janie ilona's beauty rants

Olio E Osso Balm Review I had seen them all over skincare/french-esque makeup social media— the shiny, colorful balms from Olio E Osso. However, the idea of a $28 balm made me squirm… I didn’t want to risk not liking them. Eventually, a sale emerged. Or rather, a discount code. Matilda, my favorite beauty content creator and a HUGE inspiration for my blog, came to the rescue. I got two for less than the price of one! I was so pumped.  Olio E Osso Balms are lightweight balms made with a mixture of oils including shea and olive oils. The balms are great for layering— so you can have a sheer wash of color or build up to a translucent colored sheen. However, I can’t speak on the colorless balms, due to the fact that I did not buy any. The balms mositurize and make the lips pretty and glossy, depending on how much you apply.  The first shade I got was No. 8: Persimmon, a beautiful orange-apricot shade, which has been my makeup color mood for the past couple months. I ...

Laneige Eye Mask & Water Bank Moisture Cream Review *Before I begin: Laneige is NOT a cruelty free brand— I was not aware of this before I purchased these products. Laneige is a Korean brand, so the laws and standards of skincare products are different than in the United States, in which they may be required by law to test on animals. I try my best to do my research, but I failed on this account. I wanted to make this clear. I was not aware that this brand may test on animals, but I will finish the products that I have and do not plan on repurchasing.*  Laneige has been a favorite of mine— the Korean skincare that puts moisture, moisturizing, and nourishment above all else. Their Sleeping Mask and Lip Sleeping Mask are some of the best overnight products on the market. But I wanted to try more. Here’s the review.  Laneige Eye Mask: An Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner, the leave-on eye mask is great for moisturizing and de-puffing. Very liquidly— feels li...

Why Vitamin C Serums are That Girl Vitamin C is commonly used in skincare, especially serums. But what does this ingredient actually do? How does it help the skin? According to a dermotologist interviewed by Allure, it is “ a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals”. The article also mentions that the antioxidants fight off free radicals (unstable atoms that cause illness and aging), helping to produce collagen, correct uneven textures wrinkles, and sun damage— and brightens the skin. It’s a bit of a powerhouse, if you couldn’t tell.  In terms of application, that’s where things get a bit tricky. The general consensus seems to be that wearing Vitamin C during the day is the best way to go, considering that it fights sun damage. But it ALSO makes the skin more sensitive to the sun so piling on SPF afterwards is a must. I feel like I’m the only person who wears it at night, but another Allure article validated me— wearing vitamin C at night helps the skin prepare...

Fenty Gloss & Nars Blush Review There isn’t much in this world that I love more than a pinky-gold shimmer look. While I’ve been in a huge apricot color mood this year, the ever-iconic Nars Orgasm color scheme is iconic, like pearls or Chanel. Nars Orgasm was the first blush I ever used and liked— realizing how blush can change the whole look is a game changer. The ultamite natural, glowy flush that makes you look like you just…. “went for a run” (lol). The only problem was when I fell in love with the liquid/cream blush: I had to leave my beloved rose-gold blush behind. I had found out early this yearr (time flies!) that Nars makes Orgasm in powder, cream stick, and liquid blush form! (and a lip-gloss AND lip oil, if anyone is interested) I struggled with what form to get— I do like a stick, but liquid is the easiest for me to apply… but the liquid has a glass bottle, which is always a liability… I literally slept on the matter— that’s how you know it’s serious. I went into...

Glossier Skincare Review There are 4 goals I have for this winter concerning my skin:  Stay moisturized (this is a given obvi) Stay smooth (no crust allowed) Keep the skin around my eyes moisturized and plumped I also want to keep my hands moisturized, but that’s for another post. I feel like I haven’t actually written about my experience/a review of Glossier skincare— I mention it a lot, and I write about the makeup frequently, but I don’t get into WHY I love their skincare products.  The last time I was at the NYC Flagship, I bought some new products and old favorites. I love Glossier’s products because they make it...simple. New ideas and great ingredients in a cutesy-pink packaging while explaining the products in a way anyone can understand.  *I would click each link and read Glossier’s descriptions of the products in a fuller depth because it’s rad— also, I don’t know how much I can quote before getting sued lmfao* Milky Jelly Cle...

Kiehl's Cleanser Review (among other things):  (Before I begin, shout out to Alma at the Kiehl’s counter in Lord and Taylor at Fair Oaks Mall. She’s great)  My skin was feeling stripped and dry. In SUMMER, of all times. Not to mention I had run out of my Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, so I was desperate for something that could cover taking off my makeup and spf… I was desperate.  I love the beauty section of department stores. While it doesn’t have the independence of Sephora or Ulta, there’s just something about being surrounded with luxurious products and people vying to give you a sample. Makes one feel fancy, or at least fancier than they would be in a different store, sweaty and crouched down trying not to fall over while testing an Urban Decay eyeshadow swatch (we’ve all been there). I digress.  So here I am, walking around Lord and Taylor covered in swatches up to the elbow— and I’m trying to find a way to get it off before I smear Chanel lipst...

Products that fulfill the Scorpio in your chart As the end of Scorpio season nears (along with Mercury in retrograde— hold on y’all!)I've really been feeling out my Sun sign in dark, sultry looks with a focus on dark reds and black. Since Scorpio season is a time of transformation, I’ve responded with smudged berry lips and dark liner, but still retaining a bright apricot blush. I’ve also bought my first non-nude lip liner— yay! For lips: As I mentioned before, a dark lip in Scorpio season is the move— for many reasons. You can get away with just wearing a dark lip. Clean skin and a dark lip is the ultimate french girl aesthetic, easy but still alluring, just like those Scorpios ;). It can be worn in multiple ways— old school hollywood with clean lines and precision (Think Hedy Lamarr, Grace Kelly or Vivien Leigh— Scorpio icons). A bitten look, with color concentrated on the inside of the lip— reminiscent of the Halloween just passed...and maybe the Thanksgiving ahead? (“L...