Blush -Maybelline - Dream Bouncy Blush - Candy Coral
SparkleBunny37 2/1/2012 7:50:00 PM
Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes are cream blushes with a gel formula. They're meant to feel "light like a powder, yet melt into the skin like a cream". This product comes in 10 different colors. Maybelline products are tested on animals. This blush was made in Korea. This line of blushes is dermatologist and allergist tested, and is non-comedogenic. I purchased my Bouncy Blush at Ulta for $7.99 for 5.9 or .19oz of product. Packaging for the Dream Bouncy Blushes is too plain. For a product with a cute, playful name, I think Maybelline could've done better than a tan pan with clear lid. The logo is cute, but once again, Maybelline could've done better than just white. Why not aqua or yellow, they would've stood out more against the pink blushes. I mean, even my mum thinks this is a packaging failure. Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes have a unique texture, but I don't think "bouncy" is the write word to describe it. If they were actually bouncy, they'd spring back after you touched them, instead of just moving around. I think "squishy" would be a better descriptor, but "Dream Squishy Blushes" doesn't really have a ring to it. The texture of these blushes is soft and malleable, and really really fun to play with. Bouncy Blushes are meant to be applied and blended with your fingers. I use two fingers to pat the top of the product, and three fingers to blend it across the cheeks, in sweeping, semi-circular motions. The soft texture of these blushes makes them really easy to blend. Of course you can use a brush to apply these, if its dense enough and made of firm, synthetic fibers, but I prefer the results when blended with fingers. The coverage of this blush is really sheer, but buildable. It annoys me when people complain about them being sheer because they're supposed to be that way. Maybelline's website says so. How about doing some research before buying a product, or complaining about it? These blushes can be built up to have more color, worn sheerly for just a bit of dewy color, or layered under powder blushes. I like how Candy Coral looks with ELF's Natural Radiance Blush in Glow dusted over it. See swatches here. Candy Coral is a pretty coral that leans mostly pink with just hints of orange. It dries down to a satiny, dewy finish that gives you the look of a natural, glowing flush. It's a pretty effect. Candy Coral isn't the most flattering color for me, cause its a bit too warm. It might look better on me in spring and summer. The wear time for Dream Bouncy Blushes is poor. I only get about two to three hours of wear before Candy Coral fades away to almost nothing. It doesn't even get me through my short work days. I'd like to get at least six hours of wear from these, which you could probably get via layering, but on its own, Bouncy Blushes just can't stay put. To be honest, I kinda agree with everyone who says that Maybelline's Bouncy Blushes are gimmicky, novelty products. Now that I've reviewed it, once I get tired of squishing it around in the pan, I probably won't wear Candy Coral very often. The texture is fun and interesting, but that doesn't make up for the wear time failure. I can't complain about lack of pigmentation, because that's how this product is meant to function. I find the price tag a little bit too high for the amount of product you get. I'd like to see this more in the area of $5-6, instead of $8. I'd suggest getting these on sale if you really want them. If Maybelline tweaked the formulation slightly, these would be a much better product. I won't be repurchasing this shade, nor trying any other. I only recommend Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes if you're really curious about the texture, if you like layering blushes, or if you want a super subtle, natural, glowy blush without much color pay off.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Maybelline - Dream Bouncy Blush
SparkleBunny37 2/1/2012 7:50:00 PM
Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes are cream blushes with a gel formula. They're meant to feel "light like a powder, yet melt into the skin like a cream". This product comes in 10 different colors. Maybelline products are tested on animals. This blush was made in Korea. This line of blushes is dermatologist and allergist tested, and is non-comedogenic. I purchased my Bouncy Blush at Ulta for $7.99 for 5.9 or .19oz of product. Packaging for the Dream Bouncy Blushes is too plain. For a product with a cute, playful name, I think Maybelline could've done better than a tan pan with clear lid. The logo is cute, but once again, Maybelline could've done better than just white. Why not aqua or yellow, they would've stood out more against the pink blushes. I mean, even my mum thinks this is a packaging failure. Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes have a unique texture, but I don't think "bouncy" is the write word to describe it. If they were actually bouncy, they'd spring back after you touched them, instead of just moving around. I think "squishy" would be a better descriptor, but "Dream Squishy Blushes" doesn't really have a ring to it. The texture of these blushes is soft and malleable, and really really fun to play with. Bouncy Blushes are meant to be applied and blended with your fingers. I use two fingers to pat the top of the product, and three fingers to blend it across the cheeks, in sweeping, semi-circular motions. The soft texture of these blushes makes them really easy to blend. Of course you can use a brush to apply these, if its dense enough and made of firm, synthetic fibers, but I prefer the results when blended with fingers. The coverage of this blush is really sheer, but buildable. It annoys me when people complain about them being sheer because they're supposed to be that way. Maybelline's website says so. How about doing some research before buying a product, or complaining about it? These blushes can be built up to have more color, worn sheerly for just a bit of dewy color, or layered under powder blushes. I like how Candy Coral looks with ELF's Natural Radiance Blush in Glow dusted over it. See swatches here. Candy Coral is a pretty coral that leans mostly pink with just hints of orange. It dries down to a satiny, dewy finish that gives you the look of a natural, glowing flush. It's a pretty effect. Candy Coral isn't the most flattering color for me, cause its a bit too warm. It might look better on me in spring and summer. The wear time for Dream Bouncy Blushes is poor. I only get about two to three hours of wear before Candy Coral fades away to almost nothing. It doesn't even get me through my short work days. I'd like to get at least six hours of wear from these, which you could probably get via layering, but on its own, Bouncy Blushes just can't stay put. To be honest, I kinda agree with everyone who says that Maybelline's Bouncy Blushes are gimmicky, novelty products. Now that I've reviewed it, once I get tired of squishing it around in the pan, I probably won't wear Candy Coral very often. The texture is fun and interesting, but that doesn't make up for the wear time failure. I can't complain about lack of pigmentation, because that's how this product is meant to function. I find the price tag a little bit too high for the amount of product you get. I'd like to see this more in the area of $5-6, instead of $8. I'd suggest getting these on sale if you really want them. If Maybelline tweaked the formulation slightly, these would be a much better product. I won't be repurchasing this shade, nor trying any other. I only recommend Maybelline's Dream Bouncy Blushes if you're really curious about the texture, if you like layering blushes, or if you want a super subtle, natural, glowy blush without much color pay off.
13 out of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Palettes -mark - Super Flip Kit
SparkleBunny37 2/1/2012 2:49:00 AM
Mark.'s Super Flip Color Kit is a uniquely packaged palette containing 9 eyeshadows, 6 lip glosses, and 3 lipsticks. I received this as a part of my rep kit. It normally retails for $20. Mark. does not test on animals. This palette was made in China and contains 3.5g of product. The packaging of the Super Flip Color Kit is pretty innovative. The palette is heavy, the top half being shiny, reflective metal, the bottle sturdy plastic. The Mark. logo is written across the bottom of the palette. What makes the palette unique, is the flipping mechanism demonstrated in the picture above.Once opened, you'll find a nice sized mirror, and what appears to be your average eyeshadow palette. If you tilt the palette slightly, the palette pops up. Push the shadows down, and they'll flip over to reveal a lip palette. That's pretty cool. It'd be better if you didn't have to apply so much pressure to get the palettes to flip. It tends to result in a finger full of lip gloss or nicked eyeshadows. Boo. But (gloss covered) thumbs up for a cool concept. At least the glosses aren't right next to the shadows, getting all powdery and gross like in most multi-product palettes. The nine eyeshadows in the palette are swatched here. The colors are: Glitterati - q soft silver Dusk - a soft taupe Cushy - a shimmery cream color Pool - a light aqua with gold shimmer Java - a rich, burgundy tinged brown Fairy Dust - a soft peach Sepia - matte brown Piccadilly - matte purple Edge- matte black I'm gonna be frank about these shadows. Bar Java, and maybe Dusk or Fairy Dust, these shadows are pretty terribad. Horrawful even. They have good textures, but extremely poor color pay off. The matte shows are particularly bad because not only do they have very poor pay off, they apply very patchy as well. Even used wet, over primer, or base, these shadows have sub-par performance. It's unacceptable from any brand. I will give it to them that they wear well though. Moving onto the lip colors, which are swatched here. The six glosses are: OOPS! - a baby pink Bitten - a wine color Cutie - a mauvy-pink Pop - shimmery fuchsia Wow - shimmery amber Prima - shimmery mauve-pink The glosses are actually pretty good quality and have a good selection of colors. They're mint scented and give about 2 hours of wear. The three lipsticks are: Lucky - A warm red Plush - a nude shade Wild - cool red The lipsticks feel a little bit waxy on the lips, but I feel like thats universal for lipsticks in a pan. They have good color pay off and wear for about 2 hours. I thought the color choices were very smart. The lip side of the Super Flip Color Kit almost makes up for the mediocre eyeshadow side. That being said, I hate lip palettes. They're far to inconvenient for me. Either they're super unhygienic, because you have to use your fingers, or you have to carry a brush around with you. I mean, who goes out to dinner or coffee and afterwards whips out their lip palette and brush and paints their lip gloss back on? That's really impractical. The value of Mark.'s Super Flip Color Kit is really good. You're paying about $1 per shade, plus $2 for the cool compact. Mark's eyeshadows individually retail for $6 each. Their glosses go for $6.50, and their lipsticks for $11. If you bought each shade individually, you'd come to total of $126, so by purchasing the Super Flip Color Kit you're saving a ton of money. But are you sacrificing quality? I think so. Mark.'s shadows usually aren't this poor in quality as they are in this palette. A lot of companies do that, cut the quality of the product and sucker you into buying them in a convenient palette. I don't agree with it at all. Mark.'s Super Flip Color Kit is not a product I recommend. The shadows are appallingly bad. The lip colors are good, but I'm not sure they're worth buying the palette for. The packaging is pretty boss, but hard to operate, which can result in lost product. Super Flip might be a good gift to give to someone who isn't very into makeup, but that's about it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -Cover Girl - Natureluxe mousse mascara
SparkleBunny37 1/31/2012 1:20:00 AM
Covergirl's Natureluxe Mascara is a mousse mascara that claims to be 25% lighter than your average mascaras, because Covergirl removed the "heavy synthetic waxes" from their mascaras, and added "a touch of beeswax". Covergirl says the "light as air", mousse formula will give you "luxurious volume". This mascara is famous for the controversial add featuring Taylor Swift. Covergirl mascaras are hypoallergenic and opthalmologist tested. Covergirl manufactures their products in the US, and unfortunately, tests on animals. I purchased my tube of Natureluxe, in Very Black, at Ulta for $8.99 for .27fl oz, or 5g. Packaging is only ok. You can tell Covergirl is really trying to push the image of this mascara as natural. The tube is a light minty green and features the Covergirl logo in blue writing. There's a little leafy design on the tube, that means its environmentally friendly and all natural, right? I like the size of the tube. It's not another huge tube that takes up too much of the precious room in my mascara drawer. Natureluxe's brush is also a light minty green, at least before you dip it into the tube. It has rubber bristles that taper in towards the top. It's a good size for my eye shape, about an inch long. It's really not anything special. I do like that it's bristles aren't as sharp and scratchy as Lash Blast Volume's. Natureluxe applies nicely with absolutely no clumping, even with as many as 3 coats. That's pretty boss. The formula has a soft, whipped, moussey texture as promised. It's super dark and pigmented. At first I didn't like Natureluxe, but it turns out I was wearing it wrong. For optimal results, Natureluxe needs to be applies in two slow coats, allowed to partially dry in between. The results are really nice. Deep, dark, black lashes with a great amount of volume and length. Way better than what I expected. Natureluxe wears really well, no flakes or smudges at all, even in the greasy, hot kitchen. It's also true to its water resistant claim. Do you know how often I get splashed in the face with both water and grease, and this mascara stays put. #winning. Despite holding up wonderfully through the day, Natureluxe removes effortlessly with just a little bit of oil based makeup remover. It's restored my faith in waterproof mascara, after years of using Maybelline's removal-proof mascaras. I have a few qualms with this mascara too. Covergirl really wants to project a natural, good for your lashes image for this mascara. Why not actually branch out and make a bold move and make an actually natural mascara, instead of just adding a "touch of beeswax" into a formula that's full of parabens and other junk. Man up Covergirl. Honestly though, I can't say Natureluxe is bad for my lashes. It wears really light, it feels like I have bare lashes. It doesn't make my lashes fall out, nor does it give me itchy lashes. And since I've started wearing it, my lashes seem longer. That could just be coincidental though. Covergirl Natureluxe mascara is actually pretty good if you apply it well. It's a great mascara if you want your lashes to feel natural and look dramatic. Just don't get suckered into the natural claims. The packaging could be cuter, but that's not what I buy a mascara for, so I won't nitpick. This holds up great through my day, yet still removes easily, which is all I ask from a waterproof mascara. I'll likely repurchase this one more time, to last me until I quit in summer. I recommend it! n_n
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter
SparkleBunny37 1/27/2012 9:13:00 PM
Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are super trendy lipstick-lip balm hybrids. These are one of the most talked about new products along with Urban Decay's Naked 2 and Maybelline's Color Tattoos. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who isn't foaming at the mouth, raving about them (not that I don't like them). Revlon states that these lip butters contain mango, shea, and coconut butter to improve the moisture level in your lips and claim that 94% of women saw an improvement in their lips moisture level. Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are available at drugstores, Ulta, and mass retailers, but can be hard to find due to their explosive popularity. These lip butters come in a wide variety of shades, 20 I think. Revlon products are not tested on animals, but I've heard otherwise, so use at your own discretion. I purchased mine in the shade Cherry Tart, at Ulta for $7.49. Get ready for another rant on how much I love Revlon packaging. I think the packaging looks very high end and classy, while still being cute, fun, and modern. The cap is color coordinated with the shade of the product, so choosing a lip butter is pretty easy. In the case of Cherry Tart, the cap is bright red. The cap is a frosted plastic with a quilted design on two sides, which I believe is featured on all Color Burst lip products. The twist up mechanism is silver metal and twists easily. The base is black with the Revlon logo on it. Beautiful. You know your makeup looks cool when several men have told you how awesome your lipstick looks, or in the words of my roommate, "futuristic." The only small problem I have with these is I can't get the cap off very easily. I guess that might make it a little more purse-friendly though. Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters have a unique texture. They really do feel like a lip balm-lipstick hybrid, almost like a lip gloss in stick form. Though they're similar to a lip balm, I don't suggest mindlessly slathering them on, like I did the first time I used mine. I didn't expect them to have the same pigmentation as a sheer lipstick. Lip Butters definitely need the slower, more careful and precise application of a lipstick. I expected these to feel different on the lips. For one, I expected them to go on thinner. I also expected them to be more hydrating. Everyone goes on about how super moisturizing these are and I'm just not feeling it. Yes, they are a little more moisturizing than your average lipstick, but no where near as much as a balm. I'm kinda disappointed. When my lips need more hydration, I'll stick to chapstick or Vaseline. On the lips they feel like a thick gloss or a slightly wax lipstick. It's not particularly comfortable, and its almost distracting. Cherry Tart is a sheer, blue toned red. It's very flattering and easy to wear. I have a hard time finding wearable red lip products, because of how fair and cool toned I am. It's definitely wearable enough for day, and its usually what I wear to work. In the tube it shows a little bit of shimmer, but it doesn't transfer to the lips. Instead you get a pretty, glossy finish. Cherry Tart goes on fairly sheer, but can be built up to be a deeper, brighter red with multiple swipes. Wear time is good, longer than I expected. I get about an hour of glossiness and three or four hours of color. Pretty impressive for a product that's basically just a glorified lip balm. I expected an hour's wear at best. Overall, Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are a unique product that's a little bit over hyped. They give a pretty, sheer wash of color with nice shine and a bit of moisture, not to mention awesome packaging. However I think they're a little bit pricey for what they are. You also don't get a ton of product. I'm not sure how much you get exactly, but I feel like I'm working my way through Cherry Tart pretty fast, faster than normal. I want to get another one, maybe two, but I'll probably wait until they're on sale or I have a coupon. I shouldn't really bother to recommend Revlon Lip Butters, as you probably already have at least one. If not, jump on the band wagon and try one, you'll probably like something about it. Cherry Tart is a good choice for a wearable red lip. I'll probably repurchase it.
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Lipstick -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter - Cherry Tart
SparkleBunny37 1/27/2012 9:10:00 PM
Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are super trendy lipstick-lip balm hybrids. These are one of the most talked about new products along with Urban Decay's Naked 2 and Maybelline's Color Tattoos. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who isn't foaming at the mouth, raving about them (not that I don't like them). Revlon states that these lip butters contain mango, shea, and coconut butter to improve the moisture level in your lips and claim that 94% of women saw an improvement in their lips moisture level. Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are available at drugstores, Ulta, and mass retailers, but can be hard to find due to their explosive popularity. These lip butters come in a wide variety of shades, 20 I think. Revlon products are not tested on animals, but I've heard otherwise, so use at your own discretion. I purchased mine in the shade Cherry Tart, at Ulta for $7.49. Get ready for another rant on how much I love Revlon packaging. I think the packaging looks very high end and classy, while still being cute, fun, and modern. The cap is color coordinated with the shade of the product, so choosing a lip butter is pretty easy. In the case of Cherry Tart, the cap is bright red. The cap is a frosted plastic with a quilted design on two sides, which I believe is featured on all Color Burst lip products. The twist up mechanism is silver metal and twists easily. The base is black with the Revlon logo on it. Beautiful. You know your makeup looks cool when several men have told you how awesome your lipstick looks, or in the words of my roommate, "futuristic." The only small problem I have with these is I can't get the cap off very easily. I guess that might make it a little more purse-friendly though. Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters have a unique texture. They really do feel like a lip balm-lipstick hybrid, almost like a lip gloss in stick form. Though they're similar to a lip balm, I don't suggest mindlessly slathering them on, like I did the first time I used mine. I didn't expect them to have the same pigmentation as a sheer lipstick. Lip Butters definitely need the slower, more careful and precise application of a lipstick. I expected these to feel different on the lips. For one, I expected them to go on thinner. I also expected them to be more hydrating. Everyone goes on about how super moisturizing these are and I'm just not feeling it. Yes, they are a little more moisturizing than your average lipstick, but no where near as much as a balm. I'm kinda disappointed. When my lips need more hydration, I'll stick to chapstick or Vaseline. On the lips they feel like a thick gloss or a slightly wax lipstick. It's not particularly comfortable, and its almost distracting. Cherry Tart is a sheer, blue toned red. It's very flattering and easy to wear. I have a hard time finding wearable red lip products, because of how fair and cool toned I am. It's definitely wearable enough for day, and its usually what I wear to work. In the tube it shows a little bit of shimmer, but it doesn't transfer to the lips. Instead you get a pretty, glossy finish. Cherry Tart goes on fairly sheer, but can be built up to be a deeper, brighter red with multiple swipes. Wear time is good, longer than I expected. I get about an hour of glossiness and three or four hours of color. Pretty impressive for a product that's basically just a glorified lip balm. I expected an hour's wear at best. Overall, Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butters are a unique product that's a little bit over hyped. They give a pretty, sheer wash of color with nice shine and a bit of moisture, not to mention awesome packaging. However I think they're a little bit pricey for what they are. You also don't get a ton of product. I'm not sure how much you get exactly, but I feel like I'm working my way through Cherry Tart pretty fast, faster than normal. I want to get another one, maybe two, but I'll probably wait until they're on sale or I have a coupon. I shouldn't really bother to recommend Revlon Lip Butters, as you probably already have at least one. If not, jump on the band wagon and try one, you'll probably like something about it. Cherry Tart is a good choice for a wearable red lip. I'll probably repurchase it.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Clairol - Herbal Essences "Tousle Me Softly" Conditioner
SparkleBunny37 1/25/2012 3:20:00 PM
Herbal Essence's Tousle Me Softly Shampoo&Conditioner is a hair care duo that's supposed to give you soft, "imperfectly perfect" wavy hair. The shampoo is infused with wild violets and pomegranates, both of which I love. Herbal Essences claims their products are not tested on animals, but I've heard otherwise, so please do your own research and use at your own discretion. Herbal Essences products are made in the USA of US and Imported ingredients. This brand is widely available at drug and grocery stores, as well as stores like Ulta, Target, and more. I bought both the shampoo and conditioner for a combined prize of $5.89 at Rite Aid. Each bottle contains 12 fl oz of product. I think the packaging is attractive. The shampoo bottle stands upright and is made of thinner, see through purple plastic with a green cap. The conditioner bottle is made of thicker, opaque, purple plastic and stands cap down. Both bottles feature the tagline "Any Way You Work it, it's Still Hot". The bottles have the same unique, wavy shape most Herbal Essence products do. Both the shampoo and conditioner have the same scent, but it's stronger in the shampoo. Tousle Me Softly's scent notes include apricots, strawberries, pineapple, and violets, according to the website. I mostly pick up violets with a bit of strawberry. I can kinda pick up the apricot, but only in the conditioner. This is the kind of zesty floral-fruity scent that I love. It permeates the hair well without being overly strong, and the scent lasts a long time, sometimes a couple days. The conditioner is a thick cream with an almost whipped texture. It's a little strange. I feel like I need a lot of this product to thoroughly coat my hair. On the back of the bottle, it claims to be a detangling conditioner, but it does nothing for my hair, which tends to matte and get knotted. However it does make my hair super soft and shiny. I like this shampoo and conditioner set, but I have a question...what does it do? It doesn't make my hair anymore wavy than it already is (I have slight waves), nor does it make it any more wild or flippy like the commercial would lead you to believe. Then again I didn't use any of the styling products in tandem. I guess it adds a little bit of volume, but nothing extreme. So I guess this shampoo doesn't really live up to it's claims, but nonetheless, its a good shampoo. My hair is soft, silky, healthy, and shiny after I use it. It also smells fantastic and keeps my hair clean for a couple of days. Herbal Essences is almost always on sale, or has a coupon out, so these shampoos and conditioners are usually a good value. Pick Tousle Me Softly up if you're looking for a fruity floral shampoo that gives a little bit of volume. If not, skip it. I won't be repurchasing it, in favor of Long Term Relationship, also by Herbal Essences, to continue my review series on their shampoo/conditioner line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Clairol - Herbal Essences "Tousle Me Softly" Shampoo
SparkleBunny37 1/25/2012 3:19:00 PM
Herbal Essence's Tousle Me Softly Shampoo&Conditioner is a hair care duo that's supposed to give you soft, "imperfectly perfect" wavy hair. The shampoo is infused with wild violets and pomegranates, both of which I love. Herbal Essences claims their products are not tested on animals, but I've heard otherwise, so please do your own research and use at your own discretion. Herbal Essences products are made in the USA of US and Imported ingredients. This brand is widely available at drug and grocery stores, as well as stores like Ulta, Target, and more. I bought both the shampoo and conditioner for a combined prize of $5.89 at Rite Aid. Each bottle contains 12 fl oz of product. I think the packaging is attractive. The shampoo bottle stands upright and is made of thinner, see through purple plastic with a green cap. The conditioner bottle is made of thicker, opaque, purple plastic and stands cap down. Both bottles feature the tagline "Any Way You Work it, it's Still Hot". The bottles have the same unique, wavy shape most Herbal Essence products do. Both the shampoo and conditioner have the same scent, but it's stronger in the shampoo. Tousle Me Softly's scent notes include apricots, strawberries, pineapple, and violets, according to the website. I mostly pick up violets with a bit of strawberry. I can kinda pick up the apricot, but only in the conditioner. This is the kind of zesty floral-fruity scent that I love. It permeates the hair well without being overly strong, and the scent lasts a long time, sometimes a couple days. Tousle Me Softly Shampoo is a thin, bluish-purple gel. A little bit of this shampoo goes a long way and I tend to accidentally overuse it. It lathers very well without much effort. I usually let it sit in for 30 seconds or so before rinsing. I like this shampoo and conditioner set, but I have a question...what does it do? It doesn't make my hair anymore wavy than it already is (I have slight waves), nor does it make it any more wild or flippy like the commercial would lead you to believe. Then again I didn't use any of the styling products in tandem. I guess it adds a little bit of volume, but nothing extreme. So I guess this shampoo doesn't really live up to it's claims, but nonetheless, its a good shampoo. My hair is soft, silky, healthy, and shiny after I use it. It also smells fantastic and keeps my hair clean for a couple of days. Herbal Essences is almost always on sale, or has a coupon out, so these shampoos and conditioners are usually a good value. Pick Tousle Me Softly up if you're looking for a fruity floral shampoo that gives a little bit of volume. If not, skip it. I won't be repurchasing it, in favor of Long Term Relationship, also by Herbal Essences, to continue my review series on their shampoo/conditioner line.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Zoya - Robyn
SparkleBunny37 1/23/2012 8:28:00 PM
Zoya's Nail Enamel in Robyn is a bright blue polish with a cream finish. It's part of Zoya's Flash Collection. Zoya polishes are formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthlate, and camphor free, as well as cruelty free and made in the USA. These polishes are professional grade and are only available at http://zoya.com/, or select beauty supply stores, as well as some salons and spas. Each bottle retails for $8. I received mine as a giveaway prize from TiffanyLacquer. I really love the rounded rectangular shape of Zoya's bottles. It's cute and unique. The bottle is made of thick, sturdy feeling glass with a black, acrylic cap that's firmly attached to the top of the brush. Zoya's brushes are short and flat with the perfect amount of flex and give. Robyn's formula has just about the perfect consistency. It applies evenly and smoothly and was nearly opaque in one coat. You could probably get away with one thick coat, but I opted for 2 thinner coats. Robyn dried quite fast. Less than a minute, I estimate it at about 45 seconds, which I classify as a fast dry polish. I also find Zoya polishes scent to be a lot less potent than other brands. Robyn is a cream finish polish, but it dries down to a semi-matte finish. I find Robyn's name misleading, because it isn't anywhere near a robin's egg blue. Wouldn't you assume it'd be, considering the name? Robyn is much more of a bright, intense sky blue, or maybe a deep cyan, that verges on being neon. It's really pretty. I want to layer it with a blue glitter polish sometime. I think Robyn would look super pretty on someone with tan or dark skin. I wore this polish twice. Each time, it became irreparably chipped by day 2. It's also not particularly water-resistant and what was left of it peeled of in the bath. This polish chipped and peeled on me, regardless if I wore top and base coat or not. Considering that Zoya is a professional polish brand, I expect way better wear than just two days. I'll probably use this mostly on my toes from now on. Robyn also has the potential to stain your nails. The staining isn't awful, it just kinda tinges your nails blue. It made me look frost bitten. Not cute. :( I'm on the fence about Zoya's Robyn polish. I adore the color, packaging, finish, and application, but the wear time and staining aren't what I'd expect from a high quality polish brand. I won't be repurchasing because of the poor wear and high price tag. I only recommend Zoya's Robyn if you're absolutely in love with the color, or if you're sensitive to the smell of regular polishes.
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Eye Primer -E.L.F. - Eyelid Primer
SparkleBunny37 1/17/2012 4:16:00 PM
ELF Eyelid Primer is a primer that promises to "prep your eyelids for smoother, longer lasting crease-proof eyeshadow" All ELF products are vegan, hypo-allergenic, and non-comodogenic. ELF Eyelid Primer retails for $1 for .17 fl oz and can be purchased at http://www.eyeslipsface.com/, Target, Kmart or Big Lots. This primer is available in 4 shades, I'm reviewing the original "Sheer" shade. This is product I'm very familiar with and have used for nearly 2 years. It's often compared to the famous Urban Decay Primer Potion. ELF's Eyelid Prime comes packaged in a clear plastic tube with black plastic cap. The applicator is a doe foot, similar to what comes with most lip glosses. Like with most ELF products, the packaging is minimal and kinda cheap. I've had the wand snap off inside of the tube, thankfully the tube was practically empty, so I didn't end up wasting much. The name of the product is written on the tube in slightly raised, black letters,very plain. ELF Eyelid Primers are available in 4 colors, Sheer (flesh toned, shown above unblended), Champagne (shimmery light pink), Pearl (shimmery white), and Golden (soft gold). I've only used Sheer, but I plan on giving the other shades a go eventually. Sheer is exactly the color of my skin tone, when blended. I'm guilty of using it as a concealer when in a pinch. When blended out on the lid, Sheer becomes, as the name would imply, sheer. The texture of this primer is a little slippy and greasy when first applied. Once blended in it gives the lid a very smooth and even appearance and feel. This product truly does help shadows apply better and blend with more ease. I hate working with eyeshadows without this primer. ELF's Eyelid Primer only adds the slightest bit more intensity and brightness to the colors applied over it. I tend to rely on a white cream shadow base like CandyCrush's Cream Shadow Base or NYX White Eyeshadow Base. This primer is excellent for preventing creasing. I have only had creasing when using this primer under three different circumstances; 1. when using an extremely poor brand of baked mineral shadow, 2., On an extremely hot, 100F day I spent mostly outside, and 3., with Revlon Creme Illuminance shadows. Aside from those occasions, this primer helps eyeshadow stay put for upwards of 12 hours, even through 9 hour shifts in a hot, humid kitchen. In fact my eyeshadow would usually hold up better than the cashier's, who used Urban Decay Primer Potion. I can't really speak for how oily her lids are though. For the record, mine are slightly oily, and I can usually wear a shadow without primer for about 4 hours before it creases. This is the only primer I'm really interested in using, though I might get NYX's, just for variety's sake. I have consistent great results with ELF Eyelid Primer. Best of all, its extremely affordable at only $1, almost $20 cheaper than some of its competitors. It's also very readily available. This is a product I recommend for just about everyone to try. It might end up saving you some big bucks. This is definitely a holy grail product for me, and I never say that. It makes me feel like Graham Chapman. Unflattering.
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Polishes -Zoya - Charla
SparkleBunny37 1/14/2012 9:33:00 PM
Zoya's Nail Enamel in Charla is part of their Sparkle Collection from 2010. Charla is a deep, blue based teal loaded with green and gold shimmer. Zoya polishes are formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor free, and are made in the US. Zoya polishes retail for about $8, and are available at http://www.zoya.com/, or can be purchased at certain salons or spas. Zoya is considered a professional brand, and isn't sold at drugstores or most beauty stores. I received my bottle of Charla as a giveaway prize from Tiffany Lacquer. I really like the shape of Zoya's bottles Made of thick, sturdy feeling glass, with black acrylic caps. The shape of the bottle is interesting and somewhat unique, being a rounded rectangle that tapers from the top to the bottom. It's cute and seems to be really high quality. There doesn't seem to be any issues with the cap detaching from the top of the brush. FTW. Zoya's brushes are short, flat, and have a good amount of give and flexibility without being flimsy. Charla applies decently and needs 3 coats to get fully opaque. The first coat goes on quite sheer and uneven. The second coat evens everything out, but doesn't add much color. The third, and final coat adds a lot of needed opacity to Charla. Under a bright light, your nail line may still be visible, but it appears opaque in most lights. Close enough. Charla could also be good for laying, if you apply it in a very thin coat. I'll give it a try sometime and report back on the results. I think Charla is suitable for all skin tones, but would look really amazing on someone who is quite dark. I also feel like it suits short, square nails like mine best. Charla is an interesting and unique polish, one that I can't immediately think of a more affordable dupe for. Charla is a deep teal that leans mostly blue, with tons of gold and green micro shimmer. On the nail, it appears almost holographic. The sheer amount of green and gold glitter can make it appear emerald green in certain lights. It's really gorgeous. I think I'm going to get lots of use from this polish. Charla isn't specifically labeled as a fast drying polish, but it is. Each coat dries in about 30 to 45 seconds. For the note I consider anything that dries in under a minute to be fast drying, others may disagree though. Zoya polishes seem to not have as strong of a smell as other polishes, so this brand is good if you're very sensitive to the smell of nail polish. Charla wears well. I got about 4 days worth of wear from it with a small amount of tip wear, nothing that can't be fixed with a little touch up. Charla also is fairly water resistant. It survived two baths and two dish washings before it started to peel up in the corners slightly. I probably could've fixed it with a few dabs of top coat, but I mindlessly played with it instead, and wound up peeling it all off. Oops. If I hadn't done that and fixed it with top coat, I probably could've gotten atleast another day or two of wear. Overall, Charla is a great polish, it left me with a great impression of Zoya. It wears well and is a gorgeous, interesting color. Please let me know if you know of any drugstore dupes, as I probably won't repurchase this polish due to the price tag. If you don't mind paying a little extra for a pro-quality polish, Zoya is probably a great brand for you, one you probably already use.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Flavor Gloss
SparkleBunny37 1/13/2012 11:37:00 PM
Revlon's Colada Fizz Flavor Gloss is a coconut flavored lip gloss from their 2011 Summer Collection. There was a total of 7 or 8 shades, each had a matching nail polish. This was a limited edition collection that I lusted over all summer. I'm pretty sure Revlon does not test on animals, but I've found conflicting information, so do your own research and use with your own discretion. I purchased my gloss at Ulta for $4.79 for .5 fl oz or 15ml. Revlon Flavor Glosses come in a squeeze tube with a slant tip applicator, which is my favorite type. Colada Fizz's packaging is blue, and fades from the top to the bottom, to create a gradient look. At the top of the tube, there is a depiction of a coconut cut in half. I find it very appealing. The packaging is what made me choose this particular gloss, but I'm a sucker for anything blue, or with fruit on it, so this was a clear choice for me. Revlon, and the rest of the information is written on the tube in silver lettering. I'll try to cut it off there, before I go on another rant about how much I love Revlon packaging. Revlon flavor gloss has a good, even texture. Neither thick and tacky, or thin and runny, just a little bit sticky. Colada Fizz is glittery in the tube, but it doesn't really transfer on to the lip. The color is a very light, totally sheer blue. Obviously, like most sheer blue glosses, the blue tint doesn't show up on your lips. They just give your lips a cooler color, they're great for layering over warm toned lipsticks. Blue tinted glosses are also said to make your teeth look whiter and brighter, but I don't really notice it. Colada Fizz is coconut scented and flavored. Normally I hate coconut, but this has that special kind of coconut scent, that isn't disgusting. It's quite similar to the scent of Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration Shampoo. The finish of Revlon Flavor Glosses isn't anything unique. Just a shiny, pretty glossiness. I mentioned before that Flavor Glosses have a slant tip applicator, which isn't usually exciting or reviewable, but this gloss' applicator is soft is flexible. I thought it could make application different, but disappointingly, it doesn't. This gloss has fantastic wear time. It stays as glossy as when first applied for an impressive two to three hours, depending on how much talking/eating/drinking I do. After the initial couple hours of shininess, there is still a slight sheen for another hour or so. 4 hours of wear for a lip gloss is pretty great. I'm really impressed with this Revlon lip gloss, its the first one I tried, and I'm very interested in trying more now. The wear time and flavor of Flavor Glosses are great, and they're also a pretty good value. If you can still find these glosses (try your drugstore or Ulta's clearance section), pick some up! They're fantastic! I hope Revlon relaunches this lip gloss line next summer. I'll certainly repurchase Colada Fizz, and pick up more of the collection.
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Lipstick -NYX - #626 - Vitamin
SparkleBunny37 1/9/2012 2:24:00 AM
NYX Round Lipstick in Vitamin is a peachy coral with a satiny-shimmer finish. NYX Round Lipsticks are cruelty free, paraben-free, and hypoallergenic. They're manufactured in Taiwan. You get .14oz (4g) for $3.99. I purchased my tube at Ulta, but you can also find NYX on http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/, Cherry Culture, or if you're lucky, at your local drugstore. Packaging is cute, simple, functional, sleek, and sturdy. A simple, black plastic twist up tube with black cap. There is a clear plastic bit at the bottom with a piece of rubber in it, showing the shade of the lipstick. The name of the lipstick is also on top of the cap. The tube is about 2 1/2 inches long. Combine these three factors, and NYX Round Lipsticks are purse friendly and easy to store. They're also super cute. NYX Has a very girly logo, without looking juvenile or tacky. The color of Vitamin is a little complex. It's both peach and coral, with a hint of gold shimmer. The finish isn't really frosty, as much as a satin-shimmer hybrid. I like the finish, but the color really doesn't do it for me. My natural lip color is a fairly pigmented pink, and the warm neutralness of Vitamin really clashes with it, atl east when applied opaquely. When blotted off partially, it looks ok, but not that good. Vitamin isn't the best of the NYX Round Lipsticks I have when it comes to application. It applies kinda unevenly, and requires two swipes to get it opaque. It might be best to apply with a brush, or maybe your finger. I use a dabbing motion. Vitamin's texture is very smooth and silky, like all other NYX Rounds I've tried. It glides on easily. NYX's Round Lipsticks are neither drying, nor moisturizing. They feel comfortable on the lips without a balm underneath, but feel and look best with a gloss layered over. When worn partially blotted off, Vitamin wears a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours, which for me is a good amount of time. It's good for this line of lipstick, also, which isn't known for it's longevity. Vitamin wears well, it doesn't smudge or smear, nor does it bleed around the edges, so a lip liner or primer isn't necessary. NYX Round Lipsticks have a slightly chemically smell similar to sunscreen. Personally it doesn't bother me, but it does bother others, some go as far as to call it "disgusting". I can't really pick it up unless I sniff the lipstick in the tube, which is a really weird thing to do. In general, I like NYX Round Lipsticks, but Vitamin just does not flatter me. That doesn't make it a bad product, just not for me. It's a good lipstick that's better suited to those with warmer, tanner complexions. NYX Round Lipsticks are good quality, cute, very affordable, and available in a huge variety of colors. Give Vitamin a go if you like peachy-coral shades. It's pretty, especially for spring. I personally won't be repurchasing Vitamin, but recommend it if you're tan. I recommend Round Lipsticks, in general.
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Gels/Soaps -Bath and Body Works - Sweet Pea Shower Gel
SparkleBunny37 1/8/2012 12:20:00 AM
Bath&BodyWorks' Sweet Pea Shower Gel is a fruity-floral body wash that's said to smell like sweet pea and juicy pears, a Bath&BodyWorks Classic. I purchased it in store for $3.33 on a 3/$10 deal. The 3 fl oz travel size usually goes for $5, and the regular 8oz size goes for $10.50. Bath&BodyWorks products are not tested on animals, and are made in the USA. Packaging is the same curvy shape as the rest of Bath&BodyWorks' Signature Collection. The bottle is made of clear plastic and has a pink plastic cap. The packaging is recyclable. Sweet Pea's label is very appealing. It features a bright orange and pink flower against a green background. I really adore it. It caught my eye in the store and totally sold me. The gel is thin and pink. You don't need very much of it to wash your whole body, because it lathers extremely well. This shower gel's formula isn't anything special, honestly. It just keeps you clean and smelling good. It isn't moisturizing, drying, exfoliating, or irritating. Bath&BodyWorks says Sweet Pea's scent notes are Sweet Pea Petals, Watery Pear, Freesia, Fresh Raspberries, and Soft, Delicate Musk. Its apparently blended by master perfumers. Sweet Pea is slightly strong, and very fruity, with a hint of floral-ness. There's also a zesty sourness to it. This is the kind of scent I love! The base of Sweet Pea is definitely floral, but the fruitiness is what really catches your attention. Its easy to pick up both the raspberry and pear, they blend together great. I can't pick up any musk. Actually, I lied. If I take a super deep whiff of Sweet Pea I can smell the musk, but only a tiny bit. It's certainly delicate like they said. The scent of Sweet Pea is kinda strong, but also light if that makes sense? It's a great summer scent, I can definitely see this shower gel being very pleasant to use in a cold bath on a hot July or August day. Sweet Pea lingers on the skin for a couple hours. If layered with the matching body spray and/or lotion, it'd probably last all day. I also think Sweet Pea could mix well with a scent like Charmed Life. I really like Bath&BodyWorks Sweet Pea shower gel. The gel lathers well, a little goes a long way. The scent is fantastic. The packaging is really pretty. When purchased on one of Bath&BodyWorks' frequent deals, its also a very good value. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about Sweet Pea. Not many other people must have anything bad to say either, its one of Bath&BodyWork's most popular scents and is available in 37 different products. I definitely recommend this scent and will likely purchase the body spray, and perhaps repurchase the shower gel. Sweet Pea is full of fruity-floral win. this shower gel appears to be paraben free, but does contain a slew of other chemicals, as well as Red 40 dye, which some may object to.
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Mascara -mark - Scanda-Lash Hook Up Mascara
SparkleBunny37 1/2/2012 8:51:00 PM
Mark.'s Scandalash Mascara is part of their hook-up line. It's currently available in two shades, I think it used to be available in four. I have the shade Blacklash (black). Mark. products are not tested on animals, and made in the USA. I received this in my rep kit. It retails for $6.50 for 3.5g (.12 oz). Packaging is a small, plastic, brown tube about 2 inches long, with a black plastic cap. The cap is really small and hard to get a good grip on, making your mascara application more difficult. I suggest buying a hookup connector and attaching it to the cap,. It makes application easier and I think it improved the look of the product. If you're not familiar with Mark.'s hookup line, its a wide selection of mini-sized products, meant to be snapped together with a small connector, forming convenient, purse friendly duos. Scanadalash's brush is long and thin with dense traditional bristles. It's pretty basic. Here it is with a BIC pen for comparison. Scanadalash has a really dry formula similar to Almay's i-Color Intense mascara. This is supposed to be a thickening mascara but I feel like I get more length than thickness, not like I get a lot of either though. I feel like Scandalash doesn't really do much except add color and a little bit of length. Honestly, I think it weighs my lashes down, so much so that I need to curl them before and after application for them to be just a bit noticeable. Blacklash isn't a very dark shade of black, but more along the lines of a brownish black or soft black. I actually thought it was a dark brown when I first used it. This mascara doesn't wear well. Don't wear Scandalash if you're planning on doing even light activity, as even the smallest amount of sweat or water will cause it into a smudgy, flaky, clumpy disaster. It's really a mess. You don't even want to know what a lot of activity does to it. I've never had a mascara this messy. As you can imagine, since it doesn't stay on even when you want it to, Scandalash removes really easily with water alone with no left over residue. It removes so easily, that it takes your lashes along with it. Each time I've worn Scandalash, I've lost three to six eyelashes on each eye. That's extremely unacceptable. I have gaps in my lashes now, and I normallIy have very full lashes. Aside from not wearing well at all, Scandalash is also a value-fail. $6.50 for .12 oz. Less than half the size of a normal mascara, with a similar price. If you were to purchase a "full sized" version of this mascara, it would be around $15, not ok for a mascara that flakes off and causes lash loss. For that price, I'd be going for a high end mascara, or better yet, two drugstore ones. To top off the value-fail, I'm not sure if it's because this mascara is dry and hard to get out of the tube, or if I'm underestimating how little product you get in this, but I've worn Scandalash 10 to 12 times, and it seems like it's almost empty. I'm really displeased with Mark.'s Scandalash Mascara. It's messy, doesn't do much for your lashes, and is a horrible value. I'm glad I didn't pay for it, honestly. I rarely throw away a product for being awful, without trying to find every possible use for it first, but Scandalash will join an elite club of products that perform so poorly that I toss them out. It feels wasteful to me, but I'd rather waste a mascara I didn't pay for than compromise any more of my lashes. If you want to give Scanadalash a try, you can buy it from me here, but I honestly don't recommend it. Ingredients: Water, Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, PVP, Talc, Silica, Oleic Acid, Ozokerite, Polyisobutene, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Candellila Wax, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Carnauba Wax, Maltodextrin Soluble Mucoprotien, Pathenol, PVP/Dimethylaminothylmethacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Silicoaluminate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Dimethiconol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben May Contain: Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Carmine, Titanium Dioxides, Mica, Ferric Ferrocyanides There are definitely some undesirable ingredients. This mascara is NOT vegan
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