Anatomicals – Crack is Wack

MOJ - AnatomicalsAfter reading past reviews of mine, you would probably come to the correct conclusion that I put more thought into the product than just the product itself. Even if a product is effective, if nothing makes you pick it up from the counter at your nearest store, or from your nearest e-tailer, nobody gets anywhere. The company doesn’t get the money they rightfully deserve for a great product, and you miss out on the product experience of having something so perfect for you land in your hand. So companies hire Public Relations and Advertising teams. And Yaya? She tries to pay attention to those efforts as well.

So where does Anatomicals fit in this equation? Well. Let’s inspect. Start first with the website here. The page lets you choose if you want to be introduced to the company here or just go straight into a purchasing cloud nine here. Want to know more? Of course you would. The page flashes images and keywords on them. Cheeky. Pimpish. Urban. Lush. Defiant. Punky. Alluring. Etc. Catchy. The company is described to simply trying to make your life better, and says if you are not interested, to click over (won’t tell you where, it ruins the surprise!).

Now we stand with a definite opinion about the company. Not sold yet? That’s okay. They gave you enough to ponder about. Love it? I knew you would. Enter stage 2. The quirky and loveable product descriptions usually done with white font on bright color block backgrounds. This is for more than just the random ‘let’s read the label’ moment. This makes you read. A bit like the Vitamin Water tidbits they have (on the Dragonfruit one they promise no real dragons were hurt in the making of the drink). You read the clever title and the description.

Now you might be hooked.
As some of you may have learned through my Twitter feed, I spent this weekend on the slopes trying to catch some snow waves. Despite my efforts, I spent most of my time eating snow and tenderizing my tushy as if it was getting ready to be someone’s dinner. I ended up calling it a day and hobbled home with a bruise here and there and my pride a bit more tarnished than the snowboard who taught me a lesson in smooth sailing.

MOJ - AnatomicalsBut there are some things that I was prepared for. First, I was coming from NYC where the weather isn’t exactly peachy. I was prepared for cold. Second, I knew well enough that sunscreen was the number one item to pack, as the rays reflect from the snow to your face (which you probably have facing towards the floor as you try not to fall… oh just me then). Last but not least? I knew that with snow and frigid weather follow winds (more often than not). This almost immediately puts nightmares of cracked lips and skin in my mind.

Which brings me to my review of Anatomicals Stop Cracking Up lip balm.

We’ve adequately covered the fact that the company is great and the packaging is catchy… right? Well let’s introduce the quality of the product.

MOJ - Anatomicals MOJ - Anatomicals

MOJ - AnatomicalsAt first, I was skeptical about a clear balm. First because there are so many on the market and second because the applicator wasn’t the usualy lip gloss-y norm. Then I applied.

I tested the product twice. Once at home to check how my lips felt with the product. Soft. Not sticky. No smell. No fuss. The applicator? Didn’t make a big deal at all, didn’t make it harder, and applied just as great as any other good lip applicator. Then I hit the slopes. My lips kept to the program and remained soft throughout every single one of my haphazard drops on my bottom.

The only qualm I have with this product? It is not stated whether or not it has SPF in it, so you might want to either research it more, or not wear it as often if you’re in a ski/snowboard/snowmobile weekend extravaganza.

I’m equally won over by the packaging for the other lip balms available from the company (available for purchase here – they’re from across the US pond so I’d say the balms are roughly 6$).

Disclaimer: This productwas sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

Have you tried Anatomicals? Have a favorite balm? Let me know!

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Review: Clearasil StayClear Daily Face Wash

MOJ Review

MOJ ReviewI have a nasty confession to make. I haven’t been using cleansers much in the past year. There I said it. You shouldn’t repeat this to Mama Yaya either. I would catch it.

It all changed one fateful day. I received an e-mail about participating in a trial to try out the new and improved Clearasil StayClear Daily Face Wash and opted for the Sensitive Skin bottle. I usually have well behaved skin that likes to be finicky. A prima donna. So I steer towards ‘sensitive skin’ options because they approach my skincare needs more tentatively. You know – no hurrah! barging in kind of thing. More like a three knocks on the door and whispers asking if it’s okay to enter…

So how did it work out for me and my experiment? The bottle, selling for $6.29 did a whole lotta cleaning and freshening but fell short a bit in my expectations. Read on to hear all about it!

First, let us compare if there is much of a difference between the normal vs. sensitive skin options. Information is from the brand website, click here for normal and here for sensitive skin details.

This rich, pearly cream gently cleanses skin without overdrying. Use everyday twice a day, to help you maintain visibly clearer skin.

Benefits

  • Thoroughly cleanses skin by eliminating dirt, oil, and bacteria
  • Dermatologist-tested, oil-free formula with refreshing scent
  • Directions for use

  • Gently massage cleanser onto wet face and neck and work into lather.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Ingredients

  • Glycerin and aloe to condition and moisturize skin
  • Available in 6.5 oz. tube

    This fragrance-free cream, uniquely formulated for sensitive skin, gently washes away dirt, oil, and bacteria without irritating or over-drying skin.

    Benefits

  • Gently yet thoroughly cleanses sensitive, acne-prone skin
  • Fragrance-free, oil-free, dermatologist-tested formula
  • Directions for use

  • Gently massage cleanser onto wet face and neck and work into lather.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Ingredients

  • Glycerin and aloe to condition and moisturize skin
  • Available in a 6.5 oz. tube

    The only things I notice is that the sensitive skin version is fragrance free and promises not to irritate skin. Otherwise, even the ingredients list is identical. I will try to investigate this a bit further and let y’all know if this is truly the end of the road for their differences or if their is more.

    How I does it, in pictures:

    MOJ Review MOJ Review

    Squeeze a bit onto your hand. Work into a lather.

    MOJ Review

    Apply to face. Stay away from eyes (trust me). Making funny face optional.

    MOJ Review MOJ Review
    Use cotton squares to remove cleanser. I like to wet the squares, ring out the water, and then remove cleanser from my skin. I find that this removes better than just splashing water on my face with my hands.

    The thumbs up:

    • The cleanser works great. It clears up the skin and once you wash everything away, you feel 100% clean. Even if you didn’t know your face was dirty. That’s how I felt the first time I used this. 
    • Plus, this bottle is a heck of a lot for $6.29. This can be purchased at any drugstore or website. There are some cheaper sellers online and we all know BOGO’s happen often so purchase wherever you want. I found one seller on Amazon selling it for $4.95 here.

    The gripes:

    • The cleanser promises to not over-dry but my skin still felt dry after drying my face. I don’t know if it was entirely the wash’s fault, but I had to use my handy dandy Korres face cream right away after use.
    • The instructions advise you to use the wash on your neck, but when I did so I had some annoying tiny pimples pop up around my collar bone. I stopped using the wash so low and they disappeared. Again, I can’t blame this on the cream as it did not irritate my face at all. This can probably be chalked up to my skin being as finicky as I introduced it to be.
    • When washing the cleanser away without cotton squares, it leaves your hands feeling a bit rubbery. This goes away if you wash your hands with soap, so it’s just a minor detail.

    Have you tried this, or use this? Thinking about getting it? Let me know!

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    With the ELF’s help…

    ELF ConcealerNot long ago I found out that Santa isn’t the only one with an elf in his life. Already familiar with E.L.F cosmetics and their efforts to keep up with the demands of a beauty on a budget, I was unsure of how great they were with face products. Matching powder or shadow to your desires? Pretty easy, even if a bit tedious. Finding a good concealer? Now we talking tomfoolery.

    I often have to find something that matches my skin tone but also does a great job at making the dark spots lighter. I want to do this without having ghostly circles around my eyes. So how could three buckaroos keep me satisfied?
    The corrective concealer comes with four cream concealer shades, for reducing redness, dark circles, etc. Pocketbook friendly, this is a bit bigger than a credit card and probably as wide as a cellphone. Part of the studio line, it comes in new snazzy all black packaging.

    From the site:

    Conceals under-eye darkness, blemishes and other skin imperfections with customized coverage. Brightens under-eye circles and neutralizes redness. Convenient size for on-the-go travel.


    Directions:
    Use the nude and beige shades to conceal problematic areas. Use the green shade to neutralize redness like that of acne and the lilac shade to brighten yellow tones.

    ELF Concealer ELF Concealer
    The studio packaging looks a lot like NARS.
    ELF Concealer ELF Concealer
    Left swatch with flash, right without. Click on images to see larger image(s).
    ELF Concealer

    The lighting in this photo isn’t as great as the following after pictures, but it shows the point. The only area I used the corrective concealer was around the eyes. This is my problem area and I normally don’t use concealer/foundation anywhere else. You can see that I have darker pigmentation on the lids, below the eyes, and on the sides of the nose (from wearing glasses and lack of sleep).

    ELF Concealer ELF Concealer
    Tada! If you’re not amazed with how great this works. That’s okay. I am. It’s pretty smooth with application and doesn’t take too much product to get the job done.

    The negatives? This corrective palette does not work for all skin tones. I used the darkest shade on the right as a spot concealer for a FOTD for a friend (photos to come) and it worked, but the rest made her skin look ashy. Also, the concealer palette comes with a brush but you most definitely do not need it. Application with the brush will make you think the product is streaky and poor in quality, when in fact it’s not.

    Use your fingers to determine the correct amount of product and pressure when applying.

    The verdict? If it matches your skin this is the only one you need (and it costs less than a $5 footlong!).

    Have you tried the E.L.F corrective concealer? Anything from their studio line? Let me hear it!

    Disclaimer: This palette was purchased by the author. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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    Beauty Blunder No More

    PhotobucketI don’t know if the readers have heard yet or not, but the yaya-meister has caught the travel bug. I will be venturing out of the American borders for sunnier and warmer times. I am Barbados bound!

    As I get ready for the Caribbean climates (can’t wait to hide my jacket and boots!) I have reverted back to packing soft fabrics, slinky sleeves, tank tops, etc. But the space in a suitcase is limited, and the needs and wants are never.

    Enter Miss Oops Holiday Survival Kit ($18). The miniature set is perfect for travel, and is packaged cute enough for a gift.

    Photobucket
    The set includes:

    • Miss Oops Mishap Tape
    • Miss Oops Rescue Sponge
    • Miss Oops Lint Roller

    First of all, I am a sucker for packaging. So it is no surprise that I was head over heels for the simple packaging (slightly reminiscent of the Tiffany’s blue) with Miss Oops herself looking slightly worried.

    All of the items are perfect for on the go (great for travelling or fitting into your handbag) and tackle the smallest but most often repeated offenders. The tape is for keeping your too open shirts together a la Jennifer Lopez with her down to there gown and not Janet Jackson or Tara Reid with their wardrobe snafus. The tape is hypo-allergenic so you can stick it to other fabric or skin! I do recommend adding a safety pin or two just in case your clothing is extra stubborn (you can never be too safe!). The sponge helps remove powder and deodorant stains. Use it by buffing the areas dry – or lightly wet. The sponge is great when trying to get into nooks and crannies like near buttons, zippers, pockets, or corners. Last but not least, the lint roller is perfect for removing lint, but also stray hairs and dust that tends to attach itself to you as the day rolls by. Perfect for visiting family with pets who are inconsiderate to your trendy fashions! 🙂

    A tip? Cut your Rescue Sponge in half to use one for removing deodorant stains, and the other to use with a little bit of soap to clear smudges from shoes (don’t do this on suede or leather!). You might not have to use soap, but will want to wet it (i.e. when removing street salt from your boots), and it’s always best to separate what you use for clothing & shoes (no street debris on my shirts please!).

    Disclaimer: This set was sent to the author for review. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

    What’s your secret to a hassle free holiday?

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    Z Palette Review

    PhotobucketI’m on a roll with these reviews y’all. Sooner or later (maybe before 2010 rounds the corner!) I will be up to date with all the posts I owe you!

    I have been itchin’ to review the Z Palette for a while now. It’s a simple thing really, a magnetized case for your loose pans, etc. I finally got to purchase one while at the Artist Summit in Miami, and I haven’t regretted the decision!

    From the site:

    This exclusive custom palette is perfect for display and color comparison. Its outstanding sleek and clean design offers an open magnetic base to fit any size eye shadow, blush, bronzer, or even foundation! So you can keep all your favorites from all different makeup brands in one place. The compact finish is made of a high quality matte paper, which is easy to clean and is 70% recyclable. Best of all with its clear window you can see exactly what’s inside! Replace colors as often as you would like to your preference.

    Here’s how many I got to fit into the sucker:

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    I tried to put in as many different brands and shapes as I could. Of course I remembered others once I took the photos, but I refuse to do any more takes!

    It’s not that big either, a bit bigger than the MAC 15 well palette, and just as thin:
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    The large palettes are $20 and the small (see bottom left below) are $14.

    The pros:

    • All orders made on the site are with free shipping to US orders! (They sell magnet squares too).
    • The cover lets you see through to what you have inside your palette (especially great for makeup artists).
    • The cover is attached to the palette – no more oopsie I dropped all my palette and now it looks like the dunes of rainbow dune on the floor!
    • You can organize different shaped pans into the palette & fill the little nooks with smaller pans.

    The cons:
    I honestly can’t see one. I had a minor concern early on about the dust pileup of when you use the shadows (in between the pans), but you can just blow lightly to clear it, or use a compressed duster can (like for keyboards).

    And now they come in pink and zebra print! No more getting stickers and sitting down for arts and crafts to give your Z Palette character!

    PhotobucketThey made me want to make wiiild and craaazzy shapes in Paint (so sue me!).

    Check them out on Twitter & tell ’em yaya sent ya!

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    Hydroveil Hair Oil

    HydroveilFor years I was told that to have long hair, I needed to take care of the split ends, and dry tips of my hair. With my frizztacular curly head, I never questioned the advice because every time I got a trim, my hair was back to its bouncy and yaya lovin’ self. But then winter came and I saw flakes.

    Winter snowflakes? Nope. Winter scalp flakes. It probably sounds disgusting in writing, but there’s nothing more frustrating than a desire to claw your scalp to pieces every five minutes and the snowstorm to follow. I didn’t realize that all my painstaking methods of haircare weren’t bulletproof. I thought I was finally educated, but you learn something new every day.

    My scalp was a dry mess. Every time I deep conditioned my hair, my scalp was sitting in a corner (kind of) wondering ‘what about me?’ I even thought using Olive Oil in my hair would alleviate the problem, but the leaves fell and so did my assumptions. Your scalp needs attention all its own.

    After attending the HydroveilUltimate Hair Show‘ this month, I have been blessed with a solution to my scalp worries. Have you heard of their Scalp Soothing Hair Growth Oil? Amidst the hairstyles and scissors in the air, there were product giveaways, and yours truly was front and center. Both the images and extra goodies for MOJ readers will be coming soon, but the review had to be first.

    I have only used the oil twice you guys. That’s how good it is.

    First, I tried to use the oil without washing my hair (or in between washes, rather). The oil soothed the scalp as promised, but the next day I was itchin to scalp myself again. When I have a dry scalp, I like to do hot oil treatments as soon as possible, but I don’t have the time or funds to do that on a regular basis as if it was a shampoo time, so I decided to shampoo and condition as usual and right before styling my hair, I squeezed the oil onto my scalp. I must be a stinkin’ genius. This is the best method I have seen so far, if only because:

    • easier to manipulate nozzle onto scalp when hair is moist. You get to cover much more scalp and rub it in without messing up style.
    • rather than addressing an emergency, you are post shower and your scalp is conditioned. Using the oil becomes a preventative measure good enough to last until your next wash.

    After the first wash and oil application, I had no urge to scratch my scalp. This is key to eliminating dandruff. First you don’t scratch, and second you make sure your scalp is moisturized. Lest you forget, your scalp is part of your skin! The smell of the oil is a little herby, but it is not overpowering, and goes away after the first day (or first spritz of perfume if you’re like me).

    As with many companies, Hydroveil is already on the social media wagon and is present in the blog world as well as Twitter. The products are mostly sold at beauty supple stores- find out where you can purchase with the store locator. Make sure to check their events page as well so that you can make it to their next gathering!

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    Why I Oughtta Wipe Your Face Out With… Korres

    PhotobucketI have been a long time follower of the use a cotton square to remove makeup from your face. As far as the removing agent? Either a cream or an oil (hello Mr. Olive) did it well. Then I started buying makeup wipes.

    First I bought makeup wipes for the ease of use when cleaning makeup brushes. Just pull out a wipe and you can quickly run your brushes along it to clear ’em up. By no means is this the way you should clean your brushes all the time (thorough cleanup and drying is necessary from time to time as far as I’m concerned).

    Then I started buying more and more packs of these time saving wonders when swatching products and taking photos. This was much easier to do at the desk than to have to lug everything with me to the bathroom. I had found a winner for the ease of use but I was still skeptical about using these for my face. See, I was buying cheapie wipes (read: Dollar Mart) and am not chemically blessed to understand if the cheaper versions are any better than the pricier ones. So I just kept to my old time techniques for face war paint removal.

    Being that this post is here though, you understand that the story doesn’t end there. Following the first Bloggin’ Beauts get together, all the Beauts went home with a pack of the KorresPomegranate makeup wipes.

    http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B001GMTUZWReview:
    Packaging: 4 out of 5
    Price: 4 out of 5 ($12.00 from site, Amazon, etc.)
    Quality: 5 out of 5
    Overall: 4 out of 5

    The wipes are significantly thicker than any other I have tried before. When they are applied to the face they are much softer and can pick up more makeup without feeling like you’re dragging your forehead down to your chin. Plus, as per my previous Korres review, the product smells great.

    I did a picture at half a face painted.
    Photobucket
    Now I realize this doesn’t look like a lot of makeup on. My problem with makeup is that if I put on enough to see in a picture, then it’s more than overdone in person. The solution? I took a close-up while using the wipe to create temporary face graffiti.

    Photobucket
    There you go! Now you know I had plenty war paint on. 🙂

    I’m pretty skeptical with wipes because I always think they leave a lot of product on your skin that you may not see. So I checked with my handy dandy cotton squares and olive oil and saw barely any remaining product. I have trouble removing mascara with the wipes because I feel like I’m always attacking my lashes, so I use olive oil there. I also make sure to rinse my face after using the wipes just to make sure.

    The wipes come in a pack of 25, so naturally, my qualm with the product is the price. I feel like I could pay a little less for it, but with it’s efficiency call it a worthwhile splurge. Even if you can’t afford this for regular day use, I’d suggest purchasing a pack for an almost fool-proof plan for travel (plus I’m not sure if these count as liquid or not when packing).

    Check out the after & the damage control with the wipe:

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    Do you use wipes? Tell me your experience(s) with wipes & you might win a pack of these babies!


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    Review: Revlon Double Twist Mascara

    Hey kiddies! As part of the “VIPretty” at PrettyCity.com, I get to review products for the site. Since I couldn’t really upload photos there, I wanted to share what I had for you guys here. You can check out my review by clicking over here. I got to review the Revlon Double Twist mascara and was surprised by what I got.

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    This is what the hubub is about. The innovative brush. But did it deliver?

    As I mentioned in my review on PrettyCity.com, this mascara committed the epic fail with the packaging on the inside of the tube. If you take a close look at your mascara, you will see that the inside tapers in a bit so that when you pull the wand out, it kind of squeezes the remained of product away to allow optimal application.

    The packaging here has it so that there are little spikes in a circle, which in thought are a good idea, but in reality they don’t take off enough extra product and the wand ends up being gloppy and overstuffed with product. Just one swipe on the eyes makes for a terrible clump of a time.

    I wanted to compare the Revlon Double Twist mascara to my all time fave, Chanel Inimitable mascara. Yes Chanel is a pricey bugger, but it has yet to fail me. It gives me a soft and even application that’s perfect for anywhere.

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    PhotobucketReview
    Packaging: 1 out of 5
    Price: 4 out of 5 ($8.99 – lots of BOGO)
    Quality: 3 out of 5
    Overall: 2 out of 5

    This is what the wands look like when pulled out of the tube as if for regular application:

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    I had to play around with the lighting to show the globs of mascara on the Revlon wand. See it? You can’t even discern a single fragment – it all looks like one… thing. None of the double twist technology even has a chance to prove itself because there is a thicker than thick layer of mascara paste stuck on it.

    I think this was a major mistake in the packaging, and that the original idea of the mascara was just the innovation in the brush. The double twist has different bristles alternating on the wand. Does it work? Not with this tube. I will revisit this mascara with a different tube and see if the wand fares any better there.

    Photobucket Photobucket
    left:no mascara, right:after one coat
    Maybe if Revlon revises the packaging of the mascara with a different opening, it will become a hit. Otherwise, I’d say purchase at your own risk.

    Have you tried this for yourself?


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    L’Oreal HIP Kohl Liners Review

    PhotobucketL’Oreal is turning 100 this year. From Eugène Schueller, creating hair products and dyes in 1907, to the registered company Société Française de Teintures Inoffensives pour Cheveux (“Safe Hair Dye Company of France” a la Wiki) comes one of our drugstore staple brands. I figured in honor of their anniversary, the least I could do is throw in some reviews. First up is the HIP Kohl Liner.

    You must know by now that the brand is vast in its offerings of beauty products. You can really undertake a makeover project while limited to one brand. My focus to the HIP line (High Intensity Pigments) is because I’m quite the fan of high intensity pigments.

    Honestly, this isn’t a brand I’ve been messing around with for too long. Between cheaper drugstore brands (when I was younger, my budget was more for snacks), and growing into higher end brands, I think I might have skipped over the wonders of the drugstore.

    PhotobucketI am usually attracted to liners that are in pencil form. Liquid liners and I don’t agree often because they require high maintenance (I’m anal about making both eyes even so it takes forever), and loose kohl seems to be asking for trouble.

    Tough luck for me then! I was set on a mission to test these out, as these babies are often on a BOGO deal in a drugstore. CVS & Walgreens are the best with L’Oreal sales. They usually sell for $10.99, but Tarjay the great sells them for a buck and change cheaper here.

    L'Oreal HiP Kohl Liner - Navy L'Oreal HiP Kohl Liner - Brown

    Currently the liners are available in only six shades. 1-Black 2-Brown 3-Burgundy 4-Navy 5-Teal 6-Gold.

    This is what the colors looked like:
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    The order of the colors are the same in each picture (with different lighting).
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    This picture is pretty true to color.

    The liners are pretty vibrant in color, but still more fall shades than the bright rainbow colors I see in my head when I try to imagine high intensity pigments (but that’d be my fault for assuming the word “bright” was in there!).

    The Claim:
    Photobucket

    PhotobucketReview (5 highest, 1 lowest):

    Packaging: 4 out of 5
    Price: 3.5 out of 5 ($10.99)
    Quality: 3 out of 5
    Overall: 3 out of 5

    I have some qualms with this product. Though I appreciate the diversity that it brings to kohl liners, I am not won over.

    The packaging makes it look like a mini mascara or a pen. There is a hole at the top, which serves for lots of twirling on my pinky finger, and could be used for a key-chain I suppose (though you’d have to be careful with your keys afterward). It’s pretty, but after a while you start looking at it and wonder what the point is.

    Then there’s the applicator. That is 100% true to claim. It is loose kohl powder. It is vibrant. It’s everything they said!
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    The staying power? Womp womp womp. If you don’t use a sealant, don’t expect this bad boy to be smudge proof or wear proof at all.

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    Image on left is a smudge test 15 min after application, and image on right is smudge test an hour after application.

    The directions to do a smokey eye and cat eye, etc. above are instructions from L’Oreal. As far as I’ve tested though, this product is well suite for those who want smudged/smokey looks. The liner applies very lightly and is soft on your eyes, so you can build it up or smudge until you get your desired look. But if you want a precise and unmovable liner? I suggest you head for the HIP liners (especially the chrome!) instead.

    Have you tried these? Like them? Hate them? Let me know!


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    Moisturize Me Softly…

    PhotobucketAfter reading a past issue of Marie Claire (I’m painfully behind in my reads), I was most intrigued by the article concerning beauty practices around the world. Ning Chao wrote about her experiences throughout Japan, learning about the practices of Japanese women, and sometimes comparing it to American habits.

    Ning mentioned vinegars and shrinking techniques, but what hogged my attention was the skincare regimen.

    The Japanese approach to skincare is the opposite of American antiaging, where we try to peel our way back to the past. “We think our skin is very delicate,” says MC’s Moriyama. Here, stripping toner is replaced with a “softener.” “Removing too much of the top layer of the skin gets rid of all its protective-barrier functions, including the inhibition of water loss,” explains Dr. Chita Katagiri, a research scientist for Shiseido. The Japanese beauty giant’s latest skincare line, Future Solution LX, has an Extra Rich Cleansing Foam, Concentrated Balancing Softener, and Total Regenerating Cream, all designed to keep the skin’s surface in peak condition. According to Katagiri, a healthy outer layer prevents problems like dryness, environmental damage, inflammation, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. To maintain perfection, Japanese women religiously wear sunscreen and foundation every day. Smudge-, sweat-, and humidity-proof, the formulas here are heavy duty, but the payoff is flawlessness.

    It made me beckon back a month or so to when I started my regimen on kindness to my face. It involved more natural products, and a much more disciplined night and morning routine.I received this product at the NYC Bloggin’ Beauts event, and after learning more about the brand and product with the rest of the Bloggin’ Beauts, I felt braver about trying it out.

    Korres Wild Rose 24-hour Moisturizer

    http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B000IMPD3O• Wild Rose oil, a potent, natural source of vitamin C, significantly diminishes fine lines, hyper- pigmentation and resurfaces skin, revealing a soft and radiant complexion
    • Imperata cylindrica a desert plant extract, ensures 24-hour long-lasting hydration by continually regulating the cellular water equilibrium
    • Pure vitamin C inhibits free radical damage and brightens the skin
    • Phytic Acid, a natural skin lightener, helps illuminating sun damage and acne scarring
    • Grape seed extract, rich in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, helps promote a healthy and youthful complexion
    • Olive oil, almost identical in chemical structure to our skin lipids, provides ideal hydration, while allowing the skin to breathe

    Within days of using this cream morning and night, my skin was practically praising the Athenian concoction. First of all, it smells great. There are so many creams and gels out there that promise to do many things. While some succeed, and equally as many fail, there are few and far in between that smell good.

    One of the reasons that I started to shy away from a disciplined nighttime routine is because I wanted my face to be kissable after it. I didn’t want the medicinal smell and turn into some ice queen. I’d take some wrinkles for more kisses with my honey y’all. My old creams would have to be applied not so liberally and with plenty of time to dry before bedtime.

    Photobucket

    You would understand then, why I call the Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer a godsend, as it:
    dries in under a minute.

    • smells amazing.
    • leaves skin soft & not sticky.
    • doesn’t make anyone who comes in contact with you recoil from the taste (plenty people kiss cheeks goodnight, right?!).
    • moisturizes skin until morning
    • and though it contains a small amount of SPF.

    That last bullet point is for the ladies who sometimes forget or skip the step in the morning (guilty), this is a small layer to protect your skin as compared to leaving it bare against the elements.

    Apart from smelling great, this product really delivers. It goes on nonsticky and dries quick, but it doesn’t just evaporate into thin air, leaving you wondering about whatever happened to your night cream. When you wake up (especially from a short slumber that is more appropriately Photobucketcalled a nap), your face is always looking refreshed. This is the magic formula for me. I can sleep for two hours, and Korres will make you think it was 18. Hours later, as my yawns give me away, my skin sits back with my sleepless secret at hand.

    Currently, the KorresUSA website is sold out of the Moisturizer (but has plenty other goodies), but I have posted up the link for Amazon (they both sell it for $32.50), and you can take advantage of their trio of skincare products ($49) as well.

    Do you use moisturizer? How has it worked out for you?


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