Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara has been getting rave reviews for months, so I was quite excited to receive a sample.  According to their web site, www.eyeko.com, this product was created by two veteran make-up artists.  The site lists many celebrities that "favor" this particular brand.  I did not really find a lot of information on the web site such as ingredients, detailed information about the product itself and it only sells mascara, eye liner and a brow serum.

The product claims to be long lasting, volumizing, and water resistant (note: not water proof).
It does come with a small, curved brush.

My personal experience wasn't great.  I found the product to be clumpy, flakey, and it did not curl my lashes.  As someone who has allergies and contact lenses, finding a well rounded mascara is a bit of a task and this one does not qualify.  Upon the first application I was not sure it was going to work for me.  After removing the brush, there is a large, goopy glob of mascara at the end which you either ignore and risk it attaching to your lashes or it must be blotted off with a tissue.  During the application, my lashes began to feel heavy and the overall look was messy, lumpy, and awful.  It only got worse after the 2nd and 3rd application.  When I finished applying the rest of my make-up a few flakes had fallen into my eyes.  Luckily I was able to easily remove the mascara by using warm water and my fingers.

A few days later I tried the product again.  This time I washed the mascara brush prior to application so that it was clean and goop free.  However, the experience was the same.  As soon as I pulled out the brush (or the wand as some like to call it) there was the goop at the end and I blotted it with a tissue.  The mascara was uneven and clumpy.  I removed it and went about my day.

I went online to several beauty boards to see if I was the only one experiencing this and I was not alone.  It seems Eyeko Black Magic Mascara is either a love it or hate it product.  Those who love it really liked the way it thickened their lashes and was very long lasting.  Those that hated it complained of the clumping, smudging, and lack of curl.  This product did not work for me, but it might work for you.  Have you tried it?  What are your thoughts?

GK Hair Serum with Juvexin

I am a huge fan of hair oils and GK Hair Taming System Serum has been a staple of mine for months. Hair oils/serums are a great way to tame frizz, add shine, and keep hair under control especially on those humid months of summer. This bottle has an orange tint to the serum but becomes invisible once you rub it in between your hands. The serum is dispensed by a pump which really helps to control the amount needed and always start with a small amount. I have used this product with both wet and dry hair and have been very happy with the results. I do use a flat iron to straighten out my naturally wavy hair and the GK Serum is a great as the last step for added shine and frizz control.

This product contains Juvexin which per the web site at http://www.gkhair.com is a "special blend of proteins and peptides optimized specially for hair".   (Juvexin is similar to the Brazilian hair straightening treatment.) GK has a huge variety of hair products and their web site contains a lot of information ranging from shampoo/conditioners, deep conditioning treatments, including color treated and curly hair.

I have been impressed by the hair taming serum and will purchase this product again.

Are you a fan of hair serums and if so, what are your favorite products?  And if you are not a fan of hair serums I invite you to please share you experience.

Nature's Gate Tone Back the Clock

This is the last of a three part report on cosmetic toners.



Nature's Gate Tone Back the Block is an alcohol free toner and it is one that can be sprayed directly to the skin or onto a cotton ball (my preferred method).  It is an extremely gentle toner that is effective at removing oil and dirt without over drying the skin.  Actually, this toner did a great job of keeping my skin moisturized so that I did not need to always apply moisturizer afterwards.  I have been using this for about 2 weeks and did not experience any irritation.  I loved the barely there scent and how my skin felt refreshed.

This would be a great toner for all skin types especially those with sensitive skin.

The company website http://natures-gate.com has a lot of good information about their wide variety of products that are cruelty free and vegan.

Happy Shopping Day!

I hope everyone survived Thanksgiving (all that food) and Black Friday (all those sales)!  I spent most of the day scouring the Internet for deals and I came across some great ones! Money is a little tight on my end so I had to really be careful and choose what I really wanted to spend today.  I think Amazon.com and 6pm.com had some really super deals (movies and shoes-can't beat that)!

What great deals did you grab today?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

100 % Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream

Product Description: Eye cream in a pump tube

What it does: For dark circles and puffiness, 100% natural and 100% vegan

Here is a list of the ingredients from 100% Pure's website:

Organic Aloe Juice*, Organic Rose Hydrosol*, Organic Rosehip Oil*, Organic Green Coffee*, Vitamin E (tocopherol), Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate), Extracts of: Coffee Cherry, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Goldenseal, Vanilla Absolute, Candelilla Wax * Certified Organic

Does it work?:  I've been using this product for the past couple of months and I really like it; however, I did not see any improvement on the dark circles and puffiness on the days I had them.

What it does do well is moisturize and the scent is AmAzinG!  It is a rather thick cream so I use it at night when my skin is dry and sometimes on my hands too.  I really like the product and am excited try some of their other products in the future.

One more thing: it product says it is cruelty free but I noticed it did not have the Leaping Bunny Logo on the products or the web site; however I checked www.leapingbunny.org and the company is listed.

Here's a link to their website for more information and products:
http://www.100percentpure.com/ 

And here's the website for Leaping Bunny if you would like to check out cruelty free products:
http://www.leapingbunny.org 

Facial Toner to the Extremes

This picture represents the extremes in facial toners.  On the left is witch hazel and on the right is rubbing alcohol at 91%.  Witch hazel has been around for a very long time, it can be found at most drugstores and retail stores, it is relatively cheap, and is actually good for your skin because it retains moisture.

Rubbing alcohol, and all of the different types of cosmetic alcohol, has also been around for a very long time.  Due to the quick evaporation once it is applied to the skin, it can be irritating, cause redness, breakouts, and other skin problems.

Nearly all other facial toners will fall in-between the two which is why it is very important to pay attention to the alcohol content which is usually listed with the ingredients.  Many toners out on the market today are alcohol free and there is a wide variety to choose from and they range from inexpensive to very expensive.

I have one more toner I am currently sampling which is an alcohol free soothing toner and then I promise I'll move on to a different topic.  :)

Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner

I have combination skin.  It can be oiler in the summer and dryer in the winter and vise versa.  This can make it difficult to choose a toner that is a good fit season after season.  I have been using Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner for about six months now - that would be summer, fall, and although its not "officially" winter it has been darn cold lately - and it has not dried out my skin or caused any irritation.

That's nearly a miracle when you have skin with a mind of its own!  It wasn't until recently when the weather became really, really cold that I noticed I had not needed to get another toner because my skin was still happy.

On some weekends, I will use this product several times a day depending on what I'm doing (cleaning house, yard work etc) and it does a great job of removing oil and dirt without overdrying.  That in itself if a wonderful thing.  The bottle states "visibly reduces the appearance of pores and refines skin".  I don't know what any of that means except it doesn't reduce my pores and I don't know what "refines skin" is referring to.

This is what I can tell you - its a good toner that cleanses the skin without (for the most part) over drying and does a great job of removing oil and dirt.  This toner contains 35% alcohol which indicates it isn't a STRONG toner but the ingredients also list Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract and Peppermint Leaf Extract which may irritate skin types that lean to the sensitive skin category.  Eucalyptus and Peppermint can leave the skin feeling a bit "cold" which may be considered "refreshing".  Have you ever taken a shower with an Eucalyptus or Peppermint body soap?  Whew that will wake you up in the morning! (did that once...never again!)

The saving grace is that since these ingredients are listed near the end of the list, there is a slight chance it could cause irritation so if it does (or any product for that matter) quit using it immediately!

TONER 101 - What is it and do I need it?

There seems to be an on going war between those who believe you should always use a toner and those who say no one should ever use toner.  How do you determine if you need toner?  What type of toner? How often should you use it?  There is a LOT of information out there and it can become very confusing.  Let's start with the very basics.

What is a cosmetic toner?  A liquid used to cleanse skin. (simple right?)

How do you determine if you need a toner?  This is an individual personal choice.  If your skin feels clean and refreshed after using a toner and before you use a moisturizer then it is probably a good choice.  If you skin becomes irritated, red, itchy or feels uncomfortably tight then it might be a good idea to stop using a toner or try to find the mildest toner on the market. 

What type of toner?  It depends greatly on your skin type: dry, oily, normal, sensitive, or combination.  There are 3 types of toner: fresheners(mildest), tonic, and astringent(strongest).

Fresheners contain little or no alcohol, usually less than 10%, and is the mildest form of toner.  It usually contains, water, a humectant (which helps to retain moisture), and a substitute for alcohol which may be caffeine or green tea oil.  This is suitable for all skin types.

Tonics contain a little more alcohol, usually up to 20%, along with water and a humectant.  These are formulated to be very well balanced and are ideal for normal, oily and combination skin types.

Astringents are the strongest of all toners with an alcohol content up to 60%, along with water, a humectant, and antiseptic ingredients.  This is best for oily skin but be cautious because overuse can cause dryness and irritation.

How often should you use it?  When using a toner based on your skin type, it is best to follow the product's instructions, advice from your physician, your Mom or what works best for you.  Most recommend using during your morning and night time routines but if once a day or once a week works best for you then that's what you do.

Always adjust your routine as needed.  I use a toner more in the summer than winter.  In summer I use a stronger toner (due to oily skin) and a gentle toner in winter (due to drier skin).

Please note this is very basic information, for informational purposes only and to help you as a consumer to make the best choice for yourself.  More detailed information can be found on the Internet or public library.

Why is there alcohol in my cosmetics?

Besides water, alcohol is a widely used ingredient in many cosmetics including hairspray, toners, perfume, shampoo/conditioners, and skin care products.  There are actually two kinds of alcohol and they come under a variety of names.

1.      Ethyl Alcohol. Its is known as Ethanol or Alcohol and evaporates quickly.  It is also formulated to taste “bitter” so that it isn’t ingested.  Yes, this is the same type of alcohol found in beer and wine which is why it is reformulated for cosmetic purposes.  This type of alcohol can be very drying.  Check the ingredients and if alcohol is listed in the first couple of ingredients then the products will tend to be stronger than if it was listed as the last ingredient.

2.      Fatty Alcohol.  This type of alcohol is also known as cetyl alcohol, cetearyl

alcohol, stearyl or behenyl alcohol.  It is commonly used in skin care products 

because of its beneficial uses for the skin which means it should not dry out your skin.  It can also be found in hand and body lotions and hair conditioners.

Start reading those ingredient labels!  Now I nearly flunked chemistry in high school (yes there went my scientific career) but I still want to know what’s in my cosmetics. Or at least have an idea of what some of the ingredients are so as consumers we can make informed decisions about what we buy.

This information is just a tiny bit compared to the information you can find on the Internet.  So if you are curious and/or want to know more about it there is a lot of information at your fingertips: so Google away!  Now I can take my tattered chemistry book back and use it as a doorstop again.

As a reference, the web site http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org has a lot of good information and allows you to enter the name of an ingredient then provide you with the information.  This is one of several web sites I'm using for information.

November Glossybox is on its way!

I love this beauty subscription service!  This month's theme is Modern Romance and I can't wait to see what's inside.  I should have the pictures and products from the October box ready very soon!

Big News From Abercrombie....

NOW they are going to launch a Plus Size line. oh (cough) that's nice.

Personally, I don't shop there, will never shop there, and why would I want to enter a nightclub store that really doesn't want my business?  This last year has seen a lot of companies, not to mention independent start ups, embrace and cater to curvier women.  We are not all a size 0 but we don't have to be and that's OK.  Its about time everyone started to really embrace diversity (i.e. our differences) and celebrate that we are people who all long to to be loved, accepted and appreciated no matter what our size, color, or gender is.

What do you think?  Are you excited or appalled? Let me know what you think.

à tout à l'heure

Update: Getting Back in the Groove

Years ago when my father developed high blood pressure, Mom and I had to painfully dissect all of the ingredients in everything we ate.  At that time I became very curious about what the ingredients were and what did all those big scientific words really mean.  Over the years, for example, I learned there were many names and descriptions for salt and sugar.  Once you understand what is in your food you can make better decisions on what you eat.

Recently, I've started to pay more attention to the ingredients in my beauty products and wondered (again) what did all of those big scientific (scary) words mean and what exactly are they.  So I started to research the ingredients and develop an understanding of what is in the products I buy.  I believe that once you understand what the ingredients are and what they do (or don't do) you can make better decisions about your skin care, hair care, make up and other products.

What I am going to do is evaluate the products I currently own, give you the information, and let you make the best decision for yourself.  I hope you find this educational and interesting because the old saying is true...knowledge is power.

à tout à l'heure 
(see you later) :) 

More Beauty News and Reviews Coming Soon!

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I'm making a few changes and additions to try and get motivated to starting blogging again.
Stay tuned and come back soon!

Everything in Moderation

Sometimes I think we worry more about what we put ON our bodies than what we put INTO our bodies.  Nutrition is more important and effective than topical lotions, serums, creams etc.

And remember, as you are slathering on extra moisturizer...sometimes it is best not to over due it with the skin, hair, nail care etc products and just let your skin breathe.  Take a long hot (but not too hot) bath with lavender (or other favorite scent) salt and relax!  Your skin and muscles will thank you.

Even sunscreens can clog up your pores causing breakouts, irritation and extra oily skin. Try alternating a anti bacterial soap with a moisturizing soap so you don't over dry or over oil your skin.  Everything in moderation.

Good luck!

Another one bites the dust...

Well I let another beauty subscription go today and another is in the pipe for the same.  Guess I am just moving on to different things and ALL the subscriptions do take a bite out of the finances after a while. Its been fun and its good to see other bloggers who never seem to get tired of this stuff, new bloggers popping up everyday just now discovering new products, and those who never have a bad word to say and get giddy over anything they get.

Besides, I've got enough stuff I'll never use (mascara, nail polish, tons of dry shampoo (which should come in handy when the zombie apocalypse begins), tons of perfume, hair/skin oils, and a few other items that are great but I received the most horrific colors that definitely were NOT curated to me or my style) and I'm at a point where I can sucessfully discover new products that I like (skin care, hair care, body lotion, shaving products) or cosmetics in colors that compliment my age, skin tone & lifestyle.

Its great to be comfortable in your own skin...and that's where I'm at.

Thank you Birchbox! Thank you Algenist!

I received a sample from one of my early Birchboxes (I think it was the Overnight Restorative Cream which I really loved!) and ever since I have loved this product line!  I made the sample I received last for months not only b/c it is rather expensive, but I also wanted to see if I noticed a difference.  And I did.

It took some discipline b/c Birchbox always has great products to choose from (yes I have to give props where props are due) but I saved up enough points to finally use my points and I chose the Algenist Firming and Lifting Cream.


It actually took me a while to decide what I was going to do with my BB points- do I get one great item that I might never splurge on or do I get two or three less expensive items b/c more is nice too- so I chose to purchase the splurge I would probably never buy for myself just because it is a bit costly.  So I am going to receive a $94.00 high quality product for free...well sorta...but hey I'm worth it (thank you L'Oreal for the great mantra).

I also want to try the Algenist multi-perfecting pore corrector which I will be saving up for next!  The science behind Algenist is simply amazing (yes I really research these things cuz I'm a bit of a nerd/geek) and it does not irritate my skin (yeah)!

So thank you BB (www.birchbox.com) and Algenist (http://www.algenist.com) for all of the wonderful hard work you do! Check out their web sites for more information and trust me you'll be amazed!

Have you tried Algenist?  I would love to hear what you think of it or what your favorite splurge item is or anti-aging product!

Pinterest

Ok, I finally joined Pinterest and I am hooked.  I found myself lost in a sea of beautiful photos of places and things and tattoos and cats...lots of cats.  Anyway I have added a Pinterest button to the blog so that you can see some of the things and beauty products I am interested in.  I seem to look more than I "pin" but I am learning!  Social media is an amazing cultural/generational occurrence and I love seeing/reading all of the positive messages.  Yes there is a lot of nasty and bad stuff out there but so many people and companies really emphasize the positive and that is just so nice to see!  Keep it up!

Updated 2-15-2013: BeautyBlender

 UPDATE: ok so I've used my BeautyBlender sponge everyday this week and I must say that the hype is true: this is an amazing beauty product!

First I tried using it dry but that didn't work out very well.

Then I used it wet and was really impressed with the results!  Yes you do a lot of "pat pat pat" but its totally worth it.  I applied foundation that went on near flawless and even.  The results were amazing and impressive.  I added a little blush, setting powder and mascara and boom I'm out the door!  This means I can sleep in another 10 minutes in the morning!

The pictures don't show it very well but there is a bit of foundation on the sponge which I am trying to show that yes I did use the darn thing!

Overall I think this is a great investment if you are having trouble applying your foundation to your satisfaction.  I still like to use my fingers when applying make-up around my eyes but the BeautyBlender works great everywhere else and I especially like how its blends along the hairline and jaw/neck area.

So if you are still not sure if you want to invest in this...I would recommend giving it a try and if you don't like it I'm sure you have a BFF, sister, cousin, mother who might like to try it out.  If you have been watching all the interesting tidbits of fashion week then you know BeautyBlender was used by many make up artists and you don't have to be young and beautiful to have this product make you feel beautiful too.

Sorry I would post before/after picks like many of the wonderful bloggers do...but I have a face that's better for radio than pictures! :D  So go try this because you just may fall in love with it!

I would love to know your thoughts, expectations and experiences with BeautyBlender!

Alpha Hydrox Targeted Skin Lightener

Are you guilty? Guilty of spending a little too much time in the sunshine with little or no SPF? Umm confess..it's good for the soul!  Now that you are getting a little older have you noticed some "sun" spots are your face? A few patches of uneven skin tone?

Well you are not alone...join the club!  I am very guilty of spending too much time in the sun with little or no SPF and now it has caught up w/me.

A few years ago I dropped a lot of money into a well known brand that was suppose to clear up these spots...but several hundred dollars later...no visible results.

In my search for a product that might actually work I came across the Alpha Hydrox skin care line.  After some research and weighing the odds of the strong ingredients I decided to try some of their products.  I have the foaming face wash and the enhanced anti-wrinkle lotion (w/10% glycolic AHA).  This product line is not very everyone especially those with sensitive skin but I believe the products work.  I normally use them in the summer when my skin is really oily, dirty, and grimy (hence working the the flower garden all the time) and these products in small doses really works for me.

Due to the sunspots on my face especially on my forehead and my cheeks (nearly the outline of my sunglasses) my vanity finally got the best of me and I decided to take a chance on this product. I've been using it twice a day for about 2 weeks and (yes!) I am beginning to notice that the spots are lighter and some are "breaking up" allowing my skin to become more even toned.  I'm hoping by summer that I will see dramatic results.  But be warned...this can cause skin irritation and sometimes my skin gets a little irritated with it so don't over do it even though you may be tempted to do so!

Have you used skin lighteners?  If so, let me know what product you tried and what the results were!  Can't wait to hear from you!

The uber famous BeautyBlender Sponge

Ok, I couldn't stand it any longer and I HAD to purchase this product!  The BeautyBlender sponge is all the rage and the reviews are consistent that this product is a game changer!

Its latex-free with anti microbial foam and can be washed then reused many times over.  It can be used wet or dry and the reviews rave about its flawless make-up application.

After spending months reading reviews, product information and even purchasing other types of make up sponges that have worked ok but not great.  I couldn't stand it any longer (because I do hate to jump on the same bandwagon was everyone else) and finally decided to make a purchase!  I have not been happy with many of the sponges I have used in the past to apply foundation and I hope this product will really blow my socks off.

The positive reviews from the professional make-up artists, customers, and bloggers convinced me to jump on the bandwagon because I may be on only person on the planet who hasn't tried BeautyBlender yet! If you haven't tried this product yet you might want to check out their web site: http://www.beautyblender.net/sponge.html 

Now I am eyeing my mailbox for its arrival and yes I will use it as soon as it gets here!

I know you must love this product so tell me what you think about it! Can't wait to hear from you!

75% off sale: B-Glowing.com

SALE!!

     

I love January.  I love sales.  I love clearance.  I'm not someone who needs the latest and great as soon as it hits the shelves...well not always.

But January is special.  Sales. Lots of them.  It is the right time to purchase what you really want at low low prices.  January is the time when most stores are clearing out the old merchandise at huge discounts to bring in the new spring products.  Right now, http://www.b-glowing.com/ is having a great 75% off sale.  I suggest you check it out because brands, colors and quantities are limited.  I recently purchased several items from their sale including 2 Lift Lab products (Lift Lab HiLove & Beauty Shimmering Eyeshadow (Google Affiliate Ad)gh Potency Solution & Lift and Firm Eye Cream) and a product from Luminaze (brightening and correcting night cream) for less than $80.00.  These products would normally retail at over $300.00!  

I did my research first and scoured the world wide web to see if any other beauty stores were also offering these products at such low prices and they weren't.  So I was overcome with excitement and had to place an order!  When it arrives and I do a little testing I will provide a follow up review.

This site is great at discounts which allows you to try a great product at a huge discount but you do have to keep an eye on the site due to the every changing product line up.  It always feels great when you've snagged a great product at a great deal!


Now quickly go check out their web site and tell me what great deals you found!

Say Yes to: Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towlettes

Last summer it seemed like facial towlettes became the must have accessory (other than your favorite sunscreen) for your skin.  At first I was skeptical but slowly it began to grow on me and now I'm not sure I can live without them.  I sporadically started using them in the summer but find myself using them more and more in the cooler/colder months.  Most of the time when I come home from work I will immediately take one out and clean all of the make-up from my face.  Then I just allow my skin to breathe.
No soap, no moisturizer, no eye cream, no exfoliation...nada.

It actually makes my skin feel great!  I used to feel guilty about tossing the used towlette away, but then I found out they are biodegradable!  How neat is that! This product is very gentle with a nice light scent and does a superb job of removing make-up including mascara. It has not caused any breakouts and does not dry out my skin.  I really love this product line and would highly recommend it!  See their informative web site: http://www.yestocarrots.com/ for more information on their products to see what is best suited for your skin type.

The web site has been updated (it looks great), is loaded with lots of information including ingredients, special offers and it introduces a new product line starring grapefruit!  Are you already a fan of this product line? If so let me know what your favorite products are!  And if you haven't tried these products I would highly encourage you to do so and share your experience!

Nivea: Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub

The winter months can be brutal with the wind, cold temperatures outside, the warm temperatures inside, the rain the snow etc.  And there are a LOT of bodyscrubs and body washes out there which can make it confusing to choose the right formula for your unique skin type.

Say hello to Nivea, Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub.

This is a great product to help you keep your skin looking healthy and feeling soft by gently removing dead skin cells.

Nivea is gentle enough to use daily without over drying your skin.  The exfoliation is gentle and the Vit E leaves skin moisturized and the lather is just fun to play with!  This special formula is perfectly balanced to exfoliate and moisturize without irritating your skin.
It says it can be used every day, but I've been using it about 2-3 x a week with great results.  I have even used it on my face a few times without no irritation.  Nivea is lightly scented, gentle and it works! The whopping large bottle received (12 FL OZ) was from my Allure Holiday Beauty Box (which came packed w/many full size products) & caused several minutes of giddi-ness!