THE LATEST REVIEWS!
A Cult Favorite Made Better
Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm
Available in 6 shades: Honeysuckle, Tiger Lily, Pink Blossom, Hibiscus, Rose, and Red Dahlia
$6.99
Available at drugstores
This winter air has been rough on my lips, so balms have been my best defense. However, I've recently been experimenting with more everyday lip color. When I spotted Burt's Bees' newest product, I knew I had to have it.
I do like this tinted balm. It glides on smoother than the original Burt's Bees, and has proven itself to be an effective lip moisturizer. However, I definitely chose the wrong color. Hibiscus ended up being the exact same shade as my lips, which kind of defeats the purpose. I plan to get my hands on the Rose shade asap.
Bottom Line: A nice addition to the Burt's Bees line
Available in 6 shades: Honeysuckle, Tiger Lily, Pink Blossom, Hibiscus, Rose, and Red Dahlia
$6.99
Available at drugstores
This winter air has been rough on my lips, so balms have been my best defense. However, I've recently been experimenting with more everyday lip color. When I spotted Burt's Bees' newest product, I knew I had to have it.
I do like this tinted balm. It glides on smoother than the original Burt's Bees, and has proven itself to be an effective lip moisturizer. However, I definitely chose the wrong color. Hibiscus ended up being the exact same shade as my lips, which kind of defeats the purpose. I plan to get my hands on the Rose shade asap.
Bottom Line: A nice addition to the Burt's Bees line
So What Is It Made Of?
Picture courtesy of Birchbox
Zoya Feel Collection Nail Polish
Available in 6 shades
$8.00
Available online
In January's Birchbox (side note: I catch myself typing Bitchbox each time!), Zoya's Kendal polish was included. A pale lavender with a touch of gray undertones, I liked the look of it. Birchbox promised that it "goes on opaque and dries to a glossy cream finish." Yes, it did dry to a "glossy cream finish" (actually, that's the perfect description. However, the product itself failed to deliver as a polish.
I was really disappointed in the thin formula. Three coats still hadn't looked right; in fact, it looked awful. When I went to check out other reviews of the polish, I think I figured out why. Zoya creates it's colors without formaldehyde, tuolene, camphor, or dibutyl phthalate. Their shades are so safe that even pregnant women can wear them (I didn't even know pregnant women shouldn't wear nail polish).
Bottom Line: While reduced chemicals in most beauty products are a plus, unfortunately this nail polish just didn't deliver.
Available in 6 shades
$8.00
Available online
In January's Birchbox (side note: I catch myself typing Bitchbox each time!), Zoya's Kendal polish was included. A pale lavender with a touch of gray undertones, I liked the look of it. Birchbox promised that it "goes on opaque and dries to a glossy cream finish." Yes, it did dry to a "glossy cream finish" (actually, that's the perfect description. However, the product itself failed to deliver as a polish.
I was really disappointed in the thin formula. Three coats still hadn't looked right; in fact, it looked awful. When I went to check out other reviews of the polish, I think I figured out why. Zoya creates it's colors without formaldehyde, tuolene, camphor, or dibutyl phthalate. Their shades are so safe that even pregnant women can wear them (I didn't even know pregnant women shouldn't wear nail polish).
Bottom Line: While reduced chemicals in most beauty products are a plus, unfortunately this nail polish just didn't deliver.
stila Liner
stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
Available in 8 shades
$20
Available at Sephora
When I first saw this rich-colored eyeliner in Purple Tang, a blackish aubergine, I was excited. Adding a little oomph to my boring old brown eye palette is sometimes necessary. I was so impressed by how smoothly this liner went on. (Tip: Use a light touch!)
What I was not expecting was the glitter - that's right, glitter, not shimmer - that was far too obvious on my lash line. While I did like the deep purple shade, this is definitely not an everyday liner. But after a day of this on my peepers, I don't think it's good for nighttime either. The waterproof promise didn't deliver; I had dark raccoon-like eyes by the end of a long day.
Bottom Line: The creamy formula makes application a breeze, but the liner leaves something more to be desired.
Available in 8 shades
$20
Available at Sephora
When I first saw this rich-colored eyeliner in Purple Tang, a blackish aubergine, I was excited. Adding a little oomph to my boring old brown eye palette is sometimes necessary. I was so impressed by how smoothly this liner went on. (Tip: Use a light touch!)
What I was not expecting was the glitter - that's right, glitter, not shimmer - that was far too obvious on my lash line. While I did like the deep purple shade, this is definitely not an everyday liner. But after a day of this on my peepers, I don't think it's good for nighttime either. The waterproof promise didn't deliver; I had dark raccoon-like eyes by the end of a long day.
Bottom Line: The creamy formula makes application a breeze, but the liner leaves something more to be desired.
(Fancy) Dry Shampoo
Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo
$11.00 for 1.4 oz. or $23.00 for 5 oz.
Available at Sephora
Let me start out by saying that I love the smell of this dry shampoo. Volumizing it is. However - and this is a big however since we're talking dry shampoo here - I have found that it does not absorb oil as well as other dry shampoos (see below review).
Bottom Line: This product does a semi-decent job, in my opinion, but there are better options out there.
$11.00 for 1.4 oz. or $23.00 for 5 oz.
Available at Sephora
Let me start out by saying that I love the smell of this dry shampoo. Volumizing it is. However - and this is a big however since we're talking dry shampoo here - I have found that it does not absorb oil as well as other dry shampoos (see below review).
Bottom Line: This product does a semi-decent job, in my opinion, but there are better options out there.
Pucker Up
Jouer's Moisturizing Lip Gloss
Available in 24 shades (mine was a Birchbox special edition shade - "Birchbox Pink," shown)
$20.00
Available online
Appearing a tad too Barbie-pink, this lip gloss than came in December's Birchbox surprised me. Sheer gloss without the oft-present stickiness and fruity flavor, I was sold. I became an even bigger fan when I visited Jouer's site and went through the "Try It On" process. They give you four different skin tones side-by-side, and the colors seem true. I went with Riviera - looking forward to getting it!
Bottom Line: Yes, buy me!
Available in 24 shades (mine was a Birchbox special edition shade - "Birchbox Pink," shown)
$20.00
Available online
Appearing a tad too Barbie-pink, this lip gloss than came in December's Birchbox surprised me. Sheer gloss without the oft-present stickiness and fruity flavor, I was sold. I became an even bigger fan when I visited Jouer's site and went through the "Try It On" process. They give you four different skin tones side-by-side, and the colors seem true. I went with Riviera - looking forward to getting it!
Bottom Line: Yes, buy me!
Dying To Try
Because of my limited budget, I have an ever-growing list of products I NEED to get!
Top row, from left: Colorescience Pro Liquid Eyeliner Sealer ($20), Loreal Paris EverPure Smooth Deep Control Masque ($6.49), Boscia Luminizing Black Mask ($34)
Second row, from left: Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover with Soybean Oil & Lavender ($12), Benefit The POREfessional ($29), Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Alexandra Rose ($15)
Third row, from left: Orly Bonder Base Coat to fill in ridges ($7.99), Lemon Glycerine Finnish Hand Cream ($12), Tarte Cheek Stain ($30)
Bottom row: Luster Now Instant Whitening Toothpaste ($10)
Top row, from left: Colorescience Pro Liquid Eyeliner Sealer ($20), Loreal Paris EverPure Smooth Deep Control Masque ($6.49), Boscia Luminizing Black Mask ($34)
Second row, from left: Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover with Soybean Oil & Lavender ($12), Benefit The POREfessional ($29), Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Alexandra Rose ($15)
Third row, from left: Orly Bonder Base Coat to fill in ridges ($7.99), Lemon Glycerine Finnish Hand Cream ($12), Tarte Cheek Stain ($30)
Bottom row: Luster Now Instant Whitening Toothpaste ($10)
