Sally Hansen Vita Surge Strength Gel

Sally Hansen VitaSurge Gel: The Solution to thin, split-prone, brittle nails

This is a review on a nail product from Sally Hansen’s nail care line. I like to paint my nails just as much as the next gal, and started really getting into it after a friend discovered the wondrous world of nail art. Even though my nails have the potential to get long they are very thin and brittle and do tend to split and break very easily.

I picked up VitaSurge in a target clearance bin for alittle over $4 but the original retail price is between $7 to $8 depending on your drugstore.

The Claims

• A fast-absorbing gel formula for weak nails that split and peel. Leaves no color.
• Multi-active bead infused formula instantly releases a surge of nourishing surge of vitamins C and E for stronger, more resilient nails.
• Helps increase flexibility to resist splitting and peeling.

Application Tips

• Shake well
• Apply daily over bare nails or dry nail color.
• Message in with Applicator or finger.
• Reapply as needed.
  
  

Sally Hansen

I’m quoting the claims and the application tips  from both the packaging on the bottle itself and the Sally Hansen website. In addition it promises to reveal “stronger nails in five days.”

The Review

I’ve only been using this product for about two weeks and I am applying it twice a day (morning and evening) to bare nails for the first week, and painted nails for the second. Even though it promises results in 5 days you’ll be able to see a difference immediately. The gel leaves your nails feeling stronger and somehow prevents against peeling and chipping even if your nails are already partially split at the time of application, which I personally think is kind of amazing.

All in all I would say that with use on a regular basis the product’s performance is consistent with its claims. That being said it must be used on a regular basis for continued benefits, which makes sense for a gel that’s applied topically.    

Other Products

In conjunction with the gel I use a cuticle softening oil called California Mango, Mango Magic. It’s about $4-$5 at Sally’s Beauty Supply and not only does it work wonderfully, but it smells delicious! I use it once every other day because my cuticles are lookin’ pretty rough.

Who has Elf Duped this Time?

Elf is infamous for duping the concepts and packaging of higher end brands. 

Elf's studio blush and bronzer duo in St. Lucia has been compared to the Nars' orgasm/laguna duo countless times over. 

Elf's HD Setting powder has been compared to similar products by Makeup Forever, 

Smashbox and more recently NYX. 

Elf's Got to Glow blush is similar to Nars' Albatross highlighter

ETC. ETC. ETC. 

And the list goes on and on and on. 

Elf is basically China in their shameless dupi-ness. 

Whateva, Whateva.

Within the past few weeks Elf has released a many new products into their studio line; two of which being their studio baked eyeshadow palettes in California and NYC. 

California is the more neutral of the two.  

and NYC is more on the smokey side but is more versatile. 

Any look you create with the top row would we more neutral, and looks created from the bottom row would be more smokey. 

THE DUPED

The victims of this shameless dupe are Sephora's own Moonshadow Baked Palettes in 

In the Nude

And In the Dark

The difference in terms of price is $20,  so the Elf palettes are $10 and the Sephora palettes are $30. 

Unfortunately I can't compare swatches here because both Elf palettes have been sold out on Eyes Lips Face for a week or two and who knows when they'll come back. But the shadows look to be pretty dead on dupes for one another, even in it's placement throughout the packaging which is a clear tipoff that it's a dupe. 

And just because Sephora's Moonshadows give off a slightly different finish, does not mean it won't swatch the same. 

I know it's pretty recently that these Elf palettes came out, but the reason I think no one has picked up on this dupe yet is basically because no one cares about Sephora brand things.  

Potential Acne "Cure" with Fast Results

Watch this video.

Brilliant!

or Bullshit?

Free Shipping Sephora

Here's a code to get free shipping on purchases over $25, Otherwise I think it would be free shipping on orders of $50 or more. 

F1AS12

All the regular limitations apply:

Online only

Onetime use

Expires 10/31/12

Otherwise I think it would be free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Urban Decay Sale!

Hello!

I feel like it's way too early in the morning to be thinking about make up but I just stumbled upon a link for a  20% off Urban Decay Sale.

Most things that are regularly priced will be 20% off with the code FFHOLIDAY12. It only applies to items on the site and discounts will be taken at check out. 

Get $10 off the Naked palettes

Get $11.80 off the Vice Palette

And get $9.80 off The Smoked Palette. 

Or Whatever else you like. 

The SALE ends this Saturday Oct. 13th so act quickly!

Happy Shopping! 

Lip Color Quiz!

Hi!

So I just stumbled upon this site via youtube called You Beauty, that I think Dr. Oz is involved with in some way, shape or form. 

I just took the lip color quiz but it looks like the site contains a lot of other cool stuff such as various other kinds of quizzes, article about beauty and everything else that contributes to beauty (health, fitness, SLEEP), etc. What I think will probably make this site stand out form all the others is the quiz suggestions will give you more alternatives in the way of organic and natural products. 

My Results

The results you'll get at the end will contain a bold lip color as well as a natural lip color. 

Your Best Bold Lip Color: Brick Red

Orange, gold- and brown-based hues all enhance the glow of a warm complexion. This brownish-red stands strong against your dark hair and warm skintone. 

 My suggestions were:

• Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Zivoli, $24
• L’Oréal Colour Riche Lipcolour in Sunset Red, $8.95
• NARS Sheer Lipstick in Gipsy, $24
• Revolution Organics Freedom Lip Gloss in True Red, $26
• Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Burnt Red, $24

A soft cocoa-brown or raisin balances out lips whose color fades in the center. Look for one that's a shade or two brighter than your natural lip tone.

My Suggestions Were:

Exude Lipstick Gloss in Brown No. 3, $29

L’Oréal Colour Riche Anti-Aging Serum in Chocolate Spice, $9.99

Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel in Vine, $24

Beauty Is Life Lip Gloss in Lisato 35 W-C, $25

Clarins Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss in Chocolate, $20

So what are you waiting for? 

Take the quiz! 

and let us k now how well it works for you

and what you think about the site. 

  

L'Oreal Paris Collagen Moisture Filler

When I first put it on at night there would be a slight tingling, which I assume is my skin being filled with collagen, but it also feels very refreshing, almost like splashing water onto your face, and when I wake up in the morning my skin  continues to feel soft and dewy. 

Even if it didn’t work, as far as the restoration of collagen, I would still continue to repurchase it because I have yet to use a moisturizer that keeps my face hydrated as long as this one does, we’re talkin 8 to 10 hours without reapplication! This is a big deal for me cause I have dry to very dry skin and it’s my go to when I want to fight flakiness and ashiness. 

As a collagen filler the L’Oreal site says that 78% of women saw “filled in wrinkles”  in about 4 weeks. I’ve only been using it consistently for about 3 weeks and haven’t noticed a huge reduction in any fine lines or wrinkles. Then again I’m only 21. There are a handful of women who’ve reviewed it on youtube that can attest to its wrinkle filling powers.It also comes in two formulas, the one in the jar is  the one I have and I use it at night, The Second in teh squeeze bottle has an spf 15 and is meant for daytime use.

Sephora Anti-Shine Face primer

Sephora Face Primer

I was browsing around the clearance bin in Sephora and found this tube of primer for only $5.00!

After you apply it to your face it grabs hold of your skin and starts to feel slightly tacky on the surface within 30 seconds or so and then it grabs hold of whatever kind of  foundation you use and gives it more of  a natural finish. Makes your foundation look more skin-like.

Unfortunately since it made its’ appearance in the clearance bin that means Sephora is trying to get rid of it and no longer carries it. : ( Hardcore sadface!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

I’ve been lovin this lately! This is my go to when I’m in a hurry and I need a quick face. I rub    this all over, apply mascara and a tinted lip  balm and I’m good to go. Since I’ve been using it I’ve been getting so many compliments on my skin and the radiance of my face because it doesn’t look (or feel) like I’m wearing anything.

The sad part is no one else likes it!!

It claims to be a skin perfector but it really just evens out your skin tone. This is a very light coverage cream that won’t really cover blemishes. I have to apply a concealer over my troubled spots, but I feel like people do that when they use foundation anyway.

There’s also the problem of it being too greasy on combo/oily skin. Since I have super dry skin my face almost immediately drinks up all the moisture and the pigment is left laying on the surface undisturbed. It’s wonderful!

Ideally this is for people who have dry skin, who don’t have many blemishes, and are looking for a  light coverage skin corrector.I’ve been lovin this lately! This is my go to when I’m in a hurry and I need a quick face. I rub    this all over, apply mascara and a tinted lip  balm and I’m good to go. Since I’ve been using it I’ve been getting so many compliments on my skin and the radiance of my face because it doesn’t look (or feel) like I’m wearing anything.

Elf Flawless Foundation

Elf Flawless Foundation

Aside from the Maybelline BB cream I’m loving this foundation from Elf. It is the one foundation I have that blends in with the least trouble and looks the most like skin. And to boot it’s only $6 at Target or on EyesLipsFace.com. This provides medium coverage and is buildable. E

Kat Von D Tatoo Concealer

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer

My reasoning for choosing this concealer: “If this can cover up tattoos, it sure as hell can cover up my dark circles!” Not only does it blend in with my skintone, once applied it doesn’t crease, I think because it’s more of a dry formula as opposed to a creamier one.

Hard Candy’s Glamoflauge is supposed to be similar in texture but when I tested it at a drugstore all I got was a handful of water and an il-matching pigment. 

Facial Cleansing Towelettes

Facial Cleansing Towelettes

No particular brand or anything, I just like having these in my bag to freshen up throughout the day should I need it, and on my nightstand to help my makeup remover clean my face at 1:30 in the morning when I just can’t be bothered to stand at the sink for 5 minutes and hose my face off. Cause that’s just asking too much. 

Right now I’m just using the Yes to Cucumbers wipes but and Burt’s Bees facial wipes look really nice and refreshing as well. 

Julep's July Supplies!

Julep Maven: July’s Supplies

Over summer I subscribed to be a Julep Maven because I was intrigued by getting three full sized nail polishes that would normally retail for $14 a piece ($42 all together) for less than $2 including shipping and handling.

When my October box came in I decided I would start doing unboxings but I want to recap over the last few months starting with July!

In July’s box I received two nail colors and a Pedi Cream.

Renee

First off, can I just say I think it’s really cute that Julep names their polishes after women? Actually, that’s not true, they just have girl’s names, which it super super cute!

It’s a very light lavender, or a lilac. There is no shimmer to satiny finish to it. It’s just a nice creamy opaque color.  My first impression after opening the box was that it didn’t look as pretty in my hands as it did on the site, which is almost always the case. My second thought was that it would look fantastic on someone who was pale, which I still maintain. It’s essentially a pastel color that I can see a lot of girl wearing around Easter time so I was kind of puzzled to see it in July.

Eva

The next color, on the other hand, is very much a summer color. Even though it looks like you’re classic red in some of the pictures it’s actually a hot pink. Perfect for July! And even in the fall and winter I could see myself continuing to use this color on my toes.

That’s another thing about some of the Julep colors; you don’t actually know what you’re getting until you swatch it or actually apply it. At least that’s a problem I have, it could be because my eye isn’t as trained, but I sometimes have debates with myself over the color of particular polish.

Best Pedi Cream Ever!

Must admit this cream is pretty damn hydrating. It’s really smooth, light and silky feeling. It smells mostly like cucumber, but is supposed to be a cucumber mint.

The directions on the back say:

“Apply nightly to tops and bottoms of feet to exfoliate and hydrate. Expect noticeable results in just 1 to 2 uses.”

I used to have dry and cracked feet that I would continually expose to the elements (I love wearing flip flops, if the world were clean and glass free I would go barefoot all the time!). I started soaking my feet twice weekly in warm water, oatmeal and tea tree oil. After which I would apply the Pedi Cream.

 

Does it work? Yes. Yes it does. It also works on other parts of the body such as knees and elbows.

The problem: It only comes with 2 oz. of product, and that’s not the sample size, it’s a full size that retails at $22 a pop. Ouch!! For the rate of use they recommend I can see myself running out in two weeks, and having to purchase  more (of course because it’s the best pedi cream ever)!

In reality there are similar products from the drugstore that do the same thing.  

Udderly Smooth

I picked this up at Bartell’s and at first glance looks really creepy. the back says:

“Developed for use on dairy cows, Udderly Smooth moisturizes, smooths roughness and softens skin. Apply liberally to dry and chapped skin.”

The idea being that if it’ll work on a cow, it’ll work for you. This comes with 4 oz. of product, there is a scent to it, but it just smells like regular lotion, the texture is quite a bit thicker and slightly clumpy, and it retails at around $3-$4. Not too shabby. I apply this on my feet, knees and elbows with the same effect as the “Best Pedi Cream Ever.”

Save your Money!

As far as I know deals for Julep Maven are still out there. One code for October is COLOR2012 from retailmenot.com which is one penny for the first month plus some kind of shipping fee. It claims a 97% success rate.  Otherwise it’s $20 monthly starting with your second month of subscription. Which is still a good deal. However for every two people you refer to be a Julep Maven you will receive month free.

There is also some sense of personalization that comes with your monthly Maven boxes. Basically you take a personality test and they match you with a polish “style profile”. Mine happens to be American Beauty. At any time you can choose to: Skip a month, cancel your subscription, and choose another style profile if you happen to like the colors that come with another maven package.

For more information see Julep’s Site at: http://www.julep.com/