GUEST Product Review: Nivea Aqua Sensation Anti-Shadow Eye Creme

Guest Reviewer: S.K.Y.

Brand: Nivea
Name: Aqua Sensation Anti-Shadow Eye Creme
Size: 0.5 oz
Approx. Price: under $15 CAD

Claims made by Nivea Aqua Sensation Anti-Shadow Eye Creme:
- instantly invigorate the eye area with the cooling sensation of pure moisture
- has a soothing quick absorbing formula with refreshing Cucumber extract that instantly revives the delicate eye area
- enriched with Magnesium, Ginseng and light reflecting pigments
- reduces the appearance of puffiness and under-eye shadows
- eye visibly regain a fresh and radiant look

I was about to buy the Clinique eye cream I love so much, but I decided my wallet needed a break. Why did I pick the Nivea product? For 3 main reasons:
1. It was at eye-level & right beside the Neutrogena products I was picking up (which proves product placement DOES work)
2. It was a good price
3. My sister mentioned that she had heard good things about Nivea

To Purr About:
I've used the product for about a month now & I've found that it does help moisturize the area around my eye & keep it supple throughout the day. In addition, I've noticed slightly less darkness under my eyes...and again...I must stress that it was only $10ish.

Claws Out:
There were a few things I didn't like about this eye cream. Firstly, it didn't give me that aqua sensation feeling that I was hoping for - that cool, soothing, refreshing feeling that is great for curing eye-tiredness. Seccondly, I don't think the effects of the cream were anything amazing. It was a rich moisturizer and that's probably it - I still had dark circles under my eyes.

Final Comments:
Back to the cucumbers for me I guess.

Rating (out of 5):




Thanks for the review, S.K.Y.!

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: nivea.com productreviewnivea

Product Review: Erth Minerals Moth Veil

Brand: Erth Minerals
Name: Moth Veil
Size: 13 g
Price: $11.00

A very translucent mineral powder with a slight tint, this moth veil can be used alone or over foundations and concealers. It's perfect for concealing pores and giving your face a soft, more even and less shiny look.

Ultra-fine and silky in texture, Erth Minerals guarantees that you'll love it.

Right now I've been using the Moth Veil as a finishing powder. After my usual makeup application, I finish off with a light dusting of the Moth Veil all over my face.

To Purr About:
- blends easily and smoothly into the skin
- I have a VERY shiny T-zone and usually have to blot/powder at least 6-7 times a day while at work. With the Moth Veil, I've found I've only had to powder once or twice
- so lightweight that it doesn't feel like I'm wearing an extra layer of product at all
- no strong fragrance

Claws Out:
None, really, except that if you've never used a mineral product before it takes a little practice to get used to the extremely loose and light powder

Final Comments:
I LOVE this product. It's so light and translucent, that once I apply it, I don't notice it at all, yet it keeps the shine off my T-zone all day. It's definitely a keeper. I highly recommend this product to anyone. A little goes a long way and the price is extremely reasonable for a mineral powder.

For more information or to purchase, check out the Erth Minerals web site here.

Rating (out of 5):



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: lushbrush.com productreviewerthminerals

Beauty Buys: July 1-7, 2007

Shopping Date: Thursday, June 21, 2007 (but I just got the delivery on Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Store: e.l.f. Cosmetics
Purchases:
- elf Smudge Eye Sponge Brush - $1 USD
- elf Brightening Eye Liner in Plum - $1 USD
- elf Brightening Eye Liner in Ash - $1 USD
- elf Brightening Eye Color in Silver Lining - $1 USD
- elf Custom Eyes in Periwinkle - $1 USD
- elf Shine Eraser - $1 USD
- elf Hypershine Gloss in Vixen - $1 USD
- elf Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Baby Lips - $1 USD
- elf Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 in Watermelon - $1 USD

Shopping Date: Thursday, July 5, 2007
Store: PharmaPlus
Purchases:
- Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner - $8.24 USD
- Andrea Q Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover - $4.99 USD

Shopping Date: Frieday, July 6, 2007
Store: PharmaPlus
Purchases:
- L'Oreal GlamShine Lipstick in Goddess - $7.34

WEEKLY GRAND TOTAL (including taxes): $32.45 CAD

I love e.l.f. cosmetics! :) How can you go wrong with products that are $1 and actually look good? I love their lip glosses and at $1 each I don't have to feel guilty about buying THREE at a time! Yay!

Well, dear readers, I'm officially retiring the Beauty Buys series. It just depresses me to see how much I spend on beauty products and that takes the fun out of shopping sometimes. Plus, since I feel the need to do this post every week, it makes me feel like I need to buy at least one beauty product every week, and that is definitely not helping my budget! So, until further notice, Beauty Buys is on semi-permanent hiatus (unless I go on a special spree that I have to tell you about!)

I'm going to try to develop a different weekly feature, so if you have any ideas, let me know!

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: Clinique Touch Base for Eyes

Brand: Clinique
Name: Touch Base for Eyes
Size: 0.03 oz /1 g
Price: $17.50 CAD

Colour Tried:
- Canvas Light

Okay, this is one of the other items I bought in order to get the May/June 2007 Holt Renfrew Clinique bonus.

Currently I "prime" my eyes with MAC Eye Paint in Untitled (it makes my eyeliner and eyeshadow last all day/night without fading or creasing) so I figured this would also be a great base product for my eye products. Clinique claims that this is "no smear, no fade, no creasing. Stays on until washed off. Also works as holding base for other eye makeup."

To Purr About:
- nice light formula that goes on easily
- when I apply my eyeliner on top, my eyelids don't feel dry and my eyeproducts just glide on
- keeps my eyeliner and eyeshadow in place all day long until I remove it with eye makeup remover
- non-greasy, no creasing
- is shimmery, adds shimmer to the eyelids. If you put product on top, adds shimmer to your products as well (can be good or bad, depending on the look you were trying to achieve) - good for going out looks

Claws Out:
- is shimmery, adds shimmer to the eyelids. If you put product on top, adds shimmer to your products as well (can be good or bad, depending on the look you were trying to achieve) - not something I really want for my daytime makeup
- compared to my MAC Paint, the eyeliner and eyeshadow don't end up as vibrant when placed on top of the Clinique Touch Base for Eyes

Final Comments:
This product is light and really does help eye makeup (both eyeliners and eyeshadows) stay on my eyelids the entire day, even when it's really warm outside. No creasing or anything until I remove everything with eye makeup remover. Love the staying power. The shimmer is nice when you want to go out at night, but not something I want during the day when I'm in an office, so that's a minus. Guess I won't be getting rid of my MAC Paint just yet.

Rating (out of 5):




image: clinique.ca productreviewclinique

GUEST Product Review: Lancome Flextencils

Guest Reviewer: Stina R

Brand: Lancome
Name: Flextencils, Full Extension and Curving Mascara
Size: 6.5 mL
Approx. Price: $29 CAD

Colour Tried:
- Black

I have actually tried other types of mascara from this line include L'Extreme, Definicils and Hypnose and have found the Flextencils is my favourite.

To Purr About:
- after a few strokes lashes are instantly longer, I would say at least 1/6th longer than they were originally
- this is the only mascara out of the line that actually curves the lash, so there is no need for an eyelash curler!
- the formula was NEVER clumpy, even at the end of the tube
- the mascara does not flake off your eyelashes, it's more of a gel consistency so if rubbed it stays put (even non-waterproof)

Claws Out:
- had trouble removing it at night with just water and soap, but a basic eye makeup remover will get the job done
- for the average consumer, the mascara is a little pricey
- only available in brown and black
- when put on bottom lashes on a humid day, it tends to blend slightly into the lower eyelid

Final Comments:
I am a mascara whore, my lashes are medium fine, so it's hard to find a product that will plump, curl and lengthen them. I have tried many others from name brands such as Dior, Maybelline, Revlon, Benifit, CoverGirl and even the cheaper version of Lancome, L'Oreal. The money I put into trying numerous other mascaras is probably more than the one time purchase of this Lancome mascara. Yes, it is a little pricey, but definitely worth it.

Rating (out of 5):



Thanks for the review, Stina R!

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: lancome-usa.com productreviewlancome

Lancome Bonus at HBC

Hey Canadians - another great Lancome offer at HBC.

Retailer: HBC (The Bay)
Minimum amount you need to spend: $45 CAD (before taxes)
Duration: Thursday, July 5, 2007 to Sunday, July 22, 2007

What you get:
Unfortunately, the flyer that I got doesn't give any details on the products and the bonus just started today so I haven't had a chance to go check it out myself. But from the photo you can see you get a cute white tote, a mascara, a lipstick, a lip gloss and what looks like 2 facial products.

If any readers have a list of the products, I'd love to get a copy! I'll update this post with product details as soon as I can.

image: HBC e-flyer

GUEST Product Review: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser

Guest Reviewer: puddlejumper

Brand: Neutrogena
Name: Fresh Foaming Cleanser
Size: 200 mL
Approx. Price: about $8-11 CAD depending on where you buy

Product claims:
- combines two cleansing steps into one
- removes eye makeup without stinging
- rinses cleanly away leaving no residue

To Purr About:
I lives up to all its claims and easily removes eye makeup and anything else on your face! Very good product for the price. I have used a variety of cleansers (including Clinique 3-step system) but I always come back to this one for its convenience, especially when travelling (since it eliminates the need for me to pack a separate eye makeup remover and little cotton pads).

Claws Out:
None, except that it would be nice if the pump top could be closed.

Final Comments:
This is a great cleanser for most skin types since it is alcohol and soap-free, hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic. I have sensitive skin and have never had any problems with this product.

Rating (out of 5):




Thanks for the review, puddlejumper!

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.ca productreviewneutrogena

NEW Product: Cake Plane Friendly Travel Kit

Brand: Cake
Name: Plane Friendly Travel Kit
Size: 5 x 2.2 fl. oz / 66 mL
Approx. Price: $25 CAD / $25 USD

Product Notes:
- 5 luxurious Cake products that are safe for planes, trains and just regular ol' car travel. Also great for weekend getaways.
- this new travel kit fits the new product travel regulations

Products included:
- "It's a Slice" Supremely Rich Bath and Shower Froth (smells like an orange creamsicle)
- "It's a Slice" Supremely Rich Body Mousse (smells like an orange creamsicle)
- "Desserted Island" Supremely Rich Bath and Shower Froth (smells like whipped vanilla icing with a pinch of coconut cream)
- "Desserted Island" Supremely Body Mousse (smells like whipped vanilla icing with a pinch of coconut cream)
- "Milk Made" Velveteen Hand Creme (smells like a whipped vanilla milkshake)

images: cakebeauty.com

Product Review: Rimmel Infinite Colour

Brand: Rimmel
Name: Infinite Colour
Size: 0.135 fl oz / 4 mL
Approx. Price: $6.74 CAD

Colour Tried:
- Wear It Well

The third zero-transfer lipstick that I tried (the previous 2 were L'Oreal products), one end of this product is the lipcolour and the other end is a gloss coat. As with most other 2-in-1 lipcolours, you apply the colour first, let it set and then apply the topcoat.

Unfortunately, there were no testers where I bought this product, so I had to go by "look" alone. And even more unfortunately, I ended up with a shade of pink that was just too far into the fuchsia family for me, so the lipstick was a write-off after I tested it for this review.

This product promises up to 10 hours of colour and gloss. I never kept it on long enough to test that claim, but it definitely wasn't going anywhere during the time I had it on.

To Purr About:
- yummy sweet smell
- after letting the product set, I took my fingers and tried very hard to rub the lipstick off - there was absolutely NO colour transfer at all!
- the lipcolour is very soft and smooth and doesn't dry out your lips
- the top coat is less sticky than other zero-transfer product top coats I've tried

Claws Out:
- as with many lipsticks that don't budge, this lipstick is still slightly drying on the lips
- because of the smoothness of this product, this one takes a little longer to "set" than other staying products
- the colour on my lips was much brighter than in the tube, so a nice subtle rose ended up being a hot pink, so beware if there are not testers around!

Rating (out of 5):




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: ulta.com productreviewrimmel

Beauty Buys: June 24-30, 2007

No Beauty Buys this week readers!

I'm still trying to curb my spending this month, so these Beauty Buys are going to be a little bare until the end of the summer (at least that's what I'm trying to do!)

Anyhow, HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE! Go celebrate in Red & White style!