Conair Satin Finish 1 1/2

Just ok

It's nice how fast this heats up, and it works alright, but I preferred the shiny metal curling irons that I can't seem to find anymore. The ceramic coating on this one doesn't leave my hair as smooth and shiny as a metal curling iron, and it's a highly noticeable difference. I won't buy a ceramic iron again.

January 22, 2009

Pantene Pro-V Restore Beautiful Lengths Replenishing Mask

Great Treatment

This has shown to be an excellent conditioner for me this winter. I highlight my hair, and I blowdry and heat-style daily (curl or straighten), so my hair really needs some TLC. This does it. I use it every day that I straighten my hair, and it really keeps the ends shiny and smooth. The only reason I didn't give this a 10 is the packaging. The fact that it's in a pot is kind of annoying and impractical: You scoop out the conditioner with one hand and then have to try to screw the lid back on, with your other wet hand. Maybe I'm clumsy, but I've let numerous blobs of treatment fall to the drain this way. Still, I'd recommend this to anyone with dry-hair issues.

January 22, 2009

Milani Nail Lacquer

Fun colors, great price

This is a good polish for the price. I really love the colors it comes in. I have to touch-up the tips of my polish daily, no matter what brand I'm using, so I didn't find this to be any worse than most as far a chipping is concerned. The drying time wasn't long and the polish didn't thicken in the bottle the way that a lot of cheap polishes do. For the great colors and low price, I'll continue to buy them.

January 22, 2009

Avon Anew Alternative Intensive Eye Cream

Nice Eye Cream

I've been using this for about a year-and-a-half, and I highly recommend it. It seems to have decreased the puffiness and circles under my eyes, and at 27, I have no fine lines near my eyes at all. I don't know if I can fully attribute the lack of visible aging to this cream, but I'm not willing to take the chance and stop using it! Avon runs good deals on this now and then (like 2 for $30), so I've never paid the full price. I have to add that this cream is a bit too moist to wear with makeup (it makes waterproof mascara smudge), making it only really good for overnight wear.

January 22, 2009

Garnier Fructis Style Curl Construct Mousse

Helps curl straight hair, too

I have straight hair, but I curl it with a large-barrel curling iron to add body. When I blowdry my hair with this mousse, then curl it, it holds quite well (and my hair does NOT like to hold a curl). This works better to aid curling than many mousses I've tried, and the price it great. It's not at all crunchy or sticky, and it smells really good.

January 22, 2009

Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment

A Must-have

This is a necessity for anyone who has acne, or suffers from the occaisional skin catastrophe. It works quickly to dry out and clean up pimples, without being as harsh as the 10% benzoyl peroxide products that are available from other brands. It's a spot treatment that can easily be worn under makeup, too, which makes it one of few effective acne treatments that are suitable for daytime wear. It can be irritating if applied over a large area for days at a time, though (I did this), so be careful if your skin is remotely sensitive.

January 22, 2009

Sunsilk Weightless Volumizing Creme

So-so

This is ok as a texturizer, but nowhere near what I would choose given a selection of other volumizing products. I have fine, straight, longish hair, and this didn't give me much body or help it hold a style. Really, I'd only use it if it was the only styling product at my disposal. For volume, I prefer mousse.

January 21, 2009

Revlon Renewist LipColor

Very Moisturizing

This lipstick really feels good on. It's creamy, and treats dryness as well as a balm. It doesn't last super-long, but I don't expect that of a lipstick that feels this soft. The shade selection is nice, with a lot of natural tones, which I love (my fave is Naturally Revealing). I recommend this highly, but I do have to comment that the cap is kind of annoying: If the word "Revlon" isn't lined-up between the container and the cap, the cap either won't go on, or it'll crack when you force it. Call me stupid, but I've cracked 2 caps this way so far!

January 21, 2009

Avon TRUE COLOR Eyeshadow Quad

Too Sheer

I've ordered these a few times when the price was great, and somehow they've still never really proven to be worth it. The colors - unless they're very deep shades - go on too light. I have to layer them more than shadow should have to be layered, which feels like a waste of time. That time-wasting feeling is exacerbated by the fact that the shadow - no matter how deep the shade - fades throughout the day. Eyeshadow is NOT something I expect to have to reapply as the day goes by. There are so many better shadows out there than this.

January 21, 2009

Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil

My Necessity

I overplucked in high school, and my formerly thick brows have been sparse ever since. It took me years to find a brow filler that looked natural on me - with fair skin, dark brown brows, and almost blond hair. This pencil, in Hazel, is perfect!!! Aside from the great color, the pencil is soft (but not too soft!) and easy to blend, and an application lasts all day. The pencil itself also lasts super-long. I use it daily and one pencil easily lasts 8 or 9 months.

January 21, 2009