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Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush Review

By on May 8, 2012 in Reviews

The Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush formula ($7.99 each) hit drugstores a few months ago and I just managed to find a stocked display near me. As far as I can tell, they were intended to replace the discontinued line of Dream Mousse Blushes, which were beloved and (in my opinion) didn’t need replacing at all.

I bought Pink Plum (left) and Rose Petal (right) and couldn’t resist testing them out before I got a chance to photograph… I just had to figure out what the texture was like  - sorry! It does go to show that the nice dome you see in the packaging is not what you’ll find after 1 or 2 uses. In fact they get pretty gross looking. Below is what they looked like after using MAC 109 and 165 brushes to apply (click to enlarge).

Pink Plum and Rose Petal

The texture is very similar to the old Dream Mousse formula but a bit more spongy. Bouncy is a misnomer because these do not in any way bounce back after being pressed – once a dent is there, it’s there for good.

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Sponsored Post: Neutrogena Naturals

By on May 1, 2012 in Reviews, Sponsored

I was recently sent some new products from the Neutrogena Naturals line to try out. It’s based around the idea of pure, natural skincare with no chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes, or phlalates. This isn’t a new idea for skincare, but it’s definitely a welcome addition to the usual drugstore skincare lineup. Here are my initial thoughts on four of the products and some things I wish I’d seen. Let me know what you think!

Fresh Cleansing+ Makeup Remover

I had a little trouble with this product because I honestly couldn’t tell what it was for. I couldn’t find any product directions, so I made an educated guess that it was a milky makeup remover with cleansing properties. After pumping the product onto a cotton pad, I realized it was actually a gentle foaming facial soap. Oops!

Once I figured out what I was dealing with, the product was nice to use. My skin felt very clean but not completely stripped of oils, similar to how it feels when I use my favorite cleanser. Like all the products, it had a fruity botanical scent that was noticeable but seemed to fade after rinsing.

Purifying Pore Scrub

I was a little wary to try this out because most scrubs have been overly abrasive on delicate facial skin. Fortunately Neutrogena agreed, and their Purifying Pore Scrub was both gentle and effective as an exfoliant. The ‘scrubby bits’ were micro-sized and the base was extremely gentle thanks to the inclusion of coconut-based soap ingredients and jojoba oil. Once again, my skin felt clean and smooth without being stripped of natural oils. I use retinol on a regular basis so I would only use this once or twice a week, but it is definitely gentle enough to use more often if you need more exfoliation.

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Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

By on April 24, 2012 in Reviews

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’ve had a lot going on in my life these past few months. That combined with more responsibility at work means I’m getting less sleep than usual and (I think) it shows. I started a quest for the perfect concealer, and today I’m pleased to say that I think I’ve found it in Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer ($22).

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer

Most of the liquid concealers I tried were lacking in coverage and staying power (i.e. MAC Moisturecover, Make Up Store Reflex Concealer, Maybelline Mineral Power). I also tried some cream concealers, which offered better coverage but ended up creasing badly (i.e. Bobbi Brown Cream Concealer, Laura Mercier Secret Concealer, and TheBalm TimeBalm). Estee Lauder Double Wear is the perfect balance – it’s a liquid concealer that has great coverage and stays firmly in place all day (and night) with no creasing. It’s basically a miracle concealer.

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Orly You’re Blushing

By on April 12, 2012 in Reviews

Despite a brief interlude with warm weather (it was 80+ for most of the past few weeks), we’re now back to normal spring temperatures and I’m rediscovering my greiges/grurples. Yay for sweater weather and moody colors!

Essie Bangle Jangle, OPI Planks A Lot, OPI Parlez-Vous OPI?, Orly You're Blushing, Essie Chinchilly

I picked up Orly You’re Blushing (part of the spring 2012 Cool Romance collection) a few weeks before my sister’s wedding and have worn it at least 4 times since then. It’s a gorgeous greyed lilac creme that looks soft and delicate on the fingers, but more edgy than a standard light pink. It fully spans the distance between grey and purple to the point that I have a hard time putting it in one category vs. the other.

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MAC Cremesheen Glass in Private Screening

By on April 5, 2012 in Reviews

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Private Screening

I’m trying so hard to get this review up ASAP since I know MAC Reel Sexy launches today, and I’d hate for you to miss a great product. Private Screening is a milky peach-pink lipgloss that, like the other Cremesheen Glasses, has a thick creamy texture.

MAC Cremesheen Glass in Private Screening
I couldn’t tell whether natural or indoor lighting gave a more accurate picture, so I’ll include both. My lips have a natural mauve tone that shows through, so keep in mind that it may look slightly different depending on your natural lip color.

For reference, I’m also wearing MAC Ladyblush Cremeblend Blush and MAC Buried Treasure Powerpoint Eye Pencil (pics below).

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Suave Scalp Solutions Nourishing Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

By on March 29, 2012 in Reviews

Suave Scalp Solutions, Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, Nourishing Coconut & Shea Butter

Sorry for the TMI but, like many women, I do suffer from dandruff and typically use shampoos aimed at reducing it. I’ve used Head & Shoulders for the past year or two, and naturally since it was working just fine I got antsy to try something new :P  I chose Suave Nourishing Anti-Dandruff shampoo because it’s a new product (I’m such a sucker) and it promises to keep hair shiny and smooth with the addition of coconut and shea butters.

Long story short, I found the exact opposite to be true. I thought my hair was much more dry than usual after using this shampoo and my regular conditioner, to the point that I only used it once and I’m not really willing to try it again. It also tangled quite a bit and felt very coarse. Looking at the ingredients, I’m going to place the blame on sodium chloride (salt) and citric acid being fairly high on the list. I can’t imagine either of those being very gentle on your hair.

Although you can purchase this shampoo for about $3.79 on drugstore.com, I can’t say I’d recommend it. I’ve got another shampoo to try out this week (highly recommended by some of my favorite bloggers), so hopefully I’ll have a more positive review to share next week.

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Sponsored Post: L’Oreal True Match App & Foundation

By on March 13, 2012 in Reviews, Sponsored

I was recently asked to test out the new L’Oreal Paris True Match App and report my experience. Overall it was a good experience and I found the app to be helpful, but there were some drawbacks.

The App

L’Oreal’s Matchmaker app is only available for iPhone/iPad and I have an Android phone, so I had to borrow a coworker’s iPhone to complete the assignment. From there, things got worse before they got better. Since the app is a large file, her iPhone said she had to connect to wifi (not possible at work) or download through the iTunes store.

We went through the iTunes store and the app took over an hour to download and install. I think part of the blame belongs to the poor service near my office, but honestly, the app isn’t so complicated that it should be such a large file.

Once the app was downloaded, things got much easier. I answered 8 simple questions that helped determine the shade of Super Blendable Foundation I should purchase. The questions were fairly standard, but I liked that the responses offered nuanced choices to more accurately describe individual differences. I was matched to shade N1, the lightest shade with a neutral undertone.

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Essie Turquoise & Caicos

By on March 6, 2012 in Reviews

I don’t know about you guys but I am desperate for a vacation right about now. I have one planned for May and it feels like it’s forever away! Until then I’m trying to enjoy the unseasonably nice weather and get some sunshine in the afternoons so I don’t go crazy.

Fortunately spending a lot of time on the balcony has led to the discovery of a great photo spot – one where colors appear true to life and there’s even a pleasant background. I lucked out with my apartment because I overlook a dog park and a little pond with ducks and turtles so I always have nice things to look at :)

Back to the point… I’ve had Essie Turquoise and Caicos for about 6 months (although it originally released in 2010) and I can’t believe I didn’t buy it sooner. Teal/aqua is my favorite color and this is the mother of all of them. The jelly-like finish looks wimpy after the first coat, but after three thin coats it looks smooth and opaque. It also applies like a dream with no brush or drag marks.

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Cover Girl Natureluxe Silk Foundation Review

By on February 22, 2012 in Reviews

Over the past couple of months I’ve made a real effort to find cheaper products that don’t make me feel like I’m giving up all my little luxuries. Finding a good foundation was a priority since it runs out quickly compared to something like blush or lipstick. I read a review on Nouveau Cheap that convinced me to give this Cover Girl foundation a try and I’m incredibly pleased with the result.

Cover Girl Natureluxe Silk Foundation

Cover Girl Natureluxe Silk Foundation in Alabaster 305

Cover Girl made a big deal out of the fact that this product has natural ingredients, which I don’t consider to be entirely honest. Yes, there are some natural ingredients, but they’re way down on the list. The main ingredient in this foundation is cyclopentasiloxane, a silicone often found in foundation primers. It ensures easy application and a smooth finish. Natural ingredients aren’t a huge selling point for me anyway, but I thought I should make things clear :)

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Chanel Quartz Nail Varnish Comparisons

By on January 16, 2012 in Reviews

I initially passed over Chanel Quartz thinking it would be boring. When a few trusted bloggers posted that they had fallen in love with it, I knew I had to take a closer look. What I found was a gorgeous light taupe with the same opalescent quality that made Black Pearl so popular last spring. Yes, it’s neutral, but it is not boring.

Zoya Jules, Chanel Quartz, China Glaze Swing Baby

Zoya Jules, Chanel Quartz, China Glaze Swing Baby

Quartz is a funny color because it falls just between taupe and champagne. The closest colors in my drawer were Zoya Jules (a pale gold foil) and China Glaze Swing Baby (a champagne foil). By comparison, Quartz has much finer shimmer and more of a frost finish. It reminds me very much of a seashell.

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