Health & beauty
Gwyneth Paltrow Preachin' to the People: Modeling's 'a Perfect Job for When You Have Kids'
- volta » See my profile
- Points: 146395
- Reviews: 557
Here are all my reviews:
-
The last couple years I haven't been the biggest Smashbox fan; as a matter of fact it was one of my least favorite Prestige brands. However, the last several months I have started to give Smashbox another chance and so far I am enjoying many of the products! I think the reason I didn't like it was because my skin was in a very bad place and even though it has taken YEARS of consistent skin care efforts, my skin is now becoming tolerable. Smashbox has two liquid foundation types; Healthy FX and Studio Skin. Healthy FX claims to make your skin healthy from the inside and out with Vitamin C which not only brightens your skin, but also fights against free radical damage. Also, Vitamin C helps revitalize collagen and elastin production in your skin. Also, it's formulated with Ribose to "renew" the appearance of skin. Essentially, this foundation provides anti-aging and preventative benefits for your skin. This is supposed to make your skin look healthier, but also provide some hydrating and firming benefits which is GREAT for mature skin. This isn't my usual go-to foundation so I haven't used it enough to see any anti-aging benefits, but also I'm young so I'm not going to see anything anyways. This foundation is a little bit lighter in coverage, but it is easy to build if you need more coverage in come areas, but it doesn't look cakey in areas that I apply more of the foundation. I also like how this is hydrating because I have VERY dry skin and rosacea, but I also live in Arizona which is consistently dry year-round. Since it IS hydrating and it has moisture particles, it does leave a more natural-to-dewy finish on your skin. Personally, I LOVE the finish, but I can understand if some people who are more oil-prone would not like the finish because it makes it look like shine. This is a great, lightweight foundation that can be used beneath a powder foundation to set, alter the color and add more coverage. This foundation also has SPF 15 too, but do not hesitate to use additional sun protection! You always want to supplement it with sunscreen in case you rub off the makeup. Things that I do NOT like; First, the formula tends to unsettle. If you're using a tester at a store, you may have noticed how older testers tend to squirt out water unless you shake them well, so make sure to shake the bottle every now and then. It takes several squirts for the foundation to return to its expected consistency. Another thing I personally don't mind, but other people may not like, is that the shades tend to run yellow. I like that it's yellow, but not TOO yellow, like typically found in olive undertone foundation. It fits ME well (my shade is L3), but for people who are more neutral or cooler, this may not work for you because this foundation is definitely more yellow-toned, especially when it gets darker. Generally, I like the way this foundation looks on ME, it works well with MY skin. It may not be for everyone, but I enjoy how this foundation makes my skin feel comfortable because it is lightweight and hydrating with added benefits. I may consider using this a few more times in the form of a sample, prior to committing and buying a bottle. But so far, Smashbox has regained my attention, and so far I am enjoying my rediscovery and re-experimenting of their products.
April 11, 2012
-
Naturally, I was extremely hesitant to pay $130 for a curling iron. I did see more consistently good reviews for the Sultra irons than its wand competitors (CHI, T3, cheaper brands, etc.). I wanted a curling iron that didn't have the clip in it and that's exactly what I got and MORE. First off, this curling iron is FAST to heat up. In about 30 seconds it's already heated and good to go. Second, it comes with a mitt to wear on your hand that is twisting your hair around the wand. I cannot stress this enough-- SAFETY people!! You absolutely must wear the mitt because this thing gets HOT!!! I'm not huge on the pink color (I'm not a girly girl), but it's not like I'm wearing that glove outside, so who cares if it's pink. The glove is a snug fit (and I have small hands too), but I like that because it makes styling easier. It protects your hand from the heat well too. Third, I love how this want maintains a consistent temperature too. I have bought way too many items that I had to put down after a few minutes to heat up again. Fourth; this wand DOESN'T have a clip! I absolutely HATE clips on curling irons because they snag and break my hair like crazy! There are two barrel sizes -- 1 inch and 3/4 inch; the 1 inch is more popular, but the 3/4 inch is better if you have shorter hair and/or you want tighter curls. Fifth; you can create your own style of curls. If you want looser, more beachy waves, I like to twist the part of hair and then twist that part over the rod. If you want more spirals, then try to keep the same side of the hair against the wand. You can play around with your hair to get the look that you want. Sixth, and the BEST part; this thing DRAMATICALLY reduces styling time. I have shoulder length hair that is thick and coarse and it usually takes about an hour with a tradition iron. This thing literally takes 10-15 to style my ENTIRE head and the results are better than if you were to use tradition curling irons, flat irons, heated curlers, dry curlers, etc. This gives you the BEST hair of your life. It makes your hair shiny too! Since this wand DOES get very hot, like with ANY hot tool, you want to make sure you use a heat protectant spray!! You can buy these at the Sultra website OR inside Sephora stores (or Sephora online with free shipping). Remember, if you buy this at a Sephora and you don't like it, you can always return it back at Sephora even if you used it. I honestly doubt it though because you will NEVER go back to any other tool for curl/wave styling! I've had this for about three months now and I LOVE it. I still cannot believe how fast it styles your hair (you seriously only need to keep your hair wrapped around it for about 10 seconds for a tight curl or 5 seconds for a loose wave). Your curls will last all day and night too, I promise. In fact, your curls will still look good the next morning!
April 11, 2012
-
You know how the FDA is saying how suncreens over spf 50 is kind of silly. Don't pay a couple dollars extra for that false sense of security. This is very thick, but I like to put on lotion before putting this on and that makes it spread much easier.
April 11, 2012
-
Personally, I like this better as a highlighter for your brow bones. This is very shimmery so I don't like to use it unless it's at night when you can get away with more shimmer. Also, you can use the colors individually. These are on clearance for $5 at Sephora so it's not too bad on the wallet.
April 6, 2012
-
I work at a Sephora and I am a product junkie. Believe me when I say that I have tried it all! Even products that aren't sold at a Sephora! Needless to say, Sephora has REALLY [recently] stepped up their game to produce BETTER quality products that match and even surpass the quality of higher-end luxury products! My skin has been going through a massive change due to the environment/hormones/age/diet/etc. Your skin is always changing because it's the largest organ on your body and it's exposed to external elements. SO, I have been searching for a powder that goes on well and I have tried a lot of HORRIBLE products. Believe me when I say that I have tried EVERYTHING from Smashbox, Nars, Mac, to even cheaper drug store products and EVERYTHING in between. The Sephora mattifying powder compact has beat ALL of these. Sephora must have done something differently with the formula because it is better than ever. It goes on RAZOR sharp, meaning you can't even see any powder on your face. It gives you very natural sheer to medium coverage that does NOT cake on your face and it does not emphasize dry, flaky skin, nor lines. Also, the Sephora compact has the largest range of shades so that it will actually match the color of your skin (no having to suffice with a basic "light" or "medium" powder that's a little off). One thing you need to know is there there are two different family of shades. There are "R" and "D". "D" is the most common and that's for warmer, yellow or neutral tones and "R" is for cooler, pink tones. My shade is D25 and that matches my skin perfectly without making me look too light, dark or too pink! It's perfect! Plus, the coverage lasts for a LONG time! It's great at taking away shine too. I personally like to use a brush because I like sheerer coverage, but using the sponge gives you a soft medium coverage as well. This is a GREAT powder, which is EASILY my favorite because it surpasses higher luxury brands that cake and give a terrible finish. The only thing I HATE about this is the packaging. It tends to break VERY easily. Also, when you have the cap open, you have to flip the product so the bottom compartment is revealed where it holds its sponge and mirror. Like I said, the top cap tends to break VERY easily. So even though Sephora has AMPED the quality of it's products, it still needs to have a major redesign overhaul. It's $20 for a compact which is much pricier than drug store brands, but still MUCH cheaper than other luxury brands like Nars, Mac, Benefit, etc. It's worth it!
April 6, 2012
-
It always baffles me when some brands can price their oil absorbing sheets at $10 or more just for a pack of 50 sheets! I started even thinking that $6 for a pack of 50 of the Clean & Clear sheets was becoming too much for a thing that can soak up oil off the face. So everyone knows how ELF can have some great products that only cost $1--but for every great product they have, they tend to have a dud product. These sheets are a dud product. Although $1 for a pack of 50 sheets is ideal, these sheets are very poor in quality and do not do a very good job at soaking up oil. With any other brand, it usually only takes a single sheet, or maybe two on an oily day. Since these are terrible, it sometimes takes 5 or even 6 sheets to do the same job!! So in the end, you go through a pack of these MUCH faster than a better quality product--you end up using and spending as much money as you would buying a pack of the Clean & Clear sheets because you use up to 5x more sheets and henceforth more packs before you finish up a pack of better quality sheets. So therefore, I've come to terms with just spending more money on a pack of better-quality sheets because not only do they last longer, they actually do what they're supposed to do--absorb oil!
April 6, 2012
-
I work at a Sephora and I'm the Nars #1 fan/"expert" at my store. I own SO many Nars products (even those not found at Sephoras and only at Nars boutiques) that it's strange to me why it's taken me so long to actually wear the foundation for the entire day (rather than just color striping me as a touchup on top of my other foundation). There are many good and bad things about this foundation. What I LOVE about it--it covers very well with one coat because it's a little thicker so it eliminates the need for concealer most of the time! It really does smooth over the surface of your skin. Not only does it even out a bit of texture issues on your skin, but it also physically makes your skin feel soft. Also, even though this is thicker, you only need a little bit of it--so even though the price of $42 for a bottle will scare many people away, you really do get your money's worth with this. Now with the bad things (at least bad to me). The bottle doesn't come with a pump. You CAN buy a pump separately (at a Sephora or Nars boutique/website), but that's $6 more. So it can get a little messy at first until you develop tricks to get it out easier. So with the total price including the pump it comes out to $48. Next, the name "sheer glow" isn't very accurate. YES, Nars stylists will say that you need to warm this up in your hand prior to applying this. (This is also one of the few foundations designed to be applied with your hands to warm it further). However, even after applying it correctly, the finish you get is natural and even on some people natural-matte. I was hoping to get a beautiful satin finish (but at least the new Pure Radiance Tinted Moisturizer gets that right!). Francois Nars himself says that skin should radiate through your makeup (in regards to the tinted moisturizer), but I was hoping that could be true with the sheer GLOW foundation. YES your skin does appear brighter after using this, but if you want a dewy finish, you won't get that with this (unless you use evian water and a wet foundation brush). Now the worse part (for me). IF YOU HAVE DRY SKIN, YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR THIS. This has a habit of emphasizing dry patches and becomes VERY cakey throughout the day--all over your skin. This foundation is misleading because it's supposed to add a little bit of moisture, but my skin appeared drier after using this. If you have normal or oily skin--this might be PERFECT for you!!! I always say, this is a GREAT foundation if 1) your shade matches and 2) you don't have dry skin.
March 21, 2012
-
Although I can't tell you how to regulate your skin care routine if you have one, I just recommend that you don't use a manual exfoliator everyday! You want to use it maybe once or twice a week (but no more), because you need to give your skin some time to heal and rebuild itself in between scrubs. Over exfoliating can cause tearing in the skin which can lead to MORE flaky dry skin. This product gets a "B" in my book. It's a wonderful exfoliator that buffs off most of the dry flakes on my face. Like other Clarins products, I don't think it does a remarkable job at removing makeup (DEFINITELY steer clear from using it around the eye area!). I think a good cleanser can remove makeup well and still be gentle to use around the eye area to remove eye makeup (because at the end of the day it's where we still have the most makeup left over!). As far as its purifying claims, I'm not completely sold. Although I do like how my skin still feels clean after using this, it's still to be used no more than twice a week (or once a week if you have sensitive skin). The beads in this ARE silica beads, so I would be aware of that for sensitive or super acne-prone skin. However, I have not had a breakout due to this as of the moment. It's not my favorite exfoliator, it's still a good one. My favorite is Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads because that has jojoba beads as its manual scrubber and glycolic acid as its chemical exfoliant, so you get twice the exfoliating power.
March 20, 2012
-
This cleanser isn't that bad, but it's just not for me. I have drier skin and this is really best for normal to oily skin in my opinion. This doesn't really do a superb job removing makeup (do make sure to avoid the eye area!), so I would still use some kind of makeup removal wipe prior to washing your face. What I DO like about this is that you really only need verrrry little to create a luxurious foaming experience. Therefore, a little goes a very long way. It well better, considering the average price to purchase Clarins products! This does leave my face feeling soft and clean. The thing I noticed most was how squeaky it left my skin feel. If you like that squeaky feeling, then this is perfect for you and I would give it a try. Although this can be used for all skin types, I would still recommend it primarily for normal or oily skin. For drier skin, I would use a milkier cream cleanser. However, I'm not saying that people with dry skin cannot use this because it did not make my skin feel tight or dry. It felt comfortable and squeaky. I'm just weird because I've never been a fan of that squeaky clean feeling so that's why this product is not hugely favorable for me. If you are interested in trying this (I recommend you do so), but aren't sure about splurging the money for this cleanser, then I would definitely go to a Sephora (if available) and ask for a sample. I've had very positive experiences with most of the Clarins products I've used so it's worth the investment.
March 20, 2012
-
My hair is very thick and coarse and I used this because of how much people raved about it. Although the scent is to die for--kind of like a tropical coconut, it does not do an adequate job of hydrating thirsty hair. This made my hair feel coarser and more like straw which led to more breakage. Another thing--product buildup with this line is ridiculous. My hair felt heavy and you can feel the buildup in my hair when it was dry. This also made my hair tangle a bit easier because it had that stickier feeling that the shampoo and conditioner left. Although the product is pretty with the swirls and the scent, I could not finish a quarter of a bottle for either the shampoo or the conditioner. Looks aren't everything! If you have very stubborn and hard to manage hair--then I would steer away from this.
March 20, 2012
People Style Watch
InStyle.com
SHOP
