Friday, October 31, 2008

Mousse!

From Nancy:
Garnier Fructis Style Volume Inject Mousse
VERY GOOD!
I really like using this!
Great packaging-- spout is sturdy, doesn't fall off & need to be held on to dispense.
Needed a new mousse, this may be the one!

Hairspray

From Nancy:
Garnier Fructis Style XXL Volume Hairspray
Tried & liked it.
Holds for a long time.
Not too stiff.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Murad Firming Brozer

Murad
Firming Bronzer SPF for face and body

I just got back from 5 days in sunny Florida, and let me tell you, I took advantage of the sun. My first day back to reality, I decided to try Murad's face bronzer. It is a little watery, and ran out of the tube fast. It actually leaked in my bag, but I'm not sure if I tightened the cap all of the way. The full size comes with a pump, so I am sure all of the runniness and leaking will be avoided. Anyway, this bronzer was a perfect compliment for my tan. It went on light and didn't leave the dreaded face line. The bronzer dries quicky enough that you are able to put it on your neck/body without worrying about it getting on your clothes. My skin was soft and glowing. It also has SPF 15. With this bronzer, I feel like I will get to keep my tan for just a little while longer!

Joey New York Blush

Joey New York
Chiseled Cheeks Powder Blush
"Kind" - True Coral

This is my first experience with a Joey New York product. The blush comes in a trendy little case, and provides vibrant colors to your cheeks. No complaints here. Blends well, goes on with light application, and still seems natural. I am intrigued by the Joey New York company, and would love to try the collagen boosting lip gloss or any of the skin products. Check her out at: http://www.joeynewyork.com/

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind

Maybelline New York
Instant Age Rewind Cream Compact Foundation

After all that powder, it was hard to switch to a cream foundation. However, I really liked the Instant Age Rewind Cream Compact Foundation. Not sure about rewinding my age (I've been told I look a lot younger than I am), but I liked the smoothness and creaminess of this foundation. It comes in a slick little compact with a mirror and super soft dual-sided applicator. The white side is for full coverage, and the pink side is for sheer coverage and blurring lines. By using both sides, you get all-day full coverage that never looks or feels caked on. The other added bonus is that it is SPF 18 sunscreen.

Mineral Powder Foundations

Maybelline NY Mineral Power Powder Foundation

Mary Kay Mineral Powder Foundation

L'Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup

The foundation that appears to be advertised the most these days is some sort of mineral powder. I thought I would try a couple different ones to see if there is a difference between brands. Overall, my favorite out of the 3 is the L'Oreal brand.

Mary Kay's version of mineral powder foundation comes in a short, wide, round container. Doesn't fit well in my travel makeup bag, but I can get over that. It also does not come with an applicator. Apparently you have to have your own, or buy one of theirs separately. The good thing about the wide container is that you are able to get your applicator brush in the powder without it going all over. It also covers well. Unfortunately, the color I tried didn't match my skin color well, but I used it a couple of times on the weekend at home to get a feel for it. If you like Mary Kay products and have some of their product already, I am sure that you will have no problems using their mineral powder foundation.

Maybelline New York's Mineral Power Powder Foundation (that is a mouthful) comes with an applicator and is in a smaller container. I personally thought the brush was a little rough and awkward. The applicator brush is just the top of the brush, but it doesn't fit on/in the container. The makeup itself was light and covered well. It didn't look like I had a ton of foundation on, and still managed to even out my skin tone.

*As a side note, I also tried the Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Concealer. It comes in a lip gloss-like tube with a soft applicator brush. Creamy concealer that covers well and LASTS. Love the fact that it is compact enough to carry in my little wristlet purse.

L'Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Makeup is the one have been using on a regular basis. It comes in a small container with the applicator brush on the cover to the makeup. I realized after trying 3 different mineral powder foundations that it is inevitably going to get all over. I like the idea of the brush as part of the container, but I think it might be a little too big. I have decided to just use a brush I already had. I found that the L'Oreal brand goes on smooth and light, covers well, and lasts all day. The color also matched my skintone well.

Overall, I like the idea of a mineral powder foundation. It blends well into your skin and doesn't look or feel like you have any foundation on at all. Very light, very subtle, and very necessary as part of your makeup collection.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

mama mio o mega body oil


With temperatures dropping, my already mad dry skin is all the more so. Thank goodness for this product! For those you who are oily, read no further. For those of you who are combination to dry, read on. It's a pleasant scented body oil that is absorbed quickly to leave plump, hydrated skin. The pump feature is ideal for a nice measured amount of oil. Perfect for all over body after shower slathering. I even use it on my face. I will be very bummed when this runs out because I love it!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Redken Thickening Lotion 06 Body Builder


As resident thin haired girl, I have been lucky enough to test the promising thickening and volumizing products. Yet again, Redken has not disappointed. This lotion is not thin nor thick. The smell is light, pleasant. I rubbed it in and took to blow drying. My hair definitely felt thicker and fuller. It's become part of my daily wash and dry.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Samsung MP3 Player


YP-T9J
That's the model I have (in classic black)!
It is seriously small-->3.25" (8.5 cm) long, 1.75" (4 cm) wide, less than a half inch (approx. 1 cm) deep.
Holds 2G worth of music/video/files...
The sales guy told me I could watch a movie on it--like I could see a movie on a 1.5" square screen (I think that blobby-dot is Sean Astin. Or a hat. A spoon?)
That said, I love my little not-pod!
Buttons are easy to use, has definite off switch, key guard (hold) switch, display easy to read.
The sound quality is excellent, and it can be played on my car stereo (aux wire into Fit)!
If I want to take it somewhere, I can put it in my pocket without hassle/large & unsightly bump.
Plus, it was about half the price of some others, so it doesn't freak me out when I drop it. I try not to, but it has happened.

Maybelline Mascara

Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara
Classic Black
Nice coverage
Not at all clumpy
Worst time of year for mascara--hay fever=runny eyes!
Some flaking, but it stands up to my constantly watering eyes. Worth the trade-off to me;)
Needs some major remover!
Not a big fan of the Classic Black, it is grayer than I like. Would like to try in a blacker-black.

Redken

Review from Emily:
-Redken Color Protect shampoo and conditioner: Both worked well, shampoo cleaned, conditioner moisturized without adding too much weight.
I like a little heavier conditioner, but would recommend, especially to someone coloring their hair red or another color that fades quickly.

Oscar Blandi

Review from Emily:
-Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo: Works ok, tried it on 3-4 day old hair, but $20 bottle only lasted 3 applications!
Would not recommend.

Pangea Organics

Pangea Organics review from Emily:

-Body wash- Egyptian Basil Mint: love it, it smells great, minty and clean

Pangea Organics

Pangea Organics reviews from Emily:

-Face wash: Not sure it is right for my skin type, doesn't feel as squeaky clean as I'd like.

-Face Scrub: Works pretty well, kind of chunky. I feel like scrubs work better if the scrubbers are smaller. Smells kind of funny, very "natural".

-Toner: Not sure I get the concept of a spray toner. I close my eyes and spray, and don't get my face. If I do, it feels weird. This one smells ok.

-Face Lotion: Smells kind of funny too, but is a good consistency and moisturizes well.

Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty reviews from Emily:
-Cleansing Gel: Love it, feels very clean without over drying.

-Oil-Free Moisturizer: Works well, usually need a little more moisture, ended up buying the green apple spf 15 moisturizer.

-Blemish Clearing Serum: Love it, I believe it has diminished scars and helps prevent new issues. I like to think it's a barrier between me and my make-up

-Green Apple Peel/Sensitive
: Like it, but would like to try the regular (not sensitive).

** Bought a skincare kit from Juice Beauty via Sephora, loved it! Even came with eco-bamboo headband. **

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Lotion: Lubriderm

Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion
Smells like baby wipes.
Good consistency.
It feels like my hands are sucking the lotion in & need more, but there is a residue/barrier left on the skin.
Works better on legs.
It's okay, but not great.

Weleda Wild Rose Day Cream

Click Here

I am loving the Weleda products!

This day cream is a great texture. It's medium thick with a faint pleasant rose scent. It glides onto the skin and hydrates pretty well. I still need to apply other moisturizer but I like to use this as the final one. My skin seems plumper. The packaging is adorable. Love that the box is a nice weight and recyclable. I'll be using this until it's gone.