Thursday, March 31, 2011

Review of: Sally Hansen, Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips- Cut It Out

While browsing my local Rite Aid this past weekend I noticed something new and cool looking on the outskirts of the nail polish shelf. They were nail polish strips! Now I had tried just about every nail concept available, from silly decals that peel off in seconds, to ridiculous looking hanging charms, and mini rhinestones that ended up yanking out my hair whenever I ran my fingers through it.

For me, when it comes to Sally Hansen, we have a love/hate relationship. In the past most things by them have either really impressed me, or really let me down. When I spotted these Sally Hansen, Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips, I had to admit, I initially thought they would be a huge disappointment. I mean a strip, that sticks to nails, and stays put for up to 10 days? Yeah right.

Being the beauty junkie I am, and someone who loves trying things before most do, I went ahead and bought them anyway. I figured why not, they would make for a review regardless. I went with #220 Cut It Out, which feature black and white flowers drawn onto the strips. They were pretty, and I knew if they worked well enough it would go really well with just about any outfit. Plus Cut It Out, had a semi retro type of flair to them, one in which I really liked.

The problem I was having with them when deciding on whether or not to buy them was the price. The kit contained only 16 strips, and it cost just as much as it would cost me to go get an airbrush design at a real nail salon. Nearly $10.00. Yup, I could have paid a salon to airbrush some nice neat design for exactly the same price. But God, I hate salons, and hate waiting.

In The Box:

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are supposedly made of real nail polish, in the box there are 16 adhesives in 8 different sizes. Basically you get 2 of each size. This odd man out number miffed me, because you literately only get 1 use out of this $10.00 purchase. I wish they would have included 24 strips, giving me at least 2 uses.

Besides the 16 strips, in the box you will find a mini nail file which acts as a buffer, and a 2 sides file for rough and light filing. You also get a cuticle stick.

My Use:

Knowing I had no room for mess ups, I hoped that my first time attempting to apply these strips would be flawless. Unfortunately I ended up ripping one strip while applying, which was not such a horrible thing since I was able to use a larger strip on that nail and file and shape the sides from it. So it worked out OK.

You must first have clean dry nails, and you must buff the nails using the included file. This allows for the strip to more easily stay on for a longer period of time. Failing to buff, and apply the strips to clean nails will lessen the life of the sticking agent.

Before applying you will want to chose the right strip that seems to fit the nail you will be working on best. This was simple. Once you decide what strip goes where, you then peel of the protective clear sheet of plastic on the top of the strip, and then peel the strip off of the protective backing and carefully apply it to your nail.

This part is actually very easy, and I was surprised at how perfectly the strip stuck to the nails, and how easy it was to press it into place, and under the cuticle giving it a salon professional finish.

The adhesive strip will hang over the nail. The instructions say to file it off, but I ended up ripping my first strip doing it that way. I found that bending the excessive strip down against the nail, and pressing hard, allowed the strip to rip and peel away with ease, leaving behind a perfect salon quality styled nail.

After applying the first strip I was in awe at how simple, and beautiful it looked, as if a professional had done it.

All in all, applying the strips took me about 20 minutes, and the finish was flawless. I loved them!!! Now I worried about how long they would stay on before signs of lifting or peeling occurred.

Last:

I am at day 6 now, and there are absolutely no signs of peeling, lifting or wearing. I believe that the life of these strips will be even longer than 10 days. I expect longer results due to the fact that I applied a topcoat of clear nail polish on top of the strips, to ensure the sides do not lift up. I recommend doing the same if you want the strips to stay put longer.

Overall:

These strips are totally awesome, totally fun, and beyond beautiful, and best of all, the results last! I am going out to find another box with a different style sometime today.

UPDATE----- Do not open both air sealed packs at one time... the leftover strips will dry out!!!!

Oily Skin Fix? Review of Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser

When I spotted Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser on a shelf at my local Rite Aid, I picked it up and bought it on a whim, as I so often do. I tend to try and scoop up every oil controlling or shine reducing cleanser and moisturizer whenever I happen to see one.

While many work really well, others fail to impress me. My all time favorite has got to be LaMer, oil controlling tonic, but they ask for such a pretty price for their wondrous product.

Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser was right there, I did not have to wait for it to come in the mail, and I did not really worry about the price. It was just under $7.00, and I figured, yeah it's a little up there in price, but if it works, it would be well worth it. If not, I could always just bring it back for a refund.

With summer months approaching, I worry most about shine and oil, as my skin tends to be harder to control when it comes to excessive oil and shine when the weather is hotter and more humid.

Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser comes in a standard stand up squeeze tube, and its dull pastel purple color actually allows it to stick out on shelves among the competitors whom use bright scream at you, look at me colors and logos. The simplicity of it actually allowed it to stand out. Hmm, Clean & Clear is doing something right!

My Use:

I planned on using this one in the morning before applying my makeup. I liked the idea of it promising to control shine all day long, and I hoped it would work, because I hate having to blot and powder my forehead every other hour due to it shining so disgustingly.

The cleanser is not really all that cleansing. Its texture is that of lotion, and my skin did not at all feel all too clean after using it. It has a nice fresh scent, and there is nothing chemical or gross about it, so that was a plus. I just really wished it contained some micro-beads to give my skin a deeper clean feeling.

Afterward, I applied my makeup as I usually would, and decided to not check my skin till noon to see how well the cleanser worked at keeping my skin flawlessly shine free.

Results:

So by noon, there was some shine, but it was actually not a bad shine, it was more like a glowing kind, where my skin had a perfect balance of healthy glow, and shine control. An hour later I had to blot with some powder to rid my skin of shine, but to be honest, this cleanser worked really good compared to others that contain the same promise, and deliver nothing but shine.

When it came to Clean & Clear Finishes Mattifying Cleanser I was happy with what I saw for as long as I saw it. Most cleansers and shine free moisturizers do not last till noon and beyond, and this one actually did.

It will not keep shine away all day long as it states, but it will keep your skin looking shine free and healthy for about half the day, and heck, that's not too bad for the price I paid.

Recommended:

Yes. I have very shiny skin normally, and the fact that this cleanser was capable of keeping shine at bay for as long as it did, makes me happy enough to recommend it to anyone who cannot stand the sight of shiny, or oily skin.

Review of Maybelline SuperStay 24 Lip Color in Lasting Lilac (085)

Maybelline SuperStay 24 Lip Color has won me over with a long lasting all day promise, and comfortable, non-drying formula that did exactly as it said it would. At first I was a skeptic, but after one use, I was a fan and immediately I went out seeking other shades. Unfortunately this lip color is so popular, and so sought after at this time, that acquiring, or finding colors is actually difficult!

I came across Lasting Lilac (085) tonight at my local Target, and knowing how well the previous colors I had used worked, I was convinced that this one would work just as well. The difference however between this one, and the other pink shade I picked up, was that Lasting Lilac has a beautiful shade of both pink and purple, which has a shimmer effect to it, instead of a plain matte finish. It's almost like a holographic illusion when you look at it through the package. It's a neat effect of 2 colors merging and working against one another to create this 2 shade illusion. It's neat to say the least.

The last Maybelline SuperStay 24 color I had used that had a shimmering effect to it, did not work quite as well as the one without a shimmer to it. I figured I would give Lasting Lilac a try though due to how beautiful it looked in the see through tube.

My Use:

To use Lasting Lilac, and any Maybelline SuperStay 24 Lip Color, you first have to make sure your lips are clean and dry.

Next you apply the lip color by unscrewing it from the dual tube. You want to be quick and precise while applying the color, because if you mess up, you could end up staining your lip. One swipe is enough to cover your lips, if you use too much it may clump, so use one swipe, and press your lips together to distribute the color to your top lip evenly.

Next you just allow the color to dry. It states to allow it to dry for up to 2 minutes for proper wear and last.

After your color has dried, you then pop off the clear balm located on the other side of the dual tube. Apply a coating of that to add moisture to the lips, and wallah, you are done.

It works effortlessly.

Your lip color will stay put through eating, drinking, blotting, etc. I even add other lip colors on top of these SuperStay colors to create my own unique blends.


When it comes to Lasting Lilac, I have to say that I was pretty disappointed in the outcome. In the tube I saw a beautiful pink/purple shimmer, yet on my lips what was delivered was a pale, near nude pink coloring.
There was no shade o lilac, the pink hue vanished, and the shimmer simply absorbed into nothingness.

What you are left with is a bland color that nearly resembles your actual lip color. A major disappointment.

Overall:

Maybelline SuperStay 24 Lip Color in Lasting Lilac is the first I have encountered that is actually being re-packaged and returned.

I will avoid the SuperStay 24 Lip Colors with a metallic shimmer effect to it from here on out, as they tend to be the ones that disappoint me the most. The color is just too weak.

Review of New SAMY Fat Foam Permanent Hair Color- Light Ash Brown A6

With the spring season approaching I usually spent the following 2 months prior to the warmer weather, figuring out what color to dye my hair. I usually like very dark colors come the fall, and lighter browns and blond come the spring and summer.

As of right now I have been having issues reverting my black hair back into a lighter color. It seems no matter what I use, what color I buy, or brand, or price; my hair is still dark and the only area taking in any color is my new regrowth close to the scalp. It's so trashy though to have light roots, and dark ends. It looks horrid.

I came across SAMY Fat Foam Permanent Hair Color, and bought it in their A6 Light Ash Brown color. I figured on the box, it looked to be the best color towards hopefully gradually lightening my hair. I do not want to go from black to blond overnight. I have to work myself into it.

The reason I went with SAMY Fat Foam Permanent Hair Color was because, well, I am a sucker for new released products, and this product is not just a new release, but its a whole new hair coloring concept. Instead of mixing dyes and secret hair stripping formulas, you simply plop the formulas into a large plastic container, shake it, and apply it to your hair.

The plastic container was disappointing because while mixing, the foam that developed did not even fill half of this very larger, and very unnecessary container.

After the foam is all shaken up, you can just apply it to your hair. It gives you full cover, sure, but the unfortunate thing about SAMY Fat Foam Permanent Hair Color was that it did not do a damn thing.

I let the color stay in my hair as long as the instructions advised, I mixed and shook properly, and I applied the foam properly.

I liked the application well enough, as it didn't drip or leave a mess. I had much more control with this foam, than I had ever had with any other hair coloring kit, but sadly the Light Ash Brown did not even take my dark shade to a lighter one by even a fraction of a difference.

The hair that has regrown near my scalp of course took in some of the color, but seeing that the rest of the hair remained dark, the entire kit was a pointless waste of time and money.

It seems to only color virgin hair. If you have dark locks and you are looking to lighten it up a bit, do not bother with SAMY Fat Foam Permanent Hair Color, in A6 Light Ash Brown.


My quest to gradually lightening my dark hair continues...

Review of Davies Gate Quinoa Shampoo

I am not even sure what hotel I picked Davies Gate Quinoa Shampoo up in, but whenever I am away I always bring back with me the small sample sized shampoo and conditioners that I liked well enough to consider for later purchase. This is how Davies Gate Quinoa Shampoo landed a spot in my suitcase.

The Scent:

To be honest there truly is not much going on in regards to Davies Gate Quinoa Shampoo, when it comes to the scent. In the shower it's scent is also very weak and mellow. If I were to try and peg the muted out fragrance that it gives off though, I would have to say a very, very mild oatmeal type scent. Not sugary, or anything, just plain oats.

Lather:

Like the scent, the lather is also pretty weak, but there is enough even in a small travel sample for you to work with. A handful of the shampoo and you will be able to work up a lather, but keep in mind the lather is not ultra sudsy like standard commercial shampoos you have used.

My Use:

Once working Quinoa through my hair, naturally I began to rinse it shortly afterward. Rinse out is pretty decent for a shampoo. Most shampoos while rinsing out leave my hair feeling striped and starved for hydration. When it comes to Davies Gate Quinoa, there is no dried out feeling. It is as if it shampoos and conditioned at once, because my hair was actually left feeling really moisturized.

Results:

Davies Gate Quin is a winner in my book, as it left my hair soft, moisturized, and relatively frizz free. The shine in my hair was also charged up a few notches, and the difference in my hair was not only felt but seen.

When I first tried this shampoo, with its weak fragrance, and sud-less lather I did not expect it to work well at all. However while letting my hair air dry alone, the results spoke for itself.

I would recommend this shampoo to anyone looking to add some shine, while leaving hair more manageable and soft. A win/win!

Review of Estee Lauder Double Wear, Mineral Rich Loose Powder Makeup SPF 12, in Intensity 5.0

Estee Lauder's Double Wear collection is by far my favorite cosmetic collection on the market. I had been a regular purchaser of their original foundation due to how flawlessly it left my skin, and how natural it felt on my face. While doing my routine stock up, the sales rep recommended I give their new Maximum Coverage a try. I ended up purchasing that, and loving it.

I also went home with their Estee Lauder Double Wear, Mineral Rich Loose Powder Makeup SPF 12, in Intensity 5.0, which is a rich deep bronze color, that actually looks deeper in color in the plastic tub, than it does when it is actually on.

It comes with 2 separate chambers, which I have never been a fan of. In the top click up chamber you will find a useless pad applicator which you ma as well just throw away. Applying the powder with a brush is actually easier, less messy, and looks better on the skin.

In the bottom chamber is where you find the powder, which gets sifted through small holes when you shake it up while the jug is closed.

The reason I picked this one up was because it is in the Double ear collection, which anyone knows means that it has staying power. I also got to test this one in the store, and loved how it left my face feeling soft and satin like without feeling heavy or making my skin look pasty or dusty like most powders do.

I also figured I could use it to cover up my more shiny areas on my face like my forehead which tends to shine up mid-day.

Application:

I decided to apply this one on top of the maximum cover concealer I purchased that day to really allow that flawless look to go an extra mile, and sure enough it did when I applied a light top coat of Estee Lauder Double Wear, Mineral Rich Loose Powder Makeup to it.

It truly gave my skin such a perfect flawless finish, and I loved the results.

Last:

The powder, unlike their foundations does not have quite as long a staying power as you would hope for. The last is decent, but by mid-afternoon I had to touch up with a little of it onto my forehead to keep shine at

bay. However this was not a big deal, but I have gotten longer last with much cheaper loose powders before, so for me, this one just turned out to be mediocre in the lasting department.

Overall:

Estee Lauder Double Wear, Mineral Rich Loose Powder Makeup in my opinion is decent, it covers up a lot more powerfully than most loose powders, but it does not last as long as your simple, cheap run of the mill powders. The cover however, is much more flawless. So truly it is a toss up on whether or not you should buy this one. All in all though, I would suppose it would depend mostly on your budget.

This loose powder will run you $34.00, it offers full and flawless coverage, but only for a few hours.

Review: Revlon Frost & Glow, Platinum Highlighting for Light to Dark Blonde Hair

I have, over the past few months been attempting to lighten my hair. This past fall my hair was black, pitch black. I began to lighten it at hopes to getting my platinum blond color back before warmer weather hits.

However no matter what I have tried, the color never seems to really lighten up that much.

The kits that did work would only lighten the newly grown hair near my scalp, leaving the lower section darker than the hair nearest my scalp. Over time though, and I believe 4 dye kits later, my hair was finally a lighter color, but still not as light as I wanted. I figured adding in some really light blond highlights with a highlighting kit would allow the hair to look lighter as a whole, without bleaching my hair all of the way, because as I know from past experience, you shouldn't just go from black to blond overnight, as it is a real nasty process on the health of the hair.

While browsing around my local Rite Aid, something new stuck out by Frost & Glow. I had used Frost & Glow in the past, and loved the results, but I hated how harsh the chemicals were on my hair, and the stench of the blue mix would leave me in tears. Not only that my hair would be very dry afterward and required expensive products and lots of time, to bring it back to its natural healthy state.

The shade I spotted was different because it came in a blue box, where normally Frost & Glow comes in yellow or golden colored boxes. This one was called Revlon Frost & Glow, Platinum Highlighting for Light to Dark Blonde Hair. Although it stated it was for those with blonde hair to begin with, I figured who cares, and I went ahead and used it knowing it would work likely just as well, if not better due to it being the lightest shade available.

In The Box:

Nothing has changed as far as the inside contents go. You have your mixing stick, which is also used as the hair pick. You have your dye cap, a plastic bag to go over your head when you are done highlighting, you have your mixes, and your gloves. It also comes with small packets of shampoo and conditioner to use afterward.

My Use:

You really need someone to help you with picking hair through the dye cap. This cap has small holes placed in it where you enter using the pick to pull out strands of hair.


You have to be very careful though because if you rip the cap while yanking hair out of the holes, you could end up screwing up your whole dye job if dye gets into that hole or crack, so be careful and have
patience.

You will not be able to reach the back holes so ask someone to help you, preferably someone who knows the proper way to pick hair through the cap holes.

Once your hair is through you then can begin applying the highlighting cream. I place it all over slowly and neatly, making sure I do not rub the cream in too much as it can seep through holes. Literally you want to just paint the loose strands, and move them up toward the top of your head in a neat ball.

After you have the cream all over your hair, you can then just place the included bag onto your head, which will retain heat allowing for faster coloring.

Do not get paranoid if your hair feels hot when you take the bag off. This is normal. I know when it first happened to me though I got scared.

Results?

It took about 10 minutes for me to begin to notice any lightening going on. I worried though because the hair closer to my head was lighter than the lower strands.

However once I got into the shower, about 20 minutes after allowing the highlighting cream to do its work, I was surprised at how pretty the color looked. Once I dried and styled my hair, I was able to notice the difference. The hair closest to my scalp was lighter though, but the hair lower down my back did get color as well, just not as dark, a more honey blonde, but it looked nice, it had dimension, and newly added depth thanks to the highlighting kit.

What I especially loved was that it did not leave my darker hair with shades of orange like previous highlighting kits had. Honey blonde, was honey blonde, with no red tints, or orange highlights.

Overall:

Revlon Frost & Glow, Platinum Highlighting for Light to Dark Blonde Hair is some good stuff, and yes, you can use it on darker brown hair, and lighter brown hair for spectacular results as well. I am going out to buy another one of these to add even more highlights.

Review of Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo

I had never before seen anything by Redken sold at Target, and oddly enough this past weekend I came across a sloppy shelf full of discounted red tag products, and low and behold, their lies the very first bottle of

Redken I'd ever seen at Target, and who would have guessed it, marked down for $11.00 for a large 33 ounce bottle.

Now, after finding this bottle, I decided to stroll on through the shampoo and conditioner isle to see if maybe they recently had a surge in stock, and what I found was nothing, not a single remnant of anything Redken on the shelf. I guess I got lucky with my Blonde Glam Shampoo. I was hoping to scoop up the conditioner as well, but figured oh well, if the shampoo works good, I'd seek it out in salons or online.

Scent:

I don't know what people are being wowed over when it comes to Redken, but I know that it cannot have anything to do with the scent, as it is unoriginal, plain, and semi weak in that department. I hoped the hype was how it made hair look and feel, and I would have to test that out for myself to know what the big Redken deal was.

My Use:

The very first thing I noted about Redken Blonde Glam Shampoo was just how thick it was, coming out of the bottle was even semi difficult due to the watered down thick honey like texture it had going on.

Thick shampoo like this is rare to find for me, and I knew from past experience, that the thicker the better, it usually means I am getting a nice high quality product. Was that the case with Redken Blonde Glam though?

Lather was thick and also semi difficult to really work into the hair. I used a really big amount of the shampoo as well, and found that I had to squeeze a bit more into the hair in order to really get a good lather going on in my thick mop on top.

I let the shampoo sit for a few minutes, and rinsed.

This is where I became impressed with this one. The shampoo rinsed out like a dream, leaving my hair as soft and silky as it could get, and usually this sort of feeling only occurs after rinsing my hair of conditioner. I was very impressed with the fact that my hair felt conditioned, as if it needed none.

I was pretty confident that once I got out of the shower, and styled, my hair would be left feeling like heaven.

Results:

After just one use with Redken Blonde Glam, and I am a fan. I've already placed an order on the sister conditioner to see if it will go even further.

With Blonde Glam hair is left silky, smooth, and feeling so light, healthy and brand new. I would recommend this one to anyone, blonde's and brunette's alike.

Review of Estee Lauder: Pure Color, Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea

I'm an Estee Lauder cosmetic junkie, and any junkie know that a few times a year they have this wonderful pre-sale promotion that goes on. Basically it works like this: you place an order at your nearest Estee

Lauder store; mine is my favorite beauty consultant at Macy's. You do not receive your products right away, but the wait is not long, and the wait is well worth it. I usually spend anywhere from $40-$70, depending on the new recommendations. I then wait to pick up my order, and included with my order are gifts. Gobs, and gobs of gifts.

Gifts usually include mascara, makeup remover lotion or wash, eyeliner, lipstick, larger trial sized balms, lotions, or whatever else they feel like giving you. Usually you end up walking away with hundreds of dollars in freebie gifts just for placing a pre-order.

At any rate, I had to just let you all know, because if you love Estee Lauder, you should seriously wait and buy during these gift promos. Anyhow, this was basically how I acquired Estee Lauder: Pure Color, Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea.

Usually I am not a huge fan of the free lipstick colors that come along with my pre-sale, however I always get Rubillete, which is a beautiful deep metallic pink. This time instead of just 2 lipsticks, I had been given 3, and Rose Tea was a brand new color for me, which was exciting.

The Color in the Tube:

Rose Tea looked simply scrumptious. It was a beautiful pink color, with a semi plum coloring added to it to give it this nice simple rose color. Not too deep, or too light looking either.

On The Lips:

Now I was initially in love with Rose Tea. The color was a nice matte finish, with a lot of glossy shine going on. There were no metallics which was different for me, as I usually enjoy the sparkly addition of metallics. This one though was so spring colored and simple. n the lips though it plays another story.

Sadly for my skin tone, Rose Tea matched my natural lip color far too much. I imagine on those with much lighter skin tones this tickled pink rose color would look fabulous and show off the color wonderfully. However on me, with my darker tan skin, and normally semi pink lips, the color just did me no justice.

What I did like about Pure Color, Long Lasting Lipstick in Rose Tea though, was that it left my lips feeling really sot and moisturized, but truly if I had purchased this one I would have been disappointed in how

lacking the color was. It goes on more glossy than colorful, which for some may be great, but for me, I like seeing the color in the tube, on my lips, and this one sort of just fizzled out and faded/blend too closely with my natural lip color.

Overall:

On very light skin Rose Tea may work magic, but for those of you with deeper tans and skin tones, this one does not go very far where color is concerned.

Review of Estee Lauder, High Gloss in Berry

Whenever I purchase anything from Estee Lauder, I wait for when they are having their pre-sale specials. Pre-sales basically add a ton of free samples and sometimes even full sized freebies, just for purchasing

something. My $75.00 purchase during the last pre-sale included a grab bag full of a bunch of free items, and included in the batch of gifts was Estee Lauder, High Gloss in Berry.

Now I am a huge fan of Estee Lauder's Pure Color Glosses, because they deliver the most stunning sheen and glittery glam as a top coat to my usual lip color, so naturally receiving High Gloss in Berry intrigued me. Would it have the same sheer and moisturizing texture as their Pure Color line, and would this beautiful pink color look as beautiful on my lips, or would it just add shine?

First lets discuss the color.

Berry in the tube looks like a stunning hot pink, with shards of striking flecks of shimmer. It truly looks high gloss, but the thing that worried me was that the gloss would be higher than the color, and the color would be drowned out in the background; if it showed up at all.

On Naked Lips:

Bland.

High Gloss in Berry simply is bland on naked lips. All it did for me was add a ton of shine, which is fine, but I would have liked the color to show up and add a tint, if anything. Unfortunately it didn't.

On Colored Lips:

I decided to swipe on a deep colored pink, and then top it off with Estee Lauder High Gloss in Berry to see if perhaps the pink color would show up any on top of the deeper pink.

This was when the magic occurred.

My lip color was now amplified with a beautiful and striking top coat of shimmer, shine and a lighter new pink hue to the lips. It actually took my original color up a few notches and due to the striking sheer high beam sine, my lips looked better than ever.

The Downside:

The texture.

I couldn't stand it. As lovely as my lips looked, the entire time while wearing this lip gloss, I could feel it. Its heavy, slick, and as it dries a bit, it starts to feel a little tacky and gross.

Overall:

I was glad to have received this one as part of my pre-sale purchase, but thankful did not actually purchase this one, as it does nothing for naked lips, and feels like a gross thick texture on top of lipstick when used as a topcoat. It's unfortunate because it does look nice on top of lip color, but the texture that it leaves behind it not worth the price Estee Lauder has this one marked at. It's more of an acceptable low quality $2.99 brand, than a $16.00 high end brand like Estee Lauder.

Oh My God $16.50 For Estee Lauder Lip Conditioner SPF 15? Is It Worth It? Find Out in This Review

In the past when it came to dry or chapped lips, I would always turn to a classical favorite of mine; Chapstick. Recently though with a pre-order placed at Estee Lauder, I received a bunch of freebie gifts with my purchase. Estee Lauder Lip Conditioner SPF 15, was one of the free items they added to my gifts bag.

Normally I would never ever spend anything over $5.00 on a lip conditioner, however after receiving this one, I am pretty convinced that nothing else could do better, work better, or feel better, and yep, add me to the list of women who feel the $16.50 price tag that Estee Lauder attaches to this one, is well worth it.

I know what you are thinking though, $16.50 for lip conditioner! Who in their right mind would spend that much money on lip conditioner, when you can go get a stick of chapstick for a dollar!?

I know because I would say the same thing to anyone who told me they spent such a ridiculous amount on what appears to be clear lipstick. After trying this one though, man oh man, am I in love.

Estee Lauder Lip Conditioner protects the lips, adds a ton of moisturize, smooths and soothes them and by golly it feels like a trip to the spa for your lips, like a luxury treatment for the rich, and over time with consistent use my lips actually remain soft even when it was not on.

It feels as if it repairs them over time, brings them new life, and Chapstick...well, Chapstick never even came close to providing such smooth comfort and softness.

There is no flavor involved, and the texture is that of pure cream silk. I like applying this one onto my lips first, and then adding my favorite lip color. You can also apply this one to your lips at night for an overnight intensive treatment. It feels great, and in the morning you wake up to softer kissable lips.

Overall:

You can go ahead and continue using Chapstick for dry or cracked lips, or you can take my word for it and go ahead and splurge on the best lip conditioner your lips have ever felt.

Softer lips, a luxurious long lasting feeling, and what appears to feel like long term repair just by using it daily, is what I got from Estee Lauder's Lip Conditioner SPF 15, and when the tube runs out, I will be picking up another one.

Yes this one is pricey, but this is one I would definitely recommend.

Hide Imperfections With Double Wear, Stay in Place Concealer- Review Here

Being a huge fan of Estee Lauder's Double Wear line of concealers I was absolutely thrilled to see their Double Wear, Stay in Place Concealer SPF 10 being included as a gift with my pre-sale purchase.


Normally you get a lot of wonderful free samples, and once in awhile you get your order paid for times 3, with the amount of high end gifts they include with your purchase. The Double Wear, Stay in Place Concealer has to be, by far the best freebie full sized gift I have ever gotten from them.

Double Wear as a cover up is simply spectacular with hours, and hours of budge free, flawless coverage. I did not ever think I needed a concealer wand, because the cover up did so well alone. Little did I know that this tiny tube of concealer contained a miracle in a tube, and oddly enough it is applied with a wand. Like magic, is basically how this one works.

Picture any flaw you have on your face, from red marks, red acne bumps, or even larger pores, or veins... picture them just vanishing out of sight, so well that you wouldn't be able to spot the issue under the scrutiny of a 10X magnified mirror. Yes, that is seriously how well, and perfectly Estee Lauder's Double Wear, Stay In Place Concealer Works.

Application:

Applying this one is a cinch. It comes in a tube that resembles a lip gloss tube, with pretty much the same type of soft spongy tipped wand.

The tip allows you to really narrow in on the problem area so you can add a light splotch of the concealer to your problem. In my case, a break out leaving behind a huge red nasty bump on my chin. As wonderful as Double Wear Cover Up is, even that couldn't fully cover the problem.

Before adding my cover up, I decided to tap the pimple with the Double Wear Stay In Place Concealer. It literately vanished, the red coloring gone, making it look as if it were never even there.

I then went ahead an added my cover up, allowing everything to blend in perfectly. The concealer stood in place, completely hiding the gross red flaw.

The last was also as promised; 15 hours of full coverage, so I did not at all have to worry about it fading, or showing up later on in the day.

Overall:

No other cosmetic line can quite pull it off as perfectly and flawlessly as Estee Lauder's Double Wear line of cover up, and concealers. I use no other concealers or cover ups since discovering this line, and frankly if you gave this collection a try, you would also be a lifelong fan.

This product may not be something you would normally buy, but if you are sick of your cover up or concealer not concealing as it is supposed to, then seriously look no further than this one. It covers, and it covers well, the ultimate flaw camouflage for your little imperfections!

Gradually Go Blonde With Sun In, Tropical Breeze...Find Out How It Works In This Review

Recently I added small highlights to my hair. I have over the past few months been trying to go from black to a lighter medium blonde. My trip from black to blonde however has been a long and tedious process. I have
tried numerous promises from expensive dye's and highlighting kits, only to find that the only hair actually truly getting color is the newest growth closest to my scalp.

Over the duration of a few months though, and of course a few boxes of dye, my hair has managed to go from black to a nice medium brown, with highlights mostly focused at the scalp area. In order to get the lower parts of my hair to lighten up and blend better with the highlights I figured I would go with something that I knew worked in the past. A longer process of highlighting hair, but one that gradually works over time. Sun In!

I used it in the past and found that the process of lightning my hair came easier with a few squirts to the hair, and my blow dryer set on high heat. In the past though I recall one things about Sun In, that I didn't like too much, and that was the horrid scent. Thankfully though they introduced 2 new scents, lemon and the one up for review today in which I purchased; Tropical Breeze.

Another thing I disliked about the original Sun In, was how it left my hair feeling relatively dry, and semi sticky. I hoped though, that 10 years later this new Sun In would have changed fr the better, and due to the promise of this Tropical Breeze Sun In stating it would condition hair while lightening, I figured, yes, maybe they've got it right this time! Not only did it promise to condition, but it also states that it uses special illuminators which will add a dose of shine. The original Sun In actually left hair semi dull looking, and unless you didn't mind dry dull looking hair, you had to add some outside balms and shine infusing spray to really bring hair back to life.

According to this newbie Sun In promise, it seemed as if none of that would be needed.

I sprayed a squirt of it in the store, and liked the new revamped scent. Tropical Breeze has a fruit punch like fragrance, with a nice little undertone of coconut.

My Use:

I used Sun In, Tropical Breeze as suggested. I showered first and sprayed it all over damp hair. I then brushed the formula in and went ahead with the blow dryer method. You can also spray this one in before going out in the sun and let the sun slowly do its magic, but for faster results, I blow dry instead.

The first trial using this Sun In, I noticed my hair had lightened a bit, without leaving behind ugly red tones, so I was impressed. It was as if it lightened the overall medium brown color up into a lighter medium brown, and it hit up my highlights giving them a lighter look as well.

I decided to go ahead and spray some more into the areas I wanted to lighten up even more. Low and behold a few squirts, and a focus of bowing hot air onto the area quickly lightened up the spots I needed the most touch up on.

Besides loving how quickly and easily this formula worked lightening my hair, I also noticed that yes, my hair did feel softer, and it looked more shiny. None of that dry sticky feeling like older versions of Sun In had left behind. The hair color also contained no red tones, which was one of my more prominent concerns. In darker hair though I imagine red tones would be expected. On my medium brown hair though, I was left with perfect lightening, and my hair felt healthy afterward.

Overall:

I loved the results on the very first use, and know that with weekly use my hair will lighten up even more. To focus on lightening up sections you can simply comb away the strands you want to lighten and only spray them. I was looking for a more overall highlighting in my hair as an entirety, and I got just that.

All in all, I would recommend Sun In Tropical Breeze to anyone who is looking for fast and easy highlights, without having to worry about stripping your hair with harsher dye or highlighting kits. This one is mild, simple, and it works.

Review of Spider Sense, Spiderman 3 in 1 Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner

I usually will purchase extremely girly scented body washes, shampoo's and conditioner's when my stock is running low. However a few days ago while browsing through Walmart's selection of bath and body

goodies, I came up blank. I had tried everything already, and the things I didn't try smelled awful.

Just as I was about to walk away empty handed and hit up a local Bath and Body Works instead, I did a quick scan of the shelf on the other side of the isle and saw an array of children selections in shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Normally I never even stop to smell these products as I find them to be too sweet scented, or too weak seeing that most are made with sensitive skin in mind.

That was when I spotted a SpongeBob 3 in 1. I took one sniff of that and hated it, and decided to sniff the rest of the children's products available. Dora the Explorer was too strawberry shortcake in scent and the Toy Story 3 in 1 was too bubble scented. Lastly I tried Spider Sense, Spiderman 3 in 1 Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner.

Incredibly, this one, designed with little boys in mind, smelled perfect, for both boys, girls, and some adults. It's labeled as Berry Blast, but mostly I smelled a mild fruit punch scent, which I really liked. Not too sweet and sugary, nor too weak. I figured it would be my new body wash, as I never like 3 in 1 products used in my hair as they tend to dry it out.

My Use:

Spider Sense, Spiderman 3 in 1 Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner was short lived in my home, and that was not due to it smelling so fantastic we used it up immediately, it was due to the rancid wet dog scent it gave off while using it.

That delicious mild fruity flavor that I smelled in the bottle seriously transforms into a disgusting snotty like wet dog scent when its used in the shower.

I used it as a body wash, and at first everything was going great, a nice fruity scent filling the air, and a good soapy lather worked up with ease, and then suddenly this rank stench began to permeate through the air. The fruity fragrance turned into what my dog smells like when he comes inside after going out in the rain.
I figured perhaps this one didn't work well with my body chemistry, and perhaps it would be better for someone else. I left it for my mom and asked her to use it on her next shower or bath. Her results were the

same, a smelly dog scent that is actually sickening in the shower, especially when the scent really begins to work its way around the room.

Overall:

It smelled great in the bottle, but once this one gets activated into a lather in the shower, it transforms into a disgusting fragrance that even kids would find rancid.

Review of Sally Hansen Salon Effects, Girl Power, Nail Polish Strips

About 2 months ago I fell in love with my first set of Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips. I learned something disappointing about them though. You see, my first pair I opened up both of the air tight sealed containers which hold 8 strips in each one. I figured no problem, I'll use that second package at a later date.

Wrong!

One major, huge deal killing disappointment was learning that any un-used strips that you leave out in open air will dry up, no longer having a sticky bond in the back. This was so disappointing because I had no idea, and I would have never opened both containers at the same time.

You could get 3 uses from the 16 strips, that is if they didn't dry out and become useless. Having to throw out the unused strips is such a waste, and it's truly the reason I am no longer going to be buying them. I have however acquired a bunch of different styles that I bought before realizing how wasteful this all was.

Girl Power was one of the finds I purchased right before learning of this disappointment. I didn't want to return them though, I still could get 2 uses from the 2 sealed packages.

I tore open one package which contains 8 strips. 3 of which I had to just throw out because I did not need them. I use 1 strip for 2 fingers, as the strips are long enough to be used this way.

Girl Power is pretty stunning with small flowers drawn all over the strips, and bright colors of red, blue, yellow, pink, green, white, maroon and purple all filling in the flowers creating a really beautiful 60s retro like flower power theme.

Application is a breeze as well, and it's why I initially fell in love with these nail polish strips.

You need to make sure your nails are clean, and buffed by using the included file. Once that is done, you can then begin to apply the strips.

They go on with ease, but you have to have a good eye and steady hand to really place them on the nail perfectly. Once the strip is on, you can tear off the excess overhang and use that on the fingernail on your other hand.

You can then begin to press the strip down better using the included wooden nail stick to make sure the edges on on good.

To Get Them To Last Longer:

After I have applied all of the strips, I add in an extra step that I would recommend to anyone thinking about using these Salon Effect Strips; and that would be to apply a layer or 2 of clear nail polish on top of them to really seal them into place, and to stop lifting and color fading that will occur over time had you not used a clear topcoat.

Overall:

Girl Power is a beautiful design, giving you a beautiful professional finish. Sadly the strips you do not use will dry up, even if you leave them in their protective seals. So, if you do buy these only open 1 package of strips, otherwise the left over strips are rendered useless

A New Goddess From Estee Lauder! Review of Bronze Goddess Soleil

Last year I picked up a bottle of Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder and really enjoyed the beachy tropical sand vacation scent it gave off.


I really had no idea that this year they would revamp this scent and call it Bronze Goddess Soleil. I spotted it this weekend at Macy's and honestly I would have passed right by it had I not taken a second look and
noticed the new coloring the bottle had. Initially I just thought it was the original scent plopped into a new fancy bottle.

The bottle is pretty enough, and is shaped exactly like the original Bronze Goddess, only this bottle mixed fading colors of clear glass towards the top of the bottle which shows off the burnt orange color of the perfume, which then fades into a lime lower portion of the bottle.

All in all the bottle gives off a beach feel, just as the original bottle had.

The Scent:

With the thought of the original Bronze Goddess in mind, I imagined Bronze Goddess Soleil would smell similar, only with a new twang added to it.

The scent however is not very similar, it still manages to capture the essence of a tropical vacation though, just as the original had.

The first note I got from Soleil was citrus, but not like mandarin orange, more like a sweet salty lime, with a juicy bitter note of grapefruit. The scent though does not just stop there, as it begins to set it, it then transforms itself into a softer sweeter beachy scent of sand and tropical florals.

In ways, Estee Lauder, Bronze Goddess Soleil reminded me a lot of a more watered down version of Jennifer Lopez, Miami Glow.

The Last:

The scent is delicious, sweet, sandy and obvious, but not quite as potent as one would like. However the scent, even though slightly weak and watered down, still has a long last to it.

I got about a half day of last from t his scent, and frankly that alone made it worthy of buying again, that is, if I could find it again. Soleil is a limited edition scent, so it likely will grow harder to find as the summer draws nearer. That is not to say to say though, that it will not make a come back next summer, as many limited editions tend to do just that.

Overall:

Estee Lauder, Bronze Goddess Soleil is a gorgeous summer scent, one that is capable of bringing a tropical beach vacation right to you. It packs a long lasting fragrance, and is definitely worth picking up before it is

gone!

Heaven In A Jar! Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream

Elizabeth Arden's, Green Tea fragrance is hands down one of my top 5 favorite scents. A delicious mixture of juicy, fresh, and uplifting tea fragrances mixed with a sugary and sweet after bite that actually manages

to make my mouth water. No other scent labeled 'green tea' is able to touch the perfection that Elizabeth Arden managed to bottle up.

I had tried the Elizabeth Arden deodorant, perfume, the body wash, the lotion; and more recently my top favorite product, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream.

When I was given a large container of Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream , I nearly passed out due to the excitement. I quickly screwed the top off, and took in a huge whiff of the scent, I hoped with the added honey bits, that this body cream would smell exactly like the original Green Tea scent.

Low and behold, all of the delicious original elements that managed to make Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance, one of my favorite fragrances, was all right there, in my face in a huge delightful container, that likely would last me a year. The container is big, 8.4 ounces, one of the largest containers of body creams I had ever managed to find.

Besides the Scent...What's the Big Deal?

Well if this body cream did nothing but leave fragrance behind I would be happy, but it does more than just kiss your body with its delicious mouth watering green tea fragrance, it also moisturizes the skin, and the golden drops of honey will moisturize, condition and soften the skin.

While many perfume inspired lotions or creams do nothing but leave behind scent, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream takes it to a new level by delivering their delicious fragrance, and adding elements within it that are actually beneficial to your skin.

The fragrance lasts all day long, and the softening of the skin is also long lasting.

Overall:

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream is by far one of the absolute best body creams I have ever used. It delivers gorgeous fragrance that lasts, and it helps keep dry skin ultra moisturized and soft.

I would recommend this to anyone looking to moisturize dry skin, or to anyone who is already in love with Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea fragrance. This one will likely replace perfume purchases for me, as I will now seek this out, instead of the perfume, as it lasts longer, and moisturizes the skin

Sorbet for the Body? Find Out All About Juicy Couture Love G & P Body Sorbet, In This Review

I normally do not go out of my way to by a perfume inspired body lotion, or cream, but every now and again someone will give me one for a birthday, or holiday and I am grateful for the freebie.


This was basically how I got hold of Juicy Couture Love G & P Body Sorbet.

The bottle when handed off to me looked sort of generic and cheap, a plain plastic bottle with a sticker slapped to it, in hopes to give off a retro glamorous vibe. For me though it just looked cheap.

Looking closer, I was able to see that this bottle of lotion was not cheap, in fact it was made by Juicy Couture, and instead of being called a lotion or body ream, they slapped on a fancier title, 'Sorbet'.

Scent:

I tested the 'sorbet' right then and there to see what it gave off as far as fragrance goes, and to see what sort of benefits it would offer my skin.

The scent impressed me immediately, and I was pretty shocked that my gal pal did not want to keep it. It turned out she had another full sized bottle of it, and was so in love with it, that she went out and bought it specifically for me and couldn't wait another month to give it to me for my birthday. I was glad for the early gift, because this 'sorbet' smelled absolutely divine.

Juicy Couture Love G & P Body Sorbet gives off a gorgeous potent gardenia florals that seriously wrap itself around you, as if you are standing in a garden of fresh gardenia. Once that note begins to set in, I was then able to smell more notes hitting me one after another and each wave of new fragrance was as delicious as the last.

After gardenia settles, I was picking up notes of dewy rose, creamy vanilla, citrus, and woody notes which settles in last.

It's an odd fragrance when you think about it, because it is hard to pin point what your base, or overall scent actually is, with notes of florals, fruits, and woods all mixing in as one. It;s quite unique to say the least.

As the scent begins to fade though there is one final note I was smelling above an beyond all others, and that was the dewy rose fragrance that was both sweet, and musky.

Last:

The scent is sort of short lived though, and overall I got an hour of scent before notes were no longer detected. It's so delicious though, and makes the skin feel so good that I carry this bottle around with me,

and touch up my hands and arms throughout the day.

The lotion itself does not moisturize too much, but it does temporarily soften the skin, leaving behind no residue or greasy textures, so this is a plus.

Overall:

Juicy Couture Love G & P Body Sorbet packs a beautiful and unique scent into its bottle. The scent is sort of short lived, and the lotion itself is not the best moisturizer on the market, however it smells so good that it easily became my go to bottle of lotion when I am on the go.

Hey, Can You Really Get Blonde Locks in 10 Minutes Using, L'Oreal Paris Excellence To-Go 10-Minute Crème Coloring, Light Natural Blonde, 9?

For a few months now I have been attempting to slowly turn my black hair into a lighter brown, with blond highlights. No matter what I use, or do, the base color still remains too dark, and even using bleaching kits

proved to be useless as all it would do was turn my hair a reddish color.

2 weeks ago I finally was able to lighten my dark locks to a lighter brown, still dark, but well enough for when I decided to add some highlights.

Finally I had my hair at a nice color, with good highlights. This week though I decided to try and lighten my hair as a whole, hoping the brown base would go lighter, and the blond highlights even lighter than what they were. I went with L'Oreal Paris Excellence To-Go 10-Minute Crème Coloring, Light Natural Blonde, 9.

My plan was to use the entire bottle of lightening dye on my entire head and wait it out for 10 minutes, as advertised to see if everything lightened up.

In The Box:

You get a decent sized tube of after conditioner, your mixing bottle containing your clear liquid, and another container of liquid to pour into that tube. Inside the box you also have a pair of gloves.

My first disappointing encounter was with how little of the dye I was actually getting. I have back length thick hair, and when mixing the dye, not even half the bottle filled up with formula.

I needed 2 kits, but had to work with what I had at the time, so with this small amount of formula I focused primarily on the outer layer of hair.

10 Minutes, Any Difference?

Sorry no. Nothing. My hair color looked exactly the same.

After letting the formula sit in for 20 minutes instead, I decided to finally just wash it out.

Results

Yes, there were results once I was out of the shower, and drying my hair. I noticed the base color had lightened up by perhaps 1 hue, and the blond streaks I already had, were also a little bit lighter. Sadly though the difference was ever so subtle and not the light light color I was looking for.

Overall:

L'Oreal Paris Excellence To-Go 10-Minute Crème Coloring, Light Natural Blonde, 9 does work, but if you have a darker shade of light brown, do not expect your hair to just transform into the color you see on the box, or even on the boxes sample previews of what your hair should look like.

Luckily though, there were no hues or tints of red in my hair, which was a major plus.

The downside is that even after 2 showers, I could still smell the harsh chemical formula in my hair. Thankfully though it never turned my hair dry, dull or lackluster. I believe the excellent conditioner vie they include is what keeps the hair healthy, shiny and full of life. I wish they would just sell the conditioner now.

Tighten The Skin, Shrink Pores... Well Will It? Review of Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner

I was just about to run out of my LaMer Toner, which helped keep my normally shiny/oily skin, shine free. Seeing that the toner by LaMer is a little pricey, I decided to try a fall back toner from Boots No 7, which is

one of my favorite skin care product creators.

I usually just buy their wrinkle creams, and never before managed to spot their Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner, perhaps that was because I was never looking for it.

I spotted it fast though at my local Target, and what was interesting was that this toner almost resembled LaMers, only the application was easier; a pump applicator allowing you to easily pump the toner out onto a cotton swab and apply it to your face. With LaMer, you risked spilling a lot when applying it due to their not being a pump.

At any rate, Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner is designed for those with combination skin, which is my skin type, a mix of dry and oily. I mostly hate the oily areas because of the unsightly shine that it gives off.

It stated on the bottle of Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner that it would keep my skin shine free, and would not dry it out, a perfect balance, thus the name, 'Beautifully Balanced'.

I just hoped it worked at keeping my skin shine free, and kept it from drying out in other areas on my face.

Before applying the toner, I first washed my face of all makeup. I then pumped some of the formula out onto a cotton ball and began to swipe it around my face. The toner picked up leftover makeup and dirt that I thought was gone, but was not. I knew if anything, this toner would keep my skin beyond clean, and breakouts would be less and less, if at all due to how clean it made my face feel.

Once the toner began to dry it did not dry out my skin, but what it did do was quite impressive. The shine I previously had going on, on my forehead was gone, a nice matte finish with no mirror effect.

This toner would become my only toner, and LaMer pushed to the curb if it managed to keep my skin shine free for the day, the way LaMer's toner does.

Move over LaMer, Boots No7 Beautifully Balanced Purifying Toner has won me over, with a price more than cut in half compared to LaMers oil absorbing tonic.


My skin remained shine free for hours, without drying out my skin. I had shine free skin, I was happy I did not have to continue to blot my skin throughout the day, and I loved how after a week of use, my skin was clearer and tighter in the pores. No breakouts!

I would recommend this toner to anyone looking to keep shine at bay, without sacrificing your skin to drying out to get the same results.

This toner can be found online or at Target for under $10.00.

Jesse's Girl Baby Cakes Neon Pink Nail Polish Is Hot!!!

I have purchased so many nail polishes in my time, and the ones I remember the most are either beautiful favorites that I will ontinue to buy when the bottle runs low, or the horrid wretched colors that look pretty in
the bottle, and look like crap on the nail. I remember these because they stick out in the same manner, only for opposite reasons.

Jesse's Girl, Baby Cakes Nail Polish is a mix of both worlds, both horrid, and beautiful. However bringing the beauty out in this wretched color takes a quick step on your part, otherwise you will be left feeling ripped off and disappointed in your purchase.

Before getting into that though, let's go over the color.

Baby Cakes
Now on the shelf this one stuck out the most, for reasons from my past. When I was a kid, my older sister and I used to fight over this hot pink nail polish, it was so pretty that we managed to use the bottle up in less than a month. That was back in the 80's.

When I saw Jesse's Girl, Baby Cakes, it reminded me of that exact color we fought over, a high beam, potent, in your face neon pink!!!! Whoot!!! Whoot!!! The 80's are back, and neon's were all the rage.

On The Nail:

This was when the puke fest began, the horrid drab scuzzy color that was delivered broke my retro heart to pieces. It did not dry in a gorgeous high beam neon color that the bottle suggested it would. In fact it looked like what my fingernails would look like had I rubbed a neon pink highlighter marker on them. I know, because I used to do that too when I was a kid, and the result was always gross... trendy...but gross.

Baby Cakes basically dries without an ounce of shine. The result is dull, drab lackluster nails, that look to have a textured finish more like old suede than hot pink glossiness of nail polish.

I prayed that running a top coat of clear polish over these horrid looking, dull specimens, would bring the color to life. So I did just that.
Thankfully the clear top coat brought the nail color to life, completely drenching the dull dry to the bone color with new flesh and life.

Overall:

Jesse's Girl Baby Cakes is awful when you apply it with nothing else. In order to bring it to life, and make it look presentable you must apply a clear top coat. With that said, I would buy this color again, just because it does look like what it is supposed to look like, hot pink, but that result only will occur after applying that clear topcoat.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Does It Work? Roc Complete Lift Eye Lift Pen

I am always seeking out the latest and greatest facial care products; from high end pricing, to low end pricing.

Roc Complete Lift Eye Lift Pen, was somewhat in the middle, at $19.99 at a local Target being sold in a combo pack with both this pen, and a day wear lotion for wrinkles and UV protection.

The lotion failed to impress me, but this pen is simply phenomenal.

In the past I have used tons of creams, gels, and even facial pads that promised to give the eye area lift, and reduce the signs of wrinkles. Some worked, but those that worked usually cost me half a weeks pay check.

I have always liked pen applicators because it really lets you zero in and target on the problem area. In my case I have very fine lines coming in near the eye, and I especially hate how they bulge out when I smile or laugh. The Roc Complete Lift Eye Lift Pen promised to reduce puffiness, and give me a bit of a lift. I figured OK, then show me, do it, fix my issue.

Application:

Naturally you will want to use this on clean dry skin. So with that said, I washed my face, let it dry and went ahead with using the pen.

It clicks up at the bottom, you have to twist the bottom base which pushes the serum up out of the small hole at the pens top applicator.

Once the serum pushes through you can go ahead and begin to rub it into the eye area.

The serum feels cool, and once you begin rubbing it in, it will start to tingle, a sensation that means it is working. I liked the feeling, and just about as quickly as I applied it, I began to notice that my fine lines were diminishing in depth, and the very fine lines were invisible when I smiled now. I loved it.

The effect is not so long lived though, and I got around 4 hours of this wrinkle reduction, until I needed to re-apply. I didn't mind though, because this pen is small enough to just throw in your bag and bring with you.

You can apply makeup on top of this. I had no issues with makeup smearing or bunching up in the area when worn on top of the serum, so you don't have to worry about it; unless of course you are using too much makeup or facial powder. However, even then, I do not think it will be an issue as this serum seems to leave no residue behind or greasy feelings/texture on the skin.

Overall:


Convenient, easy to use, and instant results. I would have liked if the serum had a longer lasting lifting effect, but seriously it works that fast and the results are visible immediately.

 If you are looking for a quick fix to problems near the eye area, then definitely give Roc Complete Lift Eye Lift Pen a try. You will see results, you will like the results, and it is money well spent in my opinion.

Review of Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray

I normally will not spend over $5 on hair spray, but gluttony, greed, and of course vanity all rolled into one got the best of me last week when I came across a rather large bottle of Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray.

I figured after reading the promise of added body, shine, and hold to finish my hair style.

Then I looked at the price tag, $16.99. I knew Paul Mitchell, and for the most part I have not encountered too many products by Paul Mitchell that failed me. The price was steep, and I hoped that after dishing out that much money that this spray contained some sort of hair miracle.

I like styling my hair both curly and straight, and mostly I wanted this spray for curls to add some volume, and some shine without leaving behind flakes, or a crusty rock feeling.

The nozzle on the Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray was a little unique, compared to what the norm is. It's a larger round, almost megaphone type nozzle. This actually was not that necessary, and it was a little annoying, because when I sprayed the spray, instead of coming out in a fine mist as most hair sprays do, this one sort of showers you. The larger nozzle giving it more room to roam, so you have to move closer to your hair while spraying it, or it ends up in your face, or ears.

The Scent:

This finishing spray has a nice fresh scent, not the typical aerosol stink you get with cheaper hair sprays. It's a clean scent, near floral, but not too flowery. The scent does not stick around though, which I liked because I do not like hair spray scents to stay with me, unless they smell like heaven, and this one was just mediocre.

The Hold:

I have thick hair, and holding my hair type in sprays usually is difficult. When it comes to Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray, though, the hold was spectacular. It kept my style together and in place for the day, with no fly aways or frizz popping up.

The Texture:

This finishing spray does leave behind a slight texture. It's like added fibers to the hair, but it does not weigh it down or leave it ultra crunch, the fiber like texture I imagine is to give you that promised added volume.

I know you are wondering, will it add volume. The answer is yes, when I spray a bit of this onto my roots, I get an added oomph that lasts. When sprayed in curly hair you also get an added boost of volume.


For those of you wondering about added shine, this is also a yes.
Overall:

All day hold, added volume, and shine, everything that Paul Mitchell Extra Body Finishing Spray promises, it delivered. I absolutely love everything about this finishing spray, everything but the high price that is. But hey, it works, and it works well, so I have no complaints.

Will It Whiten? Colgate Pro Clinical Daily Whitening Gel, Reviving Mint

I absolutely love Crest White Strips, as they have never done wrong by me time after time. The one problem

I have with white strips though is of course the taste it leaves behind, the mess, and the fact that they cost quite a bit of money, and once you stop using them the white it leaves behind begins to fade rather fast, especially if you are a smoker and drink coffee on a daily basis.

A long time ago, Colgate had this great whitening gel polish that worked wonders in between time periods

when I did not have Crest White Strips. This polish was under $8.00, and kept my teeth white, and sadly I cannot find this polish available anywhere.

I came across Colgate Pro Clinical Daily Whitening Gel, Reviving Mint thinking it was a newer version of it, but it turns out it was toothpaste, or tooth gel, it brushes on in the same manner toothpaste would. It seemed to professional, and elite compared to regular toothpastes due to the fact that it came in a fancy box. However it cost just about the same as a regular toothpaste would, so I figured, why not? I'll give it a try.

The Tube:

In the box you have a standard looking tube of toothpaste, with a more professional feel to it. The toothpaste when you screw off the cap though, needs to be specially removed using the actual cap. I have no idea why Colgate did this, because it was annoying and I now have a blob of dried toothpaste on the cap. You have to screw the cap into the tubes nozzle and twist in order to removed the oddball piece of plastic that they applied to the tubes opening. It is sort of the same concept when opening up certain hair dyes, where the cap is used as the key to pry off a seal. When I did this though, some of the gel came rushing out of the tube and onto the cap.

The Gel:

The gel is a little runny compared to other toothpaste gels, and it has a deep blue color to it.

My Use:

I applied some of the gel to my toothbrush and went to work. The Reviving Mint flavor is decent, but it does not have that squeaky clean mint quality to it like other toothpastes do. It is also a little messy when brushing as the gel is semi runny and begins to slowly drip down the neck of the toothbrush onto your hands while brushing. It's kind of messy, but not a deal breaker.

I just wanted this one to whiten my teeth, and leave my mouth smelling fresh like my older toothpaste products have done for me.

All in all though, the clean minty freshness does not stick around for too long, which is disappointing.

Does It Whiten?

I did not notice immediate whiter teeth, but after my 3rd day using it, twice a day, I could see that my teeth had whitened a shade and the results were noticeable. Within a week my teeth were as white as I imagine they can get, and they look relatively flawless.

Overall:

Not the neatest toothpaste, and also not the best when it comes to freshening breath, but it works at what you initially wanted it for, and that is to whiten teeth. Combine this gel with a regular toothpaste or mouthwash for fresh breath, and you have yourself a perfect low priced option to whitening teeth.

Review of New Sally Hansen, Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips

While browsing my local Rite Aid this past weekend I noticed something new and cool looking on the outskirts of the nail polish shelf. They were nail polish strips! Now I had tried just about every nail concept available, from silly decals that peel off in seconds, to ridiculous looking hanging charms, and mini rhinestones that ended up yanking out my hair whenever I ran my fingers through it.

For me, when it comes to Sally Hansen, we have a love/hate relationship. In the past most things by them have either really impressed me, or really let me down. When I spotted these Sally Hansen, Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips, I had to admit, I initially thought they would be a huge disappointment. I mean a strip, that sticks to nails, and stays put for up to 10 days? Yeah right.

Being the beauty junkie I am, and someone who loves trying things before most do, I went ahead and bought them anyway. I figured why not, they would make for a review regardless. I went with #220 Cut It Out, which feature black and white flowers drawn onto the strips. They were pretty, and I knew if they worked well enough it would go really well with just about any outfit. Plus Cut It Out, had a semi retro type of flair to them, one in which I really liked.

The problem I was having with them when deciding on whether or not to buy them was the price. The kit contained only 16 strips, and it cost just as much as it would cost me to go get an airbrush design at a real nail salon. Nearly $10.00. Yup, I could have paid a salon to airbrush some nice neat design for exactly the same price. But God, I hate salons, and hate waiting.

In The Box:

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips are supposedly made of real nail polish, in the box there are 16 adhesives in 8 different sizes. Basically you get 2 of each size. This odd man out number miffed me, because you literately only get 1 use out of this $10.00 purchase. I wish they would have included 24 strips, giving me at least 2 uses.

Besides the 16 strips, in the box you will find a mini nail file which acts as a buffer, and a 2 sides file for rough and light filing. You also get a cuticle stick.

My Use:

Knowing I had no room for mess ups, I hoped that my first time attempting to apply these strips would be flawless. Unfortunately I ended up ripping one strip while applying, which was not such a horrible thing since I was able to use a larger strip on that nail and file and shape the sides from it. So it worked out OK.

You must first have clean dry nails, and you must buff the nails using the included file. This allows for the strip to more easily stay on for a longer period of time. Failing to buff, and apply the strips to clean nails will lessen the life of the sticking agent.

Before applying you will want to chose the right strip that seems to fit the nail you will be working on best. This was simple. Once you decide what strip goes where, you then peel of the protective clear sheet of plastic on the top of the strip, and then peel the strip off of the protective backing and carefully apply it to your nail.

This part is actually very easy, and I was surprised at how perfectly the strip stuck to the nails, and how easy it was to press it into place, and under the cuticle giving it a salon professional finish.

The adhesive strip will hang over the nail. The instructions say to file it off, but I ended up ripping my first strip doing it that way. I found that bending the excessive strip down against the nail, and pressing hard, allowed the strip to rip and peel away with ease, leaving behind a perfect salon quality styled nail.

After applying the first strip I was in awe at how simple, and beautiful it looked, as if a professional had done it.

All in all, applying the strips took me about 20 minutes, and the finish was flawless. I loved them!!! Now I worried about how long they would stay on before signs of lifting or peeling occurred.

Last:

I am at day 6 now, and there are absolutely no signs of peeling, lifting or wearing. I believe that the life of these strips will be even longer than 10 days. I expect longer results due to the fact that I applied a topcoat of clear nail polish on top of the strips, to ensure the sides do not lift up. I recommend doing the same if you want the strips to stay put longer.

Overall:

 
These strips are totally awesome, totally fun, and beyond beautiful, and best of all, the results last! I am going out to find another box with a different style sometime today.