Lancome Definicils Mascara

Guest Review!!

Review Summary - A Must Have

A friend of mine said Lancome Definicils Mascara is an absolute must-have... And here's what she said:

"The ONE beauty product I cannot live with out and the ONLY beauty product I buy from a makeup counter instead of Target is ....Lancome Definicils mascara in dark brown- when it's free gift time I buy 2 so I can have my free gifts, keep one in my purse and one in my makeup drawer."

Sounds like a great plan to save some money, get some free samples and have a mascara for home and on the run. I may actually have to venture to a makeup counter one day!

Thank you so much Melissa!

Clinique Touch Blush

Review Summary: Love It!

(5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5)

For some reason, as I've gotten older, powder blush doesn't seem to be enough. Layering color seems to be the only way to have long-lasting color on my very pale face. Therefore, I often use a stick blush or cream blush first, and then apply a powder blush.

I decided to try this little pot of blush after reading favorable reviews, and I chose the color "Sweet Clover" after reading various postings on Sephora for what people thought was the most versatile color. (Sure, I could have gone to a Clinique counter to look at the colors in person, but I find make-up counters intimidating and haven't been to one in probably a decade!)

The consistency is really unsual; it's almost sponge-like. All you do is dab your finger in the middle of the pot and then dab and blend into your skin. It starts out creamy but almost turns into more powdery consistency. A little goes a long way, which is why this little pot isn't too small.

I like to apply it to the apples of my cheeks and my browbones and I think it leaves a natural blush.

N.Y.C. Browser & Sonia Kashuk Brush

Review Summary: Great Combo!

(5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5)

All the beauty pubs say, "Eyebrows are one of your most noticeable and important features." It's important to keep them groomed, including both plucking (or waxing or threading or whatever you prefer) and then slightly filling in other areas to create the perfect shape.

I have found a great combo for filling in sparse areas. The N.Y.C. Browser is a handy little compact that contains a wax side and a color side. As the packaging explains, the grooming wax holds hair in place and the color powder fills in the bare spots. The compact costs only $3.99 at Target, Walmart, CVS, etc.

Because I didn't like the brush that came with the compact, I picked up a skinny angled Sonia Kashuk eyeliner brush to use instead and I love it! It was only about $5 at Target, it's perfectly thin and the angled handle actually seems to help.

Simply touch the brush to the wax side, swipe it a little on the powder side, tap any excess on the back of your hand and then make smallish sweeping strokes to fill in the parts of your eyebrows you want filled.

This little duo is a lot cheaper than other eyebrow kits I have found and it does a really nice job.

Highly recommended!

Keeping Track

Review Summary: Useful Tool!

While a Blackberry or any other cell phone can't be considered a beauty product, I think they are wonderful tools in keeping TRACK of beauty products!

When a friend suggests a product or I read about a brand or shade in a magazine that I think I want to try, I enter it under the "Memo" section of my Blackberry.

Then, when I'm at the drugstore or Target, I can whip out my phone, click to my list and then look through it to see what I want/need/must have!

I find it's a useful way of getting me in and out of the cosmetics aisle without too much idle time (unless I'm in the mood to browse) and it keeps me from picking up more than I should. In addition, the list is always with me and much easier to keep track of than the little pieces of paper I used to jot things down on!

Just a thought.

Paula's Choice Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30

Review Summary: Guest Highly Recommended

(5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5)

Yea! Another guest submission. A friend emailed me about a great website - www.paulaschoice.com, which is actually a website by Paula Begoun, the woman who wrote "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me,"  an interesting book packed full of cosmetic comparisons.

My friend's review follows: "The line is called Paula's Choice at paulaschoice.com. The product is Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF30. It's only $14.95 for 6 fl oz, contains antioxidants, and is good for normal to dry skin. It can be worn under makeup, used on the entire body, has UVA/UVB protection and is water resistant.. If your skin is a bit oily it might be too moisturizing, but it doesn't leave you with a pasty sunscreen look. I needed more moisture and I like to up the daily SPF to 30. When you order from Paula's you can buy samples for .80 cents and they frequently have sales or discounted shipping. Packaging is simple which probably keeps the price down."

I am so excited about this recommendation; not only for the product itself but for the other items offered on the website; particularly trying some of the samples for .80 !!!

Thank you so much Dianne!