Archive for the ‘Product Reviews’ Category

$29.50

MAC is re-releasing its cool liquid powders and adding them to their permanent line tomorrow May 5th.  I purchased Cajun back when it was released with the Venomous Villains collection last year. I really love this powder, especially now that its warmer. It does feel like you are applying a cool liquid to your face and then automatically feels like a soft silky power.   It goes on very smooth and melts right on your skin without looking powdery or cakey. I like to use this as a contour and then blend upward to warm up my cheeks.

Applied a little heavier for picture purposes!

Cajun

MAC Magically Cool Powder Cajun Swatched

*Jenny*

I recently received a sample size of Clinique’s High Impact Mascara in the mail.  I wore it today and I figured I would do a quick review on it.

$14.50

With two coats/With Out

This mascara was awarded by fitness magazine Beauty Awards 2010. According to the Clinique site this mascara; Kicks up the volume and length of each and every lash for a look that’s lusher, plusher, bolder. Pure, deep colour only adds to the impact. Wear it once and you’ll feel naked without it.

I have to say I LOVE this mascara!It does what it claims. The wand is nice and big but not too bulky, it’s still perfect for your lower lashes. It definitely adds volume and lengthens your lashes without clumping.  You can apply as many layers as you want to keep building for more dramatic looking lashes. It does not irritate my eyes and by the end of the night there was no fall out and my lashes looked just as good as they did after I first applied it in the morning.

The only bad thing I have to say is that it is only available in two different shades, black and black/brown. I am wearing it in 01 Black. I wish they had a darker black shade.

Overall, I highly recommend this mascara. After my sample runs out I am going definetely getting the full size!

*Jenny*

Two coats of "Lavender" with Seche Vite Top Coat

I picked this nail color last week while I was at Forever 21 and I thought it was the perfect color for Spring and especially for Easter.  It’s a pretty pastel purple, that I think would look great on a lot of different skin tones. The color is quite opaque and  creamy, you can get away with wearing one coat if you’re in a hurry. However it does dry pretty quickly and you can apply a second coat within a couple of minutes. The finish is shiny so you don’t need a top coat for the extra glossiness, but I do recommend one to keep your nails looking beautiful for a longer period of time.

You can find this nail polish along with other many beautiful colors at Forever 21 for only $2.00!

*Jenny*

Last Friday Night, Not Like The Movies, The One That Got Away, Teenage Dream, Shatter

Back in January OPI released their very popular Katy Perry collection of nail colors. There are five different shades in the collection, but two of them seem to have done a lot better. Teenage Dreams, and the standout of the line is the Black Shatter nail color. It took a looooong time for me to finally get my hands on one and I have been meaning to do a post about it.

Black Shatter is a black top coat that cracks as it dries on your nails to give them a crackled effect. When it was first released a major misconception was that it would only work with the other colors in the line. I think it was just OPI trying to get us to buy more of their polish. You can use this on ANY color you prefer! However, in my own opinion I think it looks better on top of brighter nail polishes. Since Spring and Summer collections are coming out you can definitely take advantage of that!

If you do a thin layer the effect is slightly different than a thicker coat. The polish does dry pretty quickly so make sure you get your desired amount on your nail on the first try to avoid a clumpy mess.

I’m not one to always have a perfect manicured hand with no chips on it so I couldn’t really tell you how well it wears. But I do know that if your like me and don’t keep up with your nails and maintain them, this is a great polish to hide those little chips as the days go by.

Have you picked this up yet? What’s your favorite color to wear with it?

*Jenny*

Unfortunately I am one of those people who are blessed very active sebaceous glands aka.. I have oily skin. I know that for a lot of people out there it is hard to find a moisturizer that doesn’t leave your skin feeling even more greasy. I have been using the Clinique Moisturizing Gel for years now, and I think it was okay and never bothered to try anything new. Until, I came across this little glass jar!! The Korres Pomegranate Moisturizing Cream.

I have an oily T-Zone and the rest of my face is normal. This cream moisturizes all of my face with out leaving it greasy or sticky. It’s light-weight, very absorbent, but also VERY moisturizing. The consistency is not like a lotion or a cream but more of cream/gel.  It sinks into your skin and leaves it feeling very smooth. It gives your skin a great canvas for your makeup application.

If you are clumsy like me, be careful when handling it because it is glass.

From Korres:

Properties

Pomegranate Lightweight Moisture Balancing Gel that lightly moisturizes and tightens pores, balancing the skin
• Pomegranate extract, rich in tannins and polyphenols, diminishes pore size and neutralizes free radical damage
• Zinc balances skin by regulating oil production. Its antibacterial action effectively mattifies oily areas while allowing dry areas to stay perfectly hydrated
• Carob tree polysaccharides moisturize and hydrate the skin while also fighting the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Provitamin B5 provides long-lasting hydration, leaving a flawless finish
• Avocado, Macadamia and Jojoba oil nourish and comfort the skin while allowing it to breathe
• Naturally derived Vitamin E provides an Antioxidant, moisturizing and softening boost

$32.00 / 1.4 oz

I love this mousturizer and will continue to purchase it, I may also give the rest of the line a try.

Let me know if you pick this up and what you think about it!

*Jenny*

A while back I did a review on Maybelline Falsies Mascara and it didn’t win me over. So when I saw Maybelline released another mascara I wasn’t too tempted to give it try. But I can’t stay away from new products for too long, especially mascaras, so I finally gave in and  picked up the Maybelline Volum’ Express One by One Mascara. First thing I have to say is that I am loving Maybelline’s packaging! First it was the purple for the Falsies and now this awesome tangerine and turquoise combo! They really know how to catch your eye while strolling through the makeup isle!

The brush is pretty big and really soft, which I was worried about at first. I am a firm believer that a brush is usually more important than the formula when it comes to mascara. So when I saw that the brush was soft, I thought there was no way it would be able to comb through all my lashes the way I am used to.

Shade In Blackest Black

According to the Maybelline website:

Product Details

Why You’ll Love It

Finally, bold volume without any of the bulk.
• Patented Lash Catcher™ brush has 3 bristles per lash to make every lash count
• Catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier
• Instant clump-free volume
• Contact lens safe and ophthalmologist-tested
• Washable, also available in Waterproof formula

(Left)WIthout (Right)With One by One

This picture is with two coats. I think if I did 10 coats this mascara would not clump!!! It really does what they claim it does! With one coat you get more lengthening, add a second and you get more volume.  I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and I love this new mascara. I find it similar to Cover Girls Lash Blast but only cheaper!  Only $6.50! My shade is blackest black, if you want big lashes you can’t go wrong with the darkest shade available!

I have read other reviews and some people where saying how they were put off by the smell. One said it smelled like perfume and one said BEER!! I personally didn’t smell anything. I normally don’t put my mascara  up to my nose to take a wiff at it! But I think I love this mascara as much as my Loreal Voluminous! (Gasp!) This was my first day using it and I think mascaras tend to get better after a few tries. If you were one of the people who loved the Falsies then I would pick this one up ASAP! I think it is soo much better!

Let me know your thoughts on it!

*Jenny*

On my Sephora Birthday Haul I posted about receiving a sample size of Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer. I wanted to try this out a few times before I reviewed it. I normally use Urban Decay Primer Potion and I know a lot of other people use it as well, so I compared High Voltage to it.

From the Sephora Website:

What it is:
A lightweight, non-greasy, non-sticky formula that sets the stage for perfect, lasting eye-makeup application.

What it does:
This smooth-textured essential glides over the eyelid without dragging. It performs like a magnet, preventing eyeshadow from migrating and creasing. Micro-encapsulated pigments float over the eye area, finessing skin texture and blurring fine lines.

It’s 0.12 oz for $15.00. It comes in three different shades: Skin (universal neutral beige); Smoky (sultry deep gray); Stellar (pink beige pearl)

Urban Decay has two different sizes; 0.34 oz for $18.00 and 0.55 oz for $23.00. They now carry four different shades: Eden (matte tawny); Green (gold); Sin (shimmering champagne); Original (sheer nude)

(Left) Urban Decay Primer Potion (Right) Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer

*Blended* Urban Decay Primer Potion/Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer

The Urban Decay Primer Potion is more shear and easier to blend. Kat Von D Eye Primer is thicker and you have to blend a little longer.

*With Eye Shadow* Urban Decay Primer Potion/Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer

I used MAC’s Woodwinked Eye Shadow on top. In my opinion you get a better color pay off with Kat Von D Eye Primer. It looks more pigmented and easier to blend.

*After Applying Eye Makeup* (Left) UDPP (Right) Kat Von D Primer

*End Of Day* (Left) UDPP (Right) Kat Von D Primer

As you can see by the end of the day, my left eye creased up more than the right. My eyeshadow did not wear off with either one, but I have to say that the Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer takes the prize on this one! I will definitely purchase the full size of this when my sample runs out. On another note, a little goes along way. I suggest going to your local Sephora and picking one up or maybe even a sample if you want to try it out!

*Jenny*

I know I already did a post on the Viva Glam Gaga II lipstick and lipglass but I wanted to show what it looked like on me. And I also wanted to show you swatches of other “nude” lipsticks compared to Gaga II.

From the left: MAC-Viva Glam Gaga II; MAC-Fleshpot; MAC-Peachstock; MAC-Myth; NARS-Belle De Jour; NARS-Honolulu Honey; MAC-Creme D’ Nude; Revlon-Soft Nude.

If I had to pick one to be close to the Gaga II shade I would have to pick Creme D’ Nude. They are both creamy and go on very smoothly and the shades are not that much different. Lady Gaga II is a bit more peachy beige. Hope this helps!

*Jenny*

I picked up my Lady Gaga II lipstick and lipglass on the 17th. Sorry it took me so long to post about it, but I haven’t been feeling too well. Bu I have to say that I absolutely LOVE these shades!

On the MAC site, the lipstick is described as a light warm beige. Since it is an “Amplified” lipstick the texture is a lot creamier and I find it to be more pigmented. It goes on as a semi-matte finish. Even though it is on the warmer side I think it would still look beautiful on lighter skin tones.  I have read other reviews saying that the lipstick is a little unforgiving showing off your lip flaws. I personally don’t think that’s the case. However, if you do find that it shows off your imperfections, use a lip scrub while washing your face and put on a lip treatment while you apply the rest of your face makeup to allow your lips to absorb it. You can also apply a nude lipgloss on top, and a little extra bonus is that it makes your lips look plumper!

The lipglass is described as a light neutral pinked beige. But I don’t find it too have to much of a pink undertone. The finish is very creamy and applies like a dream. Try not to over do it because if you press your lips together it will give you that line around your lips and makes the color look uneven.

If you are not into the “nude” lip but want to try to ease your way into it, I suggest trying out just the lipglass. You won’t be disappointed!

Did you pick these up for your collection? Let me know what you think!

*Jenny*

Coconut oil is normally used in cooking but what many people don’t know are all the great health benefits it provides. The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength.

This is due to the lauric acid and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing. I have been using it on my hair, skin, and it is the best eye make up remover.

Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and quickly dissolves at 76 degrees.  I scoop it out and rub it between my hands and let my body heat melt it into an oil.

Hair Care: Coconut oil helps hair by making it shiny. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides essential proteins required to nourish damaged hair. I use it after I get out of the shower and my hair is still wet. I only apply it to the ends where it is more damaged from my straightening iron.

If you want to use it as a treatment,  I would apply it all over my hair and scalp and leave it on for about 2 hours and then shower as usual. If you have very dry hair, you can wrap your hair and leave it on over night. (Make sure you use something to protect your pillow) You may have two shampoo twice to make sure it’s completely washed out.

Skin Care: Coconut oil is a great massage oil because of it’s soothing smell. It acts as a moisturizer on all skin types, especially dry skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of the skin. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Recently I have been using it for shaving. It makes the razor glide smoothly and helps prevent cuts and ingrown hair. After I rinse it off my skin feels so soft. I can’t remember the last time I felt my skin this soft especially in the winter.

The other way I use it is to remove my makeup. I rub it on my face concentrating on my eyes to remove my eye makeup. Then I use hot water to remove it then follow up with my normal face cleanser and my nightly beauty routine. I have not had any break outs due to the oil, and I have not noticed more oil production.  I have seriously oily skin and I was hesitant to use it on my face but it has worked out great!

*Jenny*