Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel

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RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $16.99

THE SKINNY: The concept behind Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Overnight Peel is that with regular use it will help fade dark spots on your face and neck for brighter skin. That's a pretty big claim for a drugstore product.

But Garnier has something here. The clear gel formula goes on smooth, did not irritate my skin and overall left my face feeling smooth. I used this stuff before bed each night for a few weeks and did see some improvement in my overall skin tone and quality. 

This is an easy extra step to add to your nightly routine as well and it did not leave me feeling like I had a gooey face, the way some other night-time products do. And don't be confused by the name, this is a peel that you don't actually peel off. Just apply and let it get to work.

Garnier says you can wear it under makeup, but I did not like that feel at all. It was just too much on my skin -- applying before bed was a much better option.

The biggest bonus for me was that Garnier's formula did not dry out my skin -- almost every other comparable product I have tried was super-drying.

I got this product through the BzzAgent program (which I love) and was glad I tested it out. The full-size sample will last a while and I plan to keep using it.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. Plus this product is easy to find because it is available at most drugstores.

CHECK IT OUT: Check out reviews from other Garnier users, find out where you can find it near you and learn more about the Skin Renew line.

-- Tested by Carrie 
 

L'Oreal RevitaLift Triple Power

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $24.99

THE SKINNY: This is the deep-action moisturizer from L'Oreal's ReviaLift line that fights wrinkles and plumps the skin. It's powered by something called Pro-Xylane, for which L'Oreal has a patent. It's supposed to stimulation collagen production.

Over time, this moisturizer is supposed to improve the texture of your skin and then make it look younger and firmer.

As promised, this is a really thick moisturizer. So thick, in fact, I find it impractical for daytime use. If I use it full-time, I'd only wear it at night because it feels heavy on your skin. It's not greasy and didn't add any oil or shine to my face, but I just didn't like the weight of it.

Did it make my skin look better? Not that I noticed, honestly, other than making my skin feel a little softer.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. It's too thick for my liking.

CHECK IT OUT: Read about all the products in the RevitaLift line at L'Oreal's website.

-- Tested by Shay

Be a Bombshell lip gloss

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $14

THE SKINNY: First, red lip gloss is awesome.

Second, this red lip gloss from Be a Bombshell is a bright, pretty, primary red.

Third, you have to love a lip gloss color called "hot mess."

This lip gloss has a thick, almost sticky consistency. It's not icky-sticky, but hearty-sticky. It goes on nice and smooth and feels like it has endurance.

The shine lasted about an hour, the tint for several more. In my book, that's good for a gloss.

Because it's a darker color, you really need lipliner with this. But the extra effort is worth it. I love the color (and I'm not normally a red-lips kind of girl).

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This red looks great with simple brown eye shadow and liner.

CHECK IT OUT: This gloss comes in seven colors.

-- Tested by Shay

Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $20

THE SKINNY: Urban Decay's Supercurl Curling Mascara is a pretty, shiny mascara that goes on thick and lasts all day. It didn't do anything to curl my lashes, but it's still a decent mascara.

Clumps that appear as the mascara ages aren't any worse than any other brand and seem to comb out of my lashes easily.

My only real complaint is that this mascara is hard to get off. You really need to scrub with face cleanser or use a makeup remover. If I didn't give my lashes a good cleaning, they felt hard the next day and the mascara will clump up in those spots.

It's a lot of work for everyday lashes. My usual makeup routine really isn't this dramatic.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but given the difficulty in removing this mascara I'll reserve it for special events, when I need thick, glossy lashes.

CHECK IT OUT: Supercurl Curling Mascara only comes in one shade -- black.

-- Tested by Shay

Shiseido Refining Makeup Primer

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $35 for 30ml

THE SKINNY: This isn't one of those waxy primers. It comes out of the tube looking like a sticky foundation, although it's a lot drier than a foundation and doesn't really go onto the skin easily. Once it's there, however, you can't feel it on you skin and it's non-irritating.

The color correction lasted beyond a full workday. But it didn't do anything for my T-zone, which can get oily in the winter. In fact, it seemed to make it worse.

Shiseido's primer is designed to even out skin tone and deal with large pores and fine lines. It's a light nude shade that blended into my winter pale skin.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. Because it's difficult to get on and it made my forehead more oily than normal, I'm going to try something else.

CHECK IT OUT: Read more about this product on the Shiseido website.

-- Tested by Shay