I've been rather slack in posting lately, due to family in town and lots of stuff going on with school, but in the time that I have not been posting, I've been actively testing things for your enjoyment. I've tested lipsticks, eyeliners, lip gloss, perfume, tooth whitener, shampoo and conditioner, and a couple of nail polishes here and there. I've even been retesting products that I didn't like in the past, hoping that I'll like it now.
Watch this spot though, because there is going to be a mass influx of posts for the next few days!
Love and kisses,
Elizabeth
28 October 2009
22 October 2009
Fall back in love with colour
The air is getting crisper with a little bite to it, the leaves are starting to change to brilliant oranges and rusts and Halloween is a week away. It's time to take the trench coat to the dry cleaner, pull out the gloves, and take a cue from nature. Fall is a great time to start experimenting with colours that are a little darker, a little more saturated than you would normally wear.
Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Rosewine is an amazing muted red that Revlon categorizes as a 'Rose' shade. It goes on very creamy, with full pigmentation and a slight matte finish. It's perfect for people who want to start wearing reds and aren't quite ready to wear vibrant, brick reds, but it's also great for those of us who just fancy a bit of a change. I've seen this shade on a couple of people I know, with varying skin tones, so I can pretty confidentially say it will suit just about everyone.
Cost: $7.99 at Target
Is it Worth It: Yes
Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Rosewine is an amazing muted red that Revlon categorizes as a 'Rose' shade. It goes on very creamy, with full pigmentation and a slight matte finish. It's perfect for people who want to start wearing reds and aren't quite ready to wear vibrant, brick reds, but it's also great for those of us who just fancy a bit of a change. I've seen this shade on a couple of people I know, with varying skin tones, so I can pretty confidentially say it will suit just about everyone.
Cost: $7.99 at Target
Is it Worth It: Yes
17 October 2009
High Roller Red
I love all things red. Red lipstick, red nail polish, red hair, red shoes, red cars, red flowers... you get the idea. Because I love all things red, I have enough different red nail polishes to fill a shoebox. That's right. I collect red nail polish like how some people collect stamps.
My bottle of "High Roller" by China Glaze has been sitting on my coffee table, taunting me, for about three days now. I thought that perhaps I could ignore it's siren song and try different colours, like the gunmetal polish I picked up three weeks ago and haven't opened, or maybe a blackened purple like "Midnight In Moscow" by OPI. The more I saw "High Roller," the more I wanted to use it again.
"High Roller" is a gorgeous, blue-based red that would compliment about any skin tone. I would say that it is almost a classic, bright red, but it has more depth to it.
Items used:
Pink Cuticle remover (unknown brand) from Sally Beauty
Revlon full-jaw cuticle nippers
Ulta crystal nail file
Ulta Base Coat
"High Roller" by China Glaze (obviously)
Seche Vite top coat
Price: $6.50 at Ulta
Is It Worth It: Look at my nails and tell me it isn't.
My bottle of "High Roller" by China Glaze has been sitting on my coffee table, taunting me, for about three days now. I thought that perhaps I could ignore it's siren song and try different colours, like the gunmetal polish I picked up three weeks ago and haven't opened, or maybe a blackened purple like "Midnight In Moscow" by OPI. The more I saw "High Roller," the more I wanted to use it again.
"High Roller" is a gorgeous, blue-based red that would compliment about any skin tone. I would say that it is almost a classic, bright red, but it has more depth to it.
Items used:
Pink Cuticle remover (unknown brand) from Sally Beauty
Revlon full-jaw cuticle nippers
Ulta crystal nail file
Ulta Base Coat
"High Roller" by China Glaze (obviously)
Seche Vite top coat
Price: $6.50 at Ulta
Is It Worth It: Look at my nails and tell me it isn't.
16 October 2009
Mask-erade Party
One of the favourite things in the world is using a good face mask. For those of you who are unfamiliar with them, they are a great way to clear up problem skin without paying a ton of money to go see a facialist.
For the majority of us, we have combination skin and the best type of mask to use is one that is clay based. Clay based masks are going to soak up excess oil without being overly drying, tighten pores, and draw impurities like oil, make up, and dirt to the surface. A word of caution, though: it is entirely normal and expected to break out a little after masking, so most people recommend using it only once a week.
The best and most inexpensive mask I have found is Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque. It can be found all over the place, but most of the time I pick it up in my local Walgreens since they often have it on special price. Queen Helene's is a clay based mask, with a smooth, even texture that smells slightly of mint and has a relatively quick drying time.
If you're going to mask, I recommend thoroughly washing your face to remove make up so the mask can actually do it's job. It's not a bad idea to go ahead and exfoliate prior to masking to remove any dead skin lurking on the surface. Spread a thin, even layer of mask across your face, being careful to avoid your eyes and lips. Allow the mask to dry for about fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse. If you use toner afterward, it will pick up any mask you may have missed. I often follow masking with using an acne spot treatment that is made with Salicylic acid, to get a head start treating any bumps that may pop up after masking.
Price: I've picked it up for as little as $3.46 at Walgreens.
Is It Worth It: Absolutely, yes!
p.s. a good spot treatment is Murad Acne Spot Treatment.
For the majority of us, we have combination skin and the best type of mask to use is one that is clay based. Clay based masks are going to soak up excess oil without being overly drying, tighten pores, and draw impurities like oil, make up, and dirt to the surface. A word of caution, though: it is entirely normal and expected to break out a little after masking, so most people recommend using it only once a week.
The best and most inexpensive mask I have found is Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque. It can be found all over the place, but most of the time I pick it up in my local Walgreens since they often have it on special price. Queen Helene's is a clay based mask, with a smooth, even texture that smells slightly of mint and has a relatively quick drying time.
If you're going to mask, I recommend thoroughly washing your face to remove make up so the mask can actually do it's job. It's not a bad idea to go ahead and exfoliate prior to masking to remove any dead skin lurking on the surface. Spread a thin, even layer of mask across your face, being careful to avoid your eyes and lips. Allow the mask to dry for about fifteen to twenty minutes, then rinse. If you use toner afterward, it will pick up any mask you may have missed. I often follow masking with using an acne spot treatment that is made with Salicylic acid, to get a head start treating any bumps that may pop up after masking.
Price: I've picked it up for as little as $3.46 at Walgreens.
Is It Worth It: Absolutely, yes!
p.s. a good spot treatment is Murad Acne Spot Treatment.
14 October 2009
Best Foot Forward?
I know you've all seen the commercial for the Ped Egg. It's egg shaped for ergonomic comfort and ease of use, boasts ~150 wee little blades, and best of all, has an internal reservoir to catch all your nasty foot shavings.
I was really excited about getting the Ped Egg, because I like foot mantainence to be as quick, easy, and painless as possible. I wear heels a lot and I'm on my feet all day at work, so I get those lovely little calluses that are annoying to get rid of. I bought the Ped Egg, hoping to be blown away by how wonderfully well it worked and how it made my feet feel baby soft and sandal ready in just a few short minutes. I had hoped that I could call everyone I know and enthuse about how amazing the Ped Egg was, but my expectations fell short. If I were to talk about how great I thought the Ped Egg was now, it would be in a very sarcastic tone.
The Ped Egg was awkward and uncomfortable to use, my hand cramped instead of being in a 'natural' position, and the callus shavings went everywhere in a fine, chalky dust. The stick-on emery pad you're supposed to use to do the fine smoothing with doesn't work particularly well and wears down very quickly.
Now, before you start thinking that perhaps I have mutant, dragon lady feet and that's why the Ped Egg didn't work well for me, hush your mouth. I spoke to several of my girlfriends and they all came to the same conclusion: The Ped Egg is a dud.
Cost: $9.95
Is It Worth It: No. Save your ten bucks, by some Sally Hansen Deep Callus Remover, and a good pumice stone.
I was really excited about getting the Ped Egg, because I like foot mantainence to be as quick, easy, and painless as possible. I wear heels a lot and I'm on my feet all day at work, so I get those lovely little calluses that are annoying to get rid of. I bought the Ped Egg, hoping to be blown away by how wonderfully well it worked and how it made my feet feel baby soft and sandal ready in just a few short minutes. I had hoped that I could call everyone I know and enthuse about how amazing the Ped Egg was, but my expectations fell short. If I were to talk about how great I thought the Ped Egg was now, it would be in a very sarcastic tone.
The Ped Egg was awkward and uncomfortable to use, my hand cramped instead of being in a 'natural' position, and the callus shavings went everywhere in a fine, chalky dust. The stick-on emery pad you're supposed to use to do the fine smoothing with doesn't work particularly well and wears down very quickly.
Now, before you start thinking that perhaps I have mutant, dragon lady feet and that's why the Ped Egg didn't work well for me, hush your mouth. I spoke to several of my girlfriends and they all came to the same conclusion: The Ped Egg is a dud.
Cost: $9.95
Is It Worth It: No. Save your ten bucks, by some Sally Hansen Deep Callus Remover, and a good pumice stone.
12 October 2009
Make Up Clean Up
Every couple of months or so, I try to go through my boxes of make up and get rid of any make up that I a) don't use anymore and b) have expired.
As a general rule of thumb, I throw out mascara after three months. Mascara tubes are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria that can cause all sorts of optical problems, that can lead up to and include blindness. They're warm, damp environments that are constantly introduced to new elements- such as mold spores in the air, dirt, soap from face washing, and even just general eye germs- during use, after which the brush is returned to the tube where any new bacteria that was picked up can incubate. If you notice a change in the application of your mascara, like thickening or it becoming watery, or if you notice a change in the smell, be on the safe side and toss it out.
With lipstick, foundation, and concealer, you have a bit more time before you should toss it. Like mascara, if you notice a change in the scent of your lipstick (or foundation or concealer) or the texture of it, toss it. The components of lipstick, etc. can break down and separate over time, so you're not going to get an even application and the colour can change on you.
I know, it's a bummer to have to toss out make up- to me it's like having to toss a good friend- but your health is worth much more than a $5 tube of mascara.
As a general rule of thumb, I throw out mascara after three months. Mascara tubes are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria that can cause all sorts of optical problems, that can lead up to and include blindness. They're warm, damp environments that are constantly introduced to new elements- such as mold spores in the air, dirt, soap from face washing, and even just general eye germs- during use, after which the brush is returned to the tube where any new bacteria that was picked up can incubate. If you notice a change in the application of your mascara, like thickening or it becoming watery, or if you notice a change in the smell, be on the safe side and toss it out.
With lipstick, foundation, and concealer, you have a bit more time before you should toss it. Like mascara, if you notice a change in the scent of your lipstick (or foundation or concealer) or the texture of it, toss it. The components of lipstick, etc. can break down and separate over time, so you're not going to get an even application and the colour can change on you.
I know, it's a bummer to have to toss out make up- to me it's like having to toss a good friend- but your health is worth much more than a $5 tube of mascara.
11 October 2009
A disappointing purchase
A few weeks ago, I started seeing commercials for Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick. I was hooked as soon as they said that it was last all day without being drying, since it was supposed to have a moisturising topcoat built in. I promptly went out to the closest Walgreens to find the perfect one for me to test out. I chose Top Tomato, a red, which to me is always the right choice, went back out to the car and started applying.
To say that I was underwhelmed would be an understatement. ColorStay has a doe-foot applicator, which I usually love, but I feel like a brush would have given better control and product distribution in this case. The doe-foot seemed to give a more pronounced line at my lip line and it was hard to fill in the center of the lip. I also found the ColorStay formula to be EXTREMELY drying and it made any lines in my lips stand out, making my lips look like they belonged to a 60 year old.
I dislike this product so much, that I'm not even going to post a picture of it being worn.
Price: $10.99
Is It Worth It? Absolutely not. Buy a nice matte lipstick and just use a base of foundation and you'll get much better results.
To say that I was underwhelmed would be an understatement. ColorStay has a doe-foot applicator, which I usually love, but I feel like a brush would have given better control and product distribution in this case. The doe-foot seemed to give a more pronounced line at my lip line and it was hard to fill in the center of the lip. I also found the ColorStay formula to be EXTREMELY drying and it made any lines in my lips stand out, making my lips look like they belonged to a 60 year old.
I dislike this product so much, that I'm not even going to post a picture of it being worn.
Price: $10.99
Is It Worth It? Absolutely not. Buy a nice matte lipstick and just use a base of foundation and you'll get much better results.
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