Review- Arrojo Daily Face Wash

To freshen, clean, and hydrate. Gentle, beautifying moisture beads leave skin soft and smooth. Essential minerals detoxify, strengthen skin, and increase collagen and elastin production. Scented with a blend of bergamot, daisies and white cedar wood fragrance.

I love the Arrojo shower gel, it smells so great. I also love the shampoo and conditioner, which I'll be reviewing later on. This facial cleanser is the same, it's delicious smelling and looks really cool (it's pink with neat moisture beads floating in it). I also love the fact that the entire line has that clean crisp minimalist look to it with the straight up looking labels and fonts. It's a nice different look compared to a lot of bells and whistles you find with other packaging. So I went into using this cleanser hoping for the greatness and fun of the other Arrojo items I've used. Sadly, like the label said, I tried to lather, and it just didn't lather. Perplexed, I tried again later, with more water and more product, but strangely... no lather again? It smelled great, looked cool, but I couldn't seem to get it to lather up, and consequently I couldn't tell exactly where it was on my face and where it wasn't, and my skin didn't feel so clean afterward. I gave it a week of twice daily use anyway, figuring, I must be missing something right? But I just didn't find anything spectacular about it.

Josephine adds: I'm actually pretty into this product. I have used it at least once a day for the last two weeks and counting. True to what Amanda says, it doesn't exactly get sudsy but the flip-side is that I never walk away from the sink feeling like I have scotchtaped my face a la Pee-Wee Herman during his "Big Adventure." Additionally, the moisture beads take me back to 1991 when that technology was fiercely cutting edge. One final note, the Arrojo line has built their empire on four tenets and one of them is the meticulously culled scents of their individual products. The facial wash is no exception as this is a remarkably pleasurable scent.

Deedlejuse Says: I'm also going to agree with the people above. It doesn't lather, which is confusing since the label totally says "work into a lather" or something to that regard. But, none the less, I am completely thrilled with this face wash. It smells pretty, like a soapy floral, and really works into my skin so that I feel completely fresh and vibrant. I think I tend to use too much, because it is really easy to squirt a bunch out because of the packaging. There is a lot in the bottle, however, so I am planning on it lasting a good long time. I also like the fact that it really cleans without a whole bunch of scrubbing, I have sensitive skin so too much, can really be to much. With this face wash I never feel tight or anything. I love it, and will totally repurchase!

Sultana says: OK good. I thought I was crazy when I used this and it didn't lather! Phew! I was so excited to try this because I like facial washes that have beads in it to scrub your face. Sadly, these beads are few and far between. They don't do very much scrubbing either. However, I have sensitive skin and this is very gentle. That is what I love about Arrojo. I think I would prefer something a little stronger.

Review - Fantasy Length Maximum Wear Glue on Eyelashes

Glamorize your eyes! Instantly get beautiful sexy lashes in a snap with Revlon® Fantasy Lengths® Maximum Wear Glue On eyelashes.

Wow, um, I never thought I'd be able to put on eyelashes. I'm such a klutz and a spazz, and as I always say, I rub my eyes. I put these on and all the while, laughed to myself imagining one lash dangling uselessly from the corner of my eye before I even stepped out the door. Imagine to my surprise when they stayed on for the entire day! I'm not really in need of pumped up lashes, and won't use false lashes on a regular basis, I feel pretty awesome knowing that I pulled off wearing them, applying them, and being generally cool with them... all on my own. If you've ever wanted to try false lashes but were terrified of gluing an eye shut or otherwise embarrassing / harming yourself, try these. You'll do fine, I promise! (And you'll have fun)

Deedlejuse Says: My experience was, to say the least, the exact opposite of Amanda S's. I will say, however, that I am as much or more of a spazz who rubs her eyes constantly than Amanda S. I first decided to be an idiot and apply these lashes backwards, as in left on the right and visa verse. Not that that is Revlon's fault by any means, but it is something to keep in mind when you try your pair. When I finally got them on the correct eyelids (yes I know five year olds can do it, thank you!) I had managed to get the glue all over my face, the lashes were all bunched together and my eyes were watering like crazy. On top of everything else my eyelashes were positioned about 1/4" beneath the falsie, it looked awesome. So, all in all I would say, these obviously work, and according to Amanda S work really well, but I just couldn't figure out how to do it. Don't be too turned off by my review, though, It takes a special kind of person to be able to put their shoes on the wrong feet, but I'd probably manage it!

Maria says: I have been doing musical theatre forever. Anybody who performs in theatre knows that false eyelashes come with the territory. You just gotta wear them on stage. I have used every kind of false eyelashes - from the cheapest - to pretty darn expensive ones and had finally settled on a very well known drugstore brand, known for their false eyelashes and pretty much nothing else. So when I got the Revlon Fantasy Length Lashes I thought to myself - "well, here's a brand I would have never thought to try for false eyelashes". They're quite nice actually - no more difficult to apply than other brands - especially if you use the little tricks of the trade, like applying the glue to the lash band with a q-tip - letting it dry for a sec while flexing the lash...etc. These really give the eyes POP! Naturally, these are not something I'd wear everyday, and I was quite careful to put them back on the backing they came on for the next time I'm doing a show. They photograph amazing - you look like a pinup queen! False eyelashes just add that oomph of glamour and they are a great treat for parties, special events, etc. Well done, Revlon! Good product.

Movie Maven says: I've often speculated about what I would be like if I was a man. I know my name would be Luke, since that's what my mom told me, and I know I would be awesome, because I'm awesome as a lady, but other than that? ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN. I would probably be handsome in a sinister way like my brother, which means I would be playing a lot of villains (I'm assuming I'd still be an actor). But the main thing I think would be true: I would totally be a drag queen. Even if I wasn't gay. I love crazy makeup so much that it transcends gender identity and sexual orientation. And of the trappings of a transvestite, there is none that brings me more joy and pain* than false eyelashes.
They're tricky to put on. Anyone who is good at doing it has had lots and lots of practice. I don't get an opportunity to wear them very often, so I do not have lots of practice. But I got several pairs to try out from Revlon's Fantasy Lengths line, and I wanted to give them the respect they deserve.
The Fantasy Lengths line comes in both a glue-on and a self-adhesive variety. I'll address the glue-on version here. The glue is included (nice), and the way I learned to apply it is to put a little on your hand, then "dip" the lash into it. Wait a moment, then apply to your eye. The key here, ladies (and gents) is: cut the lashes into sections. One of the Revlon styles actually came pre-cut into four mini-lash sections, which makes them 1000% easier to apply. You don't have to struggle with placement because you're only dealing with a quarter inch section, rather than a whole long strip. Additionally, this gives you the option of just putting on one or two sections instead of a whole lid, which is great, and looks more natural.
I was really pleased with the results: one of my friends (without prompting) actually said, "those aren't your lashes? They look so natural." They stayed on admirably, and were really easy to remove at the end of the night. I will definitely be lashing it up in the near future.
*sunshine...and rain

Hillary says: My first attempt with a pair of these beauties was with a design called "Minx" which looks like false lashes with black eyeliner attached. Loved them in the box, however, they were too small for my eyes. The Revlon rep was shocked as most people have to cut them because they are too long. Attempt #2 was with a half- lash style called "Wink". Now these I can get into these! Of course it took a couple of tries, but once they were on they looked like my lashes, only much better! You place them at the outer edges of your eyes like accents. I hope they last, because I plan on wearing them on a regular basis. P.S. After about 5 minutes you don't notice you have them on at all.

Josephine says: I went to a daytime garden wedding this past weekend and wore my falsies. I used the ones reco'ed for someone with lighter hair. They weren't lighter in lash color, per se, but there were fewer on the band, making them less obvious. It's at this point I should say I put false lashes on people for a living yet struggled with these. I blame the glue, however, and not the actual lashes. When I punctured the tube, a bunch of liquid-y ooze flowed out. Once I squeezed the tube for a moment and 'finally' got the product going, it dried so quickly that I didn't have time to line the lashes, place and press them into my lashline. I did finally get them on after several weird attempts and they looked and photographed beautifully. When I removed my eye makeup later that night, I saw more clearly what the company means by long-wearing glue. I practically had to break out an elaborate power tool to get it off. Two days later, I am still removing the glue from my lashes. So, a recap: Great lashes that don't need long-wearing glue to be more fabulous, in my expert opinion. Reach for these Revlon lashes at the store but steer clear of that particular box.

Sultana says: Oh how I long to wear false lashes. I can't tell you how many times I've tried. The reason they don't seem to stay on is because my eyelids tend to get oily because I have oily skin. No glue I find can hold them in. These lashes from Revlon were so nice. They were the perfect length & volume. Sadly, like the others they did not stay on. I didn't have a hard time putting them on. I think these would work better on people with normal to dry skin. Other than that, these are well made and really pretty.

Review - Herban Essentials Towelettes

The mini pack is $6 for 6 towelettes, the lager size is $15 for 20 towelettes. They may be bought as single scents or assorted.

Between a few trips on the subway, a couple hours at Starbucks and dodging the rain, I couldn’t help but feel a bit wet and grimy. I remembered that I had a few packs of Herban Essentials Towelettes in my bag for days just like this. I promptly opened the peppermint one and was automatically greeted with a strong burst of freshness. For a small towel, it packed in a lot of natural goodness. Herban Essentials uses essential oils so you know you’re getting the real thing and best of all, it’s a convenient way to get your aroma therapy fix. So, needless to say, I was tingling for a few minutes with the natural uplift that peppermint brings—kinda like Altoids for your hands and body!

I strongly recommend these products for anyone that’s on the go! They come all types of flavors too—lemon, lavender, peppermint and orange.

Hillary says: I am a clean hand fanatic! Honestly I don't even know how I manage to ride the subway or open a public door, so I am constantly sanitizing my hands. These towelettes come in fun, refreshing scents and are more substantial than your average hand wipe. The disinfect and leave behind a great scent. If you check out the website, they have a ton of alternative uses for these wipes- throw a lavender one in with your laundry in the dryer to scent it, tuck a peppermint one in your car's air conditioning vents for a pick me up, the list goes on and on. Are they more expensive than your average hand wipe? Yes. Is it worth it to treat yourself to a little aromatherapy to brighten up your day? You bet!

Review- Dazzle Dry Quick-Dry Nail Polish System Kit

"Fast-drying nail polish colors and a quick drying top coat of the utmost speed unite to form the Dazzle Dry Quick Dry Nail System - a full line of nail polish colors, a topcoat and a base coat for natural nails that deliver chic, beautiful nails in minutes." 6 piece kit- $54.00

That's right, this is a nail polish "system". But don't be alarmed. There is only 1 more step to this system than you would usually go through to give yourself a manicure and with the end product being what it is- it's worth it. Starting with bare nails, you swipe them with some "Nail Prep" on a cotton ball (note: a little goes a long way). After that, it's business as usual- at lightening speed. There is fast drying base coat, then fast drying color (you get to choose three for the kit), followed by (you guessed it) the fast drying top coat. When I'm saying "fast drying" you are probably picturing the usual quickie products that take about a minute or so to dry. This stuff dries in seconds! By the time you're doing your 10th nail, your first nail is dry. Dazzle Dry is a must-have product for night owls like myself. In the past, I would want to do my nails at midnight but I knew I would get sheet marks or smears. With this kit I can paint my nails 10 minutes before I go to bed and rest assured they'll be perfect in the morning. How well does it last you ask? Like all (and I mean all) quick dry nail products, it tends to chip quicker than traditional polish on your fingers. I had to retouch after about 3 days. But on my toes I'm on day 8 or 9 and I still don't have a single chip! That great convenience plus no chipping? My toes are singing it's praises. BTW, I might add that my nails were really weak when I painted them because I took off my Revlon False Nails in a hasty manner, so the condition of my nails may have hastened the chipping explaining the difference between my fingers and toes.

Amanda S. Says: I am every manicurists nightmare. I'm one of those jittery hyper people that never stops tapping their fingers or bouncing their foot around. I can't hold still. So when I get a manicure, the idea of not moving my hands or feet for 15 minutes to totally dry everything makes my skin crawl. I start to get antsy and inevitably, almost every time, I smudge the polish. OK, so I decided to try this jazzy little system, and WOW, it dried before I even stood up and went to get a glass of water!!?!?!? I've never had any polish dry this fast, ever. So if you're antsy like I am and hate waiting, this stuff is completely awesome.

Stop Panicking about Parabens- Seriously!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and talking with British Skincare Guru Liz Earle (her products are the #1 selling skincare products in the U.K.). Now I'm totally paraphrasing as I didn't tape the meeting, but she basically put my mind at ease about using parabens. After the meeting I started doing some research of my own and she's right- the studies on parabens causing breast cancer are flawed and few and far between. All of this panic has resulted from one study of 20 samples of breast cancer tissue finding parabens in the tumors. According to Liz Earle, that study has never been replicated again-ever! Another problem plaguing this study is the fact that the slides which held the tissue samples were cleaned with a cleaning solution which contained- you guessed it- parabens. Even the American Cancer Society will not condemn parabens. On their website, they say that the current research is inconclusive. The thing that everyone is afraid of is that parabens mimic estrogenic activity. In everything I read, it said that your body's own estrogen is much stronger than any effects that parabens produce. Parabens also form naturally in foods such as rasperries and blueberries. Why would I want to use parabens you ask? Well, because they are one of the most effective and least sensitizing preservatives available for cosmetics. And as a person with less than perfect skin, I want to know that I am not letting any stray germs onto my face simply because the world is afraid to properly preserve my face products and cosmetics. So please, before you throw out every product in your house with parabens in it, do a little research. I think you'll find that parabens are a lot less scary than the media is leading us to believe.

Review- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nail Polish

A modern colour palette and formulation to match, OCC's professional quality nail lacquers are densely pigmented, quick-drying and super long lasting. $8

I'll bet I can make you want this nail polish in 6 words (anyone remember the tv show "Name that Tune"?): Seven days with barely a chip! I haven't touched them up, I haven't even layered on additional topcoat after the initial application. I've just been wearing this gorgeous, retro pink (called Anime) and going about my merry way- peeling labels off things with my nails, washing my hands like 100 times a day, typing- you know, the usual. If you haven't checked out the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics website, you owe it to yourself to take a gander. The colors of all of their products are chic and hip. Does the name of the company bother me as a mentally ill person? A little. But after meeting this great group of people at the Makeup Show in NYC I know that it's not used in a mean spirited way. So yes, I still totally recommend the products I've tried so far (the Lip Tar & the Nail Lacquer). I especially plan on stocking up on this amazing nail polish because painting once a week will save me SO much time!

Review- Nailene French Tip Pen (Pearl White)

Let's see, on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give myself a humble three when it comes to self-application tips. I've always loved the look of a classic french-manicure, but never thought I could actually pull one off on my own, however, with this beautiful pen from Nailene, this may be a first! I'll admit, initially, it did look like a 5-year-old painted my nails instead, but luckily I cleaned up the edges with a Q-tip swab and nail-polish remover, and voila the white tips were in all the right places! Then, I finished the look with a clear enamel and suddenly I had a pretty-looking for real at-home manicure! The pearl white paint stays on rather well, so while I carefully cleaned up the out-of-line edges, the tips didn't rub off needlessly. Also, thank goodness the french-tip pen was easy to use and had a great sense-of-control - it fits neatly into your hands and the tip is angled smartly catching all the right curves. It is clear that they must have previously tested the product on people like me and found a successful solution. Honestly, if I can manage this, anyone truly can! And have a salon looking french manicure too as a result!

Sultana Maharajh says:

A few years ago, I purchased a pen similar to this one from Sephora. The nail polish inside was way too runny. I never wanted to purchase one of these again. When I tried the Nailene French Tip Pen, I was skeptical at first. As soon as I tried it, I was in love! Not only did it work but the color is absolutely gorgeous! Its a beautiful silverish, pearly white. You can use it with a classic pink French top coat but I find that it covers up the beauty of the color. I used it with a regular clear top coat.
If you are looking for something quick, easy and pretty this will be the right choice for you! Did I mention you wont have to pay a fortune to have a French manicure anymore?

Malikah says:

I tried it too but wasn't a huge fan. I had a lot of trouble getting the polish to glide on evenly, and I thought the pearl white was way too metallic for a classic French manicure. I think I would have liked it much better if it were a pure white, not so silvery. The pen was pretty comfortable to use, but it was hard to make sure all the tips were perfectly even. I may try it again with a nail stencil, because I spent forever trying to clean up the tips and make them all look perfect.

Josephine says:

Does anyone remember that line from Clueless when Cher refers to her friend as "a Monet" as in "It's like a painting, see? From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess?" That's what my tips looks like after using this pen. If you look with a sidelong glance, they are fabulous. That said, I fault my caffeine-addled hands more than anything to do with the product for the wobbly line. BTW, the "pearl" sheen is awesome. It looks edgy and shiny and cool. I will definitely experiment with this tool with more colors than just light pink, it can absolutely hold a wicked cool color.

Review- PUR Mineral Glow Mineral Light Split Pan

Pür Minerals Mineral Glow/Mineral Light split pan is a mineral makeup powder compact that features a split-pan combo containing Mineral Glow and Mineral Light Specialty Powders. Like all Pür Minerals products, Mineral Glow and Mineral Light Face Powder are free of oil, alcohol, talc, fillers, fragrances and chemical dyes. Net Wt: .18oz/5.3g for $22.50

The PUR Mineral Glow Mineral Light Split Pan gives us makeup lovers that easy age-old excuse to buy something new. It's two products in one! How utilitarian. One side holds a coppery hint-of-metallic bronzing powder while the other a shimmery light-reflecting highlighting powder. As a fair girl who occasionally likes the appearance of having been in the sun without actually having done so, finding a bronzer that does not go orange is a mission within itself. Luckily, this one does not go on orange or worse, turn tacky after time. But it is, alas, too gold for my skin tone. I am too pink for its sun-kissed goodness. The golden shimmer in the product would look lovelier on someone with a yellow-based skin tone. However, I think the highlighting powder is really special. It goes on soft and smooth from eyelids to cheekbones and it catches just enough light to look like your walking around with a hidden lighting crew whose sole purpose in life is to make you look flawless. My suggestion for the best application? Apply with a medium wide blush brush then tap gently into skin with a moisturizing toner sprayed onto a sponge. Viola! Subtle glimmery goodness.

Review- Danielle and Company Lip Balm

Our organic lip balm is creamy and moisturizing with organic shea butter and hydrating vitamin E for smooth and healthy lips! 98% organic ingredients. $3

Yum, yum, yum, this organic lip balm couldn’t get any better. I’m a firm believer that for any lip product, you have to take some time to evaluate it. At first, any balm may seem great, but after a few hours in may dry your lips or even make them burn.

I used Danielle and Company Lip Balm for three straight days, touching up throughout different parts of the day. I was surprised with how long the balm moisturized my lips—even after a meal and a drink, it stayed on. I also used it as a base underneath my lipstick and it transformed my normally matte look, into a well-moisturized glow. Plus, the sweet smell of lime was a nice touch. You can get this lip balm at Danielle and Company for $3 or at other specialty cosmetic stores nationwide.

Movie Maven says: Well said! It's definitely worth trying products for a few days before evaluating them to get a sense of how they'll fit into your normal regimen (if they do at all). As a gal who typically has nothing but Chapstick on her lips, this Danielle and Company lip balm was a welcome addition to my stable of lip treatments with no color to them. The lime flavor was nice - pretty strong, so beware - but definitely natural-tasting, which is preferable to a flavor that tastes like it was concocted in a lab. I enjoyed the moisturizing properties of this balm: it stayed on admirably, but I could re-apply at my leisure to experience the lime surge again whenever I wanted! The only (extremely minor) issue I had with this product was the label: I have had lip products with a paper label (as opposed to a glossy sticker label) before, and they tend to get very dirty when tumbling around in my bag, so be forewarned if that's something that would bother you. As for me, I don't mind a bit, as long as the product inside is as good as this stuff. Thumbs up!

Josephine adds: I feel like I just did a shot of tequila. The lime is major. I am with you two, the balm produces the desired effect.

Review- Prive Finishing Texture Spray

I tend to have hair that likes to hang flat and limp, like an overcooked piece of linguine hanging off the side of a cooking pot. For this reason, I am fond of two things: a) teasing my hair within an inch of its life* and b) looking for new products that might help me "fluff up" my lank 'do. This Prive Finishing Texture Spray (Herbal Blend #89) is just the thing. Lighter (much lighter) than a hairspray and not as sticky as a pomade or texturizing cream, it basically just lends a little heft to your hair to make it look fuller without making it look dirty or greasy (which is my main problem with most texturixing products. I was surprised by how much I liked this stuff. It smells great, gives my hair a little boost (no shine, though, for those of you for whom that's a concern), and looks adorable. My main complaint is actually packaging-related: the cap tends to fall off, and when the cap falls off, the little sprayer-head-thing is more likely to fall off, and then you're left with a can of spray that you can't...spray. In any event, I fixed it, and it's fine, but it was bothersome for a moment. It may have taken 88 previous iterations to get to this herbal blend, but it was worth it.

Malikah says: I've been trying to give my flat iron a break and embrace my natural waves for a more carefree, low maintainence summer hair style. I've tried several texturizers and pomades, trying to achieve those sexy, loose, but not ridiculously wild waves. After washing my hair and letting it air dry, I spritzed on a good amount of Prive Finishing Texture Spray. The spray had a great light scent and didn't leave my hair feeling hard or crunchy like some hairsprays can. It didn't really help my curls hold up to the humid weather, and I generally try to avoid products with alcohol that can really dry out your hair. I didn't really like the "semi-matte" finish either, so I would go for something that really added shine. I think it would be great for someone that wasn't worried about the drying out factor, but this one didn't really work for me.