Loreal Ideal Clean Wipes Review

 cleansers, cleansing wipes, eye make-up remover, facial cleanser, Inexpensive Products, Kroger's, Kroger's Grocery Store, Loreal, make up remover, makeup wipes, Ponds, product review, skin care, wipes  No Responses »
Jun 082013
 

DSCF9178I didn’t realize that I was totally out of my favorite Ponds wipes and needed more ASAP.  While on the way home from the gym earlier this week, I stopped at Kroger’s grocery store. Before leaving the store, I went down the cosmetic Aisle ( my favorite area of the store LOL!) to see if the Ponds Wipes were on sale. Unfortunately, they weren’t. :-( Since they’re about a $1 cheaper at Target, I chose to just try a less expensive product.  I noticed a new item by the Loreal skincare area.  I picked up the pack of wipes and decided to give these a try since they’re cheaper than the Ponds wipes and I didn’t feel like driving to Target.

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 They’re a good size.  Depending on how much makeup I have on, I can get a clean face with 3-4 wipes.

Clean face with Loreal wipesSee how brave I am to post a picture of me without any makeup?

So the big question is would I recommend these wipes? My answer is yes. I like them, just not as much as my Ponds or Alcone wipes.  They definitely get the job done. Most importantly, they didn’t burn my eyes even though I had a lot of eye makeup on. I do wish they were more moist and I’d prefer the fragrance to not be so strong. I also wish you got more than 20 wipes in a pack (whose idea was that?). Overall, I don’t regret purchasing them. It’s just unlikely that I’d buy them again, unless I can’t get to Target for my Ponds wipes.

Have you used the new Loreal wipes? If so, how did you like them?

 

Revlon Photoready BB Cream Review for Darker Skin

 BB Cream, Klout, klout perk, product review, Revlon  1 Response »
May 012013
 

I received this Revlon Photoready BB Cream for free as a Klout Perk.  I was very excited about it because I’ve begun to fall in love with BB creams. So far I’ve tried Garnier, Bobbi Brown, and Maybelline.  I was eager to see how this Revlon version would compare.Revlon Photoready BB Cream Collage

I wasn’t expecting too much because of the very limited range of colors.  I was only able to choose from Light, Light/Medium, or Medium.  Really Revlon? Ya’ll are just going to totally disregard women of color huh? SMH!  I got to the point of being upset because in 2013, there’s NO excuse for a major cosmetic company to just not have a wide range of colors available for it’s fan base.  It was really confusing to me because it’s not like Revlon doesn’t normally have products for people with darker skin.  For example, Revlon Colorstay liquid foundation is very popular (I wear Carmel and I love it) and has a great range of colors to choose from.  I would have only imagined their BB Cream would be the same.

Here’s what it looks like on me.

Revlon BB Cream So you know I was concerned after swatching this on my hand.  Of course I know that my hands are darker than my face, but still.  I was very worried this Medium color was going to be way to light for my skin.

Revlon BB Cream B4 picAbove is my before pic. I’m wearing absolutely no makeup. Yep, I’m pretty brave. LOL! ;-p

Revlon BB Cream on face In this picture, I’ve started to rub in the  Medium BB Cream.

Revlon BB Cream finished lookThis is the finished look.

So what are my thoughts?

I’ve worn it for about a week. I really really like the way it feels on my skin and how it makes my face feel soft.  I also like that a litte goes a long way.   It’s very long lasting and I’ve noticed my makeup goes on more smoothly when I wear it.  I don’t wear it alone because I need more coverage.  As you can see in the above pics, my blemishes still show, which is fine.  I wear BB Creams to combine skin care products, not to replace my makeup.

It seems as though Revlon was trying to play the “Brown Paper Bag Test”, and I barely made the cut.  :-(  Strangely enough, it does blend well into my skin, even though the color range is extremely limited. I can’t explain how it somehow still works for me even though it looks too light at first.  I think I just made the cut.  So if you are any darker than me, it’ll be a risk buying this BB Cream.  I’d recommend Maybelline instead.  I just finished my tube and I truly like it.  Maybelline has a good variety of colors, however, I will say I like the Revlon BB Cream better because it’s more light weight and I feel it  blends better.  It’s not really matte, but it’s not as creamy as the Maybelline BB Cream.  So far, I like Bobbi Brown’s BB Cream the best. On the downside, this is another company that didn’t make a wide range of colors.  I just made the cut for the darkest color as well. The Bobbi Brown BB Cream gave a little more coverage, which meant I didn’t have to apply as much makeup afterwards.

I truly hope Revlon will extend the color range of this product.

 

 

Maybelline Color Sensational New Vivids Lipstick in Brazen Berry

 Inexpensive Products, Kroger's, Kroger's Grocery Store, Lips, lipstick, Maybeline, Maybelline, product review, Purple, Purple lips  No Responses »
Apr 232013
 

I happened to walk down the cosmetic aisle of Kroger’s Grocery store and saw my sorority sister Melody. She told me about a new line of Maybelline lipsticks that were dupes for MAC lipsticks. She was looking to find dupes for Embrace Me and Candy Yum Yum. I was a bit hesitant because I’ve never tried Maybeline’s lip products.  When it comes to drugstore lippies, I’m a huge fan of Revlon.  I decided to go look anyway. While looking at the pinks, I happened to pickup a pretty purple called Brazen Berry.

Maybeline Brazen Berry Label

It was love at first sight. Now mind you, I had no intentions of buying any lipsticks. I was only supposed to be “looking”. Needless to say I went home with Brazen Berry. Here’s my review below.

Maybeline Brazen Berry

Maybeline Brazen Berry swatch

I’m in love with this lipstick.  It feels really, really good on my lips.

Maybeline Brazen Berry on lips

It’s not quite as hydrating as my beloved Revlon Lip Butters, but it feels creamier than MAC Cremesheen lipsticks.  The staying power is really good.  I put on Brazen Berry early this morning at around 7:30 and it lasted well after lunch.  I still had some color left on my lips, it just wasn’t as vibrant.  That’s a shocker! I was pleasantly surprised at the great quality and value (less than $6). I’d definitely recommend these and I’ll be purchasing more colors.

New Le Labo Counter In Saks Houston Galleria

 Demo, expensive products, Fragrances, Houston Galleria, Le Labo, product review, Saks  No Responses »
Apr 022013
 

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Oh how I love being a Beauty Blogger!!!

I went to Saks in the Houston Galleria Mall to attend a Beauty event for Ioma Cosmetics but ended up learning about a new fragrance counter named Le Labo.

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Le Labo has previously been very exclusive. Saks in the Houston Galleria Mall has the only counter in Texas. They are based on custom made fragrances and is the only counter in Saks with absolutely no boxes of perfume on the shelves. All fragrances are handmade at the counter and freshly made for customers. They also make body moisturizers and candles

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They don’t spend a lot of money on advertising. Most of Le Labo’s business is due to repeat customers & word of mouth. They don’t use fancy packaging because the focus is on customized fragrance and their customers having a great experience. They even have a recycling program. If you bring back your container, you get 20% off for recycling. That’s pretty cool!

I was extremely impressed with the way the trainer, Benoit, and the workers took time to educate me on the fragrances, chemistry, ingredients, notes, and a bit of chemistry. :-) Benoit explained how so many of us associate fragrances with memories. This makes an impression & influenced what we tend to like/dislike.
–example: you may hate amber b/c the smell reminds you of a perfume your mean teacher used to wear.

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They believe every fragrance has a “recipe”. The workers use a scale to measure the correct amount of ingredients. I was able to have the full experience of the process of making a custom fragrance.

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Everything is individualized for customers, even the packaging. They make the labels at the counter for each bottle. This makes the products work great as gifts!

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The price range is estimated around $125-$220

There will be a big event at Saks in May in which the creator of Le Labo will be here.

Loreal Magic Perfecting Base Review

 Face, Inexpensive Products, Kroger's, Kroger's Grocery Store, Loreal, make up remover, Makeup Application, Oily Skin, primers, product review  No Responses »
Feb 272013
 

Loreal perfecting base I purchased the Loreal Magic Perfecting Base last month when I saw it on sale at Kroger’s grocery store.  I’ve had my eye on this primer since 2011 when I saw my friend and fellow Makeup Artist Jennifer use it for a photoshoot.  The reason I hadn’t purchased it sooner is because it was a bit pricey.  Before last month, I hadn’t seen it cheaper than about $13.  That’s a lot to me, for a drugstore primer that I haven’t used before.

Loreal Primer on Krogers shelfHere’s a picture of it on sale at Kroger’s.  I started to get 2 of them, but since I hadn’t used it before, I decided to wait and try it out first.  I ended up waiting too long to try it and by the time I went back, the sale was over. :-(  I’m not sure why it was a close out sale because the product hasn’t been discontinued.  I even checked the packaging and it was the same as the ones that were regular priced.

Loreal Primer openedHere it is opened.  I like that it’s a pale pink color.  So cute and feminine. ;-p

Loreal Primer on handHere it is on my hand.  The consisitency is similiar to a thick gel.  When rubbed into the skin, it just melts and provides a barrier between your skin and the product. It feels similar to MAC Matte gel, but a bit thicker.

Overall, it’s not a bad product, especially for less than $7.  I wouldn’t say it’s the best primer I’ve ever used in my life, but I can tell the difference between wearing it versus when I don’t wear a primer at all.  My makeup blends better and my skin is definitely smoother.  I didn’t notice that much of a difference as far as controlling oil, but I don’t think this product is even geared towards absorbing oil so I can’t hold that against it.  Again, I’ll say I can notice a difference when I wear it versus nothing, but I do have to blot a few times throughout the day. I’m proud to report it didn’t leave a white film so it’s safe for women of color to wear without appearing ashy. *whew*

Even though I do like the color ( my favorite colors are pink and purple.)  I don’t like the jar.  I’d rather squeeze or pump out my primer.  Yes, I know with jars, you’re able to get all of your money’s worth by scraping everything out, but I prefer tubes and pumps because they’re more sanitary.  Unless I find it on sale, I probably wouldn’t buy it again.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick On Brown Skin Review

 lipliner, Lips, lipstick, M.A.C., MAC, MAC Viva Glam, product review, Viva Glam, Viva Glam Nicki 2 lipstick  4 Responses »
Feb 102013
 

Initially when I heard about Nicki Minaj being this year’s MAC Viva Glam Ambassador…again, I thought “oh, I can’t wait to see what color she’ll have this time.”. When I saw promos and the description, I was actually excited. My favorite colors are pink and purple. Since the color was described as a vivid lavender pink, I thought this would be a gorgeous color and couldn’t wait to see it.

Viva Glam Nicki 2 lipstick tube no flashSo here it is above. Not exactly what I was expecting from the company description.  Check out the swatches below.Viva Glam Nicki lipstick swatch no flashThis is without a flash

Viva Glam Nicki 2 Lipstick FlashThis one is with a flash

After my initial swatches, my thoughts gravitated towards not believing this lipstick would work too well.  See below for what it looks like on my lips.

My expression should give you an idea of how I feel about this lipstick.

My expression should give you an idea of how I feel about this lipstick.

This was without a flash.  I couldn’t get a good picture with a flash. I kept looking like Tyrone Biggums from The Chappelle Show. :-(

Viva Glam Nicki 2 close up Here’s a closer view.  Above pic is without a flash and the below pic is with a flash. 
Viva Glam Nicki 2 close flashAt this point, I’m not at all excited about this lipstick anymore. Now I’ll have to blend it somehow.  I decided to try MAC Magenta Lip Pencil. I really want to like this lipstick and not give up on it.Viva Glam Nicki2 lipstick and Magenta pencil

Viva Glam Nicki with Magenta no flash This is without a flashViva Glam Nicki2 face with flashThis was with a flash

 Overall, I’m disappointed in this color but it’s not a total loss. It’s highly unlikely I would wear this alone or apply it on anyone else alone.  Other options would be NYX Purple Rain lip liner, MAC Dervish, Soar, Whirl, Absolutely It, Vino, & Currant Lip Pencils. Keep in mind it’s for a good cause since 100% of the proceeds go to the MAC AIDS fund.  For example, with the purchase of this one lipstick, MAC can provide up to 4 bags of groceries for 2 people effected by HIV/AIDS.

If you are a huge MAC fan and love getting all of the newest products, just play around with this lipstick until you find your comfort zone.  Also keep in mind the Viva Glam Nicki 2 also comes in a lipglass that’s a whole lot easier to wear.

 

 

 

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