Product Review: Essie's School of Hard Rocks

Product Review: Essie's School of Hard Rocks

Cost: Around $8
Where to Purchase: Target, Ulta, Drugstores

Claims: None

Thoughts: This is one of those polishes which I describe as applying like 'buttah'. It is a perfect 2 coater and in the sea of Teals that hit the stores this Spring/Summer this one was definitely the standout for me. It's lasting, like all Essie's polishes, it's creamy and a dream to apply and it's so pigmented and opaque that it makes it a pleasure to apply.
How I use it: Apply 2 coats on clean nail, top off with favorite top coat. I use Seche Vite.

Rating: A+

Product Review: Skin70 Super Blemish Balm BB Cream

Product Review: Skin70 Super Blemish Balm BB Cream

Cost: $8.98
Where to Purchase: Amazon

Claims: It smoothes away lines, leaving skin elastic. It provides skin with moisture and freshness

Thoughts: You know I had to try this right away because I did become a bit obsessed with it so I decided to wear it yesterday when I went out shopping and dinner with Mom and this is a beautiful thing. I've found my favorite BB cream. This stuff controlled the oil on my cheeks better than ANY other foundation that I have tried. My cheeks felt right down dry after 6 hours with this on. I had it on a total of 8 hours before I headed to bed and I really didn't want to take my makeup off because it was as smooth and as perfect as when I had first applied it. I will test it for more hours but thus far I have to say how impressed I am. This can be built up to Med coverage, which is what I need. I still used concealer with this but I did not have to use primer at all.
How I use it: Did a small pump on the back of my hand and warmed it up with my finger, then I did little dots of it all over my face and began blending with a flat synthetic brush like the Sigma F80. I did dust a little bit of powder on my face, which I always do because this Florida weather is killer.

Rating: A+

Product Review: Simply Sheep Dead Sea Mud Mask

Product Review: Simply Sheep Dead Sea Mud Mask

Cost: $8.99
Where to Purchase: Etsy or Simply Sheep website

Claims: It is highly enriched with 26 different minerals helpful to the skin's health and function and said to aid in keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. Dead sea mud is known to unclog pores creating younger and healthier looking skin. It has also been shown to provide relief for Psoriasis and Eczema.

Thoughts: I did a bit of a preview of this yesterday but I was so excited with it that I decided to try it out last night. It's got much more of a jelly-like consistency than a paste consistency which makes it lighter to apply. I applied it all over the face and within 3 minutes I felt it 'tightening'. Like, I couldn't smile even if I wanted to. I decided to take a close up photo while it was drying so you all can see how it just went into all my pores, which I have tons and I really felt it cleansing. I read in their website that you should do this twice a month so I'm thinking it's a good one to do everything 2 weeks for deep cleansing, and have it help with oil control that I especially get on my cheeks. Good stuff, I liked it, and you only need a little bit, I hardly dented after this mask so I'm going to go with it's good bank for your $.
How I use it: Spread a thin layer all over face. Let dry for 30 min and rinsed.

Rating: A

Product Review: The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

Product Review: The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector

Cost: $20
Where to Purchase: Ulta or The Body Shop

Claims: Soften and protect hands, even after washing. Recommended for extra dry to dry skin.

Thoughts: This is not the best smelling product in the world but this seriously quenches my dry hands. I have very dry hands, dry cuticles, dry palms and each time I'm in the Body Shop I try to pick up a tube of this because this is honestly the best hand protector I've come across. It's extremely thick, you only need a dollop but you will instantly feel the difference. It's amazing. I wish it wasn't so expensive and that the scent would be different. I wouldn't even mind it if it came unscented.
How I use it: Apply dime-size amount on hands and work into skin.

Rating: A

Product Review: Butter London's Trout Pout or how a nail polish turned into my boyfriend

Product Review: Butter London's Trout Pout

Cost: $14
Where to Purchase: Ulta or Sephora

Claims: A heavily pigmented, high-fashion nail lacquer.

Thoughts: If there was one color to represent all of Summer 2012, it's this color. It's the absolutely perfect peachy creamsicle color with the right amount of pink to make it grown up yet whimsical. I have to say that when I first saw this color it was love at first sight. I felt like our eyes were meeting across a field and we skipped towards each other, with open arms while music played in the background. I HAD to have it, it was obsessive. I couldn't even function at work. When I finally got my hands on it I quickly did a manicure and like all relationships, we encountered our first roadblock. I quickly discovered that behind the perfect bottle, the perfect color was not living up to its promises. It was a 3 coater. A three coater is when I need to apply 3 coats in order to achieve perfect opacity. It was streaky. But, like all relationships, the color was so pretty, I was willing to overlook it. The first day on it was beautiful. I took it to an art fair and showed my nails off to friends and they were wowed by the unique color and many decided to get it for themselves. That's when trouble started. I wake up with my color the second day and turned to admire it once more and gasp in horror as I spotted a slight chip. My relationship with my polish was quickly crumbling before my eyes but I decided maybe it was me. I had done something wrong. Like washed my favorite water cup. Or perhaps opened an envelope too violently. No way was my perfect polish responsible for the chip. By 6pm that second day my relationship was in shambles. I had 3 chips and it was quickly becoming evident that I was way more invested in this relationship that the polish was. By day 4 I had to remove it from my nails. It was chipping like crazy so the polish went back on my polish rack for me to admire. Because it looks AMAZING on the bottle but like that relationship it can also be very deceiving. 
How I use it: 3 coats and Seche Vite top coat.

Rating: D (C'mon, Butter! Fix this formula!)

I should state that I still wear it, when I know I'm only going to have it on for a few days, if I paid $14 for it you best believe I will wear it and pretend everything is fine!

Product Review: NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker

Product Review: NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker

Cost: About $8
Where to Purchase: Ulta

Claims:  The micro-fine felt tip on this eye liner means you can use it for everything from filling in your eyelash line to a subtle cat-eye look.The eye marker application is smooth and the striking results are long-lasting and smudge-proof.

Thoughts: Originally I was going to do a comparison between this and the Jordana Fabuliner but once I got to using this one I realized that for my meticulous likes this one draws a much different line than Jordana. The NYX marker is SUPER skinny. I took pictures so you can see. This draws a very pigmented thin line which can be used as they claim to fill in the lash or a very delicate cat-eye. I actually like using this one for my daily for work more than the Jordana because the line is so discreet. I love it, definitely will be repurchasing it.
How I use it: I use it daily for my natural eye look.

Rating: A

Product Review: Milanis' Eyeshadow in Caramel Brown

Product Review: Milanis' Eyeshadow in Caramel Brown

Cost: About $6
Where to Purchase: Drugstores or Target

Claims: A super pigmented, easily blendable, crease-proof, silk-like powder eyeshadow.

Thoughts: I think I held a day of mourning when Milani got rid of their original shadows some years back, however I was able to stock up on all my favorite and created a palette for them. To me, they're still brilliant. About two years later I'm exploring CVS when I spot this beauty and instantly choose a color I know I'll use and bring it home to see if it's just as pigmented as their original pressed shadows used to be. Score! I don't know why Milani stopped making these, these were their best product. The texture of these shadows is just like they state, silky and buttery and very pigmented. I still wear primer under all shadows so mine lasted all day. I did a swatch comparison below next to MAC's Tempting so you can get an idea of what it looks like, the texture of these is just like MACs, and they comes in 12 different colors. My one complain is the packaging. Now, they have this nice heavy plastic case which feels much richer and nicer than their previous covers however... they're now larger than the MAC shadow and to depot them would be out of the question.
How I use it: Using a flat brush I apply it either all over the lid or on the crease.

Rating: A+

Product Review: NARS Blush in Torrid

Product Review: NARS Blush in Torrid

Cost: $28
Where to Purchase: NARS counters or Sephora

Claims: A light application of even the highest-intensity hues delivers a natural-looking flush. Silky texture in matte and shimmering shades  Micronized powder ensures soft, blendable application

Thoughts: NARS, hands down has my favorite blushes and I'm a bit of a blush whore. Yet, hands down my very favorite NARS blush ever is this one, Torrid. I don't know if it just goes really well with my skin tone by my friend who is considerable lighter tried it on and it complimented her too. It's got some shimmer but it's not frosty like I think Orgasm is, it's definitively more peachy-toned than pink toned and it's one of my favorites from Spring until the end of Summer. Plus, this stuff lasts forever! I've had mine for over a year and look! I haven't even hit pan.
How I use it: I apply it with any blush brush I find handy.

Rating: A+

Showdown: Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Maybelline BB creams

Showdown: Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Maybelline BB creams

I didn't want to jump in to this new BB fan craze so somehow I was there the day these hit the drugstores. Originally this was just going to be a comparison between the L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream and the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream... however after going to Nordstrom I got this generous sample of the Estee Lauder Day Wear BB Cream so I decided to test the three of them.

Let's hit them all individually. I should say that these all come in a squeezy-tube which is perfect.

Estee Lauder:

• Cost: $38
• Claim: This lightweight BB Creme delivers: An instant, even-toned, healthy look. Powerful protection with our proven Super Anti-Oxidant Complex and SPF 35. High-performance, oil-free hydration for All Skintypes. This comes in two colors; light and dark. I used the light and I'm NW25, olive complexion.
• Scent: It's got a foundationy-scent. I don't mind it at all.
• Results: This product, I have to say was my favorite of the three. For the following reasons: it wasn't liquid-y, it gave the most coverage though I still needed foundation, had SPF35!! The best protection thus far, and it helped control the oil in my face, I used it instead of my favorite primer. I was very impressed with this BB cream, I still would've preferred better coverage - it felt like a tinted moisturizer but with more oil control. So if you're looking for a tinted moisturizer for like oily skin you might like this, pick up a sample at your local Estee Lauder counter and see if this works for you.

L'Oreal:

• Cost: Around $10
• Claim: This multi-tasking beutifying cream delivers multiple beautifying actions: hydrates, corrects, evens and perfects. It's ultra lightweight and blends in seamlessly for a perfect natural finish.  This comes in 4 different colors ranging from light to deep which I think will serve all skin tones. I thought the "light" was going to be too light for me but it ends up blending in perfectly to my skin.
• Scent: It also smells like foundation type of scent, I don't mind it.
• Results: My biggest problem with this is that it's got no SPF. This, I think, is the worst of it all because it's encouraging you to use this as a moisturizer. What I ended up doing was using my regular moisturizer which has SPF and then this on top. I thought that once you get used to the 'grittiness' that the formula has this was a very good product. It covered like a tinted moisturizer, it controlled my oil and it didn't feel heavy at all. I still would've liked it to have a bit more coverage because I need it. But if you've got pretty good skin and have SPF in your moisturizer this is a good buy. 

Maybelline:

• Cost: About $8
• Claim: BB creams combine skincare + makeup in 1 simple step 8-in-1 Skin Perfector: Blurs imperfections, Brightens, Evens skin tone, Smoothes, Hydrates, Enhances, Protects with SPF 30, 0% oils and heavy ingredients
• Scent: I had no problem with this scent, smells like a tinted moisturzier.
• Results: This is a tinted moisturizer, it's as simple as that. I didn't feel that it burred anything, didn't even out my skin tone, didn't prime or control oil. It does have SPF which most tinted moisturizers do which is why I think it should be used as such. I didn't like it, it was even messy to apply because too much product came out of the top and it was very liquidy. I don't even think I'm going to finish my bottle, it felt too greasy on my skin as the day wore on.

Final Thoughts and Verdict: If you can afford it, get the Estee Lauder one. If you cannot, go for the L'Oreal one. However, if you have dry skin you might like the Maybelline product. Remember to use moisturizer with SPF if you're going to use the L'Oreal one. Hope this helps some of you, I've added some shots below!

Left to right: Estee Lauder, L'Oreal and Maybelline. Click to enlarge.

UPDATE: Today I went out and used the L'Oreal BB cream as foundation by applying 2 coats instead of one and set it with loose powder. It looked GREAT, I think this is my clear favorite over the Maybelline. 

Product 's Review: Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder

Product 's Review: Almay Nearly Naked Loose Powder

Cost: About $10
Where to Purchase: Drugstores or Target

Claims: Infused with nourishing grape seed and ginseng helps to protect skin and antioxidant vitamins a and e to help prevent dryness.

Thoughts: I've been testing this for a month and I have to say I actually really enjoy this powder. As it claims, it's not drying at all and I can have dry skin patches in my face. It offers a bit of coverage and I think I could get away with just concealer and this dusted on the face. It's been a month, I've been using it nearly each day and I'm only halfway through it. This lasts a very long time. This comes in three different colors, I wish they made more variety or at least had a translucent one.
How I use it: I dust it on my face using a large powder brush.

Rating: A

Product Review: Real Techniques Powder Brush

Product Review: Real Techniques Powder Brush

Cost: $10
Where to Purchase: Real Techniques or Ulta

Claims:  Evenly apply powders and mineral foundations for smooth, high-definition results.

Thoughts: I've owned this brush now for 3 weeks and I usually like to use a product for longer before I post a review but I've been so enamored with this that I just had to share my thoughts. This brush is brilliant. I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Real Techniques brushes like many people and I have to say that this is my very favorite of them all. I had been searching for the perfect brush to apply my loose powder and I happily found it in this one. This brush is dense enough to work in the powder without it looking cakey yet it's soft on the skin and easy to clean. I compared it in the shots below to my MAC150, same size only a couple of $20s cheaper. Never again purchasing the MAC150 as long as I can find this. I actually prefer this one to my MAC because this one doesn't shed AT ALL while the MAC one does.
How I use it: Use it for loose powder or even bronzer.

Rating: A+

Product Review: Victoria Secrets' Silky Eye Shadow in Lose Control

Product Review: Victoria Secrets' Silky Eye Shadow in Lose Control

Cost: $12.50
Where to Purchase: Ebay as it's discontinued but can be found online

Claims:  Unveil eye-catching color. Pigment-rich formula drapes lids in pure color and a satin sheen.

Thoughts: This is such a brilliant line of products, I've enjoyed the Victoria Secret eye shadows for a few years now, they don't get nearly as much love as they deserve. This eyeshadow is super pigmented and very blendable.
How I use it: For best use, apply with a stiff brush, as it's got a near 'creamy' consistency to it but on top of primer it should last all day. I use it with a Sigma E60 brush, this way it grabs a lot of products and really packs it on the lid. I then blend it up into my crease it works a really attractive and simple brown smoky look.

Rating: A

On left is with a stiff brush, the shade is more concentrated. The swatch on the right is with a soft fluffy brush and it took like 5 tries to get it this dark. Lesson? Apply with stiff brush, q-tip or finger.

Product Review: MAC's Lip & Cheek Colour in Out for Fun

Product Review: MAC's Lip & Cheek Colour in Out for Fun

Cost: $20
Where to Purchase: MAC counters

Claims:  Versatile, lightweight all-in-one colour for cheeks and lips. Creamy, super-blendable, barely there formula. Contains Vitamin E to help keep skin and lips nourished.

Thoughts: I have a special spot in my heart for cream blush so when I swatched this at my local MAC counter I HAD to have it. I was not disappointed, I love this color on my cheeks, it stays on for over 9 hours and it's not thick or oily like one might assume it would be. I have not tried it as lipstick but for the purpose of this review I put it on my lips and it felt a lot like lipstick. A very nice consistency.
How I use it: I use a RealTechniques Stippling Brush and I pat it directly on the product and then apply it lightly on the apples of my cheek, blending it in. For it to stay all day I set it with my favorite powder coral blush on top of it and I swear I get home from work and my cheeks are still rosy.

Rating: A

Product Review: Jergens Natural Glow - Revitalizing

Product Review: Jergens Natural Glow - Revitalizing

Cost: About $4
Where to Purchase: Drugstores, Target or Ulta

Claims:  Jergens natural glow Revitalizing Daily Moisturizer delivers fabulous, natural-looking color that lasts twice as long as the leading sunless tanner lotion.

Thoughts: I never go out in the sun. Never, maybe once every 2 years and I live in Florida. I'm a big proponent of protection and not sitting out and toasting yourself. I've also never been interested in the least in tanners. But 3 years ago I really looked at my legs and admitted that they were patchy and pasty and just not my best feature so after watching a youtube video I decided to give this baby a try and wow! That was 3 years ago. I've now gone through countless bottles and converted so many people to it. This stuff is brilliant and it's my HG.
How I use it: I use it in place of a moisturizer on my legs. Each a shower I smooth it on my legs and wash my hands afterwards because it can turn your palms orange after a few times.

Rating: A+

Product Review: theBalm's Shady Lady Palette Vol.3

Product Review: theBalm's Shady Lady Palette Vol.3

Cost: $39.50
Where to Purchase: Sephora
Claims: No claims.

Thoughts: As with all the Balm eyeshadows, the consistency and pigmentation of these are out of this world. To me, they are far superior to a lot of brands out there including Urban Decay. I have all 3 of the Shady Lady palettes and this is hands down my least favorite, not because these are bad eyeshadows but because it really lacks a theme. I find it hard to use two of these colors together and the combinations, for me, are limited. So this becomes one of those palettes that I just forget to use, going for palettes that have like-colors together to make a quick look in the morning. I will, however, go over each of the shades in the palette.

• Lusty Lee (light silver) - this is a true silver, extremely pigmented and can be paired with either 'All the Way Annie' or 'Guilty Gwen'.
• Envious Erin (metallic ivory) - this is somewhat reminiscent of MAC's Crystal Avalanche but more ivory than stark-white. It would work great as a highlighter.
• Racy Lacy (light, warm brown) - there's nothing light about this, this is like a copper brown, extremely pigmented and for me I'd rather use this on the crease than all over the lid. Might not show as well on very dark complexions.
• Safe Bet Annette (pearly pink) - just as described, this is a shimmery soft baby pink, definitely not my type of color.
• Runaround Rebecca (spring Green) - this is almost a metallic green, it's very pigmented and it blends very well. I did a drastic green look by using this all over the lid and blending in MAC's Humid in the crease.
• Come-hither Heather (light lilac silver) - as you can see from the swatch below it's super creamy and pigmented. I love this one, the soft lilac that it shows make for a great smoky purple look.
• Open to Offers Owen (true teal) - This is like the red headed step kid of the palette, it's got nothing that really goes with it and despite me being in love with this color I always forget it's in here. I use this (when I remember) all over my lid and then I blend out very well the edges, pairing it with black liner and tons of mascara.
• All the way Annie (soft purple) - a very brilliant dark purple with a bit of shimmer. I like to use this with MAC's All that Glitters for a neat pink & purple smoky eye look.
• Guilty Gwen (black with silver shimmer) - a perfect dupe for MAC's Black Tied, just identical. I love Black Tied, it smokes out any look for a good smokey eye and also works great as an eyeliner.

How I use it: Use as indicated above. I use primer with all of my shadows.

Rating: A (because the pigmentation is spot on and they last all day but the overall palette and the lack of consistency make me see it as a much lower grade)

(click to enlarge)

Product Review: ELF's Baked Blush in Rich Rose

Product Review: ELF's Baked Blush in Rich Rose

Cost: $3
Where to Purchase: Target
Claims: The soft and shimmering color of our Baked Blush creates a natural healthy glow. Baked in an oven, these blushes offer rich pigmentation for a beautiful effect. The long-lasting formula provides a gorgeous, smooth and even application.

Thoughts: I've been wearing this for 3 days straight so I had to squeeze in a quick review because I'm basically in love with this color. When it first arrived both myself and my roommate agreed that it was not wearable, I literally didn't even think about it until Saturday when I was getting ready for the mall and I reached for this, just for kicks. I was literally speechless at how pretty is applies on the face! Never again will I judge a blush by it's oven baked face. Sure, swatching it on my finger it came out dark and bronze-like but applied with a soft MAC187 brush it was like golden butter on my cheeks and absolutely perfect for Summer! And for $3 you cannot - cannot go wrong.
How I use it: I use it with a soft brush like MAC187 or Sigma F55 and apply it on the upper apples of my cheek. It gives a bronze-goddess type of look.

Rating: A

I think this can also make for a very pretty eyeshadow! On the left I packed it on with a Q-tip and on the right it's applied with my Sigma F55. I am NW25, just for reference.

Product Review: MAC's Trax Eyeshadow

Product Review: MAC's Trax Eyeshadow


Cost: $1.99
Where to Purchase: MAC counters
Claims: No claims.

Thoughts: This is a recent re-discovery, I've owned this shadow for over 2 years and I haven't really paid attention to it until recently when I decided to use it in my crease for some purple and I was instantly in love. Why haven't I hit pan on this two and three times?! It's not as purple as it looks on the pan, as you blend it out it takes on hues of burgundy and gold and they just make this beautiful and unique color.
How I use it: I apply on my crease with a MAC217 brush and blend it in.

Rating: A

Product Review: OPI's Elephantastic Pink

Product Review: OPI's Elephantastic Pink

Cost: Around $8
Where to Purchase: Ulta or nail salons
Claims: No claims.


Thoughts: I find it really hard to judge nail polishes' longevity. So I will rate other things. How opaque is it? Not very, it's a jelly sort of consistency that will require 3 coats for near full nail bed coverage. The color is bright and a pinkish coral which looks brilliant on the nails. Very fun Summer color. I get chips from OPI polish on day 2, so this is normal, and I think it's worth it just because I love the color that much.
How I use it: Apply 3 coats on nails followed by clear top coat.


Rating: B

Review: Essence Lipsticks

Review: Essence Lipsticks


Cost: Around $2
Where to Purchase: Ulta
Claims: No claims.


Thoughts: I have a penchant for cheap good lipstick and Essence is one of the pack leaders. At about $2.50 a pop and available in 10 colors I honestly sometimes want them all. These are the 3 I own, which I am completely happy with. The consistency of these are pigmented and smooth like MAC lipsticks, they hydrate and on my lips stay a good amount of time. The good thing about these is that this is something you can pick up in a crazy color you wouldn't normally wear since they're so cheap it wont break the bank and you always have this one color for special occasions.
How I use it: It's lipstick.


Rating: A

From L-R (Like a Lady, Fairytale, Creamy Nude)

Product Review: Nexxus Dualiste Dual Benefit Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Product Review: Nexxus Dualiste Dual Benefit Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Cost: Around $12
Where to Purchase: Ulta and some drugstores
Claims: This is the answer for your dry hair. Get the dual benefit of color protection and hydration with Nexxus Dualiste Dual Benefit Leave-In Conditioning Spray. This scientifically developed and salon proven formula provides the ultimate in color protection plus the customized protection your hair needs. It infuses moisture in the hair and makes it vibrant. It also lends your hair great body and lift. The light and non-greasy formula in this conditioner provides hair with deep conditioning, infuses vital moisture and is extremely soft on the hair. This spray was scientifically formulated to provide best-in-class color protection and maximum hydration to dry, brittle and damaged hair 


Thoughts: Long story short, this is OK and pretty good if you have thin hair and don't have a lot of it. As far as color protection I think it's bogus. My color faded regardless and I used it for about 6 months, finished 2 bottles and still had to color my hair every 5-6 weeks. However, seeing as I have thin hair and don't have a lot of it the leave-in conditioner worked pretty good for me however if you have a lot of hair or have thick or coarse hair this is not the leave-in conditioner that you want.
How I use it: Spray is liberally on my hair after I get out of the shower, style as normal.


Rating: C