Category: Product Reviews

Love product reviews? So do I! Lifestyle With Kris features plenty of beauty, skincare, health, fashion, productivity reviews for you to read and watch. User-generated content usually helps consumers in purchasing products. Let me help you shop!

  • 12 Classic Pink and Red Lipsticks for Valentine’s Day

    12 Classic Pink and Red Lipsticks for Valentine’s Day

    Cupid shot me with his bow. I have fallen in love. My love for all things beauty, glamour, and makeup runs deep. I love everything– eyeshadow, foundation, mascara. The truth is I have to say that there’s no beauty product I admire more than gorgeous lipstick. A good lipstick will have you feeling like you’re worth more than just chocolates and roses. A good lipstick can make any outfit pop and appear effortless– especially red or pink lipstick. I have many pink and red lipstick shades that I’ve worn that have ultimately become my favorites and are regulars in my makeup bag year-round (not just on February 14th).

    If you’re looking for ideas for your Valentine’s Day (or night) makeup look, the first thing you should know is you can never go wrong with pink or red lips. They are classic colors of beauty. Just listen to Cupid and wear your heart on your lips and not your sleeves this Valentine’s Day with 12 beautiful pink and red lipsticks for any skin tone.

    Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

    This guide will cover:

    • shades for any skin tone
    • my favorite red/ pink lipsticks
    • classic red/pink shades
    • ideas to complete your Valentine’s Day makeup look

    Favorite Classic Pink Lipsticks

    Bring out your soft and compassionate side with any shade of pink lipstick. These feminine lipstick colors will definitely have you feeling “pretty in pink” and are perfect for any skin tone.

    M.A.C Candy Yum Yum (Pink)

    Candy Yum Yum gives a full-face attitude! It’s a super bright Barbie pink color that is perfect for any Valentine’s Day look. Although Candy Yum Yum is a matte finish, it doesn’t dry out your lips and will have you and your date wanting to pucker up all night long.

    Fenty Beauty Unlocked Stunna Lip Paint (Pink)

    Honestly, any color from the Stunna Lip Paint collection is a must-have. If you haven’t tried the collection yet, this guide will inspire you to check it out. Several shades from the Stunna Lip Paint collection make this list! Unlocked is a vivid pink that you can wear all day. Your lips are guaranteed to be kissable and smooth.

    Fenty Beauty Uncuffed Stunna Lip Paint (Pink)

    This rosy mauve color is so pretty. Lipsticks from this collection have a soft matte finish– so dry lips are impossible! What makes this pink lipstick a classic is its versatility for every skin tone. It appears pink but can also be a pale, purple-ish color.

    M.A.C Flat Out Fabulous (Pink)

    Flat Out Fabulous is a beautiful, bright magenta lipstick with a matte finish. It is a super fun color if you are in the mood to feel fabulous on Valentine’s Day. This shade of lipstick comes from M.A.C’s Retro Matte collection (along with Ruby Woo— another shade on this list of classic pink/red lipsticks for Valentine’s Day).

    Fenty Beauty Flamingo Acid MatteMoiselle (Pink)

    Flamingo Acid is the exception to the rule. It is a lightweight, ultra-slim lipstick that glides on creamy and stays put. I love Flamingo Acid because it defines my lip curves and gives me fuller lips.

    Fenty Beauty Fu$$y Gloss Bomb (Pink)

    If you are not in the mood for lipstick, you can always go with a shiny gloss on Valentine’s Day. The Fu$$y Gloss Bomb is an ultimate gotta-have-it lip stain. Why? It gives a shine like no other & is super hydrating. Fu$$y is the essential finishing touch to a Glossy Valentine’s Day.

    Favorite Classic Red Lipsticks

    If you are passionate about red, you can never go wrong with this classic Valentine’s Day color. These fiery lipsticks will make anyone fall in love! 

    Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink (Red)

    This all-new lipstick has become a new favorite in my makeup bag. I recently received this product from Influenster to review, and I fell in love with its smooth, creamy texture. The Satin Ink is a matte lipstick with a shine finish and is non-drying. (Price + Link)

    M.A.C Ruby Woo (Red)

    I mean… what hasn’t been said about Ruby Woo that needs to be said? We love the woo! It is such a classic lipstick that continues to stand the test of time. It looks perfect on any lip! The Retro Matte Collection from M.A.C truly has some unforgettable shades.

    Fenty Beauty Uncensored Stunna Lip Paint (Red)

    If you are in the mood for uncensored activities for Valentine’s Day, this lip paint is the perfect addition to the equation. The way the Stunna Lip Paint glides across the lips so smoothly will make this universal red irresistible to you (and anyone else for that matter). 

    Revlon ColorStay Matte Lite Crayon (Red)

    Another new lipstick that just got added to my list of favorites. This crayon is 30% lighter than your average lipstick. I primarily use this as a lip liner, but it does give full coverage.

    Fenty Beauty Griselda MatteMoiselle (Red)

    If you are into deep, bold colors, then Griselda is the girl for you. This lipstick shade is not as bright as most colors on this list, but it is still a gorgeous shade of lipstick. Griselda is a burgundy red with a matte finish. Fenty Beauty and Sephora no longer carry this lipstick, but here’s a dupe I found online for $19.

    M.A.C Sheen Supreme (New Temptation) 

    My first M.A.C lipstick ever. All hail New Temptation! I love everything about this lipstick. The color is a fire red that leaves the lips shiny like a pretty penny. Unfortunately, M.A.C discontinued New Temptation, so if you were interested in this red lipstick– you will not be able to purchase it. However, if you are really interested in trying it, there’s a dupe you can try out.

    There you have it. 12 classic pink and red lipsticks you must check out for Valentine’s Day. These shades are perfect for day or night activities. The desire to wear pink or red has never been louder than on Valentine’s Day.

    Sign-up for my newsletter, #TheLewkDigest, to get free product guides to any of the products I mention on the blog.

    Each product guide has

    • Features and Benefits
    • Honest reviews
    • Prices and Store Locations
    • Promotions, Discount Codes, and Coupons

    Express your love for beauty this Valentine’s Day with any of these classic lipstick shades. They are all tried and true!

    Related: Is The New Celestial Odyssey Holiday Palette Worth Trying?

    What are some of your favorite classic or new lipsticks? Have an idea for a shade that should be on the list? Leave me a comment below.


  • Starting The New Year With Hope And A Radiant Glow

    Starting The New Year With Hope And A Radiant Glow

    I am full of hope about what’s to come next for me this year.

    As I reflect on 2021, I realize that I spent a lot of time building my brand and not enough time taking care of myself. My two-week break taught me that I am too much of a control freak, I should stop putting expiration dates on everything, and I still struggle with setting unrealistic expectations. No wonder I was burned out by the end of the year. I was putting too much pressure on myself, but I’m grateful I realized it before continuing to carry that energy into 2022. What I needed was a work/life balance. I want to secure the bag and the happiness at the same time.

    Although I did not find that balance last year, my goal is to accomplish that this year. I wrote down and set realistic goals, worked out a strategy to execute them, and prayed over each one of them. I have a plan for self-improvement, business growth, gratitude, and I have

    new hope in a jar.

    This radiant revelation started with my hope in a jar.

    What is the radiant Hope In A Jar?

    The Lewk Digest is your go-to newsletter to owning your look. The Digest has a product guide to Hope In A Jar ! If you want to try out the product mentioned here on the website, check out The Lewk Digest. These guides are put together to help make shopping easier. Each product guide has

    • Features and Benefits
    • Honest reviews
    • Prices and Store Locations
    • Promotions, Discount Codes, and Coupons
    the LEWK Digest newsletter flyer

    I use it only in the mornings after cleaning and treating my skin. It’s soft and smells great. My skin is already showing signs of radiance and clarity. It’s routine maintenance and self-improvement. Hope In A Jar and I get along great. It’s given me what I needed to start again (or to keep going).

    2022 is all about hope.
    2022 is all about optimism.
    2022 is all about renewal.


  • A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox

    A Special First Look At Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox

    Disclaimer: Heads up! My posts contain affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps keep the lights on. Thanks!

    Rimmel London

    Rimmel London Voxbox Contents

    My Thoughts About the Rimmel London Voxbox

    I tried both products from the Influenster Rimmel London voxbox and have strong feelings about each one. #1: wasn’t too fond of the Lasting Finish foundation. It was very smooth and soft on my skin; I forgot that I had makeup on throughout the day. I don’t like that it promotes itself as a full-coverage foundation because it does not give full coverage. However, the Lasting Finish foundation is buildable. I had to do concealing and contouring to get it to cover all of my dark spots and blemishes. I can’t say how I feel about the Rimmel London Wonder’Serum yet. I’ll continue using it before giving my final opinion. However, I believe it will help my lashes and brows grow naturally.

    Influenster Rimmel London Voxbox Unboxing Video

  • 3 Cute & Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs

    3 Cute & Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission, which helps to keep the lights on! Thank you!

    Who doesn’t love cute and easy hairstyles?

    Wigs and braids have made styling my curly hair less of a struggle. I love using wigs and braids to switch things up. Wigs are a preferred protective style because they are generally quite simple to wear and don’t require much maintenance. After reading reviews online about different wigs, I decided to try a new style that I’d never heard of before: headband wigs.

    Here’s why…

    krissy bri wearing cute and easy hairstyles with headband wig

    More About Headband Wigs: Cute and Easy Hairstyles

    • Additional headbands and hair accessories
    • Iridescent cosmetic bag
    • LuvMe Hairclip
    • Bobby pins
    • Wig Cap
    • Wig Care Instructions
    • Hair Wrap
    • Edges Brush
    LuvMe Hair is an affordable luxury wig company with quality hair.

    The wig came with everything that I needed to style it. I put this wig on and styled it in less than 15 minutes! So, let me show you how I did it.

    Keep scrolling to reveal the long headband wig and easy hairstyles you can recreate using headbands.

    To Achieve Cute and Easy Hairstyles Using Headband Wigs, You’ll Need

    • wig cap
    • wig w/ clips and headband straps
    • extra headbands and accessories for styling
    Wearing the headband wig with one of the extra headbands that it came with.
    Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the LuvMe Hair headband wig as it is (kinky curly)
    Headband Hairstyles: Wearing the headband wig with a middle part and headband.

    Wig Hairstyles Are Easy To Achieve!

    I honestly love everything about wearing headband wigs as a protective style. It’s perfect for someone like me who loves convenient, cute, and simple hairstyles. I can still look cute while protecting my natural hair and my edges. It is so versatile and gives plenty of inspiration for switching up my hairstyles whenever I want. I’ve finally found the ideal protective style for me.

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    I believe that the headband wig could help any naturalista looking for protective hairstyle solutions and inspiration. It is not too good to be true, ladies! You can achieve this simple look too!

    Watch my LuvMe Hair Headband Wig Tutorial and Review on Youtube

    What do you think? 

    Comment with some of your favorite time-saver protective hairstyles below!

    Check out more beauty and haircare posts:


  • Is The Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?

    Is The Celestial Odyssey Palette Worth Trying?

    Hi friends! I have been keeping a HUGE secret from you all for a few weeks now, and I am very excited that I can finally let the cat out of the bag. I can not tell you how stoked I am to be sharing this post! The Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette from Pat McGrath Labs has arrived! YES, friends! I got the chance to be one of the first to try this palette before it hits the shelves (the palette from the Celestial Odyssey collection launched 9/24). I received this product complimentary from Influenster, in exchange for my honest opinion.

    This blog post is my official review of the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey holiday palette. In this review, I will be getting into all the shades, swatches, and sharing a look I put together while using the palette.

    Pat McGrath celestial odyssey palette

    Celestial Odyssey Palette from Influenster

    The products that I get to review each month are sent to me from Influenster. I was selected for the Pat McGrath Labs campaign and asked to share my honest thoughts. Product reviewers and influencers on Influenster get sent surveys to qualify for campaigns. I never know what is going to show up in my mailbox or doorstep. I could not contain the excitement I felt when I found out that I was receiving this palette. Before I get into the details of the Celestial Odyssey palette, I want to share another secret.

    Get ready for this! You might need to sit down for this one.

    You can review products on Influenster and receive free products, too. Use my code to sign up and start filling out surveys and reviewing products.

    I have heard nothing but amazing reviews about Pat McGrath Labs, and I have always been interested in purchasing products from this brand. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Celestial Odyssey palette is my first Pat McGrath product ever. It’s surreal that I get to use this palette as my introduction to the brand. The Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette is from the brand’s 2021 holiday collection released on 9/24.

    This palette value retails at $78 online and was the first product from the collection to become available for purchase. The Celestial Odyssey palette has 18 beautiful shades. The Celestial Odyssey palette from Pat McGrath Labs beams beyond the spectrum in an array of supernova gemstone-inspired shades presented in a cyber bronze starscape balanced with warm and cool tones. Each eyeshadow color consists of creamy textures in five different finishes: sateen shimmer, 24k duochrome sparkle, foiled metallic, velvet matte, and iridescent sparkle.

    You can watch my YouTube video for a deeper look into each shade in the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette when it premieres, this Sunday, October 17th at 12 pm central standard time. In this video, I will be discussing my thoughts on the palette and sharing how I achieved my first Celestial Odyssey look. I have so many ideas for these eyeshadow shades! You can count on me to create more holiday looks with this palette during the fall and winter seasons.

    My Review Look

    After swatching and playing around with these beautifully stunning hues, I couldn’t wait to try on a few of them. I decided to pick four colors that I loved from the “swatch reveal” and get creative with them. My application process was very random and spontaneous! I just wanted to throw something that I thought might look good together. If you want to recreate this look at home, I will share the colors I used below to achieve the look I created in my YouTube video:

    • Lunar Haze 
    • Noir Moon
    • Solar Flare
    • Lotus Luxe 

    Now for my final thoughts…

    The verdict is that this palette is EVERYTHING, and it is absolutely worth trying! I did not know that Pat McGrath Labs was coming like this. This palette is AMAZING. I was not disappointed. Since this product was my introduction to this brand, I will say that I don’t think it was too hard for me to be pleased. I have always expressed an interest in purchasing products, and I’ve heard nothing but great things online and from friends. I think this review will be the first of many about Pat McGrath Labs. I will be trying out some other beauty products, and I know I will continue creating more looks using the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette. 

    lewk digest cover

    Sign-up for The LEWK Digest to get detailed honest reviews from me! I review all the products mentioned on the website. Get them delivered directly to your inbox today.

    What do you think about the Mothership Mega Celestial Odyssey palette?

    Will you be purchasing this palette after reading this review?


  • Book Review: Reflections of a Queen Rising

    Book Review: Reflections of a Queen Rising

    Reflections of a Queen Rising is an inspirational, autobiographical poetry book written by author and blogger Jody-Ann Buckle. The poetry book has a rating of 4.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon and has been the source of motivation and encouragement for women of all backgrounds to believe in themselves, take risks, find their purpose, and live out their dreams. Jody-Ann began writing poetry at a young age to help her cope with expressing her feelings. Through her writing that she has been able to find comfort in her talents and realize her worth as a woman. This blog post is the ultimate guide and book review of ROAQR!

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  • Top 10 Reasons To Use Lightroom

    Top 10 Reasons To Use Lightroom

    There are many photography apps on the market these days, so I can only imagine that it can be hard to find one that you’ll enjoy. You might have found yourself asking, Do I need to pay for an app to get the best option? Do I need something to do quick edits? Do I also need to think about being able to store and organize my photos? Adobe Lightroom is a powerful photo and video editor for managing and processing thousands of stunning images.

    Thank you Tracey Jones for contributing this post to lifestylewithkris.com

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  • The Secure Guide to Filing With TurboTax

    The Secure Guide to Filing With TurboTax

    Thank you, TurboTax for sponsoring this post!

    Filing taxes is a stressful situation for everyone. Every tax season, American citizens are hopeful and excited about their tax returns. Some look for ways to ensure that they’ll receive as much money back as possible, some are prayerful that they will not have to owe the IRS anything, and some look for tax preparers or financial advisors to help them because they need professional tax advice.

    Whether you decide to go to a CPA or financial advisor, or you decide to do your taxes alone, you want to feel comfortable about the decision you make. TurboTax is the best solution for all your tax filing fears! I am an active and current TurboTax user. I have always had an easy, comfortable, and reliable experience with using their software. In conclusion, this post is your secure guide to filing your taxes with TurboTax.

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  • INFLUENSTER: Unboxing + How To Get For Free

    INFLUENSTER: Unboxing + How To Get For Free

    Influenster is a product discovery platform for consumers and influencers. There are hundreds of thousands of brands looking for honest feedback in exchange for free products! Influencers are surveyed and matched to campaigns or a voxbox to review and share with their audience on social media.

    influenster voxbox

    HOW TO GET A FREE INFLUENSTER VOXBOX

    Influenster is a product discovery app that encourages consumers and influencers to write reviews on products from thousands of brands. Reviewing products and being active on the Influenster app increases your chances to receive free stuff like voxboxes and match for voxbox campaigns.

    WHAT IS A VOXBOX?

    An Influenster VoxBox is a box full of full-sized free products that you get to review and keep. These boxes are often based on a theme but are sometimes a single product or group of products from the same company. These are truly awesome boxes that can contain hundreds of dollars worth of free stuff.

    O- M- G! The Love In The Air Voxbox from Influenster has arrived. I am so excited and grateful to have been chosen for this amazing opportunity to test a box full of free products. This post will contain product reviews about the products that were sent to me for free, in exchange for my honest review.

     

    Love In The Air Influenster Voxbox

    The voxbox that I received in the mail came with four products

    1. Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum
    2. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Body Cream
    3. Goop G.Tox Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo
    4. Mont Blanc Legend Eau de Toilette

    All items are available for consumers to purchase online (brand website, Sephora, Ulta). The fragrances that I received were not full-size. The Voxbox also came with details on each product included in the box.

    Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum (2020)

    influenster: coach dreams

    I will be shopping for a new perfume after sampling this fragrance from Coach. Coach Dreams evokes the freedom and adventure of a road trip across America. The scent combines radiant bitter orange with the sensual warmth of gardenia, cactus flower, and Joshua tree. The fragrance is light and long-lasting. My only wish is that I could have received a larger size to sample. The Coach Dreams Eau de Parfum retails $28.00- $102.00 online

    Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream (2021)

    Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scrub Shampoo (2018)

    influenster: goop gtox

    Mont Blanc Legend Eau de Toilette (2011)

    influenster: mont blanc

    Have you heard of Influenster? Did you already join Influenster and received products like these? Do you want to join Influenster to receive free a voxbox and want to know more about the community?

    Leave a comment and tell me what you think about Influenster and the product discovery app.

    Subscribe to lifestylewithkris.com to get early access notifications when new Influenster Voxbox reviews post to the blog.

    Join 818 other subscribers

    Check out more Influenster Voxbox reviews:


  • The Complete Guide To My Skincare Routine

    The Complete Guide To My Skincare Routine

    I get compliments and questions on what I do to maintain clear skin all of the time. I’m usually a modest person, attributing it to drinking more water and staying indoors, but I must be honest. I do have a skincare routine. Every 3-4 weeks, I follow a simple three-step process, and I will sometimes add more products based on acne breakouts or hyperpigmentation. The steps that I am going to share with you are instrumental in cleansing, correcting, and moisturizing your skin. They are easy to follow, should also be easy to stick with, and are results-driven, no matter what your skin type may be!

    There are products for all skin types, so before you begin taking notes of the products that I use, please remember that my skin type is considered to be normal. The products that I use are universal and can be absorbed into most skincare routines. I encourage you to look at all products that are going to address your concerns and will be something that you can use regularly.

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