Sunday, February 20, 2011

Review: Revlon Really Rosy Nail Polish


This is Revlon Nail Enamel in the color Really Red (.5 fl oz).  This is a deep rosy red, it is a very pretty color.
 Taken 3 days after polish was applied.  2 coats applied over China Glaze's base, and topped with Seche Vite top coat.

I was really impressed with Revlon's Nail Enamel polish. This was my first time trying out polish from Revlon. It last a really long time.  As you can see by the picture above, on day 3, there is only a little chipping on the tip of my nails. The polish last about 7 days before really bad , noticeable chipping occurred.

Review: China Glaze Nova - *silver glitter* Nail Polish

This is 2 coats of polish applied over China Glaze's base, and topped with Rimmel's Top Coat.

This is China's Glaze Nail Polish (.5 fl oz) in the color Nova.  This is really pretty chunky silver glitter polish.


Usually, I used Seche Vite as a top coat and it really makes a difference. Seche Vite makes my polish last a long time. I didn't have this available so I used Rimmel's top coat. This polish barely last on me. On the second day it started to drastically chip off, big chunks of chipping. I am not sure if the chipping was due to the the polish or my top coat.


I love the chunky glitter look to this . It is so festive and sparkly. The chunky consistency of the the polish wasn't hard to work with you just need to let it semi-dry before you apply your next layer. I don't regret this purchase. I think China Glaze's Nova is so pretty! But, I will have to try Seche Vite top coat on it, just to see if the polish will last longer.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Review: Nail Beauty 4U (through Amazon)

 
About the Company:
Nail Beauty 4 U is an online store that specialize in selling nail polishes, nail accessories, hair products, lotions, and other beauty related items. Not only do they have an online storefront, they also sale through amazon too. So if you are uncomfortable purchasing on their site, you can also get certain items on Amazon.  Their website is also powered by Amazon's secure checkout technology. All purchases are backed by Amazon's A-to-z-Guarantee.


My first experience with the company:
I purchase the China Glaze Crackle Collection at Nail Beauty 4 U through Amazon.  It was an easy, safe, and fast checkout system on Amazon.  Nail Beauty 4 U 's Amazon storefront has a really good reviews by it's customers. Their website is used and liked by customers who mentions them on the makeupalley.com forums.



My opinions on their shipping time and packaging:
My purchase arrived so fast! It only took 3 days, shipped via USPS priority mail.  This is from the time of purchase to the time when the package arrived at my destination.

I am also very happy with how they package the items. They carefully wrapped each individual polish with bubble wrap. 

Customer Service:
I didn't have any questions with customer service since I didn't encounter any concerns or problems during my purchase.

Overall:
I had a positive experience with my first purchase with Nail Beauty 4U through Amazon. I had no problems with the product, delivery time,  and packaging. They were prompt and professional. Their checkout process was easy, and fast. I receive your purchase receipt promptly via email.

I hope this review helps anyone who decides to buy from Nail Beauty 4U through Amazon.

Company Online website:
Nail Beauty 4 U
Nail Beauty 4 U on Amazon
Nail Beauty 4 U Amazon Customer Ratings

CHINA GLAZE CRACKLE COLLECTION REVIEW COMING SOON.

Review: PrettyandCute.com

About the company:
Prettyandcute.com is an online cosmetic store that specializes in selling  mostly Asian beauty, cosmetic, and hair products. They also sell cutesy fashion like Ulzzang eye frames, jewelry, and many more cute items.  They are an American based company in Portland, Oregon. Janie Wang is the creator and founder of the company since it's debut since 2008. The company major product line is Lioelle, a popular Korean brand. Prettyandcute.com prides itself as a certified retailer of Lioele Cosmetic products and many other popular Asian brands. Their business brand specifically sells princess, cute, and kawaii items.

Not only can you buy their products online, but they also have an online presence on:

Facebook
twitter 

They also have storefront where you can pick up your purchases if you live around the Portland, Oregon area.


My first Experience with the company:
My first purchase with this company was during their 2 week Valentine sale.  Prettyancute had a special sales on Circle Lens.  Each pair were on sale from about $13-$17. I took advantage of this sale and purchased some Geo Lens. I also used the code provided by Jen from From From Head to Toe . Code below.

My Opinions on their shipping time and packaging:
My purchase took 6 days to arrive. This is from the time of purchase to the time when the package arrived at my destination. That's pretty fast considering it was shipped from the west to the east coast via USPS first class shipping.


I was pleasantly surprise at how the package was so nicely and safely boxed with packing peanuts. The Geo lens bottles I got were also neatly and compactly packaged in the company's simple yet cute plastic bag. 

Products in Picture above are:
  • Geo Lens
  • Free Lioele Secret Pore Rich Balm Sample
  • Free Lioele Mirror -- this mirror is so adorable! I love it !
  • Red Lucky envelope inside is Prettyandcute business card
Customer services:
Janie and the prettyandcute customer service staff were nice, and thorough with their responses. They handle themselves with the utmost professionalism and really cared to clarify and answer my concerns. For me,  the response time was always within a 24 hours business day. I find that if you want a quicker response, just visit their Facebook or Twitter page.  I see a lot of customer inquires there and their responses are pretty much in real time .

Prettyandcute Discount Codes:
Free promotion codes from my most favorite blogger I follow:
**Jen From From Head to Toe**

Her codes are:
  • "jenmirror" ---> for a free Lioele mirror (hot or light pink)
  • "frmheadtotoe" --->for a free Lioele foundation brush
*Codes for purchase $35 or more
*Remember to add 1 of the product of your choice into your cart before the deduction occurs.
*I don't know the expiration date if any.

Overall:
My first purchase and experience with prettyandcute was a positive one.  All my products arrived nicely packed and intact. Their checkout process was easy, and fast. I also received my receipt promptly via email after purchase. And their products are just so cute!

Company Online website:
Prettyandcute.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

Review: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse

Product Description:

  • A light weight, cream whipped foundation - for easy and smooth application and finish
  • Oil-free, fragrance-free, Dermatologist-tested, and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
  • For normal to dry skin
  • Moisturizing and Evens skin tone

Where I purchased it: Target

Price: $7.94

Product Size: .49 oz or .12 lbs

Packaging:
It has a screw top where the foundation is, and a flip top (like a compact) for the sponge area.


Product Review:
I have combination skin and my my t-zone gets oily after about 30minutes after application. Personally, on my skin the product seems to sink into my skin and my face gets shiny. It is a little better when I put some finishing powder over the foundation. The finishing powder sets the foundation but my nose still gets a bit oily. 

Swatches:



How I apply it:
I took my stippling brush and dipped it into the product, a little goes a long way, dabbed it onto areas of my face and then buffed it out. 

Ingredients:
Water, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Candelilla Wax, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin-3 Crosspolymer, Ozokerite, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Tocopherol, Propylene Glycol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Citric Acid, PEG-9, Royal Jelly/Royal Jelly Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Extract/Matricaria Flower Extract, [May Contain: CI 77891/Titanium Dioxide, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/Iron Oxides].

Would I repurchase? No, personally this product didn't work well on me. My favorite foundation is still my BB Cream, specially Skinfood Mushroom Multi-Care BB Cream.

Product Rating: 3 out of 5

Product Available:
Drugstore.com
Target

Friday, February 11, 2011

Review: Rume Reusable Bags

Rume which stands for Re Use Me, is an American company based in Denver, Colorado founded in 2008. Their original graphic and structural designs are made in the USA and manufactured in South Korea. Rume prides themselves on being a socially responsible, and environmentally friendly company with a fashionable twist. They strongly abide by fair trade policies which promotes fair wages, fair work hours, and clean, humane conditions at their factories.

From Rume's Colors Galore collection - assorted size (2010)

 Size: Medium and Macro

Product Description:

*Made of a water-resistant 180 denier polyester.

*RuMe Bags are lead-free. Product tested and approved by Intertek.

*These bags can hold up to 30-50lbs. (mini holds 30lbs, medium and macro holds - 50lbs)

*Sewed with box-stitch sides and bottom -So it can retain it's structure while holding bulky items.

*Sewed with double stitching. -This creates tight stitching making the bags durable and strong.

*The bag has a long 11.5" handle in the Medium size, 12" handle in the Macro size and 8 "handle in the Mini size, for comfort.

*It can be rolled up to a compact size equivalent to a cell phone and is held together by a velcro tie.

*Made of machine-washable fabric (in cold water and air dry)

*Rume estimates that 1 bag (medium) can hold the same amount as 3 plastic grocery bags.

 Can hold groceries, gym items (like yoga mats, balls, sneakers, etc), beach items, kids toys, diapers, etc.

Where I purchased it:
At Hautelook, which is an online store that offers discounted high end items: apparel, accessories, home items, cosmetics, and more to their customers that signs up. Their inventory changes daily.

Click here to sign up with my invite. (^__^)

Price: 
Rume individual bags goes from $8.95 to $11.95 You can also get it in a collect of  3 packs for a better deal.

I got these for about $5 each through Hautelook last year. They might have it on Hautelook again, I am not sure since Hautelook's inventory changes daily.

Product Size:
Are available in different sizes
Mini= 11" x 11" x 4"
Medium= 15.5" x 15.5" x 4"
Macro= 17" x 17" x 8"

Packaging:
These Rume bags has a convenient velcro tie that helps the bag to stay neatly rolled up and compact for travel.
Rume has a vast selection of different colors and designs for everyone. Personally I love all the bold prints and colors, but you can also get solid primary or muted colors.

Product Review:
In my initial thought, I was skeptical of it's durability and strength, since the material was thin and had a crunchy feel to it.  Boy was I wrong. I tested the Rume bag out during a long vacation and found it to be really tough with a vast amount of room for regular, oversized, and bulky items. The handle straps are wide, which made it really comfortable on the shoulders. The opening space is long and wide, which gave my arms ample room to move around even with bulky and heavy items in the bag.  I used the medium sized one. This is the orange bag with arrow patterns on it, I am not sure if this pattern is still available. I got it about a year ago. It is pretty huge, for example I can fit a large pack of toilet paper in it with room to spare.

I really like the fact that it is water proof, which means I can pack milk, juices, raw meat and other wet items without ruining the bag. It is really easy to clean the Rume bag. All you have to do is wipe it with a wet sponge, towel, or some sanitizing wipes. When it is really dirty it is machine washable! Just run it on Cold and air-dry it.

I love how it folds up to a compact small size that I can just toss in my handbag for future use. The velcro tie tightly holds the bag together without any shift, so it stays folded without any unraveling.

How to fold Rume Bags:
Graphics Created and Copyrighted by Rume  click here to read more about Rume FAQ


Would I repurchase? Yes, I heart my Rume Bags!  :O)
I also got 2 more for gifts, from Rume's Silicon Valley pattern collection.

Product Rating: 5 out of 5

Product Available:
Rume Bags
Reuseit.com
Delight.com
Amazon

Review: Everyday Minerals Super Fab Wonder Duo Pressed Blush + Bronzer

A couple of months ago I got the "Super Fab Wonder Duo", a blush and bronzer compact, at  Everyday Minerals for a special promo price of $5.99.  This was their "PICK OF THE WEEK".  Their weekly special item changes all the time. Each week there is a new surprise item for a steal, pretty exciting don't you think? 

Everyday Minerals also have a "SPECIAL STUFF" link that gives you promo codes for a FREE item when you purchase a minimal of  $5.00 (minus shipping, tax and discount) .And don't forget to add a free base kit with your purchase. 

With the promo code, I got a free blush in Soft Touch (mini size) and I didn't forget to add to get a free base kit too.
Here is the Super Fab Wonder Duo, a blush and bronzer compact,  a free Mini blush in Soft Touch, and free foundation base samples.

  Super Fab Wonder Duo Pressed Blush + Bronzer

Product Description:
Is a Duo blush and bronzer product.

Where I purchased it:  Everyday Minerals

Price: $12 (purchased for--->$5.99)

Product Size: .39 oz or 11grams

 Super Fab Wonder Duo Pressed Blush + Bronzer - Closeup


Packaging:
I really love the packaging, it is simple, clean, and sturdy. The compact comes sealed, and includes a latex-free sponge. The sponge is soft and is really good quality, not only does it serves as an applicator, but it also cushions the product  for further protection from cracking.
 
Product Review:
The powder is smooth, soft and silky with a matte finish that is easily blendable and buildable. The blush is a light pinkish color. On my skin, the blush shows up as a very subtle, a natural nudish pink color.  I think this works best on fair to light skin complexion, I don't think it will show well on a darker complexion.  When I want to  intensify the color. I apply it over a cream blush.

The bronzer is a nice subtle contour color. It is very buildable, and since the color is a lightish brown on my skin, I cannot overdo it. 

How I apply it:
I lightly dipped my brush into the product and brush the blush on the apple of my cheeks. As for the bronzer I apply it from the side of my forehead to hallows of my cheek bones and under my chin for a sculpted look. (the # 3 method)

Swatches:

"Super Fab Wonder Duo" Pressed Blush + Bronzer Ingredients:
Mica (CI 77019), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Lauroyl Lysine, Tocopherol Acetate (Vit. E). May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510).

Product Rating:
4.5 out of 5

The blush is a subtle color on me, so this will be great for a natural look. I usually like brighter colors  on my skin, but this one give me a really nice natural, innocent flush on my skin .  I have Asian olive light medium to medium (summer) complexion and the color applies very subtle and natural looking. The color is buildable and  is suited for a fair to light skin color.  I don't think this will show up well on medium to dark complexion.

The bronzer color is really nice, since it does give me a hint of contour color without looking fake or overdoing it.

The blush and bronzer has a nice smooth and silky texture to it. They are both pretty long wearing. I wore about 5 hours and it didn't fade. On my hand swatch it the blush looks like it has a sheen finish but once applied on my cheeks it is a matte finish.

Review: Shisedio Tsubaki Head Spa Shampoo and Conditioner

Shiseido Tsubaki (Camellia flower ) Head Spa Shampoo and Conditioner (pump unopened)

Product Description:
Shampoo and Condtioner:
Tsubaki head spa products deep cleanses, restores, rejuvenates your hair while conditioning your scalp. Contains pure Camellia oil and other essential oils that restores damage hair , and promotes healthy scalp. The shampoo removes any dirt and other product residue buildup on your hair and scalp while the conditioner leaves your hair nice, shiny, and moisturized.

Where I purchased it: T&T (Asian grocery store)

Tsubaki Head Spa Shampoo and Conditioner set plus free Flower x Dreams Come True DVD

Price: $24.99 for special set
each retails for: 18.99 (price may vary)

Product Size: 550ml or  18.6 fl oz  (for both)

Packaging:
Great convenient pump dispenser that controls the amount of product you use. 


Product Review:
Shampoo:
Smells like citrus fruits and mango, yummy! Is a luxurious shiny golden color shampoo that moisturizes my scalp very well. It makes my hair squeaky clean. But after a day my scalp gets a little oilier then usual.

Conditioner:
This also has a wonderful citrus fruits and mango smell with a lighter golden color. I actually had really dry itchy scalp, this winter, and it really helped moisturized it. It makes my hair smooth, soft and more manageable without any tangling. I actually really like this conditioner, it feels really nice and luxurious on my hair.

How I apply it: 
I use about 1.5 to 2 pumps of the shampoo and conditioner.
I wet my hair,  then I lather the shampoo into my hair and I massage it onto your scalp.
Then I rinse off the shampoo and put conditioner on the middle to ends of my hair and leave it in for about 5 minutes and then rinse it out.

I used this head spa treatment 2x per week.

Ingredients:
Shampoo:
Water, sodium laureth sulfate, glycol distearate, dipropylene glycol (DPG), sodium taurine cocoyl methyltaurate, cocamide mea, sodium cocoamphoacetate, cocamidopropylbetaine, sodium chloride, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, propyltrimoniumchlorideacreylamie/dimethylacrylamide copolymer, menthol, hydroexyethyl urea, camellia raticulata seed oil, sage oil, ginger root extract, camelia japonica flower extract, sorbitol, citric acid, EDTA-2Na, PPG-70, glycerylether, alcohol, butylene glycol (BG), phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, fragrance, CI 17200 CI 19140, CI 61570.

Conditioner:
Water, sorbitol, dipropylene glycol (DPG), dimethicone, isopentyldiol, stearyl PG dimethylamine, behentrimoniumchloride, glutamic acid, aminopropyldimethicone, hydroxyethyl urea, steartrimoniumchloride, PEG-90M, hydrgenated polyisobutene, polysilicone-13, camellia raticulata seed oil, sage oil, propyltrimoniumchloride acreylamie/dimethylacrylamide copolymer, ginger root extarct, camellia japonica flower extract, mineral oil, cetyl alchohol, isopropanol, salicylic acid, isoceteth-10, alcohol, butylene glycol (BG), phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate, fragrance, CI 17200 CI 19140, CI 61570.

Would I repurchase? Yes, especially the conditioner.

Product Rating:
Shampoo: 4 out of 5
Conditioner: 5 out of 5

Product Available:
some Asian Grocery Stores
imomoko.com
prettyandcute.com
Amazon

Review: TRESemme Fresh Start Dry Shampoo

 
Product Description:
Helps keep hair clean in-between washing.
Has Mineral Clay to reduce oils and Citrus to give a refreshing smell.
Made in the USA

Where I purchased it:  Target

Price: $4.79 (may vary)

Product Size: 5.7 oz or 161 grams

Packaging:
Has a spray nozzle that makes it easy to dispense the product evenly. 

Product Review:
This product claims to make your hair look clean on days where you don't have the time or the motivation to wash it. I was really excited about this dry shampoo, but after using it I was highly disappointed.  It left my hair sticky and heavy, weighed down by the product.  It didn't make my hair feel clean, it actually made it more oily after about 40 minutes. Not only did it not work well, it smelled really bad. It has a citrus smell that tries to mask a very strong chemical smell.

How I apply it:
I spray near the roots throughout my hair. 

Ingredients:
Hydrofluorocarbon 152A , Alcohol Denat. , Zea Mays Starch (Corn) , Magnesium Stearate , Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate , Benzyl Alcohol , PPG-3 , Linalool , Limonene , Butylphenyl Methylpropional , Amyl Cinnamal , Hexyl Cinnamal , Citronellol , Geraniol , Glycerin , Citrus Grandis Fruit Extract (Grapefruit) , Citrus Tangerina Peel Extract (Tangerine)

Would I repurchase? No, personally this product did not work for me.

Product Rating: 1 out of 5

Product Available:
At Drug stores
Target
Drugstore.com