Thursday, October 31, 2013

Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $80 for 30ml

THE SKINNY: This smooth and silky cream left my skin feeling smooth and silky. But it's not really a serum. It's a thick lotion that I found too much for daytime use. I used it only at night and was pleased with the results from my little sample package.

My skin looked healthy and glowing.

Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum is designed to fight wrinkles, sagging and dullness, according to Shiseido.

KEEP OR TOSS: I used all the sample. It's too expensive for me to buy a full-size product.

CHECK IT OUT: Shiseido offers free shipping with a $50 purchase.

-- Tested by Shay

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Be a Bombshell Eyeliner


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $14

THE SKINNY: Although I had never heard of the Be a Bombshell line before, I am super-happy about this find in a recent Glossybox.

This eyeliner (I used Onyx) is unlike any other I have tried. The fat crayon-shaped liner acts like a liquid but goes on smooth like a pencil.

The felt tips makes application easy and the liner stays put all day long. The best part is that this liner really is a liquid but there is no drying time. (This eyeliner was almost worth the price of the Glossybox alone.)

I hope this brand gets in some of the stores I frequent soon, such as Sephora or Ulta. The company is pretty new and seems to be mostly an online venture.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Be a Bombshell comes in four colors. You can buy it direct.

-- Tested by Carrie



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blush

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $21

THE SKINNY: Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blush is a great blush. It goes on smoothly, blends easily and lasts all day.

This blush may be a powder, but it's almost creamy on the skin. It's not the least bit chalky and all the colors are designed to warm the cheeks. That means it looks more natural than most blushes I've tried, too.

The applicator brush that comes with the blush is basically worthless. I use a much-larger, fluffy brush to apply.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Clinique Soft-Pressed Powder Blush comes in eight colors.

-- Tested by Shay


Monday, October 28, 2013

Cover Girl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $8.99

THE SKINNY: Tinted lip balm is a wonderful thing in my book. That's why I liked Cover Girl's Jumbo Gloss Balm.

Cover Girl describes the effect as "sheer color," so I went with Ruby Twist, the brightest of the reds. The color looks horribly bright in the pencil but is very muted when it goes on.

Jumbo Gloss Balm is made with shea and mango butters. The color lasted about an hour, and the moisturizing effects about two hours.

Be warned, though. There's nothing glossy about this product. The finish is much more matte than anything else. But I like the moisturizing benefits of this lip product, so it gets a good mark from me.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This will be even better as a weather turns cooler.

CHECK IT OUT: Jumbo Gloss Balm comes in 16 colors.

-- Tested by Shay

Friday, October 25, 2013

Organix Biotin & Collagen Amplyfying Lotion

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $7.99

THE SKINNY: It's kind of weird to put something purple-hued in your hair, but Biotin & Collagen Amplyfying Lotion delivers something magical. So maybe purple-hued is appropriate.

This product delivers a perfect amount of texture to my fine hair without weighing it down or making it feel sticky. (It's not even sticky on my fingers, so you know it's good.) Best of all, my hair doesn't look greasy or dirty after a few hours.

Apply to wet hair and style. I use it nearly every day.

Organix uses Vitamin B7, wheat proteins and collagen to make this product.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This adds just enough tousle to my hair.

CHECK IT OUT: I grabbed this product during a recent trip to Ulta.

-- Tested by Shay


Thursday, October 24, 2013

Want to Try a New Beauty Box?

Most of the posts here on this blog are just reviews, but we have a little something extra today -- a coupon code to try the new MuseBox beauty box.

While I have not gotten my hands on a MuseBox yet, we did snag a coupon code that you can use to buy your own. Use code 20off (all lowercase) to get 20 percent off your first order.

Recent boxes have included beauty sponges, Smashbox lip gloss and Dior nail polish.

Boxes are shipped every other month -- we really like this because of the number of products that pile up with monthly subscriptions --  and cost $29.99 (U.S. shipping is free).

So go grab a box today. And tell us what you think about it!

Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liqiud Eyeliner

RATING (out of  5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $19

THE SKINNY: If you need an eyeliner to last all day and all night, Urban Decay's 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is for you.

It almost lasts too well. I had a hard time getting it all off nearly 24 hours after application.

What's nice about this liner is the color. It comes in 11 colors -- actual colors, not just black and brown. (I bought Retrograde, a dark blue and love it.) Each color looks like the package with hues that range from bright to more common.

I especially love the color options because I am seriously digging a colored liner and neutral eyeshadow these days.

Application is easy and less messy than some other liquid liners because the applicator is a super-skinny brush.

While this won't become my every day liner, it will be part of my special occasion rotation.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Find all 11 colors on the Urban Decay website. And if you use (Woodstock) pink or (ElDorado) yellow, we'd love to know how you are rocking that look.

-- Tested by Carrie

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $45

THE SKINNY: Sometimes you know a luxury brand the minute you open the package.

That is true of Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. I am not sure a liquid foundation could be any better than this one.

It glided on in a way I have never expereinced.

The scent was light, fresh and disappeared almost immediately. (Which I love -- a great scent during application that fades to make room for your signature fragrance.)

The color and coverage were flawless.

It lasted all day and contains SPF 15.

I was also very surprised at how affordable Vitalumiere Aqua is. At $45, it is more than a drugstore foundation, but not that much more than something you might pick up at Sephora. Plus, you use such a small amount, it will last a long time.

Chanel should just hire me to sell this stuff. But it really does sell itself.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This stuff is awesome.

CHECK IT OUT: Chanel's foundation is available in 10 shades online and at retailers such as Nordstrom.

-- Tested by Carrie

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Alterna 10-in-1 CC Hair Cream

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $25 for 2.5 ounces

THE SKINNY: I really think CC creams are overrated. SO I was especially skeptical about trying on for my hair.

But Alterna, a brand I am pretty partial to, proved me wrong. The Caviar CC Cream is a great leave-in product that helps your hair hold its style, softens and keeps it looking healthy.

What does this cream do? It claims to provide moisture, shine, smoothness, softness, UV protection, manageability, strength, anti-breakage, heat protection and hold.

I can vouch for the smoothness, softness and shine for sure. The others are a little harder to quantify. It does keep static and frizzes away too!

What is nice is that a small dollop goes a long way in wet hair or you can use an even smaller amount on dry hair as a finisher. (I prefer using it on wet hair to help protect against the blow dryer.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Alterna products are pretty widely available but this CC Cream is a Sephora exclusive.

-- Tested by Carrie

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Gnarly Whale Body Spray

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $16

THE SKINNY: This body spray by The Gnarly Whale in Pumpkin is fantastically fall.

Like the other products by this brand, it smells amazing. And the pumpkin scent will almost make you drool.

Plus the body spray is super-moisturizing and easy on your skin.

All of The Gnarly Whale products are 100 percent vegan and cruelty free. The company also uses natural antioxidants as preservatives in most of their products, and printed materials are made from recycled materials and paper. 

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: The Gnarly Whale, an independent brand, is quickly becoming a go-to product line. You can find it on Etsy.

-- Tested by Carrie

Friday, October 18, 2013

Pink Embrace Collection by Total Beauty


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $24.99 (includes shipping)

THE SKINNY: We've been talking about the Total Beauty Pink Embrace box all month because we are giving one away.

Enter the giveaway through Oct. 31.


But what's inside? We took a peek in the box to tell you what you'll find before you win or so you can decide if you want to buy one for yourself.

At first I will admit being a little disappointed in this box because the previous one also contained Dove Go Sleeveless Deodorant. (But I do like the product and can't really complain too much.)

The signature item in the box is a tube of Living Nature Precious Lipstick. It is a nice mauve-ish pink shade that intimidated me somewhat at first since I am not really a pink kind of girl. But it actually looked pretty good on. It has a nice matte finish and looked incredibly natural. (Plus with every purchase of this color (Precious), Living Nature is donating $1 to breast cancer research.

So if you are a lipstick girl and want this item. The box is a super value. You save close to $10 on the lipstick and get everything else as well.

I have to admit I have been a fan of recent boxes from Total Beauty Shops. This one would have appealed to me even more if I were more of a lipstick girl. But it is still a pretty good value; the items in the box retail for $53.39, not including the sample sizes.

Here's the full rundown of what you'll find inside:
  • Living Nature Precious Lipstick (Full size, $33.50)
  • Dove Go Sleeveless Deodorant (Full size, $4.79)
  • EVOLVh Shampoo (Travel size, $7)
  • EVOLVh Conditioner (Travel size, $8)
  • Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
  • LaLiciuos Vanilla Body Butter
  • Primavera Calming Moisture Cream 
KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. There's nothing in this box that I won't use.

CHECK IT OUT: This box goes on sale today and a percentage of proceeds will be donated to Triple Step Toward the Cure. Beauty Test Dummies readers can buy the box and get 15% off through Nov. 8 with coupon code PINK15.

-- Tested by Carrie 

DISCLOSURE: Total Beauty Shops provided the box for review and is providing the prize for the giveaway. The opinions stated are those of Beauty Test Dummies alone.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Total Beauty Collection for HSN Box



RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $19.95 (shipping is included)

THE SKINNY: The new Total Beauty Collection for HSN Box had a few great goodies inside. And we are showing you what's inside the box before it even goes on sale!

My favorites are the Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials eyeshadow primer and Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara. (I'll give you a brief review of each and tell you what else is in the box.)

Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials eyshadow primer goes on easy and has a pale base color. (I used "Bare.") It has done a great job of helping hold my eye color all day long and does not feel heavy or bother my contacts. The primer does a great job of concealing as well since the formula is a little thicker than some others I have tried. It comes in six shades and retails for $25, making this product alone is worth the price of the box.

Item No. 2 that I loved -- and also a great value in this box -- is Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23). The mascara has an almost perfect little brush that catches every lash with ease and coats with a black mascara that looks great all day. It does not budge, smear or flake (seriously). The brush is where the magic happens; it is thicker on the ends so your outside lashes get a little extra attention.

So without even looking at everything else in this box (although you should), these two items are worth $48 and you will use them. I promise. This is definitely a box worth checking out. (We'll have reviews of the rest of the items over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!)

What else is inside? Here's what you'll find:

KEEP OR TOSS: Most of the products in this box are a definite keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find this box exclusively from Total Beauty Shops beginning Oct. 31 and it will be unveiled HSN on Nov. 13. But you should act fast, these boxes tend to sell out quickly.

-- Tested by Carrie

BONUS GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one Total Beauty Collection box as part of the Pink Embrace campaign in October. Enter by Oct. 31. Good luck!


DISCLOSURE: Total Beauty Shops provided a box for review.
The opinions stated are those of Beauty Test Dummies alone.
 

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Gnarly Whale Sudsy Shampoo

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $17 for 8 ounces

THE SKINNY: This first thing I noticed about this shampoo was that it smelled like cake. So much so that I had to run out to the bakery later that day.

But the shampoo also did the trick, although it does take a little getting used to if you like thick shampoos.

The Gnarly Whale product is very thin and runny. (I wondered the first time if I would get a good lather.)

The answer is yes. It lathers nicely and cleans well. My hair looked better than it had in days after using this shampoo.

The downside is the bottle. Because the product is running and because it comes in a little pump bottle it is a little hard to get in your hand without a good bit of it running down the drain.

All of The Gnarly Whale products are 100 percent vegan and cruelty free. The company also uses natural antioxidants as preservatives in most of their products, and printed materials are made from recycled materials and paper. 

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find a ton of The Gnarly Whale's products -- including this one -- on Etsy. And as far as I can tell, they all smell amazing!

-- Tested by Carrie

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Cover FX Mineral Powder Foundation

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $35

THE SKINNY: Cover FX's Mineral Powder Foundation is a matte powder that is good for your skin. After a few weeks of wearing it, I've been pleasantly surprised by how much I like it.

The powder is a little chalky going onto my face, but I'm happy with the coverage. Best of it, it doesn't clog my pores or feel heavy on my skin. I generally wear this powder foundation over Urban Decay's Naked Skin BB cream.

The packaging of this product is nice, too. Instead of having to juggle the little sponge applicator to get to the powder, it has its own home in a separate compartment in the bottom of the case.

Cover FX got its start in 2000 in Canada as a source of good-for-your-skin makeup. Mineral Powder Foundation is made without gluten, mineral oil or talc.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep

CHECK IT OUT: Mineral Powder Foundation is available in 24 shades. I should have chosen one shade darker than I thought I needed.

-- Tested by Shay


Monday, October 14, 2013

Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $19

THE SKINNY: It's not really accurate to call this Cailyn Cosmetics product a lip balm. It's not creamy and definitely not moisturizing.

In fact, I found this pot of lip product to very dry. That made it difficult to apply, especially without lip liner.

I can't wear it without layering a gloss over it to add moisture.

Despite the issues, some things about the product. Let's start with the packaging, which includes a lip brush built into the cap of the bottle. That's handy.

The color -- mine is a matte red called "Big Apple" -- is rich and vivid. And it lasts for hours (even with gloss or real lip balm layered over top) and doesn't smudge. This product acts much more like a lip stain than anything else.

Cailyn Cosmetics says it makes this product with two types of wax and something called "3D Smart Fil Former," which helps the color stay in place.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep for now, but I'll probably toss in a few months.

CHECK IT OUT: Tinted Lip Balm comes in 18 colors.

-- Tested by Shay

Friday, October 11, 2013

It's So Big Volumizing Mascara

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $19.99

THE SKINNY: I have a half-dozen samples of mascara right now, so if you're not amazing, you get tossed. This mascara from Elizabeth Mott got tossed quickly.

The mascara felt a little oily going onto my lashes and didn't do much to lengthen or volumize them. It immediately began flaking off.

Don't waste your time.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Elizabeth Mott, a former jewelry designer, only sells two products -- this mascara and something called "the lash card," which is supposed to help you apply mascara without smudging it.

-- Tested by Shay

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Ritz Hazan Foaming Gloss for Golden Tones

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $26 for 5 ounces

THE SKINNY: If you're looking to pep up the existing color in your hair, Ritz Hazan Foaming Gloss is for you.

But be warned: This isn't a miracle product. It's a gloss so the effects are subtle.

Foaming gloss is easy to use and feels gentle. It's a wet foam that you pump into the palm of your hand and apply to freshly-shampooed hair. Let it sit on for a few minutes (I did it in the shower), then

After shampooing, apply gloss and leave in for several minutes, then rinse out and use conditioner. The gloss does ease any brassiness in your golden color and adds a ton of highlights and shine that are most noticeable in direct sunlight.

I think for $26, it's a good investment.

Ritz Hazan says this product is safe enough to use every day, but I'm not sure I would do that to my hair because it's fine and can turn straw-like fairly easily. I used twice over a two-week stretch and didn't have any issues.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This really will keep you from spending too much on salon highlights or over-processing your hair at home.

CHECK IT OUT: Ritz Hazan Foaming Gloss also comes in a shine booster and a product to tone down brassiness in blondes, brunettes and gray.

-- Tested by Shay

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Gnarly Whale Beach Waves

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $12

THE SKINNY: My boyfriend could not stop smelling my hair -- seriously!

Trying to take advantage of an East Coast Indian Summer, I broke out The Gnarly Whale's Beach Waves in Peach Orchard. My hair smelled amazing and I had the best, softest natural looking waves ever.

And did I mention how great it smelled?

I liked that the product only required a couple of spritzes to get the effect as well. Plus the waves were light and soft, not crunchy and hard like some other similar products.

Plus this is a company that you can feel good about supporting with your purchase. All of The Gnarly Whale products are 100 percent vegan and cruelty free. The company also uses natural antioxidants as preservatives in most of their products, and printed materials are made from recycled materials and paper.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: The Gnarly Whale is a small independent company selling on Etsy. I see big things ahead for these guys.

-- Tested by Carrie

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Novex Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $4.99

THE SKINNY: It seems like Brazilian Keratin hair treatments are all you are hearing about these days. (Almost every salon seems to offer one.)

And more companies are marketing at-home treatments as well such as the Novex Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment that came in a recent Glossybox.

The thick cream goes on hair to help replenish vitamins and give hair a healthier look. It applied well -- although it is thick and a little awkward to handle -- and was easy to rinse clean.

It made my hair soft -- as a deep conditioning treatment should -- but I can't say I noticed any other differences. And it seems a little too thick for regular use, as recommended on the jar.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. But I am not sure I will buy more.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find this treatment at Sally Beauty Supply stores.

-- Tested by Carrie 

Monday, October 7, 2013

TokyoMilk Dark: Tainted Love No. 62


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $36 for 1.6 ounce Eau de Parfum Spray

THE SKINNY: Although I had never seen or heard of TokyoMilk, I was pleased with the scent of Tainted Love No. 62.

The perfume spray has a warm scent that's not too feminine but does not venture into masculine aromas either. You can catch a mix of vanilla, spices and a hint of floral in the fragrance.

The scent is also pretty light and is work-appropriate with just a spritz. Sadly though the smell did not seem to hang around as long as I would have liked.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find the full TokyoMilk line, including this and other fragrances, at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie 

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Lorac Giveaway



Are you feeling lucky?  I hope so, because we have an awesome opportunity for you-a chance to win the gorgeous Lorac Private Affair eye makeup set you see above.  Aren't those colors stunning for fall?
 
What's included?
  • 0.19oz Eye Primer
  • 6 x 0.3 oz Eye Shadows in Creamy Beige With Pearl, Champagne Rose With Shimmer, Soft Taupe With Pearl, Platinum Grey With Pearl, Deep Wine With Shimmer, Black With Sparkle
  • Double-ended brush (blender and smudger)
  • 0.08 oz PRO Cream Eyeliner and Brush in Plum
  • 0.43 oz Multiplex 3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara 
All of these wonderful products are Sulfates and Pthalates free, and offers a range of opportunity for all of your private affairs.  It's a $49 vaue!  

For US residents the kit will be shipped directly from Sephora, but the giveaway is open Worldwide, if a winner is chosen from outside the US they will be sent the $49 via Paypal or Amazon Gift Card!  Giveaway ends on 10/17/13.  Entering the Rafflecopter agrees to the Terms and Conditions within.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Dove Go Sleeveless Deodorant


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $4.99

THE SKINNY: Dove's Go Sleeveless Deodorant was part of the Total Beauty What a Girl Needs Mystery Collection box (check out the full review) and is a great drugstore product.

As a fan of Dove for years, it's always great to try something new. And this product did not disappoint.

The product went on smooth and the "Soothing Chamomile" fragrance was light and not overpowering. What's great about Dove is that it never seems to dry my skin out. I will admit to switching between a variety of deodorant/antiperspirant products and always come back to the brand when my skin gets in a rut.

It also helps shield against some irritation from shaving, helping it live up to the "Go Sleeveless" name. While Dove does claim that this product will not rub off on clothes, it does happen with super dark colors. So be careful to avoid those unattractive white marks!

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find this product as drugstores, grocery stores and discount retailers.

-- Tested by Carrie 

DISCLOSURE: Total Beauty provided a sample box for review.
The opinions stated are those of Beauty Test Dummies alone.
 

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $42

THE SKINNY: After only one use, I am totally enamored by Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation.

I'd seen ads in magazines for the liquid foundation but never really thought twice about buying it. The serum uses argan oil -- which is pretty amazing stuff -- and I was worried that my combination skin might get a little too shiny.

Not at all.

This stuff went on smooth and matched by skin color perfectly (light/medium). The foundation did go one a light light (almost making me panic) but then "adjusted" nicely.

The finish was flawless ALL DAY LONG. Never a speck of shine or hint of dryness.

If you are planning a wedding or special event, this is your all-day solution! The foundation leave you looking flawless and almost like you are not wearing makeup at all -- seriously. (Maybe Josie Maran should hire me to sell this stuff.)

In addition to looking great this serum foundation also claims to help fight signs of aging. I can't vouch for that after only using a sample. It is also made without parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances.

There are only two (small) hangups: This is an expensive product and it is exclusive to Sephora.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation is available in three shades that adjust to your natural skin tone. Find it at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $12

THE SKINNY: Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil is supposed to be an "intensely pigmented" pencil.

Maybe it's because my shade -- obsidian -- is a matte color, but this pencil is just ho-hum. It's not very intense at all.

It's fairly easy to apply and has a good "pencil" texture. It's not creamy and stays put after you apply it. The color lasts about half a day before it begins to wear off.

Given all that, $12 seems a little expensive for what you get.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but it will probably find its way to the bottom of the eye product drawer.

CHECK IT OUT: Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil comes in 11 shades. Some are satin and some are matte.

-- Tested by Shay

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Join the Pink Embrace Campaign + Total Beauty Box Giveaway

Let's all join in the fight against breast cancer together.

We are partnering with month with Total Beauty Shops for the Pink Embrace Campaign for Beast Cancer Awareness month in October.

We are really proud of this partnership and you can join the campaign too. With just a click, you can help support Triple Step Toward the Cure, which raises breast cancer awareness and encourages everyone to embrace life and each other.

This is a campaign that means a lot. Almost all of us knows someone who has had breast cancer. (My grandmother is a proud survivor.) And any way to support those dealing with this horrible disease or to make steps toward a cure is a good thing.

HERE'S THE DEAL: For every Facebook "like" Total Beauty Shops gets, they will donate a beauty product to help women look and feel their best AND donate a percentage of proceeds from the October Total Beauty Collection box to Triple Step Toward the Cure.

THE GIVEAWAY: And there's something in it for you too! One Beauty Test Dummies reader will win a Total Beauty Collection Pink Embrace beauty box for supporting this campaign. (Enter using the Rafflecopter below.)

And we'll have a sneak peek at the box to share with you later this month. The contents of the box are still a mystery, but we can hardly wait to see what's inside! You can buy your own box beginning Oct. 18.

Let's start October off the right way -- Embrace Pink! Make sure to join the conversation using the hashtags #PinkEmbrace and #EmbraceLife on Facebook and Twitter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: Total Beauty Shops is providing the prize for this giveaway.
The opinions stated are those of Beauty Test Dummies alone.
   

Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Complexion Corrector

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $48

THE SKINNY: Peter Thomas Roth makes a perfectly fine CC cream. This moisturizer/corrector does everything it promises. It moisturizes. It covers up fine lines and blemishes. It evens out skin tone. It feels creamy on my skin.

But I wasn't blown away. And for $48, I really do expect to be blown away.

According to the advertising, an Amazonian superfruit rich in Vitamin C is what sets this CC cream apart. Peter Thomas Roth uses camu camu, a fruit with 30 times the Vitamin C of an average orange.

This CC cream is SPF 3 and comes in three shades. I tried both the light/medium and the medium/tan. My fair skin would need the light/medium most of the year and the medium/tan in summer.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep the sample, but a full size is a little pricy for me.

CHECK IT OUT: Find Peter Thomas Roth CC Cream at Sephora.

-- Tested by Shay