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!

Review - Nutra Nail Flexshield Hardener

Nutra Nail® Flex-Shield Hardener
Hard and flexible invisible shield protects nails instantly
Helps stop breaking, tearing & peeling
Absorbs everyday nail trauma to protect longer

I used this product along with the Green Tea & Acai Berry growth formula. I have very brittle nails that chip and break easily. I used it just as a clear polish and its also suitable as a top coat.

My nails are much less brittle after using this now for three months. They used to grow out quickly but break easily. Since I have been using these two products together, I am having less breakage and more growth.

Nutra Nail is one of those brands that have been out forever and you can always count on them to provide new innovative products at affordable prices.

Review - Nutra Nail Growth Treatment With Green Tea & Acai Berry

Nutra Nail® Growth Treatmentwith Green Tea & Acai Berry Antioxidants
Helps stop brittle nails breaking, peeling and chipping
Helps fortify keratin
Results in just 5 days
Instantly replenishes dehydrated, weak nails
Also contains Green Tea & Acai Berry antioxidants
Just massage in this water based formula

I love Nutra Nail products. Whenever I want to grow my nails out, I go to my local pharmacy and purchase one of their growth products. The Green Tea and Acai Berry is a new one that I have never tried before.

I cut my nails down super short and I used this twice per day. I saw new nail growth in literally 2-3 days. It made me nails nice and long in about 3 weeks and they were super healthy! Its a very inexpensive alternative to acrylic nails.

Why use false nails when you can grow out your own? Its so simple to use and it works fast. Not to mention, its very affordable and you can find it at almost any pharmacy or beauty supply.

Review - Maybelline Lasting Drama by Eyestudio

Maybelline Lasting Drama by EYESTUDIO. A gel eyeliner in black that last 24-hours in four shades. It's an oil-free formula with highly concentrated pigments in a clear gel base.

I've been smitten with this product for a couple of days now. If you've read any of my posts, you'll know that I enjoy experimenting with product, but takes me awhile to get the technique down! The directions say to apply the gel in small strokes. I also watched the video to see how to use the eye liner and build your eye story with their eye shadow colors. The video helped be get it and showed me how to play around with different looks.

The gel goes on smooth and really helped bring out my eyes. For me, it's a bold look, but in a good way. I was also happy that it lasted from day to night and lived up to it's 24-hour claim. My reco is to play around with the brush and nail your application technique and don't forget to blend to get the look that you want.

Review - Whish Shave Savour Hair Inhibiting Gel

A lovely and quickly absorbent moisturizer that is exceptionally versatile to boot. Not only can it be used to soothe your skin after a day in the sun, or replenish it after shaving, waxing or laser, it also slows hair growth. All this and it’s made with natural and organic ingredients. Imagine that.

I never heard of Whish products before. They seem to have some interesting ideas. This particular moisturizer claims to inhibit hair growth while replenishing the skin after shaving or hair removal.

So I like the way this smells and I like the way it absorbs. The overall product is excellence. But I used the entire bottle and I didnt see any difference as far as hair growth. However, I do love the fact that the company itself was made for people with sensitive skin. I have extremely sensitive skin and I fear everything I use will make me have a reaction.

The story of how Whish came to be is adorable! The prices are a little on the high side but you are paying for quality ingredients. Ingredients that wont be harsh on your skin. So the money is an investment and its well worth it.

Review- Urban Cowgirl Mineral Concealer/Foundation

Creamy application with sweep of the finger tip or applicator sponge … goes on lightly. $14.99

I don't know about you, but with each change of the season, my skin seems to act up like some wild teenager on a mission. With allergies in full swing, I'm also finding new bags under my eyes each morning and random breakouts from switching to heavier creams and moisturizers. Thank goodness for Urban Cowgirl's Mineral Concealer/Foundation, it truly works to hide those extra baggage under the eyes and a quick spot treatment over smaller breakouts too. I'm so impressed that something this lightweight and smooth can so brilliantly conceal and balance out even the most stubborn of spots. Apparently this Urban Cowgirl concealer can double up as a light foundation as well and still provide full and complete coverage. Normally I would wear foundation during the day to cover up some of these dark spots sprouting up, but I soon realized with a loose dusting of powder and this surprisingly strong and effective concealer, I didn't need to add any more products on top. If you have a few dark spots, or circles too, and need some real, true coverage (without resorting to wearing heavy foundation), this concealer completely does the trick.