Saturday, August 23, 2008

Antica Farmacista Home Ambiance Fragrance


Antica Farmacista

Home Ambiance Fragrance {Le Fragranze d'Ambiante}

Grapefruit {Pompelmo}

Lovely glass bottle, looks great out.
The smell is wonderful! It's lightly sugared grapefruit. Fresh grapefruit, as though you pulled it off the tree, cut it open & poured on a packet of sugar.
The scent is subtle in the room, nicely diffusing.
My only complaint--the cork was hard to remove! There was a little wooden lid covering the cork, and I managed to separate the two. Oh well, the pieces of cork inside the bottle add a rustic flair ;)

Friday, August 22, 2008

Befine Food Skincare

Befine Food Skincare
Exfoliating Cleanser
With Brown Sugar, Sweet Almonds & Oats

I just used a sample packet of Befine's Exfoliating Skincare. I was instantly hungry when I opened the yummy smelling packet. It smelled of brown sugar and almonds. I was a little worried about how grainy it was, but it didn't feel rough at all on my face. It was as if I was getting a mini facial. Once I rinsed it off, my face felt smooth and soft, and it looked even better! I would definitely recommend this exfoliating cleanser to anyone looking to improve their skin (without feeling as if you just scrubbed your face off).

Maybelline NY Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper

Maybelline NY
Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper
Born With it

I didn't even realize until I tried this that it was a "lip plumper." I tried it one morning in the locker room at work. Instantly I felt a minty tingly feeling. My lips looked full and shiny. I was very excited to find out that it was a lip plumper...and it worked. I wouldn't say my lips were huge, but they looked fuller and the color is a shiny, subtle pink. My co-worker walked by and asked what kind of lip gloss I was wearing about 2 minutes after I put it on. It obviously made an impression on her. I am on my way to get a couple of more colors. You should go out and get some too!

Sugar Paint - Mineral Lip Glaze

Sugar Paint
Mineral Lip Glaze
Fruit Punch
These fun little tubs of lip glaze have a lot of color. If you are not a fan of cocoa butter or shea butter, you might want to stay away. The fruit punch color is almost a crayola red on my lips, and it smells a little like fruit punch, but the cocoa & shea butter smell are a little overwhelming. Overall, its not bad, but I think I might like the caramel or milk chocolate flavors a little better than the fruit punch.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Great Hair helps to stop cancer!!!

From a PureOlogy press release:
PureOlogy is excited to evolve its partnership with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) as the organization's official haircare and styling partner. During September and October, PureOlogy will offer a Limited Edition Break the Silence Volume Booster promotion which includes PureVolume Shampoo, 10.1 Oz. and PureVolume Condition, 8.5 Oz. Also included is our complimentary, tortoise shell style brush with NOCC's signature teal color bristle pad. The box features information about the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer to educate women about this disease.

"In conjunction with Limited Edition Break the Silence Volume Booster promotion, PureOlogy will donate $25,000 to the NOCC," explains Karen Fuss-Zipp, Senior Vice President of Marketing for PureOlogy. "PureOlogy and the NOCC will continue our year long campaign to facilitate a greater dialogue that will lead to earlier diagnosis, improved survival rates and quality of life for women with ovarian cancer."

Throughout 2008, NOCC and PureOlogy will host 21 NOCC & PureOlogy's Walks to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer around the U.S. to help increase awareness of the work NOCC and PureOlogy are doing to educate women about the symptoms and risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Help Break the Silence on ovarian cancer!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Maybelline New York Define-A-Lash Mascara


This is THE mascara. I've been looking for the perfect mascara for as long as I can remember. Much too often, I would put on mascara only to have it either flake off or completely disappear a few hours later-I know, not too common. Define-A-Lash is perfection in a tube. It lengthens mostly but also darkens. It stays on for hours and almost every time I wear it, someone asks me if I'm wearing faux eyelashes. No joke! Run don't walk and get this mascara. Throw all of your other tubes out. STAT.

Maybelline Define-A-Lash
Waterproof Mascara



Nicole: I am in total agreement with Jill. I LOVE this mascara. The brush separates lashes instead of clumping them. The one I tried was not volumizing, but was definitely waterproof. It lasted all day and didn't flake at all. Like she said above. RUN out and get some....now!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Booty Parlor Sex Bombs Kit


Very after dark packaging...full of goodies. I'll start with the Get Flushed Sexy Lip and Cheek Tint. I'm all about this. All about it. I love lip and cheek stains like nobody else. Adorable sphere shape with mirror in the cap. Color is very red Popsicle. A little dab will do ya. Wearing it on both cheeks and lips now, actually. Next up, Don't Stop Solid Perfume With Pheromones. It's very one of Strawberry Shortcake's friend smell. Love it. Heart it. A bit musky which is what I look for in any and all perfumes. Again, in a cute sphere shape-nice and portable. No glass to break. The Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer leaves a little something on the skin. Great for highlighting the clavicle and cleavage. This would be the best bachelorette party gift.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Redken Body Full Shampoo and Conditioner


This shampoo/conditioner combo does exactly what is says. "Gently cleanses and builds volume." My hair feels clean after using both, but it also feels thicker-which is pretty huge for me. So far, I'm loving these REDKEN Body Full products. Again, I'm having to ration them. I don't want to run out.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

My Soap!


Pre de Provence Soaps
Agrumes
Wonderful citrus smell, perfect to help de-fog in the morning.
All the PdP soaps I've tried have been long-lasting & lather well.
It's not harsh on the skin & I'm not allergic to it--what more could I ask?

Fight gravity & cancer!


Mama Mio (http://www.mamamio.com/) has developed a lil'something to lift the sag!

Oh yes, Boob tube! No, I'm serious. They have also come out with a Boot Camp for your boozies, as well one to firm up your butt.

Check out how they are donating proceeds to the Cancer Research Foundation & giving self-exam instructions starting this October.

Save lives & your chest!

Monday, August 4, 2008

FULL FRAME 07 PROTECTIVE VOLUMIZING MOUSSE


FULL FRAME 07 PROTECTIVE VOLUMIZING MOUSSE
This is a nice thick foam. But because of that, blow drying takes a little bit longer. The scent is unpleasant-metallic, odd. Yet, I did notice my hair appeared fuller. It seems too heavy for very fine hair. Definitely worth a try if you have normal to thick hair.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Lip Balm Testing

Lip Balms

Jess' Bee Natural
All Natural Lip Balm
Tangerine

Until now, the only lip balm I have tried that was made from beeswax was Burt's Bees. After testing the tangerine lip balm, I would have to say that Jess' Bee Natural lip balm goes on a lot smoother, and the tangerine scent is too good to be true. Even better, Jess' has only 7 all-natural ingredients in it. Jess' Bee Natural is an amazing company started accidentally by one woman 10 years ago. Everything about her company is all-natural. They hand pour their lip balm and use post-consumer recycled paper for everything. Since trying it, I have kept my tangerine lip balm close to me for repeated use!


Bag Lunch
Red Lollipop Lip Balm

I think there is another blog about the Strawberry Milkshake Lip Balm, but I wanted to compare of all of the ones I have tried. This lip balm is a little more waxy, but the lollipop smell is so yummy! Don't try to lick your lips though, because the coating of lip balm you put on is nice and thick to moisturize your lips. It is so great and fun to have a delicious lip balm that doesn't have cartoon characters or glitter all over the packaging. To me, Bag Lunch Lip Balms are the adult version of Lip Smackers.


emmett cooper SIGNATURE COLLECTION
lipcure

Ok, so this lip balm isn't scented like the other two were, but I love it anyway. First of all, I love the big tube it comes in. It is full of vitamins and aloe vera to heal those cracked, dry lips in the winter. I could tell a difference in just one application. Not only that, it has an spf of 8. emmett cooper uses natural oils and beeswax for a nourishing, almost wet lip balm that makes my lips happy every time I use it.

Bobbi Brown - New Fall Look

Bobbi Brown
Mauve Palette


To quote Bobbi Brown: "...mauve makeup is a cool neutral that's very wearable." She is right! This great palette is all you'll need for the fall. It combines neutral shades for an amazing overall look. The palette includes: Mauve Lip Sheer, Vintage Mauve Lip Color, Dusty Mauve Lip Color, Mauve Blush, Navajo Eye Shadow, Vintage Eye Shadow, and a Chocolate Mauve Eye Shadow. With this color combination, you are destined to look great this fall. Easy to apply, long-lasting, amazing colors. I also have the Mauve Lip Gloss. The lip gloss brush applicator lets you paint color on your lips that lasts. It makes your lips soft and even has a hint of vanilla. I have already started wearing some of this palette and summer isn't even over yet!

Bobbi Brown - Eye Shadows

Bobbi Brown
Metallic Eye Shadow - Bronzed Pink & Penny
Eye Shadow - Rock

Who doesn't love Bobbi Brown? She makes stylish, glamorous makeup that looks good on anyone. Not only that, she gives tips and tricks to make us regular gals look good every day. I have tried and used three of her eye shadows recently. The Metallic Eye Shadows go on smoothly and do not clump in creases. They are shimmery and colorful. Both the Bronzed Pink and Penny are great for all over coverage. The Rock Eye Shadow is an amazing matte color for your lower lid. You could even be daring and line your eyes with this lovely gray color. The great thing about her eye shadows is that you can take them and put them all in on of her pan palettes for easy access and storage.

Kinerase Brightening Anti-Aging System

Kinerase
Brightening Anti-Aging System


Recently, I noticed some dark circles under my eyes. As you may all know, there are a ton of products claiming to remove dark circles and wrinkles. I have been curious about these products, but never sure which one to try first. Luckily, Kinerase sent a Brightening Anti-Aging System to the Brainy Beautys for testing. It is a two-part system. There is a brightening serum and a more concentrated spot treatment. Upon my first trial, I felt a little burning sensation with the use of the concentrated spot treatment. The face serum went on smooth. Not too greasy and it didn't make my face break out. After about 4 days of using both the face serum and the spot treatment, I started noticing some results. Not "miracle" results, but my complexion looked a little more even, and the circles under my eyes were not as dark or puffy. After about 2 weeks of use, I would say that it did help clear up a couple of dark spots on my face and the bags under my eyes did not appear as dark as before. Overall, I think this product delivered what it promised. I would definitely recommend this product to those wanting to try an anti-aging serum, but unsure of which one to go for.