Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Much Better Items Out There

I am always one to welcome more and more moisture so I definitely thought that this cult classic would become one of my most favorite beauty staples. I was totally wrong. This item wasn't moisturizing for me...it was GREASY. I really felt as though I rubbed some sort of butter or fat on my hands. The smell was not good. I don't know if the tube that I got was expired or something but this was a disgusting experience. I don't think I've ever returned a product quite so fast. Easiest decision ever.

January 20, 2015

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

Forgettable

When I went into the store and tried the sample, I put white on one wrist the black on the other...I liked them both, but black won becuase it was more me. I was hesitant to buy either one because the scent faded rather quickly, but I ended up buying the black. Once i got it I though about it and somehow I couldn't really bring myself to like it anymore. This is not a strong scent and has no real definition...somehow it couldn't fit in my beauty arsenal so I returned it. I just feel like this scent lacks real personality and whatever is there fades away rather quickly. There's no right mood or event for this scent though it does smell good (just doesn't evoke any feeling).

January 20, 2015

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation

It's ok

I've heard great things about this cream but it didn't do much for me OR i've experienced much better. I'm a huge fan of the truth serum, but this one was just an ok cream. I wouldn't recommend of fall in love with it. Nothing to write home about, no exceptional moisturizing properties. Skip it. There are drugstore brands that are much better (OLAY!)

January 19, 2015

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Not Better than Klorane, But Cheaper (2nd Best)

Batiste smells really good - that's probably the first thing that you will notice about this dry shampoo and the most memorable part of it. It also works REALLY well...and if I hadn't used Klorane first, then this would have been my number one. I have found that the high priced brands in sephora do nothing for my hair (see my countless reviews as a dry shampoo addict) so I have resort to the drug store brands. Batiste's product works very well and smells amazing (I tried a few of the scents)...so why not the perfect 10? Because a big test for any dry shampoo for me is the lasting power. They all do really well at first (unless I can't get them out of my black hair)...but do they last? So far, Klorane has no scent but lasted until THE NEXT DAY and Batiste smelled ridiculously amazing, had promising results at first but then fell flat by the end of the day. Also, this item has a bit more build up and causes the scalp to feel dry and oil (if that's possible) at the same time. It's a decent dry shampoo and a great option for the difference in price. With that being said, yes, I do recommend this product.

January 19, 2015

Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk

Pleasantly Surprised, but Pricey

I bought a whole bunch of dry shampoo samples in my quest to find the perfect one. When I went to buy this one, the associate told me that this item was the original dry shampoo and was created for patients in hospitals. She sprayed the product on her wrist and upon seeing the "peachy" color, I thought that this would definitely not work well in my black hair. I decided to try it despite my original feeling because I hear such great things about this product.....and I was pleasantly surprised! Yes, it did spray in with that peachy color but after styling it really did disappear and the "bounce" lasted all day without making my scalp feel dry and as if it had powder on it. I was still able to run my fingers through my hair. I love this product so much but I don't like the price tag when compared to other dry shampoos. Either way,it's better than the "invisible sprays" or "white powders" on the market. Not hard to use at all. The sample has lasted for about 5 medium to heavy uses so far. I think that's as far as it will go.

January 19, 2015

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser

Average, Nothing Special

I will start by saying that I love Ole Henriksen products (obsessed with truth serum and invigorating night gel) so I jumped at the change to buy this one. I was pretty disappointed in that after a few weeks of using, I saw nothing different in my skin. I guess it cleanses the skin well leaving it fresh and clean in feeling but it definitely isn't a great make up remover. This quickly made it into my box of items that I travel with just to use up..will never be a basic bathroom staple to me. I stick with the more classic drugstore items for facial cleansers, not worth the money.

January 19, 2015

Dior Hydra Life Comfort Creme

Instant Result

This winter has felt harsh on my skin and I've been on a quest to find a great facial moisturizer. One that let's my skin breath, absorbs instead of sits on top, has an SPF, gives me that glowy/dewy look and feels light yet luxurious. That's a tall order and that has nothing to do with ingredients and age prevention properties. In my quest, I ventured into many drugstores as well as Sephora and SAKs to try lots of creams...ordered samples, etc...you get the point. And then I tried this cream. For a few days I tried a sample on one side of my face and compared it to the other one which had a different sample each day. Each day I saw the dior side stay moisturized for hours and look absolutely healthier instantly...others also observed in a blind test. I finally purchase this cream and my skin looks AMAZING. I don't know what makes it so special but it has instant results and smells great, but not heavy. It absorbs into the skin and feels great. For now, during the winter months in NY, this is my go to cream (drugstore go to is always anything oil of olay, original cream being my favorite) but this is my little daily piece of decadence and I'm very happy with the purchase. I am not sure why this cream isn't advertised or put in the spotlight more (the price is definitely affordable)...but it's a must. Drop into your local sephora and pick up a sample, purchase if you see results quickly. I'm in love!

January 17, 2015

The Body Shop Body Butter

Always A Favorite ...

I have always loved the Body Shop Body Butters hands down. No matter how many other brands I have tried, these are the always the best. As promised, they are skin softening, long lasting and so comforting. I will say that, yes, these are heavy (hence the name butter) and not to be used as lotions. They are wonderful for a post shower and prebed ritual as the the butters really glide easily into the skin and you wake up with skin as smooth as butter....even dry winter skin is no match for these butters. My boyfriend works outside in the cold and I suggested these butters to him. At first he was very reluctant to use but after we settled on an ok guy smell (almond before bed) he really got into the butter. He explained that even after being out in very harsh weather and sometimes for double shifts, his skin still remains very well moisturized, never itchy and doesn't break out or feel greasy. I highly recommend these butters to anyone, even those with sensitive skin. Along with that recommendation I will say that I have always used their butters both seasonal and the basic sets through the years and the I'm never a fan of seasonal scents or any of the fruits/flowers...but the Brazilian Nut (comforting..almost vanilla like), the olive oil (somewhat fresh and exhilarating) and the almond (personal favorite and best moisturizing, somewhat sweet and comforting like Brazilian nut) are the top three tried and true scents for both men and women. I can't rave enough or get enough of these products. When they have sales, I suggest you run, not walk and stock up on as much as you can. (Honey is somewhat decent also). Great all year round...very decadent.

January 17, 2015

Fresh Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil

Too Much Hype, Not So Impressed

I'm a big fan of facial oils as cleansers so I assumed that I would love to use one as a moisturizer...this might still be true but this facial oil didn't do it for me. I was very excited about this product and waited for a short getaway to pop open the new box and start using. My first impression was that there was no scent, not a big deal but then when I applied the 1-2 recommended drops I felt that it didn't spread easily or blend into my face. I then applied a few more drops and waited to glow or at least look somewhat moisturized. No luck. The product did absorb quickly and for about 20 minutes I felt moisturized but then I found myself running to my cream. It's not a silky oil and it doesn't really stand on it's own. I will say that maybe it minimizes pores and makes your skin feel good for a little while so it's not bad enough to return but not good enough to really buy again. I'm sure there are better out there. I would use this as a skin protectant under my moisturizer and maybe over time Ill see the anti aging benefits, but off the bat there is nothing exciting. I will use the rest of the bottle and update in the unlikely event that I see a great change. Will continue to try other brands because I still love the oil idea, this one just didn't do it for me.

January 17, 2015

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

Average

I have pretty thick brows, but I wanted to really get the bold definition that I'm seeing on the runway this season but this provides more of a naturally nice brow look rather than the heavier look. However, I was pleasantly surprised with it for natural looks and it's not a bad product, just a little light on coverage. The liquid is kind of thin...I guess for a thicker look you could use a wax, powder or pencil. Stand alone it's ok for a subtly defined brow depending on what you want. BIG TIP: Even if you have black brows, go for the dark brown...black on black is just plain heavy without looking good....this is not a mascara.

January 11, 2015