Friday, August 29, 2014

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $18

THE SKINNY: Lord & Berry's Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil is an OK black eye pencil that came in a recent Ipsy bag.

It's "dark black" and goes on smoothly. It lasts a few hours.

It doesn't inspire me to write much more.

The reality is that I have half a dozen other black eyeliners that are better. Start with Urban Decay's 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil comes in six colors.

-- Tested by Shay


Thursday, August 28, 2014

Revlon Bold Laquer Mascara

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $7.99

THE SKINNY: I like Revlon Bold Laquer Mascara for a drugstore mascara. I just happen to be a bit of a premium mascara snob.

The formula was thick and seemed to have little fibers that made my lashes long and separated nicely. But I wasn't a fan of the wand or bristles. They just weren't designed well enough to coat without having to go across lashes multiple times.

Revlon claims the mascara adds shine, but I did not notice any shine at all.

The waterproof formula did stick to lashes well without flaking.

Seriously, if I was not so snobby about mascara, this would be a great option. But I am just too addicted to bareMinerals Lash Domination right now.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: This mascara comes in Black, Blackest Black and Blackened Brown; find a retailer near you.

-- Tested by Carrie

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Bliss Triple Oxygen Cleanser

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $28 for 5 ounces

THE SKINNY: This is a nice foam cleanser that packs a good punch against makeup and mascara.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Cleanser smells fresh, goes on clean and leave skin feeling pretty good. (I really am a fan of foam cleansers.)

But I can't see where it really stands out over other products. And $28 seems a bit much for a cleanser that really is not any better or different than some much less expensive alternatives.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Bliss has a whole line of Triple Oxygen products that you can find at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $7.99

THE SKINNY: This power duo of polish and topcoat lasted longer than anything else I have tried -- ever!

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy is a two-step process with a base coat/color and then top coat. It goes on (and comes off) like regular polish though, so don't be fooled by "gel" in the name.

But it stays on like a gel. It is super shiny and smooth like a gel. (I used "Beginner's Luck," a pale but shimmery nude.)

I can normally keep nail polish for a day before it starts to chip. This polish never chipped or wore down. (I removed it after a week because I could see where it was growing out.)

I was very skeptical about this polish and top coat before buying but it works so much better than I expected. Now I only wonder ... will the topcoat protect any nail polish this well? (I plan to try that experiment next and report back.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. And go get more!

CHECK IT OUT: See all 30 shades from Revlon and buy at grocery or drugstores everywhere.

-- Tested by Carrie

Monday, August 25, 2014

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $22

THE SKINNY: Urban Decay promises "bigger, blacker, badder lashes" with this lengthening and volumizing mascara, and it's true.

It's also not as dark and dramatic as I expected it to be, so this mascara is perfect for everyday use. It makes my lashes look full and happy.

The tube comes with a nice caterpillar-type brush that catches every lash. The mascara is pretty creamy but stays put for the day. Then it comes off fairly easily with cleanser and water, although I'd recommend a makeup remover to get every bit off your lashes at night.

I'm impressed.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Urban Decay says to use Subversion Lash Primer with Perversion Mascara.

-- Tested by Shay

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Garnier Clean+ Balancing Gel Exfoliator

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $5.99

THE SKINNY: I liked the smell and feel of this gel cleaner, but I wasn't convinced it actually cleaned my face. It also had a little trouble getting mascara off.

What I like about this cleanser is the feel of it. The gel is soothing and filled with little gel beads that were incredibly soft for an exfoliator.

Garnier says this cleanser is designed for combination skin. The gel helps get rid of oil and soften with grapefruit and pomegranate.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. The little gel beads are nice for a morning shower.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Garnier products just about everywhere that sells soap.

-- Tested by Shay

Nails Inc. in Baker Street

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $9.50

THE SKINNY: This bright blue polish from Nails Inc.'s Bling It On London collection is really bright and perfect for summer. Unfortunately, the polish itself leaves a little to be desired.

The consistency is a little thin and I really needed two coats before it looked OK on my nails. It chipped after three days, too.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I do like the color.

CHECK IT OUT: Nails Inc. says this is its best-selling blue polish.

-- Tested by Shay

Monday, August 18, 2014

MD Solar Science Mineral Tinted Creme


RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $32

THE SKINNY: I knew nothing about MD Solar Science Mineral Tinted Creme when this little packet came as a sample from Sephora. But as I read a little about it, the idea seemed nice: A mineral sunscreen that doubles as a face primer.

Great idea. But it is so silky that my makeup practically slid off. Dusting on a powder did not even really help.

The good news is the mineral sunscreen did feel good. Coverage was OK for a tinted cream and it blended nicely. But it seems like this would only work for a day at the pool. And I am not sure I need tinted sunscreen for that.

So while this seems like a great idea. It did not quite work in reality. And this is a $32 sunscreen ... so it needs to be pretty close to perfect.

KEEP OR TOSS: Still a little undecided on this one.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn more from MD Solar Science.

-- Tested by Carrie

Friday, August 15, 2014

Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $38 for 3.4 ounces

THE SKINNY: I recently read in Allure magazine that argan oil can leave a little unwanted color behind if you have light-colored hair. (Typically in the form of a reddish tint.)

Bumble & Bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil packs most of the same benefits of argan oil for hair but in a clear oil. (It's actually a blend of six oils.) This product sprays on damp hair and then you style as usual to help add shine and softness and time flyaway strands.

It works pretty well but you have to be careful with it. Too many spritzes and hair just looks ... well ... oily. (I have this same issue with argan oil products as well.)

But I do like the coating quite a bit for a day at the pool or beach. The oil also provides a UV protective layer to help shield your color from the sun.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Bumble & Bumble is available from the retailer and Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask


RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $30

THE SKINNY: There's something about a peel-off mask that I just like. Whether it works or not, peeling the layer from my skin just feels cleansing.

Fab First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Purifying Mask has the feeling for sure. It goes on with a minty tingle and peels flawlessly. I am not sure if my skin actually looked better afterward or if it was all in my head though.

One real warning about this product -- the mast is bright red. Like nail polish or lipstick. I was pretty shocked when I ripped open the packet to find that color. (The mask is made with red clay, hence the hue.)

And it takes every bit of 20 minutes to dry. So you will need some time to hide your red-faced self from the world while it does its thing.

This mask is designed for skin like mine which has a few "problem areas." According to the label, "it regulates excess sebum, and eliminates clogged pores. In addition, mineral rich red clay reduces congestive pigmentation in problem areas where pimples previously formed and improves the skin’s texture."

But for me, it was worth it. I just love the super clean feeling a peel-off mask provides.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Even at $30, I will likely be looking for this product at Sephora soon.

-- Tested by Carrie

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $38.50

THE SKINNY: Serious Skincare Glycolic Gommage Exfoliating Facial is a mask that's difficult to use but left my skin incredibly soft and refreshed.

This is an exfoliating mask that smells like a rich clay mask but with a fine and slightly sharp grit.

Because of the grit, you have to apply it to wet skin. But the product starts to dissolve as soon as it touches water. So you need a damp face and dry hands.

Massage on carefully because of the grit. Then let dry. This is where it gets a little scary and starts to hurt. When you take off the mask with water, you start exfoliating your face with the gritty pieces. I was a little worried I'd get something sharp in my eyes, but I didn't.

When it was off, I breathed a sigh of relief. My face felt and looked amazing, though, so all the stress of using the product was worth it in the end.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I think.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a complete list of ingredients online.

-- Tested by Shay

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Milani Crystal Eyez Sparking Eye Shadow

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $1 on sale

THE SKINNY: Are you tempted by the sale bins at your local drugstore? I always am (although I can now use the blog as my excuse).

I knew Milani Crystal Eyez Sparking Eye Shadow was going to be bad by name alone. Good cosmetic lines never intentionally misspell things. But it looked like liquid green eyeshadow with glitter, so I had to try it.

Sadly, the eyeshadow is translucent, colorless and ultimately sticky. The glitter is chunky and too scary to place anywhere near the eyes. And this really was a waste of a a dollar.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Just don't.

-- Tested by Shay

Monday, August 11, 2014

Physicians Formula Happy Booster

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $13.95

THE SKINNY: You can't help but giggle when you're using Physicians Formula Happy Booster blush/bronzer, because the concept is just plain ridiculous.

The blush/bronzer is delivered in little heart-shaped pellets, and you're supposed to apply it with either a bright pink poof or a bright pink baby brush. (I used my regular brush.)

Additionally, it has a plant extract that's supposed to promote happy feelings and the scent of violets.

Did I feel happy after using it? No. Silly, yes. Happy, no.

But it's an OK blush of the quality you would expect to find in a drugstore, so I don't feel like I wasted my money. The color is warm and rosy and lasts most of the day.

KEEP OR TOSS: Honestly, it's a toss for me. I just can't with the little hearts.

CHECK IT OUT: This is a real thing. Here's the website.

-- Tested by Shay

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Sachajuan Spicy Citrus Body Lotion

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $42 for 300 ml

THE SKINNY: When the Sachajuan Spicy Citrus Body Lotion showed up in a recent Glossybox, I had never heard of the product. And a quick web search proves that this lotion is pretty difficult to find. it's made by a Sweedish company with limited U.S. distribution.

The lotion itself does a pretty good job. It's just average though in terms of moisturizing.

It has a pretty perfume-y smell. (Kind of like a mix of flowers and pepper.) It also fades as soon as the lotion dries.

But what really amazes me is the price! On sale it's $24 from Amazon! Stick to a drugstore brand and you will get the same results.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, But I don't see myself buying this one.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn a little direct from maker Sachajuan or find it at Amazon.

-- Tested by Carrie

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $17.50 for three treatments

THE SKINNY: I'm one of Shiseido's biggest fans, but I was disappointed with its Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask. It didn't do much for me.

Here's how it works: Take the two under-eye patches and press them into place. They're not sticky, but they are really wet and gooey. They're also much bigger than I needed them to be, so the fit is a little awkward.

Leave them on for 15 minutes. They feel nice and cool. Then a little warm (the retinol working, I guess). Then cool again.

Then peel them off and lightly massage what's left of the moisturizing goo into the skin beneath your eyes.

Shiseido says this will instantly erase dark circles and puffiness and leave your eyes feeling plumped and hydrated for 24 hours. I didn't see much difference, really, but I don't look any worse.

Shiseido says to do this two to three times a week. (At $17.50 a week, that would add up really fast.)

I've found better options for under-eye treatments.

KEEP OR TOSS: I used my sample and will not buy again.

CHECK IT OUT: Find these at high-end beauty stores such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Shay

Monday, August 4, 2014

Befine Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $24 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: I quite liked Befine's Food Skin Care Daily Moisturizer, a sample of which came in a recent Ipsy bag.

As advertised, I found the moisturizer to be light and silky on my skin and easy to use. It's SPF 15, too.

Too many moisturizers I try are sticky, heavy and try to do too many things. Befine is nice and simple, and the product does its job.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Befine products are made with so-called "super-foods" such as almonds and avocados and are vegan and not tested on animals.

-- Tested by Shay