Bath & Body Works Anti-Bacterial PocketBac Sanitizing Hand Gel

I'm never without this

I buy these by the half-dozen and stash them everywhere: my car, my purse, my cubicle, etc. They smell yummy and absorb instantly, providing instant gratification for germaphobes such as myself. Normally Bath and Body Works products smell too strong for me, but these are just right, and the smell doesn't linger.

February 7, 2013

Dove Gentle Exfoliating Beauty Bar

Gentle and effective

I wash with a body wash on a day-to-day basis, but I bust out this soap when I'm feeling really grungy, like when I've been hiking or at the beach. This soap effectively strips off all the sunscreen (and the layer of dirt that's usually stuck to it) and leaves me feeling fresh and clean without drying out my skin. It's great for underarms because it sloughs away the stuff that can collect smelly bacteria.

May 15, 2012

Aveeno Continuous Protection Sunblock for Face

I got sunburned!

Granted, I have very fair skin, but I couldn't believe my shoulders got burned when I was wearing this. I put it on before taking my dog for short hike, and an hour after I returned I noticed the burn. It was mild, but I was still annoyed. I tried it again, and the same thing happened. The smell of this sunscreen is more tolerable than most, but I really disliked the way it felt on my skin: greasy and like it didn't absorb. I think it must come off when you sweat, so I wouldn't recommend this sunscreen if you're planning on doing any type of outdoor physical activity.

April 16, 2012

LORAC Sparkle Pencil

Warm them up and slick them on

Let me first state that I would never pay the full 16 clams for this pencil. They're not that special. I picked up two sparklers for $5 each, and was happy with my bang for the buck. These pencils are chubby, so they leave a thick trail of color and sparkle behind. I love this look for parties and the holidays, but grownups may find it a little much for every day. Glitter pencils have a reputation for being hard to apply, and LORAC's are no exception. I warm them up in my back pocket or in front of the space heater while I do the rest of my makeup. By then they are sufficiently melty to glide on easily.

September 22, 2011

Kiehl's Heat-Protective Silk-Straightening Cream

Facilitates blow drying

I've had mixed results with Kiehl's products, but when I saw this cream's list of ingredients, I had to try it. I'm so glad I did. Just a dab gives me hair that looks and feels like silk. It made my hair slippery, so it was easy and fast to blow dry with a round brush; the slid glided right through my hair, no breakage, tangles, etc. Amazing! Moreover, this is the first straightener I've used that doesn't require me to flat iron post blow out. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

September 19, 2011

Estee Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow

Poorly pigmented

I have this shadow in Peach. While the color brightens up my eyes, it takes about three layers to even show up on my fair skin. The sponge applicator this shadow comes with is too tiny for all but the smallest hands, but overall I like the sleek, crystal package. I also like that this shadow wears all day without creasing or migrating.

July 25, 2011

Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Advanced Anti Aging Body Wash - Deep Penetrating Moisture

Feel clean and moisturized

I'm not sure why Olay is claiming that this is anti-aging; any anti-aging ingredients it may contain (antioxidants, etc.) are washed down the drain. Aside from that little piece of fiction, this is a really good body wash for dry skin. It really does leave my very skin feeling hydrated. While a lot of moisturizing body washes have an overly thick, sludgy texture, this one is smooth and creamy and is easily whipped into a perfumed lather.

July 20, 2010

Pantene Pro-V Curly Hair Series Anti-Frizz Straightening Creme

Half true

Curl shaper? Not so much. Frizz fighter? Totally. I use this product exclusively to fight frizz. A dab of it adds shine and calms my hair, letting the shape of my waves emerge. As long as you use it in moderation, it feels like a conditioner but without the weight. The pump-style packaging makes it easy to use.

June 15, 2010

Pantene Pro-V Classic Care Solutions Classic Care Touchable Hairspray

The third time really is a charm

I wish I would've bought this stuff before I bothered with Redken (expensive) and TreSemme (didn't like). I normally prefer aerosol sprays because they're easier to control, but the plastic nozzle on this hairspray delivers an even mist every time, and it doesn't smell bad or too strong (although Pantene does offer an unscented version). It has great "memory," offering a firm but flexible hold so that it doesn't look or feel like you're wearing hairspray. There's no stiffness, crunchiness, or flakes, and hair stays run-your-hand-through it soft all day.

June 15, 2010

MAC Paint Pot

An outstanding primer

I wasn't sure what these were for a while, they seemed too dull to be cream eyeshadows, but they weren't marketed as primers, either. I'm glad I gave these a go under my shadow. Paint pots offer all the benefits of a traditional primer--no creasing, keeps makeup in place, etc.--without the annoying habit of making shadows difficult to blend. With Paint on my lids, I was able to create a beautiful, complex eye look that lasted all day. I'm tossing my Too Faced and Urban Decay primers cause I don't need them anymore!

June 4, 2010