Lip Liner Swatches

I own a grand total of 4 lip liners. One was an Elizabeth Arden PWP with the Leopard Chic box, one is my old Wet 'n Wild #666, which I never liked. The other two are by Essence and were recent purchases because I needed something to finish out the free shipping minimum purchase at Ulta. I like the Taupe well enough, and Honey Bun is what I'd hoped the WNW would have been. Cute Pink isn't bad, it is a little bright. I never cared for drugstore pencils, they are usually hard to apply, but the Essence pencils are as smooth as the Elizabeth Arden, so I'll probably buy more when I order again from Ulta. Anyway, the swatch was photographed with an overhead light and the flash on:

Urban Decay's The Feminine Palette swatches

The sun finally came out, so I decided to photograph swatches of Urban Decay's The Feminine Palette, which was recently on sale at Sephora for $19.00. The palette is 6 eye shadows and a 24/7 liner in black (Zero). The shadows are Stray Dog, SWF, Midnight Cowboy, Aquarius, Darkhorse, and Ecstasy. I'm a neutral kind of girl, so Stray Dog and Darkhorse are my favorites from the group. Midnight Cowboy is a very pretty shade, but it has big chunks of glitter that rain down on my cheeks. They do brush off fairly easy, and I like the look of a little glitter. The colors aren't especially pigmented, even though they look bright. I had to use several applications to get the colors to appear dark enough to photograph well.

On the hand with several coats:

On the inner arm with less color applied:

Aura Cacia Grapeseed Oil

I discovered grapeseed oil in 2006 or so. I don't remember where I found out about it, but I stopped using commercial anti-acne cleansers and stated cleaning my face with the oil. My face stopped breaking out. I haven't had a major breakout since. Sometimes I try new products and I will get some bumps, so I know it isn't strictly hormonal. Grapeseed oil, either food grade or cosmetic grade (with vitamin e) is a staple. It is lighter than olive oil, it is more like a toner, so I don't look greasy. It is wonderful as an eye makeup remover, no stinging, no itchy eyes, no chemicals. And it is less than $5.00 for 4 oz. I used to buy the food-grade tin, it was, like, almost a gallon for about $10, but that is too much to store, and, unless you cook with it, it can turn rancid before you can use it up (but you can share with others, I gave some to my cousin to help with rosacea). So, I usually buy Aura Cacia's. I actually prefer this to the foodgrade, because the food grade can have a foody smell. The company is cruelty free, and is mostly available at healthy food stores, and online.

blow mane tame soft pomade

Another nice surprise in my Allure Beauty Box (wish I'd ordered 2!), Blow Hair Care's Mane Tame has quickly become a new favorite. Never heard of the brand before this, but I look forward to trying the rest of their line. The Mane Tame is a light-ish styling paste, and it is not sticky, and not oily. I like it for my bangs, I apply it and shape them around my face. It does not get flaky, or make the hair look dread locked, it just adds a bit of weight where needed. The company is cruelty free,. The 2oz jar is $22 at Ulta, but a little goes a long way. It has a very light fragrance, it smells like a nice body lotion, rather than hair goo.

Would I repurchase? YES
Would I recommend to others? YES
Stars? 5 of 5, no flaws to note

John Frieda Full Repair Protecting Root Lift Foam

I didn't think I'd like this, because until it dried, my hair felt kind of sticky. But it really adds volume, and I love volume. I'm a big-haired girl, but not naturally, of course. I think I look better with fluffy hair, and have several different kinds of hot rollers and hot air brushes. After using this root lifter, I actually have the hair I use the curling products to achieve. Not tight curls, but wavy and textured. I've used mousse and root lifters and perms in the past, and this gives me the look I'm looking for. I get the look, without the work. So far, I've used this on naturally dried hair, but I look forward to trying it when I actually style my hair. I could just go like this, and I probably will, which is a nice change from my drab, flat undone 'do which never looks like a real style, unless it is curled....

Would I repurchase? YES
Would I recommend to others? YES
Stars? 5 of 5 (it is light, and doesn't make hair crunchy, adds a lot of volume, the fragrance is very pleasant and light).

Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray

This is another item from Allure's Beauty Box. It is my first dry shampoo, and I am really impressed. Most reviews for most dry shampoos led me to think they were merely baby powder in spray form. This isn't powdery, it is a spray that doesn't make the hair wet or coated with a film. It is like a can of air, almost. It smells good--kind of cirtusy, very clean smelling. I usually have to wash my hair every day, but I haven't washed my hair since the night the box arrived this past Wednesday, and I don't look like I need to wash my hair. It feels like it needs a wash, but it looks fine. I've used the spray once or twice a day, and sometimes I've mixed it up with another dry shampoo Allure sent--Ambiance Volumizing Dry Shampoo Shampoo in Brunette. Unlike the Oscar Blandi, Ambiance is a powder. It comes in a brush/bottle and it is dark enough to blend in with my brown hair. I like them both, and would probably repurchase, especially the Oscar Blandi. The only negatives are the spray can wouldn't last long if I used it every day, and the 5oz can is $23. For the powder, the cap is hard to put on over the brush. No negatives otherwise.

Would repurchase? YES to Both
Would I recommend to others? Yes to Both
Stars? 5 of 5 (on Both)

PIXI Silky Eye Pen

Not sure why this pencil is $14 at Target. Mine came in the Allure Beauty Box. They sent the Black Blue shade, and it is incredibly pretty. It looks black, from a distance. Up close it is a very dark sapphire, the most beautiful sapphire ever, actually. Too bad about the lack of staying power, especially along the lower waterline. It was mostly gone within a couple hours. Again, not sure why it is $14, which is almost what Urban Decay's pencils cost (the 24/7 liners are $18). The pencil goes on soft enough, most drugstore pencils I've tried (eye & lip) have been too hard to even get the line to form. The weird thing about this pencil is that I can feel it on my lids, it feels like plastic, or something, it makes my eyes feel watery, which is probably why it wears off so quick. Oh, it also needs sharpening right away, like after each eye, almost.


Would repurchase? NO
Would I recommend to others? NO
Stars? 1 of 5 (for the color)

Ambiance Transforming Cleanser

Transformed my usually clear skin into a splotchy mess. I have several red bumps on and along my nose, and my skin feels tender, and itchy. That was with just one use. So I will use this cleanser as a hand soap, and not a face soap.

Would I repurchase? NO
Would I recommend to others? Maybe, if you like an oil cleanser, and are not acne-prone.
Stars? 3 of 5 if used as a hand cleanser (it is non-drying and makes my hands soft).

Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe Bio Advanced Restorative Treatment

The Allure Beauty Box featured a 5.1 oz tube of Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe Bio Advanced Restorative Treatment, and I tried it last night, after my last post. It is really good. My hair is like silk, and it was like silk even while it was wet. My hair is straight and fairly thick, and it takes a long time to air dry or blow dry. I air dried it last night, and it seemed almost dry before I took the towel off. There were no tangles, and I didn't need a brush to style. It is very swingy, and soft, and lightly fragranced. A little goes a long way, but it isn't so thick that it doesn't spread on the hair. My hair is in good condition, I usually use a blow dryer and hot rollers. I recently added a flat iron to the routine, but I only use that to curl my bangs, because I haven't gotten the hang of curling the rest. The tutorials make it look easier than it is.


Anyway, Joico is cruelty free. From their website:

No Animal Testing
Joico is committed to providing high quality safe products. Joico Laboratories does not use animal tests to confirm the safety of Joico products. Safety of Joico products is assured by using safe raw materials and where applicable, confirming safety by testing via patch tests with human volunteers under a physican.s supervision and using non-animal alternative tests.

So that means I will be buying another tube! You can buy smaller samples on eBay, if you'd like to try before you buy.

The website is currently having a sweepstakes to win a Burton Snowboard Package, worth $500. You can enter here.


Would repurchase? YES
Would I recommend to others? Yes
Stars? 5 of 5 (no negatives to note)

Allure Beauty Box

I ordered the box on November 25, and it arrived today. That isn't too bad. Before it arrived, I'd had feelings of buyer's remorse, not really sure that I would use or like anything that is in it.

The buyer's remorse is gone now that it is in my hot little hands. The only things I know I won't use are the Cetaphil Cleanser and the NYX Fly With Me mascara, so I gave those to my cousin. The only things I've tried so far is the Ambiance Transforming cleanser, Ambiance Wrinkle Reduction Serum, and Johnson's Cocoa & Shea Butter Creamy Baby Oil. Love the baby oil--it smells soft, absorbs instantly and is non-greasy. The cleanser has a strong fragrance, which is a bit overwhelming at first. It is an oil that you massage on, then add water with your hands after about a minute. It is non-drying, and easy to rinse. I don't notice any ill effects, I can usually tell if something will break me out with the first use. I'm not feeling any wariness irritation, but we'll see in the next week or so. The anti-wrinkle serum absorbs, or drys out, almost instantly and does not leave a film. I've tried it around my eyes, not wanting to use it everywhere, just yet. I spritzed the Oscar Blandi Dry Shampoo in my hair to check the fragrance, and it smells ok, it is kind of citrusy and reminds me of Lemon Pine-Sol.

The box is $29.99, and you get 15 full-size products. The Vichy Proeven Dark Spot Corrector is over $40 by itself. With shipping and taxes, my box came to $43.68 (43.68 divided by 15 items=$2.91 each). I prefer to buy Cruelty Free products, and several of these are not from cruelty free companies. If I like something that isn't cruelty free, I won't repurchase.

4 weeks and 5 days

That is how long it took to get my GogoGirlfriend sample box. It finally arrived--I got the lame November box, no extras for having to wait almost 6 weeks. My assortment has the Camille Beckman 5 piece gift set in Mango Beach, Oluv Fresh Face and Body scrub (no way would I use it on my face--it is extremely rough, it is like a sugar scrub. It also leaves a layer of grease on the skin. I tried it on my hands, and they do feel very soft, but I wouldn't sacrifice other body parts. I got the Issey Miyake fragrance sample vial, and the E.L.F. Crease Brush, and the Blossoms Mineral Eye Shadow, and the Crystal Essence Natural deodorant Towelette. The only thing I'd really consider buying is the towelettes, but I won't be buying them from Gogo girlfriend. The Camille Beckman set is TINY, at first, seeing the small size of the mailing box, I thought they hadn't sent it, but they did. The boxed set measures about 3" by 5". The 3 bottles are 1oz each, and the pots are 1/4oz. It is supposed to be a $10-$12 value (whaaa????). The smell is inexpensive, I wish they would have sent the vanilla. There was nothing in the box that would make me regret cancelling my account. Would not repurchase my GGG subscription, and would not recommend to others.

Gogogirlfriend review

By now, I should have reviewed my first GogoGirlfriend sample box, but I haven't received it yet. It has been a month since I paid for my subscription, but get nothing but the runaround when it comes to getting what I paid for. Oh, I forgot, you pay $12.99 for the "subscription" to their website (yea, what?), and the sample boxes are "free" (yea, what?). Since I can't review the samples, I'll review the company. I've cancelled my account. They refused to issue a refund for my 1st order, which is set to ship "next week." In one email they could only say it would ship "soon." I get replies to my emails, but no information. Basically, from other online reviews, a lot of other ladies are getting the same delay, and the same story, that the particular month's holidays are the culprits causing the delays (no matter the month, and no matter the holiday). They don't have anything I'd buy the full sizes of anyway. For $12.99 I could go to Big Lots or Avon and get a bunch of stuff to tinker with. FYI: My local Big Lots has Revlon nail polishes 2 for $2.00 (they are sold in a pack of 2). I could have bought 6 bottles of nail polish for that $12.99 I wasted on GogoGirlfriend.

Holiday Pretty

Oh, I love this tutorial! Love the before face, love the after. Definitely going to give this look my best shot. :-)

Orofluido Beauty Elixir

October's Birchbox featured a sample of Orofluido's Beauty Elixir, and that was the first time I'd tried it. I usually use Yves Rocher Monoi De Tahiti Gardenia Oil for my occasionally crunchy hair. I like this more. The fragrance is very soft and warm, it smells very patchouli-ish, but it isn't overwhelming. It absorbs quickly, even though it is very thick (you only need a couple drops). I usually use it at bedtime so it has plenty of time to soften my hair before my morning shower.

From the Orofluido website:

Argan oil: liquid gold for your hair
Extracted from the seeds of the Argania spinosa fruit, Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty oils, similar in composition to our own skin. It strengthens hair and makes it extremely light and incredibly silky.

Linseed oil: instant shine
The seeds of the linen plant are the source of a precious oil which seals and smoothes the hair cuticle, providing uniformity and control. The result is hair that captures and reflects the light, giving it a spectacular shine.

Cyperus oil: pure silk to the touch
Cyperus is a plant that has been cultivated in Egypt for more than 4,000 years. It is the source of an oil with a high content of fatty acids and tocopherol, which give natural protection against free radicals. It provides softness and volume, leaving hair manageable, smooth and flexible.

It retails for $29.99 on the Birchbox site, that is for a 3.4 oz bottle, which probably lasts forever. I would buy the full-size.

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Hand Creme

I had high hopes for this...but it isn't as foodie as I would have liked. I buy lotions to preview perfumes (I live in a small town & have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest department store to try things). This hand cream was $15, which is quite expensive (it is about 2 oz), so I probably wouldn't re-purchase anyway. The fragrance isn't alluring enough to make me order the perfume, but I will try it if I get to the LM counter someday. The smell is like cake batter, which I do like, but it doesn't thrill me. My all-time favorite perfume was Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille. I bought a bottle religiously every year, then they changed the formula. I've tried to find dupes, and have come close, but they never have the magic of the original Vanille. I thought Creme Brulee would be the magic, but, alas, no.

SKIN SO SOFT Mineral Gems Diamond Blush Gelled Body Oil

I order from Avon, on occasion. Their Nailwear Pro polishes are superb, and I like trying their body lotions. The SSS Mineral Gems Diamond Blush Body oil is on sale for $2.99, so I gave it a shot. I'm a bit disappointed though, it isn't as moisturizing as I'd expected and the shimmer isn't all that shimmery. It absorbs quickly, except for my palms, so I always have the urge to wash my hands. The fragrance is nice, it is soft and a little flowery, nothing too bad. Probably won't repurchase, even @ $2.99...oh well

CLARINS Gentle Foaming Cleanser

This cleanser was another deluxe sample from Sephora. I've changed my opinion of it in the past few weeks--I went from meh to really liking it. I haven't used a cleanser since about 2007. I battled breakouts with an assortment of anti-acne themed products, then discovered I stopped breaking out when I stopped using them. Clarins GFC has not caused a break-out, and it doesn't leave a film. It would probably be too drying for dry skin, or even for daily use for me. It does not remove eye makeup very well, because it isn't thick or oily. It has a light fragrance, which is actually quite nice. The retail price is $20 for 4.4oz. Would I buy the full size? Yes.

Brazilian Peel

A week or two ago, Sephora gave away bags of deluxe samples with a $25 purchase. For one order, I chose the Beautiful Skin collection. It included a sample of Brazilian Peel, which is a 30% glycolic peel/mask. The sample syringe held enough for four peels, because I used it only on my nose. The only thing that has ever de-funked the pores on my nose was 6 months of Minocycline (which I loved, btw). I have some success with benzoyl peroxide, but I have to use it a lot, and it is so rough on my skin (it makes me look sunburned). The Brazilian Peel does a pretty good job of clearing and tightening, not a miracle, but still pretty good. The peel isn't as aggressive as I'd expected, I get no redness or peeling skin. It goes on hot (you mix it in your palm), and it does get a little itchy. It retails for $78 for four syringes, so I probably won't purchase the full-size kit, since I'd only use it for my nose and maybe the t-zone.

Where have you been all my life??

Huh, Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF 55 PA+++? Where were you all those years I battled shine with paper towel masks and extra layers of loose powder (neither of which really helped)? But, that is all behind me. You know, until they change the formula, or discontinue this line. In the meantime, I'm totally loving this sunblock! It is not shiny at all, I can wear it without any powder, which is a first in my long history of using sunscreens. They have rarely suited me 100%, so I'd pretty much given up on finding anything that would make my skin look good. This does--it is more like a primer than a sunscreen, which is what I've longed for--a good SPF rating, but served as a makeup base. It is whitish, but I'm Morticia pale, so that is a good thing. No breakouts, no pilling, no yucky fragrance, no itchy skin, no teary eyes. It is a lot more expensive than my drugstore sunblocks, but so worth it.

Befine Lip Serum with Chamomile & Beets

October's Birchbox featured a sample of Befine's Lip Serum, and that was the first time I used it. The full size is a bit pricey--$20 for 0.5oz. I've used it a couple weeks, and haven't noticed anything much. It isn't thick enough to stay on for very long, and it seems to make my lips dryer. I'm mostly left wondering why it is $20, and what are other ladies getting out of it that I'm not. I want to like it. I love beets. :-D


Would I purchase the full-size version? No.

Elizabeth Arden Color Intrigue Eyeshadow Quad in Sueded Browns

I bought this quad because of the rave reviews. I'll add my rave. The colors are beautiful, and they have a lot of staying power. They aren't too shimmery, and they are easy to blend. I can't find any specific names, so I haven't labeled my swatch. My favorite is the upper left corner. It is perfect as a liner and can look very smoky.

  Would I repurchase? Yes.

Elizabeth Arden Leopard Chic Beauty Box

I could say I wanted this leopard print jewelry box & compacts because they remind me of Diana Vreeland. But I actually love them because they remind me of Peggy Bundy. :-) This kit would make a great gift--you get so many products to try. It is $38.50 with a $27.50 purchase. Mine arrived today from Belk:

This is a shimmer cream--but it isn't creamy, it is a hard powder:

The brushes are beautiful, but the biggest is a bit stiff:

Eye & lip pencils:

The mascara & lip glosses. Haven't tried the mascara yet, but the glosses are pretty, and aren't especially sheer, too bad about the nasty taste.

a good place to start

A small Sephora order arrived yesterday, so I'll start my first review with that. I'd originally planned on reviewing my first Birchbox (October's #2, IIRC), but I've just used 3 things (the hair oil, the Spackle and the lip serum) and somewhat liked the oil and the lip serum. So, anywho, on to Sephora, who has never disappointed me.

The main dish: Urban Decay's Rollergirl Palette. Currently $18, you get 4 eye shadows, an eyeliner, and a lip gloss. I love them all, even the hot pink Woodstock color. None of the shadows are matte, so I probably won't wear them all together. Darkhorse is my favorite, and is not as frosty as I'd expected. It is shimmery, but not tacky. The lip gloss tastes like candy canes, and isn't as bright on as the swatch makes it appear. The dark brown eyeliner goes on smoothly, with no tugging. Love the graphics on the palette--the Rollergirl looks like my young, cool, and gorgeous kindergarten teacher. Yes, I was in kindergarten in the disco era. :-)

I decided to try the Pacifica Island Vanilla body butter, because I love anything vanilla. This smells like a bit like L'Aromarine's Vanille, which I always liked. I'll probably give the Pacifica Island Vanilla fragrance a shot.

The third item, Sephora Collection Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Bronzed Beauty, was on sale for $3, and was kind of a cop out, because I'd originally added the Blue Waters shade to my basket. I waffled, not sure if my lips would be bluish, or if they'd be clear. Not sorry I chose Bronzed Beauty, it is a pretty color. I forgot to swatch it, but it is sheer, with a bit of shimmer.

My freebies for the order:
REN Glyco Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask~~~I used this last night on my t-zone, and my pores actually seem a bit smaller. I was not expecting to see any results this morning, so this is a pleasant surprise. I still have 1/2 a sample left, so I'll try it again & I'll be able to tell if it actually works.

Eshu Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30+~~haven't tried this one yet.

Givenchy Very Irrésistible Givenchy L'Intense Eau de Parfum~~~Smells like perfume. I didn't have to wash it off immediately, which is a rarity.

Dermadoctor Photodynamic Therapy deluxe sample~~This is my favorite lotion. It is one of very few I've been able to use all over my face and not have a major breakout. I think it has improved my skin's tone and texture, but I don't wear it as a sunblock, I use it as a night cream. Dermadoctor Photodynamic Therapy is $85 for 1 ounce, which is a bit expensive, but I can't deny that from the improvement I've seen, it is worth every penny.

The Rollergirl Palette:

The ingredients:

My very pale arm with the swatches:

Pacifica Island Vanilla:

Super Shimmer Lip Gloss - Bronzed Beauty:

Would I repurchase? Yes, to all.