First Impression: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara

I've seen this mascara many times in the store but I haven't heard much about Neutrogena mascaras so I've never picked it up. I was recently in a Target and decided to try this out. I got it in the shade "carbon black." It's a really skinny tube and it's packaged with the brush separate from the tube. So, when you open it for the first time, you open the mascara tube and insert the clean brush. This mascara claims to lengthen lashes 100% and includes vitamin E, olive oil, and antioxidants to increase lash health as well. It is anti-clumping, flaking, and smudging. 

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the consistency. It's a lot thicker than the mascaras I typically use. I could tell it was a much thicker formula as soon as I inserted the brush. I noticed that this is beneficial when applying as it's a lot less messy, doesn't smudge onto my eyelids, and doesn't flake off onto my cheeks when I put it on. I was a little worried that would mean it'd be clumpy, but actually the opposite was true.

The first time I applied this, the first thing I noticed was how natural it looked. After applying one coat, it looked like I had naturally black, full lashes. It coated every lash but remained soft to the touch. I applied a few more coats to build up length and volume and was really happy with the finished product. This is definitely not a dramatic mascara - even after several coats it's very natural-looking. This would be a perfect "no makeup" mascara, a base coat, or a good everyday mascara if you're looking for something a little more subtle. 

This was just under $8 at Target and can be found in most drugstores and also at Ulta. It's a great mascara to keep in your makeup bag or to take when traveling because of its slim tube!

I've only been using this for about a week so I can't review it's lash lengthening properties, but I would repurchase just because I liked the product. I've actually been using this as a base mascara because it separates lashes and coats them so they're totally black. Then, I go in with just one coat of a different mascara to add a bit more length and thickness for a bolder look. I have used this several times on "no makeup" days and I really love the way it looks just on its own. I've also been using this on my bottom lashes and it has not smudged at all.

Have you tried this lengthening mascara? Did you see any results? Let me know! I will provide an update after I've been using it consistently for several weeks.

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Touch Up Review

I picked this up a few months ago at Ulta where they have a really large selection of Bare Minerals products. I actually found this near the register (gets me every time) on my way out. I have tried mineral veil before and it's a product I always go back to. For me, it would be the perfect product if I could change one thing. I hate loose powders! They're so messy, especially if you want to keep one in your handbag. The powder gets everywhere and when you open the lid you end up dusting it all over yourself. I decided to try this because it's in a compact and it has a mirror. It comes with the standard pad/sponge inside but it also comes with a mini brush, which is nice for traveling. This is perfect to throw in your makeup bag or take it to-go in your handbag. I also like the idea that it adds a little glow. 

Let's be honest - the packaging is what made me buy this. It's super cute and seemed to be very handy for on-the-go situations. I really like Bare Minerals brushes, too, so I was happy that this came with a travel-sized powder brush. I've mentioned before that since I'm very dry, I don't usually powder my face. However, on really hot days, oily days, or days that I know I'm going to be wearing makeup for an extended period of time, I like to at least set my under-eye concealer. Lately, I have been using this under my eyes and in my t-zone to set everything and keep it matte (but not flat) on long days out. This never looks cakey, it sets everything really well, and illuminates without being sparkly or shiny. I have been using it so much, I may pick up a full-size illuminating mineral veil to set my makeup, and keep this in my handbag for touch ups. They also have a pressed translucent touch up powder (full size) if you're not into loose powders. 

I've been really happy with the brush, too. It's soft and the perfect size to set under eye concealer and touch up smaller areas on the face (like the t-zone). I've been using this for my t-zone and anywhere else I tend to get oily after a long day, and this Real Techniques setting brush for under my eyes. I'm not usually a fan of powder mineral foundations, but Bare Minerals has so many other products to offer. They have expanded so much and they really seem to have something for everyone. Some other products I love include their bronzer and sometimes their loose powder mineral foundation to set my liquid foundation and add a bit of extra coverage. 

What are your favorite Bare Mineral products? What products do you use to set under eye concealer and/or ward off an oily t-zone? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time... xoxo

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil: Review

I ordered this cleansing oil based off of a recommendation from Amelia Liana. I have been using the Garnier Cleansing Oil for many months and I love it. I like to remove my makeup before cleansing so I can be sure that my cleanser is working to clean my skin rather than just remove my makeup. A cleansing oil is really great option for me because I have dry skin and it gently but thoroughly removes makeup without stripping my skin or drying it out.

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil is more than double the price of the Garnier version (Garnier cleansing oil retails for around $8) but is still affordable at $18. I use 3-4 pumps of this every evening to remove a full face of makeup, so both bottles will probably last my quite a while. I like the smell of the oil - it smells just like camomile tea. Comparing it to the Garnier version, the camomile cleansing oil is a bit more viscous and I find it melts and removes makeup better and quicker. I have noticed that this formulation very very slightly stings my eyes sometimes, but nothing too crazy and it never leaves me with red eyes or any irritation. Once I wipe it away I don't experience any discomfort. That's my only complaint about the product. I definitely feel that it removes makeup quicker than the Garnier oil and it feels very silky and luxurious on my skin. I have also noticed that The Body Shop Oil bottle does not leak. My Garnier oil leaks all over the counter and sits in a puddle of oil where I store it. It makes a big mess so I do like the packaging of this oil much better. I'm not sure if I would repurchase it just because there are so many other cleansing oil options - with the Garnier oil I can even open my eyes without any irritation, so I will probably keep trying other oils until I find my favorite. I still use this every night and will probably finish off the bottle, but I don't see myself repurchasing it at this time.

This oil is made with Fair Trade camomile, which is a nice bonus. It also claims to be for all skin types, not just dry skin. It definitely feels less greasy and it moisturizes but doesn't leave skin with any greasy residue. If you're looking to try out a cleansing oil, I would definitely recommend it, especially if you have dry or easily irritated skin. Either the Body Shop or the Garnier oils are really good at removing makeup and are affordable enough to try out - everyone is different and everyone's skin will react differently to the formulations. I love The Body Shop products and will continue to use them!

What are your favorite cleansing oils? Have you experienced any eye irritation with The Body Shop's oil? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time! xoxo

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation - Review

I finally jumped on the bandwagon and purchased my first NARS Sheer Glow foundation. I was especially interested to try this formula because of its claims that "sheer glow." I like lighter coverage foundations that you can wear daily but also build up to add more coverage. Also, since I have dry skin, I tend to stick to brightening foundations. I chose the shade "Siberia" and it's a good match, but I was surprised at how yellow it looks. At first, I was afraid it would be way too yellow on my skin - I have pink undertones and usually go for more neutral shades. I've been using the NARS concealer for a while and it is very yellow-toned as well, but I appreciate that for the under eye area to counteract any blue/purple bags. 

Once I applied the foundation, the first thing I noticed was that it blends really well. It's very thin and light and a little bit of product goes a long way. I used less than a dime-sized amount and it was plenty. The yellow works really well to counteract any redness from blemishes, dry patches, etc. It also helps conceal any dark areas or bags under my eyes. Once it's blended into the skin, it doesn't seem too yellow, it matches well and helps neutralize the color of my skin. 

This is definitely a good everyday foundation - it's light and doesn't stick to dry patches. It gives a nice healthy glow and blurs imperfections without looking like a heavy, full-coverage foundation. You can apply an additional layer for more coverage, but I found that it wasn't really necessary. A light layer of the foundation and some additional coverage from the concealer is plenty to give a flawless foundation look. 

I apply this with a damp beauty blender (the concealer as well) and set my under eye area with a translucent powder. I've been using this daily and it seems to be agreeing with my skin. It doesn't have any scent (that I can tell) and doesn't irritate my skin or cling to dry patches. Definitely one of my favorite high-end foundations!

Let me know what you think of this combo in the comments below...

The Body Shop: Vanilla Brûlée Body Butter - Review

I recently made an online order at The Body Shop. I have several of their products that I love but I don't have a store very close to me. I can find some of their products at Ulta but I had quite a few things that I wanted to try so I decided to go ahead and place an order online. If you read my blog, you may know that I love The Body Shop face masks. I typically buy them in single-use sachets, but I wanted to order the full sizes and the Chamomile cleansing oil based on an Amelia Liana recommendation (review coming soon). Just before check out, I added the Vanilla Brûlée Body Butter. Unfortunately, I had to add this to my list of disappointing products.

I don't hate this product, but it wasn't as impressive as I had hoped it would be. The smell is amazing - I definitely wasn't disappointed by the that. It smells so rich and creamy and the tub is a good size. I got this on offer for $10 (half price) and I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the tub - I think that's a fair amount of product, especially if it's half-off. It's been cold here lately and my skin is definitely suffering, I've been exceptionally dry and have been trying out various products to see what works best. I was hoping this new body butter would be my new best friend. When I first dabbed into the lotion, I liked the consistency - it's thick and creamy, just as you'd expect a body butter to be. As soon as I began to rub it in, however, I noticed that it doesn't seem to spread very well. It's so thick that it doesn't work into a larger area of skin. I end up needing a huge amount of product for a small area of skin just because the lotion doesn't spread out. It does leave you feeling a bit greasy, but I expected that since it's considered a "butter." I felt like at least that sticky feeling would mean that I would be nicely moisturized by the morning.

The problem was that I didn't feel all that moisturized the next morning. It seems as if all the lotion disappeared and my skin wasn't able to drink up any of the moisture. Especially since it's called a "body butter" I expected this to be an intense hydrator and something to use when I'm feeling exceptionally dry - to perk up my skin overnight even though it may be thick and a little greasy. Those are all things I can deal with if the moisture payoff is worth it. I just didn't feel like my skin had made seen any major improvements overnight, and for the amount that I had to apply, I don't see the tub lasting very long. I may just use this for hands and feet before bed and forget trying to use it as a body lotion. 

In the future, I may opt for a smaller size to throw into my handbag as a hand lotion, but I probably won't purchase this particular product again. I love the smell and the formulation is nice, but I just wasn't that impressed, overall. That being said, I LOVE all the other products that I have tried from The Body Shop and this definitely won't deter me from continuing to try out their products. Everyone's skin is different and just because it didn't moisture my skin as I had hoped, doesn't mean it couldn't work for a different skin type. 

Have you tried a body butter? If so, what did you think? What are your favorite The Body Shop products?

GIVEAWAY - Products I Love (closed)

**Giveaway is now closed**

I've reached my first blogging milestone and I wanted to do a giveaway to thank my viewers. I have tried (and loved) all of the products in the giveaway and wanted to share them with you. Thank you for your views, your tweets, your comments, and support! I would love to continue to do this routinely to show my thanks and gratitude. I will list the rules for the giveaway at the end of the post. Here's what will be included in the giveaway...

e. l. f. Eyebrow Kit - This is my favorite dupe for all those brow duos - HD Brows, Anastasia, etc. This is a staple in my vanity. I use the gel side everyday on my brows to add shape and also help keep them in place. I've included this in the shade "medium."

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara - I've done a review post about this mascara here. Love this!

Benefit Hervana Blush - Raved about this blush here.

e.l.f. Plumping Lip Glaze - these are double-sided glosses that plump and add color & shine. I've included these in the shades "oasis," "fuchsia fanatic," and "baby doll." Love these shades for fall.

The Body Shop Face Masks - I talked about these masks in my Nighttime Skincare Routine. I picked up the Tea Tree Mask, Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask, and the Vitamin C Microdermabrasion (not technically a mask) sachets. I've done an in-depth review here. I also included the Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask, which I haven't tried (because it's not meant for my skin type) but it's part of the collection so I wanted to put that in the giveaway as well. 

Make Up For Ever - Mini Rouge Artist Natural moisturizing soft shine lipstick in the shade "Copper Pink" (N9). This is a sample size to test out the shade. I also have the mini version of this and I love it. This is a pricier item so it's nice to be able to test it out before you go for the full size. These lipsticks are infused with mother-of-pearl and they're super moisturizing.

Make Up For Ever Sens-eyes - This is a waterproof eye makeup remover. It's a creamy consistency similar to a cream cleanser, rather than the typical oil formulation. Sensitive on the eyes but gets the job done. This is also a miniature - perfect for traveling. 

NYX Butter Lip Balms - I recently discovered the butter lip balms and fell in love. I went back for more shades because I could wear these everyday. They're moisturizing and soft like a chapstick but they have a tint to them. I picked these up in the shades "red velvet" and "biscotti" - the perfect red and nude.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish - One of my all-time favs! I did a review on this nail polish collection here. I wear these polishes all the time and I love this grey shade ("Commander in Chic") for fall & winter. It lasts for ages without chipping.

L'Oreal Voluminous Original Mascara - My all-time favorite mascara! I love to try other mascaras, both high-end and drugstore, but I always go back to this one. It's just the absolute best. It's dark black, it thickens and adds volumes to lashes, but it also lengthens like crazy. I don't use this on bottom lashes because it can flake and smudge, but paired with the Clinique bottom lash - it's the perfect combo! 

Wet 'n' Wild Megalast retractable eyeliner - This is smudgable, very black, and retractable. This means it's always perfectly pointed and tapered at the tip. It even comes with a smudger on the other end. It lasts all day and it's super affordable. Always a handy staple.

Flowerbomb - This is a sample of my favorite perfume - Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb. I save this fragrance for fall and winter because it's my absolute favorite and it's such a special scent. I definitely consider this a luxury because it is pretty pricey. This is a great sample - it's large enough to get tons of wear out of it so that you can test it out before you make a big purchase. It's slightly floral - with notes of orchid, rose, and jasmine, but has a muskier scent from the patchouli. The bottles (sample and regular sized) are all really beautiful as well. 

Sephora VIB Tote Bag - I will also include the Sephora VIB exclusive tote/shopping bag (pictured in back). 

**Giveaway Rules**

- Subscribe to my blog - you can do this with or without a google + account.

- Comment on this post telling me one of your all-time favorite beauty products.

- Follow me on Twitter (@beautyhisandlos) & Instagram @beautyhighsandlows

This giveaway will close on Friday, November 14th at 11:59pm (CST). A viewer who has subscribed to this blog, and followed the associated social media accounts will be chosen at random.

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Fearless

When I'm shopping for a blush, I usually pick up a natural pink with a shimmer or highlight. This is really different from what I would usually go for, but I love it. I settled on the shade "fearless" - it's a matte coral with pink tones. I like the idea of it having 12-hour staying power. I hate looking washed out at the end of the day because my blush has faded. The Amazonian clay blushes are baked, and infused with clay from the Amazon River. 

How cute is the detail of the imprint on the pressed powder? I also really love the packaging. It's sleek and compact - perfect for traveling or throwing in your makeup bag and it has a great mirror under the lid. This blush is bright and very pigmented - I just barely dip my brush into the powder and get major color payoff. 

You can see in the swatch how pigmented this blush is. When a light dusting is applied to the cheeks it gives a really beautiful, natural look. You can pair a highlight shade with this, or leave it matte for fall & winter. Tarte claims that this blush is good for every skin type - dry, combination, & oily. I have dry skin and this always applies flawlessly without clinging to dry patches. 

As a bonus, Tarte creates this blush without the use of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances, GMOs and triclosan. They offer a wide range of shades with matte and shimmery options. 

I picked mine up at Sephora, but you can find these online and at Ulta for $26. I would love to try more Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes - I think next time I'll try Dollface and Flush.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Statement Mascara Review

LOVING this mascara! This was the first Tarte product I ever tried and to be honest, it didn't wow me at first. I bought this at the same time I bought the Benefit They're Real mascara and I ended up using the Benefit right away and didn't use the Tarte mascara for several weeks. Now I'm addicted. I have blonde lashes so it can take several coats for me to make sure all my lashes have been coated and darkened, but this mascara is SO black and because of the brush design, just a few sweeps and all my lashes are fully coated.

I initially purchased this based on a video by Fleur DeForce - she gave it a rave review and I decided I would give it a try. I really wanted to like it but wasn't all that impressed at first. I've discovered the secret - I have to curl my lashes first (I admit I'm not a consistent lash curler) and I have to use both sides of the brush. When you apply it to curled lashes it looks amazing! It holds the curl, it's super black and manages to coat each and every lash. It also adds volume and length. I started wearing this mascara to my hot yoga classes because although I don't wear any face makeup - I usually swipe on a bit of waterproof mascara since my lashes are blonde. This mascara does NOT budge. I've been wearing this everywhere for a couple of weeks now and I love it.

Tarte also claims that it's enriched with vitamins and minerals so that it ends up being healthy for your lashes. That's just an added bonus because the truly black formula and the brush design are really great and I will definitely be repurchasing this. The brush has two sides to it - a short, dense, side that helps coat the lashes and add volume, and a longer, firmer side that combs through to avoid clumps and lengthen. I love it so much I may just have to try the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara as well.

I purchased mine at Sephora but you can also find it at Ulta and Tarte online

PS - How cute is the packaging?!

Benefit Gimme Brow Review

    

 I love this concept - a tinted brow gel with fibers to add thickness. I have very blonde brows so I'm always trying out new products to darken them, shape them, and keep them in place. I get my brows threaded to shape them, but I don't have much of an arch, so I use some type of gel or pencil to add some shape to them and no matter what I need a product to darken them. Even if my brows are dyed, I still like to fill them in at least slightly. It helps frame your face and your eyes especially. Benefit 'Gimme Brow' is a mascara-like product to help add thickness and volume to brows, while lightly tinting and holding them in place. It comes in a small tube (0.1 oz) with a tiny mascara brush inside. The range consists of 2 shades, light/medium and medium/deep. I use light/medium and it's the perfect light brown with ash tones. The formula itself is also very similar to mascara, with little fibers in it that are meant to attach to your brows to make them appear fuller. I have used this both on top of already filled in brows and alone, and I like it both ways, but for different reasons. On a "no makeup day" I sweep this onto my brows by itself for a little color and to keep them neat. It adds enough color to tint my brows without being a bold brow. On regular makeup days, I fill in my brows (I use the e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit in medium) and then use the Gimme Brow as a setting gel and it adds some extra volume. I like the product for it's tint and it does keep my brows in place all day. Since I have lighter brows, I like anything that makes my brows appear darker and fuller. The only thing I don't like about Gimme Brow is that after a few weeks the product starts to build up on the end of the tube (at the opening) and gets dry and flakey. For some reason this is more of a problem with this than with any mascara I've ever used. 

     Gimme Brow typically goes for $22 and it has lasted me a couple months so far. Even though it has gotten dry on the opening of the tube, the consistency of the product inside hasn't changed. I think I will be able to continue using this tube for another month or two. I like the convenience of being able to swipe this on and I get a tint, additional thickness, and the hold that the gel provides all in one. I definitely think I'll repurchase this when it runs out. Once again, Benefit has made an excellent product!

*Note: The product claims to adhere to both skin and hair, however I don't agree. The tint will color your skin, but the fibers don't adhere to my skin. From my experience, the fibers only adhere to hair.

Here's where you can find Benefit Gimme Brow:
Benefit Cosmetics
Sephora
Ulta
Amazon (priced higher)

September Favorites!

September flew by but I'm so happy to see October. I'm ready for fall weather, pumpkin everything, and boots! Fall is my favorite season and I'm so glad it's finally here. Here are some beauty and non-beauty items I loved during September.

Beauty:

Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation - I love this foundation. I'm usually a fan of Revlon foundations not only for their consistencies but also their color range. They have a nice array of fair shades and some really light shades that match my skin perfectly. I have this foundation in the shade "ivory" and it's an absolutely perfect match. It really looks like my skin and provides just enough coverage. You could apply a light layer for sheer coverage on a "no makeup" day or you could add a thicker layer for light-medium coverage and touch up any spots with concealer. I apply this with a beauty blender.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer - I like the yellow tones in this concealer. I use it under my eyes with pretty much any foundation. It provides good coverage so you could wear a sheer layer of foundation and cover any under eye bags or darkness with this concealer and you're ready to go. I like the packaging, I just wish it was a little larger because I run through it pretty quickly. I apply this with the same beauty blender I used to apply my foundation. I use the shade "Chantilly." This goes for $29 at Sephora.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush - This is my transition blush. It still has shimmer and a highlight to it, but it's a deeper pink so it's the perfect transition from summer to winter. At $35, I think it's priced fairly. I love the packaging and the blush is pigmented and so easy to blend. The highlight swirled in is subtle but still adds a touch of a sheen to the cheekbones. I've been reaching for this a lot lately and I think it could be used as a daytime blush during Winter as well.

Make Up Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara - I have been loving this mascara. It's affordable as far as high-end mascaras go ($24) and I love the brush. It's a soft brush that's fat at the base and tapers to a point at the end - sort of pear-shaped. It's really black and doesn't flake onto my under eye area or smudge throughout the day. My favorite way to wear this mascara is with a smoky wing. I apply gel liner in a wing and then use a pencil brush and a black shadow to smoke out the edges. This look combined with the mascara has a really beautiful effect and makes it look like you're wearing false lashes.

Non-Beauty:

Bamboo Lane Crunchy Rice Rollers - These are fat-free popped rice snacks lightly sweetened with rice syrup and natural cane juice. I like to have these for breakfast with a little almond butter. They're crunchy but light and have just the right amount of sweetness. I picked these up at Costco, but I've linked the Amazon page for them for those of you without access to a Costco.

Twinings Earl Grey Tea - this is an old favorite of mine but I rediscovered it last month and remembered how much I LOVE this tea. I take my tea with sugar and milk, but lately I've been using Monk Fruit sweetener as a sugar alternative.