Lotions/ Creams -Vaseline - Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioning lotion
BethanyBez 1/15/2012 10:30:00 AM
You can't really go wrong with good old Vaseline. And the icing on the cake part of this product is twofold: Not only does it smell delicious (like coconut cream pie), it's also packaged attractively enough to be stored out in the open where you can reach for it day after day on your way out the door. Sure, it doesn't take the place of a spa treatment, but there's no denying that it softens up your dry patches well enough for everyday use, plain and simple. The lotion comes in a huge bottle, so there's no concern about getting what you paid for.The press-down dispenser is nice and sturdy, and leaves you with the right amount of product. The only downside is small: When it first goes on, it feels a tad greasy. But that effect disappears in a manner of seconds, as the lotion sinks into the skin quite quickly. I'll keep buying this for everyday use at our household, but I'll also be supplementing with some more heavy duty hand creams, scrubs, etc. for less frequent use.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eyeliner -Revlon - Colorstay Eyeliner
BethanyBez 1/14/2012 8:45:00 AM
I'm blonde and have fair skin, but I like a strong eye. For me, brown/black shade is dramatic without being too harsh (perfection). The color definitely stays. The crayon is smooth and easy to control. The thickness is just right - you get a nice, natural line that you can easily build on and smudge if you want to go for a smokier look (that said, there are a lot of products out there that are better for a truly smudgy, smoky eye, so if that's the look you typically go for, I would opt for a different liner). I love that you don't have to sharpen this liner, but the product does seem to run out quickly. I have to twist it to get a longer point each time I use it and before long... no more liner! Good for the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Sephora - Colorful Pro - Blue Eyes
BethanyBez 10/10/2011 10:03:00 AM
Lots of pluses with one big minus: I bought this because it included the white Sephora shadow I use as a highlighter, and I figured this palette was more bang for the buck because it came with some other pretty-looking shades for a more-than-fair price. All the colors are pretty and really do make my blue eyes pop. The packaging is nice and sturdy, although forget about trying to fit it into your makeup bag. And if you do want to follow the instructions for a smoky eye and a daytime eye, the steps are clear and yield pretty good results. You can also ignore the directions and mix and match the colors in whatever way you like without looking bizarre--everything goes together. My one complaint is pretty major, in my opinion. This stuff flakes like crazy once you put it on. I suggest doing your eyes first and then the rest of your makeup last because even if you blow or blot the excess off your brush, you'll need to remove flakes of shadow off your cheeks with eyemakeup remover once you apply these shadows. The biggest culprit is the navy blue, which I should probably mention also has the problem of not being as pigmented as one might hope for when it comes to a liner color. Despite these factors, I wasn't too disappointed. My expectations weren't super high because I've always had mixed opinons about Sephora shadows, and for the price, this palette had some really excellent colors and made my eyes look quite nice. After all the cleanup, that is.
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Cleansers -AcneFree - 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
BethanyBez 10/10/2011 9:49:00 AM
Incredibly impressed. When I became pregnant, my hormones made my skin think it was fourteen years old again. And for me, that is not a good thing. I had some big events to go to, and didn't have time to go to the derm to get a prescription medication. Instead, I went to the drugstore and scoured the skincare aisle to try and find something to add to my regimen that could potentially help, even just a little. I picked up the AcneFree package with the cleanser, lotion, and toner (all safe to use during pregnancy) because the packaging was impressive looking. "Better than Proactive," it boasted. And for three products, the price wasn't half bad (I think it was close to $30 including tax). My skin isn't super sensitive, but over 2% benzoyl peroxide certainly has the potential to dry it out or turn it red. Surprisingly, these products did neither. And right away I saw a huge difference, which I felt was incredible for something I had picked up off the shelf of a chain drugstore. Once I managed to get the big plastic case open, I was pleased with the sturdiness of the separate bottles. They don't fall over, they don't cave in, and they distribute the right amount of product. This stuff was a real lifesaver.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Clinique - Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion
BethanyBez 10/10/2011 9:36:00 AM
This is clearly not a lotion, so I don't know why it's labeled as such. It's a toner, but since you can see into the bottle (at least if you're working with a sample size like I was), you'll be able to tell there's a liquid inside and that if you were hoping for a lotion you can put this back on the shelf. I really have no words to describe this product. Not because it's that good, but because it did nothing for me. Okay, I guess if I had to rack my brain for SOMETHING memorable about it, I'd say that there was some toner that had collected itself at the top of the bottle and solidified into a crusty film. That was interesting. Oh, and the packaging is kind of pretty. The end.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -NARS - Laguna
BethanyBez 10/8/2011 10:30:00 AM
I actually picked this up as a blush/bronzer duo, but I figured I'd review the products separately since I had such different reactions to the two shades. I have fair skin, so I have to be careful when choosing my bronzers. This product was not too dark, nor too light on my skin, but it didn't blend as well as I was hoping for. I can't decide whether I like how matte it is or not. I certainly don't want any glitter, but too matte a bronzer can make my skin look a little diry. Overall however, I feel like this is a pretty good bronzer. Still, I've found just as good for less money, so I probably won't be buying it again.
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Blush -NARS - Orgasm Blush
BethanyBez 10/8/2011 10:24:00 AM
This product has certainly received a lot of positive hype over the years. And I can see why, even though I won't be purchasing it again myself. The color is nice and safe for many skin tones, and one stroke with a good blush brush deposits just the right amount of color. As usual, I give a thumbs up to the sturdiness of NARS packaging (no danger of the compact lid popping off or cracking here!), although the matte finish seem to collect powder and film like nothing else. Just picking up this product makes my hands dirty. But hey, c'est la vie when you're digging around in a makeup bag, eh? So why won't I be buying this product again? Because while the color is nice, in my opinion, it's just nothing special. I'm more interested in something a little more...interesting. I have fair skin, so you would think I'd shy away from the hot pinks and corals. But with the right technique you can make these brighter colors go on soft and light up your face in a way Orgasm just won't... even though the name makes you think you'd be sporting quite the glow.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Gels/Soaps -Dove - Visiblecare (NutriumMoisture)
BethanyBez 10/8/2011 10:08:00 AM
My sister suggested I buy this when I couldn't find the St. Ives body wash I usually purchase. She said it lasts a long time because it lathers up easily and that it really makes a visible impression on your skin. I was hesitant because it's much more expensive than St. Ives, which I think is an awesome deal for the money, but I went ahead and took her advice. I won't purchase it again. I ran out of the product right away. It did not lather up easily like my sister said, and the plastic bottle caved in with every squeeze. I had to push it back out into a regular bottle shape each time I used it. The one thing I liked about it is it did leave my skin well moisturized. No dryness, no itching. But I think I can find other products that have the same result for less money. Like my preferred St. Ives wash.
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Treatments -Stridex - Naturally Clear Acne Medication Pads
BethanyBez 10/8/2011 10:01:00 AM
I bought this when I couldn't find my regular Oxy pads at the drug store. I don't know if Stridex focuses its market on men, but there's something masculine about the packaging to me. I was skeptical about how well these would work when I didn't smell that familiar alcohol scent or feel the familiar burn. The pads are big and soft and smell a bit like oranges. But even though this is not what I'm used to, they seem to be working pretty well! I think I'll switch back to my old brand simply because I've become obsessively loyal, but I would recommend these for people who have sensitive skin and don't like using products that can feel a bit harsh. And if I can't find my regular brand in the stores, I'll pick this one up again.
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Mascara -Dejavu (Imju) - Fiberwig Lash Knockout
BethanyBez 4/1/2011 8:51:00 AM
The only reason I wouldn't purchase this mascara again is because I'm hooked on Maybelline Colossal. The latter gives you much more volume. But I was very impressed with the lengthening effect Fiberwig had, as well as how softly and smoothly it went on. Zero clumping, too. I don't think this product is falsies in a tube, but it's good stuff if you're looking for lots of length and no clumping... If you want volume you might want to keep looking.
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Blush -Estee Lauder - Blush All Day in Raspberry
BethanyBez 3/30/2011 10:23:00 AM
A pretty and very natural color that seems as if it would work best on fair complexions simply because it's not that pigmented--it took some layering for me to get it to show up. The packaging is nice and sturdy--no risk of tops snapping or twisting off. As for it lasting all day, it stayed put... but all my makeup does because I spray a finisher over it. Overall, I'd say this blush is nice, but nothing special.
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Mascara -Bare Escentuals - brushless mascara
BethanyBez 3/30/2011 10:21:00 AM
Is the wacky mascara wand craze over yet? Because I am really not feeling it. And this mascara covered stick is no exception; the result you get is probably identical to what would happen if you put your mascara on with your pinky - a bit of color, nothing more. This might be your thing if you're super au natural, but if you want lengthening and/or thickening, forget about it. I suppose the one upside is there's no clumping, but you get the same upside if you try to color your lashes with a ballpoint pen.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Smashbox - smashing zoom
BethanyBez 3/30/2011 10:19:00 AM
I'm not shy about makeup, but I still tend to steer clear from most green and blue shadows. They will always make me think of Mimi from the Drew Carey Show. But this pale, yet high-pigmented green is simply lovely. It's a light shade, but it isn't faint. In short, people will take notice without screeching, "Are you wearing green eyeshadow???" It's a bit sparkly, but in a soft, glowy way, not in a showgirl or twelve-year-old slumber party way. I like to wear just one layer all by itself to make my blue eyes pop. I think it would also go well with brown or hazel.
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Lipstick -NARS - Christina
BethanyBez 3/30/2011 10:18:00 AM
I thought this color would be too warm for my cool-tones complexion but, like so many of Nars' shades, it would probably work well on just about anyone. A touch of copper makes it just "spicy" enough; I wear it when I'm wanting something a little bit different. The texture is perfect--not at all drying, but nowhere near melty. It's easy to apply the product straight from the stick while managing to color well inside the lines. Finally, I love that matte NARS packaging. It's no-nonsense, yet modern. Yep, nothing bad to say here!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -L'Oreal - Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self-tanning Lotion
BethanyBez 3/27/2011 12:38:00 PM
Self-tanners, in my opinion, will never be perfect. It takes awhile to learn how to apply them properly, and in order to appreciate a product like this, you need patience and period of trial-and-error. While I'm not too fond of the shimmer in this lotion, I like that it's tinted so that you know where you applied it--it's easier to avoid streaks and pale spots this way. It has a bit of a funky smell, but most self-tanners smell far worse in my opinion. I think my favorite part about this lotion is the results show up almost instantly. I have very pale skin, and in no time at all this tanner gives me a natural glow that makes me feel perfectly comfortable in a pair of shorts. The description on the bottle makes it sound like this is a very gradual tanner, but in my experience, there's really no annoying waiting around period like there is with Jergens, etc. You can build it up over a few days without turning into an Oompah Loompah, however.
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