through, but it did help to alleviate some of the negative emotions that had  been weighing down on me.

I keep forgetting that one purpose of this blog is to give myself a safe space to express myself and to express my feelings. it is time I inject more humanity, and reality into my blog, therefore, from here on out, I will be including posts related to psychology (my field of interest), along with regular beauty/makeup posts.

Thank you for being patient with me.
I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Bye guys.
(^_^)/

Learning to Cope with Grief

Hello everyone!

Today, I'm doing a very different post. Earlier this week, I lost someone very dear to me, and I have been going through the emotional roller coaster that is grief. I've spent so much of life being a rock for others, that I've neglected tuning into and feeling my own emotions. Not this time!
I've become very aware of my emotions, and have chosen not diminish their meaning. When someone asks me how I am, rather than simply stating I'm okay, I acknowledge that I'm feeling sad, or angry, and it actually makes me feel better knowing that I'm not hiding what I am truly feeling.

I know I've made this blog into my space for talking about makeup or video games, but I feel that there is a need for me to be real and raw sometimes, and to just put whatever is on my mind out into the world. I'm not the type of person who freely opens up in conversations (something I'm working on), however, I have this platform to just be free and talk/write about whatever I feel, and today, I feel like talking about the fact that I am sad, but I am trying to cope.

Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy, even if you think you've prepared yourself enough, the emotional toll is still quite severe. You learn that the 5 stages of grief aren't linear stages, they get all jumbled up, and sometimes it makes it harder to acknowledge or know exactly what you are feeling, but it's okay. It's okay to feel confused about what you feel, as long as you feel it. Allow yourself to experience the emotions, the sadness, the anger, even the joy that comes from sharing your favourite memory. Allowing yourself to experience your own emotions is by far one of the healthiest ways to cope with grief. Don't bottle it up!

As much as I am typing this for anyone out their struggling to cope with the loss of someone dear to them, I'm also writing this for me, as a reminder that it is okay to feel what I am feeling. It is okay not to bounce back within the first 2 weeks of their loss. However, it is not okay to bottle up your feelings. It is not okay to alienate the people who care for you, and who are trying to reach out to you. It is okay to feel vulnerable, it is okay to cry.

I feel as though I've unintentionally vented, which truly wasn't the purpose of this post, but honestly, I feel so much better having all these things written in front of me, as opposed to being locked up in my head. If anyone out there is coping with the loss of someone they loved dearly, please don't lock yourself away from experiencing your emotions, or from the people who love you and care for you.

I may take some time away from the blog, but I've yet to decide just how long. I will do some posting on my Instagram, some hauls, selfies, and pictures of my puppy and anything else that I enjoy, so feel free to follow @ladyjpsych on IG.

Until next time lovelies,
Bye.
(^_^)/

Product Review & Swatches: Sacha Cosmetics Intense Matte Lip Velvets

Hello everyone!

I apologize for my disappearing act last week, but I was a bit under the weather, and decided to take it easy, hence no post. However, I'm back today with a review that I am extremely excited to bring to you!
Within recent months, Sacha Cosmetics, which is a Trinidadian brand, launched their Intense Matte Lip Velvets. These are their liquid lip colours, and they're beautiful. I had a few friends raving to me about these Lip Velvets, so I decided why not give them a try. I must say Sacha did a great job on these. From packaging, to colour range, Sacha hit the nail on the head.

Sacha Intense Matte Lip Velvet

Price:

• At local Pennywise stores, these cost TT$44, while at Sacha Image Centres they cost TT$50. I don't believe these are available online at website. 

Packaging:

• I adore the packaging of this product. I really love polka dots, and paired with the flat matte finish of both the glass bottle and plastic lid, it screams cute and chic. 

Applicator: 

• This has your everyday doe foot applicator. 

Product:

• The texture of the lip velvets are very reminiscent of the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, which I adore. They are soft, velvet smooth, and they aren't extremely drying on the lips. 
• For me, they are opaque in one coat/application, but you can build up the intensity if you like. 
• These don't have any fragrance or scent to them, so if you're sensitive to fragrance, you can give these a try. 
• I've heard positive reviews from persons with extremely sensitive skin and lips about these, and they don't cause them any irritation.
• These are not completely budge proof, but they do hold up after eating and/or drinking. 
• They don't flake like the L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss, and are easier to reapply if needed than the L.A. Girl. 

 Swatches: The following are swatches of the following four (4) shades: 

1. Partner In Crime - Red-Toned Chocolate Brown
2. I'm In The Nude - Neutral-Toned Nude
3. That's What She Said - Vibrant Purple *(2 layers)
4. Pass The Money - Vibrant Fire Red

Conclusion:
I honestly don't have anything bad to say about these. I've been wearing Partner In Crime and I'm In The Nude, almost everyday since I bought them, and they really are some amazing lip products. For the price, the quality of the product is exceptional. I prefer it over my ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip, because this formula is more comfortable on the lips, even if you forget to prep your lips with lip balm. The L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses can't stand up to these. These are honestly one of the best matte lip colours I've tried. This and the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color are my new go-to liquid lip colours.

If you can get your hands on these, you definitely should. They are worth every cent. I would definitely recommend these to everyone!
Great job Sacha Cosmetics!
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I haven't worn That's What She Said because it is the latest one I've recently added, but I will be trying it out on the lips very soon. Stay tuned to my Instagram (@ladyjpsych) for pictures of that.
I'm considering doing a full lip swatch picture on my IG, so please let me know if you'd like to see that.

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and positive!
Bye!
(^_^)/