Review- Vinotherapie by Caudalie, Shampoo

A gentle, repairing, conditioning shampoo which leaves the hair shiny and revitalized. Rich in D-panthenol to restore radiance and energy to dry and fragile hair.
I was given this "Gentle Conditioning Shampoo" by Caudalie, in their Vinotherapie line, by a friend as a gift. My hair is so brittle from dyeing and straightening, processing and so on, that the slightest over-shampoo sends my hair over the edge. for the first time in quite a long time, my hair felt really clean without feeling totally stripped with my scalp feeling itchy and tight. My hair had body without being completely flyaway and dry all day, and didn't require super heavy conditioners to replace the moisture that is usually stripped out and torn away by regular shampoos. this shampoo is great for anyone with sensitive skin, it is dermatologist tested, doesn't cause break outs, contains no unnecessarily colorants, and really works amazing on dry, brittle hair that needs to be washed but doesn't need to be abused.

Review- Imju Fiberwig Mascara

Fiberwig is the top-selling mascara in Japan - beating the competition with remarkable, "false eyelash-like" results. What it is formulated to do:Engineered to create the perfect lashes with twice the amount of micro-fine interconnecting fibers, the instant drying formula creates a long lasting film coat around your natural lashes. Fiberwig imparts a perfect, smudge-proof maximum lash extension effect with a water-resistant formula that's easy to remove with warm water, without risking damaging or losing your natural lashes.What else you need to know:A jet-black fiber film coats the surface of each lash with long-lasting, clump-free, lash lengthening color that's resistant to tears, sweat, and oil.

HELLO EYELASHES! being an eyelash deprived person for almost my entire life, I have suffered the horror of nonexistent wimpy eyelashes, smudges all over my face from cheap/bad mascara, and the loss of probably several hundred dollars in products I hated over the years... but never again. At first gasp, i couldn't bear to spend over $25 on mascara, seeing that I had spent so many days with raccoon eyes, or with clumpy lashes that looked more like a spider attacking my face than fluttery beautiful lashes... But this was, by far, the best money I have ever ever ever spent on any cosmetic product in my life! Fiberwig is just like it is described, like painting on beautiful false eyelashes that last all day, NEVER ever smudge, never clump, and wear like professional lashes. Not only that, but even the most novice eye make up wearer can manage to put this product on in a matter of seconds and walk away with a truly transformed face. I would recommend this mascara to anyone. I bought this product at Sephora in NYC and it has lasted for quite a long time, doesn't dry out, and is well worth the money spent, you'll get hooked and never want to use another mascara again.

Review- SK-II Skin Refining Treatment

This luxurious cream is specially formulated to reveal your skin's natural radiance and vitality, Skin Refining Treatment works by softening and lifting away dead skin cells. For a fresher, cleaner, more radiant complexion. To be used regularly at night.

I have to say that although I think I need a little more moisture than this cream affords, it did seem to even out my complexion. My skin looks less "red here, white there". I would love to try their brightening line. And as with the Treatment Essence, a little goes a long way. I used a little less than the size of a pea & it did my whole face and neck. I really liked the results I got from the 2 SK-II products I used.

$125 @ Bloomingdale's

Review- SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

This unique Pitera-rich product moisturizes to improve texture and clarity for a more beautiful, glowing complexion. It also helps stimulate the natural renewal process of the skin's outer layer to rebalance and bring harmony to your skin. Women are so passionate about it that they describe it as their 'holy water'. It contains over 90% pure Pitera - the seemingly magical ingredient found in all SK-II products. Skin absorbs the benefits almost on contact. The result is supple, smooth, radiant skin.

I really liked this product. The $150 question is- how much? I've been using it for a week and I haven't broken out at all (although that's now what it's for) and my skin has been very soft. Although this product is expensive, in 7 days I've used 3/4 of a 0.3 oz. bottle and it comes in 5 oz. ($130) & 7.2 ($150). I'd imagine it would last you at least a year. If you have aging skin, when you do the cost breakdown, it is worth it as very little goes a long way. Pitera is the substance in it that is unique to SK-II products. It's a by product of rice fermentation. As I don't have many signs of aging, my opinion is: go to the SK-II counter, get a sample and a "briefing" and decide for yourself. I would buy it if I wasn't constantly broke (who isn't?)!

REVIEW - Caudalie Beauty Elixir

CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir
The original formula was created for Queen Isabelle of Hungary as an elixir of youth. This half-toner, half-serum mist is filled with essential oils and rare plants, giving an instant boost to the complexion. Lines are smoothed, pores minimized and the skin is left looking radiant. The effectiveness of moisturizer applied afterward is increased.



1 oz $15.00
3.8 oz $49.00 from Nordstrom

Review:

This is one of my favorite items to splurge on, I do feel like it does a nice job of helping to moisturizer my skin.. I don't think it's a completely necessary item to have in the arsenal though.. It's got the best scent, it reminds my of freshly leaves and vines, it's a crisp clean scent that when sprayed over the face just makes me feel good and say ahhhh.. I love it, I use this mostly in the cold months when my skin needs a little extra boost.. I apply this before anything on my freshly cleaned face.. I think that it helps to lock in the moisture and give my makeup application a little something extra, hydrated skin definitely makes the makeup stay on better as well as look better for a longer period of time. I love this stuff so if you are looking for an extra perk that won't break the bank this is a nice little indulgence that feels great and causes no irritation, it's very gentle..

Review - L'Oreal Lash Out Lengthening and Separating Waterproof Mascara

L'Oreal presents Waterproof Lash Out Mascara that builds and separates lashes to extra beautiful lengths. Patented Lengthening formula with an advanced protein complex goes on smoothly, dries quickly and wears all day without flaking. Separating Teddy Bear Brush smoothly coats lashes to build and separate without clumping.

I'm sort of torn about this mascara. It's really great, and definitely lives up to the claims that it doesn't flake and makes your lashes look long and beautiful. But if you use it without wiping off the brush with a tissue first, your lashes get coated with a RIDICULOUS amount of mascara. Too much, really. I looked like a 21st century Tammy Faye Bakker, but without all the evangelism. I tried wiping the mascara on the side of the tube so I wouldn't be wasting it, but it just got messy. I wouldn't recommend it, but only because the brush is so weirdly designed.

Review- Sunsilk ThermaShine Conditioner

Hair duller than your last date? Turn on the heat - turn on the shine.Dull hair attracting duds? Heat things up with Sunsilk ThermaShine Conditioner.Its heat-activated silk protein formula gives you smooth moves - so you can kiss your dull days goodbye!

I must not be the only one who likes this conditioner, it's sold out @ Drugstore and Walgreens. It's a really great conditioner; you don't need to pile it on to thoroughly condition your hair. I love that, because it usually takes forever to rinse my hair, but not with this stuff. The whole line has a very clean scent which could be used by men or women. Overall, well worth its price (if you can find it).
$4.49 @ Walgreens

Review- Sunsilk ThermaShine Shampoo

Hair duller than your last date? Turn on the heat for 24-carat shine with silk proteins
Dull hair attracting duds? Heat things up with Sunsilk™ ThermaShine Shampoo.
Its heat-activated silk protein formula will bring out your shine... so you can Kiss your Dull Days Goodbye!

I have to be honest, I don't recommend the Hydra TLC line from Sunsilk, but I love the Thermashine! This shampoo lathers nicely, rinses clean and seems to be the perfect companion for the conditioner. I don't know if it's the shampoo, conditioner or shine spray, but I love my hair with this line. Just a little background, I have long, slightly dry, straight hair. If this sounds like you or you use a lot of heated hair stylers, you should definitely give this a try.
$3.49 @ Drugstore.com

Review- Crabtree and Evelyn La Source Body Wash

La Source Relaxing Body Wash

Soothe and moisturize your skin everyday with our pH balanced body wash, enriched with skin conditioning oat amino acids, soothing milk proteins and nourishing marine extracts.

• Soothing and moisturizing
• pH balanced
• Skin conditioning
• Scent: Relaxing sea air fragrance

I really love the scent of this body wash. It smells clean and vaguely of baby powder. It left my skin moisturized and the scent lingered after I got out of the shower (which I love). It also lathers up pretty well for a body wash. As an added bonus, the price isn't enough to stop you in your tracks! This would be a great holiday present for that person on your list who's hard to buy for because I feel that the smell is universally appealing. There is an entire line of products with the "La Source" scent to choose from (reviews coming soon!). Look down the posts for a Crabtree and Evelyn coupon.

Review- DuWop Elixrstix Lip Gloss

In the perfect partnership of two cultural phenomena, DuWop has collaborated with e•lix•r Tonics & Teas to create Elixrstix, a beauty experience unlike any other. Blending the healthy elements of the e•lix•r tonic with the aesthetic beauty benefits of a gorgeous, non-sticky lip gloss, Elixrstix provides moisturizing coverage, giving a gorgeous glow of color while delighting the palate. Each tonic used in Elixrstix is synergized and formulated for a specific function.
Elixrstix come in 4 healthy hues
clarity - sheer nude
serenity - sheer melon
harmony - sheer berry
energy - sheer pink

This product is right up my alley. It's portable and easy to use and I can put it on on the subway without a glitch. Not only is it one of the least goopey lipglosses I've ever used, it comes with a brush tip so all you do is squeeze and apply. Mine is a color called "Serenity". It's a coral-y orange-ish color (orange for lips is the latest trend!). I'll definitely be keeping this in my on-the-go make-up bag.
$22 @ DuWop

Review- DuWop's Blush Therapy

Velvety cream blush (never before seen in a stick) with the translucency of a gel and light powder finish - all that plus an aromatherapy fragrance built into the cap.

DuWop's blush therapy comes in 6 gorgeous colors named after things that are therapeutic
elixir - natural taupe pink
hug - bright baby pink
rain - rich mauve
retreat - sheer cherry
vivaldi - wearable fuchsia
yoga - playful coral

*Vintage Featured Products with 20% off PLUS FREE shipping: rain or yoga only @ DuWop

I'd never tried a cream blush before, but this blush stick made the thought a little less scary. For one, the color goes on very sheer and you can layer as much or as little as you like. I don't wear a lot of blush, so one swipe on each cheek did me just fine. I did have to wipe some out of my sideburns though (I went a little crazy). It smells delightful and is so smooth to the touch. I got it in the color Yoga and I feel it's a little too coral for my pale, blue-red undertoned skin. I would recommend checking out this product if you are interested in trying out a cream blush because it only took 2 tries for a novice like me to get the jist.

$22 @ DuWop

Review- Benefit Her Glossiness

An ultra-shine gloss for very important people “Gloss your way to the top... this impossibly shiny gloss glides on smooth for A-list lips that will give 'em something to gossip about. The luxurious formula with jojoba oil makes your lips feel five-star pampered... as if they'd expect anything less!”

This is the pink that should be on every pink lover's lips. The description says it's a peachy pink, but on my lips it looks like a sheer, light pink. It looks good on it's own or over lipstick (I put it over red for extra oomph) It's not at all goop-y and goes on smoothly via a wand applicator. It has a tiny bit of shimmer, but it's more along the lines of a light reflecting gloss than a shimmer. And it's moisturizing to boot! Overall I love this lipgloss! It comes in 8 colors which cover all the bases- pinks, reds & browns.

$16 @ Benefit

Available for a limited time- Her Glossiness Gift Set. 3 double-ended gloss wands (6 colors in all!)

$26 @ Benefit

Cityslicker says:

I have her Glossiness in "didn't hear it from me".. It's a nice gloss that has some stick to it but not so much that my lips are always sticking together.. I love this color.. It reminds me of the nude peachy shades that J Lo wears.. I am really fair and I pull it off without looking to washed out and the color doesn't oppose with my teeth some of the nude shades make teeth look yellow or should I say not the white they are.. This is a great everyday shade and a super evening look with a smoky eye. The wearability is pretty good, it's got to be reapplied after eating. I find that it doesn't feather at all. The one downfall is that it can be drying to my lippies.. It's not terrible but at night I do have to apply some balm.. The color is shiny but offers an opaque look that really covers the lip color.. It you are looking for a little color this is good option, also the tube is pretty long and surely will last for a while..

Review- Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes

This little kit with BIG results is all you need to define, contour and enhance your eyes. We've included everything you need to "go pro" with the perfect shades and tools to create that coveted contour look that everyone loves. You'll thank us later. Product details:

• Voted "most valuable product" by Redbook magazine in 2006
• Includes illustrated, step-by-step makeup lesson

I don't know how Benefit does it. They seem to consistently churn out products that they promise will look good on everyone and as far as I can tell they do! When I initially looked at the colors in this palette I thought “nothing too exciting here”. But once I put them on I changed my tune %100. I followed the directions it comes with and swept my eye with the dusty pink, filled in the crease of my eye with the darker brown and lined my eyes with the dark brown powder. It looks amazing! I never would have guessed that these colors could make my green/hazel eyes “pop” so much. I even got a compliment the first day I wore it. The kit also comes with an under-eye concealer (Boi-ing 02) which the directions say matches most skin tones (and it probably does) but I am the palest of the pale so it made me look a bit drawn. I'd expect it to match most other people though. Even though I usually wear yellow eyeshadow with black liner, I'm going to be wearing this new, softer look for quite a while.

$32 @ Benefit