Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Review

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream ($9) is described as a "1-step wonder" for your skin. It combines 8 skin benefits for instant skin perfection. These benefits include: bluring your skins imperfections, brightening up the skin, evening out the skintone, smoothing, enhancing and hydrating your skin, and lastly protects your skin with 30 SPF. It also doesn't contain any oils or heavy ingredients.

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream is available in (5) shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium, Medium/Deep and Deep.

Since the formula is so sheer, it's very forgiveable if you pick up a shade that is too light or dark. I have the shade Light/Medium, and it works really well for me when I have a light tan going on - around the MAC NC25 coloring.

It has a really creamy wet consistency - very reminiscent of the texture of Physicians Formula Super BB Cream. The very creamy consistency allows the product to glide across the skin really well like a moisturizer. 

My method of application is my fingers, applying it as I would a moisturizer, in small, light circular motions until blended. If I want to build slightly more coverage (not much, though) I'll add an additional layer on certain areas by dabbing and lightly dragging the product down my face until blended.

The coverage is sheer to light. It won't conceal imperfections, but it will tint the skin as well as make the skin look more even. I really like the way it looks on my skin. I use facial self tanners, so sometimes my skin isn't always even, and this evens out my skin color well and makes my skin look smooth, fresh and dewy. 

This is ideal for those who already have pretty good skin, but would like something extremely natural and sheer on days where you don't want to wear makeup or don't want to look like you are wearing makeup. It's great for daytime, especially if you spend some time in the sun because it has a high SPF. You won't catch me running errands bare faced, but I like to wear this and a little concealer when I want to fake it!

Now, if I don't set it with a light dusting of powder, it's just a little too dewy for my taste. I've worn it without a powder on a few occasions, and my skin felt like it was greasy and just about every area of my face looked shiny. Because of that, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this BB Cream if you have oily skin. It's actually targeted for normal skin, but I find it to be really moisturizing, so I believe it'd work well for dry skin too.

Here's a super close-up of my fuzzy face. This is with one (generous) layer of product applied with my fingers. Does it look like I'm wearing makeup? My sunspots are still visible, but it has evened out and illuminated my skin pretty well.

I was fully expecting this BB Cream to disappear by the end of the day, but it actually holds up really well!

The overall verdict? I like it. You definitely have to be somewhat comfortable with your skin because it won't provide loads of coverage, but I actually like that on some days. If you like tinted moisturizers, you will probably like this product.

The Round-Up

Pros: 

• Lightweight
• Hydrating
• Dewy finish - brightens the skin and gives it a healthy look
• Has a light tint with sheer coverage for a very natural "no-makep makeup" look
• Great for the Summer or daytime 
• Suitable for dry and normal skin
• Squeeze-tube packaging - which is sanitary and works well for travel

Cons: 

• The coverage doesn't build up to much, so if you're looking for more coverage, you may want to skip out on this product - For more coverage, but a very similar product, try out Physicians Formula Super BB Cream. It has a light-medium coverage as opposed to sheer-light. 
• The dewy finish can look and feel oily if you don't set it with a light dusting of powder
• Not geared for oily skin types

Price: $9, at your local drugstore. Prices may vary based on location. 

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara Review

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara

Revlon Bold Lacquer Length + Volume Mascara ($8) is a newer mascara by Revlon that provides length and volume and has lustrous black fibers so the result is super dark lashes with a hint of shine. It's available in water-proof and non-waterproof, as well as three colors; Blackest Black, Black and Blackened Brown.

In the past, Revlon's mascaras haven't worked that well for me. None of them provided enough length and volume for my liking. From all of the Revlon mascaras, Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascaraperformed the best, but still, it didn't replace my other Maybelline and Covergirl favorites. I've seen many bloggers using this new mascara recently, so I was really curious to try it out.

The mascara wand can totally make or break the mascara, and for this mascara, it's a win. No weird "innovative" shape, just a large fluffy tapered brush. I really love it. It's a good size for reaching all of the lashes, and it isn't too big to reach the smaller corner and bottom lashes.

The formula appears to be pretty wet and you can see the loads of shiny black fibers. It doesn't apply clumpy which is really nice, and it dries fairly quickly so you don't have to wait too long between coats.

The result with one coat is super pretty. It adds slight length and separation and makes the lashes look dark and noticeable. With many mascaras, one coat doesn't look like anything on my lashes. The formula builds really nicely and quickly, and by the second coat, my lashes look a bit longer and slightly volumized. It's not dramatic like some super voluminous formulas, but I really like the result. I don't think I'd apply more than a second coat, as the lashes can start to clump. It seems like the more I apply, the formula feels slightly sticky. I notice that when I blink sometimes my top and bottom lashes may stick together for a mili-second. Very annoying, but it can probably be fixed by applying a lash primer first.

The mascara holds a curl pretty good and lasts really well throughout the day. I've read many reviews where there were complaints of this mascara flaking, but I haven't had many issues with flaking. I think if you comb your lashes with a lash comb after you've applied the mascara (especially if it's already dry) you'd be more prone to it. On some occasions I've noticed some tiny black flakes under my lower lashline, but it's not a big issue for me, as they are so tiny. I also don't have issues with smudging, which is also a huge plus for me.

Overall, I really ended up liking this mascara. I like the way it looks with one coat on my more natural, light makeup days, and I like the way it looks with two coats for more of my everyday makeup. It makes my lashes look longer and darker, and I really like the lustrous finish. From all of the Revlon mascaras I've tried, this one rates the highest for me.

If you've tried this mascara, I'd love to hear how it worked for you! Let me know in the comments.

The Round-Up

Pros: 

• Great tapered wand that is really easy to work with
• Lengthens and adds slight volume
• Holds a curl well
• Makes the lashes look dark and noticeable
• Great result with one and two coats

Cons: 

• Can clump if you apply more than two coats
• Can have a tendency to flake as seen in other reviews - very minor on myself
• If you get it in your eyes it will burn. Bad. Trust me on this one. 
• At times my top and bottom lashes stick together for a mili-second and it's a bit of an annoyance (to be fair, my lashes aren't in the best shape and are all different lengths, so it may not happen with you)

Price: Around $8 at your local drugstore.

Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches!

Giorgio Armani #24 Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow ($33) is a black with glistening copper and gold. When the colors mix together, it turns into a beautiful dark khaki/olive green. It's a fabulous color, and the type of shade that I gravitate towards, as it flatters my hazel eyes and warm skin really well. It's a bit of a chameleon color, as it shines differently depending on the lighting and angle. Sometimes the color looks like a glistening warm brown and other times it looks like a golden olive. In the sunlight, the golden hues really shine through. It reminds be a bit of MAC Gilt by Association Mineralize Eyeshadow, a shadow I frequently wore in the past.

I know these eyeshadows are old news, as they've been out for a couple of years and I don't hear much about them anymore, but recently, I went through my makeup stash and dug out shade #8 Champagne, and have been using it multiple times a week. Naturally, it sparked my love for this product again, and I wanted more. So, #24 became my newest addition to my makeup bag.

The texture of the eyeshadow is like a very finely milled pressed/compacted pigment. It's incredibly silky and blends effortlessly. My favorite application tool is my fingertip or an old-school sponge applicator, as they both pick up the most product and apply the product in an opaque layer. A small flat brush also works well, such as a small concealer brush. You can also dampen the brush and apply the product wet for an almost metallic finish.

Overall, I really like this shadow and GA Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows in general, and if you're a girl who can't be bothered with using makeup brushes or if you're into the simple one-color eyeshadow looks, these are great. I love shadows that can be applied quickly and look great on their own, and this is one of them!

I also think this is a really pretty shade for the Fall/Winter. I can see it looking great with berry or red lips!

What do you think? Have you ever tried these? Do you like them? Or are you completely over them? 

The Round-Up

Pros:

• Vibrant, metallic color
• Can be used wet for more vibrancy and a metallic-like sheen
• Opaque pigmentation
• Easy to use
• Blends easily
• Really long lasting
• Lightweight, pretty packaging

Cons:

• There is a little fall-out due to the soft crumbly texture, so finding the right brush/application tool is necessary - like I mentioned, I like using my fingertips the best! Most eye brushes don't work well with these and will result in a sheer black color on the lids. 

Review: "The Healthy Deodorant"

All of the BFF Beauty Girls rave about LaVanila Laboratories - The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut.  Finally there's an all-natural & aluminum-free deodorant that smells amazing and actually works!
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The Healthy Deodorant in Vanilla Coconut first came on to our radar when BFF Beauty Girl, Alex, proclaimed "this stuff smells amazing, you have to try it!"

Shortly after Alex announced her obsession with this product, the love for LaVanila continued to spread like wildfire as the BFF Beauty founders, Kristin & Jenni, triedThe Healthy Deodorant in Alex's favorite scent, Vanilla Coconut, as well as inVanilla Passion Fruit.
This stuff IS amazing!

With three enthusiastic stamps of approval from Alex, Kristin and Jenni, there was only one Beauty BFF 'tester' left before being able to officially claim LaVanila's The Healthy Deodorant the BEST all-natural deodorant around. 

Which brings us back to the current review... 

Continue reading to find out what BFF Beauty Girl, Carly has to say about Vanilla Coconut. Does she love The Healthy Deodorant too?  Could it be that we found the only all-natural deodorant that smells amazing AND actually works?

But first, a quick description from LaVanila Laboratories...

What it is:

A clinical-strength deodorant that is 100 percent natural, safe, and effective.

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What it is formulated to do:

LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant uses beta-glucan technology to effectively fight odor while soothing, conditioning, and strengthening the skin. It goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting, luxurious results.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates

What else you need to know:
This dermatologist-recommended, non-irritating, allergy-tested formula does not contain aluminum or mineral oils.

Key Ingredients in Vanilla Coconut:

• Beta-Glucan technology: Promotes healthy skin and fights odor with a complex of powerful antioxidants, anti-bacterial agents, and polysaccharides.
• Goji Berry: Provides powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, 21 essential minerals, and 18 amino acids.
• Japanese Honeysuckle: Acts as a natural preservative and an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
• Lichen Lemon and Tea Tree Oils: Prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Provide safe, long-lasting protection sans harsh chemicals or alcohol. 

The Body Shop Shimmer Cube Review

I’ve been wanting to review these Body Shop Shimmer cubes since forever ago but I keep getting distracted by other things. Truth is I’m not so savvy when it comes to working with eyeshadow, so you may have noticed my lack of eyeshadow posts…

However this is the most favourite eyeshadow I have ever had the pleasure of owning, so I thought it definitely deserved a mention. The colours are gorgeous and so easy to wear, plus it’s so easy to blend that it helps even the most useless peeps like me apply it with ease.

Let’s also take a moment first to just squeal at the fact that they are so frigging cute!  For some reason four little cubes stashed perfectly inside one bigger cube is just too adorable for me.

There are 5 colour variations to choose from and I have the Shimmer Cube in 06 Warm, which is combination of shimmering golds, taupes and browns.  Don’t be alarmed by the term “shimmer” though, they will not leave you looking like a glitter disco ball, they actually give you the most subtle but gorgeous iridescent sheen. You can see in my swatches the lovely sheen and finish, but it really doesn’t do it justice at all, they are far prettier in real life.

The shimmer cubes in Warm in particular is very flattering and it’s my favourite neutral eyeshadow, I even prefer it to my Urban Decay Naked Palette…. Yep I said it!

The texture of these cubes is so easy to work with too, each cube is super soft and buttery and just blends into each other effortlessly. As I said earlier, I really am rubbish when it comes to eyeshadow application but the formulas of these cubes just makes it that much easier to get a natural finish.

I bought this last year during the body shop sale and I managed to get it for £8 instead of it’s normal RRP of £16 (They have an offer on at the moment, so if you fancy taking a peak.)

At £16 you may not consider this a budget buy, but they honestly last you forever because don’t forget that each cube is just solid eyeshadow. I’ve had mine for a year and have barely skimmed the surface so far.

Review: Nivea Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover

Review Summary:

a)    Cleans well

b)   Does not leave an oily reside and it doesn’t make my skin feel dry after using it.

c)    Quite difficult to close the cap properly.

d)   No pointed tip so it is hard to apply a proper amount on cotton pad.

e)   Does not irritates the eyes.

I’ve always been using my Shiseido The Skincare instant eye and lip makeup remover and I love it as it does the job, it does not irritate my eyes and it doesn’t leave an oily residue. However, the Shiseido makeup remover is a bit pricey so recently switched to a drugstore brand and bought Nivea Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover.

The purple part is the oil phase and the transparent part is the aqueous phase.

I prefer makeup remover that has both oil and aqueous phase it in. Oil based makeup remover like the Shu Uemura skin purifier leaves an oily reside which irritates me and water based makeup remover like the La Roche Posay’s makeup remover makes my skin feel really dry.

According to the bottle:

a)    The oil phase effectively removes even waterproof mascara and eye make-up. Specially formulated and tested for sensitive eye area.

b)   The aqueous phase protects and cares for the eye lashes with it’s caring formula, without leaving an oily reside.

The trick in using a makeup remover that has both oil and aqueous phase is to shake well. Shake VIGOROUSLY till you see bubbles forming before applying it to a cotton pad. On the bright side, it looks really pretty with its purple oil phase and it turns into indigo colour after a good shake.

I think the colour is pretty cool! Feels like I am making a potion.

The oil phase and the water phase will separate after a while.

I didn’t like the cap though. It was difficult to close it properly and I once shook it while the cap was loosely closed. It was a disaster and there was makeup remover everywhere.

The flat base was annoying.

I prefer the pointed tip of the Shiseido makeup remover, as it is easier to control the amount to apply on cotton pads or cotton buds. The flat top of the Nivea double effect causes the makeup remover to reside on its surface and it was difficult to control the amount of liquid poured out, relatively speaking.

The pointed tip makes it easier for me to apply the remover on cotton bud.

But at the price of £3.29, it does its jobs, though a tad bit less efficient than my Shiseido, so I am pretty satisfied with this product.

Eye Palette Review

When I saw the new Urban Decay Electric Palette, I instantly fell in love. I'm not one to wear crazy bright neon eye colors on the daily, but how can you not swoon at those supercharged hues? Since it wouldn't be a palette that I'd be using every day, I couldn't justify the $50 price tag and decided to pass it up (sadly...*tears*).

A few weeks ago, I was looking around Coastal Scents online for some new makeup brushes. I decided to check out the eye palettes because why not? A girl can always use a new eye palette. ;) I stumbled upon their Creative Me #1 Palette, and noticed something familiar. It was bright, bold, neon....and looked exactly like the Urban Decay palette!

After comparing this palette with the one on the Urban Decay site, it was clear that this would be the perfect dupe. And imagine my excitement when I looked at the price and saw a lovely $14.95 staring back at me...much more affordable than $50! :) I ordered it, waited patiently, and tore into it when it arrived. I was instantly pleased with the bright neon colors in real life - they're very pigmented and rich. Swatching them on my fingers, the colors took instantly with barely any swiping and they were very velvety and not chalky at all.

Now, I can't vouch for the quality of the UD palette compared to this because I don't own it (although I do own other UD eye products and the quality is superb), but I can say that the quality and intensity of these pigments is fantastic. Plus, for the amount of money you'll save, this is hard to pass up!

I knew when I got this palette and saw how killer it was, I'd have to share it for anyone else wanting a good collection of neon shadows without having to take a chunk out of their bank account. I'm excited to experiment with these colors like crazy, especially now that summer is here. Maybe a beachy neon look, or a sunset-inspired look for a summer party? What do you guys think?