Shadowball
Member Since: October 10, 2011Reviews
Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White Toothpaste
I didn't want to mess with the 3D white strips (I tried them once before and struggled to get them off my teeth), so I decided to give this particular product a try. My teeth aren't insanely yellow by any means, but I just wanted to brighten them up... +
I didn't want to mess with the 3D white strips (I tried them once before and struggled to get them off my teeth), so I decided to give this particular product a try. My teeth aren't insanely yellow by any means, but I just wanted to brighten them up a tiny bit and I figured this toothpaste could help me.
It says right on the tube that this product will remove 90 percent of stains within five days of use. I knew that was an exaggeration, so I figured I'd wait until I went through the whole tube before passing any judgments. So I finished off the product and can say that my teeth haven't changed in the slightest. They aren't brighter or whiter, and while my mouth certainly felt clean after using it, I didn't see any more difference with this stuff than I do with my everyday tartar control toothpaste.
In my experience, this was a waste of time and money. I suppose if your teeth are heavily stained from coffee or smoking, you might notice a difference in how white your teeth are with this product. But in my case, I saw no difference at all.
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NYX Lip Lingerie
I tend to lean toward nude/neutral matte lipstick shades, so when I learned about NYX's Lingerie lipstick line (which is all nude shades and also matte), I was ecstatic! The price is a little more than I'm normally willing to spend on a tube of... +
I tend to lean toward nude/neutral matte lipstick shades, so when I learned about NYX's Lingerie lipstick line (which is all nude shades and also matte), I was ecstatic! The price is a little more than I'm normally willing to spend on a tube of lipstick, but I figured I could splurge a little for something I'd been looking for. I've tried NYX's lip products in the past and was very impressed with their Soft Matte Lip Cream, so I figured I could expect great quality from this product too.
Gotta say I was really disappointed in this particular lipstick. I purchased this product in the shade Baby Doll, which is the lightest shade in the line; I was looking for something that wasn't too dark or too pink and Baby Doll seemed to fit the bill. The lipstick itself is very creamy and buttery inside the tube and it glides onto the lips relatively nicely. The issues started once the product was on my lips.
The color itself isn't too terrible and is mostly true to the color you see in the tube. First of all, this product goes on rather streaky and will require a couple coats of lipstick for an even finish (that could just be an issue with the lighter colors, though). I expected this product to eventually dry on my lips too, but after a second coat of lipstick, it stays tacky and honestly feels like Scotch tape on my lips. In addition, this lipstick accentuates every single crease and wrinkle in my lips in the worst ways, making them look absolutely awful and dried out. Oh, and don't even think about pressing your lips together either, because this will smear your even coat and make it look worse.
You really have to work to get this stuff off your skin too. I had to scrub for some time with baby oil to get it off my lips. I like a lip product with staying power, but this was just a little ridiculous.
Overall, I'm not impressed at all with NYX Lip Lingerie. It's sticky, it smears and it makes my lips look and feel crappy. I really had high hopes for this product, but honestly, I've used better-quality lipsticks that were a fraction of the cost of this one. This isn't to say NYX has bad products in general because they certainly don't. This one was a real dud and I fully intend to return it because I'm never going to use it again. Le sigh, my quest for a good matte nude lipstick continues.
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L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick
I wasn't completely satisfied with this product simply because the colors I chose looked different than what I was expecting (and yes, I did look up color swatches before buying), but I'll do my best to review the product overall rather than just... +
I wasn't completely satisfied with this product simply because the colors I chose looked different than what I was expecting (and yes, I did look up color swatches before buying), but I'll do my best to review the product overall rather than just focusing on my problem with the shades I picked.
I don't much care for shiny lip products, so of course, matte lipstick had my attention immediately, and at $2.00 per tube (via ikatehouse.com, on sale), I figured I didn't have much to lose if they turned out awful. So I ordered three shades: Sunset Chic, Hush and Poetic. Sunset Chic appeared to be a light, creamy orange shade, Hush looked like a rosy neutral color and Poetic was a cool gray color. Weirdly, they look different depending on the type of light I wore them in. In natural light, I found that Sunset Chic is more of a light neon orange-pink and Hush sort of resembles the Crayola crayon color Carnation Pink. Under artificial light, Sunset Chic looks like what I'd call "neon Creamsicle" and the pink undertones weren't quite as evident, and Hush looked more subdued. Very strange. Poetic looked the same under both types of light and I absolutely loved that color.
This lipstick, due to its matte appearance, doesn't go on quite as smoothly as its shiny counterparts, but it still glides on quite nicely. Your lips feel powdery and silky while wearing it and the color goes on nice and bold. The tip is rather broad, though, so precise application might be tough or require the use of a brush.
Overall, a good quality lip product for a fantastic price. This particular line offers both everyday and wild colors: about half of them are various shades of red, orange and light pink while the other half are vibrant pinks, fuschias, purples (including lavender), blue and black. So there's a little something for everyone's tastes, though if I could change anything, it would be to have more neutral/nude shades available. I would still very much recommend L.A. Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick... just look at swatches of each color before making a purchase.
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L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows
I'll try and keep my review as unbiased as possible since I personally don't much care for sparkly/shimmery eyeshadows, but I was given this particular item for free, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm not a big fan of L'Oreal products in general... +
I'll try and keep my review as unbiased as possible since I personally don't much care for sparkly/shimmery eyeshadows, but I was given this particular item for free, so I figured I'd give it a try. I'm not a big fan of L'Oreal products in general, but hey, free makeup. Please note that I used eyelid primer and setting spray with this particular product.
I got the shade Unlimited Sky, which is sort of a bluish-silver color. Applied dry, it's very unimpressive, so I tried with a damp brush instead. I did see an improvement in the color, but in order to actually get some decent results, I really had to pack the eyeshadow onto my eyelid. You cannot brush this stuff on - you have to get a generous amount on the brush and then pat it on, and do so repeatedly.
After piling the eyeshadow on, I wound up with shimmery blue eyelids. The color is a little subdued (so not insanely sparkly) and it did stay on for quite a while. Plus, I think applying with a damp brush actually helps bring out the shine in this particular eyeshadow. I'm a bit of a cheapskate when it comes to makeup, and I personally would never spend eight dollars on a single color of eyeshadow, so the price itself would be a big turn-off for me. But, overall, it's not too bad of a product. I would not buy it for myself, but if you like shiny eyeshadow that isn't too loud or bold, this would probably be a good choice for you.
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L'Oreal Paris Hair Care Advanced Hairstyle Sleek It Frizz Vanisher Cream
Never in my life would I have ever imagined I'd need an anti-frizz hair product. My hair is not only flat as a board, but it's also very oily. I thought frizz only happened to people with dry and/or textured hair (wavy, curly, etc.), but my hair... +
Never in my life would I have ever imagined I'd need an anti-frizz hair product. My hair is not only flat as a board, but it's also very oily. I thought frizz only happened to people with dry and/or textured hair (wavy, curly, etc.), but my hair always looks very flyaway, even with conditioner. I'm not crazy about using de-tangling spray on a frequent basis because it leaves a film on my hair that makes it look more oily, which is the last thing I need. So I went in search of a hair product that could tame my mane without leaving me with excess buildup that also didn't cost an arm and a leg.
After a little research, I found L'Oreal's Sleek It Frizz Vanisher Cream. It looked promising, and at just $3.99, it seemed like a reasonably-priced item that, should it fail, wouldn't set me back a whole lot. I got it, and while I don't use it every day, I've found that it does seem to work for me. It just needs to be applied to damp hair, so after I get out of the shower and take my towel off my head, I apply some of the product to the ends of my hair (not the scalp). My hair is about halfway down my back and I find that a single pump of this cream is sufficient for me, so a little does go a long way.
This product does help smooth out my hair, so it's definitely effective. It's not perfect (Suave's keratin-infused smoothing shampoo is the best smoothing product I've used, personally), but it does make a noticeable difference. Like other smoothing products, it also acts as a de-tangler and makes my hair ever-so-easy to brush, even while it's wet. My hair isn't perfectly smooth after using it, and since it's not completely unmanageable to begin with, I don't know how effective it would be for someone with severely frizzy hair.
Personally, I do like it, and it works pretty well for me; I can't speak for anyone whose hair is thick, curly or dry, but I'd say it's a worthwhile risk if you want to give it a go. You just might need to use more product than I do for a better result, that's all.
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Meluna cup
Due to some lady problems that cause me to need to use tampons almost every day, I finally decided to invest in a menstrual cup since it would be cheaper in the long run compared to buying a box of tampons every month. I'm on a bit of a budget, so I... +
Due to some lady problems that cause me to need to use tampons almost every day, I finally decided to invest in a menstrual cup since it would be cheaper in the long run compared to buying a box of tampons every month. I'm on a bit of a budget, so I had to do a little research to try and find out which cup would suit both me and my wallet best before committing to a purchase. The ever-popular Diva Cup seemed to be quite large and stiff based on what I've read, and I also saw downsides to some of its competitors, such as the Moon Cup and Lunette. After much consideration, I finally settled on the Meluna Cup.
The Meluna comes in:
Four sizes (small, medium, large and extra large)
Two heights (Classic and Shorty)
Three levels of softness/flexibility (Classic, Soft and Sport)
If you're wondering how to figure out which size and shape would be best for you, worry not! Meluna's site proved to be very accommodating – by taking a short quiz there, the site determined which size cup would be the ideal fit for you based on my size, activity level and number of times you've given birth. The cup recommended to me was the soft, regular-height (as in not the Shorty), medium-volume cup.
Aside from that, there is also an assortment of handles to choose from (basic, stem, ball, and ring) in order to help you retrieve the cup when it comes time to empty it. I went with the ring handle since it's described as being good for the beginner cup user. There doesn't seem to be much of a variety in terms of color (I only had clear and purple available at the time of purchase), but considering where the cup is going, does it really matter what color it is?
But here's the $64,000 question: does it work? In the experience of this first-time menstrual cup user, I have to say that it does, indeed, work. I had quite a few doubts in regard to menstrual cups in general since the most frequent complaint I see about them all is leakage. The way these things are supposed to work is they form a suction seal inside your body in order to collect blood, meaning they shouldn't leak. However, whether its due to improper use or incorrect size, many ladies find that their cups leak. Me? Mine hasn't leaked at all.
I will say that I found this thing a little awkward to insert. You're supposed to fold the cup before inserting, which I did, but I find that it unfolds when I'm trying to get it where it needs to go. This could just be because I'm a first-time user, but I do have to try at least twice to get the cup in. Once I get it in and it unfolds, though, I find that all I need to do is push it upward and it falls right into place. I don't know if this makes any big difference, but I insert the cup while standing up. It's very comfortable too; I don't even know I've got it in once it becomes situated.
I don't find it difficult to remove either, though it will feel a little funny when you take it out since you have to break the suction, meaning it's going to pull on your insides just a tiny bit. It's not painful or even uncomfortable – just kinda weird. I've also got short fingers, but I find that it's not difficult for me to reach the cup handle... though the ring style handle may be helping with that because it allows for a good grip.
I'm very happy with the Meluna cup, not only because it works far better than I expected it to, but because I can quit buying tampons. It's affordable ($25), easy to clean, easy to customize and very comfortable. Plus, I can wear the cup for considerably longer than a tampon because it can hold much more fluid than a tampon. I'd not only buy this little doodad again, but I'd totally recommend it.
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Jesse's Girl Backstage Collection Eyeshadow Palette
In the past, I've tried Jessie's Girl eyeshadow (the loose eyeshadow, to be precise) and was not impressed with the overall quality of the product. But I spotted these Backstage eyeshadow palettes at my local Rite Aid and, having been on the lookout... +
In the past, I've tried Jessie's Girl eyeshadow (the loose eyeshadow, to be precise) and was not impressed with the overall quality of the product. But I spotted these Backstage eyeshadow palettes at my local Rite Aid and, having been on the lookout for an affordable neutral eyeshadow palette, I decided to grab one. There are two palettes in the collection from what I could see: Natural Nudes (which is a nude palette) and Sounds of the City (which is more of a smoky palette). As much as I would like a nude eyeshadow palette, most of the shades were shimmery and/or looked too light to even show up. The Sounds of the City set had more variation in shades, as far as I'm concerned (has mostly warm tones, but a couple cooler greys too).
I paid $5.99 for this item, which is about half what I expected to pay for it, so the price is pretty good. As with all eye products, I applied eyelid primer prior to applying the eyeshadow and setting spray afterward. As far as quality, it's... alright. I didn't expect it to be spectacular given the price, but it's not bad.
The colors are pretty easy to blend into other colors as well as into the skin for a smoky effect, but it also can brush off skin really easily too, so be careful to not sweep your work off your face. The product itself is very powdery - you will pick up a lot of it on your brush, which sounds good, but it also means a higher chance of having excess powder flicked down onto your cheeks and across your eyelids. The lighter shades in the top row are relatively subtle, and I imagine they may not show up all that well on the average skin tone; I've got pretty fair skin, so the lighter browns were still noticeable for me. The lightest colors aren't incredibly bold either, and you may find that you need to layer this eyeshadow to make it stand out.
Oddly enough, the dark brown is actually the darkest color in the entire palette. I assumed the two grey shades on the far right would have been darkest, but they're actually not a whole lot darker than those two shades of brown in the middle of the bottom row. With the help of primer and setting spray, this eyeshadow did last me for about 10 hours (and survived a nap without smudging) before I noticed significant fading.
Overall, this is an okay palette for the cosmetics fan on a budget. It's not bad for the price, but don't expect anything exceptional from a six-dollar product. Jessie's Girl eyeshadows don't adhere to skin incredibly well, but you may find slightly better luck applying the eyeshadow with damp brushes. I definitely recommend primer and setting spray for use with this palette too (both of which I get from ELF Cosmetics) because it'll fade quickly without both.
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Wet 'N Wild Coloricon Eyeshadow
Wet 'N Wild seems to be a very hit-and-miss brand, and that's to be expected considering that it's considered to be sort of a "discount" cosmetics line. Up until a month ago, I never knew this particular Wet 'N Wild product even existed; I spotted... +
Wet 'N Wild seems to be a very hit-and-miss brand, and that's to be expected considering that it's considered to be sort of a "discount" cosmetics line. Up until a month ago, I never knew this particular Wet 'N Wild product even existed; I spotted it among the Halloween cosmetics at my local KMart, and for 99 cents, I thought it'd be a worthwhile risk and bought two Coloricon single eyeshadows: red glitter and silver glitter.
As a general eyeshadow, I personally feel this stuff didn't quite measure up, and I found that it was very easy to blink the glitter away after a short period of time, even with setting spray. On top of that, Coloricon eyeshadow can smudge or wipe off powder eyeshadow if applied over top of it (which makes sense, since Coloricon eyeshadow is a gel eyeshadow). In my experience, these cute, sparkly little compacts don't make for very good eyeshadow, at least in the traditional sense of applying it to most or all of the eyelid.
However, the best way I've personally found to use these eyeshadows is as highlighters; specifically, I use a small brush (I used e.l.f.'s Essential Eye Crease brush) and apply it only to the inner corners of my eyes or on my lower lids right near the inner corners of my eyes. Also, I don't brush the product on - I dab it. I almost always have to repeat the process 2-3 times on each eye in order to get a noticeable effect. Brushing this stuff on your skin will leave you with very little glitter. But, combined with setting spray, using these eyeshadows in this manner makes them last all day with minimal fading.
I personally did not like the red glitter one, but I use the silver one quite a bit and would very much like to try the other singles and palettes. Overall, it becomes very cakey and sloppy when applied over large areas of the eyes and I would not recommend it as a typical eyeshadow. But, if used in the way I described above, it's actually pretty good and well worth the price. The trick to making the most of Wet 'N Wild Coloricon glitter eyeshadows is to use them over very small areas and NOT on the upper eyelids (use only on the corners of eyes, arches of eyebrows and lower eyelids).
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Tresemme Deep Cleanse Shampoo
Overall, I'm a fan of Tresemme products - they give your hair the luxurious feel of salon pampering at a very affordable price. My hair gets oily pretty quickly (I notice buildup after about 12 hours) when it used to be okay for at least 24 hours... +
Overall, I'm a fan of Tresemme products - they give your hair the luxurious feel of salon pampering at a very affordable price. My hair gets oily pretty quickly (I notice buildup after about 12 hours) when it used to be okay for at least 24 hours, so when I learned that Tresemme made a deep cleansing shampoo specifically for oily hair, I was thrilled!
Sadly, this product fell short for me. Don't get me wrong, it cleanses normally just fine, but buildup comes right back just as if I used any other shampoo. It could just be my hair, but I personally did not have any success with this product. I didn't give this product one star because I like Tresemme products in general, but this one simply did not do its intended job and I will not be buying it again.
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BH Cosmetics Take Me To Brazil palette
I fell in love with the neon colors of Urban Decay's Electric palette, but I just can't justify spending $45 on eyeshadow. So, on my search for an affordable neon eye palette, I found the Take Me To Brazil palette by BH Cosmetics. The palette itself... +
I fell in love with the neon colors of Urban Decay's Electric palette, but I just can't justify spending $45 on eyeshadow. So, on my search for an affordable neon eye palette, I found the Take Me To Brazil palette by BH Cosmetics. The palette itself was around $10, but with shipping, the total came to about $14 or $15, which I think is still a good price for an item with so many color choices.
I'd never heard of this brand before, so I didn't know what to expect in terms of quality. Overall, I really like this palette. There are 30 colors to choose from (counting the black and white eyeshadows at the bottom), most of the shades are beautifully vibrant and there's a nice mix of matte and shimmer. I think the white eyeshadow is meant to serve as more of a base color for the lighter shades like yellow and lime green because it doesn't show up very well at all on its own (neither do the light colors).
To be honest, I really wanted to like this palette a lot more because I love the colors in it. I love that bright primary red, I love the sunny yellows, I love the neon greens and I love the deep, dark blues and purples! But the biggest issue I have with these eyeshadows is that they fade, especially the lighter ones. They don't disappear entirely, but even with eyelid primer and setting mist, an eyelid covered entirely in yellow eyeshadow will become a very subtle hint of yellow within maybe 3-4 hours. The medium and darker colors stay on a bit better, but they still fade. Even if you really pack the lighter shades on your lids, it comes back off.
The colors all go on nice and bright, but they simply do not stay bright. I did find that they go on and stay on a little bit better when applied with a damp brush, but this also makes them more difficult to blend. Knowing what I know now, I would probably still purchase this eye palette, even if just for the darker colors. Obviously this can't compete with the quality of an Urban Decay product, but for the price, it's still pretty good and I'd still give it a thumbs-up.
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