Foreo Luna Mini (Plus Discount Code)

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $139

THE SKINNY: This little gadget is designed to help improve the look and feel of skin.

And after a few days, I can see a difference.

Plus every use is like a mini massage for my face.

The palm-sized Foreo Luna Mini works by vibrating as you move it across your face. According to the company description, it almost shakes out impurities from skin. The device works alone and you don't have to have creams or gels to use it.

The device keeps a charge for a long time and is pretty much waterproof. (Mine sits in the shower, making it an easy additional step to my skincare routine.)

And I really love the tingly feeling on my face from using it. It just makes me feel a little more fresh and clean!

While the Luna Mini is a little pricey at $139, it is comparable to other similar devices such as the Clarisonic. It does not use batteries and charges via your computer's USB port.

I got my Luna Mini through the Bzz Agent program to test. (If you are not a Bzz Agent member, it's worth checking out.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: If you are interested in trying your own Luna Mini use promo code 6ZFXWh for a 35% discount from Foreo. (Code good through Jan. 31, 2014.)

-- Tested by Carrie 

Julep Doublestep Friction Stick

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $22 ($17.60 Mavens)

THE SKINNY: As a runner, friction sticks are an important part of my "makeup" collection.

Julep's new Doublestep friction stick is just as good or equal to the others I have tried, such as Band-Aid's version. 

While the product itself is pretty nice -- I love the super moisturizing formula that protected and left my skin soft -- the packaging leaves something to be desired.

The tube is an odd shape and somewhat hard to manage. The applicator wheel is a little difficult to turn. And the stick wants to slide out of the tube.

Plus it is pricey, at $22 compared to about $7 for the Band-Aid brand.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. But when it's time for more, I'll likely go back to Band-Aid.

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy direct from Julep and Mavens get a discount. Join here!

-- Tested by Carrie

NuMe Classic Curling Wand

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: Starting at $149

THE SKINNY: NuMe is another one of those brands that I knew little about but found through Glossybox, which I love. (A recent box came with a NuMe Style Argan Oil sample and coupon for $100 off any product.)

The Classic Curling Wand is awesome. It works differently from standard curling irons in that you just wrap your hair around it -- no getting stuck here.

I was intimidated at first (you wear a glove that comes in the box to use it). But it was super easy and worked great. Best of all I was able to create a style that lasted all day and night without falling.

I love that you don't get those odd creases that traditional irons leave behind with the NuMe wand. Even on my first try, I had the best, most natural looking curls I'd ever created.

If you are looking for a new curling wand, this one is sure to please!

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This really is a great tool.

CHECK IT OUT: Check out all the fun tools from NuMe.

-- Tested by Carrie 
 

Everyday Glo Teeth Whitening Maintenance

-->

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $25

THE SKINNY: I have been searching for an alternative to whitestrips for years. The feel of those super-sticky, gooey strips on my teeth is just not appealing.

So when Sephora tossed in a free Everyday Glo Teeth Whitening Maintenance stick, I was excited.

This is a pretty good product. It claims to help remove everyday stains from teeth and is pretty mess-free. It lives up to both claims. With just a use or two I could see that some of those coffee stains were disappearing.

I just did not like the applicator so much. I loved that it was big and easy to hold and that it did not leak (like some others I have tried), but the product comes out on an oddly-large plastic applicator. I felt like I had to dispense too much of the product to get it on my teeth.

The taste was minty and fresh and the company says you don't have to brush before using, making it an option for your desk drawer. I'll opt to use this at home -- don't want to take any chances with having goo on my teeth at a meeting.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep but I am not sure if I would pay $25 for it. But then again ... if it is on sale, I just might.

CHECK IT OUT: The Everyday Glo line is full of teeth-whitening products. You can find them at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Silk'n Flash & Go Hair Removal System

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $299

THE SKINNY: Flash & Go is a permanent hair removal tool. It uses a flash of light to remove hair.

I have to admit I was a little intimidated by this product when I pulled it out of the box. You plug it in and it turns on with a little whir. Then you hold it to skin, pull the trigger and a warm flash of light zaps hair. It has a warm, kind of odd sensation and makes a pop that scared me the first few times.

But it works! I've been using Flash & Go per the directions for about eight weeks and hair in the areas of use (I started with tough, but small spots like knees and underarms) is much lighter. The package says that complete removal can take upwards of a year because of hair growth cycles.

I really love this for my sensitive skin. No more razor burn! The product is also safe for use in more sensitive areas such as the bikini line and face, according to the company.

The only downside is that it is a little time-consuming. So set aside a while for the first few treatments ... or consider SensEpil (which is designed for larger areas, but is a bit pricier). These products also only works on lighter skin tones so make sure to check the information before you buy.

Overall, I really love it. It is an expensive tool, but if you are serious about permanent hair removal this is a great option. Anything to make hair removal easier and less frequent. I expect to see more complete result at the end of a year and will report back then!

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy Flash & Go from retailers such as Sephora, where most of the reviews are also positive, or directly from Silk'n. For the next week, Silk'n is offering all Beauty Test Dummies readers a 15% discount with code BEAUTYTEST.

-- Tested by Carrie

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick

-->

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $6.49

THE SKINNY: Band-Aid Friction Block Stick is not exactly a beauty product, but it is something women will love. 

This product, which looks like a mini stick of deodorant, smooths skin and prevents rubbing and chafing. It is colorless, odorless and provides a great layer on skin.

It is perfect to keep a shoe from rubbing your heels or even to prevent rubbing from clothes or skin on skin (think inside of the thighs on a hot day). I've never seen anything work so well.

And no one will ever know you are using it. 

It does not irritate skin (and my skin tends to be rather sensitive) and you don't need much to go a long way (so don't be too concerned about the small size of the stick).

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep!

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Band-Aid Friction Block Stick at drug and discount stores. Find it online at Soap.com.

-- Tested by Carrie 
 

Urban Decay Good Karma Shadow Brush

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $26

THE SKINNY: This is the most expensive eyeshadow brush I have ever purchased. And I do like it. But I can't decide if I like it $26 worth.

The Urban Decay Good Karma Shadow Brush helps eye colors glide on with ease. The bristles are super-soft and I love the "Good Karma" name. This brush is just one in a whole line of good Karma tools.

This brush is great for general application and blending. Try the Crease Brush for adding color in and above the crease (I got this one in a kit and love it also). I used the Good Karma brush almost everyday because shadows (even other brands) go on with ease and with even color.

Sadly the only problem I have with this brush is the price. (I will be stalking the Urban Decay site for sales.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. Seriously! I paid $26 for an eyeshadow brush.

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy direct from Urban Decay and make sure to check out their sales and specials. You can often find a few steals!

-- Tested by Carrie

Gillette Venus & Olay Razor

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars 

COST: $9 

THE SKINNY: The Gillette Venus line of razors has been my favorite for many years, and the new Venus & Olay razor is no exception.

With FIVE blades, this tool give you a smooth cut and finish and it has a ton of moisturizers in it to keep legs soft. Personally, I love razors with built in smoothers and conditioners because I am not a fan of traditional shave creams or gels.

This razor has two moisture bars -- one above the blades and another below. The bottom strip seemed to disappear the quickest, and you'll want to discard the razor once it does because the feel of plastic on skin is not good.

The only downside to this razor is what happens if you leave it in the shower. The moisture bars will dissolve if they are subjected to too much moisture. You should probably remove it from the shower between shaves.

This product is available in grocery and drugstores as well as online retailers. But Gillette seems to turnover new product lines pretty quickly, so this may not be around too long. 

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. And I will be buying refills. 

CHECK IT OUT: You can read other reviews and find out where to buy from Gillette.

-- Tested by Carrie

Savings Center at Soap.com + Free 2 Day Shipping on Orders of $25+

Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4.5 stars

COST: $18

THE SKINNY: When I fist saw this item I really thought it was something I did not need -- one more palette in the makeup drawer.

Wrong!

This is the new go-to item. The new line of Urban Decay eyeshadows pop out of their cases and into this palette where you can put any six colors to form your own custom palette. (Hello, travel!)

And it is a steal. For the price of one shadow ($18), you get the palette, a shadow (Walk of Shame, a great highlight shad, is included) and a Good Karma brush. The shadows stay securely in place and you can pop them out later if you want to switch colors. (Just make sure to hang on to the original case if you plan to keep shadows after you remove them from the palette.

I've already filled my palette with some of my favorite eyeshadow colors -- Walk of Shame, Loaded, Rockstar, Mushroom, Verve and Midnight Rodeo.

The palette also has a large mirror and closes with a snap. It really is a great travel companion.

Urban Decay has long been one of my favorite makeup lines and this kind of innovative product is why. The new-formula shadows are pretty awesome as well.

KEEP OR TOSS: KEEP!

CHECK IT OUT: This item is getting rave reviews as well on the Urban Decay website, and you may have to look around for it because they keep selling out. It is also available at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie