Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Absorbing Mask

This is my second attempt at writing this post.  I got about half-way through typing this wholeeeeeee thing out, and then THIS happened:

Nayru decided that she wanted to help, and apparently thinking that my first attempt at this post was inadequate, she deleted it.  Thank you for your magnificent editing skills Nayru, but next time, a simple critique would be fine.

Anyway, on to my actual post!

If you can read what’s on the tube, it says that it’s for normal, oily or combination skin, it absorbs excess oil, reduces enlarged pores & blackheads, and smooths rough, uneven skin. (no animal testing! woop woop!)

My first impression when applying this mask was that it goes on very smooth, and it has a really nice, creamy feel to it.  After a minute or so of it being on my face, I noticed that it made my face feel COLD. huh? yeah. Like the feeling you get in your mouth after using a minty mouth wash.  So it wasn’t a BAD feeling, it was just unexpected.  The next thing I noticed was a slight tingling/stinging sensation… Not unbearable, but noticeable. (anyone who has tried lip plumping glosses- it’s kind of like that sensation!)  But in my mind, the stinging wasn’t a bad thing, because it feels like it’s accomplishing something!  Hopefully it’s working how it should!!

Only 10 more minutes.  I can hang in there.

Okay, after washing it off:

• my skin tone looks more even and… FRESH.
• my pore look more clean and clear! (this is awesome, because my pores are awful)
• my skin is not tight and squeaky feeling, it is SOFT and SMOOTH!

I am super pleased with the outcome:)  So although the bottle doesn’t warn you that it’s going to make your face cold and tingly, it DOES do what the bottle says it will!

my overview:

If you can handle the cool/slight stinging feeling for 10-15 minutes, then I really think you’ll enjoy the effects of this face mask.  The end result is definitely more noticeable than other masks i’ve used, so I assume the slight stinging is the mask actually doing what it says it will do!

I really like the end result after using this, so I will be adding this to my beauty routine at least once a week:)

oh, and also- I used this last night, and today my face is noticeably LESS oily than normal.  Hell. Yes.

you can buy it here!    http://www.paulaschoice.com/shop/collections/Skin-Balancing/_/Skin-Balancing-Oil-Absorbing-Mask/

 

Happy primping, ladies.

xoBennett

 

 

 

Guess what just came in?!

Okay, so this is isn’t going to be a “real” post, but I got so absolutely excited when this arrived in the mail today that I just had to share it with you!!

I’m going to give this a go tonight and let you know if it’s worth the price, or if it’s a let down…

I have high hopes!!

 

Happy primping, ladies.

xoBennett

eyebrows, eyebrows, and eyebrows.

I had a bad day today.  Nothing major, it was just a day that left me feeling like I wanted to go home and cry into my pillow for a few hours.  Now, I’m not sure what y’all do when you’re feeling bummed, but I do one of two things: Reach for the nearest comfort food (i.e. ice cream, mac&cheese, pizza) and watch reruns of ‘Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ (inappropriate humor gets me every time) OR buy and try out a new beauty product:)  Since I’m currently trying to watch how much grease, sugar, fat and all of the other yummy things I shove into my body that it really doesn’t need, I opted for option two.

I love eyebrows.  I think this love came at an early age when my tweezer-loving sister would tackle me down and pluck away all of my horrible strays while I squirmed and whined.  Now that I’m older, I can appreciate that she was just showing her little sister some love by not letting me leave the house with two fuzzy caterpillars above my eyeballs.

Since I love eyebrows, I’m always into trying new eyebrow pencils, gels, etc. so today I picked up something that I’m totally excited about.

The Sephora Collection Eyebrow Editor Complete Brow Kit. I can hear angels singing when I mention it’s name.

It’s day one, and I’m in loveeeeeee, baby. This kit comes with 2 brow powders for getting your perfect brow-matching shade, a setting brow wax to keep those unruly rowdy ones in check, tweezers, a spoolie brush, and an angle brush for applying the brow powder.  I was slightly skeptical at first about using a “brow powder” because I’d really only used brow pencils until now, but I can say with confidence that the brow powder is way, way better.  The shades of the eyebrow powder blended in perfectly with the natural color of my brows, and I was able to apply it with precision (and perfection) with the angled brush that was included.  The brow wax is just a plus!  And who couldn’t use another pair of tweezers?  I can never have too many.

I firmly believe that well manicured brows complete your look to make you look polished and accentuate your awesome features.

So, if you want some rockin’ brows, go and buy this shizz. ‘Cause its totally worth it.

you can order it here from Sephora! http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?keyword=SEPHORA%20COLLECTION%20Eyebrow%20Editor%20Complete%20Brow%20Kit%20P374551&skuId=1425271&productId=P374551&_requestid=122043

top left: plain brows-top right: brow pencil-bottom left&right: Sephora’s eyebrow powder kit

I think the powder looks more natural, what do you think?

 

Happy primping, ladies.

xoBennett

This post is for you, sweet C. ❤

Drug store finds that are worth a look

As a single working female, I understand more than most that money matters.  A LOT.  I pinch pennies wherever possible, and I still end up sitting here eating a pb&j for dinner while I write this post.  So for all of my fellow gals who love beauty but survive on Ramen Noodles, I wanted to share a little drugstore find that does it’s job without breaking the bank.

Maybelline Volum’ One-by-One Express Mascara.

It claims to have “all of the volume without the bulk”

I really think it delivers.

It has a special brush that coats each lash, and de-clumps at the same time, because each tiny bristle separates all of your lashes.  It is the ONLY drugstore mascara that I will buy, and although (in my personal opinion) it doesn’t QUITE stand up to higher end brands, it is very very close.

I can put on a few coats and it will immediately lengthen, thicken, and separate my lashes into perfection. 

If I were to compare the way Maybelline’s Volum’ Express One-by-One Mascara LOOKS on my eyelashes with The Smashbox Full Exposure (I reviewed this mascara in an earlier post! go read it!) then they are close to being identical.  Great length, great volume, great separation.

I think the difference lies in the way the Maybelline FEELS.  It doesn’t leave your lashes as soft when they are coated… they are more… stiff… which has never really bothered me.  I don’t normally go around feeling up my eyelashes all day or anything, so I can definitely live with it.  BUT, at the end of the day, you will have mascara crust flakes under your eyes.  The later it gets into the night, the crustier and sloppier my mascara starts looking.  But that’s after a LONG day.  And maybe I’m just abusive to my face throughout the day so my makeup ends up hating me and migrating away.  Normal people might not have this problem… (hmm… I’ll have to look into this…)

I can truly say that this is my favorite drug store mascara, though.

And I say this with confidence.

Because if you’re looking to save a few bucks on mascara, this has always been my go-to, and she hasn’t let me down yet.

You can buy Maybelline Volum’ Express One-by-One Mascara at pretty much any drugstore (CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, etc.) or somewhere like Target

Happy primping, ladies.

xoBennett

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

Okay, so today I decided that I need to shine a sparkling little spotlight on one of my absolute favorite hair products in the WORLD.

I know it might seem like I’m slightly exaggerating, but I promise you, with my cats as my witnesses, that I am NOT.

Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle is a product that I use every single time I wash my hair, so it’s about time that I acknowledge it with a little love.

I got it as a sample at first, and on the back of the bottle it lists:

• instant detangler
• thermal protector
• UV protector
• seals cuticle
• smoothes hair
• locks in color
• adds shine
• weightless
• non-greasy
• conditions
• for all hair types
• use daily

Wow, that’s a tall order.  While I can’t really vouch for ‘locking in color’ (I’m not sure… my hair color just kind of does its own thing… ) and being ‘for all hair types’ (since I only have one hair type, and its the one currently growing out of my scalp) I CAN tell you that it does everything else that the bottle promises.

The first time I used Protect & Detangle, I just gave my hair an all-over spritz while it was still damp before I started combing.  My hair is on the shorter side, so I normally don’t have terrible issues with tangles, but there is this one section of my hair that always seems to snag when I’m doing my comb run-through.  When I got to that section, expecting the snag, the comb ran right through… seriously?! YES. +1.  I was impressed.  While I was blow-drying, I noticed that my hair was shiny and silky and smooth, but not oily or greasy, which was something I was slightly worried about because my hair is prone to being more oily.  +1.  Straightener-abuse time.  After this one-time use, my ends already weren’t as frayed and flying away as they normally are. +1.   My hair isn’t particularly damaged, but I mean, come on.  I’m not perfect.  There’s some damage there.  Next test: is it weightless?  I am completely anti-limp and flat hair, so if this made my hair weigh down any, I wouldn’t be blogging about it right now 🙂 +1.   There’s your answer my dears.  Did I mention that it smells amazing?  It smells AMAZING.  Like, omg-i-want-to-sniff-my-hair-all-day-long amazing. +1.   This is something I’ve noticed about other Beauty Protector products as well, but we’ll talk about that later 😉

The last thing I’m going to point out is that Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle is 100% vegan!  +2.  Ding ding ding!  We have a winner!

I couldn’t ask for more from you my beautiful little friend.  I love you.

total: +7 points for Beauty Protector Protect & Detangle

(let me just go ahead and point out that I do the points for fun, I have no real system.  if I like it, I +1.  if there’s something I don’t like, I’ll -1.)

Right now, it’s a Birchbox exclusive, but here’s a link to the Birchbox site.  http://www.birchbox.com

Happy primping ladies.

xoBennett

 

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

My first post!  Keep your fingers crossed that I don’t end up sounding like my grandmother trying to use twitter.  Seriously.

I got a sample of Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in the mail today, so after making myself wash dishes and do a load of laundry (yes, I make myself do chores before I’m allowed to play with my new samples) I was able to open it up and give it a whirl.  Unlike ex-boyfriends and unsupportive bras, it did not let me down.  I am very very very picky when it comes to mascara, so this was a pleasant surprise.  Smashbox promises that this mascara will lengthen, thicken, and curl eyelashes with no clumps and no mascara flakes beneath your eyes at the end of the day.

After initially opening the tube, (oh yesss, fresh makeup makes me weak in the knees) I first took notice of the brush.  It’s one of those fat, bristly brushes that work so well for lengthening lashes and separating clumps. +1.  It went on smoothly, clump-free and making my eyelashes perfectly prepared to flutter at cute men in case I might be so lucky as to have any wander into my office today.  I put on two coats and was very satisfied with how my lashes looked and felt.  Touching them, they weren’t hard and crusty like some mascaras can leave your lashes, they were still soft and flexible, while being black and BOLD. +1.  They kept their amazingness all throughout the workday, which can be very long and weary, but although my other makeup had melted off of my face by the end of the day, my eyelashes were still glam. +1.  Now, the final test… are there any flakes?  No!  It has been 15 hours since I put on this mascara this morning, and after copious amounts of eye rubbing from staring at my computer screen all day long, I still have zero mascara crust-flakes under my eyes. +1.

total: +4 points for Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara

Did Smashbox deliver?  Yes they did.  It did everything they promised it would do, and I couldn’t be happier.

Now, when will my full-size get here??  I ordered it today

http://www.smashbox.com   (you can buy it from Smashbox here)

Happy Primping, ladies.

xoBennett

———-UPDATE———

My lovely sister E asked that I post a picture pre-mascara, and then after using the Full Exposure.  So, here you go-

 

I’m aware that I look slightly cross eyed in these pictures… I wasn’t sure where to look.

Enjoy!