Bare Esentuals: BUXOM Lip Gloss Review

Bare Escentuals BUXOM Lip Gloss

After hearing and reading so much about this gloss, I finally decided to give it a try. It comes in 31 colors; I ordered the clear version, called Krystal. It came in a nice little box, and I opened it to find a pretty large tube, attractive in design with a small brush applicator. The gloss itself seems to be rather sticky, or more rather just really thick. It’s super shiny, and has a pretty raw mint taste. As for the lip-plumping effects, I don’t think it made my lips any bigger, but honestly; do any lip-glosses really make your lips bigger? Perhaps the thickness and shine of the gloss do help though.

Pros

Solid, attractive container

Gloss is long lasting on your lips

Easy to use and hold applicator

Cons

Large container can be inconvenient if you have a small purse

Gloss formula is somewhat sticky-if you don’t like thick, this isn’t for you

The taste can be a downside; it’s kind of like a super strong green mint tea.

Overall, this gloss is ok. I love that it’s Bare Escentuals, and from the famed BUXOM line, but I would rather go with something a little lighter weight.

(Ps. The one I received has a brush applicator, while some pictured on retailer’s website have the regular sponge applicator. Just make sure you know what you’re getting if you do buy this gloss)

MaxFactor: MAXeye Eyeliner Review

Max Factor MAXeye Eyeliner

After using regular pencil liners, I decided to branch out and try a mechanical pencil liner. This one works by simply twisting it until you have enough. There is a sharpener stored in the opposite end, which is super handy as you won’t have to tote a separate sharpener around. I bought it in “Night Club”, which is one of their eight colors.

The eyeliner itself is fairly soft and goes on smoothly. It does tend to smear a little, but when set with some black eyeshadow it stays pretty well. It’s great for creating smoky eyes. However if you’re looking for something that will create a fine line, this one isn’t for you.

Pros

Mechanical pencil means you just have to “twist” to get more.

Convenient built-in sharpener

Soft formula goes on smoothly

Long-lasting

Cons

Can be smudgy

Difficult to get a fine tip, or a fine line.

Overall, I like this liner. I would buy it again.

Sally Hansen: Lip Inflation Lip Gloss Review

Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Lip Gloss

I bought this lip gloss awhile ago, it was my first lip-plumping lip gloss.

I’d have to say it worked well. Made my lips tingle, and although I doubt they actually made my lips bigger, they did appear to be fuller. I got the light pink color.

Pros

Nice, small container

Easy to grip handle

Great gloss formula…looks, tastes and feels awesome

Cons

Brush-tip applicator can be awkward.

Overall, I like this lip gloss! If I bought it again though, I’d prefer it’s sister, Lip Inflation Extreme.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Review

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

After much research, I decided to try the famed Shu. And I have to admit; this one pretty much lives up to my expectations. It’s sturdy and long lasting; both the tool itself and the curl it gives.  It doesn’t pinch, and it doesn’t pull my lashes either.

Shu Uemura’s website brags:

“Upgraded silicone pad in a new "mushroom" shape provides a protective, stay-put edge for improved safety and optimum curl.”

(The pad on this eyelash curler is great; it’s big, and easy on your lashes. It really protects your lashes from damage.)

“Upgraded patented hinge with precise engineering applies perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes.”

(It does do a good job of regulating pressure on your eyelashes, and hinge always works smoothly)

“Curved angle suits all eye shapes.”

(It does have a nice curve; I can get all my lashes at the same time.)

Pros

Smooth operation

Big, comfy pad means less damage to lashes

Cons

Replacement pads currently aren’t sold, so when yours wear out you’ll have to buy a new curler.  However, most come with two pads total.

Overall, I like this curler! I would buy it again.

Sally Hansen: Diamond Lip Treatment Lip Gloss Review

Sally Hansen Diamond Lip Treatment Lip Gloss

This is one of my early lip gloss purchases. The name of the color, I don’t know, but it was a light, frosty pink. (Pictured in the middle, at right) I honestly don’t like this lip gloss very much. Although it did dazzle, it was pretty sticky. Yuck! If it dried out on my lips and if I reapplied it, it would goop up in yucky globs on my lips.

The applicator is nifty though, a short, paintbrush sort of thing. However, with that format it is a bit of a pain to apply if you’re in a hurry.

Pros

Beautiful, dazzling sparkle

Comes in a great variety of colors

Nice scent

Pretty packaging

Cons

Sticky

Goops up when re-applied

Applicator takes some getting used to

The sparkle can get everywhere if you’re not careful, as with all sparkle glosses.

Overall, this was an ok lip gloss. I probably wouldn’t buy it again.

MaxFactor: Volume Couture Mascara Review

MaxFactor Volume Couture

I bought this from a local department store, it was going out of stock and was on clearance. My Mom also tried it and we both agree that this is a great one. The brush is made out of rubber spikes, and shaped normally; kind of like a cone with the smaller part being on the end. The downside with the rubber spikes is that if you tend to poke yourself with the brush, this one is a bit uncomfortable. The packaging claimed that it would volumize my lashes, and it did! It lifted, lengthened and thickened them. 

Pros

Nice mascara formula

Easy to hold wand

Cool rubber spikes add variety, and work wonderfully

Washes off easily

Seperates lashes well

No flaking or clumping

Cons

Spiky brush hurts if you poke yourself

Overall, I like this mascara! Would buy again J

Lancome: Hypnose Mascara Review

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

I bought this in the sample size, but the brush was full size. I LOVE this mascara….builds volume,  length, curl. The brush holds a huge amount of mascara, and almost every time I used it I ended up with it all over my eyelids, but then again it  was only my second mascara, and I probably wasn’t quite professional at applying it yet.

The brush is fairly long, and slightly bigger than the middle on both ends. The mascara itself washes off nicely, which could be a downfall for gals who have watery eyes.

Pros

Awesome, full brush

Good mascara formula; goes on great, washes off easily

Cons

Can be pricy

It can be messy.

Overall, I love this mascara; it's my favorite so far. I’d buy it again for sure if I didn’t want to keep trying new ones. J

Bare Esentuals: Big Tease Mascara Review

This was the first real mascara I ever got. It’s from Bare Esentuals, so it’s a somewhat healthy mascara. On Spehora’s website, there is quite a few negative reviews, saying that this has a tendency to smudge and make dark circles under your eyes.  However, I had no such experience ever. Although I don’t have really oily eyelids. I’d say this is good, basic mascara. It really doesn’t create huge volume like it brags, but it does a nice job of lifting and defining so your lashes still look natural, just in a better way.

Pros:

Cool and useful brush: short bristles on one side, long on the other

Short handle allows for more precise application

Natural ingredients won’t irritate.

Washes off easily.

Cons:

Doesn’t build up volume like the ad brags.

Overall, I like this mascara. I probably won’t buy it anytime soon though, as I like stuff that builds up my lashes more than this provides.