june favorites

(this is a repost from my personal blog, from 6/23/10. all opinions still apply!)

i've recently become addicted to frequenting makeup "guru" videos on youtube to find out new tips and tricks and reviews of products i'm interested in buying in the future. i love youtube for this reason -- i can search anything i'm looking to purchase and find real live reviews of it, see how well it works, etc. it's amazing and has actually saved me a lot of time, effort and money by finding out products are not all that great, and deciding not to purchase them. if i were braver or more photogenic, i would think of getting in on this trend myself. but i can't even keep up a blog, how would i make a little video channel survive!?

so for now, i'll use my blog as my platform for this. i've got 3 products right now that i'm in LOVE with. however, i'm still getting used to this new blogger in draft thing, so my pictures aren't working out or formatting properly. i'm including links to the products, so click through to see what they look like!so it's not a toss/try/buy, just a sampling of my favorite products right now. got any suggestions? let me know!

first up: benefit's dr. feelgood

i bought this last summer after seeing a good review of it on youtube. it says it's a primer, but i HATED it and stopped using it after a while because it wasn't working. but a few weeks ago, i found it in my mess of half-used-makeup-i-hope-to-use-again-at-some-point and decided to give it a try, but in a different way. it has been sooo hot and humid in philly, which makes my makeup run like whoa. i decided to use this product OVER my makeup (which it says to do on the directions, anyway) and let me tell you...it's amazing. not only does it minimize pores and smooth skin, it sets makeup like nothing else, mattefies, and basically blocks the humidity all together. 

i'm so glad i picked it up again. personally, i use it before it put on my BM mineral veil, so it's like double whammy of protection and perfection. just so you know how well it works...embarrassing but true story...i accidentally slept in my makeup last weekend and had to wake up early for work. when i woke up, my face looked as fresh as the moment i put it on the previous morning. so i went to work like that, and nobody could tell. PROOF.

second: cover girl lash blast fusion mascara

i've always been a fan of cover girl mascara's especially the lash blast line. since i'm on a budget, i'm saving my stash of diorshow and using this instead, and i'm really happy with it. the fusion combines the best of the best when it comes to mascara -- length + volume + curl. it's no diorshow, but it's a very good alternative that i highly reccommend.

third: aveeno active naturals nourish + style smoothing shine creme

i'm constantly on the search for the perfect style creme that will give me everything i want:

• no greasiness -- a MUST
• tames the frizzies and flyaways
• smells good
• lasts a while
• inexpensive
• protects my hair
• moisturizing

so when i saw a commercial for this stuff, i had to try it. and it does everything i want, and lives up to its name! i use this on and off with my john fredia heat protecting spray, and it's good mix. the creme smells delightful, covers well, and leaves my hair feeling soft, silky smooth, and not weighed down. plus, the naturalness of it makes me feel like i'm doing something good, idk.

let me know if you try any of these out...i'm interested to know what other people think!

toss/try/buy vol. 1

(this is a repost from my personal blog, from 7/23/09. all opinions still apply!)

i was reading my newest marie claire today and saw the feature "toss, try, buy." i was planning on doing a makeup/product review soon, so i thought, why not now?! here is my own little version...if you have any additions, let me know for future posts!

TOSS
(sephora tinted moisturizer)

i got it because i wanted to try something new after using the cover girl stuff for so long, and when i sampled it at the store it seemed pretty good. i was so wrong! this stuff makes your skin super oily and basically just sits on the surface of the skin instead of actually being absorbed and, oh, i don't know, MOISTURIZING. after using it for a month, i'm really fed up and plan on going back to the cheapo cover girl stuff, which never gave me problems. i guess change isn't always good.

TRY
(l'oreal everpure)

i picked up this shampoo because it finally gave me what i was looking for: color protection and moisture. it's hard to find a system that does both, and does it well, that isn't too expensive (well, at least for me). i was pleasantly surprised with it, and it kept my highlights bright for a really long time, and moisturized well. it's great because it doesn't contain sulfates, which is one of the worst things for your hair, especially colored hair. it also smells wonderful! if you're in the market for something new, i suggest you give this a try.

BUY
(dior diorshow mascara in black)

BUY!!! buy now!! there is a reason this mascara is voted #1 every year. its been a bestseller at sephora for years, and is just overall amazing. it doesn't clump, doesn't come off and flake during the day (something i struggle with), and comes off very easily. i'm so glad i was finally able to get it and will NEVER go back to anything else!!

must-have spotlight: bare minerals

if you've ever watched TV, chances are you've seen the bare minerals informercial at least once. you may be skeptical, or you may already use the product and love it. if you're in the former group, i'm here to convince you otherwise.

i think bare minerals is quite possibly the best makeup i've ever used. after years of dealing with liquid foundations that broke me out, then mixing and matching different drugstore formulas, i finally broke down and spent the money for the good stuff - and i've never looked back.

not only has this makeup helped clear up my face, which has in turn built my confidence, it has actually cut DOWN on the amount of makeup i buy. despite being a bit pricey, it actually lasts longer than most products out there. i purchased the starter kit in october 2009. the two shades that came with the kit lasted me until february 2010, with everyday application. i bought a full sized color, and that lasted me until mid-august. a full 6 months! i'm still using the starter bronzer (warmth) and have plenty left. the mineral veil gets used a little faster, but is well worth its price and the amount used. when used with the prime time foundation primer, the kit really makes your skin flawless. not to mention the full-sized brushes that come in the kit - great quality tools that maximize coverage and add value to your investment.

i haven't tried the other products in the BM line, like the eyeshadows and blushes, because i have plenty of other stuff i'm trying out first, but i'm sure it's just as good. if you haven't jumped on the BM bandwagon yet, i highly urge you to head to your nearest sephora (or bare minerals store!) and get color matched. it only takes a few seconds, and you're on your way to changing your skin for the better!

(ftc disclaimer: these are my honest opinions, i am not being paid or sponsored by a company for this review)