Review- Eyecurl II Professional Heated Eyelash Curler

Slim, lightweight and unique design. More effective than an ordinary eyelash curler. Absolutely safe with no pain, pulling, crimping or damage to eyelashes. As used by Kate Moss and many other celebrities, it is the safest and most effective way to make eyelashes curled, long and lush all day long. Eyecurl may be used anytime, before and after using mascara. Simple to use instructions are included. $16.95

If you figure people are willing to take a lighter to their metal eyelash curler to make it hot before using it then there is a demographic group for whom this product can cater. But I can't see this as anything more than a tiny curling iron for your lashes. It's true, this is fool-proof, safe, there's no chance of burning your eyeball or anything macabre like that but after a half of dozen uses I am not convinced it trumps a regular curler. But as the consumer market gets more saturated with lash growth serums, rotating mascara wands and the like, I don't think this tool is a necessity in one's arsenal.

Review- Casa di Francesca Home Diffuser

Tiny fragrant Strawberries grow wild in the woodlands and hedgerows, lining the paths and stone walkways like a beautiful crimson carpet. A delightful treat for all of the senses, their deliciously inviting fragrance brings a ray of sunshine to any room of the home. $39.50 for 200ml

The description above references woodlands and strawberries growing wild and free in nature. That's all well and good but on the really real? This fragrance oil smells straight-up like Bubblicious Strawberry Splash gum and that's that. Please don't misunderstand though. There is absolutely NO shame in anything smelling like bubble gum, in fact, I'd take a faint whiff of Hubba Bubba Blueberry over any super-flowery scent, so I am a big fan of this diffuser set. It's a beautifully packaged bottle subtle enough to fade into the fabric of the decor of any room but pretty enough to sit prominently on a table. And as an aside, my toddler is obsessed with the bell on the ribbon around the bottle's neck. He has asked, "Why is there a bell there? Why? Why?" about a gazillion times. I figured it out though--it's to alert an adult when your child or cat has impulsively tipped over the bottle. Heh.

Hillary says: I received this diffuser set in Deep Lilac & it is gorgeous. It's almost gone now thanks to a mishap initiated by a curious cat, but for weeks I would smell fresh lilacs each time I walked into my apartment. I highly recommend the diffuser, so long as you keep it away from any pets or children. Mine is currently on top of my bookcase. It works just fine from there, but when it spilled earlier this month, it took the varnish off of my hardwood floor! That aside, so long as you keep flipping the reeds, this diffuser will continue to let off scent. The fragrance oil is highly concentrated and although it's powerful enough to scent my large living room, it's not so strong it makes you sick of it. All in all, I would buy another one of these diffusers and simply put it where it is now- out of reach. On HSN.com they are having a sale on certain scents and they carry some beautiful Murano Glass diffusers which would make perfect Holiday gifts.

Deedlejuse Says: I received this diffuser in Orange Blossom, and let me say it is scrumptious. I love the idea of the reed diffuser, and this one does not disappoint. I love that they are marginally less expensive than many you can find around. (this one runs for $40~, while others of the same size will cost you $60 plus!) The amount of oil you receive will definitely last you a couple of months at least (I've had mine for about two months and you can't even tell its been there for that long!) Its still as strong as the day we unpacked it. The trick is you have to flip the reeds ever week or so, whenever you need to enhance the smell. The bottle is also really pretty, but you could conceivably switch it out for something you prefer.
The fragrance is wonderful. Have you ever seen an orange tree (or other citrus tree) in full bloom? It is a wonderful rich round floral with buttery notes. It is not a citrus smell, if you are looking for a citrus look elsewhere! But if you have ever spent time near an orange tree you might need to go out and get this diffuser! I'm really enjoying this and I'm sure you will too!

Review- Avon Ultimate Night Gold Emulsion

What have you got to lose, except years of visible aging? Transcend time with a rare skin-strengthening fusion of patented Pro-Sirtuin TX and Gold Polypeptide technologies. $29 for 1.7 fl.oz.

My first thought when I looked at this jar was, "Am I going to sparkle in the sunlight ala Twilight?" Anything with a gold sheen is appealing. But, as I have now learned, gold is meant to sink into the deeper layers of the skin 'instantly.' This treatment, however, never really did sink in. Yes, I felt like I was more moisturized than perhaps ever before and yes, I saw visible changes in only three days but I determined that this emulsion is best suited for someone older with extremely dry skin. Also, after four days, paradoxically, the skin around my nose started to feel irritated and dry and it was uncomfortable enough for me to consult the back of the box which reads: This product may not be for everybody. So, alas, I did end up discontinuing use before the promised "results in 14 days" but since gold never changes its properties, I am going to cross my fingers and hope this jar keeps for 10 years from now and see what's what closer to my 50s!

Review- Nick Chavez Plump 'N Thick Leave In Thickening Creme Conditoner

Leave in conditioner that leaves hair plump, thick and full of body. $22 for an 8 oz bottle. Current special- get free S & H @ QVC.com on lots of Nick Chavez.

This product does exactly what it is supposed to do. When I say thicken, I really mean it too. You can really feel the difference after shampooing. Unfortunately, the last thing that I want is my hair to be thick! I have African American natural hair and I made my stylist put it in my hair. She could feel the difference right away when she started blow drying it. I flat ironed my hair and got it straight, but the conditioner made it so thick that it lost the bounce and silky smooth feeling that I like. I just felt that it weighed down my hair too much. I could see that if you have flat or limp hair and want to add body to it, this conditioner would be perfect. I just don’t think it was right for my type of hair and the look that I like. Even though it doesn't work for me, I do recommend the conditioner that wants thick hair and body.

Deedlejuse says: This is the perfect leave-in formula for my hair type. I have blond hair, by no means limp, but as most people who have straight hair always looking for something yummy to slurp up. This conditioner really stands alone, it thickens without leaving weird feeling build-up on my hair. Which is hard for lots of leave-in conditioners in my opinion. I really like the smell too, which is always a plus, but it doesn't really stick around for long. I really like it, and I would definitely repurchase!

Hillary says: This is one of those products that I really wish they had sent us full size bottles of! This cream is perfect for conditioning and adding thickness when I've used a 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner & my hair isn't quite comb-able. It works great as a leave-in conditioner and really turns out a great looking head of hair with 1 simple step. I think the coolest feature is that you can use this as an afterthought. Stay with me here. It's a day when you need to look your best. You go through your normal shower routine, you wash and condition your hair. Then you get out & look at your products. Well it doesn't matter what you plan on doing to your hair, you can use Nick Chavez Plump 'n Thick with any styling product and you didn't necessarily have to plan ahead to thicken your hair because you use it after you shower. For me, convenience is Queen & this product does it's job both well & conveniently.

Trish says: A hair-care product that thickens and conditions at the same time? What more could I ask for, right? That's like hair heaven! True to its claims, it really did plumpen my hair enough to give it the beautiful amount of body and waves and movement. I love it. Something like this is exactly what my fine and delicate, ok wimpy, hair needed! The leave-in conditioner part worked nicely enough as well- at least to tame my wild frizzies and give my hair an overall manageability and shape - but I found that I also needed to use hair gloss and/or a silkening serum to add that extra bit of smoothness and shine. The best part though is that none of these products (when used in appropriate amounts I have learned) weighed my hair down, so in the end, I had the best of all worlds - manageability, body, and shine! I will say that I'm glad the Nich Chavez Plump 'N Thick works well with other products and that it delivers such wonderful body and curve we all so crave!

Review- Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation

The Sheer Cover® Mineral Foundation is a unique 4-in-1 formulation that acts as sun protection, anti-aging protection, foundation, and finishing powder. Natural SPF 15 protection and anti-oxidants properties from Green Rooibos Tea help protect against the visible signs of premature aging.


When it comes to mineral foundation, I feel things can go either really beautiful and flawless, or the other way of cakey, flakey, and powdery blahness. Thank goodness this Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation fits the gorgeous and flawless side! I LOVE this stuff! This is how mineral foundation should look - gorgeous and smooth and barely there! I tried it in the Nude shade, which really impressed me because it actually matched my beige skin-tone beautifully! Plus, the extra SPF 15 protection and antioxidant formula made me appreciate the fact that I'm wearing something healthy and protective for my skin. Right now this incredible foundation can be purchased as part of the whole Sheer Cover kit for only $29.95 w/ free shipping and to me if you're shopping around for a new foundation and want to go mineral - this is the one to get with the whole kit and kaboodle too! You can't go wrong with this wonderful product!

Review - Burt's Bess Lip Shimmer

A kiss of color and pearlized shine perk up our world famous 100% natural lip balm, while natural ingredients like vitamin E and coconut and sunflower oils moisturize and soothe your lips. Choose from 11 yummy, all natural shades: Champagne, Raisin, Merlot, Rhubarb, Watermelon, Nutmeg, Fig, Cocoa, Toffee, Guava and Papaya. About $5

So we all know that I am a little of a lip gloss/balm fanatic. I have so many lip glosses and balms that I don't have enough room to keep them! With that said, I am always looking for a lip balm or gloss that has multi-purposes. I absolutely love this balm! I have the shade "Peony" which is a pretty pinkish mauve color. Let me tell you, this is my new must-have. Not only does it go on smooth and leave your lips soft, but it also is peppermint flavored. My lips feel very conditioned and soft when I wear this. I love that this line is all about being natural, but still pretty.

Review- Borghese Nail Lacquer

Today's most desirable nail colors, a blend of classic with the latest fashion trends in a lavishly rich nail strengthening polish. Long-wearing hydrating stay-true color with exclusive Acqua di Vita® complex to help restore healthy moisture and Micronized Gemstones for brilliance. The innovative Duale Curve Tip brush hugs nail curves for a precision line, delivering a perfect application effortlessly. Free of Tolulene, DBP, Added Formaldehyde. Not tested on animals.

I tried this nail polish in a shimmery silver shade. It went on pretty clear with one coat, and just left a beautiful dust of silver shimmer across my nails. The polish is buildable, so you can layer it on for a full on silver effect. I also tried using it as a topcoat over another shade of polish, which was equally fabulous. The formula is amazing, it dries completely in just a few minutes and stayed chip-free for nearly a week! And the bottle is super cute and tiny, which makes it really travel friendly. This silvery shade will be go to hue for the holidays, and if you're not into glittery nails don't worry; Borghese polishes come in dozens of shades.

Sultana says: I have this in a beautiful black shade with silver glitter. I agree with Malikah, it does dry super quick. I used this on Halloween and it would work for a regular day, its just that pretty. The sparkle is high, but I am a sparkly kind of gal! It actually lasted longer than I expected. Even though it was black with glitter, it was no harder to take off than any other polishes I have. I am beginning to like Borghese!

Review- Alcone Mother Plucker Tweezer

Because the precision tips of the Mother Plucker are engineered to grab even the shortest and finest hairs, you can achieve the most precise hair removal. The resin tip is easy on your skin and never needs to be sharpened! They will last a lifetime...as long as you don't lose them! $17

Tweezer? More like miracle worker! I honestly did not think that there was a tweezer out there that could beat my Sweezer (which, don't get me wrong, is fabulous), but after using the Mother Plucker just one time I was hooked. This tweezer gets everything! Those hairs that grow in a lighter color than the rest of your eyebrow hairs- gone in a snap. Lets put it this way, I'm buying a few of these for Christmas presents. Not because I have to buy for people who have especially unruly eyebrows, but because I want to share the love that I have for these tweezers. I know what you are thinking, "How can a tweezer be that special?". Let's just say that I didn't know a tweezer this good existed before I used it. No exaggeration. And as an added bonus, they never need sharpening! They have a slanted, resin tip which stays sharp for life. The slant is just steep enough so that you can use the tip to grab individual hairs or use the whole thing to grab a clump. Seriously, if you have to buy a present for someone you know who plucks (or you want to treat yourself), you cannot go wrong with these tweezers. Just don't buy them to drop a hint to a non-plucker, as badly as you want to, you know it would mean a Christmas faux pas! Oh and one last thing, I like them better than my many Tweezerman tweezers hands-down.

Review- Alba Coconut Milk Body Cream

Signature ingredient: Coconut oil is rich in essential fatty acids. The oil of this tropical fruit nourishes and moisturizes for smooth, soft skin.
Product description: Topical plant emollients with nourishing coconut blended in a rich, luxurious body cream to soften, soothe and smooth rough, dry, flaky skin. 6.5 oz (180 g) $12.95

It's not even winter yet and my body's ready for hydration! Plus, the scent of coconut oil in a lavish and rich body cream instantly takes me away to a tropical island. Major bonus points for giving me the impression that I'm sitting on the beach on a warm and sunny vacation! This Alba Coconut Milk Body Cream is the perfect remedy for those winter blues. Not only is the scent amazingly tropical in a delightfully fresh way, but it leaves your skin feeling so soft and moisturized, you wouldn't even know that the change of seasons has already taken place. I especially like applying this on my elbows, knees and heel areas, as directed, because before things get scaly, I feel whisked away on an island retreat! It is also made with aloe, vanilla, guava, papaya and mango extracts, as well as Kukui and macadamia nut oils, and protective shea butter - the ideal ingredients for your skin's tropical getaway - even in the midst of cooling temperatures!

Movie Maven says:
I know I frequently say this about various body butters and creams that we review on this site, but seriously: I COULD EAT THIS LOTION. I shouldn't even really call it a lotion, because it is so much more than that. It's so creamy I don't know what to do with myself. If you put it in a pie crust, I would probably eat it (and then be like "why are you wasting this body cream in my mouth when it should be hydrating my dry skin? Give me some strawberry rhubarb pie instead.") It smells ridiculously amazing (if you like coconut, but then again, why would you even consider buying this if you don't like coconut), and is perfect for after the shower. My one caveat is that if you, like me, take your showers before bedtime, give yourself some time to just sit and hydrate before getting into bed.

Review - Shu Umera "Rouge Unlimited" Creme Matte Lipstick

shu uemura continues to break boundaries in color creation with the launch of Rouge Unlimited Creme Matte, a unique formula that combines a matte effect with a creamy finish. The two contradicting textures come together in one lipstick, gliding smoothly onto lips for a comfortable fit without drying or creasing. Pure color pay-off and high color fidelity are made possible through a revolutionary 'hybrid pigment.'

Ok, so I recently switched jobs, which some of you might have read recently. Before I worked at a little boutique way up on the North Shore of MA. Meaning I didn't need to wear make up, so very rarely did. Now I work at a major department store where I basically HAVE to look completely manicured at all times. (Not that I mind though, I really am enjoying all the cool new cosmetics I can try at a discounted price!!!!) My biggest problem with lipstick before trying Shu is that most of them don't really stay on very long at all. Then I sampled a few colors of the Shu Creme Matte lipstick. I might never go back. Currently I only have one, in vampy rd 165, but I need to have at least ten more shades!! The color lasts at least four to five hours, and is super pigmented. All of the shades I have tried so far are fabulous, and the feeling is just wonderful. Its creamy and moisturizing, and feels like your barley wearing anything, even though the color is wonderfully rich! I really like this lipstick, and basiclly everything I have tried from Shu. The best part of all is that I found a discountinued shade at a discount store (Nordstrom Rack) for half the original price! I don't care if its discontinued, its still pretty fabulous!