Product Review: L'Oreal's Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream in Medium

PRICE: FIVE STARS

L’Oreal has always been good about providing its patrons with coupons – which  makes this product very affordable. It retails for $7.96 at my local Walmart and L’Oreal had a $2 coupon that I used so I only paid a total of $5.96 (taxes not included) for this product. Not bad, huh? Pretty darn affordable.

QUALITY: TWO STARS

Pros:

• The product starts out green when you initially squeeze it out of the tube – so it also acts as a color corrector, if I’m not mistaken.


• The color contours/matches your skin and the product itself is easy to work with.


• It does what BB creams are supposed to do – it blots away minor imperfections on your skin and makes pores appear smaller.

Cons:

• This cream has tiny beads that are supposed to help exfoliate and beautify the skin.  However, my face does not respond well to products with “exfoliating ingredients” so I had a major breakout after using this product a couple of times. I wasn’t very happy about that.


• My t-zones are VERY oily (they should be called oil spill zones….no, really) but the sides of my face are extremely dry.  I bought L’Oreal’s Magic Skin BB Cream because it claims that it’s supposed to act as a hydrating product that is suitable for combination skins. It didn’t work for me though…and after all was said and done, all I was left with were battle scars – aka zits.


• I have extremely dry skin on certain spots, so I use moisturizers formulated for sensitive skin before putting any kind of makeup on. I was determined to make this BB Cream work, obviously – so I decided to use it with my favorite moisturizer from Origins.  *Insert Horror Music Here* Very bad move.  L’Oreal’s BB Cream does not work well with moisturizers. The product always ends up looking weird and caked up when I apply it in conjunction with another moisturizer. Let’s not even talk about applying it on the eye area – that’s a whole ‘nother horror story in itself.

WOULD I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT AGAIN?

If I wanted to be the official endorser of “ProActiv” in my area complete with “before and after” shots – then I guess I would continually use this product.  Kidding aside, L’Oreal has a lot of good products that I’ve used before…but this “Skin Beautifier BB Cream” just doesn’t do it for me. If anything…it had me stressed out because my skin reacted violently to it and I had a major breakout that took forever to go away.  I guess I’ll stick to my old reliable “cleanse-tone-primer-foundation” routine for now. ..and no, I will not buy this particular product again.

DISCLAIMER:

I’m not a makeup artist or cosmetic expert. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Soft Smokey Eye

This is my version of a soft smokey eye look using Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette...

Mission Accomplished!

T'was my sister-in-law's birthday and I wanted to give her stuff that were well thought of - not the usual things that can easily be bought from stores.

She's been admiring a bag that I made for myself and was sporting the last time I saw her...so I decided to make one for her special day.

I also made a bib necklace for her because she's a big accessory fan like myself.

I was stoked that she loved 'em! I guess it's safe to say that I accomplished my "birthday mission" and made my sister-in-law happy.

YAY ME!!!

Product Review: NARS' "Hungry Heart"

PRICE: TWO STARS

This product retails for $41 and I feel like I really didn't get my money's worth on this particular purchase. I am a big NARS fan/consumer...but this blush/hi-lighter duo just didn't do it for me.

QUALITY: THREE STARS

I don't like "overly shimmery" makeup or products on my face. A wee bit of shimmer on my eye products is okay but on hi-lighters and blushes...not so much. I purchased this particular product from NARS because I've read a lot of good reviews about it. I don't have a NARS outlet in my area so I had to resort to online shopping. Unfortunately, the item does not look anything like what it's "supposed to look like" based on the photos on NARS' website. I still don't know how I feel about the product but if you like the "glittery/shimmery" look - then this would work for you.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: N/A

I never had problems with shipping or anything and I never had to contact them for problems with my order...so I don't really have a lot to say about their Customer Service. Maybe I'll update this portion sometime in the future...if and when the need to contact their CS Department arises. =)

WOULD I PURCHASE THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN?!

They have products that I purchase regularly - like their blushes and other face items. So yeah, I would still purchase their items in the future - but not their Hungry Heart Blush Duo.

DISCLAIMER:

I’m not a makeup artist or cosmetic expert. I’m just a regular consumer and I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a daily basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Fall Favorites

 

MAC's Wonder Woman Eye Quad in Lady Justice

This palette is so much fun because of the colors. Some gurus are not big fans of this eye quad but I'm not a guru...I'm a regular consumer and I love it. Blue is supposedly one of the favored  colors this fall - so I intend to mix and match it with some of my other eye palettes. It's a limited edition eye quad...so it's not available on MAC stores anymore but you can always try your luck online! ♥

Mally's Beauty Professional 24/7 Blush System in Light

I love Mally's Beauty Professional 24/7 Blush System Duo 'coz it's a powder and cream blush in one gorgeous packaging. It also comes with its own dual ended brush. The colors are highly build-able...so a little bit goes a long way with this baby. Nars has always been my go-to brand when it comes to blushes but lately...I've been grabbing this palette more often.

 

 

 

 

Product Review: Wildroots Non-GMO Milled Golden Flaxseed

I’ve mentioned in my previous posts that a few years ago, I was a full blown Type 2 diabetic. It took a lot of researching of my own before I figured out what products are good for me…what kinds of food I can eat…and what kind of diet I need to subject myself to.

I was pretty adamant about kicking diabetes out of my life because it’s a pretty tough health condition to deal with. It also has serious complications. Anyways…I’m pretty sure y’all know how that goes.

A few months ago, I finally achieved what I have worked so hard for– freedom from diabetes. The weight loss that came with my healthier lifestyle was a welcome bonus. All the trips to the gym, all the changes I made to my diet finally paid off! Yay! I still have to be on top of my diet and exercise regimen but hey...my clean bill of health is a wonderful surprise and a big deal to me. Just sayin'. =)

One of the things I gave up when I started my low carb diet was bread. However, I did some research and found out that there are alternative ingredients that I can use so that I can eat my favorite breakfast staple again. The recipes I initially found didn't agree with my taste buds...so I tweaked and re-tweaked them until I came up with a concoction that I was happy with.

I posted the carb friendly microwave bread recipe that I'm talking about a while ago but failed to mention what brand of flax seed meal I use. I know there's a lot to choose from out there, but my preferred brand is Wildroots Milled Golden Flaxseed. I am not an affiliate of this company...I didn't get paid to advertise this brand...and I don't even have/use coupons when I purchase this product. Shocking...'coz I love saving money and I adore my coupons. =)



Pros:

• The flavor is awesome! No icky "overly organic" (aka grass flavor) aftertaste.


• Reasonable price. I mean Walmart carries a cheaper flaxseed meal brand BUT it has several grams of unexplained carbohydrates. I won't mention the other brand's name out of courtesy...but I really scrutinize the nutrition information and ingredients of all the products that I buy and eat. Needless to say, unexplained carbs is a big deal to me. Wildroots' carb info is well tabulated/accounted for...and I like it. Actually...I love it. =)


• It's a non-gmo product. Yay!

Cons:

• I don't want to sound biased just because this product is a personal favorite of mine. However, the only beef I have against this brand is the fact that its availability at my local stores is very unpredictable. Now you see it...sometimes you don't. I mean, I always have the Red Bob brand to run to (because it doesn't have "unexplained carbs"...but I love my Wildroots.

If you're very conscious about your daily carb intake and you're looking for products that will suit this particular need...then Wildroots Milled Flaxseed is worth a shot.

Disclaimer:

I'm no health guru, dietician, what-have-you. I'm just a normal consumer and an "ex-diabetic" - it feels so good to say that! I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. My views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

What's your favorite finishing powder?

My Current Favorite:  Ben Nye

Shade: Banana

Price: Very Affordable

Pros:

• Does not cause breakouts and I am all for that ‘coz I have very sensitive skin.
• Packs up good and makes sure that your foundation and concealer DOES NOT go anywhere.
• A little bit goes a long way….so a small bottle lasts quite a while.
• The color adjusts to your skin shade. I don’t have a scientific explanation for it…it just does. =)
• It is the perfect companion for “face contouring” aficionados.

Cons:

• Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist was lovin’ this product oh-so-much…so it’s almost always out of stock
• If you like the “super matte” look…this is the product for you. But if you like the “dewy and natural” look, you might need a finishing spray like MAC’s fix plus or Skindinavia’s finishing sprays.

Disclaimer:

I am not a makeup artist or a beauty product expert – never claimed I was. I appreciate honest feedback about products that regular people like me use on a regular basis or consider buying. That is why I am paying it forward and giving reviews/opinions of my own on products that I have bought and used. I’m just a regular consumer/makeup fanatic and my views and opinions are from a customer/end user’s standpoint.

Glade Expressions...on My Makeup Station (hey, it rhymes!)

I am a "smell good" aficionado as much as I am a makeup fanatic! I thought it was pretty sweet that Glade Expressions' Lavender and Juniper Berry diffuser matches my black and white themed makeup corner.

The wonderful thing about being a BzzAgent is the fact that I get to try out products so I can give my honest opinion about them, share my insightsto my blog readers and gauge if I'll re-purchase them. Thanks BzzAgent and Glade!

For the complete product review, please click on this link.

My DIY Makeup Station

I've always wanted my own Makeup Station...and because I have a wonderful husband, I finally got my wish! This was fairly easy to do (according to him) and because we basically re-purposed an old vanity, the project ended up costing under $30.

I love my clutter-free space...being the neat freak that I am. Now all my palettes, brushes, makeup, accessories and all that good stuff, have their own designated spaces/drawers. =) Needless to say, I love my husband's handiwork!

 

 

 

Product Review: Glade Expressions

 I finally got my first “homework” as a BzzAgent and I was (still am) stoked!

PRODUCT NAME:

Glade Expressions

SCENT AND VARIATIONS: Four Stars

I must admit…I am in love with Glade Expressions’ scents because it does not trigger/aggravate my sinus allergies and it lasts longer than other leading brands. My personal favorites are the “Pineapple & Mangosteen” and “Cotton & Italian Mandarin” scents. They smell so clean and so luxurious and I find these scents relaxing…not suffocating or over the top. I know…I have a very picky nose. =)

In addition to the scents that I have already mentioned, they also have Lavender & Juniper Berry and Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice. However, I have yet to find these scents because for some reason, the stores in my area favor Febreeze over Glade. They have Febreeze galore all over the place but carry very minimal Glade products. Oh well…I have two more Walmarts and one more drugstore to visit and hopefully they have the last two scents that I am very excited to get my hands on and try!

The only reason why I didn’t give this product five stars in the “Scents and Variations Category” is because they only have several variations. I dunno about y’all, but I am very adventurous when it comes to “smell good stuff” for my home. I love being able to pick from a wider range of scents and my choices all depend on my mood, the season, etc.

PACKAGING: Four and a Half Stars

Personally, I love how their oil diffusers look like because it echoes my design preference. It’s sleek, straight to the point as far as aesthetics go and it’s not bulky/clunky. Also, I love the fact that it doesn’t look kitchy at all. I also like the fact that their Fragrance Mists are “refillable” because that equates to “more affordable”. I’m a big fan of recycling and reusing stuff that I regularly use in my home and I applaud Glade for incorporating these features in this collection.

PRICE: Five Stars

Glade Expressions’ oil diffusers retail anywhere from $5-$8. Their Fragrance Mists retails for $3-$4…I think. My local Walmart was having a special on these items and were selling them for $5.98 for the oil diffusers and $2.98 for the Fragrance Mist Starter Kits. Like I mentioned earlier, both items are reusable…and refills are pretty cheap. I personally think that I am getting a lotta bang for my buck on these products. . For the quality of the product that you’re getting…it’s definitely worth your while.

FINAL VERDICT:

I can honestly say that I would buy these items again when I run out. I am not just stating this because I got them for free because hey…being a Bzz Agent is all about airing out your honest opinions about products. So yeah…TWO THUMBS UP for Glade Expressions!