Karma soap by Lush

I received a sample block of Karma Soap by Lush Cosmetics and I wasn’t too crazy about the smell at all! It has patchouli oil and gardenia extract so it has a musky smell too it. It reminded me of some of my grandma’s perfume and this soap has a strong scent to it. It made my entire bathroom smell musky and my skin had a faint aroma to it. The soap is a beautiful red color and did moisturize my skin very nicely (my dry patches were noticeably smaller). My skin was smooth to the touch. Karma soap also contains lemongrass oil, pine oil, orange oil, rapeseed oil (canola oil is a rapeseed oil), coconut oil, and lavendin oil so the mixture of these oils helped soften my skin after one wash. The great thing about this soap is that it is vegan and contains no animal products. Also, Karma is one of Lush’s most famous soap. Lush has a line of products with the signature scent of Karma such as a perfume and dusting powder. However, I can’t really get over the smell. I like fruity and sweet smelling soap but this soap is too musky for me. I won’t be purchasing the full sized soap bar of Karma soap.

Verdict: Skip Over

MAC Mineralize Satin Finish Foundation

I have been using MAC Mineralize NC45 for about 2.5 years now. It is the best liquid foundation on the market and I always save up the $30 to buy it! I normally ask for this for Christmas or birthday gift which anyone can get at Macy's. It is a very pricey foundation, but a little bit truly goes a loooong way. In fact, if you put too much of this foundation you will look orangey and gross so I would advise you to use a tiny dollop and then build to your desired color. I always use less than a pea size for all day coverage. MAC is great at providing heavily pigmented foundation. This foundation is perfect for anyone looking for heavy coverage to cover under eye circles, freckles, and sun spots. Most people are amazed to find out I have freckles from the sun because MAC covers them up so well! This foundation also contains Vitamin C and E which helps moisturize my skin and fade some of those pesky freckles. I love this foundation because it does provide the coverage I want, it doesn’t leave me cakey, gives a nice bronze glow, and a little bit will last me all day. I normally mix a dollop with some sunscreen (although it does contain SPF 15 already) and I don’t need to touch up at all. The only thing that does bother me about this foundation is that it will run in humidity….as do all liquid foundations. To help alleviate the runniness, I brush on some powder after applying foundation so that the powder will absorb the horrible Texas humidity and leave my face drip free.

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Nars Orgasm blush has been a staple in my makeup bag for about 3 years now! I am a dedicated Nars addict but this is by far their best blush. I am Mexican with olive undertones and am tan throughout the entire year. This pink blush is the best pink for my skin tone but it is a universally flattering peachy-pink color. My younger sister is fair-skinned and she uses this color as well. This peachy-pink blush also contains golden flakes that define and highlight cheekbones. However, the golden flakes are so small and light that it doesn’t look like you just slathered glitter all over cheeks! Instead, you get a nice peachy-pink golden flush hence the name… I use it this as an everyday blush and I always get compliments on my high cheekbones when I wear this. First, I brush this in a circular motion on the apples of my cheeks. Then I lightly brush any leftover residue on the brush (I don’t redip so that it isn’t cakey! Plus a little bit of this goes a loooong way)on top of my cheekbone and blend outward towards my temples. I buff and buff so that the color is completely blended in my skin rather than leaving a stripe on my cheeks! I absolutely love this blush. It is pricey…$26 bucks a pop but mine has lasted me for about a year so it beats buying several drug store brands in one year. Also, the blush doesn’t get all the over my other makeup tools and you get a nice size mirror!

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

Lush Demon in the Dark soap

I received a sample of Lush’s Demon in the Dark soap from my last trip to Lush (the Lush associates always give out free samples…so ask!). It’s a strange looking soap. It is a dark green with white foam on top and there is a piece of black wax that covers the entire chunk of soap. First you must peel off the wax before you use it and it came off fairly easily. This soap has a very strong spearmint smell and my skin feels like I rubbed menthol on it. This soap contains spearmint and peppermint oil so it has a nice cooling effect in the shower. It would be great after a hot day or in the morning to wake you up! Frankly, I did not enjoy this soap as much as my usual soap. The lather was light and it has a waxy texture due to the glycerin. Demon in the Dark soap is more suitable for a man because the smell is a “manly” smell. I like lightly fragranced, sweet, and floral soaps. My skin did feel refreshed and invigorated afterwards, but I won’t be purchasing the full-size bar. The smell is too minty for my liking.

Verdict: Skip Over

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil

I am more of a soap bar girl. Shower gels seem like too much work…with the shower pouf you need to lather up and then rinse off the shower pouf. However, it was love at first sight when I saw this Almond Shower Oil at L’Occitane. I’ve been using L’Occitane’s Almond Supple Oil for a couple years now to keep my skin toned. I figured it was time to try its counterpart! I need some damage repair for my dry skin. This shower oil doesn’t have a shower gel texture. It feels like oil, but it is very thin and not at all a thick oil. The almond oil is deeply moisturizing for your skin, the lather is light, and the fragrance is wonderful! Your skin will be lightly perfumed and your bathroom will have a nice sweet almond smell afterwards. This shower gel calmed my skin and didn’t break me out at all. There wasn’t an oily residue on my skin either. This shower oil also works great as a shaving cream! My legs have never felt so silky smooth. I have been using this only as a shaving cream because it is very pricey…I paid $22 at the L’Occitane boutique for a medium sized bottle.

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

I received a free sample of Neutrogena's newest Ultimate Sport Sunblock SPF 70 with my Neutragena Age Shield and Repair (which I didn't like very much). This is a great sunblock! I was looking for a sunblock that would not leave me shiny and greasy. Neutrogena is a trustworthy brand and is highly recommended by dermatologists for sensitive skin. I really liked this sample and will go out to buy the bigger bottle which goes for about $14 bucks at Walgreens. I believe they are a couple dollars cheaper at Target or Walmart. This sunblock feels almost powdery. I've been using it for a week now under my makeup and my skin isn't oily! Even in the torturous Houston humidity, my skin is "dewey" but not greasy and my face isn't shiny all day. I am really glad this has a broad spectrum of UVA/UVB protection and comes in SPF 55 and 70. I also reapply every 2-4 hours depending how long I am outside and this sunblock doesn't get "tacky" or sticky after several reapplications. This is a great new Neutrogena sunblock.

I do wish that this sunblock was a better hand cream. This sunblock feels almost powdery and doesn't leave my hands silky smooth....it leaves them powdery.

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

Lush Butterball Bath Bomb

This is one of the first products I tried from Lush and I am completely addicted! I take a bath everyday...never been much of a shower girl. I love lounging in a bath after a long day. I had been looking for some extra moisturizing bath oil or bath milk because the sun has torched my skin. So the Lush associate suggested a nice bath bomb for aromatherapy and for a moisturizing milk bath. I love the smell of this product! It smells like vanilla but the cocoa butter slivers in it give off a slight chocolatey as well! I love the smell of cocoa buttery. Cocoa butter is a great moisturized without breaking out my sensitive skin. Also, it helps even out my skin tone. I spent $5 on a Butterball bath bomb at Macy's. I cut it in half and only used half of it at a time trying to make it last because it is a bit pricey. Not too bad, but it's like melting your money!

I would recommend going to Macy's because the Lush sales associates let you try everything and give out samples! They are also really great at finding what you need. Be careful however.... I can't leave Lush without buying something!

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

I don't know about y'all......

I don't know about y'all(yes, i'm from texas and no i won't stop saying y'all!).........but beauty products make my day better. I could have the shittiest day but a brand new self-tanner can put a smile on my face =) Is that so wrong?

Loccitane En Provence L'Occitane 100% Pure Mini Shea Butter 8ml

I am a huge L' Occitane fan (not of their prices but you gotta pay for the good stuff!) and have been satisified with nearly everything I've ever purchased from the boutique. My elbows and knees have been drying out severely (probably from being in the pool too much--it's summer!) and I needed a quick fix. I did some research online and shea butter is an all natural body moisturizer that is great for sensitive skin. I found this tin at loccitane.com and decided to try out this 100% organic mini shea butter balm. It has almost a waxy texture-- it isn't a lotion or a thick cream. It is a balm so it is sold in the tin, but smooths quickly and evenly onto skin. I've been using this product for about two week. After my shower, I just rub this balm on my elbows and knees and I wake up to smooth skin! I love that this stuff hasn't broken my skin out and I see absolutely no flakes. I use it as a cuticle conditioner as well when I am at stop lights. My hands aren't greasy aftwerwards, and you don't need to rub forever for the balm to sink into your skin. I don't use it on my face because it pretty thick and the heat is suffocating down here! I rather not wake up to clogged pores! There isn't much I hate about this product except that is is pricey. All in all a nice, versatile product and super moisturizing.

Verdict: GET IT NOW!

Neutrogena Age Shield plus Repair SPF 55

As yall all know I am on a sunblock kick because all the celebrities and doctors are raving about sun protection. I bought Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock plus Repair SPF 55 because 1) it has a high SPF, 2) Neutrogena is a superb brand and I trust it, 3) this sunblock contains Essential Soy which has been clincially proven to help reduce the appearance of Sun Spots (I have many; I am a sun addict), 4) it also contains Vitamin E and Feverfew which are skin antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals. I was really looking for a sunblock that could even out my skin tone. I heard essential soy is great to even out sun spots. This sunblock was cheaper than Aveeno sunblock which also contain essential soy. It was about $12 at Target.

I've been using this product for about a month. I am not impressed with this product at all. My skin is brighter and a little bit more even, but my old sun spots are still there with no significant difference. They say it should take 6-8 weeks before there is any improvement, but I will not continue to use this on my face anymore. First off, I live in Texas where the humidity is awful! Neutrogena claims this sunblock is oil-free but my face was for the most part oily. Every time I went outside the humidity and this sunblock made my face shiny. It wasn't super greasy, but I didn't like the shine. I've used other sunblocks that didn't leave my face oily so I will go back to those. Other than leaving my face shiny, it was a pretty good sunblock and I will continue to use the rest of it on my body (Target does not accept returns on opened products). It does provide great sun protection and provides daily moisture. However, I will no longer use this as a sunblock for my face.

Verdict: Skip Over

My Lashes

Just to prove how well the Revitalash/CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion works!

Beekman 1802 Goat Milk Soap

This soap is absolutely amazing. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I don't like shower poufs so I'm a total bar soap girl. I've been trying different goat milk soap bars for about a year now trying to find the best one and this is it. Goat milk soap has a pH level similar to human skin which protects skin from daily bacterial and chemical invasions. I love this soap because it is handmade from the Beekman boys! Thus, it contains no preservatives, alcohol, or any other skin irritating additives like traditional soap bars. Also, I love the little bag that holds the two individually wrapped soap bars! For a week now, I've been using the regular goat milk soap which retails for $12 for two 3.25 oz bars. My skin is moisturized, soft, and smooth. I even use it on my face. My skin is brighter and calms my skin (I live in the South where the sun is baking my face). The smell lingers in the shower and make my bathroom smell sooo clean and fresh, but it isn't too strong. I've also been getting a heat rash on my arms and this has helped clear up about 75% so far. I love this handmade soap and so does my skin =)

Verdict: GET NOW!

Victoria's Secret Bare Bronze Firming Body Moisturizer

I love a tan. The darker the better! However, the more articles about skin cancer I read the less I stay out of the sun. Therefore, I have gotten on the bandwagon with staying out of the sun and using sunscreen above SPF 30. I still enjoy hanging out outside and going to the pool, but just not so often. In order to maintain my tan I try out sunless tanning products. This Bare Bronze firms, moisturizes, and adds a bronze color. It was about $20 at Victoria Secret which is a bit more expensive than drugstore brands I've tried before.

The Victoria Secret Bare Bronze gradual tan smells like it has hints of jasmine and coconut which is ALOT nicer than other brands. I liked that it didn't streak and it was easy to spread all over my body. The consistency is pretty thick and it doubles as a moisturizer. This lotion claims to firm up thighs, buttocks, and stomach, but I didn't notice a significant difference after a month. Although the tan did help hide some cellulite on the back of my thighs.

The only problem I had with this bronzer is that the color you get is more of an light gold/orangey color. Perhaps someone with fair skin looking for a light glow would like this product. I like being bronze and dark so I wasn't impressed with the color. I tried it for a month and never got the dark bronze color I wanted.

Verdict: Skip over

Talika LIPOCILS EYELASH CONDITIONING GEL 10 ml

As I have mentioned before I am obsessed with eyelashes! I love having long, thick eyelashes and have spent alot of money on my lashes. I have tried several eylash conditioners and this one is an average conditioner.

This conditioner is a bit different than Latisse or Revitalash because you actually use the Talika Lipocils Eyelash Conditioning Gel like mascara instead of eyeliner. It comes in a small tube with a mascara wand and you simply brush the gel on your lashes exactly like mascara. I would use it before I put on my mascara. It usually dried in about 10 seconds. If you put mascara on before it dries it doesn't make a difference because the gel is sooo light. The texture is watery and thin.

I did notice that a smaller amount of eyelashes fall out after I removed my mascara. This made my lashes look slightly more lush. Also, I noticed a slight lengthening of my lashes but not as long as I was expecting. Also, it took about two months to reach a noticeable difference which was too long for me! I also hated that the bottle barely lasts two months ( I used it everyday) and it is $40 at Sephora. That is pretty pricey for a conditioner that doesn't deliver BIG results. Sorry Talika Lipocils Eyelash Conditioning Gel is just an average conditioner and too expensive to justify the cost.

Verdict: Skip Over

Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler

I have been using this eyelash curler ever since I heard Heidi Klum rave about it on Tyra Bank's show a couple years ago. My lashes already are long and curled. However, this curler will keep a nice curl all day and will lengthen your eyelashes! I ALWAYS curl my lashes everyday before I add mascara and I have always gotten compliments on my lashes. This curler lasts quite a while as well. I have had it for about five years now and it still works the same as when I first bought it. It is about $18 at Sephora.com and comes with two refill pads. I wish they sold the refill pads separately. I've already used both of mine and have been using off brand refill pads from Walgreens or CVS because I haven't felt like spending another $18 for a new eyelash curler.

This product is easy to use you simply curl from the base of your lashes for about 30 seconds. You never pump the curler just keep it pressed for 20-30 seconds whichever is more comfortable for you. Then let it go and voila LONG, CURLED LASHES that touch my eyebrow bone! I don't even need to curl all the way to the ends like other eyelash curlers. Also, I always get a curl in just one try. Really easy, painless and fast. I just swipe on some mascara (LashBlast Fusion by Cover Girl) and I am able to get done with my eye makeup in about two minutes.

Verdict: GET NOW!

CoverGirl LashBlastFusion Mascara Very Black

I am a mascara addict! I go through mascara quickly and I have tried them ALL. The regular ORANGE lash blast has been my personal favorite ever since it first came out. I can build and build my lashes without too much clumping. Everyone always compliments my lashes with this mascara. So when Cover Girl came out with the lash blast with VOLUME and LENGTH I practically ran over to try it out. The blackest black is my favorite because I love supppper dark lashes. In my opinion, Cover Girl truly does have the darkest black on the market.

I love the consistency of the product. It is not too watery or slimy like other mascaras I have tried. It dries very quickly so it doesn't get smudged quickly. Also, it doesn't clump up like other mascaras.
My lashes are pretty long to begin with, but this mascara really builds up that ends of your lashes which makes my lashes really pop out. Everyone always asks if these are my lashes. I of course, say yes and tell them to try the Lash BLast for that extra length and volume!

The problems I have with mascara is the flakiness and taking it off. This mascara unfortunately doesn't come off with soap and water. However, I heard that you shouldn't use soap as the soap can bleach the ends of your lashes and thus your lashes look shorter than they already are. I instead use vaseline to rub this mascara off and it comes completely off in about two swipes. As for the flakiness, it does still flake, but it is considerably less than other mascaras I have tried. Just check yourself in the mirror everyone once in a while and flick those flakes off! Other than that, this is my favorite mascara and I've since retired my orange Lash Blast bottle =)

Verdict: GET NOW!

Tigi Rockaholic All Access Shampoo Bar

I know what you are thinking.......using a bar of soap for your hair??? That is exactly what I thought. I love trying new things, but I thought this bar of soap would strip it of all my hair's healthy oil. I was soooo wrong!

This shampoo bar is very moisturizing, but effective at cleaning up an oily scap. It contains sage and rosemary which cleans and moisturizes. My hair gets greasy everyday, because of the humidity in Houston. However, this soap bar washes away all the oil, but still keeps my hair shiny and soft. I don't even need to use a bottle of conditioner anymore. This bar soap is all I use to wash my hair. My hair is always soft,shiny and wavy. I've never had a shampoo that brings out my waves like this bar of shampoo does.

Don't get it confused with a bar of soap. This is NOT a bar of soap. It is shampoo that has been compressed into a solid. It is eco-friendly (no HUGE plastic bottles) and cheaper than most salon hair shampoos which can run at least $20 at ULTA. This shampoo bar was $10 at ULTA and I've had it for about 3 months and have only used about half of the shampoo bar.

The shampoo can be slippery when sliding over the hair, but you get used to it. Also, the neon green residue this shampoo bar leaves on the counter is annoying. I may get a shampoo bar tin for it. My only big problem I have with this shampoo is the smell. The smell is not nice, or fruity like women's shampoos usely smell like. This shampoo bar has a musky, manly smell that I don't like at all! However, the smell isn't super strong nor does it linger after a shower. I've never had anyone mention that my hair smells "manly." But people do tell me I have gorgeous, long, shiny, wavy hair! I love this shampoo bar and it will always be a staple in my bathroom. I just hope they come out with a nicer smelling shampoo bar soon!

Verdict: GET NOW!

California Baby Calendula Lotion

I bought all-organic California Baby Calendula lotion for it's healing properties. Eventhough I am not a baby, I am 22, my skin is severely sensitive. Also, my skin is normal/oily. In addition, I live in Houston so now my skin is breaking out! I read calendula calms inflamed skin and heals broken skin.

I have been using the lotion everyday after a shower for about a week now and it has healed about 50% of my rash on my arm. I probably need to reapply it more often. As soon as I put it on my skin feels much better and not itchy at all. It's just too big to carry around. I will continue using this lotion because it smells great and calms down itchy, inflamed skin.

This moisturizer is very light and not greasy at all. It absorbs easily into my skin. I absolutely love the lavendar scent! However, it is a fairly strong smell so if you have a sensitive nose this may not be for you. It also has a menthol feeling as soon as you put it on. I can sense it calming down my itchy arms. It smells and feels so luxurious....Especially after a bath. AAAAHHHHHHHH.

It is moderately expensive, but it's much better than other dry skin lotions on the market. I paid $10 at Target. Trust me, this product will make your skin much softer in one use!

Verdict: GET NOW!

Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner

As you all know, I am a beauty addict and my biggest addiction is super long, full lashes. I try almost every mascara out there (Cover Girl LashBlast Fusion) is my fave, use a eyelash curler EVERYDAY, and this is my other little secret. I use Revitalash at night especially after I've washed all my eye make up off like eyeliner and mascara to keep my lashes long and full. I also use it on my eyebrows to keep them thick and full.

There are some side effects that may occur such as iris darkening and also yellowing of the eyes. I personally have not had any problems with Revitalash. You simply sweep the brush with a tiny amount of serum on your upper eyelid like you do with eyeliner and let it dry for about 10 seconds. Rarely does it get in my eyes, but if it it does it doesn't burn or sting my eyes.

I noticed that less lashes fall out when I remove my mascara. In the first two weeks they were longer. By a month, there was a noticeable difference in length and number of lashes. By six weeks, my eyelashes were nearly touching my eyebrows (with mascara they do touch my eyebrows). I absolutley love this product and am never without it. It is verrrrry pricey.......I paid about $80 on ebay for it. However, a little bit goes a long way and I've had it for about four months now and I still have tons left. I have heard some people claim they've had their bottle over a year! It lasts a long time and keeps my lashes long and I am the type of addict that pays any price for that!

Verdict: GET NOW!