Product Reviewed: Too Faced's Tanning Bed in a Tube


I'm not sure if Too Faced still makes this particular self tanner, and I can understand why.  As far as self tanners go, this particular product is utterly "eh."  Not impressive, but not the worst thing ever...hence, "eh."  The smell is tolerable as far as self-tanners go.  The color isn't bad (aka not Snooki orange), but not very noticeably golden either.  Sometimes I'll apply the tanner and not notice any color at all.  Not worth the time it takes to apply.  So there you have it...thoroughly blah.  Verdict: If it's free, sure take it. But at $28?  Pass!




Tip: Before applying ANY self tanner, make sure you are well exfoliated.  If you plan to use self tanner on your face, don't forget your ears and neck/decollete.  Stay tuned for more self tanner reviews and more helpful hints to keep your faux glow believable!

Product Reviewed: Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara


Anyone familiar with luxury and high fashion knows the name Yves Saint Laurent.  Everything from shoes to clothes to make-up, YSL epitomizes luxury.  At $30 this mascara certainly carries a luxury price tag.  But does it live up to the YSL standard?  In my experience, no.  


The Volume Effet Faux Cils promises intense, dramatic lashes in a single stroke.  Both the formula and the brush are unique.  The brush is comprised of nylon fibers of varying diameters in order to deliver exceptional volume.  The Triple-Flex Complex formula provides a film agent to intensify, a conditioning agent to curl, and a fixing agent for staying power.  


Great pedigree, but this mascara just doesn't deliver.  The brush hairs seem disorganized, with uneven and clumpy fibers.  The formula add to the clump-factor by gouping onto lashes and applying too heavily.  To be fair, this mascara has supposedly won an award, so it would seem others are having better luck.  


Tip:  Stuck with a heavy, clumpy mascara?  Instead of tossing it, use it as a second coat to take lashes from day to night.  Apply the heavier mascara over a dry first coat, and only to the tips of lashes.  Keep the heavy mascara in your purse or desk at work, so you'll always be ready for an impromptu happy hour.

Product Reviewed: Clarisonic Acne Brush Head


I've already told you how great the Clarisonic Mia is (Missed my review?  Read it here: http://prettyprettyproducts.blogspot.com/2012/04/product-reviewed-clarisonic-mia.html).  Clarisonic recently released a new brush head to accompany its fleet of facial brushes.  The Acne Brush Head is perfect for acneic or sensitive skin types.  Rounded, more flexible bristles provide a softer, more gentle clean.  The brush still delivers deep cleansing and exfoliation with anti-bacterial technology, but the Acne Brush Head specializes in cleansing delicate skins or skins with active blemishes.  This brush is not just for the acne-prone--I prefer the feel and lather this brush head offers.  If you've been loving your Clarisonic, but are looking for a gentler cleanse, try the Acne Brush.


Tip:  Replace your brush heads every three months.  Instead of buying single brush heads at $25/each, pick up a double pack for $40.

Product Reviewed: Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion




I'm always skeptical of products that promise to boost hair's volume instantly.  (This particular product promises a 17% increase in thickness.)  Having had good luck with other Aveda hair care products, I recently gave Aveda's Hair Potion a try.  Two days later (don't judge me for not washing my hair every day), my hair still feels thicker at the roots.  This product made my hair easier to style, added noticeable volume to the roots, and absorbed all oil!  Talk about a time saver!  I recommend this styling product to anyone looking for a root booster, dry shampoo, or texturizing product.


Tip:  DO NOT SHAKE THIS PRODUCT!  Before application, give the bottle a 360 degree turn.  This will mix the product just slightly.  (If the product comes out as a paste it is too mixed.)  Product should apply as a true powder.  Next, hold the bottle several inches from scalp and puff small amounts of powder at roots.  Do not apply to wet hair.

Product Reviewed: Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes Waterproof Mascara


I can't think of a single girl who can make it through summer without relying on a good waterproof mascara.  (No, raccoon eyes do not compliment your tan...)  Thankfully, Tarte offers a waterproof version of its bestselling mascara that will deliver looks and staying power.  Just like the original, this waterproof version will lengthen, volumize, curl, and condition lashes.  This product is the Renaissance Man of mascaras--it does it all.  But will it survive a day in the pool?  YES!


Lights, Camera, Splashes is the ONLY mascara I trust from a day of water fun.  Believe me, I put this baby to the test:  I swam under water, rubbed my eyes, spritzed my face, etc...and not even a single smudge.  Really.  (Sound to good to be true?  I agree, which is why I had to try it myself to become a believer.)  My lashes look separated, lengthened, volumized, and SMUDGE-FREE beach day after beach day.  


Tip: If you can't bear to part with you every day non-waterproof mascara, try layering a waterproof formula as a second coat (at least on tips) to help minimize smudging.


Another tip:  You'll want to use a waterproof makeup remover with this mascara.  My favorite: Make Up Forever's Sens'Eyes.

Product Reviewed: First Aid Beauty's Aloe + Soothing Gel




Feeling a little fried after this weekend's beach getaway?  Avoid looking and feeling like a boiled lobster with First Aid Beauty's Aloe + Soothing Gel.  This gel is an absolute lifesaver after a day in the sun.  The cooling sensation provides instant relief to stressed out skin while ingredients such as Lady's thistle and silymarin calm reactive skin and reduce inflammation.  A must-have for any beach bag, this gel beats out generic aloe vera formulas by being free of sulfates and synthetics which can irritate already angry skin.  A must-have for any summer vacation!


Tip: This gel is also great to soothe skin after cosmetic treatments, waxing, or shaving.

Product Reviewed: Dior Extase Mascara


The Extase mascara is the little brother of the cult classic Diorshow mascara.  Like most little bothers, the Extase competes for a piece of the Diorshow spotlight.  While the Diorshow may be the most popular of the Dior mascara family, my favorite is the Extase.  This mascara is unique in so many ways.  The tiered brush brush lashes outward creating a fanned-out look, while simultaneously clinging to even the tiniest lashes to deposit formula and create intense volume.  The Extase formula expands by up to 50% as it dries, leaving lashes noticeably thicker and longer.  The formula also contains restorative ingredients to rebuild and fortify damaged lashes.  At $28.50, this mascara is on the higher end of the price spectrum, but in my opinion it far out-performs other luxury mascaras both from within the Dior line and from competitor lines such as Yves Saint Laurent.


Tip: If you're looking to layer this mascara, be sure to allow for the the Extase formula to dry between coats.  The formula is designed to expand as it dries, so layering while wet can lead to a clumpy situation.


Fun Fact:  The tiered brush was modeled after the tiered couture dresses created by House of Dior fashion.  In fact, the entire Dior beauty line incorporates elements of Dior fashion.  Each Dior cosmetic product feels like a little piece of luxury.

Product Reviewed: Ole Henriksen's Anti-Ageing Starter Kit


In the interest of full disclosure, I have to start off by admitting two things: 1) I am a kit junkie--I will buy nearly any product that comes in a 'kit' of some kind. 2) I am biased in favor of Ole Henriksen products (but for good reason--this stuff really works!)  


Okay, now that I've gotten that out in the open, let me tell you how much I LOVE Ole Henriksen's Anti-Ageing starter kit.  I bought this kit for the first time a little over a year ago, as a kick-start to my skin care regimen.  I bought the kit again to take with me on vacation.  I loved it when I first tried it, and I love it even more now.  For starters, it's an amazing deal ($68 for roughly a month's supply of six anti-aging products).  Also, the line is all natural and contains the ultra effective African Red Tea.  As a treat, the products all smell amazing. 


Here's the breakdown by product:


African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser: If this cleanser were a man, it'd be the strong yet sensitive type.  This cleanser removes make-up yet is still gentle enough for even the most sensitive skins.  Works amazing with a Clarisonic, and leaves skin feel cleansed and hydrated.  No wonder it won an All Natural Beauty Award.  


African Red Tea Face Mist: This is the only product in this set that I would not consider a must-have.  This tonic (aka toner) includes African Red Tea, white tea, and pomegranate to tighten pores, hydrate and calm skin, and leave you glowing.  While this mist feels and smells great, I don't really notice much benefit from its use, and tend to skip the toning step of my cleansing routine.


Sugar Glow Face Scrubs: Not everyone is a fan of facial scrubs (admittedly, some can be abrasive and rough, or even cause micro cuts in the skin that breed bacteria and lead to break outs).  This scrub is gentle and sugar-based.  It purifies skin by removing dead skin cells, while simultaneously brightening and providing antioxidant protection.    Use 2-3x/week in the morning for a glowing complexion.


Express the Truth Cream: This is an absolutely AMAZING night cream.  It absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling immediately softer.  It's nourishing and rich, yet not too heavy for combination skin types.  This moisturizer is packed with protective ingredients to prevent aging as well as age reversal ingredients and peptides to firm and lift.  (I have two creases on my forehead that drive me crazy, and I noticed a decrease in their appearance after using this cream for three weeks.)


Visual Truth Eye Cream: All the protective and anti-aging benefits of the face cream, with added ingredients to promote skin elasticity and bolster the resiliency of delicate eye tissue.  (Again, after using this eye cream for several weeks I saw a noticeable reduction in fine lines/wrinkles and puffiness.  Thank you, Ole!)


Feel the Difference Perfecting Mask: This mask delivers a cooling and firming sensation while dousing skin with essential vitamins, anti-oxidants, and African Red Tea.  This mask is a real treat for your skin, and works for all skin types.


Okay, after all that....bottom line: Great value, phenomenal all-natural products, visible results.  Um, what more do you want??

Product Reviewed: Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation


I recently picked up a Laura Mercier Mineral Powder to bring with me on a three week vacation.  The powder can be used wet or dry and claims be able to provide coverage ranging from light to full.  I was happy with the versatility of the coverage.  (Especially on a vacation, being able to customize a single product to achieve multiple looks is key!)  


I will say that I am never a big proponent of sponge applicators, but Laura Mercier specifically recommends using a sponge, so I used the sponge included with the powder.  The sponge sufficed for the three week trip, but became caked with product.  I would have to beg to differ with Laura and recommend using a brush for this powder.


I was disappointed in the rate at which I used up the powder.  I didn't wear it every day (and I didn't apply it too heavily), yet after only two weeks the product was about 1/3 gone.  At $40, I would've expected this powder to last much longer.


I also like that the formula includes ingredients designed to mimic skin's natural composition, as well as the fact that the powder has an SPF of 15.


That being said, I wouldn't buy this powder again.  I didn't fall in love with it, and for the price it was not a great value.


Tip: You can wash Laura Mercier sponges in order to keep them clean.  (Especially for sensitive or acne-prone skin types, keep sponges clean is essential.)