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complicatedandstained · 5 years

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The Other Day at Hot Topic: Two Truths and a Lie

Aqua breathes new life into the phrase ‘stormed out’, as she tears through the black archway, out of Hot Topic, dragging Vanitas with her like an empty black trash bag caught in a windstorm.

It takes Roxas a long moment to process this sudden departure and another to think to turn back to Axel, still leaning in the back door frame and looking vaguely whiplashed, like he ought to be picking stray leaves out of his hair.

Roxas finds himself moving toward him, dodging Clearance fixtures like a skier dodges flags. “Are you okay?” Concern wears down his voice, but he doesn’t think Axel will mind. His feet halt a few feet apart from the man, still staring out the entryway and frowning hard. “What was that about?”

Axel glances down at Roxas, silver pierced, red brows arching like it hadn’t occurred to him he might actually have to explain what’s just transpired. “I think I mighta broke Aqua.”

Axel tries to smile, but it’s a weak little twitch, and it makes Roxas a little sad that Axel feels like he needs to smile for him when he’s clearly no longer in the jovial mood he had been not fifteen minutes ago. (Even after Roxas had made the stupid mistake of telling him about pushing Sora off a pier and into the ocean. Which, okay. Sounded much worse than it was. Sora has a waterproof phone case. So, no harm done, really.)

Axel’s arms cross and he looks up, toward the top of the door frame where the paint’s started to scrape off. “Had to...uh, send someone home early,” he rubs at his arm, “low numbers and all that.”

Another person angry with Axel for just doing his job? It doesn’t seem fair...

“Aqua drew the short straw,” Axel continues with a shrug. “I’m sure she’s just pretending to be angry with me.”

“Sure, Axel.”

It feels too simple, like a lie. It certainly hadn’t looked that way to Roxas. Although, he supposes he hasn’t known them all long enough to really judge. Still something in his stomach tightens. He realizes Aqua getting upset could have been easily prevented. Still could be, but…

“I really, really need the hours,” Roxas argues with his conscience aloud, Seifer’s quick sneer and upturned nose back on his mind. (It should be impossible for anyone to look as stuck up as Seifer always did while also wearing a super dumb beanie, but he’d always managed it.)

Roxas backsteps, the echoes of Aqua’s ‘Screw you, Axel,’ ringing in his ears, as he watches regret play across Axel’s face.

“But I guess, if she’s that upset, I’ll go after her...”

“You’ll…?” Axel shakes his head swiftly, pacing forward to set hands on Roxas’ shoulders. “It’s like day two for you, right? Stay.” Axel’s voice smooths out to a gentle salve. Between that and his hands—warmer than human hands are supposed to be, Roxas is pretty sure—Axel effectively stills Roxas’ entire being. “She’s fine. Really. She didn’t want me to tell you guys this, but she asked me if she could go.”

Roxas takes a slower breath. “Oh.”

So, her anger had been an act to cover up her calling first dibs to leave after Roxas and Vanitas duked it out earlier. Smart.

Also, kind of… offensive, right? Roxas hadn’t hurt Vanitas that bad. He’d just been milking it.

Chicken wuss, dismisses the Seifer in Roxas’ brain. Seifer, who Roxas had once seen bounce back to his feet, swaying, with his pretty nose broken, a couple displaced teeth in one fist and his Struggle bat poised to strike in the other. Always ready to go another round. The idiot.

Axel reads Roxas’ mind, or the frown lines etching into his face at least.

“As for Vanitas, he’ll be back after Aqua tells him to behave himself.” Axel leans his elbow into Roxas’ shoulder to get closer to eye level. Amused overbright green halts his thoughts and Axel’s elbow digs a bit near his neck. Roxas can’t bring himself to mind. “You know. Probably.”

Roxas tilts his head in turn, eyes narrowing, tracing the silver constellation of piercings highlighting Axel’s sharp features. Lip ring, nose ring, brow studs, earrings, plugs… “Probably. So, you’re saying it’s just you and me?” “Actually.” Axel takes two fingers and presses Roxas’ cheek, turning his face to face the register. “It’s just you. Time to show me your stuff, check out boy.” He taps Roxas’ cheek in emphasis, and starts to strut toward the counter, the stained-glass window designed plugs Roxas gave him earlier waving in the air at him behind Axel’s back.

Roxas mouth opens a bit at this light-hearted shift, but he trails after, taking up his post behind the register and arming himself with a hand-held price scanner. He nods solemnly and reaches out a palm. “Right.”

Axel returns the soldierly nod and drops the plugs into Roxas’ hand, along with a packet of Pop Rocks—the green ones. “Did I find everything alright?” Axel prompts sportingly.

“Yeah, yeah, you did, thank you,” Roxas mumbles back dryly, scanning the first tag. Axel scoffs, the hard edge starting to melt off his grin.

Axel starts to type away on his phone. Not leaving Roxas all alone after all then, the newbie realizes.

* *

Even missing his winged eyeliner today, Axel’s jade gaze is striking. Roxas can feel it burning the back of his neck as he turns to tap at the computer screen. He’s trying to find the stupid employee discount option Demyx had shown him so he won’t seem completely incompetent when he screws up something else later on.

Axel starts clicking his tongue the second Roxas gets it right, and Roxas pauses, unable to withhold a flash of confusion. “Tsk, tsk, Roxas,” Axel drags out, amusement growing at Roxas’ immediate, doe-eyed look of disappointment, “week one and you’re already sharing your employee discount with tall, handsome strangers? I’m not sure if I’m scandalized or impressed.”

“Tall, handsome...?” Roxas’ mind immediately jumps to Axel. His better judgment rejects that idea and his tongue stills, eyes flicking between Axel and the nonexistent checkout line. “You mean you?”

Axel feigns indignance, sweeping a fatigued looking wallet toward his chest and offering a dry, “Thanks for noticing.”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t saying you’re not—” Roxas fumbles too quickly, words tangling, “I mean, I didn’t mean to say—Wait.” Roxas blinks as Axel leans back to watch his meltdown with an unwavering smirk. “You. You’re saying you’re not an employee?”

Axel sighs, nods, tugging at his tight black tee. “Just dress like one.”

Roxas watches the cotton snap back against Axel’s lean chest, and then shakes his head, trying to understand. “But you’re always here.”

He’d helped with Roxas’ training, logged him into the register, known every single employee’s name and personality flaws and amusing anecdotes…

“Right next door, technically.” Axel flicks a thumb. “Like I said, I just swing by to help Saïx keep his life in order.”

Wait, Axel had already told him this? Puzzle pieces begin to click. Why people get pissed at him for taking charge, for example. “And that’s why you never stay long.”

“Bingo. Gold star.”

Roxas sets the scanner down, arms crossing. Axel hadn’t needed to be so fucking cryptic about it. “So, what do you do?”

Axel pauses to consider, an arm stretching behind his neck. Roxas wishes the guy didn’t flex so much, as he gets distracted by a flash of the tattooed tongue of flame above Axel’s wrist and the edges of black etchings further up, wrapping lean muscle.

“Stab people with needles, mainly.”

Roxas tongue goes dry. What the what? “You’re… some kind of nurse?”

Axel laughs, short and bright, leaning his arms on the counter. “That’s flattering.” His head shakes like he’s trying to picture himself in jet black scrubs. “Jesus, no. Here.” He flips open the billfold in his hands. “Remember when I told you knowing about piercings was my only job?”

He slides a business card across the table, featuring a complex glossy black and white geometric design that reminds Roxas of a mansion gate. Apparently cryptic is Axel’s forte.

“I thought you meant knowing everything was your only job.” Roxas’ teasing lacks gravity as he squints at the card, unsure what to make of it.

Axel smiles. “That’s more a hobby.” He glances down at the card and then, with a ‘Whoops’ flips it over. “Friend and I own a little tattoo and piercing place down on the boardwalk.”

“Never,” Roxas reads from the simple, seriffed, gold font overtop the black and white design, feeling incredibly stupid. He imagines a neat little shop, all weathered boards and open glass, hung with elaborate posters, the smell of salt on the air, and punk rock thrumming through the speakers, gently vibrating the floorboards.

Roxas glances back up to the attractive man, reconsidering the inverted violet teardrop tattooed below each eye. “Kind of perfect for you.”

“Yup.” Axel taps the counter. “We’re not wildly popular yet, but we’ve made a name and we do better than alright.”

“I’d love to see your work sometime.”

“Oh?” Axel stills, lip quirking, and Roxas stomach chills at his latest misstep, though he honestly has no idea what it was.

“Well, if you show me yours…” Axel prompts, flicking up an eyebrow and pinching the collar of his tee, like he’s ten seconds from pulling it off.

“Ah…” Roxas raises both hands, blue eyes widening, words too fast again, as his heart rate reaches a rate more appropriate for a jack hammer. “I meant your designs, that you drew…”

Axel’s freckled nose crinkles, and he covers his mouth like he’s trying harder to fight another smirk. “I know what you meant, Roxas.” And Axel has apparently had second thoughts on the whole stripping in public concept, because he just nods, as if to say ‘Later, then’ and folds his wrists on the counter, head tilting in thought. “Y’know, I tell everyone they’d love the place, but I think maybe you actually would.”

“Yeah, I …” Roxas nods, voice quieting, sliding the business card over to his side of the counter, “I think so too.”

Never, Tattoo and Piercing Parlor, Xigbar Thornton & Axel Flynn

This all makes such an incredible amount of sense, Roxas isn’t sure how it didn’t occur to him before. Oh right.

“But you said earlier you work next door…”

“Uh-huh.” Axel shrugs a shoulder, sliding his credit card out of his wallet. “More of a side gig.”

Setting his card down, Axel dips a couple fingers into his shirt pocket and fishes out a small silver name plate. He clips the tag near his breast bone with a magnet, and then tugs it forward for Roxas’ viewing pleasure. “claire’s” is embossed across the top in crisp, bubbly, purple letters. Below this, printed in some cousin to Comic Sans, “AXEL” in vibrant magenta.

Roxas’ brain back-fires again in a way better suited to an old pickup truck engine.

Roxas tries to super-impose the man in front of him over an image of Claire’s. Claire’s, a cheap children’s fashion boutique with the overwhelming assortment of low-quality, cutesy micro-accessories: hair, jewelry, plushies, the whole nine yards. Claire’s with the pink, purple, and glitter color scheme that looks like something a unicorn vomited up. Claire’s which always smells vaguely of plastic and vanilla bean.

Roxas can’t help but imagine that upon walking in, Axel, in his punk-goth-hipster glory with his unquantifiable number of tattoos and piercings, would be immediately escorted out again.

They let you work at Claire’s.”

“Hey,” Axel argues, with a hurt pout about as real as a Claire’s cotton candy blue hair extension. “I’m good with kids.” His eyes narrow with amusement as Roxas’ brows rise. “It’s the parents you gotta watch out for. And okay so,” his hands lift in a gesture of admission, “maybe I mainly just sit around, piercing ears and looking pretty. And maybe Marluxia likes for me to stay out of the way. And technically,” his fingers steeple, “I got the job as a personal favor, and not through an interview, but that’s just because I violate most of the dress code standards any given day of the week.”

Roxas laughs outright. “God, sorry. I just feel like such an idiot.” He shakes his head and, at an angry beep from the register, returns his attention to his computer screen, responding to a prompt on the screen that asked if their transaction was still ongoing and another regarding Axel’s method of payment. “I thought you were, like, my manager,” he mumbles, thinking of the grief he’d given himself over his crush.

“’S alright,” Axel straightens up, pocketing one hand, “You wouldn’t be the first to give me a discount. Especially on account of me n’ Saïx.”

Axel plugs his card in the reader, keys in his code.

“Huh?” Roxas watches him out of the corner of his eye as he taps another button on screen. “What about you and Saïx?”

Axel smirks again, and this one he doesn’t bother to hide, his voice reaching a new level of patronizing, “Your parents’ll tell you when you’re older.”

The reader beeps, and Axel tugs out his card and taps it back in his wallet against the counter. Roxas is happy to turn his miffed expression away from the man’s striking eyes and mocking smile as he retrieves a bag for the earrings.

“What?” Roxas coughs. Axel had said he had a boyfriend, but… “You and Saïx?”

No. Way.

Then laughter comes, quick and easy, imagining the playful, flirtatious red-head wrapping his arms around the neck of Roxas’ sharp, stoic boss. “Right, okay, sure.”

“Well,” Axel’s smile drops off as he waves away the bag in Roxas’ hand, “they say opposites attract. And he is smart... successful... built like a tank...”

Roxas laughs again, remembering Axel and Demyx’s serious discussion about checking out Saix’s butt in sweatpants. Maybe this is a long running joke of theirs.

“Warm, charming, sympathetic,” Roxas mimics and rolls his eyes, tearing Axel’s receipt off the printer.

Axel looks mock affronted, fingers to his chest again. “Don’t believe me, huh?”

“Yeah, no. Maybe when hell freezes over.”

“Is that right?” Axel chuckles softly at Roxas’ adamance, eyes terribly amused. “I’ll let him know you said so.”

Hm. Maybe they really are good friends. Roxas remembers Axel draping a scarf around Saix’s neck in the training video. Saïx hadn’t seemed to enjoy it, but he also hadn’t stopped him.

“Yeah,” Roxas says with slightly less certainty, forking over the receipt. “You do that.”

“Thanks, Roxas.” Axel wraps the plugs in the receipt and tucks them back in his pocket. Roxas slides the Pop Rocks, forward as well, but Axel covers Roxas’ hand with his own to stop its progress. “Those were for you.”

Axel slides their hands back toward the cashier side, letting go only when Roxas wraps his fingers around the packet of candy.

“Thanks,” Roxas mumbles, glancing down at the candy and wondering what to make of it.

When Axel captures Roxas’ eyes again, he winks. “Hey, come by sometime. I’ll give you a free piercing or something.”

“I’m pretty sure all piercings at Claire’s are free.” Roxas wishes he could rewind his mouth. He doesn’t know what it is about Axel that makes him blurt the first thing that comes to his mind.

Axel chuckles. “And the equipment is crap, too.” He turns lazily to go. “But that’s not really what I had in mind.”

“Oh. You meant...” Roxas slides the card on the counter closer still. “Pierce my… what, exactly?” That doesn’t sound the way he means it to, either, but this time Axel doesn’t call him out on it.

“Whatever you want.” Axel nods over his shoulder, smirk both condescending and endearing. “My treat.”

“I’ve never really thought about…” He has, actually, but after his tattoo, it’s safe to say his parents would murder him in cold blood.

“So, think about it,” Axel replies, facing away from him again, walking off, “I’ve got a few suggestions.” He laughs lightly at some stray thought. “I’m sure Xigbar will too.”

Maybe Roxas will just die now on the spot and save his parents the trouble.

Sora would probably give the eulogy and get all blubbery and incoherent halfway though. Maybe he could tell the ‘my brother knocked me off a dock’ anecdote. Classic Roxas. So tragic.

Axel saunters toward the door, and how had Roxas not noticed Vanitas coming in and getting back to work? How much of this conversation had he heard?

Axel stops at the door and turns one more time, smile quick, “Never say never, Roxas.”

Roxas leans his arms into the counter so he will not melt into a puddle on the floor. “That’s cheesy as hell, Axel.”

“See you later, Roxas.”

#kingdom hearts #roxas #axel #Saix #organization xiii #akuroku #akusai #aqua #vanitas #xigbar #the other day at hot topic #my writing

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thewriterwhodreamed · 6 years

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Twelve Years Prior: Chapter Two

A fifth year prefect was assigned to me, she was beautiful, blood red lipstick, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. She was the image of perfection, in fact this whole house was.

Everyone wore their uniforms pressed clean and tidy, a sign of perfection.

The males had their ties tied all the same way, their slicked back and jelled, or combed properly. They were like something out of a book.

And the females were just the same. Perfect lipstick, winged eyeliner that was so pointed and perfect that it could kill. Their hair was in a neat bun, or some stylish updo, and hardly any of them wore it down.

They house had a different atmosphere when they came to the common room. They were warm, not cold, and they laughed and talked and acted like family. Something that wasn’t shown past these doors.

I could hear the starts of an argument over what game they were to play, and monopoly was passed around, and then there was hissing and crying and all sorts of clamour, and it had me to wonder what had happened with a simple game.

“Rhay.” The prefect called Aurora once again grabs my attention. “Let’s get you settled in and then you can join us for games, okay?” I nod and she leads me up the stairs and to the girls dorm room, and I can see the empty bed against a rock wall, the foot of it facing the magic glass that gave a view to the lake, indicating that we were somewhere close to the dungeons, or even right next to them.

The odd thing about the rooms was that I half expected it to be cold, but the room was actually comfortable.

“Your bunk is there on the end, and your schedule will be given to you tomorrow during breakfast, so for now, just unpack and get settled in and you’re more than welcome to come join us for games.” I nod my head, and open my trunk and put away clothes and other necessities and slide my trunk underneath the bed as far it would go before hitting the storage drawers underneath.

This room was to be mine for the next seven years, and I'd be twenty when I left, probably one of the oldest ones to ever graduate from here, from Hogwarts.

I should have been a second or third year, but even if I had asked to skip years, I haven't grown up anywhere near magic and would be left in the dust, so I was stuck as thirteen year old first year.

Honestly, though, the dorm was amazing, filled with what seemed to be expensive furnishings and other objects. It was like something out of home goods magazine, and it was beautiful.

"Hey new kid, come on down and watch how we play our games!" A kid called up to me, and I walked down the stairs and saw them gathered over a game of cards against humanity. Someone offers me a pillow on the floor and I gladly take it.

"Alright, for everyone old enough to play, if you don't get chosen, you take a shot of Firewhisky, only people who don't have to, are the judge and the winner of the round." I hear a few whispers and then from the same brunette kid a "Let's begin."

Needless to say, thirty minutes into the game everyone was drunk and most were passed out.

The rest of us had gone to bed and I was the only sober person up, and I was wide awake and tuned into the last few people playing the game. Two sixth years and one seventh year. And out of the three of them, the sixth year female was holding her liquor down better than the two males seated across from her.

Her lipstick was stained and her eye makeup was almost non-existent, but the wing of her eyeliner still remained. Waterproof is all I could think.

"Tell me, Rhay." She says through slurred words. "Your parents, how powerful they are."

"Muggles actually."

"Learn your shit, kid." And then she passes out and shortly the other two had followed suit. I was the only one up and out of bed, and something by the window had called me over to it and I stood by it.

It was the reflective eyes that I noticed first, and then it was the snake like tongue.

A ten foot sea serpent appeared in front of me, and I could hear it speaking in my head.

"Hello, puuure blood." It hisses in my head, and at first it seems weird, but then I remind myself I'm a witch and this is perfectly normal.

"So, you talk then?" Yes, bravo, your first encounter with a talking creature and you state that it talks. Bravo, you idiot.

"It isss obvioussss." I nod my head in agreement. "Although not many of your kind understand usssssss."

"I don't think I follow." I can see the snakes beautiful body swimming in the ocean, struggling to keep him here. Maybe there was some way I could accommodate him, walk around the room with him, but the common area didn't seem to be big enough for me to pace, so, for now I settled on standing still.

"Only thossse who can ssspeak parsseltounge can communicate with the likesss of me, I've only met one other in my life, and that wass nearly fifty yearssss ago."

"How old are you then?" I cross my hands behind my back and seperate my legs into a more grounded stance.

"Age hass no meaning to uss, unlike you humansss."

"Right. That would make sense I guess, you aren't defined by what you can and can't just because of how old you are."

"Then prooove them wrong." And I see it,get startled and swim away from the window back out into the inky depths of the freezing cold water.

"Come on first year, time for bed. Trust me when I say that you don't want to be sleeping in your classes tomorrow." I turn to see Aurora standing at the stairs waiting for me to go over and get ready before going to bed.

I walk over there with a small yes ma'am and nod of the head, but before she follows me I can feel her gaze drift towards the window trying to figure what what I was talking to. She didn't find anything, because as I pulled my covers up to my shoulders I heard her footsteps leave the common room shortly after.

Morning came and along with it came another grand feast of food, and schedules were passed out. I had Transfiguration, Astronomy, and History of Magic were my first classes, proceeding with lunch, and then Herbology, Potions, and finally Defence Against the Dark Arts, or DADA.

Finally dinner, which was then followed with personal time in the commons for studying and socializing.

In all honesty, this seemed a rather long and tedious day, one that I wasn't looking forward to, except maybe DADA, the last class of the day. Maybe somehow, if the class was in any way interesting, I could survive the day by looking forward to this one class.

And so rang the first bell, breakfast was over and classes were to begin shortly, and I was being pushed to somewhere, as to where, I wasn't sure, but I hoped it was in the direction of the Transfiguration class.

The fortnight passed in a blur, and soon quidditch trials were upon us, and I had already been sought out by the Captains for our quidditch trials, they wanted me as Seeker. They said I had exceptional skills, and was quite fast on a broom for a first year, to which I replied that I was older and more mature than first years, and all they did was grin and nod in response.

Needless to say, I became seeker, and I was expected to practice with the team everyday after school for an hour or two.

Yet, somehow, i managed to keep both my studies and extracurricular activities up.

I didn't have a hard time with studies, in fact I exceed everything set before me, and I had gotten to the point I was bored of school and it was nothing more than a few minutes of homework and a quick read. This school, and no school yet was fast enough to challenge me, and because of that I would let my studies slip, often finding other ways to better interest and challenge me.

And I even had my parents sending me juggle studies just to keep me from doing something stupid, but even those bored me.

So, often times late at night I would find myself in the library, so deep within a book I'd forget what time it was and would have to sneak back to the dorms.

But tonight, tonight was different, tonight I had been caught by Flich, and tonight was when I would once again meet the Head f Slytherin…

Professor Snape.

_________________________________________

Chapter one to be re-posted shortly.

R.T

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onecutedoc · 7 years

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Attention Beauty Lovers! I recently was sent some new PR beauty products to try! I couldn’t wait to share them all with you. What new products have you been trying? I would love to know! Keep reading to see my what all I received and to hear my first impressions.

NEW PR Beauty Products First Impressions:

Disclaimer: I was sent this product for review. These are my honest thoughts & opinions. I did not receive any compensation, just the product to try. This page may contain affiliate links for your convenience. CLICK HERE to read my full disclosure.

LipSense:

I have heard a ton about LipSense and was so skeptical to try them. I was never a fan of Younique makeup and figured LipSense was just like them. Boy, was I wrong! The lovely Debbie Rigby sent me a starter kit to test and try. I couldn’t wait to see what the hype was all about.

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My favorite part of the LipSense system is the gloss. It feels amazing on the lips and is not sticky at all. I could seriously wear the gloss alone because it is extremely moisturizing. The lip remover is also awesome. This system is totally my favorite new lipstick and I really need more shades.

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VERDICT: WINNER

Lauren B Beauty Nail & Cuticle Balm:

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I really enjoyed this cuticle cream. My cuticles seriously need some work and this balm is awesome. It is so convenient too because of the pen applicator. I can easily travel with it and throw it into my bag. It is not messy at all which I really enjoy.

My cuticles felt so much softer after just one use. The claim that it instantly absorbs is so true. My nails are looking better and I will most definitely continue using. I hope it completely restores my nails. That would be a miracle!

VERDICT: WINNER

Arbonne It’s A Fine Line Pencil Eye Liner:

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I wasn’t a huge fan of these eyeliners. They aren’t very creamy and they tend to tug at the eyes. It was hard getting the color to show up on my eyes. You definitely don’t want to apply them on top of a cream eyeshadow because they won’t show up at all. Maybe I just got a bad batch because they are not supposed to skip or pull at your eyes.

The eyeliners are decently long-wearing after you get the color to show up. I really enjoy that there is a sharpener at the end. That was a very nice touch. I just wish they were a tad bit more creamy. If they were, I would be a huge fan. I received the colors graphite and aubergine. They really are stunning colors.

VERDICT: JUST OKAY

Rituals Relaxing Body & Massage Oil in White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren:

Nourishing, moisturizing oil with a calming effect for body and soul. Can also be used as a nourishing oil for very dry skin.

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I highly recommend this oil and I will totally continue using it.

VERDICT: WINNER

Merle Norman Shadow Stick in Mystic:

This long-wearing, cream shadow in a handy stick form is designed for versatility. Layer with powder shadows for added richness and opacity, or wear alone for a wash of color. Available in ten gorgeous matte and luminous shades.

I love the color (Mystic) of this shadow stick. It is VERY pigmented and creamy. I was impressed at how easy it was to apply to the eyes and blend. It doesn’t set right away so you are able to blend which is nice. I totally agree that this shadow is long-wearing. It didn’t smear or budge once it set. I was able to achieve a gorgeous smokey eye very quickly.

The only negative is that the product is very soft. You can’t press hard at all or it will break. I had to be careful when initially applying to my eyes. Other than that, I think it is a fantastic shadow stick and formula. I will definitely use again.

VERDICT: WINNER

Mally Beauty H3 Lipstick:

Wear a pop of color with Mally Beauty’s H3 Lipstick. This product provides triple hydration with just the right amount of coverage. The formula is gel-based rather than wax, so it leaves lips nourished and rich in pigment all day long.

The shades I received are Crush & Hibiscus. Crush is a plum shade while Hibiscus is a berry shade. The formula is very creamy and definitely hydrating. It feels very comfortable on the lips. I actually enjoyed the gel-based formula and found it very nice to wear. Both lip colors have intense pigmentation and they last a long time on the lips.

The shape of the lipstick is different and took a little while to get used to. However, it was easy to apply once I figured out at what angle to hold it. I would recommend using a lipliner with these lipsticks because they can tend to smear.

You can wear these colors alone or layered. I layered mine and I love how it turned out. Overall, I really love how these lipsticks feel and I will definitely continue using.

VERDICT: WINNER

TULA Urban Defense Hydrating Mist:

Pollution has met its match! This nutrient-packed spray protects against environmental toxins that prematurely age and irritate skin. Anti-inflammatory rose water, coconut water, and hyaluronic acid help to calm skin and immediately boost hydration.

I love hydrating mists, especially in the spring and summer. Hydrating mists are a great way to cool down and add some extra hydration to your skin. This mist includes rose water, coconut water, and hyaluronic acid which are all ingredients my skin loves.

The mist is very fine and the sprayer is great. I hate mists that leave huge water droplets all over your skin. This hydrating mist doesn’t do that. It really is very refreshing and feels great on the skin. I am really impressed and will definitely continue using it. The bottle is fairly large so it will last me a long time. I love it!

VERDICT: WINNER

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense Visible Redness Reducing Serum:

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac AR Intense is an intensive daily formula to help visibly reduce redness.

I have a few areas of redness on my face, so I couldn’t wait to try this serum. It is supposed to help visibly reduce redness. The packaging is really nice and totally travel-friendly. I won’t have to worry about this product spilling all over my stuff.

The serum feels great on my skin and sinks into the skin very quickly. I used two pumps and it covered my entire face and neck. It doesn’t have much of a smell at all which I really enjoy in skincare. I love how it feels on my skin and I will totally continue using to see if I notice any redness reduction. If I do, this just might become a holy grail serum.

VERDICT: NEED TO CONTINUE USING, BUT WINNER SO FAR

La Roche-Posay Rosaliac CC Cream:

Provides instant coverage in a cc cream tinted moisturizer to visibly reduce the appearance of redness on face while hydrating. Provides broad spectrum SPF 30.

I had high hopes for this CC cream. It is supposed to reduce the appearance of redness while hydrating. I believe it does reduce the appearance of redness; however, it is definitely not the right shade for me. It also clung to my dry patches and was patchy which I didn’t enjoy. If you have oily skin, you might love this CC cream. It is definitely pigmented and does add a bit of coverage.

The color was completely wrong for my skin tone. I wish it would come in different shades. If it did, I would totally give it another go. It was way too orange and it was hard to blend. Luckily, I was able to make it work by applying a light powder on top.

I won’t be using this CC cream again because it just doesn’t work with my skin.

VERDICT: FAIL FOR MY SKIN TONE

WODA European Natural Skin Care MAGIC Bamboo & Charcoal Mask:

This amazing, magic mask will give you beautiful skin in an instant. Deep cleansing and exfoliation will help reduce the appearance of sunspots and hyperpigmentation. Your complexion will look clearer, more radiant, soft, and supple. This natural and organic formula contains Activated Bamboo Charcoal, Kaolin, Vitamin C, Rosehip oil, and Evening Primrose oil. Perfect for all skin types.

Be ready to show off your glowing complexion!

Okay, I am totally obsessing over this skincare line. It is fantastic. I was a HUGE fan of their Celebrity Gold Mask (it totally made an appearance in my Current Favorites). The Magic Bamboo & Charcoal mask is just as amazing. I really don’t know which I like the most. They are both must have masks!

This mask left my skin feeling so clean and soft. I have some texture on my skin and I could notice a difference after just one use. My skin also looked radiant and it didn’t strip my skin either. I will totally be using this mask more to see how much my skin improves. Check out my Instagram post about it below!

I am a day late again!! But Here is my next #maskmondaychallenge! Be sure to join Hannah @hhardydawson and I every Monday for a new mask review! This Monday I am reviewing the @euroskinstudio Woda Magic Bamboo & Charcoal Mask that was recently sent to me * * 💆🏻This mask claims to give you beautiful skin in an instant! It deep cleans and exfoliates to help reduce the appearance of sunspots and hyperpigmentation. Your complexion will look clearer, more radiant, soft, and supple!* * 💆🏻This mask was so fun to use! Charcoal is all the rage right now and this mask is made with charcoal! It gives a slight tingle at first but it wasn't painful at all! I actually liked it because I felt like it was doing something! The tingle went away quickly too!* * 💆🏻My skin looked so radiant after using! I have some texture on my skin and I noticed a huge difference after using this mask! My skin felt so smooth and soft! It really did an amazing job at deep cleansing my skin! * * 💆🏻My skin feels so soft and looks so healthy! I can't wait to use this mask again! The experience was awesome!! One bottle will last me a good while because there is still a ton of product left! I was impressed and would definitely repurchase this mask! It's a good one! * * 💆🏻Be sure to flip through all the pictures to see the results! And check out Hannah's mask review too! * * * #beautyblog #bblogger #beautychallenge #masks #facemask #facemasks #facemasktime #skincarechallenge #kbeauty #sheetmask #popularmask #beautyblogs #beautyblogging #facemaskselfie #skincareroutine #skincarelover #maskmonday #challenge #skincareblogger #beautycollab #igbeauty #bblogging #gotitfree

A post shared by Elisabeth | Bblogger | Makeup (@eandnbeautycreator) on Apr 25, 2017 at 4:59pm PDT

VERDICT: WINNER

IntelliDent Toothbrush Shield:

Breathable, quick drying shield that acts like a surgical mask for your toothbrush. Laboratory tested to be a 99.9% effective barrier against surface and airborne bacteria. Replaces plastic caps and holders that trap and breed bacteria. Ideal for travel, home, work and everywhere in between. Disposable and effective up to 7 days.

These toothbrush shields are really awesome and very affordable. I love that they protect against surface and airborne bacteria. You simply apply the shield to your toothbrush and put it away. After 7 days, simply dispose of the shield. I love that you can use each shield for 7 days. One pack has 10 shields, so one pack will last me 10 weeks.

They are much more hygienic than plastic toothbrush caps. I will totally be using these all the time now. They are perfect for travel too. These were an awesome find and I, most definitely, will be purchasing more once I have finished this pack.

VERDICT: TOTAL WINNER

Have you tried any of the products mentioned? See anything you would like to try? Let me know in the comments below! And stay tuned for the next Testing PR Products!

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Testing NEW PR Beauty Products First Impressions…Did They Work? Attention Beauty Lovers! I recently was sent some new PR beauty products to try! I couldn't wait to share them all with you.

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