Product: bareMinerals Ready Foundation
Claims: Invisible long-wearing and hydrating coverage that lasts up to 12 hours with a no-makeup look and feel.
Actually: While you can definitely throw on this ready foundation in the car or on the elevator on your way up to the office--the coverage just isn't nearly as great as that of the original or as good as I'd hope.
Can you build coverage? Yes, but it doesn't look as flawless as the original. In fact, you can tell you're wearing a good amount of makeup. In addition, I've been dealing with an unfortunate breakout on my left cheek and it didn't cover it up as well as the original did.
Pros: The QVC packaging is gorgeous, more so than the original packaging. I also got a pretty good deal for both items than had I purchased both items at a store.
Cons: The ready foundation shades differ from the original shades. Girls, let's face it I'm as pale as a ghost, but the fair ready foundation is easily two to three shades lighter than the fair original foundation.
Overall Recommendation: This was nearly a total miss for me and while it's a decent product I feel that it really missed the mark that bareMinerals is known for. I'm not even sure it hydrates as it claims. However, my best friend also purchased it and absolutely loves it. I highly recommend you try it on at a store before buying it and see if it works for you.
Note: My absolute favorite thing is the precision brush I invested in. It is amazing!
Product: Deborah Lippmann Stripper to Go lacquer remover
Claims: 1 Mitt cleans all 10 nails!
Actually: I had been wearing Strange Love by Deborah Lippman over a gel base. My manicurist promised that the polish would last me at least a week because of the gel base, but that was untrue. The polish started to come undone in my shower this morning and not small chips. It started to flake off. Because I was in a hurry I said to myself: "how perfect is this, I'll just take one of my two samples of stripper to go and I'll fix my nails at work.
I slipped my index finger into the mitt and began removing the polish from my left hand. It worked okay, but I wasn't impressed.
I started working on my right hand, which was a total disaster because the mitt started to dry out halfway through my right hand and I was left with polish on two nails.
In a desperate attempt to at least remove most of the polish from all my nails I tried sticking my finger in the package to use the excess liquid, but that also failed.
Cons: It didn't deliver on its promise to remove polish from all 10 fingers. Now I have to spend the rest of my day at work with less than fine looking nails.
Overall Recommendation: I'm really glad I received the samples in my birchbox because I will not shell out $12 for 6 mitts (that's $2 per mitt) and when you get down to the nitty gritty it didn't perform as well I would've liked it to.
Note: I wasn't trying to remove the gel base from my nails just the color.
My left hand.
My right hand.
The mitt that dried out before I was able to finish my right hand.
Claims: Rich moisturizer filters UV rays to help prevent sunburn. Leaves skin feeling moisturized and looking more youthful.
*Note: I used a sample size portion which lasted an entire week. (A little goes a long way.)
Overall Recommendation: This is a great product for savvy girls who are conscious of the health of their skin.
Product: Arbonne FC5 Moisturizing Night Creme
Claims: Rich moisturizing creme nurtures skin while you sleep, helping to maintain young, beautiful skin.
*Note: I used a sample size portion which lasted about a week.
Overall Recommendation: Go out and buy it!
There's a little science behind why these products made my skin feel and look as good as it did. Here's the 4-1-1:
The technology behind the FC5 skin care line is exclusive to Arbonne. This technology allows for cells to be extracted intactly, which helps the cells retain their original wealth of nutrients resulting in the revitalization of skin.
Product: Clarisonic Mia Sonic Skin Cleansing System
Note: I received my CM in jaguar (I love animal prints!) and the kit includes a charger, one sensitive brush head and a 1 oz. gentle hydro cleanser.
Claims: Cleans 6 times better than using hands and soap alone.
Actually: It was love after first wash. My face never felt or looked as clean as it did after that first wash and the best part was that after using it for two weeks in a row about twice a day, my face still had that really clean feeling. I immediately noticed my face looked fresher and more radiant, which is a huge plus.
I'm almost 30 and I still combat breakouts. The only reason I even remotely looked forward to getting older was for the promise of clear skin. Ladies, let's file that under "myths," along with a college education will get you a great job.
For those of you who follow my blog, you already know I also have a huge issue with the size of my pores (no pun intended) and this product has helped unclog them, which in turn has seemingly reduced their appearance.
You must replace the brush head at least once every 3 months. Trust me you'll know when it's time to change it because the daily cleanings won't feel as thorough as they did when you first started using it. You can find the brush heads online or anywhere the Clarisonic is sold.
Pros: A thorough cleaning is made simple with the CM. Use it for 30-60 seconds once or twice a day. I like that the kit brings everything you need to get you started.
You can use any cleanser to wash your face with it doesn't have to be a Clarisonic cleanser. I'm currently using Purity from Philosophy.
Initially, I also noticed a change in my breakout cycle. They started occuring more frequently around the first month's use, but I also noticed they'd disappear quicker.
It wasn't serious enough to discourage me from continuing to use this product.
Fun Fact: After you purchase your CM kit, you should register your product on Clarisonic to receive a savings certificate for future purchases on your brush heads and cleansers. The offer is good for 3 months!
Product: MAC Viva Glam Ricky Lip Conditioner
Actually: I had been in love with my last lip product, which was the Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched, but I ran out of it and haven't been able to find it in that flavor again. (Keep in mind that I'm not a fan of fruity flavor lip balms.)
This Viva Glam did not feel sticky and as I mentioned before it seemed to rehydrate my lips as soon as it came into contact with my lips. I didn't have to put on a single dab more and even after I had eaten dinner and wiped my mouth, my lips still felt incredibly soft and moist.
Us girls do love instant gratification.
Soft kissable lips and helping those in need? It just doesn't get better than that. This is another lip conditioner you can wear on its own or on top or underneath your lipstick.
My advice is to stock up on a few tubes before it sells out.
Product: Maybelline's Baby Lips Lip Balm
Actually: I'll be honest I don't think it really gives you 8 hours worth of moisture, since I do re-apply at least two to three times a day. But it did make my lips softer and I've noticed that my lips are no longer chapped or dried.
It's also great to wear alone or wear with colored lipstick underneath.
Cons: It can feel a bit greasy. But it's almost perfection for $3!
Product: Mary Kay's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
Claims: Gently removes eye makeup (waterproof mascara included) and doesn't dry out skin.
Pros: This product is amazing even if it falls inside your eyes it doesn't burn. It leaves your eye area super hydrated.
Product: Dickinson's Pore Perfecting Toner
Claims: Refine pores, removes and controls excess oil, soothes irritation and locks in moisture; great for use on all skin types
Cons: It has a very peculiar smell, but it isn't as awful as I first thought it'd be from something named "witchhazel."
Product: L'oreal Magic Perfecting Base
Claims: A flawless smooth surface free of wrinkle lines and large pores.
Cons: The few times I've worn it I found that it has made my makeup come off faster than when I wear makeup without this as my primer.
Product: Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil
Claims: Renews your hair's cell structure, sealing in shine, and creating lush softness
Cons: Leaves hair feeling greasy.
Product: Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask
Claims: Removes impurities for a clearer brighter complexion.
Actually: It left my skin feeling super clean and smooth.
Pros: It smells great. You can actually feel it cleaning out your pores. Leaves your skin looking bright and refreshed. Use 1-2 times a week to ensure your skin doesn't dry up.
Cons: Can cause breakouts.
Product: glo Pressed Base
Claims: Delivers flawless, semi-matte coverage.
Actually: I feel like I have perfect skin every time I wear this mineral based powder.
Pros: Unfortunately, because I'm still breaking out at my age and have some less than attractive scars from a botched facial I got when I was 20, I'm not happy with my skin. However, in the past month, since I've been using this powder I see an overall improvement in my complexion. I think it's the vitamins and green tea extract that are improving my skin! I keep getting compliments about how great my skin looks.
You can also use this powder for sheer to full coverage and the best part is that it's ideal for all skin types! It doesn't look or feel cakey. I love love this product!
Cons: The only con to this product is how expensive it is, but it's so well worth it when you see the results.
I've been waking up early for more than 20 years and I'm still not a morning person, especially on mornings when my destination is work.
About two years ago, I was the kinda gal who woke up two to three hours earlier to make sure I walked out of my house looking like I belonged on a page in one of my favorite fashion magazines, but the truth is I don't have that kind of time anymore.
So my morning makeup routine consists of powder, blush, lip gloss and mascara (I use eye liner from time to time, but only when it's an actual good morning.)
I love Henri Bendel bags and last year I made a purchase that included a free goody bag. I love goody bags and this particular goody bag contained a Mally Beauty volumizing mascara. I had never heard of the brand and it took me a few months to actually use it, but when I did I was marvelled.
I've never used any other mascara after.
Product: Mally Beauty's Volumizing Mascara
Claims: The unique formula helps create the look of gorgeous, full, luxurious lashes.
Actually: The mascara makes your eyelashes appear fuller and longer and it's the perfect finish to any high glam look!
Pros: Doesn't clump or smudge. And it lengthens without the use of a curler.
Cons: The price. This tube of mascara runs you about $20 and you can only purchase it online or through QVC because I haven't found it anywhere in Miami. If you live in NYC you can just pick it up from the Bendel store.
I get bored with my hair very easily and as a consequence, I had severely damaged my hair to a dry brittle state with no shine. I had to make the conscious decision to lay off dyes and chemicals and let it grow out naturally. And so I've been on a dye-free mission for the past two years.
However, I was having difficulty growing out my hair because it was barely growing. While speaking to an acquaintance of mine who has nice long locks, I asked him about his hair products and routine . He told me he used Mane 'n Tail Shampoo, the shampoo that was invented to take care of horses' manes and tails.
By no means did I run out and buy this horse shampoo right away in fact I kind of forgot about the whole conversation until it was time to restock on my hair products. While shopping for shampoo, I saw the huge horse shampoo bottle and remembered what my friend said and decided to try it out. So today I'm writing about my experience with the shampoo for horses.
Product: Mane 'n Tail Shampoo
Claims: Leaves hair shiny and manageable
Actually: I've been using Mane 'n Tail shampoo and conditioner for the past month and half or so. Since I started usng it my hair is noticeably shinier, healthier, longer and even thicker.
Now I'm not saying that this is a magical shampoo that makes hair grow out thicker, but it's sort of done that for me. I've even been getting tons of compliments on my hair everytime I wear it down. Just this week I went to get a blow out and the lady kept saying how healthy and gorgeous my hair was and asked my what I used to take care of it.
Pros: Price. A 32 oz. bottle costs about $7 and so does the conditioner.
Cons: I'm a bit OCD and sometimes I wash my hair on a regular basis if it just feels dirty or oily. I noticed that anytime I washed my hir two or more days in a row it felt very dry even when using the conditioner afterwards. To resolve this issue I do my best to wash my hair every other day, which is what you should be doing anyway to ensure your hair's essential oils are maintained and not washed out.
Overall, I do recommend you try this shampoo and see if it works for you.
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