L'oreal HiP Shocking Shadow Pigments

I LOVE this stuff. LOVE LOVE LOVE. It comes with a great brush that is actually functional, and the array of colors available is to die for. The name is no joke, the pigment is high intensity and beautiful. This is my favorite color, although I do have several others. The pictured color is Intrepid, and I can't even quite describe it. In some lights it's green, in others it looks rusty, in some it's black mixed with a cinnamony shimmer. It's absolutely fabulous. Worn alone, it creates this spectacular, almost "changing picture" quality with the different colors that are created at different angles. Today I layered it over a shimmery gold, and I couldn't stop staring at my eyelids every time I passed a mirror. It's mesmerizing. I also have this eyeshadow in Fiery, a pink that looks a little Barbie in the container, but once applied it is a beautiful, edgy, atypical pink. When I wore Fiery, I received more compliments on my eye-makeup than I think I ever have.

I hate sounding like a broken record and shouting LOVE LOVE LOVE, but with this HiP line L'oreal is selling, it's just absolutely true. I want EVERY. SINGLE. TINY. PRODUCT. it contains. I already reviewed another eyeshadow from the line here. There's a lipgloss I will be reviewing as soon as Missy and I can do another product photo shoot, a lipgloss that has changed my makeuping life. Also up for future review - an eyeliner that has forever solved my smudging eyeliner troubles.

Wow, I just realized we are giving L'oreal a lot of love this week. Oh, well, they rock.

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L'oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother & Gel Cleanser

I was at Walmart a few weeks ago feeling the economy blues, but knew I had a $20 bill in allowance (it's what keeps me and my husband going through some tough times, we LOVE our $20 every two week allowances and it helps curb the itch for big purchases!) So I was browsing the skin care section trying to decide what new product I wanted to try.

Kelli had recently reviewed this L'oreal Skin Genesis product and when I was doing that product shoot, I totally thought their packaging was pretty slick. So as I was browsing through that line of products, the Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother jumped out at me. I was intrigued because I seriously have the biggest pores on the planet! I've been cursed with large pores and it's a constant battle to figure out what works best. I was so excited to buy it, even though it has a hefty $17 price tag. Lucky for me, this small bottle of skin re-smoother came with a ginormous FREE bottle of their Gel Cleanser (which retails for around $7). Score!

I use the cleanser twice a day and it's super smooth, foams up really fast and cleans really well! I really like the cleanser, except for the the strong scent. It smells like flowery pink grapefruit and it's a little overpowering. I have to make sure I rinse it off really well or I feel like I can smell it all day long! The Skin Re-Smoother takes about three small pumps to cover my face and neck. While I don't notice a huge difference in the size of my pores yet (it may take more weeks of use) I did notice that it instantly mattifies my skin, which is ALWAYS a good thing. It also tingles a little so I'm sure it's doing something right!

I was hoping to totally and completely love this set, but am still a little underwhelmed. With time I think there will be a nice improvement in my skin, but with a lot of products, it just takes time sometimes. The cleanser works great, but I'm hoping for a bigger improvement in the texture of my skin and pores the longer I use the re-smoother!

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Yikes

Good morning, everyone. A review is in the works, but in the meantime, enjoy this interesting, slightly disturbing article about all those "beauty tips" we heard while growing up.

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L'oreal Shocking Volume Mascara

I want to give a shout out to waterproof mascara. My beloved baby kitty-cat was killed yesterday and I cried the day away. It took me twice as long to put on any makeup because I couldn't stop the tears from flowing, but when I did stop long enough to put on mascara, I decided on waterproof. I normally hate that stuff. No matter how "easy" it is to get off with eye-makeup remover - it really isn't so easy, and I just hate that feeling of something semi-permanent sticking to my eyes. But that's just me - I also refuse to wear contacts or put other foreign objects into my body most people would for practical purposes.

I bought L'oreal Shocking Volume Mascara in the waterproof formula when the heat and humidity first started getting intense down here because everything else smudges the second I step out on the front porch (with the exception of my beloved Beauty Tubes, but sometimes a girl needs to mix things up a bit.) The tube is very fun-looking, although a little awkward to open and hold. You first apply the Lash Defining Base Coat - and I just wasn't all that impressed with it. Other primers go on generously enough that you can see where you've applied it. This was very thin and just kind of wimpy. As for the mascara itself, the wand is a comb, and some of the reviews I've read online really hate that type of wand, but I particularly like it. While it would be easy for things to get clumpy using a novice hand, once you get the hang of it, I find it does very well at separating and defining. I really like that comb, although the other day I did accidentally stab myself in the eye with it, and that wasn't fun. But if you aren't clumsy like I am, you should be fine.

As for the removal, it was easier than some, although I still couldn't get enough of it off to suit me. But all in all, considering the flood of tears I wailed out yesterday and the total lack of raccoon eyes, it does the trick. I paid around $11 for this, so it just depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend for something that technically contains less actual product. I myself have never found a problem with this; it seems to last long enough - although my lashes are already black so I probably don't need as much as others.

I think I might need to wear it again today...

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Tip o' the Day

Mix liquid concealer with moisturizer at a ratio of about one to three. Use this around the eyes, the nose - anywhere. It blends easily and makes the skin look perfect.

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Ulta Smokey Eye Kit

I bought this online at Ulta, and for some reason - it has disappeared from the site. I have to assume it's still available, and maybe I'm not looking in the right place. At any rate, I love it. I paid only about $10 for all that you see pictured above, plus a pencil sharpener. On the box are fool-proof instructions on how to achieve the smokey eye look. By using the grey, you get the classic look, by using the purple, you get a more modern smokey eye. The shadows are good, saturated colors, easy to apply and blend. The eyeliner is soft and easy to use, the brushes are great, and the lipstick is a lovely sheer berry color. If you have a hard time knowing how to apply shadow to achieve a certain look, I recommend this, or something similar, to get you started. That is, assuming you can find it.

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Maybelline Mineral Power Lipcolor in Sand

While I do like the mineral products out there, that is not why I bought this lipstick. Since Missy and I started this website, I've become more aware of how much I like Maybelline. I never paid much attention to what was what before. But time and again, we post something from Maybelline, and we love it. I have more products on the back-burner to review positively - and many of them are Maybelline. And this lipstick is no exception. It applies easily and smoothly, and the selection of colors is perfect.

About seven years ago, my older sister was driven to the point of obsession to find the perfect neutral beige gloss color that was used on Britney Spears. She could not find it anywhere. She bought many, and many failed. Because of her quest, of which I was an active search party member, it is still ingrained in my brain to find that perfect beige. You know, the color you wear with some massively dramatic rock-n-roll eyes. So on one of my less-than-stellar days about a month ago, I needed a little (cheap) pick-me-up. I saw Maybelline Mineral Power Lipcolors, and this one jumped out at me - Sand. My old drive to find "Britney Spears Beige" fired up, especially when I saw the price of under $5. I brought it home and guess what? Put it on with a clear or shimmery gloss - and you've got Britney Spears Beige looking back at you in the mirror. I can't remember if my sister ever found one she liked or if she just gave up, but I tell her, and you, now: Get thee to the Maybelline section! That is, if you want Britney Spears Beige. Which you may not. And that's okay. I'm sure there's another color just right for you.

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Olay Age Defying Protective Renewal Lotion

Back when I bought this night cream and loved it, I was using an Aveeno moisturizer I didn't really like. I had every intention of buying Aveeno Postively Radiant Moisturizer, but could NOT find it at Target when I was in desperate need of some. So I decided on this $8 (on sale) moisturizer instead from the same Olay line as my awesome night cream.

Am I disappointed? Nope. It makes my skin super soft and keeps it hydrated all day long. It contains beta-hydroxy and full-spectrum SPF 15. It says it's oil-free and won't clog pores which is majorly important to me because I'm pretty sure I have the largest pores on the planet!

I actually really like this moisturizer. I'm not a fan of the texture of the lotion before I put it on and it takes a few minutes to dry completely (especially in those sticky early Texas mornings), but those are my only two complaints. It has anti-aging ingredients which are always good for your skin, no matter how old or young you are and the ever important SPF 15. If you're looking for a new one to try, I would recommend it. But when it runs out, I'm definitely tracking down the elusive Aveeno moisturizer! I have to see if it's worth all the hype!

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AMBI Even & Clear

Well, apparently, this product is for women with "rich skin tones," those with "African, Latin, and South Asian" heritage, which certainly doesn't include myself, but I know it concerns many of you. I didn't know this was its purpose when I purchased it. But I still liked it. It is very inexpensive: I bought each of these for less than $5. I like the way the cleanser foams and the way the exfoliating wash lathers. My skin felt nice and clean, all traces of makeup were gone, and my skin didn't feel tight afterward at all. I would be curious to see what those of you with "rich skin tones" think. To those of us who are "paler than Frosty's naked butt," I recommend it as just a good, inexpensive cleansing system. I plan on buying more, with the hopes it'll help me look more tan. HA! Kidding.

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Vidal Sassoon Nano Straigtener

This one is so much better than that other one. It's pretty, it feels smooth as it straightens, not like it's ripping out my weave, it gets HOT (somewhere around 400 degrees), so it actually straightens. And it doesn't leave a ton of hair in my sink afterward. Sorry, Sasquatch. You'll be cold this winter.

*For the record, I do not actually have a weave.

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Conair Straightening Iron

I'm honestly not sure which straightening iron this is. Perhaps this one? I bought it a while back, so I forget the specifics. It served its purpose for a while, but I was never completely happy with it. It merely makes my hair less wavy. Not straight. Not by a long shot. I guess it doesn't get quite hot enough. Also, it feels like my hair is being ripped out by the roots when I use it. Oh, wait. My hair IS being ripped out by the roots when I use it. Whatever hair is left is then broken in half. I can look down at the bathroom sink and see enough mutilated hair to make a toupee for Sasquatch after a campfire mishap. I originally bought it because it was pretty cheap, around $19.99, and I'm a broke little lass. I guess you truly get what you pay for. My hair is at an in-between stage right now, so I couldn't take the painful mediocrity any longer. A few months ago, when my husband's job still let him have overtime and we could afford it, I bought a better one, which I'll be reviewing tomorrow. Now don't get me wrong, the new one is not one of those $79.99 - $100.00 devices - I absolutely cannot afford that. But it was a bit more than this one, and so much better than mediocre. To be continued...

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Winner!

Congratulations to Sarasophia, winner of L'oreal's Double Extend Mascara. Sarasophia (Very lovely sound that name has, by the way...) please send us an e-mail to primpandtell@gmail.com with your address and we'll send the mascara out this week! Thanks for reading and entering, everybody!

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Neutrogena 3-in-1 Concealer for Eyes

In theory, if we're supposed to fight wrinkles, protect ourselves from the sun, even out our skin tone and prevent pimples (just to name a few needs) we must have the following: anti-aging serum, anti-wrinkle moisturizer which may or may not contain SPF (if not, we'll also need SPF lotion), and some sort of salicylic acid treatment. On top of all of that, we might need, say, foundation, concealer, etc. Of course, many of these products may be combined into one genius product, as is the case with this concealer, Neutrogena 3-in-1. Our eyes are the most sensitive part of our face, and they are very susceptible to the sun, plus any tugging we may do while applying makeup or checking for wrinkles. I had been using another eye cream for a while when I realized it didn't contain any SPF. Well, okay, so I decided to look for another eye cream that did contain it. To my surprise, I couldn't find one. At least not one I could reasonably afford. And then I found this. I think it's perfect. It's all of the things our eyes need and more, because the concealer isn't just average - it's greatness. It covers my very prominent dark circles with ease, and it stays put all day. (You technically don't need an additional eye cream, although I do use one because my eyes tend to get very dry and peel underneath, so I need extra moisture.) It's a fabulous price considering it is essentially an eye cream as well, averaging around $10 depending on where you buy.

On a little side note: My Mother's Day gift from my husband was to let me have a little spree at Ulta. So I have this lovely box full of some fun stuff which I am very excited to review for all of you. Stay tuned...

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Maybelline VolumeXLSeduction Plumping Lipcolor in Passionate Plum

One of our previous reviews, for Maybelline VolumeXLSeduction Plumping Lipcolor in Peach Plump, was also a giveaway. Our winner, Michelle, won a tube of Passionate Plum. She was very kind to review it herself, and sent it along to us. I was excited she liked it as much as I did, and I enjoyed reading her review:

"It's pretty innocuous in the tube, looks quite plain actually. I'm a fan of fancy jars and aesthetics which I suppose is a girly thing, right? When applied to the lips you feel a little 'something' but it's barely noticeable. It's very similar to the feeling you have on your lips after eating something with cayenne pepper on it, but there's no spice, just a faint tingle. I was raised in So Cal on salsa and hot carrots, so I suspect I am less sensitive than most to spicy things. The feeling did not bother me in the slightest. I also have very full lips so I could not tell if there were any plumping effects. I will tell you this: it's my favorite lipstick ever. I'm a make up snob, too. I rarely wear it so anything that pleases me enough to wear it every day is kind of like finding your life mate: it's a keeper.

Why? The color looks awesome on my skin. So much so I don't know if I'll even bother trying the other colors. It also goes on very smoothly and moisturizes well. I didn't notice great staying power but I haven't used it with a lip liner or primer, yet. One or both should extend the wearing time. All in all I would highly recommend this lipstick. All the reviews I read on it (I was trying to find the active ingredients, with no luck) have complimented all of the colors it comes in. None have said anything exciting about it's plumping power. Go figure."

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The giveaway...

...for L'oreal Double Extend Mascara will end tomorrow. Enter your comments on this post until 5:00 pm CST, and I'll announce the winner Wednesday morning.

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Tip o' the Day

If powder bronzer looks dirty, muddy, or simply too dark, diffuse the color by going over the skin with a clean, fluffy brush. If you make the same mistake with cream bronzer, rub a few drops of moisturizer over the area.

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L'oreal Double Extend Mascara

I've mentioned this mascara before, in a previous post about L'oreal Beauty Tubes Mascara:

"The other day in the car, Missy turned to me and asked if I was wearing my beloved Beauty Tubes, because she said my lashes looked really good and long. But it wasn't the Tubes, it was the Double Extend..."

It does indeed make my lashes extra pretty and feathery long. Leave a comment. One person will win it. Good luck!

**This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for entering!**

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Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cherries in the Snow

One of my best friends in high school, Jill, was beautiful. Arrestingly, disgustingly so. She had dark hair and the most amazing green/turquoise eyes. I can't quite describe their color any better as I've never seen it anywhere else. She was beautiful enough that she didn't have to wear a stitch of makeup, and she didn't, except for this lipstick. In this very color. Jill didn't carry a purse, but she carried Cherries in the Snow in her pocket like most people might do with Chapstick. She designed and sewed much of her own clothing. I envied her beauty and creativity so much, and wanted to be like her, but I lacked her confidence and her "to hell with what you think" attitude. As an adult, I'm a lot more confident, because over the years I've realized I have a lot to be confident about: I think I'm pretty funny, a good friend, not horribly shabby-looking (except for lotsa-love handles...) Many times I've wished I could just grab High School Kelli and say, "Chill out! Don't feel sorry for yourself! People like you! You are pretty! You are fun! Now go have a life!"

About a year ago, I was browsing cosmetics, and I just happened to look down, right at Cherries in the Snow. I smiled to myself as I grabbed it, popped off the cap, rolled it up and admired the color. I thought about Jill and high school. I thought about how even though I wish I had no regrets, I do have them, and I wish I could go back and let myself be me. I always thought it was such a gorgeous color. So I bought it, and I wear it, and I love it. I feel beautiful when I wear it. Not in a "being like Jill" way, but in a "Kelli ain't so bad" way. I wear it to make up for lost opportunities, ones that I lost because I was too scared.

Now I think I need to dig Jill's phone number out of my cell phone and give her a call.

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Tip o' the Day

Thanks to April's issue of Glamour for today's tip:

How do you really use a curling iron? Grab a random section of hair, spritz on hairspray and wrap around the iron (skip the clamp). Point the iron's head up to make spirals, down for waves. Hold for 10 seconds, release.

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L'oreal Skin Genesis Multi-Layer Cell Strengthening System

My mother-in-law bought these in a combo pack for only $5 at Walmart. The first product is the Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate. I have to say, I really liked the way this felt on my skin. The serum is so smooth and cool, and it has a pleasant smell. After you put it on, your skin does feel tighter, but I don't think it's a miracle and that my skin is actually firmer, I think the stuff just dries kind of tight. I also found I couldn't use it in the morning prior to makeup application. After I applied it with the moisturizer, I tried to apply my foundation, which streaked into gummy blobs on my face. I only used the serum at night for that reason. But I noticed I started getting a lot of whiteheads in the days following my first applications. It might do better on someone else's skin, but I can't use it anymore, which is a shame, because it does feel and smell quite good.

The Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 is another story, I quite liked it. It's light, blends easily, and doesn't interfere with my makeup. Plus, the bottles are just gorgeous. Enough so that I'm convinced I should try harder with that serum...

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Tip o' the Day

When plucking your eyebrows, taper both brows uniformly by moving from the left brow to the right one after tweezing every few hairs. Be sure to stand back a few feet from the mirror every once in a while to get perspective. Also try to tweeze your brows in natural sunlight - it illuminates all the teeny strands a bathroom bulb will miss. And never tweeze them in a magnifying mirror - it's too easy to overdo it.

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