Review: YSL Touche Eclat Blur Perfector & Primer*

I was beyond excited to find a YSL package in my PO box a few weeks ago. High-end/luxury products just aren't in my budget, so getting the opportunity to test new products from YSL was exciting! Both of the products - the primer and perfector - promise to extend the life of your make-up. Over the course of a week weeks, I tested both products.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer
The full size is 1 oz and retails for $52. (I received a deluxe/trial size .33 oz.) 

I was a little worried when I saw the gold flakes in this primer. A glitter face is the last thing I want to 'blur' my imperfections and be under my makeup. Surprisingly, you do not see the gold flakes when applied. This primer feels heavy and really silky at first. It takes a few minutes to really sink in and dry/mattify. When I was in a hurry, I found this annoying. It did make my skin feel good and soft. It also made some of my pores less noticeable. Unfortunately, I didn't notice my makeup staying on any longer. (I'm in the southern heat, I'm not sure if that's why.)

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Perfector
The full size is 0.33 oz and retails for $55. (I received a full size.)
The packaging is beautiful. The compact feels sturdy and snaps together nicely. The perfector comes with a cloth/velour sponge. The sponge doesn't fit in the compact, nor is there storage space for the sponge. I found this annoying - how am I supposed to store and travel with the sponge while protecting it? The balm is slightly sticky but silky at the same time - the sponge left cloth partials/lint in the balm - I also found this annoying and decided just to apply it with my fingers. The balm is a tinted rose color. I was a little worried at first since my skin is more yellow-toned. Luckily, it goes on clear; there's no color pay off.

On the first few days of testing, I used on this on my bare skin - it made my skin feel good and soft and somewhat evened out my skin tone. However, it didn't 'blur' redness. Next, I tried it under my makeup (concealer and powder) - that was a poor decision... my makeup looked flakey. It made my dry skin look drier. Next, I used it over my makeup - as a setting powder. I blotted it all over with my fingers; I noticed fine lines that I never really notice. The best use I found for the Blur Perfector is using it as a brow gel to keep my brows in place. While that's not what's made for, I found it being the most effective for this task. I do not like heavy brow gels; this balm has just enough of the sticky feeling to keep hairs in place.

Bottom Line: After seeing so many raving reviews, I'm really sad to say these products just didn't work with my normal-to-dry skin and current, minimal, makeup routine. I didn't notice a major difference in my skin while using these products. While they're good ideas and somewhat effective, I do not think the price tag matches the results. The primer is potentially worth looking into. In my opinion, the blur perfector is an unneeded extra step. I will not purchase these in the future.

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

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Empties #13

Here's all of the products and candles I've finished in the month of July:

Acqua Di Goila EDP
(sample) I've always liked this scent in the store. I received a sample of this perfume and started wearing it daily. It's a good summer scent - very clean and fresh. Although I'm not sure I like it enough to purchase the full-size.

The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream
(gift set/travel size) This was effective and smelled nice, but there are definitely better shower products out there.

Camille Beckman Tuscan Honey Hand Cream
(Birchbox sample) I received this in my Birchbox a long time ago. It was effective, the scent was too strong for me personally. I ended up finishing it as a night-time foot cream.

Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub
(beauty bag sample) Firstly, this sample package annoyed me - it looked and felt like a large sample. Like you were getting a lot of product. I hit pan in no time... the shallow part of the container was only as deep as the lid. You received more plastic than product. As for the product itself, it was nice - a creamy scrub with a light scent. I prefer Vasanti or Dr. Brandt over this.

Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Mirco Water
(Birchbox sample) This is probably my least favorite micellar water I've ever tried. It took so much product to get so little makeup off. Simple and Bioderma were a lot more effective (using way less product) than this.

Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
(beauty box/travel size) I've used up a few of these so far. This has been favorite body wash sample to date. It smells like soap and Shocktarts combined. The lather is excellent. It's moisturizing enough for shaving. I plan on purchasing the full size.

Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave.

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil
(gift set/sample) I wasn't a fan of this. It was incredibly oily and I didn't feel moisturized after it sunk in.

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Serum
(beauty box sample) This sample packaging also annoyed me. It looked like a smaller deluxe-sample. However, it only had 2 mL of product (less than foil packets do) plus lots of air and plastic. The packaging stated it was for a single use, but I used it for a few nights. I didn't notice any difference in my skin.

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser
(Birchbox sample) This was effective and made my skin look and feel good. I already repurchased more of the muslin cloths. I might purchase the cleanser, too!

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub
This product is sort-of gimmicky. While I did enjoy using it, and it was somewhat effective, I'm not sure I'll repurchase it. I used about half of it the jar and realized it expired a long time ago.

Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes (25 ct)
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave.

Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunscreen (SPF 30)
I really like all Neutrogena sunscreens - they're light/non-greasy and don't have a strong sunscreen smell. I've already repurchased more!

Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme
(Walmart beauty box sample) This smelled like an old-lady cold cream. It was somewhat effective.

Noxzema Mini Razor
I used to really like these razors for areas prone to nicks or irritation. I haven't seen these razors in-store in a long time, so I ordered some online. These are a lot different than the old ones... the guard is different - larger - making it impossible to effectively grab/cut hair. It won't cut your skin - but it also won't cut the hair. I will not be repurchasing these.

Olay Sensitive Body Wash
(beauty box/travel size) This didn't lather or smell great.

Oribe Signature Shampoo & Conditioner
(gift set/travel size) I'm obsessed with Oribe styling products, so naturally, I wanted to try out the shampoo and conditioner. I ended up cashing in some Birchbox points for a gift set. While this set did make my hair smell excellent, I didn't notice any difference in my hair. Neither product was extremely moisturizing. For the high price tag, I expected a lot more.

Prescriptives False Eyelashes Mascara
(Birchbox sample) I heard good things about this mascara, so I was really excited to see it in my Birchbox. I didn't like this mascara at all. It wasn't buildable. It didn't leave the 'false eyelashes' look, but more of a natural look instead. Even with my long eyelashes, this mascara didn't seem like much.

Venus Sensitive Skin Disposable Razor
I purchased a package of these on Amazon just because of the price point and good reviews. These razors only have 3 blades - which seems weird for sensitive skin - less blades, more irritation, in my opinion. I'll use all of these up but I'm looking forward to purchasing the Spa Breeze or Venus + Olay ones again.

Yankee Fluffy Towels Medium Jar Candle
This medium jar filled the whole living room with fragrance. It's one of my candle scents! I won't continue to rave.

Yankee Fluffy Towels Votive
Votives are excellent for smaller rooms. One of my candle scents! I won't continue to rave.

Yankee Golden Sands Tart
This scent/throw was really light; I barely smelled it while burning.

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July Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month.

Joico K-Pak Conditioner
This is my holy grail conditioner. I feel like I can use the most horrible shampoo in the world and this conditioner will still make my hair feel, look, and smell great. I always purchase the liter size online just because it's more cost effective for my long hair. Not to mention, a salon pump makes everything SO much easier! I finished a liter of this a few months ago. Since then, I've been using beauty box conditioner samples to switch things up and quit hoarding products. After taking a break from K-Pak and using it again, I noticed an immediate and huge difference in my hair. I can't recommend this enough. 

OPI Nail Polish in Coca-Cola Red
This is truly a coke can shade in a nail polish bottle. It's the most perfect red. I've been wearing it on my toes all month. 

Real Techniques Sculpting Brush
It's been a LONG time since I've purchased a makeup brush. My Sonia Kashuk Angled Brush that I purchased YEARS ago was starting to shed, so I needed a new bronzer brush. I've been loving my Real Techniques Blush Brush, so I figured I'd try another one from the brand. This sculpting brush is really dense, so it's great at applying product AND blending it out. I've been using this brush daily for bronzer and I'm really impressed. Not to mention, I got an awesome deal on the brush (I used a 20% off Ulta coupon, $2 off Manufacturer coupon - from the Walmart Beauty Box, and a $1.50 Ibotta rebate.) I got this brush for just under $5 - which makes me like it even more!

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume
I've purchased this perfume twice and have taken it back because it just didn't work with my body chemistry. By the end of the day, it smelled powdery and old lady. I love the way it smells in the air or on the sample paper. Recently, I received some samples in a swap. I decided to give a try once more - this time, I'm only spraying it on my clothes. Which is weird, but my body chemistry doesn't interfere and it smells the same way (like it should) all day long. I really like the floral notes combined with patchouli that leaves a spicy scent. I've been wearing this almost all month. I like it almost as much as I like Stella by Stella McCartney - that's saying a lot. 

pumps & patchouli,
-Kaitlyn

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June Favorites

'Favorites' posts/videos discuss the products (and other misc things) you loved for that month. The products can either be purchased that month or (old) 'rediscovered' items. Favorites are published at the end of the current month or at the beginning of the following month. 

The ridiculous southern heat index has made me pretty unmotivated when it comes to makeup. In turn, my June favorites is going up super late this month. Better late than never, right? I really like looking back at my past monthly favorites - I haven't skipped a month yet! 

Lately, I only wear a lot of makeup about once a week. Most days, it's very minimal or none at all. My skin is doing pretty good, regardless of the heat. I've been drinking lots of water and really just giving my skin a break. These have been my go-to products lately:

Benefit Gimme Brow in Light/Medium*
I've had this little tube for months. It's still going strong! At first, I thought this tube was a sample - nope, it's full size! The small wand is perfect for filling in and setting at the same time. On days I don't feel like messing with a pencil, this is always a must-use. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir
I purchased this in a Caudalie gift set a LONG time ago. I just didn't understand or get the hype of this product. But recently, it's becoming an excellent product to use when I need a face/skin pick-me-up. I use it on a bare face or over light makeup - multiple times a day.

Origins Vitazing SPF15 Sheer Release Tint
This has been my go-to for years. It's pricey, but it lasts 3-4 months. I use a small amount daily. It does a pretty good job at evening out my skin tone with the release tint. The product comes out of the bottle gray but ends up a nude/tan shade - it's magic. It has SPF, which is much-needed all year but especially in the hot, summer months. Lately, I haven't felt the need to wear a lot of concealer with it, that's why I wanted to rave about it again. 

brows & skincare,
-Kaitlyn 

* = This product was sent to me for free through a Birchbox & Benefit giveaway. 

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Empties #12

Although I have completed the 100 days of empties challenge, I still feel like doing a monthly empties is post is necessary. I always enjoy empties posts and videos because completely finishing products rather just hauling them is a lot more impressive, in my opinion. Here's all the products and candles I've finished in the month of June:

Amika Nourishing Mask Sea Buckthorn Berry 
(Birchbox sample) This sample was pretty small. I used it all over my hair once and just on my ends the second time. I liked the way it smelled. It left my really soft for a day. I liked this but still prefer the Macadamia Masque.

Bath & Body Works Peach & Honey Almond Shower Gel 
(travel size) This was a freebie. The scent got old pretty quickly. It lathered nice and made a good bubble bath, too. I probably won't repurchase it.

Blistex Medicated Mint Lip Balm 
This has a little bit left. I've switched to Lanolin and more natural products. I just find this really irritating now so I'm tossing it.

The Body Shop Shea Body Scrub 
(travel size) I purchased a set of the shea butter scrub, body butter, and shower gel awhile ago. I really like the body butter. This scrub was effective but it didn't smell as nice as the body butter. It also left a weird film in my bathtub. I plan to stick to more natural body scrubs.

Clinique take the day off Makeup Remover
This was my old HG. I'm already working on another bottle. I really prefer micellar waters now. I'm looking forward to buying a big bottle of Bioderma once I get through all of my makeup removers on hand.

Crest 3D White Luxe Vibrant Mint Toothpaste 
This is my HG toothpaste. I'm not sure it really helps whiten, but I love the taste.

Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar Soap 
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave.

LUSH Ocean Salt Face & Body Scrub 
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me. (This is the old version. I know they have recently changed the ingredients, I haven't tried the new one yet.)

Klorane Conditioning Balm with Mango Butter 
(Birchbox sample - foil packet) I'm not a fan of foil packets since a one-time-use is hard to really give a review. First impressions: I didn't feel like this was extremely moisturizing.

Klorane Shampoo with Mango Butter 
(Birchbox sample) This shampoo was nice and moisturizing; the mango scent was just okay.

Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave. I'm looking forward to buying another tub!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer in Fair 
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me. I ran out and bought another the DAY I finished this one. This concealer is so light and doesn't settle.

Neil George Conditioner 
(birchbox sample) The scent reminded me of Pine Sol; I found the formulation very drying.

Neil George Shampoo
(birchbox sample)  The scent reminded me of Pine Sol; I found the formulation ery drying.

Olay Fresh Effects Makeup Remover Wet Clothes (7 ct) 
These feel nice on the skin, but they do have a fragrance and I think they might've broken me out... not a fan!

Paula's Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster 
(Birchbox sample) I'm convinced I love all things Paula's Choice. I really liked using this oil/serum on the dry spots on my face; I had a lot less redness and flakes. I might purchase this in the future.

Ruffian Nail Lacquer in Ruffian Naked 
(Birchbox sample) I really liked this shade of nude on my pale skin. About halfway through, the formula just got too thick to work with, so I'm tossing it.

Shea Moisture 10-in-1 Superfruit Complex Hair Masque 
(foil packet) I only used this once since it was a foil packet. For whatever reason, this intrigued me. The scent was way too fruity. I felt like it left a lot of product build-up... I had to wash my hair the very next day. (I usually wash my hair every 3 days.)

Suave Moroccan Infusion Dry Shampoo 
I liked this at first. It smelled sort of masculine and added texture to my wavy hair. I've been trying to use this for months and it still feels half full. I think the nozzle broke or something because mostly air comes out with the smallest amount of product. Recently, it has made my hair fill more oily than fresh. I'm just tossing it.

Swisspers Cotton Rounds (100 ct) 
This is both a staple and a holy grail product for me; I won't continue to rave.

Victoria's Secret So Sexy Balancing Shampoo 
(travel size) This was my HG shampoo & conditioner in high-school. I've been hoarding a travel size set, for some reason. It's moisturizing and smells nice. I'm still on the hunt for a better shampoo though.

Victoria's Secret So Sexy Conditioner
(travel size) This was my HG shampoo & conditioner in high-school. I've been hoarding a travel size set, for some reason. It's moisturizing and smells nice. However, I prefer Joico K-Pak conditioner over this now.

Bath & Body Works Big Island Bamboo 3-wick candle
I liked this scent. It was clean and refreshing at the same time. I would repurchase this in the future.

Bath & Body Works White Barn Fresh Waters & Sea Salt 3-wick candle
I really liked this scent in the store. It reminded me of the beach. Once I got it home and burned it, it smelled like I caught sunscreen on fire. Not a fan.

Better Homes & Gardens Brazilian Bamboo Wood Scented Wax Cubes (6 ct)
This was similar to Big Island Bamboo, but less clean and more obnoxiously fragrant. It was nice but I probably won't repurchase this scent.

Glade Honey Bee Rhythm single wick Candle 
This candle smelled like Secret Deodorant when burning. Not a fan.

Some tarts/wax-melt info: I always buy my wax melts at Walmart because of the good quality and low price point - 6 melts for $2.00 (about .34 cents a piece.) They'll last for a few days. Recently, I saw Yankee Candle was having a sale and a lot of their tarts were only .75 cents. I bought about 10 different new-to-me scents. My tart burner is on the smaller-side: one Yankee tart would be way too much wax, so I cut them in half. (Making them .38 cents a piece - nearly the same price point as a Walmart one.) The Yankee fragrance only lasts for a few hours and then quickly smells like Crayola crayons. (The Walmart ones don't smell like anything once the scent runs out.) I've only burned 3 Yankee tarts so far but I haven't been pleased with how long they last....

Yankee Candle Coastal Breeze Tart
I liked this scent at first, clean and masculine; it didn't last very long.

Yankee Candle Hazelnut Coffee Tart (2)
I liked this scent at first - like a Starbucks and donut shop combined. (I usually don't like food scents, but this was an exception.) After just a few hours, this smelled like crayons.

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