Product Reviews

Noxzema Clean Moisture Makeup Removal Cloths: An Interesting Scent-sory Experience

May 28th, 2010 by Karen 25 Comments

noxema clean moisture makeup removal cloths review

Um…someone was straight-up TRIPPIN’ in the beauty lab when they decided to add a strong camphor/menthol/eucalyptus scent to these new Noxzema Clean Moisture Makeup Removal Cloths (about $4 for a pack of 25).

I don’t like to poke fun at suspect beauty products because of all the hard work that people put into making them, but I have to make an exception for these (sorry!). They’re just about the worst smelling wipes I’ve ever encountered, and my nose has been traumatized, yo! 🙂 Think eau de dental office meets a box of old Band-Aids.

To their credit, these pre-moistened, alcohol-free wipes do feel wonderful and are able to cut through most of the makeup I’ve thrown at ’em (foundation, lipstick and eyeshadow) without leaving one of those funky towelette films, but I just can’t get over the scent…
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The Body Shop Nomadic Goddess Collection: These Earthy Shades Shine

May 27th, 2010 by Karen 21 Comments

Lean in, and listen to the story of a neutral loving lady waaaay obsessed with shimmery shades of brown.

She’s called Nomadic Goddess, and she grew weary of seeing so many neon hot pinks and purples hog the stage.

One day, she decided to steal the spotlight! 🙂

Today I checked out a few of the earthy tones that make up The Body Shop’s Nomadic Goddess makeup collection for summer 2010.
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Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams: Multitasking to the Extreme!

May 27th, 2010 by Karen 44 Comments

Make Up Forever Aqua Cream Shadow in Pink Beach on eyes, Peach on Cheeks and lips

It’s almost that time of year — hot weather, humidity, glittery purple sweat trickling down your forehead and ruining your carefully applied makeup right as you make eye contact with that cute boy on the train…

Been there, done that. 🙂

Just in time for summer, the Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams ($22 each) are here!

These 21 creamy colors aren’t just waterproof; they’re also multitasking, moolah-saving monsters, with some of them usable on the eyes and cheeks, and others on the cheeks and lips. Convenient, yah?

make up for ever aqua cream review

The honor students at Make Up For Ever designed the Aqua Creams with extreme photo shoots in mind (as in extreme environments). They resist perspiration, smudging, creasing and tears (YES!). Also, like that ill-advised, scripty tattoo of Raul on your left boob, they ain’t going anywhere, any time soon. Once dry — and they dry in 1-2 minutes flat — they last and last and last.
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YSL Gloss Pur: Hello, Hibiscus!

May 26th, 2010 by Karen 56 Comments

ysl gloss pur

Things I wish I had fewer of: chin hairs, Nutella cravings, and embarrassing outbursts.

Things I wish I had more of: pairs of shoes with four-inch heels, free time, and colorful yet low-maintenance lipglosses.

I may be blind as a bat without my glasses and shorter than most middle schoolers, but at least my lips look good thanks to Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur in #9 Pur Hibiscus ($30). 🙂

Loaded with shine, this fuchsia cutie is one of four glosses in the YSL summer makeup collection (NOTE: YSL’s rolling all four shades into their permanent line). Its semi-sheer, easy-to-wear color means not having to worry about gloss edging past your natural lip line or accidentally smearing all over your face.
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MAC Fibre Rich Lash Mascara: Are Sweet Dreams Made of This?

May 25th, 2010 by Karen 27 Comments

The great Annie Lennox once said, “Sweet dreams are made of this.”

Coincidentally, that’s also how I hoped I’d feel about Fibre Rich Lash mascara ($13, available in one shade called All Black).

The product promises extreme volume and density, effortless extension and a smudge-resistant, creamy formula.

Just thinking about all of those things together makes my tummy rumble (like it does for Nutella and Ryan Reynolds)…

Ever since a wave of high-fibre mascaras struck a few years ago, they’ve been all the rage. Tiny fibers embedded in their formulas cling to the ends of lashes making them appear longer and fuller. Several lines sell ’em today, with one of the more popular ones (and most fun to say!) being Imju Fiberwig ($24).

MAC Fibre Rich lives on counters as part of the MAC permanent line. Its black tube looks sleek and minimalist, concealing a compact brush head with a combination of long and short bristles designed to magnify and separate lashes.

MAC fibre rich lash review

So how does it work?
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I Took a Shine to Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Electrify

May 25th, 2010 by Karen 39 Comments

illamasqua electrify lipgloss review

Perhaps you survived Monday without losing any teeth; maybe you made it out of the door this morning wearing two matching shoes, or you managed to avoid flashing anyone in the grocery store — no matter how small the accomplishment, I believe with the utmost conviction that a tube of pretty pink lipgloss always, ALWAYS makes a fine reward.

Allow me to introduce Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss in Electrify ($19). 🙂

One of 10 colors in the company’s permanent line, Electrify kisses lips with just a hint of cool baby pink color.

Unlike some sheer glosses that shall remain nameless (ahem, Benefit Lipgloss!), it doesn’t disappear in a flash. It’s sheer, but not so sheer that it’s invisible. As for the shine? Oh, the shine… Mr. Clean wishes his bald head was HALF as shiny as Electrify.
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Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner: Crazy Colors, Crazy Good Price

May 24th, 2010 by Karen 55 Comments

HARD CANDY take me out liner review

Killer eyeliner looks come naturally to Tabs. Me? It takes more work.

HARD CANDY take me out liner review

But sexy kitteh liner looks just got that much easier — and tres affordable — thanks to Hard Candy Take Me Out Liner ($5, and part of their permanent line).

For lords and ladies who love creamy, smooth textures and vibrant shades, these pencil liners glide on and stay put for hours with nary a budge.

Available in 20 colors that also cover a variety of finishes from subtle shimmers to metallics to glitter-heavy shades, these liners have a little something-something for almost anyone.

HARD CANDY take me out liner review
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Too Faced Makes Neutral Eye Looks Easy with Their Natural Eye Shadow Duos

May 21st, 2010 by Karen 14 Comments

too faced natural eye duo review

I once dated a dude with a mullet.

In my defense, it was the ’80s, but I bring it up because these Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Duos ($17) are like little mullets of the makeup world — business in the front and a party in the back. Each of the four new duos pairs a matte on one side (the bidness!) with a shimmery shadow on the other (the party!).

The duo’s are new additions to the company’s permanent collection, but if you recognize some of the names…

too faced natural eye duo review

…that’s because some of the individual colors were liberated from last year’s Too Faced Natural Eye Kit and reassigned here to work alongside new colors.

too faced natural eye duo review

I’ve fallen for the Sexpresso & Peach Fuzz duo. It’s the one with the dark matte brown and shimmery peach with golden glitter.

The brown has TONS of pigment, and both colors blend smoother than a good vanilla shake. For quick, no-brainer eye looks for day or night, this duo really hits the spot.
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