Covergirl Eye Enhancers single shadows

Every now and again in the struggle to find the absolute best makeup, you find a dud....something that just doesn't deliver, or is useless. This is what I found in Covergirl eye shadow in the color "gold sizzle" I was looking for a really yellow gold shadow for a while, and thought I had found it, but boy was I wrong! The thing does not blend well, it is very chalky, the consistency is not smooth, and this is all while used dry. The color was barely there, I kept on trying to apply more but it just wasn't "sticking" I even tried it with a primer, and no dice....So I tried it wet (when you put on eye shadow with a wet brush it usually makes it so much more intense) it got even worse, it compacted the powder even more and has now become unusable. I then proceeded to toss that crap in the trash and never looked back... Save yourselves some money and walk away very quickly when you see it in the makeup isle, once again, LOOK AWAY!!!

This is how it looks, I'm showing you so that you can spot the beast!

 http://cn1.kaboodle.com/img/c/0/0/195/7/AAAADNln1iIAAAAAAZVzrw/covergirl-eye-enhancers-gold-sizzle-420.jpg?v=1320426382000

Sonia Kashuk Eyeliner Palette

Hey Everyone!

  This week I found another little jewel, and this time at Target....I can never pass up the makeup isles there... Its an eyeliner palette from Sonia Kashuk that has 5 colors and a really cool collapsible brush. The eyeliner colors are really pretty, very wearable shades that are really the only colors you will ever need. The consistency is sort of a mix between a gel and a powder, it really goes on well and you would think that the brush is a little too thick but it isn't, its really quite good. I LOVE this set, I have tried the plum and blue colors and they have lasted all day, its really easy to do a winged look and smokey eyes are easy to create with this. Its very much worth the money, and it seems like this would last a long time, for about $13.00 you cant go wrong!

 http://soniakashuk.com/img/products/liner-eyePalatte-m.jpg

Estee Lauder Vérité Calming Fluid

Hi All,
  I don't normally buy products from Estee Lauder because they are so bloody expensive, but I was at a skin issue low at the time and the Macy's lady was very convincing this time around... I should have known I was doomed from the moment I accepted a "free mini makeover", conniving thieves! Anyhow, she kept on pointing out how red and blotchy my skin was (digging the hole of self esteem deeper) and the lotion felt so refreshing going on that I decided I would get the damn thing.

http://www.esteelauder.com/products/images/311x311/0951_311x311.jpg

I bring it home and use it morning and evening as directed for 2 weeks, and (drum roll) .........................................NOTHING!!!! $65 dollars down the drain and not one thing was achieved, my skin still looked like rass (multi-use Belizean term for terrible) and I could have bought something so much better like perfume which is my crack. So I decided to go back to Macys and return it, the sales woman then looked at me with venom and took it back, spitting out "well it is supposed to take away redness TEMPORARILY"... I told her by temporary they mean 5 minutes and left.... wont have to go to that Macy's again tho so whatever!

Anyway, tomorrow is Friday so I will say have a good weekend in advance! Take care!

Kar
xoxo

Origins Vitazing Tinted Moisturizer

Continuing on my trend with "eco-friendly" products which are pretty good for sensitive skin, this tinted moisturizer packs a good wallop. It is from Origins which, in my experience, are a pretty good brand because they make products which are "formulated with natural certified organic ingredients, and natural oils." They are formulated without parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and a bunch of other crap I cant pronounce that is apparently bad for you... What I like too is that they make the stuff using renewable energy resources, and have packaging which contains recycled content or in some cases is biodegradable.. good stuff haw? 

Anyhow, I like that it has SPF 15 because I would prefer to NOT have skin cancer, and it advertises that because of the mangosteen and ginseng ingredients, among others, it wakes your skin up so that you don't look so frickin tired all the time. This was the selling point for me because I NEVER slept when I was doing my masters, a condition which unfortunately affects us all, remember my trick with the toner and the fridge ;)

I liked this a lot, because of the SPF, natural ingredients, and because it did a pretty good job on my skin, I think I had less blotchyness overall but I was hoping for a tad more coverage from the tint. I also felt that my skin was a bit oily with this (looked like I could fry an egg with all that grease).... ahem! It worked fine if I used a powder on top, so I am almost out of it. I would buy it again because I like the product, especially how it adjusts the color based on your skin tone, its actually kinda fun to rub it in and see the color change, and in the end I do feel like my face looks a bit more "awake" and youthful. Its just the damn greasyness I don't like, so I might dig around for something else when this finally runs out. 

Cost wise its good even though its about $35 because it lasts a good while, I got mine like 6 months ago and its still going. You get what you pay for sometimes, and with skincare I don't really mess with the stuff that is dirt cheap, i try to stay on the safe side with a brand I trust.  However, there are things out there that really are cheap and great but that is for another post..... 

http://www.origins.com/images/products/300x338/or_0HJX01_300.jpg

Aveda Foot Relief

This product is the best thing since sliced bread! I absolutely adore it and don't think i will ever be without it again. I love Aveda products because they are natural, and use plant derived active ingredients, they usually have a very relaxing, herbal smell. They can run a little pricey but for the most part are absolutely worth it! This foot relief cream is the best I have tried...and I have tried MANY, I've always had problems with dry, cracked heels and this makes it non-existent. According to their website the cream is "blended with active herbs, exfoliating fruit acids and plant-derived oils like jojoba and castor". It costs $21.00 for a 4.2 oz tube so like I said this is on the pricey side, you know how i love to save a buck but I do it gladly for this one. Your feet will thank you and so will your significant other (if there is one) when they touch them, you wont be given any snarky comments on your rough heels is all I'm sayin! 

http://www.aveda.com/images/products/254x320/av_A04N_254.png

Butter of London Nail Polish (All Hail the Queen)

I had originally seen this on another site, Fragrantica.com,  where I live and die at because Im a fragrance freak and that is where all the fragrance geeks go to. They have a section in the "club" area that talks about other beauty products and one member talked about it on a thread about nail polish. When i saw this color I fell deeply in love and vowed that I would search far and wide until I got a bottle for myself because it seemed to be the perfect balance between glitz and sophisticated beige. I had been looking for that balance for what felt like forever, something that I didn't feel was boring or too "blingified".

I finally got it from Ulta because I had a coupon from them it is a bit pricier than my usual polishes but I didn't mind paying a little more for something I thought would be perfection, its regularly $15. I love the bottle, dont worry about the rectangular top because it pops off so that you can use a round handle, which is easier to maneuver.  First impression is that this nail polish is of good quality and it dries fast, it lasts pretty long without chipping and application is great. Now for the cons.... I honestly thought there was gonna be a bit more sparkle to it, you dont see the holographic sparkles unless you really look at the nail closely ( wanted more). Secondly it is a bit transparent so you have to do about 3-4 coats to have an opaque finish, but they dry fast so you dont really get much bubbling. 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oSWdFHteXAnRzdy5fUAsyaruswI-4ZggUydiYlLYUYonDv3eVENKU2no0Ln3nAFhu7VjmnUaass0ysI08rbP4jrFurliJcc8NfADraxKXMSkdJsD_WXyynI5CD5ETtsfOr22Ua5rwHA/s1600/AHQ.jpg
I took pictures for this myself but have no idea why its not letting me post them so this is from another blog (sorry). 

In all I really like this nail polish and I can see myself using the whole bottle, but im not certain I would buy this color again, I was just expecting more sparkle... so now im on the hunt for a holographic nail polish because im obsessed and cant help it.... 

LONG overdue post

Hello,

 I will be surprised if anyone is still even following my blog as I have been absent for so long. Doing what you may ask..or not...getting my Master of Interior Design degree and  moving across Florida among other things. So since I am more or less back to normal I just wanted to start this blog up again cause I missed it, and although I have been awol on this, I have NOT been absent in any way from the beauty world.... that would never happen, I cant seem to cure my addiction! Anyway, for those who may still be out there reading this (cue in sound of crickets) welcome back, and I promise to keep on reviewing products, giving you my unbiased opinion so that you can enjoy something new or keep away from the shitty stuff that I discover too ;)

Kar
xoxo

Organix Nourishing coconut Milk Mousse

                                       
Hey everyone,
  Sorry for not putting anything up recently, I've been a bit busy! The latest thing that I have fallen in love with is Organix Nourishing coconut milk mousse. It is supposed to have egg white proteins in it to make hair stronger and add elasticity, while coconut oils add the hydration and balance. I really like it because lately my hair has been sort of oily or it goes to the extreme of being dry if I don't put in any product. I used Biosilk for a long time and loved it but it has been way too oily for my hair lately, might be the hot weather here in MIA lately, been hot as a biotch! I also tried a Neutrogena leave in conditioner which worked great but I was hoping for more volume, so when I stumbled across this baby in the drug store I had to get it. Volume AND moisture? I didn't think it was possible but it is, you must go out and buy this product because it is wonderful, I just put it in after I wash my hair and brush it, then leave it to air dry. I am really happy with this one, totally worth the $6.99 I paid for it. If you want a little more shine to your hair try use a TINY bit of Biosilk or some other shine serum on the ends and you should be good to go!

Image courtesy of :   www.ulta.com

Tresemme Fresh start dry shampoo

http://cdn-sm.tresemme.com/Tresemme/US/files/products/FSDryShampoo/product-large.png

I have been looking for a dry shampoo for a while now and this really is the first that I have tried, I decided I needed a dry shampoo because my hair gets oily around the roots really fast now. I believe my hair type has changed this year actually because I have always had really dry hair and now its somewhat oily (it may be from taking biotin). I also find this helpful to put in the hair after the gym (not when hair is still wet from the sweat, but a little after). Anyway, I went to Walgreen's and decided to check this one out since it was cheaper and looked just as good as the other stuff in the isle, it cost about $5.00. I tried it out this morning and I really like how it smells, the directions say to hold it like 8 inches away from your hair and spray the roots and then wait like 1-2 mins so that it can absorb the extra oil and crap in the hair.  I have to say that it does leave the hair feeling a little heavier, but I think that I may have held the can a little too close or put too much in my hair because the can says you are supposed to spray it LIGHTLY and well...I didn't spray it so light when I think back on it. Determined to make this work I went on their site and found a video on how you are meant to apply this thing. Basically I did it all wrong as you are meant to separate your hair into sections so that you can get into the roots better (I just sprayed that shit all over) and then you really need to wait the minute that it says on the can (which I didn't really do) THEN proceed to brush out the excess and style (this one I did). 

All in all the product is great if you read the bloody instructions! Their site also pointed out that it is good for people with color treated hair so that the dye lasts longer due to fewer washes. I would try it out if you have oily hair syndrome like me and see if you like it, for $5.00 you can't really go wrong. 

Estee Lauder Sensuous Noir Perfume

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AnFXMENKH8EMzVRAMfsht1komQ5zsPirNH1DrKQ0ClT2gFpwI0ZVMicxaUKlzJ2a3Vvt6A3agQVkAop1RKWEayzit5jOInVf6NDOAy_Jg6OTyRXuzONecWYw9XXwkpbZ91uqPYJMVwsH/s1600/SensuousNoir.jpg

This is the BEST perfume I have ever had, I love it as I have never loved another fragrance in my life!!!!It is like sex in a bottle  and I feel so elegant and classy wearing this. When i wear this I feel like i can take over the world, I would imagine that Cleopatra seduced Marc Anthony wearing something like this. It is not for the feint of heart, if u like sexy woody orientals with vanilla or amber then this is the one for you! This is what they say on their site in regards to the notes that comprise this little gem.

 

Key Notes:

      Exotic Purple Rose Blended with the subtle sweetness of Rose Essence, Jasmine Queen of the Night          lends its velvety petals and narcotic aroma to the opening notes.

• A rush of Black Pepper brings a spicy vibrancy to this tempting bouquet.

• An enticing heart centered around a core of Melted Woods Nature Print, yields a sleek, feminine woody signature that is unmistakably unique.
• Luscious and captivating Creme Noir Accord enhances the enticing presence and smooth sensation.
• Evocatively mysterious, Patchouli Prisma is richly faceted, yet earthy and elusive.
• Perhaps the most sensual of flowers, the Spiced Lily offers its nectar to butterflies and bees, and envelopes the heart in a hypnotic midnight garden effect.

• Wrapping your senses in luxurious sensuality, precious Benzoin and creamy Vanilla add texture and warmth.
• A drizzle of rich Honey and glowing Amber reveal a luminous opulence that lingers throughout this dark and mystifying blend.