L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist

Self-Tanner Connoisseur (AKA natural redhead) Here!

Being a natural redhead, I think it goes without saying that I have VERY fair skin and do not tan. I don't burn either - which is odd... but, I certainly do not tan. As the summer progresses and everyone else is golden bronze, I look like I just stepped out of the crypt. Anyway - I have tried every single kind of self-tanner known to man. I have HATED many, liked some... and loved one. THIS is the one I love!! I have recommended this product to everyone that I know. It is fabulous!! It doesn't smell nearly as bad as many self-tanners, it is so very easy to apply, you don't have to worry about staining your hands because you never have to touch it, it goes on so evenly that it leaves me stunned each and every time. The color is very natural - it lasts. I don't have anything negative to say about it! It is fantastic! HIGHLY recommended.

December 28, 2013

Wen Six Thirteen Daily Cleansing Treatment

Smells awesome, works fabulously.

I truly enjoy the vanilla/mint scent. It is very pleasant! And it makes my hair feel very soft! I usually add it just to the lower half of my hair and steer clear of the roots because it would make it FAR too oily & weighed-down. You really only need one pump added to the ends of the hair to get benefits from this. The only down-side is that it is very pricey!

December 28, 2013

Cosmedix Purity Clean

The smell, Oh, God, the smell....

I like the Cosmedix produts that I have tried/use regularly - some from the "Purity" line - so, the "product specialist" at my cosmetologist's office suggested that I try using this stuff, claiming that it actually "blocks" your pores from getting stuffed up? Sounded kind of unusual to me, but I decided to try out one highly overpriced bottle. She said you are supposed to spray it on after washing, rub it in and wait for it to dry before putting anything else on top of it (makeup, moisturizer, etc..). I followed the directions, but there was NO WAY I was spraying this right on my face after the first time. I kept my eyes clamped shut, and fanned my face until I felt it was dry - yet it still somehow, got into the corners and burned the living daylights out of my eyes and the skin around them. I tried literally putting my hand over my eyes and spraying, but there's something in this stuff that LITERALLY takes your breath away - until it is completely dry. I ended up just spraying it into my hand and rubbing it onto my skin and every time I applied it anywhere near or below the nose (even as far down as the neck) I would hold my breath for as long as I could because something that it emanated would make me cough and literally take my breath away. I swear, I am not a drama queen by any means, nor am I "soft" as I deal with all sorts of pain and BS (ehem, needles to the face, etc) most people wouldn't dare - simply for the sake of beauty - haha. I hate tea tree oil to begin with, simply because it reeks and I know this contains that ingredient. I know it works for people with oily/acne-prone skin. But, I can at least tolerate the smell despite hating it. That, however, isn't what this is. I don't know for sure what causes the throat/eye irritation, but it's certainly not for me! And since I am typically not affected by things like this I definitely would not recommend it to anyone with sensitivity issues. Oh, and to boot, **it did nothing beneficial for my skin.** No, thank you. I have a toner from Dermalogica that works MUCH better - it might smell a bit like dirt, but at least I can breathe and am not coughing when using it.

December 28, 2013

Nars Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

I love this stuff!

I must start by saying that I wish you could find this product in more stores. I had to look everywhere to find it and only found it at Macy's. Accessibility of the product sucks. Now, onto the positive: The makeup artist who did my makeup for me on my wedding day used this on me - and she used the color "never say never." This is a pinkish color that I NEVER would have selected for myself (being that I am a natural redhead with brown eyes - AKA ALL warm tones). But, it looked fantastic!! I ended up getting another stick or that color as well as a stick of a more neutral color - once I FINALLY found it (on Amazon). It's a bit on the pricey side, but the stick really does last for a very long time, so IMO, it is worth it. I LOVE the pencil as opposed to a tube. It comes off just like a soft creamy lipstick, but you can define more accurately with the pencil. It's not thin like a liner pencil, so you don't have to scribble to fill in. I have been using the same stick for months - although not every day - and I haven't had to sharpen it yet. One stick really goes a long way. It lasts on the lips for a fairly long time without drying them at all. In fact, it adds a bit of moisture. I wouldn't necessarily call it "gloss," however. It comes in a great variety of awesome colors too. I would definitely suggest giving it a try :)

December 28, 2013

Wen Lavender Cleansing Conditioner

Lavender Cleansing Conditioner

I have fine hair that, when first washed & dried (day one) is very, very dry - but becomes oily at the roots within a day or two. It's a strange combination... I tried the sweet almond mint at first and found it smelled a bit like medicine. It left my hair feeling amazing on day one! Not dry... but, it got greasy VERY quickly. I could NEVER use the "smoother" or anything of the sort or I'd just have a mess flattened to my head. So, to the point... I was told to try the lavender, as it is supposed to be more appropriate for thin/fine hair. I ordered 3 months worth (why?). I actually really enjoy the scent even though it IS strong. I love the scent of lavender - at least it doesn't smell pharmaceutical.

Also, the tingling sensation that it creates on the scalp that I've read in other's reviews is definitely accurate. However, I, personally, enjoy the feeling - although, I'm not sure WHY it happens. What do I think of the lavender kit overall? First of all - The cleansing conditioner does not leave my hair as beautified on day one as the sweet almond oil & mint did. It still feels dry - even if I add a squirt of the stuff and use it as a "leave in." But, my hair does not become greasy nearly as quickly nor does it weigh it down. I think the people who don't like this one are people with normal adult hair (obv. the majority - I have the hair of a child, unfortunately). The ones who have average - thick strands and whose hair is somewhat on the more dry side. This one is definitely for those of us with the perpetual child hair that never grows up. I just wish that they offered a "refresher" that wasn't HYDRATING, but rather, more like a dry shampoo. Why? Because the following days after cleansing the LAST thing I need in my fine hair is MORE moisture, but I would love to refresh the lavender scent and have something help to dry my roots - because the rest of my hair looks great for days and gets far too dry if I wash it too often! Maybe they will come out with something like this? Come on, Chaz Dean - the people are asking for it!! Dry shampoo, please :) THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO ALL WEN PRODUCTS, NOT JUST THE LAVENDER: ALSO: I have LONG hair which is of a reasonable thickness (the strands are just very fine) and I NEVER come anywhere close to using the amount they suggest using and my hair is smothered. Even though, I still know there is NO WAY this bottle is going to last me a month! I have used it 4 times and it's halfway gone. ONE LAST THING: Has anyone else noticed body acne from this? I have NEVER had zits on my back/chest, but as soon as I started using this my chest and back started breaking out like crazy. It's disgusting. I've been keeping my hair in a shower cap after I add the stuff, while I let it sit on the hair during the shower and then trying to hang my head upside-down when rinsing as to not let it get on my skin - but, it still eventually does. Then the zits appear. Yikes! Has anyone else had this happen?

December 28, 2013