Hi everyone! It's June 30, meaning it's time to officially announce the winner of the CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers giveaway!
Before that, though, I want to personally thank everyone who entered! I was thinking of disqualifying everyone who didn't leave a name and e-mail address, but decided to be a little nicer the first time around. ;)
Congratulations to Kat, our lucky winner! You'll be receiving four CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers in lemon, raspberry, papaya, and guava. Yummy!
If I receive no response within a week, I'll be forced to pick a new winner... but that wouldn't be fun. :) Make sure to check your e-mail ASAP!
Thanks again to everyone who entered, and check back for another giveaway in the future! Love you all!
CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers Giveaway Winner
First Look: L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balms and Metallic Shadow Duos
Continuing my series on new summer releases, L'Oreal HiP has finally released some exciting new additions to the already amazing lineup of intensely pigmented products. And if you enjoy MAC Tendertones and high-shimmer shadows, you're going to love these!
L'Oreal HiP's answer to Tendertones is the new collection of Jelly Balms. Similarly packaged in their own tubs, these balms pack sheer, juicy color, and ingredients to soothe and condition. High-intensity shine paired with a hint of tint on your lips... yummy! Six delicious shades, ranging from soft pink to dark plum, are currently available for $8.99 each.
A
lso newly released are the Metallic Shadow Duos. These shadows take shimmer to the next level with a high-pearl finish. One color is for shading, while the other is meant for lining - but who's to say you can't mix and match? Five gorgeous duos are hitting stores now for $6.99 each.
Finally, check the new HiP product displays to discover even more new eyeshadow duo varieties! I'll be looking for sales at ULTA and local drugstores so that I can stock up on these great new items!
Images: lorealparisusa.com
Giveaway Reminder
Hello, readers! I hope you're having a fabulous summer day. :) I'm still nursing my thumb injury, but I just wanted to drop by and remind everyone about the CoverGirl giveaway going on.
The giveaway for a set of four Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers glosses ends June 28, tomorrow night at 11:59 PM!
Thanks to everyone who's entered so far, and stay tuned for the winner announcement soon!
Hand Injury
Hi everyone... so sorry, but I need to take a few extra days away from blogging! Last night, my thumb had a terrible run-in with my car door, removing part of my nail (biggest ouch ever!) and making typing or anything of the sort quite difficult.
I still have to work, but it is very, very slow without use of my dominant thumb. Now I have an idea of how other animals feel. ;)
Anyway, thanks for your patience; I really appreciate it. Hope you're all having a great summer!
Review: Sally Hansen Extra Strength Brazilian Bikini Waxing & Shaping Kit
There are some products in this world that simply shouldn't exist. But, because they do, I feel it's my responsibility to warn you about them... and to stay far, far away.
Summer is officially here, and one thing that is frequently on our minds as we bear more and more skin is maintaining a smooth, hair-free look. The bikini area can be especially problematic at times, and shaving isn't always the best option for sensitive skin and fast-growing hair. What's a girl to do?
Professional waxing can get pricey fast, but there are a few good do-it-yourself alternatives available. Today I'd like to tell you about one product that does not fall in this category - Sally Hansen Extra Strength Brazilian Bikini Waxing & Shaping Kit.
Product Description: - "Easy to use - no strips needed!
- Eliminates even the coarsest hair.
- Everything you need in one kit to expertly shape and groom your bikini line.
- Smooth results last up to 8 beautiful weeks!
- Exclusive easy-grip handle for safe and easy microwave use.
- Helps reduce the appearance of hair regrowth.
- Salon Tested - Dermatologist Tested."
Other: Mess, pain, and frustration factor = 10/10.
Results: The kit comes with no waxing strips, as advertised, and is simply a wax you apply and remove. Included are the jar of wax, wooden spatulas, after-care oil, small scissors, a mirror (haha!), and gauze... you're going to need that later, trust me.
The concept seems simple enough: heat wax, apply small amount, wait to harden, and remove. But the main problem with this kit lies in the wax itself. There are so many issues with it, I hardly know where to begin. For one, it's a horribly sticky, gooey mess that hardens very quickly... so much that you can not remove it from anything it comes in contact with. Meaning if you get it on your rug, on your body, anywhere else - forget about trying to remove it in the next 24 hours.
I made the grave mistake of getting some of the wax on my nails. If this happens to you, I can say with confidence that you will have to kiss your pretty manicure goodbye! It will NOT come off with any amount of oil or nail polish remover, and will remove only after heated and scrubbed. If you must, wear gloves!
Next, the wax simply doesn't work unless the conditions are exactly right. The hair can't be too short, or the wax won't grab; too long, and it's very hard to pull off. You must have JUST the right amount of wax to pull, and because it hardens so quickly, you only get one chance and can't wait too long to remove. I'd say the correct amount is between a thin and thick layer, but it's so difficult to determine. If it's too thick, good luck getting it off you - you won't even want to try, it'll be such a mess.
Next, this is definitely the most painful waxing kit I've ever encountered. You can easily bleed and, as a few others have experienced, bruise your skin. Heck, it'll rip the top layer of skin clear off. The wax makes it so incredibly time-consuming and painful that you don't want to finish... especially if you're attempting larger or sensitive areas of skin.
I appreciate the efforts Sally Hansen has put forth here, but it's simply not worth the mess, trouble, and tears. Do your body a favor and stick to wax strips, better wax kits, or your good old salon waxer. Nothing about this kit is worth the $10 tag.
I would absolutely never, ever recommend this product to any woman. I couldn't be happier to return to my other Sally Hansen waxes and strips!
You'll like this product if: You want to try waxing at home, you enjoy pain, you handle messy waxes well
You won't like this product if: You want a comfortable, easy waxing experience with minimal mess and fuss
Rating: 1/5
Images: walgreens.com
First Look: Sally Hansen Salsa Beat
If you've been loving the Sally Hansen Salon Nail Lacquer collections as much as I have lately - especially the unique limited edition releases - you'll probably dig the hot new summer collection, too.
Salsa Beat, which will be hitting stores soon, is a set of seven fresh and vibrant nail lacquers that "entice and take hold of the senses." Shades of pink, purple, and peach are the main highlights, with all but one having a creme finish (the exception is the peach frost).
Here's a peek at the shades that will be available:
(A Taste of Honey, Gloss Peach, Fever Pink, Sweet Milk, Flora, Shy Lilac, Violet Kiss)The Salsa Beat polishes will be retailing at around $5.99 each. And, as always, Sally Hansen polishes are free of DBP, toluene or free formaldehyde. Beautiful! I'll let you know when the collection becomes available in stores.
Images: sallyhansen.com
EOTD: MAC Cool Heat
As I mentioned in my last post, I had the pleasure of visiting a real MAC store for the first time this week! It wasn't much different from a department store counter, but it did appear to have more products... big duh, right?
Anyway, with my sale coupon in hand, I headed over to the Cool Heat display to see what it had to offer. Everything was even nicer in real life than I had expected! Every shadow had a beautiful color and finish, and the Slimshines - which I'd never tried - are a great alternative to lipstick. Of course, the saleswoman insisted on trying out a few things on me.
Here's my Cool Heat eye look with greens and blue! This time I tried some flattering outdoor lighting. :)
On eyes:
MAC paint pot in Rollickin'
MAC shadow in Solar White
MAC shadow in Gulf Stream
MAC shadow in Warm Chill
MAC shadow in Cool Heat
MAC ProLash mascara
How did she do? I ended up coming home with Solar White for about $12, and later discovered my boyfriend had also bought the other two shadows for me... yay! :)
You can bet I'm trying to find some dupes for these colors. I know nothing beats the pigmentation or quality of real MAC, but you can come close to matching the look on a budget! I'll let you know what I find. I'm thinking some of my ULTA and HIP shadows might work!
Busy Busy Bee
Hi everyone - wow, it feels like it's been a long time since I've posted! I'm really sorry about that - I just wanted to explain that I've been working quite a bit these last few days. For whatever reason I've been scheduled to work 7 in a row, so I'm feeling a little burnt out! (July will likely be a busy month for me as well, since I'll be working even more. Phew.) But I promise the content will return as soon as I gather my wits again and get some rest. :)
I visited a real MAC store for the first time yesterday, and had lots of fun looking around and trying on some things. Expect a "cool" EOTD soon!
Aside from that, I'm still working on my summer features - and, as always, trying to find the best budget beauty buys.
Please don't forget to enter my CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers contest! Remember that it ends June 28, and be sure to tell your friends! Thanks everyone!
Giveaway: CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers
What comes to mind when you picture summer? Sunny days by the pool, shopping, tropical drinks... what about your makeup? Glowing skin; simple, fresh looks; and, my favorite, glossy lips.In celebration of summer, Bare Budget Beauty is holding its first giveaway! One person will win a pack of four CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers lip glosses in a variety of flavors - Guava, Papaya, Raspberry, and Lemon. These shiny, juicy glosses are non-sticky, provide refreshing moisture, and have a great fruity scent and taste - perfect for a little splash of color at the beach or by the pool.
To enter, just leave your name and e-mail and tell me what you love most about summer! The deadline is June 28, 2008 at 11:59 PM. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on June 30. If you win, you will be contacted the day of the announcement. If you aren't comfortable putting your e-mail here, you can also send me an entry privately, providing your blogger account name or screenname as well. Check the side bar for my contact information.
One entry per person (multiples will be disqualified), and remember, the giveaway ends at 11:59 PM PST on June 28! Good luck and happy summer!
Cherry Culture Summer Sale
If you've been meaning to visit CherryCulture.com lately, now is a great time - don't you hear another great summer sale coming?
June 10-20 only, Cherry Culture is offering a whopping 20% off all orders of $50 or more, along with free shipping over orders of $40 or more!
Also check out these great buy one, get one free offers going on now:
NYX Long Lip Pencil
Blah Blah Lip Conditioner
Santee Nail Polish
Lulu Beauty Eyeshadow
Jelly Pong Pong Single and Lovin' It
And still more savings can be found on CherryCulture.com! Don't miss out - it's a great time to stock up on some NYX and SUGAR!
Splurge of the Month & Review: MAC Tendertones
A post about MAC products? Have I gone nuts?! Don't worry, the world isn't ending, and neither is my love for all things budget beauty.
The Tendertones re-launch is the only collection since Fafi to really catch my eye among the billions released this year. (I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.) I'm more or less a MAC newbie, but I've been trying to pick up an item or two from each collection I like... when my budget allows. And since I do get the opportunity to test some more expensive or high-end products on occasion, I like to let my readers know about them, too. While I usually advocate affordable beauty finds, I feel it's also my duty to keep you in the know about products that may or may not be worth a higher price tag.
These balms supposedly fuse the silky texture and shine of a gloss together with the protection and conditioning of a balm. They're available in 10 beautiful, semi-sheer shades, most of which contain a subtle shimmer. Each has a light strawberry-kiwi scent and barely-there flavor, and the packaging is essentially the same of that of paint pots.
Here's a look at MAC Tendertones, from the perspective of a budget beauty girl.
Product Description: "Combines the look of a gloss and the benefits of a balm, with the protection of everyday SPF 12 sun protection. Smoothly satin in texture, and non-sticky. Provides just-enough colour. Conditions, moisturizes, helps to smooth and improve the look of the lips. Features a light, strawberry-kiwi flavour." --maccosmetics.com
Price: $14.50/0.2 oz
Results: While I really enjoyed the product overall, the one thing I disliked right away is that no applicator is included for this product. Normally, I would just stick my finger into the jar, but having nails makes this difficult to do without getting anything stuck under them! This is a small personal peeve, though, and I'm sure many girls have no problem with jar products. It does feel a little less sanitary, though.
When I first applied, I was expecting the consistency to be either very thick, waxy, or greasy, but I found it to be none of these things. How rare is that? Instead, it felt like a light gloss on my lips, silky smooth and almost weightless.
The color selection is absolutely gorgeous, making it hard to choose just one to take home. I tried on nearly every color in-store, and was very impressed. In the end, I picked Hush, Hush, which MAC describes as a "sheer gold with yellow-gold pearl." I was a little concerned it would look too harsh or gaudy against my pale skin and on my pigmented lips, but instead it applied sheerly enough to brighten them with a flattering hint of color and shimmer. I could see myself wearing this both casually and for more special occasions. In other words, the color range has some great versatility! These would probably also look excellent over a lipstick without feeling too heavy or sticky, like a thick gloss tends to.
The wear seemed pretty decent; these won't hold up well to eating or drinking, etc., but it's not claiming to be an all-day affair, either. How often do glosses really stay put well? Personally, I don't mind reapplying, as I'm not looking for product with super staying power. Another plus is that it felt very moisturizing, not drying, which can happen often with lips. I imagine it might live up to its claim of conditioning with continued use, but there's no way of guaranteeing it.
The light scent and flavor make it more enjoyable to wear than a lot of products, but there's always the chance that you'll want to lick it off! :)
My verdict? For lip product junkies like myself, Tendertones answer many prayers. Pretty shimmer and shine, sun protection (though more is always better), a hint of color, and everyday wearability. My issues with the packaging are small, so the biggest issue left is the price. "Is it worth it?" you ask. While I love the product and wish I could buy them all, it certainly isn't feasible, and I know there are cheaper alternatives out there. Are they as nice? Definitely not - so the choice of sacrificing quality for price is always up to you. If lip stuff just isn't your thing to begin with, you probably won't be crazy about them.
Find yourself a MAC store and test these out soon, as some colors are going fast. Balm and gloss lovers need to check them out, and definitely consider getting at least one. For the rest of you, feel free to pass... and keep using what you already like, or continue searching for a good equivalent for a better price!
Rating: 4.5/5
Some budget-friendly alternatives I recommend:
Sally Hansen Comfort Shine Lip Glaze
Jenn Says: Similar concept, no SPF. Several yummy flavors and two finishes to choose from, plus much more product for the money.
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother SPF 20
Jenn Says: Great SPF protection and shiny, sheer glosses for a bit of color.
ULTA Moisturizing Liptint SPF 15
Sally Hansen Volumizing Lip Shield with SPF 15
Bliss Superbalm SPF 15
Jenn Says: For those simply looking for a balm with a good SPF, but without the frills.
MAC Friends and Family Event
Uh oh... guess I shouldn't have slept in today. Everyone is all over this sale already!
This week only, June 11-16, MAC is having - gasp - a sale! The Friends and Family event gives you 15% off all purchases in MAC stores only (not department stores).
If you can't make it in to a free-standing MAC, like me, then you can get the same savings AND free shipping for all purchases online on June 16 only.
Find a store near you!
ULTA Summer Beauty Budget Sale
ULTA, one of the best stores for finding great beauty deals and bargains, has begun yet another impressive sale. I can't get enough of the deals this place offers - so I'm always excited to report on them!
Most notably, several brands are being sold as buy one, get one free, or buy one, get one 50% off. Who doesn't love free products? There is tons of money to be saved with your next ULTA haul!
Buy one, get one free on...
-L'Oreal HIP (coupon)
-L'Oreal Lip Color
-Sally Hansen (excluding Natural Beauty line)
-NYC (coupon)
-Bonne Bell (coupon)
-Prestige (coupon)
-NYX (coupon)
Buy one, get one 50% off on...
-CoverGirl
-Neutrogena
-L'Oreal Dermo Expertise
-Maybelline Lip & Nail
-John Frieda
-Max Factor
-Natural Beauty by Sally Hansen (coupon)
-Rimmel (coupon)
Finally, more deals! Buy two, get one free on...
-OPI
-Dove
-Jane (coupon)
Some of these products DO require coupons, as I've noted here, so make sure to check the current ad online or in your mail catalog and bring them with you when needed! (I figured this out the hard way.) There are many more savings to discover, too, so be sure to take a look for your favorite brands. Did I mention free gifts?
Finally, don't forget that online orders can take another $3.50 off orders of $10 or more - use promo code 93849.
These offers are good through 6/28/08 - happy summer bargain hunting!
Clearance Report #2
Time for a mini clearance report! Look out for these discontinued products from L'Oreal marked down to super-low prices at your favorite local store. Let me know what you get; I managed some great deals myself on some wonderful items from the HIP line.
L'Oreal HIP
Intensely Moisturizing Lipcolor (select shades found at CVS and Walgreens for $2-3)
Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss (select shades found at CVS and Walgreens for $2-3)
L'Oreal Paris
L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Liquid Foundation
L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Extra Coverage Creme Makeup
Total Beauty Summer Spa Sweepstakes
I don't know about all of you, but I love the occasional trip to the spa - even a little pick-me-up treat can be refreshing and renewing. But can you imagine an entire weekend getaway at a resort and spa... on the beach? Sounds amazing, right?
Now that TotalBeauty.com's Totally Green sweepstakes has come to an end, the website has unveiled its newest contest - and the prizes are just as sweet! Running June 6 through August 4, 2008, is the Total Beauty Summer Spa Sweepstakes.
The rules and entry process are the same: write product reviews, and you'll be entered to win the grand prize up to five times a day, as well as receiving five (5) entries per day into the instant win game.
The grand prize? An unforgettable four-day spa experience that includes a trip to Ceiba del Mar Beach & Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico! In addition, 12 winners will get a beauty product gift bag, and hundreds more will get instant win prizes including gift certificates and other goodies.
What're you waiting for, spa girl? Head over to TotalBeauty.com today!
Review: Maybelline Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper
After experiencing the personal product fiasco that was Maybelline Define-A-Lash Mascara a few months ago, I decided to give the brand another try with a different product. This time, I ventured into the area of lip products, specifically the recent Volume XL Seduction Lip Plumper.
Yes, I know - every cosmetic brand has their own "lip plumper" these days. But why not give it a try? I'm always looking for great multi-purpose products to test. My shade is Seductively Nude, a pretty, coral nude (duh!) with barely a hint of shimmer to it. It seems like a very universal and natural color.
What really caught my eye initially was the packaging (which is unusual for me!). It comes in a sleek, dark metallic tube that is slim and chic. The applicator is genius - an angled plastic tip with a click-up bottom. Unlike with foam and other materials, the product doesn't get stuck in the tip and ultimately get wasted. Great news for wallets!
In the end, though, I just couldn't make myself love this product like I wanted - read on to find out why.
Product Description: "Make you lips up to 30% bigger with Maybelline Volume Seduction Lip Plumper. Feel a tingling effect as active amplifiers instantly plump lips for a visibly fuller pout . Available in 10 seductive shades. Not recommended for sensitive lips." --ulta.com
Price: $8.99
Results: Let's skip past all the fluff and get right to the most important point: it didn't work. Very, very few lip plumpers do, in my experience and research, and those that succeed in doing what they promise usually use ingredients causing a lot of irritation to the lips. While the gloss does have the signature tingle of many plumpers, there was little to no visible difference in the volume or fullness of my lips - aside from what comes with many standard glosses. The effect of a gloss is simply improved light reflection and shine, which give a fuller appearance. A few reviews swore this works, but I didn't see it, even after many applications. Like with many plumpers, the difference is probably pure irritation and inflammation. I also found it a little drying, and that it didn't stick around on my lips long.
Now on to the better points. I love the fresh, fruity scent the gloss has (just don't bother tasting it). The ten colors offered are all beautiful and flattering, worn over or without lipstick. The formula is surprisingly creamy and smooth, not too sticky or thick. The slanted plastic applicator tip allows for concise color and product deposit and good control. Again, the packaging is great, and fits just about anywhere. Finally, you seem to get a decent amount of the gloss, which is nice if you really love it.
While this product has its redeeming qualities, they don't amount to much when you look at the fact that this product touts itself as a lip plumper - and if it doesn't live up to the name, then why buy it? Instead, with these results, you might as well purchase the original Shine Seduction lip glosses for a cheaper price, and similar performance.
I won't be spending my money on this product again, but I'll definitely consider buying a Shine Seduction gloss and comparing the two. I'm moving on from this plumper! Sorry, Maybelline.
You'll like this product if: You're a fan of Shine Seduction, you like tingly glosses, you don't like thick, sticky glosses
You won't like this product if: You're looking for a serious lip plumper
Rating: 2/5
Let me know if you'd like any swatches or result pictures!
Image: maybelline.com
Bare Budget Beauty Joins TotalBeauty.com!
Hey guys! I have a little announcement I'm excited to share. See that little blue badge on the side of the page? This means that Bare Budget Beauty has been welcomed into the TotalBeauty.com blogging community!
I'm very proud, since the blog is still relatively new and has a small amount of visitors per day. I really want to sincerely thank everyone who has visited and my regular readers who continue to support me!
I'll continue to do my best to deliver quality content and reviews to all of you, the readers and the community. In turn, I hope you'll continue to support the blog and my efforts to deliver great budget beauty.
You can check it out for yourself over at TotalBeauty.com's Blogs We Love page.
Thanks so much! :)
First Look: Hot Summer Buys from Neutrogena
As I step outside in the 110-degree weather today and feel myself begin to bake from the outside in, it hits me: summer is here. Time for afternoons by the pool and fun in the sun!
But what about summer beauty needs? You already know that every brand out there has their own sunscreen - your local drugstore has put every single one on display for you to see the moment you step foot in the store. But is there anything new this summer? Of course... you see where I'm going with this. ;)
During the month of June, I'll be giving you a peek at some of the hottest new summer buys from favorite budget and drugstore brands, just in time for vacation. Today's featured brand: Neutrogena!
Neutrogena already makes some of the best and well-recognized sunscreens widely available in America, but this summer, they're throwing a few new goodies into the mix.
The new Neutrogena Color Boosting Sunblock SPF 30 is a moisturizer, gradual sunless tanner, and sunscreen all in one! Finally, you can have it all - protection, moisture, and color. It contains their breakthrough formula with Helioplex, and is oil- and paraben-free and noncomedogenic, so it won't clog pores. This sounds like a great buy for summer because it allows you to get one simple, easy-to-use product when you'd normally need to purchase two or three. Smart, right? It retails for about $8.99.
Next is a fun twist on sunless tanners - the Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Lotion or Foam. This lightweight, hydrating formula "infuses" skin with radiant, natural-looking color. The best part is that the products are scented with grapefruit and nectarine... meaning no nasty self-tanner smell! The only cons to this line is that the lotions don't contain an SPF, and they only come in two varieties; one for fair/medium skin, and one for medium/deep skin. A larger selection of shades might be more beneficial, and I hope they consider adding an SPF soon!
From what I tested, the smell is a little fruity and fades fast, and the product absorbs instantly. So there's no awful smells AND no sticky mess! This product is available for about $8.99 as well.
Stay tuned for more great summer buys on a budget!
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