Review- Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

No oils, no waxes, no nonsense
Natural coverage that leaves skin the way it was meant to be…fresh, breathing, natural
Exclusive translucent base and lightweight pigments allow skin's natural highs and lows to show through
Non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested

When I first tried Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation, I had mixed feelings about it. On the good side, the shade (Sand Beige 210) matched my skin so nicely and blended amazingly naturally, I was sold! Moments later though I noticed that on top of my dry skin, it didn't seem to help it at all. Later, after I switched moisturizers and tried the Fit Me Foundation again, I noticed that the foundation looked so much better on top of my skin and provided just the right amount of coverage that I wanted and, well, needed. It's not a thick moisturizing foundation by itself, so for oily types, this is a welcomed bonus. Although if you lean on the dry side, especially during the winter months, the right moisturizer will make up for the lack of moisture, for me it did. Once I discovered to do that, the Fit Me Foundation seems to be just the sort of foundation I like - lightweight, affordable, natural-looking, and still provides good coverage with SPF 18 protection. By itself, with an average moisturizer, the foundation still had some ways to go, but with my favorite hydrating moisturizer, it evened out nicely.

Review - John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist

Breakthrough mist with omega-3 rich Inca Inchi Oil absorbs into worn-out strands to smooth and protect hair.

Love. That is what I feel for the entire Full Repair line from John Frieda. In general I love everything that I have tried from him, but these products are really 100%. My hair is fine, home dyed blond. It isn't what I would call damaged, but a little bit of help never hurt anybody. This mist I would use in conjunction with the full line of other products. It is so light and leaves my hair super shiny and really healthy looking. There is really no scent so it won't interfere with your perfume. I'm going to be honest, I am a cheapo, I almost never replenish on my products, and yes I use the 99c Suave Coconut shampoo and conditioner (its the bomb y'all!) but I will most certainly be replenishing on these products. I absolutely love all of it and my happy healthy hair agrees with me!

Review - Bath & Bodyworks Charmed Life Lotion

Our exclusive Charmed Life™ is a positively sexy blend of juicy guava, sparkling pear and creamy vanilla musk, inspired by taking chances, having fun and savoring life's fabulous moments

As previously noted with the shower gel, the Charmed Life line from Bath & Bodyworks is now discontinued! Super sad face! I LOVE this lotion. I loved it so much, I went out on a search for it. I found the shower gel, mini lotion and spray on sale for 75% off.

This scent is sweet, and I totally dig sweet smells. It lasts for a while. Everyone loves how I smell when I wear it.

Maybe one day they will change their minds and make it available again or make it limited edition. Hey, we can only wish!

Run to your local Bath & Bodyworks to see what they have!

Review- Bath & Body Works Charmed Life Shower Gel

Charmed Life is a blend of juicy guava, sparkling pear and creamy vanilla musk, inspired by taking chances, having fun and savoring life's fabulous moments!

Sometimes, with scented bath gels, I don't notice anything particularly special about the the scent or the gel itself, but Charmed Life actually impressed me unexpectedly so. I was a little bummed to discover that Bath & Body Works no longer carry this gel, but it's still available on Amazon.com at least (cheaper too!)... What I like most about the shower gel is the clean scent, it's not too overpowering or floral, just fresh and light with a soft fruity hint and for a lightweight gel, my skin felt so nurtured and thoroughly moisturized afterwards. Even in this wintery chill, this lovely cleanser held up and didn't dry my skin out or leave it feeling scratchy or tight. In fact, my skin felt soft and silky well into the next day. If you have a thing for shower gels and like products that really deliver on pampering, look no further, this shower gel brings it!

Sultana says: I loved the Charmed life lotion I got so much, that I went out to get the spray and the shower gel! Unfortunately as Trish stated, this is now discontinued. However, I did find the mini lotions as well as the sprays at Bath & Bodyworks for 75%! Of course there is always Amazon and Ebay!
I love this scent so much. Its exactly my style. A little sweet, a little fruity and totally juicy! A little goes a long way with this shower gel because its rich. One bottle will last a while. And at 75% off (if you can find it in the store) you can't go wrong!

Review : Promise Me Eau De Parfume

Top Notes: mandarin, bergamot,
blood orange, sparkling yuzu, fresh
aldehydes

Mid Notes: pink peony, rosewood,
wild orchid

Base Notes: white patchouli,
creamy musk With every Promise Me fragrance sold, a donation of 13.5% of sales will be made to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a minimum guarantee of $1,000,000

Promise me is a Floriental Eau De Perfume, I love the cause, I love the scent: a light floral oriental with some pretty white musks and an ambery finish. I found this fragrance online discounted everywhere. in my opinion I would rather pay the full price and make sure that the donation to cancer research is there. Give it as a gift or wear it yourself, but lets get it people! I will tell you all that I am actually a registered fragrance sales specialist with the Fragrance Foundation of America (I've got a pin!) so I know A LOT about fragrance. This EDP is surprisingly light, and the staying power is not really there, I would give it an hour or two before it's quite difficult to tell you are wearing it. I do love the scent as you put it on, so clean yet ambery and very bright, but I love the cause more. Here is a little more info on Susan G. Koman for the cure.
While the staying power of the fragrance is a little iffy the good you will be doing is definitely there. I have quite a few perfume bottles, but this one I will definitely keep on display!

Review - L'Occitane Desert Rose Hugs & Kisses

L'Occitane En Provence is one of those companies I just really like. They are employing 12,000 women in Burkina Faso (not that I know where that is) and use the highest quality Shea Butter in all their products. I seriously love this brand. Their hand cream is something I have been using for years, it isn't oily or greasy and sucks right in so there isn't any residue like with some other hand creams I have used. The scent on this one is very light, almost not there at all which I like, and I'm not a big rose person but I can honestly say I like it. Its nice and clean, like you just washed your hands. The lip balm in this set isn't my favorite, its super moisturizing and very emollient but I just can't dig a lip balm that smells like flowers....... personal preference is all! If you like rose, and like a super natural clean smelling rose you will love it, I would just rather whipped cream or vanilla personally! As for the price point, $19? ehhhh it's a lot, but it goes to a great cause and keeps those lady's in business! I'll throw down 20 bucks for some awesome hand cream and lip balm (both a little goes a long way) that will keep me hydrated and happy for this bitter winter weather, plus it makes a GREAT little gift idea.

Review- Maybelline Great Lash Mascara

I can see why Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara remains an all-around classic. For an affordable price, my eyelashes can still look fuller and longer without too much fuss or hassle on my part from using this 40-year reliable formula and clean brush to separate the lashes. Although my eyelashes lean on the frail side, I think this is a sturdy and dependable mascara for someone who already has nice thick lashes and who would not require much curling or lengthening in the process. I have friends who fit this profile perfectly and a solid, straightforward mascara as Great Lash would be all they needed. While this mascara did run on me slightly, I'm happy to know that it is also made in a clear shade so no running worries to contend with! Overall, this mascara covers all the basics in an easy and reliable way holding up to the test of time, yet if you have more specific or targeted mascara needs, then Great Lash may hit some notes yet not all and still provide decent results. For the eyelash blessed, Great Lash does enhance what is already there! Yet, if you're like me and need more help with your eyelashes, Great Lash still works, but I did find I needed to lengthen and curl my lashes to fully maximize results, yet in the end they still looked classically nice.

Review- Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment

"Atopalm Moisturizing Hand Treatment is an advanced anti-aging treatment cream designed to diminish visible signs of aging while protecting against environmental damage. Because the hands are regularly exposed to the sun, harsh weather, chemicals, and more, they are often the first area of the body to give way to visible signs of aging. Moisturizing Hand Treatment works to combat common aging signs, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness, leaving the hands looking younger and more beautiful."

First of all, notice that this is called a hand "treatment", not a cream because although it moisturizes it treats at the same time.  If this stuff had a decent SPF rating it would literally be everything I've ever wanted in a hand cream!  But some people are sensitive to sunscreens and Atopalm products are meant for us sensitive types.  The thing that really amazes me about this product (besides how well it moisturizes) is how little an amount one needs to moisturize both hands.  We're talking minuscule amounts compared to my other hand creams.  I don't think I've ever gotten better value from a hand cream because at $18 a tube it's a bit pricey, but it will last you a while.  It's so moisturizing that my hands still feel soft after washing them, yet it soaks in nicely and you won't have any trouble turning doorknobs (that always happens to me with hand cream- put it on, stuck in the house.  Also there's a bonus for us techies, it doesn't affect the use of my touchpad on my computer or my phone.  This is going to be the savior of my hands this winter and I'll bet you a tube that it will last me until Spring!  I'm calling this one a "must buy" for hand cream aficionados and techies alike.  Oh, and the cherry on top?  Free shipping from the Atopalm store (see link above).

Cat-Eye Tutorial

Oh my god, you guys, GENIUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

How to Be a Girl: Cat Eyes! from The Hairpin on Vimeo.

Guys, I tried this and it worked HELLA GOOD. Definitely use 1/2" tape, not any wider, and if you have deeper-set eyes than Jane, which I think I must, try keeping your eyes sort of half-closed and looking down your nose at the mirror, but seriously, TRY IT. Here's how it turned out on me...I even already had the liner Jane recommends using:



Review- Senna Form-A-Brow Kit

This is the original complete brow stencil kit that remains a best seller over the years. Its classic brow stencil shapes work for virtually all brows and define the face beautifully, based on the professional 3-point brow shaping technique taught in the finest beauty schools. In this one compact, you’ll have the best of Eugenia’s expertise and brow artistry in your home to use daily.

There's no doubt that nice eyebrows can truly shape and frame your face. Sometimes finding the right brow specialist or even the right shape can cause more heartache and headache than help. The cool part about this Senna Form-A-Brow kit is that it allows you to find the right stencil that closely matches your natural shape. For me that was pretty easy to recognize. The kit also comes with 3 powder colors, and a grooming and coloring brush. Even though I leaned on the clumsy side when trying to hold the stencil and fill in my brows simultaneously, the result comes out much nicer than I had expected each time. It does take a little skill to maneuver this kit, but with practice, this is the closest I've ever been to when it comes to nice at-home brows! I tried the "Neutral" shade, which is a trio of light, medium and dark browns and they blended very naturally and looked evenly on. For anyone who's brow-obsessed, this Senna Kit could easily fill in as the perfect tool to create, maintain and manage difficult brows that need some proper shaping and direction. For me, it took a little practice to master the stencil kit, but once I did, my eyebrows were much better off for it!