Lips -New York Color - Smooch Proof Lip Stain
SparkleBunny37 4/27/2012 10:04:00 PM
New York Color (NYC)'s Smooch Proof 16 Hour Lip Stain promises to stay put for up to 16 hours. A hard claim to believe from such a hit and miss brand. This line of lip stains is available in 10 shades, I have the shade Champagne Stain. NYC products are not tested on animals. This product was made in Germany, and is gluten free. I purchased this stain at Rite Aid for $4.99 for .10fl oz of product. That's a little steep for NYC, but a good value, generally speaking. NYC, being a budget brand, isn't known for having excellent packaging. Their products usually come in very plain, kinda cheap packaging. Smooch Proof, on the other hand, actually looks kinda cute. Packaging is a plastic, marker style tube with a cap that snaps on firmly, protecting the product from drying out. The cap takes effort to remove, so don't worry too much about tossing this stain in your purse or makeup bag. The plastic tube is color coordinated with the color of the stain, and features the name of the product written in silver lettering. Removing the cap reveals a felt tip marker, that comes to a fine point. The applicator is quite precise, and can be used to create thin lines, for lining the lips, or for making thicker strokes, that fill in the lips. The tip is not as moist and saturated with product as the Palladio lip stain, but more moist than the Covergirl Outlast Lip Stain. Smooch Proof lip stain applies pretty well. It goes on evenly and the tip doesn't dry while you apply it. The color of Champagne Stain is pretty variable. It applies very, very sheerly, so the resulting color depends on your natural lip color. I have pretty pigmented lips, so on me, Champagne Stain turns into a medium berry-red. It looks similar to my natural lip color, just amplified. I like it. It suits me quite well. So is this lip stain really really smooch proof? Yes. It sets on the lips almost immediately, making it almost completely transfer proof. My lovely assistant, Dean, hasn't bee around for me to test the actual "smooch proof" claim, but it seems true to me. So does this lip stain really last 16 hours? Heck no. Heck no at all. For me, Champagne Stain wears 3 to 5 hours, which isn't bad at all, but no where near the 16 hour claim. To be fair, NYC only said their Smooch Proof stains could last up to 16 hours. But in my book, if you put a time frame in a product's name, it's a promise. They broke their promise :(. Like many lip stains, this one fades off unevenly, and a little bit patchy. Reapplication evens it back out though. Like many lip stains, NYC Smooch Proof lip stains feel pretty dry on the lips. It's not so uncomfortable that you can't wear this lip stain alone, but it feels much better with a lip gloss on top. It also looks better, because it makes your lips look smoother. Wearing a gloss over the stain does compromise the wear slightly, shaving off an hour or so of the wear time. NYC's Smooch Proof lip stains don't have a taste to them, but they do have a the same artificial fruity scent all lip stains seem to have. It's not a strong scent though, so it likely won't both you, unless you're incredibly sensitive to scents. So how do I feel about NYC's Smooch Proof 16 Hour Lip Stains? They're pretty good! Champagne Stain is a pretty color that suits me really well. The packaging is kinda cute and pretty functional. Out of the three lip stains I've put to the test, this one applies the best. This isn't a perfect lip stain, it's dry on the lips, and is only ok in the wear department, but this lip stain is good for the price. I recommend it if you're curious about trying a lip stain but don't want to invest a bunch into it, or if you want to try several shades. I might give another shade a try some time.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Coconut Lime Breeze
SparkleBunny37 4/25/2012 11:24:00 PM
Bath&BodyWorks Coconut Lime Breeze body lotions s supposed to smell like a "tropical breeze of exotic fruits and luscious citrus", i.e coconut water, lime blossom, and bergamot. Bath&BodyWorks lotions feature jojoba oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. The formula is supposed to be non-greasy and fast absorbing, the perfect daily moisturizer, in the brand's opinion. Bath&BodyWorks products are cruelty free and made in the USA. I purchased my bottle in store for $3.33 on a 3/$10 deal. You can purchase a 3fl oz travel size bottle individually for $5, or a full sized 8fl oz bottle for $11. Packaging is a translucent, bright green, plastic, recyclable bottle with a green pop-up cap. The bottle is the same curvy shape as all Bath&BodyWorks signature products. The label has some really pretty imagery. The background appears to be a sunset at a beach, with a palm tree in the foreground. The palm leaves are slightly overshadowed by the name of the lotion, which is written in dark green lettering. Coconut Lime Breeze was introduced into the Signature Collection to replace Coconut Lime Verbena, which was discontinued, but I believe is still available online. I'm not familiar with Coconut Lime Verbena, so I can't really compare the two scents for you, but I can tell you about this one. Coconut water, lime blossom, and bergamot describe the scent fairly well. Straight out of the bottle, this scent is all coconut, but it somehow it completely transforms when it's applied on the skin. Once it's applied, it's all lime, a blend of citrusy lime and sweet, candied lime, with a tiny little bit of a bitter bergamot note. It's a bright scent that's a little tart, and it just screams "summer!". From the reviews I've read on Bath&BodyWorks' website, not many people are fans of Coconut Lime Breeze, but I don't understand why. It's very pleasant and cool, not too strong or too light. It's tropical without being overly fruity, and it isn't floral at all. It has a little bit of dimension too it, thanks to the slight bitter element, brought on by the bergamot, but it's also not too complex of a scent. It's the kind of scent anyone can wear, but only at a certain time of the year. Coconut Lime Breeze is definitely best reserved for the warmer months. A combo I'd like to mention; layer this over I Love's Lemon&Lime shower gel. It makes you smell like lime candy. n_n The lotion it's self is Bath&BodyWorks standard, except for a small, barely noticeable detail that doesn't really matter but I'll mention anyway. Instead of being white, the lotion appears to be a very light yellow-green. Apart from that, it's your average Bath&BodyWorks lotion. A thin, non greasy lotion that sinks in pretty quickly. This lotion is light on the skin and moisturizes adequately. The scent stays close to the skin for a couple hours, longer if you layer it with other lime scents. I recommend Coconut Lime Breeze if you want a soft citrus scent with a tropical twist. It's much more subtle than most Bath&BodyWorks scents, therefore more wearable for a bigger demographic. The imagery is gorgeous and suits the scent to a tee. I likely won't be repurchasing, but I do really like this scent. It may not be good enough for Coconut Lime Verbena fans, but it's good enough for me.
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Liquid -Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation
SparkleBunny37 4/25/2012 6:32:00 PM
Maybelline's Fit Me! Foundation is a sheer coverage foundation that "lets the real you come through". This is my first Maybelline foundation, and only my third one ever, so please excuse me if this isn't my best review. This dermatologist, oil free foundation is available in 18 shades, which is a wide selection by drugstore standards. Every shade is promised to match natural tones, and features SPF 18. Unfortunately, Maybelline products are tested on animals, so please keep that in mind when choosing their products. Maybelline does not list where this product was manufactured. I purchased my 1 fl oz bottle at Ulta for $7.99, but I've seen this foundation priced as low as $5.50. I have the slightest shade, 110, Porcelain. Packaging for Fit Me Foundation is pretty simple, but not exceptionally functional. There's no pump or any other type of dispenser, you just pour it out on to the back of your hand or a palette. That has the potential to be messy, wasteful, and unhygienic. The packaging is pretty plain, but looks ok. A rectangular, clear glass bottle that isn't bulky, but doesn't feel too fragile either. The twist on cap is made of black plastic. The Fit Me logo and number of the shade are both stickers, which tend to peel up at the side, making the product look cheap. Fit Me applies pretty well. My preferred method of applying this particular foundation is with a dampened cosmetic wedge, but I've also used a foundation brush. A dollop a little bit larger than an american quarter is enough to cover my whole face, neck, and if needed, my ears. When applied with a damp sponge, this foundation blends flawlessly, as promised. However, when applied with a foundation brush, it didn't blend well, and looked quite streaky. Honestly, I think it was the brush's fault. The finish of of Fit Me foundation is lovely. It's a sheer to light coverage foundation, but its fairly buildable. Despite it's sheerness, Fit Me provides surprisingly good coverage. I recommend pairing it with Rimmel's Match Perfection Concealer, as it has a very similar texture to Fit Me and they blend together perfectly. Fit Me has a beautiful, glowy, dewy, yet natural finish that makes skin look healthy and youthful, without appearing greasy or oily. Because of the sheer nature of Fit Me, it won't make your skin look flawless, but it will even out your complexion, brighten it, and mask any minor imperfections. I can comfortably say 110 is the best, closest color match I have ever had. It matches my skin tone perfectly,so well that I have a hard time seeing where I've applied foundation and where I haven't. The dewiness gives it away though. I compared it to my beloved BYS Age Defying Foundation, which I previously thought was a near perfect match, and it looks at least half a shade darker in comparison. There's something so satisfying about finding your perfect color match. It makes me wonder how Maybelline was able to capture my skin tone in a way that no other company has (except Rimmel). Porcelain ought to be renamed after me, or at least have it's number replaced by my favorite number. Fit Me wears pretty well under normal circumstances. I'd say I get about 8 hours of wear from it without a primer. I can't comment how it wears with a face primer, as I don't have one, but I am meaning to get one. In those 8 hours I have no wear issues like settling into lines or pores, and certainly no caking at all. The dewiness does tend to mattify after a couple hours though. Removal is no problem at all. A quick swipe of a face wipe, or just washing your face should remove just about all of this foundation. Your toner should take care of any remaining residue, not that there will be much. I've read a lot of negative reviews for Maybelline's Fit Me, saying that it causes break outs, irritation, some even go as far as to say it ruins their skin. I haven't suffered any such adverse effects, but my skin does seem a tad more oily than it was before I started using this foundation. Maybe I would have worse results if I wore this on a daily basis, but I just can't be bothered to wear foundation every day. Perhaps if you have naturally oily, acne prone, and/or sensitive skin, you should avoid this foundation, but personally I don't find it as damaging as some reviews would lead you to believe. One quick note is that Fit Me doesn't have a strong, gross smell like some foundations. I has that "makeup smell", but at least it isn't perfumed, or smell like buttered popcorn. I really like Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation. Mostly because, as the name of the product implies, it really does fit me. Porcelain (110) is like my skin tone in a bottle. This foundation gives just the right about of coverage, with a natural, dewy glow. Best of all, this foundation is extremely affordable, and available is a good variety of colors, so just about everyone can enjoy it, provided you have the right skin type. I'll likely repurchase this foundation when I finish this bottle up.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Revlon - Photoready 3D Volume
SparkleBunny37 4/25/2012 12:23:00 AM
Revlon's PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara us the latest addition to their very popular, and growing line; PhotoReady, and also their newest mascara. The formula is supposedly reflection, giving the appearance of longer, more abundant lashes. PhotoReady 3D is available in 3 shades, and does not appear to have a waterproof version. Revlon makes no mention of this mascara being ophthalmologist tested, or safe for wear with contact lenses, so be weary if you have sensitive eyes. Revlon products are not tested on animals. This product was made in the USA of domestic and imported ingredients. I purchased my tube at Rite Aid for $4.99 on sale, but this mascara will normally run you about $10. I really love Revlon packaging in general packaging in general, and I'll do my best not to go on a rant about how lovely the packaging for PhotoReady 3D is. This mascara's packaging is sleek. A square, matte tube with a silver metallic cap. The base of the cap features a glossy black bit with "Revlon" written on it. The tube doesn't offer much information on the product, but it still has more than your average tube of mascara. I just love how sleek and functional Revlon packaging is. It's both modern and elegant. They definitely have the best packaging on the drugstore level. I'll stop now. According to Revlon, the brush has a "special lash accentuating tip that reaches every lash to provide dimension to the extreme". That means it has a rounded tip. The brush has plastic bristles that are short and pretty dense. The brush doesn't taper or curve at all, it just suddenly comes to a rounded tip. The round tip really does come in handy for coating the inner lashes, as well as the bottom ones. PhotoReady 3D is a very easy to apply mascara. The brush glides through the lashes. To apply this mascara, I use a combination of sweeping and wiggling motions. To elaborate, I sweep from the roots to the middle of the lashes, then wiggle my way upwards, to achieve best results for my lashes. Everyone's lashes are different so that technique may not be best for you. Any way you apply this mascara should give you beautiful results though. Beautiful results, like defined, full lashes that nearly touch my brow bone. Impresseddd. Revlon says two coats of this mascara will give "100% more magnified, multiplied, amplified lashes". Normally I wouldn't agree with such a claim, but when I was showing my boyfriend the difference between my natural lashes and my lashes with PhotoReady 3D, he said "they look 100% better." No, he didn't read the packaging. So maybe this claim is legit, or he was just being nice, but I'd like to think it's for reals. Though this mascara has "volume" in the name, I feel like this gives me more length than volume. I mean I get a substantial amount of volume, but I feel like the length I get from it is more noticeable. What I don't notice is this mascara being shiny or reflective in any way, so I'm not buying the "magnified lashes claim". This mascara lasts very well, even through 9 hour work days this mascara doesn't flake or smudge at all. Today I wore it for 13 hours and it was still perfect when I took it off. PhotoReady 3D is slightly difficult to remove, but nothing an oil based makeup remover can't take care of. This isn't "pull your lashes" out difficult to remove or anything. *side glance at Maybelline Falsies* Revlon's PhotoReady 3D Volume mascara is my new favorite and I highly recommend it. Just two coats give me beautiful lashes that could almost pass as fake. I love the easy application, interesting brush, and very sleek packaging. I'd repurchase this mascara if I could get if for half price or if I had a coupon. I might even shell out for it full price, but probably not. I'm too cheap. D=
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyes -NYX - Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils- All
SparkleBunny37 4/23/2012 3:12:00 PM
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils are a "radiant eyeliner that doubles as an eyeshadow".These chubby pencils are some of NYX's most popular and talked about products. These shadow pencils are available in 32 shades, a "rainbow of vivid hues" according to NYX. These shadow/liners were made in Taiwan and are cruelty free and hypoallergenic. Each pencil retails for $4.50 or so, depending on where you buy. I purchased the three Jumbo Pencils I have at Ulta, but NYX can also be found at a variety of etailers, as well as select drugstores. NYX says these pencils are "sealed in a recyclable, eco-friendly case". By that, they mean a white, plastic, pencil-like tube with a clear plastic cap. Me and these plastic caps do not get along. They're made of a very flimsy, soft plastic that cracks a little more each time you put it back on the pencil. Because of these cracks, the caps have a hard time staying on, putting your pencils at risk for drying out. Despite these pencils being plastic, they are not automatic, you still need to sharpen them. Any double barreled sharpener will work, but both NYX and I recommend their pencil sharper. These pencil are pretty messy to sharpen. Many people favor depotting their jumbo pencils, there are multiple tutorials for doing so on YouTube. NYX says the formula of their jumbo pencils are a blend of mineral oil and powder, but I don't see "mineral oil" listed in the ingredients. Lolwat? The first few ingredients are beeswax, and a few other waxes. Even though they're wax based, these pencils don't have a waxy texture at all. They're pretty creamy, without being overly soft. They don't melt or break when used. Jumbo pencils apply smoothly to the eyelid in even strokes, but can skip a bit if your eyelid isn't taut. I suggest adding just a little bit of gentle resistance in the outer corner, without tugging on the skin. Though NYX classifies them as eyeliner, I don't recommend using them as such, unless you're seeking a very thick line, or want to create a smudgey look. While I'm pretty sure Jumbo pencils are waterline safe, you shouldn't bother, they disappear after a few blinks. As an eyeshadow, NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils aren't so hot. They never quite set, and crease within 20 minutes, and are gone within two hours, even with a primer. What most people use these pencils for is as a colored eyeshadow base. While they have a great texture to be used as a base, and they really do help intensify the color of any shadow placed over them, they still crease and smudge after 5 or 6 hours. If you need a bright look to last for only a little while, like for a photoshoot, or a quick trip out, these are great, but don't expect to look fantastic at the end of the day. I will admit, it's not complete the product's fault that I'm not a big fan. I didn't exactly choose the most practical colors. I have three Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils; Black Bean, a satiny black, Rocky Mountain Green, a bright emerald green, and Purple, a frosty blue purple. Do you reach for a frosty, blurple cream shadow every day? Me neither. Perhaps if I bought a more practical shade, like Milk or Cottage Cheese I'd use these more, but the bright, pretty colors drew me in. NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils are another one of those products that YouTube gururs and makeup fanatics seem to adore, and I can't get into. These are really a "meh" product for me. I don't regret buying them, as I do get some use from them, but I won't purchase any more shades. I don't get enough use to justify having a bunch of them, nor do they wear well enough for me. I recommend these if you're looking to play around with colorful eyeshadow bases or cream shadows, because they're good for the price. They might even work out well for you if you have dry lids. These pencils are an ok product, but personally, they're a skip in my book.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Clairol - Herbal Essences None Of Your Frizzness Smoothing Shampoo
SparkleBunny37 4/20/2012 10:49:00 PM
Herbal Essences' None of Your Frizzness Shampoo&Conditioner are the two lone products in this "line" of hair smoothing products. These "anti-frizz potions" are inspired by the smooth and soft hair of Asian women, according to the online product description. This hair care duo contains mandarin creme and pearl powder as smoothing agents, an as a clear ode to the East. I purchased this shampoo and conditioner at Rite Aid for a combined cost of just $3. Herbal Essences is a widely available brand, and their products are almost always on sale. These products were made in the USA of domestic and imported ingredients. Herbal Essences claims that they do not test on animals, but I've heard contrary information, so please check a source you trust before purchasing their products. Packaging for None of Your Frizzness is the same wavy shaped bottles with green pop up dispensers, as usual. This time, the bottles are both made of translucent, orange, recyclable plastic. The shampoo bottle stands upright ,the conditioner bottle is top down.The background on the bottle features silver, red, and orange curly designs. This line differs in that it doesn't feature a tagline on the bottle. Have no fear however, the much loved fun facts and trivia are still on the back of the bottle Herbal Essences claims you'll "sing the praises of your shower" when you smell None of Your Frizzness. They list the scent notes as "lush violet, zesty lemon, juicy pear, and sultry sandalwood". I have yet to burst into song because of this shampoo. Violet seems to be ever present in the scent descriptions of Herbal Essences shampoos and conditioners, but I can't pick it up when I give this one a whiff. The scent of this shampoo is very pear heavy, with hints of sandalwood. Out of the four Herbal Essences lines I've tried, this on is my least favorite, scent wise. That doesn't say much, because None of Your Frizzness still smells pretty good, just not quite as fantastic as the others. None of Your Frizzness shampoo is a pastel, pearly orange. I'm not a big fan of Herbal Essences creamy formula shampoos, because I need to use too much of them to get enough lather to cleanse my waist length hair. Aside from that, this shampoo does lather well, and gives a happy, slightly tingly feel to the scalp, from the mandarin perhaps? The conditioner is a coral colored, thick cream, the same consistency of any Herbal Essences conditioner. The conditioner spreads evenly through the hair, though I still need to use more than I'd like to. So how does None of Your Frizzness perform? It's none of your business. Lololollol no. I don't have particularly frizzy hair , but it does tend to get matted, and None of Your Frizzness honestly does help! My hair is over all much smoother, so it has been matting less. The matting I do get is much easier to brush out. When I first started having issues with matting, when I was 13 or so, my mum bought me this shampoo and leave in conditioner, and they were quite helpful then. Its good to know that even though I haven't used this hair care system in 6 years, it still works just as well. I really like None of Your Frizzness. It has a nostalgic feel for me, as well as really helping me with my only real hair issue. There's a few negatives to this hair care duo, such as having to use so much of it, but honestly, this is my favorite, most helpful Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner I've used. I'll definitely consider repurchasing this duo are I finish my review series.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -mark - Break Out Plan
SparkleBunny37 4/20/2012 4:10:00 PM
Mark.'s Break Out Plan is an anti-acne gel lotion that features apples and cinnamon to purify the skin, reduce oil, and deliver a boost of antioxidants. I've been using several sample packets of their product, and do not own the full size. The full sized, 1.7fl oz jar retails for a whopping $18! Mark. products are made in the USA, and are not tested on animals. Mark. makes no mention of this product being dermatologist tested. Packaging for Break Out Plan is a clear, plastic jar with a white, screw on cap. Much like Help Wanted, Break Out Plan features a pink Mark. logo written sideways, with the rest of the text written in black and red text. It's attractive, without being overly girly. It still looks like a skin care product that you'd take seriously. I've never been a fan of moisturizers in jars, I feel like I use more product that way, and it's not very sanitary. Break Out Plan is a slightly grey tinged, clear, watery gel. As I mentioned before, the formula features apples and cinnamon, as well as salicylic acid, meant to treat existent acne, and prevent new break outs. Mark. calls Break Out Plan's gel formula "lightweight". This moisturizer is meant to "reduce the appearance of redness associated with acne, while keeping pores clean and clear". I agree the Break Out Plan is lightweight. I've never used a gel lotion before, so I found the texture a little bit surprising and interesting. A little bit of this product goes a long way, which is great, considering the nearly $20 you'll pay for it. I do not like how this moisturizer feels. After it sinks in, (which is almost immediately after application) it begins to make my skin feel very tight and and dry, which is the direct opposite of what a moisturizer should do. It's very uncomfortable, and it makes my skin feel even drier than before "moisturizing". That doesn't sense make. I should also mention that this product shouldn't be used in the eye area. It will burn. Break Out Plan has an energizing, sweet apple cinnamon scent that is pleasant at first, but as you apply it, the apple cinnamon goodness turns into a gross, glue like scent. Do not like. I don't recommend Break Out Plan, and definitely will not be purchasing a full size version, for multiple reasons. The $18 price tag is ridiculous. I feel like if you have that much cash to blow on a moisturizer, you should go to Clinique or Lush. Additionally, I don't see the point of a product that calls it's self a moisturizer, but acts like a toner. Perhaps this would work out for someone with very oily skin, but I have some doubts. Tell me if this product has worked out for you. I feel like Mark.'s skin and bath products are some of the highlights of the brand, but they definitely missed the Mark. with Break Out Plan
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Polishes -Zoya - ivanka
SparkleBunny37 4/16/2012 11:59:00 PM
Zoya's nail lacquer in Ivanka is part of their 2010 Sparkle collection. Ivanka is a beautiful emerald green with plenty of glitter. Zoya polishes are formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthlate, and camphor free. Zoya products are made in the USA and are cruelty free. This is a professional brand, so you can't march into any old drugstore and pick up a few bottles. Zoya products can be purchased at zoya.com, select beauty suppliers, and I believe some Ultas. Each polish sells for $8 for .5 fl oz. I received this polish as a giveaway prize from TiffanyLacquer. Like I've said in each of my Zoya reviews, I really love their packaging. The rounded, rectangular bottle is made of thick, sturdy glass. The black cap is attached firmly to the top of the brush. The design is attractive, and looks pretty high end. Zoya's brushes are short, flat, with just the right amount of give and flex. Ivanka applies decently, but needs 3 coats to achieve full opacity. The first coat goes on very sheer and uneven, barely delivering any color. The second coat evens out, and adds a good amount of color, but a third coat is needed for full opacity. Ivanka would probably be pretty for layering as well. The color of Ivanka is so pretty. A bright, emerald green, chock full of green and gold micro glitter. Despite being a glitter finish, there is a matte quality to Ivanka that makes it quite interesting and unique. A mattified glitter with this much dimension is not common. Especially not in emerald green! Ivanka would look beautiful on most skin tones, but would look particularly amazing on someone with very dark skin. Zoya doesn't call Ivanka a fast drying polish, but it is. Each coat dries in roughly forty to fifty seconds, which is fast drying by my standards. Another quick note on Zoya polishes is that they seem to have less strong of a nail polish smell. If you're sensitive to the strong smell of nail polish, Zoya is a brand to keep in mind. Ivanka's wear is only ok. If this were any old polish, it would be good, but it's not what I'd expect from a professional brand like Zoya. Ivanka's tip wear starts the first day you apply it. By the third day of wear, it begins to chip irreparably. I'm not sure exactly what causes this chipping, because I haven't used my hands too much while wearing Ivanka, nor have I exposed them to a lot of water. This is my third time wearing Ivanka and it's never gotten past three days of wear. Disappointing. On a positive note, despite being a glitter polish, Ivanka isn't impossible to remove. I mean it's still moderately difficult, but nothing some acetone and a texturized cotton pad can't take care of. As mentioned in previous glitter polish reviews, I prefer to use a combination of soaking and pressure to remove a glitter polish, as vigorous rubbing can damage the nail. I really like Ivanka. The color is gorgeous and classy, suitable to any skin tone. I wouldn't really call it "wearable" by most people's standards though. It's quite flashy and eye catching, most would reserve a color like this for a date or event, not me though. I just wish the wear was better, some top coat would probably help it out. I recommend Ivanka if you're in the market for an interesting emerald green. It's certainly a unique polish. Though I won't be repurchasing Ivanka, because I'm not crazy about paying eight bucks for a nail polish, I do really like this lacquer.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Rio Rumberry Body Lotion
SparkleBunny37 4/16/2012 7:57:00 PM
Bath&BodyWorks Rio Rumberry is an "exotic blend of tropical berries, fresh papapya, and vanilla blossom". Bath&BodyWorks call their body lotion the perfect daily moisturizer, because of it's non greasy texture, and nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and shea butter. Bath&BodyWorks makes their products in the USA, and are a cruelty free company; they've even won an award from PETA (take that as you will). I got this 3fl oz travel sized bottle for free with a coupon, but you can purchase it for $5, or on a 3/$10 deal, like I usually do. The full, 8fl oz size sells for $11. Rio Rumberry is a limited edition scent that is currently being phased out, but if you act fast, you can still purchase it online or in store. Packaging is certainly eye catching, but I'm not sure if it's appealing, it's almost too much. I guess it's supposed to invoke the color's of Rio's Carnival n'at. Actually I'm probably reading too far into it, so let me just skip to a description. It's somewhat similar to Into the Wild's packaging, but way more outrageous. The bottle is opaque, bright purple plastic with a matching pop up cap. The name of the lotion is written in gold, metallic letters. The purple label features leopard spots in multiple bright colors. It's pretty intense. It's kinda like Wet Seal exploded onto a Bath&BodyWorks bottle. Fifteen year old girls will probably be drawn to this instantly because of that. I'm on the fence about Rio Rumberry's scent. Before I go on describing it though, let me list out the scent notes, according to Bath&BodyWorks' website. Top Notes: Thai Papaya, Tangelo, Fresh Coconut Water, Sparkling Summer Lemon Mid Notes: Tiare Flower, Plumeria, Watery Starfruit Dry Notes: Coconut Cream, Tahitian Vanilla, Indonesian Sandalwood. I'm going to be honest here. I don't know what most of those things smell like, but I'm going to do my best to describe the scent. Straight out of the bottle, Rio Rumberry smells like a mix of many tropical fruits, plumeria, and a little bit of vanilla. Very girly and fruity, typical to Bath&BodyWorks, but just a little bit more adventurous. I love fruity scents, and plumeria is one of my all time favorite scents, so Rio Rumberry should be a total win for me, but it's not. For some reason, Rio Rumberry just doesn't smell good on me. My mum described it as an "obnoxious peach" scent on me. After it dries down, it smells borderline medicinal, and most of the fruitiness goes away. The dried down scent smells strongly of overly ripe papaya and some floral scent I'm not familiar with. Do not like. I'm really disappointed, because I love how it smells straight out the bottle. The formulation of this body lotion is a little bit different from the average Bath&BodyWorks lotion. Straight out of the bottle, this lotion seems the same, white, non-greasy, with a thin consistency. But for some reason this lotion applies drier, needing less of it. It also sinks in much faster than usual. Despite the difference in application, the level of moisture I get from Rio Rumberry doesn't differ from the normal amount. It still leaves my skin silky and soft, comfortably moisturized. I don't see any difference in the ingredient list, so I'm assuming the difference in the lotion is a fluke. Rio Rumberry's scent only lingers on the skin for an hour or so before fading away. This is definitely a scent that wears best when layered. I'm not really a Rio Rumberry fan. It smells great in the bottle, but I just can't get past the strange, almost medicinal scent it morphs into on the skin. I can't describe the scent well either, as I'm not familiar with most of the scent notes, maybe it's just too tropical for me to appreciate. I'm kind of glad I got Rio Rumberry for free, since I don't like it. I do kinda like the "different (?)" formulation though. This is a skip for me.
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Lipstick -NYX - Femme
SparkleBunny37 4/11/2012 11:58:00 PM
NYX Round Lipstick in Femme is a bright pink-coral with a satin finish. Available in 126 shades, this super versatile line of lipsticks is paraben free, cruelty free, and hypoallergenic. I purchased this lipstick at Ulta for $4, for 4 grams of product. NYX is kinda hard to track down, but you can find it at Ulta, http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/, and http://cherryculture.com/, as well as select drugstores and e-tailers. This product is made in Taiwan. Every single time I review Round Lipsticks, I rave about the adorability and functionality of the packaging. A black twist up tube with matching cap that snaps of firmly. The tube is sturdy, and about 2 1/2 inches long, making it purse and pocket friendly. They're also clearly labeled, making storage super easy. The NYX logo is cute and girly, without over powering the sleek packaging. The color of Femme is a common one, but it has it's own personal complexity. Femme seems neutral to me, but I can't quite tell. Femme is very bright, making it perfectly on trend for the summer. It's a pink-coral, but it has a strong orange red tone to it. However the orange-red tones don't compromise the pink tones, but instead seem to balance them out. I suppose that's why it's neutral. Femme has a satiny finish when first applied, but as you wear it, it dries down to more of a matte finish, making it more wearable. Femme applies very easily, but you may need two swipes to get a fully opaque coat. The texture of Femme is just a little drier than your average NYX Round Lipstick. But this is a good thing. Because Femme isn't as slick and slippery as most of the range, it wears much better. No feathering or sliding off the lip, with a bit less transfering. However Femme still only manages to wear for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Some how NYX Rounds just can't stay on for longer than that. A lot of people complain about the sunscreen-like scent and taste of the NYX Round Lipsticks. Personally it doesn't bother me, but I thought it deserved a mention. I love Femme. It's my new favorite NYX Round Lipstick. The only thing average about it is the wear time. It's texture is much better than usual. Best of all, Femme is perfect for spring and summer's bright lip trend, while still being wearable. I'll be wearing Femme frequently this summer, and if I manage to work my way through the whole tube, I'll most likely repurchase.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Bath and Body Works - Sweet Pea body Lotion
SparkleBunny37 4/10/2012 1:15:00 AM
Bath&BodyWorks' Sweet Pea Body Lotion is supposed to smell like a "fruity floral scent that evokes the intoxicating, floral infused breezes of the Mediterranean." Sweet Pea is a Bath&BodyWorks Classic, and my personal favorite as well, even though I had a recent issue with it. Bath&BodyWorks are a cruelty free company that makes their products in the USA. Bath&BodyWorks claims that their lotions are the best daily moisturizer, because their non-greasy formula contains vitamin E, shea butter, and jojoba oil. This is my first full size Bath&BodyWorks product in a long time. I got it for free with a coupon, but full sized body lotions usually retail for $11. Great score, amirite? Packaging for the full sized body lotions is slightly different from the travel size ones that I'm used to. The cap, instead of plastic, is metal, and the curvy bottle, while shaped the same, is made of a slightly sturdier plastic. Sweet Pea's label is beautiful, it's what originally drew me to the scent. A bright pink and orange flower against a bright green background. I don't know what it is exactly, but something about Sweet Pea's imagery appeals to me so much. Bath&BodyWorks lists Sweet Pea's scent notes as Sweet Pea Petals, Watery Pear, Freesia, Fresh Raspberries, and Musk. I've gone into detail about Sweet Pea's scent in my reviews for the shower gel, and fine fragrance mist, so I won't keep repeating myself. I will say that, unlike the new fine fragrance mist, this is the Sweet Pea I fell in love with. I'm so glad to say that it's not the sugary, musky, heavy scent that I experienced with the new body spray. It's back to it's old, light, fruity, happy self, matching the shower gel and pocket bac perfectly. Sweet Pea's fruity, floral, lightness makes it seem like a young scent to me. I feel like it's a scent I'll eventually outgrow (if Bath&BodyWorks doesn't discontinue it first). Perhaps I'll move on to a fruity floral, but more sophisticated scent, like Paris Amour. But that won't be for a while. I'm still fascinated by Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea's body lotion formula isn't any different from the norm. White, thin, non-greasy, quick to absorb. This lotion leaves my skin feeling perfectly moisturized, with just enough of the scent left lingering behind for a couple hours, longer if I layer this with the shower gel. A good, solid lotion that never disappoints. Bath&BodyWorks have this down to a science. I'm glad I finally got a full size of Sweet Pea's body lotion. I'd blow through the travel size. I definitely recommend any Sweet Pea product (except the fine fragrance mist).It's a beautiful, fun scent with beautiful, fun packaging. It's feminine, but still playful, and has a slight sour note to it that makes it unique. I'll likely repurchase a full size of both the body lotion and shower gel next time I can score a deal on them.
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Concealers -Hard Candy - Glamoflauge Concealer
SparkleBunny37 4/9/2012 10:22:00 PM
Hard Candy's Glamoflauge Concealser is a set of two, heavy duty concealers, a liquid concealer, and a pencil. This concealer supposedly is pigmented enough to cover tattoos. Hard Candy is a former high end brand, sold at Sephora. It's now exclusively available at Walmart and Walmart.com. How the mighty have fallen. Hard Candy does not test their products on animals and makes their products in the US. Glamoflauge is only available in four to six shades, which is an unacceptably small range. I purchased this concealer at Walmart, in the shade Light, for $6 for 20g of product. Packaging for the liquid concealer is a clear squeeze tube with tribal tattoo designs, so you know it's cool! Removing the black plastic cap reveals a needle nose applicator the dispenses the product in a thin ribbon. Packaging is functional and kinda cute. I wonder if the tube got it's tribal tattoo in the late 90's when it was trendy, or more recently, for irony's sake. Before I move on to the bulk of the review, I'm going to talk about the concealer pencil. I don't know what to do with this thing! Hard Candy's included instructions say that it's for outlining your tattoo before concealing it, but I don't have any tatz that need concealing. I can't find any use for it. Halp? It seems well pigmented n'at, so I'd hate to just toss it out. No one else mentions the concealer pencil in their Glamoflauge reviews, so I guess no one else knows what to do with it either. Moving on to the liquid half of Glamoflauge. Nobody was kidding when they said this concealer is intensely pigmented, and you only need the smallest amount possible. They're like the OCC Lip Tars of concealing I guess. The texture of Glamoflauge liquid concealer is very thick. The kind of thickness that comes along with rich pigmentation. At first it feels very creamy, but the more you blend it and work it into the skin, the drier it gets, turning almost pasty in consistency. Hard Candy says that Glamoflauge blends into the skin seamlessly. Disagree. Glamoflauge sits on top of my skin, feeling heavy, uncomfortable, and mask-like. No me gusta. To be honest, I don't think Glamoflauge provides the super amazing coverage that everyone raves about. Don't get me wrong, it's good, but it's not Holy Grail good or anything. When it comes to under eye coverage, I feel like Rimmel's Match Perfection Concealer is better. Actually I don't think Glamoflauge should be used under the eye. It's too dry and has a tendency to cake and settle, which won't look very attractive. Though it may not be great for the under eye area, Glamoflauge does well at covering redness and pimples. However the way people talked about Glamoflauge, I thought it was going to be way more full coverage than it really is. Full coverage enough to cover my chicken pox scars, and the freckles left over from my childhood as a ginger. It doesn't. Not even with three coats. For the record, I don't normally try to cover up my freckles n'at, I was just trying to test out Hard Candy's "heavy duty coverage" claim. Because of how thick Glamoflauge is, it wears all day long. I guess it's dryness makes it a moisture magnet though, because this concealer cakes like no other on me. It's also very stubborn when it comes to removal. A facial wipe, or merely washing your face does not do the trick. For this concealer, I need a cotton round with some oil based remover on it. I guess it think's its a waterproof mascara. I forgot to talk about the coloration of this concealer. I have the lightest shade, Light, and in my opinion, it's not very light. It's at least a shade or two too dark for me. It's also quite yellow. This concealer tends to oxidize as well. It's not severe oxidization,but there's a definite orange cast to it that isn't there when first applied. Another point worth mentioning is the oil. When you open your tube of Glamoflauge for the first time, you will not get concealer out of it. You will get copious amounts of oil instead. At first it's straight up oil, but if you keep squeezing it out, it'll morph into a bizarre, icky oil-concealer mixture. Eventually, you'll squeeze most of the oil out, and then there'll be room in the tube for you to squish and mash the concealer and remaining oil back into the concealer. It kinda freaked me out at first, and I thought I got a bad tube, but this is a common complaint in reviews. I have really mixed feelings about Hard Candy's Glamoflauge Concealer. I feel like it's another one of those over hyped product, like Revlon Lip Butters or Maybelline Color Tattoos, that everyone gets excited about, and I find them to be only average. Glamoflauge covers well, but it's not Photoshop in a tube, like some say. For reals, I'm not sure how this stuff conceals tattoos if it can't even cover a few freckles with several coats. I'm definitely not a fan of the pasty, dry texture, or the pasty, dry wear. Removal is way harder than it should be fore any concealer. But on the bright side, it's a definite value win. You get a ton of product for a few bucks, and you only need to use a drop at a time. All in all, I don't think Hard Candy's Glamoflauge is a bad product, it's just not for me.
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Fragrances -Bath and Body Works - Sweet Pea Body Spray
SparkleBunny37 4/6/2012 2:07:00 AM
Bath&BodyWorks Sweet Pea Fine Fragrance Mist is their newly reformulated body spray, in one of the brand's most loved scents. Bath&BodyWorks also updated their description of Sweet Pea, calling a "fruity floral scent that evokes the intoxicating, floral infused breezes of the Mediterranean. I purchased the travel size version of this body spray for $3.34, on a 3/$10 deal. The regular retail price for the mini version is $6 for 3fl oz, the full size, 8 fl oz bottle is priced at $14. Bath&BodyWorks is a cruelty free brand, and make their products in the USA. Along with the reformulation, Bath&BodyWorks have also repackaged their fragrance mists. This makes me sad. I really liked the old packaging. It was minimalistic, plain, but chic. The new bottle is round, and made of transparent, hard plastic. Sweet Pea's bottle is a gradient, darkening from clear, to yellow, to green. The bottle features a bright pink flower, a more stylized version of the same Sweet Pea flower on the older bottles. There's another, lighter pin flower on the back of the bottle. It's a pretty details. The clear plastic spray mechanism displeases me. It's pretty hard to spray. Much harder to use than the spritzer on the old bottle. I'm not sure if it's defective or if they're all like that. Having been renamed "Fine Fragrance Mist", I was expecting the spray to come out in a finer spray (obvs). It does, much finer, so fine that it's almost a dry mist. It doesn't give the skin that wet feel most body sprays do. Not sure if like. I'm not sure if Bath&BodyWorks reformulated the scent of Sweet Pea along with the body spray. It smells very different from the three other Sweet Pea products I have (shower gel, body lotion, pocket bac). Bath&BodyWorks lists Sweet Pea's scent notes as sweet pea, watery pear, logan berry, rhubarb as top notes, cyclamen, raspberry, and freesia as mid notes, and musk as the base notes. The Sweet Pea I know and love is very fruity, heavy on the pear and rasberry, with a light floralness. Its bright and happy, with a slight sourness to it. The new Fine Fragrance Mist version of Sweet Pea is quite different. It smells heavily of alcohol when first sprayed on. Despite being a dryer body spray, it takes a long time to dry down from the alcohol to the actual scent. This isn't a problem I've ever had with any body spray brand. Once it does, I would never peg this scent as Sweet Pea. I asked my mum, who is admittedly not a Bath&BodyWorks aficionado, to smell the body spray, and compare it to the shower gel and body lotion, and she agrees that they smell nothing alike. So it's not just me having an olfactory failure. Instead of the happy, light, fruity floral scent I was looking for, the "new" Sweet Pea is a heavy, sugary, musky, and very alcoholic. Actually the longer I smell it, it smells like a house hold cleaner or the like. Do not like. Really I should take it back. This has to be defective, that or Bath&BodyWorks secretly changed the scent, if so, man the pitchforks. You know what else is real about about this new Fine Fragrance Mist? The lasting power. I can give myself several good spritzes of Sweet Pea, and not be able to smell it an hour later. Lolwat. Because of how often I need to reapply, I've gone through quite a lot of Sweet Pea already. Like I've gone through nearly as much of Sweet Pea in a few weeks, as I have gone through Midnight Pomegranate in 5 months, and I wear it nearly every day. I have so many issues with Sweet Pea's Fine Fragrance Mist, none of which I ever had with any other body spray, especially one from Bath&BodyWorks. I'm really, really unhappy about this. I expect better quality from this brand. I'm considering taking this product back, and I definitely plan to talk to someone from Bath&BodyWorks about it. Has anyone else had bad experiences with the new Fine Fragrance Mists? Or did I just get a bad bottle?
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Wet 'n' Wild - 424 Black Creme
SparkleBunny37 4/2/2012 10:35:00 PM
Wet n' Wild Wild Shine nail colors are 99 cent polishes available in 24 shades and a variety of finishes. Wet n' Wild promises a brilliant, super shiny finish. Wet n' Wild products are not tested on animals and are made in China. The formula of this polish is formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalate free. I purchased this polish at Rite Aid, but Wet n' Wild is available just about anywhere. Wild Shine Nail Colors have really unattractive, cheap packaging. A clear, glass rectangular bottle that tapers downwards slightly. The cap is grey plastic and is attached very loosely to the top of the brush. The label is peeling up in the corners and the words rub off the label with barely any contact. It's an all around fail. Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine Brushes are decent. The brush is long and flat with a lot of give and flexibility. The brush is pretty thin too, it takes me 4 strokes to cover my nail, and I have tiny little fingers. You could practically use it as a striper. The consistency of Black Creme is on the thicker side, bordering on goopy. It's nothing a drop or two of polish thinner or remover can't fix, but that's besides the point, since a new polish shouldn't be so thick. Despite being a little thicker than it should be, Black Creme applies in relatively smooth, even coats. Black Creme tends to vary in how many coats it needs. Sometimes it's fully opaque in one coat, other times it needs a little bit of help from a second coat. For the most part I feel like Black Creme can be classified as a one coater. It's pretty pigmented. Black Creme's name pretty much says it all. It's a deep, true black. No tints or tinges, and not a speck of shimmer to be found. It does have the brilliant, super shiny finish Wet n Wild promises, for like five minutes. Once fully dry, the Wild Shine becomes pretty tame. It dries down to a dull, almost rubbery finish that looks pretty awful. But don't worry, you won't have to deal with it for long. Black Creme starts chipping and peeling right away. Within minutes of application.Top coat doesn't help. Layering doesn't help. This is just one of those polishes that doesn't stay on no matter what you do. Do any of yinz have a polish like that? That come off straight away no matter what you do? God forbid you get your hands wet when you use Black Creme. Wet, peeling polish is the absolute worst. Now that I've dramatically established how bad the wear time is, I can actually give you a figure on how long you might be able to wear Black Creme. I've tried this polish 8 times, and I've never gotten a whole day's worth of wear. That's the height of unacceptability! K, so the wear time is appalling, but do you know what's actually pretty good about this polish? The dry time! It dries so quickly. This stuff barely even has a dry time it dries so quickly! I'd say each coat dries in under 20 seconds! I always think its so ironic that Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine polishes dry so much faster than their FastDry range. I don't know if I got a bad bottle of Black Creme, or if it's a fluke in an otherwise good line of nail polish. I've had several good polishes from the Wild Shine line, so I don't advise you to skip the line as a whole, but I do think you should pass over Black Creme. Unless you're punx and dig the chipped black polish look. I don't think Black Creme is even worth the dollar it costs. Normally I really like anything by Wet n' Wild but this polish is the epitome of fail. I have an extra Black Creme that my mum got me, not knowing I already have it. I'll be giving away the second bottle, hopefully someone else will have better luck with that bottle.
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Eye Shadow -Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Trio - I Dream of Greenie
SparkleBunny37 3/30/2012 11:49:00 PM
Wet n' Wild's Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in I Dream of Greenie obviously contains 3 green shadows. Wet n' Wild is known for their epic eyeshadows, so I had high expectations for this palette when I bought it. Wet n' Wild products are not tested on animals and are made in China. I purchased this trio at Ulta for a super affordable $2.99 Packaging for Wet n' Wild trios is kinda fail. A flimsy black palette with an equally flimsy, clear flip up lid. A sponge tip applicator and mini brush are included, but they're pretty poor quality, so I tossed them out. On the back of the palette Wet n' Wild gives you a small diagram showing you where to place the shadows, which are labeled to "take the guesswork out of creating the perfect eye look". Peeling the back label up will reveal a slightly more detailed diagram, and the ingredient list. I Dream of Greenie gives a nice selection of greens. The top, brow bone shade is a minty shade with a soft texture, so soft that you get a lot of residual powder after use. This shade was slightly damaged when I purchased, but it was no big deal really. The crease shade is a a leafy, cool green with a frost finish. This shade is buttery smooth with incredibly dense pigmentation. This shade gives a tad of fallout, but it's nothing to whine about The eyelid shade is truly unique, especially from such an affordable brand. A super bright green with a yellowed edge. The shade has a matte base with a bit of golden sparkle to it. We all know mattes aren't Wet n' Wild's strong point, and this shade is no different. It's not bad, just a little sheer, and needs to packed on to help it read it's full potential.Once built up it's intensely bright, my kind of color. I think Wet n' Wild created an excellent trio here. The colors work well together, but are also unique from each other. This is the kind of shade variance I was trying to tell Wet n' Wild about in my Pride Palette review. The texture of of all three shades is immaculate, specifically the the crease shade. It's the softest (good) eyeshadow I've ever owned. Pigmentation is equally win, except for the eyelid shade, which is still good, just a little sheer. Wear time is good, but not excellent. There's no creasing when worn over a primer, for upwards of eight hours. However, after hour 6 or so, there's a moderate amount of fading. The colors lose their vibrancy, but they're still apparent. I Dream of Greenie is a dream to work with. All three shadows are well pigmented and have great texture. These colors aren't for the faint of heart though. They're quite bright. I can handle it though. I have what it takes. In fact these greens are quite complimentary to my brown eyes. Carly over at The Science of Chic also recently reviewed this product and said that it reminded her of me. I hope I'm half as bright, easy to work with, and good quality as this trio. I likely won't repurchase I Dream of Greenie, because I can't see myself working all the way through it, but if I do, I'll pick it back up. It's certainly got me interested in more Wet n' Wild Color Icon trios.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No