Beauty Product Reviews | Page 2
Good Product, Poor Packaging
Korres Lemon Lip Scrub can be found at Sephora and <a href='http://KorresUSA.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>KorresUSA.com</a> for around $19. I first discovered Korres a few Mother's Days ago when I was trying to find a gift for my mom. My mom is very into natural products and Korres is perfect for that. Their products are formulated with out Parabens, Sulfates, Petrochemicals, Synthetic Dyes and Fragrances and other harmful ingredients. Their products use 100% natural ingredients and they don't test on animals. I have been finding myself more interested in natural products. I purchased this item during a Hautelook Event, in which I also purchased a Guava Lipstick, Bronze Protect Trio, and Jumbo Guava Shower Gel. However, I will be reviewing each product separately. I like the convenience of this lip scrub being shaped as a lipstick. When using this product, you apply it to your lips as you would a lipstick, rub your lips together a little bit and then wipe off using a tissue or paper towel. This lip scrub is very gentle, yet effective. The "scrubbers" seem finely milled so it doesn't make you feel like you are scrubbing off your lips. Afterwards, my lips felt soft and smooth and I liked it better than VS Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub. I only have two main complaints with this scrub. My first complaint, is the scent. Asside from the color, I don't notice how lemon is incorporated with this product. The scrub tastes like a natural oil, almost an olive oil taste/smell. I would have liked the lemon taste/smell to be incorporated more in order to make it taste better. My second complaint is with the packaging. I actually first ordered this scrub from Sephora for my mom's Mother's Day present. We had problems with the packing because the twisting mechanism for the lipstick aspect did not work. It literally did not twist. But I was able to return it to Sephora, and the replacement scrub worked fine. I was a little hesitant when I purchased this scrub again, because of my initial experience. But I remembered my mom really did like it, so I decided I wanted one for myself! When I first used the product, it worked fine. I used it a few times, took the pictures for this post and then put it away with my lipsticks. The last time I used the scrub, I set it down and it fell down on it's side. I didn't think anything of it, but when I went to use it, the entire stick fell out! I stuck it back in the tube, and if I'm really careful, I can still use it. It was very disappointing and Hautelook does not accept returns for their beauty orders. Overall, I really like the formula of this lip scrub. I love what Korres as a company is all about and I look forward to reviewing that rest of the products I have purchased. However, there is obviously a fatal flaw with this packaging, and I hope they reevaluate and fix the problem
See my full review at <a href='http://izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com/2011/04/korres-lemon-lip-scrub.html' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>http://izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com...</a>
Great for the price
After reading so much buzz about these trios, I finally decided to give them a go myself. I have never actually purchased anything from Wet 'n' Wild before, I might have held a little bit of a stigma. I purchased these at Walgreens for $2.99, and these trios can be found at most major drug stores. I purchased the trios Walking on Eggshells and Silent Treatment. In this collection, there are 12 eyeshadow trios that range from neutrals to bright colors. Each shade is imprinted with where it is recommended to apply the shadows on the lid, crease and brow bone. The trio includes a sponge tip applicator as well as a brush The brush was a nice attempt, but it wasn't very functional. My biggest complaint in regards to the packaging was the wrapping. There are two tabs at the top and the bottom that tape the packaging together for security/sanitary needs. I seriously spent like 10 minutes trying to peel one of these off so I could open it. On the back side, they give more instruction and details in where to apply each shade. This is attached to the back along with the two tabs, and I had to tear off the entire thing in order to be able to open the lid. I was a bit frustrated, but overall, the packaging is pretty sturdy. I was extremely surprised to the quality of these shadows. These shadows are nicely pigmented, and extremely smooth and silky. Both of the trios were easy to apply and blended nicely. With a base, these lasted 8- 8 1/2 hours on me with minimal fading.
In the Walking on Eggshells trio, all three eyeshadows have the same texture and finish. These shades have a shimmery satin finish with really good coverage and pigmentation. These are great neutrals (and I love me some neutrals) that are perfect for everyday. The size of these trios makes them great for travel, and the Wet 'n' Wild does all the coordinating for you. No need to waste time putting shades together here.
In the Silent Treatment trio, the crease shade was the least pigmented of the three. The eye lid shade and the brow bone shade had the same finishes is in Walking on Eggshells. The crease shade is a dark brown shade with purple undertones and copper glitter. However, when applied, the glitter isn't as noticeable as it is in the pan.
Overall, these trios have remarkable pigment and quality, especially for the price. I will definitely be purchasing more of these trios. I want to try more of the colorful trios. Check these out on your next run to the drugstore!
Long Lasting, Easy to Work With, Blend Easily
Anyways, NYX Powder Blushes can be found on <a href='http://NYXcosmetics.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>NYXcosmetics.com</a>, and <a href='http://cherryculture.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>cherryculture.com</a> for around $6.00. These blushes come in about 25 shades and you get .2oz of product. I was actually pleasantly surprised with these blushes. They shades were not shimmery, they were more of a satin finish than a matte finish. I prefer satin finishes to shimmery ones but shimmer tends to emphasize the size of my pores. These blushes are very nicely pigmented but easily build-able. They aren't the most pigmented I have tried, but for the price, they are good quality. These blushes are also very blendable and last for a pretty long time. Overall, these are great blushes if you need blushes on a budget or looking to build you blush collection. These are pretty easy to work with and NYX has a large variety of shades.
See more at <a href='http://www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com</a>
Long Lasting, Easy to Work With
These Revlon eyeshadow quads can be found at most major drugstores for around $6-$7. I love Revlon, I think they are one of the most consistent drugstore make-up lines out there right now. Plus, they are also one of the only major drugstore cosmetic brand that does not test on animals. I have a lot of Revlon products, and so far, not many have been a disappointment. I have also been using these eyeshadow quads for a few years. I love eyeshadow quads, trios and duos. Especially with quads, most companies set it up so it takes the guessing out of color matching. Almost everything you need is here. Since it is winter, I have been purchasing darker, smokier eyeshadows. I have yet to do a real smokey eye, most of mine are tame interpretations. But, I love the colors in this palette. The eyeshadows, are smooth, silky and nicely pigmented. They blend easily and last a little over 12 hours, but with a base of course. It has been years since I have applied eyeshadow without some sort of base, and if you do not have one, I suggest you run out and get one right away! Overall, these eyeshadows quads are great quality, especially for the price. I have these quads in several other shades, and most I use everyday. Check these out the next time you are at a drugstore!
See more swatches at <a href='http://www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com</a>
Soft, blend-able, nicely pigmented eyeshadows
See my full review and more swatches and photos on my blog. <a href='http://www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com</a>
This NYX One Night in Morocco: A Matte Smoke Look can be found on <a href='http://nyxcosmetics.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>nyxcosmetics.com</a> and <a href='http://cherryculture.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>cherryculture.com</a> for around $15. It comes with 8 eyeshadows, 1 nude eyeshadow base, and 4 lip colors.
I know I have been going on a NYX rampage in these last few post, but I'm still on the fence about the brand overall and so I bought a bunch of products during their Black Friday sale. After using this palette twice already, I really love it! The packaging is pretty sturdy, I dropped it in my bathroom (as always) and the drawer still works perfectly. I did have an eyeshadow pan pop out so I will have to super glue it back in. The eye shadows are nicely pigmented, especially with a good primer. But, not all the eyeshadows are actually matte. The lighter shades on the bottom row have a little bit of a shimmer to them, as well as the color on the top row to the far left. I am going to number the colors so I can do a look with them for a future post. Regardless, these shadows were very blend-able, which is important, especially for a smokey eye. They colors are nicely coordinated, and this palette could produce a wide variety of different looks. As with all of the NYX palettes I have tried so far, the shadows have a ridiculous amount of fall out. Especially when using the darker colors, it is important to be really gentle and dainty when putting shadow on your brush. The eyeshadow based I'm not too impressed with, but I did try it the first time I used the palette and the eyeshadows look nice on top of the base. It just didn't last long enough for me. The lip colors are ok, they are on the sheerer side. I do like they shades they provided, but again like with the other palettes I have tried, the lip colors are a little drying and do not last long. I think two blush pans would have been much better. I think if NYX decided to include blushes instead of lip colors in their palettes, they would be much more appealing. Overall, this is a great palette if you are looking to add darker colors to your collection. In my opinion, I think palettes make great gifts, and the price of this palette makes it an easy gift to give!
Hardens and dries quickly, comes in a variety of colors
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.... China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Fairy Dust. I loooovvveeee this polish! I have yet tried something from China Glaze that I really didn't like. This color in particular is really pretty. I normally don't care for glitter polishes but this polish really changed my mind. It looks good on its own as well as over other polishes. Unlike other glitter nail polishes I have tried, you cannot feel the texture of the glitter in the polish. The glitter is very fine, and the polish goes on very smooth. As you can see in the photo, the glitter has that multi-colored holographic look. The sparkle is so pretty when the glitter catches the light. Like other China Glaze products I have tried, this polish dries quickly and hardens well. There are no smudges or imprints here!
<a href='http://izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com/' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>http://izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com...</a> For the perfect holiday look, try this polish over a bright red polish.
Compact, long lasting highly pigmented shadows
I purchased this Nude on Nude Look Kit a few weeks ago when I was in Ulta for $11.99. NYX also has a Bronze Smokey Look Kit and a Purple Smokey Kit. These kits can also be purchase at <a href='http://www.nyxcosmetics.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.nyxcosmetics.com</a>. Each kit includes 9 eyeshadow shades and 2 lip colors. It also included a sponge tip for the eyeshadows and a brush for the lip colors. I've been on a neutral rampage this days, and was intrigued when I saw this kit on display. This kit includes 3 matte shades, 4 shimmer shades, and 2 glitter shades. Each eyeshadow shade delivers a good amount of color and for the most part, blends easily. I did notice that I did use a little more effort to blend when I used my cream eyeshadow as a base. But when I used Urban Decay's Primer Potion, the eyeshadow glided and blended much better. These shadows also had a good amount of staying power. This kit can create a variety of different looks and color combinations. I did experience a decent amount powder fall out, so by the end of a look there is a decent amount of powder scattered across the packaging. The biggest disappointment in the kit were the lip colors. They felt very dry on my lips and were hard to apply. I think this palette would have been better served with a blush instead of this lip colors. What I also like about this kit is how compact it is. This kit is approximately 2 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/2 inches wide. It is perfect for women on the go, and I keep it in my purse at all times. I'm often in a rush and apply my make up on the go (not while driving though :D ) and this kit has saved me many times. I would recommend this kit for girls on the go, or girls looking for a neutral palette that wont break the bank. Or dare I say a nice alternative to Urban Decay's Naked Palette? See more swatches on my blog! <a href='http://www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com</a>
Inexpensive, long lasting shadows
These palettes can be found at Ulta and some select drug stores for around $10. They come in four different themed palettes; Jazz Night, Champagne & Caviar, Secret World and Smokey Eyes. This palette (Jazz Night) was given to me by my best friend for my birthday :) These eyeshadow palettes come in a sleek black case with a good sized mirror. These palettes are perfect for girls (or guys) on the go, or for those needing to pack for a vacation. I'm not a fan of the spongy foam tip applicators, a small brush would make this palette much more appealing. As I mentioned in my previous post, some of these shadows are hit or miss. Some of the shades have less staying power than other shades and require more layering and packing. I find this to happen more with the matte shades than the shimmer shades. However, it does happen with both. Having browsed the other color palettes in this collection, I do like how the different colors are coordinated in each theme. You can create a variety of different looks with in each palette, which can be fun to play around with. For the price, I do think NYX delivers solid eyeshadows, but I don't know I would compare them to MAC just yet. Some shades are really nicely pigmented and others... not. I'm still on fence. Also, I want to mention that NYX is pronounced "nicks" not "N-Y-X." Every time I go to Ulta, the associates pronounce it wrong and then refute me when I let them know the correct way. The company named themselves after the Greek Goddess Nyx, or the "Goddess of the Night." <a href='http://www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.izntlifesojuicy.blogspot.com</a>
Light moisturizer, reduces dark circles
After I published my Animal Cruelty post, (which can be found here) I had to completely re think my skin routine. I don't really have a skin regimen or anything, but there were a few products that I regularly used, mostly Olay products. But, Olay does test on animals, so when I ran out of their eye serum I went on the hunt for something new. I have been known to go to Walgreens for a non-beauty item, and walk out with 2 or 3 things from the cosmetics isle. I just can't contain myself! The "Yes To..." products are fairly new, the company was founded in 2006. I have been more into natural products lately, and this company intrigued me. The company has 4 different collections; Yes To Carrots, Yes To Cucumbers, Say Yes to Tomatoes and Yes To Blueberries. Each collection is specially formulated for different purposes. Their products are 99% natural and cruelty-free! I picked up Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel at Walgreens for $14.99. These products can be found in most drugstores and <a href='http://www.yestocarrots.com' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>www.yestocarrots.com</a>. Yes to Cucumbers claims this product reduces eye puffiness and dark circles underneath the eyes. Green Tea has anti-inflamatory properties, along with Chamomile that tightens and Cucumbers that sooth. I always try to read user reviews before I review a product to see if some had a different experience with a product than what I experienced. Yes To Cucumbers recommends this product for for sensitive skin, but a few people mentioned it irritated their skin. The first time I used this product and I wasn't sure how much product to use and I used 1 full pump on each eye. This was too much and I think that might be the reason some complained. My skin got a little pink but went away after a few minutes. I have been using this gel for 3 weeks and have not experienced any irritation since my first try. I found that 1 pump of gel is enough for both eyes. My skin is a very good example of combination skin types. It's like Jekyll & Hyde; on 1 day my skin is oily and the next day it is dry. My forehead will be oily and my eyes will be dry or vice versa. This cucumber gel provides moisture that doesn't make my skin feel greasy, and would be great for those with oily eyelids. This gel works great for eye puffiness and works even better when you keep it in the fridge. I noticed a slight improvement in the dark circles underneath my eyes but nothing drastic. Hey, I'll take whatever I can get in that department! Most people who have dark circles have inherited it, so it is hard to completely eliminate them. Overall, I would definitely recommend this product, just remember a little goes a long way.
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Gives a matte finish, sets foundation
The Revlon Photoready Powder provides more of a matte finish and therefore eliminates shine. It comes in 4 shades, translucent, fair/light, light/medium, and medium/deep. The tinted powders help with coverage, and these also contain SPF 14. These powder compacts can be found in most drugstores for $9-$10. The most disappointing aspect of this powder is the amount of fall out. The powder gets everywhere! One sweep of the brush over the compact and it loosens up too much powder, causing a lot of powder to go to waste. The brush that comes with the compact doesn't work well and I ended up throwing it out. I do like the convenience of a compact, but I hate when they break, and I feel like they always break. Revlon should consider making their Photoready Powders in a loose powder formula as well. But this powder works well in eliminating shine and setting my makeup for the rest of the day. Now, for the sparkles. I have read a lot of people complaining about the shimmer. Revlon describes the shimmer to be "Photochromatic pigments bend, refect and diffuse light to help erase flaws." But to be honest, the shimmer doesn't bother me at all and I barely notice it. If you look closely in the picture of the powder below, you can definitely see the sparkles. But once, the powder is buffed in to the skin, I can't really tell.
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