For the mother who’s addicted to beauty and makeup as you, we have this season’s best offerings lined up for quick shopping and catching up.

Now, you can find the best gifts to give! Continue reading →

What five products do you use everyday? What products are in your everyday routine?

My list: Cleanser (whatever I am in love wtih or testing), Estee Lauder DayWear Plus moisturizer, mascara (currently testing DiorShow), lip balm (anything I have!), and Studio Fix Fluid foundation. I haven’t had much normalty in my routine lately, because I’ve been doing my best to test new products to review them for you all, so many of my staples have been on the back burner!

ESTEE LAUDER LASH XL

Think of it as simply stretching the truth. Get extremely long, way-out-there lashes that defy reality. Lash XL extends natural lashes to supernatural lengths—up to 50% longer. Every last lash is separated, defined, lengthened beyond belief. And that’s the truth.

• Applicator: Small to medium sized brush, very skinny, but the bristles are packed densely on the wand.
• Clumping: I thought this mascara would have some problems with clumping if you waited too long between coats, and especially if you tried to do more than two heavy coats or three lighter coats. You can see in the results photo that after three coats, my lashes aren’t as separated as one would like.
• Curl: Some natural curl mechanism, but mostly due to the lash curler.
• Ease: Quite easy to apply given the smaller nature of the wand, which allows for more precision to get to harder to reach lashes on the inner area and the lower lashes.
• Length: This is a lengthening mascara that did not deliver as well as it could, and it definitely doesn’t compare to some of its competitors in the price range.
• Thickening: My lashes were definitely thicker, but several of them stuck together, so it’s hard to say whether it’s truly thickening or if it’s just the clumping that does it. I think my lash looks somewhat full, but with the lack of length, they’re unimpressive.
• Volume: I saw an increase in volume, but not by much. I was a bit dismayed that for a lengthening mascara, I couldn’t get the length, and despite that, volume seemed to be missed, too.
• Best: I liked the richness of the black, and if I wanted a mascara to quickly apply before leaving to get groceries or something simple, this wouldn’t be a bad choice.
• Worst: I was quite disappointed in this mascara, because it did not give me the length it should have. It claims to be a lengthening mascara, so when it clearly misses the mark, it’s a big let down. For $21, I expected more out of a mascara! I would compare the results of this with Bobbi Brown’s Everything Mascara.

She used:

• Vex eyeshadow as base for lid
• Silver Ring eyeshadow on middle of lid
• Knight Divine eyeshadow on outer crease
• Satin Taupe eyeshadow on crease
• CoverGirl Mink eyeshadow above crease
• Shroom eyeshadow on brow bone
• Silver Ring eyeshadow on inner lower lash line
• Knight Divine eyeshadow on outer lower lash line
• Nightfish Fluid Line on lash line
• Rimmel black eyeliner on waterline
• Maybelline Great Lash mascara

Take a look at another close-up of this look, Continue reading →

Gloves In a Bottle Shielding Lotion ($12.95)

Gloves In A Bottle is a shielding lotion — it bonds with the outer layer of your skin and protects it from irritants while locking in your natural oils and moisture — the reason why dermatologists recommend Gloves as an effective dry skin treatment.

What makes it worth it: If you are familiar with our review on Skin MD Natural, you’ll know that I believe in the powers behind shielding lotions. This is a lightweight cream that you apply to your hands that dries in less than a minute. You don’t feel greasy or oily afterwards in the slightest, which is an absolute requirement of any good hand cream. (Literally, I applied it to test the scent again, and it was dry before I formulated my response.) I know I don’t want to have to sit around waiting for the cream to dry when I have things I need to be doing. Depending on how dry your skin is, you may apply this every four hours or be able to go with once or twice a day (morning and night). Shielding lotions help your skin to hydrate itself rather than artificially moisturizing it. Gloves In a Bottle also does not wash off, but rather comes off as skin cells are exfoliated.

Why you might pass on it: I was quite happy with this product as a hand cream, but the scent could use some work. It isn’t strong, so it isn’t enough of a downside for me to pass on the product itself, but it isn’t particularly pleasing if you put your nose to your hand. It smells kind of clinical or medicinal, which I’d rather have than a bad smell!

Find this product at www.glovesinabottle.com.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion ($23.00)

Clinically formulated to give every skin the ‘drink’ it needs. Use after cleansing and exfoliating, wherever skin feels dry. The moisture “drink” developed by Clinique’s dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. Softens, smooths, improves. Apply twice a day to face and throat all over, or where needed. For best results use after Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion.

What makes it worth it: It’s one of the few high-end beauty brands that has put a moisturizer in pump form, which means it’s easier to extract the amount you want (no pouring required), plus you don’t have to dip your fingers in it (less contamination and chance of bacteria setting up shop in your favorite pot o’ cream). It’s a great lightweight moisturizer that feels hydrating on your face and gets absorbed rather quickly. I also liked that a little went a long way–one or two pumps is all you need to cover the entire face.

Why you might pass on it: The only real issue I have with this product is the lack of SPF. It means I have to use a separate product to ensure sun protection for my face, which is time I don’t necessary want to spend. On the other hand, if you happen to be attending an occasion where you’ll be photographed often, having something without SPF is essential.

Find this product at Clinique counters, boutiques, as well as www.clinique.com and www.nordstrom.com.