Concealers -Maybelline - Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles
Pheebie 5/21/2013 5:58:00 PM
I was once again swayed to purchase something because of a glowing review on You Tube, but this time, I'm glad I did. This little guy is amazing and will always, always have a home in my makeup drawer / bag / stash. (I have the Brightener shade, by the way.) I use this product every single day. Not as a concealer, mind you (more on that in a moment), but as an eyeshadow base. And it is AMAZING. A.Maz.Ing. I have very oily eyelids (ew, gross, TMI, I know and I'm sorry, but it's a fact.) AND, lucky gal that I am, I live in one of the country's warmest and most humid climates. Woo hoo! That being said, I NEED an eyeshadow primer, by which I mean, one that actually works. Until now, only MAC Paint (in Untitled) & Urban Decay Primer Potion were the only things that came close to keeping my shadow from creasing and making the pigment last. While I still have both of those in my stash, it's this gem that I reach for over and over again. The packaging is quick and easy to work with, especially when you're pinched for time (and who isn't when getting ready in the morning?) I just twist the band to release a little product into the sponge, dab my index finger onto the applicator, and work it onto my eyelids. Voila. It blends into the skin so effortlessly, so softly - it feels and performs like a high end product. Love it, love it, LOVE IT. Now for the dark circle / under eye concealer aspect - I've never in my life found a product that truly 'conceals' the darkness under my eyes. I'll admit that I'm fortunate in that I don't have very dark under eye circles, so maybe that's why product after product lets me down in this department - it's like I'm calling more attention to the area by trying to cover something that's not really there to begin with. {shrug} In any event, if you've not already done so, do yourself a favor and pick up one of these the next time you're in the drugstore.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -NARS - Niagara
Pheebie 5/8/2013 3:18:00 PM
I was vaguely aware this shade existed, but to be honest, it never caught my eye until I saw it featured in a You Tube video. With my interest piqued, I decided to swatch it in Sephora and I fell . . . . in LOVE. There is something so stunning about this shade. I think part of the allure is in its elegant simplicity. It’s neither coral nor red. It’s not pinky or peachy. It is at once unique and universal. This is a lipstick you could wear to work on a boring old Tuesday or on date night with your special someone. Running out to pick up milk at the grocery store? Swipe on a bit of Niagara and you’ll instantly look pulled together. Job interview? Niagara says, “Hire me. I am reliable, fastidious, but not flashy.” As if the shade itself weren’t enough of a selling point, let’s discus the sumptuous, creamy texture and semi-matte finish, both of which work towards making this color all the more perfect. Ladies, if you have not already done so, do yourself an immense favor and treat yourself to this gem of a lipstick. You will not be disappointed.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Cerave - Hydrating Cleanser
Pheebie 4/10/2013 10:34:00 AM
Recently I got a little too enthusiastic about wanting to improve my skin – the texture, the tone, the whole bit. I used retinol serums, exfoliated, blended my own vitamin C serum, all in the name of better skin . . . and it was a disaster. I began breaking out, and when I wasn’t breaking out I was experiencing little bumps beneath my skin, redness and general irritation. Why didn’t my skin appreciate all I was trying to do for it? No matter – I realized I needed to put down the serums, step away from the exfoliators, and simply, gently, cleanse my skin. Enter CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. It’s super mild, doesn’t lather, and doesn’t really contain any ‘exciting’ ingredients. But it’s lovely – after just one use I could almost hear my skin sigh in relief. Rather than my skin feeling squeaky clean and tight, it just felt . . . nice. I should mention that because I have oily skin and live in a warm, humid climate, I first tried the Foaming Cleanser but found it a bit too drying for daily use, so I quickly switched to the Hydrating version and have been SO pleased with the results. My skin is soft, I've not had any breakouts (knock on wood!), and the little bumps and redness I was experiencing are gone. It could be my imagination, but I also believe my skin is less oily as well. Hmmmm. Also worth mentioning: I don’t wear heavy foundation – most days just a little CC cream and powder at the most, so I can’t vouch for the makeup removal capabilities, and I use an entirely different cleanser to remove eye makeup. BUT – if you’re looking for an affordable, readily available, gentle and effective cleanser (from a company that does not test on animals, by the way), give this one a try.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Urban Decay - Naked Palette
Pheebie 3/14/2013 9:54:00 AM
Highly-rated, much-hyped products usually let me down. I'm a tough critic and hard to please. That being said, I'm happy to say this palette has lived up to the rave reviews. UD shadows are nicely pigmented, easily blendable, and versatile. There are several shades within this collection that I've used both as shadow and as liner (Hustle, Creep, & Gunmetal). Sidecar is very sparkly, but for a night out, this will make your eyes say, "Notice me!" (Especially great on hazel peepers - hazel-eyed gals MUST try this shadow.) Perhaps my favorite color in the collection is Virgin. It reminds me so much of my beloved & ever-dwindling Sleepy, a limited edition MAC shadow. Virgin has the rare capability to make my eyes look bright and my face look "awake" and "rested" (people have acutally commented as such when I wear it - that alone makes this palette worth the price.) On a final note, I love the packaging. It's unique, plush, and luxurious. (Unlike the packaging for Naked 2 which looks cheap, cold, and industrial - yuck - but I won't go there just now.) If you've not yet taken the plunge and treated yourself to the original Naked palette, and can find it within your budget to do so, go for it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Too Faced - La Creme Color Drenched Lip Cream - Spice Spice Baby
Pheebie 3/13/2013 6:10:00 PM
I ordered this lipstick online and good golly, Miss Molly, if it didn't turn out to be just the most perfect 'natural' lip color for me. Not only does the color work perfectly with my (NW20) complexion, but the texture - oh goodness - the texture is amaaaazing. I can't recall the last time a lipstick went on so effortlessly and remained smooth and creamy for HOURS. Yes, HOURS (the all caps are intentional - it's that good). Color me impressed & happy . . . and now I want more of these lippies!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Mary Kay - Signature Lipstick in Sweet Nectar
Pheebie 3/13/2013 10:41:00 AM
{sigh} Once again I'm the gray cloud. I was so excited to try this lipstick based on the rave reviews here and a few You Tube videos I saw that talked it up. For me, it was just so-so. Color's not great on me and I don't find the texture to be all that special . . . for me this was over-priced (color incompatability aside, since that's not the lipstick's bad). I'll keep it in my stash and try to work with it a few more times, but I'm not impressed and will ultimately probably give it to someone whose complexion is more suited to this shade and who isn't bothered by slightly dry-textured, super-frosty lipsticks.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Wen by Chaz Dean - Mousse
Pheebie 3/7/2013 4:07:00 PM
I took two lippies off because I don't get consistent results from this product. When it works, it's amazing. Problem is, it doesn't always work. I've found that when the humidity and temperature are super low (which is very rare where I live, unfortunately), I'll get soft, shiny, well-defined curls. Increase the humidity and the temps and this does nothing for my hair. If it were 1/2 the cost, I'd consider repurchasing to use on those lovely winter days, but it's way too pricey for an under-performer, in my opinion. I have other styling products that cost a fraction of this mousse and provide consistent, reliable results, regardless of the weather conditions. I love Chaz, but in general I find his products to be way over-priced, even for the high-quality ingredients they contain.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -L'Oreal - Colour Caresse Shine Stain / Shine Caresse
Pheebie 2/28/2013 12:14:00 PM
I don't believe I have the words to express how much I adore this product. The first time I applied it, my mind was blown ~ my poor husband had to listen to me yammer on and on about how amazing it is. A few weeks prior to purchasing this, I'd dropped way too much cash on the YSL gloss stain, which proved to be a major disappointment. Because of that experience, I wasn't expecting much from the L'oreal version, but man, was I wrong. Currently I only have this in Eternally Nude, but I'll be purchasing more colors this weekend (thanks to Walgreens' sale). Even now, as I sit here typing this review, I can't get over how incredibly creamy this feels on my lips. It has staying power, but no tackiness, and it doesn't leave that odd line of "goo" that the YSL version does. I adore it - I hope they never discontinue!
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain (All Shades)
Pheebie 1/15/2013 2:11:00 PM
Having heard and read so many glowing reviews about this product, I was eager to treat myself to one. (I say “treat” because while I’m a product junkie, I’m not prone to spend SO much money on ONE lip product.) I swatched several shades in Sephora, looking for the one that would give me that perfect pale, but not too pale, lip. After much deliberation, I settled on shade Beige Aquarelle (No. 19). BIG disappointment – it looked as if I had nothing on my lips, and for $32 I wanted some sort of color payoff. I went back and exchanged it for Rose Pastelle (No. 18), thinking this would be it. {sigh} Nope. Unlike the previous shade, this one was obvious – but not in a good way. It left a goopy, gross line of glossy-goo where my lips met. Figuring I had simply applied too much, I tried again. And again. And – again. Sometimes I get my lips to look ‘okay’ and un-gunky with this product, but more often than not, it’s a total pain in the a** to apply and for $32, I expect perfection. Every. Single. Time. The ONLY redeeming quality about this product is that it does leave my lips feeling moist. But then again, so does just about every lip balm I have in my stash, and for far less moo-lah.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Treatments -eos - Lip Balm Sphere - Sweet Mint
Pheebie 1/8/2013 5:40:00 PM
I'm a sucker for lipbalms, cute packaging and low prices, so finding this little guy was a right up my alley. As others have mentioned, it's not *the* most moisturizing balm in the world, so if you're battling severe dryness, you'll need something more heavy duty (like good ol' Vaseline). But it's certainly nice to apply now and then throughout the day when your lips need just a little 'something.' The scent is light and fresh and I love the all natural ingredients. I definitely intend to purchase another 1 or 2 to keep on hand.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Giovanni - 50/50 Balanced Shampoo
Pheebie 12/26/2012 6:25:00 PM
I really like this shampoo. Usually I try to stick with co-washing as I find it’s better for my long, naturally curly hair; however, when I want to clarify or save time in the shower (co-washing takes me so much longer than shampooing!), this is the one I reach for to get my scalp and hair clean. It never leaves my hair dry or tangled, which is rare. I’ve tried several shampoos ~ sulfate-free, high-end, drugstore, all natural, full of chemicals ~ none have give me consistently good results until I stumbled upon this one by Giovanni. Love that it’s a cruelty-free company and full of healthy ingredients. I buy from Vitacost.com, since they have the best price around (under $5 a bottle). Also, you don’t need to use much, so a bottle will last quite a while.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -Revlon - Colorburst Lip Butter in Lollipop
Pheebie 11/21/2012 10:09:00 AM
I love the texture of this product. Yes, the color is on the bright side, but I tone it down with a quick blot & then by topping it with dab of gloss. I find this to be a moisturizing formula that doesn’t feel heavy or drying. My one complaint is that the twisting mechanism broke after only one week. I’ve never had that happen before, with Revlon or any other brand. It won’t stop me from trying other shades as I’m sure it was just a fluke, but I thought it was worth mentioning in case anyone else got a bunk tube.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lipstick -Revlon - Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - Honey
Pheebie 11/21/2012 9:58:00 AM
I am one tough customer. I'm not easily impressed and in this day of technological advancement, when a product makes all sorts of claims, they'd better be true. (They're usually not - I have an immense product graveyard.) These balm-stains are A.MAZ.ING. To say I adore them and want to sing their praises from the rooftops would be a serious understatment. I have several colors, with Honey being one of the more neutral, everyday, go-to shades in my collection. The texture is smooth and creamy, the color lasts and, unlike most lip stains, lipsticks, or alleged "balms," this one does not require me to top it with lipgloss in order to feel smooth & moist. My hat's off to Revlon on this product. I hope they never, ever, ever discontinue it. I'd be heart broken.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Focus 21 - Sea Plasma All Purpose Hair & Skin Moisturizer
Pheebie 11/15/2012 10:17:00 AM
How have I not heard about this product until now? Evidently it’s been around forever and has a dedicated following, which I am now happy to be a part of. I LOVE this stuff. It’s a great skin moisturizer and an amazing pick-me-up for my long, naturally curly hair, which seems shinier after using this ~ a good shiny, not oily or an 'I-applied-too-much-shine-serum' shiny. I spritz some on before bed and drift off to sleep while smelling the subtle fragrance, which reminds me of Coppertone sunscreen. I understand some may not care for it, but it brings back fond memories of my childhood, so I’m thrilled with it. The spray bottle makes this super convenient and quick to apply ~ who has time in the morning to slather on lotion and wait for it to sink in before getting dressed? If you do have that kind of time, I envy you, but you should try this product just the same simply because it’s awesome. Another thing I love: it's not tested on animals. :)
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Diamancel - The Tough Buffer #11
Pheebie 11/13/2012 1:23:00 PM
bought this buffer over 7 years ago and have been using it regularly ever since. It still works as though it were brand new ~ definitely worth the seemingly hefty price tag. Personally, I’d rather spend $50 on something I’ll have for more than 5 years that works exceptionally well than to keep spending $2 on drugstore pumice stones that don’t work nearly as well and get funky quickly, needing to be replaced. (And that’s saying something for me, because I have tight-wad tendencies from time-to-time.) I use this buffer on dry feet, rinse, then apply a little Burt’s Bees Coconut Crème (which is really a balm, but I digress). Pad around in your sock feet for about ½ an hour, or leave on overnight & you’ll have the softest feet on your block. (Sorry this turned into a cross-over review for BB, but I always use the two together.) Mind you, if I get lazy and don’t Diamancel (that’s right – I turned it into a verb), and ONLY use the Burt’s Bees crème, the results aren’t nearly as amazing, so I know the Diamancel is doing its job.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No