Beauty Buys: May 6-12, 2007

Shopping Date: Saturday, May 10 , 2007
Store: PharmaPlus
Purchases:
- Rimmel Underground Loud Mouth Lip Gloss in Pout - $7.99 CAD

WEEKLY GRAND TOTAL (including taxes): $9.11 CAD

See something I bought that you want to know more about? Did you see a product for a better price? Post a comment!

Product Review: Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion

Brand: Skin MD Natural
Name: Shielding Lotion
Size: 120 mL/4 oz
Price: $25 USD

You all know how hard it is to find a greaseless, easily-absorbed moisturizer and so I was really excited to try a new product. Beyond just a "moisturizer", this is a "shielding lotion" and claims to not only reduce the amount of epidermal water loss, but to increase the skin's ability to moisturize itself.

A shielding lotion is "a lotion that forms a protective barrier on the skin and keeps out irritants and chemicals. It also allows the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better...Skin MD Natural is promptly absorbed, without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield."

To Purr About:
- the lotion really is promptly absorbed within seconds and leaves almost no greasy or oily feeling at all
- very light lotion
- slight scent (but a nice one)
- several minutes later I washed my hands (you know what usually happens with normal creams and hand-washing!) and nothing happened! the lotion didn't wash off at all

Claws Out:
- $25 is a lot to pay for a shielding lotion, although to be fair, you don't need to use a lot of it to get good results

Final Comments:
Although I find it hard to spend the money to purchase this lotion on a consistent basis, it really is one of the lightest and non-greasy hand lotions I've ever tried. It would be especially helpful to people who suffer from skin problems, such as eczema or psoriasis though.

To get more information, receive a free sample or to order some of this great lotion, check out Skin MD Natural web site here.

Thanks very much to Pete for contacting me and sending me a sample!

Rating (out of 5):




images: skinmdnatural.com productreviewskinmdnatural

Pamper Yourself at Spalook.com

Did you ever want to recreate your favourite spa experience in your own bathroom? Well, my American readers can purchase their favourite spa products at discounted prices on Spalook.com.

Unfortunately, this site currently only delivers to the US, but they carry lots of luxury brands and feature skin care products, as well as cosmetics. Here you can find great prices on high-end brands such as Dermalogica, dr. brandt, Juicy Cosmetics, Hydroderm and Kinerase.

And until May 31, you can 15% off if you order $75 or more by using the coupon code SpaRelax on your order at checkout. You can get more information on Spalook deals on couponchief.com.

Couponchief.com is a great site that lists hundreds of online retailers and current coupons, promo codes and deals. Check out their list of beauty-related online retailers! Click here to check out more coupon codes.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

GUEST Product Review: Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser

Guest Reviewer: S.K.Y.

Brand: Neutrogena
Name: Pore Refining Cleanser
Size: 6.7 fl. oz tube
Approx. Price: $10 CAD

(Description from the Neutrogena site):

Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleanser lets you visibly reduce the appearance of pores just by washing your face.

This dermatologist-tested formula with Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids and Microbeads delivers visible results. First, it sweeps away dead surface skin and refines rough, uneven patches. Then, it penetrates deep into pores so they appear smaller and less visible.

To Purr About:
I can't remember why I bought this cleanser, but after trying it, it's definitely made it into my "preferred list". I use this product once a day (as I have super sensitive skin) and find that it's a great cleanser. I've noticed my complexion is a bit healthier looking these days and my problem pores do appear to have reduced in size a bit.

Claws Out:
My pores are still noticeable. I'm still on the prowl for that perfect product. Although this one is one of the better products I've come across I'm optimistic that there is an even better product out there for me.

Rating (out of 5):




Thanks to S.K.Y. for contributing our first Guest Product Review!

If you have a product that you've tried and would like to write a review, send me an email! Details on how to submit a review can be found near the top of the right-hand sidebar.

image: neutrogena.com productreviewneutrogena

Elle's Top 5 Self Tanners PREVIEW

All right, those long winter coats are coming off, the skirts are out and it's time to show off that skin! And let's be honest, a lot of us would much rather be a few shades darker than what winter leaves us. Well, here's some great info to get you started.

In the June 2007 issue of Elle, which hits newsstands on (approximately) May 15, 2007, their Top 5 list focuses on Self Tanners as voted by their readers. And we have a sneak preview!

I haven't tried any of these self-tanners yet and have been sticking to Jergens, but after seeing this Top 5 list, I'm thinking of trying the Dove or Shiseido one.

1. Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion
2. Clarins Self Tanning Instant Gel
3. Dove Energy Glow Daily Beauty Body Lotion
4. Lancome Soleil Flash Bronzer Tinted Mousse
5. St. Tropez Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion

The June issue of Elle also has a great Beauty IT list that features some cute new fruit scents and lipglosses, which I think would work really with the warmer spring weather. Get the scoop on products such as:

- Burberry Summer (mmmm, a grapefruit and freesia scent - I think I need to get this!)
- Estee Lauder Heritage Collection FaceGlow (comes in an beautiful enameled case)
- DiorPlay Brilliance Extreme Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Essentials (in a super-cool crystal-studded case)

Don't forget to pick up the June issue of Elle magazine (with a stunning Jessica Biel on the cover) on newsstands soon! For more Top 5 lists and other great articles on beauty, fashion and everything else a girl needs to know, check out their site at elle.com.


images: courtesy of Elle magazine

My Other Little Project

This is completely not beauty related, but hey, my blog, my rules.

While constantly surfing the net for beauty news and products, I come across a lot of weird, fun, odd, beautiful and horrible things. So I figured I'd share them with you.

So, if you're looking for some interesting reading, or have a blog/site that you'd like me to profile, check out my other blog: thedailylynx.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Beauty Buys: Apr 29-May 5, 2007

Shopping Date: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Store: Wal-Mart
Purchases:
- St. Ives Swiss Formula Collagen Elastin Advanced Body Moisturizer - $4.74 CAD
- Biore Nose Strips - $15.97 CAD
- Soft Lips Lip Balm in Ravishing Raspberry - $2.77 CAD
- Annabelle Kohl in Blue Grey - $3.37 CAD

WEEKLY GRAND TOTAL (including taxes): $30.61 CAD

See something I bought that you want to know more about? Did you see a product for a better price? Post a comment!

Product Review: E.L.F. Plumping Lip Glaze

Brand: E.L.F.
Name: Plumping Lip Glaze
Size: 0.6 oz/ 1.9 g
Price: $1 USD

Colour Tried:
- Baby Doll (Sugar Peppermint scent)

I don't normally use any lip plumping products because I have fairly full lips and also because my lips get irritatedvery easily by many of the ingredients that lip plumpers use. And by irritated, I mean "in severe pain".

I decided to give E.L.F.'s Plumping Lip Glaze a try anyway (hey, it's only $1!). Well, the plumping action was severely disappointing, but the lip gloss half was so good, it made up for the lack of plumping power.

There are 2 parts to the product - the clear glaze, which acts as a base plumper, and the tinted glaze, which adds colour and continues to provide plumping action.

To Purr About:
- product claims to be hypoallergenic and my lips actually didn't react with any irritation to either the clear or tinted glaze
- both glazes are super-light, non-sticky and offer a beautiful high-shine gloss
- light sweet, minty scent, but no weird taste
- my lips felt moisturized and hydrated, even with continued use
- sponge applicator is easy to use and applies glaze smoothly and quickly

Claws Out:
- I did notice a fuller lip immediately after applying the clear glaze, however, the extra plump only lasts about 5 minutes
- because there are 2 glazes in 1, you only get half the product. I didn't use much of the clear glaze since I didn't need care for the "plumping" and finished the tinted glaze half in less than a month

Final Comments:
Although I wouldn't buy this product for its plumping properties, I really like the tinted glaze. I haven't tried all of E.L.F.'s lip products yet, but I'm hoping that they offer a normal lip gloss that's similar in texture and feel so that I can buy that full-size product instead.

Rating (out of 5):




images: eyeslipsface.com productreviewelf

NEW Product: Neutrogena Comforting Butter Body Wash

Brand: Neutrogena
Name: Comforting Butter Body Wash
Size: 6.7 fl. oz. tube
Price: n/a

Product Notes:
- gentle cleanser penetrates deeply into the skin's surface to deliver moisture to dry skin
- combines three moisturizers: Cocoa Butter nourishes skins' surface, Mango Butter provides rich moisture & Shea Butter seals in moisture
- dermatologist tested
- lightly scented with a sweet, sophisticated take on butterscoth
- non-greasy

Colours:
- n/a

images: neutrogena.com

Clinique Bonus Time at Sears!

Canadians - It's Clinique Bonus Time at Sears!

Retailer: Sears Canada
Minimum amount you need to spend: $26.50 CAD (before taxes)
Ends: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
What you get:
- Turnaround Concentrate Visible Skin Renewer
- Clarifying Lotion 2
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion
- Clinique Happy Perfume Spray
- Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Frosted Blossom
- Colour Surge Impossibly Glossy in Sugarplum
- High Impact Mascara in Black
- Liquid Facial Soap Mild

Note: This Clinique bonus comes in a box (pictured) but there's no cosmetic case or bag this time around.

image: sears.ca