Bonne Bell Eyestyle Precise Liner

Review Summary: Current Favorite

5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

A friend recently asked me for an eyeliner recommendation.. and this is it!.. This eyeliner is actually similar to a mechanical pencil; you don't ever need to sharpen it.. Just rotate the tube to extend the liner. The instructions recommend for a fine point, you can sharpen the eye liner tip by rolling it on your hand or a tissue - but I have never found this necessary. The only other step I sometimes do is blending with a foam eyeliner spongetip (the e.l.f. site is selling them for $1, or you can just the spongey end of another type of eyeliner).

I think this eyeliner is easy to apply, inexpensive (less than $4) and lasts a long time. Bonne Bell products can be found at most Target, Meijer, WalMart and other drugstores.

If you try it, write me and let me know if you like it!

Awesome e.l.f. Deal!!

Review Summary: Make-up for $1 !!

5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

A friend of mine let me know about an awesome deal right now on e.l.f. makeup. Apparently, e.l.f. has been bought by Nordstrom and all of its products will be re-packaged with the Nordstrom name on it. Therefore, they need to sell all of their current inventory to make room for the new stuff. Whatever the back story is, if you go to: http://www.eyeslipsface.com, you can find most items on sale for $1. Lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyeshadow compacts, brushes, concealer - you name it!

They accept Paypal - which is so very convenient - and, if you type the word "CAROLINA" in the coupon box before checkout, they will subtract $7.50 from your order. They also offer a lot of free gifts; I believe if you order more than $20, you get a free subscription to Lucky magazine. Definitely worth checking out!

I think the brushes are an especially good deal, as they are always more expensive at drugstores and Target.. and think about the last time you washed out or replaced any of your makeup brushes!!!! Have fun!!

Thank you SO much Nicole!

WetnWild Lash Intense Mascara

Review Summary: When Will I Learn?

1 Lipstick Tube out of 5

OK, so I've written about my favorite old stand-by mascara, Max Factor 2000 Calorie.. But, I always think there just MIGHT be something better out there.. And after I read about WetnWild's Lash Intense Mascara in TWO different beauty magazines whose beauty editors (not advertisements) said it was an awesome, lengthening, thickening mascara for under $8, I decided to give it a try.

The gimmick of this mascara is supposed to be the wand; one side is more brush-like for the mascara application, and the other side is more comb-like for separating your lashes after the mascara is applied.

I found the fanciness of the wand to be pointless because the mascara goes on so thin and invisible that you don't need a comb to separate your lashes, because they aren't thick at all! I even applied the mascara twice.. and used it two different days to make sure my initial reaction wasn't a rush to judgement, and both times, this mascara was barely noticable.

I plan to chuck this little (albeit nicely packaged) tube of mascara in the trash and go back to my Max Factor.

Don't bother to try it!

Crest Whitestrips Advance Seal

Review Summary: Worth a Try

3.5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

I requested a sample of Crest Whitestrips Advance Seal from a website (http://www.pgesaver.com/Sites/PG_eSAVER/Page/HomePage) which also came with a $7 coupon. I actually have dental trays and bleach that I got from my dentist a few years ago which I have been happy with, but as expected, every once in a while my teeth need a touch-up, and I thought I would give these a shot since they were free.

First of all, they are not completely affixed to your teeth -- and I would not recommend going to work or out in public as they suggest. I did have to reposition the top strip a few times, so that's why it might have been loose, but the bottom felt like it was unwrapping a bit, too.

I applied the strips before going to bed and sure, the bleach tastes bad (just like the kind from the dentist) and in the morning, it was kind of messy removing them, but I do think they had a strong enough bleach to show a little difference in the color of my teeth. My teeth were also a little sensitive afterward, but this, too, is a common side-effect of any tooth bleaching.

I think after using it a few more times, it might make a pretty noticeable difference. Suze Orman claims to only use them, but I wonder if that's true, because her back teeth look pretty white too - and these strips are built mostly for front-tooth coverage only.

If the Proctor & Gamble site no longer is offering free samples, go to this site to get a $7 off coupon: http://www.whitestrips.com/whitestrips-special-offers/

They're really worth the try if you've been thinking about bleaching your teeth!

MaxFactor Vivid Impact Lipcolor

Review Summary: The Perfect Nude!

4 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

I think many of us have noticed the popularity of the "nude lip" these days. Every celebrity photographed seems to have perfectly sandy colored- pink lips drenched in lip gloss. I have my share of lip glosses, I admit - but I've had a really hard time finding the perfect nude lipstick color. Many of them seem too brown or almost white and look completely unnatural. I think I have found.. almost.. the perfect nude lipstick: MaxFactor Vivid Impact Lip Color in "20 Skinny Dip" is a pretty, pinkish-tan lipstick that goes on nice and creamy, doesn't streak and doesn't stain.

The only improvement I could think of would be to have it last longer - but I still haven't found a long-wearing lipstick that I like. They're too dry and I don't like how they wind up in cracks and crevasses and just look bad after a while.

So - if you want to give the "nude lip" a try - check out this lipstick. You just might like it!

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer

Review Summary: Fav Facial Sunscreen

5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

It's that time of year; time to make SURE to wear sunscreen. Well, everyone should wear sunscreen all year long, but I know that many of us don't. (I do, though!). One of my favorite sunscreens is Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer. According to Neutrogena, this moisturizer contains "a breakthrough new sun protection technology complex called Helioplex, specifically engineered to deliver very high, very broad and photo-stable UV protection." Supposedly, it helps screen out both UVB burning rays and UVA skin aging rays to help prevent premature lines and wrinkles caused by the sun and contains an exclusive anti-oxidant blend with pure Vitamin E helps prevent environmental damage that may accelerate the signs of skin aging."

A little tidbit from Neutrogena: "The sun's UVA and UVB rays damage skin differently. UVB rays harm the skin's surface and are the primary cause of sunburn. UVA's more penetrating rays damage collagen and elastin that results in the signs of premature aging: fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, age spots."

Because it comes in a flat, plastic tube, it's easy to pack on trips and it does a nice job of moisturizing while protecting the skin from the damaging rays. Can't beat SPF 45!!!

Highly recommend it!

Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation

Review Summary: Favorite Foundation

5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

Many years ago, I was getting ready for a trip, and I decided I needed to find a foundation that would be easy to pack in my luggage. I picked up this Max Factor Lasting Performance foundation and have continued to use it for years, even though I don't travel that much! Sure, it's in a nice, flat, plastic bottle that takes up little room in a cosmetic bag - but the consistency is great, it takes just a tiny bit to provide coverage, and it's long-lasting. I use it to even out my skin on my face in areas where I need it, as well as to provide a base for eyeshadow. It doesn't cake or crease and it just does what I think a foundation should. It's only drawback is that it doesn't contain a sunscreen, but I always use a moisturizer with sunscreen, so I figure I'm covered that way. Because it's Max Factor, it may be hard to find at some drugstores, but it usually can be found at WalMart. It costs about $7.99. It's a long-lasting favorite!

Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner

Guest Review!!

Review Summary: Terrific Staying Power

5 Lipstick Tubes out of 5

Submitted by my friend Wendy: "Because I had a coupon for a free sample from Sephora, I felt obligated to stop in at my local store and look around. As I was kind of rushed on time and wasn’t able to enjoy spritzing numerous perfumes or testing a rainbow of lipsticks on my hand, I headed straight to the eyeliner section.. My trusty Clinique Quickliner for Eyes had been looking a little worse for wear and, since I can’t even remember which decade I purchased it in, I was fairly certain that it was beyond that “6 month expiration” I’ve read about in magazines. Since wearing eyeliner is only a fad I go through once a year or so, I don’t feel the need to spend a mint on one. The Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner was $12 – a pretty good deal, I think. As I was heading to the register a salesperson mentioned how much staying power this particular eyeliner has, which was encouraging since I usually get home to find that the crisp line I applied in the morning has turned into a ½” wide smudge by lunch time.

The color I chose was Purple (I grew up in the 80s – sue me!). On the website and in the pencil it looks much more maroon-y than purple, but on, it is definitely a darker violet. The first day I wore it, it was HOT. I spent several hours walking around outside in the heat and sun and felt like I was going to melt. When I got home and checked the eyeliner though – nearly perfect! Pretty impressive."