Reviews

Mascara Monday: 3D Lashes

3D Lashes Volumizing & Thickening Mascara

by Lorac

Price: $22 at Sephora

Lorac makes some of the greatest mini kits I’ve seen on the market.  They’re reasonably priced and have full sized products to love.  That’s how I got to try 3D Lashes mascara, it was originally part of “this kit“.  I fell instantly for the baked eye shadow trio and the liquid liner pen.  Mascara is a hard one to win me over though.

3D Lashes features cool packaging with this prism Lorac print on the tube.  The wand was on the skinny side with plastic bristles.  I loved the curved feature of their wand, it really seemed to hug my lashes during application.  The formula on the other hand I was not to in love with.  As the bristles were doing such an amazing job of separating my lashes, the formula really lacked on creating that full dramatic look.  A lot of mascaras do a great job on building on itself to create that drama, this mascara didn’t want to fully do that.  With that said, this mascara was great when used in combination with others that are a little clumpy like Urban Decay’s Big Fatty.  I apply this first to separate, then apply Big Fatty, followed by a few passes with 3D again to separate.

I would recommend this to a girl who is trying to get the most for her buck since it was included in such a great bundle.  3D Lashes would also be great for a lady looking for a lighter more natural look.

After 1 coat…

After 2 coats…

xoxo Heather

Review: Ojon Damage Reverse

Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo & Conditioner

by Ojon

Price: $24 & $25

For years I was afraid to color my hair for fear of damaging my natural locks.  Little did I know that I was doing worse damage by washing and re-wetting and everyday blow drying.  Ojon has taught me that everyday washing actually breaks down part of the hair leaving it weaker.  Then factor in the heat styling, products, diet, stress, the sun, and other pollutants and you’re just playing with fire.  Ojon’s founder Dennis Simioni just happened to stumble upon the key ingredient to their products, an oil made from the seeds of the “Ojon” tree.  He set out to learn more and bring this elixir home.  Once formulated they began testing it and realized the oil actually mimicked the essential lipids found in unprocessed, virgin hair!  Ojon has now grew to incorporate this oil into 6 different hair rituals.

I had the pleasure to try their Damage Reverse line recently and to share my thoughts with you.  The shampoo was very mild, so if you’re used to getting that squeaky feeling after you shampoo you may need to adjust to this one.  I found it was great for my thinner strands!  The conditioner was really thick and a little went a long way.  This may be the first time EVER that I did not use all the conditioner up before the shampoo even came close, I know you know what I’m talking about!  Even though this conditioner was thick it never once weighed my hair down.  After 3 weeks of use I noticed an overall improvement with my hair.  It felt soft and healthy, a little shinier, and I noticed less was coming out during washing so it was definitely getting stronger.

I think one of the best things about this shampoo and conditioner, and I’m sure it goes for all their products, is the amount of time spent doing them was virtually cut in half.  The actual act of rinsing took seconds, so you get in and out with as little water necessary.  Love it!

xoxo Heather

Mascara Monday: Buxom Lash

Buxom Lash

in Blackest Black

pic via sephora.com

Cost: $19

Buxom lash makes a great mid-level priced mascara.  It features a fat dense plastic bristle brush which I found fantastic.  The bristles really lengthened and kept out clumps, it was practically like combing your hair.  The formula went on really light and thin.  It made a beautiful natural look, but I wouldn’t expect much more.  No matter how many coats I attempted to layer on it never went past that innocent look.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, just depends on the final look you’re trying to achieve.  I like to rock this mascara with light washes of eyeshadow.  As you can see below I wore this with a champagne cream shadow sans eyeliner.

In the end I would recommend this for a new beautyista as you can’t overdo and look messy with this mascara, there’s little room for error.  Also, as we age our lashes become less dense and also become weaker, this mascara is great for the older woman because the formula is so light it won’t weigh her lashes down.

after one coat

after a few coats

xoxo Heather

Review: Mini Kittour Overnight Beauty Traveler

Overnight 2-in-1 hanging traveler in Champagne

by Mini Kittour

I recently went to San Francisco, CA. and had the pleasure to get ready for this trip with the lovely Mini Kittour Overnight bag.  I’m a very serious organizer when I pack.  I love everything to be in it’s place and stay there.  I really have those bags for your clothes that you roll the air out of.  Yea I’m that crazy!

Mini Kittour is a fabulous line, and they are out to make you feel like a star while traveling–just ask Courtney Cox.  Presentation can be everything so let’s start there.  The Overnight comes with an outer bag to contain it all with a coordinating strap.  I loved that on the website they featured using just this bag for going to your hotel’s pool–throw in a towel and sunblock and you’re set.  The actual Overnight has a beautiful satin outside and durable (and cleanable) plastic on the inside.  There are four main compartments, two detach with magnetic snaps!!  Perfect to use for touch-ups in your purse.

*threw in some items so you can get a better idea.

What organizer would be complete without it’s own hanger??  While not in use I just hung it up with my clothes rather than clutter the bathroom counter.  Other items it included were 4 travel bottles for liquids, a vitamin/pill case, and 3 dual-ended cosmetic brushes.  I didn’t need to use the bottles this time around as I knew where we were staying and wouldn’t need to pack shampoo, conditioner, and such.  I did however take full advantage of these brushes.  These were amazing!  Such great quality and took up much less space than packing 6 individual ones.

Keep a lookout for the Overnight in future posts.  I’m sure you see glimpses of it on my travels. 

xoxo Heather

P.s.  In reference to those roll the air out packing bags…Yes they really do work!!!  hahaha

Review: FakeBake Shimmer

Shimmer Medium Instant Tan Lotion Wash-Off

by FakeBake

If you’re a long time reader you know my fondness for Fake Bake.  This is my third review for this awesome brand, and this product killed it.  Let me introduce you to Shimmer, an easy to apply instant tanner that washes off!  I used this for the first time when the crazy northeast weather was warm enough for me to wear a dress and knee high boots.  I didn’t want to appear to pasty so I applied the lotion and LOVED the outcome.  I literally did one leg and was like wow, I have to take a picture (before/after below).

Shimmer comes with heavy duty gloves to protect your hands.  Application went super smooth, you can see exactly where it goes.  I found it easier to use a little product at a time.  The greatest part was it lasted all day without wearing away but still came off clean in the shower that night.  This is such a great way to transition into the warm months coming (first day of spring is March 20th!!!!!!!!!).

xoxo Heather