Gifts, Discounts & Coupons
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→ I got a sample ←
Borghese Fango Active Mud for Face & Body ($35)
What’s in the tube: Borghese mineral-enriched mud mask from Tuscany’s volcanic hills, formulated for all skin types. What it does: energizes and nourishes skin, unclogs pores, sloughs off dead skin cells, detoxifies, hydrates, firms, and invigorates. How to use: apply a thick layer to clean skin (no makeup), avoid eyes and lips, wait for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with a wash cloth. Results: fabulous.
Key ingredients:
• Italian mud – provides mineral nourishment and special absorbing action which rids skin of impurities.
• Acqua di Vita® Complex – revitalizes skin, reducing signs of aging.
• Geranium, Lavender and Peppermint Oils – natural botanicals that stimulate and improve skin tone.
• Avocado and Sweet Almond Oils – moisturize and soften skin.
The mud mask is a creamy dark-green substance with a nice herbal smell. It spreads easily, but the process is a little messy, so you need to make sure you are not wearing anything nice, because it may stain your clothes. I didn’t try it on my body (drew the line at face and neck), because I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of standing in the middle of the bathroom, covered head to toe in green mud, with nothing else to do, but stare at myself in the mirror for 10 minutes.
The mask produces a slight tingling sensation upon application, which goes away quickly. I was using it once a week, but it’s not uncommon to apply it twice or even three times a week, especially for oily skin types.
What I like the most about this mask is that you don’t have to wait for results, you see them immediately after rinsing it off for the first time. Every time it feels like I’m getting rid of a lot of dirt – my skin looks clean and glowing, fresh and comfortably hydrated. I always followed with my daily skincare routine right afterward – serum first, then eye cream and moisturizer. Everything seemed to glide on my skin better and sinked in faster. Or maybe it was all in my head… Anyway, the results were quite impressive, and I consider myself officially hooked.
→ No disclosures ←
I didn’t join the initial BB cream movement neither at the beginning, nor later, when every brand under the sun came out with a bunch of them. I’m more into foundations mainly because of the two not-enoughs of BB creams: not enough hydration and not enough coverage for my skin. I also learned the hard way that I have to have concealer under my eyes at all times to be sure not to scare off strangers with my shiny dark circles. So when I found out about the new crop of BB creams for eyes, I got curious, but not really excited. The reason for my lack of excitement was the promise of sheer formulas and light coverage combined with eye cream’s hydrating and smoothing properties. The first question that came to mind – how do you monitor the amount of moisture and color you need around your eyes if both come from the same tube? Well, turns out it’s a pickle.
 DIOR HYDRA LIFE BB EYE CREAM But first of all, what is a BB eye cream exactly? It’s pretty much the same thing as BB face cream, but for the eyes, meaning that it is a moisturizer and a concealer in one. They insure to hydrate, firm, smooth, sooth, cover, hide, depuff, and illuminate. They do keep their promises, but with sheer, too natural-looking finish. In my case this means that although my dark circles are somewhat covered, they still have the potential of becoming a conversation piece in a pitiful “are you OK?” way.
 GARNIER BB EYE CREAM ROLL-ON On the positive side, BB eye creams have wonderful light textures with illuminating particles that fake undereye radiance masterfully. If you are looking for brightening and highlighting properties in a product, BB eye cream will serve you well. But if you plan to hide your imperfections from the rest of the population, you may be up for disappointment. The product definitely has potential, but the problem is that I still need an eye cream and I still need a concealer. And adding a third product that is in-between those two doesn’t make much sense in my case. In any event, it’s always worth getting a sample.
→ Product provided for review ←
NeoStrata Eye Cream PHA 4 ($46)
NeoStrata Eye Cream one more time proves the notion that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a skincare product to be able to get the results you are looking for. What I usually expect from an eye cream is some smoothness of lines, hydration and good-for-my-skin ingredients that will make it less vulnerable to external irritations. And NeoStrata’s eye cream delivers all of the above.
Active ingredients:
- Polyhydroxy Acid Gluconolactone (reduces lines and strengthens skin’s protective barrier)
- Vitamin E (antioxidant that protects and repairs skin)
- Pro-Vitamin B5 (moisturizes, soothes, heals and regenerates)
- Hyaluronic Acid (maintains hydration)
- Green tea, evening primrose and avocado oil (soothe delicate skin)
I was applying the eye cream twice a day, as directed, and have to say that it does its job very gently, without irritating skin. The cream is also fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, so I wasn’t worried about any unpleasant skin reactions during my testing. It has a very light and completely grease-free texture, which helps the eye cream sink into skin in seconds without leaving any residue behind. I was applying it on both upper and lower eyelids, and never had a problem with it melting into my eyes like some other creams have done before. It keeps my skin hydrated all day long, smooths and brightens the eye area, and boosts its radiance.
The best part was the longer I was using the eye cream, the better and more satisfying results I was getting. It also didn’t give me any headaches with eye makeup applications – my concealers, shadows, eyeliners and mascaras were applied seconds after the eye cream with no messy consequences. The only thing you need to make sure is to slather your sunscreen on top of it when you are heading outside.
The cream comes in a 0.5 oz tube that lasts for a surprisingly long time, which makes it a great value for the money spent.
→ I bought it myself ←
Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Dryer ($34.99)
I picked up Conair Infiniti Pro at Ulta a week ago, and since then can’t shut up how happy I am with my purchase. I love the price, design, power, and color of this hair dryer. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, well-balanced and comfortable to hold and move around the head. It creates a high airflow that dries hair faster than some of the more expensive brands. I wouldn’t call it quiet when it’s on, but it’s not that loud either.
Main features include:
- 1875 watts
- 15% lighter with new AC motor design
- AC motor delivers more powerful, fast airflow for styling ease and guarantees up to 3 times longer life
- Ionic technology to reduce frizz and enhance shine
- Ceramic technology safely dries and promotes healthy hair
- True cold shot button to lock in curls, waves & style
- Rocker switches – 3 heat/2 speed switches for heat and airflow control
- Removable filter prevents damaging lint buildup and extends motor life
- 2 concentrator attachments to achieve a variety of styles
- Limited 4-year warranty
- Unit weight: 2.55 lbs.
Infiniti Pro was designed with combination of ionic and tourmaline ceramic technology for smooth, static-free and frizz-free hair. Because my hair is fine, I still get some static, but not as much as with my old Conair model. Overall I have no complaints. It substantially cut the time I spent on my morning hair styling routine, which made my husband extremely happy. To me Infiniti Pro is a great value for the money, and its cheerful orange color serves as an added bonus.
Hey ladies, look what’s coming our way this spring – rainbow manicures. Aside from being fun, adventurous and cute, those nails will work with anything in your wardrobe.
To pull it off, it’s better to keep your nails on the short side, and stick to polish shades within the same color family. Rainbow manicure also looks best opaque, without any texture, glitter or nail decals involvement. Keeping it simple and glossy is all you need. Another thing – once you get yourself a colorful manicure, skip the rainbow on your toes, keep them in one shade to avoid an overkill.
For best results, choose no more than 3 colors of nail polish. Here’s just a few color combination ideas to get you started: red, pink and fuchsia; turquoise, blue and light green; yellow, orange and fire-red; raspberry, pink and oxblood; dark brown, cappuccino and taupe. Don’t hesitate to experiment, everything goes this spring.
Happy Easter!
→ I got a sample ←
Jimmy Choo ‘Flash’ Eau de Parfum ($75, $98)
Jimmy Choo launched its new perfume Flash this month, calling it an “ultra-modern white floral” fragrance. The inspiration came from “the thrill of the red carpet, the fun of the nightclub, the glamour of dressing up”. Being predominantly white floral than fruity, Flash seems more like a ‘nice girl’ fragrance – very safe and predictable. It is still too tuberose and jasmine-heady for my taste, but it smells way better than the previous Jimmy Choo creation.
Top notes: pink pepper, strawberry, tangerine
Middle Notes: tuberose, jasmine, white lily
Base Notes: white wood, heliotrope
Flash is for those who prefer strong floral scents. Don’t be fooled by fruity notes too much, they dilute into oblivion very soon after application. The bouquet of notes doesn’t change or evolve during the day, so you keep smelling the same white-flowery way all day long. Initially I had high expectations of heliotrope turning the composition into sexy and glamorous, but to my disappointment, it got eaten up by the intensity of all those white florals, and didn’t deliver. The staying power is good, which usually happens with all the fragrances I’m not very fond of.
Flash failed to impress me mainly because there isn’t any subtlety and mystery to it, it pretty much dumps its floral sweetness on you, and you feel stuck with it for the longest time. Not my type of fragrance.
→ Products and samples purchased and obtained by me ←
I get excited about every budget beauty launch sometimes even more than about any high end product – love me some drug store bargain. The best part about drug store goodies, besides their price, is that many of them are of exceptional quality. That’s why every time a new bunch is out, I’m there to test them.
Maybelline The Flash Clean makeup remover with Moringa Seed extract is a lightweight lotion that takes off makeup, deeply cleanses, and moisturizes skin. You simply apply a dollop on a cotton face pad and sweep over your face until all your makeup is gone. It also removes regular mascara, but is not as effective on waterproof formulas. Cost $5.99
 I was surprised how soft, creamy and blendable L’Oreal True Match Crayon Concealer stick felt on my skin. The coverage is buildable, you can easily regulate the amount you need to apply to cover imperfections. Fair/Light Neutral turned out to be the best color for my fair-to-medium complexion. It works well covering a blemish or some redness around the nose, but for undereye circles I prefer creamier versions. Overall it’s a good product, convenient for traveling and touch-ups on the go. Cost $7.99
 Simple Eye Makeup Remover Pads /pack of 30 are a very convenient solution for either traveling or lazy days. They are very gentle, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and safe for sensitive eyes. I also like that they work equally well on the whole face. Cost $5.99
L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur is something in-between primer and moisturizer or, as L’Oreal calls it, “first of-its-kind Instant Skin Smoother”. It may seem a bit heavy upon application, but the product undeniably works. It hides pores, evens out and preps skin for makeup application, and helps it stay put all day long. I did not expect to be that impressed with it. Cost $24.99
 Dove came out with a new scent recently – Blue Fig and Orange Blossom. It’s the same moisturizing body wash that I always loved, infused with NutriumMoisture® technology, that never dries out my skin. And it also smells delicious. Cost $5.99
Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Sticks have a soft and hydrating balm-like formula that conditions lips, giving them a wash of color at the same time. You can reapply them as often as you need to keep your lips smooth. The variety of shades may not be extensive (only 8 available), but you can definitely find something to work with. My personal favorites are Plum Perfect and Soft Raspberry. Cost $8.49
Dr. Dennis Gross All-In-One Facial Cleanser with Toner ($32)
I got a big sample bottle of Dr. Dennis Gross All-In-One Cleanser as a gift with purchase and forgot about it for a while. This week I digged it out and decided to give it a test-run right away. This is gentle, three in one product – cleanser, toner and makeup remover. It has a creamy texture that doesn’t lather much. The unusual part is that you are supposed to apply it onto dry skin and massage it in (10 seconds for dry skin and 30 seconds for oily) before rinsing it off. It leaves skin soft, clean and refreshed, never dry or tight.
This hypoallergenic cleanser is suitable for all skin types, and includes ” moisture-locking phospholipids and a special blend of antioxidants and botanicals, such as Acai Fruit Extract, which provides skin with healthy omega fats”, according to the manufacturer.
Main ingredients:
♦ Retinyl Palmitate: smooths skin, provides moisture and elasticity
♦ Witch Hazel Extract: soothes, clears and tones
♦ Hyaluronic Acid: hydrates and plumps
♦ Glycerin: seals moisture in
The cleanser seems mild and refreshing, with a light scent that disappears while rinsing. I kind of like it, but I don’t love it. The main reason for my not loving it is that it doesn’t remove all makeup effectively, especially mascara. Because of that I need to take off all of my makeup first, and only then use the cleanser, which automatically doubles the time and amount of products involved in a simple makeup removal activity. And that is usually a deal breaker for me.
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