e.l.f. STUDIO MASCARA & SHADOW SHIELD

 $3.00 - (TARGET, EYESLIPSFACE.COM)

 

THE CLAIMS:

Apply eye makeup flawlessly with this innovative and mistake-proof Mascara & Shadow Shield. The silicon flexible and convenient design works to shield your skin against mascara smears and eyeshadow fallout. The reusable and reversible design works on both eyes, under eye or over eye, for easy makeup application. The ideal tool for achieving gorgeous eye looks without smudges and fallout! 

 

 

THE INSPECTION:

This does not really work.  It is too big and too flimsy. 

Something more compact and sturdy would work a lot better.  I could not keep it in place while trying to put the mascara on as it moves too much.

 

 

ST. TROPEZ BRONZING MOUSSE

$30.00 (SEPHORA, QVC, AMAZON)

THE CLAIMS:

A super-lightweight, easy-to-apply, velvety mousse that dries in 60 seconds and delivers a rich-bronze tan.

This lightweight mousse delivers a rich-bronze tan and is infused with conditioning aloe vera. You will get a perfectly natural looking, streak-free tan that dries in 60 seconds. The innovative Aromaguard™ fragrance technology eliminates the tell-tale self tan aroma by a minimum of 70%.

APPLICATION MITT- $6.00

THE INSPECTION: 

I think this is officially my new favorite self tanner!  This mousse goes on so easy and drys so fast!  You MUST use the mitt to put it on, or your palms will be brown and does not come off on the first wash.  You will see instant results while the tan is developing. 

 

This does not transfer onto clothes and it does not have the self tanning smell for at least 8 hours.  So if you wanted to put this on before going out, you could without the worry of  the smell.  The fragrance is nice but pretty strong so I won't wear perfume while I have it on.  Once you shower it off, you have a very pretty and natural looking tan.  I use it just once a week for some color, but if you want to be really dark, you could do this a few times in a row to get that look.  I also put a little on my face before I apply my makeup and it gives nice color without the bronzer.  This fades out just like a real tan and lasts about a week. 

CLARASONIC MIA

$119.00- SEPHORA

$94.00-  AMAZON.COM

THE CLAIMS:

From the creators of the Sonicare® toothbrush comes the Clarisonic® Mia set, featuring the handy to-go sized version of the original, groundbreaking Clarisonic Brush. Sonic technology first changed the way we clean our teeth, now it's changing how we cleanse our skin. The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic's soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second, thoroughly clearing pores and skin's surface.

Here are some of the benefits this revolutionary skincare tool delivers:
- Removes makeup six times better than traditional methods.
- Clears pores and reduces the appearance of pore size.
- Cleanses so thoroughly that skincare products absorb better.
- Creates noticeably healthier looking skin.

Clarisonic should be used as part of a daily skincare regimen to provide smoother feeling and looking skin. It is ideal for all skin types, and used and recommended by leading dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons.

 

 THE INSPECTION:

I was very excited to finally try this.  I got the Mia instead of the regular Clarasonic because it seemed to do the same thing without all the extras that I really didn't want anyway.  And it was less expensive. I wanted to try it because I felt that I wasn't getting all of my makeup off completely with just my hands and a cleanser.  Proof of that would be using a toner and cotton ball after I washed and seeing all the makeup that was still  left on my face.  After using this for a few days, my skin felt really clean and smooth.  But then I started breaking out on my chin and jaw.  I stopped using it for a while and it cleared up.  I thought it was a product I was using but really didn't know what had caused it.  I started using the Clarasonic again and a few days later, another bad breakout on my chin and jaw.  I started reading reviews on this and found that a lot of people were having the same problem.  I talked to a plastic surgeons office and they said it is just your skin purging.  If you keep using it - the breakouts will eventually stop.  I know that this will work as I have seen people that use it and their skin is gorgeous.  I just have not started using it again as I can't stand the thought of another bad breakout.  If I didn't need to leave the house for a month maybe I would try it again.  I'm sure this can be great if you can get through the purging stage.  Has anyone else had this problem and do you have any advice?  Apparently some people don't have any issues and some have to go through the breakouts.

e.l.f. LIP STAIN

4 COLORS
TARGET, EYESLIPSFACE.COM
$2.00

THE CLAIMS:

Get beautiful precision color that lasts for hours with this pigment rich lip stain marker. The pen-like tip lets you draw on color easily for a streak & smudge free professional look. Infused with nourishing Vitamin E to hydrate and moisturize lips.

THE INSPECTION:

These last a few days and then the felt tip drys out.  Even though they are only $2.00, I would not buy it again.  The colors are pretty.  My favorites are Nude Nectar, ( looks peachy nude) and Crimson Crush (a deeper brick red).  You cannot use the tip to draw on the color like the claims say.  You need to use the side of the tip to get the color on.  This drys your lips out and does not stay on very long to be a stain. You definitely need to put a lip balm or gloss over it.

e.l.f. ESSENTIAL JUMBO EYESHADOW STICK

10 SHADES
$2.00

TARGET, EYESLIPSFACE.COM

THE CLAIMS:

This creamy and pigment rich Jumbo Eyeshadow Stick is perfect for creating a natural or smoky eyeshadow look. Infused with nourishing Vitamin E to condition the delicate eye area. The twist up component and smooth glide formula is easy to use for on-the-go beauty. All colors, except Like A Boss, have a shimmer finish.

THE INSPECTION:

These are ok but not great.  They are good if you are in a hurry and just need quick eye makeup.  They don't stay on that long even with primer.  The colors are really pretty though and go on smooth.  The stick twists up from the bottom.  The colors Turkish Coffee and Rock out look the same on.  My favorite color is Little Miss Thing.  It is a dupe for the Urban Decay eyeshadow pencil called "Lit".  They are easy to carry around so you can touch up.

FRESH SUGAR LIP BALM

7 SHEER TINTS
1 CLEAR

SEPHORA              $22.50
FRESH.COM          $22.50
AMAZON.COM      $11.95 (TRAVEL SIZE)

THE CLAIMS:


Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 is scientifically proven to keep lips moisturized for up to six hours after initial application.

It blends reparative oils and waxes with real sugar, a natural humectant, for delectable and dependable moisture. Sweet and tart black currant oil, rich in plumping essential fatty acids, cushions the lips while antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. It also provides essential, year-round protection from damaging UV rays.

This lip-loving essential has a bright, citrus scent and is free of petroleum, mineral oil, and lanolin.

THE INSPECTION:

Best lip balm ever!! The claims on this are true.

I got this as a birthday gift from Sephora and I have not been able to leave the house without it ever since.  It is so hydrating and is not sticky.  It's the only lip balm that I have ever used that actually stays on for hours!

They are tinted but are pigmented enough to give color. I have been using this in place of lipstick.  Your lips feel so hydrated and moist.  I really think they are worth the price.  I love it!!

COVERGIRL CLUMP CRUSHER MASCARA

4 COLORS

WALMART  $6.94
CVS             $6.99
TARGET      $6.99

THE CLAIMS:

A volumizing, clump-free mascara

This mascara comes with a slightly curved brush with bristles positioned close together to prevent clumping.

Have no fear of swiping on layer after layer of this mascara: The short plastic bristles separate and lengthen lashes, and there isn't room between them for clumps to form, even with repeated applications. 

 

THE INSPECTION:

The claims are true.  There is no clumping with this mascara.  It separates and fans out your lashes.  It does lengthen but you have to work at that more.  I love the brush and it works really well on the bottom lashes.  There is no problem putting 2 coats on as long as they are still wet from the first coat.  I was impressed by this mascara.

CeraVe FACIAL MOISTURIZING LOTION - PM

$12.97 - WALMART
$12.99 - CVS ($10.39 ONLINE)
$11.35- AMAZON.COM
$13.99 RITE AID

THE CLAIMS:

CeraVe  Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM is a nighttime moisturizer, developed specifically for the face, which helps repair damaged skin and maintain the skin’s natural protective function with ingredients not commonly found in other moisturizers.
Containing ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM increases the skin’s ability to attract, hold, and distribute moisture.  It penetrates deep into the layers of the stratum corneum to help to replace deficient levels of key lipids that are essential for an effective skin barrier.


THE INSPECTION:

A great night time moisturizer!  It is not a thick cream or greasy. The consistency is almost like a serum, but a bit thicker.  You can feel the moisture on your face when you put it on. I use it as an eye cream also.  When you wake up in the morning your skin looks hydrated and feels really  soft.  You don't even look like you just woke up.  I love all of the ingredients in this and I love that you can get it at the drug store.

e.l.f. STUDIO CREAM EYESHADOW- DAWN

$3.00

TARGET, EYESLIPSFACE.COM

COMES IN 8 SHADES

THE CLAIMS:

Line, shade and contour your eyes with this ultra pigmented and creaseless cream shadow. Easy to blend for layering and building color. The silky smooth and smudge-proof formula provides long lasting color for a beautiful look all day.



THE INSPECTION:

e.l.f. EYESHADOW BRUSH

These cream shadows are great!!  It's one of my favorites right now in the color Dawn. This color would look good on most skin tones and is good for a neutral eye look.  I use the e.l.f. eyeshadow brush to apply this.  It lasts all day but I found that it does crease a little without a primer.  It is a shimmery taupe color and can be used as a base for other eyeshadows or alone.  It looks really good mixed with a little pink cream shadow.  It comes in a cute small square container, and will last a long time and doesn't take up any space in your make up bag.  I love it!

ELYSEE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH FLAWLESS FACE LIFT

HSN.COM - $20.00
THESHOPPINGCHANNEL.COM  - $24.50
AMAZON  - $32.50

THE CLAIMS:


An intense instant and temporary lifting and skin tightening concentrate combining key ingredients specifically targeted to achieve a flawless-looking skin by helping to visibly refine and smooth the appearance of facial contours. Featuring an exclusive peptide complex of Matrixyl® synthe'6™*, Argireline®**, and Chronodyn®*, this visibly flawless face lift provides instant temporary skin tightening benefits while providing long-term benefits by helping boost the skin's own 'youth' mechanisms through the optimization of collagens and hyaluronic acid.

Demonstrates visibly effective smoothing of facial wrinkles, while helping to significantly improve the appearance of deep wrinkles over time. 

Instant Lift Complex gives an immediate lifting, firming, tightening effect; enhances skin smoothness and radiance. 

It contains a non-animal alternative to serum album. 99.5% lifting and skin tightening ingredients. Three dimensional complex provides an immediate lifting effect on skin.

 THE INSPECTION:

Another product with great claims but poor results.  This did nothing at all.  The sales pitch on this was great!  But when I tried it, nothing happened.  The before and after pictures look believable, but don't waste your money.

N.Y.C SMOOTH SKIN PERFECTING PRIMER

$3.99  TARGET, KMART

THE CLAIMS:

Evens skin tone. Minimizes pores & lines. Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer can be worm alone or under foundation. It minimizes skin imperfections, lines and pores for a perfect complexion. Skin feels smooth, silky & moisturized. Enriched with vitamins top help protect from damaging effects of free radicals. Complexion looks luminous, natural & fresh all day long. For all skin types.  



THE INSPECTION:

I did not like this primer.  It has the consistency of lotion and it really didn't work for me.  The color of this is white and it has a bit of shimmer to it, but that disappears when you put your foundation on.  It is very thin and I did not find any of the claims to be true.  In fact, it broke my skin out a little.  I looked at the ingredients after and noticed it has mineral oil in it.  That's not good. There is only one shade, so I'm confused as to why they have "shade 684" on the front of the tube. Should of looked at the ingredients before I bought it.  Hated it!!

BARE MINERALS ALL OVER FACE COLOR-WARMTH

$19.00   SEPHORA, ULTA

THE CLAIMS:

Warmth All-Over Face Color is an all-year-round complexion booster that infuses radiant light into your skin so it looks like it's coming from within. It's versatile, universal, adjustable, and is 100% pure crushed minerals from the earth. Warmth can be worn over, under or mixed with any bareMinerals foundation to create a healthy, sun lit look. It glides onto the skin like silk, leaving you with a natural, velvety and warm finish.

• Boosts your complexion for an all-over healthy looking glow.
• So versatile that it can be used as a highlighter, blush, cheek contour, eyeshadow or even lip color.
• Does not contain any fragrance, oils, emulsifiers, preservatives or additives.

 

 

THE INSPECTION:

I use this as a blush sometimes and every time I do, I always wonder why I don't use it everyday.  It gives your face a sunny look and people always ask if I went to the beach.  It looks like a fresh healthy "just enough" sun glow.  You only need a tiny tiny tiny amount.  It is very dark but when it goes on, it is the perfect color.  It is a coppery, brick color and seems to look good on all skin tones.  The less you use, the better with this product.