A Public Service Announcement! (Trader Joe's Vitamin E Oil review and Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash Review)

For my next trick I shall do two reviews. One for an AWESOME product and one for a sad sad product. Let's start with the good and end with the bad..


Trader Joe's Vitamin E Oil -
Price 5.00 at Trader Joe's (also on Amazon)

If you don't live near a Trader Joe's I feel sorry for you but do not despair, you can buy many of their beauty products online.


Now, a lot of people are afraid of putting oil on their face because it is "common knowledge" that oil is the cause of breakouts but this isn't the case for all oils. Without getting into all the science of it (google!) certain oils can actually improve your skin without causing a breaking out. If you steer clear from things with mineral oil and other synthetic oils you will probably be ok. Trader Joe's Vitamin E Oil is amaze-balls (yup)! I have put this on my face almost every night for the past two weeks and my skin is super soft and still clear! It is also wonderful on cuticles and I have used it a little bit on my hair before I blow dry and it's been soft and smooth (especially on the ends).


This TJ oil also has very little smell which is nice because it means my dogs don't try to lick it off as much (which is what happens when I use coconut oil). Also since it is a blend of 3 oils and not JUST vitamin E it's not as goopy as your typical Vitamin E oil.


BOTTOM LINE: This is a great natural moisturizer. No parabens or fragrances since it really is just a mix of oils. I will use this mostly as a night time moisturizer because it can look a little shiny until it fully absorbs but it does absorb. Will purchase again!


Ok now for the Public Service Announcement! Here goes....


DO NOT BUY CREST PRO-HEALTH MOUTHWASH!!

Why? It will turn your teeth brown. It even says right on the dang label that it could cause staining that may need to be removed by a dentist. (I read this AFTER the fact of course because I trusted Proctor and Gamble!). I purchased this with the intention of making my mouth cleaner and after only a week of use I started noticing brown stains between my front teeth and stains on the inner part of my bottom teeth that looked like smoker stains. I don't smoke or drink brown pop or drink black coffee.

 So I did some research and it turns out that this causes stains on A LOT of people who use this! The stains are not coming off with regular brushing so now I have to go back to my dentist soon to have them removed. Ok...so don't buy it. Find another mouthwash unless you like brown teeth.


You're welcome.

Almay eyeliner review: the best liquid eyeliner!

Helloooo Sunday morning! Let's talk about liquid eyeliner. It's hard to find a good one that is easy to put on and stays all day. Almay's liquid eyeliner goes on easy because it has a sponge tip vs a brush tip. I use it every day and sometimes work 12 hour days and it still looks fab at 10pm. People ask me at least twice a month what I use for my liner because it looks so good! I use the Almay regular liner first, then the liquid on top of that for the top outside corners. When you buy the regular one, i recommend the mechanical vs pencil. Easier on the eyes (less wrinkles) and smoother application. Try it, folks!

Both Almay liners at target for 4.99 (can also find at all drugstores)

Happy Almost Friday! Power lipstick review....(mac lipstick russian red dupe)

(Ana here). All right so I love dupes. Dupes dupes dupes! If you don't know what the heck a beauty dupe is it's basically a cheaper version of a more expensive brand. Example...I love mac lipsticks. They are wonderful but they aren't readily available at the grocery store AND they are at LEAST 15 bucks a pop. So I saw this color (Russian Red) on one Angelina Jolie (who is that?) and I had to have that color. So I bought it...because sometimes I'm impulsive. This is Angelina in the Russian Red:

Seriously?! Reeow (that's a cat). Now once in a while I will go through my makeup and throw away lipsticks and products that I forgot I had (it happens) and recently I came across a color that looked a lot like Russian Red...except it is Rimmel London 01 by Kate Moss and it was $4.99 at CVS. Please stifle your laughs at my lips compared to Angelina's...

They are both taken in natural lighting with no flash. Personally I like MAC more than the rimmel but only because the color smudges if you aren't careful and doesn't have the staying power of MAC. But if you want a very similar strong red (aka power lipstick) and don't want to spend 15+ bucks then go with the Rimmel. Both reds flatter most skin tones...especially cool and neutral (I am a cool neutral). 

**By the by, when you see the word MATTE in lipstick you can usually assume that it will 1.) not be shiny (durr)  2.) stay in place a lot longer than non-matte 3.) not be super moisturizing but again it is great for long wear.

End.

The best secret to dry skin: olive oil!

Sometimes lotions just don't cut it when it comes to REALLY dry skin in the winter. The most amazing secret I've found is olive oil! I started using it when I was pregnant as my skin was slowly stretching every day (not cool). It has now been over a year and I still use it on my arms and legs. If you are concerned about smelling like it, mix it with a little lotion. My secret is now yours... Try it!

Where to find it? In your cupboard! 

Aveda concealer review : a "green" item for st. Patty's day!

Happy st. Patty's day! I'm going to share an all natural "green" makeup item with you today.

The aveda "inner light" concealer is my all time favorite for under eye and blemish/red zones. It's a little pricey, but I love it so much it's my one splurge makeup item. I've used it for close to 10 years. It has a sponge tip applicator and rubs in nice and dry, no grease! Overall it just makes your entire face look more awake! "Balsa" is the color I use and works well for a majority of skin tones. When I do makeup applications on my clients, I'd say I use that shade 75% of the time. Do yourself a favor and splurge on this one item  that will change the rest of your makeup applications forever! BONUS: it's all natural! So no breakouts:)

Where to find it? Any aveda salon or aveda.com

Price: $18.00

It's Thursday! (Reviews for elf eyeshadow palette and wet n wild mascara)

So here goes another elf product that i literally (literally) use everyday...

e.l.f. Eyeshadow 32 Piece Palette in Natural

Price: 6.00 (on elf.com or amazon....maybe target too) 

Check out those glorious shades. The awesome things about this palette are....

1.) It's a wonderful dupe for the ever popular Naked palette by Urban Decay. The colors are very similar and it's 6 bucks compared to $54.00. Cha ching! So your eyelids still look gorgeous but for cheaper! 

2.) You will use every one of these colors. They are awesome for layering too. Smokey eye? You got it! 

Bottom Line: I will buy this product until they don't make it anymore. I use it with the Mineral Eyeshadow Primer by elf and I highly recommend using that because it makes the colors last longer and stick out more. 

Next up we have something that I am disappointed about but not surprised....

Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara in  Very Black
Price: Around 4 bucks at CVS and other drug stores/grocery stores

Ok, let's be honest....we all know by now that it's kind of hit or miss with wet n wild. For me this was definitely a miss. I was trying to find an alternative to my favorite everyday mascara (L'oreal Voluminous) to save a few bucks so I picked this up to put on the old peepers.

1.)  Basically the texture to me was like old mascara. It was kind of dry and hard to get out of the tube (that's what she said?). It took about 3 layers to make it look like I had one layer on. It didn't clump really but it just wasn't doing it for me. 

2.) The color of the tube hurt my eyes! Just kidding I just needed to have another reason to not like it...

Bottom Line: I tried! But I won't try it again. I will spend the extra 2 bucks...


Throw back Thursday shout out....

Puppy Surprise! For the kid in you that wanted to give a dog a C-section!

(Happy Frickin' Monday) Elf Studio Makeup Mist and Set & Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm (Petunia) Reviews

Happy Monday..although I think that's an oxymoron is it not? Today I (Ana) am going to review two more of my favorite products from two of my favorite beauty product lines...ELF and Burt's Bees. Ahem...

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Petunia
Sold at most grocery stories/Drug stores for around $6.99

A few things about this product. 

1.) I love anything by Burt's Bees. Their products are all natural (no parabens yay) and usually work really well. Most BB products are not vegan though so you have to be careful if that's what you're looking for.

2.) You will notice that the color of this lip balm in natural lighting is kind of "lip pink" aka very sheer. But it feels so awesome and smooth when you put it on and it smells and tastes great! I also like to layer it under lipgloss and it has a really nice effect. 

3.) 7 bucks for lip balm. I know right? BUT I am often willing to pay a little extra for all natural products from a trusted company (what a sucker).

Bottom line: I'll buy this again and probably try out the other shades. I wish these had SPF in them though for when I break out the flippy floppys. 

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set 

Price 3.00 (on the e.l.f website or amazon)..I believe it's also sold at Target though

Oh, e.l.f how do I love thee? Enough to put you on my face a lot. You will probably read about how much e.l.f products are loved by us. This mist is wonderful for the following reasons.

1.) Price. 3 bucks...as are many of e.l.f products.
2.) It works. All it takes is a few sprays on your beautiful face after you apply your makeup and your makeup (foundation/powder/blush etc) will last longer and stay in place for the day. So if you have a melty makeup face like me try this out.

Bottom line I will buy this again. Word to the wise though: use sparingly..a little goes a long way as they say. If you use too much by the end of the day you can get shiny. At least I can. 


All right...have a good one!