January 14, 2009, 2:54 pm

Confession: Our usual two-week testing period for mascaras was compromised with Revlon's 3D Extreme Mascara. Why? Because the clumpy, chunky and dry formula is a disaster in a tube. Upon first use, the small caterpillar-looking brush deposited an insane amount of volume and length without clumps -- lashes looked "good-fake." But on day two, one coat looked like seven, and lashes were crusty and caked -- even after vigorously brushing them with a clean wand. So unless you aspire for Tammy Faye status, skip this.

Product Reviewed: Revlon 3D Extreme Mascara

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November 20, 2008, 12:55 pm

At first glance, Pink Tutu, one of 20-ish shades of Flirt Peek-a-Blush, looks suspiciously similar to the beloved Nars Blush in Orgasm, but the formula isn't quite as high in quality. Though the powder could be finer and the shimmer a bit less chunky, the sheer color does blend easily. Included is a small, stiff brush that deposits the perfect amount of pigment, and the mirror is great for on-the-go application. I'll probably go back to Nars but for the price, this blush is a winner overall.

Product Reviewed: Flirt! Peek-A-Blush

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November 20, 2008, 12:37 pm

Gardenia lovers take note: The Nature Intact technology used to create Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia means you'll get a straight-from-the-garden scent. Close your eyes and you'll think you're smelling a fresh gardenia -- one that's a touch more dressed up and dazzling. The floral juice is romantic and flirty but with a very light spritz, it's still office-appropriate. The perfume can be powerful though, so go easy if you have allergies. It makes me a bit sneezy, but I'm not letting that stop me.

Product Reviewed: Estee Lauder Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia Eau de Parfum Spray

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November 17, 2008, 7:13 pm

Estee Lauder Double Wear Mascara is a winner. The long-wearing formula adds natural-looking length and gives you clump-free, nicely separated lashes. It won't smudge or budge all day (even in humidity) yet it washes away easily with cleanser and warm water. A few residual bits of product may linger after cleansing but they are easily swiped away. Will this replace my all time favorites, Lauder's Lash XLand Lancome's L'Extreme? The jury is still out.

Product Reviewed: Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara

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November 17, 2008, 7:06 pm

Here's the 411 on the petite-ish MAC Mascara X. The color, shiny and jet black (unless you use the dark brown shade), makes lashes look striking. The formula adds a natural yet volumized look but doesn't lengthen much. The fluid texture allows you to layer multiple, clump-free coats for added drama but occasionally causes product to fling onto skin. And the brush, short and slightly oval-shaped, makes applying product onto the very base of your lashes easier. The verdict: Not the best ever but worth a try.

Product Reviewed: MAC Mascara X

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November 17, 2008, 5:46 pm

L'Occitane Honey & Lemon Delicious Bath is luxury. Though not edible, the "delicious," essential-oil-loaded formula makes skin smell sweet and feel as soft as cashmere. Honey by nature attracts water to hydrate skin and has antiseptic properties, and lemon oil brings luster back to dull skin -- so this is a double-whammy win. A few tablespoons leave your bath water cloudy and milky, delivering a calming experience that stops short of lulling you to sleep.

Product Reviewed: L'Occitane Honey & Lemon Delicious Bath

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November 17, 2008, 5:38 pm

L'Occitane's body-smoothing Honey & Lemon Sweet Sugar Scrub smells like a sophisticated version of those old-school Lemonhead candies -- delish! It glides on skin easily without clumping up and sliding right off. Unlike many scrubs that claim to hydrate and don't, this seriously moisturizes. It actually leaves skin with an oily finish, of which I'm a fan but not everyone will be. When used in the bath, some granules may stick to your skin, so do a double splash before exiting the tub.

Product Reviewed: L'Occitane Honey & Lemon Sweet Sugar Scrub

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November 7, 2008, 3:00 pm

Product Reviewed: Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner

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November 7, 2008, 1:50 pm

Ahhh ... how I love pouring Space NK Enrapture Bath Oil into my tub water. It disperses into the water in a cloud-like pouf, releasing a subtle yet noticeable scent that lingers in your bathroom for about an hour. The oil doesn't leave skin greasy, just free of that dreaded post-bathing dryness. Nor does it leave your tub with a break-your-neck slippery finish -- a bonus. Available in several mood-altering scents, Enrapture is my fave -- a mix of tuberose, ylang ylang, blackcurrant bud and orange blossom.

Product Reviewed: Space NK Enrapture Bath Oil

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November 7, 2008, 1:47 pm

Looking for a sulfate-free, extra gentle hair cleanser? The two-in-one, non-lathering Wen Cleansing Conditioner may be for you. Upon first use, your hair may feel weighed down with product buildup -- mine did. This was because I wasn't using enough of the creamy product, so read the directions. My shoulder-length, medium-thick hair required 40 (gasp!) pumps out of the bottle. When the ideal amount of product is used, you'll get tingling, clean scalp and hair that's product-free and hydrated. It's a different way to cleanse and condition hair though, so be prepared for change.

Product Reviewed: Wen Cucumber Aloe Cleansing Conditioner

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