Lipstick -Revlon - ColorBurst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti
SparkleBunny37 5/22/2013 8:33:00 PM
Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butters are probably the most popular lipstick release of the last few years. Everyone has one, or has at least read numerous reviews. I've previously reviewed Cherry Tart and Candy Apple, this review is for Tutti Frutti, the long coral/orange shade out of the twenty color range. Revlon claims that these sheer, moisturizing lipsticks contain beneficial ingredients like coconut, mango, and shea butters. Revlon says that the "gel formula provides supercharged hydration and glides on lips buttery smooth." The Lip Butter formula is supposedly so moisturizing that 94% of women say "softer, smoother, instantly hydrated lips." I bought my Tutti Frutti Lip Butter at Ulta for around $6. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters contain 2.5g (.09 oz) of product. This lipstick was made in the USA. Revlon does not test on animals. I'll try to contain myself and not absolutely gush about how much I like the packaging for these lipsticks. Each Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter comes in a silver twist up tube with the Revlon logo printed on the black base. The translucent plastic caps are color coordinated to each shade. Two sides of the cap have a quilted, textured design embossed into them, the other two sides are smooth. The shade name and number can be found on a label on the bottom of the tube. I really like the Lip Butter packaging, its cute, colorful, and the quilted design is a nice detail. Revlon's Tutti Frutti Lip Butter has a slightly sticky texture to it and a thicker feel on the lips than the other two Lip Butters I have. Tutti Frutti goes on a little uneven, no matter what condition my lips are in, there's always a patch or two that this lipstick sticks to manages to find and cling to. Unlike the previous two Lip Butters which I found extremely drying, Tutti Frutti is quite comfortable to wear, and dare I say it, moisturizing! Tutti Frutti wears for about two hours, which is decent for a sheer, hydrating lip color. The entire Colorburst Lip Butter line is void of scents and flavors, which is a good thing, but at the same time its a little bit of a let down. I mean, can you imagine how good they would be if the flavor matched the names? Most my readers will know that I'm mad for orange lipsticks, they're my absolute favorite. Tutti Fruitti is pretty much a straight up orange in the tube, but pulls more of a pinky coral on my lips. I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't show up super orange, but the resulting color is still really pretty. Tutti Frutti is sheer, but can be built up to nearly opaque with a second coat. I really like the finish of this Lip Butter, its the perfect balance between a satin and glossy finish. I thought that Tutti Frutti would be very similar to Maybelline's Color Whisper in Orange Attitude, but comparatively Tutti Fruitti is more orange and more pigmented. Surprisingly, I really like Revlon's Colorburst Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti. Packaging and pricing are both spot on. The feel of this lipstick is a little thick, and it doesn't apply perfectly, but it isn't anything that a gloss can't fix. I really like the buildable nature of this lipstick. The color is a lovely orange, but its kinda corrupted by my naturally pink, pigmented lips. Out of the three Lip Butters I've tried, Tutti Frutti is before the best, it didn't even wreck my lips at all! If you're going to buy another Revlon Lip Butter, I suggest choosing Tutti Frutti!
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Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - Balea Cleansing Cloths
SparkleBunny37 5/16/2013 9:37:00 PM
Balea is the home brand of the Canadian drugstore Shopper's Drug Mart. My friend Steph sent me a packet of their 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths in a swap a few months ago. I think out of the whole box this was one of the products that excited me the most, I love trying new skincare. Balea describes their 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths as "an easy and effective way to maintain a complete skincare regimen in just one step. They gently deep clean the skin to remove makeup, minimize pores, and moisturize the skin. Hypoallergenic, oil free, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. Gentle on eyes and safe for contact lens wearers". Balea also promises that these cleansing cloths contain good for you ingredients like chamomile, vitamin e, and triple tea complex. My packet contains 15 wipes. I'm unsure of this product's retail price. Balea products are not tested on animals. Ironically, these wipes were made in America. I love the packaging for these wipes. They come in a pretty blue packet. The Balea logo, product name, and a quick description are printed in silver font of the sticky flap (which actually stays closed!). A longer product description, directions, and a full ingredient list can also be found on the packet in both English and French. The packaging isn't really extraordinary in any way, I just really love the color of the packet. These cleansing wipes are awesome, really awesome. Each of Balea's 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths measures 15.2cm x 18.5cm (6x7in), so they're pretty average in size. Each towelette is quite moist. My one and only complain about this product is the scent, which kinda reminds of me licorice. Even that isn't a big deal at all. Balea's 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths remove every speck of a full faceo f makeup without needing to pre-moisten my face or rub it raw. Balea's towelettes can ever remove mascara, which is quite a feat. The best part is that these wipes are super gentle. So many facial towelettes have left my skin feeling tight or otherwise irritated, but not Balea's, they actually make my skin feel good! I really love Balea's 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths, they're a new favorite! I've used cleansing towelettes in the past that could remove all of my face makeup, but never one that could remove my eye makeup so well. Some eye makeup removes can't even compete with these wipes. My only minor annoyance is the licorice like scent, but I don't mind it too much. Balea's 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths are gentle and effective, I really couldn't ask for more. I want more of these wipes so bad! I've always wanted to go to Canada, and when I do get there I'm gonna stock up on these cloths. If you live near a Shopper's Drug Mart you must try Balea's 3-in-1 Cleansing Cloths!
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Concealers -Pixi - Correction Concentrate- Brightening Peach
SparkleBunny37 5/15/2013 9:30:00 PM
Pixi's much buzzed about Correction Concentrate is a "highly pigmented correcting concealer that instantly erases darkness, softens, and blurs lines. Skin immediately looks fresh, rested, bright, and youthful. This ultimate 'good night's sleep in a jar' camouflage cream is correction perfection in a pot." This tone corrector contains "Vitamin E to nourish and protect, Vitamin C to brighten and revitalize, Vitamin A for an anti-aging effect, and rose hip extract for it's cell regenerating and skin elasticity boosting properties." Pixi is a brand that really appeals to me, but I've always felt like the products were overpriced. Luckily, Correction Concentrate is one of the brand's most affordable products, retailing for $15 for 3g (.1 oz) of product. Pixi is exclusively available in Target, as well as the brand's website. I bought this concealer for myself as a birthday goody after hearing my favorite YouTuber EmilyNoel 83 rave about it and compare it to pricey products like Benefit's Erase Paste and Bobbi Brown's Corrector. Pixi products are cruelty free. The Correction Concentrate was made in China. Packaging for the entire Pixi line is gorgeous, the brand's signature color is light green, you'll know that if you've ever seen the brand's display in Target. Correction Concentrate comes in a light green cardboard box that offer the Pixi logo and product name on the front. The back of the box offers a product description. The ingredient list can be found on a side of the box. The concealer it's self comes in a small glass jar topped with a green cap. The cap features a gold pixie along with the Pixi logo. Cute, but simple, with an eye catching green theme, there's no mistaking a Pixi product. ixi's Correction Concentrate comes in one shade; Brightening Peach. Why does Pixi's Correction Concentrate have such a strong pinky peach tone? It's a matter of color theory, a subject I don't feel experienced enough to explain at length, but I'll try to sum it up. Under eye circles are typically blue or purple toned. Orangey shades are considered the 'opposite' of blue on a color wheel. When orange and blue tones are mixed they cancel each other out. It's kinda like math, but with colors, I guess. Pixi's Correction Concentrate has a thick, almost pasty consistency, you need to warm it up with the warmth of your fingers to melt it into a creamier consistency. Once its warmed up this concealer is easy to pat on to the under eye area. The bright peachy tone may look a little bit crazy at first, but don't panic, just keep patting! Soon enough Pixi's corrector will blend almost all the way in. Though Petra Strand, the Swedish makeup artist behind Pixi describes the coverage of Correction Concentrate as "full", I feel like it sound be used with a regular under eye concealer as well to help diffuse what's left of the peachy tone. This correcting concealer does just what it promises, it just about completely erases mild to moderate under eye circles. The results are way better than I expected! Because Correction Concentrate is on the pastier side, I suggest avoiding powder in areas where you've applied this corrector, otherwise you'll end up with a cakey texture. I don't feel like Pixi's under eye concealer's epic results last all day, after several hours it can settle into fine lines, which is almost as unappealing as dark circles. Pixi's Correction Concentrate is great, I'm thoroughly impressed! I was really nervous about investing $15 in a corrective concealer, but it's proved to be worth the money! I've been using it along with Benefit's It's Potent! Eye Cream and my under eye area has never looked better. The packaging is really pretty. The texture of the product is great once it's been warmed up, so application is super easy, you just need to tap it inn. The peach tone will neutralize dark circles for most fair to tan skin tones. I highly recommend Pixi's Correction Concentrate concealer if you struggle with under eye circles, this is the cheapest peach/salmon toned corrector I know of and it's totally worth the price. This product will have you bright eyed in no time.
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Eyes -Essence - volumizing lash powder
SparkleBunny37 5/13/2013 9:36:00 PM
Essence is a European drugstore brand that offers some pretty unique products, including their Volumizing Lash Powder. Essence calls this product "artificial mini fibers for a false lash effect." I picked up this lash booster at Ulta for about $3.50. Each jar of Volumizing Lash Powder contaisn .6 oz (1.8g) if fibers. This product was made in Germany, Essence's home country. Essence products are not tested on animals, a practice outlawed in the European Union. Essence products can be bought at Ulta in America; Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada; Priceline and Target in Australia; and drugstores throughout Europe. This product is not safe for contact lense wearers. Packaging for Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder is a little too simple, it could use a redesign. These lash fibers come in a plastic jar with a black screw on cap. No sifter, no nothing. The product name and Essence logo can be found on the front of the jar. Some warnings can be found on the back. Essence was kind enough to include a nice little spoolie with this product. Ok, so what exactly are you supposed to do with the spoolie, exactly? You can't dip it into the fibers, because they go everywhere when you pull it out. You can't run the spoolie over the top of the fibers, the opening of the jar is too narrow. The packaging is just such a pain to work with, that alone keeps me from reaching for Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder. Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder consists of millions of miniscule, loose, white lash extension fibers. You're meant to apply a coat of mascara, a coat of these fibers, then another coat of mascara, all in quick secession. It isn't as easy as it sounds though. I think I made it clear that its hard to get the fibers onto the brush, but it can also be quite difficult to apply Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder to the lashes. No matter how carefully I tap off the spoolie I still I end up with so many of these little fibers falling into my eyes and onto my face. All the itchy, oh it is so unpleasant. As promised, Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder gives the look of more fullness, but they add a very minimal amount of length. The length this product does provide doesn't last very long at all, mainly because they cause the tips of my lashes to point downward, and eventually they flake off. One other problem that this product presents is that it can run your mascara pretty easily if too many of the fibers get into your tube. Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder does give the lashes more volume, I give it that. However, I feel like there are a lot of flaws to this product that overshadow it's effectiveness. The packaging was poorly designed, though the included spoolie is nice. The fibers are very loose and irritating to both the eyes and skin. The fibers cause flaking after a few hours and weigh my lashes down. I don't think I'll be reaching for Essence's Volumizing Lash Powder, its just too messy and impractical to use everyday. Kudos to Essence for putting it out there though. It was a bold move, I can't think of any other brand in this price range that offers a similar product.
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Primer/ Corrector -Unlisted Brand - Mirabella Prime for Face and Eyes
SparkleBunny37 5/10/2013 8:41:00 PM
Mirabella's Prime For Face&Eyes is a "silky smooth clear formula primer that slides on the skin, creating the perfect base for any Mirabella foundation." Mirabella warns you to avoid using this product near the lash lines and to use this primer sparingly. I received a full size tube of this multi-use primer in my December Ipsy Bag. Mirabella's primer contains no parabens or dyes. This primer contains .45 fl oz (12.85) and retails for $29. Mirabella products can be bought through the brand's website and at salons throughout North America and Europe (a map can be found on the brand site). Mirabella products are not tested on animals. This product was made in the USA. Packaging for Mirabella's Prime for Face&Eyes looks pretty professional. This product comes in a red and white cardboard box. The box offers a product description, a full ingredient list, and application tips. The primer its self comes in a long, grey, squeeze tube. The texture features the product name and product name printed in dark grey lettering. Removing the tube's screw on cap reveals a needle nose dispenser. Mirabella's Prime for Face&Eyes is different from just about any primer I've tried. Its clear and seemed similar to Tarte's Clean Slate Poreless Primer, but its not. This primer is very thin and dare I say it, greasy. Greasy was my first impression of this product, not just in it's feel but also in it's finish. Mirabella's primer makes me look oily and I hate the way it feels on my face. This primer feels so heavy and cloying, it makes my cheeks feel tight. I don't notice the same gross feeling on my eyelids. I feel as though Prime for Face&Eyes does the opposite of what a primer should. It causes eyeshadows to apply with less vibranct and to crease faster than they would without a base. As for my foundation? It causes it to transfer off of my face, a problem I've never encountered before using this primer. I've come to the conclusion that Mirabella's Prime for Face&Eyes is actually an anti-primer. On top of the previously mentioned problems, this product also causes me to get clogged pores on the sides of my nose. There is not a single thing I like about this product. I've been incredibly displeased with Mirabella's Prime for Face&Eyes. This is a poor excuse for a primer, it doesn't prolong the wear of anything, it shortens it instead. The consistency of this product is oily and off putting, plus it feels uncomfortable on my face. If I have to say something nice about Mirabella's primer, it has sanitary, easy to use, and professional looking packaging. In short, I can sum up my feelings about this product in one word, and that word is "no".
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Eye Shadow -NYX - Ultra Pearl Mania - Yellow Gold Pearl
SparkleBunny37 5/10/2013 4:50:00 PM
NYX says its "hard not to sparkle with one of our ultra shimmering loose shadow powders that can be used on eyes, cheeks, even lips. These finely milled eyeshadows are high impact, long lasting, and a little addictive." So addictive that NYX offers a total of thirty shades. This review is for Yellow Gold, which NYX calls a "light gold". NYX' Ultra Pearl Manias are among the the most affordable pigments on the market, they only cost $3 for 5ml (.06 fl oz). I have no clue why NYX measures these pigments like they're liquids. I received this pigment in a swap with my friend Mariah, who received it in an Ipsy bag and wasn't wild about it. NYX products are cruelty free and made in China. NYX products can be bought through the brand's website, Ulta, and Target. I hate the packaging for these pigments. Its dreadful and a pain to use. The worst. These pigments come in tiny plastic jars with black twist on cap. The name of the product and NYX logo can be found on the front of the jar. A silver label was affixed to the back of the jar, but I peeled it off. The label was used to seal the jar and it became icky, sticky, and coated in pigment. The jar has a very narrow neck, its hard to find a little brush to dip in it. However, the narrow neck isn't all bad though, it prevents dreaded pigment spills. Like all pigments, NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Pigments have countless use, but the most common use is as an eyeshadow and that's how I've been reviewing this product. NYX's Yellow Gold Ultra Pearl Mania Pigment is very finely milled, the texture is wonderful. This pigment is almost fallout free, I rarely need to clean up application. Yellow Gold's pigmentation is just astounding, it doesn't even need a primer (but I use one anyway). Wear isn't quite as wonderful as I hoped, this pigment has a hard time bonding to the skin, so there's some creasing involved after a few hours. NYX's Yellow Gold Ultra Pearl Mania will also rub off if you touch it. Though the pigment may crease, the beautiful and intense color doesn't fade. Yellow Gold's name is spot on. This shade is a bright vivid gold with strong yellow tones. This shade is very shimmery, but not glittery, really it's more of a metallic finish. I love this shade, I love golds in generaly they go great with my dark brown eyes. I've been using NYX's Yellow Gold a lot lately, since its NHL playoff season and I gotta support the Penguins. NYX's Yellow Gold Ultra Pearl Mania pigment is great! If you want a bright gold loose eyeshadow, go for this one! The pigmentation is amazing and it causes barely any fallout. Wear could be better, as could the packaging. I really wish NYX would repackage these pigments. I highly, highly recommend this product! I love it, and will use it pretty often. I hope to acquire more of these pigments in the future.
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Moisturizers -E.L.F. - Daily Moisture Stick
SparkleBunny37 5/9/2013 5:28:00 PM
ELF's Daily Moisture Stick is "an easy to use clear gel formulation that nourishes and hydrates the skin. This light weight and soothing multi-purpose balm is enriched with anti-oxidants and anti-aging ingredients including grape, cocoa, shea, avocado, macadamia, aloe, and chamomile. The sleek, convenient packaging is perfect for travel and everyday use to condition and moisturizes skin both at home and on the go." surprisingly, this solid moisture does contain a fair amount of good ingredients and is fragrance free (but it still contains a good bit of yucky chemicals too, unfortunately). ELF's Daily Moisture Stick contains 15g (.53 oz) and retails for $6 (though I feel like I paid $3 for mine), making it one of ELF's pricier products. I purchased my Daily Moisture Stick at Target. ELF products can be bought through the brand's website, and at Target, Kmart, Big Lots, and select drug and dollar stores. ELF products are made in China and are not tested on animals. ELF's Daily Moisture Stick comes in a black cardboard box that offers a product description, directions, and a full ingredients list. The product its self comes in a black tube that's about 3 inches long. The front of the tube features the ELF logo, product name, and a list of beneficial ingredients. The cap snaps on firmly, but ELF is still concerned about their Daily Moisture Stick drying out, so they include a second smaller cap inside. The twist up mechanism for this tube is smooth and easy to operate. This product's packaging is recyclable. ELF's Daily Moisture Stick seems like a hybrid of a giant chapstick and a glue stick, hardly like something you'd smear over your entire face. This moisturizer is a solid gel that melts on contact with the skin. This stuff feels a little sticky at first, but it sinks into the skin almost immediately. Unless you have very oily skin, ELF's Daily Moisture Stick wont cut it as your only moisturizer. However, it does a great job at keeping skin feeling moist throughout the day if your moisturizer doesn't quite hold up. ELF's Daily Moisture Stick is great for smoothing over dry patches, and would likely make a good foundation primer for drier skin types. Applying this solid moisturizer feels pretty strange, I'm not used to rubbing gel sticks all over my face. There's a bit of a tug during application, so avoid the delicate eye area. This product is also a really great lip balm. ELF's Daily Moisture Stick serves more purposes than just providing moisture. As a pro-cook, I get a fair amount of cuts and burns. ELF's Daily Moisture Stick is great for soothing and protecting those little injuries. I'm thinking about buying another one of these to keep at work. The other use I've found for this gel stick is that its great for lubricating piercing holes. If you have any facial piercings you probably have one or two pieces of jewelry that are slightly too large or blunt to put in comfortably. A quick swipe of ELF's Daily Moisture Stick will help that stubborn piece of jewelry slide right in. I like ELF's Daily Moisture Stick. It provides a nice level of moisture and is very travel friendly. You can bet that this moisturizer will be in my carry on for my next long-haul flight. I've found a few practical uses for this product on top of a facial moisturizer. I'll almost definitely buy one more of these for my work's first aid kit, which always seems to be void of topical burn soothers/aloe gel. The only downside I can see in ELF's Daily Moisture Stick is that it seems to get used up quickly if you apply it over your entire face. I don't think I'd repurchase this product for use on my face, but I want to keep it around for it's other handy uses (I have a really hard time putting my monroe retainer in, this is a great little helper). I do recommend picking up ELF's Daily Moisture Stick to see what it can do for you.
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Eyeliner -Avon - Mega Impact Eyeliner - Extreme Cobalt
SparkleBunny37 5/7/2013 6:11:00 PM
Avon's Mega Impact Eyeliners will "up the wow factor!". These eyeliners are actually gel based. Avon released their Mega Impact eyeliners last summer and discontinued them shortly after. I was so disappointed because I had bought it when it was first released and fell in love! When I saw them re-released a few weeks ago with an expanded color range of eight shades, I couldn't have been happier! I purchased two in Black Flash and Extreme Cobalt. Each Mega Impact pencil sells for $6, but I scored both of mine for $2.99 each. This eyeliner contains 1.2g (.042 oz). Avon products can be bought through the brand's website, or your local Avon rep. Avon does not test on animals, but they recently began selling in China, where their products may be subject to government controlled animal testing. This eyeliner was made in Germany. Avon's Mega Impact Eyeliners come in traditional wooden pencils, which do need to be sharpened. These pencils have a black coating, the base of the pencil is color matched to the internal product. The product name, shade name, and Avon logo are printed on the pencil in silver lettering. The Mega Impact Eyeliners are topped off by plastic caps that manage to stay on. Unlike the Ultra Luxury Eyeliners, the wood casing for the Mega Impact pencils never splinter and always sharpen easily and evenly. The smooth, easy to use gel texture of Avon's Mega Impact eyeliners is second only to NYX's Slide On Pencils. The Mega Impact pencils are incredibly easy to use, they glide on effortlessly no matter where you decide to apply them. Because the Mega Impact liners have a gel base, they're not only easy to work with, they're very pigmented and go on opaque in one pass. This liner formula is very smudgable at first, but after 45-60 seconds it stays put no matter what! Even on the waterline this eyeliner lasts at least six hours. Avon doesn't advertise their Mega Impact liners as being waterproof, but I believe they are because they're very difficult to remover even with the best makeup removers. Extreme Cobalt is such a great color! Avon shows it as a dull blue on their website and that is such a lie! This shade is so rich and deep, yet kinda bright. Extreme Cobalt is darker than what I'd call a "cobalt blue", but its not a navy either, its somewhere between the two. This shade contains a few flecks of dark blue shimmer that aren't too noticeable except when you smudge it out. These little flecks of glitter give Extreme Cobalt some subtle dimension. Avon's Mega Impact pencils are excellent! I hope they never discontinue them again. The idea of a gel eyeliner in a pencil form is genius because it gives you the best of both worlds. The Mega Impact pencils are pigmented, creamy, long lasting, and very affordable. I highly recommend these eyeliners in any shade. This is a product I've repurchased, and plan to repurchase in the future.
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Lipstick -Soap and Glory - Fabulipstick Red My Lips
SparkleBunny37 5/6/2013 10:22:00 PM
Soap&Glory's Super-Colour Fabulipsticks feature "ULTIMELT™ lip shine & shaping technology, 3-D PLUMP™ peptide complex, Shea Butter, Monoi Butter & Vitamin E. Hyaluronic acid and Ceramide 2 (for aging repair and visible wrinkle reduction) help to give a soft, smooth, dewy, plump colour-fill pout." Soap&Glory offers two different finishes for their Fabulipsticks, satin and matte. I have all six satin finish Fabulipsticks, which came in the Wowed Mouth palette, which was sent to me as a gift by my English friend Rae. Soap&Glory products can be bought at drugstores in the UK, Canada, and Germany. A limited selection of Soap&Glory products can be bought at Sephoras in the United States, but the Fabulipsticks are not available here. The full size of these lipsticks contain 1g and retail for £10 ($15 USD). Soap&Glory does not test on animals. This lipstick was made in Italy. I've never seen the packaging for these lipsticks, so I can't really tell you about it. I can tell you about the Wowed Mouth palette, which is adorable! This palette is made of red, solid cardboard. The front of the palette features the palette name, Soap&Glory logo, and a woman enthusiastically riding a red lipstick. Opening up the palette, you'll find six round pots of lipstick, a double ended blush, and a good quality mirror. I typically hate lip palettes because they're so inconvenient, but Soap&Glory's Wowed Mouth is small enough to carry around with me. Obviously I'd prefer this, and any, lipstick in a tube, but this palette will do. Me and lip palettes haven't gotten along in the past, the lip products are almost always waxy and poorly pigmented, but that isn't true at all for the Fabulipsticks in the Wowed Mouth palette. These lipsticks are creamy and brush onto the lips flawlessly. Red My Lips feels a little dry on the lips, so I definitely suggest pairing it with a gloss. Red My Lips could have much better wear, I feel like it only lasts a little longer than an hour or so. This lipstick doesn't smudge or smear on my lips, but it does transfer onto straws, cups, and more. Just like Guavarama, Red My Lips has a someone blood like taste, which frightened me at first. I'm fairly sure these lipsticks must have a high concentration of iron derived pigments, I can't think of any other reason Soap&Glory's Fabulipstick would taste bloody. Red My Lips, ironically, isn't a true red. To me this shade is a red with some plummy and brown tones. As promised, this Fabulipstick has a satin finish. Red My Lips applies fully opaque in one layer. This lipstick will fool you! As I begin to paint it on, it looks like a very flattering mid-tone shade, but by the time Red My Lips is all the way on, it looks kinda dark! Something about Red My lips reminds me of a cranberry type shade. It's hard to put a finger on exactly what color Red My Lips is, I guess it's a brownish red with just a dash of plum. A reddish shade like this one is a great foray into red lipstick, without being too bold. I don't like Soap&Glory's Super Colour Fabulipstick in Red My Lips as much as I like other shades in the line. I would definitely recommend Guavarama over this shade any time. Red My Lips feels drier than the rest. The shade is pretty and flattering for so many skin tones, but I think it could be found from a different line with a better formulation. I really wish Red My Lips wore better, I know Soap&Glory is capable of more comfortable lipsticks than this. Maybe the version in the tube is better. I wouldn't recommend Soap&Glory's Super Colour Fabulipstick in Red My Lips, but I do recommend searching for a similar shade.
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Fragrances -Calvin Klein - CK One Shock
SparkleBunny37 5/6/2013 3:28:00 PM
Shock by CK One is an "edgy, sexy, impulsive, electrifying new fragrance". CK One, a sub-brand of Calvin Klein, describes Shock as "a fierce bouquet of passionflower, intensified with a drizzle of liquid chocolate accord, and warms into a second skin musk for an addictive signature". CK One offers a version of Shock for men and women, I'll be reviewing the women's version. I received a sample of this fragrance in a swap with my friend Stephanie. There are two sizes of this Eau de Toilette to choose from; 1.7 fl oz ($42) and 3.4 fl oz ($52), which is pretty affordable for a designer fragrance. CK One products can be bough through the Calvin Klein website, at department stores, Sephora, and Ulta. Calvin Klein cosmetics/fragrances are produced by Coty, which has a sketchy and unclear animal testing policy. This fragrance was made in France. Shock has girly yet edgy packaging. My sample came in a white cardboard folder with the CK One logo in black and the Shock logo in playful pink letters with a brush stroke design. The sample tube features the same design, and a little spritzer, which is great because I hate those little vials! I can't really speak for the full sized perfume's packaging, I don't recall ever seeing it in person. It appears to be an opaque white bottle with a screw on cap and shares the same design as the sample. Top Notes: Passionflower, Pink Peony, Poppy Flower Mid Notes: Liquid Chocolate Accord, Blackberry, Narcisse, Jasmine Dry Notes: Vanillin, Patchouli, Amber, Skin Musk I've been wearing Shock by CK One on and off for about two weeks and honestly I still haven't formed a solid opinion on it. Sometimes I love it, other times I feel really neutral about it. If anything, Shock is fairly unique at first. CK One describes this fragrance as a "juicy floriental", but nothing about Shock strikes me as juicy, in fact this scent is just about fruitless. When first spritzed on, Shock is kinda plasticy and unpleasant, but it quickly settles onto the skin. At first stiff I pick up a yummy, warm chocolate note mixed with just a hair of blackberry and some nondescript florals. Shock morphs into a warm floral as time goes on and it loses it's interest. Florals bore me, so once Shock's sweet, chocolaty notes wear away my neutral opinion kicks in. This scent, like most eau de toilettes, doesn't last very well on me, I only get about 2-3 hours of wear from Shock. This is a surprisingly light scent, it stays very close to the skin. By no means is Shock a weak fragrance, I think "delicate" would be a better term to describe it. Shock by CK One is totally mis-named in my opinion. You must have an incredibly sheltered scent palette to be "shocked" by this fragrance. This scent is great at first, the chocolaty note really gives it a spark of delicious individuality, but it fades into a run of the mill floral. The price for Shock is pretty reasonable, considering the brand. Spritz this scent on or ask for a sample next time you head into the department store. Shock is worth checking out, but for me it isn't a scent worth buying.
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Eyeliner -Soap and Glory - Supercat
SparkleBunny37 5/3/2013 6:24:00 PM
Soap&Glory's Supercat is a "Carbon Black Extreme Eyeliner", is a seemingly popular liquid pen style eyeliner from this beloved British bath&body brand. Soap&Glory says that this pen liner "features unique Inkjet color release and Gloss-Fix finish to give rich and intense colour. The foolproof marker tip creates two looks - fine point for a natural look or thick edge to add a dramatic flash! Uses long lasting, long wear pigments plus a high percentage of carbon black for intense colour release". I'm not sure how much of that actually made sense. My dear friend Rae spent me this eyeliner as a Christmas gift. Supercat contains .5 oz of product and retails for £6 (about $9.50 USD). Soap&Glory products can be bought at drugstores throughout the UK, Germany, and Canada. A limited selection of marked up Soap&Glory products can also be found at Sephora here in the States, but unfortunately Supercat is not one of the available products. Soap&Glory does not test on animals. The Supercat eyeliner was made in Italy. Soap&Glory is known for their cute and girly packaging, and Supercat's packaging is no exception. This eyeliner comes in a pink and gold cardboard box. The box features the product name, Soap&Glory logo, application tips, and the ingredient list. The eyeliner it's self comes in a black plastic pen. The cap of this pen snaps on very firmly, which is great, it helps product the felt tip from drying out, but I also find it very difficult to open. The pen features Supercat written on it in dynamic pink lettering. Pulling off the cap reveals an elongated felt tip applicator. The felt tip is extremely saturated with product, so there's no skipping involved. Supercat's tip is wide, but tapers to a very fine tip. I kinda struggle with applying Supercat; sometimes it glides right on and I get the perfect cat eye flick at the end and other times I just can't get it right. The tip of Supercat is difficult for me to correctly angle on my smaller eyes, but that's user error, not Soap&Glory's fault. For me, I find it easier to paint some of Supercat onto an angled eyeliner brush and apply it from there. I think Soap&Glory's Supercat eyeliner's packaging is cute and the felt tip is nicely designed, just not suited to my eye shape. Soap&Glory's Supercat is great. Most liquid eyeliners work out pretty well for me, so I can't say whether or not Supercat is extraordinary, but it certainly is good, to say the least. Supercat is a very pigmented, deep black. This liner doesn't seep into fine lines, nor does it smudge or smear, it stays exactly where you put it all day long even in hot, humid conditions. Supercat will smear a little bit if you rub your eyes, which you shouldn't do anyway, so it won't be a problem right? Despite Supercat's longevity I find this eyeliner really easy to remove. I have two qualms with Supercat, neither of them are major, but they are worth mentioning. The first issue is that while Supercap applies as a very day black, it fades somewhat throughout the day. It doesn't turn grey or anything, just a less intense black. The other problem? Supercat is stinky! It smells chemically and unpleasant, but not enough to ruin the product for me. I really enjoy Soap&Glory's Supercat Carbon Black Extreme Eyeliner Pen! The packaging is attractive, though the felt tip isn't ideal for my eye shape. The price of Supercat is very fair in my opinion. The quality of Soap&Glory's eyeliner is very good! The wear time is great, though there is some fading. This has been my new go-to eyeliner, I've been using it every day lately. I can definitely see myself finishing this liner, and I think I may need to request another from Rae in our next swap.
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Treatments -Kinerase - Dr. Lewinn Lift & Resculpt Serum XK
SparkleBunny37 5/2/2013 2:02:00 PM
Dr. LeWinn is a subsidiary of the prestige skincare brand Kinerase. I believe this is a relatively new line of products, I began hearing about Dr. LeWinn products last summer while I was living in Australia and assumed it was an Australian brand (research tells me it is). A few months ago I received the Lift&Resculpt Serum XK from Free Beauty Events in exchange for promoting their monthly giveaways. Dr. LeWinn calls their serum a "pure, high potency hyaluronic acid based treatment that targets volume deficient areas to contour, firm, and lift skins appearance. This silky, elegant formula blends kinetin and LOXL Acivator to create a concentrated complex of 46% more potent cosmeticuticals to maximize surface stimulation of skin's natural collagen and elastin production. Plus, Metabotics Reservatol, a power antioxidant derived from graps reinforces the skin's structure by strengthening the link between skin's surface and deeper layers". Dr. LeWinn also claims you'll notice: More defined jawline and gentle curvature of the face Removes harsh shadows by improving contours Visibly reduces the number of wrinkls by 22% Softens fine lines and deep wrinkles These are some big claims, aren't they? Seeing as I'm barely 21, this isn't a product I felt like I needed, but I figured Id try it anyway, just to see what it would do for me. Dr. LeWinn's Lift&Resculpt Serum XK contains 1 fl oz (30 ml) and retails for between $23-33, depending on where you buy it. Dr. LeWinn products can be bought at Walmart, Walgreens, Duane Reade, and drugstore.com in the US, and at Priceline in Australia. This serum is suited to all skin types. Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase's finished products are not tested on animals. I'm unsure of where this product was made. By the way, this product needs to be stored below 77F (25C) and is paraben free. Packaging for this, and all Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase products have a very scientific, professional, medicinal look to them. This product came in a white cardboard box with plenty of product info. The front of the box features the product and brand name and a window into the box, giving you a peek at the product. The box also offers a full ingredient list, storage and application tips, product description, and company info and contact details. Packaging for the actual serum is very simple, it comes in a glass bottle topped by a black rubber dropper. A white label wraps around the bottle, offering the product name on the front and directions on the back. I've had some trouble with Dr. LeWinn's Lift&Resculpt Serum XK, some of them my fault, some of them not. My first incident with this serum was my fault, but still was upsetting. I kinda spilled about a quarter of it the first time I opened it..oops. The second problem is that this serum broke me out pretty badly, initially. After about two weeks of reduced use my skin adjusted to this serum and the acne cleared up for the most part. Dr. LeWinn's serum is thin, only slightly more viscose than water and light green in color. You're directed to apply 2-4 drops after cleansing. I've been applying 3 drops each night. I pat this serum in and feel a gentle tingle that hints at the active ingredients are getting something done. I gotta be honest, after just about three months of daily use and nearly finishing the bottle, I don't really see any noticeable results. That being said I don't really have the type of skin that needs to be lifted or rescultped. All I can hope is that this serum improved my skin on a microscopic level, or fortified it against aging in the future. Because I feel a gentle but significant tingle and see a fair amount of legitimately beneficial ingredients, I feel like it could potentially be effective for those with aging skin. Dr. LeWinn's Lift&Resculpt Serum XK doesn't seem like a very strong serum, so it may be a good product for sensitive skin, but I'm cautious to recommend it because of my skin's reaction to it. Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase's Lift&Resculpt Serum XK isn't a product suited for my needs. At my age I truly don't have the need to use an intensive serum like this one. I do think that this product could be very good for it's intended users though, the ingredient list seems promising. I've heard a lot of good stuff about Dr. LeWinn products and I don't think the prices are too bad considering its owned by Kinerase, a very pricey prestige brand. I wouldn't repurchase this serum, and I don't recommend it for young or acne prone skin, but I think this could be the right serum for you if you're starting to age a bit and want to combat the process.
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Toners -LUSH - Breath of Fresh Air
SparkleBunny37 4/30/2013 5:13:00 PM
Last month, when I finally took the plunge and bought my beloved Ocean Salt, the very eccentric sales associate offered me a sample of the Breath of Fresh Air toner, which she said was her favorite product to use in conjunction with Ocean Salt. Lush says that Breath of Fresh Air will "give your skin a new lease on life with a blend of ingredients inspired by the sea. Breath of Fresh Air is suitable for all skin types, but is particularly beneficial for faces that have been ravaged by the elements. A gentle spray refreshes you when you need it most and brings all the nutrients of the sea directly to the skin. Fresh sea water gently cleanses while carragen seaweed extract softens and provides essential vitamins and minerals. And all the while rose absolute an aloe vera are soothing dry areas". For the most part, the ingredients are natural. Breath of Fresh Air is available in two sizes; 3.3 fl oz ($9.95), and 8.4 fl oz ($21.95). Like I mentioned, I got a little free sample with a purchase. As we all know, Lush is a cruelty free brand that focuses on "fresh", organic, and natural products, a large majority of which cater to vegans. This toner was made in Canada. Lush products can be bought at Lush stores and kiosks, and through the brand's website. The full size of Breath of Fresh Air comes in a black spray bottle. The standard Lush label wraps around the bottle, featuring the product name, a description, and ingredient list. I'm not a fan of spray on toners, I'd likely be spraying it onto a cotton round. The packaging for this toner is recyclable, but I don't think its eligible for Lush's in-store recyclable program. I'm a dedicated user of Olay's Oil Minimizing Toner, so I was feeling pretty neutral about Breath of Fresh Air. The first time I used this toner, it felt amazing! Slightly tingly, in a good way, and kinda firming. I thought it was love at first use. Sadly, the next several uses didn't really wow me. The pleasant tingle and toned feel seem to have been a one time deal. To me, the point of a toner is to pick up the last bits of cleanser and makeup that haven't been rinsed away, purifying the skin before you apply moisturizer. I just don't feel like this toner does that. The Lush sales associate also told me that you need to use less moisturizer when you use Breath of Fresh Air, a claim that also doesn't seem to hold up. What I do think Breath of Fresh Air is good for is absorbing excess oil without stripping the skin. This toner is quite gentle and is alcohol free, so it may be a good choice for those with sensitive skin. Breath of Fresh Air smells really similar to the BB Seaweed Fresh Face Mask, which makes sense since they share seaweed, rose, rosemary, and aloe as common ingredients. I'm not in love with Lush's Breath of Fresh Air Toner. I feel like it isn't particularly effective at anything but removing oil. This is the most gentle toner I've ever sampled, it doesn't sting at all, so its excellent for those who can't handle alcoholic toners. I wouldn't repurchase this toner, but I did finish off my little sample.
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Scrubs -BeneFit Cosmetics - b right refined finish facial polish
SparkleBunny37 4/29/2013 3:08:00 PM
Benefit wants to know if you suffer from "dull skin from daily stress". If you do, they want you to check out their Refined Finish Facial Polish, which Benefit claims will "beautifully brighten the complexion, gently exfoliating to purify the skin and help minimize the appearance of pores to reveal skin's radiance. Contains natural clay and seaweed extract rich in minerals, nutrients, and sugars known to purify the skin." I obtained a 8.9g (.3 oz) sample of this scrub in a 3pc samples of Benefit's relatively new B.Right skincare line. The full size of Refined Finish contains 127.5g (4.5 oz) and retails for $23. Benefit products can be bought through the brand's website, at Benefit boutiques and counters, Sephora, Ulta, and their respective websites. This scrub was made in France. Benefit does not test on animals. Oh man, do I hate the packaging for Benefit's Refined Finish Facial Polish. Well, I like the look of it, but it isn't very user friendly at all. This scrub comes in a light aqua squeeze tube. This tube is quite stiff and very difficult to get product out of. Whats pretty neat about the tube is that its covered in tiny little textured bumps. The front of the tube features the product name and Benefit logo. To get a bit of this scrub out I need to flip the tube upside down and squeeze it quite hard and even then its a fight. Hopefully the full size tube is easier to work with. The look of this scrub is weird, its white, a little pearly, and kinda looks like vanilla ice cream. Benefit recommends using their Refined Finish Facial Polish once one or twice a week, and rightfully so. This exfoliator is surprisingly harsh, but not irritatingly so. I only use a dab about the size of my finger tip to scrub my entire face. I work Benefit's Facial Polish in for roughly 45 seconds. The granules in this scrub are pretty large, and do not melt as you work them in, so you need to be careful not to over-exfoliate. I find this scrub to be a little difficult to work with, I think the kaolin clay makes it bond to the skin a little. I don't think Benefit's Refined Finish polish does all that much. It softens my skin, but doesn't seem to Benefit my skin otherwise (great joke, I know). Like the rest of Benefit's B.Right Radiant Skincare line, the Refined Finish Facial Polish is heavily scented and quite perfumey. The scent is pleasant, but very strong and so unnecessary. Fragrance is a common skin irritant, and its right in the middle of this product's ingredient list. Benefit's Refined Finish Facial Polish was a disappointment for me. The packaging, while cute, is very impractical. The scrub has larger than average exfoliating granules that are kinda rough on the skin. I don't even notice any impressive results. And once again, this product contains for too much fragrance. I really don't like anything about Benefit's Refined Finish Facial Polish. I recommend Lush's Ocean Salt over this scrub, because for $2 more, its significantly more effective and slightly less harsh. I urge those with sensitive skin to avoid this product. This is the first of Benefit's B.Right products to let me down, and I definitely wouldn't repurchase it.
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Mascara -Maybelline - The Rocket Volume Express
SparkleBunny37 4/28/2013 11:29:00 PM
Maybelline's newest addition to their Volume Express line is The Rocket, which claims to give you "the most explosive, beautiful lashes ever!". Apparently this mascara will give 8x the volume and length in "Rocket Time". I'm pretty sure my astrophysicist boyfriend can confirm that "Rocket Time" is nonsense. The "fast glide formula" will keep lashes "smooth with zero clumps." Maybelline's The Rocket mascara is available in both washable and waterproof versions, this review is for the washable formula, in the shade Blackest Black. Each tube contains 9ml (.3 fl oz) of product. Maybelline's The Rocket Volume Express Mascara retails for between $6-9, and can be found at any drug store or major retailer. I received this mascara as a Christmas gift (yes it took me this long to start using it, I was trying to clear out my stash a bit). Unfortunately, Maybelline products are tested on animals. This mascara was made in the USA. Maybelline's The Rocket is ophthalmolgist tested and safe for contact lense wearers and sensitive eyes. Maybelline's The Rocket comes attached to a pink cardboard backing with the product name and several claims on the front. A few more claims, directions, and a full ingredient list can be found on the back. Maybelline seems to be changing their Volume Express packaging to the international style. That's not all too different from from the tube we all know, its still long, chubby, and round. The difference is in the cap, which is now longer and pointed, as opposed to having a rounded indentation at the top. As with all Volume Express mascaras, The Rocket's tube has a very eye catching, appealing color scheme. The Rocket's tube is royal blue with the product name, Maybelline and Volume Express logos, and a small flame printed on the tube in hot pink. Maybelline calls The Rocket's brush a "patented supersonic brush with micro bristles to load on big, sleek volume instantly". How can a brush be supersonic? This brush was pretty cool looking, I felt bad about dipping it in the tube for the first time. The Rocket's brush has a pink cor with stubby, clear rubber bristles. Clear bristles? That's probably a first, at least among the Volume Express line. This brush is massive, quite similar in style to the Covergirl Lash Blast brush, except even larger. I don't really understand why cosmetic companies feel the need to make their brushes bigger and bigger. Eventually they're going to get too large for the average consumer with average lashes to use. Actually I feel like The Rocket's brush is teetering on the edge of that. I have average length lashes and this mascara brush can't really be swept through them. I tend to hit my browbone with this brush and don't even both using it on my lower lashes. The results I get from Maybelline's The Rocket Volume Express are strange..but not necessarily in a bad way. This is the only drugstore mascara I've used that looks like I've applied multiple coats of mascara in only one. Quickly sweeping The Rocket through my lashes gives me the look of two generous coats of mascara. I need to be really careful with The Rocket, or it will get clumpy very quickly and look like an awful mess. However, if I apply this mascara slowly and carefully it can look awesome. The Rocket has a super inky black formula, which is awesome in and of it's self. Ironically, this Volume Express mascara doesn't deliver much volume at all, the numerous stubby bristles are much better suited to separating the lashes. The Rocket is a very lengthening mascara, but I wouldn't say it makes my lashes 8x longer, that's just silly. Maybelline claims that this mascara is clump free, and that simply isn't true! I actually find The Rocket to be one of the clumpiest of the Volume Express mascaras, if you just pile it on. Between the formula and gigantic brush, you need to take your time when applying The Rocket. This mascara wears well enough, it doesn't smudge, but it does flake after about seven hours. For being a washable mascara, Maybelline's The Rocket is very stubborn and hard to remove. Maybelline suggests using their Clean Express Makeup Remover, which I think is great, but it isn't strong enough to remove The Rocket, I need to use olive oil to get this stuff off. I don't know if I love Maybelline's The Rocket Volume Express mascara. The claims for this mascara are even sillier than usual. I like the packaging, the color scheme is nice and I like the transition into the international style. The concept of the brush, but I think its far too big. The formula is so-so. Lengthening, but not very volumizing, with a moderate amount of clumps. This mascara wears well, but can be difficult to remove. I think Maybelline makes better mascaras, but The Rocket is a good choice. I'd recommend it if you like long lashes and don't mind a few clumps here or there. I probably won't repurchase The Rocket, I almost never repurchase mascara anyway, but I will continue to wear it quite often!
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