Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

The best products of 2010!

January 6th, 2011 Crystal

I’ve tried a lot of products this year.  Some made me beautiful, and others, well, others left me busted.  Here’s a list of my favorite products from 2010.  Stay beautiful!

Biore’s Hard Days Night Overnight Moisturizer

This moisturizer really seems to help balance out my skin overnight, and though it doesn’t help with my acne, it doesn’t exacerbate it either. It’s also a great everyday moisturizer for dry, winter skin.

Benefit’s Brow Zings

The hard angle brush is PERFECT for applying the powder just where I want it, and the wax (which is darker than the powder), really pulls the look together.  It takes just a few minutes, and I’m out the door with perfectly groomed, natural-looking brows.

Make Up For Ever’s HD Microfinish Powder

This lightweight powder gives me soft-focus skin that’s matte and shine-free almost all day.  The powder is incredibly lightweight, and leaves my skin feeling super smooth.

NuNaat’s Chocolat Cream Mask

I use this bad boy anytime my hair feels particularly dry and coarse, and it’s left silky smooth and moisturized! It even makes it more manageable.

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Get Perfect Brows in a Breeze!

December 31st, 2010 Crystal

I’ll admit it – I’m brow obsessed.  If you want your eyes to pop, you better have the brows to frame those bad boys! I’ve tried every brow product on the market – from pencils to waxes to powders.  Some work great in summer, but look horrid in the winter time.

So when I found out about the TouchBack BrowMarker, I was definitely intrigued.  The TouchBack is a marker that’s safe to use daily, and provides long-lasting coverage for brows that are sparse or thin.  Due to an unfortunate over-plucking incident in college, I have sparse brows, and have to use a brow product to make them look thick and healthy.  With the TouchBack, I use short, quick upward strokes to fill in sparseness in the direction hair grows. When my hair is light, I use an eyebrow brush to blend the color, but when it’s dark (like it is now), no blending is necessary.  Black hair looks best with thick, dark brows IMO! I love how easy the TouchBack is to use, and how long-lasting the color is. One suggestion though – if you buy the TouchBack, store it in a cup upside down so that the marker does not dry out. The TouchBack BrowMarker comes in four shades, which run a little dark, so I’d recommend picking a shade lighter than your hair color. Check the before and after below! (I’m wearing no makeup in the pic besides the BrowMarker, so be kind!)

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Kiss Dry, Brittle Hair Goodbye!

November 16th, 2010 Crystal

As many of you know, I change my hair almost as often as I change clothes, and all that dyeing, bleaching, straightening, and blow drying can really take its toll.  So after going blond earlier this year, I knew I had to baby my hair back to health.  I’d been hearing about how bad sulfates are for hair, so I decided to go sulfate-free. I picked up L’Oreal’s EverStrong Shampoo and Condition in Reconstruct during a routine Target visit.  EverStrong has a patented Bio-Ceramide complex that biologically mimics hair’s natural ceramide to gently restore the integrity of the hair fiber.  The result? Stronger, more moisturized hair.  Unlike many sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that don’t lather and leave hair feeling unclean, EverStrong lathers and moisturizes like a pro.  It applies like a traditional shampoo, but restores luster and strengthens hair like no other drugstore brand.  My hair finally feels soft and healthy again.  Honestly, the only shampoo and conditioner I like more than EverStrong is HerCut, but the price difference between the two is astronomical.  My recommendation? Get this shampoo/conditioner if you want to treat your hair right.

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The World’s First One-Handed Mascara?

November 11th, 2010 Crystal

We’ve all been there – applying mascara on the bus or train trying not to poke our eyes out. To be honest, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.  But wouldn’t it be nice if you could apply mascara with just one hand? Well, now you can.  Belvada is the world’s first one-handed mascara applicator with a unique sliding mechanism that ensures consistent and even application every time. Unlike ordinary mascaras, the Belvada system keeps air from getting into the formula, even when the applicator is open, making sure the mascara inside stays fresh at all times.

The result – no more globs, clumps or dried out flakes. Belvada’s Mascara Noir goes on perfectly, first time, every time.

To use:

-Twist off cap.
-Top of cap can be attached to base of applicator, if desired
-Push slider up, slowly, to extend brush.
-Apply mascara; brush holds enough mascara for both eyelashes.
-Push slider down to retract brush.
-Replace cap.
-Washes off easily with water; no cleanser necessary.

Belvada is a great everyday mascara for girls who don’t like to fuss too much with makeup.  I personally love dark, thick lashes, so I’d opt for a more dramatic mascara, but Belvada is great for a natural, flirty look.

Where to Buy It: Belvada Mascara can be purchased for $24.99 at belvada.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Beauty or Bust for review.  Sending samples does not guarantee a good review.

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A truly affordable, mess-free manicure!

November 11th, 2010 Crystal

By now, we’ve all heard of Minx Manicures, the revolutionary film that adheres to nails without chemicals or glue, and lasts up to 4 weeks! But many of us can’t afford to spend $45+ on a manicure. So what’s a girl to do? Find an alternative, baby.  Introducing Incoco Dry Nail Applique.

Incoco Nail Polish strips are made from real nail polish, not plastic or a sticker.  They are DBP, Toluene, and Formaldehyde free, so they’re perfect for eco-conscious girls.

Each glossy strip provides a base coat, color coat, and top coat – and can be removed with regular nail polish remover.  I first used Incoco on a trip to San Diego with my cousins (we’re tight like that).  I actually applied it at the airport (hey, I was short on time!).  Application was fast and easy.  When I arrived in San Diego, my cousins couldn’t believe that it wasn’t a painted-on manicure.  Incoco wears just like regular nail polish – it lasts just as long and is easily removed with nail polish.  Incoco comes in several different shades and finishes – even French manicure! Prices range from $7.99 to $8.99.  I find that the sizes are a little large for my fingers, so I’d definitely appreciate petite sizes, but overall, I think Incoco Dry Nail Appliques are a fast, easy, inexpensive way to get a great manicure in minutes!

To learn more about Incoco, or to watch a tutorial, visit incoco.com.

Disclosure: A sample of this item was provided to Beauty or Bust for review.  Sending samples does not guarantee a good review.

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