On The Shelf

Overview:

DevaCurl Trial & Travel Set

Purchase Price $29.95 + tax

Retailer Multiple (Ulta)

Check out www.devacurl.com for more product info.

Product Review:

Curly girl hair problems will soon be in full effect since spring has come, and right behind it humid summer days (varying on location). Solution, DevaCurl!

My aunt who is also a California native is always on the prowl for curly hair products. After she had spoken with a co-worker regarding her new do my aunt was introduced to DevaCurl products and decided to send me this set. I had seen the green and white label many times at my local Sephora but paid no mind. Honestly, this set is the perfect way to see which products work for you without breaking the bank. The set comes with four essential components all made to harmoniously work together.

1. No-Poo™ Zero Lather Cleanser - This shampoo made without silicones, sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. This means you won’t get stripped or dried out locks. Also don’t expect any suds or lather as you will be blue in the face from trying to create some. I always associated lather with “cleanliness” before using any sulfate free shampoos. This product is easily distributed throughout hair and feels more like a conditioner when applying. The scent is strangely earthy to me, not like dirt but herbal, maybe this is due to the hops and wheat amino acids. But after washing hair the peppermint takes over leaving a tingly refreshed aroma. I loved this shampoo so much I have already used the kit size and replaced it with its full size counterpart. The price is hefty but well worth it for the results.

2. One Condition Daily Conditioner -  Award winning product and for good reason. I really love the rosemary scent of this conditioner. Rosemary, lemon grass, and olive oil are key ingredients but this conditioner echoes the same non-additive chemical free formula as the No-Poo™ shampoo. This conditioner is thick and creamy without feeling slimey or messy on hair. I found it worked much better in conjunction with the No-Poo™ versus alone or with another shampoo. I would purchase the full size only if I had a coupon or it was on sale as it has a price of $39.95 for a 32 oz.

3. Light Defining Gel – OMG I need to just state the aroma of this sweet and fruity product almost lasted ALL DAY! This gel is made without alcohol or mineral oils and has key ingredients like; chamomile, wheat and soy proteins which are very popular now. This did help define curls and was light weight but unfortunately left my hair feeling dried out and more tangled than I expected. It didn’t leave the texture of my hair crunchy like other gels but this fell short due to the knotty mess I was left with.

4. Set It Free 24 Hour Moisture Lock – When I first used this product it was with all the products included in the kit and saw no improvement or change. Actually I put this to the back of my shelf until I had finished the No-Poo™ and One conditioner.  Recently I pulled it out and used it solo without any other gels or products out of the shower. My curls were absolutely frizz free and I had ZERO tangles. I found it works best on damp hair but can be used on dry hair to manage fly aways and frizz. My hair was left shiny but not greasy. The smell follows suit with its “earthy notes” but is not overwhelming or harsh. I would gladly repurchase this in the 3 oz. travel size for overnight purposes.

Overall this set is a great investment for anyone with curly locks. If for nothing else, you can try great products that can be used together or separately to see what works best for your hair. As far as DevaCurl the No-Poo™ is a winner in my book and a new staple on my shelf! 

On The Shelf

Overview:

Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation

Purchase Price $35 + tax

Retailer  Sephora

Check out www.sephora.com for more product info.

Product Review:

After many rounds of Sephora sampling (you can get three in-store!), I finally purchased this foundation. Having an array of 18 shades means if you are fair or dark there is a foundation you can use. The only drawback I have had is my shade, 42 which is the lightest, consistently being out of stock. So before you run out to buy this check Sephora.com first to see it they have it available just in case.

The packaging is clever and all other foundations should follow suit. With every pump the product is pushed up through the top and clearly shows how much is left. This is a huge benefit that I love when preparing to repurchase. “Formulated with 21% pigment” and “polysilicone-II” definitely plays a crucial role in its long wear-ability. This brings me to my next point, which is transfer. This product causes minimal transfer compared to other large brands, and I should know considering I have to constantly change face masks.

I usually mix this with MAC Studio FIX fluid for a nice matte finish. I love the full coverage and don’t even need a concealer when I use it. Now the consistency is thick and dries quickly so time is not your friend! I recommend using a beauty blender or a stippling brush to achieve the best results. 

This foundation does have an initial “chemical” odor which quickly disappears. And a little goes a long way with this product so be mindful of the pumping.

For me this is not an everyday use as it is a “heavy” makeup product. The price is well worth it as there is no capping issue or air exposure due to the packaging. I love the look this foundation gives and it is by all means it is in a regular rotation on my face and my shelf, as I’m on my second bottle. 

On The Shelf

Overview: Benefit They’re Real! Push-up Eyeliner

Purchase Price $24 (price from Benefit)

Retailer Multiple

Check out www.benefitcosmetics.com for more product info

Product Review:

This liner made its way to me courtesy of Benefit/Birchbox promoting Wing Women Weekend, last year. Allure magazine dubbed this liner “Best of Beauty” and “Breakthrough” for 2014. The exterior of the pen is sleek black and attractive with pops of color. It is easy to hold and the amount held inside appears to be a good amount.

By twisting the bottom of the liner, with the cap off of course, the black gel creeps its way out of the angled tip. Now this is where some may run into trouble. If too much product is twisted out the application will result in a sloppy look, and not enough will need a second application and may still result in a very amateur look. Best part about this liner is this way of storing product within the pen applicator until it is ready for use, making it fresh all the time. Worst part about this is making sure to clean the tip as the gel will dry out and block any new gel from coming out. The previous step IS a necessity and needs to be done every time you use this liner.

The angled tip is mean to “hug” your lash line, which I agree it definitely gives you that close edge but, somehow does not apply as smoothly as I would like. I like to do a winged/cat-eye look on occasion and never had a problem until using this liner. I mean EVERY time I use this gel liner I can never achieve the desired look. Another fact Benefit claims it is quick-drying and smudge-free, perhaps too quick-drying and smudge-free as you cannot simply fix little mistakes without using makeup remover.

I feel They’re Real is a definite breakthrough for the gel liner market. However, the angled tip simply rubs me the wrong way in addition to not being able to get a desirable look from what is a wonderful product, in theory. Also if you are not comfortable with liquid or other gels this is not going to work for you either. Once I finish this tube I highly doubt I will ever repurchase this liner, unless it goes through a major change in formula. 

On The Shelf

Overview: LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics Mask Of Magnaminty – Self Preserving

Purchase Price $12.95 + tax

Retailer Local LUSH store

Check out www.lushusa.com for more product info

Product Review:

After reading such wonderful reviews on beauty websites and being a fan of Catastrophe Cosmetic I was ready to try another LUSH creation.

Unlike a majority of other face masks offered by LUSH with a specific use by date Magnaminty is “self-preserving” meaning it does not need refrigeration, and can last up to five months! Having had my black signature container for three months I have not seen any change in color or consistency. This is a minty-green chunky mask that does not look appealing in the container or on your face but the minty smell wins for best aroma in a face mask.

Once on the face or body there is a slight tingling sensation that is not overwhelming and does not last long. Being made with China Clay, honey, vanilla, and fresh peppermint LUSH claims it will “pull dirt from pores”, “calm redness and soothe.” For me these claims seem possible as my face felt “clean” but the calming of any redness was not felt or seen. Leaving this mask on for 10 – 30 minutes allows for it to stiffen on the face to an almost rubbery texture which was somewhat difficult to wash off. The use of warm to hot water was needed as the mask really dig cling to my skin. The Aduki beans do feel like a natural exfoliator however cleaning up my sink was more of a chore than a treat for me afterwards.

Final thoughts on this are not as glowing since I did not feel like I benefited from this mask. Problem breakout areas seemed worse after use and actually seemed as if it created more breakouts. However the price on a fresh handmade product like this is great for the amount you do receive. Plus since the container is a part of LUSH’s recycling program I will be able to put it toward another product I like or want to try. But sadly, this will not be making a return to my shelf. 

On The Shelf

Overview: Marc Anthony Dream Waves Beach Spray

Purchase Price $8.99 + tax

Retailer Local Ulta

Check out www.marcanthony.com for more product info

Product Review:

Spring could not be getting here soon enough for this chickadee to remind me warmer days are certainly head. But to shake those wintry blues away, and almost fast forward to summer, the heavenly coconut aroma of this spray will magically teleport you to your very own beach front bungalow…well at least your hair.

This spray is simple to use on out of the shower wet hair or dry as can be morning bedhead, as I’ve done both. On wet hair I get more refined curls and spraying on dry hair has given me that simple beach wave look this product boasts. I’ve seen a friend with poker straight hair achieve the easy beachy tousled hair with no problems. It definitely adds shine to those no shampoo days too, which is probably from the “hydrolyzed silk” and pro-vitamin B5. As the Dream Waves mists onto hair it does not weigh it down or leave it dull and crunchy the way other sprays sometimes do. So if you are looking for that true “beach hair wave”, look no further Dream Waves delivers!

To sum up: 1. Affordable. 2. Product delivers on promises. 3. Demonstration on the Marc Anthony website on how to use (click link above). 4. Coconut smell is not overly chemically artificial. This was truly a dream addition to my shelf!

On The Shelf

Overview: Physicians Formula Sexy Booster Ooh La La Sexy Eyes Trio

Purchase Price $12.95 + tax

Retailer Multiple (CVS local)

Check out www.physiciansformula.com for more product info

Product Review:

Physicians Formula is a company where the products I’ve bought were always dermatologist approved. Even though this trio was given to me it is as well dermatologist approved. Finding drugstore alternatives for cosmetic counter eyeliners always is a task. Add in the fact most “good” ones are usually expensive and you may wonder, what can be left? Again, want to say thanks to the co-worker and reader of this blog who gave this set to me.

The Sexy Eyes Trio is very appealing as it stores so neatly into a “provocative pouch” always ready for on the go action! Having your choice of three different types of liners means you’ll most likely love at least one of them. First up was a retractable pencil liner, which was my favorite. It lined the upper and lower lids perfectly and worked well for the inner rims without any smudging. Surprisingly I feel it could last a full 24 hours on upper lids, let’s say in the form of a cat-eye, without major issues. Next the Kohl Kajal was smooth to apply but smudged a great deal. I always seemed to mess the tip of the crayon like liner whenever recapping for storage. Last, the felt-tip eyeliner, for me, was a no go. Mine was completely dried out from the minute I tore into it fresh from the packaging.

Out of the two that I was able to use I had no issues with sensitivity or irritation to eyes or skin. This truly is a “hypoallergenic” product as promised along with being gluten and paraben free. I would say a good try for any shelf and the results I had would make me confident to try one of Physicians Formula full size eyeliners. 

On The Shelf

Overview: 1995 Lipstick and Buttercup Lipstick

Purchase Price $19 ea + tax and S/H

Retailer www.gerardcosmetics.com

Check out www.gerardcosmetics.com for more product info

Product Review:

1995 is a signature lipstick in the Gerard Cosmetics lineup thanks to Jaclyn Hill. If you’re a makeup junkie you most likely follow social media outlets and have seen Gerard Cosmetics on a face here and there, especially lips. Their lipsticks caught my eye for many reasons but first and foremost are the colors. 1995 is a creamy matte neutral tone with a hint of brown “inspired” by the 90s grunge runways and teenage angst. This color is perfect for any throwback look or use for modern twist. I have had no issues with this lipstick staining or drying out my lips. The color last almost all day but touchups are easy as the color glides on with the lightest touch. I have found 1995 to pair great with MAC’s Soar lip liner.

Buttercup is another Jaclyn Hill Collection color offered by Gerard Cosmetics. Having a creamcicle scent adds to this wonderful nude pink color. Unfortunately this color was a spot on match to my natural lip color, so applying it made no difference. However, my friend who is more medium skin toned with more rose colored lips tried it on and it gave her that instant POP she was looking for.

Sure wish Gerard would expand enough to partner with a retailer where I could test colors before buying, just so there are no repeats of my Buttercup experience. But it looks like 1995 will be on my shelf for as long as I can get it.