Beauty Blog » Test Drives

I’ve already announced my fandom for BioElements, and now I have a new favorite product from their illustrious line of skin products: Flash Foam Cleanser ($32).  It’s so great.  I’ve been using it for a couple of months, and it has really done a good job battling my blackhead affliction.

I’ll admit I was skeptical at first because, well, it just looks like foam, but it actually melts the makeup off your face.  It didn’t dry me out either, and it’s true about the enzymes sweeping dead skin away–I haven’t felt the need to exfoliate in a long while.

Interestingly,  I didn’t use if for four days during December, and I was rewarded with two giant pimples in the center of my face that absolutely will not die.  Let that be a lessen to all.

The other day a friend told me she could live without any cosmetics but her lipgloss, which I found funny since I almost never sport the stuff. It did get me thinking, though, about my makeup drawer, which is over-stuffed despite the fact that I only use a fraction of its contents. I would, of course, never throw any of it out because who knows when the perfect occasion for teal eyeshadow might arise? It could happen.

At the same time, I don’t think I could narrow it down to any one product–I have a few major makeup loves/dependencies. I’m sure I’ve mentioned all of them at one time or another. Here’s the rundown:

Lorac aquaPrime ($30) is, hands down, my favorite primer because it’s very light and super effective. I am about to get hooked up with the new liquid primer from Smashbox, though, so we’ll see if I stay devoted to Lorac. I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve been a satisfied user of Revlon ColorStay foundation for a long time now, and I don’t see myself giving up on it any time soon.  I really love the new Soft Flex line in the dry skin formula, since the older I get the dryer my skin gets.

Oh, Lorac Sheer Wash ($17.50), how do I love thee.  Honestly, I don’t think any other cheek stain even sort of compares in terms of color or endurance. It’s like instant pretty.

I feel like I’ve done a thousand posts about Clinique True Bronze Bronzer.  I guess I just can’t say enough about it.  I ran out recently and started using some free junk I had in that stuffed up drawer, and that mistake has made me love my Clinique even more. If that’s possible.

I am of the opinion that loose powder is loose powder, and you shouldn’t blow a lot of money on it. I’m using Cover Girl ($10.27) right now because it was on sale at CVS, so it’s more the category of translucent powder that I can’t live without more than any brand.

Oh Almay ($13.65), my friend, what would I do without you (when did this post turn into an ode?!)?  Like I said in my recent “how to” post about liquid eyeliner, Almay makes the grade.  My only advice is to break in the wand on your hand before your first use because it’s just too pointy to be affective right out of the package.

The Promise: Relish Enriched Moisturizing Sunscreen is suppose to

• “shield your skin from harsh sunrays,”
• “revitalize and condition skin” with Ginko Biloba, Gingseng and licorice extracts
• “protect your skin from free radical damage while preventing redness, rough skin and peeling”
• be “light enough for oily skin”

The Smell and Feel:

Relish is definitely light–there’s no greasy aftermath or white residue, which would be a deal ender for me. I tried it out under makeup instead of my regular moisturizer, and I was pretty satisfied with the results as it didn’t affect my primer or foundation in the least. Despite the promise that it’s unscented, it smells exactly like every other sunscreen I’ve ever used–I wouldn’t say it’s an unpleasant aroma but there’s a definite smell.

The Gist of It:

I like this Relish product because it’s pretty hard to find an affordable SPF 30 lotion that doesn’t dry your skin out. This Moisturizing Sunscreen is just that….moisturizing, so if lotion is already the first step in your daily routine, you don’t have to add another one. Also, a little goes a long way, so you get your money’s worth.

Relish Enriched Moisturizing Sunscreen, $23 for 4 oz.

I’m not the type of person to stress over my looks, but I do have a strong work-with-what-you-got ethic. One of the latest additions to my beauty tool box is this Crew Fiber (about $13). I have thick hair for which I am thankful, but its coarse texture means it’s hard to tame and often looks messy about 10 minutes after I do it. It’s a bit of a curse in that way.

Ever since a horrible pomade mishap in the late 90s (involving me, my greasy head, a dance club, and three subsequent hair washings), I’ve steered clear of any products with a thick or paste-like appearance. However, after cutting my hair short, my old trusted products just weren’t doing it for me. So, since Crew seemed to be working for my husband, who is also of the thick and coarse hair persuasion, I thought I’d try it, too.

My technique: I take a small dab in my hand, rub my palms together, then pat my head in the messiest areas. I just let it sink it before I attempt to style with my fingers or a comb. It gets better as the day goes on, and the result is less messy hair. Or at least more stylish messy hair.

And it washes right out.

Incessant sunshine is not my thing. I know that’s a curious comment for a native Southern Californian to make, but it’s been drier than I can handle this year, and so has my skin. I’ve tried keep my hands hydrated with my usual lotions and long-loved remedies, but most are no match for this no-rain-in-sight weather.

Enter Skin MD (about $15.99), a shielding lotion, which promises to bind to the skin and protect it from harsh elements that wreak havoc. I received this product a while back, but didn’t realize how tough it was until the dry winds started up. Honestly, I’m up to my ears in lotion samples here at the Smarter Beauty Blog, and it’s pretty rare that one wows me, but I really like this stuff. A lot.

I guess the thing that most impresses me about Skin MD is that it doesn’t wash off easily. That’s always my gripe about most moisturizers (especially when I forget to put lotion in my purse, and I have to walk around with scraggly hands), but this one lasts a long time even when I fall victim to those harsh liquid antibacterial soaps in most public restrooms. And you don’t even have to slather it on to get the long-lasting effect–a little goes a long way.

For me, all this means less tortured cuticles, cracked skin and irritating dryness. Plus it’s not greasy, it doesn’t stink and it didn’t clog my pores when I used it on my face.

It’s that good.
Click here to read more about Skin MD.

I’ve been a staunch devotee of Lorac’s aquaPrime for some time now, but I have to admit I’ve strayed recently.  Yes, it’s true, I’ve been cheating on my primer, and though I still adore the Lorac, I think I might have a new love/obsession: Smashbox’s Photo Finish Bronzing Primer($38).

It all started when, one morning, I ran out of the auquaPrime.  I’ve become so addicted to the way primer makes my makeup go the extra mile, that I feverishly rummaged through my makeup drawer in search of an alternative.  I get lots of free samples, so I knew there had to be something in that overstuffed drawer. Suddenly I saw it, shining like a beacon in a storm: the Smashbox Bronzing Primer. 

I must say, I really, really love it. It creates the perfect canvas for makeup–it smooths my skin so much I only need to use half the foundation I normally do.  And it makes my eyeliner and cheek stain go the extra mile, too.  Plus, it’s bronzer so it doesn’t pale me out.

Yes, I’m smitten.  

Well, my dry hands have been well documented, so it should come to no surprise that I’m always on the lookout for the next miracle product to hydrate my hangnails.  This time, I have the W Hotel to thank for my newest discovery: Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter ($35). You see, they provide a whole bevy of Bliss products as part of their bathroom booty, so I was able to luxuriate in Bliss’ hair and bath stuff while staying in New York City this Labor Day weekend.

Usually, the stuff they lay out in hotels is nothing to write home about, so I always bring my beloved Udderly Smooth cream, which never lets me down.  However, this time that cow cream never left my suitcase because the Bliss Body Butter did the trick and then some. And ah, that refreshing smell! Splendid! Needless to say, I stocked up on the free samples, but once they’ve been tapped, I will definitely buy a new tube.

I like the shampoo and conditioning rinse, too, since they really did make my hair shiny, a promise most haircare products make but rarely deliver.

See more Bliss products here.

I averted a hair disaster today, and I lived to tell about it. It all started when, after exiting the shower at my gym, I noticed that I’d left my toiletry bag at home . Translation: no makeup and no hair products. Scary. Hair dripping wet, face clean scrubbed and the clock ticking, I had to think quickly, so I took stock of what I had to work with. In total, I had a blow dryer, Udderly Smooth Udder Cream and some eyeliner.

Of course, I used the cream to moisturize my face–I couldn’t conceal away any imperfections, but I at least my face wouldn’t be dry. I then swept on some liquid eyeliner, which thank goodness was in my purse. I feel simply naked without my eyeliner–no, just kidding…well, sort of.

Final verdict? Totally presentable, but it was the hair that concerned me.

I once heard a model say that she used lotion in her hair once when she had no product. I was wary of this option, though, because my scalp has a tendency to get greasy, and Udderly Smooth is kind of thick. In truth, though, I had no choice in the matter since I knew that once that blowdryer hit my hair, it would be frizz city. My big hair would have to be tamed and contained. So I blew my hair out, sans a brush (not a good idea for my thick mane) and finished with a small amount of the cream. I put a dab in my hands, rubbed them together and smoothed my hair down.

Final verdict? Well, I wouldn’t make a habit of it, but even right now, hours later, my hair is okay. It’s got some flyaways, and it’s a little worse for the wear, but it totally passes.

Try it if you ever need to avert your own hair mishap.

For the longest time, I’ve been trying to break away from antiperspirant because of my concerns about absorbing aluminum and it’s possible links to Alzheimer’s Disease. I know, I know, we absorb aluminum in a million different ways, but I don’t want to feed it to my bloodstream via my underarms. My pits, my choice.

Anyway, I’ve been experimenting with natural deodorant for awhile now, and I haven’t had the best results, which results in me having to warn people before they get a whiff of me au natural. Until now. I’ve tried Tom’s of Maine before, but this new and improved formula really is. I read on the company’s website that the new mix include hops (Humulus lupulus–whatever that means), which inhibit the growth of bacteria (nice) and reduce the possibility of irritation. And, no, I’m not in cahoots with T o’ M people, I’m just amazed by how well it works even under the most stringent of tests:

Test #1: Trying on clothes–it worked! I walked around for about four hours, going in and out of shops and dressing rooms. Trying on clothes can be a sweaty experience, but to my amazement, I didn’t get stinky. Not at all.

Test #2: The gym– After 45 minutes of running on the treadmill, I was sweaty but not smelly.

Test #3: Synthetic material–I have this acrylic blouse that I refer to as the “stinky shirt” because it always makes me stink. However, I continue to wear it, victimizing those around me, because it’s super cute. But Tom’s of Maine. absorbed the odor.
Synopsis: Tom’s of Maine Long Lasting Deodorant in Lavender scent ($6.16 at Foods of Nature) is my new best friend. I’m now free from antiperspirants. It’s a brand new, stink-free, aluminum-free day.

Read more about the company on their official website. 

Smarter Beauty contributor, Evette, and I were lucky enough to get the chance to try out some TESS (Teen Everyday Skincare System) products, even though neither of us fit into the teen category. Despite that, we were willing to test drive the line because it’s paraben-free and made with natural ingredients such as fruit and botanical extracts, aloe vera, lavender oil, green tea, and chamomile. Not to mention, we’re into the message of the company, which is all about promoting confidence in young women–the packaging is filled with written affirmations like “Dare to Be Different,” “Take Charge,” and “Be Brave.” We can go for that.

Here are our takes on TESS:

Tester: Valentina
Product: TIME FOR SOME ZZZs Vanilla Nighttime Moisturizer ($14)
Rating: 4 out of 5 (it was a little hard to get out of the bottle)

Promise: It’s suppose to “nurture skin” and “renew hydration.” The vanilla scent is said to be relaxing.

The Smell and Feel: I’ve become obsessed with the vanilla bean smell. I didn’t put it on my face, since I’m devoted to cold cream, but I did slather all over my bod before bedtime, and it really does relax you with that luscious smell.

The gist of it: I’ve been using it for a week and my skin, including my super dry legs, has been noticeably more supple. That may have happened with any moisturizer, but it’s easy to be consistent about using this one since it’s so yummy.

Tester: Evette
Product: OOH-REFRESHING Apple Face Toner ($10)
Rating: 5 out of 5

Promise: This alcohol-free toner is suppose to tingle, nix excess oil, and have a “deliciously fresh apple scent.”

Smell and Feel: It smells like fresh apples, fresh apples just picked off the tree in the middle of summer. Haha. It felt great. Didn’t dry out my skin but still removed the excess oil. The very first time I tried it I had been in the car for a 5-6 hour long car ride to Vegas. I just needed to freshen up my skin before going out, and you can imagine how greasy my skin was due to the hot humid weather.

The gist of it: I was very satisfied.

Find the whole range of TESS products by clicking here.